I
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3111
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 5, 2011
Mr. Stutzman introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To reform and reauthorize agricultural programs, and for other purposes.
Short title; table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch
Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011
or the
REFRESH Act of
2011
.
Table of contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.
TITLE I—Producer safety net
Subtitle A—Revenue-Based safety net
Sec. 1001. Aggregate risk and revenue management program.
Sec. 1002. Supplemental insurance.
Subtitle B—Federal crop insurance program
Sec. 1201. Whole farm revenue insurance tools.
Sec. 1202. Insurance availability.
Sec. 1203. Crop insurance education assistance.
Subtitle C—Sugar program repeal
Sec. 1301. Repeal of sugar program.
Sec. 1302. Elimination of sugar price support and production adjustment programs.
Sec. 1303. Elimination of sugar tariff and over-quota tariff rate.
Sec. 1304. Application.
Subtitle D—Dairy program reform
PART I—Dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs
Sec. 1401. Definitions.
Sec. 1402. Calculation of average feed cost and actual dairy producer margins.
SUBPART A—Dairy Producer Margin Protection Program
Sec. 1411. Establishment of dairy producer margin protection program.
Sec. 1412. Eligibility and registration of dairy producers for margin protection program.
Sec. 1413. Production history and annual production quantity of participating dairy producers.
Sec. 1414. Basic margin protection.
Sec. 1415. Supplemental margin protection.
Sec. 1416. Effect of failure to pay administrative fees or premiums.
Sec. 1417. No payment limitations.
SUBPART B—Dairy Market Stabilization Program
Sec. 1431. Establishment of dairy market stabilization program.
Sec. 1432. Threshold for implementation and reduction in dairy producer payments.
Sec. 1433. Producer milk marketings information.
Sec. 1434. Calculation and collection of reduced dairy producer payments.
Sec. 1435. Remitting monies to Commodity Credit Corporation.
Sec. 1436. Suspension of reduced payment requirement.
Sec. 1437. Audit requirements.
Sec. 1438. Board of directors.
SUBPART C—Commodity Credit Corporation
Sec. 1451. Use of Commodity Credit Corporation.
SUBPART D—Duration
Sec. 1461. Duration.
PART II—Federal milk marketing order reform
Sec. 1471. Required amendments to Federal milk marketing orders.
Sec. 1472. Amendment process.
Sec. 1473. Development of effective balancing programs for milk markets.
Sec. 1474. Study on elimination of milk marketing orders.
PART III—Repeal of superseded provisions
Sec. 1481. Repeal of dairy product price support and milk income loss contract programs.
Sec. 1482. Repeal of permanent price support authority for milk.
Sec. 1483. Repeal of dairy export incentive program.
Sec. 1484. Effective date.
TITLE II—Conservation
Subtitle A—Conservation reserve program
Sec. 2001. Conservation reserve program.
Sec. 2002. Pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in conservation reserve.
Sec. 2003. Duties of owners and operators.
Sec. 2004. Payments.
Sec. 2005. Contracts.
Sec. 2006. Conversion of land subject to contract to other conserving uses.
Subtitle B—Easement benefits program
Sec. 2101. Easement benefits program.
Subtitle C—Working land program
Sec. 2201. Working land program.
Subtitle D—Other conservation programs
Sec. 2301. Other conservation programs of the Food Security Act of 1985.
Sec. 2302. Funding of conservation programs under Food Security Act of 1985.
Sec. 2303. Cooperative conservation partnership initiative.
Sec. 2304. Administrative requirements for conservation programs.
Sec. 2305. Repeal of healthy forests reserve program.
TITLE III—Nutrition
Subtitle A—Supplemental nutrition assistance program
Sec. 3001. Categorical eligibility limitations.
Sec. 3002. Repeal of funding for employment and training programs.
Sec. 3003. Repeal of incentive payments to States with low SNAP benefit allocation error rates.
Sec. 3004. Quality control.
Subtitle B—Extensions
Sec. 3101. Supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Sec. 3102. Commodity distribution programs.
Sec. 3103. Miscellaneous.
TITLE IV—Energy from Rural America
Sec. 4001. Definitions.
Sec. 4002. Biobased markets program.
Sec. 4003. Biorefinery assistance.
Sec. 4004. Rural Energy for America Program.
Sec. 4005. Repeal of feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers.
Sec. 4006. Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
Sec. 4007. Rural energy savings program.
TITLE V—Technical improvements to research
Sec. 5001. Matching fund requirement under McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.
Sec. 5002. Matching fund requirement under Hatch Act of 1887.
Sec. 5003. Matching fund requirement under Smith-Lever Act.
Sec. 5004. Biomass Research and Development Initiative.
Definition of Secretary
In this Act, the term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Producer safety net
Revenue-Based safety net
Aggregate risk and revenue management program
In general
Section 1105 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8715) is amended to read as follows:
Aggregate risk and revenue management program
Definitions
In this section:
Alternative price
The term alternative price means an average of the price for each of the immediately preceding 4 years, as determined by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, for each crop for which the harvest price is unavailable.
ARRM
The term ARRM means the aggregate risk and revenue management program established under this section.
CRD
The term CRD means a crop reporting district, as determined by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Harvest price
The term harvest price means the harvest price determined by the Risk Management Agency.
Availability and election of alternative approach
Availability of aggregate risk and revenue management payments
With respect to all covered commodities and peanuts on a farm, during each of the 2013 through 2017 crop years, the Secretary shall give the operator, tenant, or sharecropper, as appropriate, on the farm an opportunity to make an annual election for all producers on the farm to receive aggregate risk and revenue management payments under this section for the crop year for which the election is made.
Limitations
In general
The total number of planted acres for which the producers on a farm may receive ARRM payments under this section shall be equal to the total number of acres planted to all covered commodities and peanuts on the farm.
Native sod
In general
Native sod (as defined in section 508(o)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(o)(1))) acreage that is tilled for the purpose of producing an annual crop after the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 shall not be considered acreage planted to the covered commodity or peanuts for harvest on a farm in a crop year for purposes of making ARRM payments under this section during the first 5 crop years of planting.
Requirement
Ineligibility under clause (i) shall only apply to the actual acreage of native sod that was converted to crop production.
Election; time for election
In general
The Secretary shall provide notice to the operators, tenants, or sharecroppers, as appropriate regarding the opportunity to make each of the elections described in paragraph (1).
Notice requirements
The notice shall include—
notice of the opportunity of the operator, tenant, or sharecropper, as appropriate, on a farm to make the election; and
information regarding the manner in which the election must be made and the time periods and manner in which notice of the election must be submitted to the Secretary.
Election deadline
Within the time period and in the manner prescribed pursuant to paragraph (3), the operator, tenant, or sharecropper, as appropriate, on a farm shall submit to the Secretary notice of an election made under paragraph (1).
Effect of failure to make election
If the operators, tenants, or sharecroppers, as appropriate, on a farm fail to make an election under paragraph (1) or fail to timely notify the Secretary of the election made, as required by paragraph (4), all of the producers on the farm shall be deemed to not have made the election described in paragraph (1), for the applicable crop years.
Payments required
In general
In the case of producers on a farm who make an election under subsection (b) to receive ARRM payments for any of the 2013 through 2017 crop years for all covered commodities and peanuts, the Secretary shall make ARRM payments available to the producers on a farm in accordance with this subsection.
ARRM payment
In general
Subject to paragraph (3), in the case of producers on a farm described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make ARRM payments available to the producers on a farm for each crop year if—
the actual CRD revenue for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD determined under subsection (e); is less than
the ARRM program guarantee for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD determined under subsection (d).
Individual loss
The Secretary shall make ARRM payments available to the producers on a farm in a CRD for a crop year only if (as determined by the Secretary)—
the actual farm revenue for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts, as determined under subsection (g); is less than
the farm ARRM revenue guarantee for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts, as determined under subsection (f).
Time for payments
In the case of each of the 2013 through 2017 crop years, the Secretary shall make ARRM payments beginning October 1, or as soon as practicable thereafter, after the date of determination of the harvest price for the covered commodity or peanuts.
ARRM program guarantee
CRD amount
In general
For purposes of subsection (c)(2)(A) and subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the ARRM program guarantee for a crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD shall equal 90 percent of the CRD average revenue, as determined under subparagraph (B).
CRD average revenue
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the CRD average revenue shall be the average during the marketing years for the immediately preceding 5 crops of a covered commodity and peanuts, excluding the year in which the CRD revenue was the highest and the year in which the CRD revenue was the lowest in the period, of the product obtained by multiplying—
the CRD yield for the covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD determined under paragraph (2); and
the harvest price or alternative price for the covered commodity or peanuts.
Minimum and maximum guarantee
The ARRM program guarantee for a crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts under subparagraph (A) shall not decrease or increase more than 10 percent from the guarantee for the preceding crop year.
Double-cropped acreage
Any crop subsequently planted on land determined for purposes of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) to be prevented planted acreage shall not be included in calculating the ARRM program guarantee under subparagraph (A) or the actual farm revenue under subsection (g) unless the farm has a history of double-cropping and is located in a region in which double-cropping is an acceptable farming practice, as determined by the Secretary.
Assigned CRD yield
If the Secretary cannot establish the CRD yield for each planted acre for a crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD in accordance with subparagraph (A) or if the yield determined under subparagraph (A) is an unrepresentative average yield for the CRD (as determined by the Secretary), the Secretary shall assign a CRD yield for each planted acre for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD on the basis of—
previous average yields for a period of 5 crop years, excluding each of the crop years with the highest and lowest yields; or
CRD yields for planted acres for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in similar CRDs.
CRDs with irrigated and nonirrigated land
In the case of a CRD in which at least 25 percent of the acreage planted to a covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD is irrigated and at least 25 percent of the acreage planted to the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD is not irrigated, the Secretary shall calculate a separate ARRM program guarantee for the irrigated and nonirrigated areas of the CRD for the covered commodity or peanuts.
Actual CRD revenue
In general
For purposes of subsection (c)(2)(A), the amount of the actual CRD revenue for a crop year of a covered commodity or peanuts shall equal the product obtained by multiplying—
the actual CRD yield for each planted acre for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts determined under paragraph (2); and
the national average harvest price or alternative price received by producers for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts as determined by the Risk Management Agency.
Actual CRD yield
For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the actual CRD yield for each planted acre for a crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD shall equal (as determined by the Secretary)—
the quantity of the covered commodity or peanuts that is produced in the CRD during the crop year; divided by
the number of acres that are planted to the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD during the crop year.
Farm ARRM revenue guarantee
In general
For purposes of subsection (c)(2)(B), the farm ARRM revenue guarantee for the crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts shall equal 90 percent of the average farm revenue as determined under paragraph (2).
Average farm revenue
The average farm revenue shall be equal to the sum obtained by adding—
the average during the marketing years for the immediately preceding 5 crops of a covered commodity and peanuts, excluding the year in which the farm revenue was the highest and the year in which the farm revenue was the lowest in the period, of the product obtained by multiplying—
the actual production history, as determined using production records and data of the Risk Management Agency; and
the harvest price or alternative price for the covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD; and
the amount of the per acre crop insurance premium required to be paid by the producers on the farm for the applicable crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts on the farm.
Actual farm revenue
For purposes of subsection (c)(2)(B) and except as provided in subsection (d)(1)(C), the amount of the actual farm revenue for a crop year for a covered commodity or peanuts shall equal the amount determined by multiplying—
the actual yield for the covered commodity or peanuts of the producers on the farm; and
the national average harvest price or alternative price for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts.
Payment amount
If ARRM payments are required to be paid for any of the 2013 through 2017 crop years of a covered commodity or peanuts under this section, the amount of the ARRM payment to be paid to the producers on the farm for the crop year under this section shall be equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
the lesser of—
the difference between—
the ARRM program guarantee for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD determined under subsection (d); and
the actual CRD revenue from the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD determined under subsection (e); and
15 percent of the ARRM program guarantee for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in the CRD determined under subsection (d);
85 percent of the acreage planted to the covered commodity or peanuts for harvest on the farm in the crop year; and
the quotient obtained by dividing—
the actual production history for the covered commodity or peanuts of the producers on the farm, as determined using production records and data of the Risk Management Agency; and
the assigned CRD yield for each planted acre for the crop year for the covered commodity or peanuts in a CRD, as determined under subsection (d)(2).
Crop reporting district assessment
The Secretary shall review CRDs in western States that have 7 or fewer CRDs to assess whether additional CRDs in the States are necessary.
.
Conforming amendments
Repeal of direct and counter-cyclical payments for covered commodities and peanuts
In general
Sections 1103, 1104, 1303, and 1304 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8713, 8714, 8753, 8754) are repealed.
Application
The amendments made by paragraph (1) apply beginning with the 2013 crop year.
Period of effectiveness
Section 1109 of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8719) is amended by
striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Suspension of permanent price support authority
Section 1602 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8782) is amended—
by striking through 2012
each place it appears and inserting through 2017
; and
by striking
December 31, 2012
each place it appears and inserting
December 31, 2017
.
Technical amendments
Section 1001 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
Aggregate risk and revenue management payment
The term aggregate risk and revenue management payment means a payment made to producers on a farm under section 1105.
Section 1101(d)(1)
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8711(d)(1)) is
amended by striking average crop revenue election
and inserting
aggregate risk and revenue management
.
Section 1106 of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8716) is amended by
striking average crop revenue election
each place it appears in
subsections (a)(1), (b), and (e) and inserting aggregate risk and
revenue management
.
Section 1302(d)(1)
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8752(d)(1)) is
amended by striking average crop revenue election
and inserting
aggregate risk and revenue management
.
Section 1305 of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8755) is amended by
striking average crop revenue election
each place it appears in
subsections (a)(1), (b), and (e) and inserting aggregate risk and
revenue management
.
Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) is amended—
by
striking ACRE
each place it appears in the headings
of subsections (b) and (c) and inserting ARRM
;
by
striking ACRE
each place it appears in the headings
of paragraph (3) of subsections (b) and (c) and inserting
ARRM
; and
by
striking average crop revenue election
each place it appears in
subsections (b) and (c) and inserting aggregate risk and revenue
management
.
Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a) is amended—
in
subsection (b)(C)(i), by striking average crop revenue election
and inserting aggregate risk and revenue management
; and
in subsection (f), by striking
2012
and inserting 2017
.
Supplemental insurance
In general
Section 508(c)(4) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c)(4)) is amended—
by striking
The level of coverage
and inserting the following:
Basic coverage
The level of coverage
;
by striking
Not later than
and inserting the following:
Provision of information
Not later than
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Supplemental coverage
In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (3) and subparagraph (A), the Corporation may offer supplemental coverage, based on an area yield and loss basis, to cover that portion of a crop loss not covered under the individual yield and loss basis plan of insurance of a producer, including any revenue plan of insurance with coverage based in part on individual yield and loss.
Limitation
The sum of the indemnity paid to the producer under the individual yield and loss plan of insurance and the supplemental coverage may not exceed 100 percent of the loss incurred by the producer for the crop.
Administrative and operating expense reimbursement
Notwithstanding subsection (k)(4), the reimbursement rate for approved insurance providers for the supplemental coverage shall equal 6 percent of the premium used to define the loss ratio.
Direct coverage
If the Corporation determines that it is in the best interests of producers, the Corporation may offer supplemental coverage as a Corporation endorsement to existing plans and policies of crop insurance authorized under this title.
Payment of portion of premium by corporation
Notwithstanding subsection (e), the amount of the premium to be paid by the Corporation for supplemental coverage offered pursuant to this subparagraph shall be determined by the Corporation, but may not exceed the sum of—
50 percent of the amount of premium established under subsection (d)(2)(C)(i) for the coverage level selected; and
the amount determined under subsection (d)(2)(C)(ii) for the coverage level selected to cover operating and administrative expenses.
.
Conforming amendments
Section 508(d)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(d)(2)) is amended—
in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking additional coverage
and
inserting additional and supplemental coverages
; and
by adding at the end the following:
In the case of supplemental coverage offered under subsection (c)(4)(C), the amount of the premium shall—
be sufficient to cover anticipated losses and a reasonable reserve; and
include an amount for operating and administrative expenses, as determined by the Corporation on an industry-wide basis as a percentage of the amount of the premium used to define loss ratio.
.
Federal crop insurance program
Whole farm revenue insurance tools
Establishment
Section 508(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Whole farm insurance plan
The Corporation shall offer a whole farm insurance plan that allows a producer to qualify for an indemnity if actual gross farm revenue is below 80 percent of the average gross farm revenue of the producer.
.
Adjusted gross revenue insurance pilot program
Section 523(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1523(e)) is amended—
in paragraph (1),
by striking 2004
and inserting 2014
;
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
In general
In addition to counties otherwise included in the pilot program, the Corporation shall include in the pilot program for each of the 2010 through 2014 reinsurance years all States and counties that meet the criteria for selection (pending required rating), as determined by the Corporation.
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Eligible producers
The Corporation shall permit the producer of any type of agricultural commodity (including a producer of specialty crops, floricultural, ornamental nursery, and Christmas tree crops, turfgrass sod, seed crops, aquacultural products (including ornamental fish), sea grass and sea oats, and industrial crops) to participate in a pilot program established under this subsection.
.
Insurance availability
Conducting research and development
Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is amended—
in the subsection
heading, by striking contracting
;
in paragraph (1),
in the matter preceding paragraph (A), by striking enter into contracts
to carry out research and development to
and inserting conduct
activities or enter into contracts to carry out research and development to
maintain or improve existing policies or develop new policies
to
;
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph
(A), by inserting conduct research and development or
after
The Corporation may
; and
in subparagraph
(B), by inserting conducting research and development or
after
Before
; and
in paragraph (5),
by inserting after expert review in accordance with section
505(e)
after approved by the Board
.
Funding
Section 522(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(e)) is amended—
in paragraph (2)—
in the paragraph
heading, by striking Contracting
and inserting
Conducting and contracting
for research and development
;
in subparagraph
(A), by inserting conduct research and development and
after
the Corporation may use to
; and
in subparagraph
(B), by inserting conduct research and development and
after
for the fiscal year to
;
in paragraph (3),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking to provide either
reimbursement payments or contract payments under this section for a fiscal
year is not needed for such purposes
and inserting for a fiscal
year is not needed for the purposes for which the amount was made
available
; and
by striking paragraph (4).
Crop insurance education assistance
Section 524(a)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3)) is amended—
in subparagraph
(B), by striking A grant
and inserting Subject to
subparagraph (E), a grant
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Allocation to States
The Secretary shall allocate funds made available to carry out this subsection for each fiscal year in a manner that ensures that grants are provided to eligible entities in States based on the ratio that the value of agricultural production of each State bears to the total value of agricultural production in all States, as determined by the Secretary.
.
Sugar program repeal
Repeal of sugar program
Section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272) is repealed.
Elimination of sugar price support and production adjustment programs
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
a processor of any of the 2013 or subsequent crops of sugarcane or sugar beets shall not be eligible for a loan under any provision of law with respect to the crop; and
the Secretary of Agriculture may not make price support available, whether in the form of a loan, payment, purchase, or other operation, for any of the 2013 and subsequent crops of sugar beets and sugarcane by using the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation or other funds available to the Secretary.
Termination of marketing quotas and allotments
In general
Part VII of subtitle B of title III of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359aa et seq.) is repealed.
Conforming amendment
Section 344(f)(2) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of
1938 (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(2)) is amended by striking sugar cane for sugar,
sugar beets for sugar,
.
General powers
Section 32 activities
Section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), is amended in the second sentence of the first paragraph—
in paragraph (1),
by inserting (other than sugar beets and sugarcane)
after
commodities
; and
in paragraph (3),
by inserting (other than sugar beets and sugarcane)
after
commodity
.
Powers of commodity credit corporation
Section 5(a) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714c(a)) is amended by inserting ,
sugar beets, and sugarcane
after tobacco
.
Price support for nonbasic agricultural commodities
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
.
Commodity Credit Corporation storage payments
Section 167 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7287) is repealed.
Suspension and repeal of permanent price support authority
Section 171(a)(1) of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7301(a)(1)) is amended—
by striking subparagraph (E); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (I) as subparagraphs (E) through (H), respectively.
Storage facility loans
Section 1402(c) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7971) is repealed.
Transition provisions
This section and the amendments made by this section shall not affect the liability of any person under any provision of law as in effect before the application of this section and the amendments made by this section.
Elimination of sugar tariff and over-quota tariff rate
Elimination of Tariff on Raw Cane Sugar
Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by striking subheadings 1701.11 through 1701.11.50 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 1701.11, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this section:
| 1701.11.00 | Cane sugar | Free | 39.85¢/kg |
.
Elimination of tariff on beet sugar
Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by striking subheadings 1701.12 through 1701.12.50 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 1701.12, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this section:
| 1701.12.00 | Beet sugar | Free | 42.05¢/kg |
.
Elimination of tariff on certain refined sugar
Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended—
by striking the superior text immediately preceding subheading 1701.91.05 and by striking subheadings 1701.91.05 through 1701.91.30 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 1701.12.05, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this section:
| 1701.91.02 | Containing added coloring but not containing added flavoring matter | Free | 42.05¢/kg |
;
by striking subheadings 1701.99 through 1701.99.50 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 1701.99, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this section:
| 1701.99.00 | Other | Free | 42.05¢/kg |
;
by striking the superior text immediately preceding subheading 1702.90.05 and by striking subheadings 1702.90.05 through 1702.90.20 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 1702.60.22:
| 1702.90.02 | Containing soluble non-sugar solids (excluding any foreign substances, including but not limited to molasses, that may have been added to or developed in the product) equal to 6 percent or less by weight of the total soluble solids | Free | 42.05¢/kg |
;
by striking the superior text immediately preceding subheading 2106.90.42 and by striking subheadings 2106.90.42 through 2106.90.46 and inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading, with the article description for such subheading having the same degree of indentation as the article description for subheading 2106.90.39:
| 2106.90.40 | Syrups derived from cane or beet sugar, containing added coloring but not added flavoring matter | Free | 42.50¢/kg |
.
Conforming amendment
Chapter 17 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by striking additional U.S. note 5.
Administration of Tariff-Rate Quotas
Section 404(d)(1) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. 3601(d)(1)) is amended—
by inserting
or
at the end of subparagraph (B);
by striking
; or
at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting a period;
and
by striking subparagraph (D).
Effective date
The amendments made by this section apply with respect to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Application
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle shall apply beginning with the 2013 crop of sugar beets and sugarcane.
Dairy program reform
Dairy producer margin protection and dairy market stabilization programs
Definitions
In this part:
Actual dairy producer margin
The term
actual dairy producer margin
means the difference between the
all-milk price and the average feed cost, as calculated under section
1402.
All-milk price
The term all-milk price
means the average
price received, per hundredweight of milk, by dairy producers for all milk sold
to plants and dealers in the United States, as reported by the National
Agricultural Statistics Service.
Annual production quantity
The term
annual production quantity
means the quantity of annual milk
marketings determined for a dairy producer under section 1413(b) for each year
in which the dairy producer participates in the margin protection
program.
Average feed cost
The term average
feed cost
means the average cost of feed used by a dairy operation to
produce a hundredweight of milk, determined under section 1402 using the sum of
the following:
The product determined by multiplying 1.192 by the price of corn per bushel.
The product determined by multiplying 0.00817 by the price of soybean meal per ton.
The product determined by multiplying 0.0152 by the price of alfalfa hay per ton.
Board of directors
The term board of directors
means the
board of directors appointed by the Secretary under section 1438.
Consecutive two-month period
The term consecutive two-month
period
refers to the two-month period consisting of the months of
January and February, March and April, May and June, July and August, September
and October, or November and December, respectively.
Dairy producer
The term
dairy producer
means an individual or entity that directly or
indirectly (as determined by the Secretary)—
shares in the risk of producing milk; and
makes contributions (including land, labor, management, equipment, or capital) to the dairy operation of the individual or entity that are at least commensurate with the share of the individual or entity of the proceeds of the operation.
Handler
In general
The term
handler
means a person making payment to a dairy producer for
milk produced in the United States and marketed for commercial use.
Producer-handler
The term includes a producer-handler.
Margin protection program
The term
margin protection program
means the dairy producer margin
protection program required by subpart A.
Participating dairy producer
The term participating dairy
producer
means a dairy producer that—
registers under section 1412(b) to participate in the margin protection program under subpart A; and
as a result of such registration, also participates in the stabilization program under subpart B.
Production history
The term
production history
means the quantity of annual milk marketings
determined for a dairy producer under section 1413(a).
Secretary
The term Secretary
means the
Secretary of Agriculture.
Stabilization program
The term
stabilization program
means the dairy market stabilization
program required by subpart B for all participating dairy producers.
Stabilization program base
The term stabilization program base
,
with respect to a participating dairy producer, means the stabilization program
base calculated for the producer under section 1431(b).
United States
The term United
States
, in a geographical sense, means the 50 States.
Calculation of average feed cost and actual dairy producer margins
Calculation of average feed cost
The Secretary shall calculate the national average feed cost for each month using the following data:
The price of corn for a month shall be the price received during that month by farmers in the United States for corn, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The price of soybean meal for a month shall be the central Illinois price for soybean meal, as reported by the Agricultural Marketing Service.
The price of alfalfa hay for a month shall be the price received during that month by farmers in the United States for alfalfa hay, as reported by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Calculation of actual dairy producer margins
Margin protection program
For use in the margin protection program under subpart A, the Secretary shall calculate the actual dairy producer margin for each consecutive two-month period by subtracting—
the average feed cost for that consecutive two-month period, determined in accordance with subsection (a); from
the all-milk price for that consecutive two-month period.
Stabilization program
For use in the stabilization program under subpart B, the Secretary shall calculate (not later than 20th of each month) the actual dairy producer margin for the preceding month by subtracting—
the average feed cost for that preceding month, determined in accordance with subsection (a); from
the all-milk price for that preceding month.
Dairy Producer Margin Protection Program
Establishment of dairy producer margin protection program
The Secretary shall establish and administer a dairy producer margin protection program for the purpose of protecting dairy producer income by paying participating dairy producers—
basic margin protection payments when actual dairy producer margins are less than the threshold levels for such payments; and
supplemental margin protection payments if purchased by a participating dairy producer.
Eligibility and registration of dairy producers for margin protection program
Eligibility
All dairy producers in the United States are eligible to participate in the margin protection program, except that a dairy producer must be registered with the Secretary before the producer may receive—
basic margin protection payments under section 1414; and
if the dairy producer purchases supplemental margin protection under section 1415, supplemental margin protection payments under such section.
Registration process
In general
The Secretary shall register all interested dairy producers in the margin protection program. The Secretary shall specify the manner and form by which a dairy producer must register.
Treatment of multi-producer operations
If a dairy operation consists of more than one dairy producer, all of the dairy producers of the operation shall be treated as a single dairy producer for purposes of—
registration to receive basic margin protection and purchase supplemental margin protection;
payment of the administrative fee under subsection (d) and producer premiums under section 1415; and
participation in the stabilization program under subpart B.
Treatment of Producers with Multiple dairy Operations
If a dairy producer operates two or more dairy operations, each dairy operation of the producer shall require a separate registration to receive basic margin protection and purchase supplemental margin protection. Only those dairy operations so registered shall be subject to the stabilization program.
Time for registration
Existing Dairy Producers
During the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, a dairy producer that is actively engaged in a dairy operation as of such date may register with the Secretary—
to receive basic margin protection; and
if the producer elects, to purchase supplemental margin protection.
New Entrants
A dairy producer that has no existing interest in a dairy operation as of the date of the enactment of this Act, but that, after such date, establishes a new dairy operation, may register with the Secretary during the 180-day period beginning on the date on which the dairy operation first markets milk commercially—
to receive basic margin protection; and
if the producer elects, to purchase supplemental margin protection.
Administrative fee for registration
Administrative fee required
A dairy producer shall pay an administrative fee under this subsection to register for the margin protection program. The participating dairy producer shall pay the administrative fee annually thereafter to remain registered for the margin protection program.
Fee amount
The administrative fee for a dairy producer shall be as follows:
If the dairy producer marketed less than 10 million pounds of milk in the previous calendar year, the administrative fee shall be equal to $100.
If the dairy producer marketed between 10 million and 40 million pounds of milk in the previous calendar year, the administrative fee shall be equal to $400.
If the dairy producer marketed more than 40 million pounds of milk in the previous calendar year, the administrative fee shall be equal to $1,000.
Reconstitution
The Secretary shall ensure that a dairy producer does not reconstitute a dairy operation for the sole purpose of receiving basic margin protection, purchasing supplemental margin protection, or avoiding participation in the stabilization program.
Production history and annual production quantity of participating dairy producers
Determination of production history
Determination required
The Secretary shall determine the production history of the dairy operation of each participating dairy producer in the margin protection program.
Calculation
Except as provided in paragraph (3), the production history of a participating dairy producer is equal to the highest annual milk marketings of the dairy producer during any one of the three calendar years immediately preceding the dairy producer’s registration for participation in the margin protection program.
New producers
If a dairy producer has been in operation for less than a year, the Secretary shall determine the production history of the dairy producer by extrapolating the actual milk marketings for the months the dairy producer has been in operation to a yearly amount.
No change in production history for basic margin protection
Once the production history of a participating dairy producer is determined under paragraph (2) or (3), the production history shall not be subsequently changed for purposes of determining the amount of any basic margin protection payments for the dairy producer made under section 1414.
Determination of annual production quantity for supplemental margin protection
Determination required
If a dairy producer selects the growth option when purchasing supplemental margin protection under section 1415, the Secretary shall determine the annual production quantity of the dairy operation of the dairy producer under paragraph (2).
Calculation
The annual production quantity of a participating dairy producer is equal to the actual milk marketings of the dairy producer during each calendar year in which the dairy producer purchases supplemental margin protection, including the calendar year during which the dairy producer first purchases such supplemental margin protection.
Required information
A participating dairy producer shall provide all information that the Secretary may require in order to establish—
the production history of the dairy operation of the dairy producer; and
the annual production quantity of the dairy operation of the dairy producer if the dairy producer selects the growth option when purchasing supplemental margin protection under section 1415.
Transfer of production history or annual production quantity
Transfer by sale
Request for transfer
If an existing dairy producer, as described in section 1412(c)(1), sells an entire dairy operation to another party, the seller and purchaser may jointly request that the Secretary transfer to the purchaser the seller’s interest in—
production history of the dairy operation; and
if applicable, the annual production quantity of the dairy operation for each year in which the margin protection program has been in effect.
Transfer
If the Secretary determines that the seller has sold the entire dairy operation to the purchaser, the Secretary shall approve the transfer described in subparagraph (A), and, thereafter, the seller shall have no interest in—
the production history of the sold dairy operation; or
if applicable, the annual production quantity of the dairy operation.
Transfer by Lease
Request for transfer
If an existing dairy producer, as described in section 1412(c)(1), leases an entire dairy operation to another party, the lessor and lessee may jointly request that the Secretary transfer to the lessee for the duration of the term of the lease the lessor’s interest in—
production history of the dairy operation; and
if applicable, the annual production quantity of the dairy operation for each year in which the margin protection program has been in effect.
Transfer
If the Secretary determines that the lessor has leased the entire dairy operation to the lessee, the Secretary shall approve the transfer described in subparagraph (A), and, thereafter, the lessor shall have no interest for the duration of the term of the lease in—
the production history of the leased dairy operation; or
if applicable, the annual production quantity of the dairy operation.
Coverage level
Basic margin protection
A purchaser or lessee to whom the Secretary transfers a production history or annual production quantity under this subsection may not obtain a different level of basic margin protection than the basic margin protection coverage held by the seller or lessor from whom the transfer was obtained.
Supplemental margin protection
A purchaser or lessee to whom the Secretary transfers a production history or annual production quantity under this subsection may not obtain a different level of supplemental margin protection coverage than the supplemental margin protection coverage held by the seller or lessor from whom the transfer was obtained.
New entrants
The Secretary may not transfer the production history or annual production quantity determined for a dairy producer described in section 1412(c)(2) to another person.
Movement and transfer of production history or annual production quantity
Movement and transfer authorized
Subject to paragraph (2), if a dairy producer moves from one location to another location, the dairy producer may maintain the production history and annual production quantity associated with the operation.
Notification requirement
A dairy producer shall notify the Secretary of any move of a dairy operation under paragraph (1).
Subsequent occupation of vacated location
A party subsequently occupying a dairy operation location vacated as described in paragraph (1) shall have no interest in the production history or annual production quantity previously associated with the operation at such location.
Basic margin protection
Eligibility
All participating dairy producers are eligible to receive basic margin protection under the margin protection program.
Payment threshold
Participating dairy producers shall receive a basic margin protection payment whenever the average actual dairy producer margin for a consecutive two-month period is less than $4.00 per hundredweight of milk.
Basic margin protection payment
Payment required
The Secretary shall make a basic margin protection payment to each participating dairy producer for a consecutive two-month period whenever such a payment is required by subsection (b) for that period.
Amount of payment
The basic margin protection payment for the dairy operation of a participating dairy producer for a consecutive two-month period shall be determined as follows:
The Secretary shall calculate the difference between the average actual dairy producer margin for the consecutive two-month period and $4.00, except that, if the difference is more than $4.00, the Secretary shall use $4.00.
The Secretary shall multiply the amount under subparagraph (A) by of the lesser of the following:
80 percent of the production history of the dairy producer, divided by six.
The actual amount of milk marketed by the dairy operation of the dairy producer during the consecutive two-month period.
Supplemental margin protection
Election of supplemental margin protection
At the time of the registration of a dairy producer in the margin protection program under section 1412, the dairy producer may purchase supplemental margin protection to protect a higher level of the income of a participating dairy producer than the income level guaranteed by basic margin protection under section 1414.
Selection of payment threshold
A participating dairy producer purchasing supplemental margin protection shall elect a coverage level that is higher, in any increment of $0.50, than the payment threshold for basic margin protection specified in section 1414(b), but not to exceed $8.00.
Selection of coverage percentage
A participating dairy producer purchasing supplemental margin protection shall elect a percentage of coverage, equal to not more than 90 percent nor less than 25 percent, of—
the production history of the dairy operation of the participating dairy producer; or
if the participating dairy producer elects the growth option under subsection (d)—
the production history of the dairy operation of the dairy producer, to be used for the calendar year during which the dairy producer registers for participation in the margin protection program; and
for subsequent calendar years in which the margin protection program is in effect, the greater of—
the production history of the dairy operation of the dairy producer; or
the highest annual production quantity of the dairy operation of the dairy producer during any previous calendar year in which the margin protection program was in effect.
Availability of growth option
When a dairy producer purchases supplemental margin protection, the dairy producer may elect a growth option that authorizes the use of the annual production quantity of the dairy operation of the dairy producer, in lieu of production history, as provided in subsection (c)(2) to determine supplemental margin protection payments for the dairy producer under subsection (h).
Producer Premiums
Premiums required
A participating dairy producer that purchases supplemental margin protection shall pay an annual premium equal to the product obtained by multiplying—
the percentage selected by the dairy producer under subsection (c);
the production history or annual production quantity applicable to the dairy producer under such subsection; and
the premium per hundredweight of milk, as follows:
| Coverage Level | Premium per Cwt. |
| $4.50 | $0.015 |
| $5.00 | $0.036 |
| $5.50 | $0.081 |
| $6.00 | $0.155 |
| $6.50 | $0.230 |
| $7.00 | $0.434 |
| $7.50 | $0.590 |
| $8.00 | $0.922. |
Time for payment
First year
As soon as practicable after a dairy producer registers to participate in the margin protection program and purchases supplemental margin protection, the dairy producer shall pay the premium determined under paragraph (1) for the dairy producer for the first calendar year of such supplemental margin protection.
Subsequent years
When the dairy producer first purchases supplemental margin protection, the dairy producer shall also elect the method by which the dairy producer will pay premiums under this subsection for subsequent years in accordance with one of the following schedules:
Single annual Payment
The participating dairy producer may elect to pay 100 percent of the annual premium determined under paragraph (1) for the dairy producer for a calendar year not later than January 15 of the calendar year.
Semi-annual Payment
The participating dairy producer may elect to pay 50 percent of the annual premium determined under paragraph (1) for the dairy producer for a calendar year not later than January 15 of the calendar year and the remaining 50 percent of the premium not later than June 15 of the calendar year.
Producer’s Premium Obligations
Pro-ration of first year premium
A participating dairy producer that purchases supplemental margin protection after initial registration in the margin protection program shall pay a pro-rated premium for the first calendar year based on the date on which the producer purchases the coverage.
Subsequent premiums
Other than as provided in paragraph (1), the annual premium for a participating dairy producer shall be determined under subsection (e) for each year in which the margin protection program is in effect.
Legal obligation
A participating dairy producer that purchases supplemental margin protection shall be legally obligated to pay the applicable premiums for the entire period of the margin protection program (as provided in the payment schedule elected under subsection (e)(2)), and may not opt out of the margin protection program, except—
if the dairy producer dies, the estate of the deceased may cancel the supplemental margin protection and shall not be responsible for any further premium payments; or
if the dairy producer retires, the producer may request that Secretary cancel the supplemental margin protection if the producer has terminated the dairy operation entirely and certifies under oath that the producer will not be actively engaged in any dairy operation for at least the next seven years.
Supplemental Payment threshold
A participating dairy producer with supplemental margin protection shall receive a supplemental margin protection payment whenever the average actual dairy producer margin for a consecutive two-month period is less than the coverage level threshold selected by the dairy producer under subsection (b).
Supplemental margin protection payments
In general
The supplemental margin protection payment for a participating dairy producer is in addition to the basic margin protection payment.
Amount of payment
The supplemental margin protection payment for the dairy operation of a participating dairy producer shall be determined as follows:
The Secretary shall calculate the difference between the coverage level threshold selected by the dairy producer under subsection (b) and the greater of—
the average actual dairy producer margin for the consecutive two-month period; or
$4.00.
The amount determined under subparagraph (A) shall be multiplied by the percentage selected by the dairy producer under subsection (c) and by the lesser of the following:
The production history or annual production quantity applicable to the producer under subsection (c), divided by six.
The actual amount of milk marketed by the dairy operation of the dairy producer during the consecutive two-month period.
Effect of failure to pay administrative fees or premiums
Loss of benefits
A participating dairy producer that fails to pay the required administrative fee under section 1412 or is in arrears on premium payments for supplemental margin protection under section 1415—
remains legally obligated to pay the administrative fee or premiums, as the case may be; and
may not receive basic margin protection payments or supplemental margin protection payments until the fees or premiums are fully paid.
Enforcement
The Secretary may take such action as necessary to collect administrative fees and premium payments for supplemental margin protection.
No payment limitations
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (except section 1416), basic margin protection payments and supplemental margin protection payments received by a participating dairy producer shall not be subject to limitations for any reason.
Dairy Market Stabilization Program
Establishment of dairy market stabilization program
Program required; purpose
The Secretary shall establish and administer a dairy market stabilization program applicable to participating dairy producers for the purpose of assisting in balancing the supply of milk with demand when dairy producers are experiencing low or negative operating margins.
Election of stabilization program base calculation method
Deadline for election
Not later than January 15, 2012, each participating dairy producer shall inform the Secretary of the method by which the stabilization program base for the dairy producer for 2012 will be calculated under paragraph (3).
Change in calculation method
A participating dairy producer may change the stabilization program base calculation method to be used for a calendar year by notifying the Secretary of the change not later than January 15 of that year.
Calculation methods
A participating dairy producer may elect either of the following methods for calculation of the stabilization program base for the producer:
The volume of the average monthly milk marketings of the dairy producer for the three months immediately preceding the announcement by the Secretary that the stabilization program will become effective.
The volume of the monthly milk marketings of the dairy producer for the same month in the preceding year as the month for which the Secretary has announced the stabilization program will become effective.
Treatment of multi-Producer operations
As provided in section 1412(b)(2), if a dairy operation consists of more than one dairy producer, all of the dairy producers of the operation shall be treated as a single participating dairy producer for purposes of operation of the stabilization program with respect to the producers.
Treatment of Producers with Multiple dairy Operations
As provided in section 1412(b)(3), if a participating dairy producer operates two or more dairy operations, only those dairy operations of the dairy producer registered under section 1412 shall be subject to the stabilization program.
Threshold for implementation and reduction in dairy producer payments
When stabilization program required
The Secretary shall announce that the stabilization program is in effect and order reduced payments for any participating dairy producer that exceeds the applicable percentage of the producer’s stabilization program base whenever—
the actual dairy producer margin has been $6.00 or less per hundredweight of milk for the immediately preceding two months; or
the actual dairy producer margin has been $4.00 or less per hundredweight of milk for the immediately preceding month.
Effective date for implementation of payment reductions
Reductions in dairy producer payments shall commence beginning on the first day of the month immediately following the announcement by the Secretary under subsection (a).
Producer milk marketings information
Collection of milk marketing data
For each month during which the stabilization program is in effect, each handler shall calculate the following:
The volume of milk marketings the handler has received from each participating dairy producer during that month.
The volume of milk marketings the handler has received from each participating dairy producer during the same month of the preceding year.
The volume of milk marketings the handler has received from each participating dairy producer during each of the three months preceding the month in which the Secretary makes the announcement that the stabilization program will be in effect.
Effect of changing handlers
If a participating dairy producer changes handlers, the producer shall ensure that milk marketings data required to make the calculations under subsection (a) is provided to the new handler.
Calculation and collection of reduced dairy producer payments
Reduced producer payments required
During any month in which payment reductions are in effect under the stabilization program, each handler shall reduce payments to each participating dairy producer from whom the handler receives milk.
Reductions based on actual dairy producer margin
Reduction requirement 1
Unless the reduction required by paragraph (2) or (3) applies, when the actual dairy producer margin has been $6.00 or less per hundredweight of milk for two consecutive months, the handler shall make payments to a participating dairy producer for a month based on the greater of the following:
98 percent of the stabilization program base of the dairy producer.
94 percent of the marketings of milk for the month by the producer.
Reduction requirement 2
Unless the reduction required by paragraph (3) applies, when the actual dairy producer margin has been $5.00 or less per hundredweight of milk for two consecutive months, the handler shall make payments to a participating dairy producer for a month based on the greater of the following:
97 percent of the stabilization program base of the dairy producer.
93 percent of the marketings of milk for the month by the producer.
Reduction requirement 3
When the actual dairy producer margin has been $4.00 or less for any one month, the handler shall make payments to a participating dairy producer for a month based on the greater of the following:
96 percent of the stabilization program base of the dairy producer.
92 percent of the marketings of milk for the month by the producer.
Continuation of reductions
The largest level of payment reduction required under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b) shall be continued for each month until the Secretary suspends the stabilization program and terminates payment reductions in accordance with section 1436.
Payment reduction exception
Notwithstanding any preceding subsection of this section, a handler shall make no payment reductions for a dairy producer for a month if the producer’s milk marketings for the month are equal to or less than the percentage of the stabilization program base applicable to the producer under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (b).
Remitting monies to Commodity Credit Corporation
Remitting monies
As soon as practicable after the end of each month during which payment reductions are in effect under the stabilization program, each handler shall remit to the Commodity Credit Corporation an amount equal to the amount by which payments to participating dairy producers are reduced by the handler under section 1434.
Availability of monies
As soon as practicable after receipt of monies under subsection (a), the Commodity Credit Corporation shall make the monies available to the board of directors under section 1438.
Suspension of reduced payment requirement
Suspension thresholds
The Secretary shall suspend the stabilization program whenever the Secretary determines that—
the actual dairy producer margin is greater than $6.00 per hundredweight of milk for 2 consecutive months;
the price for cheddar cheese or non-fat dry milk in the United States, as determined by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, is not less than 97 percent of the world price of cheddar cheese or skim milk powder in Oceania, as determined by the Secretary, for 2 consecutive months; and
the dairy producer margin is equal to or less than $6 for the same 2 consecutive months;
the price for cheddar cheese or non-fat dry milk in the United States, as determined by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, is more than 3 percent higher than the world price of cheddar cheese or skim milk powder in Oceania, as determined by the Secretary, for 2 consecutive months; and
the dairy producer margin is equal to or less than $5 for the same 2 consecutive months; or
the price for cheddar cheese or non-fat dry milk in the United States, as determined by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, is more than 6 percent higher than the world price of cheddar cheese or skim milk powder in Oceania, as determined by the Secretary, for 2 consecutive months; and
the dairy producer margin is equal to or less than $4 for the same 2 consecutive months.
Implementation by handlers
Handlers shall cease reducing payments to participating dairy producers under the stabilization program upon receiving notice of the suspension of the stabilization program from the Secretary.
Audit requirements
Audits of producer and handler compliance
Audits authorized
If determined by the Secretary to be necessary to ensure compliance by participating dairy producers and handlers with the stabilization program, the Secretary may conduct periodic audits of participating dairy producers and handlers.
Sample of dairy producers
Any audit conducted under this subsection shall include, at a minimum, investigation of a statistically valid and random sample of participating dairy producers.
Audit by inspector general
Audit required
At the end of the second year of operation of the stabilization program, the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture shall audit and evaluate the effectiveness of the stabilization program. In conducting the audit and evaluation, the Inspector General shall include the use of established dairy economic models to ascertain the effectiveness, operation, and administration of the program.
Submission of results
The Inspector General shall submit the results of the audit and evaluation conducted under paragraph (1) to the Secretary, who shall make such recommendations to Congress as the Secretary considers appropriate regarding the stabilization program.
Board of directors
Establishment; purpose
The Secretary shall establish a board of directors for the stabilization program for the purpose of—
administering the monies made available to the board of directors under section 1435; and
determining the most effective use of such monies.
Appointment of directors
Number and qualifications
The Secretary shall appoint 15 members to serve on the board of directors, who shall be representative of the United States dairy producer community, taking into account geographical diversity, cooperative membership, and volumes of milk produced in various States and regions.
Reimbursement of expenses
Monies made available to the board of directors under section 1435 may be used to reimburse a member of the board of directors for reasonable and appropriate costs incurred by the member to serve on the board of directors.
Decisionmaking
The board of directors shall reach decisions by an affirmative vote of 2/3 of its members.
Removal of dairy products and expansion of demand
Spending authority
The board of directors shall have the authority to use monies made available to the board of directors under section 1435—
to purchase dairy products through commercial sources for donation to food banks and other food programs that the Board determines appropriate, within three months of collecting the funds; and
to expand consumption and build demand for dairy products.
No duplication of effort
The board of directors shall ensure that projects supported under paragraph (1) are compatible with, and do not duplicate, programs supported by the dairy research and promotion activities conducted under the Dairy Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.).
Management contract
The board of directors may enter into a contract with a managing entity to carry out this subsection.
Accounting and reporting requirement
Accounting
The board of directors shall keep an accurate account of all monies made available to the board of directors under section 1435.
Reporting
Not later than December 31 of each year that the stabilization program is in effect, the board of directors shall provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that provides an accurate accounting of the monies received by the board of directors during that year and all expenditures made by the board of directors during that year.
Commodity Credit Corporation
Use of Commodity Credit Corporation
The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and the authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this part.
Duration
Duration
The Secretary shall conduct the margin protection program and the stabilization program during the period beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending on December 31, 2017.
Federal milk marketing order reform
Required amendments to Federal milk marketing orders
Amendments required
In general
The Secretary of
Agriculture shall amend each Federal milk marketing order issued under section
8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with
amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 (in this part
referred to as a milk marketing order
), as required by this
section.
Relation to other laws
Except as provided in section 1472, the Secretary shall execute the amendments required by this section without regard to any provision of section 8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.
Use of end-Product price formulas
The Secretary shall eliminate the use of end-product price formulas for setting prices for Class III milk, and instead use a competitive price for setting prices for Class III milk.
Administrative authority
In addition to and notwithstanding the authority provided under section 8d of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608d), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, the Secretary may—
require handlers to report, maintain, and make available all information and records as the Secretary considers necessary for the administration of any milk marketing order; and
adopt only such conforming amendments to milk marketing orders as the Secretary determines to be necessary to implement the amendments required by this section.
Amendment process
In general
The amendments to milk marketing orders required to be made by section 1471 shall be subject to the provisions of sections 8c(17) and 8c(19) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17) and (19)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, except as follows:
Notice of final decision on proposed amendments
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register notice of a final decision on the proposed amendments to be made to milk marketing orders in order to comply with the requirements of section 1471.
Producer referendum
Referendum required
As soon as practicable after publication of the final decision on the proposed amendments under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall conduct a producer referendum regarding the final decision on the proposed amendments.
Terms of referendum; exceptions
The producer referendum shall be conducted in the manner provided by section 8c(19) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(19)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, except that—
the referendum shall be a single referendum upon which approval or failure of the proposed amendments to all milk marketing orders shall depend; and
the proposed amendments shall require approval by 1/2 of participating producers or by volume of production (rather than 2/3) in order for the referendum to pass and the proposed amendments to take effect.
Effect of failure
If the referendum fails, the milk marketing orders shall remain in force as in effect before the proposed amendments were published.
Effect of Court Order
In the event that the Secretary is enjoined or otherwise restrained by a court order from executing the amendments to milk marketing orders required by section 1471, the length of time for which that injunction or other restraining order is effective shall be added to any time limitation in effect under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), thereby extending those time limitations by a period of time equal to the period of time for which the injunction or other restraining order is in effect.
Relation to other amendment authority
Nothing in this part affects the authority of the Secretary to subsequently amend milk marketing orders, or the ability of producers or other persons to seek such amendments, in accordance with the rulemaking process provided by section 8c(17) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
Development of effective balancing programs for milk markets
Advanced notice of proposed rulemaking
Not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on, and proposals recommending, effective programs that address the issues of the costs of balancing milk markets, including the use of inter- and intra-marketing transportation credits. The Secretary shall solicit comments and proposals that—
address the market’s balancing needs;
target support to those producers and handlers who provide balancing services; and
provide compensation that is in line with the costs of providing the services and with the benefits to the market of the services.
Timeliness of rulemaking
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
initiate formal rulemaking (by publishing in the Federal Register a hearing notice) in response to the public comments received under subsection (a); or
publish notice of the reasons that such a rulemaking is not to be initiated.
Study on elimination of milk marketing orders
In general
The Secretary shall study the effects on the marketplace associated with the elimination of the Federal milk marketing orders.
Requirements
The study under this section shall, at a minimum, address—
the regional differences in milk prices that would result from the elimination of the Federal milk marketing orders, compared to the regional differences derived from the order system in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act;
shifts in milk production patterns and product use that would derive from the elimination;
an examination of changes in the flow of milk and what would be required for milk to move from surplus to deficit regions in the absence of the orders;
the potential for any premiums to be paid for milk in fluid use form and what, if any, regional differences in those premiums might exist;
the potential impact on export markets; and
potential changes in market price volatility.
Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the results of the study conducted under this section, including any recommendations.
Repeal of superseded provisions
Repeal of dairy product price support and milk income loss contract programs
Repeal of dairy product price support program
Section 1501 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8771) is repealed.
Repeal of milk income loss contract program
Section 1506 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8773) is repealed.
Repeal of permanent price support authority for milk
Repeal
In general
Section 201 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1446) is amended—
in subsection (a)
(as amended by section 1302(c)(3)), by striking honey, and milk,
and inserting and honey
; and
by striking subsections (c) and (d).
Conforming amendments
Section 256(j) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 906(j)) is amended—
by striking paragraph (5); and
redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).
Exclusion from price support for other nonbasic agricultural commodities
Section
301 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1447) is amended by inserting
(other than milk)
after agricultural
commodity
.
Repeal of dairy export incentive program
In general
Section 153 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 713a–14) is repealed.
Conforming amendments
Section 902(2) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7201(2)) is amended—
by striking subparagraph (D); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs ((D) and (E).
Effective date
The amendments made by this part shall take effect on January 1, 2012.
Conservation
Conservation reserve program
Conservation reserve program
In general
Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended—
by striking
(a) In
general.—Through the 2012 fiscal year
and inserting
the following:
Authority
In general
Through the 2017 fiscal year
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Relationship to easement benefits program
In general
The Secretary shall administer the conservation reserve program in conjunction with the easement benefits program under subchapter C in a manner that encourages landowners to enroll land in the easement benefits program to maximize the long-term benefits of fiscal outlay.
Transfer
The Secretary shall make available to all owners and operators enrolled in the conservation reserve program the option to transfer the enrolled land into the easement benefits program under subchapter C.
Minimization of costs
New contracts
In entering into contracts under the conservation reserve program, the Secretary shall seek to minimize cost by allowing limited commercial use of land under contract, as authorized under section 1232(a)(3) and subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 1232(a)(8).
Existing contracts
In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011, the Secretary shall make available a revision of contracts in existence on the date of enactment of this subsection to allow limited commercial usage under the contracts of not less than 5,000,000 acres of land (such as for prescribed or routing grazing and managed harvesting), subject to conditions in section 1232.
Use of savings
Any amounts saved through contract revisions described in clause (i) may, as determined the Secretary, be used—
to expand the provision of technical assistance; and
to provide incentives for owners or operators to shift land into the easement benefits program.
.
Eligible land
In general
Section 1231(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended—
in paragraph (4)—
in subparagraph (B)—
in clause (i), by
striking or
at the end;
in clause (ii),
by adding or
at the end; and
by adding at the end the following:
riparian buffer or filter strip planted to grass, shrubs, trees or other appropriate vegetation, as determined by the Secretary;
; and
in subparagraph
(E), by striking or
at the end;
in subparagraph (5)(B)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
subject to subsection (j), land—
that is wetland (including a converted wetland described in section 1222(b)(1)(A)) that had a cropping history during at least 3 of the immediately preceding 10 crop years;
on which a constructed wetland is to be developed that will receive flow from a row crop agriculture drainage system and is designed to provide nitrogen removal in addition to other wetland functions;
that was devoted to commercial pond-raised aquaculture in any year during the period of calendar years 2002 through 2007; or
that, after January 1, 1990, and before December 31, 2002, was—
cropped during at least 3 of 10 crop years; and
subject to the natural overflow of a prairie wetland; or
subject to subsection (j), buffer acreage that—
with respect to land described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (6)—
is contiguous to such land;
is used to protect such land; and
is of such width as the Secretary determines is necessary to protect such land, taking into consideration and accommodating the farming practices (including the straightening of boundaries to accommodate machinery) used with respect to the cropland that surrounds such land; and
with respect to land described in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (6), enhances a wildlife benefit.
.
Limitations and duties relating to enrolled wetland and buffer acreage
Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Limitations and duties relating to enrolled wetland and buffer acreage
Enrollment limitations
Wetland and related land
Wetlands and constructed wetlands
The maximum size of any land described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (b)(6) that an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation reserve shall be 40 contiguous acres.
Flooded farmland
The maximum size of any land described in subparagraph (D) of subsection (b)(6) that an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation reserve shall be 20 contiguous acres.
Coverage
All acres described in clause (i) or (ii), including acres that are ineligible for payment, shall be covered by the conservation contract.
Buffer acreage
The maximum size of any buffer acreage described in subsection (b)(7) that an owner or operator may enroll in the conservation reserve shall be determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the State Technical Committee.
Tracts
Except for land described in subsection (b)(6)(C) and buffer acreage relating to that land, the maximum size of any eligible acreage described in subsection (b)(6) in a tract of an owner or operator enrolled in the conservation reserve under this section shall be 40 acres.
Duties of owners and operators
During the term of a contract entered into involving land described in paragraph (6) or (7) of subsection (b), an owner or operator shall agree to a prohibition of commercial use except for activities conducive to conservation of the enrolled land, as determined by the Secretary.
.
Maximum enrollment
Section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831) is amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
Maximum enrollment
In general
The Secretary may maintain in the conservation reserve at any 1 time, not more than—
during fiscal year 2012, 30,000,000 acres;
during fiscal year 2013, 26,000,000 acres; and
during each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017, 24,000,000 acres.
Transfer of enrollment
The Secretary may transfer enrolled acre allowance from the conservation reserve program to the easement benefits program established under subchapter C.
.
Conservation priority areas
Section 1231(f)(1) of the Food Security Act of
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(f)(1)) is amended by striking areas of the
Chesapeake Bay Region, the Great Lakes Region, the Long Island Sound Region,
and other
.
Pilot program for enrollment of wetland and buffer acreage in conservation reserve
Section 1231B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b) is repealed.
Duties of owners and operators
Section
1232(a)(8)(C) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3832(a)(8)(C)) is
amended by striking for the control of invasive species
.
Payments
Section 1234 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1),
by inserting not more than
before 50
percent
;
in paragraph
(3)(B)(i), by inserting not more than
before 50
percent
;
by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
Prescribed burning
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in making cost-sharing payments to an owner or operator under a contract entered into under this subchapter, the Secretary shall pay not more than 75 percent of the cost of prescribed burning.
; and
in subsection (c)(5), by adding at the end the following:
Review required
The Secretary shall periodically review the competitiveness of rental rates for land that—
provides substantial environmental benefits consistent with the purposes of this subchapter;
provides critical habitat to species of concern; or
meets other ecological priorities, as determined by the Secretary.
.
Contracts
Section 1235 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835) is amended—
in subsection (a)(1)—
in subparagraph (C), by striking
or
at the end;
in subparagraph
(D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or
;
and
by adding at the end the following:
the new ownership was acquired by the sibling, parent, child, or grandchild of the previous owner.
; and
in subsection
(f)(1)(D), by striking conservation stewardship program or the
environmental quality incentives program
and inserting working
land program
.
Conversion of land subject to contract to other conserving uses
Section 1235A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835a) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph
(2)(B), by inserting not more than
before
50
;
striking
(1) In
general.—The Secretary
and inserting the
following:
November 28, 1990
In general
The Secretary
;
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
by redesignating paragraph (2) as subparagraph (B) and indenting appropriately; and
by adding at the end the following:
October 1, 2011
The Secretary shall permit an owner or operator that has entered into a contract under this subchapter that is in effect on October 1, 2011, to convert areas of highly erodible cropland that are subject to the contract, and that are devoted to vegetative cover, from that use to forest land if—
the areas are prior converted forest land;
the owner or operator of the areas enters into an agreement to provide the Secretary with a long-term or permanent easement under the easement benefits program under subchapter C covering the areas;
there is a high probability that the prior converted area can be successfully restored to forest land status; and
the restoration of the areas otherwise meets the requirements the easement benefits program.
;
in subsection (b), by striking
November 28, 1990
and inserting October 1, 2011
;
and
by adding at the end the following:
Early contract opt-Out
In general
The Secretary shall—
make available a no-penalty early contract opt-out for not less than 8,000,000 acres enrolled under contracts in existence on the date of enactment of this subsection;
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, ensure that not less than ½ of the required acreage has been made available to be opted-out of the conservation reserve program;
not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this subsection, ensure that the entire amount of required acreage has been made available to opt-out; and
terminate a contract entered into with an owner or operator offered an early opt-out under this subchapter if the owner or operator agrees to the termination.
Considerations
In determining land to offer for opt-out under this subsection, the Secretary shall—
make available for opt-out those acres offering the least environmental benefit, as determined by the Secretary;
consider the need to protect critical habitat (including nesting areas for birds); and
maintain in the conservation reserve land of high environmental value (including wetland), as determined by the Secretary, and including—
riparian buffers;
wildlife habitat buffers;
wetland buffers;
filter strips;
grass waterways;
wetland restoration areas;
shelterbelts;
living snow fences;
contour grass strips;
land with a high erodibility index;
salt-tolerant vegetation; and
shallow-water areas for wildlife.
Subdivision
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may subdivide leased acres enrolled in the conservation reserve under the same contract.
Conditions
Commodity production
If land that was subject to a contract under this subchapter is converted to production of an agricultural commodity through the opt-out under this subsection, the land shall be subject to a conservation plan determined by the Secretary in coordination with the State technical committee for the duration of what would have been the full term of the conservation reserve contract of the land, if not for opt-out.
Grazing and managed harvesting
If land that was subject to a contract under this subchapter is converted to grazing and managed harvesting through the opt-out under this subsection, the land shall be subject to environmental management criteria pursuant section 1232(a)(8) for the duration of what would have been the full term of the conservation reserve contract of the land, if not for opt-out.
Technical assistance
The Secretary shall make available conservation technical assistance to owners and operators that opt-out of the conservation reserve under this subsection.
Effective date
Contract termination under the opt-out shall become effective 60 days after the date on which the owner or operator accepts the opt-off offer of the Secretary.
Prorated rental payment
If a contract entered into under this subchapter is terminated under this subsection before the end of the fiscal year for which a rental payment is due, the Secretary shall provide a prorated rental payment covering the portion of the fiscal year during which the contract was in effect.
.
Easement benefits program
Easement benefits program
In general
Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is amended—
by striking subchapters C and D of chapter 2 of subtitle D (16 U.S.C. 3838h et seq.); and
by striking subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle D (16 U.S.C. 3837 et seq.) and inserting the following:
Easement benefits program
Easement benefits program
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish an easement benefits program (referred to in this
subchapter as the program
)—
to protect land (including wildlife resources of the land) and water; and
to address issues raised by State, regional, and national conservation initiatives.
Purposes
In general
The purposes of the program are—
to restore, enhance, conserve, and protect land (including wildlife resources of the land) and water;
to protect vulnerable and ecologically important land;
to restore, protect, and enhance wetland and grassland;
to promote wildlife habitat;
to protect the agricultural use and related conservation values of prime and other productive agricultural land by limiting the nonagricultural uses of the land;
to restore and enhance forest ecosystems, including the recovery of threatened and endangered species and improving biodiversity;
to provide assistance to owners to ensure the economic use of enrolled land by owners consistent with long-term conservation functions and values, including wildlife resources of the land; and
to address issues of restoration, conservation, and protection of land (including wildlife resources of the land) and water raised by State, regional, and national conservation priorities.
State coordination
The Secretary shall give priority consideration to conservation needs identified by State technical committees established under section 1261.
Existing easements
In general
Any easement or interest in land enrolled as of the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 in 1 of the programs described in paragraph (2) shall be considered enrolled in the easement benefits program under this subchapter.
Affected programs
The programs described in this paragraph are as the programs were authorized on the day before the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011—
the wetlands reserve program established under this subchapter;
the grassland reserve program established under subchapter D of chapter 2;
the farmland protection program established under subchapter C of chapter 2; and
the healthy forests reserve program established under section 501 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571).
Easements and 30-year contracts
Enrollment
In general
Lands may be enrolled under this subchapter through the submission of applications under a competitive procedure established by the Secretary.
Methods of enrollment
In general
The Secretary shall enroll acreage into the program through the use of—
permanent easements; and
30-year
easements, or in a State that imposes a maximum duration for easements,
easements for the maximum duration allowed under State law (referred to as
nonpermanent easements
).
Acreage owned by Indian tribes
In the case of acreage owned by an Indian tribe, the Secretary may also enroll acreage into the program through the use of a 30-year contract (the value of which shall be equivalent to the value of a 30-year easement).
Enrollment of conservation reserve land
Transfer from the conservation reserve program
The Secretary may terminate or modify an existing contract entered into the conservation reserve program under section 1231 if eligible land that is subject to the contract is transferred into the program established by this subchapter.
Priority
On expiration of a contract under the conservation reserve program under subchapter B, the Secretary shall give priority for enrollment in the program to land previously enrolled in the conservation reserve program if—
the land is eligible land under subsection (b); and
the Secretary determines that the land is of high ecological value.
Special funding pool
In general
Of the funds made available for the program for each of the 2013 through 2017 fiscal years, the Secretary shall reserve 10 percent of the funds to ensure an adequate source of funds and acres to give priority for enrollment of land identified under subparagraph (B).
Reobligation
Funds not obligated under clause (i) by April 1 of each year may be available for use for other purposes of the program.
Eligible land
Enrollment
In general
Eligible land shall be enrolled into the program subject to appropriate program requirements depending on the resource objectives sought to be achieved through the easement or 30-year contract, as determined by the Secretary.
Eligibility
Private or tribal land shall be eligible to be enrolled into the program if the Secretary determines that the land—
maximizes the purpose of this subchapter;
is enrolled in the conservation reserve program; or
in the case of land enrolled for restoration purposes, the likelihood of the successful restoration of the land and the resultant values merit the inclusion of the land in the program taking into consideration the cost of the restoration.
Wetland
In general
Land shall be eligible to be enrolled into the program if the Secretary determines that the land is—
farmed wetland or converted wetland, together with the adjacent land that is functionally dependent on the wetland, except that converted wetland with respect to which the conversion was not commenced prior to December 23, 1985, shall not be eligible to be enrolled in the program;
cropland or grassland that was used for agricultural production prior to flooding from the natural overflow of a closed basin lake or pothole, as determined by the Secretary, together (if practicable) with the adjacent land that is functionally dependent on the cropland or grassland;
farmed wetland and adjoining land, enrolled in the conservation reserve, with the highest wetland functions and values, and that is likely to return to production after the land is not enrolled in the conservation reserve;
other wetland (such as filter strips and vernal pools) of an owner that would not otherwise be eligible if the Secretary determines that the inclusion of the wetland in the easement would significantly add to the functional value of the easement; or
a riparian area.
Restoration agreement
Land described in subparagraph (A) that is enrolled in the program shall be subject to a restoration agreement that provides the opportunity for the restoration and enhancement of the enrolled land.
Grassland
In general
Land shall be eligible to be enrolled into the program if the Secretary determines that the land is at risk of conversion to nongrazing uses and is—
grassland, land that contains forbs, or shrubland (including improved rangeland and pastureland), including land for which grazing is the predominant use; or
located in an area that has been historically dominated by grassland, forbs, or shrubland, and the land—
could provide habitat for animal or plant populations of significant ecological value if the land—
is retained in the current use of the land; or
is restored to a natural condition; or
contains historical or archaeological resources.
Restoration agreement
Land described in subparagraph (A) that is enrolled in the program shall be subject to a restoration agreement that provides the opportunity for the restoration and enhancement of the enrolled land.
Forest land
In general
Land shall be eligible to be enrolled into the program if the Secretary determines that the land is land, the enrollment of which—
will restore and conserve forest land, improve biodiversity, or conserve land from the conservation reserve program that is being restored to forest land;
will restore, enhance, or otherwise measurably increase the likelihood of recovery of a species listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); or
will restore, enhance, or otherwise measurably improve the well-being of a species that—
is not listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); but
is candidates for such listing, State-listed species, or special concern species.
Restoration agreement
Land described in subparagraph (A) that is enrolled in the program shall be subject to a restoration agreement that provides the opportunity for the restoration and enhancement of the enrolled land.
Prime and productive agricultural land
Land shall be eligible to be enrolled into the program if the Secretary determines that the land is at risk of conversion to nonagricultural uses and—
has prime, unique, or other productive soil;
contains historical or archaeological resources; or
the protection of the land will further a State or local policy consistent with the purposes of the program.
Other eligible land
In general
The Secretary may enroll other land of the owner that would not otherwise be eligible if the land is determined by the Secretary to be necessary for the efficient administration of the 30-year contract or easement under the program.
Type of land
Land enrolled under this subsection may include small areas of land as defined by the Secretary, such as riparian zones, filter strips, buffers, fence lines, and other incidental land.
Leveraging non-Federal investment
The Secretary may enter into 1 or more agreements with a State (including a political subdivision or agency of a State), nongovernmental organization, or Indian tribe to carry out a special enhancement program that the Secretary determines would advance the purposes of the program.
Duties of owners
Easements
To be eligible to enroll eligible land in the program under an easement, the owner of the land shall agree—
to grant an easement to the Secretary;
to create and record an appropriate deed restriction in accordance with applicable State law to reflect the easement;
to provide a written statement of consent to the easement signed by persons holding a security interest or any vested interest in the land;
to comply with the terms of the easement and related agreements;
to comply with the easement implement plan, as approved by the Secretary, which may be modified upon mutual agreement of the parties if the Secretary authorizes compatible uses; and
to the permanent retirement of any existing cropland base and allotment history for the land under any program administered by the Secretary, unless the purpose of the particular easement is limited to the prevention of the conversion of prime and productive agricultural land to nonagricultural uses.
Restoration agreements
In general
To be eligible for financial assistance to restore eligible land subject to a 30-year contract or an easement under the program, the owner of the land shall agree to comply with the terms of a restoration agreement.
Type of agreement
A restoration agreement may be—
a cost-share agreement with the owner;
a cooperative agreement with an agency or organization with restoration expertise; or
a contract with a vendor.
Terms and conditions
The Secretary shall prescribe the terms and conditions of a restoration agreement by which eligible land that is subject to a 30-year contract or easement under the program shall be restored.
Duties
The restoration agreement shall describe the respective duties of the parties to the agreement, including the Federal share of restoration payments and technical assistance.
Terms and conditions applicable to easements and 30-Year contracts
Reserved rights
In general
An easement or 30-year contract entered into under the program shall provide to the Secretary control of the surface rights of the land while identifying rights reserved to the owner for specified usages consistent with the purposes of the particular enrollment so as—
to maximize conservation benefits (including wildlife habitat) per dollar spent across the program; and
to allow the owner uses of the land that are consistent with the purposes for which the land is enrolled.
Limitations on activities
Rights reserved to the owner shall be consistent with the wetland, grassland, forest land, or productive land purposes for which the land is enrolled.
Easement conservation plan
In general
The Secretary shall develop an easement conservation plan for each easement or 30-year contract enrolled in the program that will identify how land enrolled in the program will be restored, if applicable, and managed.
Modification
An easement conservation plan shall be modified in response to changing resource conditions to ensure that the purposes of the program are achieved.
Local and State involvement
An easement conservation plan, including any compatible use that may be authorized for the owner under the program, shall be made through the local Natural Resources Conservation Service representative, in coordination with the State technical committee.
Permissible activities
Consistent with paragraph (3), an easement conservation plan shall identify the following activities as permissible:
Grassland
In the case of grassland, an easement conservation plan shall permit—
common grazing practices, including maintenance and necessary cultural practices, on the land that is consistent with maintaining the viability of grassland, forb, and shrub species appropriate to that locality;
haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production or biomass, subject to appropriate restrictions during the nesting season for birds in the local area, consistent with Federal or State law and in coordination with the State technical committee, as determined by the Secretary;
fire presuppression, rehabilitation, and construction of fire breaks; and
grazing-related activities, such as fencing and livestock watering.
Wetland
In the case of wetland, an easement conservation plan shall permit repairs, improvements, and inspections of the land that are necessary to maintain existing public drainage systems if the land is subsequently restored to the condition required by the terms of the easement.
All enrolled land
In general
In the case of all enrolled land, the easement conservation plan shall permit the owner—
to conduct any activities that are inherent and necessary to rights that are reserved to the owner under the terms of the easement or 30-year contract and have been identified as compatible use in the easement conservation program;
to control public access; and
in accordance with subclause (II), the right to undeveloped recreational uses, including undeveloped hunting and fishing and leasing of those rights for economic gain, pursuant to applicable State and Federal laws (including regulations).
Undeveloped recreational uses
Undeveloped recreational uses under subclause (I)(cc)—
shall be consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the conservation purposes and other natural values of the easement area; and
may include hunting equipment, such as tree stands and hunting blinds that are rustic and customary for the locale, as determined by the Secretary.
Prohibited activities
An easement conservation plan shall identify the following activities as prohibited:
Grassland
In the case of grassland, an easement conservation plan shall prohibit the production of crops (other than hay or grass grown for biomass harvest), fruit trees, vineyards, or any other agricultural commodity that is inconsistent with maintaining grazing land.
Wetland
In the case of wetland, an easement conservation plan shall prohibit—
the alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural features of the land, unless specifically permitted by the easement conservation plan; and
the spraying of the land with chemicals or the mowing of the land, unless spraying or mowing is—
permitted by the easement conservation plan to meet the habitat needs of specific wildlife species; or
necessary to comply with Federal or State noxious weed control laws and emergency pest treatment program.
All enrolled land
In the case of all enrolled land, the easement conservation plan shall prohibit—
any activities to be carried out on the land of the owner that is immediately adjacent to, and functionally related to, the land that is subject to the easement if the activities will alter, degrade, or otherwise diminish the functional value of the eligible land; and
the adoption of any other practice that would tend to defeat the purposes of this subchapter, as determined by the Secretary.
Compatible uses by the owner
In general
Land enrolled in the program may be used for compatible uses if the use is specifically permitted by an easement conservation plan and consistent with the long-term protection and enhancement of the resources for which the easement was established.
Authorized uses
The Secretary may authorize the use of the easement area for compatible uses under the terms of the easement deed or contract, even if the uses were not identified as compatible at the time of easement enrollment.
Limitations
In general
Compatible use authorizations shall only be made if the Secretary determines, in coordination with the State technical committee, that the amount, timing, intensity, and duration of the compatible use ensures that the purposes of the program will be achieved.
Inclusions
Compatible uses under clause (i) may include managed haying and grazing for grassland (including the managed harvesting of biomass) or timber harvesting or managed harvesting of biomass of forest land.
Additional terms and conditions
A 30-year contract or easement under the program shall include such additional provisions as the Secretary determines are appropriate to carry out or facilitate the purposes and administration of the program.
Compliance
On a violation of the terms or conditions of a 30-year contract or easement under this subchapter—
the contract or easement shall remain in force; and
the Secretary may require the owner to refund all or part of any payments received under the program, with interest on the payments as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Duties of the Secretary
In general
In return for the granting of an easement by an owner under this subchapter, the Secretary shall—
share the cost of carrying out the establishment of conservation measures and practices, including necessary maintenance activities, as described in the easement conservation plan associated with the easement to the extent that the Secretary determines that cost sharing is appropriate and in the public interest; and
provide necessary technical assistance to assist owners in complying with the terms and conditions of the easement and the easement conservation plan.
Ranking of offers
When evaluating offers from owners, the Secretary may consider—
the cost-effectiveness of each easement or other interest in the eligible land, so as to maximize the environmental benefits per dollar expended;
whether the owner or another individual or legal entity is offering to contribute financially to the cost of the easement or other interest in the land to leverage Federal funds;
the conservation and wildlife habitat benefits of obtaining an easement or other interest in the land;
the relative threat of conversion of the land to development or row cropping, as applicable;
the extent to which the purposes of the easement program would be achieved on the land offered for enrollment; and
other factors the Secretary determines are appropriate to select among offers with similar resource concerns and objectives.
Easement priority
In carrying out this subchapter, to the extent practicable taking into consideration costs and future agricultural and food needs, the Secretary shall give priority—
to obtaining permanent conservation easements before shorter-term conservation easements; and
in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to acquiring easements based on the value of the easements for protecting vulnerable land and protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Technical assistance
The Secretary shall provide owners with technical assistance to assist the owners in complying with the terms of the easement, 30-year contract, and associated easement conservation plans under the program.
Payments to others
If an owner who is entitled to a payment under the program dies, becomes incompetent, is otherwise unable to receive the payment, or is succeeded by another person who renders or completes the required performance, the Secretary shall make the payment, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary and without regard to any other provision of law, in such manner as the Secretary determines is fair and reasonable in light of all the circumstances.
Payments
In general
Effective on the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011, the Secretary shall pay as compensation for a permanent conservation easement acquired under this subchapter the lowest of—
the fair market value of the land, as determined by the Secretary, using the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices or an area-wide market analysis or survey;
the amount corresponding to a geographical cap, as determined by the Secretary in regulations; or
the offer made by the owner.
Form of payment
Compensation for an easement shall be provided by the Secretary in the form of a cash payment, in an amount determined under subsection (a) and specified in the easement agreement.
Payment schedule for easements
Easements valued at $500,000 or less
For easements valued at $500,000 or less, the Secretary may provide easement payments in not more than 30 annual payments.
Easements in excess of $500,000
In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for easements valued at more than $500,000, the Secretary may provide easement payments in at least 5, but not more than 30, annual payments.
Exception
If the Secretary determines it would further the purposes of the program, the Secretary may make a lump sum payment for an easement described in subparagraph (A).
Restoration payments
Payment rates
In making restoration payments, the Secretary shall seek to minimize Federal costs and may offer—
in the case of a permanent easement, to pay an amount that is not more than 90 percent of the eligible costs; and
in the case of a nonpermanent easement described in section 1237A(a)(2)(A)(ii) or a 30-year contract, to pay an amount that is not more than 70 percent of the eligible costs.
Restoration offset
The Secretary shall deduct as a closing cost from the easement compensation to be paid, the estimated share of the owner of the restoration costs, and that payment shall be—
determined complete and final for purposes of meeting the cost-share responsibility of the owner; and
administered using the restoration funds of the Secretary.
Exemption from automatic sequester
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no order issued under section 252 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 902) shall affect any payment under this subchapter.
Delegation of duty
Definition of eligible entity
In this section, the term eligible entity means—
an agency of State or local government or an Indian tribe; or
an organization that—
is organized for, and at all times since the formation of the organization has been operated principally for, 1 or more of the conservation purposes specified in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of section 170(h)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
is an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of that Code that is exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; and
is described in—
paragraph (1) or (2) of section 509(a) of that Code; or
in section 509(a)(3) of that Code, and is controlled by an organization described in section 509(a)(2) of that Code.
Authority To delegate
In general
The Secretary may delegate a duty under the program—
by transferring title of ownership to an easement originally acquired by the Secretary to an eligible entity to hold and enforce; or
by entering into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity for the eligible entity to own, write, and enforce an easement that the Secretary determines will further the purposes of the program.
Delegation of easement administration of easements acquired by the Secretary
In general
The Secretary may delegate any of the easement management, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities of the Secretary under the program to Federal or State agencies or other eligible entities that the Secretary determines have the appropriate authority, expertise, and resources necessary to carry out the delegated responsibilities.
Secretarial discretion
The Secretary may determine that the delegation to a particular agency or eligible entity is appropriate for 1 type of easement and not appropriate for another type of easement, depending on the resource purposes for which an easement is acquired.
Transfer of title of ownership
Transfer
The Secretary may transfer title of ownership to an easement to an eligible entity to hold and enforce, in lieu of the Secretary, subject to the right of the Secretary to conduct periodic inspections and enforce the easement, if—
the Secretary determines that the transfer will promote long-term protection of the easement;
the owner authorizes the eligible entity to hold or enforce the easement; and
the eligible entity agrees to assume the costs incurred in administering and enforcing the easement, including the costs of restoration or rehabilitation of the land as determined by the Secretary.
Application
An eligible entity that seeks to hold and enforce an easement that has been acquired by the Secretary shall apply to the Secretary for approval.
Approval by secretary
The Secretary may approve an application described in subparagraph (B) if the eligible entity—
has the relevant experience necessary for the particular resources to be protected, as appropriate for the application, to administer an easement previously acquired by the Secretary;
has a charter that describes a commitment to furthering the particular conservation purposes for which an easement was originally acquired by the Secretary; and
has the resources necessary to effectuate the purposes of this subchapter.
Cooperative agreements
Authorized; terms and conditions
The Secretary shall establish the terms and conditions of a cooperative agreement under which an eligible entity shall use funds provided by the Secretary to own, write, and enforce an easement, in lieu of the Secretary.
Minimum requirements
At a minimum, the cooperative agreement shall—
specify the qualification of the eligible entity to carry out the responsibilities of the eligible entity under the program, including acquisition, monitoring, enforcement, and implementation of management policies and procedures that ensure the long-term integrity of the easement protections;
require the eligible entity to assume the costs incurred in administering and enforcing the easement, including the costs of restoration or rehabilitation of the land as specified by the Secretary;
specify the right of the Secretary to conduct periodic inspections to verify the enforcement by the eligible entity of the easement;
subject to subparagraph (E), identify a specific project or a range of projects to be funded under the agreement;
allow, upon mutual agreement of the parties, substitution of qualified projects that are identified at the time of substitution;
specify the manner in which the eligible entity will evaluate and report the use of funds to the Secretary;
allow the eligible entity flexibility to develop and use terms and conditions for easements, if the Secretary finds the terms and conditions consistent with the purposes of the program and adequate to enable effective enforcement of the easements; and
provide for a schedule of payments to an eligible entity, as agreed to by the Secretary and the eligible entity.
Cost sharing
In general
As part of a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity under this subsection, the Secretary may provide a share of the purchase price of an easement under the program.
Minimum share by eligible entity
In general
The eligible entity shall be required to provide a share of the purchase price at least equivalent to that provided by the Secretary.
Amount of share
The Secretary shall base the share on the amount that the Secretary would have paid for an easement acquired directly by the Secretary under this subchapter.
Priority
The Secretary may accord a higher priority to proposals from eligible entities that leverage a greater share of the purchase price of the easement.
Minimization of Federal expense
In determining cost-share levels, the Secretary—
shall seek to minimize Federal costs; and
may provide an amount less than the maximum cost-share authorized under this section.
Certification of eligible entities
Certification process
The Secretary shall establish a process under which the Secretary may—
directly certify eligible entities that meet established criteria;
enter into long-term agreements with certified entities; and
accept proposals for cost-share assistance to certified entities for the purchase of conservation easements throughout the duration of the agreements.
Certification criteria
In order to be certified, an eligible entity shall demonstrate to the Secretary that the entity will maintain, at a minimum, for the duration of the agreement—
a plan for administering easements that is consistent with the purpose of this subchapter;
the capacity and resources to monitor and enforce easements; and
policies and procedures to ensure—
the long-term integrity of easements;
timely completion of acquisitions of easements; and
timely and complete evaluation and reporting to the Secretary on the use of funds provided by the Secretary under the program.
Review and revision
Review
The Secretary shall conduct a review of eligible entities certified under paragraph (1) at least every 3 years to ensure that the entities are meeting the criteria established under paragraph (2).
Revocation
If the Secretary finds that the certified entity no longer meets the criteria established under paragraph (2), the Secretary may—
allow the certified entity a specified period of time of not less than 180 days in which to take such actions as may be necessary to meet the criteria; and
revoke the certification of the entity, if after the specified period of time, the certified entity does not meet the criteria established in paragraph (2).
Protection of Federal investment
In general
If delegating a duty under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the terms of an easement include a right of enforcement for the Department.
Violation
If an agency or other eligible entity violates the terms or conditions of a delegated responsibility or associated cooperative agreement entered into under this section—
the delegation, and any associated cooperative agreement, may be revoked or terminated; and
the Secretary may required the agency or other eligible entity to refund all or part of any payments received by the agency or eligible entity under the program, with interest on the payments as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Changes in ownership and agreement modification
Limitations
No easement shall be created under this subchapter on land that has changed ownership during the preceding 2-year period unless the Secretary determines that—
the new ownership was acquired by will or succession as a result of the death of the previous owner;
the ownership change occurred because of foreclosure on the land; and
immediately before the foreclosure, the owner of the land exercises a right of redemption from the mortgage holder in accordance with State law;
the land was acquired under circumstances that give adequate assurances that the land was not acquired for the purposes of placing the land in the program; or
the new ownership was acquired by the sibling, parent, child, or grandchild of the previous owner.
Modification, exchange, and termination
In general
The Secretary may subordinate, exchange, terminate, or modify any easement or other interest in land administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, either directly or on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, when the Secretary determines that—
it is in the interest of the Federal Government to subordinate, exchange, modify, or terminate the easement or other interest in the land;
the action will address a compelling public need or will further the practical administration of the program;
the action will result in comparable conservation value and equal or greater economic value to the United States; and
the current owner agrees to the modification.
Notice
At least 90 days before taking any action to terminate an easement or other interest in land, the Secretary shall provide written notice of the action to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.
Enforceability
An easement, contract, or other agreement entered into under the program shall continue to be legally enforceable on the land for the duration of the easement, contract, or other agreement, regardless of whether the ownership of the land changes.
Protections
Protections
In the case of an owner that enrolls land in the program under an agreement that includes protection of vulnerable species and whose conservation activities result in a net conservation benefit for listed, candidate, or other species, the Secretary shall make available to the owner safe harbor or similar assurances and protection under—
section 7(b)(4) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(b)(4)); or
section 10(a)(1) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1539(a)(1)).
Measures
If protection under subsection (a) requires the taking of measures that are in addition to the measures covered by the applicable restoration plan agreed to under the program, the cost of the additional measures, as well as the cost of any permit, shall be considered part of the restoration plan for purposes of financial assistance under the program.
Funding
In general
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subchapter $1,000,000,000 for each fiscal year.
Additional funding
In addition to the funds made available under subsection (a), there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $500,000,000 for each fiscal year.
Use of funds
Of amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall use—
not less than 5 percent of the funds to enroll forest land in the program eligible under section 1237A(b)(4);
not more than 5 percent to enroll prime and productive agricultural land eligible under section 1237A(b)(5);
not more than 5 percent to enroll land eligible under section 1237E(c); and
not less than 8 percent of the funds to provide technical assistance.
Acceptance of contributions
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may accept and use contributions of non-Federal funds to make payments under this section.
.
Conforming amendments
Chapter 1 of
subtitle D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3830 et seq.) is amended
in the chapter heading by inserting , Conservation Reserve, and Easement Benefits
Program
.
Section 1238A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838a) is amended—
in subsection (b)(3)—
by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting the following:
Easement benefits program
Land enrolled in the easement benefits program established under subchapter C of chapter 1 shall not be eligible for enrollment in the conservation security program.
; and
by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); and
in subsection
(e)(2)(B)(ii)(I)(cc), by striking wetlands reserve program
and
inserting easement benefits program
.
Section 1252(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851(c)) is amended—
by striking
(c) Funding
source.—
and all that follows through the
Secretary
in paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
Funding source
The Secretary
; and
by striking paragraph (2).
Working land program
Working land program
In general
Title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.) is amended—
by striking subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.);
by striking section 1240N (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–1); and
by striking chapter 4 of subtitle D (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) and inserting the following:
Working land program
Working land program
Purposes
The Secretary shall establish a working land program to promote agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible goals, and to optimize environmental benefits, by—
assisting producers in complying with local, State, and national regulatory requirements concerning—
soil, water, and air quality;
wildlife habitat; and
surface and ground water conservation;
avoiding, to the maximum extent practicable, the need for resource and regulatory programs by assisting producers in protecting soil, water, air, and related natural resources and meeting environmental quality criteria established by Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies;
providing flexible assistance to producers to install and maintain conservation practices that sustain food and fiber production while—
enhancing soil, water, and related natural resources, including grazing land, forestland, wetland, and wildlife; and
improving energy efficiency and increasing use of renewable energy;
assisting producers to make beneficial, cost-effective changes to production systems (including conservation practices relating to organic production), grazing management, fuels management, forest management, nutrient management associated with livestock, pest or irrigation management, or other practices on agricultural and forested land; and
consolidating and streamlining conservation planning and regulatory compliance processes to reduce administrative burdens on producers and the cost of achieving environmental goals.
Definitions
In this chapter:
Conservation activities
In general
The term conservation activities means conservation systems, practices, or management measures that are designed to address a resource concern.
Inclusions
The term conservation activities includes—
structural measures, vegetative measures, and land management measures, including agriculture drainage management systems, as determined by the Secretary; and
planning needed to address a resource concern.
Eligible land
In general
The term eligible land means land on which agricultural commodities, livestock, or forest-related products are produced.
Inclusions
The term eligible land includes—
cropland;
grassland;
rangeland;
pasture land;
nonindustrial private forest land; and
other agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes, areas devoted to aquaculture and associated waters, and agricultural land used or capable of being used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns relating to agricultural production could be addressed through a contract under the program, as determined by the Secretary.
Exclusions
The term eligible land does not include any land enrolled in—
the conservation reserve program under subchapter B of chapter 1; or
the easement benefits program under subchapter C of chapter 1.
Organic system plan
The term organic system plan means an organic plan approved under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).
Partner
The term partner means any entity that enters into a partnership agreement with the Secretary to carry out a program on a regional basis, including—
an agricultural or silvicultural producer association or other group of such producers;
a State or unit of local government; or
an Indian tribe.
Partnership agreement
The term partnership agreement means an agreement between the Secretary and a partner to carry out a practice under the program.
Payment
The term payment means financial assistance provided for performing practices under this chapter, including compensation for—
incurred costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training; and
income forgone by the producer.
Practice
The term practice means 1 or more improvements and conservation activities that are consistent with the purposes of the program, as determined by the Secretary, including—
improvements to eligible land of the producer, including—
structural practices;
land management practices;
vegetative practices;
forest management; and
other practices that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the program; and
conservation activities involving the development of plans appropriate for the eligible land of the producer, including—
comprehensive nutrient management planning; and
other plans that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the program under this part.
Priority resource concern
The term priority resource concern means a resource concern that is identified at the State level, in consultation with the State technical committee, as a priority for a particular watershed or area of the State.
Producer
The term producer has the meaning given the term in section 1238.
Program
The
term program
means the working land program established under
this chapter.
Resource concern
The term resource concern means a specific natural resource impairment or problem, as determined by the Secretary, that—
represents a significant concern in a State or region; and
is likely to be addressed successfully through the implementation of conservation activities by producers on land eligible for enrollment in the program.
Establishment and administration
In general
During each of the 2013 through 2017 fiscal years, the Secretary shall provide payments to producers and partners that enter into contracts or partnership agreements with the Secretary under the program.
Evaluation of applications
Evaluation criteria
The Secretary shall develop criteria for evaluating applications that will ensure that national, State, and local conservation priorities are effectively addressed.
Prioritization of applications
In evaluating applications under the program, the Secretary shall prioritize applications—
based on the overall level of cost-effectiveness of the project proposed in an application to ensure that the conservation practices and approaches proposed are the most cost-effective means of achieving the anticipated environmental benefits of the project;
based on how effectively and comprehensively the proposed project addresses the designated resource concern or resource concerns;
that best fulfill the purpose of the program specified in section 1240(a);
that improve conservation practices or systems in place on the operation at the time the contract offer is accepted or that will complete a conservation system; and
that will bring significant environmental benefits in improving specific high-priority environmental concerns, as designated by the Secretary.
Grouping of applications
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall group applications of similar crop or livestock operations for evaluation purposes or otherwise evaluate applications relative to other applications for similar farming operations.
Bidding down
If the Secretary determines that the environmental values of 2 or more applications for payments are comparable, the Secretary shall not assign a higher priority to an application only because the application would present the least cost to the program.
Practices and term
Practices
A contract under the program may apply to the performance of 1 or more practices.
Term
A contract or partnership agreement under the program shall have a term that—
except as provided in clause (ii), at a minimum, is equal to the period beginning on the date on which the contract is entered into and ending on the date that is 1 year after the date on which all practices under the contract have been implemented; and
may, for contracts or partnership agreements for development of conservation activity plans or for other contracts or partnership agreements designated by the Secretary, be less than 1 year; but
does not exceed 10 years.
Payments
In general
Payments shall be provided to a producer or partner to implement 1 or more practices under the program.
Limitation on payment amounts
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (4), a payment to a producer or partner for performing a practice may not exceed, as determined by the Secretary—
75 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training;
100 percent of income foregone by the producer or partner, as determined in accordance with paragraph (3); or
in the case of a practice consisting of elements covered under clauses (i) and (ii)—
75 percent of the costs incurred for those elements covered under clause (i); and
100 percent of income foregone for those elements covered under clause (ii).
Minimization of Federal cost
The Secretary—
shall seek to minimize Federal costs in determining cost-share levels; and
is not required to provide the maximum cost-share amount described in subparagraph (A).
Special rule involving payments for foregone income
In determining the amount and rate of payments under paragraph (2)(A)(ii), the Secretary may accord great significance to a practice that, as determined by the Secretary, promotes—
residue management;
nutrient management;
air quality management;
invasive species management;
pollinator habitat;
animal carcass management technology;
pest management; or
water conservation.
Increased payments for certain producers
In general
Notwithstanding paragraph (2), in the case of a producer that is a limited resource, socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, or a beginning farmer or rancher, the Secretary shall increase the amount that would otherwise be provided to a producer under this subsection—
to not more than 90 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training; and
to not less than 25 percent above the otherwise applicable rate.
Advance payments
Not more than 30 percent of the amount determined under subparagraph (A) may be provided in advance for the purpose of purchasing materials or contracting.
Minimization of Federal cost
The Secretary—
shall seek to minimize Federal costs in determining cost-share levels; and
is not required to provide the maximum cost-share amount described in subparagraph (A).
Financial assistance from other sources
Except as provided in paragraph (6), any payments received by a producer or partner from a State or private organization, individual, or legal entity for the implementation of 1 or more practices on eligible land of the producer shall be in addition to the payments provided to the producer or partner under this subsection.
Other payments
A producer or partner shall not be eligible for payments for practices on eligible land under the program if the producer or partner receives payments or other benefits for the same practice on the same land under another program under this title.
Modification or termination of contracts or partnership agreements
Voluntary modification or termination
The Secretary may modify or terminate a contract or partnership agreement entered into with a producer or partner under the program if—
the producer or partner agrees to the modification or termination; and
the Secretary determines that the modification or termination is in the public interest.
Involuntary termination
The Secretary may terminate a contract or partnership agreement under the program if the Secretary determines that the producer or partner violated the contract or partnership agreement.
Funding for Indian tribes and Alaska native corporations
The Secretary may enter into alternative funding arrangements with Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations (including affiliated membership organizations) if the Secretary determines that—
the goals and objectives of the program will be met by the arrangements; and
statutory limitations regarding contracts with individual producers will not be exceeded by any tribal or Native Corporation member.
Duties of producers and partners
In general
To receive payments under the program, a producer or partner shall agree—
to implement a program plan (including a comprehensive nutrient management plan, if applicable) that describes conservation and environmental purposes to be achieved through 1 or more practices that are approved by the Secretary;
not to conduct any practices on the eligible land that would tend to defeat the purposes of the program;
on the violation of a term or condition of the contract or partnership agreement at any time during which the producer or partner is required to have control of the eligible land—
if the Secretary determines that the violation warrants termination of the contract or partnership agreement—
to forfeit all rights to receive payments under the contract or partnership agreement; and
to refund to the Secretary all or a portion of the payments received by the producer or partner under the contract or partnership agreement, including any interest on the payments, as determined by the Secretary; or
if the Secretary determines that the violation does not warrant termination of the contract or partnership agreement, to refund to the Secretary, or accept adjustments to, the payments provided to the producer or partner, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
on the transfer of the right and interest of the producer or partner in eligible land subject to the contract or partnership agreement, unless the transferee of the right and interest agrees with the Secretary to assume all obligations of the contract or partnership agreement, to refund all payments received under the program, as determined by the Secretary;
to supply information as required by the Secretary to determine compliance with the program plan and requirements of the program; and
to comply with such additional provisions as the Secretary determines are necessary to carry out the program plan.
Program plan
In general
To be eligible to receive payments under the program, a producer or partner shall submit to the Secretary for approval a plan of operations that—
specifies practices covered under the program;
includes such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the program, including a description of the purposes to be met by the implementation of the plan;
in the case of a confined livestock feeding operation, provides for development and implementation of a comprehensive nutrient management plan, if applicable; and
in the case of forest land, is consistent with the provisions of a forest management plan that is approved by the Secretary, which may include—
a forest stewardship plan described in section 5 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103a);
another practice plan approved by the State forester; or
another plan determined appropriate by the Secretary.
Avoidance of duplication
The Secretary shall—
consider a plan developed in order to acquire a permit under a water or air quality regulatory program as the equivalent of a plan of operations under paragraph (1), if the plan contains elements equivalent to those elements required by a plan of operations; and
to the maximum extent practicable, eliminate duplication of planning activities under the program and comparable conservation programs.
Duties of the Secretary
In general
To the extent appropriate, the Secretary shall assist a producer or partner in achieving the conservation and environmental goals of a program plan by—
providing payments for developing and implementing 1 or more practices, as appropriate; and
providing the producer or partner with information and training to aid in the implementation of the plan.
Targeted practices
Agricultural water enhancement initiative
Of the funds made available to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use not less than $60,000,000 to provide payments for agricultural water enhancement activity to promote ground and surface water conservation and improve water quality on agricultural land, including—
water quality or water conservation plan development, including resource condition assessment and modeling;
water conservation restoration or enhancement projects, including conversion to the production of less water-intensive agricultural commodities or dryland farming;
water quality or quantity restoration or enhancement projects;
irrigation system improvement and irrigation efficiency enhancement;
activities designed to mitigate the effects of drought; and
related activities that the Secretary determines will help achieve water quality or water conservation benefits on agricultural land.
Agricultural air quality concerns
Implementation assistance
Of the funds made available to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall use not less than $37,500,000 to provide payments under this paragraph to producers or partners to implement practices—
to address air quality concerns from agricultural operations; and
meet Federal, State, and local regulatory requirements.
Availability and use
The funds shall be—
made available on the basis of air quality concerns in a State; and
used to provide payments to producers that are cost-effective and reflect innovative technologies.
Conservation stewardship initiative
In general
The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this chapter for conservation stewardship initiatives to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by—
undertaking additional conservation activities; and
improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities.
Submission of contract or partnership agreement offers
To be eligible to participate in the conservation stewardship initiative and receive an initiative payment, a producer or partner shall submit to the Secretary for approval a contract or partnership agreement offer that—
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the producer or partner, at the time of the contract or partnership agreement offer, is meeting the stewardship threshold for at least 1 resource concern; and
would, at a minimum, meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for at least 2 priority resource concerns by the end of the contract or partnership agreement by—
installing and adopting additional conservation activities; and
improving, maintaining, and managing conservation activities in place at the operation of the producer at the time the contract or partnership agreement offer is accepted by the Secretary.
Payment amount
An initiative payment to a producer shall be based on the conservation performance to be achieved on eligible land in an amount determined by the Secretary.
Competitive grants for innovative conservation approaches
In general
The Secretary may use funds made available to carry out this chapter to pay the cost of competitive grants that are intended to stimulate innovative approaches to leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production or forest resource management, through the program.
Use
The Secretary may provide grants under this paragraph to governmental and nongovernmental organizations, individuals, and legal entities, on a competitive basis, to carry out projects that—
involve producers or partners who are eligible for payments or technical assistance under the program;
leverage Federal funds made available to carry out the program with matching funds provided by State and local governments and private organizations to promote environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production;
ensure efficient and effective transfer of innovative technologies and approaches demonstrated through projects that receive funding under this paragraph, such as market systems for pollution reduction and practices for the storage of carbon in soil; and
provide environmental and resource conservation benefits through increased participation by producers of specialty crops.
Organic production conservation initiatives
In general
The Secretary may provide payments under this paragraph for conservation practices, on some or all of the operations of a producer or partner, relating to—
organic production; and
the transition to organic production.
Eligibility requirements
As a condition for receiving payments under this paragraph, a producer or partner shall agree—
to develop and carry out an organic system plan in furtherance of transitioning to organic production; or
to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an organic system plan and the purposes of the program.
Payment limitations
In general
Subject to clause (ii), payments under this paragraph to a person or legal entity, directly or indirectly, may not exceed, in the aggregate, $20,000 per year or $80,000 in payments made pursuant to contracts or partnership agreements entered into during the period of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Technical assistance excluded
In applying clause (i), the Secretary shall not take into account payments received for technical assistance.
Exclusion of certain organic certification costs
Payments may not be made under this paragraph to cover the costs associated with organic certification that are eligible for cost-share payments under section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523).
Termination of contracts or partnership agreements
The Secretary may cancel or otherwise nullify a contract or partnership agreement to provide payments under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that the producer—
is not pursuing organic certification; or
is not in compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).
Water conservation or irrigation efficiency initiative
In general
The Secretary may provide payments under this paragraph to a producer or partner for a water conservation or irrigation practice.
Priority
In providing payments to a producer or partner for a water conservation or irrigation practice, the Secretary shall give priority to applications in which—
consistent with the law of the State in which the eligible land of the producer or partner is located, there is a reduction in water use in the operation of the producer or partner; or
the producer or partner agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land, other than incidental land needed for efficient operations, under irrigated production, unless the producer or partner is participating in a watershed-wide project that will effectively conserve water, as determined by the Secretary.
Wildlife habitat initiative
In general
Of the funds made available to carry out this chapter, the Secretary, in consultation with the State technical committees established under section 1261, shall make available to producers and owners of eligible land not less than $85,000,000 to provide payments for the development of wildlife habitat, including—
upland wildlife habitat;
wetland wildlife habitat;
habitat for threatened or endangered species;
fish habitat;
aquatic wildlife habitat associated with riparian or submerged land, even if the land is subject to title being held by the State when submerged if consistent with State law; and
other types of wildlife habitat approved by the Secretary, including habitat developed on pivot corners and irregular areas.
Priority for certain conservation initiatives
In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary may give priority to projects that would address issues raised by State, regional, and national conservation initiatives.
Funding
In general
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this chapter $2,250,000,000 for each fiscal year.
Payment limitations
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), a person or legal entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, practice payments or incentive payments under this chapter that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all contracts or partnership agreements entered into under this chapter by the person or legal entity during the period of fiscal years 2013 through 2017 (excluding funding arrangements with federally recognized Native American Indian tribes or Alaska Native Corporations under section 1240A(f)), regardless of the number of contracts or partnership agreements entered into under this chapter by the person or entity.
Waiver authority
In the case of contracts or partnership agreements under this chapter for projects of special environmental significance (including projects involving methane digesters), as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may—
waive the limitation otherwise applicable under paragraph (1); and
raise the limitation to not more than $450,000 for all contracts or partnership agreements entered into during the period of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
.
Conforming amendments
Section 344(f)(8)
of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(8)) is amended by
striking environmental quality incentives program
and inserting
working land program
.
Section 377 of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1377) is amended by striking
environmental quality incentives program
and inserting
working land program
.
Section 101(1) of
the Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Administration Appropriation Act,
1959 (7 U.S.C. 1831a(1)) is amended by striking environmental quality
incentives program
and inserting working land
program
.
Section
1271(c)(3)(C) of the Forest Stewardship Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 2106a(c)(3)(C))
is amended by striking environmental quality incentives program
and inserting working land program
.
Section 202(c) of
the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)) is amended by
striking environmental quality incentives program
and inserting
working land program
.
Section
1211(a)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(3)(A)) is
amended by striking environmental quality incentives program
and
inserting working land program
.
Section
1221(b)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821(b)(3)(A)) is
amended by striking environmental quality incentives program
and
inserting working land program
.
Other conservation programs
Other conservation programs of the Food Security Act of 1985
Conservation of private grazing land
Section
1240M(e) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb(e)) is amended by
striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Grassroots source water protection program
Section 1240O(b) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–2(b)) is amended by striking 2012
and
inserting 2017
.
Great Lakes basin program for soil erosion and sediment control
Section 1240P(d) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–3(d)) is amended by striking 2012
and
inserting 2017
.
Chesapeake Bay watershed program
Section 1240Q of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–4) is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
Funding
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2017.
.
Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program
Section 1240R(f) of the Food Security Act
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–5(f)) is amended by striking 2012
and
inserting 2017
.
Funding of conservation programs under Food Security Act of 1985
In general
Section 1241(a) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended in the matter
preceding paragraph (1) by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Conservation reserve program
Section
1241(a)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)) is amended
by striking 2012
each place it appears and inserting
2017
.
Repeals
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (3)—
by striking
(A)
; and
by striking subparagraph (B);
by striking paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), and (7); and
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
in subsection (b),
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking paragraphs (1)
through (7) of
; and
in subsection (h)—
in paragraph (1),
by striking wetlands reserve program
and inserting
easement benefits program
;
in paragraph (4),
by striking environmental quality incentives program for land determined
to have special environmental significance pursuant to section 1240G(b)
and inserting working land program for land determined to have special
environmental significance
;
by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (5); and
by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (6) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
Regional equity
Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended—
by striking subsection (d); and
by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) as subsections (d) through (g), respectively.
Assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation access
Subsection (f) of section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) (as redesignated by subsection (d)(2)) is amended—
in paragraph (1),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking made available
for
and all that follows through shall use
and inserting
and acres made available for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2017 to
carry out the working land program, the Secretary shall use
; and
in paragraph (3),
by striking conservation stewardship program
and inserting
working land program
.
Cooperative conservation partnership initiative
Initiative programs
Section 1243(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
Limitation and coordination with the conservation reserve program
In general
The Initiative shall not include the conservation reserve program.
Coordination
The Secretary shall coordinate implementation of the cooperative conservation partnership initiative and those portions of the conservation reserve program eligible for continuous enrollment.
.
Applications
Section 1243(f)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843(f)(2)) is amended—
in subparagraph
(A), by inserting , and may consider applications that have identified
producers for participation in the project
before the semicolon at the
end;
in subparagraph
(D), by striking or
at the end;
by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F); and
by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
will benefit economic development of rural communities, including as integrated into local economic development plans; or
.
Relationship to covered programs
Section 1243(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Adjustment of programs by eligible partners
The Secretary shall allow eligible partners to adjust conservation programs during the implementation phase if the adjustments—
achieve purposes consistent with the purposes of this section; and
are approved by the Secretary prior to the adjustments being implemented.
.
Funding
Section 1243(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3843(i)) is amended—
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
Reservation
Of the funds and acres made available for each fiscal year to implement the programs described in subsection (c)(1), to ensure an adequate source of funds and acres for the Initiative, the Secretary shall reserve—
for fiscal year 2013, 10 percent of the funds and acres;
for fiscal year 2014, 12.5 percent of the funds and acres; and
for fiscal year 2015 and each fiscal year thereafter, 15 percent of the funds and acres.
; and
in paragraph (4)—
by striking
Overhead
and inserting the following:
In general
Overhead
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Technical assistance
The use of funds for technical assistance to achieve conservation goals—
is not subject to subparagraph (A); and
is subject to review by the Secretary.
.
Administrative requirements for conservation programs
Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended—
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph
(1)(C), by striking wetlands reserve program
and inserting
easement benefits program
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking environmental quality incentives program
and
inserting working land program
; and
by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following:
Conservation application process
Initial application
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a single, simplified application for eligible entities to use in initially requesting assistance under any conservation program administered by the Secretary (referred to in this subsection as the initial application).
Requirements
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that—
a conservation program applicant is not required to provide information that is duplicative of information or resources already available to the Secretary for that applicant and the specific operation of the applicant; and
the initial application process is streamlined to minimize complexity and redundancy.
Review of application process
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall review the application process for each conservation program administered by the Secretary, including the forms and processes used to receive assistance requests from eligible program participants.
Requirements
In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall determine what information the participant is required to submit during the application process, including—
identification information for the applicant;
identification and location information for the land parcel or tract of concern;
a general statement of the need or resource concern of the applicant for the land parcel or tract; and
the minimum amount of other information the Secretary considers to be essential for the applicant to provide personally.
Revision and streamline
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out a revision of the application forms and processes for each conservation program administered by the Secretary to enable use of information technology to incorporate appropriate data and information concerning the conservation needs and solutions appropriate for the land area identified by the applicant.
Goal
The goal of the revision shall be to streamline the application process to minimize the burden placed on applicants.
Conservation program application
In general
Once the needs of an applicant have been adequately assessed by the Secretary, or a third party provider under section 1242, based on the initial application, in order to determine the 1 or more programs under this title that best match the needs of the applicant, with the approval of the applicant, the Secretary may convert the initial application into the specific application for assistance for the relevant conservation program.
Secretarial burden
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall—
complete the specific application for conservation program assistance for each applicant; and
request only that specific further information from the applicant that is not already available to the Secretary.
Implementation and notification
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate written notification that the Secretary has fulfilled the requirements of this subsection.
.
Repeal of healthy forests reserve program
Title V of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571 et seq.) is repealed.
Nutrition
Supplemental nutrition assistance program
Categorical eligibility limitations
Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended—
by striking the
section heading and all that follows through (a) Participation
and inserting the following:
Eligible households
Requirements
In general
Participation
;
in subsection (a)—
by striking the second sentence and inserting the following:
Recipients of other Federal benefits
Except as provided in section 3(n)(4) and subsections (b), (d)(2), and (g) of section 6, a household shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if each member of the household receives—
cash assistance in the form of ongoing basic needs benefit payments for financially needy families under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
cash assistance under the supplemental security income program established under title XVI of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.); or
aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of that Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).
;
in the third
sentence, by striking Except for sections 6, 16(e)(1), and section
3(n)(4), households
and inserting the following:
General assistance
Except as provided in sections 3(n)(4), 6, and 16(e)(1), a household
; and
in the fourth
sentence, by striking Assistance
and inserting the
following:
Applications
Assistance
; and
in subsection (j)—
by inserting
cash assistance in the form of
before supplemental
security income benefits
; and
by striking
or who receives benefits
and inserting or who receives
cash assistance
.
Repeal of funding for employment and training programs
In general
Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended—
by striking
(A) In
general.—
; and all that follows through the
following components
in the matter preceding clause (i) in subparagraph
(B) and inserting the following:
Definition of employment and training program
In this Act, the term employment and training program means a Federal, State, or private program not administered by the Secretary or funded through the Food and Nutrition Service that contains 1 or more of the following components
;
by striking clause (viii) in subparagraph (A) (as designated in paragraph (1)) and inserting the following:
As approved by the State, other employment, educational and training programs, projects, and experiments, such as a supported work program, aimed at accomplishing the purpose of the employment and training program.
;
in subparagraph
(E), by striking subparagraph (D)
and inserting
subparagraph (C)
;
by striking subparagraphs (H) through (K); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (G) and (L) and (M) as subparagraphs (B) through (F) and (G) and (H), respectively.
Repeal of funding
Section 16 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended by striking subsection (h).
Conforming amendments
Section 5(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(d)) is amended—
by striking paragraph (14); and
by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (19) as paragraphs (14) through (18), respectively.
Section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)) is amended—
in item (dd), by
striking , (4)(F)(i) or (4)(K)
and inserting or
(4)(E)
; and
in item (hh), by
striking (g), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of section 16
and inserting
or (g) of section 16
.
Repeal of incentive payments to States with low SNAP benefit allocation error rates
In general
Section 16 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended by striking subsection (d).
Conforming amendments
Section 16 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025) is amended—
in subsection (c),
by striking , or performance under the performance measures under
subsection (d)
each place it appears in paragraphs (4) and (5);
and
in subsection
(i)(1), by striking as defined in subsection (d)(1))
and
inserting as defined in guidance issued by the Secretary
.
Quality control
In general
Section 16(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph
(D)(i)(II), by inserting except as provided in clause (iii),
before require
; and
by adding at the end the following:
States in liability status for a third consecutive fiscal year
In general
If a liability amount has been established for a State agency under subparagraph (C) for 3 or more consecutive fiscal years, the Secretary shall require the State to pay the entire liability amount for those fiscal years.
Alternatives to full payment not available
Subparagraph (D) shall not apply to a State agency described in clause (i).
; and
by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
Penalty for negative error rate
Definitions
In this paragraph:
Affected State agency
The term affected State agency means a State agency that maintains, for 2 or more consecutive fiscal years, a negative error rate that is more than 50 percent higher than the national average negative error rate, as determined by the Secretary.
Average negative error rate
The term average negative error rate means the product obtained by multiplying—
the negative error rate of a State agency; and
the proportion of the total negative caseload of that State agency for the fiscal year, as calculated under the quality control sample at the time of the notifications issued under subparagraph (C), as determined by the Secretary.
Negative error rate
In general
The term negative error rate means, for a State agency, the proportion that—
the total number of actions erroneously taken by the State agency to deny applications or suspend or terminate benefits of a household participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under this Act, as determined by the Secretary, in that fiscal year; bears to
the total number of actions taken by the State agency to deny applications or suspend or terminate benefits of households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under this Act in that fiscal year.
Exclusions
The term negative error rate does not include—
an error resulting from the application of regulations promulgated under this Act during the period—
beginning on the date of enactment of this clause; and
ending on date that is 121 days after the date on which the regulation is implemented; and
an error resulting from—
the use by a State agency of correctly processed information concerning households or individuals received under a Federal program; or
an action that is based on policy information that is approved or disseminated, in writing, by the Secretary or a designee of the Secretary.
Penalty amount
For fiscal year 2012 and each subsequent fiscal year, the amount of the penalty for an affected State agency shall be equal to 5 percent of the amount otherwise payable under subsection (a).
Information reporting by States
In general
For each fiscal year, each State agency shall expeditiously submit to the Secretary data concerning the operations of the State agency sufficient for the Secretary to establish the negative error rate and penalty amount of the State agency.
Relevant information
The Secretary may require a State agency to report any factors necessary to determine the negative error rate of the State agency.
Information not reported
If a State agency fails to report information required by the Secretary, the Secretary may use any information, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to establish the negative error rate of the State agency for the applicable year.
National average error rate
If a State agency fails to report information required by the Secretary, the Secretary may use the national average negative error rate to establish the negative error rate for the State agency.
Announcement of error rates
Case review
Not later than May 31 of each fiscal year, the case review and all arbitration of State-Federal differences on negative error rates for the previous fiscal year shall be completed.
Determination and announcement
Not later than June 30 of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall, for the previous fiscal year—
determine—
final negative error rates;
the national average negative error rate; and
penalty amounts;
notify affected State agencies of the penalty amounts;
provide a copy of the notification under subclause (II) to the chief executive officer and the legislature of the affected State; and
establish a claim against the State agency for the monetary penalty amount assessed against the State agency.
Review
In general
For any fiscal year, if the Secretary imposes a penalty amount against a State agency under subparagraph (D)(ii), the following determinations of the Secretary shall be subject to administrative and judicial review:
The final negative error rate of the State agency.
A determination of the Secretary that the negative error rate of the State agency exceeds 50 percent of the national average negative error rate.
The monetary penalty amount assessed against the State agency.
Determination not reviewable
The national average negative error rate under this paragraph shall not be subject to administrative or judicial review.
Payment of penalty amount
In general
On completion of administrative and judicial review under subparagraph (E), an affected State agency shall pay to the Secretary the penalty amount designated under subparagraph (D)(ii), subject to the findings of the administrative or judicial review, not later than September 30 of the fiscal year for which the claim has been issued to the State agency.
Alternative method of collection
In general
If a State agency fails to make a payment under clause (i) by September 30 of the fiscal year for which the claim has been issued to the State agency, the Secretary may reduce any amount due to the State agency under any other provision of this Act by the amount of the monetary penalty established under subparagraph (D)(ii).
Accrual of interest
Interest on the amount owed shall not accrue until after September 30 of the applicable fiscal year.
.
Extensions
Supplemental nutrition assistance program
Food distribution program on Indian reservations
Section 4(b)(6)(F) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)(6)(F)) is amended by striking
2012
and inserting 2017
.
Projects To evaluate health and nutrition promotion in the supplemental nutrition assistance program
Section
17(k)(5)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(k)(5)(A)) is
amended by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Authorization of appropriations
Section
18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended
in the first sentence by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Healthy urban food enterprise development center
Section 25(h)(9) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034(h)(9)) is amended—
in subparagraph (A), by striking
2011
and inserting 2017
; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking
fiscal year 2012
and inserting each of fiscal years 2012
through 2017
.
Emergency food assistance
Purchase of commodities
Section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
(7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended in paragraphs (1) and (2)(C) by striking
2012
each place it appears and inserting
2017
.
Emergency food program infrastructure grants
Section 209(d) of the Emergency Food
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7511a(d)) is amended by striking
2012
and inserting 2017
.
Technical and conforming amendments
Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012) is amended—
in subsection (g),
by striking coupon,
and inserting coupon
;
in subsection
(k)(7), by striking or are
and inserting
and
;
by striking subsection (l);
by redesignating subsections (m) through (t) as subsections (l) through (s), respectively; and
by inserting after subsection (s) (as so redesignated) the following:
Supplemental
nutritional assistance program
means the program operated pursuant to
this
Act.
.
Section 4(a) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(a)) is amended in the last
sentence by striking benefits
and inserting
Benefits
.
Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended—
in the last
sentence of subsection (i)(2)(D), by striking section 13(b)(2)
and inserting section 13(b)
; and
in subsection
(k)(4)(A), by striking paragraph (2)(H)
and inserting
paragraph (2)(G)
.
Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)) is amended by redesignating the second paragraph (12) (relating to interchange fees) as paragraph (13).
Section 9(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2018(a)) is amended by indenting paragraph (3) appropriately.
Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2021) is amended—
in subsection
(b)(3)(C), by striking civil money penalties
and inserting
civil penalties
; and
in subsection
(g)(1), by striking (7 U.S.C. 1786)
and inserting (42
U.S.C. 1786)
.
Section 15(b)(1)
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2024(b)(1)) is amended in the
first sentence by striking an benefit
and inserting a
benefit
.
Section 16(a) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)) is amended in the proviso
following paragraph (8) by striking as amended.
.
Section 18(e) of
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(e)) is amended in the first
sentence by striking sections 7(f)
and inserting section
7(f)
.
Section
22(b)(10)(B)(i) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C.
2031(b)(10)(B)(i)) is amended in the last sentence by striking Food
benefits
and inserting Benefits
.
Section
26(f)(3)(C) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2035(f)(3)(C)) is
amended by striking subsection
and inserting
subsections
.
Section 27(a)(1)
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)(1)) is amended by
striking (Public Law 98–8; 7 U.S.C. 612c note)
and inserting
(7 U.S.C. 7515)
.
Section 509 of
the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3056g) is amended in the section
heading by striking food
stamp programs
and inserting supplemental nutrition assistance
programs
.
Section
4115(c)(2)(H) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law
110–246; 122 Stat. 1871) is amended by striking 531
and
inserting 454
.
Commodity distribution programs
Commodity distribution program
Section
4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c
note; Public Law 93–86) is amended in the first sentence by striking
2012
and inserting 2017
.
Commodity supplemental food program
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93–86) is amended—
in paragraphs (1)
and (2)(B) of subsection (a), by striking 2012
each place it
appears and inserting 2017
; and
in the first
sentence of subsection (d)(2), by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture
and Food Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e(2)(A)) is amended in the first sentence by
striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Technical and conforming amendments
Section 3 of the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 100–237) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
; and
in
paragraph (3)(D), by striking the Committee on Education and
Labor
and inserting the Committee on Education and the
Workforce
;
in subsection
(b)(1)(A)(ii), by striking section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act
(7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
and inserting section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c)
;
in subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:
the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
; and
in subsection (k),
by striking the Committee on Education and Labor
and inserting
the Committee on Education and the Workforce
.
Miscellaneous
Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and service institutions
Section 10603(b)
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c–4(b)) is
amended by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Seniors farmers' market nutrition program
Section 4402(a) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended by striking by
striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Nutrition information and awareness program
Section 4403(f) of the Farm Security and
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3171 note; Public Law 107–171) is
amended by striking 2012
and inserting
2017
.
Hunger-Free communities
Section 4405(e)
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517(e)) is amended
by striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Energy from Rural America
Definitions
Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended—
in paragraph (3)—
in subparagraph
(B)(iii), by inserting post-recycled municipal solid waste, sewage
waste,
before and yard waste
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Exclusion
The term advanced biofuel does not include any fuel for which—
more than 4 percent of the fuel (determined by weight) is any combination of water and sediment; or
the ash content of the fuel is more than 1 percent (determined by weight).
;
in paragraph (6)—
in subparagraph
(D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ;
and
;
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) as clauses (i) through (iv), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
by striking
a facility that converts
and inserting the following: “a
facility that—
converts
; and
by adding at the end the following:
in the case of a facility in existence as of the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011 that uses less than 90 percent biomass for conversion, agrees to increase the use by the facility of biomass for conversion purposes by a percentage increase, as determined by the Secretary but not less than a substantial increase above the 5-year baseline for the facility.
.
by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (13) and (14) as paragraphs (10) through (14) and (17), respectively;
by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
Eligible rural community
The term eligible rural community means a community located in a rural area.
;
in subparagraph (B)(ii) of paragraph (13) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) —
in subclause
(III), by striking and
at the end;
in subclause (IV), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
post-recycled municipal solid waste; and
sewage.
; and
by inserting after paragraph (14) (as so redesignated) the following:
Rural area
The term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)).
Rural school district
The term rural school district means a school district that serves 1 or more schools located in a rural area.
.
Biobased markets program
In general
Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended—
in subsection (a)(4)—
in subparagraph (B)—
in
the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting and to improve fiscal
transparency in Federal procurement
after subparagraph
(A)
; and
in clause (i)—
in the matter
preceding subclause (I), by striking , to the maximum extent
practicable,
; and
in subclause (V),
by striking and
at the end;
in
clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ;
and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
information required to be submitted under clauses (i) and (ii) shall be made publicly available on a website by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy not later than 30 days after submission of the information to the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
;
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1),
by striking , in consultation with the Administrator,
;
in paragraph (2)—
by
striking (2) Eligibility
criteria.—
and all that follows through (B)
Requirements.—Criteria issued under subparagraph
(A)
and inserting the following:
Requirements
Labels issued under paragraph (1)
; and
by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and indenting appropriately; and
in paragraph (3),
by striking criteria issued pursuant to
and inserting
requirements described in
;
by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
Promotion
In general
The Secretary shall make competitive grants to eligible entities to provide information to organizations that have large procurement needs or vehicle fleets, or that produce products with which biobased products or biofuels can be integrated (as determined by the Secretary), about the benefits of biobased products or biofuels.
Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), an entity shall—
be a nonprofit organization or institution of higher education;
have demonstrated a knowledge of biobased product or biofuel production, use, or distribution; and
have demonstrated the ability to conduct educational and technical support programs.
Limitation
Grants made under this subsection may not be used for the marketing or promotion of brand name products.
;
in subsection (d),
by striking this section
and inserting subsection
(a)
;
by striking subsections (e) through (g);
by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (e); and
in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)—
in paragraph (1), by striking this
section—
and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (B) and
inserting this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through
2017, of which not more than $2,000,000 may be used to make grants under
subsection (c).
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking this section
and all that follows through
2012
and inserting $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2013 through 2017.
Conforming amendment
Section 944(c)(2)(A) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16253(c)(2)(A)) is amended by striking section 9002(h)(1) of
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102(h)(1)
and inserting section 9002(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102(b))
.
Biorefinery assistance
Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended—
by striking subsections (a), (d), and (g);
by redesignating subsections (b), (c), (e), (f), and (h) as subsections (a) through (e), respectively;
in subsection (b)
(as so redesignated), by striking eligible entities—
and all
that follows through (2) guarantees
and inserting
eligible entities guarantees
;
in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)—
in paragraph (1)(C) —
in
the matter preceding clause (i), by striking subsection (c)(2)
and inserting subsection (b)
;
in
clause (ix), by striking and
at the end;
in
clause (x), by striking the period at the end and inserting ;
and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
whether the project can lead to reductions in production costs.
; and
in paragraph (2)—
by
striking subsection (c)(2)
each place it appears and inserting
subsection (b)
; and
in
subparagraph (C), by striking subsection (h)
and inserting
subsection (e)
; and
in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)—
in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015.
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking 2012
and inserting 2017
.
Rural Energy for America Program
Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , rural school
districts, eligible rural communities,
before and rural small
businesses
; and
in paragraph (4),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , rural school
districts, eligible rural communities,
before and rural small
businesses
;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , rural school
districts, eligible rural communities,
before and rural small
businesses
;
by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively;
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
Award prioritization
In determining the amount of a loan guarantee or grant provided under this section, the Secretary may give priority—
to loan guarantees rather than grants or combined grant and loan guarantees, so as to maximize leverage of private financing; and
in the case of energy efficiency projects, to loans under section 9014 or similar financing mechanisms if locally available (as determined by the Secretary).
;
in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by subparagraph (A))—
by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
the ability of a project to demonstrate the economic viability for similar potential energy investment projects in the locality;
;
in
subparagraph (F), by striking and
at the end;
by redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H); and
by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
the type of renewable energy system to be purchased; and
; and
in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)—
in subparagraph (A)—
by striking
(A) Grants.—The amount
and inserting the
following:
Grants
In general
The amount
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Limitation
In general
Subject to subclause (II), not more than 15 percent of the total amount of funds made available under subsection (f) that is allocated by the Secretary for grants under this subsection may be used for grants in excess of $250,000.
Limitation
No grant under this subsection may exceed $500,000.
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Maximum amount of loan guarantee relative to cost of activity funded
The amount of a loan guaranteed under this subsection shall not exceed 90 percent of the cost of the activity funded under this subsection.
;
in subsection (e)—
in paragraph (1),
by striking subsection (g)
and inserting subsection (f)
and allocated by the Secretary for grants
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking subsection (g)
and inserting subsection
(f)
;
by striking subsection (f);
by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f); and
in subsection (f) (as so redesignated)—
in paragraph (1),
by striking , to remain available until expended—
and all that
follows through the end of subparagraph (D) and inserting $70,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017, to remain available until
expended.
;
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
Limitation
Of the funds made available for a fiscal year under paragraph (1), not more than 10 percent may be made available for grants or loan guarantees to rural school districts or eligible rural communities.
; and
in paragraph (4)
(as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by striking there is
authorized
and all that follows through the end and inserting
there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
.
Repeal of 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.
Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (8) as paragraphs (5) through (9), respectively;
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
Delivery
The term delivery means the point of delivery of an eligible material or an eligible crop, as determined by the Secretary.
;
in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)—
in
clause (i), by striking that is eligible
and inserting
that, as of the day before the date of enactment of the
Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability
and Hunger Act of 2011, was eligible
; and
in
clause (ii), by striking or has the potential to become invasive or
noxious
;
in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)—
in
clause (i), by adding or
after the semicolon at the end;
in clause (ii), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting a period; and
by striking clauses (iii) through (v); and
in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated)—
by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
Additional requirement for eligible material from non-Federal forest land
In the case of non-Federal forest land and forest land belonging to an Indian or Indian tribe that is in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, the Secretary shall ensure that the definition of the term eligible material—
ensures that the renewable biomass defined as eligible material—
is not diverted from use in markets as of the date of enactment of the Rural Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011;
has been determined to be otherwise uneconomically retrievable; and
is harvested in accordance with an approved conservation, forest stewardship, or equivalent plan; and
includes a requirement that the renewable biomass is harvested directly from the land for delivery to a biomass conversion facility.
; and
in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by clause (i))—
in clause (i)—
by
striking that is eligible
and inserting that, as of the
day before the date of enactment of the Rural
Economic Farm and Ranch Sustainability and Hunger Act of 2011,
was eligible
; and
by
inserting before the semicolon at the end , except that residues from
such crops are eligible if harvested from the land in accordance with an
approved conservation or equivalent plan
; and
in clause (iii),
by striking and yard waste
and inserting , yard waste,
municipal solid waste, and sewage
;
in subsection
(b)(2), by inserting collected directly from the land
after
eligible material
;
in subsection (c)(5)—
in subparagraph (B)—
by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
by
striking shall be up to 75
and inserting “shall be—
up to 50
;
in
item (cc) (as designated by clause (i)), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following:
if the Secretary determines that a greater amount of support is necessary to demonstrate more capital intensive cropping opportunities or in the case of socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e))), up to 65 percent of the costs of establishing an eligible perennial crop covered by the contract (as determined under clause (i)); and
determined by the Secretary in a manner that seeks to minimize Federal costs, recognizing that the Secretary is not obligated to provide maximum cost-share allowances under this section.
;
in subparagraph
(C)(ii), in the clause heading, by inserting in annual payments under
contract
after Reduction
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Requirements
Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall award payments under this subsection on a competitive basis, taking into consideration the needs—
to demonstrate the economic viability of diverse bioenergy crops; and
to encourage cost competition in establishment of eligible crops.
;
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting collected
directly from the land
after eligible material
;
and
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
Amount
In general
The amount of a matching payment under this subsection shall be determined by the Secretary.
Requirements
Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall award payments on a competitive basis, taking into consideration the need—
to demonstrate the economic viability of diverse eligible crops and eligible materials that otherwise would be uneconomically retrievable for high priority uses (such as advanced biofuels and biobased products); and
to encourage cost competition in the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of eligible crops to a biomass conversion facility.
Maximum payment
Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may provide matching payments at a maximum rate of $0.50 for each $1 per dry ton provided by the biomass conversion facility, in an amount equal to not more than $35 per ton for a period of 2 years.
Minimization of costs
In determining payment levels under this section, the Secretary shall—
seek to minimize costs; and
not be required to provide the maximum rate of payment allowed under this section.
Prohibition
Payments may not be made under this section for eligible materials collected or harvested that, after delivery to a biomass conversion facility, the campus of the facility, or affiliated facilities, as determined by the Secretary, are required to be separated from eligible materials used for a higher-value product in order to be used for heat, power, biobased products, or advanced biofuels.
; and
by striking subsections (e) and (f) and inserting the following:
Funding
Mandatory funding
In general
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $55,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2013 through 2017, to remain available until expended.
BCAP project area
Of the funds made available for each fiscal year under subparagraph (A), not less than 50 percent shall be made available to carry out subsection (c).
Discretionary funding
In addition to any other funds made available to carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $150,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Technical assistance
Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may use funds made available for each fiscal year under this subsection to provide technical assistance.
.
Rural energy savings program
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Rural energy savings program
Definitions
In this section:
Eligible entity
The term eligible entity means—
any public power district, public utility district, or similar entity, or any electric cooperative described in section 501(c)(12) or 1381(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that borrowed and repaid, prepaid, or is paying an electric loan made or guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service (or any predecessor agency);
any entity primarily owned or controlled by 1 or more entities described in subparagraph (A); or
any other entity that is an eligible borrower of the Rural Utility Service (as determined under section 1710.101 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).
Energy efficiency measures
The term energy efficiency measures means, for or at property served by an eligible entity, structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial technologies to increase energy efficiency.
Qualified consumer
The term qualified consumer means a consumer served by an eligible entity that has the ability to repay a loan made under subsection (c), as determined by the eligible entity.
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service.
Loans to Eligible Entities
In general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall make loans to eligible entities that agree to use the loan funds to make loans to qualified consumers for the purpose of implementing energy efficiency measures.
Requirements
In general
As a condition of receiving a loan under this subsection, an eligible entity shall—
establish a list of energy efficiency measures that is expected to decrease energy use or costs of qualified consumers;
prepare an implementation plan for use of the loan funds, including for interest rate utilization under subsection (c)(1)(A);
provide for appropriate measurement and verification to ensure—
the effectiveness of the energy efficiency loans made by the eligible entity; and
that there is no conflict of interest in carrying out this section; and
demonstrate expertise in effective use of energy efficiency measures at scale.
Revision of list of energy efficiency measures
Subject to the approval of the Secretary, an eligible entity may update the list required under subparagraph (A)(i) to account for newly available efficiency technologies.
Existing energy efficiency programs
An eligible entity that, at any time before the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this section, has established an energy efficiency program for qualified consumers may use an existing list of energy efficiency measures, implementation plan, or measurement and verification system of that program to satisfy the requirements of subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines the list, plan, or systems are consistent with the purposes of this section.
No interest
A loan under this subsection shall bear no interest.
Repayment
With respect to a loan under paragraph (1)—
the term shall not exceed 20 years from the date on which the loan is closed; and
except as provided in paragraph (6), the repayment of each advance shall be amortized for a period not to exceed 10 years.
Amount of advances
Any advance of loan funds to an eligible entity in any single year shall not exceed 50 percent of the approved loan amount.
Special advance for start-up activities
In general
In order to assist an eligible entity in defraying the appropriate start-up costs (as determined by the Secretary) of establishing new programs or modifying existing programs to carry out subsection (c), the Secretary shall allow an eligible entity to request a special advance.
Amount
No eligible entity may receive a special advance under this paragraph for an amount that is greater than 4 percent of the loan amount received by the eligible entity under paragraph (1).
Repayment
Repayment of the special advance—
shall be required during the 10-year period beginning on the date on which the special advance is made; and
at the election of the eligible entity, may be deferred to the end of the 10-year period.
Limitation
All special advances shall be made under a loan described in paragraph (1) during the first 10 years of the term of the loan.
Loans to qualified consumers
Terms of loans
Loans made by an eligible entity to qualified consumers using loan funds provided by the Secretary under subsection (b)—
may bear interest, not to exceed 3 percent, to be used for purposes that include—
to establish a loan loss reserve; and
to offset additional personnel and program costs of eligible entities to provide the loans;
shall finance energy efficiency measures for the purpose of decreasing energy usage or costs of the qualified consumer by an amount that ensures, to the maximum extent practicable, that a loan term of not more than 10 years will not pose an undue financial burden on the qualified consumer, as determined by the eligible entity;
shall not be used to fund purchases of, or modifications to, personal property, unless the personal property is or becomes attached to real property (including a manufactured home) as a fixture;
shall be repaid through charges added to the electric bill for the property for, or at which, energy efficiency measures are or will be implemented, on the condition that this requirement does not prohibit—
the voluntary prepayment of a loan by the owner of the property; or
the use of any additional repayment mechanisms that are—
demonstrated to have appropriate risk mitigation features, as determined by the eligible entity; or
required if the qualified consumer is no longer a customer of the eligible entity; and
shall require an energy audit by an eligible entity to determine the impact of proposed energy efficiency measures on the energy costs and consumption of the qualified consumer.
Contractors
In addition to any other qualified general contractor, eligible entities may serve as general contractors.
Contract for measurement and verification, training, and technical assistance
In general
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary—
shall establish a plan for measurement and verification, training, and technical assistance of the program; and
may enter into 1 or more contracts with a qualified entity for the purposes of—
providing measurement and verification activities; and
developing a program to provide technical assistance and training to the employees of eligible entities to carry out this section.
Use of subcontractors authorized
A qualified entity that enters into a contract under paragraph (1) may use subcontractors to assist the qualified entity in carrying out the contract.
Fast Start demonstration projects
In general
The Secretary shall offer to enter into agreements with eligible entities (or groups of eligible entities) that have energy efficiency programs described in subsection (b)(2)(C) to establish an energy efficiency loan demonstration projects consistent with the purposes of this section.
Evaluation criteria
In determining which eligible entities to award loans under this section, the Secretary shall take into consideration eligible entities that—
implement approaches to energy audits and investments in energy efficiency measures that yield measurable and predictable savings;
use measurement and verification processes to determine the effectiveness of energy efficiency loans made by eligible entities;
include training for employees of eligible entities, including any contractors of such entities, to implement or oversee the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B);
provide for the participation of a majority of eligible entities in a State;
reduce the need for generating capacity;
provide efficiency loans to—
in the case of a single eligible entity, not fewer than 20,000 consumers; or
in the case of a group of eligible entities, not fewer than 80,000 consumers; and
serve areas in which, as determined by the Secretary, a large percentage of consumers reside—
in manufactured homes; or
in housing units that are more than 50 years old.
Deadline for implementation
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall enter into agreements described in paragraph (1) by not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this section.
Effect on availability of loans nationally
Nothing in this subsection shall delay the availability of loans to eligible entities on a national basis beginning not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section.
Additional demonstration project authority
In general
The Secretary may conduct demonstration projects in addition to the project required by paragraph (1).
Inapplicability of certain criteria
The additional demonstration projects may be carried out without regard to subparagraphs (D), (F), or (G) of paragraph (2).
Additional authority
The authority provided in this section is in addition to any other authority of the Secretary to offer loans under any other law.
Funding
Mandatory funding
Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $70,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.
Discretionary funding
In addition to any other funds made available to carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017, to remain available until expended.
Effective Period
Subject to the availability of funds under subsection (g) and except as otherwise provided in this section, the loans and other expenditures required to be made under this section shall be available until expended, with the Secretary authorized to make new loans as loans are repaid.
Regulations
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to implement this section.
Procedure
The promulgation of the regulations and administration of this section shall be made without regard to—
the Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in rulemaking; and
chapter 35 of
title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the Paperwork Reduction
Act
).
Congressional review of agency rulemaking
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the authority provided under section 808 of title 5, United States Code.
Interim regulations
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), to the extent regulations are necessary to carry out any provision of this section, the Secretary shall implement such regulations through the promulgation of an interim rule.
.
Technical improvements to research
Matching fund requirement under McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act
1890 Waivers
Section 4 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act
) (16 U.S.C. 582a–3) is
amended—
by designating the first sentence and the second through fifth sentences as subsection (a) and subsections (c) through (f), respectively; and
by inserting after subsection (a) (as so designated) the following:
1890 Institutions
The matching funds requirement of this section shall not be applicable to 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)) if the allocation is below $200,000 for a fiscal year.
.
Participation
Section
8 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis
Cooperative Forestry Act
) (16 U.S.C. 582a–7) is amended by inserting
the Federated States of Micronesia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands,
after the Virgin
Islands,
.
Matching fund requirement under Hatch Act of 1887
Section 3(d) of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(d)) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by inserting before the
period at the following: , except that a State may obtain $2 from
private sources for each $1 the State is required to match under this
Act
; and
in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting before
the period at the following: , except that an insular area or the
District of Columbia may obtain $2 from private sources for each $1 the insular
area or the District of Columbia, respectively, is required to match under this
Act
.
Matching fund requirement under Smith-Lever Act
Section 3(e) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(e)) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by inserting before the
period at the following: , except that a State may obtain $2 from
private sources for each $1 the State is required to match under this
Act
; and
in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting before
the period at the following: , except that an insular area or the
District of Columbia may obtain $2 from private sources for each $1 the insular
area or the District of Columbia, respectively, is required to match under this
Act
.
Biomass Research and Development Initiative
Movement of Initiative
Section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is—
redesignated as section 1473H of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977; and
moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle K of that Act (7 U.S.C. 3310 et seq.).
Reauthorization and improvement of Initiative
Section 1473H of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (as redesignated and moved by subsection (a)) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as paragraphs (2), (6), and (7), respectively;
by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:
Advisory Committee
The term Advisory Committee means the Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee established by subsection (d)(1).
;
by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following:
Biofuel
The term biofuel means a fuel derived from renewable biomass.
Biorefinery
The term biorefinery means a facility (including equipment and processes) that—
converts renewable biomass into biofuels and biobased products; and
may produce electricity.
Board
The term Board means the Biomass Research and Development Board established by subsection (c).
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)).
Renewable biomass
The term renewable biomass has the meaning given the term in section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101).
;
in subsection (e)—
in paragraph (3)—
in
the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency and
; and
by
subparagraph (B)(i), by striking cellulosic
; and
in paragraph
(4)(C), by striking cellulosic
;
in subsection (g),
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking For each fiscal year
for which funds are made available to carry out this section
and
inserting Every 2 years
; and
in subsection (h)—
in paragraph (1),
by striking expended—
and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting expended, $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2013 through 2017.
; and
in paragraph (2),
by striking $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through
2012
and inserting $115,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013
through 2017
.
Conforming amendments
Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended—
by striking paragraphs (2) and (8);
by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as paragraphs (2) through (6), respectively; and
by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (14) as paragraphs (7) through (12), respectively.