H.R. 1385 – Reading Mode

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1385

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 6, 2011

Mr. Pitts (for himself and Mr. Davis of Illinois) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To repeal the sugar price support program and marketing allotments for sugar, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Free Market Sugar Act.

Repeal of sugar price support program and marketing allotments for sugar

(a)

Sugar program

(1)

Repeal

Section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272) is repealed.

(2)

Related feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers

Section 9010 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110) is repealed.

(b)

Marketing allotments for sugar

(1)

Repeal

Part VII of subtitle B of title III of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359aa–1359ll), except section 359k (7 U.S.C. 1359kk), is repealed.

(2)

Conforming amendment

Section 359k of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359kk) is amended to read as follows:

359k.

Administration of tariff rate quotas

(a)

Establishment

Except as provided in subsection (c) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall establish the tariff-rate quotas for raw cane sugar and refined sugars for a quota year at the level necessary to ensure—

(1)

a robust and competitive sugar processing industry in the United States; and

(2)

an adequate supply of sugar at reasonable prices in the United States.

(b)

Factors

In determining the tariff-rate quotas necessary to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the following:

(1)

The quantity and quality of sugar that will be subject to human consumption in the United States during the quota year.

(2)

The quantity and quality of sugar that will be available from the domestic processing of sugarcane, sugar beets, and in-process beet sugar.

(3)

The quantity of sugar that would provide for reasonable carryover stocks.

(4)

The quantity of sugar that will be available from carry-over stocks for human consumption in the United States during the quota year.

(5)

United States obligations under international trade agreements that have been approved by Congress.

(c)

Exception

Subsection (a) shall not apply to specialty sugar.

(c)

Permanent price support levels for designated nonbasic agricultural commodities

(1)

Repeal

Section 201(a) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1446(a)) is amended by striking milk, sugar beets, and sugarcane and inserting and milk.

(2)

Conforming amendment

Section 301 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1447) is amended by inserting (other than sugar beets and sugarcane) after any nonbasic agricultural commodity.

(d)

Storage facility loans

Section 1402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7971) is repealed.

(e)

Storage payments

Section 167 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7287) is repealed.