‘‘SEC. 1473H. FOREST RECLAMATION GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
PROGRAM.—The Sec-
retary, for purposes of addressing the critical threat to 
numerous tree species posed by non-native plant pests and 
noxious weeds, shall award competitive grants for studies 
of a two- to five-year duration to eligible institutions under 
which such eligible institutions— 
‘‘(1) conduct research to promote the restora-
tion of affected tree species, including research on— 
‘‘(A) biological control of plant pests or 
noxious weeds threatening native tree species 
heavily damaged by non-native pests; 
‘‘(B) exploration of genetic manipulation of 
plant pests or noxious weeds; 
‘‘(C) enhancement of host-resistance mech-
anisms; and 
‘‘(D) development of other strategies for 
restoring individual tree species; and 
‘‘(2) develop and disseminate to the public tools 
and information based on the research conducted 
under this section. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS.—An entity eligible to 
receive a grant under this section is any of the following: 
‘‘(1) An agency of the Federal Government. 
‘‘(2) A State cooperative institution. 
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‘‘(3) A college or university offering a bacca-
laureate or higher degree in the study of food, for-
estry, and agricultural sciences. 
‘‘(4) A nonprofit entity described in section 
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (and exempt 
from tax under section 501(a) of such Code). 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—Each eligible institution seeking 
to receive a grant under this section shall submit a com-
prehensive forest restoration research program to the Sec-
retary at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible institution re-
ceiving a grant under this section may use funds re-
ceived through such grant only to conduct research 
intended to address specific questions related to the 
recovery of tree species native to the United States 
suffering severe levels of mortality caused by non-na-
tive plant pests or noxious weeds. 
‘‘(2) 
MATCHING
REQUIREMENT.—Notwith-
standing section 1492, an eligible institution receiv-
ing a grant under this section shall provide matching 
funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal 
to not less than 20 percent of the grant. Indirect 
costs charged against a grant awarded under this 
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section shall not exceed 30 percent of the total Fed-
eral funds provided under the grant award. 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM
AMOUNT
OF
GRANTS.—The 
total amount of grant funding a grant recipient is 
eligible to receive under this section shall not exceed 
$100,000 per year. 
‘‘(e) COOPERATION
AMONG
ELIGIBLE
INSTITU-
TIONS.—The Secretary, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, shall encourage eligible institutions to cooperate 
in setting research priorities under this section. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish a committee of experts composed 
of representatives of the United States Forest Serv-
ice, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 
Agricultural Research Service, and State forestry 
agencies to advise the Secretary on criteria appro-
priate for— 
‘‘(A) defining research topics eligible for 
funding under this section; 
‘‘(B) reviewing grant proposals’ adherence 
to the purposes specified in subsection (a)(1); 
and 
‘‘(C) membership in scientific peer review 
panels to review grant applications; 
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‘‘(2) establish an advisory committee composed 
of representatives of land-grant colleges and univer-
sities and affiliated State agricultural experiment 
stations, the forest products industry, recreationists, 
and conservation organizations to assist the com-
mittee of experts established under paragraph (1) 
with respect to the responsibilities of such committee 
specified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such 
paragraph; and 
‘‘(3) submit, beginning one year after the date 
on which the first grant is awarded under this sec-
tion, and annually thereafter to the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate a report on the use of funds under 
this section in the previous year. 
‘‘(g) FUNDING.—Of the funds available to the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make avail-
able to carry out this section— 
‘‘(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(2) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(3) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and 
‘‘(4) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
‘‘(h) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the terms ‘plant 
pest’ and ‘noxious weed’ have the meanings given such 
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terms in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
7702).’’. 
Æ 
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