Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2013

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with Indian tribes, to make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and other contracting instruments with, eligible entities to conduct research and education and training programs to protect and preserve Native American seeds, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2013 2. Research grants for purposes of protection and preservation of Native American seeds (a) In general Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3151 et seq. 1419C. Research grants for purposes of protection and preservation of Native American seeds (a) Authority Consistent with this section, the Secretary may make grants, competitive grants, and special research grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements and other contracting instruments with, eligible entities to conduct research and education and training programs that are objective, operationally independent, and external to the Federal Government and that concern the purity of Native American seeds (as defined by the Secretary, in consultation with Indian tribes). (b) Cooperation required Grant applications submitted by an eligible entity under this section shall certify that the research to be conducted will be performed under a cooperative agreement with at least one other qualified research entity. (c) Activities Under this section, funding may be provided to conduct— (1) research to assess the direct and indirect impacts of— (A) public law and policies on traditional ways of life and cultural practices relating to the harvesting and cultivating of Native American seeds; and (B) contaminants that compromise the integrity and purity of Native American seeds; and (2) education and training programs on— (A) the methods necessary to conduct the research described in paragraph (1); and (B) the best methods to continuously test, monitor, and otherwise protect the purity of Native American seeds. (d) Report Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, and each year thereafter, 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 contains— (1) the results of any research conducted under this section; (2) the effectiveness of any education and training programs conducted under this section in enabling eligible entities to ensure the purity of Native American seeds; and (3) any recommendations of the Secretary to improve the effectiveness of such education and training programs. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 ( 7 U.S.C. 301 (B) an Indian tribe. (2) Indian tribe The term Indian tribe 25 U.S.C. 450b (3) Qualified research entity The term qualified research entity (A) a State agricultural experiment station; (B) a college or university (including a 1994 Institution); (C) another research institution or organization; (D) a private organization; (E) a corporation; or (F) an individual. . (b) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue regulations to carry out section 1419C of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as added by subsection (a), including regulations to define the term Native American seed 3. Developing seed storage facilities to preserve and protect Native American seeds Section 306 (a)(19)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act ( 7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)(A) , including the expansion, construction, and infrastructure costs associated with developing seed storage facilities that are used to protect and preserve Native American seeds (as defined by the Secretary pursuant to section 1419C of the National Agricultural Research, Education, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977)

Summary: Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to, and enter into agreements with, Indian tribes and 1994 Institutions to conduct research and education and training programs concerning the purity of Native American seeds. (1994 Institutions are Native American tribally-controlled colleges and universities that were granted land-grant status in 1994.) Requires grant applicants to certify that any research conducted will be performed under a cooperative agreement with at least one other entity that has the capacity and infrastructure necessary to carry out agricultural research projects. Authorizes the use of the grants to fund research to assess the impact of: (1) public law and policies on traditional ways of life and cultural practices relating to the harvesting and cultivating of Native American seeds, and (2) contaminants that compromise the integrity and purity of those seeds. Authorizes the use of the grants to fund education and training programs on: (1) the methods necessary to conduct such research; and (2) the best methods to continuously test, monitor, and otherwise protect the purity of Native American seeds. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the use of grants under the community facilities grant program to expand, construct, and develop seed storage facilities that are used to protect and preserve Native American seeds.