For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31704 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL31704 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web A New Farm Bill: Comparing the 2002 Law with Previous Law and House and Senate Bills January 21, 2003 Agriculture & Food Supply Section Coordinated by Jean Yavis Jones Resources, Science, and Industry Division Congressional Research Service ~ The Library of Congress A New Farm Bill: Comparing 2002 Law with Previous Law and House and Senate Bills Summary On May 13, 2002, President Bush signed a new farm bill -- The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (P.L.107-171). This comprehensive new law contains ten titles covering commodity support, conservation, nutrition, trade, research, credit, rural development and other related programs. It makes significant changes to commodity, conservation and nutrition programs, and is intended to guide most federal farm and food policies through FY2007. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates (using the March 2002 baseline) place the total cost of the new bill (i.e., baseline plus new funding) at just under $274 billion over its six-year life-span. The total reflects an increase of $51.6 billion in federal spending, $37.6 billion of which is projected to be used to increase farm commodity program spending. Of the $274 billion in total 6-year budget authority for programs under the new law, it is estimated that some $99 billion will go for direct subsidies to about 600,000 farmers. Just under $150 billion will support the cost of food stamps and commodity assistance for some 17 million low-income Americans. The remaining $25 billion is expected to be spent on conservation ($21 billion), trade ($2.1 billion), rural development ($1 billion), and research, forestry and energy ($2.5 billion) programs. The new farm bill has been hailed by supporters as a corrective to previous policy that was criticized for not providing a "safety net" for farmers, and that prompted some $35 billion in ad hoc emergency farm spending laws between fiscal years 1999 and 2002. Critics of the new farm law expressed concern about its cost and its resurrection of old policy mechanisms that they contend encourage overproduction that will further depress farm prices. There also is concern that the generous farm subsidies in the new law conflict with U.S. trade agreements and/or impede U.S. efforts to get other countries to cut their farm subsidies. The House approved its original farm bill (H.R. 2646, the Farm Security Act of 2001) on October 5, 2001. The Senate version of this legislation (The Agriculture, Conservation, and Rural Enhancement Act, or ACRE) was approved on February 13, 2002, and was nearly three times the size of the House bill. Despite this, the commodity policy changes in both bills reflected a similar policy direction. Both chambers' bills maintained marketing loan assistance and fixed, decoupled annual farm payments, although at different levels. They both also added target prices and counter-cyclical income support (or deficiency payments) for major field crops. Conservation and nutrition programs were enhanced by both bills, although more so in the Senate bill. Other differences between the House and Senate included: the pace of new spending; the amount of new funding for commodity programs versus other USDA activities (e.g., conservation, food assistance, etc.); how much to fund each of the commodity support programs; and the federal caps on farm payments. The final law adopted the more evenly paced annual spending of the House bill; spent most (73%) new money on farm commodity programs; split the differences over funding for each of the three major commodity programs; and set new farm payment caps that lowered base limits but maintained rules allowing payments for up to three entities, spouses, and unlimited commodity certificates. This report will not be updated. Contents Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Economic and Policy Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1996 Farm Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The 107th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Administration Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 House and Senate Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Narrative Comparison: Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Spending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Commodity Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Nutrition Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Selected Conference Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Commodity Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Program Crops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Peanuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Farm Payment Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Federal Budget and Trade Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Conservation Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Concentration in the Livestock Sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Comparison Caveats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SIDE by SIDE COMPARISON: Old Law, House and Senate Bills, New Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 I. COMMODITY PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Title: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Definitions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 A. Wheat, Corn Grain Sorghum, Barley, Oats, Upland Cotton, Rice, Soybeans and other Oilseeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 2. Direct Fixed, Decoupled Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 3. Counter-Cyclical Deficiency Payments and Target Prices . . . . . . . . . . . 28 4. Marketing Assistance Loans and LDPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 B. Wool and Mohair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 C. Honey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 D. Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, Dry Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas . . . . 34 E. Grazed Wheat, Barley, Oats, and Triticale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 F. High Moisture Corn and Sorghum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 G. ELS and Upland Seed Cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 H. Hard White Wheat Incentive Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 I. Upland Cotton Competitiveness for Processors and Exporters . . . . . . . . 36 J. ELS Cotton Competitiveness for Processors and Exporters . . . . . . . . . . 37 K. Peanuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 L. Sugar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 M. Dairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 1. Dairy Price Support Program (DPSP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 2. The Northeast Dairy Compact and Counter-Cyclical Payments for Dairy Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 3. Recourse Loan Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 4. Dairy Export Incentive Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 5. Dairy Indemnity Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 6. Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 7. Dairy Promotion and Research Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 8. Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 9. Dairy Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 N. Tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 1. Flue-cured Tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 2. Flue-cured Farm Reconstitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 O. Specialty Crops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 P. Payment Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Q. Livestock Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 R. Farm Income Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 S. CCC Commodity Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 T. Implementing Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 U. Counter-Cyclical Farm Savings Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 V. WTO Limits on Allowable Domestic Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 II. CONSERVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 A. Environmental Conservation Acreage Program (ECARP) . . . . . . . . . . 55 B. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 C. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 D. Environmental Quality Incentives Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 E. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 F. Farmland Protection Program (FPP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 G. Other Programs (Including Technical Assistance) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 H. New Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 III. AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND AID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 A. Agricultural Export Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 B. Food Aid Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 C. Other Trade Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 IV. NUTRITION PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 A. Food Stamp Program, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 B. Commodity Assistance Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 C. Child Nutrition Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 D. Special Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 E. Effective Dates and Cost Estimates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 V. FARM CREDIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 A. Farm Ownership/Real Estate Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 B. Operating Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 C. Emergency Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 D. Administrative Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 E. Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 F. Farm Credit System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 G. Miscellaneous Credit and Finance Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 VI. RURAL DEVELOPMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 A. Rural Community Advancement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 B. Fund for Rural America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 C. Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 D. Value-added Agriculture Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 E. Water and Waste Treatment Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149 F. Rural Entrepreneur and Business Investment Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 G. Strategic Rural and Regional Planning Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 H. Rural America Infrastructure Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 I. Other Rural Development Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 VII. RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 A. Funding Authority: University Research and Cooperative Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 B. The Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems . . . . . . . . . . . 158 C. Land Grant Institutions in Insular Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 D. 1890 Land Grant Universities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 E. 1994 Institutions (Tribally Controlled Land Grant Institutions . . . . . . 161 F. Priority Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 G. International Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 H. Biotechnology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 I. Research Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164 J. Competitive Research Grants Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 K. Biosecurity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 L. Research related to Rural and Beginning Farmers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 M. Miscellaneous Research Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 VIII. FORESTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 A. Forest Landowner Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 B. Suburban and Community Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 C. Watershed Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 D. Fire Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 E. Forest Health Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 F. Forestry Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 G. Renewable Resources (RREA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 H. International Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 I. Tribal Forestry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 J. National Forest Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 A. Federal Crop Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 B. Noninsured Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 C. Emergency Crop Disaster and Income Loss Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 D. Market Loss Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 E. Livestock Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 F. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 G. Tree Assistance and Caneberries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 H. Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 I. Anti-trust and Competition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 J. Animal Transport, Inspection and Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 K. Plant Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 L. Pseudorabies Eradication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 M. Preclearance Quarantine Inspections for Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 N. Non-Ambulatory Farm Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 O. Animal Welfare Act (nonfarm animals) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 P. Genetically Engineered Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Q. Pesticides and School Pesticide Management Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 R. Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 S. Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 T. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 U. Farm Marketing Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 V.Organic Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 W. Food Safety Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 X. Miscellaneous Studies, Reports and Task Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 This report reflects the contributions of the following CRS analysts: Farm Bill Provisions CRS Contributors Summary, Overview, and Jean Yavis Jones (7-7331) Narrative Comparison Commodity Programs: Wheat, feedgrains, cotton, oilseeds, Jasper Womach (7-7237) tobacco, and general rules Dairy Ralph Chite (7-7296) Peanuts and Sugar Remy Jurenas (7-7281) Specialty crops Fruits, vegetables, nuts, flora Brenda Branaman (7-4277) Honey, wool, mohair Carol Canada (7-7619) Conservation Jeffrey Zinn (7-7257) Agricultural Trade and Aid Geoffrey Becker (7-7287) Nutrition Programs Joe Richardson (7-7325) Farm Credit Jerry Heykoop (7-0248) Rural Development Tadlock Cowan (7-7600) Research Jean Rawson (7-7283) Forestry Ross Gorte (7-7266) Federal Crop Insurance Ralph Chite (7-7296) Energy Brent Yacobucci (7-9662) Animal Welfare Alex Segarra (7-9664) Genetically Engineered Food Pesticides Linda Schierow (7-7279) For more information, see CRS Report RL31195, The 2002 Farm Bill: Overview and Status; CRS Report RS21233, The 2002 Farm Law at a Glance. Individual topic comparisons include the following CRS reports: CRS Report RL31524, The 2002 Farm Bill: Comparison of Commodity Support Provisions with House and Senate Proposals and Prior Law, by Jasper Womach; CRS Report RL31486, Resource Conservation Title of the 2002 Farm Bill: Comparison of New Law with Bills passed by the Senate and Prior Law, by Jeffrey Zinn; and CRS Report RL31271, Energy Provisions the Farm Bill: Comparison of the New Law with Previous Law and House and Senate Bills, by Brent Yacobucci. A New Farm Law: Comparing the 2002 Law with Previous Law and the House and Senate Bills Overview President Bush signed a new farm law (P.L. 107-171, the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, on May 13, 2002. This followed almost two years of hearings, committee deliberations, and floor debates. The House passed its bill (H.R. 2646) on October 5, 2001. The Senate passed its version of this legislation on February 13, 2002. The House and Senate conferees began formal meetings on April 9, 2002 and reached agreement on their differences on April 22, 2002. The House approved the conference agreement (H.R. 2646, H.Rept. 107-424). on May 2, 2002 by a vote of 280-141; the Senate approved it on May 8, 2002 by a vote of 64- 35. The final law contains ten titles: Commodity Programs, Conservation, Trade, Nutrition Programs, Credit, Rural Development, Research and Related Matters, Energy, and Miscellaneous. At the time of its enactment, the new law was projected to add $73.5 billion to federal funding for food and agriculture programs over 10 years.1 This included new funding for farm commodity programs (+$47.8 billion); conservation programs (+$17.1 billion); trade (+$1.1 billion); nutrition programs (+$6.4 billion); research (+$1.3 billion); and rural development (+$870 million). April 2002 CBO estimates projected new federal costs for the new law at $82.8 billion. Total budget authority for programs in the new law (that is, baseline spending plus new spending) was projected by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) when the legislation was approved to be $274 billion over its six-year life span. Of this amount some $99 billion was expected to go to about 600,000 farmers in the form of direct payments; $150 billion to support the cost of food stamps and commodity assistance to some 17 million low income persons; and the remaining $25 billion for conservation ( $21 billion), trade ($2.1 billion), rural development ($1 billion), and research, forestry and energy ($2.5 billion) programs. 1 Based on March 2001 CBO baseline estimates. March 2002 baseline estimates brought the estimated new cost to a total of $82.8 billion over 10 years. CRS-2 Economic and Policy Setting Consideration of new farm policy began in 2001, more than a year before the major provisions of the 1996 farm bill were due to expire. The early timing was driven in large measure by the persistence of low prices for many major field commodities, and the desire to address farm income problems through changes to underlying farm policy, rather than by annual multi-billion dollar farm aid packages like those enacted between 1998 and 2001. The economic environment in 2001 was quite different from that existing in 1995-96 when the previous farm bill was considered. In 1995, world commodity supplies were low, demand was growing, and prices for most program commodities were at near record highs. This favorable economic climate, along with growing pressure to bring federal spending under control, changed party control of the Congress, and trade agreements to cut back domestic farm support, made the time propitious for major policy changes. By 1998, however, prices for many major commodities had begun to fall as previous growth markets overseas suffered financial crisis and supplies overtook demand. When the House and Senate began examining new farm policy options early in 2001, this followed three years of stagnant commodity prices and "emergency" farm aid packages totaling over $ 33 billion. The economic environment made it easier for the Congress to approve a congressional budget resolution that contained allowances for some $73.5 billion in new farm bill spending. Subsequently, however, the rosy budget scenario changed. A mild recession, declining revenues, and the mounting costs of the U.S. war against terrorism precipitated by the events of September 11, 2001, have combined to deplete the budget surplus. Some pointed to pending deficits as a reason to rethink the wisdom of substantial increases in farm spending. Others, mostly farm groups and their legislators, pushed for quick farm bill action fearing the loss of the allowed increases. Still others worried about the implications of not passing legislation in time for farmers' spring planting decisions, and about the potentially costly consequences of legislating in an election year. Different party control of each chamber of Congress, a new administration reluctant to push for an early farm bill, and other national events delayed completion of the new farm bill until May 2002. 1996 Farm Law. When the previous farm bill was being formulated in 1995 and 1996, the farm economy was enjoying a boom. Prices for most commodities were at record highs, as was farm income. Moreover, foreign demand for U.S. agricultural goods was expanding, particularly in Asia and Latin America. At that time legislators in the Congress were also facing constraints because of severe budget deficits and trade initiatives that added pressure for changes to farm policy that would better control farm program spending and adapt U.S. policies to trade agreements. The Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996 (or 1996 Farm bill, P.L. 104-127) was enacted in April, 1996. This followed nearly two years of deliberations and the extension for one year of previous law provisions CRS-3 beyond their original 1995 expiration date.2 The Agricultural Market Transition Act (AMTA), Title I of the FAIR Act, contained commodity program provisions that capped federal spending, ended land set-asides and target prices for most commodities, and created a new farm income support system replacing target price supports. Wheat, feedgrain, cotton, and rice farmers choosing to participate in this new program were to receive fixed, gradually declining, decoupled annual payments (so-called production flexibility contract (PFC) payments, sometimes called AMTA payments).3 These were provided each year in lump sums, irrespective of market prices or farmers' planting decisions. The expectation was that over time the amount of AMTA payments would decline and end completely after 2002, by which time farmers would have adjusted to a free market, and would receive payments only under the capped marketing loan assistance program. Opponents of this gradual phase-out of federal assistance worried about what would happen if prices and markets declined, as began to happen in late 1997 and early 1998. Proponents pointed out that farmers getting PFC/AMTA payments in good economic times would be able to put them away for a rainy day to soften the impact of losses during low price periods. This point also was made in response to those who objected to giving farmers payments when prices were high (as they were in 1996) and economic conditions were good. Moreover, bill promoters pointed out that there was still counter-cyclical income relief in the form of the marketing loan assistance program, although it was capped. When the 1996 farm bill was enacted, prices for most major commodities were at record highs; demand was high and growing, and commodity supplies were tight. By 1998, however, conditions in the farm economy had deteriorated. Demand for many major commodities began to decline as a financial crisis hit Asia and Latin America (two of the fastest growth markets for U.S. goods). Moreover, several years of good worldwide growing conditions had increased supplies, and the value of the American dollar was high relative to other countries, making U.S. goods expensive compared to competitors. Farm income began to decline and the Congress stepped in. The concept of self-sufficiency and independence from federal farm programs eroded as the Congress approved, and the President signed seven emergency farm aid bills in 1999, 2000, and 2001. These adhoc "emergency" spending measures provided some $33 billion to agriculture (primarily to wheat, feedgrain, oilseed, cotton and rice farmers). This assistance helped to stabilize farm income for those receiving payments (primarily wheat, feedgrain, cotton and rice farmers) It also helped to keep average farm family income higher than the national average for all U.S. households. 2 The transition in 1994 from Democratic to Republican control of the House and Senate and a new congressional agenda and leaders, delayed completion of a new farm in 1995. The Congress extended the expiring provisions of the 1990 law (P.L. 104-624) for an additional year until another farm law could be enacted in 1996. Many of the key policy changes made by the 1996 law were authorized through 2002. 3 Payment levels were "decoupled" from target prices and production, which, in the past, were used to make payments to farmers when market prices fell below specified targets. CRS-4 The 107th Congress. As the proportion of net farm income drawn from federal subsidies grew, many in Congress and elsewhere began to push for longer term changes to underlying farm policy that would offer more certainty to farmers than does reliance on ad hoc annual financial aid packages. Thus, shortly after coming into session in 2001, the 107th Congress began to examine agriculture policy and solicit proposals from the various producer groups. Hearings were held by the House and Senate, and testimony was presented both in Washington D.C. and in field hearings throughout much of 2001. The House passed a bill (H.R. 2646) in October, 2001; the Senate began debate on its farm bill (S. 1731) in early December, but was unable to reach agreement before the adjournment of the first session on December 19, 2001. A much revised Senate bill was passed on February 13, 2002. House and Senate conferees agreed to a compromise bill, renamed the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, in late April. The House approved the conference agreement on May 2; the Senate approved it on May 8, 2002. The President signed the measure on May 13, 2002 (P.L. 107-171). Administration Views. Like its predecessor, the Bush Administration did not put forward a new farm bill. In its first year (2001), the Bush Administration took the position that Congress should give careful consideration to major farm policy changes before rushing through new legislation. In other words, it contended that a new farm bill could wait until 2002. On September 19, 2001, as the House Agriculture Committee prepared to mark up its farm bill, the Administration issued a report that laid out a set of "principles" for farm policy.4 These principles focused on: (1) the wide differences among farms and farming practices and the need for better tailored policy to reflect these differences; (2) the tilt in existing policy toward highly efficient commercial farms with no direct relationship between federal benefits and a farm's financial need; and (3) the need to rely on market rather than government forces over the long term, with short term aid for "unexpected events" beyond a farmer's control. In early October 2001, as the House began floor debate on its farm bill, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a Statement of Administration Policy (SAP) that opposed this legislation. It contended that the House bill encouraged overproduction of commodities, did not target benefits to farmers most in need, jeopardized global markets, and increased federal spending at a time of economic uncertainty. The Administration also objected to the Senate Agriculture Committee farm bill (S. 1731) reported in late November, renewing its concerns about stimulating overproduction and poor targeting of farm payments. It also expressed concern about the bill's potential to undermine U.S. efforts to phase out foreign countries' export subsidies and U.S. ability to meet current trade obligations. Finally, the Administration took the position that the Senate-reported bill would authorize costly and ineffective conservation programs, weaken accountability in domestic nutrition programs, and result in unknown budget costs. 4 Food and Agriculture Policy: Taking Stock for the New Century. CRS-5 In early January 2002, USDA officials indicated that they expected Congress and the Bush Administration to agree on a farm bill by early March, 2002. OMB officials informed Congress that the President now supported the $73.5 billion in additional farm spending over ten years that was permitted by the FY2002 year congressional budget resolution. This appeared to remove some of the concern that failure to enact a new farm bill before the next budget resolution could risk loss of new funding for farm bill programs. In late February, 2002, following passage of the Senate farm bill, the Administration indicated that it preferred the House bill's more gradual approach to new spending to the quicker expenditure of funds in the Senate amendment. Administration officials feared the Senate approach would exhaust federal farm support in the early years and force substantial amounts of new spending in later years. They also preferred the lower marketing loan rates of the House bill. On the other hand, USDA officials were concerned about the large proportion of new funding in the House bill for farm commodity programs compared to the Senate bill, and appeared to favor some of the more expansive nutrition program provisions of the Senate bill. As time went on, some USDA officials expressed reservations about Senate bill provisions that added marketing loan assistance for pulse crops (e.g. dried beans, chick peas, lentils) and to the bill's restriction on meat packer ownership of livestock. The Administration offered no public alternatives to the House and Senate proposals, but continued to press the conferees on the importance of U.S. trade negotiating objectives (e.g., getting other countries to reduce their domestic commodity supports), and the risk of exceeding the $19 billion limit on trade- distorting domestic support that the U.S. agreed to under the WTO Uruguay Round Agreement. The Administration also refused to take a public position on the controversial payment limitation issue that was debated at length in the Senate. By the time Congress approved the farm bill in May, 2002, the Spring planting season was already under way. Moreover, mid-term elections were rapidly approaching and several farm states/districts were viewed as keys to control of the House and Senate. Thus, despite earlier reservations by Administration officials, President Bush signed the new farm law on May 13,2002, saying "This bill is generous and will provide a safety net for farmers. And it will do so without encouraging overproduction and depressing prices. It will allow farmers and ranchers to plan and operate based on market realities, not government dictates." House and Senate Action The House Agriculture Committee farm bill (H.R. 2646) was introduced on July 26, 2001. The Committee marked up this bill on July 27 and amended and reported it on August 2. It was sequentially referred to the House International Relations Committee, which reported it with amendments on September 10. Floor debate on H.R. 2646 began on October 2 and continued through October 5 when the bill was passed by a vote of 291-120. The bill was engrossed and sent to the Senate on October 9, 2001. On November 15, 2001, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee ordered reported an original bill (S. 1731) in lieu of S. 1628, a farm bill CRS-6 introduced on November 2 by Committee Chairman Harkin. S. 1731 was adopted by the Committee and reported to the Senate on November 27, and placed on the legislative calendar.5 On November 30, the Senate began debate on a motion to proceed to the consideration of S. 1731. Efforts to speed up consideration and obtain a vote for final passage on this measure prior to the end of the first session were unsuccessful.6 Several substitute amendments or alternatives to the Committee bill were offered during debate in the first session. Among these was the Daschle Amendment (S.Amdt. 2471), substituting for the Committee-reported bill. Offered on December 11, it was the pending vehicle at the end of the first session. Several substitutes to the Daschle substitute were offered and tabled (i.e., effectively rejected) in the first session. The rejected alternatives included: ! An amendment offered by Senator Lugar (S.Amdt. 2473) that would have replaced and completely revised the commodity provisions of the Daschle substitute and substantially increased spending for nutrition programs7; ! A substitute amendment offered by Senators Roberts and Cochran (S.Amdt. 2671) that would have modified the Daschle substitute to reflect some of the concerns expressed by the Administration (discussed previously), and ! A substitute amendment (S.Admt. 2678) by Senator Hutchinson (Ark.) offering the House-passed farm bill (H.R. 2646) as a substitute. Early in the second session of the 107th Congress, debate was renewed over the Senate farm bill (Daschle Substitute Amendment S.Amdt. 2471). On February 13, 2002, a substantially revised bill was approved by the Senate. This version, renumbered as the Senate amendment to H.R. 2646, reflected some 31 amendments, one of which, the so-called Managers' Amendment (S.Amdt. 2859), was 397 pages (longer than the entire House bill of 379 pages). Among the more controversial of the many floor amendments agreed to was one that lowered limits or caps on farm payments, and used the savings to increase spending for nutrition programs in ways similar to those proposed by the previously rejected Lugar amendment. Less controversial amendments added livestock feed assistance, another $2.4 billion in 5 The Committee filed a written report on S. 1731 on December 7, 2001 (H.Rept. 107-117) 6 Several efforts to invoke cloture in order to cut off debate on this legislation failed. The first (a test vote on the motion to proceed to consideration) failed by a vote of 73-26. Subsequent cloture votes failed by lesser votes - 53-45 and 54-43. 7 The Lugar proposal would have established, in lieu of the Senate bill's target price and income support provisions, a "whole-farm" income insurance program, available to all crop and livestock farmers (i.e. livestock and fruit and vegetable growers not now receiving direct payments). It would have provided for a federal payment equaling 6% of a farm's receipts that could be used to pay insurance premiums for guarantees of 80% of average income for farmers. A pilot project testing this approach in a limited number of states was authorized in the finally-approved Senate bill. CRS-7 additional "emergency" farm assistance for FY20028, and a myriad of new conservation, rural development, research, and animal health and welfare provisions. One formal and several informal meetings of House-Senate conferees 9and staff took place prior to the spring recess. Resolution of the differences was not reached before Congress left for the Easter and Passover holidays. However, press accounts reported that at that time there was a tentative agreement on the amounts of new funding to add to the major farm bill titles ($46 billion for commodity programs; $17.1 billion for conservation programs; $6.4 billion for nutrition programs; $3.3. billion for remaining titles -- research, rural development, forestry, farm credit, trade, etc.; and a $2.6 billion "cushion fund." ) Assuming some $1.9 billion in crop insurance program savings, this informal agreement kept total new spending in line with the budget resolution allowance ($73.5 billion), according to press reports. The amounts reportedly allocated by title were not officially substantiated, and whatever agreement was reached at that time was subject to subsequent change when the conferees resumed conference deliberations after the spring recess. Staff meetings during the recess worked out minor, noncontroversial differences between the bills, and developed options or alternative proposals that the members might consider to resolve major differences when conference negotiations resumed. The Conference Committee formally reconvened on April 9, 2002, and many minor differences were quickly resolved. Less easy to resolve were differences over how spending was to be allocated among the various titles, the marketing loan rates and eligibility requirement, the pace of new spending, limits on farm payments, new dairy policy, and meat packer concentration. Pressure to complete action came from policy analysts who suggested that a new bill would have to be enacted quickly if its policies were to apply to crop year 2002 production. There also was pressure from political analysts closely watching contested elections in key agriculture states. They predicted that the outcome of the farm bill debate could determine the outcome of the mid-term elections and party control of the House and Senate, and that the legislation could become more expensive in light of the election year timing.10 As time passed without legislation, the USDA began to be pressured to publish the 2002 loan rates. This was resisted by the Administration and others, who recognized the political unacceptability of the existing law rates and the likely election year repercussions, as well as the possibility that putting out the rates might delay congressional action on a new law. Another pressure point came when a multi-billion dollar farm aid bill for FY2002 was introduced by Senator Roberts (S. 2040) in case a new farm bill was not enacted in time for the 2002 crops. 8 Funding designated as "emergency" does not require budget offsets. 9 Senate conferees were Senators Harkin (Iowa), Leahy (Vt.), Conrad (N.D.), Daschle (S.D.), Lugar (Ind.), Helms (N.C.), and Cochran (Miss). House conferees were Representatives Combest (Texas), Boehner (Ohio), Goodlatte (Va.), Pombo (Calif.), Everett (Ala.) Lucas (Okla.), Chambliss (Ga.), Moran (Kansas), Stenholm (Texas), Condit (Calif.), Peterson (Minn.), Dooley (Calif.), Clayton (N.C.) and Holden (Pa.). 10 Typically, farm bills are scheduled to expire in off-election (or odd) years in order to avoid the pressure of election politics. This was not the case with the 1996 farm law and this year's bill, although in both cases, there were efforts to get legislation approved a year early. CRS-8 In late April, after several weeks of negotiations, the House-Senate conferees reached a conference agreement. The House approved the Conference Report (107- 424) on this bill on May 2. The Senate approved it on May 8, and the President signed it on May 13 (P.L.107-171). Titled the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, the new law provides for $73.5 billion in new spending for food and agriculture programs, based on 2001 baseline estimates by CBO. 11 Using 2002 baseline estimates, CBO subsequently projected that budget authority added by the new law would total $82.8 billion over ten years, bringing overall total spending for these programs to $451 billion over the next ten years. More recent program cost estimates, based on higher than expected commodity prices, suggest that the cost might be lower. Narrative Comparison: Summary Although the House and Senate proposed farm bills varied from one another in many respects, there were common features to both. First, although farm commodity support was the main focus of each bill and generally got the most attention, the measures proposed and finally approved contained much more than farm commodity provisions. Other titles addressed conservation, trade, nutrition programs, credit, rural development, research, and forestry. Moreover, both bills and the final law restored some provisions struck by earlier law (e.g. federal target prices; the wool, mohair, and honey programs) and added new programs (e.g. countercyclical payments and payments for dairy and pulse crops).12 The two chambers' bills also substantially increased funding for farm commodity programs, but differed over how much of the increased funding should go for each of the payment vehicles (i.e., fixed payments, marketing loan assistance, or countercyclical income support). The House-passed farm bill had a 10-year life span; the Senate bill authorized its programs for 5 years. The time span in the House bill related to provisions in the FY2002 Congressional Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 83) that provided room for some $73.5 billion in additional spending over the period 2002-2011 for a new farm bill. The Senate 5-year authorization reflected a more traditional time-frame for multi-year farm bills. The Conferees agreed to a six year farm bill. Both bills proposed changes that utilized the $73.5 billion in increased funding allowed by the budget resolution, although the Senate bill was re-estimated to spend $6.1 billion more than that amount when CBO discovered in early March 2002 that it had made an estimating error in its original calculations. The Senate measure also used up its 10-year funding total more quickly than did the House, and added another $2.45 billion in farm aid for FY2002, although this cost was not counted because it 11 March 2002 CBO estimates (using updated baseline from April 2001) calculate that the new budget authority added by the Farm law will total $82.8 billion. 12 The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996, P.L. 104-127, was amended several times to extend the planned expiration date for the dairy price support program. Congress also temporarily restored federal aid for the honey, wool and mohair programs as part of several "emergency" funding packages enacted to shore up farm income. CRS-9 was designated as "emergency" spending. The conferees agreed to a more measured pace of new spending than the Senate bill, and dropped the additional "emergency" spending. The $73.5 billion mark allowed for new spending was met by the conference agreement (although subsequent updated cost projections by the CBO now estimate over $82 billion in new costs). The House and Senate bills also continued a trend toward increasing federal support for a broader array of conservation efforts and expanding payments to farmers who engage in environmentally sensitive farming practices, although the Senate provisions were more generous in this regard (+ $21.3 billion compared to $15.7 billion in the House bill). The conferees agreed to split the difference, increasing conservation funding by $17.1 billion over ten years. The Senate bill also provided significantly more funding for domestic food programs (+$9.3 billion) than the House (+$3.7 billion), with much of the difference related to Senate provisions restoring food stamp eligibility to certain legal aliens. Both bills also made changes to the food stamp program to assist states in conforming program rules to those of other welfare programs and increase commodity donations to domestic food programs. The conference agreement adopted the Senate proposals regarding legal alien eligibility for food stamps. This brought new10-year funding increases estimated at $6.4 billion for this program and several commodity distribution programs, according to CBO, 2001 baseline estimates. The Senate bill also contained extensive energy (ethanol) provisions that were not in the House version. Some of these remained in the final version. Finally, the Senate bill was more generous than the House with respect to funding for research and rural development. In the end, funding increases for both of these categories were reduced to shore up spending for farm commodity and food assistance programs. Some of these and other significant differences between the bills are described in more detail below. Spending. The FY2002 Congressional Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 83) adopted in 2001 made room for additional agriculture spending of $5.5 billion for FY2001, $7.35 billion in FY2002, and $66.15 billion over the following nine years for food and agriculture programs. This provided for a total of $73.5 billion in new budget authority for FY2002-2011above baseline spending. The expectation was that this new money would be used to finance new policies and that most of it would go for farm commodity programs, although this was not required. FY2001 money was spent for emergency assistance. The allowable spending for FY2002 and beyond was intended either for emergency farm assistance or a new farm bill.13 Both the House and Senate bills originally were estimated by CBO to cost $73.5 billion over the 10-year period, FY2002-2011. This included funding for farm 13 As noted above, the Senate approved a floor amendment to its farm bill that adds $2.4 billion in "emergency" farm assistance. A waiver to the budget rules requiring offsets of additional spending for "emergency" reasons was approved by a voice vote so that this additional spending is not counted against the Senate farm bill for FY2002. CRS-10 commodity programs as well as nutrition programs, trade, research, conservation, and rural development, among other things. It did not reflect the additional $2.45 billion in farm "emergency" assistance for FY2002 that the Senate added to its bill.14 It also did not reflect some $6.1 billion in higher costs that the CBO later said were left out of earlier Senate bill projections of commodity program costs because of an error in the original calculations. The revised estimates brought new spending in the Senate- passed bill to a total of $79.6 billion. The final conference agreement brought additional 10-year spending back to the $73.5 billion total allowed by the budget resolution, based on 2001 baseline estimates. When CBO re-estimated baseline spending in March 2002, the total new spending provided by the new farm bill rose to $82.8 billion. The additional funding in the new farm bill, when added to April 2002 baseline estimates (i.e. spending estimated without any change in previous law), will bring total spending for all of the programs in the farm bill to $273.9 billion over the next six years (the life of the bill), according to CBO estimates. This represents an estimated $222.2 billion in baseline spending and $51.7 billion in new spending. Of the 6-year total spending (baseline plus increases), CBO estimated that the new law will provide: ! $98.9 billion for commodity support programs; ! $21.3 billion for conservation; ! $149.6 billion for nutrition programs, mostly food stamps; ! $2.1 billion for agricultural trade; ! $1 billion for rural development; ! $760 million for research; ! $405 million for energy related provisions, and ! $85 million for forestry Commodity Programs. Under both the House and Senate bills, well over half of the new spending would have gone for commodity programs -- $48.8 billion under the House bill and $46 billion under the Senate bill.15 However, the bills differed with respect to how much of this commodity program spending should go for fixed annual "contract" payments, new counter-cyclical income relief, or higher marketing loan assistance (i.e., loan deficiency payments). Based on 2002 baseline estimates, the House bill would have added an estimated $25.1 billion to commodity program budget authority over 5 years, and $48.8 billion over 10 years ($7.7 billion more than the originally estimated Senate bill). Initial estimates for the Senate farm bill showed it raising total commodity program spending (Title I) by $26.8 billion over five years and by $41.1 billion over 14 A voice vote to waive this additional funding as "emergency" assistance was approved by the Senate as part of an amendment (S.Amdt. 2839; this designation means that the additional funding does not require offsets in spending elsewhere to conform to budget rules. 15 This amount assumes the $38.9 billion originally estimated by CBO plus the $6.1 billion CBO has indicated it underestimated for the cost of the commodity provisions in that bill. CRS-11 ten years. Adjusting for the $6.1 billion calculating error by CBO, the Senate farm bill's commodity program costs would have risen by $30.5 billion (over five years) and just under $46 billion over 10 years. This does not count the additional $2.4 billion in FY2002 "emergency" farm assistance the Senate added since this was designated "emergency spending" and not subject to budget offsetting rules for new spending. The final law (Conference agreement) increased spending for commodity programs by a total of $25.6 billion and $47.8 billion, respectively, over five and ten years -- more than the 10-year added cost of the Senate bill commodity provisions ($46.1 billion), and slightly less than the House bill ($47.97 billion). Based on new (2002) baseline estimates for the six-year life span of the new law, CBO projected that the government would spend $37.6 billion more for commodity programs under the new farm bill. This represented 73% of the new funding for all of the titles of the new farm law. Total spending for farm commodity programs (i.e., baseline plus new spending) will be $98.9 billion over 6 years, according to CBO estimates, and represents 36% of spending for all of the programs in the new farm law. The House and Senate proposed about the same amount of new funding ($12.7- $12.9 billion) for fixed (formerly called "contract," ) payments to "program" farmers (i.e., wheat, feedgrain, cotton, rice, and oilseed farmers). The conferees agreed to less than was proposed by the House and Senate bills ($9.9 billion) for fixed payments. The new counter-cyclical program proposed in the House bill was projected to cost $37.2 billion over ten years; the Senate's counterpart was less generous ( $19.1 billion). The conferees more or less split the difference, agreeing to new spending of $29.4 billion for counter-cyclical income support. More extensive differences were in each chamber's marketing loan assistance provisions. The Senate bill would have added to marketing loan assistance, proposing changes that would have increased spending by $18.7 billion over ten years. The House, on the other hand, proposed to reduce spending for marketing loan payments by some $5.8 billion over ten years. The conferees agreed to an increase of $2.2 billion in marketing loan assistance over ten years. Nutrition Programs. The Senate proposed to raise spending for nutrition programs (primarily, the food stamp program) by $9.3 billion over 10 years, compared to an increase of $3.7 billion for these programs in the House bill. The conferees compromised on a 10-year spending increase of $6.4 billion for these programs (9% of all new spending in the bill), and adopted the Senate proposal to restore food stamp eligibility to many legal aliens cut off by the 1996 welfare reform law. Under the six-year life span of this legislation, nutrition programs are projected by CBO to cost a total of $149.6 billion. This includes an increase of $2.8 billion (1.9% in funding) over the 6-year period. The large funding increases for nutrition programs in the Senate bill were derived, in part, from savings in commodity program spending due to a provision that would have substantially lowered the limit on commodity payments to farmers. According to CBO estimates, the payment limit reduction in the Senate bill would have lowered commodity program spending by $695 million over 10 years. [The payment limit is discussed in more detail later in this report in the selected issues section.] CRS-12 Selected Conference Issues Commodity Programs Program Crops. Both the House and Senate bills maintained the system of fixed annual payments to wheat, feedgrain, cotton and rice farmers that replaced target price supports in 1996. Both bills also added soybeans and peanuts to the crops that are eligible for these fixed payments. The House bill provided more funding for contract payments than did the Senate. Both bills also maintained marketing loan assistance (adding peanuts, as well), but the House bill set loan rates at, or slightly below, those set by previous law, thus reducing spending for this program by $5.8 billion over 10 years, according to CBO. The Senate substantially raised these rates, adding some $18.3 billion for marketing loan assistance. Both bills added a new program of counter-cyclical income support (which also included peanuts). In sum, the House approach tended to rely more heavily on fixed annual payments and greater levels of counter-cyclical income support than the Senate, which put more of its new funding into substantially raising marketing loan assistance. In overall spending for commodity programs, the conferees agreed to spend just under $48 billion over ten years, coming closer to the House mark ($48.7 billion) than the Senate ($46 billion). The conference agreement approved 10-year funding increases among the three commodity programs as follows: ! $9.9 billion in fixed payments (less than both House and Senate bills); ! $29.4 billion for counter-cyclical income support ( versus $37 billion in the House bill and $19 billion in the Senate bill); and ! $1.7 billion in marketing loan assistance (the House bill would have reduced this assistance by $5.8 billion; the Senate bill would have added $18.3 billion in new spending). Both bills maintained the 1996 policy changes that provide broad planting flexibility to farmers and remove annual cropland set-aside tools formerly used to reduce surplus production and/or control federal farm spending. To protect the interests of fruit and vegetable producers (who do not receive federal subsidies and who worried that some of the subsidized crop producers might plant these alternative crops as well as their subsidized program crops) both the House and Senate bills maintained the planting restriction on most fruits and vegetables by program farmers. Although some farm groups supported the types of production controls in place before the 1996 law, most did not, and these were not restored under the new farm law. Another commodity proposal was tested by a Senate bill provision that added pulse crops (dried peas, lentils, chickpeas) to the mix of commodities eligible for marketing loan assistance. Proponents contended that these crops should receive the CRS-13 same benefits as other field crops and that this would encourage production and greater rotation of other crops (e.g., wheat and feedgrains). Objection to this came from some who saw the addition of new crops as moving in the wrong direction, that is, expanding federal support and market interference in farm policy. Provisions in both bills added soybean eligibility for fixed payments and countercyclical income support; restored previously discontinued farm support payments for honey and wool (the Senate bill also added mohair), and added new direct payment programs for peanuts and fluid milk. The conferees adopted provisions adding most pulse crops, soybeans, peanuts, honey, wool and mohair to the list of commodities eligible for direct farm payments. Peanuts. Both bills terminated the peanut poundage quotas and nonrecourse loans and created a compensation plan for peanut quota holders, set at a much lower loan rate, and, as noted above, made peanut producers eligible for marketing loan assistance and fixed and counter-cyclical payments. The end of the quota program, despite the generous buy-out provisions ($220/ton/year for five years) in the conference agreement, drew objections from some in certain peanut producing districts. Among the concerns expressed were the impact of this on small growers and on those retired farmers and/or spouses who relied on leasing quota for their income. Despite these objections, the quota buyout (in both bills) was agreed to by the conferees. Dairy. Disagreement about the extension, or reauthorization of the expired Northeast Dairy Compact and its possible expansion to other regions of the country split along regional lines. The House farm bill did not extend the Northeast (NE) Dairy Compact (which expired September 30, 2001). Efforts to include an extension of this compact in S. 1731 threatened to delay or stop deliberations in the Senate and a compromise proposal was included in the final Senate bill. This would have replaced the NE Dairy Compact with a new counter-cyclical payment program for dairy farmers in all states, with one quarter of the $2 billion in funding allotted going to Northeast states. The earmark of funds for the Northeast was intended to offset the loss of the higher farm milk prices permitted by the defunct Compact in that region. The conferees agreed to a revised counter-cyclical payment program for dairy farmers, without the set-a-side for Northeast farmers. Instead of earmarking $500 million of its $2 billion cost for Northeast states as in the Senate bill, the Conference agreement will make payments to all dairy farmers whenever the monthly price of fluid farm milk in Boston falls below $6.94. The payments will be available on up to 2.4 million pounds of annual production, thus targeting benefits to small and mid- sized operations. This compromise was crafted largely by Northeast legislators representing generally small dairy operations. It, as well as earlier efforts to extend the NE Dairy Compact, was opposed by many from the Midwest, who regard this as a support system that will continue to encourage price-depressing overproduction, and continue an unwise policy that favors regions with small producers to the detriment of mid-western, and western producers. Those favoring countercyclical income assistance contend that it will benefit all farmers by reducing the impact of volatile prices, and that it will be available to all dairy farmers, not just those in one region. Some, however, are concerned about the budget implications of a new "uncontrollable" farm support program and its implications for U.S. efforts to get European and other trading competitors to reduce their domestic support programs. CRS-14 Farm Payment Limits. Current law limits on payments to farmers were revised and applied to new programs under both the House and Senate farm bills. The Senate limitations, which were more stringent than those in the House bill, were opposed by many farm groups. Proponents of lowering the payment cap contend that farm programs benefit most (in terms of federal dollars) those who need aid the least (i.e., larger, wealthier farmers), while smaller, high-risk farmers or those ineligible for direct payments (such as fruit, vegetable, and livestock producers) get little or nothing. They also charge that the current system encourages the growth of large corporate farms and helps to drive small and mid-sized farms out of business. Some also assert that "excessive" payments undermine the credibility of and popular support for a farm policy that purports to be designed to help small and mid-sized farmers. Opponents of payment limits (which include nearly all of the farm commodity groups) contend that farm policy should be based on productivity and efficiency and that payment limits discourage both. They suggest that basing farm payments on income or need would mean rewarding many farmers who are inefficient or unwise in their farm management, and would discourage farmers from making profitable efficiencies. Moreover, they point out that many of the farms receiving large payments also have similarly large costs of production and might not operate as efficiently or productively if federal support was not tied in some way to output. The farm payment limits first imposed in 1970 generally have been high enough so that they rarely resulted in any cut-off of farm payments. Moreover, mechanisms for getting around the caps have been available. In the late 1990s, however, when it appeared that loan deficiency payments to some farmers might exceed the limits then in place, Congress doubled the limit on these payments. 16 The doubled levels have been operable for the past several years. A list of farmer payments released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) rejuvenated interest in the farm payment limit issue. The EWG data show a large proportion of federal farm payments, sometimes in very large amounts, going to small numbers of large farms and also to some wealthy absentee landlords. This study was widely reported by the media and reportedly influenced proposals for the more stringent payment limits that were added to the Senate farm bill during floor debate.17 The House bill raised the current law overall limit on commodity program payments from a total of some $460,000 per year, per farmer, to $550,000, but did not apply this limit to the value of commodity certificates.18 It also provided a 16 From $75,000 to $150,000. This followed substantial increases in farm spending enacted under several multi-billion farm "emergency" aid packages. 17 New York Times, May 18, 2001, Farm Subsidies: Who Gets Fed? Washington Post, January 24, 2002, More Subsidy Money Going to Fewer Farms. See also, the Environmental Working Group Farm Subsidy Database at www.ewg.org 18 The previous law amount reflects the total allowance, including additional amounts provided by emergency market loss payments in previous years, and allowances for the three-entity rule and spouses. The amount shown reflects the fixed contract payment limit of $40,000 set by the 1996 farm law, plus an additional $40,000 cap for emergency market loss payments for a total of $80,000. To this is added the $150,000 limit on marketing loan (continued...) CRS-15 separate payment limit for peanuts. The Senate bill lowered the current law payment limit to $275,000 for all crops (including peanuts and other newly covered crops) and included the value of marketing certificates under this limit. Under the House and Senate proposals the limits would have worked as follows: ! Fixed payments and counter-cyclical payments. The House bill set a maximum of $50,000 per farmer per year for fixed "contract" payments, and $75,000 per farmer per year for newly created counter-cyclical payments for regular program crops (grains, cotton, rice, oilseeds). Thus, the House bill set the payment cap for both these programs at $125,000. A separate $75,000 limit for counter- cyclical payments applied to the new peanut program. The Senate bill set a combined maximum per person payment of $75,000 for both fixed payments and counter-cyclical payments, and applied this limit to all eligible crops, including the newly eligible peanuts. ! Marketing Loan Payments. Under the House bill, marketing loan assistance would have been capped at $150,000 for wheat, feedgrains, oilseeds, cotton and rice, and there would have been separate payment limits of $150,000 for each of the peanut, honey, wool, and mohair programs.19 The Senate bill establishes one limit of $150,000 in marketing loan benefits for all of the eligible commodities (wheat, feedgrains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, honey, wool, lentils, dry peas, and chick peas)20. It also applied this limit to the value of commodity certificates and loan forfeitures which, under previous law and the House bill, are not counted toward the payment limits. ! Three-entity Rule and Spouse Allowance. The House bill maintained the former law three-entity rule and spouse allowance. These permit a spouse to qualify for payments, and permit additional payments for up to two additional farms (at half the first farm cap). In effect, the House bill allows for an additional $275,000 in commodity program payments for a qualifying farmer. The Senate bill maintains the spouse benefit, capped at $50,000, but eliminates the separate payment cap for additional farms. Under the Senate bill, all payments to an individual farmer, regardless of the number of farms, are counted toward the $225,000 payment limit. 18 (...continued) benefits (doubled from 1996 farm law by subsequent congressional actions) and the three- entity rule and spouse allowance which is capped at a total of $230,000 (or half the payment allowance) for a maximum of $460,000 per farmer. (See CRS report RS21138 for more information on payment limits.) 19 The 1996 farm bill set $75,000 as payment limit for LDPs, but this was doubled by subsequent legislation when the cap would have cut some farmers off payments at that level. 20 The Senate bill does not contain assistance for mohair. CRS-16 ! Wealthy Individuals. The Senate bill contains language that would prohibit those with adjusted gross incomes above $2.5 million annually from receiving any farm payments. This provision was intended to counter media and other critics who often point to receipt of farm payments by wealthy public figures (e.g., professional athletes and movie stars) as an illustration of poor farm policies. There is no comparable provision in the House bill.21 The 10-year savings from the Senate payment limit provision, which was used by the Senate bill to help fund a food stamp program expansion, was estimated by the CBO at $784 million ($454 million over 5 years).22 Most analysts predicted that the impact of the Senate payment limit would have been the greatest for large rice and cotton farmers whose federal payments generally tend to be larger than those producing other field crops. The conference agreement to allow unlimited gains from commodity certificates helped to reach a compromise on payment limits. The conference agreement included: (1) new payment caps that will apply to the 2003 crops (not 2002 crops); (2) fixed payments that will be capped at $40,000; (3) counter-cyclical payments limited to $65,000; (4) marketing loans capped at $75,000 per farmer per year; (5) allowance for payments for up to two additional farms and spouses; (6) no limits on the value of commodity certificates; and (7) a prohibition on farm payments if a person's gross income (from non-farm income) exceeds $2.5 million annually. [For more detailed information on this topic and the crops it would affect, see CRS Report RS21138, Farm Commodity Payment Limits: Comparison of Proposal] Federal Budget and Trade Agreements The return of deficit spending or at least substantially depleted budget surpluses because of the War on Terrorism and an economic slowdown, raised questions about how much funding would be available for changes in farm policy by the time Congress approved legislation. There was some concern about whether the additional money agreed to in the past budget resolution ($73.5 billion) would be honored if a farm bill was not passed before the next budget resolution (May 2002). Both the Administration and congressional leaders indicated their intention to honor the additional money provided for farm policy changes that was allowed by last year's congressional budget resolution -- some $73.5 billion in additional funding 21 The lower payment limits were added during Senate floor debate under an amendment (S.Admt. 2826) offered by Senators Dorgan and Grassley. 22 These figures, changed from the previous report, represent the most recent CBO revisions of Senate bill costs. Some Senate proponents of the payment limit suggest that these savings estimates are understated because the CBO did not fully account for the savings associated with counting the value of marketing loan writeoffs. See [http://www.agweb.com], April 10, 2002. CRS-17 over ten years. Despite this agreement, concern about the cost of the bills remained. Budget-conscious policymakers watching budget surpluses turn into deficits expressed concern about the cost of the legislation, and their doubts were reinforced when the CBO discovered that it had underestimated the cost of the Senate-passed bill by over $6 billion. In the end, the conference agreement held to the allowed $73.5 billion (although subsequent CBO estimates using March 2002 baselines project that it will cost over $82 billion). More recent estimates of commodity market prices by the USDA suggest that commodity program provisions may cost less than originally estimated. Efforts in the 107th Congress seeking to use the savings from the revised program costs to pay for some $6 billion to additional agriculture spending for disaster relief. This was not approved. The Administration was concerned that the new commodity program spending in both the House and Senate Farm bills might exceed the $19 billion cap on spending for market-distorting domestic farm support that the U.S. agreed to in the Uruguay Round WTO trade agreements. To deflect this concern, both bills contained provisions (adopted in conference) that require the Secretary of Agriculture to make adjustments if the spending cap is breached. Some policy analysts question the mechanics of the adjustment provisions and their practical application. Strong criticism of the new subsidies in the farm bill has come from some of our trading partners (particularly the EU and Japan) who are being pressured by U.S. negotiators to substantially reduce their domestic support programs. Other criticism has come from less developed countries and their supporters who contend that the generous farm subsidies in the U.S. (as well as the EU and Japan) are harming economic development and agricultural productivity in those nations. Conservation Programs Both the House and Senate bills increased spending on conservation programs, as did the finally-approved version. Major points of difference between the chambers included how much additional funding should be provided for these programs versus farm commodity programs, what portion, if any, of the funding should be mandatory, whether new programs or benefits should be created, and how much funding they should receive. The Senate bill provided significantly more money (some $6 billion) for conservation programs than the House bill. In the House, an attempt (Kind- Boehlert Amendment) to add more spending for conservation programs by taking away some of the new funding for commodity programs was unsuccessful. The difference in spending between the House and Senate bills for conservation programs was a difficult issue in the Conference Committee, and was made worse when CBO discovered that it had underestimated the overall cost of the Senate bill by some $6 billion. The conferees compromised on the funding difference between the House and Senate, essentially cutting the difference in half. A Senate provision, strenuously opposed by some farm groups who feared the potential loss of state and local control of water rights to the federal government through farmer participation in wetlands and other conservation programs, was dropped in conference. Environmentalists objected to the changes made to the Senate measure. In their view, the conference agreement weakened the environmental and conservation standards for participating in the programs. Concern also was raised by some trading partners who fear that the environmental payments are a cover for CRS-18 further domestic farm support. Some USDA officials also questioned the cost- effectiveness and environmental benefits of some of the new conservation programs. Concentration in the Livestock Sector A livestock packers amendment offered by Senator Tim Johnson and others was accepted during Senate floor debate. It would have prohibited meat packers from owning or controlling livestock within 14 days of slaughter. Designed to help protect livestock producers from price manipulation by large meat packing companies, this amendment drew fire from some. Opposition centered on the fact that the amendment did not apply to poultry (a strong competitor to beef and pork), and that it might endanger the use of marketing contracts. Some believe that these contracts help producers and processors plan and market their goods to the benefit of both. However, there are others who see contracts (especially the confidentiality clauses in them) as a way for processors to unfairly manipulate livestock prices to producers to keep them low. The Senate-proposed restriction on packer ownership was supported by the American Farm Bureau and Iowa Pork Producers Association, two major farm interest groups. It was opposed by most meat processors and the National Cattle and Beef Association and National Pork Producers Council. An amendment modifying the meat packer restrictions to clarify that they did not affect livestock under marketing contracts was adopted during Senate deliberations. The restrictions on packer ownership were a sticking point in conference deliberations. Several reports analyzing the proposed restrictions questioned their likelihood of reducing concentration in the livestock sector or raising prices for producers, which are the intended goal of this legislation. There was stiff opposition in the House to the packer ownership restriction and it was dropped from the finally enacted law. Predictions by economists that meat prices will remain low in 2003 make it likely that this issue will be revisited in the 108th Congress. [For more information on this issue, see CRS Report RL31553, Livestock: A Ban on Ownership and Control by Packers.] Comparison Caveats The following table compares provisions of previous law to those in the House- passed farm bill (H.R. 2646), the Senate-passed bill (an amendment to H.R. 2646) and the finally enacted law (P.L. 107-171). It supercedes an earlier CRS report that compared only the House and Senate-passed bills to then-current law. The report is intended to identify the major differences from previous law and new law and between the House and Senate, and to provide an historical record of the issues that legislators grappled with as they pursued a 2002 farm bill. It is designed to assist those interested in the major issues surrounding the various titles of the farm bill and their resolution by the House-Senate Conferees. Although the report is quite extensive, it does not cover every provision in the proposed farm bills and new law, largely because of the enormous size of the various bills and final law. 23 It does, 23 The USDA Department of Agriculture (USDA) website includes comprehensive (continued...) CRS-19 however, cover most of the significant or controversial changes that were proposed and those where there were major difference between each of the chambers' bills and previous and new law. Judgments about which provisions to include were made by each of the CRS specialists covering the relevant title, with some modifications and additions by the coordinator. The comparison is presented under topic headings, using the titles of the House and Senate farm bills as the general organizing theme (although this does not work in all cases because of the differences in the bills' configurations, and because topically related provisions are not all in the same sections). Funding information in this report is based on CBO estimates, unless otherwise noted. 23 (...continued) comparisons for programs by agency as well as comparisons by the USDA-Economic Research Service. [http://www.USDA.gov]. CRS-20 SIDE by SIDE COMPARISON: Old Law, House and Senate Bills, New Law I. COMMODITY PROGRAMS COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Agricultural Market Transition Act Farm Security Act (FSA) of Agriculture, Conservation and The Farm Security and Rural (AMTA), Title I of the Federal 2001, Title I, Subtitles A, B, Rural Enhancement (ACRE) Act Investment Act of 2002 Agriculture Improvement and Reform and D. of 2001, Title 1, Subtitles A and Act of 1996, Subtitles B, C, D, and E, B. and miscellaneous agriculture laws. Title: Federal Agriculture Improvement and Farm Security Act of 2001. Agriculture Conservation and The Farm Security and Rural Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996 (P.L. 104- [Section 1] Rural Enhancement (ACRE) Act Investment Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-171) 127) [ Section 101] of 2001. [Section 1] Definitions: 1. "Considered Planted" is defined 1. No provision 1."Con s i d ered Planted" is 1. No provision. under the FAIR Act to mean "acreage revised to mean any acreage considered planted" under Title 5 of the planted that producers were Agricultural Act of 1949, and other prevented from planting because acreage the Secretary considers fair and of a drought, flood, or other equitable. natural disaster or condition This includes: (a) any reduced or diverted beyond control of the owner or acreage; (b) acreage that could not be producer, as determined by the planted because of drought, flood or other Secretary, and any acreage not natural disaster or condition beyond farmer planted to another contract control; (c) acreage equal to the difference commodity (except for a contract between permitted acreage for a crop and commodity produced under an the planted crop if it is devoted to established practice of double conservation uses or the production of cropping). [Section 102] CRS-21 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 commodities permitted under programs for crop years 1991-1997; (d) any acreage the Secretary determines is necessary to establish a fair crop acreage base; (e) acreage up to 20 percent of crop acreage base for feed grains or wheat if planted to dry peas and lentils; and (f) the crop acreage base if producers forego farm payments and do not plant to the crop or any fruit or vegetable not designated as industrial or experimental. [Sec. 102(2)of FAIR Act and Section 503(c) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (which is one of several permanent laws whose provisions often are suspended or temporarily or permanently revised or amended by farm bills)] 2. "Contract" and "Production 2. No Provision 2. Defines "Contract" as a 2. No provision Flexibility Contract" defined to mean a contract entered into under contract entered into under the terms of s u b t i t l e B, Non reco u rs e Section 111 of the FAIR Act of 1996, Marketing Assistance Loans and which establishes fixed , annual, lump sum Loan Deficiency Payments. payments to farmers. [Section 102(3) of [Section 102] the FAIR Act]] 3 . "Contract Acreage" is defined to 3. No Provision 3. Redefines "contract acreage" 3. Uses phrase "Base Acres" and mean one or more crop acreage bases to mean the acreage determined defines it with respect to a covered established for contract commodities under under section 111(f) of the bill, commodity to mean the number of Title V of the Agriculture Act of 1949 that which refers to "direct and acres established under section 1101 would have been in effect for the 1996 counter-cyclical payments." (Establishment of base acres and crop but for the suspension of existing (Section 102(4)] payments acres). [Section 1001] CRS-22 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 target price support programs under Section 171 (b)(1) of the Fair Act of 1996.[Section 102] 4. "Contract Commodity" is defined to 4. "Covered Commodity" 4. "Contract Commodity" is 4. House Provision [Section 1001] mean wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, replaces "covered" for redefined to add oilseeds to oats, upland cotton, and rice. [Section 102] " c o n t r a c t " a n d a d d s current law. [Section 102] soybeans, and other oilseeds to current law . [Section 100] 5. "Contract Payment" is defined to 5. No provision 5. " Contract Payment" is a 5. No provision mean production flexibility contract payment made to wheat, corn, payments to wheat, corn, grain, barley, grain sorghum, barley, oats, oats, upland cotton and rice farmers upland cotton, rice and oilseed [Section 102] farmers under Subtitle B, Nonrecourse marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments. [Section 102] 6. "Counter-cyclical Payment" 6 . " C o u n t e r - c y c l i c a l 6. No definition 6. House Provision [Section 1001] No provision Payment" means a payment made to producers under section 105, Availability of Counter-cyclical Payments. [Section 100] 7. "Fixed Decoupled Payment" 7. "Fixed Decoupled 7. No definition. 7. Replaces "fixed decoupled payment" Payment" means a payment with "direct payment." [Section 1001] made to producers under section 104 Availability of CRS-23 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Fixed Decoupled Payments. [Section 100] 8. "Farm Program Payment Yield" 8. "Payment Yield" is the 8. "Payment Yield" means the 8. In general, "payment yield" means means the farm program payment yield yield established under payment yield determined under the yield established under section 1102 established for the 1995 crop of a contract section 102 for a covered Section 111(g) [Section 102] for a farm for a covered commodity. commodity under section 505 of the commodity. [Section 100] "Updated Yield" means the payment Agriculture Act of 1949 [Section 101] yield elected by the owner of a farm to be used in calculating counter-cyclical payments. [Section 1001] 9. "Loan Commodity" means each 9. No Provision 9. "Loan Commodity" means 9. Senate provision amended to contract commodity, extra long staple wheat, corn, grain, sorghum, substitute "soybeans and other oilseeds" cotton and oilseed. [Section 102] barley, oats, upland cotton, estra for "oilseeds," specify "small long staple cotton, rise, oilseeds, chickpeas," and add "mohair." wool, honey, dry peas, lentils and [Section 1001] chick peas. [Section 102] 10. "Target price" 10. "Target Price"means 10. No provision 10. House definition. [Section 1001] No provision the price per bushel (or other NOTE: Eliminated for most field appropriate unit) of a commodities by the AMTA of 1996. covered commodity used to determine the payment rate for counter-cyclical payments.[Section 100] A. Wheat, Corn Grain Sorghum, Barley, Oats, Upland Cotton, Rice, Soybeans and other Oilseeds. 1. General a.. Sign-up period is required to begin not Establishes a sign-up period, Establishes a sign-up period, that USDA is to provide notice to farmers, later than 45 days after enactment and end lasting not more than 180 begins not less 45 days after as soon as practical after enactment, of CRS-24 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 August 1, 1996. Production flexibility days after enactment, during enactment and lasts for 180 days, the opportunity to sign agreements and contracts (PFCs) cover 7 years, 1996 thru which producers sign during which producers sign establish base acres for direct and 2002 crops. [Section 112] "agreements" covering crop "contracts" covering crop years counter-cyclical payments. [Section years 2002 thru 2011 (10 2002 thru 2006 (5 years). 1101] years). [Section 110] [Section 111] b.) Base Acres and Payment Acres Each farm's base acres and payment yields The base acres for each crop Same as House bill. [Section Same as House and Senate bills. are used to calculate the program benefits are either the acres specified 111] [Section 1101] to the producer. The base acres and yields in existing PFC contracts, or for eligible crops are those that would have average acres planted to applied in 1996 under the then expiring eligible crops from 1998 thru program. Under the expiring program, the 2001. Accommodation is "acreage base" for each program crop is made for double cropping, the average acres planted/considered peanut acres, and CRP acres. planted the prior 5 years for wheat, feed Base acres cannot exceed grains and the prior 3 years for upland total cropland on a farm. cotton, rice.[Sections 111 and 112] [Section 103] Payment acres equal 85% of Payment acres equal 100% of Same as House bill. [Section 1101(f)] base acres in calculating base acres in calculating payment payment amounts. [Section amounts. [Section 111] 100(9) and 103(f)] c.) Payment Yield Program payment yields for each crop are Program payment yield for Program payment yield is either: Similar to House bill. Payment yield is frozen at 1986 program levels. [Section each crop is the: payment the yield specified in existing the yield established for the 1995 crop. 102] yield in effect for 2002 under contracts, or average yield from Oilseed payment yield is the average an existing production 1998 thru 2001. There is no yield from 1998-01, adjusted back to Note: Soybeans and other oilseeds are not flexibility contract; or a requirement to adjust yields back the national average from 1981-85. eligible crops and there are no provisions similarly appropriate yield to an 1981-85 equivalent. Yields for counter-cyclical payments CRS-25 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 for establishing base acres and yields for for farms without past [Section 111] may be updated using specified oilseeds. contracts. Oilseed yield is formulas. [Section 1102] the average yield from 1998- 01, adjusted back to a 1981- 85 equivalent. [Section 102] d) Producer Contract (Agreement) (1.) Requirements. Eligible producers must sign a contract Producers must agree during Same as old law. Producers sign Same as House bill. [Section 1105] that includes specific requirements in order each crop year to certain contracts. [Section 111 ] to receive payments. [Section 111] requirements in order to receive fixed, decoupled direct payments and counter- cyclical payments. [Section 106] a.) Conservation and Wetlands Compliance Producers are required to comply with Same as old law. [Section Same as old law. [Section 111] Same House and Senate bills and old already existing conservation requirements 106] law. [Section 1105(1)(A) and (B)] on highly erodible land and with already existing prohibitions on draining wetlands for purposes of crop production. These compliance requirements do not impose any new obligations on producers. [Section 111] b.) Planting Flexibility and Limitations Farmers are allowed to plant any crop Same planting flexibility S a m e p l a n t i n g f l e x i b i l i t y Same as House bill, except allows that CRS-26 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 except fruits and vegetables (other than allowance as old law, but allowance as old law, but wild if prohibited crops are planted they may lentils, mung beans, and dry peas) on wild rice is added to rice is added to exceptions be destroyed before harvest, and contract acreage and there are no planting exceptions. [Section 107] beginning in 2003. [Section 113] planting trees or other perennial crop restrictions on non-contract acreage. producing plants is prohibited on base Cropland not planted has to be devoted to acres. [Section 1106] a conserving use to prevent erosion and can not be converted to non-agricultural uses. [Section 118] Violations of planting flexibility No provision. For first time unintentional Same as House bill. limitations generally result in termination violations of planting flexibility of the contract on each farm in which the limitations, the penalty shall be a producer has an interest. [Section 116] refund or reduction of future payments amounting to twice the payment amount on the involved acres. [Section 112] c.) Change in Farm Ownership or Operator Contract obligations can be assumed by Same as old law. [Section Same as House bill. [Section Same as old law, and House and Senate new owners. Otherwise the contract is 106(c)] 111] bills. [Section 1105(b)] terminated. Changing operators does not affect program acres or yields. [Section 117] CRS-27 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 2. Direct Fixed, Decoupled Payments a.) Eligibility. Eligibility for PFC contracts is extended to Farms with existing PFC Same as House bill. [Section Same as House and Senate bills except producers previously enrolled in a grain or c o n t ract s , a n d o t h e r 111] that these crops are to be known as cotton program in at least 1 of the 1991-95 producers with a history of "covered crops." [Section 1103] crop years. Conservation Reserve contract crop or oilseed Program cropland expiring or terminated production from 1998-01 are after Jan. 1, 1995 is eligible. Soybeans eligible for fixed, decoupled and other oilseeds are not eligible PFC payments on their base acres commodities. [Section 111] and yields. Soybeans and other oilseeds also are made eligible. These crops are to be known as "agreement crops." Provision is made for expiring CRP acres to be added to the agreements. [Section 101(a) and 103(a)] b.) Payment Rates. Farmers who sign production flexibility Similar framework to old Similar framework to old law. Same as House bill. [Section 1105] contracts (PFCs) in 1996 receive fixed law. Farmers who sign Farmers who sign contracts annual payments for 7 years, unrelated to "agreements" receive direct receive fixed, decoupled annual crops or acreage actually planted. The fixed, decoupled annual payments, unrelated to crops or payment quantity for each commodity is payments, unrelated to crops acreage actually planted. The 85% of the contract acreage times the or acreage actually planted. payment quantity for each payment yield times the payment rate. The payment amount for commodity is 100% of payment [Section 114] each commodity is payment acres times the payment yield acres (85% of base acres) times the payment rate. times the payment yield times the payment rate. CRS-28 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Estimated 2002 contract payment rates: Payment rates are specified Payment rates are specified for Payment rates differ slightly from for all years as follows: 2002/03, 2004/05, 2006 as House bill as follows: follows: Wheat, $0.46/bu Wheat, $0.53/bu Wheat, $0.45, $0.225, $0.113/bu Wheat, $0.52/bu Corn, $0.26/bu Corn, $0.30/bu Corn, $0.27, $0.135, $0.068/bu Corn, $0.28/bu Sorghum, $0.31/bu Sorghum, $0.36/bu Sorghum, $0.31/$0.27, $0.135, Sorghum, $0.35/bu Barley, $0.20/bu Barley, $0.25/bu $0.068/bu Barley, $0.24/bu Oats, $0.021/bu Oats, $0.025/bu Barley, $0.20, $0.10, $0.05/bu Oats, $0.024/bu Cotton, $0.0556/lb Cotton, $0.0667/lb Oats, $0.05, $0.025, $0.013/bu Cotton, $0.0667/lb Rice, $2.04/cwt Rice, $2.35/cwt Cotton, $0.13, $0.065, $0.0325/lb Rice, $2.35/cwt Soybeans, not a contract crop Soybeans, $0.42/bu Rice, $2.45, $2.40, $2.40/cwt Soybeans, $0.44/bu Other Oilseeds, not contract crops Other Oilseeds, $0.0074/lb Soybeans, $0.55, $0.275, Other Oilseeds, $0.008/lb [Section 104] $0.138/bu [Section 1103(b)] Other Oilseeds, $0.01, $0.005, $0.0025/lb [Section 111] The law does not specify actual payment Total payments are to be No comparable provision. Same as Senate. rates, but states the total funds available reduced by $100 million on a Note: no provision to reduce spending each year and the allocation share for each pro rata basis (about 2% and devote funds elsewhere. commodity. [Section 113] based on CBO estimates) and these funds are to be devoted to specified rural development programs. [Section 943] c.) Time of Payment. The producer can choose to receive 50% FY2002 PFC payments No explicit reference is made to Similar to House bill. [Section 1107] of the payment on Dec. 15 or Jan. 15 and under old law are to be discontinuing payments under the remainder not later than September 30 discontinued after enactment, PFC contracts, or to payments of each fiscal year. [Section 112(d)(1 & and any amount already paid already made under old law. CRS-29 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 2)] is to be deducted from the amount due under this Act. [Section 108] Fixed, decoupled payments are to be made not later than September 30 of each fiscal year. [Section 104(d)] Alternatively, for FY1999-02, the The producer can choose to Same as House bill. [Section 111 Same as House and Senate bills except producer can choose to receive the full receive an advance of 50% of as it amends Section 113(d) of the producer can choose to receive any amount or portions at times during the the payment on or after FAIR Act] amount up to 50% of the direct fiscal year chosen by the producer. December 1. [Section payment. [Section 1103(d)] [Section 112(d)(3) as added by PL 105- 104(d)] 228, Section 2] 3. Counter-Cyclical Deficiency Payments and Target Prices a.) Eligibility. Eliminates counter-cyclical target price Restores counter-cyclical Same as House bill. [Section 111 Same as House and Senate bills. deficiency payments that were enacted in target price deficiency as it amends Section 111(a) of the [Section 1104] 1973 and functioned through 1995. When payments that ended in 1995. FAIR Act] effective, farmers were paid the difference Farms that have signed between the target price and a lower agreements receive counter- season average farm price on a specified cyclical payments if average proportion of the a farm's crop base acres. market prices are less than target prices. [Section 101] b.) Target Prices and Payment Rates. Not applicable. The payment rate for Same as House bill, except that Same as House bill. [Section 1001(10)] counter-cyclical payments is the payment amount for each CRS-30 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 the difference between the commodity is 100% of base acres "target price" and the times the payment yield times the "effective price." The payment rate. effective price is the higher of (1)the national season average price or (2)the loan rate, plus the direct fixed, decoupled payment rate. The payment amount is the payment rate times the payment acres times the payment yield. Payment acres are 85% of base acres. Target prices are for all years Target prices are for all years are Target prices for 2002-03/2004-07 are are specified as follows: specified as follows: specified as follows: Wheat, $4.04/bu Wheat, $3.446/bu Wheat, $3.86/$2.92/bu Corn, $2.78/bu Corn, $2.3472/bu Corn, $2.60/$2.63/bu Sorghum, $2.64/bu Sorghum, $2.3472/bu Sorghum, $2.54/$2.57/bu Barley, $2.39/bu Barley, $2.1973/bu Barley, $2.21/$2.24/bu Oats, $1.47/bu Oats, $1.5480/bu Oats, $1.40/$1.44/bu Upland Cotton, $0.736/lb Upland Cotton, $0.6793/lb Upland Cotton, $0.724/$0.724/lb Rice, $10.82/cwt Rice, $9.2914/cwt Rice, $10.50/$10.50/cwt Soybeans, $5.86/bu Soybeans, $5.7431/bu Soybeans, $5.80/$5.80/bu Other Oilseeds, $0.1036/lb Other Oilseeds, $0.1049/lb Other Oilseeds, $0.098/$0.1010/lb [Section 105] [Section 171] [Section 1104(c)] CRS-31 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 4. Marketing Assistance Loans and LDPs a.) Eligibility. Any wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and Marketing assistance loans Same as House bill. [Section Similar to House and Senate bills, rice produced on PFC farms is eligible for a n d l o a n d e f i c i e n c y 121] except the list of loan commodities marketing assistance loans or LDPs, payments (LDPs) are differs. [Section 1201] Loan whether or not it is produced on contract available for agreement commodities are defined to include acres. These commodities are not eligible crops (grains, upland cotton, wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, for loan or LDPs if produced on farms oilseeds) on all farms where oats, upland cotton, extra long staple without contracts. Any oilseed is eligible they are produced, whether cotton, rice, soybeans, other oilseed, for marketing assistance loans or LDPs, or not they have signed wool, mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, whether or not the farm has a contract. agreements). [Section 121] and small chickpeas. [Section 1001] [Section 131] b.) Term of Loans. Loans on grains and oilseeds are for 9 Same as old law. [Section Same as old law. [Section 121] Similar to old law, and House and months beginning on the first of the month 123] Senate bills, except the term for each after the loan date. Loans on upland commodity is 9 months beginning on cotton are for 10 months beginning on the the first day of the month after loan is first of the month before the loan made. [Section 1203] date.[Section 133] c.) Loan Repayment. For grains and oilseeds, marketing Similar to old law. [Section Similar to old law. [Section 121] Similar to old law, and House and assistance loans can be repaid at the lesser 124] Senate bills. Repayment rules for wool, of the loan rate plus interest, or the rate mohair, honey, dry peas, lentils, and determined by USDA that minimize small chickpeas are the same as for forfeitures, minimize the accumulation of grains and oilseeds. [Section 1204] CCC-owned stocks, minimize the cost of storage, and allow for free and competitive CRS-32 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 domestic and international marketing. [Section 134] For upland cotton, loans can be repaid at the lesser of the loan rate plus interest, or the prevailing world market price adjusted to U.S. quality and location. Additional adjustments to the world price are made when the world price declines to near the loan rate , and when the price of U.S. cotton exceeds the price of competing cotton in the world market. [Section 134] In the event of a default on a loan at the maturity date, the commodity pledged as collateral reverts to CCC ownership. No further action is taken against the borrower because marketing assistance loans are nonrecourse. [Section 131] d.) Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs). Producers with grain, upland cotton, or Same as old law. [Section Same as old law. [Section 121] Similar to old law, and House and oilseeds eligible for marketing assistance 125] Senate bills. LDPs are available for all loans instead can choose to receive loan loan commodities with the exception of deficiency payments. The LDP is the ELS cotton. [Section 1204] difference between the loan rate and the loan repayment rate established by the USDA. [Section 135] CRS-33 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 e.) Loan Rates. Marketing assistance loans and loan Marketing assistance loans Same as House bill. [Section Same as House and Senate bills. deficiency payments (LDPs) continue at a n d l o a n d e f i c i e n c y 121] [Section 1201] rates in effect in 1995. Authority is payments (LDPs) are provided for USDA to lower the loan rates available for loan when stocks accumulate. [Section 132] commodities on all farms (not limited to farms with agreements for fixed and counter-cyclical payments) and any quantity produced on the farm. [Section 121(b)] Loan rates generally are to Loan rates generally are to be not less than Fixed, specific loan rates are as Fixed, specific loan rates are as follows: 85% of the moving 5-year Olympic be not less than 85% of the follows: Wheat, $2.80/$2.75/bu moving 5-year Olympic average of prices received by producers, or Wheat, $2.9960/bu Corn, $1.98/$1.95/bu more than: average of prices received by Corn, $2.0772/bu Sorghum, $1.98/$1.95/bu Wheat, $2.58/bu producers, or more than: Sorghum, $2.0772/bu Barley, $1.88/$1.85/bu Corn, $1.89/bu Wheat, $2.58/bu Barley, $1.9973/bu Oats, $1.35/$1.33/bu Sorghum, $1.69/bu Corn, $1.89/bu Oats, $1.4980/bu Cotton, $0.52/$0.52/lb Barley, $1.71/bu Sorghum, $1.89/bu Cotton, $0.5493/lb Rice, $6.50/$6.50/cwt Feed Barley, $1.70/bu Rice, $6.4914/cwt Soybeans, $5.00/$5.00/bu Oats, $1.14/bu Malting Barley, $1.65/bu Soybeans, $5.1931/bu Minor Oilseeds, $0.096/$0.93/lb Cotton, $0.5192/lb Oats, $1.21/bu Minor Oilseeds, $0.0949/lb ELS Cotton, $0.7977, $0.7977/lb Rice, max & min $6.50/cwt Cotton, max $0.5192-min [Section 171] (ELS Cotton is not eligible for LDPs) Soybeans, max $5.26, min $4.92/bu $0.50/lb Dry Peas, $6.33, $6.22/cwt Minor Oilseeds, max $0.093, min $0.87/lb Rice, must equal $6.50/cwt Lentils, $11.94, $11.72/cwt [Section132] Soybeans, $4.92/bu Small Chickpeas, $7.56, $7.43/cwt. Minor Oilseeds, $0.087/lb Graded Wool, $1.00/lb [Section 122] Nongraded Wool and Unshorn Pelts, 40˘/lb CRS-34 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Mohair, $4.20/lb [Section 1202] (P.L. 106-224, Section 206(a)(2) and (3), Retroactively, for the 2001 Same as House bill. [Section Same as House and Senate bills. made loans and LDPs available on non- crops, as was the case for 169] [Section 1205(f)(2)] PFC farms only for crop year 2000.) 2000, LDPs are available on non-PFC farms that Note: Payment limits are covered below in produced contract crops and N, 2). oilseeds. [Section 125(f)] B. Wool and Mohair 1.) Marketing Loans and LDPs. No provision (In FAIR Act) Marketing loans and LDPs Similar to House bill, but no Similar to House bill, except unshorn are available to all producers support for mohair. Marketing pelts are eligible for LDPs only. Note: Wool and mohair support was at the following rates: loans and LDPs are available to phased out and ended in 1996 by P.L. 103- all producers at: 130, Section 1, which repealed the Graded Wool, $1.00/lb Graded Wool, $1.00/lb Graded Wool, $1.00/lb National Wool Act of 1954. However, Nongraded Wool, 40˘/lb Nongraded Wool and Unshorn Nongraded Wool and Unshorn Pelts, support was authorized in several Mohair, $4.20/lb Pelts, 40˘/lb 40˘/lb subsequent years. P.L. 106-78 Section [Section 130] Mohair, na Mohair, $4.20/lb 801(h), authorized recourse loans on 1999 [Section 171] [Section 1201, 1202] crop mohair. P.L. 106-224, Section Note: While Section 123 provides 204(d), mandated payments on 1999 crop no loan for mohair, Section 171 Marketing loan gains and LDPs are wool of $0.20, and on mohair of $0.40/lb. includes a loan for mohair. The limited to $75,000 per person per year P.L. 106-387, Section 814, authorized reported intent was not to support for wool, and separately $75,000 for payments of $0.20/lb for wool and $0.40 mohair] mohair. [Section 1603] mohair for crop year 2000, up to $20 million. Again for crop year 2001, P.L. 107-25, Section 5, authorized $16.9 million in direct payments for wool and CRS-35 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 mohair at rates determined by USDA. C. Honey 1.) Marketing Assistance Loans and LDPs. Honey support is repealed. [Section 171] Marketing loans and LDPs at Marketing loans and LDPs at Same as House bill. [Section $0.60/lb. The term of a loan $0.60/lb. The term of the loan is 1201,1202] The payment limit is Note: This action followed several years of is 12 months, beginning the 9 months, beginning the first day $75,000 per person per year. [Section agriculture appropriations bill language first day of the month after of the month after the loan is 1603] that prevented USDA from carrying out the loan is obtained. obtained. [Section 124] the mandatory honey marketing loan [Section 131] program. Subsequently, recourse loans were authorized for the 1998, 1999, and 2000 crops by respectively P.L. 105-227, Section 1122; P.L. 106-78, Section 801; and P.L. 106-224, Section 204. P.L. 106- 387, Section 812, made marketing assistance loans and LDPs available on 2000 crop honey at $0.65/lb and outstanding recourse loans were converted to nonrecourse marketing loans. D. Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton, Dry Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas 1.) Marketing Assistance Loans and LDPs. ELS cotton is eligible for nonrecourse Same as old law. Marketing loans and LDPs are Similar to Senate bill, except large loans, but not LDPs. [Sections 132 and available on all production at the chickpeas are not included. [Section 134] following rates: 1201-1205]. Loan rates for 2002-03, and 2004-07 are: CRS-36 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Note: No support is authorized for dry ELS Cotton, $0.7965 ELS Cotton, $0.7977, $0.7977/lb peas, lentils, large chickpeas, small (ELS cotton is not eligible for (ELS cotton is not eligible for LDPs) chickpeas. LDPs) Dry Peas, $6.33, $6.22/cwt Dry Peas, $6.78/cwt Lentils, $11.94, $11.72/cwt Lentils, $12.79/cwt Small Chickpeas, $7.56, $7.43/cwt. Large Chickpeas, $17.44/cwt [Section 1202] Small Chickpeas, $8.10/cwt The term of each loan is 9 months, beginning the first day of the month after the loan is obtained. [Section 171 ] E. Grazed Wheat, Barley, Oats, and Triticale 1.) Payments in Lieu of LDPs. P.L. 104-127 made no provision for LDPs Wheat, barley, and oats that Similar to House bill, but includes Similar to House bill, except grazed on grazed wheat, barley and oat acreage. are grazed and not harvested, grain sorghum along with wheat, triticale also is covered. [Section 1206] P.L. 106-224, Section 205, provided for but would be eligible for barley and oats as eligible crops. LDPs on grazed acres only for 2001 crops. LDPs if harvested, will [Section 127] receive LDPs under similar rules to those that apply to harvested crops. Federal crop insurance is not allowed on grazed land agreements. [Section 126] F. High Moisture Corn and Sorghum 1.) Recourse Loans. CRS-37 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Recourse loans are available on high For farms that normally Same as House bill. [Section Same as House bill. [Section 1209(a)] moisture corn and grain sorghum. Loan harvest corn or sorghum in a 121(a)] rates are determined by the USDA. Only high moisture condition, producers with PFC contracts are eligible. recourse loans are available [Section 137(a)] at rates set by the USDA. Farms need not have signed "agreements." [Section 129(a)] G. ELS and Upland Seed Cotton 1.) Recourse Loans. Recourse loans are available on upland Recourse loans are No provision is made to support Same as House bill. [Section 1209(b)] seed cotton for farms with PFC contracts, available for all upland and seed cotton. and on any farm producing ELS seed ELS seed cotton, at rates set cotton. [Section 137(b)] by the USDA. Farms need not have signed "agreements." [Section 129(b)] H. Hard White Wheat Incentive Payments 1.) Incentive Payments. No special support provision is added for Same as old law, no support For crop year 2003 through 2005, Similar to Senate bill, but funding is set hard white wheat. However, hard white provision is available for an additional $40 million is to be at $20 million for the 3 year period. wheat, like all other wheat, does qualify hard white wheat. paid to producers to ensure that [Section 1616] for contract payments and marketing loan hard white wheat on not more program benefits. than 2 million acres meets minimum quality standards. [Section 167] I. Upland Cotton Competitiveness for Processors and Exporters CRS-38 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 1.) Marketing Certificates. Marketing certificates or cash payments Some changes from old law. Same as old law. [Section Same as House bill for upland cotton. are made to domestic users and exporters Marketing certificates or 121(b)] Applies through July 31, 2008. of upland cotton whenever the 4-week cash payments are made to [Section 1207(a)] price of U.S. cotton gets too high domestic users and exporters compared to world cotton price (i.e., of upland cotton whenever 1.25˘/lb higher), or is not high enough the 4-week price of U.S. compared to the U.S. cotton loan rate (i.e., cotton is too high or not high less than 130% higher). [Section 136(a)] enough (i.e., when the U.S. price (1) exceeds the world price by 1.25˘/lb, or (2) does not exceed the U.S. cotton loan rate by at least 134%). [Section 127(a)] 2.) Import Quotas. A special import quota is imposed on A special import quota is Same as old law. [Section Same as House bill. [Section 1207(b)] upland cotton when U.S. prices exceed imposed on upland cotton 121(b)] world prices by 1.25˘ for 10 weeks. when U.S. prices exceed [Section 136(b)] world prices by 1.25˘ for 4 weeks. [Section 127(b)] A limited global import quota is imposed Same as old law. [Section Same as old law. [Section Same as old law, and House and Senate on upland cotton when U.S. prices average 127(b)] 121(b)] bills. [Section 1207(c)] 130% of the previous 3-year average of U.S. prices. [Section 136(c) ] J. ELS Cotton Competitiveness for Processors and Exporters No provision. A special competitiveness No provision. Same as House bill. Applies through program is created for ELS July 31, 2008. [Section 1208] cotton with marketing CRS-39 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 certificates or cash payments to domestic users and exporters under market conditions like those that apply to upland cotton. [Section 128] K. Peanuts 1.) Poundage Quotas and Quota Compensation. National poundage quota is set to reflect Peanut quotas are terminated Similar to House bill, but the Repeals all quota provisions, and adopts the projected domestic demand for edible and quota holders are compensation is $1,100 (55˘/lb) Senate quota compensation level of peanuts. The price of peanuts sold for compensated $1,000/ton ($220/ton/yr for 5 years). $1,100 (55˘/lb or $220 /ton/year for 5 domestic edible consumption (quota (50˘/lb) ($200/ton/year for 5 [Section 152] years). [Section 1309] peanuts) is supported through nonrecourse years). [Section 170] loans at $610/ton (30.5˘/lb). The price of additional peanuts (nonquota peanuts, those exported or crushed for oil and meal) is supported at a competitive level (set by USDA at $132/ton, 6.6˘/lb, in 2001). [Section 155] 2.) Nonrecourse Loans and Marketing Assistance Loans. Nonrecourse loans are Same as House bill except that the Nonrecourse loans are replaced by replaced by marketing marketing assistance loan rate is marketing assistance loans. Loans are assistance loans. Loans are set at $400/ton (20cents/lb) for all set at $355/ton (17.75˘/lb) available for set at $350/ton (17.5˘/lb) peanut production without all peanuts produced without distinction available for all peanuts distinction for end use. [Section of end use. [Section 1307b] CRS-40 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 produced without distinction 151, as it establishes section of end use. [Section 167] 158D in the FAIR Act.] 3.) Fixed Payments, Counter- Cyclical Payments, and Marketing Assistance Loans. No provisions for fixed payments or for Support for peanuts designed Similar to House bill. [Section Adopts House peanut program designed counter-cyclical payments. like that for grains, cotton, 151 as it establishes Section 158B like that for grains, cotton, and oilseeds. and oilseeds. Rules in the FAIR Act] Rules regarding eligibility, sign-up, regarding eligibility, sign-up, conservation and wetlands , base acres, conservation and wetlands payment yields, etc., are similar to compliance, planting those that apply to grains, cotton, and flexibility, base acres, oilseeds. [Section 1302] Adopts payment yields, etc., are unique conference provisions on similar to those that apply to compliance and planting flexibility. grains, cotton, and oilseeds. [Section 1305, 1306] [Sections 162, 165, 166] The assignment of each Same as House bill. [Section 151 Adopts House provision with revision farm's acres and yield to as it establishes Section 158B(b) specifying that assignment must be cropland selected by the in the FAIR Act] done by March 31, 2003, among other producer is done on a one- provisions. [Section 1302(b)] time basis. [Section 162(b)] Fixed, decoupled annual Fixed, decoupled contract Fixed, decoupled annual payments at payments at the rate of payments are the same as House the rate of $36/ton (1.8˘/lb) are made $36/ton (1.8˘/lb) are made bill. [Section 151 as it establishes on 85% of each farm's history of peanut on 85% of each farm's Section 158C in the FAIR Act] production. [Section 1303] history of peanut production. [Section 163] Counter-cyclical deficiency Counter-cyclical deficiency Counter-cyclical deficiency payments CRS-41 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 payments against a $480/ton payments against a $520/ton are made when marketing year prices (24˘/lb) target price are (26˘/lb) target price are made on average less than the target price of made on 85% of each farm's 85% of each farm's history of $495/ton (24.75˘/lb). Payments are history of peanut production. peanut production. [Section 151 made on 85% of each farm's history of [Section 164] as it establishes Section 158D in peanut production. Partial payments the FAIR Act] may be made in advance. [Section 1304] Marketing assistance loans Marketing assistance loan rate set Similar to House and Senate bills, set at $350/ton) (17.5 at $400/ton (20 cents/lb) available except the marketing assistance loan cents/lb available for all for all peanut production without rate is set at $355/ton (17.75/lb) peanut production without distinction of end use. [Section available for all peanuts. [Section distinction of end use. 151 as it establishes Section 1307(b)] [Section 167] 158G in the Fair Act.] 4.) Payment Limits. No provision for peanuts. Payments limits for peanuts Payments received for support of House provision, amended. Payments are separate from other peanuts are subject to the same limits for peanuts are separate from commodities. limits as other crops. Peanuts are other commodities but fixed, decoupled Fixed, decoupled peanut not treated separately. peanut payments are subject to a limit payments for are subject to a For all crops, the combination of of $40,000 per person, per year; limit of $50,000 per person, fixed, decoupled payments and counter-cyclical target price deficiency per year. The limit on counter-cyclical payments is payments are limited to $65,000, and counter-cyclical target price limited to $75,000 per individual, marketing loan benefits are limited to deficiency payments is per year. Marketing loan benefits $75,000. $75,000, and the limit on are limited to $150,000. [Section 1603] marketing loan benefits is [Section 169] $150,000. [Section 169] L. Sugar CRS-42 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 1.) Price Support Loans. Raw cane sugar and refined beet sugar are Same nonrecourse loan rates Same loan rates as old law. Retains old rates for non-recourse loans supported with nonrecourse loans at 18˘ as old law, 18˘/lb. raw cane, [Section 141(i)] -18˘/lb. raw cane, and 22.9˘/lb. refined and 22.9˘/lb respectively. [Section 156(a) and 22.9˘/lb. refined beet. beet sugar. and (b)] [Section 151(a)] The loan rates are to be reduced if In-process sugar is newly Same in-process sugar loans as In-process sugar is newly eligible for negotiated reductions in support are eligible for loan at 80% of House bill. [Section 141(e)] loan at 80% of full loan rates. achieved for other sugar countries. full loan rates. [Section [Section 156(c)] 151(e)] Same authority to reduce loan Loan rates may be reduced if competing Note: A recourse loan program when the Loan rates may be reduced if rates as House bill. [Section nations sufficiently reduce support. tariff rate quota on imports is less than 1.5 c o m p e t i n g n a t i o n s 141(a)] [Section 1401(a) restates FAIR Act million short tons was eliminated by P.L. sufficiently reduce support. provisions, and adds new subsection for 106-387, Section 836. [Section 151(c)] in-process sugar loans] 2.) No Net Cost Mandate. No provision Loan program is to be Same no cost policy as House Loan program is to be operated at no operated at no net cost by bill. [Section 141(f)] net cost by avoiding forfeitures. avoiding forfeitures. [Section 1401(a) adds new subsection [Section 151(f)] to FAIR Act] 3.) Loan Forfeiture Penalty. A forfeiture penalty of 1˘ per pound on Forfeiture penalty is retained The loan forfeiture penalty is Same as Senate bill and takes effect raw cane sugar (an equivalent amount for by preserving Section 156(g) eliminated. [Section 141(d)] upon enactment. [Section 1401(a) beet sugar) is assessed on loan forfeitures. of the FAIR Act. drops provision from FAIR Act] This effectively reduces the level of support. [Section 156(g)] Note: Change increases effective support level. 4.) Import Quotas. CRS-43 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 A global import quota of not less than Same as old law. Same as House bill, except Reaffirms existing import quota system, 1.256 million short tons is set each year by authorizes USTR in consultation and adopts Senate reallocation USDA under authority of the Harmonized with USDA to reallocate any provision giving any shortfall of one Tariff Schedule of the United States. The shortfall of one country's country's shipments to the other quota- quota is allocated among countries by U.S. shipments to other quota-holding holding countries. [Section 1403] Trade Representative. [HTSUS, chapter countries. [Section 144] 17, additional U.S. note5. USTR announces a separate allocation for additional sugar entering from Mexico as agreed in the sugar side letter to NAFTA] 5.) Marketing Allotments. The authority to impose mandatory Sugar marketing allotments Similar to House bill, but Sugar marketing allotments are restored marketing allotments on domestic sugar are restored and are to be provision is made for new cane and are to be shared between beet sugar production is suspended. [Section shared between beet sugar processor entrants (including and raw cane at 54.35% and 45.65%. 171(a)(1)(E)] and raw cane at 54.35% and mainland states not previously Allotments are suspended when imports 45.65%. Allotments are producing cane). [Section 143] exceed 1.532 million short tons. Adds suspended when imports authority for USDA to assign unused exceed 1.532 million short cane and beet sugar allotments first to tons. [Section 152] sales of sugar in CCC inventory and then to imports under certain conditions. Makes allotment authority effective beginning October 1, 2002. [Section 1403] 6.) In-Kind Payments. No provision. CCC is authorized to make Same authority to make in-kind Authorizes CCC to make in-kind in-kind commodity payments payments for reduced production payments from stored inventories in from stored inventories to as House bill. [Section 141(f)] exchange for reduced production as laid processors in exchange for out in House and Senate provisions. CRS-44 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 reduced sugar production. [Section 1401(a) adds new subsection [Section 151(j)] to FAIR Act] 7.) Marketing Assessment. Processors must pay an assessment on all The assessment on all sugar Same as House bill. [Section Terminates the sugar marketings marketings of sugar to CCC equal to a marketings is eliminated. 141(c)] assessment retroactive to October 1, specified percentage of the loan rate. [Section 151(b)] 2001. [Section 1401(b)] [Section 156(f)] P.L. 106-78, Section 803(b), suspended the assessment for FY2000 and FY2001. P.L. 107-76, Section 749, delays remittance of 2002 assessments until September 2, 2002. 8.) Interest Rate on Loans. The interest rate on loans is 1% above the Interest rate on loans is equal Same interest rate on loans as Reduces interest rate on price support CCC cost of borrowing money. [Section to CCC cost of funds. This House bill. [Section 141(j)] loans to sugar processors by 1%, as in 163] is 1% less than the interest House and Senate bills. [Section rate for other commodities. 1401(c)] [Section 151(h)] 9.) Storage Facility Loans. No provisions for storage facility loans. Storage facility construction Same as House bill. [Section Authorizes storage facility loans, as in and improvement loans are 142] House and Senate bills. [Section 1402] to be made available to processors. [Section 153] CRS-45 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 M. Dairy 1. Dairy Price Support Program (DPSP) The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127), as Extends the DPSP through Extends the DPSP through Extends the DPSP through December amended, reauthorized the DPSP at the December 31, 2011 at the December 31, 2006 at the current 31, 2007 at the current level of support then-current level of support ($9.90 per current level of support level of support ($9.90 per cwt.). ($9.90 per cwt.). The Secretary is hundredweight (cwt.) of milk). The DPSP ($9.90 per cwt.). The The Secretary would be required permitted to adjust purchase prices of indirectly supports the farm price of milk Secretary would be to adjust purchase prices of butter butter and nonfat dry milk twice through USDA purchases of surplus permitted to adjust purchase and nonfat dry milk twice annually to minimize government cheese, butter and nonfat dry milk prices of butter and nonfat annually to minimize government expenditures on the program. [Section (powder). The law allows the Secretary of dry milk twice annually to expenditures on the program. 1501} Agriculture to adjust government purchase m i n i m i z e go v er n m en t [Section 131] prices of butter and powder twice annually expenditures on the program. in order to minimize government [Section 141] expenditures. [Section 141] The FY2002 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 107-76) extended the DPSP through May 31, 2002 [Section 772(a)] 2. The Northeast Dairy Compact and Counter-Cyclical Payments for Dairy Farmers The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) gave No provisions. Authorizes a new counter-cyclical Authorizes a new counter-cyclical contingent authority for the six New payment program for dairy payment program for dairy farmers England states to create an interstate dairy farmers through September 30, through September 30, 2005. Whenever compact. [Section 147] The compact 2005. Whenever the minimum the minimum monthly fluid farm milk required fluid milk processors in New price for fluid farm milk falls price in Boston falls below $16.94 per England to pay a minimum price for farm below a target price of $16.94 per cwt., all eligible farmers nationwide CRS-46 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 milk used for fluid consumption that is hundredweight (cwt.) in 12 will receive a direct government higher than the minimum price established Northeast states (ME, NH, VT, payment equal to 45% of the difference under federal regulation. Compact was CT, RI, MA, NY, NJ, PA, MD, between $16.94 and the lower Boston established in 1997 at a minimum price of DE, WV), farmers in these states price. Payments to individual farmers $16.94 per hundredweight (cwt.). w o ul d recei ve a d i r e c t can be received on up to 2.4 million lbs. Legislative authority expired on g o v e r n m e n t p a ym e n t t o of annual production. Retroactive September 30, 2001. compensate for 45% of the payments will be made for each month difference between the target back to December 2001. No budget Separately, emergency authority included price and the monthly minimum limitations on how much can be spent in the agriculture appropriations acts of market price for fluid farm milk. each year or in total. At the time of FY1999 (P.L. 105-277), FY2000 (P.L. Farmers in all other states would enactment, the CBO estimated the total 106-78) and FY2001 (P.L. 106-387) receive a federal payment when cost of the program at $1.3 billion over provided ad-hoc direct government the average market price for farm the life of the program. [Section 1502] payments to all dairy farmers in response milk in any quarter falls short of a to volatile farm milk prices. 5-year average market price for that quarter. Each producer would receive a payment equal to 40% of the market price shortfall from the 5-year average. Total funding over the life of the program is $500 million for the Northeast states, and $1.5 billion for all other states. Payments could be received by a farmer on up to 8 million lbs. of annual milk production. [Section 132] 3. Recourse Loan Program P.L. 104-127 permanently authorized a Repeals authority for a No provision. No provision. new recourse loan program to help dairy recourse loan program. processors balance their inventories, to be [Section 142] CRS-47 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 implemented once the dairy price support (Subsequent to House program (DPSP) expires. [Section 142] passage of H.R. 2646, P.L. P.L. 104-127 originally required the 107-76 was enacted which elimination of the DPSP on January 1, repealed authority for the 2000. However, subsequent legislation recourse loan program. extended price support authority. Recourse loan program was never implemented, and its authority was repealed by P.L. 107-76. [Section 772(b)] 4. Dairy Export Incentive Program The 1985 farm bill (P.L. 99-198) first Extends program authority Extends program authority Extends program authority through authorized the dairy export incentive through 2011. [Section through 2006. [Section 133(a)] 2007. program, which helps U.S. exporters 143(a)] [Section 1503(a)] counter subsidized sales by foreign competitors through cash or commodity bonuses. [Section 153] Program has been reauthorized periodically in subsequent farm bills. Most recently, the 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) reauthorized the program through 2002. [Section 148] 5. Dairy Indemnity Program Authorized in 1964, the dairy indemnity Reauthorizes the program Reauthorizes the program through Reauthorizes the program through program indemnifies dairy farmers and through September 30, 2011. September 30, 2006. [Section September 30, 2007. [Section 1503(b)] processors who, through no fault of their [Section 143(b)] 133(b)] own, suffer income losses due to contamination of milk or dairy products caused by pesticides and certain other CRS-48 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 toxic substances. Legislative authority expired September 30, 1995. However, annual appropriations have been made subsequent to program expiration. 6. Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Program The Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990 1) Gives permanent authority Same as House bill, except that Same as Senate bill. (contained within the 1990 farm bill (P.L. to the fluid milk promotion fluid milk delivered directly to [Section 1506] 101-624)), as amended, authorized a program; 2) strikes the consumer residences does not research and promotion program for fluid statutory definition of a fluid count toward the 3 million pound milk products. [Sections 1999A-1999R] milk product and use the minimum requirement for the The program is funded through an definition promulgated in processor assessment. [Section assessment on fluid milk processors who USDA regulations; and 3) 134] handle more than 500,000 lbs. of fluid changes the definition of a milk products each month. The 1996 farm fluid milk processor for the bill (P.L. 101-624) extended program purpose of the required authority through December 31, 2002. assessment, to exclude any [Section 146] fluid processor that handles less than 3 million pounds of fluid milk products each month. [Section 144] 7. Dairy Promotion and Research Program E x t e n d s t h e 15-c e n t Same as the House bill. [Section Same as the House bill, with some The Dairy Producer Stabilization Act of assessment to imported dairy 136] modifications, including a requirement 1983 authorized a national dairy producer products. The 15-cent that importers be represented on the program for generic dairy product assessment is to be paid to Board in the same proportion that promotion, research, and nutrition U.S. Customs by the imported dairy products comprise the education. The program is funded through importer on the equivalent of total U.S. dairy market. Also, Secretary CRS-49 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 a mandatory 15-cent per hundredweight milk that went into the is required to consult with the U.S. assessment on all milk produced and manufacturing of the Trade Representative to determine marketed in the contiguous 48 states. imported product. Dairy whether this provision is compatible Dairy farmers administer the program importers are allowed up to 2 with U.S. trade obligations; and dairy through the National Dairy Promotion and seats on the national Dairy products must be promoted without Research Board. Board. None of the regard to the country of origin of the importer-collected funds can product. [Section 1505] be used for foreign market promotion. [Section 146] 8. Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting The Dairy Market Enhancement Act of Amends the 2000 act to Effectively similar to the House Same as Senate bill. 2000 (P.L. 106-532) established a include "substantially bill, except that it changes the [Section 1504] mandatory reporting system for dairy identical products designated definition of a covered dairy product inventories and prices. It requires by the Secretary (of product to include "substantially USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Agriculture)" as part of the identical products designated by Service to regularly collect data on the mandatory reporting system. the Secretary." [Section 135] prices and inventories of cheese, butter and [Section 145] nonfat dry milk sold by dairy manufacturers. 9. Dairy Studies No provision in current law. Requires the Secretary of Requires the Secretary of Adopts both the House and Senate Agriculture to submit to Agriculture to conduct studies to provisions, thus requiring the Secretary Congress a comprehensive be reported to the House and to conduct two dairy studies. Both economic evaluation of Senate Agriculture Committees studies are due within one year of national dairy policies (i.e., on: 1) the market effects of enactment of this bill. [Section 1508] the price support program, terminating all federal dairy federal milk marketing order, programs relating to price support over-order premiums and and supply management; and 2) CRS-50 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 state pricing programs, dairy the effects of changing the compacts and export standard of identity for fluid milk programs) and their effect on so that the required minimum the farm and rural economy, protein content of fluid milk is domestic food and nutrition commensurate with the average programs, and consumer nonfat solids contents of farm costs. [Section 147] milk directly from the cow. [Section 137] [Note: California has a standard of identity for fluid milk that requires a nonfat solids content higher than the national requirement and higher than the average content of raw milk from the cow.] N. Tobacco 1. Flue-cured Tobacco No Provision Reduces the reserve stock level Similar to Senate, except the reserve No provisions. for flue-cured in the quota stock is 60 million pounds. [Section determination formula from the 1610] greater of 100 million pounds or 10% of the national marketing quota, to the greater of 75,000 pounds or 10%. [Section 162] 2. Flue-cured Farm Reconstitutions No provisions No Provision Allows, for the 2002 crop only, Same as Senate bill. [Section 1611] for special farm reconstitutions that otherwise would violate the prohibition on flue-cured lease CRS-51 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 and transfer of quota. Requires a study of the prohibition of flue- cured quota lease and transfer. [Section 163] O. Specialty Crops (See also Miscellaneous section of this report). 1.) Mandatory CCC Purchases. No provisions of P.L. 104-127 specifically No provision. Mandated specialty crop The amount of Section 32 funds that authorize or mandate support for specialty purchases using CCC funds: $100 can be carried across fiscal years for use crops. Subsequently, emergency ad hoc million in each of FY2002 and in emergency removals of surplus assistance was mandated for specialty FY2003, $120 million in FY2004, commodities is increased from $300 crops. P.L. 106-224, Section 203(d), $140 million in FY2005, and million to $500 million. [Section 1602] mandated the CCC spend $200 million for $170 million in FY2006. purchases of fruits and vegetables with Mandated purchases of other Section 32 purchases of fruits, low prices in 1998 and 1999, including unspecified commodities, at $30 vegetables, and specialty crops shall apples, black-eyed peas, cherries, citrus, million each year. [Section 166] amount to not less than $200 million cranberries, onions, melons, peaches, and each fiscal year. [Section 10603] potatoes. P.L. 106-387, Section 811 and Section 816 mandated respectively $100 million in payments to apple growers and $20 million to cranberry growers to compensate for low prices. P.L. 107-25, Section 7(b), mandated the CCC to distribute $133.4 million to states for support of specialty crops. P. Payment Limits 1.) Fixed Payments, and CRS-52 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 Counter-Cyclical Payments. Fixed contract payments are subject to a Combined fixed, decoupled Fixed, decoupled commodity Fixed, decoupled payments for grains $40,000 per person, per year limit. payments for grains, cotton, payments combined with counter- and oilseeds limited to $40,000 per year [Section 115] and oilseeds are limited to cyclical target price deficiency per person. Counter-cyclical payments Note: Matching market loss payments $50,000 per year per person. payments for grains, cotton, limited to $65,000. The same limits adopted as emergency assistance were not [Section 109] Separately, oilseeds and peanuts are subject separately apply to peanuts. [Section subject to payment limits, with the fixed, decoupled payments to a $75,000 per person, per year 1603] practical result effectively being the for peanuts are limited to limit. [Section 169] potential doubling of the contract payment $50,000. [Section 169] limit to $80,000. Counter-cyclical payments for grains, cotton, and oilseeds are subject to a $75,000 per person, per year limit. [Section 109] Separately, counter-cyclical payments for peanuts are limited to $75,000. [Section 169] 2.) Marketing Loan Benefits. Marketing loan benefits (marketing loan Marketing loan benefits for Marketing loan benefits for all Marketing loan benefits for covered gains and LDPs) for all crops combined grains, cotton, and oilseeds commodities (grains, cotton, crops (grains and oilseeds), lentils, dry are subject to a $75,000 per person, per combined are subject to a oilseeds, dry peas, lentils, peas, and small chickpeas limited to year limit. [Section 115] The limit was $150,000 per person, per chickpeas, wool, honey, and $75,000. Peanuts, wool, mohair, and raised to $150,000 for crop years 1999, year limit. [Section 183] peanuts) combined are subject to honey each have separate marketing 2000, and 2001 by respectively P.L. 106- Separately, marketing loan $150,000 per individual, per year loan benefit limits of $75,000. [Section 78, sec. 813; P.L. 106-387, sec. 837; and benefits for peanuts are limit. Included in this limit are 1603] P.L. 107-25, sec. 10). Exempt from l i m i ted to $150,000. marketing loan gains, LDPs, loan payment limits are marketing certificates [Section 169] Separately, forfeiture gains, and commodity sold to farmers at the posted county price marketing loan benefits for certificate gains. [Section 169] and used to pay off marketing assistance wool and mohair are limited CRS-53 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 loans (authorized by P.L. 106-78, sec. to $150,000. [Section 812). Also exempt for limits are gains 1 3 0 (f )] S e p a r a t e l y, from the forfeiture of commodities at loan marketing loan benefits for maturity. honey are limited to $150,000. [Section 131(f)] 3.) Spouse Benefit and 3 Entity Rule. No change is made to existing policy that Same as old law. A s pouse al l o wan ce o f an Same as old law and House bill. allows a spouse to be considered a separate additional $50,000 is created. person or allows one person to receive The 3-entity rule is replaced by payments from 2 additional farms. Either applying the limits to payments allowance doubles the limit on payments. from all sources (the so-called direct attribution rule.) [Section 169] 4.) Adjusted Gross Income Limit. No provision. Same as old law. A person with adjusted gross Same as Senate bill. [Section 1603] income in excess of $2.5 million is not eligible for payments (unless 75% or more of income is from farming, ranching, or forestry). [Section 169] 5.) Payment Limitation Commission. No provision. No provision. Creates a 1-year Commission on Same as Senate bill. [Section 1605] the Application of Payment Limitations for Agriculture to analyze and make CRS-54 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 recommendations on payment limits. [Sections 181-187] Q. Livestock Assistance No provision. No provision. Authorizes appropriations up Authorizes appropriations of such sums $500 million per year for as are necessary for livestock FY2003-2008 for livestock assistance. Prohibits use of CCC funds assistance. [Section 168] to make such payments. [Section 10104] R. Farm Income Estimates No provision. No provision. Requires USDA to make farm Same as Senate bill. [Section 1615] income estimates for commercial producers separate from all farms. [Section 173] S. CCC Commodity Operations No provision. No provision. CCC is authorized to use private Same as Senate bill. [Section 1609] business to carry out commodity purchases and sales. [Section 174] T. Implementing Regulations Regulations to implement Title I shall be Regulations to implement No provision. Same as House bill. [Section 1601(c)] issued not later than 90 days after Title I shall be issued not (The 90 periods ends on August 12, enactment (August 12, 2002). [Section later than 90 days after 2002). 161(d)] enactment. [Section 181(c)] U. Counter-Cyclical Farm Savings Accounts CRS-55 COMMODITY PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171), PRIOR LAW/POLICY (P.L. 104-127), (H.R. 2646) COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 No provisions in current law. Same as old law. Farm counter-cyclical savings Same as old law and House bill. accounts are authorized as a pilot program in 3 states. Farms with adjusted gross revenue from commodities of at least $50,000 would be able to contribute an unlimited amount into a savings account with limited matching federal contributions (up to $5,000 per fiscal year). Withdrawals are permitted when adjusted gross revenue is less than 90% of the previous 5-year average. [Section 114] V. WTO Limits on Allowable Domestic Support There is no upper limit in the law for If USDA determines that If USDA notifies Congress that Same as House bill, except the USDA spending on commodity support programs. total spending for support program spending will is instructed to make adjustments to This is in spite of Uruguay Round commodity support will exceed the allowed limits and that ensure compliance. [Section 1601] Agreement on Agriculture annual limit of exceed the limits accepted by adjustments will be made, all $19.1 billion on U.S. domestic trade- the United States in the spending on the designated distorting subsidies. Uruguay Round Agreement programs will be suspended after on Agriculture, adjustments 18 months unless Congress may be made to reduce disallows the adjustments. spending to the limits but not [Section 164] below the allowable limits. [Section 181(e)] CRS-56 II. CONSERVATION CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 A. Environmental Conservation Acreage Program (ECARP) Title VII of Food Security Act (FSA) Title II, Farm Security Act of 2001. Title II of the Agriculture, Title II of the Farm Security and of 1985 as amended by Title III of the Conservation, and Rural Rural Investment Act of 2002. Federal Agriculture Improvement Enhancement Act of 2001. and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996. 1. Purpose and Programs. No provisions. Renames E C A R P t h e Adopts Senate Amendment Authorizes program through long Comprehensive Conservation [Section 2006] term contacts and acquisition of Enhancement Program (CCEP)and easements, to be implemented places new name throughout Section through the Conservation Reserve 1230. [Section 207(a)] Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Amends Section 1230(a) to reflect Program (WRP), and Environmental changed placement of conservation Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). programs in 1985 FSA. [Section [Section 1230(a) of the 1985 FSA as 211(a)] amended by Section 331 of the 1996 Repeals Section 1230A. [Section FAIR] 207(c)] Good Faith protection provisions [Note: Section 1230A is replaced NOTE: "Good Faith provisions added as Section 755 of the FY2001 with new good faith provisions, in Commodity Programs title Agriculture Appropriations. [Section discussed below in H (13) (a).] (Administration subtitle) apply 1230A of 1985 FSA, as amended by to both conservation and Section 331 of 1996 FAIR] commodity programs [Section 1631] [Note: ECARP is an umbrella under which the CRP,WRP, and EQIP are placed.] CRS-57 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 2. Priority Areas. Permits the Repeals section 1230(c). [Section Adds a new subsection giving Adopts the House Provision Section to designate watershed, 201(2)] priority to areas where projects could [Section 2006(c)] multistate areas, or areas of special be completed most rapidly. [Section Note: National Priority area for environmental sensitivity for 211(b)] the CRS are reaffirmed enhanced conservation assistance elsewhere in the bill] through the CRP, WRP, and EQIP. [Section 1230(c) of the 1985 FSA as amended by Section 331 of the 1996 FAIR] B. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 1. Period of Authorization and Reauthorizes CRP through FY2011. Reauthorizes CRP through FY2006 Adopts House provision on Purposes. Authorizes program [Section 211(a)] [Section 212(a)] wildlife resources, with a through FY2002, and states the Adds wildlife resources to the purposes modification to reauthorize the purposes are to conserve and improve of the program. [Section 211(b)] CRP through FY2007 [Section soil and water resources. 2101(a)] [Section1231 (a) of the 1985 FSA as amended by Section322(a)(1) of the 1996 FAIR] 2. Eligibility. Makes certain highly Repeals the limit on enrolling marginal Makes eligible land that has a Adopts Senate amendment with erodible land, marginal pastureland, pastureland to less than 10% of the total cropping history for 3 of the 6 years modifications, including that and other cropland eligible. [Section enrolled acres, expands the definition preceding enactment (and land land must have been cropped in 1231(b) of the 1985 FSA] of other eligible cropland to include enrolled in the CRP on that date), 4 of the 6 years before enactment threats to soil and air quality, and and adds a new subsection that to be eligible, and many new makes eligible land in production for at makes land enrolled under the specific details on types of least 4 years that would contribute to continuous signup and the buffer eligible lands, such as allowing conservation of ground and surface initiative eligible for the regular producers to enroll entire fields water. [Section 212(a)] Adds a new program. [Section 212(b)] when more than 50% if eligible Section1231(i) that requires balance and the remainder of the field in between soil erosion, water quality, and "infeasible" to farm . [Section wildlife habitat when reviewing bids, 2101] CRS-58 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 with implementing regulations to be issued within 180 days of enactment. [Section 212(d)] 3. Enrollment Ceiling Authorizes Raises ceiling to 39.2 million acres. Raises ceiling to 41.1 million acres. Adopts House provision [Section enrollment ceiling at 36.4 million [Section 212(b)] [Section 212(c)] 2101(a)] acres. [Section 1231(d) of the 1985 FSA as amended by Section 332(b) of [Note: Section 215(a) water the 1996 FAIR.] conservation provisions lower the CRP enrollment ceiling to 40.0 million acres; Section 215(b) allows an additional 500,000 acres to be enrolled in the state Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, bringing total enrollment to 40.5 million acres.] 4. Duration of Contract. Allows No provisions. Amends Section 1231(e)(2) to allow Adopts Senate amendment CRP contracts for some land devoted the Secretary to extend contracts on allowing automatic 1-year to hardwood trees, shelter belts, wind hardwood forests for up to 15 years extension for contracts expiring breaks, or wildlife corridors to be and limits annual payments to 50% in 2002 for land planted to longer than the 10 to 15 years allowed of the original contract amount, and hardwood trees. Adopts House for other contracts. [Section allow new contracts of 10 to 30 provision requiring participants 1231(e)(2) of the 1985 FSA] years. [Section 212(d)] to bid to reenroll land [Section 2101(a)] 5. Conservation Priority Areas. Allows land enrolled under this Gives priority to areas where Retains priority areas language Requires the Section to establish, at subchapter to be eligible to reenroll in designation would lead to the most of current law [section 2101(a)] the request of a state, priority the CRP. [Section 212(c)] rapid completion of projects. watersheds in specified and other [Section 212(b)] areas where enrollment would "maximize water quality and habitat benefits." [Section 1231(f) of the 1985 CRS-59 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 FSA] 6. Enrollment Subcategories. Expands the pilot program to all states Deletes "pilot", reauthorizes the Adopts House provision with Authorizes a 500,000 acre pilot and limits enrollment in any state to program through FY2006, and modifications to: limit total program, with enrollment limited to 150,000 acres. [Section 215] increases the maximum size of enrollment to 1 million acres and 150,000 acres in any state for small eligible sites from 5 acres to 10 acres to 100,000 acres in any state. wetlands(less than 5 acres) and (but only up to 5 acres are eligible Adopts Senate amendment buffers in 6 specified upper for payments). [Section 212(e)] increasing the maximum size of Midwestern states. [A new eligible sites. [section 2101(a)] Section1231(h), enacted in Title XI of the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations (P.L. 106-387] 7. Duties of Owners and Allows certain economic uses of Adds a new subsection that allows Adopts House provision with Operators. Sets limits on commercial enrolled lands if consistent with soil, irrigated land to be enrolled through modifications such as requiring uses of lands in the CRP, but allows water, and wildlife conservation. These the buffer initiative or the CREP at consideration of the impacts on the Section to permit harvesting or uses include managed grazing and the irrigated land rate. [Section wildlife when locating wind grazing under very limited haying (with reduced payments), siting 212(f)] turbines. [Section 2101(a)] circumstances. [Section 1232(a)(7)] of wind turbines, and harvesting Allows participants to plant native Sets a goal of planting 1/8 of the land biomass to produce energy (with prairie grasses on enrolled marginal enrolled each year to trees or habitat. reduced payments). Deletes pastureland, to permit harvesting or [Section 1232(c)] subsections (c) and (d). [Section 213] grazing for maintenance purposes on Allows alley-cropping. [Section lands enrolled through the buffer 1232(d)] [Section1232(a) (7) of the initiative or the CREP, and adds a 1985 FAIR as amended by the 1990 new subsection that makes crop FACTA, Section 1232(c) of the 1985 production on other highly erodible FSA, and Section 1232(d) of the 1985 land a violation of a CRP contract FSA, respectively] unless it has a cropping history or was a building site when it was purchased. [Section 212(g)] Adds a new subsection that permits wind turbines on CRP land (except CRS-60 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 land enrolled in the continuous enrollment), with payments reduced based on the diminished value for CRP. [Section 212(h)] 8. Payments. Lays out the terms and No provisions. Adds a new subsection to provide Generally restates existing law. conditions for CRP payments. enrollment and cost sharing [Section1234 of the 1985 FSA as payments to producers who enroll amended by Section1434(a) of the land in the buffer initiative or 1990 FACTA) through a CREP. [Section 212(i)] Payments for easements limited to Exempts payments for land enrolled $50,000 per year. [Section 1239C(f)] in the buffer initiative or through a CREP from the payment limit for easements. [Section 212(j)] 9. County Enrollment Limits. Repeals the provision allowing the Exempts land enrolled under the No provision Limits enrollment in the CRP and Secretary to exceed the county continuous signup from county WRP to 25% of county cropland, and enrollment limit if operators are having enrollment limit. [Section 212(k)] limits easements to 10%; limits may difficulty meeting compliance be exceeded if it would not adversely requirements. [Section 244(a)] affect the local economy or if operators are having difficulty meeting compliance requirements. [Section1243(b) of the 1985 FSA as amended by Section 341 of the 1996 FAIR.] 10. Funding and Administration. Reauthorizes mandatory funding Reauthorizes funding from the CCC Reauthorizes mandatory funding Provides mandatory funding through through FY2011. [Section241] through FY2006, and includes from FY2002 through FY2007, the CCC. [Section1241(a) of the 1985 funding for technical assistance in including funding for technical FSA as amended by Section341 of the support this program. [Section assistance. [Section 2101(b)] 1996 FACT] 211(c)] CRS-61 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 11. Study of Economic Effects. No No provisions. Requires the Secretary to report to Adopts Senate language with provisions. the House and Senate Agriculture modifications that require the Committees on the economic and study to be submitted in 18 social effects of the CRP on rural months and to include the communities within 270 days of economic value of recreation enactment. Specifies 3 components opportunities. [Section 2101(b)] of the analysis. [Section 212(l)] C. Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) 1. Enrollment. The 1990 FACTA Allows enrollment of up to 150,000 Authorizes WRP enrollment through Adopts Senate amendment with adds a new Section1237 to the 1985 acres per calendar year starting in calendar year 2006. [Section 214(c)] modifications raising the FSA establishing the WRP and 2002, with any acres up to the annual Sets a maximum enrollment ceiling enrollment cap to 2.275 million capping enrollment at 975,000 acres. limit that is not enrolled can be enrolled of 2,225,000 acres, and an annual acres and authorizing the [Section 1438] Enrollment allowed in succeeding years, through FY2011. enrollment ceiling of 250,000 acres, program through 2007. [sections through calendar year 2002. [Section [Section 221(a)] of which up to 25,000 acres can be 2201 and 2202] 333(b)(1) of the 1996FAIR] Authorizes enrollment through FY2011. enrolled in the new Wetland Reserve Enrollment ceiling increased from [Section 221(c)} Enhancement Program. [Section 975,000 acres to 1,075,000 acres.) 214(b)] [Section 808 of the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations (P.L. 106- 387)] 2. Enrollment Options. Requires Deletes the 1/3 requirement, and the Creates a new Wetland Reserve Modifies law to permit the use of 1/3 enrollment each using permanent distinction between permanent and Enhancement Program that allows permanent easements, temporary easements, 30 year easements, and temporary easements. [Section 221(b] agreements with state and local easements, and cost-sharing long-term agreements. government, and non-governmental agreements in any combination [Section1237(b) of the 1985 FSA as organizations to restore wetlands on based on producer interest. amended by Section333(a) of the land in or eligible to be enrolled in [Section 2202] 1996 FAIR] the WRP. [Section 214(d)] CRS-62 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 3. Easements and Agreements. Replaces the 4 specific prohibitions No provisions. Deletes subsection 1237A(h) Describes the general terms of with a general statement to allow only which allows restoration cost- easements and agreements. Prohibits changes permitted in the plan. Deletes sharing agreements without an altering habitat, spraying chemicals subsection (e), which distinguishes 3 easement. [Note: characterized and mowing, any activity that lengths of easements, and subsection by conference Committee as degrades the land, and any other (h), which can require wetlands to be redundant.] activity that counters the purpose of restored if there is no easement. the easement, unless permitted in the [Section 222] plan. [Section 1237A of the 1985 FSA as amended by Section333(d)(1) of the 1996 FAIR] 4. Secretarial Duties, including Deletes subsection (d), which requires Amends Section 1237C(a) to provide No provisions. Technical Assistance. Describes the Secretary to give priority to using funds from the CCC for technical how cost sharing and technical permanent easements. [Section 223] assistance in support of the WRP. [Note: technical assistance assistance will be provided; and how [Section 214(a)] provided for elsewhere -- priorities will be set for determining Amends Section1237C(a)(2) to add funding subsection, below] which bids to accept. [Section1237C monitoring and maintenance to the of the 1985 FSA] types of technical assistance provided to participants. [Section 214(e)] 5. Changes in Ownership. Limits Replaces 1990 acquisition date in No provisions. Adopts House amendment, with program entry if ownership changes Section1237E(a)(2) with provision to modifications to address changes occurred during the previous year, make eligible at any time land acquired in ownership resulting from and specifies terms under which through foreclosure where the previous foreclosure. [Section 2204] easements can be modified or owner exercised a right of redemption. terminated. [Section1237E of the [Section 224] 1985 FSA] 6. Funding. Funding from the CCC Reauthorizes mandatory funding Reauthorizes funding from the CCC Reauthorizes mandatory funding is authorized to implement the WRP. through FY2011. [Section 241] through FY2006, and includes from FY2002 through FY2007, [Section 1241(a) of the 1985 FSA] funding for technical assistance in i n c l u d i n g f o r t ech n i c a l CRS-63 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 support of this program. [Section assistance. [Section 2701] 211(c)] D. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) 1. Program Purposes. Identifies 4 Deletes reference to the programs that Specifies that EQIP is to promote Adopts Senate Amendment with programs that EQIP replaces. were replaced; replaces the purpose of production and environmental modifications that restate the Specifies that EQIP maximize responding to environmental threats quality while maximizing purpose of EQIP [Section 2301] environmental benefits per dollar with the purpose of providing environmental benefits per dollar Deletes definition of "maximum spent while meeting 4 purposes. environmental benefits; and expands spent by assisting producers to meet benefit per dollar expended" [Section 334 of the 1996 FAIR adds the benefits to include air quality. 6 specified purposes. [Section [Section 2301] to conform to Section1240 to the 1985 FSA] [Section 231] 213(a)] provision in section 2301 striking the requirement for maximum benefit per dollar. 2. Definitions. Defines "eligible Adds non-industrial private forest land Adds definitions of "beginning Adopts Senate definitions of land", "land management practice", to "eligible land", and replaces the farmer or rancher", "comprehensive "beginning farmer," "land "livestock", "producer", and notion of posing an environmental nutrient management", "innovative management practice," "structural practice". [Section 1240A threat with the notion of providing technology", "managed grazing", "livestock," "structural practice'" of the 1985 FSA] environmental benefits in that "maximum environmental benefits and a modified definition of definition; and "producer" is expanded per dollar expended", "practice", and "eligible land."[Section 2301] to include non-industrial private "program". [Section 213(a)] forestry. [Section 232] 3. Program Administration. Reauthorizes EQIP through FY2011; Reauthorizes EQIP through FY2006; Adopts Senate provisions Authorizes EQIP through 2002; authorizes contracts of 1 to 10 years; adds comprehensive nutrient modified to: reauthorize EQIP eligible practices include structural repeals requirement that structural management planning to the list of through Fy2007, to provide and land management practices; practices be selected to maximize eligible practices; allows the i n c e n t i v e paym en t s f o r authorizes contracts of 5 to 10 years; environmental benefits per dollar spent; Secretary to provide conservation comprehensive nutrient provides cost-share of not more than deletes limitation on payments to large education to producers; authorizes management plans; to permit 75% for structural practices; prohibits livestock operations to construct animal contracts of 3 to 10 years; limits contracts as short as 1 year; to cost sharing to large livestock waste management facilities; and adds producers to 1 contract for structural prohibit the bidding down prices; operations to construct animal waste a new provision to make incentive practices to manage livestock and to provide higher cost share CRS-64 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 management facilities; provides payments at an amount and rate to nutrients through FY2006; limits payments to participating incentive payments for land encourage multiple land management large livestock operators to 1 beginning and limited resource management practices; provides practices, with emphasis on payments contract for a waste storage or f a r m e r s . A d o p t s Ho u s e funding (not to exceed projected for practices that address "residue, treatment facility; authorizes provisions eliminating the costs) for technical assistance; and nutrient, pest, invasive species, and air application and eval uat i on requirement to maximize the lists types of private sources to quality management." [Section 233] procedures for selecting applicants; environmental benefits per dollar provide technical assistance. prohibits bidding down; limits cost spend. [Section 2301] [Section 1240B of the 1985 FSA] sharing payments to 75% (up to 90% for limited resource and beginning farmers, or to address a natural disaster); prohibits duplicate cost sharing payments for the same practice; eliminates (by not including) the limitation on cost- sharing with large confined livestock operations for waste management facilities; permits incentive payments for technical assistance to certified individuals to develop comprehensive nutrient management plans; and specifies circumstances for terminating contracts. [Section 213(a)] 4. Evaluation of Offers. Requires Replaces these provisions with general Adds higher priority also to be given Adopts Senate Amendment with the Secretary to give higher priority to language about aiding farmers to for special projects initiated by a modifications giving higher assistance in priority areas, or to comply with environmental laws and new partnership program to address priority to applications that use watersheds, regions, or conservation encourage conservation, maximizing environmental issues placed in cost-effective conservation priority areas where states or the benefits of using manure and other Section 1243(f), and to innovative practices and that address localities are active partners, and soil amendments, and encouraging technologies for structural or land national conservation priorities. maximize environmental benefits per sustainable grazing systems. [Section management practices. [Section [Section 2301] dollar spent. [Section1240C of the 234] 213(a)] CRS-65 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 1985 FSA] 5. Duties of Producers. Lists 5 No provisions. Almost identical to current law, Adopts the Senate amendment duties; one is a prohibition against except gives the Section greater with a modification to delete practices that counter the purposes of latitude in determining the confined livestock feeding EQIP. [Section1240D of the 1985 appropriate penalty for violations. operations listing requirement in FSA] [Section 213(a)] the Senate bill [Section 2301] 6. Program Plan. Lists the general Replaces mention of management and Almost identical to current law. Adopts Senate amendment with contents of plans producers are structural practices with providing [Section 213(a)] modifications and adds a required to submit to the Section to greater environmental benefits. [Section requirement that all recipients of participate. [Section1240E of the 235] funds for animal waste manure 1985 FSA] systems must have comprehensive nutrient management plans. [Section 2310] 7. Secretarial Duties. Assigns 5 Deletes incentive payments from Almost identical to current law, Adopts Senate amendment duties to the Sec; one is to provide implementing structural and land except that it deletes (by not [Section 2301] technical assistance and cost-share or management practices. [Section 236] including) the duty of providing an incentive payments for structural and eligibility assessment. [Section land management practices; another is 213(a)] to prepare an eligibility assessment. [Section 1240F of the 1985 FSA] 8. Payment Limits and Timing. Limits payments to $50,000 annually Limits total payments under all Adopts the House provision, Limits payments to $10,000 annually and $200,000 per contract; deletes contracts to $30,000 annually. modified to limit total EQIP and $50,000 per contract; specifies language allowing annual limits to be Limits 3 year contracts to $90,000 , payments to any individual or the annual limit can be exceeded to exceeded to provide maximum $120,000 for a 4 year contract, and entity through FY2007 to maximize the environmental benefits environmental benefit per dollar spent, $150,000 for a contract that is 4 $450,000 [Section 2301] per dollar spent; and delays federal and repeals provisions to delay federal years or longer. The Secretary can expenditures until the year after the expenditures until the year after the exceed the $30,000 payment limit contract has been signed. [Section contract has been signed. [Section 237] under certain circumstances. [Section CRS-66 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 1240G of the 1985 FSA] 213(a)] 9. Other Provisions. Lays out Replaces current language in Section Replaces current language in Adopts the House amendments temporary transition provisions as 1240H, with provisions that provide Section1240H with provisions that with modifications to restate the EQIP replaces 4 repealed programs. $30 million, in FY2002, $45 million in provide $100 million annually from activities to be funded through [Section 1240H of the 1985 FSA] FY2003, and $60 million annually in EQIP funds, starting in FY2003, for the new ground and surface FY2004-11 from the CCC for cost competitive innovative matching water conservation program and share payments and low interest loans grants and specifies examples to to provide competitive to encourage ground and surface water include market systems for pollution innovation matching grants as conservation. [Section 238] reduction, promoting carbon described in the Senate bill. sequestration in soil and other Best Provides $25 million in FY2002, Management Practices, and $45 million in FY2003, and $60 protecting drinking water quality; million annually thereafter permits funds from other sources; through FY2007 for the water limits funding to 50% of cost; funds conservation program, with $50 unobligated by April 1 each year can million of the total going to be spent on other EQIP purposes. conservation activities in the Adds new program as Section 1240I Klamath Basin. Provides no for groundwater conservation in the funding or authorization for the southern high plains to improve innovative grants [section 2301] irrigation efficiency and reduce water use using EQIP funds. ($15 million in FY2003, $25 million in FY2004-5, $35 million in FY2006, and $0 in FY2007) Adds new pilot programs as Section 1240J for drinking water supplies, and for nutrient reduction in the Chesapeake Bay watershed using EQIP funds. ($10 million in FY2003, $15 million in FY2004, $20 million in FY2005, $25 million in FY2006, and $0 in CRS-67 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 FY2007) [Section 213(a)] 10. Funding and Administration. Authorizes mandatory spending Provides $.5 billion in FY2002, $1.3 Reauthorizes mandatory funding Provides $200 million annually through the CCC through FY2011. billion in FY2003, $1.45 billion in from the CCC as follows: $400 through FY2002 from the CCC for [Section 241] FY2004-5, $1.5 billion in FY2006, million in FY2002, $700 million EQIP, with 50% of the total going to Provides $.2 billion for FY2001, $1.025 and $.85 billion in FY2007; provides in FY2003, $1 billion in practices related to livestock billion for FY2002-3, $1.2 billion for funding for technical assistance from FY2004, $1.2 billion in FY2005 production. [Section 1241 of the 1985 FY2004-6, $1.4 billion for FY2007-9, the CCC. [Section 241(b)] and FY2006, and $1.3 billion on FSA as amended by several annual and $1.5 billion for FY2010-11. Reauthorizes funding from the CCC FY2007. Funding for technical agricultural appropriations laws] [Section 242] through FY2006, and includes assistance is included in the Reauthorizes the livestock provision funding for technical assistance in total. 60% of funds are to be through FY2011. [Section 243] support of this program. [Section provided for practices related to 211(c)] livestock and 40% for practices relates to crops. [Section 2701] E. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) 1. Period of Authorization. Reauthorizes funding from the CCC at Moves WHIP to Section1240M of Adopts House provision with Provides a total of $50 million from $25 million in FY2002, $30 million in the 1985 FSA, reauthorizes funding modification to move WHIP to the CCC (from CRP funding) by the FY2003-4, $35 million in FY2005-6, from the CCC at: $50 million in the 1985 FSA, making it subject end of FY2002. [Section387(c) of the $40 million in FY2007, $45 million in FY2002; $225 million in FY2003; to compliance, and to require 1996 FAIR] FY2008-9, and $50 million in FY2010- $275 million in FY2004; $325 that the Secretary recognize 11. [Section 252] million in FY2005; $355 million in regional issues of concern when FY2006; and $50 million in distributing funds. [Section FY2007; all funding to remain 2502] available until spent. Provides Reauthorizes mandatory funding funding for technical assistance from from the CCC: $15 million in the CCC. [Section 217(g)] FY2002, $30 million in FY2003, $60 million in FY2004, and $85 million annually in FY2005- FY2007. [Section 2701] 2. Establishing WHIP No provisions. Requires consultation with STCs to Adopts Senate amendment CRS-68 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 No provisions. establish WHIP. [Section 217(b)] 3. Cost-sharing Payments. No provisions. Requires the Secretary to use at least No provisions Authorizes cost sharing payments for 15% of the cost-sharing funds on several approved purposes. [Section endangered and threatened species. 387(b)] [Section 217(c)] 4. Participation Related to Public No provisions. Makes individuals and organizations No provisions Lands. No provisions. leasing public lands eligible for grants. [Section 217(e)] Allows funds to be used on public lands if they will benefit private lands. [Section 217(f)] 5. Pilot Program. No provisions. No provisions. Allows the Secretary to use up to Adopts the Senate amendment 15% of the funds to enroll land for at [Section 2501] least 15 years to protect "essential plant and animal habitat." [Section 217(d)] F. Farmland Protection Program (FPP) 1. Funding Level. Provides up to a Provides up to $50 million annually Moves the FPP to Section 1238H-J Adopts the Senate amendment to total of $35 million from the CCC by through FY2011 from the CCC. of the 1985 FSA[Section 218(a)], mover the FPP to the 1985 FSA. FY2002. [Section388(c) of the 1996 [Section 253(b)] and repeals Section 388 of the 1996 Reauthorizes mandatory funding FAIR] FAIR. [Section 218(c)] from the CCC: $50 million in Provides from the CCC: $150 FY2002, $100 million in FY203, million in FY2002; $250 million in $125 million in FY2004 and FY2003; $400 million in FY2004; FY2005, $100 million in $450 million in FY2005; $500 FY2006, and $97 million in million in FY2006; and $100 million FY2007. [Section 2701] in FY2007; provides funding for technical assistance from the CCC; limits the federal share to 50%, CRS-69 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 limits the portion of the non federal share provided by the landowner or in inkind goods and services to 25%, and prohibits bidding down. [Section 218(b)] 2. Eligible Land. Makes between Deletes the maximum and minimum Same as Section 253(a); and also Adopts the Senate amendment 170,000 acres and 340,000 acres acreage limits, and makes historic and defines eligible land to include with a clarification that forest eligible if the soil is prime, unique or archaeological sites eligible. [Section cropland, rangeland, grassland, land must be an incidental part of productive, and an offer is pending 253(a)] pasture land and forest land that is an agricultural operation. from a state or local government to part of an agricultural operation. [Section 2503] limit non agricultural uses. [Section [Section 218] 388(a) of the 1996 FAIR] 3. Conservation Planning. No provisions. Identical to current law. [Section Same as current law [Section Requires a conservation plan if the 218] 2503] land is highly erodible; the Section can require conversion of land to a less intensive use in the plan. [Section388(b) of the 1996 FAIR] 4. Eligible Participants. Makes Expands eligibility to also include Identical to Section 253(c). [Section Adopts House provision [Section eligible any state or local agency that federally recognized Indian tribes, and 218(a)] 2503] has made an offer to purchase a non profit organizations that meet conservation easement. [Section specified qualifications. [Section 388(a) of the 1996 FAIR] 253(c)] 5. New Program Options. No No provisions. Allows up to $10 million to be spent Adopts Senate amendments, provisions. annually to provide matching grants modified, calling it a farm for market development, and viability program and technical assistance to participants. authorizing appropriation of [Section 218(a)] necessary funds for FY2002 through 2007. [Section 2503] CRS-70 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 G. Other Programs (Including Technical Assistance) 1. Resource Conservation and Permanently reauthorizes program, and Permanently reauthorizes program, Adopts the Senate amendment, Development Program (RC&D). makes numerous other, mostly minor or and makes numerous other, mostly modifies to prohibit RC&D Provides assistance to encourage and technical amendments. [Section 254] minor or technical amendments. Councils from using another improve the capacity of state and [Note: Many of the changes in the two [Section 216] person or entity to assist in local governments and non profits in bills are different from each other, but [Note: Many of the changes in the developing or implementing an rural areas to develop and implement they do not change the basic intent or two bills are different from each area plan.[Section 2504] conservation programs. Authorized operation of the program.] other, but they do not change the through FY2002. [Title III of the basic intent or operation of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act as program.] amended by §1528-1538 of the 1981 AFA] 2. Small Watershed Rehabilitation Authorizes $15 million annually in No provisions. Adopts House provision, Program. Provides financial and "FY2002 and each succeeding year" to modified to authorize mandatory technical assistance to rehabilitate fund the Small Watershed funding from the CCC at: $45 water structures that are nearing or Rehabilitation Program. [Section 257] million in FY2003, $50 million past the end of their design life. in FY2004, $55 million in Authorizes appropriations of $5 FY2005, $60 million in FY2006, million in FY2001, $10 million in $65 million in FY2007. FY2002, $15 million in FY2003, $25 Additional funding from million in FY2004, and $35 million appropriations also was in FY2005. [Authorized in Section authorized at $45 million in 313 of the Grain Standards and FY2003, $55 million in FY2004, Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000] $65 million in FY2005, $75 million in FY2006 and $85 million in FY2007. [Section 2505] 3. Conservation of Private Grazing Adds encouraging the use of Moves the program to a new Section Adopts Senate amendment, Lands. Provide coordinated sustainable grazing systems to the list 1240P of the 1985 FSA and, makes modified to delete the findings technical, educational, related of activities for which assistance can be numerous other, mostly minor, section and reauthorized the CRS-71 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 assistance to preserve and enhance provided. [Section 251] changes, and authorizes $60 million program through FY2007. privately-owned grazing lands; annually through FY2006. [Section [Section 2502] authorizes 2 demonstration districts, 217(a)] and authorizes $20 million in Repeals provisions establishing FY1996, $40 million in FY1997, and program in Section 386 of the 1996 $60 million in FY1998 and each FAIR. [Section 217(b)] subsequent year. [Section 386 of the 1996 FAIR] 4. Technical Assistance. Allows Allows producers to seek assistance Adds a new Section 1244(f) to the Adopts the House amendment, persons who need and apply a from third parties, who have the 1985 FSA f) requiring the Secretary modified to: require that funding conservation compliance plan to specified expertise, and requires the to create a certification program for for technical assistance for each obtain technical assistance from Secretary to develop a system for third parties to provide technical program under the approved sources other than NRCS; approving qualified third parties who assistance, specifies standards for Comprehensive Conservation the Section must document a rejection provide technical assistance to EQIP certification, permits the Section to Enhancement Program come of assistance from those sources participants within 6 months of repay landowners who use third from CCC funds; implement a [Section 1243(d) of the 1985 FSA] enactment. [Section 244(b)] parties, and establishes an advisory program for certifying and committee for the certification paying third party technical program. [Section 204] assistance providers within 180 days of enactment; and specify eligible expertise, sources of assistance in the interim, and permits assistance by non-federal entities. [Section 2701] 5. State Technical Committees No provisions. Expands membership in STCs to No provision (STC) Creates STCs , lists the include expertise in forestry, restates composition, outlines responsibilities its responsibilities to mesh with to include providing "information, other changes this legislation makes analysis, and recommendations" on to conservation programs, and makes implementing conservation subcommittees and local working provisions (including several groups working on STC business specified topics) to the state exempt from FACA. [Section 221] CRS-72 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 conservationist, and exempts the STC from FACA meeting requirements. [Section 1261 of the 1985 FSA] 6. Conservation Compliance. No provisions No provisions Makes technical changes and Prohibits most federal farm program prohibits the Secretary from benefits for producers who cultivate delegating authority to make highly erodible lands without an highly erodible land and wetland approved a n d i m plemented determinations to a private conservation plan or who alter person or entity. [Section 2002] wetlands to produce crops. [Section 1243(d) of the 1985 FSA] 7. Agricultural Management No provisions No Provisions Li s t s p e r m i t t e d t yp e s o f Assistance. Provides cost-sharing conservation practices; retains assistance to producers to apply the $50,000 annual payment conservation in 15 specified states limit, and permanently where Federal Crop Insurance appropriates mandatory funding Program participation has been from the CCC, with $20 million historically low. [Section 524 of the annually in FY2003 through Agricultural Risk Protection Act of FY2007 and $10 million 2000] annually thereafter. [Section 2501] 8. Repeals of Authorized Programs Repeals provisions: creating the Repeals numerous conservation Adopts Senate provisions. and Activities. No provisions. Wetlands Mitigation Banking Program programs in current law and [Section 1222(k) of the 1985 FSA]; reauthorizes them in other sections exempting CRP payments from any of farm law, as noted in the entries limits under the 1985 FSA, the 1990 above. FACTA, and the 1949 AA [Section 1234(f)(3)]; protecting the base history CRS-73 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 of land enrolled in the CRP [Section 1236 of the 1985 FSA]; exempting WRP payments from any limits under the 1985 FSA, the 1990 FACTA, and the 1949 AA [Section 1237D(c)(3)] and ; creating the Environmental Easement Program [Section1239 of the 1985 FSA], the Conservation Farm Option [Section 1240M of the 1985 FSA], and the Tree Planting Ini t i at i v e [Section1256 of the 1985 FSA] [Section 261] Repeals the National Natural Resources Conservation Foundation [Section 351-360 of the 1996 FAIR] [Section 262] H. New Programs 1. Grasslands Reserve Program a. Places GRP in Section 1238 of the a. Places GRP in Section 1238N-P of Adopts House provision (GRP). 1985 FSA creating a 2 million acre the 1985 FSA, creating a 2 million modified to enroll of up to 2 a. Reserve Size. No provisions. grasslands reserve, split evenly between acre grasslands reserve, of which up million acres in tracts of 40 acres restored grasslands and virgin (never to 500,000 acres will be native or more, and permits the cultivated) grasslands. Section grasslands in tracts of 40 acres or Secretary to waive the minimum 1238(b)(1) sets minimum size for less. Section 1238N sets minimum acre per site limit. [Section enrolled parcels at 50 contiguous acres size at 40 contiguous acres east of 2401] east of the 90th meridian and 100 the 98th meridian and 100 contiguous contiguous acres west of the 90th acres west of the 98th meridian meridian. [Section 255(a)] [Section 219(a)] b. Eligible Lands. No provisions. b. Defines eligible land to include b. Same definition of eligible land as b. Adopts Senate provision natural grass and shrub land that has a in H.R. 2646, except that it also modified to include restored, potential to serve as important plant or enrolls incidental additional land that improved, or natural grassland, CRS-74 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 animal habitat, or has been historically is necessary for the administrative rangeland, or pasture land, dominated by natural grass or efficiency of an easement.[Section including prairie. [Section 2401] shrubland. [Section 255(a)] 219(a)] c. Enrollment Options. No c. Spends at least 2/3 of funds on c. Allows permanent easements, 30 c. Adopts Senate provision, provisions. contracts of 10 to 20 years, and the year easements, the longest modified to enroll 40% of remainder on 30 year or permanent easements allowed by state law, and acreage in 10, 15 or 20 tear easements. [Section 255(a)] 30 year rental agreements. Allows rental agreements, and 60% in 30 the Secretary to delegate easements year rental agreements, or 30 to private conservation year permanent easements. organizations, land trusts, and state [Section 2401] agencies. [Section 219(a)] d. Permitted and Prohibited Uses of d. Permits contract holders to use d. Similar to H.R. 2646 for permitted d. Adopts House provision Enrolled Lands. No provisions. common grazing practices, and permits and prohibited uses of enrolled modified to also permit fire haying and mowing outside the bird lands. [Section 219(a)] rehabilitation and construction of nesting season, but prohibits all fire breaks and fences. [Section agricultural production (except hay) and 2401] almost all practices that require disturbing the land surface in section 1238(A)(b). [Section 255(a)] e. Ranking Criteria for Bids. No e. Requires the Secretary to develop e. Requires the Secretary to work e. Adopts House provision provisions. ranking criteria for reviewing with STCs in developing ranking modified to also emphasize land applications, with emphasis on support criteria, and to give priority to under the greatest threat of for native vegetation, grazing grazing operations, maintaining or conversion. [Section 2401] operations, and plant and animal restoring biodiversity, and land diversity, and to set the terms for under the greatest threat of restoration. [Section 255(a)] conversion. [Section 219(a)] f. Describes how payment levels are to f. Describes how payment levels are CRS-75 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 f. Payment Levels. No provisions. be set for each form of participation, to be set for each form of f. Adopts House provision sets cost sharing payments for participation, provides that rental modified to use State formula for restoration at 90% for virgin grasslands agreements be reviewed and adjusted 30 year agreements and all and 75% for restored grasslands, and at least once every 5 years, limits easements, and moves support provides technical assistance. [Section cost-sharing payments to 75% for for technical assistance to the 255(a)] restoration, and provides technical funding subsection of the assistance. [Section 219(a)] conservation title [Section 2401] g. Penalties for Violation. g. No provisions. g. Describes the roles of the No provisions. Secretary and the landowner in g. Provides that agreements implementing restoration remain in force but that owner agreements, and lists the penalties may be required to refund for violations, and allows periodic payments, with interests. site inspections. [Section 219(a)] [Section 2401] h. Funding. No provisions. h. Amends Section 1241 of the 1985 h. Amends Section 1241 of the 1985 FSA to provide a total of up to $254 FSA to provide such CCC sums as h. Adopts House provision, million through the CCC through necessary to implement this modified to provide up to $254 FY2011 to implement this program. program. [Section 219(b)] million in mandatory funding [Section 255(b)] from the CCC for FY2003-2007, and provide technical assistance. [Section 2701] 2. Farmland Stewardship Adds this program as a new Section No provisions. No provision Program. No provisions. 1239 to the 1985 FSA. It is to be administered by NRCS "to more precisely tailor and target" current conservation programs, using program funding on a watershed basis, where possible. Participation requires matching funds, and can involve other agencies. Participants submit a CRS-76 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 management plan and are encouraged to use easements to implement conservation management. [Section 256] [Note: No appropriations are authorized for this program, so all funding would come from existing programs] 3. Conservation Security Program No provisions. Conservation Security Program Adopt Senate amendment (CSP). No provisions. (CSP). Authorizes a CSP in modified to: authorize the Section 1238 -- 1238B of the 1985 programs through FY2007, FSA. It defines 22 terms and lists decrease the maximum tier II 13 program purposes. To payment to $45,000, make participate, producers must have an participants subject to approved plan for eligible lands compliance, and delete the state (land in the CRP and WRP, or that pilot program provisions. has not been in production at least 3 [Section 2001] of the preceding 10 years, is ineligible). Producers can receive an advance payment when they enroll, base payments, and bonus payments for certain practices. Practices required for each of 3 tiers of participation are specified, and minimum requirements for each will be determined at the state level and approved by the Secretary. Land in an approved plan will be enrolled in a contract between FY2003 and FY2006; Tier 1 contracts will be 5 years; Tier II and III contracts will be 5 to 10 years, and contracts can be CRS-77 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 renewed. Total annual payments are limited to $20,000 for Tier I, $35,000 for Tier II, and $50,000 for Tier III. Specified practices are ineligible. State pilot programs are authorized. [Section 201] Amends Section 1241 of the 1985 FSA by adding a new subsection (c) to provide "such funds as are necessary" from the CCC through FY2006. [Section 202] Allows implementation to start on the date of enactment. [Section 206] 4. Partnerships and Cooperation. No provisions. Adds a new Section 1242(f) to the Adopts Senate amendment No provisions. 1985 FSA to allow special projects modified to provide funds to as recommended by a state address natural resource conservationist, which can respond problems related to agricultural to meeting the requirements of production, delete identification specified federal laws or addressing of specified federal laws, and watersheds or other areas with provide funding by using up to significant environmental problems. 5% of all mandatory Participants agree to a plan to adjust conservation program funding. implementation of conservation [Section 2002] programs to increase environmental benefits. Funding uses 5% of EQIP funds annually, with any unused funds to go to other EQIP activities that year. [Section 203] 5. Watershed Risk Reduction No provisions. Authorizes $15 million annually No provision Program. No provisions. through FY2006 to implement a new program to purchase floodplain CRS-78 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 easements at Section1240N of the 1985 FSA. [Section 217(a)] 6. Great Lakes Basin Soil Erosion No provisions. Authorizes $5 million annually Adopts Senate provisions and Sediment Control Program. through FY2006 to implement a new modified, and authorizes No provisions. soil erosion and sediment control appropriations of $5 million program for the Great Lakes basin at annually from FY2002-2007. Section 1240O of the 1985 FSA. [Section 2502] [Section 217(a)] Note: Conference Committee report states that funding is to be provided through FY2006.] 7. Water Conservation Program. No provisions. Reduces CRP enrollment ceiling No provisions. No provisions. from 41.1 million acres to 40.0 million acres. [Section 215(a)] Authorizes two programs. One will allow up to 500,000 acres to be enrolled in state CREPs to contribute to the restoration of a watercourse or lake, and permit purchasing or leasing water rights. Priority given to places where more than 20% of the cost would be paid from non federal sources, and promotes any of 4 specified benefits for wildlife, fish and plants. Protection of state water laws are specified. Eligible states are Nevada, California, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, New Hampshire, and Maine; others can apply to participate. [Section 215(b)] Authorizes a new Water Conservation Program in Section CRS-79 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 1240R of the 1985 FSA. NRCS will provide cost sharing assistance to increase irrigation efficiency, convert production to less water- intensive crops, and acquire water rights. Protection of state and other water laws required. Nebraska and South Dakota are ineligible, while the same 7 states as in the program above are eligible, and others may apply. Authorizes funding from the CCC at $25 million in FY2002, $52 million in FY2003, and $100 million in FY2004-FY2006, with $5 million allocated each year to monitoring activities. [Section 215(c)] 8. Grassroots Source Water No provisions. Authorizes $5 million annually Adopts Senate provision, Protection Program. No provisions. through FY2006 in Section 1240Q modified to authorize of the 1985 FSA for a new program appropriations of $5 million to use technical assistance annually from FY2002-2007. capabilities of state rural water [Section 2502] associations that operate wellhead or Note: Conference Committee groundwater protection programs. report says funding is provided [Section 217(a)] through FY2006] 9. Organic Agriculture Research No provisions. Provides $50 million from the CCC No provision Trust Fund. No provisions. in FY2003, to remain available until spent and to accrue interest, in FY2003 to establish a new research fund on organic products. [Section 231] CRS-80 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 10. National Organic Research No provisions. Establishes a National Organic No provision Endowment Institute. No Research Endowment Institute to provisions. develop and implement a plan for research on organic products using the trust fund (established in Section 231). [Section 232] 11. Cranberry Acreage Reserve. No provisions. Authorizes purchase of permanent Adopts Senate provision but No provisions. easements on wetlands and buffer moves to Miscellaneous strips that are part of a cranberry Provision section of bill [Section operation from willing sellers. 10608] Authorizes $10 million annually for this activity. [Section 261] 12. Klamath Basin. No provisions. No provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to create a No separate provision, but federal task force (membership provides $50 million to assist specified) to develop a coordinated producers in this basin as soon as federal effort to manage water possible under the new Ground resources in this basin (6 duties and Surface Water Conservation specified). In addition to using program under EQIP placed in existing programs, the task force will Section 2301. establish a grant program to carry out its responsibilities. [Section 262(a) and (b)] The task force will develop an initial report within 180 days of enactment, a draft 5-year plan to implement its duties within 60 days thereafter, and a final plan within 1 year of enactment. Eight items to be considered in the plan are specified. [Section 262(c)] Consultation with specified non- CRS-81 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 federal entities is required. [Section 262(d)] Authorizes a total of $175 million from the CCC from FY2003 through FY2006, and specifies where a small portion of the funds are to be spent. Funds may not be obligated after September 30, 2006. [Section 262(e)] 13. Desert Terminal Lakes No provision No provision Adds new provision providing No provision $200 million in mandatory funding from the CCC to the Bureau of Reclamation ro provide water to at-risk natural desert terminal lakes; specified that no funds can be used to purchase or lease water rights. [Section 2507] 14. Conservation Corridor No provision No provision Adds new provision establishing Demonstration Program. a program on the Delmarva No provision Peninsula to demonstrate local conservation and economic cooperation using existing USDA programs, based on a plan developed by 1 or more of the eligible states or local governments. Criteria and time limits for USDA review of proposals are specified. Programs are 3-5 years long and CRS-82 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 a progress report is required after 3 years. Authorizes appropriations as necessary annually from FY2002-2007 with the federal portion to pay for up to half of the total cost [Section 2601] 15. Administrative Requirements for Conservation Programs a. Relief for Good Faith Actions. No No provisions. a. Adds a new Section 1244(a) to the a. Good faith provisions in the provisions. 1985 FSA giving the Secretary the Administration subtitle of the option of granting relief to Commodity programs title apply conservation program participants to both conservation and who act in good faith under a commodity programs. [Section contract, and are subsequently 1613] determined to be in violation. Types of relief and exceptions are specified. [Section 204] b. Assistance for Limited Resource No provisions. b. Adds a new Section 1244(b) Adopts Senate provisions, Producers. No provisions. which provides necessary funds from modified to provide this the CCC to assist certain limited assistance to foster new farming resource, socially disadvantaged, and opportunities and to enhance beginning producers, and Indian environmental stewardship tribes to participate in conservation [Section 2004(a)] programs. The Secretary may contract with other entities to provide these services. Adds a new Section 1244(c) allowing the Secretary to provide incentives to these producers(except socially- CRS-83 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 disadvantaged ones) to participate in conservation programs. [Section 204] c. No provision c. Data Collection and Program No provisions. c. Adds a new Section 1244(d) Evaluation. which requires the Secretary to No provisions. collect data that would permit evaluation of conservation programs [Section 204] d. No provisions d. Mediation. No provisions. No provisions. d. Adds a new Section 1244(e) which requires the Secretary to provide mediation services when an adverse decision is made about a conservation program. [Section 204] [Note: Section 1244(f), on technical assistance, is discussed above in G4.] Adopts Senate provisions, e. Privacy of Personal Information. No provisions. e. Adds a new Section 1244(g) to modified to protect information No provisions. protect the privacy of personal at natural resource inventory information about individuals related collection data points. to conservation programs (not [Section 2004(a)] including public information on payments, etc). [Section 204] No provision, but law includes a f. Tribal Lands. No provisions. No provisions. f. Adds a new Section 1244(h) which section in the Miscellaneous title requires the Secretary to cooperate that requires the Secretary to with a tribal government when review the operation of programs carrying out conservation programs including conservation programs on tribal lands. [Section 204] available to producers on tribal and trust lands. [Section 10910] CRS-84 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 g. Adopts Senate provision, g. Regional Equity of Conservation No provisions. g. Requires that each state receive a modifies to give priority to Spending. No provisions. total of $12 million annually from providing funds, excluding CPR, FY2002 through FY2006, in WRP, and CSP) in states that conservation funds. Of the total, $5 have not received $12 million by million is to be used for EQIP, and April 1 of each year. $7 million is to be used for other [Section 2701] conservation programs, with any portion not obligated by April 1of the fiscal year to be reobligated to other specified programs. [Section 241] 16. Implementation. No provisions No Provisions R equires all im pl em ent i ng No provision relevant to new regulations for conservation, provisions unless otherwise specified, to be issued within 90 days of enactment. [Section 2702] 17. Assessment of Conservation No Provisions. Assessment of Conservation Adopts Senate provision, Programs. No provisions. Programs. Requires the Secretary modified to require that the to develop a plan to better coordinate report, with implementing and consolidate the implementation proposals be submitted to the of conservation programs. [Section Committees by December 205(a)] 32,2005. Provisions related to Requires the Secretary to provide the the implementation of the Soil plan (and recommendations) to both and Water Conservation Act and agriculture committees within 180 updating technical standards are days of enactment. [Section 205(b)] deleted. [Section 2005] Requires the Secretary to provide a plan (with a cost estimate) for CRS-85 CONSERVATION HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW PRIOR LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 (S. 1731, AMENDED) (P.L.107-171) COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 updating the national conservation program required by the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 to both agriculture committees within 180 days of enactment, and to report to both committees of the status of plan implementation by April 30, 2005. [Section 205(c)] Requires the Secretary to revise conservation technical standards within 180 days of enactment , and to update them at least once every 5 years. [Section 205(d)] CRS-86 III. AGRICULTURAL TRADE AND AID AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 A. Agricultural Export Assistance Programs 1. Market Access Program (MAP) a. MAP helps exporters (mainly a. Extends current law, except it a. Extends current law, except a. Extends current law through nonprofit industry trade associations, who increases mandatory funding to not that in addition to any funds FY2007 at the following allocate the funds to others including more than $200 million yearly in specifically appropriated for the mandatory funding levels: $100 agricultural cooperatives and small CCC funds through FY2011. program, mandatory funding of million for FY2002; $110 for businesses) finance promotional activities [Section 301] not more than $100 million for FY2003; $125 million for overseas (usually for more consumer- FY2002; $120 million for FY2004; $140 million for oriented, higher value products). FY2003; $140 million for FY2005; $200 million for Required (mandatory) funding of not FY2004; $180 million for FY2006; $200 million for more than $90 million yearly in CCC FY2005; and $200 million for FY2007. [Section 3103] funds through FY2002. [Agricultural FY2006 (in CCC funds or Trade Act of 1978 as amended by Section equivalent CCC commodities). 244 of Federal Agriculture Improvement [Section 322] and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996] b. No provision. b. No provision. b. Priority, for funds in excess of b. In providing funds in excess $90 million in any year, for of FY2001 levels (i.e., $90 eligible organizations that have million) Secretary shall, for not participated in the past, and proposals from new program for programs in emerging participants and for emerging markets. [Section 322] markets, give consideration equal to that given to current participants. [Section 3103] c. No provision. c. No provision. c. New U.S. Quality Export Initiative (using appropriated c. No provision. MAP, FMDP funds), to promote U.S. products with a new "U.S. CRS-87 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 Quality" seal overseas. [Section 322] 2. Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program (FMDP) a. FMDP helps U.S. exporters (mainly a. Extends current law, except sets a. Extends current law, except a. Extends current law, excepts through commodity based trade mandatory funding at $37 million in sets mandatory funding of $37.5 sets mandatory funding at $34.5 associations) to finance promotional CCC funds yearly through FY2011. million for FY2002; $40 million million annually from FY2002 activities overseas. Statutory authority (at [Section 305] for FY2003; and $42.5 million for to FY2007. [Section 3105] such sums as necessary) through FY2002; FY2004 and subsequent years (in current funding is $28 million per year. CCC funds or equivalent CCC [Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 as commodities). [Section 324] amended by Section 252 of FAIR Act of 1996] b. FMDP has focused on promoting b. New emphasis on exporting value- b. Establishes a priority, for b. In providing funds in excess mainly bulk and partially processed added products to emerging markets. funds above $35 million in any of FY2001 levels (i.e., $28 commodities, targeted to foreign Requires annual report to Congress year, for eligible organizations million) Secretary shall, for importers/processors -- although about a on program. [Section 305] that have not participated in the proposals from new program third of program promotes value-added past, and for programs in participants and for emerging products. emerging markets. [Section 324] markets, give consideration equal to that given to current participants. Calls for "a continued significant emphasis" on value-added products to emerging markets. Requires annual report to Congress. [Section 3105] 3. Export Enhancement Program (EEP) a. EEP authorizes cash payments or CCC a. Current law extended through a. Current law extended through a. Current law extended through commodities as bonus subsidies to help FY2011, at current level of up to FY2006 at current level of up to FY2007, at current level of up CRS-88 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 exporters sell agricultural products $478 million per year. [Section 304] $478 million per year. [Section to $478 million per year. (although not statutorily prescriptive, 323] [Section 3104] mainly wheat and other grains have used EEP) at more competitive prices in targeted foreign markets. Authority through FY2002, with CCC funding at up to $478 million per year. [Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 as amended by Section 245 of FAIR Act of 1996] b. EEP may be used to help mitigate or b. No expanded definition. b. Expands the definition of unfair b. Expands definition of unfair offset the effects of unfair trade practices, trade practices to include: (1) trade practices to include: (1) an now defined as any foreign act or policy pricing practices by an exporting exporting STE that prices its that "violates, or is inconsistent with, the state trading enterprise (STE) that commodities inconsistently vs. provisions of, or otherwise denies "are not consistent with sound sound commercial practice; (2) benefits to the United States under, any commercial practices conducted provision of subsidies that trade agreement..." or "is unjustifiable, in the ordinary course of trade," decrease U.S. export market unreasonable, or discriminatory and or (2) changing U.S. "export opportunities or unfairly distort burdens or restricts United States terms of trade through a market opportunities to the commerce." [Agricultural Trade Act of deliberate change in the dollar detriment of U.S. exporters; (3) 1978, Section 102] exchange rate of a competing unfair technical barriers to trade exporter." [Section 323] including commercial requirements adversely affecting new technology like biotechnology and unjustified sanitary or phytosanitary restrictions; (4) unfair implementation of tariff rate quota rules; (5) failure to meet trade agreement obligations with the United States. [Section 3104] CRS-89 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 4. Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) DEIP authorizes cash or CCC Extends current law through 2011. Extends current law through Extends current law through commodities as bonus subsidies to help [Title I-C, Section 143] FY2006. [Title I-C, Section 133] 2007. [Title I- E, Section 1503] exporters sell specified dairy products at more competitive prices in targeted foreign markets. Authority through FY2002, with CCC funding to provide commodities to the maximum levels consistent with U.S. obligations as a member of the World Trade Organization. [Food Security Act of 1985 as amended by Section 148 of the FAIR Act of 1996] 5. Export Credit Guarantees (GSM) a. Authority through FY2002 with CCC a. Extends current law through a. Extends current law through a. Extends current law through funding, where USDA guarantees FY2011. [Section 306] FY2006. Requires a report to FY2007. Instead of report, commercial financing of not less than Congress within 1 year on the requires regular consultations $5.5 billion annually of U.S. agricultural status of multilateral negotiations with Congress on the status of exports. Financing can be used for short- regarding agricultural export multilateral negotiations term credit (GSM-102) for up to 3 years; credit programs. [Section 321] regarding agricultural export and for long-term credit (GSM-103), for credit programs. [Section 3-10 years. GSM programs are used in 3102] countries where needed financing may not be available without the CCC guarantees. (At least 35% of total credit guarantees must be to promote processed or high-value agricultural products.) [Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 as CRS-90 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 amended by the Section 243 of the FAIR Act of 1996] b. No change in supplier credit term. b. Permits guarantees of supplier b. Permits supplier credit b. Supplier Credits feature permits CCC credits for up to 12 months. guarantees for up to 360 days, to issue credit guarantees for repayment [Section 321] subject to appropriations for any of credit made available by a U.S. loan terms longer than the exporter to a foreign buyer for up to 180 current 180 days. [Section days. [Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 as 3102] amended by Section 243 of the FAIR Act] 6. Emerging Markets Program a. Requires CCC through FY2002 to a. Extends current law through a. Extends current law through a. Extends current law through offer no less than $1 billion per year in FY2011. [Section 308] FY2006. [Section 332] FY2007. [Section 3203] direct credit, or credit guarantees, for exports to emerging markets (formerly emerging democracies). [Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 as amended by Section 277 of the FAIR Act of 1996] b. Requires CCC to provide $10 million b. Increases this funding to $13 b. No increase. b. No increase. annually through FY2002 to send U.S. million annually. [Section 308] advisors to emerging markets. Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 as amended by Section 277 of FAIR Act of 1996] B. Food Aid Programs 1. P.L. 480 (Food for Peace) General a. Seeks to combat hunger and encourage a. Extends P.L. 480 (i.e., authority a. Extends P.L. 480 through a. Extends P.L. 480 authority development overseas. Title I makes to enter into new agreements) FY2006. [Section 311] through FY2007. [Section export credit available on concessional through FY2011. [Section 307] 3012] CRS-91 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 terms (e.g. low interest rates for up to 30 years); Title II authorizes donations for emergency food aid and non-emergency humanitarian assistance. Authority to enter into new P.L. 480 agreements (which are funded mainly through annual appropriations) is through FY2002. [Section 408 of P.L. 480 (Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954) as amended by Section 217 of the FAIR Act of 1996] b. Congress has stated five specific b. Adds "conflict prevention" as a b. Same as House bill [Section b. Adds "prevent conflicts" as a purposes of P.L. 480 (e.g. combat hunger, new purpose. [Section 307] 301] new purpose. [Section 3001] expand international trade, etc.). [Section 2 of P.L. 480] c. Food Aid Consultative group c. Extends Food Aid Consultative c. Ex t end s Food Aid c . E x t e n d s F o o d A i d consisting of specified federal officials, Group through FY2006; clarifies Consultative Group through Consultative Group through representatives of private voluntary what the group is to review to FY2006. [Section 305] FY2007. [Section 3005] organizations (PVOs), foreign non- include policies and guidelines. government organizations, and [Section 307] agriculture producer groups, is authorized through FY2002. [Section 205 of P.L. 480] 2. P.L.480 Assistance Levels and a. Increases the minimum level of a. Increases the minimum level a. Increases the minimum level Funding commodities to 2.25MMT per year of commodities to 2.1 MMT in of commodities to 2.5MMT a. Minimum Title II assistance is 2.025 through FY2011. [Section 307] FY2002, 2.2MMT in FY2003, 2.3 annually beginning in FY2002. million metric tons (MMT) of agricultural MMT in FY2004, 2.4 MMT in Changes the sub-minimum commodities per year through FY2002; FY2005, and 2.5 MMT in requirement for non-emergency AID Administrator has some authority to FY2006. [Section 304] programs to 1.875 MMT CRS-92 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 waive minimum. Subminimum annually. [Section 3004] requirement for non-emergency programs is 1.55MMT. [Section 204 of P.L. 480] b. Limits CCC Title II costs to $1 billion b. Removes limit on CCC Title II b. Doubles limit on CCC Title II yearly; some Presidential waiver costs. [Section 307] costs to $2 billion per year. b. Removes limit on CCC Title authority. [Section 206 of P.L. 480] [Section 306] II costs. [Section 3006] c. Provides that at least $10 million but c. Replaces dollar designations by c. Replaces dollar designations not more than $28 million of Title II setting support for eligible by setting support for eligible c. Replaces dollar designations funding per year shall be use to support organizations at not less than 5% and organizations at not less than 5% by setting support for eligible e l i g i b l e o r gan i z at i o n s ( P V O s , not more then 10% of Title II and not more than 10% of Title II organizations at not less than cooperatives, organizations like the funding. [Section 307] funding. [Section 302] 5% and not more than 10% of World Food Program, etc.) in conducting Title II funding. [Section 3002] Title II activities. [Section 202 of P.L. 480] 3. P.L. 480 Operation & Administration a. Authorizes the use of U.S. dollars a. Similar to House [Sections a. Monetization language a. Permits PVOs to sell Title II and other currencies for 303, 310, & 325]. Also, a food similar to House and Senate. commodities in the recipient country (or monetization in P.L. 480 -- and also aid commodity sale is to be "at a Adopts Senate's "reasonable a nearby country) to finance commodity Food for Progress and Section 416 reasonable market price in the market price" language. transportation, storage, etc., and local programs; permits PVOs to submit economy" where the commodity Contains language encouraging development projects ("monetization"). multi-country proposals; and permits is to be sold. [Section 310] multi-country proposals, from [Section 203 of P.L. 480] food aid monetization in more than all eligible organizations, not one country in the region. [Sections just PVOs. [Sections 3003; 302; 303; 307] 3009; 3106] b. The AID Administrator has 45 days to b. Increases the time for decisions b. Increases, to 120 days, time b. Increases, to 120 days, time decide on Title II proposals submitted by from 45 to 120 days. [Section 307] the Administrator has to decide the Administrator has to decide eligible organizations or U.S. field on Title II proposals. Contains on Title II proposals; clarifies missions. [Section 207 of P.L. 480] other timelines for finalizing that the period begins after CRS-93 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 program agreements and submission of the proposal to announcing programs each year. AID Administrator, who is Permits USDA to approve an encouraged to make decisions agreement that provides for direct on proposals within that period. delivery of commodities to Deletes Senate provision on foreign milling or processing direct delivery of commodities. facilities that are more than 50% [Section 3007] U.S.-owned, with cash proceeds transferred to eligible organizations for carrying out projects. [Section 307] c. Authorizes $2 million in each of c. Extends authorization through c. Extends authorization through c. Extends authorization FY2001 and FY2002 to "preposition" FY2011. [Section 307] FY2006. [Section 311] through FY2007. [Section food aid commodities in the U.S. and 3010] foreign countries. [Section 407 of P.L. 480] d. Authorizes appropriations of up to $3 d. Extends authorization through d. Extends authorization through d. Extends authorization million annually through FY2002 for FY2011. [Section 307] FY2006. [Section 308] through FY2007. [Section grants to PVOs and U.S. non-profits for 3008] stockpiling shelf-stable, pre-packaged foods. [Section 208 of P.L. 480] e. Requires USDA (if feasible) to e. No provision. e. Extends the authorization as an e. Adopts the Senate provision establish a "micronutrient fortification" ongoing program through through FY2007 with technical pilot program; authority expires in FY2006. [Section 313] corrections, and includes FY2002. [Section 415 of P.L. 480] language aimed at improving and insuring quality of fortified food aid commodities. [Section 3013] CRS-94 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 f. Lamb to Afghanistan . No provision. f. No provision. f. Permits President to establish, f. As part of required report to under Title II, a "pilot emergency Congress within 120 days on relief program to provide live use of perishable commodities, lamb to Afghanistan." [Section Secretary of Agriculture must 309.] report on feasibility of transporting lambs and other live animals in food aid programs. [Section 3207] 4. Certified Institutional Partners No provision in current law. Currently No provision. Requires AID or USDA, as For Title II Food for Peace, PVOs and cooperatives generally must applicable, to establish a process AID Administrator must undergo the same application procedures enabling PVOs and cooperatives establish, within 1 year, to participate in various food aid that can demonstrate their streamlined guidelines and programs each time they apply. capacity to carry out the programs application procedures and, by (under P.L. 480; Section 416; or FY2004, incorporate, to the Food for Progress) to qualify as maximum extent practicable, "certified institutional partners," the changes. Requires which would entitle them to use consultation with stakeholders streamlined application and Congress, and a report to procedures, including expedited Congress within 270 days on review and approval to receive improvements. [Section 3002]. commodities for use in more than For Food for Progress and one country. [Sections 302; 325; S e c t i o n 4 1 6 , r e q u i r es , 334] respectively, the President and Secretary of Agriculture, within 270 days, to review and make any needed changes in rules and procedures aimed at streamlining application procedures, including consideration of pre-screening CRS-95 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 organizations and proposals; requires consultations with Congress. [Section 3106; Section 3201]. 5. Farmer-to-Farmer Program Requires that no less than 0.4% of P.L. Extends funding authority at current Extends funding authority Extends funding authority 480 funds be used to provide U.S. 0.4% through FY2011. [Section through FY2006, and increases through FY2007, and increases farmers and other agricultural experts 307] minimum funding to 0.5% of P.L. minimum funding to 0.5% of technical assistance in developing, middle 480 funds. [Section 314] P.L. 480 funds. Farmers for income and emerging market countries. Africa and Caribbean Basin [Title V of P.L. 480 as amended by Program is incorporated into Sections 224 and 277 of the FAIR Act of this title (see No. 10, below, for 1996] details). [Section 3014] [Note: renames program "John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program."] 6. CCC (Section 416) Surplus Donations Permanent law authorizes the use of Maintains current law, and requires Maintains current law, and Adopts House language CCC-owned surplus commodities for USDA to publish in the Federal permits USDA to approve an regarding October 31 and overseas donations. [Section 416(b) of Register, by each October 31, an agreement that provides for direct December 31 deadlines. Omits the Agricultural Act of 1949 as amended] estimate of Section 416 commodities delivery of commodities to Senate provision on direct to be made available for the fiscal foreign milling or processing delivery of commodities. year. Also encourages Section 416 facilities that are more than 50% [Section 3201] program agreements to be finalized U.S.-owned, with cash proceeds by December 31. [Section 303] transferred to eligible organizations for carrying out projects. [Section 334] 7. Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Authorizes, through FY2002, a trust Extends the Trust through FY2011. Extends the Trust through Ex tends the Trust through CRS-96 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 totaling not more than 4MMT of wheat, [Section 309] FY2006. [Section 331] FY2007. [Section 3202] rice, corn, sorghum, or any combination as a reserve solely to meet emergency humanitarian food needs. [Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act of 1998, which replaced Title III of the Agricultural Act of 1980 as amended (Food Security Commodity Reserve)] 8. Food for Progress (FFP) a. Provides commodities to support a. Reauthorizes FFP through a. Reauthorizes FFP under a new a. Reauthorizes FFP through countries that have committed to expand FY2011. [Section 302] Title VIII of the 1978 FY2007 under existing law (i.e., free enterprise in their agricultural Agricultural Trade Act called not a new Title VII). economies; commodities may be "Food for Progress and Education Encourages President to finalize provided under Title I of P.L. 480 or Programs," authorized through agreements before beginning of Section 416(b) authorities, or using CCC FY2006. Permits USDA to relevant fiscal year. Requires funds. Authority expires December 31, provide agricultural commodities him to submit to Congress by 2002. [Section 1110 of the Food Security to support introduction or each December 1 a list of Act of 1985 as amended by the FAIR Act expansion of free trade enterprises programs, countries, eligible of 1996] in recipient country economies, commodities, and transportation and to provide food or nutrition and administrative costs for the assistance. [Section 325] ye a r . D e f i n e s e l i g i b l e commodities. Incorporates a definition section into the statute; establishes program purposes and quality assurance requirements; and requires President to ensure that eligible organizations are optimizing use of donated commodities. [Section 3106] CRS-97 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 b. Annual limits on CCC funds for b. Increases annual limits on b. Permits up to $55 million per b. Increases annual limits on administrative costs and for commodity administrative costs to $15 million, year to be used for transportation, administrative costs to $15 transportation costs are $10 million and and on transportation costs to $40 administrative, processing, and million, and on transportation $30 million, respectively. million. [Section 302] related costs. [Section 325] costs to $40 million. [Section 3106] c. Annual limit on commodity assistance c. Increases annual limit on c. Sets an annual minimum c. Annual minimum tonnage is 500,000MT. commodities to 1 million MT. Also, tonnage requirement for FFP of requirement: "not less than excludes from the tonnage limit 400,000MT through FY2006, 400,00MT may be provided" those commodities furnished on a using the CCC. In addition, through CCC. Excludes, from grant basis or on credit terms under authorizes the appropriation of the current annual tonnage Title I. [Section 302] such sums as may be necessary to limits, those commodities carry out FFP, plus permits the furnished on a grant basis or on use of P.L. 480 Title I funds. All credit terms under P.L. 480 commodities and related expenses Title I. [Section 3106] must be in addition to any other P.L. 480 assistance. [Section 325] 9. International Food for Education School feeding and child nutrition Authorizes George McGovern- Requires establishment of an Permits President to establish projects have been operated within Robert Dole International Food for International Food for Education the McGovern-Dole broader PVO and United Nations World Education and Child Nutrition and Nutrition Program whereby In t e r n a t i o n a l Fo o d f o r Food Program (WFP) food aid portfolios. Program whereby the President is the Secretary of Agriculture may Education and Child Nutrition Clinton Administration initiated a pilot permitted to direct the provision of provide commodities and Program, with mandatory global food for education initiative U.S. agricultural commodities and technical and nutrition assistance funding from CCC of $100 whereby USDA has committed to provide financial and technical assistance for for programs that improve food million in FY2003 to continue up to $300 million (under Section 416 foreign preschool and school feeding security and enhance educational existing pilot projects; and authority) for commodities and programs to reduce hunger and opportunities for preschool and subject to appropriations in transportation costs for school and pre- improve literacy (particularly among primary school children in FY2004-2007. Eligible costs school nutrition projects and related girls), and nutrition programs for recipient countries. CCC include commodity acquisition, activities in developing countries. pregnant and nursing women and authority and funds of not more processing, transportation, CRS-98 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 Approved projects conducted through the young children. Authorizes the than $150 million shall be used in handling (including specified WFP, PVOs, and eligible foreign appropriation of such sums as may each of FY2002-2005. Eligible in-country costs if President governments using USDA discretionary be necessary each year through organizations include PVOs, makes certain determinations). authorities. [General authority under FY2011. Gives President authority cooperatives, nongovernmental Eligible organizations: Section 416] to designate the federal agency to organizations, and foreign cooperatives, PVO's, administer program; defines eligible countries, which are subject to a intergovernmental recipients to include PVOs, "graduation requirement" to organizations, governments of cooperatives, intergovernmental provide for continuation of developing countries and their organizations, governments and their program after end of funding. agencies, and other agencies, and other organizations. [Section 325] organizations. Includes Senate [Section 312] graduation requirement; program funding priorities and application guidelines; assurances that recipient country production and marketing are not disrupted. [Section 3107] 10. Farmers for Africa & Caribbean Basin No provision in current law. Creates a Farmers for Africa and No provision. House provision is incorporated Caribbean Basin Program offering into the John Ogonowski grants to eligible organizations to Farmer-to-Farmer Program, conduct bilateral exchange programs w i t h a u t h o r i z a t i o n for utilizing African-American and other appropriations of up to $10 U.S. farmers and agricultural million annually through specialists. Authorizes $10 million in FY2007. Up to 5% of annual appropriations annually appropriation can be used for through FY2011. [Section 311] administrative expenses. [Section 3014] CRS-99 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 11. Terrorism and Foreign Assistance No provision. No provision. Sense of Senate that U.S. foreign Sense of Congress that U.S. aid should play increased role in foreign aid should play addressing conditions breeding increased role in addressing global terrorism. [Section 338] conditions breeding global terrorism. [Section 3209] C. Other Trade Provisions 1. Trade Agreement Compliance Under the 1994 Uruguay Round If the Secretary of Agriculture Same as House bill, but with If Secretary determines that Agreement on Agriculture (URAA) the determines that total spending for additional language requiring expenditures will exceed United States agreed to limit the value of such commodity support will exceed annual notifications to Congress URAA allowable levels for any trade-distorting U.S. domestic farm the limits in the URAA, the on current and following applicable reporting period, supports to $19.1 billion per year. Secretary may make adjustments in marketing year estimates of Secretary shall, to the maximum However, U.S. law itself does not place the programs to reduce spending to support to be reported to the extent practicable, make an upper limit on such supports. (but not below) such limits. [Section World Trade Organization, and adjustments in such 181] effectively requiring Congress to expenditures to ensure that they consider amending (within 18 do not exceed allowable levels. months) any programs that might Prior to doing so, Congress cause the URAA limits to be must be notified of the breached. [Section 164] adjustment types and levels. [Title I, Section 1601] 2. Technical Assistance for Barriers to Trade Various trade agreements discipline Requires USDA to establish a A section within the Requires USDA to establish, countries' use of sanitary and "Technical Assistance for Speciality Biotechnology and Agricultural outside of the Biotechnology phytosanitary (SPS) and other technical Crops" program, providing direct Trade Program (see below) and Agricultural Trade Program barriers to trade, used by countries to assistance through public and private directs USDA to assist U.S. (see below), a "Technical protect their consumers, agricultural and projects and technical assistance, to exporters harmed by Assistance for Specialty Crops" natural resources. USDA agencies, the help overcome the "unique barriers" "unwarranted and arbitrary" program providing direct U.S. Trade Representative, and other -- such as SPS and related barriers barriers to trade due to marketing assistance through public and CRS-100 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 federal agencies have established -- inhibiting exports of U.S. of biotechnology products, food private projects and technical mechanisms for identifying such barriers specialty crops (e.g., fruits, safety, disease, or other SPS assistance to remove, resolve, or and attempting to resolve disputes over vegetables). Requires use of $3 concerns; authorizes mitigate SPS and related them. [various laws] million annually in CCC funds appropriations of $1 million barriers to exports of U.S. through FY2011. [Section 310] annually through FY2006. specialty crops. Requires use of [Section 333] $2 million annually in CCC resources through FY2007. [Section 3205] 3. Biotechnology and Agricultural Trade Program No provision. No provision. Requires USDA to establish a Establishes a Biotechnology Biotechnology and Agricultural and Agricultural Trade Trade Program to address the Program, using technical market access, regulatory, and assistance and public and marketing issues related to private sector project grants, to exports of U.S. agricultural remove, resolve, or mitigate biotechnology products. Requires significant regulatory nontariff CCC to make available $15 barriers to U.S. exports million for the program annually involving: agricultural through FY2006. [Section 333] commodities produced through biotechnology; food safety; disease; or other SPS concerns. Authorizes appropriations of $6 million annually through FY2007. [Section 3204] 4. Trade Negotiating Objectives No provision. Sense of Congress provision also Senate provision, changed to be U.S. is now in multilateral negotiations to contains an explicit description of a Sense of Senate rather than reform further the terms of agricultural agricultural trade negotiating Sense of Congress. [Section trade in place under the 1994 Uruguay objectives. [Section 336] 3210] Round Agreement on Agriculture. CRS-101 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 Present trade law contains a list of explicit U.S. objectives and consultation requirements for agriculture that U.S. negotiators are supposed to follow. [Trade and Development Act of 2000] 5. Exporter Assistance Initiative No provision. Authorizes appropriations ($1 Requires Secretary to maintain Various federal agencies routinely million for each of FY2002-2004 a website with information to provide market intelligence, trade data, and $500,000 for each of assist U.S. agricultural and other information aimed at helping FY2005-2006) for an "Exporter exporters. No appropriations U.S. agricultural exporters find, Assistance Initiative" to create an authorized. [Section 3101] understand, and sell into overseas Internet website providing a [Note: extensive conference markets. For example, both USDA's single source of information from report language directs Economic Research Service and Foreign all federal agencies to help U.S. Secretary to improve FAS web- Agricultural Service maintain written and agricultural exporters. [Section based information.] web-based publications and data series 326] containing much of this information .[various laws] 6. Cuba Trade Sanctions No provision. Lifts restrictions on private No provision. FY2001 agriculture appropriations law financing of agricultural sales to codified the lifting of unilateral sanctions Cuba [Section 335] on commercial sales of food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical products to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Sudan; and extended this policy to apply to Cuba, but in a more restrictive way by prohibiting all financing of such sales, even with private credit sources. [Section 908 of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Act, 2001] CRS-102 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 7. New Studies and Reports a. Requires USDA to study and a. No provision. a. Requires study in House bill, a. Services provided by USDA's Foreign report to Congress within 1 year on but only of fees for services Agricultural Service are generally the feasibility of a program charging beyond those already provided taxpayer-funded. fees to pay for providing commercial by FAS as part of an overall services abroad on matters under market development strategy USDA's Foreign Agricultural for a particular country or Service. [Section 313] region. [Section 3208] b. Secretary of Agriculture is required to b. Requires USDA to report to b. No provision. b. Requires USDA to consult develop a long-term agricultural trade Congress within 1 year on national with relevant congressional strategy every 3 years. Subsequent farm export strategy. [Section 314] committees on Global Market bills have provided more explicit Strategy within 180 days of guidance on trade strategy goals and enactment and every 2 years procedures. [Agricultural Trade Act of after that. [Section 3206] 1978; Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; FAIR Act of 1996.] c. No provision. c. Requires USDA annual report to c. No provision. c. No provision. Congress on U.S. beef and pork imports each calendar year. [Section 946] d. No provision. d. No provision. d. Requires USDA to report to d. Requires USDA to report to Congress within 120 days on Congress within 120 days on transportation, infrastructure, and implications of storage and funding deficiencies that have transportation capacity and limited the use of perishable funding for use of perishable commodities in food aid and semiperishable programs. [Section 337] commodities in food aid programs. [Section 3207] CRS-103 AGRICULTURAL TRADE HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2006 8. Country of Origin Labeling; Grading a. Requires retailers other than a. Requires retailers other than a. Requires retailers other than a. Most imports, including many food restaurants and other food service restaurants and other food service restaurants and other food items, must bear labels informing the establishments to inform consumers establishments to inform service establishments to inform final purchaser of their country of origin. of the country of origin of consumers of the country of consumers of the country of However, certain "natural products" "perishable agricultural origin of ground and muscle cuts origin of ground and muscle including fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, commodities" (fresh or fresh frozen of beef, lamb and pork, of wild cuts of beef, lamb, and pork, of live and dead animals (e.g., meats), and fruits and vegetables) through labels, and farm-raised fish, of farm-raised and wild fish, of fish, among others, generally are marks, or other in-store information; perishable agricultural perishable agricultural exempted. [Section 304 of the Tariff Act specifies the daily fines for commodities, and of peanuts, commodities, and of peanuts, of 1930 as amended; Federal Meat violations. [Title IX, Section 944] through labels, marks, or other in- through labels, marks, or other Inspection Act and Poultry Products store information. Defines what in-store information. Defines Inspection Act as amended] is meant by country of origin for what is meant by country of each of these categories; origin for each category (e.g., authorizes the Secretary to set up meats must be from animals a record-keeping system; born, raised and slaughtered in authorizes but does not specify the United States); includes fines for violations. [Title X, language on implementation Section 1001] and enforcement. Program is voluntary beginning September 30, 2002, and mandatory beginning September 30, 2004. [Title X, Section 10816] b. USDA provides fee-based service to b. No provision. b. Prohibits imported carcasses, b. No provision. the industry to grade both domestic and meats, or meat food products imported meat and products based on from bearing a USDA quality their quality, and affixes grades to the grade label. [Title X, Section products [Agricultural Marketing Act of 1002] 1946 as amended] CRS-104 IV. NUTRITION PROGRAMS NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 A. Food Stamp Program, Food Title IV of the Farm Security Act Title IV of the Agriculture Title IV of the Farm Security Stamp Act (FSA) of 2001 Conservation and Rural and Rural Investment Act of Enhancement Act of 2001 2002 1. Child Support Child support payments are deducted No provisions. Allows states to exclude child support Adopts Senate provision from the paying household's income in payments from income (before allowing states to exclude or determining its benefits and eligibility calculating any deductions) or deduct child support payments. -- after all income has been counted. continue to deduct them. The Secretary may prescribe the methods to be used to determine the Lifts some administrative and Adopts Senate provision amount of the deduction. reporting requirements on program requiring the Secretary to [Section 5(e)(4) of the FSA)] operators and recipients by (1) establish simplified procedures requiring the Secretary to establish that allow states to use simplified procedures for determining information from state child the amount of child support payments support enforcement agencies. that allow states to use information No provision as to freezing the from state child support enforcement amount of any child support agencies and (2) permitting states to exclusion/ deduction. freeze the amount of any child support [Section 4101] e x cl u s i o n / d e d u c t i o n u n t i l a household's eligibility is redetermined. [Section 411] 2. Definition of Income For determining eligibility and Allows states to conform food stamp Same as the House bill, with minor Adopts Senate provision adding benefits, household income excludes: income exclusions with those of and technical differences. new income exclusions. noncash income, most education other major assistance programs and [Section 412] [Section 4102] CRS-105 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 assi st ance, l oans, most re- lift some administrative and imbursements for expenses, money reporting requirements on program received for third parties, non- operators and applicants/recipients recurring lump-sum payments, the cost by adding new income exclusions: of producing self-employment income, (1) education assistance and "state federal energy assistance benefits, complementary assistance program certain payments related to supporting payments" ex cluded under work efforts, and income excluded by Medicaid; and other federal laws. (2) any other types of income a state [Section 5(d) of the FSA] does not consider when judging eligibility for cash assistance under its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or Medicaid. [Section 401] 3. Standard Deductions When determining food stamp Establishes fixed multiple standard Establishes multiple standard Establishes multiple standard benefits and eligibility, all households deductions equal to 9.7% of the deductions equal to an increasing deductions equal to 8.31% of the are allowed a "standard deduction" federal poverty income guideline percentage of the inflation-indexed inflation-indexed poverty from counted income. It is $134 a amounts used for food stamp income poverty guideline amounts. For FYs guideline amounts. Requires month for the 48 contiguous states and eligibility determinations in FY2002. 2002-2004, the new standard that the new standard deductions the District of Columbia, $229 for The new standard deductions would deductions would equal 8% of each not be less than the current Alaska, $189 for Hawaii, $269 for not increase over time. Requires that year's poverty guideline amounts. amount for each jurisdiction or Guam, and $118 for the Virgin Islands. the new standard deductions not be This percentage would rise, in stages, greater than 8.31% of the [Section 5(e)(1) of the FSA] less than the current amount for each to 10% for FY2011 and following poverty amount for 6-person jurisdiction or greater than 9.7% of years. Requires that the new standard households. [Section 4103] the FY2002 poverty guideline deductions not be less than the current [Note: Standard (and other) deductions amount for 6-person households. amount for each jurisdiction or greater [Note: The conference agreement increase benefits by reducing the [Section 402] than the applicable percentage (see effectively takes the House amount of income counted when above) of the poverty amount for 6- proposal for a fixed percentage calculating them. They also may [Note: Poverty guideline amounts person households. [Section 171(c)] of the poverty amounts and the affect eligibility because "net" vary by household size and are [Note: The House bill would initially Senate proposal to allow for CRS-106 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 household income (after deductions) is inflation-indexed annually. In both provide higher deduction levels. But inflation indexing.] a factor in some income eligibility the House and Senate measures, the the Senate measure would, over time, decisions.] new standard deductions would vary result in somewhat higher deductions by household size and would be because it is keyed to each year's somewhat higher than current law.] inflation-indexed poverty guideline amount (not fixed at the FY2002 level).] 4. Shelter Costs a. Households are entitled to an a. No provision. a. Increases the cap on the amount that a. No provision affecting the cap "excess shelter expense deduction" for may be claimed as an excess shelter on excess shelter expense a portion of their shelter expenses (if expense deduction. For FY2003, the deductions. they are very high in relation to their cap would rise to $390 a month for the income). As with the standard 48 states and the District of Columbia deduction (see above), this deduction (with commensurate increases for reduces households' counted income Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Virgin (thereby increasing benefits) and can Islands). For FY2004-FY2009, each affect eligibility determinations. amount would be annually adjusted for inflation. Effective with FY2010, all The amount that may be claimed as an caps would be eliminated. [Section excess shelter expense deduction is 169(c)] "capped" for households without an elderly/disabled member. The cap is indexed for inflation, and, for FY2002, it is $354 a month for the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia, $566 for Alaska, $477 for Hawaii, $416 for Guam, and $279 for the Virgin Islands. [Section 5(e)(7) of the FSA] CRS-107 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 b. By regulation, only payments b. No provision. b. Mandates that any required payment b. No provision as to payments directly related to shelter may be to a landlord be treated as a shelter to landlords. counted when calculating the excess cost -- without regard to the specific shelter expense deduction. charge it covers. [Section 414] c. States may develop (and must c. Permits homeless households not c. Adopts Senate provision as to document) a shelter "allowance -- not c. No provision. receiving free shelter throughout the homeless households. to exceed $143 a month -- that month to claim a standard deduction [Section 4105] homeless households not in free from income ($143 a month) -- in lieu shelter throughout the month can use of a shelter expense deduction. (like a deduction) when their income is Repeals the current shelter calculated for benefit purposes. "allowance." [Section 414] [Section 5(e)(5) of the FSA] d. "Standard utility allowances" d. Allows states choosing to make d. Adopts Senate provision as to (SUAs) are used to figure shelter costs d. No provision. SUAs mandatory to do so for all SUAs. for the excess shelter expense households incurring heating or [Section 4104] deduction. States may make their use cooling expenses -- without regard to mandatory for all households. SUAs the current metered public housing and may not be used for households that expense pro-rating rules. [Section 415] (1) live in certain centrally metered public housing or (2) share expenses with others (unless expenses are pro- rated). [Section 5(e)(7) of the FSA] 6. Calculating Earned Income By regulation, whenever income is No provision. Eases some administrative and No provision. received on a weekly or bi-weekly reporting requirements on program basis, the state must convert it to a operators and recipients by allowing monthly amount -- by multiplying states more leeway in how they weekly income by 4.3 and bi-weekly convert weekly/bi-weekly income to income by 2.15 or using the state's monthly amounts -- as long as they CRS-108 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 public assistance conversion standard. make adjustments to ensure cost- neutrality. [Section 416] 7. Establishing Deductions By regulation, states must adjust No provision. Lifts significant administrative and Adopts Senate provision households' benefits for most changes reporting requirements on program allowing states to disregard in circumstances/ expenses that affect operators and recipients by allowing many changes in household the amount of deductions (and thereby states to disregard many changes in circumstances/expenses. benefits) they may receive. household circumstances/expenses that [Section 4106] affect the amount of deductions they may claim -- until the household's next eligibility redetermination. [Section 417] 8. Resources (Assets) Eligible households are limited to No provision. Adds households with disabled Adopts Senate provision as to those with total counted liquid members to those covered by the households with disabled resources (assets) of $2,000 (or $3,000 $3,000 asset limit. [Section 171(c)] members. [Section 4107] for households with elderly members). Resources that are excluded include Allows states to conform food stamp Adopts Senate provision items such as: a household's home and resource (asset) rules with those of permitting states to exclude personal belongings/ furnishings, life other major assistance programs and resources they do not consider insurance, income-producing property, lift some administrative requirements under their TANF or Medicaid some retirement accounts, and (to a on program operators and recipients by programs. [Section 4107] varying degree) the value of vehicles. permitting states to exclude any types [Section 5(g) of the FSA] of resources they do not consider when judging eligibility under their TANF or Medicaid programs -- with exceptions set by the Secretary. [Section 418] CRS-109 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 9. Issuance Systems in Disasters. Emergency food stamp benefits are No provision. Allows the Secretary to issue disaster Adopts Senate provision as to required in the case of disasters. assistance in the form of cash when disaster assistance. Benefits can be issued through coupon ot her issuance system s are [Section 4108] allotments or electronic benefit impracticable. [Section 419] transfer (EBT) systems.[Section 5(h) of the FSA] 10. Reporting Requirements for Households. With some exceptions, most recipient No provision. Lifts some administrative and Adopts Senate provision households must report significant reporting requirements on program allowing states to require changes in their circumstances as they operators and recipients by allowing reporting as infrequently as occur, those with earnings may report states to require households to report every 6 months. every 6 months, and certain others most changes in their circumstances as [Section 4109] may report quarterly. [Regulations & infrequently as every 6 months -- in Waivers under Section 5(c) of the lieu of other reporting requirements. FSA] [Section. 420] 11. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) ABAWDs are ineligible if, during the No provision. Eases work requirements for No provision. preceding 36 months, they received ABAWDs by: changing the "3- benefits for 3 months without (1) months-out-of-36-months" rule to working 20+ hours a week, (2) make ABAWDs ineligible if, during participating in a work program 20+ the preceding 24 months they received hours a week, or (3) participating in a benefits for 6 months while not workfare program. meeting 1 of the 3 work-related ABAWDs denied eligibility under this requirements, and by changing the rule "3-months-out-of-36-months" rule can for regaining eligibility to provide CRS-110 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 regain it if they meet 1 of 3 work- eligibility whenever ABAWDs meet 1 related requirements for a full month. of the 3 work-related requirements. Qualifying "work programs" do not Changes the definition of "work include job search or job search program" to include job search or job training. [Section. 6(o) of the FSA] search training. [Section. 421] 12. Access through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Systems By regulation, states may take benefits No provision. Requires that benefits provided No provision. provided through EBT systems "off- through EBT systems not be made line" after 3 months of inactivity in the inaccessible until at least 6 months recipient's EBT account. have elapsed since the recipient last accessed the EBT benefit account. [Section 422] 13. Cost of EBT Systems The cost of EBT systems must not No provision. Deletes the current EBT "cost- Adopts Senate provision deleting exceed those of the prior issuance neutrality" requirement. cost-neutrality requirement. system. [Section 7(i)(2)(A) of the FSA] [Section 423] [Section 4110] 14. Group Living Facilities a. Where recipients live in substance a. No provision. a. In the case of recipients living in a. Allows the Secretary to abuse treatment centers, states may substance abuse treatment centers, authorize nationwide require them to designate the center as small group homes for the disabled, or implementation of new methods their authorized representative and shelters for battered women/children of calculating and issuing provide their benefits to the center. or the homeless, permits states to use standardized benefits for [Section 8(e) of the FSA] new methods of calculating and recipients in substance abuse issuing standardized benefits. [Section centers, group homes for the 424] disabled, or shelters -- at the conclusion of pilot projects to test the feasibility of these new methods. [Section 4112] CRS-111 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 b. Without a waiver, group living b. Allows the Secretary to authorize b. Adopts Senate provision facilities may not redeem food stamp b. No provision. group living facilities to redeem food allowing group living facilities benefits through direct (on-site) use of stamp benefits through direct use of to redeem benefits through direct EBT cards. Recipients' EBT cards EBT cards. [Sec. 425] use of EBT cards. must be presented and used at [Sec. 4113] approved retail food outlets. [Sec. 10 of the FSA] 15. Food Stamp Applications States have responsibility for No provision. Requires that states make food stamp Adopts Senate provision for developing food stamp applications available on their Internet applications on Internet websites, applications.[Section 11(e)(2)(B) of the websites. [Section 426] effective 18 months after FSA] enactment. [Section 4114] 16. Continuing Eligibility Eligible households are assigned No provision. Replaces assigned certification periods No provision. "certification periods" of up to 12 and rules governing recertification months (or 24 months for the elderly with new "eligibility review periods" or disabled). At the end of a under which states would periodically certification period, specific review the eligibility status of recipient procedures must be followed to households following procedures set "recertify" a household and continue by the state. [Section 427] issuing benefits.[Sections 3(c) & 11(e) [Note: These provisions would lift of the FSA] significant administrative requirements on program operators and recipients by allowing states to conform their method of reviewing food stamp eligibility with the method used for other major public assistance programs.] CRS-112 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 17. Transitional Food Stamp Benefits Regulations permit 3 months' Lifts significant administrative and Same as the House bill, except that Permits states to provide "transitional food stamp benefits" for reporting requirements of program (similar to current policy) transitional transitional food stamp benefits households leaving TANF. operators and recipients by explicitly benefits would be adjusted upward for to households leaving TANF for Transitional benefits generally are permitting states to provide the loss of TANF cash aid or any up to 5 months. The transitional adjusted for any loss of income on expanded transitional food stamp reported changes in household benefit amount is the amount leaving TANF and reported changes in benefits to households leaving circumstances that would increase received prior to leaving TANF, circumstances that would increase TANF. Food stamps could food stamp benefits. [Section 429] adjusted for loss of TANF benefits. automatically be continued for 6 income and (at state option) for months at the level the household information received from was receiving immediately prior to another program in which the leaving TANF. [Section 403] household participates. [Section 4115] 18. Notices to Retailers "Adverse action" notices must be No provision. Permits notices to be delivered to Adopts Senate provision as to delivered to retailers by certified mail retailers by any form of delivery that notices to retailers. or personal service. provides evidence of delivery. [Section 4117] [Section 14(a)(2) of the FSA] [Section 430] 19. Quality Control (QC) System & Bonus Payments a. The Food Stamp program's QC a. Substantially changes the QC a. Same as the House bill, except that a. Ends added federal funding for system measures the degree to which system as it relates to fiscal sanctions it reduces, then ends, added federal states with error rates below 6%. states make erroneous benefit and by raising the threshold above which funding for states with error rates Raises the threshold above which eligibility decisions. State "error states are sanctioned to the national below 6%, and requires the Secretary states are held liable to 105% of rates" reported from annual QC sample average error rate, plus 1 percentage to conduct annual "investigations" of the national average. Requires a surveys are used to (1) provide point. Requires a statistical states with error rates above the new statistical adjustment to financial rewards to states with very adjustment to individual state error (higher) threshold and fine them if individual state error rates that CRS-113 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 low error rates and (2) assess fiscal rates that effectively lowers all state they are found to be seriously effectively lowers all state error sanctions on states having high error error rates. Provides that sanctions negligent in their administration of the rates. Effectively penalizes only rates. Each year, states with total error will not be assessed until a state has Food Stamp program. [Section 431] states with persistent (over 3 rates below 6% receive added federal been above the new (higher) years) high error rates. Makes matching money for administration. threshold for 3 consecutive years. states liable for amounts equal to States with error rates above the Sanctions states based on how far 10% of the value of erroneous national average are assessed fiscal they are above a 10% error rate in benefits above 6% , calculated sanctions based on how far above the the 3rd year. [Section 404] for the 2nd consecutive year in national average they are. which a state exceeds the threshold. Authorizes the Secretary to resolve states' liability amounts by (1) requiring them to invest up to 50% of the amount in administrative improvements, (2) placing up to 50% of the amount "at risk" for collection in the next year, or (3) waiving any amount. If a state fails to reduce its error rate for a 3rd consecutive year, the "at-risk" amount is collected. [Section 4118] b. The Secretary has established a b. No provision b. Establishes in law a requirement to b. No provision. policy whereby assessed sanctions are adjust all states' error rates to account reduced for states serving high for high proportions of error-prone proportions of households with earners households. [Section 431] or non-citizens ("error-prone" households). c. Federal reviews of QC error-rate c. No provision. c. Changes current-law deadlines to c. Adopts Senate provision CRS-114 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 determinations and arbitration of May 31st and June 30th. [Section 432] changing deadlines. federal-state differences must be [Section 4119] completed by the end of March each year. By the end of April, final QC error rates must be determined and states notified. [Section 16(c)(8) of the FSA] d. QC provisions provide additional d. Requires the Secretary to measure d. Requires the Secretary to measure d. Requires the Secretary to f e d e r a l fu n d i n g ( " e n h a n c e d states' performance with respect to states' performance with respect to (1) measure states' performance administrative cost-sharing") for (1) compliance with deadlines for serving working poor households with with respect to (1) actions taken states with error rates below 6%. prompt determination of eligibility children and (2) 4 additional measures to correct errors, reduce rates of and the issuance of benefits and (2) set by the Secretary in consultation error, and improve eligibility the percentage of negative eligibility with the National Governors determinations and (2) other decisions that are made correctly. Association, the American Public indicators of effective Each year, requires the Secretary to Human Services Association, and the administration determined by the make "excellence bonus payments" National Conference of State Secretary. Requires the of $1 million each to (1) the 5 states Legislatures. Each year, requires the Secretary to make performance with the highest combined Secretary to make "high performance bonus payments totaling $48 performance in the 2 measures noted bonus payments" totaling $6 million million a year to states that meet above and (2) the 5 states whose for each of the 5 measures noted the Secretary's standards for combined performance in the 2 above. Reduces, then ends funding for high or most improved measures is most improved. Retains states with error rates below 6%. performance. Ends added funding for states with error rates [Section 433] federal funding for states with below 6%. [Section 404] error rates below 6%. [Section 4120] 20. Grants for Simple Application and Eligibility Systems and Improved Access to Benefits No provision. Requires the Secretary to spend up to Authorizes grants to states and other Requires the Secretary to spend $9.5 million a year to pay states the entities to pay the federal share (75%) up to $5 million a year to make CRS-115 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 full cost of developing and of the cost of projects to improve grants to states and other entities implementing simple application and access to food stamp benefits or covering the full cost of projects eligibility determination systems. outreach to eligible individuals. to (1) improve program access [Section 405] Authorizes appropriations totaling $3 for eligible households or (2) million. develop and implement simple [Section 438] food stamp application and eligibility determination systems. [Section 4116] 21. Employment and Training (E&T) Programs a. Through FY2002, food stamp law a. Extends the requirement for a. Extends the requirement for a. Extends the requirement for requires unmatched federal funding for unmatched federal funding for E&T unmatched federal funding for E&T unmatched federal E&T funding E&T programs for food stamp programs through FY2011. Sets the programs through FY2006. Sets the at $90 million a year through recipients. For each year, specific amount at the current FY2002 level amount at $90 million a year, available FY2007. Rescinds the unspent amounts are provided (e.g., a total of (a total of $165 million a year). until expended. Rescinds the unspent carryover balance. $165 million for FY2002). [Section 406(a)] carryover balance. [Section 4121] Unmatched money is available until expended (about $300 million is now unspent). b. States must use at least 80% of their b. No provision. b. In addition to the $90 million noted b. Adopts Senate provisions (1) total allocation of unmatched federal above, provides up to $25 million a for funding of ABAWD services funds for services to ABAWDs. year for services to ABAWDs. (but limits it to $20 million a Eliminates the current-law "80%" year) and (2) eliminating the requirement for services to ABAWDs. "80%" requirement. [Section 4121] c. To receive a portion of their federal c. No provision. c. Eliminates the current-law c. Adopts Senate provision funds allocation (e.g., $75 million in "maintenance of effort" requirement. eliminating the "maintenance of FY2002), states must maintain their effort" requirement. E&T spending at the FY1996 level. [Section 4121] CRS-116 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 d. The Secretary may set specific d. No provision. d. Ends the Secretary's authority to set d. Adopts Senate provision dollar amounts that the federal per-placement funding amounts. ending authority to set per- government will pay for each E&T placement funding amounts. program placement. [Section 4121] e. Federal matching funds are provided e. No provision. e. Eliminates current-law limits on e. Adopts Senate provision for non-child-care E&T participant federal funding for participant support eliminating limits on funding for support costs (e.g., transportation) -- costs. participant support costs. i.e., half of all costs up to half of $25 [Section 4121] per person per month. [Section 6(d) & 16(h) of the FSA] [Section 406(a)] [Sections 169(c) & 434] [Section 4121] 22. Food Stamp Informational Activities States may be barred from using No provision. Makes explicit states' ability to use No provision. [Note: A federal TANF funds to conduct food stamp TANF funds for food stamp guidance is to be issued to notify informational ("outreach") activities. informational ("outreach") activities. states of their ability to use [Section 16(k) of the FSA] [Section 436] TANF funds for food stamp informational activities.] 23. Pilot Project Waivers The Secretary may grant waivers from No provision. Makes clear that the Secretary may Adopts Senate provision on Food Stamp Act rules when carrying grant waivers from federal food stamp granting of waivers. out pilot projects. This authority is rules in all pilot projects, regardless of [Section 4123] unclear for pilot projects implemented the entity that implements them. by non-federal entities. [Section 17 of [Section 437] the FSA] CRS-117 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 24. Reauthorization Expiring at the end of FY2002 are: Extends expiring authorities through Extends expiring authorities through Extends expiring authorities -- appropriations authorizations for FY2011. FY2006. through FY2007 -- except for the Food Stamp program and the Food [Section 406] [Section 435] the authority for outreach pilot Distribution Program on Indian projects (see Item #20 above for Reservations; similar authority). [Section -- authority to reduce administrative 4122] cost payments to states by $197 million a year; -- authority for a limited number of pilot projects granting cash food stamp benefits; and -- authority for outreach pilot projects. [Section 18(a), 16(k), 17(b), & 17(i) of the FSA] 25. Puerto Rico and American Samoa a. In lieu of regular food stamp a. Extends Puerto Rico's block grant a. Consolidates nutrition assistance a. Consolidates nutrition program, Puerto Rico receives an through FY2011, retaining annual grant funding for Puerto Rico and assistance grant funding for annual nutrition block grant, inflation indexing. Also permits American Samoa. Mandates the Puerto Rico and American authorized through FY2002. It covers Puerto Rico to use up to $6 million consolidated grant through FY2006. S amoa. Mandat es t he all benefits costs and 50% of any of its FY2002 grant to pay costs of The base consolidated grant is $1.356 consolidated grant through administrative costs and is annually upgrading electronic systems billion (FY2002). It is then adjusted FY2007. The base consolidated indexed for food price inflation. without matching the amount. for food-price inflation beginning with grant is $1.401 billion (FY2003). FY2002 grant amount is [Section 406(f)] FY2003. Puerto Rico's annual share is It is then adjusted for food-price $1,350,518,000. [Section 19 of FSA] 99.6%. Like House bill, permits inflation beginning with Puerto Rico to use up to $6 million in FY2004. Puerto Rico's annual FY2002 for costs of upgrading share is 99.6%. Permits Puerto electronic systems. [Section 439] Rico to use of to $6 million of its CRS-118 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 FY2002 grant (in either FY2002 or FY2003) for costs of upgrading electronic systems. Allows Puerto Rico to carry over up to 2% of any year's grant to the following year. [Section 4124] b. American Samoa receives annual b. Extends American Samoa's grant b. American Samoa's share is .4% of grant covering all expenditures for its through FY2011. Increases it to each year's new consolidated grant. b. American Samoa's share is general nutrition assistance program. $5.75 million for FY2002 and $5.8 Its current grant is repealed. [Section .4% of each year's new The grant is authorized through million for later years. [Section 439] consolidated grant; may carry FY2002 at $5.3 million a year. 406(g) & (j)] over up to 2% of any year's [Section 24 of the FSA] grant to the next year. Its current grant is repealed. [Section 4124] 2 6 . V i t a mi n a n d Mi n e r a l Supplements Food stamp benefits can be used only No provision. Permits the use of food stamp benefits No provision. to purchase food items (or, in some to purchase dietary supplements that cases, prepared meals). [Section 3(g) "provide exclusively one or more of the FSA] vitamins or minerals." Requires a report on the effects of this new provision. [Section 445] 27. Noncitizens a. Children -- Legal permanent a. No provision. a. Makes legal permanent residents a. Adopts Senate provisions as residents who were living in the U.S. under age 18 eligible for food stamps to legal permanent residents as of August 22, 1996, and who are regardless of their date of entry. Also under age 18 -- effective under age 18 are eligible for food exempts them from requirements that October 1, 2003. [Section stamps. their sponsor's financial resources be 4401(b)] deemed to them in determining food CRS-119 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 stamp eligibility. [Section 452(a)] b. Work history requirement -- Legal b. No provision. permanent residents with a substantial b. Reduces the work history b. No provision. work history (defined as 40 quarters, requirement to 16 quarters (4 years). or 10 years) are eligible for food [Section 452(b)] stamps. c. Humanitarian cases -- Asylees, c. No provision. refugees, Cuban/ Haitian entrants, c. Removes the 7-year limit on c. No provision. [Note: The new certain aliens whose eligibility for humanitarian cases. 5-year residence rule described deportation/removal is being withheld [Section 452(c)] below has the effect of removing for humanitarian reasons, and the 7-year limit.] Vietnam-born Amerasians fathered by U.S. citizens are eligible for food stamps for 7 years after entry/grant of status. d. Disability benefit recipients -- d. No Provision Legal permanent residents who were d. Makes eligible disabled legal d. Adopts Senate provision as to living in the U.S. as of August 22, permanent residents receiving federal disabled legal permanent 1996, and who are receiving federal disability benefits -- without regard to residents receiving federal disability benefits are eligible for food their date of entry. [Section 452(d)] disability benefits -- effective stamps. October 1, 2002. [Section 4401(a)] e. No provision. e. No provision. e. Makes eligible individuals who e. Makes eligible individuals have continuously resided in the U.S. who have resided in the U.S. [Section 402(a) of the Personal legally for a period of 5 years (e.g., as legally for a period of 5 years Responsibility and Work Opportunity legal permanent residents, (e.g., as legal permanent Reconciliation Act of 1996] refugees/asylees, but not as temporary residents, refugees/asylees, but residents). This new 5-year residence not as temporary residents) -- CRS-120 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 rule would not apply in the case of effective April 1, 2003. [Section aliens who entered the country 4401(c)] illegally and remain illegally for 1 year or more (or who have been "illegal aliens" for 1 year or more), unless they have continuously resided in the U.S. for 5 years as of enactment. [Section 170(b) & (c)] [Note: The changes made for children in item (a) above would be effective beginning in FY2004. The 5-year residence rule noted in item (e) above would be effective April 2003.] B. Commodity Assistance Programs The Food Stamp Act (FSA), the Title IV of the Farm Security Act of Title IV of the Agriculture, Title IV of the Farm Security and Emergency Food Assistance Act, and 2001. Conservation and Rural Enhancement Rural Investment Act of 2002. the Agriculture and Consumer Act of 2001. Protection Act of 1973 1. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) a. Commodity Purchases - From a. Extends the purchase requirement a. Extends the purchase requirement a. Extends the purchase amounts available under the Food through FY2011; raises the amount through FY2006 and raises the amount requirement through FY2007 Stamp Act, the Secretary is required to to $140 million a year beginning in to $110 million a year beginning in and raises the amount to $140 use $100 million a year through FY2002 and requires the Secretary FY2002. Same as House bill with million a year beginning in FY2002 to purchase commodities for to use $10 million a year to pay for respect to $10 million set aside for FY2002. [Section 4126] TEFAP. [Section 27 of the FSA] costs related to processing, storing, processing, storing, transport and transporting and distributing distribution costs. [Section 441] commodities. [Section 406(i) & (j)] [Note: Section 166 of the Senate [Note: The $40 million in CRS-121 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 amendment requires the Secretary to additional commodities in buy not less than $40 million a year in Section 166 of the Senate additional commodities for TEFAP amendment is not included in the each year through FY2006.] conference agreement.] b. Administrative/distribution costs- b. In addition to $10 million set- $50 million a year is authorized aside noted above, extends through b. Same as the House bill, except the b. Extends the authorization for through FY2002 for the costs of FY2011, the $50 million authorization is extended through administrative and distribution administering the program and authorization for administrative and 2006. [Section 451(d)] costs through FY2007 and raises distributing commodities. [Section distribution costs. [Section 443] the authorized amount to $60 204(a) of the Emergency Food million a year. [Section 4204] Assistance Act] 2. Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and commodity authorities. a. Expirations. Expiring at the end of a. Extends expiring CSFP and a. Extends expiring CSFP and a. Extends expiring CSFP and FY2002 are: authority for the commodity authorities/requirements commodity authorities/requirements commodity authorities/ Commodity Supplemental Food through FY2011. [Sections 441 & through FY2006. [Section 451] requirements through FY2007. Program (CSFP), requirements to 442] Also requires the Secretary to provide cheese and nonfat dry milk to provide funds to permit Montana the CSFP, requirements for and Vermont to continue to commodity processing agreements, participate in the CSFP at their and general authority to obtain originally assigned (FY2000) commodities to maintain traditional caseload levels through the levels of support for various FY2002 "caseload cycle." commodity distribution activities. [Sections 4201 & 4203] [Sections 4 & 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; Section 1114(a)(2) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981] b. CSFP Administrative Costs: The b. No provision b. Replaces the current limit on b. Replaces the current limit on CRS-122 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 Secretary is required to pay the CSFP administrative payments with a administrative payments with a administrative costs of state/local requirement for "grants per caseload requirement for "grants per agencies -- but may not use more than slot." Requires the Secretary to caseload slot." Requires the 20% of the CSFP appropriations. provide each state a grant per assigned Secretary to provide each state a caseload slot set -- set by law at $50, grant per assigned caseload slot [Section 5 of the Agriculture and indexed beginning in FY2003. -- set at the FY2001 actual Consumer Protection Act of 1973] [Section 451] amount, indexed for FY2003 and following years. [Section 4201(b)] 3. Use of Approved Food Safety Technology No provision. No provision. Bars the Secretary from prohibiting the Adopts Senate provision, with use of "any technology that has been technical changes. [Section approved by the Secretary or the 4201(b)(3) & (d)] Secretary of Health and Human Services" in acquiring commodities for distribution through domestic nutrition programs. [Section 442] 4. Use of Commodities for Domestic Feeding Programs No provision. No provision. Provides that any commodities Adopts Senate provision on use acquired in the conduct of Commodity of commodities. [Section 4202] Credit Corporation (CCC) operations and any "Section 32" commodities may be used for any domestic feeding program. Covered domestic programs include: TEFAP, and programs CRS-123 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the Child Nutrition Act, the Older Americans Act, or other laws the Secretary determines appropriate. This authority would apply to the extent that the commodities involved are in excess of those needed to carry out other obligations (including quantities otherwise reserved for specific purposes). [Section 457] C. Child Nutrition Programs Richard B. Russell National School Title IV of the Farm Security Act of Title IV of the Agriculture, Title IV of the Farm Security and Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 2001 Conservation, and Rural Enhancement Rural Investment Act of 2002 1966 Act of 2001 1. Commodities for the School Lunch Program Beginning with FY2002, any No provision. Delays until FY2004, the date by Adopts Senate provision. commodities supplied to the School which bonus commodities supplied to [Section 4301] Lunch program are to be counted in the School Lunch program will count meeting the requirement that 12% of toward the 12% requirement -- in all federal school lunch support (cash effect, mandating that only entitlement + commodities) be in the form of commodities count toward meeting the commodities. This would include requirement until then. This was the commodities provided to meet the case under pre-FY2002 law. [Section entitlement (15 cents in value per 453] lunch) and "bonus" commodities CRS-124 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 provided at the Secretary's discretion [Note: Section 166 of the Senate [Note: Section 10603 of the from stocks acquired to support the amendment requires the Secretary to conference agreement provides agricultural economy. [Section 6(e)(1) provide at least $50 million a year for at least $50 million a year in of the Richard B. Russell National through FY2006 to the Defense fresh fruit and vegetable School Lunch Act] Department (DoD) for the purchase purchases (through the DoD) for and distribution of fresh fruits and schools and institutions in child vegetables to schools and institutions nutrition programs.] participating in child nutrition programs.] 2. Eligibility for Free and Reduced- Price School Meals and WIC Benefits: Military Housing a. School meals -- All military a. No Provision a. Through FY2003, requires that, in a. Adopts Senate provision as to housing allowances reported on leave cases where military personnel live in school meal eligibility and and earnings statements are counted as [Note: H.R. 3216 -- passed by the "privatized" housing, their housing military personnel in income in determining eligibility for House on December 11, 2001 -- allowance will not be counted in "privatized" housing. [Section free and reduced-price school meals. contains the provision included in determining eligibility for free and 4302] The value of on-base (free) housing is the Senate amendment.] reduced-price school meals. [Section not. In the case of "privatized" 454] military housing -- where formerly free housing is converted to privately operated housing (or families are moved from free housing to privately operated housing) and military personnel are given a housing allowance to pass on to the housing operator -- the allowance is counted. [Regulations under Section 9 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act] CRS-125 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 b. The WIC program -- In b. No provision. b. Adds an option for states to exclude b. Adopts Senate provision as to determining income eligibility for the any housing allowance provided to WIC eligibility and military Special Supplemental Nutrition military personnel living in on-base personnel in "privatized" Program for Women, Infants, and "privatized" housing. [Section 455] housing. [Section 4306] Children (the WIC program), state may choose to exclude any housing allowance received by military personnel residing "off-base." [Section 17(d)(2)(B) of the Child Nutrition Act] 3. Funding for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program No comparable provision. [Note: No provision. Makes available an additional $15 Adopts Senate provision for the Budget documents indicate that $11 million in mandatory funding for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition million will be made available for the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition program. [Section 4307] WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition program -- no later than 30 days after program in FY2002. For FY2003, no enactment. [Section 460] money was requested for the program.] D. Special Projects 1. Nutrition Education Clearinghouse No provision. No provision. Requires the Secretary to establish (on No provision. [Note: In March the Department's website) a nutrition 2002, the Department established education clearinghouse. [Section 428] a website that features a clearinghouse for nutrition education initiatives.] 2. Community Food Projects Through FY2002, the Secretary is Extends authority for community Extends authority for community food Extends authority for community CRS-126 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 authorized to make grants to private food project grants through FY2011. project grants through FY2006. food project grants through nonprofit entities for "community food Increases the amount reserved to Maintains the amount reserved at $2.5 FY2007. Increases the amount projects." Funding is reserved from $7.5 million a year. [Section 406(h) million a year. Increases the federal reserved to $5 million a year. Food Stamp Act appropriations. And & (j)] share of project costs from 50% to Modifies the list of goals that grants may not exceed a total of $2.5 75%. Modifies the list of projects that projects are designed to achieve million a year. must be given preference for grants. and the list of projects that must [Section 25 of the FSA] [Section 440] be given preference for grants. Requires that the Secretary contract with (or make a grant to) a non-governmental organization to coordinate with federal agencies, states and political subdivisions, and non- governmental organizations to gather information (and make recommendations)about innovative programs for addressing "common community problems" -- including loss of farms, rural poverty, welfare dependency, hunger, the need for job training, and individuals' and communities' need for self- sufficiency. Reserves $200,000 a year (from the $5 million a year total provided for community food projects) for this initiative. [Section 4125] 3. Innovative Programs Addressing Common Community Problems No provision. No provision. Requires the Secretary to contract with Adopts provisions comparable to CRS-127 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 a non-governmental organization to Senate provisions in Section recommend innovative programs for 4125 (see Community Food addressing "common community Projects, Item #2 above). problems" -- including loss of farms, rural poverty, welfare dependency, hunger, the need for job training, juvenile crime, and individuals' and communities' need for self- sufficiency. Makes available $400,000 for the contract. [Section 443] 4. Report on Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems No provision. No provision. Requires the Secretary to submit a Adopts Senate provisions for a report to Congress on EBT systems report on EBT systems and (e.g., difficulties relating to their use, revises and expands the elements fraud, efforts to address difficulties). to be included in the report. [Section 444] [Section 4111] 5. Report on Conversion of the WIC Program into an Individual Entitlement Program No provision. No provision. No later than December 31, 2002, No provision. requires a report from the Secretary -- to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry -- that analyzes conversion of the WIC program from CRS-128 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 a discretionary program into an individual entitlement program. [Section 456] 6. Purchases of Locally Produced Foods No provision. No provision. Requires Secretary to encourage the Adopts Senate provisions as to purchase of locally produced foods in the purchase of locally produced school meal programs and authorizes foods. [Section 4303] appropriations for start-up grants ($400,000 a year) to defray costs In ad d ition, adopt s an incurred in carrying out this policy. amendment to the Richard B. [Section 458] Russell National School Lunch Act that requires -- to the maximum extent practicable -- school food authorities to purchase commodities or food products that are produced in Puerto Rico in sufficient quantities to meet their meal program needs. [Section 4304] 7. Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Using funding available under For FYs 2002-2011, authorizes a For FYs 2002-2006, requires the Adopts the House provision as to Commodity Credit Corporation Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Secretary to carry out and expand a the Seniors Farmers' Market authorities, a Seniors Farmers' Market program and requires the Secretary Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Nutrition program, but (1) Nutrition program was instituted by to support it with $15 million a year program. Provides mandatory funding reduces the FY2002 amount to the Secretary in January 2001. Initial from Commodity Credit Corporation of $15 million a year. Authorizes the $5 million and (2) authorizes the CRS-129 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 funding was set at $15 million. funds. Authorizes the Secretary to Secretary to issue regulations to carry program through FY2007. issue regulations to carry out the out the program. [Section 4402] Under the FY2002 Agriculture program. [Section 925] [Section 459] Department appropriations law, $10 million is provided as a direct [Note: These provisions are located appropriation for a Seniors Farmers' in Title IX of the House measure.] Market Nutrition program. This amount may be supplemented with support from the Commodity Credit Corporation. 8. Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program No provision. In the 2002-2003 school year, requires Adopts Senate provision with No provision. the Secretary to use "Section 32" funds technical changes; increases to conduct and evaluate a pilot funding to $6 million. [Section program to make free fruit and 4305] vegetables available to elementary and secondary school students. Provides $200,000 for the pilot. [Section 461] 9. Congressional Hunger Fellows Program Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Establishes -- as an independent Same as the House bill, with minor Adopts the House provision, Hunger Fellowships are provided agency of the legislative branch -- and technical differences. [Section with minor and technical through the Congressional Hunger the Congressional Hunger Fellows 462] revisions. [Section 4404] Center and given funding through Program to offer fellowships that annual Agriculture Department provide training and placements with appropriations laws (e.g., $2.496 domestic and international policy million in FY2002). development organizations. The purposes of the program are to: encourage careers in humanitarian CRS-130 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 service; recognize the needs of poor and hungry persons; provide aid to those in need, increase awareness of the importance of public service, and provide training and development opportunities for future leaders. The program would be funded from the earnings of a trust fund invested in federal securities (an $18 million appropriation is authorized) and gifts. [Section 461] 10. Nutrition Information and Awareness Pilot Program. No provision. No provision. Authorizes a 15-state pilot program to Adopts Senate provision, with increase domestic consumption of revisions reducing the number of fresh fruit and vegetables. The federal states in which the pilot will share of project costs would be 50%, operate to 5 and lowering the and $25 million a year is authorized to appropriations authorization to be appropriated for the projects. $10 million a year. [Section [Section 463] 4403] E. Effective Dates and Cost Estimates Effective Dates Generally effective October 1, 2002. Generally effective September 1, 2002 Adopts House provision. [Section 462] -- except that states may choose not [Section 4405] to implement provisions until October 1, 2002. [Section 464] Cost Estimates 10-year CBO estimates (April 2001 10-year CBO estimates (April 2001 10-year CBO estimates (April "baseline") "baseline") 2001 "baseline") Title IV: $3.65 billion (budget Title IV: $8.31 billion (budget Title IV: $6.40 billion (budget CRS-131 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 authority); $3.64 billion (outlays). authority); $8.89 billion (outlays). authority); $6.97 (outlays). Food stamp program: $3.18 billion Food stamp program: $8.01 billion Food stamp program: $5.72 (budget authority); $3.17 billion (budget authority); $8.59 billion billion (budget authority); $6.29 (outlays). (outlays). billion (outlays). Commodity assistance programs Commodity assistance programs Commodity assistance programs (TEFAP): $400 million (budget (TEFAP): $300 million (budget (TEFAP & CSFP): $401 million authority); $398 million (outlays). authority); $298 million (outlays). (budget authority/outlays). Child nutrition programs: No [Note: $200 million of these amounts Child nutrition programs provisions. is attributable to TEFAP commodity (commodity purchases & WIC Special projects (community food purchases called for under Title I.] farmers' markets): $115 million projects, senior farmers' markets): Child nutrition programs (commodity (budget authority/ outlays). $223 million (budget authority); purchases & WIC farmers' markets): [Note: This amount does not $215 million (outlays). [Note: $150 $115 million (budget include special DoD fruit & million of these amounts is authority/outlays). [Note: This amount vegetable purchases provided for attributable to senior farmers' market does not include special DoD fruit & in Title I ($50+ million a year).] provisions in Title IX.] vegetable purchases provided for in Special projects (community Title I ($50+ million a year).] food projects, senior farmers' Special projects (community food markets, fruit & vegetable projects, senior farmers' markets, fruit pilots): $168 million (budget & vegetable pilots): $85 million authority/outlays). (budget authority); $90 million (outlays). 6-year CBO estimates (April 2001 6-year CBO estimates (April 2001 6-year CBO estimates (April "baseline") "baseline") 2001 "baseline"): Title IV: $1.94 billion (budget Title IV: $3.11 billion (budget Title IV: $2.66 billion (budget authority; $1.92 billion (outlays). authority); $3.63 billion (outlays). authority); $3.17 billion Food stamp program: $1.65 billion Food stamp program: $2.85 billion (outlays). (budget authority/outlays). (budget authority); $3.37 billion Food stamp program: $2.19 Commodity assistance programs (outlays). billion (budget authority); $2.71 (TEFAP): $240 million (budget Commodity assistance programs billion (outlays). CRS-132 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 authority); $238 million (outlays). (TEFAP): $260 million (budget Commodity assistance programs Child nutrition programs: No authority); $258 million (outlays). (TEFAP & CSFP): $241 million provisions. [Note: $200 million of these amounts (budget authority/outlays). Special projects (community food is to TEFAP commodity purchases Child nutrition programs projects, senior farmers' markets): under Title I.] (commodity purchases, WIC $118 million (budget authority); farmers' markets): $115 million $110 million (outlays). [Note: $75 Child nutrition programs (commodity (budget authority/outlays). million of these amounts is purchases, WIC farmers' markets): Special projects (community attributable senior farmers' market $115 million ( b u d g e t food projects, senior farmers' provisions in Title IX). authority/outlays). markets, fruit & vegetable Special projects (community food pilots): $107 million (budget projects, senior farmers' markets, fruit authority); $103 million & vegetable pilots): $85 million (outlays). (budget authority); $90 million (outlays). 10-year CBO estimates (March 2002 "baseline") Title IV: $6.63 billion (budget authority); $7.02 billion (outlays). Food stamp program: $5.94 billion (budget authority); $6.34 billion (outlays). Commodity assistance programs (TEFAP & CSFP): $401 million (budget authority/ outlays). Child nutrition programs (commodity purchases, WIC farmers' markets): $115 million (budget authority/ outlays). Special projects (community CRS-133 NUTRITION PROGRAMS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2008 food projects, senior farmers' markets, fruit and vegetable pilots): $168 million (budget authority/outlays). 6-year CBO estimates (March 2002 "baseline") Title IV: $2.79 billion (budget authority); $3.18 billion (outlays). Food stamp program: $2.33 billion (budget authority); $2.72 billion (outlays). Commodity assistance programs (TEFAP & CSFP): $241 million (budget authority/ outlays). Child nutrition programs (commodity purchases, WIC farmers' markets): $115 million (budget authority/outlays). Special projects (community food projects, senior farmers' markets, fruit & vegetable pilots): $108 million (budget authority); $103 million (outlays). CRS-134 V. FARM CREDIT FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Consolidated Farm and Rural Title V, Farm Security Act of 2001 Title V, Agriculture Conservation, Title V, Farm Security and Development Act (Con Act) Rural Enhancement Act of 2001 Rural Investment Act of 2002. A. Farm Ownership/Real Estate Loans 1. General Provisions a. Currently, if a person qualifies for a No provision. a. Expands direct loan use to include a. Senate provision with an farm ownership loan from USDA after refinancing of a "bridge" loan taken amendment allowing refinance all of USDA's funds have been out if a person was approved for a for all farmers or ranchers, not allocated, the person must wait to USDA loan, but is waiting on just beginning farmers or receive USDA funds until: the next available funds. [Section. 502] ranchers. [Section 5002] fiscal year; enactment of a supplemental funding bill; or, until funds are re-allocated from another state. [Section 303(a)(1)] b. Purposes for which USDA may b. Allows USDA to make or No provision. b. No provision make and guarantee loans. [Section guarantee loans for value-added or 310B(a)] processing projects. [Section 523] 2. Eligibility a. Requires persons to have No provision. a. Expands eligibility to persons a. Senate provision [Section "operated" a farm for at least three who have "participated in the 5001] years in order to receive a loan from business operations of" a farm. USDA. [Section. 302(b)(1)] [Section 501] b. USDA cannot make a down b. No provision b. Changes time limit to 20 years b. Senate provision amended to payment loan if a farmer receives other [Section 507(2)] make time limit 15 years. CRS-135 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 financing requiring a balloon payment [Section 5005(2)] within 10 years (Section 310E(c)(3)(B)] 3. Beginning Farmers a. Sets $200,000 limit on amount No provision. a. Sets $250,000 limitation on farm a. No provision USDA may lend and $700,000 limit ownership loan by USDA for a on the amount USDA may guarantee beginning farmer. [Section 503] to a borrower [Section 305(a)] b. Sets Interest rate terms on real No provision. b. Sets interest rates for beginning b. No provision estate loans. [Sec 307(a)] farmers 50 basis points below other borrowers. [Section 504] c. Permits but does not require USDA No provision. c. Requires USDA to guarantee c. No provision to guarantee up to 95% of a down 95%. [Section 505] payment loan for a beginning farmer. [Section 309(h)(6)] d. State loans guarantee. No provision. d. Adds Section 309(j) to the Con d. Senate provision [Section No Provision Act to allow USDA to guarantee 5004] loans made under a State beginning farmer program. [Section 506] e. Allows USDA to make loans to Raises loan period to up to 15 years. e. Raises percentage to up to 40% e. Adopts Senate percentage qualified beginning farmers for down [Section 515] and time up to 20 years. [Section (40%) and House loan period (15 payments on farm ownership loans at 507] years). [Section 5005(1)] up to 30% of the farm's value and for CRS-136 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 up to 10 years. [Section 310E(b)] No provision. f. Adds Section 310F requiring f. Senate provision amended to f. Guarantee owner-financed loans. USDA to carry out a pilot program require a pilot program in at least No provision in at least 10 states with up to five 5 states if the Secretary borrowers per state in each year determines risk of guarantees is FY2003-2006, to guarantee owner- similar to risk in commercial financed loans made to a beginning lenders' guarantees. Authorizes farmer. [Section 508] program for FY2003- 2007.[Section 5006] B. Operating Loans 1. General Provisions a. Allows USDA to make direct No provision. a. Allows one-time waivers for two a. Senate provision [Section operating loans to farmers for up to years if a borrower meets certain 5101(2)] seven years. [Section 311(c)] conditions. Also, waives the seven- year limit for Indian farmers on reservations if USDA determines commercial credit is not generally available. [Section 512] b. Allows USDA to guarantee an b. Suspends 15-year limit during No provision. b. House Provision [Section annual operating loan each year for up calendar years 2002-2006. [Section 5102] to 15 years to a borrower, after which 502] the borrower must graduate to commercial sources of credit. [Section 319(b)] 2. Beginning Farmers Allows USDA to make direct No provision. Removes five year limit. [Section Senate Provision [Section operating loans to beginning farmers 511] 5101(1)] CRS-137 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 who have operated a farm for up to five years. [Section 311(c)(1)(A)] 3. Indian Farmers a. Guarantees on loans are set at 90%, No provision. a. Adds Section 309(h)(7) to allow a. Senate provision, revised to with exceptions for refinanced loans USDA to guarantee 95% of an specify that the operating loan and beginning farmer loans, which are operating loan made to a member of guarantee be for operations guaranteed at 95%. [Section 309(h)] an Indian tribe for a farm within a subject to the jurisdiction of an reservation. [Section 512] Indian tribe.[ Section 5101(2)] b. Allows USDA to make direct No provision b. Waives the seven-year limit for b. Senate provision amended to operating loans to farmers for up to Indian farmers on reservations if waive 7-year limit for operations seven years. [Section 311(c)] USDA determines commercial credit subject to jurisdiction of an is not generally available. [Section Indian tribe. [Section 5101(2)] 512(b)] C. Emergency Loans Emergency loan procedures. [Section Expands eligibility for emergency No provision. House provision amended to 321, 323, 324, 329] loans to include plant or animal provide new authority for quarantines, and sharply increasing emergency loans only for plant or energy costs. animal quarantines. [Section -- Allows financial assistance when 5201] energy prices during a three-month period are at least 50% greater than the average price for the preceding five years. -- Allows loans of up to $500,000 due to a quarantine and $200,000 due to increased energy costs. CRS-138 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 [Section 510] D. Administrative Provisions 1. Eligibility a. Sets forth persons and entities a. Extends USDA loan eligibility to a. Same as House Bill. [Section a. House provision amended to eligible for loans and guarantees from limited liability companies engaged 521] also include trusts as eligible USDA. [Secs. 302(a), 311(a), and in farming and controlled by farmers entities. [Section 5302] 321(a)] [Section 501] b. Requires a county committee to b. Removes requirement. [Section b. Removes requirement that b. Senate provision [Section certify in writing that an annual review 505] reviews be certified in writing. 5306] of borrowers' credit history and [Section 525] continued eligibility for loans has been performed. [Section 333] c. Requires a borrower to complete No provision. c. Removes the requirement of the c. Senate provision [Section educational training unless the county committee's determination before 5316] committee determines the borrower USDA may grant a waiver, and has adequate knowledge, in order to be requires USDA to set up criteria for eligible for a direct loan from USDA. granting a waiver. [Section 532] [Section 359(f)] d. Requires Secretary to evaluate the d. Technical amendment removing d. Technical amendment striking the d. House provision [Section farming plan of each applicant after language words "established pursuant to 5317] the county committee has determined requiring county committee to section 332 " (which is authority for the applicant is eligible for a loan. determine loan eligibility. [Section county committees that was repealed [Section 360(a)] 507] by P.L.103-354. [Section 552(d)] [Note: The Department of Agriculture CRS-139 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Reorganization Act of 1994 (P.L. 103- 354) repealed Section 332 of the Con Act, which established county committees.] e. Amends to allow direct loans to No provision. e. Replaces House provision with e. Prohibits USDA from making a borrowers who have not received provision allowing operating direct loan to a borrower who has debt forgiveness more than two loans to a borrower who has received debt forgiveness. [Section times, and allow loan guarantees to received debt forgiveness not 373(b)(1)] borrowers who have not received more than once due to a natural debt forgiveness more than three disaster designated by the times. [Section 519] President [Section 5319] f. Adds a new section (Section 377) No provision. f. House provision with an f. Eligibility for USDA employees to Subtitle D of the Con Act to allow amendment that county or area and employees of State, county and USDA employees to obtain direct or committee employees apply to area committees. guaranteed loans, so long as a local the State level and State No provision county office other than the employees apply to the Federal applicant's home office approves the level. [Section 5321] loan application. [Section 509] 2. General Provisions a. Sets forth various loan a. Allows USDA to administer the a. No provision a. House provision amended to administration procedures. [Section certified and preferred lender make authority discretionary. 331(b)] guaranteed loan programs through [Section 5309] central offices in states or multi-state areas. [Section 503] b. Debt Settlement. Sets forth No provision b. Deletes the provision that the b. Senate provision with an procedures for the Secretary to use in Secretary may not release a borrower amendment changing the role of settling debts [Section 331(b)(4)] from a debt obligation on more local or area FSA committees to favorable terms than recommended one of consultation only by the county committee under regarding potential debt CRS-140 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Section 332. [Section 522] settlement agreements. [Section NOTE: More or less technical since 5303] Section 332 was repealed by the 1994 USDA Reorganization Act. c. Allows USDA to contract with c. Extends authority through private lenders to service loans FY2011. [Section 511] c. Removes Section 331(d).[Section c. Senate provision [Section through the end of FY2002. [Section 523] 5304] 331(d)] d. Allows USDA to use a private No provision. collection agency to collect loan d. Removes this authority for d. Senate Provision [Section obligations. [Section 331(e)] contracts entered into after 5304] enactment of the new farm bill. [Section 523] e. Requires USDA to provide a short, e. Raises amount to $150,000. simplified application for guarantees [Section 504] e. Sets the amount at $100,000. e. Sets amount at $125,000 of loans up to $50,000. [Section [Section 526] [Section 5307] 333A(g)(1)] f. Allows USDA to guarantee 80% of f. Allows USDA to guarantee less No provision. f. No provision a loan made to a qualified borrower. than 80%, if a borrower's income is [Section 339] below expenditures. [Section 506] g. Describes the term "debt g. Excludes from the definition any g. Similar to House bill. [Section g. House provision [Section forgiveness." [Section 343(a)(12)] write-down provided as part of a 528] 5310] resolution of a discrimination complaint against USDA. [Section 518] h. Definitions. [Section 343] h. Includes "horses" under the term h. No provision. h. No Provision "livestock." [Section 521] CRS-141 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 i. Sets loan authorization levels and i. Removes limitation on total loan i. Authorizes total USDA loans and i. Senate provision amended to program administration. [Section 346] amounts USDA may make or guarantees up to $3.796 billion authorize for FY2002-2007. guarantee. [Section 512] annually for FY2002-6, with $770 [Section 5311] million for direct loans and $3.026 billion for guaranteed loans. [Section 169] j. Shared appreciation arrangements j. Prohibits USDA from foreclosing j. Allows SAA borrowers an j. New provision permits (SAA). [Section 353(e)] or collecting payments on SAAs alternative to repaying the recapture Secretary to modify a recapture until after December 31, 2002. amount by allowing USDA a 25- loan on which a payment has [Section 522] year agricultural use protection and become delinquent; reamortized conservation easement in lieu of loans are not to exceed 25 years payment of recapture amount. and the outstanding principal or [Section 531] unpaid interest may not be NOTE: CBO estimates one-year reduced. [Section 5314] FY2002 cost of $66 million for this provision k. Reserves funding for socially k. Allows remaining, unused funds No provision. k. House Provision [Section disadvantaged farmers. [Section to be reallocated to other states. 5315] 355(c)(2)] [Section 520] l. Requires loan assessments to be l. No provision. l. Changes to annual assessments. l. Senate provision [Section conducted biannually to assess the [Section 533] 5318] progress of a borrower in meeting the goals for the farm operation. [Section 360(d)(1)] m. Making and servicing loans. m. Adds a new section (Section m. No provision. m. House Provision [Section No provision 376) to Subtitle D of the Con Act to 5320] require USDA to use Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office CRS-142 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 employees to make and service loans if personnel are trained to do so. [Section 508] n. Studies of USDA loans. No n. New provision directing USDA No provision. n. House Provision [Section provision to conduct studies of direct and 5301] guaranteed loan programs to include number of loans, average principal amount, and delinquency and default rates. [Section 517] 3. Interest Rates a. Provides that the interest rate on a No provision. a. Provides a third option of the rate a. Senate provision [Section loan being rewritten is to be the lower in effect on the date the borrower 5305] of the original interest rate or the rate applies for servicing. [Section 524] in effect at the time the loan is rewritten. [Section 331B] b. Authorizes USDA to administer an b. Reauthorizes program through b. Permanent reauthorization. b. Senate provision [Section interest rate reduction program for FY2011. [Section 514] [Section 530] 5313] guaranteed loans, through FY2002. [Section 351] c. Allows USDA to make payments to No provision. c. Sets the limit for beginning c. Authorizes spending up to a lender to reduce a borrower's interest farmers at 4%, and 3% for other $750 million per fiscal year, up to 4%; sets spending limit at $490 borrowers. Increases spending to retains current law on interest million. [Section 351] $750 million per FY and requires at rate, and reserves at least 15% of least 25% of the funds to be reserved the funds for beginning farmers for beginning farmers until April 1 until March 1 of each fiscal year. of each FY. [Section 530] [Section 5313(2)] CRS-143 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 4. Beginning Farmers a. When USDA acquires property, No provision. a. Changes time period to 135 days, a. Senate provision with within 75 days the property must be and allows USDA to combine/divide amendment removing language offered for sale to a beginning farmer acquired properties in order to regarding easements. [Section at current market value. [Section maximize opportunity for beginning 5308] 335(c)] farmers to purchase. Specifies that when USDA sells acquired property, it may offer to sell or grant an easement for the purpose of farmland preservation. [Section 527] b. Increases acreage amount to 30%. b. Allows a "qualified beginning No provision. [Section 528] b. Senate Provision [Section farmer" to own land in an acreage 5310(a)] amount up to 25% of the median acreage of farms in the county. [Section 343(a)(11)] c. Reserves 35% for FY2002-2006. c. Loans reserved for beginning c. Reserves 35% of loan amounts [Section 529] Requires $5 million c. House provision revised for farmers and ranchers. [Section for beginning farmers and ranchers of CCC funds be used for direct farm reauthorization to FY2003-2007. 346(b)(2)(A)(ii)] during FY2002-2011. [Section 513] ownership loans. [Section 169] [Section 5312] E. Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 Provides that decisions by FSA county Excludes credit decisions from the Similar to House bill [Section 551] House provision [Section committees become final within 90 90-day finality rule . [Section 1613(i)(2)(B)] days after the date a person applies for 508(b)5] benefits. [Section 281(a)] F. Farm Credit System (Farm Credit Act of 1971) a. Requires prior approval by the FCS No provision. a. Removes the requirement that a. Senate Provision [Section CRS-144 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 bank before a bank for cooperatives prior approval must be given by the 5401] can purchase a loan originated by a FCS bank. [Section 541] commercial bank to an entity that can be financed by another Farm Credit System (FCS) bank. [Section 3.1(11)(B)] b. Allows CoBank to finance the No provision b. Expands CoBank's ability to lend b. Senate Provision [Section export of farm machinery and other by removing the "on farm" 5402] farm-related products that are intended requirement and allowing it to for use on farms in foreign countries. finance agriculture-related [Section 3.7] processing equipment and machinery and other capital goods related to storing or handling agricultural commodities. [Section 542] c. Contains provisions for premiums No provision c. Allows the FCS Insurance c. Senate Provision made with regard to the insurance of loans Corporation to adjust premiums applicable beginning in calendar for the Farm Credit System (FCS), charged according to FCS' year 2002. [Section 5403] which has GSE status that implicitly government sponsored enterprise protects against failure and reduce risk. (GSE) status. [Section 543] [Section 5.55] d. Establishes a 15-member Board of No provision. d. Increases Board to 17 members, No Provision Directors for Farmer Mac, a secondary and makes other changes to the market agricultural lender. [Section Board's structure. [Section 544] 8.2] G. Miscellaneous Credit and Finance Provisions 1. Horse Breeder Loans [Note: language was included in the New provision authorizing loans to No provision. No provision CRS-145 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 FY2002 Agricultural Appropriations horse breeders to assist for losses as law (P.L.107-76; Section 759(c)), a result of mare reproductive loss providing for loans with loan terms up syndrome: to 20 years.] -- at least 30% of mares failed to produce live, healthy foal; -- breeder was unable to meet expenses or obtain credit elsewhere; -- loan amount up to $500,000, with term up to 15 years; -- loan authority expires end of FY2003. [Section 516]. Note: House bill also proposed to include horses within the meaning of livestock under the ConAct. This also was dropped by Conferees. 2. Emergency Loans for Seed Producers Producers of the 1999 crop of seed No provision. Amends repayment period to 54 Senate provision amended to who did not receive payments from months. [Section 1064] extend repayment period to 36 AgriBiotech as a result of bankruptcy months. [Section 10103] proceedings, were eligible for no- interest loans from USDA with repayment due within 18 months. [Section 253 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, PL 106-224] 3. Family Farmer Bankruptcy Provisions No provision. Reenacts Chapter 12, effective to Extends chapter 12 provisions Chapter 12 of Title 11 USC, sets forth October 1, 2001. [Section 1071] through December 31, 2002 CRS-146 FARM CREDIT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 bankruptcy provisions for family [Section 10814] farmers. CRS-147 VI. RURAL DEVELOPMENT RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 A. Rural Community Advancement Program Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP). Subtitle E, 7 U.S.C. (2009 et seq.). Authorizes all RCAP loans and grants under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972 (P.L.92-419), 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926(a), 1926(c), 1926(d), and 1932 except for sections 381-H, 381N and 381(0) of the 1972 Act. [FAIR Act, Section 761] [Note: RCAP integrates 13 different loan and grant program accounts into 3 funding accounts: Rural Utilities, Rural Business and Cooperative Development, and Rural Communities Facilities. RCAP permits local authorities to transfer up to 25% from one account to another. RCAP is not scored by CBO under the farm bill, but the funding streams are part of the loan and grant programs administered under USDA Rural Utilities Services (RUS), Rural Business and Cooperative Service (RBS), and Rural Housing Service (RHS). Conference appropriation agreement authorizes $940.3 million, including $133.7 million in salaries and expenses.] B. Fund for Rural America Fund for Rural America, 7 U.S.C. Not Extended Not Extended Repeals Fund for Rural 2004(f). Three program accounts: rural America. [Section 6403] development, competitive research grants, and a Secretary's discretionary fund. [FAIR Act, Section 793] [Note: FAIR authorizes the Fund for Rural America for 1997, 1999, and 2000. The Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (P.L.105-185) extends authorization through 2002 at $60 million per year. Although funds were appropriated, appropriators in both House and Senate prohibited expenditures to carry out Fund programs in 2002 as they did in FY1999.] CRS-148 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 C. Telecommunications 1.Authorizes grants to broadcast No Provision Grants to Broadcasting Systems. Senate Provision [Section 6016] systems. [FAIR, Section759B] Authorizes $5 million each year, Consolidated Farm and Rural FY2002-2006. [Section 632] Development Act of 1972, U.S.C. 1932(f), [Section 310B(f)] 2. Title X of the District of Columbia Authorizes $200 million during No Provision Provides $80 million FY2002- Appropriations Act of 2001 (P.L.106- FY2002-2006 for loan guarantees. 2006. [Section ] 553) authorizes the Launching Our [Section 601] Communities' Access to Local Television Act of 2000. 3. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Establishes Rural Teleworks Provides $30 million each fiscal Development Act ,7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq. Program and authorizes funding of year, FY2002-2007. [Section $150 million. [Section 641] 6022] 4. Telemedicine and Distance Learning No Provision Reauthorizes the Telemedicine Senate Provision. [Section 6203] Grants authorized through 2002. and Distance Learning Program Statutory authority provided by the . [Section 652] Rural Electrification Act of 1936, 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq. Distance learning/medical link program established under Section 2335A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-5). 5.The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 No Provision Enhanced Access to Broadband Provides $20 million in each of (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) Services. Provides $100 million FY2002-2005 and $10 million per year, FY2002-2006 for grants for each of FY2006 and 2007. CRS-149 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 and loans. [Section 605] [Section 6103] [Note: Limited to communities of less than 20,000 population; standards to be reconsidered every 3 years.] D. Value-added Agriculture Development 1. Establishes value-added market Value-Added Agricultural Value-added Agriculture Market House Provision grants under the Agricultural Risk Prod u ct Mark et Gran t s . Development Grants. Provides [Note: Provides $40 million in Protection Act of 2000 (P.L.106-224; 7 Establishes expanded eligibility for $75 million per year, FY2002-2006. grants each year, FY2002-2007 U.S.C. 162. [ Section 231(a)] value-added grants Authorizes $60 [Section 606] to independent producers and million each year FY2002-2011. producer-owned enterprises]. [Section 602] [Section 6401] 2. Establishes the intermediary lending No Provision V a l u e - A d d ed In termed i a ry No Provision program under the Food Security Act of Relending Program. Provides $15 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1932 note; Public Law million in each year, 2003-2006. 99-198). [Section 1323(b)(2)(C)] [Section 634] 3. Agricultural Risk Protection Act of Agriculture Innovation Center No Provision Provides not less than $3 million 2000 (P.L.106-224; 7 U.S.C. 162). D e m o n s t r a t i o n P r o g r a m . for FY2002 and not less than $6 [Section 231(a)(1)] Authorizes $5 million in FY2002 million for FY2003 and 2004. and not less than $10 million in [Section 6402] FY2003 and 2004. [Section 603] [Note: The provision makes available part of the funding for value-added market grants in Section 602. CRS-150 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 4. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Delta Region Agricultural Senate Provision [Section 6027] Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. Economic Development. Provides 1981 et seq. $7 million each fiscal year 2002- 2006 for animal nutrition technology development and value- added manufacturing. [Section 647, Section 379f] 5. Consolidated Farm and Rural Training for Farm Workers in No Provision House Provision [Section 6025] Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. new technologies necessary for 1922-1949. higher value crops. Authorizes up to $10 million each year, FY2002- 2011. [Section 617] E. Water and Waste Treatment Programs 1. Subtitle A, Consolidated Farm and G r a n t s t o N o n p r o f i t No Provision Provides $10 million each year Rural Development Act of 1972, 7 Organizations to finance the FY2002-2007. [Section 6012] U.S.C. 1922-1949. construction or improvement of well-water systems for low or moderate income households. [Section 614] 2. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision SEARCH Grants for Small Senate Provision Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. Communities Provides $51 [Note: Eligible rural 1921 et seq. million to communities under 3,000 communities are those under in population. [Section 646] 2,500 population. [Section 6301, [Note: SEARCH grants assist very Subtitle D] small communities in meeting various environmental regulations associated with water and waste disposal. Program would create a CRS-151 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 new Subtitle J to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972.] 3. Amends Section 306(a) of the Removes the specification of $590 Raises funding authorization for Maintains current law $590 Consolidated Farm and Rural million in authorized funds, water and waste water programs million authorization ceiling, but Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. effectively providing for no cap on from $590 to $1.5 billion and included language allowing 1926a(i)) to reauthorize and increase the amount of funding authorized authorized $30 million each years additional spending of such sums from $500 million to $590 million for water and wastewater treatment. through FY2006 to capitalized as may be necessary. Also annual funding for Water and Waste [Section 621] revolving loan funds.[Section 621] provides $30 million each year Treatment grants and loans to assist through 2006 to capitalize local communities in meeting State revolving loan funds [Section standards established under the Safe 6002]. Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) [FAIR, Section 741] [Note: The FAIR amendment redefines "small communities" and "smallest community" as those under 10,000 and 3,000 population, respectively.] 4. Amends Section 306 of the Reauthorizes program and deletes Reauthorizes Community Water Authorizes the a "emergency and Consolidated Farm and Rural "Emergency" from the title. Assistance Program through Imminent Community Water Development Act of 1972 to authorize Provides $75 million annually in FY2006 with no changes. [Section Assistance Grant Program. Sets the Emergency Conservation Water mandatory funding for each of 629]. aside not less than 3% or more Assistance Program. FY2002-2011. [Sections 604 and than 5% of appropriated water 943] Note: Also fully funds the existing and waste water funds (above) backlog of applications for rural for communities facing drinking development loans and grant water shortages, and authorizes programs Increases authorization $35 million each year in for Water and Waste Treatment additional funding for the CRS-152 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 grants from $590 million to $1.5 program for FY203-2007. billion, FY2002-2006. [Section [Section 6009] 621] Note: The CBO has scored this as a discretionary spending program. Although conference report language suggests the adoption of the House provision, the legislative language is quite different from the House bill. F. Rural Entrepreneur and Business Investment Programs 1. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision R u r a l E n trep re n e u r s a n d No Provision Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. Microenterprise Assistance 1891 et seq. Program. Authorizes $50 million each year, FY2002-2006. [Section 638] [Note: Program creates a new Subtitle D to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972.] S.Amdt. 2615 makes budget authorization for [Section 638] discretionary. 2. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision National Rural Cooperative and No Provision Development Act of 1972 7 U.S.C. Business Equity Fund. Authorizes [Note: Conferees created a new 1921 et seq. appropriation of $150 million to be Rural Strategic Investment matched by private investors. Program [Section 6030, Subtitle USDA will guarantee 50% of each I] and provides $100 million in investment with a maximum total of grants. $300 million. Administered by the Small Business Administration. CRS-153 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 [Section 601] [Note: Program would create a new Subtitle G to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972.] 3. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Rural Business Investment Provides $100 million in grants Development Act of 1972 7 U.S.C. Program. Provides for grants up to and loan subsidies and $280 1921 et seq $1 million each to establish Rural million in loan guarantees Business Investment Companies to FY2002-2007. [Section 6029, be administered by the Small Subtitle H] Business Administration. CBO [Note: Permits up to 10% of estimates the cost at $70 million in investments to be made in areas loan subsidies and $50 million in containing a city of over 150,000 grants. [Section 602] population] S.Amdt. 2853 permits up to 10% of the funds to be invested in rural areas with a city of up to100,000 population. [Note: Program would create a new Subtitle H to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972.] G. Strategic Rural and Regional Planning Programs 1.Provides implementation authority Pilot Program for Development of No Provision Conferees created a new Rural through (I) the Consolidated Farm and Strategic Regional Development . Strategic Investment Program Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 Plans. Authorizes $60 million each [Section 6030, Subtitle I] that et seq.); (II) subtitle G of title XVI and year FY2002-2011. Secretary will provides $100 million in title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, select 10 states in which to planning grants Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; implement the strategic plans. (III) title V of the Rural Development [Section 613]No Provision CRS-154 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Act of 1971 (7 U.S.C. 2661 et seq.); or (IV) section 1323(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 7 U.S.C. 1932 note). [FAIR, Section.793(c)(1)(A)(ii)] 2. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Multijurisdictional Regional Senate Provision [Section 6006] Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. Planning Grants. Authorizes $30 1926(a). [Section 306(a)] million each year FY2003-2006 to fund regional planning organizations. Maximum grants of $100,000, "not to exceed 75% of the federal share of the cost of providing assistance to local governments." [Section 624] 3. The Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Rural Endowment Program. $82 No Provision Development Act of 1972, 7 million for planning grants [Section U.S.C.1921 et seq. 385C(d)], endowment grants [Section 385C(f]), and private technical assistance [Section 385C(h)] [Section 604] [Note: For rural areas with populations under 25,000] H. Rural America Infrastructure Account 1. Authorizes various loans and grants No Provision Full Funding for Pending Rural Provides $360 million FY2002- under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Loans and Grants. 2007. [Section 6031] Development Act of 1972 (P.L92-419), [Section 603] [Note: Restricts program to 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926(a), 1926(c), [Note: Establishes an account in the backlogged applications for 1926(d), and 1932 except for Sections U.S. Treasury to be known as the water and waste water projects] 381-H, 381N and 381(0) of the 1972 `'Rural America Infrastructure CRS-155 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Act. Development Account." This provision authorizes a one-time removal of the backlog of pending applications for rural development loans and grants. CBO estimates the cost at $454 million.] I. Other Rural Development Programs 1. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision R u r a l F i r e f i g h t e r s a n d Provides $10 million each fiscal Development Act, 7 U.S.C. 1926(a). Emergency Medical Personnel year 2003-2007. [Section 6405] [Section 306(a)] Training Program. Authorizes $10 million in first year and $30 million annually, FY2003-2006. [Section 627] 2. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Rural Seniors. Provides $125 No Provision Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. million in grants for programs 1891 et seq. targeting rural seniors. [Section 639] 3. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Historic Barn Preservation Authorizes such sums as are Development Act ,7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq. Program. Authorizes $25 million necessary. [Section 6023] in each year, FY2002-2006. [Section 642] 4. Consolidated Farm and Rural No Provision Northern Great Plains Regional Senate Provision [Section 6028] Development Act of 1972, 7 U.S.C. Authority. Creates the Authority 1921 et seq. and provides $30 million in each year, FY2002-2006. [Section 647] [Note: Program would create a new Subtitle K to the Consolidated Farm CRS-156 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 and Rural Development Act of 1972.] 5. Section 4, Rural Electrification Act Authorizes loans and loan No Provision House Provision [Section 6013] of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904); Section guarantees for Renewable Energy 310B(a)(3) of the Consolidated Farm Systems [Sections 605 and Section and Rural Development Act of 1972, 7 606] U.S.C. 1932(a)(3). 6. Changes legal status of the No Provision Repeals corporate authorization and Senate Provision. [Section 6201] Alternative Agricultural Research transfers assets to an account to and Commercialization Center by support "critical emerging issues" converting it to a wholly-owned in future food production, government corporation within USDA. environmental management, and [Section 721 of FAIR Act, Amends farm income. [Section 651] Section 1658 of the Food , Agriculture, [Note: Repeals Subtitle G of Title Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 XVI of the Food, Agriculture, (P.L.101-624) (7 U.S.C. 5902)] Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901 et seq.) 7. National Rural Development Authorizes the National Rural Authorizes the National Rural House and Senate Provisions. Partnership. Subtitle D of the Development Partnership. Section Development Partnership. Section Provides $10 million for each Consolidated Farm and Rural 615 612 fiscal year 2002-2007. [Section Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et 6021] seq). 8. Rural Business and Cooperative Authorizes Rural Business Amends Section 306(a)(11)(D) of Reauthorizes Rural Service: Miscellaneous loans and Opportunity Grants [Section the Consolidated Farm and Rural Cooperative Development grants: 607] , Rural Coop erative Development Act, 7 Grants [Section 6015], Rural (1) Establishes Business Opportunity Development Grants [Section U.S.C.1926(a)(11)(D)) to Business Enterprise Grants CRS-157 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Grants. [FAIR Act Section741(a)(10)]; 609], Rural Venture Capital reauthorize Business Opportunity [Section 6014] and Rural (2) Establishes Business Enterprise Demonstration Program [Section Grants through FY 2006. [Section Business Opportunity Grants Grants under the Consolidated Farm 611], at same funding level through 622] [Section 6003]. Repeals the and Rural Development Act of 1972, 2011. Amends Section 310B(e)(9) of the Rural Venture Capital [Section 310B(c)]; (3) Authorizes Rural Makes Rural Empowerment Consolidated Farm and Rural Demonstration Program Economic Development Loans under Zones and Rural Enterprise Development Act (7 U.S.C. [Section 6026] the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 Communities eligible for direct 1932(e)(9) to reauthorize Rural [Section 313]; (4) Authorizes Rural and guaranteed loans for essential Cooperative Development Grants Cooperative Development grants under community facilities. through FY2006. [Section 631] the Consolidated Farm and Rural [Section 616] Development Act of 1972 7 U.S.C. 1932, [Section 310(B)(e)]; (5) Title VIII of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (P.L.103-66) and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (P.L.105- 277) establishes Rural Empowerment Zo n es and Rural Enterpri s e Communities (EZ/ECs) . [Note: The 1996 FAIR Act incorporates EZ/ECs. The Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (P.L.103- 354) reorganizes USDA Rural Development into the RUS, RBS, and RHS(former Farmers Home Administration non-farm functions); Act provided for the transfer to RBS of the assets and liabilities of Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program (310)a))1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972.] Cost of Rural Development Title CBO Estimate: $1.5 billion in direct CBO Estimate: $1.711 billion in CBO Estimate: $870 million in CRS-158 RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSE BILL SENATE AMENDMENT NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L. 107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 authorization. Total direct and direct authorization for rural mandatory spending FY2002- discretionary authoriz ation development programs. Total 2007. [Note: This figure FY2002-2011, $3.6 billion. direct and discretionary excludes energy related program authorization FY2002-2006, $3.4 spending. It also reflects billion. recision of $160 million in [Note: This estimate excludes $550 previous authorization for the million for energy related programs Fund for Rural America which also budgeted by CBO under Title was repealed. [Section 6043]. VI. Including this funding brings CBO has not estimated the total estimated direct discretionary spending] authorization for Title VI to $2.261 billion.] CRS-159 VII. RESEARCH RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 National Agricultural Research, Title VII, Research and Related Title VII, Agricultural Research, Title VII, Research and Related Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Matters Education, and Extension and Matters o f 1977 (NARETPA); t h e Related Matters Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998; omnibus farm legislation passed in 1985 and 1990; and others, as noted A. Funding Authority: University Research and Cooperative Extension 1. Authorizes $850 m. annually for Extends authority through FY2011 Increases funding authority to $1.5 Authorizes the appropriation of research at land grant colleges of with no changes. [Section 708] billion annually through FY2006. such funds as may be necessary agriculture (excluding competitive [Section 716] through FY2007. [Section 7113] grants and Hatch Act of 1887 formula funds) [Section 1463 of NARETPA] 2. Authorizes $420 m. for Extends authority through FY2011 Increases funding authority to Authorizes the appropriation of cooperative extension programs with no changes. [Section 714] $500 million annually through such funds as may be necessary through FY2002. [Section 1464 of FY2006. [Section 717] through FY2007. [Section 7114] NARETPA] B. The Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food Systems 1. Authorizes the transfer of $120 m. Requires the Secretary to transfer Authorizes the transfer of $130 Authorizes the transfer from the annually in FY1999-2002 from the $1.16 billion into the Initiative from million annually through October Commodity Credit Corporation U.S. Treasury to USDA for a the Commodity Credit Corporation 1, 2002, and of $225 million of $120 million in FY2003, $140 competitive grants program on critical in equal annual amounts over a 9- annually through 2006 from the million in FY2004, $160 million emerging issues and high-priority year period ending in FY2011. Commodity Credit Corporation in FY2005, and $200 million research. [Section 401 of 1998 Act] [Section 750] [per Section 1099B] for the annually in FY2006-07 for the Initiative [Section 169], and Initiative, and gives priority for recommends that the Secretary grants to small, mid-sized, and CRS-160 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 reserve 10% of Initiative funds for minority-serving institutions that grants to minority-serving have not been successful in institutions. [Section 741] winning grants under other programs. [Section 7205] Designates $25 million of Initiative Contains a comparable provision, Authorizes such sums as funds in FY2004-08 to be awarded with funding authorized under necessary through FY2007 for an to minority-serving schools for Title IV of the 1998 Act. [Section FAS-administered competitive research on biotechnology to benefit 750] grant program for research on developing countries. USDA's biotechnology to benefit Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) developing countries. All would administer the program. institutions with an agricultural [Section 763] or bioscience curriculum would be eligible. [Section 7505] 2. Defines priority mission areas for Adds alternative fuels, precision Makes no change to existing law. Adds rural economic, business the Initiative. [Section 401 of the agriculture, crop diversification, and and community development 1998 Act] small livestock farm improvement to policy to the list of priority the list of areas to be addressed by research areas. [Section 7205] the Initiative. [Section 743] C. Land Grant Institutions in Insular Areas 1. Defines the Commonwealth of Creates a new grant program to Redefines U.S. territories as Authorizes such sums as are Puerto Rico, Guam, American strengthen the food and agriculture "insular areas" rather than as necessary through FY2007 for a Samoa, the Commonwealth of the curriculum at land grant institutions states. Retains "state" definition new grant program to strengthen Northern Marianas, the Trust in the U.S. territories. [Section 761] for the District of Columbia. The resident instruction at insular Territory of the Pacific Islands, the change does not affect the area land grant schools and Virgin Islands of the United States, eligibility of land grant institutions distance learning programs using and the District of Columbia as in these areas for formula funds advanced technologies. [Section "states" for the purposes of the Act. under the Hatch Act of 1887 and 7503] [Section 1404 of NARETPA] the Smith-Lever Act of 1914. [Section 701] Included in Section 7503. CRS-161 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Creates new authority for $20 million through FY2006 for competitive or non-competitive grants to insular institutions to strengthen distance learning programs in agriculture using advanced technologies. Requires 50% matching funds. [Section 775] 2. Requires institutions to match Sets the matching fund requirement Sets a 50% matching fund Establishes the matching fund federal formula funds for research and at 50% for the U.S. Territory requirement through FY2006 for requirement using the Senate bill extension at 50% beginning in institutions through 2011 and grants land grant institutions in insular language. [Section 7213] FY2002, and prohibits the Secretary the Secretary authority to waive the areas, and grants the Secretary from waiving the requirement. requirement if a Territory cannot authority to waive the requirement. [Section 3(d) of the Hatch Act of meet the obligation. [Section 749A] [Section 776] 1887, as amended] D. 1890 Land Grant Universities 1. Authorizes appropriations of such Contains no provision addressing Raises the minimum amount that Adopts the Senate provisions funds as may be necessary for funding authority for 1890 land grant can be appropriated for extension regarding minimum research programs, and establishes a colleges. programs from 6% to 15% of appropriations for formula funds 6% minimum (of appropriation for e x t e n s i o n f o rm u l a f u n d s to support both research and 1862 schools) for extension appropriated for the 1862 schools. extension at the 1890 schools, programs. [Section 1444 of [Section 757] with language stating that NARETPA] Establishes a minimum amount to increased appropriations for be appropriated for research formula-funded programs, not programs at 25% of the amount redistribution of current levels, appropriated for the 1862 schools. are the intent. [Section 7203] [Section 757] CRS-162 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 2. Authorizes $15 m. annually Extends authority through FY2011 Increases authorization to $25 Authorizes such sums as through FY2002 for grants to upgrade with no changes. [Section 709] million annually through FY2006. necessary through FY2007. facilities. [Section 1447(b) of [Section 760] [Section 7109] NARETPA] 3. Requires 50% in state funds to Requires an annual 10% increase in Raises the matching funds Requires an annual 10% increase match federal formula funds for state matching funds beginning in requirement to 60% in FY2003 in state matching funds research and extension. [Section 1449 FY2003, to reach 100% in FY2008. and annually in 2004-06 by 110% beginning in FY2003, to reach of NARETPA] The Secretary may waive the of the previous year's amount. 100% in FY2007. The Secretary requirement above 50% if a state The Secretary may waive the may waive the requirement cannot meet the obligation. [Section requirement above 50% if a state above 50% if a state cannot meet 749] cannot meet the obligation. the obligation. [Section 7212] [Section 762] E. 1994 Institutions (Tribally Controlled Land Grant Institutions) 1. Authorizes annual appropriation of Removes authority for Authorizes the appropriation of Adopts the Senate provision and $4.6 m. in FY1996-2002 for an appropriations to an endowment such sums as necessary through extends endowment fund endowment fund. [Section 533 of fund and authorizes appropriations FY2006 for the endowment fund. through FY2007. [Section 7128] Equity in Educational Land Grant of such sums as are necessary in [Section 755(c)] Status Act of 1994] FY1996(sic)-2011. [Section 729] 2. Authorizes $50,000 annual Increases payment authority to Provision identical to House. Increases payment authority to payments to each institution. [Section $100,000 annually. [Section 741(a)] [Section 755(e)] $100,000 annually. [Section 534 of 1994 Act] 7201(a)] 3. Bases withdrawals and Bases withdrawals and expenditures Provision identical to House Adopts the Senate language that expenditures from the endowment on a formula using an Indian student (slightly different language). changes the authority under fund on a formula using an Indian count as defined in the Tribally [Section 755(d)] which 1994 Institutions make student count as defined in the Carl Controlled College or University withdrawals and expenditures D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Assistance Act of 1978. [Section from the endowment fund. Technology Education Act. [Section 741(b)] [Section 7201(b)] CRS-163 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 533(c)(4)(A) of 1994 Act] NOTE: Makes student count mechanism more flexible and clarifies calculation of full-time Indian students. Previous calculation was designed for two specific tribal colleges under the Carl Perkins Act, and the new one is designed for 24 of the now 31 tribal colleges under the 1978 Act. 4. Authorizes $5 m. annual Authorizes such sums as are Authorizes such sums as are Authorizes such sums as appropriations for extension programs necessary through FY2011. [Section necessary and directs the Secretary necessary through FY2007 and and contains formula for distribution 753] to develop a new distribution allows funding to carry over till of funds. [Section 3(b) of Smith-Lever formula. [Section 754] expended. [Section 7215] Act of 1914] 5. Excludes 1994 Institutions from Adds the 1994 Institutions to the No comparable provision to Adopts the Senate provision and eligibility for formula funds under the definition of colleges and House, but makes the 1994 authorizes it through FY2007. Hatch Act of 1887 and the Smith- universities eligible to receive Hatch Institutions eligible to compete for [Section 7209] Lever Act of 1814. [Section 533(a)(2) and Smith-Lever Act funds for grants for integrated research and of 1994 Act] research and extension programs. extension projects under Section [Section 742] 406 (b) of the 1998 research reform act. [Section 756] F. Priority Research Areas 1. Authorizes a competitive grants Adds wind erosion, crop loss, land Adds animal infectious diseases, Combines priority areas from program to support research and use management, water and air childhood obesity, integrated pest House and Senate bills; adds extension programs on 24 specified quality, revenue insurance, management, beef cattle genetics, sugarcane genetics as a priority topics. [Section 1672 of the Food, agrotourism, fruit and vegetable and development of publicly held area, and amends the AgrAbility Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade harvesting, nitrogen fixation, plant and animal varieties to the program to encourage the CRS-164 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 Act of 1990] marketing, private lands research, list of priority research areas. awarding of grants to applicant livestock disease threats, and plant Authorizes $100,000 annually for institutions that have not gene expression to the list of priority high priority research on reducing received them previously. research areas. [Section 744(b)] hazards from dairy pipeline [Section 7208] cleaners. [Section 734] 2. Authorizes agricultural genome Adds plant pathogens to research Makes no change to existing law. Adopts House language as part research. [Section 1671(b) of the 1990 subjects under the Agricultural of the above provision on Act] Genome Initiative. [Section 744] priority research areas. [Section 7208] 3. Authorizes competitive grants for Contains no provision addressing Reauthorizes and expands the Authorizes through FY2007 the research and extension programs on existing authority. research focus for organic annual transfer to USDA of $3 organic agriculture. [Section 1672B of agriculture to include genomics million in mandatory funds the 1990 Act] research, improvement of publicly (above whatever funds may be held crop and livestock varieties, appropriated) for research on marketing research, and on-farm organic agriculture, including research. [Section 736] genetic, on-farm, and social science research. [Section 7218] 4. Authorizes research and extension Extends authority through FY2011. Extends authority through FY2006 Combines the House and Senate programs on precision agriculture. [Section 730] and adds emphasis on horticulture, provisions and extends authority [Section 403 of the 1998 Act] mechanization, robotics, and through FY2007. [Sections 7129 energy use efficiency. [Section and 7207] 743] 5. Authorizes selected high-priority Contains no provision addressing Adds bovine Johne's disease Establishes a research program research areas. [Title IV of the 1998 existing authority. control and grants for youth on bovine Johne's disease Act] organizations to high-priority [Section 7207]; and authorizes a subjects under the 1998 Act. one-time transfer of $8 million in [Sections 748 and 749] CCC mandatory funds in FY2002, and appropriation of such sums as necessary in CRS-165 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 FY2003-07, for grants to Girl Scout, Boy Scout, 4-H, and FFA organizations to expand programs in rural areas and small towns. [Section 7412] G. International Research 1. Authorizes cooperative Authorizes placement of agriculture Contains no provision addressing Adopts the House provision. international research, extension, and students at U.S. colleges and existing authority. [Section 7209] teaching programs. [Section 1458 of universities at USDA Foreign NARETPA] Agricultural Service field offices overseas. [Section 745(c)] H. Biotechnology 1. Authorizes USDA to withhold 1% Increases withholding to 3% and Increases withholding to 3% and Increases withholding to 2% and of biotechnology research funding to adds authority to study the directs the Secretary to give adds genetically modified support risk assessment research on environmental effects of priority in awarding biotechnology organisms and international bioengineered organisms. [Section biotechnology and develop a long- risk assessment grants to partnerships on bio-safety as 1668 of 1990 Act] term policy for introduction. a p p l i c a n t s w h o t ak e a n priority topics for risk [Section 747] interdisciplinary approach that assessment research. [Section includes environmental, biosafety, 7210] and nutritional aspects. [Section 732] I. Research Facilities 1. Provides general authority for Makes no change to existing law. Adds new authority to Section Makes no change to existing law. federal funds to construct or 1417 of the 1977 Act for modernize research facilities at competitive grants to land grant colleges and universities. [Research schools and Hispanic-serving Facilities Act of 1963] schools for construction or CRS-166 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 modernization of research facilities. Preference would be given to proposals offering matching funds. [Section 704] 2. Protecting agriculture facilities. Creates new authority to assess civil Contains a similar provision, with No provision in this law, but a [No existing authority] penalties against anyone who stronger penalties and greater language similar to the House damages or disrupts an animal or emphasis on bioterrorism. [Section provision is contained in the agricultural enterprise, research 1058] conference report (H.Rept. 107- facility, or other agricultural or 481) on H.R. 3448, the biomedical facility. Also authorizes Bioterrorism Preparedness Act recovery of economic damage and of 2001. establishes a fund to compensate the victims of such attacks. [Section 790] 3. Competitive grants for purchasing No comparable provision. Creates new authority for $250 Adopts the Senate provision and lab equipment. [No existing million over 5 years for authorizes the appropriation of authority] competitive grants to land grant such sums as necessary through and non-land grant schools for FY2007. [Section 7402] purchasing specialized scientific equipment. [Section 715] J. Competitive Research Grants Administration 1. Reimbursement for indirect costs Makes no change to existing law. Permits institutions awarded a Adopts the Senate provision with associated with competitive grants is competitive grant to receive an amendment to exempt grants limited to 19% of the total grant. reimbursement for indirect costs awarded competitively under the [Section 1462 of NARETPA] (excluding equipment costs) at a Small Business Innovation percentage established by the Research program. [Section granting agency's audit agency. 7222] [Section 714] CRS-167 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 2. Competitive grants are disbursed Makes no change to existing law. Makes funds appropriated for Adopts the Senate provision. in the year in which the funds are competitive grants available for [Section 7217] appropriated. [Section 1467 of obligation over a 2-year period. NARETPA] [Section 718] 3. Joint requests for proposals. [No No comparable provision. Adds authority for the Secretary to Provides authority for USDA to existing authority] transfer grant funds to or receive issue joint requests for proposals grant funds from other federal with other federal agencies and research agencies in order to to establish joint peer review facilitate joint research and panels, but not to transfer funds eliminate duplication. [Section between federal agencies or to 719] negotiate indirect cost recovery rates for grants awarded. [Section 7403] K. Biosecurity 1. Agriculture Infrastructure No comparable provision. Adds a new biosecurity subtitle to Authorizes the appropriation of Security. [No existing authority] NARETPA to establish a fund to such sums as necessary for a protect ARS, Forest Service, competitive grants program to APHIS, and other federal facilities construct and upgrade the related to the safety of crops, security of facilities conducting livestock, and food. Establishes an counterterrorism research at advisory board on the use of the public colleges and universities. fund. [Section 723, Chapter 1] [Section 7221] 2. Biosecurity Planning and Amends the 1990 farm act to list New subtitle authorizes such sums Authorizes the appropriation of Response. [General authority exists research on technology to protect as necessary for research on such sums as necessary for for high priority research and agriculture (including livestock) and counterbioterrorism. Authorizes research and extension activities extension initiatives under Section the food supply from bioterrorism $100 million annually in FY2003- to improve bioterrorism 1672(e) of the 1990 Act] and naturally occurring threats as a 05 for construction or renovation prevention, preparedness, and high priority research topic. [Section of bioterrorism research facilities. response. [Section 7221] 744] Expresses sense of Congress that CRS-168 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 funding for USDA agencies with biosecurity responsibilities should be increased as necessary. [Section 723, Chapter 2] L. Research related to Rural and Beginning Farmers 1. Risk management education. No comparable provision. Creates a competitive grant No provision. [Section 524(a)(3) of the Federal program to be administered by Crop Insurance Act] CSREES to enhance land grant and non-land grant education programs on risk management for beginning farmers. [Section 785] 2. Research on rural issues. [Section No comparable provision. Adds an emphasis on rural No provision. 1417 of NARETPA] economic, community, and business research to existing rural research authority. [Section 703] 3. Technology transfer for rural No comparable provision. Establishes a joint ARS- Rural No provision; conference report development. [No existing authority] Business-Cooperative Service language states that the program to make ARS and RBCS Managers expect RBCS to rural development technologies promote technology transfer to available to rural areas more rural businesses in cooperation quickly. [Section 795] with ARS, the Forest Service, and other USDA agencies. 4. Rural electronic commerce No comparable provision. Authorizes $60 million annually Adopts the Senate provision development program. [No existing in FY2002-06 for an extension (FY2003-07). [Section 6202] authority] program to help small businesses in rural areas adopt electronic commerce business practices and technologies. [Section 733] CRS-169 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 5. Beginning farmer and rancher No comparable provision. Creates a competitive grant Adopts the Senate provision and education. [No existing authority] program to help local and regional authorizes $15 million annually education, training, outreach, and through FY2007 in mandatory technical assistance organizations money (but subject to assist beginning farmers and appropriation). [Section 7405] ranchers. Authorizes $15 m. annually through FY2006 to be transferred from the U.S. Treasury to support the program. [Section 796] 6. Rural research fund. [No existing No comparable provision. Establishes a Rural Research Fund No provision. authority] account within USDA, funded by $60 million transferred from the U.S. Treasury over 4 years, to support competitive research grants on rural public policy. [Section 798] 7. Alternative Agriculture Research Extends authority for appropriations Title VI (Rural Development) of Repeals the authority for and Commercialization Revolving through 2011. the Senate-passed H.R. 2646 AARCC; any remaining funds Fund. [Section 1664(g)(1) of 1990 contains a provision to repeal the are to cover the cost of closing Act] authority for the Alternative the program and then revert to Agricultural Research and the U.S. Treasury. [Section Commercialization Corporation 6201] (AARCC) and transfer its funds to USDA to be used for research on future food production, environmental protection, and farm income. [Section 651] CRS-170 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 M. Miscellaneous Research Provisions 1. National Agricultural Research, Adds to the advisory board one Extends authority for advisory Adopts the House provision. Extension, Education, and Economic member from a non-land grant board with no changes. [Section 7209] Advisory Board. [Section 1408 of institution, and requires the Board to NARETPA] consult with the House and Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees. [Section 745] 2. ARS review. [First authorized in No comparable provision. Reauthorizes an outside review of Adopts the Senate provision and 1998 Act] the purpose, efficiency, and adds authority for a task force to effectiveness of ARS research. study and report to Congress [Section 794] whether the structure of federal NOTE: S.Rept. 107-117 indicates agricultural research should be that the earlier review was not modeled after the National carried out according to the intent Institutes of Health and the of the original language. National Science Foundation. [Section 7404] 2. Senior Scientific Research No comparable provision. Establishes a 100-member Senior Adopts Senate provision. Service. [No existing authority] Scientific Research Service [Section 7219] comprised of highly qualified scientists. Minimum GS-15 salary. [Section 750B] 3. Regulatory and inspection No comparable provision. Authorizes the Secretary to No provision. research. [No specific authority exists conduct urgent applied research to for this type of research, but such support the regulatory programs of work currently is conducted under AMS, APHIS, FSIS, and FGIS. general authority found in [Section 792] NARETPA] CRS-171 RESEARCH HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended P.L.107-171 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 COVERS 2002-2007 4. Repeal of certain activities and authorities. [Sections 615(b) and (c) of the 1998 Food safety research national No comparable provision. Adopts House provision. Act] conference and report. [Section 771] [Section 7301] [Section 617 of the 1998 Act] Reimbursement of expenses under No comparable provision. Adopts the House provision. the Sheep Promotion, Research, and [Section 7302] Information Act of 1994. [Section 772] [Section 1634 of the 1990 Act] National Genetic Resources Extends program through FY2006. Adopts Senate provision through Program. [Section 773] [Section 731] FY2007. [Section 7118] [Sections 1639 and 1640 of the 1990 National Advisory Board on No comparable provision. Adopts the House provision. Act] Agricultural Weather. [Section 774] [Section 7304] [Section 1420 of the 1985 Act] Agricultural information exchange No comparable provision. Adopts the House provision. with Ireland. [Section 775] [Section 7305] [Section 1437 of the 1985 Act] Pesticide resistance study. [Section No comparable provision. Adopts House provision. 776] [Section 7306] [Section 1438 of the 1985 Act] Expansion of education study. No comparable provision. Adopts House provision. [Section 777] [Section 7307] [Sections 1412 and 1413(c) of Support for advisory board. [Section No comparable provision. No provision. NARETPA] 778] No comparable provision. Adopts the House provision. [Research Facilities Act of 1963] Task force on 10-year strategic plan [Section 7308] for agricultural research facilities. [Section 779] CRS-172 VIII. FORESTRY FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 Primarily, provisions of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act Title VIII - Forestry Initiatives Title VIII - Forestry Title VIII - Forestry of 1978 (CFAA), P.L. 95-313 A. Forest Landowner Assistance 1. Forestry Incentives Program (FIP) 1. Repeals FIP. [Section 801] 1. Reauthorizes FIP through 2006. 1. House Provision. [Section provides cost-sharing for tree planting NOTE:FIP expires at the end of [Section 804] 8001] and other forest improvement practices. FY2002. The repeal in the House bill [Section 4, CFAA] is not needed to effectively end the program. 2. Stewardship Incentives Program 2. Repeals SIP. [Section 801] 2. No provision. 2. House Provision [Section (SIP) provides cost-sharing for a wide NOTE: SIP is permanently 8001] variety of forestry practices. [Section 6, authorized, and requires no CFAA] reauthorization 3. No provision. 3. Establishes new Forest Land 3. Establishes new Sustainable Generally follows House Enhancement Program (FLEP) to Forest Management Program to provision establishing new Forest supplant FIP and SIP, with cost- supplement FIP and SIP, with cost- Land enhancement Program to sharing for the same practices (and sharing for additional practices and supplant FIP and SIP, with cost- more) and $20 million annually in $48 million annually in mandatory sharing for the same practices mandatory spending. [Section 802] spending. (Section 806) (and More) and $100 million in NOTE: The House bill replaces NOTE: The Senate Bill adds to mandatory spending through former programs with this new existing programs. FY2007. [Section 8002] program 4. No provision. 4. No provision. 4. Establishes new Sustainable 4. No provision Forestry Cooperative Program to CRS-173 FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 assist landowners in creating cooperatives for sustainable forest management. (Section 805) B. Suburban and Community Forestry Initiative (NOTE: Existing financial and No provision. Creates new Suburban and No provision technical assistance programs to urban Community Forestry and Open areas, communities, and private Space Initiative, to conserve private nonprofit organizations are permanently forest land and working forests in authorized in Section 9 of CFAA, and suburbs and help control urban are unchanged in the House and Senate sprawl, through 50% cost share bills.) grants to states and nonprofits. Authorized at $50 million for FY2003, as needed thereafter. (Section 813) C. Watershed Forestry 1. (Many existing forestry assistance 1. No provision. 1. Creates new Watershed Forestry 1. No provision programs include activities to protect Assistance Program, for cost- watersheds, but none focuses on sharing by states for forest practices watershed protection.) to protect and enhance water quality, authorized at $20 million annually. (Section 812) 2. No provision 2. No provision. 2. No provision 2. Creates new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry Program to use forest management to improve wildlife habitat, water quality, watershed planning, et al., with up to 75% cost-share grants; authorized at $3 million for FY2002 CRS-174 FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 and $3.5 million for FY2003- FY2006. (Section 810) D. Fire Protection (NOTE: Existing financial and Creates new Enhanced Community 1. Similar to H.R. 2646. (Section 1. Generally follows House technical assistance programs to states Fire Protection program to inform and 811) provision, creating new Enhanced and to volunteer fire departments are assist landowners in wildfire Community Fire Protection permanently authorized in Section 10 of protection; authorized at $35 million program, authorized at $35 CFAA, and are unchanged in the House annually. Appears to allow federal million annually; appears to allow and Senate bills. Fire research is activities on private lands (Section federal activity on private lands authorized under the Forest and 804) [Section 8003] Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act (P.L. 95-307), and 3 fire research centers already exist.) 2. No provision. 2. Authorizes creation of 2 forest 2. No provision fire research centers. (Section 808) 3. Authorizes new hazardous fuel 3. Authorizes new hazardous fuel 3. No provision reduction grants of $5-10 per ton of reduction grants of $5-10 per ton to (both provisions dropped in hazardous fuel removed from forests operators of facilities that produce conference) to operators of facilities that produce energy from hazardous fuel energy from biomass, with removed from forests, or to persons monitoring of grant recipients and of to use or increase value of treatment effects (the latter being hazardous fuels; grant allocation limited to federal lands), authorized at based on minimizing environmental $50 million annually. (Section 921, effects and maximizing community in Title IX) benefits, with monitoring of grant recipients, and of environmental a n d e m p l o ym e n t e f f e c t s . Authorized at $50 million annually. (Section 809) CRS-175 FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 4. No provision. 4 . R e q u i r e s i n d e p e n d e n t 4. No provision. investigation of firefighter fatalities by USDA Inspector General. (Section 820) E. Forest Health Protection (NOTE: Existing forest health 1. No provision. 1. Authorizes new research, 1. No provision protection program authorizes insect monitoring, and treatment program and disease survey and control on for Sudden Oak Death Syndrome, federal lands and with consent, with an advisory committee to cooperation, and participation, on other oversee implementation; authorized lands. This is permanently authorized in at $14.25 million annually, with Section 8 of CFAA, and is unchanged allocation among activities in the House and Senate bills.) specified. (Section 819) 2. No provision. 2. Authorizes new program of 2. No provision Adaptive Ecosystem Restoration of Arizona and New Mexico Forests and Woodlands, to improve ecological health and reduce threats to forests while encouraging collaboration, by creating two ecological institutes, requiring federal cooperation, and monitoring results; annual authorization is $10 million. (Section 821) F. Forestry Research Forestry research at land grant Reaffirms the importance of forestry Identical to House version. (Section House bill [Section 8201] universities is authorized under the research under McIntire-Stennis. 802) McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962 (P.L. 87- (Section 807) CRS-176 FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 788). (NOTE: Forest Service research Note: Incorrectly cites the public law is authorized under the Forest and number as P.L.87-88. Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978, P.L. 95-307.) G. Renewable Resources (RREA) The Renewable Resources Extension Reauthorizes RREA, doubles House and Senate provisions are Generally follows House bill, Act (RREA; P.L. 95-306) authorizes authorized funding to $30 million similar, but not identical. reauthorizing RREA, doubling educational assistance in natural annually, and establishes new Reauthorizes RREA, doubles authorized funding to $30 million resources management. Sustainable Forestry Outreach authorized funding to $30 million annually, and establishing a new Initiative. (Section 803) annually, and establishes new Sustainable Forestry Outreach Sustainable Forestry Outreach Initiative. [Section 8101] Initiative. (Section 803) H. International Forestry 1. Technical forestry assistance to other 1. Effectively reauthorizes the 1. No provision. 1. No provision countries is permanently authorized International Forestry " through 2011. under Title VI of P.L. 101-513 (Foreign (Section 805) Operations Appropriations, 1991). 2. The Forest Service Office of 2. No provision 2. Reauthorizes "Office of 2. Generally follows Senate bill, International Forestry expires at end of International Forestry" through reauthorizing the Office of FY2002 under Section 2405(d) of the 2006. (Section 801) International Forestry through 1990 Farm Bill. FY2007. [Section 8102] I. Tribal Forestry 1. No provision. 1. No provision. 1. Establishes Office of Tribal 1. No Provision Relations to improve communication between tribal governments and USDA and Forest Service. (Section 817) CRS-177 FORESTRY HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW (P.L. 107-171) OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 2. No provision. 2. No provision. 2 . E s t a b l i s h e s p r o g r a m f o r 2. No Provision Assistance to Tribal Governments, to provide technical, financial, educational, and related forestry assistance; authorized funding "as needed." (Section 818) J. National Forest Management (Many programs and authorities exist. Authorizes "Long-Term Forest Authorizes 28 Long-Term Forest No provision (both bills The broadest authorization is in the Stewardship Contracts" for reducing Stewardship Contracts for reducing provisions dropped) Forest and Rangeland Renewable hazardous fuels in the national forests hazardous fuels in the Wildland- Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA; as part of timber sale contracts (i.e., Urban Interface in national forests P.L. 93-378) as amended by the authorizes goods-for-services as part of timber sale contracts, with National Forest Management Act of contracts, where the Forest Service 14 using goods-for-services 1976 (NFMA; P.L. 94-588).) can use timber to pay for fuel contracts (where the Forest Service treatment services). (Section 806) can use timber to pay for fuel treatment services) and the other 14 using separate contracts to collect woody material and to sell the timber.[Section 815] CRS-178 IX. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 A. Federal Crop Insurance Prohibition on Continuous Coverage No provision. Makes permanent the temporary Adopts Senate provision The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as prohibition on continuous coverage in [Section 10002] amended by the Agriculture Risk current law. [Section 1012] Protection Act of 2000, requires participating producers in the federal Note: CBO scored an average annual crop insurance program to select a savings of approximately $320 coverage level that is a multiple of 5, million beginning in FY2006. between the 55% and 85% level of crop yield coverage, for the 2001 through 2005 crop years. [Section 508(e)] Note: "Continuous coverage" refers to the ability of farmers to select any level of coverage between 50% of normal yield and 85% of yield. The reason farmers are not allowed to choose any level of coverage and must choose in 5% increments is because the premium subsidy structure is set in law in 5% increments. The percentage of the premium subsidized by the federal government falls as a producer selects higher levels of coverage. The continuous coverage prohibition is a federal cost-saving measure that prevents producers who would normally choose, for example, a 65% CRS-179 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 level of coverage, from dropping back to 64% coverage just to receive the higher subsidy level. Quality Loss Adjustment Procedures No provision. Requires USDA to implement the Extends Senate requirement for The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as review findings by the 2003 insurance implementation of review amended, requires USDA to contract a year. [Section 1013] findings by 2004 insurance year study reviewing the quality loss and allows certain warehouse adjustment procedures of the crop operators to make adjustments insurance program, and make for quality for the purposes of adjustments based on this review. quality loss adjustment. [Section [Section 508(m)(3)] 10003] Conservation Requirements No provision. Prohibits farmers from receiving a No provision The 1985 farm bill (P.L. 99-198) crop insurance indemnity payment prohibits any farmer from receiving when the producer grows a crop on certain federal farm payments or loans highly erodible land or a converted when the producer grows a crop on wetland. [Section 1014] either highly erodible land [Sect. 1211], or a converted wetland [Sect. 1221] Sweet Potatoes Permanently includes sweet Identical to the House provision. Adopts House and Senate The Federal Crop Insurance Act potatoes as a crop that would be [Section 1011] provision [Section 10001] prohibits farmers from receiving crop eligible for indemnity payments insurance indemnity payments once the after harvest. [Section 928 ] crop leaves the field, except for tobacco and potatoes. [Section 508(a)(2)] The FY2002 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 107-76) allows sweet potatoes to receive indemnity payments after harvest for FY2002 only. [Section 760] Specialty Crop Insurance Initiative No provision. Increases funding for research and Adopts Senate provision (with CRS-180 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as development reimbursements to $32 amendments) requiring that amended, authorizes USDA to million in FY2002 (up $22 million); USDA complete a report on reimburse private entities for the cost of $27.5 million for each of FY2003 and specialty crop insurance and research and development of new crop FY2004 (up $12.5 million in each complete the study within 180 insurance programs. Mandatory year); and $25 million for each of days. Deletes Senate provisions funding of $10 million for each of FY2005 and FY2006 (up $10 million that increased funding for FY2001 and 2002, and not more than in each year). Also increases funding specialty crop initiatives, and $15 million in FY2003 and subsequent for education and information adds sense of Congress language years is provided [Section 522(b)]. programs to $10 million in FY2003 requiring the USDA to address The act also authorizes USDA to (up $5 million); $13 million in the needs of producers through establish crop insurance education and FY2004 (up $8 million); and $15 expansion of the federal crop information programs for producers in million for each of FY2005 and insurance pilot programs, states that traditionally have a low FY2006 (up $10 million in each including revenue insurance for participation rate in the crop insurance year). Georgia pecans and coverage for program or are underserved by the Total 5-year increase for R&D continuous crops of Kansas program. Mandatory funding of $5 reimbursements is $67 million; total wheat. [Section 10005] million for FY2001 and each 4-year increase for education subsequent year is provided. [Section programs is $33 million. The 524] combined $100 million additional cost is funded through savings associated with reducing the payment limits for farm commodity support programs. Also requires USDA to complete a report by September 30, 2002 focusing on progress made by USDA in the research development of new risk management programs for specialty crop growers, small and moderate-sized farms, and underserved areas. [Section 169] Restriction of Crop Insurance No provision. Prohibits the subsidization of any No provision CRS-181 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 Payments to Previously Cropped federal crop insurance policy that Land covers a farm commodity that is No restriction in current law planted on land that has not been farmed for at least 1 of the 5 crop years prior to 2002, or 3 of the previous 10 crop years. Requirement is reduced to 1 of 20 years if the farmer has used and continues to use crop rotation practices. [Section 194(c)] Adjusted Gross Revenue Insurance No provision. Requires USDA to continue through Adopts Senate provision with an Pilot Program at least the 2004 insurance year, the amendment that expands the The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as adjusted gross revenue (AGR) pilot program for the 2003 crop amended, authorizes USDA to conduct insurance pilot program in effect for year to include at least 8 counties pilot programs to evaluate whether a the 2002 crop year. Expands the pilot in California and at least 8 new risk management program is program in 2003 to include at least 8 counties in Pennsylvania. Also suitable for the marketplace and counties in the state that produces the requires the USDA to work with addresses the needs of farmers. [Section highest quantity of specialty crops for the respective state Departments 523] which AGR insurance is currently not of Agriculture of Pennsylvania USDA currently implements an available (i.e, California). Counties and California to determine Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) pilot selected by USDA should produce a which counties are to be program which allows a farmer to significant quantity of specialty crops. included. [Section 10004] insure a percentage of historical [Section 1079D] revenue for all crops grown on the farm rather than insuring each crop separately. Study on Producer Indemnification No provision. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture Adopts Senate provision with an for Government-Caused Disasters to conduct a study of the feasability amendment to clarify that the The Federal Crop Insurance Act limits of expanding crop insurance and the study must focus on disaster covered perils under the crop insurance noninsured assistance program to conditions caused by Federal CRS-182 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 program to drought, flood, or other farmers experiencing disaster agency action restricting access natural disaster (as determined by the conditions caused primarily by a to irrigation water, including any Secretary). [Section 508(a)(1)] federal agency action. Report to be lack of access to an adequate submitted to the House and Senate supply of water caused by the Agriculture Committees within 150 failure of the Secretary of days of enactment. [Section 1085] Interior to fulfill a contract in accordance with the Central Valley Project Improvement Act. [section 10108] Risk Management Education for No provision. Allows the Secretary, (through No Provision Beginning Farmers CSREES,) to establish risk The Federal Crop Insurance Act management education programs established a "Partnership for Risk targeted to the needs of beginning Management" program within USDA's farmers and ranchers, using existing Cooperative State Research, Education available funds in Section 524 of the and Extension Service (CSREES), Federal Crop Insurance Act. [Section whereby competitive grants are made to 785] qualified public and private entities to educate farmers about various available strategies to manage farm financial risk. Annual mandatory funding of $5 million is authorized. [Section 524(a)(3)] B. Noninsured Assistance Sea Grass and Sea Oats Specifically includes sea grass and No provision. Adopts the House Provision The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-624) sea oats as an eligible crop under [Section 10101] makes eligible for the noninsured the noninsured assistance program. assistance program all crops that are not [Section 929] eligible for federal crop insurance CRS-183 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 coverage, and certain specific crops. [Section 196(a)(2)] C. Emergency Crop Disaster and Income Loss Assistance a. Crop Disaster Payments. Various No provision. a. Authorizes the Secretary of No Provision emergency supplemental acts in recent Agriculture to use $1.8 billion in years have provided ad hoc direct Commodity Credit Corporation payments to crop producers to (CCC) funds for payments to compensate them for major production producers who experienced losses to losses caused by natural disasters. the 2001 crop caused by natural Most recently, the FY2001 agriculture disasters. Payments are to be made in appropriations act (P.L. 106-387) the same manner as for 2000 losses. provided such sums as are necessary for Secretary has discretion to use some disaster payments for 2000 crop year of the funds to reimburse farmers for losses. [Section 815] income losses not caused by a natural disaster. [Section 191] Transfers $50 million from the U.S. Treasury to USDA to pay salaries and expenses of administering emergency crop and livestock programs. [Section 195] All funds made available for these programs carry an emergency designation, and therefore do not count toward the budget limitations placed on new farm bill spending. [Section 197] CRS-184 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 D. Market Loss Assistance a. Extension of Deadlines for Market Loss Assistance Payments No Provision a. Allows USDA to make payments a. Adopts Senate provision and Various emergency supplemental to persons eligible to receive extends similar privileges to funding laws enacted since 1998 have assistance under P.L. 107-25 who did eligible producers under all provided direct payments to growers of not receive payments or assistance previous market loss assistance specific commodities to compensate prior to October 1, 2001, Specifies programs who did not receive them for low market prices. Most that the amount of payment or payment by the respective recently P.L.107-25 provided $5.5 assistance cannot exceed that which deadline date. [Section 1617] billion in market loss assistance with a the person would have been eligible payment deadlines of September 30, to receive under the law. [Section 2001] 175] b. Apple and Onion Income Loss No Provision b. Provides $100 million in CCC b. Provides $94 million to apple Assistance funds to make payments to apple growers for 2000 crop year FY2002 agriculture appropriations producers for the loss of markets losses [Section 10105} (P.L.107-76) made $75 million curing the 2000 crop year. [Section Also provides $10 million as a available exclusively to apple producers 193] grant to the state of New York to for their loss of markets for their 2000 be used to support current onion crop. producers in Orange county, New York who suffered losses to onion crops during one or more of the 1996-2000 years. [Section 10106] E. Livestock Assistance 1. Emergency Livestock Assistance a. Various emergency supplemental acts a. Permanently authorizes livestock a. Requires the Secretary of a. Adopts House Provision in recent years have authorized ad hoc assistance, subject to annual Agriculture to implement a program [Section 10104] assistance for livestock farmers when appropriations, and at discretion of to provide feed assistance to livestock on-farm feed or forage is damaged or the Secretary of Agriculture. Such producers affected by disasters, CRS-185 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 destroyed by a natural disaster assistance would include indemnity subject to annual appropriations. For (Livestock Assistance Program) or to payments for livestock mortality FY2003 through FY2008, $500 replenish herds when a natural disaster losses, livestock feed assistance, million is authorized to be causes widespread livestock mortality compensation for sudden increases appropriated. [Section 168] (Livestock Indemnity Program). in production costs, and other assistance as deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Agriculture. [Section 931] b. Programs are generally funded b. No provision. b. Requires the Secretary to use $500 b. No provision through the borrowing authority of million of Commodity Credit USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation funds to make payments Corporation. Most recent authority was for livestock losses in 2001 in a granted for calendar year 2000 livestock county that has received emergency losses in emergency provisions designation by the President or included within the FY2001 agriculture Secretary after January 1, 2001. Of appropriations act (P.L. 106-387) this amount, $12 million is for the [Section 806] American Indian Livestock Program. All 2001 livestock assistance is to be administered the same as that provided for 2000 losses by the FY2001 agriculture appropriations act. The CCC funding is given an emergency designation and therefore does not count toward the spending limitations on the 2002 farm bill [Section 192 and 197] 2. Lambs for Afghanistan No provision. Authorizes a pilot emergency relief Amends Senate provision to program to provide live lamb to require a feasibility report by the Afghanistan and requires USDA to USDA on U.S. food aid CRS-186 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 submit a report by January 1, 2004. programs. [Section 3207 (Trade [Section 309] title)] F. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Assistance The 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624) gave No provision. In c r e a s e s t h e a u t h o r i t y f o r Eliminates the current law $20 permanent authority to the Secretary of appropriations to $40 million for million authorization limitation, Agriculture to disburse up to $20 FY2002 through FY2006. No effectively authorizing such a million in grants (subject to annual authority for appropriations beyond sums as are necessary, subject to appropriations) to public agencies or FY2006. [Section 1061] appropriations. [Section 10102] private tax-exempt organizations that have experience providing emergency services to low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers. [Section 2281] Note: To date, one appropriation has been made to the program, in an emergency supplemental act in FY1999 (P.L. 106-31). G. Tree Assistance and Caneberries 1. Tree Assistance Program: a. Implemented on an ad hoc basis, a. Authorizes a program of a. Same as House bill, except that it a. Adopts House provision with usually under temporary authority given assistance to growers who planted contains an authorization for amendment that person may not in various emergency supplemental acts trees, vines and bushes for appropriations for fiscal years 2002- receive payments on more than over the years. commercial purposes and suffered 2006. [Title X, Subtitle D, Section 500 acres and adds "lightning" to NOTE: Program implemented in 1998 losses as a result of a natural 1062] the definition of natural disaster. Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. disaster. Assistance would consist [Section 10205] 105-174) reimbursed tree and vine of reimbursement of 75% of the owners up to 100% of the cost of cost of replanting trees lost in replanting when owners suffer 20% or excess of 15 % mortality (adjusted greater loss (adjusted for normal for normal mortality), or sufficient mortality). seedlings to reestablish the stand. CRS-187 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 [Title IX, Subtitle A, Sections 901- 902, 904] b. House provision with b. Payment limit of $25,000 per b. Payments may not exceed amendment setting payments eligible tree and vine owner. Excludes b. Payments may not exceed $100,000 to each grower or an limit of $75,000 [Section 10204] assistance to owners earning more than $50,000 for each grower, or an equivalent value in tree seedlings. No $2.5 million gross annual revenue in the equivalent value in tree seedlings. requirement on amount of gross tax year preceding the year when the No requirement on amount of gross annual revenue or acreage. [Title X, losses occurred. [See note above] annual revenue, but grower must Subtitle D, Section 1062] own 500 acres or less of commercial trees. [Title IX, Subtitle A, Section 903(a)] Amends the Agricultural Marketing No provision. Senate Provision [Subtitle G, 2. Caneberries Marketing Order: Agreement Act of 1937 to authorize Section 10601] No provision a marketing order for caneberries (including raspberries, blackberries, and logenberries). Not applicable to canned and frozen caneberries unless approved by processors. Provides for research and market promotion, including paid advertising. Imports of caneberries must comply with the market order restrictions as domestic caneberries [Title IX, Section 925] H. Energy Miscellaneous laws and regulations (see Various titles Title IX - Energy, and other sections Ti tle IX, Energy and ot her below) sections CRS-188 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 1. Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Bioenergy Program Under the Bioenergy Program, CCC A n i m a l f a t s , a gr i c u l t u r a l No Provision. Program is extended and may grant payments to ethanol and byproducts, and oils are added to expanded. Mandatory spending bioproducers who expand their the list of allowable commodities. Note: S. 1731 expresses the sense of of up to $150 million is provided production capacity. Payments intended [Section 922] the Congress that the Bioenergy annually for FY2003-2006. CBO to help cover the purchase cost of the Program should be continued and estimates $204 million total will additional commodities necessary for expanded. In addition, the section be authorized between FY2002 that ex pansion. All o w able states that expanded ethanol and and FY2003. commodities include crops such as biodiesel production will be needed to [Section 9010] barley, corn, soybeans, and wheat, as phase out methyl tertiary butyl ether well as cellulosic crops such as (MTBE) -- a common additive in switchgrass and short rotation trees. gasoline that has contaminated [7 CFR 1424] groundwater in several states.[Section Note: This program was scheduled to 907] S.Amdt. 2676, and S.Amdt. expire at the end of 2002. 2678, substitutes, add the House language to the Senate bill. [Sec 921] 2. Renewable Energy on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Lands The Farm Security Act of 1985 created Amends the Act to allow the use of Amends the act to allow the use of Similar to House Provision the Conservation Reserve Program (16 CRP land for wind energy CRP land for wind energy generation [Section 2101] U.S.C. 3830 et. seq.) To assist and generation and biomass harvesting (with reduced payments). encourage farmers and ranchers to for energy production (with reduced [Section 212(h)] conserve and enhance soil and other payments). resources [Section 213] [Section 3832(a)(7)(A)] CRS-189 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 3. Emergency Loans to Respond to Sharply Increasing Energy Costs The Consolidated Farm and Rural Amends the Act to allow loans in No provision. No Provision Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1969) response to economic emergencies, provide for emergency loans for natural which are defined to include disasters. sharply increasing energy costs. [Section 329] [Section 501] 4. Grants to Reduce Hazardous Forest Fuels for Energy Production The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Creates a new section of the code Similar to the House provision, but No Provision Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et. seq) which authorizes the Secretary of amends the Cooperative Forestry provides for technical and financial Agriculture to provide grants to Assistance Act to add a section on assistance for rural fire control. There energy producers who purchase hazardous fuels reductions instead of are no provisions for biomass reduction biomass that poses a wildfire hazard establishing a new section of the grants.[P.L. 95-313] for the production of electric power, code.[Section 809] useful heat, or transportation fuels. Authorizes $50 million each fiscal year.[Section 921] 5. Clean Energy Under the current law, the Consolidated General sections amend various Several sections amend various laws Adds new sections (see below) Farm and Rural Development Act laws (see below) (see below).CFRDA is amended to (CFRDA) (7 U.S.C. 1921 et. seq.), add a Subtitle L (3 chapters) on there are no provisions for clean energy. "Clean Energy" that establishes [P.L. 87-128] programs on biobased products, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and carbon sequestration. [Section 902] CRS-190 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 6. Clean Energy - Chapter 1: Biobased Product Development a. No provision for biobased products 1. No provision a. Requires the Secretary of Similar to Senate provision but under CFRDA. Agriculture to publish a list of products are not required to be biobased products that are environmentally preferable,. environmentally preferable (defined Mandatory spending of $1 as a having a reduced effect on human million is provided for each of health and the environment compared fiscal years 2002-2007. with competing products). Federal [Section 9002] agencies are required to purchase environmentally preferable biobased products, if available. For FY2002 through FY2006, mandatory spending is increased by $2 million per year, to remain available until expended. [Section 388B] b. No provision for biorefineries under b. There is no provision for b. Establishes a new grant program to Similar to Senate provision, but CFRDA. biorefineries. However, the bill assist in the development and no mandatory spending is amends the Agricultural Research, construction of biorefineries, defined authorized [Section 9003] Extension, Education, and Reform as facilities that convert biomass into Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 7624) to fuels and chemicals. For FY2002 extend authority to provide grants through FY2006, mandatory spending for pilot projects on biobased is increased by $15 million per year, product development. Authority, to remain available until expended. which expired at the end of [Section 388C] FY2001, is extended to FY2011. Also, Section 379 of the Act is [Section 725] amended to give priority to bioenergy and biochemical projects for grants.[Section 644] CRS-191 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 c. No provision for Biodiesel fuel c. No provision. c. Establishes a new program to Similar to Senate provision, but under CFRDA. provide grants to nonprofit only $1 million in annual organizations that educate fleet mandatory spending is provided operators and the public about the for fisca l ye ars 2003- benefits of biodiesel. For FY2002 2007.[Section 6013] through FY2006, $5 million annually is authorized to remain available until expended. [Section 388D] 7. Clean Energy - Chapter 2: Renewable Energy Development and Energy Efficiency a. CFRDA allows loans and loan a. Amends Section 30 of the Act to a. Establishes a new program to Similar to House provision. No guarantees for the installation of solar allow loans and loan guarantees for assist farmers, ranchers, and rural new budget authority granted. energy systems. renewable energy systems. No new business ventures in the establishment [Section 6013] [Section 30] budget authority is granted. or expansion of electrical facilities [Section 606] powered by renewable energy. For FY2002 through FY2006, mandatory spending is increased by $16 million, to remain available until expended. [Section 388E] b. No provision for energy audits under b. No provision b. Establishes a new program to Similar to Senate provision, CFRDA. provide grants to entities that assist except that no mandatory farmers, ranchers, and rural small spending authorized. businesses in performing audits to [Section 9005] identify potential for improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy. For FY2002 through FY2006, mandatory spending is increased by $15 annually, to CRS-192 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 remain available until expended. [Section 388F] c. No provision for energy systems c. No provision. c. Establishes new a system of grants Similar to Senate except that under CFRDA. and loans to farmers, ranchers, and energy efficiency improvements rural small businesses for the also are eligible, and the purchase of renewable energy Secretary of Agriculture is given systems. Recipients must have sales authority to define a "small less than $1 million per year. For business" and $23 million in FY2002 through FY2006, mandatory mandatory spending is provided spending is increased by $33 million annually for fiscal years 2003- per year, to remain available until 2007. [Section 9006] expended. [Section 388G] d. No provision for hydrogen and fuel d. No provision. d. Establishes a new grant program d. Requires the Departments of cells under CFRDA. for cooperative research on hydrogen Agriculture and Energy to and fuel cell technologies for use in cooperate on research into farm farm, ranch, and rural applications. and rural applications of For FY2002 through FY2006, hydrogen fuel and fuel cell mandatory spending is increased by technologies. No new budget $5 million annually, to remain authority or funding is provided available until expended. [Section for this. [Section 9007] 388H] e. No provision for technical assistance e. Amends the Food Security Act e. Establishes a new program e. No Provision to support energy development under of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) to providing technical assistance for CFRDA. allow the Secretary to provide farmers and ranchers to develop education and technical assistance renewable energy resources. The to farmers and ranchers to develop Secretary may retain up to 4% of the and market renewable energy funds in the above areas to assist resources. No new budget authority farmers and ranchers in developing is created. and marketing renewable energy. CRS-193 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 [Section 942] [Section 388I] 8. Clean Energy - Chapter 3: Carbon Sequestration Research, Development and Demonstration Program a. No provision for carbon a. Amends the Agricultural Risk a. Authorizes new funding for basic a. Similar to House provision sequestration research under CFRDA. Protection Act of 2000 (P.L. 106- and applied carbon sequestration except authorization is through Note: Other USDA programs including 224, Section 211) to extend the research, conducted either by the 2007. No new mandatory its general research authority provide authorization of the Carbon Cycle Secretary of Agriculture, or by other funding is provided. [Section for some similar research. Research Program, which provides entities funded through competitive 9009] grants to land grant universities for grants. The research goals include the carbon cycle research. study of net sequestration of carbon Authorization is extended through by soils and plants, and the net 2011 (originally a one-time greenhouse gas emissions from authorization of $15 million). agriculture. $25 million is authorized [Section 751] annually for FY2002 through FY2006. S.Amdt. 2546 added state forestry agencies to the list of eligible entities. [Section 388J] b. Carbon Sequestration Projects. No provision. b. No provision. b. Authorizes projects, administered b. No provision by the Secretary, to demonstrate the ability to monitor and verify carbon sequestration, and to educate farmers and ranchers about the economic and environmental benefits of conservation practices that increase sequestration. $10 million is authorized each year for FY2002 through FY2006. [Section 388K] CRS-194 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 9. Biomass Research and Development Th e Bi om as s R e s e a r c h a n d Extends authority for the program Amends the Act to provide for Similar to Senate version except Development Act of 2000 provides through FY2011; adds animal additional funding of $15 million authority is through FY2007 and competitive funding for R&D projects byproducts to the definition of each year for FY2002 through mandatory funding is set at $5 on biofuels and other biobased "biomass"; and adds a livestock FY2006, to remain available until million for FY2002 and $14 chemicals and products, administered trade association representative to expended. Program authority is million annually thereafter by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Technical Advisory Board. extended by one year, to September through FY2007. Additional $49 Energy. $49 million per year is Authorized appropriations will 30, 2006.[Section 903] million annually in discretionary authorized for FY2002 through increase from zero to $49 million in (Note: Congress provided $15 million funding is also authorized for FY2005. The authority for the program each of FY2006 through FY2011. for this initiative in FY2002. Total FY2002-2007. [Section 9008] expires December 31, 2005. [Section 746] funding would remain at $15 million [P.L. 106-244, Title III] per year, but would be mandatory.) 10. Renewable Energy Projects The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 Amends the Act to allow loan Amends the Act to establish a loan No provision authorizes the Rural Utilities Service, guarantees for the purchase of and grant program for renewable which provides credit assistance to renewable energy systems by energy projects at rural electric build and operate electric generating farmers, ranchers and rural small utilities and cooperatives. Grants facilities, wholesale transmission businesses. [Section 605] may cover up to 75% of an economic equipment, and local distribution lines. feasibility study or for technical The Secretary of Agriculture is assistance on a project. Loans, at 4% authorized to provide loans and grants interest, may be used to cover a to improve electricity supply in rural percentage (to be determined by the areas. Currently, there are no Secretary) of the project cost. For provisions for renewable energy. FY2002 through FY2006, $9 million [7 U.S.C. 901 et. seq.] per year in mandatory spending is provided, to remain available until expended. [Section 904] CRS-195 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 11. Carbon Sequestration Demonstration Program The Agricultural Research, Extension, No provision. Amends the Act (adding Section 409) No provision and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize $20 million each year for establishes an account in the Treasury FY2002 through FY2006 to establish to be used by the Secretary of projects that can show demonstrable Agriculture for matching grants to reductions in net greenhouse gas address critical emerging agricultural emissions or increases in carbon issues.[P.L. 105-185] sequestration by soils and forests.[Section 905] 12. Mandatory Spending Increases for Energy Provisions Not relevant. None. $110 million/year; $550 million total $405 million total for FY2002- (CBO estimate) 2007 (CBO estimate) I. Anti-trust and Competition 1. Competition Task Force and GIPSA Resources. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture No provision a. No Provision a. Interagency Task Force on to set up an Interagency Task Force (NOTE: An earlier version of the Agricultural Competition. on Agricultural Competition Senate farm bill (S. 1628) contained a No provision comprised of nine employees from Competition title that was struck USDA and the Department of during committee markup.) Justice. The Task Force is directed to conduct heari ngs into competition issues in agriculture and submit a report on findings and recommendations for administrative and legislative action. [Section 937] CRS-196 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 b. GIPSA Staffing. No provision b. Authorizes appropriations to b. No provision b. No Provision enhance the capability of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) to review competition in the meatpacking industry and hire litigation attorneys. [Section 938] 2. Meat Packer Concentration a. Section 202 of the Packers and a. No provision a. Prohibits packers from owning, a. No Provision Stockyards Act of 1921] feeding, or controlling livestock (to No provision the extent that the producer no longer is "materially participating in the production of livestock) for more than 14 days prior to slaughter. Exempts cooperatives or entities owned by a cooperatives and small (less than 2% of livestock slaughtered) producer packers owned by producers from this prohibition. Requires packers who own, feed or control livestock on the date of enactment to be in compliance within 18 months for hog packers and 180 days for all other livestock (e.g., cattle, sheep horses, mules and goats) intended for slaughter. [Section 1043] Note: adopted during Senate floor debate. b. GIPSA and Livestock Production No Provision b. Extends GIPSA authority to b. Senate provisions amended to Contract (Sections 202,203, 204, 205 include livestock production include only swine production of Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921) contracts. [Section 1044] contracts. [Section 10502] CRS-197 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 - currently GIPSA protects broiler farmers growing under contract and livestock producers selling directly to packers; no authority over livestock producers growing under contract. c. Arbitration Clauses.( Packers and No provision c. Adds a new section 413A to c. No Provision Stockyards Act of 1921) Packers and Stockyards Act that No provision removes mandatory arbitration clauses from livestock contracts and allows for dispute settlement through other legal means in addition to arbitration. [Section 1046] (Note: Offered as a floor amendment by Senators Feingold, Grassley, and Harkin and adopted) d. Confidentiality Clauses (Packers No Provision d. Amends PSA to add new section d. Senate provision amended to and Stockyards Act of 1921) 417 that allows contract producers to apply provision to contracts No provision discuss contracts with advisors and entered into, amended, renewed, enforcement agencies even if the or extended after enactment of contract contains a confidentiality this Act. [Section 10503] agreement. [Section 1044] ANIMAL WELFARE (Subtitle D) J. Animal Transport, Inspection and Health 1. Definitions under the Animal Health Protection Act Current animal health-related statutes No Provisions Adds new definitions for: animal, Senate Provisions [Section define `animal', `interstate', Secretary, article, disease, enter, export, facility, 10403] and `United States' [Animal Health import, Indian Tribe, interstate CRS-198 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 Protection Act (21 USC§134)]. commerce, livestock, means of conveyance, move, pest, and State. [Sec. 1023]. [Note: Similar definitions are found in 7USC§7702 from the Plant Protection Act, P.L. 106-224, §403 , 114 STAT 438-440.] 2. Mailing Poultry and Other No provision Removes expiration date on surcharge Senate provision amended to Animals authority. [Section 1060] include honeybees. [Section Section 651 of the FY2002 Agricultural 10501] Appropriations law (P.L. 107-67) authorized the Postal Service to (1) require airlines to accept certain animals (including day-old chicks) as mail, and (2) assess a surcharge to shippers to cover additional costs of shipping animals. The surcharge authority expires June 30, 2002. 3. Other Animal Movement a. Importation. Authorizes the No Provisions. a. Consolidates current authorities on a. Senate provisions [Section President to suspend animal animal importation. Among other 10404] importations to protect U.S. animals things, authorizes the Secretary to from infectious contagious animal prohibit or regulate the importation of diseases (Section 101 of Title 21). any animal, transport vehicles or Gives the Secretary a variety of facilities if this is needed to prevent authorities to prevent the dissemination entry or dissemination of a pest or of a disease into the United States ((21 disease into the United States. USC §102, §103, and (§§105 and Applies similar restrictions to animals CRS-199 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 134a.). that have strayed into the United States, and permits the Secretary to order the destruction, disinfection or removal of animals and other property to prevent disease [Section 1024]. [Note: Similar authorities are found 7USC §7714 for Plant Protection Authorities.] b. Exportation. Authorizes the b. No provisions. b. Gives Secretary new authority to b. Senate Provisions [Section Secretary to adopt measures and issue recover costs from owners for failures 10405] regulations to prevent the exportation of to comply and to regulate exportation. diseased livestock and poultry (21 USC Consolidates and keeps current §§113,120,134b and §§612-614.) authorities. [Section 1025]. c Interstate Movement. Broadly c. No Provisions. c. Consolidates current authorities. c. Senate Provisions [Section authorizes the Secretary to regulate and [Section 1026]. 10406] to adopt measures to prevent the transport or movement of diseased or quarantined livestock and poultry within the United States. (21 USC§§120, 125-128, 134a) d. Animal Enterprise Terrorism d. No provision d. New provision making it unlawful d. No provision No provision for a person to travel in interstate or foreign commerce or use or cause to be used the mail or any facility for the purpose of causing physical disruption of the functioning on an CRS-200 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 animal enterprise, or to intentionally damage or cause loss of property used by an animal enterprise. Establishes penalties for such violations. [Section 1058] 4. Seizure, Quarantine, and Disposal. a. Adds new authorities allowing the a. Senate Proposal [Section a Several sections of Title 21 give the No Provisions. Secretary to `hold', `treat' or 10407] Secretary broad authorities to prevent `destroy' animals, articles and means the spread of contagious infectious of conveyance (from imports or in diseases within the United States. (see interstate commerce), if these are 21USC§§ 111, 113, 123, 134(a) and affected by or have been exposed to a 134a(b)]. pest or a disease and in connections to an extraordinary emergency. Current emergency authorities to seize, quarantine, and dispose of animals or regulated items are consolidated and kept. [Section 1027]. b. No provisions. b. No Provisions. b. Makes final compensation payment b. Senate provisions [Section not subject to judicial review (Section 10407(d)(2)(C)] 1027). [Note: similar language is found in 7USC§7715 for Plant Protection Authorities.] c. Gives new authorities to the c. Inspection, Seizures, and Warrants. No provisions. Secretary to stop and inspect, on c. Senate Provisions [Section Authorizes the Secretary to inspect, probable cause, persons or means of 10408] CRS-201 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 without a warrant all persons or means conveyance coming from quarantined of conveyance entering the United areas in intrastate commerce. Retains States for prevention of introduction or current authorities for warrantless dissemination of any communicable inspections of persons or means of animal disease (7USC§134d ). The conveyance in international and Secretary has similar authorities in interstate commerce and authorities to interstate commerce when, on probable inspect premises with a warrant, but cause, there is a need to determine adds allowance for said warrant to be whether persons or means of executed by a U.S. marshal. [Section conveyance are carrying infected or 1028]. exposed animals, products, or regulated (Note: Similar authorities are found in articles. The statute also authorizes the 7USC§7731 for Plant Protection.) inspection of premises, and seizures (on probable cause and with a court warrant) to prevent the introduction or dissemination of an animal disease. Needed warrants may be executed by USDA officials. d. Detection, Control, and Eradication d. No Provisions. d. Authorizes the Secretary to carry d. Senate Provisions [Section of Diseases and Pests. out activities to detect, control, or 10409] No similar authorities eradicate any pest and disease of livestock (including the drawing of blood and diagnostic testing of animals), including animals at a slaughterhouse, stockyards, or any other point of concentration. The measure also authorizes the payment of claims arising from the destruction of animals, articles or means of conveyance. [Section 1029]. CRS-202 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 5. Veterinary Accreditation Program. No Provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to establish Senate Provision [Section No similar authorities exist. Current a veterinary accreditation program, 10410] veterinary accreditation program is which would include the voluntary. establishment of standards of conduct for veterinary practitioners. [Section 1030]. 6. Cooperation. (a) Several sections of Title 21 give the No Provisions. a. Keeps and consolidates present Senate Provision [Section Secretary broad authorities to cooperate authorities.[Section 1031] 10411] with other agencies, States, foreign governments, and organizations to carry out provisions related to animal health statutes, provided that the cooperating entity is authorized. (See 21USC§114, 114b, 114d-1, and 7USC§429). (b) Current law authorizes USDA to b. No Provision b. Retains the screwworms program b. Senate Provision [Section produce and sell sterile screwworms to as currently authorized, except that its 10411(c).] foreign countries or international proceeds are to be deposited directly organizations, with the proceeds going to the account from which the into the U.S. Treasury, and credited to operating expenses have been paid the appropriation from which the and not to the program's yearly operating expenses of the facility appropriation. [Section 1031]. producing the screwworms had been paid. (21USC§114d). 7. Consultations with Heads of No Provisions. Directs the Secretary to consult with Senate Provisions [Section Federal Agencies. the heads of a Federal agencies with 104119(d)] No similar authorities exist related to respect to any activity that is under CRS-203 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 animal health laws. their jurisdiction. The new provision also appoints USDA as lead agency with respect issues related to pests and diseases of livestock. [Section 1031]. 8. Reimbursable Agreements. The Secretary is currently authorized to No Provisions. Keeps current authorities, but adds a Senate Provisions [Section enter into reimbursable fee agreements new subsection for late payment 10412] with persons at locations outside of the penalties, including the payment of United States to run animal and plant interest as currently required under health importation preclearance 31USC§3717 on Interest and programs. (7USC§2260a). Statute also Penalties on Claims [Section1032]. authorizes the Secretary to pay USDA employees for: (1) performing inspection or quarantine services relating to imports and exports; (2) paying for all overtime, night, or holiday work performed; and (3) requiring reimbursements from the person for whom the services are performed. (7USC §2260). 9. Administration and Claims. No provisions. Adds new authorities for the Senate Provisions [Section No similar authorities exist related to Secretary to acquire and maintain real 10413] animal health laws. or personal property, employ a person, and make grants, contracts, or agreements to carry out this Act. In addition, the Secretary acquires new authority to pay tort claims outside of the United States, as authorized by applicable statutes. [Section 1033] CRS-204 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 10. Penalties. a. Current law establishes criminal No Provisions. Streamlines criminal and civil Senate Provisions [Section penalties of fines and/or up to one year penalties for violations of animal 10414] of imprisonment, and also civil health statutes. Provides for new civil penalties of up to $1000 for violations penalties, and fines. Provides new animal importation regulations authority for the Secretary to suspend (21USC§104). Section 21USC§117 or revoke accreditation to any establishes penalties for knowingly veterinarian that violates the Act. transporting diseased livestock or The Secretary may also summarily poultry in violation of law with:(1) suspend an accreditation if there is criminal penalties that make it a reason to believe that the statutes misdemeanor punishable by up to have been violated. A prompt post- $5,000 fines or imprisonment, or both suspension hearing is mandated in to; and (2) civil penalties of fines up to such cases [Section 1034]. $1,000 after a notice and the (Note: Identical authorities are found opportunity for a hearing on record. in 7USC§7734 for Plant Protection Orders for penalties shall be treated as Authorities.) a final, and are reviewable under 28USC§158. (Similar civil and criminal penalties are established by in Title 21 sections 122, 127, and 134b). 11. Regulations and Orders. Currently several statutes authorize the No Provisions. Consolidates the Secretary's broad Senate provisions. Section Secretary to issue regulations necessary authority to promulgate regulations, 10416] to carry out animal health law and issue orders, as necessary to carry provisions for export, transport, out animal health statutes. [Section certification, inspection, disinfection of 1036]. livestock and poultry. (21USC§§ 111, 120, 125 and 134f). CRS-205 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 K. Plant Protection New Penalties for Violations of the No Provisions. Amends §424 of the Plant Protection Senate provision [Section Plant Protection Act Act (7USC§7734): (1) by replacing 10810] criminal penalties provisions with a new subsection which describes criminal penalties for major violations (e.g., multiple violations or for violations with the intent to harm agriculture in the United States), and for other violations; and (2) by adding a subsection to allow for forfeiture in criminal and civil cases and for the establishment of appropriate procedures. [Section 1068]. L. Pseudorabies Eradication Section 2506(d) of the Food, No Provisions Extends the pseudorabies eradication House provision with extension Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade program authority until FY2006. of authority through FY2007. Act of 1990 authorized the [Section 1059]. [Section 10505] pseudorabies eradication program until 1995. Later, section 916 of Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 amended the statute (21USC §114i) to extend the program through 2002. M. Preclearance Quarantine Inspections for Hawaii No Provisions No Provisions Orders the Secretary to conduct Senate Provision with $3 million preclearance inspections for of FY2003 appropriations CRS-206 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 departures out of Hawaii and destined [Section 10811] to the continental United States or its territories, provided that no less than $3 million in FY2002 appropriations be made available for an act different that P.L. 107-76 (Agriculture appropriations for FY2002). [Section 1063]. N. Non-Ambulatory Farm Animals No similar provision for unlawful Adds a new section to Title III of Same as House [Section 1045]. Dropped House and Senate practices PSA that introduces new provisions instead adopting a (Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) of definitions, unlawful practices, and requirement that the Secretary 1921) exceptions, as follows: investigate and issue a report to `Humanely euthanized' is defined Congress on practices involving to mean to kill an animal by non-ambulatory livestock, and mechanical, chemical, or other authorizing the issuance of means that immediately render the regulations based on the findings animal unconscious, with this state of the report, if the Secretary remaining until the animal's death," determines this is necessary. "Non-ambulatory Livestock" means [Section 10815] any livestock that is unable to stand and walk unassisted. Makes it unlawful under Section 312 of the PSA (1) for any stockyard owner, market agency, or dealer to buy, sell, give, receive, transfer, market, hold, or drag any non-ambulatory livestock unless the non-ambulatory livestock has been CRS-207 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 humanely euthanized. Non-GIPSA farms, or cases in which non- ambulatory livestock receive veterinary care intended to render the livestock ambulatory animals are excepted. Requires the issuance of new regulations. [Section 945]. O. Animal Welfare Act (nonfarm animals) 1. Care and Treatment standards for dogs. No Provisions Amends the Animal Welfare Act No Provision No provisions ordering the Secretary to include minimum standard requirements: (1) for the socialization of dogs intended for sale as pets; and (2) for addressing the initiation and frequency of breeding of female dogs, in the Secretary's promulgation of standards to govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals by dealers, research facilities, and exhibitors. [Section 1049]. 2. Birds, Rats, and Mice a. Definition for `animal' in the Animal No Provisions. a. Excepts birds, rats and mice used a. Senate Provisions [Section Welfare Act. The Animal Welfare Act for research from protection under the 10304] sets minimum standards of animal care Animal Welfare Act (AWA) by for experimental laboratories, animal amending the definition of "animal" dealers, and others. In 1970, the AWA in Section 26 of the Animal Welfare was amended to protect "warm- Act [7USC§2156 2(g)]. The CRS-208 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 blooded animals" used in research but provision codifies current regulations, gave the Secretary the authority to which specifically exclude birds, rats determine AWA's applicability to and mice for research use from animals not specifically mentioned in protection under this Act (see the Act. Current regulations specifically 9CFR§1.1). [Section 1051]. exclude birds, rats and mice for research use from protection under this Act (see 9CFR§1.1). On September 28, 2000 USDA reached an out of court settlement with the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation to begin a rulemaking process on the regulation of birds, rats and mice under AWA. However, Agriculture Appropriations Acts for FY 2001 and for FY2002 have prohibited the use of appropriated funds to carry out the rulemaking process (see P.L. 106-387 §772, and P.L. 107-76 §732). b. Report No provisions. b. Requires from the Secretary of b. Senate Provisions [section Agriculture a report, completed by the 10304] Comptroller General within one year, on the implications of including birds, rats, and mice within Animal Welfare Act the definition of an animal. The report must contain descriptions and estimates of costs, regulatory appraisals, and current enforcement funding. [Section 1083]. CRS-209 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 3. Animal Fighting Ventures and Cockfighting Imposes fines of not more than $5,000 Amends Section 26(e) of AWA by Same as House [Section1052]. House version with "special or imprisonment for not more than 1 increasing fines to not more that rule" for states where fighting is year, or both, for each violation $15,000 and imprisonment to no legal. [Section 10302 (Section 26 (e) of the Animal Welfare more than 2 years, or both, for each Act, as amended by Section 17 of the violation. [Section 940(a)(1)]. Animal Welfare Amendments Act of Adds phrase "or from any State into 1976) a foreign country" to the statute's Defines `Interstate or Foreign `interstate or foreign commerce' Commence' as: (A) any movement definition. [Section 940(a)(2)]. between any place in a State to any place in another State or between places in the same State through another State; or (B) any movement from a foreign country into any State. (Section 26(g)(2)) 4. Interstate Movement of Animals for Animal Fighting: Currently, interstate movement of Amends Section 26(d) of the Same as House [Section 1053]. House provision [Section 10301] animals for fighting is legal to states Animal Welfare Act to prohibit the where fighting is allowed. Section interstate movement of animals for 26(d) of the Animal Welfare Act, as fighting. Section 26(d) would read amended, reads as follows: "(d) Not as follows: "(d) Activities Not withstanding the provisions of Subject to Prohibition- This section subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, does not apply to the selling, the activities prohibited by such buying, transporting, or delivery of subsection shall be unlawful with an animal in interstate or foreign CRS-210 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 respect to fighting ventures involving commerce for any purpose, so long live birds only if the fight is to take as the purpose does not include place in a State where it would be in participation of the animal in an violation of the laws thereof." (7USC§ animal fighting venture." [Section 2156(d)). 941(a)]. 5. Humane Methods for Animal Free standing provision expresses Similar to House bill, except that also Adopts both House and Senate Slaughter sense of Congress that USDA calls for resuming the tracking and provisions. [Section 10305] Humane Methods Slaughter Act of should fully enforce the Humane reporting of Act violations to 1958. Methods Slaughter Act of 1958 Congress. [Section 1067]. (7USC§§1901 et seq.) [Section 939]. P. Genetically Engineered Products Report on Genetically Engineered Food Authorizes $0.5 million for a Sense of the Senate Resolution for the Sense of the Congress that the (GEF) and Genetically Engineered Pest National Academy of Sciences Secretary to submit a report on Secretary review National Protected Plants report on GEF regulations, safety genetically engineered pest-protected Research Council and monitoring. [Section 933]. plants. Authorizes appropriations of recommendations and submit a $10 million from FY2002 and sums report on this to the Congress. as necessary for other fiscal years. [Section 7410] [Section 1083] Public Education of GEF Authorizes a USDA program to No provision No provision. educate the public about GEF. [Section 935]. CRS-211 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 Q. Pesticides and School Pesticide Management Plans 1. Fee collection No provision Amends FIFRA to reauthorize fee No provision. [Section 4, Federal Insecticide, collection (to support reregistration of Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, pesticides), increase maintenance FIFRA]2. Small Business Eligibility fees, prohibit collection of for reduced fees. registration fees for five years, and Permits lower maintenance fees for allow expedited registration businesses with 150 or fewer processing for inert gradients. It also employees. would strictly limit increases in [Section 4, FIFRA)] tolerance processing fees charged to registrants of pesticides used on food. Expands the number of businesses eligible for reduced fees from those with 150 or fewer employees to those with 500 or fewer employees. [Section 1041] 3. Pest Management in Schools No provision No provision Amends FIFRA to create a new No Provision section 33, "School Environment Protection Act of 2002" that requires Pest Management in Schools. Requires states to develop pest management plans as part of state cooperative enforcement agreements with the EPA. Set requirements for what should be included in plans and requires the EPA to distribute guidelines to states no later than one year after enactment, after which State educational agencies would be CRS-212 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 required to develop plans and submit them to the Administrator for approval. Local education agencies would be required to implement their state plan within one year of receiving it. [Section 1042] R. Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (See also Title V, Farm Credit) 1. Compilation of program participation No Provision Amends Section 2507 of the FACT S e n a t e p r o v i s i o n w i t h data Act to require the Secretary to amendments. [Section 10708] No provision in current law compute annually for each county and [Section 2507 of the Food, Agriculture, state. the participation rate of socially Conservation and Trade Act of 1990] disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as a percentage of total USDA program participants. [Section 1057] 2. Elections for country areas or local committees. No provision Adds requirements for the Senate provisio n s , with No provision in current law composition of county, area or local amendments to require the [Section 8 (b)(5) of the Soil committees that will make them fairly Secretary to report participation Conservation and Domestic Allotment representative. Requires the Secretary rates of socially-disadvantaged Act] to establish procedures for farmers and ranchers by race, nominations and elections committees ethnicity, and gender and in and to solicit and accept nominations those instances when socially- from organizations representing disadvantaged farmers or interests of socially disadvantaged ranchers are not adequately farmers. Requires public notice and represented on a local or area observation of opening and counting committee, permits the Secretary of ballots by any person, and filing of to appoint one additional voting an election report on the outcome of member to the committee. the election with the Secretary and the [Section 10708] CRS-213 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 State office of the Farm Service agency within 20 days of an election, and a national report no later than 90 days after the first election after enactment. Sets the term of office for membership on a county, local or area committee at not more than 3 years. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal register proposed uniform guidelines to ensure fair representation of socially disadvantaged for conducting elections if necessary after analyzing the data contained in the election report. [Section 1057] 3. Definition of Socially disadvantaged group. For the purpose No Provision Amends 1990 FACT Act to add Senate Provision [Section of Outreach and assistance, defines a "gender" to the definition of a 10708] socially disadvantaged group as a group socially disadvantaged group eligible whose members have been subjected to for outreach and assistance. [Section racial or ethnic prejudice because of 1057] their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual identities.[Section 2501(e) of the FACT Act of 1990]. Note: Section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1999 adds "gender" to the definition of a socially disadvantaged group for the purposes of loan eligibility. CRS-214 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 S. Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers No Provision No Provision Establishes a new program to Drops Senate provisions creating encourage geographically and funding a new program. disadvantaged farmers and ranchers Maintains Senate provision in owning and operating farms and defining geographically ranches and participating equitably in disadvantaged farmers and the full range of agriculture programs ranchers. Adds a provision offered by the USDA. Authorizes $20 requiring the Secretary of million annually for FY2002-2006 to Agriculture to submit a report to carry out this program, and defines a t h e H ouse and S e n a t e geographically disadvantaged farmer Agriculture Committees not later or rancher as one in an insular area or than one year after enactment a state other than one of the 48 that describes: barriers to contiguous states. [Section 1079B] efficient and competitive transportation of inputs and products by geographically disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and ways of encouraging and assisting such farmers and ranchers in owning and operating farms and ranches and participating in the full range. of USDA programs. [Section 10906] T. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture No Provision Amends Section 218 to require the Senate provisions amended to for Civil Rights Secretary of Agriculture to establish endure that this new Secretary is the position of Assistant Secretary of under the authority of the [Section 218 of the Department of Agriculture for Civil rights to be Secretary of Agriculture [Section Agriculture Reorganization Act of appointed by the President by and 10704] CRS-215 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 1994] with the advice and consent of the No provision Senate, with listed duties and responsibilities [Section 1056] U. Farm Marketing Programs 1. State Marketing Programs. 1. No provision Establishes a State Marketing Deletes new program Federal support for: the promotion of Program funded with CCC funds authorization, funding and agricultural products through research (mandated at $7 million FY2003, $8 priorities; instead requires the to improve the marketing, handling, million for FY2004 and $10 million Secretary to work with states to storage, distribution and transportation for each of fiscal years 2005 and develop programs to train of agricultural products; cooperation 2006). Fund are to be allotted to state managers of farmers markets, between federal, state and local departments of agriculture and other develop opportunities for agencies, producers, industry appropriate State agencies for information sharing, and organizations and others in research and cooperative projects in marketing establish a program to train application of effective marketing services and research. From the CCC cooperative extension services program; and integrated administration funds allotted under this program , the employees in the development of of all laws enacted by the Congress to Secretary is to give priority to direct marketing techniques. aid the distribution of agricultural initiatives designed to support direct [Section 10605(b)] products through research , market aids and others marketing efforts of small and services and regulatory farms and limited resource farmers. activities.[Title II Agricultural [Section 1050] Marketing Act of 1946. ] 2. Farmers Market Promotion No provision. Among other things, authorizes $10 Authorizes such funds as are Program. Federal aid to promote the million annually for fiscal years necessary, subject to development and expansion, of direct 2002-2006 to make grants under a appropriations, for the creation marketing of agricultural commodities new `Farmers' Market Promotion of a new Farmers Market from farmers to consumers farmers' Program' to establish, expand and Promotion Program. Maintains market and other means (i.e., farmers promote farmers markets. Maximum Senate provisions regarding markets) [The Farmer-to-Consumer grant amounts set at $500,000 in any eligible entities, but gives the Direct Marketing Act of 1976] fiscal year. Includes types of entities Secretary the authority to set CRS-216 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 eligible for such funds, and the criteria and guidelines instead of criteria and guidelines for grant setting these in the aw. [Section submission, evaluation and funding. 10605(a)] [Section 1050] V.Organic Certification 1. Cost-Share Program - No Provision No Provision Directs the Secretary to use $3.5 Adopts Senate provision, revised million of CCC funds for each of to require the Secretary to use $5 fiscal years 2002-2004 and $3 million million of CCC funds, for FY2005 to establish a national beginning in FY2002, to organic certification cost-share establish a national organic program to assist producers and certification cost-share program. handlers of agricultural products in [Section 10606] obtaining certification under the National Organic Production Program. Sets maximum federal share at 75%, and maximum individual payment to a producer or handler at $500. [Section 1065] 2. Exemptions from assessments for No Provision No Provision Exempts from assessments under organic farmers. No Provision a commodity promotion law a person that produces and markets 100% organic products and requires Secretary to promulgate relevant regulations within 1 year of enactment [Section 10607] W. Food Safety Commission No Provision No Provision E s t a b l i s h e s a F o o d S a f e t y Adopts Senate provision with Commission composed of 15 revisions to, among other things, CRS-217 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 members from consumer groups, food provide for Presidential processors, producers and retailers; appointment of membership, public health professionals; food change eligibility standards for inspectors and regulators, academics appointees, and describe how and other interested individuals. each of the Commission's Requires the Commission to make recommendations would specific recommendations that build improve food safety [Section on the recommendations of the NAS 10807]. report on ensuring safe food, that provide a basis for legislative language to improve the food safety system, public health and harmonize the food safety system. [Section 1066] X. Miscellaneous Studies, Reports and Task Forces 1. Requires Studies and/or Reports - No Provisions Requires the Secretary to issue a Requires reports or studies on Salmon, Genetically modified plants, report or study on: Pouched and specialty crop purchases [section U. of Arkansas Litter Bank, Pesticide canned salmon; genetically modified 10901]; the effect on producers sales and use, Producer pest protected plants; the feasibility of of updated yield bases [section Indemnification, Rats, mice and birds - producer indemnification from 10903]; the effect of farm No Provisions government caused disasters; creation program payments [section of Litter bank by the University of 10904]; Chiloquin Dam fish Arkansas; the sale and use of passage feasibility [section pesticides for agricultural uses; rats, 10905] ; geographically mice and birds. Of these only the disadvantaged farmers and study of GM pest-protected plants ranchers [section 10906]; authorizes funding -- $10 million for agricultural research and FY2002 and such sums as are technology [section 10907]; the necessary thereafter. [Sections 1081, sale and use of pesticides for 0183, 1084, 1085, 1086 and 1087].] agricultural purposes [section CRS-218 MISCELLANEOUS HOUSE BILL SENATE BILL NEW LAW P.L. 107-171 OLD LAW/POLICY H.R. 2646 S. 1731, amended COVERS 2002-2007 COVERS 1996-2002 COVERS 2002-2011 COVERS 2002-2006 10909]; review of the operation of agricultural and natural resource programs on tribal trust land [section 10910] Requires the Comptroller General to 2. Master Settlement Agreement No provision submit annually to the Congress, Senate provision [section 10908] beginning December 31, 2002, a report describing all programs and activities carried out by states using funds receive und the master Settlement Agreement of 1997. [Section 1082] 3. Task Force on National Institutes of No Provision Requires the Secretary to establish a No provision Plant and Agricultural Sciences task force to evaluate the merits of establishing one or more National Institutes of Plant and Agricultural Sciences. Lays out membership and general criteria for membership, appointed by the Secretary, and the duties of the Task Force. No funds authorized. [Section 1088] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31704