For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL34126 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL34126 Rural Development Provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill Updated September 18, 2008 Tadlock Cowan Analyst in Natural Resources and Rural Development Policy Resources, Science, and Industry Division Rural Development Provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill Summary Congress has expressed its concern with rural communities most directly through periodic omnibus farm bill legislation, most recently in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246). Congress uses periodic farm bills to address emerging rural issues as well as to reauthorize and/or amend a wide range of rural programs administered by USDA's three rural development mission agencies: Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and Rural Utilities Service. Title VI addresses a wide range of policy issues concerning rural America. In the 2002 farm bill, these issues included provisions such as equity capital development in rural areas, regional economic planning and development, essential community facilities, infrastructure needs, value-added agricultural development, and broadband telecommunications development. The 2008 farm bill considers similar issues and addresses several new ones. The new farm bill expands broadband access in rural areas, creates a new micro-entrepreneurial assistance program and a new rural collaborative investment program, and authorizes three new regional economic development commissions. The bill also authorizes $120 million for a one-time funding of pending water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Several programs authorized with mandatory spending in the 2002 farm bill are reauthorized with discretionary funding in the new farm bill (Rural Firefighters and Emergency Personnel, Rural Strategic Investment Program, Rural Business Investment Program, and the Access to Broadband Services in Rural Areas). The Value-Added Grants Program, similarly authorized in the 2002 farm bill, is also reauthorized by P.L. 110-246 with $15 million of mandatory funding and $40 million of discretionary funding. A side-by-side comparison of House- and Senate-passed provisions and the 2002 and 2008 farm bills is provided at the end of the report in the Appendix. The 2008 farm bill also modifies the 2002 definition of "rural" to include "areas rural in character." This modification in the definition of "rural" establishes criteria for defining rural areas contiguous to urban areas. The bill further directs the Secretary of Agriculture to produce a report within two years on the various definitions of "rural" used by USDA in providing assistance. The report will also assess the impacts these various definitions have on the delivery of rural development programs with the objective of better targeting assistance where it is most needed. The 2008 farm bill also reauthorizes and/or amends through FY2012 many long- standing programs funded through annual appropriations -- water and waste disposal grants, technical assistance for rural water systems, emergency community water assistance, business opportunity grants, water assistance to Native villages in Alaska, community facilities for Tribal colleges, distance learning and telemedicince. This report will be updated. Contents Policy Background and Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Issues Influencing the Rural Development Title . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Federal Rural Development Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Title VI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 New Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Other Major Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Broadband and Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Rural Utilities Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Business and Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regional Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Appendix: Side-by-Side Comparison of Rural Development Provisions in the House- and Senate-Passed Farm Bills with the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills . 10 Title VI: Rural Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Defining Rural Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rural Infrastructure: Water and Waste Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Rural Broadband and Telecommunications Development . . . . . . . . . 12 Agricultural-Based Rural Economic Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Regional Economic Development and Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Rural Entrepreneurship and Business Investment Programs . . . . . . . . 17 Community Development Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Other Rural Development Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Rural Development Provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill Policy Background and Overview While farm commodity issues may occupy center stage in policy discussions of the periodic omnibus farm bills, rural community and economic development are also topics of congressional concern and a separate title within the farm bill. Since 1973, omnibus farm bills have included a rural development title. The most recent is Title VI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246). Positioning rural areas to better compete in a global economic environment is one of the key issues framing the current debate about the future of rural America. When agricultural production and related businesses dominated rural economies, policies that strengthened and improved agriculture tended to strengthen and improve the well-being of most of America's small communities and rural residents. As the strength of this linkage has declined, the need for new sources of rural economic development has become more apparent to policymakers and rural development practitioners. Congressional interest in rural policy encompasses a wide range of issues, including agriculture, forestry, and mining, community infrastructure, natural resource conservation and management, medical care, bioenergy and economic development. Current challenges to and reform of existing federal rural policies are evolving in an environment of increasing concern about economic competitiveness, a shift away from agriculture toward manufacturing and services, new federal political strategies, and the emergence of new political interests in farm bill deliberations. A changing rural America is also producing pressures for different policies and raising new questions about what Congress's role should be in shaping rural policy. Both agriculture and manufacturing issues are increasingly seen as elements of global and regional restructuring, which have significant implications for rural areas, especially those areas where these production sectors remain dominant. Today, nearly 90% of total farm household income comes from off-farm sources.1 Manufacturing now accounts for about 25% of rural private sector earnings and about 12% of all rural jobs. The service sector, as with the U.S. domestic economy as a whole, now dominates the rural labor market, although the rural service sector differs from the metropolitan service sector in terms of job categories, skills, and wages. 1 This figure reflects the significant proportion of small, "life-style" farms whose owners are not primarily involved in production agriculture. For those farms where agricultural production is central to the household's income, the proportion of off-farm income is less. CRS-2 The rural development title of farm bills generally supports (1) the infrastructure of rural areas, with traditional assistance for housing, electrical generation and transmission, water and wastewater, and community capacity, (2) agricultural development, and (3) rural business creation and expansion. More recently, policymakers have pushed for programs that support innovative and alternative business development, and innovative mechanisms to finance it. Pressure for such alternative approaches is expected to continue as policymakers recognize the changing structure of agriculture and the great diversity among rural communities, with some rural areas growing and prospering, and others falling further behind as their primary industries (including agriculture) either decline or adapt to a global economy. Such adaptation and dislocation over the past decade has often meant fewer rural employment opportunities and significant population outmigration for many rural communities. To emphasize the importance of agricultural production in the local economies that still characterize many rural areas, legislative support for technologies to help farmers with planting decisions and local investments in industries that will add value to their products have become important aspects of rural development policy. Research is also increasingly focused on improvements in agricultural waste management and environmental protections. Traditional strategies, notably value- added agriculture (e.g., regional food processing plants, cooperatives, organic farming, biofuels) are being promoted by many in the farm sector. While holding promise for agriculture and surrounding communities, there remain limits on the extent to which agriculture and other mature industries can become a significant engine for renewed rural economic prosperity. While commodity policy dominates much of the debate and most of the funding, production agriculture remains a comparatively small and shrinking part of the rural economy, with less than 8% of the rural population employed in agriculture. There is growing recognition that farmers in many rural areas depend more on a healthy rural economy than the rural economy is dependent on farmers for its vitality. The need to strengthen the capacity of rural areas more generally to compete in a global economy is becoming more widely appreciated as the limitations of commodity subsidies, peripheral manufacturing, and physical infrastructure as mainstays of rural development policy become more obvious. Issues Influencing the Rural Development Title Emerging policy issues surround the question of whether current farm policies, which rely heavily on commodity support payments and subsidies to a few production sectors, help, hinder, or have little impact on the future development of economically viable rural communities. Rural manufacturing, which tends to be lower-skilled and lower-waged, is also undergoing restructuring with the loss of manufacturing to foreign competition. While transformation to a service economy continues in rural America, service employment in many rural areas tends to be in lower-wage personal services rather than business and producer services. Continuing population and economic decline in many farming and rural areas is compelling policymakers and rural areas to create new sources of competitive advantage, innovative ways of providing public services to sparse populations, and new ways of integrating agriculture into changing rural economies. CRS-3 More recently, economic development efforts in some areas have targeted various entrepreneurial strategies and microenterprise development. These approaches attempt to capitalize on a particular area's distinctive social, economic, and environmental assets and advantages to build endogenously on existing local and regional strengths. Developing a local and regional entrepreneurial culture seems to be an important approach in these efforts' successes. Linking public and private sources to build "business incubators" is a common strategy, as is developing new commercial ties with area colleges and universities. Communities are also applying such entrepreneurial energy to making their local governments, schools, and hospitals more efficient through, for example, telecommunication innovations. The trends noted above suggest a range of issues that are important in shaping the provisions of the rural development title of the 2008: ! Conservation and environmental restoration as rural employment opportunities ! Stemming rural population out-migration ! Vertical integration and coordination of agriculture into supply networks and their implication for rural areas ! Developing rural entrepreneurial capacity ! Rebuilding an aging rural physical infrastructure ! Public service delivery innovations in sparsely populated areas ! Increasing suburbanization and the conflicts between agriculture and suburban development ! Human capital deficiencies in rural areas ! Regional-based efforts for economic development ! Connecting businesses and rural communities with broadband telecommunications infrastructure The rural development title of the 2008 farm bill has taken shape against this backdrop of shifts in the rural economy, widespread and long-term poverty in some rural areas, outmigration in other rural areas, dwindling economic opportunity in rural areas, gaps in critical infrastructure, and a growing appreciation in many quarters of the limits of existing rural development programs to respond to the great diversity of rural places and socioeconomic circumstances. Such issues give rise to several policy relevant questions. ! How effective are current federal programs in improving the competitive position of rural areas? ! Can broad-based federal rural programs be better targeted to the critical needs of particular rural areas? ! How might regional funding approaches be better integrated into federal policy for rural areas? ! How can federal policies better assist entrepreneurial efforts in rural communities? ! How might the biofuels emphasis in the upcoming farm bill be connected to rural development programs? CRS-4 Federal Rural Development Programs More than 88 programs administered by 16 different federal agencies target rural economic development. The Rural Development Policy Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-355), however, named USDA as the lead federal agency for rural development. USDA administers most of the existing rural development programs and has the highest average of program funds going directly to rural counties (approximately 50%).2 Three agencies are responsible for USDA's rural development mission area: the Rural Housing Service (RHS), the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS). An Office of Community Development provides community development support through Rural Development's field offices. It is important to note that most loan and grant programs administered by USDA Rural Development are funded through annual (discretionary) appropriations. The rural development title of omnibus farm bills does not address every program administered by the three USDA mission agencies. These various programs are "permanently" authorized, often through amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act of 1972 (the ConAct, P.L. 87-128) or the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 and are funded through annual appropriations. The 1996 farm bill (P.L. 104-127) authorized the first provision in the rural development title funded by mandatory spending, the Fund for Rural America, which expired in 2002. The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) authorized six new programs supported through mandatory spending. Mandatory funding for most of these programs, however, was largely blocked by appropriators between 2002 and 2007. Several of the programs were funded instead through discretionary appropriations, although in amounts less than the original authorization. The 2008 farm bill has provisions supported by mandatory spending, although in lesser amounts than were proposed in the House and Senate-passed versions of the farm bill. Title VI of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-246) New Provisions. Several programs authorized in the 2002 farm bill are reauthorized in the two bills. The Appendix provides a complete side-by-side comparison of current law with the provisions in the House and Senate bills and the enacted bill. Unlike the 2002 farm bill, the rural development provisions of P.L. 110- 246 contain only three programs with mandatory funding: Value-Added Product Grants ($15 million); the Microenterprise Assistance Program ($15 million); and a one-time funding of pending water and waste water projects ($120 million). Several programs that were authorized to receive mandatory funding in the 2002 farm bill were reauthorized in P.L. 110-246 with discretionary funding (e.g., the Rural Strategic Investment Program and the Rural Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel Program). Concerns about how effectively USDA targets its rural development loan and grant assistance have been a recurring consideration by policymakers and rural 2 More information on individual USDA Rural Development programs can be found in CRS Report RL31837, An Overview of USDA Rural Development Programs. CRS-5 development practitioners. The general concern is that rural development funding may not be targeted to the neediest rural communities because of the way rural is defined. Section 6018 directs the Secretary to assess the varying definitions of "rural" used by USDA and to describe the effects these different definitions have on USDA Rural Development programs. The provision directs the Secretary to make recommendations for ways to better target rural development funds. Section 6018 further establishes a new definition of "areas rural in character" that specifies the characteristics of eligible rural areas lying within a Bureau of the Census-defined "urban area." The provision also permits the Under Secretary for Rural Development discretion in determining whether individual rural areas should fall under the new definition. Other new provisions in the rural development title include the following programs. ! Section 6015 authorizes loans and loan guarantees for locally or regionally produced agricultural food products -- those products that travel less than 400 miles between production and marketing. Priority is given to projects benefitting underserved communities, i.e., those with limited access to affordable, healthy foods and with high rates of poverty or food insecurity. ! Section 6022 authorizes a Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program. The program will provide financial assistance to microenterprises (sole proprietorships or businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees). The program will target economically disadvantaged microentrepreneurs, i.e., those who could compete in the private sector but have been impaired because of lack of credit opportunities and limited equity capital options. Grants will be provided to microenterprise development organizations to support the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas. These qualified organizations are required to match at least 15% of the federal grant. Mandatory funding is authorized at $4 million annually for FY2009-FY2011, $3 million for FY2012, and discretionary spending at $40 million annually (FY2009-FY2012). ! Sections 6301-6305 establish the Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act. This authorizes $10 million annually (FY2009- FY2011) for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) to assist community-based housing development organizations in undertaking community development and affordable housing projects in rural areas. The HAC is an independent, nonprofit organization that has supported local organizations in rural housing development since 1971. ! Section 6028 authorizes a Rural Collaborative Business Investment Program and provides $135 million in spending. The provision would create Regional Investment Strategy Grants, Rural Innovation Grants, and a Rural Endowment Loan CRS-6 Program. The provision also directs the Secretary to appoint a National Rural Investment Board, create a Rural Philanthropic Institute, and a National Institute on Regional Rural Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship. The program would provide rural regions with a financial vehicle to develop and implement local strategies for innovation. Other Major Provisions. In addition to these newly authorized programs, the rural development title also includes other provisions to create or to reauthorize and/or amend a wide variety of loan and grant programs that provide further assistance in four key areas: (1) broadband and telecommunications, (2) rural utilities infrastructure, (3) business and community development, and (4) regional development. Broadband and Telecommunications. ! Section 6110 reauthorizes the Access to Broadband Telecommunications Services in Rural Areas. The program was originally authorized in the 2002 farm bill (Section 6103) and funded by mandatory authorization. Its effectiveness, however, was limited by difficulties in implementation. The provision makes changes in defining eligible rural communities, makes provisions for prioritizing loans, and reduces equity requirement on broadband providers offering service to unserved areas. Appropriations are authorized at $25 million annually (FY2008-FY2012). The provision also requires annual reporting on the extent of participation in the loan and loan guarantee program. The measure further authorizes the Secretary to designate a National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment and authorizes discretionary funding for the center at $1 million annually (Section 6111). ! Section 6201 reauthorizes the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program, which provides funding to educational and medical facilities. The provision will also emphasize library connectivity as an objective of program funding. ! Section 6112 authorizes a Comprehensive Rural Broadband Strategy. The provision directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a comprehensive strategy for enhancing broadband service to rural areas. Rural Utilities Infrastructure. ! Section 6001 reauthorizes Water, Waste Disposal and Wastewater Facility Grants through 2012. Discretionary funding is provided under the utilities account of Rural Community Advancement Program (RCAP). This is the largest program in the RCAP portfolio. Section 6011 amends the current interest rate schedule for water and waste water loans by setting rates to a proportion of a municipal bond index. . CRS-7 ! Section 6006 reauthorizes the Rural Water and Wastewater Circuit Rider Program, which provides technical assistance to rural water systems. Funding is authorized at $25 million annually (FY2008-2012). ! Section 6008 reauthorizes the Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding to rural communities facing threats to the provision of potable water. It is also funded under the utilities account of RCAP. ! Section 6009 reauthorizes Water Systems for Rural and Native Villages in Alaska. This provision targets funding under the utilities account of RCAP for Alaskan native communities. ! Section 6008 reauthorizes grants to nonprofit organizations for the construction and refurbishing of household well water systems. The program targets well systems for low-income individuals in rural areas. ! Section 6029 provides $120 million in mandatory funding for Pending Water and Wastewater Loan and Grant Applications. This would be a one-time expenditure designed to remove some of the current backlog of applications. Business and Community Development. ! Section 6003 reauthorize Rural Business Opportunity Grants, which are used for economic planning and technical support and training for rural businesses. ! Section 6007 reauthorize Tribal College and University Essential Community Facilities through 2012. This program targets funding under the Community Facilities Program, an RCAP account, to tribal facilities. Essential facilities include those that support public safety infrastructure and provide community health care. ! Section 6013 reauthorizes Rural Cooperative Development Grants. This provision permits multi-year grants (up to three years) for awards to rural cooperative centers. It provides a 20% set-aside for rural centers working with socially disadvantaged communities when the appropriation level exceeds $7.5 million. ! Section 6016 reauthorizes the Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Program (ATTRA). The program supports a cooperative agreement between the Rural Business-Cooperative Service and the University of Arkansas to provide information and technical support for sustainable and organic agricultural production. authorize $5 million annually. CRS-8 ! Section 6204 reauthorizes the Rural Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Assistance Program. Originally authorized by the 2002 farm bill, the measure provides grants to enable entities to provide improved emergency medical assistance in rural areas. It also provides grants to pay the cost of training emergency personnel to respond to hazardous materials and bioagents in rural areas. Unlike the 2002 farm bill, which provided mandatory funding, the provision is authorized for discretionary funding up to $30 million annually (FY2008-FY2012). ! Section 6202 reauthorizes the Value-Added Agricultural Market Development Program. This provision targets funding for "mid- tier value chains" which are local and regional supply networks linking independent producers with businesses and cooperatives. It also reserves 10% of the Value-Added Products Grants for projects benefitting beginning or socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Mandatory funding is authorized at $15 million to be available until expended. An additional $40 million annually (FY2008-FY2012) in discretionary funding is also authorized. The measure also prioritizes loans that contribute to opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, and small and medium-size family farms. ! Other provisions include $2 million annually (FY2008-FY2012) in grants to nonprofit organizations for Expansion of Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities in Rural Areas (Section 6023). Section 6027 reauthorizes the Rural Business Investment Program through 2012. This program was authorized in the 2002 farm bill and given mandatory spending. The reauthorization provides a total of $50 million. Regional Development. ! Section 6025 reauthorizes the Delta Regional Authority, a federal-state partnership serving a 240-county/parish area in an eight-state region of the Mississippi delta. Section 6024 authorizes $3 million annually (FY2008-FY2012) for grants to support health care services, health education programs, health care job training programs, and development and expansion of public health-related facilities in the Delta region. ! Section 6026 reauthorizes the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority (NGPRA), which covers Iowa, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. The provision authorizes the NGPRA to organize and operate without a federal member if no such individual is nominated within 180 days of enacting the bill. The provision also eliminates prioritization of activities to be funded by the program and the requirement that 75% of the authority's funding go to "distressed counties and isolated areas." CRS-9 ! Section 6206 directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of Transportation, to conduct a Study of Rural Transportation Issues regarding the movement of agricultural products, renewable fuels, and economic development in rural America. ! While not a provision of Title VI, Section 14217 authorizes the creation of three new regional economic development and infrastructure commissions: (1) the Northern Border Regional Commission; (2) the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission; and (3) the Southwest Border Regional Commission. Funding is authorized at $30 million annually (FY2008-FY2012) for each commission. CRS-10 Appendix: Side-by-Side Comparison of Rural Development Provisions in the House- and Senate-Passed Farm Bills with the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) "Farm Security and Rural "Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act "Food and Energy Security Act of Investment Act of 2002" [7 U.S.C. of 2007" [Sec. 1] 2007" [Sec. 1] 7901 note] TITLE VI: RURAL DEVELOPMENT Defining Rural Eligibility Sec. 343(a) of the Consolidated Directs USDA to submit a report to Creates a standard definition of rural Adopts the Senate provision but Farm and Rural Development Act the Agriculture Committees: (1) area that excludes (1) cities of deletes the housing density criterion (Con Act), as amended, defines rural assessing the varying definitions of 50,000 or more, (2) any urbanized from the definition of "rural." as any area other than a city or town rural used by USDA; (2) describing area contiguous and adjacent to a Permits USDA to include "areas with a population greater than the effect of varying definitions on city of 50,000 or more, and (3) any rural in character" if meet certain 50,000 and the urbanized area USDA's programs; and (3) collection of contiguous census non-urban criteria (excluding contiguous and adjacent to such a recommending changes to better blocks with a specific housing Honolulu, HI, and San Juan, PR). city or town. [7 U.S.C. 1991(a)] target funds through rural density, or adjacent to a city of Does not change eligibility for water development programs. [Sec. 6001] 50,000 or urban area. [Sec. 6020] and waste water funding. [Sec. 6018] No comparable provision. Authorizes USDA to review socio- No comparable provision. Deletes the House provision. economic variables as factors in awarding rural development loans and grants, and to issue regulations. [Sec. 6014] Rural Infrastructure: Water and Waste Disposal The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through 2012. [Sec. Reauthorizes through 2012. [Sec. Reauthorizes through 2012. [Sec. Act to authorize USDA to make 6002] 6001] 6001] water and wastewater grants for development projects for the storage, treatment, purification, or distribution of water or the collection, treatment, or disposal of waste in rural areas. Authorizes $30 million in annual appropriations for FY2002-07.[7 U.S.C. CRS-11 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) 1926(a)(2)(B)(vii)] The Con Act, as amended, sets No comparable provision Senate provision establishes interest Adopts the Senate provision. [Sec. interest rate levels not to exceed rates for water and waste water loans 6011] current market yields for outstanding based on a market index of loans to municipal obligations. Low-income ensure that interest rates for rural residents receive interest rates intermediate and poverty rate loans below this maximum level. [7 U.S.C. are tied to the current market rate. 1927 (a)(3) (A)] The poverty rate is set at 60% of the market rate and the intermediate rate is set at 80% of the market rate. [Sec. 12602] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through 2012, Reauthorizes through 2012, Adopts the House provision. [Sec. Act to authorize appropriations for a authorizing $25 million for FY2008. authorizing $20 million for FY2008. 6006] water/wastewater circuit rider [Sec. 6004] [Sec. 6004] program, providing technical assistance based on a National Rural Water Association program. [7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)(C)] Authorizes appropriations of $15 million for FY2003 and each year thereafter. The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Act to authorize USDA to provide [Sec. 6006] [Sec. 6011] [Sec. 6008] Emergency and Imminent Community Water Assistance Grants to rural areas and small communities comply with the Water Pollution Control Act or Safe Drinking Water Act. [7 U.S.C. 1926a(i)(2)] Authorizes an appropriation of $35 million annually for FY2003-07. No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Provides $135 million in mandatory Adopts the Senate provision. spending for pending Provides $120 million in mandatory water/wastewater loans, grants and spending. [Sec.6029] emergency community assistance grants, to be available until expended. [Sec. 6033] CRS-12 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) The Con Act, as amended, authorizes Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2013. Adopts the House provision with an USDA to make grants for water [Sec. 6007] Amends program to provide grants amendment to provide $1.5 million systems for rural and native villages to the Denali Commission for solid annually FY2008-2012 to the Denali in Alaska. Authorizes appropriations waste management and for rural Commission for solid waste of $30 million annually for FY2001- drinking water sites in Alaska (not management. [Sec. 6009] 07. [7 U.S.C. 1926d(d)(1)] more than 5% of total program funding). [Sec. 6012] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Adopts the House provision with Act to authorize USDA to make Amends program to authorize USDA [Sec. 6013] amendment striking consideration of grants to private nonprofits for loans to make grants to private non-profits matching funds and increasing the to eligible low-income individuals to for loans to eligible low-income assistance limit for each well from construct, refurbish, and service individuals. $8,000 to $11,000. [Sec. 6010] household water well systems in [Sec. 6008] rural areas (giving priority to certain applicants). Authorizes appropriations of $10 million annually for FY2003-07. [7 U.S.C. 1926e(d)] No comparable provision. No comparable provision Amends the ConAct to authorize Deletes Senate provision. grants to develop wells in isolated rural areas. Provides $10 million annually FY2008-2012. [Sec. 6013] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con No comparable provision. Reauthorizes SEARCH grants and Adopts Senate provision. [Sec. 6002] Act to establish a SEARCH grant amends program. Provides up to 4% program, providing technical of funds available for water, waste assistance for water and waste disposal, and essential community disposal facilities. [7 U.S.C. 2009ee] facilities to financially distressed communities. Directs USDA to develop a simplified application for applicants. [Sec. 6010] Rural Broadband and Telecommunications Development The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes grants through Reauthorizes grants through Reauthorizes grants through Act to authorize grants to acquire FY2012. FY2012. [Sec. 6026] FY2012. [Sec. 6021] radio transmitters to increase rural [Sec. 6018] coverage by all-hazards weather radio broadcasts of the National CRS-13 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Authorizes appropriation of such sums as needed for FY2002-07. [7 U.S.C. 2008p] The 2002 farm bill amended the Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Adopts the Senate provision with Rural Electrification Act (REA) of Redefines eligibility and prioritizes Redefines eligibility and prioritizes modifications. Permits assistance to 1936 [7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.] by loan applications to areas based on loan applications. Prohibits loans to areas with more than 3 providers authorizing USDA to provide loans number of service providers. areas served by 3 or more providers. under certain conditions. Gives and loan guarantees for the costs of Amends definition of rural area. Authorizes $25 million annually highest priority to applicants serving providing broadband service to rural Limits loan terms to 35 years. (FY2008-12). Authorizes a National the most rural residents. Prohibits areas, as part of the Enhancement of Extends authority to provide loans to Center for Rural eligibility to providers res serving Access to Broadband Service in FY2012. Authorizes a National Telecommunications Assessment more than 20% of the market. Rural Areas provisions. [7 U.S.C. Center for Rural and authorizes $1 million in Permits USDA to require cost-share 950bb] Telecommunications Assessment appropriations annually. [Sec. 6110] funding. [Sec. 6110] and authorizes $1 million in Establishes which areas are eligible Adopts House and Senate measure to appropriations annually. [Sec. 6023] for REA assistance. [Sec. 6105] authorizes National Center for Rural Telecommunications. [Sec. 6111]. Adopts Senate provision defining REA eligibility. Eligible rural areas exclude town of 20,000 or more. [Sec. 6104] Sec. 601(a) et seq. of the REA, as Authorizes the Community Connect Authorizes the Connect the Nation Does not adopt either provision. amended, authorizes USDA to Grant Program to provide broadband Act and creates a competitive provide loans and loan guarantees to service for education, public safety, matching grant program to electric utilities to serve customers in and health care in rural areas. encourage state initiatives for public- rural areas. [7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)] Authorizes appropriations of $25 private partnerships [Sec. 6201] and million annually (FY2008-12). [Sec. authorizes grants to encourage state 6024] initiatives [Sec. 6202] to provide broad-band service to rural areas. Authorizes appropriations of $40 million annually (FY2008-12). Sec. 2333 of the 1990 farm bill Reauthorizes the grant program to Reauthorizes appropriations through Adopts the Senate provision with (Food, Agriculture, Conservation, assist rural public television stations FY2012. Amends provision: (1) modifications that only libraries are and Trade Act, P.L. 101-624) in making the transition from analog adds library connectivity and public added as eligible entities. Makes provides grants to non-commercial to digital broadcast equipment. [Sec. television station digital conversion public television stations eligible for television that serve rural areas. [7 6028] Reauthorizes Telemedicine into the notification; (2) species funding for high-speed U.S.C. 950aaa-2] Also, Sec. 2335A and Distance Learning Services in requirements on how financial telecommunications for educational CRS-14 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) authorizes Telemedicine and Rural Areas through FY2012. [Sec. assistance is to be used and criteria programming in rural areas. [Sec. Distance Learning Services in Rural 6029] for prioritizing; (3) requires USDA 6201] Areas by providing loans/grants to to notice the amount of financial schools and medical facilities for assistance available to applicants, telecom technologies. [7 U.S.C. among other provisions. Renames 950aaa5] program the Telemedicine, Library Connectivity, Public Television, and Distance Learning in Rural Areas, and reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. 6302] The Con Act, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. Reauthorizes through FY2012 appropriations for grants for 6016] [Sec. 6014] broadcasting systems, funded at $5 million annually (FY2002-07). [7 U.S.C. 1932(f)] No comparable provision. Directs USDA to prepare a report Directs the Federal Communications Adopts the Senate provision. that develops a comprehensive Commission, in coordination with Requires an update of the report in national broadband strategy. [Sec. USDA, to submit a report to the third year following enactment. 6031] Congress describing a [Sec. 6112] Adopts Senate provision comprehensive rural broadband striking an obsolete reference to dial- strategy. [Sec. 6111] Instructs the up Internet and place the provision in U.S. Comptroller General of to a separate section. [Sec. 6005]. conduct a study of the Rural Utilities Deletes the Senate provision for a Service administration and of GAO study. Federal assistance for broadband programs, with recommendations. [Sec. 6113] The 2002 farm bill amended the Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Adopts the Senate provision with REA to authorize USDA to expand 6022] Expands eligibility to emergency modifications to make emergency 911 access and make telephone loans communication providers. communication equipment providers for rural emergency services. [7 Authorizes USDA to use funds made eligible for loans. [Sec. 6107] U.S.C. 940e] available for telephone or broadband loans; requires USDA promulgate regulations [Sec. 6107] CRS-15 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) Agricultural-Based Rural Economic Development The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Establishes new criteria for loans and Similar to the House bill, but also: Adopts the Senate provision with Act to authorize appropriations for loan guarantees, directing USDA to defines "under-served community;" modifications that extend the direct and guaranteed loans for rural favor projects that support establishes priorities for projects that distance a product can travel and be business development. [7 U.S.C. local/regionally produced support community development and eligible. Defines "underserved 1926(a)(11)(D)] agricultural products. [Sec. 6010] marketing, distributing, storing, community" and gives priority to aggregating, or processing a locally- entities providing products to these produced product; sets a per-facility communities. limit of up to $250,000 in loan/loan [Sec. 6015] guarantees to modify/update facilities; and requires USDA to submit an annual report to Congress. [Sec. 6017] No comparable provision. Authorizes appropriations for Similar to the House bill. [Sec. 6018] Adopts the Senate provision with Appropriate Technology Transfer for minor changes to elaborate on the Rural Areas at $5 million annually purpose of the program. [Sec. 6016] (FY2008-12). [Sec. 6011] No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Establishes Artisanal Cheese Centers Deletes the provision. to provide educational technical assistance to eligible cheese manufacturing and marketing businesses. [Sec. 6023] Sec. 231 of the Agricultural Risk Authorizes $6 million subject to Expands the definition of value- Adopts the Senate provision with Protection Act of 2000 [7 U.S.C. appropriations annually (FY2008- added products. Reduces the modification. Reserves 10% of funds 1621], as amended by the 2002 farm 12). [Sec. 6027] maximum grant amount to $300,000. for projects benefitting beginning bill, authorizes USDA to make [Sec. 6401] farmers and ranchers and socially Value-Added Agricultural Product disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, Development Grants to assist and 10% of funds for projects to agricultural producers to establish develop mid-tier value chains. businesses to produce value-added Provides $15 million in mandatory agricultural products, and provide funding. [Sec. 6202] for technical assistance and planning. CRS-16 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Amends the Con Act to provide Adopts the Senate provision with reimbursement payments to technical changes. [Sec. 1621] "geographically disadvantaged farmers" (e.g., AK, HI) for costs associated with transporting or producing an agricultural commodity. [Sec. 6021] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012 and Similar to the House bill; also Adopts the House provision with Act authorizing a program to restore gives priority to projects that establishes a grant may be made for technical changes. [Sec. 6020] historic barns. [7 U.S.C. 2008o(c)] identify, document, and conduct projects that rehabilitate or repair research on historic barns and historic barns; preserve historic develop and evaluate appropriate barns; and identify, document, techniques or best practices for survey, and conduct research on protecting historic barns. [Sec. 6017] historic barns/structures. [Sec. 6025] The 2002 farm bill authorized an Reauthorizes the program and No comparable provision Adopts the House provision. Agricultural Innovation Center provides $6 million annually [Sec. 6203] Demonstration program. [7 U.S.C. (FY2008-12). 1621] [Sec. 6025] Regional Economic Development and Planning The Con Act, as amended, authorizes Reauthorizes appropriations through Reauthorizes appropriations through Adopts the House provision with a Delta Regional Authority, FY2012. [Sec. 6019] FY2012; amends program to allow modifications. Adds counties to be providing funds for 240 counties in 8 for grants for health care facility eligible. [Sec. 6025] Establishes states in Mississippi Delta. [7 U.S.C. development. [Sec. 6029] separate Health Care Services 2009aa-1] section and defines eligibility to mean Mississippi River Delta region. [Sec. 6024] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Amends program to eliminate Eliminates requirement of a federal Adopts the Senate provision with Act authorizing the Northern Great prioritization of activities to be member of the commission, unless modifications. Requires the Plains Regional Authority to make funded. Modifies federal share of appointed. Broadens list of eligible Commission to coordinate with tribal grants and loans and implement a administrative expenses. Eliminates organizations. Provides assistance to leaders if no federal co-chair is regional development plan. [7 Isolated Areas of Distress states in providing regional plans for names. Defines organizations that U.S.C. 2009bb-1] designation. [Sec. 6020] renewable energy and transportation. may serve in the capacity of federal [Sec. 6030] co-chair. [Sec. 6026] CRS-17 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Amends the Con Act to authorize a Adopts Senate provision. Authorizes new Northern Border Economic 3 additional regional commissions: Development Commission (VT, NY, Northern Border Regional NH, and ME); authorizes Commission; Southeast Crescent appropriations of $40 million Regional Commission; Southwest annually (FY2008-12). [Sec. 6034] Border Regional Commission. Provides $30 million to each FY2002-2012. [ Sec. 14217] The Con Act, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Deletes the Senate provision. grants to multi-jurisdictional regional [Sec. 6005] planning and development organizations; $30 million annually through FY2007. [7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(23)] The Con Act, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Directs USDA to continue Rural Adopts the Senate provision. loans and grants for business and Economic Area Partnership Zones [Sec. 6017] community development. [7 U.S.C. (NY, ND, and VT) with areas of 1932] high unemployment/poverty. [Sec. 6019] No comparable provision. Directs USDA, in coordination with No comparable provision. Adopts the Senate provision. the Department of Transportation, to [Sec. 6206] prepare a report on railroad issues regarding the movement of agricultural products, renewable fuels, and economic development. [Sec. 6032] Rural Entrepreneurship and Business Investment Programs The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012. Similar to the House bill. [Sec. Adopts the Senate provision. Act to authorize USDA to make [Sec. 6003] 6002] [Sec. 6003] Rural Business Opportunity Grants for business development or labor training in rural areas. Authorizes appropriations of $15 million annually through FY2007. [7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)] CRS-18 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) The Con Act, as amended, authorizes Authorizes USDA to give preference Similar to House bill. Allows USDA Adopts the Senate provision with appropriations for grants to to grant applications that establish to award multi-year grants to minor modifications. [Sec. 6013] cooperative development centers. [7 centers for rural cooperative programs as deemed by the U.S.C. 1932(e)(5)] development that demonstrate Secretary; establishes a cooperative specified requirements. Authorizes research program; and creates a $50 million annually (FY2008-12). reserve for socially disadvantaged [Sec. 6009] communities. [Sec. 6015] No comparable provision. Authorizes a new Rural Entrepreneur Authorizes a new Rural Adopts the House provision with and Microenterprise Assistance Microenterprise Assistance Program, modifications. Provides $15 million Program. Authorizes $20 million with mandatory spending of $40 in mandatory funding. [Sec. 6022] annually (FY2008-12). [Sec. 6013] million for FY2008, available until expended. [Sec. 6022] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Limits discretionary funding of not Authorizes a new Rural Adopts the Senate provision with Act, authorizing the Rural Strategic more than $25 million annually Collaborative Investment Program, modifications to include adding rural Investment Program, providing an FY2008-2012. Adds planning grant with mandatory spending of $135 heritage as a goal of the program. equity generating program for rural eligibility for "rural heritage sites." million for grants and administrative Authorizes $135 million in business development modeled on [Sec. 6021] activities. [Sec. 6032] discretionary funds for the period the Small Business Investment FY2009-2012. Companies of the Small Business [Sec. 6028] Administration. [7 U.S.C. 2099dd et seq.] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con No comparable provision. Reauthorizes through FY2012, with Adopts the Senate provision with Act, authorizing the Rural Business modifications: debentures may be modifications. Removes provision Investment Program to make prepaid at any time; distributions allowing distributions to cover tax loans/grants through regional may be made to cover tax liability; liability. Limits on funding from investment boards. USDA fees are limited to an certain financial institutions is raised [7 U.S.C. 2009cc-5] application fee of $500; and USDA to 25%. [Sec. 6027] will not be required to operate the program with other federal agencies. [Sec. 6031] CRS-19 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) Community Development Programs The 2002 farm bill authorizes grants Reauthorizes the Rural Firefighters No comparable provision. Adopts the House provision with for units of general local and Emergency Personnel Grant minor modifications. [Sec. 6204] government, Indian tribes, to pay the Program, appropriations up to $30 cost of training firefighters and million annually (FY2008-12). emergency medical personnel. [7 Expands the types of eligible U.S.C. 1621] entities. [Sec. 6026] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. Adopts the provision. [Sec. 6019] Act to authorize the National Rural 6016] 6024] Development Partnership, a state- federal partnership of community rural development entities. [7 U.S.C. 2008m] The 2002 farm bill amended the Con No comparable provision. Authorizes $40 million in mandatory Adopts the Senate provision, but Act to authorize loans and grants for spending for loans, grants, and loan specifies that the program not "essential community facilities" guarantees to construct child day receive mandatory funding. [Sec. (incl. child day care). [7 U.S.C. care facility grants. [Sec. 6003] 6004] 1926(a)(19)] The Con Act, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision Reserves 0.5% of the funds for Deletes the Senate provision. the Community Facility Grants community facilities to eligible Program, limited to $10 million per entities located in freely associated fiscal year for grants to local states or outlying areas as defined in governments, nonprofits, and Indian the Elementary and Secondary tribes to provide the federal share of Education Act of 1965. [Sec. 6008] the cost of developing specific essential community facilities authorizes funds for essential community facilities. [7 U.S.C. 1926(a) 19] The Con Act, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision Amends to give priority for Deletes the Senate provision funds for essential community community facility projects that are facilities; the maximum amount of a carried out with a non-Federal share community facility grant cannot of funds that is substantially greater exceed 75% of the project costs. [7 than the minimum requirement, as U.S.C. 1926(a) 19B] determined by USDA regulation. [Sec. 6009] CRS-20 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) The 2002 farm bill amended the Con Reauthorizes through FY2012. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Adopts the House provision. Act to authorize USDA to provide Amends program to direct USDA to Increases the maximum federal grant [Sec. 6007] cost-share grants to tribal colleges establish a maximum percentage of tribal colleges and universities and universities for developing the cost of a facility covered by a receive for the cost of developing essential community facilities in grant. Caps non-federal support to essential community facilities in rural areas and universities, as no more than 5% of the facility's rural areas to 95%. [Sec. 6007] defined in the Higher Education Act total cost. [Sec. 6005] of 1965 for developing essential community facilities in rural areas. Authorizes $10 million in annual appropriation for FY2003-07. [7 U.S.C.1926(a)(25)] No comparable provision. No comparable provision Makes technical changes to address Adopts the Senate provision with funding for cooperative technical changes. [Sec. 6012] organizations by allowing for business guarantees of loans. [Sec. 6014] No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Provides grants to expand rural Adopts the Senate provision with employment opportunities for minor changes. [Sec. 6023] individuals with disabilities. Authorizes $2 million annually (FY2008-12). [Sec. 6028] The Con Act authorizes grants to No comparable provision. Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec. Deletes the Senate provision. train farm workers in new 6027] technologies and in specialized skills for higher value crops; authorizes appropriations of $10 million annually through FY2007 [7 U.S.C. 1981q(c)] No comparable provision. Amends the Con Act to authorize Authorizes loans and loan guarantees Deletes both House and Senate grants to improve the technical to improve the technical provisions. infrastructure of rural health care infrastructure of rural health care facilities at $30 million annually facilities. Provides $50 million in (FY2008-12). Identifies types of mandatory spending (with at least eligible rural health facilities. [Sec. $25 million for hospitals with less 6012] than 50 acute care beds). [Sec. 6006] CRS-21 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) No comparable provision. No comparable provision. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing Adopts the Senate provision with and Urban Development to provide modifications to permit GAO to use financial assistance for private audits for review of the community-based housing Housing Assistance Council. [Secs. development entities and affordable 6301-6305] housing projects, and other requirements. Authorizes appropriations of $10 million (FY2008); $15 million annually (FY2009-10). [Secs. 6501-6505] Other Rural Development Provisions The REA, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Inserts "efficiency and" before Adopts the Senate provision USDA to make loans for rural "conservation;" makes technical authorizing energy efficiency electrification and telephone services changes to loan and grants for program. [Sec. 6101]. Deletes and to assist borrower in electric generation; establishes fees provision for loans and grants for implementing improvements to for baseload generation loan electric generation. [Sec. 6102]. electrical and telephone service. [7 guarantees; defers loan payments for Deletes Senate provision on fees for U.S.C. 901 et seq.] improved energy efficiency; defines loan guarantees, but requires a study "rural" and "farm" for borrowing of electric generating needs in rural eligibility; and specifies procedures areas. [Sec. 6113]. Adopts Senate for borrowers. [Secs. 6101-6104; provision to allow energy audits. 6109] [Sec. 6104]. Makes technical changes for certain financing. The REA, as amended, authorizes Reauthorizes through FY2012. [Sec Similar to the House bill, but limits Adopts the Senate provision. [Sec. USDA to issue bonds for rural 6030] guarantees to no more than $1 billion 6106] electrical generation or telephone and establishes technical provisions purposes. [7 U.S.C. 940c-1(f)] for bond guarantees. [Sec. 6106] The REA, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Defines "qualified energy source" Adopts the Senate provision with USDA to make loans for electrical and permits loans for electrical modifications. Defines "renewable generation in rural areas. [7 U.S.C. generation from renewable sources energy source." [Sec. 6108] 940f] sold to non-rural residents at sets loan rates. [Sec. 6108] CRS-22 SENATE-PASSED SUBSTITUTE CURRENT LAW/POLICY HOUSE-PASSED BILL (H.R. 2419) NEW LAW (P. L. 110-246) AMENDMENT (H.R. 2419) The REA, as amended, authorizes No comparable provision. Defines "substantially underserved Adopts the Senate provision with USDA to make exceptions for trust areas" and to authorize USDA modifications. [Sec. 6105] electrification borrowers to relieve to make loan rates as low as 2% to them of regulatory requirements. [7 qualified utilities serving these areas. U.S.C. 936e] [Sec. 6112] Title III of the REA establishes No comparable provision Requires the Rural Utility Service Adopts the Senate provision agency funding procedures for direct (RUS) follow new procedures in regarding bonding requirements and loans and loan guarantee. [7 U.S.C. dealing with borrowers. Allows strikes the other provisions. [Sec. 940-c 1] USDA to adjust population 6109] limitations related to digital mobile wireless service; requires USDA to review bonding requirements for all programs administered by RUS. [Sec 6109] The 1990 farm bill, as amended, No comparable provision. Reauthorizes through FY2012. Deletes the Senate provision. authorizes a rural electronic [Sec. 6301] commerce extension program to provide assistance to rural businesses. [7 U.S.C. 59239e] The Housing Act of 1949, as No comparable provision. Amends program to include Adopts the Senate provision. amended, authorizes a loan and grant aquacultural workers. [Sec. 6420] [Sec. 6205] program to provide housing construction and assistance to farm labor. [42 U.S.C. 1484(f)(3)] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL34126