Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

PUBLIC LAW 104-127

APRIL 4, 1996

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TITLE VII—RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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SEC. 793. ⁽¹⁾ FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA.

(a) In General.—There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the Fund for Rural America (referred to in this section as the ``Account'') to provide funds for activities described in subsection (c).

(b) Funding.—

(1) In general.—On January 1, 1997, October 1, 1998, and October 1, 1999, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer $100,000,000 to the Account.

(2) Entitlement.— The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the "Secretary'')—

(A) shall be entitled to receive the funds transferred to the Account under paragraph (1);

(B) shall accept the funds; and

(3) Purposes.—Subject to subsection (d), of the amounts transferred to the Account for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available—

(A) for activities described in subsection (c)(1), not less than 1/3 and not more than 2/3 of the funds in the Account; and

(B) for activities described in subsection (c)(2), all funds in the Account not made available by the Secretary for activities described in subsection (c)(1).

(1) Rural development.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary may use the funds in the Account for a rural development activity—

(i) authorized under the Housing Act of 1949 for—

(I) direct loans to low-income borrowers under section 502 (42 U.S.C. 1472);

(II) loans for financial assistance for housing for domestic farm laborers under section 514 (42 U.S.C. 1484);

(III) financial assistance for housing for domestic farm laborers under section 516 (42 U.S.C. 1486);

(IV) payments for elderly who are not now receiving rental assistance under section 521 (42 U.S.C. 1490a);

(V) grants and contracts for mutual and self-help housing under section 523(b)(1)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1490c(b)(1)(A)); or

(VI) grants for rural housing preservation under section 533 (42 U.S.C. 1490m); or

(ii) conducted under any rural development program, including a program authorized under—

(I) the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.);

(II) subtitle G of title XVI and title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990;

(III) title V of the Rural Development Act of 1971 (7 U.S.C. 2661 et seq.); or

(IV) section 1323(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 7 U.S.C. 1932 note).

(B) Limitation on programs funded.—The Secretary may not expend funds made available to carry out activities described in subparagraph (A) for any activity that did not receive appropriations for fiscal year 1995. Funds expended under this section for any program purpose shall be spent in accordance with and subject to the applicable program limitations, restrictions, and priorities found in the underlying program authority and this Act.

(C) Limitation on housing assistance.—Not more than 20 percent of the funds made available to carry out activities described in subparagraph (A) shall be made available to carry out activities described in subparagraph (A)(i).

(D) Disclosure of allocation.—For any fiscal year, the Secretary shall not disclose the allocation of funds under this section for any activity described in subparagraph (A) until the date that is 1 day after the date of enactment of legislation authorizing appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for any period in the fiscal year.

(2) Research.—

(A) In general.—The Secretary may use the funds in the Account for research, extension, and education grants to—

(i) increase international competitiveness, efficiency, and farm profitability;

(ii) reduce economic and health risks;

(iii) conserve and enhance natural resources;

(iv) develop new crops, new crop uses, and new agricultural applications of biotechnology;

(v) enhance animal agricultural resources;

(vi) preserve plant and animal germplasm;

(vii) increase economic opportunities in farming and rural communities; and

(viii) expand locally-owned value-added processing.

(B) Eligible grantee.—The Secretary may make a grant under this paragraph to—

(i) a Federal research agency;

(ii) a national laboratory;

(iii) a college or university or a research foundation maintained by a college or university; or

(iv) a private research organization with an established and demonstrated capacity to perform research or technology transfer.

(i) In general.—A grant made under this paragraph may be used by a grantee for 1 or more of the following uses:

(I) Outcome-oriented research at the discovery end of the spectrum to provide breakthrough results.

(II) Exploratory and advanced development and technology with well-identified outcomes.

(III) A national, regional, or multi-State program oriented primarily toward extension programs and education programs demonstrating and supporting the competitiveness of United States agriculture.

(ii) Smaller institutions.—Of the amounts made available for activities described in this paragraph, not less than 15 percent shall be awarded to colleges, universities, or research foundations eligible for a grant under subparagraph (B)(iii) that rank in the lowest 1/3 of such colleges, universities, and foundations on the basis of Federal research funds received under a provision of law other than this section.

(D) Administration.—

(i) Priority.—In administering this paragraph, the Secretary shall—

(I) establish criteria for allocating grants based on the priorities in subparagraph (A) and in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123);

(II) seek and accept proposals for grants;

(III) determine the relevance and merit of proposals through a system of peer review and review by the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board; and

(IV) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes of federally supported agricultural research, extension, and education provided in section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101).

(ii) Competitive basis.—A grant under this paragraph shall be awarded on a competitive basis.

(iii) Terms.—A grant under this paragraph shall have a term that does not exceed 5 years.

(iv) Matching funds.—As a condition of making a grant under this paragraph, the Secretary shall require the funding of the grant with equal matching funds from a non-Federal source if the grant is—

(I) for applied research that is commodity-specific; and

(II) not of national scope.

(v) Delegation.—The Secretary shall administer this section through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture.

(vi) Availability of funds.—Funds shall be available for obligation under this paragraph for a 2-year period.

(vii) Administrative costs.—The Secretary may use not more than 4 percent of the funds made available for activities described in this paragraph for administrative costs incurred by the Secretary in carrying out this paragraph.

(viii) Buildings.—Funds made available for activities described in this paragraph shall not be used for the construction of a new building or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building (including site grading and improvement and architect fees).

(d) Limitations.—Amounts in the Account may not be used for an activity described in subsection (c) for a fiscal year if the program funding level for the fiscal year for the activity is less than 90 percent of the amount appropriated for the activity for fiscal year 1996, adjusted for inflation.

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FEDERAL AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM ACT OF 1996

PUBLIC LAW 104-127

APRIL 4, 1996

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TITLE VIII—RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION

Subtitle A—Modification and Extension of Activities Under 1977 Act

SEC. 801. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 1402. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION".

"The purposes of federally supported agricultural research, extension, and education are to—

"(1) enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;

"(2) increase the long-term productivity of the United States agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base on which rural America and the United States agricultural economy depend;

"(3) develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;

"(4) support agricultural research and extension to promote economic opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for information and technology transfer throughout the United States agriculture industry;

"(5) improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry;

"(6) improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness;

"(7) support higher education in agriculture to give the next generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture; and

"(8) maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements.''.

SEC. 802. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

(a) In General.—Section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 1408. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

"(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish within the Department of Agriculture a board to be known as the 'National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board'.

"(b) Membership.—

"(1) In general.—The Advisory Board shall consist of 30 members, appointed by the Secretary.

"(2) Selection of members.—The Secretary shall appoint members of the Advisory Board from nominations submitted by organizations, associations, societies, councils, federations, groups, and companies fitting the criteria specified in paragraph (3).

"(3) Membership categories.—The Advisory Board shall consist of members from each of the following categories:

"(A) 1 member representing a national farm organization.

"(B) 1 member representing farm cooperatives.

"(C) 1 member actively engaged in the production of a food animal commodity.

"(D) 1 member actively engaged in the production of a plant commodity.

"(E) 1 member representing a national animal commodity organization.

"(F) 1 member representing a national crop commodity organization.

"(G) 1 member representing a national aquaculture association.

"(H) 1 member representing a national food animal science society.

"(I) 1 member representing a national crop, soil, agronomy, horticulture, or weed science society.

"(J) 1 member representing a national food science organization.

"(K) 1 member representing a national human health association.

"(L) 1 member representing a national nutritional science society.

"(M) 1 member representing the land-grant colleges and universities eligible to receive funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).

"(N) 1 member representing the land-grant colleges and universities eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University.

"(O) 1 member representing the 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)).

"(P) 1 member representing Hispanic-serving institutions.

"(Q) 1 member representing the American Colleges of Veterinary Medicine.

"(R) 1 member representing that portion of the scientific community not closely associated with agriculture.

"(S) 1 member engaged in the transportation of food and agricultural products to domestic and foreign markets.

"(T) 1 member representing food retailing and marketing interests.

"(U) 1 member representing food and fiber processors.

"(V) 1 member actively engaged in rural economic development.

"(W) 1 member representing a national consumer interest group.

"(X) 1 member representing a national forestry group.

(Y) 1 member representing a national conservation or natural resource group.

"(Z) 1 member representing private sector organizations involved in international development.

"(AA) 1 member representing an agency within the Department of Agriculture that lacks research capabilities.

"(BB) 1 member representing a research agency of the Federal Government (other than the Department of Agriculture).

"(CC) 1 member representing a national social science association.

"(DD) 1 member representing national organizations directly concerned with agricultural research, education, and extension.

"(4) Ex officio members.—The Secretary, the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service, the Administrator of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, the Administrator of the Economic Research Service, and the Administrator of the National Agricultural Statistics Service shall serve as ex officio members of the Advisory Board.

"(5) Officers.—At the first meeting of the Advisory Board each year, the members shall elect from among the members of the Advisory Board a chairperson, vice chairperson, and 7 additional members to serve on the executive committee established under paragraph (6).

"(6) Executive committee.—The Advisory Board shall establish an executive committee charged with the responsibility of working with the Secretary and officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture to summarize and disseminate the recommendations of the Advisory Board.

"(c) Duties.—The Advisory Board shall

"(1) review and provide consultation to the Secretary and land-grant colleges and universities on long-term and short-term national policies and priorities, as set forth in section 1402, relating to agricultural research, extension, education, and economics;

"(2) evaluate the results and effectiveness of agricultural research, extension, education, and economics with respect to the policies and priorities;

"(3) review and make recommendations to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics on the research, extension, education, and economics portion of the draft strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code; and

"(4) review the mechanisms of the Department of Agriculture for technology assessment (which should be conducted by qualified professionals) for the purposes of—

"(A) performance measurement and evaluation of the implementation by the Secretary of the strategic plan required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code;

"(B) implementation of the national research policies and priorities set forth in section 1402; and

"(C) the development of mechanisms for the assessment of emerging public and private agricultural research and technology transfer initiatives.

"(d) Consultation.—In carrying out this section, the Advisory Board shall solicit opinions and recommendations from persons who will benefit from and use federally funded agricultural research, extension, education, and economics.

"(e) Appointment.—A member of the Advisory Board shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term of up to 3 years. The members of the Advisory Board shall be appointed to serve staggered terms.

"(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.—The Advisory Board shall be deemed to have filed a charter for the purpose of section 9(c) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

"(g) Termination.—The Advisory Board shall remain in existence until September 30, 2002.''.

(b) Conforming Amendments.—

(1) Section 1404(1) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(1)) is amended by striking ``National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board'' and inserting ``National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board''.

(2) Section 1410(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3125(2)) is amended by striking ``the recommendations of the Advisory Board developed under section 1408(g),'' and inserting "any recommendations of the Advisory Board''.

(3) The last sentence of section 4(a) of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1673(a)) is amended by striking "National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board'' and inserting "National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board''.

SEC. 803. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION FOR FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS.

Section 1409A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3124a) is amended by adding at the end the following:

"(e) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.—

"(1) Public meetings.—All meetings of any entity described in paragraph (3) shall be publicly announced in advance and shall be open to the public. Detailed minutes of meetings and other appropriate records of the activities of such an entity shall be kept and made available to the public on request.

"(2) Exemption.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act shall not apply to any entity described in paragraph (3).

"(3) Entities described.—This subsection shall apply to any committee, board, commission, panel, or task force, or similar entity that—

"(A) is created for the purpose of cooperative efforts in agricultural research, extension, or teaching; and

"(B) consists entirely of—

"(i) full-time Federal employees; and

"(ii) one or more individuals who are employed by, or are officials of—

"(I) a State cooperative institution or State cooperative agency; or

"(II) a public college or university or other postsecondary institution.''.

SEC. 804. COORDINATION AND PLANNING OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1413 (7 U.S.C. 3128) the following:

"SEC. 1413A. ⁽²⁾ACCOUNTABILITY.

"(a) Review of Information Technology Systems.—The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art information technology systems that are available for use in developing the system required by subsection (b).

"(b) Monitoring and Evaluation System.—The Secretary shall develop and carry out a system to monitor and evaluate agricultural research and extension activities conducted or supported by the Department of Agriculture that will enable the Secretary to measure the impact and effectiveness of research, extension, and education programs according to priorities, goals, and mandates established by law. In developing the system, the Secretary shall incorporate information transfer technologies to optimize public access to research information.

"(c) Consistency With Other Requirements.—The Secretary shall develop and implement the system in a manner consistent with the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-62; 107 Stat. 285) and amendments made by the Act.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

"SEC. 1413B. ⁽³⁾FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION FOR COMPETITIVE RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

"The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act shall not apply to any committee, board, commission, panel, or task force, or similar entity, created solely for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals requesting funding under any competitive research, extension, or education program carried out by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 805. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES EDUCATION.

(a) Purpose of Grants.—Section 1417(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

"(4) to design and implement food and agricultural programs to build teaching and research capacity at colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments;''.

(b) Research Foundations.—Section 1417(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

"(3) Research foundations.—An eligible college or university under subsection (b) includes a research foundation maintained by the college or university.''.

(c) Extension of Program.—Section 1417(i) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(i)) is amended by striking "1995'' and inserting "1997".

(d) Secondary Education and 2-Year Postsecondary Education Teaching Programs.—Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (i) and (j), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:

"(h) Secondary Education and 2-Year Postsecondary Education Teaching Programs.—

"(1) Definitions.—In this subsection:

"(A) Institution of higher education.—The term 'institution of higher education' has the meaning given the term in section 1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)).

"(B) Secondary school.—The term 'secondary school' has the meaning given the term in section 14101(25) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801(25)).

"(2) Agriscience and agribusiness education.—The Secretary shall—

"(A) promote and strengthen secondary education and 2-year postsecondary education in agriscience and agribusiness in order to help ensure the existence in the United States of a qualified workforce to serve the food and agricultural sciences system; and

"(B) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, 2-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the food and agricultural sciences in order to promote excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the food and agricultural sciences.

(3) Grants.—The Secretary may make competitive or noncompetitive grants, for grant periods not to exceed 5 years, to public secondary schools, and institutions of higher education that award an associate's degree, that the Secretary determines have made a commitment to teaching agriscience and agribusiness—

"(A) to enhance curricula in agricultural education;

"(B) to increase faculty teaching competencies;

"(C) to interest young people in pursuing higher education in order to prepare for scientific and professional careers in the food and agricultural sciences;

"(D) to promote the incorporation of agriscience and agribusiness subject matter into other instructional programs, particularly classes in science, business, and consumer education;

"(E) to facilitate joint initiatives by the grant recipient with other secondary schools, institutions of higher education that award an associate's degree, and institutions of higher education that award a bachelor's degree to maximize the development and use of resources, such as faculty, facilities, and equipment, to improve agriscience and agribusiness education; and

"(F) to support other initiatives designed to meet local, State, regional, or national needs related to promoting excellence in agriscience and agribusiness education.''.

SEC. 806. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF ALCOHOLS AND INDUSTRIAL HYDROCARBONS FROM AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND FOREST PRODUCTS.

Section 1419(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3154(d)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 807. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1419 (7 U.S.C. 3154) the following:

"SEC. 1419A. ⁽⁴⁾POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

"(a) In General.—Consistent with this section, the Secretary may make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and other contracting instruments with, policy research centers described in subsection (b) to conduct research and education programs that are objective, operationally independent, and external to the Federal Government and that concern the effect of public policies on—

"(1) the farm and agricultural sectors;

"(2) the environment;

"(3) rural families, households, and economies; and

"(4) consumers, food, and nutrition.

"(b) Eligible Recipients.—State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, private organizations, corporations, and individuals shall be eligible to apply for funding under subsection (a).

"(c) Activities.—Under this section, funding may be provided for disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education concerning policy research activities consistent with this section, including activities that—

"(1) quantify the implications of public policies and regulations;

"(2) develop theoretical and research methods;

"(3) collect and analyze data for policymakers, analysts, and individuals; and

"(4) develop programs to train analysts.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 1996 and 1997.''.

SEC. 808. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by striking section 1424 (7 U.S.C. 3174) and inserting the following:

"SEC. 1424⁽⁵⁾. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

"(a) Authority of Secretary.—The Secretary may establish, and award grants for projects for, a multi-year research initiative on human nutrition intervention and health promotion.

"(b) Emphasis of Initiative.—In administering human nutrition research projects under this section, the Secretary shall give specific emphasis to—

"(1) coordinated longitudinal research assessments of nutritional status; and

"(2) the implementation of unified, innovative intervention strategies, to identify and solve problems of nutritional inadequacy and contribute to the maintenance of health, well-being, performance, and productivity of individuals, thereby reducing the need of the individuals to use the health care system and social programs of the United States.

"(c) Administration of Funds.—The Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service shall administer funds made available to carry out this section to ensure a coordinated approach to health and nutrition research efforts.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for fiscal years 1996 and 1997.

"SEC. 1424A. ⁽⁶⁾ PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

"(a) Findings.—Congress finds the following:

"(1) Although medical researchers in recent years have demonstrated that there are several naturally occurring compounds in many vegetables and fruits that can aid in the prevention of certain forms of cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and atherosclerosis, there has been almost no research conducted to enhance these compounds in food plants by modern breeding and molecular genetic methods.

"(2) By linking the appropriate medical and agricultural research scientists in a highly-focused, targeted research program, it should be possible to develop new varieties of vegetables and fruits that would provide greater prevention of diet-related diseases that are a major cause of death in the United States.

"(b) Pilot Research Program.—The Secretary shall conduct, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, a pilot research program to link major cancer and heart and other circulatory disease research efforts with agricultural research efforts to identify compounds in vegetables and fruits that prevent these diseases. Using information derived from such combined research efforts, the Secretary shall assist in the development of new varieties of vegetables and fruits having enhanced therapeutic properties for disease prevention.

"(c) Agreements.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program through agreements entered into with land-grant colleges or universities, other universities, State agricultural experiment stations, the State cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations with demonstrable expertise, or Federal or State governmental entities. The Secretary shall enter into the agreements on a competitive basis.

"(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1997 to carry out the pilot program.''.

SEC. 809. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

Section 1425(c)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)(3)) is amended by striking "$63,000,000'' and all that follows through "fiscal year 1995'' and inserting ", $83,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997''.

SEC. 810. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS RELATING TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH.

Section 1429 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3191) is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 1429. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS RELATING TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH.

"(a) Purposes.—The purposes of this subtitle are to—

"(1) promote the general welfare through the improved health and productivity of domestic livestock, poultry, aquatic animals, and other income-producing animals that are essential to the food supply of the United States and the welfare of producers and consumers of animal products;

"(2) improve the health of horses;

"(3) facilitate the effective treatment of, and, to the extent possible, prevent animal and poultry diseases in both domesticated and wild animals that, if not controlled, would be disastrous to the United States livestock and poultry industries and endanger the food supply of the United States;

"(4) improve methods for the control of organisms and residues in food products of animal origin that could endanger the human food supply;

"(5) improve the housing and management of animals to improve the well-being of livestock production species;

"(6) minimize livestock and poultry losses due to transportation and handling;

"(7) protect human health through control of animal diseases transmissible to humans;

"(8) improve methods of controlling the births of predators and other animals; and

"(9) otherwise promote the general welfare through expanded programs of research and extension to improve animal health.

"(b) Findings.—Congress finds that—

"(1) the total animal health and disease research and extension efforts of State colleges and universities and of the Federal Government would be more effective if there were close coordination between the efforts; and

"(2) colleges and universities having accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine and State agricultural experiment stations that conduct animal health and disease research are especially vital in training research workers in animal health and related disciplines.''.

SEC. 811. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTINUING RESEARCH.

Section 1433 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3195) is amended—

(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking "1995" and inserting "1997";

(2) in subsection (b)(2)—

(A) by striking "domestic livestock and poultry" each place it appears and inserting "domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species"; and

(B) in the second sentence, by striking "horses, and poultry" and inserting "horses, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species";

(3) in subsection (d), by striking "domestic livestock and poultry" and inserting "domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species"; and

(4) in subsection (f), by striking "domestic livestock and poultry" and inserting "domestic livestock, poultry, and commercial aquaculture species".

SEC. 812. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE NATIONAL OR REGIONAL RESEARCH.

Section 1434 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3196) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by inserting "or national or regional problems relating to pre-harvest, on-farm food safety, or animal well-being," after "problems,"; and

(B) by striking "1995" and inserting "1997";

(2) in subsection (b), by striking "eligible institutions" and inserting "State agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, private organizations or corporations, and individuals";

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) in the first sentence, by inserting ", food safety, and animal well-being" after "animal health and disease"; and

(B) in the fourth sentence—

(i) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and

(ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

(2) any food safety problem that has a significant pre-harvest (on-farm) component and is recognized as posing a significant health hazard to the consuming public;

(3) issues of animal well-being related to production methods that will improve the housing and management of animals to improve the well-being of livestock production species;";

(4) in the first sentence of subsection (d), by striking "to eligible institutions''; and

(5) by adding at the end the following:

"(f) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of this Act shall not apply to a panel or board created solely for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals submitted under this subtitle.".

SEC. 813. GRANT PROGRAM TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES.

Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)) is amended by striking "$8,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995" and inserting ", $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 and 1997".

SEC. 814. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

Section 1448 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ", or fiscal years 1996 and 1997," after "1995"; and

(2) in subsection (f), by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 815. PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

(a) In General.—The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1448 (7 U.S.C. 3222c) the following:

Subtitle H—Programs for Hispanic-Serving Institutions

"SEC. 1455⁽⁷⁾. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

"(a) Grant Authority.—The Secretary may make competitive grants (or grants without regard to any requirement for competition) to Hispanic-serving institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ability of Hispanic-serving institutions to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs.

"(b) Use of Grant Funds.—Grants made under this section shall be used—

"(1) to support the activities of consortia of Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance educational equity for underrepresented students;

"(2) to strengthen institutional educational capacities, including libraries, curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, in order to respond to identified State, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences;

"(3) to attract and support undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups in order to prepare them for careers related to the food, agricultural, and natural resource systems of the United States, beginning with the mentoring of students at the high school level and continuing with the provision of financial support for students through their attainment of a doctoral degree; and

"(4) to facilitate cooperative initiatives between 2 or more Hispanic-serving institutions, or between Hispanic-serving institutions and units of State government or the private sector, to maximize the development and use of resources, such as faculty, facilities, and equipment, to improve food and agricultural sciences teaching programs.

"(c) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to make grants under this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.".

(b) Hispanic-Serving Institution Defined.—Paragraph (9) of section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is amended to read as follows:

"(9) the term 'Hispanic-serving institution' has the meaning given the term by section 316(b)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(1));".

SEC. 816. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

Section 1458(a)(8) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(a)(8)) is amended—

(1) by striking "establish" and inserting "continue"; and

(2) by striking "to be".

SEC. 817. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is amended by striking "1995" both places it appears and inserting "1997".

SEC. 818. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR EXTENSION EDUCATION.

Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is amended by striking "fiscal year 1995" and inserting "each of fiscal years 1995 through 1997".

SEC. 819. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS RESEARCH.

(a) Extension of Program.—Section 1473D(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d(a)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

(b) Elimination of Pilot Nature of Program.—Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking "and pilot";

(2) in subsection (c)(2)(B), by striking "at pilot sites" and all that follows through "the area";

(3) in subsection (c)(2)(C), by striking "from pilot sites";

(4) in subsection (c)(2)(D)—

(A) by striking "near such pilot sites"; and

(B) by striking "successful pilot program" and inserting "successful program"; and

(5) in subsection (c)(3)(8), by striking "pilot".

(c) Additional Authority.—Section 1473D(c)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d(c)(3)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking "and" at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

"(E) to conduct fundamental and applied research related to the development of new commercial products derived from natural plant material for industrial, medical, and agricultural applications; and

"(F) to participate with colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and private sector entities in conducting research described in subparagraph (E).".

SEC. 820. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

(a) Definition.—Section 1404(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(3)) is amended by inserting "ornamental fish," after "reptile,".

(b) Reports.—Section 1475 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322) is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (e); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Aquaculture Research Facilities.—Section 1476(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3323(b)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

(d) Authorization of Appropriations for Research and Extension.—Section 1477 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 821. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RANGELAND RESEARCH.

Section 1483(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

Subtitle B—Modification and Extension of Activities Under 1990 Act

SEC. 831. WATER QUALITY RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COORDINATION.

Section 1481(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5501(d)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 832. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

(a) Functions.—Section 1632(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5841(d)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:

"(4) unless otherwise prohibited by law, have the right to make available on request, without charge and without regard to the country from which the request originates, the genetic material that the program assembles;".

(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 1635(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 833. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

Section 1641(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(c)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 834. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

Section 1670(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5923(e)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 835. PLANT GENOME MAPPING PROGRAM.

Section 1671(g) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924(g)) is amended by inserting "for fiscal years 1996 and 1997" after "appropriated".

SEC. 836. CERTAIN SPECIALIZED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

Subsections (d)(4), (e)(4), and (i) of section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) are each amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 837. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

Section 1673(h) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926(h)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 838. NATIONAL CENTERS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT QUALITY RESEARCH.

(a) Purposes of National Centers.—Section 1675(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5928(a)) is amended—

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (6) and (7), respectively; and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:

"(5) enhance agricultural competitiveness through product quality research and technology implementation;".

(b) Regional Basis of Centers.—Section 1675(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5928(b)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

"(1) Regional basis.—The centers shall be regionally based units that conduct a broad spectrum of research, development, and education programs to enhance the competitiveness, quality, safety and wholesomeness of agricultural products.''.

(c) Program Plan and Review.—Section 1675(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5928(b)) is amended—

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the second sentence; and

(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ", but not less" and all that follows through "the Secretary".

(d) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 1675(g)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5928(g)(1)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 839. RED MEAT SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER.

Section 1676 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5929) is amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 1676. RED MEAT SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER.

"(a) Establishment of Center.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall award a grant, on a competitive basis, to a research facility described in subsection (b) to establish a red meat safety research center.

"(b) Eligible Research Facility Described.—A research facility eligible for a grant under subsection (a) is a research facility that—

"(1) is part of a land-grant college or university, or other federally supported agricultural research facility, located in close proximity to a livestock slaughter and processing facility; and

"(2) is staffed by professionals with a wide diversity of scientific expertise covering all aspects of meat science.

"(c) Research Conducted.—The red meat safety research center established under subsection (a) shall carry out research related to general food safety, including—

"(1) the development of intervention strategies that reduce microbiological contamination of carcass surfaces;

"(2) research regarding microbiological mapping of carcass surfaces; and

"(3) the development of model hazard analysis and critical control point plans.

"(d) Administration of Funds.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer funds appropriated to carry out this section.

"(e) Authorization of Appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 1997 to carry out this section.".

SEC. 840. INDIAN RESERVATION EXTENSION AGENT PROGRAM.

Section 1677 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5930) is amended—

(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and

(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:

"(f) Reduced Regulatory Burden.—On a determination by the Secretary of Agriculture that a program carried out under this section has been satisfactorily administered for not less than 2 years, the Secretary shall implement a reduced reapplication process for the continued operation of the program in order to reduce regulatory burdens on participating university and tribal entities.".

SEC. 841. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)(6)(B), by striking "1996" and inserting "1997"; and

(2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking "1996" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 842. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 843. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

Section 2412 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6710) is amended by striking "1996" and inserting "1997".

Subtitle C—Repeal of Certain Activities and Authorities

SEC. 851. SUBCOMMITTEE ON FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND FORESTRY RESEARCH.

Section 401(h) of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651(h)) is amended by striking the second through fifth sentences.

SEC. 852. JOINT COUNCIL ON FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES.

(a) Repeal.—Section 1407 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3122) is repealed.

(b) Conforming Amendments.—

(1) Section 1405 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (5), by striking "Joint Council, Advisory Board," and inserting "Advisory Board"; and

(B) in paragraph (11), by striking "the Joint Council,".

(2) Section 1410(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3125(2)) is amended by striking "the recommendations of the Joint Council developed under section 1407(f),".

(3) Section 1412 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3127) is amended—

(A) in the section heading, by striking "the joint council, advisory board," and inserting "advisory board";

(B) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking "Joint Council, the Advisory Board," and inserting "Advisory Board";

(ii) by striking "the cochairpersons of the Joint Council and" each place it appears; and

(iii) in paragraph (2), by striking "one shall serve as the executive secretary to the Joint Council, one shall serve as the executive secretary to the Advisory Board," and inserting "one shall serve as the executive secretary to the Advisory Board"; and

(C) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking "Joint Council, Advisory Board," each place it appears and inserting "Advisory Board".

(4) Section 1413 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128) is amended—

(A) in subsection (a), by striking "Joint Council, the Advisory Board," and inserting "Advisory Board"; and

(B) in subsection (b), by striking "Joint Council, Advisory Board," and inserting "Advisory Board".

(5) Section 1434(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3196(c)) is amended—

(A) in the second sentence, by striking "Joint Council, the Advisory Board," and inserting "Advisory Board"; and

(B) in the fourth sentence, by striking "the Joint Council,".

SEC. 853. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD.

(a) Repeal.—Section 1408A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a) is repealed.

(b) Conforming Amendments.—

(1) Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (16)(F), by adding "and" at the end;

(B) in paragraph (17), by striking "; and" at the end and inserting a period; and

(2) Section 1405(12) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121(12)) is amended by striking ", after coordination with the Technology Board,".

(3) Section 1410(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3125(2)) (as amended by section 802(b)(2)) is amended by striking "and the recommendations of the Technology Board developed under section 1408A(d)".

(4) Section 1412 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3127) (as amended by section 852(b)(3)) is amended—

(A) in the section heading, by striking "and technology board";

(B) in subsection (a)—

(i) by striking "and the Technology Board" each place it appears; and

(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking "and one shall serve as the executive secretary to the Technology Board"; and

(5) Section 1413 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3128) (as amended by section 852(b)(4)) is amended—

(A) in subsection (a), by striking "or the Technology Board"; and

(B) in subsection (b), by striking "and the Technology Board".

SEC. 854. ANIMAL HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD.

Section 1432 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3194) is repealed.

SEC. 855. RESIDENT INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES.

Section 1446 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222a) is repealed.

SEC. 856. GRANTS TO STATES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.

Section 1458A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292) is repealed.

SEC. 857. RANGELAND RESEARCH.

(a) Reports.—Section 1481 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3334) is repealed.

(b) Advisory Board.—Section 1482 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3335) is repealed.

SEC. 858. COMPOSTING RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.

Section 1456 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3130) is repealed.

SEC. 859. EDUCATION PROGRAM REGARDING HANDLING OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL CONTAINERS.

(a) Repeal.—Section 1499A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125c) is repealed.

(b) Conforming Amendment.—Section 1499(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5506(b)) is amended by striking "and section 1499A".

SEC. 860. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION REGARDING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

(a) Reporting Requirement.—Section 1622 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5812) is amended by striking subsection (b).

(b) Advisory Council.—Section 1622 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5812) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking paragraph (2);

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "subsection (e)" and inserting "subsection (b)"; and

(2) by striking subsections (c) and (d);

(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (b); and

(4) in subsection (b)(2) (as so redesignated)—

(A) by striking subparagraph (A); and

(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively.

(1) Section 1619(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801(b)) is amended—

(A) by striking paragraph (7); and

(B) by redesignating paragraphs (8), (9), and (10) as paragraphs (7), (8), and (9), respectively.

(2) Section 1621(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811(c)) is amended—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) by striking subparagraph (A); and

(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively; and

(B) in paragraph (2)—

(i) by striking subparagraph (A); and

(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively.

(3) Section 1628(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831(b)) is amended by striking "Advisory Council, the Soil Conservation Service," and inserting "Natural Resources Conservation Service".

SEC. 861. RESEARCH REGARDING PRODUCTION, PREPARATION, PROCESSING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

Subtitle E of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5871 et seq.) is repealed.

SEC. 862. PLANT AND ANIMAL PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM.

(a) Repeal.—Subtitle F of title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5881 et seq.) is repealed.

(b) Conforming Amendments.—

(1) Section 28(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136w-3(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking "and the information required by section 1651 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990".

(2) Section 1627(a)(3) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(a)(3)) is amended by striking "and section 1650".

(3) Section 1628 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831) is amended by striking "section 1650," each place it appears in subsections (a) and (d).

(4) Section 1629 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832) is amended by striking "section 1650," each place it appears in subsections (f) and (g)(11).

SEC. 863. CERTAIN SPECIALIZED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended—

(1) by striking subsections (a), (f), (g), (h), and (j); and

(2) by redesignating subsections (i) and (k) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively.

SEC. 864. COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

Section 1674 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5927) is repealed.

SEC. 865. SPECIAL GRANT TO STUDY CONSTRAINTS ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE.

Section 1678 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5931) is repealed.

SEC. 866. PILOT PROJECT TO COORDINATE FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Section 1679 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5932) is repealed.

SEC. 867. DEMONSTRATION AREAS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Section 2348 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2662a) is repealed.

SEC. 868. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

Section 2404 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6703) is repealed.

SEC. 869. COMMITTEE OF NINE UNDER HATCH ACT OF 1887.

Section 3(c)3 of the Act of March 2, 1887 (commonly known as the "Hatch Act of 1887"; 7 U.S.C. 361c(c)3) is amended by striking " ,and shall be used" and all that follows through "by this paragraph".

SEC. 870. COTTON CROP REPORTS.

The Act of May 3, 1924 (43 Stat. 115, chapter 149; 7 U.S.C. 475), is repealed.

SEC. 871. RURAL ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS UNDER TITLE V OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1972.

Section 502 of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662) is amended by striking subsections (g) and (j).

SEC. 872. HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH.

Section 1452 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 7 U.S.C. 3173 note) is repealed.

SEC. 873. GRANTS TO UPGRADE 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGE EXTENSION FACILITIES.

Section 1416 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985(9) (7 U.S.C. 3224) is repealed.

SEC. 874. INDIAN SUBSISTENCE FARMING DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

Subtitle C of title IX of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act Amendments of 1991 (Public Law 102-237; 7 U.S.C. 5930 note) is repealed.

Subtitle D—Miscellaneous Research Provisions

SEC. 881. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS RESEARCH.

(a) Reports.—Section 4 of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178b) is amended—

(1) by striking subsection (g); and

(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).

(b) Authorization of Appropriations.—Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 882. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT REGARDING 1994 INSTITUTIONS.

Section 533 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note) is amended by adding at the end the following:

"(d) Memorandum of Agreement.—Not later than January 6, 1997, the Secretary shall develop and implement a formal memorandum of agreement with the 1994 Institutions to establish programs to ensure that tribally controlled colleges and Native American communities equitably participate in Department of Agriculture employment, programs, services, and resources.".

SEC. 883. SMITH-LEVER ACT FUNDING FOR 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

(a) Eligibility for Funds.—Section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914 (commonly known as the "Smith-Lever Act"; 7 U.S.C. 343(d)), is amended by adding at the end the following: "A college or university eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee University, may apply for and receive directly from the Secretary of Agriculture—

(1) amounts made available under this subsection after September 30, 1995, to carry out programs or initiatives for which no funds were made available under this subsection for fiscal year 1995, or any previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary; and

"(2) amounts made available after September 30, 1995, to carry out programs or initiatives funded under this subsection prior to that date that are in excess of the highest amount made available for the programs or initiatives under this subsection for fiscal year 1995, or any previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary.".

(b) Conforming Amendment.—The third sentence of section 1444(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ", except that for the purpose of this calculation, the total appropriations shall not include amounts made available after September 30, 1995, under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)), to carry out programs or initiatives for which no funds were made available under section 3(d) of that Act for fiscal year 1995, or any previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary, and shall not include amounts made available after September 30, 1995, to carry out programs or initiatives funded under section 3(d) of that Act prior to that date that are in excess of the highest amount made available for the programs or initiatives for fiscal year 1995, or any previous fiscal year, as determined by the Secretary".

SEC. 884. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

(a) Research Facilities.--The Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:

"SECTION 1⁽¹⁰⁾. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the 'Research Facilities Act'.

"SEC. 2⁽¹¹⁾. DEFINITIONS.

"In this Act:

"(1) Agricultural research facility.—The term 'agricultural research facility' means a proposed facility for research in food and agricultural sciences for which Federal funds are requested by a college, university, or nonprofit institution to assist in the construction, alteration, acquisition, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of the facility.

"(2) Congressional agriculture committees.—The term 'congressional agriculture committees' means the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.

"(3) Food and agricultural sciences.—The term 'food and agricultural sciences' means—

"(A) agriculture, including soil and water conservation and use, the use of organic materials to improve soil tilth and fertility, plant and animal production and protection, and plant and animal health;

"(B) the processing, distribution, marketing, and utilization of food and agricultural products;

"(C) forestry, including range management, production of forest and range products, multiple use of forests and rangelands, and urban forestry;

"(D) aquaculture (as defined in section 1404(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(3));

"(E) human nutrition;

"(F) production inputs, such as energy, to improve productivity; and

"(G) germ plasm collection and preservation.

"(4) Secretary.—The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.

"(5) Task force.—The term 'task force' means the Strategic Planning Task Force established under section 4.

"SEC. 3⁽¹²⁾. REVIEW PROCESS.

"(a) Submission to Secretary.—Each proposal for an agricultural research facility shall be submitted to the Secretary for review. The Secretary shall review the proposals in the order in which the proposals are received.

"(b) Application Process.—In consultation with the congressional agriculture committees, the Secretary shall establish an application process for the submission of proposals for agricultural research facilities.

"(c) Criteria for Approval.—

"(1) Determination by secretary.—With respect to each proposal for an agricultural research facility submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine whether the proposal meets the criteria set forth in paragraph (2).

"(2) Criteria.—A proposal for an agricultural research facility shall meet the following criteria:

"(A) Non-federal share.—The proposal shall certify the availability of at least a 50 percent non-Federal share of the cost of the facility. The non-Federal share shall be paid in cash and may include funding from private sources or from units of State or local government.

"(B) Nonduplication of facilities.—The proposal shall demonstrate how the agricultural research facility would be complementary to, and not duplicative of, facilities of colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions, and facilities of the Agricultural Research Service, within the State and region.

"(C) National research priorities.—The proposal shall demonstrate how the agricultural research facility would serve—

"(i) 1 or more of the national research policies and priorities set forth in section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101); and

"(ii) regional needs.

"(D) Long-term support.—The proposal shall demonstrate that the recipient college, university, or nonprofit institution has the ability and commitment to support the long-term, ongoing operating costs of—

"(i) the agricultural research facility after the facility is completed; and

"(ii) each program to be based at the facility.

"(d) Evaluation of Proposals.—Not later than 90 days after receiving a proposal under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

"(1) evaluate and assess the merits of the proposal, including the extent to which the proposal meets the criteria set forth in subsection (c); and

"(2) report to the congressional agriculture committees on the results of the evaluation and assessment.

"SEC. 4⁽¹³⁾. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

"(a) Establishment.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, the Secretary shall establish a task force, to be known as the 'Strategic Planning Task Force'. The task force shall be comprised of 15 members.

"(b) Composition.—The Secretary shall select the members of the task force from a list of individuals recommended by the Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123). In submitting the list to the Secretary, the Board may recommend for selection individuals (including members of the Advisory Board) who have expertise in facilities development, modernization, construction, consolidation, and closure.

"(c) Duties.—The task force shall review all currently operating agricultural research facilities constructed in whole or in part with Federal funds, and all planned agricultural research facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal funds, pursuant to criteria established by the Secretary, to ensure that a comprehensive research capacity is maintained.

"(d) 10-Year Strategic Plan.—Not later than 2 years after the task force is established, the task force shall prepare and submit to the Secretary and the congressional agriculture committees a 10-year strategic plan, reflecting both national and regional perspectives, for development, modernization, construction, consolidation, and closure of Federal agricultural research facilities and agricultural research facilities proposed to be constructed with Federal funds.

"(e) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.—

"(1) Public meetings.—All meetings of the task force shall be publicly announced in advance and shall be open to the public. Detailed minutes of meetings and other appropriate records of the activities of the task force shall be kept and made available to the public on request.

"(2) Exemption.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to the task force.

"(f) Definition of Agricultural Research Facility.—Notwithstanding section 2(1), in this section the term 'agricultural research facility' means a facility for research in food and agricultural sciences.

"SEC. 5⁽¹⁴⁾. APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

"The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) and title XVIII of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2281 et seq.) shall not apply to a panel or board created solely for the purpose of reviewing applications or proposals submitted under this Act.

"SEC. 6⁽¹⁵⁾. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

"(a) In General.—Subject to subsection (b), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for fiscal years 1996 and 1997 for the study, plan, design, structure, and related costs of agricultural research facilities under this Act.

"(b) Allowable Administrative Costs.—Not more than 3 percent of the funds made available for any project for an agricultural research facility shall be available for administration of the project.".

(b)⁽¹⁶⁾ Application of Amendment.—The amendment made by subsection (a), other than section 4 of the Research Facilities Act (as amended by subsection (a)), shall not apply to any project for an agricultural research facility for which funds have been made available for a feasibility study or for any phase of the project prior to October 1, 1995.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations for Federal Facilities.—Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) by striking "(a)"; and

(B) by striking "1995" and inserting "1997"; and

(2) by striking subsection (b).

(d) Conforming Amendment.—Section 1463(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311(a)) is amended by striking "1416,".

SEC. 885. NATIONAL COMPETITIVE RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations for Competitive Grants.—Subsection (b)(10) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(10)) is amended—

(1) by striking "fiscal year 1995" and inserting "each of fiscal years 1995 through 1997"; and

(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking "20 percent" and inserting "40 percent".

(b) Availability of Funds.—Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

"(11) Availability of Funds.—Funds made available under paragraph (10) shall be available for obligation for a 2-year period beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for which the funds are made available.".

SEC. 886. RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

Section 502(a) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662(a)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: "The rural development extension programs shall also promote coordinated and integrated rural community initiatives that advance and empower capacity building through leadership development, entrepreneurship, business development and management training, and strategic planning to increase jobs, income, and quality of life in rural communities.".

SEC. 887. DAIRY GOAT RESEARCH PROGRAM.

Section 1432(b)(5) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1981 (Public Law 97-98; 7 U.S.C. 3222 note) is amended by striking "1995" and inserting "1997".

SEC. 888. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR RESEARCH TO ERADICATE AND CONTROL BROWN CITRUS APHID AND CITRUS TRISTEZA VIRUS.

Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) (as amended by section 863) is amended by inserting before subsection (b) the following:

"(a) Brown Citrus Aphid and Citrus Tristeza Virus.—

"(1) Research grants authorized.—The Secretary of Agriculture may make competitive grants available to support research for the purpose of—

"(A) developing methods to eradicate the brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus from citrus crops grown in the United States; or

"(B) adapting citrus crops grown in the United States to the brown citrus aphid and the citrus tristeza virus.

"(2) Method of providing grants.—Grants authorized under this subsection shall be made in the same manner, and shall be subject to the same conditions, as provided for competitive grants under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i).

"(3) Authorization of appropriations.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1997.".

SEC. 889. STUTTGART NATIONAL AQUACULTURE RESEARCH CENTER.

(a) Transfer of Functions to Secretary of Agriculture.—

(1) Purpose.—The first section of Public Law 85-342 (16 U.S.C. 778) is amended—

(A) by striking "Secretary of the Interior" and all that follows through "directed to" and inserting "Secretary of Agriculture shall";

(B) by striking "an experiment station or stations" and inserting "1 or more centers"; and

(2) Authority.—Section 2 of Public Law 85-342 (16 U.S.C. 778a) is amended by striking ", the Secretary" and all that follows through "authorized" and inserting ", the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized".

(3) Assistance.—Section 3 of Public Law 85-342 (16 U.S.C. 778b) is amended—

(A) by striking "Secretary of the Interior" and inserting "Secretary of Agriculture"; and

(B) by striking "Department of Agriculture" and inserting "Secretary of the Interior".

(b) Transfer of Fish Farming Experimental Laboratory to Department of Agriculture.—

(1) Designation of stuttgart national aquaculture research center.—

(A) In general.—The Fish Farming Experimental Laboratory in Stuttgart, Arkansas (including the facilities in Kelso, Arkansas), shall be known and designated as the "Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center".

(B) References.—Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the laboratory referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be deemed to be a reference to the "Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center".

(2) Transfer of laboratory to department of agriculture.—Subject to section 1531 of title 31, United States Code, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, there are transferred to the Department of Agriculture—

(A) the personnel employed in connection with the laboratory referred to in paragraph (1)(A);

(B) the assets, liabilities, contracts, and real and personal property of the laboratory;

(D) the unexpended balance of appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds employed in connection with, held in connection with, arising from, available to, or to be made available in connection with the laboratory.

(3) Nonduplication of facilities.—The research center referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall be complementary to, and not duplicative of, facilities of colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions, and facilities of the Agricultural Research Service, within the State and region, as determined by the Administrator of the Service.

SEC. 890. EXPANSION OF AUTHORITIES RELATED TO NATIONAL ARBORETUM.

(a) Solicitation of Gifts, Benefits, and Devises.—The first sentence of section 5 of the Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 195), is amended by inserting "solicit," after "authorized to".

(b) Concessions, Fees, and Voluntary Services.—The Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 191 et seq.), is amended by adding at the end the following:

"SEC. 6⁽¹⁷⁾. CONCESSIONS, FEES, AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES.

"(a) In General.—Notwithstanding the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 471 et seq.) and section 321 of the Act of June 30, 1932 (40 U.S.C. 303b), the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of the mission of the National Arboretum, may—

"(1) negotiate agreements granting concessions at the National Arboretum to nonprofit scientific or educational organizations the interests of which are complementary to the mission of the National Arboretum, except that the net proceeds of the organizations from the concessions shall be used exclusively for research and educational work for the benefit of the National Arboretum;

"(2) provide by concession, on such terms as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate and necessary, for commercial services for food, drink, and nursery sales, if an agreement for a permanent concession under this paragraph is negotiated with a qualified person submitting a proposal after due consideration of all proposals received after the Secretary of Agriculture provides reasonable public notice of the intent of the Secretary to enter into such an agreement;

"(3) dispose of excess property, including excess plants and fish, in a manner designed to maximize revenue from any sale of the property, including by way of public auction, except that this paragraph shall not apply to the free dissemination of new varieties of seeds and germ plasm in accordance with section 520 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the `Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1862') (7 U.S.C. 2201);

"(4) charge such fees as the Secretary of Agriculture considers reasonable for temporary use by individuals or groups of National Arboretum facilities and grounds for any purpose consistent with the mission of the National Arboretum;

"(5) charge such fees as the Secretary of Agriculture considers reasonable for the use of the National Arboretum for commercial photography or cinematography;

"(6) publish, in print and electronically and without regard to laws relating to printing by the Federal Government, informational brochures, books, and other publications concerning the National Arboretum or the collections of the Arboretum; and

"(7) license use of the National Arboretum name and logo for public service or commercial uses.

"(b) Use of Funds.—Any funds received or collected by the Secretary of Agriculture as a result of activities described in subsection (a) shall be retained in a special fund in the Treasury for the use and benefit of the National Arboretum as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate.

"(c) Acceptance of Voluntary Services.—The Secretary of Agriculture may accept the voluntary services of organizations described in subsection (a)(1), and the voluntary services of individuals (including employees of the National Arboretum), for the benefit of the National Arboretum.".

SEC. 891. TRANSFER OF AQUACULTURAL RESEARCH CENTER.

(a) Transfer of Fish Culture Laboratory to Department of Agriculture.—

(1) Designation of claude harris national aquacultural research center.—

(A) In general.—The Southeastern Fish Culture Laboratory in Marion, Alabama, shall be known and designated as the "Claude Harris National Aquacultural Research Center".

(2) Transfer of laboratory to department of agriculture.—Subject to section 1531 of title 31, United States Code, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior may transfer, in whole or in part, to the Department of Agriculture, with the consent of the Secretary of Agriculture—

(A) the personnel employed in connection with the laboratory referred to in paragraph (1);

(B) the assets, liabilities, contracts, and real and personal property of the laboratory;

(b) Nonduplication of Facilities.—The research center designated by subsection (a) shall be complementary to, and not duplicative of, facilities of colleges, universities, and nonprofit institutions, and facilities of the Agricultural Research Service, within the State and region, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

SEC. 892⁽¹⁸⁾. USE OF REMOTE SENSING DATA AND OTHER DATA TO ANTICIPATE POTENTIAL FOOD, FEED, AND FIBER SHORTAGES OR EXCESSES AND TO PROVIDE TIMELY INFORMATION TO ASSIST FARMERS WITH PLANTING DECISIONS.

(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—

(1) remote sensing data can be useful to predict impending famine problems and forest infestations in time to allow remedial action;

(2) remote sensing data can inform the agricultural community as to the condition of crops and the land that sustains those crops; and

(3) remote sensing data and other data can be valuable, when received on a timely basis, in determining the need for additional plantings of a particular crop or a substitute crop.

(b) Information Development.—The Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, maximizing private funding and involvement, shall provide farmers and other interested persons with timely information, through remote sensing, on crop conditions, fertilization and irrigation needs, pest infiltration, soil conditions, projected food, feed, and fiber production, and any other information available through remote sensing.

(c) Coordination.—The Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall jointly develop a proposal to provide farmers and other prospective users with supply and demand information for food and fibers.

(d) Sunset.—The authorities provided by this section shall expire 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 893. SENSE OF SENATE REGARDING METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.

It is the sense of the Senate that—

(1) the Department of Agriculture should continue to make methyl bromide alternative research and extension activities a high priority of the Department; and

(2) the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, producer and processor organizations, environmental organizations, and State agencies should continue their dialogue on the risks and benefits of extending the 2001 phaseout deadline.

Subtitle E—Research Authority After Fiscal Year 1997

SEC. 897. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Subject to section 898, there are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1998 through 2002 such sums as are necessary to carry out the agricultural research, extension, and education activities and initiatives of the Department of Agriculture.

SEC. 898. ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.

During each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct only those agricultural research, extension, and education activities and initiatives of the Department of Agriculture for which funds are specifically provided for the fiscal year in an appropriation Act.

(8) The Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-185, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 603, section 606 amends section 819(b)(5) by striking “paragraph (3)” and inserting “subsection (c)(3)”.

(9) The Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998, Public Law 105-185, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 604, section 606(g) amends section 873 by striking “1981” and inserting “1985”.

(10) 7 U.S.C. 390 note.

(16) 7 U.S.C. 390 note.

(17) 20 U.S.C. 196.

(18) 7 U.S.C. 5935.

Last Updated: 07/16/2007

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996

SEC. 801. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

"SEC. 1402. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION".

SEC. 802. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

"SEC. 1408. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD.

SEC. 803. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION FOR FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS.

SEC. 804. COORDINATION AND PLANNING OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION.

"SEC. 1413A. (2) ACCOUNTABILITY.

"SEC. 1413B. (3)FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION FOR COMPETITIVE RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

SEC. 806. GRANTS FOR RESEARCH ON THE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING OF ALCOHOLS AND INDUSTRIAL HYDROCARBONS FROM AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND FOREST PRODUCTS.

SEC. 807. POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

"SEC. 1419A. (4)POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

SEC. 808. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

"SEC. 1424(5). HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

"SEC. 1424A. (6) PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

SEC. 809. FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

SEC. 810. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS RELATING TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH.

"SEC. 1429. PURPOSES AND FINDINGS RELATING TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH.

SEC. 811. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE CONTINUING RESEARCH.

SEC. 812. ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE NATIONAL OR REGIONAL RESEARCH.

SEC. 813. GRANT PROGRAM TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES.

SEC. 814. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTENNIAL CENTERS.

SEC. 815. PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

"SEC. 1455(7). EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

SEC. 816. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

SEC. 817. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

SEC. 818. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR EXTENSION EDUCATION.

SEC. 819. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS RESEARCH.

SEC. 820. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

SEC. 821. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR RANGELAND RESEARCH.

SEC. 831. WATER QUALITY RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND COORDINATION.

SEC. 832. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM.

SEC. 833. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEM.

SEC. 834. LIVESTOCK PRODUCT SAFETY AND INSPECTION PROGRAM.

SEC. 835. PLANT GENOME MAPPING PROGRAM.

SEC. 836. CERTAIN SPECIALIZED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

SEC. 837. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM.

SEC. 838. NATIONAL CENTERS FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT QUALITY RESEARCH.

SEC. 839. RED MEAT SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER.

"SEC. 1676. RED MEAT SAFETY RESEARCH CENTER.

SEC. 840. INDIAN RESERVATION EXTENSION AGENT PROGRAM.

SEC. 841. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABILITIES.

SEC. 842. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE.

SEC. 843. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

SEC. 851. SUBCOMMITTEE ON FOOD, AGRICULTURAL, AND FORESTRY RESEARCH.

SEC. 852. JOINT COUNCIL ON FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES.

SEC. 853. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD.

SEC. 854. ANIMAL HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD.

SEC. 855. RESIDENT INSTRUCTION PROGRAM AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES.

SEC. 856. GRANTS TO STATES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.

SEC. 857. RANGELAND RESEARCH.

SEC. 858. COMPOSTING RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.

SEC. 859. EDUCATION PROGRAM REGARDING HANDLING OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL CONTAINERS.

SEC. 860. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION REGARDING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

SEC. 861. RESEARCH REGARDING PRODUCTION, PREPARATION, PROCESSING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

SEC. 862. PLANT AND ANIMAL PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM.

SEC. 863. CERTAIN SPECIALIZED RESEARCH PROGRAMS.

SEC. 864. COMMISSION ON AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

SEC. 865. SPECIAL GRANT TO STUDY CONSTRAINTS ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE.

SEC. 866. PILOT PROJECT TO COORDINATE FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

SEC. 867. DEMONSTRATION AREAS FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SEC. 868. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

SEC. 869. COMMITTEE OF NINE UNDER HATCH ACT OF 1887.

SEC. 870. COTTON CROP REPORTS.

SEC. 871. RURAL ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ADDITIONAL RESEARCH GRANTS UNDER TITLE V OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1972.

SEC. 872. HUMAN NUTRITION RESEARCH.

SEC. 873. GRANTS TO UPGRADE 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGE EXTENSION FACILITIES.

SEC. 874. INDIAN SUBSISTENCE FARMING DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

SEC. 881. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS RESEARCH.

SEC. 882. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT REGARDING 1994 INSTITUTIONS.

SEC. 883. SMITH-LEVER ACT FUNDING FOR 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY.

SEC. 884. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

"SECTION 1(10). SHORT TITLE.

"SEC. 2(11). DEFINITIONS.

"SEC. 3(12). REVIEW PROCESS.

"SEC. 4(13). TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

"SEC. 5(14). APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

"SEC. 6(15). AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

SEC. 885. NATIONAL COMPETITIVE RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

SEC. 886. RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

"SEC. 1413A. ⁽²⁾ACCOUNTABILITY.

"SEC. 1413B. ⁽³⁾FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION FOR COMPETITIVE RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

"SEC. 1419A. ⁽⁴⁾POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS.

"SEC. 1424⁽⁵⁾. HUMAN NUTRITION INTERVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH PROGRAM.

"SEC. 1424A. ⁽⁶⁾ PILOT RESEARCH PROGRAM TO COMBINE MEDICAL AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

"SEC. 1455⁽⁷⁾. EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS.

"SECTION 1⁽¹⁰⁾. SHORT TITLE.

"SEC. 2⁽¹¹⁾. DEFINITIONS.

"SEC. 3⁽¹²⁾. REVIEW PROCESS.

"SEC. 4⁽¹³⁾. TASK FORCE ON 10-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITIES.

"SEC. 5⁽¹⁴⁾. APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.

"SEC. 6⁽¹⁵⁾. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

"SEC. 6⁽¹⁷⁾. CONCESSIONS, FEES, AND VOLUNTARY SERVICES.

SEC. 892⁽¹⁸⁾. USE OF REMOTE SENSING DATA AND OTHER DATA TO ANTICIPATE POTENTIAL FOOD, FEED, AND FIBER SHORTAGES OR EXCESSES AND TO PROVIDE TIMELY INFORMATION TO ASSIST FARMERS WITH PLANTING DECISIONS.