S. 784

Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act

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II

113th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 784

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 23, 2013

Mr. Baucus (for himself and Mr. Johanns) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To expand agricultural opportunities for military veterans, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Act .

2.

Value-added agricultural market development program grants

Section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (6)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(D)

veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).

; and

(2)

in paragraph (7)(B), by striking 2012 and inserting 2017.

3.

Outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers

(a)

Outreach and assistance for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers

Section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by inserting and veteran farmers and ranchers after ranchers;

(2)

in subsection (a)—

(A)

in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting and veteran farmers or ranchers after ranchers; and

(B)

in paragraph (4)—

(i)

in subparagraph (A)—

(I)

in the heading, by striking Fiscal years 2009 through 2012 and inserting Mandatory funding;

(II)

in clause (i), by striking and at the end;

(III)

in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(IV)

by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

; and

(ii)

by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

(B)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

;

(3)

in subsection (b)(2), by inserting or veteran farmers and ranchers after socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and

(4)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting veteran farmers or ranchers and before members; and

(B)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting veteran farmers or ranchers and before members.

(b)

Definition of veteran farmer or rancher

Section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(7)

Veteran farmer or rancher

The term veteran farmer or rancher means a farmer or rancher who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable.

.

4.

Beginning farmer and rancher development program under Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002

Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (c)(8)—

(A)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(C)

by adding at the end the following:

(D)

beginning farmers and ranchers who are veterans (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code).

; and

(2)

by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i);

(3)

by inserting after subsection (g) the following:

(h)

State grants

(1)

Definition of eligible entity

In this subsection, the term eligible entity means—

(A)

an agency of a State or political subdivision of a State;

(B)

a national, State, or regional organization of agricultural producers; and

(C)

any other entity determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(2)

Grants

The Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary of funds made available to carry out this section for each fiscal year under subsection (i) to make grants to States, on a competitive basis, which States shall use the grants to make grants to eligible entities to establish and improve farm safety programs at the local level.

; and

(4)

in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the heading, by striking for fiscal years 2009 through 2012;

(ii)

in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end;

(iii)

in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(iv)

by adding at the end the following:

(C)

$17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2017, to remain available until expended.

;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)

in the heading, by striking for fiscal years 2009 through 2012; and

(ii)

by striking 2012 and inserting 2017; and

(C)

by striking paragraph (3).

5.

Military veterans agricultural liaison

(a)

In general

Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 218 (7 U.S.C. 6918) the following:

219.

Military veterans agricultural liaison

(a)

Authorization

The Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.

(b)

Duties

The Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall—

(1)

provide information to returning veterans about, and connect returning veterans with, beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs appropriate to the needs and interests of returning veterans, including assisting veterans in using Federal veterans educational benefits for purposes relating to beginning a farming or ranching career;

(2)

provide information to veterans concerning the availability of and eligibility requirements for participation in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs;

(3)

serving as a resource for assisting veteran farmers and ranchers, and potential farmers and ranchers, in applying for participation in agricultural programs; and

(4)

advocating on behalf of veterans in interactions with employees of the Department.

(c)

Contracts and cooperative agreements

For purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, institutions of higher education, or nonprofit organizations for—

(1)

the conduct of regional research on the profitability of small farms;

(2)

the development of educational materials;

(3)

the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified vocational training;

(4)

the conduct of mentoring activities; or

(5)

the provision of internship opportunities.

.

(b)

Conforming amendments

Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (6)(C), by striking the or at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(8)

the authority of the Secretary to establish in the Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison in accordance with section 219.

.

6.

Conservation reserve program transition incentive program

(a)

In general

Section 1235(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835(f)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by inserting , a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))), before or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(3)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2013 through 2017.

.

7.

Environmental quality incentives program

Section 1240B(d)(4)(A) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(d)(4)(A)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting , a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))), before or a beginning farmer or rancher.

8.

Reservation of funds to provide assistance to certain farmers or ranchers for conservation access

Section 1241(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(g)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking 2012 and inserting 2017; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Preference

In providing assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))) that qualifies under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).

.

9.

Administrative requirements for conservation programs

Section 1244(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(E)

Veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e))).

.