No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7567 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7567
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other
programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 13, 2026
Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Agriculture
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other
programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Farm, Food, and
National Security Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--COMMODITIES
Sec. 1001. Suspension of permanent price support authority.
Sec. 1002. Tree assistance program.
Sec. 1003. Specialty crop emergency assistance framework.
Sec. 1004. Assistance in the form of block grants.
Sec. 1005. Dairy-related extensions.
Sec. 1006. Mandatory reporting of dairy product processing costs.
Sec. 1007. Dairy reports.
Sec. 1008. Processing of certain loans.
Sec. 1009. Storage facility loans.
Sec. 1010. Strengthening domestic food production supply chains.
Sec. 1011. Regulations.
TITLE II--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Definitions
Sec. 2001. Definitions.
Sec. 2002. Mitigation banking.
Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program
Sec. 2101. Conservation reserve.
Sec. 2102. Farmable wetland program.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Sec. 2201. Definitions.
Sec. 2202. Establishment and administration.
Sec. 2203. Limitation on payments.
Sec. 2204. Conservation innovation grants and payments.
Subtitle D--Conservation Stewardship Program
Sec. 2301. Duties of the Secretary.
Sec. 2302. State assistance for soil health.
Subtitle E--Other Conservation Programs
Sec. 2401. Conservation of private grazing land.
Sec. 2402. Feral swine eradication and control program.
Sec. 2403. Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act.
Sec. 2404. Emergency conservation program.
Sec. 2405. Emergency watershed program.
Sec. 2406. National agriculture flood vulnerability study.
Subtitle F--Funding and Administration
Sec. 2501. Commodity Credit Corporation.
Sec. 2502. Delivery of technical assistance.
Sec. 2503. Administrative requirements for conservation programs.
Subtitle G--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Sec. 2601. Definitions.
Sec. 2602. Agricultural land easements.
Sec. 2603. Wetland reserve easements.
Sec. 2604. Administration.
Subtitle H--Forest Conservation Easement Program
Sec. 2701. Forest conservation easement program.
Sec. 2702. Healthy Forests Reserve Program.
Subtitle I--Regional Conservation Partnership Program
Sec. 2801. Establishment and purposes.
Sec. 2802. Definitions.
Sec. 2803. Regional conservation partnerships.
Sec. 2804. Assistance to producers.
Sec. 2805. Funding.
Sec. 2806. Administration.
Sec. 2807. Critical conservation areas.
TITLE III--TRADE
Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act
Sec. 3101. Transfer of authorities to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Sec. 3102. Food aid quality assurance.
Sec. 3103. Repeal of minimum levels of assistance.
Sec. 3104. Food aid consultative group.
Sec. 3105. Issuance of regulations; oversight, monitoring, and
evaluation.
Sec. 3106. International food relief partnership.
Sec. 3107. Use of commodity credit corporation.
Sec. 3108. Pre-positioning of agricultural commodities and annual
report regarding food aid programs and
activities.
Sec. 3109. Deadline for agreements to finance sales or to provide other
assistance.
Sec. 3110. Minimum level of nonemergency food assistance.
Sec. 3111. Termination date for micronutrient fortification programs.
Sec. 3112. John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter farmer-to-farmer program.
Sec. 3113. Food for Peace Act administration.
Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
Sec. 3201. Agricultural trade promotion and facilitation.
Sec. 3202. Preserving foreign markets for goods using common names.
Sec. 3203. Interagency seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetable
working group.
Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws
Sec. 3301. Growing American food exports.
Sec. 3302. Food for Progress Act of 1985.
Sec. 3303. Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act.
Sec. 3304. Promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets.
Sec. 3305. International agricultural education fellowship program.
Sec. 3306. International agriculture cultural immersion and exchange
program.
Sec. 3307. International food security technical assistance.
Sec. 3308. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child
Nutrition Program.
Sec. 3309. Global crop diversity trust.
Sec. 3310. Local and regional food aid procurement projects.
Sec. 3311. Agricultural trade enforcement task force.
Sec. 3312. Report on international shrimp trade.
TITLE IV--NUTRITION
Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Sec. 4101. Declaration of policy.
Sec. 4102. Prohibited fees.
Sec. 4103. SNAP staffing flexibility.
Sec. 4104. Updates to administrative processes for SNAP retailers.
Sec. 4105. Report On All Identified Payment Errors.
Sec. 4106. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 4107. Retail food store and recipient trafficking.
Sec. 4108. EBT card security regulations.
Sec. 4109. Report on SNAP administrative expenses.
Sec. 4110. Animal protein an eligible incentive food.
Sec. 4111. Permanent authority for supplemental nutrition assistance
program online purchasing.
Sec. 4112. Emergency food assistance programs.
Sec. 4113. Food distribution program on Indian reservations.
Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs
Sec. 4201. Commodity distribution program.
Sec. 4202. Commodity supplemental food program.
Sec. 4203. Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition
projects.
Sec. 4204. Commodity supplemental food program demonstration project
for tribal organizations.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
Sec. 4301. Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to
schools and service institutions.
Sec. 4302. Buy American requirements for certain school meals.
Sec. 4303. Reauthorization of the Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive
program.
Sec. 4304. Food loss and waste reduction liaison annual report.
Sec. 4305. Dairy nutrition incentives projects.
Sec. 4306. Local farmers feeding our communities program.
Sec. 4307. Healthy food financing initiative.
Sec. 4308. Dietary Guidelines.
TITLE V--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
Sec. 5101. Persons eligible for real estate loans.
Sec. 5102. Experience requirements.
Sec. 5103. Refinancing of indebtedness into direct loans.
Sec. 5104. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
Sec. 5105. Limitations on amount of farm ownership loans.
Sec. 5106. Inflation percentage.
Sec. 5107. Authority of Farm Credit System institutions to provide
financial support for essential rural
community facilities projects.
Sec. 5108. Down payment loan program.
Sec. 5109. Heirs property.
Sec. 5110. Prompt approval of loans and loan guarantees.
Sec. 5111. Expedited approval pilot program.
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
Sec. 5201. Persons eligible for operating loans.
Sec. 5202. Limitations on amount of operating loans.
Sec. 5203. Limitation on microloan amounts.
Sec. 5204. Cooperative lending pilot projects.
Subtitle C--Emergency Loans
Sec. 5301. Persons eligible for emergency loans.
Subtitle D--Administrative Provisions
Sec. 5401. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts
pilot program.
Sec. 5402. Loan authorization levels.
Sec. 5403. Loan fund set-asides.
Sec. 5404. Use of additional funds for direct operating microloans
under certain conditions.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous
Sec. 5501. Extension of credit to businesses providing services to
producers or harvesters of aquatic
products.
Sec. 5502. Export finance authority.
Sec. 5503. Support for rural water and waste systems.
Sec. 5504. Farm credit system regulation.
Sec. 5505. Loan guarantees.
Sec. 5506. Standards for qualified loans.
Sec. 5507. State agricultural mediation programs.
Sec. 5508. Technical corrections.
TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America
Sec. 6101. Prioritizations for distance learning and telemedicine and
community facilities program.
Sec. 6102. Distance learning and telemedicine loans and grants.
Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband
Sec. 6201. Rural broadband program loans and grants.
Sec. 6202. Expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas.
Sec. 6203. Innovative broadband advancement program.
Sec. 6204. Community connect grants.
Sec. 6205. Rate regulation.
Sec. 6206. Public notice, assessments, technical assistance, and
reporting requirements.
Sec. 6207. Limitation on overbuilding.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
Sec. 6301. Rural energy savings program.
Sec. 6302. Promoting precision agriculture.
Sec. 6303. Food supply chain guaranteed loans.
Sec. 6304. New, mobile, and expanded meat processing and rendering
grants.
Sec. 6305. Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative.
Sec. 6306. Technical assistance for geographically underserved and
distressed areas.
Sec. 6307. Establishment of the Rural Development Innovation Center.
Sec. 6308. Rural Health Liaison report.
Subtitle D--Additional Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act
Sec. 6401. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants.
Sec. 6402. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Sec. 6403. Zero and low interest loans for distressed water systems.
Sec. 6404. Tribal college and university essential community
facilities.
Sec. 6405. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant
program.
Sec. 6406. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska.
Sec. 6407. Rural decentralized water systems.
Sec. 6408. Assistance to rural entities.
Sec. 6409. Solid waste management grants.
Sec. 6410. Rural business development grants.
Sec. 6411. Rural cooperative development grants.
Sec. 6412. Lender fees in guaranteed loan programs.
Sec. 6413. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.
Sec. 6414. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Sec. 6415. Rural economic area partnership zones.
Sec. 6416. Intermediary relending program.
Sec. 6417. Rural health care facility assistance.
Sec. 6418. Elimination of prohibition on use of loan for certain
purposes.
Sec. 6419. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical
assistance and training.
Sec. 6420. National Rural Development Partnership.
Sec. 6421. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters.
Sec. 6422. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
Sec. 6423. Health care services.
Sec. 6424. Strategic economic and community development.
Sec. 6425. Rural innovation stronger economy grant program.
Sec. 6426. Limitation on rural business investment companies controlled
by Farm Credit System institutions.
Sec. 6427. Rural business investment program.
Sec. 6428. Technical corrections.
Sec. 6429. Rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training
programs.
Subtitle E--Additional Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of
1936
Sec. 6501. Guarantees for bonds and notes issued for utility
infrastructure purposes.
Sec. 6502. Extension of the rural economic development loan and grant
program.
Sec. 6503. Expansion of 911 access.
TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977
Sec. 7101. National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board.
Sec. 7102. Specialty crop committee.
Sec. 7103. Veterinary medicine loan repayment.
Sec. 7104. Veterinary services grant program.
Sec. 7105. Grants and fellowships for food and agriculture sciences
education.
Sec. 7106. Agricultural and food policy research centers.
Sec. 7107. Education grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and
Native Hawaiian serving institutions.
Sec. 7108. Nutrition education program.
Sec. 7109. Continuing animal health and disease research programs.
Sec. 7110. Extension and agricultural research at 1890 land-grant
colleges, including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7111. Scholarships for students at 1890 Institutions.
Sec. 7112. Grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities
at 1890 land-grant colleges, including
Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7113. Grants to upgrade agriculture and food sciences facilities
and equipment and support tropical and
subtropical agricultural research at
insular area land-grant colleges and
universities.
Sec. 7114. Matching funds requirement for research and extension
activities at eligible institutions.
Sec. 7115. New Beginning for Tribal Students.
Sec. 7116. Education grants programs for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sec. 7117. Binational agricultural research and development.
Sec. 7118. Grants and partnerships for international agricultural
research, extension, and education.
Sec. 7119. Research equipment grants.
Sec. 7120. University research.
Sec. 7121. Extension service.
Sec. 7122. Supplemental and alternative crops.
Sec. 7123. Grants for community college agriculture and natural
resources programs.
Sec. 7124. Capacity building grants for NLGCA institutions.
Sec. 7125. Agriculture advanced research and development authority.
Sec. 7126. Aquaculture assistance programs.
Sec. 7127. Special authorization for biosecurity planning and response.
Sec. 7128. Agriculture and food protection grant program.
Sec. 7129. Distance education grants for insular areas.
Sec. 7130. Resident instruction grants for insular areas.
Sec. 7131. Repeals.
Subtitle B--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
Sec. 7201. Sustainable agriculture research and education.
Sec. 7202. National Genetics Resources Program.
Sec. 7203. Agricultural genome to phenome initiative.
Sec. 7204. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 7205. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 7206. Farm business management.
Sec. 7207. Urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production
research, education, and extension
initiative.
Sec. 7208. Centers of excellence.
Sec. 7209. Assistive technology program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 7210. Farming opportunities training and outreach.
Sec. 7211. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.
Sec. 7212. Repeal.
Subtitle C--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1998
Sec. 7301. National food safety training, education, extension,
outreach, and technical assistance program.
Sec. 7302. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive
grants program.
Sec. 7303. Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale,
and barley caused by fusarium graminearum
or by tilletia indica.
Sec. 7304. Grants for youth organizations.
Sec. 7305. Specialty crop research initiative.
Sec. 7306. Agriculture grants for veteran education and training
services.
Sec. 7307. Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program.
Sec. 7308. Office of Pest Management Policy.
Sec. 7309. Forestry products advanced utilization research.
Sec. 7310. Repeals.
Subtitle D--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Sec. 7401. Grazinglands research laboratory.
Sec. 7402. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
Sec. 7403. Sun grant program.
Sec. 7404. Repeals.
Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws
Sec. 7501. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Sec. 7502. Research Facilities Act.
Sec. 7503. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
Sec. 7504. Extension design and demonstration initiative.
Sec. 7505. Biomass research and development.
Sec. 7506. Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.
Sec. 7507. National Aquaculture Act of 1980.
Sec. 7508. Reports on disbursement of funds for agricultural research
and extension at 1862 and 1890 land-grant
colleges, including Tuskegee University.
Sec. 7509. Repeal.
Subtitle F--Other Matters
Sec. 7601. Foundation for food and agriculture research.
Sec. 7602. Agriculture innovation center demonstration program.
Sec. 7603. Livestock insects laboratory.
Sec. 7604. U.S. Abit Massey National Poultry Research Center.
Sec. 7605. Hatch Act of 1887.
Sec. 7606. Commission on national agricultural statistics service
modernization.
Sec. 7607. Restoration of 4-H name and emblem authority.
Sec. 7608. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and
Economics.
Sec. 7609. Agricultural Innovation Corps.
TITLE VIII--FORESTRY
Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
Sec. 8101. Support for State assessments and strategies for forest
resources.
Sec. 8102. Forest legacy program technical correction.
Sec. 8103. State and private forest landscape-scale restoration
program.
Subtitle B--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
Sec. 8201. Promoting cross-boundary wildfire mitigation.
Sec. 8202. Authorization of appropriations for hazardous fuel reduction
on Federal land.
Sec. 8203. Water source protection program.
Sec. 8204. Watershed condition framework technical corrections.
Sec. 8205. Authorization of appropriations to combat insect
infestations and related diseases.
Sec. 8206. Insect and disease infestation.
Sec. 8207. Stewardship end result contracting projects.
Subtitle C--Other Forestry Programs
Sec. 8301. National and regional agroforestry centers.
Sec. 8302. National forest foundation act.
Sec. 8303. Conveyances and leases of forest service administrative
sites.
Sec. 8304. Forest inventory and analysis.
Sec. 8305. Reforestation, nursery, and seed orchard support.
Subtitle D--Forest Management
Part I--National Forest System Management
Sec. 8401. Categorical exclusion for high priority hazard trees.
Sec. 8402. Collaborative restoration projects.
Sec. 8403. Wildfire resilience project size.
Sec. 8404. Fuel breaks in forests and other wildland vegetation.
Sec. 8405. Greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat.
Sec. 8406. Categorical exclusion for electric utility lines rights-of-
way.
Sec. 8407. Forest management activities on National Forest System
lands.
Sec. 8408. Suppression of wildfires.
Part II--Forest Management Activities
Sec. 8411. No additional consultation required.
Sec. 8412. Good neighbor authority.
Sec. 8413. Collaborative forest landscape restoration program.
Sec. 8414. Public-private wildfire technology deployment and testbed
partnership.
Sec. 8415. Forest service participation in experienced services
program.
Sec. 8416. Timber sales on National Forest System land.
Sec. 8417. Permits and agreements with electrical utilities.
Sec. 8418. Utilizing grazing for wildfire risk reduction.
Sec. 8419. Joint chiefs landscape restoration partnership program.
Sec. 8420. Tribal forest management program technical correction.
Part III--Timber Innovation
Sec. 8431. Community wood facilities program.
Sec. 8432. Wood innovation grant program.
Sec. 8433. Forest and wood products data tracker.
Sec. 8434. Biochar application demonstration project.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
Sec. 8501. Rural revitalization technologies.
Sec. 8502. Resource advisory committees.
Sec. 8503. Accurate hazardous fuels reduction reports.
Sec. 8504. Special use authorization rental fee waiver.
Sec. 8505. Charges and fees for harvest of forest botanical products.
Sec. 8506. Forest service legacy road and trail remediation program
transparency.
Sec. 8507. Direct hire authority.
Sec. 8508. Improving the emergency forest restoration program.
Sec. 8509. Exemption for previously analyzed areas of National Forest
System Lands.
Sec. 8510. Release of reversionary interest in Black River State
Forest.
TITLE IX--ENERGY
Sec. 9001. Definition of advanced biofuel.
Sec. 9002. Biobased markets program.
Sec. 9003. Biorefinery assistance.
Sec. 9004. Bioproduct labeling terminology.
Sec. 9005. Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.
Sec. 9006. Biodiesel Fuel Education Program.
Sec. 9007. Rural Energy for America Program.
Sec. 9008. Feedstock flexibility.
Sec. 9009. Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
Sec. 9010. Carbon utilization and biogas education program.
Sec. 9011. Study on effects of solar panel installations on covered
farmland.
Sec. 9012. Limitation on USDA funding for ground mounted solar systems.
Sec. 9013. Sustainable aviation fuels strategy.
TITLE X--HORTICULTURE, MARKETING, AND REGULATORY REFORM
Subtitle A--Horticulture
Sec. 10001. Specialty crop block grants.
Sec. 10002. Specialty crops market news allocation.
Sec. 10003. Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production.
Sec. 10004. National Plant Diagnostics Network.
Sec. 10005. Hemp production.
Sec. 10006. Pilot program for the intra-organizational movement of
genetically engineered microorganisms by
certain authorized parties.
Subtitle B--Marketing
Sec. 10101. Marketing orders.
Sec. 10102. Local agriculture market program.
Sec. 10103. Acer access and development program.
Sec. 10104. Organic production and market data initiative.
Sec. 10105. Organic certification.
Sec. 10106. Report on procurement.
Subtitle C--Regulatory Reform
Part I--Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
Sec. 10201. Exclusion of certain substances.
Sec. 10202. Coordination.
Sec. 10203. Interagency working group.
Sec. 10204. Registration review.
Sec. 10205. Uniformity of pesticide labeling requirements.
Sec. 10206. Authority of States.
Sec. 10207. Lawful use of authorized pesticides.
Part II--Other Regulatory Reform Provisions
Sec. 10211. Multiple crop and pesticide use survey.
Sec. 10212. Safe harbor for certain discharges of wildland fire
chemicals.
Sec. 10213. Office of Biotechnology Policy.
TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE
Sec. 11001. Specialty crop advisory committee.
Sec. 11002. Identification of holders of substantial interests.
Sec. 11003. Actuarial soundness of certain new products.
Sec. 11004. Coverage of revenue losses.
Sec. 11005. Limitation on farm program participation.
Sec. 11006. Limitation on interest accrual.
Sec. 11007. Crop insurance support for beginning and veteran farmers
and ranchers.
Sec. 11008. Marketability.
Sec. 11009. Reimbursement rates for administrative and operating costs.
Sec. 11010. Quality loss adjustment coverage.
Sec. 11011. Pilot program to review effectiveness of coverage penalty.
Sec. 11012. Whole farm improvements.
Sec. 11013. Program compliance and integrity.
Sec. 11014. Research and development priorities.
Sec. 11015. Report on Standard Reinsurance Agreement.
Sec. 11016. Hurricane insurance protection-wind index report.
TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Livestock and Other Animals
Part I--Animal Health and Production
Sec. 12001. Animal disease prevention and management.
Sec. 12002. Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program review and report.
Sec. 12003. Additional training facilities for National Detector Dog
Training Center.
Sec. 12004. Regionalization, zoning, and compartmentalization
agreements.
Sec. 12005. Importation of live dogs.
Sec. 12006. Ensuring the free movement of livestock-derived products in
interstate commerce.
Sec. 12007. Report on support for livestock and poultry producers
during a foreign animal disease outbreak.
Part II--Meat and Poultry Processing and Inspection
Sec. 12111. Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States (A-
PLUS).
Sec. 12112. Hazard analysis and critical control point guidance and
resources for small and very small poultry
and meat establishments.
Sec. 12113. Outreach on cooperative interstate shipment.
Sec. 12114. Pilot program to support custom slaughter establishments.
Subtitle B--Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
Sec. 12201. Office of Homeland Security.
Sec. 12202. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
Sec. 12203. Burden of proof for national appeals division hearings.
Sec. 12204. Termination of authority.
Sec. 12205. Functions of the Office of Tribal Relations.
Sec. 12206. Office of the Ombudsman.
Subtitle C--National Security
Sec. 12301. Agricultural foreign investment disclosure improvements.
Sec. 12302. Report on agricultural land purchasing activities in the
United States by countries designated as
state sponsors of terrorism and certain
other countries.
Sec. 12303. Investigative actions.
Sec. 12304. Digitization and consolidation of foreign land ownership
data collection and publication.
Sec. 12305. CFIUS consideration of certain agricultural land
transactions.
Subtitle D--Other Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 12401. Commission on Farm Transitions--Needs for 2050.
Sec. 12402. Report on personnel.
Sec. 12403. Improvements to United States Drought Monitor.
Sec. 12404. Reports on land access and farmland ownership data
collection.
Sec. 12405. Increasing transparency regarding detention of imported
plants.
Sec. 12406. Enhancement of pet protections.
Sec. 12407. Protecting animals with shelter.
Sec. 12408. Report on available assistance to agricultural producers in
the State of Texas that have suffered
economic losses due to the failure of
Mexico to deliver water.
Sec. 12409. Commodity Futures Trading Commission whistleblower program.
Sec. 12410. Qualified renewable biomass.
Sec. 12411. Whole milk under the school breakfast program.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Agriculture.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
TITLE I--COMMODITIES
SEC. 1001. SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY.
Section 1602 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9092) is
amended by striking ``2023'' each place it appears and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 1002. TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1501(e)(1) of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or biennial'' after
``annual''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or pest'' after
``insect''.
(b) Economic Viability.--Section 1501(e)(2)(A) of the Agricultural
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and
(2) by striking ``to provide assistance--'' and inserting
``to provide assistance under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3) to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers
that planted trees for commercial purposes but lost the trees
or the trees no longer produce an economically viable crop as a
result of a natural disaster, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
(c) Assistance.--Section 1501(e)(3) of the Agricultural Act of 2014
(7 U.S.C. 9081(e)(3)) is amended in the matter before subparagraph (A)
by striking ``and (5)'' and inserting ``, (5), (6), and (7)''.
(d) Requirements With Respect to Assistance.--Section 1501(e) of
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(6) Timing requirements.--An eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower shall agree, as a condition on receipt of
assistance under this subsection, to carry out any replacement
and rehabilitation activities for which such assistance is
provided not later than--
``(A) 2 years after the application for such
assistance is approved; or
``(B) if the period specified in subparagraph (A)
is not adequate for tree survival, at such time as is
necessary to ensure tree survival.
``(7) Alternatives used in replanting.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower receiving assistance under this
subsection with respect to tree loss may use such
assistance to replant using--
``(i) an alternative variety from the
variety used prior to the loss;
``(ii) an alternative stand density from
the stand density used prior to the loss; and
``(iii) an alternative location than was
used prior to the loss.
``(B) Cost share limitations with respect to
alternatives.--The assistance provided by the Secretary
to eligible orchardists and nursery tree growers--
``(i) for losses described in subparagraph
(A)(i), shall be an amount that is not greater
than the amount the eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower would receive if the
eligible orchardist or nursery tree grower
planted the variety lost;
``(ii) for losses described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) shall be an amount that is not greater
than the amount the eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower would receive if the
eligible orchardist or nursery tree grower
planted the stand density lost; and
``(iii) for losses described in
subparagraph (A)(iii), shall be an amount that
is not greater than the amount the eligible
orchardist or nursery tree grower would receive
if the eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower planted the location in which the loss
occurred.''.
(e) Deadline for Notice Regarding Application Status.--Section
1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9801(e)) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Deadline for notice regarding application status.--
Not later than 120 days after receiving an application for
assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) approve or deny such application; and
``(B) notify the applicant of such approval or
denial.''.
(f) Initial Payments Under Tree Assistance Program.--Section
1501(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(9) Initial payments.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower may opt to receive an initial
assistance payment with respect to losses described in
paragraph (2) before incurring the costs described in
paragraph (3) relating to such losses.
``(B) Amount.--An initial assistance payment under
subparagraph (A) shall be in an amount that is equal to
the fair market value of the estimated costs described
in paragraph (3) that the eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower is likely to incur with respect to
losses described in paragraph (2), as determined by the
Secretary.
``(C) Subsequent payment.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of an
eligible orchardist or nursery tree grower that
opts to receive an initial payment under
subparagraph (A) with respect to losses
described in paragraph (2), the Secretary
shall, as soon as practicable after providing
such initial payment, provide a subsequent
payment to the eligible orchardist or nursery
tree grower in an amount equal to--
``(I) the payment amount the
eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower would have received with respect
to such losses under paragraph (3) or
pursuant to paragraph (5); minus
``(II) the initial payment amount
provided to such eligible orchardist or
nursery tree grower under subparagraph
(B) with respect to such losses.
``(ii) Overpayment.--If an initial payment
under subparagraph (B) with respect to losses
described in paragraph (2) is greater than the
amount an eligible orchardist or nursery tree
grower would have received under paragraph (3)
or pursuant to paragraph (5) for such losses,
such eligible orchardist or nursery tree grower
shall repay the Secretary the excess amount.
``(D) Sunset.--The authority to make payments under
this paragraph shall terminate on September 30,
2035.''.
SEC. 1003. SPECIALTY CROP EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK.
(a) In General.--The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act
of 1996 is amended by inserting after section 196 (7 U.S.C. 7333) the
following:
``SEC. 196A. SPECIALTY CROP EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FRAMEWORK.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a framework to
provide direct assistance to producers of specialty crops the
production of which was impacted by an adverse event (including an
economic crisis or market disruption), as determined by the Secretary,
in accordance with this section.
``(b) Payment Calculation.--In determining a payment calculation
for purposes of direct assistance to a producer of specialty crops
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall calculate payments based on--
``(1) the producer's sales of specialty crops for a
calendar year that precedes the year in which the adverse event
described in such subsection occurred; multiplied by
``(2) a payment factor the Secretary determines, subject to
the availability of appropriations, to address losses of such
specialty crops from such adverse event.
``(c) Special Rules.--Subject to subsection (d), in providing
direct assistance pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall
consider--
``(1) the higher value of specialty crops;
``(2) the greater input costs required to grow specialty
crops; and
``(3) diverse types of legal entities and structures used
by specialty crop producers.
``(d) Limitations.--
``(1) Total amount.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the total amount of payments
received, directly or indirectly, by a person or legal
entity (except a qualified pass-through entity) (as
such terms are defined in section 1001(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308(a)) for any crop
year under this section may not exceed the amount
specified in subsection (b) of section 1001 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308), as adjusted
pursuant to subsection (i) of such section 1001.
``(B) Exception.--In the case of a person or legal
entity with an average gross income (as calculated
under section 1001D(b)(4)(B) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)(4)(B))) for which greater
than or equal to 75 percent of the average derives from
farming, ranching, or silviculture activities--
``(i) subparagraph (A) shall not apply; and
``(ii) the total maximum amount of payments
received, directly or indirectly, by such
person or legal entity for any crop year under
this section shall be set by the Secretary,
except such amount may not be less than
$900,000.
``(2) Notification of interests; eligibility; denials.--
Sections 1001A(a), 1001B, and 1001C of the Food Security Act of
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-1(a); 1308-2; 1308-3) shall apply to a
producer of a specialty crop under this section in the same
manner as such sections apply to a person or legal entity with
respect to a covered commodity, except to the extent such
sections relate to the application of subsections (b) through
(d) of section 1001A.''.
(b) Payment Limitation Conforming Amendment.--Section 1001D(b) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(E), by inserting ``or 196A'' after
``section 196''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)(A)(i)(II), by inserting ``or 196A''
after ``section 196''.
SEC. 1004. ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF BLOCK GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle E of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7
U.S.C. 9081 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1502. ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF BLOCK GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--In the case additional funds made available
after the date of the enactment of this section for covered losses, the
Secretary may make assistance for such losses available in the form of
block grants.
``(b) Covered Losses.--In this section, the term `covered losses'
means losses--
``(1) of revenue, quality, or production of crops, trees,
bushes, vines, poultry or livestock as a consequence of a
natural disaster (as determined by the Secretary); and
``(2) for which assistance is not available pursuant to any
other Federal law.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Agricultural
Act of 2014 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
1501 the following:
``1502. Assistance in the form of block grants.''.
SEC. 1005. DAIRY-RELATED EXTENSIONS.
(a) Forward Pricing.--Section 1502 of the Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8772) is amended by striking subsection
(e).
(b) Indemnity Program.--Section 3 of Public Law 90-484 (7 U.S.C.
4553) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
(c) Promotion and Research.--Section 113(e)(2) of the Dairy
Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2)) is amended
by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 1006. MANDATORY REPORTING OF DAIRY PRODUCT PROCESSING COSTS.
Section 273 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1637b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) for each manufacturer required to report
under subparagraph (A) for any product, require that
manufacturer to report production cost and product
yield information, as determined by the Secretary, for
all products processed in the same facility or
facilities.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``products
and'' after ``those'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3)(B), by inserting ``, subject to
subsection (b)(1),'' after ``information''; and
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Electronic Reporting'' and inserting ``Reporting'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the heading, by striking
``Electronic reporting'' and inserting
``Reporting''; and
(ii) by striking ``this section'' and
inserting in its place ``subparagraphs (A) and
(B) of subsection (b)(1)'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``this section''
and inserting in its place ``subparagraphs (A) and (B)
of subsection (b)(1)''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Dairy product processing costs.--Not later than 3
years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, and every
2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall publish a report
containing the information obtained under subparagraph (C) of
subsection (b)(1), subject to the conditions described in
subsection (b)(2).''.
SEC. 1007. DAIRY REPORTS.
Paragraph (4) of section 301 of the Dairy Production Stabilization
Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4514) is amended by striking ``Not later'' and
all that follows through ``an annual report'' and inserting ``With
respect to each calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, a report (which
shall be submitted not later than 18 months after the last day of such
calendar year)''.
SEC. 1008. PROCESSING OF CERTAIN LOANS.
(a) Marketing Assistance Loans.--Section 1204 of the Agricultural
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9034) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(j) Effect of Lapse in Appropriations.--The servicing of a
marketing assistance loan under section 1201 by an officer or employee
of the Department shall be deemed, for purposes of section 1342 of
title 31, services for emergencies involving the safety of human life
or the protection of property.''.
(b) Loans Under Sugar Program.--Section 156(d) of the Federal
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(d)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Effect of lapse in appropriations.--The servicing of
a loan under this section by an officer or employee of the
Department shall be deemed, for purposes of section 1342 of
title 31, services for emergencies involving the safety of
human life or the protection of property.''.
SEC. 1009. STORAGE FACILITY LOANS.
Section 1614(a) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 8789(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``funds for producers'' and inserting the
following: ``funds for--
``(1) producers''; and
(2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ``;
and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) producers to construct or upgrade storage facilities
for propane that is primarily used for agricultural production
(as such term is defined in section 4279.2 of title 7, Code of
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment
of this paragraph)).''.
SEC. 1010. STRENGTHENING DOMESTIC FOOD PRODUCTION SUPPLY CHAINS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle C of title I of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (Public Law 113-79) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 1302. STRENGTHENING DOMESTIC FOOD PRODUCTION SUPPLY CHAINS.
``(a) In General.--With respect to any Federal policy that would
impact the administration of the programs described in this subtitle or
any rule, policy, or guidance issued pursuant to such programs, the
preservation and strengthening of the domestic production described in
subsection (b) shall be a priority objective of the President.
``(b) Domestic Production Described.--The domestic production
described in this subsection is the production of an agricultural
commodity--
``(1) described in this subtitle; and
``(2) from which a food ingredient that serves an important
function throughout the domestic food production supply chain
is derived.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Agricultural
Act of 2014 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
1301 the following:
``1302. Strengthening domestic food production supply chains.''.
SEC. 1011. REGULATIONS.
(a) Administration.--Section 1601(c) of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9091(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``this title, sections
11003 and 11017, title I of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 and the amendments made by that title, and section 10109
of that Act'' and inserting ``a covered provision of law''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Covered provision of law defined.--In this
subsection, the term `covered provision of law' means--
``(A) this title and sections 11003 and 11017;
``(B) title I of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 and the amendments made by that title, and section
10109 of that Act; and
``(C) title I of the Farm Food and National
Security Act of 2026 and the amendments made by that
title.''.
(b) Loan Implementation.--Section 1614(d) of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subtitle B'' the first
place it appears and all that follows through the period at the
end and inserting ``a covered provision of law.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``of subtitles B or C''; and
(B) by striking ``under subtitles B or C'' and
inserting ``under the repayment provisions''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Covered provision of law.--The term `covered
provision of law' means--
``(i) subtitle B or C or the amendments
made by subtitle B or C;
``(ii) the amendments made by subtitle B or
C of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018,
except with respect to the assistance provided
under sections 1207(c) and 1208; and
``(iii) section 156 of the Federal
Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(7 U.S.C. 7272).
``(B) Repayment provisions.--The term `repayment
provisions' means the repayment requirements under--
``(i) subtitle B or C; or
``(ii) section 156 of the Federal
Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
(7 U.S.C. 7272).''.
TITLE II--CONSERVATION
Subtitle A--Definitions
SEC. 2001. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3801(a)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``subtitles A through I:'' and inserting ``subtitles A through
J:'';
(2) in paragraph (14), by striking ``term `Indian tribe'
has the meaning given the term'' and inserting ``terms `Indian
tribe' and `Indian Tribe' have the meaning given those terms'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (20) through (27) as
paragraphs (22) through (29), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following:
``(20) Precision agriculture.--The term `precision
agriculture' means managing, tracking, or reducing crop or
livestock production inputs, including seed, feed, fertilizer,
chemicals, water, and time, at a heightened level of spatial
and temporal granularity and biological targeting to improve
efficiencies, reduce waste, and maintain environmental quality.
``(21) Precision agriculture technology.--The term
`precision agriculture technology' means any technology
(including targeted inputs and the equipment that is necessary
for the deployment of such technology) that directly
contributes to a reduction in, or improved efficiency of,
inputs used in crop or livestock production, including--
``(A) Global Positioning System-based or geospatial
mapping technology;
``(B) satellite or aerial imagery technology;
``(C) yield monitors;
``(D) soil mapping technology;
``(E) sensors for gathering data on crop, soil, or
livestock conditions;
``(F) Internet of Things and telematics
technologies;
``(G) data management software and advanced
analytics;
``(H) network connectivity products and solutions;
``(I) Global Positioning System guidance or auto-
steer systems;
``(J) variable rate technology for applying inputs,
such as section control; and
``(K) any other technology, as determined by the
Secretary, that directly contributes to a reduction in,
or improved efficiency of, the use of crop or livestock
production inputs, which may include seed, feed,
fertilizer, soil amendments, chemicals, water, and
time.''.
SEC. 2002. MITIGATION BANKING.
Section 1222(k)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3822(k)(1)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out this paragraph $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2027 through 2031.''.
Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program
SEC. 2101. CONSERVATION RESERVE.
(a) In General.--Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
(b) Eligible Land.--Section 1231(b) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``the date of
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018'' and
inserting ``the date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and
National Security Act of 2026''; and
(2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``September 30, 2017,
or September 30, 2018'' and inserting ``September 30, 2025, or
September 30, 2026''.
(c) Enrollment.--
(1) Maximum acreage enrolled.--Section 1231(d)(1)(E) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)(1)(E)) is amended
by striking ``fiscal year 2023'' and inserting ``each of fiscal
years 2023 through 2031''.
(2) Grasslands.--Section 1231(d)(2)(A)(ii)(III) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)(2)(A)(ii)(III)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
(3) State enrollment rates.--Section 1231(d)(4) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)(4)) is amended by
striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2026 through
2031'' each place it appears.
(4) Continuous enrollment procedure.--Section 1231(d)(6)(B)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)(6)(B)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(B) Limitation.--For purposes of applying the
limitations in paragraph (a), the Secretary shall, to
the maximum extent practicable, enroll and maintain not
fewer than 8,600,000 acres of land under subparagraph
(A) by September 30, 2031.''.
SEC. 2102. FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM.
Section 1231B(a)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3831b(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program
SEC. 2201. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1240A(6)(B)(v) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-1(6)(B)(v)) is amended by inserting ``(including the adoption of
precision agriculture practices and the acquisition of precision
agriculture technology)'' after ``planning''.
SEC. 2202. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Payments.--
(1) Other payments.--Section 1240B(d)(6) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(d)(6)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``A producer shall'' and inserting
the following:
``(A) Payments under this subtitle.--A producer
shall''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Conservation loan and loan guarantee program
payments.--
``(i) In general.--A producer receiving
payments for practices on eligible land under
the program may also receive a loan or loan
guarantee under section 304 of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act to cover costs
for the same practices on the same land.
``(ii) Notice to producer.--The Secretary
shall inform a producer participating in the
program in writing that they may apply to
receive a loan or loan guarantee under section
304 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act as it relates to costs of
implementing practices under this program.''.
(2) Increased payments for high-priority practices.--
Section 1240B(d)(7) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839aa-2(d)(7)) is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``State-
determined'' before ``high-priority''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ``or'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) increases carbon sequestration or
reduces greenhouse gas emissions, including
emissions of methane and nitrous oxide.''.
(3) Increased payments for precision agriculture.--Section
1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
2(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Increased payments for precision agriculture
practices.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Secretary may
increase the amount that would otherwise be provided for a
practice under this subsection to not more than 90 percent of
the costs associated with adopting precision agriculture
practices and acquiring precision agriculture technology for
the purpose of implementing conservation practices.''.
(b) Allocation of Funding.--Section 1240B(f)(1) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(f)(1)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
(c) Water Conservation or Irrigation Efficiency Practice.--Section
1240B(h)(1) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
a semicolon;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) the adoption of precision agriculture
practices or the acquisition of precision agriculture
technology to achieve water conservation and energy
efficiency.''.
(d) Payments for Conservation Practice Related to Organic
Production.--Section 1240B(i)(3)(A)(ii) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(3)(A)(ii)) is amended by striking ``2019
through 2023, $140,000'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031, $200,000''.
(e) Conservation Incentive Contracts.--Section 1240B(j)(2)(A)(i) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(j)(2)(A)(i)) is
amended by inserting ``(which may include the adoption of precision
agriculture practices and the acquisition of precision agriculture
technology)'' after ``incentive practices''.
(f) Southern Border Initiative.--Section 1240B of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(k) Southern Border Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide payments
under the program to producers to implement conservation
practices on covered lands of such producers that address and
repair covered damage that may contribute to a natural resource
concern or problem.
``(2) Contract term.--In the case of a contract under the
program entered into for the implementation of practices
described in paragraph (1), such contract shall have a term of
1 year.
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Covered damage.--The term `covered damage'
means damage to agricultural land or farming
infrastructure.
``(B) Covered land.--The term `covered land' means
eligible land in a county at or near the southern
border of the United States, as determined by the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 2203. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.
Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7)
is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2027
through 2031''.
SEC. 2204. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS.
(a) Competitive Grants for Innovative Conservation Approaches.--
Section 1240H(a) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Grants.--Out of the funds made available to carry out
this subchapter, the Secretary may award competitive grants
that are intended to stimulate development and evaluation of
new and innovative approaches to leveraging the Federal
investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in
conjunction with agricultural production or forest resource
management, through the program, including grants for the
development and evaluation of new and innovative technologies
that may be incorporated into conservation practice
standards.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(H), by inserting before the period
``(including precision agriculture practices and precision
agriculture technologies)''.
(b) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials.--Section
1240H(c)(1)(B)(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
8(c)(1)(B)(i)) is amended--
(1) in subclause (VI), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(2) by inserting after subclause (VII) the following:
``(VIII) perennial production
systems, including agroforestry and
perennial forages and grain crops;
and''.
(c) Reporting and Database.--Section 1240H(d)(2)(A) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-8(d)(2)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting ``, including both management and
structural conservation practices,'' after
``conservation practices''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii);
(3) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
``(ii) data that may be used to evaluate
new and emerging technologies and
recommendations for State and regional
applications of such new and emerging
technologies; and''; and
(4) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by inserting ``for
consideration under the streamlined process developed under
section 1242(h)(3)'' before the period at the end.
Subtitle D--Conservation Stewardship Program
SEC. 2301. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
(a) Conservation Stewardship Payments.--Section 1240L(c) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting before the period
``(including increased costs associated with planning and
adopting precision agriculture conservation activities and
acquiring precision agriculture technology)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Minimum payment.--The amount of an annual payment
under the program shall be not less than $4,000.''.
(b) Supplemental Payments for Resource-Conserving Crop Rotations
and Advanced Grazing Management.--Section 1240L(d) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(d)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``and Advanced
Grazing Management'' and inserting ``, Advanced Grazing
Management, and Precision Agriculture'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; or'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) precision agriculture conservation
activities.''; and
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``or advanced grazing
management'' and inserting ``, advanced grazing management, or
precision agriculture conservation activities''.
(c) Payment Limitations.--Section 1240L(f) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-24(f)) is amended by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 2302. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.
Subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-21 et seq.) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``SEC. 1240L-2. STATE ASSISTANCE FOR SOIL HEALTH.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible indian tribe.--The term `eligible Indian
Tribe' means an Indian Tribe that is--
``(A) implementing a soil health program for the
area over which the Indian Tribe has jurisdiction; and
``(B) meeting or exceeding performance measures
established by the Indian Tribe for the soil health
program.
``(2) Eligible state.--The term `eligible State' means a
State that is--
``(A) implementing a soil health program for the
State; and
``(B) meeting or exceeding performance measures
established by the State for the soil health program.
``(3) Soil health program.--The term `soil health program'
means a program to improve soil health on agricultural land
that--
``(A) is broadly consistent with the soil health
principles of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(B) may include--
``(i) technical assistance;
``(ii) financial assistance;
``(iii) on-farm research and demonstration;
``(iv) education, outreach, and training;
``(v) monitoring and evaluation; or
``(vi) such other components as the
Secretary determines appropriate.
``(b) Availability and Purpose of Grants.--For fiscal years 2027
through 2031, the Secretary shall make grants to eligible States and
eligible Indian Tribes for the purpose of improving soil health on
agricultural lands through the implementation of State and Tribal soil
health programs.
``(c) Applications.--
``(1) In general.--To receive a grant under this section,
an eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe shall submit to the
Secretary an application at such time, in such a manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary shall require,
which shall include--
``(A) a description of performance measures to be
used to evaluate the State or Tribal soil health
program and the results of any activities carried out
using grant funds received under this section; and
``(B) an assurance that grant funds received under
this section will supplement the expenditure of State
or Tribal funds in support of soil health, rather than
replace such funds.
``(2) Tribal option.--An Indian Tribe shall have the
option, at the sole discretion of the Indian Tribe, to be
incorporated into the application of an eligible State.
``(d) Grants.--
``(1) Amount.--The amount of a grant to an eligible State
or eligible Indian Tribe under this section for a fiscal year
may not exceed the lower of--
``(A) $5,000,000; or
``(B) as applicable--
``(i) 50 percent of the cost of
implementing the State soil health program in
the fiscal year; or
``(ii) 75 percent of the cost of
implementing the Tribal soil health program in
the fiscal year.
``(2) Term.--A grant under this section shall be for 1
year, and may be renewed annually.
``(e) Audits and Reviews.--An eligible State or eligible Indian
Tribe receiving a grant under this section shall submit to the
Secretary--
``(1) for each year for which the State or Indian Tribe
receives such a grant, the results of an audit of the
expenditures of the grant funds; and
``(2) at such intervals as the Secretary shall establish, a
review and evaluation of the State or Tribal soil health
program.
``(f) Effect of Noncompliance.--If the Secretary, after reasonable
notice to an eligible State or eligible Indian Tribe receiving a grant
under this section, finds that the State or Indian Tribe has failed to
comply with the terms of the grant, the Secretary may disqualify, for 1
or more years, the State or Indian Tribe from receipt of future grants
under this section.
``(g) Funding.--Of the funds made available to carry out this
subchapter, $100,000,000 shall be available in each of fiscal years
2027 through 2031 to carry out this section.
``(h) Administration.--
``(1) Department.--The Secretary may not use more than 3
percent of the funds made available to carry out this section
for a fiscal year for administrative expenses.
``(2) States or indian tribes.--An eligible State or
eligible Indian Tribe receiving a grant under this section may
not use more than 7 percent of the granted funds for a fiscal
year for administrative expenses.''.
Subtitle E--Other Conservation Programs
SEC. 2401. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND.
Section 1240M(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3839bb) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 2402. FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PROGRAM.
(a) Feral Swine Eradication and Control Program.--Chapter 5 of
subtitle D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et seq.)
is amended by inserting after section 1240M the following:
``SEC. 1240N. FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a feral swine
eradication and control program (in this section referred to as the
`program') to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture,
native ecosystems, and human and animal health.
``(b) Duties of the Secretary.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) study and assess the nature and extent of damage to
the threatened areas caused by feral swine;
``(2) develop methods to eradicate or control feral swine
in the threatened areas;
``(3) develop methods to restore damage caused by feral
swine; and
``(4) provide financial assistance to agricultural
producers in threatened areas.
``(c) Assistance.--The Secretary may provide financial assistance
to agricultural producers under the program to implement methods to--
``(1) eradicate or control feral swine in the threatened
areas; and
``(2) restore damage caused by feral swine.
``(d) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Natural
Resources Conservation Service and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service coordinate for purposes of this section through
State technical committees established under section 1261(a).
``(e) Cost Sharing.--
``(1) Federal share.--The Federal share of the costs of
activities under the program may not exceed 75 percent of the
total costs of such activities.
``(2) In-kind contributions.--The non-Federal share of the
costs of activities under the program may be provided in the
form of in-kind contributions of materials or services.
``(f) Threatened Area Defined.--In this section, the term
`threatened area' means an area of a State in which feral swine have
been identified as a threat to agriculture, native ecosystems, or human
and animal health, as determined by the Secretary.
``(g) Funding.--
``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this
section $75,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through
2023, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, and $150,000,000 for
the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2031.
``(2) Distribution of funds.--Of the funds made available
under paragraph (1)--
``(A) 40 percent shall be allocated to the Natural
Resources Conservation Service to carry out the
program, including the provision of financial
assistance to producers for on-farm trapping and
technology related to capturing and confining feral
swine; and
``(B) 60 percent shall be allocated to the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service to carry out the
program, including the use of established, and testing
of innovative, population reduction methods.
``(3) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than
10 percent of funds made available under this section may be
used for administrative expenses of the program.
``(h) Coordination and Cooperation With a Land Grant University.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall direct the Natural
Resources Conservation Service and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service to enter into a contract with 1 or more
land-grant colleges or universities to assist with the program
in achieving its goals.
``(2) Eligible land-grant colleges and universities.--A
land-grant college or university is eligible to enter into a
contract under paragraph (1) if such college or university--
``(A) has developed and implemented a system of
evaluating damages from feral swine and effectiveness
of control efforts in response to the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334);
``(B) shows evidence of a strong working
relationship with Wildlife Services in the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service; and
``(C) has maintained a State-funded, non-Federal
Wildlife Services program that has an active
cooperative agreement with Wildlife Services in the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within the
structure of the Land Grant University System.
``(3) Role of the land-grant college or university.--A
land-grant college or university that enters into a contract
under paragraph (1) shall, as a condition on entering into such
a contract, assist the program by acting as a strategic,
neutral entity that is able to advance the program beyond the
expertise of the Department to achieve the stated goals of the
program by--
``(A) identifying and carrying out research on
novel methods of feral swine control and land
remediation;
``(B) assisting in establishing strategic areas for
feral swine control based on data collected in response
to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018;
``(C) coordinating and collaborating between field
staff, programmatic staff, and research staff within
the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and
``(D) establishing and consulting with the
Department on research goals and priorities in the
program.
``(4) Funding.--Funding made available under (g)(2) shall
be available to fund activities under this subsection, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(5) Land-grant college or university defined.--In this
subsection, the term `land-grant college or university' has the
meaning given the term `land-grant colleges and universities'
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103).''.
(b) Repeal.--Section 2408 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of
2018 (7 U.S.C. 8351 note) is repealed.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 is amended by striking the item
relating to section 2408.
SEC. 2403. WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION ACT.
(a) Assistance to Local Organizations.--
(1) In general.--Section 3(a) of the Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1003(a)) is amended by
redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7) and inserting
after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) to provide technical and financial assistance for
remedial actions in accordance with subsection (c); and''.
(2) Assistance for remedial actions; streamlining.--Section
3 of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16
U.S.C. 1003) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Assistance for Remedial Actions.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (a)(6), the
Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance to
local organizations for remedial actions for a completed work
of improvement installed under this Act with respect to which--
``(A) deterioration of a structural component of
the work of improvement is occurring at an abnormal
rate, including situations in which such deterioration
is due to a design deficiency or to site conditions
that were unknown at the time of installation of the
work of improvement;
``(B) the planned service life of the work of
improvement exceeds the service life of a structural
component of such work of improvement; or
``(C) structural damage to such work of
improvement, or to a structural component of such work
of improvement, was caused by a storm event that
exceeded the maximum storm event for which the work of
improvement was designed.
``(2) Cost share.--Financial assistance provided under this
subsection shall be provided in accordance with the cost-share
rate established in the agreement with the local organization
for the work of improvement.
``(d) Streamlining.--The Secretary shall, on an ongoing basis--
``(1) engage with relevant Federal agencies to reduce or
eliminate regulatory, policy, or procedural barriers to timely
provision of assistance under this Act;
``(2) provide for streamlined procedures relating to
coordination with other Federal or State agencies for required
reviews and permitting of projects pursuant to this Act, and
ensure such procedures are commensurate with the size and scale
of the projects;
``(3) conduct an assessment of internal Department of
Agriculture planning, technical support, and approvals to
determine best practices to be used for the purpose of
maximizing the decisionmaking authority of State
conservationists with respect to approvals required for
projects under this Act; and
``(4) prioritize the use of agreements and contracting
authorities under this Act to provide funding to local
organizations for the planning, design, and construction of
works of improvement.''.
(b) Data.--Section 13 of the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1010) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 13. DATA.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall collect and maintain, and
make publicly available--
``(1) data, on a national and State-by-State basis,
concerning--
``(A) expenditures for the individual flood control
and conservation measures for which assistance is
provided under this Act; and
``(B) the expected flood control or environmental
(including soil erosion) benefits that will result from
the implementation of such measures; and
``(2) data, with respect to each project for which
assistance is provided under this Act, concerning--
``(A) total allocated and expended funds for
planning, design, construction, remedial actions, and
rehabilitation; and
``(B) contracts and agreements entered into by the
Secretary with a local organization to provide
services, including--
``(i) the services provided through such
contracts and agreements;
``(ii) the total funds allocated to such
contracts and agreements; and
``(iii) any modifications or adjustments
made to such contracts and agreements.
``(b) Prohibition.--The Secretary may not make publicly available
under this section an agreement entered into with an individual
landowner, operator, or occupier under this Act, or any disaggregated
information that identifies such individual landowner, operator, or
occupier.''.
(c) Rehabilitation of Structural Measures Near, at, or Past Their
Evaluated Life Expectancy.--
(1) Cost share assistance for rehabilitation.--Section
14(b) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16
U.S.C. 1012(b)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``65 percent''
and inserting ``90 percent''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Relation to requirements of authorized projects.--A
rehabilitation project for which assistance is provided under
this section shall not be subject to--
``(A) the requirement under section 2 that a
project contain benefits directly related to
agriculture, including rural communities, that account
for at least 20 percent of the total benefits of the
project; or
``(B) section 4(5).''.
(2) Funding.--Section 14(h)(2)(E) of the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012(h)(2)(E))
is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 2404. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Other Emergency Conservation Measures'' after
``Fencing''; and
(B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--With respect to a payment to an
agricultural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or
replacement of fencing, or for other emergency measures to
rehabilitate farmland or to repair or replace a farmland or
conservation structure, the Secretary shall give the
agricultural producer the option of receiving--
``(A) before carrying out such replacement or
rehabilitation, not more than 75 percent of the payment
for such replacement or rehabilitation, which shall be
based on the fair market value of the replacement or
rehabilitation, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(B) before carrying out such repair, not more
than 50 percent of the payment for such repair, which
shall be based on the fair market value of the repair,
as determined by the Secretary.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Wildfires.--A wildfire that causes damage with respect to
which a payment may be made under subsection (a) includes any wildfire
that is not caused naturally, including a wildfire that is caused by
the Federal Government, if the damage is caused by the spread of the
fire due to natural causes.''.
SEC. 2405. EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROGRAM.
(a) Floodplain Easements.--Section 403(b) of the Agricultural
Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203(b)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs
(5) and (6), respectively;
(2) by inserting after the subsection header the following:
``(1) Easement restoration.--The Secretary is authorized to
restore appropriate vegetative cover, hydrological functions,
and other functions and values of the land subject to a
floodplain easement acquired under subsection (a).
``(2) Easement maintenance.--The Secretary is authorized to
monitor, maintain, and enhance appropriate vegetative cover,
hydrological restoration measures, and other restoration
measures on land subject to a floodplain easement acquired
under subsection (a).
``(3) Contracts and agreements.--In carrying out paragraphs
(1) and (2), the Secretary may--
``(A) enter into contracts with landowners; and
``(B) enter into agreements with States,
nongovernmental organizations, and Indian Tribes.
``(4) Compatible use authority.--The Secretary may
authorize a landowner to carry out activities on land subject
to a floodplain easement acquired under subsection (a) that
are--
``(A) compatible uses necessary to carry out
paragraph (1) or (2); or
``(B) compatible economic uses (including such
activities as hunting and fishing, managed timber
harvest, water management, or periodic haying or
grazing) if such uses are consistent with the long-term
protection of the floodplain functions and values for
which the easement was acquired.''; and
(3) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking
``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph (5)'' each place it
appears.
(b) Level of Restoration.--Section 403 of the Agricultural Credit
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) Level of Restoration.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary may undertake measures that increase the level of protection
above that which would be necessary to address the immediate impairment
of the watershed if the Secretary determines that such restoration is
in the best interest of the long-term health of the watershed and the
long-term protection of the watershed from repetitive impairments.''.
SEC. 2406. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE FLOOD VULNERABILITY STUDY.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a national agriculture flood vulnerability
report containing the results of a Conservation Effects Assessment
Project assessment of flood risk on agricultural lands, including--
(1) an analysis of economic losses of crops and livestock
resulting from flooding under different recurrence scenarios;
(2) an analysis of the downstream effects of mitigation
activities carried out as part of a watershed management
approach;
(3) an analysis of available Federal and State data
relating to flood risk, as applicable to agricultural land,
including data relating to riverine flooding, coastal flooding,
storm surge, extreme precipitation, and flash flooding; and
(4) a description of ongoing producer-level conservation
practices and broader government initiatives to manage the
effects of flooding and flood risk within and across
watersheds, and recommendations for additional practices and
initiatives to further address such effects and risk.
Subtitle F--Funding and Administration
SEC. 2501. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.
(a) Annual Funding.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031'';
(2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking clauses (i) through
(vi) and inserting the following:
``(i) $2,530,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(ii) $2,730,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
``(iii) $3,130,000,000 for fiscal year
2029;
``(iv) $3,175,000,000 for fiscal year 2030;
and
``(v) $3,255,000,000 for fiscal year 2031;
and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) The forest conservation easement program under
subtitle I, using, to the maximum extent practicable--
``(A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
``(C) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
``(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
``(E) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.
``(6) The regional conservation partnership program under
subtitle J, to the maximum extent practicable--
``(A) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
``(B) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2028;
``(C) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2029;
``(D) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2030; and
``(E) $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2031.''.
(b) Regional Equity.--Section 1241(e)(1) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``subtitle I''
and inserting ``subtitle J''.
(c) Acceptance and Use of Contributions for Public-Private
Partnerships.--Section 1241(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3841(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6)(A)(ii), by inserting ``of'' before
``any terms''; and
(2) in paragraph (9)--
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) subtitle D (except for subchapter B of
chapter 1 of such subtitle), subtitle H, subtitle I, or
subtitle J;'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the semicolon
and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by striking subparagraph (C).
(d) Report on Program Enrollments and Assistance.--Section 1241(i)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(i)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(E), by striking ``section
1265B(b)(2)(B)(ii)'' and inserting ``section
1265B(b)(2)(A)(iii)''.
SEC. 2502. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1242(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3842(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Non-federal certifying entity.--The term `non-Federal
certifying entity' means a non-Federal entity, an Indian Tribe,
or a State agency described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) of
subsection (e)(4) that has entered into an agreement under
subsection (e)(5)(D).''.
(b) Purpose of Technical Assistance.--Section 1242(b) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(b)) is amended by inserting
``timely,'' after ``consistent,''.
(c) Non-Federal Assistance.--Section 1242(d) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(d)) is amended by inserting ``(including
private sector entities)'' after ``Department or non-Federal
entities''.
(d) Certification of Third-Party Providers.--Section 1242(e) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Food, Conservation, and
Energy Act of 2008'' and inserting ``Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026'';
(2) by amending paragraph (3)(A) to read as follows:
``(A) ensure that persons (including commercial
entities, nonprofit entities, State or local
governments or agencies, and other Federal agencies)
with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation
planning, watershed planning, environmental
engineering, conservation practice design,
implementation, and evaluation, and any other technical
skills determined appropriate by the Secretary, are
eligible to become approved providers of the technical
assistance;''; and
(3) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the
following:
``(4) Certification.--A third-party provider may be
certified to provide technical assistance under this section
only--
``(A) through a certification process administered
by the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service;
``(B) by a non-Federal entity (other than a State
agency or an Indian Tribe) approved by the Secretary
under paragraph (5) to certify a third-party provider;
``(C) by an Indian Tribe approved by the Secretary
under paragraph (5) to certify a third-party provider;
or
``(D) by a State agency that--
``(i) has statutory authority to certify,
administer, or license professionals in one or
more fields of natural resources, agriculture,
or engineering; and
``(ii) is approved by the Secretary under
paragraph (5) to certify a third-party
provider.
``(5) Non-federal certifying entity.--
``(A) Establishment of approval process.--Not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Farm,
Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the Secretary
shall establish a process to approve a non-Federal
entity (including a State agency and an Indian Tribe),
to become a non-Federal certifying entity.
``(B) Approval.--Not later than 60 days after the
date on which the Secretary receives an application by
a non-Federal entity to certify third-party providers
under this section, the Secretary shall make a decision
on whether to approve such application.
``(C) Eligibility.--In carrying out subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall take into consideration--
``(i) the ability of the applicable non-
Federal entity to assess the qualifications of
a third-party provider and to certify third-
party providers at scale;
``(ii) the experience of the applicable
non-Federal entity in working with third-party
providers and eligible participants;
``(iii) the expertise of the applicable
non-Federal entity in the technical skills
described in paragraph (3)(A); and
``(iv) such other qualifications as the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
``(D) Agreement.--Upon approving an application
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with the non-Federal entity to become a non-
Federal certifying entity.
``(E) Duties of non-federal certifying entities.--
In certifying third-party providers under this section,
a non-Federal certifying entity shall--
``(i) assess the ability of a third-party
provider to appropriately provide technical
assistance to eligible participants for
specified practices and conservation
activities;
``(ii) provide training to ensure that a
third-party provider is qualified to provide
technical assistance upon certification by the
non-Federal certifying entity; and
``(iii) submit to the Secretary, in a
timely manner, information on--
``(I) each third-party provider
certified by the non-Federal certifying
entity, for inclusion on the registry
of certified third-party providers
maintained by the Secretary; and
``(II) each third-party provider
the certification of which is withdrawn
by the non-Federal certifying entity.
``(6) Timely decisions.--
``(A) Certification by secretary.--Not later than
30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives
an application from a third-party provider to be
certified under the process described in paragraph
(4)(A) for particular practices and conservation
activities, the Secretary shall--
``(i) make a final decision with respect to
such application; and
``(ii) if the final decision is to certify
the third-party provider, include the name of
the certified third-party provider on the
registry of certified third-party providers
maintained by the Secretary.
``(B) Certification by non-federal certifying
entity.--Not later than 10 days after the date on which
the Secretary receives a notification from a non-
Federal certifying entity that a third-party provider
was certified, pursuant to subparagraph (B), (C), or
(D) of paragraph (4), for particular practices and
conservation activities, the Secretary shall include
the name of the certified third-party provider on the
registry of certified third-party providers maintained
by the Secretary.
``(7) Streamlined certification.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish a
streamlined process for the Secretary and non-Federal
certifying entities to use to certify under this section a
third-party provider that has a relevant professional
certification for particular practices and conservation
activities, as determined by the Secretary.''.
(e) Administration.--Section 1242(f) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``each of the programs
specified in section 1241'' and inserting ``conservation
programs administered by the Secretary'';
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or a non-Federal certifying entity'' before
``under this section'';
(3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Update of certification process by the secretary.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Farm,
Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and periodically
thereafter, the Secretary shall--
``(A) review the certification processes under
paragraphs (4)(A) and (7) of subsection (e);
``(B) make any adjustments considered necessary by
the Secretary to--
``(i) increase the number of third-party
providers delivering technical assistance; and
``(ii) improve the quality of technical
assistance delivered by third-party providers;
``(C) conduct outreach to, and receive input on the
barriers for third-party providers to become certified
under this section from--
``(i) third-party providers that are, or
have been, certified under this section; and
``(ii) other interested parties associated
with eligible participants; and
``(D) set a target rate of utilization of third-
party providers to deliver technical assistance across
all conservation programs administered by the
Secretary.'';
(4) in paragraph (4)(A)(i), by inserting ``(including
maintenance)'' after ``implementation'';
(5) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
``(5) Payment amount.--
``(A) In general.--For payments provided by the
Secretary under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (c),
the Secretary shall determine payment amounts for
technical assistance provided by third-party providers,
which shall be at rates equivalent to, but that do not
exceed, the cost to the Secretary of providing
technical assistance directly to an eligible
participant.
``(B) Considerations.--In determining payment
amounts under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall
consider specialized equipment, frequency of site
visits, training, travel and transportation, and such
other factors as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
``(C) Exclusion.--A payment provided under
subsection (c)(3) shall be excluded from calculations
relating to any cost-sharing requirements of the
applicable conservation program under which the payment
was provided.
``(6) Transparency.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of
2026, and periodically thereafter, the Secretary shall make
publicly available information on--
``(A) funds obligated to third-party providers
through--
``(i) contracts entered into between
eligible participants and individual third-
party providers; and
``(ii) agreements with public and private
sector entities to secure third-party technical
assistance;
``(B) the certification process under this section,
including--
``(i) the number of third-party providers
certified by the Secretary;
``(ii) the number of non-Federal certifying
entities approved by the Secretary;
``(iii) the number of third-party providers
certified by non-Federal certifying entities
(other than State agencies and Indian Tribes);
``(iv) the number of third-party providers
certified by Indian Tribes;
``(v) the number of third-party providers
certified by State agencies; and
``(vi) the number of third-party providers
certified through the streamlined certification
process described in subsection (e)(7);
``(C) how third-party providers contribute to the
quality and effectiveness of conservation practices
implemented and adopted through conservation programs
administered by the Secretary, and what improvements
are needed; and
``(D) the target rate of utilization of third-party
providers set under paragraph (3)(D) and how actual
rate of utilization compares to the target rate.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Soil health planning.--The Secretary shall emphasize
the use of third-party providers in providing technical
assistance for soil health planning, including planning related
to the use of cover crops, precision agriculture practices,
comprehensive nutrient management planning, and other
innovative plans.''.
(f) Review of Conservation Practice Standards.--Section 1242(h) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Review'' and
inserting ``Establishment and Review'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026, and at least every 5 years thereafter,
complete a review of each conservation practice
standard, including engineering design
specifications;'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as
follows:
``(D) evaluate opportunities to increase
flexibility in conservation practice standards in a
manner that integrates new and innovative technologies
that provide equivalent or improved natural resource
benefits compared to the standards in effect at the
time of the review;''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) provide a process for public input on each
conservation practice standard under such review,
including a process for consideration of State and
local input;
``(F) publicly post a summary of any input received
under subparagraph (E) and any decisions made relating
to such input; and
``(G) revise any conservation practice standard
based on the results of such review, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary, and publish any such
revised standard.'';
(3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Process for establishment of interim and new
conservation practice standards.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026, the Secretary shall develop a
streamlined process under which the Secretary shall
establish interim conservation practice standards and
new conservation practice standards.
``(B) Development.--In developing the streamlined
process under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
``(i) ensure that the public can engage
with the Department of Agriculture, including
by recommending interim conservation practice
standards; and
``(ii) establish--
``(I) the types of data, metrics,
and other relevant information that are
necessary for the establishment of
interim conservation practice standards
and new conservation practice
standards;
``(II) the process by which an
interim conservation practice standard
may become a new conservation practice
standard; and
``(III) specific requirements for
an expedited review of a new
conservation practice for the purpose
of establishing a new conservation
practice standard for such practice.
``(C) Considerations.--In establishing an interim
conservation practice standard or a new conservation
practice standard under this subsection, the Secretary
shall consider--
``(i) input from State technical committees
on recommendations that identify innovations or
advancements in conservation practices;
``(ii) technological advancements,
including advancements from projects developed
under section 1240H;
``(iii) State and local input in the form
of--
``(I) recommendations for interim
conservation practice standards; and
``(II) partnership-led proposals
for new and innovative techniques to
facilitate implementing agreements and
grants under this title; and
``(iv) input from native entities in the
form of information relating to native
traditional ecological knowledge that can
inform conservation practice standards.
``(D) Innovative technology priority.--In reviewing
conservation practice standards under this subsection,
the Secretary shall prioritize the review of interim
conservation practice standards and new conservation
practice standards that integrate innovative
technologies, including--
``(i) precision agriculture technologies;
``(ii) biological fertilizers,
biostimulants, enhanced efficiency fertilizers,
and other tools determined by the Secretary to
reduce nutrient loss;
``(iii) animal feed additives;
``(iv) perennial production systems,
including agroforestry and perennial forages
and grain crops; and
``(v) any other innovative technology, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(E) Transparency.--The Secretary shall make
available on a public website a detailed description of
the process for recommending, reviewing, and
establishing interim conservation practice standards
and new conservation practice standards under this
paragraph.'';
(4) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``Agriculture Improvement
Act of 2018'' and inserting ``Farm, Food, and
National Security Act of 2026''; and
(ii) by striking ``a report on'' and
inserting ``a report detailing'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``administrative'' and inserting ``streamlined'';
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) any other information the Secretary
determines useful to improve such streamlined process
for reviewing and establishing conservation practice
standards.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Office of conservation innovation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish
within the Office of the Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service an Office of Conservation
Innovation (referred to in this paragraph as the
`Office') which shall be under the direct supervision
of the Chief.
``(B) Duties.--The Office shall--
``(i) provide support to the Chief in
meeting the requirements of this subsection;
and
``(ii) encourage innovation in conservation
practices through--
``(I) revisions of existing
conservation practice standards;
``(II) recommendations of interim
conservation practice standards; and
``(III) recommendations of new
conservation practice standards.
``(C) Staff.--The Chief shall detail to the Office
not more than 6 employees of the Department of
Agriculture who are technical specialists that possess
an understanding of conventional, organic, and other
production techniques, representing--
``(i) agronomy and agroecology (including
soil health, biological nutrient sources, and
compatible cover cropping systems);
``(ii) grazing lands ecology (including
rangeland, pastureland, and grazed forest
land);
``(iii) animal husbandry (including animal
nutrition and feed management);
``(iv) water conservation, drainage water
management, and irrigation engineering
technology;
``(v) agricultural engineering (including
animal waste management, energy, and structural
measures); and
``(vi) forest ecology and agroforestry.
``(6) Funding.--The Secretary shall use funding from the
annual appropriations for conservation operations of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service to carry out this
subsection.''.
(g) Direct Hire Authority.--Section 1242 of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) NRCS Direct Hire Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may appoint, without
regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title
5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of
such title), qualified candidates, as described in paragraph
(2), directly to positions within the Natural Resources
Conservation Service that provide technical assistance under
conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
``(2) Qualifications.--Paragraph (1) applies to a candidate
who--
``(A) is qualified to provide the technical
assistance described in paragraph (1), as determined by
the Secretary; and
``(B) meets qualification standards established by
the Office of Personnel Management.''.
SEC. 2503. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Tenant Protections.--Section 1244(d) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(d)) is amended by striking ``I.'' and inserting
``J.''.
(b) Acreage Limitations.--Section 1244(f) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(f)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not enroll more than
25 percent of the cropland in any county in the conservation
reserve program established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of
subtitle D and wetland reserve easements under section
1265C.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(1)''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end and inserting ``or'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ``paragraph (1)(A)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
(4) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``classes IV'' and
inserting ``classes III''.
(c) Review and Guidance for Practice Costs and Payment Rates.--
(1) In general.--Section 1244(j)(1) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(j)(1)) is amended--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018,
and not later than October 1 of each year thereafter,
the Secretary shall'' and inserting ``The Secretary
shall establish a process under which the Secretary
shall annually'';
(B) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) review, with respect to each State, the
actual practice costs and rates of payments (or, where
actual practice costs and rates of payments are not
available, estimates of such practice costs and rates)
made to producers pursuant to programs under this title
for practices on eligible land; and''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) by redesignating clause (iii) as
clause (iv);
(iii) by inserting after clause (ii) the
following:
``(iii) accounts for the variability in
costs of implementing practices on eligible
land under this title; and''; and
(iv) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by
striking ``regional, State, and'' and inserting
``State and''.
(2) Guidance; review.--Section 1244(j)(2) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(j)(2)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``estimates
for''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause
(iii);
(iii) by inserting after clause (i) the
following:
``(ii) monitoring for and identifying
significant variability in practice costs in
each year; and''; and
(iv) in clause (iii), as so redesignated,
by inserting ``and, when appropriate, adopting
any recommendations made by such State
technical committee'' after ``that State''.
(3) Effect on existing contracts.--Section 1244(j) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(j)) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(3) Effect on existing contracts.--In order to provide
rates of payments that are commensurate with the costs of
implementing practices pursuant to programs under this title,
the Secretary shall establish processes and procedures for
updating rates of payments under a contract or agreement in
effect under this title to reflect the appropriate practice
costs and rates of payments determined under paragraph (2)(B)
for the year in which the practice is implemented.''.
(d) Source Water Protection Through Targeting of Agricultural
Practices.--Section 1244(n) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3844(n)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause
(iii);
(ii) in clause (i), by striking the ``and''
at the end; and
(iii) by inserting after clause (i) the
following:
``(ii) identify in each State a source
water protection coordinator who shall be
responsible for coordinating such collaboration
with community water systems under this
subsection; and''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``under
subparagraph (A)(ii)'' and inserting ``under
subparagraph (A)(iii)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Publicly available information.--Beginning on the
date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, shall make publicly available--
``(A) an annual report that details--
``(i) for each local priority area
identified under paragraph (2)(A)(i)--
``(I) the conservation programs
under which assistance is provided
pursuant to paragraph (1);
``(II) the practices implemented
pursuant to paragraph (1); and
``(III) the number of contracts and
acres devoted to such practices;
``(ii) for each conservation program
administered by the Secretary--
``(I) the amount of funds obligated
and expended for practices implemented
pursuant to paragraph (1); and
``(II) information regarding the
status of compliance with paragraph
(3); and
``(iii) the practices, by State, that are
receiving increased incentives and higher
payment rates under paragraph (2)(A)(iii); and
``(B) through an interactive map, aggregated data
detailed under subparagraph (A).''.
(e) Encouragement of Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors.--
Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(q) Encouragement of Habitat Connectivity and Wildlife
Corridors.--In carrying out any conservation program administered by
the Secretary, the Secretary may, as appropriate, encourage the use of
conservation practices that support the development, restoration, and
maintenance of habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors.''.
Subtitle G--Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
SEC. 2601. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1265A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865a) is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as
paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively; and
(3) in paragraph (3)(A), as so redesignated, by amending
clause (i) to read as follows:
``(i) that is subject to a pending offer
for purchase of an agricultural land easement
from an eligible entity;''.
SEC. 2602. AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS.
(a) Availability of Assistance.--Section 1265B(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``in eligible land;'' and
inserting ``on eligible land; and'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``(iv); and'' and
inserting ``(iii).''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (3).
(b) Cost-Share Assistance.--
(1) Scope of assistance available.--Section 1265B(b)(2) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(2)) is
amended--
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) Federal share.--
``(i) In general.--An agreement described
in paragraph (4) shall provide for a Federal
share determined by the Secretary of an amount
not to exceed 65 percent of the fair market
value of the agricultural land easement, as
determined by the Secretary using--
``(I) the Uniform Standards of
Professional Appraisal Practice;
``(II) an areawide market analysis
or survey; or
``(III) another industry-approved
method.
``(ii) Socially disadvantaged farmers and
ranchers exception.--In the case of eligible
land with respect to which a socially
disadvantaged farmer or rancher holds an
ownership interest of not less than 50 percent,
the Secretary may provide an amount not to
exceed 90 percent of the fair market value of
the agricultural land easement.
``(iii) Grasslands exception.--In the case
of grassland of special environmental
significance, as determined by the Secretary,
the Secretary may provide an amount not to
exceed 75 percent of the fair market value of
the agricultural land easement.'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by amending clause (i) to read as
follows:
``(i) In general.--Under the agreement, the
eligible entity shall provide a non-Federal
share that is equivalent to the remainder of
the fair market value of the agricultural land
easement not provided by the Secretary under
subparagraph (A).'';
(ii) by striking clause (ii);
(iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as
clause (ii); and
(iv) in clause (ii), as so redesignated, in
the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking
``subparagraph'' and inserting ``paragraph'';
and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) Lower cost-share option.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding
paragraph (4)(C)(v), an eligible entity may
elect to enter into an agreement under
paragraph (4) in which the terms and conditions
of an agricultural land easement funded under
the agreement do not include a right of
enforcement for the Secretary if the eligible
entity agrees to a Federal share that does not
exceed 25 percent of the fair market value of
the agricultural land easement, as determined
by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Minimum terms and conditions.--Under
an agreement described in clause (i), an
eligible entity shall be authorized to use its
own terms and conditions for agricultural land
easements so long as the Secretary determines
such terms and conditions--
``(I) are consistent with the
purposes of the program; and
``(II) permit effective enforcement
of the conservation purposes of such
easements.
``(iii) Entity enforcement.--Under an
agreement described in clause (i), the
Secretary shall require the terms and
conditions for the agricultural land easement
to include a right of enforcement for the
eligible entity.
``(iv) Cash contribution.--Under an
agreement described in clause (i), the eligible
entity shall provide cash resources in an
amount that is not less than 50 percent of the
fair market value of the agricultural land
easement, as determined by the Secretary under
subparagraph (A).''.
(2) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--Section
1265B(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3865b(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Pooling of applications.--The Secretary may
evaluate and rank applications submitted by eligible
entities for the purchase of agricultural land
easements from landowners who are socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers separately from
applications submitted for the purchase of agricultural
land easements from other landowners.''.
(3) Agreements with eligible entities.--Section 1265B(b)(4)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (42 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(4)) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking clause (iii);
(ii) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v)
as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively;
(iii) in clause (iii), as so redesignated,
by striking the ``and'' at the end;
(iv) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by
striking the period at the end and inserting
``;''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) include a right of enforcement for
the Secretary that--
``(I) may be used only if the terms
and conditions of the easement are not
enforced by the eligible entity; and
``(II) does not extend to a right
of inspection unless--
``(aa)(AA) the holder of
the easement fails to provide
monitoring reports in a timely
manner; or
``(BB) the Secretary has a
reasonable and articulable
belief that the terms and
conditions of the easement have
been violated; and
``(bb) prior to the
inspection, the Secretary
notifies the eligible entity
and the landowner of the
inspection and provides a
reasonable opportunity for the
eligible entity and the
landowner to participate in the
inspection; and
``(vi) include a right of the Secretary to
require the transfer of the easement to a
different eligible entity if the eligible
entity that holds the easement ceases to exist
or is no longer eligible to participate in the
program, as determined by the Secretary.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) in clause (ii)--
(I) in subclause (I)(ff), by
striking ``(v)'' and inserting
``(iv)''; and
(II) in subclause (II), by striking
the ``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subclause (iii), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by inserting at the end the
following:
``(iv) do not conflict with any minimum
terms or conditions under subparagraph (C) that
may be required.''.
(4) Certification of eligible entities.--Section
1265B(b)(5) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3865b(b)(5)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
striking ``under which the Secretary may'' and
inserting ``, to minimize administrative
burdens on the Secretary and recognize the
ability of experienced eligible entities to
administer easements with minimal oversight by
the Secretary, under which the Secretary
shall''; and
(ii) in clause (iv), by inserting ``, and
modify,'' after ``entity to use'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (ii)--
(I) in subclause (II), by striking
``10'' and inserting ``5''; and
(II) in subclause (III), by
striking the ``or'' at the end;
(ii) in clause (iii)--
(I) in subclause (I), by striking
``10'' and inserting ``5''; and
(II) in subclause (II), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``;
or'';
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) is an eligible entity not described
in clause (ii) or (iii) that has--
``(I) acquired not fewer than 10
agricultural land easements under the
program or any predecessor program; and
``(II) successfully met the
responsibilities of the eligible entity
under the applicable agreements with
the Secretary, as determined by the
Secretary, relating to agricultural
land easements that the eligible entity
has acquired under the program or any
predecessor program.''; and
(C) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) in the header, by striking ``Review and
revision'' and inserting ``Review and
revocation'';
(ii) in the header of clause (i) by
striking ``Review'' and inserting ``Certified
entity review''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Easement review.--The Secretary
shall establish and conduct an annual quality
review process to--
``(I) review a sample set of
easements acquired by certified
eligible entities;
``(II) ensure the integrity of the
easement acquisition process under this
section;
``(III) establish and enforce a
process for corrective actions; and
``(IV) provide for a waiver of
successive easement reviews based on
demonstrated compliance.''.
SEC. 2603. WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS.
(a) Easements.--Section 1265C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3865c(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``tribes'' and
inserting ``Tribes and landowners who are socially
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers''; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3)(C) the following:
``(D) Pooling of applications.--The Secretary may
evaluate and rank offers from landowners who are
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers separately
from offers from other landowners.''.
(b) Easement Restoration.--Section 1265C(c)(1) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``subsection
(f)'' and inserting ``subsection (g)''.
(c) Easement Stewardship.--Section 1265C of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (e) through (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c), the following:
``(d) Easement Stewardship.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide financial
assistance to owners of eligible land enrolled under this
section for the repair, necessary maintenance, and enhancement
activities described in the wetland reserve easement plan
developed for the eligible land under subsection (g)(1).
``(2) Evaluation of stewardship need.--The Secretary
shall--
``(A) regularly assess land enrolled under this
section to identify maintenance and management needs,
including any needed repair or enhancement of existing
structural practices, in accordance with the applicable
wetland reserve easement plan;
``(B) consistent with the purposes of the program,
create, execute, and update as necessary based on the
assessments carried out under subparagraph (A), a
stewardship strategy for--
``(i) prioritizing and addressing the needs
identified under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) projecting the amount of annual
funding needed for financial and technical
assistance to address such needs; and
``(C) establish a 5-year schedule to address such
needs.
``(3) Payments.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall make payments in an amount that is not more
than 100 percent of the eligible costs, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(4) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that includes--
``(A) an inventory of the existing stewardship
needs of all wetland reserve easements, based on the
assessments carried out under paragraph (2);
``(B) the stewardship strategy created under
paragraph (2)(B);
``(C) the amounts the Secretary plans to allocate
to address such stewardship needs, based on projections
made pursuant to paragraph (2)(B)(ii); and
``(D) the planned use of compatible uses under
subsection (b)(5)(C), contracts or agreements under
subsection (e)(2), or wetland reserve easement plans
under subsection (g)(1) to ensure that each such
stewardship need is addressed.''.
(d) Assistance.--Subsection (e) of section 1265C of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c), as so redesignated, is
amended--
(1) in the header, by striking ``Technical Assistance'' and
inserting ``Assistance''; and
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may enter
into 1 or more contracts or agreements with a Federal, State,
or local agency, a nongovernmental organization, an Indian
Tribe, or a private entity to carry out necessary restoration,
enhancement, maintenance, repair, assessment, or monitoring of
a wetland reserve easement if the Secretary determines that the
contract or agreement will advance the purposes of the
program.''.
(e) Wetland Reserve Enhancement Option.--Subsection (f) of section
1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865c), as so
redesignated, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Funding.--Of the funds made available to carry out
this section, the Secretary shall reserve not less than 15
percent to carry out this subsection.''.
SEC. 2604. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Subordination, Exchange, Modification, and Termination.--
Section 1265D(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865d(c))
is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Modification and exchange of interest in land.--
``(A) Modification.--
``(i) Authority.--The Secretary may approve
a modification of any interest in land, or
portion of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, either directly or on behalf of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, under the program
if the Secretary determines that the
modification--
``(I) will support the long-term
agricultural viability of the
applicable farm or ranch operation and
the conservation values of the
applicable easement;
``(II) will result in equal or
increased conservation values;
``(III) is consistent with the
original intent of the easement;
``(IV) is consistent with the
purposes of the program; and
``(V) is in the public interest or
furthers the practical administration
of the program, including correcting
errors, exercising reserved rights, and
increasing flexibility to recognize
changes in water availability or
administration.
``(ii) Limitation.--In modifying an
interest in land, or portion of such interest,
under this subparagraph, the Secretary may not,
except in the case of a modification that
includes a change to an easement to add
acreage, increase any payment to an eligible
entity.
``(iii) NEPA compliance.--An action taken
pursuant to this subparagraph may not be
considered a major Federal action under section
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).
``(B) Exchange.--
``(i) Authority.--The Secretary may approve
an exchange of any interest in land, or portion
of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, either directly or on behalf of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, under the program
if the Secretary determines that--
``(I) no reasonable alternative
exists and the effect on the interest
in land is avoided or minimized to the
extent practicable; and
``(II) the exchange--
``(aa) results in equal or
increased conservation values;
``(bb) results in equal or
greater economic value to the
United States;
``(cc) is consistent with
the original intent of the
easement;
``(dd) is consistent with
the purposes of the program;
and
``(ee) is in the public
interest or furthers the
practical administration of the
program.
``(ii) Limitation.--In exchanging an
interest in land, or portion of such interest,
under this subparagraph, the Secretary may not
increase any payment to an eligible entity.'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) De minimis adjustments.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible entity may make de
minimis adjustments to any interest in land, or a
portion of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, directly or on behalf of the Commodity
Credit Corporation, under the program if the
adjustment--
``(i) furthers the practical administration
of the program; and
``(ii) is not a subordination,
modification, exchange, or termination, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(B) Types of de minimis adjustments.--De minimis
adjustments made under this paragraph may include title
corrections and other minor adjustments, including--
``(i) typographical error corrections;
``(ii) minor changes in legal descriptions
as a result of survey or mapping errors;
``(iii) the transfer of an interest of an
eligible entity to another eligible entity;
``(iv) changes to a building envelope
boundary;
``(v) relocation of easement access;
``(vi) authorization of temporary work
areas not associated with other easement
administration actions; and
``(vii) other adjustments determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(7) Modification of eligible entity terms and
conditions.--An eligible entity shall be authorized to modify a
term or condition of an agricultural land easement that is the
subject of an agreement entered into under section
1265B(b)(4)(A) if such modification does not conflict with any
minimum term or condition required by the Secretary under such
section.''.
(b) Adjusted Gross Income.--
(1) Exemption.--Section 1265D of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865D) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Adjusted Gross Income Exemption.--The adjusted gross income
limitation described in section 1001D(b)(1) shall not apply to any
payment or other assistance under this subtitle.''.
(2) Calculation.--Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a(b)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(5) Exception for compensation under acep.--For purposes
of this subsection, the adjusted gross income of a person or
legal entity that is a landowner of eligible land (as defined
in section 1265A) shall not include any income received as
compensation for the acquisition of an agricultural land
easement or a wetland reserve easement on that eligible land
under subtitle H of title XII.''.
Subtitle H--Forest Conservation Easement Program
SEC. 2701. FOREST CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM.
Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subtitle I (16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.) as
subtitle J; and
(2) by inserting after subtitle H (16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.)
the following:
``Subtitle I--Forest Conservation Easement Program
``SEC. 1267. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a forest
conservation easement program for the conservation and restoration of
eligible land and natural resources through the acquisition of
conservation easements or other interests in land.
``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program are--
``(1) to protect the viability and sustainability of
working forest land, and related conservation values of
eligible land, by limiting the negative effects of nonforest
land uses of such land;
``(2) to protect and enhance forest ecosystem and landscape
functions and values;
``(3) to promote the restoration, protection, and
improvement of habitat of species that are threatened,
endangered, or otherwise at risk; and
``(4) to carry out the purposes and functions of the
healthy forests reserve program established under title V of
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571 et
seq.), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
this section.
``SEC. 1267A. DEFINITIONS.
``In this subtitle:
``(1) Acreage owned by an indian tribe.--The term `acreage
owned by an Indian Tribe' means--
``(A) land that is held in trust by the United
States for Indian Tribes or individual Indians;
``(B) land, the title to which is held by Indian
Tribes or individual Indians subject to Federal
restrictions against alienation or encumbrance;
``(C) land that is subject to rights of use,
occupancy, and benefit of certain Indian Tribes;
``(D) land that is held in fee title by an Indian
Tribe;
``(E) land that is owned by a native corporation
formed under--
``(i) section 17 of the Act of June 18,
1934 (commonly known as the `Indian
Reorganization Act') (25 U.S.C. 5124); or
``(ii) section 8 of the Alaska Native
Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1607); and
``(F) a combination of 1 or more types of land
described in subparagraphs (A) through (E).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) an agency of State or local government or an
Indian Tribe (including a land resource council
established under State law); or
``(B) an organization that is--
``(i) organized for, and at all times since
the formation of the organization has been
operated principally for, 1 or more of the
conservation purposes specified in clause (i),
(ii), (iii), or (iv) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
``(ii) an organization described in section
501(c)(3) of that Code that is exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; or
``(iii) described in--
``(I) paragraph (1) or (2) of
section 509(a) of that Code; or
``(II) section 509(a)(3) of that
Code and is controlled by an
organization described in section
509(a)(2) of that Code.
``(3) Eligible land.--The term `eligible land' means
private land or acreage owned by an Indian Tribe--
``(A) that is--
``(i) forest land; or
``(ii) being restored to forest land;
``(B) in the case of a forest land easement--
``(i) the enrollment of which would protect
working forests and related conservation values
by conserving land; or
``(ii) the protection of which will further
a State or local policy consistent with the
purposes of the program; and
``(C) in the case of a forest reserve easement, the
enrollment of which will maintain, restore, enhance, or
otherwise measurably--
``(i) increase the likelihood of recovery
of a species that is listed as endangered or
threatened under section 4 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); or
``(ii) improve the well-being of a species
that is--
``(I) not listed as endangered or
threatened under that section; and
``(II)(aa) a candidate for that
listing, a State-listed species, or a
special concern species; or
``(bb) designated as a species of
greatest conservation need by a State
wildlife action plan.
``(4) Forest land easement.--The term `forest land
easement' means an easement or other interest in eligible land
that--
``(A) is conveyed to an eligible entity for the
purpose of protecting natural resources and the forest
nature of the eligible land; and
``(B) permits the landowner the right to continue
working forest production and related uses, consistent
with an applicable forest management plan.
``(5) Forest management plan.--The term `forest management
plan' means--
``(A) a forest stewardship plan described in
section 5(f) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103a(f));
``(B) another plan approved by the applicable State
forester or State forestry agency;
``(C) a plan developed under a third-party
certification system determined appropriate by the
Secretary; or
``(D) another plan determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
``(6) Forest reserve easement.--The term `forest reserve
easement' means an easement or other interest in eligible land
that--
``(A) is conveyed to the Secretary for the purpose
of protecting natural resources and the forest nature
of the eligible land; and
``(B) permits the landowner the right to continue
working forest production and related uses consistent
with the applicable forest reserve easement plan
developed under section 1267C(c)(1)(A).
``(7) Program.--The term `program' means the forest
conservation easement program established under this subtitle.
``(8) Socially disadvantaged forest landowner.--The term
`socially disadvantaged forest landowner' means a forest
landowner who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group (as
defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a))).
``SEC. 1267B. FOREST LAND EASEMENTS.
``(a) Availability of Assistance.--The Secretary shall facilitate
and provide funding for--
``(1) the purchase by eligible entities of forest land
easements on eligible land;
``(2) the development of a forest management plan; and
``(3) technical assistance to implement this section.
``(b) Cost-Share Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall protect working
forests, and related conservation values of eligible land,
through cost-share assistance to eligible entities for
purchasing forest land easements.
``(2) Scope of assistance available.--
``(A) Federal share.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), an agreement described in
paragraph (4) shall provide for a Federal share
of 50 percent of the fair market value of the
forest land easement, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(ii) Exception.--An agreement described
in paragraph (4) may provide for a Federal
share of not more than 75 percent of the fair
market value of a forest land easement in the
case of eligible land that is--
``(I) a forest of special
environmental significance, as
determined by the Secretary; or
``(II) owned by a socially
disadvantaged forest landowner.
``(B) Non-federal share.--
``(i) In general.--Under an agreement
described in paragraph (4), the eligible entity
shall provide a non-Federal share that is
equivalent to the remainder of the fair market
value of the forest land easement not provided
by the Secretary under subparagraph (A).
``(ii) Permissible forms.--The non-Federal
share provided by an eligible entity under this
paragraph may comprise--
``(I) cash resources;
``(II) a charitable donation or
qualified conservation contribution (as
defined in section 170(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) from the
private forest landowner from which the
forest land easement will be purchased;
``(III) costs associated with
securing a deed to the forest land
easement, including the cost of
appraisal, survey, inspection, and
title; and
``(IV) other costs, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(C) Determination of fair market value.--For
purposes of this paragraph, the Secretary shall
determine the fair market value of a forest land
easement using--
``(i) the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice;
``(ii) an areawide market analysis or
survey; or
``(iii) another industry-approved method.
``(3) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--
``(A) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish
evaluation and ranking criteria to maximize the benefit
of Federal investment under the program.
``(B) Priority.--In evaluating applications under
the program, the Secretary shall give priority to an
application for the purchase of a forest land
easement--
``(i) that maintains the viability of a
working forest, as determined by the Secretary;
and
``(ii) on eligible land for which a forest
management plan has been developed at the time
of application.
``(C) Considerations.--In establishing the criteria
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall emphasize
support for--
``(i) protecting working forests and
related conservation values of eligible land;
``(ii) reducing fragmentation of forest
land; and
``(iii) maximizing the areas protected from
conversion to nonforest uses.
``(4) Agreements with eligible entities.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into
agreements with eligible entities to stipulate the
terms and conditions under which the eligible entity is
permitted to use cost-share assistance provided under
this section.
``(B) Length of agreements.--An agreement under
subparagraph (A) shall be for a term that is not less
than 3, but not more than 5, years, unless the
Secretary determines that a longer term is justified.
``(C) Minimum terms and conditions.--An eligible
entity shall be authorized to use its own terms and
conditions for forest land easements so long as the
Secretary determines such terms and conditions--
``(i) are consistent with--
``(I) the purposes of the program;
and
``(II) the forestry activities to
be conducted on the eligible land;
``(ii) permit effective enforcement of the
conservation purposes of the forest land
easements;
``(iii) include a requirement to implement
a forest management plan on eligible land
subject to a forest land easement;
``(iv) include a limit on the impervious
surfaces to be allowed that is consistent with
the forestry activities to be conducted; and
``(v) include a right of enforcement for
the Secretary that--
``(I) may be used only if the terms
and conditions of the forest land
easement are not enforced by the
eligible entity; and
``(II) does not extend to a right
of inspection unless--
``(aa)(AA) the holder of
the forest land easement fails
to provide monitoring reports
in a timely manner; or
``(BB) the Secretary has a
reasonable and articulable
belief that the terms and
conditions of the forest land
easement have been violated;
and
``(bb) prior to the
inspection, the Secretary
notifies the eligible entity
and the landowner of the
inspection and provides a
reasonable opportunity for the
eligible entity and the
landowner to participate in the
inspection.
``(D) Additional permitted terms and conditions.--
An eligible entity may include terms and conditions for
a forest land easement that--
``(i) are intended to keep the eligible
land subject to the forest land easement in
active forest management, as determined by the
Secretary;
``(ii) allow subsurface mineral development
on the eligible land subject to the forest land
easement and in accordance with applicable
State law if, as determined by the Secretary--
``(I) the subsurface mineral
development--
``(aa) has a limited and
localized impact;
``(bb) does not harm the
forest use and conservation
values of the eligible land
subject to the forest land
easement;
``(cc) does not materially
alter or affect the existing
topography;
``(dd) complies with a
subsurface mineral development
plan that--
``(AA) includes a
plan for the
remediation of impacts
to the forest use and
conservation values of
the eligible land
subject to the forest
land easement; and
``(BB) is approved
by the Secretary prior
to the initiation of
mineral development
activity;
``(ee) is not accomplished
by any surface mining method;
``(ff) is within the
impervious surface limits of
the forest land easement under
subparagraph (C)(iv); and
``(gg) uses practices and
technologies that minimize the
duration and intensity of
impacts to the forest use and
conservation values of the
eligible land subject to the
forest land easement; and
``(II) each area impacted by the
subsurface mineral development is
reclaimed and restored by the holder of
the mineral rights at cessation of
operation; and
``(iii) include other relevant activities
relating to the forest land easement, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(E) Substitution of qualified projects.--An
agreement under subparagraph (A) shall allow, upon
mutual agreement of the parties, substitution of
qualified projects that are identified at the time of
the proposed substitution.
``(F) Effect of violation.--If a violation of a
term or condition of an agreement under subparagraph
(A) occurs--
``(i) the Secretary may terminate the
agreement; and
``(ii) the Secretary may require the
eligible entity to refund all or part of any
payments received by the eligible entity under
the program, with interest on the payments as
determined appropriate by the Secretary.
``(5) Forest management plan.--
``(A) In general.--If the eligible land does not
have a forest management plan at the time of
application, prior to the acquisition of the forest
land easement the landowner shall develop, in
partnership with the eligible entity, a forest
management plan for the land subject to the forest land
easement.
``(B) Reimbursement.--The Secretary may reimburse
the landowner for the cost of the development of a
forest management plan for eligible land enrolled under
this section.
``(c) Method of Enrollment.--The Secretary shall enroll eligible
land under this section through the use of--
``(1) permanent easements; or
``(2) easements for the maximum duration allowed under
applicable State laws.
``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance, on request, to assist in compliance with the terms and
conditions of forest land easements.
``SEC. 1267C. FOREST RESERVE EASEMENTS.
``(a) Availability of Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide
assistance to owners of eligible land to restore, protect, and enhance
eligible land through--
``(1) forest reserve easements and related forest reserve
easement plans; and
``(2) technical assistance to implement this section.
``(b) Easements.--
``(1) Method of enrollment.--
``(A) Authorized methods.--The Secretary shall
enroll eligible land under this section--
``(i) through the use of--
``(I) permanent easements;
``(II) 30-year easements; and
``(III) easements for the maximum
duration allowed under applicable State
laws; and
``(ii) in the case of acreage owned by an
Indian Tribe, through the use of--
``(I) 30-year contracts (the
compensation for which shall be
equivalent to the compensation for 30-
year easements); or
``(II) permanent easements.
``(B) Limitation.--Not more than 10 percent of
amounts made available to carry out this section in a
fiscal year may be used for 30-year easements under
this section.
``(2) Evaluation and ranking of offers.--
``(A) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish
evaluation and ranking criteria for offers from
landowners under this section.
``(B) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority
to the enrollment of eligible land under this section
that provides the greatest conservation benefit to--
``(i) primarily, species listed as
endangered or threatened under section 4 of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1533); and
``(ii) secondarily, species that are--
``(I) not listed as endangered or
threatened under that section; and
``(II)(aa) candidates for that
listing, State-listed species, or
special concern species; or
``(bb) designated as species of
greatest conservation need by a State
wildlife action plan.
``(C) Other considerations.--The Secretary may give
additional consideration to eligible land the
enrollment under this section of which will--
``(i) improve biological diversity;
``(ii) restore native forest ecosystems;
``(iii) conserve forest land that provides
habitat for species described in subparagraph
(B);
``(iv) reduce fragmentation of forest land;
and
``(v) increase carbon sequestration.
``(3) Terms and conditions of easements.--
``(A) In general.--A forest reserve easement shall
include terms and conditions that--
``(i) are consistent with the purposes of
the program and the forestry activities to be
conducted on the eligible land;
``(ii) are consistent with the management
objectives of the owner of the eligible land
and the implementation of the forest reserve
easement plan developed under subsection
(c)(1)(A);
``(iii) permit effective enforcement of the
conservation purposes of the forest reserve
easements;
``(iv) provide for the efficient and
effective establishment or enhancement of
forest ecosystem functions and values; and
``(v) include such additional provisions as
the Secretary determines are desirable to carry
out the program or facilitate the practical
administration of the program.
``(B) Requested terms and conditions.--An owner of
eligible land may request that a term or condition be
included in a forest reserve easement, and the
Secretary may include such term or condition, if it--
``(i) is consistent with the management
objectives of the owner of the eligible land
and the implementation of the forest reserve
easement plan developed under subsection
(c)(1)(A); and
``(ii) does not conflict with any terms or
conditions included under subparagraph (A).
``(4) Compensation.--
``(A) Permanent easements.--In the case of eligible
land enrolled in a permanent easement under this
section, the Secretary shall pay the owner of the
eligible land an amount equal to the difference
between, as determined by the Secretary--
``(i) the fair market value of the eligible
land before the enrollment in the permanent
easement; and
``(ii) the fair market value of the
eligible land as encumbered by the permanent
easement.
``(B) Other.--The Secretary shall pay the owner of
eligible land enrolled under this section in a 30-year
contract, a 30-year easement, or an easement for the
maximum duration allowed under applicable State laws,
not less than 50 percent, and not more than 75 percent,
of the compensation that would be paid under
subparagraph (A) if the land were being enrolled in a
permanent easement.
``(C) Determination of fair market value.--The
Secretary shall determine the fair market value of
eligible land for purposes of this paragraph using the
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice or
another industry-approved method.
``(c) Easement Restoration and Management.--
``(1) Forest reserve easement plan.--
``(A) In general.--Land enrolled in a forest
reserve easement shall be subject to a forest reserve
easement plan, to be developed jointly by the landowner
and the Secretary, that describes such activities to be
carried out on the land as are necessary to restore,
maintain, and enhance habitat for species described in
subsection (b)(2)(B).
``(B) Practices and measures.--A forest reserve
easement plan developed under subparagraph (A) shall
require implementation of such practices and measures
as are necessary to accomplish the activities described
in the plan under such subparagraph, which may
include--
``(i) vegetative management and
silviculture practices;
``(ii) structural practices and measures;
``(iii) practices to increase carbon
sequestration;
``(iv) practices to improve biological
diversity; and
``(v) other practices and measures, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(2) Financial assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide
financial assistance to owners of eligible land to
carry out the activities, practices, and measures
described in the forest reserve easement plan developed
for the eligible land under paragraph (1).
``(B) Payments.--With respect to financial
assistance provided under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall pay--
``(i) in the case of a forest reserve
easement plan for eligible land enrolled in a
permanent easement, an amount that is not more
than 100 percent of the eligible costs
described in subparagraph (C), as determined by
the Secretary; and
``(ii) in the case of a forest reserve
easement plan for eligible land enrolled in a
30-year contract, a 30-year easement, or an
easement for the maximum duration allowed under
applicable State laws, an amount that is not
less than 50 percent, and not more than 75
percent, of the eligible costs described in
subparagraph (C), as determined by the
Secretary.
``(C) Eligible costs.--Costs eligible for payments
under this paragraph are the costs of activities,
practices, and measures referred to in subparagraph (A)
that are associated with the restoration or enhancement
of the habitat conditions specified for the applicable
species in the forest reserve easement plan.
``(D) Timing of payments.--Payments under this
paragraph shall be made--
``(i) only on a determination by the
Secretary that an activity, practice, or
measure described in subparagraph (C) has been
established in compliance with appropriate
standards and specifications, which
determination shall be made as soon as
practicable after establishment; and
``(ii) as soon as possible after such
determination is made.
``(E) Limitations.--Financial assistance provided
by the Secretary under this paragraph to an owner of
eligible land may not exceed $500,000 per easement or
contract.
``(d) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to owners of
eligible land technical assistance to assist the owners in--
``(A) developing a forest reserve easement plan;
and
``(B) complying with the terms and conditions of a
forest reserve easement, including the implementation
of a forest reserve easement plan.
``(2) Contracts or agreements.--The Secretary may enter
into 1 or more contracts with private entities or agreements
with a State, nongovernmental organization, or Indian Tribe to
provide technical assistance described in paragraph (1), if the
Secretary determines that the contract or agreement will
advance the purposes of the program.
``(e) Protections and Measures.--
``(1) Protections.--In the case of a landowner who enrolls
eligible land in a forest reserve easement, and whose
conservation activities under the forest reserve easement plan
developed for such land result in a net conservation benefit
for a species described in subsection (b)(2)(B), the Secretary
shall make available to the landowner safe harbor or similar
assurances and protection under--
``(A) section 7(b)(4) of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(4)); or
``(B) section 10(a)(1) of that Act (16 U.S.C.
1539(a)(1)).
``(2) Measures.--If protection under paragraph (1) requires
the taking of measures that are in addition to the measures
covered by the forest reserve easement plan developed for the
eligible land, the cost of the additional measures, and the
cost of any permit, shall be considered costs eligible for
payments under subsection (c)(2).
``(f) Administration.--
``(1) Delegation of easement administration.--
``(A) Federal and state agencies.--The Secretary
may delegate any of the management, monitoring, and
enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary under
this section to other Federal or State agencies that
have the appropriate authority, expertise, and
resources necessary to carry out those delegated
responsibilities.
``(B) Conservation organizations.--The Secretary
may delegate any of the management responsibilities of
the Secretary under this section to a nonprofit
conservation organization if the Secretary determines
the organization has the appropriate expertise and
resources necessary to carry out those delegated
responsibilities.
``(2) Involvement by other agencies and organizations.--In
carrying out this section, the Secretary may consult with--
``(A) private forest landowners;
``(B) other Federal agencies;
``(C) State forestry agencies;
``(D) State fish and wildlife agencies;
``(E) State environmental quality agencies;
``(F) other State conservation agencies; and
``(G) nonprofit conservation organizations.
``SEC. 1267D. ADMINISTRATION.
``(a) Ineligible Land.--The Secretary shall not use amounts made
available to carry out the program for the purposes of acquiring an
easement on--
``(1) land owned by a Federal agency, other than such land
that is acreage owned by an Indian Tribe;
``(2) land owned in fee title by a State, including an
agency or a subdivision of a State, or a unit of local
government;
``(3) land subject to an easement or deed restriction that,
as determined by the Secretary, provides similar protection as
would be provided by enrollment in the program; or
``(4) land the enrollment in the program of which would
undermine the purposes of the program due to on-site or off-
site conditions, such as risk of hazardous substances,
permitted or existing rights of way, infrastructure
development, or adjacent land uses.
``(b) Subordination, Exchange, Modification, and Termination.--
``(1) Subordination.--The Secretary may subordinate any
interest in eligible land, or portion of such an interest,
administered by the Secretary (including for the purposes of
utilities and energy transmission services) directly or on
behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if
the Secretary determines that the subordination--
``(A) increases conservation values or has a
limited negative effect on conservation values;
``(B) minimally affects the acreage subject to the
interest in eligible land; and
``(C) is in the public interest or furthers the
practical administration of the program.
``(2) Modification and exchange of interest in land.--
``(A) Modification.--
``(i) Authority.--The Secretary may approve
a modification of any interest in land, or
portion of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, either directly or on behalf of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, under the program
if the Secretary determines that the
modification--
``(I) will support the viability
and sustainability of working forests
and the conservation values of the
applicable easement;
``(II) will result in equal or
increased conservation values;
``(III) is consistent with the
original intent of the easement;
``(IV) is consistent with the
purposes of the program; and
``(V) is in the public interest or
furthers the practical administration
of the program, including correcting
errors and exercising reserved rights.
``(ii) Limitation.--In modifying an
interest in land, or portion of such interest,
under this subparagraph, the Secretary may not,
except in the case of a modification that
includes a change to an easement to add
acreage, increase any payment to an eligible
entity.
``(B) Exchange.--
``(i) Authority.--The Secretary may approve
an exchange of any interest in land, or portion
of such interest, administered by the
Secretary, either directly or on behalf of the
Commodity Credit Corporation, under the program
if the Secretary determines that--
``(I) no reasonable alternative
exists and the effect on the interest
in land is avoided or minimized to the
extent practicable; and
``(II) the exchange--
``(aa) results in equal or
increased conservation values;
``(bb) results in equal or
greater economic value to the
United States;
``(cc) is consistent with
the original intent of the
easement;
``(dd) is consistent with
the purposes of the program;
and
``(ee) is in the public
interest or furthers the
practical administration of the
program.
``(ii) Limitation.--In exchanging an
interest in land, or portion of such interest,
under this subparagraph, the Secretary may not
increase any payment to an eligible entity.
``(3) Termination.--The Secretary may approve a termination
of any interest in eligible land, or portion of such an
interest, administered by the Secretary, directly or on behalf
of the Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if the
Secretary determines that--
``(A) termination is in the interest of the Federal
Government;
``(B) the United States will be fully compensated
for--
``(i) the value of the interest in the
land, as determined by the Secretary;
``(ii) any costs relating to the
termination; and
``(iii) any damages determined appropriate
by the Secretary; and
``(C) the termination will--
``(i) address a compelling public need for
which there is no practicable alternative even
with avoidance and minimization; and
``(ii) further the practical administration
of the program.
``(4) Consent.--The Secretary shall obtain consent from the
landowner and eligible entity, if applicable, for any
subordination, exchange, modification, or termination of an
interest in eligible land, or portion of such an interest,
under this subsection.
``(5) Notice.--Not fewer than 90 days before taking any
termination action described in paragraph (3), the Secretary
shall provide written notice of that action to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
``(c) Land Enrolled in Other Programs.--In accordance with the
provisions of section 2702 of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026, land enrolled in the healthy forests reserve program
established under title V of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of
2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571 et seq.) on the day before the date of enactment
of this section shall be considered enrolled in the program.''.
SEC. 2702. HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.
(a) Repeal.--
(1) In general.--Title V of the Healthy Forests Restoration
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571 et seq.) is repealed.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Public Law
108-148; 117 Stat. 1887) is amended by striking the items
relating to title V.
(b) Transitional Provisions.--
(1) Effect on existing contracts, agreements, and
easements.--The repeal made by subsection (a) shall not affect
the validity or terms of any contract, agreement, or easement
entered into by the Secretary under title V of the Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571 et seq.) before
the date of enactment of this Act, or any payments or technical
assistance required to be made in connection with the contract,
agreement, or easement.
(2) Funding.--
(A) Use of prior year funds.--Notwithstanding the
repeal made by subsection (a), any funds made available
from the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the
healthy forests reserve program established under title
V of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6571 et seq.) (as in effect on the day before
the date of enactment of this Act) for any of fiscal
years 2019 through 2025 shall be made available to
carry out contracts, agreements, or easements referred
to in paragraph (1), subject to the condition that no
such contract, agreement, or easement may be modified
so as to increase the amount of any payment received.
(B) Other.--The Secretary may use funds made
available to carry out the forest conservation easement
program established under subtitle I of the Food
Security Act of 1985 to continue to carry out
contracts, agreements, or easements referred to in
paragraph (1) using the provisions of law (including
regulations) applicable to those contracts, agreements,
and easements as in existence on the day before the
date of enactment of this Act.
Subtitle I--Regional Conservation Partnership Program
SEC. 2801. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.
Section 1271(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3871(b)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) To address natural resource concerns on eligible land
on a regional or watershed scale, including through--
``(A) the conservation, protection, restoration,
and sustainable use of soil;
``(B) the conservation and protection of water,
including sources of drinking water and groundwater;
``(C) the prevention and mitigation of the effects
of flooding and drought, and the improvement or
expansion of flood resiliency; and
``(D) the conservation of wildlife, agricultural
land, and related natural resources.''.
SEC. 2802. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1271A(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3871a(1)) is amended by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the
following:
``(D) The forest conservation easement program
established under subtitle I.''.
SEC. 2803. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS.
(a) Partnership Agreements Authorized.--Section 1271B(a) of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871b(a)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(a) Partnership Agreements Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into a
partnership agreement with an eligible partner to implement a
project that will assist producers with installing and
maintaining an eligible activity on eligible land.
``(2) Streamlining required.--The Secretary shall ensure
that a partnership agreement under paragraph (1)--
``(A) is entered into not later than 180 days after
the date on which an application is selected under
subsection (e); and
``(B) contains only--
``(i) the information, described under
subsection (e)(3), necessary to fund and
initiate the project to be implemented under
the partnership agreement; and
``(ii) any adjustments to the requirements
of a covered program determined necessary by
the Secretary under paragraph (2) of section
1271E(f), and any waiver provided under
paragraph (3) of such section.
``(3) Process for requesting waivers and adjustments.--The
Secretary shall make available information on the process for
requesting a waiver or an adjustment to the requirements of a
covered program pursuant to section 1271E(f).''.
(b) Duties of Secretary.--Section 1271B(d) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871b(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``how the Secretary
used amounts reserved by the Secretary for that year for
technical assistance under section 1271D(f); and'' and
inserting ``the use of funds for technical assistance under
section 1271D(c);'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) ensure payments to eligible partners under a
partnership agreement are made not later than 30 days after the
date on which the eligible partner submits to the Secretary a
request for payment.''.
(c) Applications.--Section 1271B(e)(3) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871b(e)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) any requests by an eligible partner for a
waiver or an adjustment to the requirements of a
covered program pursuant to section 1271E(f); and''.
SEC. 2804. ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS.
Section 1271C(d)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3871c(d)(3)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(2) in subparagraph (A)(iv), by striking the ``and'' at the
end; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A)(iv) the following:
``(B) provide, under section 1271B(c)(2), not less
than 50 percent of the overall costs of the scope of
the project that is the subject of a partnership
agreement funded pursuant to paragraph (1) in direct
funding; and''.
SEC. 2805. FUNDING.
(a) Allocation of Funding.--Section 1271D of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b);
(2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as
subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by striking
``subsection (a)'' and inserting ``section 1241(a)(6)''.
(b) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--Subsection (b) of
section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so
redesignated, is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Limitation on Administrative Expenses.--
``(1) In general.--Of the funds made available to implement
a project under a partnership agreement, the Secretary may use
not more than ten percent to reimburse the eligible partner for
administrative expenses relating to the project.
``(2) Consideration.--Any amounts expended by an eligible
partner for administrative expenses that are not reimbursed
under paragraph (1) may be considered to be a part of the
contribution of the eligible partner under section
1271B(c)(2).''.
(c) Technical Assistance.--Subsection (c) of section 1271D of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so redesignated, is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) Technical Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, through a
partnership agreement, identify--
``(A) the total amount of funds that will be used
for technical assistance; and
``(B) the share of such funds that will be provided
to eligible partners under paragraph (2).
``(2) Provision of assistance.--
``(A) Reimbursement.--Under a partnership agreement
that is not funded through an alternative funding
arrangement or grant agreement under section 1271C(d),
the Secretary may reimburse eligible partners for the
costs of technical assistance provided through such
partnership agreement, including--
``(i) the costs of technical assistance
needed to facilitate the maximum conservation
benefit of the applicable project;
``(ii) the costs of providing outreach and
education to producers for potential
participation in the applicable project;
``(iii) the costs of establishing baseline
metrics to support the development of the
assessment required under section
1271B(c)(1)(E); and
``(iv) other costs necessary to support the
implementation of eligible activities, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(B) Advancement of funds.--The Secretary may
advance to eligible partners reasonable amounts of
funds for costs that may be reimbursed under
subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary.
``(3) Limitation.--The Secretary shall limit costs of the
Secretary for technical assistance to costs necessary to carry
out the objectives of the program.
``(4) Reduction of administrative barriers.--The Secretary
shall provide a single, simplified process for reimbursements
or advancements to eligible partners for the costs of technical
assistance under this subsection.
``(5) Third-party providers.--The Secretary shall develop
and implement strategies to encourage third-party technical
service providers to provide technical assistance to eligible
partners pursuant to a partnership agreement.''.
SEC. 2806. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Reporting.--Section 1271E(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3871e(b)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1)
by inserting ``make publicly available and'' after ``the Secretary
shall''.
(b) Consistency With Covered Program Rules.--Section 1271E of the
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871e) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(f) Consistency With Covered Program Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in this subsection,
the Secretary shall ensure that the terms and conditions of a
program contract are consistent with the requirements of the
applicable covered program to be used as part of the applicable
partnership agreement.
``(2) Adjustments.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may, if the
Secretary determines necessary, adjust a regulatory
requirement of a covered program to be used as a part
of a partnership agreement, or related guidance, as it
applies to an eligible activity carried out under a
program contract entered into pursuant to the
partnership agreement--
``(i) to provide a simplified process; or
``(ii) to better reflect unique local
circumstances.
``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not adjust
the application of statutory requirements for a covered
program to be used as a part of a partnership
agreement, including requirements governing appeals,
payment limits, and conservation compliance.
``(3) Waiver.--With respect to a program contract for an
eligible activity under the agricultural conservation easement
program, the Secretary may, in the applicable partnership
agreement, waive the application of clauses (ii) or (iii)(III)
of section 1265A(4)(A) for purposes of determining the
eligibility of land.
``(4) Certification applicability.--With respect to a
partnership agreement entered into for acquisition of
easements, the Secretary shall apply the authorities applicable
to the eligible partner under section 1265B(b)(5)(A) if the
eligible partner is an eligible entity certified under such
section.
``(5) Exemption.--With respect to a program contract that
includes an eligible activity under the environmental quality
incentives program to be installed and maintained in a State in
which irrigation has not been used significantly for
agricultural purposes, as determined by the Secretary, the
Secretary may not consider prior irrigation history when
determining the eligibility of land.
``(6) Application.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to
partnership agreements funded pursuant to section 1271C(d).''.
SEC. 2807. CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREAS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 1271F(a)(2)(C) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871f(a)(2)(C)) is amended by inserting ``,
including restoration and enhancement of wildlife habitat connectivity
and wildlife migration corridors'' before the semicolon at the end.
(b) Applications.--Section 1271F(b) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871f(b)) is amended by striking ``funds under section
1271D(d)(2)'' and inserting ``funds allocated under section
1271D(a)(2)''.
TITLE III--TRADE
Subtitle A--Food for Peace Act
SEC. 3101. TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES TO THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
(a) In General.--Section 201 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1721) is amended by striking ``(to be implemented by the
Administrator)'' and inserting ``(to be implemented by the
Secretary)''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Emergency and private assistance programs.--Sections
202, 203, 205, 207, and 208 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1722, 1723, 1725, 1726a, and 1726b) are each amended by
striking ``Administrator'' each place it appears and inserting
``Secretary''.
(2) Food for development.--Title III of the Food for Peace
Act (7 U.S.C. 1727 et seq.) is amended by striking
``Administrator'' each place it appears and inserting
``Secretary''.
(3) Definitions.--Section 402 of the Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1732) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (1); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as
paragraphs (1) through (8), respectively.
(4) General provisions.--Sections 403 and 404 of the Food
for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733 and 1734) are each amended--
(A) by striking ``or the Administrator, as
appropriate,'' each place it appears;
(B) in section 403(h), by striking ``or
Administrator''; and
(C) in section 404(d), by striking ``or the
Administrator''.
(5) Consultation.--Section 405 of the Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1735) is repealed.
(c) Transfer of Assets and Liabilities.--The Food for Peace Act (7
U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new
title:
``TITLE VII--TRANSFER PROVISIONS
``SEC. 701. TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FROM USAID TO SECRETARY
OF AGRICULTURE.
``On and after the date of the enactment of this title, the assets,
liabilities, orders, determinations, permits, grants, loans, contracts,
agreements, certificates, and licenses of the Administrator of the
United States Agency for International Development, pursuant to any
authority under this Act on or after January 1, 2026, shall be
transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture.
``SEC. 702. TRANSFER OF OTHER AUTHORITIES.
``On and after the date of the enactment of this title, any
authority or responsibility provided by any other provision of law that
was or could have been used by the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, prior to such date of enactment
to carry out any function, duty, or responsibility under this Act may
be exercised by the Secretary of Agriculture. A reference to such
Administrator or to such Agency in any provision of law or regulation
relating to any authority or responsibility described in the preceding
sentence shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of
Agriculture or the Department of Agriculture, respectively.
``SEC. 703. RULES AND REGULATIONS.
``Beginning on the date of the enactment of this title, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate or amend such rules and
regulations (including by issuing or re-issuing interim final rules) as
the Secretary may determine appropriate, including by amending such
rules and regulations issued by the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development with respect to the authorities
and responsibilities provided by this Act and as in effect on the day
before such date of enactment, in order to effectuate and complete the
transfer of all functions and duties previously carried out by that
Administrator to the Secretary.
``SEC. 704. CONSULTATION.
``The Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Secretary of
State from time to time in carrying out the authorities under this
Act.''.
SEC. 3102. FOOD AID QUALITY ASSURANCE.
Section 202 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722), as amended
by section 3101(b)(1), is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``any other provision of
law'' and inserting ``any other provision of this Act'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``assistance,
including in the form of'' before ``agricultural commodities'';
(3) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Agency for
International Development'' and inserting ``Department
of Agriculture''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``Agency'' and
inserting ``Department'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) a nongovernmental organization, as determined by the
Secretary.'';
(5) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(5) Limitation on diversion of funds.--Of the funds made
available in each fiscal year under this title to the
Secretary, not more than 50 percent may be made available for
expenses other than the procurement of United States-grown
agricultural commodities and ocean transportation of such
commodities.''; and
(6) in subsection (h)(3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3103. REPEAL OF MINIMUM LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE.
Section 204 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1724) is repealed.
SEC. 3104. FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.
Section 205 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725), as amended
by section 3101(b)(1), is further amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``the Agency for
International Development'' and inserting ``the Department of
Agriculture'';
(2) in subsection (b)(4), by striking ``Agency'' and
inserting ``Secretary'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (8), as
amended, as paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively;
and
(4) in subsection (f), by striking ``December 31, 2023''
and inserting ``December 31, 2031''.
SEC. 3105. ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS; OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND
EVALUATION.
Section 207 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a), as amended
by section 3101(b)(1), is further amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018'' and inserting ``the Farm, Food, and
National Security Act of 2026'';
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``, in consultation with
the Secretary,''; and
(3) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, in
consultation with the Secretary,''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3106. INTERNATIONAL FOOD RELIEF PARTNERSHIP.
Section 208(f) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726b(f)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(f) Availability of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts
otherwise made available to carry out this section, of the funds made
available in each fiscal year under this title to the Secretary, not
less than $15,000,000 shall be made available in each of fiscal years
2027 through 2031 to carry out this section, to remain available until
expended.''.
SEC. 3107. USE OF COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.
Subsection (b) of section 406 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.
1736) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Included Expenses.--With respect to commodities made
available under titles II and III, the Commodity Credit Corporation may
pay all associated and incidental costs of such commodities.''.
SEC. 3108. PRE-POSITIONING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND ANNUAL
REPORT REGARDING FOOD AID PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.
Section 407 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736a) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (c)(1) to read as follows:
``(1) Acquisition.--The Secretary shall transfer, arrange
for the transportation, and take other steps necessary to make
available agricultural commodities to be provided under title
II and title III.'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``Administrator'' and
inserting ``Secretary'';
(3) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ``Agency for
International Development'' and inserting ``Secretary'';
(4) in subsection (c)(4)(A), by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2031'';
(5) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``Administrator''
each place it appears and inserting ``Secretary'';
(6) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``or the Administrator, as appropriate,'';
(7) by amending subsection (f)(1) to read as follows:
``(1) Annual report.--Not later than April 1 of each fiscal
year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report regarding each program and activity
carried out under this Act during the prior fiscal year.'';
(8) in subsection (f)(2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (I);
(B) by amending subparagraph (H) to read as
follows:
``(H) A statement of the amount of funds provided
to each eligible organization that received assistance
under this Act and the manner in which those funds were
used, including whether such use was for commodity
transportation or administrative costs.'';
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (H)
(as amended) as subparagraphs (F) through (I),
respectively; and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
following new subparagraph:
``(E) An assessment of activities specifically
targeting women and girls and the impact of those
activities in addressing the unique needs of women and
girls.''; and
(9) by striking subsection (f)(3).
SEC. 3109. DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE SALES OR TO PROVIDE OTHER
ASSISTANCE.
Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is amended
by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3110. MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.
Section 412 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f) is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Minimum Levels of Funding to Address Child Wasting.--
``(1) Minimum level.--For each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031, in addition to amounts otherwise made available, not less
than $200,000,000 of the amounts made available to carry out
emergency food assistance programs under title II shall be
expended for the procurement and distribution of ready-to-use
therapeutic foods.
``(2) Applicability.--The minimum expenditure requirement
under paragraph (1) shall only apply with respect to a fiscal
year if--
``(A) the most recent Joint Child Malnutrition
Estimates, published annually by the World Health
Organization, the World Bank, and the United Nations
Children's Fund, report a rate of children under 5
years of age affected by child wasting above 5 percent
for the year covered by such report; and
``(B) the total amount made available to carry out
programs under title II in the fiscal year is greater
than $1,200,000,000.
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may
be construed to limit on the authority of the Secretary to
purchase or distribute ready-to-use therapeutic foods in a
fiscal year.''.
SEC. 3111. TERMINATION DATE FOR MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFICATION PROGRAMS.
Section 415 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C.1736g-2) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``Administrator, in consultation
with the''; and
(B) by striking the comma after ``Secretary''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 3112. JOHN OGONOWSKI AND DOUG BEREUTER FARMER-TO-FARMER PROGRAM.
Section 501 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2023'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2031''; and
(2) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``Administrator of
the Agency for International Development'' and inserting
``Secretary''.
SEC. 3113. FOOD FOR PEACE ACT ADMINISTRATION.
(a) In General.--During fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the
Secretary may use funds made available for the salaries and expenses of
the Foreign Agricultural Service under an appropriations Act or any
other provision of law, including such funds otherwise obligated as of
the date of the enactment of this Act, to pay the administrative
expenses of the Department of Agriculture in the implementation of the
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.), as amended by this
subtitle.
(b) Carryover.--For fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the balance of
any funds provided to carry out subsection (a) for a fiscal year that
remains unexpended at the end of that fiscal year may be carried over
for use during the following fiscal year.
Subtitle B--Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
SEC. 3201. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION.
(a) Modification to Foreign Market Development Cooperator
Program.--Section 203(c) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7
U.S.C. 5623(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(4) Technical assistance to improve infrastructure in
foreign markets for united states agricultural commodities.--
``(A) In general.--As part of the program
established under this subsection, the Secretary shall
enter into contracts or other agreements, with eligible
trade organizations or with non-profit organizations
with expertise in supply chain infrastructure, to
provide needs assessments, training, and other
technical assistance to enhance the capabilities of
infrastructure in new and developing foreign markets,
including infrastructure relating to cold chain
capacity, port improvements, and other developments, to
ensure that United States agricultural commodities are
not damaged or lost due to deficiencies of such
infrastructure.
``(B) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available to
carry out the program established under this
subsection, not more than $1,500,000 for fiscal year
2027 and not more than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2028
and each fiscal year thereafter may be made available
to carry out this paragraph.''.
(b) Report on Competitiveness of United States Specialty Crops.--
Section 203(e)(7) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
5623(e)(7)) is amended to read as follows:
``(7) Biennial report.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation
with the United States Trade Representative, shall
submit every two years to the appropriate congressional
committees a report detailing the competitiveness of
United States specialty crops.
``(B) Elements.--The report required by
subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) identify and analyze acts, policies,
or practices of foreign countries that
constitute significant barriers to, or
distortions of, United States exports of
specialty crops, including the imposition of--
``(I) tariffs (including
retaliatory tariffs) or quotas
(including tariff-rate quotas); and
``(II) non-tariff barriers,
including technical barriers to trade,
sanitary and phytosanitary measures,
import licensing procedures, and
subsidies;
``(ii) identify and analyze acts, policies,
or practices of foreign countries that enhance
the competitiveness of imported specialty crops
with domestic specialty crop producers,
including--
``(I) the subsidization of exports
from the producing country; and
``(II) the impact of any lack or
circumvention of labor and
environmental laws in the producing
country;
``(iii) identify and analyze any
differences in applicable food safety
regulations of foreign countries that may
result in imported specialty crops posing a
risk to United States consumers;
``(iv) make an estimate of the impacts on
the competitiveness of United States specialty
crops of any act, policy, or practice
identified under clauses (i) and (ii);
``(v) assess the extent to which each act,
policy, or practice identified under clauses
(i) and (ii) are subject to international
agreements to which the United States is a
party;
``(vi) include information with respect to
any action taken by the executive or
legislative branches during the two years
preceding submission of the report, or expected
to be taken after submission of the report, to
eliminate any act, policy, or practice
identified under clauses (i) and (ii),
including--
``(I) any action under section 301;
``(II) negotiations or
consultations with foreign governments,
which may include engagement through
the standing committee on sanitary and
phytosanitary matters established under
a free trade agreement to which the
United States is a party; and
``(III) action at the World Trade
Organization, including dispute
settlement actions, consultations, or
negotiations; and
``(vii) a description of--
``(I) any funds provided under
subsection (f)(3)(A)(iv) that were not
obligated in the fiscal year preceding
submission of the report; and
``(II) the reason such funds were
not obligated.
``(C) Comment period.--In preparing the report
required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary, in
coordination with the United States Trade
Representative, shall seek and consider comments from
the public and from the Agricultural Technical Advisory
Committee for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.
``(D) Form of report.--The report required by
subparagraph (A) shall be made available to the public
in machine-readable format.
``(E) Appropriate congressional committees
defined.--In this paragraph, the term `appropriate
congressional committees' means--
``(i) the Committee on Agriculture and the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives; and
``(ii) the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on
Finance of the Senate.''.
(c) Modification and Extension of Funding.--Section 203(f) of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(f)) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Funding amount.--Of the funds of, or an equal value
of commodities owned by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the
Secretary shall use to carry out this section the following
amounts, to remain available until expended:
``(A) For fiscal year 2026, $255,000,000.
``(B) For fiscal year 2027, $500,000,000.
``(C) For each of fiscal years 2028 through 2031,
$533,000,000.''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)(i), by
striking ``For each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023,
the Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``not less
than'' and all that follows through the end and
inserting: ``not less than--
``(I) $200,000,000 for fiscal year
2026;
``(II) $400,000,000 for fiscal year
2027; and
``(III) $410,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2028 through 2031.'';
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``not less
than'' and all that follows through the end and
inserting: ``not less than--
``(I) $34,500,000 for fiscal year
2026;
``(II) $70,500,000 for fiscal year
2027; and
``(III) $82,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2028 through 2031.'';
(iii) in clause (iii), by striking ``not
more than'' and all that follows through the
end and inserting: ``not more than--
``(I) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal
year 2026 and 2027; and
``(II) $16,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2028 through 2031.'';
(iv) in clause (iv), by striking
``Corporation'' and all that follows through
the end and inserting: ``Corporation--
``(I) $9,000,000 for fiscal year
2026; and
``(II) $18,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2027 through 2031.''; and
(v) in clause (v)(I), by striking
``commodities,'' and all that follows through
the end and inserting ``commodities, $3,500,000
for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 and
$7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2028
through 2031''.
(d) Repeals.--The following provisions of law are repealed:
(1) Section 718 of title VII of the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1999 (as enacted by section 101(a) of
division A of Public Law 105-277; 7 U.S.C. 5623 note).
(2) Section 10602 of Public Law 119-21 (7 U.S.C. 5623a).
SEC. 3202. PRESERVING FOREIGN MARKETS FOR GOODS USING COMMON NAMES.
(a) Definitions.--Section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978
(7 U.S.C. 5602) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``As
used in this Act--'' and inserting ``In this Act:'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as
paragraphs (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), and (4), respectively,
and reordering such paragraphs in numerical sequence;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Common name.--
``(A) In general.--The term `common name' means a
name that, as determined by the Secretary--
``(i) is ordinarily or customarily used for
an agricultural commodity or food product;
``(ii) is typically placed on the packaging
and product label of the agricultural commodity
or food product;
``(iii) with respect to wine--
``(I) is--
``(aa) ordinarily or
customarily used for a wine
grape varietal name; or
``(bb) a traditional term
or expression that is typically
placed on the packaging and
label of the wine; and
``(II) does not mean any
appellation of origin for wine listed
in subpart C of part 9 of title 27,
Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations); and
``(iv) the use of which is consistent with
standards of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
``(B) Examples.--The following names, among others,
shall be considered as common names as such term is
defined for purposes of carrying out subparagraph (A):
``(i) With respect to food products:
american, asiago, basmati, black forest ham,
blue, blue vein, bologna, bologne, bratwurst,
brie, burrata, camembert, capicola and
capocollo, cheddar, chevre, chorizo, colby,
cottage cheese, coulommiers, cream cheese,
danbo, edam, emmental, feta, fontina,
gorgonzola, gouda, grana, gruyere, havarti,
kielbasa, limburger and limburgo, mascarpone,
monterey jack, mortadella, munster and
muenster, neufchatel, parmesan, pancetta,
pecorino, pepper jack, prosciutto, provolone,
ricotta, romano, saint-paulin, salame, salami,
samso, and swiss, tilsiter, and tomme.
``(ii) With respect to wine:
``(I) The list of grape varietal
terms in section 4.91 of title 27, Code
of Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation).
``(II) The grape variety
designations administratively approved
by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau.
``(III) The following nonvarietal
descriptors: chateau, classic, clos,
cream, crusted and crusting, noble,
ruby, sur lie, tawny, vintage, and
vintage character.
``(iii) With respect to beer: bitter, pale
ale, india pale ale, mild, porter, stout,
barleywine, dubbel, quadrupel, witbier, saison,
biere de garde, oud red, altbier, weisse, gose,
hefeweizen, dunkel, helles, rauchbier,
pilsener, maerzen, schwarzbier, doppelbock,
bock, kellerbier, munchener and munich style,
oktoberfest, dortmunder, kolsch and koelsch,
cream, grodziskie, lager.
``(C) Considerations.--In making a determination
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may take into
account--
``(i) competent sources, such as
dictionaries, newspapers, professional journals
and literature, and information posted on
websites that are determined by the Secretary
to be reliable in reporting market information;
``(ii) the use of the common name in a
domestic, regional, or international product
standard, including a standard promulgated by
the Codex Alimentarius Commission, for the
agricultural commodity or food product; and
``(iii) the ordinary and customary use of
the common name in the production or marketing
of the agricultural commodity or food product
in the United States or in other countries.
``(D) Rule of construction.--The enumeration of
certain names under subparagraph (B) may not be
construed to limit or restrict the ability of the
Secretary to determine, consistent with subparagraph
(A), that any other name is a common name for purposes
of this section.''; and
(4) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7) (as so
redesignated)--
(A) in clause (v), by striking ``; or'' at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in clause (vi), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(vii) prohibits or disallows the use of a
name determined or considered to be a common
name pursuant to paragraph (2).''.
(b) Negotiations to Defend Use of Common Names.--Title III of the
Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5652 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 303. NEGOTIATIONS TO DEFEND THE USE OF COMMON NAMES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall coordinate efforts with the
United States Trade Representative to secure the right of United States
agricultural producers, processors, and exporters to use common names
for agricultural commodities or food products in foreign markets
through the negotiation of bilateral, plurilateral, or multilateral
agreements, memoranda of understanding, or exchanges of letters that
assure the current and future use of each common name identified by the
Secretary in connection with United States agricultural commodities or
food products.
``(b) Briefing.--The Secretary and the United States Trade
Representative shall jointly provide to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, a
briefing, twice annually, on efforts and successes in carrying out
subsection (a).''.
SEC. 3203. INTERAGENCY SEASONAL AND PERISHABLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLE
WORKING GROUP.
Subtitle B of title IV of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7
U.S.C. 5671 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 418. INTERAGENCY SEASONAL AND PERISHABLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
WORKING GROUP.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary (acting through the Under
Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs),
the United States Trade Representative, the Secretary of Commerce, and
the heads of other Federal agencies or entities as determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary, shall jointly establish an interagency
working group (referred to in this section as the `working group')
composed of representatives from each agency to monitor and assess, on
an ongoing basis, seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables trade
data and related information.
``(b) Consultation.--The working group shall consult with the
Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee, relevant seasonal or perishable
agricultural producers, and other relevant trade associations to
identify threats that imports pose to domestic producers of seasonal
and perishable fruits and vegetables.
``(c) Trade Actions and Investigations.--The working group shall
coordinate as appropriate regarding potential additional trade actions
and investigations with respect to any seasonal or perishable fruits
and vegetables, as determined to be advisable by the working group.
``(d) Recommendations to the Secretary.--The working group shall
recommend programs or assistance that the Secretary could provide to
producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables to address
market impacts.''.
Subtitle C--Other Agricultural Trade Laws
SEC. 3301. GROWING AMERICAN FOOD EXPORTS.
Section 1543A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679) is amended in subsection (d), by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3302. FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985.
Section 1110 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (commonly referred to
as the ``Food for Progress Act of 1985''; 7 U.S.C. 1736o) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking ``enter into'' and inserting
``annually enter into two or more''; and
(B) by inserting ``two or more'' before ``eligible
entities'';
(2) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(4) in subsection (k), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(5) in subsection (l)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) in the heading of paragraph (4), by striking
``humanitarian or'';
(6) in subsection (m)(2), by striking ``humanitarian and'';
and
(7) in subsection (n)(2)(C), by striking ``Committee on
International Relations'' and inserting ``Committee on Foreign
Affairs''.
SEC. 3303. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT.
Section 302 of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C.
1736f-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(i), by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2031'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(C), by striking ``the
Administrator'' and inserting ``the Secretary'';
(3) by striking subsection (c)(1)(D);
(4) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by inserting ``by the
Secretary'' after ``reimbursed''; and
(5) in subsection (h),
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2026'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3304. PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO EMERGING MARKETS.
Section 1542(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note; Public Law 101-624) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3305. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 3307 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C.
3295) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:
``(g) Program Continuity.--To assist eligible countries in the
long-term development of enduring, school-based agricultural education
and youth extension programs, the Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable--
``(1) implement the fellowship program in each
participating host country for not fewer than 3 consecutive
years; and
``(2) ensure that contracts awarded to outside
organizations are multi-year.''.
SEC. 3306. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE CULTURAL IMMERSION AND EXCHANGE
PROGRAM.
Title III of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-334) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 3313. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE CULTURAL IMMERSION AND EXCHANGE
PROGRAM.
``(a) Definition.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible candidate.--The term `eligible candidate'
means an individual that--
``(A) is between the ages of 19 and 30 years;
``(B) has demonstrated experience in agricultural
sciences, food systems, and food and nutrition
education;
``(C) is prepared to live in 1 or more host
countries for at least 2 months or up to 6 months; and
``(D) is a resident of the United States.
``(2) Eligible country.--The term `eligible country' means
a country that has agricultural trade relations with the United
States, as recognized by the Foreign Agriculture Service.
``(3) Program.--The term `Program' means the International
Agriculture Cultural Immersion and Exchange Program established
under subsection (b).
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an
international cultural immersion and exchange program, to be known as
the `International Agriculture Cultural Immersion and Exchange
Program', under which the Secretary shall--
``(1) provide eligible candidates with international
cultural exchange and immersion experiences focused on
agricultural sciences, food systems, and food and nutrition
education through placement with host families in eligible
countries; and
``(2) place in the United States with host families
individuals that meet the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(A)
and are residents of eligible countries to experience United
States agriculture, trade relations, and culture.
``(c) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are--
``(1) to develop globally minded citizens of the United
States; and
``(2) to strengthen and enhance trade between eligible
countries and the United States in agricultural, food,
nutrition, and environmental industries.
``(d) Cooperative Agreement.--
``(1) In general.--To administer the Program, the Secretary
shall enter into a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit
organization that has experience in implementing international
cultural exchange programs focused on agricultural sciences,
food and nutrition education, and cultural understanding
through placement with host families.
``(2) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give priority to a nonprofit organization with
which the Secretary has a memorandum of understanding dated not
earlier than January 1, 2019.
``(3) Matching funds.--As a condition of entering into a
cooperative agreement under this subsection, a nonprofit
organization shall provide equal matching funds from non-
Federal sources.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to
carry out this section.''.
SEC. 3307. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
Section 1543B(f) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3308. MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD
NUTRITION PROGRAM.
Section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 1736o-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii), by inserting ``or lower-
middle'' before ``income'';
(2) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``Committee on
International Relations'' and inserting ``Committee on Foreign
Affairs'';
(3) in subsection (l)(2), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(4) in subsection (l)(4), by striking ``not more than 10
percent'' and inserting ``not less than 8 percent, but not more
than 15 percent''.
SEC. 3309. GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST.
Section 3202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (22
U.S.C. 2220a note; Public Law 110-246) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (b)(1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--For the period of fiscal years 2027
through 2031, the aggregate contributions of funds of the
Federal Government provided to the Trust under this section
shall not exceed 33 percent of the total amount of funds
contributed to the Trust from all sources and for all
purposes.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``under this section'' after
``Trust''; and
(B) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031'';
and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 3310. LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECTS.
Section 3206(e)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (7 U.S.C. 1726c(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 3311. AGRICULTURAL TRADE ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the President shall establish a joint task
force, to be known as the ``Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force''
(referred to in this section as the ``Task Force'').
(b) Duties.--
(1) In general.--The Task Force shall--
(A) identify trade barriers to United States
agricultural exports that are vulnerable to dispute
settlement under the World Trade Organization (``WTO'')
or other trade agreements;
(B) develop and implement a strategy for enforcing
violations of trade agreements related to these trade
barriers;
(C) identify like-minded trading partners for
specific trade barriers that could act as co-
complainants or primary complainants on disputes that
are systemically or economically important to the
United States; and
(D) report quarterly to Congress on progress
towards resolving cases or filing disputes.
(2) Consultation.--In carrying out its duties under this
subsection, the Task Force shall regularly consult, to the
extent necessary and appropriate, with the following:
(A) Relevant stakeholders in the private sector,
including the agricultural trade advisory committees.
(B) Federal departments and agencies that are not
represented on the Task Force.
(C) Like-minded trading partners that are similarly
concerned with trade barriers and are potential
participants in the dispute settlement process.
(c) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Task Force shall be comprised of the
following members:
(A) One or more employees of the Foreign
Agricultural Service, who shall be appointed by the
Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural
Affairs.
(B) One of more employees of the Office of the
United States Trade Representative, who shall be
appointed jointly by the General Counsel for the Office
of the United States Trade Representative and the Chief
Agricultural Negotiator.
(C) One or more employees of other Federal agencies
as needed, who shall be appointed jointly by the
officials specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(2) Qualification.--Employees of the Federal agencies
specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1)
may be appointed as members of the Task Force only if such
employees have appropriate expertise in agricultural trade
policy and trade enforcement.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and on a quarterly basis thereafter, the
Task Force shall submit to Congress a report on its progress in
identifying and addressing trade barriers to United States
agricultural exports.
(2) Matters to be included.--The report required by this
subsection shall include the following:
(A) A description of the systemic and economically
significant trade barriers that have been identified.
(B) A justification for including the identified
trade barriers.
(C) A description of the progress that has been
made in developing dispute settlement cases and further
information that is required.
(D) The current status of ongoing disputes at the
WTO and implementation of panel, arbitration, or
Appellate Body decisions.
(3) Additional matters to be included in initial report.--
The initial report required by this subsection shall, in
addition to the matters described in subparagraphs (A), (B),
(C), and (D) of paragraph (2), include a plan to file a request
under the WTO dispute settlement process for consultations to
address India's minimum price supports. The plan shall
include--
(A) an identification of like-minded trading
partners that could act as co-complainants or primary
complainants with respect to the request;
(B) a description of specific claims the United
States intends to make with respect to the request; and
(C) a timeline to--
(i) request consultations; and
(ii) request the establishment of a panel
not later than 60 days after the date of the
request for consultations if India does not
provide assurances that it will address its
minimum price supports.
(e) Congressional Briefings.--The United States Trade
Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide briefings
on the Task Force to appropriate Members of Congress and congressional
staff.
SEC. 3312. REPORT ON INTERNATIONAL SHRIMP TRADE.
(a) Report Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that
examines policy options available to the Secretary of Agriculture to
boost the competitiveness of domestic shrimp in global and domestic
markets.
(b) Contents.--The report required by subsection (a) shall--
(1) include an analysis of--
(A) the Secretary's authority with regard to shrimp
and other seafood products;
(B) domestic shrimp and other seafood producers'
access to financial support programs; and
(C) ways to facilitate interagency coordination
under existing authorities around common goals for
shrimp and other seafood commodities with respect to
tariffs, market access policies, and other nontariff
barriers; and
(2) identify trade or other legal barriers to United States
shrimp and seafood production that are vulnerable to dispute
settlement through the World Trade Organization or otherwise
under bilateral or multilateral trade agreements.
(c) Appropriate Congressional Committees.--In this section, the
term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate.
TITLE IV--NUTRITION
Subtitle A--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SEC. 4101. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
Section 2 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``It'', and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Congress recognizes the supplemental nutrition assistance
program allows low-income households to obtain supplemental food for an
active, healthy life that supports the prevention of--
``(1) diet-related chronic disease, including--
``(A) obesity;
``(B) diabetes;
``(C) hypertension;
``(D) heart disease; and
``(E) cancer;
``(2) disability;
``(3) premature death;
``(4) unsustainable health care costs; and
``(5) undermining of military readiness.
``(c) Accordingly, it is also the policy of the Congress that the
Secretary should administer the supplemental nutrition assistance
program in a manner that will provide participants, especially
children, access to a variety of foods essential to optimal health and
well-being.''.
SEC. 4102. PROHIBITED FEES.
Section 7(h)(13)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2016(h)(13)(B)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 4103. SNAP STAFFING FLEXIBILITY.
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(y) SNAP Staffing Flexibility.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 11(e)(6)(B), a
State agency (as defined in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008) may, by contract with the State agency at a
reasonable cost in accordance with the State agency's standard
contracting rules, hire a contractor to undertake supplemental
nutrition assistance program certification or carry out any
other function of the State agency under such program so long
as--
``(A) the contract does not provide incentives for
the agency or contractor to delay eligibility
determinations or to deny eligibility for individuals
otherwise eligible for supplemental nutrition
assistance program benefits; and
``(B) the contractor has no direct or indirect
financial interest in an approved retail store.
``(2) Use.--A State agency may use the authority provided
in paragraph (1) when--
``(A) the State experiences an inability to timely
process supplemental nutrition assistance program
applications from causes that include but are not
limited to--
``(i) pandemics and other health
emergencies;
``(ii) seasonal workforce cycles;
``(iii) temporary staffing shortages; and
``(iv) weather or other natural disasters;
``(B) the State's payment error rate, as defined in
section 16, is greater than or equal to 6 percent based
on the most recent available Department of Agriculture
data; or
``(C) the State experiences an increase in
supplemental nutrition assistance program applications.
``(3) Requirements.--A State agency that hires a contractor
under paragraph (1) shall ensure such action--
``(A) is consistent with all principles under
section 900.603 of title 5 of the Code of Federal
Regulations; and
``(B) is part of a blended workforce and does not
supplant existing merit-based personnel in the State.
``(4) Notification.--A State agency shall notify the
Secretary of its intent to use the authority provided in this
section and shall provide any information or data supporting
State agency increases in supplemental nutrition assistance
program applications or any inability to timely process such
applications.
``(5) Public availability.--Not later than 10 days after
the date of the receipt of a notification submitted by a State
agency under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall make publicly
available on the website of the Department of Agriculture the
notification submitted by such State agency and any
accompanying information or data supporting such notification
so submitted.
``(6) Program design.--Any action taken by a State agency
under paragraph (1) shall not be--
``(A) considered to be a major change in the
operations of such State agency for purposes of section
11(a)(4) of this Act, or
``(B) subject to any requirement specified in such
section.
``(7) Annual report.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate, an annual report that contains--
``(A) a description of measures taken to address
increases in supplemental nutrition assistance program
applications and any inability to timely process such
applications;
``(B) information or data supporting State agency
notifications provided pursuant to paragraph (4); and
``(C) recommendations for changes to the
Secretary's authority under this Act to assist the
Secretary, States, and local governments of States in
preparing for any future increases in supplemental
nutrition assistance program applications or inability
to timely process such applications.
``(8) Temporary staffing shortages.--In cases of temporary
staffing shortages, the authority provided to State agencies
under paragraph (1) shall--
``(A) expire when the backlog of supplemental
nutrition assistance program applications has been
eliminated;
``(B) not override any collective bargaining
agreement or memorandum of understanding in effect
between the State and employees of the State or of a
local government of such State; and
``(C) expire when the error rate, as defined in
section 16, is less than 6 percent.''.
SEC. 4104. UPDATES TO ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES FOR SNAP RETAILERS.
The 2d sentence of section 9(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act is
amended by inserting ", on two consecutive occasions within a 3 year
period," after "does not meet".
SEC. 4105. REPORT ON ALL IDENTIFIED PAYMENT ERRORS.
Section 16(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2025(c)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
``(9) Report on all identified payment errors.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall include all
identified payment errors, including small errors under
paragraph (1)(A)(ii), regardless of dollar amount, in a
supplemental section of the annual payment error rate
measurement report for the supplemental nutrition
assistance program.
``(B) Rule of construction.--The information
reported under subparagraph (A) shall not alter,
modify, or affect the calculation of the tolerance
level for excluding small errors under paragraph
(1)(A)(ii).''.
SEC. 4106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The 1st sentence of section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting "``2031''.
SEC. 4107. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING.
Section 29(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2036b) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 4108. EBT CARD SECURITY REGULATIONS.
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate, in the form of a
proposed rule, regulations through notice and comment rulemaking to
enhance EBT Card (as defined in section 3(i) of the Food and Nutrition
Act; 7 U.S.C. 2012(i)) security measures.
SEC. 4109. REPORT ON SNAP ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a
report that--
(1) examines the causes of State variation in supplemental
nutrition assistance program administrative costs and
identifies the factors most likely to contribute to an increase
in these costs; and
(2) provides recommendations on how the Department of
Agriculture and Congress can improve oversight of
administrative costs in the program.
SEC. 4110. ANIMAL PROTEIN AN ELIGIBLE INCENTIVE FOOD.
Section 9(j)(1)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2018(j)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ``animal protein,'' after
``whole grain,''.
SEC. 4111. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM ONLINE PURCHASING.
Section 7 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(l) Online Purchasing Program.--
``(1) Permanent authority.--Not later than 120 days after
the effective date of this subsection, the Secretary shall
begin transitioning the supplemental nutrition assistance
program online purchasing initiative from pilot or
demonstration status to permanent nationwide program
operations, with the completion of the regulations marking the
end of the transition.
``(2) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue such
regulations and guidance as may be necessary to carry out
paragraph (1), including provisions related to program
integrity, consumer protections, and equitable access in rural
areas. Such regulations shall be issued not later than 1 year
after the effective date of this subsection.
``(3) Stakeholder consultation.--The Secretary shall
establish a formal process for consultation with State
agencies, authorized retailers, electronic benefit transfer
processors, consumer advocates, and other relevant stakeholders
to incorporate lessons learned from online purchasing
operations during the period of 2014 through 2025.
``(4) Report to congress.--Not later than 120 days after
the effective date of this subsection, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the consultation
process and recommendations received.''.
SEC. 4112. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) Emergency Food Program Infrastructure Grants.--Section 209(d)
of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7511a(d)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
(b) Availability of Commodities for the Emergency Food Assistance
Program.--Section 27(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2036(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 4113. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.
Section 4(b)(6)(E) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2013(b)(6)(E)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
Subtitle B--Commodity Distribution Programs
SEC. 4201. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.
(a) Expansion of the Seniors 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 ``2008 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``and herbs'' and
inserting ``herbs, maple syrup, and tree nuts (including
shelled tree nuts)''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--The 1st sentence of section
4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C.
612c note) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 4202. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7
U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93-86) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'', and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding
clause (i), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'',
(2) in subsection (d)(2), in the 1st sentence, by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(n) Commodity Supplemental Food Program Delivery Pilot Program.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to award
grants for the operation of projects that increase the access
of low-income elderly persons to commodities through home
delivery or other means and to evaluate such projects.
``(2) In general.--The Secretary shall award, on a
competitive basis, grants directly to State agencies, or to
State agencies on behalf of eligible entities, to carry out the
activities described in paragraph (5).
``(3) Maximum grant award.--A grant awarded to a State
agency under this subsection shall not exceed--
``(A) the greater of--
``(i) the State's commodity supplemental
food program caseload at time of application
multiplied by 60; or
``(ii) $10,000; or
``(B) $4,000,000;
whichever is less.
``(4) Application.--A State agency seeking a grant under
this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application in
such form, at such time, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
``(5) Grant uses.--A State agency awarded a grant under
this subsection shall distribute grant funds to eligible
entities to operate projects that facilitate delivery of
commodities to participants in the commodity supplemental food
program, including with respect to costs associated with--
``(A) transportation and distribution of
commodities to participants in the commodity
supplemental food program, including transportation and
distribution services provided by a third party;
``(B) staffing required to operate delivery
services; and
``(C) outreach to participants or potential
participants in the commodity supplemental food program
with respect to home delivery.
``(6) Priority.--A State agency awarded a grant under this
subsection must prioritize eligible entities that serve
participants in the commodity supplemental food program who
reside in a rural area.
``(7) Report to the secretary.--Not later than 180 days
after the end of the fiscal year in which a State agency is
awarded a grant under this subsection and has distributed grant
funds to eligible entities, and in each succeeding fiscal year
until grant funds are expended, a State agency shall submit a
report to the Secretary that includes--
``(A) a summary of the activities carried out under
the project, including the quantity of commodities
delivered, number of participants in the commodity
supplemental food program served, and total number of
deliveries;
``(B) an assessment of the effectiveness of the
project, including a calculation of the average cost
per delivery, and an evaluation of any services
provided by a third party; and
``(C) best practices regarding use of home delivery
to improve the effectiveness of the commodity
supplemental food program.
``(8) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Terms in regulations.--The term `State
agency', `local agency', and `subdistributing agency'
have the meanings given such terms in section 247.1 of
title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (or any
successor regulations).
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(i) a local agency;
``(ii) a subdistributing agency;
``(C) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the
meaning given such term in section 343(a) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)).
``(9) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to remain available
until expended.''.
SEC. 4203. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO SPECIAL NUTRITION
PROJECTS.
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (7
U.S.C. 1431e(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 4204. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
FOR TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Demonstration Project for Tribal Organizations.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Demonstration project.--The term
``demonstration project'' means the demonstration
project established under paragraph (2).
(B) Food distribution program.--The term ``food
distribution program'' means the commodity supplemental
food program identified in section 4 of the Agriculture
and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c
note; Public Law 93-86).
(C) Indian reservation.--The term ``Indian
reservation'' has the meaning given the term
``reservation'' in section 3 of the Food and Nutrition
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
(D) 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. 5304).
(E) Self-determination contract.--The term ``self-
determination contract'' has the meaning given the term
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304) with
modification as determined by the Secretary.
(F) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal
organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 2012).
(2) Establishment.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration
project under which 1 or more Tribal organizations may enter
into self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural
commodities under the food distribution program for the Indian
reservation of that Tribal organization.
(3) Eligibility.--
(A) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with
Indian Tribes to determine the process and criteria
under which a Tribal organization may participate in
the demonstration project.
(B) Criteria.--The Secretary shall select for
participation in the demonstration project Tribal
organizations that--
(i) are successfully administering the food
distribution program of the Tribal organization
under section 4(b)(2)(B) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)(2)(B));
(ii) have the capacity to purchase
agricultural commodities in accordance with
paragraph (4) for the food distribution program
of the Tribal organization; and
(iii) meet any other criteria determined by
the Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Interior and Indian tribes.
(4) Procurement of agricultural commodities.--Any
agricultural commodities purchased by a Tribal organization
under the demonstration project shall--
(A) be domestically produced;
(B) not result in a material increase in the amount
of food in the food package of that Tribal organization
compared to the amount of food that the Secretary
authorized to be provided through the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program Guide Rate;
(C) be of similar or higher nutritional value as
the type of agricultural commodities that would be
supplanted in the existing food package for that Tribal
organization or be an agricultural commodity with
Tribal significance to that Indian Tribe; and
(D) meet any other criteria determined by the
Secretary.
(5) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which
funds are appropriated under paragraph (6) and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report
describing the activities carried out under the demonstration
project during the preceding year.
(6) Funding.--
(A) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection $1,000,000, to remain available until
expended.
(B) Appropriations in advance.--Only funds
appropriated under subparagraph (A) in advance
specifically to carry out this subsection shall be
available to carry out this subsection.
(b) Administration of Tribal Self-determination Contracts.--
(1) Administration.--The Secretary shall appoint an
existing office of the United States Department of Agriculture
to administer Tribal self-determination contracts to include
but not limited to:
(A) awarding of Food and Nutrition Service
nutrition program self-determination contracts to
selected Tribal organizations; and
(B) hiring contract officers and program staff in
order to manage the selection of Tribal organizations
and execution of self-determination contracts.
(2) Staffing minimum funding.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated
$1,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the
payment of Department contract officers and program staff
salaries and benefits.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
SEC. 4301. PURCHASE OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO
SCHOOLS AND SERVICE INSTITUTIONS.
Section 10603(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c-4(b)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 4302. BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL MEALS.
(a) In General.--Section 12(n)(2)(A) of the Richard B. Russell
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(n)(2)(A)) is amended to read
as follows:
``(A) Requirements.--
``(i) Purchase expenditures by category.--
Subject to clause (ii) and subparagraph (B),
the Secretary shall require that a school food
authority purchase, with respect to each food
purchase category designated by the
Agricultural Marketing Service, at least 95
percent domestic products and commodities in
each such category.
``(ii) Domestically unavailable products
and commodities.--Domestically unavailable
products and commodities included on a list
issued pursuant to clause (iii) with respect to
a school year and purchased by a school food
authority during such school year shall not be
used to calculate whether such school food
authority meets the requirements under clause
(i).
``(iii) Updated list.--Not later than 6
months after the date of the enactment of this
subparagraph, and every 2 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall make available to school food
authorities a list of domestically unavailable
products and commodities.
``(iv) Limited waiver authority.--Except
with respect to a domestically unavailable
product or commodity included on a list
pursuant to clause (iii), the Secretary may not
waive or make accommodations for any of the
requirements of this subparagraph.
``(v) Prohibition on certain products from
china or russia.--The Secretary shall prohibit
school food authorities from purchasing raw or
processed poultry products or seafood imported
into the United States from the People's
Republic of China or the Russian Federation.''.
(b) Application.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply
to school food authorities beginning on the first day of the first
school year that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4303. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE
PROGRAM.
Section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 7517) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by amending subparagraph (C)
to read as follows:
``(C) Federal share.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii) and subparagraph (D)(iii), the
Federal share of the cost of carrying out an
activity under this subsection shall not exceed
50 percent of the total cost of the activity.
``(ii) Waiver for persistent poverty
areas.--The Secretary may waive the application
of clause (i) in the case of an activity
carried out--
``(I) in a county that, during the
preceding 30-year period has had a
population of which greater than or
equal to 20 percent of such population
are living in poverty (as measured by
the most recent decennial censuses and
most recent Small Area Income and
Poverty Estimates of the Bureau of the
Census); or
``(II) in a census tract with a
poverty rate of at least 20 percent
during the preceding 30-year period, as
measured by the most recent 5-year data
series available from the American
Community Survey of the Bureau of the
Census.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (ix) and (x)
as clauses (x) and (xi); and
(ii) by inserting after clause (viii) the
following:
``(ix) increase year-round availability of
incentives by offering all forms of fruits or
vegetables;'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``fresh fruits and
vegetables'' and inserting ``all forms of fruits, vegetables,
and legumes'' each place it appears; and
(3) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2023'' each
place it appears and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 4304. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON ANNUAL REPORT.
Section 224(e)(2) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6924(e)(2)) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by inserting ``Annual'' before
``Report'';
(2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``and annually thereafter,'' before ``the Secretary shall'';
(3) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(4) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) a general description of each project and
activity implemented pursuant to this section;
``(D) a summary of the cooperative agreements
entered into pursuant to subsection (c);
``(E) a detailed account of how the Secretary
avoided, managed, or will manage market disruption; and
``(F) a summary of coordinated activities with the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug
Administration, including interagency communication and
coordination related to the promotion or exclusion of
practices and technologies to limit food waste.''.
SEC. 4305. DAIRY NUTRITION INCENTIVES PROJECTS.
Section 4208 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C.
2026a) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``healthy fluid
milk'' and inserting ``dairy nutrition'';
(2) by striking ``healthy fluid milk'' and inserting
``dairy nutrition'' each place it appears;
(3) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered dairy products.--The term `covered dairy
products' means cheese (including non-standardized cheese) that
is--
``(A) made from pasteurized cow's milk;
``(B) a good source of protein, as determined by
the Secretary; and
``(C) sold as a block, chunk, shred, slice, stick,
string, or in snack-size form.
``(2) Fluid milk.--The term `fluid milk' means all
varieties of pasteurized cow's milk that--
``(A) is packaged in liquid form; and
``(B) contains vitamins A and D at levels
consistent with the Food and Drug Administration,
State, and local standards for fluid milk.'';
(4) in subsection (b), by inserting ``and covered dairy
products'' after ``of fluid milk'' each place it appears;
(5) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting ``and covered dairy
products'' after ``purchase of fluid milk''; and
(6) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``$20,000,000'' and
inserting ``$50,000,000''.
SEC. 4306. LOCAL FARMERS FEEDING OUR COMMUNITIES PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a
program under which the Secretary will enter into cooperative
agreements (on a noncompetitive basis) with eligible entities--
(1) to help support covered local producers through
building and expanding economic opportunities;
(2) to establish and broaden partnerships with such covered
local producers and the food distribution community to ensure
distribution of fresh (including fresh frozen) and nutritious
foods; and
(3) to strengthen such entity's local and regional food
security and systems.
(b) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity selected to enter into a
cooperative agreement under this section shall use funds received
through such agreement--
(1) to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed local
foods (including seafood, meat, milk and dairy products, eggs,
produce, and poultry) from covered producers;
(2) to ensure that at least 25 percent of the total annual
value of products purchased by the eligible entity comprises
purchases from small-size producers, mid-size producers,
beginning farmers or ranchers, or veteran farmers or ranchers;
(3) to provide technical assistance supporting--
(A) covered local producers, including in obtaining
food safety training and certifications; and
(B) efforts to grow the local agricultural value
chain;
(4) to distribute such local foods to organizations,
including nonprofit organizations, that have experience in food
distribution to improve access to healthy and nutritious food;
and
(5) to build and expand economic opportunity for covered
local producers.
(c) Limitation on Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Of the amount made available to an
eligible entity through a cooperative agreement under this
section, an eligible entity may use not more than 15 percent of
such amount--
(A) to cover administrative expenses; and
(B) to provide technical assistance described in
subsection (b)(3);
(2) Allocation for technical assistance.--Of the amount
described in paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall use not
less than 50 percent to provide technical assistance described
in subsection (b)(3).
(d) Technical Assistance to Eligible Entities.--The Secretary shall
provide to eligible entities entering into a cooperative agreement
under this section guidance, technical assistance, instruction, and
monitoring throughout the life cycle of the cooperative agreement.
(e) Amount of Allocation.--Of the amounts made available to carry
out this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall--
(1) allocate 10 percent to Tribal governments, to be
allocated using a funding formula determined by the Secretary;
and
(2) of the amounts remaining after making the allocation
under paragraph (1), allocate 1 percent to each State (other
than Tribal governments); and
(3) after making the allocations under paragraphs (1) and
(2), allocate the remaining amounts to each eligible entity
(other than Tribal governments) by applying the formula
described in section 214 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act
of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7515).
(f) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Beginning farmer or rancher; veteran farmer or
rancher.--The terms ``beginning farmer or rancher'' and
``veteran farmer or rancher'' have the meanings given such
terms in section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).
(2) Covered producer.--The term ``covered producer'' means
a fisherman, farmer, producer, rancher, processor, or
cooperative processor that is--
(A) within the geographic boundaries of the
eligible entity in which the food will be delivered; or
(B) not more than 400 miles from the delivery
destination of the food.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
State agency, commission, or department that is responsible for
agriculture, procurement, food distribution, emergency
response, or other similar activities within the State.
(4) Mid-size producer.--The term ``medium-sized producer''
means an individual whose annual gross cash farm income is
equal to or exceeds $350,000 and is less than $999,999.
(5) Small-size producer.--The term ``small-sized producer''
means one whose annual gross cash farm income is less than
$350,000.
(6) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, each territory or possession
of the United States, and each federally recognized Indian
Tribe.
(7) Unprocessed or minimally processed local foods.--The
term ``unprocessed or minimally processed local foods'' means
food products means only those agricultural products that
retain their inherent character. Such term includes--
(A) fruits and vegetables (including 100 percent
juices);
(B) grain products, such as pastas and rice;
(C) meats (including whole carcasses, pieces
thereof, or ground meat);
(D) protein sources that are meat alternatives
(such as beans or legumes) and fluid milk and other
dairy foods (such as cheese and yogurt); and
(E) foods in a wide variety of minimal processing
states (such as whole, cut, or pureed) or forms (such
as fresh, frozen, canned, or dried).
SEC. 4307. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.
Section 243(d) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953(d)) is amended by striking ``$125,000,000'' and
inserting ``$135,000,000''.
SEC. 4308. DIETARY GUIDELINES.
(a) In General.--Section 301(a) of the National Nutrition
Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341(a)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``At least every five years'' and
inserting ``Beginning with the 2030 report and at least
every 10 years thereafter,''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``Rulemaking requirements under section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, shall apply to the development of
each report under this paragraph.'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``shall be based on the
preponderance of the scientific and medical knowledge which is
current at the time the report is prepared.'' and inserting
``shall--
``(A) be based on significant scientific agreement
that is determined by evidence-based review (as defined
in paragraph (8)(A));
``(B) be current at the time the report is
prepared;
``(C) be derived from questions generated under
paragraph (5)(E);
``(D) address high-priority areas of concern to
advance health outcomes;
``(E) be designed to achieve nutritional adequacy
and promote health, as specified by the Food and
Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering and Medicine, from the consumption of food,
including nutrients and bioactive food components
occurring naturally and in fortified foods;
``(F) include nutritional and dietary information
relevant to individuals with nutrition-related common
chronic diseases, as defined by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; and
``(G) include recommendations that are affordable,
available, and accessible for the general
population.'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (7);
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Frequency.--The Secretaries may publish the report
required under paragraph (1) more frequently than required
under that paragraph if the Secretaries determine that more
frequent publication is necessary to promote health, based on
the updated dietary reference intake values specified by--
``(A) the Food and Nutrition Board of the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine; and
``(B) other relevant scientific advancements based
on continuous monitoring of the totality of publicly
available scientific evidence.
``(4) Notification of update.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days before
the Secretaries plan to update a report under paragraph
(1), the Secretaries shall submit notification of that
plan, in writing, to the Committees on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry and Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions of the Senate and the Committees on
Agriculture and Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives.
``(B) Justification.--The notification under
subparagraph (A) shall include a justification for
updating the report.
``(5) Independent advisory board.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
Secretaries submit a notification under paragraph
(4)(A), the Secretaries shall establish an Independent
Advisory Board (referred to in this paragraph as the
`Board').
``(B) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of at
least 4 members and not more than 8 members, of which--
``(i) 4 shall be appointed by the
Secretaries, 2 of whom shall not be Federal
employees; and
``(ii) 1 may be appointed by each of the
highest-ranking Member of Congress on each
Committee described in paragraph (4)(A) of the
opposite political party of the President of
the United States at the time of the
appointment.
``(C) Expertise.--Each member appointed to the
Board shall have expertise in nutrition science or food
science, including academic and applied experience.
``(D) Meetings.--
``(i) In general.--The first meeting of the
Board--
``(I) may only take place on or
after the date that 4 members are
appointed to the Board under
subparagraph (B); and
``(II) shall take place on or after
the date that is 90 days after the
Secretaries submit a notification under
paragraph (4)(A).
``(ii) Quorum.--A majority of the members
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of the business of the Board.
``(E) Duties.--Not later than 1 year after the
establishment of the Board, the Board shall submit to
the Secretaries and the Committees described in
paragraph (4)(A) a list of scientific questions
relating to the report for purposes of paragraph
(2)(C).
``(F) Termination.--The authority of the Board
shall terminate, and the Board shall disband,
immediately after carrying out subparagraph (E).
``(6) Exclusion.--The information and guidelines contained
in each report required under paragraph (1) shall not be based
on or include topics that are not relevant to dietary guidance,
as determined by the Secretaries, in consultation with the
Independent Advisory Board established under paragraph (5),
including taxation, social welfare policies, purchases under
Federal feeding programs, food and agricultural production
practices, food labeling, socioeconomic status, race, religion,
ethnicity, culture, or regulations relating to nutrition.'';
and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Evidence based review.--
``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
`evidence-based review' means a process under which--
``(i) the totality of the scientific
evidence relevant to a question of interest is
collected, analyzed, and evaluated;
``(ii) scientific studies, conclusions, and
recommendations are rated, adhering strictly to
standardized, generally accepted evidence-based
review methods; and
``(iii) external peer review is conducted
by non-government experts with recognized
expertise in quality of evidence evaluation.
``(B) Strength of evidence.--Each guideline
contained in a report published under paragraph (1)
shall be assigned a rating by the Secretaries for the
strength of evidence used, including to the extent by
which the guideline will improve the Healthy Eating
Index.
``(9) Transparency.--
``(A) Disclosure.--Any individual appointed to the
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee or an Independent
Advisory Board established under paragraph (5) shall--
``(i) be appointed as a special government
employee;
``(ii) comply with financial disclosure
requirements applicable to such a special
government employee under subpart I of part
2634 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations
(or successor regulations), including the
requirement to file the Office of Government
Ethics Form 450 (or successor Form); and
``(iii) prior to such an appointment,
provide a report to the Secretaries regarding,
for the 10-year period preceding such report,
any research funding or professional
affiliation relating to a report under
paragraph (1).
``(B) Publication.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, not later than 30 days after the date
on which a Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee or an
Independent Advisory Board is established, the
Secretaries shall make publicly available--
``(i) a summary of the financial
disclosures reported by members of such
Committee or Board;
``(ii) the research funding and
professional affiliations reported by such
members under subparagraph (A)(iii),
categorized by the name of the individual; and
``(iii) a detailed plan for managing any
disclosed conflicts of interest, including
financial or ethical conflicts of interest,
preferences, values, and beliefs.''.
(b) Controlling Report.--The 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
published by the Secretaries under subsection (a)(1) of section 301 of
the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 5341(a)(1)) shall be controlling and considered to be the most
recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans until the publication of the
first report under such subsection in accordance with the amendments
made to such section by this Act.
TITLE V--CREDIT
Subtitle A--Farm Ownership Loans
SEC. 5101. PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR REAL ESTATE LOANS.
Section 302(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended--
(1) in the 2nd sentence of paragraph (1), by striking ``a
majority'' each place it appears and inserting ``at least a 50
percent'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A) Eligibility of qualified operators.--
Qualified operators, as defined by the Secretary, shall
be considered to meet the operator requirement of
paragraph (1).
``(B) Eligibility of certain operating-only
entities.-- An applicant that is or will become only
the operator of farm real estate acquired, improved, or
supported with funds under this subtitle shall be
considered to meet the owner-operator requirements of
paragraph (1) if 1 or more of the individuals who is an
owner of the farm real estate owns at least 50 percent
(or such other percentage as the Secretary determines
is appropriate) of the applicant.
``(C) Eligibility of certain embedded entities.--An
entity that is an owner-operator described in paragraph
(1), or an operator described in subparagraph (B) of
this paragraph that is owned, in whole or in part, by 1
or more other entities, shall be considered to meet the
direct ownership requirement imposed under paragraph
(1) if at least 75 percent of the total ownership
interests of the embedded entity, or of the other
entities, is owned, directly or indirectly, by
qualified operators of the farm acquired, improved, or
supported with funds under this subtitle.''.
SEC. 5102. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS.
Section 302(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1922(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``3 years'' and inserting ``2 years''; and
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(I) by striking ``3-year'' and
inserting ``2-year''; and
(II) by striking ``1 or 2 years''
and inserting ``1 year'';
(ii) in clause (iii), by inserting ``or
operational'' before ``responsibilities'';
(iii) in clause (vii), by striking ``or'';
and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(ix) met any other criteria established
by the Secretary; or''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``3-year'' and
inserting ``2- year''.
SEC. 5103. REFINANCING OF INDEBTEDNESS INTO DIRECT LOANS.
Section 303 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1923) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Refinancing of Guaranteed Loans Into Direct Loans.--Within 1
year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary,
acting through the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (referred
to in this section as the `Secretary'), shall promulgate regulations
allowing certain loans guaranteed by the Farm Service Agency to be
refinanced into direct loans issued by the Farm Service Agency, in
accordance with this subsection.
``(1) Requirements.--
``(A) In general.--A guaranteed loan may be
refinanced into a direct loan pursuant to this
subsection only if the Secretary determines that--
``(i) the guaranteed loan is distressed due
to its status as a non-performing loan that
does not have a positive cash flow at rates and
terms available from the lender;
``(ii) the borrower on the guaranteed loan
is in monetary default and subject to
liquidation or foreclosure action;
``(iii) a reasonable chance for the success
of the operation financed by the guaranteed
loan exists; and
``(iv) all other criteria established by
the Secretary for purposes of this subsection
to protect taxpayer funds and the loan programs
of the Farm Service Agency have been satisfied.
``(B) Reasonable chance of success.--For purposes
of subparagraph (A)(iii), the Secretary may determine
that a reasonable chance for the success of an
operation exists if the Secretary determines that--
``(i) all relevant problems with the
operation financed by the guaranteed loan--
``(I) have been identified; and
``(II) can be corrected; and
``(ii) on correction of the problems, the
operation can achieve, or be returned to, a
sound financial basis.
``(2) Loan programs.--In making direct loans pursuant to
the regulations promulgated under this subsection, the
Secretary may refinance a loan guaranteed under 1 program of
the Farm Service Agency into a direct loan issued under another
program of the Farm Service Agency, as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate and in accordance with the laws applicable to
the program under which the direct loan is issued.
``(3) Refinanced guaranteed loans.--A direct loan issued by
the Farm Service Agency pursuant to the regulations promulgated
under subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to any
otherwise applicable limitation on the maximum amount of a
direct loan issued by the Farm Service Agency, including, if
applicable, the limitations described in sections 305 and
313.''.
SEC. 5104. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.
Section 304 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1924) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``1985.'' and
inserting ``1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812); and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) producers who use the loans to adopt precision
agriculture practices or acquire precision agriculture
technologies, including adoption or acquisition for the purpose
of participating in the environmental quality incentives
program under subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et
seq.).''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 5105. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS.
Section 305(a)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1925(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``$600,000, or, in the
case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, $1,750,000 (increased,
beginning with fiscal year 2019'' and inserting ``$850,000, or, in the
case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, $3,500,000 (increased,
beginning with fiscal year 2026''.
SEC. 5106. INFLATION PERCENTAGE.
Section 305(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1925(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``of the Prices Paid By
Farmers Index (as compiled by the National Agricultural
Statistics Service of the Department of Agriculture) for the
12-month period ending on July 31 of the immediately preceding
fiscal year'' and inserting ``of the per acre average United
States farm real estate value, the per acre average United
States cropland value, and the per acre average United States
pasture value for the preceding year (as published in the
applicable Agricultural Land Values report of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service of the Department of
Agriculture), weighted equally''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``of such index (as so
defined) for the 12-month period that immediately precedes the
12-month period described in paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``of
the per acre average United States farm real estate value, the
per acre average United States cropland value, and the per acre
average United States pasture value for the year immediately
preceding the year described in paragraph (1) (as so
published), weighted equally''.
SEC. 5107. AUTHORITY OF FARM CREDIT SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ESSENTIAL RURAL COMMUNITY
FACILITIES PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--The Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended by
inserting after section 4.18A (12 U.S.C. 2206a) the following:
``SEC. 4.18B. ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
``(a) In General.--A Farm Credit Bank, direct lender association,
or bank for cooperatives chartered under this Act may, for the purpose
of making available capital to develop, build, maintain, improve, or
provide related equipment or other support for essential community
facilities in rural areas, make and participate in loans and
commitments, and extend other technical and financial assistance for
projects for essential community facilities eligible for financing
under section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act.
``(b) Eligibility.--Only an entity eligible for financing under
section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act may
receive financing or any other assistance under subsection (a) of this
section.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) Financing.--A Farm Credit System institution
described in subsection (a) shall not provide financing or
assistance under this section in an aggregate amount that
exceeds 15 percent of the total of all outstanding loans of the
institution.
``(2) Offer requirement.--
``(A) In general.--A Farm Credit System institution
shall not provide financing or assistance under this
section unless the institution--
``(i) has offered, under reasonable terms
and conditions acceptable to the borrower
involved, an interest in the financing to at
least 1 domestic lending institution not
referred to in subsection (a) other than the
Department of Agriculture; and
``(ii) has reported the offer to the Farm
Credit Administration.
``(B) Rural community bank priority.--In offering
an interest in a financing to a domestic lending
institution described in subparagraph (A)(i), the Farm
Credit System institution shall give priority to
community banks located in the service area of the
essential community facility being financed.
``(d) Annual Report to Congress.--Within 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Farm Credit
Administration shall provide a report to the Committee on Agriculture
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on the activities undertaken
pursuant to this section by Farm Credit System institutions during the
period covered by the report, including through partnerships between
such an institution and other lending institutions, which shall also be
posted on the website of the Farm Credit Administration.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on October 1, 2026.
SEC. 5108. DOWN PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM.
Section 310E(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1935(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``exceed 45 percent of the least'' and inserting ``exceed,
subject to section 305(a), 45 percent of the lesser'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by adding ``or'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; or'' and inserting
a period; and
(4) by striking subparagraph (C).
SEC. 5109. HEIRS PROPERTY.
(a) Reauthorization of the Heirs Property Intermediary Relending
Program.--Section 310I(g) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1936c(g)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
(b) Cooperative Agreements for Heirs Property Resolution Through
Direct Public Interest Legal Services.--Section 310I of such Act (7
U.S.C. 1936c) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
(g) and (h), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Cooperative Agreements for Heirs Property Resolution Through
Direct Public Interest Legal Services.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into
cooperative agreements with eligible entities to provide legal
or accounting services to underserved heirs, at no cost to the
underserved heirs, to assist in resolving undivided ownership
interests on farmland or forest land, or land transitioning to
farmland or forest land, that has multiple owners. Such a
cooperative agreement must be for any of the following
purposes:
``(A) To assist with transitioning land to
agricultural production.
``(B) To maintain land in agricultural production.
``(C) To increase access to programs administered
by the Secretary through the resolution of real
property claims in order to allow real property owners
to meet land ownership eligibility requirements for
participation in a program administered by the
Secretary.
``(2) Administration of cooperative agreements.--
``(A) Duration.--
``(i) In general.--A cooperative agreement
under paragraph (1) shall be in effect for not
more than 4 years, subject to clause (ii).
``(ii) Special rule.--The Secretary may
extend a cooperative agreement or re-enter into
a cooperative agreement with the same or a
different eligible entity to provide continued
services for heirs if--
``(I) property ownership is not
resolved within the initial term of the
original cooperative agreement; and
``(II) the entity certifies that
the entity understands that the
cooperative agreement is not guaranteed
to be funded for more than 4 years
after the commencement of the original
cooperative agreement.
``(B) Management of performance.--
``(i) Annual reports.--An eligible entity
must provide annual reports to the Secretary
summarizing the progress made during each
fiscal year towards achieving the goals of the
cooperative agreement for the heirs for whom
services are provided under the cooperative
agreement.
``(ii) Information and data.--The Secretary
may require an eligible entity to provide the
Secretary with such information or data as the
Secretary deems necessary to determine that the
eligible entity is making acceptable progress.
The data may not include personally
identifiable information.
``(iii) Effect of failure to demonstrate
success.--If an eligible entity providing
services under such a cooperative agreement
does not demonstrate success, as determined by
the Secretary, in resolving or reasonably
attempting to resolve the property claims of an
heir, the Secretary may terminate the
agreement.
``(C) Implementation.--The Secretary may utilize
requests for public input or the formal rulemaking
process to effectuate this subsection. At a minimum,
the Secretary shall make publicly available the
criteria for selecting an eligible entity to enter into
an agreement to provide services, the administrative
and performance requirements for cooperative agreements
under this subsection, as well as codify within its
internal policy its implementation process.
``(D) Heirs property not in farming.--On a limited
basis, and when determined by the Secretary to meet the
purposes of a program administered by the Secretary and
to expand access to such a program, the Secretary may
allow an eligible entity to provide services at no cost
to an heir who is not an underserved heir if--
``(i) the land with respect to which the
services are to be provided is not farmland or
in agricultural production, but could be viably
productive for agricultural, conservation, or
forestry purposes;
``(ii) the heir satisfies all other
requirements of the definition of `underserved
heir';
``(iii) the heir can provide proof to
substantiate that the heir is in control of the
real property; and
``(iv) the heir certifies to the Secretary
that the heir intends to apply for, and make a
good faith effort to enroll the land in, a
program administered by the Secretary once
property claims to the land are resolved
through services provided under a cooperative
agreement entered into under this subsection.
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means a nonprofit organization that--
``(i) provides legal or accounting services
to an underserved heir at no cost to the
underserved heir to resolve property ownership
issues; and
``(ii) has demonstrated experience in
resolving issues related to ownership and
succession on farmland or forest land that has
multiple owners.
``(B) Limited resource heir.--An heir shall be
considered a limited resource heir for purposes of this
subsection if--
``(i) the total household income of the
heir is at or below the national poverty level
for a family of 4, or less than 50 percent of
the county median household income for the 2
immediately preceding calendar years, as
determined annually using data of the
Department of Commerce; or
``(ii) the property of the heir for which
legal services are provided pursuant to a
cooperative agreement entered into under this
subsection is in a persistent poverty
community, as determined annually on the basis
of data from the Department of Commerce, or a
socially vulnerable area, as designated by the
Centers on Disease Control and Prevention.
``(C) Underserved heir.--The term `underserved
heir' means an heir with an undivided ownership
interest in farmland or forest land that has multiple
owners, who is--
``(i) a limited resource heir;
``(ii) a member of a socially disadvantaged
group (as defined in section 2501(a) of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990); or
``(iii) a veteran (as defined in section
101(2) of title 38, United States Code).
``(4) Annual reports to congress.--Within 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this subsection, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare, make public, and
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a written report on the activities
carried out under this subsection in the year covered by the
report.
``(5) Limitations on authorization of appropriations.--To
carry out this subsection, there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $60,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
(c) Annual Report on Operations and Outcomes Under the Relending
Program to Resolve Ownership and Succession on Farmland.--Section
310I(g) of such Act, as so redesignated by subsection (b) of this
section, is amended by striking ``Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall'' and inserting ``The
Secretary shall annually''.
SEC. 5110. PROMPT APPROVAL OF LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.
Section 333A of the of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) Real estate and operating guaranteed loans.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to
lenders a short, simplified application form for real
estate and operating guaranteed loans under this title,
for loans of not more than $1,000,000.
``(B) Notice.--Within 5 business days after receipt
of a complete application to guarantee a farm ownership
or operating loan that meets the requirements under
subparagraph (A) originated by a Preferred Certified
Lender or Certified Lender, the Secretary shall notify
the lender as to whether the application is approved or
disapproved.
``(C) Maximum guarantee.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act, the percentage of the principal
amount of a loan which may be guaranteed pursuant to
this paragraph shall not exceed--
``(i) 90 percent, in the case of a loan not
exceeding $125,000;
``(ii) 75 percent, in the case of a loan of
more than $125,000 and not more than $500,000;
or
``(iii) 50 percent, in the case of a loan
of more than $500,000 and not more than
$1,000,000.''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively, and inserting
after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Business and industry guaranteed loans to assist
rural entities.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall develop an
application process that accelerates, to the maximum
extent practicable, the processing of applications for
business and industry guaranteed loans to assist rural
entities, as described under section 310B(a)(2)(A), for
loans not exceeding $400,000.
``(B) Exception.--The accelerated application
process, as provided under subparagraph (A), shall
apply to loans not exceeding $600,000 if there is not a
significant increased risk of a default on the loan, as
determined by the Secretary.''; and
(2) by striking subsection (h).
SEC. 5111. EXPEDITED APPROVAL PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act is amended by inserting after section 333D (7 U.S.C.
1983d) the following:
``SEC. 333E. EXPEDITED APPROVAL PILOT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall carry out a pilot
program to establish an expedited qualification and approval process
for borrowers seeking--
``(1) a direct farm ownership loan under this Act; or
``(2) a bridge loan guaranteed by the Secretary under this
Act that is serviced by a Preferred Certified Lender under
section 339(d) and provided to a creditworthy borrower, as
determined by the Preferred Certified Lender.
``(b) Loan Assessments.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall consider streamlining the process for making--
``(1) determinations necessary to make the certifications
and assessments referred to in section 339(c)(5); and
``(2) determinations under section 360(b).
``(c) Rule of Interpretation.--This section shall not be
interpreted to authorize the waiver or modification of any requirement,
other than an application process timing requirement, imposed by or
under this Act.
``(d) Report.--Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report examining the actions undertaken under, and the results of, the
pilot program.
``(e) Termination of Effectiveness.--The authority provided by this
section shall terminate effective September 30, 2031.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 346(b)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1994(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II), by inserting ``, to the
extent practicable'' after ``April 1 of the fiscal year'';
(2) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by inserting ``,to the extent
practicable'' after ``September 1 of the fiscal year''; and
(3) in subparagraph (B)(iii), in the text, by inserting ``,
to the extent practicable'' after ``April 1 of the fiscal
year''.
Subtitle B--Operating Loans
SEC. 5201. PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR OPERATING LOANS.
Section 311(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended--
(1) in the 2nd sentence of paragraph (1), by striking ``a
majority'' each place it appears and inserting ``at least a 50
percent''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``(2)
special rule.--An entity'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Special rules.--
``(A) Eligibility of qualified operators.--
Qualified operators, as defined by the Secretary, shall
be considered to meet the operator requirement of
paragraph (1).
``(B) Eligibility of certain operating-only
entities.--An entity''; and
(B) by striking ``ownership interests of each
embedded entity of the entity is owned directly or
indirectly by the individuals that own the family
farm'' and inserting ``total ownership interests of the
embedded entity, or of the other entities, is owned,
directly or indirectly, by qualified operators of the
farm improved or supported with funds under this
subtitle''.
SEC. 5202. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF OPERATING LOANS.
Section 313(a)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``$400,000, or, in the
case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, $1,750,000 (increased,
beginning with fiscal year 2019'' and inserting ``$750,000, or, in the
case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary, $3,000,000 (increased,
beginning with fiscal year 2026''.
SEC. 5203. LIMITATION ON MICROLOAN AMOUNTS.
Section 313(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(2)) is amended by striking ``$50,000'' and
inserting ``$100,000''.
SEC. 5204. COOPERATIVE LENDING PILOT PROJECTS.
Section 313(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
Subtitle C--Emergency Loans
SEC. 5301. PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR EMERGENCY LOANS.
Section 321 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1961) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the 1st sentence--
(i) by striking ``(A)'' and inserting
``(i)'';
(ii) by striking ``(B)'' and inserting
``(ii)'';
(iii) by striking ``(1)'' and inserting
``(A)'';
(iv) by striking ``(2)'' and inserting
``(B)''; and
(v) by striking ``a majority'' each place
it appears and inserting ``at least a 50
percent'';
(B) in the 2nd sentence, by striking ``this
subsection'' and inserting ``this paragraph'';
(C) by striking the 5th sentence; and
(D) by adding after and below the end the
following:
``(2) Special rules.--
``(A) Eligibility of qualified operators.--
Qualified operators, as defined by the Secretary, shall
be considered to meet the operator requirement of
paragraph (1).
``(B) Eligibility of certain operating-only
entities.-- An applicant that is or will become only
the operator of farm real estate acquired, improved, or
supported with funds under this subtitle shall be
considered to meet the owner-operator requirements of
paragraph (1) if 1 or more of the individuals who is an
owner of the real estate owns at least 50 percent (or
such other percentage as the Secretary determines is
appropriate) of the applicant.
``(C) Eligibility of certain embedded entities.--An
entity that is an owner-operator described in paragraph
(1), or an operator described in subparagraph (B) of
this paragraph that is owned, in whole or in part, by 1
or more other entities, shall be considered to meet the
direct ownership requirement imposed under paragraph
(1) if at least 75 percent of the total ownership
interests of the embedded entity, or of the other
entities, is owned, directly or indirectly, by
qualified operators of the farm acquired, improved, or
supported with funds under this subtitle.''; and
(2) by striking all that precedes ``shall make and insure''
and inserting the following:
``SEC. 321. ELIGIBILITY FOR LOANS.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Eligibility requirements.--The Secretary''.
Subtitle D--Administrative Provisions
SEC. 5401. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS
PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 333B(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1983b(h)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 5402. LOAN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS.
Section 346(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 5403. LOAN FUND SET-ASIDES.
Section 346(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 5404. USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR DIRECT OPERATING MICROLOANS
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
Section 346(b)(5)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(5)(C)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
Subtitle E--Miscellaneous
SEC. 5501. EXTENSION OF CREDIT TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING SERVICES TO
PRODUCERS OR HARVESTERS OF AQUATIC PRODUCTS.
(a) Eligibility for Credit and Financial Services.--Section 1.9 of
the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2017) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) persons furnishing to producers or harvesters of
aquatic products services directly related to their operating
needs; or''.
(b) Purposes for Extensions of Credit.--Section 1.11(c)(1) of such
Act (12 U.S.C. 2019(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and to persons
furnishing services directly related to the operating needs of
producers or harvesters of aquatic products'' after ``needs''.
(c) Production Credit Associations.--Section 2.4(a) of such Act (12
U.S.C. 2075(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) persons furnishing to producers or harvesters of
aquatic products services directly related to their operating
needs.''.
SEC. 5502. EXPORT FINANCE AUTHORITY.
Section 3.7(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C.
2128(b)(2)(A)(i)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``50 percent of the bank's capital'' and
inserting ``15 percent of the total assets of the bank''; and
(2) by striking ``an amount equal to 50 percent of the
bank's capital'' and inserting ``15 percent of the total assets
of the bank''.
SEC. 5503. SUPPORT FOR RURAL WATER AND WASTE SYSTEMS.
Section 3.7(f) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2128(f))
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as
subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(2) by striking ``The banks'' and inserting ``(1) The
banks'';
(3) striking ``For purposes'' and inserting ``(3) For
purposes'';
(4) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), by inserting
``, or in the case of such loans, commitments, and assistance
that are guaranteed, the term `rural area' means an area
described in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A))'' before the
period at the end; and
(5) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a bank for
cooperatives may make and participate in loans and commitments
and provide technical and other financial assistance to
cooperatives and any other public or private entity (except for
the Federal Government) for the purpose of installing,
maintaining, expanding, improving, or operating facilities in a
rural area for the processing or disposal of waste from any
source, the provision of telecommunication services, and
producing electricity from any source for use or sale by the
borrower.''.
SEC. 5504. FARM CREDIT SYSTEM REGULATION.
(a) In General.--The Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 4.20 the following:
``SEC. 4.21. FARM CREDIT SYSTEM REGULATION.
``(a) The Farm Credit Administration shall be the sole and
independent regulator of the Farm Credit System with respect to
activities subject to this Act.
``(b) A law enacted or rule promulgated after the date of the
enactment of this section shall not be held to modify or supersede the
exclusive authority provided by subsection (a), except to the extent
that the enacted law does so expressly.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5505. LOAN GUARANTEES.
Section 8.0(7)(B) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C.
2279aa(7)(B)) is amended by inserting `` or section 9007(c)(1) of the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107(c)(1))''
before the 1st comma.
SEC. 5506. STANDARDS FOR QUALIFIED LOANS.
Section 8.8 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-8) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``mortgage
investors'' and inserting ``investors in those types of
loans''; and
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Qualified Loan Limitation for Single Borrowers.--
``(1) In general.--The Corporation shall not treat a loan
secured by agricultural real estate as a qualified loan when
the cumulative principal amount of all loans to a single
borrower or related borrowers exceeds 10 percent of the
Corporation's tier 1 capital, as defined by the Farm Credit
Administration.
``(2) Regulator determination.--The Farm Credit
Administration may issue regulations establishing a single
borrower concentration limit lower than the percentage
specified in paragraph (1) if the Farm Credit Administration
determines that such a lower limit is necessary for the safe
and sound operation of the Corporation.''.
SEC. 5507. STATE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Matching Grants to States.--Section 502 of the Agricultural
Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5102) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``$500,000'' and
inserting ``$700,000''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Carryover of Financial Assistance.--The Secretary shall
permit a State that receives financial assistance under subsection (a)
for a fiscal year to carry over not more than 25 percent of the
financial assistance that is not expended by the end of the fiscal
year, for use during the next fiscal year without deducting the amount
from any assistance provided under this Act in subsequent fiscal
years.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 506 of the
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5106) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 5508. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
(a) Elimination of Obsolete References to County Committees.--
(1) Section 333A(a)(2)(B)(vi) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a(a)(2)(B)(vi)) is amended
by striking ``by the county committee'' and inserting ``of the
application''.
(2) Section 336 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1986) is amended--
(A) by striking the last sentence of subsection
(b); and
(B) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating
subsection (d) as subsection (c).
(3) Section 339 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1989) is amended--
(A) in subsection (c)(4)(A), by striking ``county
committee certification that the borrower of the loan
meets the eligibility requirements and'' and inserting
``the borrower meeting''; and
(B) in subsection (d)(4)(A), by striking ``county
committee certification that the borrower meets the
eligibility requirements or'' and inserting ``the
borrower meeting''.
(4) Section 359(c)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2006a(c)(1)) is
amended by striking ``(as determined by the appropriate county
committee during the determination of eligibility for the
loan)''.
(b) Revision of Loan Assessment Requirements.--Section 360(d)(1) of
such Act (7 U.S.C. 2006b(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``annual review
of direct loans, and periodic review (as determined necessary by the
Secretary) of guaranteed loans'' and inserting ``periodic review (as
determined by the Secretary) of direct and guaranteed loans''.
(c) Updating of Outdated References to the Farmers Home
Administration and the Rural Development Agency.--
(1) Section 309(e) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1928(e)) is
amended by striking ``Farmers Home Administration and the Rural
Development Administration'' and inserting ``Farm Service
Agency and Rural Development''.
(2) Section 331(b)(4) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1981(b)(4)) is
amended by striking ``Consolidated''.
(3) Section 331(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1981(b)) is
amended in each of paragraphs (5) and (7) by striking ``Farmers
Home Administration'' each place it appears and inserting
``Farm Service Agency and Rural Development''.
(4) Section 331(b)(8) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1981(b)(8)) is
amended by striking ``Rural Development Administration or by
the Farmers Home Administration'' and inserting ``Farm Service
Agency and Rural Development''.
(5) Section 331A(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1981a(a)) is
amended by striking ``Farmers Home Administration or by the
Rural Development Administration'' and inserting ``Farm Service
Agency or by Rural Development''.
(6) Section 335(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1985(a)) is
amended by striking ``Farmers Home Administration or the Rural
Development Administration'' and inserting ``Farm Service
Agency or Rural Development''.
(7) Section 335(f)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1985(f)(1)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service payments'' and inserting ``Farm
Service Agency farm program'';
(B) by striking ``Farmers Home Administration
liens'' and inserting ``liens for a farmer program
loan''; and
(C) by striking ``Farmers Home Administration
farmer'' and inserting ``Farm Service Agency farmer''.
(8) Section 338(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1988(a)) is
amended by striking ``Farmers Home Administration or the Rural
Development Administration'' and inserting ``Farm Service
Agency and Rural Development''.
(9) Section 347 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1995) is amended by
striking ``Farmers Home Administration'' and inserting ``Farm
Service Agency and Rural Development''.
(10) Section 356 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2004) is amended--
(A) by striking ``Farmers Home Administration may''
and inserting ``Farm Service Agency and Rural
Development may''; and
(B) by striking ``the inventory of the Farmers Home
Administration'' and inserting ``inventory''.
(11) Section 370(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2008e(a)) is
amended by striking ``the Rural Development Administration, the
Farmers Home Administration, the Rural Electrification
Administration'' and inserting ``Rural Development, the Farm
Service Agency, the Rural Utilities Service''.
(12) Each of the following provisions of such Act is
amended by striking ``Farmers Home Administration'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Farm Service Agency'':
(A) Section 309(g)(1) (7 U.S.C. 1929(g)(1)).
(B) Section 331A(a) (7 U.S.C. 1981a(a)).
(C) Section 333A(a)(2)(B) (7 U.S.C.
1983a(a)(2)(B)).
(D) Section 333A(e)(1) (7 U.S.C. 1983a(e)(1)).
(E) Section 335(d) (7 U.S.C. 1985(d)).
(F) Section 353A (7 U.S.C. 2001a).
(G) Section 349(e)(1)(B) (7 U.S.C. 1997(e)(1)(B)).
(H) Section 361 (7 U.S.C. 2006c).
(d) Section 335(c)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1985(c)(1)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``15'' and inserting
``60'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(A) by striking ``135'' and inserting ``180''; and
(B) by inserting ``suitable for farming and
ranching, as determined by the Secretary'' before the
comma; and
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``not later than 135
days after acquiring the real property, the Secretary shall,
not later than 30 days after the 135-day period,'' and
inserting ``or if the property is not suitable for farming and
ranching as determined by the Secretary, not later than 60 days
after the 180-day period, the Secretary shall''.
(e) Correction of Infeasible Inventory Property Disposition
Framework.--
(1) Section 331(b)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1981(b)(1)) is
amended by striking ``, and until January'' and all that
follows through ``fit)''.
(2) Section 335(f) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1985(f)) is
amended--
(A) by striking paragraphs (3) through (5) and
redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (3); and
(B) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the
following:
``(4) The Secretary shall issue regulations consistent with this
section that ensures the release of funds to each borrower.''.
(f) Replacement of References to District Office With References to
District Director.--Section 333A(a)(2)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1983a(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``district office'' each place
it appears and inserting ``District Director''.
(g) Correction of Obsolete Reference to Former Trust Territories.--
Section 343(a)(6) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(6)) is amended by
striking ``the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands'' and inserting
``the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the
Republic of the Marshall Islands''.
(h) Revision of Farmer Program Loan Definition.--Section 343(a)(10)
of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(10)) is amended by inserting ``before
June 18, 2008, conservation loan (CL) under section 304 on or after
June 18, 2008,'' before ``emergency loan (EM)''.
(i) Elimination of Inconsistency Between Rules Applicable to
Beginning Farmers.--Section 343(a)(11)(C) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(11)(C)) is amended by striking ``related to one another by
blood or marriage'' and inserting ``qualified beginning farmers''.
(j) Updating of Provisions to Reflect Repurposing of Conservation
Loan Provisions.--
(1) Section 303(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1923(a)) is
amended in each of paragraphs (1)(D) and (2)(D) by striking
``described in section 304''.
(2) Section 310D of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1934) is amended by
striking ``, or paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 304(a),''
and inserting ``section 304(a)''.
(k) Updating of Notice Provision Requirement and Lifetime Debt
Forgiveness Limit.--Section 353(i)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2001(i)(1))
is amended by striking ``registered or certified mail'' and inserting
``any method that provides documentation of delivery''.
(l) Updating of Obsolete Reference to the Soil Conservation
Service.--Section 306(a)(13) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(13)) is
amended by striking ``Soil Conservation Service'' and inserting
``Natural Resources Conservation Service''.
(m) Clarification of Interest Rate Requirements.--
(1) Section 307(a)(3)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1927(a)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ``not be--'' and all that
follows and inserting ``be equal to the interest rate for
direct farm ownership loans under this subtitle, not to exceed
5 percent per year.''.
(2) Section 316(a)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1946(a)(2)) is
amended by striking ``not be--'' and all that follows and
inserting ``be equal to the interest rate for direct farm
ownership loans under this subtitle, not to exceed 5 percent
per year.''.
(n) Correction of Heading.--Section 309(h)(6) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1929(h)(6)) is amended in the paragraph heading by striking ``Beginning
farmer loans'' and inserting ``Down payment loan program participant''.
(o) Elimination of Superfluous Restrictions.--Section 312 of such
Act (7 U.S.C. 1942) is amended by striking subsection (d) and
redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
(p) Elimination of Confusing References to Loan Guarantees.--
Section 319 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1949) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``or guarantees'';
and
(2) by striking ``or with respect to whom there is an
outstanding guarantee under this subtitle''.
(q) Elimination of Obsolete Reporting Requirements.--Section 346 of
such Act (7 U.S.C. 1994) is amended by striking subsections (c) and
(d).
(r) Correction of Obsolete Appeals Provisions.--
(1) Section 352(c)(3) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2000(c)(3)) is
amended by striking ``section 333B'' and inserting ``subtitle H
of title II of Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994''.
(2) Section 353 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2001) is amended--
(A) in subsection (h), by striking ``under section
333B''; and
(B) in subsection (j)--
(i) by striking ``filed with the appeals
division under section 333B'' and inserting
``to the National Appeals Division'';
(ii) by striking ``appeals division shall''
and inserting ``Secretary shall''; and
(iii) by striking ``county supervisor'' and
inserting ``Secretary''.
(s) Elimination of Unnecessary Constraint on Pilot Projects.--
Section 333D(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1983d(a)) is amended by striking
``that are consistent with subtitle A through this subtitle''.
(t) Correction of Heading.--The paragraph heading in section
8.8(a)(3) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa-8(a)(3)) is
amended by striking ``Mortgage loans'' and inserting ``Loan quality''.
TITLE VI--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Subtitle A--Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America
SEC. 6101. PRIORITIZATIONS FOR DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE AND
COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM.
Section 6101(a) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (132
Stat. 4726; Public Law 115-334) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``2025'' and inserting ``2027'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) in the heading, by striking
``Substance use disorder set-aside''
and inserting ``Set-aside''; and
(II) by inserting ``, mental
health, behavioral health, or maternal
health'' before ``treatment''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``mental
health, behavioral health, maternal health,
or'' before ``substance'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) in the heading, by striking
``Substance use disorder selection''
and inserting ``Selection'';
(II) in subclause (I), by inserting
``mental health, behavioral health,
maternal health, or'' before
``substance''; and
(III) in subclause (II), by
inserting ``mental health concerns,
behavioral health concerns, maternal
health concerns, or'' before
``substance''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ``,
behavioral health treatment, mental health
treatment, or maternal health, respectively''
before the period; and
(D) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``behavioral
health, mental health, maternal health, or'' before
``substance''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2027''.
SEC. 6102. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE LOANS AND GRANTS.
Section 2335A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-5) is amended by striking ``$82,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$82,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available for 2
fiscal years after the fiscal year for which appropriated''.
Subtitle B--Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband
SEC. 6201. RURAL BROADBAND PROGRAM LOANS AND GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``access to
broadband telecommunications services in rural areas'' and
inserting ``reconnect rural broadband program'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``The purpose'' and all
that follows through ``provide funds for'' and inserting ``The
Secretary shall establish a program, which shall be known as
the `ReConnect Rural Broadband Program', to provide grants,
loans, and loan guarantees to finance'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants, loans,
and loan guarantees to eligible entities described in
subsection (d) for the purpose of financing the construction,
improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment
necessary for delivering broadband service in rural areas.'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraphs (A)
and (B) and inserting the following:
``(A) In general.--In making grants, making loans,
and guaranteeing loans under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give the highest priority to
applications for projects to provide broadband service
to unserved rural communities that do not have any
residential broadband service of at least--
``(i) a 25-Mbps downstream transmission
capacity; and
``(ii) a 3-Mbps upstream transmission
capacity.
``(B) Other.--After giving priority to the
applications described in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall then give priority to applications--
``(i) for projects to provide broadband
service to rural communities--
``(I) with a population of less
than 10,000 inhabitants; or
``(II) in geographically
underserved and distressed areas,
including--
``(aa) a socially
vulnerable community (as
determined by the Secretary);
``(bb) a persistent poverty
county (as determined by the
Secretary); or
``(cc) in an economically
distressed area (as determined
by the Secretary);
``(ii) that were developed with the
participation of, and will receive a
substantial portion of the funding or in-kind
assistance for the project from, 2 or more
stakeholders, including--
``(I) State, local, and tribal
governments;
``(II) nonprofit institutions;
``(III) community anchor
institutions, such as--
``(aa) public libraries;
``(bb) elementary schools
and secondary schools (as
defined in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801));
``(cc) institutions of
higher education (including
1862 Land-Grant Institutions,
1890 Land-Grant Institutions,
1994 Land-Grant Institutions,
Hispanic-Serving Institutions,
and Historically Black Colleges
and Universities);
``(dd) health care
facilities; and
``(ee) facilities essential
for local or regional commerce
or for the movement of goods;
``(IV) private entities;
``(V) philanthropic organizations;
and
``(VI) cooperatives; or
``(iii) that are submitted by an eligible
entity or is owned by an entity that has
provided broadband service or other utility
service for at least 5 years in rural areas in
the State in which the project would be carried
out.'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``and'' at the end
of clause (i);
(II) by striking the period at the
end of clause (ii) and inserting ``;
and''; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(iii) shall be subject to a grant
agreement of not less than 10 years.'';
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D)
and inserting the following:
``(C) Applications.--
``(i) Grant-only applications.--The
Secretary shall establish an application
process that permits an application for a
grant-only award.
``(ii) Combined applications.--The
Secretary shall establish an application
process that--
``(I) permits a single application
for a grant and a loan under title I or
II, or this title, that is associated
with the grant; and
``(II) provides a single decision
to award the grant and the loan.'';
(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as
subparagraph (D); and
(iv) by striking subparagraph (F); and
(D) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:
``(4) Fees.--
``(A) Initial guarantee fee.--The Secretary may
assess an initial guarantee fee for any insured or
guaranteed loan issued or modified under this section
in an amount that does not exceed 3 percent of the
guaranteed principal portion of the loan.
``(B) Periodic retention fee.--The Secretary may
assess a periodic retention fee for any insured or
guaranteed loan or modified under this section in an
amount that does not exceed 0.75 percent of the
outstanding principal of the guarantee loan.
``(C) Disclosure.--In altering any fee charged for
any insured or guaranteed loan issued or modified under
this section, the Secretary, not less than 30 days in
advance of any fee change, shall provide a public
disclosure, of the financial data, economic and
behavioral assumptions, calculations, and other factors
used to determine the new fee rates.'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in clause (i), by adding
``and'' at the end; and
(II) by striking ``require; and''
and all that follows through ``agree''
and insert ``require, and agree'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (E) and inserting after
subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Inclusions.--An entity eligible to obtain
assistance under subsection (c) may include--
``(i) a State or local government,
including any agency, subdivision,
instrumentality, or political subdivision of a
State or local government;
``(ii) a territory or possession of the
United States;
``(iii) an Indian Tribe (as defined in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
``(iv) a cooperative or mutual
organization;
``(v) an organization of 2 or more
incorporated areas that have established an
intermunicipal legal agreement for the purposes
of delivering communication services to
residents;
``(vi) a corporation; or
``(vii) a limited liability company or
limited liability partnership.
``(C) Ineligible entities.--An individual or legal
general partnership that is formed with individuals
shall not be eligible to obtain a grant, loan, or grant
and loan combination under subsection (c).
``(D) Affiliated owned and operated networks.--
Under this subsection, the Secretary may fund the
construction of networks owned and operated by an
affiliate of an eligible entity receiving the grant,
loan, or loan guarantee, if the eligible entity, the
affiliate, or both, as determined necessary by the
Secretary, furnishes adequate security for the grant,
loan, or loan guarantee.''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (E) (as so
redesignated by clause (ii) of this
subparagraph), by inserting ``, directly or in
conjunction with any combination of
affiliates,'' before ``may not'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by striking ``subparagraphs (B)
and (C)'' and inserting ``subparagraph
(B)'';
(II) by striking ``is submitted--''
and all that follows through ``(i) not
less than 50'' and inserting ``is
submitted not less than 75'' ; and
(III) by striking ``(e); and'' and
all that follows and inserting
``(e).'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``(A)(i)'' and inserting ``(A)''; and
(iii) by striking subparagraph (C); and
(C) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5);
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (2),
for'' and inserting ``For'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``25'' and inserting ``50''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``3'' and inserting ``25'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Adjustments.--The Secretary may adjust, through a 30-
day public notice and comment period published in the Federal
Register, an increase in the minimum level of broadband service
under paragraph (1) of no more than 50 percent from the
preceding year, if less than 95 percent of the funds of the
program are obligated in the preceding 2 funding rounds.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``buildout'' and inserting ``project
agreement''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (B) through
(D) and inserting the following:
``(B) Broadband buildout standards defined.--A
project must meet the following applicable broadband
standard in order to be considered for assistance;
``(i) A project with an award term of less
than 8 years must provide service at 2 times
the minimum broadband speed established in
subsection (e)(1).
``(ii) A project with an award term of at
least 8 years and less than 14 years must
provide service at 5 times the minimum
broadband speed established in subsection
(e)(1).
``(iii) A project with an award term of 14
or more years must provide service at 10 times
the minimum broadband speed established in
subsection (e)(1).
``(C) Network upgrade planning.--The Secretary may
prioritize an applicant seeking to meet the broadband
buildout standards under clause (i) or (ii) of
subparagraph (B) if the applicant submits information
regarding the potential for the physical infrastructure
of the network to be upgraded to meet the broadband
buildout standards under subparagraph (B)(iii) at the
time of the application, assuming reasonable progress
in relevant networking technologies.'';
(6) by striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $350,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, to remain available until
expended.''; and
(7) in subsection (k), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
(b) Regulations.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate rules to carry
out the amendments made by subsection (a) of this section, and complete
the biennial review process required by section 601(e)(2) of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936.
(c) Sunset.--The authorities provided by section 779 of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) shall have
no force or effect beginning 270 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(d) Transition Rules.--
(1) Availability of funds for administrative costs.--Not
more than 1 percent of the unobligated balances of amounts made
available, as of the date that is 270 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, to carry out the pilot program
described in section 779 of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-141) may be used for the costs of
transitioning from the pilot program to the program under
section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as
amended by this Act.
(2) Consolidation of funds.--
(A) In general.--The unobligated balances of all
amounts made available on or before June 30, 2025, to
carry out the pilot program described in section 779 of
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law
115-141) that are in excess of the amount described in
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph are hereby
transferred to and merged with amounts made available
to carry out the program authorized under section 601
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
(B) Unfunded approvals.--The amount described in
this subparagraph is the amount required to fully fund
each project approved as of the date that is 270 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, under the
pilot program described in such section 779 for which
amounts were not obligated or partially obligated as of
such date.
SEC. 6202. EXPANSION OF MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO RURAL AREAS.
Section 602(g) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950bb-1(g)) is amended by striking ``2018 through 2023'' and inserting
``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6203. INNOVATIVE BROADBAND ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 603 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950bb-2) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 603. INNOVATIVE BROADBAND ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program to be
known as the `Innovative Broadband Advancement Program', under which
the Secretary may provide a grant, a loan, or both to an eligible
entity for the purpose of demonstrating innovative broadband
technologies or methods of broadband deployment that significantly
decrease the cost of broadband deployment, and provide substantially
faster broadband speeds than are available, in a rural area.
``(b) Terrestrial Broadband Demonstration Projects.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide grants or
loans to eligible entities for the purpose of deploying
innovative broadband technologies to qualified consumers who
subscribe to terrestrial broadband service in rural areas.
``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to obtain assistance
under this subsection for a project, an entity shall--
``(A) submit to the Secretary an application--
``(i) that describes a terrestrial
broadband demonstration project designed to
decrease the cost of broadband deployment, and
substantially increase broadband speed to not
less than the maximum broadband project
agreement requirements established under
section 601(e)(4), to qualified consumers in a
rural area to be served by the project; and
``(ii) at such time, in such manner, and
containing such other information as the
Secretary may require;
``(B) demonstrate that the entity is able to carry
out the project; and
``(C) agree to complete the project build-out
within 5 years after the date the assistance is first
provided for the project.
``(3) Prioritization.--In awarding assistance under this
subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals for
projects that--
``(A) involve partnerships between or among
multiple entities;
``(B) would provide broadband service to the
greatest number of rural entities at or above the
broadband requirements referred to in paragraph
(2)(A)(i);
``(C) the Secretary determines could be replicated
in rural areas described in paragraph (2); and
``(D) are located in States and territories
selected by the Secretary to be diverse on the basis of
geography, topography, and demographics.
``(4) Qualified consumer.--In this subsection, the term
`qualified consumer' means--
``(A) an individual or member of a household who
lives in a rural area;
``(B) a rural small business; or
``(C) an essential community facility, as defined
pursuant to section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)).
``(5) Rural area.--In this subsection, the term `rural
area' has the meaning provided in section 601(b)(3).
``(c) Satellite Broadband Demonstration Projects.--
``(1) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to reduce
or eliminate the costs to access satellite broadband service
for remote subscribers.
``(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means a broadband service provider that provides
Internet access directly to qualified consumers in
remote areas via satellite technology.
``(B) Qualified consumer.--The term `qualified
consumer' means a consumer served by an eligible entity
that receives a grant under paragraph (3), who is--
``(i) an individual or a member of a
household at or below the poverty line (as
defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any
revision required by such section, applicable
to a family of the size involved); or
``(ii) an essential community facility, as
defined pursuant to section 306(a) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1926(a)).
``(C) Satellite broadband equipment.--The term
`satellite broadband equipment' means user terminals,
wi-fi routers, power supplies, mounts, and any other
equipment necessary to connect a qualified consumer to
satellite broadband service.
``(D) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
``(E) Remote.--The term `remote' means a region
classified within level 3 or level 4 of the frontier
and remote zip code areas published by the Economic
Research Service of the Department of Agriculture.
``(3) Grants to eligible entities.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (B), the
Secretary shall make grants to eligible entities for
the purpose of reducing or eliminating the cost
associated with the purchase or installation, or both,
of satellite broadband equipment to qualified consumers
to subscribe to satellite broadband service in remote
areas.
``(B) Requirements.--As a condition of receiving a
grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall--
``(i) provide retail broadband service
delivered via satellite technology to qualified
consumers, that--
``(I) enables a qualified consumer
to the service to originate and receive
high-quality voice, data, graphics,
video; and
``(II) has a latency which does not
exceed 250 milliseconds;
``(ii) submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such other information as the
Secretary may require;
``(iii) agree to reduce or eliminate the
cost associated with the purchase,
installation, or both, of satellite broadband
equipment for qualified consumers; and
``(iv) agree to provide qualified consumers
with the reduction or elimination of that cost
within 1 year of the assistance being obligated
to the eligible entity.
``(C) Eligibility map of qualified consumers.--
Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
publish a map of the remote areas of qualified
consumers that do not have access to terrestrial
broadband service of at least--
``(i) a 25-Mbps downstream transmission
capacity; and
``(ii) a 3-Mbps upstream transmission
capacity.
``(d) Report.--Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a
comprehensive report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate that shall provide the outcomes, effectiveness,
and impact of the Innovative Broadband Advancement Program, including--
``(1) an assessment of the broadband infrastructure funded,
including the scope, scale, nature and geographic locations of
each award;
``(2) the broadband access and speeds achieved, including
the download and upload speeds, latency, and overall network
reliability;
``(3) any technical or logistical challenges encountered by
the eligible entities; and
``(4) any recommendations for future innovative broadband
deployment initiatives in rural areas.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
SEC. 6204. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANTS.
Section 604 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950bb-3) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``10'' and
inserting ``25''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``1'' and
inserting ``3'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) provides broadband speeds not less than the broadband
project agreement requirements established under section
601(e)(4)(B)(ii) to the eligible entity within the proposed
eligible service area.''; and
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6205. RATE REGULATION.
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb-
950bb-5) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 607. RATE REGULATION.
``Nothing in this title authorizes the Secretary to regulate rates
charged for broadband service.''.
SEC. 6206. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
Section 701 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
950cc) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``technical
assistance,'' before ``and'';
(2) in subsection (a)(1)(B)(i), by inserting ``, including
a complete shapefile map'' before the semicolon;
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C) and inserting after
subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) validate the information submitted by service
providers under subparagraph (A) through procedures
established by the Secretary, which shall include an
agency determination provided to the submitter, an
opportunity of the submitter to respond, and a final
non-appealable determination of the Secretary; and'';
and
(iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so
redesignated by clause (ii) of this
subparagraph), by striking ``paragraph (1)''
and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking all that precedes
subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
``(2) Assessment of eligibility.--In making any
determination to award a loan, loan guarantee, or grant for any
retail broadband project provided assistance or for which
assistance is sought that is administered by the Secretary, the
Secretary shall confirm that each unserved rural community
identified in the application is eligible for funding by--
``(A) utilizing the map created by the Federal
Communications Commission under section 802(c)(1)(A) of
the Communications Act of 1934 and the Deployment
Locations Map established under section 60104(b) of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C.
1704(b));''; and
(4) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Broadband Technical Assistance Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants to
private, nonprofit, or public organizations to provide or
receive eligible entities broadband technical assistance and
training to expand access to broadband service in rural
communities through the broadband programs of the Department of
Agriculture including--
``(A) preparing applications for grants, loans and
loan guarantees under this section;
``(B) identifying resources to finance broadband
facilities from public and private sources, including
other Federal agencies;
``(C) preparing feasibility studies, financial
forecasts, market surveys, environmental studies, and
technical design information to support broadband
services;
``(D) preparing reports and surveys necessary to
support the need for broadband services, the price
range, and request financial assistance;
``(E) analyzing and improving operations related to
the management, including financial management, of
broadband facilities and to the efficiency of the
entity;
``(F) collecting broadband infrastructure data; or
``(G) assisting with other areas of need identified
by the Secretary.
``(2) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to obtain
assistance under this subsection, an entity shall be--
``(A) a federally recognized tribe or tribal
entity;
``(B) a State or local government, including any
agency, subdivision, instrumentality, or political
subdivision thereof;
``(C) a territory or possession of the United
States;
``(D) an institution of higher education (including
a 1862 Land-Grant Institution, 1890 Land-Grant
Institution, 1994 Land-Grant Institution, Hispanic-
Serving Institution, or Historically Black College or
University);
``(E) a nonprofit organization described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
``(F) a cooperative or mutual organization;
``(G) a corporation; or
``(H) a limited liability company or limited
liability partnership.
``(3) Selection priority.--In selecting recipients of
grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority
to organizations that have experience in providing technical
assistance and training to rural entities.
``(4) National applications.--The Secretary shall allow
applications for grants under this paragraph from qualified
organizations for the sole purpose of providing on-site
community technical assistance and training on a national or
multi-State regional basis.
``(f) Assistance for Community Broadband Mapping.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to
eligible entities for the purpose of collecting broadband
service data to assist the Secretary in--
``(A) establishing the availability of broadband
service or middle mile infrastructure in a rural area;
``(B) determining the eligibility of a community
for assistance under any broadband program administered
by the Secretary;
``(C) undertaking a service area assessment under
this section; or
``(D) collecting information to submit a challenge
to the National Broadband Map created by the Federal
Communications Commission pursuant to section 802(c)(1)
of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
642(c)(1)).
``(2) Application.--To apply for a grant under this
section, an entity shall submit an application which
identifies--
``(A) the data collection area;
``(B) the purpose of the data collection;
``(C) the types of broadband service data to be
collected;
``(D) the survey and data collection methods
utilized; and
``(E) any other information the Secretary
determines necessary to promote the integrity of
broadband service collected under this section.
``(3) Limitation of grant amount.--The amount of a grant
made available under this subsection shall not exceed $50,000.
``(4) Broadband service data usage.--The Secretary shall
ensure that any broadband service data collected under this
section is--
``(A) measured or assessed in accordance with such
standards as are established by the Federal
Communications Commission pursuant to section
802(a)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 642(a)(1)(A));
``(B) accurate and verifiable in accordance with
such standards as are established by the Federal
Communications Commission pursuant to section
802(a)(1)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 642(a)(1)(A));
``(C) included in any broadband maps or data sets
maintained by the Secretary; and
``(D) made available to the Chair of the Federal
Communications Commission and the Administrator of the
National Telecommunications and Information
Administration for inclusion in any broadband maps or
data sets either may maintain.
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Broadband service.--The term `broadband
service' has the same meaning given the term in section
601.
``(B) Broadband service data.--
``(i) In general.--The term `broadband
service data' means information related to--
``(I) the location and type of
broadband service;
``(II) the location and type of
broadband infrastructure;
``(III) the advertised, maximum,
and average speed of broadband service;
``(IV) the average price of the
most subscribed tier of broadband
service;
``(V) the speed tiers of broadband
service available in the area; or
``(VI) any additional metric the
Secretary deems appropriate.
``(ii) Further definition.--The Secretary
shall further define the term `broadband
service area' to ensure that data is measured
and collected in a manner consistent with the
reporting requirements under this section, and
any broadband coordination or data-sharing
obligations.
``(C) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means--
``(i) a unit of local government in a rural
area;
``(ii) a tribal government or unit of
tribal government;
``(iii) an economic development or other
community organization;
``(iv) an eligible entity under title I or
II that serves persons in rural areas;
``(v) an internet service provider that has
not more than 100,000 subscribers; or
``(vi) any other entity eligible under a
title VI program that is not an internet
service provider.
``(D) Middle mile infrastructure.--The term `middle
mile infrastructure' has the meaning given the term in
section 602.
``(E) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the
meaning given the term in section 601.
``(6) Limitation on amount made available for grants.--The
Secretary may not expend more than 1 percent of the amounts
made available under subsection (g) for each of fiscal years
2027 through 2031 to carry out this subsection.
``(g) Limitations on Reservation of Funds.--Not less than 3 but not
more than 5 percent of the amounts appropriated to the program to carry
out title VI shall be set aside to be used for--
``(1) conducting oversight under such title;
``(2) implementing accountability measures and related
activities authorized under such title; or
``(3) carrying out this section.''.
SEC. 6207. LIMITATION ON OVERBUILDING.
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 608. LIMITATION ON OVERBUILDING.
``Any area in a proposed service area under this title shall not be
considered unserved if an applicant in another Federal or State
broadband program has received an obligation of funding to offer retail
broadband service in the area not more than 5 years from the date of
the obligation of funds, at a speed of at least 100 Mbps download and
20 Mbps upload.''.
Subtitle C--Miscellaneous
SEC. 6301. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM.
Section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8107a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``,
if the entity continues to serve rural areas
(as defined in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A))'' before the semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``or'' at the end; and
(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (E) and inserting after
subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) any Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304));
``(D) any public, quasi-public, or nonprofit entity
that uses innovative financing techniques and market
development tools to accelerate the deployment of
energy efficiency technology; or'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Energy efficiency measures.--The term `energy
efficiency measures' means, with respect to any property
service by an eligible entity--
``(A) a structural improvement or investment in a
cost-effective, commercial technology to increase
energy efficiency (including cost-effective on-or off-
grid renewable energy or energy storage system); and
``(B) the replacement of a manufactured housing
unit or large appliance with a substantially similar
manufacturing housing unit or appliance, respectively,
if that replacement is a cost-effective option with
respect to energy savings.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Grants'' before ``to'';
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--Subject to this subsection, the
Secretary shall provide--
``(A) loans to eligible entities that agree to use
the loan funds to make loans under subsection (d) to
qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing
energy efficiency measures; and
``(B) at the election of any eligible entity that
receives a loan under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph, a grant in accordance with paragraph
(11).'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as
paragraphs (3) through (10), respectively, and
inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Prioritization.--The Secretary shall give priority to
applications from eligible entities serving at least 80 percent
of their ratepayers residing in rural areas, as defined in
section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)).'';
(D) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated by
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting
``for loans'' before the period; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking
``that is'';
(E) by striking paragraph (6) (as so redesignated
by subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) and inserting
the following:
``(6) Repayment.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B) of
this paragraph, with respect to a loan under paragraph
(1)(A)--
``(i) the term shall not exceed 20 years
from the date on which the loan is closed; and
``(ii) except as provided in paragraph (8),
the repayment of each advance shall be
amortized for a period not to exceed 10 years.
``(B) Extensions.--The Secretary may extend the
term of a loan under subparagraph (A)(i), or the
deadline for repayment of an advance under subparagraph
(A)(ii), as the Secretary determines appropriate.'';
(F) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated by
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``(1)'' and inserting ``(1)(A)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``Repayment'' and inserting ``Subject to an
applicable extension under paragraph (6)(B),
repayment'';
(G) by striking paragraph (9) (as so redesignated
by subparagraph (C) of this paragraph) and inserting
the following:
``(9) Limitations.--
``(A) Special advances.--All special advances shall
be made under a loan described in paragraph (1) during
the first 10 years of the term of the loan.
``(B) Replacement of manufactured housing units or
large appliances.--Not more than 10 percent of the
total annual amount of budget authority for loans
described in paragraph (1) may be used for the
replacement of manufactured housing units or large
appliances.''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) Grants.--
``(A) In general.--At the election of an eligible
entity that receives a loan under this subsection, the
Secretary may provide to the eligible entity a grant to
pay for a portion of the costs incurred in--
``(i) making repairs to the property of a
qualified consumer that facilitates the energy
efficiency measures for the property financed
through a loan provided to the qualified
consumer under subsection (d); or
``(ii) providing technical assistance,
outreach, and training.
``(B) Amount.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the amount of a grant provided to
an eligible entity under this paragraph shall
be equal to not more than 5 percent of the
amount of the loan provided to the eligible
entity under this subsection.
``(ii) Persistent poverty counties.--The
amount of a grant provided under this paragraph
to an eligible entity that will use the grant
to make loans under subsection (d) to qualified
consumers located in a persistent poverty
county (as determined by the Secretary) shall
be equal to 10 percent of the amount of the
loan provided to the eligible entity under this
subsection.'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or grant'' before
``funds''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C)
and inserting the following:
``(B)(i) may have a term and amortization schedule
the length of which is the useful life of the energy
efficiency measures implemented using the loan, if the
loan term does not exceed 20 years; and
``(ii) shall finance energy efficiency measures for
the purpose of decreasing energy usage or costs of the
qualified consumer by an amount that ensures, to the
maximum extent practicable, that the applicable loan
term described in clause (i) will not pose an undue
financial burden on the qualified consumer, as
determined by the eligible entity;
``(C) shall not be used to fund purchases of, or
modifications to, personal property unless the personal
property--
``(i) is a manufactured housing unit or
large appliance described in subsection
(b)(2)(B); or
``(ii) is or becomes attached to real
property as a fixture;''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Clarification of eligibility.--Notwithstanding any
other provision of law (including regulations), an eligible
entity may make a loan under this subsection to any qualified
consumer located within the service territory of the eligible
entity, regardless of whether the qualified consumer is located
in a rural area.'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting
``Outreach,'' before ``and Technical Assistance'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and
technical assistance of the program'' and
inserting ``outreach, and technical assistance
relating to the program under this section'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting
``, outreach,'' before ``and training''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Funding.--Not less than 3 but not more than 5 percent
of amounts appropriated under subsection (i) may be used to
provide outreach, training, and technical assistance under this
subsection.''; and
(5) in subsection (i), by striking ``2014 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6302. PROMOTING PRECISION AGRICULTURE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Advanced wireless communications technology.--The term
``advanced wireless communications technology'' means advanced
technology that contributes to mobile (5G or beyond) networks,
next-generation Wi-Fi networks, or other future networks using
other technologies, regardless of whether the network is
operating on an exclusive licensed, shared licensed, or
unlicensed frequency band.
(2) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial
intelligence'' has the meaning given the term in section 238(g)
of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232; 10 U.S.C. note prec.
4061).
(3) Foreign adversary.--The term ``foreign adversary''
means any foreign government or foreign nongovernment person
engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct
significantly adverse to the national security of the United
States, or security and safety of United States persons.
(4) Precision agriculture; precision agriculture
technology.--The terms ``precision agriculture'' and
``precision agriculture technology'' have the meanings given
the terms in section 1201 of the Food Security Act of 1985.
(5) Trusted.--The term ``trusted'' means, with respect to a
provider of advanced communications service or a supplier of
communications equipment or service, that the Secretary has
determined that the provider or supplier is not owned by,
controlled by, or subject to the influence of, a foreign
adversary.
(6) Voluntary consensus standards development
organization.--The term ``voluntary consensus standards
development organization'' means an organization that develops
standards in a process that meets the principles for the
development of voluntary consensus standards (as defined in the
document of the Office of Management and Budget entitled
``Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary
Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities''
(OMB Circular A-119)).
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to enhance the participation of precision agriculture
in the United States; and
(2) to promote United States leadership in voluntary
consensus standards development organizations that set
standards for precision agriculture.
(c) Interconnectivity Standards for Precision Agriculture.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
and the Federal Communications Commission, shall--
(A) develop voluntary, consensus-based, private
sector-led interconnectivity standards, guidelines, and
best practices for precision agriculture that will
promote economies of scale and ease the burden of the
adoption of precision agriculture; and
(B) in carrying out subparagraph (A)--
(i) coordinate with relevant public and
trusted private sector stakeholders and other
relevant industry organizations, including
voluntary consensus standards development
organizations; and
(ii) consult with sector-specific agencies,
other appropriate agencies, and State and local
governments.
(2) Considerations.--The Secretary, in carrying out
paragraph (1), shall, in consultation with the Federal
Communications Commission and the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, consider--
(A) the evolving demands of precision agriculture;
(B) the connectivity needs of precision agriculture
technology;
(C) the cybersecurity challenges facing precision
agriculture, including cybersecurity threats for
agriculture producers and agriculture supply chains;
(D) the impact of advanced wireless communications
technology on precision agriculture; and
(E) the impact of artificial intelligence on
precision agriculture.
(d) GAO Assessment of Precision Agriculture Standards.--
(1) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the Secretary
develops standards under subsection (c), and every 2 years
thereafter for the following 8 years, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall conduct a study that assesses those
standards, including the extent to which those standards, as
applicable--
(A) are voluntary;
(B) were developed in coordination with relevant
industry organizations, including voluntary consensus
standards development organizations; and
(C) have successfully encouraged the adoption of
precision agriculture.
(2) Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives, the Committee
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a report that summarizes the findings of each study conducted
under paragraph (1).
SEC. 6303. FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN GUARANTEED LOANS.
Section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1932) is amended by inserting after subsection (e) the
following:
``(f) Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resilience Guaranteed Loans.--
``(1) Definition of food supply chain guaranteed loan.--In
this subsection, the term `food supply chain guaranteed loan'
means a business and industry guaranteed loan that is made or
guaranteed by the Secretary under subsection (a)(2)(A),
including a guarantee described in subsection (a)(3).
``(2) Purpose.--A food supply chain guaranteed loan may be
made for the purpose of financing new investments in the start-
up or expansion of projects in the United States that will
increase the capacity of the food supply chain in the United
States to aggregate, process, manufacture, store, transport,
wholesale, or distribute food, agricultural products, or
agricultural inputs.
``(3) Limitations.--The maximum amount of a food supply
chain guaranteed loan shall not exceed $40,000,000.
``(4) Loan guarantees in nonrural areas.--The Secretary may
guarantee a food supply chain guaranteed loan to an eligible
entity for a facility that is not located in a rural area if--
``(A) the primary purpose of the loan guarantee is
for a facility to aggregate, process, manufacture,
store, transport, wholesale, or distribute food
agricultural products, or agricultural inputs for
agricultural producers or processors that are located
within 80 miles of the facility;
``(B) the applicant demonstrates to the Secretary
that the primary benefit of the loan guarantee will be
to provide employment for residents of a rural area;
and
``(C) the total principal amount of food supply
chain guaranteed loans guaranteed for a fiscal year
under this paragraph does not exceed 10 percent of the
total principal amount of food supply chain guaranteed
loans made for the fiscal year under subsection
(a)(2)(A).
``(5) Quarterly reports to congress.--Within 30 days after
the end of each calendar quarter, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report that contains--
``(A) an evaluation of the outcomes achieved
through use of the assistance, and the ability of the
recipient of the assistance to meet performance goals;
``(B) an evaluation of the compliance of the
recipient with the terms and conditions of the
assistance;
``(C) a determination as to whether the recipient
maintains adequate financial capacity to carry out the
activities for which the assistance is provided;
and
``(D) any recommendations of the Secretary
regarding the implementation of this subsection.
``(6) Reservation of funds.--
``(A) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2025
through 2029, the Secretary shall reserve not more than
5 percent of the funds made available to carry out
subsection (a) to carry out this subsection.
``(B) Availability of funds.--Funds reserved under
subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year shall be reserved
until April 1 of the fiscal year.''.
SEC. 6304. NEW, MOBILE, AND EXPANDED MEAT PROCESSING AND RENDERING
GRANTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a public, private, or cooperative organization
organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis, including
a small establishment and very small establishment;
(B) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 5304));
(C) a land-grant college or university (as defined
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3103));
(D) a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as
defined in that section); and
(E) a State department of agriculture or other
applicable State office with authority over meat and
poultry processing and rendering.
(2) Small establishment; very small establishment.--The
terms ``small establishment'' and ``very small establishment''
have the meanings given the terms ``smaller establishment'' and
``very small establishment'', respectively, in the final rule
entitled ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Systems'' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25,
1996)) (or successor regulations).
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to create more resilient local and regional food
systems;
(2) to expand, diversify, and increase resilience in meat
and poultry processing and rendering activities;
(3) to increase farmer and rancher access to animal
slaughter options;
(4) to improve compliance of processors with livestock and
poultry processing statutes (including regulations), including
the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and the
Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.);
(5) to reduce barriers to entry for new meat and poultry
processors and renderers;
(6) to establish new, or update, expand, or otherwise
improve existing, meat and poultry processing and rendering
facilities; and
(7) to support the processing and slaughtering of niche
production methods such as halal, kosher, and other specific
cultural methods.
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to
eligible entities to use in accordance with subsection (d).
(2) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount of a grant awarded
under paragraph (1) shall not exceed $500,000.
(3) Duration.--The term of a grant awarded under paragraph
(1) shall not exceed 3 years.
(4) Priority.--In awarding grants under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall give priority to small establishments and very
small establishments.
(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this
section shall use the grant to carry out activities in support of the
purposes described in subsection (b), including activities--
(1) to identify and analyze business opportunities,
including feasibility studies required for credit worthiness;
(2) to achieve compliance with applicable Federal, State,
or local regulations;
(3) to conduct regional, community, and local economic
development planning and coordination and leadership
development;
(4) to incentivize new, innovative, or mobile enterprises
for increasing or improving local and regional meat or poultry
processing and rendering;
(5) to implement humane handling infrastructure, including
holding space for livestock prior to slaughter, shade
structures, and structures and equipment for humane slaughter;
(6) to develop a feasibility study or business plan for, or
carry out any other activity associated with, establishing or
expanding a small meat or poultry slaughter, processing, or
rendering facility;
(7) to purchase equipment that enables the further use or
value-added sale of coproducts or byproducts; and
(8) to purchase cold storage and related equipment.
(e) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the activities carried out
using a grant awarded under this section shall not exceed--
(1) 90 percent in the case of a grant in the amount of
$100,000 or less; or
(2) 75 percent in the case of a grant in an amount greater
than $100,000.
(f) Quarterly Reports to Congress.--Within 30 days after the end of
each calendar quarter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
contains--
(1) an evaluation of the outcomes achieved through use of
the grant, and the ability of the grantee to meet performance
goals;
(2) an evaluation of the compliance of the grantee with the
terms and conditions of the grant;
(3) a determination as to whether the grant recipient
maintains adequate financial capacity to carry out the
activities for which the grant is provided; and
(4) any recommendations of the Secretary regarding the
implementation of this section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $3,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
SEC. 6305. EXPANDING CHILDCARE IN RURAL AMERICA INITIATIVE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Childcare.--
(A) In general.--The term ``childcare'' means any
program that--
(i) provides quality care and early
education for children who have not yet entered
first grade; and
(ii) is operated by--
(I) an eligible childcare provider
described in section 658P(6)(A) of the
Child Care and Development Block Grant
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n(6)(A)); or
(II) a childcare provider that, on
the date of enactment of this Act--
(aa) is licensed,
regulated, or registered in the
State, territory, or Indian
Tribe in which the provider is
located; and
(bb) meets applicable
State, Tribal, territorial, and
local health and safety
requirements.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``childcare'' includes--
(i) a school-based program described in
subparagraph (A);
(ii) a facility used for a program
described in subparagraph (A); and
(iii) a service provided under a program
described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Initiative.--The term ``Initiative'' means the
Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative established
under subsection (b).
(3) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' has the meaning
given the term in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish an initiative, to
be known as the ``Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative'',
under which the Secretary shall provide, for each of fiscal years 2027
through 2029, priority in accordance with subsection (c) to address the
availability, quality, and cost of childcare in rural areas.
(c) Childcare Priorities.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, in selecting recipients of loans and grants under a
program described in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall give
priority to any qualified applicant that proposes to use the
loan or grant to address the availability, quality, or cost of
childcare.
(2) Description of programs.--The programs referred to in
paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) The essential community facilities loan and
grant programs authorized under section 306(a) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1926(a)).
(B) The business and industry direct and guaranteed
loan program authorized under section 310B(g) of that
Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)).
(C) The rural microentrepreneur assistance program
authorized under section 379E of that Act (7 U.S.C.
2008s).
(D) The intermediary relending program authorized
under the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1936b).
(d) Requirements.--In providing funding in accordance with the
Initiative, the Secretary shall ensure a balanced geographical
distribution of the benefits under the Initiative.
(e) Evaluation; Report.--
(1) Evaluation.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a
comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the
projects carried out using assistance provided under the
Initiative, including--
(A) a description of--
(i) the types of projects carried out;
(ii) the communities in which the projects
are carried out;
(iii) the organizations and entities
participating in the projects; and
(iv) the types of partnerships developed to
carry out the projects; and
(B) the economic and social impacts of the
investments in the projects.
(2) Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a report describing the evaluation conducted
under paragraph (1), including a thorough analysis of the
outcomes of the evaluation.
SEC. 6306. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR GEOGRAPHICALLY UNDERSERVED AND
DISTRESSED AREAS.
(a) In General.--Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall directly, or through cooperative
agreements, provide technical assistance and strengthen local capacity
to improve access to rural development programs administered by the
Secretary for local partners (including local governments,
cooperatives, businesses, and community anchor institutions) in
geographically underserved and distressed areas.
(b) Reports.--Beginning 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall annually publish, make available to
the public, and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report on how the provision of technical
assistance under subsection (a) has affected geographically underserved
and distressed areas in the year covered by the report.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Geographically underserved and distressed area.--The
term ``geographically underserved and distressed area'' means a
rural area (as defined in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(A)))--
(A) in a socially vulnerable community (as
determined by the Secretary);
(B) in a persistent poverty county (as determined
by the Secretary);
(C) in an economically distressed area (as
determined by the Secretary); or
(D) in a colonia.
(2) Community anchor institution.--The term ``community
anchor institution'' means--
(A) a public library;
(B) an elementary or secondary school;
(C) an institution of higher education;
(D) a health care facility; or
(E) any other nonprofit or governmental community
support organization.
SEC. 6307. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION CENTER.
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1981- 2008w) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 379J. RURAL DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION CENTER.
``(a) Definition of Rural Development Mission Areas.--In this
section, the term `Rural Development Mission Areas' means the agencies
under the Rural Development Agency at the Department of Agriculture,
including the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, and the Rural Housing Service.
``(b) Establishment.--There is hereby established within the Rural
Development Mission Areas a Rural Development Innovation Center (the
`Innovation Center') to promote and facilitate innovation in the
administration and implementation of rural development programs and
initiatives.
``(c) Functions.--The Innovation Center shall--
``(1) review all processes for Rural Development Mission
Area programs to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and
barriers to access, including--
``(A) unnecessary delays in loan and grant
applications processing and approvals;
``(B) high application costs; and
``(C) deficiencies in technical assistance for
programs;
``(2) establish and maintain an ongoing public process for
public and private stakeholders to provide perspectives on the
challenges faced when applying for, utilizing, or participating
in Rural Development Mission Area programs;
``(3) identify and assess any innovative strategies and
collaborative models to enhance the efficiency and
effectiveness of rural development programs and initiatives;
``(4) foster and maintain partnerships with public and
private stakeholders to leverage expertise and resources for
the Rural Development Mission Areas;
``(5) promote cross-agency collaborations and identify best
practices in rural economic development;
``(6) identify and implement technological solutions and
software applications to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of Rural Development Mission Area programs,
including enhancing data management systems;
``(7) conduct research, analysis, and evaluation to
modernize, simplify, and improve Rural Development Mission Area
programs, and ensure that the programs are accessible,
transparent, and user-friendly; and
``(8) disseminate information, guidance, and training
materials to Rural Development Mission Area personnel and
stakeholders on innovative rural development practices and
opportunities.
``(d) Modernization Plan.--The Innovation Center shall develop, and
periodically update, a modernization plan to facilitate innovation in
administering and implementing rural development programs and
initiatives that--
``(1) outlines strategies aimed at harnessing the potential
of emerging technologies for program delivery and overall
service;
``(2) enhances program efficiencies by identifying and
implementing measures to streamline program and administrative
processes, reduce redundancies, and optimize resource
allocation;
``(3) expands the availability and accessibility of digital
services, leveraging digital platforms and tools to broaden the
reach of the programs and improve the overall user experience
for rural stakeholders;
``(4) integrates data-driven solutions to optimize program
delivery and maximize impact and effectiveness of the efforts
in rural development; and
``(5) establishes periodic milestones and goals to track
the progress of the modernization plan.
``(e) Report.--The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate on--
``(1) the activities and accomplishments of the Innovation
Center, including progress in advancing rural development
innovation and the outcome achieved;
``(2) a comprehensive working plan designed to actively
engage public and private stakeholders, as described in
subsection (c)(2); and
``(3) the progress on the modernization plan described in
subsection (d).''.
SEC. 6308. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON REPORT.
Section 236 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6946) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) coordinate with the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture in implementation of the Farm and Ranch Stress
Assistance Network provided for in section 7522 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Report.--The Rural Health Liaison shall submit an annual
report to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
outlining the activities conducted under subsection (b).''.
Subtitle D--Additional Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act
SEC. 6401. WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND WASTEWATER FACILITY GRANTS.
Section 306(a)(2)(B)(vii) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B)(vii)) is amended by striking
``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6402. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.
Section 306(a)(22) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)) is amended to read as follows:
``(22) Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Secretary, through the
Rural Utilities Service, shall continue a national
rural water and wastewater circuit rider program that
is consistent with the activities and results of the
program conducted before the date of enactment of this
Act, and with this section, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(B) Purpose.--The Rural Water and Wastewater
Circuit Rider Program shall provide a network of expert
rural water Circuit Riders located in all 50 States,
including United States territories and Freely
Associated States, which work one-on-one with eligible
rural water and wastewater systems in major assistance
categories described in subparagraph (D). The program
is intended to help rural water systems operate
effectively and efficiently and achieve long-term
sustainability and compliance with certain Federal laws
and requirements, including the Safe Water Drinking Act
(42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) and the Clean Water Act (33
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).
``(C) Eligible entities.--In selecting recipients
of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to be
made available for activities listed under subparagraph
(D), the Secretary shall select nonprofit organizations
that have demonstrated experience providing technical
assistance and disaster and recovery assistance for
water and wastewater utilities nationwide. Awardees
shall rely on personnel that possess active water and
wastewater operators' licenses or overall knowledge of
water utilities necessary to carry out eligible
activities under subparagraph (D).
``(D) Eligible uses of funds.--An eligible entity
shall use funds under the Rural Water and Wastewater
Circuit Rider program for a rural water, wastewater, or
wastewater disposal facility for--
``(i) technical assistance, including--
``(I) Board training;
``(II) managerial and financial
operations with the effort to enhance
the long-term sustainability of rural
water and wastewater systems, including
partnerships, consolidation, and
regionalization;
``(III) physical operation and
maintenance of rural water and
wastewater infrastructure;
``(IV) water treatment;
``(V) regulatory compliance;
``(VI) facility security;
``(VII) loan application and
reporting;
``(VIII) cybersecurity;
``(IX) implementation of
cybersecurity plans, procedures, and
technologies to protect against
cyberthreats; or
``(X) other areas the Secretary
deems appropriate;
``(ii) disaster and recovery assistance
including--
``(I) direct on-site personnel and
equipment to eligible utilities;
``(II) coordinating in statewide
emergency response networks;
``(III) facilitating the
development of action plans between
utilities, local governments, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and
the State emergency management
agencies;
``(IV) resiliency and mitigation
planning;
``(V) GIS mapping;
``(VI) updating vulnerability
assessments, preparation of emergency
response plans, communication
protocols, hazard recognition and
evaluation skills;
``(VII) conducting preliminary
damage assessments of critical
infrastructure;
``(VIII) addressing outstanding
deficiencies focused on resolving
health-based regulatory, operational,
financial, and managerial deficiencies
that impact the sustainability of the
affected utilities;
``(IX) application and reporting
assistance for Federal and State
requirements including Federal
Emergency Management Agency and
insurance recovery claims;
``(X) providing for disaster
readiness, support, and response
activities targeted to disadvantaged
communities that lack the financial
resources and human capital necessary
to adequately address significant
health, safety, or sanitary concerns;
and
``(XI) other areas the Secretary
deems appropriate.
``(iii) Additional uses.--In response to
activities under subparagraph (B) related to
natural disasters and emergencies, not more
than 5 percent of each award may be used to
purchase or reimburse the rental costs of
appropriate emergency equipment, as determined
by the Secretary.
``(E) Eligible project areas.--To receive
assistance under the Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit
Rider Program and carry out activities, an eligible
entity must serve--
``(i) an area with a population of--
``(I) 10,000 or fewer inhabitants
for technical assistance under
subparagraph (D)(i); or
``(II) 50,000 or fewer inhabitants
for disaster and recovery assistance
under subparagraph (D)(ii); and
``(ii) a public body, non-profit
corporation, or Indian tribe with legal
authority to own and operate the water
facility.
``(F) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
paragraph $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 through
fiscal year 2031.''.
SEC. 6403. ZERO AND LOW INTEREST LOANS FOR DISTRESSED WATER SYSTEMS.
Section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (22) the
following:
``(23) Assistance for distressed water systems.--
``(A) To promote the long-term sustainability and
financial viability of eligible rural community waste
disposal and water facilities as described in
subparagraph (B), for any entity described in
subparagraph (C), the Secretary may--
``(i) make a zero percent interest loan or
a 1 percent interest loan pursuant to paragraph
(1);
``(ii) forgive the principal or interest,
or modify any term or condition of a new or
existing loan made pursuant to paragraph (1);
``(iii) refinance all or part of any other
loan made for an eligible purpose under
paragraph (1) of this subsection or section
306C; or
``(iv) waive any fee required to insure or
guarantee a loan pursuant to paragraph (1) or
(24).
``(B) To promote the long-term sustainability and
financial viability of the services provided by
eligible entities, the Secretary shall--
``(i) provide assistance to an eligible
entity for the purpose of--
``(I) ensuring the entity has
necessary resources to maintain public
health, safety, or order;
``(II) addressing financial
hardships of the eligible entity, its
customers, and the community it serves;
``(III) improving the financial
stability of the eligible entity,
including changes to--
``(aa) operational
practices;
``(bb) revenue
enhancements;
``(cc) policy revisions;
and
``(dd) contract services;
and
``(IV) supporting a partnership,
regionalization, or consolidation of
the entity with another water system;
and
``(ii) require an applicant to--
``(I) receive financial planning
assistance and prepare a long-term
financial plan; or
``(II) partner, regionalize, or
consolidate with another water system.
``(C) An entity shall be eligible for assistance
under this paragraph if the entity--
``(i) is a rural water, wastewater, or
wastewater disposal system with respect to
which assistance may be provided under a water
or wastewater, or waste disposal program under
this subsection or section 306A, 306C, or 306D,
and
``(ii) is--
``(I) located in a socially
disadvantaged community, a persistent
poverty county, colonia, or distressed
tribal area, as determined by the
Secretary; or
``(II) facing an economic hardship
as defined by the Secretary.
``(D) An entity eligible under paragraph (1) or (2)
of subsection (a) may designate a water and wastewater
utility provider to apply for a loan under this
paragraph and carry out the loan application on behalf
of the eligible entity.
``(E)(i) The Secretary shall evaluate such a loan
application on the basis of the needs of the eligible
entity and the beneficiaries of the eligible entity
rather than the needs of the applicant water and
wastewater utility provider.
``(ii) A water and wastewater utility provider to
whom a loan is made under this paragraph on the basis
of an application submitted on behalf of an eligible
entity may use the loan only for the benefit of the
residents of the eligible area for which the loan is
provided.''.
SEC. 6404. TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY
FACILITIES.
Section 306(a)(25)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25)(C)) is amended by striking ``2008
through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6405. EMERGENCY AND IMMINENT COMMUNITY WATER ASSISTANCE GRANT
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 306A(i)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a(i)(2)) is amended by striking
``2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6406. WATER SYSTEMS FOR RURAL AND NATIVE VILLAGES IN ALASKA.
Section 306D(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``2008 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6407. RURAL DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS.
Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 1926e) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 306E. RURAL DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual'
means an individual who is a member of a household the members
of which have a combined income (for the most recent 12-month
period for which the information is available) that is not more
than 80 percent of the median nonmetropolitan household income
for the State or territory in which the individual resides,
according to the most recent decennial census of the United
States.
``(2) Eligible grant recipient.--The term `eligible grant
recipient' means a private nonprofit organization that uses a
grant provided under this section for the purposes described in
subsection (b)(1).
``(3) Qualified water quality testing.--The term `qualified
water quality testing' means a baseline analysis of the
bacterial and chemical characteristics of concern from a
drinking water sample collected at the point of consumption and
tested by a laboratory certified to conduct water quality
testing that is provided to--
``(A) the Secretary; and
``(B) the eligible grant recipient receiving a
grant under this section and any eligible individual
served by the eligible grant recipient.
``(b) Grants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants to an
eligible grant recipient for the purpose of--
``(A) providing loans and subgrants to eligible
individuals for--
``(i) the construction, refurbishing, and
servicing of individual household water well
systems and individually owned household
decentralized wastewater systems in rural areas
that are or will be owned by the eligible
individuals; or
``(ii) in the event of ground well water
contamination, the installation or replacement
of water treatment, where needed as determined
by a qualified water quality test or other
third party documentation to the satisfaction
of the Secretary;
``(B) performing qualified water quality testing of
individual household water well systems and
individually utilized household decentralized
wastewater systems in rural areas that are or will be
utilized by the eligible individuals; or
``(C) providing technical assistance to eligible
individuals for--
``(i) the installation or replacement of
individual household water well systems and
individually owned household decentralized
wastewater systems in rural areas that are or
will be owned by the eligible individuals;
``(ii) interpreting qualified water quality
tests; or
``(iii) addressing ground well water
contamination.
``(2) Terms and amounts for loans and subgrants.--
``(A) Terms of loans.--A loan made with grant funds
under this section--
``(i) shall have an interest rate of 1
percent; and
``(ii) shall have a term not to exceed 20
years.
``(B) Amounts.--A loan or subgrant made with grant
funds under this section shall not exceed $20,000 for
each water well system or decentralized wastewater
system described in paragraph (1).
``(3) Administrative expenses.--A recipient of a grant made
under this section may use grant funds to pay administrative
expenses associated with providing the assistance described in
paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary.
``(4) Water treatment standards.--Water treatment provided
under this section shall--
``(A) incorporate components that are third-party
certified as compliant with relevant consensus-based
standards for drinking water treatment units or
systems, as determined by the Secretary; and
``(B) be installed, according to the instructions
of the manufacturer, by a qualified, certified, or
licensed water treatment professional, including a
professional credentialed through a manufacturer or
third-party.
``(c) Priority in Awarding Grants.--In awarding grants under this
section, the Secretary shall give priority to an applicant that has
substantial expertise and experience in promoting the safe and
effective use of individually owned household water well systems,
individually owned household decentralized wastewater systems, and
ground water.
``(d) Limitation.--An eligible grant recipient cannot use more than
10 percent of a grant awarded under this section for the activities
described under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subsection (b)(1).
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
SEC. 6408. ASSISTANCE TO RURAL ENTITIES.
Section 310B(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Precision agriculture; precision agriculture
technology.--The terms `precision agriculture' and
`precision agriculture technology' have the meanings
given those terms in section 1201 of the Food Security
Act of 1985.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(C);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (D) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) expanding the adoption of precision
agriculture practices, including by financing the
acquisition of precision agriculture technology, in
order to promote best practices, reduce costs, and
improve the environment.''.
SEC. 6409. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS.
Section 310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``governments and related
agencies'' and inserting ``governments, related agencies, and
Indian tribes''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2014 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6410. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
Section 310B(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``2014
through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6411. RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.
Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Cooperative development.--The term
`cooperative development' means activities including
education, training, and technical assistance, to
support the start-up, expansion, or ongoing
sustainability of new and existing cooperatives.'';
(2) in paragraph (5)--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``underserved
and economically distressed areas in rural areas of the
United States'' and inserting ``socially vulnerable,
underserved, or distressed communities''; and
(B) in subparagraph (F)--
(i) by inserting ``at least'' before ``a 25
percent''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, and all applications
that satisfy this subparagraph shall be given
the same priority for the scoring criterion
based on satisfying this subparagraph'' before
the period;
(3) in paragraph (6), by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) Award renewals for qualified non-profit
institutions.--The Secretary shall award a grant under
this subsection to a non-profit institution on the same
terms and for the establishment or operation of the
same center or centers for cooperative development for
which the non-profit institution was awarded a grant in
the current fiscal year, if the non-profit
institution--
``(i) is a recipient of an award under this
subsection;
``(ii) requests a renewal under this
subparagraph;
``(iii) has submitted a complete
application under this subsection in the
preceding 2 fiscal years; and
``(iv) has operated the center or centers
for cooperative development in a manner which
successfully meets the parameters described in
paragraph (5), as determined by the
Secretary.'';
(4) in paragraph (10), by adding at the end the following:
``The Secretary shall analyze the data resulting from the
research, and include the data and the analysis in the annual
report submitted by the interagency working group under
paragraph (12).'';
(5) in paragraph (12), by adding at the end the following:
``Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this sentence and annually thereafter, the interagency working
group shall submit to the Congress a report describing the
activities carried out by the working group.''; and
(6) in paragraph (13), by striking ``2014 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6412. LENDER FEES IN GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 333 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1983) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a) In General.--'' before ``In
connection'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (6)(E), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period;
(4) by striking paragraph (7); and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Fees.--
``(1) Initial guarantee fee.--The Secretary may assess an
initial guarantee fee for any insured or guaranteed loan issued
or modified under section 306(a) in an amount that does not
exceed 3 percent of the guaranteed principal portion of the
loan.
``(2) Periodic retention fee.--The Secretary may assess a
periodic retention fee for any insured or guaranteed loan or
modified under section 306(a) in an amount that does not exceed
0.75 percent of the outstanding principal of the guaranteed
loan.
``(3) Disclosure.--In altering any fee charged for any
insured or guaranteed loan issued or modified under section
306(a), the Secretary, not less than 30 days in advance of any
fee change, shall provide a public disclosure, of the financial
data, economic and behavioral assumptions, calculations, and
other factors used to determine the new fee rates.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 310B(g)(5) of such Act (7 U.S.C.
1932(g)(5)) is amended to read as follows:
``(5) Fees.--
``(A) Initial guarantee fee.--The Secretary may
assess an initial guarantee fee for any guaranteed
business and industry loan in an amount that does not
exceed 3 percent of the guaranteed principal portion of
the loan.
``(B) Periodic retention fee.--The Secretary may
assess a periodic retention fee for any guaranteed
business and industry loan in an amount that does not
exceed 0.75 percent of the outstanding principal of the
guaranteed loan.
``(C) Disclosure.--In altering any fee charged for
any guaranteed business and industry loan, the
Secretary, not less than 30 days in advance of any fee
change, shall provide a public disclosure, of the
financial data, economic and behavioral assumptions,
calculations, and other factors used to determine the
new fee rates.''.
SEC. 6413. LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL FOOD PRODUCTS.
Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I)) is amended by striking
``2008 through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6414. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS PROGRAM.
Section 310B(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(i)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(C);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (D) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) provides training opportunities and resources
for veterans (as defined in section 101(2) of title 38,
United States Code) who actively are or are seeking to
become agricultural producers, which shall be known as
the `Armed to Farm Initiative'.''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``2008 through 2023.''
and inserting the following: ``2027 through 2031, of which--
``(A) $3,500,000 shall be made available for each
fiscal year for activities described in subparagraphs
(A) through (D) of paragraph (2); and
``(B) $1,500,000 shall be available for each fiscal
year for activities described in paragraph (2)(E).''.
SEC. 6415. RURAL ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP ZONES.
Section 310B(j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1932(j)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 6416. INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM.
Section 310H(i) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1936b(i)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6417. RURAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 342 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1990a) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Assistance'' and inserting the following:
``(a) Refinancing of Certain Rural Health Care Facility Debt.--
``(1) In general.--Assistance'';
(2) by striking ``rural hospital'' and inserting ``an
eligible health care facility'';
(3) by striking ``a community'' and inserting ``an area'';
(4) by striking ``hospital,'' and inserting ``eligible
health care facility,''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Requirements.--To promote the long-term
sustainability and financial viability of an eligible health
care facility, the Secretary shall--
``(A) provide assistance to an eligible health care
facility for the purpose of--
``(i) ensuring the facility has necessary
resources to maintain public health, safety, or
order;
``(ii) addressing financial hardships of
the facility, its patients, and the area it
serves; and
``(iii) identifying the financial stability
of the facility, including--
``(I) operational practices;
``(II) revenue enhancements;
``(III) policy revisions;
``(IV) partnerships,
regionalization, or consolidation of
rural health systems; and
``(V) contract services; and
``(B) require an applicant to--
``(i) receive financial planning
assistance; and
``(ii) prepare a long-term financial plan.
``(3) Waiver.--In the case of an application for
refinancing pursuant to this section, the Secretary may waive
the requirement of section 302(a)(1)(D) if the eligible health
care facility is insolvent.
``(b) Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance Program.--
``(1) In general.--In lieu of any other authority under
which the Secretary may provide technical assistance to any
eligible health care facility, the Secretary shall establish,
and maintain, directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement, a Rural Health Care Facility Technical Assistance
Program (in this section referred to as the `Program') to
provide technical assistance and training, tailored to the
capacity and needs of each eligible health care facility, to
help eligible health care facilities in rural areas--
``(A) identify development needs for maintaining
essential health care services, and support action
plans for operational and quality improvement projects
to meet the development needs;
``(B) better manage their financial and business
strategies, including providing financial planning
assistance and preparing long-term financial plans; and
``(C) identify, and apply for assistance from, loan
and grant programs of the Department of Agriculture for
which the facilities are eligible.
``(2) Goals.--The goals of the Program shall be to--
``(A) improve the long-term financial position and
operational efficiency of the eligible health care
facilities;
``(B) prevent the closure of eligible health care
facilities;
``(C) strengthen the delivery of health care in
rural areas;
``(D) help eligible health care facilities better
access and compete for loans and grants from programs
administered by the Department of Agriculture; and
``(E) continue the activities of the Rural Hospital
Technical Assistance Program in effect as of the date
of the enactment of this subsection.
``(3) Program participation.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall engage in
outreach and engagement strategies to encourage
eligible health care facilities to participate in the
Program.
``(B) Eligible health care facility selection.--In
selecting eligible health care facilities to
participate in the Program, the Secretary shall give
priority to borrowers and grantees of the Rural Housing
Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural
Utilities Service. The Secretary may also consider--
``(i) the age and physical state of the
health care facility involved;
``(ii) the financial vulnerability of the
eligible health care facility, and the ability
of the eligible health care facility to meet
debt obligations;
``(iii) the electronic health record
implementation needs of the health care
facility;
``(iv) whether the eligible health care
facility is located in a health professional
shortage area or a medically underserved area;
``(v) whether the eligible health care
facility serves a medically underserved
population; and
``(vi) such other criteria and priorities
as are determined by the Secretary of
Agriculture.
``(C) Reporting requirements.--Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this section,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a written report
describing the progress and results of the program
conducted under this section, which should include--
``(i) a brief description of each project
to provide technical assistance to an eligible
health care facility under this section,
including--
``(I) the name and location of the
facility;
``(II) a description of the
assistance provided;
``(III) a description of the
outcomes for completed projects;
``(IV) the cost of the technical
assistance; and
``(V) any other information the
Secretary deems appropriate;
``(ii) a summary of the technical
assistance projects completed;
``(iii) a summary of the outcomes of the
technical assistance projects;
``(iv) an assessment of the effectiveness
of the Program; and
``(v) recommendations for improving the
Program.
``(D) Limitations on authorization of
appropriations.--To carry out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary not more
than $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031.
``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Rural area.--The term `rural area' has the meaning
given the term in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)).
``(2) Development needs.--The term `development needs'
includes--
``(A) constructing, expanding, renovating or
otherwise modernizing health care facilities;
``(B) increasing telehealth capabilities;
``(C) acquiring or upgrading health care
information systems such as electronic health records;
``(D) providing financial planning assistance and
preparing long-term financial plan; and
``(E) such other needs as the Secretary deems
critical to maintaining health care services in the
community in which an eligible health care facility is
located.
``(3) Eligible health care facility.--The term `eligible
health care facility' means a facility that is located in a
rural area and is--
``(A) a hospital (as defined in section 1861(e) of
the Social Security Act;
``(B) a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section
1861(f) of such Act);
``(C) a long-term care hospital (as defined in
section 1861(ccc) of such Act);
``(D) a critical access hospital (as defined in
section 1861(mm)(1) of such Act);
``(E) a rural health clinic (as defined in section
1861(aa)(2) of such Act);
``(F) a religious nonmedical health care
institution (as defined in section 1861(ss)(1) of such
Act);
``(G) a sole community hospital (as defined in
section 1886(d)(5)(C)(iii) of such Act);
``(H) a rural emergency hospital (as defined in
section 1861(kkk)(2) of such Act);
``(I) a home health agency (as defined in section
1861(o) of such Act); or
``(J) a community health center (as defined in
section 330 of the Public Health Service Act).
``(4) Health professional shortage area.--The term `health
professional shortage area' has the meaning given the term in
section 332(a)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act.
``(5) Medically underserved area.--The term `medically
underserved area' has the meaning given the term in section
330I(a)(5) of the Public Health Service Act.
``(6) Medically underserved population.--The term
`medically underserved population' has the meaning given the
term in section 330(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the completion of a rulemaking carrying out such
amendments.
SEC. 6418. ELIMINATION OF PROHIBITION ON USE OF LOAN FOR CERTAIN
PURPOSES.
Section 363 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2006e) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 363. PROHIBITION ON USE OF LOAN OR GRANT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall not approve any loan or
grant under this title to drain, dredge, fill, or level, or otherwise
manipulate a wetland (as defined in section 1201(a)(16) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(16))), or to engage in any
activity that results in impairing or reducing the flow, circulation,
or reach of water, except in the case of activity related to the
maintenance of previously converted wetlands, or in the case of such
activity that commenced before November 29, 1990.
``(b) Exclusions.--
``(1) Utilities lines.--This section shall not apply to a
loan made or guaranteed under this title for a utility line.
``(2) Permitted activities and projects.--This section
shall not apply to a rural development loan made or guaranteed
under section 306 or 306C of this Act for an activity or
project for which the applicant or borrower has obtained or is
required to obtain a permit from the Secretary of the Army,
acting through the Chief of Engineers, under section 10 of the
Act of March 3, 1899 (33 U.S.C. 403; 30 Stat. 1151, chapter
425), or section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1344).''.
SEC. 6419. RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.
Section 368(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008c(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6420. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP.
Section 378 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2008m) is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ``2008 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 6421. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS.
Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6422. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2008s) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ``$50,000'' and
inserting ``$75,000'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(A), by striking ``shall not exceed
75 percent'' and inserting ``may be up to 100 percent, and a
loan under this section for a project may be used to cover not
more than 50 percent of any renovation, construction, or
related costs of real estate improvements under the project'';
and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6423. HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
Section 379G(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 2008u(e)) is amended by striking ``2008 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6424. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
Section 379H(d)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008v(d)(4)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6425. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 379I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2008w) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(i) in clause (iii)--
(I) by striking subclause (I) and
inserting the following:
``(I) an institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101,
and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
section 102(a)(1), of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001,
1002(a)(1)));'';
(II) by redesignating subclauses
(II) and (III) as subclauses (III) and
(IV), respectively, and inserting after
subclause (I) the following:
``(II) an area career and technical
education school (as defined in section
3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
U.S.C. 2302);''; and
(III) in subclause (IV) (as so
redesignated by subclause (II) of this
clause), by striking ``and'';
(ii) in clause (iv)--
(I) by striking subclause (IV) and
inserting the following:
``(IV) an institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101,
and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
section 102(a)(1), of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001,
1002(a)(1)));''; and
(II) by redesignating subclause (V)
as subclause (VI) and inserting after
subclause (IV) the following:
``(V) an area career and technical
education school (as defined in section
3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006 (20
U.S.C. 2302); or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) in the case of a career pathway
program, includes 1 or more members of the
local workforce development board established
under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act and serving the region to
ensure the program is integrated with the
activities carried out by the local workforce
development board; and''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Career pathway.--The term `career pathway' has the
meaning given the term in section 3(7) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102(7)).
``(7) Industry or sector partnership.--The term `industry
or sector partnership' has the meaning given the term in
section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29
U.S.C. 3102).'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or carry out career pathway
training programs or industry or sector
partnerships aligned with industry sectors in
rural communities'' before ``, including'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' after the semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period and inserting a semicolon; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) address workforce challenges, including
worker displacement, faced by specific industry sectors
in rural communities; and
``(D) promote targeted skills development and
training initiatives to stimulate innovation and
enhance economic development in rural regions.'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in clause (i), by inserting ``,
career pathway programs, or industry or
sector partnerships'' before the
semicolon; and
(II) in clause (ii)--
(aa) by inserting ``,
career pathway programs, or
industry or sector
partnerships'' before ``to
provide''; and
(bb) by inserting
``leadership development,''
before ``customized training'';
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the ability of the eligible entity to carry
out activities to address the issues of worker
displacement, an aging workforce, and youth
migration.''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following:
``(5) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure
regional diversity of recipients of grants or participants in
providing grants under paragraph (1) for jobs accelerators,
career pathway programs, and related programming.'';
(3) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B)(xi), by striking the period
and inserting ``; and''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) to support career pathway programs or
industry or sector partnerships to be carried out
within industries in rural communities, including--
``(i) telecommunications or broadband
services;
``(ii) water, waste water, or disposal
services;
``(iii) electric supply services;
``(iv) forestry and logging operations;
``(v) conservation practices and
management;
``(vi) health care and child care;
``(vii) manufacturing;
``(viii) agribusiness related to
production, processing, and distribution;
``(ix) veterinarian services; and
``(x) any other sectors identified by the
local workforce development board serving the
region to be an in-demand industry sector or
occupation, as defined in section 3 of the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(i) in clause (xvii), by striking ``or'';
(ii) by redesignating clause (xviii) as
clause (xix) and inserting after clause (xvii)
the following:
``(xviii) the number of individuals who
have completed skills development, recognized
postsecondary credentials, or gained
specialized education through career pathways
programs or industry or sector partnerships;
or''; and
(iii) in clause (xix) (as so redesignated
by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph), by
striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) in the case of a career pathway program or industry
or sector partnership, report to the Secretary the employment
and earnings outcomes for individuals who participate in the
program on the indicators described in subclauses (I) through
(III) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act.''; and
(5) in subsection (f), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6426. LIMITATION ON RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES CONTROLLED
BY FARM CREDIT SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.
Section 384J(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 2009cc-9(c)) is amended by striking ``50'' and inserting
``75''.
SEC. 6427. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM.
Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2009cc-18) is amended by striking ``2014 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6428. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
Each of the following provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act are amended by striking ``urbanized'' and inserting
``urban'':
(1) Section 343(a)(13)(A)(ii) (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(A)(ii)).
(2) Section 343(a)(13)(D)(i)(I) (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(D)(i)(I)), in the matter preceding item (aa).
(3) Section 343(a)(13)(D)(i)(I)(bb) (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(D)(i)(I)(bb)).
(4) Section 343(a)(13)(D)(i)(II) (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(D)(i)(II)).
(5) Section 343(a)(13)(E) (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(E)).
(6) Section 343(a)(13)(F)(i)(II) (7 U.S.C.
1991(a)(13)(F)(i)(II)).
(7) Section 384I(c)(4)(C) (7 U.S.C. 2009cc-8(c)(4)(C)).
SEC. 6429. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING
PROGRAMS.
Section 306(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``technical assistance and training
to--'' and inserting ``for--'';
(B) in clause (v), by striking the period and
inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by redesignating clauses (i) through (v) as
subclauses (I) through (V), respectively, and moving
each such provision 2 ems to the right; and
(D) by inserting before the matter so redesignated
the following:
``(i) technical assistance and training
to--''; and
(E) by adding after and below the end the
following:
``(ii) disaster and recovery assistance.'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or disaster and
recovery assistance'' before ``described''.
Subtitle E--Additional Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of
1936
SEC. 6501. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED FOR UTILITY
INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES.
Section 313A(f) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
940c-1(f)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 6502. EXTENSION OF THE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN AND GRANT
PROGRAM.
Section 313B of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
940c-2) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Repayments.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of zero interest loans, the
Secretary shall establish such reasonable repayment terms as
will encourage borrower participation.
``(2) Letters of credit.--The Secretary shall not require a
letter of credit or other similar guarantee from a recipient of
a zero-interest loan under this section if the borrower assigns
the Secretary a security interest in any collateral provided to
secure a loan made with funds loaned under this section, or
makes other similar arrangements to the satisfaction of the
Secretary.''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 6503. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS.
Section 315(d) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
940e(d)) is amended by striking ``2008 through 2023'' and inserting
``2027 through 2031''.
TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS
Subtitle A--National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching
Policy Act of 1977
SEC. 7101. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND
ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.
Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``15'' and
inserting ``16'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the
following:
``(E) 1 member representing the industry, consumer,
or rural interests of insular areas.''; and
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``7'' and
inserting ``3''; and
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 7102. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE.
Section 1408A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Not later
than'' and all that follows through ``initial members
of'' and inserting ``The Secretary shall continue to
implement, and appoint the members of''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (C), by adding a period
at the end; and
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``executive
committee'' and inserting ``Secretary''.
SEC. 7103. VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN REPAYMENT.
Section 1415A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151a) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Determination of Veterinarian Shortage Situations.--In
determining `veterinarian shortage situations', the Secretary--
``(1) may consider--
``(A) geographical areas that the Secretary
determines have a shortage of veterinarians;
``(B) areas of veterinary practice that the
Secretary determines have a shortage of veterinarians,
such as food animal medicine, public health,
epidemiology, and food safety; and
``(C) areas described in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
identified by appropriate State agencies; and
``(2) shall--
``(A) develop quantitative mechanisms for
predicting the emergence of new veterinarian shortage
situations in the short-term and long-term; and
``(B) make available to State agencies described in
paragraph (1)(C) the quantitative mechanisms developed
under subparagraph (A).''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
``(9) Eligibility.--The Secretary shall not make a
veterinarian ineligible for the program under this section
based on a veterinarian's participation in a comparable
Federal, State, or local program.
``(10) Application process.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of the enactment of the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026, the Secretary shall establish streamlined
application procedures and guidelines for entering into
agreements with veterinarians under this section.''.
SEC. 7104. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 1415B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)(i), by striking ``, as
defined in'' and all that follows through ``1991(a))'';
and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' has the meaning
given such term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) expand, retain, or attract additional
veterinary practices in rural areas;'';
(3) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Application process.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026 the Secretary shall establish a streamlined application
process.''; and
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``To
Relieve Veterinarian Shortage Situations and Support
Veterinary Services''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``situations and support'' and
inserting ``situations, to expand, retain, or
attract additional veterinary practices in
rural areas, and to support''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) To cover expenses associated with starting a
new veterinary practice or attracting new veterinarians
to existing practices, including--
``(i) relocation expenses;
``(ii) the purchase of necessary startup
equipment; and
``(iii) housing or living stipends for
veterinary students, veterinary interns,
externs, fellows, and residents, and veterinary
technician students.''.
SEC. 7105. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SCIENCES
EDUCATION.
Section 1417(m)(2) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(m)(2)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7106. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.
Section 1419A(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(e)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7107. EDUCATION GRANTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SERVING INSTITUTIONS AND
NATIVE HAWAIIAN SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3156) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following: ``The term of such grants may be for a
period of more than 1 year, but not more than 5
years.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following: ``The term of such grants may be for a
period of more than 1 year, but not more than 5
years.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7108. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Section 1425(g) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(g)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7109. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
Section 1433 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3195) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Carryover.--The balance of any annual funds provided
to an eligible institution for a fiscal year under this
subsection that remains unexpended at the end of that fiscal
year may be carried over for use during the following fiscal
year.''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7110. EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.
(a) Extension.--Section 1444(a)(2) of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3221(a)(2)) is amended by striking ``20 percent'' and inserting ``40
percent''.
(b) Research.--Section 1445 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``30 percent'' and
inserting ``40 percent'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``the research
director'' each place it appears and inserting ``the
agricultural research director''; and
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``a research director'' and
inserting ``an agricultural research director''; and
(B) by striking ``or other officer''.
SEC. 7111. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1446(b)(2) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a(b)(2)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7112. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES
AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE
UNIVERSITY.
Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7113. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES
AND EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT INSULAR AREA LAND-GRANT COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES.
Section 1447B(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2(d)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7114. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION
ACTIVITIES AT ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1449 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``Not later than September 30,
1999'' and inserting ``Beginning on September 30, 2026,
and not later than September 30 of each fiscal year
thereafter''; and
(B) by striking ``fiscal year 1999'' and inserting
``the fiscal year ending on that September 30''; and
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
``(c) State Matching Funds Requirement.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of this subtitle, for each fiscal year, a State shall provide
to each eligible institution located in the State matching funds from
non-Federal sources in an amount equal to the amounts provided to the
eligible institution under sections 1444 and 1445 for the purposes
described in subsection (b)(1).''.
SEC. 7115. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS.
Section 1450 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222e) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (5); and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 7116. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7117. BINATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 1458(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``entered into'' and
inserting ``, as entered into in 1977,'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``United States and
Israel'' and inserting ``United States, Israel, or other
signatories of the Abraham Accords Declaration''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) BARD fund accelerator.--The BARD Fund shall establish
an accelerator program that supports mid-stage research, as
determined by the technology readiness level, in priority areas
established by the BARD Fund that--
``(A) fast-tracks cooperative research between
scientists participating in activities described in
paragraph (2);
``(B) accelerates the successful development of
agricultural research through resources and services
developed or orchestrated by the BARD Fund;
``(C) provides management guidance, technical
assistance, and consulting to scientists participating
in activities described in paragraph (2); or
``(D) advances cooperative agricultural research
projects of mutual interest to the United States,
Israel, or other signatories of the Abraham Accords
Declaration.''.
SEC. 7118. GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--Section 1458A of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292) is
amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows
``grants and partnerships for international agricultural
research, extension, and education'';
(2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Developing country.--The term `developing country'
means a country that meets such criteria as determined by the
Secretary, established using a gross national income per capita
test selected by the Secretary.
``(2) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible
institution' means--
``(A) a land-grant colleges or university;
``(B) a non-land-grant college of agriculture;
``(C) a Hispanic-serving agricultural college or
university; and
``(D) a cooperating forestry school.
``(3) International partner institution.--The term
`international partner institution' means a higher education
institution in a developing country that is performing, or
desiring to perform, activities similar to agricultural
research, extension, and education activities carried out
through eligible institutions in the United States.
``(b) Grants and Partnerships.--
``(1) Grants.--The Secretary may make competitive grants to
eligible institutions in order to strengthen United States
economic competitiveness and to promote international market
development through--
``(A) enhancing the international content of the
curricula in colleges and universities so as to ensure
that United States students acquire an understanding of
the international dimensions and trade implications of
their studies;
``(B) ensuring that United States scientists,
extension agents, and educators involved in
agricultural research and development activities
outside of the United States have the opportunity to
convey the implications of their activities and
findings to their peers and students in the United
States and to the users of agricultural research,
extension, and teaching;
``(C) enhancing the capabilities of colleges and
universities to do collaborative research with other
countries, in cooperation with other Federal agencies,
on issues relevant to United States agricultural
competitiveness;
``(D) enhancing the capabilities of colleges and
universities to provide cooperative extension education
to promote the application of new technology developed
in foreign countries to United States agriculture; and
``(E) enhancing the capability of United States
colleges and universities, in cooperation with other
Federal agencies, to provide leadership and educational
programs that will assist United States natural
resources and food production, processing, and
distribution businesses and industries to compete
internationally, including through the use of product
market identification, international policies limiting
or enhancing market production, the development of new
or enhancement of existing markets, and production
efficiencies.
``(2) Partnerships.--The Secretary may promote cooperation
and coordination between eligible institutions and
international partner institutions through--
``(A) improving extension by--
``(i) encouraging the exchange of research
materials and results between eligible
institutions and international partner
institutions;
``(ii) facilitating the broad dissemination
of agricultural research through extension;
``(iii) assisting with efforts to plan and
initiate extension services in developing
countries; and
``(iv) developing self-sustaining regional
agricultural markets and promoting the
application of new agricultural technologies
and techniques;
``(B) improving agricultural research by--
``(i) in partnership with international
partner institutions, encouraging research that
addresses problems affecting food production
and security, human nutrition, agriculture,
forestry, livestock, and fisheries, including
local challenges; and
``(ii) supporting and strengthening
national agricultural research systems in
developing countries;
``(C) supporting the participation of eligible
institutions in programs of international
organizations, such as the United Nations, the World
Bank, regional development banks, and international
agricultural research centers;
``(D) improving agricultural teaching and education
by--
``(i) in partnership with international
partner institutions, supporting education and
teaching relating to food and agricultural
sciences, including technical assistance,
degree training, research collaborations,
classroom instruction, workforce training, and
education programs; and
``(ii) assisting with efforts to increase
student capacity, including to encourage
equitable access for women and other
underserved populations, at international
partner institutions by promoting partnerships
with, and improving the capacity of, eligible
institutions;
``(E) assisting eligible institutions in
strengthening their capacity for food, agricultural,
and related research, extension, and teaching programs
relevant to agricultural development activities in
developing countries to promote the application of new
technology to improve education delivery;
``(F) providing support for the
internationalization of resident instruction programs
of eligible institutions;
``(G) establishing a program, to be coordinated by
the Director of the National Institute of Food and
Agriculture and the Administrator of the Foreign
Agricultural Service, to place interns from eligible
institutions in, or in service to benefit, developing
countries; and
``(H) establishing a program to provide fellowships
to students at eligible institutions to study at
foreign agricultural colleges and universities.'';
(3) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``covered Institutions'' and inserting
``eligible institutions''; and
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1459A of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3292b) is repealed.
SEC. 7119. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS.
Section 1462A(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310a(e)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7120. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH.
Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is amended by striking
``2023'' each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b) and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 7121. EXTENSION SERVICE.
Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7122. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS.
Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(2) in subsection (c)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as
subparagraph (G); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the
following:
``(F) to examine potential benefits and opportunities for
supplemental and alternative crops (including winter-planted
rapeseed and winter-planted canola crops); and''; and
(3) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7123. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL
RESOURCES PROGRAMS.
Section 1473E of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e) is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``grants for community college agriculture and natural
resources programs'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e);
(3) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting
the following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) a junior or community college (as defined in
section 312 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1058)) supporting agriculture advancement;
``(B) a consortium or alliance of 2-year public
colleges supporting agriculture advancement; or
``(C) an area career and technical education school
(as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career
and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302))
that offers a program of study in agriculture.
``(2) Work-based learning.--The term `work-based learning'
has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C.
2302).
``(b) Competitive Grants.--The Secretary shall make competitive
grants to eligible entities to conduct workforce training, education,
research, and outreach activities relating to food and agricultural
sciences.
``(c) Priority.--In making grants under subsection (b), the
Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity coordinating with a
local agriculture industry operator to provide work-based learning,
experiential training, and other opportunities for students.
``(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
subsection (b) may use the funds made available through the grant--
``(1) to offer educational programming on agricultural
industry jobs, including farm business management-related
subjects, such as accounting, paralegal studies, and finance;
``(2) to develop apprenticeships and other work-based
learning opportunities; and
``(3) other services that would increase workforce
training, education, research, and outreach activities relating
to food and agricultural sciences, as determined by the
Secretary.''; and
(4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated, by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7124. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTITUTIONS.
Section 1473F(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319i(b)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7125. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
Section 1473H of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319k) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by inserting ``, including precision
agriculture,'' after ``equipment''; and
(ii) by striking ``relating to the research
and development of qualified products and
projects'';
(B) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``person'' and inserting ``eligible entity'';
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``person'' and inserting
``eligible entity'';
(iii) by striking subparagraph (E); and
(iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (F)
through (H) as subparagraphs (E) through (G),
respectively;
(C) in paragraph (6)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; or'';
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) any other product or project, as determined
by the Secretary.''; and
(D) in paragraph (7), by striking ``that is
developed to assist in the discovery, development, or
manufacture of a qualified product or project'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (B)
to read as follows:
``(B) to overcome the long-term and high-risk
technological barriers in the development of
agricultural technologies, research tools, and
qualified products and projects that enhance export
competitiveness, environmental sustainability, water
conservation, and resilience to extreme weather,
drought, infectious diseases, plant and animal
pathogens, and plant and animal pests;'';
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``persons'' and inserting ``eligible
entities''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking
``persons'' and inserting ``eligible
entities''; and
(C) in paragraph (7)(A)--
(i) by striking ``a person'' and inserting
``an eligible entity''; and
(ii) by striking ``the person'' and
inserting ``the eligible entity'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``persons'' and
inserting ``eligible entities''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Use of strategic plan.--The Secretary shall use the
strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) to inform the
administration of AGARDA under this section.'';
(4) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5 years'' and
inserting ``13 years''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``5-year'' and
inserting ``13-year''.
SEC. 7126. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
Section 1477(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324(a)(2)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and insert ``2031''.
SEC. 7127. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING AND RESPONSE.
Section 1484(a)(3) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351(a)(3)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7128. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROTECTION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1485 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3352) is
amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``agriculture and food protection grant program'';
(2) by striking subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and
(f) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a competitive
grant program under which the Secretary will award grants to eligible
entities to support research, extension, and education activities that
improve the capability of the United States to protect the food and
agricultural system from any chemical, biological, cybersecurity, or
bioterrorism attack.
``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants made under this section shall be used
to--
``(1) encourage basic and applied research and development
of agricultural countermeasures;
``(2) promote the development and expansion of teaching
programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and other
disciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture system
to increase the number of trained individuals with an expertise
in agricultural biosecurity and cybersecurity;
``(3) expand or upgrade facilities to meet biosafety and
biosecurity requirements necessary to protect facility staff,
members of the public, and the food supply while carrying out
agricultural biosecurity research;
``(4) costs associated with the acquisition of equipment
and other capital costs related to expansion of food,
agriculture, and veterinary medicine teaching programs in
agricultural biosecurity and cybersecurity; or
``(5) otherwise improve the capacity of the United States
to respond in a timely manner to emerging or existing threats.
``(c) Eligible Entities.--Entities eligible to receive a grant
under this section include--
``(1) State agricultural experiment stations;
``(2) State departments of agriculture;
``(3) colleges and universities;
``(4) university research foundations;
``(5) other research institutions and organizations;
``(6) Federal agencies;
``(7) national laboratories; or
``(8) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities
described in paragraphs (1) through (7).'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (d); and
(4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated, by striking
``for each fiscal year.'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 14112 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8912) is repealed.
(2) Section 14113 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8913) is repealed.
(3) Section 14121 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8921) is repealed.
(4) Section 14122 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8922) is repealed.
SEC. 7129. DISTANCE EDUCATION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.
Section 1490(f)(2) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(f)(2)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7130. RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.
Section 1491(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363(c)(2)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7131. REPEALS.
(a) Section 1410 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ((7 U.S.C. 3125) is repealed.
(b) Section 1419C of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3158) is repealed.
(c) Section 1447A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b-1) is repealed.
(d) Subtitle M of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3331 et seq.) is repealed.
Subtitle B--Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
SEC. 7201. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.
Subtitle B of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is amended by striking
``2023'' each place it appears in sections 1624 (7 U.S.C. 5814),
1627(d) (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)), 1628(f)(2) (7 U.S.C. 5831(f)(2)), and
1629(i) (7 U.S.C. 5832(i)), and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7202. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.
Section 1635(b)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023''
and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7203. AGRICULTURAL GENOME TO PHENOME INITIATIVE.
Section 1671(g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924(g)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7204. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES.
Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (5), (6), (9), (10),
(11), (13), and (18);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (8), (12),
(14), (15), (16), (17), (19), and (20) as paragraphs
(5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), and (13);
(C) in paragraph (11), as so redesignated, by
inserting ``and harmful algal blooms'' after ``macro-
algae systems''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(14) Fertilizer and nutrient management initiative.--
Research and extension grants may be made under this section
for the purposes of carrying out research to improve fertilizer
use efficiency in crops and examining nutrient management based
on the source, rate, timing, and placement of crop nutrients.
``(15) Tropical plant health initiative.--Research and
extension grants may be made under this section for the
purposes of--
``(A) developing and disseminating science-based
tools and treatments to combat plant pests and noxious
weeds (as those terms are defined in section 403 of the
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702)) that impact
tropical plants, including--
``(i) coffee plants;
``(ii) macadamia trees;
``(iii) cacao trees;
``(iv) plantains and bananas;
``(v) mangos;
``(vi) tropical floriculture and nursery
crops; and
``(vii) any other tropical plant as
determined by the Secretary;
``(B) establishing an areawide integrated pest
management program in areas affected by, or areas at
risk of being affected by, plant pests or noxious
weeds;
``(C) surveying and collecting data on tropical
plant production and health;
``(D) investigating tropical plant biology,
immunology, ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics; and
``(E) conducting research on various factors that
may contribute to, or be associated with, tropical
plant immune systems and other serious threats to
tropical plants.
``(16) Biochar research.--Research and extension grants may
be made under this section for the purpose of testing the full
range of biochar types across soil types, soil health and soil
management conditions, application methods, and climatic and
agronomic regions, including through the establishment of a
national biochar research network, to--
``(A) assess the soil carbon sequestration
potential of various biochars and management systems
integrating biochar use;
``(B) understand how to use biochar productively to
contribute to climate mitigation, crop production,
resilience to extreme weather events, ecosystem and
soil health, natural resource conservation, and farm
profitability; and
``(C) deliver science-based, region-specific, cost-
effective, and practical information to farmers,
ranchers, foresters, land reclamation managers, urban
land managers, and other land and natural resource
managers and businesses on sustainable biochar
production and application.
``(17) Wildfire smoke exposure research.--Research and
extension grants may be made under this section for the
purposes of studying the impact of wildfire smoke exposure on
specialty crops, including wine grapes, hops, stone fruit, and
apples, by--
``(A) conducting research--
``(i) to identify the compounds responsible
for smoke exposure; and
``(ii) to establish standard methodologies
for sampling and testing smoke-exposed
specialty crops and smoke-affected products,
including fast and inexpensive screening
methods;
``(B) establishing a reliable database of
background levels of smoke exposure compounds that
occur naturally in specialty crops;
``(C) developing risk assessment tools or
mitigation methods to reduce or eliminate smoke
exposure; and
``(D) studying compounds that can act as a barrier
between specialty crops and smoke compounds.
``(18) Invasive species research.--Research and extension
grants may be made under this section for the purposes of
developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments
to manage or eradicate (including through methods of biocontrol
and sterile insect techniques) invasive species of plants and
animals, such as the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula),
navel orangeworm (Amyelois transitella), and spotted wing
drosophila (Drosophila suzukii).
``(19) Microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl
substances on farmland.--Research and extension grants may be
made under this section for the purposes of carrying out or
enhancing research on the agricultural impacts of microplastics
and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including structural
firefighting foam, in land-applied biosolids or compost on
farmland, including by--
``(A) conducting surveys and collecting data on
concentration, particle size, and chemical composition
of such substances in land-applied biosolids on
farmland;
``(B) the development or analysis of techniques,
including wastewater treatment and composting, to
filter out or biodegrade such substances from biosolids
intended to be used for agricultural purposes;
``(C) conducting an analysis of the impact on
agricultural crops and soil health of such substances
in land-applied biosolids on farmland, including the
uptake of such substances by various crops or
livestock;
``(D) conducting research to better understand how
wastewater processing impacts such substances;
``(E) conducting research to better understand the
fate, residence time, and transport of such substances
on farmland; and
``(F) conducting research on how to remediate soil
and water systems contaminated with such substances.
``(20) Agricultural byproducts research.--Research and
extension grants may be made under this section for the
purposes of converting agricultural byproducts or forest
residuals into valuable materials and products, including
innovations in production processes for easily deployable
refining facilities, developing alternatives to agricultural
burning, and fostering energy production through recycling
animal byproducts, wet waste, and plant-based waste.
``(21) Soil health research.--Research and extension grants
may be made under this section for the purposes of--
``(A) developing management practices that improve
soil health, including establishing tools that aid soil
preservation or improve composition of soil organic
compounds that are beneficial to soil quality and the
environment; and
``(B) disseminating such practices through methods
such as innovative coursework and work-based learning.
``(22) White oak research.--Research and extension grants
may be made under this section for the purposes of white oak
research, including conducting research on--
``(A) white oak genes with resistance and stress
tolerance;
``(B) white oak trees that exhibit vigor for the
purpose of increasing survival and growth;
``(C) establishing a diverse white oak seed bank
capable of responding to stressors;
``(D) providing a sustainable supply of white oak
seedlings and genetic resources;
``(E) reforestation of white oak through natural
and artificial regeneration; and
``(F) the best methods for reforesting abandoned
mine land sites.
``(23) Alternative growing media research.--Research and
extension grants may be made under this section for the
purposes of developing and enhancing research on the
characterization, utilization, and evaluation of alternative
growing media, including science-based techniques that maximize
functions in the growth of plants and harvest yields.
``(24) Rangeland research.--Research and extension grants
may be made under this section for the purposes of carrying out
or enhancing research on the development of forage production
and improved grazing and range management, including the
adoption of virtual fencing technology that simultaneously
enhance wildlife habitat, protect watersheds, and reduce
hazards of erosion and flooding.
``(25) Specialty crop mechanization and automation
research.--Research and extension grants may be made under this
section for the purpose of developing and evaluating
mechanization and automation technologies for specialty
crops.'';
(2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(3) in subsection (f)(5), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(4) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(5) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);
(6) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Report.--Not later than February 1, 2028, and not less
frequently than once every other year thereafter, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a report describing how the Department carried out research and
extension activities specified in subsections (d) through (f) for the
previous two fiscal years, including the amount of funding allocated to
each high-priority research and extension initiative, through--
``(1) amounts made available under appropriations Acts to
the Agricultural Research Service;
``(2) amounts made available to the National Institute of
Food and Agriculture under capacity and infrastructure programs
(as defined in section 251 of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971));
``(3) amounts made available to the National Institute of
Food and Agriculture under competitive programs (as defined in
such section); and
``(4) amounts made available through other agencies within
the Department.''; and
(7) in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (4)),
by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7205. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.
Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031'';
(2) by striking subsection (e);
(3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e); and
(4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 7206. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT.
Section 1672D(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925f(d)(2)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7207. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE.
Section 1672E(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925g(a))--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``the Urban Agriculture and
Innovative Production Advisory Committee established
under section 222(b) of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994'' and inserting ``the Urban
Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory
Committee and the Office of Urban Agriculture and
Innovative Production established under section 222 of
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6923)''; and
(B) by striking ``emerging agricultural
production'' and inserting ``emerging agricultural
production practices (as described in subsection (a)(3)
of such section)'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``emerging agricultural
production'' and inserting ``emerging agricultural production
practices'';
(3) in paragraph (7), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(4) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) managing waste streams to improve the environmental
footprint; or
``(10) advising land-grant colleges and universities (as
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)),
minority-serving institutions (as described in section 371(a)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a))),
junior or community colleges (as defined in section 312(f) of
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1058(f))), and vocational schools, with
respect to career and technical education.''.
SEC. 7208. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting
the following:
``(a) Centers of Excellence.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
establish at least one center of excellence for the purpose of
carrying out research, extension, or education activities for
each of the areas of focus described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Host institutions.--
``(A) In general.--Institutions eligible to host or
co-host a center of excellence established under this
subsection include--
``(i) 1862 Institutions, as defined in
section 2 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7
U.S.C. 7601);
``(ii) 1890 Institutions, as defined in
section 2 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7
U.S.C. 7601);
``(iii) 1994 Institutions, as defined in
section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-
Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note);
``(iv) non-land-grant colleges of
agriculture, as defined in section 1404 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103);
``(v) Hispanic-serving agricultural
colleges or universities, as defined in section
1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3103); and
``(vi) accredited schools of veterinary
medicine.
``(B) Distribution.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographic
diversity of institutions selected to host or co-host a
center of excellence established under this subsection.
``(C) Limitation.--An institution may host or co-
host only one center of excellence under this
subsection at a time.
``(D) Duties.--The institution or institutions
selected to host or co-host a center of excellence
established under this subsection shall partner with
the Agricultural Research Service, other Federal
agencies, State governments, other institutions of
higher education (as defined in section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)),
agricultural industry groups, or other relevant
entities to--
``(i) reduce duplicative efforts and focus
on filling gaps across research, extension, or
education activities by enhancing coordination
and improving cost-effectiveness;
``(ii) leverage available resources by
using public-private partnerships;
``(iii) implement training and educational
initiatives to increase awareness and
effectively disseminate solutions to target
audiences through extension activities;
``(iv) increase the economic returns to
rural communities by identifying, attracting,
and directing funds to high-priority
agricultural issues;
``(v) rapidly respond to emerging issues
that threaten any sector of the United States
agricultural industry;
``(vi) focus on workforce development for
employers to recruit and retain high-quality
employees in rural areas; and
``(vii) engage in assistance for
administrative management and education
regarding potentially valuable intellectual
property derived from federally-supported
research, extension, or education activities.
``(3) Areas of focus.--
``(A) Aquaculture.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
developing and applying aquaculture methods, including
through the propagation and rearing of economically and
ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species.
``(B) Beginning farmers and ranchers.--A center of
excellence established under this subsection may engage
in research, extension or education activities focused
on training beginning farmers and ranchers, including
farm and agribusiness management, mentoring and
technical assistance, and access to capital.
``(C) Biosecurity and cybersecurity.--A center of
excellence established under this subsection may engage
in research, extension, or education activities focused
on agricultural biosecurity and cybersecurity efforts
to defend the United States food supply from any
attacks.
``(D) Biosystems and agricultural engineering.--A
center of excellence established under this subsection
may engage in research, extension, or education
activities focused on biosystems and agricultural
engineering, including precision agriculture
technologies and mechanization and automation
technologies for specialty crops.
``(E) Biotechnology.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
development of animal and plant biotechnologies that
will increase agricultural productivity.
``(F) Crop production, protection, and
resilience.--A center of excellence established under
this subsection may engage in research, extension, or
education activities focused on crop production and
protection, including the development, manufacture, and
use of fertilizer, crop protection tools, and adjuvants
in increasing productivity and protecting crops from
damaging pests and diseases.
``(G) Digital agriculture.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
developing, evaluating, and deploying digital
agriculture, including artificial intelligence and
remote sensing systems.
``(H) Farm business and financial management.--A
center of excellence established under this subsection
may engage in research, extension, or education
activities focused on farm business and financial
management activities, including marketing plans,
production diversification, and cash forward
contracting.
``(I) Food quality.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
improving food quality, including research on the
uptake of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food,
the presence of microplastics in biosolids, and the
efficacy and feasibility of reducing levels of
inorganic arsenic, lead, cadmium, or mercury in food.
``(J) Foreign animal disease.--A center of
excellence established under this subsection may engage
in research, extension, or education activities focused
on foreign animal diseases, including the ecology and
etiology of emerging diseases, control methods, and
implementation strategies to enhance preparedness and
response efforts to protect the livestock and poultry
industry.
``(K) Forestry.--A center of excellence established
under this subsection may engage in research,
extension, or education activities focused on forest
productivity and forest health, including invasive
species control, biochar and pyrolysis development and
commercialization, reforestation and restoration of
damaged landscapes, and new wood-based materials.
``(L) Invasive species.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
the control and eradication of invasive species that
pose a persistent and growing threat to United States
agricultural production, forest resources, global food
security, and rural economies.
``(M) Livestock and poultry.--A center of
excellence established under this subsection may engage
in research, extension, or education activities focused
on issues impacting livestock (including equines) and
poultry production in the United States, including
economic research to understand policy implications for
producers.
``(N) Veterinary medicine.--A center of excellence
established under this subsection may engage in
research, extension, or education activities focused on
developing additional veterinarians, including large
animal veterinarians, to address the veterinarian
shortage in rural areas.
``(O) Water quality and quantity.--A center of
excellence established under this subsection may engage
in research, extension, or education activities focused
on water quality and quantity efforts, including
drought, water management, natural resource benefits,
and the health and resilience of the water supply in
the United States.
``(4) Terms.--
``(A) Duration.--The term of an award under this
subsection shall be for a five-year period, and may be
renewed for not more than one additional five-year
period.
``(B) Construction prohibited.--Funds made
available under this subsection shall not be used for
the construction of a new building or facility or the
acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an
existing building or facility (including site grading
and improvement, and architect fees).
``(5) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this subsection, and every year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report
describing--
``(A) the projects initiated by each center of
excellence established under this subsection in the
preceding year;
``(B) the amount of funding for each such project
and the funding source;
``(C) the institutions participating in each such
project and their shares of the overall funding for
each project;
``(D) the level of cost sharing for each such
project;
``(E) any technology transfer and intellectual
property management actions taken by each such center
of excellence, such as the number of relevant invention
disclosures, any provisional patents filed, any non-
provisional patents filed and issued, the number of
licenses executed, and any start-up companies
registered; and
``(F) any additional information deemed
necessary.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (b);
(3) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting ``In addition to the centers of
excellence established under subsection (a),
the Secretary''; and
(ii) by striking ``not less than 3 centers
of excellence'' and inserting ``not less than 8
centers of excellence'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) in the subparagraph heading, by
striking ``and workforce development''
and inserting ``, workforce
development, and rural studies''; and
(II) by inserting ``economics,
psychology, rural sociology, data
sciences,'' after ``mathematics,'';
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by inserting
``and nature-based solutions to improve the
composition of soil organic compounds,
including carbon, that are beneficial to soil
quality and the environment'' before the period
at the end; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) Forest health and conservation.--A center of
excellence established under paragraph (1) may focus on
forest health, sustainable forest management,
agroforestry, enhancing forest resilience to
catastrophic wildfire, supporting rural infrastructure,
and urban and community forestry programs to promote
healthy forest ecosystems and resilient communities.
``(H) Food safety, bioprocessing, and value-added
agriculture.--A center of excellence established under
paragraph (1) may focus on food safety, bioprocessing,
value-added agriculture enterprise development, and
innovative food and agriculture product development.'';
and
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7209. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.
Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) provide education and support to youth and
young adults with disabilities interested in farming
and farm-related occupations.''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7210. FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH.
Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``Secretary of
Agriculture'' and inserting ``Secretary of
Agriculture, acting through the Director of the
National Institute of Food and Agriculture,'';
and
(ii) by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''; and
(2) by striking ``2023'' each place it appears in
subsections (d)(1) and (l)(2) and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7211. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.
Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7212. REPEAL.
Subtitle D of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5851 et seq.) is repealed.
Subtitle C--Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
of 1998
SEC. 7301. NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION,
OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d);
(2) by redesignating subsections (e) through (j) as
subsections (d) through (i), respectively; and
(3) in subsection (i), as so redesignated, by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7302. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION COMPETITIVE
GRANTS PROGRAM.
Section 406(f) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(f)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7303. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH REGARDING DISEASES OF WHEAT, TRITICALE,
AND BARLEY CAUSED BY FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM OR BY TILLETIA
INDICA.
Section 408(e)(3) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628(e)(3)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7304. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS.
Section 410(d)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630(d)(2)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7305. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``subsection (d) and
(j)'' and inserting ``subsections (d), (j), and (k)'';
(2) in subsection (g)(3), by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the matching
funds requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect
to a grant if the Secretary determines that--
``(i) the results of the grant are of a
particular benefit to a specific specialty
crop, but such results are likely to be
applicable to specialty crops or agricultural
commodities, generally; or
``(ii)(I) the grant--
``(aa) involves a minor commodity;
and
``(bb) deals with scientifically
important research; and
``(II) the recipient is unable to satisfy
the matching funds requirement.'';
(3) in subsection (j)(5), by striking ``subsection
(k)(1)(C)'' and inserting ``subsection (l)(1)(C)'';
(4) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l);
(5) by inserting after subsection (j) the following:
``(k) Specialty Crop Mechanization and Automation Research and
Extension Program.--The Secretary shall establish a competitive
research and extension grant program to award grants to eligible
entities to increase the competitiveness of specialty crops in the
United States through the advancement and acceleration of mechanization
and automation, including projects that--
``(1) create or improve cost-effective mechanization and
automation technologies to--
``(A) reduce the manual labor requirements of a
specialty crop grower; or
``(B) increase the efficiency of--
``(i) crop production;
``(ii) resource management;
``(iii) harvesting;
``(iv) processing;
``(v) post-harvest technologies; or
``(vi) packing;
``(2) increase adoption of mechanization and automation
technologies by--
``(A) emphasizing adoption drivers, including--
``(i) connectivity;
``(ii) autonomy;
``(iii) reliability;
``(iv) durability;
``(v) in-field validation; or
``(vi) cost-effectiveness; or
``(B) investing in, and developing human capital
to, increase the capacity to--
``(i) utilize new technologies; or
``(ii) manage a more tech-focused farm
workforce; or
``(3) accelerate automation and mechanization through--
``(A) prototype development;
``(B) in-field trial testing;
``(C) ongoing industry engagement; or
``(D) rapid commercialization.''; and
(6) in subsection (l), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as
follows:
``(C) Reservation for specialty crop mechanization
and automation research and extension program.--For
each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, the Secretary
shall reserve not less than $30,000,000 of the funds
made available under subparagraph (B) to carry out the
program established under subsection (k).''; and
(ii) by amending subparagraph (D) to read
as follows:
``(D) Reallocation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4),
any funds reserved under subparagraph (C) that remain
unobligated at the end of the fiscal year following the
fiscal year in which such funds are first made
available shall be reallocated to carry out activities
of the specialty crop research initiative established
under subsection (b).'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``for fiscal years 2014 through 2023''; and
(ii) by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(C) by striking paragraph (3); and
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as
paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively.
SEC. 7306. AGRICULTURE GRANTS FOR VETERAN EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SERVICES.
Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 414. AGRICULTURE GRANTS FOR VETERAN EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SERVICES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program under
which the Secretary will award competitive grants to eligible entities
for the purpose of establishing and enhancing farming and ranching
opportunities for veterans (as defined in section 101(2) of title 38,
United States Code).
``(b) Eligible Entities.--An entity is eligible for a grant under
this section if such entity is--
``(1) a cooperative extension service;
``(2) a land-grant college or university (as defined in
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
``(3) a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as defined
in such section);
``(4) a Hispanic-serving agricultural college and
university (as defined in such section);
``(5) a State department of agriculture;
``(6) a nonprofit organization;
``(7) a community-based organization; or
``(8) a combination of 2 or more eligible entities
described in paragraphs (1) through (7).
``(c) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use the funds received through the grant--
``(1) to provide training and classroom education that
leads to a comprehensive understanding of farm and ranch
business operations and management practices;
``(2) to develop or identify curriculum that veteran
farmers and ranchers can adopt to help manage their enterprise;
``(3) to offer education, workshops, tours, and instructor-
supervised field experiences; or
``(4) to support any other activity, as identified by the
Secretary, to increase the number of veterans pursuing
knowledge and skills development in agriculture.
``(d) Matching Funds.--An entity that receives a grant under this
section shall provide non-Federal matching funds for the purposes of
carrying out this section in an amount equal to not less than the
amount of the grant.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2025 through 2031.''.
SEC. 7307. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM.
Section 604(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642(e)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7308. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY.
Section 614(f)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)(2)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7309. FORESTRY PRODUCTS ADVANCED UTILIZATION RESEARCH.
Section 617(f)(1) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7655b(f)(1)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7310. REPEALS.
The Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking section 404 (7 U.S.C. 7624); and
(2) by striking section 411 (7 U.S.C. 7631).
Subtitle D--Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
SEC. 7401. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY.
Section 7502 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-246; 122 Stat. 2019) is amended by striking ``, or
otherwise be conveyed or transferred in whole or in part, for the
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and ending on
September 30, 2026'' and inserting ``, beginning on the date of the
enactment of this Act''.
SEC. 7402. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK.
Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 5936) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ``, including
crisis hotlines'' after ``websites'';
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
(4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Referrals to Providers.--As part of the efforts of the
recipient of a grant under subsection (a) to connect individuals to
behavioral health counseling and wellness support and to ensure
individuals have access to a comprehensive scope of mental health and
substance use treatments and supports, when applicable, the grant
recipient may establish referral relationships with--
``(1) certified community behavioral health clinics
described in section 223 of the Protecting Access to Medicare
Act of 2014 (42 U.S.C. 1396a note; Public Law 113-93);
``(2) health centers (as defined in section 330(a) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(a)));
``(3) rural health clinics (as defined in section 1861(aa)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)));
``(4) Federally qualified health centers (as defined in
that section); and
``(5) critical access hospitals (as defined in section
1861(mm) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm))).''.
SEC. 7403. SUN GRANT PROGRAM.
Section 7526 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7
U.S.C. 8114) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and
bioproduct'' before ``technologies'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``product'' and
inserting ``bioproduct''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``product'' and
inserting ``bioproduct'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``4 percent'' and
inserting ``30 percent''; and
(3) in subsection (g), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 7404. REPEALS.
The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8701 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking section 7521 (7 U.S.C. 3202); and
(2) by striking section 7525 (7 U.S.C. 5937).
Subtitle E--Amendments to Other Laws
SEC. 7501. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 1994.
The Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C.
301 note; Public Law 103-382) is amended--
(1) in section 533(b), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031'';
(2) in section 534(a)(1), by striking ``equal to'' and
inserting ``that is not less than'';
(3) in section 535, by striking ``2023'' each place it
appears in subsections (b)(1) and (c) and inserting ``2031'';
(4) in section 536--
(A) by striking subsection (b);
(B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection
(b); and
(C) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7502. RESEARCH FACILITIES ACT.
Section 6(a) of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d(a)) is
amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7503. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.
Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iii)--
(i) by inserting ``regionally adapted''
before ``cultivar''; and
(ii) by inserting ``breeding for
environmental resilience,'' before ``and
participatory breeding'';
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ``,
including methods of increasing survival rate and
adaptability of shellfish'' after ``aquaculture'';
(C) in subparagraph (E)--
(i) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (v), by striking the period
at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics,
and other production technologies used in
controlled-environment agriculture
production.''; and
(D) in subparagraph (F)--
(i) in clause (i), by inserting ``,
including supply chain coordination and
capacity building'' after ``overseas markets'';
(ii) in clause (vii), by striking ``; and''
at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(iii) in clause (viii), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(ix) workforce training and development,
including meat and poultry processing
(including rendering) and precision
agriculture.'';
(2) in paragraph (7)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (I)
as subparagraphs (E) through (J), respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) area career and technical education
schools;''; and
(C) in subparagraph (J), as so redesignated, by
striking ``(H)'' and inserting ``(I)''; and
(3) in paragraph (11)(A), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7504. EXTENSION DESIGN AND DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.
Subsection (d)(6) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(d)(6)) is amended by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7505. BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 9008(h)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108(h)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7506. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978.
The Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 6 (16 U.S.C. 1675), in the first sentence,
by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''; and
(2) in section 8 (16 U.S.C. 1671 note), by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7507. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980.
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 2803)--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking
``acquaculture'' and inserting ``aquaculture'';
(B) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by inserting ``, not less than once
every 3 years,'' after ``periodic reviews''; and
(C) in subsection (e)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by inserting ``, not less than once every 3
years,'' after ``undertake a continuing
assessment of aquaculture in the United
States'';
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and''
at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (6), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) a catalog of new and existing capital constraints, as
described in the capital requirements plan formulated under
section 8(b), that affect the development of the aquaculture
industry in the United States; and
``(8) a catalog of new and existing Federal or State
regulatory barriers, as described in the regulatory constraints
plan formulated under section 9(b), to the initiation and
operation of commercial aquaculture ventures.'';
(2) in section 5 (16 U.S.C. 2804), by striking subsection
(d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Aquaculture Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of
2026, the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee, to
be known as the Aquaculture Advisory Committee (referred to in
this subsection as the `Committee'), to advise the Secretary
on--
``(A) oversight of programs of the Department and
other members of the coordinating group to support
development of, and to advance, aquaculture best
practices using the best available science, in
consultation with farmers and industry partners;
``(B) providing technical assistance to aquaculture
farmers and businesses, including technical assistance
that pertains to shellfish, algae, and land-based
aquaculture systems, using the best available science;
and
``(C) any other aspects of the implementation of
this Act.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed
of 14 members, who are not officers or employees of the
Federal Government.
``(B) Initial appointments.--The Secretary shall
appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this section.
``(C) Period of initial appointment; vacancies.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), a member of the Committee shall be
appointed for a term of 3 years.
``(ii) Initial appointments.--Of the
members first appointed to the Committee--
``(I) 5 of the members, as
determined by the Secretary, shall be
appointed for a term of 3 years;
``(II) 5 of the members, as
determined by the Secretary, shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years; and
``(III) 4 of the members, as
determined by the Secretary, shall be
appointed for a term of 1 year.
``(iii) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the
Committee--
``(I) shall not affect the powers
of the Committee; and
``(II) shall be filled as soon as
practicable in the same manner as the
original appointment.
``(D) Consecutive terms.--An initial appointee of
the Committee may serve an additional consecutive term
if the member is reappointed by the Secretary.
``(3) Meetings.--
``(A) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet not
fewer than 3 times per year.
``(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the members are appointed under
paragraph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first
meeting of the Committee.
``(4) Duties.--The Committee shall--
``(A) develop recommendations and advise the
Secretary on aquaculture policies, initiatives, and
outreach administered by the Department;
``(B) evaluate and review ongoing research and
extension activities relating to aquaculture practices;
``(C) identify new and existing barriers to
successful aquaculture practices; and
``(D) provide additional assistance and advice to
the Secretary as appropriate.
``(5) Personnel matters.--
``(A) Compensation.--A member of the Committee
shall serve without compensation.
``(B) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of
title 5, United States Code.
``(6) Termination.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years
after the date on which the members are appointed under
paragraph (2)(B).
``(B) Extensions.--Before the date on which the
Committee terminates, the Secretary may renew the
Committee for 1 or more 2-year periods.
``(e) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and
each year thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the coordinating
group and in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the
Secretary of the Interior, shall prepare on an annual basis, and submit
to Congress, a report on the status of aquaculture in the United
States. Such report shall contain--
``(1) a description and evaluation of the actions
undertaken with respect to the Plan during the reporting
period;
``(2) an explanation of any revisions made to the Plan
during the reporting period;
``(3) the results of the continuing assessment established
under section 4(e);
``(4) an evaluation of the role each Federal department or
agency has in supporting the aquaculture industry;
``(5) the total amount and value of expenditures of Federal
departments or agencies on--
``(A) aquaculture purchases;
``(B) aquaculture promotion and outreach supporting
the aquaculture industry;
``(C) grants made to the aquaculture industry; and
``(D) grants to facilitate aquaculture research and
the subject matter of such research;
``(6) a summary of the activities and recommendations of
the Aquaculture Advisory Committee established under subsection
(d);
``(7) a summary of the activities and recommendations of
the coordinating group; and
``(8) such other comments and recommendations as the
Secretary determines appropriate.''; and
(3) in section 10 (16 U.S.C. 2809), by striking ``2023''
each place it appears in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 7508. REPORTS ON DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
AND EXTENSION AT 1862 AND 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES,
INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.
Section 7116 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C.
2207d) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``Not later than'' and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--Not later than''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Outreach.--Not later than February 1 of each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall provide information relating to each matching
requirement applicable to the State under the programs referred to in
subsection (a) to the Governor and legislature of each State in which
an 1862 Institution or 1890 Institution (as those terms are defined in
section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) is located.
``(c) Attestations.--
``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once each
calendar year, the Governor of each State described in
subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an attestation
that describes if the State is able to fulfill each matching
requirement with respect to which information is provided by
the Secretary under such subsection for such State and calendar
year.
``(2) Reports.--Not later than December 31 of each calendar
year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress, and make publicly
available on the website of the Department of Agriculture, an
annual report describing the attestations received under
paragraph (1) during that calendar year.''.
SEC. 7509. REPEAL.
Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (title XIV of Public Law 99-198;
99 Stat. 1556) is repealed.
Subtitle F--Other Matters
SEC. 7601. FOUNDATION FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH.
Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5939) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ``of
Agriculture; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
and
(ii) by striking clause (iii); and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``the roadmap
for agricultural research, education, and extension
authorized by section 7504 of the Food, Conservation,
and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614a)'' and inserting
``the national research policies and priorities set
forth in section 1402 of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3101)'';
(2) in subsection (e)(2)(C)(i)--
(A) in subclause (I), by striking ``National
Academy of Sciences'' and inserting ``National
Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and
Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123)''; and
(B) in subclause (II), by striking ``industry'' and
inserting ``national farm, producer, or research
organizations''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(3)(B)(i)--
(A) in subclause (I)--
(i) in the matter preceding item (aa), by
striking ``and post online'' and inserting
``online and submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate'';
(ii) in item (bb), by striking ``and'' at
the end;
(iii) in item (cc), by striking the period
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(dd) the source and a
description of all gifts to the
Foundation of real or personal
property;
``(ee) the source and
amount of each gift to the
Foundation of money, including
a specification of any
restrictions on the purposes
for which a gift to the
Foundation may be used;
``(ff) the source and
amount of any Federal or State
grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement awarded to the
Foundation;
``(gg) an accounting of the
use of funds made available
under subsection (g)(1);
``(hh) a description of the
Foundation's outreach
activities to agricultural
stakeholders and potential
research partners; and
``(ii) a description of the
Foundation's consultation
process with the Department
under subsection (d)(1)(B).'';
(B) by striking subclauses (II) and (III); and
(C) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause
(II).
SEC. 7602. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Section 6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 1632b) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``Each Agriculture
Innovation Center'' and inserting ``Subject to
paragraph (3), each Agriculture Innovation
Center''; and
(ii) by striking ``following::'' and
inserting ``following:''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the requirement
described in paragraph (2) with respect to an eligible entity
if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity has a
board of directors adequate for the purpose of carrying out
this section.''; and
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 7603. LIVESTOCK INSECTS LABORATORY.
The Act of December 23, 1987 (Public Law 100-208; 101 Stat. 1439)
is amended by striking ``Knipling-Bushland Research Laboratory'' each
place it appears and inserting ``Knipling-Bushland Research Center''.
SEC. 7604. U.S. ABIT MASSEY NATIONAL POULTRY RESEARCH CENTER.
(a) Designation.--The U.S. National Poultry Research Center of the
Department of Agriculture located in Athens, Georgia shall be known and
designated as the ``U.S. Abit Massey National Poultry Research
Center''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document,
paper, or other record of the United States to the facility referred to
in subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``U. S. Abit
Massey National Poultry Research Center''.
SEC. 7605. HATCH ACT OF 1887.
Section 5 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361e) is amended--
(1) in the second sentence--
(A) by striking ``known as a director'' and
inserting ``known as an experiment station director'';
and
(B) by striking ``or other officer appointed by the
government board of the station'';
(2) in the third sentence, by striking ``or other
officer''; and
(3) in the fourth sentence, by striking ``the authorized
receiving officer'' and inserting ``the experiment station
director''.
SEC. 7606. COMMISSION ON NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
MODERNIZATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the Commission on National Agricultural Statistics Service
Modernization (referred to in this section as the ``Commission'').
(b) Study.--The Commission shall conduct a study of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service and provide recommendations on--
(1) how data collection can be modernized and streamlined
to--
(A) improve the quality of statistics reported;
(B) account for differences of national, regional,
and local production;
(C) accelerate adoption of new and innovative
technologies to reduce the number of surveys needed;
(D) improve producer response rates in statistical
surveys and identifying ways to reduce survey fatigue;
(E) increase transparency and confidence in
statistical reports through improved collaboration with
agricultural stakeholders;
(F) use more real-time statistical and
environmental data to complement existing survey-based
data and reporting; and
(G) improve collection and generation of timely
data on the specialty crop industry; and
(2) how the recommendations under paragraph (1) with
respect to modernizing and streamlining data collection can be
implemented and the estimated costs of such implementation.
(c) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Commission shall be composed of 11
members, as follows:
(A) The Administrator of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service.
(B) The Administrator of the Economic Research
Service.
(C) The Chief Economist of the Department.
(D) The Chair of the World Agricultural Outlook
Board of the Department.
(E) A representative from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
(F) 3 members appointed by the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, of
which--
(i) 1 shall be appointed by the chair of
the Committee;
(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking
member of the Committee; and
(iii) 1 shall be appointed jointly by the
chair and ranking member of the Committee.
(G) 3 members appointed by the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives, of which--
(i) 1 shall be appointed by the chair of
the Committee;
(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking
member of the Committee; and
(iii) 1 shall be appointed jointed by the
chair and ranking member of the Committee.
(2) Date of appointments.--The appointment of all members
of the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days after
the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) Term; vacancies.--
(A) Term.--A member shall be appointed for the life
of the Commission.
(B) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Commission--
(i) shall not affect the powers of the
Commission; and
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as
the original appointment was made.
(4) Initial meeting.--Not later than 60 days after the date
on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the
Commission shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.
(d) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lesser
number of members may hold hearings.
(e) Chair.--The Chair of the Commission shall be selected by a
majority of the members of the Commission.
(f) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President, the Committee
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report containing
the results of the study required by subsection (b), including--
(1) an inventory of surveys conducted by the Commission,
and the frequency with which they are conducted; and
(2) such recommendations for administrative, regulatory,
and legislative changes as the Commission considers
appropriate.
(g) Hearings.--The Commission shall hold such hearings, meet and
act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this
section.
(h) Stakeholder Engagement.--The Commission shall establish a
process to collect feedback from agricultural stakeholders to inform
the results of the study required under subsection (b) and the report
required under subsection (f).
(i) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from a Federal agency such information as the Commission
considers necessary to carry out this section. On request of the
Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency shall provide the
information to the Commission.
(j) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States mail
in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of
the Federal Government.
(k) Assistance From Secretary.--The Secretary shall provide to the
Commission appropriate office space and such reasonable administrative
and support services as the Commission may request.
(l) Compensation of Members.--
(1) Non-federal employees.--A member of the Commission who
is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall
be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States
Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the
member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the
Commission.
(2) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission who is
an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve
without compensation in addition to the compensation received
for the services of the member as an officer or employee of the
Federal Government.
(3) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States
Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of
the member in the performance of the duties of the Commission.
(m) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Sections 1009 and 1013 of
title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Commission or any
proceeding of the Commission.
(n) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on September 30,
2031.
(o) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the
Secretary shall use to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal
year 2026, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 7607. RESTORATION OF 4-H NAME AND EMBLEM AUTHORITY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) 4-H club.--
(A) In general.--The term ``4-H club'' means a 4-H
club recognized under the 4-H Program.
(B) Inclusion.--The term ``4-H club'' includes an
authorized agent of a 4-H club.
(2) 4-H emblem or name.--The term ``4-H emblem or name''
means the 4-H sign or emblem, consisting of a green four-leaf
clover with stem and the letter ``H'' in white or gold on each
leaflet, and the words ``4-H'', ``4-H Club'', and ``4-H
Clubs'', used to identify and distinguish the 4-H Program and
the activities, clubs, members, goods, and services of the 4-H
Program.
(3) 4-H program.--The term ``4-H Program''--
(A) In general.--The term ``4-H Program'' means the
youth development program of the land-grant colleges or
universities, the Cooperative Extension System (as
defined by the Secretary), and the Department.
(B) Inclusion.--The term ``4-H Program'' includes
an authorized agent of the 4-H Program.
(4) Land-grant college or university.--The term ``land-
grant college or university''--
(A) In general.--The term ``land-grant college or
university'' means an 1862 Institution, an 1890
Institution, or a 1994 Institution (as those terms are
defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7601)).
(B) Inclusion.--The term ``land-grant college or
university'' includes an authorized agent of a land-
grant college or university.
(b) Effect of Repeal; Ratification.--
(1) Civil acts.--Any civil act or action of the 4-H
Program, a 4-H club, the Secretary, or a land-grant college or
university taken with respect to the use of the 4-H emblem or
name, or the recognition of any 4-H club, during the period
beginning on May 8, 1914, and ending on the date of enactment
of this Act, is deemed to be of legal force and effect and
ratified as if section 1002(3) of the Clean Up the Code Act of
2019 (title X of division O of Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat.
2155) had not been enacted into law.
(2) Effect on criminal law.--Nothing in this subsection
affects the effect on criminal law of the repeal made by
section 1002(3) of the Clean Up the Code Act of 2019 (title X
of division O of Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 2155).
(c) Authorizations for Use of 4-H Emblem or Name; Fees; Deposits.--
(1) Authorization.--The Secretary may--
(A) use the 4-H emblem or name; and
(B) grant authorizations to use the 4-H emblem or
name, as provided by regulations issued by the
Secretary.
(2) Fees.--An authorization under paragraph (1) may be
granted--
(A) without a fee or other consideration; or
(B) for a fee or other consideration.
(3) Use of fees.--The Secretary shall deposit into a
special account any fees collected under paragraph (2)(B), the
amounts in which shall remain available to the Secretary until
expended, without further appropriation, for furthering the 4-H
Program.
(d) Unauthorized Use of 4-H Emblem or Name.--
(1) Prohibition.--Whoever, other than the 4-H Program, a 4-
H club, the Department, a land-grant college or university, and
those authorized by them, uses in commerce the 4-H emblem or
name or any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable
imitation of the 4-H emblem or name to indicate membership in
an association, organization, or other collective group, or in
connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or
advertising of goods or services, on or in connection with
which that use is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake,
or to deceive as to membership or participation in, an
affiliation, connection, or association with, or authorization
or approval by, a 4-H club or the 4-H Program, shall be subject
to the civil action under paragraph (2).
(2) Civil action.--The Attorney General, on behalf of the
Secretary, or contract counsel procured by the Secretary, may
bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the
United States against whoever engages in any of the prohibited
acts described in paragraph (1) for the remedies provided in
the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly known as the ``Trademark Act
of 1946'' or the ``Lanham Act'') (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.).
(e) Savings Clauses.--
(1) Prior authorized uses.--Nothing in this section makes
unlawful the use of any emblem, name, sign, symbol, insignia,
or words that was lawful on December 26, 2020.
(2) Delegation.--Nothing in this section limits the
authority of the Secretary to delegate the authority of the
Secretary as otherwise authorized by law.
SEC. 7608. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND
ECONOMICS.
Section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' at the
end and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) be responsible for the coordination of research
activities with other Federal agencies.'';
(2) in subsection (e)(3)(C), by striking ``not less than 3
years'' and inserting ``not less than 1 year''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Interagency Coordination.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out cross-
cutting and collaborative research and development activities
focused on the joint advancement of the mission requirements
and priorities of the Department of Agriculture and other
Federal agencies.
``(2) Memoranda of understanding.--
``(A) Department of energy.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026, the
Secretary and the Secretary of Energy(referred
to in this subparagraph as the `Secretaries')
shall coordinate the activities under paragraph
(1) through the establishment of memoranda of
understanding or other appropriate interagency
agreements. Such a memorandum or such an
agreement shall require the use of a
competitive, merit-reviewed process as
appropriate. Activities may include components
proposed by Federal agencies, National
Laboratories, institutions of higher education,
nonprofit organizations, and other entities
deemed appropriate under the memorandum or
agreement.
``(ii) Coordination.--In carrying out the
activities under paragraph (1), the Secretaries
may--
``(I) conduct collaborative
research in a variety of focus areas;
``(II) develop methods to
accommodate large voluntary
standardized and integrated data sets
on agricultural, environmental, supply
chain, and economic information with
variable accuracy and scale;
``(III) promote collaboration and
open community-based development
between--
``(aa) Federal agencies;
``(bb) National
Laboratories;
``(cc) institutions of
higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001));
``(dd) nonprofit
institutions;
``(ee) industry partners;
and
``(ff) other entities
deemed appropriate under the
memorandum or agreement
involved;
``(IV) support research
infrastructure, including new
facilities and equipment, and workforce
development as the Secretaries
determine necessary;
``(V) conduct collaborative
research, development, and
demonstration of methods and
technologies; and
``(VI) facilitate relations between
public and private entities to carry on
the activities of this clause upon the
termination of any agreement
established under this subparagraph.
``(iii) Agreements.--In carrying out the
activities under this subparagraph, the
Secretaries are authorized to--
``(I) carry out reimbursable
agreements between the Department of
Agriculture, the Department of Defense,
and other entities in order to maximize
the effectiveness of research and
development; and
``(II) collaborate with other
Federal agencies, as appropriate.
``(B) National science foundation.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026, the
Secretary and the Director of the National
Science Foundation (referred to in this
subparagraph as the ``Director'') shall
coordinate the activities under paragraph (1)
through the establishment of memoranda of
understanding or other appropriate interagency
agreements. Such a memorandum or such an
agreement shall require the use of a
competitive, merit-reviewed process as
appropriate. Activities may include components
proposed by Federal agencies, institutions of
higher education, nonprofit organizations, and
other entities deemed appropriate under the
memorandum or agreement.
``(ii) Coordination.--In carrying out the
activities under paragraph (1), the Secretary
and the Director may--
``(I) conduct collaborative
research in a variety of focus areas;
``(II) promote collaboration and
open, community-based development
between--
``(aa) Federal agencies;
``(bb) institutions of
higher education;
``(cc) community colleges
(as defined in section 3167B of
the Energy Science Education
Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C.
7381c-3));
``(dd) area career and
technical education schools (as
defined in section 3 of the
Carl D. Perkins Career and
Technical Education Act of 2006
(20 U.S.C. 2302));
``(ee) nonprofit
institutions;
``(ff) industry partners;
and
``(gg) other entities
deemed appropriate under the
memorandum or agreement;
``(III) support research
infrastructure, including new
facilities, equipment and broadband
deployment, as the Secretary and
Director determine necessary;
``(IV) develop translational
technologies for commercial
utilization;
``(V) organize education, training,
and research initiatives relating to
STEM education and workforce
development, which may include--
``(aa) activities supported
by the Cooperative Extension
System;
``(bb) industrial
partnership programs;
``(cc) workshops for
educating kindergarten through
grade 12 teachers on how to
increase agricultural literacy;
``(dd) development of
agricultural-based science
curricula for kindergarten
through grade 12 students; and
``(ee) distribution of
resources for educators to
implement curricula; and
``(VI) facilitate relationships
between public and private entities to
carry on the activities under this
clause upon the termination of any
agreement established under this
subparagraph.
``(iii) Agreements.--In carrying out the
activities under this subparagraph, the
Secretary and the Director are authorized to--
``(I) carry out reimbursable
agreements between the Department of
Agriculture, the National Science
Foundation, and other entities in order
to maximize the effectiveness of
research and development; and
``(II) collaborate with other
Federal agencies as appropriate.
``(C) Department of defense.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026, the
Secretary and the Secretary of Defense
(referred to in this subparagraph as the
`Secretaries') shall coordinate the activities
under paragraph (1) through the establishment
of memoranda of understanding or other
appropriate interagency agreements. Such a
memorandum or such an agreement shall require
the use of a competitive, merit-reviewed
process as appropriate. Activities may include
components proposed by Federal agencies,
National Laboratories, institutions of higher
education, nonprofit organizations, industry,
and other entities deemed appropriate under the
memorandum or agreement.
``(ii) Coordination.--In carrying out the
activities under paragraph (1), the Secretaries
may--
``(I) conduct collaborative
research in a variety of focus areas,
including the areas specified in clause
(iv);
``(II) develop methods to
accommodate large voluntary
standardized and integrated data sets
on agricultural, environmental, supply
chain, and economic information with
variable accuracy and scale;
``(III) promote collaboration and
secure information sharing with
stakeholders that are capable of
increasing market-based adoption of
technologies developed pursuant to the
memoranda of understanding or other
appropriate interagency agreements
entered into under this subparagraph.
``(IV) promote collaboration and
open community-based development
between--
``(aa) Federal agencies;
``(bb) National
Laboratories;
``(cc) institutions of
higher education (as defined in
section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001));
``(dd) nonprofit
institutions;
``(ee) industry partners;
and
``(ff) other entities
deemed appropriate under the
memorandum or agreement
involved;
``(V) support research
infrastructure, including new
facilities and equipment, and workforce
development as the Secretaries
determine necessary;
``(VI) conduct collaborative
research, development, and
demonstration of methods and
technologies; and
``(VII) facilitate relations
between public and private entities to
carry on the activities of this clause
upon the termination of any agreement
established under this subparagraph.
``(iii) Agreements.--In carrying out the
activities under this subparagraph, the
Secretaries are authorized to--
``(I) carry out reimbursable
agreements between the Department of
Agriculture, the Department of Defense,
and other entities in order to maximize
the effectiveness of research and
development; and
``(II) collaborate with other
Federal agencies, as appropriate.
``(iv) Focus areas described.--The focus
areas described in this clause are the
following:
``(I) Management strategies for
water, energy, soil, forests, and food
to reduce scarcity risks to civilian
and military operations.
``(II) Innovations applicable to
defense objectives and beneficial to
rural agricultural economies,
including--
``(aa) precision
agriculture technologies;
``(bb) drones;
``(cc) remote sensing; and
``(dd) positioning,
navigation, and timing
capabilities.
``(III) Mitigation of the impacts
of chemicals, specifically
perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl
substances (commonly referred to as
PFAS), released through activities
carried out by the Department of
Defense, to farmland contiguous to
military bases.
``(D) Other federal agencies.--In addition to the
memoranda of understanding with Federal agencies
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B), the Secretary
shall, as appropriate, enter into memoranda of
understanding with the heads of other Federal agencies
to coordinate the activities under paragraph (1).
``(3) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,
the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report detailing--
``(A) interagency coordination between each Federal
agency involved in the research and development
activities carried out under this section;
``(B) potential opportunities to expand the
technical capabilities of each Federal agency involved
in the research and development activities carried out
under this section;
``(C) collaborative research achievements;
``(D) areas of future mutually beneficial
successes;
``(E) continuation of coordination activities
between each Federal agency involved in the research
and development activities carried out under this
section;
``(F) potential opportunities for additional
memoranda of understanding with other Federal agencies;
and
``(G) any additional information as the Secretary
deems appropriate.
``(4) Research security.--The activities authorized under
this section shall be applied in a manner consistent with
subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of the
CHIPS Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et
seq.)).''.
SEC. 7609. AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION CORPS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish an Agricultural
Innovation Corps (referred to in this section as the ``Ag I-Corps'') to
promote technology transfer and increase the economic impact of
federally-funded research through--
(1) supporting agricultural researchers, students, and
institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), in
exploring the commercial potential of technologies developed in
laboratories through a standardized entrepreneurial training
program; and
(2) bringing together Agriculture Research Service
researchers and institutions of higher education within a
distinct geographical region to collaborate and deliver a
standardized entrepreneurial training curriculum.
(b) Eligibility.--Agricultural researchers, students, and
institutions of higher education receiving funds from the Department
shall be eligible to participate in Ag I-Corps.
(c) Follow-on Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make funds available
from the Small Business Innovation Research Program for
competitive grants to Ag I-Corps participants to help support--
(A) prototype or proof-of-concept development; and
(B) such activities as the Secretary considers
necessary to build local, regional, and national
infrastructure for agricultural entrepreneurship.
(2) Limitation.--Grants under paragraph (1) shall be
limited to participants in Ag I-Corps with innovations that,
because of the early stage of development of such innovations,
are not eligible to participate in a Small Business Innovation
Research Program or Small Business Technology Transfer Program
(as defined in section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638)).
(d) Partnerships.--The Secretary may engage in partnerships with
other Federal agencies, State and local governments, economic
development organizations, and nonprofit organizations to provide
access to Ag I-Corps to support entrepreneurship education and training
for agricultural researchers, students, and institutions of higher
education under this section.
(e) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2027, and not less
frequently than once every other year, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report on the efficacy of Ag I-Corps, including metrics on the
effectiveness of the program.
TITLE VIII--FORESTRY
Subtitle A--Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
SEC. 8101. SUPPORT FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIES FOR FOREST
RESOURCES.
Section 2A(f) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
(16 U.S.C. 2101a(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``to carry out this
section,'' and all that follows through the period at the end
and inserting the following: ``the Secretary may use any other
funds made available under this Act to develop and implement
the State-wide assessment and State-wide strategy required by
subsection (a), except that the total amount of combined
funding used to develop and implement such assessment and
strategy may not exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year.''.
SEC. 8102. FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 7(l)(3) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
(16 U.S.C. 2103c(l)(3)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the State of
Vermont'' and inserting ``a State''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)(ii), in the matter preceding
subclause (I), by striking ``of Vermont'' and inserting
``involved''.
SEC. 8103. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORATION
PROGRAM.
Section 13A(l)(3) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a(l)(3)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
Subtitle B--Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
SEC. 8201. PROMOTING CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE MITIGATION.
Section 103(e)(5) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. 6513(e)(5)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 8202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION
ON FEDERAL LAND.
Section 108 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6518) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 8203. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM.
Section 303 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6542) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (7) as
paragraphs (2) through (8), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so
redesignated, the following:
``(1) Adjacent land.--The term `adjacent land' means non-
Federal land, including State, local, and private land, that is
adjacent to, and within the same watershed as, National Forest
System land on which a watershed protection and restoration
project is carried out under this section.''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and
(H) as subparagraphs (K) and (L), respectively;
and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (F)
the following:
``(G) an acequia association;
``(H) a local, regional, or other public entity
that manages stormwater or wastewater resources or
other related water infrastructure;
``(I) a land-grant mercedes;
``(J) a local, regional, or other private entity
that has water delivery authority;'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Requirements.--A watershed protection and restoration
project under the Program shall be designed to--
``(A) protect and restore watershed health, water
supply and quality, a municipal or agricultural water
supply system, and water-related infrastructure;
``(B) protect and restore forest health from insect
infestation and disease or wildfire; or
``(C) advance any combination of the purposes
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).
``(3) Priorities.--In selecting watershed protection and
restoration projects under the Program, the Secretary shall
give priority to projects that--
``(A) provide risk management benefits associated
with drought; wildfire; post-wildfire conditions;
extreme weather; flooding; resilience to climate
change; and watershed and fire resilience, including
minimizing risks to watershed health, water supply and
quality, and water-related infrastructure, including
municipal and agricultural water supply systems;
``(B) support aquatic restoration and conservation
efforts that complement existing or planned forest
restoration or wildfire risk reduction efforts; or
``(C) provide quantifiable benefits to water supply
or quality and include the use of nature-based
solutions, such as restoring wetland and riparian
ecosystems.
``(4) Conditions for projects on adjacent land.--
``(A) In general.--No project or activity may be
carried out under this section on adjacent land unless
the owner of the adjacent land agrees in writing that
the owner is a willing and engaged partner in carrying
out that project or activity.
``(B) Effect.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize any change in--
``(i) the ownership of adjacent land on
which a project or activity is carried out
under this section; or
``(ii) the management of adjacent land on
which a project or activity is carried out
under this section, except during the carrying
out of that project or activity.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``watersheds that
provide water to the end water users'' and inserting
``watersheds, and lands adjacent to any such watershed,
that provide water--
``(A) to the end water users subject to the
agreement; or
``(B) for the benefit of another end water user.'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or''
at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as
subparagraph (E); and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C)
the following:
``(D) a good neighbor agreement entered into under
section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
2113a); or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Cooperation with non-federal partners.--The Secretary
shall cooperate with non-Federal partners in carrying out
assessments, planning, project design, and project
implementation under this section.'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Requirements.--A water source management plan shall
be--
``(A) designed to protect and restore ecological
integrity (as defined in section 219.19 of title 36,
Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date
of enactment of this subparagraph));
``(B) based on the best available scientific
information; and
``(C) conducted in a manner consistent with the
forest plan applicable to the National Forest System
land on which the watershed protection and restoration
project is carried out.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Reducing redundancy.--An existing watershed plan,
such as a watershed protection and restoration action plan
developed under section 304(a)(3), or other applicable
watershed planning documents as approved by the Secretary may
be used as the basis for a water source management plan under
this subsection.'';
(5) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``primary purpose
of'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``primary purpose of advancing any of the purposes
described in subsection (b)(2).'';
(6) in subsection (g), by amending paragraph (2) to read as
follows:
``(2) Matching funds required.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary shall require the contribution of funds or
in-kind support from non-Federal partners to be in an
amount that is not less than 50 percent of the amount
of Federal funds.
``(B) Waiver.--The requirement in subparagraph (A)
may be waived at the discretion of the Secretary.'';
and
(7) in subsection (g)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Set-aside for partner participation in
planning and technical assistance.--Of the amounts made
available under subparagraph (B) to carry out this
section for each fiscal year, the Secretary may not use
more than 10 percent for non-Federal partner planning
and technical assistance efforts in developing or
implementing a water source management plan under
subsection (d).''.
SEC. 8204. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
Section 304(a) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6543(a)) is amended in paragraphs (3) and (5) by striking
``protection and''.
SEC. 8205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO COMBAT INSECT
INFESTATIONS AND RELATED DISEASES.
Section 406 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6556) is amended by striking ``October 1, 2023'' and inserting
``October 1, 2031''.
SEC. 8206. INSECT AND DISEASE INFESTATION.
Section 602(d)(2) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. 6591a(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 8207. STEWARDSHIP END RESULT CONTRACTING PROJECTS.
Section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6591c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``, including retaining
and expanding existing forest products infrastructure necessary
to carry out an agreement or contract under this subsection''
before the period at the end;
(2) in subsection (d)(3)(B), by striking ``10 years'' and
inserting ``20 years''; and
(3) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Special rule for long-term stewardship contracts.--
``(A) Definition of multiyear contract.--In this
paragraph, the term `multiyear contract' means a
contract entered into under subsection (b) that--
``(i) has a term of at least 5 years; and
``(ii) is entered into on or after the date
of enactment of this paragraph.
``(B) Special rule.--A multiyear contract entered
into under subsection (b) by the Chief or the Director
with an entity shall provide that, in the case of
cancellation or termination of the multiyear contract
by the Chief or the Director, the Chief or the
Director, as applicable, shall provide to the entity a
cancellation or termination payment equal to the lesser
of--
``(i) an amount equal to 10 percent of the
multiyear contract; or
``(ii) the amount of unrecovered costs that
would have been recouped through amortization
over the full term of the contract (including
the term canceled).''.
Subtitle C--Other Forestry Programs
SEC. 8301. NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AGROFORESTRY CENTERS.
Section 1243 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act
of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101-624) is amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting
``national and regional agroforestry centers'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) as
subsections (b), (d), (e), and (h), respectively;
(3) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) Definition of Agroforestry.--In this section, the term
`agroforestry' means a management system that intentionally integrates
trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to build more
profitable and weather-resilient farms, ranches, and communities,
address natural resource concerns and conservation needs, and establish
productive and sustainable land use practices, including--
``(1) riparian forest buffers;
``(2) alley cropping;
``(3) silvopasture;
``(4) forest farming and multistory cropping; and
``(5) windbreaks, shelterbelts, hedgerows, and, where
applicable, field borders, and living snow fences.'';
(4) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Semiarid'' and inserting ``National'';
(B) by inserting ``(referred to in this section as
the `Secretary')'' after ``Secretary of Agriculture'';
(C) by striking ``Semiarid Agroforestry Research,
Development, and Demonstration Center (hereafter
referred to in this section as the `Center')'' and
inserting ``National Agroforestry Research,
Development, and Demonstration Center''; and
(D) by striking ``at the Center under subsection
(b)'' and inserting ``under subsection (d)'';
(5) by inserting after subsection (b) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(c) Regional Agroforestry Centers.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, acting through the
Chief of the Forest Service and in cooperation with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, establish 1 or more regional
agroforestry centers to advance agroforestry research,
outreach, technical assistance, and adoption.
``(2) Director.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service and in cooperation with the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, shall appoint a Director to
manage and coordinate the 1 or more regional agroforestry
centers established under paragraph (1).
``(3) Location.--In selecting the locations for the 1 or
more regional agroforestry centers under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall prioritize locations at which the Department of
Agriculture has, on the date of enactment of the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026, at least 1 employee
providing coordination among a diverse group of research
institutions and other partners.
``(4) Administration.--Regional agroforestry centers
established under paragraph (1) shall by administered by the
National Agroforestry Center.'';
(6) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``the Center'' and
inserting ``each of the centers established
under subsections (b) and (c) (referred to in
this section as the `Centers')'';
(ii) by inserting ``and organizations''
after ``nonprofit foundations''; and
(iii) by inserting ``demonstration
projects,'' after ``studies,'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``on semiarid lands that''
and inserting ``that build soil health and'';
and
(ii) by inserting ``, including
agroforestry systems on semiarid land and other
fragile agroecosystems where permanent woody
perennial plant communities can enhance carbon
sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas
emissions'' before the semicolon;
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``forestry
products for commercial sale from semiarid land'' and
inserting ``agroforestry products for commercial
sale'';
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``in semiarid regions'';
and
(ii) by striking ``the Great Plains
region'' and inserting ``particular regions'';
(E) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``technical
assistance, demonstration projects, and'' before
``technology'';
(F) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (11) as
paragraphs (8) through (12), respectively;
(G) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the
following:
``(6) develop improved silvopasture, alley cropping, forest
farming, multistory cropping, riparian buffer, windbreak and
shelterbelt, and other perennial production and conservation
systems and technologies to improve soil health, carbon
sequestration, drought preparedness, soil and water
conservation, environmental quality, and biological diversity;
``(7) address barriers to the adoption of agroforestry
practices, including--
``(A) insufficient access to plant material;
``(B) insufficient infrastructure to contain
equipment and plant material;
``(C) insufficient machinery to implement
agroforestry practices;
``(D) insufficient technical service assistance;
and
``(E) insufficient research related to agroforestry
systems, including silvopasture and alley cropping;'';
(H) in paragraph (8) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``on semiarid lands'';
(I) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated), by
striking ``on semiarid lands worldwide'' and inserting
``worldwide, including on semiarid land''; and
(J) in paragraph (10) (as so redesignated)--
(i) by striking ``on semiarid lands''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and extreme weather''
after ``pollution'';
(7) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by
striking ``the Center'' and inserting ``each of the
Centers'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``forestry'' and inserting
``forestry, agroforestry,''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) facilitate agroforestry adoption by disseminating
comprehensive information on Federal, State, local, and Tribal
programs that provide support for agroforestry.'';
(8) by inserting after subsection (e) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(f) Regional Support.--The Secretary shall provide targeted
regional support for agroforestry projects, including demonstration
sites.
``(g) Survey.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 and
every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a National
Agroforestry Producers Survey.''; and
(9) in subsection (h) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``There are'' and inserting ``In
addition to amounts otherwise available, there is'';
and
(B) by striking ``$5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2019 through 2023'' and inserting ``$7,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 8302. NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT.
(a) Matching Funds.--Section 405(b) of the National Forest
Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-3(b)) is amended by striking ``2023''
and inserting ``2031''.
(b) White Oak Restoration Fund.--Section 409 of the National Forest
Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-7) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The activities'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) In General.--The activities''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) White Oak Restoration Fund.--
``(1) In general.--Funds described in paragraph (2) shall
be made available for activities--
``(A) on national forests that are approved by the
Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service; and
``(B) to--
``(i) re-establish white oak forests where
appropriate;
``(ii) improve management of existing white
oak forests to foster natural regeneration of
white oak;
``(iii) improve and expand white oak
nursery stock; and
``(iv) adapt and improve white oak
seedlings.
``(2) Fund.--The National Forest Foundation may accept
gifts, devises, or bequests for the purposes of carrying out
the activities specified in paragraph (1).
``(3) Summary.--Beginning 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the National Forest Foundation shall
include in the budget justification materials submitted to
Congress in support of the budget of each such Foundation for
each fiscal year (as submitted with the budget of the President
under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code) a
summary of the activities carried out under paragraph (1) and
the funds accepted under paragraph (2) that includes--
``(A) the amount--
``(i) accepted under paragraph (2) in the
preceding fiscal year; and
``(ii) described in clause (i) that is
unobligated on the date of the report; and
``(B) a description of the activities under
paragraph (1) funded during the preceding fiscal
year.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 410(b) of the
National Forest Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j-8(b)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 8303. CONVEYANCES AND LEASES OF FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE
SITES.
(a) Conveyance of Forest Service Administrative Sites.--Section
503(f) of the Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act
of 2005 (16 U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 109-54) is amended by striking
``September 30, 2019'' and inserting ``September 30, 2031''.
(b) Authorization for Lease of Forest Service Sites.--Section
8623(i) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (16 U.S.C. 580d
note; Public Law 115-334) is amended by striking ``2023'' each place it
appears and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 8304. FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS.
(a) In General.--Section 3(e) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``their resources'' and inserting
``the resources of those forests, including forest
carbon,'';
(B) by striking ``In compliance'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--In compliance''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Additional methods.--Under the program under
this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out, as a
data collection method--
``(i) a national timber products output
survey; and
``(ii) a national woodland owner survey.'';
(2) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ``including with
respect to available forest carbon data,'' after ``2
decades,'';
(3) in paragraph (4)--
(A) in the second sentence, by striking ``The
standards'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Inclusions.--The standards described in
subparagraph (A)'';
(B) by striking ``(4) National standards and
definitions.--To ensure'' and inserting the following:
``(4) National consistency.--
``(A) Standards and definitions.--To ensure''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Terminology.--The Secretary shall include a
clear description of the definition of `forest' used
for purposes of reporting data from inventories and
analyses of forests and the resources of forests under
this subsection with--
``(i) any data or report provided under the
program under this subsection;
``(ii) Renewable Resource Assessments
prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601(a)); and
``(iii) any data or report provided to an
entity outside the United States.'';
(4) in paragraph (6)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection,'' and inserting ``In
accordance with paragraph (7),''; and
(B) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E) and
inserting the following:
``(D) the organization and procedures necessary to
understand and report on changes in land cover and use;
``(E) the organization and procedures necessary to
sample and evaluate carbon-related data variables,
including soil carbon, collected from forest inventory
and analysis plots, timber products output surveys, and
national woodland owner surveys to ensure that carbon
accounting information needs can be met; and''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Updates to strategic plan.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary
shall prepare an update to the strategic plan under
paragraph (6) to include--
``(i) a plan to implement nationally
consistent data collection protocols and
procedures to improve the statistical precision
of base program estimates;
``(ii) pathways to integrate and report on
status and trends in forest carbon pools,
including below-ground carbon;
``(iii) plans, including the identification
of challenges, to collaborate with other
Federal agencies, non-Federal partners, and the
private sector to integrate existing nationally
available data sets and best available
commercial technologies, such as remote
sensing, spatial analysis techniques, and other
new technologies;
``(iv) a plan to increase transparency and
clarity in reporting in accordance with
paragraph (4)(C);
``(v) a plan to expand current data
collection, further integrate remote sensing
technology, or both, to include procedures to
improve the statistical precision of estimates
at the sub-State level;
``(vi) a plan to expand current data
collection, further integrate remote sensing
technology, or both, to include information on
renewable biomass supplies and carbon stocks at
the local, State, regional, and national
levels, including by ownership type; and
``(vii) such other matters as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate based on
recommendations of the Forest Inventory and
Analysis National User Group.
``(B) Submission.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives the
update to the strategic plan prepared under
subparagraph (A).
``(C) Further updates.--Not later than 5 years
after the date on which the update is submitted under
subparagraph (B), and every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall--
``(i) prepare an additional update to the
strategic plan; and
``(ii) submit the additional update to the
committees described in subparagraph (B).
``(8) Accessibility.--The Secretary shall ensure that data
collected under this subsection is--
``(A) easily accessible to all public- and private-
sector entities; and
``(B) collected and made accessible using means
that ensure the confidentiality, in accordance with
section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C.
2276), of--
``(i) plot locations;
``(ii) nonaggregated data of woodland
owners; and
``(iii) nonaggregated data from timber
product output survey.
``(9) Biennial compilations.--Biennially, the Secretary
shall prepare and make publicly available a compilation of
national forest inventory and analysis forest statistics, which
shall be similar to the tables contained in the Renewable
Resource Assessments prepared under section 3(a) of the Forest
and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16
U.S.C. 1601(a)), accompanied by relevant geospatial products.
``(10) External complex data requests.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an
office, a data platform, or team to process and respond
to complex data requests submitted by external
organizations relating to the program under this
subsection.
``(B) Fees.--
``(i) In general.--To cover the costs of
processing of and responding to complex data
requests described in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary may impose fees on external
organizations submitting the requests.
``(ii) Fees collected.--Fees collected
under clause (i) may only be used for the
purposes described in such clause.
``(11) Reports.--Each year, the Secretary shall publish as
part of the forest inventory and analysis business report a
detailed description of the progress of the Secretary in
implementing the programmatic elements of the strategic plan
described in paragraph (6), including--
``(A) the costs and priorities of the strategic
plan; and
``(B) how the program under this subsection
leverages new technology, improves and standardizes
collection protocols, and increases workforce
capacity.''.
(b) Remote Sensing Technologies.--Section 8632(1) of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law
115-334) is amended by striking ``technologies'' and inserting
``technologies, such as microwave, LiDAR, hyperspectral, and high-
resolution remote sensing data, and advanced computing technologies for
improved modeling to provide tabular statistical estimates and
geospatial products,''.
SEC. 8305. REFORESTATION, NURSERY, AND SEED ORCHARD SUPPORT.
(a) Partnerships, Collaboration, and Other Assistance in Support of
Nurseries and Seed Orchards.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief
of the Forest Service, shall--
(1) partner with Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes,
private nurseries, and other relevant entities to provide
training, technical assistance, and research to nursery and
tree establishment programs that support natural regeneration,
reforestation, agroforestry, and afforestation;
(2) promote information sharing to improve the technical
knowledge, practices, and understanding of the demands, climate
change impacts, and other issues necessary to address all
facets of the reforestation pipeline;
(3) provide technical and financial assistance to
international nursery and tree establishment programs through--
(A) international programs conducted by the Forest
Service pursuant to the International Forestry
Cooperation Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.);
(B) the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry of
the Forest Service; and
(C) the International Institute of Tropical
Forestry of the Forest Service;
(4) collaborate with other relevant Federal departments and
agencies, including the Foreign Agricultural Service of the
Department, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the
Department of the Interior, and international organizations to
provide technical and financial assistance related to nurseries
and reforestation;
(5) coordinate the efforts of the Department to--
(A) address the challenges associated with the
reforestation pipeline; and
(B) leverage economic development assistance for
work with private nurseries; and
(6) expand science-based reforestation supply chains
through research, seed collection and storage, and nursery
infrastructure and operations in coordination with the
Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service.
(b) Nursery and Seed Orchard Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program
to provide grants to eligible recipients to support nurseries
and seed orchards.
(2) Eligible projects.--The Secretary may make a grant
under this subsection to an eligible recipient for a project to
carry out at least one of the following:
(A) Develop, expand, enhance, or improve nursery
production capacity or other infrastructure to--
(i) improve seed collection, processing,
and storage;
(ii) increase seedling production, storage,
and distribution; or
(iii) enhance seedling survival and
properly manage tree genetic resources.
(B) Establish, improve, or expand a nursery or seed
orchard, including by acquiring equipment for such
nursery or seed orchard.
(C) Develop or implement quality control measures
at nurseries or seed orchards.
(D) Promote workforce development within any facet
of the reforestation pipeline.
(E) Carry out such other activity as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient''
means--
(A) a State forestry agency;
(B) an Indian Tribe;
(C) a private nursery that has experience growing
high-quality native trees of appropriate genetic
sources in bareroot or container stocktypes specific
for reforestation, restoration, or conservation,
including native plants and seeds that are of cultural
significance to Indian Tribes;
(D) an institution of higher education (as defined
in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001)); and
(E) a county or local government with a nursery or
seed orchard.
(2) Nursery.--The term ``nursery'' means a tree or native
plant nursery.
(3) Seed orchard.--The term ``seed orchard'' means a tree
or native plant seed orchard.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.
Subtitle D--Forest Management
PART I--NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
SEC. 8401. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR HIGH PRIORITY HAZARD TREES.
(a) Categorical Exclusion.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a
categorical exclusion (as defined in section 111 of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e))
for high-priority hazard tree activities.
(2) Administration.--In developing and administering the
categorical exclusion under paragraph (1), the Secretary
shall--
(A) comply with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(B) apply the extraordinary circumstances
procedures under section 220.6 of title 36, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), in
determining whether to use the categorical exclusion.
(3) Project size limitation.--A project carried out using
the categorical exclusion developed under paragraph (1) may not
exceed 6,000 acres.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) High-priority hazard tree.--The term ``high-priority
hazard tree'' means a standing tree that--
(A) presents a visible hazard to people or property
due to conditions such as deterioration of, or damage
to, the root system, trunk, stem, or limbs of the tree,
or the direction or lean of the tree, as determined by
the Secretary;
(B) is determined by the Secretary to be highly
likely to fail and, on failure, would be highly likely
to cause injury to people or damage to Federal
property; and
(C) is located--
(i) within 300 feet of a National Forest
System road with a maintenance level of 3, 4,
or 5;
(ii) along a National Forest System trail;
or
(iii) in a developed recreation site--
(I) that is operated and maintained
by the Secretary; and
(II) on National Forest System
land.
(2) High-priority hazard tree activity.--
(A) In general.--The term ``high-priority hazard
tree activity'' means a forest management activity that
mitigates the risks associated with high-priority
hazard trees, including pruning, felling, and disposal
of a high-priority hazard tree.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``high-priority hazard
tree activity'' does not include any activity--
(i) conducted in a wilderness area or
wilderness study area;
(ii) for the construction of a permanent
road or permanent trail;
(iii) conducted on Federal land on which,
by Act of Congress or Presidential
proclamation, the removal of vegetation is
restricted or prohibited;
(iv) conducted in an area in which
activities described in subparagraph (A) would
be inconsistent with the applicable land and
resource management plan; or
(v) conducted in an inventoried roadless
area.
SEC. 8402. COLLABORATIVE RESTORATION PROJECTS.
Section 603(c)(1) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. 6591b(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``3000 acres'' and
inserting ``10,000 acres''.
SEC. 8403. WILDFIRE RESILIENCE PROJECT SIZE.
Section 605(c)(1) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. 6591d(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``3000 acres'' and
inserting ``10,000 acres''.
SEC. 8404. FUEL BREAKS IN FORESTS AND OTHER WILDLAND VEGETATION.
Section 40806(d)(1) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
(16 U.S.C. 6592b(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``3,000 acres'' and
inserting ``10,000 acres''.
SEC. 8405. GREATER SAGE-GROUSE AND MULE DEER HABITAT.
Section 606 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16
U.S.C. 6591e) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (ii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vii) as
clauses (ii) through (vi), respectively; and
(C) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by
striking ``in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``concurrently for both
greater sage-grouse and'' and inserting ``for greater sage-
grouse or'';
(3) by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
``(g) Limitation.--A covered vegetation management activity that is
covered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) may not
exceed 4,500 acres in a forested ecosystem or 7,500 acres in a
rangeland ecosystem.''.
SEC. 8406. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR ELECTRIC UTILITY LINES RIGHTS-OF-
WAY.
(a) Categorical Exclusion Established.--Forest management
activities described in subsection (b) are a category of activities
designated as being categorically excluded from the preparation of an
environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement under
section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4332).
(b) Forest Management Activities Designated for Categorical
Exclusion.--The forest management activities designated as being
categorically excluded under subsection (a) are--
(1) the development and approval of a vegetation
management, facility inspection, and operation and maintenance
plan submitted under section 512(c)(1) of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1772(c)(1)) to the
Secretary; and
(2) the implementation of routine activities conducted
under the plan referred to in paragraph (1).
(c) Availability of Categorical Exclusion.--On and after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary may use the categorical
exclusion established under subsection (a) in accordance with this
section.
(d) Exclusion of Certain Areas.--The categorical exclusion
established under subsection (a) shall not apply to any forest
management activity conducted--
(1) in a component of the National Wilderness Preservation
System; or
(2) on National Forest System lands on which, by Act of
Congress, the removal of vegetation is restricted or
prohibited.
(e) Permanent Roads.--
(1) Prohibition on establishment.--A forest management
activity designated under subsection (b) shall not include the
establishment of a permanent road.
(2) Existing roads.--The Secretary may carry out necessary
maintenance and repair on an existing permanent road for the
purposes of conducting a forest management activity designated
under subsection (b).
(3) Temporary roads.--The Secretary shall decommission any
temporary road constructed for a forest management activity
designated under subsection (b) not later than 3 years after
the date on which the action is completed.
(f) Applicable Law.--A forest management activity designated under
subsection (b) shall not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) or section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
SEC. 8407. FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM
LANDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may conduct forest management
activities on National Forest System land.
(b) Coordination.--In carrying out forest management activities,
the Secretary shall, as appropriate, coordinate with impacted parties
to increase efficiency and maximize the compatibility of management
practices across National Forest System lands.
(c) Objectives.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct forest
management activities on National Forest System land in a
manner that attains multiple ecosystem benefits, including.--
(A) reducing forest fuels;
(B) maintaining the diversity of plant and animal
communities;
(C) improving soil, streams, lakes, wetlands, and
water quality, including in riparian areas; and
(D) increasing resilience to changing water
temperature and precipitation regimes.
(d) Ground Disturbance.--Consistent with applicable Federal law and
any applicable forest plan, the Secretary shall--
(1) establish criteria for ground conditions following a
forest management activity carried out under a forest plan that
results in ground disturbances; and
(2) monitor such ground conditions to determine whether
desired outcomes or conditions are achieved.
(e) Availability of Categorical Exclusion for Certain Forest
Management Activities.--A forest management activity conducted on
National Forest System land for the purpose of reducing forest fuels is
categorically excluded from the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) if the forest
management activity--
(1) does not exceed 10,000 acres, including not more than
3,000 acres of mechanical thinning;
(2) is developed--
(A) in coordination with impacted parties,
specifically including representatives of local
governments, such as county supervisors or county
commissioners; and
(B) in consultation with other entities, as
determined by the Secretary/any other entity determined
relevant by the Secretary; and
(3) is consistent with any applicable forest plan.
(f) Cooperative Authorities.--The Secretary may enter into
contracts and cooperative agreements with an impacted party to provide
for fuel reduction, soil restoration, erosion control, reforestation,
riparian restoration, revegetation, and similar management activities
on Federal land and non-Federal land.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Forest management activity.--The term ``forest
management activity'' means a project or activity that is
carried out by the Secretary on National Forest System land and
is consistent with any applicable forest plan.
(2) Forest plan.--The term ``forest plan'' means a land and
resource management plan under section 6 of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
1406).
(3) Impacted parties.--The term ``impacted parties''
includes--
(A) State, local, and Tribal governments;
(B) local fire departments;
(C) other relevant volunteer groups.
(4) National forest system.--The term ``National Forest
System'' has the meaning given that term in section 11(a) of
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
SEC. 8408. SUPPRESSION OF WILDFIRES.
(a) In General.--With respect to National Forest System lands
described in subsection (b), the Secretary, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service--
(1) shall--
(A) use available resources to carry out wildfire
suppression with the purpose of containing wildfires
detected on such lands not later than 24 hours after
such a wildfire is detected; and
(B) carry out wildfire suppression under
subparagraph (A) in a manner that is consistent with
interagency agreements and applicable standards of
firefighter safety;
(2) shall not inhibit the suppression efforts of State or
local firefighting agencies that are authorized to respond to
wildfire on such lands;
(3) may only use fire as a resource management tool if the
fire is a prescribed fire that complies with applicable law and
regulations;
(4) may only initiate a backfire or burnout during a
wildfire--
(A) by order of the responsible incident commander,
in consultation with the appropriate Forest Service
line officer; or
(B) in instances that are necessary to protect the
health and safety of firefighting personnel;
(5) shall use available resources to control any such
initiated backfire or burnout until contained;
(6) shall use available resources, including infrared
technologies, to ensure prescribed fires are contained; and
(7) shall update the prescribed fire policies of the Forest
Service to reflect the findings and recommendations included in
the report entitled ``National Prescribed Fire Program Review''
published in September 2022 by the Forest Service.
(b) Limitations on Scope.--For purposes of subsection (a), the
National Forest System lands described in this subsection are National
Forest System lands that--
(1) the National Interagency Fire Center has established as
a National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level of 5;
(2) contain areas that the U.S. Drought Monitor has rated
as having a D2 (severe drought) intensity, D3 (extreme drought)
intensity, or D4 (exceptional drought) intensity; or
(3) the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service, has identified as being located in a fireshed ranked
in the top 10 percent of wildfire exposure, as determined using
the most recent published models of fireshed risk exposure
published by the Forest Service.
(c) National Forest System Defined.--In this section, the term
``National Forest System'' has the meaning given such term in section
11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
PART II--FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES
SEC. 8411. NO ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION REQUIRED.
(a) Forest Service Plans.--Section 6(d)(2) of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C.
1604(d)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) No additional consultation required under certain
circumstances.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation
under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title 50, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), on a land
management plan approved, amended, or revised under this
section when--
``(A) a new species is listed or critical habitat
is designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
``(B) new information reveals effects of the land
management plan that may affect a species listed or
critical habitat designated under that Act in a manner
or to an extent not previously considered.''.
(b) Bureau of Land Management Plans.--Section 202 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(g) No Additional Consultation Required Under Certain
Circumstances.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation under
section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1536(a)(2)) or section 402.16 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations
(or a successor regulation), on a land use plan approved, amended, or
revised under this section when--
``(1) a new species is listed or critical habitat is
designated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.); or
``(2) new information reveals effects of the land use plan
that may affect a species listed or critical habitat designated
under that Act in a manner or to an extent not previously
considered.''.
SEC. 8412. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY.
(a) Good Neighbor Authority.--Section 8206 of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(6), by striking ``or Indian tribe'';
(2) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(11) Special district.--The term `special district' means
a political subdivision of a State that--
``(A) has significant budgetary autonomy or
control;
``(B) was created by or pursuant to the laws of the
State for the purpose of performing a limited and
specific governmental or proprietary function; and
``(C) is distinct from any other local government
unit within the State.''.
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``, Indian
Tribe, special district,'' after ``Governor'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(C)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) by inserting ``special
district,'' after ``Indian Tribe,''
each place it appears;
(II) in subclause (I)--
(aa) by striking ``on'';
and
(bb) by striking ``; and''
and inserting a semicolon;
(III) in subclause (II)(bb), by
striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(IV) by adding at the end the
following:
``(III) to construct new permanent
roads on Federal lands that are--
``(aa) necessary to
implement authorized
restoration activities; and
``(bb) approved by the
Federal agency through
environmental analysis or
categorical exclusion decision;
``(IV) to complete new permanent
road construction to replace and
decommission an existing permanent road
that is adversely impacting forest,
rangeland, or watershed health; and
``(V) if there are funds remaining
after carrying out subclauses (I)
through (IV), to carry out authorized
restoration services under other good
neighbor agreements and for the
administration of a good neighbor
authority program by a Governor, Indian
Tribe, special district, or country.'';
and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``2028''
and inserting ``2030'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, Indian
Tribe, special district,'' after ``Governor''; and
(D) by striking paragraph (4).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 8206(a) of the Agricultural Act
of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``, Indian Tribe,
special district,'' after ``Governor''; and
(2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``, Indian Tribe,
special district,'' after ``Governor''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section apply to
any project initiated pursuant to a good neighbor agreement (as defined
in section 8206(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C.
2113a(a)))--
(1) before the date of enactment of this Act, if the
project was initiated after the date of enactment of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334; 132
Stat. 4490); or
(2) on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8413. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PROGRAM.
Section 4003 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16
U.S.C. 7303) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``or
pathogens'' after ``species'';
(B) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in subparagraph (H), by adding ``and'' after
the semicolon at the end; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) address standardized monitoring questions and
indicators;'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) proposals that seek to use innovative
implementation mechanisms, including good neighbor
agreements entered into under section 8206 of the
Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a), and similar
implementation mechanisms; and
``(H) proposals that seek to reduce the risk of
uncharacteristic wildfire or increase ecological
restoration activities--
``(i) within areas across land ownerships,
including State, Tribal, and private land; and
``(ii) within the wildland-urban interface;
and
``(I) proposals that seek to enhance watershed
health and drinking water sources.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) 4 proposals in any 1 region of the National
Forest System to be funded during any fiscal year;
and'';
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(iii) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (B); and
(3) in subsection (f)(6), by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 8414. PUBLIC-PRIVATE WILDFIRE TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT AND TESTBED
PARTNERSHIP.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees.--The term ``appropriate
committees'' means--
(A) the Committees on Agriculture, Natural
Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry, Energy and Natural Resources, and Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(2) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means--
(A) the National Park Service;
(B) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
(C) the Bureau of Land Management;
(D) the Bureau of Reclamation;
(E) the Forest Service;
(F) the Department of Defense;
(G) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(H) the United States Fire Administration;
(I) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(J) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
(K) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
(L) any other Federal agency involved in wildfire
response.
(3) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means--
(A) a private entity;
(B) a nonprofit organization; or
(C) an institution of higher education (as defined
in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001)).
(4) Pilot program.--The term ``Pilot Program'' means the
deployment and testbed pilot program developed under subsection
(b).
(5) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the
Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior,
acting jointly.
(b) Deployment and Testbed Pilot Program Established.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretaries, in coordination with the heads of the covered agencies,
shall establish a deployment and testbed pilot program for new and
innovative wildfire prevention, detection, communication, and
mitigation technologies.
(c) Functions.--In carrying out the Pilot Program, the Secretaries
shall--
(1) incorporate the Pilot Program into an existing
interagency coordinating group on wildfires;
(2) in consultation with the heads of covered agencies,
identify key technology priority areas with respect to the
deployment of wildfire prevention, detection, communication,
and mitigation technologies, including--
(A) hazardous fuels reduction treatments or
activities;
(B) dispatch communications;
(C) remote sensing and tracking;
(D) safety equipment; and
(E) common operating pictures or operational
dashboards; and
(3) partner with each covered entity selected to
participate in the Pilot Program with the appropriate covered
agency to coordinate real-time and on-the-ground testing of
technology during wildland fire mitigation activities and
training.
(d) Applications.--To participate in the Pilot Program, a covered
entity shall submit to the Secretaries an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the Secretaries may
require, which shall include a proposal to test technologies specific
to key technology priority areas identified under subsection (c)(2).
(e) Prioritization of Emerging Technologies.--In selecting covered
entities to participate in the Pilot Program, the Secretaries shall
give priority to covered entities developing and applying emerging
technologies that address issues identified by the Secretaries,
including artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, computing and
quantum-hybrid applications, augmented reality, and 5G private networks
and device-to-device communications supporting nomadic mesh networks,
for wildfire mitigation.
(f) Outreach.--The Secretaries, in coordination with the heads of
the covered agencies, shall make publicly available the key technology
priority areas identified under subsection (c)(2) and invite covered
entities to apply to test and demonstrate their technologies to address
those priority areas.
(g) Reports and Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter for the
duration of the Pilot Program, the Secretaries shall submit to the
appropriate committees a report that includes the following with
respect to the Pilot Program:
(1) A list of participating covered entities.
(2) A brief description of the technologies tested by such
covered entities.
(3) An estimate of the cost of acquiring the technology
tested in the program and applying it at scale.
(4) Outreach efforts by Federal agencies to covered
entities developing wildfire technologies.
(5) Assessments of, and recommendations relating to, new
technologies with potential adoption and application at-scale
in Federal land management agencies' wildfire prevention,
detection, communication, and mitigation efforts.
(h) Termination.--The Pilot Program shall expire on September 30,
2031.
SEC. 8415. FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN EXPERIENCED SERVICES
PROGRAM.
Section 8302 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 3851a) is
amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``aces'' and
inserting ``experienced services'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``(a) In General.--'';
(B) by striking ``Agriculture Conservation''; and
(C) by inserting ``, professional, or
administrative'' after ``technical''; and
(3) by striking subsection (b).
SEC. 8416. TIMBER SALES ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.
Section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C.
472a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d) by striking ``$10,000'' and inserting
``$55,000''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) In the event of extreme risks to a unit of National Forest
System land, including catastrophic wildfire, insect and disease
outbreak, wind, hurricane, flood, drought, or to avoid impacts from
such extreme events, the Secretary may, without an appraisal and under
such rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary, dispose of by
sale or otherwise, portions of trees, or forest products located on
such unit of National Forest System land.''.
SEC. 8417. PERMITS AND AGREEMENTS WITH ELECTRICAL UTILITIES.
(a) In General.--In any special use permit or easement on National
Forest System lands provided to an electric utility company (as defined
in section 1262 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16451)) the
Secretary may provide permission to cut and remove trees or other
vegetation from within the vicinity of distribution lines or
transmission lines, including hazardous vegetation that increases fire
risk, without requiring a separate timber sale if that cutting and
removal is consistent with the applicable land management plan.
(b) Use of Proceeds.--A special use permit or easement that
includes permission for the cutting and removal of trees or other
vegetation described in subsection (a), shall include a requirement
that, if the applicable electrical utility sells any portion of the
material removed under the permit or easement, the electrical utility
shall provide to the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service, any proceeds received from the sale, less any transportation
costs incurred in the sale.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require the sale of any material removed under a special
use permit or easement that includes permission for the cutting and
removal of trees or other vegetation described in subsection (a).
SEC. 8418. UTILIZING GRAZING FOR WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION.
(a) Strategy.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall develop
and implement a strategy to utilize livestock grazing as a
wildfire risk reduction tool on Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned.
(2) Inclusions.--The strategy under paragraph (1) shall
include--
(A) the completion of any reviews required under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)) to allow a permittee with a
grazing permit in effect to graze on vacant grazing
allotments during instances of drought, wildfire, or
other natural disaster that disrupt grazing on the
allotments covered by such grazing permit;
(B) the use of targeted grazing to reduce hazardous
fuels;
(C) an increase in the use of temporary grazing
permits to promote targeted fuels reduction and
reduction of invasive annual grasses;
(D) an increase in the use of livestock grazing--
(i) to eradicate invasive annual grasses;
and
(ii) as a restoration strategy and for
post-fire recovery, as appropriate;
(E) the integrated use of advanced technologies to
dynamically adjust livestock placement on Federal land
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned;
(F) an increase in the use of any authorities
applicable to livestock grazing, including
modifications to grazing permits or leases to allow
variances; and
(G) the use of grazing on Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned in a manner
that--
(i) avoids conflicts with other uses of
such land; and
(ii) is consistent with any applicable land
management plan.
(b) Effect on Existing Grazing Programs.--Nothing in this section
affects--
(1) any livestock grazing program carried out by the
Secretary concerned as of the date of enactment of this Act; or
(2) any statutory authority for any program described in
paragraph (1).
(c) Secretary Concerned Defined.--In this section, the term
``Secretary concerned'' means--
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to National
Forest System lands; and
(2) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public
lands.
SEC. 8419. JOINT CHIEFS LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
Section 40808 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is
amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(2), by inserting ``and at least once
every 2 fiscal years thereafter'' after ``and 2023''; and
(2) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ``and 2023'' and
inserting ``through 2031''.
SEC. 8420. TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 8703 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 is
amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``demonstration project''
and inserting ``program''; and
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``demonstration projects
by'' and inserting ``a program under''.
PART III--TIMBER INNOVATION
SEC. 8431. COMMUNITY WOOD FACILITIES PROGRAM.
Section 9013 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8113) is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``community wood energy and
wood innovation program'' and inserting ``community wood
facilities program'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)(iii), in the matter
preceding subclause (I) by striking ``woody biomass,
including residuals'' and inserting ``primarily forest
biomass, including processing or manufacturing
residuals''; and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``Community Wood
Energy and Wood Innovation Program'' and inserting
``Community Wood Facilities Program'';
(3) in subsection (b), by striking ``to be known as'' and
all that follows through the period at the end and inserting
``to be known as the `Community Wood Facilities Program'.'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``exceed--'' in the
matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through the
period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ``exceed
$5,000,000.'';
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as
(1) through (7), respectively; and
(C) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated, by
inserting ``or market competitiveness'' after ``cost
effectiveness'';
(6) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by
striking ``use or retrofitting (or both) of existing
sawmill'' and inserting ``construction, use or
retrofitting of forest products manufacturing'';
(7) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5 megawatts of
thermal energy or combined thermal and electric
energy'' and inserting ``15 megawatts of thermal energy
or combined thermal and electric energy''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``25 percent''
and inserting ``50 percent''; and
(8) in subsection (h), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 8432. WOOD INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Application to Transportation Costs.--Section 8643(b)(1) of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 7655d(b)(1)) is amended
by inserting ``, including the construction of new facilities that
advance the purposes of the program and for the hauling of material
removed to reduce hazardous fuels to locations where that material can
be utilized'' before the period at the end.
(b) Targeting to Support Economic Development, Enhanced Building
Design, and Impact Assessment.--Section 8643(c) of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 7655d(c)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(c) Targeting to Support Economic Development, Enhanced Building
Design, and Impact Assessment.--In selecting among proposals of
eligible entities under subsection (b)(2), the Secretary may give
priority to proposals for projects that--
``(1) include the use or retrofitting (or both) of existing
sawmill facilities located in counties in which the average
annual unemployment rate exceeded the national average
unemployment rate by more than 1 percent in the previous
calendar year;
``(2) recognize or enhance carbon reduction strategies in
building design and interior wood products, including forest
impacts, which can be improved or by North American
manufacturing; or
``(3) includes in the proposal of the entity an analysis of
the benefits that forest management under the proposal will
have on the resilience and economy of the community, including
benefits associated with--
``(A) wood products from anticipated wood supply
areas;
``(B) wildfire risk reduction;
``(C) increased fiber flow;
``(D) the increase of forest or mill jobs; and
``(E) support for forested communities.''.
(c) Matching Requirement.--Section 8643(d) of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 7655d(d)) is amended by inserting
``50 percent of'' before ``the amount''.
SEC. 8433. FOREST AND WOOD PRODUCTS DATA TRACKER.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the
Forest Service, in collaboration with the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service and in consultation with federally-
recognized Indian Tribes, State foresters, and private sector partners,
shall establish a publicly available platform to provide measurement,
monitoring, verification, and reporting data regarding the carbon
emissions, sequestration, storage, and related atmospheric impacts of
forest management and wood products.
(b) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary
shall source data, information, and data analysis from Department
programs and interagency programs, including--
(1) the Forest Inventory and Analysis program, including
the Timber Products Output survey;
(2) Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation
Service soil carbon estimations;
(3) the Forest Products Laboratory;
(4) the Federal Life Cycle Assessment Commons;
(5) Department entity level guidelines; and
(6) other relevant programmatic data and information
sources, as published and made available.
(c) Priorities.--The platform established by subsection (a) shall
provide tools that calculate--
(1) the above- and below-ground forest carbon stocks and
stock changes associated with species composition, forest
management regime, and landowner types (including small area
estimations for regional and localized geographies across the
United States) made available through Forest Inventory and
Analysis updates and annual reports;
(2) the embodied carbon involved in the manufacture of
products, using data from published environmental product
declarations and life cycle assessments, updated as new and
more refined data becomes available;
(3) the long-term stored carbon in manufactured timber
products; and
(4) the carbon displacement of wood products, compared to
other materials, using substitution factors.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to provide authority with respect to the generation, consumption, or
trading of carbon or environmental credits from National Forest System
lands in any voluntary or compliance environmental markets.
SEC. 8434. BIOCHAR APPLICATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Biochar.--The term ``biochar'' means carbonized biomass
produced by converting feedstock through reductive thermal
processing for non-fuel uses.
(2) Covered secretaries.--The term ``covered Secretaries''
means--
(A) the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the
Forest Service;
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through
the Director of the Bureau of Land Management; and
(C) the Secretary of Energy, acting through the
Director of the Office of Science.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a private, non-private, or cooperative entity
or organization;
(B) a State, local, special district, or Tribal
government;
(C) an eligible institution;
(D) a National Laboratory (as such term is defined
in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 15801)); or
(E) a partnership or consortium of two or more
entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(4) Eligible institution.--The term ``eligible
institution'' means land-grant colleges and universities,
including institutions eligible for funding under--
(A) the Act of July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503, chapter
130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);
(B) the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417,
chapter 841; 7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee
University;
(C) Public Law 87-788 (commonly known as the
``McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962''); or
(D) the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103-382).
(5) Feedstock.--The term ``feedstock'' means excess biomass
in the form of plant matter or materials that serves as the raw
material for the production of biochar.
(b) Demonstration Projects.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations made in advance for such purpose, not
later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the covered Secretaries shall establish a
program to enter into partnerships with eligible
entities to carry out demonstration projects to support
the development and commercialization of biochar in
accordance with this subsection.
(B) Location of demonstration projects.--In
carrying out the program established under subparagraph
(A), the covered Secretaries shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, enter into partnerships with
eligible entities such that not fewer than one
demonstration project is carried out in each region of
the Forest Service and each region of the Bureau of
Land Management.
(2) Proposals.--To be eligible to enter into a partnership
to carry out a biochar demonstration project under paragraph
(1)(A), an eligible entity shall submit to the covered
Secretaries a proposal at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the covered Secretaries may
require.
(3) Use of funds.--In carrying out the program established
under paragraph (1)(A), the covered Secretaries may enter into
partnerships and provide funding to such partnerships to carry
out demonstration projects to--
(A) acquire and test various feedstocks and their
efficacy;
(B) develop and optimize commercially and
technologically viable biochar production units,
including mobile and permanent units;
(C) demonstrate--
(i) the production of biochar from forest
residue; and
(ii) the use of biochar to restore forest
health and resiliency;
(D) build, expand, or establish biochar facilities;
(E) conduct research on new and innovative uses of
biochar;
(F) demonstrate cost-effective market opportunities
for biochar and biochar-based products;
(G) carry out any other activities the covered
Secretaries determine appropriate; or
(H) any combination of the purposes specified in
subparagraphs (A) through (F).
(4) Priority.--In selecting proposals under paragraph (2),
the covered Secretaries shall give priority to entering into
partnerships with eligible entities that submit proposals to
carry out biochar demonstration projects that--
(A) have the most potential to create new jobs and
contribute to local economies, particularly in rural
areas;
(B) have the most potential to demonstrate--
(i) new and innovative uses of biochar;
(ii) market viability for cost effective
biochar-based products;
(iii) the restorative benefits of biochar
with respect to forest heath and resiliency,
including forest soils and watersheds; or
(iv) any combination of purposes specified
in clauses (i) through (iii);
(C) are located in areas that have a high need for
biochar production, as determined by the covered
Secretaries, due to--
(i) nearby lands identified as having high
or very high or extreme risk of wildfire;
(ii) availability of sufficient quantities
of feedstocks; or
(iii) a high level of demand for biochar or
other commercial byproducts of biochar; or
(D) satisfy any combination of purposes specified
in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
(5) Feedstock requirements.--To the maximum extent
practicable, an eligible entity that carries out a biochar
demonstration project under this subsection shall, with respect
to the feedstock used under such project, derive at least 50
percent of such feedstock from forest thinning and management
activities, including mill residues, conducted on National
Forest System lands or public lands.
(6) Review of biochar demonstration.--
(A) In general.--The covered Secretaries shall
conduct regionally-specific research, including
economic analyses and life-cycle assessments, on any
biochar produced from a demonstration project carried
out under the program established in paragraph (1)(A),
including--
(i) the effects of such biochar on--
(I) forest health and resiliency;
(II) carbon capture and
sequestration, including increasing
soil carbon in the short-term and long-
term;
(III) productivity, reduced input
costs, and water retention in
agricultural practices;
(IV) the health of soil and
grasslands used for grazing activities,
including grazing activities on
National Forest System land and public
land; and
(V) environmental remediation
activities, including abandoned mine
land remediation;
(ii) the effectiveness of biochar as a co-
product of biofuels or in biochemicals; and
(iii) the effectiveness of other potential
uses of biochar to determine if any such use is
technologically and commercially viable.
(B) Coordination.--The covered Secretaries shall,
to the maximum extent practicable, provide data,
analyses, and other relevant information collected
under subparagraph (A) with recipients of a grant under
subsection (b).
(7) Limitation on funding for establishing biochar
facilities.--If the covered Secretaries provide to an eligible
entity that enters into a partnership with the covered
Secretaries under paragraph (1)(A) funding for establishing a
biochar facility, such funding may not exceed 35 percent of the
capital cost of establishing such biochar facility.
(c) Biochar Research and Development Grant Program.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall establish or
expand an existing applied biochar research and development
grant program to make competitive grants to eligible
institutions to carry out the activities described in paragraph
(3).
(2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
this subsection, an eligible institution shall submit to the
Secretary a proposal at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(3) Use of funds.--An eligible institution that receives a
grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to
conduct applied research on--
(A) the effect of biochar on forest health and
resiliency, accounting for variations in biochar, soil,
climate, and other factors;
(B) the effect of biochar on soil health and water
retention, accounting for variations in biochar, soil,
climate, and other factors;
(C) the long-term carbon sequestration potential of
biochar;
(D) the best management practices with respect to
biochar and biochar-based product that maximize--
(i) carbon sequestration benefits; and
(ii) the commercial viability and
application of such products in forestry,
agriculture, environmental remediation, water
quality improvement, and any other similar
uses, as determined by the Secretary;
(E) the regional uses of biochar to increase
productivity and profitability, including--
(i) uses in agriculture and environmental
remediation; and
(ii) use as a co-product in fuel
production;
(F) new and innovative uses for biochar byproducts;
and
(G) opportunities to expand markets for biochar and
create related jobs, particularly in rural areas.
(d) Reports.--
(1) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the covered Secretaries shall
submit to Congress a report that--
(A) includes policy and program recommendations to
improve the widespread use of biochar;
(B) identifies any area of research needed to
advance biochar commercialization; and
(C) identifies barriers to further biochar
commercialization, including permitting and siting
considerations.
(2) Materials submitted in support of the president's
budget.--Beginning with the second fiscal year that begins
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter
until the date described in subsection (e), the covered
Secretaries shall include in the materials submitted to
Congress in support of the President's budget pursuant to
section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, a report
describing, for the fiscal year covered by the report, the
status of each demonstration project carried out under
subsection (a) and each research and development grant carried
out under subsection (b).
(e) Sunset.--The authority to carry out this section shall
terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of
this Act.
Subtitle E--Other Matters
SEC. 8501. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES.
Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023''
and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 8502. RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-
Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Appointments by applicable regional foresters.--In
making appointments under this subsection, the Secretary
concerned may act through the applicable regional forester so
long as before the applicable regional forester makes an
appointment, the applicable regional forester conducts the
review and analysis that would otherwise be conducted for an
appointment to a resource advisory committee, including any
review and analysis with respect to civil rights, budgetary
requirements, vetting, and reporting, as the Secretary
concerned determines appropriate.'';
(2) in subsection (d)(6), by striking ``October 1, 2026''
and inserting ``October 1, 2031''; and
(3) by striking subsection (g).
SEC. 8503. ACCURATE HAZARDOUS FUELS REDUCTION REPORTS.
(a) Materials Submitted in Support of President's Budget.--
(1) In general.--Beginning with the first fiscal year that
begins after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, the Secretary concerned shall include in
the materials submitted to Congress in support of the
President's budget pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United
States Code, a report describing the number of acres of Federal
land on which the Secretary concerned carried out hazardous
fuels reduction activities during the preceding fiscal year, as
determined using--
(A) the methodology of the Secretary concerned in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(B) the methodology described in paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements.--For purposes of a report required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary concerned shall--
(A) in determining the number of acres of Federal
land on which the Secretary concerned carried out
hazardous fuels reduction activities during the period
covered by the report--
(i) record acres of Federal land on which
hazardous fuels reduction activities were
completed during that period; and
(ii) record each acre described in clause
(i) once in the report, regardless of whether
multiple hazardous fuels reduction activities
were carried out on that acre during the
applicable period; and
(B) with respect to the acres of Federal land
recorded in the report, include information relating
to--
(i) which acres are located in the
wildland-urban interface;
(ii) the level of hazard potential of the
acres on the first and last day of the period
covered by the report;
(iii) the types of hazardous fuels
reduction activities completed with respect to
the acres, including a description of whether
those hazardous fuels reduction activities were
conducted--
(I) in a wildfire managed for
resource benefits; or
(II) through a planned hazardous
fuels reduction project;
(iv) the cost per-acre of the hazardous
fuels reduction activities carried out during
the period covered by the report;
(v) the region or System unit in which the
acres are located; and
(vi) the effectiveness of the hazardous
fuels reduction activities with respect to
reducing the risk of wildfire.
(3) Transparency.--The Secretary concerned shall make each
report submitted under paragraph (1) publicly available on the
website of the Department of Agriculture or the Department of
the Interior, as applicable.
(b) Accurate Data Collection.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned shall implement
standardized procedures for tracking data related to hazardous
fuels reduction activities carried out by the Secretary
concerned.
(2) Elements.--The standardized procedures required under
paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) regular, standardized data reviews of the
accuracy and timely input of data used to track
hazardous fuels reduction activities;
(B) verification methods that validate whether
those data accurately correlate to the hazardous fuels
reduction activities carried out by the Secretary
concerned;
(C) an analysis of the short- and long-term
effectiveness of the hazardous fuels reduction
activities on reducing the risk of wildfire; and
(D) for hazardous fuels reduction activities that
occur partially within the wildland-urban interface,
methods to distinguish which acres are located within
the wildland-urban interface and which acres are
located outside the wildland-urban interface.
(3) Report.--Not later than 45 days after implementing the
standardized procedures required under paragraph (1), the
Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report that
describes--
(A) the standardized procedures; and
(B) any programmatic or policy recommendations to
Congress to address limitations in tracking data
relating to hazardous fuels reduction activities under
this subsection.
(c) GAO Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a study regarding the implementation of this
section, including any limitations with respect to--
(A) reporting hazardous fuels reduction activities
under subsection (a); or
(B) tracking data relating to hazardous fuels
reduction activities under subsection (b); and
(2) submit to Congress a report that describes the results
of the study under paragraph (1).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Hazardous fuels reduction activity.--
(A) In general.--The term ``hazardous fuels
reduction activity'' means any vegetation management
activity to reduce the risk of wildfire, including
mechanical treatments, grazing, and prescribed burning.
(B) Exclusion.--The term ``hazardous fuels
reduction activity'' does not include the awarding of a
contract to conduct an activity described in
subparagraph (A).
(2) Federal land.--The term ``Federal land'' means any land
under the jurisdiction of--
(A) the Secretary; or
(B) the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned''
means--
(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to
National Forest System lands; and
(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to
public lands.
(e) No Additional Funds Authorized.--
(1) In general.--No additional funds are authorized to
carry out this section.
(2) Subject to appropriations.--The activities authorized
by this section are subject to the availability of
appropriations made in advance for those purposes.
SEC. 8504. SPECIAL USE AUTHORIZATION RENTAL FEE WAIVER.
All or part of the programmatic administrative fee, and any fees
related to the special use authorization, as appropriate, may be waived
by the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, when
equitable and in the public interest as determined by the Chief of the
Forest Service, for the use and occupancy of National Forest System
land in the following circumstances:
(1) The holder of the special use authorization is a State
or local government or any agency or instrumentality thereof,
excluding municipal utilities and cooperatives whose principal
source of revenue is customer charges.
(2) The holder is--
(A) an organization described in section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code;
(B) not controlled or owned by profit-making
corporation or business enterprise; and
(C) is engaged in public or semi-public activity to
further public health, safety, or welfare.
(3) The holder is an amateur station, amateur operator, or
provides amateur radio services, as those terms are defined in
section 97.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or
successor regulations).
(4) Other circumstances the Secretary, acting through the
Chief of the Forest Service, determines appropriate.
SEC. 8505. CHARGES AND FEES FOR HARVEST OF FOREST BOTANICAL PRODUCTS.
(a) Recovery of Fair Market Value for Products.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service, shall establish and carry out a program to
charge and collect fees under subsection (b) for forest
botanical products harvested on National Forest System lands.
(2) Appraisal methods; bidding procedures.--The Secretary,
acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish
a fee system based on fair market value for forest botanical
products harvested on National Forest System lands.
(b) Fees.--
(1) Imposition and collection.--The Secretary shall charge
and collect fees from persons who harvest forest botanical
products on National Forest System lands.
(2) Amount of fee.--The fees collected under paragraph (1)
shall be based on the fair market value of the harvested forest
botanical products and the costs incurred by the Secretary
associated with the granting, modifying, or monitoring the
authorization for harvest of the forest botanical products,
including the costs of any environmental or other analysis.
(3) Security.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service, may require a person assessed a fee under
this subsection to provide security to ensure that the
Secretary receives the fees imposed under this subsection from
the person.
(c) Sustainable Harvest Levels for Forest Botanical Products.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of
the Forest Service, shall--
(A) conduct appropriate analyses to determine
whether and how the harvest of forest botanical
products on National Forest System lands can be
conducted on a sustainable basis; and
(B) establish procedures and timeframes to monitor
and revise the harvest levels established for forest
botanical products.
(2) Prohibition on harvest in excess of sustainable
levels.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest
Service, may not permit under the program under this section
the harvest of forest botanical products on National Forest
System lands at levels in excess of sustainable harvest levels,
as defined under section 4 of the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield
Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 531).
(d) Waiver Authority.--
(1) Personal use.--The Secretary, acting through the Chief
of the Forest Service, shall establish a personal use harvest
level for each forest botanical product, and the harvest of a
forest botanical product below that level by a person for
personal use shall not be subject to charges and fees under
subsections (a) and (b).
(2) Other exceptions.--The Secretary, acting through the
Chief of the Forest Service, may also waive the application of
subsection (a) or (b) pursuant to such regulations as the
Secretary may prescribe.
(e) Deposit and Use of Funds.--
(1) Deposit.--Funds collected under the program in
accordance with subsections (a) and (b) shall be deposited into
a special account in the United States Treasury.
(2) Funds available.--Funds deposited into the special
account in accordance with paragraph (1) shall remain available
until expended without further appropriation.
(3) Authorized uses.--The funds made available under
paragraph (2) shall be expended at units of the National Forest
System in proportion to the charges and fees collected at that
unit under the program under this section to pay for--
(A) the costs of conducting inventories of forest
botanical products, determining sustainable levels of
harvest, monitoring and assessing the impacts of
harvest levels and methods, and for restoration
activities, including any necessary revegetation; and
(B) the costs described in subsection (b)(2).
(4) Treatment of fees.--Funds collected under the program
in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) shall not be taken
into account for the purposes of the following laws:
(A) The sixth paragraph under the heading ``forest
service'' in the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500),
and section 13 of the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly
known as the Weeks Act; 16 U.S.C. 500).
(B) The fourteenth paragraph under the heading
``forest service'' in the Act of March 4, 1913 (16
U.S.C. 501).
(C) Section 33 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant
Act (7 U.S.C. 1012).
(D) The Act of August 28, 1937 (43 U.S.C. 2601 et
seq.) and the Act of May 24, 1939 (43 U.S.C. 2621 et
seq.).
(E) Section 6 of the Act of June 14, 1926 (commonly
known as the Recreation and Public Purposes Act; 43
U.S.C. 869-4).
(F) Chapter 69 of title 31, United States Code.
(G) Section 401 of the Act of June 15, 1935 (16
U.S.C. 715s).
(H) Section 100904 of title 54, United States Code.
(I) Any other provision of law relating to revenue
allocation.
(f) Reporting Requirements.--As soon as practicable after the end
of each fiscal year in which the Secretary collects charges and fees
under the program in accordance with subsections (a) and (b) or expends
funds from the special account under subsection (e), the Secretary,
acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall submit to the
Congress a report summarizing the activities of the Secretary under the
program under this section, including the funds collected under the
program in accordance with subsections (a) and (b), the expenses
incurred to carry out the program under this section, and the
expenditures made from the special account during that fiscal year.
(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) Forest botanical product.--The term ``forest botanical
product''--
(A) means any naturally occurring mushroom, fungus,
flower, seed, root, bark, leaf, berry, bough,
bryophyte, bulb, burl, cone, epiphyte, fern, forb,
grass, moss, nut, pine straw, sedge, shrub, transplant,
tree sap, or other vegetation (or portion thereof) that
grows on National Forest System lands; and
(B) does not include trees, or portions of trees,
except as provided in regulations issued under section
339 of the Department of the Interior and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 528
note) by the Secretary before the date of enactment of
this Act.
(2) National forest system.--The term ``National Forest
System'' has the meaning given that term in section 11(a) of
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
SEC. 8506. FOREST SERVICE LEGACY ROAD AND TRAIL REMEDIATION PROGRAM
TRANSPARENCY.
Section 8 of Public Law 88-657 (16 U.S.C. 538a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) solicit and consider public input regionally
in selecting projects for funding under the Program
by--
``(i) publishing annually, for each region,
a list of projects considered for funding under
the Program;
``(ii) accepting public comment on the
projects described in clause (i); and
``(iii) considering public comments in
selecting projects for funding under the
Program;''; and
(B) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
inserting ``annually, for each region,'' before
``publish''; and
(ii) by striking clause (ii) and inserting
the following:
``(ii) a list that includes a description
of--
``(I) each project considered for
funding under the Program;
``(II) public comments received on
each project described in subclause
(I);
``(III) the ranking within the
applicable region of each project
described in subclause (I); and
``(IV) the proposed outcome of each
project funded under the Program for
the applicable fiscal year.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Definition of Region.--In this section, the term `region'
means one of the 9 regions of the Forest Service.''.
SEC. 8507. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.
For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary
may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and
3328 of that title, a Job Corps graduate (as defined in section 142(5)
of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3192(5))) to
a position in the competitive service in the Forest Service for which
the graduate meets the qualification standards.
SEC. 8508. IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM.
Section 407 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2206)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Advance Payments.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall give an owner of
nonindustrial private forest land the option of receiving,
before the owner carries out emergency measures under this
section, not more than 75 percent of the cost of the emergency
measures, as determined by the Secretary based on the fair
market value of the cost of the emergency measures using the
estimated cost of the applicable practice published in the
Field Office Technical Guide of each State by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service.
``(2) Return of funds.--If the funds provided under
paragraph (1) are not expended by the end of the 180-day period
beginning on the date on which the owner of nonindustrial
private forest land receives those funds, the funds shall be
returned to the Secretary within a reasonable timeframe, as
determined by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 8509. EXEMPTION FOR PREVIOUSLY ANALYZED AREAS OF NATIONAL FOREST
SYSTEM LANDS.
(a) In General.--The requirements under the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or division A of subtitle
54, United States Code, shall not apply to an application for a
communications use authorization on National Forest System lands,
including National Forest System lands on which authorized utilities,
communications facilities, powerline facilities or roads have been
installed, if--
(1) the communications equipment is located in or on
existing infrastructure; or
(2) the communications facility is located on previously
analyzed areas of National Forest System lands.
(b) No Additional Consultation Required Under Certain
Circumstances.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary shall not be required to reinitiate consultation of the
requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or division A of subtitle 54, United States Code,
for an application for a communications use authorization on previously
analyzed areas of National Forest System lands if new information
concerning a previously analyzed area of National Forest System lands
becomes available.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Communications facility; communications use
authorization.--The terms ``communications facility'' and
``communications use authorization'' have the meanings given
the terms, respectively, in section 8705 of the Agriculture
Improvement Act of 2018 (43 U.S.C. 1761a).
(2) Previously analyzed areas of national forest system
lands.--The term ``previously analyzed areas of National Forest
System lands'' means any National Forest System lands with
respect to which the Secretary has--
(A) granted, issued, and executed a communications
use authorization; and
(B) conducted sufficient environmental or
historical reviews.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
SEC. 8510. RELEASE OF REVERSIONARY INTEREST IN BLACK RIVER STATE
FOREST.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Deli, inc.--The term ``Deli, Inc.'' means Deli, Inc., a
sphagnum moss production business located in Millston,
Wisconsin.
(2) Deli land.--The term ``Deli land'' means the
approximately 37.27 acres of land owned or optioned to acquire,
subject to the approval of the land exchange by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Natural
Resources Board, and the Governor of Wisconsin, in 2 separate
parcels, by Deli, Inc., and located in Millston, Wisconsin, as
depicted on the map and as described as follows:
(A) A parcel of real property containing
approximately 31.3 acres (which includes land within
the road right-of-way), together with any
improvements--
(i) comprising the NE\1/4\NE\1/4\ sec. 29,
T. 20 N., R. 2 W., Town of Millston, Jackson
County, Wisconsin;
(ii) excluding--
(I) land lying north of the
railroad right-of-way; and
(II) a parcel 150 feet wide, with
50 feet lying to the northeast, and 100
feet to the southwest, of a line
commencing at a point 5 feet east of
the northwest corner of the quarter-
quarter section described in clause
(i), thence south 56 east 39`` a
distance of 222 feet, thence south 57
east 31'' a distance of 1359 feet; and
(iii) subject to--
(I) any public water use or
easements on Lee Lake; and
(II) any easements or restrictions
of record, public roadways, zoning and
use ordinances, and the railroad right-
of-way.
(B) A parcel of real property containing
approximately 5.97 acres located in the SW\1/4\SW\1/4\
sec. 20, T. 20 N., R. 4 W., Town of Millston, Jackson
County, Wisconsin, comprising lot 7 of Certified Survey
Map No. 4483, as recorded in volume 19S of the
certified survey maps, page 334, as Document No. 413440
in the Jackson County Register of Deeds.
(3) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map entitled ``Black
River State Forest-Deli, Inc.'' and dated June 26, 2023.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
Wisconsin.
(5) State forest land.--The term ``State forest land''
means the approximately 31.83 acres of land located in the
Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, as depicted on
the map and as described as follows:
(A) A parcel containing 23.13 acres--
(i) comprising the portion of the E\1/
2\SE\1/4\ sec. 20, T. 20 N., R. 2. W., Town of
Millston, Jackson County, Wisconsin, lying
south of the Interstate Highway 94 southern
right-of-way; and
(ii) excluding a triangular parcel in the
southwest corner described as commencing at the
southwest corner, thence east 260 feet, thence
northwesterly to a point on the west boundary
thereof 200 feet north of the southwest corner,
thence south to the place of beginning.
(B) A parcel containing 8.70 acres comprising the
portion of the NE\1/4\NE\1/4\ sec. 29, T. 20 N., R. 2.
W., Town of Millston, Jackson County, Wisconsin, lying
north of the railroad right-of-way, forming a
triangular piece and described as commencing at the
northeast corner of that quarter-quarter section,
thence west 1010 feet to the north line of the railroad
right-of-way, thence southeasterly along the boundary
of the railroad to the east line of that quarter-
quarter section, thence north on the east line 750 feet
to the place of beginning.
(b) Conditional Release.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(A) the State forest land is subject to a
reversionary interest of the United States pursuant to
section 32(c) of The Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7
U.S.C. 1011(c)), requiring that the State forest land
be used for public purposes in perpetuity; and
(B) the State and Deli, Inc. have agreed that the
State will convey the State forest land in exchange for
the Deli land, and the Deli land will be added to Black
River State Forest in the State.
(2) Conditional release.--If the State offers in a written
agreement to convey the State forest land to Deli, Inc., in
exchange for the conveyance of the Deli land to the State--
(A) the reversionary interest of the United States
in the State forest land shall be released; and
(B) the Secretary shall provide, as expeditiously
as possible, recordable evidence of the release under
subparagraph (A) in the form of a quitclaim deed, which
shall--
(i) convey any interest of the United
States in the State forest land without
consideration; and
(ii) be provided to the State for recording
before the exchange deeds are recorded.
(3) Corrections.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
State, may make any necessary corrections to the legal
description of the State forest land for purposes of the
quitclaim deed described in paragraph (2)(B).
TITLE IX--ENERGY
SEC. 9001. DEFINITION OF ADVANCED BIOFUEL.
Section 9001(3)(B)(iv) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101(3)(B)(iv)) is amended by inserting ``and
sustainable aviation fuel'' after ``diesel-equivalent fuel''.
SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM.
Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the
following:
``(G) Procurement resources.--The Office of Federal
Procurement Policy, in coordination with the Secretary,
shall provide educational materials to procuring
agencies to consider the longevity of a product,
economic savings, and the efficacy and performance of a
product when making procurement decisions under this
subsection.''; and
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking clause
(ii) and redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv)
as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively;
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subclause (I)--
(aa) by inserting ``and the
Secretary'' after ``Policy'';
and
(bb) by striking
``information concerning--''
and inserting ``a report that
describes, for the year covered
by the report--'';
(II) in subclause (I), by inserting
``, including the actions taken by the
procuring agency to establish and
implement the biobased procurement
program of the procuring agency under
that paragraph'' before the semicolon;
(III) in subclause (IV), by
striking ``and'' at the end;
(IV) in subclause (V), by striking
``and'' at the end; and
(V) by adding at the end the
following:
``(VI)(aa) the specific categories
of biobased products that are
unavailable to meet procurement needs
of the procuring agencies; and
``(bb) the desired performance
characteristics and other relevant
specifications for those products; and
``(VII) if applicable, an
explanation of the procurement
requirement or updated procurement
requirement established under paragraph
(2)(A)(i) that procuring agencies
failed to meet and reasons for the
failure; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Accountability.--The Office of Federal
Procurement Policy, in consultation with the Secretary,
shall annually--
``(i) collect the information required to
be reported under subparagraph (B) and make the
information publicly available;
``(ii) using the information collected
under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph,
document relevant procuring agencies under
paragraph (2)(A)(i) that, as applicable, have
established a procurement program in accordance
with paragraph (2)(A)(i)(I); and
``(iii) make the information publicly
available, subject to the exemptions from
disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5,
United States Code.'';
(2) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the heading, by inserting ``and
napcs'' before ``codes'';
(ii) by inserting ``and North American
Products Classification System codes'' before
``for--''; and
(iii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B)
and inserting the following:
``(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers and
biobased products manufacturers; and
``(B) renewable chemicals and biobased products.'';
and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3)
and inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Report.--To inform the development of codes under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, within 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph, submit to the
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the
Senate, a report that provides--
``(A) the Federal statistical collections of
information related to the North American Industry
Classification System codes and the North American
Product Classification System codes that utilize
bioeconomy-specific data;
``(B) recommendations to implement any bioeconomy
related changes as part of the 2027 revisions of the
North American Industry Classification System codes and
the North American Product Classification System codes;
and
``(C) an assessment of the impacts that bioeconomy-
specific North American Industry Classification System
codes and North American Products Classification System
codes would have on the measurement by the agency of
the economic contributions of the bioeconomy.''; and
(3) in subsection (k)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2024'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 9003. BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) by inserting ``or innovative'' before
``commercial-scale''; and
(B) by inserting ``, renewable chemicals, or
biobased products'' after ``end-user products'';
(2) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking all that precedes ``a loan
guarantee'' and inserting the following:
``(B) Feasibility.--
``(i) In general.--In approving''; and
(ii) by adding after and below the end the
following:
``(ii) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive the
requirement that the applicant must demonstrate
commercial viability for projects adopting
commercially available technology.'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) Technical review agreement.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
enter into an agreement with each project
applicant that clearly outlines the specific
objectives, outcomes, and conditions by which
the Secretary determines successful technical
feasibility of the project under this section.
``(ii) Conditions of agreement.--The
agreement provided under clause (i) shall
include clear guidelines and expectations for
the methodologies, protocols, and procedures,
and what the eligible technology must
demonstrate, for the Department to determine
technical feasibility from an integrated
demonstration unit, including--
``(I) a set timeline for the
integrated demonstration unit campaign
and final technical report to show
reliable evidence of continuous,
steady-state production;
``(II) criteria and methods for
evaluating the project's success,
including any third-party assessments
or evaluations that may be conducted
during the demonstration period and at
the conclusion of the set timeline;
``(III) criteria and methods to
prove the ability of the integrated
demonstration unit to use project-
specific feedstock for the production
of advanced biofuels, renewable
chemicals, or biobased products at a
yield and quality consistent with the
design basis of the project;
``(IV) required information and
conditions that demonstrate operation
duration, quality, and quantity
specifications; and
``(V) any other information that,
if supplied to the Secretary, would
assist the eligible entity in
sufficiently demonstrating a project's
technical feasibility.
``(iii) Failure to comply with agreement.--
``(I) Noncompliance notification.--
If a project applicant fails to comply
with the technical feasibility
requirements as provided under clause
(ii), the Secretary shall issue a
written notice to the project applicant
detailing the specific deficiencies and
providing a reasonable timeframe for
the project applicant to rectify the
issues.
``(II) Corrective action period.--
The project applicant shall have a
period of not more than 90 days from
the date of issuance of the
noncompliance notice to address the
identified deficiencies and submit a
revised technical feasibility
assessment for reconsideration.
``(iv) Technical feasibility approval.--
Upon fulfillment of the conditions of agreement
established under clause (ii) or approval of
the revised technical feasibility assessment
under clause (iii)(II), the Secretary shall
determine the project to be technically
feasible.''; and
(3) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking all that precedes ``is authorized''
and inserting the following:
``(g) Funding.--There''; and
(B) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
(b) Rescission.--Of the unobligated balances of amounts made
available under section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002, $18,000,000 are rescinded.
SEC. 9004. BIOPRODUCT LABELING TERMINOLOGY.
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 8101-8115) is amended by inserting after section 9003 the
following:
``SEC. 9004. BIOPRODUCT LABELING TERMINOLOGY.
``(a) Uniform Standards.--
``(1) In general.--Within 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue rules
implementing national uniform labeling standards for, and
ensuring the proper use of, the following terms in the labeling
and marketing of bioproducts:
``(A) Bio-attributed plastic.
``(B) Bio-attributed product.
``(C) Biobased plastic.
``(D) Plant-based product.
``(2) Inclusion of certain defined terms.--In implementing
the national uniform labeling standards under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall include the following terms, as defined in
section 9001:
``(A) Biobased product.
``(B) Intermediate ingredient or feedstock.
``(C) Renewable biomass.
``(D) Renewable chemical.
``(b) Consultation.--In defining terms under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall consult with--
``(1) biomanufacturers;
``(2) entities engaged in research and development of
bioproducts;
``(3) feedstock growers; and
``(4) other industry stakeholders.''.
SEC. 9005. BIOENERGY PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS.
Section 9005(g)(2) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105(g)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 9006. BIODIESEL FUEL EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8106) is repealed.
SEC. 9007. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM.
Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``, cost
savings,'' after ``savings'';
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the potential of the proposed program to
meaningfully improve the financial conditions of the
agricultural producers or rural small businesses.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (G) as
subparagraph (H); and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (F)
the following:
``(G) the potential improvements to the financial
conditions of the agricultural producer or rural small
business; and''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking
``$25,000,000'' and inserting ``$50,000,000'';
(3) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Project Diversity.--In approving grant or loan guarantee
applications under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, to
the extent practicable, there is diversity in the types of projects
approved for grants or loan guarantees to ensure that as wide a range
as possible of technologies, products, and approaches are assisted.''.
SEC. 9008. FEEDSTOCK FLEXIBILITY.
Section 9010(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2031''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``2026'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 9009. BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 9011(f)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111(f)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 9010. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM.
Section 9014 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 8115) is repealed.
SEC. 9011. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS ON COVERED
FARMLAND.
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 8101-8115) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 9015. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS ON COVERED
FARMLAND.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Energy, shall conduct a study on the effects of solar
panel installations on the conversion of covered farmland out of
agricultural production in accordance with this section.
``(b) Content.--In conducting the study under this section, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) analyze the economic effects of solar panel
installations on covered farmland, including the effects on--
``(A) crop yields;
``(B) land values, including adjacent properties;
``(C) land access and tenure;
``(D) local economies; and
``(E) food security;
``(2) investigate impacts of solar panel installation,
operation, and decommissioning on covered farmland, and suggest
best practices to protect--
``(A) soil health;
``(B) water resources;
``(C) wildlife;
``(D) vegetation;
``(E) water drainage; and
``(F) air quality;
``(3) assess the impacts of shared solar energy and
agricultural production on covered farmland, including best
practices to--
``(A) maintain or increase agricultural production;
``(B) increase agricultural resilience;
``(C) retain covered farmland;
``(D) increase economic opportunities in farming
and rural communities, including new revenue streams
and job creation;
``(E) reduce nonfarmer ownership of covered
farmland; and
``(F) enhance biodiversity;
``(4) assess the types of agricultural land best suited and
worst suited for shared solar energy and agricultural
production;
``(5) study the compatibility of different species of
livestock with different solar panel system designs,
including--
``(A) the optimal height of and distance between
solar panels for livestock grazing and shade for
livestock;
``(B) manure management considerations;
``(C) fencing requirements; and
``(D) other animal handling considerations;
``(6) study the compatibility of different crop types with
different solar panel system designs, including--
``(A) the optimal height of and distance between
solar panels for plant shading and farm equipment use;
and
``(B) the impact on crop yield;
``(7) evaluate the degree to which existing Federal, State,
or local tax incentives result in the development of covered
farmland under study;
``(8) recommend effective incentives that could shift solar
panel installations towards the built environment, brownfield
sites, and other contaminated sites;
``(9) evaluate the effectiveness of programs administered
by the federal government related to solar energy development
that--
``(A) results in the development of contaminated
lands, the built environment, and other preferred
sites; and
``(B) discourages solar panel installations that
would convert covered farmland out of agricultural
production; and
``(10) estimate the loss of agricultural production on
covered farmland due to solar panel installations.
``(c) Consultation With Relevant Stakeholders.--In addition to
consultation with the Secretary of Energy, while conducting the study
under this section, the Secretary shall consult with--
``(1) farmers;
``(2) ranchers;
``(3) landowners;
``(4) agricultural organizations;
``(5) State departments of agriculture and energy;
``(6) units of local government;
``(7) conservation organizations;
``(8) land-grant colleges and universities (as defined in
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); and
``(9) solar developers.
``(d) Report.--Within 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, a written report on
the findings of the study and recommendations under this section.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered farmland.--The term `covered farmland'
includes--
``(A) farmland, as defined in section 1540(c)(1) of
the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C.
4201(c)(1)); and
``(B) nonindustrial private forest land, as defined
in section 201(a)(18) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(18)).
``(2) Brownfield site.--The term `brownfield site' has the
meaning given that term in section 101(39) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(42 U.S.C. 9601(39)).
``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.''.
SEC. 9012. LIMITATION ON USDA FUNDING FOR GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR SYSTEMS.
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7
U.S.C. 8101-8115) is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 9016. LIMITATION ON USDA FUNDING FOR GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY
SYSTEMS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered farmland.--The term `covered farmland'
includes--
``(A) farmland, as defined in section 1540(c)(1) of
the Farmland Protection Policy Act (7 U.S.C.
4201(c)(1)); and
``(B) nonindustrial private forest land, as defined
in section 201(a)(18) of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(18)).
``(2) Conversion.--The term `conversion' means, with
respect to covered farmland, any activity that results in the
covered farmland failing to meet the requirements of a State
(as defined in section 343 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991)) for agricultural production,
activity, or use or timber harvest.
``(3) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
``(b) In General.--The Secretary may not provide financial
assistance for a project that would result in the conversion of covered
farmland for solar energy production.
``(c) Exception.--Subsection (b) shall not apply to a project if
the project--
``(1) results in the conversion of less than 5 acres of
covered farmland; or
``(2) results in the conversion of less than 50 acres of
covered farmland with--
``(A) the majority of the energy produced being for
on-farm use; and
``(B) receipt of a resolution of approval or
support, or other similar instrument, from each county
and municipality in which the project is sited.
``(d) Covered Farmland Protection.--
``(1) Farmland conservation plan required.--A person who
has applied to the Secretary for financial assistance for a
project to which subsection (c)(3) applies shall--
``(A) develop a farmland conservation plan for the
project to--
``(i) implement best practices to protect
future soil health and productivity, and
mitigate soil erosion, compaction, and other
effects of solar energy production during
construction, operation, and decommissioning;
and
``(ii) remediate and restore the soil
health of the farmland to that of the farmland
before the solar energy production project
construction; and
``(B) ensure that sufficient funds, as determined
by the Secretary, are provided for the decommissioning
of the solar energy production system and the
remediation and restoration of covered farmland to
carry out the farmland conservation plan described in
subparagraph (A).
``(2) Obligation and disbursment of funds.--The Secretary
may obligate financial assistance for a project described in
paragraph (1), but shall not disburse the financial assistance
until the Secretary has determined that the applicant for the
financial assistance has complied with paragraph (1).
``(3) Farmland conservation plan implementation.--A person
referred to in paragraph (1) shall carry out--
``(A) the provisions of the plan that are described
in paragraph (1)(A)(i), on the receipt by the project
of financial assistance from the Secretary and for the
duration of solar energy production under the project;
and
``(B) the provisions of the plan that are described
in paragraph (1)(A)(ii), on the cessation of solar
energy production under the project.
``(4) Compliance.--A person who fails to comply with
paragraph (3) with respect to a project shall repay to the
Secretary the full amount of the financial assistance provided
by the Secretary to the person for the project.
``(e) Additional Limitations.--The Secretary may not provide
financial assistance for a project that procures a solar energy
component (as defined in section 45x(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986) produced, manufactured, or assembled--
``(1) in a foreign country of concern (as defined in
section 10638(2) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C.
19237(2))); or
``(2) by--
``(A) an entity domiciled or controlled by such a
foreign country; or
``(B) a foreign entity of concern (as defined in
section 10638(3) of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C.
19237(3))).''.
SEC. 9013. SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUELS STRATEGY.
The Secretary shall establish a Department-wide strategy to advance
the production of sustainable aviation fuels by--
(1) facilitating the collaboration between relevant
Department mission areas to encourage the advancement of the
sustainable aviation fuels supply chain, including utilization
of agricultural crops grown for sustainable aviation fuel
production;
(2) identifying opportunities to maximize sustainable
aviation fuels development, deployment, and commercialization;
(3) leveraging the capabilities of America's farmers,
ranchers, foresters, and producers to capture opportunities in
the sustainable aviation fuels market;
(4) supporting rural economic development through
sustainable aviation fuel production; and
(5) promoting public private partnerships for the
development, deployment, and commercialization of sustainable
aviation fuels.
TITLE X--HORTICULTURE, MARKETING, AND REGULATORY REFORM
Subtitle A--Horticulture
SEC. 10001. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS.
Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7
U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(A) by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031'';
and
(B) by striking ``specialty crops, including--''
and inserting ``specialty crops through priorities
established annually by State program administrators in
consultation with specialty crop producers and producer
groups, including--''; and
(2) by striking subsection (e), and inserting the
following:
``(e) Plan Requirements.--The State plan shall identify the lead
agency charged with the responsibility of carrying out the plan and
indicate--
``(1) how the grant funds will be utilized to enhance the
competitiveness of specialty crops; and
``(2) how outreach to, and consultation with, specialty
crop producers and producer groups will be achieved.''.
SEC. 10002. SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION.
Section 10107(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 1622b(b)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 10003. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION.
Section 222 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6923) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``production'' after ``emerging
agricultural'';
(B) in subparagraph (D)--
(i) by inserting ``controlled-environment
agriculture, including'' before ``hydroponic'';
and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as
subparagraph (H); and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the
following:
``(E) using the resources of the Department and of
State, Tribal, and local agencies to provide technical
assistance for business incorporation, navigating local
zoning, and managing farm tract numbers for smaller,
noncontiguous parcels to growers implementing
activities described in this paragraph;
``(F) using the resources of the Department and of
State, Tribal, and local agencies to promote
conservation techniques unique to urban agriculture and
innovative production, including techniques that
address stormwater runoff and the impacted nature of
urban land and the subsurface of the land;
``(G) assisting urban and innovative producers in
navigating Federal, State, Tribal, and local policies
and regulations that impact business or operations;
and'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''; and
(B) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``the date
that is 5 years after the date on which the members are
appointed under paragraph (2)(B)'' and inserting
``September 30, 2031'';
(3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
``(c) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) Grants.--
``(A) In general.--The Director shall award
competitive grants to support the development of urban
and innovative agricultural production and technical or
financial assistance to producers.
``(B) Subgrants.--An eligible entity may use funds
from a grant under subparagraph (A) to provide
subgrants to urban and innovative producers to support
the growth of the farm or farm business of the urban
and innovative producers.
``(C) Eligible entities.--An entity eligible to
receive a grant under subparagraph (A) is--
``(i) a nonprofit organization;
``(ii) a unit of local government;
``(iii) a Tribal organization;
``(iv) an agricultural cooperative or other
agricultural business entity or a producer
network or association; or
``(v) a school that serves any of grades
kindergarten through grade 12.
``(2) Cooperative agreements.--
``(A) In general.--The Director may enter into
cooperative agreements with eligible entities to
support the development of urban and innovative
agricultural production.
``(B) Eligible entities.--An entity eligible to
enter into cooperative agreements under subparagraph
(A) is--
``(i) a nonprofit organization;
``(ii) a unit of local government;
``(iii) a Tribal organization; or
``(iv) an agricultural cooperative or other
agricultural business entity or a producer
network or association.'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Pilot'';
(B) by striking ``pilot'' each place it appears in
paragraphs (1) and (2);
(C) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ``Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program
for not fewer than 5 years that'' and inserting ``The
Secretary shall continue to implement a program that'';
(D) in paragraph (1)(C), in the matter preceding
clause (i), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''; and
(E) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and
construct at-scale composting, food-to-feed, or
anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy
projects'' before the period at the end; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in the subparagraph heading,
strike ``PILOT'';
(II) in the matter preceding clause
(i), by inserting ``Tribal
governments,'' after ``local
governments,'';
(III) by redesignating clauses (vi)
through (viii) as clauses (vii) through
(ix), respectively; and
(IV) by inserting after clause (v)
the following:
``(vi) develop food waste-to-energy
operations;''; and
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 10004. NATIONAL PLANT DIAGNOSTICS NETWORK.
Section 12203(c)(5) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7
U.S.C. 8914(c)(5)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 10005. HEMP PRODUCTION.
(a) State and Tribal Plans.--Section 297B of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639p) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by redesignating clauses (ii)
through (vii) as clauses (iii) through
(viii), respectively;
(II) by inserting after clause (i)
the following:
``(ii) a procedure under which a hemp
producer shall be required to designate the
type of production of the hemp producer as--
``(I) only industrial hemp; or
``(II) hemp grown for any purpose
other than industrial hemp;''; and
(III) in clause (iii), as
redesignated by clause (i) of this
subparagraph--
(aa) by inserting ``except
as provided in subparagraph
(B)(i)'', before ``a
procedure''; and
(bb) by striking ``delta-9
tetrahydrocannabinol
concentration'' and inserting
``total tetrahydrocannabinol
concentration (including
tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``include any other practice'' and inserting
the following: ``include--
``(i) notwithstanding subparagraph
(A)(iii), a procedure for the use of visual
inspections, performance-based sampling
methodologies, certified seed, or a similar
procedure when developing sampling plans for
any producer who elects to be designated as a
producer of only industrial hemp under
subparagraph (A)(ii)(I);
``(ii) notwithstanding subsection
(e)(3)(B)(i), a procedure for eliminating the
10-year period of ineligibility following the
date of conviction for a felony related to a
controlled substance for producers who elect to
be designated as producers of only industrial
hemp under subparagraph (A)(ii); and
``(iii) any other practice''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Inspection of industrial hemp producers.--
``(A) In general.--If a State or Tribal plan
referred to in paragraph (1) includes procedures for
reducing or eliminating sampling or testing
requirements under paragraph (2)(B)(i) for a producer
of industrial hemp, the State or Indian tribe shall
require the producer to provide documentation that
demonstrates a clear intent to produce, and use in-
field practices consistent with production of, only
industrial hemp, such as a seed tag, sales contract,
Farm Service Agency report, harvest technique, or
harvest inspection.
``(B) Testing.--If a producer fails to provide the
documentation required under subparagraph (A), the
State or Indian tribe involved shall require the
producer to conduct the testing described in paragraph
(2)(A)(iii).'';
(2) in subsection (e)(2)(A)(iii), by striking ``delta-9''
and all that follows through ``percent'' and inserting the
following: ``total tetrahydrocannabinol concentration
(including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) of not more than 0.3
percent in the plant''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(3)--
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
``(A) Reporting.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of a State
department of agriculture or a Tribal
government with respect to which a State or
Tribal plan is approved under subsection (b),
such State department of agriculture or Tribal
government (as applicable) shall immediately
report a hemp producer to the Attorney General,
and, as applicable, the chief law enforcement
officer of the State or Indian tribe, if the
State department of agriculture or Tribal
government (as applicable) determines that the
hemp producer has--
``(I) violated the State or Tribal
plan with a culpable mental state
greater than negligence; or
``(II) violated the State or Tribal
plan by producing a crop that is
inconsistent with the designation of
only industrial hemp under subsection
(a)(2)(A)(ii).
``(ii) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not
apply with respect to--
``(I) a violation described in
subclause (I) of clause (i); or
``(II) the production of a crop
inconsistent with its designation, as
described in subclause (II) of such
clause.'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by amending clause (ii) to
read as follows:
``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to any person growing hemp that
designates the type of production as only
industrial hemp under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)
if--
``(I) the State or Tribal plan
approved under subsection (b) includes
a procedure described in subsection
(a)(2)(B)(ii); or
``(II) the plan established by the
Secretary under section 297C includes a
procedure described in subsection
(a)(2)(B)(ii) of such section.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Production inconsistent with industrial hemp
designation.--Any person who knowingly produces a crop
that is inconsistent with the designation of only
industrial hemp under subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii) shall be
ineligible to participate in the program established
under this section for a period of 5 years beginning on
the date of the violation.''.
(b) Department of Agriculture.--Section 297C of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639q) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``paragraph (1) shall'' and
all that follows through ``practice to
maintain'' and inserting the following:
``paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall include--
``(i) a practice to maintain'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by redesignating
clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and
(II), respectively, and moving the margins of
such subclauses (as so redesignated) two ems to
the right;
(iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B)
through (E) as clauses (iii) through (vi),
respectively, and moving the margins of such
clauses (as so redesignated) two ems to the
right;
(iv) by inserting after clause (i) (as
designated by clause (i) of this subparagraph)
the following:
``(ii) a procedure under which the
Secretary shall require a hemp producer to
designate the type of production of the hemp
producer as--
``(I) only industrial hemp; or
``(II) hemp grown for any purpose
other than industrial hemp;'';
(v) in clause (iii) (as redesignated by
clause (iii) of this subparagraph)--
(I) by inserting ``except as
provided in subparagraph (B)(i),''
before ``a procedure''; and
(II) by striking ``delta-9
tetrahydrocannabinol concentration''
and inserting ``total
tetrahydrocannabinol concentration
(including tetrahydrocannabinolic
acid)'';
(vi) by striking subparagraph (F); and
(vii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) may include--
``(i) notwithstanding subparagraph
(A)(iii), a procedure for the use of visual
inspections, performance-based sampling
methodologies, certified seed, or a similar
procedure when developing sampling plans for
any producer who elects to be designated as a
producer of only industrial hemp under
subparagraph (A)(ii);
``(ii) notwithstanding section
297B(e)(3)(B)(i), a procedure for eliminating
the 10-year period of ineligibility following
the date of conviction for a felony related to
a controlled substance for producers who elect
to be designated as producers of only
industrial hemp under subparagraph (A)(ii); and
``(iii) such other practices or procedures
as the Secretary considers to be appropriate,
to the extent that the practice or procedure is
consistent with this subtitle.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Inspections of industrial hemp producers.--
``(A) In general.--If a plan referred to in
paragraph (1) includes procedures for reducing or
eliminating sampling or testing requirements under
paragraph (2)(B)(i) for a producer of only industrial
hemp, the Secretary shall require the producer to
provide documentation that demonstrates a clear intent
to produce, and use in-field practices consistent with
production of, industrial hemp, such as a seed tag,
sales contract, Farm Service Agency report, harvest
technique, or harvest inspection.
``(B) Testing.--If a producer fails to provide the
appropriate documentation required under subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall require the producer to
conduct the testing described in paragraph
(2)(A)(iii).''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii)
as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively;
(ii) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so
redesignated), the following:
``(i) the designation of the type of
production of the hemp producers under section
297B(a)(2)(A)(ii) or under subsection
(a)(2)(A)(ii) of this section;''; and
(iii) in clause (iii), (as so
redesignated), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) the laboratory certificate of analysis for
hemp disposed of under section 297B(a)(2)(A)(iv) or
subsection (a)(2)(A)(iv) of this section.''.
(c) Regulations and Guidelines; Effect on Other Law.--Section 297D
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639r) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``regulations and
guidelines'' and inserting ``administration, regulations, and
guidelines''; and
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES'' and
inserting ``ADMINISTRATION, REGULATIONS, AND
GUIDELINES''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Laboratory accreditation.--The Secretary, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement
Administration, shall establish a process by which the
Department of Agriculture can issue certificates of
accreditation to laboratories for the purposes of testing hemp
in accordance with this subtitle.''.
SEC. 10006. PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE INTRA-ORGANIZATIONAL MOVEMENT OF
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MICROORGANISMS BY CERTAIN
AUTHORIZED PARTIES.
Subtitle A of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7711 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 420A. PILOT PROGRAM FOR THE INTRA-ORGANIZATIONAL MOVEMENT OF
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED MICROORGANISMS BY CERTAIN
AUTHORIZED PARTIES.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered microorganism.--The term `covered
microorganism'--
``(A) means a genetically engineered microorganism
that is a plant pest or may pose a plant pest risk; and
``(B) does not include listed agents or toxins (as
defined in section 212(l) of the Agricultural
Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.
8401(l))).
``(2) Covered unauthorized release.--The term `covered
unauthorized release' means an unauthorized release of a
covered microorganism, including such a release that a
responsible party suspects took place.
``(3) Pilot program.--The term `pilot program' means the
pilot program established under subsection (b).
``(4) Plant pest risk.--The term `plant pest risk' has the
meaning given such term in section 340.3 of title 7, Code of
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
``(5) Responsible party.--The term `responsible party'
means a partnership, corporation, association, joint venture,
or other legal entity that--
``(A) has a physical address in the United States;
``(B) is not owned by or otherwise affiliated with
the government of a country of concern (as defined in
section 10638 of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C.
19237));
``(C) has more than 1 responsible party
biocontainment facility;
``(D) employs quality control personnel that are
capable of overseeing the movement and control of
covered microorganisms;
``(E) has, in each of the 3 years preceding
enrollment in the pilot program, moved plant pests
pursuant to permits granted by the Secretary under this
Act;
``(F) has the ability and resources to ensure
compliance with the requirements under subsection (e)
for the duration of the pilot program;
``(G) has implemented the precautions specified in
subsection (e) to prevent the unauthorized release of
covered microorganisms; and
``(H) has not, during the 5-year period preceding
the date on which the relevant application is submitted
under subsection (c)--
``(i) caused an unauthorized release of a
plant pest;
``(ii) materially failed to comply with a
permit granted by the Secretary for the
interstate movement of plant pests; or
``(iii) violated any provision of this
section (including regulations promulgated
thereunder).
``(6) Responsible party biocontainment facility.--The term
`responsible party biocontainment facility'--
``(A) means a physical structure or portion
thereof, constructed and maintained in order to contain
plant pests, that is under the control of, or operated
by, a responsible party within the contiguous United
States; and
``(B) includes sites under the control of, or
operated by, any parent organization, subsidiary, or
affiliate of the responsible party.
``(b) Establishment.--Not later than 100 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a pilot
program under which the Secretary shall authorize not more than 75
responsible parties--
``(1) to move covered microorganisms in interstate commerce
between responsible party biocontainment facilities without a
permit; and
``(2) to maintain control over and dispose of such covered
microorganisms.
``(c) Application.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept applications
from responsible parties for enrollment in the pilot program
during a 45-day application period, beginning on the date on
which the pilot program is established under subsection (b),
using a web-based application process established by the
Secretary.
``(2) Contents.--An application submitted by a responsible
party for enrollment in the pilot program shall include the
following:
``(A) The name and contact information of the
responsible party and any agent of the responsible
party that will be involved in the movement of a
covered microorganism.
``(B) The methods by which a covered microorganism
will be moved and the measures taken to ensure that
there is no unauthorized release of the covered
microorganism.
``(C) The manner in which a shipping container,
packaging material, or any other material accompanying
the covered microorganism will be disposed of to
prevent the unauthorized release of a covered
microorganism.
``(D) A list of responsible party biocontainment
facilities to which the responsible party intends to
move covered microorganisms.
``(E) A list of the predominant covered
microorganism chassis strains that, at the time of the
application, the responsible party intends to move.
``(F) A sworn certification that the responsible
party meets each criterion specified in subsection
(a)(5).
``(3) Supplemental applications.--
``(A) In general.--A responsible party may submit a
supplemental application to the Secretary to update a
list under subparagraph (D) or (E) of paragraph (2) at
any time during such enrollment. The Secretary shall
make a determination with respect to such supplemental
application not later than 30 days after the date on
which such supplemental application is submitted to the
Secretary.
``(B) Denials.--The Secretary may only deny a
supplemental application if the Secretary has made the
determination set forth in subsection (d)(2)(B). A
denial of a supplemental application shall be subject
to appeal in accordance with the terms specified in
subsection (d)(3).
``(d) Selection Process.--
``(1) Timing.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) evaluate applications received under
subsection (c)(1) in the order in which the
applications are received; and
``(B) approve or deny all applications received
during the period described in that subsection not
later than 45 days after the end of that period.
``(2) Denial.--The Secretary shall deny an application
received under subsection (c)(1) if--
``(A) the Secretary has already selected 75
responsible parties for enrollment in the pilot
program; or
``(B) the Secretary determines that the responsible
party submitting the application does not meet each
criterion specified in subsection (a)(5).
``(3) Appeal.--
``(A) In general.--A responsible party seeking to
enroll in the pilot program whose application has been
denied under paragraph (2) may submit to the Secretary
a written appeal within--
``(i) the 10-day period beginning on the
date on which the responsible party receives
written notification of the denial; or
``(ii) a longer period, if the responsible
party makes a request for additional time to
submit such appeal and the Secretary grants
such request.
``(B) Decision.--The Secretary shall, within a
reasonably prompt period, grant or deny an appeal under
subparagraph (A) in writing, which shall include the
reasons for the decision.
``(e) Requirements.--A responsible party shall, as a condition of
enrollment in the pilot program, agree to--
``(1) maintain, move, and dispose of covered microorganisms
in a manner that prevents unauthorized release, spread,
dispersal, or persistence of those covered microorganisms in
the environment;
``(2) unless otherwise authorized under a permit under this
Act, only move a covered microorganism between sites that are
responsible party biocontainment facilities;
``(3) maintain, move, and dispose of each covered
microorganism separately from other organisms;
``(4) ensure that each covered microorganism is maintained,
moved, and disposed of in a manner commensurate with the plant
pest risk posed by that covered microorganism;
``(5) use, at a minimum, a package for movement--
``(A) that consists of a securely sealed inner and
outer container, each of which is an effective barrier
to the escape or unauthorized dissemination of the
covered microorganism;
``(B) the inner container of which--
``(i) contains all of the applicable
covered microorganism; and
``(ii) is cushioned and sealed in such a
manner as to remain sealed during any shock,
impact, or change in pressure; and
``(C) the outer container of which is rigid and
strong enough to withstand typical shipping conditions
(such as dropping, stacking, and impact from other
freight) without opening;
``(6) on request, grant the Secretary access--
``(A) to sample materials associated with the
interstate movement of covered microorganisms under the
pilot program;
``(B) to observe and inspect the interstate
movement of those covered microorganisms; and
``(C) to audit records of the activities of the
responsible party under the pilot program;
``(7) maintain detailed and accurate records of all
activities carried out under the pilot program to demonstrate
compliance with the applicable requirements;
``(8) on request, grant the Secretary access to each
responsible party biocontainment facility for inspection in
relation to a responsible party's enrollment in the pilot
program; and
``(9) comply with any additional requirement for the
containment of covered microorganisms in interstate commerce
that the Secretary may require if--
``(A) the Secretary determines that such an
additional requirement is reasonable; and
``(B) the sole purpose of such additional
requirement is to avoid a covered unauthorized release.
``(f) Prohibition on Certain Preferences.--In carrying out the
pilot program, the Secretary shall take no action or promulgate any
regulation that--
``(1) treats genetically engineered covered microorganisms
less favorably than nongenetically engineered covered
microorganisms; or
``(2) limits the quantity or type of covered microorganisms
that may be moved under the pilot program between responsible
party biocontainment facilities.
``(g) Reporting by Responsible Parties.--A responsible party shall
submit to the Secretary a quarterly report that describes the
activities of the responsible party under the pilot program during the
period covered by the report, including--
``(1) a description of each covered microorganism moved in
interstate commerce, including--
``(A) the 1 or more countries or localities at
which the covered microorganism was collected,
developed, manufactured, reared, cultivated, or
cultured, as applicable;
``(B) the genus, species, and any relevant
subspecies and common name information of the covered
microorganism; and
``(C) when applicable, a brief description of the
genetic modifications made in the microorganism,
including--
``(i) the intended phenotype that the 1 or
more modifications are expected to confer;
``(ii) any targeted deletions, insertions,
or base pair substitutions; and
``(iii) the genetic elements used in
imparting the modification, including the name,
donor organism, and a brief description of the
function;
``(2) each method by which the covered microorganism was
moved in interstate commerce;
``(3) the quantity of the covered microorganism moved in
interstate commerce; and
``(4) the specific responsible party biocontainment
facilities between which the covered microorganism was moved in
interstate commerce.
``(h) Unauthorized Release.--In the case of a covered unauthorized
release, a responsible party shall--
``(1) contact the applicable office within the Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service within 48 hours of discovery of
the covered unauthorized release; and
``(2) submit to the Secretary a statement of facts
pertaining to such release, in writing, not later than 5
business days after the date of that discovery.
``(i) Disenrollment From Pilot Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall terminate the
enrollment of a responsible party in the pilot program if the
Secretary has a sound factual basis to determine that--
``(A) the responsible party no longer meets the
eligibility criteria of a responsible party described
in subsection (a)(5);
``(B) the responsible party has materially failed
to comply with the requirements under subsection (e);
or
``(C) as a result of a failure by a responsible
party under subparagraph (B), the responsible party
caused a covered unauthorized release during the pilot
program.
``(2) Disenrollment decision.--If the Secretary terminates
the enrollment of a responsible party under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall submit that decision in writing to the
responsible party.
``(3) Appeal.--The appeal process described in subsection
(d)(3) shall apply in the case of a responsible party that
seeks to appeal a termination of enrollment under paragraph
(1).
``(j) Termination.--The pilot program shall terminate on the date
that is 3 years after the date on which the Secretary completes the
application selection process under subsection (d)(1)(B).
``(k) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
termination of the pilot program described in subsection (j), the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes--
``(1) the activities carried out under the pilot program,
including--
``(A) the quantities and identities of covered
microorganisms that were moved; and
``(B) a description of any unauthorized release of
covered microorganisms that were moved, including a
description of the cause and consequence of any
unauthorized release; and
``(2) recommendations on--
``(A) whether the pilot program should become a
permanent program; and
``(B) whether, as a permanent program, changes
should be made to the criteria for a responsible party
under subsection (a)(5) or to the requirements under
subsection (e).''.
Subtitle B--Marketing
SEC. 10101. MARKETING ORDERS.
Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608e-
1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``mandarin oranges,'' after ``oranges,'';
(2) by inserting ``almonds,'' after ``onions,''; and
(3) by striking ``, other than dates for processing,'' each
place it appears.
SEC. 10102. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.
Section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C.
1627c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (13) as
paragraphs (6) through (14), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) Food hub.--The term `food hub' means a business or
organization that actively manages the aggregation,
distribution, and marketing of source-identified food products
to multiple buyers from multiple producers, who are primarily
local and regional producers, to strengthen the ability of such
producers to satisfy local and regional wholesale, retail, and
institutional demands.'';
(2) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, regional food
chain coordination,'' after ``collaboration'';
(3) in subsection (c)(4), by striking ``stakeholders'' and
inserting ``stakeholders before and after providing grants
under the program'';
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (I), by striking
``or'';
(ii) in subparagraph (J)(ii), by striking
the period at the end and inserting ``; or'';
and
(iii) by inserting at the end the
following:
``(K) to support the purchase of special purpose
equipment.''; and
(C) in paragraph (6)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by redesignating clauses (vii)
and (viii) as clauses (viii) and (ix),
respectively; and
(II) by inserting after clause (vi)
the following:
``(vii) a food hub;'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``applications that''
and inserting ``applications, outreach,
and technical assistance that would'';
(II) in clause (i), by striking
``or'' at the end;
(III) by redesignating clause (ii)
as clause (iii);
(IV) by inserting after clause (i)
the following:
``(ii) provide greater geographic balance
relative to the benefits of the Program; or'';
and
(V) in clause (iii) (as so
redesignated), by striking ``are used''
and inserting ``be used'';
(iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (D)
and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F); and
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (C)
the following:
``(D) Simplified applications.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
establish a simplified application form for
eligible entities described in subparagraph (B)
that--
``(I) request less than $100,000;
and
``(II) choose from the project
categories described in clause (ii),
which shall include a specific, limited
set of key activities with predefined
requirements established by the
Secretary.
``(ii) Project categories.--The Secretary
shall establish a simplified application form
for the following project categories but may
include additional project categories as
necessary:
``(I) Direct-to-consumer
projects.--In the case of a direct-to-
consumer project, an application form
described in clause (i) may be
available for the following categories
of projects:
``(aa) An outreach and
promotion project.
``(bb) A project to provide
funding for farmers market
manager staff time.
``(cc) A project to provide
vendor training.
``(dd) A planning and
design project.
``(ee) A data collection
and evaluation project.
``(II) Local and regional food
markets and enterprise projects.--In
the case of a local and regional food
market and enterprise project, an
application form described in clause
(i) may be available for the following
categories of projects:
``(aa) A food hub
feasibility study project.
``(bb) A project to provide
funding for regional food chain
coordination staff time.
``(cc) A project to provide
technical assistance.
``(dd) A data collection
and evaluation project.
``(ee) A project to support
the purchase of special purpose
equipment.'';
(5) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking ``2019 through
2023'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting the following: ``2026 through 2031 to support
partnerships--
``(i) to plan a local or regional food
system;
``(ii) to implement a local or regional
food system plan;
``(iii) to develop and implement a regional
food chain coordination project; and
``(iv) to develop and implement a regional
outreach, technical assistance, and evaluation
project.''.
(6) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``subsection
(d); or'' and inserting ``subsection (d)(5);'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) are eligible to submit an application in
accordance with subsection (d)(6)(D); or''; and
(7) in subsection (i)(3)(B)--
(A) by striking ``Of the funds'' and inserting the
following:
``(i) In general.--Of the funds''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Simplified applications.--Of the
funds made available for grants under
subsection (d)(6) for a fiscal year, not less
than 10 percent, and not more than 50 percent,
shall be used to provide grants to eligible
entities that submit an application in
accordance with subsection (d)(6)(D).''.
SEC. 10103. ACER ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.
Section 12306 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 1632c) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively;
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Consultations.--
``(1) In general.--Beginning with the first request for
applications under this section that occurs at least 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, not later than 6
months before such a request for applications, the Secretary
shall solicit input from maple syrup industry stakeholders with
respect to the research and education priorities of the maple
syrup industry.
``(2) Consideration.--The Secretary shall consider the
information provided through the consultation required under
paragraph (1) when making grants under this section.''; and
(3) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking
``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 10104. ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKET DATA INITIATIVE.
Section 7407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 5925c) is amended--
(1) 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) collect and publish cost-of-production data for
organic milk, through support from regional and national
programs, including regularly reported data related to--
``(A) the costs of major organic feedstuffs,
including--
``(i) the prices for major organic
feedstuffs produced domestically;
``(ii) the prices for imported major
organic feedstuffs; and
``(iii) all other costs relating to the
production of organic milk;
``(B) establishment of an Organic All Milk Prices
Survey, which shall be analogous to the existing All
Milk Prices Survey conducted by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, to gather and report
monthly data about the amounts organic dairy farmers
are being paid for organic milk and prices received for
organic dairy cows, including--
``(i) national data; and
``(ii) data relating to, at a minimum, the
6 regions with the greatest quantity of organic
dairy production; and
``(C) periodic organic milk reporting under which
the Secretary, using data collected by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, the Economic Research
Service, or the Agricultural Marketing Service,
publishes new periodic reports that include, or add to
existing periodic reports relating to, data for organic
milk, which shall be equivalent to data reported for
conventionally produced milk.''; and
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 10105. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.
(a) Reports.--Section 2122(d)(1) of the Organic Foods Production
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2031''.
(b) Organic Technical Assistance.--The Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990 is amended by inserting after section 2122A (7 U.S.C. 6521a)
the following:
``SEC. 2122B. ORGANIC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
``(a) In General.--In carrying out this title, the Secretary may
provide technical assistance, outreach, and education to support
organic production through existing programs implemented by a covered
agency.
``(b) Covered Agency.--For the purposes of this section, the term
`covered agency' means--
``(1) the Agricultural Marketing Service;
``(2) the Agricultural Research Service;
``(3) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture;
``(4) the Farm Service Agency;
``(5) the Risk Management Agency;
``(6) the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
``(7) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service;
``(8) the Food and Nutrition Service; and
``(9) other agencies, as determined by the Secretary.''.
(c) Funding.--Section 2123(b)(6) of the Organic Foods Production
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522(b)(6)) is amended by striking ``for fiscal
year 2023'' and inserting ``for each of fiscal years 2023 through
2031''.
SEC. 10106. REPORT ON PROCUREMENT.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Farm,
Food, and National Security Act of 2026, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report that examines--
(1) the process by which domestic commodities or products
(as defined in section 220.16 of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulation)) are procured by the
Secretary, including the solicitation process used to procure
such commodities or products;
(2) barriers to entry into such procurement process that
are for nontraditional, culturally relevant, or local and
regional commodities or products;
(3) the diet quality and accessibility of commodities or
products that are so procured; and
(4) the Secretary's recommendations for administrative,
regulatory, and legislative changes to improve such procurement
process.
Subtitle C--Regulatory Reform
PART I--FEDERAL INSECTICIDE, FUNGICIDE, AND RODENTICIDE ACT
SEC. 10201. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN SUBSTANCES.
(a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide,
and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (v) to read as follows:
``(v) Plant Regulator.--
``(1) In general.--The term `plant regulator' means any
substance or mixture of substances intended, through
physiological action, for accelerating or retarding the rate of
growth or rate of maturation, or for otherwise altering the
behavior of plants or the produce thereof.
``(2) Exclusions.--Such term shall not include--
``(A) substances to the extent that they are--
``(i) intended to be produced and used
within a plant; or
``(ii) intended as plant nutrients, trace
elements, nutritional chemicals, plant
inoculants, soil amendments, or vitamin hormone
products; or
``(B) plant biostimulants that--
``(i) have a low-risk profile in relation
to humans and other organisms, as determined by
the Agency; and
``(ii) are of biological origin or include
chemical compounds that are synthetically
derived, but structurally-similar and
functionally identical to, substances of
biological origin.'';
(2) in subsection (hh)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``substances.'' and inserting
``substances''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``volatilization
urease'' and inserting
``volatilization, or urease'';
(II) by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) a plant biostimulant; or
``(5) a nutritional chemical.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(pp) Plant Biostimulant.--The term `plant biostimulant' means any
substance or mixture of substances that, when applied to seeds, plants,
the rhizosphere, or soil or other growth media, acts to support a
plant's natural nutrition processes independently of the nutrient
content of that substance or mixture of substances, and that thereby
improves--
``(1) nutrient availability, uptake, or use efficiency;
``(2) tolerance to abiotic stress; or
``(3) consequent growth, development, quality, or yield.
``(qq) Nutritional Chemical.--The term `nutritional chemical' means
any substance or mixture of substances that interacts with plant
nutrients in a manner that improves nutrient availability or aids the
plant in acquiring or utilizing plant nutrients.
``(rr) Vitamin Hormone Product.--The term `vitamin hormone product'
means a product that--
``(1) consists of a mixture of plant hormones, plant
nutrients, plant inoculants, soil amendments, trace elements,
nutritional chemicals, plant biostimulants, or vitamins that is
intended for the improvement, maintenance, survival, health,
and propagation of plants;
``(2) is nontoxic and nonpoisonous in the undiluted
packaged concentrations of the product; and
``(3) is not intended for use on food crop sites and is
labeled accordingly.
``(ss) Plant-incorporated Protectant.--
``(1) In general.--The term `plant-incorporated protectant'
means a pesticide that is--
``(A) intended for preventing, destroying,
repelling, or mitigating a pest; and
``(B) a substance or mixture of substances intended
to be produced and used within a living plant, or in
the produce thereof, and the genetic material necessary
for its production.
``(2) Inclusions.--Such term includes any inert ingredient
(as defined in section 174.3 of title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations (or any successor regulation)).''.
(b) Exemption From Regulation.--Section 25(b) of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w(b)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(b) Exemption of Pesticides.--
``(1) Exemption by rule.--The Administrator may exempt from
the requirements of this Act by regulation any pesticide which
the Administrator determines either--
``(A) to be adequately regulated by another Federal
agency; or
``(B) to be of a character which is unnecessary to
be subject to this Act in order to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
``(2) Exemption for certain plant-incorporated
protectants.--
``(A) Exemption.--
``(i) In general.--Upon the issuance of
guidance as described in subparagraph (B),
plant-incorporated protectants resulting from
endogenous genetic material found within or
that could arise from the plant's gene pool are
exempt from the requirements of this Act.
``(ii) Exception.--A specific plant-
incorporated protectant arising from endogenous
genetic material found within or that could
arise from the plant's gene pool shall not be
exempt from the requirements of this Act if the
Administrator determines that such plant-
incorporated protectant is of a character which
is necessary to be subject to this Act in order
to carry out the purposes of this Act.
``(B) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026, the Administrator shall issue
guidance for the implementation of subparagraph (A).
The Administrator may update such guidance, as the
Administrator determines to be appropriate.
``(C) Order.--
``(i) In general.--If the Administrator
makes a determination described in subparagraph
(A)(ii) with respect to a plant-incorporated
protectant, the Administrator shall issue an
order explaining the basis for such
determination, which may be issued directly to
any person who owns, controls, or has custody
of such plant-incorporated protectant or
published in the Federal Register.
``(ii) Effect of order.--After receipt or
publication of an order described in clause
(i), the plant-incorporated protectant
described in the order will no longer be exempt
from the requirements of this Act.
``(D) Tolerance exemption.--The residue of a plant-
incorporated protectant that is exempt under
subparagraph (A)(i) shall be exempt from the
requirement for a tolerance under section 408 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 346a)
unless, and until such time as, the Administrator
issues or publishes an order under subparagraph
(C)(i).''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 17(c) of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136o(c)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``(as defined in section 174.3 of title 40,
Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor
regulation))'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) that plant-incorporated protectant is exempt
under section 25(b)(2) or part 174 of title 40, Code of
Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).'';
and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``(as defined in
section 174.3 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or any
successor regulation))''.
SEC. 10202. COORDINATION.
Section 3 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (7 U.S.C. 136a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Coordination.--
``(1) Risk mitigation measures.--If any risk mitigation
measures are required for any pesticide registered under this
Act, the Administrator shall--
``(A) develop such measures in coordination with
the Secretary of Agriculture; and
``(B) conduct, and publish in the docket, with the
corresponding action, an economic analysis determining
the cost of implementation of such measures.
``(2) Data and information.--
``(A) Coordination of data and information.--With
regard to the registration or registration review of a
pesticide under this Act and for making a determination
under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 346a) with respect to any
action that impacts the sale, distribution, or use of a
pesticide, the Administrator shall coordinate with the
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Director
of the Office of Pest Management Policy, so that the
Administrator has for the Administrator's use and
consideration for such processes--
``(i) agronomic use data from--
``(I) the Department of
Agriculture; and
``(II) industry; and
``(ii) any information relating to the
availability and economic viability of
alternatives to such pesticide.
``(B) Data and information.--When issuing any
decision resulting from the processes referred to in
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall publish--
``(i) a description of the use by the
Administrator of any data or information
provided by the Secretary of Agriculture under
subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the determination of the
Administrator on whether to use such data or
information, including, as applicable, the
reasons that the data or information was not
used.
``(3) Reasonable and prudent actions and measures.--For
implementation of reasonable and prudent actions and measures
with respect to the use of a pesticide registered under this
Act, the Administrator shall coordinate with the Secretary of
Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary
of Commerce--
``(A) to review the development of any such actions
and measures that are a result of consultations
relating to actions under this Act;
``(B) to fully consider the risks and benefits of
any such actions and measures in a manner consistent
with practices established to evaluate the risks and
benefits of a pesticide registered under this Act; and
``(C) to provide feedback to the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Commerce on decisions
relating to any such actions and measures that may
affect end users of a pesticide registered under this
Act.
``(4) Waiver.--The coordination requirements imposed by
this subsection may be waived or modified for a specific action
to the extent agreed upon by the Administrator, the Secretary
of Agriculture, and the registrant so long as such agreement is
published by the Administrator in the docket for the
corresponding action.''.
SEC. 10203. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.
Section 3(c)(11) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136a(c)(11)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking ``The Administrator shall'' and
inserting the following:
``(i) In general.--The Administrator
shall''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Participation.--The Secretary of
Agriculture shall include the Director of the
Office of Pest Management Policy in all
meetings of the interagency working group.'';
(2) in subparagraph (D)--
(A) in clause (iv)--
(i) by striking ``every 180 days
thereafter'' and inserting ``each year
thereafter''; and
(ii) by striking ``during the 5-year period
beginning on that date''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(v) Availability.--All reports required
under this subparagraph shall be published on
the website of the Environmental Protection
Agency.''.
(3) by amending subparagraph (E) to read as follows:
``(E) Consultation.--
``(i) Working group with private sector.--
In carrying out the duties under this
paragraph, the working group shall, as
appropriate--
``(I) consult, including through
public meetings, with representatives
of interested industry stakeholders and
nongovernmental organizations not less
than once every year; and
``(II) take into consideration
factors, such as actual and potential
differences in interest between, and
the views of, those stakeholders and
organizations.
``(ii) Administrator with working group.--
Before the Administrator implements any policy,
strategy, workplan, or pilot program regarding
the application of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C.1531 et seq.) to the
processes for the registration or registration
review of a pesticide under this Act, the
Administrator shall--
``(I) consult with the covered
agencies on the policy, strategy,
workplan, or pilot program and take
into consideration input received; and
``(II) publish the input received
from the covered agencies in the docket
with the corresponding policy,
strategy, workplan, or pilot
program.''.
SEC. 10204. REGISTRATION REVIEW.
(a) Extension of Deadline.--Section 3(g)(1)(A)(iii) of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
136a(g)(1)(A)(iii)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking
``the registration review of'' and inserting ``the interim
registration review decision of''; and
(2) in subclause (I), by striking ``2022'' and inserting
``2031''.
(b) Interim Registration Review Decision Requirements.--Section
3(g)(1)(A) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(7 U.S.C. 136a(g)(1)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) Interim registration review decision
requirements.--
``(I) Requirements.--Any covered interim
registration review decision shall include,
where applicable, measures to reduce the
effects of the applicable pesticide on--
``(aa) species listed under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or
``(bb) any designated critical
habitat.
``(II) Consultation.--In developing
measures described in subclause (I), the
Administrator shall take into account the input
received from the Secretary of Agriculture and
other members of the interagency working group
established under subsection (c)(11).
``(III) Covered interim registration review
decision.--In this subsection, the term
`covered interim registration review decision'
means an interim registration review decision--
``(aa) that is associated with an
initial registration review described
in clause (iii);
``(bb) that is noticed in the
Federal Register during the period
beginning on the date of enactment of
this clause and ending on October 1,
2031; and
``(cc) for which the Administrator
has not, as of the date on which the
decision is noticed in the Federal
Register, made effects determinations
or completed any necessary consultation
under section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1536(a)(2)).''.
(c) Conforming Repeal.--Section 711 of the Pesticide Registration
Improvement Act of 2022 (title VI of division HH of Public Law 117-328)
is repealed.
SEC. 10205. UNIFORMITY OF PESTICIDE LABELING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 24(b) of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136v(b)) shall be applied to
require uniformity in pesticide labeling nationally, and to prohibit
any State, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or a court
from directly or indirectly imposing or continuing in effect any
requirements for, or penalize or hold liable any entity for failing to
comply with requirements that would require labeling or packaging that
is in addition to or different from the labeling or packaging approved
by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (referred
to in this section as the ``Administrator'') under such Act (7 U.S.C.
136 et seq.), including any requirements relating to warnings on such
labeling or packaging, provided that the entity is not in material
violation of subparagraph (M), (Q), or (R) of section 12(a)(2) of such
Act (7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(2)), for which the entity has been penalized
pursuant to section 14 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 136l).
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to alter or diminish the authority of States under
subsections (a) and (c) of section 24 of the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136v).
SEC. 10206. AUTHORITY OF STATES.
Section 24 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (7 U.S.C. 136v) is amended--
(1) in the section heading by inserting ``and localities''
after ``states''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Local Regulation.--A political subdivision of a State shall
not impose, or continue in effect, any requirement relating to the
sale, distribution, labeling, application, or use of any pesticide or
device that is subject to regulation--
``(1) by a State pursuant to this section; or
``(2) by the Administrator under this Act.''.
SEC. 10207. LAWFUL USE OF AUTHORIZED PESTICIDES.
Section 3(f) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (7 U.S.C. 136a(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Lawful use of registered pesticides.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the use, application, or discharge
of a registered pesticide consistent with its labeling approved
under this Act shall be permitted and considered lawful,
without further permitting or approval requirements.''.
PART II--OTHER REGULATORY REFORM PROVISIONS
SEC. 10211. MULTIPLE CROP AND PESTICIDE USE SURVEY.
Section 10109(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334; 132 Stat. 4906) is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Administration.--
``(1) Submission.--The Secretary shall submit to the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and make
publicly available, the survey described in subsection (a).
``(2) Commercial data.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Office of Pest Management Policy, shall obtain
commercial data on pesticide use to inform the conduct of, and
enhance the results of, the survey described in subsection (a).
``(3) Rulemaking procedure.--The administration of this
section shall be made without regard to chapter 35 of title 44,
United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction
Act).''.
SEC. 10212. SAFE HARBOR FOR CERTAIN DISCHARGES OF WILDLAND FIRE
CHEMICALS.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), no court may enjoin
under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
a covered entity from conducting an aerial application of a covered
fire retardant and water enhancer for wildfire suppression, control, or
prevention activities that results in a discharge, if such aerial
application is conducted in accordance with the requirements of the
Federal Facility Compliance Agreement between the Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service, as agreed to on February
16, 2023.
(b) Period of Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply to any
aerial application described in such subsection that is conducted
before the effective date of a permit issued by the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency or a State, as applicable, under
section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1342)
that authorizes the discharge, from such aerial application, of a
covered fire retardant and water enhancer for wildfire suppression,
control, or prevention activities.
(c) Effect.--Nothing in this section affects the authority of any
court under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to any
discharge resulting from an aerial application not conducted in
accordance with the requirements described in subsection (a).
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means--
(A) any Federal agency, agency of a State or
political subdivision thereof, or Tribal agency,
authorized by law to conduct an aerial application of
fire retardants and water enhancers for wildfire
suppression, control, or prevention activities; and
(B) any contractor, subcontractor, or other agent
of an agency described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Covered fire retardant and water enhancer.--The term
``covered fire retardant and water enhancer'' means a fire
retardant and water enhancer that--
(A) has been evaluated, qualified, and approved by
the Secretary; and
(B) appears on the most current Forest Service
Qualified Products List.
(3) Discharge; state.--The terms ``discharge'' and
``State'' have the meanings given those terms in section 502 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362).
(e) Sunset.--This section shall cease to be effective on the date
that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section.
SEC. 10213. OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY.
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 220
(7 U.S.C. 6920) the following:
``SEC. 220A. OFFICE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish in the Department
an Office of Biotechnology Policy to provide for the effective
coordination of policies and activities within the Department of
Agriculture related to biotechnology, biomanufacturing, synthetic
biology, and related emerging technologies, while taking into account
the effects of regulatory actions of other government agencies.
``(b) Director.--The Office of Biotechnology Policy shall be under
the direction of a Director appointed by the Secretary, who shall
report directly to the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary.
``(c) Duties.--The Director of the Office of Biotechnology Policy
shall--
``(1) develop and coordinate Department policy on
biotechnology and related topics;
``(2) coordinate activities and services of the Department
on biotechnology and related topics, including--
``(A) research and development;
``(B) extension and education;
``(C) communication;
``(D) regulation and labeling; and
``(E) commercialization, use, and trade;
``(3) assist other offices and agencies of the Department
in fulfilling their responsibilities related to biotechnology
under applicable Federal law; and
``(4) perform such other functions as may be required under
Federal law or prescribed by the Secretary.
``(d) Interagency Coordination.--In carrying out the duties under
subsection (b), the Director of the Office of Biotechnology Policy
shall provide leadership to ensure coordination of interagency
activities with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug
Administration, and other Federal and State agencies.
``(e) Outreach.--The Director of the Office of Biotechnology Policy
shall consult with biotechnology developers, academics, agricultural
producers, and other entities that may be affected by biotechnology-
related activities or actions of the Department or other Federal and
State agencies as necessary in carrying out the Office's
responsibilities under this section.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
TITLE XI--CROP INSURANCE
SEC. 11001. SPECIALTY CROP ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) In General.--Section 505 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7
U.S.C. 1505) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (E),
(F), and (G) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and
(H), respectively;
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (D)
the following:
``(E) The Chairperson of the Specialty Crop
Advisory Committee established by subsection (f).'';
and
(iii) in subparagraph (H), as so
redesignated, by striking ``specialty crop''
and inserting ``livestock'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``subparagraphs
(E), (F), and (G) of paragraph (2)'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H) of paragraph (2) and
the members of the Specialty Crop Advisory Committee
described in subsection (f)(2)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Specialty Crop Advisory Committee.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) establish a Specialty Crop Advisory Committee
(in this subsection, referred to as `the Committee');
and
``(B) appoint to the Committee in accordance with
paragraph (2) the initial members that will assist the
Corporation in the research, creation, and improvement
of policies or plans of insurance for specialty crops.
``(2) Composition.--
``(A) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the
Committee shall be an individual with experience in
crop insurance and the unique nature of the specialty
crop industry.
``(B) Members.--The Committee shall consist of--
``(i) individuals with an understanding of
the production methods, markets, and risks
(including losses due to weather, trade
damages, and supply chain disruptions) unique
to specialty crop production;
``(ii) not less than 5 producers and not
more than 10 total members; and
``(iii) not less than one producer from
each of the West, Midwest, South, and Northeast
regions of the United States (as identified by
the Bureau of the Census).
``(3) Duties.--The Committee established by this subsection
shall--
``(A) advise the manager of the Corporation on
issues relating to specialty crop insurance policies;
``(B) provide input, through the Chairperson of the
Committee, to the Board on decisions relating to
specialty crop insurance policies;
``(C) review available educational programs and
make recommendations to the manager of the Corporation
on how to enhance the effectiveness of such programs
for specialty crop producers;
``(D) provide recommendations to the manager of the
Corporation regarding the presentation of policies to
the Board required by section 508(a)(6);
``(E) advise the manager of the Corporation on
entering into partnerships to carry out subsections (d)
and (e)(2)(B) of section 522; and
``(F) meet not less than two times each year to
carry out these duties.''.
(b) Specialty Crops Coordinator.--Section 507(g)(2) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(g)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Responsibilities.--
``(A) In general.--The Specialty Crops Coordinator
shall have primary responsibility for addressing the
needs of specialty crop producers, and for providing
information and advice, in connection with the
activities of the Corporation to improve and expand the
insurance program for specialty crops.
``(B) Other duties.--In carrying out this
paragraph, the Specialty Crops Coordinator shall--
``(i) act as the liaison of the Corporation
with representatives of specialty crop
producers and the Specialty Crop Advisory
Committee; and
``(ii) assist the Corporation with the
knowledge, expertise, and familiarity of the
producers with risk management and production
issues pertaining to specialty crops.''.
(c) Annual Review of New and Specialty Crops.--Section 508(a)(6)(A)
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(a)(6)(A)) is amended
by inserting ``(in consultation with the Specialty Crop Advisory
Committee)'' after ``Corporation''.
SEC. 11002. IDENTIFICATION OF HOLDERS OF SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS.
Section 506(m) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1506(m))
is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Identification of holders of substantial interests.--
``(A) In general.--The Manager of the Corporation
may require each policyholder to provide to the
Manager, at such times and in such manner as prescribed
by the Manager, the name of each individual or other
entity that acquires or holds a substantial beneficial
interest in such policyholder.
``(B) Extension available.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of a
policyholder that does not provide the
information required pursuant to subparagraph
(A) to the Manager at the time prescribed by
the Manager, the Manager shall allow such
policyholder to provide to the Manager such
information at any time during the applicable
crop year.
``(ii) Exception.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to a policyholder that an approved
insurance provider determines--
``(I) would receive
disproportionate benefits under a crop
insurance program as a result of
failing to provide the information
required pursuant to subparagraph (A)
to the Manager at the time prescribed
by the Manager; or
``(II) failed to provide such
information to avoid an obligation or
requirement under any State or Federal
law.''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``5 percent'' and
inserting ``10 percent''.
SEC. 11003. ACTUARIAL SOUNDNESS OF CERTAIN NEW PRODUCTS.
Section 506(n) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1506(n))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Actuarial soundness of certain new products.--The
Corporation shall--
``(A) review each policy or product developed under
section 508(h) periodically for actuarial soundness;
and
``(B) take such actions, in consultation with
persons described in paragraph (1)(A) of such section,
as are necessary to improve the actuarial soundness of
such policies and products.''.
SEC. 11004. COVERAGE OF REVENUE LOSSES.
Section 508(a)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(a)) is amended, in the second sentence, by inserting ``or a
decline in the market price of the insured commodity, so long as such
decline was not directly caused by the producer (as determined by the
Secretary)'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 11005. LIMITATION ON FARM PROGRAM PARTICIPATION.
(a) In General.--The Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 508(c)(4)(C)(iv) in the heading, by striking
``crops and''; and
(2) in section 508B(f) is amended by striking ``Effective
beginning with the 2019 crop year'' and inserting ``Effective
for the 2019 through 2025 crop years''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1115 of the Agricultural Act of
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9015) is amended by adding at the end the following
subsection:
``(j) Limitation.--Beginning with the 2026 crop year, in the case
of a farm for which a producer obtains coverage under the Stacked
Income Protection Plan for upland cotton under section 508B of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508b) for a crop year, such farm
shall not be eligible to receive payments for seed cotton for such crop
year under--
``(1) price loss coverage under section 1116; or
``(2) agriculture risk coverage under section 1117.''.
SEC. 11006. LIMITATION ON INTEREST ACCRUAL.
Section 508(d) of Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(d)) is
amended by inserting at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) Limitation on interest accrued.--Effective beginning
with the 2026 reinsurance year, in the case of a producer that
is delinquent in paying a premium or administrative fee, an
approved insurance provider may charge such producer with
respect to such delinquency an amount less than or equal to 1
percent of the simple interest of the amount for which such
producer is delinquent, for each month (not to exceed 60-
consecutive months) the producer is so delinquent.''.
SEC. 11007. CROP INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR BEGINNING AND VETERAN FARMERS
AND RANCHERS.
(a) Definition of Veteran Farmer or Rancher.--Section 502(b)(14)(B)
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)(14)(B)) is
amended--
(1) in clause (ii), by striking ``5 years'' and inserting
``10 years''; and
(2) in clause (iii), by striking ``5-year'' and inserting
``10-year''.
(b) Increase in Assistance.--Section 508(e)(9) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)) is amended by inserting ``or veteran
farmer or rancher'' after ``beginning farmer or rancher'' each place it
appears.
SEC. 11008. MARKETABILITY.
Section 508(h)(4) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(h)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by amending clause (iii) to read
as follows:
``(iii) Application.--
``(I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclause (II), this
subparagraph shall apply with respect
to a proposal only during the period
preceding any approval of the proposal
by the Board.
``(II) Exception.--An approved
insurance provider that submits a
letter of support for a concept
proposal, a policy, or plan of
insurance shall--
``(aa) not be considered
the public for purposes of
clause (ii);
``(bb) have access to data
and other product development
information submitted to the
Board during its review under
this subsection, and;
``(cc) be subject to the
confidentiality requirements as
applicable to the Board
pursuant to clauses (i) and
(ii).'';
(2) in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end the
following:
``(iv) Marketability deadline.--Any new
policy, plan of insurance, or other material
approved by the Board under this subsection
during a reinsurance year and after the
Standard Reinsurance Agreement closing date of
July 1, shall not be implemented for such
reinsurance year unless at least 90 days prior
to the sales closing date for such policy, plan
of insurance, or other material, the Board
makes available to the approved insurance
providers all necessary, as determined by the
Board, handbooks, training materials, and other
resources associated with such policy, plan of
insurance, or other material.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) Marketability determination.--
``(i) Submission to the board.--Prior to
the approval of a product, any approved
insurance provider that submitted a letter of
support for the product shall provide
information and analysis to the Board on the
marketability of such product.
``(ii) Deemed marketable.--In reviewing a
policy, plan of insurance, or other material
submitted to the Board under this subsection
such product shall be deemed marketable in
accordance with paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(I) if at
least one approved insurance provider, in its
submission pursuant to clause (i), expresses
support for such policy, plan, or material.
``(iii) Evaluation by the board.--In
evaluating whether a product is marketable in
accordance with paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(I), the
Board shall take into consideration any
information and analysis submitted pursuant to
clause (ii).
``(iv) Aip participation.--The Board shall
not require the submission of a letter of
support from an approved insurance provider in
order to review and approve any policy, plan of
insurance, or other materials submitted
pursuant to this subsection.''.
SEC. 11009. REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING COSTS.
Section 508(k)(4) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(k)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking
``not exceed'';
(B) in clause (i)--
(i) by inserting ``not exceed'' before
``for the''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(C) in clause (ii)--
(i) by striking ``and subsequent'' and
inserting ``through 2026'';
(ii) by inserting ``not exceed'' before
``for each''; and
(iii) by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) for each of the 2027 and subsequent
reinsurance years, be determined in accordance
with subparagraph (F).''.
(2) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
``(F) Reimbursement rates for reinsurance year 2027
and subsequent reinsurance years.--Notwithstanding
subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (E), for each of the
2027 and subsequent reinsurance years, the rate
established by the Board to reimburse approved
insurance providers and agents for the administrative
and operating costs of the providers and agents with
respect to each policy made available under this Act
shall be equal to the rate applicable to the policy in
effect for the 2026 reinsurance year.''.
SEC. 11010. QUALITY LOSS ADJUSTMENT COVERAGE.
Section 508(m)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(m)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the
following:
``(A) Periodic review.--Beginning in calendar year
2027 and once every 5 years thereafter, the Corporation
shall contract with a qualified person to conduct a
review, which shall be completed within 1 year of
initiation, of the quality loss adjustment procedures
of the Corporation.'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``Effective beginning
not later than the 2004 reinsurance year, based on the review,
the Corporation'' and inserting ``Based on each review
conducted under subparagraph (A), the Corporation'';
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) Stakeholder engagement.--Each review under
subparagraph (A) shall include engagement from
regionally diverse industry stakeholders for each
agricultural commodity for which a quality loss
adjustment is offered.''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) Report.--On the completion of each review
under subparagraph (A), the Corporation shall submit to
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives a report that describes--
``(i) the findings from that review;
``(ii) the changes to the quality loss
adjustment procedures;
``(iii) the stakeholder engagement for that
review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (B);
and
``(iv) plans for establishing specific
quality loss adjustment procedures for unique
regions, as determined by the Secretary.''.
SEC. 11011. PILOT PROGRAM TO REVIEW EFFECTIVENESS OF COVERAGE PENALTY.
The Federal Crop Insurance Act is amended by inserting after
section 508D the following:
``SEC. 508E. PILOT PROGRAM TO REVIEW EFFECTIVENESS OF COVERAGE PENALTY.
``(a) In General.--Effective beginning with the 2027 crop year, the
Risk Management Agency and the Corporation shall establish a pilot
program to evaluate the effectiveness of the reduction in benefits
applied to corn and other crops, as determined by the Corporation,
planted during the late planting period (as defined in section 457.8 of
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation)).
``(b) Location and Duration of Pilot.--The pilot program
established under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) be conducted in not less than 10 counties located
within or adjacent to the North Plains Groundwater Conservation
District or the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District in
the State of Texas; and
``(2) operate for a period of not less than four crop
years.
``(c) Evaluation.--In carrying out the pilot program established
under subsection (a), the Risk Management Agency and the Corporation
shall--
``(1) suspend any reduction to the insurance guarantee
applied to an insurance policy for a crop that is planted
during the late planting period;
``(2) gather and analyze data to determine if the number of
days beyond the final plant date in which a crop was planted
during the late planting period correlates with a decrease in
crop yields; and
``(3) determine if planting a crop after the final plant
date results in reduced usage of irrigation from the Ogallala
Aquifer.
``(d) Report Required.--Not later than 90 days after the last day
of crop year 2031, the Risk Management Agency and the Corporation shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition of the Senate
a report that includes--
``(1) a summary of the results of the pilot program
established under subsection (a);
``(2) an analysis of the correlation between planting date
and final yields; and
``(3) any changes to existing policies that the Corporation
intends to make as a result of the information obtained during
the pilot program.
``(e) Partnerships.--Of the amounts made available in section
522(e)(2)(A)(ii), the Corporation may use not more than $200,000 to
enter into a partnership or cooperative agreement with a nonprofit
organization, State agency, or public university that is familiar with
agricultural production in the region described in subsection (b)(1) to
conduct the research and evaluation required under paragraphs (2) and
(3) of subsection (c).''.
SEC. 11012. WHOLE FARM IMPROVEMENTS.
Section 522(c)(7)(E) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1522(c)(7)(E)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) Additional review.--Not later than
12 months after the date of enactment of this
clause and annually thereafter, the Corporation
shall--
``(I) review any limitations on
insurable revenue (including the
overall limitation and limitations
specific to animals, animal products,
greenhouse and nursery, and
aquaculture) to ensure such limitations
are adequate to cover the financial
risks associated with the production of
high-value agricultural products; and
``(II) submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report that includes a
summary of the most recent review
conducted and any expected changes to
the policy for the following
reinsurance year.''.
SEC. 11013. PROGRAM COMPLIANCE AND INTEGRITY.
Section 515(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515(b))
is amended--
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``, Response,
and Final Determination'' after ``Notification'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``shall notify in
writing'' and inserting ``shall, through an initial finding in
writing, notify (unless such notification is pursuant to the
responsibilities to conduct reviews and make corrections)'';
(3) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Time for
notification'' and inserting ``Required timing'';
(B) by striking ``Notice'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) Initial finding.--Notice''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Response.--During the 90-day period beginning
on the date the Corporation notifies an approved
insurance provider through an initial finding under
paragraph (1), such approved insurance provider may
appeal such initial finding in writing.
``(C) Final finding.--Not later than 90 days after
the date on which an approved insurance provider
appeals pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Corporation
shall issue a final finding in writing to such approved
insurance provider.
``(D) Request for final administrative
determination.--An approved insurance provider shall
have not more than 90 days after the receipt of the
Corporation's final finding under subparagraph (C) to
request, in writing, a final agency determination, if
such approved insurance provider has reason to believe
that the Corporation's final finding under subparagraph
(C) is not in accordance with--
``(i) the applicable laws, regulations,
custom, or practice of the crop insurance
industry; or
``(ii) the approved policy and procedure of
the Corporation.
``(E) Final determination.--The Corporation shall
have not more than 90 days after the receipt of a
request for a final administrative determination under
subparagraph (D) to provide such final administrative
determination, unless substantial new information, as
determined by the Corporation, is provided by the
approved insurance provider.
``(F) Appeal to civilian board of contract
appeals.--An approved insurance provider shall have not
more than 90 days after receipt of final administrative
determination provided pursuant to subparagraph (E) to
appeal such determination to the Civilian Board of
Contract Appeals.''; and
(4) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Effect of failure to timely notify.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), failure of the Corporation to comply
with the requirements under paragraph (2) shall relieve
the approved insurance provider from the debt owed to
the Corporation.
``(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply
to any matters referred to the Office of the Inspector
General or the Department of Justice.''.
SEC. 11014. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES.
(a) Expansion of Revenue Policies.--Section 522(c) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 522(c)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(20) Expansion of revenue policies.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to
carry out research and development, to expand the
availability of policies that provide coverage against
losses of revenue for--
``(i) oilseeds, including camelina,
carinata, and pennycress;
``(ii) alfalfa;
``(iii) pulse crops (including dry edible
beans);
``(iv) sugarbeets;
``(v) sugarcane;
``(vi) blueberries; and
``(vii) other crops for which only
individual yield-based insurance policies are
available.
``(B) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the
last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy
described in subparagraph (A) available if the
requirements of section 508(h) are met.
``(C) Determination of projected price.--In
developing a policy described in subparagraph (A) the
Corporation may utilize alternative methods of
determining a projected price for a crop, including the
correlation of actual prices received for such crop to
the futures markets prices of other commodities.
``(D) Pricing library.--In developing a policy
described in subparagraph (A) the Corporation shall
determine the feasibility of creating a pricing library
for agents and approved insurance providers using data
from alternative sources, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(E) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report that describes--
``(i) the crops for which research and
development has been carried out under
subparagraph (A);
``(ii) the results of the research and
development carried out under subparagraph (A);
``(iii) any recommendations with respect to
those results; and
``(iv) additional crops for which research
and development under this paragraph is planned
to be carried out.''.
(b) Wine Grape Losses Due to Smoke Exposure.--Section 522(c) of the
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(21) Wine grape losses due to smoke exposure.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph, the
Corporation shall carry out research and development,
or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or
more qualified persons to carry out research and
development, regarding a policy to insure wine grapes
(including wine grapes produced in the States of
California, Oregon, and Washington) against losses due
to wildfire smoke exposure.
``(B) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the
last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section
508(a)(2), not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall
make available a policy described in subparagraph (A)
if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.
``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation
shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations and
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Appropriations and Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
includes--
``(i) the results of the research conducted
under subparagraph (A);
``(ii) a description of the policies made
available under this paragraph; and
``(iii) the feasibility of a product that
allows producers of wine grapes to claim an
indemnity through post-harvest, post-
vinification testing, if such testing
demonstrates smoke damage that was not
detectable prior to harvest.''.
(c) Mushrooms.--Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7
U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(22) Mushrooms.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to
carry out research and development, regarding a policy
to insure--
``(i) the production of mushroom growing
media; and
``(ii) the production of mushrooms.
``(B) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the
second sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy
described in subparagraph (A) available if the
requirements of section 508(h) are met.
``(C) Research and development described.--Research
and development described in subparagraph (A) shall
evaluate the effectiveness of policies described in
that subparagraph, including policies that--
``(i) are based on the risk of--
``(I) pests, including mushroom
phorid flies and sciarid flies;
``(II) fungal pathogens; and
``(III) viral pathogens;
``(ii) consider other causes of loss
applicable to mushroom compost and mushroom
production, such as--
``(I) a loss of electricity due to
weather; and
``(II) loss of growing media due to
excessive 5-year, 10-year, or 20-year
rainfall events;
``(iii) consider appropriate best practices
to minimize the risk of loss;
``(iv) consider whether to provide coverage
for mushrooms under 1 policy or to provide
coverage for various phases of production;
``(v) have streamlined reporting and
paperwork requirements that take into account
short propagation schedules, variable crop
years, and the variety of mushrooms that may be
produced in a single facility; and
``(vi) provide protection for revenue
losses.
``(D) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report that describes--
``(i) the results of the research and
development carried out under subparagraph (A);
and
``(ii) any recommendations with respect to
those results.''.
(d) Study on Hurricane Insurance.--Section 522(c) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(23) Standalone policy for hurricanes and tropical
storms.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to
conduct a study to determine the feasibility of
offering insurance against tropical storms and
hurricanes made available regardless of underlying crop
insurance policy (or lack thereof).
``(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
describes the results of the study conducted under
subparagraph (A).''.
(e) Frost or Cold Weather Insurance.--Section 522(c) of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(24) Frost or cold weather insurance.--
``(A) In general.--The Corporation shall carry out
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or
more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to
carry out research and development, regarding an index-
based policy to insure crops (including table grapes,
wine grapes, juice grapes, tomatoes, peppers,
sugarcane, strawberries, melons, citrus, peaches,
blueberries, and any other crop) on a nationally-
available basis against losses due to a frost or cold
weather event.
``(B) Research and development.--Research and
development under subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) evaluate the effectiveness of risk
management tools, such as the use of an index,
with respect to low frequency and catastrophic
loss weather events; and
``(ii) result in a policy that provides
protection for at least 1 of the following:
``(I) Production loss.
``(II) Revenue loss.
``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
describes--
``(i) the results of the research and
development carried out under this paragraph;
and
``(ii) any recommendations with respect to
those results.''.
(f) Study of Inclusion of Certain Oilseed Crops Under Double and
Rotational Cropping Policies.--Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(25) Double cropping and rotational cropping of certain
oilseed crops.--
``(A) Definition of covered oilseed crops.--In this
paragraph, the term `covered oilseed crops' means
rapeseed, canola, camelina, and other oilseed crops, as
determined by the Corporation.
``(B) Research and development.--The Corporation
shall carry out research and development, or offer to
enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified
persons to carry out research and development, with
respect to insurance policies for covered oilseed crops
under double cropping and rotational cropping
practices.
``(C) Requirements.--The research and development
carried out pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be
conducted in consultation with stakeholders to
evaluate--
``(i) the factors impacting availability
and cost of crop insurance when incorporating
covered oilseed crops into double cropping and
rotational cropping policies; and
``(ii) the potential risk management
benefits associated with incorporating covered
oilseed crops into double cropping and
rotational cropping policies, specifically with
respect to winter planted covered oilseed
crops, including risk management benefits to
soil health, biodiversity, and the
profitability of farming operations.
``(D) Emphasis.--In awarding contracts under
subparagraph (B), the Corporation may give priority to
awarding contracts to qualified persons that--
``(i) have previous research experience
with covered oilseed crops; and
``(ii) have access to a facility with the
capacity to carry out the applicable research.
``(E) Report.--Not later than 13 months after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a
report that describes--
``(i) the results of the research and
development carried out under subparagraph (B);
and
``(ii) any recommendations with respect to
those results.''.
(g) Harvest Incentives.--Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(26) Harvest incentives.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph, the
Corporation shall carry out research and development,
or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or
more qualified persons to carry out research and
development, regarding harvest incentives for policies
that provide coverage against losses of revenue.
``(B) Availability of policy.--Notwithstanding the
last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section
508(a)(2), not later than 24 months after the date of
the enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall
make available a policy described in subparagraph (A)
if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.
``(C) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall
submit to the Committees on Appropriations and
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committees on Appropriations and Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
includes--
``(i) the results of the research conducted
under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) a description of the policies made
available under this paragraph.''.
(h) Prevented Planting.--Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(27) Prevented planting.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph, the
Corporation shall carry out research and development,
or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or
more qualified persons to carry out research and
development, regarding prevented planting coverage for
insurance policies for specialty crops that are not
planted on a perennial basis.
``(B) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph, the
Corporation shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of
the Senate a report that includes--
``(i) the results of the research conducted
under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) any recommendations with respect to
those results.''.
SEC. 11015. REPORT ON STANDARD REINSURANCE AGREEMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a report on the Standard Reinsurance Agreement that includes an
analysis of any modifications to such Agreement that are necessary to
expand the availability of policies and plans of insurance that meet
the risk management needs of agricultural producers, States, regions,
and commodities.
(b) Contents.--The analysis required under subsection (a) shall--
(1) take into account the requirements under section
508(k)(8)(F) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1508(k)(8)(F)) related to budget neutrality of the Standard
Reinsurance Agreement; and
(2) include an analysis of--
(A) any benefit related to establishing--
(i) at least one additional reinsurance
fund for States that have experienced
consistently high loss ratios; and
(ii) at least one additional reinsurance
fund to provide alternative risk sharing terms
for approved insurance providers that sell
insurance contracts offering area plan
coverage;
(B) with respect to any funds reimbursed for
administrative and operating costs under section 507(c)
of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(c)),
the best method for ensuring that approved insurance
providers obligate such funds for--
(i) the delivery of risk management tools
to producers; and
(ii) agent workforce assistance for
producers, in an amount that is not less than
the historical percentage of such
reimbursement; and
(C) with respect to each policy and plan of
insurance, compensation amounts for agents that--
(i) are consistent with historical norms;
and
(ii) provide a reasonable return
considering workload and the critical service
across programs that the agents provide.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out the analysis required under
subsection (a), the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation shall consult
with--
(1) representatives of producers--
(A) from each State and region; and
(B) with respect to each commodity;
(2) representatives of agents and approved insurance
providers;
(3) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate.
SEC. 11016. HURRICANE INSURANCE PROTECTION-WIND INDEX REPORT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation shall
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate
a report on the hurricane insurance protection-wind index that includes
an analysis of any events in the 5-year period preceding the date of
the enactment of this section that caused an outage of a weather radio
station operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(b) Contents.--The analysis required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) data on events where a producer lost crop insurance
coverage as a result of an outage of a weather radio station
operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
that occurred during the period described in subsection (a) and
the cause of such outage; and
(2) a contingency plan that evaluates the feasibility of
obtaining data from land-grant colleges and universities (as
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) or
other third-party sources, as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Consultation.--In carrying out the analysis required under
subsection (a), the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation shall consult
with the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
TITLE XII--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--Livestock and Other Animals
PART I--ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
SEC. 12001. ANIMAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT.
(a) NADPRP Program Activities.--Section 10409A(b)(2) of the Animal
Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A(b)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F)--
(A) by striking ``including training additional
emergency response personnel.'' and inserting the
following: ``including--
``(i) training additional emergency
response personnel; and''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) improving animal disease
traceability.''; and
(2) in subparagraph (I), by inserting before the period at
the end the following: ``, including activities approved by the
Secretary as of the date of the enactment of the Farm, Food,
and National Security Act of 2026''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) National animal health laboratory.--Section
10409A(d)(2)(A) of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
8308a(d)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023''
and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
(2) National animal disease preparedness and response
program; national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures
bank.--Section 10409A(d)(2)(B) of the Animal Health Protection
Act (7 U.S.C. 8308a(d)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``2019
through 2023'' and inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
(3) Availability and purpose of funding.--Section
10409A(e)(1) of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
8308a(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``2019 through 2023'' and
inserting ``2027 through 2031''.
SEC. 12002. CATTLE FEVER TICK ERADICATION PROGRAM REVIEW AND REPORT.
(a) Program Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall offer to
enter into a contract with a covered institution under which
the covered institution shall conduct a review of the Program.
(2) Review elements.--The review conducted pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall include an evaluation of--
(A) the effectiveness of the Program with respect
to preventing and reducing the spread of tick-borne
illnesses in cattle, including a review of places from
which the cattle fever tick has been eradicated and the
resulting economic impact;
(B) with respect to cattle producers--
(i) the benefits of the Program; and
(ii) the burden of compliance with the
Program;
(C) the treatment protocols developed and
implemented under the Program; and
(D) the Federal and State funds allocated to
support the Program for the most recent fiscal year,
including the funds allocated to each research project
associated with the Program.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the
Secretary and a covered institution enter into a contract pursuant to
subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that
includes--
(1) the results of the review conducted pursuant to
subsection (a); and
(2) recommendations for improvements to the Program,
including recommendations for reducing the burden of compliance
with the Program with respect to cattle producers.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered institution.--The term ``covered institution''
means--
(A) a land-grant college or university (as defined
in section 1404(13) of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3103(13))); or
(B) a non-land-grant college of agriculture (as
defined in section 1404(14) of the National
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(14))).
(2) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the Cattle Fever
Tick Eradication Program carried out by the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service of the Department in coordination
with the Texas Animal Health Commission.
(d) Funding.--The Secretary shall use funds made available for the
agricultural and food policy research centers under section 1419A of
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155) to carry out this section.
SEC. 12003. ADDITIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES FOR NATIONAL DETECTOR DOG
TRAINING CENTER.
The Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 (Public Law 118-191) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES.
``(a) In General.--In addition to the Center established under
section 2(a), the Secretary may--
``(1) establish other dog training facilities, which shall
have the same duties as are specified in section 2(b) for the
Center; and
``(2) enter into a cooperative agreement with the
department of agriculture of a State (or political subdivision
thereof) to establish an off-site training program for the
purpose of providing training and technical assistance in the
training of dogs, as described in section 2(b).
``(b) Considerations.--When determining the need for additional
training facilities under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consider--
``(1) the location of international ports of entry;
``(2) the volume of international passengers and cargo; and
``(3) regional agricultural production trends and
associated pest and disease threats.''.
SEC. 12004. REGIONALIZATION, ZONING, AND COMPARTMENTALIZATION
AGREEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 10405 of the Animal Health Protection Act
(7 U.S.C. 8304) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Engagement With Key Export Markets.--To reduce the impact of
animal disease outbreaks on United States exports, the Secretary,
acting through the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and
Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and the Administrator of the Food Safety
and Inspection Service, in consultation with the United States Trade
Representative, is authorized to negotiate in advance, to the extent
practicable, regionalization, zoning, compartmentalization, and other
agreements regarding outbreaks of known animal disease threats of trade
significance with the governments of countries with export markets for
livestock animals or animal products from the United States.''.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed--
(1) to limit the ability of the United States Trade
Representative to negotiate trade agreements; or
(2) to require the United States Trade Representative to
condition other trade agreements on the inclusion of language
relating to reducing the impact of animal disease outbreaks on
United States exports, as described in subsection (d) of
section 10405 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C.
8304) (as inserted by subsection (a)(2)).
SEC. 12005. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS.
(a) In General.--The Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 10404 (7 U.S.C. 8303) the
following:
``SEC. 10404A. IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Compensation.--The term `compensation' means any act,
consideration, or thing of value received by a person directly,
including cash or noncash benefits, cost-avoidance, obtaining
positive or avoiding negative publicity, an exchange of
services, or maintaining a license issued under any local,
State, or Federal government authority.
``(2) Importer.--The term `importer' means any person who
transports or causes the transportation of a dog into the
United States from a foreign country.
``(3) Import transporter.--The term `import transporter'
means any person or entity that--
``(A) receives an imported dog from any importer,
dealer, research facility, exhibitor, operator of an
auction sale, or department, agency, or instrumentality
of the United States or of any State or local
government; and
``(B) receives compensation for moving such dog in
commerce.
``(4) Transfer.--The term `transfer' means a change of
ownership or control of an imported dog to another person,
including by sale, adoption, exchange, or donation.
``(b) Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no
person shall import a dog into the United States unless prior
to transport to the United States, the Secretary receives
electronic documentation necessary, as determined by the
Secretary, to demonstrate that the dog--
``(A) is in good health;
``(B) has received all necessary vaccinations and
internal and external parasite treatment, and
demonstrated negative test results, as required by the
Secretary and evidenced by a certificate that--
``(i) is issued by a licensed veterinarian
accredited by a competent veterinary authority
recognized by the Secretary; and
``(ii) is endorsed by that authority in a
manner representing that the veterinarian
issuing the certificate was authorized to do
so;
``(C) is officially identified by a permanent
method approved by the Secretary; and
``(D) in the case that the dog is intended for
transfer--
``(i) is at least 6 months old; and
``(ii) is accompanied by an import permit
issued by the Secretary under this Act.
``(2) Exceptions.--The Secretary, by regulation, shall
provide an exception to any requirement under this Act in any
case in which a dog is imported for purposes of transfer--
``(A) as a personal pet of United States origin
returning to the United States;
``(B) as a United States military working dog or
contracted working dog supporting a military mission or
tasking;
``(C) for research purposes;
``(D) for veterinary treatment which is paid for by
the importer, subject to the condition that the dog--
``(i) is taken directly to a veterinary
facility for treatment with appropriate
quarantine until the dog meets the criteria
described in paragraph (1); and
``(ii) is then exported to its country of
origin; or
``(E) in the case of a dog that is less than 6
months old, for lawful importation into the State of
Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New
Zealand in compliance with the regulations of the State
of Hawaii and the other requirements of this section,
if the dog is not transported out of the State of
Hawaii for transfer at less than 6 months of age.
``(c) Implementation and Regulations.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security
Act of 2026, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, and the Secretary of Transportation, shall
promulgate such regulations as the Secretary determines necessary to
implement and enforce this section, including regulations--
``(1) to facilitate electronic submission and interagency
sharing of all documentation required prior to the importation
of a dog into the United States under subsection (b)(1);
``(2) to establish any necessary post-arrival verification
processes for imported dogs;
``(3) to ensure the denial of entry into the United States
of any dog attempted to be imported into the United States in
violation of subsection (b)(1);
``(4) to provide that each importer, import transporter,
intermediate handler, or carrier receiving a certificate of
veterinary inspection required under this section shall submit
a copy of the certificate to the Secretary, who shall, upon
receipt--
``(A) record and maintain the information in a
centralized database; and
``(B) upon request by a State veterinarian, share
the information with such State veterinarian not later
than 3 days after such request is received by the
Secretary;
``(5) to require the Secretary to annually aggregate and
publicly report the data submitted under paragraph (4),
including information on the countries of origin of the
imported dogs and the purposes for the importation of such
dogs; and
``(6) to determine and establish such fees for the
verification of documentation and issuance of permits required
under subsection (b)(1) as may be necessary to fund the
implementation and enforcement of this section.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in subsection (c)(5) shall be
construed as limiting the availability of funding made available under
section 10417 to carry out this section.
``(e) Enforcement.--
``(1) Authority.--The Secretary shall have the authority
granted under section 10414 to enforce this section.
``(2) Penalties.--An importer or import transporter that
fails to comply with this section shall--
``(A) be subject to penalties under section 10414;
and
``(B) provide, as the Secretary may determine, at
the expense of the importer or import transporter,
for--
``(i) the care (including appropriate
veterinary care), forfeiture, quarantine, and
removal from the United States of each
applicable dog; and
``(ii) the return of each applicable dog to
its place of export, with due care for the
welfare of each applicable dog.''.
(b) Transition Period.--
(1) In general.--During the transition period, regulations
promulgated under section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7
U.S.C. 2148) (as in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act) shall continue to apply to the extent
that such regulations do not conflict with section 10404A of
the Animal Health Protection Act (as inserted by subsection
(a)).
(2) Transition period defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``transition period'' means the period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which
final regulations are promulgated under such section 10404A.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7
U.S.C. 2148) is repealed.
SEC. 12006. ENSURING THE FREE MOVEMENT OF LIVESTOCK-DERIVED PRODUCTS IN
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
(1) protect the free movement in interstate commerce of
products derived from covered livestock;
(2) encourage a national market of such products;
(3) ensure that producers of covered livestock are not
subject to a patchwork of State laws restricting access to a
national market; and
(4) ensure that the United States continues to uphold its
international trade obligations.
(b) In General.--Producers of covered livestock have a Federal
right to raise and market their covered livestock in interstate
commerce and therefore no State or subdivision thereof may enact or
enforce, directly or indirectly, a condition or standard on the
production of covered livestock other than for covered livestock
physically raised in such State or subdivision.
(c) Protecting Interstate Commerce.--Producers of covered livestock
have a Federal right to raise and market their covered livestock in
interstate commerce and therefore no State or subdivision thereof may
enact or enforce, directly or indirectly, as a condition for sale or
consumption, any condition or standard of production on products
derived from covered livestock not physically raised in such State or
subdivision that is in addition to, or different from, the conditions
or standards of production in the State in which the production occurs.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered livestock.--The term ``covered livestock''--
(A) means any domestic animal raised for the
purpose of--
(i) slaughter for human consumption; or
(ii) producing products manufactured for
human consumption which are derived from the
processing of milk, including fluid milk
products; and
(B) does not include domestic animals raised for
the primary purpose of egg production.
(2) Production.--The term ``production''--
(A) means the raising (including breeding) of
covered livestock; and
(B) does not include the movement, harvesting, or
further processing of covered livestock.
SEC. 12007. REPORT ON SUPPORT FOR LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCERS
DURING A FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE OUTBREAK.
(a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the
Department's preparedness to support livestock producers and poultry
growers facing economic losses in the event of an outbreak of a foreign
animal disease.
(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
include, with respect to the Department's ability to protect producers
and growers from significant economic losses as a result of a foreign
animal disease--
(1) an assessment of--
(A) existing Federal programs, including
catastrophic risk management tools, indemnity, direct
payments, biosecurity assistance, and herd buyouts; and
(B) the Department's capacity to utilize such
programs to provide benefits to producers and growers
experiencing economic losses as a result of having to
sell livestock and poultry at a reduced price, having
to quarantine, treat, destroy, or dispose of animals,
having to implement additional biosecurity measures or
as a result of catastrophic market conditions;
(2) a determination of gaps that exist in the Department's
ability to provide economic support for producers and growers
suffering such losses; and
(3) recommendations of the Secretary for modifications to
Federal law (including regulations) relating to protecting
producers and growers from significant economic losses related
to a foreign animal disease outbreak.
(c) Provision of Information.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, for purposes of facilitating the
preparation of the report submitted under subsection (a), the
relevant Department officials described in paragraph (2) shall
inform the Secretary of the information described in subsection
(b).
(2) Relevant department officials described.--The relevant
Department officials described in this paragraph are the
following:
(A) The Under Secretary for Farm Production and
Conservation.
(B) The Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and
Consumer Services.
(C) The Under Secretary for Rural Development.
(D) The Under Secretary for Food Safety.
(E) The Under Secretary for Marketing and
Regulatory Programs.
(F) The Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign
Agricultural Affairs.
(G) Other officials, as specified by the Secretary.
PART II--MEAT AND POULTRY PROCESSING AND INSPECTION
SEC. 12111. AMPLIFYING PROCESSING OF LIVESTOCK IN THE UNITED STATES (A-
PLUS).
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall revise section 201.67 of title 9, Code
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2024, to specify
that--
(1) market agencies may have an ownership interest in,
finance, or participate in the management or operation of, a
packer, so long as such packer--
(A) with respect to cattle and sheep, has a
cumulative slaughter capacity of less than--
(i) 2,000 animals per day; or
(ii) 700,000 animals per year; and
(B) with respect to hogs, has a cumulative
slaughter capacity of less than--
(i) 10,000 animals per day; or
(ii) 3,000,000 animals per year; and
(2) market agencies that have an ownership interest in,
finance, or participate in the management or operation of, a
packer shall disclose to sellers of livestock the existence of
such ownership interest, financial relationship, or
participation.
(b) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be interpreted
as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary to adopt or enforce
rules or regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7
U.S.C. 181 et seq.) related to the protection of producers,
competition, market integrity, or the prevention of conflicts of
interest.
SEC. 12112. HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT GUIDANCE AND
RESOURCES FOR SMALL AND VERY SMALL POULTRY AND MEAT
ESTABLISHMENTS.
(a) Meat Establishments.--The Federal Meat Inspection Act is
amended by inserting after section 25 (21 U.S.C. 625) the following:
``SEC. 26. SMALL AND VERY SMALL ESTABLISHMENT GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES.
``(a) Studies; Model Plans.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable, make publicly available--
``(1) a list of scientific studies (which the Secretary
shall update as necessary) for use by small establishments and
very small establishments in developing a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan;
``(2) guidelines relating to best practices and techniques
by small establishments and very small establishments in the
production of raw or further processed meat and meat food
products; and
``(3) scale-appropriate model Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Points plans for small establishments and very small
establishments, including model plans for--
``(A) slaughter-only establishments;
``(B) processing-only establishments; and
``(C) slaughter and processing establishments.
``(b) Guidance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Secretary shall publish a guidance document, after
notice and an opportunity for public comment, providing information on
the requirements that need to be met for small establishments and very
small establishments to develop, pursuant to this Act, a Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points plan.
``(c) Data Confidentiality.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall not publish confidential business information of any
meat processing establishment, including a Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Points plan of a meat processing establishment.
``(d) Small Establishment and Very Small Establishment Defined.--In
this section, the terms `small establishment' and `very small
establishment' have the meanings given the terms `smaller
establishment' and `very small establishment', respectively, in the
final rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25, 1996)) (or
successor regulations).''.
(b) Poultry Establishments.--The Poultry Products Inspection Act is
amended by inserting after section 14 (21 U.S.C. 463) the following:
``SEC. 14A. SMALL AND VERY SMALL ESTABLISHMENT GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES.
``(a) Studies; Model Plans.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, make publicly available--
``(1) a list of scientific studies (which the Secretary
shall update as necessary) for use by small establishments and
very small establishments in developing a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan;
``(2) guidelines relating to best practices and techniques
used by small establishments and very small establishments in
the production of raw or further processed poultry products;
and
``(3) scale-appropriate model Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Points plans for small establishments and very small
establishments, including model plans for--
``(A) slaughter-only establishments;
``(B) processing-only establishments; and
``(C) slaughter and processing establishments.
``(b) Guidance.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment
of this section, the Secretary shall publish a guidance document, after
notice and an opportunity for public comment, providing information on
the requirements that need to be met for small establishments and very
small establishments to develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Points plan pursuant to this Act.
``(c) Data Confidentiality.--In carrying out this section, the
Secretary shall not publish confidential business information of any
poultry processing establishment, including a Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points plan of a poultry processing establishment.
``(d) Small Establishment and Very Small Establishment Defined.--In
this section, the terms `small establishment' and `very small
establishment' have the meanings given the terms `smaller
establishment' and `very small establishment', respectively, in the
final rule entitled `Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical
Control Point (HACCP) Systems' (61 Fed. Reg. 38806 (July 25, 1996)) (or
successor regulations).''.
SEC. 12113. OUTREACH ON COOPERATIVE INTERSTATE SHIPMENT.
(a) Meat.--Section 501 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 683) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Federal Outreach.--In each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031,
the Secretary shall conduct outreach to States that--
``(1) have a State meat inspection program in effect
pursuant to section 301; and
``(2) do not have a selected establishment.''.
(b) Poultry.--Section 31 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 472) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Federal Outreach.--In each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031,
the Secretary shall conduct outreach to States that--
``(1) have a State poultry product inspection program in
effect pursuant to section 5; and
``(2) do not have a selected establishment.''.
(c) Report.--At the conclusion of each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031, the Secretary shall submit a report detailing the activities and
results of the outreach conducted during that fiscal year under
subsection (k) of section 501 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 683) and subsection (j) of section 31 of the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 472), as added by subsections (a) and (b),
to--
(1) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives;
(2) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
SEC. 12114. PILOT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT CUSTOM SLAUGHTER ESTABLISHMENTS.
(a) In General.--
(1) State operated pilot program.--Upon the receipt of an
application from a custom exempt facility and subject to the
requirements specified in subsection (c), a State department of
agriculture may operate a pilot program to allow such custom
facility to sell slaughtered meat and meat food products
(referred to in this section as ``meat products'') directly to
consumers within the State in which the facility is located in
accordance with the pilot program.
(2) Lack of a state pilot program.--If a State department
of agriculture does not elect to operate a pilot program, the
Secretary shall, upon request from a custom exempt facility in
such a State, operate a pilot program administered by the
Secretary for that State in accordance with this section.
(b) Allowable Number of Facilities.--
(1) Initial approval.--Except as provided in paragraph
(2)--
(A) a State department of agriculture may approve
not more than 5 facilities in such State for
participation in a pilot program established under
subsection (a)(1); and
(B) the Secretary may approve not more than 10
facilities to participate in all pilot programs
established under subsection (a)(2).
(2) Subsequent approval of facilities.--Not less than 2
years after the establishment of a pilot program, a State
department of agriculture or the Secretary may, if no product
produced at a facility that was initially approved under
paragraph (1) for participation in such pilot program has been
subject to an emergency action under subsection (f) during the
2-year period following such establishment, approve--
(A) in the case of a State department of
agriculture, not more than 5 additional facilities in
the respective State; and
(B) in the case of the Secretary, not more than 10
additional facilities in all States.
(c) Pilot Program Requirements.--A pilot program established under
this section shall, at a minimum, require--
(1) that meat products sold under the pilot program are--
(A) sold directly to consumers within the State
from--
(i) the owner of the animals from which
such meat products are derived; or
(ii) the custom exempt facility at which
the meat products were processed;
(B) not eligible for re-sale; and
(C) clearly labeled to indicate--
(i) the name and address of the facility at
which the meat products were processed;
(ii) the name and address of the owner of
the animals from which such meat products are
derived;
(iii) the location where animals from which
such meat products are derived were raised;
(iv) the date of slaughter of such animals
and the period of time over which the owner
raised such animals;
(v) that such meat products were not
subject to Federal inspection; and
(vi) that such meat products shall not be
resold;
(2) that custom exempt facilities participating in the
pilot program comply with--
(A) Public Law 85-765 (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.;
commonly known as the ``Humane Methods of Slaughter Act
of 1958'');
(B) applicable State and local laws;
(C) section 23(d) of the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (21 U.S.C. 623(d)); and
(D) Federal regulations pertaining to--
(i) sanitation standards and record keeping
requirements for custom exempt facilities; and
(ii) the handling and disposition of
specified risk materials;
(3) that custom exempt facilities participating in the
pilot program be subject to onsite inspection by the Secretary
to ensure compliance with the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2); and
(4) that custom exempt facilities participating in the
pilot program be subject to onsite inspection at least annually
by the local authority responsible for restaurant inspections
or the State department of agriculture.
(d) Implementation.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue, and make publicly
available, guidance for participation in a pilot program established
pursuant to this section.
(e) Ineligibility.--An establishment subject to inspection by the
Secretary under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
or operating pursuant to a State meat inspection program authorized
under section 301 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 661)
shall not be eligible to participate in a pilot program established
pursuant to this section.
(f) Authority for Emergency Action.--If the Secretary has credible
evidence that a meat product produced at a custom exempt facility
participating in a pilot program established pursuant to this section
is adulterated, the Secretary--
(1) shall, pursuant to the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), take such actions as may be necessary to
address the risk to public health posed by such products; and
(2) may terminate the participation of a custom exempt
facility in a pilot program established pursuant to this
section.
(g) Report Required.--
(1) Reports by state departments of agriculture to
secretary.--Beginning September 30, 2026, and each fiscal year
thereafter until September 30, 2031, each State department of
agriculture operating a pilot program pursuant to this section
shall submit to the Secretary a report detailing, with respect
to each such pilot program within the relevant State for the
preceding fiscal year--
(A) the number and location of persons or custom
exempt facilities selling meat products under each such
pilot program;
(B) the outcomes of each such pilot program;
(C) any instances in which a meat product was
subject to an emergency action under subsection (f);
and
(D) aggregated data on the volume of meat being
processed under such pilot program.
(2) Report by secretary to congress.--Not later than 2
years after initiating a pilot program under this section, the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report detailing--
(A) the information received from participating
State departments of agriculture under paragraph (1);
and
(B) for any custom exempt facilities participating
in a pilot program established by the Secretary
pursuant to subsection (a)(2)--
(i) the number and location of persons or
custom exempt facilities selling products
pursuant to such pilot program;
(ii) the outcomes of such pilot program;
and
(iii) any instances in which a meat product
was subject to an emergency action under
subsection (f).
(h) Custom Exempt Facility Defined.--In this section, the term
``custom exempt facility'' means an establishment engaged in the
slaughter of animals and the preparation of the carcasses, parts
thereof, meat, and meat food products for commerce that is not subject
to the Federal inspection requirements under title I of the Federal
Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(i) Sunset.--A State and the Secretary may not operate a pilot
program under this section on or after September 30, 2031, and no
facility that is exempt from inspection under the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) pursuant to this section shall
be exempt from that inspection on or after September 30, 2031.
Subtitle B--Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994
SEC. 12201. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
Section 221 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6922) is amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph
(9); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) conducting annual cross-sector crisis simulation
exercises related to a food-related emergency or disruption;
and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Detailees.--The Secretary may detail employees of the
Department of Agriculture to, and accept employees detailed from, the
intelligence community (as defined in section 3 of the National
Security Act of 1947) to assist in carrying out the duties of the
Office of Homeland Security.
``(g) Risk Assessments and Reports.--
``(1) Risk assessments.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026, and not less than every 2 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall conduct an assessment of risks and security
vulnerabilities to the food and agriculture critical
infrastructure sector, including--
``(A) naturally occurring, unintentional, or
intentional threats, including chemical, biological,
cybersecurity, or bioterrorism attacks;
``(B) influence of state-owned enterprise;
``(C) control of and access to agricultural data;
``(D) foreign acquisition of intellectual property,
agricultural assets, and land;
``(E) agricultural input shortages and dependence
on foreign-sourced inputs;
``(F) supply chain and trade disruptions;
``(G) science and technology cooperation;
``(H) unequal investments in research, development,
and commercialization;
``(I) incongruent regulatory policies; and
``(J) any other vulnerabilities identified by the
Secretary.
``(2) Briefing and report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after
the completion of a risk assessment under paragraph
(1), the Secretary shall provide a briefing on the
results of the risk assessment and submit to the
Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate a report that includes--
``(i) an assessment of any gaps or
limitations in national security efforts
related to the food and agriculture critical
infrastructure sector;
``(ii) any actions taken by the Secretary
to address any gaps or limitations identified
under clause (i), including through interagency
coordination, threat information sharing, and
stakeholder outreach;
``(iii) any recommendations for
administrative, regulatory, or legislative
actions that can be taken to reduce any gaps or
limitations identified under clause (i),
including--
``(I) recommendations to reduce the
dependence on foreign-source inputs
necessary for the food and agriculture
critical infrastructure sector; and
``(II) recommendations to address
the cybersecurity threats to, and
security vulnerabilities in, the food
and agriculture critical infrastructure
sector; and
``(iv) resources the Secretary requires to
address current and future national security
vulnerabilities related to the food and
agriculture critical infrastructure sector.
``(B) Exemption from access to congressionally
mandated reports act.--A report required under
subparagraph (A) shall be exempt from the requirements
of the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act
(subtitle D of title VII of Public Law 117-263; 136
Stat. 3677).''.
SEC. 12202. OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
Section 226B(f)(3)(B) of the Department of Agriculture
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by
striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 12203. BURDEN OF PROOF FOR NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARINGS.
Section 277(c)(4) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6997(c)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
``(4) Burden of proof.--The agency shall bear the burden of
proving by substantial evidence that the adverse decision of
the agency was valid.''.
SEC. 12204. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(11) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the
amendments made to this title by the Farm, Food, and National
Security Act of 2026.''.
SEC. 12205. FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF TRIBAL RELATIONS.
Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``shall advise'' and all that
follows through the period at the end and inserting
``shall--''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(1) advise the Secretary on policies related to Indian
tribes;
``(2) oversee--
``(A) each self-determination contract (as defined
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) entered into
between the Secretary and a tribal organization; and
``(B) each self-governance compact (as defined in
section 401 of such Act (25 U.S.C. 5361)) entered into
between the Secretary and an Indian tribe; and
``(3) carry out such other functions as the Secretary
considers appropriate.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``this subsection''
and inserting ``this section''.
SEC. 12206. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN.
Title III of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 2231b et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 310. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish within the
Department an Office of the Ombudsman (in this section referred to as
the `Office'). The Office shall be independent of Department agencies
and offices.
``(b) Ombudsman.--The Office shall be headed by an Ombudsman that
shall--
``(1) be considered a senior official; and
``(2) have a background in civil rights enforcement.
``(c) Functions.--The functions of the Office shall be to--
``(1) assist producers and other customers of Department
programs in navigating the civil rights review process;
``(2) ensure that participants (as defined in section 271)
are aware of the appeals process under subtitle H of title II,
including informal hearings under section 275;
``(3) promote awareness of the Office and its
responsibilities among producers and other customers of
Department programs; and
``(4) raise issues and concerns with respect to, and make
recommendations to the Secretary about, equitable access or
implementation of Department programs.
``(d) Access to Information.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures to provide the Ombudsman access to all departmental records
necessary to execute the functions of the Office under subsection (d)
not later than 60 days after a request from the Ombudsman for such
information.
``(e) Effect on Procedures for Grievances, Appeals, or
Administrative Matters.--The establishment of the Office shall not
affect any procedures for grievances, appeals, or administrative
matters in any other provision of this Act, any other provision of law,
or any other Federal regulation.
``(f) Annual Report.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Ombudsman shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on--
``(1) the activities carried out by the Office; and
``(2) the findings and recommendation of the Office with
respect to equitable access or implementation of Department
programs.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal
years 2027 through 2031.''.
Subtitle C--National Security
SEC. 12301. AGRICULTURAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT DISCLOSURE IMPROVEMENTS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) AFIDA.--The term ``AFIDA'' means the Agricultural
Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.).
(2) FPAC-BC.--The term ``FPAC-BC'' means the Farm
Production and Conservation Business Center of the Department
of Agriculture.
(b) MOU With CFIUS.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter into 1 or more
memoranda of understanding with the Committee on Foreign Investment in
the United States under which the Secretary shall provide the Committee
with all relevant information relating to reports on foreign ownership
of United States agricultural land submitted to the Secretary under
section 2 of AFIDA (7 U.S.C. 3501), including information on--
(1) each report submitted to the Secretary; and
(2) with respect to each such report, the identity of the
foreign persons included in the report and the date of
submission.
(c) AFIDA Handbook Updates.--
(1) First update.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(A) update the most recent version of the Farm
Service Agency handbook titled ``Foreign Investment
Disclosure'' as determined necessary by the Secretary
for the effective implementation of AFIDA; and
(B) incorporate in such update the recommendations
made by the report of the Government Accountability
Office titled ``Foreign Investments in U.S.
Agricultural Land: Enhancing Efforts to Collect, Track,
and Share Key Information Could Better Identify
National Security Risks'' and dated January 18, 2024.
(2) Subsequent updates.--After updating the handbook
described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) under that
paragraph, the Secretary shall carry out an update of that
handbook every 10 years thereafter, including by incorporating
any recommendations of the Government Accountability Office.
(d) Civil Penalties.--Section 3 of the Agricultural Foreign
Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3502) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c);
(2) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by striking ``(a) If the'' and all that follows through
``Any such civil penalty shall be recoverable'' and inserting
the following:
``(a) In General.--A person shall be subject to a civil penalty
imposed by the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the person--
``(1) has failed to submit a report in accordance with the
provisions of section 2; or
``(2) has knowingly submitted a report under section 2
that--
``(A) does not contain all the information required
to be in such report; or
``(B) contains information that is misleading or
false.
``(b) Civil Action.--Any civil penalty imposed by the Secretary
under subsection (a) shall be recoverable''; and
(3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking the subsection designation and all
that follows through ``The amount'' and inserting the
following:
``(c) Amount of Penalty.--The amount'';
(B) by striking ``of this section''; and
(C) by striking ``shall not exceed 25 percent'' and
inserting ``for violations under subsection (a)(1)
shall not exceed 25 percent, and for violations under
subsection (a)(2) shall be not less than 5 percent, but
not more than 25 percent,''.
(e) Public Disclosure of Enforcement Actions.--Section 3 of the
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3502)
(as amended by subsection (b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Public Disclosure of Enforcement Actions.--The Secretary
shall publicly disclose the name of each person who paid to the
Secretary a civil penalty imposed under subsection (a), including, if
applicable, after the completion of an appeal of a civil penalty.''.
(f) Publication of Reporting Requirements.--Section 3 of the
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3502)
(as amended by subsection (c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) Outreach.--Using existing resources and efforts to the
maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall carry out a nationwide
outreach program directed primarily toward landlords, operators,
owners, persons, producers, and tenants (as those terms are defined in
section 718.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on
the date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of
2026)) of agricultural land and county property appraiser offices, land
appraisal companies, and real estate auction companies to increase
public awareness and provide education regarding the reporting
requirements under this Act.''.
SEC. 12302. REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL LAND PURCHASING ACTIVITIES IN THE
UNITED STATES BY COUNTRIES DESIGNATED AS STATE SPONSORS
OF TERRORISM AND CERTAIN OTHER COUNTRIES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agricultural land.--The term ``agricultural land'' has
the meaning given the term in section 9 of the Agricultural
Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3508).
(2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate;
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
(C) the Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
(D) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House
of Representatives;
(E) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives; and
(F) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
of the House of Representatives.
(3) Covered foreign country.--The term ``covered foreign
country'' means a foreign country of concern (as defined in
section 10638 of the CHIPS Act of 2022 (42 U.S.C. 19237)).
(4) Covered foreign person.--The term ``covered foreign
person'' means a foreign person (as defined in section 9 of the
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7
U.S.C. 3508)) that is a citizen of, or headquartered in, as
applicable, a covered foreign country.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the
term in section 9 of the Agricultural Foreign Investment
Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3508).
(6) State sponsor of terrorism.--The term ``state sponsor
of terrorism'' means a country the government of which the
Secretary of State has determined has repeatedly provided
support for acts of international terrorism, for purposes of--
(A) section 1754(c)(1)(A)(i) of the Export Control
Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. 4813(c)(1)(A)(i));
(B) section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371);
(C) section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act
(22 U.S.C. 2780(d)); or
(D) any other provision of law.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland
Security and the head of any other appropriate Federal agency,
shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report
describing the national security risks of the purchase and
management of agricultural land by covered foreign persons.
(2) Contents.--A report submitted under paragraph (1) shall
include the following with respect to the year covered by the
report:
(A) A description of--
(i) the number of acres of agricultural
land owned, leased, or managed by covered
foreign persons, organized by State; and
(ii) for each State, the percentage of land
owned or managed by covered foreign persons
compared to the total acreage of the State.
(B) An analysis of the possible threat to food
security, food safety, biosecurity, or environmental
protection due to the ownership of agricultural land by
each covered foreign country through covered foreign
persons.
(C) An analysis of the annual and total cost of
support for agricultural land owned by covered foreign
persons through farm programs administered by the Farm
Service Agency.
(D) An analysis of the use of agricultural land for
industrial espionage or intellectual property transfer
by covered foreign persons.
(E) An analysis of the potential use by covered
foreign persons of agricultural land in close proximity
to manufacturing facilities, water sources, and other
critical infrastructure to monitor, interrupt, or
disrupt activities critical to the national and
economic security of the United States.
(F) An analysis of other threats to the
agricultural industry or national security of the
United States due to the ownership of agricultural land
by covered foreign persons.
(3) Unclassified form.--A report submitted under this
subsection shall--
(A) be submitted in unclassified form, but may
include a classified annex; and
(B) be consistent with the protection of
intelligence sources and methods.
SEC. 12303. INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS.
(a) Investigative Actions.--Section 4 of the Agricultural Foreign
Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3503) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 4. INVESTIGATIVE ACTIONS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall appoint an employee in the
Senior Executive Service (as described in section 3131 of title 5,
United States Code) of the Department of Agriculture to serve as Chief
of Operations of Investigative Actions (referred to in this section as
the `Chief of Operations'), who shall hire, appoint, and maintain
additional employees to monitor compliance with the provisions of this
Act.
``(b) Chief of Operations.--The Chief of Operations may serve in
such position simultaneously with a concurrent position within the
Department of Agriculture.
``(c) Security.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) provide classified storage, meeting, and other
spaces, as necessary, for personnel of the Chief of Operations;
and
``(2) assist such personnel in obtaining security
clearances.
``(d) Duties.--The Chief of Operations shall--
``(1) monitor compliance with this Act;
``(2) refer noncompliance with this Act to the Secretary,
the Farm Service Agency, and any other appropriate authority;
``(3) conduct investigations, in coordination with the
Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the
Treasury, the National Security Council, and State and local
law enforcement agencies, on malign efforts--
``(A) to steal agricultural knowledge and
technology; or
``(B) to disrupt the United States agricultural
base;
``(4) conduct an annual audit of the database developed
under section 12304(b) of the Farm, Food, and National Security
Act of 2026;
``(5) seek to enter into memoranda of agreement and
memoranda of understanding with the Federal agencies described
in paragraph (3)--
``(A) to ensure compliance with this Act; and
``(B) to prevent the malign efforts described in
that paragraph;
``(6) refer to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the
United States transactions that--
``(A) raise potential national security concerns;
and
``(B) result in agricultural land acquisition by a
foreign person that is a citizen of, or headquartered
in, as applicable, a foreign entity of concern; and
``(7) publish annual reports that summarize the information
contained in every report received by the Secretary under
section 2 during the period covered by the report.
``(e) Administration.--The Chief of Operations shall report to--
``(1) the Secretary; or
``(2) if delegated by the Secretary, to--
``(A) the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency;
or
``(B) the Director of the Department of Agriculture
Office of Homeland Security.''.
(b) Definition of Foreign Entity of Concern.--Section 9 of the
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3508)
is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking
``For purposes of this Act--'' and inserting ``In this Act:'';
(2) in each of paragraphs (1) through (6)--
(A) by striking ``the term'' and inserting ``The
term''; and
(B) by inserting a paragraph heading, the text of
which comprises the term defined in that paragraph;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as
paragraphs (3), (4), (6), (7), and (8), respectively;
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Foreign entity of concern.--The term `foreign entity
of concern' has the meaning given the term in section 9901 of
the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4651).''; and
(5) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(5) Malign effort.--The term `malign effort' means any
hostile effort undertaken by, at the direction of, on behalf
of, or with the substantial support of the government of a
foreign entity of concern.''.
SEC. 12304. DIGITIZATION AND CONSOLIDATION OF FOREIGN LAND OWNERSHIP
DATA COLLECTION AND PUBLICATION.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agricultural land.--The term ``agricultural land'' has
the meaning given the term in section 781.2 of title 7, Code of
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of
this Act).
(2) Database.--The term ``database'' means the database
developed under subsection (c).
(3) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' has the
meaning given the term in section 9 of the Agricultural Foreign
Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3508).
(b) Database.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a database of agricultural
land owned by foreign persons, using data that are collected pursuant
to the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.).
(c) Contents.--Each entry in the database for each registration or
updated registration of agricultural land owned or leased by a foreign
person shall include pertinent information, as determined by the
Secretary, in the applicable filing, except it shall not publicly
disclose the name of the filer and the purchase or lease price of such
transaction for a period of at least 30 days following such filing.
(d) Audit.--Not later than 180 days after the database is
operational, and annually thereafter, the Chief of Operations for
Investigative Actions appointed under section 4 of the Agricultural
Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (as amended by section
12303(a)) shall--
(1) conduct an audit of the database; and
(2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report--
(A) evaluating the accuracy of the database; and
(B) describing recommendations for improving
compliance with the reporting required under the
Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978
(7 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
(e) Repeal.--Section 773 of division A of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328) is repealed.
SEC. 12305. CFIUS CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL LAND
TRANSACTIONS.
(a) Inclusion of the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on
Foreign Investment in the United States.--Section 721(k) of the Defense
Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(k)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(8) Inclusion of the secretary of agriculture.--The
Secretary of Agriculture shall be a member of the Committee
with respect to a covered transaction that involves--
``(A) agricultural land;
``(B) agriculture biotechnology; or
``(C) the agriculture industry, including
agricultural transportation, storage, and
processing.''.
(b) Consideration of Certain Agricultural Land Transactions.--
Section 721(b)(1) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C.
4565(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(I) Consideration of certain agricultural land
transactions.--
``(i) In general.--After receiving
notification from the Secretary of Agriculture
of a reportable agricultural land transaction,
the Committee shall determine--
``(I) whether the transaction is a
covered transaction; and
``(II) if the Committee determines
that the transaction is a covered
transaction, whether the Committee
should initiate a review pursuant to
subparagraph (D), or take another
action authorized under this section,
with respect to the reportable
agricultural land transaction.
``(ii) Reportable agricultural land
transaction.--In this subparagraph, the term
`reportable agricultural land transaction'
means a transaction--
``(I) that the Secretary of
Agriculture has reason to believe is a
covered transaction, based on
information from or in cooperation with
the intelligence community;
``(II) that involves the
acquisition of an interest in
agricultural land by a foreign person
of the People's Republic of China, the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea,
the Russian Federation, or the Islamic
Republic of Iran; and
``(III) with respect to which a
person is required to submit a report
to the Secretary of Agriculture under
section 2(a) of the Agricultural
Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of
1978.
``(iii) Sunset.--The requirements under
this subparagraph shall terminate, with respect
to a foreign person of the respective foreign
country, on the date that the People's Republic
of China, the Democratic People's Republic of
Korea, the Russian Federation, or the Islamic
Republic of Iran, as the case may be, is
removed from the list of foreign adversaries in
section 791.4 of title 15, Code of Federal
Regulations.''.
Subtitle D--Other Miscellaneous Provisions
SEC. 12401. COMMISSION ON FARM TRANSITIONS--NEEDS FOR 2050.
Section 12609 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334; 132 Stat. 5009) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``There is established''
and inserting ``Not later than 60 days after the date of the
enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,
the Secretary shall establish'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Recommendations'' after ``Study'';
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, and make recommendations relating to,''
after ``study on'';
(C) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and
timely'' after ``affordable''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (D) and
inserting the following:
``(D) apprenticeships, mentoring programs, business
training, and technical assistance programs;'';
(D) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``existing and new Federal tax
policies'' and inserting ``existing and new
State and Federal policies, including tax
policies''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or
impede'' after ``facilitate'';
(E) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(F) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the
end and inserting a semicolon; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) heirs' property and succession of agricultural land;
``(7) any unique barriers faced by historically underserved
and women farmers and ranchers in the ability to transfer,
inherit, or purchase agricultural assets, including land; and
``(8) leasing and ownership trends, including leasing and
ownership trends by foreign persons or entities.'';
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ``1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``2 years after the
date of enactment of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act
of 2026''; and
(4) in subsection (m), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 12402. REPORT ON PERSONNEL.
Section 12506 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-334) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting ``2031''.
SEC. 12403. IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR.
Section 12512(d)(2) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7
U.S.C. 5856(d)(2)) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 12404. REPORTS ON LAND ACCESS AND FARMLAND OWNERSHIP DATA
COLLECTION.
Section 12607 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C.
2204i) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``and not less frequently than once every 2
years thereafter,'' before ``the Secretary of
Agriculture'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) a catalog of existing Federal, State, or private
programs that facilitate access to land, capital, and markets,
including programs providing assistance relating to--
``(A) acquiring of real property (including air
rights, water rights, and other interests therein),
including closing costs;
``(B) subsidizing interest rates and mortgage
principal amounts for intended beneficiaries;
``(C) providing down payment assistance to decrease
farm mortgages;
``(D) securing clear title on heirs' property
farmland;
``(E) conducting surveys and assessments of
agricultural land;
``(F) improving or remediating land, water, and
soil;
``(G) constructing or repairing infrastructure;
``(H) supporting land use planning;
``(I) acquiring legal or financial planning
assistance;
``(J) carrying out Tribal consultation;
``(K) supporting acquisition of a Department of
Agriculture farm number; and
``(L) any other activities as determined by the
Secretary.''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 12405. INCREASING TRANSPARENCY REGARDING DETENTION OF IMPORTED
PLANTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, shall issue guidance to clarify the
process by which an importer of plants that have been denied entry into
the United States and detained under the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981
(16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) may obtain additional information on such
denial and detention.
(b) Information Provided.--The process referred to in subsection
(a) shall ensure that the Secretary shall provide to an importer
described in such subsection, upon the detention of any plants of such
importer, the following information:
(1) The specific reasons for which the detention of the
plants was initiated, including the date on which the plants
were presented to the Secretary for examination.
(2) The anticipated length of the detention of such plants.
(3) The nature of the tests or inquiries to be conducted on
the plants, which the importer shall be able to replicate.
(4) The nature of any information that, if supplied to the
Secretary, would accelerate the disposition of the detention.
SEC. 12406. ENHANCEMENT OF PET PROTECTIONS.
(a) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment
of this Act (or later, if the Secretary determines appropriate after
taking into consideration any ongoing programmatic review of the Animal
Care program of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate a report with respect to companion animals
that--
(1) evaluates the enforcement of standards under, and
requirements of, the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.)
by the Secretary for both effectiveness and efficiency;
(2) evaluates the efforts by the Secretary to educate and
advise dealers of all standards under, and requirements of,
such Act;
(3) evaluates the capacity of the Secretary to enforce the
standards established by such Act;
(4) makes recommendations for the improvement of--
(A) all standards (including animal welfare
standards) under, and requirements of, such Act; and
(B) education efforts of the Secretary with respect
to such standards and requirements; and
(5) considers the impact and associated costs of any
recommended improvements or amendments to the standards under,
and requirements of, such Act.
(b) Veterinary Care.--
(1) In general.--Section 13(a)(2)(A) of the Animal Welfare
Act (7 U.S.C. 2143(a)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting ``(which
shall include visual dental examinations, whenever
practicable)'' after ``adequate veterinary care''.
(2) Technical amendment.--Section 13 of the Animal Welfare
Act (7 U.S.C. 2143) is amended by redesignating the second
subsection (f) (prohibiting delivery of certain animals without
certificate of inspection), subsection (g), and subsection (h)
as subsections (g) through (i), respectively.
(c) Confiscation for Unrelieved Suffering.--
(1) In general.--Section 13 of the Animal Welfare Act (7
U.S.C. 2143) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) The Secretary shall promulgate such rules and regulations as
may be necessary to, during the inspection process under section 16--
``(1) provide for the notification of law enforcement
officials of appropriate jurisdiction (including local law
enforcement) or the State animal health official (or designee
of such official); or
``(2) consider immediate confiscation or destruction of a
dog, in the event that such dog is determined to be in a state
of unrelieved suffering.''.
(2) Definition.--Section 2 of the Animal Welfare Act (7
U.S.C. 2132) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(p) The term `unrelieved suffering' means, with respect to a dog,
a state in which the dog is forced to endure conditions, arising out of
a dealer's failure to comply with the provisions of this Act, which
cause severe pain or distress or severe discomfort, or which could
directly and negatively impact the health and well-being of the dog if
immediate actions are not taken to remedy the situation.''.
SEC. 12407. PROTECTING ANIMALS WITH SHELTER.
Section 12502(b)(8) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
(Public Law 115-334) is amended by striking ``2023'' and inserting
``2031''.
SEC. 12408. REPORT ON AVAILABLE ASSISTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IN
THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT HAVE SUFFERED ECONOMIC LOSSES DUE
TO THE FAILURE OF MEXICO TO DELIVER WATER.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition,
and Forestry of the Senate a report that lists all existing authorities
of the Secretary and programs within the Department that are or could
be made available to provide assistance to agricultural producers in
the State of Texas that have suffered economic losses due to the
failure of Mexico to deliver water to the United States in accordance
with the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado
and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande signed at Washington on
February 3, 1944 and the Supplementary Protocol signed at Washington
November 14, 1944.
SEC. 12409. COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM.
Public Law 117-25 is amended--
(1) in each of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 1(b) (as
amended through Public Law 119-75), by striking ``September 30,
2026'' and inserting ``September 30, 2031''; and
(2) by redesignating section 1 as section 2 and inserting
after the enacting clause the following:
``SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
``This Act may be cited as the `CFTC Whistleblower Office Account
Act of 2021'.''.
SEC. 12410. QUALIFIED RENEWABLE BIOMASS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Agency action.--The term ``agency action'' has the
meaning given the term in section 551 of title 5, United States
Code.
(2) Qualified renewable biomass.--
(A) In general.--The term ``qualified renewable
biomass'' means--
(i) forest products manufacturing bioenergy
feedstocks, including from--
(I) forest products manufacturing
residuals, including spent pulping
liquors, pulping by-products, bark,
woody manufacturing residuals, paper
recycling residuals, wastewater and
process water treatment plant
residuals, and anaerobic digester
biogas;
(II) harvest residues, including
portions of harvested trees that are
too small or of too poor quality to be
utilized for wood products or paper
products;
(III) downed wood from extreme
weather events and natural disasters,
nonhazardous landscape or right-of-way
trimmings and municipal trimmings, and
plant material removed for purposes of
invasive or noxious plant species
control;
(IV) biowaste, including landfill
gas; and
(V) non-chemically treated used
wood products, such as crates or
pallets; and
(ii) forest biomass derived from residues
created as a by-product of timber harvesting,
including treetops, tree limbs, and bark, but
excluding stumps, roots, and round wood
suitable for industrial purposes.
(B) Exclusion.--Such term does not include paper of
a type that is commonly recycled.
(b) In General.--
(1) Consideration as renewable energy source.--With respect
to any agency action of the Department related to qualified
renewable biomass, the Secretary shall consider qualified
renewable biomass to be a renewable energy source and assign it
(and a facility, to the extent it uses qualified renewable
biomass as fuel) a greenhouse gas emission rate, and a carbon
intensity, of not greater than zero, if the use of such
qualified renewable biomass as fuel does not cause the
conversion of forests to non-forest use.
(2) Petitions.--Not later than 1 year after receiving a
petition requesting a change to a rule, policy, or program of
the Department in order to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take such action as may be
necessary to comply with such requirements with respect to such
rule, policy, or program.
(c) Guidance.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish
guidance for purposes of carrying out subsection (b).
(2) Modification.--The Secretary may periodically update
the guidance established under paragraph (1) as the Secretary
may determine necessary.
(3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall consult with--
(A) the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency;
(B) the Secretary of Energy; and
(C) any other relevant entities, as determined by
the Secretary.
SEC. 12411. WHOLE MILK UNDER THE SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM.
Section 9(a)(2) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act
(42 U.S.C. 1758(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause
(i), by striking ``Act--'' and inserting ``Act and breakfasts
served by schools participating in the school breakfast program
under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1773)--'';
(2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``or the school
breakfast program under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773)'' after ``Act''; and
(3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``section 210.10'' and
inserting ``sections 210.10 and 220.8''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line