H. R. 2419—527 
(2) NO
PERSONALLY
IDENTIFIABLE
INFORMATION.—The 
reports provided pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not contain 
any information that would identify any person who applied 
for a loan from the Department. 
(3) REPORTING DEADLINE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
(i) provide to claimants the reports required under 
paragraph (1) as quickly as practicable after the Sec-
retary receives notice of a complaint filed by a claimant 
under subsection (b); and 
(ii) devote such resources of the Department as 
are necessary to make providing the reports expedi-
tiously a high priority of the Department. 
(B) EXTENSION.—A court may extend the deadline for 
providing the report required in a particular case under 
paragraph (1) if the Secretary establishes that meeting 
the deadline is not feasible and demonstrates a continuing 
effort and commitment to provide the required report 
expeditiously. 
(f) EXPEDITED RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Any person filing a complaint under this 
section for discrimination in the application for, or making 
or servicing of, a farm loan, at the discretion of the person, 
may seek liquidated damages of $50,000, discharge of the debt 
that was incurred under, or affected by, the 1 or more programs 
that were the subject of the 1 or more discrimination claims 
that are the subject of the person’s complaint, and a tax pay-
ment in the amount equal to 25 percent of the liquidated 
damages and loan principal discharged, in which case— 
(A) if only such damages, debt discharge, and tax pay-
ment are sought, the complainant shall be able to prove 
the case of the complainant by substantial evidence (as 
defined in section 1(l) of the consent decree); and 
(B) the court shall decide the case based on a review 
of documents submitted by the complainant and defendant 
relevant to the issues of liability and damages. 
(2) NONCREDIT CLAIMS.— 
(A) STANDARD.—In any case in which a claimant 
asserts a noncredit claim under a benefit program of the 
Department, the court shall determine the merits of the 
claim in accordance with section 9(b)(i) of the consent 
decree. 
(B) RELIEF.—A claimant who prevails on a claim of 
discrimination involving a noncredit benefit program of 
the Department shall be entitled to a payment by the 
Department in a total amount of $3,000, without regard 
to the number of such claims on which the claimant pre-
vails. 
(g) ACTUAL DAMAGES.—A claimant who files a claim under 
this section for discrimination under subsection (b) but not under 
subsection (f) and who prevails on the claim shall be entitled 
to actual damages sustained by the claimant. 
(h) LIMITATION ON FORECLOSURES.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, during the pendency of a Pigford claim, the Sec-
retary may not begin acceleration on or foreclosure of a loan if— 
(1) the borrower is a Pigford claimant; and
H. R. 2419—528 
(2) makes a prima facie case in an appropriate administra-
tive proceeding that the acceleration or foreclosure is related 
to a Pigford claim. 
(i) FUNDING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available for payments 
and debt relief in satisfaction of claims against the United 
States under subsection (b) and for any actions under subsection 
(g) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, to remain available until 
expended. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
funds made available under paragraph (1), there are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out 
this section. 
(j) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter 
until the funds made available under subsection (i) are depleted, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on the 
Judiciary of the Senate a report that describes the status of 
available funds under subsection (i) and the number of pending 
claims under subsection (f). 
(2) DEPLETION
OF
FUNDS
REPORT.—In addition to the 
reports required under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
Senate a report that notifies the Committees when 75 percent 
of the funds made available under subsection (i)(1) have been 
depleted. 
(k) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority to file a claim 
under this section terminates 2 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 14013. OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Department of Agriculture Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1994 is amended by inserting after section 226A (7 
U.S.C. 6933) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 226B. OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given the term in section 
343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). 
‘‘(2) OFFICE.—The term ‘Office’ means the Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach established under this section. 
‘‘(3) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.—The 
term ‘socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 2501(e) of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish within the 
executive operations of the Department an office to be known 
as the ‘Office of Advocacy and Outreach’— 
‘‘(A) to improve access to programs of the Department; 
and 
‘‘(B) to improve the viability and profitability of—
H. R. 2419—529 
‘‘(i) small farms and ranches; 
‘‘(ii) beginning farmers or ranchers; and 
‘‘(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—The Office shall be headed by a Director, 
to be appointed by the Secretary from among the competitive 
service. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Office shall be to ensure small 
farms and ranches, beginning farmers or ranchers, and socially 
disadvantaged farmers or ranchers access to, and equitable partici-
pation in, programs and services of the Department by— 
‘‘(1) establishing and monitoring the goals and objectives 
of the Department to increase participation in programs of 
the Department by small, beginning, or socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(2) assessing the effectiveness of Department outreach 
programs; 
‘‘(3) developing and implementing a plan to coordinate out-
reach activities and services provided by the Department; 
‘‘(4) providing input to the agencies and offices on pro-
grammatic and policy decisions; 
‘‘(5) measuring outcomes of the programs and activities 
of the Department on small farms and ranches, beginning 
farmers or ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers programs; 
‘‘(6) recommending new initiatives and programs to the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(7) carrying out any other related duties that the Secretary 
determines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(d) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS GROUP.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish within 
the Office the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group. 
‘‘(2) OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE.—The Socially Disadvan-
taged Farmers Group— 
‘‘(A) shall carry out section 2501 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279); and 
‘‘(B) in the case of activities described in section 2501(a) 
of that Act, may conduct such activities through other 
agencies and offices of the Department. 
‘‘(3) 
SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED
FARMERS
AND
FARM-
WORKERS.—The Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Group shall 
oversee the operations of— 
‘‘(A) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers 
established under section 14009 of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008; and 
‘‘(B) the position of Farmworker Coordinator estab-
lished under subsection (f). 
‘‘(4) OTHER DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Socially 
Disadvantaged 
Farmers Group may carry out other duties to improve 
access to, and participation in, programs of the Department 
by socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) OFFICE OF OUTREACH AND DIVERSITY.—The Office 
of Advocacy and Outreach shall carry out the functions 
and duties of the Office of Outreach and Diversity carried 
out by the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights as such
H. R. 2419—530 
functions and duties existed immediately before the date 
of the enactment of this section. 
‘‘(e) SMALL FARMS AND BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS 
GROUP.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish within 
the Office the Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers Group. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) OVERSEE OFFICES.—The Small Farms and Begin-
ning Farmers and Ranchers Group shall oversee the oper-
ations of the Office of Small Farms Coordination estab-
lished by Departmental Regulation 9700-1 (August 3, 2006). 
‘‘(B) BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT 
PROGRAM.—The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers Group shall consult with the National Institute 
for Food and Agriculture on the administration of the begin-
ning farmer and rancher development program established 
under section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f). 
‘‘(C) ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
FOR
BEGINNING
FARMERS 
AND RANCHERS.—The Small Farms and Beginning Farmers 
and Ranchers Group shall coordinate the activities of the 
Group with the Advisory Committee for Beginning Farmers 
and Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricul-
tural Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; 
Public Law 102–554). 
‘‘(D) OTHER DUTIES.—The Small Farms and Beginning 
Farmers and Ranchers Group may carry out other duties 
to improve access to, and participation in, programs of 
the Department by small farms and ranches and beginning 
farmers or ranchers, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(f) FARMWORKER COORDINATOR.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish within 
the Office the position of Farmworker Coordinator (referred 
to in this subsection as the ‘Coordinator’). 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.—The Secretary shall delegate to the Coordi-
nator responsibility for the following: 
‘‘(A) Assisting in administering the program estab-
lished by section 2281 of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 5177a). 
‘‘(B) Serving as a liaison to community-based nonprofit 
organizations that represent and have demonstrated 
experience serving low-income migrant and seasonal farm-
workers. 
‘‘(C) Coordinating with the Department, other Federal 
agencies, and State and local governments to ensure that 
farmworker needs are assessed and met during declared 
disasters and other emergencies. 
‘‘(D) Consulting within the Office and with other enti-
ties to better integrate farmworker perspectives, concerns, 
and interests into the ongoing programs of the Department. 
‘‘(E) Consulting with appropriate institutions on 
research, program improvements, or agricultural education 
opportunities that assist low-income and migrant seasonal 
farmworkers. 
‘‘(F) Assisting farmworkers in becoming agricultural 
producers or landowners.
H. R. 2419—531 
‘‘(3) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
2012.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 296(b) of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)), 
as amended by section 7511(b), is further amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting ‘‘;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) the authority of the Secretary to establish in the 
Department the Office of Advocacy and Outreach in accordance 
with section 226B.’’. 
Subtitle B—Agricultural Security 
SEC. 14101. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Agricultural Security 
Improvement Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 14102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) AGENT.—The term ‘‘agent’’ means a nuclear, biological, 
chemical, or radiological substance that causes agricultural dis-
ease or the adulteration of products regulated by the Secretary 
of Agriculture under any provision of law. 
(2) AGRICULTURAL
BIOSECURITY.—The term ‘‘agricultural 
biosecurity’’ means protection from an agent that poses a threat 
to— 
(A) plant or animal health; 
(B) public health as it relates to the adulteration of 
products regulated by the Secretary of Agriculture under 
any provision of law that is caused by exposure to an 
agent; or 
(C) the environment as it relates to agriculture facili-
ties, farmland, and air and water within the immediate 
vicinity of an area associated with an agricultural disease 
or outbreak. 
(3) AGRICULTURAL COUNTERMEASURE.—The term ‘‘agricul-
tural countermeasure’’— 
(A) means a product, practice, or technology that is 
intended to enhance or maintain the agricultural biosecu-
rity of the United States; and 
(B) does not include a product, practice, or technology 
used solely in response to a human medical incident or 
public health emergency not related to agriculture. 
(4) AGRICULTURAL DISEASE.—The term ‘‘agricultural dis-
ease’’ has the meaning given the term by the Secretary. 
(5) AGRICULTURAL DISEASE EMERGENCY.—The term ‘‘agri-
cultural disease emergency’’ means an incident of agricultural 
disease that requires prompt action to prevent significant dam-
age to people, plants, or animals. 
(6) AGROTERRORIST
ACT.—The term ‘‘agroterrorist act’’ 
means an act that— 
(A) causes or attempts to cause—
H. R. 2419—532 
(i) damage to agriculture; or 
(ii) injury to a person associated with agriculture; 
and 
(B) is committed or appears to be committed with 
the intent to— 
(i) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; or 
(ii) disrupt the agricultural industry in order to 
influence the policy of a government by intimidation 
or coercion. 
(7) ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘animal’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(8) DEPARTMENT.—The term ‘‘Department’’ means the 
Department of Agriculture. 
(9) DEVELOPMENT.—The term ‘‘development’’ means— 
(A) research leading to the identification of products 
or technologies intended for use as agricultural counter-
measures to protect animal health; 
(B) the formulation, production, and subsequent modi-
fication of those products or technologies; 
(C) the conduct of in vitro and in vivo studies; 
(D) the conduct of field, efficacy, and safety studies; 
(E) the preparation of an application for marketing 
approval for submission to an applicable agency; or 
(F) other actions taken by an applicable agency in 
a case in which an agricultural countermeasure is procured 
or used prior to issuance of a license or other form of 
Federal Government approval. 
(10) PLANT.—The term ‘‘plant’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 411 of the Plant Protection Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 7702). 
(11) QUALIFIED
AGRICULTURAL
COUNTERMEASURE.—The 
term ‘‘qualified agricultural countermeasure’’ means an agricul-
tural countermeasure that the Secretary, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Homeland Security, determines to be a priority 
in order to address an agricultural biosecurity threat. 
CHAPTER 1—AGRICULTURAL SECURITY 
SEC. 14111. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Depart-
ment the Office of Homeland Security (in this section referred 
to as the ‘‘Office’’). 
(b) DIRECTOR.—The Office shall be headed by a Director of 
Homeland Security, who shall be appointed by the Secretary. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director of Homeland Security 
shall— 
(1) coordinate all homeland security activities of the 
Department, including integration and coordination of inter-
agency emergency response plans for— 
(A) agricultural disease emergencies; 
(B) agroterrorist acts; and 
(C) other threats to agricultural biosecurity; 
(2) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department 
with other Federal departments and agencies on the coordina-
tion of efforts and interagency activities pertaining to agricul-
tural biosecurity; and
H. R. 2419—533 
(3) advise the Secretary on policies, regulations, processes, 
budget, and actions pertaining to homeland security. 
SEC. 14112. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY COMMUNICATION CENTER. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a commu-
nication center within the Department to— 
(1) collect and disseminate information and prepare for 
an agricultural disease emergency, agroterrorist act, or other 
threat to agricultural biosecurity; and 
(2) coordinate activities described in paragraph (1) among 
agencies and offices within the Department. 
(b) RELATION TO EXISTING DHS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.— 
(1) CONSISTENCY AND COORDINATION.—The communication 
center established under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable, share and coordinate the dissemination of 
timely information with the Department of Homeland Security 
and other communication systems of appropriate Federal 
departments and agencies. 
(2) AVOIDING REDUNDANCIES.—Paragraph (1) shall not be 
construed to impede, conflict with, or duplicate the communica-
tions activities performed by the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity under any provision of law. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out 
this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 14113. ASSISTANCE TO BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY IN AGRICUL-
TURAL BIOSECURITY PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND 
RESPONSE. 
(a) ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS.— 
(1) GRANT ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall establish a 
competitive grant program to support the development and 
expansion of advanced training programs in agricultural bio-
security planning and response for food science professionals 
and veterinarians. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may 
be necessary to carry out this subsection for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2012. 
(b) ASSESSMENT OF RESPONSE CAPABILITY.— 
(1) GRANT
AND
LOAN
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
establish a competitive grant and low-interest loan assistance 
program to assist States in assessing agricultural disease 
response capability. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $25,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
CHAPTER 2—OTHER PROVISIONS 
SEC. 14121. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 
COUNTERMEASURES. 
(a) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) COMPETITIVE
GRANT
PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall 
establish a competitive grant program to encourage basic and 
applied research and the development of qualified agricultural 
countermeasures.
H. R. 2419—534 
(2) WAIVER IN EMERGENCIES.—The Secretary may waive 
the requirement under paragraph (1) that a grant be provided 
on a competitive basis if— 
(A) the Secretary has declared a plant or animal dis-
ease emergency under the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.) or the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 
8301 et seq.); and 
(B) waiving the requirement would lead to the rapid 
development of a qualified agricultural countermeasure, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 14122. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a competitive grant program to promote the development of 
teaching programs in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and dis-
ciplines closely allied to the food and agriculture system to increase 
the number of trained individuals with an expertise in agricultural 
biosecurity. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY.—The Secretary may award a grant under this 
section only to an entity that is— 
(1) an accredited school of veterinary medicine; or 
(2) a department of an institution of higher education with 
a primary focus on— 
(A) comparative medicine; 
(B) veterinary science; or 
(C) agricultural biosecurity. 
(c) PREFERENCE.—The Secretary shall give preference in 
awarding grants based on the ability of an applicant— 
(1) to increase the number of veterinarians or individuals 
with advanced degrees in food and agriculture disciplines who 
are trained in agricultural biosecurity practice areas; 
(2) to increase research capacity in areas of agricultural 
biosecurity; or 
(3) to fill critical agricultural biosecurity shortage situations 
outside of the Federal Government. 
(d) USE OF FUNDS..— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Amounts received under this section shall 
be used by a grantee to pay— 
(A) costs associated with the acquisition of equipment 
and other capital costs relating to the expansion of food, 
agriculture, and veterinary medicine teaching programs 
in agricultural biosecurity; 
(B) capital costs associated with the expansion of aca-
demic programs that offer postgraduate training for veteri-
narians or concurrent training for veterinary students in 
specific areas of specialization; or 
(C) other capacity and infrastructure program costs 
that the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(2) LIMITATION.—Funds received under this section may 
not be used for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation 
of a building or facility. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated sums as are necessary to carry out this section
H. R. 2419—535 
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain available 
until expended. 
Subtitle C—Other Miscellaneous 
Provisions 
SEC. 14201. COTTON CLASSIFICATION SERVICES. 
Section 3a of the Act of March 3, 1927 (7 U.S.C. 473a), is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 3a. COTTON CLASSIFICATION SERVICES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to 
in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall— 
‘‘(1) make cotton classification services available to pro-
ducers of cotton; and 
‘‘(2) provide for the collection of classification fees from 
participating producers or agents that voluntarily agree to col-
lect and remit the fees on behalf of producers. 
‘‘(b) FEES.— 
‘‘(1) USE OF FEES.—Classification fees collected under sub-
section (a)(2) and the proceeds from the sales of samples sub-
mitted under this section shall, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, be used to pay the cost of the services provided under 
this section, including administrative and supervisory costs. 
‘‘(2) 
ANNOUNCEMENT
OF
FEES.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
announce a uniform classification fee and any applicable sur-
charge for classification services not later than June 1 of the 
year in which the fee applies. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In establishing the amount of fees under 
this section, the Secretary shall consult with representatives 
of the United States cotton industry. 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTION.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to consultations with representa-
tives of the United States cotton industry under this section. 
‘‘(d) CREDITING OF FEES.—Any fees collected under this section 
and under section 3d, late payment penalties, the proceeds from 
the sales of samples, and interest earned from the investment 
of such funds shall— 
‘‘(1) be credited to the current appropriation account that 
incurs the cost of services provided under this section and 
section 3d; and 
‘‘(2) remain available without fiscal year limitation to pay 
the expenses of the Secretary in providing those services. 
‘‘(e) INVESTMENT
OF FUNDS.—Funds described in subsection 
(d) may be invested— 
‘‘(1) by the Secretary in insured or fully collateralized, 
interest-bearing accounts; or 
‘‘(2) at the discretion of the Secretary, by the Secretary 
of the Treasury in United States Government debt instruments. 
‘‘(f) LEASE AGREEMENTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary may enter into long-term lease agreements 
that exceed 5 years or may take title to property (including through 
purchase agreements) for the purpose of obtaining offices to be 
used for the classification of cotton in accordance with this Act,