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[Senate Report 114-82]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                      Calendar No. 152
114th Congress     }                                     {      Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session       }                                     {      114-82

======================================================================

 
   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016
                                _______
                                

                 July  16, 2015.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

           Mr. Moran, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 1800]

    The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 1800) 
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes, 
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.

New obligational authority

Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$144,111,103,000
Amount of 2015 appropriations........................... 147,845,470,000
Amount of 2016 budget estimate.......................... 167,967,780,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
    2015 appropriations.................................  -3,734,367,000
    2016 budget estimate................................ -23,856,677,000

                                CONTENTS

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Breakdown by Title...............................................     4
Overview and Summary of the Bill.................................     5
Reports to Congress..............................................     6
Title I:
    Agricultural Programs:
        Production, Processing, and Marketing:
            Office of the Secretary..............................     7
            Executive Operations.................................    10
            Office of the Chief Information Officer..............    11
            Office of the Chief Financial Officer................    12
            Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights...    12
            Office of Civil Rights...............................    13
            Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.................    13
            Hazardous Materials Management.......................    14
            Office of Inspector General..........................    14
            Office of the General Counsel........................    15
            Office of Ethics.....................................    15
            Office of the Under Secretary for Research, 
              Education, and Economics...........................    15
            Economic Research Service............................    16
            National Agricultural Statistics Service.............    16
            Agricultural Research Service........................    17
            National Institute of Food and Agriculture...........    22
            Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
              Regulatory Programs................................    30
            Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service...........    30
            Agricultural Marketing Service.......................    35
            Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards 
              Administration.....................................    38
            Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety........    39
            Food Safety and Inspection Service...................    39
            Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
              Agricultural Services..............................    40
            Farm Service Agency..................................    41
            Risk Management Agency...............................    46
        Corporations:
            Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund..............    46
            Commodity Credit Corporation Fund....................    47
Title II:
    Conservation Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
          Environment............................................    49
        Natural Resources Conservation Service...................    49
Title III:
    Rural Development Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development......    52
        Rural Housing Service....................................    53
        Rural Community Facilities Program Account...............    59
        Rural Business--Cooperative Service......................    60
        Rural Utilities Service..................................    64
Title IV:
    Domestic Food Programs:
        Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and 
          Consumer Services......................................    69
        Food and Nutrition Service...............................    69
Title V: Foreign Assistance and Related Programs: Foreign 
  Agricultural Service...........................................    76
Title VI:
    Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration:
        Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug 
          Administration.........................................    80
        Independent Agency: Farm Credit Administration...........    90
Title VII: General Provisions....................................    92
Program, Project, and Activity...................................    95
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the 
  Senate.........................................................    95
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 
  of the Senate..................................................    96
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the 
  Senate.........................................................    96
Budgetary Impact of Bill.........................................    97
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................    98

                           BREAKDOWN BY TITLE

    The amounts of obligational authority for each of the seven 
titles are shown in the following table. A detailed tabulation, 
showing comparisons, appears at the end of this report. 
Recommendations for individual appropriation items, projects 
and activities are carried in this report under the appropriate 
item headings.

                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         2016 Committee
                                           2015          recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I: Agricultural programs....         30,446,595         26,838,162
Title II: Conservation programs...            859,326            856,107
Title III: Rural economic and               2,403,423          2,493,942
 community development programs...
Title IV: Domestic food programs..        110,190,881        110,140,403
Title V: Foreign assistance and             1,835,325          1,864,127
 related programs.................
Title VI: Related agencies and              2,597,324          2,637,766
 Food and Drug Administration.....
Title VII: General provisions.....           -512,404           -719,404
Title VIII: Ebola Response and                 25,000  .................
 Preparedness.....................
                                   -------------------------------------
      Total, new budget                   147,845,470        144,111,103
       (obligational) authority...
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BILL

    The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug 
Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill 
provides funding for a wide array of Federal programs, mostly 
in the U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA]. These programs 
include agricultural research, education, and extension 
activities; natural resources conservation programs; farm 
income and support programs; marketing and inspection 
activities; domestic food assistance programs; rural housing, 
economic and community development, and telecommunication and 
electrification assistance; and various export and 
international activities of the USDA.
    The bill also provides funding for the Food and Drug 
Administration [FDA] and allows the use of collected fees for 
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration 
[FCA].
    The discretionary programs and activities of USDA and FDA 
that are supported by this bill include high priority 
responsibilities entrusted to the Federal Government and its 
partners to protect human health and safety, contribute to 
economic recovery, and achieve policy objectives strongly 
supported by the American people. The ability to provide for 
these measures is made difficult by growing pressure on 
available levels of discretionary spending as a consequence of 
the overall public debate on Federal spending, revenues, and 
size of the Federal debt.
    Too often, the USDA programs funded by this bill are 
confused with farm subsidies and other mandatory spending more 
properly associated with multi-year farm bills. In contrast, 
this bill provides annual funding for programs familiar to all 
Americans such as protecting food safety through the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug 
Administration, which also plays a vital role in maintaining 
the safety of the Nation's blood supply and availability of 
safe and effective medical products and other components of our 
health system. This bill also provides funding to fight against 
the introduction and spread of noxious or infectious and often 
invasive pests and disease that threaten our plant and animal 
health environments, as well as funding for many other missions 
of dire importance to the American people.
    In the context of overall pressures on spending and the 
competing priorities that the Committee faces, this bill as 
reported provides the proper amount of emphasis on 
agricultural, rural development, and other programs and 
activities funded by the bill. It is consistent with the 
subcommittee's allocation for fiscal year 2016.
    All accounts in the bill have been closely examined to 
ensure that an appropriate level of funding is provided to 
carry out the programs of USDA, FDA, and FCA. Details on each 
of the accounts, the funding level, and the Committee's 
justifications for the funding levels are included in the 
report.

                          REPORTS TO CONGRESS

    The Committee has, throughout this report, requested 
agencies to provide studies and reports on various issues. The 
Committee utilizes these reports to evaluate program 
performance and make decisions on future appropriations. The 
Committee directs that all studies and reports be provided to 
the Committee as electronic documents in an agreed upon format 
within 120 days after the date of enactment, unless an 
alternative submission schedule is specifically stated in the 
report request.

                                TITLE I

                         AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

                 Production, Processing, and Marketing

                        Office of the Secretary

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $45,805,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      47,308,000
Committee recommendation................................      46,055,000

    The Secretary of Agriculture, assisted by the Deputy 
Secretary, Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries, Chief 
Information Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and members of 
their immediate staffs, directs and coordinates the work of the 
Department. This includes developing policy, maintaining 
relationships with agricultural organizations and others in the 
development of farm programs, and maintaining liaison with the 
Executive Office of the President and Members of Congress on 
all matters pertaining to agricultural policy.
    The general authority of the Secretary to supervise and 
control the work of the Department is contained in the Organic 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2201-2202). The delegation of regulatory 
functions to Department employees and authorization of 
appropriations to carry out these functions is contained in 7 
U.S.C. 450c-450g.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $46,055,000 
for the Office of the Secretary. The Committee recommendation 
includes the following accounts under the Office of the 
Secretary: Office of the Secretary; Military Veterans 
Agricultural Liaison; Office of Tribal Relations; Office of 
Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination; Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach; Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration; Departmental Administration; Office of 
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; and Office of 
Communications. The following table reflects the amount 
provided by the Committee for each office and activity:

                                             OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  2016 budget       Committee
                                                                 2015 enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary......................................            5,051            5,137            5,051
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison.......................  ...............              250              250
Office of Tribal Relations...................................              502              507              502
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination.......            1,496            1,520            1,496
Office of Advocacy and Outreach..............................            1,209            1,228            1,209
Office of Assistance Secretary for Administration............              804              816              804
Departmental Administration..................................           25,124           25,688           25,124
Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations....            3,869            3,934            3,869
Office of Communications.....................................            7,750            8,228            7,750
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total..................................................           45,805           47,308           46,055
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Biobased Products.--The Committee recognizes the 
opportunity that exists for biobased products to be used in 
food packaging and the food service industry. Bioplastics made 
from renewable resources such as canola can play an important 
role in this effort. The Committee encourages USDA to continue 
to work with companies bringing these types of products to 
market under the BioPreferred label.
    Captive Marine Mammals.--The Department is directed to 
issue, within 6 months of enactment of this act, its proposed 
rule for public comment regarding captive marine mammal 
standards under the Animal Welfare Act in order to ensure that 
the handling, enclosure size, care, treatment, and 
transportation of marine mammals in captivity are based on the 
latest expert and scientific knowledge.
    Dietary Guidelines for Americans.--The Committee is 
concerned that the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's 
recommendations included issues outside of the nutritional 
scope of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Committee 
directs the Secretary to ensure that the Guidelines are solely 
nutritional and dietary in nature and based on a preponderance 
of scientific evidence. Furthermore, the Committee includes new 
bill language directing the Secretary to only include nutrition 
and dietary information, not extraneous factors, in the final 
2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
    The Committee is also concerned that alcohol labeling 
guidance is not standardized among Federal agencies, and 
encourages USDA and DHHS to ensure that consumption guidance 
issued in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines recommendations is 
consistent with policies of the National Institute on Alcohol 
Abuse and Alcoholism, the Tax and Trade Bureau, and the Food 
and Drug Administration, which acknowledge the variability of 
alcohol content for different beverage alcohol products.
    Drought Relief.--The Secretary is directed to provide 
quarterly reports to the Senate and House Committees on 
Appropriations detailing USDA's efforts to provide drought 
relief to States where all or the majority counties are 
declared to be in a drought disaster, as well as any unmet 
needs or backlogs for USDA drought relief programs. The reports 
shall include detailed information specifying which 
appropriations accounts funding is derived from, the fiscal 
year in which it was appropriated or made available, and how 
much funding remains obligated but unexpended.
    Duplication Across Federal Agencies.--The Committee is 
concerned about duplication of functions across Federal 
agencies and directs USDA to review its operations to reduce 
potentially duplicative functions as a way to save taxpayer 
dollars.
    Multi-Agency Transparency.--The Committee expresses support 
for increasing transparency within all agencies of the 
Department of Agriculture. The agencies are encouraged to 
disclose costs associated with analyses required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act.
    Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and 
Ranchers.--The Committee supports the efforts of the Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach to increase the accessibility of USDA 
programs to underserved constituents, and notes that 
$10,000,000 in mandatory funds is available to assist socially 
disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers in owning and 
operating farms and ranches to meet the growing need for 
financial, production, management, and other assistance to 
those communities and address workforce shortages.
    Pay Costs.--The Committee does not recommend pay cost 
increases as requested in the budget.
    Pollinator Health.--The Committee supports the recently 
announced Pollinator Research Action Plan, and the combined 
efforts of multiple government agencies to address pollinator 
health. The Committee encourages USDA to continue to work to 
advance the conservation of Monarchs and other economically 
significant pollinators through all available means, including 
leveraging partnerships with non-governmental organizations 
that possess experience working directly with agricultural 
producers and other conservation partners.
    Printing Costs.--The Committee is concerned about the 
millions of taxpayer dollars spent on wasteful printing 
practices each year and the lack of clear printing policies 
within each of the agencies. While progress has been made to 
better utilize the cloud and digitalize records, little 
progress has been made to reform in-house printing practices. 
The Committee directs the Department to work with the Office of 
Management and Budget to reduce printing and reproduction by 34 
percent and report to the Committee within 60 days after 
enactment of this act on what steps have been taken to reduce 
printing volume and costs. The report should specifically 
identify how much money each agency will be saving.
    Resource Conservation and Development Councils.--Since 
1964, the Resource Conservation and Development [RC&D] Councils 
have worked at the grassroots level with local leaders to plan, 
develop, and carry out programs for land and water conservation 
and management. The Committee encourages the Secretary to 
consider the maximum practical use of RC&D Councils, where such 
RC&D Councils meet agency performance requirements, in the 
delivery of USDA programs and services.
    Rural Poverty.--The Department has statutory authorities 
and programs designed to help break the multigenerational trap 
of poverty in rural counties. The Committee recognizes that 
USDA may utilize existing programs and funding within RD and 
the Food and Nutrition Service [FNS] in order to assist 
families, create jobs and develop a path towards independence 
and self-sufficiency. Other existing resources such as the 
extension service and public universities can be used for 
coordination and outreach activities. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to provide a detailed plan including all funding 
resources currently being used to combat rural poverty. This 
comprehensive plan should account for all Federal projects, 
programs, and initiatives and prioritize those proposals that 
take innovative and job-creating approaches to housing and home 
ownership among low and very-low income individuals and 
families; improve rural livelihoods through the use of 
environmentally and economically sustainable approaches to 
small-holder agriculture that provide access to critical 
nutrition, jobs and revenue; and community-wide outreach, 
education and healthcare services that address some of the most 
common health risks in rural America: heart disease, stroke, 
malnutrition, obesity, and diabetes.

                          Executive Operations

    Executive operations were established as a result of the 
reorganization of the Department to provide a support team for 
USDA policy officials and selected department-wide services. 
Activities under the executive operations include the Office of 
the Chief Economist, the National Appeals Division, and the 
Office of Budget and Program Analysis.

                     OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ECONOMIST

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $17,377,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      17,465,000
Committee recommendation................................      16,777,000

    The Office of the Chief Economist advises the Secretary of 
Agriculture on the economic implications of Department policies 
and programs. The Office serves as the single focal point for 
the Nation's economic intelligence and analysis, risk 
assessment, and cost-benefit analysis related to domestic and 
international food and agriculture issues, provides policy 
direction for renewable energy development, conducts analyses 
of climate change impacts on agriculture and forestry, and is 
responsible for coordination and review of all commodity and 
aggregate agricultural and food-related data used to develop 
outlook and situation material within the Department.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $16,777,000 
for the Office of the Chief Economist.
    Policy Research.--The Committee recommendation includes 
$4,000,000 for policy research under 7 U.S.C. 3155 for entities 
with existing institutional capacity to conduct complex 
economic and policy analysis and a lengthy and well-documented 
record of conducting policy analysis for the benefit of the 
Department of Agriculture, the Congressional Budget Office, or 
the Congress. To maximize resources, the Committee expects the 
Department to focus efforts on entities that have developed 
models, databases, and staff necessary to conduct in-depth 
analysis of impacts of agriculture or rural development policy 
proposals on rural communities, farmers, agribusiness, 
taxpayers, and consumers.

                       NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $13,317,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      13,566,000
Committee recommendation................................      13,317,000

    The National Appeals Division conducts administrative 
hearings and reviews of adverse program decisions made by the 
Rural Development mission area, the Farm Service Agency, the 
Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $13,317,000 
for the National Appeals Division.

                 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $9,392,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       9,500,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,392,000

    The Office of Budget and Program Analysis provides 
direction and administration of the Department's budgetary 
functions including development, presentation, and execution of 
the budget; reviews program and legislative proposals for 
program, budget, and related implications; analyzes program and 
resource issues and alternatives, and prepares summaries of 
pertinent data to aid the Secretary and departmental policy 
officials and agency program managers in the decisionmaking 
process; and provides departmentwide coordination for and 
participation in the presentation of budget-related matters to 
the committees of the Congress, the media, and interested 
public. The Office also provides department-wide coordination 
of the preparation and processing of regulations and 
legislative programs and reports.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,392,000 for 
the Office of Budget and Program Analysis.

                Office of the Chief Information Officer

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $45,045,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      53,071,000
Committee recommendation................................      45,045,000

    The Office of the Chief Information Officer was established 
in August 1996 (40 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), pursuant to the 
Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996, which required the establishment of 
a Chief Information Officer for major Federal agencies. This 
Office provides policy guidance, leadership, coordination, and 
direction to the Department's information management and 
information technology investment activities in support of USDA 
program delivery, and is the lead office in USDA e-gov efforts. 
The Office provides long-range planning guidance, implements 
measures to ensure that technology investments are economical 
and effective, coordinates interagency information resources 
management projects, and implements standards to promote 
information exchange and technical interoperability. In 
addition, the Office of the Chief Information Officer is 
responsible for certain activities financed under the 
Department's Working Capital Fund (7 U.S.C. 2235). The Office 
also provides telecommunication and automated data processing 
[ADP] services to USDA agencies through the National 
Information Technology Center with locations in Fort Collins, 
Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri and Washington, DC. Direct ADP 
operational services are also provided to the Office of the 
Secretary, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of 
Communications, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, and 
Departmental Management.
    On November 28, 2004, the information technology staffs of 
the Service Center Agencies [SCA] were converged into one IT 
organization within the office of the Chief Information 
Officer; this converged organization is named Information 
Technology Services and replaces a network of cross-agency 
teams used to coordinate IT infrastructure investment within 
the SCA and allows for unified management of the IT 
infrastructure.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $45,045,000 
for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. This amount 
also includes not less than $28,000,000 to support 
cybersecurity requirements of the Department.
    Software Licenses.--The Committee encourages the 
Department's Chief Information Officer to perform periodic 
automated inventories of software licenses in use across the 
Department. The Department should compare those usage numbers 
to its purchased licenses and seek to increase efficiency 
wherever it identifies discrepancies. The Department is to 
consider using this information to obtain department-wide 
acquisitions as opposed to component-specific purchases of 
licenses.

                 Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $6,028,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       9,154,000
Committee recommendation................................       6,028,000

    The Office of the Chief Financial Officer is responsible 
for the dual roles of Chief Financial Management Policy Officer 
and Chief Financial Management Advisor to the Secretary and 
mission area heads. The Office provides leadership for all 
financial management, accounting, travel, Federal assistance, 
and strategic planning performance measurement activities 
within the Department. The Office is also responsible for the 
management and operation of the National Finance Center and the 
Departmental Working Capital Fund.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,028,000 for 
the Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

           Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 
provides oversight of civil rights and related functions. This 
includes coordination of the administration of civil rights 
laws and regulations for employees of the Department of 
Agriculture and participants in programs of the Department, and 
ensuring compliance with civil rights laws.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

                         Office of Civil Rights

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $24,070,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      24,443,000
Committee recommendation................................      24,070,000

    The Office of Civil Rights provides overall leadership 
responsibility for all department-wide civil rights activities. 
These activities include employment opportunity as well as 
program nondiscrimination policy development, analysis, 
coordination, and compliance. The Office is responsible for 
providing leadership in facilitating the fair and equitable 
treatment of USDA employees, and for monitoring program 
activities to ensure that all USDA programs are delivered in a 
nondiscriminatory manner. The Office's outreach functions 
provide leadership, coordination, facilitation, and expertise 
to internal and external partners to ensure equal and timely 
access to USDA programs for all constituents, with emphasis on 
the underserved, through information sharing, technical 
assistance, and training.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,070,000 
for the Office of Civil Rights.

                  Agriculture Buildings and Facilities

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $55,866,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     125,469,000
Committee recommendation................................      53,618,000

    Department headquarters presently operates in a two-
building, Government-owned complex in downtown Washington, DC, 
the George Washington Carver Center in Beltsville, Maryland, 
and in leased buildings in the metropolitan Washington, DC, 
area. Under an arrangement with the General Services 
Administration, USDA operates, maintains, and repairs these 
facilities, in lieu of rental payments. For the last several 
years the Department has implemented a strategic space plan to 
locate staff more efficiently, renovate its buildings, and 
eliminate safety hazards, particularly in the Agriculture South 
Building.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $53,618,000 
for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities.

                     Hazardous Materials Management

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $3,600,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       3,630,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,618,000

    Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation 
and Recovery Act, the Department has the responsibility to meet 
the same standards regarding the storage and disposition of 
hazardous materials as private businesses. The Department is 
required to contain, cleanup, monitor, and inspect for 
hazardous materials in areas under the Department's 
jurisdiction.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,618,000 for 
Hazardous Materials Management, including the requested 
increase for cleanup efforts at high-priority sites that pose 
the greatest threats to human life and safety.

                      Office of Inspector General

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $95,026,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      98,902,000
Committee recommendation................................      95,294,000

    The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established 
October 12, 1978, by the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public 
Law 95-452). This act expanded and provided specific 
authorities for the activities of OIG which had previously been 
carried out under the general authorities of the Secretary of 
Agriculture.
    The Office is administered by an inspector general who 
reports directly to the Secretary of Agriculture. Functions and 
responsibilities of this Office include direction and control 
of audit and investigative activities within the Department, 
formulation of audit and investigative policies and procedures 
regarding Department programs and operations, and analysis and 
coordination of program-related audit and investigation 
activities performed by other Department agencies.
    The activities of this Office are designed to assure 
compliance with existing laws, policies, regulations, and 
programs of the Department's agencies, and to provide 
appropriate officials with the means for prompt corrective 
action where deviations have occurred. The scope of audit and 
investigative activities is large and includes administrative, 
program, and criminal matters. These activities are 
coordinated, when appropriate, with various audit and 
investigative agencies of the executive and legislative 
branches of the Government.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $95,294,000 
for the Office of Inspector General, which includes an increase 
of $268,000 for GSA rent and DHS security payments, as 
requested in the budget. The recommendation also includes 
funding for OIG to address violations of section 26 of the 
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156) and to coordinate with State 
and local law enforcement personnel in this effort.

                     Office of the General Counsel

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $44,383,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      48,075,000
Committee recommendation................................      44,383,000

    The Office of the General Counsel provides all legal 
advice, counsel, and services to the Secretary and to all 
agencies, offices, and corporations of the Department. The 
Office represents the Department in administrative proceedings; 
nonlitigation debt collection proceedings; State water rights 
adjudications; proceedings before the Environmental Protection 
Agency, Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Maritime 
Administration, and International Trade Commission; and, in 
conjunction with the Department of Justice, in judicial 
proceedings and litigation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $44,383,000 
for the Office of the General Counsel.

                            Office of Ethics

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $3,654,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       4,565,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,654,000

    The Office of Ethics is the centralized and consolidated 
office implementing USDA's ethics program throughout the 
Department. The Office provides ethics services to all 
employees at the Department concerning advice, training, and 
guidance about compliance with conflict of interest and 
impartiality rules. This includes complying with the 
requirements of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge 
Act, Public Law 112-105 (the STOCK Act), and the Office of 
Government Ethics regulatory requirements (5 CFR parts 2634 
through 2641).

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,654,000 for 
the Office of Ethics.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, 
and Economics provides direction and coordination in carrying 
out the laws enacted by the Congress for food and agricultural 
research, education, extension, and economic and statistical 
information. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Agricultural Research Service; 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture; Economic Research 
Service; and National Agricultural Statistics Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics.
    Cover Crops.--The Committee recognizes the importance of 
cover crops to promote soil health and reduce nutrient runoff 
and encourages the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
to coordinate research efforts to collect information regarding 
cover crop practices, adoption rates, and effects on soil 
health and crop yields, and to provide effective and widespread 
dissemination of the results of the research to agricultural 
producers through extension and outreach activities.
    Formula Funds.--The Committee recognizes the good work that 
stems from Hatch and Smith-Lever grants and directs that the 
funds continue to be awarded according to existing statutory 
funding formulas.

                       Economic Research Service

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $85,373,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      86,023,000
Committee recommendation................................      85,373,000

    The Economic Research Service [ERS] provides economic and 
other social science research and analysis for public and 
private decisions on agriculture, food, the environment, and 
rural America. The information that ERS produces is for use by 
the general public and to help the executive and legislative 
branches develop, administer, and evaluate agricultural and 
rural policies and programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $85,373,000 
for the Economic Research Service.
    Forest Loss.--The Committee encourages ERS to analyze the 
impacts of U.S. trade and import of food and commodities on 
global forest loss, and to identify potential U.S. policies 
that could reduce U.S. impacts on tropical forest loss. ERS 
should report to the Committee on its efforts within 180 days 
of enactment of this act.
    Organic Data Analysis.--The organic industry has grown at a 
tremendous rate over the past several years, and accurate data 
for the production, pricing and marketing of organic products 
is essential. Therefore, the Committee encourages ERS to 
continue and expand the efforts relating to organic data 
analysis.

                National Agricultural Statistics Service

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $172,408,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     180,346,000
Committee recommendation................................     168,108,000

    The National Agricultural Statistics Service [NASS] 
administers the Department's program of collecting and 
publishing current national, State, and county agricultural 
statistics. These statistics provide accurate and timely 
projections of current agricultural production and measures of 
the economic and environmental welfare of the agricultural 
sector which are essential for making effective policy, 
production, and marketing decisions. NASS also furnishes 
statistical services to other USDA and Federal agencies in 
support of their missions, and provides consulting, technical 
assistance, and training to developing countries.
    NASS is also responsible for administration of the Census 
of Agriculture, which is taken every 5 years and provides 
comprehensive data on the agricultural economy including: data 
on the number of farms, land use, production expenses, farm 
product values, value of land and buildings, farm size and 
characteristics of farm operators, market value of agricultural 
production sold, acreage of major crops, inventory of livestock 
and poultry, and farm irrigation practices.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $168,108,000 
for the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The 
recommendation includes increases of $500,000 for pollinator 
surveys, and $957,000 for the Chemical Use program, as 
requested in the budget. The Committee also includes funding to 
reinstate a vineyard production survey to gather information 
essential to annual pricing and purchase agreements and long-
term production planning.
    Chemical Use Data Series.--The Committee believes that the 
Chemical Use Data Series provides timely, valuable information 
on fertilizer and chemical use data and major field crops and 
selected specialty crops. The Committee encourages the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service to continue funding the 
collection and analysis of chemical use data as well as 
practices such as integrated pest management. The Committee 
directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
continue collecting Fruit Chemical Use data and Vegetable 
Chemical Use data in alternating years.
    Organic Data Collection.--The Committee believes the 
Organic Production Survey is essential to the growth of the 
organic industry, and should be conducted on a regular basis to 
properly assess the characteristics, trends, and changes in the 
sector. The Committee included funding in 2014 for this purpose 
and expects NASS to incorporate funding for an annual organic 
production survey into its internal budgeting process.

                     Agricultural Research Service

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $1,132,625,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   1,191,540,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,136,825,000

    The Agricultural Research Service [ARS] is responsible for 
conducting basic, applied, and developmental research through 
its major program areas of New Products/Product Quality/Value 
Added; Livestock/Crop Production; Food Safety; Livestock/Crop 
Protection; Human Nutrition; and Environmental Stewardship. The 
research applies to a wide range of goals; commodities; natural 
resources; fields of science; and geographic, climatic, and 
environmental conditions.
    ARS is also responsible for the Abraham Lincoln National 
Agricultural Library which provides agricultural information 
and library services through traditional library functions and 
modern electronic dissemination to agencies of the USDA, public 
and private organizations, and individuals.
    As the USDA's in-house agricultural research unit, ARS has 
major responsibilities for conducting and leading the national 
agricultural research effort. It provides initiative and 
leadership in five areas: research on broad regional and 
national problems, research to support Federal action and 
regulatory agencies, expertise to meet national emergencies, 
research support for international programs, and scientific 
resources to the executive branch and Congress.
    The mission of ARS research is to develop and transfer 
solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority 
and provide information access and dissemination to ensure 
high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; assess 
the nutritional needs of Americans; sustain a competitive 
agricultural economy; enhance the natural resource base and the 
environment; and provide economic opportunities for rural 
citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,136,825,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Agricultural Research Service. 
The Committee does not concur with the President's budget 
request regarding the termination of research programs or 
closure of research locations. The Committee expects extramural 
research to be funded at no less than the fiscal year 2015 
levels.
    Aerial Application Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the ARS Aerial Application Technology Program. 
The program conducts innovative research making aerial 
applications more efficient, effective and precise. Research 
for aerial application serves the public good as a vital tool 
for the future, as agriculture strives to meet the food, fiber, 
and bio-energy demands of a growing population.
    Agroforestry.--Agroforestry can provide on-farm financial 
and environmental benefits while also addressing the regional 
and national-scale issues of clean water, wildlife habitat, and 
hypoxia. Agroforesters manage trees with crops, livestock, and 
pasture to combine the best of both agriculture and forestry. 
Recognizing the importance of agroforestry to farm practices 
and the environment, the Committee recommendation includes no 
less than the fiscal year 2015 level to develop integrated 
strategies to manage multifunctional agricultural landscapes 
that combine trees with agricultural and horticultural crops, 
forages and grazing livestock for optimal economic, 
environmental, and natural resources benefits.
    Animal Welfare.--The Committee is concerned about 
allegations of mistreatment of research animals at the U.S. 
Meat Animal Research Center [USMARC] in Clay Center, Nebraska, 
and is aware that USDA's Office of the Inspector General is 
conducting a full audit of animal welfare practices at USMARC 
and throughout the Agricultural Research Service [ARS]. The 
Committee directs ARS to ensure all its facilities conducting 
agricultural research comply with standards that are equivalent 
to the Animal Welfare Act, and to enter into an agreement with 
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] to have 
APHIS Animal Care conduct routine inspections of ARS facilities 
to ensure humane treatment of animals. The Committee further 
directs ARS to fully review all of its animal welfare policies 
and procedures, and to ensure that all research facilities 
which conduct animal research have fully functioning 
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, with appropriate 
record keeping procedures. The Committee directs USDA to 
provide quarterly reports to the Committees on Appropriations 
of the House and Senate regarding all efforts to improve or 
ensure all animal welfare regulations are being followed, 
including measures taken when problems are discovered.
    Aquaculture Disease.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increasing negative impact the spread of Aeromonas is having on 
the domestic farm-raised catfish industry. The ARS Aquatic 
Animal Health Unit is encouraged to collaborate with land-grant 
university partners with expertise in aquatic animal health and 
fish pathogens to develop more effective culture methods and 
advanced biosecurity measures to counteract the infections. All 
research, development and outreach should focus on the 
immediate needs surrounding Aeromonas infections, but should be 
tailored in a way that provides broad-based solutions to 
reducing loss due to disease in the domestic aquaculture 
industry. Research should also focus on methodologies that have 
the potential to not only reduce risks from pathogens, but also 
positively impact the viability and profitability of the 
industry beyond the benefits provided by disease control. The 
Committee is particularly interested in understanding what 
benefits the use of in-pond raceways could have on disease 
prevention and mediation, the cost of production, and 
profitability.
    Bioenergy Research.--ARS is encouraged to consider a wide 
spectrum of growing conditions and appropriate plant species in 
its bioenergy research to support the development of bioenergy 
products viable in all States and territories.
    Classical Plant Breeding.--The Committee is aware of the 
need to enhance classical plant breeding, and encourages ARS to 
invest in research to improve genetic resources and cultivars 
for the benefit of U.S. producers, seed companies, processors 
and consumers. This research should focus on breeding improved 
germplasm and varieties with higher yields, improved disease 
and pest resistance and resilience to weather extremes. 
Additionally, methods and tools should be developed to enable 
classical breeders to choose better breeding parents and speed 
up variety development.
    Cranberry Research.--The Committee recognizes the need for 
advancements in water conservation, pest control, disease 
reduction, and fruit quality improvements in cranberry 
production. The Committee recommendation includes $750,000 to 
increase resources devoted to improving cranberry yields, pest 
management, disease management, and water resource management 
by developing fields devoted to cranberry research and 
collection and storage of samples for analysis in appropriate 
existing laboratory facilities.
    Dairy Forage Research.--The Committee commends the ARS on 
its prioritization of research to develop improved forage 
breeding and management systems to enhance the productivity and 
capacity of animal production systems. This research should 
focus on improving the environmental efficiency of diverse 
integrated dairy systems, environmental growth physiology, and 
the improvement of forage, forage management, and forage 
systems. This research serves the public good by improving the 
efficiency of dairy systems and addressing nutrient management 
pressures on water and environmental quality.
    Emerging Cereal Rust Diseases.--The Committee is aware that 
emerging cereal rust diseases are a threat to domestic and 
world food supplies. Therefore, the Department should continue 
to dedicate funding to speed efforts to combat cereal rust 
disease, including development of Ug99-resistant wheat 
varieties.
    Forage Production Systems.--The Committee recommendation 
includes no less than the fiscal year 2015 level to develop 
management practices that improve the production efficiency of 
grazing operations in temperate pastures.
    Forest Products.--The Committee recognizes the important 
role of the forests products sector to the U.S. economy. The 
need to create new and improved value-added products and 
renewable energy from our Nation's wood supply is critical to 
the sustainability of the national economy. The Committee 
recommendation includes $3,500,000 to support research on wood 
quality improvement and improvement in forest products 
evaluation standards and valuation techniques. ARS shall 
conduct this research in consultation with the Forest Products 
Laboratory.
    Human Nutrition Research.--The Committee remains concerned 
about the high rates of obesity in this country, and believes 
that research into human nutrition is important to help prevent 
childhood obesity and the medical issues obesity brings. The 
Committee recommendation includes no less than the fiscal year 
2015 level to expand research regarding the growth, health 
promotion, diet, immune function, and disease prevention of the 
developing child.
    National Agricultural Library.--ARS is responsible for the 
Abraham Lincoln National Agricultural Library [NAL] which 
provides agricultural information and library services through 
traditional library functions and modern electronic 
dissemination to agencies of the USDA, public and private 
organizations, and individuals. The Committee directs ARS to 
continue to support the dissemination of objective, scholarly, 
and authoritative agricultural and food law research and 
information by entering into partnerships with institutions of 
higher education that have expertise in agricultural and food 
law research and information.
    Nutrition Research and Aging.--There is strong evidence 
that nutrition plays a critical role in preventative health, 
especially in aging adults. More research is needed to address 
our gaps in knowledge about how nutrition impacts the health of 
this growing population of Americans. The Agricultural Research 
Service is encouraged to continue research relating to the 
impact of nutrition on aging and health.
    Pollinator Research.--The Committee is aware that 
pollinators are responsible for the production of one-third of 
the Nation's food supply, but the number of managed honeybee 
colonies in the United States has dropped in half since 1940. 
Because of the importance of pollinators in the production of 
the Nation's food supply and their impact on the stability of 
our agricultural economy, the Committee recommendation includes 
an increase of $2,000,000 for pollinator health.
    Potato Research.--The Committee is concerned about the 
potentially devastating effect that Golden Nematodes and Pale 
Cyst Nematodes could have on potatoes and other agricultural 
commodities in contact with soil, and recognizes that in order 
to ensure the success of nematode quarantine in the country ARS 
scientists must be able to breed and test potatoes for nematode 
resistance and to receive and analyze soil to monitor nematode 
infestation in regulated areas in a secure quarantined 
environment.
    Research Facilities.--The Committee notes the delivery of 
the report pursuant to a provision in the report accompanying 
the Fiscal Year 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing 
Appropriation Act, which directed ARS to submit a report 
containing recommendations to better utilize Federal labs in 
cooperation with land-grant universities. It is concerning, 
however, that the report contained no such recommendations and 
many issues regarding the underutilization of established labs 
remain unresolved. The Committee therefore directs ARS, in 
consultation with land-grant universities and Center Directors, 
to submit a report to the Committee by January 30, 2016, that 
includes an assessment of the current utilization of each ARS 
facility, the views of land-grant universities and/or Center 
Directors, and specific recommendations to better utilize 
Federal labs to explore new scientific opportunities that 
benefit the Nation's food and agriculture system.
    Sclerotinia.--The Committee is aware of the economic 
importance of controlling sclerotinia, which affects 
sunflowers, soybeans, canola, edible beans, peas, and lentils 
and encourages ARS to continue both core research and 
cooperative projects of the National Sclerotinia Initiative.
    Shellfish Research.--The Committee encourages the 
Agricultural Research Service to increase its investment in 
partnerships with research institutions on research to improve 
shellfish survival and growth rates and to classify and 
preserve natural genetic variation.
    Small Grains Genomic Initiative.--The Committee recognizes 
that ARS small grains genotypic research provides a critical 
resource to facilitate the application of genomic information 
and DNA marker technologies to the improvement and breeding of 
barley and wheat, with a current major need to update to next-
generation genotypic to accelerate marker-assisted breeding. 
Adequate resources are also needed to enhance barley and wheat 
quality phenotyping, doubled haploid research and small grains 
genomic research, and the Committee supports the Small Grains 
Genomic Initiative.
    Sustainable Water Use Research.--The Committee remains 
concerned about the ongoing depletion of the regional Alluvial 
Aquifer in the Lower Mississippi River Basin. Over 7 million 
acres in the region represent irrigated cropland and 90 percent 
of those acres rely on the groundwater supply. Increased water 
withdrawals and stagnant recharging jeopardize the long-term 
availability of the aquifer and place irrigation agriculture in 
the region on an unsustainable path. The Committee encourages 
ARS, in collaboration with university research and extension 
scientists and local stakeholders, to identify gaps in water 
management research and focus efforts on the development of 
conservation and irrigation techniques to reduce water usage in 
agriculture production while maintaining crop quality and 
yield.
    Tropical and Subtropical Research.--Research on Tropical 
and Subtropical crops is critical as the presence of and 
destruction by invasive pests such as fruit flies, coffee berry 
borer, and plant viruses increase and threaten crop security in 
the Pacific and Insular Areas, and the Committee encourages ARS 
to support this research.
    Wheat and Sorghum Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
potential impact heat and drought can have on the yield and 
quality of wheat and sorghum and the need for new cultivars to 
adapt to changing climatic conditions. The Committee provides 
an increase of $1,000,000 for research to improve the 
productivity and quality of wheat and sorghum during uncertain 
growing seasons resulting from extended droughts and increased 
temperatures.

                     Agricultural Research Service

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     205,901,000
Committee recommendation................................................

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for 
Agricultural Research Service, Buildings and Facilities.

               National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Section 7511(f)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 amends the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) by establishing an agency to be 
known as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NIFA]. 
The Secretary transferred to the Director of NIFA, effective 
October 1, 2009, all authorities administered by the 
Administrator of the Cooperative State, Research, Education and 
Extension Service. The mission is to work with university 
partners and customers to advance research, extension, and 
higher education in the food and agricultural sciences and 
related environmental and human sciences to benefit people, 
communities, and the Nation.

                   RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $786,874,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     990,788,000
Committee recommendation................................     791,096,000

    Research and Education programs administered by NIFA are 
USDA's principal entree to the university system of the United 
States for the purpose of conducting agricultural research and 
education programs as authorized by the Hatch Act of 1887, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 361a-361i); the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative 
Forestry Act of 1962, as amended (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.); the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 450i); the National Agricultural, Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 3101 et seq.); the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note); the Agricultural 
Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (Public 
Law 105-185), as amended; the Food, Agriculture, Conservation 
and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-624); the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171); and the 
Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246). 
Through these authorities, USDA participates with State and 
other cooperators to encourage and assist the State 
institutions in the conduct of agricultural research and 
education through the State Agricultural Experiment Stations of 
the 50 States and the territories; by approved Schools of 
Forestry; the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions and Tuskegee 
University and West Virginia State University; 1994 Land-Grant 
Institutions; by Colleges of Veterinary Medicine; and other 
eligible institutions. The appropriated funds provide Federal 
support for research and education programs at these 
institutions.
    The research and education programs participate in a 
nationwide system of agricultural research program planning and 
coordination among the State institutions, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, and the agricultural industry of America.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $791,096,000 
for research and education activities of the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for research and education activities:

                  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
               Program/Activity                                  Authorization                    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hatch Act.....................................  7 U.S.C. 361a-i................................          243,701
McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act.....  16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7.....................           33,961
Research at 1890 Institutions (Evans-Allen      7 U.S.C. 3222..................................           52,485
 Program).
Payments to the 1994 Institutions.............  534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382................            3,439
Education Grants for 1890 Institutions........  7 U.S.C. 3152(b)...............................           19,336
Education Grants for Hispanic-Serving           7 U.S.C. 3241..................................            9,219
 Institutions.
Education Grants for Alaska Native and Native   7 U.S.C. 3156..................................            3,194
 Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.
Research Grants for 1994 Institutions.........  536 of Public Law 103-382......................            1,801
Capacity Building for Non Land-Grant Colleges   7 U.S.C. 3319i.................................            5,000
 of Agriculture.
Resident Instruction and Distance Education     7 U.S.C. 3362 and 3363.........................            2,000
 Grants for Insular Areas.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative......  7 U.S.C. 450i(b)...............................          325,000
Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment............  7 U.S.C. 3151a.................................            5,000
Veterinary Services Grant Program.............  7 U.S.C. 3151b.................................            2,500
Continuing Animal Health and Disease Research   7 U.S.C. 3195..................................            4,000
 Program.
Supplemental and Alternative Crops............  7 U.S.C. 3319d.................................              825
Multicultural Scholars, Graduate Fellowship     7 U.S.C. 3152(b)...............................            9,000
 and Institutions Challenge Grants.
Secondary and 2-year Post-Secondary Education.  7 U.S.C. 3152(j)...............................              900
Aquaculture Centers...........................  7 U.S.C. 3322..................................            4,000
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education  7 U.S.C. 5811, 5812, 5831, and 5832............           22,667
Farm Business Management......................  7 U.S.C. 5925f.................................            1,450
Sun Grant Program.............................  7 U.S.C. 8114..................................            2,500
Improved Pest Control:
    Minor Crop Pest Management (IR-4).........  7 U.S.C. 450i(c)...............................           11,913
    Alfalfa Forage and Research Program.......  7 U.S.C. 5925..................................            2,000
Special Research Grants:                        7 U.S.C. 450i(c)...............................
    Global Change/UV Monitoring...............  ...............................................            1,405
    Potato Research...........................  ...............................................            2,000
    Aquaculture Research......................  ...............................................            1,350
                                                                                                ----------------
        Total, Special Research Grants........  ...............................................            4,755
                                                                                                ================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
 Activities:
    Grants Management System..................  ...............................................            7,830
    Federal Administration--Other Necessary     ...............................................           12,620
     Expenses for Research and Education
     Activities.
                                                                                                ----------------
        Total, Necessary Expenses.............  ...............................................           20,450
                                                                                                ================
        Total, Research and Education           ...............................................          791,096
         Activities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.--The Committee 
recommendation includes $325,000,000 for the Agriculture and 
Food Research Initiative [AFRI].
    Section 7406 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 specifies priority areas with the Agriculture and Food 
Research Initiative [AFRI], including an emphasis on 
conventional (classical) plant and animal breeding. The 
Committee strongly concurs with the intent of this section, and 
notes the importance of having publicly available cultivars and 
breeds that are specifically bred to be adapted to the soils, 
climates, and farming systems of farmers of all regions. 
Therefore, the Committee strongly urges to make public cultivar 
and breed development an increased priority for funding within 
the AFRI program by creating a separate Request for 
Applications in this area. The Committee further requests a 
report from the agency as to its plans for implementing this 
important requirement.
    Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards.--The Committee 
remains determined to see that quality research and enhanced 
human resources development in the agricultural and related 
sciences be a nationwide commitment. Therefore, the Committee 
continues its direction that not less than 15 percent of the 
competitive research grant funds be used for USDA's 
agricultural research enhancement awards program, including 
USDA-EPSCoR.
    Alfalfa and Forage Research.--The Committee notes that 
research into alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems holds the 
potential to increase yields, increase milk production, and 
improve genetics. The Committee recommendation includes 
$2,000,000 to support research into the improvement of yields, 
water conservation, creation of new uses, and the development 
of new storage and harvest systems.
    Aquaculture Disease Research.--The Committee encourages 
USDA to support aquaculture disease and vaccine research, 
including research on coldwater aquaculture vaccines. There is 
currently no national facility for pathogen testing. Research 
into finfish vaccines and pathogens has the potential to 
accelerate the growth of sustainable U.S. aquaculture, reduce 
the trade deficit attributable to imported seafood, and reduce 
the pressure on overfished species.
    Aquaculture Research.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of the domestic aquaculture industry to the U.S. 
economy. The Committee recommendation includes $1,350,000 for 
aquaculture research to address issues related to genetics, 
disease, systems, and economics.
    Cereal Crop Research.--Research on cereal crops has 
historically been conducted by USDA and public universities, 
and the Committee recognizes the importance of continuing 
investment in cereal crop research. The Committee strongly 
encourages USDA to provide funding for cereal crop research in 
the areas of genetic and genomic research, plant pest research, 
and improved production systems.
    Countering Seafood Fraud.--The Committee remains concerned 
about countering economic fraud and improving food safety of 
the U.S. food supply. The Committee is concerned that adequate 
technology is not yet available to provide for appropriate 
sampling of the food supply. The Committee believes NIFA should 
conduct research to develop technologies that will provide 
rapid, portable and facile screening of fish species at port 
sites, wholesale, and retail centers.
    Dual Use/Dual Benefit.--The Dual Purpose with Dual Benefit: 
Research in Biomedicine and Agriculture Using Agriculturally 
Important Domestic Species is an interagency partnership grants 
program funded by NIFA and the National Institutes of Health 
[NIH]. Both NIFA and NIH should be commended for developing 
this important interagency program. The Committee strongly 
urges continuation of this partnership because it sponsors use 
of farm animals as dual purpose models to better understand 
developmental origins of disease, fat regulation and obesity, 
stem cell biology, assisted reproductive technologies, and 
infectious disease which directly benefits both agriculture and 
biomedicine. This program also strengthens ties between human 
medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal sciences, which is 
key to success of the One Health Initiative.
    Food Safety.--The Committee recommends that NIFA prioritize 
research on funding for new food safety technologies relating 
to the Nation's meat supply that helps researchers, producers, 
and manufacturers.
    Food Safety Outreach.--The Committee is aware that for 
fiscal year 2015 FDA and USDA is soliciting proposals for the 
establishment of one national and four regional food safety 
training centers. The Committee is concerned that limiting 
funding to one national center and four regional centers may 
inhibit the funding being used for on-the-ground food safety 
training ``projects'', as authorized by the Food Safety 
Modernization Act. The Committee expects the Secretary to 
ensure that nonprofit community-based or non-governmental 
organizations, or organizations representing owners and 
operators of small and mid-sized farms, small food processors, 
or small fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers can compete 
for funding or subcontracts for on-the-ground food safety 
training projects that directly reach the targeted, intended 
beneficiaries.
    Lowbush Blueberries.--The Committee directs NIFA to work 
with research institutions to develop and refine predictive 
models and monitoring technologies for native and invasive 
pests for incorporation into integrated pest management 
programs for naturally seeded, native berry crops to increase 
the margin of food safety and product quality.
    Organic Research.--USDA's National Organic Standards Board 
[NOSB] has identified key organic research priorities, many of 
which would help to address challenges that have limited the 
growth in organic production in this country. The Committee 
encourages NIFA to give strong consideration to the NOSB 
organic research priorities when crafting the fiscal year 2016 
RFAs for AFRI and the Organic Transition Program.
    Regional Research Priorities.--The Committee encourages 
NIFA to consider providing funding within AFRI to assist with 
State and regional research priorities, with USDA oversight and 
review.
    Seafood.--The Committee encourages USDA, in partnership 
with universities with established domestic shrimp farming 
programs, to support the development of a domestic industry 
that will help ensure the safety and quality of the Nation's 
seafood supply, promote environmentally sustainable 
aquaculture, create new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, and 
forge new markets for U.S. grain and oilseed products and 
technology services.
    Specialty Crop Research Initiative.--The Committee 
emphasizes the important role of the Specialty Crop Research 
Initiative in addressing the critical needs of the specialty 
crop industry through research and extension activities, and 
encourages NIFA to prioritize proposals for and enhance its 
overall commitment to identifying and addressing threats to 
pollinators from pests and diseases.
    Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.--The 
Committee is strongly supportive of the SARE program and 
directs USDA to ensure that research, education and extension 
activities carried out within SARE remain intact.
    Veterinary Corps.--Veterinarians fulfilling the terms of a 
contract under USDA's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment 
Program, authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services 
Act, shall be members of the National Veterinary Medical 
Services Corps and members who have fulfilled the terms of 
their contract shall be alumni of the Corps.
    Zoonotic Disease Research.--Federal and State animal health 
officials have made eradicating livestock diseases with 
significant wildlife reservoirs a national animal health 
priority. This need is reflected in the Agricultural Act of 
2014 which made the research and development of surveillance 
methods, vaccines, vaccination delivery systems or diagnostic 
tests a priority research area under the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act particularly for bovine 
brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. The Committee recognizes 
the need for this research and encourages the agency to make 
competitive grants available to study improved management tools 
for zoonotic livestock diseases with significant wildlife 
reservoirs.

 HISPANIC-SERVING AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ENDOWMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     $10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,000,000

    Section 7129 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008, provides for the establishment of an endowment fund for 
the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities 
[HSACU]. The Hispanic/Latino community is the fastest-growing 
sector of the American population. This investment in the 
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities is 
needed to ensure institutions can effectively compete for NIFA 
competitive grants.
    On the termination of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
withdraw the income from the endowment fund for the fiscal 
year, and after making adjustments for the cost of 
administering the endowment fund, shall distribute the adjusted 
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income shall be 
distributed among the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges 
and Universities on a pro rata basis based on the Hispanic 
enrollment count of each institution; and 40 percent shall be 
distributed in equal shares to the Hispanic-Serving 
Agricultural Colleges and Universities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,000,000 
for the Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities 
Endowment Fund.

              NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $11,880,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      11,880,000
Committee recommendation................................      11,880,000

    The Native American Institutions Endowment Fund authorized 
by Public Law 103-382, the Equity in Educational Land-Grant 
Status Act, provides an endowment for the 1994 land-grant 
institutions (34 tribally controlled colleges). This program 
will enhance educational opportunity for Native Americans by 
building educational capacity at these institutions in the 
areas of student recruitment and retention, curricula 
development, faculty preparation, instruction delivery systems, 
and scientific instrumentation for teaching. Income funds are 
also available for facility renovation, repair, construction, 
and maintenance. On the termination of each fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall withdraw the income from the endowment fund for 
the fiscal year, and after making adjustments for the cost of 
administering the endowment fund, distribute the adjusted 
income as follows: 60 percent of the adjusted income from these 
funds shall be distributed among the 1994 land-grant 
institutions on a pro rata basis, the proportionate share being 
based on the Indian student count; and 40 percent of the 
adjusted income shall be distributed in equal shares to the 
1994 land-grant institutions.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $11,880,000 
for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund.

                          EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $471,691,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     483,370,000
Committee recommendation................................     488,891,000

    Cooperative extension work was established by the Smith-
Lever Act of May 8, 1914, as amended. The Department of 
Agriculture is authorized to provide, through the land-grant 
colleges, cooperative extension work that consists of the 
development of practical applications of research knowledge and 
the giving of instruction and practical demonstrations of 
existing or improved practices or technologies in agriculture 
and related subjects, and to encourage the application of such 
information by demonstrations, publications, through 4-H clubs, 
and other means to persons not in attendance or resident at the 
colleges.
    To fulfill the requirements of the Smith-Lever Act, State 
and county extension offices in each State, the District of 
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and Micronesia conduct 
educational programs to improve American agriculture and 
strengthen the Nation's families and communities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $488,891,000 
for extension activities of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for extension activities:

                        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
               Program/Activity                                  Authorization                    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Smith-Lever Act, Section 3(b) and (c) and       7 U.S.C. 343(b) and (c) and 208(c) of Public             300,000
 Cooperative Extension.                          Law 93-471.
Extension Services at 1890 Institutions.......  7 U.S.C. 3221..................................           43,920
Extension Services at 1994 Institutions.......  7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3).............................            4,446
Facility Improvements at 1890 Institutions....  7 U.S.C. 3222b.................................           19,730
Renewable Resources Extension Act.............  16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq..........................            4,060
Rural Health and Safety Education Programs....  7 U.S.C. 2662(i)...............................            1,500
Food and Animal Residue Avoidance Database      7 U.S.C. 7642..................................            1,250
 Program.
Women and Minorities in STEM Fields...........  7 U.S.C. 5925..................................              400
Food Safety Outreach Program..................  7 U.S.C. 7625..................................            2,500
Smith-LeverAct, Section 3(d):
    Food and Nutrition Education..............  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................           67,934
    Farm Safety and Youth Farm Safety           7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            4,610
     Education Programs.
    New Technologies for Agricultural           7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            1,550
     Extension.
    Children, Youth, and Families at Risk.....  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            8,395
    Federally Recognized Tribes Extension       7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................            3,039
     Program.
    Crop Protection/Pest Management...........  7 U.S.C. 343(d)................................           17,200
                                                                                                ----------------
      Total, Section 3(d).....................  ...............................................          102,728
                                                                                                ================
Necessary Expenses of Research and Education
 Activities:
    Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom.........  ...............................................              552
    Federal Administration--Other Necessary     ...............................................            7,805
     Expenses for Research and Education
     Activities.
                                                                                                ----------------
        Total, Necessary Expenses.............  ...............................................            8,357
                                                                                                ================
        Total, Extension Activities...........  ...............................................          488,891
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $30,900,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      28,900,000
Committee recommendation................................      13,700,000

    Section 406, as amended, of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 authorizes an 
integrated research, education, and extension competitive 
grants program.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $13,700,000 
for integrated activities of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture.
    The following table summarizes the Committee's 
recommendations for integrated activities:

                        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE--INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
                                             [Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                Program/Activity                                  Authorization                   recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Methyl Bromide Transition Program...............  7 U.S.C. 7626................................            2,000
Organic Transition Program......................  7 U.S.C. 7626................................            4,000
Regional Rural Development Centers..............  7 U.S.C. 450i(c).............................            1,000
Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative.........  7 U.S.C. 3351................................            6,700
                                                                                                ----------------
      Total, Integrated Activities..............  .............................................           13,700
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Crop Protection/Pest Management.--The Committee 
recommendation moves funding for the Crop Protection/Pest 
Management line item from Integrated Activities to the Smith-
Lever Act, section 3(d) line item within Extension Activities.
    Potato Research.--To minimize the application of pesticides 
and to maximize the yield and quality of harvested potatoes, 
the Committee directs the Secretary to support pest management 
programs in potato growing States. Such programs help 
scientists track potential pest outbreaks and provide growers 
and industry professionals with current information on specific 
and timely treatments. Additionally, the programs help identify 
serious diseases, such as late blight disease, in their early 
stages, allowing for preventive measure to be put into place 
quickly to avoid crop losses.

  Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and 
Regulatory Programs provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out laws with respect to the Department's marketing, 
grading, and standardization activities related to grain; 
competitive marketing practices of livestock, marketing orders, 
and various programs; veterinary services; and plant protection 
and quarantine. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service; Agricultural Marketing Service; and Grain Inspection, 
Packers and Stockyards Administration.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory 
Programs.

               Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $871,315,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     855,803,000
Committee recommendation................................     876,465,000

    The Secretary of Agriculture established the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] on April 2, 1972, under 
the authority of reorganization plan No. 2 of 1953, and other 
authorities. The major objectives of APHIS are to protect the 
animal and plant resources of the Nation from diseases and 
pests. These objectives are carried out under the major areas 
of activity, as follows:
    Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/Response.--The 
agency monitors plant and animal health worldwide, and sets 
import polices to prevent the introduction of foreign plant and 
animal pests and diseases. Domestically, the agency works 
cooperatively to conduct plant and animal health monitoring 
programs, pursue eradication, or limit the spread of the 
threat. The agency also conducts diagnostic laboratory 
activities that support disease prevention, detection, control, 
and eradication programs. In addition, the agency protects 
agriculture from detrimental animal predators, and through its 
regulatory structure helps advance genetic research while 
protecting against the release of harmful organisms.
    Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance.--The 
agency helps resolve technical trade issues to ensure the 
smooth and safe movement of agricultural commodities into and 
out of the United States. The agency negotiates animal and 
plant health certification requirements and assists U.S. 
exporters meet foreign regulatory demands. In addition, the 
agency assists developing countries in improving their 
safeguarding systems, to protect the United States from 
emerging plant and animal pests and diseases.
    Animal Care.--The agency conducts regulatory activities 
that ensure the humane care and treatment of animals and horses 
as the Animal Welfare and Horse Protection Acts require. These 
activities include inspection of certain establishments that 
handle animals intended for research, exhibition, and as pets, 
and monitoring certain horse shows.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $876,465,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service.
    The following table reflects the Committee's specific 
recommendations for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service:

                                   ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Fiscal year
                                                                 Fiscal year      2016 budget       Committee
                                                                 2015 enacted       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safeguarding and International Technical Assistance:
    Animal Health Technical Services.........................           35,339           35,357           35,339
    Aquatic Animal Health....................................            2,253            2,259            2,253
    Avian Health.............................................           52,340           52,395           52,340
    Cattle Health............................................           92,500           90,161           92,500
    Equine, Cervid and Small Ruminant Health.................           19,500           19,534           19,500
    National Veterinary Stockpile............................            3,973            3,722            3,973
    Swine Health.............................................           24,250           24,836           24,800
    Veterinary Biologics.....................................           16,417           16,448           16,417
    Veterinary Diagnostics...................................           31,540           31,594           31,540
    Zoonotic Disease Management..............................            9,523           19,536            9,523
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Animal Health................................          287,635          295,842          288,185
                                                              ==================================================
    Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (Appropriated)........           26,900           29,330           27,900
    Cotton Pests.............................................           11,520            8,194           11,520
    Field Crop & Rangeland Ecosystems Pests..................            8,826            8,876            8,826
    Pest Detection...........................................           27,446           27,504           27,446
    Plant Protection Methods Development.....................           20,686           20,734           20,686
    Specialty Crop Pests.....................................          156,000          145,182          156,000
    Tree & Wood Pests........................................           54,000           45,519           54,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Plant Health.................................          305,378          285,339          306,378
                                                              ==================================================
    Wildlife Damage Management...............................           90,027           80,583           92,627
    Wildlife Services Methods Development....................           18,856           18,908           18,856
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Wildlife Services............................          108,883           99,491          111,483
                                                              ==================================================
    Animal & Plant Health Regulatory Enforcement.............           16,224           16,264           16,224
    Biotechnology Regulatory Services........................           18,875           18,901           18,875
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Regulatory Services..........................           35,099           35,165           35,099
                                                              ==================================================
    Contingency Fund.........................................              470              471              470
    Emergency Preparedness & Response........................           16,966           16,991           16,966
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Emergency Management.........................           17,436           17,462           17,436
                                                              ==================================================
      Subtotal, Safeguarding and Emergency Preparedness/               754,431          733,299          758,581
       Response..............................................
                                                              ==================================================
Safe Trade and International Technical Assistance:
    Agriculture Import/Export................................           14,099           19,625           15,099
    Overseas Technical & Trade Operations....................           22,114           22,138           22,114
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Safe Trade...................................           36,213           41,763           37,213
                                                              ==================================================
Animal Welfare:
    Animal Welfare...........................................           28,010           28,071           28,010
    Horse Protection.........................................              697              706              697
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Animal Welfare...............................           28,707           28,777           28,707
                                                              ==================================================
Agency Management:
    APHIS Information Technology Infrastructure..............            4,251            4,251            4,251
    Physical/Operational Security............................            5,146            5,146            5,146
    GSA rent and DHS security payments.......................           42,567           42,567           42,567
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Agency Management............................           51,964           51,964           51,964
                                                              ==================================================
      Total, Direct Appropriation............................          871,315          855,803          876,465
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Agricultural Quarantine Inspection.--The Committee 
recognizes that prevention of infestations of pests and 
diseases is much more cost effective than subsequent control or 
eradication. This is an important Federal responsibility and 
the Committee provides $27,900,000 for the agricultural 
quarantine inspections (AQI) function, including pre-departure 
and interline inspections.
    Animal Disease Traceability.--The Committee provides 
$13,000,000 to continue support for implementation of the new 
animal disease traceability system.
    APHIS Cargo Release.--The Committee recommends that APHIS 
continue to work with the Department of Homeland Security's 
Customs and Border Protection [CBP] in order to facilitate the 
release of cargo at commercial import facilities by ensuring 
that CBP officials earn Cargo Release Authority certification 
for those species and groups of organisms listed in the Cargo 
Release Authority Plan. Such coordination will allow CBP 
officials to release cargo authorized by the Cargo Release 
Authority Plan while allowing APHIS entomologists, plant 
pathologists, and botanists to make release decisions upon 
discovery of those reportable organisms that may pose a threat 
to the Nation's agricultural security. APHIS is directed to 
report to the Committee regarding ongoing interagency 
coordination efforts, as well as specific steps planned for the 
fiscal year to improve release decisionmaking processes for 
import agriculture cargo.
    Chronic Wasting Disease.--The national deer farming 
industry is adapting to a 2012 interim final rule that 
established a national, voluntary herd certification program 
[HCP] that provides uniform herd certification standards and 
will support the domestic and international marketability of 
U.S. cervid herds. The Committee believes the industry requires 
funding support to ensure that the newly implemented chronic 
wasting disease HCP is successful. Therefore, APHIS should 
spend no less than $3,000,000 for cervid health activities. 
Within the funds provided, APHIS should give consideration to 
indemnity payments if warranted.
    Committee Directives.--In complying with the Committee's 
directives, the Committee expects APHIS not to redirect support 
for programs and activities without prior notification to and 
approval by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations 
in accordance with the reprogramming procedures specified in 
the act. Unless otherwise directed, the Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service shall implement appropriations by programs, 
projects, and activities as specified by the Appropriations 
Committees of both Houses of Congress. Unspecified reductions 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this act are to be 
implemented in accordance with the definitions contained in the 
program, project, and activity section of this report.
    Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza [HPAI].--The Committee is 
appreciative of the Department's decision to utilize emergency 
funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] to address 
surveillance, biosecurity, indemnification, site cleanup and 
disinfection, etc., in the face of spreading HPAI 
contaminations. Although infections may decline during the warm 
summer months, it is likely that the pace will accelerate again 
in the fall. The Committee expects the Secretary to continue to 
move expeditiously, relying on CCC funding, to support 
research, disease tracking, containment, and other Federal 
responsibilities to combat this devastating disease.
    Honey Bee Pests.--The Committee remains concerned with 
declining bee populations and the tragic implications for 
pollination of U.S. agriculture. The Committee directs the 
agency to continue priority work with other Federal and State 
agencies and the public to manage, suppress, and eradicate 
varroa mites, small hive beetles, and other pests and diseases 
contributing to colony collapse disorder.
    Invasive Annual Grasses.--The Secretary is encouraged to 
consider targeted herbicide treatments of invasive annual 
grasses and restoration efforts to compliment juniper control 
efforts on greater sage-grouse habitat on private rangelands.
    Invasive Tree Pests.--The Committee recognizes that the 
forests products industry and family forest owners are under 
great threat from a variety of invasive forest pests. It is 
essential that APHIS carry out a comprehensive program to 
counter the spread of invasive species and work towards 
complete eradication of the Asian long-horned beetle, which 
continues to be found in new locations. The Secretary is 
directed to report to the Committee regarding the steps being 
taken to eradicate Asian long-horned beetles and emerald ash 
borers in northeast forests.
    National Animal Health Laboratory Network [NAHLN].--Funding 
for the NAHLN shall be administered in consultation with the 
NAHLN Coordinating Council.
    Peer-Reviewed Accreditation.--The Committee commends 
APHIS's collaboration with accrediting organizations whose 
accreditation program heeds rigorous publicly available 
standards, utilizes notable experts in the field to conduct 
comprehensive inspection and review, and provides opportunity 
for public input. As a result, APHIS has prioritized its 
allocation of inspection resources and inspection frequency to 
focus on higher risk individuals and institutions. The 
Committee also commends APHIS for its proactive efforts to 
collaborate with these peer-reviewed accredited zoos and 
aquariums on critical initiatives such as: foreign animal 
disease surveillance; all-hazards preparedness and response; 
and animal welfare symposia. The Committee expects these 
efforts to continue and expand.
    West Nile Virus.--The Committee remains concerned with the 
threats to human and animal health posed by West Nile virus and 
recognizes that a critical strategy for addressing these 
threats is necessary to prevent the infection and transmission 
by known vectors, including farm-raised alligators. The 
Committee encourages APHIS to further investigate West Nile 
virus and other infectious diseases affecting farm raised 
alligators and develop treatments and methods to prevent 
infection and transmission.
    Wildlife Damage Management.--APHIS is responsible for 
providing Federal leadership in managing problems caused by 
wildlife. The Committee provides $92,627,000 for wildlife 
damage control to maintain priority initiatives, including 
preventing the transport of invasive snakes and other harmful 
species.
    The Committee maintains support for assistance to 
aquaculture producers to help mitigate wildlife depredation, 
particularly as it pertains to fish-eating and disease-carrying 
birds. The Committee provides an additional $600,000 for damage 
management efforts and the development of methods to assist 
producers in combatting the persistent threat and economic 
hardship caused by cormorants, pelicans, and other birds.
    The Committee provides $26,000,000 for the National Rabies 
Management Program to fortify existing barriers and advance 
prevention and eradication efforts.
    Wildlife Services Education and Training.--The Committee is 
aware of the wide range of hazardous procedures and materials 
utilized by APHIS personnel in the conduct of daily duties. In 
addition, a recent comprehensive study noted the critical need 
to provide standardized safety training, certification, and 
database management for tracking, to ensure the safest working 
environment possible. As such, the Committee provides 
$2,000,000 within Wildlife Damage Management to establish a 
National Training Academy focused on those areas of greatest 
concern such as pyrotechnics, firearms, hazardous materials, 
immobilization and euthanasia drugs, pesticides, animal care 
and handling, land vehicles, watercraft, and zoonotic diseases.
    Wildlife Services Methods Development.--The Committee 
appreciates the important work done by the National Wildlife 
Research Center and its affiliated field locations to resolve 
problems caused by the interaction of wild animals and society. 
The Committee provides $18,856,000 to ensure continued 
development of technical and scientific information on wildlife 
damage management.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $3,175,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       3,175,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,175,000

    The APHIS appropriation for ``Buildings and Facilities'' 
funds major nonrecurring construction projects in support of 
specific program activities and recurring construction, 
alterations, preventive maintenance, and repairs of existing 
APHIS facilities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation includes an appropriation of 
$3,175,000 for buildings and facilities of the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service. This funding is necessary to allow 
APHIS to maintain existing facilities, and perform critically 
needed repairs to and replacements of building components, such 
as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning on a prioritized 
basis at APHIS facilities. The Committee notes that due to the 
environmentally sensitive nature of many APHIS facilities, 
closure of a facility could result if APHIS is unable to 
complete the required repairs.

                     Agricultural Marketing Service

                           MARKETING SERVICES

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $81,192,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      83,121,000
Committee recommendation................................      81,192,000

    The Agricultural Marketing Service [AMS] was established by 
the Secretary of Agriculture on April 2, 1972. AMS carries out 
programs authorized by more than 50 different statutory 
authorities, the primary ones being the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627, 1635-1638); the U.S. Cotton 
Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51-65); the Cotton Statistics and 
Estimates Act (7 U.S.C. 471-476); the Tobacco Inspection Act (7 
U.S.C. 511-511q); the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act 
(7 U.S.C. 499a-499t); the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 
U.S.C. 1031-1056); and section 32 of the Act of 1935 (Public 
Law 74-320, 7 U.S.C. 612c).
    Programs administered by this agency include the market 
news services, standardization, grading, classing, shell egg 
surveillance services, transportation services, wholesale 
farmers and alternative market development, grant payments to 
States for marketing activities, the Federal administration of 
marketing agreements and orders, commodity purchases, 
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, the Plant Variety 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.), and market protection 
and promotion activities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $81,192,000 
for Marketing Services of the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    Organic Data Collection.--The Committee encourages the 
Department to collect price data on organic commodities and 
other data relevant to the marketing of organic agricultural 
products.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Limitation, 2015........................................     $60,709,000
Budget limitation, 2016.................................      60,982,000
Committee recommendation................................      60,982,000

    The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 
97-35) initiated a system of user fees for the cost of grading 
and classing cotton, and tobacco. These activities, authorized 
under the U.S. Cotton Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 51 et seq.), the 
Tobacco Inspection Act (7 U.S.C. 511 et seq.), and other 
provisions of law are designed to facilitate commerce and 
protect participants in the industry.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $60,982,000 on 
administrative expenses of the Agricultural Marketing Service.

          FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY

                              (SECTION 32)

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $20,186,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      20,489,000
Committee recommendation................................      20,489,000

    Under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, (7 U.S.C. 
612c), an amount equal to 30 percent of customs receipts 
collected during each preceding calendar year and unused 
balances are available for encouraging the domestic consumption 
and exportation of agricultural commodities. An amount equal to 
30 percent of receipts collected on fishery products is 
transferred to the Department of Commerce. Additional transfers 
to the child nutrition programs of the Food and Nutrition 
Service have been provided in recent appropriations Acts.
    The following table reflects the status of this fund for 
fiscal years 2015-2016:

               ESTIMATED TOTAL FUNDS AVAILABLE AND BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD--FISCAL YEARS 2015-2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year 2015  Fiscal year 2016  Fiscal year 2016
                                                                 estimate           budget           estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation (30 Percent of Customs Receipts)............    $9,714,922,892   $10,316,645,343   $10,316,645,343
Less Transfers:
    Food and Nutrition Service............................    -8,355,670,824    -8,869,645,343    -8,869,645,343
    Commerce Department...................................      -143,738,031      -144,000,000      -144,000,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Transfers....................................    -8,499,408,855    -9,013,645,343    -9,013,645,343
                                                           =====================================================
Prior Year Appropriation Available, Start of Year.........       187,485,963       122,000,000       122,000,000
Prior Year Collections and Recoveries.....................  ................  ................  ................
Unavailable for Obligations (recoveries and offsetting      ................  ................  ................
 collections).............................................
Transfer of Prior Year Funds to FNS (F&V).................      -119,000,000      -122,000,000      -122,000,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
    Budget Authority, Farm Bill...........................     1,284,000,000     1,303,000,000     1,303,000,000
 
    Rescission of Current Year Funds......................      -121,094,000      -292,020,000      -215,704,000
    Appropriations Temporarily Reduced--Sequestration\1\..       -81,906,000  ................       -77,316,000
    Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit and Veg transfer to      -122,000,000      -125,000,000      -125,000,000
     FNS).................................................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
        Budget Authority, Appropriations Act..............       959,000,000       885,980,000       884,980,000
 
Less Obligations:
    Child Nutrition Programs (Entitlement Commodities)....       465,000,000       465,000,000       465,000,000
    State Option Contract.................................         5,000,000         5,000,000         5,000,000
    Removal of Defective Commodities......................         2,500,000         2,500,000         2,500,000
    Emergency Surplus Removal.............................       113,500,000  ................  ................
    Small Business Support................................  ................           500,000           500,000
    Disaster Relief.......................................         5,000,000         5,000,000         5,000,000
    Additional Fruits, Vegetables, and Nuts Purchases.....        92,500,000       206,000,000       206,000,000
    Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.....................        40,000,000        41,000,000        41,000,000
    Accounting Adjustment.................................  ................  ................  ................
    Estimated Future Needs................................       180,604,000       106,692,000       106,692,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Commodity Procurement........................       904,104,000       831,692,000       831,692,000
                                                           =====================================================
Administrative Funds:
    Commodity Purchase Support............................        34,710,000        33,799,000        33,799,000
    Marketing Agreements and Orders.......................        20,186,000        20,489,000        20,489,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, Administrative Funds.........................        54,896,000        54,288,000        54,288,000
                                                           =====================================================
      Total Obligations...................................       959,000,000       885,980,000       884,980,000
                                                           =====================================================
Unobligated Balance, End of Year..........................  ................  ................  ................
Unavailable for Obligations (Fruit and Veg transfer to           122,000,000       125,000,000       125,000,000
 FNS).....................................................
Balances, Collections and Recoveries Not Available........  ................  ................  ................
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total End of Year Balances..........................       122,000,000       125,000,000       125,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The Budget Control Act of 2011 as amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 reduced all non-defense
  mandatory accounts by 7.3 percent in 2015 and 6.8 percent in 2016.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a transfer from section 32 funds 
of $20,489,000 for the formulation and administration of 
marketing agreements and orders.
    Section 32 Authorities.--Under the authority described in 
clause 3 of 7 U.S.C. 612c, the Secretary is able to direct 
funds from the section 32 account to increase the purchasing 
power of producers. This practice has been used on various 
occasions to provide direct assistance to producers when market 
forces or natural conditions adversely affect the financial 
condition of farmers and ranchers. The Committee notes the 
importance of the ability of the Secretary to utilize this 
authority, but believes that communication between the 
Department and the Congress should be improved when this 
practice is used. Therefore, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to provide notification to the Appropriations 
Committee in advance of any public announcement or release of 
section 32 funds under the specific authorities cited above.

                   PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $1,235,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       1,235,000
Committee recommendation................................       1,235,000

    The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program [FSMIP] is 
authorized by section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946 and is also funded from appropriations. Matching grants 
are awarded on a competitive basis to State marketing agencies 
to identify and test market alternative farm commodities, 
determine methods of providing more reliable market 
information, and develop better commodity grading standards. 
This program has made possible many types of projects, such as 
electronic marketing and agricultural product diversification. 
Current projects are focused on the improvement of marketing 
efficiency and effectiveness, and seeking new outlets for 
existing farm produced commodities. The legislation grants the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to establish 
cooperative agreements with State departments of agriculture or 
similar State agencies to improve the efficiency of the 
agricultural marketing chain. The States perform the work or 
contract it to others, and must contribute at least one-half of 
the cost of the projects.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,235,000 for 
Payments to States and Possessions for Federal-State marketing 
projects and activities.

        Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $43,048,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      44,101,000
Committee recommendation................................      43,048,000

    The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration 
[GIPSA] was established pursuant to the Secretary's 1994 
reorganization. Grain inspection and weighing programs are 
carried out under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 71 et 
seq.) and other programs under the authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, including the inspection 
and grading of rice and grain-related products; conducting 
official weighing and grain inspection activities; and grading 
dry beans and peas, and processed grain products. Under the 
Packers and Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), assurance of 
the financial integrity of the livestock, meat, and poultry 
markets is provided. The Administration monitors competition in 
order to protect producers, consumers, and industry from 
deceptive and fraudulent practices which affect meat and 
poultry prices.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $43,048,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Grain Inspection, Packers and 
Stockyards Administration.
    Transportation Disruptions.--The Committee directs USDA to 
develop and implement prompt and effective contingency plans to 
ensure that official grain inspection and weighing services 
resume as quickly as possible should an interruption in service 
occur. Additionally, in the event of a disruption, the 
Committee directs the Secretary to ensure that persons 
requesting official inspection and weighing services are 
informed immediately of the nature of the emergency, promptly 
implement the necessary mitigations to address any concerns, 
and provide regular updates should any disruption persist.

        LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES

Limitation, 2015........................................     $50,000,000
Budget limitation, 2016.................................      55,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      55,000,000

    The agency provides an official grain inspection and 
weighing system under the U.S. Grain Standards Act [USGSA], and 
official inspection of rice and grain-related products under 
the Agricultural Marketing Act [AMA] of 1946. The USGSA was 
amended in 1981 to require the collection of user fees to fund 
the costs associated with the operation, supervision, and 
administration of Federal grain inspection and weighing 
activities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $55,000,000 on 
inspection and weighing services expenses.

             Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $816,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         824,000
Committee recommendation................................         816,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety provides 
direction and coordination in carrying out the laws enacted by 
the Congress with respect to the Department's inspection of 
meat, poultry, and processed egg products. The Office has 
oversight and management responsibilities for the Food Safety 
and Inspection Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $816,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety.

                   Food Safety and Inspection Service

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $1,016,474,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   1,011,557,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,013,621,000

    The major objectives of the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service are to assure that meat and poultry products are 
wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled and packaged, as 
required by the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et 
seq.); and to provide continuous in-plant inspection to egg 
processing plants under the Egg Products Inspection Act.
    The Food Safety and Inspection Service was established on 
June 17, 1981, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1000-1, issued 
pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953.
    The inspection program of the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service provides in-plant inspection of all domestic plants 
preparing meat, poultry or egg products for sale or 
distribution; reviews foreign inspection systems and 
establishments that prepare meat or poultry products for export 
to the United States; and provides technical and financial 
assistance to States which maintain meat and poultry inspection 
programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,013,621,000 
for the Food Safety and Inspection Service [FSIS]. The 
Committee finds the implementation schedule set forth by FSIS 
for revised inspections processes unrealistically rapid and 
provides additional funds to accomplish this transition in a 
more feasible manner.
    Humane Slaughter.--The Committee directs FSIS to continue 
to provide annual reports to the Committee on the 
implementation of objective scoring methods undertaken by FSIS 
to enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
    The Committee also directs FSIS to ensure that personnel 
hired with funding previously provided specifically for Humane 
Methods of Slaughter Act enforcement focus their attention on 
overseeing compliance with humane handling rules for live 
animals as they arrive and are offloaded and handled in pens, 
chutes, and stunning areas and that all inspectors receive 
robust training.
    Inspections.--The Committee is disappointed that the 
requirements set forth in section 12106 of Public Law 113-79 
have not been met. The Committee directs the Department to meet 
its statutory obligation by promulgating final regulations 
expeditiously and meeting the implementation deadline for all 
domestic and imported inspection no later than 30 days after 
the enactment of this act.
    Recruiting Inspection Program Personnel.--The Committee 
directs FSIS to submit a report that contains a comprehensive 
plan to increase the consideration of external candidates for 
frontline food safety inspection positions, with a focus on 
recruiting candidates with a demonstrated educational 
background in agriculture or health sciences, including new and 
recent graduates in these fields.
    The following table represents the Committee's specific 
recommendations for the Food Safety and Inspection Service as 
compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget request levels:

                            FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Fiscal year
                                                                    Fiscal year     2016 budget      Committee
                                                                   2015 enacted       request     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food safety inspection:
    Federal.....................................................         900,641         895,481         897,788
    State.......................................................          60,905          60,976          60,905
    International...............................................          16,589          16,744          16,589
    Codex Alimentarius..........................................           3,759           3,776           3,759
    PHDCIS......................................................          34,580          34,580          34,580
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
      Total.....................................................       1,016,474       1,011,557       1,013,621
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
                                Services

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to 
the Department's international affairs (except for foreign 
economic development), commodity programs, farm loans, disaster 
assistance, crop insurance, and some conservation and energy 
programs. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Farm Service Agency (including the 
Commodity Credit Corporation), Risk Management Agency, and the 
Foreign Agricultural Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services.

                          Farm Service Agency

    The Farm Service Agency [FSA] was established October 13, 
1994, pursuant to the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public 
Law 103-354. The FSA administers a variety of activities, such 
as the commodity price support and production adjustment 
programs financed by the Commodity Credit Corporation; the 
Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]; the Emergency Conservation 
Program; the Commodity Operation Programs including the 
warehouse examination function; farm ownership, farm operating, 
emergency disaster, and other loan programs; and the Noninsured 
Crop Disaster Assistance Program [NAP], which provides crop 
loss protection for growers of many crops for which crop 
insurance is not available. In addition, FSA currently provides 
certain administrative support services to the Foreign 
Agricultural Service [FAS] and to the Risk Management Agency 
[RMA].

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Transfers from    Total, FSA,
                                                                Appropriations      program        salaries and
                                                                                    accounts         expenses
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2015.........................................        1,200,180          309,880        1,510,060
Budget estimate, 2016........................................        1,185,251          312,873        1,498,124
Committee recommendation.....................................        1,180,391          309,880        1,490,271
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The account Salaries and Expenses, Farm Service Agency, 
funds the administrative expenses of program administration and 
other functions assigned to FSA. The funds consist of 
appropriations and transfers from the CCC export credit 
guarantees, Food for Peace loans, and Agricultural Credit 
Insurance Fund program accounts, and miscellaneous advances 
from other sources. All administrative funds used by FSA are 
consolidated into one account. The consolidation provides 
clarity and better management and control of funds, and 
facilitates accounting, fiscal, and budgetary work by 
eliminating the necessity for making individual allocations and 
allotments and maintaining and recording obligations and 
expenditures under numerous separate accounts.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,490,271,000 
for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency, including 
a direct appropriation of $1,180,391,000. The Committee 
supports the mission of FSA and does not agree with the 
reductions for salaries and personnel expenses as proposed in 
the budget. The Committee does not provide the increases for 
information technology or outreach for new and beginning 
farmers and ranchers as proposed in the budget.
    Algae Aquaculture.--The Committee encourages the Farm 
Service Agency to consider algae aquaculture in awarding 
establishment and maintenance funding under the Biomass Crop 
Assistance Program.
    Continuous Conservation Reserve Program.--The Secretary is 
strongly encouraged to, within the total acreage made available 
for enrollment in the conservation reserve program and without 
reducing the periodic availability of general signup, enroll, 
to the maximum extent practicable, acreage for activities 
included in the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement practice 
or other similar administratively established wetland and 
habitat practices that benefit priority fish and wildlife 
species identified in State, regional, and national 
conservation initiatives with a priority for initiatives that 
provide large blocks of cover ideal for wildlife nesting.
    Information Technology.--The Committee remains dedicated to 
ensuring FSA has reliable and functioning IT systems for 
optimal customer service, but the agency's investments and 
strategy in recent years have returned cost overruns and poor 
performance. As such, the Committee recommendation includes a 
decrease of $10,000,000 for Modernize and Innovate the Delivery 
of Agricultural Systems [MIDAS]. The Committee remains 
concerned that despite continued investments in FSA IT 
generally, and MIDAS specifically, the agency lacks leadership 
and a clear path forward. Without shown improvement by the 
agency, the Committee cannot continue to provide the full 
amount for information technology requested in the budget.
    Recently, the Office of Inspector General [OIG] and the 
Government Accountability Office [GAO] undertook systematic 
reviews of MIDAS and both reports outlined egregious and 
unacceptable practices undertaken by FSA during the design and 
implementation of MIDAS. This ultimately resulted in the 
decision to cease development, modernization, and enhancement 
activities. As OIG revealed, despite investing $444,000,000, 
MIDAS is 2 years overdue and approximately $140,000,000 over 
budget. This stems from ineffective project management and 
oversight on the part of FSA. FSA has failed to deliver a 
modernized, secure, and integrated IT solution that was 
promised to Congress and the agricultural community.
    The Committee remains concerned by the GAO report that 
found USDA and FSA did not follow their own policies, and 
despite known weaknesses, management allowed the program to 
move forward. GAO also acknowledged that FSA ``lacks the 
demonstrated capacity to manage successor programs'' and ``the 
agency has not established plans to improve its management''. 
This is not an acceptable use of tax payer dollars. The 
Committee continues statutory language that allows funds for IT 
to be obligated only after the Secretary meets certain 
reporting requirements. Per OIG recommendations, the Committee 
directs the Secretary to obtain a third-party analysis to 
determine if the current enterprise solution provides the 
necessary functionality and is the most cost effective 
modernization solution. The Secretary is directed to report to 
the Committee by October 1, 2015 on this effort.
    Marketing Assistance Loan Program.--The Committee directs 
the Secretary to operate the marketing assistance loan program 
in a way that encourages redemption and minimizes forfeitures 
of loan commodities to the Federal Government, and enables the 
orderly marketing of loan commodities throughout the year. 
Further, the Secretary shall ensure that the marketing 
assistance loan program remains a viable tool for all producers 
to use in marketing loan commodities freely and competitively.
    National Agriculture Imagery Program.--The Committee 
recommends that funding shall be allocated to purchase imagery 
products to meet programmatic requirements.

                         STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $3,404,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       3,404,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,404,000

    This program is authorized under title V of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.). 
Originally designed to address agricultural credit disputes, 
the program was expanded by the Federal Crop Insurance Reform 
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(Public Law 103-354) to include other agricultural issues such 
as wetland determinations, conservation compliance, rural water 
loan programs, grazing on National Forest System lands, and 
pesticides. Grants are made to States whose mediation programs 
have been certified by the FSA. Grants will be solely for 
operation and administration of the State's agricultural 
mediation program.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,404,000 for 
State Mediation Grants.
    The Committee recognizes the rapidly growing complexity of 
American agriculture and as agriculture practices, markets, and 
technologies continue to evolve, new challenges and potential 
conflicts arise. Accordingly, the Committee directs the 
Secretary to review ways that the State Mediation Programs can 
address new issues impacting agricultural producers, including 
issues involving agricultural leases, right-to-farm laws, and 
family farm transitions.

               GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $5,526,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................................
Committee recommendation................................       6,000,000

    This program is intended to assist in the protection of 
groundwater through State rural water associations.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,000,000 for 
Grassroots Source Water Protection.

                        DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $500,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         500,000
Committee recommendation................................         500,000

    Under the program, the Department makes indemnification 
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products 
who, through no fault of their own, suffer income losses 
because they are directed to remove their milk from commercial 
markets due to contamination of their products by registered 
pesticides. The program also authorizes indemnity payments to 
dairy farmers for losses resulting from the removal of cows or 
dairy products from the market due to nuclear radiation or 
fallout.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2016 to be $500,000, 
for indemnity payments to dairy farmers.

           AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    The Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund Program Account is 
used to provide direct and guaranteed farm ownership, farm 
operating, conservation, Indian highly fractioned land, and 
emergency loans to individuals, as well as the following types 
of loans to associations: irrigation and drainage, grazing, 
Indian tribe land acquisition, and boll weevil eradication.
    FSA is also authorized to provide financial assistance to 
borrowers by guaranteeing loans made by private lenders having 
a contract of guarantee from FSA as approved by the Secretary 
of Agriculture and to establish Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Individual Development grant accounts.
    The following programs are financed through this fund:
    Boll Weevil Eradication Loans.--Made to assist foundations 
in financing the operations of the boll weevil eradication 
programs provided to farmers.
    Credit Sales of Acquired Property.--Property is sold out of 
inventory and is made available to an eligible buyer by 
providing FSA loans.
    Emergency Loans.--Made to producers to aid recovery from 
production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other 
natural disasters, or quarantine. The loans may be used to: 
restore or replace essential property; pay all or part of 
production costs associated with the disaster year; pay 
essential family living expenses; reorganize the farming 
operation; and refinance certain debts.
    Farm Operating Loans.--Provide short-to-intermediate term 
production or chattel credit to farmers who cannot obtain 
credit elsewhere, to improve their farm and home operations, 
and to develop or maintain a reasonable standard of living. The 
term of the loan varies from 1 to 7 years.
    Farm Ownership Loans.--Made to borrowers who cannot obtain 
credit elsewhere to restructure their debts, improve or 
purchase farms, refinance nonfarm enterprises which supplement 
but do not supplant farm income, or make additions to farms. 
Loans are made for 40 years or less.
    Indian Tribe Land Acquisition Loans.--Made to any Indian 
tribe recognized by the Secretary of the Interior or tribal 
corporation established pursuant to the Indian Reorganization 
Act (Public Law 93-638) which does not have adequate 
uncommitted funds to acquire lands or interest in lands within 
the tribe's reservation or Alaskan Indian community, as 
determined by the Secretary of the Interior, for use of the 
tribe or the corporation or the members thereof.
    Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans.--Made to Indian 
tribal members to purchase highly fractionated lands, as 
authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a total loan level of 
$6,402,114,000 for programs within the Agricultural Credit 
Insurance Fund Program Account.
    The following table reflects the program levels for farm 
credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency 
recommended by the Committee, as compared to the fiscal year 
2015 and the budget request levels:

                                    AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROGRAMS--LOAN LEVELS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Fiscal year      Fiscal year       Committee
                                                                 2015 enacted     2016 budget     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Ownership:
    Direct...................................................        1,500,000        1,500,000        1,500,000
    Guaranteed...............................................        2,000,000        2,000,000        2,000,000
Farm Operating:
    Direct...................................................        1,252,004        1,252,004        1,252,004
    Guaranteed unsubsidized..................................        1,393,443        1,393,443        1,393,443
Emergency Loans..............................................           34,667           34,667           34,667
Indian Tribe Land Acquisition................................            2,000            2,000            2,000
Conservation Loans:
    Guaranteed...............................................          150,000          150,000          150,000
Indian Highly Fractionated Land Loans........................           10,000           10,000           10,000
Boll Weevil Eradication......................................           60,000           60,000           60,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the 
program account. Appropriations to this account are used to 
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct 
loans obligated and loan guarantees committed, as well as for 
administrative expenses.
    The following table reflects the cost of programs under 
credit reform:

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Committee
                                                                 2015 enacted     2016 budget     recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Farm Operating:
    Direct...................................................           63,101           53,961           53,961
    Guaranteed unsubsidized..................................           14,770           14,352           14,352
Emergency Loans..............................................              856            1,262            1,262
Individual Development Account Grants........................  ...............            2,500  ...............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Risk Management Agency

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $74,829,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      76,946,000
Committee recommendation................................      74,829,000

    The Risk Management Agency performs administrative 
functions relative to the Federal crop insurance program that 
is authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508), as amended by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 
2000 [ARPA], Public Law 106-224, and the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (Public Law 113-79).
    ARPA authorized significant changes in the crop insurance 
program. This act provides higher government subsidies for 
producer premiums to make coverage more affordable; expands 
research and development for new insurance products and under-
served areas through contracts with the private sector; and 
tightens compliance. Functional areas of risk management are: 
research and development; insurance services; and compliance, 
whose functions include policy formulation and procedures and 
regulations development.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $74,829,000 
for the Risk Management Agency.
    The Committee recognizes that there are many research 
priorities that competitive funding may be used to address, 
including the feasibility of insurance programs to cover 
business interruption due to integrator bankruptcy and 
catastrophic loss in the poultry industry. The Committee 
encourages RMA to support research into these priorities.
    Price Elections.--The Committee continues to support RMA's 
efforts to complete the organic price election series as 
required by the Agricultural Act of 2014. The Committee 
encourages RMA and NASS to formalize and institutionalize a 
plan for continuing to carry out the Organic Production Survey 
on an annual or biannual basis and report back to the Committee 
on this effort. The Committee encourages RMA to commit to the 
development of price factors that would allow information 
already collected by AMS to be used to greatly expand the 
number of organic price elections available.

                              CORPORATIONS

                Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $8,930,502,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   8,175,224,000
Committee recommendation................................   8,175,224,000

    The Federal Crop Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal 
Crop Insurance Reform Act of 1994, authorizes the payment of 
expenses which may include indemnity payments, loss adjustment, 
delivery expenses, program-related research and development, 
startup costs for implementing this legislation such as 
studies, pilot projects, data processing improvements, public 
outreach, and related tasks and functions.
    All program costs, except for Federal salaries and 
expenses, are mandatory expenditures subject to appropriation.
    Producers of insurable crops are eligible to receive a 
basic level of protection against catastrophic losses, which 
cover 50 percent of the normal yield at 55 percent of the 
expected price. The only cost to the producer is an 
administrative fee of $300 per crop per county.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated to be $8,175,224,000 in fiscal year 
2016 for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund.

                   Commodity Credit Corporation Fund

    The Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] is a wholly owned 
Government corporation created in 1933 to stabilize, support, 
and protect farm income and prices; to help maintain balanced 
and adequate supplies of agricultural commodities, including 
products, foods, feeds, and fibers; and to help in the orderly 
distribution of these commodities. CCC was originally 
incorporated under a Delaware charter and was reincorporated 
June 30, 1948, as a Federal corporation within the Department 
of Agriculture by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, 
approved June 29, 1948 (15 U.S.C. 714).
    The Commodity Credit Corporation engages in buying, 
selling, lending, and other activities with respect to 
agricultural commodities, their products, food, feed, and 
fibers. Its purposes include stabilizing, supporting, and 
protecting farm income and prices; maintaining the balance and 
adequate supplies of selected commodities; and facilitating the 
orderly distribution of such commodities. In addition, the 
Corporation makes available materials and facilities required 
in connection with the storage and distribution of such 
commodities. The Corporation also disburses funds for sharing 
of costs with producers for the establishment of approved 
conservation practices on environmentally sensitive land and 
subsequent rental payments for such land for the duration of 
Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
    Corporation activities are primarily governed by the 
following statutes: the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter 
Act (Public Law 80-806), as amended; the Agricultural Act of 
1949 (Public Law 81-439), as amended (1949 Act); the 
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (Public Law 75-430), as 
amended (the 1938 Act); the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public 
Law 99-198), as amended (1985 Act); the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246); and the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-79).
    Management of the Corporation is vested in a board of 
directors, subject to the general supervision and direction of 
the Secretary of Agriculture, who is an ex officio director and 
chairman of the board. The board consists of seven members, in 
addition to the Secretary, who are appointed by the President 
of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
Officers of the Corporation are designated according to their 
positions in the Department of Agriculture.
    The activities of the Corporation are carried out mainly by 
the personnel and through the facilities of the Farm Service 
Agency [FSA] and the Farm Service Agency State and county 
committees. The Foreign Agricultural Service, the General Sales 
Manager, other agencies and offices of the Department, and 
commercial agents are also used to carry out certain aspects of 
the Corporation's activities.
    Under Public Law 87-155 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11, 713a-12), 
annual appropriations are authorized for each fiscal year, 
commencing with fiscal year 1961. These appropriations are to 
reimburse the Corporation for net realized losses.

                 REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES

Appropriations, 2015.................................... $13,444,728,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................  10,519,933,000
Committee recommendation................................  10,519,933,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of such sums as 
may be necessary, estimated in fiscal year 2016 to be 
$10,519,933,000, for the payment to reimburse the Commodity 
Credit Corporation for net realized losses.

                       HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

Limitation, 2015........................................      $5,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,000,000

    The Commodity Credit Corporation's [CCC] hazardous waste 
management program is intended to ensure compliance with the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.). The CCC 
funds operations and maintenance costs as well as site 
investigation and cleanup expenses. Investigative and cleanup 
costs associated with the management of CCC hazardous waste are 
also paid from USDA's hazardous waste management appropriation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $5,000,000 for the 
Commodity Credit Corporation's hazardous waste management 
program.

                                TITLE II

                         CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

  Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment provides direction and coordination in carrying out 
the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to natural 
resources and the environment. The Office has oversight and 
management responsibilities for the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service and the Forest Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment.

                 Natural Resources Conservation Service

    The Natural Resources Conservation Service [NRCS] was 
established pursuant to Public Law 103-354, the Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962). The 
NRCS works with conservation districts, watershed groups, and 
Federal and State agencies to bring about physical adjustments 
in land use that will conserve soil and water resources, 
provide for agricultural production on a sustained basis, and 
reduce flood damage and sedimentation.

                        CONSERVATION OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $846,428,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     831,231,000
Committee recommendation................................     855,209,000

    Conservation operations are authorized by Public Law 74-46 
(16 U.S.C. 590a-590f). Activities include:
    Conservation Technical Assistance provides assistance to 
district cooperators and other land users in the planning and 
application of conservation treatments to control erosion and 
improve the quantity and quality of soil resources, improve and 
conserve water, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, conserve 
energy, improve woodland, pasture and range conditions, and 
reduce upstream flooding; all to protect and enhance the 
natural resource base.
    Resource appraisal and program development ensures that 
programs administered by the Secretary of Agriculture for the 
conservation of soil, water, and related resources shall 
respond to the Nation's long-term needs.
    Plant Materials Centers assemble, test, and encourage 
increased use of plant species which show promise for use in 
the treatment of conservation problem areas.
    Snow Survey and Water Forecasting provides estimates of 
annual water availability from high mountain snow packs and 
relates to summer stream flow in the Western States and Alaska. 
Information is used by agriculture, industry, and cities in 
estimating future water supplies.
    Soil Surveys inventory the Nation's basic soil resources 
and determine land capabilities and conservation treatment 
needs. Soil survey publications include interpretations useful 
to cooperators, other Federal agencies, State, and local 
organizations.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $855,209,000 
for Conservation Operations. The Committee recommendation 
includes an increase of $3,781,000 for increased rent costs, as 
requested in the budget, and does not accept the budget's 
proposed decrease of $44,188,000 for fewer conservation plans.
    Acre-for-Acre Wetlands Mitigation.--The Secretary is 
encouraged to use mitigation with the conversion of a natural 
wetland and equivalent wetlands functions at a ratio not to 
exceed a ratio of 1-to-1 acreage.

               WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................    $200,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................

    The Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (Public 
Law 566, 83d Cong.) (16 U.S.C. 1000-1005, 1007-1009) provides 
for cooperation between the Federal Government and the States 
and their political subdivisions in a program to prevent 
erosion, floodwater, and sediment damages in the watersheds or 
rivers and streams and to further the conservation, 
development, utilization, and disposal of water, and to further 
the conservation and proper utilization of land in authorized 
watersheds.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the 
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program.

                    WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $12,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................

    The watershed rehabilitation program account provides for 
technical and financial assistance to carry out rehabilitation 
of structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, approved August 
4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1012, U.S.C. 1001, et seq.), as amended by 
section 313 of Public Law 106-472, November 9, 2000, and by 
section 2803 of Public Law 110-246.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the 
Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

                               TITLE III

                       RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

    The Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of 
Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354) 
abolished the Farmers Home Administration, Rural Development 
Administration, and Rural Electrification Administration and 
replaced those agencies with the Rural Housing and Community 
Development Service, (currently, the Rural Housing Service), 
Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service (currently, 
the Rural Business--Cooperative Service), and Rural Utilities 
Service and placed them under the oversight of the Under 
Secretary for Rural Economic and Community Development, 
(currently, Rural Development). These agencies deliver a 
variety of programs through a network of State and field 
offices.

          Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $898,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         907,000
Committee recommendation................................         898,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development 
provides direction and coordination in carrying out laws with 
respect to the Department's rural economic and community 
development activities. The Office has oversight and management 
responsibilities for the Rural Housing Service, Rural 
Business--Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $898,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development.
    Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels.--The Committee is 
concerned with the interim rule proposed by the Department 
under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels program 
(section 9005 of the Energy title of the farm bill, Public Law 
113-79), which is intended to promote the development of 
different qualifying advanced fuel categories. The Committee is 
concerned that the allocation formula for distribution of 
section 9005 funds among the qualified fuel categories is 
inequitable, disproportionate, and inconsistent with the 
purpose and intent of the section 9005 program. The Committee 
urges the Department to administer the section 9005 program in 
a way that is fuel and technology-neutral. Consistent with 
these objectives, the Committee directs USDA to propose 
amendments to the interim rule to ensure that any final rule to 
implement section 9005 provides for a more equitable and 
proportional allocation of funding among the qualified advanced 
biofuels and the energy pathways they represent.

                                     RURAL DEVELOPMENT SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                     2015         2016 budget     recommendation
                                                                appropriation       request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation................................................          224,201          226,717          228,701
Transfer from:
    Rural Housing Insurance Fund Loan Program Account........          415,100          419,530          415,100
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Program                34,478           34,864           34,478
     Account.................................................
    Rural Development Loan Program Account...................            4,439            4,488            4,439
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, Rural Development salaries and expenses.........          678,218          685,599          682,718
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These funds are used to administer the loan and grant 
programs of the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Housing 
Service, and the Rural Business--Cooperative Service, including 
reviewing applications, making and collecting loans and 
providing technical assistance and guidance to borrowers; and 
to assist in extending other Federal programs to people in 
rural areas.
    Under credit reform, administrative costs associated with 
loan programs are appropriated to the program accounts. 
Appropriations to the salaries and expenses account will be for 
costs associated with grant programs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $682,718,000 for salaries and 
expenses of Rural Development.

                         Rural Housing Service

    The Rural Housing Service [RHS] was established under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994, dated October 13, 1994.

              RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2015 (budget authority).................    $510,943,000
Budget estimate, 2016 (budget authority)................     511,354,000
Committee recommendation (budget authority).............     502,741,000

    This fund was established in 1965 (Public Law 89-117) 
pursuant to section 517 of title V of the Housing Act of 1949 
(42 U.S.C. 517(d)), as amended. This fund may be used to insure 
or guarantee rural housing loans for single-family homes, 
rental and cooperative housing, farm labor housing, and rural 
housing sites. Rural housing loans are made to construct, 
improve, alter, repair, or replace dwellings and essential farm 
service buildings that are modest in size, design, and cost. 
Rental housing insured loans are made to individuals, 
corporations, associations, trusts, or partnerships to provide 
low-cost rental housing and related facilities in rural areas. 
These loans are repayable in terms up to 30 years.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $502,741,000 
for the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account [RHIF].
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) 
established the RHIF program account. Appropriations to this 
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs 
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees 
committed in 2015, as well as for administrative expenses. The 
following table presents the loan subsidy levels as compared to 
the 2015 levels and the 2016 budget request:

                                  RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Fiscal year
                                                                     2015         2016 budget       Committee
                                                                appropriation       request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan Levels:
    Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
        Direct...............................................          900,000          900,000          900,000
        Guaranteed...........................................       24,000,000       24,000,000       24,000,000
    Housing repair (sec. 504)................................           26,279           26,278           26,278
    Direct rental housing (sec. 515).........................           28,398           42,271           28,398
    Guaranteed rental housing (sec. 538).....................          150,000          200,000          200,000
    Site development loans (sec. 524)........................            5,000            5,000            5,000
    Credit sales of acquired property........................           10,000           10,000           10,000
    Self help land development loans (sec. 523)..............            5,000  ...............            5,000
    Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)......................           23,602           23,855           23,602
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan levels.....................................       25,148,279       25,207,404       25,198,278
                                                              ==================================================
Loan Subsidies and Grants:
    Single-Family Housing (sec. 502):
        Direct...............................................           66,420           60,750           60,750
    Housing repair (sec. 504)................................            3,687            3,424            3,424
    Direct rental housing (sec. 515).........................            9,800           12,525            8,414
    Farm labor housing loans (sec. 514)......................            7,600            6,789            6,717
    Farm labor housing grants (sec. 516).....................            8,336            8,336            8,336
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan subsidies and grants.......................           95,843           91,824           87,641
                                                              ==================================================
Administrative expenses......................................          415,100          419,530          415,100
                                                              ==================================================
      Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses......          510,943          511,354          502,741
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Coordinated Environmental Reviews in Indian Country.--
Tribes face challenges with differing environmental review 
requirements when resources are leveraged from a variety of 
Federal housing and infrastructure programs. The Committee 
believes substantial efficiencies and cost-savings could be 
achieved by creating a coordinated project environmental review 
process. The Committee directs the Secretary to work with HUD, 
who is leading the initiative, and other agencies to 
investigate opportunities to design a coordinated environmental 
review process for tribal housing and related infrastructure 
development.
    Energy Efficiency.--The Committee recognizes opportunities 
to reduce costs for rural housing and save taxpayer money by 
embracing energy efficiency standards in rural housing, with 
measures such as air sealing, and installing insulation, window 
films, and roofs.
    Housing Repair Program Limits.--The Committee is concerned 
that the outdated housing repair program limits have not kept 
pace with modern home repair costs and is limiting the 
effectiveness of the program. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to examine the potential impact of providing the 
Secretary with discretion to establish the maximum loan and 
grant levels, including the maximum level for unsecured 504 
loans, and the maximum level of combined loans and grants 
available to an individual.
    Maturing Mortgages.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increasing number of Section 515 multi-family housing loans 
that are reaching maturity and being paid off. As these loans 
mature and the projects leave the affordable housing program, 
low- and very low-income rural households could face untenable 
rent increases and possible eviction. The Committee has engaged 
the Government Accountability Office to analyze the 
circumstances and provide recommendations to stabilize the 
situation. In addition, the Secretary is directed to continue 
efforts to maintain the affordable multi-family housing 
portfolio and protect low- and very low-income rural residents 
from unmanageable rent increases.
    Subordinate Debt.--The Committee is aware of USDA's policy 
for Section 515 loans that prohibits the utilization of cash-
flow debt on its subordinate financings (7 CFR 3560.306). The 
Committee acknowledges the important role that State agencies 
play in providing subordinate loans for rural rental housing 
properties, some of which allow the properties to repay the 
State loans only if there are surplus funds in the properties' 
operating budgets. However, USDA regulations disallow that use 
for surplus funds, and thereby diminish financing available 
from State sources. The Committee directs the Secretary to 
develop a long-term solution to promote the preservation of 
affordable rural rental housing that allows State agencies to 
use cash-flow loan financing to fully leverage Federal funding 
with State dollars and provide affordable housing for rural 
residents.

                       RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $1,088,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   1,171,900,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,167,000,000

    Rental assistance is authorized under section 521(a)(2) of 
the Housing Act of 1949, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1490a). The 
objective of the program is to reduce rents paid by low-income 
families living in Rural Housing Service financed rental 
projects and farm labor housing projects. Under this program, 
low-income tenants will contribute the higher of: (1) 30 
percent of monthly adjusted income; (2) 10 percent of monthly 
income; or (3) designated housing payments from a welfare 
agency.
    Payments from the fund are made to the project owner for 
the difference between the tenant's payment and the approved 
rental rate established for the unit.
    The program is administered in tandem with the Rural 
Housing Service section 515 rural rental housing program and 
the farm labor loan and grant programs. Priority is given to 
existing projects for units occupied by rent over-burdened low-
income families and projects experiencing financial 
difficulties beyond the control of the owner.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,167,000,000 
for the Rental Assistance Program.
    Rental Assistance.--The Committee includes statutory 
language requiring rental assistance to be held in 514/516 
projects for a minimum period of time. Rental assistance 
contracts are funded for 1-year durations and shall not be 
renewed within a 12-month period. The Committee recommendation 
does not include statutory language authorizing the Secretary 
to selectively renew RA agreements as proposed in the budget. 
In addition the Committee does not concur with the President's 
budget request regarding changes to the required timeframe for 
which contracts much be renewed, and thus retains the currently 
enacted language requiring that RA agreements entered into or 
renewed during the current fiscal year shall be funded for a 1-
year period. The Secretary is encouraged to support 
preservation and revitalization efforts for properties in 
greatest need, and utilize any unexpended balances at the end 
of the 1-year period toward rental assistance, debt reduction, 
maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation purposes.
    The Committee has lost confidence in USDA's ability to 
accurately estimate rental assistance needs. The Department has 
a well-established history of faulty calculations and 
subsequent ad hoc, informal, requests for additional funds to 
cover shortfalls. This behavior places very low- and low-income 
rural households at risk of untenable rent increases, and 
undermines the credit soundness of Rural Development's 
$11,000,000,000 multi-family housing loan portfolio. The 
Secretary is directed to effect process changes that will 
result in the fiscal year 2017 budget request revealing the 
true amount needed to renew all expiring rental assistance 
contracts. Further, the Secretary is directed to report to the 
Committee, within 30 days of enactment, on the Department's 
path forward regarding that effort. In addition, the Committee 
has engaged the Government Accountability Office to perform a 
comprehensive review and to provide recommendations.

          MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $24,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      34,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      24,000,000

    The Rural Housing Voucher Program was authorized under the 
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1940r) to assist very low income 
families and individuals who reside in rental housing in rural 
areas. Housing vouchers may be provided to residents of rental 
housing projects financed by section 515 loans that have been 
prepaid after September 30, 2005. Voucher amounts reflect the 
difference between comparable market rents and tenant-paid rent 
prior to loan prepayment. Vouchers allow tenants to remain in 
existing projects or move to other rental housing.
    The Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program includes 
funding for housing vouchers and a demonstration program for 
the preservation and revitalization of affordable multi-family 
housing projects. Rural Development's multi-family housing 
portfolio faces dual pressures for loan prepayments and repair/
rehabilitation stemming from inadequate reserves resulting in 
deferred property maintenance.
    Provision of affordable rental housing can be accomplished 
more economically by revitalizing existing housing stock rather 
than funding new construction. The Multi-family Housing 
Revitalization Program includes revitalization tools for 
maintenance of existing units and vouchers to protect tenants 
in those projects that prepay. Flexibility is provided to allow 
Rural Development to utilize funding to meet the most urgent 
local needs for tenant protection and project revitalization.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,000,000 
for the Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program, including 
$7,000,000 for vouchers and $17,000,000 for a housing 
preservation demonstration program.

                  MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $27,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      27,500,000

    The Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants Program is 
authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949. Grants are 
made to local organizations to promote the development of 
mutual or self-help programs under which groups of usually 6 to 
10 families build their own homes by mutually exchanging labor. 
Funds may be used to pay the cost of construction supervisors 
who work with families in the construction of their homes and 
for administrative expenses of the organizations providing the 
self-help assistance.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $27,500,000 
for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants.

                    RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $32,239,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      25,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      32,239,000

    The Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program consolidates 
funding for rural housing grant programs. This consolidation of 
housing grant funding provides greater flexibility to tailor 
financial assistance to applicant needs.
    Very Low-Income Housing Repair Grants.--The Very Low-Income 
Housing Repair Grants Program is authorized under section 504 
of title V of the Housing Act of 1949. The rural housing repair 
grant program is carried out by making grants to very low-
income families to make necessary repairs to their homes in 
order to make such dwellings safe and sanitary, and remove 
hazards to the health of the occupants, their families, or the 
community.
    These grants may be made to cover the cost of improvements 
or additions, such as repairing roofs, providing toilet 
facilities, providing a convenient and sanitary water supply, 
supplying screens, repairing or providing structural supports 
or making similar repairs, additions, or improvements, 
including all preliminary and installation costs in obtaining 
central water and sewer service. A grant can be made in 
combination with a section 504 very low-income housing repair 
loan.
    No assistance can be extended to any one individual in the 
form of a loan, grant, or combined loans and grants in excess 
of $27,500, and grant assistance is limited to persons, or 
families headed by persons who are 62 years of age or older.
    Supervisory and Technical Assistance Grants.--Supervisory 
and technical assistance grants are made to public and private 
nonprofit organizations for packaging loan applications for 
housing assistance under sections 502, 504, 514/516, 515, and 
533 of the Housing Act of 1949. The assistance is directed to 
very low-income families in underserved areas where at least 20 
percent of the population is below the poverty level and at 
least 10 percent or more of the population resides in 
substandard housing. In fiscal year 1994 a Homebuyer Education 
Program was implemented under this authority. This program 
provides low-income individuals and families education and 
counseling on obtaining and/or maintaining occupancy of 
adequate housing and supervised credit assistance to become 
successful homeowners.
    Compensation for Construction Defects.--Compensation for 
construction defects provides funds for grants to eligible 
section 502 borrowers to correct structural defects, or to pay 
claims of owners arising from such defects on a newly 
constructed dwelling purchased with RHS financial assistance. 
Claims are not paid until provisions under the builder's 
warranty have been fully pursued. Requests for compensation for 
construction defects must be made by the owner of the property 
within 18 months after the date financial assistance was 
granted.
    Rural Housing Preservation Grants.--Rural housing 
preservation grants (section 533) of the Housing and Urban-
Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (42 U.S.C. 1490m) authorizes the 
Rural Housing Service to administer a program of home repair 
directed at low- and very low-income people.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $32,239,000 
for the Rural Housing Assistance Grants Program.
    The following table compares the grant program levels 
recommended by the Committee to the fiscal year 2015 levels and 
the budget request:

                                         RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                  2015 level      2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very low-income housing repair grants........................           28,701           25,000           28,701
Housing preservation grants..................................            3,538  ...............            3,538
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total..................................................           32,239           25,000           32,239
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee recommends that the Rural Housing Service 
prioritize funding for communities with unique weather patterns 
in need of replacing antiquated heating systems with more 
efficient technologies.

               Rural Community Facilities Program Account

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $30,278,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      62,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      28,778,000

    Community facility loans were created by the Rural 
Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 1926 et seq.) to finance a 
variety of rural community facilities. Loans are made to 
organizations, including certain Indian tribes and corporations 
not operated for profit and public and quasi-public agencies, 
to construct, enlarge, extend, or otherwise improve community 
facilities providing essential services to rural residents. 
Such facilities include those providing or supporting overall 
community development, such as fire and rescue services, 
healthcare, transportation, traffic control, and community, 
social, cultural, and recreational benefits. Loans are made for 
facilities which primarily serve rural residents of open 
country and rural towns and villages of not more than 20,000 
people. Healthcare, fire and rescue facilities, and educational 
facilities are the priorities of the program and receive the 
majority of available funds.
    The Community Facility Grant Program authorized in the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104-127), is used in conjunction with the existing direct 
and guaranteed loan programs for the development of community 
facilities, such as hospitals, fire stations, and community 
centers. Grants are targeted to the lowest income communities. 
Communities that have lower population and income levels 
receive a higher cost-share contribution through these grants, 
to a maximum contribution of 75 percent of the cost of 
developing the facility.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $28,778,000 
for the Rural Community Facilities Program Account.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget 
request levels:

                                   RURAL COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                           [Loan levels and budget authority in thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Fiscal year
                                                                     2015         2016 budget       Committee
                                                                appropriation       request      recommendations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Community facilities direct loans........................        2,200,000        2,200,000        2,200,000
    Community facilities guaranteed loans....................           73,222  ...............           84,746
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total loan levels......................................        2,273,222        2,200,000        2,284,746
                                                              ==================================================
Budget authority:
    Community facilities guaranteed loans....................            3,500  ...............            2,000
    Community facilities grants..............................           13,000           50,000           13,000
    Economic initiative grants...............................            5,778  ...............            5,778
    Rural community development initiative...................            4,000            4,000            4,000
    Tribal college grants....................................            4,000            8,000            4,000
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total budget authority.................................           30,278           62,000           28,778
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Rural Business--Cooperative Service

    The Rural Business--Cooperative Service [RBS] was 
established by Public Law 103-354, Federal Crop Insurance 
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994, dated October 13, 1994. Its programs were previously 
administered by the Rural Development Administration, the Rural 
Electrification Administration, and the Agricultural 
Cooperative Service.

                     RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $74,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      81,444,000
Committee recommendation................................      62,687,000

    The Rural Business and Industry Loan Program was created by 
the Rural Development Act of 1972, and finances a variety of 
rural industrial development loans. Loans are made for rural 
industrialization and rural community facilities under Rural 
Development Act amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932 et seq.) authorities. Business 
and industrial loans are made to public, private, or 
cooperative organizations organized for profit, to certain 
Indian tribes, or to individuals for the purpose of improving, 
developing or financing business, industry, and employment or 
improving the economic and environmental climate in rural 
areas. Such purposes include financing business and industrial 
acquisition, construction, enlargement, repair or 
modernization, financing the purchase and development of land, 
easements, rights-of-way, buildings, payment of startup costs, 
and supplying working capital.
    Rural business development grants were authorized by the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 and can be made to governmental and 
nonprofit entities, and Indian tribes. Up to 10 percent of 
appropriated funds may be used to: identify and analyze 
business opportunities; identify, train, and provide technical 
assistance to existing or prospective rural entrepreneurs and 
managers; assist in the establishment of new rural businesses 
and the maintenance of existing businesses; conduct economic 
development planning, coordination and leadership development; 
and establish centers for training, technology, and trade. The 
balance of appropriated funding may be used for projects that 
support the development of business enterprises that finance or 
facilitate: the development of small and emerging private 
business enterprise; the establishment, expansion, and 
operation of rural distance learning networks; the development 
of rural learning programs; and the provision of technical 
assistance and training to rural communities for the purpose of 
improving passenger transportation.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $62,687,000 
for the Rural Business Program Account.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget 
request levels:

                                         RURAL BUSINESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                           [Loan levels and budget authority in thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Fiscal year
                                                                     2015         2016 budget       Committee
                                                                appropriation       request      recommendations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans loan levels.......          919,765          758,222          919,765
Budget authority:
    Business and industry guaranteed loans...................           47,000           31,444           35,687
    Rural business development grants........................           24,000           30,000           24,000
    Delta Regional Authority grants..........................            3,000  ...............            3,000
    Rural child poverty demonstration........................  ...............           20,000  ...............
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total budget authority.................................           74,000           81,444           62,687
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Rural Business Program Account.--The Committee recommends 
$500,000 for transportation technical assistance.
    The Committee directs that of the $4,000,000 recommended 
for grants to benefit Federally Recognized Native American 
Tribes, $250,000 shall be used to implement an American Indian 
and Alaska Native passenger transportation development and 
assistance initiative.

                  INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM FUND

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                  2015 level      2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level.........................................           18,889           10,014           18,889
Direct loan subsidy..........................................            5,818            2,766            5,217
Administrative expenses......................................            4,439            4,488            4,439
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, loan subsidies and administrative expenses......           10,257            7,254            9,656
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The rural development intermediary relending loan program 
was originally authorized by the Economic Opportunity Act of 
1964 (Public Law 88-452). The making of rural development loans 
by the Department of Agriculture was reauthorized by Public Law 
113-79, the Agricultural Act of 2014.
    Loans are made to intermediary borrowers (small investment 
groups) who in turn will reloan the funds to rural businesses, 
community development corporations, private nonprofit 
organizations, public agencies, et cetera, for the purpose of 
improving business, industry, community facilities, and 
employment opportunities and diversification of the economy in 
rural areas.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 established the 
program account. Appropriations to this account will be used to 
cover the lifetime subsidy costs associated with the direct 
loans obligated in 2016, as well as for administrative 
expenses.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,656,000 for 
the Intermediary Relending Program Fund.

            RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Estimated loan
                                                              level
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2015 level.................................           33,077
Fiscal year 2016 request...............................           85,004
Committee recommendation...............................           48,013
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Rural Economic Development Loans program was 
established by the Reconciliation Act of December 1987 (Public 
Law 100-203), which amended the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (Act of May 20, 1936), by establishing a new section 313. 
This section of the Rural Electrification Act (7 U.S.C. 901) 
established a cushion of credit payment program and created the 
rural economic development subaccount. The Administrator of RUS 
is authorized under the act to utilize funds in this program to 
provide zero interest loans to electric and telecommunications 
borrowers for the purpose of promoting rural economic 
development and job creation projects, including funding for 
feasibility studies, startup costs, and other reasonable 
expenses for the purpose of fostering rural economic 
development.

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee recommends a loan program level of 
$48,013,000, to be funded from earnings on the Cushion of 
Credit and fees on guaranteed underwriting loans made pursuant 
to section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.
    Rural Energy Savings Program.--The Secretary is directed to 
initiate rulemaking to create a subprogram of the Rural 
Economic Development Loan and Grant Program to be used as a 
means to carry out the activities authorized by the Rural 
Energy Savings Program, authorized by the Agricultural Act of 
2014, and within 30 days of enactment of this act report to the 
Committee on the status of that rule. The Secretary is further 
directed to maintain, to the degree practicable, no less than 
the fiscal year 2015 loan level for the traditional Rural 
Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.

                  RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $22,050,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      21,087,000
Committee recommendation................................      22,050,000

    Rural cooperative development grants are authorized under 
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act, as amended. Grants are made to fund the establishment and 
operation of centers for rural cooperative development with 
their primary purpose being the improvement of economic 
conditions in rural areas. Grants may be made to nonprofit 
institutions or institutions of higher education. Grants may be 
used to pay up to 75 percent of the cost of the project and 
associated administrative costs. The applicant must contribute 
at least 25 percent from non-Federal sources, except 1994 
institutions, which only need to provide 5 percent. Grants are 
competitive and are awarded based on specific selection 
criteria.
    Cooperative research agreements are authorized by 7 U.S.C. 
2204b. The funds are used for cooperative research agreements, 
primarily with colleges and universities, on critical 
operational, organizational, and structural issues facing 
cooperatives.
    Cooperative agreements are authorized under 7 U.S.C. 2201 
to any qualified State departments of agriculture, university, 
and other State entity to conduct research that will strengthen 
and enhance the operations of agricultural marketing 
cooperatives in rural areas.
    The Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas [ATTRA] 
program was first authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985. 
The program provides information and technical assistance to 
agricultural producers to adopt sustainable agricultural 
practices that are environmentally friendly and lower 
production costs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $22,050,000 
for Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
    Of the funds recommended, $2,500,000 is for the Appropriate 
Technology Transfer for Rural Areas program.
    The Committee has included language in the bill that not 
more than $3,000,000 shall be made available to cooperatives or 
associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide 
assistance to small, minority producers.
    Value Added.--The Committee recommends $10,750,000 for 
value-added agricultural product market development grants.

                RURAL MICROENTERPRISE INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      $4,653,000
Committee recommendation................................................

    This program, authorized by section 379E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et 
seq.), provides loans and grants to intermediaries that assist 
micro-entrepreneurs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
the Rural Microenterprise Investment Program.

                    RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $1,350,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      10,000,000
Committee recommendation................................         500,000

    The Rural Energy for America Program is authorized under 
section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107). This program may fund energy audits, 
direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers, ranchers, 
and small rural businesses for the purchase of renewable energy 
systems and for energy efficiency improvements.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $500,000 for 
the Rural Energy for America Program.
    The following table provides the Committee's recommendation 
as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget request levels:

                                        RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Fiscal year                      Committee
                                                                    2015 level     2016 request   recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated loan level............................................          12,760          75,758           7,576
Guaranteed loan subsidy.........................................           1,350           5,000             500
Grants..........................................................  ..............           5,000  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Energy Efficiency Coordination.--The Committee encourages 
increased coordination and cooperation between USDA Rural 
Development agencies and offices to better utilize the energy 
efficiency and renewable energy programs available through the 
Rural Energy for America Program.

                   HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     $12,750,000
Committee recommendation................................       1,000,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,000 for 
the Healthy Food Financing Initiative.

                   RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      $6,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
the Rural Business Investment Program.

                        Rural Utilities Service

    The Rural Utilities Service [RUS] was established under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-354), October 13, 
1994. RUS administers the electric and telephone programs of 
the former Rural Electrification Administration and the water 
and waste programs of the former Rural Development 
Administration.

             RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $464,857,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     483,320,000
Committee recommendation................................     496,738,000

    The water and waste disposal program is authorized by 
sections 306, 306A, 309A, 306C, 306D, 306E, and 310B of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et 
seq., as amended). This program makes loans for water and waste 
development costs. Development loans are made to associations, 
including corporations operating on a nonprofit basis, 
municipalities and similar organizations, generally designated 
as public or quasi-public agencies, that propose projects for 
the development, storage, treatment, purification, and 
distribution of domestic water or the collection, treatment, or 
disposal of waste in rural areas. Such grants may not exceed 75 
percent of the development cost of the projects and can 
supplement other funds borrowed or furnished by applicants to 
pay development costs.
    The solid waste grant program is authorized under section 
310B(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. 
Grants are made to public bodies and private nonprofit 
organizations to provide technical assistance to local and 
regional governments for the purpose of reducing or eliminating 
pollution of water resources and for improving the planning and 
management of solid waste disposal facilities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $496,738,000 
for the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account.
    The Committee recommends $66,500,000 for water and waste 
disposal systems grants for Native Americans, including Native 
Alaskans, the Colonias, and residents of Hawaiian Home Lands. 
The Committee recognizes the special needs and problems for 
delivery of basic services to these populations. In addition, 
the Committee makes up to $16,500,000 available for the circuit 
rider program.
    The following table provides the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget 
request levels:

                                 RURAL WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                           [Loan levels and budget authority in thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Fiscal year 2015     2016 budget        Committee
                                                              appropriation        request       recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan levels:
    Water and waste disposal direct loans.................         1,200,000         1,200,000         1,200,000
    Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans.............            50,000  ................            50,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total loan levels...................................         1,250,000         1,200,000         1,250,000
                                                           =====================================================
Budget authority:
    Water and waste disposal direct loans.................  ................            31,320            31,320
    Water and waste disposal guaranteed loans.............               295  ................               275
    Water and waste disposal grants.......................           347,150           368,900           347,150
    Solid waste management grants.........................             4,000             4,000             4,000
    Water well systems grants.............................               993  ................               993
    Colonias and AK/HI/Native American grants.............            66,500            54,240            66,500
    Water and waste water revolving funds.................             1,000  ................             1,000
    High energy cost grants...............................            10,000  ................            10,000
    Circuit rider.........................................            15,919            11,300            16,500
    Technical assistance grants...........................            19,000            13,560            19,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total, budget authority.............................           464,857           483,320           496,738
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

    The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et 
seq.) provides the statutory authority for the electric and 
telecommunications programs.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-508) 
established the program account. An appropriation to this 
account will be used to cover the lifetime subsidy costs 
associated with the direct loans obligated and loan guarantees 
committed in fiscal year 2016, as well as for administrative 
expenses.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The following table reflects the Committee's recommendation 
for the Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans 
Program Account, the loan subsidy and administrative expenses, 
as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget request levels:

                       RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                  2015 level      2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan authorizations:
    Electric:
        Direct FFB...........................................        5,000,000        6,000,000        6,000,000
        Guaranteed underwriting..............................          500,000  ...............          750,000
    Telecommunications.......................................          690,000  ...............          690,000
        Direct, Treasury Rate................................  ...............          345,000  ...............
        Direct, FFB..........................................  ...............          345,000  ...............
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total loan authorization...............................        6,190,000        6,690,000        7,440,000
                                                              ==================================================
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total budget authority.................................  ...............              104              104
                                                              ==================================================
Administrative expenses......................................           34,478           34,864           34,478
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM PLOANS AND GRANTS
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                  2015 level      2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loan and grant levels:
    Distance learning and Telemedicine Program:
        Grants...............................................           22,000           24,950           22,000
Broadband program:
    Treasury rate loans......................................           24,077           44,239           20,576
    Treasury rate loans budget authority.....................            4,500            9,675            4,500
    Grants...................................................           10,372           20,372           10,372
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total DLT and Broadband Program level..................           56,449           89,561           52,948
                                                              ==================================================
      Total DLT and Broadband Budget authority...............           36,872           54,997           36,872
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program 
is authorized by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq.), as amended by the 
Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public 
Law 104-127). This program provides incentives to improve the 
quality of phone services, to provide access to advanced 
telecommunications services and computer networks, and to 
improve rural opportunities.
    This program provides the facilities and equipment to link 
rural education and medical facilities with more urban centers 
and other facilities providing rural residents access to better 
healthcare through technology and increasing educational 
opportunities for rural students. These funds are available for 
loans and grants.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $36,872,000 
for the Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program. 
Funds recommended for the RUS broadband program are intended to 
promote broadband availability in those areas where there is 
not otherwise a business case for private investment in a 
broadband network. The Committee encourages RUS to focus 
expenditures on projects that bring broadband service to 
currently unserved households.
    The Committee is concerned about the longstanding, unmet 
health needs in the Mississippi River Delta. The Committee 
recommendation includes $3,000,000 to address critical 
healthcare needs in the region, as authorized by section 379G 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
    Broadband Grants.--Of the funds recommended, $10,372,000 in 
grants shall be made available to support broadband 
transmission for rural areas.
    Broadband Program.--The Agricultural Act of 2014 made 
several changes to the Rural Broadband Access Loans and Loan 
Guarantees Program. The changes expand the definition of 
eligible service areas and establish new minimum broadband 
speed requirements for carriers receiving loans from the 
program. The Committee applauds these changes and believes that 
a comprehensive rural broadband strategy should include 
investment in advanced networks that will meet the needs of a 
21st century economy. The Committee directs the Department of 
Agriculture to expedite the implementation of the broadband 
provisions of the Agricultural Act of 2014, including the new 
authority to increase the minimum speeds available in rural 
communities.
    Rural Utilities Service and Coordination on 
Telecommunications Services.--The Committee recognizes the 
Rural Utilities Services' [RUS] vital role in expanding access 
to broadband services in rural America. In addition, the 
Committee notes the importance of the RUS coordinating its 
efforts with the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] on 
programs designed to support broadband investment in rural 
America. Recent FCC policy changes on deploying broadband in 
rural areas effect rural carriers with outstanding RUS loans 
and carriers aiming to use RUS loans to build out networks in 
the coming years. To ensure that RUS and FCC policies are 
aligned to optimize the use of limited resources and carriers 
are well equipped to serve the hardest-to-reach rural 
Americans, the Committee directs RUS and the FCC to coordinate 
on major policy decisions.

                                TITLE IV

                         DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

Appropriations, 2015....................................        $816,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................         824,000
Committee recommendation................................         816,000

    The Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 
Consumer Services provides direction and coordination in 
carrying out the laws enacted by the Congress with respect to 
the Department's nutrition assistance activities. The Office 
has oversight and management responsibilities for the Food and 
Nutrition Service.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $816,000 for 
the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 
Consumer Services.

                       Food and Nutrition Service

    The Food and Nutrition Service represents an organizational 
effort to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in this country. 
Nutrition assistance programs provide access to a nutritionally 
adequate diet for families and persons with low incomes and 
encourage better eating patterns among the Nation's children. 
These programs include:
    Child Nutrition Programs.--The National School Lunch and 
School Breakfast, Summer Food Service, and Child and Adult Care 
Food programs provide funding to the States, Puerto Rico, the 
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam for use in serving 
nutritious lunches and breakfasts to children attending schools 
of high school grades and under, to children of preschool age 
in child care centers, and to children in other institutions in 
order to improve the health and well-being of the Nation's 
children, and broaden the markets for agricultural food 
commodities. Through the Special Milk Program, assistance is 
provided to the States for making reimbursement payments to 
eligible schools and child care institutions which institute or 
expand milk service in order to increase the consumption of 
fluid milk by children. Funds for this program are provided by 
direct appropriation and transfer from section 32.
    Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children [WIC].--This program safeguards the health of 
pregnant, postpartum, and breast-feeding women, infants, and 
children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk because of 
inadequate nutrition and income by providing supplemental 
foods. The delivery of supplemental foods may be done through 
health clinics, vouchers redeemable at retail food stores, or 
other approved methods which a cooperating State health agency 
may select. Funds for this program are provided by direct 
appropriation.
    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.--This program 
seeks to improve nutritional standards of needy persons and 
families. Assistance is provided to eligible households to 
enable them to obtain a better diet by increasing their food 
purchasing capability, usually by furnishing benefits in the 
form of electronic access to funds. The program also includes 
Nutrition Assistance to Puerto Rico.
    The program also includes the Food Distribution Program on 
Indian Reservations, which provides nutritious agricultural 
commodities to low-income persons living on or near Indian 
reservations who choose not to participate in the Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program.
    Commodity Assistance Program [CAP].--This program provides 
funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP], the 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, Disaster Assistance, Pacific 
Island Assistance, and administrative expenses for TEFAP.
    CSFP provides supplemental foods to low-income elderly 
persons age 60 and over.
    TEFAP provides commodities and grant funds to State 
agencies to assist in the cost of storage and distribution of 
donated commodities.
    Nutritious agricultural commodities are provided to 
residents of the Federated States of Micronesia and the 
Marshall Islands. Cash assistance is provided to distributing 
agencies to assist them in meeting administrative expenses 
incurred. It also provides funding for use in non-
presidentially declared disasters, and for FNS' administrative 
costs in connection with relief for all disasters. Funds for 
this program are provided by direct appropriation.
    Nutrition Programs Administration.--Most salaries and 
Federal operating expenses of the Food and Nutrition Service 
are funded from this account. Also included is the Center for 
Nutrition Policy and Promotion [CNPP] which oversees 
improvements in and revisions to the food guidance systems, and 
serves as the focal point for advancing and coordinating 
nutrition promotion and education policy to improve the health 
of all Americans.

                        child nutrition programs

Appropriations, 2015.................................... $21,300,170,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................  21,587,277,000
Committee recommendation................................  21,524,377,000

    The Child Nutrition Programs, authorized by the Richard B. 
Russell National School Lunch Act (Public Law 79-396) and the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-642), provide 
Federal assistance to State agencies in the form of cash and 
commodities for use in preparing and serving nutritious meals 
to children while they are attending school, residing in 
service institutions, or participating in other organized 
activities away from home. The purpose of these programs is to 
help maintain the health and proper physical development of 
America's children. Milk is provided to children either free or 
at a low cost, depending on their family income level. FNS 
provides cash subsidies to States for administering the 
programs and directly administers the program in the States 
which choose not to do so. Grants are also made for nutritional 
training and surveys and for State administrative expenses. 
Under current law, most of these payments are made on the basis 
of reimbursement rates established by law and applied to 
lunches and breakfasts actually served by the States. The 
reimbursement rates are adjusted annually to reflect changes in 
the Consumer Price Index for food away from home.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $21,524,377,000 for the Child 
Nutrition Programs.
    The Committee's recommendation provides for the following 
annual rates for the child nutrition programs.

                      TOTAL OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
       Child nutrition programs           2016 budget     recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
School Lunch Program..................       11,777,825       11,777,825
School Breakfast Program..............        4,230,498        4,230,498
Child and Adult Care Food Program.....        3,240,646        3,240,646
Summer Food Service Program...........          535,633          535,633
Special Milk Program..................           11,314           11,314
State Administrative Expenses.........          269,652          269,652
Commodity Procurement.................        1,322,088        1,322,088
Team Nutrition/HUSSC/CMS..............           17,004           17,004
Food Safety Education.................            2,761            2,761
Coordinated Review....................           10,000           10,000
Computer Support......................           11,430           11,430
CACFP Training and Technical                     20,267           20,267
 Assistance...........................
CNP Studies and Evaluation............           22,400           20,400
Farm to School Team...................            3,297            3,297
Payment Accuracy......................           10,562           10,562
School Meal Equipment Grants..........           35,000           25,000
Summer EBT Demonstration..............           66,900           16,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee expects FNS to utilize the National Food 
Service Management Institute to carry out the food safety 
education program.

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 
                                 [WIC]

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $6,623,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   6,623,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   6,513,000,000

    The special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
infants, and children [WIC] is authorized by section 17 of the 
Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Its purpose is to safeguard the 
health of pregnant, breast-feeding and postpartum women and 
infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk 
because of inadequate nutrition and inadequate income.
    The WIC program food packages are designed to provide foods 
which studies have demonstrated are lacking in the diets of the 
WIC program target population. The authorized supplemental 
foods are iron-fortified breakfast cereal, fruit or vegetable 
juice which contains vitamin C, dry beans, peas, and peanut 
butter.
    There are three general types of delivery systems for WIC 
foods: (1) retail purchase in which participants obtain 
supplemental foods through retail stores; (2) home delivery 
systems in which food is delivered to the participant's home; 
and (3) direct distribution systems in which participants pick 
up food from a distribution outlet. The food is free of charge 
to all participants.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,513,000,000 
for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, 
and Children [WIC].
    The Committee recommendation fully funds estimated WIC 
participation in fiscal year 2016. The Committee recommendation 
includes $60,000,000 for breastfeeding support initiatives, 
$13,600,000 for infrastructure, and $55,000,000 for management 
information systems.
    WIC Food Package.--The Committee understands the Department 
is working with the Institute of Medicine to make 
recommendations to update the WIC food packages to reflect 
current science and cultural factors. The Committee maintains 
its interest in the recommendations that will be made regarding 
the fish species that scientific evidence shows to be low in 
mercury and are in other respects nutritious, including wild 
salmon, for inclusion in WIC Food Packages IV, V, VI, and VII 
that serve children age 1 to 4 years and pregnant, postpartum, 
and breastfeeding women. The Committee expects the Department 
to conduct a thorough and efficient review of this question and 
issue its final report in a timely manner.

               SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015.................................... $81,837,570,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................  83,692,069,000
Committee recommendation................................  81,662,069,000

    The Food Stamp Program was reauthorized through fiscal year 
2012 and renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
[SNAP] in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program attempts to alleviate 
hunger and malnutrition among low-income persons by increasing 
their food purchasing power. Eligible households receive SNAP 
benefits with which they can purchase food through regular 
retail stores.
    Other programs funded through SNAP include Nutrition 
Assistance to Puerto Rico and American Samoa, the Food 
Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Emergency Food 
Assistance Program, and the Community Food Projects program.
    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is currently 
in operation in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 
Virgin Islands, and Guam. Participating households receive food 
benefits, the value of which is determined by household size 
and income. The cost of the benefits is paid by the Federal 
Government. As required by law, the Food and Nutrition Service 
annually revises household benefit allotments to reflect 
changes in the cost of the thrifty food plan.
    Administrative Costs.--All direct and indirect 
administrative costs incurred for certification of households, 
issuance of benefits, quality control, outreach, and fair 
hearing efforts are shared by the Federal Government and the 
States on a 50-50 basis.
    State Antifraud Activities.--Under the provisions of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, States are eligible to be 
reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs of their fraud 
investigations and prosecutions.
    States are required to implement an employment and training 
program for the purpose of assisting members of households 
participating in SNAP in gaining skills, training, or 
experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular 
employment. The Department of Agriculture has implemented a 
grant program to States to assist them in providing employment 
and training services.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$81,662,069,000 for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program. Of the amount recommended, $3,000,000,000 is made 
available as a contingency reserve.

                      commodity assistance program

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $278,501,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     288,317,000
Committee recommendation................................     288,317,000

    The Commodity Assistance Program includes funding for the 
Commodity Supplemental Food Program and funding to pay expenses 
associated with the storage and distribution of commodities 
through The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
    The Commodity Supplemental Food Program [CSFP].--Authorized 
by section 4(a) of the Agricultural and Consumer Protection Act 
of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note), as amended in 1981 by Public Law 
97-98 and in 2014 by Public Law 113-79, this program provides 
supplemental food to low-income senior citizens and in some 
cases low-income infants and children up to age six, low-income 
pregnant and postpartum women. The Agricultural Act of 2014 
discontinued the admission of new pregnant and postpartum women 
and children into the program. Those already in the program can 
continue to receive assistance until they are no longer 
eligible.
    The foods for CSFP are provided by the Department of 
Agriculture for distribution through State agencies. The 
authorized commodities include: iron-fortified infant formula, 
rice cereal, cheese, canned juice, evaporated milk and/or 
nonfat dry milk, canned vegetables or fruits, canned meat or 
poultry, egg mix, dehydrated potatoes, farina, and peanut 
butter and dry beans. Elderly participants may receive all 
commodities except iron-fortified infant formula and rice 
cereal.
    The Emergency Food Assistance Program [TEFAP].--Authorized 
by the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7501 et 
seq.), as amended, the program provides nutrition assistance to 
low-income people through prepared meals served on site and 
through the distribution of commodities to low-income 
households for home consumption. The commodities are provided 
by USDA to State agencies for distribution through State-
established networks. State agencies make the commodities 
available to local organizations, such as soup kitchens, food 
pantries, food banks, and community action agencies, for their 
use in providing nutrition assistance to those in need.
    Funds are administered by FNS through grants to State 
agencies which operate commodity distribution programs. 
Allocation of the funds to States is based on a formula which 
considers the States' unemployment rate and the number of 
persons with income below the poverty level.
    Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Farmers' Market 
Nutrition Program [FMNP] provides WIC or WIC-eligible 
participants with coupons to purchase fresh, nutritious, 
unprepared foods, such as fruits and vegetables, from farmers' 
markets. This benefits both participants and local farmers by 
increasing the awareness and use of farmers' markets by low-
income households.
    Pacific Island and Disaster Assistance.--This program 
provides funding for assistance to the nuclear-affected islands 
in the form of commodities and administrative funds. It also 
provides funding for use in non-presidentially declared 
disasters and for FNS' administrative costs in connection with 
relief for all disasters.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $288,317,000 
for the Commodity Assistance Program. The Committee continues 
to encourage the Department to distribute Commodity Assistance 
Program funds equitably among the States, based on an 
assessment of the needs and priorities of each State and the 
State's preference to receive commodity allocations through 
each of the programs funded under this account.
    Commodity Supplemental Food Program.--The Committee 
recommends $221,298,000 for the Commodity Supplemental Food 
Program. This amount fully funds participation in fiscal year 
2016.
    Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.--The Committee is aware 
that the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program provides fresh 
fruits and vegetables to low-income mothers and children, 
benefiting not only WIC participants, but local farmers as 
well. Therefore, the Committee recommends $16,548,000 for the 
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and directs the Secretary to 
obligate these funds within 45 days.
    The Emergency Food Assistance Program.--The Agricultural 
Act of 2014 provides $324,000,000 for TEFAP commodities to be 
purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds. 
The Committee recommendation includes $49,401,000 for TEFAP 
transportation, storage, and program integrity. In addition, 
the Committee recommendation grants the Secretary authority to 
transfer up to an additional 10 percent from TEFAP commodities 
for this purpose and urges the Secretary to use this authority.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to identify 
opportunities for increasing the supply of TEFAP commodities in 
the coming fiscal year through bonus and specialty crop 
purchases. The Department shall make available to the States 
domestically produced catfish fillets for distribution to local 
agencies.

                   nutrition programs administration

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $150,824,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     155,564,000
Committee recommendation................................     151,824,000

    The Nutrition Programs Administration appropriation 
provides for most of the Federal operating expenses of the Food 
and Nutrition Service, which includes the Child Nutrition 
Programs; Special Milk Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition 
Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC]; Supplemental 
Nutrition Assistance Program; Nutrition Assistance for Puerto 
Rico; the Commodity Assistance Program, including the Commodity 
Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency Food Assistance 
Program; and Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Pacific 
Island and Disaster Assistance.
    The major objective of Nutrition Programs Administration is 
to efficiently and effectively carry out the nutrition 
assistance programs mandated by law. This is to be accomplished 
by the following: (1) giving clear and consistent guidance and 
supervision to State agencies and other cooperators; (2) 
assisting the States and other cooperators by providing 
program, managerial, financial, and other advice and expertise; 
(3) measuring, reviewing, and analyzing the progress being made 
toward achieving program objectives; and (4) carrying out 
regular staff support functions.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $151,824,000 
for Nutrition Programs Administration. The Committee does not 
recommend an increase of $1,000,000 for MyPlate/SuperTracker 
per the budget request.

                                TITLE V

                FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

                      Foreign Agricultural Service

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Transfers from
                                                                Appropriations   loan accounts        Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2015.........................................          181,423            6,394          187,817
Budget estimate, 2016........................................          191,631            6,394          198,025
Committee recommendation.....................................          187,225            6,394          193,619
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Foreign Agricultural Service [FAS] was established 
March 10, 1953, by Secretary's Memorandum No. 1320, supplement 
1. Public Law 83-690, approved August 28, 1954, transferred the 
agricultural attaches from the Department of State to the 
Foreign Agricultural Service.
    The mission of FAS overseas is to represent U.S. 
agricultural interests, to promote export of domestic farm 
products, improve world trade conditions, and report on 
agricultural production and trade in foreign countries. FAS 
staff are stationed at 98 offices around the world where they 
provide expertise in agricultural economics and marketing, as 
well as provide attache services.
    FAS carries out several export assistance programs to 
counter the adverse effects of unfair trade practices by 
competitors on U.S. agricultural trade. The Market Access 
Program [MAP] conducts both generic and brand-identified 
promotional programs in conjunction with nonprofit agricultural 
associations and private firms financed through reimbursable 
CCC payments.
    The General Sales Manager was established pursuant to 
section 5(f) of the charter of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
and 15 U.S.C. 714-714p. The funds allocated to the General 
Sales Manager are used for conducting the following programs: 
(1) CCC Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), including 
facilities financing guarantees; (2) Food for Peace; (3) 
section 416b Overseas Donations Program; (4) Market Access 
Program; and (5) programs authorized by the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Charter Act including barter, export sales of most 
CCC-owned commodities, export payments, and other programs as 
assigned to encourage and enhance the export of U.S. 
agricultural commodities.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends $193,619,000 for the Foreign 
Agricultural Service, including a direct appropriation of 
$187,225,000. The Committee recommendation includes an increase 
of $3,500,000 for the Capital Security Cost Sharing Program and 
an increase of $2,302,000 for International Cooperative 
Administrative Support Services.
    Borlaug Fellows Program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $1,500,000 for the Borlaug International Agricultural 
Science and Technology Fellows Program. This program provides 
training for international scientists and policymakers from 
selected developing countries. The fellows work closely with 
U.S. specialists in their fields of expertise and apply that 
knowledge in their home countries. The Committee recognizes the 
importance of this program in helping developing countries 
strengthen their agricultural practices and food security.
    Cochran Fellowship Program.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $5,300,000 for the Cochran Fellowship Program. The 
Committee encourages the Secretary to continue to provide 
additional support for the program through the Commodity Credit 
Corporation Emerging Markets Program.
    Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program.--The 
Committee expects the FAS to fund the Foreign Market 
Development Cooperator Program.
    Market Access Program.--The Committee continues the full 
mandatory funding for the Market Access Program and expects the 
Department to administer the program as authorized in 7 U.S.C. 
5623, without changing the eligibility requirements for 
participation of cooperative organizations, small businesses, 
trade associations, and other entities.

  FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE I DIRECT CREDIT AND FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM 
                                ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $2,528,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       2,528,000
Committee recommendation................................       2,528,000

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,528,000 for 
administrative expenses to continue servicing existing Food for 
Peace title I agreements.

                     FOOD FOR PEACE TITLE II GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................  $1,466,000,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................   1,400,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,466,000,000

    Commodities Supplied in Connection With Dispositions Abroad 
(Title II) (7 U.S.C. 1721-1726).--Commodities are supplied 
without cost through foreign governments to combat malnutrition 
and to meet famine and other emergency requirements. 
Commodities are also supplied for nonemergencies through public 
and private agencies, including intergovernmental 
organizations. The Commodity Credit Corporation pays ocean 
freight on shipments under this title, and may also pay 
overland transportation costs to a landlocked country, as well 
as internal distribution costs in emergency situations. The 
funds appropriated for title II are made available to private 
voluntary organizations and cooperatives to assist these 
organizations in meeting administrative and related costs.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,466,000,000 
for Food for Peace title II grants.
    202(e) Authority.--The Administrator for the U.S. Agency 
for International Development shall provide through the 
Secretary of Agriculture a report, no later than March 1, 2016, 
on the use of authorities under section 202(e) of the Food for 
Peace Act during fiscal year 2015 and planned for fiscal year 
2016. This report should identify and evaluate the type, 
challenges, and success of such activities.

  MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION 
                             PROGRAM GRANTS

Appropriations, 2015....................................    $191,626,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     191,626,000
Committee recommendation................................     201,626,000

    The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child 
development, and food security for some of the world's poorest 
children. The program provides for donations of U.S. 
agricultural products, as well as financial and technical 
assistance, for school feeding and maternal and child nutrition 
projects in low-income, food-deficit countries that are 
committed to universal education. Commodities made available 
for donation through agreements with private voluntary 
organizations, cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations, 
and foreign governments may be donated for direct feeding or 
for local sale to generate proceeds to support school feeding 
and nutrition projects.

                       COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $201,626,000 
for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program.
    Local and Regional Procurement.--The Committee provides an 
appropriation of $10,000,000 for efforts to build long-term 
agriculture sustainability and establish a local investment in 
school feeding programs. With direct U.S. commodity 
contributions, projects supported by the McGovern-Dole Food for 
Education Program have significantly improved the attendance, 
nourishment, and learning capacity of school-aged children in 
low-income countries throughout the impoverished world. New 
funding authorities would enable school feeding programs to 
proactively transition from direct commodity assistance to 
locally source agriculture products. The Committee directs the 
Secretary to conduct the Local and Regional Food Aid 
Procurement Project Program in accordance with the priorities 
of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child 
Nutrition Program.

        LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD AID PROCUREMENT PROJECT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2015....................................................
Budget estimate, 2016...................................     $20,000,000
Committee recommendation................................................

                        COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

    The Committee does not recommend an appropriation for the 
Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Project Program, as 
requested in the budget. The Committee instead provides 
$10,000,000 for this purpose through the McGovern-Dole 
International Food for Education Program.

COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT (EXPORT CREDIT
                          PROGRAMS AND GSM-102)
                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Guaranteed loan   Administrative
                                             levels          expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2015..................        5,500,000            6,748
Budget estimate, 2016.................        5,500,000            6,748
Committee recommendation..............        5,500,000            6,748
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 1980, the Commodity Credit Corporation [CCC] instituted 
the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102) under its charter 
authority. With this program, CCC guarantees, for a fee, 
payments due U.S. exporters under deferred payment sales 
contracts (up to 36 months) for defaults due to commercial as 
well as noncommercial risks. The risk to CCC extends from the 
date of export to the end of the deferred payment period 
covered in the export sales contract and covers only that 
portion of the payments agreed to in the assurance agreement. 
Operation of this program is based on criteria which will 
assure that it is used only where it is determined that it will 
develop new market opportunities and maintain and expand 
existing world markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. The 
program encourages U.S. financial institutions to provide 
financing to those areas where the institutions would be 
unwilling to provide financing in the absence of the CCC 
guarantees. CCC also provides facilities financing guarantees.
    The Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 establishes the 
program account. The subsidy costs of the CCC export guarantee 
programs are exempt from the requirement of advance 
appropriations of budget authority according to section 
504(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, Public Law 
101-508. Appropriations to this account will be used for 
administrative expenses.

                                TITLE VI

            RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

                Department of Health and Human Services

                      FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

    The Food and Drug Administration [FDA] is a scientific 
regulatory agency whose mission is to promote and protect the 
public health and safety of Americans. FDA's work is a blend of 
science and law. The Food and Drug Administration Amendments 
Act of 2007 [FDAAA] (Public Law 110-85) reaffirmed the 
responsibilities of the FDA: to ensure safe and effective 
products reach the market in a timely way, and to monitor 
products for continued safety while they are in use. In 
addition, FDA is entrusted with two critical functions in the 
Nation's war on terrorism: preventing willful contamination of 
all regulated products, including food, and improving the 
availability of medications to prevent or treat injuries caused 
by biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents.
    The FDA Foods program has the primary responsibility for 
assuring that the food supply, quality of foods, food 
ingredients and dietary supplements are safe, sanitary, 
nutritious, wholesome, and honestly labeled, and that cosmetic 
products are safe and properly labeled. The variety and 
complexity of the food supply has grown dramatically while new 
and more complex safety issues, such as emerging microbial 
pathogens, natural toxins, and technological innovations in 
production and processing, have developed. This program plays a 
major role in keeping the United States food supply among the 
safest in the world.
    In January 2011, the Food Safety Modernization Act was 
signed into law. This law enables FDA to better protect public 
health by strengthening the food safety system. It enables FDA 
to focus more on preventing food safety and feed problems 
rather than relying primarily on reacting to problems after 
they occur. The law also provides FDA with new enforcement 
authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with 
prevention- and risk-based food and feed safety standards and 
to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur. 
The law also gives FDA important new tools to hold imported 
food and feed to the same standards as domestic food and feed 
and directs FDA to build an integrated national food safety 
system in partnership with State and local authorities.
    The FDA Drugs programs are comprised of four separate 
areas, Human Drugs, Animal Drugs, Medical Devices and 
Biologics. FDA is responsible for the lifecycle of products, 
including premarket review and postmarket surveillance of human 
and animal drugs, medical devices and biological products to 
ensure their safety and effectiveness. For Human Drugs this 
includes assuring that all drug products used for the 
prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease are safe and 
effective. Additional procedures include the review of 
investigational new drug applications; evaluation of market 
applications for new and generic drugs, labeling and 
composition of prescription and over-the-counter drugs; 
monitoring the quality and safety of products manufactured in, 
or imported into, the United States; and, regulating the 
advertising and promotion of prescription drugs. The Animal 
Drugs and Feeds Program ensures only safe and effective 
veterinary drugs, intended for the treatment and/or prevention 
of diseases in animals and the improved production of food-
producing animals, are approved for marketing.
    The FDA Biologics program assures that blood and blood 
products, blood test kits, vaccines, and therapeutics are pure, 
potent, safe, effective, and properly labeled. The program 
inspects blood banks and blood processors, licenses and 
inspects firms collecting human source plasma, evaluates and 
licenses biologics manufacturing firms and products; lot 
releases licensed products; and monitors adverse events 
associated with vaccine immunization, blood products, and other 
biologics.
    The FDA Devices and Radiological program ensures the safety 
and effectiveness of medical devices and eliminates unnecessary 
human exposure to manmade radiation from medical, occupational, 
and consumer products. In addition, the program enforces 
quality standards under the Mammography Quality Standards Act 
(Public Law 108-365). Medical devices include thousands of 
products from thermometers and contact lenses to heart 
pacemakers, hearing aids, and MRIs. Radiological products 
include items such as microwave ovens and video display 
terminals.
    FDA's National Center for Toxicological Research in 
Jefferson, Arkansas, serves as a specialized resource, 
conducting peer-review scientific research that provides the 
basis for FDA to make sound science-based regulatory decisions 
through its premarket review and postmarket surveillance. The 
research is designed to define and understand the biological 
mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products and 
lead to developing methods to improve assessment of human 
exposure, susceptibility and risk of those products regulated 
by FDA.
    In 2009, Congress granted FDA new authority to regulate the 
manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products. 
FDA exercises this responsibility by protecting the public 
health from the health effects of tobacco, setting scientific 
standards and standards for tobacco product review, conducting 
compliance activities to enforce its authority over tobacco, 
and conducting public education and outreach about the health 
effects of tobacco products.

                         salaries and expenses

                        [In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Appropriation    User fees       Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2015.........      2,588,536     1,854,820     4,443,356
Budget estimate, 2016........      2,734,715     2,129,308     4,864,023
Committee recommendation.....      2,628,978     1,930,685     4,559,663
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       committee recommendations

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,628,978,000 
for FDA salaries and expenses. The Committee also recommends 
$826,072,000 in Prescription Drug User Fee Act user fee 
collections; $134,475,000 in Medical Device User Fee and 
Modernization Act user fee collections; $22,140,000 in Animal 
Drug User Fee Act user fee collections; $7,429,000 in Animal 
Generic Drug User Fee Act user fee collections; $599,000,000 in 
Tobacco Product user fee collections; $320,029,000 in Generic 
Drug User Fee Act user fee collections; $21,540,000 in 
Biosimilar User Fee Act user fee collections; $5,300,000 in 
Voluntary Qualified Importer Program collections; $1,434,000 in 
food and feed recall collections; $6,414,000 in food 
reinspection collections; $20,109,000 in Mammography Quality 
Standards Act fee collections; and $13,835,000 in export and 
certification fees, as assumed in the President's budget. The 
Committee recommendation includes bill language which prohibits 
FDA from developing, establishing, or operating any program of 
user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
    The Committee recommendation does not include proposed user 
fees for food facility registration and inspection, food 
import, food contact substance notification, cosmetics, and 
international courier imports. None of these user fee proposals 
have been authorized by Congress. The Committee will continue 
to monitor any action by the appropriate authorizing Committees 
regarding these proposed user fees.
    The Committee expects FDA to continue all projects, 
activities, laboratories, and programs as included in fiscal 
year 2015 unless otherwise specified. The Committee accepts 
$11,588,000 in proposed administrative savings; however the 
Committee does not support the proposed $4,333,000 reduction to 
the National Center for Toxicological Research.
    The Committee includes increases of $45,000,000 for the 
implementation of FSMA. These increases consist of: $20,500,000 
for Inspection Modernization and Training; $8,000,000 for the 
National Integrated Food Safety System; $10,000,000 for 
Education and Technical Assistance for Industry; $3,000,000 for 
Technical Staffing and Guidance Development; and $3,500,000 for 
Import Safety. The increases provided in this bill and the 
increases provided since fiscal year 2011 should assist FDA in 
preparation for the implementation of FSMA prior to the 
effective dates of the seven foundational proposed rules. While 
the FDA has not implemented the final rules, the Committee 
understands that most businesses will not need to comply with 
the two rules for preventive controls for human food and for 
animal food until August 2016 and that the other five rules 
will not be effective until fiscal year 2017 and later. Given 
the diversity in the food industry, FSMA was intentionally 
designed to be risk-based, flexible, and science-based. A one-
size fits all approach will not work. Yet, the Committee is 
concerned that the agency not take an overly prescriptive 
approach with the regulations, including the final regulation 
on produce safety and the final regulations on preventive 
controls for human and animal food. Accordingly, FDA shall 
ensure all FSMA regulations are risk-based, flexible, and 
science-based, and carefully consider the well-established and 
recognized standards for food and produce safety already 
employed through much of the industry. FDA shall ensure that 
any regulatory proposal or final regulation minimizes, to the 
extent appropriate to protect public health, the necessity to 
conduct verification testing activities.
    The Committee provides an increase of $5,000,000 for 
medical product safety initiatives. Included in this amount is 
$3,000,000 for combating antibiotic resistant bacteria as part 
of the National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic Resistant 
Bacteria [CARB] and $2,000,000 for the Precision Medicine 
Initiative. According to the FDA's fiscal year 2016 budget 
request, the Agency is spending approximately $32,500,000 on 
antimicrobial resistance activities in fiscal year 2015. With 
this increase, FDA is expected to spend approximately 
$35,500,000 on combating antibiotic resistance in fiscal year 
2016.
    The following table reflects the Committee's 
recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2015 and budget 
request levels:

                               FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES
                                            [In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal year--
                                                              ----------------------------------    Committee
                                                                 2015 enacted     2016 request    recommendation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centers and related field activities:
    Foods....................................................          903,403          987,328          948,403
        Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition [CFSAN].          279,994          303,994          296,894
        Field Activities.....................................          623,409          683,334          651,509
    Human Drugs..............................................          482,287          484,678          481,245
        Center for Drug Evaluation and Research [CDER].......          346,080          352,513          349,080
        Field Activities.....................................          136,207          132,165          132,165
    Biologics................................................          211,382          215,021          209,754
        Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research [CBER]..          171,096          174,052          169,890
        Field Activities.....................................           40,286           40,969           39,864
    Animal Drugs.............................................          147,577          165,752          144,577
        Center for Veterinary Medicine [CVM].................           93,505          101,105           90,505
        Field Activities.....................................           54,072           64,647           54,072
    Medical and radiological devices.........................          320,825          327,760          319,937
        Center for Devices and Radiological Health...........          240,345          246,166          240,308
        Field Activities.....................................           80,480           81,594           79,629
    National Center for Toxicological Research...............           63,331           58,998           63,331
Other Activities.............................................          174,862          181,314          174,862
Rent and related activities..................................          115,987          137,181          117,987
Rental Payments to GSA.......................................          168,882          176,683          168,882
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
      Total, FDA salaries and expenses, new budget authority.        2,588,536        2,734,715        2,628,978
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.--The Committee is 
concerned that the FDA has not yet approved a list of active 
pharmaceutical ingredients [APIs] for use by compounding 
pharmacists pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
Act [FDCA]. Within 90 days of the enactment of this act, the 
FDA is directed to provide a timeline for when the remaining 
substances will be considered, and in the meantime re-consider 
its policy with regard to enforcement of the bulk drug 
substances provisions under section 503A.
    Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizers.--The Committee strongly 
supports the systematic review of healthcare antiseptic active 
ingredients used in alcohol based hand sanitizers [ABHS] 
products marketed under the over-the-counter [OTC] monograph to 
ensure the safety of healthcare workers and consumers, but is 
concerned about the potential impacts to public health that 
could occur if ABHS products containing healthcare antiseptic 
active ingredients are reclassified in a final monograph 
without full review of available, appropriate science based 
data and risk models. The FDA is requested not to issue a final 
monograph regarding OTC healthcare antiseptic active 
ingredients that are used in ABHS products, until full and fair 
consideration is given to existing evidence that has been 
provided to FDA that supports general recognition of safety and 
effectiveness of OTC ABHS products, and to potential costs 
associated with the final monograph.
    Biosimilars.--The Committee is concerned that FDA has 
failed to provide the public adequate opportunity to review and 
comment on regulatory standards for the approval and oversight 
of biosimilar drugs. Therefore, FDA is directed to provide the 
Committee with an estimated timeline by which the agency will: 
finalize all pending draft biosimilars guidance documents, 
publish draft biosimilar guidance documents included in its 
2015 regulatory agenda, and finalize those draft guidance 
documents. The Committee expects to receive this report no 
later than 2 weeks after the Committee reports this 
legislation.
    Centers of Excellence in Regulatory Science and 
Innovation.--The Committee is encouraged by the ongoing 
research and collaboration underway at the Centers of 
Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation program and 
commends the FDA for launching this program in 2011 and 
expanding it in 2014. As such, the Committee directs the Office 
of the Commissioner to use at least $2,000,000 within existing 
funds to provide additional funding opportunities for the 
existing CERSI Centers to allow for the capitalization of 
ongoing studies and research.
    Comparative Oncology.--The Committee recognizes the value 
in using data from cancers in companion animals to provide 
answers to important translational questions about cancer 
biology, diagnosis, and treatment. This research offers an 
important opportunity to study cancers in thousands of subjects 
to benefit both human patients and pets. The Committee requests 
FDA address the use of companion animals in diagnosis and 
treatment research and encourage the FDA to open grant 
opportunities in animal models to increase the study of the 1 
million companion animals that naturally develop cancer each 
year.
    Cord Blood Regulation.--The Committee directs the FDA to 
undergo a review and seriously consider the potential need for 
revision of the current regulatory requirements for cord blood 
licensure, particularly those related to manufacturing and 
storage, to ensure the correct applicability to this industry 
since the current regulatory requirements being applied are the 
same ones that apply to pharmaceutical products. In addition, 
the Committee directs the FDA to create an advisory task force, 
comprised at a minimum of public and private cord blood 
bankers, transplanters and patients, to provide recommendations 
to the agency about the current licensing requirements and 
changes that may be necessary.
    Cosmetics.--The Committee provides not less than 
$11,700,000 for cosmetics activities, including not less than 
$7,200,000 for the Office of Colors and Cosmetics [OCAC]. 
Funding for OCAC is for the direct support of the operation, 
staffing, compliance, research and international activities 
performed by this office. The Committee notes that FDA's budget 
submission stated that FDA would meet a March 2015 deadline, 
set by this Committee, to respond to a citizen petition 
regarding trace amounts of lead in cosmetics. This has not 
occurred, and this unacceptable delay is indicative of 
longstanding issues with FDA's review of cosmetics. Since 1976, 
cosmetic ingredients have been reviewed by a private Cosmetic 
Ingredient Review program, established by the cosmetic 
industry, with nonvoting FDA participation. The Committee 
directs FDA to work with the industry to study the transfer of 
this program to a more formal public-private partnership, 
similar to the United States Pharmacopeia, if appropriate and 
beneficial for consumers, and to report back to the Committee 
on this effort.
    Deeming Regulations.--The Committee notes that the Family 
Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which became 
law in 2009, gave FDA immediate authority over certain tobacco 
products, and gave authority to the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services to deem other products subject to FDA 
regulation. On April 25, 2014, nearly 5 years after it had been 
granted the authority to do so, FDA issued those proposed 
deeming regulations, but has not yet finalized them. FDA is 
therefore directed to issue a final regulation addressing the 
deeming of other tobacco products under FDA's jurisdiction 
within 30 days and to act expediently to implement that 
regulation once finalized.
    Drug Shortages.--The Committee is very concerned about 
continuing drug shortages, and the serious effects they can 
have on patients, including children. The Committee directs the 
Food and Drug Administration to report to the Committee on the 
work of FDA's intra-agency Drug Shortages Task Force. This 
report should include which offices and centers are represented 
on the task force, and how it works with other government 
agencies and outside stakeholders to address drug shortages. 
The report should also specify what activities the Task Force 
has undertaken to prevent drug shortages affecting pediatric 
patients, including working with outside experts on this issue.
    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--The Committee is aware that a 
patient-focused draft guidance for drug development on Duchenne 
Muscular Dystrophy was submitted to FDA in June 2014. The 
Committee supports this initiative and requests that FDA 
provide a detailed description of its plans to move forward 
with the development of a related guidance.
    Farm Regulations.--The Committee remains concerned about 
how the FDA will determine whether and to what degree a farm or 
food business is subject to regulation. It is important that 
FDA is careful to apply new rules appropriately for the size of 
the operation in accordance with congressional intent.
    Foreign High Risk Inspections.--As the importation of 
drugs, food, and medical devices from China continue to 
increase, the Committee is concerned about the FDA's ability to 
keep pace with the exporter universe and volume of exports. For 
fiscal year 2015, an additional $2,000,000 was provided for 
foreign drug safety to address the growing number of human 
drugs produced overseas and the increasing number of imported 
drug shipments in order to ensure the continued safety and 
quality of these products. These funds have been provided to 
support the agency's overseas inspections, work with industry 
and other stakeholders in safety in manufacturing, strengthen 
agency relationships with foreign regulators, and analyze 
trends and events that might affect the safety of FDA-regulated 
products exported to the United States.
    The Committee is supportive of FDA as it moves toward a 
more, targeted, risk-based, and efficient inspection model that 
incorporates commercially available information on high-risk 
establishments. As with other Federal agencies, such as CMS, 
better data has helped to make sure a company exists and is in 
good standing prior to an inspection and to help prioritize 
FDA's investigations and triage safety inspections. Within the 
funds provided for the China Safety Initiative the Committee 
directs the FDA to maintain robust funding for onsite 
verification support and integration of results in FDA 
inspection planning.
    In Silico Clinical Trials.--In Silico clinical trials use 
computer models and simulations to develop and assess devices 
and drugs, including their potential risk to the public, before 
being tested in live clinical trials. Advanced computer 
modeling may also prove useful in helping to predict how a drug 
or device will behave when deployed in the general population 
or when used in particular circumstances, thereby helping to 
protect the public from the unintended consequences of side 
effects and drug interactions. In Silico trials may potentially 
protect public health, advance personalized treatment, and be 
executed quickly and for a fraction of the cost of a full scale 
live trial. The FDA has advocated the use of such systems as an 
additional innovative research tool. Therefore, the Committee 
urges FDA to engage with device and drug sponsors to explore 
greater use, where appropriate, of In Silico trials for 
advancing new devices and drug therapy applications.
    In Vitro Clinical Trials.--In Vitro clinical trials use 
specimens collected from patients to test how a particular 
cancer or disease will react to a specific therapy or 
combination of therapies. This personalized approach to 
treatment can improve a patient's quality of life by increasing 
the likelihood that physicians and researchers will find the 
proper combination of drugs uniquely suited to treat that 
individual's illness. An emerging new scientific methodology, 
In Vitro trials allow researchers to test therapeutics and 
treatment strategies on living human tissues without the risks 
posed by traditional whole patient clinical trials. 
Personalized treatment through In Vitro trials dismantles the 
``one size fits all'' approach to care and enables medical 
professionals to diagnose and treat patients in a more 
efficient and effective way. While the Committee recognizes 
that In Vitro tests may not always predict clinical responses, 
it urges the FDA to continue to engage with drug sponsors to 
explore greater use, where appropriate, of In Vitro clinical 
trials for drug development programs under Investigational New 
Drug applications and general therapeutic indications, 
especially as it relates to complicated cancers and other 
common disease states.
    Mammography Quality Standards Act.--The Committee 
recommendation includes full funding as requested for 
implementation of the Mammography Quality Standards Act. This 
program sets national quality standards for mammography 
facilities, equipment, personnel and operating procedures, and 
has improved the quality of mammography and made mammograms a 
more reliable tool to detect breast cancers.
    Mammography Reports.--The Food and Drug Administration is 
directed to revise its regulations regarding the summary 
mammography reports in lay language provided to patients to 
require the inclusion of information on the patient's breast 
tissue density; an explanation that dense tissue may mask the 
presence of breast cancer on mammograms; and advice that 
patients speak with their healthcare provider about whether 
they would benefit from additional tests, and about any other 
questions they may have. The FDA should also revise its 
regulations regarding the medical report provided to healthcare 
providers to require the inclusion of information on the 
patient's breast density and the masking effect such tissue may 
have on detecting breast cancer.
    Master Plan.--The Committee has included $3,000,000 for FDA 
to complete a feasibility study to update and issue a revised 
Master Plan for the White Oak campus in order to address its 
expanded workforce and the facilities needed to accommodate 
them. The Committee directs FDA to report on this effort by 
January 1, 2016.
    Medical Gases.--The Committee is concerned that FDA has not 
initiated rulemaking to address numerous longstanding 
regulatory issues for medical gases despite the statutory 
requirement in FDASIA to issue a final rulemaking addressing 
all necessary changes for medical gases by July 9, 2016. 
Designated medical gases are a unique class of drugs that 
differ significantly from traditional pharmaceuticals and 
therefore must be addressed in the Federal drug regulations to 
prevent safety and enforcement issues caused by current 
regulations. The Committee disagrees with the FDA report to 
Congress sent on June 30, 2015 that despite decades of issues 
created by existing regulations ``the current regulatory 
framework is adequate and sufficiently flexible to 
appropriately regulate medical gases.''
    Nanotechnology.--The Committee recognizes the increased 
capabilities that FDA has developed to study environment, 
health, and safety of nanomaterials within FDA's Jefferson 
Laboratory Campus, including the National Center for 
Toxicological Research, and its consolidated headquarters at 
White Oak, Maryland. The Committee expects FDA to continue to 
support collaborative research with universities and industry 
on the toxicology of nanotechnology products and processes in 
accordance with the National Nanotechnology Initiative 
Environment, Health, and Safety Research Strategy as updated in 
October 2011.
    National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.--The 
Committee recommendation includes $10,800,000 for the National 
Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, equal to the level 
provided in fiscal year 2015.
    Nutrition Facts Label.--The Committee is concerned that the 
FDA has not published in the Federal Register the results of 
FDA's ``Experimental Study on Consumer Responses to Nutrition 
Facts Labels with Various Footnote Formats and Declaration of 
Amount of Added Sugars'' (78 FR 32394, May 30, 2013). The 
purpose of the study, as described by the Agency, is ``to 
examine how consumers would comprehend and use this new 
information''. Given that sound science, peer review and 
transparency are essential to effective protection of public 
health, the Committee encourages the FDA to release this study 
for public review and comment prior to finalizing changes to 
the Nutrition Facts label.
    Opioid Overdose Prevention.--The Committee notes that on 
June 15, 2015, the CDC issued a report on ``Opioid Overdose 
Prevention Programs Providing Naloxone to Laypersons'', in 
which the CDC noted the benefits of expanding access to the 
life-saving drug naloxone, which reverses the effects of an 
opioid overdose. The Committee urges FDA to promote the 
development and widespread usage of naloxone products. The 
agency's efforts should include working closely with product 
sponsors interested in marketing naloxone for use without a 
prescription to expedite review and decisionmaking.
    Oversight Activities.--The Committee notes that over the 
past 5 years FDA's responsibilities and resources have grown 
significantly. The Committee is concerned that oversight of FDA 
has not kept pace with the growth in the agency's regulatory 
authority or funding. Therefore, the Committee recommendation 
includes $1,500,000 for the HHS Office of Inspector General 
specifically for oversight of FDA activities. The funding 
provided under this appropriation is in addition to FDA 
oversight activities supported within the Inspector General's 
regular appropriation. The Committee instructs the Inspector 
General to submit a plan, within 60 days of the enactment of 
this act, on the additional oversight activities planned with 
this funding.
    Pediatric Device Consortia Grants.--The Committee is 
pleased that the nine FDA-funded Pediatric Device Consortia 
have assisted in the development of more than 450 proposed 
pediatric medical devices since its inception in 2009, as well 
as promoting job-growth in the healthcare sector, and as such, 
continues to support this critical effort. The program funds 
consortia to assist innovators in developing medical and 
surgical devices designed for the unique needs of children that 
often go unmet by devices currently available on the market. 
The Committee directs FDA to fund this program at the highest 
possible level within available resources, and at no less than 
the level funded in the previous year.
    Repackaging for Long Term Care Pharmacies.--In February the 
Food and Drug Administration released a draft guidance 
entitled, ``Repackaging of Certain Human Drug Products by 
Pharmacies and Outsourcing Facilities.'' The Committee is 
concerned that in issuing the draft guidance the agency failed 
to consider the unique nature of long term care pharmacies and 
the populations they serve. Before issuing a final guidance the 
Committee urges the agency to consider its implications on 
patient access to safe and effective medications from long term 
care pharmacies.
    Seafood Advisory.--The Committee remains concerned that 
despite numerous commitments over many years, FDA has not 
published final advice on seafood consumption for pregnant 
women, mothers, and children. The Committee is pleased that FDA 
released draft advice in June 2014, however, pregnant women and 
healthcare providers still await clear, actionable and science-
based final seafood advice. Based on the recommendation of the 
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the final FDA seafood 
advice shall re-evaluate the draft limit on albacore tuna to 
ensure it is consistent with the FDA net effects report and the 
Joint United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization/World 
Health Organization Expert Consultation on the Risks and 
Benefits of Fish Consumption, 2010. The Committee directs FDA 
to publish final advice to pregnant women on seafood 
consumption in conjunction with all applicable parties. 
Finally, FDA shall provide a progress report to the Committee 
30 days after the enactment of this act and every 30 days 
thereafter until the final seafood advice is published.
    Seafood Economic Integrity.--The Committee recognizes the 
importance of seafood to a healthy diet, but is concerned that 
the FDA does not focus sufficient attention on economic 
integrity issues, particularly with respect to mislabeling of 
species, weights, and treatment. The Committee encourages the 
FDA to work with States and the Department of Commerce to more 
aggressively combat fraud in parts of the seafood industry.
    Seafood List.--The Committee directs the Commissioner to 
expedite consideration of whether it is appropriate to change 
the acceptable market name of Gadus chalcogrammus (formerly 
classified as Theragra chalcogramma) from ``Alaska Pollock'' to 
``Pollock'' in the Seafood List. It is critical that seafood 
nomenclature (acceptable market names) is science-based, 
truthful, and not misleading to the consumer.
    Sodium.--The Committee is concerned about FDA's continued 
focus on voluntary sodium reductions and the Institute of 
Medicine's [IOM] 2010 recommendation to modify the Generally 
Recognized as Safe [GRAS] status of sodium, particularly given 
the ongoing scientific discussion regarding appropriate sodium 
intake to maintain positive health. The IOM published a more 
recent study in 2013, which concluded additional research may 
provide further information with respect to the health effects 
of sodium intake on general and sub populations. The Committee 
recommends that a panel be convened, at the IOM or another 
leading Federal institution, which includes a representative 
array of research perspectives, including those who have raised 
concerns on the safety of low-sodium diets. The Committee does 
not believe any sodium reduction activities should be finalized 
until the disagreement between the impact of lower sodium on 
blood pressure (and an extrapolation to health) and direct 
research suggesting a negative impact of very low-sodium 
intakes is resolved.
    Sunscreen.--The Committee is aware that in July 2014, the 
U.S. Surgeon General issued A Call to Action to Prevent Skin 
Cancer, concluding nearly 5 million people are treated annually 
for all skin cancers combined, with an estimated cost of 
$8,100,000,000 per year. As a result, the Surgeon General 
called on the Federal Government to work with stakeholders to 
support skin cancer prevention. The Committee is pleased with 
the bipartisan reforms enacted in the Sunscreen Innovation Act 
[SIA] in 2014 to improve the process by which the FDA reviews 
sunscreen ingredients; however, the Committee is concerned that 
while skin cancer rates in the United States continue to climb, 
no new sunscreen ingredients have been generally recognized as 
safe and effective [GRASE] by the FDA since passage of the SIA. 
The Committee directs the FDA to provide a report that contains 
a detailed analysis of how FDA is balancing the Surgeon 
General's Call to Action, the known public health benefits that 
regular sunscreen use provides to prevent skin cancer and 
melanoma, and the long history of safe and effective use of 
sunscreens in comparable countries versus the hypothetical risk 
sunscreens posed to human health in FDA's generally recognized 
as safe and effective [GRASE] standard. Immediate action on 
sunscreen applications should be a priority.
    In addition, the Committee directs the FDA to work with 
stakeholders to ensure consumers in the United States have 
access to all sunscreen products that have been shown to be 
safe and effective; and therefore, requests that FDA, in 
finalizing the sunscreen monograph consistent with the SIA, 
include provisions related to the maximum Sun Protection Factor 
[SPF] and to address spray dosage forms for sunscreens.
    Vibrio.--The Committee is aware of the public health 
challenge related to the naturally occurring bacteria called 
Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V.p.) that can accumulate in shellfish 
and believes that more scientific research is necessary to 
developing proper controls that will reduce the risk to 
consumers and sustain a healthy domestic shellfish industry. 
The Committee encourages the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] 
to increase funding for research into Vibrio illnesses 
associated with the consumption of raw molluscan shellfish, 
improve risk assessment models, and develop improved rapid 
detection methods for virulent Vibrio strains.

                        buildings and facilities

Appropriations, 2015....................................      $8,788,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................       8,788,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,788,000

    FDA maintains offices and staff in 49 States and in the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, including field 
laboratories and specialized facilities, as well as the 
National Center for Toxicological Research complex. Repairs, 
modifications, improvements, and construction to FDA 
headquarters and field facilities must be made to preserve the 
properties, ensure employee safety, meet changing program 
requirements, and permit the agency to keep its laboratory 
methods up to date.

                       committee recommendations

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,788,000 for 
FDA buildings and facilities. This funding shall be used to 
upgrade FDA facilities and laboratories which are currently 
below public safety standards and incapable of performing 
agency requirements.

                           INDEPENDENT AGENCY

                       Farm Credit Administration

                 limitation on administrative expenses

Appropriations, 2015....................................     $60,500,000
Budget estimate, 2016...................................      68,800,000
Committee recommendation................................      65,600,000

    The Farm Credit Administration [FCA] is the independent 
agency in the executive branch of the Government responsible 
for the examination and regulation of the banks, associations, 
and other institutions of the Farm Credit System.
    Activities of the Farm Credit Administration include the 
planning and execution of examinations of Farm Credit System 
institutions and the preparation of examination reports. FCA 
also promulgates regulations, establishes standards, enforces 
rules and regulations, and approves certain actions of the 
institutions.
    The administration and the institutions under its 
jurisdiction now operate under authorities contained in the 
Farm Credit Act of 1971, Public Law 92-181, effective December 
10, 1971. Public Law 99-205, effective December 23, 1985, 
restructured FCA and gave the agency regulatory authorities and 
enforcement powers.
    The act provides for the farmer-owned cooperative system to 
make sound, adequate, and constructive credit available to 
farmers and ranchers and their cooperatives, rural residences, 
and associations and other entities upon which farming 
operations are dependent, and to modernize existing farm credit 
law to meet current and future rural credit needs.
    The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 authorized the 
formation of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation 
[FAMC] to operate a secondary market for agricultural and rural 
housing mortgages. The Farm Credit Administration, under 
section 8.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, is 
assigned the responsibility of regulating this entity and 
assuring its safe and sound operation.
    Expenses of the Farm Credit Administration are paid by 
assessments collected from the Farm Credit System institutions 
and by assessments to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage 
Corporation.

                       committee recommendations

    The Committee recommends a limitation of $65,600,000 on 
administrative expenses of the Farm Credit Administration.

                               TITLE VII

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The Committee recommends the following provisions:
    Section 701. This section makes funds available for the 
purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles.
    Section 702. This section gives the Secretary of 
Agriculture authority to transfer unobligated balances to the 
Working Capital Fund and clarifies longstanding practices 
associated with the Fund.
    Section 703. This section limits the funding provided in 
the bill to 1 year, unless otherwise specified.
    Section 704. This section limits negotiated indirect costs 
on cooperative agreements between the Department of Agriculture 
and nonprofit organizations to 10 percent.
    Section 705. This section makes appropriations to the 
Department of Agriculture for the cost of direct guaranteed 
loans available until expended to disburse obligations for 
certain Rural Development programs.
    Section 706. This section prohibits the purchase of new 
information technology equipment in excess of $25,000 without 
the prior approval of the Chief Information Officer.
    Section 707. This section makes funds for certain 
conservation programs available until expended to disburse 
certain obligations made in the current fiscal year.
    Section 708. This section makes certain former Rural 
Utilities Service borrowers eligible for the Rural Economic 
Development loan and grant program.
    Section 709. This section provides funds for Rural 
Development and the Farm Service Agency information technology 
expenses.
    Section 710. This section includes language regarding 
first-class travel.
    Section 711. This section includes language regarding the 
Commodity Credit Corporation.
    Section 712. This section makes funds available for the 
expenses and activities of certain advisory committees, panels, 
commissions, and task forces at the Department of Agriculture.
    Section 713. This section includes language regarding the 
limitation on direct costs for grants awarded by the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture.
    Section 714. This section includes language regarding the 
availability of funds for certain Department of Agriculture 
programs.
    Section 715. This section includes language regarding the 
availability of funds for certain Department of Agriculture 
programs.
    Section 716. This section prohibits the use of funds for 
user fee proposals that fail to provide sufficient budget 
impact information.
    Section 717. This section prohibits the reprogramming of 
funds for programs, projects, or activities in excess of 
$500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less without the prior 
notification of the Committee on Appropriations.
    Section 718. This section includes language for the 
establishment of a fee under the business and industry loan 
program.
    Section 719. This section prohibits the Department of 
Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services 
from transmitting questions or responses as a result of the 
appropriations hearing process to non-Department employees.
    Section 720. This section includes language regarding 
prepackaged news.
    Section 721. This section requires Department of 
Agriculture agencies to provide reimbursement to other 
Department of Agriculture agencies for employees detailed for 
longer than 30 days.
    Section 722. This section includes language regarding 
reconstituted infant formula.
    Section 723. This section includes language regarding 
spending plans.
    Section 724. This section provides funding for the 
Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers Program.
    Section 725. This section includes language regarding 
section 502 single family direct loans.
    Section 726. This section includes language regarding loans 
and loan guarantees.
    Section 727. This section includes language regarding 
credit card refunds.
    Section 728. This section provides funding to carry out a 
program for hardwood trees.
    Section 729. This section includes language regarding menu 
labeling.
    Section 730. This section includes language regarding the 
Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program.
    Section 731. This section includes language regarding the 
Water Bank Program.
    Section 732. This section includes language regarding Rural 
Economic Area Partnership Zones.
    Section 733. This section includes language regarding the 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
    Section 734. This section includes language regarding the 
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
    Section 735. This section includes language regarding 
housing programs.
    Section 736. This section includes language regarding the 
Rural Housing Service.
    Section 737. This section includes a rescission of funds.
    Section 738. This section includes a rescission of funds.
    Section 739. This section includes language regarding 
industrial hemp.
    Section 740. This section includes language regarding 
disclosure of information for pharmaceuticals.
    Section 741. This section includes language regarding the 
Healthy Food Financing Initiative.
    Section 742. This section includes language regarding 
agricultural research.
    Section. 743. This section includes language regarding beef 
imports from Argentina and Brazil.
    Section. 744. This section includes language regarding the 
use of funds for certain horse inspection activities.
    Section 745. This section includes language regarding 
school meals programs.

                     PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY

    During fiscal year 2016, for purposes of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 
99-177) or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control 
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following 
information provides the definition of the term ``program, 
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the 
jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The 
term ``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most 
specific level of budget items identified in the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016, and the accompanying Senate 
Report.
    If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the 
Presidential order, departments and agencies shall apply any 
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2016 pursuant to 
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to 
all items specified in the explanatory notes submitted to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate in support 
of the fiscal year 2016 budget estimates, as amended, for such 
departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action, 
and in addition:
    For the Agricultural Research Service the definition shall 
include specific research locations as identified in the 
explanatory notes.
    For the Natural Resources Conservation Service the 
definition shall include individual flood prevention projects 
as identified in the explanatory notes and individual 
operational watershed projects as summarized in the notes.
    For the Farm Service Agency the definition shall include 
individual, regional, State, district, and county offices.

  COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports 
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each 
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation 
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing 
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously 
passed by the Senate during that session.
    The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not 
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the 
spirit of full disclosure.
    The Committee recommends funding for the following programs 
or activities which currently lack authorization for fiscal 
year 2016:
      Child Nutrition Program State Administrative Expenses
      Farmers Market Nutrition Program
      Grain Inspection Service
      Multi-family Housing Revitalization Program
      Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants 
        and Children
      Summer Food Service Program

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on July 16, 2015, 
the Committee ordered favorably reported an original bill 
making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food 
and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes, 
provided, that the bill be subject to amendment and that the 
bill be consistent with its budget allocation, by a recorded 
vote of 28-2, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
        Yeas                          Nays
Chairman Cochran                    Mrs. Murray
Mr. McConnell                       Mr. Reed
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Kirk
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Cassidy
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Daines
Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Leahy
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy

 COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports 
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute 
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or 
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a 
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution 
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof 
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and 
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical 
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the 
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by 
the committee.''
    The Committee bill as recommended contains no such 
provisions.

                        BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL

  PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
                                                     AMENDED
                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Budget authority                 Outlays
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee    Amount  in     Committee    Amount  in
                                                           allocation       bill       allocation       bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
 allocation for 2016: Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural
 Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
 Agencies:
    Mandatory...........................................      116,234       116,234       108,949    \1\108,949
    Discretionary.......................................       20,510        20,510        21,641     \1\21,632
        Security........................................  ............  ............  ............           NA
        Nonsecurity.....................................       20,510        20,510            NA            NA
    Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on         ............  ............  ............  ............
     Terrorism..........................................
Projections of outlays associated with the
 recommendation:
    2016................................................  ............  ............  ............   \2\116,060
    2017................................................  ............  ............  ............        4,721
    2018................................................  ............  ............  ............          990
    2019................................................  ............  ............  ............          358
    2020 and future years...............................  ............  ............  ............          267
Financial assistance to State and local governments for            NA        39,573            NA     \2\33,112
 2016...................................................
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
 
NA: Not applicable.

  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2015 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
                                                                        YEAR 2016
                                                                [In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                         Senate Committee recommendation
                                                                                                                             compared with (+ or -)
                                Item                                       2015       Budget estimate     Committee    ---------------------------------
                                                                      appropriation                     recommendation        2015
                                                                                                                         appropriation   Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
 
               Production, Processing, and Marketing
 
                      Office of the Secretary
 
Office of the Secretary............................................           5,051            5,137            5,051   ...............             -86
Office of Tribal Relations.........................................             502              507              502   ...............              -5
Military Veterans Agricultural Liasion (Leg. proposal).............  ...............             250              250             +250   ...............
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination.............           1,496            1,520            1,496   ...............             -24
Office of Advocacy and Outreach....................................           1,209            1,228            1,209   ...............             -19
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration...............             804              816              804   ...............             -12
Departmental Administration........................................          25,124           25,688           25,124   ...............            -564
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Departmental Administration........................          25,928           26,504           25,928   ...............            -576
 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations......           3,869            3,934            3,869   ...............             -65
Office of Communications...........................................           7,750            8,228            7,750   ...............            -478
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office of the Secretary...............................          45,805           47,308           46,055             +250           -1,253
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Executive Operations:
    Office of the Chief Economist..................................          17,377           17,465           16,777             -600             -688
    National Appeals Division......................................          13,317           13,566           13,317   ...............            -249
    Office of Budget and Program Analysis..........................           9,392            9,500            9,392   ...............            -108
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Executive Operations...............................          40,086           40,531           39,486             -600           -1,045
 
Office of the Chief Information Officer............................          45,045           53,071           45,045   ...............          -8,026
Office of the Chief Financial Officer..............................           6,028            9,154            6,028   ...............          -3,126
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.................             898              907              898   ...............              -9
Office of Civil Rights.............................................          24,070           24,443           24,070   ...............            -373
Agriculture buildings and facilities and rental payments...........         (55,866)        (125,469)         (53,618)         (-2,248)        (-71,851)
    Building operations and maintenance............................          55,866          125,469           53,618           -2,248          -71,851
Hazardous materials management.....................................           3,600            3,630            3,618              +18              -12
Office of Inspector General........................................          95,026           98,902           95,294             +268           -3,608
Office of the General Counsel......................................          44,383           48,075           44,383   ...............          -3,692
Office of Ethics...................................................           3,654            4,565            3,654   ...............            -911
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Departmental Administration...........................         364,461          456,055          362,149           -2,312          -93,906
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and                      898              907              898   ...............              -9
 Economics.........................................................
Economic Research Service..........................................          85,373           86,023           85,373   ...............            -650
National Agricultural Statistics Service...........................         172,408          180,346          168,108           -4,300          -12,238
    Census of Agriculture..........................................         (47,842)         (45,747)         (41,842)         (-6,000)         (-3,905)
 
Agricultural Research Service:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................       1,132,625        1,191,540        1,136,825           +4,200          -54,715
    Buildings and facilities.......................................          45,000          205,901   ...............         -45,000         -205,901
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Agricultural Research Service.........................       1,177,625        1,397,441        1,136,825          -40,800         -260,616
                                                                    ====================================================================================
National Institute of Food and Agriculture:
    National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Leg. proposal).....  ...............       1,503,058   ...............  ...............      -1,503,058
    Research and education activities..............................         786,874   ...............         791,096           +4,222         +791,096
    Native American Institutions Endowment Fund....................         (11,880)         (11,880)         (11,880)  ...............  ...............
    Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities          ...............         (10,000)         (10,000)        (+10,000)  ...............
     Endowment Fund................................................
    Extension activities...........................................         471,691   ...............         488,891          +17,200         +488,891
    Integrated activities..........................................          30,900   ...............          13,700          -17,200          +13,700
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, National Institute of Food and Agriculture............       1,289,465        1,503,058        1,293,687           +4,222         -209,371
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs             898              907              898   ...............              -9
 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................         871,315          855,803          876,465           +5,150          +20,662
    Buildings and facilities.......................................           3,175            3,175            3,175   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service............         874,490          858,978          879,640           +5,150          +20,662
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Agricultural Marketing Service:
    Marketing Services.............................................          81,192           83,121           81,192   ...............          -1,929
        Standardization activities (user fees).....................         (64,000)         (65,000)         (65,000)         (+1,000)  ...............
    (Limitation on administrative expenses, from fees collected)...         (60,709)         (60,982)         (60,982)           (+273)  ...............
    Funds for strengthening markets, income, and supply (Section
     32):
        Permanent, Section 32......................................       1,284,000        1,425,000        1,425,000         +141,000   ...............
            Marketing agreements and orders (transfer from section          (20,186)         (20,489)         (20,489)           (+303)  ...............
             32)...................................................
    Payments to States and Possessions.............................           1,235            1,235            1,235   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Agricultural Marketing Service program................       1,427,136        1,570,338        1,568,409         +141,273           -1,929
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................          43,048           44,101           43,048   ...............          -1,053
    Limitation on inspection and weighing services.................         (50,000)         (55,000)         (55,000)         (+5,000)  ...............
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety......................             816              824              816   ...............              -8
Food Safety and Inspection Service.................................       1,016,474        1,011,557        1,013,621           -2,853           +2,064
    Lab accreditation fees.........................................          (1,000)          (1,000)          (1,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Production, Processing, and Marketing.................       6,392,383        7,049,553        6,492,490         +100,107         -557,063
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                      Farm Assistance Programs
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural                 898              907              898   ...............              -9
 Services..........................................................
 
Farm Service Agency:
    Salaries and expenses..........................................       1,200,180        1,185,251        1,180,391          -19,789           -4,860
    (Transfer from Food for Peace (Public Law 480))................          (2,528)          (2,528)          (2,528)  ...............  ...............
    (Transfer from export loans)...................................            (354)            (354)            (354)  ...............  ...............
    (Transfer from ACIF)...........................................        (306,998)        (309,991)        (306,998)  ...............         (-2,993)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, transfers from program accounts....................        (309,880)        (312,873)        (309,880)  ...............         (-2,993)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Salaries and expenses.................................      (1,510,060)      (1,498,124)      (1,490,271)        (-19,789)         (-7,853)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    State mediation grants.........................................           3,404            3,404            3,404   ...............  ...............
    Grassroots source water protection program.....................           5,526   ...............           6,000             +474           +6,000
    Dairy indemnity program........................................             500              500              500   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Farm Service Agency................................       1,209,610        1,189,155        1,190,295          -19,315           +1,140
 
    Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund [ACIF] Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Farm ownership loans:
                Direct.............................................      (1,500,000)      (1,500,000)      (1,500,000)  ...............  ...............
                Guaranteed.........................................      (2,000,000)      (2,000,000)      (2,000,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................      (3,500,000)      (3,500,000)      (3,500,000)  ...............  ...............
 
            Farm operating loans:
                Direct.............................................      (1,252,004)      (1,252,004)      (1,252,004)  ...............  ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................      (1,393,443)      (1,393,443)      (1,393,443)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................      (2,645,447)      (2,645,447)      (2,645,447)  ...............  ...............
 
            Emergency loans........................................         (34,667)         (34,667)         (34,667)  ...............  ...............
            Indian tribe land acquisition loans....................          (2,000)          (2,000)          (2,000)  ...............  ...............
            Conservation loans:
                Guaranteed.........................................        (150,000)        (150,000)        (150,000)  ...............  ...............
            Indian highly fractionated land loans..................         (10,000)         (10,000)         (10,000)  ...............  ...............
            Boll weevil eradication loans..........................         (60,000)         (60,000)         (60,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies:
            Farm operating loans:
                Direct.............................................          63,101           53,961           53,961           -9,140   ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................          14,770           14,352           14,352             -418   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal.........................................          77,871           68,313           68,313           -9,558   ...............
 
            Emergency Loans........................................             856            1,262            1,262             +406   ...............
            Indian highly fractionated land loans..................  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............  ...............
            Individual development account grants..................  ...............           2,500   ...............  ...............          -2,500
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies and grants.....................          78,727           72,075           69,575           -9,152           -2,500
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        ACIF administrative expenses:
            Salaries and expense (transfer to FSA).................         306,998          309,991          306,998   ...............          -2,993
            Administrative expenses................................           7,920            7,920            7,920   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, ACIF expenses.................................         314,918          317,911          314,918   ...............          -2,993
                                                                    ====================================================================================
          Total, Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund................         393,645          389,986          384,493           -9,152           -5,493
            (Loan authorization)...................................      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Farm Service Agency...............................       1,603,255        1,579,141        1,574,788          -28,467           -4,353
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Risk Management Agency:
    RMA Salaries and expenses......................................          74,829           76,946           74,829   ...............          -2,117
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Farm Assistance Programs..............................       1,678,982        1,656,994        1,650,515          -28,467           -6,479
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                            Corporations
 
Federal Crop Insurance Corporation:
    Federal Crop Insurance Corporation fund........................       8,930,502        8,175,224        8,175,224         -755,278   ...............
 
Commodity Credit Corporation Fund:
    Reimbursement for net realized losses..........................      13,444,728       10,519,933       10,519,933       -2,924,795   ...............
    Hazardous waste management (limitation on expenses)............          (5,000)          (5,000)          (5,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Corporations..........................................      22,375,230       18,695,157       18,695,157       -3,680,073   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title I, Agricultural Programs........................      30,446,595       27,401,704       26,838,162       -3,608,433         -563,542
          (By transfer)............................................        (330,066)        (333,362)        (330,369)           (+303)         (-2,993)
          (Loan authorization).....................................      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)      (6,402,114)  ...............  ...............
          (Limitation on administrative expenses)..................        (115,709)        (120,982)        (120,982)         (+5,273)  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                  TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment             898              907              898   ...............              -9
 
Natural Resources Conservation Service:
    Private lands conservation operations..........................         846,428          831,231          855,209           +8,781          +23,978
        Farm Security and Rural Investment program (transfer         ...............        (774,612)  ...............  ...............       (-774,612)
         authority)................................................
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Public Lands Conservation operations..............         846,428        1,605,843          855,209           +8,781         -750,634
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Watershed Flood and Prevention operations (Leg. proposal)......  ...............         200,000   ...............  ...............        -200,000
    Watershed rehabilitation program...............................          12,000   ...............  ...............         -12,000   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Natural Resources Conservation Service................         858,428        1,031,231          855,209           -3,219         -176,022
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title II, Conservation Programs.......................         859,326        1,032,138          856,107           -3,219         -176,031
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                    TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development................             898              907              898   ...............              -9
 
Rural Development:
    Rural development expenses:
        Salaries and expenses......................................         224,201          226,717          228,701           +4,500           +1,984
        (Transfer from RHIF).......................................        (415,100)        (419,530)        (415,100)  ...............         (-4,430)
        (Transfer from RDLFP)......................................          (4,439)          (4,488)          (4,439)  ...............            (-49)
        (Transfer from RETLP)......................................         (34,478)         (34,864)         (34,478)  ...............           (-386)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Transfers from program accounts................        (454,017)        (458,882)        (454,017)  ...............         (-4,865)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural development expenses........................        (678,218)        (685,599)        (682,718)         (+4,500)         (-2,881)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Rural Housing Service:
    Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Single family direct (Sec. 502)........................        (900,000)        (900,000)        (900,000)  ...............  ...............
                Unsubsidized guaranteed............................     (24,000,000)     (24,000,000)     (24,000,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Single family..........................     (24,900,000)     (24,900,000)     (24,900,000)  ...............  ...............
 
            Housing repair (Sec. 504)..............................         (26,279)         (26,278)         (26,278)             (-1)  ...............
            Rental housing (Sec. 515)..............................         (28,398)         (42,271)         (28,398)  ...............        (-13,873)
            Multi-family housing guarantees (Sec. 538).............        (150,000)        (200,000)        (200,000)        (+50,000)  ...............
            Site development loans (Sec. 524)......................          (5,000)          (5,000)          (5,000)  ...............  ...............
            Single family housing credit sales.....................         (10,000)         (10,000)         (10,000)  ...............  ...............
            Self-help housing land develop. (Sec. 523).............          (5,000)  ...............          (5,000)  ...............         (+5,000)
            Farm Labor Housing (Sec.514)...........................         (23,602)         (23,855)         (23,602)  ...............           (-253)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................     (25,148,279)     (25,207,404)     (25,198,278)        (+49,999)         (-9,126)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies:
            Single family direct (Sec. 502)........................          66,420           60,750           60,750           -5,670   ...............
            Housing repair (Sec. 504)..............................           3,687            3,424            3,424             -263   ...............
            Rental housing (Sec. 515)..............................           9,800           12,525            8,414           -1,386           -4,111
            Farm labor housing (Sec. 514)..........................           7,600            6,789            6,717             -883              -72
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies................................          87,507           83,488           79,305           -8,202           -4,183
                                                                    ====================================================================================
            Farm labor housing grants..............................           8,336            8,336            8,336   ...............  ...............
            RHIF administrative expenses (transfer to RD)..........         415,100          419,530          415,100   ...............          -4,430
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Rural Housing Insurance Fund program..........         510,943          511,354          502,741           -8,202           -8,613
                (Loan authorization)...............................     (25,148,279)     (25,207,404)     (25,198,278)        (+49,999)         (-9,126)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rental assistance program:
        Rental assistance (Sec. 521)...............................       1,088,500        1,171,900        1,167,000          +78,500           -4,900
 
Multi-Family Housing Revitalization Program Account:
    Rural housing voucher program..................................           7,000           15,000            7,000   ...............          -8,000
    Multi-family housing revitalization program....................          17,000           19,000           17,000   ...............          -2,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Multi-family housing revitalization...................          24,000           34,000           24,000   ...............         -10,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Mutual and self-help housing grants............................          27,500           10,000           27,500   ...............         +17,500
    Rural housing assistance grants................................          32,239           25,000           32,239   ...............          +7,239
    Rural Community Facilities Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Community facility:
                Direct.............................................      (2,200,000)      (2,200,000)      (2,200,000)  ...............  ...............
                Guaranteed.........................................         (73,222)  ...............         (84,746)        (+11,524)        (+84,746)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan authorizations.......................      (2,273,222)      (2,200,000)      (2,284,746)        (+11,524)        (+84,746)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Community facility:
                Guaranteed.........................................           3,500   ...............           2,000           -1,500           +2,000
                Grants.............................................          13,000           50,000           13,000   ...............         -37,000
            Rural community development initiative.................           4,000            4,000            4,000   ...............  ...............
            Economic impact initiative grants......................           5,778   ...............           5,778   ...............          +5,778
            Tribal college grants..................................           4,000            8,000            4,000   ...............          -4,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, RCFP Loan subsidies and grants................          30,278           62,000           28,778           -1,500          -33,222
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Subtotal, grants and payments................................          90,017           97,000           88,517           -1,500           -8,483
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Housing Service.................................       1,713,460        1,814,254        1,782,258          +68,798          -31,996
          (Loan authorization).....................................     (27,421,501)     (27,407,404)     (27,483,024)        (+61,523)        (+75,620)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Rural Business--Cooperative Service:
    Rural Business Program Account:
        (Guaranteed business and industry loans)...................        (919,765)        (758,222)        (919,765)  ...............       (+161,543)
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Guaranteed business and industry subsidy...............          47,000           31,444           35,687          -11,313           +4,243
                Rural business development grants..................          24,000           30,000           24,000   ...............          -6,000
                Demonstration Projects (rural child poverty) (Leg.   ...............          20,000   ...............  ...............         -20,000
                 proposal).........................................
                Delta regional authority...........................           3,000   ...............           3,000   ...............          +3,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, RBP loan subsidies and grants.............          74,000           81,444           62,687          -11,313          -18,757
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Intermediary Relending Program Fund Account:
        (Loan authorization).......................................         (18,889)         (10,014)         (18,889)  ...............         (+8,875)
        Loan subsidy...............................................           5,818            2,766            5,217             -601           +2,451
        Administrative expenses (transfer to RD)...................           4,439            4,488            4,439   ...............             -49
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Business Program Fund.......................          10,257            7,254            9,656             -601           +2,402
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account:
        (Loan authorization).......................................         (33,077)         (85,000)         (48,013)        (+14,936)        (-36,987)
        Limit cushion of credit interest spending..................        (179,000)        (154,000)        (182,000)         (+3,000)        (+28,000)
            (Rescission)...........................................        -179,000         -154,000         -182,000           -3,000          -28,000
    Rural Cooperative Development Grants:
        Cooperative development....................................           5,800            6,000            5,800   ...............            -200
        Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas............           2,500            2,087            2,500   ...............            +413
        Grants to assist minority producers........................           3,000            3,000            3,000   ...............  ...............
        Value-added agricultural product market development........          10,750           10,000           10,750   ...............            +750
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Cooperative development grants..............          22,050           21,087           22,050   ...............            +963
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Microenterprise Investment Program Account:
        (Loan authorization).......................................  ...............         (23,416)  ...............  ...............        (-23,416)
        Loan subsidies and grants..................................  ...............           4,653   ...............  ...............          -4,653
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Microenterprise Investment..................  ...............           4,653   ...............  ...............          -4,653
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Energy for America Program (Loan authorization)..........         (12,760)         (75,758)          (7,576)         (-5,184)        (-68,182)
        Loan subsidy and grants....................................           1,350            5,000              500             -850           -4,500
        Grants.....................................................  ...............           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Energy for America Program..................           1,350           10,000              500             -850           -9,500
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Business Investment Program Account (Loan authorization).  ...............         (41,195)  ...............  ...............        (-41,195)
        Loan subsidy...............................................  ...............           4,000   ...............  ...............          -4,000
        Grants.....................................................  ...............           2,000   ...............  ...............          -2,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Business Investment Program.................  ...............           6,000   ...............  ...............          -6,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Healthy Foods Financing Initiative (Leg. proposal):
        Grants.....................................................  ...............          12,750            1,000           +1,000          -11,750
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Business-Cooperative Service....................         -71,343          -10,812          -86,107          -14,764          -75,295
          (Loan authorization).....................................        (984,491)        (993,605)        (994,243)         (+9,752)           (+638)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
 
Rural Utilities Service:
    Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Direct.................................................      (1,200,000)      (1,200,000)      (1,200,000)  ...............  ...............
            Guaranteed.............................................         (50,000)  ...............         (50,000)  ...............        (+50,000)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorization............................       1,250,000        1,200,000        1,250,000   ...............         +50,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Direct subsidy.........................................  ...............          31,320           31,320          +31,320   ...............
            Guaranteed subsidy.....................................             295   ...............             275              -20             +275
            Water and waste revolving fund.........................           1,000   ...............           1,000   ...............          +1,000
            Water well system grants...............................             993   ...............             993   ...............            +993
            Colonias and AK/HI grants..............................          66,500           54,240           66,500   ...............         +12,260
            Water and waste technical assistance...................          19,000           13,560           19,000   ...............          +5,440
            Circuit rider program..................................          15,919           11,300           16,500             +581           +5,200
            Solid waste management grants..........................           4,000            4,000            4,000   ...............  ...............
            High energy cost grants................................          10,000   ...............          10,000   ...............         +10,000
            Water and waste disposal grants........................         347,150          358,900          347,150   ...............         -11,750
            306A(i)(2) grants (Leg. proposal)......................  ...............          10,000   ...............  ...............         -10,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan subsidies and grants.....................         464,857          483,320          496,738          +31,881          +13,418
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program
     Account:
        Loan authorizations:
            Electric:
                Direct, FFB........................................      (5,000,000)      (6,000,000)      (6,000,000)     (+1,000,000)  ...............
                Guaranteed underwriting............................        (500,000)  ...............        (750,000)       (+250,000)       (+750,000)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Electric...............................      (5,500,000)      (6,000,000)      (6,750,000)     (+1,250,000)       (+750,000)
 
            Telecommunications:
                Direct, Treasury rate..............................        (690,000)        (345,000)        (345,000)       (-345,000)  ...............
                Direct, FFB........................................  ...............        (345,000)        (345,000)       (+345,000)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Subtotal, Telecommunications.....................        (690,000)        (690,000)        (690,000)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan authorizations.......................      (6,190,000)      (6,690,000)      (7,440,000)     (+1,250,000)       (+750,000)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan Subsidy:
                Telecommunications Direct, Treasury Rate...........  ...............             104              104             +104   ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan subsidies............................  ...............             104              104             +104   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        RETLP administrative expenses (transfer to RD).............          34,478           34,864           34,478   ...............            -386
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans          34,478           34,968           34,582             +104             -386
           Program Account.........................................
                (Loan authorization)...............................      (6,190,000)      (6,690,000)      (7,440,000)     (+1,250,000)       (+750,000)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program:
        Loan authorizations:
            Broadband telecommunications...........................         (24,077)         (44,239)         (20,576)         (-3,501)        (-23,663)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Loan authorizations...........................         (24,077)         (44,239)         (20,576)         (-3,501)        (-23,663)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
        Loan subsidies and grants:
            Distance learning and telemedicine:
                Grants.............................................          22,000           24,950           22,000   ...............          -2,950
            Broadband telecommunications:
                Direct.............................................           4,500            9,675            4,500   ...............          -5,175
                Grants.............................................          10,372           20,372           10,372   ...............         -10,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total, Loan subsidies and grants.................          36,872           54,997           36,872   ...............         -18,125
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Rural Utilities Service...............................         536,207          573,285          568,192          +31,985           -5,093
          (Loan authorization).....................................      (7,464,077)      (7,934,239)      (8,710,576)     (+1,246,499)       (+776,337)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title III, Rural Development Programs.................       2,403,423        2,604,351        2,493,942          +90,519         -110,409
          (By transfer)............................................        (454,017)        (458,882)        (454,017)  ...............         (-4,865)
          (Loan authorization).....................................     (35,870,069)     (36,335,248)     (37,187,843)     (+1,317,774)       (+852,595)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                  TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
 
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer                  816              824              816   ...............              -8
 Services..........................................................
 
Food and Nutrition Service:
    Child nutrition programs.......................................      21,259,170       21,483,377       21,483,377         +224,207   ...............
        School breakfast program equipment grants..................          25,000           35,000           25,000   ...............         -10,000
        Demonstration projects (Summer EBT)........................          16,000           66,900           16,000   ...............         -50,900
        Child Nutrition State Exchange Activities (Leg. proposal)..  ...............           2,000   ...............  ...............          -2,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Child nutrition programs..........................      21,300,170       21,587,277       21,524,377         +224,207          -62,900
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and        6,623,000        6,623,000        6,513,000         -110,000         -110,000
     children (WIC)................................................
    Supplemental nutrition assistance program:
        (Food stamp program).......................................      78,836,572       78,661,071       78,661,071         -175,501   ...............
            Reserve................................................       3,000,000        5,000,000        3,000,000   ...............      -2,000,000
            FDPIR nutrition education services.....................             998              998              998   ...............  ...............
            National food consumption survey (Leg. proposal).......  ...............           5,000   ...............  ...............          -5,000
            State Transition Grants (Leg. proposal)................  ...............          25,000   ...............  ...............         -25,000
            Fiscal Year 2017 (first quarter).......................  ...............      20,907,000   ...............  ...............     -20,907,000
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Total, Food stamp program............................      81,837,570      104,599,069       81,662,069         -175,501      -22,937,000
 
            Fiscal year 2016.......................................     (81,837,570)     (83,692,069)     (81,662,069)       (-175,501)     (-2,030,000)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    Commodity Assistance Program:
        Commodity supplemental food program........................         211,482          221,298          221,298           +9,816   ...............
        Farmers market nutrition program...........................          16,548           16,548           16,548   ...............  ...............
        Emergency food assistance program..........................          49,401           49,401           49,401   ...............  ...............
        Pacific island and disaster assistance.....................           1,070            1,070            1,070   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Commodity assistance program......................         278,501          288,317          288,317           +9,816   ...............
 
    Nutrition programs administration..............................         150,824          155,564          151,824           +1,000           -3,740
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Food and Nutrition Service............................     110,190,065      133,253,227      110,139,587          -50,478      -23,113,640
 
          Fiscal Year 2016.........................................    (110,190,065)    (112,346,227)    (110,139,587)        (-50,478)     (-2,206,640)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title IV, Domestic Food Programs......................     110,190,881      133,254,051      110,140,403          -50,478      -23,113,648
 
          Fiscal Year 2016.........................................    (110,190,065)    (112,346,227)    (110,139,587)        (-50,478)     (-2,206,640)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
          TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
 
                    Foreign Agricultural Service
 
Salaries and expenses..............................................         181,423          191,631          187,225           +5,802           -4,406
    (Transfer from export loans)...................................          (6,394)          (6,394)          (6,394)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Salaries and expenses.................................         187,817          198,025          193,619           +5,802           -4,406
                                                                    ====================================================================================
Food for Peace Title I Direct Credit and Food for Progress Program
 Account, Administrative expenses:
    Farm Service Agency, Salaries and expenses (transfer to FSA)...           2,528            2,528            2,528   ...............  ...............
    Unobligated balances (rescission)..............................         -13,000   ...............  ...............         +13,000   ...............
 
Food for Peace Title II Grants:
    Expenses.......................................................       1,466,000        1,400,000        1,466,000   ...............         +66,000
 
Commodity Credit Corporation Export Loans Program Account
 (administrative expenses):
    Salaries and expenses (Export Loans):
        General Sales Manager (transfer to FAS)....................           6,394            6,394            6,394   ...............  ...............
        Farm Service Agency S&E (transfer to FSA)..................             354              354              354   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, CCC Export Loans Program Account..................           6,748            6,748            6,748   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition          191,626          191,626          201,626          +10,000          +10,000
 program grants....................................................
Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement Program (Leg. proposal)....  ...............          20,000   ...............  ...............         -20,000
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title V, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs......       1,835,325        1,812,533        1,864,127          +28,802          +51,594
          (By transfer)............................................          (6,394)          (6,394)          (6,394)  ...............  ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
    TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
 
              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
                    Food and Drug Administration
 
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation........................       2,588,536        2,734,715        2,628,978          +40,442         -105,737
    Prescription drug user fees....................................        (798,000)        (826,072)        (826,072)        (+28,072)  ...............
    Medical device user fees.......................................        (128,282)        (134,475)        (134,475)         (+6,193)  ...............
    Human generic drug user fees...................................        (312,116)        (320,029)        (320,029)         (+7,913)  ...............
    Biosimilar biological products user fees.......................         (21,014)         (21,540)         (21,540)           (+526)  ...............
    Animal drug user fees..........................................         (22,464)         (22,140)         (22,140)           (-324)  ...............
    Animal generic drug user fees..................................          (6,944)          (7,429)          (7,429)           (+485)  ...............
    Tobacco product user fees......................................        (566,000)        (599,000)        (599,000)        (+33,000)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal (including user fees)...............................      (4,443,356)      (4,665,400)      (4,559,663)       (+116,307)       (-105,737)
 
    Mammography user fees..........................................         (19,705)         (20,109)         (20,109)           (+404)  ...............
    Export and color certification user fees.......................         (13,651)         (13,835)         (13,835)           (+184)  ...............
    Food and Feed Recall user fees.................................          (1,434)          (1,434)          (1,434)  ...............  ...............
    Food Reinspection fees.........................................          (6,414)          (6,414)          (6,414)  ...............  ...............
    Voluntary qualified importer program fees......................          (5,300)          (5,300)          (5,300)  ...............  ...............
    Pharmacy compounding fees (CBO estimate).......................          (1,000)  ...............  ...............         (-1,000)  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, FDA (with user fees)...............................      (4,490,860)      (4,712,492)      (4,606,755)       (+115,895)       (-105,737)
 
        FDA New User Fees (Leg. proposals):
        Export and color certification user fees cap increase (Leg.  ...............          (4,280)  ...............  ...............         (-4,280)
         proposal).................................................
        Food Inspection and Facility Registration user fees........  ...............         (60,120)  ...............  ...............        (-60,120)
        Food import user fees......................................  ...............        (103,343)  ...............  ...............       (-103,343)
        International courier user fees............................  ...............          (5,926)  ...............  ...............         (-5,926)
        Cosemetic user fees........................................  ...............         (19,856)  ...............  ...............        (-19,856)
        Food contact substance notification user fees..............  ...............          (5,098)  ...............  ...............         (-5,098)
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, FDA new user fees (Leg. Proposals).............  ...............        (198,623)  ...............  ...............       (-198,623)
 
Buildings and facilities...........................................           8,788            8,788            8,788   ...............  ...............
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, FDA (w/user fees, including proposals)................      (4,499,648)      (4,919,903)      (4,615,543)       (+115,895)       (-304,360)
      Total, FDA (w/enacted user fees only)........................      (4,499,648)      (4,725,560)      (4,615,543)       (+115,895)       (-110,017)
      Total, FDA (excluding user fees).............................       2,597,324        2,743,503        2,637,766          +40,442         -105,737
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                        INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
 
Farm Credit Administration (limitation on administrative expenses).         (60,500)         (69,400)         (65,600)         (+5,100)         (-3,800)
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title VI, Related Agencies and Food and Drug                 2,597,324        2,743,503        2,637,766          +40,442         -105,737
       Administration..............................................
                                                                    ====================================================================================
                   TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Emergency livestock assistance program (rescission) (Sec. 709).....        -125,000   ...............  ...............        +125,000   ...............
Limit Dam Rehab (Sec. 714(1))......................................         -69,000   ...............         -68,000           +1,000          -68,000
    (rescission)...................................................  ...............         -69,000   ...............  ...............         +69,000
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives (Sec. 716(2))...............        -136,000   ...............        -191,000          -55,000         -191,000
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives Program fiscal year 2015      ...............        -300,000   ...............  ...............        +300,000
 (Sec. 1241(a)(5)(C))(Sec. 714(2)) (rescission)....................
Limit Environmental Quality Incentives Program fiscal year 2016      ...............         -73,000          -73,000          -73,000   ...............
 (Sec. 1241 (a)(5)(B)) (Sec. 714(2)) (rescission)..................
Limit Conservation Stewardship Program (Sec. 713(3))...............          -7,000           -3,000   ...............          +7,000           +3,000
Limit fruit and vegetable program (Sec. 714).......................        -122,000         -125,000         -125,000           -3,000   ...............
Section 32 (rescission) (Sec. 715).................................        -121,000         -292,000         -216,000          -95,000          +76,000
Limit Biomass Crop Assistance Program (Sec. 714(3))................          -2,000   ...............         -20,000          -18,000          -20,000
Watershed Flood and Prevention Program (rescission) (Sec. 737))....  ...............         -20,000          -20,000          -20,000   ...............
Water and waste cancellation (rescission ) (Sec. 738)..............  ...............  ...............         -13,000          -13,000          -13,000
Limit Biorefinery Assistance (Sec. 717(7)).........................         -16,000   ...............  ...............         +16,000   ...............
Geographic Disadvantaged farmers...................................           1,996   ...............           1,996   ...............          +1,996
Hardwood Trees (Reforestation Pilot Program).......................             600   ...............             600   ...............            +600
Water Bank program.................................................           4,000   ...............           4,000   ...............          +4,000
Repowering Assistance (rescission).................................          -8,000   ...............  ...............          +8,000   ...............
ARS Building and Facilities (rescission)...........................          -2,000   ...............  ...............          +2,000   ...............
Freight Reimbursement (rescission).................................          -2,000   ...............  ...............          +2,000   ...............
Emergency Watershed Protection (disaster relief category)..........          78,581   ...............  ...............         -78,581   ...............
Emergency Forestry Restoration Program (disaster relief category)..           3,203   ...............  ...............          -3,203   ...............
Emergency Conservation Program (disaster relief category)..........           9,216   ...............  ...............          -9,216   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title VII, General Provisions.........................        -512,404         -882,000         -719,404         -207,000         +162,596
                                                                    ====================================================================================
            TITLE VIII--EBOLA RESPONSE AND PREPAREDNESS
 
              DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
                    Food and Drug Administration
 
Salaries and expenses, direct appropriation (emergency)............          25,000   ...............  ...............         -25,000   ...............
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Total, Title VIII, Ebola Response and Preparedness                     25,000   ...............  ...............         -25,000   ...............
       (emergency).................................................
                                                                    ====================================================================================
      Grand total..................................................     147,845,470      167,966,280      144,111,103       -3,734,367      -23,855,177
          Appropriations fiscal year 2015..........................    (148,179,470)    (147,594,280)    (144,542,103)     (-3,637,367)     (-3,052,177)
          Emergency Appropriations.................................         (25,000)  ...............  ...............        (-25,000)  ...............
          Emergency appropriations.................................         (25,000)  ...............  ...............        (-25,000)  ...............
          Disaster relief..........................................         (91,000)  ...............  ...............        (-91,000)  ...............
          Rescissions..............................................       (-450,000)       (-535,000)       (-431,000)        (+19,000)       (+104,000)
        Advance appropriations, Fiscal Year 2016...................  ...............     (20,907,000)  ...............  ...............    (-20,907,000)
      (By transfer)................................................        (790,477)        (798,638)        (790,780)           (+303)         (-7,858)
      (Loan authorization).........................................     (42,272,183)     (42,737,362)     (43,589,957)     (+1,317,774)       (+852,595)
      (Limitation on administrative expenses)......................        (176,209)        (190,382)        (186,582)        (+10,373)         (-3,800)
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