Food and Farm Act

Subjects: Agriculture and Food


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1824 Introduced in House (IH)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1824

To reform the safety net for farmers and ranchers, enhance soil, water, 
  and habitat conservation, encourage beginning farmers and ranchers, 
 strengthen nutrition for Americans, support agriculture research and 
 innovation, reduce food waste, improve animal welfare, and invest in 
             regional food systems, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 28, 2023

Mr. Blumenauer introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and 
 Means, Education and the Workforce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period 
    to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To reform the safety net for farmers and ranchers, enhance soil, water, 
  and habitat conservation, encourage beginning farmers and ranchers, 
 strengthen nutrition for Americans, support agriculture research and 
 innovation, reduce food waste, improve animal welfare, and invest in 
             regional food systems, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Food and Farm 
Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                TITLE I--COMMODITIES AND CROP INSURANCE

   Subtitle A--Cutting, Capping, and Clarifying Agriculture Subsidies

Sec. 101. Repealing excessive subsidy programs for commodity crops.
Sec. 102. Comprehensive cap on total agricultural subsidies an eligible 
                            entity may receive.
Sec. 103. Adjusted gross income limitation.
Sec. 104. Elimination of separate payment limitation on peanut 
                            subsidies.
Sec. 105. Strengthening prevented planting coverage.
Sec. 106. Eliminating the yield transfer loophole.
Sec. 107. Ensuring planting on suitable land.
Sec. 108. Report on diversity in crop insurance.
           Subtitle B--Expansion of Whole Farm Crop Insurance

Sec. 121. Expansion of whole farm crop insurance option for farms that 
                            grow multiple crops.
                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

           Subtitle A--Strengthening Conservation Compliance

Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Covered cropland program ineligibility.
Sec. 203. Exemptions.
Sec. 204. Development and implementation of conservation plans and 
                            conservation systems.
Sec. 205. Wetland program ineligibility.
Sec. 206. Delineation of wetlands; exemptions.
         Subtitle B--Enhancing Environmental Quality Incentives

Sec. 211. Purposes.
Sec. 212. Definitions.
Sec. 213. Establishment and administration.
Sec. 214. Evaluation of applications.
Sec. 215. Environmental quality incentives program plan.
Sec. 216. Duties of the secretary.
Sec. 217. Limitation on payments.
       Subtitle C--Reforming the Conservation Stewardship Program

Sec. 221. Definitions.
Sec. 222. Conservation stewardship program.
Sec. 223. Stewardship contracts.
Sec. 224. Duties of the Secretary.
     Subtitle A--Building on the Regional Conservation Partnership

Sec. 231. Improvements to the regional conservation partnership 
                            program.
 Subtitle B--Establishing Innovative Grants for Conservation and Loans 
                      for Structural Improvements

Sec. 241. Repeal and reestablishment of EQIP conservation innovation 
                            grant program.
Sec. 242. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program.
     Subtitle C--Ensuring Greenhouse Gas Reporting for Agriculture

Sec. 251. Greenhouse gas reporting.
Sec. 252. Authorization of appropriations.
                 Subtitle D--Administration and Funding

Sec. 261. Commodity credit corporation.
                       TITLE III--FOOD ASSISTANCE

Sec. 301. Elimination of domestic procurement restriction for emergency 
                            and private assistance programs under the 
                            Food for Peace Act.
Sec. 302. Elimination of cap on support for eligible organizations for 
                            certain purposes.
Sec. 303. Elimination of minimum level of local sales requirement under 
                            the Food for Peace Act.
Sec. 304. Food for Peace Act extensions.
                          TITLE IV--NUTRITION

             Subtitle A--Increasing Access to Healthy Foods

Sec. 401. Expanding healthy food financing initiative.
Sec. 402. Helping schools serve healthier meals.
Sec. 403. Strengthening the food and agriculture service learning 
                            program.
Sec. 404. Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program.
  Subtitle B--Improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Sec. 411. Continuing the farmers' markets supplemental nutrition 
                            assistance program support grant program.
Sec. 412. Expanding and increasing support for the food insecurity 
                            nutrition incentives program.
Sec. 413. Closing the meal gap.
Sec. 414. Food as medicine.
                  TITLE V--FUTURE OF AMERICAN FARMERS

            Subtitle A--Defining Beginning Farmer or Rancher

Sec. 501. Beginning farmer or rancher defined.
 Subtitle B--Providing Resources for Beginning, Retiring, and Socially 
                   Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

Sec. 511. Reauthorization and increased funding for outreach and 
                            assistance for socially disadvantaged 
                            farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers 
                            and ranchers.
Sec. 512. Ensuring permanent funding for beginning farmer and rancher 
                            development program.
Sec. 513. Supporting beginning farmer participation in certain 
                            conservation programs.
Sec. 514. Creating a priority for participation of beginning farmers 
                            and ranchers in farmers' market and local 
                            food promotion program.
Sec. 515. Supporting beginning farmers and ranchers through farm 
                            service agency liaisons.
Sec. 516. Facilitating succession planning through the creation of farm 
                            service agency regional planners.
Sec. 517. Ensuring a vibrant agricultural sector through the creation 
                            of a land tenure commission.
Subtitle C--Creating Financial Incentives to Benefit Beginning Farmers 
                              and Ranchers

Sec. 521. Removing barriers to farming through an eligible farmer tax 
                            credit.
Sec. 522. Ensuring farm service facility loans can serve agricultural 
                            cooperatives.
Sec. 523. Loans to cooperatives.
                          TITLE VI--FOOD WASTE

Sec. 601. Sense of congress regarding reducing food waste.
Sec. 602. Establishment of office of food waste.
Sec. 603. Establishment of food loss and waste reduction task force.
Sec. 604. Standardizing, aggregating, and publishing food waste data.
          TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

            Subtitle A--Investing in Sustainable Agriculture

Sec. 701. Sustainable agriculture research, extension, and education 
                            programs.
Sec. 702. National training program.
 Subtitle B--Supporting Research to Help Farmers Adapt to a Disrupted 
                                Climate

Sec. 711. Competitive, special, and facilities grants.
Sec. 712. Specialty crop research initiative.
                       TITLE VIII--ANIMAL WELFARE

             Subtitle A--Ensuring Animal Welfare in Farming

Sec. 801. Definitions for humanely raised livestock and poultry 
                            certification programs.
Sec. 802. Increasing market access for humanely raised livestock and 
                            poultry certification programs.
Sec. 803. Animal welfare tax incentives.
Subtitle B--Reforming Animal Welfare in Agricultural Research Endeavors

Sec. 811. Animal welfare.
Sec. 812. Establishing a research and extension program for humanely 
                            raised livestock and poultry 
                            certifications.
                    TITLE IX--REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS

   Subtitle A--Expanding Support for Local and Regional Food Systems

Sec. 901. Sense of the Congress.
Sec. 902. Expanding the food leveraging investment for network 
                            coordination (LINC) program.
Sec. 903. Ensuring success of regional food projects under the business 
                            and industry guaranteed loan program.
Sec. 904. Increasing support for the specialty crop block grant 
                            program.
           Subtitle B--Enhancing Regional Food Infrastructure

Sec. 911. Supporting regional food infrastructure assessment and 
                            collaborative planning.
Sec. 912. Livestock, dairy, and poultry supply chain infrastructure 
                            grants and loans.
     Subtitle C--Expanding Accessibility of Federal Grant Programs

Sec. 921. Publishing information about funded farmers' market and local 
                            food promotion program projects.
Sec. 922. Streamlining of local and regional food program application 
                            procedures.
        Subtitle D--Leveling the Playing Field for Small Farmers

Sec. 931. Ensuring fair practices in agriculture.

                TITLE I--COMMODITIES AND CROP INSURANCE

   Subtitle A--Cutting, Capping, and Clarifying Agriculture Subsidies

SEC. 101. REPEALING EXCESSIVE SUBSIDY PROGRAMS FOR COMMODITY CROPS.

    (a) Repeal.--Part II of subtitle A of title I of the Agriculture 
Act of 2018 (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.) is repealed.
    (b) Continued Application for 2023 Crop Year.--Part II of subtitle 
A of title I of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.), as 
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
shall continue to apply through the 2023 crop year with respect to each 
covered commodity (as defined in section 1111(6) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 
9011(6))) on a farm.

SEC. 102. COMPREHENSIVE CAP ON TOTAL AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES AN ELIGIBLE 
              ENTITY MAY RECEIVE.

    Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) as 
        subsections (f) through (i), respectively;
            (2) in such subsections, by striking ``(b) and (c)'' and 
        ``(b) or (c)'' each place it appears and inserting ``(b), (c), 
        and (e)'' and ``(b), (c), or (e)'', respectively;
            (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection (e):
    ``(e) Limitation on Total Payments.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the total amount of payments and benefits described 
in section 1001D(b)(2) received, directly or indirectly, by a person or 
legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) during a 
crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, may not exceed $125,000. 
This does not include ad-hoc disaster funding.''; and
            (4) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first cousin, niece, 
        nephew,''.

SEC. 103. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATION.

    Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-
3a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$900,000'' and 
        inserting ``$400,000 unless the 75 percent of the adjusted 
        gross income is derived from the farm''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following 
        new subparagraph:
                    ``(F) A crop insurance premium subsidy under 
                section 508(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
                U.S.C. 1508(e)).''.

SEC. 104. ELIMINATION OF SEPARATE PAYMENT LIMITATION ON PEANUT 
              SUBSIDIES.

    Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308-3a) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``(other 
                Than Peanuts)''; and
                    (B) in the text, by striking ``(other than for 
                peanuts)''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following 
        new sentence: ``Effective beginning with the 2025 crop year, 
        subsection (b), rather than this subsection, shall apply to 
        payments received as marketing loan gains or loan deficiency 
        payments under subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 
        2014 for peanuts.''.

SEC. 105. STRENGTHENING PREVENTED PLANTING COVERAGE.

    (a) Planting of Cover Crop.--Section 508A(c)(1)(A)(i) of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508a(c)(1)(A)(i)) is amended by 
inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, but, in that case, 
the producer shall plant a cover crop on the same acreage for the same 
crop year unless doing so would not constitute a good farming practice, 
as determined by the Secretary''.
    (b) Area Conditions Required for Payment.--Section 508A(c)(4) of 
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508a(c)(4)) is amended by 
striking ``, in the area where'' and inserting ``in the same county, in 
an adjoining county, or operating within 100 miles of the affected 
producers, whichever area is greater,''.
    (c) Additional Conditions.--Section 508A(c) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508a) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraphs:
            ``(6) Successful planting.--In order to qualify for 
        prevented planting coverage, the land to be covered must have 
        been planted in at least one of the preceding 3 crop years.
            ``(7) Irrigation guidance.--The Corporation shall develop 
        guidance on the efficient conservative use of irrigation water 
        when a crop is clearly lost to ensure the program does not 
        contribute to the inefficient use of water resources.
            ``(8) Coverage levels.--Prevented planting coverage levels 
        shall not exceed the coverage factors as determined by the 
        Corporation.''.
    (d) Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study on good farming practices related 
        to cover crops.
            (2) Findings.--The Secretary shall use the findings of the 
        study required under paragraph (1) to evaluate and make 
        appropriate changes to the regulations of the Department.

SEC. 106. ELIMINATING THE YIELD TRANSFER LOOPHOLE.

    Section 508(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(g)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Yield transfer prohibited.--The Corporation shall not 
        allow a producer's actual production records from one parcel of 
        land to be used to establish actual production history on a 
        separate parcel of land.''.

SEC. 107. ENSURING PLANTING ON SUITABLE LAND.

    Section 508(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(e)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph:
            ``(9) Prohibition of subsidies on unsuitable land.--The 
        Corporation shall ensure that no premium benefits are provided 
        on lands, other than for pasture, forage, or rangeland policy 
        benefits, that are classified as generally unsuitable for 
        cultivation by the land capability classification system, as 
        determined by the Secretary.''.

SEC. 108. REPORT ON DIVERSITY IN CROP INSURANCE.

    Section 508(k)(8) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(k)(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Annual diversity report.--Each Standard 
                Reinsurance Agreement shall include a requirement for 
                all approved insurance providers to submit to the 
                Corporation on an annual basis, in compliance with 
                applicable privacy laws, a report--
                            ``(i) describing activities undertaken to 
                        promote access to crop insurance for socially 
                        disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and
                            ``(ii) containing demographic information 
                        regarding the producers being served, including 
                        information by race and gender.''.

           Subtitle B--Expansion of Whole Farm Crop Insurance

SEC. 121. EXPANSION OF WHOLE FARM CROP INSURANCE OPTION FOR FARMS THAT 
              GROW MULTIPLE CROPS.

    (a) Elimination of Liability Limitation.--Section 522(c)(19)(A) of 
the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)(19)(A)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: ``, with no liability limitation,''.
    (b) Administration.--Section 522(c)(19) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)(19)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(D) Administrative and operating expenses.--Not 
                withstanding any other provision of this subtitle, the 
                Corporation shall allow approved insurance providers to 
                utilize alternate compensation structures for the 
                administration of the plan developed under subparagraph 
                (A) that--
                            ``(i) compensate agents based on the actual 
                        time it takes to write and administer a policy 
                        under the plan; or
                            ``(ii) another method approved by the 
                        Corporation that proportionally compensates 
                        agents for any increased time commitments 
                        required by the plan.
                    ``(E) Paperwork reduction.--The Corporation shall 
                seek to ensure that the paperwork requirements of 
                agents and producers associated with the plan developed 
                under subparagraph (A) are minimized to the maximum 
                extent possible, while still meeting actuarial 
                soundness standards.
                    ``(F) Expanding operations.--To the maximum extent 
                possible, the Corporation shall ensure that all 
                producers, including rapidly expanding operations, are 
                able to obtain coverage under the plan developed under 
                subparagraph (A).
                    ``(G) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of the enactment of this subparagraph, the 
                Corporation shall submit to Congress a report that, 
                with respect to this paragraph, includes information 
                relating to--
                            ``(i) the burden to agents and farmers;
                            ``(ii) recommendations to streamline; and
                            ``(iii) compliance.''.

                         TITLE II--CONSERVATION

           Subtitle A--Strengthening Conservation Compliance

SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 1201(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3801(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``highly 
                erodible'' and inserting ``covered''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the highly 
                erodible'' and inserting ``covered'';
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as 
                follows:
                    ``(B) are designed to, in a cost effective and 
                technically practicable manner--
                            ``(i) achieve a substantial improvement in 
                        water quality and reduce greenhouse gas 
                        emissions;
                            ``(ii) achieve a rate of soil erosion no 
                        greater than the soil loss tolerance level, as 
                        determined by the Natural Resources 
                        Conservation Service;
                            ``(iii) prevent ephemeral gully erosion; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) establish and maintain a minimum of 
                        50 feet of perennial vegetation between covered 
                        cropland and intermittent or perennial 
                        waterways; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) are based on the most recent and technically 
                accurate soil erosion prediction models to determine if 
                soil erosion by wind and water exceed the Soil Loss 
                Tolerance Level on covered cropland subject to subtitle 
                B.'';
            (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ``highly erodible'' and 
        inserting ``covered'';
            (4) by amending paragraph (7)(A)(ii) to read as follows:
                            ``(ii) before such action, such land was 
                        wetland.'';
            (5) in paragraph (9), by striking ``Any highly erodible 
        land on which an agricultural commodity is produced after 
        December 23, 1985, and that is not exempt under section 1212, 
        shall be considered as part of the field in which the land was 
        included on December 23, 1985, unless the owner and Secretary 
        agree to modification of the boundaries of the field to carry 
        out this title.''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(28) Covered cropland.--The term `covered cropland' means 
        cropland, as defined in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, that is planted to a row crop.''.

SEC. 202. COVERED CROPLAND PROGRAM INELIGIBILITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 1211 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3811) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``a field on which highly erodible land'' and 
                all that follows through ``shall be ineligible for'' 
                and inserting ``covered cropland shall be ineligible 
                for'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(A) by inserting ``or income'' 
                after ``any type of price''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (1)(D), by striking ``excessive 
                erosion of highly erodible land'' and inserting 
                ``substantial erosion or degradation of water 
                quality''; and
            (2) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking ``Highly 
        Erodible Land'' and inserting ``Compliance Determination''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subtitle B of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811 et seq.) is amended in the heading 
by striking ``Highly Erodible Land'' and inserting ``Covered 
Cropland''.

SEC. 203. EXEMPTIONS.

    Section 1212 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) Eligibility Based on Compliance With Conservation Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--If, as of January 1, 2024, or 2 years 
        after the Natural Resources Conservation Service has completed 
        a conservation plan for the farm, whichever is later, a person 
        is actively applying the approved conservation plan, such 
        person shall have until January 1, 2028, to comply with the 
        plan without being subject to program ineligibility.
            ``(2) Minimization of documentation.--In carrying out this 
        subsection, the Secretary, Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service, and local soil conservation districts shall minimize 
        the quantity of documentation a person must submit to comply 
        with this paragraph.
            ``(3) Expiration.--On the expiration of a contract entered 
        into under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D, the 
        provisions of this subtitle shall apply to the acreage that was 
        the subject of such contract.'';
            (2) by striking subsections (b), (c), and (d);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h) as 
        subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
            (4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, by amending 
        paragraph (4)(A)(i) to read as follows:
                            ``(i) a person has failed to comply with 
                        section 1211, and has acted in good faith and 
                        without an intent to violate section 1211; 
                        or''.

SEC. 204. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSERVATION PLANS AND 
              CONSERVATION SYSTEMS.

    Section 1213 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3812a) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and 
                economically''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``undue'' and 
                inserting ``serious'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and redesignating 
        subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) as subsections (b), (c), 
        (d), and (e), respectively;
            (3) in subsection (c) (as redesignated by paragraph (2))--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``If a person makes a 
                        certification under paragraph (1), the 
                        Secretary shall not be required to'' and 
                        inserting ``The Secretary shall annually''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``on not less than 5 
                        percent of the covered cropland subject to this 
                        subtitle'' after ``being applied''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the last sentence 
                and inserting ``The Secretary may revise the person's 
                conservation plan if the Secretary determines the 
                conservation plan is not meeting the standards in 
                section 1201(a)(4).''; and
            (4) by amending subsection (d) (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) provide technical assistance to a person throughout 
        the development, revision, and application of the conservation 
        plan and any conservation system of the person; and
            ``(2) make available annually an amount equal to 0.02 
        percent of the funding otherwise provided for programs 
        specified in section 1211(a), not to exceed $350 million, to 
        provide technical assistance, conduct status reviews and other 
        tasks required to fully implement the provisions of this 
        subtitle.''.

SEC. 205. WETLAND PROGRAM INELIGIBILITY.

    Section 1221(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821) 
is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (2)(B) to read as follows:
                    ``(B) New conversions.--In the case of a wetland 
                that the Secretary determines was converted after the 
                date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014, the 
                person shall be ineligible to receive crop insurance 
                premium subsidies in subsequent reinsurance years 
                unless the Secretary determines that an exemption 
                pursuant to section 1222 applies.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking subparagraph (E); and
            (3) in paragraph (4), by inserting at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(D) Funding.--The Secretary shall make available 
                annually an amount equal to 0.01 percent of the funding 
                otherwise made available for programs specified in 
                1221(b), not to exceed $200 million, to provide 
                technical assistance, conduct status reviews and carry 
                out other tasks needed to fully implement the 
                provisions of this subtitle.
                    ``(E) Status reviews.--The Secretary shall annually 
                carry out a review of the status of compliance of the 
                person with the conservation plan under which the 
                conservation system is being applied on no less than 5 
                percent of the covered cropland subject to this 
                subtitle.''.

SEC. 206. DELINEATION OF WETLANDS; EXEMPTIONS.

    Section 1222 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3822) is 
amended in subsection (f)(2)--
            (1) by striking subparagraphs (D) and (E); and
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as 
        subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively.

         Subtitle B--Enhancing Environmental Quality Incentives

SEC. 211. PURPOSES.

    Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is 
amended by inserting at the end the following:
            ``(5) improving water quality, with special emphasis on 
        reducing nutrient pollution and protecting sources of drinking 
        water;
            ``(6) conserving ground and surface water to sustain or 
        improve in-stream flows;
            ``(7) enhancing the quality of soil fertility and health;
            ``(8) controlling invasive species;
            ``(9) enhancing critical aquatic and terrestrial wildlife 
        habitat for at-risk species;
            ``(10) reducing the amount and toxicity of pesticides and 
        other agricultural chemicals found on food and in water or the 
        air;
            ``(11) reducing the nontherapeutic use of medically 
        important antibiotics in food-producing animals in order to 
        preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics used in the treatment 
        of human and animal disease; and
            ``(12) reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping 
        producers adapt to a changing and unpredictable climate and 
        increase resiliency to climate change impacts, including rising 
        temperatures and extreme weather events, while reducing 
        greenhouse gas emissions.''.

SEC. 212. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) Organic System Plan.--Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), 
respectively.
    (b) Practice.--Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is further amended in paragraph (3)(B) (as 
redesignated by subsection (a))--
            (1) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
            (3) by inserting after clause (i) the following new clause:
                            ``(ii) comprehensive conservation planning; 
                        and''.

SEC. 213. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) Establishment.--Section 1240B(a) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(a)) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
inserting ``2028''.
    (b) Term.--Section 1240B(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-2(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``10 years'' and 
inserting ``5 years''.
    (c) Priority.--Section 1240B(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Priority.--If the Secretary determines that the environmental 
values of two or more applications for payments are comparable, the 
Secretary shall assign a higher priority to a program application which 
will achieve the environment and conservation values using practices 
and systems the assessed cost of which is lower.''.
    (d) Payments.--
            (1) Limitation on substantial and primary benefits.--
        Section 1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
        3839aa-2(d)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' 
                        at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking 
                        the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) 50 percent of the cost of a practice that 
                substantially benefits the producer, as determined by 
                the Secretary.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) Primary benefit to producer.--A producer shall not be 
        eligible for payments for a practice on eligible land under the 
        program that primarily benefits the producer, as determined by 
        the Secretary.''.
            (2) Increased payments for certain practices.--Section 
        1240B(d)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
        2(d)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) contour farming;
                    ``(I) cover cropping;
                    ``(J) nutrient management;
                    ``(K) stream corridor improvement;
                    ``(L) contour buffer strips;
                    ``(M) riparian herbaceous and forest buffers;
                    ``(N) filterstrips;
                    ``(O) stream habitat improvement and management;
                    ``(P) grassed waterways;
                    ``(Q) wetland restoration and enhancement;
                    ``(R) conservation crop rotation; or
                    ``(S) other management practices which reduce 
                greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the 
                Secretary.''.
            (3) Limitation on payments for certain practices.--Section 
        1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
        2(d)) is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(9) Limitation on payments for certain practices.--A 
        producer who owns or operates a large confined animal feeding 
        operation (as defined by the Secretary) shall not be eligible 
        for payments under this chapter to construct an animal waste 
        management facility or any associated waste transport or 
        transfer device.''.
    (e) Allocation of Funding.--Section 1240B(f) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(f)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(f) Allocation of Funding.--Of the funds made available for 
payments for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 not less than 5 
percent shall be provided to producers who participate in an 
independent animal welfare certification program, as defined in section 
801 of the Food and Farm Act.''.
    (f) Water Conservation or Irrigation Efficiency Practice.--Section 
1240B(h)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(h)(1)) 
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) water-conserving practices such as dryland 
                farming;
                    ``(E) improvement of the storage of water through 
                measures such as water banking and groundwater 
                recharge; or
                    ``(F) enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat 
                associated with irrigation systems, including pivot 
                corners and areas with irregular boundaries.''.
    (g) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Organic 
Production.--
            (1) Payments authorized.--Section 1240B(i)(1) of the Food 
        Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(1)) is amended by 
        striking ``subsection'' and inserting ``chapter''.
            (2) Eligibility requirements.--Section 1240B(i)(2) of the 
        Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)(2)) is amended 
        to read as follows:
            ``(2) Eligibility requirements.--As a condition for 
        receiving payments under this subsection, a producer shall 
        agree to develop and implement conservation practices for 
        certified organic production that are consistent with the 
        regulations promulgated under the Organic Foods Production Act 
        of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and the purposes of this 
        chapter.''.
            (3) Payment limitations; coordination with organic 
        certification; planning.--Section 1240B(i) of the Food Security 
        Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(i)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), 
                respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following 
                new paragraphs:
            ``(3) Coordination with organic certification.--The 
        Secretary shall establish a transparent means by which 
        producers may initiate organic certification under the Organic 
        Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) while 
        participating in a contract under this chapter.
            ``(4) Planning.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall provide 
                planning assistance to producers transitioning to 
                certified organic production consistent with the 
                requirements of the Organic Foods Production Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) and the purposes of this 
                chapter.
                    ``(B) Avoidance of duplication.--The Secretary 
                shall, to the maximum extent practicable, eliminate 
                duplication of planning activities for a producer 
                participating in a contract under this chapter and 
                initiating or maintaining organic certification 
                consistent with the Organic Foods Production Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).''.
    (h) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Antibiotic 
Use.--Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
2) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(k) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Antibiotic 
Use.--
            ``(1) Payments authorized.--The Secretary shall provide 
        payments under this chapter to livestock producers for three 
        years, to assist in a transition to modified animal management 
        and production systems, for practices leading to the reduction 
        in the need for antibiotics, including modification of systems 
        and spaces to--
                    ``(A) improve sanitation;
                    ``(B) improve ventilation; or
                    ``(C) support the implementation of improved animal 
                management techniques at the operation.
            ``(2) Duty of producer.--The Secretary shall not make 
        payments under this chapter for practices related to antibiotic 
        use unless the producer agrees to provide information to the 
        Secretary documenting the resulting reduction in antibiotic use 
        in the operation of the producer.''.
    (i) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Pasture-Based 
Production Systems.--Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-2), as amended by subsection (h), is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(l) Payments for Conservation Practices Related to Pasture-Based 
Production Systems.--
            ``(1) Payments authorized.--The Secretary shall provide 
        payments under this subsection for conservation practices, on 
        some or all of the operations of a producer, related--
                    ``(A) to pasture-based, production systems; or
                    ``(B) to the transition to pasture-based production 
                systems managed under an approved prescribed grazing 
                plan in which animals are regularly and systematically 
                moved to fresh pasture in such a way as to--
                            ``(i) maximize the quantity and quality of 
                        forage growth;
                            ``(ii) maximize the quality of soil 
                        fertility and tilth;
                            ``(iii) improve manure distribution and 
                        nutrient cycling;
                            ``(iv) increase the sequestration of carbon 
                        dioxide;
                            ``(v) improve the quality and quantity of 
                        cover for wildlife and pollinators;
                            ``(vi) provide permanent cover to protect 
                        the soil from erosion; and
                            ``(vii) improve water quality and 
                        infiltration.
            ``(2) Eligibility requirements.--As a condition for 
        receiving payments under this subsection, a producer shall 
        agree to implement at least 3 practices and either--
                    ``(A) develops and carries out a grazing management 
                plan that includes intensive management rotational 
                grazing; or
                    ``(B) develops and implements conservation 
                practices that are consistent with intensive rotational 
                grazing practices for pasture-based systems.
            ``(3) Payment priorities.--In determining the amount and 
        rate of payments under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may 
        accord great significance to practices that--
                    ``(A) improve the quality of soil fertility and 
                tilth;
                    ``(B) protect water quality;
                    ``(C) increase the sequestration of carbon dioxide;
                    ``(D) accelerate water infiltration;
                    ``(E) expand pollinator habitat and protection; and
                    ``(F) reduce greenhouse gas emissions.''.

SEC. 214. EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS.

    (a) Evaluation Criteria.--Section 1240C(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3(a)) is amended by striking ``national, 
State, and local conservation priorities'' and inserting ``priority 
resource concerns identified under subsection (d)''.
    (b) Prioritization of Applications.--Section 1240C(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``achieving the 
        anticipated conservation benefits of the project'' and 
        inserting ``addressing priority resource concerns identified 
        under subsection (d)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``designated resource 
        concern or resource concerns'' and inserting ``priority 
        resource concerns identified under subsection (d), including, 
        in the case of applications from nutrient-impacted watersheds, 
        the degree to which nutrient loadings would be reduced as a 
        result of the proposed project''.
    (c) Grouping of Applications.--Section 1240C(c) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3(c)) is amended by striking 
``for evaluation purposes or otherwise evaluate applications relative 
to other applications for similar farming operations'' and inserting 
``proposing to address the same priority resource concerns for 
evaluation purposes''.
    (d) Priority Resource Concerns.--Section 1240C of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-3) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection:
    ``(d) Priority Resource Concerns.--For the purposes of this 
section, the Secretary shall identify priority resource concerns in a 
particular watershed or other appropriate region or area within a 
State.''.

SEC. 215. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM PLAN.

    Section 1240E(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-5(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Plan of Operations.--To be eligible to receive payments under 
the program, a producer shall submit to the Secretary for approval a 
plan of operations that--
            ``(1) specifies the priority resource concerns to be 
        addressed;
            ``(2) specifies the type, number, and sequencing of 
        conservation systems, practices, or activities to be 
        implemented to address the priority resource concerns;
            ``(3) includes such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
        considers necessary to carry out the program, including a 
        description of the purposes to be met by the implementation of 
        the plan and a statement of how the plan will achieve or take 
        significant steps toward achieving the relevant resource 
        management system quality criteria, as determined by the 
        Secretary;
            ``(4) in the case of a confined livestock feeding 
        operation, provides for development and implementation of a 
        comprehensive nutrient management plan, if applicable;
            ``(5) in the case of a producer located within a nutrient-
        impacted watershed, identifies methods by which the producer 
        will limit nutrient loss; and
            ``(6) in the case of forest land, is consistent with the 
        provisions of a forest management plan that is approved by the 
        Secretary, which may include--
                    ``(A) a forest stewardship plan described in 
                section 5 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
                1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103a);
                    ``(B) another practice plan approved by the State 
                forester; or
                    ``(C) another plan determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary.''.

SEC. 216. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    Section 1240F(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa-6(2)) is amended by striking ``information'' and inserting 
``technical assistance, information,''.

SEC. 217. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.

    Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7) 
is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 1240G. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS.

    ``(a) Limitation on Total Payments.--Subject to subsection (b), a 
person or legal entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-
share or incentive payments under this chapter, in the aggregate, for 
all contracts entered into under this chapter by the person or entity 
(excluding funding arrangements with Indian tribes under this chapter), 
regardless of the number of contracts entered into under this chapter 
by the person or entity, that--
            ``(1) during any fiscal year exceed $30,000; and
            ``(2) during any five-year period exceed $150,000.
    ``(b) Waiver Authority.--In the case of contracts under this 
chapter for projects of special environmental significance, as 
determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may waive the limitation 
otherwise applicable under subsection (a)(1).
    ``(c) Prevention of Duplication.--The Secretary shall not approve a 
contract or provide payments to any individual for a practice that has 
already been paid for as part of a previously approved and completed 
contract for any particular parcel of land.''.

       Subtitle C--Reforming the Conservation Stewardship Program

SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
21) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking clause (i) and 
        inserting the following:
                            ``(i) vegetative measures and land 
                        management measures, including integrated pest, 
                        nutrient, crop residue, crop rotation, and 
                        managed rotational grazing management measures, 
                        as determined by the Secretary;'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                ``designated'' before ``priority''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``new and 
                existing conservation activities'' and inserting 
                ``conservation activities needed to comprehensively 
                address the designated priority resource concerns'';
            (3) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ``and'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period at 
                the end and adding ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end a new subparagraph (D):
                    ``(D) otherwise threatens--
                            ``(i) public health or quality of life 
                        through degradation of air or water quality; or
                            ``(ii) natural resources, including soil, 
                        fish, and wildlife.'';
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs 
        (7) and (8), respectively;
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) Designated priority resource concern.--The term 
        `designated priority resource concern' means 1 to 5 priority 
        resource concerns identified by the Secretary that must be 
        addressed by the program within a local watershed or specific 
        natural resource boundary.''; and
            (6) by amending paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph 
        (4), to read as follows:
            ``(8) Stewardship threshold.--The term `stewardship 
        threshold' means the conservation activities, as determined by 
        the Secretary, to comprehensively address a priority resource 
        concern using--
                    ``(A) conservation measurement tools;
                    ``(B) the resource management system quality 
                criteria for the particular priority resource concerns;
                    ``(C) data from past and current program 
                enrollments; and
                    ``(D) other similar means to measure improvement 
                and conservation of the priority resource concern.''.

SEC. 222. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

    Section 1240J of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-
22) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``fiscal years 2019 through 2023'' 
                and inserting ``fiscal years 2024 through 2028'';
                    (B) by striking ``to address priority'' and 
                inserting ``to comprehensively address designated 
                priority''; and
                    (C) by striking ``comprehensive manner--'' and all 
                that follows through ``managing existing conservation 
                activities'' and inserting ``comprehensive manner''; 
                and
            (2) in subsection (b)(2), in the matter preceding 
        subparagraph (A), by striking ``December 20, 2018'' and 
        inserting ``December 20, 2023''.

SEC. 223. STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS.

    Section 1240K of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``2 priority resource 
        concerns'' and inserting ``2 designated priority resource 
        concerns'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking the 
                        period and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) the level of conservation treatment 
                        on all applicable designated priority resource 
                        concerns at the time of application;
                            ``(v) the number of designated priority 
                        resource concerns that meet or exceed the 
                        stewardship threshold at the end of the 
                        contract period;
                            ``(vi) the degree to which the proposed 
                        conservation activities effectively, 
                        efficiently, and comprehensively address the 
                        designated priority resource concerns and 
                        reduces greenhouse gas emissions;
                            ``(vii) the extent to which the contract 
                        offer will meet or exceed the stewardship 
                        threshold for one or more designated priority 
                        resource concerns at a lower cost relative to 
                        other similarly beneficial contract offers;
                            ``(viii) the extent to which priority 
                        resource concerns will be addressed when 
                        transitioning from the conservation reserve 
                        program to agricultural production; and
                            ``(ix) the extent to which the contract 
                        will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.'';
                    (B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(2) Prohibition.--The Secretary may not assign a higher 
        priority to any application because the applicant is willing to 
        accept a lower payment than the applicant would otherwise be 
        eligible to receive.
            ``(3) Additional criteria.--The Secretary may develop and 
        use such additional criteria that the Secretary determines are 
        necessary to ensure that designated priority resource concerns 
        are effectively and efficiently treated to meet or exceed the 
        stewardship threshold.'';
            (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Entering Into Contracts.--
            ``(1) In general.--After a determination that a producer is 
        eligible for the program under subsection (a), and a 
        determination that the contract offer ranks sufficiently high 
        under the evaluation criteria under subsection (b), the 
        Secretary shall enter into a conservation stewardship contract 
        with the producer to enroll the eligible land to be covered by 
        the contract.
            ``(2) Financial obligation.--Consistent with section 
        1240K(c), a contract entered into under paragraph (1) shall not 
        create an obligation for financial assistance until the first 
        October 1 after the contract is entered into.'';
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``5 years'' and 
                inserting ``10 years''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``that 
                comprehensively address a designated priority resource 
                concern'' after ``conservation activities''; and
            (5) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``fifth year'' and inserting ``tenth year''; 
                and
                    (B) by amending paragraph (3)(A) to read as 
                follows:
                    ``(A) has met or exceeded, or agrees to meet or 
                exceed, the stewardship threshold of all designated 
                priority resource concerns identified for the region or 
                area in which the land that is subject to the contract 
                is located; or''.

SEC. 224. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.

    (a) In General.--Section 1240L of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-24) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(a) In General.--To achieve the conservation goals of a contract 
under the conservation stewardship program, the Secretary shall--
            ``(1) make the program available to eligible producers on a 
        continuous enrollment basis with one or more ranking periods, 
        of which shall occur in the first quarter of each fiscal year;
            ``(2) identify not more than 5 designated priority resource 
        concerns in a particular watershed or other appropriate region 
        or area within a State;
            ``(3) for any region or area that includes any part of a 
        nutrient-impacted watershed (as determined by the Secretary), 
        ensure that one of the priority resource concerns identified 
        under paragraph (2) is greenhouse gas emission reductions;
            ``(4) develop reliable conservation measurement tools for 
        purposes of carrying out the program; and
            ``(5) ensure that conservation measurement tools are 
        transparent and available to producers by--
                    ``(A) making interactive, user-friendly 
                conservation measurement tools publically available 
                online;
                    ``(B) making conservation activity natural resource 
                and environmental benefit scores available in an easy 
                to understand format for study both before and during 
                application; and
                    ``(C) taking other steps, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
    ``(b) Allocation to States.--The Secretary shall allocate acres to 
States for enrollment, based on each State's proportion of eligible 
land to the total acreage of eligible land in all States as follows:
            ``(1) Source water protection.--At least 20 percent of the 
        funds made available for financial and technical assistance 
        under the program shall be for contracts addressing designated 
        priority resource concerns related to enhancing the quality and 
        quantity of source water (as that term is used in the Safe 
        Drinking Water Act).
            ``(2) Pest management.--At least 20 percent of the funds 
        made available for financial and technical assistance under the 
        program shall be for contracts addressing designated priority 
        resource concerns related to reducing the need for pesticides 
        in agricultural production including organic farming systems 
        and intensive integrated pest management.
            ``(3) Soil conservation.--At least 20 percent of the funds 
        made available for financial and technical assistance under the 
        program shall be for contracts addressing designated priority 
        resource concerns related to reducing soil erosion and 
        improving soil fertility and tilth.
            ``(4) Greenhouse gas reduction.--At least 20 percent of the 
        funds made available for financial and technical assistance 
        under the program shall be for contracts addressing greenhouse 
        gas emissions.
    ``(c) Conservation Stewardship Payments.--
            ``(1) Availability of payments.--The Secretary shall 
        provide annual payments under the program to compensate the 
        producer for--
                    ``(A) installing and adopting additional 
                conservation activities that will meet or exceed the 
                stewardship threshold for a designated priority 
                resource concern; and
                    ``(B) improving, maintaining, and managing 
                conservation activities in place on the agricultural 
                operation of the producer at the time the contract 
                offer is accepted by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Payment amount.--The amount of the annual payment 
        shall be determined by the Secretary and based, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, on the following factors:
                    ``(A) Costs incurred by the producer associated 
                with planning, design, materials, installation, labor, 
                management, maintenance, or training.
                    ``(B) Income forgone by the producer.
                    ``(C) Expected conservation benefits, based to the 
                maximum extent possible on conservation measurement 
                tools.
                    ``(D) The extent to which designated priority 
                resource concerns will be addressed through the 
                installation and adoption of conservation activities on 
                the agricultural operation.
                    ``(E) The level of stewardship in place at the time 
                of application and maintained over the term of the 
                contract.
                    ``(F) The degree to which the conservation 
                activities will be integrated across the entire 
                agricultural operation for all designated priority 
                resource concerns over the term of the contract.
                    ``(G) Such other factors as are determined 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Exclusions.--A payment to a producer under this 
        subsection shall not be provided for--
                    ``(A) the design, construction, or maintenance of 
                animal waste storage or treatment facilities or 
                associated waste transport or transfer devices for 
                animal feeding operations; or
                    ``(B) conservation activities for which there is no 
                cost incurred or income forgone to the producer.
            ``(4) Delivery of payments.--In making payments under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable--
                    ``(A) prorate conservation performance over the 
                term of the contract so as to accommodate, to the 
                extent practicable, producers earning equal annual 
                payments in each fiscal year; and
                    ``(B) make such payments as soon as practicable 
                after October 1 of each fiscal year for activities 
                carried out in the previous fiscal year.
            ``(5) Minimum payment.--If a contract requires a 
        comprehensive conservation plan the implementation of which 
        will, by the end of the contract term, meet or exceed the 
        stewardship threshold for all designated priority resource 
        concerns, the minimum payment shall be not less than $3,000.'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C)--
                            (i) in clause (v), by striking ``and'' at 
                        the end;
                            (ii) in clause (vi), by striking the period 
                        and inserting ``; and'';
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vii) prevents pollution of surface water 
                        or groundwater;''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Transition to organic crop or livestock 
                systems.--In this subsection, the term `transition to 
                organic crop or livestock systems' means adoption of 
                conservation activities for certified organic 
                production on land or for herds not previously 
                certified organic that meet all the requirements of the 
                program and that are consistent with the regulations 
                promulgated under the Organic Foods Production Act of 
                1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' 
                        at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
                        period and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) improve, maintain, and manage or adopt and 
                maintain--
                            ``(i) resource-conserving crop rotations to 
                        achieve beneficial crop rotations as 
                        appropriate for the eligible land of the 
                        producers; or
                            ``(ii) managed intensive rotational 
                        grazing; or
                    ``(D) transition to organic crop or livestock 
                systems.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Data.--The Secretary shall maintain detailed and segmented 
data on contracts and payments under the program to allow, at a 
minimum, with respect to each contract--
            ``(1) quantification of the type and extent of conservation 
        activities for which payments were made;
            ``(2) quantification of the amount of payments made for--
                    ``(A) the installation and adoption of additional 
                conservation activities and improvements to 
                conservation activities in place on the operation of a 
                producer at the time the conservation stewardship offer 
                is accepted by the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) the maintenance of existing conservation 
                activities; and
            ``(3) identification of the watershed and county in which 
        the agricultural operation receiving payments is located.''.

     Subtitle A--Building on the Regional Conservation Partnership

SEC. 231. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Program Purposes.--Section 1271(b) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding the following subparagraphs at the 
                end:
                    ``(C) enhancing and protecting the quality and 
                quantity of source water (as that term is used in the 
                Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.));
                    ``(D) reducing the use of antibiotics and 
                pesticides in crop and livestock production;
                    ``(E) enhancing opportunities for natural-resource-
                based recreation by improving water quality and fish 
                and wildlife habitat;
                    ``(F) addressing other opportunities to improve 
                public health and quality of life, as determined by the 
                Secretary; and
                    ``(G) reducing greenhouse gas emissions.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) To avoid, to the maximum extent practicable, the need 
        for statutory and regulatory programs related to the 
        conservation of natural resources by assisting producers in 
        protecting soil, water, air, and related natural resources and 
        in meeting environmental quality criteria established by 
        Federal, State, tribal, and local governmental agencies.''.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 1271A of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3871a) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting 
the following:
            ``(2) Eligible activity.--The term `eligible activity' 
        means water quality restoration or enhancement projects 
        relating to the quality of surface water and groundwater used 
        to supply drinking water by community water systems and 
        domestic wells, including projects that--
                    ``(A) improve the management of crops and livestock 
                production systems to avoid or control runoff and 
                leaching of farm chemicals and manure;
                    ``(B) change (including through diversifying) the 
                agricultural practices, including crop rotations; and
                    ``(C) trap or capture pollutants before the 
                pollutants enter surface water or ground water.''; and
    (c) Program Agreements.--Section 1271B of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by striking ``5'' and 
        inserting ``15'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(1)(B), by striking ``5'' and 
        inserting ``10''; and
            (3) in subsection (c)(1)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) 
                as subparagraphs (B) through (G);
                    (B) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
                redesignated) the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(A) complete natural resource and watershed 
                assessments to effectively support planning and 
                implementation of the proposed project that is the 
                subject of the agreement;''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (F) (as redesignated by 
                subparagraph (A)), by inserting ``monitor results and'' 
                before ``conduct''.
    (d) Assistance to Producers.--Section 1271C of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871c) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``assistance to'' and 
        all that follows through ``with the Secretary.'' and inserting 
        the following: ``assistance, under the programs under this 
        subtitle, to producers proposing to implement conservation 
        activities that meet the objectives of the partnership 
        agreement entered into under section 1271B.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``5 years'' and 
        inserting ``at least 10 years, but that does not exceed 15 
        years''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)(2)(B), by striking ``15'' and 
        inserting ``20''.
    (e) Funding.--Section 1271D(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3871d(a)) is amended by striking ``$300,000,000 of the funds of 
the Commodity Credit Corporation for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2031'' and inserting ``$300,000,000 of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation for fiscal year 2024 and $500,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 2025 to 2031''.
    (f) Critical Conservation Areas.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1271F of the Food Security Act of 
        1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871f) is amended in subsection (a)(2)(A), by 
        striking ``sediment control'' and all that follows through the 
        period at the end and inserting ``sediment control, and 
        enhancing the quality of surface water and groundwater used to 
        supply drinking water by community water systems (as defined in 
        the Safe Drinking Water Act) and domestic wells;''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this section 
        shall apply with respect to partnership agreements entered into 
        on or after October 1, 2023.

 Subtitle B--Establishing Innovative Grants for Conservation and Loans 
                      for Structural Improvements

SEC. 241. REPEAL AND REESTABLISHMENT OF EQIP CONSERVATION INNOVATION 
              GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa-8) is repealed.
    (b) Conservation Innovation Grant Program.--Chapter 5 of subtitle D 
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb et 
seq.) is amended in subsection (a)(2) by adding at the end the 
following:
                    ``(I) provide payments to producers to implement 
                cost-effective and innovative technologies to address 
                priority resource concerns related to air quality from 
                agricultural operations; and
                    ``(J) provide environmental and resource 
                conservation benefits through increased participation 
                by beginning farmers and ranchers and socially 
                disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.''.

SEC. 242. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

    Section 304 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(H) how and to what extent the conservation 
                project will support the implementation of a 
                comprehensive conservation plan and improve the 
                conditions of identified priority resource concerns.'';
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Conservation loan plan.--In order to be eligible to 
        receive a loan or loan guarantee under this section, an entity 
        described in paragraph (1) shall have a conservation loan 
        plan.'';
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) projects that will do the most to address priority 
        resource concerns, as specified in a conservation loan plan; 
        and
            ``(5) projects that are designed to help producers comply 
        with, or avoid the need for, local, State, or Federal 
        regulation.''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
    ``(f) Administrative Provisions.--
            ``(1) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure, 
        to the maximum extent practicable, that qualified conservation 
        loans made or guaranteed under this section are distributed 
        across diverse geographic regions, while still prioritizing 
        qualified conservation projects with the greatest conservation 
        or environmental benefit.
            ``(2) Agency cooperation.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        proper cooperation between the Natural Resources Conservation 
        Service, which shall review and approve comprehensive loan 
        plans and provide technical assistance for qualified 
        conservation projects, and the Farm Service Agency, which will 
        approve and issue loans and loan guarantees under this section.
            ``(3) Interest rates.--The Secretary shall ensure that a 
        loan made under this section is made at or below market 
        rate.''.

     Subtitle C--Ensuring Greenhouse Gas Reporting for Agriculture

SEC. 251. GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING.

    (a) Reporting Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2026, the 
        Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
        Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of the 
        Interior, shall establish and implement a program to identify 
        all major source categories of associated emissions and collect 
        data on associated emissions from the production of 
        agricultural commodities and their food products in the United 
        States, including--
                    (A) emissions of greenhouse gases from the 
                livestock industry, including from concentrated animal 
                feeding operations, as defined by the Secretary; and
                    (B) emissions of greenhouse gases from the 
                production of commodity and specialty crops, including 
                the tilling of soil, and the use of synthetic 
                fertilizer.
            (2) Annual report.--Not later than 12 months after the date 
        that the Secretary implements the program described in 
        paragraph (1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall 
        issue a report, to be made available to the public and the 
        appropriate committees of Congress, on associated emissions, 
        including--
                    (A) identification of all major source categories 
                of associated emissions;
                    (B) the total amount, expressed in tons of carbon 
                dioxide equivalent, of--
                            (i) carbon dioxide, methane, and other 
                        greenhouse gases emitted through transportation 
                        of agriculture products to market within the 
                        United States during the preceding calendar 
                        year;
                            (ii) carbon dioxide, methane, and other 
                        greenhouse gases emitted through the rearing, 
                        raising, slaughter, and processing of poultry 
                        and livestock products in the United States, 
                        including those carbon dioxide, methane, and 
                        other greenhouse gases emitted by manure 
                        management systems;
                            (iii) carbon dioxide, methane, and other 
                        greenhouse gases emitted by the use of 
                        fertilizer in the production of commodity and 
                        specialty crops; and
                            (iv) carbon dioxide, methane, and other 
                        greenhouse gases emitted by the tillage of soil 
                        in the production of commodity and specialty 
                        crops; and
                    (C) identification of all major agricultural 
                practices that can reduce the emission of carbon 
                dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, 
                including--
                            (i) the use of cover crops;
                            (ii) the reduction and elimination of soil 
                        tillage, the successive planting of different 
                        crops on the same land, and other soil 
                        management practices;
                            (iii) the use of rotational grazing on 
                        pasture for livestock;
                            (iv) the use of anaerobic digesters to 
                        process organic material;
                            (v) the use of buffer crops to reduce soil 
                        erosion; and
                            (vi) other practices that can yield 
                        significant reductions in the emission of 
                        carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse 
                        gases by producers of agricultural commodities 
                        and their food products.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) Greenhouse gas.--The term ``greenhouse gas'' has the 
        meaning given such term under section 211(o)(1)(G) of the Clean 
        Air Act, as in effect on the date of the enactment of the Food 
        and Farm Act.
            (2) United states.--The term ``United States'' has the 
        meaning given such term under section 5911(a)(4) of title 5, 
        United States Code, as in effect on the date of the enactment 
        of the Food and Farm Act.

SEC. 252. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2028.

                 Subtitle D--Administration and Funding

SEC. 261. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) Annual Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, 
the Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out the following programs under 
this title (including the provision of technical assistance):
            ``(1) The conservation reserve program under subchapter B 
        of chapter 1 of subtitle D, including, to the maximum extent 
        practicable--
                    ``(A) $20,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
                2024 through 2028 to provide payments under section 
                1234(c); and
                    ``(B) $66,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
                2024 through 2028 to carry out section 1235(f) to 
                facilitate the transfer of land subject to contracts 
                from retired or retiring owners and operators to 
                beginning farmers or ranchers and socially 
                disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
            ``(2) The agricultural conservation easement program under 
        subtitle H, using, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        $810,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
            ``(3) The conservation security program under subchapter A 
        of chapter 2 of subtitle D, using such sums as are necessary to 
        administer contracts entered into before September 30, 2008.
            ``(4) The conservation stewardship program under subchapter 
        B of chapter 2 of subtitle D.
            ``(5) The environmental quality incentives program under 
        chapter 4 of subtitle D, using, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, $3,200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 20124 
        through 2028.
            ``(6) The conservation innovation grant program under 
        section 1240S, using, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        $100,000,000 for each fiscal year.
            ``(7) The conservation loan and loan guarantee program 
        under section 1246, using, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        for each fiscal year--
                    ``(A) $200,000,000 for direct loans; and
                    ``(B) $150,000,000 for loan guarantees.''.
    (b) Guaranteed Availability of Funds.--Section 1241 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (i) as 
        subsections (c) through (j), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) Availability of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        amounts made available by subsection (a) shall be used by the 
        Secretary to carry out the programs specified in such 
        subsection for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 and shall remain 
        available until expended. Amounts made available for the 
        programs specified in such subsection during a fiscal year 
        through modifications, cancellations, terminations, and other 
        related administrative actions and not obligated in that fiscal 
        year shall remain available for obligation during subsequent 
        fiscal years, but shall reduce the amount of additional funds 
        made available in the subsequent fiscal year by an amount equal 
        to the amount remaining unobligated.
            ``(2) Conservation innovation grant program.--Amounts made 
        available by subsection (a)(6) for a fiscal year and not 
        obligated in that fiscal year shall be made available for the 
        environmental quality incentives program under chapter 4 of 
        subtitle D, and shall remain available until expended.''.
    (c) Assistance to Certain Farmers or Ranchers for Conservation 
Access.--Section 1241(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as 
redesignated by subsection (b)) is amended, in paragraph (1), in the 
matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
``2027''.

                       TITLE III--FOOD ASSISTANCE

SEC. 301. ELIMINATION OF DOMESTIC PROCUREMENT RESTRICTION FOR EMERGENCY 
              AND PRIVATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS UNDER THE FOOD FOR PEACE 
              ACT.

    Title II of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1721) is amended--
            (1) in section 201 (7 U.S.C. 1721), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``agricultural commodities'' and 
        inserting ``assistance, including agricultural commodities,''; 
        and
            (2) in section 202 (7 U.S.C. 1722)--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking 
                ``agricultural commodities'' and inserting 
                ``assistance'';
                    (B) in subsection (a), by striking ``agricultural 
                commodities'' and inserting ``assistance, including 
                agricultural commodities,'';
                    (C) in subsection (b)(1)--
                            (i) by striking ``agricultural 
                        commodities'' and inserting ``assistance, 
                        including agricultural commodities,''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``the commodities'' and 
                        inserting ``the assistance'';
                    (D) in subsection (c), by striking ``Agricultural 
                commodities'' and inserting ``Assistance, including 
                agricultural commodities,''; and
                    (E) in subsection (f)--
                            (i) in the subsection heading, by striking 
                        ``Commodities'' and inserting ``Assistance'';
                            (ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                        by striking ``agricultural commodities'' and 
                        inserting ``assistance, including agricultural 
                        commodities,'';
                            (iii) in the matter preceding paragraph 
                        (1), by striking ``such commodities'' and 
                        inserting ``such assistance''; and
                            (iv) in paragraph (5), by striking 
                        ``commodities'' and inserting ``assistance''.

SEC. 302. ELIMINATION OF CAP ON SUPPORT FOR ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS FOR 
              CERTAIN PURPOSES.

    Section 202(e)(1) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722) is 
amended by striking ``not more than 20 percent''.

SEC. 303. ELIMINATION OF MINIMUM LEVEL OF LOCAL SALES REQUIREMENT UNDER 
              THE FOOD FOR PEACE ACT.

    Section 203 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1723) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period at 
        the end the following: ``to generate proceeds to be used as 
        provided in this section'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b); and
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (b) and (c), respectively.

SEC. 304. FOOD FOR PEACE ACT EXTENSIONS.

    (a) Food Aid Quality Assurance.--Section 202(h)(3) of the Food for 
Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(h)(3)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2028''.
    (b) Minimum Levels of Assistance.--Section 204(a) of the Food for 
Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1724(a)) is amended in paragraphs (1) and (2) by 
striking ``2018'' both places it appears and inserting ``2028''.
    (c) Food Aid Consultative Group Termination.--Section 205(f) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(f)) is amended by striking ``2018'' 
and inserting ``2028''.
    (d) Deadline for Issuance of Regulations.--Section 207(c)(1) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(c)(1)) is amended by striking ``the 
Agricultural Act of 2014'' and inserting ``the Food and Farm Act''.
    (e) Program Oversight, Monitoring, and Evaluation.--Section 
207(f)(4) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(f)(4)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``2018'' both places 
        it appears and inserting ``2028''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``2018'' and 
        inserting ``2028''.
    (f) Assistance for Stockpiling and Rapid Transportation, Delivery, 
and Distribution of Shelf-Stable Prepackaged Foods.--Section 208(f) of 
the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726b(f)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (g) Prepositioning of Agricultural Commodities.--Section 
407(c)(4)(A) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736a(c)(4)(A)) is 
amended by striking ``2018'' the both places it appears and inserting 
``2028''.
    (h) Agreements To Finance Sales or To Provide Other Assistance.--
Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is amended by 
striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (i) Minimum Level of Nonemergency Food Assistance.--Section 
412(e)(1) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f(e)(1)) is amended 
by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (j) Micronutrient Fortification Programs.--Section 415(c) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736g-2(c)) is amended by striking 
``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.
    (k) Farmer-to-Farmer Program.--Section 501 of the Food for Peace 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is amended in subsections (d) and (e)(1) by 
striking ``2018'' both places it appears and inserting ``2028''.

                          TITLE IV--NUTRITION

             Subtitle A--Increasing Access to Healthy Foods

SEC. 401. EXPANDING HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE.

    (a) Inclusion of Investments in Mid-Tier Value Chain 
Coordination.--Section 243 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, to build and sustain mid-tier 
                value chain coordination'' after ``quality jobs''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and local and regional food 
                supply networks'' after ``healthy food retailers''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of 
                        clause (i);
                            (ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause 
                        (iii); and
                            (iii) by inserting after clause (ii) the 
                        following new clause:
                            ``(ii) to link farmers, ranchers, and 
                        fisheries with local and regional food supply 
                        networks moving agricultural products of mid-
                        tier value chains to consumers in underserved 
                        areas with moderate- and low-income 
                        populations; and''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii)--
                            (i) by redesignating subclause (VI) as 
                        subclause (VII); and
                            (ii) by inserting after subclause (V) the 
                        following new subclause:
                                    ``(VI) The project creates or 
                                strengthens a mid-tier value chain.''.
    (b) Definitions.--Section 243(b) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953(b)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (7) as 
        paragraphs (4) through (8), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(3) Mid-tier value chain.--The term `mid-tier value 
        chain' has the meaning given the term in section 231 of the 
        Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a).''.
    (c) Availability of Mandatory Funding.--Subsection (d) of section 
243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6953) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
the Secretary shall use to carry out the Initiative $25,000,000, to 
remain available until expended, for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2028..''.

SEC. 402. HELPING SCHOOLS SERVE HEALTHIER MEALS.

    Section 6(f) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1755(f)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking ``Pilot Project 
        for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables'' and 
        inserting ``Program for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and 
        Vegetables'';
            (2) by striking ``pilot project'' each place it appears and 
        inserting ``program'';
            (3) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall facilitate the 
        procurement of unprocessed fruits and vegetables in not fewer 
        than 15 States receiving funds under this Act.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Funding.--
                    ``(A) Mandatory funding.--There is appropriated to 
                carry out this section, including through the provision 
                of technical assistance, outreach, and other 
                implementation assistance, $15,000,000 for each of 
                fiscal years 2024 through 2028.
                    ``(B) Reservation.--Of the funds appropriated under 
                subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year, $6,000,000 shall be 
                used to carry out technical assistance to eligible 
                vendors to become certified to participate in the 
                program under this section.''.

SEC. 403. STRENGTHENING THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SERVICE LEARNING 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 413 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7633) is amended--
            (1) subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, to promote 
        agricultural education, and raise awareness about the 
        consequences of wasted food and encourage the implementation of 
        food recovery initiatives to reduce the quantity of wasted 
        food'' before the semicolon;
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and 
                        where food comes from; and'' and inserting 
                        ``where food comes from, the consequences of 
                        food waste, and food recovery initiatives;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new subparagraph:
                    ``(E) have the capacity to execute regional or 
                national projects that include 2 or more States.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) Reservation.--The majority of the funds made 
        available to carry out this subsection shall be reserved for 
        projects that--
                    ``(A) are larger in scale as compared to other 
                proposed projects;
                    ``(B) are national or regional in scope; and
                    ``(C) include 2 or more States.''; and
            (3) in subsection (e)(1), by striking the paragraph and 
        inserting in its place the following new paragraph:
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds available to the 
        Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use 
        $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to carry 
        out the Initiative. Amounts made available under this 
        subsection shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 404. GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    Section 4405(b)(1)(B)(vii) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517(b)(1)(B)(vii)) is amended by adding, after 
``farmers' market'', the following: ``, community supported agriculture 
entity, cooperative, local public benefit corporation, nonprofit 
organization, retail food store authorized under the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program''.

  Subtitle B--Improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SEC. 411. CONTINUING THE FARMERS' MARKETS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 
              ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            (1) to support the participation of farmers' markets in the 
        supplemental nutrition assistance program by providing 
        equipment and support grants to new markets and those currently 
        participating in the program;
            (2) to increase access to the supplemental nutrition 
        assistance program and participation at farmers' markets by 
        households that receive program benefits; and
            (3) to support the establishment, expansion, and promotion 
        of electronic benefits transfer services at farmers' markets 
        for the acceptance of program benefits.
    (b) Establishment of Grant Program.--To carry out the purposes of 
this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a program to 
make grants each fiscal year to eligible entities to conduct tasks that 
are necessary for the supplemental nutrition assistance program to 
operate at farmers' markets, and to increase the frequency and 
effectiveness of farmers' market participation in the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program.
    (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
                    (A) a Native American tribal organization nonprofit 
                organization;
                    (B) a Native American tribal government;
                    (C) a State or unit of general purpose local 
                government of a State;
                    (D) a farmers' market association;
                    (E) a public benefit corporation;
                    (F) an economic development corporation;
                    (G) a regional farmers' market authority; or
                    (H) a nonprofit organization engaged in farmers' 
                market management.
            (2) Supplemental nutrition assistance program.--The term 
        ``supplemental nutrition assistance program'' means the 
        supplemental nutrition assistance program as defined in section 
        3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012).
            (3) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several 
        States or the District of Columbia.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

SEC. 412. EXPANDING AND INCREASING SUPPORT FOR THE FOOD INSECURITY 
              NUTRITION INCENTIVES PROGRAM.

    Section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 7517) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``$5,000,000 for each 
        of fiscal years 2014 through 2023'' and inserting ``$20,000,000 
        for each of fiscal years 2023 and each fiscal year 
        thereafter''; and
            (2) in subsection (f)(2), by amending subparagraph (G) to 
        read as follows:
                    ``(G) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each 
                fiscal year thereafter.''.

SEC. 413. CLOSING THE MEAL GAP.

    (a) Calculation of Program Benefits.--The Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 2012)--
                    (A) by striking subsection (u);
                    (B) by redesignating subsections (n) through (t) as 
                subsections (o) through (u), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after subsection (m) the 
                following:
    ``(n) `Low-cost food plan' means the diet required to feed a family 
of four persons, consisting of a man and a woman nineteen through 
fifty, a child six through eight, and a child nine through eleven years 
of age, determined in accordance with the Secretary's calculations. The 
cost of such diet shall be the basis for uniform allotments for all 
households regardless of their actual composition, except that the 
Secretary shall--
            ``(1) make household-size adjustments (based on the 
        unrounded cost of such diet) taking into account economies of 
        scale;
            ``(2) make cost adjustments in the low-cost food plan for 
        Hawaii and the urban and rural parts of Alaska to reflect the 
        cost of food in Hawaii and urban and rural Alaska;
            ``(3) make cost adjustments in the separate low-cost food 
        plans for Guam, and the Virgin Islands of the United States, to 
        reflect the cost of food in those States, but not to exceed the 
        cost of food in the 50 States and the District of Columbia; and
            ``(4) on October 1, 2024, and each October 1 thereafter, 
        adjust the cost of the diet to reflect the cost of the diet in 
        the preceding June, and round the result to the nearest lower 
        dollar increment for each household size.'';
            (2) in section 8(a) (7 U.S.C. 2017(a))--
                    (A) by striking ``thrifty food plan'' each place it 
                appears, and inserting ``low-cost food plan''; and
                    (B) by striking ``8 percent'' and inserting ``10 
                percent'';
            (3) in section 16(c)(1)(A)(ii) (7 U.S.C. 
        2025(c)(1)(A)(ii))--
                    (A) in subclause (I) by striking ``for fiscal year 
                2014, at an amount not greater than $37'' and inserting 
                ``for fiscal year 2024, at an amount not greater than 
                $50''; and
                    (B) in subclause (II)--
                            (i) by striking ``June 30, 2013'' and 
                        inserting ``June 30, 2024''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``thrifty food plan'' and 
                        inserting ``low-cost food plan''; and
            (4) in section 19(a)(2)(A) (7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(2)(A))--
                    (A) in clause (i) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (ii) by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) for fiscal year 2024, 
                        $2,650,000,000; and
                            ``(iv) subject to the availability of 
                        appropriations under section 18(a), for fiscal 
                        year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, the 
                        amount determined under clause (iii), as 
                        adjusted by the percentage by which the low-
                        cost food plan has been adjusted under section 
                        3(n)(4) between June 30, 2024, and June 30 of 
                        the immediately preceding fiscal year.''.
    (b) Standard Medical Expense Deduction.--Section 5(e)(5) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(5)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``an excess medical'' 
        and all that follows through the period at the end, and 
        inserting ``a standard medical deduction or to a medical 
        expense deduction of actual costs for the allowable medical 
        expenses incurred by the elderly or disabled member, exclusive 
        of special diets.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) The standard medical expense deduction shall 
                be equal to $140 for fiscal year 2024, and for each 
                subsequent fiscal year shall be equal to the applicable 
                amount for the preceding fiscal year as adjusted to 
                reflect changes for the 12-month period ending the 
                preceding June 30 in the Consumer Price Index for All 
                Urban Consumers: Medical Care published by the Bureau 
                of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor, except 
                that for any such fiscal year the State agency may 
                establish a greater standard medical expense deduction 
                that satisfies cost neutrality standards established by 
                the Secretary for such fiscal year.''.
    (c) Elimination of Cap of Excess Shelter Expenses.--Section 5(e)(6) 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking subparagraph (B); and
            (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively.
    (d) Work Requirement.--Section 6(o)(3) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D) by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (E) by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; or''; and
            (3) by adding at end the following:
                    ``(F) not offered a position in a program described 
                in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (2).''.
    (e) Funding of Employment and Training Programs.--Section 
16(h)(1)(E)(ii)(II) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2025(h)(1)(E)(ii)(II)) is amended by inserting ``subparagraphs (A) 
through (E) of'' after ``under''.
    (f) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Food and nutrition act of 2008.--The Food and Nutrition 
        Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended--
                    (A) in section 10 (7 U.S.C. 2019) by striking 
                ``3(p)'' and inserting ``3(q)'';
                    (B) in section 11 (7 U.S.C. 2012)--
                            (i) in subsection (a)(2) by striking 
                        ``3(t)(1)'' and inserting ``3(u)(1)''; and
                            (ii) in subsection (d)--
                                    (I) by striking ``3(t)(1)'' each 
                                place it appears and inserting 
                                ``3(u)(1)''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``3(t)(2)'' each 
                                place it appears and inserting 
                                ``3(u)(2)'';
                    (C) in section 19(a)(2)(A)(ii) (7 U.S.C. 
                (a)(2)(A)(ii)) by striking ``3(u)(4)'' and inserting 
                ``3(n)(4)''; and
                    (D) in section 27(a)(2) (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)(2))--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C) by striking 
                        ``3(u)(4)'' and inserting ``3(n)(4)''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (E) by striking 
                        ``3(u)(4)'' and inserting ``3(n)(4)''.
            (2) Low-income home energy assistance act of 1981.--Section 
        2605(f)(2)(A) of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 
        1981 (42 U.S.C. 8624(f)(2)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``5(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I)'' and inserting 
                ``5(e)(6)(B)(iv)(1)''; and
                    (B) by striking ``(7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(C)(iv)(I))'' 
                and inserting ``(7 U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(B)(iv)(I))''.
    (g) Technical Corrections.--The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 5(a) (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)) by striking 
        ``3(n)(4)'' each place it appears and inserting ``3(m)(4)'';
            (2) in section 8(f)(1)(A)(i) (7 U.S.C. 2017(f)(1)(A)(i)) by 
        striking ``3(n)(5)'' and inserting ``3(m)(5)''; and
            (3) in section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa) (7 U.S.C. 
        2016(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa)) by striking ``3(n)'' and inserting 
        ``3(m)''.

SEC. 414. FOOD AS MEDICINE.

    Section 4405 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 7517) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (e)(3)(A) to read as follows:
                    ``(A) To carry out paragraph (1), the Secretary 
                shall, on a competitive basis, enter into cooperative 
                agreements with 1 or more organizations with expertise 
                in developing outcome-based reporting, at least 1 of 
                which has expertise in the food insecurity nutrition 
                incentive program and at least 1 of which has expertise 
                in produce prescription projects, in each state and 
                territory.''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (f)(2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
        Secretary shall use to carry out this section $560,000,000 for 
        fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.

                  TITLE V--FUTURE OF AMERICAN FARMERS

            Subtitle A--Defining Beginning Farmer or Rancher

SEC. 501. BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER DEFINED.

    In this title, the term ``beginning farmer or rancher'' means an 
individual or entity who--
            (1) has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a 
        farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years; and
            (2) will materially and substantially participate in the 
        operation of the farm or ranch.

 Subtitle B--Providing Resources for Beginning, Retiring, and Socially 
                   Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers

SEC. 511. REAUTHORIZATION AND INCREASED FUNDING FOR OUTREACH AND 
              ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND 
              RANCHERS AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

    (a) Mandatory Funding.--Subparagraph (A) of section 2501(a)(4) of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(A) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the 
                Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
                available to carry out this section--
                            ``(i) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
                            ``(ii) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
                        2025 through 2028.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2501(a)(4)(E) of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a)(4)(E)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and inserting ``2028''.

SEC. 512. ENSURING PERMANENT FUNDING FOR BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER 
              DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 7405(h)(1)(C) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f(h)(1)(C)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$20,000,000'' and inserting 
        ``$50,000,000''; and
            (2) by striking ``through 2018'' and inserting ``and each 
        fiscal year thereafter''.

SEC. 513. SUPPORTING BEGINNING FARMER PARTICIPATION IN CERTAIN 
              CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

    Section 1241(h)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3841(h)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``5 percent'' and 
        inserting ``20 percent''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``5 percent'' and 
        inserting ``15 percent''.

SEC. 514. CREATING A PRIORITY FOR PARTICIPATION OF BEGINNING FARMERS 
              AND RANCHERS IN FARMERS' MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION 
              PROGRAM.

    Subsection (e) of section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct 
Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(e) Priorities.--In providing grants under the Program, priority 
shall be given to applications that include--
            ``(1) projects that will benefit underserved communities, 
        including communities that are located in areas of concentrated 
        poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally 
        grown food; and
            ``(2) with respect to beginning farmers and ranchers, 
        socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and veteran 
        farmers, projects in which such farmers and ranchers are 
        participants.''.

SEC. 515. SUPPORTING BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS THROUGH FARM 
              SERVICE AGENCY LIAISONS.

    Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(i) Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Liaison.--
            ``(1) Position established.--The Secretary shall establish 
        within each State office of the Consolidated Farm Service 
        Agency the position of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Liaison 
        to carry out the duties described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Duties.--The Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Liaison 
        shall--
                    ``(A) provide technical assistance to beginning 
                farmers and ranchers to direct such farmers and 
                ranchers toward appropriate Federal resources and 
                opportunities, including available Federal grant 
                programs; and
                    ``(B) promote coordination among Federal programs 
                available to beginning farmers and ranchers.''.

SEC. 516. FACILITATING SUCCESSION PLANNING THROUGH THE CREATION OF FARM 
              SERVICE AGENCY REGIONAL PLANNERS.

    Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(h) Regional Planners.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
        regional planner for each of the 12 regions identified by the 
        National Agricultural Statistics Service.
            ``(2) Duties.--The regional planners established under 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) establish and maintain one accurate, current, 
                and unbiased database of resources to help farmers 
                undertaking succession planning; and
                    ``(B) coordinate with Federal, State, and private 
                stakeholders, including land-grant colleges and 
                universities and extension service, to understand 
                farmer and rancher needs in each state within the 
                respective regions, and to work with these stakeholders 
                to provide farmers and ranchers information regarding 
                relevant succession planning resources and 
                opportunities based on those needs.''.

SEC. 517. ENSURING A VIBRANT AGRICULTURAL SECTOR THROUGH THE CREATION 
              OF A LAND TENURE COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish a 
commission to be known as the Land Tenure Commission (in this section 
referred to as the ``Commission'').
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Total membership.--The Commission shall be comprised of 
        10 members who shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term 
        of 3 years in accordance with paragraph (2).
            (2) Members.--The Commission members shall include one 
        representative from each the following categories:
                    (A) The Farm Service Agency.
                    (B) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
                    (C) State programs focused on land tenure.
                    (D) Private nonprofit organizations with active 
                land tenure programs.
                    (E) The Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
                Extension Service.
                    (F) Community colleges or other institutions of 
                higher education with demonstrated experience in land 
                tenure issues.
                    (G) Other entities or persons providing lending 
                for, or technical assistance regarding, land tenure.
                    (H) Beginning farmers and ranchers.
                    (I) Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
                    (J) Veteran farmers and ranchers.
                    (K) Retiring or retired farmers and ranchers.
            (3) Reappointment.--The Secretary of Agriculture may 
        reappoint members of the Commission to a subsequent 3-year 
        term.
            (4) Compensation.--Members of the Commission may not 
        receive any compensation.
            (5) Vacancies.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall make 
        appointments to fill vacancies on the Commission as soon as 
        practicable after the vacancy has occurred.
    (c) Duties.--The Commission shall--
            (1) advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues involving 
        access to land, farm business transition, and land tenure, 
        including trends in ownership and the status of farmland 
        ownership;
            (2) with respect to the Commission's activities, coordinate 
        and consult with entities involved with farmland ownership and 
        operation;
            (3) appoint technical advisors, comprised of 
        representatives from the National Agricultural Statistics 
        Service of the Department of Agriculture, not-for-profit 
        organizations that assist farmers and ranchers transitioning in 
        and out of agricultural business, and farm succession planners 
        with expertise in the field; and
            (4) focus efforts of Federal agency staff and programs 
        toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agriculture 
        sector.
    (d) Reports.--The Commission shall submit an annual report to 
Congress that includes--
            (1) a summary of the activities of the Commission; and
            (2) recommendations with respect to access to land, farm 
        business transition, and land tenure, including recommendations 
        for Federal policy changes.

Subtitle C--Creating Financial Incentives to Benefit Beginning Farmers 
                              and Ranchers

SEC. 521. REMOVING BARRIERS TO FARMING THROUGH AN ELIGIBLE FARMER TAX 
              CREDIT.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 30E. ELIGIBLE FARMER CREDITS.

    ``(a) Eligible Farmer Property Sale Credit.--In the case of a 
taxpayer who sells qualified farming property to an eligible farmer 
during the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit against the 
tax imposed by this chapter for such taxable year an amount equal to 10 
percent of the sales price of such property.
    ``(b) Eligible Farmer Property Purchase Credit.--In the case of a 
taxpayer who is an eligible farmer and purchases qualified farming 
property during the taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit 
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount 
equal 10 percent of the purchase price of such property.
    ``(c) Definitions.--
            ``(1) Eligible farmer.--For purposes of this section--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `eligible farmer' 
                means--
                            ``(i) any socially disadvantaged farmer or 
                        rancher, as defined in section 2501(e)(2) of 
                        the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
                        Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)(2)),
                            ``(ii) any veteran farmer or rancher (as 
                        defined in section 2501(e)(7) of such Act (7 
                        U.S.C. 2279(e)(7))), or
                            ``(iii) any beginning farmer or rancher.
                    ``(B) Beginning farmer or rancher.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `beginning 
                        farmer or rancher' means an individual or 
                        entity who--
                                    ``(I) has not operated a farm or 
                                ranch, or who has operated a farm or 
                                ranch for not more than 10 consecutive 
                                years, and
                                    ``(II) will materially and 
                                substantially participate in the 
                                operation of the farm or ranch.
                            ``(ii) Material and substantial 
                        participation.--For purposes of clause (i), the 
                        term `material and substantial participation' 
                        means--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an individual, 
                                that the individual provides 
                                substantial day-to-day labor and 
                                management of the farm or ranch, 
                                consistent with the practices in the 
                                county or State where the farm is 
                                located, and
                                    ``(II) in the case of an entity, 
                                that all shareholders, holders of a 
                                capital or profits interest in the case 
                                of a partnership, or holders of a 
                                beneficial interest in the case of a 
                                trust or cooperative provide some 
                                amount of the management or labor 
                                necessary for day-to-day activities 
                                such that if each of the members did 
                                not provide these inputs, operation of 
                                the farm or ranch would be seriously 
                                impaired.
                            ``(iii) Predecessor.--Any predecessor of 
                        any entity shall be treated as such entity for 
                        purposes of clause (i)(I).
                            ``(iv) Aggregation rules.--All persons 
                        which are treated as a single employer under 
                        subsections (a) and (b) of section 52 shall be 
                        treated as a single employer for purposes of 
                        this subparagraph.
            ``(2) Qualified farming property.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified farming 
                property' means any property--
                            ``(i) which is used in the trade or 
                        business of farming or ranching in the United 
                        States, and
                            ``(ii) which is--
                                    ``(I) property of a character 
                                subject to an allowance for 
                                depreciation, or
                                    ``(II) land used for the production 
                                of crops, fruits, or other agricultural 
                                products or for the sustenance of 
                                livestock.
                        In the case of any tree, vine, or livestock 
                        which is not subject to an allowance for 
                        depreciation solely by reason of not having 
                        reached the income-producing stage or age of 
                        maturity, as the case may be, such tree, vine, 
                        or livestock shall be treated as property of a 
                        character subject to an allowance for 
                        depreciation for purposes of this section.
                    ``(B) Land use must be restricted agricultural 
                use.--Such term shall not include any land which is not 
                subject to a State agricultural land preservation 
                program, permanent agricultural conservation easement, 
                is not valued as agricultural land using special use 
                valuation requirements, or is not under another long-
                term or permanent protection.
    ``(d) Special Rules.--
            ``(1) Reporting requirements.--No credit shall be allowed 
        to a taxpayer under this section unless, at such time and in 
        such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe--
                    ``(A) there is submitted to the Secretary a 
                description of the qualified farming property with 
                respect to which the credit under this section is 
                determined,
                    ``(B) the eligible farmer submits to the Secretary 
                an attestation of intent to treat such property as 
                qualified farming property during the 8-year period 
                beginning on the date of the sale or purchase to which 
                this section applies, and
                    ``(C) the taxpayer who sells such property in the 
                case of any credit determined under subsection (a), and 
                the eligible farmer who purchases such property in the 
                case of any credit determined under subsection (b), 
                submits to the Secretary an agreement consenting to the 
                application of paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Recapture.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If any property with respect to 
                which a credit is allowed under this section ceases to 
                be qualified farming property during the 8-year period 
                beginning on the date of the sale or purchase to which 
                this section applies, the tax imposed by this chapter 
                for the taxable year during which such property so 
                ceases shall be increased by the applicable percentage 
                of the amount of credit allowed under this section with 
                respect to such property.
                    ``(B) Applicable percentage.--For purposes of this 
                paragraph, in the case of property which ceases to be 
                qualified farming property during the 8-year period, 
                the applicable percentage shall be determined under the 
                following table:

``For property which so                                  The applicable
  ceases during:                                         percentage is:
        The first or second year.....................      100 percent 
        The third or fourth year.....................       75 percent 
        The fifth or sixth year......................       50 percent 
        The seventh or eighth year...................       25 percent.

                    ``(C) Property beyond actual useful life.--For 
                purposes of this paragraph, property which, during such 
                8-year period, is no longer capable of being used in 
                the trade or business of farming shall be treated as 
                ceasing to be qualified farming property.
            ``(3) Related party rules.--
                    ``(A) In general.--A sale or purchase shall only be 
                taken into account under this section if the property 
                is not acquired from a person related to the person 
                acquiring such property (or, if married, such 
                individual's spouse).
                    ``(B) Related persons.--A person shall be treated 
                as related to another person if the relationship 
                between such persons would result in the disallowance 
                of losses under section 267 or 707(b).
            ``(4) Application with other credits.--
                    ``(A) Business credit treated as part of general 
                business credit.--So much of the credit which would be 
                allowed under this section for any taxable year 
                (determined without regard to this paragraph) that is 
                attributable to property that is land used in a trade 
                or business of the taxpayer, or that in the hands of 
                the taxpayer is of a character subject to an allowance 
                for depreciation, shall be treated as a credit listed 
                in section 38(b) for such taxable year (and not allowed 
                under this section).
                    ``(B) Personal credit.--The credit allowed under 
                subsection (a) (after the application of paragraph (1)) 
                for any taxable year shall be treated as a credit 
                allowable under subpart A for such taxable year.
            ``(5) Reduction in basis.--For purposes of this subtitle, 
        the basis of any property for which a credit is allowable under 
        this section shall be reduced by the amount of such credit so 
        allowed.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 38(b) of such Code is amended by 
striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (35), by striking the period 
at the end of paragraph (36) and inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(37) the portion of the eligible farmer credit to which 
        section 30E(d)(3)(A) applies.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 30E. Eligible farmer credits.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

SEC. 522. ENSURING FARM SERVICE FACILITY LOANS CAN SERVE AGRICULTURAL 
              COOPERATIVES.

    Section 1614(a) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 8789(a)) is amended by inserting ``(including agricultural 
cooperatives)'' after ``for producers''.

SEC. 523. LOANS TO COOPERATIVES.

    Section 316(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1946(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Loans to cooperatives.--Notwithstanding subtitle A or 
        this subtitle, the liability for a farm ownership loan or farm 
        operating loan under such subtitles to a cooperative of family 
        farm farmers shall be required to attach to the individual 
        members of the cooperative, as determined by the Secretary.''.

                          TITLE VI--FOOD WASTE

SEC. 601. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING REDUCING FOOD WASTE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Up to 40 percent of food in the United States is 
        wasted, the equivalent of 1,250 calories per person, per day, 
        and more than 400 pounds of food per person, per year.
            (2) Growing, processing, transporting, and disposing of 
        uneaten food is a significant burden on the United States 
        economy, costing approximately $218,000,000,000 annually.
            (3) Considerable resources in the United States are 
        invested in the production of food that is eventually wasted, 
        including an estimated 18 percent of fertilizer used in 
        agricultural production, 19 percent of crop land, and 21 
        percent of agricultural water usage.
            (4) Growing, processing, transporting, and disposing of 
        food that is eventually wasted contributes to greenhouse gas 
        emissions.
            (5) Disposing of uneaten food costs the average household 
        of four in the United States an estimated $1,800 annually.
    (b) Sense of Congress.--In light of the findings made in subsection 
(a), it is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should 
invest in programs, methodologies, and actions to reduce food waste 
across the United States at the Federal, State, and local levels, 
including by--
            (1) providing targeted funding for food waste solutions;
            (2) improving and standardizing the measurement and 
        reporting of food waste data;
            (3) standardizing food date labels;
            (4) removing barriers to food donation;
            (5) supporting and encouraging local and regional efforts 
        to reduce food waste; and
            (6) engaging and educating the American public on how to 
        reduce food waste.

SEC. 602. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF FOOD WASTE.

    Subtitle D of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``SEC. 244. OFFICE OF FOOD WASTE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within the 
executive operations of the Department an office to be known as the 
`Office of Food Waste'.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Office of Food Waste shall be 
responsible--
            ``(1) for coordinating Federal programs to measure and 
        reduce the incidence of food waste in the United States by 
        serving as the central office within the Department for food 
        waste reduction efforts, including food waste prevention, food 
        donation, recovery of surplus food for commercial purposes, and 
        food scrap recycling;
            ``(2) for providing information about and raising awareness 
        of food waste issues across sectors of the United States 
        economy and across Federal agencies; and
            ``(3) for serving as the primary point of contact for food 
        waste reduction and food recovery issues within the Department 
        and across Federal agencies.
    ``(c) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, 
the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $100,000,000 for the 
period of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.

SEC. 603. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION TASK FORCE.

    Subtitle D of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) is further amended by inserting after 
section 244, as added by section 602, the following new section:

``SEC. 245. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION TASK FORCE.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, shall establish, in the office of the Under Secretary for Food, 
Nutrition, and Consumer Services, a task force--
            ``(1) to advise and support the Secretary and the 
        Administrator in meeting the national food waste reduction goal 
        of 50 percent by 2030, as specified in the announcement made on 
        September 16, 2015, by the Secretary and the Administrator;
            ``(2) to provide strategic direction for efforts to meet 
        the national food waste reduction goal;
            ``(3) to monitor progress toward meeting the national food 
        waste reduction goal;
            ``(4) to support effective public reporting in the United 
        States regarding progress toward meeting the national food 
        waste reduction goal and any relevant benchmarks in meeting 
        such goal;
            ``(5) to raise public awareness and visibility of the 
        national food waste reduction goal in the United States; and
            ``(6) to recommend improvements to Federal efforts to meet 
        the national food waste reduction goal.
    ``(b) Composition.--The task force shall be composed of 15 members, 
appointed jointly by the Secretary and the Administrator. The task 
force shall include a representative from each of the following 
industries and interest groups:
            ``(1) The agriculture industry.
            ``(2) The food processing and manufacturing industry.
            ``(3) The food distribution industry.
            ``(4) The retail and grocery industry.
            ``(5) The restaurant industry.
            ``(6) The institutional food service industry.
            ``(7) Government, private, and nonprofit entities focused 
        on nutrition.
            ``(8) Government, private, and nonprofit entities focused 
        on consumer education.
            ``(9) Government, private, and nonprofit entities focused 
        on food waste entrepreneurship.
            ``(10) Nonprofit entities focused on food waste prevention.
            ``(11) Government, private, and nonprofit entities focused 
        on food donation.
            ``(12) Government, private, and nonprofit entities focused 
        on food scrap recycling.
            ``(13) Educational institutions focused on food systems and 
        food waste.
            ``(14) A State or local government with a food waste 
        reduction program.
            ``(15) A scientist who specializes in the science of food 
        scrap recycling and other relevant scientific processes.
    ``(c) Terms.--A member of the task force shall serve on the task 
force for a single term of 3 years. A member may not be reappointed. 
Any vacancy shall be filled within 60 days in the same manner as the 
original appointment.''.

SEC. 604. STANDARDIZING, AGGREGATING, AND PUBLISHING FOOD WASTE DATA.

    (a) Methodology for Measuring Food Waste.--Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall establish, through a rule made in accordance with 
section 553 of title 5, United States Code, a standardized methodology 
for consistently measuring food waste in the United States economy, 
such as--
            (1) on-farm losses during agricultural production and 
        harvesting;
            (2) losses during processing and distribution;
            (3) kitchen waste and post-consumer waste from the 
        restaurant and hospitality industries;
            (4) food waste occurring in schools and other institutions; 
        and
            (5) food waste occurring in other industries.
    (b) Methodology for Aggregating and Disseminating Data.--The 
methodology established under subsection (a) shall include aggregating 
and disseminating any data or information collected with respect to 
food waste. The methodology shall incorporate tools for describing why 
food waste occurs and the type of food wasted and take into account 
existing protocols and tools that may serve as resources.
    (c) Public Availability of Data.--Information collected with 
respect to food waste shall be made available through a publicly 
accessible internet website of the Department of Agriculture, which may 
be disaggregated by private sector and State or local government data.
    (d) Consultation.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out 
this section in consultation with the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency.

          TITLE VII--RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS

            Subtitle A--Investing in Sustainable Agriculture

SEC. 701. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Federal-State Grant Program.--Section 1623 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5813) is 
amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``matching'';
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``matching''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and centers'' after ``education 
                programs'';
            (3) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``, and shall 
        identify the sources of matching State funds for the same 
        fiscal year''; and
            (4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Duration.--The Secretary shall provide grants to eligible 
States for a period not to exceed 5 years.''.
    (b) Mandatory Funding.--Section 1624 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5814) is amended to read 
as follows:

``SEC. 1624. MANDATORY FUNDING.

    ``Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
shall make available to carry out this chapter $75,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.

SEC. 702. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM.

    Section 1629(i) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832(i)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(i) Mandatory Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out this 
section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''.

 Subtitle B--Supporting Research to Help Farmers Adapt to a Disrupted 
                                Climate

SEC. 711. COMPETITIVE, SPECIAL, AND FACILITIES GRANTS.

    Section 2 of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Plant and animal breeding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Classical animal and 
                        plant breeding--
                                    ``(I) intended to deliver public 
                                plant cultivars and animal breeds;
                                    ``(II) to achieve germplasm 
                                conservation; and
                                    ``(III) to improve public access 
                                and use of such cultivars and breeds.
                            ``(ii) Priority.--With respect to the 
                        breeding described in clause (i), the Secretary 
                        shall give priority to--
                                    ``(I) regionally adapted cultivars 
                                and breeds; and
                                    ``(II) breeds that perform well in 
                                organic and sustainable production 
                                systems.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``, including 
                nonprofit organizations, private laboratories, Federal 
                research entities, and other research entities not 
                affiliated with a university'' after ``organizations'';
                    (C) by striking paragraph (9); and
                    (D) in paragraph (11)(A)--
                            (i) by striking ``$700,000,000'' and 
                        inserting ``$900,000,000''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
                        ``2028''; and
            (2) in subsection (k)--
                    (A) in the heading, by inserting ``and Climate 
                Change Mitigation and Adaptation'' after 
                ``Agriculture''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and climate change mitigation 
                and adaptation'' after ``systems of sustainable 
                agriculture''.

SEC. 712. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE.

    (a) Elements of Initiative.--Section 412(b) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7632(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``and improve the resiliency of 
                such crops towards global climate change'' after ``crop 
                characteristics''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, with 
                priority given to responses and tolerances to global 
                climate change'' after ``tolerances''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and threats due to 
        global climate change'' after ``pollinators''.
    (b) Mandatory Funding.--Section 412(k)(1)(B) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7632(k)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``$80,000,000 for fiscal year 
2014 and each fiscal year thereafter'' and inserting ``$100,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter''.

                       TITLE VIII--ANIMAL WELFARE

             Subtitle A--Ensuring Animal Welfare in Farming

SEC. 801. DEFINITIONS FOR HUMANELY RAISED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY 
              CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Independent animal welfare certification program.--The 
        term ``independent animal welfare certification program'' means 
        an entity approved by the Secretary of Agriculture that uses 
        qualified third-party on-farm auditors to routinely assess a 
        producer's 100 percent compliance with specific animal welfare 
        standards exceeding industry standards (based on industry 
        guidelines), subject to the following conditions:
                    (A) The standards' protocols are made public.
                    (B) The standards include, at a minimum, provisions 
                for space allowance, environmental enrichment and 
                ability to engage in natural behaviors, pain control 
                and physical alternations, handling, and responsible 
                antibiotic use.
                    (C) Routine caging, crating or tethering of animals 
                is prohibited.
                    (D) Auditors have no vested or financial interest 
                in audit outcomes.
                    (E) Auditors possess a background in animal welfare 
                science or have received equivalent training, and are 
                able to recognize, review, and apply established farm 
                animal welfare standards and protocols.
            (2) Eligible costs.--The term ``eligible costs'' means 
        costs associated with application fees, inspections, labeling, 
        shipment and marketing.

SEC. 802. INCREASING MARKET ACCESS FOR HUMANELY RAISED LIVESTOCK AND 
              POULTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the 
Agricultural Marketing Service, shall establish a cost-share program to 
assist producers and handlers of livestock and poultry products in 
obtaining and maintaining animal welfare certifications through an 
independent animal welfare certification program.
    (b) Federal Share.--The Secretary may cover not more than 75 
percent of the eligible costs, but not to exceed $750, incurred by a 
producer or handler in obtaining and maintaining an animal welfare 
certification through an independent animal welfare certification 
program.
    (c) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than March 1 of each year, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the requests by, 
disbursements to, and expenditures for each State under the program 
during the current and previous fiscal year, including the number of 
producers and handlers served by the program in the previous fiscal 
year.
    (d) Funding.--
            (1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
        out this section $1,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 
        through 2028, to remain available until expended.
            (2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated $22,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 
        2028 to carry out this section.

SEC. 803. ANIMAL WELFARE TAX INCENTIVES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 45U. INDEPENDENT ANIMAL WELFARE CERTIFICATION CREDIT.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of an 
eligible taxpayer, the independent animal welfare certification credit 
determined under this section for any taxable year is an amount equal 
to 25 percent of the qualified independent animal welfare certification 
expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year, 
and not exceeding $150,000.
    ``(b) Qualified Independent Animal Welfare Certification 
Expenditures.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) In general.--The term `qualified independent animal 
        welfare certification expenditures' means amounts paid or 
        incurred for the purpose of complying with the animal welfare 
        standards and protocols of an independent animal welfare 
        certification, including--
                    ``(A) any amounts so paid or incurred for 
                infrastructure improvements for the purpose of 
                complying with such standards and protocols related to 
                providing animals with access to the outdoors, 
                pastures, or enriching indoor environments, including--
                            ``(i) fencing to enable pasture access,
                            ``(ii) mobile or permanent housing or 
                        shelter on pasture,
                            ``(iii) water lines and irrigation 
                        structures for watering animals,
                            ``(iv) infrastructure to enable free 
                        movement of animals indoors,
                            ``(v) enrichment materials to encourage 
                        animals to carry out natural behaviors like 
                        rooting, pecking, and perching, and
                            ``(vi) infrastructure to improve 
                        ventilation and provide natural light, and
                    ``(B) certification, including--
                            ``(i) the cost of initial certification, 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the cost of certification auditing 
                        during the recapture period.
            ``(2) Expenditures must be directly related to 
        certification.--The term `qualified independent animal welfare 
        certification expenditures' shall only include amounts directly 
        related to complying with animal welfare standards and 
        protocols of an independent animal welfare certification.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Eligible taxpayer.--The term `eligible taxpayer' 
        means any taxpayer which carries on a trade or business of 
        farming livestock or poultry who has an adjusted gross income 
        of less than $900,000.
            ``(2) Independent animal welfare certification.--The term 
        `independent animal welfare certification' means a 
        certification issued pursuant to a value-added certification 
        program which has been approved by the Secretary of Agriculture 
        as meeting each of the following requirements:
                    ``(A) Such program uses qualified, independent, on-
                farm auditors to assess, at least once in a 15 month 
                period, a producer's compliance with specific farm 
                animal welfare standards.
                    ``(B) Such program uses a certification protocol 
                and standards that are publicly available.
                    ``(C) The standards used in such program exceed 
                conventional industry standards, based on industry 
                guidelines published by animal trade associations, 
                prohibit routine caging, crating, and tethering of 
                animals, and include, at a minimum, provisions for 
                daily free access to an outdoor vegetated range area 
                for a majority of animals' lives, indoor and outdoor 
                space allowance, environmental enrichment, ability to 
                engage in natural behaviors, pain control and physical 
                alterations, animal handling and transport, and 
                responsible antibiotic use.
                    ``(D) The auditors used in such program have no 
                vested or financial interest in audit outcomes and 
                possess a background in animal welfare science, or have 
                received equivalent training, and are able to recognize 
                and apply established farm animal welfare standards and 
                protocols.
                    ``(E) Such program requires producers to comply 
                with 100 percent of standards to receive certification.
    ``(d) Recapture.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxpayer with respect 
        to which a credit of $75,000 or more is determined under this 
        section for any taxable year and which ceases to be in 
        compliance with an independent animal welfare certification at 
        any time during the recapture period, the taxpayer may be 
        subject to recapture of some or all of the credit, at the 
        discretion of the Internal Revenue Service.
            ``(2) Recapture period.--For purposes of this section, the 
        term `recapture period' means the 5-taxable-year period 
        beginning with the taxable year two years after the taxable 
        year for which a credit of $75,000 or more is determined under 
        this section.''.
    (b) Credit To Be Part of General Business Credit.--Section 38(b) of 
such Code is amended--
            (1) by striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (32);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (33) and 
        inserting ``, plus''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(34) in the case of an eligible taxpayer (as defined in 
        section 45U(c)(1), the independent animal welfare certification 
        credit determined under section 45U.''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45U. Independent animal welfare certification credit.''.''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to amounts paid or incurred during taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2023.

Subtitle B--Reforming Animal Welfare in Agricultural Research Endeavors

SEC. 811. ANIMAL WELFARE.

    Section 14 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2144) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``Any'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), any Federal 
        research facility or any other'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``Any'' and 
        inserting the following:
            ``(2) Animal exhibition.--Any''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) Exclusions not applicable.--For purposes of the 
        application of standards and other requirements described in 
        paragraph (1) to a Federal research facility or any other 
        department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States 
        having laboratory animal facilities, the exclusions contained 
        in section 2(g)(3) shall not apply.''.

SEC. 812. ESTABLISHING A RESEARCH AND EXTENSION PROGRAM FOR HUMANELY 
              RAISED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY CERTIFICATIONS.

    (a) Consumer Demand for Animal Welfare and Environmentally 
Sustainable Products.--Section 1402(6) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101(6)) 
is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: ``, and 
meet growing consumer demand for animal welfare, environmental 
sustainability, pasture-based rearing, and compliance with independent 
animal welfare certifications''.
    (b) Independent Animal Welfare Certification Program Defined.--
Section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph:
            ``(21) Independent animal welfare certification program.--
        The term `Independent animal welfare certification program' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 801(1) of the Food and 
        Farm Act.''.
    (c) Federal-State Partnership and Coordination.--Section 1409A of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3124a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ``and 
        environmental'' and inserting ``environmental, animal welfare, 
        and marketplace demand'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting ``pasture-based 
        rearing systems,'' after ``cooperatives,''; and
            (3) in subsection (d), by inserting ``improving animal 
        well-being, facilitating enrollment in independent animal 
        welfare certification programs,'' after ``marketing systems,''.
    (d) Animal Well-Being Research.--The heading of subtitle E of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (title XIV of Public Law 93-113) is amended to read as follows: 
``Animal Health, Well-Being, and Disease Research''.
    (e) Authorizing the Secretary To Act.--Section 1431(b)(2) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3193(b)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C), 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) improve the flow of information to producers 
                regarding enrollment in, compliance with, and marketing 
                benefits of independent animal welfare certification 
                programs.''.
    (f) Small Farm Research and Extension.--
            (1) Small farm extension program.--Section 502 of the Rural 
        Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (d), by inserting ``, improved 
                animal husbandry techniques including enrollment in 
                independent animal welfare certification programs,'' 
                after ``marketing techniques''; and
                    (B) in subsection (h)(1)--
                            (i) by striking ``and'' at the end of 
                        subparagraph (E);
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as 
                        subparagraph (H); and
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (E) 
                        the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(F) opportunities for enrollment in independent 
                animal welfare certification programs;
                    ``(G) animal husbandry; and''.
            (2) Definition.--Section 506 of the Rural Development Act 
        of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2666) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), and (c) 
                as subsections (b), (c), and (d) respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting before subsection (b), as so 
                redesignated, the following:
    ``(a) `independent animal welfare certification program' has the 
meaning given that term in section 801(1) of the Food and Farm Act.''.

                    TITLE IX--REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEMS

   Subtitle A--Expanding Support for Local and Regional Food Systems

SEC. 901. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.

    It is the sense of the Congress that:
            (1) Local and regional food systems provide jobs and 
        economic opportunity for farmers and ranchers, businesses, 
        entrepreneurs, and employees across the United States who 
        cultivate, harvest, store, process, market, and distribute 
        food, particularly in rural areas.
            (2) Local and regional food systems provide meaningful 
        access to healthy, fresh, and affordable foods that are grown 
        and processed closer to markets, especially in food deserts and 
        other underserved areas.
            (3) Local and regional food systems lower the carbon 
        footprint of America's food system by growing, processing, 
        distributing, and consuming products locally and reducing the 
        use of fossil fuels.
            (4) Local and regional food systems foster American 
        resiliency and independence by helping communities become less 
        dependent on external food sources.
            (5) Local and regional food systems increase accountability 
        for farmers, ranchers, and others employed in the field to 
        engage in sustainable and ethical practices.
            (6) By supporting the growth and advancement of local and 
        regional food systems, the people of the United States are 
        investing in an environmentally and economically resilient food 
        and agriculture system that provides opportunity and 
        livelihoods for farmers, ranchers, businesses, and employees 
        throughout the economy.

SEC. 902. EXPANDING THE FOOD LEVERAGING INVESTMENT FOR NETWORK 
              COORDINATION (LINC) PROGRAM.

    (a) Increase in Number of Value Chain Coordinators.--The Secretary 
of Agriculture shall expand Rural Development Agency participation in 
the Food Leveraging Investment for Network Coordination (LINC) program, 
a public-private partnership to enhance regional food-value chains, to 
deploy during each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 at least 25 full-
time value chain coordinators to provide local food sector coordination 
services.
    (b) Location of Value Chain Coordinators.--The Secretary of 
Agriculture shall ensure that at least 5 value chain coordinators 
deployed under subsection (a) are located in each of the following:
            (1) The Pacific Northwest region of the United States.
            (2) The Northeast region of the United States.
            (3) The Western region of the United States.
            (4) The Midwest region of the United States.
            (5) The Southern region of the United States.
    (c) Coordination Services Described.--The duties of a value chain 
coordinator include the following:
            (1) Identifying and connecting interested persons through 
        short-term engagement, helping to build relationships across 
        the food value chain by engaging interested persons, 
        maintaining communication channels, and fostering a trusting 
        environment among interested persons.
            (2) Identifying and pursuing resources, such as grants, 
        loans, and services to support value-chain collaborators as 
        they develop their enterprises.
            (3) Raising policy issues and partnering with interested 
        persons to address policies and procurement requirements.
            (4) Working with food chain members to build capacity 
        through education and training programs in such areas as 
        organics and other sustainable production practices, food 
        safety, marketing, and branding.
            (5) Utilizing grants and other external resources to test 
        new business models to help lower the financial risk of 
        businesses engaged in the value chain.
    (d) Funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the 
Secretary of the Agriculture shall use to carry out this section 
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

SEC. 903. ENSURING SUCCESS OF REGIONAL FOOD PROJECTS UNDER THE BUSINESS 
              AND INDUSTRY GUARANTEED LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) Use of Funds.--Section 310B(g)(9)(B) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
                            ``(v) Outreach and technical assistance.--
                        Not more than 5 percent of the amounts reserved 
                        under clause (iv) for each fiscal year shall be 
                        used for outreach, and to provide marketing and 
                        technical assistance through Federal entities, 
                        and through State and private universities and 
                        nonprofit entities (including by contract), to 
                        potential recipients of a loan or loan 
                        guarantee under this subparagraph, to ensure 
                        the full utilization of any such loan or loan 
                        guarantee.''.
    (b) Increase in Funding.--Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I) of such Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I)) is amended by striking ``5'' and 
inserting ``10''.

SEC. 904. INCREASING SUPPORT FOR THE SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANT 
              PROGRAM.

    Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 
U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
        ``2028''; and
            (2) in subsection (l)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and each 
                fiscal year thereafter.'' and inserting a semicolon; 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(G) $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2025 and each 
                fiscal year thereafter.''.

           Subtitle B--Enhancing Regional Food Infrastructure

SEC. 911. SUPPORTING REGIONAL FOOD INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT AND 
              COLLABORATIVE PLANNING.

    (a) Support for Region-Wide Assessment and Collaborative Planning 
Projects.--Section 6(b) of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act 
of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (2) and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(3) full value chain assessments at the local and 
        regional levels, as well as projects by entities described in 
        subsection (c) that maximize efficient use of existing food 
        related infrastructure, identify gaps in that infrastructure, 
        and address such gaps.''.
    (b) Mandatory Funding.--Paragraph (1) of section 6(g) of the 
Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005(g)) is 
amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) Mandatory funding.--Of the funds of the Commodity 
        Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
        section $80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
        2028.''.
    (c) Distribution of Funds.--Paragraph (4) of section 6(g) of the 
Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005(g)) is 
amended to read as follows:
            ``(4) Distribution of funds.--Of the funds made available 
        to carry out this section for a fiscal year after fiscal year 
        2024--
                    ``(A) at least 40 percent of the funds shall be 
                used for the purposes described in paragraph (1) of 
                subsection (b);
                    ``(B) at least 40 percent of the funds shall be 
                used for the purposes described in paragraph (2) of 
                such subsection; and
                    ``(C) not more than 20 percent of the funds may be 
                used for the purposes described in paragraph (3) of 
                such subsection.''.

SEC. 912. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE 
              GRANTS AND LOANS.

    Subtitle D of title III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section:

``SEC. 379I. LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY SUPPLY CHAIN INFRASTRUCTURE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide grants or 
make or insure loans under any of the programs authorized by this Act, 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.), or the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate, to assist farmers and rural 
businesses and cooperatives to maintain or increase the production, 
aggregation, processing, distribution, and marketing of value-added, 
niche, or regionally marketed meat, dairy, and poultry products.
    ``(b) Priority.--In implementing subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall give priority to grants or loans that will help increase or 
enhance the availability and geographic distribution of State- and 
Department of Agriculture-inspected small processing facilities.
    ``(c) Small Processing Facility Defined.--In this section, the term 
`small processing facility' means--
            ``(1) with respect to an establishment that is subject to 
        the requirements of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 
        601 et seq.), a certain small establishment that is eligible to 
        be selected under section 501(b) of such Act; or
            ``(2) a selected establishment (as defined in section 31(a) 
        of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 472(a))).''.

     Subtitle C--Expanding Accessibility of Federal Grant Programs

SEC. 921. PUBLISHING INFORMATION ABOUT FUNDED FARMERS' MARKET AND LOCAL 
              FOOD PROMOTION PROGRAM PROJECTS.

    Section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 
U.S.C. 3005) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subsection:
    ``(h) Project Database.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, not later than one year 
        after the date of the enactment of this subsection, shall 
        publish, and update on an annual basis, on the Internet website 
        of the Department of Agriculture a database, in a machine-
        readable format, that contains information with respect to any 
        project with respect to which a grant was awarded under this 
        section in the previous fiscal year.
            ``(2) Information included.--The database under paragraph 
        (1) shall include, with respect to each project for which a 
        grant was awarded under this section in the previous fiscal 
        year--
                    ``(A) a general overview of such project, including 
                a summary of, the timeline, goals, and objectives for, 
                and key partners and other stakeholders involved in, 
                such project;
                    ``(B) the steps taken to carry out such project;
                    ``(C) any materials used to carry out such project;
                    ``(D) the delivery area of the project;
                    ``(E) the total project cost and any non-Federal 
                funding sources for such project costs;
                    ``(F) a general description of project 
                beneficiaries; and
                    ``(G) the results of such project.''.

SEC. 922. STREAMLINING OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL FOOD PROGRAM APPLICATION 
              PROCEDURES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall, not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, identify 
procedures that coordinate and streamline the application process for 
local and regional food programs without compromising program or 
application quality. The Secretary shall identify such procedures with 
respect to each of the following:
            (1) Streamlining application forms.
            (2) Removing repetition from forms and the online toolkit 
        used to complete such applications.
            (3) To the extent possible, accepting applications 
        electronically (including through email).
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

        Subtitle D--Leveling the Playing Field for Small Farmers

SEC. 931. ENSURING FAIR PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE.

    Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary of Agriculture shall implement, without amendment, the 
final rule entitled ``Unfair Practices and Undue Preferences in 
Violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act'' and published in the 
Federal Register by the Department of Agriculture on December 20, 2016 
(81 Fed. Reg. 92703).
                                 &lt;all&gt;
</pre></body></html>