H.R. 1272 – Reading Mode

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1272

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 19, 2013

Mr. Welch (for himself, Mr. Courtney, and Mr. Owens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

A BILL

To support State and tribal government efforts to promote research and education related to maple syrup production, natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, market promotion of maple products, and greater access to lands containing maple trees for maple-sugaring activities, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Maple Tapping Access Program Act.

Acer access and development program

(a)

Grants authorized

The Secretary of Agriculture may make grants to States, tribal governments, and research institutions to support the efforts of such States, tribal governments, and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through the following activities:

(1)

Promotion of research and education related to maple syrup production.

(2)

Promotion of natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry.

(3)

Market promotion for maple syrup and maple-sap products.

(4)

Encouragement of owners and operators of privately-held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer—

(A)

to initiate or expand maple-sugaring activities on the land; or

(B)

to voluntarily make the land available, including by lease or other means, for access by the public for maple-sugaring activities.

(b)

Application

In submitting an application for a grant under this section, a State or tribal government shall include—

(1)

a description of the activities to be supported using the grant funds;

(2)

a description of the benefits that the State or tribal government intends to achieve as a result of engaging in such activities; and

(3)

an estimate of the increase in maple-sugaring activities or maple syrup production that the State or tribal government anticipates will occur as a result of engaging in such activities.

(c)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to preempt a State or tribal government law, including a State or tribal government liability law.

(d)

Definition of maple-Sugaring

In this section, the term maple-sugaring means the collection of sap from any species of tree in the genus Acer for the purpose of boiling to produce food.

(e)

Regulations

The Secretary of Agriculture shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.