H. R. 2—444 
regarding a policy to insure in a controlled environment 
such as a greenhouse— 
‘‘(I) the production of floriculture, nursery, and 
bedding plants; 
‘‘(II) the establishment of cuttings or tissue 
culture in a growing medium; or 
‘‘(III) other similar production, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described 
in clause (i) available if the requirements of section 
508(h) are met. 
‘‘(B) 
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
DESCRIBED.— 
Research and development described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
shall evaluate the effectiveness of policies for the production 
of plants in a controlled environment, including policies 
that— 
‘‘(i) are based on the risk of— 
‘‘(I) 
plant 
diseases 
introduced 
from 
the 
environment; 
‘‘(II) contaminated cuttings, seedlings, or 
tissue culture; or 
‘‘(III) Federal or State quarantine or destruc-
tion orders associated with the contaminated items 
described in subclause (II); 
‘‘(ii) consider other causes of loss applicable to 
a controlled environment, such as a loss of electricity 
due to weather; 
‘‘(iii) consider appropriate best practices to mini-
mize the risk of loss; 
‘‘(iv) consider whether to provide coverage for var-
ious types of plants under 1 policy or to provide cov-
erage for 1 species or type of plant per policy; 
‘‘(v) have streamlined reporting and paperwork 
requirements that take into account short propagation 
schedules, variable crop years, and the variety of plants 
that may be produced in a single facility; and 
‘‘(vi) provide protection for revenue losses. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(18) LOCAL FOODS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) FEASIBILITY
STUDY.—The Corporation shall 
carry out a study to determine the feasibility of, or 
offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
qualified persons to carry out a study to determine 
the feasibility of, a policy to insure production—
H. R. 2—445 
‘‘(I) of floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, 
livestock, or the products of floriculture, fruits, 
vegetables, poultry, or livestock; and 
‘‘(II) that is targeted toward local consumers 
and markets. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make available a policy 
described in clause (i) if— 
‘‘(I) the results of the feasibility study under 
clause (i) are viable; and 
‘‘(II) the requirements of section 508(h) are 
met. 
‘‘(B) FEASIBILITY
STUDY
DESCRIBED.—The feasibility 
study described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate the 
effectiveness of policies for production targeted toward local 
consumers and markets, including policies that— 
‘‘(i) consider small-scale production in various 
areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas; 
‘‘(ii) consider a variety of marketing strategies; 
‘‘(iii) allow for production in soil and in alternative 
systems such as vertical systems, greenhouses, roof-
tops, or hydroponic systems; 
‘‘(iv) consider the price premium when accounting 
for production or revenue losses; 
‘‘(v) consider whether to provide coverage— 
‘‘(I) for various types of production under 1 
policy; and 
‘‘(II) for 1 species or type of plant per policy; 
and 
‘‘(vi) have streamlined reporting and paperwork 
requirements. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that— 
‘‘(i) examines whether a version of existing policies 
such as the whole-farm revenue protection insurance 
plan may be tailored to provide improved coverage 
for producers of local foods; 
‘‘(ii) describes the results of the feasibility study 
carried out under subparagraph (A)(i); and 
‘‘(iii) includes any recommendations with respect 
to those results. 
‘‘(19) HIGH-RISK, 
HIGHLY
PRODUCTIVE
BATTURE
LAND 
POLICY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Corpora-
tion shall carry out research and development, or offer 
to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more quali-
fied persons to carry out research and development, 
regarding a policy to insure producers of corn, cotton, 
and soybeans—
H. R. 2—446 
‘‘(I) with operations on highly productive 
batture land within the Lower Mississippi River 
Valley; 
‘‘(II) that have a history of production of not 
less than 5 years; and 
‘‘(III) that have been impacted by more fre-
quent flooding over the past 10 years due to sedi-
mentation or federally constructed engineering 
improvements. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described 
in clause (i) available if the requirements of section 
508(h) are met. 
‘‘(B) 
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
DESCRIBED.— 
Research and development described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
shall evaluate the feasibility of less cost-prohibitive policies 
for batture-land producers in high risk areas, including 
policies that— 
‘‘(i) consider premium rate adjustments; 
‘‘(ii) consider automatic yield exclusion for consecu-
tive-year losses; and 
‘‘(iii) allow for flexibility of final plant dates and 
prevent plant regulations. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that— 
‘‘(i) examines whether a version of existing policies 
may be tailored to provide improved coverage for 
batture-land producers; 
‘‘(ii) describes the results of the research and 
development carried out under subparagraphs (A) and 
(B); and 
‘‘(iii) includes any recommendations with respect 
to those results.’’. 
SEC. 11123. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 522(e)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(e)(2)(A)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘not more than $12,500,000 for fiscal year 
2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘not more than— 
‘‘(i) $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2018; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.’’. 
SEC. 11124. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO PILOT PROGRAMS. 
Section 523(i)(3)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1523(i)(3)(A)) is amended by adding a period at the end. 
SEC. 11125. EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE. 
(a) EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.—Section 524(a) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)) is amended—
H. R. 2—447 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (5)’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the 
Secretary’’ in subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(4), the Secretary’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘paragraph (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graph (2)’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (2); 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as para-
graphs (2) through (4), respectively; 
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
(A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘about the full range of’’ and inserting 
‘‘and providing technical assistance to agricultural pro-
ducers on a full range of farm viability and’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘business planning, enterprise anal-
ysis, transfer and succession planning, management 
coaching, market assessment, cash flow analysis,’’ after 
‘‘insurance,’’; and 
(C) 
by 
inserting 
‘‘conservation 
activities,’’ 
after 
‘‘benchmarking,’’; 
(5) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘programs established under para-
graphs (2) and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘program established 
under paragraph (2)’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘farm viability and’’ after 
‘‘emphasis on’’; and 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, business planning and technical 
assistance, market assessment, transfer and succession 
planning, and crop insurance participation’’ after 
‘‘benchmarking’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; and 
(C) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(iii) are converting production and marketing sys-
tems to pursue new markets; and 
‘‘(E) producers that are underserved by the Federal 
crop insurance program established under this subtitle, 
as determined by the Corporation.’’; and 
(6) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘transferred’’ and all that follows through ‘‘for 
the partnerships’’ in subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘trans-
ferred for the partnerships’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘paragraph (3), $5,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2001’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (2), $10,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2019’’; and 
(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be used to carry 
out paragraph (3)(E).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 251(f)(1)(D)(ii) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6971(f)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 524(a)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
524(a)’’; and
H. R. 2—448 
(2) by striking ‘‘(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))’’ and inserting ‘‘(7 
U.S.C. 1524(a))’’. 
SEC. 11126. REPEAL OF CROPLAND REPORT ANNUAL UPDATES. 
Section 11014 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–79; 128 Stat. 963) is amended by striking subsection (c). 
TITLE XII—MISCELLANEOUS 
Subtitle A—Livestock 
SEC. 12101. ANIMAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(18) VETERINARY COUNTERMEASURE.—The term ‘veterinary 
countermeasure’ means any biological product (including an 
animal 
vaccine 
or 
diagnostic), 
pharmaceutical 
product 
(including 
a 
therapeutic), 
non-pharmaceutical 
product 
(including a disinfectant), or other product or equipment to 
prevent, detect, respond to, or mitigate harm to public or animal 
health resulting from, animal pests or diseases.’’. 
(b) ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.—Section 
10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘ANIMAL 
DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a) DEFINITION
OF 
ELIGIBLE LABORATORY.—In this section,’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY NETWORK.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION
OF
ELIGIBLE
LABORATORY.—In this sub-
section,’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, 
and moving the margins of such clauses (as so redesig-
nated) 2 ems to the right; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving 
the margins of such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 
2 ems to the right; 
(4) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs 
(2) and (3), respectively, and moving the margins of such para-
graphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) NATIONAL ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall establish a 
program, to be known as the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program (referred to in this section 
as ‘the Program’), to address the increasing risk of the introduc-
tion and spread within the United States of animal pests and 
diseases affecting the economic interests of the livestock and 
related industries of the United States, including the mainte-
nance and expansion of export markets.
H. R. 2—449 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.—Activities under the Program 
shall include, to the extent practicable, the following: 
‘‘(A) Enhancing animal pest and disease analysis and 
surveillance. 
‘‘(B) Expanding outreach and education. 
‘‘(C) Targeting domestic inspection activities at vulner-
able points in the safeguarding continuum. 
‘‘(D) Enhancing and strengthening threat identification 
technology. 
‘‘(E) Improving biosecurity. 
‘‘(F) Enhancing emergency preparedness and response 
capabilities, 
including 
training 
additional 
emergency 
response personnel. 
‘‘(G) Conducting technology development to enhance 
electronic sharing of animal health data for risk analysis 
between State and Federal animal health officials. 
‘‘(H) Enhancing the development and effectiveness of 
animal health technologies to treat and prevent animal 
disease, including— 
‘‘(i) veterinary biologics and diagnostics; 
‘‘(ii) animal drugs for minor uses and minor spe-
cies; 
‘‘(iii) animal medical devices; and 
‘‘(iv) emerging veterinary countermeasures. 
‘‘(I) Such other activities as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary, in consultation with eligible entities speci-
fied in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To carry out the Program, the 
Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements or 
other legal instruments, as authorized under section 10413 
(referred to in this section as ‘agreements’) with eligible entities, 
to be selected by the Secretary, which may include any of 
the following entities, either individually or in combination: 
‘‘(A) A State department of agriculture. 
‘‘(B) The office of the chief animal health official of 
a State. 
‘‘(C) An entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity 
and 
infrastructure 
program 
(as 
defined 
in 
section 
251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C))). 
‘‘(D) A college of veterinary medicine, including a vet-
erinary emergency team at such college. 
‘‘(E) A State or national livestock producer organization 
with direct and significant economic interest in livestock 
production. 
‘‘(F) A State emergency agency. 
‘‘(G) A State, national, allied, or regional veterinary 
organization or specialty board recognized by the American 
Veterinary Medical Association. 
‘‘(H) An Indian Tribe. 
‘‘(I) A Federal agency. 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS.—In entering into 
agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to applications submitted by— 
‘‘(A) a State department of agriculture or an office 
of the chief animal health official of a State; or
H. R. 2—450 
‘‘(B) an eligible entity that will carry out program 
activities in a State or region in which— 
‘‘(i) an animal pest or disease is a Federal concern; 
or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary determines a potential exists 
for the spread of an animal pest or disease after taking 
into consideration— 
‘‘(I) the agricultural industries in the State 
or region; 
‘‘(II) factors contributing to animal pest or dis-
ease in the State or region, such as the climate, 
natural resources, and geography of, and native 
and exotic wildlife species and other disease vec-
tors in, the State or region; and 
‘‘(III) the movement of animals in the State 
or region. 
‘‘(5) CONSULTATION.—For purposes of setting priorities 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with eligible 
entities specified in paragraph (3). The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to consultation car-
ried out under this paragraph. 
‘‘(6) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity specified in para-
graph (3) seeking to enter into an agreement under the 
Program shall submit to the Secretary an application con-
taining such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall notify each 
applicant of— 
‘‘(i) the requirements to be imposed on the eligible 
entity that is the recipient of funds under the Program 
for auditing of, and reporting on, the use of such funds; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the criteria to be used to ensure activities 
supported using such funds are based on sound sci-
entific data or thorough risk assessments. 
‘‘(C) NON-FEDERAL
CONTRIBUTIONS.—When deciding 
whether to enter into an agreement under the Program 
with an eligible entity described in paragraph (3), the Sec-
retary— 
‘‘(i) may take into consideration an eligible entity’s 
ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out 
such an agreement; and 
‘‘(ii) shall not require such an eligible entity to 
make such a contribution as a condition to enter into 
an agreement. 
‘‘(7) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) USE
CONSISTENT
WITH
TERMS
OF
COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENT.—The recipient of funds under the Program 
shall use the funds for the purposes and in the manner 
provided in the agreement under which the funds are pro-
vided. 
‘‘(B) SUB-AGREEMENT.—Nothing in this section pre-
vents an eligible entity from using funds received under 
the Program to enter into sub-agreements with another 
eligible entity or with a political subdivision of a State 
that has legal responsibilities relating to animal disease 
prevention, surveillance, or rapid response.
H. R. 2—451 
‘‘(8) REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of completion of an activity conducted using 
funds provided under the Program, the recipient of such funds 
shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the pur-
poses and results of the activities.’’. 
(c) NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE
AND VETERINARY COUNTER-
MEASURES BANK.—Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsection (b), is further 
amended by inserting after subsection (b) (as added by subsection 
(b)(5) of this section) the following: 
‘‘(c) NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE BANK.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a 
national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank 
(to be known as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
Countermeasures Bank and referred to in this subsection as 
the ‘Vaccine Bank’) to benefit the domestic interests of the 
United States. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS OF VACCINE BANK.—Through the Vaccine 
Bank, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) maintain sufficient quantities of veterinary 
countermeasures to appropriately and rapidly respond to 
the most damaging animal diseases affecting or with poten-
tial to affect human health or the economy of the United 
States; and 
‘‘(B) leverage, when appropriate, the mechanisms and 
infrastructure that have been developed for the manage-
ment, storage, and distribution of the National Veterinary 
Stockpile. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY
FOR
RESPONSE
TO
FOOT
AND
MOUTH
DIS-
EASE.—The Secretary shall prioritize the acquisition and 
maintenance of sufficient quantities of foot and mouth disease 
vaccine and accompanying diagnostic products for the Vaccine 
Bank. As part of such prioritization, the Secretary may offer 
to enter into one or more contracts with one or more entities 
that are capable of producing foot and mouth disease vaccine 
and that have surge production capacity of the vaccine.’’. 
(d) FUNDING.—Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is 
further amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2022.—Of the funds 
of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall 
make available to carry out this section $120,000,000 for 
the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, of which 
not less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for each 
of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b). 
‘‘(B) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.—Of the funds of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, of which not 
less than $18,000,000 shall be made available for each 
of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) NATIONAL
ANIMAL
HEALTH
LABORATORY
NET-
WORK.—In addition to the funds made available under
H. R. 2—452 
paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated 
$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
to carry out subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) NATIONAL
ANIMAL
DISEASE
PREPAREDNESS
AND 
RESPONSE PROGRAM; NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE AND VET-
ERINARY
COUNTERMEASURES
BANK.—In addition to the 
funds made available under paragraph (1), there is author-
ized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out sub-
sections (b) and (c). 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONALITY.—The funds authorized for appro-
priation under this paragraph are in addition to any funds 
authorized or otherwise made available under this section 
or section 10417. 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
‘‘(A) SECRETARY.—Of the funds made available under 
this section or section 10417 to carry out the National 
Animal Health Laboratory Network under subsection (a) 
and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and 
Response Program under subsection (b), not more than 
4 percent may be retained by the Secretary to pay adminis-
trative costs incurred by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Of the funds made available 
under this section or section 10417 to carry out the National 
Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program under 
subsection (b), not more than 10 percent may be retained 
by an eligible entity that receives funds under any agree-
ment entered into under such subsection, including any 
sub-agreement under paragraph (7)(B) of such subsection 
to pay administrative costs incurred by the eligible entity 
to carry out activities under the Program. 
‘‘(4) DURATION
OF
AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available 
under this subsection, including any proceeds credited under 
paragraph (5), shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(5) 
PROCEEDS
FROM
VETERINARY
COUNTERMEASURES 
SALES.—Any proceeds of a sale of veterinary countermeasures 
from the Vaccine Bank shall be— 
‘‘(A) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(B) credited to the account for the operation of the 
Vaccine Bank to be made available for expenditure without 
further appropriation. 
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS
ON
USE
OF
FUNDS
FOR
CERTAIN
PUR-
POSES.—Funds made available under the National Animal 
Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program, and the Vaccine Bank 
shall not be used for the construction of a new building or 
facility or the acquisition or expansion of an existing building 
or facility, including site grading and improvement and 
architect fees. 
‘‘(e) AVAILABILITY AND PURPOSE OF FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using the funds made available under 
subsection (d), the Secretary of Agriculture shall offer to enter 
into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other legal 
instruments under subsections (a) through (c) during each of 
the fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
H. R. 2—453 
‘‘(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed 
to terminate a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other 
legal instrument entered into during the period specified in 
such paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 12102. SHEEP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
U.S.C. 1627a(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘$1,500,000 for fiscal year 
2014’’ and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019’’. 
SEC. 12103. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON LIVESTOCK DEALER STATUTORY 
TRUST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study to deter-
mine the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer statutory 
trust. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall— 
(1) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect buyer and seller behavior in mar-
kets for livestock (as defined in section 2(a) of the Packers 
and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 182)); 
(2) examine how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect seller recovery in the event of 
a livestock dealer payment default; 
(3) consider what potential effects a livestock dealer statu-
tory trust would have on credit availability, including impacts 
on lenders and lending behavior and other industry partici-
pants; 
(4) examine unique circumstances common to livestock 
dealers and how those circumstances could impact the 
functionality of a livestock dealer statutory trust; 
(5) study the feasibility of the industry-wide adoption of 
electronic funds transfer or another expeditious method of pay-
ment to provide sellers of livestock protection from nonsufficient 
funds payments; 
(6) assess the effectiveness of statutory trusts in other 
segments of agriculture, whether similar effects could be experi-
enced under a livestock dealer statutory trust, and whether 
authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent trustee 
under the livestock dealer statutory trust would improve seller 
recovery; 
(7) consider the effects of exempting dealers with average 
annual purchases under a de minimis threshold from being 
subject to the livestock dealer statutory trust; and 
(8) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect the treatment of sellers of livestock 
as it relates to preferential transfer in bankruptcy. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 12104. DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK. 
Section 602(2) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance 
Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471(2)) is amended in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘fish’’ and all that follows through
H. R. 2—454 
‘‘that—’’ and inserting ‘‘llamas, alpacas, live fish, crawfish, and 
other animals that—’’. 
SEC. 12105. NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PLAN. 
Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d). 
SEC. 12106. VETERINARY TRAINING. 
Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and veterinary teams, including those 
based at colleges of veterinary medicine,’’ after ‘‘veterinarians’’; 
and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘and who are capable of providing effective services before, 
during, and after emergencies’’. 
SEC. 12107. REPORT ON FSIS GUIDANCE AND OUTREACH TO SMALL 
MEAT PROCESSORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall offer to enter into a 
contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land- 
grant college of agriculture (as those terms are defined in section 
1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101)) to review the effective-
ness of existing Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance mate-
rials and other tools used by small and very small establishments, 
as defined by regulations issued by the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, operating under Federal inspection, as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act, including— 
(1) the effectiveness of the outreach conducted by the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service to small and very small establish-
ments; 
(2) the effectiveness of the guidance materials and other 
tools used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to assist 
small and very small establishments; and 
(3) the responsiveness of Food Safety and Inspection Service 
personnel to inquiries and issues from small and very small 
establishments. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
that describes— 
(1) the results of the review conducted under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) recommendations on measures the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service should take to improve regulatory clarity 
and consistency and ensure all guidance materials and other 
tools take into account small and very small establishments. 
SEC. 12108. REGIONAL CATTLE AND CARCASS GRADING CORRELATION 
AND TRAINING CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish not more than 
3 regional centers, to be known as Cattle and Carcass Grading 
Correlation and Training Centers (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Centers’’), to provide education and training for cattle and
H. R. 2—455 
carcass beef graders of the Agricultural Marketing Service, cattle 
producers, and other professionals involved in the reporting, 
delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live cattle, and carcasses— 
(1) to limit the subjectivity in the application of beef grading 
standards; 
(2) to provide producers with greater confidence in the 
price of the producers’ cattle; and 
(3) to provide investors with both long and short positions 
more assurance in the cattle delivery system. 
(b) LOCATION.—The Centers shall be located near cattle feeding 
and slaughter populations and areas shall be strategically identified 
in order to capture regional variances in cattle production. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Each Center shall be organized and 
administered by offices of the Department of Agriculture in oper-
ation on the date on which the respective Center is established, 
or in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies or aca-
demic institutions. 
(d) TRAINING PROGRAM.—The Centers shall offer intensive 
instructional programs involving classroom and field training work 
for individuals described in subsection (a). 
(e) COORDINATION OF RESOURCES.—Each Center, in carrying 
out the functions of the Center, shall make use of information 
generated by the Department of Agriculture, the State agricultural 
extension and research stations, relevant designated contract mar-
kets, and the practical experience of area cattle producers, especially 
cattle producers cooperating in on-farm demonstrations, correla-
tions, and research projects. 
(f) PROHIBITION ON CONSTRUCTION.—Funds made available to 
carry out this section shall not be used for the construction of 
a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, 
or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site 
grading and improvement, and architect fees). Notwithstanding the 
preceding sentence, the Secretary may use funds made available 
to carry out this section to provide a Center with payment for 
the cost of the rental of a space determined to be necessary by 
the Center for conducting training under this section and may 
accept donations (including in-kind contributions) to cover such 
cost. 
Subtitle B—Agriculture and Food Defense 
SEC. 12201. REPEAL OF OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
Section 14111 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) is repealed. 
SEC. 12202. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 221. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE.—In this 
section, the term ‘agriculture and food defense’ means any action 
to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, 
or recover from a naturally occurring, unintentional, or intentional 
threat to the agriculture and food system.
H. R. 2—456 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the Office of Homeland Security. 
‘‘(c) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Office of Homeland Security 
shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known 
as the Executive Director of Homeland Security. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Executive Director of Homeland Security 
shall— 
‘‘(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on 
homeland security, including emergency management and agri-
culture and food defense; 
‘‘(2) coordinate activities of the Department, including poli-
cies, processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to home-
land security, including emergency management and agri-
culture and food defense; 
‘‘(3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department 
with other Federal departments and agencies in activities 
relating to homeland security, including emergency manage-
ment and agriculture and food defense, and provide for inter-
agency coordination and data sharing; 
‘‘(4)(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering of 
information relevant to early warning and awareness of threats 
and risks to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector; and 
‘‘(B) share that information with, and provide assistance 
with interpretation and risk characterization of that informa-
tion to, the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 
of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), law 
enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)); 
‘‘(5) liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to 
assist in the development of periodic assessments and intel-
ligence estimates, or other intelligence products, that support 
the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector; 
‘‘(6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement 
of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness 
and response; 
‘‘(7) produce a Department-wide centralized strategic 
coordination plan to provide a high-level perspective of the 
operations of the Department relating to homeland security, 
including emergency management and agriculture and food 
defense; and 
‘‘(8) carry out other appropriate duties, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD THREAT AWARENESS PARTNERSHIP 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) INTERAGENCY EXCHANGE PROGRAM.—The Secretary, in 
partnership with the intelligence community (as defined in 
section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) 
and fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) of the Home-
land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)) that have analysis 
and intelligence capabilities relating to the defense of the food 
and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, shall establish 
and carry out an interagency exchange program of personnel 
and information to improve communication and analysis for
H. R. 2—457 
the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector. 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION
WITH
FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES.—To carry out the program established under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or 
contracts with Federal, State, or local authorities that have 
analysis and intelligence capabilities and expertise relating 
to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastruc-
ture sector; and 
‘‘(B) carry out any other activity under any other 
authority of the Secretary that is appropriate to engage 
the authorities described in subparagraph (A) for the 
defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 12203. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘animal’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(2) DISEASE OR PEST OF CONCERN.—The term ‘‘disease or 
pest of concern’’ means a plant or animal disease or pest that— 
(A) is— 
(i) a transboundary disease; or 
(ii) an established disease; and 
(B) is likely to pose a significant risk to the food 
and agriculture critical infrastructure sector that warrants 
efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and 
recovery. 
(3) ESTABLISHED DISEASE.—The term ‘‘established disease’’ 
means a plant or animal disease or pest that— 
(A)(i) if it becomes established, poses an imminent 
threat to agriculture in the United States; or 
(ii) has become established, as defined by the Secretary, 
within the United States; and 
(B) requires management. 
(4) HIGH-CONSEQUENCE PLANT TRANSBOUNDARY DISEASE.— 
The term ‘‘high-consequence plant transboundary disease’’ 
means a transboundary disease that is— 
(A)(i) a plant disease; or 
(ii) a plant pest; and 
(B) of high consequence, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(5) PEST.—The term ‘‘pest’’— 
(A) with respect to a plant, has the meaning given 
the term ‘‘plant pest’’ in section 403 of the Plant Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 7702); and 
(B) with respect to an animal, has the meaning given 
the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(6) PLANT.—The term ‘‘plant’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702). 
(7) PLANT
HEALTH
MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY.—The term 
‘‘plant health management strategy’’ means a strategy to timely 
control and eradicate a plant disease or plant pest outbreak,
H. R. 2—458 
including through mitigation (such as chemical control), surveil-
lance, the use of diagnostic products and procedures, and the 
use of existing resistant seed stock. 
(8) TRANSBOUNDARY DISEASE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘transboundary disease’’ 
means a plant or animal disease or pest that is within 
1 or more countries outside of the United States. 
(B) INCLUSION.—The term ‘‘transboundary disease’’ 
includes a plant or animal disease or pest described in 
subparagraph (A) that— 
(i) has emerged within the United States; or 
(ii) has been introduced within the United States. 
(9) VETERINARY COUNTERMEASURE.—The term ‘‘veterinary 
countermeasure’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(b) DISEASE OR PEST OF CONCERN RESPONSE PLANNING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
(A) establish a list of diseases or pests of concern 
by— 
(i) developing a process to solicit and receive expert 
opinion and evidence relating to the diseases or pests 
of concern entered on the list; and 
(ii) reviewing all available evidence relating to the 
diseases or pests of concern entered on the list, 
including classified information; and 
(B) periodically update the list established under 
subparagraph (A). 
(2) RESPONSE PLANS.— 
(A) COMPREHENSIVE
STRATEGIC
RESPONSE
PLAN
OR 
PLANS.—The Secretary shall develop, in collaboration with 
appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a 
comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as appro-
priate, for the diseases or pests of concern that are entered 
on the list established under paragraph (1). 
(B) STATE OR REGION RESPONSE PLAN OR PLANS.—The 
Secretary shall provide information to a State or region 
to assist in producing a response plan or plans that shall 
include a concept of operations for a disease or pest of 
concern or a platform concept of operations for responses 
to similar diseases or pests of concern that are determined 
to be a priority to the State or region that shall, as appro-
priate— 
(i) describe the appropriate interactions among, 
and roles of— 
(I) Federal, State, Tribal, and units of local 
government; and 
(II) plant or animal industry partners; 
(ii) include a decision matrix or dynamic decision 
modeling tools that, as appropriate, include— 
(I) information and timing requirements nec-
essary for the use of veterinary countermeasures; 
(II) plant health management strategies; 
(III) deployment of other key materials and 
resources; and 
(IV) parameters for transitioning from out-
break response to disease management;
H. R. 2—459 
(iii) identify key response performance metrics to 
establish— 
(I) benchmarking to provide assessments of 
capabilities, capacity, and readiness to achieve 
response goals and objectives; 
(II) progressive exercise evaluation; and 
(III) continuing improvement of a response 
plan, including by providing for— 
(aa) ongoing exercises; 
(bb) 
improvement 
planning 
and 
the 
implementation 
of 
corrective 
actions 
to 
enhance a response plan over time; and 
(cc) strategic information to guide invest-
ment in any appropriate research to mitigate 
the risk of a disease or pest of concern; and 
(iv) be updated periodically, including in response 
to— 
(I) an exercise evaluation; or 
(II) new risk information becoming available 
regarding a disease or pest of concern. 
(3) COORDINATION OF PLANS.—Pursuant to section 221(d)(6) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, 
as added by section 12202, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, 
assist in coordinating with other appropriate Federal, State, 
regional, or local officials in the exercising of the plans devel-
oped under paragraph (2). 
(c) NATIONAL PLANT DIAGNOSTIC NETWORK.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department of Agriculture a National Plant Diagnostic Network 
to monitor and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant 
health from diseases or pests of concern in the United States. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The National Plant Diagnostic Net-
work established under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) provide for increased awareness, surveillance, early 
identification, rapid communication, warning, and diag-
nosis of a threat to plant health from a disease or pest 
of concern to protect natural and agricultural plant 
resources; 
(B) coordinate and collaborate with agencies of the 
Department of Agriculture and State agencies and authori-
ties involved in plant health; 
(C) establish diagnostic laboratory standards; 
(D) establish regional hubs throughout the United 
States that provide expertise, leadership, and support to 
diagnostic labs relating to the agricultural crops and plants 
in the covered regions of those hubs; and 
(E) establish a national repository for records of 
endemic or emergent diseases and pests of concern. 
(3) HEAD OF NETWORK.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture shall serve as the head 
of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. 
(B) DUTIES.—The head of the National Plant Diag-
nostic Network shall— 
(i) coordinate and collaborate with land-grant col-
leges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
H. R. 2—460 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in carrying 
out the requirements under paragraph (2), including 
through cooperative agreements described in para-
graph (4); 
(ii) partner with the Administrator of the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service for assistance with 
plant health regulation and inspection; and 
(iii) coordinate with other Federal agencies, as 
appropriate, in carrying out activities relating to the 
National Plant Diagnostic Network, including the 
sharing of biosurveillance information. 
(4) COLLABORATION
WITH
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND 
UNIVERSITIES.—The Secretary shall seek to establish coopera-
tive agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (as 
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) 
that have the appropriate level of skill, experience, and com-
petence with plant diseases or pests of concern. 
(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to the 
amount authorized to carry out this subtitle under section 
12205, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. 
(d) NATIONAL PLANT DISEASE RECOVERY SYSTEM.— 
(1) RECOVERY SYSTEM.—The Secretary shall establish in 
the Department of Agriculture a National Plant Disease 
Recovery System to engage in strategic long-range planning 
to recover from high-consequence plant transboundary diseases. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The National Plant Disease Recovery 
System established under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) coordinate with disease or pest of concern concept 
of operations response plans; 
(B) make long-range plans for the initiation of future 
research projects relating to high-consequence plant trans-
boundary diseases; 
(C) establish research plans for long-term recovery; 
(D) plan for the identification and use of specific 
genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, and other disease- 
resistant materials necessary for crop stabilization or 
improvement; and 
(E) establish a watch list of high-consequence plant 
transboundary diseases for the purpose of making long- 
range plans under subparagraph (B). 
SEC. 12204. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS LIST. 
Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protec-
tion Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (V); and 
(3) by inserting after subclause (III) the following: 
‘‘(IV)(aa) whether such inclusion would have 
a substantial negative impact on the research and 
development of solutions for the animal or plant 
disease caused by the agent or toxin; and 
‘‘(bb) whether the negative impact described 
in item (aa) would substantially outweigh the risk
H. R. 2—461 
posed by the agent or toxin to animal or plant 
health if it is not included on the list; and’’. 
SEC. 12205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
In addition to other amounts made available under this subtitle, 
there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
Subtitle C—Historically Underserved 
Producers 
SEC. 12301. FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH. 
(a) REPEAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7405 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 226B(e)(2)(B) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(e)(2)(B)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘the beginning farmer and rancher 
development program established under section 7405 of 
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
U.S.C. 3319f).’’ and inserting ‘‘the beginning farmer and 
rancher development grant program established under sub-
section (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).’’. 
(B) Section 251(f)(1)(D) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)) 
is amended by striking clause (iv) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iv) The beginning farmer and rancher develop-
ment grant program established under subsection (d) 
of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).’’. 
(C) Section 7506(e) of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614c(e)) is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (2)(C)— 
(I) by striking clause (v); 
(II) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) 
as clauses (ii) through (v), respectively; 
(III) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(i) each grant and cooperative agreement awarded 
under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279);’’; 
(IV) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘450i(b)(2));’’ and inserting ‘‘3157(b)(2));’’; 
and 
(V) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by 
adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(ii) in paragraph (4)— 
(I) by striking subparagraph (E); 
(II) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(A) 
through (D) as subparagraphs (B) through (E), 
respectively;
H. R. 2—462 
(III) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as 
so redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(A) subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279);’’; 
(IV) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘450i(b));’’ and inserting ‘‘3157(b));’’; 
(V) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), 
by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(VI) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a period. 
(b) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED 
FARMERS AND RANCHERS, VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS, AND 
BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.—Section 2501 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘FARMING 
OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (i) as paragraph (5) (and 
moving the margins of such paragraph 2 ems to the right) 
and moving such paragraph (as so redesignated) so as to follow 
subsection (a)(4); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (a) (as amended by para-
graph (2)), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) as subsections (c), 
(g), (k), (h), (a), (i), and (j), respectively, and moving the sub-
sections so as to appear in alphabetical order; 
(4) by moving paragraph (5) of subsection (a) (as so redesig-
nated) so as to appear at the end of subsection (c) (as so 
redesignated) and redesignating such paragraph as paragraph 
(6); 
(5) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking the subsection designation and heading 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and 
(6) as paragraphs (6), (5), (1), (3), and (4), respectively, 
and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical 
order; 
(C) in paragraphs (1), (5), and (6) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘As used in this section, the’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘AGRI-
CULTURE’’ and inserting ‘‘AGRICULTURAL’’; and 
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘agriculture’’ and inserting ‘‘agricultural’’; and 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(2) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ means a person that— 
‘‘(A)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; or 
‘‘(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 
10 years; and 
‘‘(B) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may 
establish.’’; 
(6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
H. R. 2—463 
‘‘(b) FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH.—The 
Secretary shall carry out this section to encourage and assist socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, 
and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation 
of farms and ranches through— 
‘‘(1) education and training; and 
‘‘(2) equitable participation in all agricultural programs 
of the Department.’’; 
(7) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated and as amended 
by paragraph (4))— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘FOR 
SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED
AND VETERAN FARMERS
AND 
RANCHERS’’ after ‘‘ASSISTANCE’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (4); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (6) 
as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (1), respectively, and moving 
the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; 
(D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘The term’’ and inserting ‘‘In this subsection, 
the term’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘450b))’’ and 
inserting ‘‘5304))’’; 
(E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Using funds made available under sub-
section (l), the Secretary of Agriculture shall, for the 
period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, carry out’’; 
and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘agricultural’’ 
and inserting ‘‘agricultural, forestry, and related’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘agricultural’’ and inserting ‘‘agri-
cultural, forestry, and related’’; 
(F) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘(1)’’ in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and 
inserting ‘‘(2)’’; and 
(G) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking the subparagraph heading and 
inserting ‘‘OUTREACH
AND
TECHNICAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.—’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3)’’; and 
(III) by inserting ‘‘to socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and 
ranchers’’ after ‘‘assistance’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘(1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(2)’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(v) The number of farms or ranches started, main-
tained, or improved as a result of funds made available 
under the program.
H. R. 2—464 
‘‘(vi) Actions taken by the Secretary in partnership 
with eligible entities to enhance participation in agri-
cultural programs by veteran farmers or ranchers and 
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(vii) The effectiveness of the actions described 
in clause (vi).’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) MAXIMUM TERM AND AMOUNT OF GRANT, CONTRACT, 
OR AGREEMENT.—A grant, contract, or agreement entered 
into under subparagraph (A) shall be— 
‘‘(i) for a term of not longer than 3 years; and 
‘‘(ii) in an amount that is not more than $250,000 
for each year of the grant, contract, or agreement. 
‘‘(F) PRIORITY.—In making grants and entering into 
contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental and 
community-based organizations with an expertise in 
working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
or veteran farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(G) REGIONAL
BALANCE.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical 
diversity of eligible entities to which grants are made and 
contracts and other agreements are entered into under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(H) PROHIBITION.—A grant, contract, or other agree-
ment under subparagraph (A) may not be used for the 
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction 
of a building or facility. 
‘‘(I) PEER REVIEW.—The Secretary shall establish a fair 
and efficient external peer review process that— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary shall use in making grants and 
entering into contracts and other agreements under 
subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) shall include a broad representation of peers 
of the eligible entity. 
‘‘(J) INPUT
FROM
ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—The Secretary 
shall seek input from eligible entities providing technical 
assistance under this subsection not less than once each 
year to ensure that the program is responsive to the eligible 
entities providing that technical assistance.’’; 
(8) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(d) BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT GRANT 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available under sub-
section (l), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall, for the period 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, make competitive grants 
or enter into cooperative agreements to support new and estab-
lished local and regional training, education, outreach, and 
technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for 
beginning farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(2) 
INCLUDED
PROGRAMS
AND
SERVICES.—Initiatives 
described in paragraph (1) may include programs or services, 
as appropriate, relating to— 
‘‘(A) basic livestock, forest management, and crop 
farming practices;
H. R. 2—465 
‘‘(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial 
forest land transfer and succession strategies; 
‘‘(C) entrepreneurship and business training; 
‘‘(D) technical assistance to help beginning farmers 
or ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and 
ranchers; 
‘‘(E) financial and risk management training, including 
the acquisition and management of agricultural credit; 
‘‘(F) natural resource management and planning; 
‘‘(G) diversification and marketing strategies; 
‘‘(H) curriculum development; 
‘‘(I) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships; 
‘‘(J) resources and referral; 
‘‘(K) farm financial benchmarking; 
‘‘(L) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training 
for veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(M) farm safety and awareness; 
‘‘(N) food safety and recordkeeping; and 
‘‘(O) other similar subject areas of use to beginning 
farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
or enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, 
the recipient of the grant or participant in the cooperative 
agreement shall be a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or 
regionally-based network or partnership of public or private 
entities. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—A recipient of a grant or a partici-
pant that enters into a cooperative agreement described 
in subparagraph (A) may include— 
‘‘(i) a State cooperative extension service; 
‘‘(ii) a Federal, State, municipal, or Tribal agency; 
‘‘(iii) a community-based or nongovernmental 
organization; 
‘‘(iv) a college or university (including an institu-
tion awarding an associate’s degree) or foundation 
maintained by a college or university; or 
‘‘(v) any other appropriate partner, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) TERMS OF GRANTS OR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—A 
grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall— 
‘‘(A) be for a term of not longer than 3 years; and 
‘‘(B) provide not more than $250,000 for each year. 
‘‘(5) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), to be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a coopera-
tive agreement under this subsection, a recipient or partici-
pant shall provide a match in the form of cash or in- 
kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of 
the funds provided by the grant or cooperative agreement. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may waive or reduce 
the matching requirement in subparagraph (A) if the Sec-
retary determines such a waiver or modification is nec-
essary to effectively reach an underserved area or popu-
lation.
H. R. 2—466 
‘‘(6) EVALUATION CRITERIA.—In making grants or entering 
into cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall evaluate, with respect to applications for the grants 
or cooperative agreements— 
‘‘(A) relevancy; 
‘‘(B) technical merit; 
‘‘(C) achievability; 
‘‘(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or more 
applicants; 
‘‘(E) the consultation of beginning farmers and ranchers 
in design, implementation, and decisionmaking relating to 
an initiative described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(F) the adequacy of plans for— 
‘‘(i) a participatory evaluation process; 
‘‘(ii) outcome-based reporting; and 
‘‘(iii) the communication of findings and results 
beyond the immediate target audience; and 
‘‘(G) other appropriate factors, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(7) REGIONAL BALANCE.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity 
of recipients of grants or participants in cooperative agreements 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(8) PRIORITY.—In making grants or entering into coopera-
tive agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give 
priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or 
include nongovernmental, community-based organizations and 
school-based educational organizations with expertise in new 
agricultural producer training and outreach. 
‘‘(9) PROHIBITION.—A grant made or cooperative agreement 
entered into under this subsection may not be used for the 
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of 
a building or facility. 
‘‘(10) COORDINATION PERMITTED.—A recipient of a grant 
or participant in a cooperative agreement under this subsection 
may coordinate with a recipient of a grant or cooperative agree-
ment under section 1680 in addressing the needs of veteran 
farmers and ranchers with disabilities. 
‘‘(11) CONSECUTIVE AWARDS.—A grant or cooperative agree-
ment under this subsection may be made to a recipient or 
participant for consecutive years. 
‘‘(12) PEER REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a fair 
and efficient external peer review process, which the Sec-
retary shall use in making grants or entering into coopera-
tive agreements under this subsection. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—The peer review process under 
subparagraph (A) shall include a review panel composed 
of a broad representation of peers of the applicant for 
the grant or cooperative agreement that are not applying 
for a grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection. 
‘‘(13) PARTICIPATION BY OTHER FARMERS AND RANCHERS.— 
Nothing in this subsection prohibits the Secretary from allowing 
a farmer or rancher who is not a beginning farmer or rancher 
(including an owner or operator that has ended, or expects 
to end within 5 years, active labor in a farming or ranching 
operation as a producer, retiring farmers, and non-farming
H. R. 2—467 
landowners) from participating in a program or service under 
this subsection, to the extent that the Secretary determines 
that such participation— 
‘‘(A) is appropriate; and 
‘‘(B) will not detract from the primary purpose of 
increasing 
opportunities 
for 
beginning 
farmers 
and 
ranchers. 
‘‘(14) EDUCATION TEAMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish begin-
ning farmer and rancher education teams to develop cur-
ricula, conduct educational programs and workshops for 
beginning farmers and ranchers in diverse geographical 
areas of the United States, or provide training and tech-
nical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or 
ranchers or for trainers and service providers that work 
with beginning farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(B) CURRICULUM.—In promoting the development of 
curricula, educational programs and workshops, or training 
and technical assistance initiatives under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
include content tailored to specific audiences of beginning 
farmers and ranchers, based on crop diversity or regional 
diversity. 
‘‘(C) COMPOSITION.—In establishing an education team 
under subparagraph (A) for a specific program or workshop, 
the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(i) obtain the short-term services of specialists 
with knowledge and expertise in programs serving 
beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) use officers and employees of the Department 
with direct experience in programs of the Department 
that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the 
program or workshop. 
‘‘(D) COOPERATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this subsection, 
the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent 
practicable, with— 
‘‘(I) State cooperative extension services; 
‘‘(II) Federal, State, and Tribal agencies; 
‘‘(III) community-based and nongovernmental 
organizations; 
‘‘(IV) colleges and universities (including an 
institution awarding an associate’s degree) or 
foundations maintained by a college or university; 
and 
‘‘(V) other appropriate partners, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the 
terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(15) CURRICULUM
AND
TRAINING
CLEARINGHOUSE.—The 
Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes 
available to beginning farmers and ranchers education curricula 
and training materials and programs, which may include online 
courses for direct use by beginning farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(e) APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—In making grants and 
entering into contracts and other agreements, as applicable, under
H. R. 2—468 
subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall make available a sim-
plified application process for an application for a grant that 
requests less than $50,000.’’; 
(9) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from— 
‘‘(1) beginning farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(2) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(3) veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(4) national, State, Tribal, and local organizations and 
other persons with expertise in operating programs for— 
‘‘(A) beginning farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(B) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; or 
‘‘(C) veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(5) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricultural 
Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public 
Law 102–554); 
‘‘(6) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers estab-
lished under section 14008 of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279 note; Public Law 110– 
246); and 
‘‘(7) the Tribal Advisory Committee established under sub-
section (b) of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform 
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6921).’’; 
(10) in paragraph (3) of subsection (h) (as so redesignated), 
by inserting ‘‘and not later than March 1, 2020,’’ after ‘‘1991,’’; 
and 
(11) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section— 
‘‘(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020; 
‘‘(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
‘‘(3) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts made avail-
able to carry out this section— 
‘‘(A) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection 
(c); and 
‘‘(B) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection 
(d). 
‘‘(4) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not less than 5 percent of the 
amounts made available to carry out subsection (d) for 
a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services 
that address the needs of— 
‘‘(i) limited resource beginning farmers and 
ranchers, as defined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
that are beginning farmers and ranchers; and
H. R. 2—469 
‘‘(iii) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or 
ranchers. 
‘‘(B) VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.—Not less than 
5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out 
subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be used to support 
programs and services that address the needs of veteran 
farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(5) INTERAGENCY FUNDING.—Any agency of the Depart-
ment may participate in any grant, contract, or agreement 
entered into under this section by contributing funds, if the 
contributing agency determines that the objectives of the grant, 
contract, or agreement will further the authorized programs 
of the contributing agency. 
‘‘(6) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 5 percent 
of the amounts made available to carry out this section for 
a fiscal year may be used for expenses relating to the adminis-
tration of this section. 
‘‘(7) LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS.—A recipient of a grant 
or a party to a contract or other agreement under subsection 
(c) or (d) may not use more than 10 percent of the funds 
received for the indirect costs of carrying out a grant, contract, 
or other agreement.’’. 
SEC. 12302. URBAN AGRICULTURE. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) (as amended by section 12202) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 222. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE 
PRODUCTION. 
‘‘(a) OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production. 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—The Secretary shall appoint a senior offi-
cial to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture 
and Innovative Production (referred to in this section as the 
‘Director’). 
‘‘(3) MISSION.—The mission of the Office of Urban Agri-
culture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage and 
promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural prac-
tices, including— 
‘‘(A) community gardens and farms located in urban 
areas, suburbs, and urban clusters; 
‘‘(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and 
green walls; 
‘‘(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical 
technology farms; 
‘‘(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facili-
ties; and 
‘‘(E) other innovations in agricultural production, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director shall be responsible 
for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described 
in paragraph (3), including by— 
‘‘(A) managing programs, including for community gar-
dens, urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical 
production;
H. R. 2—470 
‘‘(B) advising the Secretary; 
‘‘(C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of 
the Department to update relevant programs; 
‘‘(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing 
external partnerships; 
‘‘(E) identifying common State and municipal best prac-
tices for navigating local policies; 
‘‘(F) coordinating networks of community gardens and 
facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership 
with the Food and Nutrition Service; and 
‘‘(G) collaborating with other Federal agencies. 
‘‘(b) 
URBAN
AGRICULTURE
AND
INNOVATIVE
PRODUCTION 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish an 
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Com-
mittee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Committee’) to 
advise the Secretary on— 
‘‘(A) the development of policies and outreach relating 
to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural produc-
tion practices; and 
‘‘(B) any other aspects of the implementation of this 
section. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall be composed 
of 12 members, of whom— 
‘‘(i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural 
producers, of whom— 
‘‘(I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural pro-
ducers located in an urban area or urban cluster; 
and 
‘‘(II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use 
innovative technology; 
‘‘(ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution 
of higher education or extension program; 
‘‘(iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a 
nonprofit organization, which may include a public 
health, environmental, or community organization; 
‘‘(iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents busi-
ness and economic development, which may include 
a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, 
a city government, or a planning organization; 
‘‘(v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain 
experience, which may include a food aggregator, 
wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual 
who has direct-to-consumer market experience; 
‘‘(vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing 
entity; and 
‘‘(vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience 
or expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agri-
culture production practices, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—The Secretary shall 
appoint the members of the Committee not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—
H. R. 2—471 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for 
a term of 3 years. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—Of the members first 
appointed to the Committee— 
‘‘(i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; 
‘‘(ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and 
‘‘(iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year. 
‘‘(C) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Committee— 
‘‘(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; 
and 
‘‘(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
‘‘(D) CONSECUTIVE TERMS.—An initial appointee of the 
committee may serve an additional consecutive term if 
the member is reappointed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) FREQUENCY.—The Committee shall meet not fewer 
than 3 times per year. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date on which the members are appointed under para-
graph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting 
of the Committee. 
‘‘(5) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall— 
‘‘(i) develop recommendations and advise the 
Director on policies, initiatives, and outreach adminis-
tered by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production; 
‘‘(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and 
extension activities relating to urban, indoor, and other 
innovative agricultural practices; 
‘‘(iii) identify new and existing barriers to success-
ful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
production practices; and 
‘‘(iv) provide additional assistance and advice to 
the Director as appropriate. 
‘‘(B) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
on which the Committee is established, and every 2 years 
through 2023, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report describing the recommenda-
tions developed under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(6) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
‘‘(A) COMPENSATION.—A member of the Committee 
shall serve without compensation. 
‘‘(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Committee 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(7) TERMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years
H. R. 2—472 
after the date on which the members are appointed under 
paragraph (2)(B). 
‘‘(B) EXTENSIONS.—Before the date on which the Com-
mittee terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee 
for 1 or more 2-year periods. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS.—The Director shall award competitive grants to 
support the development of urban agriculture and innovative 
production to any of the following eligible entities: 
‘‘(1) A nonprofit organization. 
‘‘(2) A unit of local government. 
‘‘(3) A Tribal government. 
‘‘(4) Any school that serves any of grades kindergarten 
through grade 12. 
‘‘(d) PILOT PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(1) URBAN AND SUBURBAN COUNTY COMMITTEES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall estab-
lish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that estab-
lishes 10 county committees in accordance with section 
8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) to operate 
in counties located in urban or suburban areas with a 
high concentration of urban or suburban farms. 
‘‘(B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph requires or 
precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office 
in a county in which a county committee is established 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing 
a summary of— 
‘‘(i) the status of the pilot program under subpara-
graph (A); 
‘‘(ii) meetings and other activities of the commit-
tees established under that subparagraph; and 
‘‘(iii) the types and volume of assistance and serv-
ices provided to farmers in counties in which county 
committees are established under that subparagraph. 
‘‘(2) INCREASING COMMUNITY COMPOST AND REDUCING FOOD 
WASTE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the 
Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements 
with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 
10 States to develop and test strategies for planning and 
implementing municipal compost plans and food waste 
reduction plans. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES
AND
PURPOSES
OF
PILOT 
PROJECTS.—Under a cooperative agreement entered into 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assist-
ance to municipalities, counties, local governments, or city 
planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and imple-
menting activities that will— 
‘‘(i) generate compost;
H. R. 2—473 
‘‘(ii) increase access to compost for agricultural 
producers; 
‘‘(iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fer-
tilizer; 
‘‘(iv) improve soil quality; 
‘‘(v) 
encourage 
waste 
management 
and 
permaculture business development; 
‘‘(vi) increase rainwater absorption; 
‘‘(vii) reduce municipal food waste; and 
‘‘(viii) divert food waste from landfills. 
‘‘(C) EVALUATION AND RANKING OF APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(i) CRITERIA.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
establish criteria for the selection of pilot projects 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) CONSIDERATION.—In selecting, undertaking, or 
funding pilot projects under this paragraph, the Sec-
retary shall consider any commonly known significant 
impact on existing food waste recovery and disposal 
by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. 
‘‘(iii) PRIORITY.—In selecting a pilot project under 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to 
an application for a pilot project that— 
‘‘(I) anticipates or demonstrates economic 
benefits; 
‘‘(II) incorporates plans to make compost easily 
accessible to agricultural producers, including 
community gardeners; 
‘‘(III) integrates other food waste strategies, 
including food recovery efforts; and 
‘‘(IV) provides for collaboration with multiple 
partners. 
‘‘(D) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The recipient of assist-
ance for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide 
funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from 
sources other than funds provided through the grant in 
an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount 
of the grant. 
‘‘(E) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall conduct an 
evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph 
to assess different solutions for increasing access to compost 
and reducing municipal food waste, including an evaluation 
of— 
‘‘(i) the amount of Federal funds used for each 
project; and 
‘‘(ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each project. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments 
made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 12303. TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Depart-
ment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and
H. R. 2—474 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self- 
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304). 
‘‘(B) RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The term 
‘relevant committees of Congress’ means— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; and 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(C) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘tribal organiza-
tion’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an 
advisory committee, to be known as the Tribal Advisory 
Committee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Com-
mittee’) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary 
on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs. 
‘‘(B) FACILITATION.—The Committee shall facilitate, but 
not 
supplant, 
government-to-government 
consultation 
between the Department of Agriculture (referred to in this 
subsection as the ‘Department’) and Indian tribes. 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) COMPOSITION.—The Committee shall be composed 
of 11 members, of whom— 
‘‘(i) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; 
‘‘(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; 
‘‘(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate; 
‘‘(v) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate; 
‘‘(vi) 2 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
‘‘(vii) 2 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
‘‘(B) 
NOMINATIONS.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
accept 
nominations for members of the Committee from any of 
the following: 
‘‘(i) An Indian tribe. 
‘‘(ii) A tribal organization. 
‘‘(iii) A national or regional organization with 
expertise in issues relating to the duties of the Com-
mittee described in paragraph (4).
H. R. 2—475 
‘‘(C) DIVERSITY.—To the maximum extent feasible, the 
Secretary shall ensure that the members of the Committee 
represent a diverse set of expertise on issues relating to 
geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the agricultural 
industry. 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION.—No member of the Committee shall 
be an officer or employee of the Federal Government. 
‘‘(E) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Each member of the Com-
mittee— 
‘‘(I) subject to clause (ii), shall be appointed 
to a 3-year term; and 
‘‘(II) may be reappointed to not more than 
3 consecutive terms. 
‘‘(ii) INITIAL
STAGGERING.—The first 3 appoint-
ments by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall 
be for a 2-year term. 
‘‘(iii) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Committee 
shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment not more than 90 days after the date 
on which the position becomes vacant. 
‘‘(F) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall meet in 
person not less than twice each year. 
‘‘(ii) OFFICE
OF
TRIBAL
RELATIONS
REPRESENTA-
TIVE.—Not fewer than 1 representative from the Office 
of Tribal Relations of the Department shall be present 
at each meeting of the Committee. 
‘‘(iii) DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR REPRESENTATIVE.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the 
Department of the Interior (or a designee) shall be 
present at each meeting of the Committee. 
‘‘(iv) NONVOTING REPRESENTATIVES.—The individ-
uals described in clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting 
representatives at meetings of the Committee. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.—The Committee shall— 
‘‘(A) identify evolving issues of relevance to Indian 
tribes relating to programs of the Department; 
‘‘(B) communicate to the Secretary the issues identified 
under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(C) submit to the Secretary recommendations for, and 
solutions to— 
‘‘(i) the issues identified under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or 
national level; and 
‘‘(iii) issues relating to any Tribal consultation car-
ried out by the Department; 
‘‘(D) discuss issues and proposals for changes to the 
regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department 
that impact Indian tribes; 
‘‘(E) identify priorities and provide advice on appro-
priate strategies for Tribal consultation on issues at the 
Tribal, regional, or national level regarding the Depart-
ment; 
‘‘(F) ensure that pertinent issues of the Department 
are brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely
H. R. 2—476 
manner so that timely feedback from an Indian tribe can 
be obtained; and 
‘‘(G) identify and propose solutions to any interdepart-
mental barrier between the Department and other Federal 
agencies. 
‘‘(5) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than once each 
year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and 
the relevant committees of Congress a report that 
describes— 
‘‘(i) the activities of the Committee during the pre-
vious year; and 
‘‘(ii) recommendations for legislative or administra-
tive action for the following year. 
‘‘(B) RESPONSE FROM SECRETARY.—Not more than 45 
days after the date on which the Secretary receives a 
report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit 
a written response to that report to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee; and 
‘‘(ii) the relevant committees of Congress. 
‘‘(6) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Members of the Com-
mittee shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which 
the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of 
the Committee. 
‘‘(7) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION.—Sec-
tion 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Committee.’’. 
SEC. 12304. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION. 
Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506 and 12301(a)(1)) 
is further amended by inserting after section 7403 (7 U.S.C. 3119b 
note; Public Law 107–171) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7404. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given such term in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)). 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL COORDINATOR.—The term ‘National Coordi-
nator’ means the National Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Coordinator established under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(3) STATE
COORDINATOR.—The term ‘State coordinator’ 
means a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator des-
ignated under subsection (c)(1)(A). 
‘‘(4) STATE OFFICE.—The term ‘State office’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State office of— 
‘‘(i) the Farm Service Agency; 
‘‘(ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; 
‘‘(iii) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service; or 
‘‘(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; or 
‘‘(B) a regional office of the Risk Management Agency. 
‘‘(b) NATIONAL BEGINNING FARMER
AND RANCHER COORDI-
NATOR.—
H. R. 2—477 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of National Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Coordinator. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The National Coordinator shall— 
‘‘(i) advise the Secretary and coordinate activities 
of the Department on programs, policies, and issues 
relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) in consultation with the applicable State food 
and agriculture council, determine whether to approve 
a plan submitted by a State coordinator under sub-
section (c)(3)(B). 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONARY DUTIES.—Additional duties of the 
National Coordinator may include— 
‘‘(i) developing and implementing new strategies— 
‘‘(I) for outreach to beginning farmers and 
ranchers; and 
‘‘(II) to assist beginning farmers and ranchers 
with connecting to owners or operators that have 
ended, or expect to end within 5 years, actively 
owning or operating a farm or ranch; and 
‘‘(ii) facilitating interagency and interdepartmental 
collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers 
and ranchers. 
‘‘(3) REPORTS.—Not less frequently than once each year, 
the National Coordinator shall distribute within the Depart-
ment and make publicly available a report describing the status 
of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2). 
‘‘(4) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—In car-
rying out the duties under paragraph (2), the National Coordi-
nator may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with 
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), coopera-
tive extension services (as defined in section 1404 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a nonprofit organization— 
‘‘(A) to conduct research on the profitability of new 
farms in operation for not less than 5 years in a region; 
‘‘(B) to develop educational materials; 
‘‘(C) to conduct workshops, courses, training, or cer-
tified vocational training; or 
‘‘(D) to conduct mentoring activities. 
‘‘(c) STATE BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) DESIGNATION.—The National Coordinator, in con-
sultation with State food and agriculture councils and direc-
tors of State offices, shall designate in each State a State 
beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among 
employees of State offices. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—To be designated as a State 
coordinator, an employee shall— 
‘‘(i) be familiar with issues relating to beginning 
farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) have the ability to coordinate with other Fed-
eral departments and agencies.
H. R. 2—478 
‘‘(2) TRAINING.—The Secretary shall develop a training plan 
to provide to each State coordinator knowledge of programs 
and services available from the Department for beginning 
farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of 
all production types and sizes of agricultural operations. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—A State coordinator shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State level 
to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing pro-
grams of the Department; 
‘‘(B) develop and submit to the National Coordinator 
for approval under subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to 
improve the coordination, delivery, and efficacy of programs 
of the Department to beginning farmers and ranchers, 
taking into consideration the needs of all types of produc-
tion methods and sizes of agricultural operation, at each 
county and area office in the State; 
‘‘(C) oversee implementation of an approved State plan 
described in subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State 
offices to ensure appropriate information about technical 
assistance is available at outreach events and activities; 
and 
‘‘(E) coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts 
with other organizations and government agencies serving 
beginning farmers and ranchers.’’. 
SEC. 12305. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR. 
Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506, section 12301(a)(1), 
and 12304) is further amended by inserting after section 7404, 
as added by section 12304, the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization Coordi-
nator. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator 
shall— 
‘‘(1) promote the role of youth-serving organizations and 
school-based agricultural education in motivating and preparing 
young people to pursue careers in the agriculture, food, and 
natural resources systems; 
‘‘(2) work to help build youth awareness of the reach and 
importance of agriculture, across a diversity of fields and dis-
ciplines; 
‘‘(3) identify short-term and long-term interests of the 
Department and provide opportunities, resources, input, and 
coordination with programs and agencies of the Department 
to youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural 
education, including the development of internship opportuni-
ties; 
‘‘(4) share, internally and externally, the extent to which 
active steps are being taken to encourage collaboration with, 
and support of, youth-serving organizations and school-based 
agricultural education; 
‘‘(5) provide information to youth involved in food and 
agriculture organizations concerning the availability of, and
H. R. 2—479 
eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural pro-
grams, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and 
rancher programs; 
‘‘(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth involved in 
food and agriculture organizations in applying for participation 
in agriculture; and 
‘‘(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and agri-
culture organizations in interactions with employees of the 
Department. 
‘‘(c) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—For purposes 
of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Agricultural 
Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult with the cooperative 
extension and the land-grant university systems, and may enter 
into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers 
of the Agricultural Research Service, cooperative extension and 
the land-grant university systems, non-land-grant colleges of agri-
culture, or nonprofit organizations for— 
‘‘(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability 
of small farms; 
‘‘(2) the development of educational materials; 
‘‘(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified voca-
tional training; 
‘‘(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or 
‘‘(5) the provision of internship opportunities.’’. 
SEC. 12306. AVAILABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRO-
GRAMS FOR VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—Paragraph 
(7) of subsection (a) (as redesignated by section 12301(b)(3)) of 
section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
defined) during the most recent 10-year period.’’. 
(b) FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE.— 
(1) DEFINITION OF VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—Section 
502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)) 
(as amended by section 11101) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(14) VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘veteran 
farmer or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who— 
‘‘(A) has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in 
section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and 
‘‘(B)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; 
‘‘(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 
5 years; or 
‘‘(iii) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
defined) during the most recent 5-year period.’’. 
(2) CROP
INSURANCE.—Section 508 of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b)(5)(E)—
H. R. 2—480 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(ii) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘, 
and veteran farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(ii) COORDINATION.—The Corporation shall coordi-
nate with other agencies of the Department that pro-
vide programs or services to farmers and ranchers 
described in clause (i) to make available coverage under 
the waiver under that clause and to share eligibility 
information to reduce paperwork and avoid duplica-
tion.’’; 
(B) in subsection (e)(8)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND 
VETERAN’’ after ‘‘BEGINNING’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmer or rancher’’ 
after ‘‘beginning farmer or rancher’’ each place it 
appears; and 
(C) in subsection (g)— 
(i) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), in the matter preceding 
subclause (I), by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmer or 
rancher’’ after ‘‘beginning farmer or rancher’’ each place 
it appears; and 
(ii) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii)(II), by inserting ‘‘and 
veteran farmers or ranchers’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers 
or ranchers’’. 
(3) EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.—Para-
graph (3) of section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)), as redesignated by section 11125(a)(3), is 
amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) veteran farmers or ranchers.’’. 
(c) DOWN PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM.—Section 310E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘qualified beginning 
farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible farmers or ranchers’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘recipients of the 
loans’’ and inserting ‘‘farmers or ranchers’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) encourage retiring farmers and ranchers to assist in 
the sale of their farms and ranches to eligible farmers or 
ranchers by providing seller financing;’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘for beginning farmers 
or ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘for— 
‘‘(A) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as 
defined in section 355(e); or
H. R. 2—481 
‘‘(C) veteran farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)); and’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘a qualified beginning 
farmer or rancher or socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher’’ and inserting ‘‘an eligible farmer or rancher’’; 
and 
(3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE FARMER OR RANCHER.—In this 
section, the term ‘eligible farmer or rancher’ means— 
‘‘(1) a qualified beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(2) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, as defined 
in section 355(e); and 
‘‘(3) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).’’. 
(d) INTEREST RATE REDUCTION PROGRAM.—Section 351(e)(2)(B) 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1999(e)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND VET-
ERAN’’ after ‘‘BEGINNING’’; 
(2) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmers and 
ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))’’ before 
the period at the end; and 
(3) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘beginning’’. 
(e) NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, 
OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 405(c) 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(c)) is amended by inserting ‘‘veteran 
farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a))),’’ after ‘‘socially disadvantaged farmers,’’. 
(f) ADMINISTRATION
AND OPERATION
OF NONINSURED CROP 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (k)(2), by inserting ‘‘, or a veteran farmer 
or rancher (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a)))’’ before the period at the end; and 
(2) in subsection (l), in paragraph (3) (as redesignated 
by section 1601(7)(D))— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘VETERAN,’’ 
before ‘‘AND SOCIALLY’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and veteran farmers or ranchers (as 
defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))’’ before 
‘‘in exchange’’. 
(g) FUNDING FOR TRANSITION OPTION FOR CERTAIN FARMERS 
OR RANCHERS.—Section 1241(a)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘beginning 
farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers’’ and inserting ‘‘covered farmers or ranchers, as defined 
in section 1235(f)(1)’’. 
(h) SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) DEFINITION OF COVERED PRODUCER.—Section 1501(a) 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)) is amended—
H. R. 2—482 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
PRODUCER.—The term ‘covered producer’ 
means an eligible producer on a farm that is— 
‘‘(A) as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) a beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(ii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; 
or 
‘‘(iii) a limited resource farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(B) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).’’. 
(2) EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR LIVESTOCK, HONEY BEES, 
AND
FARM-RAISED
FISH.—Section 1501(d) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(4) PAYMENT RATE FOR COVERED PRODUCERS.—In the case 
of a covered producer that is eligible to receive assistance 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimburse-
ment of 90 percent of the cost of losses described in paragraph 
(1) or (2).’’. 
Subtitle D—Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 Amendments 
SEC. 12401. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERGOV-
ERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. 
(a) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE.—Section 218(a)(1) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6918(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Relations’’ and inserting 
‘‘Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs’’. 
(b) SUCCESSION.—Any official who is serving as the Assistant 
Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations on the date 
of enactment of this Act and who was appointed by the President, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall not be 
required to be reappointed as a result of the change made to 
the name of that position under the amendment made by subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 12402. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON. 
Section 219 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6919) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) establish and periodically update the website described 
in subsection (d); and 
‘‘(6) in carrying out the duties described in paragraphs 
(1) through (5), consult with and provide technical assistance 
to any Federal agency, including the Department of Defense, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business 
Administration, and the Department of Labor.’’; and
H. R. 2—483 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) WEBSITE REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The website required under subsection 
(b)(5) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Positions identified within the Department of Agri-
culture that are available to veterans for apprenticeships. 
‘‘(B) Apprenticeships, programs of training on the job, 
and programs of education that are approved for purposes 
of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code. 
‘‘(C) Employment skills training programs for members 
of the Armed Forces carried out pursuant to section 1143(e) 
of title 10, United States Code. 
‘‘(D) Information designed to assist businesses, non-
profit entities, educational institutions, and farmers 
interested 
in 
developing 
apprenticeships, 
on-the-job 
training, educational, or entrepreneurial programs for vet-
erans in navigating the process of having a program 
approved by a State approving agency for purposes of 
chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, including— 
‘‘(i) contact information for relevant offices in the 
Department of Defense, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small Business 
Administration; 
‘‘(ii) basic requirements for approval by each State 
approving agency; 
‘‘(iii) recommendations with respect to training and 
coursework to be used during apprenticeships or on- 
the-job training that will enable a veteran to be eligible 
for agricultural programs; and 
‘‘(iv) examples of successful programs and curricu-
lums that have been approved for purposes of chapter 
36 of title 38, United States Code (with consent of 
the organization and without any personally identifi-
able information). 
‘‘(2) REVIEW OF WEBSITE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this paragraph, and once every 5 
years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to 
determine if the website required under subsection (b)(5) 
is effective in providing veterans the information required 
under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) INEFFECTIVE
WEBSITE.—If the Secretary deter-
mines that the website is not effective under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) notify the agriculture and veterans committees 
described in subparagraph (C) of that determination; 
and 
‘‘(ii) not earlier than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary provides notice under clause (i), 
terminate the website. 
‘‘(C) AGRICULTURE AND VETERANS COMMITTEES.—The 
agriculture and veterans committees referred to in subpara-
graph (B)(i) are— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate;
H. R. 2—484 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(iv) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(e) CONSULTATION REQUIRED.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve veterans. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall submit a report 
on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural 
vocational and rehabilitation programs for veterans to— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives; 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate; and 
‘‘(D) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a summary of the measures taken to carry out 
subsections (b) and (c); 
‘‘(B) a description of the information provided to vet-
erans under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b); 
‘‘(C) recommendations for best informing veterans of 
the programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of sub-
section (b); 
‘‘(D) a summary of the contracts or cooperative agree-
ments entered into under subsection (c); 
‘‘(E) a description of the programs implemented under 
subsection (c); 
‘‘(F) a summary of the employment outreach activities 
directed to veterans; 
‘‘(G) recommendations for how opportunities for vet-
erans in agriculture should be developed or expanded; 
‘‘(H) a summary of veteran farm lending data and 
a summary of shortfalls, if any, identified by the Military 
Veterans Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with 
respect to veterans engaged in agriculture; and 
‘‘(I) recommendations, if any, on how to improve activi-
ties under subsection (b). 
‘‘(g) PUBLIC DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall make publicly 
available and share broadly, including by posting on the website 
of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the report of the Military Veterans Agricultural 
Liaison on beginning farmer training for veterans and agri-
cultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; and 
‘‘(B) the information disseminated under paragraphs 
(1) and (2) of subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) FURTHER
DISSEMINATION.—Not later than the day 
before the date on which the Military Veterans Agricultural
H. R. 2—485 
Liaison makes publicly available the information under para-
graph (1), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall pro-
vide that information to the Department of Defense, the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, 
and the Department of Labor.’’. 
SEC. 12403. CIVIL RIGHTS ANALYSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct civil rights 
impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 4300- 
004 issued by the Department of Agriculture on October 17, 2016, 
with respect to the Department of Agriculture’s employment, feder-
ally-conducted programs and activities, and federally-assisted pro-
grams and activities. 
(b) STUDY; REPORT.— 
(1) STUDY.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Comptroller General’’) shall 
conduct a study describing— 
(A) the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture 
in processing and resolving civil rights complaints; 
(B) minority participation rates in farm programs, 
including a comparison of overall farmer and rancher 
participation with minority farmer and rancher participa-
tion by considering particular aspects of the programs of 
the Department of Agriculture for producers, such as 
ownership status, program participation, usage of permits, 
and waivers; 
(C) the realignment of the civil rights functions of 
the Department of Agriculture, as outlined in Secretarial 
Memorandum 1076–023 (March 9, 2018), including an anal-
ysis of whether that realignment has any negative implica-
tions on the civil rights functions of the Department; 
(D) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to identify 
actions, programs, or activities of the Department of Agri-
culture that may adversely affect employees, contractors, 
or beneficiaries (including participants) of the action, pro-
gram, or activity based on the membership of the 
employees, contractors, or beneficiaries in a group that 
is protected under Federal law from discrimination in 
employment, contracting, or provision of an action, pro-
gram, or activity, as applicable; and 
(E) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to strategi-
cally plan actions to decrease discrimination and civil rights 
complaints within the Department of Agriculture or in 
the carrying out of the programs and authorities of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller 
General shall submit a report describing the results of the 
study to— 
(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate. 
SEC. 12404. FARM SERVICE AGENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is amended—
H. R. 2—486 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘CONSOLIDATED 
FARM’’ and inserting ‘‘FARM’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘OF CONSOLIDATED FARM SERVICE AGENCY’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Farm’’; and 
(B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ‘‘Consolidated 
Farm’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(2) Section 271(2)(A) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(A)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(3) Section 275(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995(b)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘Farm’’. 
SEC. 12405. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR FARM PRODUC-
TION AND CONSERVATION. 
(a) OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT.—Section 226A(d)(1) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation’’. 
(b) MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE.—Section 242(b)(3) of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6952(b)(3)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Farm Production and Conservation’’. 
(c) FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.—Section 205(b)(2) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade 
and Foreign Agricultural Affairs’’. 
(d) INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY CAREERS IN INTER-
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.—Section 625(c)(1)(A) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131c(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘Under 
Secretary’’ and all that follows through ‘‘designee’’ and inserting 
‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 
Affairs, or the designee of that Under Secretary’’. 
SEC. 12406. OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. 
(a) CHANGING NAME OF OFFICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 226B of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is 
amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘ADVOCACY AND 
OUTREACH’’ and inserting ‘‘PARTNERSHIPS
AND
PUBLIC 
ENGAGEMENT’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Advocacy and Outreach’’ each place 
it appears in subsections (a)(2), (b)(1), and (d)(4)(B) and 
inserting ‘‘Partnerships and Public Engagement’’.
H. R. 2—487 
(2) REFERENCES.—Beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, any reference to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach 
established under section 226B of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) in any 
provision of Federal law shall be deemed to be a reference 
to the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. 
(b) INCREASING OUTREACH.—Section 226B of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934), as 
amended by subsection (a), is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new clauses: 
‘‘(iv) limited resource producers; and 
‘‘(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(C) to promote youth outreach.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘veteran farmers and ranchers,’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers 
or ranchers,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or socially disadvan-
taged’’ and inserting ‘‘socially disadvantaged, or veteran’’; 
and 
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘veteran farmers 
or ranchers,’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers or ranchers,’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 226B(f)(3)(B) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 12407. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘is authorized to’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘If the Secretary’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘the Under Secretary shall’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
Development shall’’. 
SEC. 12408. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE. 
(a) RATE OF PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 232(b) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6942(b)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATOR.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Rural Utilities Service shall be 
headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the 
President. 
‘‘(2) COMPENSATION.—The Administrator of the Rural Utili-
ties Service shall receive basic pay at a rate not to exceed 
the maximum amount of compensation payable to a member
H. R. 2—488 
of the Senior Executive Service under subsection (b) of section 
5382 of title 5, United States Code.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Administrator, 
Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.’’. 
(b) OTHER AMENDMENT RELATING TO ADMINISTRATOR.—Section 
748 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
918b) is amended by inserting ‘‘the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
through’’ before ‘‘the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service’’. 
SEC. 12409. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON. 
Subtitle C of title II of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 236. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Rural Health Liaison. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Rural Health Liaison shall— 
‘‘(1) in consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, coordinate the role of the Department with 
respect to rural health; 
‘‘(2) integrate across the Department the strategic planning 
and activities relating to rural health; 
‘‘(3) improve communication relating to rural health within 
the Department and between Federal agencies; 
‘‘(4) advocate on behalf of the health care and relevant 
infrastructure needs in rural areas; 
‘‘(5) provide to stakeholders, potential grant applicants, 
Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian Tribes, private 
organizations, and academic institutions relevant data and 
information, including the eligibility requirements for, and 
availability and outcomes of, Department programs applicable 
to the advancement of rural health; 
‘‘(6) maintain communication with public health, medical, 
occupational 
safety, 
and 
telecommunication 
associations, 
research entities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the 
Department is aware of current and upcoming issues relating 
to rural health; 
‘‘(7) consult on programs, pilot projects, research, training, 
and other affairs relating to rural health at the Department 
and other Federal agencies; 
‘‘(8) provide expertise on rural health to support the activi-
ties of the Secretary as Chair of the Council on Rural Commu-
nity Innovation and Economic Development; and 
‘‘(9) provide technical assistance and guidance with respect 
to activities relating to rural health to the outreach, extension, 
and county offices of the Department.’’. 
SEC. 12410. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE. 
(a) FIELD OFFICES.—Section 246 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended 
by section 12404(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) FIELD OFFICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall not close any field 
office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless,
H. R. 2—489 
not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the 
Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the closure. 
‘‘(2) EMPLOYEES.—The Secretary shall not permanently 
relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or the rural development mission area 
if doing so would result in a field office of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or the rural development mission area 
with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days 
before the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary 
submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a notification of the permanent reloca-
tion. 
‘‘(3) SUNSET.—The requirements under paragraphs (1) and 
(2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 246 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
amended by subsection (a)) is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (2); 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; 
(C) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘; Public Law 101–624’’ after ‘‘note’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘3831–3836’’ and inserting ‘‘3831 et seq.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (b) 
and the program under subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle 
D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3837–3837f)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection 
(b)’’. 
(c) RELOCATION IN ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 246 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended 
by subsections (a) and (b)) is— 
(A) redesignated as section 228; and 
(B) moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle B 
of title II (7 U.S.C. 6931 et seq.). 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) (as amended 
by section 12404(a)) is amended— 
(i) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 228(b)’’; and 
(ii) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 228(b)’’. 
(B) Section 271(2)(F) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(F)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
228(b)’’. 
SEC. 12411. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 251(e) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(e)) is amended—
H. R. 2—490 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘RESEARCH, EDU-
CATION, AND EXTENSION OFFICE’’ and inserting ‘‘OFFICE OF THE 
CHIEF SCIENTIST’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Research, Education, 
and Extension Office’’ and inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Sci-
entist’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘Research, Education, and Extension Office’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ‘‘subparagraph (A) shall 
not exceed 4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘clauses (i) and (iii) of 
subparagraph (A) shall be for not less than 3 years’’; 
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
(5) and (6), respectively; 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL
LEADERSHIP
DUTIES.—In addition to 
selecting the Division Chiefs under paragraph (3), using avail-
able personnel authority under title 5, United States Code, 
the Under Secretary shall select personnel— 
‘‘(A) to oversee implementation, training, and compli-
ance with the scientific integrity policy of the Department; 
‘‘(B)(i) to integrate strategic program planning and 
evaluation functions across the programs of the Depart-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) to help prepare the annual report to Congress 
on the relevance and adequacy of programs under the 
jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; 
‘‘(C) to assist the Chief Scientist in coordinating the 
international engagements of the Department with the 
Department of State and other international agencies and 
offices of the Federal Government; and 
‘‘(D) to oversee other duties as may be required by 
Federal law or Department policy.’’; 
(7) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to fund the costs of Division personnel. 
‘‘(ii) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—In addition to amounts 
made available under clause (i), notwithstanding’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) provides strong staff continuity to the Office 
of the Chief Scientist.’’; and 
(8) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘Research, Education and Extension Office’’ and inserting 
‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 251(f)(5)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(5)(B)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Research, Education and Extension Office’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’.
H. R. 2—491 
(2) Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)(6)(B)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Research, Education, and Extension Office’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’. 
SEC. 12412. APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARING 
OFFICERS. 
Section 272(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6992(e)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) DIVISION PERSONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall recommend to the 
Secretary persons for appointment as hearing officers as are 
necessary for the conduct of hearings under section 277. The 
Director shall appoint such other employees as are necessary 
for the administration of the Division. A hearing officer or 
other employee of the Division shall have no duties other than 
those that are necessary to carry out this subtitle. Each position 
of the Division shall be filled by an individual who is not 
a political appointee. 
‘‘(2) POLITICAL APPOINTEE.—In this subsection, the term 
‘political appointee’ means an individual occupying— 
‘‘(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 
5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Execu-
tive Schedule); 
‘‘(B) a noncareer position in the Senior Executive 
Service, as described under section 3132(a)(7) of that title; 
‘‘(C) a position in the executive branch of the Govern-
ment of a confidential or policy-determining character 
under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, 
Code of Federal Regulations; or 
‘‘(D) a position which has been excepted from the 
competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy- 
determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating char-
acter.’’. 
SEC. 12413. TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 
The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subtitle J (7 U.S.C. 7011 et seq.) 
as subtitle K; and 
(2) by inserting after subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 7005 et seq.) 
the following: 
‘‘Subtitle J—Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs 
‘‘SEC. 287. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND FOR-
EIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Department 
the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs. 
‘‘(b) APPOINTMENT.—The Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.—
H. R. 2—492 
‘‘(1) PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS.—The Secretary shall delegate 
to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs those functions and duties under the juris-
diction of the Department that are related to trade and foreign 
agricultural affairs. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS.—The Under Secretary of Agri-
culture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall perform 
such other functions and duties as may be— 
‘‘(A) required by law; or 
‘‘(B) prescribed by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 12414. REPEALS. 
(a) DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE REORGANIZATION ACT
OF 
1994.—The following provisions of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 are repealed: 
(1) Section 211 (7 U.S.C. 6911). 
(2) Section 213 (7 U.S.C. 6913). 
(3) Section 214 (7 U.S.C. 6914). 
(4) Section 217 (7 U.S.C. 6917). 
(5) Section 247 (7 U.S.C. 6963). 
(6) Section 252 (7 U.S.C. 6972). 
(7) Section 295 (7 U.S.C. 7013). 
(b) OTHER PROVISION.—Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6935) is repealed. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the amendments made 
by this section shall be construed as affecting— 
(1) the authority of the Secretary to continue to carry 
out a function vested in, and performed by, the Secretary as 
of the date of enactment of this Act under any provision of 
Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections 
(a) and (b); or 
(2) the authority of an agency, office, officer, or employee 
of the Department of Agriculture to continue to perform all 
functions delegated or assigned to the agency, office, officer, 
or employee as of the date of enactment of this Act any provision 
of Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections 
(a) and (b). 
SEC. 12415. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) OFFICE
OF RISK MANAGEMENT.—Section 226A(a) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Subject to subsection (e), the 
Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary’’. 
(b) CORRECTION OF ERROR.— 
(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE.—Section 218 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6918) (as in effect on the day before the effective 
date of the amendments made by section 2(a)(1) of the Presi-
dential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 
(Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1283, 1295)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Senate.’’ in subsection (b) and all that follows through 
‘‘responsibility for—’’ in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
of subsection (d) and inserting the following: ‘‘Senate. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES
OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY
OF AGRICULTURE
FOR 
CIVIL RIGHTS.—The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Sec-
retary for Civil Rights responsibility for—’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) take effect on the effective date described in section 6(a)
H. R. 2—493 
of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining 
Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1295). 
SEC. 12416. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. 
Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(9) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amend-
ments made to this title by section 772 of the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018. 
‘‘(10) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amend-
ments made to this title by the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018.’’. 
Subtitle E—Other Miscellaneous 
Provisions 
PART I—MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURE 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 12501. ACER ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 12306(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1632c(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 12502. PROTECTING ANIMALS WITH SHELTER. 
(a) CRIMES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND STALKING 
TARGETING PETS.— 
(1) INTERSTATE
STALKING.—Section 2261A of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(ii) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: 
‘‘(iv) the pet, service animal, emotional support 
animal, or horse of that person; or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)— 
(i) by inserting after ‘‘to a person’’ the following: 
‘‘, a pet, a service animal, an emotional support animal, 
or a horse’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘or (iii)’’ and inserting ‘‘(iii), or 
(iv)’’. 
(2) INTERSTATE VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER.—Section 
2262 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ‘‘another 
person’’ the following: ‘‘or the pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse of that person’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ‘‘proximity 
to, another person’’ the following ‘‘or the pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse of that 
person’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting after ‘‘in any other 
case,’’ the following: ‘‘including any case in which the 
offense is committed against a pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse,’’.
H. R. 2—494 
(3) RESTITUTION TO INCLUDE VETERINARY SERVICES.—Sec-
tion 2264 of title 18, United States Code, is amended in sub-
section (b)(3)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph 
(G); 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: 
‘‘(F) veterinary services relating to physical care for 
the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
or horse; and’’. 
(4) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2266 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(11) PET.—The term ‘pet’ means a domesticated animal, 
such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal 
that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. 
‘‘(12) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL.—The term ‘emotional 
support animal’ means an animal that is covered by the exclu-
sion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is not a service 
animal. 
‘‘(13) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘service animal’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).’’. 
(b) EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL PET SHELTER AND HOUSING 
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting in consultation 
with the Office of the Violence Against Women of the 
Department of Justice, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, shall award grants under this subsection to 
eligible entities to carry out programs to provide the assist-
ance described in paragraph (3) with respect to victims 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
stalking and the pets, service animals, emotional support 
animals, or horses of such victims. 
(B) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Secretary 
may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 
head of another Department or agency, as appropriate, 
to carry out any of the authorities provided to the Secretary 
under this section. 
(2) APPLICATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity seeking a grant 
under this subsection shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, 
including— 
(i) a description of the activities for which a grant 
under this subsection is sought; 
(ii) such assurances as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary to ensure compliance by the entity 
with the requirements of this subsection; and 
(iii) a certification that the entity, before engaging 
with any individual domestic violence victim, will dis-
close to the victim any mandatory duty of the entity
H. R. 2—495 
to report instances of abuse and neglect (including 
instances of abuse and neglect of pets, service animals, 
emotional support animals, or horses). 
(B) ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS.—In addition to the 
requirements of subparagraph (A), each application sub-
mitted by an eligible entity under that subparagraph 
shall— 
(i) not include proposals for any activities that 
may compromise the safety of a domestic violence 
victim, including— 
(I) background checks of domestic violence vic-
tims; or 
(II) clinical evaluations to determine the eligi-
bility of such a victim for support services; 
(ii) not include proposals that would require 
mandatory services for victims or that a victim obtain 
a protective order in order to receive proposed services; 
and 
(iii) reflect the eligible entity’s understanding of 
the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking. 
(C) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this para-
graph shall be construed to require— 
(i) domestic violence victims to participate in the 
criminal justice system in order to receive services; 
or 
(ii) eligible entities receiving a grant under this 
subsection to breach client confidentiality. 
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under this subsection 
may only be used for programs that provide— 
(A) emergency and transitional shelter and housing 
assistance for domestic violence victims with pets, service 
animals, emotional support animals, or horses, including 
assistance with respect to any construction or operating 
expenses of newly developed or existing emergency and 
transitional pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
or horse shelter and housing (regardless of whether such 
shelter and housing is co-located at a victim service pro-
vider or within the community); 
(B) short-term shelter and housing assistance for 
domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emo-
tional support animals, or horses, including assistance with 
respect to expenses incurred for the temporary shelter, 
housing, boarding, or fostering of the pets, service animals, 
emotional support animals, or horses of domestic violence 
victims and other expenses that are incidental to securing 
the safety of such a pet, service animal, emotional support 
animal, or horse during the sheltering, housing, or reloca-
tion of such victims; 
(C) support services designed to enable a domestic 
violence victim who is fleeing a situation of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to— 
(i) locate and secure— 
(I) safe housing with the victim’s pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse; or
H. R. 2—496 
(II) safe accommodations for the victim’s pet, 
service animal, emotional support animal, or horse; 
or 
(ii) provide the victim with pet, service animal, 
emotional support animal, or horse related services, 
such as transportation, care services, and other assist-
ance; or 
(D) for the training of relevant stakeholders on— 
(i) the link between domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the abuse 
and neglect of pets, service animals, emotional support 
animals, and horses; 
(ii) the needs of domestic violence victims; 
(iii) best practices for providing support services 
to such victims; 
(iv) best practices for providing such victims with 
referrals to victims’ services; and 
(v) the importance of confidentiality. 
(4) GRANT CONDITIONS.—An eligible entity that receives 
a grant under this subsection shall, as a condition of such 
receipt, agree— 
(A) to be bound by the nondisclosure of confidential 
information requirements of section 40002(b)(2) of the 
Violence 
Against 
Women 
Act 
of 
1994 
(34 
U.S.C. 
12291(b)(2)); and 
(B) that the entity shall not condition the receipt of 
support, housing, or other benefits provided pursuant to 
this subsection on the participation of domestic violence 
victims in any or all of the support services offered to 
such victims through a program carried out by the entity 
using grant funds. 
(5) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), assist-
ance provided with respect to a pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse of a domestic violence victim 
using grant funds awarded under this subsection shall 
be provided for a period of not more than 24 months. 
(B) EXTENSION.—An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this subsection may extend the 24-month 
period referred to in subparagraph (A) for a period of 
not more than 6 months in the case of a domestic violence 
victim who— 
(i) has made a good faith effort to acquire perma-
nent housing for the victim and the victim’s pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse during that 
24-month period; and 
(ii) has been unable to acquire such permanent 
housing within that period. 
(6) REPORT
TO
THE
SECRETARY.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant 
under this subsection and each year thereafter in which the 
grant funds are used, the entity shall submit to the Secretary 
a report that contains, with respect to assistance provided 
by the entity to domestic violence victims with pets, service 
animals, emotional support animals, or horses using grant 
funds received under this subsection, information on—
H. R. 2—497 
(A) the number of domestic violence victims with pets, 
service animals, emotional support animals, or horses pro-
vided such assistance; and 
(B) the purpose, amount, type of, and duration of such 
assistance. 
(7) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(A) 
REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.—Not 
later 
than 
November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
that contains a compilation of the information contained 
in the reports submitted under paragraph (6). 
(B) AVAILABILITY
OF
REPORT.—The Secretary shall 
transmit a copy of the report submitted under subpara-
graph (A) to— 
(i) the Office on Violence Against Women of the 
Department of Justice; 
(ii) the Office of Community Planning and Develop-
ment of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development; and 
(iii) the Administration for Children and Families 
of the Department of Health and Human Services. 
(8) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $3,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Of the amount made available under 
subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 per-
cent may be used for evaluation, monitoring, salaries, and 
administrative expenses. 
(9) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM DEFINED.—The term 
‘‘domestic violence victim’’ means a victim of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
(B) ELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ 
means— 
(i) a State; 
(ii) a unit of local government; 
(iii) an Indian tribe; or 
(iv) any other organization that has a documented 
history of effective work concerning domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (as deter-
mined by the Secretary), including— 
(I) a domestic violence and sexual assault 
victim service provider; 
(II) a domestic violence and sexual assault 
coalition; 
(III) a community-based and culturally specific 
organization; 
(IV) any other nonprofit, nongovernmental 
organization; and 
(V) any organization that works directly with 
pets, service animals, emotional support animals, 
or horses and collaborates with any organization 
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), including— 
(aa) an animal shelter; and
H. R. 2—498 
(bb) an animal welfare organization. 
(C) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘emotional 
support animal’’ means an animal that is covered by the 
exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that 
is not a service animal. 
(D) PET.—The term ‘‘pet’’ means a domesticated 
animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or 
other animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for 
commercial purposes. 
(E) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘service animal’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
(F) OTHER TERMS.—Except as otherwise provided in 
this subsection, terms used in this section shall have the 
meaning given such terms in section 40002(a) of the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)). 
(c) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
States should encourage the inclusion of protections against violent 
or threatening acts against the pet, service animal, emotional sup-
port animal, or horse of a person in domestic violence protection 
orders. 
SEC. 12503. MARKETING ORDERS. 
Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 
608e–1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Mar-
keting Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by inserting ‘‘cherries, 
pecans,’’ after ‘‘walnuts,’’. 
SEC. 12504. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION 
LIAISON. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 12202, 
12302, and 12403, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 224. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a Food 
Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, State, 
local, and nongovernmental programs, and other efforts, to measure 
and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in accordance 
with this section. 
‘‘(b) IN GENERAL.—The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison 
shall— 
‘‘(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction efforts within 
the Department of Agriculture and with other Federal agencies, 
including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food 
and Drug Administration; 
‘‘(2) support and promote Federal programs to measure 
and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste and increase 
food recovery; 
‘‘(3) provide information to, and serve as a resource for, 
entities engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food 
recovery, including information about the availability of, and 
eligibility requirements for, participation in Federal, State, 
local, and nongovernmental programs; 
‘‘(4) raise awareness of the liability protections afforded 
under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act
H. R. 2—499 
(42 U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in food loss and waste 
reduction and food recovery; and 
‘‘(5) make recommendations with respect to expanding 
innovative food recovery models and reducing the incidence 
of food loss and waste. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—For purposes of carrying out 
the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with 
the research centers of the Research, Education, and Economics 
mission area, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or 
nonprofit organizations for— 
‘‘(1) the development of educational materials; 
‘‘(2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or 
‘‘(3) the conduct of research on best practices with respect 
to food loss and waste reduction and food recovery. 
‘‘(d) STUDY ON FOOD WASTE.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison, to evaluate and determine— 
‘‘(1) methods of measuring food waste; 
‘‘(2) standards for the volume of food waste; 
‘‘(3) factors that contribute to food waste; 
‘‘(4) the cost and volume of food loss; 
‘‘(5) the effectiveness of existing liability protections 
afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Dona-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and 
‘‘(6) measures to ensure that programs contemplated, 
undertaken, or funded by the Department of Agriculture do 
not disrupt existing food waste recovery and disposal efforts 
by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Food Loss and Waste Liaison 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains, with 
respect to the preceding year— 
‘‘(A) an estimate of the quantity of food waste during 
such year; and 
‘‘(B) the results of the food waste reduction and loss 
prevention activities carried out or led by the Department 
of Agriculture.’’. 
SEC. 12505. REPORT ON BUSINESS CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 365 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report evaluating each business center 
established in the Department of Agriculture.
H. R. 2—500 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) an examination of the effectiveness of each business 
center in carrying out its mission, including any recommenda-
tions to improve the operation of and function of any of those 
business centers; and 
(2) an evaluation of— 
(A) the impact the business centers have on customer 
service of the Department of Agriculture; 
(B) the impact on the annual budget for agencies the 
budget offices of which have been relocated to the business 
center, and the effectiveness of funds used to support the 
business centers, including an accounting of all discre-
tionary and mandatory funding provided to the business 
center for conservation and farm services from— 
(i) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; 
(ii) the Farm Service Agency; and 
(iii) the Risk Management Agency; 
(C) funding described in subparagraph (B) spent on 
information technology modernizations; 
(D) the impact that the business centers have had 
on the human resources of the Department of Agriculture, 
including hiring; 
(E) any concerns or problems with the business centers; 
and 
(F) any positive or negative impact that the business 
centers have had on the functionality of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
SEC. 12506. REPORT ON PERSONNEL. 
For the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a biannual report describing the number 
of staff years and employees of each agency of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
SEC. 12507. REPORT ON ABSENT LANDLORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
describing the effects of absent landlords on the long-term economic 
health of agricultural production, including the effect of absent 
landlords on— 
(1) land valuation; 
(2) soil health; and 
(3) the economic stability of rural communities. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) a description of the positive and negative effects of 
an absent landlord on the land owned by the landlord, 
including— 
(A) the effect of an absent landlord on the long-term 
value of the land; and 
(B) the environmental and economic impact of an 
absent landlord on the surrounding community; and 
(2) recommendations to policymakers concerning how to 
mitigate those effects when necessary.
H. R. 2—501 
SEC. 12508. CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM. 
The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Sec-
retary recognizes any farm that— 
(1) a State department of agriculture or similar statewide 
agricultural organization recognizes as a Century Farm; or 
(2)(A) is defined as a farm or ranch under section 4284.902 
of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act); 
(B) has been in continuous operation for at least 100 years; 
and 
(C) has been owned by the same family for at least 100 
consecutive years, as verified through deeds, wills, abstracts, 
tax statements, or other similar legal documents considered 
appropriate by the Secretary. 
SEC. 12509. REPORT ON IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
on the importation of live dogs into the United States. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to the importation of live dogs into the United 
States for each of the 3 most recent calendar years for which 
data are available— 
(1) the total number of live dogs imported; 
(2) the number of live dogs imported as personal pets; 
(3) the number of live dogs imported for resale (as defined 
in section 18(a) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2148(a)); 
(4) the number of live dogs for which importation was 
requested but denied due to the proposed importation failing 
to meet the requirements under— 
(A) section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2148); 
(B) section 71.51 of title 42, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or any successor regulations); or 
(C) any other Federal law; and 
(5) any recommendations of the Secretary for modifications 
to Federal law (including regulations) relating to the importa-
tion of live dogs, including for the protection of public health. 
(c) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—To facilitate the preparation 
of the report submitted under subsection (a), not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall each provide to the Secretary 
of Agriculture all available data and information relating to the 
importation of live dogs into the United States, including— 
(1) the data described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
subsection (b) for each of the 3 most recent calendar years 
for which data is available; and 
(2) any recommendations for modifications to Federal law 
(including regulations) relating to the importation of live dogs, 
including for the protection of public health. 
SEC. 12510. TRIBAL PROMISE ZONES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘‘Tribal Promise 
Zone’’ means an area that—
H. R. 2—502 
(1) is nominated by 1 or more Indian tribes (as defined 
in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance 
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13))) for 
designation as a Tribal Promise Zone (in this section referred 
to as a ‘‘nominated zone’’); 
(2) has a continuous boundary; and 
(3) the Secretary designates as a Tribal Promise Zone, 
after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Sec-
retary of Education, the Attorney General, the Secretary of 
the Interior, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary 
of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of 
Transportation, and other agencies as appropriate. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION AND NUMBER OF DESIGNATIONS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall nominate a minimum number of nominated zones, as deter-
mined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes, to be 
designated as Tribal Promise Zones. 
(c) PERIOD OF DESIGNATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate nominated 
zones as Tribal Promise Zones before January 1, 2020. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATES OF DESIGNATIONS.—The designation 
of any Tribal Promise Zone shall take effect— 
(A) for purposes of priority consideration in Federal 
grant programs and initiatives (other than this section), 
upon execution of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement with 
the Secretary; and 
(B) for purposes of this section, on January 1 of the 
first calendar year beginning after the date of the execution 
of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement. 
(3) TERMINATION OF DESIGNATIONS.—The designation of any 
Tribal Promise Zone shall end on the earlier of— 
(A)(i) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone not 
described in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period 
beginning on the date that such designation takes effect; 
or 
(ii) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone described 
in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning 
on the date the area was designated as a Tribal Promise 
Zone before the date of the enactment of this Act; or 
(B) the date of the revocation of such designation. 
(4) APPLICATION TO CERTAIN ZONES ALREADY DESIGNATED.— 
In the case of any area designated as a Tribal Promise Zone 
by the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, such area shall be deemed a Tribal Promise Zone des-
ignated under this section (notwithstanding whether any such 
designation has been revoked before the date of the enactment 
of this Act) and shall reduce the number of Tribal Promise 
Zones remaining to be designated under paragraph (1). 
(d) LIMITATIONS ON DESIGNATIONS.—No area may be designated 
under this section unless— 
(1) the entities nominating the area have the authority 
to nominate the area of designation under this section; 
(2) such entities provide written assurances satisfactory 
to the Secretary that the competitiveness plan described in 
the application under subsection (e) for such area will be imple-
mented and that such entities will provide the Secretary with
H. R. 2—503 
such data regarding the economic conditions of the area (before, 
during, and after the area’s period of designation as a Tribal 
Promise Zone) as the Secretary may require; and 
(3) the Secretary determines that any information fur-
nished is reasonably accurate. 
(e) APPLICATION.—No area may be designated under this section 
unless the application for such designation— 
(1) demonstrates that the nominated zone satisfies the 
eligibility criteria described in subsection (a); and 
(2) includes a competitiveness plan that— 
(A) addresses the need of the nominated zone to attract 
investment and jobs and improve educational opportunities; 
(B) leverages the nominated zone’s economic strengths 
and outlines targeted investments to develop competitive 
advantages; 
(C) demonstrates collaboration across a wide range 
of stakeholders; 
(D) outlines a strategy that connects the nominated 
zone to drivers of regional economic growth; and 
(E) proposes a strategy for focusing on increased access 
to high quality affordable housing and improved public 
safety. 
(f) SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—From among the nominated zones eligible 
for designation under this section, the Secretary shall designate 
Tribal Promise Zones on the basis of— 
(A) the effectiveness of the competitiveness plan sub-
mitted under subsection (e) and the assurances made under 
subsection (d); 
(B) unemployment rates, poverty rates, vacancy rates, 
crime rates, and such other factors as the Secretary may 
identify, including household income, labor force participa-
tion, and educational attainment; and 
(C) other criteria as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) MINIMAL STANDARDS.—The Secretary may set minimal 
standards for the levels of unemployment and poverty that 
must be satisfied for designation as a Tribal Promise Zone. 
SEC. 12511. PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONNECTIVITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Precision agriculture technologies and practices allow 
farmers to significantly increase crop yields, eliminate overlap 
in operations, and reduce inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pes-
ticides, water, and fuel. 
(2) These technologies allow farmers to collect data in 
real time about their fields, automate field management, and 
maximize resources. 
(3) Studies estimate that precision agriculture technologies 
can reduce agricultural operation costs by up to 25 dollars 
per acre and increase farm yields by up to 70 percent by 
2050. 
(4) The critical cost savings and productivity benefits of 
precision agriculture cannot be realized without the availability 
of reliable broadband Internet access service delivered to the 
agricultural land of the United States. 
(5) The deployment of broadband Internet access service 
to unserved agricultural land is critical to the United States
H. R. 2—504 
economy and to the continued leadership of the United States 
in global food production. 
(6) Despite the growing demand for broadband Internet 
access service on agricultural land, broadband Internet access 
service is not consistently available where needed for agricul-
tural operations. 
(7) The Federal Communications Commission has an 
important role to play in the deployment of broadband Internet 
access service on unserved agricultural land to promote preci-
sion agriculture. 
(b) TASK FORCE.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A)(i) The term ‘‘broadband Internet access service’’ 
means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that 
provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive 
data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints, 
including any capabilities that are incidental to, and enable 
the operation of, the communications service, but excluding 
dial up internet access service. 
(ii) Such term includes any service the Commission 
finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service 
described in clause (i). 
(B) The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Federal 
Communications Commission. 
(C) The term ‘‘Department’’ means the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(D) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Agri-
culture. 
(E) The term ‘‘Task Force’’ means the Task Force for 
Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Preci-
sion Agriculture in the United States established under 
paragraph (2). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish the 
Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology 
Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. 
(3) DUTIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall consult with 
the Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, and collabo-
rate with public and private stakeholders in the agriculture 
and technology fields to— 
(i) identify and measure current gaps in the avail-
ability of broadband Internet access service on agricul-
tural land; 
(ii) develop policy recommendations to promote the 
rapid, expanded deployment of broadband Internet 
access service on unserved agricultural land, with a 
goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95 percent 
of agricultural land in the United States by 2025; 
(iii) promote effective policy and regulatory solu-
tions that encourage the adoption of broadband Inter-
net access service on farms and ranches and promote 
precision agriculture; 
(iv) recommend specific new rules or amendments 
to existing rules of the Commission that the Commis-
sion should issue to achieve the goals and purposes 
of the policy recommendations described in clause (ii);
H. R. 2—505 
(v) recommend specific steps that the Commission 
should take to obtain reliable and standardized data 
measurements of the availability of broadband Internet 
access service as may be necessary to target funding 
support, from future programs of the Commission dedi-
cated to the deployment of broadband Internet access 
service, to unserved agricultural land in need of 
broadband Internet access service; and 
(vi) recommend specific steps that the Commission 
should consider to ensure that the expertise of the 
Secretary and available farm data are reflected in 
future programs of the Commission dedicated to the 
infrastructure deployment of broadband Internet access 
service and to direct available funding to unserved 
agricultural land where needed. 
(B) NO
DUPLICATE
DATA
REPORTING.—In performing 
the duties of the Commission under subparagraph (A), 
the Commission shall ensure that no provider of broadband 
Internet access service is required to report data to the 
Commission that is, on the day before the date of enactment 
of this Act, required to be reported by the provider of 
broadband Internet access service. 
(C) HOLD
HARMLESS.—The Task Force and the 
Commission shall not interpret the phrase ‘‘future pro-
grams of the Commission’’, as used in clauses (v) and 
(vi) of subparagraph (A), to include the universal service 
programs of the Commission established under section 254 
of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254). 
(D) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary, or a designee of 
the Secretary, shall explain and make available to the 
Task Force the expertise, data mapping information, and 
resources of the Department that the Department uses 
to identify cropland, ranchland, and other areas with agri-
cultural operations that may be helpful in developing the 
recommendations required under subparagraph (A). 
(E) LIST
OF
AVAILABLE
FEDERAL
PROGRAMS
AND 
RESOURCES.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Commission 
shall jointly submit to the Task Force a list of all Federal 
programs or resources available for the expansion of 
broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural 
land to assist the Task Force in carrying out the duties 
of the Task Force. 
(4) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall be— 
(i) composed of not more than 15 voting members 
who shall— 
(I) be selected by the Chairman of the Commis-
sion, in consultation with the Secretary; and 
(II) include— 
(aa) agricultural producers representing 
diverse geographic regions and farm sizes, 
including owners and operators of farms of 
less than 100 acres; 
(bb) an agricultural producer representing 
tribal agriculture;
H. R. 2—506 
(cc) Internet service providers, including 
regional or rural fixed and mobile broadband 
Internet access service providers and tele-
communications infrastructure providers; 
(dd) representatives from the electric 
cooperative industry; 
(ee) representatives from the satellite 
industry; 
(ff) representatives from precision agri-
culture equipment manufacturers, including 
drone manufacturers, manufacturers of auton-
omous agricultural machinery, and manufac-
turers of farming robotics technologies; 
(gg) representatives from State and local 
governments; and 
(hh) representatives with relevant exper-
tise in broadband network data collection, 
geospatial analysis, and coverage mapping; 
and 
(ii) fairly balanced in terms of technologies, points 
of view, and fields represented on the Task Force. 
(B) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—A member of the Committee 
appointed under subparagraph (A)(i) shall serve for 
a single term of 2 years. 
(ii) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Task Force— 
(I) shall not affect the powers of the Task 
Force; and 
(II) shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment. 
(C) EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.—The Secretary, or a designee 
of the Secretary, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting 
member of the Task Force. 
(5) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Commission establishes the Task Force, and annually 
thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the Chairman of 
the Commission a report, which shall be made public not later 
than 30 days after the date on which the Chairman receives 
the report, that details— 
(A) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet 
access service coverage of agricultural land; 
(B) the projected future connectivity needs of agricul-
tural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and 
(C) the steps being taken to accurately measure the 
availability of broadband Internet access service on agricul-
tural land and the limitations of current, as of the date 
of the report, measurement processes. 
(6) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall renew the Task 
Force every 2 years until the Task Force terminates on January 
1, 2025. 
(c) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—No additional funds 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This 
section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
SEC. 12512. IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the
H. R. 2—507 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion to enhance the collection of data to improve the accuracy 
of the United States Drought Monitor. 
(b) UTILIZATION.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Sec-
retary shall utilize a consistent source or sources of data for pro-
grams that are based on drought or precipitation indices, such 
as the livestock forage disaster program established under section 
1501(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)) or policies 
or plans of insurance established under the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 
(c) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of— 
(1) the types of data currently utilized by the United States 
Drought Monitor; 
(2) the geographic coverage and density of existing data 
collection sites; and 
(3) other meteorological or climatological data that is being 
collected by other Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ments, and non-Federal entities that could be utilized by the 
United States Drought Monitor. 
(d) IMPROVEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the completion of the review pre-
scribed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall— 
(A) seek to expand the collection of relevant data in 
States or geographic areas where coverage is currently 
lacking as compared to other States or geographic areas; 
and 
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, develop stand-
ards to allow the integration of meteorological or climato-
logical data into the United States Drought Monitor derived 
from— 
(i) in-situ soil moisture profile measuring devices; 
(ii) citizen science (as defined in the Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen Science Act (15 U.S.C. 3724)), including 
data from the Cooperative Observer Program of the 
National Weather Service; and 
(iii) other Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ments, and non-Federal entities. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is to be 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. 
SEC. 12513. DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION INITIATIVES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) DAIRY
BUSINESS.—The term ‘‘dairy business’’ means 
a business that develops, produces, markets, or distributes 
dairy products. 
(2) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘‘initiative’’ means a dairy 
product and business innovation initiative established under 
subsection (b). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish not less 
than 3 regionally-located dairy product and business innovation 
initiatives for the purposes of— 
(1) diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and 
develop higher-value uses for dairy products;