H. R. 2—369 
‘‘(B) in any case in which multiple counties are affected, 
the appropriate executive official of a compact of the 
affected counties.’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘or county, as applicable,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or county’’ after 
‘‘Governor’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘cooperative agree-
ment or contract entered into under subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘good neighbor agreement’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or county’’ after 
‘‘Governor’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) RECEIPTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, any payment made by a county to the Secretary under 
a project conducted under a good neighbor agreement shall 
not be considered to be monies received from National Forest 
System land or Bureau of Land Management land, as 
applicable.’’. 
(c) TREATMENT OF REVENUE FROM TIMBER SALE CONTRACTS.— 
Section 8206(b)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
2113a(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT OF REVENUE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Funds received from the sale 
of timber by a Governor of a State under a good 
neighbor agreement shall be retained and used by 
the Governor— 
‘‘(I) to carry out authorized restoration services 
on Federal land under the good neighbor agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(II) if there are funds remaining after car-
rying out subclause (I), to carry out authorized 
restoration services on Federal land within the 
State under other good neighbor agreements. 
‘‘(ii) 
TERMINATION
OF
EFFECTIVENESS.—The 
authority provided by this subparagraph terminates 
effective October 1, 2023.’’. 
SEC. 
8625. 
CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE 
NATIONAL 
FOREST 
LAND 
ADJUSTMENT. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) certain National Forest System land in the State of 
Georgia consists of isolated tracts that are inefficient to manage 
or have lost their principal value for National Forest purposes; 
(2) the disposal of that National Forest System land would 
be in the public interest; and 
(3) proceeds from the sale of National Forest System land 
under subsection (b)(1) would be used best by the Forest Service 
to purchase land for National Forest purposes in the State 
of Georgia. 
(b) LAND CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may sell or exchange 
any or all rights, title, and interest of the United States in 
and to the National Forest System land described in paragraph 
(2)(A).
H. R. 2—370 
(2) LAND AUTHORIZED FOR DISPOSAL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The National Forest System land 
referred to in paragraph (1) is the 30 tracts of land totaling 
approximately 3,841 acres that are generally depicted on 
the 2 maps entitled ‘‘Priority Land Adjustments, State 
of Georgia, U.S. Forest Service–Southern Region, Oconee 
and Chattahoochee National Forests, U.S. Congressional 
Districts–8, 9, 10 & 14’’ and dated September 24, 2013. 
(B) MAPS.—The maps described in subparagraph (A) 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 
Office of the Forest Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee 
National Forest, until such time as the land is sold or 
exchanged. 
(C) MODIFICATION OF BOUNDARIES.—The Secretary may 
modify the boundaries of the National Forest System land 
described in subparagraph (A) based on land management 
considerations. 
(3) FORM OF CONVEYANCE.— 
(A) QUITCLAIM
DEED.—The Secretary shall convey 
National Forest System land sold or exchanged under para-
graph (1) by quitclaim deed. 
(B) RESERVATIONS.—The Secretary may reserve any 
rights-of-way or other rights or interests in National Forest 
System land sold or exchanged under paragraph (1) that 
the Secretary considers necessary for management pur-
poses or to protect the public interest. 
(4) VALUATION.— 
(A) MARKET VALUE.—The Secretary may not sell or 
exchange National Forest System land under paragraph 
(1) for less than market value, as determined by appraisal 
or through competitive bid. 
(B) APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS.—Any appraisal under 
subparagraph (A) shall be— 
(i) consistent with the Uniform Appraisal Stand-
ards for Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform 
Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and 
(ii) subject to the approval of the Secretary. 
(5) CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) CASH.—Consideration for a sale of National Forest 
System land or equalization of an exchange under para-
graph (1) shall be paid in cash. 
(B) EXCHANGE.—Notwithstanding section 206(b) of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1716(b)), the Secretary may accept a cash equali-
zation payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of 
any National Forest System land exchanged under para-
graph (1). 
(6) METHOD OF SALE.— 
(A) OPTIONS.—The Secretary may sell National Forest 
System land under paragraph (1) at public or private sale, 
including competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, 
in accordance with such terms, conditions, and procedures 
as the Secretary determines are in the best interest of 
the United States. 
(B) SOLICITATIONS.—The Secretary may—
H. R. 2—371 
(i) make public or private solicitations for the sale 
or exchange of National Forest System land under 
paragraph (1); and 
(ii) reject any offer that the Secretary determines 
is not adequate or not in the public interest. 
(7) BROKERS.—The Secretary may— 
(A) use brokers or other third parties in the sale or 
exchange of National Forest System land under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) from the proceeds of a sale, pay reasonable commis-
sions or fees. 
(c) TREATMENT OF PROCEEDS.— 
(1) DEPOSIT.—Subject to subsection (b)(7)(B), the Secretary 
shall deposit the proceeds of a sale or a cash equalization 
payment received from the sale or exchange of National Forest 
System land under subsection (b)(1) in the fund established 
under Public Law 90–171 (commonly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) 
(16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Subject to paragraph (3), amounts 
deposited under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Sec-
retary until expended, without further appropriation, for the 
acquisition of land for National Forest purposes in the State 
of Georgia. 
(3) PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.—Nothing in this section 
authorizes the use of funds deposited under paragraph (1) 
to be used to acquire land without the written consent of 
the owner of the land. 
SEC. 8626. TENNESSEE WILDERNESS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MAP.—The term ‘‘Map’’ means the map entitled ‘‘Pro-
posed Wilderness Areas and Additions-Cherokee National 
Forest’’ and dated January 20, 2010. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Tennessee. 
(b) ADDITIONS TO CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST.— 
(1) DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.—In accordance with the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following parcels 
of Federal land in the Cherokee National Forest in the State 
are designated as wilderness and as additions to the National 
Wilderness Preservation System: 
(A) Certain land comprising approximately 9,038 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Upper Bald River Wilderness’’ 
on the Map and which shall be known as the ‘‘Upper 
Bald River Wilderness’’. 
(B) Certain land comprising approximately 348 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Big Frog Addition’’ on the 
Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
considered to be a part of, the Big Frog Wilderness. 
(C) Certain land comprising approximately 630 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Little Frog Mountain Addition 
NW’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(D) Certain land comprising approximately 336 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Little Frog Mountain Addition 
NE’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and
H. R. 2—372 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(E) Certain land comprising approximately 2,922 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Sampson Mountain Addition’’ 
on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
be considered to be a part of, the Sampson Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(F) Certain land comprising approximately 4,446 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Big Laurel Branch Addition’’ 
on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
be considered to be a part of, the Big Laurel Branch Wilder-
ness. 
(G) Certain land comprising approximately 1,836 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Addi-
tion’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Joyce Kilmer- 
Slickrock Wilderness. 
(2) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps 
and legal descriptions of the wilderness areas designated 
by paragraph (1) with the appropriate committees of Con-
gress. 
(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The maps and legal descrip-
tions filed under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the office of the Chief 
of the Forest Service and the office of the Supervisor of 
the Cherokee National Forest. 
(C) FORCE OF LAW.—The maps and legal descriptions 
filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force 
and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Sec-
retary may correct typographical errors in the maps and 
descriptions. 
(3) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the 
Federal land designated as wilderness by paragraph (1) 
shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with 
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that 
any reference in that Act to the effective date of that 
Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(B) FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.—In accordance 
with section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1133(d)(7)), nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction 
of the State with respect to fish and wildlife management, 
including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping, 
in the wilderness areas designated by paragraph (1). 
SEC. 8627. KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that it is in the public interest 
to authorize the conveyance of certain Federal land in the Kisatchie 
National Forest in the State of Louisiana for market value consider-
ation. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COLLINS CAMP PROPERTIES.—The term ‘‘Collins Camp 
Properties’’ means Collins Camp Properties, Inc., a corporation 
incorporated under the laws of the State.
H. R. 2—373 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Louisiana. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF CONVEYANCES, KISATCHIE NATIONAL 
FOREST, LOUISIANA.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights and 
paragraph (2), the Secretary may convey the Federal land 
described in subparagraph (B) by quitclaim deed at public 
or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, 
or other methods. 
(B) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The Federal land referred 
to in subparagraph (A) consists of— 
(i) all Federal land within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 
5 W., Winn Parish, Louisiana; and 
(ii) a 2.16-acre parcel of Federal land located in 
the SW1⁄4 of sec. 4, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, 
Louisiana, as depicted on a certificate of survey dated 
March 7, 2007, by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436. 
(2) FIRST RIGHT OF PURCHASE.—Subject to valid existing 
rights and subsection (e), during the 1-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this Act, on the provision of consid-
eration by the Collins Camp Properties to the Secretary, the 
Secretary shall convey, by quitclaim deed, to Collins Camp 
Properties all right, title, and interest of the United States 
in and to— 
(A) the not more than 47.92 acres of Federal land 
comprising the Collins Campsites within sec. 9, T. 10 N., 
R. 5 W., in Winn Parish, Louisiana, as generally depicted 
on a certificate of survey dated February 28, 2007, by 
Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436; and 
(B) the parcel of Federal land described in paragraph 
(1)(B)(ii). 
(3) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may— 
(A) configure the Federal land to be conveyed under 
this section— 
(i) to maximize the marketability of the convey-
ance; or 
(ii) to achieve management objectives; and 
(B) establish any terms and conditions for the convey-
ances under this section that the Secretary determines 
to be in the public interest. 
(4) CONSIDERATION.—Consideration for a conveyance of 
Federal land under this section shall be— 
(A) in the form of cash; and 
(B) in an amount equal to the market value of the 
Federal land being conveyed, as determined under para-
graph (5). 
(5) MARKET VALUE.—The market value of the Federal land 
conveyed under this section shall be determined— 
(A) in the case of Federal land conveyed under para-
graph (2), by an appraisal that is— 
(i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform 
Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; 
and 
(ii) approved by the Secretary; or 
(B) if conveyed by a method other than the methods 
described in paragraph (2), by competitive sale. 
(6) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.—
H. R. 2—374 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In any conveyance of Federal land 
under this section, the Secretary shall meet disclosure 
requirements for hazardous substances, but shall otherwise 
not be required to remediate or abate the substances. 
(B) EFFECT.—Except as provided in subparagraph (A), 
nothing in this subsection affects the application of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) to the 
conveyances of Federal land. 
(d) PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF LAND.—The Secretary shall 
deposit the proceeds of a conveyance of Federal land under sub-
section (c) in the fund established under Public Law 90–171 (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) COSTS.—As a condition of a conveyance of Federal land 
to Collins Camp Properties under subsection (c), the Secretary 
shall require Collins Camp Properties to pay at closing— 
(A) reasonable appraisal costs; and 
(B) the cost of any administrative and environmental 
analyses required by law (including regulations). 
(2) PERMITS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An offer by Collins Camp Properties 
for the acquisition of the Federal land under subsection 
(c) shall be accompanied by a written statement from each 
holder of a Forest Service special use authorization with 
respect to the Federal land that specifies that the holder 
agrees to relinquish the special use authorization on the 
conveyance of the Federal land to Collins Camp Properties. 
(B) SPECIAL
USE
AUTHORIZATIONS.—If any holder of 
a special use authorization described in subparagraph (A) 
fails to provide a written authorization in accordance with 
that subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, as a condi-
tion of the conveyance, that Collins Camp Properties 
administer the special use authorization according to the 
terms of the special use authorization until the date on 
which the special use authorization expires. 
SEC. 8628. PURCHASE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION 
SERVICE PROPERTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds as follows: 
(1) Since 1935, the United States has owned a parcel of 
land in Riverside, California, consisting of approximately 8.75 
acres, more specifically described in subsection (b)(1) (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘property’’). 
(2) The property is under the jurisdiction of the Department 
of Agriculture and has been variously used for research and 
plant materials purposes. 
(3) Since 1998, the property has been administered by 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(4) Since 2002, the property has been co-managed under 
a cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources Con-
servation Service and the Riverside Corona Resource Conserva-
tion District, which is a legal subdivision of the State of Cali-
fornia under section 9003 of the California Public Resources 
Code.
H. R. 2—375 
(5) The Conservation District wishes to purchase the prop-
erty and use it for conservation, environmental, and related 
educational purposes. 
(6) As provided in subsection (b), the purchase of the prop-
erty by the Conservation District would promote the conserva-
tion education and related activities of the Conservation District 
and result in savings to the Federal Government. 
(b) LAND
PURCHASE, NATURAL
RESOURCES
CONSERVATION 
SERVICE PROPERTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.— 
(1) PURCHASE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary shall sell and 
quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation Dis-
trict (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Conservation District’’) 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
a parcel of real property, including improvements thereon, that 
is located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, California, 
consists of approximately 8.75 acres, and is administered by 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department 
of Agriculture. As necessary or desirable to facilitate the pur-
chase of the property under this subsection, the Secretary or 
the Conservation District may survey all or portions of the 
property. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—As consideration for the purchase of 
the property under this subsection, the Conservation District 
shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised 
value of the property. 
(3) PROHIBITION ON RESERVATION OF INTEREST.—The Sec-
retary shall not reserve any future interest in the property 
to be conveyed under this subsection, except such interest as 
may be acceptable to the Conservation District. 
(4) HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES.—Notwithstanding section 
120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-
pensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) or 
the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), in the 
case of the property purchased by the Conservation District 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall be only required 
to meet the disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, 
pollutants, or contaminants, but shall otherwise not be required 
to remediate or abate any such releases of hazardous sub-
stances, pollutants, or contaminants, including petroleum and 
petroleum derivatives. 
(5) COOPERATIVE AUTHORITY.— 
(A) LEASES, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS 
AUTHORIZED.—In conjunction with, or in addition to, the 
purchase of the property by the Conservation District under 
this subsection, the Secretary may enter into leases, con-
tracts and cooperative agreements with the Conservation 
District. 
(B) SOLE
SOURCE.—Notwithstanding sections 3105, 
3301, and 3303 to 3305 of title 41, United States Code, 
or any other provision of law, the Secretary may lease 
real property from the Conservation District on a non-
competitive basis. 
(C) NON-EXCLUSIVE
AUTHORITY.—The authority pro-
vided by this subsection is in addition to any other 
authority of the Secretary.
H. R. 2—376 
SEC. 8629. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—Section 4003(d) of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(d)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), after 
consulting with the advisory panel established under sub-
section (e), if the Secretary determines that a proposal 
that has been selected under paragraph (1) and is being 
carried out continues to meet the eligibility criteria estab-
lished by subsection (b), the Secretary, on a case-by-case 
basis, may issue for the proposal a 1-time extension of 
the 10-year period requirement under paragraph (1)(B) 
of that subsection. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The extension described in subpara-
graph (A)— 
‘‘(i) shall be for the shortest period of time prac-
ticable to complete implementation of the proposal, 
as determined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) shall not exceed 10 years.’’. 
(b) WAIVER LIMITATION.—Section 4003(f)(4) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) EXCEPTION.—The limitation described in subpara-
graph (B)(i) shall not apply to a proposal for which a 
1-time extension is granted under subsection (d)(4).’’. 
(c) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 4003(f)(6) of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2019’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023’’. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 4003(h) of the Omni-
bus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(h)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
(4) and (5), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate;’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives.’’. 
SEC. 8630. UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHTS-OF-WAY VEGETATION 
MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘National Forest System 
land’’ means land within the National Forest System, as 
defined in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 
1609(a)).
H. R. 2—377 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘National Forest System 
land’’ does not include— 
(i) a National Grassland; or 
(ii) a land utilization project on land designated 
as a National Grassland and administered pursuant 
to sections 31, 32, and 33 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm 
Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010, 1011, 1012). 
(2) PASSING WILDFIRE.—The term ‘‘passing wildfire’’ means 
a wildfire that originates outside of a right-of-way. 
(3) PILOT PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘pilot program’’ means the 
pilot program established by the Secretary under subsection 
(b). 
(4) RIGHT-OF-WAY.—The term ‘‘right-of-way’’ means a spe-
cial use authorization issued by the Forest Service allowing 
the placement of utility infrastructure. 
(5) UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term ‘‘utility infrastruc-
ture’’ means electric transmission lines, natural gas infrastruc-
ture, or related structures. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—To encourage owners or operators of 
rights-of-way on National Forest System land to partner with 
the Forest Service to voluntarily conduct vegetation manage-
ment projects on a proactive basis to better protect utility 
infrastructure from potential passing wildfires, the Secretary 
may establish a limited, voluntary pilot program, in the manner 
described in this section, to conduct vegetation management 
projects on National Forest System land adjacent to those 
rights-of-way. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The pilot program shall not apply in 
a right-of-way described in paragraph (1). 
(c) ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A participant in the pilot program shall 
be the owner or operator of a right-of-way on National Forest 
System land. 
(2) SELECTION PRIORITY.—In selecting participants for the 
pilot program, the Secretary shall give priority to an owner 
or operator of a right-of-way that has developed the utility 
infrastructure protection prescriptions of the owner or operator 
in coordination with Forest Service fire scientists or fire man-
agers. 
(d) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A vegetation management project con-
ducted under the pilot program shall involve only limited vege-
tation management activities that— 
(A) shall create the least ground disturbance and least 
disturbance to wildlife reasonably necessary to protect 
utility infrastructure from passing wildfires based on 
applicable models, including Forest Service fuel models; 
(B) may include thinning and treatment of surface 
fuels, ladder fuels, and activity fuels to create or maintain 
shaded fuel breaks or other appropriate measures rec-
ommended by Forest Service fire scientists or fire man-
agers; 
(C)(i) shall only be conducted on National Forest 
System land; and 
(ii) shall not—
H. R. 2—378 
(I) extend for more than 150 feet from the electric 
transmission line for which the applicable participant 
has a right-of-way; or 
(II) comprise an overall width, for both sides of 
that electric transmission line, that totals more than 
200 feet; and 
(D) shall not be conducted on— 
(i) a component of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System; 
(ii) a designated wilderness study area; 
(iii) an inventoried roadless area; or 
(iv) Federal land on which, by Act of Congress 
or Presidential proclamation, the removal of vegetation 
is restricted or prohibited. 
(2) APPROVAL.—Each vegetation management project 
described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by 
the Forest Service in accordance with this section. 
(3) FIRE
PREVENTION.—In carrying out a vegetation 
management project under the pilot program, a participant 
shall adhere to— 
(A) Forest Service regulations relating to spark 
arresting devices; 
(B) Forest Service regulations limiting and prohibiting 
certain activities conducted by contractors in an area, based 
on weather conditions and fire danger; 
(C) Forest Service regulations that apply to contractors 
removing vegetation on National Forest System land pursu-
ant to a timber sale or stewardship contract, including 
regulations relating to— 
(i) protection of residual trees and timber damaged 
by contractors; 
(ii) protection measures needed for plants, animals, 
cultural resources, and cave resources; 
(iii) streamcourse protection and erosion control; 
(iv) fire plans, precautions, and precautionary 
periods; 
(v) fire suppression costs; and 
(vi) employment of eligible workers; and 
(D) State regulations relating to the prevention of 
wildfires and contractors removing vegetation. 
(4) TREATMENT OF SLASH.—In carrying out a vegetation 
management project under the pilot program, a participant 
shall treat any activity fuels in a manner that— 
(A) is satisfactory to the Forest Service; 
(B) does not result in a fire hazard; and 
(C) reduces the risk of an insect or disease outbreak. 
(e) PROJECT COSTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
subsection (f)(2), a participant in the pilot program shall be 
responsible for all costs, as determined by the Secretary, 
incurred in participating in the pilot program. 
(2) FEDERAL
FUNDING.—The Secretary may contribute 
funds for a vegetation management project conducted under 
the pilot program if the Secretary determines that the contribu-
tion is in the public interest. 
(f) LIABILITY.—
H. R. 2—379 
(1) ACTIVITIES WITHIN RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—Participation in the 
pilot program shall not affect any legal obligations or liability 
standards that arise under the right-of-way for activities in 
the right-of-way. 
(2) WILDFIRES.— 
(A) OPERATIONS FIRES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—With respect to fire suppression 
costs for a wildfire caused by the operations of a partici-
pant in the pilot program (other than an operation 
or activity of a participant described in subparagraph 
(B) or (C)), the participant shall reimburse the Forest 
Service for those costs, subject to a maximum dollar 
amount to which the Forest Service and the participant 
shall agree prior to the commencement of the project. 
(ii) CREDIT FOR ACTIONS BY PARTICIPANTS.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—If a participant in the pilot 
program provides actions, supplies, or equipment 
for use to suppress a wildfire described in clause 
(i) or at the request of the Forest Service, the 
cost of those actions, supplies, or equipment shall 
be credited toward the maximum dollar amount 
described in that clause. 
(II) REIMBURSEMENT.—If the actual cost of a 
participant described in subclause (I) exceeds the 
maximum dollar amount described in clause (i), 
the Forest Service shall reimburse the participant 
for the excess. 
(B) NEGLIGENT FIRES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), if a wildfire 
is caused by the negligence of a participant in the 
pilot program, or an agent of the participant, including 
a wildfire caused by smoking by persons engaged in 
the operations of the participant, the participant shall 
bear the cost of damages to Forest Service resources 
and the fire suppression costs resulting from the wild-
fire. 
(ii) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in clause (iii), 
the costs borne by a participant under clause (i) shall 
not exceed $500,000. 
(iii) FAILURE TO COMPLY.—If the start or spread 
of a wildfire described in clause (i) is caused by the 
failure of the participant to comply with specific safety 
requirements expressly imposed by the Forest Service 
as a condition of conducting a vegetation management 
project under the pilot program or by this section, 
the participant shall bear the cost of damages to Forest 
Service resources and the fire suppression costs 
resulting from the wildfire. 
(C) EXCEPTIONS.—This paragraph shall not apply in 
the case of a wildfire caused by the felling of a tree by 
a participant in the pilot program, or an agent of the 
participant, onto an electric transmission line. 
(3) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection relieves a partici-
pant in the pilot program of any liabilities to which the partici-
pant is subject— 
(A) under State laws; or
H. R. 2—380 
(B) with regard to damages to property other than 
Forest Service property. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Secretary shall use the authority of the Secretary under other 
laws (including regulations) to carry out the pilot program. 
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAWS.—Except as provided 
in paragraph (3), a vegetation management project under the 
pilot program shall be— 
(A) consistent with the applicable land management 
plan for the area in which the project is located; and 
(B) carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, 
including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(3) MODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS.—In order to implement 
the pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, the 
Secretary may waive or modify specific provisions of the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation, including waivers or modifications to 
allow for the formation of contracts or agreements on a non-
competitive basis. 
(h) TREATMENT
OF PROCEEDS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary may— 
(1) retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by 
a participant in the pilot program; and 
(2) use funds retained under paragraph (1), in such 
amounts as may be appropriated, to carry out the pilot program. 
(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than December 31, 2020, 
and 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
describing the status of the pilot program and vegetation manage-
ment projects conducted under the pilot program to— 
(1) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives. 
(j) DURATION.—The authority to carry out the pilot program, 
including any vegetation management project conducted under the 
pilot program, expires on October 1, 2023. 
SEC. 8631. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND 
CONVEYANCE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ALLIANCE.—In this section, the term ‘‘Alli-
ance’’ means the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance. 
(b) REQUEST.—Subject to the requirements of this section, if 
the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and the 
Secretary determines that it is in the public interest to convey 
the National Forest System Land described in subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall convey to the Alliance all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to the National Forest System land 
described in subsection (c) by quitclaim deed through a public 
or private sale, including a competitive sale by auction or bid. 
(c) DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the National 
Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is the approxi-
mately 150 acres of real property located in sec. 6, T. 5 N. 
R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, and further described 
as—
H. R. 2—381 
(A) the portion of the NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying south of 
the south boundary of Berrytown Road; 
(B) the portion of the W1⁄2 NE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying south 
of the south boundary of Berrytown Road; 
(C) the portion of the SW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying east of the 
east boundary of U.S. Highway 98; 
(D) the W1⁄2 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4; 
(E) the portion of the NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 lying east of the 
east boundary of U.S. Highway 98; 
(F) the portion of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 commencing at the 
southwest corner of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4, said point being the 
point of beginning, thence running east 330 feet along 
the south boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to a point in Lake 
Okhissa, thence running northeasterly to a point in Lake 
Okhissa on the east boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 330 
feet south of the northeast corner thereof, thence running 
north 330 feet along the east boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 
to the northeast corner thereof, thence running west along 
the north boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to the NW corner 
thereof; thence running south along the west boundary 
of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to the point of beginning; and 
(G) the portion of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 commencing 
at the southeast corner of the SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4, said point 
being the point of beginning, and running northwesterly 
to the northwest corner of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4, thence 
running south along the west boundary of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 
NW1⁄4 to the southwest corner thereof, thence running 
east along the south boundary of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 
to the point of beginning. 
(2) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description of 
the National Forest System land to be conveyed under this 
section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
Secretary. 
(d) CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The consideration for the conveyance of 
any National Forest System land under this section shall be— 
(A) provided in the form of cash; and 
(B) in an amount equal to the fair market value of 
the National Forest System land being conveyed, as deter-
mined under paragraph (2). 
(2) FAIR MARKET VALUE DETERMINATION.—The fair market 
value of the National Forest System land conveyed under this 
section shall be determined— 
(A) in the case of a method of conveyance described 
in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is— 
(i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform 
Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; 
and 
(ii) approved by the Secretary; or 
(B) in the case of a conveyance by a method other 
than a method described in subsection (b), by competitive 
sale. 
(e) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The conveyance under this section 
shall be subject to— 
(1) valid existing rights; and
H. R. 2—382 
(2) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary con-
siders to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
(f) PROCEEDS FROM SALE.—The Secretary shall deposit the 
proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land 
under this section in the fund established under Public Law 90– 
171 (commonly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(g) COSTS.—As a condition for the conveyance under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing— 
(1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and 
(2) the costs of any administrative or environmental anal-
ysis required by applicable law (including regulations). 
SEC. 8632. REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES. 
The Chief of the Forest Service shall— 
(1) continue to find efficiencies in the operations of the 
forest inventory and analysis program under section 3(e) of 
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) through the improved use and 
integration of advanced remote sensing technologies to provide 
estimates for State- and national-level inventories, where 
appropriate; and 
(2) partner with States and other interested stakeholders 
to carry out the program described in paragraph (1). 
PART III—TIMBER INNOVATION 
SEC. 8641. DEFINITIONS. 
In this part: 
(1) INNOVATIVE
WOOD
PRODUCT.—The term ‘‘innovative 
wood product’’ means a type of building component or system 
that uses large panelized wood construction, including mass 
timber. 
(2) MASS TIMBER.—The term ‘‘mass timber’’ includes— 
(A) cross-laminated timber; 
(B) nail laminated timber; 
(C) glue laminated timber; 
(D) laminated strand lumber; and 
(E) laminated veneer lumber. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary, acting through the Research and Development deputy 
area and the State and Private Forestry deputy area of the 
Forest Service. 
(4) TALL WOOD BUILDING.—The term ‘‘tall wood building’’ 
means a building designed to be— 
(A) constructed with mass timber; and 
(B) more than 85 feet in height. 
SEC. 8642. CLARIFICATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAM FOR WOOD BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct performance- 
driven research and development, education, and technical assist-
ance for the purpose of facilitating the use of innovative wood 
products in wood building construction in the United States. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall—
H. R. 2—383 
(1) after receipt of input and guidance from, and collabora-
tion with, the wood products industry, conservation organiza-
tions, and institutions of higher education, conduct research 
and development, education, and technical assistance at the 
Forest Products Laboratory or through the State and Private 
Forestry deputy area that meets measurable performance goals 
for the achievement of the priorities described in subsection 
(c); and 
(2) after coordination and collaboration with the wood prod-
ucts industry and conservation organizations, make competitive 
grants to institutions of higher education to conduct research 
and development, education, and technical assistance that 
meets measurable performance goals for the achievement of 
the priorities described in subsection (c). 
(c) PRIORITIES.—The research and development, education, and 
technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) shall give pri-
ority to— 
(1) ways to improve the commercialization of innovative 
wood products; 
(2) analyzing the safety of tall wood building materials; 
(3) calculations by the Forest Products Laboratory of the 
lifecycle environmental footprint, from extraction of raw mate-
rials through the manufacturing process, of tall wood building 
construction; 
(4) analyzing methods to reduce the lifecycle environmental 
footprint of tall wood building construction; 
(5) analyzing the potential implications of the use of innova-
tive wood products in building construction on wildlife; and 
(6) 1 or more other research areas identified by the Sec-
retary, in consultation with conservation organizations, institu-
tions of higher education, and the wood products industry. 
(d) TIMEFRAME.—To the maximum extent practicable, the meas-
urable performance goals for the research and development, edu-
cation, and technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) 
shall be achievable within a 5-year timeframe. 
SEC. 8643. WOOD INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— 
(A) an individual; 
(B) a public or private entity (including a center of 
excellence that consists of 1 or more partnerships between 
forestry, engineering, architecture, or business schools at 
1 or more institutions of higher education); or 
(C) a State, local, or Tribal government. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in carrying out the wood 
innovation grant program of the Secretary described in the 
notice of the Secretary entitled ‘‘Request for Proposals: 2016 
Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 63498 
(October 20, 2015)), may make a wood innovation grant to 
1 or more eligible entities each year for the purpose of 
advancing the use of innovative wood products. 
(2) PROPOSALS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary
H. R. 2—384 
a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require. 
(c) INCENTIVIZING USE
OF EXISTING MILLING CAPACITY.—In 
selecting among proposals of eligible entities under subsection (b)(2), 
the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that include the use 
or retrofitting (or both) of existing sawmill facilities located in 
counties in which the average annual unemployment rate exceeded 
the national average unemployment rate by more than 1 percent 
in the previous calendar year. 
(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—As a condition of receiving a 
grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall provide funds 
equal to the amount received by the eligible entity under the 
grant, to be derived from non-Federal sources. 
SEC. 8644. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 9013 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8113) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 9013. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PRO-
GRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘community wood energy 
system’ means an energy system that— 
‘‘(i) produces thermal energy or combined thermal 
energy and electricity where thermal is the primary 
energy output; 
‘‘(ii) services public facilities owned or operated 
by State or local governments (including schools, town 
halls, libraries, and other public buildings) or private 
or nonprofit facilities (including commercial and busi-
ness facilities, such as hospitals, office buildings, apart-
ment buildings, and manufacturing and industrial 
buildings); and 
‘‘(iii) uses woody biomass, including residuals— 
‘‘(I) that have not been adulterated with glue 
or other chemical treatments from wood processing 
facilities, as the primary fuel; and 
‘‘(II) for which the use of that biomass for 
energy production does not cause conversion of 
forests to nonforest use. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘community wood energy 
system’ includes single-facility central heating, district 
heating systems serving multiple buildings, combined heat 
and electric systems where thermal energy is the primary 
energy output, and other related biomass energy systems. 
‘‘(2) INNOVATIVE
WOOD
PRODUCT
FACILITY.—The term 
‘innovative wood product facility’ means a manufacturing or 
processing plant or mill that produces— 
‘‘(A) building components or systems that use large 
panelized wood construction, including mass timber; 
‘‘(B) wood products derived from nanotechnology or 
other new technology processes, as determined by the Sec-
retary; or 
‘‘(C) other innovative wood products that use low-value, 
low-quality wood, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) MASS TIMBER.—The term ‘mass timber’ includes—
H. R. 2—385 
‘‘(A) cross-laminated timber; 
‘‘(B) nail-laminated timber; 
‘‘(C) glue-laminated timber; 
‘‘(D) laminated strand lumber; and 
‘‘(E) laminated veneer lumber. 
‘‘(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the Community 
Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program established under 
subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a competitive 
grant program to be known as the ‘Community Wood Energy and 
Wood Innovation Program’. 
‘‘(c) MATCHING GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the Secretary shall 
make grants to cover not more than 35 percent of the capital 
cost for installing a community wood energy system or building 
an innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.—The Secretary may estab-
lish special circumstances, such as in the case of a community 
wood energy system project or innovative wood product facility 
project involving a school or hospital in a low-income commu-
nity, under which grants under the Program may cover up 
to 50 percent of the capital cost. 
‘‘(3) 
SOURCE
OF
MATCHING
FUNDS.—Matching 
funds 
required pursuant to this subsection from a grant recipient 
shall be derived from non-Federal funds. 
‘‘(d) PROJECT CAP.—The total amount of grants under the Pro-
gram for a community wood energy system project or innovative 
wood product facility project may not exceed— 
‘‘(1) in the case of grants under the general authority 
provided under subsection (c)(1), $1,000,000; and 
‘‘(2) in the case of grants for which the special cir-
cumstances apply under subsection (c)(2), $1,500,000. 
‘‘(e) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting applicants for grants 
under the Program, the Secretary shall consider the following: 
‘‘(1) The energy efficiency of the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(2) The cost effectiveness of the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(3) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility represents 
the best available commercial technology. 
‘‘(4) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system uses the most stringent control technology that 
has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired 
boiler of similar size and type. 
‘‘(5)(A) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system will displace conventional fossil fuel generation. 
‘‘(B) Whether the proposed community wood energy system 
minimizes emission increases to the greatest extent possible. 
‘‘(6) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system will increase delivered thermal efficiency of the 
systems replaced. 
‘‘(7) The extent to which the applicant has demonstrated 
a high likelihood of project success by completing detailed 
engineering and design work in advance of the grant applica-
tion.
H. R. 2—386 
‘‘(8) Other technical, economic, conservation, and environ-
mental criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(f) GRANT PRIORITIES.—In selecting applicants for grants under 
the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that 
use the most stringent control technology that has been required 
or achieved in practice for a wood-fired boiler and— 
‘‘(1) would be carried out in a location where markets 
are needed for the low-value, low-quality wood; 
‘‘(2) would be carried out in a location with limited access 
to natural gas pipelines; 
‘‘(3) would include the use or retrofitting (or both) of 
existing sawmill facilities located in a location where the aver-
age annual unemployment rate exceeded the national average 
unemployment rate by more than 1 percent during the previous 
calendar year; or 
‘‘(4) would be carried out in a location where the project 
will aid with forest restoration. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY SYSTEMS.— 
A community wood energy system acquired with grant funds 
under the Program shall not exceed nameplate capacity of 
5 megawatts of thermal energy or combined thermal and elec-
tric energy. 
‘‘(2) FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE WOOD PRODUCT FACILITIES.— 
Not more than 25 percent of funds provided as grants under 
the Program for a fiscal year may go to applicants proposing 
innovative wood product facilities, unless the Secretary has 
received an insufficient number of qualified proposals for 
community wood energy systems. 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out the Program $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’. 
Subtitle G—Other Matters 
SEC. 8701. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. 
Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 8702. RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- 
Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Each’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (6), each’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘Committee’’ and inserting ‘‘Except 
as provided in paragraph (6), committee’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) COMMITTEE COMPOSITION WAIVER AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) NOTICE.—On notice from the applicable regional 
forester that an adequate number of qualified candidates 
are not interested or available to serve on a resource 
advisory committee, the Secretary concerned shall publish
H. R. 2—387 
a notice in the Federal Register seeking candidates for 
the resource advisory committee. 
‘‘(B) MODIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS.— 
If, by the date that is 30 days after the date of publication 
of notice under subparagraph (A), an inadequate number 
of qualified candidates have applied to serve on a resource 
advisory committee, the Secretary concerned may reduce— 
‘‘(i) the membership requirement under paragraph 
(1) to not fewer than 9; and 
‘‘(ii) the membership requirements under subpara-
graphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2) to 3 in each 
category described in that paragraph, except that 
where a vacancy exists on a resource advisory com-
mittee, the Secretary concerned may not reject a quali-
fied applicant from any category. 
‘‘(C) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority pro-
vided under this paragraph terminates on October 1, 
2023.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) REGIONAL APPOINTMENT PILOT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION
OF
APPLICABLE
DESIGNEE.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘applicable designee’ means the applicable 
regional forester. 
‘‘(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary concerned shall carry 
out a pilot program (referred to in this subsection as the ‘pilot 
program’) to allow an applicable designee to appoint members 
of resource advisory committees. 
‘‘(3) GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATION.—The pilot program shall only 
apply to resource advisory committees chartered in— 
‘‘(A) the State of Montana; and 
‘‘(B) the State of Arizona. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSIBILITIES OF APPLICABLE DESIGNEE.— 
‘‘(A) REVIEW.—Before appointing a member of a 
resource advisory committee under the pilot program, an 
applicable designee shall conduct the review and analysis 
that would otherwise be conducted for an appointment 
to a resource advisory committee if the pilot program was 
not in effect, including any review and analysis with respect 
to civil rights and budgetary requirements. 
‘‘(B) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection 
relieves an applicable designee from any requirement devel-
oped by the Secretary concerned for making an appoint-
ment to a resource advisory committee that is in effect 
on the date of enactment of this subsection, including any 
requirement for advertising a vacancy. 
‘‘(5) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—The authority pro-
vided under this subsection terminates on October 1, 2023. 
‘‘(6) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than the date that 
is 180 days after the date described in paragraph (5), the 
Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report that 
includes— 
‘‘(A) with respect to appointments made under the 
pilot program compared to appointments to resource 
advisory committees not made under the pilot program, 
a description of the extent to which— 
‘‘(i) appointments were faster or slower; and
H. R. 2—388 
‘‘(ii) the requirements described in paragraph (4) 
differ; and 
‘‘(B) a recommendation with respect to whether Con-
gress should terminate, continue, modify, or expand the 
pilot program.’’. 
SEC. 8703. TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior and the Sec-
retary may carry out demonstration projects by which federally 
recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations may contract to 
perform administrative, management, and other functions of pro-
grams of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a 
et seq.) through contracts entered into under the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.). 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—With respect to any contract or project 
carried out under subsection (a)— 
(1) on National Forest System land, the Secretary shall 
carry out all functions delegated to the Secretary of the Interior 
under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.); 
(2) the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, as 
applicable, shall make any decisions required to be made 
under— 
(A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and 
(B) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 
3115a et seq.); and 
(3) the contract or project shall be entered into under, 
and in accordance with, section 403(b)(2) of the Indian Self- 
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5363(b)(2)). 
SEC. 8704. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION FUNDING AND FOREST MANAGEMENT 
ACTIVITIES ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Wildfire Suppression Funding and 
Forest Management Activities Act (Public Law 115–141) is 
amended— 
(A) in section 102(a)(2), by striking ‘‘the date of enact-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘the date of the enactment’’; and 
(B) in section 401(a)(1), by inserting ‘‘of 2000’’ after 
‘‘Self-Determination Act’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Wildfire Suppres-
sion Funding and Forest Management Activities Act (Public 
Law 115–141). 
(b) AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014.—Section 8206(a) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) (as amended by section 
8624(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(B)(i)(II), by striking ‘‘Good Neighbor 
Authority Improvement Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Wildfire Suppres-
sion Funding and Forest Management Activities Act’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘Good Neighbor Authority 
Improvement Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Wildfire Suppression Funding 
and Forest Management Activities Act’’.
H. R. 2—389 
SEC. 8705. STREAMLINING THE FOREST SERVICE PROCESS FOR 
CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCA-
TION APPLICATIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY.—The term ‘‘communications 
facility’’ includes— 
(A) any infrastructure, including any transmitting 
device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, 
switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabi-
nets, associated with the licensed or permitted unlicensed 
wireless or wireline transmission of writings, signs, signals, 
data, images, pictures, and sounds of all kinds; and 
(B) any antenna or apparatus that— 
(i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio 
frequency; 
(ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, 
from a fixed location pursuant to authorization by the 
Federal Communications Commission or is using duly 
authorized devices that do not require individual 
licenses; and 
(iii) is added to a tower, building, or other struc-
ture. 
(2) COMMUNICATIONS
SITE.—The term ‘‘communications 
site’’ means an area of covered land designated for communica-
tions uses. 
(3) COMMUNICATIONS
USE.—The term ‘‘communications 
use’’ means the placement and operation of a communications 
facility. 
(4) COMMUNICATIONS
USE
AUTHORIZATION.—The term 
‘‘communications use authorization’’ means an easement, right- 
of-way, lease, license, or other authorization to locate or modify 
a communications facility on covered land by the Forest Service 
for the primary purpose of authorizing the occupancy and use 
of the covered land for communications use. 
(5) COVERED
LAND.—The term ‘‘covered land’’ means 
National Forest System land. 
(6) FOREST
SERVICE.—The term ‘‘Forest Service’’ means 
the United States Forest Service of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(7) ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT.—The term ‘‘organizational unit’’ 
means, within the Forest Service— 
(A) a regional office; 
(B) the headquarters; 
(C) a management unit; or 
(D) a ranger district office. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Notwithstanding section 6409 of the Middle 
Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455) 
or section 606 of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for 
Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–141), not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall issue regulations— 
(1) to streamline the process for considering applications 
to locate or modify communications facilities on covered land; 
(2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
the process is uniform and standardized across the organiza-
tional units of the Forest Service; and
H. R. 2—390 
(3) to require that the applications described in paragraph 
(1) be considered and granted on a competitively neutral, tech-
nology neutral, and non-discriminatory basis. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations issued under subsection 
(b) shall include the following: 
(1) Procedures for the tracking of applications described 
in subsection (b)(1), including— 
(A) identifying the number of applications— 
(i) received; 
(ii) approved; and 
(iii) denied; 
(B) in the case of an application that is denied, 
describing the reasons for the denial; and 
(C) describing the amount of time between the receipt 
of an application and the issuance of a final decision on 
an application. 
(2) Provision for minimum lease terms of not less than 
15 years for leases with respect to the location of communica-
tions facilities on covered land. 
(3) A structure of fees for— 
(A) submitting an application described in subsection 
(b)(1), based on the cost to the Forest Service of considering 
such an application; and 
(B) issuing communications use authorizations, based 
on the cost to the Forest Service of any maintenance or 
other activities required to be performed by the Forest 
Service as a result of the location or modification of the 
communications facility. 
(4) Provision for prioritization or streamlining of the consid-
eration of applications to locate or modify communications facili-
ties on covered land in a previously disturbed right-of-way. 
(d) ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.—In issuing regulations under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider— 
(1) how discrete reviews in considering an application 
described in subsection (b)(1) can be conducted simultaneously, 
rather than sequentially, by any organizational units of the 
Forest Service that must approve the location or modification; 
and 
(2) how to eliminate overlapping requirements among the 
organizational units of the Forest Service with respect to the 
location or modification of a communications facility on covered 
land administered by those organizational units. 
(e) COMMUNICATION OF STREAMLINED PROCESS TO ORGANIZA-
TIONAL UNITS.—The Secretary shall, with respect to the regulations 
issued under subsection (b)— 
(1) communicate the regulations to the organizational units 
of the Forest Service; and 
(2) ensure that the organizational units of the Forest 
Service follow the regulations. 
(f) DEPOSIT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEES.— 
(1) SPECIAL ACCOUNT.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
establish a special account in the Treasury for the Forest 
Service for the deposit of fees collected by the Forest Service 
under subsection (c)(3) for communications use authorizations 
on covered land granted, issued, or executed by the Forest 
Service.
H. R. 2—391 
(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR FEES COLLECTED.—Fees collected 
by the Forest Service under subsection (c)(3) shall be— 
(A) based on the costs described in subsection (c)(3); 
and 
(B) competitively neutral, technology neutral, and non-
discriminatory with respect to other users of the commu-
nications site. 
(3) DEPOSIT OF FEES.—Fees collected by the Forest Service 
under subsection (c)(3) shall be deposited in the special account 
established for the Forest Service under paragraph (1). 
(4) AVAILABILITY OF FEES.—Amounts deposited in the spe-
cial account for the Forest Service shall be available, to the 
extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
appropriation Acts, to the Secretary to cover costs incurred 
by the Forest Service described in subsection (c)(3), including 
the following: 
(A) Preparing needs assessments or other pro-
grammatic analyses necessary to designate communications 
sites and issue communications use authorizations. 
(B) Developing management plans for communications 
sites. 
(C) Training for management of communications sites. 
(D) Obtaining or improving access to communications 
sites. 
(5) NO ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZED.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (4), no other amounts are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section. 
(g) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.— 
(1) REAL PROPERTY AUTHORITIES.—Nothing in this section, 
or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed 
as providing any executive agency with any new leasing or 
other real property authorities not existing prior to the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.—Nothing in this section, or 
the amendments made by this section, and no actions taken 
pursuant to this section, or the amendments made by this 
section, shall impact a decision or determination by any execu-
tive agency to sell, dispose of, declare excess or surplus, lease, 
reuse, or redevelop any Federal real property pursuant to title 
40, United States Code, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer 
Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114–287), or 
any other law governing real property activities of the Federal 
Government. No agreement entered into pursuant to this sec-
tion, or the amendments made by this section, may obligate 
the Federal Government to hold, control, or otherwise retain 
or use real property that may otherwise be deemed as excess, 
surplus, or that could otherwise be sold, leased, or redeveloped. 
SEC. 8706. REPORT ON WILDFIRE, INSECT INFESTATION, AND DISEASE 
PREVENTION ON FEDERAL LAND. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and every year thereafter, the Secretary and the Secretary 
of Interior shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a jointly written report on—
H. R. 2—392 
(1) the number of acres of Federal land treated by the 
Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(2) the number of acres of Federal land categorized as 
a high or extreme fire risk; 
(3) the total timber production from Federal land; 
(4) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
wildfires affecting Federal land treated for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(5) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
wildfires affecting Federal land not treated for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(6) the Federal response time for each fire on greater 
than 25,000 acres; 
(7) the number of miles of roads and trails on Federal 
land in need of maintenance; 
(8) the number of miles of roads on Federal land in need 
of decommissioning; 
(9) the maintenance backlog, as of the date of the report, 
for roads, trails, and recreational facilities on Federal land; 
(10) other measures needed to maintain, improve, or restore 
water quality on Federal land; and 
(11) other measures needed to improve ecosystem function 
or resiliency on Federal land. 
SEC. 8707. WEST FORK FIRE STATION. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTY.—The term ‘‘County’’ means Dolores County, 
Colorado. 
(2) WEST FORK FIRE STATION CONVEYANCE PARCEL.—The 
term ‘‘West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel’’ means the 
parcel of approximately 3.61 acres of National Forest System 
land in the County, as depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Map 
for West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel’’ and dated 
November 21, 2017. 
(b) CONVEYANCE OF WEST FORK FIRE STATION CONVEYANCE 
PARCEL, DOLORES COUNTY, COLORADO.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On receipt of a request from the County 
and subject to such terms and conditions as are mutually 
satisfactory to the Secretary and the County, including such 
additional terms as the Secretary determines to be necessary, 
the Secretary shall convey to the County without consideration 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel. 
(2) COSTS.—Any costs relating to the conveyance under 
paragraph (1), including processing and transaction costs, shall 
be paid by the County. 
(3) USE OF LAND.—The land conveyed to the County under 
paragraph (1) shall be used by the County only for a fire 
station, related infrastructure, and roads to facilitate access 
to and through the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel. 
(4) REVERSION.—If any portion of the land conveyed under 
paragraph (1) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with 
the use described in paragraph (3), the land shall, at the 
discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States.
H. R. 2—393 
SEC. 8708. COMPETITIVE FORESTRY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND 
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 1232 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 582a–8) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘or forest restoration’’ 
after ‘‘research’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) PRIORITIES.— 
‘‘(1) RESEARCH.—In awarding the initial grants under sub-
section (a) the Secretary shall give priority to applicants who 
will use such grants for research concerning— 
‘‘(A) the biology of forest organisms, including physi-
ology, genetic mechanisms, and biotechnology; 
‘‘(B) ecosystem function and management, including 
forest ecosystem research, biodiversity, forest productivity, 
pest management, water resources, and alternative silvicul-
tural systems; 
‘‘(C) wood as a raw material, including forest products 
and harvesting; 
‘‘(D) human forest interactions, including outdoor recre-
ation, public policy formulation, economics, sociology, and 
administrative behavior; 
‘‘(E) international trade, competition, and cooperation 
related to forest products; 
‘‘(F) alternative native crops, products, and services 
that can be produced from renewable natural resources 
associated with privately held forest lands; 
‘‘(G) viable economic production and marketing systems 
for alternative natural resource products and services; 
‘‘(H) economic and environmental benefits of various 
conservation practices on forest lands; 
‘‘(I) genetic tree improvement; and 
‘‘(J) market expansion. 
‘‘(2) FOREST RESTORATION.—Grants may be used to support 
programs that restore forest tree species native to American 
forests that may have suffered severe levels of mortality caused 
by non-native insects, plant pathogens, or others pests. 
‘‘(A) REQUIRED
COMPONENT
OF
FOREST
RESTORATION 
STRATEGY.—To receive a grant under this subsection, an 
eligible institution shall demonstrate that it offers a pro-
gram with a forest restoration strategy that incorporates 
not less than one of the following components: 
‘‘(i) Collection and conservation of native tree 
genetic material. 
‘‘(ii) Production of propagules of native trees in 
numbers large enough for landscape scale restoration. 
‘‘(iii) Site preparation of former of native tree 
habitat. 
‘‘(iv) Planting of native tree seedlings. 
‘‘(v) Post-planting maintenance of native trees. 
‘‘(B) AWARD OF GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award 
competitive grants under this subsection based on the 
degree to which the applicant addresses the following cri-
teria: 
‘‘(i) Risk posed to the forests of that State by 
non-native pests, as measured by such factors as the 
number of such pests present in the State.
H. R. 2—394 
‘‘(ii) The proportion of the State’s forest composed 
of species vulnerable to non-native pests present in 
the United States. 
‘‘(iii) The pests’ rate of spread via natural or 
human-assisted means.’’. 
TITLE IX—ENERGY 
SEC. 9001. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ‘‘agricultural materials’’ 
and inserting ‘‘agricultural materials, renewable chemicals,’’; 
(2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ‘‘into biofuels and 
biobased products; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘or an 
intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass into 
any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) biofuels; 
‘‘(ii) renewable chemicals; or 
‘‘(iii) biobased products; and’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (16)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘(C)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘that—’’ in the matter preceding 
clause (i) and all that follows through the period at 
the end of clause (ii) and inserting ‘‘that produces 
usable energy from a renewable energy source.’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘renewable energy system’ 
includes— 
‘‘(i) distribution components necessary to move 
energy produced by a system described in subpara-
graph (A) to the initial point of sale; and 
‘‘(ii) other components and ancillary infrastructure 
of a system described in subparagraph (A), such as 
a storage system.’’. 
SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM. 
Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) RENEWABLE CHEMICALS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this clause, the 
Secretary shall update the criteria issued under clause 
(i) to provide criteria for determining which renewable 
chemicals may qualify to receive the label under para-
graph (1).’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) MANUFACTURERS OF RENEWABLE CHEMICALS AND BIOBASED 
PRODUCTS.—
H. R. 2—395 
‘‘(1) NAICS CODES.—The Secretary and the Secretary of 
Commerce shall jointly develop North American Industry 
Classification System codes for— 
‘‘(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers; and 
‘‘(B) biobased products manufacturers. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL TESTING CENTER REGISTRY.—The Secretary 
shall establish a national registry of testing centers for biobased 
products that will serve biobased product manufacturers.’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) as sub-
sections (j) through (l), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after subsection (g) the following: 
‘‘(h) STREAMLINING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish 
guidelines for an integrated process under which biobased prod-
ucts may be, in 1 expedited approval process— 
‘‘(A) determined to be eligible for a Federal procure-
ment preference under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) approved to use the ‘USDA Certified Biobased 
Product’ label under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) INITIATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that a review 
of a biobased product under the integrated qualification process 
established pursuant to paragraph (1) may be initiated on 
receipt of a recommendation or petition from a manufacturer, 
vendor, or other interested party. 
‘‘(3) PRODUCT DESIGNATIONS.—The Secretary may issue a 
product designation pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B), or approve 
the use of the ‘USDA Certified Biobased Product’ label under 
subsection (b), through streamlined procedures, which shall 
not be subject to chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(i) REQUIREMENT
OF
PROCURING
AGENCIES.—A procuring 
agency (as defined in subsection (a)(1)) shall not establish regula-
tions, guidance, or criteria regarding the procurement of biobased 
products, pursuant to this section or any other law, that impose 
limitations on that procurement that are more restrictive than 
the limitations established by the Secretary under the regulations 
to implement this section.’’; 
(5) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$2,000,000 for each 
of 
fiscal 
years 
2014 
through 
2018’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’; 
and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) RURAL DEVELOPMENT MISSION AREA.—In carrying out this 
section, except as provided in subsection (g), the Secretary shall 
act through the rural development mission area.’’. 
SEC. 9003. BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE. 
Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘produces an 
advanced biofuel; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘pro-
duces any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) an advanced biofuel;
H. R. 2—396 
‘‘(ii) a renewable chemical; or 
‘‘(iii) a biobased product; and’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘produces an 
advanced biofuel.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘produces 
any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) an advanced biofuel; 
‘‘(ii) a renewable chemical; or 
‘‘(iii) a biobased product.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and 
‘‘(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 9004. REPOWERING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 9004 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) is repealed. 
SEC. 9005. BIOENERGY PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS. 
Section 9005 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) FEEDSTOCK.—The total amount of payments made in 
a fiscal year under this section to one or more eligible producers 
for the production of advanced biofuels derived from a single 
eligible commodity, including intermediate ingredients of that 
single commodity or use of that single commodity and its inter-
mediate ingredients in combination with another commodity, 
shall not exceed one-third of the total amount of funds made 
available under subsection (g).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 9006. BIODIESEL FUEL EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
Section 9006(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106(d)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’.
H. R. 2—397 
SEC. 9007. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM. 
Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) ASSISTANCE.—In addition to any similar authority, 
the Secretary shall provide— 
‘‘(i) loan guarantees and grants to agricultural pro-
ducers and rural small businesses— 
‘‘(I) to purchase renewable energy systems, 
including systems that may be used to produce 
and sell electricity; and 
‘‘(II) to make energy efficiency improvements; 
and 
‘‘(ii) loan guarantees to agricultural producers to 
purchase and install energy efficient equipment or sys-
tems for agricultural production or processing that 
exceed— 
‘‘(I) 
energy 
efficiency 
building 
codes, 
if 
applicable; 
‘‘(II) Federal or State energy efficiency stand-
ards, if applicable; and 
‘‘(III) other energy efficiency standards deter-
mined appropriate by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS.—With respect to loan guarantees 
under subparagraph (A)(ii)— 
‘‘(i) if no codes or standards described in such 
subparagraph apply to the energy efficient equipment 
or system to be purchased or installed pursuant to 
such subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, to the 
maximum extent practicable, such equipment or 
system to meet the same efficiency measurements as 
the most efficient available equipment or system in 
the market; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary shall not provide such a loan 
guarantee for the purchase or installation of any 
energy efficient equipment or system unless more than 
one type of such equipment or system is available 
in the market.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) LOAN GUARANTEES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIP-
MENT TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS.—Using funds made 
available under paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (f), 
in each fiscal year the Secretary may use for loan guaran-
tees under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) an amount that does not 
exceed 15 percent of such funds.’’; 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘subsection (g)’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (f)’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection 
(g) as subsection (f); and 
(4) in subsection (f)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 9008. RURAL ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY INITIATIVE. 
Section 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109) is repealed.
H. R. 2—398 
SEC. 9009. FEEDSTOCK FLEXIBILITY. 
Section 9010(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 9010. BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(6)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) algae.’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking clause (iv); and 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (v) through (vii) as 
clauses (iv) through (vi), respectively; and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’; and 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Effective for fiscal year 2014 
and each subsequent fiscal year, funds made available under 
this subsection shall be available for the provision of technical 
assistance with respect to activities authorized under this sec-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 9011. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 9014. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CARBON DIOXIDE.—The term ‘carbon dioxide’ means 
carbon dioxide that is produced as a byproduct of the production 
of a biobased product. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means an 
entity that— 
‘‘(A) is— 
‘‘(i) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; or 
‘‘(ii) an institution of higher education (as defined 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a))); 
‘‘(B) has demonstrated knowledge about— 
‘‘(i) sequestration and utilization of carbon dioxide; 
or 
‘‘(ii) aggregation of organic waste from multiple 
sources into a single biogas system; and
H. R. 2—399 
‘‘(C) has a demonstrated ability to conduct educational 
and technical support programs. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall make competitive grants to eligible enti-
ties— 
‘‘(1) to provide education to the public about the economic 
and emissions benefits of permanent sequestration or utilization 
of carbon dioxide with a primary objective of providing benefits 
and opportunities for rural businesses, rural communities, and 
utilities serving rural communities; or 
‘‘(2) to provide education to agricultural producers and 
other stakeholders about opportunities for aggregation of 
organic waste from multiple sources into a single biogas system. 
‘‘(c) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be appropriated for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023— 
‘‘(1) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(1); and 
‘‘(2) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(2).’’. 
TITLE X—HORTICULTURE 
SEC. 10101. SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION. 
Section 10107(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1622b(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10102. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to combine the 
purposes and coordinate the functions, as in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act, of— 
(1) the Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion Pro-
gram established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); and 
(2) the value-added agricultural product market develop-
ment grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk 
Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)). 
(b) LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.—Subtitle A of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 210A. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given the term in section 
343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). 
‘‘(2) DIRECT
PRODUCER-TO-CONSUMER
MARKETING.—The 
term ‘direct producer-to-consumer marketing’ has the meaning 
given the term ‘direct marketing from farmers to consumers’ 
in section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act 
of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002). 
‘‘(3) FAMILY FARM.—The term ‘family farm’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk Protec-
tion Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)). 
‘‘(4) FOOD COUNCIL.—The term ‘food council’ means a food 
policy council or food and farm system network, as determined 
by the Secretary, that— 
‘‘(A) represents—
H. R. 2—400 
‘‘(i) multiple organizations involved in the produc-
tion, processing, and consumption of food; and 
‘‘(ii) local, Tribal, or State governments; and 
‘‘(B) addresses food and farm-related issues and needs 
within city, county, State, Tribal region, multicounty 
region, or other region designated by the food council or 
food system network. 
‘‘(5) MAJORITY-CONTROLLED
PRODUCER-BASED
BUSINESS 
VENTURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘majority-controlled pro-
ducer-based business venture’ means a venture greater 
than 50 percent of the ownership and control of which 
is held by— 
‘‘(i) 1 or more producers; or 
‘‘(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of the owner-
ship and control of which is held by 1 or more pro-
ducers. 
‘‘(B) ENTITY DESCRIBED.—For purposes of subparagraph 
(A), the term ‘entity’ means— 
‘‘(i) a partnership; 
‘‘(ii) a limited liability corporation; 
‘‘(iii) a limited liability partnership; and 
‘‘(iv) a corporation. 
‘‘(6) MID-TIER
VALUE
CHAIN.—The term ‘mid-tier value 
chain’ means a local or regional supply network that links 
independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that 
market value-added agricultural products in a manner that— 
‘‘(A) targets and strengthens the profitability and 
competitiveness of small and medium-sized farms and 
ranches that are structured as a family farm; and 
‘‘(B) obtains agreement from an eligible agricultural 
producer group, farmer or rancher cooperative, or majority- 
controlled producer-based business venture that is engaged 
in the value chain on a marketing strategy. 
‘‘(7) PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘partnership’ means a part-
nership entered into under an agreement between— 
‘‘(A) 1 or more eligible partners (as defined in sub-
section (e)(1)); and 
‘‘(B) 1 or more eligible entities (as defined in subsection 
(e)(1)). 
‘‘(8) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the Local Agri-
culture Market Program established under subsection (b). 
‘‘(9) REGIONAL
FOOD
CHAIN
COORDINATION.—The term 
‘regional food chain coordination’ means coordination and 
collaboration along the supply chain to increase connections 
between producers and markets. 
‘‘(10) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Sec-
retary of Agriculture. 
‘‘(11) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.—The 
term ‘socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)). 
‘‘(12) VALUE-ADDED
AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCT.—The term 
‘value-added agricultural product’ means any agricultural com-
modity or product that— 
‘‘(A)(i) has undergone a change in physical state;
H. R. 2—401 
‘‘(ii) was produced in a manner that enhances the 
value of the agricultural commodity or product, as dem-
onstrated through a business plan that shows the enhanced 
value, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(iii) is physically segregated in a manner that results 
in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural com-
modity or product; 
‘‘(iv) is a source of farm- or ranch-based renewable 
energy, including E–85 fuel; or 
‘‘(v) is aggregated and marketed as a locally produced 
agricultural food product; and 
‘‘(B) as a result of the change in physical state or 
the manner in which the agricultural commodity or product 
was produced, marketed, or segregated— 
‘‘(i) the customer base for the agricultural com-
modity or product is expanded; and 
‘‘(ii) a greater portion of the revenue derived from 
the marketing, processing, or physical segregation of 
the agricultural commodity or product is available to 
the producer of the commodity or product. 
‘‘(13) VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘veteran 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given the term in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a program, to be known as the ‘Local Agriculture Market 
Program’, that— 
‘‘(1) supports the development, coordination, and expansion 
of— 
‘‘(A) direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(B) local and regional food markets and enterprises; 
and 
‘‘(C) value-added agricultural products; 
‘‘(2) connects and cultivates regional food economies 
through public-private partnerships; 
‘‘(3) supports the development of business plans, feasibility 
studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production 
and local and regional food system infrastructure; 
‘‘(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system develop-
ment through community collaboration and expansion of mid- 
tier value chains; 
‘‘(5) improves income and economic opportunities for pro-
ducers and food businesses through job creation; and 
‘‘(6) simplifies the application processes and the reporting 
processes for the Program. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—In administering the Program, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(1) streamline the Program to better support the activities 
carried out by the recipient of a grant under the Program; 
‘‘(2) connect producers with local food markets and value- 
added agricultural product opportunities; 
‘‘(3) partner with cooperative extension services, as appro-
priate, to provide Program technical assistance and outreach 
to Program stakeholders; and 
‘‘(4) ensure that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
and Agricultural Marketing Service provide Program technical 
assistance and outreach to Program stakeholders.
H. R. 2—402 
‘‘(d) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the Secretary may, 
using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, in accordance with 
the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), for 
the conduct of activities described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—The recipient of a grant may 
use a grant provided under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) to support and promote— 
‘‘(i) domestic direct producer-to-consumer mar-
keting; 
‘‘(ii) farmers’ markets; 
‘‘(iii) roadside stands; 
‘‘(iv) agritourism activities, 
‘‘(v) community-supported agriculture programs; or 
‘‘(vi) online sales; 
‘‘(B) to support local and regional food business enter-
prises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer- 
to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(C) to support the processing, aggregation, distribu-
tion, and storage of— 
‘‘(i) local and regional food products that are mar-
keted locally or regionally; and 
‘‘(ii) value-added agricultural products; 
‘‘(D) to encourage the development of value-added agri-
cultural products; 
‘‘(E) to assist with business development plans and 
feasibility studies; 
‘‘(F) to develop marketing strategies for producers of 
local food products and value-added agricultural products 
in new and existing markets; 
‘‘(G) to facilitate regional food chain coordination and 
mid-tier value chain development; 
‘‘(H) to promote new business opportunities and mar-
keting strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; 
‘‘(I) to respond to changing technology needs in direct 
producer-to-consumer marketing; or 
‘‘(J) to cover expenses relating to costs incurred in— 
‘‘(i) obtaining food safety certification; and 
‘‘(ii) making changes and upgrades to practices 
and equipment to improve food safety. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish cri-
teria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and 
funding of proposed projects under paragraph (1) as the 
Secretary determines are appropriate. 
‘‘(B) PRODUCER OR FOOD BUSINESS BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an application submitted for a grant under para-
graph (1) shall include a description of the direct or 
indirect producer or food business benefits intended 
by the applicant to result from the proposed project 
within a reasonable period of time after the receipt 
of the grant. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to a 
planning or feasibility project.
H. R. 2—403 
‘‘(4) AMOUNT.—Unless otherwise determined by the Sec-
retary, the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be 
not more than $500,000. 
‘‘(5) VALUE-ADDED
PRODUCER
GRANTS.—In the case of a 
grant provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible entity 
described in subparagraph (B), the following shall apply: 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
this subsection through the Administrator of the Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
for a grant under this paragraph if the entity is— 
‘‘(i) an independent producer (as determined by 
the Secretary) of a value-added agricultural product; 
or 
‘‘(ii) an agricultural producer group, farmer or 
rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer- 
based business venture (as determined by the Sec-
retary). 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applications— 
‘‘(i) in the case of an application submitted by 
a producer, that are submitted by, or serve— 
‘‘(I) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(II) 
socially 
disadvantaged 
farmers 
or 
ranchers; 
‘‘(III) operators of small or medium sized farms 
or ranches that are structured as family farms; 
or 
‘‘(IV) veteran farmers or ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of an application submitted by 
an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B)(ii), 
that provide the greatest contribution to creating or 
increasing marketing opportunities for producers 
described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (i). 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) 
may not use a grant for the purchase or construction 
of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—An eligible entity described in 
subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of 
the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described 
in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment 
to improve food safety. 
‘‘(E) MATCHING FUNDS.—An eligible entity described 
in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall contribute an 
amount of non-Federal funds that is at least equal to 
the amount of Federal funds received. 
‘‘(6) FARMERS’ MARKETS AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PRO-
GRAM.—In the case of a grant provided under paragraph (1) 
to an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B), the following 
shall apply: 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
this subsection through the Administrator of the Agricul-
tural Marketing Service, in coordination with the Adminis-
trator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
H. R. 2—404 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
to receive a grant under this paragraph if the entity is— 
‘‘(i) an agricultural cooperative or other agricul-
tural business entity or a producer network or associa-
tion, including a community-supported agriculture net-
work or association; 
‘‘(ii) a local or Tribal government; 
‘‘(iii) a nonprofit corporation; 
‘‘(iv) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(v) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(vi) a regional farmers’ market authority; 
‘‘(vii) a food council; or 
‘‘(viii) such other entity as the Secretary may des-
ignate. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applications that— 
‘‘(i) benefit underserved communities, including 
communities that are located in areas of concentrated 
poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally 
grown food; or 
‘‘(ii) are used to carry out eligible activities under 
a partnership agreement under subsection (e) and have 
not received benefits from the Program in the recent 
past. 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) 
may not use a grant for the purchase or construction 
of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—An eligible entity described in 
subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of 
the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described 
in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment 
to improve food safety. 
‘‘(E) MATCHING FUNDS.—An eligible entity described 
in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall provide 
matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribu-
tion in an amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total 
amount of the Federal portion of the grant. 
‘‘(e) PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a producer; 
‘‘(ii) a producer network or association; 
‘‘(iii) a farmer or rancher cooperative; 
‘‘(iv) a majority-controlled producer-based business 
venture; 
‘‘(v) a food council; 
‘‘(vi) a local or Tribal government; 
‘‘(vii) a nonprofit corporation; 
‘‘(viii) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(ix) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(x) a community-supported agriculture network 
or association; and 
‘‘(xi) a regional farmers’ market authority.
H. R. 2—405 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE
PARTNER.—The term ‘eligible partner’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a State agency or regional authority; 
‘‘(ii) a philanthropic organization; 
‘‘(iii) a private corporation; 
‘‘(iv) an institution of higher education; 
‘‘(v) a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System 
lending institution; and 
‘‘(vi) another entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(2) GRANTS TO SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in 
accordance with the purposes of the Program described 
in subsection (b), shall, using funds made available under 
subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 to support partnerships to plan and develop 
a local or regional food system. 
‘‘(B) GEOGRAPHICAL
DIVERSITY.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographical 
diversity in selecting partnerships to receive grants under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(3) 
AUTHORITIES
OF
PARTNERSHIPS.—A 
partnership 
receiving a grant under paragraph (2) may— 
‘‘(A) determine the scope of the regional food system 
to be developed, including goals, outreach objectives, and 
eligible activities to be carried out; 
‘‘(B) determine the local, regional, State, multi-State, 
or other geographic area covered; 
‘‘(C) create and conduct a feasibility study, implementa-
tion plan, and assessment of eligible activities under the 
partnership agreement; 
‘‘(D) conduct outreach and education to other eligible 
entities and eligible partners for potential participation 
in the partnership agreement and eligible activities; 
‘‘(E) describe measures to be taken through the part-
nership agreement to obtain funding for the eligible activi-
ties to be carried out under the partnership agreement; 
‘‘(F) at the request of a producer or eligible entity 
desiring to participate in eligible activities under the part-
nership agreement, act on behalf of the producer or eligible 
entity in applying for a grant under subsection (d); 
‘‘(G) monitor, evaluate, and periodically report to the 
Secretary on progress made toward achieving the objectives 
of eligible activities under the partnership agreement; or 
‘‘(H) at the conclusion of the partnership agreement, 
submit to the Secretary a report describing— 
‘‘(i) the results and effects of the partnership agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) funds provided under paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4) CONTRIBUTION.—A partnership receiving a grant under 
paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an amount equal to 
not less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal 
portion of the grant. 
‘‘(5) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under paragraph (2), a partnership shall submit to the
H. R. 2—406 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary considers 
necessary to evaluate and select applications. 
‘‘(B) COMPETITIVE PROCESS.—The Secretary— 
‘‘(i) shall conduct a competitive process to select 
applications submitted under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) may assess and rank applications with similar 
purposes as a group; and 
‘‘(iii) shall make public the criteria to be used 
in evaluating applications prior to accepting applica-
tions. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITY
TO
CERTAIN
APPLICATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may give priority to applications submitted under 
subparagraph (A) that— 
‘‘(i)(I) leverage significant non-Federal financial 
and technical resources; and 
‘‘(II) coordinate with other local, State, Tribal, or 
national efforts; 
‘‘(ii) cover an area that includes distressed low- 
income rural or urban communities, including areas 
with persistent poverty; or 
‘‘(iii) have multiple entities and partners in a part-
nership. 
‘‘(D) PRODUCER OR FOOD BUSINESS BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an application submitted under subparagraph (A) 
shall include a description of the direct or indirect 
producer or food business benefits intended by the 
eligible entity to result from the proposed project 
within a reasonable period of time after the receipt 
of a grant. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to a 
planning or feasibility project. 
‘‘(6) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—On request of an eligible 
entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, the Secretary 
may provide technical assistance in carrying out a partnership 
agreement. 
‘‘(f) SIMPLIFICATION
OF APPLICATION
AND REPORTING PROC-
ESSES.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall establish a sim-
plified application form for eligible entities that— 
‘‘(A) request less than $50,000 under subsection (d); 
or 
‘‘(B) apply for grants under subsection (d) under a 
single application through partnership agreements under 
subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) REPORTING.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) streamline and simplify the reporting process for 
eligible entities; and 
‘‘(B) obtain from eligible entities and maintain such 
information as the Secretary determines is necessary to 
administer and evaluate the Program. 
‘‘(g) INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION.—In carrying out the 
Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
ensure coordination among Federal agencies. 
‘‘(h) EVALUATION.—
H. R. 2—407 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using amounts made available under 
subsection (i)(3)(E), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation 
of the Program that— 
‘‘(A) measures the economic impact of the Program 
on new and existing market outcomes; 
‘‘(B) measures the effectiveness of the Program in 
improving and expanding— 
‘‘(i) the regional food economy through public and 
private partnerships; 
‘‘(ii) the production of value-added agricultural 
products; 
‘‘(iii) producer-to-consumer marketing, including 
direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(iv) local and regional food systems, including 
regional food chain coordination and business develop-
ment; 
‘‘(v) new business opportunities and marketing 
strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; 
‘‘(vi) the use of new technologies in producer-to- 
consumer marketing, including direct producer-to-con-
sumer marketing; and 
‘‘(vii) the workforce and capacity of regional food 
systems; and 
‘‘(C) provides a description of— 
‘‘(i) each partnership agreement; and 
‘‘(ii) each grant provided under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, 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 describing the evaluation conducted under para-
graph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of 
the evaluation. 
‘‘(i) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 
for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(3) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), of the funds 
made available to carry out this section for a fiscal 
year, 35 percent shall be used for grants under sub-
section (d)(5). 
‘‘(ii) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(I) MAJORITY-CONTROLLED
PRODUCER-BASED 
BUSINESS VENTURES.—The total amount of grants 
under subsection (d)(5) provided to majority-con-
trolled producer-based business ventures for a 
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
amount allocated under clause (i). 
‘‘(II) BEGINNING, VETERAN, AND SOCIALLY DIS-
ADVANTAGED
FARMERS
AND
RANCHERS.—Of the
H. R. 2—408 
funds made available for grants under subsection 
(d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants pro-
vided to beginning, veteran, and socially disadvan-
taged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(III) MID-TIER VALUE CHAINS.—Of the funds 
made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 
10 percent shall be reserved for grants to develop 
mid-tier value chains. 
‘‘(IV) FOOD SAFETY ASSISTANCE.—Of the funds 
made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 
not more than 25 percent shall be reserved for 
grants for eligible activities described in subsection 
(d)(2)(J). 
‘‘(B) FARMERS’ MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION 
GRANTS.—Of the funds made available to carry out this 
section for a fiscal year, 47 percent shall be used for grants 
under subsection (d)(6). 
‘‘(C) REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS.—Of the funds made 
available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 10 
percent shall be used to provide grants to support partner-
ships under subsection (e). 
‘‘(D) UNOBLIGATED FUNDS.—Any funds under subpara-
graph (A), (B), or (C) that are not obligated for the uses 
described in that subparagraph, as applicable, by Sep-
tember 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds were 
made available— 
‘‘(i) shall be available to the agency carrying out 
the Program with the unobligated funds to carry out 
any function of the Program, as determined by the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) may carry over to the next fiscal year. 
‘‘(E) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not greater than 8 
percent of amounts made available to provide grants under 
subsections (d) and (e) for a fiscal year may be used for 
administrative expenses.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) AGRICULTURAL
MARKETING
RESOURCE
CENTER
PILOT 
PROJECT.—Section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act 
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a) is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘agri-
cultural marketing resource center pilot project.’’; 
(B) by striking subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e); 
(C) in subsection (c)— 
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as sub-
sections (a) and (b), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; and 
(ii) by striking the subsection designation and 
heading; 
(D) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘paragraph (2)’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘The Sec-
retary shall not use more than 2.5 percent of the 
funds made available to carry out the Local Agriculture 
Market Program established under section 210A of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish
H. R. 2—409 
a pilot project (to be known as the ‘Agricultural Mar-
keting Resource Center’) at an eligible institution 
described in subsection (b)’’; and 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; and 
(E) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and 
indenting appropriately; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)(1)’’. 
(2) AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PRO-
GRAM.—Section 6402(f) of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(f)) is amended in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘section 231(d) of the Agri-
cultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public 
Law 106–224))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 210A(d)(2) of the Agricul-
tural Marketing Act of 1946’’. 
(3) LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION AND PROGRAM EVALUATION.— 
Section 10016(b)(3)(B) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
2204h(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘Farmers’ Market and 
Local Food Promotion Program established under section 6 
of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 
U.S.C. 3005)’’ and inserting ‘‘Local Agriculture Market Program 
established under section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946’’. 
(4) PROGRAM METRICS.—Section 6209(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b(a)) is amended by striking para-
graph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946;’’. 
(5) FARMER-TO-CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING ACT OF 1976.— 
(A) Section 4 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Mar-
keting Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3003) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.’’. 
(B) Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005, 3006; 90 
Stat. 1983) are repealed. 
SEC. 10103. ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKET DATA INITIATIVES. 
Section 7407(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5925c(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘THROUGH 
FISCAL YEAR 2012’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$5,000,000, to remain available until 
expended.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘, to remain avail-
able until expended—
H. R. 2—410 
‘‘(A) $5,000,000 for each of the periods of fiscal years 
2008 through 2012 and 2014 through 2018; and 
‘‘(B) $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (2); 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and 
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (2)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10104. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION. 
(a) EXCLUSIONS FROM CERTIFICATION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
regulations to limit the type of organic operations that are excluded 
from certification under section 205.101 of title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and from certification under any other related sections 
under part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2103 of the Organic Foods Production 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The term’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) FOREIGN OPERATIONS.—When used in the context 
of a certifying agent operating in a foreign country, the 
term ‘certifying agent’ includes any person (including a 
private entity)— 
‘‘(i) accredited in accordance with section 2115(d); 
or 
‘‘(ii) accredited by a foreign government that acted 
under an equivalency agreement negotiated between 
the United States and the foreign government from 
which the agricultural product is imported.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (21) as para-
graphs (14) through (22), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following: 
‘‘(13) NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM IMPORT CERTIFICATE.— 
The term ‘national organic program import certificate’ means 
a form developed for purposes of the program under this title— 
‘‘(A) to provide documentation sufficient to verify that 
an agricultural product imported for sale in the United 
States satisfies the requirement under section 2115(c); 
‘‘(B) which shall include, at a minimum, information 
sufficient to indicate, with respect to the agricultural 
product— 
‘‘(i) the origin; 
‘‘(ii) the destination; 
‘‘(iii) the certifying agent issuing the national 
organic program import certificate; 
‘‘(iv) the harmonized tariff code, if a harmonized 
tariff code exists for the agricultural product; 
‘‘(v) the total weight; and 
‘‘(vi) the organic standard to which the agricultural 
product is certified; and
H. R. 2—411 
‘‘(C) that is not more than otherwise required under 
an equivalency agreement negotiated between the United 
States and the foreign government.’’. 
(c) ACCREDITATION PROGRAM.—Section 2115 of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6514) is amended by striking 
subsection (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND VERIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary, acting through the Deputy Administrator of the national 
organic program established under this title, has the authority, 
and shall grant a certifying agent the authority, to require producers 
and handlers to provide additional documentation or verification 
before granting a certification under section 2104, in the case of 
a compliance risk with respect to meeting the national standards 
for organic production established under section 2105, as deter-
mined by the Secretary or the certifying agent. 
‘‘(d) ACCREDITATION OF FOREIGN ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—For an agricultural product being 
imported into the United States to be represented as organically 
produced, the Secretary shall require the agricultural product 
to be accompanied by a complete and valid national organic 
import certificate, which shall be available as an electronic 
record. 
‘‘(2) TRACKING SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
system to track national organic import certificates. 
‘‘(B) INTEGRATION.—In establishing the system under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may integrate the system 
into any existing information tracking systems for imports 
of agricultural products. 
‘‘(e) DURATION
OF ACCREDITATION.—An accreditation made 
under this section— 
‘‘(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall be for a period of not 
more than 5 years, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; 
‘‘(2) in the case of a certifying agent operating in a foreign 
country, shall be for a period of time that is consistent with 
the certification of a domestic certifying agent, as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(3) may be renewed.’’. 
(d) REQUIREMENTS OF CERTIFYING AGENTS.—Section 2116 of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6515) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or an entity acting 
as an agent of the certifying agent’’ after ‘‘a certifying 
agent’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) OVERSIGHT OF CERTIFYING OFFICES AND FOREIGN OPER-
ATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that 
an office of a certifying agent or entity described in para-
graph (1) is not complying with the provisions of this 
title, the Secretary may suspend the operations of the 
certifying agent or the noncompliant office, including— 
‘‘(i) an office operating in a foreign country; and
H. R. 2—412 
‘‘(ii) an office operating in the United States, 
including an office acting on behalf of a foreign-domi-
ciled entity. 
‘‘(B) PROCESS FOR RESUMING OPERATIONS FOLLOWING 
SUSPENSION.—The Secretary shall provide for a process 
that is otherwise consistent with this section that author-
izes a suspended office to resume operations.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) NOTICE.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
a new certifying office performing certification activities opens, an 
accredited certifying agent shall notify the Secretary of the 
opening.’’. 
(e) CERTAIN EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE
TO SERVE
AS NATIONAL 
ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERS.—Section 2119(b) of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, or employees of such 
individuals’’ after ‘‘operation’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, or employees of such 
individuals’’ after ‘‘operation’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘, or an employee of 
such individual’’ after ‘‘products’’. 
(f) NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD.—Section 2119(i) of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(i)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Two-thirds’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—2⁄3’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL LIST.—Any vote on a motion proposing to 
amend the national list shall be considered to be a decisive 
vote that requires 2⁄3 of the votes cast at a meeting of the 
Board at which a quorum is present to prevail.’’. 
(g) INVESTIGATIONS.—Section 2120(b) of the Organic Foods 
Production Act (7 U.S.C. 6519(b)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(3) INFORMATION
SHARING
DURING
ACTIVE
INVESTIGA-
TION.—In carrying out this title, all parties to an active inves-
tigation (including certifying agents, State organic certification 
programs, and the national organic program) shall share con-
fidential business information with Federal Government officers 
and employees involved in the investigation as necessary to 
fully investigate and enforce potential violations of this title.’’. 
(h) DATA ORGANIZATION
AND ACCESS.—Section 2122 of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ACCESS TO DATA DOCUMENTATION SYSTEMS.—The Secretary 
shall have access to available data from cross-border documentation 
systems administered by other Federal agencies, including the Auto-
mated Commercial Environment system of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2020, and 
annually thereafter through March 1, 2023, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website 
of the Department of Agriculture, a report describing national 
organic program activities with respect to all domestic and
H. R. 2—413 
overseas investigations and compliance actions taken pursuant 
to this title during the preceding year. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The data described in paragraph (1) 
shall be broken down by agricultural product, quantity, value, 
and month. 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—Any data determined by the Secretary 
to be confidential business information shall not be provided 
in the report under paragraph (1).’’. 
(i) ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS INTERAGENCY 
WORKING GROUP.—The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 is 
amended by inserting after section 2122 (7 U.S.C. 6521) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 2122A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS INTER-
AGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall jointly establish a working group to 
facilitate coordination and information sharing between the 
Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection relating to imports of organically produced agricul-
tural products (referred to in this section as the ‘working 
group’). 
‘‘(2) MEMBERS.—The working group— 
‘‘(A) shall include— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary (or a designee); and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a des-
ignee); and 
‘‘(B) shall not include any non-Federal officer or 
employee. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—The working group shall facilitate coordina-
tion and information sharing between the Department of Agri-
culture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the pur-
poses of— 
‘‘(A) identifying imports of organically produced agricul-
tural products; 
‘‘(B) verifying the authenticity of organically produced 
agricultural product import documentation, such as 
national organic program import certificates; 
‘‘(C) ensuring imported agricultural products rep-
resented as organically produced meet the requirements 
under this title; 
‘‘(D) collecting and organizing quantitative data on 
imports of organically produced agricultural products; and 
‘‘(E) requesting feedback from stakeholders on how 
to improve the oversight of imports of organically produced 
agricultural products. 
‘‘(4) DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS.—An employee 
or official designated to carry out the duties of the Secretary 
or the Secretary of Homeland Security on the working group 
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) shall be an 
employee or official compensated at a rate of pay not less 
than the minimum annual rate of basic pay for GS–12 under 
section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(b) REPORTS.—On an annual basis, the working group shall 
submit to Congress and make publicly available on the websites
H. R. 2—414 
of the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection the following reports: 
‘‘(1) ORGANIC TRADE ENFORCEMENT INTERAGENCY COORDINA-
TION REPORT.—A report— 
‘‘(A) identifying existing barriers to cooperation 
between the agencies involved in agricultural product 
import inspection, trade data collection and organization, 
and organically produced agricultural product trade 
enforcement, including— 
‘‘(i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; 
‘‘(ii) the Agricultural Marketing Service; and 
‘‘(iii) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service; 
‘‘(B) assessing progress toward integrating organic 
trade enforcement into import inspection procedures of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection and the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, including an assessment of— 
‘‘(i) the status of the development of systems for— 
‘‘(I) tracking the fumigation of imports of 
organically produced agricultural products into the 
United States; and 
‘‘(II) electronically verifying national organic 
program import certificate authenticity; and 
‘‘(ii) training of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion personnel on— 
‘‘(I) the use of the systems described in clause 
(i); and 
‘‘(II) requirements and protocols under this 
title; 
‘‘(C) establishing methodology for ensuring imports of 
agricultural products represented as organically produced 
meet the requirements under this title; 
‘‘(D) recommending steps to improve the documentation 
and traceability of imported organically produced agricul-
tural products; 
‘‘(E) recommending and describing steps for— 
‘‘(i) improving compliance with the requirements 
of this title for all agricultural products imported into 
the United States and represented as organically pro-
duced; and 
‘‘(ii) ensuring accurate labeling and marketing of 
imported agricultural products represented as organi-
cally produced by the exporter; and 
‘‘(F) describing staffing needs and additional resources 
at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department 
of Agriculture needed to ensure compliance. 
‘‘(2) REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN ON ORGANIC 
IMPORTS.—A report— 
‘‘(A) providing detailed quantitative data (broken down 
by agricultural product, quantity, value, month, and origin) 
on imports of agricultural products represented as organi-
cally produced found to be fraudulent or lacking any docu-
mentation required under this title at the port of entry 
during the report year; 
‘‘(B) providing data on domestic enforcement actions 
taken on imported agricultural products represented as 
organically produced, including the number and type of
H. R. 2—415 
actions taken by United States officials at ports of entry 
in response to violations of this title; 
‘‘(C) providing data on fumigation of agricultural prod-
ucts represented as organically produced at ports of entry 
and notifications of fumigation actions to shipment owners, 
broken down by product variety and country of origin; 
and 
‘‘(D) providing information on enforcement activities 
under this title involving overseas investigations and 
compliance actions taken within that year, including— 
‘‘(i) the number of investigations by country; and 
‘‘(ii) a descriptive summary of compliance actions 
taken by certifying agents in each country.’’. 
(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NATIONAL ORGANIC 
PROGRAM.—Section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522) is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
‘‘FUNDING’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
(7) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(2) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(5) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(6) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) MODERNIZATION
AND IMPROVEMENT
OF INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AND DATA COLLECTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a new 
system or modify an existing data collection and organization 
system to collect and organize in a single system quantitative 
data on imports of each organically produced agricultural 
product accepted into the United States. 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall modernize trade and transaction certificates to 
ensure full traceability to the port of entry without unduly 
hindering trade or commerce, such as through an electronic 
trade document exchange system. 
‘‘(3) ACCESS.—The single system established under para-
graph (1) shall be accessible by any agency with the direct 
authority to engage in— 
‘‘(A) inspection of imports of agricultural products; 
‘‘(B) trade data collection and organization; or 
‘‘(C) enforcement of trade requirements for organically 
produced agricultural products. 
‘‘(4) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration, the Secretary shall make available $5,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2019 for the purposes of— 
‘‘(A) carrying out this subsection; and 
‘‘(B) maintaining the database and technology upgrades 
previously carried out under this subsection, as in effect 
on the day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018. 
‘‘(5) AVAILABILITY.—The amounts made available under 
paragraph (4) are in addition to any other funds made available
H. R. 2—416 
for the purposes described in that paragraph and shall remain 
available until expended.’’. 
(k) TRADE SAVINGS PROVISION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (i) shall be carried out in a manner consistent with United 
States obligations under international agreements. 
SEC. 10105. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ELIMINATION OF DIRECTED DELEGATION.—Section 10606(a) 
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
6523(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘(acting through the Agricultural 
Marketing Service)’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended by striking 
subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) MANDATORY FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
this section— 
‘‘(A) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020; 
‘‘(B) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and 
‘‘(C) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available under para-
graph (1) shall remain available until expended.’’. 
SEC. 10106. FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVES. 
Section 10105(c) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7655a(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10107. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS. 
Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘solely to enhance the competitiveness 
of specialty crops.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘to enhance 
the competitiveness of specialty crops, including— 
‘‘(1) by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty 
crops; 
‘‘(2) by assisting producers with research and development 
relevant to specialty crops; 
‘‘(3) by expanding availability and access to specialty crops; 
‘‘(4) by addressing local, regional, and national challenges 
confronting specialty crop producers; and 
‘‘(5) for such other purposes determined to be appropriate 
by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with specialty 
crop stakeholders and relevant State departments of agri-
culture.’’; 
(2) in subsection (j)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; 
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘Not later’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following:
H. R. 2—417 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION OF MULTISTATE PROJECTS FROM NON-
PARTICIPATING
STATES.—The Secretary of Agriculture may 
directly administer all aspects of multistate projects under this 
subsection for applicants in a nonparticipating State.’’; 
(3) in subsection (k), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(A) PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND REVIEW.— 
‘‘(i) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
and the State departments of agriculture, in consulta-
tion with specialty crop stakeholders, shall develop 
performance measures to be used as the sole means 
of performing any evaluation of the grant program 
established under this section. 
‘‘(ii) REVIEW.—The Secretary of Agriculture, in con-
sultation with the State departments of agriculture, 
shall periodically evaluate the performance of the grant 
program established under this section. 
‘‘(B) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements— 
‘‘(i) to develop the performance measures under 
subparagraph (A)(i); or 
‘‘(ii) to evaluate the overall performance of the 
grant program established under this section.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (l)(2)(E), by inserting ‘‘and each fiscal 
year thereafter’’ after ‘‘2018’’. 
SEC. 10108. AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT. 
(a) ASEXUALLY REPRODUCED DEFINED.—Section 41(a) of the 
Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2401(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), 
(7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), 
(9), and (10), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) 
ASEXUALLY
REPRODUCED.—The 
term 
‘asexually 
reproduced’ means produced by a method of plant propagation 
using vegetative material (other than seed) from a single 
parent, including cuttings, grafting, tissue culture, and propaga-
tion by root division.’’. 
(b) RIGHT TO PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION; PLANT VARIETIES 
PROTECTABLE.—Section 42(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2402(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘or tuber propagated’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, tuber propagated, or asexually reproduced’’. 
(c) INFRINGEMENT
OF PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION.—Section 
111(a)(3) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2541(a)(3)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘or asexually’’ after ‘‘sexually’’. 
(d) FALSE MARKETING; CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS.—Section 
128(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2568(a)) is 
amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or 
asexually’’ after ‘‘sexually’’. 
SEC. 10109. MULTIPLE CROP AND PESTICIDE USE SURVEY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Director 
of the Office of Pest Management Policy, shall conduct a multiple 
crop and pesticide use survey of farmers to collect data for risk 
assessment modeling and mitigation for an active ingredient.
H. R. 2—418 
(b) SUBMISSION.—The Secretary shall submit to the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency and make publicly 
available the survey described in subsection (a). 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $500,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available until 
expended. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000, 
to remain available until expended. 
(d) CONFIDENTIALITY
OF INFORMATION.—Section 1770 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(a) In the case’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘subsection (d)(12)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (12) or (13) of subsection (d)’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(d) For purposes’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) PROVISIONS OF LAW REFERENCES.—For purposes’’; 
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) section 10109 of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018.’’. 
SEC. 10110. REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES OF 
FOREST 
PESTS 
THROUGH 
RESTRICTIONS 
ON 
THE 
IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN PLANTS FOR PLANTING. 
Not later than March 1, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report— 
(1) evaluating the effectiveness of the Federal Government 
in intercepting pests in international shipping and on plants 
for planting; 
(2) describing the geographic sources of intercepted pests 
and the commodities or plant species most often associated 
with infested shipments; 
(3) quantifying the detection of forest pests in the national 
surveillance networks, including the Cooperative Agricultural 
Pest Survey and the Early Detection and Rapid Response net-
work of the Forest Service; 
(4) describing new outbreaks of forest pests in the United 
States and the spread of existing infestations; 
(5) describing how the numbers of such interceptions, detec-
tions, and outbreaks described in a preceding paragraph have 
changed since January 1, 2018; 
(6) containing proposed additional actions to further reduce 
the rate of arrival for forest pests across the borders of the 
United States; 
(7) identifying current challenges with intercepting, 
detecting, and addressing outbreaks of tree and wood pests, 
as well as challenges in achieving compliance with the Plant
H. R. 2—419 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and recommendations 
with respect to such challenges; and 
(8) describing the coordination and collaboration occurring 
between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and 
the Forest Service with respect to— 
(A) identifying and prioritizing critical detection, 
surveillance, and eradication needs for tree and wood pests; 
and 
(B) identifying the actions each agency takes within 
their respective missions to address identified priorities. 
SEC. 10111. REPORT ON PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the President 
and Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non-regu-
latory, and legislative recommendations, including the appropriate-
ness of any definitions for plant biostimulant, to ensure the efficient 
and appropriate review, approval, uniform national labeling, and 
availability of plant biostimulant products to agricultural producers. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall prepare the report 
required by subsection (a) in consultation with the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency, the several States, 
industry stakeholders, and such other stakeholders as the Secretary 
determines necessary. 
(c) PLANT BIOSTIMULANT.—For the purposes of the report under 
subsection (a), the Secretary— 
(1) shall consider ‘‘plant biostimulant’’ to be a substance 
or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the 
rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit 
nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, 
or crop quality and yield; and 
(2) may modify the description of plant biostimulant, as 
appropriate. 
SEC. 10112. CLARIFICATION OF USE OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL ASSIST-
ANCE. 
Section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act 
(15 U.S.C. 714i) is amended in the last sentence by inserting after 
‘‘activities’’ the following: ‘‘but excluding any amounts used to pro-
vide technical assistance under title X of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018 or an amendment made by that title’’. 
SEC. 10113. HEMP PRODUCTION. 
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Subtitle G—Hemp Production 
‘‘SEC. 297A. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this subtitle: 
‘‘(1) HEMP.—The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis 
sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof 
and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, 
and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta- 
9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 per-
cent on a dry weight basis.
H. R. 2—420 
‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture. 
‘‘(4) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State; 
‘‘(B) the District of Columbia; 
‘‘(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and 
‘‘(D) any other territory or possession of the United 
States. 
‘‘(5) STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.—The term ‘State 
department of agriculture’ means the agency, commission, or 
department of a State government responsible for agriculture 
in the State. 
‘‘(6) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘Tribal government’ 
means the governing body of an Indian tribe. 
‘‘SEC. 297B. STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS. 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State or Indian tribe desiring to have 
primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp in 
the State or territory of the Indian tribe shall submit to the 
Secretary, through the State department of agriculture (in con-
sultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer 
of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, a plan 
under which the State or Indian tribe monitors and regulates 
that production as described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—A State or Tribal plan referred to in para-
graph (1)— 
‘‘(A) shall only be required to include— 
‘‘(i) a practice to maintain relevant information 
regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State 
or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal 
description of the land, for a period of not less than 
3 calendar years; 
‘‘(ii) 
a 
procedure 
for 
testing, 
using 
post- 
decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, 
delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of 
hemp produced in the State or territory of the Indian 
tribe; 
‘‘(iii) a procedure for the effective disposal of— 
‘‘(I) plants, whether growing or not, that are 
produced in violation of this subtitle; and 
‘‘(II) products derived from those plants; 
‘‘(iv) a procedure to comply with the enforcement 
procedures under subsection (e); 
‘‘(v) a procedure for conducting annual inspections 
of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers 
to verify that hemp is not produced in violation of 
this subtitle; 
‘‘(vi) a procedure for submitting the information 
described in section 297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the 
Secretary not more than 30 days after the date on 
which the information is received; and
H. R. 2—421 
‘‘(vii) a certification that the State or Indian tribe 
has the resources and personnel to carry out the prac-
tices and procedures described in clauses (i) through 
(vi); and 
‘‘(B) may include any other practice or procedure estab-
lished by a State or Indian tribe, as applicable, to the 
extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with 
this subtitle. 
‘‘(3) RELATION TO STATE AND TRIBAL LAW.— 
‘‘(A) NO PREEMPTION.—Nothing in this subsection pre-
empts or limits any law of a State or Indian tribe that— 
‘‘(i) regulates the production of hemp; and 
‘‘(ii) is more stringent than this subtitle. 
‘‘(B) REFERENCES IN PLANS.—A State or Tribal plan 
referred to in paragraph (1) may include a reference to 
a law of the State or Indian tribe regulating the production 
of hemp, to the extent that law is consistent with this 
subtitle. 
‘‘(b) APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after receipt 
of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) approve the State or Tribal plan if the State 
or Tribal plan complies with subsection (a); or 
‘‘(B) disapprove the State or Tribal plan only if the 
State or Tribal plan does not comply with subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) AMENDED PLANS.—If the Secretary disapproves a State 
or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the State, through the 
State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Gov-
ernor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the 
Tribal government, as applicable, may submit to the Secretary 
an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult with the 
Attorney General in carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(c) AUDIT OF STATE COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may conduct an audit 
of the compliance of a State or Indian tribe with a State 
or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) NONCOMPLIANCE.—If the Secretary determines under 
an audit conducted under paragraph (1) that a State or Indian 
tribe is not materially in compliance with a State or Tribal 
plan— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary shall collaborate with the State or 
Indian tribe to develop a corrective action plan in the 
case of a first instance of noncompliance; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary may revoke approval of the State 
or Tribal plan in the case of a second or subsequent 
instance of noncompliance. 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may provide tech-
nical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the development 
of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a). 
‘‘(e) VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A violation of a State or Tribal plan 
approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to enforcement 
solely in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) NEGLIGENT VIOLATION.—
H. R. 2—422 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A hemp producer in a State or 
the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal 
plan is approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to 
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the State department 
of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, deter-
mines that the hemp producer has negligently violated 
the State or Tribal plan, including by negligently— 
‘‘(i) failing to provide a legal description of land 
on which the producer produces hemp; 
‘‘(ii) failing to obtain a license or other required 
authorization from the State department of agriculture 
or Tribal government, as applicable; or 
‘‘(iii) producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta- 
9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than 0.3 
percent on a dry weight basis. 
‘‘(B) CORRECTIVE
ACTION
PLAN.—A hemp producer 
described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with a plan 
established by the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable, to correct the negligent viola-
tion, including— 
‘‘(i) a reasonable date by which the hemp producer 
shall correct the negligent violation; and 
‘‘(ii) a requirement that the hemp producer shall 
periodically report to the State department of agri-
culture or Tribal government, as applicable, on the 
compliance of the hemp producer with the State or 
Tribal plan for a period of not less than the next 
2 calendar years. 
‘‘(C) RESULT OF NEGLIGENT VIOLATION.—A hemp pro-
ducer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under 
subparagraph (A) shall not as a result of that violation 
be subject to any criminal enforcement action by the Fed-
eral Government or any State government, Tribal govern-
ment, or local government. 
‘‘(D) REPEAT VIOLATIONS.—A hemp producer that neg-
ligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph 
(A) 3 times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce 
hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of 
the third violation. 
‘‘(3) OTHER VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the State department of agri-
culture or Tribal government in a State or the territory 
of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is 
approved under subsection (b), as applicable, determines 
that a hemp producer in the State or territory has violated 
the State or Tribal plan with a culpable mental state 
greater than negligence— 
‘‘(i) the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable, shall immediately report 
the hemp producer to— 
‘‘(I) the Attorney General; and 
‘‘(II) the chief law enforcement officer of the 
State or Indian tribe, as applicable; and 
‘‘(ii) paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply 
to the violation. 
‘‘(B) FELONY.—
H. R. 2—423 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), any person convicted of a felony relating to a 
controlled substance under State or Federal law before, 
on, or after the date of enactment of this subtitle 
shall be ineligible, during the 10-year period following 
the date of the conviction— 
‘‘(I) to participate in the program established 
under this section or section 297C; and 
‘‘(II) to produce hemp under any regulations 
or guidelines issued under section 297D(a). 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to any 
person growing hemp lawfully with a license, registra-
tion, or authorization under a pilot program authorized 
by section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 5940) before the date of enactment of this sub-
title. 
‘‘(C) FALSE STATEMENT.—Any person who materially 
falsifies any information contained in an application to 
participate in the program established under this section 
shall be ineligible to participate in that program. 
‘‘(f) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section prohibits the production 
of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe— 
‘‘(1) for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under 
this section, if the production of hemp is in accordance with 
section 297C or other Federal laws (including regulations); 
and 
‘‘(2) if the production of hemp is not otherwise prohibited 
by the State or Indian tribe. 
‘‘SEC. 297C. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
‘‘(a) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 
297B, the production of hemp in that State or the territory 
of that Indian tribe shall be subject to a plan established 
by the Secretary to monitor and regulate that production in 
accordance with paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—A plan established by the Secretary under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a practice to maintain relevant information 
regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State 
or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal description 
of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years; 
‘‘(B) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation 
or 
other 
similarly 
reliable 
methods, 
delta-9 
tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp pro-
duced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe; 
‘‘(C) a procedure for the effective disposal of— 
‘‘(i) plants, whether growing or not, that are pro-
duced in violation of this subtitle; and 
‘‘(ii) products derived from those plants; 
‘‘(D) a procedure to comply with the enforcement proce-
dures under subsection (c)(2); 
‘‘(E) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, 
at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to 
verify that hemp is not produced in violation of this sub-
title; and
H. R. 2—424 
‘‘(F) such other practices or procedures as the Secretary 
considers to be appropriate, to the extent that the practice 
or procedure is consistent with this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) LICENSING.—The Secretary shall establish a procedure to 
issue licenses to hemp producers in accordance with a plan estab-
lished under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 
297B, it shall be unlawful to produce hemp in that State 
or the territory of that Indian tribe without a license issued 
by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) NEGLIGENT
AND
OTHER
VIOLATIONS.—A violation of 
a plan established under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
enforcement in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of sec-
tion 297B(e), except that the Secretary shall carry out that 
enforcement instead of a State department of agriculture or 
Tribal government. 
‘‘(3) REPORTING
TO
ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—In the case of 
a State or Indian tribe covered by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall report the production of hemp without a license issued 
by the Secretary under subsection (b) to the Attorney General. 
‘‘(d) INFORMATION SHARING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) collect the information described in paragraph (2); 
and 
‘‘(B) make the information collected under subpara-
graph (A) accessible in real time to Federal, State, terri-
torial, and local law enforcement. 
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—The information collected by the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) contact information for each hemp producer in 
a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which— 
‘‘(i) a State or Tribal plan is approved under section 
297B(b); or 
‘‘(ii) a plan is established by the Secretary under 
this section; 
‘‘(B) a legal description of the land on which hemp 
is grown by each hemp producer described in subparagraph 
(A); and 
‘‘(C) for each hemp producer described in subparagraph 
(A)— 
‘‘(i) the status of— 
‘‘(I) a license or other required authorization 
from the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable; or 
‘‘(II) a license from the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) any changes to the status. 
‘‘SEC. 297D. REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES; EFFECT ON OTHER LAW. 
‘‘(a) 
PROMULGATION
OF
REGULATIONS
AND
GUIDELINES; 
REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations and guidelines to implement this subtitle as 
expeditiously as practicable.
H. R. 2—425 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION
WITH
ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General on the 
promulgation of regulations and guidelines under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall annually submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report containing updates on the implementation of 
this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY.—Subject to subsection (c)(3)(B), the Secretary 
shall have sole authority to promulgate Federal regulations and 
guidelines that relate to the production of hemp, including Federal 
regulations and guidelines that relate to the implementation of 
sections 297B and 297C. 
‘‘(c) EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.—Nothing in this subtitle shall 
affect or modify— 
‘‘(1) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
301 et seq.); 
‘‘(2) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
262); or 
‘‘(3) the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs 
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services— 
‘‘(A) under— 
‘‘(i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or 
‘‘(ii) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 262); or 
‘‘(B) to promulgate Federal regulations and guidelines 
that relate to the production of hemp under the Act 
described in subparagraph (A)(i) or the section described 
in subparagraph (A)(ii). 
‘‘SEC. 297E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this subtitle.’’. 
SEC. 10114. INTERSTATE COMMERCE. 
(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this title or an amend-
ment made by this title prohibits the interstate commerce of hemp 
(as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946 (as added by section 10113)) or hemp products. 
(b) TRANSPORTATION OF HEMP AND HEMP PRODUCTS.—No State 
or Indian Tribe shall prohibit the transportation or shipment of 
hemp or hemp products produced in accordance with subtitle G 
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 
10113) through the State or the territory of the Indian Tribe, 
as applicable. 
SEC. 10115. FIFRA INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
Section 3(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 13a(c)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(11) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF COVERED AGENCY.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘covered agency’ means any of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The Department of Agriculture. 
‘‘(ii) The Department of Commerce.
H. R. 2—426 
‘‘(iii) The Department of the Interior. 
‘‘(iv) The Council on Environmental Quality. 
‘‘(v) The Environmental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(B) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish an interagency working group, to be comprised of rep-
resentatives from each covered agency, to provide rec-
ommendations regarding, and to implement a strategy for 
improving, the consultation process required under section 
7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) 
for pesticide registration and registration review. 
‘‘(C) DUTIES.—The interagency working group estab-
lished under subparagraph (B) shall— 
‘‘(i) analyze relevant Federal law (including regula-
tions) and case law for purposes of providing an outline 
of the legal and regulatory framework for the consulta-
tion process referred to in that subparagraph, 
including— 
‘‘(I) requirements under this Act and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.); 
‘‘(II) Federal case law regarding the intersec-
tion of this Act and the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
‘‘(III) Federal regulations relating to the pes-
ticide consultation process; 
‘‘(ii) provide advice regarding methods of— 
‘‘(I) defining the scope of actions of the covered 
agencies that are subject to the consultation 
requirement referred to in subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(II) properly identifying and classifying effects 
of actions of the covered agencies with respect 
to that consultation requirement; 
‘‘(iii) identify the obligations and limitations under 
Federal law of each covered agency for purposes of 
providing a legal and regulatory framework for devel-
oping the recommendations referred to in subpara-
graph (B); 
‘‘(iv) review practices for the consultation referred 
to in subparagraph (B) to identify problem areas, areas 
for improvement, and best practices for conducting that 
consultation among the covered agencies; 
‘‘(v) develop scientific and policy approaches to 
increase the accuracy and timeliness of the process 
for that consultation, in accordance with requirements 
of this Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including— 
‘‘(I) processes to efficiently share data and 
coordinate analyses among the Department of 
Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the 
Department of the Interior, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
‘‘(II) a streamlined process for identifying 
which actions require no consultation, informal 
consultation, or formal consultation; 
‘‘(III) an approach that will provide clarity 
with respect to what constitutes the best scientific
H. R. 2—427 
and commercial data available in the fields of pes-
ticide use and ecological risk assessment, pursuant 
to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and 
‘‘(IV) approaches that enable the Environ-
mental Protection Agency to better assist the 
Department of the Interior and the Department 
of Commerce in carrying out obligations under that 
section in a timely and efficient manner; and 
‘‘(vi) propose and implement a strategy to imple-
ment approaches to consultations under the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
and document that strategy in a memorandum of 
understanding, revised regulations, or another appro-
priate format to promote durable cooperation among 
the covered agencies. 
‘‘(D) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(i) PROGRESS REPORTS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
the Administrator, in coordination with the head 
of each other covered agency, shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the progress of the working group in 
developing the recommendations under subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(II) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under this 
clause shall— 
‘‘(aa) reflect the perspectives of each cov-
ered agency; and 
‘‘(bb) identify areas of new consensus and 
continuing topics of disagreement and debate. 
‘‘(ii) RESULTS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the 
Administrator, in coordination with the head of 
each other covered agency, shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing— 
‘‘(aa) 
the 
recommendations 
developed 
under subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(bb) plans for implementation of those 
recommendations. 
‘‘(II) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under this 
clause shall— 
‘‘(aa) reflect the perspectives of each cov-
ered agency; and 
‘‘(bb) identify areas of consensus and con-
tinuing topics of disagreement and debate, if 
any. 
‘‘(iii) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of submission of the report under clause 
(i), the Administrator, in coordination with the head
H. R. 2—428 
of each other covered agency, shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate a report describing— 
‘‘(I) the implementation of the recommenda-
tions referred to in that clause; 
‘‘(II) the extent to which that implementation 
improved the consultation process referred to in 
subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(III) any additional recommendations for 
improvements to the process described in subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(iv) OTHER
REPORTS.—Not later than the date 
that is 180 days after the date of submission of the 
report under clause (iii), and not less frequently than 
once every 180 days thereafter during the 5-year period 
beginning on that date, the Administrator, in coordina-
tion with the head of each other covered agency, 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 
describing— 
‘‘(I) the implementation of the recommenda-
tions referred to in that clause; 
‘‘(II) the extent to which that implementation 
improved the consultation process referred to in 
subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(III) any additional recommendations for 
improvements to the process described in subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(E) CONSULTATION WITH PRIVATE SECTOR.—In carrying 
out the duties under this paragraph, the working group 
shall, as appropriate— 
‘‘(i) consult with, representatives of interested 
industry stakeholders and nongovernmental organiza-
tions; and 
‘‘(ii) take into consideration factors, such as actual 
and potential differences in interest between, and the 
views of, those stakeholders and organizations. 
‘‘(F) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the working group established under this paragraph. 
‘‘(G) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this paragraph 
supersedes any provision of— 
‘‘(i) this Act; or 
‘‘(ii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), including the requirements under section 
7 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1536).’’. 
SEC. 10116. STUDY ON METHYL BROMIDE USE IN RESPONSE TO AN 
EMERGENCY EVENT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) EMERGENCY
EVENT.—The term ‘‘emergency event’’ 
means a situation— 
(A) that occurs at a location on which a plant or com-
modity is grown or produced or facility providing for the
H. R. 2—429 
storage of, or other services with respect to, a plant or 
commodity; 
(B) for which the lack of availability of methyl bromide 
for a particular use would result in significant economic 
loss to the owner, lessee, or operator of the location or 
facility or the owner, grower, or purchaser of the plant 
or commodity; and 
(C) that, in light of the specific agricultural, meteoro-
logical, or other conditions presented, requires the use of 
methyl bromide to control a pest or disease in the location 
or facility because there are no technically feasible alter-
natives to methyl bromide easily accessible by an entity 
referred to in subparagraph (B) at the time and location 
of the event that— 
(i) are registered under the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) 
for the intended use or pest to be so controlled; and 
(ii) would adequately control the pest or disease 
presented at the location or facility. 
(2) PEST.—The term ‘‘pest’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136). 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, shall complete a study on the potential 
use of methyl bromide in response to an emergency event. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The study under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
(A) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing State, local, 
or Tribal authorities, in accordance with appropriate 
requirements and criteria, such as the recommendations 
developed under subparagraph (E)— 
(i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide 
is required; and 
(ii) to authorize such use; 
(B) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing the Secretary, 
in accordance with appropriate requirements and criteria, 
such as the recommendations developed under subpara-
graph (E)— 
(i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide 
is required; and 
(ii) to authorize such use; 
(C) a historic estimate of situations occurring on or 
after September 15, 1997, that could have been deemed 
emergency events; 
(D) a detailed assessment of the adherence of the 
United States to international obligations of the United 
States with respect to the prevention of ozone depletion; 
and 
(E) an assessment and recommendations on appro-
priate requirements and criteria to be met to authorize 
the use of methyl bromide in response to an emergency 
event (including any recommendations for revising the defi-
nition of the term ‘‘emergency event’’ in subsection (a)) 
in a manner that fully complies with the Montreal Protocol 
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, including
H. R. 2—430 
Decision IX/7 of the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of 
the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that 
Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on the study under 
subsection (b) to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and 
Nutrition of the Senate. 
TITLE XI—CROP INSURANCE 
SEC. 11101. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1502(b)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and 
(11) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), and (13) respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: 
‘‘(6) COVER
CROP
TERMINATION.—The term ‘cover crop 
termination’ means a practice that historically and under 
reasonable circumstances results in the termination of the 
growth of a cover crop.’’; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(9) HEMP.—The term ‘hemp’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946.’’. 
SEC. 11102. DATA COLLECTION. 
Section 506(h)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1506(h)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SERVICE.— 
Data collected by the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service, whether published or unpublished, shall be— 
‘‘(i) provided in an aggregate form to the Corpora-
tion for the purpose of providing insurance under this 
subtitle; and 
‘‘(ii) kept confidential by the Corporation in the 
same manner and to the same extent as is required 
under— 
‘‘(I) section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276); and 
‘‘(II) the Confidential Information Protection 
and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 note; Public Law 107–347). 
‘‘(C) NONINSURED
CROP
DISASTER
ASSISTANCE
PRO-
GRAM.—In collecting data under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(i) appropriate data are collected through the non-
insured crop disaster assistance program established 
by section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333); and
H. R. 2—431 
‘‘(ii) not less frequently than annually, the Farm 
Service Agency shares, and the Corporation considers, 
the data described in clause (i).’’. 
SEC. 11103. SHARING OF RECORDS. 
Section 506(h)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1506(h)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘applicants who have received 
payment under section 522(b)(2)(E),’’ after ‘‘divisions,’’. 
SEC. 11104. USE OF RESOURCES. 
Section 507(f) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1507(f)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) the Farm Service Agency, in assisting the Board in— 
‘‘(A) the determination of individual producer yields; 
‘‘(B) sharing information on beginning farmers and 
ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(C) investigating potential waste, fraud, or abuse; 
‘‘(D) sharing information to support the transition of 
crops and counties from the noninsured crop disaster assist-
ance program established by section 196 of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
7333) to insurance under this subtitle; and 
‘‘(E) serving as a local point of contact for the dissemi-
nation of information on risk management options available 
to farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(4) other Federal agencies, in assisting the Board in any 
way the Board determines is necessary in carrying out this 
subtitle.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(2) the’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) the’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘(f) The Board’’ in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) and all that follows through the semicolon at 
the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) USE OF RESOURCES, DATA, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES OF 
FEDERAL AGENCIES.—If the Board determines it is necessary, the 
Board shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, the resources, 
data, boards, and the committees of— 
‘‘(1) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in 
assisting the Board in— 
‘‘(A) the classification of land as to risk and production 
capability; and 
‘‘(B) the consideration of acceptable conservation prac-
tices, including good farming practices with respect to con-
servation (such as cover crop termination);’’. 
SEC. 11105. SPECIALTY CROPS. 
(a) SPECIALTY CROPS COORDINATOR.—Section 507(g) of the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(g)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the subsection designation and all that 
follows through ‘‘The Corporation’’ in paragraph (1) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) SPECIALTY CROPS COORDINATOR.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following:
H. R. 2—432 
‘‘(4) SPECIALTY
CROP
LIAISONS.—The Specialty Crops 
Coordinator shall— 
‘‘(A) designate a Specialty Crops Liaison in each 
regional field office; and 
‘‘(B) share the contact information of the Specialty 
Crops Liaisons with specialty crop producers. 
‘‘(5) WEBSITE.—The Specialty Crops Coordinator shall 
establish a website focused on the efforts of the Corporation 
to provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop pro-
ducers.’’. 
(b) ADDITION OF SPECIALTY CROPS AND OTHER VALUE-ADDED 
CROPS.—Section 508(a)(6) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(a)(6)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘(INCLUDING VALUE-ADDED CROPS)’’; 
(2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) ANNUAL REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018, and annually thereafter, the manager of the Cor-
poration shall prepare, to the maximum extent practicable, 
based on data shared from the noninsured crop disaster 
assistance program established by section 196 of the Fed-
eral Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
U.S.C. 7333), written agreements, or other data, and 
present to the Board not less than 1 of each of the following: 
‘‘(i) Research and development for a policy or plan 
of insurance for a commodity for which there is no 
existing policy or plan of insurance. 
‘‘(ii) Expansion of an existing policy or plan of 
insurance to additional counties or States, including 
malting barley endorsements or contract options. 
‘‘(iii) Research and development for a new policy 
or plan of insurance, or endorsement, for commodities 
with existing policies or plans of insurance, such as 
dollar plans.’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (B), in the subparagraph heading, 
by striking ‘‘ADDITION OF NEW CROPS’’ and inserting ‘‘REPORT’’; 
and 
(4) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D). 
SEC. 11106. INSURANCE PERIOD. 
Section 508(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘and sweet potatoes’’ and 
inserting ‘‘sweet potatoes, and hemp’’. 
SEC. 11107. COVER CROPS. 
Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(B), in the subparagraph heading, by 
inserting ‘‘DETERMINATION REVIEW’’ after ‘‘PRACTICES’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(11) COVER CROPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The voluntary practice of cover crop-
ping shall be considered a good farming practice under 
paragraph (3)(A)(iii) if the cover crop is terminated in 
accordance with subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION.—
H. R. 2—433 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The termination of a cover crop 
shall be carried out according to— 
‘‘(I) guidelines established by the Secretary; 
or 
‘‘(II) an exception to the guidelines approved 
under clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION TO GUIDELINES.—The Corporation 
shall approve an exception to the guidelines under 
clause (i)(I) if that exception is recommended by— 
‘‘(I) 
the 
Natural 
Resources 
Conservation 
Service; or 
‘‘(II) an agricultural expert, as determined by 
the Corporation, unless the exception is deter-
mined to be unreasonable by the Corporation. 
‘‘(C) INSURABILITY OF SUBSEQUENT CROP.—Cover crop 
termination shall not affect the insurability of a subse-
quently planted insurable crop if the cover crop is termi-
nated in accordance with subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) SUMMER FALLOW.—In a county in which summer 
fallow is an insurable practice, a cover crop in that county 
that is terminated in accordance with subparagraph (B) 
shall be considered as summer fallow for the purpose of 
insurability.’’. 
SEC. 11108. UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS. 
Section 508(a)(7) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)(7)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND UNDER-
SERVED PRODUCERS’’ after ‘‘STATES’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking the designation and heading and all 
that follows through ‘‘the term’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) ADEQUATELY SERVED.—The term’’; 
(B) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ‘‘partici-
pation rate’’ and inserting ‘‘participation rate, by crop,’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) UNDERSERVED PRODUCER.—The term ‘under-
served producer’ means an individual (including a 
member of an Indian Tribe) that is— 
‘‘(I) a beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(II) a veteran farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(III) a socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher.’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Board’’ and inserting ‘‘Using 
resources and information available to the Board or the 
Secretary, the Board’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘subtitle’’ and inserting ‘‘subtitle, 
including policies and plans of insurance for underserved 
producers,’’; and 
(4) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(C) REPORT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
completion of the review under subparagraph (B), and
H. R. 2—434 
not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, 
the Board shall make publicly available and submit 
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing 
the results of the review. 
‘‘(ii) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The report under clause 
(i) shall include recommendations to increase participa-
tion in States and among underserved producers that 
are not adequately served by the policies and plans 
of insurance, including any plans for administrative 
action or recommendations for Congressional action.’’. 
SEC. 11109. TREATMENT OF FORAGE AND GRAZING. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF CATASTROPHIC RISK PROTECTION FOR CROPS 
AND GRASSES USED FOR GRAZING.—Section 508(b)(1) of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
(b) COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING.—The Federal Crop 
Insurance Act is amended by inserting after section 508C (7 U.S.C. 
1508c) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 508D. COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING. 
‘‘Notwithstanding section 508A, and in addition to any other 
available coverage, for crops that can be both grazed and mechani-
cally harvested on the same acres during the same growing season, 
producers shall be allowed to purchase separate policies for each 
intended use, as determined by the Corporation, and any indemnity 
paid under those policies for each intended use shall not be consid-
ered to be for the same loss for the purposes of section 508(n).’’. 
SEC. 11110. ADMINISTRATIVE BASIC FEE. 
Section 508(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(b)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘$300’’ and inserting ‘‘$655’’. 
SEC. 11111. ENTERPRISE UNITS. 
Section 508(e)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) ENTERPRISE
UNITS
ACROSS
COUNTY
LINES.—The 
Corporation may allow a producer to establish a single 
enterprise unit by combining an enterprise unit with— 
‘‘(i) 1 or more other enterprise units in 1 or more 
other counties; or 
‘‘(ii) all basic units and all optional units in 1 
or more other counties.’’. 
SEC. 11112. CONTINUED AUTHORITY. 
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 para-
graph: 
‘‘(6) CONTINUED AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall establish— 
‘‘(i) underwriting rules that limit the decrease in 
the actual production history of a producer, at the 
election of the producer, to not more than 10 percent 
of the actual production history of the previous crop
H. R. 2—435 
year provided that the production decline was the 
result of drought, flood, natural disaster, or other 
insurable loss (as determined by the Corporation); and 
‘‘(ii) actuarially sound premiums to cover addi-
tional risk. 
‘‘(B) OTHER AUTHORITY.—The authority provided under 
subparagraph (A) is in addition to any other authority 
that adjusts the actual production history of the producer 
under this Act. 
‘‘(C) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph shall be con-
strued to require a change in the administration of any 
provision of this Act as the Act was administered for the 
2018 reinsurance year.’’. 
SEC. 11113. SUBMISSION OF POLICIES AND MATERIALS TO BOARD. 
Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(h)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)— 
(A) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as sub-
clauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(B) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘The Corporation shall’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall’’; 
(C) in clause (i)(I) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘subject to clause (ii),’’ before ‘‘will likely’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER
FOR
HEMP.—The Corporation may 
waive the viability and marketability requirement 
under clause (i)(I) in the case of a policy or pilot pro-
gram relating to the production of hemp.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)(C)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) in the case of reviewing policies and other 
materials relating to the production of hemp, may 
waive the viability and marketability requirement 
under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).’’. 
SEC. 11114. CROP PRODUCTION ON NATIVE SOD. 
Section 508(o)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(o)(2)(A)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘During the’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) FIRST 4 CROP YEARS.—During the’’; 
(2) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ‘‘after the 
date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘beginning on February 8, 2014, and ending on the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) SUBSEQUENT CROP YEARS.—Native sod acreage 
that has been tilled for the production of an insurable 
crop after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 shall be subject to a reduction 
in benefits under this subtitle as described in this 
paragraph for not more than 4 cumulative years—
H. R. 2—436 
‘‘(I) during the first 10 years after initial till-
age; and 
‘‘(II) during each of which a crop on that acre-
age is insured under subsection (c).’’. 
SEC. 11115. USE OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 
DATA TO COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE. 
Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) using published aggregate data from the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service or any other data source 
to— 
‘‘(i) detect yield disparities or other data anomalies 
that indicate potential fraud; and 
‘‘(ii) target the relevant counties, crops, regions, 
companies, or agents associated with that potential 
fraud for audits and other enforcement actions.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘pursuant to’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘under’’. 
SEC. 11116. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO CORPORATION. 
Section 515(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1515(g)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) The actual production history to be used to estab-
lish insurable yields.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The information required by paragraph 
(1)’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The information required to be sub-
mitted under subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph 
(1)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) ACTUAL PRODUCTION HISTORY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The information required to be 
submitted under paragraph (1)(D) with respect to an 
applicable policy or plan of insurance for a covered 
commodity (as defined in section 1111 of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) shall be submitted 
so as to ensure receipt by the Corporation not later 
than the Saturday of the week containing the calendar 
day that is 30 days after the applicable production 
reporting date for the crop to be insured. 
‘‘(ii) CORRECTION OF ERRORS.—Nothing in clause 
(i) limits the ability of an approved insurance provider 
to correct any error in the information submitted under 
paragraph (1)(D) after receipt of the information by 
the Corporation in accordance with clause (i).’’. 
SEC. 11117. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOSS ADJUSTERS AND 
AGENTS. 
Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515) 
is amended—
H. R. 2—437 
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following: 
‘‘(k) CONTINUING
EDUCATION
FOR
LOSS
ADJUSTERS
AND 
AGENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall establish require-
ments for continuing education for loss adjusters and agents 
of approved insurance providers. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements for continuing edu-
cation described in paragraph (1) shall ensure that loss 
adjusters and agents of approved insurance providers are 
familiar with— 
‘‘(A) the policies and plans of insurance available under 
this Act, including the regulations promulgated to carry 
out this Act; 
‘‘(B) efforts to promote program integrity through the 
elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse; and 
‘‘(C) other aspects of adjusting, delivering, and serv-
icing policies and plans of insurance by adjustors and 
agents, as determined by the Secretary, including conserva-
tion activities and agronomic practices (including organic 
and sustainable practices) that are common and appro-
priate to the area in which the insured crop being inspected 
is produced.’’. 
SEC. 11118. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. 
Section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)(C)(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘$9,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$7,000,000’’. 
SEC. 11119. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY. 
Section 518 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1518) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘hemp,’’ before ‘‘aquacultural species’’. 
SEC. 11120. MAINTENANCE OF POLICIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by amending subparagraph (B) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(B) REIMBURSEMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—An applicant who submits a 
policy under section 508(h) shall be eligible for the 
reimbursement of reasonable research and develop-
ment costs if the policy is approved by the Board 
for sale to producers. 
‘‘(ii) REASONABLE
COSTS.—For the purpose of 
reimbursing research and development and mainte-
nance costs under this section, costs of the applicant 
shall be considered reasonable costs if the costs are 
based on— 
‘‘(I) for any employees or contracted personnel, 
wage rates equal to not more than 2 times the 
hourly wage rate plus benefits, as provided by 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year in 
which such costs are incurred, calculated using 
the formula applied to an applicant by the Corpora-
tion in reviewing proposed project budgets under 
this section on October 1, 2016; and
H. R. 2—438 
‘‘(II) other actual documented costs incurred 
by the applicant.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘approved insur-
ance provider’’ and inserting ‘‘applicant’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘determined by the 
approved insurance provider’’ and inserting ‘‘deter-
mined by the applicant’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) REVIEW.—After the Board approves the 
amount of a fee under clause (ii), the fee shall remain 
in effect and not be reviewed by the Board unless— 
‘‘(I) the applicant petitions the Board for 
reconsideration of the fee; 
‘‘(II) a substantial change is made to the policy, 
as determined by the Board; or 
‘‘(III) there is substantial evidence that the 
fee is inhibiting sales or use of the policy, as deter-
mined by the Board.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply to reimbursement requests made on or after October 
1, 2016. 
(2) RESUBMISSION OF DENIED REQUEST.—An applicant that 
was denied all or a portion of a reimbursement request under 
paragraph (1) of section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) during the period between October 1, 
2016, and the date of the enactment of this Act shall be given 
an opportunity to resubmit such request. 
SEC. 11121. REIMBURSEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
MAINTENANCE COSTS. 
Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) WAIVER FOR HEMP.—The Board may waive the 
viability and marketability requirements under this para-
graph in the case of research and development relating 
to a policy to insure the production of hemp.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Corporation’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) WAIVER FOR HEMP.—The Corporation may waive 
the marketability requirement under subparagraph (A) in 
the case of research and development relating to a policy 
to insure the production of hemp.’’. 
SEC. 11122. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. 
Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (7) through (18) and (20) through 
(23); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (19) and (24) as paragraphs 
(7) and (8), respectively;
H. R. 2—439 
(3) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated) (entitled ‘‘Whole 
farm diversified risk management insurance plan’’), by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) REVIEW OF MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVE-
NESS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018— 
‘‘(I) the Corporation shall hold stakeholder 
meetings to solicit producer and agent feedback; 
and 
‘‘(II) the Board shall— 
‘‘(aa) review procedures and paperwork 
requirements on agents and producers; and 
‘‘(bb) modify procedures and requirements, 
as appropriate, to decrease burdens and 
increase flexibility and effectiveness. 
‘‘(ii) FACTORS.—In carrying out items (aa) and (bb) 
of subclause (i)(II), the Board shall consider— 
‘‘(I) removing caps on nursery and livestock 
production; 
‘‘(II) allowing a waiver to expand operations, 
especially for small and beginning farmers; 
‘‘(III) minimizing paperwork for producers and 
agents; 
‘‘(IV) implementing an option for producers 
with less than $1,000,000 in gross revenue that 
requires significantly less paperwork and record-
keeping; 
‘‘(V) developing and using alternative records 
such as time-stamped photographs or technology 
applications to document planting and production 
history; 
‘‘(VI) treating the different growth stages of 
aquaculture species as separate crops to recognize 
the difference in perils at different phases of 
growth; 
‘‘(VII) moderating the impacts of disaster years 
on historic revenue, such as— 
‘‘(aa) using an average of the historic and 
projected revenue; 
‘‘(bb) counting indemnities as historic rev-
enue for loss years; 
‘‘(cc) counting payments under section 196 
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) as historic 
revenue for loss years; or 
‘‘(dd) using an assigned yield floor similar 
to 
the 
limitation 
described 
in 
section 
508(g)(6)(A)(i), as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(VIII) improving agent training and outreach 
to underserved regions and sectors such as small 
dairy farms; and 
‘‘(IX) providing coverage and indemnification 
of insurable losses— 
‘‘(aa) after the losses exceed the deduct-
ible; and
H. R. 2—440 
‘‘(bb) up to the maximum amount of total 
coverage. 
‘‘(F) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER DEFINED.—Not-
withstanding section 502(b)(3), with respect to plans 
described under this paragraph, the term ‘beginning farmer 
or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who has not actively 
operated and managed a farm or ranch with a bona fide 
insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-oper-
ator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than 10 
crop years.’’; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(9) TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE INSURANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding a policy to insure 
crops (including tomatoes, peppers, and citrus) against 
losses due to a tropical storm or hurricane. 
‘‘(B) RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT.—Research and 
development under subparagraph (A) shall— 
‘‘(i) evaluate the effectiveness of risk management 
tools for a low frequency and catastrophic loss weather 
event; and 
‘‘(ii) result in a policy that provides protection for 
at least 1 of the following: 
‘‘(I) Production loss. 
‘‘(II) Revenue loss. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under this paragraph; and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(10) QUALITY LOSS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the establishment of 
each of the following alternative methods of adjusting for 
quality losses: 
‘‘(i) A method that does not impact the actual 
production history of a producer. 
‘‘(ii) A method that provides that, in circumstances 
in which a producer has suffered a quality loss to 
the insured crop of the producer that is insufficient 
to trigger an indemnity payment, the producer may 
elect to exclude that quality loss from the actual 
production history of the producer. 
‘‘(iii) 1 or more methods that combine the methods 
described in clauses (i) and (ii). 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—Notwithstanding subsections (g) 
and (m) of section 508, any method developed under
H. R. 2—441 
subparagraph (A) that is used by the Corporation shall 
be— 
‘‘(i) optional for a producer to use; and 
‘‘(ii) offered at an actuarially sound premium rate. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(11) CITRUS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the insurance of 
citrus fruit commodities and commodity types, including 
research and development of— 
‘‘(i) improvements to 1 or more existing policies, 
including the whole-farm revenue protection pilot 
policy; 
‘‘(ii) alternative methods of insuring revenue for 
citrus fruit commodities and commodity types; and 
‘‘(iii) the development of new, or expansion of 
existing, revenue policies for citrus fruit commodities 
and commodity types. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(12) HOPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding a policy to insure 
the production of hops or revenue derived from the produc-
tion of hops. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(13) SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION PRACTICES.—
H. R. 2—442 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the creation of a sepa-
rate practice for subsurface irrigation, including the 
establishment of a separate transitional yield within a 
county that is reflective of the average gain in productivity 
and yield associated with the installation of a subsurface 
irrigation system. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(14) GRAIN SORGHUM.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development— 
‘‘(i) regarding improvements to 1 or more policies 
to insure irrigated grain sorghum; 
‘‘(ii) regarding alternative methods for producers 
with not more than 4 years of production history to 
insure irrigated grain sorghum; and 
‘‘(iii) to assess, by county, the difference in the 
rate, average yield, and coverage level of grain sorghum 
policies compared to policies for other feed grains in 
that county. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(15) LIMITED IRRIGATION PRACTICES.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY.—The Corporation shall— 
‘‘(i) consider expanding the availability of the lim-
ited irrigation insurance program to neighboring and 
similarly situated States (such as the States of Colo-
rado and Nebraska), as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) carry out research, or offer to enter into 1 
or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons 
to carry out research, on the marketability of the 
existing limited irrigation insurance program; and 
‘‘(iii) make recommendations on how to improve 
participation in that program. 
‘‘(B) RESEARCH.—In carrying out research under 
subparagraph (A), a qualified person shall—
H. R. 2—443 
‘‘(i) collaborate with researchers on the subjects 
of— 
‘‘(I) reduced irrigation practices or limited 
irrigation practices; and 
‘‘(II) expected yield reductions following the 
application of reduced irrigation; 
‘‘(ii) collaborate with State and Federal officials 
responsible for the collection of water and the regula-
tion of water use for the purpose of irrigation; 
‘‘(iii) provide recommendations to encourage pro-
ducers to carry out limited irrigation practices or 
reduced irrigation and water conservation practices; 
and 
‘‘(iv) develop web-based applications that will 
streamline access to coverage for producers electing 
to conserve water use on irrigated crops. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research carried out under 
subparagraphs (A) and (B); 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations to encourage producers 
to carry out limited irrigation practices or reduced 
irrigation and water conservation practices; and 
‘‘(iii) the actions taken by the Corporation to carry 
out the recommendations described in clause (ii). 
‘‘(16) INSURABLE IRRIGATION PRACTICES FOR RICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, to include new and innovative 
irrigation practices under the current rice policy or the 
development of a distinct policy endorsement rated for rice 
produced using— 
‘‘(i) alternate wetting and drying practices (also 
referred to as ‘intermittent flooding’); and 
‘‘(ii) furrow irrigation practices. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(17) GREENHOUSE POLICY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Corpora-
tion shall carry out research and development, or offer 
to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more quali-
fied persons to carry out research and development,