SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Secretary defined. 
TITLE I—MEAT AND POULTRY SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR 
Sec. 101. Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. 
TITLE II—CROP NUTRIENT USE AND PRECISION AGRICULTURE 
PRACTICE ADOPTION ASSISTANCE 
Sec. 201. Crop nutrient use and precision agriculture practice adoption assist-
ance. 
Sec. 202. Rule of construction. 
TITLE III—AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCY 
Subtitle A—Agriculture and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis 
Response Task Force 
Sec. 301. Agriculture and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Re-
sponse Task Force. 
Subtitle B—Addressing Fertilizer Shortages 
Sec. 311. Addressing fertilizer shortages. 
Subtitle C—American Food Supply Chain Resiliency 
Sec. 321. Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers. 
Sec. 322. Agriculture Innovation Centers Program. 
TITLE IV—BIOFUEL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURE 
PRODUCT MARKET EXPANSION 
Sec. 401. Biofuel infrastructure and agriculture product market expansion. 
TITLE V—YEAR-ROUND FUEL CHOICE 
Sec. 501. Ethanol waiver. 
TITLE VI—PRODUCING RESPONSIBLE ENERGY AND CONSERVA-
TION INCENTIVES AND SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 
(PRECISE) 
Sec. 601. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program. 
Sec. 602. Assistance to rural entities. 
Sec. 603. Environmental Quality Incentives Program. 
Sec. 604. Conservation Stewardship Program. 
Sec. 605. Delivery of technical assistance.
TITLE VII—BUTCHER BLOCK ACT 
Sec. 701. Assistance for new and expanded livestock or poultry processors. 
Sec. 702. New and expanding livestock or poultry processing grants. 
TITLE VIII—LOWER FOOD AND FUEL COSTS SUPPLEMENTAL 
APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 
SEC. 2. SECRETARY DEFINED. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary of Agriculture. 
TITLE I—MEAT AND POULTRY 
SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR 
SEC. 101. OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR 
COMPETITION MATTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after 
section 216 (7 U.S.C. 6916) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 217. OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR 
COMPETITION MATTERS. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the 
Department an office, to be known as the ‘Office of the 
Special Investigator for Competition Matters’ (referred to 
in this section as the ‘Office’). 
‘‘(b) SPECIAL
INVESTIGATOR
FOR
COMPETITION 
MATTERS.—The Office shall be headed by the Special In-
vestigator for Competition Matters (referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘Special Investigator’), who shall be a senior 
career employee appointed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The Special Investigator shall—
‘‘(1) use all available tools, including subpoenas, 
to investigate and prosecute violations of the Pack-
ers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) 
by packers and live poultry dealers with respect to 
competition and trade practices in the food and agri-
cultural sector; 
‘‘(2) serve as a Department liaison to, and act 
in consultation with, the Department of Justice and 
the Federal Trade Commission with respect to com-
petition and trade practices in the food and agricul-
tural sector; 
‘‘(3) act in consultation with the Department of 
Homeland Security with respect to national security 
and critical infrastructure security in the food and 
agricultural sector; 
‘‘(4) maintain a staff of attorneys and other 
professionals with appropriate expertise; and 
‘‘(5) in carrying out the requirements of this 
subsection, coordinate with the Office of the General 
Counsel and the Packers and Stockyards Division of 
the Agricultural Marketing Service. 
‘‘(d) PROSECUTORIAL AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding title 28, 
United States Code, the Special Investigator shall 
have the authority to bring any civil or administra-
tive action authorized under the Packers and Stock-
yards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) against a 
packer. 
‘‘(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section alters 
the authority of the Secretary to issue a subpoena 
pursuant to the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 
(7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.). 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION.—With respect to any of 
the actions brought under this subsection in Federal 
district court, the Special Investigator shall notify 
the Attorney General.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 296(b) of 
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(11) The authority of the Secretary to carry 
out section 217.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Subtitle A of the De-
partment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 is 
amended by redesignating the first section 225 (relating 
to Food Access Liaison) (7 U.S.C. 6925) as section 224A.
TITLE II—CROP NUTRIENT USE 
AND 
PRECISION 
AGRI-
CULTURE 
PRACTICE 
ADOP-
TION ASSISTANCE 
SEC. 201. CROP NUTRIENT USE AND PRECISION AGRI-
CULTURE PRACTICE ADOPTION ASSISTANCE. 
(a) PAYMENTS.—During the period beginning on the 
date of enactment of this section and ending on September 
30, 2023, the Secretary shall make payments under this 
section to producers— 
(1) to assist in reducing the costs associated 
with the utilization of crop nutrients; or 
(2) to adopt precision agriculture practices to 
address the utilization of crop nutrients or water 
availability. 
(b) AMOUNT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A payment to a producer 
under this section shall not exceed 100 percent of 
the costs of the activity for which the assistance is 
provided. 
(2) COST SHARE.—If the Secretary determines 
that a producer is receiving other Federal funds for 
the activity for which the assistance is provided, a 
payment to the producer under this section shall be 
in an amount that does not, in combination with
such other funds, exceed 100 percent of the costs of 
such activity. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$500,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 and 
2023. 
SEC. 202. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this title shall be construed as a conserva-
tion or environmental program within the meaning of sec-
tion 5(g) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter 
Act (15 U.S.C. 714c(g)). 
TITLE 
III—AGRICULTURE 
AND 
FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN RESIL-
IENCY 
Subtitle A—Agriculture and Food 
System Supply Chain Resilience 
and Crisis Response Task Force 
SEC. 301. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEM SUPPLY CHAIN 
RESILIENCE AND CRISIS RESPONSE TASK 
FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle B of title II of the De-
partment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6931 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
‘‘SEC. 229. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEM SUPPLY 
CHAIN RESILIENCE AND CRISIS RESPONSE 
TASK FORCE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary 
shall establish within the Department an Agriculture and 
Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response 
Task Force (in this section referred to as the ‘Task 
Force’). 
‘‘(b) MISSION.—The mission of the Task Force shall 
be to— 
‘‘(1) help to promote the leadership of the 
United States with respect to the stability of the ag-
riculture and food system supply chain; 
‘‘(2) encourage a government-wide approach 
through partnerships and collaboration with the pri-
vate sector, labor organizations, the governments of 
countries that are allies or key international part-
ners of the United States, States or political subdivi-
sions thereof, and Tribal governments in order to— 
‘‘(A) promote the resilience of the agri-
culture and food system supply chain; and 
‘‘(B) identify, prepare for, and respond to 
shocks to the agriculture and food system sup-
ply chain;
‘‘(3) monitor the resilience, diversity, security, 
and strength of the agriculture and food system sup-
ply chain; 
‘‘(4) support the availability of agriculture and 
food system supply chain goods for domestic manu-
facturers, domestic producers, and domestic enter-
prises in the United States and in countries that are 
allies or key international partners; 
‘‘(5) assist the Federal Government in pre-
paring for and responding to shocks to the agri-
culture and food system supply chain; 
‘‘(6) support the creation of jobs with competi-
tive wages in the United States agriculture and food 
system sector; and 
‘‘(7) coordinate executive branch actions nec-
essary to carry out the functions described in para-
graphs (1) through (6). 
‘‘(c) SPECIAL ADVISOR ON SUPPLY CHAIN RESIL-
IENCE AND CRISIS RESPONSE.—The head of the Task 
Force shall be the Special Advisor on Supply Chain Resil-
ience and Crisis Response (in this section, referred to as 
the ‘Special Advisor’) who shall be appointed by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(d) AGRICULTURAL
AND FOOD SYSTEM SUPPLY 
CHAIN EVALUATION AND REPORT.—
‘‘(1) EVALUATION.—The Special Advisor, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and 
the Secretary of Transportation, shall conduct an 
evaluation of the stability and reliability of the agri-
culture and food system supply chain. The evalua-
tion shall focus on the items listed in subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
270 days after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion, the Special Advisor shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce, and the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
evaluation conducted under subsection (a) that in-
cludes the following: 
‘‘(A) An evaluation of— 
‘‘(i) the strengths of the agriculture 
and food system supply chain; 
‘‘(ii) the weaknesses of the agriculture 
and food system supply chain; 
‘‘(iii) current and potential future 
critical bottlenecks in the agriculture and 
food system supply chain, including trans-
portation bottlenecks in the distribution of 
agricultural inputs, processed and unproc-
essed food and food input products, and 
consumer-ready food products; 
‘‘(iv) workforce challenges and oppor-
tunities in the agriculture and food system 
supply chain; and 
‘‘(v) the overall stability and reliability 
of the agriculture and food system supply 
chain. 
‘‘(B) A discussion of existing Federal legal 
barriers, if any, that negatively impact the sta-
bility and reliability of the agriculture and food 
system supply chain. 
‘‘(C) Specific recommendations to improve 
the security, safety, and resilience of the agri-
culture and food system supply chain, including 
recommendations that address challenges iden-
tified under paragraph (1) and that also ad-
dress— 
‘‘(i) long-term strategies; 
‘‘(ii) industry best practices; 
‘‘(iii) risk-mitigation actions to pre-
vent future bottlenecks and vulnerabilities
at all levels of the agriculture and food sys-
tem supply chain; and 
‘‘(iv) legislative and regulatory actions 
that would positively impact the security 
and resilience of the agriculture and food 
system supply chain. 
‘‘(e) TERMINATION.—The Task Force shall terminate 
on the earlier of— 
‘‘(1) the date on which the report required by 
subsection (d) is submitted; or 
‘‘(2) September 30, 2023.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 296(b) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 7014(b)), as amended by section 101, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(12) The authority of the Secretary to estab-
lish in the Department the Agriculture and Food 
System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response 
Task Force in accordance with section 229.’’. 
Subtitle B—Addressing Fertilizer 
Shortages 
SEC. 311. ADDRESSING FERTILIZER SHORTAGES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
support and incentivize domestic activities through grants, 
loans, and other forms of assistance, to address fertilizer
shortages and deficiencies, diversify fertilizer sources, and 
reduce dependency on foreign sources for fertilizer, includ-
ing by— 
(1) increasing the availability of innovative fer-
tilizer and fertilizer alternatives, including nitrogen, 
phosphate, potassium, biological products and tech-
nologies, and other nutrients that may assist in the 
production of agricultural commodities; 
(2) increasing materials or tools that reduce the 
need for fertilizer or support the more efficient use 
of fertilizer, including nitrogen, phosphate, potas-
sium, biological products and technologies, and other 
nutrients that may assist in the production of agri-
cultural commodities; 
(3) supporting materials and facilities and re-
search and development, that may support the pur-
poses of this section; 
(4) supporting sustainable agriculture produc-
tion through the supporting production of— 
(A) sustainable fertilizer produced in, or 
used in a manner that, reduces the greenhouse 
gas impact; or 
(B) fertilizer produced through the use of 
renewable 
energy 
sources, 
including 
incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use;
(5) supporting activities or other measures that 
may otherwise address competition-related chal-
lenges in the United States fertilizer market and ob-
stacles to producers in obtaining affordable, respon-
sibly manufactured fertilizer as referred to in the no-
tice entitled ‘‘Access to Fertilizer: Competition and 
Supply Chain Concerns’’ published by the Depart-
ment of Agriculture in the Federal Register on 
March 17, 2022 (87 Fed Reg. 15191 et seq.); and 
(6) using the facilities and authorities of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation and the authorities 
under section 1473H of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319k). 
(b) PRIORITY APPLICANTS.—In selecting activities to 
support under this section, the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to applications for such support containing proposals 
that the Secretary determines will most quickly address 
fertilizer shortages in the near term and mid-term. 
(c) STREAMLINED PROCESS.—In providing assist-
ance pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall ensure 
that such assistance be provided through a streamlined 
and expedient process (as determined necessary by the 
Secretary) to quickly address fertilizer shortages.
(d) ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDING.—Not more than 3 
percent of the funding provided under this section may 
be used by the Secretary for administrative purposes. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section, $100,000,000, 
to remain available until expended. 
Subtitle C—American Food Supply 
Chain Resiliency 
SEC. 321. SUPPLY CHAIN REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS. 
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 
1621 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘Subtitle H—Food Supply Chain 
Resiliency 
‘‘SEC. 298. SUPPLY CHAIN REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, 
shall enter into cooperative agreements with eligible enti-
ties to establish not fewer than 6 Supply Chain Regional 
Resource Centers to support small-sized and medium-sized 
producers of agricultural products and small-sized and 
medium-sized agricultural businesses through activities, 
which may include—
‘‘(1) offering coordination, technical assistance, 
and capacity building support to small-sized and me-
dium-sized producers of agricultural products and 
agricultural businesses; 
‘‘(2) supporting supply chain and value chain 
coordination— 
‘‘(A) in the region in which such producers 
or businesses are located; and 
‘‘(B) with the Department of Agriculture, 
other Federal, State, and Tribal agencies with 
relevant resources, regional commissions, and 
other Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers; 
‘‘(3) providing technical assistance to such pro-
ducers and businesses; 
‘‘(4) providing grants or other financial assist-
ance to such producers and businesses looking to ex-
pand production or a business or start production or 
a business in such region; and 
‘‘(5) carrying out such other activities as may 
be specified by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) FOCUS ON TRIBAL SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES.—At 
least one Supply Chain Regional Resource Center estab-
lished pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide coordina-
tion, assistance, and capacity building support to address 
supply chain issues faced by Indian tribes and Tribal orga-
nizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304)). 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity (includ-
ing an entity representing a partnership) seeking to 
enter into a cooperative agreement under this sec-
tion shall submit to the Secretary an application, at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary may require, including 
how the Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers es-
tablished by such entity will address food and agri-
cultural supply chain issues faced by underserved 
communities. 
‘‘(2) REGIONAL DIVERSITY.—In selecting eligi-
ble entities to enter into a cooperative agreement 
under this section, the Secretary shall ensure the re-
gional diversity of such entities. 
‘‘(d) TERM.—The term of a cooperative agreement 
entered into under this section shall be not less than 4 
years. 
‘‘(e) COORDINATION.—A Supply Chain Regional Re-
source Center shall, as a condition on entering into a coop-
erative agreement under this section, agree to coordinate
with other Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers, when 
appropriate. 
‘‘(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Beginning not later 
than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Lower 
Food and Fuel Costs Act, and every 2 years thereafter, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen-
ate a report on— 
‘‘(1) with respect to the activities carried out by 
the Secretary under this section— 
‘‘(A) a description of such activities; and 
‘‘(B) the impact of such activities on sup-
ply chain issues faced by small-sized and me-
dium-sized producers of agricultural products; 
and 
‘‘(2) with respect to the activities carried out by 
the Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers under 
this section— 
‘‘(A) a description of such activities; 
‘‘(B) the impact of such activities on sup-
ply chain issues faced by small-sized and me-
dium-sized producers of agricultural products 
and agricultural businesses; and
‘‘(C) any grants awarded by Supply Chain 
Regional Resource Centers to such producers 
and businesses. 
‘‘(g) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State government (or a political 
subdivision thereof), regional authority, or an 
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; 
‘‘(B) a college or university (as defined in 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) (including a land-grant 
college or university); or 
‘‘(C) a nonprofit organization, including a 
producer network or association, a food council, 
an economic development corporation, or an-
other organization. 
‘‘(2) STATE.—The term ‘State’ has the mean-
ing given such term in section 1404 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Pol-
icy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103). 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.—In addition to amounts otherwise 
available, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 
through 2026. 
‘‘(i) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion may be interpreted to undermine or narrow the au-
thority of the Secretary to carry out activities described 
in subsection (a) under any other authority of the Sec-
retary.’’. 
SEC. 322. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTERS PROGRAM. 
Section 6402(a) of the Farm Security and Rural In-
vestment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) applied research, technical assistance, sup-
port services, outreach, and other services to 
strengthen, maintain, and secure supply chains re-
lated to value-added agricultural commodities and 
products produced in the United States.’’.
TITLE 
IV—BIOFUEL 
INFRA-
STRUCTURE 
AND 
AGRI-
CULTURE PRODUCT MARKET 
EXPANSION 
SEC. 401. BIOFUEL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURE 
PRODUCT MARKET EXPANSION. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary $200,000,000 for the 
period of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to remain available 
until expended, to carry out this section. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—The Secretary shall use the 
amounts made available pursuant to subsection (a) to pro-
vide grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities de-
scribed in subsection (c)— 
(1) to install, retrofit, or otherwise upgrade fuel 
dispensers or pumps and related equipment, storage 
tank system components, and other infrastructure 
required at a location to ensure the environmentally 
safe availability of fuel containing ethanol blends at 
levels greater than 10 percent (as determined by the 
Secretary) or fuel containing biodiesel blends at lev-
els greater than 5 percent (as determined by the 
Secretary); and
(2) to build and retrofit distribution systems for 
ethanol blends, traditional and pipeline biodiesel ter-
minal operations (including rail lines), and home 
heating oil distribution centers or equivalent enti-
ties— 
(A) to blend biodiesel; and 
(B) to carry ethanol and biodiesel. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Entities eligible to receive 
a grant under this section are transportation fueling facili-
ties and distribution facilities, including fueling stations, 
convenience stores, hypermarket retailer fueling stations, 
fleet facilities, as well as fuel terminal operations, mid-
stream partners, and heating oil distribution facilities or 
equivalent entities. 
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the 
total cost of carrying out a project for which a grant is 
provided under this section shall be not more than 75 per-
cent. 
(e) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not limit the 
amount of funding an eligible entity may receive under 
this section, except that such funding is subject to the 
availability of appropriations.
TITLE V—YEAR-ROUND FUEL 
CHOICE 
SEC. 501. ETHANOL WAIVER. 
Section 211 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)(4)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(4) The Administrator, 
upon’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator, 
on’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) REID VAPOR PRESSURE.—A fuel or 
fuel additive that has been granted a waiver 
under subparagraph (A) prior to January 1, 
2017, and meets all the conditions of that waiv-
er other than any limitations of the waiver with 
respect to Reid Vapor Pressure, may be intro-
duced into commerce if the fuel or fuel additive 
meets all other applicable Reid Vapor Pressure 
requirements.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) in paragraph (4)—
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘or more’’ after 
‘‘10 percent’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
‘‘additional alcohol or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5)(A), by inserting ‘‘or 
more’’ after ‘‘10 percent’’. 
TITLE VI—PRODUCING RESPON-
SIBLE 
ENERGY 
AND 
CON-
SERVATION INCENTIVES AND 
SOLUTIONS FOR THE ENVI-
RONMENT (PRECISE) 
SEC. 601. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE 
PROGRAM. 
Section 304 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 1924) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(3), by redesignating sub-
paragraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and 
(H), respectively, and inserting after subparagraph 
(E) the following: 
‘‘(F) the adoption of precision agriculture 
practices, and the acquisition of precision agri-
culture technology;’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the pe-
riod and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) producers who use the loans to adopt pre-
cision agriculture practices or acquire precision agri-
culture technology, including adoption or acquisition 
for the purpose of participating in the environmental 
quality incentives program under subchapter A of 
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Se-
curity Act of 1985.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e), by striking paragraph (2) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) 90 percent of the principal amount of the 
loan in the case of— 
‘‘(A) a producer that is a qualified socially 
disadvantaged farmer or rancher or a beginning 
farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(B) loans that are used for the purchase 
of precision agriculture technology.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) 
GEOGRAPHIC
DIVERSITY.—The 
Sec-
retary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(2) COORDINATION WITH NRCS.—In making 
or guaranteeing loans under this section, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that there is coordination be-
tween the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Service.’’. 
SEC. 602. ASSISTANCE TO RURAL ENTITIES. 
Section 310B(a)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(a)(2)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subpara-
graph (C); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of sub-
paragraph (D) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) expanding precision agriculture prac-
tices, including by financing equipment and 
farm-wide broadband connectivity, in order to 
promote best-practices, reduce costs, and im-
prove the environment.’’. 
SEC. 603. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 1240A(6)(B)(v) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa– 
1(6)(B)(v)) is amended by inserting ‘‘(including the adop-
tion of precision agriculture practices and the acquisition 
of precision agriculture technology)’’ after ‘‘planning’’. 
(b) PAYMENTS.— 
(1) OTHER
PAYMENTS.—Section 1240B(d)(6) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–2(d)(6)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘A producer shall’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(A) PAYMENTS UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.— 
A producer shall’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) CONSERVATION
LOAN
AND
LOAN 
GUARANTEE PROGRAM PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A producer receiv-
ing payments for practices on eligible land 
under the program may also receive a loan 
or loan guarantee under section 304 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act to cover costs for the same prac-
tices on the same land. 
‘‘(ii) NOTICE
TO
PRODUCER.—The 
Secretary shall inform a producer partici-
pating in the program in writing of the 
availability of a loan or loan guarantee 
under section 304 of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act as it re-
lates to costs of implementing practices 
under this program.’’. 
(2) INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR HIGH-PRIORITY 
PRACTICES.—Section 1240B(d)(7) of the Food Se-
curity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(d)(7)) is 
amended, in the subsection heading, by inserting 
‘‘STATE-DETERMINED’’ before ‘‘HIGH-PRIORITY’’. 
(3) INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR PRECISION AG-
RICULTURE.—Section 1240B(d) of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(d)) is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR PRECISION AG-
RICULTURE.—Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the 
Secretary may increase the amount that would oth-
erwise be provided for a practice under this sub-
section to not more than 90 percent of the costs as-
sociated with adopting precision agriculture practices 
and acquiring precision agriculture technology.’’. 
(c) CONSERVATION INCENTIVE CONTRACTS.—Sec-
tion 1240B(j)(2)(A)(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(j)(3)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘(which may include the adoption of precision agriculture 
practices and the acquisition of precision agriculture tech-
nology)’’ after ‘‘incentive practices’’.
SEC. 604. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS
FOR RESOURCE- 
CONSERVING CROP ROTATIONS AND ADVANCED GRAZING 
MANAGEMENT.—Section 1240L(d) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–24(d)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘AND 
ADVANCED GRAZING MANAGEMENT’’ and inserting 
‘‘, ADVANCED GRAZING MANAGEMENT, AND PRECI-
SION AGRICULTURE’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘; 
or’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) precision agriculture.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘or advanced 
grazing management’’ and inserting ‘‘, advanced 
grazing management, or precision agriculture’’. 
SEC. 605. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 1242(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3842(f)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(6) SOIL HEALTH PLANNING.—The Secretary 
shall emphasize the use of third-party providers in 
providing technical assistance for soil health plan-
ning, including planning related to the use of cover 
crops, precision conservation management, com-
prehensive nutrient management planning, and other 
innovative plans.’’. 
TITLE VII—BUTCHER BLOCK 
ACT 
SEC. 701. ASSISTANCE FOR NEW AND EXPANDED LIVE-
STOCK OR POULTRY PROCESSORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make or guar-
antee a loan for the purpose of— 
(1) increasing capacity of livestock and poultry 
processing, facilitating economic opportunity for live-
stock and poultry producers through processing ac-
tivities, and diversifying processing ownership; 
(2) increasing the customer base or revenue re-
turns of livestock and poultry producers through in-
vestment in processing capacity; 
(3) improving, developing, or financing livestock 
and poultry processing capacity or employment in-
cluding through the financing of working capital; or 
(4) promoting the interstate trade and local 
sales of processed livestock and poultry by financing 
improvements to meet relevant Federal, State, and 
local regulatory standards. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY; GENERAL LIMITATIONS.—
(1) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT.—An entity shall be 
eligible for a loan or guarantee under this section if 
the entity is— 
(A) a public, private, or cooperative organi-
zation organized on a for-profit or nonprofit 
basis; 
(B) an Indian tribe on a Federal or State 
reservation, or any other federally recognized 
Indian tribal group; or 
(C) an individual. 
(2) FACILITY LOCATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), a facility constructed, ex-
panded, modified, refurbished, or re-equipped 
with proceeds from a loan made or guaranteed 
under this section shall be in a rural area. 
(B) EXCEPTION.—A facility constructed, 
expanded, modified, refurbished, or re-equipped 
with proceeds from a loan made or guaranteed 
under this section may be in a non-rural area 
if— 
(i) the primary use of the loan in-
volved is for the facility, and the facility 
will increase the customer base or revenue 
returns of livestock and poultry producers
that are located within 300 miles of the fa-
cility; 
(ii) the loan involved will be used to 
increase the capacity in livestock and poul-
try processing in a region; and 
(iii) the principal amount of the loan 
involved does not exceed $50,000,000. 
(C) RURAL AREA DEFINED.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘‘rural area’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 343(a)(13) of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)). 
(3) LIMITATIONS.— 
(A) LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF LOAN IN-
VOLVED.—A loan of more than $50,000,000 
may not be made or guaranteed under this sec-
tion. 
(B) LIMITATION ON ELIGIBILITY.—A loan 
may not be made or guaranteed under this sec-
tion to an entity that is owned in partnership 
or in whole by— 
(i) a foreign entity; or 
(ii) an entity that currently processes 
over 5 percent of the daily harvest of any 
species.
(c) SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE WITH RESPECT TO 
COOPERATIVES.— 
(1) LIMITATION
ON
AMOUNT
OF
LOAN
IN-
VOLVED.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding sub-
section (b)(3), a loan of not more than 
$100,000,000 may be made or guaranteed for 
a cooperative organization under this section. 
(B) CONDITIONS APPLICABLE IF LOAN IN-
VOLVED
IS
FOR
MORE
THAN
$50,000,000.—A 
loan of more than $50,000,000 may not be 
made or guaranteed for a cooperative organiza-
tion under this section unless the loan is used 
to carry out a project that significantly in-
creases the livestock and poultry processing in 
a region, where insufficient processing capacity 
exists, as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) INTANGIBLE ASSETS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In determining whether 
a cooperative organization is eligible for a loan 
or guarantee under this section, the Secretary 
may consider the market value of a properly ap-
praised brand name, patent, or trademark of 
the cooperative.
(B) ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.—In the sole 
discretion of the Secretary, if the Secretary de-
termines that the action would not create or 
otherwise contribute to an unreasonable risk of 
default or loss to the Federal Government, the 
Secretary may take accounts receivable as secu-
rity for the obligations entered into in connec-
tion with a loan made or guaranteed under this 
section, and a borrower may use accounts re-
ceivable as collateral to secure such a loan. 
(3) PURCHASE OF COOPERATIVE STOCK.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
make or guarantee a loan in accordance with 
this section to an individual farmer or rancher 
for the purpose of purchasing capital stock of 
a farmer or rancher cooperative undertaking an 
eligible project under this section. 
(B) PROCESSING CONTRACTS DURING INI-
TIAL PERIOD.—A cooperative described in sub-
paragraph (A) with respect to which a farmer 
or rancher receives a guarantee to purchase 
stock under subparagraph (A) may contract for 
services to fulfill any eligible purpose under this 
section, during the 5-year period beginning on 
the date the cooperative commences operations,
in order to provide adequate time for the plan-
ning and construction of the processing facility 
of the cooperative. 
(C) FINANCIAL INFORMATION.—A farmer 
or rancher from whom the Secretary requires fi-
nancial information as a condition of making or 
guaranteeing a loan under subparagraph (A) 
shall provide the information in the manner 
generally required by commercial agricultural 
lenders in the geographical area in which the 
farmer or rancher is located. 
(d) CONDITIONS APPLICABLE WITH RESPECT
TO 
USING LOAN INVOLVED FOR REFINANCING.—A borrower 
may use 25 percent of a loan made or guaranteed under 
this section to refinance a loan made for a purpose de-
scribed in subsection (a) if— 
(1) the borrower is current and performing with 
respect to the loan to be refinanced; 
(2) the borrower has not defaulted on any pay-
ment required to be made with respect to the loan 
to be refinanced; 
(3) none of the collateral for the loan to be refi-
nanced has been converted; and 
(4) there is adequate security or full collateral 
for the loan to be refinanced.
(e) LOAN APPRAISAL.—The Secretary may require 
that any appraisal made in connection with a loan made 
or guaranteed under this section be conducted by a spe-
cialized appraiser that uses standards that are similar to 
standards used for similar purposes in the private sector, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
(f) PREFERENCE.—In making or guaranteeing a loan 
under this section, the Secretary shall give a preference 
to applicants that have experience in livestock and poultry 
processing and can quickly scale-up to increase overall 
processing capacity in the region involved. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025. 
SEC. 702. NEW AND EXPANDING LIVESTOCK OR POULTRY 
PROCESSING GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants 
to— 
(1) expand, diversify, and increase capacity in 
livestock or poultry processing activities; 
(2) improve compliance with livestock and poul-
try processing statutes (including the regulations 
issued thereunder), such as the Federal Meat In-
spection Act (21 U.S.C. 661) and the Poultry Prod-
ucts Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 454); 
(3) identify and reduce barriers to entry for 
new livestock and poultry processors; or 
(4) update, expand, or otherwise improve exist-
ing facilities. 
(b) ELIGIBLE GRANTEES.—An entity shall be eligible 
for a grant under this section if the entity is— 
(1) a governmental entity; 
(2) a public, private, or cooperative organiza-
tion organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis; or 
(3) an Indian tribe on a Federal or State res-
ervation or any other federally recognized Indian 
tribal group. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity to which a grant is 
made under this section may use the grant funds to estab-
lish or support new or expanded livestock or poultry proc-
essing activity, or other activity which will increase the 
customer base or revenue returns of livestock and poultry 
producers, by undertaking a project, that— 
(1) identifies and analyzes business opportuni-
ties, including feasibility studies as required for 
creditworthiness;
(2) identifies, trains, and provides technical as-
sistance to existing or prospective rural entre-
preneurs and managers or processing facilities; 
(3) provides technical assistance to gain compli-
ance with Federal, State, or local regulations; 
(4) conducts regional, community, and local 
economic development planning and coordination, 
and leadership development; or 
(5) establishes a center for training, technology, 
and trade that will provide training to livestock or 
poultry processing employees. 
(d) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give a preference to applicants 
that have experience in livestock and poultry processing 
and can quickly scale-up to increase overall processing ca-
pacity in the region involved. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to amounts otherwise available, there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025. 
TITLE VIII—LOWER FOOD AND FUEL COSTS 
SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022 
The following sums are appropriated, out of any 
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other pur-
poses, namely: 
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS 
PROCESSING, RESEARCH, AND MARKETING 
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
For an additional amount for ‘‘Office of the Sec-
retary’’, $200,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
to carry out title IV of the Lower Food and Fuel Costs 
Act: Provided, That the Secretary may use up to 5 percent 
of amounts made available under this heading in this title 
for administrative costs, including salaries and expenses, 
research, data collection, and other associated costs, for 
carrying out such title IV: Provided further, That amounts 
made available for administrative costs pursuant to the 
preceding proviso may be transferred to ‘‘Rural Develop-
ment Programs—Rural Development—Salaries and Ex-
penses’’ for the purposes specified in such proviso. 
GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS TITLE 
SEC. 801. In addition to amounts otherwise available, 
there is appropriated to the Department of Agriculture, 
$500,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry 
out title II of the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, of 
which up to 5 percent may be used by the Secretary to 
provide technical assistance under such title II.
port 105–217 and section 250(c)(7) and (c)(8) of the Bal-
anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, 
the budgetary effects of this title shall be estimated for 
purposes of section 251 of such Act and as appropriations 
for discretionary accounts for purposes of the allocation 
to the Committee on Appropriations pursuant to section 
302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Lower Food and Fuel 
Costs Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 16, 2022. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7606 
AN ACT 
To establish the Office of the Special Investigator 
for Competition Matters within the Department 
of Agriculture.