In the Senate of the United States,
November 6, 2003.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representa-
tives (H.R. 2673) entitled ‘‘An Act making appropriations for
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administra-
tion, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending Sep-
tember 30, 2004, and for other purposes.’’, do pass with the
following
AMENDMENT:
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Ag-
riculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administra-
tion, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year end-
ing September 30, 2004, and for other purposes, namely:
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TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary
of Agriculture, $10,046,000: Provided, That not to exceed
$11,000 of this amount shall be available for official recep-
tion and representation expenses, not otherwise provided
for, as determined by the Secretary.
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS
CHIEF ECONOMIST
For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, includ-
ing economic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit anal-
ysis, energy and new uses, and the functions of the World
Agricultural Outlook Board, as authorized by the Agricul-
tural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622g), $8,707,000.
NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION
For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Divi-
sion, $13,997,000.
OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS
For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Pro-
gram Analysis, $7,544,000.
HOMELAND SECURITY STAFF
For necessary expenses of the Homeland Security
Staff, $910,000.
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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Infor-
mation Officer, $15,710,000.
COMMON COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
For necessary expenses to acquire a Common Com-
puting Environment for the Natural Resources Conserva-
tion Service, the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service
and Rural Development mission areas for information tech-
nology, systems, and services, $118,789,000, to remain
available until expended, for the capital asset acquisition
of shared information technology systems, including services
as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 6915–16 and 40 U.S.C. 1421–
28: Provided, That obligation of these funds shall be con-
sistent with the Department of Agriculture Service Center
Modernization Plan of the county-based agencies, and shall
be with the concurrence of the Department’s Chief Informa-
tion Officer.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Finan-
cial Officer, $5,496,000: Provided, That the Chief Financial
Officer shall actively market and expand cross-servicing ac-
tivities of the National Finance Center.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL
RIGHTS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, $794,000.
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OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS
For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights,
$15,445,000.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR
ADMINISTRATION
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Administration, $673,000.
AGRICULTURE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AND RENTAL
PAYMENTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursu-
ant to Public Law 92–313, including authorities pursuant
to the 1984 delegation of authority from the Administrator
of General Services to the Department of Agriculture under
40 U.S.C. 486, for programs and activities of the Depart-
ment which are included in this Act, and for alterations
and other actions needed for the Department and its agen-
cies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations suit-
able for release to the Administrator of General Services,
and for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and re-
pair of Agriculture buildings and facilities, and for related
costs, $187,022,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That the Secretary of Agriculture may transfer
a share of that agency’s appropriation made available by
this Act to this appropriation, or may transfer a share of
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this appropriation to that agency’s appropriation to cover
the costs of new or replacement space for such agency, but
such transfers shall not exceed 5 percent of the funds made
available for space rental and related costs to or from this
account.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agri-
culture, to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C.
9601 et seq.) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), $15,611,000, to remain avail-
able until expended: Provided, That appropriations and
funds available herein to the Department for Hazardous
Materials Management may be transferred to any agency
of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements
pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal
lands.
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For Departmental Administration, $23,031,000, to
provide for necessary expenses for management support
services to offices of the Department and for general admin-
istration security, repairs and alterations, and other mis-
cellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for
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OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR
CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out
the programs funded by this Act, including programs in-
volving intergovernmental affairs and liaison within the ex-
ecutive branch, $3,825,000: Provided, That these funds may
be transferred to agencies of the Department of Agriculture
funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the agency
level: Provided further, That no other funds appropriated
to the Department by this Act shall be available to the De-
partment for support of activities of congressional relations.
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry out services relating
to the coordination of programs involving public affairs,
for the dissemination of agricultural information, and the
coordination of information, work, and programs author-
ized by Congress in the Department, $9,228,000: Provided,
That not to exceed $2,000,000 may be used for farmers’ bul-
letins.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector
General, including employment pursuant to the Inspector
General Act of 1978, $75,781,000, including such sums as
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may be necessary for contracting and other arrangements
with public agencies and private persons pursuant to sec-
tion 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, and in-
cluding not to exceed $125,000 for certain confidential oper-
ational expenses, including the payment of informants, to
be expended under the direction of the Inspector General
pursuant to Public Law 95–452 and section 1337 of Public
Law 97–98.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General
Counsel, $35,343,000.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH,
EDUCATION AND ECONOMICS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics
to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Eco-
nomic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statis-
tics Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the Co-
operative State Research, Education, and Extension Serv-
ice, $596,000.
ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Serv-
ice in conducting economic research and analysis, as au-
thorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7
U.S.C. 1621–1627) and other laws, $69,902,000.
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NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service in conducting statistical reporting and
service work, including crop and livestock estimates, statis-
tical coordination and improvements, marketing surveys,
and the Census of Agriculture, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
1621–1627 and 2204g, and other laws, $128,922,000, of
which up to $25,279,000 shall be available until expended
for the Census of Agriculture.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Re-
search Service to perform agricultural research and dem-
onstration relating to production, utilization, marketing,
and distribution (not otherwise provided for); home econom-
ics or nutrition and consumer use including the acquisition,
preservation, and dissemination of agricultural informa-
tion; and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange,
or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and for
land exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal
value or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the
grantor which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value
of the land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership,
$1,045,533,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder
shall be available for the operation and maintenance of air-
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craft and the purchase of not to exceed one for replacement
only: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall
be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction,
alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but
unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one
building shall not exceed $375,000, except for headhouses
or greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,200,000,
and except for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved
at a cost not to exceed $750,000 each, and the cost of alter-
ing any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed
10 percent of the current replacement value of the building
or $375,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That
the limitations on alterations contained in this Act shall
not apply to modernization or replacement of existing fa-
cilities at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That ap-
propriations hereunder shall be available for granting ease-
ments at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center: Pro-
vided further, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply
to replacement of buildings needed to carry out the Act of
April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That
funds may be received from any State, other political sub-
division, organization, or individual for the purpose of es-
tablishing or operating any research facility or research
project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized
by law: Provided further, That all rights and title of the
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United States in the 1.0664-acre parcel of land including
improvements, as recorded at Book 1320, Page 253, records
of Larimer County, State of Colorado, shall be conveyed to
the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University
for the benefit of Colorado State University.
None of the funds appropriated under this heading
shall be available to carry out research related to the pro-
duction, processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco prod-
ucts.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improve-
ment, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equip-
ment or facilities as necessary to carry out the agricultural
research programs of the Department of Agriculture, where
not otherwise provided, $46,000,000, to remain available
until expended.
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND
EXTENSION SERVICE
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for
cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and
for other expenses, $617,575,000, as follows: to carry out
the provisions of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a–
i), $178,977,000; for grants for cooperative forestry research
(16 U.S.C. 582a through a–7), $21,742,000; for payments
to the 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee Univer-
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sity and West Virginia State College (7 U.S.C. 3222),
$35,411,000, of which $1,507,496 shall be made available
only for the purpose of ensuring that each institution shall
receive no less than $1,000,000; for special grants for agri-
cultural research (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $101,637,000; for spe-
cial grants for agricultural research on improved pest con-
trol (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $14,976,000; for competitive re-
search grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), $180,000,000; for the sup-
port of animal health and disease programs (7 U.S.C.
3195), $5,065,000; for supplemental and alternative crops
and products (7 U.S.C. 3319d), $840,000; for grants for re-
search pursuant to the Critical Agricultural Materials Act
(7 U.S.C. 178 et seq.), $1,242,000, to remain available until
expended; for research grants for 1994 institutions pursuant
to section 536 of Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note),
$1,093,000, to remain available until expended; for higher
education graduate fellowship grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)),
$3,222,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b); for higher education challenge grants (7 U.S.C.
3152(b)(1)), $4,888,000; for a higher education multicul-
tural scholars program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), $992,000, to
remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for an
education grants program for Hispanic-serving Institutions
(7 U.S.C. 3241), $4,073,000; for noncompetitive grants for
the purpose of carrying out all provisions of 7 U.S.C. 3242
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(section 759 of Public Law 106–78) to individual eligible
institutions or consortia of eligible institutions in Alaska
and in Hawaii, with funds awarded equally to each of the
States of Alaska and Hawaii, $3,500,000; for a secondary
agriculture education program and 2-year post-secondary
education (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)), $994,000; for aquaculture
grants (7 U.S.C. 3322), $4,471,000; for sustainable agri-
culture 
research 
and 
education 
(7 
U.S.C. 
5811),
$13,661,000; for a program of capacity building grants (7
U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to colleges eligible to receive funds under
the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321–326 and 328),
including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State
College, $11,404,000, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b); for payments to the 1994 Institutions pursu-
ant to section 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103–382,
$1,689,000; and for necessary expenses of Research and
Education Activities, $26,698,000.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be
available to carry out research related to the production,
processing or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products: Pro-
vided, That this paragraph shall not apply to research on
the medical, biotechnological, food, and industrial uses of
tobacco.
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NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
For the Native American Institutions Endowment
Fund authorized by Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301
note), $9,000,000.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
For payments to States, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, North-
ern Marianas, and American Samoa, $450,084,000, as fol-
lows: payments for cooperative extension work under the
Smith-Lever Act, to be distributed under sections 3(b) and
3(c) of said Act, and under section 208(c) of Public Law
93–471, for retirement and employees’ compensation costs
for extension agents and for costs of penalty mail for cooper-
ative extension agents and State extension directors,
$279,390,000; payments for extension work at the 1994 In-
stitutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)),
$3,273,000; payments for the nutrition and family edu-
cation program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of
the Act, $58,185,000; payments for the pest management
program under section 3(d) of the Act, $10,689,000; pay-
ments for the farm safety program under section 3(d) of
the Act, $5,489,000; payments to upgrade research, exten-
sion, and teaching facilities at the 1890 land-grant colleges,
including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State
College, as authorized by section 1447 of Public Law 95–
113 (7 U.S.C. 3222b), $14,903,000, to remain available
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until expended; payments for youth-at-risk programs under
section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, $8,426,000; for youth
farm safety education and certification extension grants, to
be awarded competitively under section 3(d) of the Act,
$496,000; payments for carrying out the provisions of the
Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C.
1671 et seq.), $4,516,000; payments for Indian reservation
agents under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act,
$1,983,000; payments for sustainable agriculture programs
under section 3(d) of the Act, $4,843,000; payments for
rural health and safety education as authorized by section
502(i) of Public Law 92–419 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)),
$2,605,000; payments for cooperative extension work by the
colleges receiving the benefits of the second Morrill Act (7
U.S.C. 321–326 and 328) and Tuskegee University and
West Virginia State College, $31,908,000, of which
$1,724,884 shall be made available only for the purpose of
ensuring that each institution shall receive no less than
$1,000,000; for grants to youth organizations pursuant to
section 7630 of title 7, United States Code, $2,981,000; and
for necessary expenses of extension activities, $20,397,000.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
For the integrated research, education, and extension
competitive grants programs, including necessary adminis-
trative expenses, as authorized under section 406 of the Ag-
ricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act
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of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626), $46,711,000, as follows: payments
for the water quality program, $12,887,000; payments for
the food safety program, $14,870,000; payments for the re-
gional pest management centers program, $4,502,000; pay-
ments for the Food Quality Protection Act risk mitigation
program for major food crop systems, $4,857,000; payments
for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection Act imple-
mentation, $1,487,000; payments for the methyl bromide
transition program, $3,500,000; payments for the organic
transition program, $2,111,000; payments for the inter-
national science and education grants program under 7
U.S.C. 3291, to remain available until expended, $497,000;
payments for the critical issues program under 7 U.S.C.
450i(c): Provided, That of the funds made available under
this heading, $497,000 shall be for payments for the critical
issues program under 7 U.S.C. 450i(c) and $1,503,000 shall
be for payments for the regional rural development centers
program under 7 U.S.C. 450i(c).
OUTREACH FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
(7 U.S.C. 2279), $3,470,000, to remain available until ex-
pended.
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OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MARKETING AND
REGULATORY PROGRAMS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
to administer programs under the laws enacted by the Con-
gress for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service;
the Agricultural Marketing Service; and the Grain Inspec-
tion, Packers and Stockyards Administration; $736,000.
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to
prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal
diseases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and regu-
latory activities; and to protect the environment, as author-
ized by law, $705,552,000, of which $4,112,000 shall be
available for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant dis-
eases, animal diseases and for control of pest animals and
birds to the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions;
of which $51,720,000 shall be used for the boll weevil eradi-
cation program for cost share purposes or for debt retire-
ment for active eradication zones; and of which not less
than $1,500,000 (in addition to any other funds made
available for eradication or containment) shall be used by
the Emerald Ash Borer Task Force for the removal of trees
that have been adversely affected by the emerald ash borer,
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with a priority for the removal of trees on public property
or that threaten public safety; and of which up to $275,000
may be used to control or alleviate the cormorant problem
in the State of Michigan: Provided, That no funds shall
be used to formulate or administer a brucellosis eradication
program for the current fiscal year that does not require
minimum matching by the States of at least 40 percent:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available
for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the pur-
chase of not to exceed four, of which two shall be for replace-
ment only: Provided further, That, in addition, in emer-
gencies which threaten any segment of the agricultural pro-
duction industry of this country, the Secretary may trans-
fer from other appropriations or funds available to the
agencies or corporations of the Department such sums as
may be deemed necessary, to be available only in such emer-
gencies for the arrest and eradication of contagious or infec-
tious disease or pests of animals, poultry, or plants, and
for expenses in accordance with sections 10411 and 10417
of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8310 and
8316) and sections 431 and 442 of the Plant Protection Act
(7 U.S.C. 7751 and 7772), and any unexpended balances
of funds transferred for such emergency purposes in the pre-
ceding fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred
amounts: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder
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shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the
repair and alteration of leased buildings and improve-
ments, but unless otherwise provided the cost of altering any
one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 per-
cent of the current replacement value of the building.
In fiscal year 2004, the agency is authorized to collect
fees to cover the total costs of providing technical assistance,
goods, or services requested by States, other political sub-
divisions, domestic and international organizations, foreign
governments, or individuals, provided that such fees are
structured such that any entity’s liability for such fees is
reasonably based on the technical assistance, goods, or serv-
ices provided to the entity by the agency, and such fees shall
be credited to this account, to remain available until ex-
pended, without further appropriation, for providing such
assistance, goods, or services.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, preventive mainte-
nance, environmental support, improvement, extension, al-
teration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 428a, $4,996,000, to remain avail-
able until expended.
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AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
MARKETING SERVICES
For necessary expenses to carry out services related to
consumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribu-
tion, transportation, and regulatory programs, as author-
ized by law, and for administration and coordination of
payments to States, $75,263,000, including funds for the
wholesale market development program for the design and
development of wholesale and farmer market facilities for
the major metropolitan areas of the country: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7
U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the cur-
rent replacement value of the building: Provided further,
That, in the case of the term of protection for the variety
for which certificate number 8200179 was issued, on the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture
shall issue a new certificate for a term of protection of 10
years for the variety, except that the Secretary may termi-
nate the certificate (at the end of any calendar year that
is more than 5 years after the date of issuance of the certifi-
cate) if the Secretary determines that a new variety of seed
(that is substantially based on the genetics of the variety
for which the certificate was issued) is commercially viable
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and available in sufficient quantities to meet market de-
mands.
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization
activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31
U.S.C. 9701).
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $62,577,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative
expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/
or other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed
this limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND
SUPPLY (SECTION 32)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August
24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity
program expenses as authorized therein, and other related
operating expenses, except for: (1) transfers to the Depart-
ment of Commerce as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife
Act of August 8, 1956; (2) transfers otherwise provided in
this Act; and (3) not more than $15,392,000 for formulation
and administration of marketing agreements and orders
pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of
1937 and the Agricultural Act of 1961.
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PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS
For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus
and departments of markets, and similar agencies for mar-
keting activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural
Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $3,338,000, of
which not less than $2,000,000 shall be used to make non-
competitive grants under this heading.
GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS
ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
the United States Grain Standards Act, for the administra-
tion of the Packers and Stockyards Act, for certifying proce-
dures used to protect purchasers of farm products, and the
standardization activities related to grain under the Agri-
cultural Marketing Act of 1946, $35,638,000: Provided,
That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law
(7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings
and improvements, but the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the cur-
rent replacement value of the building.
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES
EXPENSES
Not to exceed $42,463,000 (from fees collected) shall be
obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and
weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities
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require additional supervision and oversight, or other un-
controllable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded
by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD SAFETY
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws en-
acted by the Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection
Service, $611,000.
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized
by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products
Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, in-
cluding not to exceed $50,000 for representation allowances
and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved
August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $783,761,000, of which no
less than $701,103,000 shall be available for Federal food
safety inspection; and in addition, $1,000,000 may be cred-
ited to this account from fees collected for the cost of labora-
tory accreditation as authorized by section 1327 of the
Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 138f): Provided, That no fewer than 50 full time
equivalent positions above the fiscal year 2002 level shall
be employed during fiscal year 2004 for purposes dedicated
solely to inspections and enforcement related to the Humane
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Methods of Slaughter Act: Provided further, That this ap-
propriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C.
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and im-
provements, but the cost of altering any one building during
the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current
replacement value of the building.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FARM AND
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Serv-
ices to administer the laws enacted by Congress for the
Farm Service Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the
Risk Management Agency, and the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration, $635,000.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the adminis-
tration and implementation of programs administered by
the Farm Service Agency, $988,768,000: Provided, That the
Secretary is authorized to use the services, facilities, and
authorities (but not the funds) of the Commodity Credit
Corporation to make program payments for all programs
administered by the Agency: Provided further, That other
funds made available to the Agency for authorized activities
may be advanced to and merged with this account.
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STATE MEDIATION GRANTS
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricul-
tural Credit Act of 1987, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5101–5106),
$3,974,000.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity
payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy
products under a dairy indemnity program, $100,000, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That such pro-
gram is carried out by the Secretary in the same manner
as the dairy indemnity program described in Public Law
106–387 (114 Stat. 1549A–12).
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of di-
rect and guaranteed farm ownership (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.)
and operating (7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.) loans, Indian tribe
land acquisition loans (25 U.S.C. 488), and boll weevil
loans (7 U.S.C. 1989), to be available from funds in the
Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as follows: farm own-
ership loans, $1,079,158,000, of which $950,000,000 shall
be for guaranteed loans and $129,158,000 shall be for direct
loans; 
operating 
loans, 
$2,067,317,000, 
of 
which
$1,200,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans,
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$266,249,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans and
$601,068,000 shall be for direct loans; Indian tribe land
acquisition loans, $2,000,000; and for boll weevil eradi-
cation program loans, $100,000,000: Provided, That the
Secretary shall deem the pink bollworm to be a boll weevil
for the purpose of boll weevil eradication program loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including
the cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: farm owner-
ship loans, $33,648,000, of which $5,130,000 shall be for
guaranteed loans, and $28,518,000 shall be for direct loans;
operating loans, $160,634,000, of which $39,960,000 shall
be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans, $34,000,000 shall be
for subsidized guaranteed loans, and $86,674,000 shall be
for direct loans.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$290,968,000, of which $283,020,000 shall be transferred to
and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service
Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural
Credit Insurance Program Account for farm ownership and
operating direct loans and guaranteed loans may be trans-
ferred among these programs: Provided, That the Commit-
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tees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are noti-
fied at least 15 days in advance of any transfer.
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
For administrative and operating expenses, as author-
ized by section 226A of the Department of Agriculture Reor-
ganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933), $71,422,000: Pro-
vided, That not to exceed $1,000 shall be available for offi-
cial reception and representation expenses, as authorized by
7 U.S.C. 1506(i).
CORPORATIONS
The following corporations and agencies are hereby au-
thorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds
and borrowing authority available to each such corporation
or agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts
and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations
as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation
Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the pro-
grams set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for
such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION FUND
For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516), such sums as may
be necessary, to remain available until expended.
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COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION FUND
REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES
For the current fiscal year, such sums as may be nec-
essary to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for
net realized losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed,
pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15
U.S.C. 713a–11).
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
(LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)
For the current fiscal year, the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for site in-
vestigation and cleanup expenses, and operations and
maintenance expenses to comply with the requirement of
section 107(g) of the Comprehensive Environmental Re-
sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C.
9607(g)), and section 6001 of the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6961).
TITLE II
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL
RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the For-
est Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
$761,000.
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NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions
of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f), including
preparation of conservation plans and establishment of
measures to conserve soil and water (including farm irriga-
tion and land drainage and such special measures for soil
and water management as may be necessary to prevent
floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control agricul-
tural related pollutants); operation of conservation plant
materials centers; classification and mapping of soil; dis-
semination of information; acquisition of lands, water, and
interests therein for use in the plant materials program by
donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to
exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C.
428a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement
of permanent and temporary buildings; and operation and
maintenance of aircraft, $826,635,000, to remain available
until expended, of which not less than $9,500,000 is for
snow survey and water forecasting, and not less than
$11,269,000 is for operation and establishment of the plant
materials centers, and of which not less than $23,500,000
shall be for the grazing lands conservation initiative: Pro-
vided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available
pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improve-
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ment of buildings and public improvements at plant mate-
rials centers, except that the cost of alterations and im-
provements to other buildings and other public improve-
ments shall not exceed $250,000: Provided further, That
when buildings or other structures are erected on non-Fed-
eral land, that the right to use such land is obtained as
provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available for technical assistance
and related expenses to carry out programs authorized by
section 202(c) of title II of the Colorado River Basin Salin-
ity Control Act of 1974 (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)): Provided fur-
ther, That qualified local engineers may be temporarily em-
ployed at per diem rates to perform the technical planning
work of the Service: Provided further, That none of the
funds made available under this paragraph by this or any
other appropriations Act may be used to provide technical
assistance with respect to programs listed in section
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841(a)).
WATERSHED SURVEYS AND PLANNING
For necessary expenses to conduct research, investiga-
tion, and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other water-
ways, and for small watershed investigations and planning,
in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001–1009), $10,000,000: Pro-
vided, That qualified local engineers may be temporarily
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HR 2673 EAS
employed at per diem rates to perform the technical plan-
ning work of the Service: Provided further, That none of
the funds made available under this paragraph by this or
any other appropriations Act may be used to provide tech-
nical assistance with respect to programs listed in section
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841(a)).
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive meas-
ures, including but not limited to research, engineering op-
erations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation,
rehabilitation of existing works and changes in use of land,
in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001–1005 and 1007–1009), the
provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–
f), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating
to the activities of the Department, $55,000,000, to remain
available until expended (of which up to $5,000,000 may
be available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a)): Pro-
vided, That not to exceed $20,000,000 of this appropriation
shall be available for technical assistance: Provided further,
That not to exceed $1,000,000 of this appropriation is
available to carry out the purposes of the Endangered Spe-
cies Act of 1973 (Public Law 93–205), including coopera-
tive efforts as contemplated by that Act to relocate endan-
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HR 2673 EAS
gered or threatened species to other suitable habitats as may
be necessary to expedite project construction: Provided fur-
ther, That qualified local engineers may be temporarily em-
ployed at per diem rates to perform the technical planning
work of the Service: Provided further, That none of the
funds made available under this paragraph by this or any
other appropriations Act may be used to provide technical
assistance with respect to programs listed in section
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3841(a)).
WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out rehabilitation of
structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1012), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relat-
ing to the activities of the Department, $29,805,000, to re-
main available until expended: Provided, That qualified
local engineers may be temporarily employed at per diem
rates to perform the technical planning work of the Service:
Provided further, That none of the funds made available
under this paragraph by this or any other appropriations
Act may be used to provide technical assistance with respect
to programs listed in section 1241(a) of the Food Security
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)).
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RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out
projects for resource conservation and development and for
sound land use pursuant to the provisions of sections 31
and 32 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C.
1010–1011; 76 Stat. 607); the Act of April 27, 1935 (16
U.S.C. 590a–f); and subtitle H of title XV of the Agriculture
and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451–3461), $51,000,000,
to remain available until expended.
TITLE III
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR RURAL
DEVELOPMENT
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Rural Development to administer pro-
grams under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural
Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service,
and the Rural Utilities Service of the Department of Agri-
culture, $651,000.
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and
grants, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c,
1926d, and 1932, except for sections 381E–H and 381N of
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act,
$767,479,000, to remain available until expended, of which
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$79,838,000 shall be for rural community programs de-
scribed in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act; of which
$610,641,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs de-
scribed in sections 381E(d)(2), 306C(a)(2), and 306D of
such Act; and of which $79,000,000 shall be for the rural
business and cooperative development programs described
in sections 381E(d)(3) and 310B(f) of such Act: Provided,
That of the amount appropriated for rural business and
cooperative development programs, $100,000 shall be for a
pilot program in the State of Alaska to assist communities
with community planning: Provided further, That of the
total amount appropriated in this account, $24,000,000
shall be for loans and grants to benefit Federally Recognized
Native American Tribes, including grants for drinking
water and waste disposal systems pursuant to section 306C
of such Act, of which $4,000,000 shall be available for com-
munity facilities grants to tribal colleges, as authorized by
section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act, and of which $250,000 shall be available for
a grant to a qualified national organization to provide tech-
nical assistance for rural transportation in order to pro-
mote economic development: Provided further, That of the
amount appropriated for rural community programs,
$6,000,000 shall be available for a Rural Community De-
velopment Initiative: Provided further, That such funds
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shall be used solely to develop the capacity and ability of
private, nonprofit community-based housing and commu-
nity development organizations, low-income rural commu-
nities, and Federally Recognized Native American Tribes
to undertake projects to improve housing, community facili-
ties, community and economic development projects in
rural areas: Provided further, That such funds shall be
made available to qualified private, nonprofit and public
intermediary organizations proposing to carry out a pro-
gram of financial and technical assistance: Provided fur-
ther, That such intermediary organizations shall provide
matching funds from other sources, including Federal funds
for related activities, in an amount not less than funds pro-
vided: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated
for the rural business and cooperative development pro-
grams, not to exceed $500,000 shall be made available for
a grant to a qualified national organization to provide tech-
nical assistance for rural transportation in order to pro-
mote economic development; $2,000,000 shall be for grants
to the Delta Regional Authority (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.);
and not less than $5,000,000 shall be available for grants
in accordance with section 310B(f) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act: Provided further, That
of the amount appropriated for rural utilities programs,
not to exceed $25,000,000 shall be for water and waste dis-
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posal systems to benefit the Colonias along the United
States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant to section
306C of such Act; not to exceed $30,000,000 shall be for
water and waste disposal systems for rural and native vil-
lages in Alaska pursuant to section 306D of such Act, with
up to 1 percent available to administer the program and
up to 1 percent available to improve interagency coordina-
tion may be transferred to and merged with the appropria-
tion for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’, of
which 25 percent shall be provided for water and sewer
projects in regional hubs and $100,000 shall be provided
to develop a regional system for centralized billing, oper-
ation, and management of rural water and sewer utilities
through regional cooperatives, and the State of Alaska shall
provide a 25 percent cost share; not to exceed $18,000,000
shall be for technical assistance grants for rural water and
waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such Act,
of which $5,513,000 shall be for Rural Community Assist-
ance Programs; and not to exceed $13,000,000 shall be for
contracting with qualified national organizations for a cir-
cuit rider program to provide technical assistance for rural
water systems: Provided further, That of the amount appro-
priated for the circuit rider program, Alaska shall receive
no less than five percent and not less than $750,000 shall
be for contracting with qualified national organizations to
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establish a Native American circuit rider program to pro-
vide technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided
further, That not less than $2,000,000 shall be available to
carry out Section 6012 of Public Law 107–171: Provided
further, That of the total amount appropriated, not to ex-
ceed $22,132,000 shall be available through June 30, 2004,
for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agri-
culture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones; of
which $1,000,000 shall be for the rural community pro-
grams described in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act, of which
$12,582,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs de-
scribed in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act, and of which
$8,550,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative
development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of
such Act: Provided further, That of the amount appro-
priated for rural community programs, not to exceed
$23,000,000 shall be to provide grants for facilities in rural
communities with extreme unemployment and severe eco-
nomic depression (Public Law 106–387), with 5 percent for
administration and capacity building in the State rural
development offices: Provided further, That of the amount
appropriated, $30,000,000 shall be transferred to and
merged with the ‘‘Rural Utilities Service, High Energy Cost
Grants Account’’ to provide grants authorized under section
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19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 918a):
Provided further, That of the amount made available for
high energy cost grants, up to $3,000,000 shall be available
to a not-for-profit consumer-owned cooperative utility pro-
vider serving an island community in a non-contiguous
State for the purpose of defraying transaction, transition,
organizational, and other fair and reasonable costs, as de-
termined by the Secretary, incurred during the period July
1, 1999 through December 31, 2002, and directly related
to the successful acquisition by such provider of the investor-
owned electric utility facilities (including generation, trans-
mission, distribution, and other related assets) formerly
serving ratepayers on the island: Provided further, That
any prior year balances for high cost energy grants author-
ized by section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936
(7 U.S.C. 901(19)) shall be transferred to and merged with
the ‘‘Rural Utilities Service, High Energy Costs Grants’’
account.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the adminis-
tration and implementation of programs in the Rural De-
velopment mission area, including activities with institu-
tions concerning the development and operation of agricul-
tural cooperatives; and for cooperative agreements;
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$140,922,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any other
provision of law, funds appropriated under this section
may be used for advertising and promotional campaigns,
including souvenirs, that support activities conducted by
agencies of the Rural Development mission area: Provided
further, That not more than $10,000 may be expended to
provide modest nonmonetary awards to non-USDA employ-
ees: Provided further, That any balances available from
prior years for the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing
Service, and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service sala-
ries and expenses accounts shall be transferred to and
merged with this appropriation.
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of di-
rect and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the
Housing Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural
housing insurance fund, as follows: $4,084,589,000 for loans
to section 502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary,
of which $1,359,417,000 shall be for direct loans, and of
which $2,725,172,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed
loans; $35,004,000 for section 504 housing repair loans;
$115,052,000 for section 515 rental housing; $100,000,000
for section 538 guaranteed multi-family housing loans;
$5,045,000 for section 524 site loans; $11,500,000 for credit
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HR 2673 EAS
sales of acquired property, of which up to $1,500,000 may
be for multi-family credit sales; and $1,623,000 for section
523 self-help housing land development loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including
the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section
502 loans, $165,921,000, of which $126,018,000 shall be for
direct loans, and of which $39,903,000, to remain available
until expended, shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans;
section 504 housing repair loans, $9,612,000; section 515
rental housing, $49,484,000; section 538 multi-family hous-
ing guaranteed loans, $5,950,000; multi-family credit sales
of acquired property, $663,000; and section 523 self-help
housing land development loans, $50,000: Provided, That
of the total amount appropriated in this paragraph,
$7,100,000 shall be available through June 30, 2004, for
authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities
and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture
as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$439,453,000, which shall be transferred to and merged
with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries
and Expenses’’.
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RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For rental assistance agreements entered into or re-
newed pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2)
or agreements entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or
payments for eligible households as authorized by section
502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949, $721,281,000;
and, in addition, such sums as may be necessary, as author-
ized by section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate debt incurred
prior to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental assistance
program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That
of this amount, not more than $5,900,000 shall be available
for debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as
authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to
exceed $20,000 per project for advances to nonprofit organi-
zations or public agencies to cover direct costs (other than
purchase price) incurred in purchasing projects pursuant
to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That
agreements entered into or renewed during the current fiscal
year shall be funded for a 5-year period, although the life
of any such agreement may be extended to fully utilize
amounts obligated.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section
523(b)(1)(A) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c),
$34,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That of the total amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be
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available through June 30, 2004, for authorized empower-
ment zones and enterprise communities and communities
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Eco-
nomic Area Partnership Zones.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For grants and contracts for very low-income housing
repair, supervisory and technical assistance, compensation
for construction defects, and rural housing preservation
made by the Rural Housing Service, as authorized by 42
U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1490e, and 1490m, $46,222,000, to
remain available until expended, of which $5,000,000 shall
be available for a processing and/or fishery workers housing
demonstration project in Alaska, Mississippi, Utah, and
Wisconsin: Provided, That of the total amount appro-
priated, $1,800,000 shall be available through June 30,
2004, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise
communities and communities designated by the Secretary
of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
FARM LABOR PROGRAM ACCOUNT
For the cost of direct loans, grants, and contracts, as
authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486, $33,015,000, to
remain available until expended, for direct farm labor hous-
ing loans and domestic farm labor housing grants and con-
tracts.
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HISTORIC BARN PRESERVATION PROGRAM
For the historic barn preservation program established
under section 379A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008o), $2,000,000.
RURAL BUSINESS—COOPERATIVE SERVICE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized
by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)),
$40,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, $17,308,000, as authorized
by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)),
of which $1,724,000 shall be available through June 30,
2004, for Federally Recognized Native American Tribes and
of which $3,449,000 shall be available through June 30,
2004, for Delta Regional Authority (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.):
Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That of the
total amount appropriated, $2,447,000 shall be available
through June 30, 2004, for the cost of direct loans for au-
thorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities
and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture
as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out
the direct loan programs, $4,283,000 shall be transferred
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to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Develop-
ment, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized
under section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the
purpose of promoting rural economic development and job
creation projects, $15,002,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modi-
fying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, $2,792,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of
credit payments in the current fiscal year, as authorized
by section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,
$3,000,000 shall not be obligated and $3,000,000 are re-
scinded.
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
For rural cooperative development grants authorized
under section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $8,967,000, of which
$2,500,000 shall be for cooperative agreements for the ap-
propriate technology transfer for rural areas program: Pro-
vided, That not to exceed $1,500,000 of the total amount
appropriated shall be made available to cooperatives or as-
sociations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide
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HR 2673 EAS
assistance to small, minority producers and whose gov-
erning board and/or membership is comprised of at least
75 percent minority.
RURAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE
COMMUNITIES GRANTS
For grants in connection with second and third rounds
of empowerment zones and enterprise communities,
$14,370,000, to remain available until expended, for des-
ignated rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise com-
munities, as authorized by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997
and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supple-
mental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105–277):
Provided, That of the funds appropriated, $1,000,000 shall
be made available to third round empowerment zones, as
authorized by the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act
(Public Law 106–554).
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM
For the cost of a program of direct loans and grants,
under the same terms and conditions as authorized by sec-
tion 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106), $23,000,000 for direct renewable
energy loans and grants: Provided, That the cost of direct
loans and loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974.
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RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall
be made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans,
$240,000,000; 
municipal 
rate 
rural 
electric 
loans,
$1,000,000,000; loans made pursuant to section 306 of that
Act, rural electric, $2,000,000,000; Treasury rate direct
electric loans, $750,000,000; 5 percent rural telecommuni-
cations loans, $145,000,000; cost of money rural tele-
communications loans, $250,000,000; loans made pursuant
to section 306 of that Act, rural telecommunications loans,
$120,000,000; and for guaranteed underwriting loans pur-
suant to section 313A, $1,000,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying
loans, of direct and guaranteed loans authorized by sections
305 and 306 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of rural electric loans,
$60,000, and the cost of telecommunication loans, $125,000:
Provided, That notwithstanding section 305(d)(2) of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest rates
may exceed 7 percent per year.
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In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$37,920,000 which shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses’’.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to
make such expenditures, within the limits of funds available
to such corporation in accord with law, and to make such
contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year
limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government
Corporation Control Act, as may be necessary in carrying
out its authorized programs. During fiscal year 2004 and
within the resources and authority available, gross obliga-
tions for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$173,503,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses, including
audits, necessary to carry out the loan programs,
$3,182,000, which shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and
Expenses’’.
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND
PROGRAM
For the principal amount of direct distance learning
and telemedicine loans, $300,000,000; and for the principal
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amount 
of 
broadband 
telecommunications 
loans,
$647,000,000.
For grants for telemedicine and distance learning serv-
ices in rural areas, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et
seq., $40,000,000, to remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That $15,000,000 shall be made available to convert
analog to digital operation those noncommercial edu-
cational television broadcast stations that serve rural areas
and are qualified for Community Service Grants by the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting under section 396(k)
of the Communications Act of 1934, including associated
translators, repeaters, and studio-to-transmitter links.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed broadband loans,
as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 901, et seq., $15,116,000: Pro-
vided, That the cost of direct loans shall be as defined in
section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
In addition, $10,000,000, to remain available until ex-
pended, for a grant program to finance broadband trans-
mission in rural areas eligible for Distance Learning and
Telemedicne Program benefits authorized by 7 U.S.C.
950aaa.
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TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD,
NUTRITION AND CONSUMER SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the
Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Serv-
ices to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the
Food and Nutrition Service, $611,000.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section
21, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771
et seq.), except sections 17 and 21; $11,418,441,000, to re-
main available through September 30, 2005, of which
$6,718,780,000 is hereby appropriated and $4,699,661,000
shall be derived by transfer from funds available under sec-
tion 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Pro-
vided, That none of the funds made available under this
heading shall be used for studies and evaluations: Provided
further, That up to $5,235,000 shall be available for inde-
pendent verification of school food service claims.
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SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR
WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special supple-
mental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786),
$4,639,232,000, to remain available through September 30,
2005, of which $10,000,000 shall be for a breastfeeding sup-
port initiative in addition to the activities specified in sec-
tion 17(h)(3)(A) and $30,000,000 shall be for a manage-
ment information system initiative: Provided, That of the
total amount available, the Secretary shall obligate
$25,000,000 for the farmers’ market nutrition program:
Provided 
further, 
That 
notwithstanding 
section
17(h)(10)(A) of such Act, $14,000,000 shall be available for
the purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B): Provided fur-
ther, That notwithstanding section 17(g)(5) of such Act,
$5,000,000 shall be available for pilot projects to prevent
childhood obesity: Provided further, That none of the funds
in this Act shall be available to pay administrative expenses
of WIC clinics except those that have an announced policy
of prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out
the program: Provided further, That none of the funds pro-
vided in this account shall be available for the purchase
of infant formula except in accordance with the cost con-
tainment and competitive bidding requirements specified in
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section 17 of such Act: Provided further, That none of the
funds provided shall be available for activities that are not
fully reimbursed by other Federal Government departments
or agencies unless authorized by section 17 of such Act.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp
Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $29,945,981,000, of which
$2,000,000,000 shall be placed in reserve for use only in
such amounts and at such times as may become necessary
to carry out program operations: Provided, That none of
the funds made available under this heading shall be used
for studies and evaluations: Provided further, That of the
funds made available under this heading and not already
appropriated to the Food Distribution Program on Indian
Reservations (FDPIR) established under section 4(b) of the
Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)), not to exceed
$4,000,000 shall be used to purchase bison meat for the
FDPIR from Native American bison producers as well as
from producer-owned cooperatives of bison ranchers: Pro-
vided further, That funds provided herein shall be expended
in accordance with section 16 of the Food Stamp Act: Pro-
vided further, That this appropriation shall be subject to
any work registration or workfare requirements as may be
required by law: Provided further, That funds made avail-
able for Employment and Training under this heading
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shall remain available until expended, as authorized by sec-
tion 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp Act.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out disaster assistance
and the commodity supplemental food program as author-
ized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Pro-
tection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); the Emergency
Food Assistance Act of 1983; and special assistance (in a
form determined by the Secretary of Agriculture) for the
nuclear affected islands, as authorized by section 103(h)(2)
of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985 (48 U.S.C.
1903(h)(2)) (or a successor law), $145,740,000, to remain
available through September 30, 2005: Provided, That none
of these funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity
Credit Corporation for commodities donated to the pro-
gram.
NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic
nutrition assistance programs funded under this Act,
$138,304,000, of which $5,000,000 shall be available only
for simplifying procedures, reducing overhead costs, tight-
ening regulations, improving food stamp benefit delivery,
and assisting in the prevention, identification, and prosecu-
tion of fraud and other violations of law; and of which not
less than $4,000,000 shall be available to improve integrity
in the Food Stamp and Child Nutrition programs.
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TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural
Service, including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural
Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1761–1769), market development ac-
tivities abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate
and integrate activities of the Department in connection
with foreign agricultural work, including not to exceed
$158,000 for representation allowances and for expenses
pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956
(7 U.S.C. 1766), $131,648,000: Provided, That the Service
may utilize advances of funds, or reimburse this appropria-
tion for expenditures made on behalf of Federal agencies,
public and private organizations and institutions under
agreements executed pursuant to the agricultural food pro-
duction assistance programs (7 U.S.C. 1737) and the for-
eign assistance programs of the United States Agency for
International Development.
PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE I PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, of agreements under the Agricul-
tural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and
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the Food for Progress Act of 1985, including the cost of
modifying 
credit 
arrangements 
under 
said 
Acts,
$103,887,000, to remain available until expended.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out
the credit program of title I, Public Law 83–480, and the
Food for Progress Act of 1985, to the extent funds appro-
priated for Public Law 83–480 are utilized, $2,134,000, of
which $1,075,000 may be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural Service, Sala-
ries and Expenses’’, and of which $1,059,000 may be trans-
ferred to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm
Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE I OCEAN FREIGHT DIFFERENTIAL
GRANTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For ocean freight differential costs for the shipment of
agricultural commodities under title I of the Agricultural
Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and under
the Food for Progress Act of 1985, $28,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That funds made avail-
able for the cost of agreements under title I of the Agricul-
tural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and
for title I ocean freight differential may be used inter-
changeably between the two accounts with prior notice to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
gress.
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PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE II GRANTS
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not other-
wise recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, includ-
ing interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Develop-
ment and Assistance Act of 1954, for commodities supplied
in connection with dispositions abroad under title II of said
Act, $1,192,000,000, to remain available until expended.
MC GOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION
AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM GRANTS
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o–1), $25,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That the Commodity
Credit Corporation is authorized to provide the services, fa-
cilities, and authorities for the purpose of implementing
such section, subject to reimbursement from amounts pro-
vided herein.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS
PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Com-
modity Credit Corporation’s export guarantee program,
GSM 102 and GSM 103, $4,152,000; to cover common over-
head expenses as permitted by section 11 of the Commodity
Credit Corporation Charter Act and in conformity with the
Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which $3,306,000
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may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural Service, Salaries and Expenses’’,
and of which $846,000 may be transferred to and merged
with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service Agency, Salaries
and Expenses’’.
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, including hire and purchase of passenger motor ve-
hicles; for payment of space rental and related costs pursu-
ant to Public Law 92–313 for programs and activities of
the Food and Drug Administration which are included in
this Act; for rental of special purpose space in the District
of Columbia or elsewhere; and for miscellaneous and emer-
gency expenses of enforcement activities, authorized and ap-
proved by the Secretary and to be accounted for solely on
the 
Secretary’s 
certificate, 
not 
to 
exceed 
$25,000;
$1,663,228,000, of which not to exceed $249,825,000 to be
derived from prescription drug user fees authorized by 21
U.S.C. 379h, including any such fees assessed prior to the
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current fiscal year but credited during the current year, in
accordance with section 736(g)(4), shall be credited to this
appropriation and remain available until expended; and
of which not to exceed $29,190,000 to be derived from med-
ical device user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 379j shall be
credited to this appropriation, to remain available until ex-
pended: Provided, That fees derived from applications re-
ceived during fiscal year 2004 shall be subject to the fiscal
year 2004 limitation: Provided further, That none of these
funds shall be used to develop, establish, or operate any pro-
gram of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701: Provided
further, That of the total amount appropriated: (1)
$412,020,000 shall be for the Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition and related field activities in the Office
of Regulatory Affairs; (2) $475,655,000 shall be for the Cen-
ter for Drug Evaluation and Research and related field ac-
tivities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs, of which no less
than $13,270,000 shall be available for grants and contracts
awarded under section 5 of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C.
360ee) and of which no less than $52,845,000 shall be avail-
able for the generic drugs program; (3) $168,836,000 shall
be for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and
for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Af-
fairs; (4) $84,646,000 shall be for the Center for Veterinary
Medicine and for related field activities in the Office of Reg-
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ulatory Affairs; (5) $207,686,000 shall be for the Center for
Devices and Radiological Health and for related field ac-
tivities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (6) $39,887,000
shall be for the National Center for Toxicological Research;
(7) $40,851,000 shall be for Rent and Related activities,
other than the amounts paid to the General Services Ad-
ministration for rent; (8) $119,152,000 shall be for pay-
ments to the General Services Administration for rent; and
(9) $114,495,000 shall be for other activities, including the
Office of the Commissioner; the Office of Management and
Systems; the Office of External Relations; the Office of Pol-
icy, Legislation, and Planning; and central services for
these offices: Provided further, That funds may be trans-
ferred from one specified activity to another with the prior
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress.
In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42
U.S.C. 263b may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
In addition, export certification user fees authorized
by 21 U.S.C. 381 may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, exten-
sion, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facili-
ties of or used by the Food and Drug Administration, where
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not otherwise provided, $7,948,000, to remain available
until expended.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including
the purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles, and the
rental of space (to include multiple year leases) in the Dis-
trict of Columbia and elsewhere, $88,435,000, including not
to exceed $3,000 for official reception and representation
expenses.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $40,900,000 (from assessments collected
from farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricul-
tural Mortgage Corporation) shall be obligated during the
current fiscal year for administrative expenses as author-
ized under 12 U.S.C. 2249: Provided, That this limitation
shall not apply to expenses associated with receiverships.
TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law,
appropriations and authorizations made for the Depart-
ment of Agriculture for the current fiscal year under this
Act shall be available for the purchase, in addition to those
specifically provided for, of not to exceed 398 passenger
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motor vehicles, of which 396 shall be for replacement only,
and for the hire of such vehicles.
SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Depart-
ment of Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allow-
ances therefor as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Funds appropriated by this Act shall be
available for employment pursuant to the second sentence
of section 706(a) of the Department of Agriculture Organic
Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225) and 5 U.S.C. 3109.
SEC. 704. The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer
unobligated balances of discretionary funds appropriated
by this Act or other available unobligated discretionary bal-
ances of the Department of Agriculture to the Working Cap-
ital Fund for the acquisition of plant and capital equip-
ment necessary for the delivery of financial, administrative,
and information technology services of primary benefit to
the agencies of the Department of Agriculture: Provided,
That none of the funds made available by this Act or any
other Act shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund
without the prior approval of the agency administrator:
Provided further, That none of the funds transferred to the
Working Capital Fund pursuant to this section shall be
available for obligation without the prior approval of the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
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SEC. 705. New obligational authority provided for the
following appropriation items in this Act shall remain
available until expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspec-
tion Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency condi-
tions, information technology infrastructure, fruit fly pro-
gram, emerging plant pests, boll weevil program, and up
to 25 percent of the screwworm program; Food Safety and
Inspection Service, field automation and information man-
agement project; Cooperative State Research, Education,
and Extension Service, funds for competitive research
grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), funds for the Research, Edu-
cation and Economics Information System (REEIS), and
funds for the Native American Institutions Endowment
Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries and expenses funds
made available to county committees; Foreign Agricultural
Service, middle-income country training program and up
to $2,000,000 of the Foreign Agricultural Service appro-
priation solely for the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in
international currency exchange rates, subject to docu-
mentation by the Foreign Agricultural Service.
SEC. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in
this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the
current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
SEC. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations
available to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall
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be available to provide appropriate orientation and lan-
guage training pursuant to section 606C of the Act of Au-
gust 28, 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1766b).
SEC. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be
used to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative
agreements or similar arrangements between the United
States Department of Agriculture and nonprofit institu-
tions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost of the
agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrange-
ments is to carry out programs of mutual interest between
the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate pay-
ment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such
institutions when such indirect costs are computed on a
similar basis for all agencies for which appropriations are
provided in this Act.
SEC. 709. None of the funds in this Act shall be avail-
able to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration to lease space for its own use or to lease space
on behalf of other agencies of the Department of Agriculture
when such space will be jointly occupied.
SEC. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be avail-
able to pay indirect costs charged against competitive agri-
cultural research, education, or extension grant awards
issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service that exceed 19 percent of total Federal
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funds provided under each award: Provided, That notwith-
standing section 1462 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3310), funds provided by this Act for grants award-
ed competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Edu-
cation, and Extension Service shall be available to pay full
allowable indirect costs for each grant awarded under sec-
tion 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
SEC. 711. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered
estimates, not limitations.
SEC. 712. Appropriations to the Department of Agri-
culture for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made
available in the current fiscal year shall remain available
until expended to cover obligations made in the current fis-
cal year for the following accounts: the Rural Development
Loan Fund program account, the Rural Telephone Bank
program account, the Rural Electrification and Tele-
communications Loans program account, the Rural Hous-
ing Insurance Fund program account, and the Rural Eco-
nomic Development Loans program account.
SEC. 713. None of the funds in this Act may be used
to retire more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the
Rural Telephone Bank or to maintain any account or sub-
account within the accounting records of the Rural Tele-
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phone Bank the creation of which has not specifically been
authorized by statute: Provided, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or
otherwise made available in this Act may be used to trans-
fer to the Treasury or to the Federal Financing Bank any
unobligated balance of the Rural Telephone Bank telephone
liquidating account which is in excess of current require-
ments and such balance shall receive interest as set forth
for financial accounts in section 505(c) of the Federal Cred-
it Reform Act of 1990.
SEC. 714. Of the funds made available by this Act, not
more than $1,800,000 shall be used to cover necessary ex-
penses of activities related to all advisory committees, pan-
els, commissions, and task forces of the Department of Agri-
culture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated
rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively
awarded grants.
SEC. 715. None of the funds appropriated by this Act
may be used to carry out section 410 of the Federal Meat
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 679a) or section 30 of the Poultry
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 471).
SEC. 716. No employee of the Department of Agri-
culture may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office
funded by this Act to any other agency or office of the De-
partment for more than 30 days unless the individual’s em-
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ploying agency or office is fully reimbursed by the receiving
agency or office for the salary and expenses of the employee
for the period of assignment.
SEC. 717. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available to the Department of Agriculture shall be
used to transmit or otherwise make available to any non-
Department of Agriculture employee questions or responses
to questions that are a result of information requested for
the appropriations hearing process.
SEC. 718. None of the funds made available to the De-
partment of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire
new information technology systems or significant up-
grades, as determined by the Office of the Chief Information
Officer, without the approval of the Chief Information Offi-
cer and the concurrence of the Executive Information Tech-
nology Investment Review Board: Provided, That notwith-
standing any other provision of law, none of the funds ap-
propriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be
transferred to the Office of the Chief Information Officer
without the prior approval of the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress.
SEC. 719. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act,
or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies
funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or
expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any
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accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by
the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this
Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through
a reprogramming of funds which: (1) creates new programs;
(2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases
funds or personnel by any means for any project or activity
for which funds have been denied or restricted; (4) relocates
an office or employees; (5) reorganizes offices, programs, or
activities; or (6) contracts out or privatizes any functions
or activities presently performed by Federal employees; un-
less the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress are notified 15 days in advance of such re-
programming of funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by
this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure
in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts
in the Treasury of the United States derived by the collec-
tion of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act,
shall be available for obligation or expenditure for activi-
ties, programs, or projects through a reprogramming of
funds in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less,
that: (1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities;
(2) reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program,
project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent
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as approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general
savings from a reduction in personnel which would result
in a change in existing programs, activities, or projects as
approved by Congress; unless the Committees on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days in
advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(c) The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services, or the Chairman of the Com-
modity Futures Trading Commission shall notify the Com-
mittees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before
implementing a program or activity not carried out during
the previous fiscal year unless the program or activity is
funded by this Act or specifically funded by any other Act.
SEC. 720. With the exception of funds needed to ad-
minister and conduct oversight of grants awarded and obli-
gations incurred in prior fiscal years, none of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any
other Act may be used to pay the salaries and expenses of
personnel to carry out the provisions of section 401 of Pub-
lic Law 105–185, the Initiative for Future Agriculture and
Food Systems (7 U.S.C. 7621).
SEC. 721. None of the funds made available to the Food
and Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to re-
duce the Detroit, Michigan, Food and Drug Administration
District Office below the operating and full-time equivalent
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staffing level of July 31, 1999; or to change the Detroit Dis-
trict Office to a station, residence post or similarly modified
office; or to reassign residence posts assigned to the Detroit
District Office: Provided, That this section shall not apply
to Food and Drug Administration field laboratory facilities
or operations currently located in Detroit, Michigan, except
that field laboratory personnel shall be assigned to locations
in the general vicinity of Detroit, Michigan, pursuant to
cooperative agreements between the Food and Drug Admin-
istration and other laboratory facilities associated with the
State of Michigan.
SEC. 722. None of the funds appropriated by this Act
or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and ex-
penses of personnel who prepare or submit appropriations
language as part of the President’s Budget submission to
the Congress of the United States for programs under the
jurisdiction of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Agri-
culture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administra-
tion, and Related Agencies that assumes revenues or reflects
a reduction from the previous year due to user fees pro-
posals that have not been enacted into law prior to the sub-
mission of the Budget unless such Budget submission identi-
fies which additional spending reductions should occur in
the event the user fees proposals are not enacted prior to
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the date of the convening of a committee of conference for
the fiscal year 2005 appropriations Act.
SEC. 723. None of the funds made available by this
Act or any other Act may be used to close or relocate a
State Rural Development office unless or until cost effective-
ness and enhancement of program delivery have been deter-
mined.
SEC. 724. Of any shipments of commodities made pur-
suant to section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7
U.S.C. 1431(b)), the Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the
extent practicable, direct that tonnage equal in value to not
more than $25,000,000 shall be made available to foreign
countries to assist in mitigating the effects of the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome on communities, including the provision of—
(1) agricultural commodities to—
(A) individuals with Human Immuno-
deficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome in the communities; and
(B) households in the communities, particu-
larly individuals caring for orphaned children;
and
(2) agricultural commodities monetized to pro-
vide other assistance (including assistance under
microcredit and microenterprise programs) to create
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HR 2673 EAS
or restore sustainable livelihoods among individuals
in the communities, particularly individuals caring
for orphaned children.
SEC. 725. In addition to amounts otherwise appro-
priated or made available by this Act, $2,981,000 is appro-
priated for the purpose of providing Bill Emerson and
Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships through the Congres-
sional Hunger Center.
SEC. 726. Notwithstanding section 412 of the Agricul-
tural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7
U.S.C. 1736f), any balances available to carry out title III
of such Act as of the date of enactment of this Act, and
any recoveries and reimbursements that become available
to carry out title III of such Act, may be used to carry
out title II of such Act.
SEC. 727. Section 375(e)(6)(B) of the Consolidated
Farm 
and 
Rural 
Development 
Act 
(7 
U.S.C.
2008j(e)(6)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘$26,499,000’’ and
inserting ‘‘$26,998,000’’.
SEC. 728. None of the funds made available in this
Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States Government, except pur-
suant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority provided
in, this Act or any other appropriation Act.
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HR 2673 EAS
SEC. 729. None of the funds made available to the Food
and Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to close
or relocate, or to plan to close or relocate, the Food and
Drug Administration Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis
in St. Louis, Missouri, outside the city or county limits
of St. Louis, Missouri.
SEC. 730. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
of the funds made available in this Act for competitive re-
search grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), the Secretary may use up
to 20 percent of the amount provided to carry out a com-
petitive grants program under the same terms and condi-
tions as those provided in section 401 of the Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998
(7 U.S.C. 7621), including requests for proposals for grants
for critical emerging issues described in section 401(c)(1)
of that Act for which the Secretary has not issued requests
for proposals for grants in fiscal year 2002 or 2003.
SEC. 731. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide
financial and technical assistance through the Watershed
and Flood Prevention Operations program to carry out the
Upper Tygart Valley Watershed project, West Virginia:
Provided, That the Natural Resources Conservation Service
is authorized to provide 100 percent of the engineering as-
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HR 2673 EAS
sistance and 75 percent cost share for installation of the
water supply component of this project.
SEC. 732. Agencies and offices of the Department of
Agriculture may utilize any unobligated salaries and ex-
penses funds to reimburse the Office of the General Counsel
for salaries and expenses of personnel, and for other related
expenses, incurred in representing such agencies and offices
in the resolution of complaints by employees or applicants
for employment, and in cases and other matters pending
before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
the Federal Labor Relations Authority, or the Merit Sys-
tems Protection Board with the prior approval of the Com-
mittees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
SEC. 733. None of the funds appropriated or made
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to pay
the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out section
14(h)(1) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Act (16 U.S.C. 1012(h)(1)).
SEC. 734. None of the funds appropriated or made
available by this Act, or any other Act, may be used to pay
the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out subtitle
I of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7
U.S.C. 2009dd through dd–7).
SEC. 735. None of the funds appropriated or made
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to pay
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HR 2673 EAS
the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out section
6405 of Public Law 107–171 (7 U.S.C. 2655).
SEC. 736. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Natural Resources Conservation Service may provide fi-
nancial and technical assistance through the Watershed and
Flood Prevention Operations program for the Kuhn Bayou
and Ditch 26 Improvement projects in Arkansas, the
Matanuska River erosion control project in Alaska, the
DuPage County Sawmill Creek Watershed project in Illi-
nois, and the Coal Creek project in Utah, and four flood
control structures in Marmaton, Kansas.
SEC. 737. None of the funds made available in fiscal
year 2004 or preceding fiscal years for programs authorized
under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) in excess of $20,000,000
shall be used to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion for the release of eligible commodities under section
302(f)(2)(A) of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act
(7 U.S.C. 1736f–1): Provided, That any such funds made
available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation
shall only be used pursuant to section 302(b)(2)(B)(i) of
the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act.
SEC. 738. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Natural Resources Conservation Service may provide
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HR 2673 EAS
from appropriated funds financial and technical assistance
to the Dry Creek project, Utah.
SEC. 739. The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized
to permit employees of the United States Department of Ag-
riculture to carry and use firearms for personal protection
while conducting field work in remote locations in the per-
formance of their official duties.
SEC. 740. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries
and expenses of personnel to carry out the provisions of sec-
tions 7404(a)(1) and 7404(c)(1) of Public Law 107–171.
SEC. 741. Of the funds made available under section
27(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.), the Secretary may use up to $10,000,000 for costs as-
sociated with the distribution of commodities.
SEC. 742. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used
to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to enroll in
excess of 189,144 acres in the calendar year 2004 wetlands
reserve program as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 3837.
SEC. 743. (a) Notwithstanding subsections (c) and
(e)(2) of section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act (7
U.S.C. 940c(c) and (e)(2)) in implementing section 313A
of that Act, the Secretary shall, with the consent of the lend-
er, structure the schedule for payment of the annual fee,
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HR 2673 EAS
not to exceed an average of 30 basis points per year for
the term of the loan, to ensure that sufficient funds are
available to pay the subsidy costs for note guarantees under
that section; and
(b) The Secretary shall publish a proposed rule to
carry out section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 744. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used
to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out
a ground and surface water conservation program author-
ized by section 2301 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm Se-
curity and Rural Investment Act of 2002, in excess of
$51,000,000.
SEC. 745. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used
to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out
section 2502 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002, in excess of $42,000,000.
SEC. 746. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used
to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out
section 2503 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002, in excess of
$112,044,000.
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HR 2673 EAS
SEC. 747. There is hereby appropriated $3,000,000 to
carry out section 6028 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002: Provided, That
notwithstanding section 383B(g)(1) of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb–
1(g)(1)), the Federal share of the administrative expenses
of the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority for fiscal
year 2004 shall be 100 percent.
SEC. 748. None of the funds appropriated or made
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to pay
the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out section
6029 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm Security and Rural
Investment Act of 2002: Provided, That this section shall
not apply to activities related to the promulgation of regu-
lations or the receipt and review of applications for the
Rural Business Investment Program.
SEC. 749. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS. None of the funds ap-
propriated or otherwise made available by this or any other
Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of per-
sonnel to expend the $20,000,000 made available by section
601(j)(1)(A) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7
U.S.C. 950bb(j)(1)(A)) for fiscal year 2004.
SEC. 750. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act or any other Act shall be used
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HR 2673 EAS
to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out
section 9006 of Public Law 107–171, the Farm Security
and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
SEC. 751. Agencies and offices of the Department of
Agriculture may utilize any available discretionary funds
to cover the costs of preparing, or contracting for the prepa-
ration of, final agency decisions regarding complaints of
discrimination in employment or program activities aris-
ing within such agencies and offices.
SEC. 752. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
for any fiscal year, in the case of a high cost isolated rural
area that is not connected to a road system in Alaska, the
maximum level for the single family housing assistance
shall be 150 percent of the average income level in the met-
ropolitan areas of the State and 115 percent of all other
eligible areas of the State.
SEC. 753. Any unobligated balances in the Alternative
Agricultural Research and Commercialization Revolving
Fund are hereby rescinded.
SEC. 754. There is hereby appropriated $2,000,000, to
remain available until expended, for the Denali Commis-
sion to address deficiencies in solid waste disposal sites
which threaten to contaminate rural drinking water sup-
plies.
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HR 2673 EAS
SEC. 755. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary shall consider the City of Vicksburg, Mis-
sissippi; the City of Aberdeen, South Dakota; and the City
of Starkville, Mississippi as meeting the requirements of a
rural area contained in section 520 of the Housing Act of
1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490) until receipt of the decennial Census
for the year 2010.
SEC. 756. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary shall consider the City of Berlin, New Hamp-
shire; the City of Guymon, Oklahoma; the City of Shawnee,
Oklahoma; and the City of Altus, Oklahoma, to be eligible
for loans and grants provided through the Rural Commu-
nity Advancement Program until receipt of the decennial
Census in the year 2010.
SEC. 757. None of the funds made available in this
Act or any other Act may be used to study or enter into
a contract with a private party to carry out, without spe-
cific authorization in a subsequent Act of Congress, a com-
petitive sourcing activity of the Secretary of Agriculture,
including support personnel of the Department of Agri-
culture, relating to rural development or farm loan pro-
grams, animal disease research, or grant review or manage-
ment activities.
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SEC. 758. Section 501(b)(5)(B) of the Housing Act of
1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471(b)(5)(B) is amended by striking ‘‘for
fiscal years 2002 and 2003,’’.
SEC. 759. AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.
Section 524(b)(4)(B) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7
U.S.C. 1542(b)(4)(B)) is amended—
(1) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘clause (ii)’’ and
inserting ‘‘clauses (ii) and (iii)’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(iii) CERTAIN USES.—Of the amounts
made available to carry out this subsection
for each fiscal year, the Commodity Credit
Corporation shall use not less than—
‘‘(I) $15,000,000 to carry out sub-
paragraphs (A), (B), and (C) of para-
graph (2) through the Natural Re-
sources Conservation Service; and
‘‘(II) $2,000,000 to provide or-
ganic certification cost share assistance
through the Agricultural Marketing
Service.’’.
SEC. 760. TRAVEL RELATING TO COMMERCIAL SALES
OF AGRICULTURAL AND MEDICAL GOODS. Section 910(a)
of the Trade Sanctions Reform And Export Enhancement
†
HR 2673 EAS
Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7209(a)) is amended to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION OF TRAVEL RELATING TO COM-
MERCIAL
SALES
OF
AGRICULTURAL
AND
MEDICAL
GOODS.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall promulgate
regulations under which the travel-related transactions list-
ed in paragraph (c) of section 515.560 of title 31, Code of
Federal Regulations, are authorized by general license for
travel to, from, or within Cuba for the purpose of confer-
ring, exhibiting, marketing, planning, sales negotiation, de-
livery, expediting, facilitating, or servicing commercial ex-
port sale of agricultural and medical goods pursuant to the
provisions of this title.’’.
SEC. 761. PROTECTION OF DOWNED ANIMALS. None
of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by
this Act to pay the salaries or expenses of employees or
agents of the Department of Agriculture may be used to ap-
prove for human consumption under the Federal Meat In-
spection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) any cattle, sheep, swine,
goats, horses, mules, or other equines that are unable to
stand or walk unassisted at an establishment subject to in-
spection at the point of examination and inspection, as re-
quired by section 3(a) of that Act (21 U.S.C. 603(a)).
SEC. 762. PROHIBITION OF ENERGY MARKET MANIPU-
LATION. (a) PROHIBITION.—Part II of the Federal Power
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HR 2673 EAS
Act (16 U.S.C. 824 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
‘‘SEC. 215. PROHIBITION OF MARKET MANIPULATION.
‘‘It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indi-
rectly, to use or employ, in connection with the purchase
or sale of electric energy or the purchase or sale of trans-
mission services subject to the jurisdiction of the Commis-
sion, any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance
in contravention of such regulations as the Commission
may promulgate as appropriate in the public interest or
for the protection of electric ratepayers.’’.
(b) RATES RESULTING FROM MARKET MANIPULA-
TION.—Section 205(a) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C.
824d(a)) is amended by inserting after ‘‘not just and rea-
sonable’’ the following: ‘‘or that result from a manipulative
or deceptive device or contrivance’’.
SEC. 763. Hereafter, no funds provided in this or any
other Act shall be available to the Secretary of Agriculture
acting through the Foreign Agricultural Service to promote
the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products.
SEC. 764. IN GENERAL.—Section 3(o)(4) of the Food
Stamp Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2012(o)(4), is
amended by inserting before the period at the end the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, and except that on October 1, 2003, in the case
of households residing in Alaska and Hawaii the Secretary
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HR 2673 EAS
may not reduce the cost of such diet in effect on September
30, 2002’’.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall be effective beginning on September 30,
2003.
SEC. 765. MODIFICATION OF BOUNDARIES OF AROOS-
TOOK
COUNTY
AND
GRIGGS-STEELE
EMPOWERMENT
ZONES. (a) AROOSTOOK COUNTY EMPOWERMENT ZONE.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Aroostook
County empowerment zone shall include for the period such
empowerment zone remains designated, in addition to the
area designated as of the date of the enactment of this Act,
the remaining area of the county not included in such des-
ignation.
(b) GRIGGS-STEELE EMPOWERMENT ZONE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the Griggs-Steele em-
powerment zone shall include for the period such empower-
ment zone remains designated, in addition to the area des-
ignated as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the re-
maining area of Griggs County not included in such des-
ignation.
SEC. 766. COST-SHARING FOR ANIMAL AND PLANT
HEALTH EMERGENCY PROGRAMS. None of the funds made
available by this Act may be used to issue a final rule in
furtherance of, or otherwise implement, the proposed rule
†
HR 2673 EAS
on cost-sharing for animal and plant health emergency pro-
grams of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
published on July 8, 2003 (Docket No. 02–062–1; 68 Fed.
Reg. 40541).
SEC. 767. Section 601(b)(2) of the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(2)) is amended to read
as follows:
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE RURAL COMMUNITY.—The term
‘eligible rural community’ means any area of the
United States that is not contained in an incor-
porated city or town with a population in excess of
20,000 inhabitants.’’.
SEC. 768. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
for all activities under programs of the Rural Development
Mission Area within the County of Honolulu, Hawaii, the
Secretary may designate any portion of the county as a
rural area or eligible rural community that the Secretary
determines is not urban in character.
SEC. 769. The first sentence of section 306(g)(1) of the
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)(1)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘or title V of the Housing Act of
1949’’; and
(2) by inserting after ‘‘1944’’ the following: ‘‘,
title V of the Housing Act of 1949,’’.
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HR 2673 EAS
SEC. 770. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Con-
solidated Farm and Rural Development Act (including the
associated regulations) governing the Community Facilities
Program, the Secretary shall allow all Community Facility
Program facility borrowers and grantees to enter into con-
tracts with not-for-profit third parties for services con-
sistent with the requirements of the Program, grant, and/
or loan: Provided, That the contracts protect the interests
of the Government regarding cost, liability, maintenance,
and administrative fees.
SEC. 771. EQIP PAYMENT LIMIT. None of the funds
made available under this Act or any other Act shall be
used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry
out chapter 4 of subtitle D of the Food Security Act of 1985
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) to make payments to an indi-
vidual, entity, or agricultural operation, directly or indi-
rectly, in excess of an aggregate of $300,000 for all contracts
entered into by the individual, entity, or agricultural oper-
ation during the period of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.
SEC. 772. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary of Agriculture may use appropriations avail-
able to the Secretary for activities authorized under sections
426–426c of title 7, United States Code, under this or any
other Act, to enter into cooperative agreements, with a
State, political subdivision, or agency thereof, a public or
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HR 2673 EAS
private agency, organization, or any other person, to lease
aircraft if the Secretary determines that the objectives of
the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties
to the agreement in carrying out the programs administered
by the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife
Service; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the
accomplishment of these objectives; award of a cooperative
agreement authorized by the Secretary may be made for an
initial term not to exceed 5 years.
SEC. 773. CITRUS CANKER ASSISTANCE. Section 211
of the Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003 (117 Stat. 545)
is amended—
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘TREE
REPLACEMENT AND’’ after ‘‘FOR’’; and
(2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘tree replace-
ment and’’ after ‘‘Florida for’’.
SEC. 774. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION. For fiscal year
2004, the Secretary of Agriculture may use any unobligated
carryover funds made available for any program adminis-
tered by the Rural Utilities Service (not including funds
made available under the heading ‘‘RURAL COMMUNITY AD-
VANCEMENT PROGRAM’’ in any Act of appropriation) to
carry out section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of
1936 (7 U.S.C. 940e).
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SEC. 775. The Commissioner of the Food and Drug
Administration shall provide no less than $250,000, from
within funds appropriated or otherwise made available in
this Act for the Food and Drug Administration, to process
comments submitted in response to Docket No. 95N–0304
published in the Federal Register on March 5, 2003 (68FR
10417): Provided further, That the Commissioner should ex-
pedite and complete review of available scientific evidence
of ephedra’s pharmacology and mechanism of action.
SEC. 776. WORKLOAD ANALYSIS OF FARM SERVICE
AGENCY. None of the funds made available by this Act may
be used to pay more than 1⁄2 of the salary of the Under
Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services after
January 31, 2004, unless and until the Secretary of Agri-
culture provides to the Committee on Agriculture of House
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nu-
trition, and Forestry of the Senate a workload analysis of
employees of the Farm Service Agency for each of fiscal
years 2001, 2002, and 2003 (including an analysis of the
number of workload items and required man-years, by
State).
SEC. 777. SUN GRANT RESEARCH INITIATIVE. (a)
SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘Sun
Grant Research Initiative Act of 2003’’.
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(b) RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATIONAL PRO-
GRAMS ON BIOBASED ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND PROD-
UCTS.—Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
‘‘SEC. 9011. RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAMS ON BIOBASED ENERGY TECH-
NOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS.
‘‘(a) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the programs estab-
lished under this section are—
‘‘(1) to enhance national energy security through
the development, distribution, and implementation of
biobased energy technologies;
‘‘(2) to promote diversification in, and the envi-
ronmental sustainability of, agricultural production
in the United States through biobased energy and
product technologies;
‘‘(3) to promote economic diversification in rural
areas of the United States through biobased energy
and product technologies; and
‘‘(4) to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and
biomass research and development programs through
improved coordination and collaboration between the
Department of Agriculture, the Department of En-
ergy, and the land-grant colleges and universities.
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‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) 
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVER-
SITIES.—The term ‘land-grant colleges and univer-
sities’ means—
‘‘(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in sec-
tion 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension,
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.
7601));
‘‘(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in sec-
tion 2 of that Act) and West Virginia State Col-
lege; and
‘‘(C) 1994 Institutions (as defined in sec-
tion 2 of that Act).
‘‘(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means
the Secretary of Agriculture.
‘‘(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—To carry out the purposes de-
scribed in subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish pro-
grams under which—
‘‘(1) the Secretary shall provide grants to sun
grant centers specified in subsection (d); and
‘‘(2) the sun grant centers shall use the grants in
accordance with this section.
‘‘(d) GRANTS TO CENTERS.—The Secretary shall use
amounts made available for a fiscal year under subsection
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HR 2673 EAS
(j) to provide a grants in equal amounts to each of the fol-
lowing sun grant centers:
‘‘(1) NORTH-CENTRAL CENTER.—A north-central
sun grant center at South Dakota State University
for the region composed of the States of Illinois, Indi-
ana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Da-
kota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
‘‘(2) SOUTHEASTERN
CENTER.—A southeastern
sun grant center at the University of Tennessee at
Knoxville for the region composed of—
‘‘(A) the States of Alabama, Florida, Geor-
gia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia;
‘‘(B) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
and
‘‘(C) the United States Virgin Islands.
‘‘(3) SOUTH-CENTRAL CENTER.—A south-central
sun grant center at Oklahoma State University for
the region composed of the States of Arkansas, Colo-
rado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico,
Oklahoma, and Texas.
‘‘(4) WESTERN CENTER.—A western sun grant
center at Oregon State University for the region com-
posed of—
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‘‘(A) the States of Alaska, Arizona, Cali-
fornia, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,
and Washington; and
‘‘(B) territories and possessions of the
United States (other than the territories referred
to in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph
(2)).
‘‘(5) NORTHEASTERN CENTER.—A northeastern
sun grant center at Cornell University for the region
composed of the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Mas-
sachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hamp-
shire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
‘‘(e) USE OF FUNDS.—
‘‘(1) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.—Of the amount
of funds that are made available for a fiscal year to
a sun grant center under subsection (d), the center
shall use not more than 25 percent of the amount for
administration to support excellence in science, engi-
neering, and economics at the center to promote the
purposes described in subsection (a) through the State
agricultural experiment station, cooperative extension
services, and relevant educational programs of the
university.
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‘‘(2) GRANTS
TO
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND
UNIVERSITIES.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The sun grant center
established for a region shall use the funds that
remain available for a fiscal year after expendi-
tures made under paragraph (1) to provide com-
petitive grants to land-grant colleges and univer-
sities in the region of the sun grant center to
conduct, consistent with the purposes described
in 
subsection 
(a), 
multiinstitutional 
and
multistate—
‘‘(i) research, extension, and edu-
cational programs on technology develop-
ment; and
‘‘(ii) integrated research, extension,
and educational programs on technology
implementation.
‘‘(B) PROGRAMS.—Of the amount of funds
that are used to provide grants for a fiscal year
under subparagraph (A), the center shall use—
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent of the
funds to carry out programs described in
subparagraph (A)(i); and
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‘‘(ii) not less than 30 percent of the
funds to carry out programs described in
subparagraph (A)(ii).
‘‘(3) INDIRECT COSTS.—A sun grant center may
not recover the indirect costs of making grants under
paragraph (2) to other land-grant colleges and uni-
versities.
‘‘(f) PLAN.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of
funds under subsection (j), in cooperation with other
land-grant colleges and universities and private in-
dustry in accordance with paragraph (2), the sun
grant centers shall jointly develop and submit to the
Secretary, for approval, a plan for addressing at the
State and regional levels the bioenergy, biomass, and
gasification research priorities of the Department of
Agriculture and the Department of Energy for the
making of grants under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (e).
‘‘(2) GASIFICATION COORDINATION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In developing the plan
under paragraph (1) with respect to gasification
research, the sun grant centers identified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) shall
coordinate with land grant colleges and univer-
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sities in their respective regions that have ongo-
ing research activities with respect to the re-
search.
‘‘(B) FUNDING.—Funds made available
under subsection (d) to the sun grant center
identified in subsection (e)(2) shall be available
to carry out planning coordination under para-
graph (1) of this subsection.
‘‘(g) GRANTS TO OTHER LAND-GRANT COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.—
‘‘(1) PRIORITY FOR GRANTS.—In making grants
under subsection (e)(2), a sun grant center shall give
a higher priority to programs that are consistent with
the plan approved by the Secretary under subsection
(f).
‘‘(2) TERM OF GRANTS.—The term of a grant
provided by a sun grant center under subsection
(e)(2) shall not exceed 5 years.
‘‘(h) GRANT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER.—The
sun grant centers shall maintain a Sun Grant Information
Analysis Center at the sun grant center specified in sub-
section (d)(1) to provide sun grant centers analysis and
data management support.
‘‘(i) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days after
the end of a year for which a sun grant center receives a
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grant under subsection (d), the sun grant center shall sub-
mit to the Secretary a report that describes the policies, pri-
orities, and operations of the program carried out by the
center during the year, including a description of progress
made in facilitating the priorities described in subsection
(f).
‘‘(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section—
‘‘(A) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
‘‘(B) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
‘‘(C) $75,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2007 through 2010.
‘‘(2) GRANT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER.—
Of amounts made available under paragraph (1), not
more than $4,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be
made available to carry out subsection (h).’’.
SEC. 778. DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS. The Commissioner
of Food and Drugs shall provide not less than $11,400,000
from within funds appropriated or otherwise made avail-
able by this Act for regulation by the Food and Drug Ad-
ministration of dietary supplements.
SEC. 779. SENSE OF SENATE ON IMPORTATION OF
CATTLE WITH BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Senate finds that—
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(1) the United States beef industry is the single
largest segment of United States agriculture;
(2) the United States has never allowed the im-
portation of live cattle from a country that has been
found to have bovine spongiform encephalopathy (re-
ferred to in this section as ‘‘BSE’’);
(3) the importation of live cattle known to have
BSE could put the entire United States cattle indus-
try at unnecessary risk;
(4) food safety is a top priority for the people of
the United States; and
(5) the importation of beef and beef products
from a country known to have BSE could undermine
consumer confidence in the integrity of the food sup-
ply and present a possible danger to human health.
(b) SENSE OF SENATE.—It is the sense of the Senate
that the Secretary of Agriculture—
(1) should not allow the importation of live cat-
tle from any country known to have BSE unless the
country complies with the animal health guidelines
established by the World Organization for Animal
Health; and
(2) should abide by international standards for
the continued health and safety of the United States
livestock industry.
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SEC. 780. REDUCTION IN TRAVEL AMOUNTS. (a) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Act, each amount provided by this Act for travel expenses
is reduced by the pro rata percentage required to reduce
the total amount provided by this Act for such expenses by
$6,000,000.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Man-
agement and Budget shall submit to the Committees on Ap-
propriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate
a listing of the amounts by account of the reductions made
pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 781. LIMITATION ON ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE
PRICES FOR BUTTER AND NONFAT DRY MILK. None of the
funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the
salaries or expenses of employees of the Department of Agri-
culture to allocate the rate of price support between the pur-
chase prices for nonfat dry milk and butter in a manner
does not support the price of milk in accordance with sec-
tion 1501(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7981(b)).
SEC. 782. SENSE OF SENATE REGARDING COUNTRY OF
ORIGIN LABELING REQUIREMENTS. It is the sense of the
Senate that the conferees on the part of the Senate on this
bill shall insist that no limits on the use of funds to enforce
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country of origin labeling requirements for meat or meat
products be included in the conference report accompanying
the bill.
SEC. 783. EMERGENCY
WATERSHED
PROTECTION
PROGRAM. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary of Agriculture is authorized hereafter to make
funding and other assistance available through the emer-
gency watershed protection program under section 403 of
the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) to
repair and prevent damage to non-Federal land in water-
sheds that have been impaired by fires initiated by the Fed-
eral Government and to waive cost sharing requirements
for the funding and assistance.
SEC. 784. The Secretary may waive the requirements
regarding small and emerging rural business as authorized
under the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program for
the purpose of a lease for the Oakridge Oregon Industrial
Park.
SEC. 785. WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL GRANT TO
THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT. Notwithstanding any other provision of
law—
(1) the Alaska Department of Community and
Economic Development may be eligible to receive a
water and waste disposal grant under section 306(a)
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of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act
(7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) in an amount that is up to 75
percent of the total cost of providing water and sewer
service to the proposed hospital in the Matanuska-
Susitna Borough, Alaska; and
(2) the Alaska Department of Community and
Economic Development may be allowed to pass the
grant funds through to the local government entity
that will provide water and sewer service to the hos-
pital.
SEC. 786. CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM. Land
shall be considered eligible land under section 1231(b) of
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) for pur-
poses of enrollment into the conservation reserve program
established under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C.
3831 et seq.) if the land—
(1) is planted to hardwood trees as of the date
of enactment of this Act; and
(2) was enrolled in the conservation reserve pro-
gram under a contract that expired before the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 787. PROHIBITION OF USE OF FUNDS TO PUR-
CHASE CHICKEN TREATED WITH FLUOROQUINOLONE. After
December 31, 2003, none of the funds made available by
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this Act may be used to purchase chickens or the products
of chickens for use in any program under the Child Nutri-
tion Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) or the Richard
B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et
seq.), unless the supplier provides certification that the sup-
plier does not feed or administer fluoroquinolone to chickens
produced by the supplier.
SEC. 788. RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM LOAN GUAR-
ANTEES. Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by
adding the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 9011. RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM LOAN GUARAN-
TEES.
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF SUBSIDY COSTS.—In this section,
the term ‘subsidy costs’ has the meaning given the term
‘cost’ in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of
1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
‘‘(b) PROJECTS.—Section 9006(c)(1) shall not apply
to a loan guarantee made under this subsection to carry
out a project if—
‘‘(1) the loan will be used—
‘‘(A) to purchase a renewable energy system
that has, as one of its principal purposes, the
commercial production of an agricultural com-
modity; and
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‘‘(B) to promote a solution to an environ-
mental problem in a rural area of the State in
which the project will be carried out;
‘‘(2) the lender of the loan exercises due diligence
with respect to the borrower of the loan;
‘‘(3) the borrower of the loan pays in full, before
the guarantee is issued, a guarantee fee in the amount
of the estimated subsidy cost of the guarantee, as de-
termined by the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget;
‘‘(4) except as provided in paragraph (5), the
principal amount of the loan is not more than
$25,000,000;
‘‘(5) the principal amount of the loan is more
than $25,000,000, but is not more than $75,000,000,
if the Secretary—
‘‘(A) approves the loan application; and
‘‘(B) does not delegate the authority de-
scribed in subparagraph (A);
‘‘(6) the project requires no Federal or State fi-
nancial assistance, other than the loan guarantee pro-
vided under this subsection; and
‘‘(7) the project complies with all necessary per-
mits, licenses, and approvals required under the laws
of the State.
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‘‘(c) COST SHARING.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a loan guar-
antee under this section for a project described in sub-
section (b) shall not exceed 80 percent of the total
project cost.
‘‘(2) SUBORDINATION.—Any financing for the
non-Federal share of the total project cost shall be
subordinated to the federally guaranteed portion of
the total project cost.
‘‘(d) LOAN GUARANTEE LIMITS.—The loan guarantee
limitations applicable to the business and industry guar-
antee loan program authorized under section 310B of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
1932) shall apply to loan guarantees made under this sec-
tion.
‘‘(e) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—
‘‘(1) INDIVIDUAL LOANS.—The amount of prin-
cipal for a loan under this section for a project de-
scribed in subsection (b) shall not exceed $75,000,000.
‘‘(2) ALL LOANS.—The total outstanding amount
of principal for loans under this section for all
projects described in subsection (b) shall not exceed
$500,000,000.
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‘‘(f) PROPOSED RULE.—The Secretary shall publish a
proposed rule to carry out this section within 120 days of
enactment of this Act.’’.
SEC. 789. WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL GRANT TO
THE CITY OF POSTVILLE, IOWA. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the city of Postville, Iowa, shall be eligible
to receive a water and waste disposal grant under section
306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)) in an amount that is equal to not
more than 75 percent of the total cost of providing water
and sewer service in the city.
SEC. 790. TEXAS RICE SAFEGUARD INITIATIVE. (a) IN
GENERAL.—In order to provide a safeguard against the fur-
ther decline of the rice industry and wildlife habitat in
Texas, and to provide information to the Congress in an-
ticipation of and preparation for the 2007 farm bill, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the initiative re-
quired under this section.
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS.—As an integral
part of the safeguard initiative the Secretary of Agriculture
shall review the administration and enhance the enforce-
ment of section 1105(a)(1)(E) of Public Law 107–171 as
it relates to and is applied to the control of noxious weeds
and the proper application and implementation of the con-
serving use requirements on rice base acreage in Texas.
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(c) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—The Secretary shall re-
view and evaluate the costs, benefits and effects of the safe-
guard initiative on rice producers, including tenant rice
producers, the rice milling and processing industry, wildlife
habitat, and the economies of rice farming areas in Texas,
detailed by each of these affected interests and by the pro-
gram variables involved in the safeguard initiative under
subsection (b), including whether or not producers on a
farm have qualified plantings. The Secretary shall provide
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives an annual report detailing the
progress and findings of the initiative not later than Feb-
ruary 1 of each of the years 2005 through 2007.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Agriculture, Rural De-
velopment, Food and Drug Administration, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004’’.
Attest:
Secretary.