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(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 226(b) of the
Act (7 U.S.C. 6932(b)) is amended by striking paragraph
(2).
SEC. 505. BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.—Not later than
December 31, 1996, the Secretary of Agriculture shall im-
plement a program (to be known as the ‘‘Business Interrup-
tion Insurance Program’’), under which the producer of a
contract commodity could elect to obtain revenue insurance
coverage to ensure that the producer receives an indemnity
payment if the producer suffers a loss of revenue. The na-
ture and extent of the program and the manner of determin-
ing the amount of an indemnity payment shall be estab-
lished by the Secretary.
(b) REPORT ON PROGRESS AND PROPOSED EXPAN-
SION.—Not later than January 1, 1998, the Secretary shall
submit to the Commission on 21st Century Production Ag-
riculture the data and results of the program through Octo-
ber 1, 1997. In addition, the Secretary shall submit infor-
mation and recommendations to the Commission with re-
spect to the program that will serve as the basis for the
Secretary to offer revenue insurance to agricultural produc-
ers, at one or more levels of coverage, that—
(1) is in addition to, or in lieu of, catastrophic
and higher levels of crop insurance;
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(2) is offered through reinsurance arrangements
with private insurance companies;
(3) is actuarially sound; and
(4) requires the payment of premiums and ad-
ministrative fees by participating producers.
(c) CONTRACT COMMODITY DEFINED.—In this section,
the term ‘‘contract commodity’’ means a crop of wheat,
corn, grain sorghum, oats, barley, upland cotton, or rice.
SEC. 506. CONTINUATION OF OPTIONS PILOT PROGRAM.
During the 1996 through 2002 crop years, the Sec-
retary of Agriculture may continue to conduct the options
pilot program authorized by the Options Pilot Program Act
of 1990 (subtitle E of title XI of Public Law 101–624; 104
Stat. 3518; 7 U.S.C. 1421 note). To the extent that the Sec-
retary decides to continue the options pilot program, the
Secretary shall modify the terms and conditions of the pilot
program to reflect the changes to law made by this Act.
TITLE VI—COMMISSION ON 21ST
CENTURY PRODUCTION AGRI-
CULTURE
SEC. 601. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is hereby established a commission to be known
as the ‘‘Commission on 21st Century Production Agri-
culture’’ (in this title referred to as the ‘‘Commission’’).
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SEC. 602. COMPOSITION.
(a) MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENT.—The Commis-
sion shall be composed of 11 members, appointed as follows:
(1) Three members shall be appointed by the
President.
(2) Four members shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives in consultation with the
ranking minority member of the Committee.
(3) Four members shall be appointed by the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate in consultation with
the ranking minority member of the Committee.
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—At least one of the members ap-
pointed under each of the paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of
subsection (a) shall be an individual who is primarily in-
volved in production agriculture. All other members of the
Commission shall be appointed from among individuals
having knowledge and experience in agricultural produc-
tion, marketing, finance, or trade.
(c) TERM OF MEMBERS; VACANCIES.—Members of the
Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commis-
sion. A vacancy on the Commission shall not affect its pow-
ers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
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(d) TIME FOR APPOINTMENT; FIRST MEETING.—The
members of the Commission shall be appointed not later
than October 1, 1997. The Commission shall convene its
first meeting to carry out its duties under this Act 30 days
after six members of the Commission have been appointed.
(e) CHAIRMAN.—The chairman of the Commission
shall be designated jointly by the Chairman of the Commit-
tee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate from among the members of the Com-
mission.
SEC. 603. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PAST AND FUTURE
OF PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.
(a) INITIAL REVIEW.—The Commission shall conduct
a comprehensive review of changes in the condition of pro-
duction agriculture in the United States since the date of
the enactment of this Act and the extent to which such
changes are the result of the amendments made by this Act.
The review shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of the initial success of pro-
duction flexibility contracts under section 103 in sup-
porting the economic viability of farming in the Unit-
ed States.
(2) An assessment of the food security situation
in the United States in the areas of trade, consumer
142
prices, international competitiveness of United States
production agriculture, food supplies, and humani-
tarian relief.
(3) An assessment of the changes in farmland
values and agricultural producer incomes since the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(4) An assessment of the extent to which regu-
latory relief for agricultural producers has been en-
acted and implemented, including the application of
cost/benefit principles in the issuance of agricultural
regulations.
(5) An assessment of the extent to which tax re-
lief for agricultural producers has been enacted in the
form of capital gains tax reductions, estate tax ex-
emptions, and mechanisms to average tax loads over
high and low income years.
(6) An assessment of the effect of any Govern-
ment interference in agricultural export markets, such
as the imposition of trade embargoes, and the degree
of implementation and success of international trade
agreements.
(7) An assessment of the likely affect of the sale,
lease, or transfer of farm poundage quota for peanuts
across State lines.
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(b) SUBSEQUENT REVIEW.—The Commission shall
conduct a comprehensive review of the future of production
agriculture in the United States and the appropriate role
of the Federal Government in support of production agri-
culture. The review shall include the following:
(1) An assessment of changes in the condition of
production agriculture in the United States since the
initial review conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Identification of the appropriate future rela-
tionship of the Federal Government with production
agriculture after 2002.
(3) An assessment of the personnel and infra-
structure requirements of the Department of Agri-
culture necessary to support the future relationship of
the Federal Government with production agriculture.
(c) RECOMMENDATIONS.—In carrying out the subse-
quent review under subsection (b), the Commission shall de-
velop specific recommendations for legislation to achieve the
appropriate future relationship of the Federal Government
with production agriculture identified under subsection
(a)(2).
SEC. 604. REPORTS.
(a) REPORT
ON INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than
June 1, 1998, the Commission shall submit to the President,
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
144
tives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate a report containing the results of
the initial review conducted under section 603(a).
(b) REPORT
ON SUBSEQUENT REVIEW.—Not later
than January 1, 2001, the Commission shall submit to the
President and the congressional committees specified in sub-
section (a) a report containing the results of the subsequent
review conducted under section 603(b).
SEC. 605. POWERS.
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act, conduct such hearings, sit
and act at such times, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence, as the Commission considers appropriate.
(b) ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER AGENCIES.—The Com-
mission may secure directly from any department or agen-
cy of the Federal Government such information as may be
necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under
this Act. Upon request of the chairman of the Commission,
the head of the department or agency shall, to the extent
permitted by law, furnish such information to the Commis-
sion.
(c) MAIL.—The Commission may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same condi-
tions as the departments and agencies of the Federal Gov-
ernment.
145
(d) ASSISTANCE FROM SECRETARY.—The Secretary of
Agriculture shall provide to the Commission appropriate of-
fice space and such reasonable administrative and support
services as the Commission may request.
SEC. 606. COMMISSION PROCEDURES.
(a) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet on a reg-
ular basis (as determined by the chairman) and at the call
of the chairman or a majority of its members.
(b) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Com-
mission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business.
SEC. 607. PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) COMPENSATION.—Each member of the Commission
shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed travel
expenses including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as au-
thorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, when
engaged in the performance of Commission duties.
(b) STAFF.—The Commission shall appoint a staff di-
rector, who shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maxi-
mum rate of basic pay under section 5376 of title 5, United
States Code, and such professional and clerical personnel
as may be reasonable and necessary to enable the Commis-
sion to carry out its duties under this Act without regard
to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and without re-
146
gard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of
chapter 53 of such title, or any other provision of law, relat-
ing to the number, classification, and General Schedule
rates. No employee appointed under this subsection (other
than the staff director) may be compensated at a rate to
exceed the maximum rate applicable to level GS–15 of the
General Schedule.
(c) DETAILED PERSONNEL.—Upon request of the
chairman of the Commission, the head of any department
or agency of the Federal Government is authorized to detail,
without reimbursement, any personnel of such department
or agency to the Commission to assist the Commission in
carrying out its duties under this section. The detail of any
such personnel may not result in the interruption or loss
of civil service status or privilege of such personnel.
SEC. 608. TERMINATION OF COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate upon submission of
the final report required by section 604.
TITLE VII—EXTENSION OF
CERTAIN AUTHORITIES
SEC. 701. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY UNDER PUBLIC LAW
480.
Section 408 of the Agricultural Trade Development
and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is amended
by striking ‘‘1995’’ and inserting ‘‘1996’’.
147
SEC. 702. EXTENSION OF FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM.
Section 1110 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7
U.S.C. 1736o), also known as the Food for Progress Act of
1985, is amended—
(1) in subsection (k), by striking ‘‘1995’’ and in-
serting ‘‘1996’’; and
(2) in subsection (l), by striking ‘‘1995’’ and in-
serting ‘‘1996’’.
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