[DOCID: f:h2160enr.txt]
H.R.2160
One Hundred Fifth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven
An Act
Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 1998, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums
are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1998, and for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
Production, Processing, and Marketing
Office of the Secretary
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of
Agriculture, and not to exceed $75,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C.
3109, $2,836,000: Provided, That not to exceed $11,000 of this amount,
along with any unobligated balances of representation funds in the
Foreign Agricultural Service, shall be available for official reception
and representation expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined
by the Secretary: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated
or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries
and expenses of personnel of the Department of Agriculture to carry out
section 793(c)(1)(C) of Public Law 104-127: Provided further, That none
of the funds made available by this Act may be used to enforce section
793(d) of Public Law 104-127.
Executive Operations
chief economist
For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including economic
analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and the functions of
the World Agricultural Outlook Board, as authorized by the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622g), and including employment
pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $5,000 is for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $5,048,000.
national appeals division
For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division, including
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $25,000 is
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $11,718,000.
office of budget and program analysis
For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program
Analysis, including employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not
to exceed $5,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $5,986,000.
office of the chief information officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Information
Officer, including employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not
to exceed $10,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $4,773,000.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer, including employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not
to exceed $10,000 is for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $4,283,000:
Provided, That the Chief Financial Officer shall actively market cross-
servicing activities of the National Finance Center.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Administration to carry out the programs funded in this
Act, $613,000.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments
(including transfers of funds)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public
Law 92-313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984 delegation of
authority from the Administrator of General Services to the Department
of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 486, for programs and activities of the
Department which are included in this Act, and for the operation,
maintenance, and repair of Agriculture buildings, $123,385,000:
Provided, That in the event an agency within the Department should
require modification of space needs, the Secretary of Agriculture may
transfer a share of that agency's appropriation made available by this
Act to this appropriation, or may transfer a share of this
appropriation to that agency's appropriation, but such transfers shall
not exceed 5 percent of the funds made available for space rental and
related costs to or from this account. In addition, for construction,
repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed
equipment or facilities as necessary to carry out the programs of the
Department, where not otherwise provided, $5,000,000, to remain
available until expended; and in addition, for necessary relocation
expenses of the Department's agencies, $2,700,000, to remain available
until expended; making a total appropriation of $131,085,000.
Hazardous Waste Management
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to comply
with the requirement of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
9607(g), and section 6001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961, $15,700,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to the
Department for Hazardous Waste Management may be transferred to any
agency of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements
pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands.
Departmental Administration
(including transfers of funds)
For Departmental Administration, $27,231,000, to provide for
necessary expenses for management support services to offices of the
Department and for general administration and disaster management of
the Department, repairs and alterations, and other miscellaneous
supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the
practical and efficient work of the Department, including employment
pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of which not to exceed $10,000 is for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for travel
expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C.
551-558.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out the programs funded
in this Act, including programs involving intergovernmental affairs and
liaison within the executive branch, $3,668,000: Provided, That no
other funds appropriated to the Department by this Act shall be
available to the Department for support of activities of congressional
relations: Provided further, That not less than $2,241,000 shall be
transferred to agencies funded in this Act to maintain personnel at the
agency level.
Office of Communications
For necessary expenses to carry on services relating to the
coordination of programs involving public affairs, for the
dissemination of agricultural information, and the coordination of
information, work, and programs authorized by Congress in the
Department, $8,138,000, including employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225),
of which not to exceed $10,000 shall be available for employment under
5 U.S.C. 3109, and not to exceed $2,000,000 may be used for farmers'
bulletins.
Office of the Inspector General
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General,
including employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a)
of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and the Inspector General
Act of 1978, $63,128,000, including such sums as may be necessary for
contracting and other arrangements with public agencies and private
persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of
1978, including a sum not to exceed $50,000 for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109; and including a sum not to exceed $95,000 for certain
confidential operational expenses including the payment of informants,
to be expended under the direction of the Inspector General pursuant to
Public Law 95-452 and section 1337 of Public Law 97-98: Provided, That
funds transferred to the Office of the Inspector General through
forfeiture proceedings or from the Department of Justice Assets
Forfeiture Fund or the Department of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, as a
participating agency, as an equitable share from the forfeiture of
property in investigations in which the Office of the Inspector General
participates, or through the granting of a Petition for Remission or
Mitigation, shall be deposited to the credit of this account for law
enforcement activities authorized under the Inspector General Act of
1978, to remain available until expended.
Office of the General Counsel
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General Counsel,
$28,524,000.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to administer the laws
enacted by the Congress for the Economic Research Service, the National
Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and
the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,
$540,000.
Economic Research Service
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service in
conducting economic research and analysis, as authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627) and other laws,
$71,604,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225).
National Agricultural Statistics Service
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service in conducting statistical reporting and service work, including
crop and livestock estimates, statistical coordination and
improvements, marketing surveys, and the Census of Agriculture, as
authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-
1627) and other laws, $118,048,000, of which up to $36,327,000 shall be
available until expended for the Census of Agriculture: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be available for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the 1997
Census of Agriculture, to the extent practicable, pursuant to the
provisions of title 13, United States Code.
Agricultural Research Service
For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Research Service
to perform agricultural research and demonstration relating to
production, utilization, marketing, and distribution (not otherwise
provided for); home economics or nutrition and consumer use including
the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of agricultural
information; and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or
purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, $744,605,000: Provided,
That appropriations hereunder shall be available for temporary
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $115,000 shall
be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That
appropriations hereunder shall be available for the operation and
maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed one for
replacement only: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall
be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction,
alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but unless
otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one building shall not
exceed $250,000, except for headhouses or greenhouses which shall each
be limited to $1,000,000, and except for ten buildings to be
constructed or improved at a cost not to exceed $500,000 each, and the
cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not
exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building or
$250,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That the limitations
on alterations contained in this Act shall not apply to modernization
or replacement of existing facilities at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided
further, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement
of buildings needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C.
113a): Provided further, That funds may be received from any State,
other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the
purpose of establishing or operating any research facility or research
project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized by law:
Provided further, That the item under the heading ``Agricultural
Research Service'' in title I of the Agriculture, Rural Development,
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
1996 (Public Law 104-37; 109 Stat. 304), is amended by striking the
penultimate proviso, relating to conveyance of the Pecan Genetics and
Improvement Research Laboratory.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available to
carry out research related to the production, processing or marketing
of tobacco or tobacco products.
buildings and facilities
For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement,
extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities as
necessary to carry out the agricultural research programs of the
Department of Agriculture, where not otherwise provided, $80,630,000,
to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That
funds may be received from any State, other political subdivision,
organization, or individual for the purpose of establishing any
research facility of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized
by law.
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
research and education activities
For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for cooperative
forestry and other research, for facilities, and for other expenses,
including $168,734,000 to carry into effect the provisions of the Hatch
Act (7 U.S.C. 361a-i); $20,497,000 for grants for cooperative forestry
research (16 U.S.C. 582a-a7); $27,735,000 for payments to the 1890
land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University (7 U.S.C. 3222);
$51,495,000 for special grants for agricultural research (7 U.S.C.
450i(c)); $15,048,000 for special grants for agricultural research on
improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)); $97,200,000 for competitive
research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)); $4,775,000 for the support of
animal health and disease programs (7 U.S.C. 3195); $650,000 for
supplemental and alternative crops and products (7 U.S.C. 3319d);
$550,000 for grants for research pursuant to the Critical Agricultural
Materials Act of 1984 (7 U.S.C. 178) and section 1472 of the Food and
Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318), to remain available until
expended; $3,000,000 for higher education graduate fellowships grants
(7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)), to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b); $4,350,000 for higher education challenge grants (7 U.S.C.
3152(b)(1)); $1,000,000 for a higher education minority scholars
program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b); $2,500,000 for an education grants program for Hispanic-
serving Institutions (7 U.S.C. 3241); $4,000,000 for aquaculture grants
(7 U.S.C. 3322); $8,000,000 for sustainable agriculture research and
education (7 U.S.C. 5811); $9,200,000 for a program of capacity
building grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to colleges eligible to receive
funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328),
including Tuskegee University, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b); $1,450,000 for payments to the 1994 Institutions
pursuant to section 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382; and $11,226,000
for necessary expenses of Research and Education Activities, of which
not to exceed $100,000 shall be for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; in
all, $431,410,000.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available to
carry out research related to the production, processing or marketing
of tobacco or tobacco products.
Native American Institutions Endowment Fund
For establishment of a Native American institutions endowment fund,
as authorized by Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), $4,600,000.
Extension Activities
Payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam,
the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and American Samoa:
For payments for cooperative extension work under the Smith-Lever Act,
to be distributed under sections 3(b) and 3(c) of said Act, and under
section 208(c) of Public Law 93-471, for retirement and employees'
compensation costs for extension agents and for costs of penalty mail
for cooperative extension agents and State extension directors,
$268,493,000; payments for extension work at the 1994 Institutions
under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)), $2,000,000; payments
for the nutrition and family education program for low-income areas
under section 3(d) of the Act, $58,695,000; payments for the pest
management program under section 3(d) of the Act, $10,783,000; payments
for the farm safety program under section 3(d) of the Act, $2,855,000;
payments for the pesticide impact assessment program under section 3(d)
of the Act, $3,214,000; payments to upgrade 1890 land-grant college
research, extension, and teaching facilities as authorized by section
1447 of Public Law 95-113 (7 U.S.C. 3222b), $7,549,000, to remain
available until expended; payments for the rural development centers
under section 3(d) of the Act, $908,000; payments for a groundwater
quality program under section 3(d) of the Act, $9,061,000; payments for
the agricultural telecommunications program, as authorized by Public
Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5926), $900,000; payments for youth-at-risk
programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $9,554,000; payments for a food
safety program under section 3(d) of the Act, $2,365,000; payments for
carrying out the provisions of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of
1978, $3,192,000; payments for Indian reservation agents under section
3(d) of the Act, $1,672,000; payments for sustainable agriculture
programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $3,309,000; payments for rural
health and safety education as authorized by section 2390 of Public Law
101-624 (7 U.S.C. 2661 note, 2662), $2,628,000; payments for
cooperative extension work by the colleges receiving the benefits of
the second Morrill Act (7 U.S.C. 321-326 and 328) and Tuskegee
University, $25,090,000; and for Federal administration and
coordination including administration of the Smith-Lever Act, and the
Act of September 29, 1977 (7 U.S.C. 341-349), and section 1361(c) of
the Act of October 3, 1980 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), and to coordinate and
provide program leadership for the extension work of the Department and
the several States and insular possessions, $11,108,000; in all,
$423,376,000: Provided, That funds hereby appropriated pursuant to
section 3(c) of the Act of June 26, 1953, and section 506 of the Act of
June 23, 1972, shall not be paid to any State, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, Micronesia,
Northern Marianas, and American Samoa prior to availability of an equal
sum from non-Federal sources for expenditure during the current fiscal
year.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to administer programs
under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, the Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, $618,000.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
salaries and expenses
(including transfers of funds)
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, including those pursuant
to the Act of February 28, 1947 (21 U.S.C. 114b-c), necessary to
prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal diseases; to
carry out inspection, quarantine, and regulatory activities; to
discharge the authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Act
of March 2, 1931 (46 Stat. 1468; 7 U.S.C. 426-426b); and to protect the
environment, as authorized by law, $426,282,000, of which $4,500,000
shall be available for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant
diseases, animal diseases and for control of pest animals and birds to
the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions: Provided, That no
funds shall be used to formulate or administer a brucellosis
eradication program for the current fiscal year that does not require
minimum matching by the States of at least 40 percent: Provided
further, That this appropriation shall be available for field
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be
available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That
this appropriation shall be available for the operation and maintenance
of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed four, of which two shall
be for replacement only: Provided further, That, in addition, in
emergencies which threaten any segment of the agricultural production
industry of this country, the Secretary may transfer from other
appropriations or funds available to the agencies or corporations of
the Department such sums as he may deem necessary, to be available only
in such emergencies for the arrest and eradication of contagious or
infectious disease or pests of animals, poultry, or plants, and for
expenses in accordance with the Act of February 28, 1947, and section
102 of the Act of September 21, 1944, and any unexpended balances of
funds transferred for such emergency purposes in the next preceding
fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred amounts: Provided
further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to
law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and alteration of leased buildings
and improvements, but unless otherwise provided the cost of altering
any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of
the current replacement value of the building.
In fiscal year 1998 the agency is authorized to collect fees to
cover the total costs of providing technical assistance, goods, or
services requested by States, other political subdivisions, domestic
and international organizations, foreign governments, or individuals,
provided that such fees are structured such that any entity's liability
for such fees is reasonably based on the technical assistance, goods,
or services provided to the entity by the agency, and such fees shall
be credited to this account, to remain available until expended,
without further appropriation, for providing such assistance, goods, or
services.
Of the total amount available under this heading in fiscal year
1998, $88,000,000 shall be derived from user fees deposited in the
Agricultural Quarantine Inspection User Fee Account.
Buildings and Facilities
For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance,
environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase
of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and
acquisition of land as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 428a, $4,200,000, to
remain available until expended.
Agricultural Marketing Service
marketing services
For necessary expenses to carry on services related to consumer
protection, agricultural marketing and distribution, transportation,
and regulatory programs, as authorized by law, and for administration
and coordination of payments to States; including field employment
pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $90,000 for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109, $46,592,000, including funds for the wholesale market
development program for the design and development of wholesale and
farmer market facilities for the major metropolitan areas of the
country: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant
to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during the
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement
value of the building.
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization activities,
as established by regulation pursuant to law (31 U.S.C. 9701).
limitation on administrative expenses
Not to exceed $59,521,000 (from fees collected) shall be obligated
during the current fiscal year for administrative expenses: Provided,
That if crop size is understated and/or other uncontrollable events
occur, the agency may exceed this limitation by up to 10 percent with
notification to the Appropriations Committees.
funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (section 32)
(including transfers of funds)
Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7
U.S.C. 612c) shall be used only for commodity program expenses as
authorized therein, and other related operating expenses, except for:
(1) transfers to the Department of Commerce as authorized by the Fish
and Wildlife Act of August 8, 1956; (2) transfers otherwise provided in
this Act; and (3) not more than $10,690,000 for formulation and
administration of marketing agreements and orders pursuant to the
Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, and the Agricultural Act
of 1961.
payments to states and possessions
For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and departments
of markets, and similar agencies for marketing activities under section
204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)),
$1,200,000.
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the United
States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of the Packers and
Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures used to protect purchasers of
farm products, and the standardization activities related to grain
under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, including field
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $25,000 for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $23,928,000: Provided, That this
appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for
the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost
of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10
percent of the current replacement value of the building.
Inspection and Weighing Services
limitation on inspection and weighing service expenses
Not to exceed $43,092,000 (from fees collected) shall be obligated
during the current fiscal year for inspection and weighing services:
Provided, That if grain export activities require additional
supervision and oversight, or other uncontrollable factors occur, this
limitation may be exceeded by up to 10 percent with notification to the
Appropriations Committees.
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws enacted by the
Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, $446,000.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
For necessary expenses to carry on services authorized by the
Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and
the Egg Products Inspection Act, $589,263,000, of which $5,000,000
shall be available for obligation only after promulgation of a final
rule to implement the provisions of subsection (e) of section 5 of the
Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034(e)), and in addition,
$1,000,000 may be credited to this account from fees collected for the
cost of laboratory accreditation as authorized by section 1017 of
Public Law 102-237: Provided, That this appropriation shall not be
available for shell egg surveillance under section 5(d) of the Egg
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034(d)): Provided further, That
this appropriation shall be available for field employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $75,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for
the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost
of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10
percent of the current replacement value of the building.
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural
Services
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to administer the
laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service Agency, the Foreign
Agricultural Service, the Risk Management Agency, and the Commodity
Credit Corporation, $572,000.
Farm Service Agency
salaries and expenses
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration and
implementation of programs administered by the Farm Service Agency,
$700,659,000: Provided, That the Secretary is authorized to use the
services, facilities, and authorities (but not the funds) of the
Commodity Credit Corporation to make program payments for all programs
administered by the Agency: Provided further, That other funds made
available to the Agency for authorized activities may be advanced to
and merged with this account: Provided further, That these funds shall
be available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$1,000,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
state mediation grants
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural Credit
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106), $2,000,000.
dairy indemnity program
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity payments to
dairy farmers for milk or cows producing such milk and manufacturers of
dairy products who have been directed to remove their milk or dairy
products from commercial markets because it contained residues of
chemicals registered and approved for use by the Federal Government,
and in making indemnity payments for milk, or cows producing such milk,
at a fair market value to any dairy farmer who is directed to remove
his milk from commercial markets because of: (1) the presence of
products of nuclear radiation or fallout if such contamination is not
due to the fault of the farmer; or (2) residues of chemicals or toxic
substances not included under the first sentence of the Act of August
13, 1968 (7 U.S.C. 450j), if such chemicals or toxic substances were
not used in a manner contrary to applicable regulations or labeling
instructions provided at the time of use and the contamination is not
due to the fault of the farmer, $550,000, to remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That none of the funds contained
in this Act shall be used to make indemnity payments to any farmer
whose milk was removed from commercial markets as a result of his
willful failure to follow procedures prescribed by the Federal
Government: Provided further, That this amount shall be transferred to
the Commodity Credit Corporation: Provided further, That the Secretary
is authorized to utilize the services, facilities, and authorities of
the Commodity Credit Corporation for the purpose of making dairy
indemnity disbursements.
agricultural credit insurance fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1928-1929, to be available
from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as follows: farm
ownership loans, $460,000,000 of which $400,000,000 shall be for
guaranteed loans; operating loans, $2,395,000,000 of which
$1,700,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans and
$200,000,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe
land acquisition loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $1,000,000; for
emergency insured loans, $25,000,000 to meet the needs resulting from
natural disasters; for boll weevil eradication program loans as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $34,653,000; and for credit sales of
acquired property, $25,000,000.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the cost of
modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, as follows: farm ownership loans, $21,380,000 of which
$15,440,000 shall be for guaranteed loans; operating loans, $71,394,000
of which $19,890,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans and
$19,280,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land
acquisition loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $132,000; for
emergency insured loans, $6,008,000 to meet the needs resulting from
natural disasters; for boll weevil eradication program loans as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $250,000; and for credit sales of acquired
property, $3,255,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct and guaranteed loan programs, $219,861,000 of which $209,861,000
shall be transferred to and merged with the ``Farm Service Agency,
Salaries and Expenses'' account.
Risk Management Agency
For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 6933),
$64,000,000: Provided, That not to exceed $700 shall be available for
official reception and representation expenses, as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 1506(i). In addition, notwithstanding the provisions of section
516(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
1516(a)(1)(B)), for discretionary expenses, $188,571,000 for the
payment of administrative and operating expenses of approved insurance
providers.
CORPORATIONS
The following corporations and agencies are hereby authorized to
make expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority
available to each such corporation or agency and in accord with law,
and to make contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year
limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation
Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth
in the budget for the current fiscal year for such corporation or
agency, except as hereinafter provided.
federal crop insurance corporation fund
For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act, such sums as may be necessary, to remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund
reimbursement for net realized losses
For fiscal year 1998, such sums as may be necessary to reimburse
the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized losses sustained, but
not previously reimbursed (estimated to be $783,507,000 in the
President's fiscal year 1998 Budget Request (H. Doc. 105-3)), but not
to exceed $783,507,000, pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 17,
1961 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11).
operations and maintenance for hazardous waste management
For fiscal year 1998, the Commodity Credit Corporation shall not
expend more than $5,000,000 for expenses to comply with the requirement
of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607(g), and section 6001 of
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961: Provided,
That expenses shall be for operations and maintenance costs only and
that other hazardous waste management costs shall be paid for by the
USDA Hazardous Waste Management appropriation in this Act.
TITLE II
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to administer the laws
enacted by the Congress for the Forest Service and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, $693,000.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
conservation operations
For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of the Act
of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f) including preparation of
conservation plans and establishment of measures to conserve soil and
water (including farm irrigation and land drainage and such special
measures for soil and water management as may be necessary to prevent
floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control agricultural
related pollutants); operation of conservation plant materials centers;
classification and mapping of soil; dissemination of information;
acquisition of lands, water, and interests therein for use in the plant
materials program by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost
not to exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C.
428a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement of permanent
and temporary buildings; and operation and maintenance of aircraft,
$633,231,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b), of
which not less than $5,835,000 is for snow survey and water forecasting
and not less than $8,825,000 is for operation and establishment of the
plant materials centers: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall
be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improvement
of buildings and public improvements at plant materials centers, except
that the cost of alterations and improvements to other buildings and
other public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: Provided further,
That when buildings or other structures are erected on non-Federal
land, that the right to use such land is obtained as provided in 7
U.S.C. 2250a: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be
available for technical assistance and related expenses to carry out
programs authorized by section 202(c) of title II of the Colorado River
Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)): Provided
further, That no part of this appropriation may be expended for soil
and water conservation operations under the Act of April 27, 1935 (16
U.S.C. 590a-f) in demonstration projects: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225)
and not to exceed $25,000 shall be available for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That qualified local engineers may be
temporarily employed at per diem rates to perform the technical
planning work of the Service (16 U.S.C. 590e-2): Provided further, That
the Secretary is authorized to transfer ownership of land, buildings
and related improvements of the plant materials facilities located at
Bow, Washington, to the Skagit Conservation District.
watershed surveys and planning
For necessary expenses to conduct research, investigation, and
surveys of watersheds of rivers and other waterways, and for small
watershed investigations and planning, in accordance with the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C.
1001-1009), $11,190,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$110,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
watershed and flood prevention operations
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures, including
but not limited to research, engineering operations, methods of
cultivation, the growing of vegetation, rehabilitation of existing
works and changes in use of land, in accordance with the Watershed
Protection and Flood Prevention Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C.
1001-1005, 1007-1009), the provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16
U.S.C. 590a-f), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating
to the activities of the Department, $101,036,000, to remain available
until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b) (of which up to $15,000,000 may be
available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood Control Act
approved June 22, 1936 (33 U.S.C. 701, 16 U.S.C. 1006a)): Provided,
That not to exceed $50,000,000 of this appropriation shall be available
for technical assistance: Provided further, That this appropriation
shall be available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $200,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109:
Provided further, That not to exceed $1,000,000 of this appropriation
is available to carry out the purposes of the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (Public Law 93-205), including cooperative efforts as contemplated
by that Act to relocate endangered or threatened species to other
suitable habitats as may be necessary to expedite project construction.
resource conservation and development
For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out projects for
resource conservation and development and for sound land use pursuant
to the provisions of section 32(e) of title III of the Bankhead-Jones
Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1011; 76 Stat. 607), the Act of April
27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), and the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981
(16 U.S.C. 3451-3461), $34,377,000, to remain available until expended
(7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That this appropriation shall be available
for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $50,000 shall be
available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
forestry incentives program
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to carry out
the program of forestry incentives, as authorized in the Cooperative
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101), including technical
assistance and related expenses, $6,325,000, to remain available until
expended, as authorized by that Act.
outreach for socially disadvantaged farmers
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279),
$3,000,000, to remain available until expended.
TITLE III
RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs under the laws
enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing Service, the Rural
Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service of the
Department of Agriculture, $588,000.
rural community advancement program
(including transfers of funds)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, and 1932, except for
sections 381E-H, 381N, and 381O of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009f), $652,197,000, to remain available
until expended, of which $27,062,000 shall be for rural community
programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act; of which $577,242,000 shall be for the rural
utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act; and of
which $47,893,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative
development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act:
Provided, That section 381E(d)(3)(B) of such Act is amended by
inserting after the phrase ``business and industry'', the words
``direct and'': Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for
the rural business and cooperative development programs, not to exceed
$500,000 shall be made available for a grant to a qualified national
organization to provide technical assistance for rural transportation
in order to promote economic development: Provided further, That of the
amount appropriated for rural utilities programs, not to exceed
$20,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal systems to benefit
the Colonias along the United States/Mexico border, including grants
pursuant to section 306C of such Act; not to exceed $15,000,000 shall
be for water and waste disposal systems for rural and native villages
in Alaska pursuant to section 306D of such Act; not to exceed
$15,000,000 shall be for technical assistance grants for rural waste
systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such Act; and not to exceed
$5,200,000 shall be for contracting with qualified national
organizations for a circuit rider program to provide technical
assistance for rural water systems: Provided further, That of the total
amounts appropriated, not to exceed $20,048,000 shall be available
through June 30, 1998, for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103-66, of which $1,200,000
shall be for rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1)
of such Act; of which $18,700,000 shall be for the rural utilities
programs described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act; of which $148,000
shall be for the rural business and cooperative development programs
described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act: Provided further, That any
obligated and unobligated balances available for prior years for the
``Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants'', ``Rural Water and Waste
Disposal Loans Program Account'', ``Emergency Community Water
Assistance Grants'', ``Solid Waste Management Grants'', the community
facility grant program in the ``Rural Housing Assistance Program
Account'', ``Community Facility Loans Program Account'', ``Rural
Business Enterprise Grants'', ``Rural Business and Industry Loans
Program Account'', and ``Local Technical Assistance and Planning
Grants'' shall be transferred to and merged with this account.
Rural Housing Service
rural housing insurance fund program account
(including transfers of funds)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949,
to be available from funds in the rural housing insurance fund, as
follows: $4,000,000,000 for loans to section 502 borrowers, as
determined by the Secretary, of which $3,000,000,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans; $30,000,000 for section 504 housing
repair loans; $19,700,000 for section 538 guaranteed multi-family
housing loans; $15,000,000 for section 514 farm labor housing;
$128,640,000 for section 515 rental housing; $600,000 for section 524
site loans; $25,000,000 for credit sales of acquired property; and
$587,000 for section 523 self-help housing land development loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the cost of
modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 loans, $135,000,000, of which
$6,900,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504
housing repair loans, $10,300,000; section 538 multi-family housing
guaranteed loans, $1,200,000; section 514 farm labor housing,
$7,388,000; section 515 rental housing, $68,745,000; credit sales of
acquired property, $3,492,000; and section 523 self-help housing land
development loans, $17,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct and guaranteed loan programs, $354,785,000, which shall be
transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ``Rural Housing
Service--Salaries and Expenses''.
rental assistance program
For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed pursuant
to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or agreements entered into in
lieu of debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as
authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949,
$541,397,000; and in addition such sums as may be necessary, as
authorized by section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate debt incurred
prior to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental assistance program
under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That of this amount not
more than $5,900,000 shall be available for debt forgiveness or
payments for eligible households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D)
of the Act, and not to exceed $10,000 per project for advances to
nonprofit organizations or public agencies to cover direct costs (other
than purchase price) incurred in purchasing projects pursuant to
section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That agreements
entered into or renewed during fiscal year 1998 shall be funded for a
five-year period, although the life of any such agreement may be
extended to fully utilize amounts obligated.
mutual and self-help housing grants
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of the
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $26,000,000, to remain available
until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
rural community fire protection grants
For grants pursuant to section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry
Assistance Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-313), $2,000,000 to fund up to 50
percent of the cost of organizing, training, and equipping rural
volunteer fire departments.
rural housing assistance grants
(including transfers of funds)
For grants and contracts for housing for domestic farm labor, very
low-income housing repair, supervisory and technical assistance,
compensation for construction defects, and rural housing preservation
made by the Rural Housing Service as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1474,
1479(c), 1486, 1490c, 1490e, and 1490m, $45,720,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That any obligated and unobligated
balances available from prior years in ``Rural Housing for Domestic
Farm Labor'', ``Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants'', ``Very
Low-Income Housing Repair Grants'', ``Compensation for Construction
Defects'', and ``Rural Housing Preservation Grants'' shall be
transferred to and merged with this account: Provided further, That of
the total amount appropriated, $1,200,000 shall be for empowerment
zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by Public Law 103-66:
Provided further, That if such funds are not obligated for empowerment
zones and enterprise communities by June 30, 1998, they shall remain
available for other authorized purposes under this head.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Housing Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act, title V of the Housing Act of 1949, and
cooperative agreements, $58,804,000: Provided, That this appropriation
shall be available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $520,000 may be used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
rural development loan fund program account
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, $16,888,000, as authorized by the
Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)): Provided, That such
costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined
in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided
further, That these funds are available to subsidize gross obligations
for the principal amount of direct loans of $35,000,000: Provided
further, That through June 30, 1998, of the total amount appropriated,
$3,345,000 shall be available for the cost of direct loans for
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as authorized by title
XIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, to subsidize
gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, $7,246,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
loan programs, $3,482,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ``Rural Business-Cooperative Service--Salaries and
Expenses''.
rural economic development loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized under
section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the purpose of
promoting rural economic development and job creation projects,
$25,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying loans
as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974,
$5,978,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit
payments in fiscal year 1998, as authorized by section 313 of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936, $5,978,000 shall not be obligated and
$5,978,000 are rescinded.
alternative agricultural research and commercialization revolving fund
For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative Agricultural
Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901-5908),
$7,000,000 are appropriated to the Alternative Agricultural Research
and Commercialization Corporation Revolving Fund.
rural cooperative development grants
For rural cooperative development grants authorized under section
310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932), $3,000,000, of which up to $1,300,000 may be available for
cooperative agreements for the appropriate technology transfer for
rural areas program.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
including administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act; section 1323 of the Food Security Act
of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act of 1926; for activities relating
to the marketing aspects of cooperatives, including economic research
findings, as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for
activities with institutions concerning the development and operation
of agricultural cooperatives; and for cooperative agreements;
$25,680,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $260,000 may be
used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
Rural Utilities Service
rural electrification and telecommunications loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the Rural
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), shall be made as follows: 5
percent rural electrification loans, $125,000,000; 5 percent rural
telecommunications loans, $75,000,000; cost of money rural
telecommunications loans, $300,000,000; municipal rate rural electric
loans, $500,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section 306 of that
Act, rural electric, $300,000,000 and rural telecommunications,
$120,000,000, to remain available until expended.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct and
guaranteed loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of direct loans, $12,265,000;
cost of municipal rate loans, $21,100,000; cost of money rural
telecommunications loans, $60,000; cost of loans guaranteed pursuant to
section 306, $2,760,000: Provided, That notwithstanding section
305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest
rates may exceed 7 percent per year.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
direct and guaranteed loan programs, $29,982,000, which shall be
transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ``Rural Utilities
Service--Salaries and Expenses''.
rural telephone bank program account
(including transfers of funds)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such corporation
in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commitments without
regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of the
Government Corporation Control Act, as may be necessary in carrying out
its authorized programs for the current fiscal year. During fiscal year
1998 and within the resources and authority available, gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$175,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct loans
authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935),
$3,710,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the
loan programs, $3,000,000, which shall be transferred to and merged
with the appropriation for ``Rural Utilities Service--Salaries and
Expenses''.
distance learning and medical link program
For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
950aaa et seq., $12,530,000, to remain available until expended, to be
available for loans and grants for telemedicine and distance learning
services in rural areas: Provided, That the costs of direct loans shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Rural Utilities Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and for
cooperative agreements, $33,000,000: Provided, That this appropriation
shall be available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of
section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $105,000 may be used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer the
laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Consumer Service,
$554,000.
Child Nutrition Programs
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch Act
(42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections 17 and 21;
$7,767,816,000, to remain available through September 30, 1999, of
which $2,616,425,000 is hereby appropriated and $5,151,391,000 shall be
derived by transfer from funds available under section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Provided, That none of the funds made
available under this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations:
Provided further, That up to $4,124,000 shall be available for
independent verification of school food service claims.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special supplemental
nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $3,924,000,000, to remain available
through September 30, 1999: Provided, That none of the funds made
available under this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations:
Provided further, That up to $12,000,000 may be used to carry out the
farmers' market nutrition program from any funds not needed to maintain
current caseload levels: Provided further, That notwithstanding
sections 17(g), (h), and (i) of such Act, the Secretary shall adjust
fiscal year 1998 State allocations to reflect food funds available to
the State from fiscal year 1997 under sections 17(i)(3)(A)(ii) and
17(i)(3)(D): Provided further, That the Secretary shall allocate funds
recovered from fiscal year 1997 first to States to maintain stability
funding levels, as defined by regulations promulgated under section
17(g), and then to give first priority for the allocation of any
remaining funds to States whose funding is less than their fair share
of funds, as defined by regulations promulgated under section 17(g):
Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available
to pay administrative expenses of WIC clinics except those that have an
announced policy of prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry
out the program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in
this account shall be available for the purchase of infant formula
except in accordance with the cost containment and competitive bidding
requirements specified in section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of
1966: Provided further, That State agencies required to procure infant
formula using a competitive bidding system may use funds appropriated
by this Act to purchase infant formula under a cost containment
contract entered into after September 30, 1996, only if the contract
was awarded to the bidder offering the lowest net price, as defined by
section 17(b)(20) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, unless the State
agency demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the
weighted average retail price for different brands of infant formula in
the State does not vary by more than five percent.
food stamp program
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.), $25,140,479,000, of which $100,000,000 shall be placed
in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become
necessary to carry out program operations: Provided, That funds
provided herein shall be expended in accordance with section 16 of the
Food Stamp Act: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be
subject to any work registration or workfare requirements as may be
required by law: Provided further, That none of the funds made
available under this heading shall be used for studies and evaluations.
Commodity Assistance Program
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity supplemental food
program as authorized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer
Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) and for administrative
expenses pursuant to section 204 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act
of 1983, $141,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 1999:
Provided, That none of these funds shall be available to reimburse the
Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities donated to the program.
food donations programs for selected groups
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the Agriculture
and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note), and section
311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030a), $141,165,000,
to remain available through September 30, 1999.
food program administration
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic food programs
funded under this Act, $107,619,000, of which $5,000,000 shall be
available only for simplifying procedures, reducing overhead costs,
tightening regulations, improving food stamp coupon handling, and
assistance in the prevention, identification, and prosecution of fraud
and other violations of law: Provided, That this appropriation shall be
available for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$150,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager
(including transfers of funds)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954 (7
U.S.C. 1761-1768), market development activities abroad, and for
enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate activities of the
Department in connection with foreign agricultural work, including not
to exceed $128,000 for representation allowances and for expenses
pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C.
1766), $135,561,000, of which $3,231,000 may be transferred from the
Export Loan Program account in this Act, and $1,035,000 may be
transferred from the Public Law 480 program account in this Act:
Provided, That the Service may utilize advances of funds, or reimburse
this appropriation for expenditures made on behalf of Federal agencies,
public and private organizations and institutions under agreements
executed pursuant to the agricultural food production assistance
programs (7 U.S.C. 1736) and the foreign assistance programs of the
International Development Cooperation Administration (22 U.S.C. 2392).
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available to
promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products.
public law 480 program and grant accounts
(including transfers of funds)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs, including interest
thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of
1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701-1715, 1721-1726, 1727-1727f, and 1731-1736g),
as follows: (1) $226,900,000 for Public Law 480 title I credit,
including Food for Progress programs; (2) $17,608,000 is hereby
appropriated for ocean freight differential costs for the shipment of
agricultural commodities pursuant to title I of said Act and the Food
for Progress Act of 1985; (3) $837,000,000 is hereby appropriated for
commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to
title II of said Act; and (4) $30,000,000 is hereby appropriated for
commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to
title III of said Act: Provided, That not to exceed 15 percent of the
funds made available to carry out any title of said Act may be used to
carry out any other title of said Act: Provided further, That such sums
shall remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements as authorized by the
Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Food
for Progress Act of 1985, including the cost of modifying credit
agreements under said Act, $176,596,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the Public
Law 480 title I credit program, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985,
to the extent funds appropriated for Public Law 480 are utilized,
$1,850,000.
commodity credit corporation export loans program account
(including transfers of funds)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit
Corporation's export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103,
$3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by section
11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and in conformity
with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which not to exceed
$3,231,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
the salaries and expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service, and of
which not to exceed $589,000 may be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency.
export credit
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not less than
$5,500,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export credit guarantee
program extended to finance the export sales of United States
agricultural commodities and the products thereof, as authorized by
section 202(a) and (b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
5641).
emerging markets export credit
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not less than
$200,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export guarantee program
for credit expended to finance the export sales of United States
agricultural commodities and the products thereof to emerging markets,
as authorized by section 1542 of Public Law 101-624 (7 U.S.C. 5622
note).
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
salaries and expenses
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration,
including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for rental of
special purpose space in the District of Columbia or elsewhere; and for
miscellaneous and emergency expenses of enforcement activities,
authorized and approved by the Secretary and to be accounted for solely
on the Secretary's certificate, not to exceed $25,000; $948,705,000, of
which not to exceed $91,204,000 in fees pursuant to section 736 of the
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this
appropriation and remain available until expended: Provided, That fees
derived from applications received during fiscal year 1998 shall be
subject to the fiscal year 1998 limitation: Provided further, That none
of these funds shall be used to develop, establish, or operate any
program of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 354 of the Public Health
Service Act may be credited to this account, to remain available until
expended.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 801 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
buildings and facilities
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension,
alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used by
the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise provided,
$21,350,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
rental payments (fda)
(including transfers of funds)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public
Law 92-313 for programs and activities of the Food and Drug
Administration which are included in this Act, $46,294,000: Provided,
That in the event the Food and Drug Administration should require
modification of space needs, a share of the salaries and expenses
appropriation may be transferred to this appropriation, or a share of
this appropriation may be transferred to the salaries and expenses
appropriation, but such transfers shall not exceed 5 percent of the
funds made available for rental payments (FDA) to or from this account.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Financial Management Service
Payments to the Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation
For necessary payments to the Farm Credit System Financial
Assistance Corporation by the Secretary of the Treasury, as authorized
by section 6.28(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, for reimbursement of
interest expenses incurred by the Financial Assistance Corporation on
obligations issued through 1994, as authorized, $7,728,000.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the Commodity
Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the purchase and hire of
passenger motor vehicles; the rental of space (to include multiple year
leases) in the District of Columbia and elsewhere; and not to exceed
$25,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; $58,101,000, including not
to exceed $1,000 for official reception and representation expenses:
Provided, That the Commission is authorized to charge reasonable fees
to attendees of Commission sponsored educational events and symposia to
cover the Commission's costs of providing those events and symposia,
and notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, said fees shall be credited to this
account, to be available without further appropriation.
Farm Credit Administration
Limitation on Administrative Expenses
Not to exceed $34,423,000 (from assessments collected from farm
credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for
administrative expenses as authorized under 12 U.S.C. 2249: Provided,
That this limitation shall not apply to expenses associated with
receiverships.
TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law,
appropriations and authorizations made for the Department of
Agriculture for the fiscal year 1998 under this Act shall be available
for the purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of
not to exceed 394 passenger motor vehicles, of which 391 shall be for
replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.
Sec. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of
Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances therefor as
authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901-5902).
Sec. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations of the
Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and service work
authorized by the Acts of August 14, 1946, and July 28, 1954 (7 U.S.C.
427, 1621-1629), and by chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code,
shall be available for contracting in accordance with said Acts and
chapter.
Sec. 704. The cumulative total of transfers to the Working Capital
Fund for the purpose of accumulating growth capital for data services
and National Finance Center operations shall not exceed $2,000,000:
Provided, That no funds in this Act appropriated to an agency of the
Department shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without the
approval of the agency administrator.
Sec. 705. New obligational authority provided for the following
appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until expended
(7 U.S.C. 2209b): Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the
contingency fund to meet emergency conditions, fruit fly program, and
integrated systems acquisition project; Farm Service Agency, salaries
and expenses funds made available to county committees; and Foreign
Agricultural Service, middle-income country training program.
New obligational authority for the boll weevil program; up to 10
percent of the screwworm program of the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service; Food Safety and Inspection Service, field
automation and information management project; funds appropriated for
rental payments; funds for the Native American Institutions Endowment
Fund in the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service; and funds for the competitive research grants (7 U.S.C.
450i(b)), shall remain available until expended.
Sec. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless
expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations available to
the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be available to provide
appropriate orientation and language training pursuant to Public Law
94-449.
Sec. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to pay
negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar
arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and
nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost
of the agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangements is
to carry out programs of mutual interest between the two parties. This
does not preclude appropriate payment of indirect costs on grants and
contracts with such institutions when such indirect costs are computed
on a similar basis for all agencies for which appropriations are
provided in this Act.
Sec. 709. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
commodities acquired by the Department in connection with Commodity
Credit Corporation and section 32 price support operations may be used,
as authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 714c and 7 U.S.C. 612c), to provide
commodities to individuals in cases of hardship as determined by the
Secretary of Agriculture.
Sec. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available to
reimburse the General Services Administration for payment of space
rental and related costs in excess of the amounts specified in this
Act; nor shall this or any other provision of law require a reduction
in the level of rental space or services below that of fiscal year 1997
or prohibit an expansion of rental space or services with the use of
funds otherwise appropriated in this Act. Further, no agency of the
Department of Agriculture, from funds otherwise available, shall
reimburse the General Services Administration for payment of space
rental and related costs provided to such agency at a percentage rate
which is greater than is available in the case of funds appropriated in
this Act.
Sec. 711. None of the funds in this Act shall be available to
restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation to lease
space for its own use or to lease space on behalf of other agencies of
the Department of Agriculture when such space will be jointly occupied.
Sec. 712. With the exception of grants awarded under the Small
Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, Public Law 97-219 (15
U.S.C. 638), none of the funds in this Act shall be available to pay
indirect costs on research grants awarded competitively by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service that
exceed 14 percent of total Federal funds provided under each award.
Sec. 713. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act, all
loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered estimates, not
limitations.
Sec. 714. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the
cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in fiscal year 1998
shall remain available until expended to cover obligations made in
fiscal year 1998 for the following accounts: the rural development loan
fund program account; the Rural Telephone Bank program account; the
rural electrification and telecommunications loans program account; and
the rural economic development loans program account.
Sec. 715. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1998 pay
raises for programs funded by this Act shall be absorbed within the
levels appropriated in this Act.
Sec. 716. Hereafter: (a) Compliance With Buy American Act.--None of
the funds made available in this Act may be expended by an entity
unless the entity agrees that in expending the funds the entity will
comply with sections 2 through 4 of the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C.
10a-10c; popularly known as the ``Buy American Act'').
(b) Sense of Congress; Requirement Regarding Notice.--
(1) Purchase of american-made equipment and products.--In the
case of any equipment or product that may be authorized to be
purchased with financial assistance provided using funds made
available in this Act, it is the sense of the Congress that
entities receiving the assistance should, in expending the
assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products.
(2) Notice to recipients of assistance.--In providing
financial assistance using funds made available in this Act, the
head of each Federal agency shall provide to each recipient of the
assistance a notice describing the statement made in paragraph (1)
by the Congress.
(c) Prohibition of Contracts With Persons Falsely Labeling
Products as Made in America.--If it has been finally determined by a
court or Federal agency that any person intentionally affixed a label
bearing a ``Made in America'' inscription, or any inscription with the
same meaning, to any product sold in or shipped to the United States
that is not made in the United States, the person shall be ineligible
to receive any contract or subcontract made with funds made available
in this Act, pursuant to the debarment, suspension, and ineligibility
procedures described in sections 9.400 through 9.409 of title 48, Code
of Federal Regulations.
Sec. 717. Notwithstanding the Federal Grant and Cooperative
Agreement Act, marketing services of the Agricultural Marketing Service
and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may use cooperative
agreements to reflect a relationship between the Agricultural Marketing
Service or the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and a State
or Cooperator to carry out agricultural marketing programs or to carry
out programs to protect the Nation's animal and plant resources.
Sec. 718. None of the funds in this Act may be used to retire more
than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural Telephone Bank or to
maintain any account or subaccount within the accounting records of the
Rural Telephone Bank the creation of which has not specifically been
authorized by statute: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in this Act may be used to transfer to the Treasury or to the
Federal Financing Bank any unobligated balance of the Rural Telephone
Bank telephone liquidating account which is in excess of current
requirements and such balance shall receive interest as set forth for
financial accounts in section 505(c) of the Federal Credit Reform Act
of 1990.
Sec. 719. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used
to provide assistance to, or to pay the salaries of personnel who carry
out a market promotion/market access program pursuant to section 203 of
the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623) that provides
assistance to the United States Mink Export Development Council or any
mink industry trade association.
Sec. 720. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more than
$1,000,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of activities
related to all advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task
forces of the Department of Agriculture except for panels used to
comply with negotiated rule makings and panels used to evaluate
competitively awarded grants.
Sec. 721. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of
personnel who carry out an export enhancement program if the aggregate
amount of funds and/or commodities under such program exceeds
$150,000,000.
Sec. 722. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be used to
carry out the provisions of section 918 of Public Law 104-127, the
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act.
Sec. 723. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may be
detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this Act to any
other agency or office of the Department for more than 30 days unless
the individual's employing agency or office is fully reimbursed by the
receiving agency or office for the salary and expenses of the employee
for the period of assignment.
Sec. 724. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Department of Agriculture shall be used to transmit or
otherwise make available to any non-Department of Agriculture employee
questions or responses to questions that are a result of information
requested for the appropriations hearing process.
Sec. 725. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in this Act may be expended or obligated to fund the
activities of the Western Director and Special Assistant to the
Secretary within the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture or any
similar position.
Sec. 726. None of the funds made available to the Department of
Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire new information
technology systems or significant upgrades, as determined by the Office
of the Chief Information Officer, without the approval of the Chief
Information Officer and the concurrence of the Executive Information
Technology Investment Review Board.
Sec. 727. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that
remain available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 1998, or
provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived
by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act,
shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a
reprogramming of funds which: (1) creates new programs; (2) eliminates
a program, project, or activity; (3) increases funds or personnel by
any means for any project or activity for which funds have been denied
or restricted; (4) relocates an office or employees; (5) reorganizes
offices, programs, or activities; or (6) contracts out or privatizes
any functions or activities presently performed by Federal employees;
unless the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress are
notified fifteen days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous
Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain
available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year 1998, or
provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived
by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act,
shall be available for obligation or expenditure for activities,
programs, or projects through a reprogramming of funds in excess of
$500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that: (1) augments existing
programs, projects, or activities; (2) reduces by 10 percent funding
for any existing program, project, or activity, or numbers of personnel
by 10 percent as approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general
savings from a reduction in personnel which would result in a change in
existing programs, activities, or projects as approved by Congress;
unless the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress are
notified fifteen days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
Sec. 728. Section 3(c) of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (7
U.S.C. 2802(c)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end
the following: ``, and includes kudzu (Pueraria lobata Dc)''.
Sec. 729. Notwithstanding section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949,
(42 U.S.C. 1490) the Martin Luther King area of Pawley's Island, South
Carolina, located in Georgetown County, shall be eligible for loans and
grants under section 504 of the Housing Act of 1949.
Sec. 730. None of the funds made available to the Food and Drug
Administration by this Act shall be used to close or relocate the Food
and Drug Administration Division of Drug Analysis in St. Louis,
Missouri.
Sec. 731. Effective on October 1, 1998, section 136(a) of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7236(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Subject to paragraph (4), during'' and
inserting ``During''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``130'' and inserting
``134'';
(2) by striking paragraph (4); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).
Sec. 732. Study of Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. (a)
Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Child, senior, and low-income nutrition programs.--The term
``child, senior, and low-income nutrition programs'' includes--
(A) the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(B) the school lunch program established under the National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
(C) the summer food service program for children
established under section 13 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1761);
(D) the child and adult care food program established under
section 17 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1766);
(E) the special milk program established under section 3 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772);
(F) the school breakfast program established under section
4 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1773);
(G) the special supplemental nutrition program for women,
infants, and children authorized under section 17 of that Act
(42 U.S.C. 1786); and
(H) the nutrition programs and projects carried out under
part C of title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42
U.S.C. 3030e et seq.).
(2) Compact.--The term ``Compact'' means the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact.
(3) Northeast interstate dairy compact.--The term ``Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact'' means the Northeast Interstate Dairy
Compact referred to in section 147 of the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7256).
(4) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget.
(b) Evaluation.--Not later than December 31, 1997, the Director
shall conduct, complete, and transmit to Congress a comprehensive
economic evaluation of the direct and indirect effects of the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact and other factors which affect the price of
fluid milk.
(c) Components.--In conducting the evaluation, the Director shall
consider, among other factors, the effects of implementation of the
rules and regulations of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact
Commission, such as rules and regulations relating to over-order Class
I pricing and pooling provisions. This evaluation shall consider such
effects prior to implementation of the Compact and that would have
occurred in the absence of the implementation of the Compact. The
evaluation shall include an analysis of the impacts on--
(1) child, senior, and low-income nutrition programs including
impacts on schools and institutions participating in the programs,
on program recipients, and other factors;
(2) the wholesale and retail cost of fluid milk;
(3) the level of milk production, the number of cows, the
number of dairy farms, and milk utilization in the Compact region,
including--
(A) changes in the level of milk production, the number of
cows, and the number of dairy farms in the Compact region
relative to trends in the level of milk production and trends
in the number of cows and dairy farms prior to implementation
of the Compact;
(B) changes in the disposition of bulk and packaged milk
for Class I, II, or III use produced in the Compact region to
areas outside the region relative to the milk disposition to
areas outside the region;
(C) changes in--
(i) the share of milk production for Class I use of the
total milk production in the Compact region; and
(ii) the share of milk production for Class II and
Class III use of the total milk production in the Compact
region;
(4) dairy farmers and dairy product manufacturers in States and
regions outside the Compact region with respect to the impact of
changes in milk production, and the impact of any changes in
disposition of milk originating in the Compact region, on national
milk supply levels and farm level milk prices nationally; and
(5) the cost of carrying out the milk price support program
established under section 141 of the Agricultural Market Transition
Act (7 U.S.C. 7251).
(d) Additional States and Compacts.--The Director shall evaluate
and incorporate into the evaluation required under subsection (b) an
evaluation of the economic impact of adding additional States to the
Compact for the purpose of increasing prices paid to milk producers.
Sec. 733. From proceeds earned from the sale of grain in the
disaster reserve established in the Agricultural Act of 1970, the
Secretary may use up to an additional $2,000,000 to implement a
livestock indemnity program as established in Public Law 105-18.
Sec. 734. Planting of Wild Rice on Contract Acreage.--None of the
funds appropriated in this Act may be used to administer the provision
of contract payments to a producer under the Agricultural Market
Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) for contract acreage on which
wild rice is planted unless the contract payment is reduced by an acre
for each contract acre planted to wild rice.
Sec. 735. Rural Housing Programs. (a) Housing in Underserved Areas
Program.--The first sentence of section 509(f)(4)(A) of the Housing Act
of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1479(f)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year
1997'' and inserting ``fiscal year 1998''.
(b) Housing and Related Facilities for Elderly Persons and Families
and Other Low-Income Persons and Families.--
(1) Authority to make loans.--Section 515(b)(4) of the Housing
Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485(b)(4)) is amended by striking
``September 30, 1997'' and inserting ``September 30, 1998''.
(2) Set-aside for nonprofit entities.--The first sentence of
section 515(w)(1) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485(w)(1))
is amended by striking ``fiscal year 1997'' and inserting ``fiscal
year 1998''.
(3) Loan term.--Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42
U.S.C. 1485) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ``up to fifty'' and
inserting ``up to 30''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) such a loan may be made for a period of up to 30 years
from the making of the loan, but the Secretary may provide for
periodic payments based on an amortization schedule of 50 years
with a final payment of the balance due at the end of the term of
the loan;'';
(ii) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) the Secretary may make a new loan to the current borrower
to finance the final payment of the original loan for an additional
period not to exceed twenty years, if--
``(A) the Secretary determines--
``(i) it is more cost-efficient and serves the tenant
base more effectively to maintain the current property than
to build a new property in the same location; or
``(ii) the property has been maintained to such an
extent that it warrants retention in the current portfolio
because it can be expected to continue providing decent,
safe, and affordable rental units for the balance of the
loan; and
``(B) the Secretary determines--
``(i) current market studies show that a need for low-
income rural rental housing still exists for that area; and
``(ii) any other criteria established by the Secretary
has been met.''.
(c) Loan Guarantees for Multifamily Rental Housing in Rural
Areas.--Section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490p-2) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (q), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting
the following:
``(2) Annual limitation on amount of loan guarantee.--In each
fiscal year, the Secretary may enter into commitments to guarantee
loans under this section only to the extent that the costs of the
guarantees entered into in such fiscal year do not exceed such
amount as may be provided in appropriation Acts for such fiscal
year.'';
(2) by striking subsection (t) and inserting the following:
``(t) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 1998 for costs (as such term is defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of loan guarantees
made under this section such sums as may be necessary for such fiscal
year.''; and
(3) in subsection (u), by striking ``1996'' and inserting
``1998''.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agriculture, Rural Development, Food
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
1998''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.