H. R. 2160—18
life of any such agreement may be extended to fully utilize amounts
obligated.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $26,000,000, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
RURAL COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION GRANTS
For grants pursuant to section 7 of the Cooperative Forestry
Assistance Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–313), $2,000,000 to fund
up to 50 percent of the cost of organizing, training, and equipping
rural volunteer fire departments.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For grants and contracts for housing for domestic farm labor,
very low-income housing repair, supervisory and technical assist-
ance, compensation for construction defects, and rural housing
preservation made by the Rural Housing Service as authorized
by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1486, 1490c, 1490e, and 1490m,
$45,720,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That
any obligated and unobligated balances available from prior years
in ‘‘Rural Housing for Domestic Farm Labor’’, ‘‘Supervisory and
Technical Assistance Grants’’, ‘‘Very Low-Income Housing Repair
Grants’’, ‘‘Compensation for Construction Defects’’, and ‘‘Rural Hous-
ing Preservation Grants’’ shall be transferred to and merged with
this account: Provided further, That of the total amount appro-
priated, $1,200,000 shall be for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Provided further,
That if such funds are not obligated for empowerment zones and
enterprise communities by June 30, 1998, they shall remain avail-
able for other authorized purposes under this head.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Housing Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, title V of the Housing Act of 1949,
and cooperative agreements, $58,804,000: Provided, That this
appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $520,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, $16,888,000, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)): Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
H. R. 2160—19
1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize
gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans of
$35,000,000: Provided further, That through June 30, 1998, of the
total amount appropriated, $3,345,000 shall be available for the
cost of direct loans for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993, to subsidize gross obligations for the
principal amount of direct loans, $7,246,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
loan programs, $3,482,000 shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Business-Cooperative Service—Salaries
and Expenses’’.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized under
section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the purpose of
promoting rural economic development and job creation projects,
$25,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying
loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, $5,978,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit
payments in fiscal year 1998, as authorized by section 313 of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $5,978,000 shall not be obli-
gated and $5,978,000 are rescinded.
ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION
REVOLVING FUND
For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative Agricultural
Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5901–5908),
$7,000,000 are appropriated to the Alternative Agricultural
Research and Commercialization Corporation Revolving Fund.
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
For rural cooperative development grants authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $3,000,000, of which up to $1,300,000 may
be available for cooperative agreements for the appropriate tech-
nology transfer for rural areas program.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, including administering the programs authorized by the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; section 1323 of
the Food Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act
of 1926; for activities relating to the marketing aspects of coopera-
tives, including economic research findings, as authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for activities with institutions
concerning the development and operation of agricultural coopera-
tives; and for cooperative agreements; $25,680,000: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
H. R. 2160—20
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $260,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), shall be made
as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans, $125,000,000; 5
percent rural telecommunications loans, $75,000,000; cost of money
rural telecommunications loans, $300,000,000; municipal rate rural
electric loans, $500,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section
306 of that Act, rural electric, $300,000,000 and rural telecommuni-
cations, $120,000,000, to remain available until expended.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
and guaranteed loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of direct loans,
$12,265,000; cost of municipal rate loans, $21,100,000; cost of money
rural telecommunications loans, $60,000; cost of loans guaranteed
pursuant to section 306, $2,760,000: Provided, That notwithstanding
section 305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower
interest rates may exceed 7 percent per year.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $29,982,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Utilities Service—Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such corpora-
tion in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commit-
ments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by
section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as may
be necessary in carrying out its authorized programs for the current
fiscal year. During fiscal year 1998 and within the resources and
authority available, gross obligations for the principal amount of
direct loans shall be $175,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
935), $3,710,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the loan programs, $3,000,000, which shall be transferred to
and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Utilities Service—
Salaries and Expenses’’.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND MEDICAL LINK PROGRAM
For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $12,530,000, to remain available until
H. R. 2160—21
expended, to be available for loans and grants for telemedicine
and distance learning services in rural areas: Provided, That the
costs of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Utilities Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, and for cooperative agreements, $33,000,000: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $105,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD, NUTRITION AND
CONSUMER SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Consumer
Service, $554,000.
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections
17 and 21; $7,767,816,000, to remain available through September
30, 1999, of which $2,616,425,000 is hereby appropriated and
$5,151,391,000 shall be derived by transfer from funds available
under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c):
Provided, That none of the funds made available under this heading
shall be used for studies and evaluations: Provided further, That
up to $4,124,000 shall be available for independent verification
of school food service claims.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS,
AND CHILDREN (WIC)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special supplemental
nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $3,924,000,000, to remain available
through September 30, 1999: Provided, That none of the funds
made available under this heading shall be used for studies and
evaluations: Provided further, That up to $12,000,000 may be used
to carry out the farmers’ market nutrition program from any funds
not needed to maintain current caseload levels: Provided further,
That notwithstanding sections 17(g), (h), and (i) of such Act, the
Secretary shall adjust fiscal year 1998 State allocations to reflect
food funds available to the State from fiscal year 1997 under
sections 17(i)(3)(A)(ii) and 17(i)(3)(D): Provided further, That the
H. R. 2160—22
Secretary shall allocate funds recovered from fiscal year 1997 first
to States to maintain stability funding levels, as defined by regula-
tions promulgated under section 17(g), and then to give first priority
for the allocation of any remaining funds to States whose funding
is less than their fair share of funds, as defined by regulations
promulgated under section 17(g): Provided further, That none of
the funds in this Act shall be available to pay administrative
expenses of WIC clinics except those that have an announced policy
of prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the
program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in
this account shall be available for the purchase of infant formula
except in accordance with the cost containment and competitive
bidding requirements specified in section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966: Provided further, That State agencies required to
procure infant formula using a competitive bidding system may
use funds appropriated by this Act to purchase infant formula
under a cost containment contract entered into after September
30, 1996, only if the contract was awarded to the bidder offering
the lowest net price, as defined by section 17(b)(20) of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966, unless the State agency demonstrates to
the satisfaction of the Secretary that the weighted average retail
price for different brands of infant formula in the State does not
vary by more than five percent.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $25,140,479,000, of which $100,000,000 shall
be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such
times as may become necessary to carry out program operations:
Provided, That funds provided herein shall be expended in accord-
ance with section 16 of the Food Stamp Act: Provided further,
That this appropriation shall be subject to any work registration
or workfare requirements as may be required by law: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available under this heading
shall be used for studies and evaluations.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity supple-
mental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture
and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) and
for administrative expenses pursuant to section 204 of the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, $141,000,000, to remain
available through September 30, 1999: Provided, That none of
these funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity Credit
Corporation for commodities donated to the program.
FOOD DONATIONS PROGRAMS FOR SELECTED GROUPS
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the Agri-
culture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note),
and section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3030a), $141,165,000, to remain available through September 30,
1999.
H. R. 2160—23
FOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic food
programs funded under this Act, $107,619,000, of which $5,000,000
shall be available only for simplifying procedures, reducing overhead
costs, tightening regulations, improving food stamp coupon
handling, and assistance in the prevention, identification, and
prosecution of fraud and other violations of law: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $150,000 shall be available
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE AND GENERAL SALES MANAGER
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954
(7 U.S.C. 1761–1768), market development activities abroad, and
for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate activities
of the Department in connection with foreign agricultural work,
including not to exceed $128,000 for representation allowances and
for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August
3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $135,561,000, of which $3,231,000 may
be transferred from the Export Loan Program account in this Act,
and $1,035,000 may be transferred from the Public Law 480 pro-
gram account in this Act: Provided, That the Service may utilize
advances of funds, or reimburse this appropriation for expenditures
made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and private organizations
and institutions under agreements executed pursuant to the agricul-
tural food production assistance programs (7 U.S.C. 1736) and
the foreign assistance programs of the International Development
Cooperation Administration (22 U.S.C. 2392).
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available
to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products.
PUBLIC LAW 480 PROGRAM AND GRANT ACCOUNTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, including interest
thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701–1715, 1721–1726, 1727–1727f,
and 1731–1736g), as follows: (1) $226,900,000 for Public Law 480
title I credit, including Food for Progress programs; (2) $17,608,000
is hereby appropriated for ocean freight differential costs for the
shipment of agricultural commodities pursuant to title I of said
Act and the Food for Progress Act of 1985; (3) $837,000,000 is
hereby appropriated for commodities supplied in connection with
dispositions abroad pursuant to title II of said Act; and (4)
$30,000,000 is hereby appropriated for commodities supplied in
connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to title III of said
Act: Provided, That not to exceed 15 percent of the funds made
H. R. 2160—24
available to carry out any title of said Act may be used to carry
out any other title of said Act: Provided further, That such sums
shall remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements as authorized by
the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954,
and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, including the cost of modify-
ing credit agreements under said Act, $176,596,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the Public
Law 480 title I credit program, and the Food for Progress Act
of 1985, to the extent funds appropriated for Public Law 480 are
utilized, $1,850,000.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit
Corporation’s export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103,
$3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by
section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and
in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which
not to exceed $3,231,000 may be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for the salaries and expenses of the Foreign
Agricultural Service, and of which not to exceed $589,000 may
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for the salaries
and expenses of the Farm Service Agency.
EXPORT CREDIT
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not
less than $5,500,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export credit
guarantee program extended to finance the export sales of United
States agricultural commodities and the products thereof, as author-
ized by section 202(a) and (b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of
1978 (7 U.S.C. 5641).
EMERGING MARKETS EXPORT CREDIT
The Commodity Credit Corporation shall make available not
less than $200,000,000 in credit guarantees under its export guaran-
tee program for credit expended to finance the export sales of
United States agricultural commodities and the products thereof
to emerging markets, as authorized by section 1542 of Public Law
101–624 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note).
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration,
including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for rental
H. R. 2160—25
of special purpose space in the District of Columbia or elsewhere;
and for miscellaneous and emergency expenses of enforcement
activities, authorized and approved by the Secretary and to be
accounted for solely on the Secretary’s certificate, not to exceed
$25,000; $948,705,000, of which not to exceed $91,204,000 in fees
pursuant to section 736 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act may be credited to this appropriation and remain available
until expended: Provided, That fees derived from applications
received during fiscal year 1998 shall be subject to the fiscal year
1998 limitation: Provided further, That none of these funds shall
be used to develop, establish, or operate any program of user
fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 354 of the Public Health
Service Act may be credited to this account, to remain available
until expended.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 801 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this account, to remain
available until expended.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alter-
ation, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used
by the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise pro-
vided, $21,350,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b).
RENTAL PAYMENTS (FDA)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92–313 for programs and activities of the Food and
Drug Administration which are included in this Act, $46,294,000:
Provided, That in the event the Food and Drug Administration
should require modification of space needs, a share of the salaries
and expenses appropriation may be transferred to this appropria-
tion, or a share of this appropriation may be transferred to the
salaries and expenses appropriation, but such transfers shall not
exceed 5 percent of the funds made available for rental payments
(FDA) to or from this account.
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
PAYMENTS TO THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
CORPORATION
For necessary payments to the Farm Credit System Financial
Assistance Corporation by the Secretary of the Treasury, as
authorized by section 6.28(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971, for
reimbursement of interest expenses incurred by the Financial
Assistance Corporation on obligations issued through 1994, as
authorized, $7,728,000.
H. R. 2160—26
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the
Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the pur-
chase and hire of passenger motor vehicles; the rental of space
(to include multiple year leases) in the District of Columbia and
elsewhere; and not to exceed $25,000 for employment under 5
U.S.C. 3109; $58,101,000, including not to exceed $1,000 for official
reception and representation expenses: Provided, That the
Commission is authorized to charge reasonable fees to attendees
of Commission sponsored educational events and symposia to cover
the Commission’s costs of providing those events and symposia,
and notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, said fees shall be credited
to this account, to be available without further appropriation.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $34,423,000 (from assessments collected from
farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for
administrative expenses as authorized under 12 U.S.C. 2249:
Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to expenses associated
with receiverships.
TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law, appropria-
tions and authorizations made for the Department of Agriculture
for the fiscal year 1998 under this Act shall be available for the
purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of not to
exceed 394 passenger motor vehicles, of which 391 shall be for
replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.
SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of
Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances therefor
as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations of
the Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and service
work authorized by the Acts of August 14, 1946, and July 28,
1954 (7 U.S.C. 427, 1621–1629), and by chapter 63 of title 31,
United States Code, shall be available for contracting in accordance
with said Acts and chapter.
SEC. 704. The cumulative total of transfers to the Working
Capital Fund for the purpose of accumulating growth capital for
data services and National Finance Center operations shall not
exceed $2,000,000: Provided, That no funds in this Act appropriated
to an agency of the Department shall be transferred to the Working
Capital Fund without the approval of the agency administrator.
SEC. 705. New obligational authority provided for the following
appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency conditions, fruit
fly program, and integrated systems acquisition project; Farm Serv-
ice Agency, salaries and expenses funds made available to county
H. R. 2160—27
committees; and Foreign Agricultural Service, middle-income coun-
try training program.
New obligational authority for the boll weevil program; up
to 10 percent of the screwworm program of the Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service; Food Safety and Inspection Service, field
automation 
and 
information 
management 
project; 
funds
appropriated for rental payments; funds for the Native American
Institutions Endowment Fund in the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service; and funds for the competitive
research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), shall remain available until
expended.
SEC. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act
shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year
unless expressly so provided herein.
SEC. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations available
to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be available
to provide appropriate orientation and language training pursuant
to Public Law 94–449.
SEC. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department
of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent
of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of
such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual
interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate
payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institu-
tions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis
for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
SEC. 709. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
commodities acquired by the Department in connection with
Commodity Credit Corporation and section 32 price support oper-
ations may be used, as authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 714c and
7 U.S.C. 612c), to provide commodities to individuals in cases of
hardship as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to reimburse the General Services Administration for payment of
space rental and related costs in excess of the amounts specified
in this Act; nor shall this or any other provision of law require
a reduction in the level of rental space or services below that
of fiscal year 1997 or prohibit an expansion of rental space or
services with the use of funds otherwise appropriated in this Act.
Further, no agency of the Department of Agriculture, from funds
otherwise available, shall reimburse the General Services Adminis-
tration for payment of space rental and related costs provided
to such agency at a percentage rate which is greater than is avail-
able in the case of funds appropriated in this Act.
SEC. 711. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation to
lease space for its own use or to lease space on behalf of other
agencies of the Department of Agriculture when such space will
be jointly occupied.
SEC. 712. With the exception of grants awarded under the
Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982, Public Law
97–219 (15 U.S.C. 638), none of the funds in this Act shall be
available to pay indirect costs on research grants awarded competi-
tively by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
H. R. 2160—28
Service that exceed 14 percent of total Federal funds provided
under each award.
SEC. 713. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Act,
all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered estimates,
not limitations.
SEC. 714. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for
the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in fiscal
year 1998 shall remain available until expended to cover obligations
made in fiscal year 1998 for the following accounts: the rural
development loan fund program account; the Rural Telephone Bank
program account; the rural electrification and telecommunications
loans program account; and the rural economic development loans
program account.
SEC. 715. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1998
pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be absorbed within
the levels appropriated in this Act.
SEC. 716. HEREAFTER: (a) COMPLIANCE WITH BUY AMERICAN
ACT.—None of the funds made available in this Act may be
expended by an entity unless the entity agrees that in expending
the funds the entity will comply with sections 2 through 4 of
the Act of March 3, 1933 (41 U.S.C. 10a–10c; popularly known
as the ‘‘Buy American Act’’).
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS; REQUIREMENT REGARDING NOTICE.—
(1) 
PURCHASE
OF
AMERICAN-MADE
EQUIPMENT
AND
PRODUCTS.—In the case of any equipment or product that may
be authorized to be purchased with financial assistance pro-
vided using funds made available in this Act, it is the sense
of the Congress that entities receiving the assistance should,
in expending the assistance, purchase only American-made
equipment and products.
(2) NOTICE TO RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE.—In providing
financial assistance using funds made available in this Act,
the head of each Federal agency shall provide to each recipient
of the assistance a notice describing the statement made in
paragraph (1) by the Congress.
(c) PROHIBITION
OF
CONTRACTS
WITH
PERSONS
FALSELY
LABELING PRODUCTS AS MADE IN AMERICA.—If it has been finally
determined by a court or Federal agency that any person inten-
tionally affixed a label bearing a ‘‘Made in America’’ inscription,
or any inscription with the same meaning, to any product sold
in or shipped to the United States that is not made in the United
States, the person shall be ineligible to receive any contract or
subcontract made with funds made available in this Act, pursuant
to the debarment, suspension, and ineligibility procedures described
in sections 9.400 through 9.409 of title 48, Code of Federal Regula-
tions.
SEC. 717. Notwithstanding the Federal Grant and Cooperative
Agreement Act, marketing services of the Agricultural Marketing
Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may
use cooperative agreements to reflect a relationship between the
Agricultural Marketing Service or the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service and a State or Cooperator to carry out agricul-
tural marketing programs or to carry out programs to protect the
Nation’s animal and plant resources.
SEC. 718. None of the funds in this Act may be used to retire
more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural Telephone
H. R. 2160—29
Bank or to maintain any account or subaccount within the account-
ing records of the Rural Telephone Bank the creation of which
has not specifically been authorized by statute: Provided, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used
to transfer to the Treasury or to the Federal Financing Bank
any unobligated balance of the Rural Telephone Bank telephone
liquidating account which is in excess of current requirements and
such balance shall receive interest as set forth for financial accounts
in section 505(c) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
SEC. 719. None of the funds made available in this Act may
be used to provide assistance to, or to pay the salaries of personnel
who carry out a market promotion/market access program pursuant
to section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C.
5623) that provides assistance to the United States Mink Export
Development Council or any mink industry trade association.
SEC. 720. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more
than $1,000,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of activi-
ties related to all advisory committees, panels, commissions, and
task forces of the Department of Agriculture except for panels
used to comply with negotiated rule makings and panels used
to evaluate competitively awarded grants.
SEC. 721. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses
of personnel who carry out an export enhancement program if
the aggregate amount of funds and/or commodities under such
program exceeds $150,000,000.
SEC. 722. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may
be used to carry out the provisions of section 918 of Public Law
104–127, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act.
SEC. 723. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may
be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this
Act to any other agency or office of the Department for more
than 30 days unless the individual’s employing agency or office
is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office for the salary
and expenses of the employee for the period of assignment.
SEC. 724. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Department of Agriculture shall be used to transmit
or otherwise make available to any non-Department of Agriculture
employee questions or responses to questions that are a result
of information requested for the appropriations hearing process.
SEC. 725. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available in this Act may be expended or obligated to fund the
activities of the Western Director and Special Assistant to the
Secretary within the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture or any
similar position.
SEC. 726. None of the funds made available to the Department
of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire new information
technology systems or significant upgrades, as determined by the
Office of the Chief Information Officer, without the approval of
the Chief Information Officer and the concurrence of the Executive
Information Technology Investment Review Board.
SEC. 727. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this
Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal
year 1998, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the
United States derived by the collection of fees available to the
H. R. 2160—30
agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or
expenditure through a reprogramming of funds which: (1) creates
new programs; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3)
increases funds or personnel by any means for any project or
activity for which funds have been denied or restricted; (4) relocates
an office or employees; (5) reorganizes offices, programs, or activi-
ties; or (6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities
presently performed by Federal employees; unless the Appropria-
tions Committees of both Houses of Congress are notified fifteen
days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by
previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act
that remain available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal year
1998, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United
States derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies
funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure
for activities, programs, or projects through a reprogramming of
funds in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that:
(1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2) reduces
by 10 percent funding for any existing program, project, or activity,
or numbers of personnel by 10 percent as approved by Congress;
or (3) results from any general savings from a reduction in personnel
which would result in a change in existing programs, activities,
or projects as approved by Congress; unless the Appropriations
Committees of both Houses of Congress are notified fifteen days
in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
SEC. 728. Section 3(c) of the Federal Noxious Weed Act of
1974 (7 U.S.C. 2802(c)) is amended by inserting before the period
at the end the following: ‘‘, and includes kudzu (Pueraria lobata
Dc)’’.
SEC. 729. Notwithstanding section 520 of the Housing Act of
1949, (42 U.S.C. 1490) the Martin Luther King area of Pawley’s
Island, South Carolina, located in Georgetown County, shall be
eligible for loans and grants under section 504 of the Housing
Act of 1949.
SEC. 730. None of the funds made available to the Food and
Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to close or relocate
the Food and Drug Administration Division of Drug Analysis in
St. Louis, Missouri.
SEC. 731. Effective on October 1, 1998, section 136(a) of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7236(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by striking ‘‘Subject to paragraph (4), during’’ and
inserting ‘‘During’’; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘130’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘134’’;
(2) by striking paragraph (4); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).
SEC. 732. STUDY OF NORTHEAST INTERSTATE DAIRY COMPACT.
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) 
CHILD, 
SENIOR, 
AND
LOW-INCOME
NUTRITION
PROGRAMS.—The term ‘‘child, senior, and low-income nutrition
programs’’ includes—
(A) the food stamp program established under the Food
Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.);
(B) the school lunch program established under the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.);
H. R. 2160—31
(C) the summer food service program for children
established under section 13 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1761);
(D) the child and adult care food program established
under section 17 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1766);
(E) the special milk program established under section
3 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772);
(F) the school breakfast program established under
section 4 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1773);
(G) the special supplemental nutrition program for
women, infants, and children authorized under section 17
of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
(H) the nutrition programs and projects carried out
under part C of title III of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030e et seq.).
(2) COMPACT.—The term ‘‘Compact’’ means the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact.
(3) NORTHEAST
INTERSTATE
DAIRY
COMPACT.—The term
‘‘Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact’’ means the Northeast
Interstate Dairy Compact referred to in section 147 of the
Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7256).
(4) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget.
(b) EVALUATION.—Not later than December 31, 1997, the
Director shall conduct, complete, and transmit to Congress a com-
prehensive economic evaluation of the direct and indirect effects
of the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact and other factors which
affect the price of fluid milk.
(c) COMPONENTS.—In conducting the evaluation, the Director
shall consider, among other factors, the effects of implementation
of the rules and regulations of the Northeast Interstate Dairy
Compact Commission, such as rules and regulations relating to
over-order Class I pricing and pooling provisions. This evaluation
shall consider such effects prior to implementation of the Compact
and that would have occurred in the absence of the implementation
of the Compact. The evaluation shall include an analysis of the
impacts on—
(1) child, senior, and low-income nutrition programs
including impacts on schools and institutions participating in
the programs, on program recipients, and other factors;
(2) the wholesale and retail cost of fluid milk;
(3) the level of milk production, the number of cows, the
number of dairy farms, and milk utilization in the Compact
region, including—
(A) changes in the level of milk production, the number
of cows, and the number of dairy farms in the Compact
region relative to trends in the level of milk production
and trends in the number of cows and dairy farms prior
to implementation of the Compact;
(B) changes in the disposition of bulk and packaged
milk for Class I, II, or III use produced in the Compact
region to areas outside the region relative to the milk
disposition to areas outside the region;
(C) changes in—
(i) the share of milk production for Class I use
of the total milk production in the Compact region;
and