H. R. 6124—343 
research scientists, faculty, and policymakers from eligible 
countries; 
‘‘(B) collaborative research to improve agricultural 
productivity; 
‘‘(C) the transfer of new science and agricultural tech-
nologies to strengthen agricultural practice; and 
‘‘(D) the reduction of barriers to technology adoption. 
‘‘(d) FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
CANDIDATES.—The Secretary may provide 
fellowships under this section to individuals from eligible coun-
tries who specialize or have experience in agricultural edu-
cation, research, extension, or related fields, including— 
‘‘(A) individuals from the public and private sectors; 
and 
‘‘(B) private agricultural producers. 
‘‘(2) CANDIDATE IDENTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall use 
the expertise of United States land-grant colleges and univer-
sities and similar universities, international organizations 
working in agricultural research and outreach, and national 
agricultural research organizations to help identify program 
candidates for fellowships under this section from the public 
and private sectors of eligible countries. 
‘‘(e) USE OF FELLOWSHIPS.—A fellowship provided under this 
section shall be used— 
‘‘(1) to promote collaborative programs among agricultural 
professionals of eligible countries, agricultural professionals of 
the United States, the international agricultural research 
system, and, as appropriate, United States entities conducting 
research; and 
‘‘(2) to support fellowship recipients through programs 
described in subsection (a)(2). 
‘‘(f) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall provide 
for the management, coordination, evaluation, and monitoring of 
the Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology 
Fellowship Program and for the individual programs described in 
subsection (a)(2), except that the Secretary may contract out to 
1 or more collaborating universities the management of 1 or more 
of the fellowship programs. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section, to remain available until expended.’’. 
SEC. 7140. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. 
Section 1477 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7141. RANGELAND RESEARCH GRANTS. 
Section 1483(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7142. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING 
AND RESPONSE. 
Section 1484(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351(a)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 6124—344 
SEC. 7143. RESIDENT INSTRUCTION AND DISTANCE EDUCATION 
GRANTS PROGRAM FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF 
HIGHER EDUCATION. 
(a) DISTANCE EDUCATION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.—Section 
1490(f) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(f)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.—Sec-
tion 1491 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (c); and 
(2) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle B—Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
SEC. 7201. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM. 
Section 1635(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5844(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 
7202. 
NATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL 
WEATHER 
INFORMATION 
SYSTEM. 
Section 1641(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘1991 
through 1997’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 through 2012’’. 
SEC. 7203. PARTNERSHIPS. 
Section 1672(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘may’’ 
and inserting ‘‘shall’’. 
SEC. 7204. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and controlling 
aflatoxin in the food and feed chains.’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
improving, and eventually commercializing, alfatoxin con-
trols in corn and other affected agricultural products and 
crops.’’; 
(B) by striking paragraphs (1), (4), (7), (8), (15), (17), 
(21), (23), (26), (27), (32), (34), (41), (42), (43), and (45); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (5), (6), (9) 
through (14), (16), (18) through (20), (22), (24), (25), (28) 
through (31), (33), (35) through (40), and (44) as paragraphs 
(1) through (29), respectively; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(30) AIR
EMISSIONS
FROM
LIVESTOCK
OPERATIONS.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
for the purpose of conducting field verification tests and devel-
oping mitigation options for air emissions from animal feeding 
operations.
H. R. 6124—345 
‘‘(31) SWINE GENOME PROJECT.—Research grants may be 
made under this section to conduct swine genome research, 
including the mapping of the swine genome. 
‘‘(32) CATTLE FEVER TICK PROGRAM.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to study cattle 
fever ticks to facilitate understanding of the role of wildlife 
in the persistence and spread of cattle fever ticks, to develop 
advanced methods for eradication of cattle fever ticks, and 
to improve management of diseases relating to cattle fever 
ticks that are associated with wildlife, livestock, and human 
health. 
‘‘(33) SYNTHETIC GYPSUM.—Research and extension grants 
may be made under this section to study the uses of synthetic 
gypsum from electric power plants to remediate soil and 
nutrient losses. 
‘‘(34) CRANBERRY
RESEARCH
PROGRAM.—Research and 
extension grants may be made under this section to study 
new technologies to assist cranberry growers in complying with 
Federal and State environmental regulations, increase produc-
tion, develop new growing techniques, establish more efficient 
growing methodologies, and educate cranberry producers about 
sustainable growth practices. 
‘‘(35) SORGHUM RESEARCH INITIATIVE.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to study the use 
of sorghum as a bioenergy feedstock, promote diversification 
in, and the environmental benefits of sorghum production, and 
promote water conservation through the use of sorghum. 
‘‘(36) MARINE SHRIMP FARMING PROGRAM.—Research and 
extension grants may be made under this section to establish 
a research program to advance and maintain a domestic shrimp 
farming industry in the United States. 
‘‘(37) TURFGRASS
RESEARCH
INITIATIVE.—Research and 
extension grants may be made under this section to study 
the production of turfgrass (including the use of water, fer-
tilizer, pesticides, fossil fuels, and machinery for turf establish-
ment and maintenance) and environmental protection and 
enhancement relating to turfgrass production. 
‘‘(38) AGRICULTURAL
WORKER
SAFETY
RESEARCH
INITIA-
TIVE.—Research and extension grants may be made under this 
section— 
‘‘(A) to study and demonstrate methods to minimize 
exposure of farm and ranch owners and operators, pesticide 
handlers, and agricultural workers to pesticides, including 
research addressing the unique concerns of farm workers 
resulting from long-term exposure to pesticides; and 
‘‘(B) to develop rapid tests for on-farm use to better 
inform and educate farmers, ranchers, and farm and ranch 
workers regarding safe field re-entry intervals. 
‘‘(39) HIGH PLAINS AQUIFER REGION.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to carry out inter-
disciplinary research relating to diminishing water levels and 
increased demand for water in the High Plains aquifer region. 
‘‘(40) DEER INITIATIVE.—Research and extension grants may 
be made under this section to support collaborative research 
focusing on the development of viable strategies for the preven-
tion, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious, parasitic, and toxic 
diseases of farmed deer and the mapping of the deer genome.
H. R. 6124—346 
‘‘(41) PASTURE-BASED BEEF SYSTEMS RESEARCH INITIATIVE.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
to study the development of forage sequences and combinations 
for cow-calf, heifer development, stocker, and finishing systems, 
to deliver optimal nutritive value for efficient production of 
cattle for pasture finishing, to optimize forage systems to 
improve marketability of pasture-finished beef, and to assess 
the effect of forage quality on reproductive fitness. 
‘‘(42) AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICES
RELATING
TO
CLIMATE 
CHANGE.—Research and extension grants may be made under 
this section for field and laboratory studies that examine the 
ecosystem from gross to minute scales and for projects that 
explore the relationship of agricultural practices to climate 
change. 
‘‘(43) BRUCELLOSIS CONTROL AND ERADICATION.—Research 
and extension grants may be made under this section to conduct 
research relating to the development of vaccines and vaccine 
delivery systems to effectively control and eliminate brucellosis 
in wildlife, and to assist with the controlling of the spread 
of brucellosis from wildlife to domestic animals. 
‘‘(44) BIGHORN
AND
DOMESTIC
SHEEP
DISEASE
MECHA-
NISMS.—Research and extension grants may be made under 
this section to conduct research relating to the health status 
of (including the presence of infectious diseases in) bighorn 
and domestic sheep under range conditions. 
‘‘(45) AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT
IN
THE
AMERICAN- 
PACIFIC REGION.—Research and extension grants may be made 
under this section to support food and agricultural science 
at a consortium of land-grant institutions in the American- 
Pacific region. 
‘‘(46) 
TROPICAL
AND
SUBTROPICAL
AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH.—Research grants may be made under this section, 
in equal dollar amounts to the Caribbean and Pacific Basins, 
to support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, 
including pest and disease research, at the land-grant institu-
tions in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. 
‘‘(47) VIRAL
HEMORRHAGIC
SEPTICEMIA.—Research and 
extension grants may be made under this section to study— 
‘‘(A) the effects of viral hemorrhagic septicemia 
(referred to in this paragraph as ‘VHS’) on freshwater 
fish throughout the natural and expanding range of VHS; 
and 
‘‘(B) methods for transmission and human-mediated 
transport of VHS among waterbodies. 
‘‘(48) FARM AND RANCH SAFETY.—Research and extension 
grants may be made under this section to carry out projects 
to decrease the incidence of injury and death on farms and 
ranches, including— 
‘‘(A) on-site farm or ranch safety reviews; 
‘‘(B) outreach and dissemination of farm safety 
research and interventions to agricultural employers, 
employees, youth, farm and ranch families, seasonal 
workers, or other individuals; and 
‘‘(C) agricultural safety education and training. 
‘‘(49) WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN STEM FIELDS.—Research 
and extension grants may be made under this section to
H. R. 6124—347 
increase participation by women and underrepresented minori-
ties from rural areas in the fields of science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics, with priority given to eligible 
institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(50) ALFALFA AND FORAGE RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Research 
and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
purpose of studying improvements in alfalfa and forage yields, 
biomass and persistence, pest pressures, the bioenergy potential 
of alfalfa and other forages, and systems to reduce losses during 
harvest and storage. 
‘‘(51) FOOD
SYSTEMS
VETERINARY
MEDICINE.—Research 
grants may be made under this section to address health issues 
that affect food-producing animals, food safety, and the environ-
ment, and to improve information resources, curriculum, and 
clinical education of students with respect to food animal veteri-
nary medicine and food safety. 
‘‘(52) BIOCHAR RESEARCH.—Grants may be made under this 
section for research, extension, and integrated activities 
relating to the study of biochar production and use, including 
considerations of agronomic and economic impacts, synergies 
of coproduction with bioenergy, and the value of soil enhance-
ments and soil carbon sequestration.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (j); 
(3) by inserting after subsection (g) the following: 
‘‘(h) POLLINATOR PROTECTION.— 
‘‘(1) RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.— 
‘‘(A) GRANTS.—Research and extension grants may be 
made under this section— 
‘‘(i) to survey and collect data on bee colony produc-
tion and health; 
‘‘(ii) to investigate pollinator biology, immunology, 
ecology, genomics, and bioinformatics; 
‘‘(iii) to conduct research on various factors that 
may be contributing to or associated with colony col-
lapse disorder, and other serious threats to the health 
of honey bees and other pollinators, including— 
‘‘(I) parasites and pathogens of pollinators; and 
‘‘(II) the sublethal effects of insecticides, herbi-
cides, and fungicides on honey bees and native 
and managed pollinators; 
‘‘(iv) to develop mitigative and preventative meas-
ures to improve native and managed pollinator health; 
and 
‘‘(v) to promote the health of honey bees and native 
pollinators through habitat conservation and best 
management practices. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CAPACITY AND INFRA-
STRUCTURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, to the max-
imum extent practicable, increase the capacity and infra-
structure of the Department—
H. R. 6124—348 
‘‘(i) to address colony collapse disorder and other 
long-term threats to pollinator health, including the 
hiring of additional personnel; and 
‘‘(ii) to conduct research on colony collapse disorder 
and other pollinator issues at the facilities of the 
Department. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph 
$7,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(3) HONEY BEE PEST AND PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to conduct a nationwide honey 
bee pest and pathogen surveillance program $2,750,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL REPORT ON RESPONSE TO HONEY BEE COLONY 
COLLAPSE DISORDER.—The Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate an annual report describing the progress made by the 
Department of Agriculture in— 
‘‘(A) investigating the cause or causes of honey bee 
colony collapse; and 
‘‘(B) finding appropriate strategies to reduce colony 
loss. 
‘‘(i) REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.— 
‘‘(1) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
prioritize 
regional centers of excellence established for specific agricul-
tural commodities for the receipt of funding under this section. 
‘‘(2) COMPOSITION.—A regional center of excellence shall 
be composed of 1 or more colleges and universities (including 
land-grant institutions, schools of forestry, schools of veterinary 
medicine, or NLGCA Institutions (as defined in section 1404 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103))) that provide financial 
support to the regional center of excellence. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA FOR REGIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.— 
The criteria for consideration to be a regional center of excel-
lence shall include efforts— 
‘‘(A) to ensure coordination and cost-effectiveness by 
reducing 
unnecessarily 
duplicative 
efforts 
regarding 
research, teaching, and extension; 
‘‘(B) to leverage available resources by using public/ 
private partnerships among agricultural industry groups, 
institutions of higher education, and the Federal Govern-
ment; 
‘‘(C) to implement teaching initiatives to increase 
awareness and effectively disseminate solutions to target 
audiences through extension activities; 
‘‘(D) to increase the economic returns to rural commu-
nities by identifying, attracting, and directing funds to 
high-priority agricultural issues; and 
‘‘(E) to improve teaching capacity and infrastructure 
at colleges and universities (including land-grant institu-
tions, schools of forestry, and schools of veterinary medi-
cine).’’; and 
(4) in subsection (j) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 6124—349 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 1672 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is 
amended— 
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(e), 
(f), and (g)’’ and inserting ‘‘(e) through (i)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1), (6), 
(7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and 
(11)(B)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘subsection (e)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsections (e) through (i)’’. 
SEC. 7205. NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INI-
TIATIVE. 
Section 1672A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect 
to the making of grants under this section.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY.—Following the completion of a peer review 
process for grant proposals received under this section, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to those grant proposals that involve— 
‘‘(1) the cooperation of multiple entities; and 
‘‘(2) States or regions with a high concentration of livestock, 
dairy, or poultry operations.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘and dairy and 
beef cattle waste’’ after ‘‘swine waste’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(5) 
ALTERNATIVE
USES
AND
RENEWABLE
ENERGY.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
for the purpose of finding innovative methods and technologies 
to allow agricultural operators to make use of animal waste, 
such as use as fertilizer, methane digestion, composting, and 
other useful byproducts.’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f); and 
(5) in subsection (f) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7206. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INI-
TIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) (commonly known 
as the ‘‘Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative’’) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following:
H. R. 6124—350 
‘‘(7) examining optimal conservation and environmental 
outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products; 
and 
‘‘(8) developing new and improved seed varieties that are 
particularly suited for organic agriculture.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
this section— 
‘‘(A) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and 
‘‘(B) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
2012. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—In addition to amounts made 
available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2012.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment made by 
this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the Division Chief 
of the applicable Research, Education, and Extension Office estab-
lished under section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activi-
ties under this section to ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7207. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND ENERGY 
EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. 
Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 1672B (7 U.S.C. 5925b) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1672C. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND ENERGY 
EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is established within 
the Department of Agriculture an agricultural bioenergy feedstock 
and energy efficiency research and extension initiative (referred 
to in this section as the ‘Initiative’) for the purpose of enhancing 
the production of biomass energy crops and the energy efficiency 
of agricultural operations. 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION GRANTS AUTHOR-
IZED.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall make 
competitive grants to support research and extension activities 
specified in subsections (c) and (d). 
‘‘(c) AGRICULTURAL
BIOENERGY
FEEDSTOCK
RESEARCH
AND 
EXTENSION AREAS.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Agricultural 
bioenergy 
feedstock 
research and extension activities funded under the Initiative 
shall focus on improving agricultural biomass production, bio-
mass conversion in biorefineries, and biomass use by— 
‘‘(A) supporting on-farm research on crop species, 
nutrient requirements, management practices, environ-
mental impacts, and economics; 
‘‘(B) supporting the development and operation of on- 
farm, integrated biomass feedstock production systems; 
‘‘(C) leveraging the broad scientific capabilities of the 
Department of Agriculture and other entities in— 
‘‘(i) plant genetics and breeding;
H. R. 6124—351 
‘‘(ii) crop production; 
‘‘(iii) soil and water science; 
‘‘(iv) use of agricultural waste; and 
‘‘(v) carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and lignin chem-
istry, enzyme development, and biochemistry; and 
‘‘(D) supporting the dissemination of any of the 
research conducted under this subsection that will assist 
in achieving the goals of this section. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting grant recipients for 
projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(A) the capabilities and experiences of the applicant, 
including— 
‘‘(i) research in actual field conditions; and 
‘‘(ii) engineering and research knowledge relating 
to biofuels or the production of inputs for biofuel 
production; 
‘‘(B) the range of species types and cropping practices 
proposed for study (including species types and practices 
studied using side-by-side comparisons of those types and 
practices); 
‘‘(C) the need for regional diversity among feedstocks; 
‘‘(D) the importance of developing multiyear data rel-
evant to the production of biomass feedstock crops; 
‘‘(E) the extent to which the project involves direct 
participation of agricultural producers; 
‘‘(F) the extent to which the project proposal includes 
a plan or commitment to use the biomass produced as 
part of the project in commercial channels; and 
‘‘(G) such other factors as the Secretary may determine. 
‘‘(d) ENERGY-EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AREAS.— 
On-farm energy-efficiency research and extension activities funded 
under the Initiative shall focus on developing and demonstrating 
technologies and production practices relating to— 
‘‘(1) improving on-farm renewable energy production; 
‘‘(2) encouraging efficient on-farm energy use; 
‘‘(3) promoting on-farm energy conservation; 
‘‘(4) making a farm or ranch energy-neutral; and 
‘‘(5) enhancing on-farm usage of advanced technologies to 
promote energy efficiency. 
‘‘(e) BEST PRACTICES DATABASE.—The Secretary shall develop 
a best-practices database that includes information, to be available 
to the public, on— 
‘‘(1) the production potential of a variety of biomass crops; 
and 
‘‘(2) best practices for production, collection, harvesting, 
storage, and transportation of biomass crops to be used as 
a source of bioenergy. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) shall apply with respect 
to making grants under this section. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION
AND
COORDINATION.—The Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) make the grants in consultation with the National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
Education, 
and 
Economics Advisory Board; and
H. R. 6124—352 
‘‘(B) coordinate projects and activities carried out under 
the Initiative with projects and activities under section 
9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that— 
‘‘(i) unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated 
or minimized; and 
‘‘(ii) the respective strengths of the Department 
of Agriculture and the Department of Energy are 
appropriately used. 
‘‘(3) GRANT
PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority 
to grant applications that integrate research and extension 
activities established under subsections (c) and (d), respectively. 
‘‘(4) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIRED.—As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require 
the recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support 
from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal 
to the amount provided by the Federal Government. 
‘‘(5) PARTNERSHIPS
ENCOURAGED.—Following the comple-
tion of a peer review process for grant proposals received under 
this section, the Secretary may provide a priority to those 
grant proposals found as a result of the peer review process— 
‘‘(A) to be scientifically meritorious; and 
‘‘(B) that involve cooperation— 
‘‘(i) among multiple entities; and 
‘‘(ii) with agricultural producers. 
‘‘(g) 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. 7208. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND BENCHMARKING. 
The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 
is amended by inserting after section 1672C (as added by section 
7207) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1672D. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may make competitive 
research and extension grants for the purpose of— 
‘‘(1) improving the farm management knowledge and skills 
of agricultural producers; and 
‘‘(2) establishing and maintaining a national, publicly avail-
able farm financial management database to support improved 
farm management. 
‘‘(b) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In allocating funds made available 
to carry out this section, the Secretary may give priority to grants 
that— 
‘‘(1) demonstrate an ability to work directly with agricul-
tural producers; 
‘‘(2) collaborate with farm management and producer 
associations; 
‘‘(3) address the farm management needs of a variety of 
crops and regions of the United States; and 
‘‘(4) use and support the national farm financial manage-
ment database. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) shall apply with respect to the making 
of grants under this section.
H. R. 6124—353 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.’’. 
SEC. 7209. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM. 
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is repealed. 
SEC. 7210. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH 
DISABILITIES. 
Section 1680(c)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933(c)(1)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7211. RESEARCH ON HONEY BEE DISEASES. 
Section 1681 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5934) is repealed. 
SEC. 7212. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE. 
Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle C—Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
SEC. 7301. PEER AND MERIT REVIEW. 
Section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATION.—Peer and merit review procedures 
established under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not take the 
offer or availability of matching funds into consideration.’’. 
SEC. 7302. PARTNERSHIPS FOR HIGH-VALUE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT 
QUALITY RESEARCH. 
Section 402 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7622) is repealed. 
SEC. 7303. PRECISION AGRICULTURE. 
Section 403 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7623) is repealed. 
SEC. 7304. BIOBASED PRODUCTS. 
(a) PILOT
PROJECT.—Section 404(e)(2) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7624(e)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 404(h) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7305. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP DIVERSIFICA-
TION. 
Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is repealed.
H. R. 6124—354 
SEC. 7306. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 406(f) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(f)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7307. FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM GRANTS. 
Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘GRANT’’ and inserting ‘‘GRANTS’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7308. BOVINE JOHNE’S DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM. 
Section 409(b) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7629(b)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7309. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 410 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630) is amended by striking 
subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) FLEXIBILITY.—The Secretary shall provide maximum flexi-
bility in content delivery to each organization receiving funds under 
this section so as to ensure that the unique goals of each organiza-
tion, as well as the local community needs, are fully met. 
‘‘(c) REDISTRIBUTION
OF
FUNDING
WITHIN
ORGANIZATIONS 
AUTHORIZED.—Recipients of funds under this section may redis-
tribute all or part of the funds received to individual councils 
or local chapters within the councils without further need of 
approval from the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 
7310. 
AGRICULTURAL 
BIOTECHNOLOGY 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. 
Section 411(c) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7631(c)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7311. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 412. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘Initiative’ means the specialty 
crop research and extension initiative established by subsection 
(b). 
‘‘(2) SPECIALTY CROP.—The term ‘specialty crop’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops 
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 
108–465). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Depart-
ment a specialty crop research and extension initiative to address
H. R. 6124—355 
the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and 
disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops 
and their regions, including— 
‘‘(1) research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics 
to improve crop characteristics, such as— 
‘‘(A) product, taste, quality, and appearance; 
‘‘(B) environmental responses and tolerances; 
‘‘(C) nutrient management, including plant nutrient 
uptake efficiency; 
‘‘(D) pest and disease management, including resist-
ance to pests and diseases resulting in reduced application 
management strategies; and 
‘‘(E) enhanced phytonutrient content; 
‘‘(2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and 
diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; 
‘‘(3) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, 
and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop 
policy and marketing); 
‘‘(4) new innovations and technology, including improved 
mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; 
and 
‘‘(5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and 
respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and 
processing of specialty crops, including fresh produce. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may carry out the Ini-
tiative through— 
‘‘(1) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(2) national laboratories; 
‘‘(3) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(4) research institutions and organizations; 
‘‘(5) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(6) State agricultural experiment stations; 
‘‘(7) individuals; or 
‘‘(8) groups consisting of 2 or more entities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (7). 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH PROJECTS.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to grants awarded under 
subsection (d), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals 
through a system of peer and merit review in accordance 
with section 103; and 
‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and 
relevance. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a grant under this section may 
not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(3) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide 
funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount 
that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal 
Government. 
‘‘(4) OTHER CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may set such other 
conditions on the award of a grant under this section as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
H. R. 6124—356 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIES.—In making grants under this section, the Sec-
retary shall provide a higher priority to projects that— 
‘‘(1) are multistate, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary; 
and 
‘‘(2) include explicit mechanisms to communicate results 
to producers and the public. 
‘‘(g) BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.—Funds made available under 
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). 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $50,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, from which activities 
under each of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) 
shall be allocated not less than 10 percent. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER.—Of the funds made available to the Sec-
retary under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2008 and authorized 
for use for payment of administrative expenses under section 
1469(a)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315(a)(3)), the 
Secretary shall transfer, upon the date of enactment of this 
section, $200,000 to the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and 
Toxic Substances of the Environmental Protection Agency for 
use in conducting a meta-analysis relating to methyl bromide. 
‘‘(4) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available pursuant to this 
subsection for a fiscal year shall remain available until 
expended to pay for obligations incurred in that fiscal year.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment made by 
this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the Division Chief 
of the applicable Research, Education, and Extension Office estab-
lished under section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activi-
ties under this section to ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7312. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM. 
Section 604 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to any 
other funds available to carry out subsection (c), there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7313. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY. 
Section 614(f) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 6124—357 
Subtitle D—Other Laws 
SEC. 7401. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT. 
Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 
178n(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7402. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 
1994. 
(a) DEFINITION
OF 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 532 of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(34) Ilisagvik College.’’. 
(b) ENDOWMENT FOR 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 533 of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘this section and’’ before ‘‘sections 534,’’; 
and 
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(c) REDISTRIBUTION.—Section 534(a)(3) of the Equity in Edu-
cational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The amounts’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the amounts’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) REDISTRIBUTION.—Funds that would be paid to 
a 1994 Institution under paragraph (2) shall be withheld 
from that 1994 Institution and redistributed among the 
other 1994 Institutions if that 1994 Institution— 
‘‘(i) declines to accept funds under paragraph (2); 
or 
‘‘(ii) fails to meet the accreditation requirements 
under section 533(a)(3).’’. 
(d) INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.—Section 535 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(e) RESEARCH GRANTS.—Section 536(c) of the Equity in Edu-
cational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
takes effect on October 1, 2008. 
SEC. 7403. SMITH-LEVER ACT. 
(a) PROGRAM.—Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
343(d)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ‘‘apply for 
and receive’’ and all that follows through paragraph (2) and 
inserting ‘‘compete for and receive funds directly from the Secretary 
of Agriculture.’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION
OF
THE GOVERNOR’S REPORT REQUIREMENT 
FOR EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.—Section 5 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
U.S.C. 345) is amended by striking the third sentence.
H. R. 6124—358 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 1444(a)(2) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘after 
September 30, 1995, under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d))’’ 
and all that follows through the end of the sentence and inserting 
‘‘under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)).’’. 
SEC. 7404. HATCH ACT OF 1887. 
(a) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.—Section 3(d)(4) of the Hatch Act 
of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(d)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND THE DIS-
TRICT OF COLUMBIA’’ after ‘‘AREAS’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Columbia’’ after 
‘‘United States’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Columbia’’ after 
‘‘respectively,’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘or the District of 
Columbia’’ after ‘‘area’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION OF PENALTY MAIL AUTHORITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361f) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘under 
penalty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end of the 
sentence and inserting a period. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS IN OTHER LAWS.— 
(A) NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, 
AND TEACHING POLICY ACT OF 1977.— 
(i) Section 1444(f) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3221(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘under pen-
alty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end 
of the sentence and inserting a period. 
(ii) Section 1445(e) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3222(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘under pen-
alty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end 
of the sentence and inserting a period. 
(B) OTHER
PROVISIONS.—Section 3202(a) of title 39, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in subparagraph (D), by adding ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(II) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘sections; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘sections.’’; and 
(III) by striking subparagraph (F); 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(iii) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘thereof; and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘thereof.’’; and 
(iv) by striking paragraph (4). 
SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION RESEARCH FACILI-
TIES ACT. 
Section 6(a) of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 6124—359 
SEC. 7406. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture an Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
under which the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this 
subsection as ‘the Secretary’) may make competitive grants 
for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education 
to address food and agricultural sciences (as defined under 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)). 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY
AREAS.—The competitive grants program 
established under this subsection shall address the following 
areas: 
‘‘(A) PLANT HEALTH AND PRODUCTION AND PLANT PROD-
UCTS.—Plant systems, including— 
‘‘(i) plant genome structure and function; 
‘‘(ii) molecular and cellular genetics and plant bio-
technology; 
‘‘(iii) conventional breeding, including cultivar and 
breed development, selection theory, applied quan-
titative genetics, breeding for improved food quality, 
breeding for improved local adaptation to biotic stress 
and abiotic stress, and participatory breeding; 
‘‘(iv) plant-pest interactions and biocontrol sys-
tems; 
‘‘(v) crop plant response to environmental stresses; 
‘‘(vi) unproved nutrient qualities of plant products; 
and 
‘‘(vii) new food and industrial uses of plant prod-
ucts. 
‘‘(B) ANIMAL
HEALTH
AND
PRODUCTION
AND
ANIMAL 
PRODUCTS.—Animal systems, including— 
‘‘(i) aquaculture; 
‘‘(ii) cellular and molecular basis of animal repro-
duction, growth, disease, and health; 
‘‘(iii) animal biotechnology; 
‘‘(iv) 
conventional 
breeding, 
including 
breed 
development, selection theory, applied quantitative 
genetics, breeding for improved food quality, breeding 
for improved local adaptation to biotic stress and abi-
otic stress, and participatory breeding; 
‘‘(v) identification of genes responsible for improved 
production traits and resistance to disease; 
‘‘(vi) improved nutritional performance of animals; 
‘‘(vii) improved nutrient qualities of animal prod-
ucts and uses; and 
‘‘(viii) the development of new and improved 
animal husbandry and production systems that take 
into account production efficiency, animal well-being, 
and animal systems applicable to aquaculture. 
‘‘(C) FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH.—Nutrition, 
food safety and quality, and health, including— 
‘‘(i) microbial contaminants and pesticides residue 
relating to human health;
H. R. 6124—360 
‘‘(ii) links between diet and health; 
‘‘(iii) bioavailability of nutrients; 
‘‘(iv) postharvest physiology and practices; and 
‘‘(v) improved processing technologies. 
‘‘(D) RENEWABLE ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND 
ENVIRONMENT.—Natural resources and the environment, 
including— 
‘‘(i) fundamental structures and functions of eco-
systems; 
‘‘(ii) biological and physical bases of sustainable 
production systems; 
‘‘(iii) minimizing soil and water losses and sus-
taining surface water and ground water quality; 
‘‘(iv) global climate effects on agriculture; 
‘‘(v) forestry; and 
‘‘(vi) biological diversity. 
‘‘(E) 
AGRICULTURE
SYSTEMS
AND
TECHNOLOGY.— 
Engineering, products, and processes, including— 
‘‘(i) new uses and new products from traditional 
and nontraditional crops, animals, byproducts, and nat-
ural resources; 
‘‘(ii) robotics, energy efficiency, computing, and 
expert systems; 
‘‘(iii) new hazard and risk assessment and mitiga-
tion measures; and 
‘‘(iv) water quality and management. 
‘‘(F) AGRICULTURE
ECONOMICS
AND
RURAL
COMMU-
NITIES.—Markets, trade, and policy, including— 
‘‘(i) strategies for entering into and being competi-
tive in domestic and overseas markets; 
‘‘(ii) farm efficiency and profitability, including the 
viability and competitiveness of small and medium- 
sized dairy, livestock, crop and other commodity oper-
ations; 
‘‘(iii) new decision tools for farm and market sys-
tems; 
‘‘(iv) choices and applications of technology; 
‘‘(v) technology assessment; and 
‘‘(vi) new approaches to rural development, 
including rural entrepreneurship. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—The term of a competitive grant made under 
this subsection may not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(4) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.—In making grants under 
this subsection, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals 
through a system of peer and merit review in accordance 
with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); 
‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and 
relevance; 
‘‘(D) solicit and consider input from persons who con-
duct or use agricultural research, extension, or education 
in accordance with section 102(b) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
(7 U.S.C. 7612(b)); and
H. R. 6124—361 
‘‘(E) in seeking proposals for grants under this sub-
section and in performing peer review evaluations of such 
proposals, seek the widest participation of qualified individ-
uals in the Federal Government, colleges and universities, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and the private 
sector. 
‘‘(5) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall allocate funds to the Agriculture 
and Food Research Initiative to ensure that, of funds allocated 
for research activities— 
‘‘(A) not less than 60 percent is made available to 
make grants for fundamental research (as defined in sub-
section (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)), of which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent is made available 
to make grants for research to be conducted by multi-
disciplinary teams; and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 2 percent is used for equipment 
grants under paragraph (6)(A); and 
‘‘(B) not less than 40 percent is made available to 
make grants for applied research (as defined in subsection 
(f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)). 
‘‘(6) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS.—In making grants under 
this subsection, the Secretary may assist in the development 
of capabilities in the agricultural, food, and environmental 
sciences by providing grants— 
‘‘(A) to an institution to allow for the improvement 
of the research, development, technology transfer, and edu-
cation capacity of the institution through the acquisition 
of special research equipment and the improvement of agri-
cultural education and teaching, except that the Secretary 
shall use not less than 25 percent of the funds made 
available for grants under this subparagraph to provide 
fellowships to outstanding pre- and post-doctoral students 
for research in the agricultural sciences; 
‘‘(B) to a single investigator or coinvestigators who 
are beginning research careers and do not have an exten-
sive research publication record, except that, to be eligible 
for a grant under this subparagraph, an individual shall 
be within 5 years of the beginning of the initial career 
track position of the individual; 
‘‘(C) to ensure that the faculty of small, mid-sized, 
and minority-serving institutions who have not previously 
been successful in obtaining competitive grants under this 
subsection receive a portion of the grants; and 
‘‘(D) to improve research, extension, and education 
capabilities in States (as defined in section 1404 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in which institutions 
have been less successful in receiving funding under this 
subsection, based on a 3-year rolling average of funding 
levels. 
‘‘(7) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may make grants 
to carry out research, extension, and education under this sub-
section to— 
‘‘(A) State agricultural experiment stations;
H. R. 6124—362 
‘‘(B) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(C) university research foundations; 
‘‘(D) other research institutions and organizations; 
‘‘(E) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(F) national laboratories; 
‘‘(G) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(H) individuals; or 
‘‘(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (H). 
‘‘(8) CONSTRUCTION PROHIBITED.—Funds made available for 
grants under this subsection shall not be used for the construc-
tion 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). 
‘‘(9) MATCHING FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) EQUIPMENT GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), in the case of a grant made under paragraph 
(6)(A), the amount provided under this subsection may 
not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the special research 
equipment or other equipment acquired using funds 
from the grant. 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive all or part 
of the matching requirement under clause (i) in the 
case of a college, university, or research foundation 
maintained by a college or university that ranks in 
the lowest 
1⁄3
of such colleges, universities, and 
research foundations on the basis of Federal research 
funds received, if the equipment to be acquired using 
funds from the grant costs not more than $25,000 
and has multiple uses within a single research project 
or is usable in more than 1 research project. 
‘‘(B) APPLIED
RESEARCH.—As a condition of making 
a grant under paragraph (5)(B), the Secretary shall require 
the funding of the grant to be matched with equal matching 
funds from a non-Federal source if the grant is for applied 
research that is— 
‘‘(i) commodity-specific; and 
‘‘(ii) not of national scope. 
‘‘(10) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture, in coordination with the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics, shall allocate grants 
under this subsection to high-priority research, taking into 
consideration, when available, the determinations made by the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board (as established under section 1408 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123)). 
‘‘(11) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $700,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, of which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent shall be made avail-
able for integrated research pursuant to section 406 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626); and
H. R. 6124—363 
‘‘(ii) not more than 4 percent may be retained 
by the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred 
by the Secretary in carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available under this 
paragraph shall— 
‘‘(i) be available for obligation for a 2-year period 
beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for which 
the funds are first made available; and 
‘‘(ii) remain available until expended to pay for 
obligations incurred during that 2-year period.’’. 
(b) REPEALS.— 
(1) Section 401 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621) is repealed. 
(2) Subsection (d) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(d)) is repealed. 
(c) EFFECT
ON CURRENT SOLICITATIONS.—The amendments 
made by this section shall not apply to any solicitation for grant 
applications issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1473 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319) 
is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘and subsection 
(d)’’. 
(2) Section 1671(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924(d) is amended by striking 
‘‘Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Paragraphs 
(4), (7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
(3) Section 1672B(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b(b)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Para-
graphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
SEC. 7407. AGRICULTURAL RISK PROTECTION ACT OF 2000. 
Section 221 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(7 U.S.C. 6711(g)) is amended by striking subsection (g) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7408. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 3238) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 307. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED ITEM OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.— 
In this section, the term ‘qualified item of personal property’ 
means— 
‘‘(1) an animal; 
‘‘(2) an animal product; 
‘‘(3) a plant; or 
‘‘(4) a plant product. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c), notwithstanding chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, United 
States Code, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary 
for Research, Education, and Economics, in managing personal
H. R. 6124—364 
property for the purpose of carrying out the research functions 
of the Department, may exchange, sell, or otherwise dispose of 
any qualified item of personal property, including by way of public 
auction, and may retain and apply the sale or other proceeds, 
without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, 
in whole or in partial payment— 
‘‘(1) to acquire any qualified item of personal property; 
or 
‘‘(2) to offset costs related to the maintenance, care, or 
feeding of any qualified item of personal property. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) does not apply to the free 
dissemination of new varieties of seeds and germplasm in accord-
ance with section 520 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known 
as the ‘Department of Agriculture Organic Act’) (7 U.S.C. 2201).’’. 
SEC. 7409. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PILOT PROGRAM. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 3238) (as amended by 
section 7408) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 308. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PILOT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—To enhance the use of real property 
administered by agencies of the Department, the Secretary may 
establish a pilot program, in accordance with this section, at the 
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center of the Agricultural Research 
Service and the National Agricultural Library to lease nonexcess 
property of the Center or the Library to any individual or entity, 
including agencies or instrumentalities of State or local govern-
ments. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding chapter 5 of subtitle 
I of title 40, United States Code, the Secretary may lease 
real property at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 
or the National Agricultural Library in accordance with such 
terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, if the 
Secretary determines that the lease— 
‘‘(A) is consistent with, and will not adversely affect, 
the mission of the Department agency administering the 
property; 
‘‘(B) will enhance the use of the property; 
‘‘(C) will not permit any portion of Department agency 
property or any facility of the Department to be used 
for the public retail or wholesale sale of merchandise or 
residential development; 
‘‘(D) will not permit the construction or modification 
of facilities financed by non-Federal sources to be used 
by an agency, except for incidental use; and 
‘‘(E) will not include any property or facility required 
for any Department agency purpose without prior consider-
ation of the needs of the agency. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a lease under this section shall 
not exceed 30 years. 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Consideration provided for a lease 
under this section shall be— 
‘‘(i) in an amount equal to fair market value, as 
determined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) in the form of cash.
H. R. 6124—365 
‘‘(B) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Consideration provided for a 
lease under this section shall be— 
‘‘(I) deposited in a capital asset account to 
be established by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(II) available until expended, without further 
appropriation, for maintenance, capital revitaliza-
tion, and improvements of the Department prop-
erties and facilities at the Beltsville Agricultural 
Research 
Center 
and 
National 
Agricultural 
Library. 
‘‘(ii) BUDGETARY TREATMENT.—For purposes of the 
budget, the amounts described in clause (i) shall not 
be treated as a receipt of any Department agency or 
any other agency leasing property under this section. 
‘‘(4) COSTS.—The lessee shall cover all costs associated 
with a lease under this section, including the cost of— 
‘‘(A) the project to be carried out on property or at 
a facility covered by the lease; 
‘‘(B) provision and administration of the lease; 
‘‘(C) construction of any needed facilities; 
‘‘(D) provision of applicable utilities; and 
‘‘(E) any other facility cost normally associated with 
the operation of a leased facility. 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION
OF
USE
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall not use any funds made available to the Secretary 
in an appropriations Act for the construction or operating costs 
of any space covered by a lease under this section. 
‘‘(6) TERMINATION
OF
AUTHORITY.—This section and the 
authority provided by this section terminate— 
‘‘(A) on the date that is 5 years after the date of 
enactment of this section; or 
‘‘(B) with respect to any particular leased property, 
on the date of termination of the lease. 
‘‘(c) EFFECT OF OTHER LAWS.— 
‘‘(1) UTILIZATION.—Property that is leased pursuant to this 
section shall not be considered to be unutilized or underutilized 
for purposes of section 501 of the Stewart B. McKinney Home-
less Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11411). 
‘‘(2) DISPOSAL.—Property at the Beltsville Agricultural 
Research Center or the National Agricultural Library that is 
leased pursuant to this section shall not be considered to be 
disposed of by sale, lease, rental, excessing, or surplusing for 
purposes of section 523 of Public Law 100–202 (101 Stat. 1329- 
417). 
‘‘(d) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate a report that describes detailed management 
objectives and performance measurements by which the Sec-
retary intends to evaluate the success of the program under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) REPORTS.—Not later than 1, 3, and 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit
H. R. 6124—366 
to 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 implementation of the 
program under this section, including— 
‘‘(A) a copy of each lease entered into pursuant to 
this section; and 
‘‘(B) an assessment by the Secretary of the success 
of the program using the management objectives and 
performance measurements developed by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 7410. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) GRANTS.—Section 7405(c) of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM TERM AND SIZE OF GRANT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A grant under this subsection 
shall— 
‘‘(i) have a term that is not more than 3 years; 
and 
‘‘(ii) be in an amount that is not more than 
$250,000 for each year. 
‘‘(B) CONSECUTIVE GRANTS.—An eligible recipient may 
receive consecutive grants under this subsection.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (7) as para-
graphs (8) through (10), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(5) EVALUATION CRITERIA.—In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall evaluate— 
‘‘(A) relevancy; 
‘‘(B) technical merit; 
‘‘(C) achievability; 
‘‘(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or more 
applicants; 
‘‘(E) the adequacy of plans for the participatory evalua-
tion process, outcome-based reporting, and the communica-
tion of findings and results beyond the immediate target 
audience; and 
‘‘(F) other appropriate factors, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(6) REGIONAL BALANCE.—In making grants under this sub-
section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
ensure geographical diversity. 
‘‘(7) PRIORITY.—In making grants under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall give priority to partnerships and collabora-
tions that are led by or include nongovernmental and commu-
nity-based organizations with expertise in new agricultural pro-
ducer training and outreach.’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is amended by striking 
subsection (h) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
this section— 
‘‘(A) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and
H. R. 6124—367 
‘‘(B) $19,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 
2012. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
funds provided under paragraph (1), there is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7411. PUBLIC EDUCATION REGARDING USE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY 
IN PRODUCING FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. 
Section 10802 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5921a) is repealed. 
SEC. 7412. MCINTIRE-STENNIS COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly 
known as the ‘‘McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act’’) (16 
U.S.C. 582a–1) is amended by inserting ‘‘and 1890 Institutions 
(as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)),’’ before ‘‘and 
(b)’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
takes effect on October 1, 2008. 
SEC. 7413. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 6 of the 
Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1675) is 
amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
(b) TERMINATION DATE.—Section 8 of the Renewable Resources 
Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 note; Public Law 95–306) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7414. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980. 
Section 10 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 
2809) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7415. CONSTRUCTION OF CHINESE GARDEN AT THE NATIONAL 
ARBORETUM. 
The Act of March 4, 1927 (20 U.S.C. 191 et seq.), is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7. CONSTRUCTION OF CHINESE GARDEN AT THE NATIONAL 
ARBORETUM. 
‘‘A Chinese Garden may be constructed at the National Arbo-
retum established under this Act with— 
‘‘(1) funds accepted under section 5; 
‘‘(2) authorities provided to the Secretary of Agriculture 
under section 6; and 
‘‘(3) appropriations provided for this purpose.’’. 
SEC. 7416. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
TEACHING POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1985. 
Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (Public Law 99– 
198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 6124—368 
SEC. 7417. ELIGIBILITY OF UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
LAND-GRANT 
UNIVERSITY 
ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 208 of the District of Columbia Public 
Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act (Public Law 93–471; 
88 Stat. 1428) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘, except’’ and all that 
follows through the period and inserting a period; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘section 3’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘section 3(c)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Such sums may be used to pay’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘work.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
take effect on October 1, 2008. 
Subtitle E—Miscellaneous 
PART I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 7501. DEFINITIONS. 
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, in this subtitle: 
(1) CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.—The term 
‘‘capacity and infrastructure program’’ has the meaning given 
the term in subsection (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as 
added by section 7511(a)(4)). 
(2) CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM CRITICAL BASE 
FUNDING.—The term ‘‘capacity and infrastructure program crit-
ical base funding’’ means the aggregate amount of Federal 
funds made available for capacity and infrastructure programs 
for fiscal year 2006, as appropriate. 
(3) COMPETITIVE
PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘competitive pro-
gram’’ has the meaning given the term in subsection (f)(1) 
of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as added by section 7511(a)(4)). 
(4) COMPETITIVE PROGRAM CRITICAL BASE FUNDING.—The 
term ‘‘competitive program critical base funding’’ means the 
aggregate amount of Federal funds made available for competi-
tive programs for fiscal year 2006, as appropriate. 
(5) 
HISPANIC-SERVING
AGRICULTURAL
COLLEGES
AND 
UNIVERSITIES.—The term ‘‘Hispanic-serving agricultural col-
leges and universities’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103). 
(6) NLGCA INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘NLGCA Institution’’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 1404 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103). 
(7) 1862 INSTITUTION; 1890 INSTITUTION; 1994 INSTITUTION.— 
The terms ‘‘1862 Institution’’, ‘‘1890 Institution’’, and ‘‘1994 
Institution’’ have the meanings given the terms in section 2 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601).
H. R. 6124—369 
SEC. 7502. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY. 
Except as otherwise specifically authorized by law and notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the Federal land and facilities 
at El Reno, Oklahoma, administered by the Secretary (as of the 
date of enactment of this Act) as the Grazinglands Research Labora-
tory, shall not at any time, in whole or in part, be declared to 
be excess or surplus Federal property under chapter 5 of subtitle 
I of title 40, United States Code, or otherwise be conveyed or 
transferred in whole or in part, for the 5-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 7503. FORT RENO SCIENCE PARK RESEARCH FACILITY. 
The Secretary may lease land to the University of Oklahoma 
at the Grazinglands Research Laboratory at El Reno, Oklahoma, 
on such terms and conditions as the University and the Secretary 
may agree in furtherance of cooperative research and existing ease-
ment arrangements. 
SEC. 7504. ROADMAP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
Secretary of Research, Education, and Economics (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Under Secretary’’), shall commence preparation 
of a roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension 
that— 
(1) identifies current trends and constraints; 
(2) identifies major opportunities and gaps that no single 
entity within the Department of Agriculture would be able 
to address individually; 
(3) involves— 
(A) interested parties from the Federal Government 
and nongovernmental entities; and 
(B) the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board established 
under section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123); 
(4) incorporates roadmaps for agricultural research, edu-
cation, and extension made publicly available by other Federal 
entities, agencies, or offices; and 
(5) describes recommended funding levels for areas of agri-
cultural research, education, and extension, including— 
(A) competitive programs; 
(B) capacity and infrastructure programs, with atten-
tion to the future growth needs of— 
(i) small 1862 Institutions, 1890 Institutions, and 
1994 Institutions; 
(ii) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and 
universities; 
(iii) NLGCA Institutions; and 
(iv) colleges of veterinary medicine; and 
(C) intramural programs at agencies within the 
research, education, and economics mission area; and 
(6) describes how organizational changes enacted by this 
Act have impacted agricultural research, extension, and edu-
cation across the Department of Agriculture, including mini-
mization of unnecessary programmatic and administrative 
duplication.
H. R. 6124—370 
(b) REVIEWABILITY.—The roadmap described in this section 
shall not be subject to review by any officer or employee of the 
Federal Government other than the Secretary (or a designee of 
the Secretary). 
(c) ROADMAP IMPLEMENTATION AND REPORT.—Not later than 
1 year after the date on which the Secretary commences preparation 
of the roadmap under this section, the Secretary shall— 
(1) implement and use the roadmap to set the research, 
education, and extension agenda of the Department of Agri-
culture; and 
(2) make the roadmap available to the public. 
SEC. 7505. REVIEW OF PLAN OF WORK REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Secretary shall work with university partners 
in extension and research to review and identify measures to 
streamline the submission, reporting under, and implementation 
of plan of work requirements, including those requirements under— 
(1) sections 1444(d) and 1445(c) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3221(d) and 3222(c), respectively); 
(2) section 7 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361g); 
and 
(3) section 4 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 344). 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the review and formulating 
and compiling the recommendations, the Secretary shall consult 
with the land-grant institutions. 
SEC. 7506. BUDGET SUBMISSION AND FUNDING. 
(a) DEFINITION OF COMPETITIVE PROGRAMS.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘competitive programs’’ includes only competitive programs 
for which annual appropriations are requested in the annual budget 
submission of the President. 
(b) BUDGET REQUEST.—The President shall submit to Congress, 
together with the annual budget submission of the President, a 
single budget line item reflecting the total amount requested by 
the President for funding for research, education, and extension 
activities of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area 
of the Department for that fiscal year and for the preceding 5 
fiscal years. 
(c) CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM REQUEST.—Of the 
funds requested for capacity and infrastructure programs in excess 
of the capacity and infrastructure program critical base funding 
level, budgetary emphasis should be placed on enhancing funding 
for— 
(1) 1890 Institutions; 
(2) 1994 Institutions; 
(3) NLGCA Institutions; 
(4) Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; 
and 
(5) small 1862 Institutions. 
(d) COMPETITIVE PROGRAM REQUEST.—Of the funds requested 
for competitive programs in excess of the competitive program crit-
ical base funding level, budgetary emphasis should be placed on— 
(1) enhancing funding for emerging problems; and 
(2) finding solutions for those problems.
H. R. 6124—371 
PART II—RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND 
ECONOMICS 
SEC. 7511. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘(referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘Under Secretary’)’’ before the period at the end; 
(2) by striking subsections (b) through (d); 
(3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (g); and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) CONFIRMATION REQUIRED.—The Under Secretary shall be 
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, from among distinguished scientists with specialized 
training or significant experience in agricultural research, edu-
cation, and economics. 
‘‘(c) CHIEF SCIENTIST.—The Under Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) hold the title of Chief Scientist of the Department; 
and 
‘‘(2) be responsible for the coordination of the research, 
education, and extension activities of the Department. 
‘‘(d) FUNCTIONS OF UNDER SECRETARY.— 
‘‘(1) PRINCIPAL
FUNCTION.—The Secretary shall delegate 
to the Under Secretary those functions and duties under the 
jurisdiction of the Department that relate to research, edu-
cation, and economics. 
‘‘(2) SPECIFIC
FUNCTIONS
AND
DUTIES.—The Under Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(A) identify, address, and prioritize current and 
emerging agricultural research, education, and extension 
needs (including funding); 
‘‘(B) ensure that agricultural research, education, and 
extension 
programs 
are 
effectively 
coordinated 
and 
integrated— 
‘‘(i) across disciplines, agencies, and institutions; 
and 
‘‘(ii) among applicable participants, grantees, and 
beneficiaries; 
‘‘(C) promote the collaborative use of all agricultural 
research, education, and extension resources from the local, 
State, tribal, regional, national, and international levels 
to address priority needs; and 
‘‘(D) foster communication among agricultural research, 
education, and extension beneficiaries, including the public, 
to ensure the delivery of agricultural research, education, 
and extension knowledge. 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS.—The Under Secretary shall 
perform such other functions and duties as may be required 
by law or prescribed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Under Secretary shall organize 
within the office of the Under Secretary 6 Divisions, to be 
known collectively as the ‘Research, Education, and Extension 
Office’, which shall coordinate the research programs and activi-
ties of the Department.
H. R. 6124—372 
‘‘(2) DIVISION
DESIGNATIONS.—The Divisions within the 
Research, Education, and Extension Office shall be as follows: 
‘‘(A) Renewable energy, natural resources, and environ-
ment. 
‘‘(B) Food safety, nutrition, and health. 
‘‘(C) Plant health and production and plant products. 
‘‘(D) Animal health and production and animal prod-
ucts. 
‘‘(E) Agricultural systems and technology. 
‘‘(F) Agricultural economics and rural communities. 
‘‘(3) DIVISION CHIEFS.— 
‘‘(A) SELECTION.—The Under Secretary shall select a 
Division Chief for each Division using available personnel 
authority under title 5, United States Code, including— 
‘‘(i) by term, temporary, or other appointment, 
without regard to— 
‘‘(I) the provisions of title 5, United States 
Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
service; 
‘‘(II) the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 
35 of title 5, United States Code, relating to reten-
tion preference; and 
‘‘(III) the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-
chapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
Code, relating to classification and General 
Schedule pay rates; 
‘‘(ii) by detail, notwithstanding any Act making 
appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, 
whether enacted before, on, or after the date of enact-
ment of this paragraph, requiring reimbursement for 
those details unless the appropriation Act specifically 
refers to this subsection and specifically includes these 
details; 
‘‘(iii) by reassignment or transfer from any other 
civil service position; and 
‘‘(iv) by an assignment under subchapter VI of 
chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) SELECTION GUIDELINES.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Under Secretary shall select Division 
Chiefs under subparagraph (A) in a manner that— 
‘‘(i) promotes leadership and professional develop-
ment; 
‘‘(ii) enables personnel to interact with other agen-
cies of the Department; and 
‘‘(iii) maximizes the ability of the Under Secretary 
to allow for rotations of Department personnel into 
the position of Division Chief. 
‘‘(C) TERM
OF
SERVICE.—Notwithstanding title 5, 
United States Code, the maximum length of service for 
an individual selected as a Division Chief under subpara-
graph (A) shall not exceed 4 years. 
‘‘(D) QUALIFICATIONS.—To be eligible for selection as 
a Division Chief, an individual shall have— 
‘‘(i) conducted exemplary research, education, or 
extension in the field of agriculture or forestry; and
H. R. 6124—373 
‘‘(ii) earned an advanced degree at an institution 
of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). 
‘‘(E) DUTIES OF DIVISION CHIEFS.—Except as otherwise 
provided in this Act, each Division Chief shall— 
‘‘(i) assist the Under Secretary in identifying and 
addressing emerging agricultural research, education, 
and extension needs; 
‘‘(ii) assist the Under Secretary in identifying and 
prioritizing Department-wide agricultural research, 
education, and extension needs, including funding; 
‘‘(iii) assess the strategic workforce needs of the 
research, education, and extension functions of the 
Department, and develop strategic workforce plans to 
ensure that existing and future workforce needs are 
met; 
‘‘(iv) communicate with research, education, and 
extension beneficiaries, including the public, and rep-
resentatives of the research, education, and extension 
system, including the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, 
to promote the benefits of agricultural research, edu-
cation, and extension; 
‘‘(v) assist the Under Secretary in preparing and 
implementing the roadmap for agricultural research, 
education, and extension, as described in section 7504 
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008; 
and 
‘‘(vi) perform such other duties as the Under Sec-
retary may determine. 
‘‘(4) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) FUNDING.—Notwithstanding any Act making 
appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, whether 
enacted before, on, or after the date of enactment of this 
paragraph unless the appropriation Act specifically refers 
to this subsection and specifically includes the administra-
tion of funds under this section, the Secretary may transfer 
funds made available to an agency in the research, edu-
cation, and economics mission area to fund the costs of 
Division personnel. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable— 
‘‘(i) the Under Secretary shall minimize the 
number of full-time equivalent positions in the Divi-
sions; and 
‘‘(ii) at no time shall the aggregate number of 
staff for all Divisions exceed 30 full-time equivalent 
positions. 
‘‘(C) ROTATION
OF
PERSONNEL.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, and using the authority described in 
paragraph (3)(A), the Under Secretary shall rotate per-
sonnel among the Divisions, and between the Divisions 
and agencies of the Department, in a manner that— 
‘‘(i) promotes leadership and professional develop-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) enables personnel to interact with other agen-
cies of the Department.
H. R. 6124—374 
‘‘(5) ORGANIZATION.—The Under Secretary shall integrate 
leadership functions of the national program staff of the 
research agencies into the Research, Education and Extension 
Office in such form as is required to ensure that administrative 
duplication does not occur. 
‘‘(f) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ADVISORY
BOARD.—The term ‘Advisory Board’ 
means the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Edu-
cation, and Economics Advisory Board established under 
section 1408 of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123). 
‘‘(B) APPLIED RESEARCH.—The term ‘applied research’ 
means research that includes expansion of the findings 
of fundamental research to uncover practical ways in which 
new knowledge can be advanced to benefit individuals and 
society. 
‘‘(C) CAPACITY
AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘capacity and infrastructure program’ means each of 
the following agricultural research, extension, education, 
and related programs for which the Secretary has adminis-
trative or other authority as of the day before the date 
of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008: 
‘‘(i) Each program providing funding to any of the 
1994 Institutions under sections 533, 534(a), and 535 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382). 
‘‘(ii) The program established under section 536 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act 
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) pro-
viding research grants for 1994 Institutions. 
‘‘(iii) Each program established under subsections 
(b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
U.S.C. 343). 
‘‘(iv) Each program established under the Hatch 
Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.). 
‘‘(v) Each program established under section 
1417(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3152(b)). 
‘‘(vi) The animal health and disease research pro-
gram established under subtitle E of the National Agri-
cultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3191 et seq.). 
‘‘(vii) Each extension program available to 1890 
Institutions established under section 1444 of the 
National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221). 
‘‘(viii) The program established under section 1445 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222). 
‘‘(ix) The program providing grants to upgrade 
agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 Institu-
tions established under section 1447 of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b).
H. R. 6124—375 
‘‘(x) The program providing distance education 
grants for insular areas established under section 1490 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362). 
‘‘(xi) The program providing resident instruction 
grants for insular areas established under section 1491 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363). 
‘‘(xii) Each research and development and related 
program established under Public Law 87–788 (com-
monly known as the ‘McIntire-Stennis Cooperative For-
estry Act’) (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.). 
‘‘(xiii) Each program established under the Renew-
able Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 
et seq.). 
‘‘(xiv) Each program providing funding to Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities under 
section 1456 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. 
‘‘(xv) The program providing capacity grants to 
NLGCA Institutions under section 1473F of the 
National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977. 
‘‘(xvi) Other programs that are capacity and infra-
structure programs, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(D) COMPETITIVE
PROGRAM.—The term ‘competitive 
program’ means each of the following agricultural research, 
extension, education, and related programs for which the 
Secretary has administrative or other authority as of the 
day before the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008: 
‘‘(i) The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
established under section 2(b) of the Competitive, Spe-
cial, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(b)). 
‘‘(ii) The program providing competitive grants for 
risk management education established under section 
524(a)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1524(a)(3)). 
‘‘(iii) The program providing community food 
project competitive grants established under section 
25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2034). 
‘‘(iv) The program providing grants for beginning 
farmer and rancher development established under sec-
tion 7405 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f). 
‘‘(v) The program providing grants under section 
1417(j) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)). 
‘‘(vi) The program providing grants for Hispanic- 
serving institutions established under section 1455 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241). 
‘‘(vii) The program providing competitive grants 
for international agricultural science and education
H. R. 6124—376 
programs under section 1459A of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b). 
‘‘(viii) The research and extension projects carried 
out under section 1621 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5811). 
‘‘(ix) The organic agriculture research and exten-
sion initiative established under section 1672B of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
(7 U.S.C. 5925b). 
‘‘(x) The specialty crop research initiative under 
section 412 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998. 
‘‘(xi) The administration and management of the 
Agricultural Bioenergy Feedstock and Energy Effi-
ciency Research and Extension Initiative carried out 
under section 1672C of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990. 
‘‘(xii) The research, extension, and education pro-
grams authorized by section 407 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7627) relating to the competitiveness, 
viability and sustainability of small- and medium-sized 
dairy, livestock, and poultry operations. 
‘‘(xiii) Other programs that are competitive pro-
grams, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(E) 
DIRECTOR.—The 
term 
‘Director’ 
means 
the 
Director of the Institute. 
‘‘(F) FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH.—The term ‘fundamental 
research’ means research that— 
‘‘(i) increases knowledge or understanding of the 
fundamental aspects of phenomena and has the poten-
tial for broad application; and 
‘‘(ii) has an effect on agriculture, food, nutrition, 
or the environment. 
‘‘(G) INSTITUTE.—The term ‘Institute’ means the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture established by 
paragraph (2)(A). 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND 
AGRICULTURE.— 
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish 
within the Department an agency to be known as the 
‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’. 
‘‘(B) TRANSFER OF AUTHORITIES.—The Secretary shall 
transfer to the Institute, effective not later than October 
1, 2009, the authorities (including all budget authorities, 
available appropriations, and personnel), duties, obliga-
tions, and related legal and administrative functions pre-
scribed by law or otherwise granted to the Secretary, the 
Department, or any other agency or official of the Depart-
ment under— 
‘‘(i) the capacity and infrastructure programs; 
‘‘(ii) the competitive programs; 
‘‘(iii) the research, education, economic, cooperative 
State research programs, cooperative extension and 
education programs, international programs, and other
H. R. 6124—377 
functions and authorities delegated by the Under Sec-
retary to the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service pursuant 
to section 2.66 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or successor regulations); and 
‘‘(iv) any and all other authorities administered 
by the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service. 
‘‘(3) DIRECTOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Institute shall be headed by 
a Director, who shall be an individual who is— 
‘‘(i) a distinguished scientist; and 
‘‘(ii) appointed by the President. 
‘‘(B) SUPERVISION.—The Director shall report directly 
to the Secretary, or the designee of the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) FUNCTIONS
OF
THE
DIRECTOR.—The Director 
shall— 
‘‘(i) serve for a 6-year term, subject to reappoint-
ment for an additional 6-year term; 
‘‘(ii) periodically report to the Secretary, or the 
designee of the Secretary, with respect to activities 
carried out by the Institute; and 
‘‘(iii) consult regularly with the Secretary, or the 
designee of the Secretary, to ensure, to the maximum 
extent practicable, that— 
‘‘(I) research of the Institute is relevant to 
agriculture in the United States and otherwise 
serves the national interest; and 
‘‘(II) the research of the Institute supplements 
and enhances, and does not supplant, research 
conducted or funded by other Federal agencies. 
‘‘(D) COMPENSATION.—The Director shall receive basic 
pay at a rate not to exceed the maximum amount of com-
pensation payable to a member of the Senior Executive 
Service under subsection (b) of section 5382 of title 5, 
United States Code, except that the certification require-
ment in that subsection shall not apply to the compensation 
of the Director. 
‘‘(E) AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTOR.— 
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subsection, 
the Director shall— 
‘‘(i) exercise all of the authority provided to the 
Institute by this subsection; 
‘‘(ii) formulate and administer programs in accord-
ance with policies adopted by the Institute, in coordina-
tion with the Under Secretary; 
‘‘(iii) establish offices within the Institute; 
‘‘(iv) establish procedures for the provision and 
administration of grants by the Institute; and 
‘‘(v) consult regularly with the Advisory Board. 
‘‘(4) REGULATIONS.—The Institute shall have such authority 
as is necessary to carry out this subsection, including the 
authority to promulgate such regulations as the Institute con-
siders to be necessary for governance of operations, organiza-
tion, and personnel. 
‘‘(5) ADMINISTRATION.—
H. R. 6124—378 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall organize offices 
and functions within the Institute to administer funda-
mental and applied research and extension and education 
programs. 
‘‘(B) RESEARCH PRIORITIES.—The Director shall ensure 
the research priorities established by the Under Secretary 
through the Research, Education and Extension Office are 
carried out by the offices and functions of the Institute, 
where applicable. 
‘‘(C) FUNDAMENTAL
AND
APPLIED
RESEARCH.—The 
Director shall— 
‘‘(i) determine an appropriate balance between fun-
damental and applied research programs and functions 
to ensure future research needs are met; and 
‘‘(ii) designate staff, as appropriate, to assist in 
carrying out this subparagraph. 
‘‘(D) COMPETITIVELY
FUNDED
AWARDS.—The Director 
shall— 
‘‘(i) promote the use and growth of grants awarded 
through a competitive process; and 
‘‘(ii) designate staff, as appropriate, to assist in 
carrying out this subparagraph. 
‘‘(E) COORDINATION.—The Director shall ensure that 
the offices and functions established under subparagraph 
(A) are effectively coordinated for maximum efficiency. 
‘‘(6) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In addition to funds otherwise 
appropriated to carry out each program administered by 
the Institute, there are authorized to be appropriated such 
sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for 
each fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) ALLOCATION.—Funding made available under 
subparagraph (A) shall be allocated according to rec-
ommendations contained in the roadmap described in sec-
tion 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008.’’. 
(b) FUNCTIONS.—Section 296(b) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) the authority of the Secretary to establish in the 
Department, under section 251— 
‘‘(A) the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Research, Education, and Economics; 
‘‘(B) the Research, Education, and Extension Office; 
and 
‘‘(C) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—The following conforming 
amendments shall take effect on October 1, 2009: 
(1) Section 522(d)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1522(d)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘the Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(2) Section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1524(a)) is amended in each of paragraphs (1)(B) and
H. R. 6124—379 
(3)(A) by striking ‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(3) Section 306(a)(11)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(11)(C)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture’’. 
(4) Section 5(b)(2)(E) of the Agricultural Credit Improve-
ment Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public Law 102–554) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Cooperative Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(5) Section 11(f)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2020(f)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Cooperative Exten-
sion Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’. 
(6) Section 502(h) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 
(7 U.S.C. 2662(h)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’; 
and 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘Extension Service 
staff’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agri-
culture staff’’. 
(7) Section 7404(b)(1)(B) of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3101 note; Public Law 107– 
171) is amended by striking clause (vi) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(vi) the National Institute of Food and Agri-
culture.’’. 
(8) Section 1408(b)(4) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3123(b)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘the Administrator of the 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Director of the National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(9) Section 2381(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(a)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(10) The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended— 
(A) in section 1424A(b) (7 U.S.C. 3174a(b)), by striking 
‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’; and 
(B) in section 1458(a)(10) (7 U.S.C. 3291(a)(10)), by 
striking ‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(11) Section 1587(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 
U.S.C. 3175d(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(12) Section 1444(b)(2)(A) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
H. R. 6124—380 
3221(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(13) Section 1473D(d) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3319d(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘the Cooperative State 
Research Service, the Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(14) Section 1499(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5506(c)) is amended by striking 
‘‘the Cooperative State Research Service’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘extension services;’’ and inserting ‘‘the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture, in conjunction with the 
system of State agricultural experiment stations and State 
and county cooperative extension services; the Economic 
Research Service;’’. 
(15) Section 1622 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5812) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘the Cooperative 
State Research Service in close cooperation with the Exten-
sion Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(i) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) the National Institute of Food and Agriculture;’’; 
and 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through 
(L) as subparagraphs (C) through (K), respectively. 
(16) Section 1627(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(17) Section 1629 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking 
‘‘the Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’; and 
(B) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(18) Section 1638(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5852(b)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘Cooperative State 
Research Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘Cooperative State 
Research Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(19) Section 1640(a)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5854(a)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Administrator of the Extension Service, the 
Administrator of the Cooperative State Research Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’. 
(20) Section 1641(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(a)) is amended—
H. R. 6124—381 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Cooperative State 
Research Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4,) by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(21) Section 1668(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5921(b)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(22) Section 1670(a)(4) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5923(a)(4)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Administrator of the Cooperative State 
Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(23) Section 1677(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5930(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(24) Section 2122(b)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521(b)(1)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(25) Section 2371 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’; 
and 
(B) in subsection (c)(3), by striking ‘‘Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘System’’. 
(26) Section 2377(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6615(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture’’. 
(27) Section 212(a)(2)(A) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6912(a)(2)(A)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘251(d),’’ and inserting ‘‘251(f),’’. 
(28) Section 537 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7446) is amended in each 
of subsections (a)(2) and (b)(3)(B)(i) by striking ‘‘Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘cooperative extension’’. 
(29) Section 101(b)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7611(b)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture’’. 
(30) Section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agriculture’’; and 
(B) in each of paragraphs (1) and (2)(A), by striking 
‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’.
H. R. 6124—382 
(31) Section 407(c) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7627(c)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture’’. 
(32) Section 410(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630(a)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘the Administrator of the Cooperative 
State Research, Education, and Extension Service’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’. 
(33) Section 307(g)(5) of the Agricultural Risk Protection 
Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 8606(g)(5)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Administrator of the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(34) Section 5(a) of the Renewable Resources Extension 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1674a(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Exten-
sion Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture’’. 
(35) Section 6(b) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2103b(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘the 
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
may provide technical, financial, and related assistance to State 
foresters, equivalent State officials, or Cooperative Extension 
officials’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture, may provide technical, financial, and related assist-
ance to State foresters, equivalent State officials, or cooperative 
extension officials’’. 
(36) Section 9(g)(2)(A)(viii) of the Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2105(g)(2)(A)(viii)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(37) Section 19(b)(1)(B)(i) of the Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2113(b)(1)(B)(i)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Extension Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(38) Section 1261(c)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3861(c)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘Extension 
Service’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of Food and Agri-
culture’’. 
(39) Section 105(a) of the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act of 
1998 (22 U.S.C. 2293 note; Public Law 105–385) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Cooperative State, Research, Education, and 
Extension Service (CSREES)’’ and inserting ‘‘the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture’’. 
(40) Section 307(a)(4) of the National Aeronautic and Space 
Administration 
Authorization 
Act 
of 
2005 
(42 
U.S.C. 
16657(a)(4)) is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) the program and structure of, peer review process 
of, management of conflicts of interest by, compensation 
of reviewers of, and the effects of compensation on reviewer 
efficiency and quality within, the National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture of the Department of Agriculture;’’.
H. R. 6124—383 
PART III—NEW GRANT AND RESEARCH 
PROGRAMS 
SEC. 7521. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION GRANTS FOR THE STUDY OF 
ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide research and 
education grants, on a competitive basis— 
(1) to study the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, 
including— 
(A) movement of antibiotic-resistant bacteria into 
groundwater and surface water; and 
(B) the effect on antibiotic resistance from various drug 
use regimens; and 
(2) to study and ensure the judicious use of antibiotics 
in veterinary and human medicine, including— 
(A) methods and practices of animal husbandry; 
(B) safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics; 
(C) the development of better veterinary diagnostics 
to improve decisionmaking; and 
(D) the identification of conditions or factors that affect 
antibiotic use on farms. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making 
of grants under this section. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 7522. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services, shall make competitive 
grants to support cooperative programs between State cooperative 
extension services and nonprofit organizations to establish a Farm 
and Ranch Stress Assistance Network that provides stress assist-
ance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, 
and other agriculture-related occupations. 
(b) ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS.—Grants awarded under subsection (a) 
may be used to initiate, expand, or sustain programs that provide 
professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral 
for other forms of assistance as necessary through— 
(1) farm telephone helplines and websites; 
(2) community education; 
(3) support groups; 
(4) outreach services and activities; and 
(5) home delivery of assistance, in a case in which a farm 
resident is homebound. 
(c) EXTENSION SERVICES.—Grants shall be awarded under this 
subsection directly to State cooperative extension services to enable 
the State cooperative extension services to enter into contracts, 
on a multiyear basis, with nonprofit, community-based, direct- 
service organizations to initiate, expand, or sustain cooperative 
programs described in subsections (a) and (b). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
H. R. 6124—384 
SEC. 7523. SEED DISTRIBUTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make competitive grants 
to eligible entities to carry out a seed distribution program to 
administer and maintain the distribution of vegetable seeds donated 
by commercial seed companies. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this program include— 
(1) the distribution of seeds donated by commercial seed 
companies free-of-charge to appropriate— 
(A) individuals; 
(B) groups; 
(C) institutions; 
(D) governmental and nongovernmental organizations; 
and 
(E) such other entities as the Secretary may designate; 
(2) distribution of seeds to underserved communities, such 
as communities that experience— 
(A) limited access to affordable fresh vegetables; 
(B) a high rate of hunger or food insecurity; or 
(C) severe or persistent poverty. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making 
of grants under this section. 
(d) SELECTION.—An eligible entity selected to receive a grant 
under subsection (a) shall have— 
(1) expertise regarding the distribution of vegetable seeds 
donated by commercial seed companies; and 
(2) the ability to achieve the purpose of the seed distribu-
tion program. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 7524. LIVE VIRUS FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall issue a permit required 
under section 12 of the Act of May 29, 1884 (21 U.S.C. 113a) 
to the Secretary of Homeland Security for work on the live virus 
of foot and mouth disease at any facility that is a successor to 
the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and charged with 
researching high-consequence biological threats involving zoonotic 
and foreign animal diseases (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘successor facility’’). 
(b) LIMITATION TO SINGLE FACILITY.—Not more than 1 facility 
shall be issued a permit under subsection (a). 
(c) LIMITATION ON VALIDITY.—The permit issued under this 
section shall be valid unless the Secretary determines that the 
study of live foot and mouth disease virus at the successor facility 
is not being carried out in accordance with the regulations promul-
gated by the Secretary pursuant to the Agricultural Bioterrorism 
Protection Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401 et seq.). 
(d) AUTHORITY.—The suspension, revocation, or other impair-
ment of the permit issued under this section— 
(1) shall be made by the Secretary; and 
(2) is a nondelegable function.
H. R. 6124—385 
SEC. 7525. NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish within the 
Department a natural products research program. 
(b) DUTIES.—In carrying out the program established under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate research relating to 
natural products, including— 
(1) research to improve human health and agricultural 
productivity through the discovery, development, and commer-
cialization of products and agrichemicals from bioactive natural 
products, including products from plant, marine, and microbial 
sources; 
(2) research to characterize the botanical sources, produc-
tion, chemistry, and biological properties of plant-derived nat-
ural products; and 
(3) other research priorities identified by the Secretary. 
(c) PEER AND MERIT REVIEW.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) determine the relevance and merit of research under 
this section through a system of peer review established by 
the Secretary pursuant to section 103 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7613); and 
(2) approve funding for research on the basis of merit, 
quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes of this section. 
(d) BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.—Funds made available under 
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). 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
SEC. 7526. SUN GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish and carry 
out a program to provide grants to the sun grant centers and 
subcenter specified in subsection (b)— 
(1) to enhance national energy security through the 
development, distribution, and implementation of biobased 
energy technologies; 
(2) to promote diversification in, and the environmental 
sustainability of, agricultural production in the United States 
through biobased energy and product technologies; 
(3) to promote economic diversification in rural areas of 
the United States through biobased energy and product tech-
nologies; and 
(4) to enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass 
research 
and 
development 
programs 
through 
improved 
coordination and collaboration among— 
(A) the Department of Agriculture; 
(B) the Department of Energy; and 
(C) land-grant colleges and universities. 
(b) GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall use amounts made 
available under subsection (g) to provide grants to each of 
the following: 
(A) NORTH-CENTRAL
CENTER.—A north-central sun 
grant center at South Dakota State University for the
H. R. 6124—386 
region composed of the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 
(B) SOUTHEASTERN CENTER.—A southeastern sun grant 
center at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for 
the region composed of— 
(i) the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ken-
tucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Tennessee, and Virginia; 
(ii) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and 
(iii) the United States Virgin Islands. 
(C) SOUTH-CENTRAL
CENTER.—A south-central sun 
grant center at Oklahoma State University for the region 
composed of the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, 
Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. 
(D) WESTERN CENTER.—A western sun grant center 
at Oregon State University for the region composed of— 
(i) the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, 
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wash-
ington; and 
(ii) insular areas (as defined in section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103 (other than 
the insular areas referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) 
of subparagraph (B))). 
(E) NORTHEASTERN CENTER.—A northeastern sun grant 
center at Cornell University for the region composed of 
the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Mary-
land, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New 
York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and 
West Virginia. 
(F) WESTERN INSULAR PACIFIC SUBCENTER.—A western 
insular Pacific sun grant subcenter at the University of 
Hawaii for the region of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic 
of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. 
(2) MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION.— 
(A) CENTERS.—In providing any funds made available 
under subsection (g), the Secretary shall distribute the 
grants in equal amounts to the sun grant centers described 
in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (1). 
(B) SUBCENTER.—The sun grant center described in 
paragraph (1)(D) shall allocate a portion of the funds 
received under paragraph (1) to the subcenter described 
in paragraph (1)(F) pursuant to guidance issued by the 
Secretary. 
(3) FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS.—If the Sec-
retary finds on the basis of a review of the annual report 
required under subsection (f) or on the basis of an audit of 
a sun grant center or subcenter conducted by the Secretary 
that the center or subcenter has not complied with the require-
ments of this section, the sun grant center or subcenter shall 
be ineligible to receive further grants under this section for 
such period of time as may be prescribed by the Secretary. 
(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) COMPETITIVE GRANTS.—
H. R. 6124—387 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A sun grant center or subcenter shall 
use 75 percent of the funds described in subsection (b) 
to provide competitive grants to entities that are— 
(i) eligible to receive grants under subsection (b)(7) 
of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)(7)); and 
(ii) located in the region covered by the sun grant 
center or subcenter. 
(B) ACTIVITIES.—Grants described in subparagraph (A) 
shall be used by the grant recipient to conduct, in a manner 
consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a), 
multi-institutional and multistate— 
(i) research, extension, and education programs 
on technology development; and 
(ii) integrated research, extension, and education 
programs on technology implementation. 
(C) FUNDING
ALLOCATION.—Of the amount of funds 
that is used to provide grants under subparagraph (A), 
the sun grant center or subcenter shall use— 
(i) not less than 30 percent of the funds to carry 
out the programs described in subparagraph (B)(i); and 
(ii) not less than 30 percent of the funds to carry 
out the programs described in subparagraph (B)(ii). 
(D) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(i) PEER AND MERIT REVIEW.—In making grants 
under this paragraph, a sun grant center or subcenter 
shall— 
(I) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
(II) determine the relevance and merit of pro-
posals through a system of peer review similar 
to that established by the Secretary pursuant to 
section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7613); and 
(III) award grants on the basis of merit, 
quality, and relevance to advancing the purposes 
of this section. 
(ii) PRIORITY.—A sun grant center or subcenter 
shall give a higher priority to programs that are con-
sistent with the plan approved by the Secretary under 
subsection (d). 
(iii) TERM.—A grant awarded by a sun grant center 
or subcenter shall have a term that does not exceed 
5 years. 
(iv) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
clauses (II) and (III), as a condition of receiving 
a grant under this paragraph, the sun grant center 
or subcenter shall require that not less than 20 
percent of the cost of an activity described in 
subparagraph 
(B) 
be 
matched 
with 
funds, 
including in-kind contributions, from a non-Fed-
eral source. 
(II) EXCLUSION.—Subclause (I) shall not apply 
to fundamental research (as defined in subsection
H. R. 6124—388 
(f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) 
(as added by section 7511(a)(4)). 
(III) REDUCTION.—The sun grant center or 
subcenter may reduce or eliminate the require-
ment for non-Federal funds under subclause (I) 
for applied research (as defined in subsection (f)(1) 
of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) (as 
added by section 7511(a)(4)) if the sun grant center 
or subcenter determines that the reduction is nec-
essary and appropriate pursuant to guidance 
issued by the Secretary. 
(v) BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.—Funds made avail-
able for grants shall not be used for the construction 
of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expan-
sion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building 
or facility (including site grading and improvement 
and architect fees). 
(vi) LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS.—A sun grant 
center or subcenter may not recover the indirect costs 
of making grants under subparagraph (A). 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—A sun grant center or sub-
center may use up to 4 percent of the funds described in 
subsection (b) to pay administrative expenses incurred in car-
rying out paragraph (1). 
(3) RESEARCH, EXTENSION AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.— 
The sun grant centers and subcenter shall use the remainder 
of the funds described in subsection (b) to conduct, in a manner 
consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a), multi- 
institutional and multistate— 
(A) research, extension, and educational programs on 
technology development; and 
(B) integrated research, extension, and educational pro-
grams on technology implementation. 
(d) PLAN FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES TO BE FUNDED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of funds under 
subsection (g), and in cooperation with land-grant colleges and 
universities and private industry in accordance with paragraph 
(2), the sun grant centers and subcenter shall jointly develop 
and submit to the Secretary for approval a plan for addressing 
the bioenergy, biomass, and gasification research priorities of 
the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy 
at the State and regional levels. 
(2) GASIFICATION COORDINATION.—With respect to gasifi-
cation research activity, the sun grant centers and subcenter 
shall coordinate planning with land-grant colleges and univer-
sities in their respective regions that have ongoing research 
activities in that area. 
(3) FUNDING.—Funds described in subsection (c)(2) shall 
be available to carry out planning coordination under paragraph 
(1). 
(4) USE OF PLAN.—The sun grant centers and subcenter 
shall use the plan described in paragraph (1) in making grants 
under subsection (c)(1). 
(e) GRANT INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER.—The sun grant 
centers and subcenter shall maintain a Sun Grant Information
H. R. 6124—389 
Analysis Center at the sun grant center specified in subsection 
(b)(1)(A) to provide the sun grant centers and subcenter with anal-
ysis and data management support. 
(f) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 90 days after the end 
of each fiscal year, a sun grant center or subcenter receiving a 
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report 
that describes the policies, priorities, and operations of the program 
carried out by the center or subcenter during the fiscal year, 
including— 
(1) the results of all peer and merit review procedures 
conducted pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(D)(i); and 
(2) a description of progress made in facilitating the prior-
ities described in subsection (d)(1). 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, of which not more than $4,000,000 
for each fiscal year shall be made available to carry out subsection 
(e). 
SEC. 7527. STUDY AND REPORT ON FOOD DESERTS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF FOOD DESERT.—In this section, the term 
‘‘food desert’’ means an area in the United States with limited 
access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly such an area 
composed of predominantly lower-income neighborhoods and 
communities. 
(b) STUDY AND REPORT.—The Secretary shall carry out a study 
of, and prepare a report on, food deserts. 
(c) CONTENTS.—The study and report shall— 
(1) assess the incidence and prevalence of food deserts; 
(2) identify— 
(A) characteristics and factors causing and influencing 
food deserts; and 
(B) the effect on local populations of limited access 
to affordable and nutritious food; and 
(3) provide recommendations for addressing the causes and 
effects of food deserts through measures that include— 
(A) community and economic development initiatives; 
(B) incentives for retail food market development, 
including supermarkets, small grocery stores, and farmers’ 
markets; and 
(C) improvements to Federal food assistance and nutri-
tion education programs. 
(d) COORDINATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
AND ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—The Secretary shall conduct the study under this section 
in coordination and consultation with— 
(1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; 
(2) the Administrator of the Small Business Administra-
tion; 
(3) the Institute of Medicine; and 
(4) representatives of appropriate businesses, academic 
institutions, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. 
(e) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of 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 the report prepared under this section, including the findings 
and recommendations described in subsection (c).
H. R. 6124—390 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000. 
SEC. 7528. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY 
POSITIONS. 
Notwithstanding section 4703(d)(1) of title 5, United States 
Code, the amendment to the personnel management demonstration 
project established in the Department of Agriculture (67 Fed. Reg. 
70776 (2002)), shall become effective upon the date of enactment 
of this Act and shall remain in effect unless modified by law. 
SEC. 7529. AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH 
AND EDUCATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Transportation, shall make competitive grants to institu-
tions of higher education to carry out agricultural and rural 
transportation research and education activities. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—Research and education grants made under 
this section shall be used to address rural transportation and logis-
tics needs of agricultural producers and related rural businesses, 
including— 
(1) the transportation of biofuels; and 
(2) the export of agricultural products. 
(c) SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award grants under 
this section on the basis of the transportation research, edu-
cation, and outreach expertise of the applicant, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary shall give priority to institutions of higher education 
for use in coordinating research and education activities with 
other institutions of higher education with similar agricultural 
and rural transportation research and education programs. 
(d) DIVERSIFICATION OF RESEARCH.—The Secretary shall award 
grants under this section in areas that are regionally diverse and 
broadly representative of the diversity of agricultural production 
and related transportation needs in the rural areas of the United 
States. 
(e) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
require each recipient of a grant under this section to provide, 
from non-Federal sources, in cash or in kind, 50 percent of the 
cost of carrying out activities under the grant. 
(f) GRANT REVIEW.—A grant shall be awarded under this section 
on a competitive, peer- and merit-reviewed basis in accordance 
with section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)). 
(g) NO DUPLICATION.—In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall ensure that activities funded under this section 
do not duplicate the efforts of the University Transportation Centers 
described in sections 5505 and 5506 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.
H. R. 6124—391 
TITLE VIII—FORESTRY 
Subtitle A—Amendments to Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 
SEC. 8001. NATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR PRIVATE FOREST CONSERVA-
TION. 
Section 2 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 
(16 U.S.C. 2101) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(e) and (f), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(c) PRIORITIES.—In allocating funds appropriated or otherwise 
made available under this Act, the Secretary shall focus on the 
following national private forest conservation priorities, notwith-
standing other priorities specified elsewhere in this Act: 
‘‘(1) Conserving and managing working forest landscapes 
for multiple values and uses. 
‘‘(2) Protecting forests from threats, including catastrophic 
wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, windstorms, snow or ice storms, 
flooding, drought, invasive species, insect or disease outbreak, 
or development, and restoring appropriate forest types in 
response to such threats. 
‘‘(3) Enhancing public benefits from private forests, 
including air and water quality, soil conservation, biological 
diversity, carbon storage, forest products, forestry-related jobs, 
production of renewable energy, wildlife, wildlife corridors and 
wildlife habitat, and recreation. 
‘‘(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than September 30, 
2011, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing 
how funds were used under this Act, and through other programs 
administered by the Secretary, to address the national priorities 
specified in subsection (c) and the outcomes achieved in meeting 
the national priorities.’’. 
SEC. 8002. LONG-TERM STATE-WIDE ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIES 
FOR FOREST RESOURCES. 
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended 
by inserting after section 2 (16 U.S.C. 2101) the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 2A. STATE-WIDE ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES FOR FOREST 
RESOURCES. 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGIES FOR FOREST RESOURCES.— 
For a State to be eligible to receive funds under the authorities 
of this Act, the State forester of that State or equivalent State 
official shall develop and submit to the Secretary, not later than 
two years after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008, the following: 
‘‘(1) A State-wide assessment of forest resource conditions, 
including— 
‘‘(A) the conditions and trends of forest resources in 
that State;
H. R. 6124—392 
‘‘(B) the threats to forest lands and resources in that 
State consistent with the national priorities specified in 
section 2(c); 
‘‘(C) any areas or regions of that State that are a 
priority; and 
‘‘(D) any multi-State areas that are a regional priority. 
‘‘(2) A long-term State-wide forest resource strategy, 
including— 
‘‘(A) strategies for addressing threats to forest 
resources in the State outlined in the assessment required 
by paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) a description of the resources necessary for the 
State forester or equivalent State official from all sources 
to address the State-wide strategy. 
‘‘(b) UPDATING.—At such times as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary, the State forester or equivalent State official shall 
update and resubmit to the Secretary the State-wide assessment 
and State-wide strategy required by subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—In developing or updating the State-wide 
assessment and State-wide strategy required by subsection (a), 
the State Forester or equivalent State official shall coordinate 
with— 
‘‘(1) the State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee 
established for the State under section 19(b); 
‘‘(2) the State wildlife agency, with respect to strategies 
contained in the State wildlife action plans; 
‘‘(3) the State Technical Committee; 
‘‘(4) applicable Federal land management agencies; and 
‘‘(5) for purposes of the Forest Legacy Program under sec-
tion 7, the State lead agency designated by the Governor. 
‘‘(d) INCORPORATION
OF
OTHER
PLANS.—In developing or 
updating the State-wide assessment and State-wide strategy 
required by subsection (a), the State forester or equivalent State 
official shall incorporate any forest management plan of the State, 
including community wildfire protection plans and State wildlife 
action plans. 
‘‘(e) SUFFICIENCY.—Once approved by the Secretary, a State- 
wide assessment and State-wide strategy developed under sub-
section (a) shall be deemed to be sufficient to satisfy all relevant 
State planning and assessment requirements under this Act. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section up 
to $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
FUNDING
SOURCES.—In addition to the 
funds appropriated for a fiscal year pursuant to the authoriza-
tion of appropriations in paragraph (1) to carry out this section, 
the Secretary may use any other funds made available for 
planning under this Act to carry out this section, except that 
the total amount of combined funding used to carry out this 
section may not exceed $10,000,000 in any fiscal year. 
‘‘(g) ANNUAL REPORT ON USE OF FUNDS.—The State forester 
or equivalent State official shall submit to the Secretary an annual 
report detailing how funds made available to the State under this 
Act are being used.’’.
H. R. 6124—393 
SEC. 8003. COMMUNITY FOREST AND OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) the Forest Service projects that, by calendar year 2030, 
approximately 44,000,000 acres of privately-owned forest land 
will be developed throughout the United States; 
(2) public access to parcels of privately-owned forest land 
for outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, 
and trapping, has declined and, as a result, participation in 
those activities has also declined in cases in which public access 
is not secured; 
(3) rising rates of obesity and other public health problems 
relating to the inactivity of the citizens of the United States 
have been shown to be ameliorated by improving public access 
to safe and attractive areas for outdoor recreation; 
(4) in rapidly-growing communities of all sizes throughout 
the United States, remaining parcels of forest land play an 
essential role in protecting public water supplies; 
(5) forest parcels owned by local governmental entities 
and nonprofit organizations are providing important demonstra-
tion sites for private landowners to learn forest management 
techniques; 
(6) throughout the United States, communities of diverse 
types and sizes are deriving significant financial and commu-
nity benefits from managing forest land owned by local govern-
mental entities for timber and other forest products; and 
(7) there is an urgent need for local governmental entities 
to be able to leverage financial resources in order to purchase 
important parcels of privately-owned forest land as the parcels 
are offered for sale. 
(b) COMMUNITY FOREST AND OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION PRO-
GRAM.—The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended 
by inserting after section 7 (16 U.S.C. 2103c) the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 7A. COMMUNITY FOREST AND OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION PRO-
GRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means a 
local governmental entity, Indian tribe, or nonprofit organiza-
tion that owns or acquires a parcel under the program. 
‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). 
‘‘(3) LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.—The term ‘local govern-
mental entity’ includes any municipal government, county 
government, or other local government body with jurisdiction 
over local land use decisions. 
‘‘(4) 
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The 
term 
‘nonprofit 
organization’ means any organization that— 
‘‘(A) is described in section 170(h)(3) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986; and 
‘‘(B) operates in accordance with 1 or more of the 
purposes specified in section 170(h)(4)(A) of that Code. 
‘‘(5) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the community 
forest and open space conservation program established under 
subsection (b).
H. R. 6124—394 
‘‘(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a program, 
to be known as the ‘community forest and open space conservation 
program’. 
‘‘(c) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may award grants to 
eligible entities to acquire private forest land, to be owned 
in fee simple, that— 
‘‘(A) are threatened by conversion to nonforest uses; 
and 
‘‘(B) provide public benefits to communities, including— 
‘‘(i) economic benefits through sustainable forest 
management; 
‘‘(ii) environmental benefits, including clean water 
and wildlife habitat; 
‘‘(iii) benefits from forest-based educational pro-
grams, including vocational education programs in for-
estry; 
‘‘(iv) benefits from serving as models of effective 
forest stewardship for private landowners; and 
‘‘(v) recreational benefits, including hunting and 
fishing. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL COST SHARE.—An eligible entity may receive 
a grant under the Program in an amount equal to not more 
than 50 percent of the cost of acquiring 1 or more parcels, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—As a condition of receipt of the 
grant, an eligible entity that receives a grant under the Pro-
gram shall provide, in cash, donation, or in kind, a non-Federal 
matching share in an amount that is at least equal to the 
amount of the grant received. 
‘‘(4) APPRAISAL OF PARCELS.—To determine the non-Federal 
share of the cost of a parcel of privately-owned forest land 
under paragraph (2), an eligible entity shall require appraisals 
of the land that comply with the Uniform Appraisal Standards 
for Federal Land Acquisitions developed by the Interagency 
Land Acquisition Conference. 
‘‘(5) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity that seeks to receive 
a grant under the Program shall submit to the State forester 
or equivalent official (or in the case of an Indian tribe, an 
equivalent official of the Indian tribe) an application that 
includes— 
‘‘(A) a description of the land to be acquired; 
‘‘(B) a forest plan that provides— 
‘‘(i) a description of community benefits to be 
achieved from the acquisition of the private forest land; 
and 
‘‘(ii) an explanation of the manner in which any 
private forest land to be acquired using funds from 
the grant will be managed; and 
‘‘(C) such other relevant information as the Secretary 
may require. 
‘‘(6) EFFECT ON TRUST LAND.— 
‘‘(A) INELIGIBILITY.—The Secretary shall not provide 
a grant under the Program for any project on land held
H. R. 6124—395 
in trust by the United States (including Indian reservations 
and allotment land). 
‘‘(B) ACQUIRED LAND.—No land acquired using a grant 
provided under the Program shall be converted to land 
held in trust by the United States on behalf of any Indian 
tribe. 
‘‘(7) APPLICATIONS TO SECRETARY.—The State forester or 
equivalent official (or in the case of an Indian tribe, an equiva-
lent official of the Indian tribe) shall submit to the Secretary 
a list that includes a description of each project submitted 
by an eligible entity at such times and in such form as the 
Secretary shall prescribe. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—An eligible entity shall pro-
vide public access to, and manage, forest land acquired with a 
grant under this section in a manner that is consistent with the 
purposes for which the land was acquired under the Program. 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITED USES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an 
eligible entity that acquires a parcel under the Program shall 
not sell the parcel or convert the parcel to nonforest use. 
‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity that 
sells or converts to nonforest use a parcel acquired under the 
Program shall pay to the Federal Government an amount equal 
to the greater of the current sale price, or current appraised 
value, of the parcel. 
‘‘(3) LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY.—An eligible entity that sells or 
converts a parcel acquired under the Program shall not be 
eligible for additional grants under the Program. 
‘‘(f) STATE ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The 
Secretary may allocate not more than 10 percent of all funds made 
available to carry out the Program for each fiscal year to State 
foresters or equivalent officials (including equivalent officials of 
Indian tribes) for Program administration and technical assistance. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.’’. 
SEC. 8004. ASSISTANCE TO THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA, 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS, AND THE 
REPUBLIC OF PALAU. 
Section 13(d)(1) of the Cooperative Forestry Act of 1978 (16 
U.S.C. 2109(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘the Trust Territory of 
the Pacific Islands,’’ and inserting ‘‘the Federated States of Micro-
nesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau,’’. 
SEC. 8005. CHANGES TO FOREST RESOURCE COORDINATING COM-
MITTEE. 
Section 19 of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 
(16 U.S.C. 2113) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(a) FOREST RESOURCE COORDINATING COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a com-
mittee, to be known as the ‘Forest Resource Coordinating Com-
mittee’ (in this section referred to as the ‘Coordinating Com-
mittee’), to coordinate nonindustrial private forestry activities 
within the Department of Agriculture and with the private 
sector.
H. R. 6124—396 
‘‘(2) COMPOSITION.—The Coordinating Committee shall be 
composed of the following: 
‘‘(A) The Chief of the Forest Service. 
‘‘(B) The Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service. 
‘‘(C) The Director of the Farm Service Agency. 
‘‘(D) The Director of the National Institute of Food 
and Agriculture. 
‘‘(E) Non-Federal representatives appointed by the Sec-
retary to 3 year terms, although initial appointees shall 
have staggered terms, including the following persons: 
‘‘(i) At least three State foresters or equivalent 
State officials from geographically diverse regions of 
the United States. 
‘‘(ii) A representative of a State fish and wildlife 
agency. 
‘‘(iii) An owner of nonindustrial private forest land. 
‘‘(iv) A forest industry representative. 
‘‘(v) A conservation organization representative. 
‘‘(vi) A land-grant university or college representa-
tive. 
‘‘(vii) A private forestry consultant. 
‘‘(viii) A representative from a State Technical 
Committee established under section 1261 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861). 
‘‘(F) Such other persons as determined by the Secretary 
to be appropriate. 
‘‘(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chief of the Forest Service shall 
serve as chairperson of the Coordinating Committee. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES.—The Coordinating Committee shall— 
‘‘(A) provide direction and coordination of actions 
within the Department of Agriculture, and coordination 
with State agencies and the private sector, to effectively 
address the national priorities specified in section 2(c), 
with specific focus owners of nonindustrial private forest 
land; 
‘‘(B) clarify individual agency responsibilities of each 
agency represented on the Coordinating Committee con-
cerning the national priorities specified in section 2(c), 
with specific focus on nonindustrial private forest land; 
‘‘(C) provide advice on the allocation of funds, including 
the competitive funds set-aside by sections 13A and 13B; 
and 
‘‘(D) assist the Secretary in developing and reviewing 
the report required by section 2(d). 
‘‘(5) MEETING.—The Coordinating Committee shall meet 
annually to discuss progress in addressing the national prior-
ities specified in section 2(c) and issues regarding nonindustrial 
private forest land. 
‘‘(6) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(A) FEDERAL MEMBERS.—Members of the Coordinating 
Committee who are full-time officers or employees of the 
United States shall receive no additional pay, allowances, 
or benefits by reason of their service on the Coordinating 
Committee. 
‘‘(B) NON-FEDERAL MEMBERS.—Non-federal members of 
the Coordinating Committee shall serve without pay, but
H. R. 6124—397 
may be reimbursed for reasonable costs incurred while 
performing their duties on behalf of the Coordinating Com-
mittee.’’. 
SEC. 8006. CHANGES TO STATE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COORDINATING 
COMMITTEES. 
Section 19(b) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2113(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)(ii)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subclause (VII); 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new subclause: 
‘‘(IX) the State Technical Committee.’’. 
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ‘‘a Forest Stewardship 
Plan under paragraph (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘the State-wide assess-
ment and strategy regarding forest resource conditions under 
section 2A’’; 
(3) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4); and 
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs 
(3) and (4), respectively. 
SEC. 8007. COMPETITION IN PROGRAMS UNDER COOPERATIVE FOR-
ESTRY ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1978. 
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended 
by inserting after section 13 (16 U.S.C. 2109) the following new 
section: 
‘‘SEC. 13A. COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO STATE FOR-
ESTERS OR EQUIVALENT STATE OFFICIALS. 
‘‘(a) COMPETITION.—Beginning not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008, the Secretary shall competitively allocate a portion, to 
be determined by the Secretary, of the funds available under this 
Act to State foresters or equivalent State officials. 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION.—In determining the competitive alloca-
tion of funds under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult 
with the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee established by 
section 19(a). 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority for funding 
to States for which the long-term State-wide forest resource strate-
gies submitted under section 2A(a)(2) will best promote the national 
priorities specified in section 2(c).’’. 
SEC. 8008. COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COOPERATIVE 
FOREST INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS. 
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 is amended 
by inserting after section 13A, as added by section 8006, the fol-
lowing new section: 
‘‘SEC. 13B. COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COOPERATIVE 
FOREST INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS. 
‘‘(a) 
COOPERATIVE
FOREST
INNOVATION
PARTNERSHIP 
PROJECTS.—The Secretary may competitively allocate not more than 
5 percent of the funds made available under this Act to support 
innovative national, regional, or local education, outreach, or tech-
nology transfer projects that the Secretary determines would 
substantially increase the ability of the Department of Agriculture 
to address the national priorities specified in section 2(c).
H. R. 6124—398 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—Notwithstanding the eligibility limitations 
contained in this Act, any State or local government, Indian tribe, 
land-grant college or university, or private entity shall be eligible 
to compete for funds to be competitively allocated under subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(c) COST-SHARE REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out subsection (a), 
the Secretary shall not cover more than 50 percent of the total 
cost of a project under such subsection. In calculating the total 
cost of a project and contributions made with regard to the project, 
the Secretary shall include in-kind contributions.’’. 
Subtitle B—Cultural and Heritage 
Cooperation Authority 
SEC. 8101. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this subtitle are— 
(1) to authorize the reburial of human remains and cultural 
items on National Forest System land, including human 
remains and cultural items repatriated under the Native Amer-
ican Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001 
et seq.); 
(2) to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of information 
regarding reburial sites, including the quantity and identity 
of human remains and cultural items on sites and the location 
of sites; 
(3) to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure 
access to National Forest System land, to the maximum extent 
practicable, by Indians and Indian tribes for traditional and 
cultural purposes; 
(4) to authorize the Secretary to provide forest products, 
without consideration, to Indian tribes for traditional and cul-
tural purposes; 
(5) to authorize the Secretary to protect the confidentiality 
of certain information, including information that is culturally 
sensitive to Indian tribes; 
(6) to increase the availability of Forest Service programs 
and resources to Indian tribes in support of the policy of the 
United States to promote tribal sovereignty and self-determina-
tion; and 
(7) to strengthen support for the policy of the United States 
of protecting and preserving the traditional, cultural, and 
ceremonial rites and practices of Indian tribes, in accordance 
with Public Law 95–341 (commonly known as the American 
Indian Religious Freedom Act; 42 U.S.C. 1996). 
SEC. 8102. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) ADJACENT SITE.—The term ‘‘adjacent site’’ means a site 
that borders a boundary line of National Forest System land. 
(2) CULTURAL ITEMS.—The term ‘‘cultural items’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 2 of the Native American 
Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. 3001), except 
that the term does not include human remains. 
(3) HUMAN REMAINS.—The term ‘‘human remains’’ means 
the physical remains of the body of a person of Indian ancestry.
H. R. 6124—399 
(4) INDIAN.—The term ‘‘Indian’’ means an individual who 
is a member of an Indian tribe. 
(5) INDIAN
TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ means any 
Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, 
or other community the name of which is included on a list 
published by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to section 
104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 
(25 U.S.C. 479a–1). 
(6) LINEAL
DESCENDANT.—The term ‘‘lineal descendant’’ 
means an individual that can trace, directly and without 
interruption, the ancestry of the individual through the tradi-
tional kinship system of an Indian tribe, or through the common 
law system of descent, to a known Indian, the human remains, 
funerary objects, or other sacred objects of whom are claimed 
by the individual. 
(7) NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘National Forest 
System’’ has the meaning given the term in section 11(a) of 
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)). 
(8) REBURIAL SITE.—The term ‘‘reburial site’’ means a spe-
cific physical location at which cultural items or human remains 
are reburied. 
(9) TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL PURPOSE.—The term ‘‘tradi-
tional and cultural purpose’’, with respect to a definable use, 
area, or practice, means that the use, area, or practice is 
identified by an Indian tribe as traditional or cultural because 
of the long-established significance or ceremonial nature of 
the use, area, or practice to the Indian tribe. 
SEC. 8103. REBURIAL OF HUMAN REMAINS AND CULTURAL ITEMS. 
(a) REBURIAL SITES.—In consultation with an affected Indian 
tribe or lineal descendant, the Secretary may authorize the use 
of National Forest System land by the Indian tribe or lineal descend-
ant for the reburial of human remains or cultural items in the 
possession of the Indian tribe or lineal descendant that have been 
disinterred from National Forest System land or an adjacent site. 
(b) REBURIAL.—With the consent of the affected Indian tribe 
or lineal descendent, the Secretary may recover and rebury, at 
Federal expense or using other available funds, human remains 
and cultural items described in subsection (a) at the National Forest 
System land identified under that subsection. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF USE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may authorize such uses of reburial sites on National Forest 
System land, or on the National Forest System land imme-
diately surrounding a reburial site, as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary for management of the National Forest System. 
(2) AVOIDANCE OF ADVERSE IMPACTS.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall avoid adverse impacts to cultural 
items and human remains, to the maximum extent practicable. 
SEC. 8104. TEMPORARY CLOSURE FOR TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL 
PURPOSES. 
(a) RECOGNITION OF HISTORIC USE.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure access to National Forest 
System land by Indians for traditional and cultural purposes, in 
accordance with subsection (b), in recognition of the historic use 
by Indians of National Forest System land.
H. R. 6124—400 
(b) CLOSING LAND FROM PUBLIC ACCESS.— 
(1) AUTHORITY TO CLOSE.—Upon the approval by the Sec-
retary of a request from an Indian tribe, the Secretary may 
temporarily close from public access specifically identified 
National Forest System land to protect the privacy of tribal 
activities for traditional and cultural purposes. 
(2) LIMITATION.—A closure of National Forest System land 
under paragraph (1) shall affect the smallest practicable area 
for the minimum period necessary for activities of the applicable 
Indian tribe. 
(3) CONSISTENCY.—Access by Indian tribes to National 
Forest System land under this subsection shall be consistent 
with the purposes of Public Law 95–341 (commonly known 
as the American Indian Religious Freedom Act; 42 U.S.C. 1996). 
SEC. 8105. FOREST PRODUCTS FOR TRADITIONAL AND CULTURAL PUR-
POSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 14 of the National 
Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a), the Secretary 
may provide free of charge to Indian tribes any trees, portions 
of trees, or forest products from National Forest System land for 
traditional and cultural purposes. 
(b) PROHIBITION.—Trees, portions of trees, or forest products 
provided under subsection (a) may not be used for commercial 
purposes. 
SEC. 8106. PROHIBITION ON DISCLOSURE. 
(a) NONDISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall not disclose under 
section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known 
as the ‘‘Freedom of Information Act’’), information relating to— 
(A) subject to subsection (b)(l), human remains or cul-
tural items reburied on National Forest System land under 
section 8103; or 
(B) subject to subsection (b)(2), resources, cultural 
items, uses, or activities that— 
(i) have a traditional and cultural purpose; and 
(ii) are provided to the Secretary by an Indian 
or Indian tribe under an express expectation of con-
fidentiality in the context of forest and rangeland 
research activities carried out under the authority of 
the Forest Service. 
(2) LIMITATIONS
ON
DISCLOSURE.—Subject to subsection 
(b)(2), the Secretary shall not be required to disclose informa-
tion under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly 
known as the ‘‘Freedom of Information Act’’), concerning the 
identity, use, or specific location in the National Forest System 
of— 
(A) a site or resource used for traditional and cultural 
purposes by an Indian tribe; or 
(B) any cultural items not covered under section 8103. 
(b) LIMITED RELEASE OF INFORMATION.— 
(1) REBURIAL.—The Secretary may disclose information 
described in subsection (a)(l)(A) if, before the disclosure, the 
Secretary— 
(A) consults with an affected Indian tribe or lineal 
descendent; 
(B) determines that disclosure of the information—
H. R. 6124—401 
(i) would advance the purposes of this subtitle; 
and 
(ii) is necessary to protect the human remains 
or cultural items from harm, theft, or destruction; and 
(C) attempts to mitigate any adverse impacts identified 
by an Indian tribe or lineal descendant that reasonably 
could be expected to result from disclosure of the informa-
tion. 
(2) OTHER INFORMATION.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with appropriate Indian tribes, may disclose information 
described under paragraph (1)(B) or (2) of subsection (a) if 
the Secretary determines that disclosure of the information 
to the public— 
(A) would advance the purposes of this subtitle; 
(B) would not create an unreasonable risk of harm, 
theft, or destruction of the resource, site, or object, 
including individual organic or inorganic specimens; and 
(C) would be consistent with other applicable laws. 
SEC. 8107. SEVERABILITY AND SAVINGS PROVISIONS. 
(a) SEVERABILITY.—If any provision of this subtitle, or the 
application of any provision of this subtitle to any person or cir-
cumstance is held invalid, the application of such provision or 
circumstance and the remainder of this subtitle shall not be affected 
thereby. 
(b) SAVINGS.—Nothing in this subtitle— 
(1) diminishes or expands the trust responsibility of the 
United States to Indian tribes, or any legal obligation or remedy 
resulting from that responsibility; 
(2) alters, abridges, repeals, or affects any valid agreement 
between the Forest Service and an Indian tribe; 
(3) alters, abridges, diminishes, repeals, or affects any 
reserved or other right of an Indian tribe; or 
(4) alters, abridges, diminishes, repeals, or affects any other 
valid existing right relating to National Forest System land 
or other public land. 
Subtitle C—Amendments to Other 
Forestry-Related Laws 
SEC. 8201. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. 
Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2004 through 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘2008 through 2012’’. 
SEC. 8202. OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY. 
Section 2405(d) of the Global Climate Change Prevention Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6704(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 8203. EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Title IV of the Agricultural Credit Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 407. EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
H. R. 6124—402 
‘‘(1) EMERGENCY MEASURES.—The term ‘emergency meas-
ures’ means those measures that— 
‘‘(A) are necessary to address damage caused by a 
natural disaster to natural resources on nonindustrial pri-
vate forest land, and the damage, if not treated— 
‘‘(i) would impair or endanger the natural 
resources on the land; and 
‘‘(ii) would materially affect future use of the land; 
and 
‘‘(B) would restore forest health and forest-related 
resources on the land. 
‘‘(2) NATURAL
DISASTER.—The term ‘natural disaster’ 
includes wildfires, hurricanes or excessive winds, drought, ice 
storms or blizzards, floods, or other resource-impacting events, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE FOREST LAND.—The term ‘non-
industrial private forest land’ means rural land, as determined 
by the Secretary, that— 
‘‘(A) has existing tree cover (or had tree cover imme-
diately before the natural disaster and is suitable for 
growing trees); and 
‘‘(B) is owned by any nonindustrial private individual, 
group, association, corporation, or other private legal entity, 
that has definitive decision-making authority over the land. 
‘‘(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture. 
‘‘(b) AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may make 
payments to an owner of nonindustrial private forest land who 
carries out emergency measures to restore the land after the land 
is damaged by a natural disaster. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a payment under 
subsection (b), an owner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of 
the Secretary that the nonindustrial private forest land on which 
the emergency measures are carried out had tree cover immediately 
before the natural disaster. 
‘‘(d) COST SHARE REQUIREMENT.—Payments made under sub-
section (b) shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the 
emergency measures carried out by an owner of nonindustrial pri-
vate forest land. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary such funds as may be necessary 
to carry out this section. Amounts so appropriated shall remain 
available until expended.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue 
regulations to carry out section 407 of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1978, as added by subsection (a). 
SEC. 8204. PREVENTION OF ILLEGAL LOGGING PRACTICES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.— 
(1) PLANT.—Subsection (f) of section 2 of the Lacey Act 
Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(f) PLANT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The terms ‘plant’ and ‘plants’ mean any 
wild member of the plant kingdom, including roots, seeds, parts,
H. R. 6124—403 
or products thereof, and including trees from either natural 
or planted forest stands. 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSIONS.—The terms ‘plant’ and ‘plants’ exclude— 
‘‘(A) common cultivars, except trees, and common food 
crops (including roots, seeds, parts, or products thereof); 
‘‘(B) a scientific specimen of plant genetic material 
(including roots, seeds, germplasm, parts, or products 
thereof) that is to be used only for laboratory or field 
research; and 
‘‘(C) any plant that is to remain planted or to be 
planted or replanted. 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTIONS
TO
APPLICATION
OF
EXCLUSIONS.—The 
exclusions made by subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph 
(2) do not apply if the plant is listed— 
‘‘(A) in an appendix to the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249); 
‘‘(B) as an endangered or threatened species under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.); or 
‘‘(C) pursuant to any State law that provides for the 
conservation of species that are indigenous to the State 
and are threatened with extinction.’’. 
(2) INCLUSION
OF
SECRETARY
OF
AGRICULTURE.—Section 
2(h) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371(h)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘plants the term means’’ and inserting 
‘‘plants, the term also means’’. 
(3) TAKEN AND TAKING.—Subsection (j) of section 2 of the 
Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(j) TAKEN AND TAKING.— 
‘‘(1) TAKEN.—The term ‘taken’ means captured, killed, or 
collected and, with respect to a plant, also means harvested, 
cut, logged, or removed. 
‘‘(2) TAKING.—The term ‘taking’ means the act by which 
fish, wildlife, or plants are taken.’’. 
(b) PROHIBITED ACTS.— 
(1) OFFENSES OTHER THAN MARKING.—Section 3(a) of the 
Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) 
and inserting the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) any plant— 
‘‘(i) taken, possessed, transported, or sold in viola-
tion of any law or regulation of any State, or any 
foreign law, that protects plants or that regulates— 
‘‘(I) the theft of plants; 
‘‘(II) the taking of plants from a park, forest 
reserve, or other officially protected area; 
‘‘(III) the taking of plants from an officially 
designated area; or 
‘‘(IV) the taking of plants without, or contrary 
to, required authorization; 
‘‘(ii) taken, possessed, transported, or sold without 
the payment of appropriate royalties, taxes, or stump-
age fees required for the plant by any law or regulation 
of any State or any foreign law; or
H. R. 6124—404 
‘‘(iii) taken, possessed, transported, or sold in viola-
tion of any limitation under any law or regulation 
of any State, or under any foreign law, governing the 
export or transshipment of plants; or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking subparagraph (B) 
and inserting the following subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) to possess any plant— 
‘‘(i) taken, possessed, transported, or sold in viola-
tion of any law or regulation of any State, or any 
foreign law, that protects plants or that regulates— 
‘‘(I) the theft of plants; 
‘‘(II) the taking of plants from a park, forest 
reserve, or other officially protected area; 
‘‘(III) the taking of plants from an officially 
designated area; or 
‘‘(IV) the taking of plants without, or contrary 
to, required authorization; 
‘‘(ii) taken, possessed, transported, or sold without 
the payment of appropriate royalties, taxes, or stump-
age fees required for the plant by any law or regulation 
of any State or any foreign law; or 
‘‘(iii) taken, possessed, transported, or sold in viola-
tion of any limitation under any law or regulation 
of any State, or under any foreign law, governing the 
export or transshipment of plants; or’’. 
(2) PLANT
DECLARATIONS.—Section 3 of the Lacey Act 
Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3372) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) PLANT DECLARATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IMPORT DECLARATION.—Effective 180 days from the 
date of enactment of this subsection, and except as provided 
in paragraph (3), it shall be unlawful for any person to import 
any plant unless the person files upon importation a declaration 
that contains— 
‘‘(A) the scientific name of any plant (including the 
genus and species of the plant) contained in the importa-
tion; 
‘‘(B) a description of— 
‘‘(i) the value of the importation; and 
‘‘(ii) the quantity, including the unit of measure, 
of the plant; and 
‘‘(C) the name of the country from which the plant 
was taken. 
‘‘(2) DECLARATION RELATING TO PLANT PRODUCTS.—Until 
the date on which the Secretary promulgates a regulation under 
paragraph (6), a declaration relating to a plant product shall— 
‘‘(A) in the case in which the species of plant used 
to produce the plant product that is the subject of the 
importation varies, and the species used to produce the 
plant product is unknown, contain the name of each species 
of plant that may have been used to produce the plant 
product; 
‘‘(B) in the case in which the species of plant used 
to produce the plant product that is the subject of the 
importation is commonly taken from more than one 
country, and the country from which the plant was taken 
and used to produce the plant product is unknown, contain
H. R. 6124—405 
the name of each country from which the plant may have 
been taken; and 
‘‘(C) in the case in which a paper or paperboard plant 
product includes recycled plant product, contain the aver-
age percent recycled content without regard for the species 
or country of origin of the recycled plant product, in addi-
tion to the information for the non-recycled plant content 
otherwise required by this subsection. 
‘‘(3) EXCLUSIONS.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply 
to plants used exclusively as packaging material to support, 
protect, or carry another item, unless the packaging material 
itself is the item being imported. 
‘‘(4) REVIEW.—Not later than two years after the date of 
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall review the 
implementation of each requirement imposed by paragraphs 
(1) and (2) and the effect of the exclusion provided by paragraph 
(3). In conducting the review, the Secretary shall provide public 
notice and an opportunity for comment. 
‘‘(5) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary completes the review under paragraph 
(4), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a report containing— 
‘‘(A) an evaluation of— 
‘‘(i) the effectiveness of each type of information 
required under paragraphs (1) and (2) in assisting 
enforcement of this section; and 
‘‘(ii) the potential to harmonize each requirement 
imposed by paragraphs (1) and (2) with other 
applicable import regulations in existence as of the 
date of the report; 
‘‘(B) recommendations for such legislation as the Sec-
retary determines to be appropriate to assist in the identi-
fication of plants that are imported into the United States 
in violation of this section; and 
‘‘(C) an analysis of the effect of subsection (a) and 
this subsection on— 
‘‘(i) the cost of legal plant imports; and 
‘‘(ii) the extent and methodology of illegal logging 
practices and trafficking. 
‘‘(6) PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date on which the Secretary completes the review 
under paragraph (4), the Secretary may promulgate regula-
tions— 
‘‘(A) to limit the applicability of any requirement 
imposed by paragraph (2) to specific plant products; 
‘‘(B) to make any other necessary modification to any 
requirement imposed by paragraph (2), as determined by 
the Secretary based on the review; and 
‘‘(C) to limit the scope of the exclusion provided by 
paragraph (3), if the limitations in scope are warranted 
as a result of the review.’’. 
(c) CROSS-REFERENCES TO NEW REQUIREMENT.—Section 4 of 
the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3373) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsections (b) and (d)’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘subsections (b), (d), and (f)’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘section 3(d)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (d) or (f) of section 3’’; and
H. R. 6124—406 
(3) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘subsection 3(b)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (b) or (f) of section 3, except as provided 
in paragraph (1),’’. 
(d) CIVIL FORFEITURES.—Section 5 of the Lacey Act Amend-
ments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3374) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) CIVIL FORFEITURES.—Civil forfeitures under this section 
shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United 
States Code.’’. 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.—Section 7 of the Lacey Act Amendments 
of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3376) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘section 4 and section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘sections 3(f), 4, and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) CLARIFICATION
OF
EXCLUSIONS
FROM
DEFINITION
OF 
PLANT.—The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the 
Interior, after consultation with the appropriate agencies, shall 
jointly promulgate regulations to define the terms used in section 
2(f)(2)(A) for the purposes of enforcement under this Act.’’. 
(f) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Effective as of November 14, 1988, 
and as if included therein as enacted, section 102(c) of Public 
Law 100–653 (102 Stat. 3825) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981’’ 
after ‘‘Section 4’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘(other than section 3(b))’’ and inserting 
‘‘(other than subsection 3(b))’’. 
SEC. 8205. HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM. 
(a) ENROLLMENT.—Section 502 of the Healthy Forests Restora-
tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(f)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (e) and (f); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (f); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(e) METHODS OF ENROLLMENT.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZED METHODS.—Land may be enrolled in the 
healthy forests reserve program in accordance with— 
‘‘(A) a 10-year cost-share agreement; 
‘‘(B) a 30-year easement; or 
‘‘(C)(i) a permanent easement; or 
‘‘(ii) in a State that imposes a maximum duration 
for easements, an easement for the maximum duration 
allowed under State law. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION ON USE OF COST-SHARE AGREEMENTS AND 
EASEMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Of the total amount of funds 
expended under the program for a fiscal year to acquire 
easements and enter into cost-share agreements described 
in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) not more than 40 percent shall be used for 
cost-share agreements described in paragraph (1)(A); 
and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 60 percent shall be used for 
easements described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) REPOOLING.—The Secretary may use any funds 
allocated under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) that
H. R. 6124—407 
are not obligated by April 1 of the fiscal year for which 
the funds are made available to carry out a different 
method of enrollment during that fiscal year. 
‘‘(3) ACREAGE OWNED BY INDIAN TRIBES.—In the case of 
acreage owned by an Indian tribe, the Secretary may enroll 
acreage into the healthy forests reserve program through the 
use of— 
‘‘(A) a 30-year contract (the value of which shall be 
equivalent to the value of a 30-year easement); 
‘‘(B) a 10-year cost-share agreement; or 
‘‘(C) any combination of the options described in sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B).’’. 
(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 504(a) of the Healthy For-
ests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6574(a)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘(a) EASEMENTS OF NOT MORE THAN 99 YEARS’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘502(f)(1)(C)’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) PERMANENT EASEMENTS.—In the case of land enrolled in 
the healthy forests reserve program using a permanent easement 
(or an easement described in section 502(f)(1)(C)(ii))’’. 
(c) FUNDING.—Section 508 of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6578) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 508. FUNDING. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration, the Secretary of Agriculture shall make available 
$9,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to carry 
out this title. 
‘‘(b) DURATION OF AVAILABILITY.—The funds made available 
under subsection (a) shall remain available until expended.’’. 
Subtitle D—Boundary Adjustments and 
Land Conveyance Provisions 
SEC. 8301. GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST BOUNDARY ADJUST-
MENT. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The boundary of the Green Mountain 
National Forest is modified to include the 13 designated expansion 
units as generally depicted on the forest maps entitled ‘‘Green 
Mountain Expansion Area Map I’’ and ‘‘Green Mountain Expansion 
Area Map II’’ and dated February 20, 2002 (copies of which shall 
be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the 
Chief of the Forest Service, Washington, District of Columbia), 
and more particularly described according to the site specific maps 
and legal descriptions on file in the office of the Forest Supervisor, 
Green Mountain National Forest. 
(b) MANAGEMENT.—Federally owned land delineated on the 
maps acquired for National Forest purposes shall continue to be 
managed in accordance with the laws (including regulations) 
applicable to the National Forest System. 
(c) LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND.—For the purposes 
of section 7 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 
1965 (16 U.S.C. 460 l–9), the boundaries of the Green Mountain 
National Forest, as adjusted by this section, shall be considered 
to be the boundaries of the national forest as of January 1, 1965.
H. R. 6124—408 
SEC. 8302. LAND CONVEYANCES, CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE PARK, 
NEW MEXICO, AND GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL 
FOREST, VIRGINIA. 
(a) CHIHUAHUAN DESERT NATURE PARK CONVEYANCE.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date 
of enactment of this Act, subject to valid existing rights and 
subsection (b), the Secretary of Agriculture shall convey to 
the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park, Inc., a nonprofit corpora-
tion in the State of New Mexico (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Nature Park’’), by quitclaim deed and for no consider-
ation, all right, title, and interest of the United States in 
and to the land described in paragraph (2) 
(2) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The parcel of land referred to in 
paragraph (1) consists of the approximately 935.62 acres 
of land in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, which is more 
particularly described— 
(i) as sections 17, 20, and 21 of T. 21 S., R. 2 
E., N.M.P.M.; and 
(ii) in an easement deed dated May 14, 1998, from 
the Department of Agriculture to the Nature Park. 
(B) MODIFICATIONS.—The Secretary may modify the 
description of the land under subparagraph (A) to— 
(i) correct errors in the description; or 
(ii) facilitate management of the land. 
(b) CONDITIONS.—The conveyance of land under subsection (a) 
shall be subject to— 
(1) the reservation by the United States of all mineral 
and subsurface rights to the land, including any geothermal 
resources; 
(2) the condition that the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park 
Board pay any costs relating to the conveyance; 
(3) any rights-of-way reserved by the Secretary; 
(4) a covenant or restriction in the deed to the land 
requiring that— 
(A) the land may be used only for educational or sci-
entific purposes; and 
(B) if the land is no longer used for the purposes 
described in subparagraph (A), the land may, at the discre-
tion of the Secretary, revert to the United States in accord-
ance with subsection (c); and 
(5) any other terms and conditions that the Secretary deter-
mines to be appropriate. 
(c) REVERSION.—If the land conveyed under subsection (a) is 
no longer used for the purposes described in subsection (b)(4)(A), 
the land may, at the discretion of the Secretary, revert to the 
United States. If the Secretary chooses to have the land revert 
to the United States, the Secretary shall— 
(1) determine whether the land is environmentally contami-
nated, including contamination from hazardous wastes, haz-
ardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, or 
petroleum by-products; and 
(2) if the Secretary determines that the land is environ-
mentally contaminated, the Nature Park, the successor to the 
Nature Park, or any other person responsible for the contamina-
tion shall be required to remediate the contamination.
H. R. 6124—409 
(d) WITHDRAWAL.—All federally owned mineral and subsurface 
rights to the land to be conveyed under subsection (a) are withdrawn 
from— 
(1) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
and 
(2) the operation of the mineral leasing laws, including 
the geothermal leasing laws. 
(e) WATER RIGHTS.—Nothing in subsection (a) authorizes the 
conveyance of water rights to the Nature Park. 
(f) GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST CONVEYANCE, VIR-
GINIA.— 
(1) CONVEYANCE REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
shall convey, without consideration, to the Central Advent 
Christian Church of Alleghany County, Virginia (in this sub-
section referred to as the ‘‘recipient’’), all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in and to a parcel of real property 
in the George Washington National Forest, Alleghany County, 
Virginia, consisting of not more than 8 acres, including a ceme-
tery encompassing approximately 6 acres designated as an 
area of special use for the recipient, and depicted on the Forest 
Service map showing tract G–2032c and dated August 20, 2002, 
and the Forest Service map showing the area of special use 
and dated March 14, 2001. 
(2) CONDITION
OF
CONVEYANCE.—The conveyance under 
this subsection shall be subject to the condition that the 
recipient accept the real property described in paragraph (1) 
in its condition at the time of the conveyance, commonly known 
as conveyance ‘‘as is’’. 
(3) DESCRIPTION
OF
PROPERTY.—The exact acreage and 
legal description of the real property to be conveyed under 
this subsection shall be determined by a survey satisfactory 
to the Secretary. The cost of the survey shall be borne by 
the recipient. 
(4) ADDITIONAL
TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS.—The Secretary 
may require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
with the conveyance under this subsection as the Secretary 
considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
SEC. 8303. SALE AND EXCHANGE OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND, 
VERMONT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BROMLEY.—The term ‘‘Bromley’’ means Bromley Moun-
tain Ski Resort, Inc. 
(2) MAP.—The term ‘‘map’’ means the map entitled ‘‘Pro-
posed Bromley Land Sale or Exchange’’ and dated April 7, 
2004. 
(3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Vermont. 
(b) SALE OR EXCHANGE OF GREEN MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST 
LAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture may, under 
any terms and conditions that the Secretary may prescribe, 
sell or exchange any right, title, and interest of the United 
States in and to the parcels of National Forest System land 
described in paragraph (2). 
(2) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The parcels of National Forest 
System land referred to in paragraph (1) are the 5 parcels
H. R. 6124—410 
of land in Bennington County in the State, as generally depicted 
on the map. 
(3) MAP AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The map shall be on file and avail-
able for public inspection in— 
(i) the office of the Chief of the Forest Service; 
and 
(ii) the office of the Supervisor of the Green Moun-
tain National Forest. 
(B) MODIFICATIONS.—The Secretary may modify the 
map and legal descriptions to— 
(i) correct technical errors; or 
(ii) facilitate the conveyance under paragraph (1). 
(4) 
CONSIDERATION.—Consideration 
for 
the 
sale 
or 
exchange of land described in paragraph (2)— 
(A) shall be equal to an amount that is not less than 
the fair market value of the land sold or exchanged; and 
(B) may be in the form of cash, land, or a combination 
of cash and land. 
(5) APPRAISALS.—Any appraisal carried out to facilitate 
the sale or exchange of land under paragraph (1) shall conform 
with the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land 
Acquisitions. 
(6) METHODS OF SALE.— 
(A) CONVEYANCE TO BROMLEY.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Before soliciting offers under 
subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall offer to convey 
to Bromley the land described in paragraph (2). 
(ii) CONTRACT DEADLINE.—If Bromley accepts the 
offer under clause (i), the Secretary and Bromley shall 
have not more than 180 days after the date on which 
any environmental analyses with respect to the land 
are completed to enter into a contract for the sale 
or exchange of the land. 
(B) PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SALE.—If the Secretary and 
Bromley do not enter into a contract for the sale or 
exchange of the land by the date specified in subparagraph 
(A)(ii), the Secretary may sell or exchange the land at 
public or private sale (including auction), in accordance 
with such terms, conditions, and procedures as the Sec-
retary determines to be in the public interest. 
(C) REJECTION OF OFFERS.—The Secretary may reject 
any offer received under this paragraph if the Secretary 
determines that the offer is not adequate or is not in 
the public interest. 
(D) BROKERS.—In any sale or exchange of land under 
this subsection, the Secretary may— 
(i) use a real estate broker or other third party; 
and 
(ii) pay the real estate broker or third party a 
commission in an amount comparable to the amounts 
of commission generally paid for real estate trans-
actions in the area. 
(7) CASH EQUALIZATION.—Notwithstanding section 206(b) 
of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1716(b)), the Secretary may accept a cash equalization
H. R. 6124—411 
payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of any Federal 
land exchanged under this section. 
(c) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall deposit the net pro-
ceeds from a sale or exchange under this section in the fund 
established under Public Law 90–171 (16 U.S.C. 484a) (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’). 
(2) USE.—Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall 
be available to the Secretary until expended, without further 
appropriation, for— 
(A) the location and relocation of the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail and the Long National Recreation 
Trail in the State; 
(B) the acquisition of land and interests in land by 
the Secretary for National Forest System purposes within 
the boundary of the Green Mountain National Forest, 
including land for and adjacent to the Appalachian National 
Scenic Trail and the Long National Recreation Trail; 
(C) the acquisition of wetland or an interest in wetland 
within the boundary of the Green Mountain National 
Forest to offset the loss of wetland from the parcels sold 
or exchanged; and 
(D) the payment of direct administrative costs incurred 
in carrying out this section. 
(3) LIMITATION.—Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) 
shall not— 
(A) be paid or distributed to the State or counties 
or towns in the State under any provision of law; or 
(B) be considered to be money received from units 
of the National Forest System for purposes of— 
(i) the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 U.S.C. 500); or 
(ii) the Act of March 4, 1913 (16 U.S.C. 501). 
(4) PROHIBITION
OF
TRANSFER
OR
REPROGRAMMING.— 
Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall not be subject 
to transfer or reprogramming for wildfire management or any 
other emergency purposes. 
(d) ACQUISITION OF LAND.—The Secretary may acquire, using 
funds made available under subsection (c) or otherwise made avail-
able for acquisition, land or an interest in land for National Forest 
System purposes within the boundary of the Green Mountain 
National Forest. 
(e) EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN LAWS.—Subtitle I of title 40, 
United States Code, shall not apply to any sale or exchange of 
National Forest System land under this section. 
Subtitle E—Miscellaneous Provisions 
SEC. 8401. QUALIFYING TIMBER CONTRACT OPTIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
AUTHORIZED
PRODUCER
PRICE
INDEX.—The 
term 
‘‘authorized Producer Price Index’’ includes— 
(A) the softwood commodity index (code number WPU 
0811); 
(B) the hardwood commodity index (code number WPU 
0812);
H. R. 6124—412 
(C) 
the 
wood 
chip 
index 
(code 
number 
PCU 
3211133211135); and 
(D) any other subsequent comparable index, as estab-
lished by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department 
of Labor and utilized by the Secretary of Agriculture. 
(2) QUALIFYING CONTRACT.—The term ‘‘qualifying contract’’ 
means a contract for the sale of timber on National Forest 
System land— 
(A) that was awarded during the period beginning 
on July 1, 2004, and ending on December 31, 2006; 
(B) for which there is unharvested volume remaining; 
(C) for which, not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the timber purchaser makes a 
written request to the Secretary for one or more of the 
options described in subsection (b); 
(D) that is not a salvage sale; 
(E) for which the Secretary determines there is not 
an urgent need to harvest due to deteriorating timber 
conditions that developed after the award of the contract; 
and 
(F) that is not in breach or in default. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 
(b) OPTIONS FOR QUALIFYING CONTRACTS.— 
(1) CANCELLATION OR RATE REDETERMINATION.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, if the rate at which a 
qualifying contract would be advertised as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act is at least 50 percent less than the sum 
of the original bid rates for all of the species of timber that 
are the subject of the qualifying contract, the Secretary may, 
at the sole discretion of the Secretary— 
(A) cancel the qualifying contract if the timber pur-
chaser— 
(i) pays 30 percent of the total value of the timber 
remaining in the qualifying contract based on bid rates; 
(ii) 
completes 
each 
contractual 
obligation 
(including the removal of downed timber, the comple-
tion of road work, and the completion of erosion control 
work) of the timber purchaser with respect to each 
unit on which harvest has begun to a logical stopping 
point, as determined by the Secretary after consulta-
tion with the timber purchaser; and 
(iii) terminates its rights under the qualifying con-
tract; or 
(B) modify the qualifying contract to redetermine the 
current contract rate of the qualifying contract to equal 
the sum obtained by adding— 
(i) 25 percent of the bid premium on the qualifying 
contract; and 
(ii) the rate at which the qualifying contract would 
be advertised as of the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) SUBSTITUTION OF INDEX.— 
(A) SUBSTITUTION.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, the Secretary may, at the sole discretion of 
the Secretary, substitute the Producer Price Index specified 
in the qualifying contract of a timber purchaser if the 
timber purchaser identifies—
H. R. 6124—413 
(i) the products the timber purchaser intends to 
produce from the timber harvested under the quali-
fying contract; and 
(ii) a substitute index from an authorized Producer 
Price Index that more accurately represents the 
predominant product identified in clause (i) for which 
there is an index. 
(B) RATE REDETERMINATION FOLLOWING SUBSTITUTION 
OF INDEX.—If the Secretary substitutes the Producer Price 
Index of a qualifying contract under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary may, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, 
modify the qualifying contract to provide for— 
(i) an emergency rate redetermination under the 
terms of the contract; or 
(ii) a rate redetermination under paragraph (1)(B). 
(C) LIMITATION ON MARKET-RELATED CONTRACT TERM 
ADDITION; PERIODIC PAYMENTS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, if the Secretary substitutes the Producer 
Price Index of a qualifying contract under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary may, at the sole discretion of the Sec-
retary, modify the qualifying contract— 
(i) to adjust the term in accordance with the 
market-related contract term addition provision in the 
qualifying contract and section 223.52 of title 36, Code 
of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of 
the adjustment, but only if the drastic reduction cri-
teria in such section are met for 2 or more consecutive 
calendar year quarters beginning with the calendar 
quarter in which the Secretary substitutes the Pro-
ducer Price Index under subparagraph (A); and 
(ii) to adjust the periodic payments required under 
the contract in accordance with applicable law and 
policies. 
(3) CONTRACTS
USING
HARDWOOD
LUMBER
INDEX.—With 
respect to a qualifying contract using the hardwood commodity 
index referred to in subsection (a)(1)(B) for which the Secretary 
does not substitute the Producer Price Index under paragraph 
(2), the Secretary may, at the sole discretion of the Secretary— 
(A) extend the contract term for a 1-year period begin-
ning on the current contract termination date; and 
(B) adjust the periodic payments required under the 
contract in accordance with applicable law and policies. 
(c) EXTENSION OF MARKET-RELATED CONTRACT TERM ADDITION 
TIME LIMIT FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, upon the written request of a timber purchaser, 
the Secretary may, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, modify 
a timber sale contract (including a qualifying contract) awarded 
to the purchaser before January 1, 2007, to adjust the term of 
the contract in accordance with the market-related contract term 
addition provision in the contract and section 223.52 of title 36, 
Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the modifica-
tion, except that the Secretary may add no more than 4 years 
to the original contract length. 
(d) EFFECT OF OPTIONS.— 
(1) NO SURRENDER OF CLAIMS.—Operation of this section 
shall not have the effect of surrendering any claim by the 
United States against any timber purchaser that arose—
H. R. 6124—414 
(A) under a qualifying contract before the date on 
which the Secretary cancels the contract or redetermines 
the rate under subsection (b)(1), substitutes a Producer 
Price Index under subsection (b)(2), or modifies the contract 
under subsection (b)(3); or 
(B) under a timber sale contract, including a qualifying 
contract, before the date on which the Secretary adjusts 
the contract term under subsection (c). 
(2) RELEASE OF LIABILITY.—In the written request for any 
option provided under subsections (b) and (c), a timber pur-
chaser shall release the United States from all liability, 
including further consideration or compensation, resulting 
from— 
(A) the cancellation of a qualifying contract of the 
purchaser or rate redetermination under subsection (b)(1), 
the substitution of a Producer Price Index under subsection 
(b)(2), the modification of the contract under subsection 
(b)(3) or a determination by the Secretary not to provide 
the cancellation, redetermination, substitution, or modifica-
tion; or 
(B) the modification of the term of a timber sale con-
tract (including a qualifying contract) of the purchaser 
under subsection (c) or a determination by the Secretary 
not to provide the modification. 
(3) LIMITATION.—Subject to subsection (b)(1)(A), the can-
cellation of a qualifying contract by the Secretary under sub-
section (b)(1) shall release the timber purchaser from further 
obligation under the canceled contract. 
SEC. 8402. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION AGRICULTURAL LAND 
NATIONAL RESOURCES LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITION OF HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION.—In this sec-
tion, the term ‘‘Hispanic-serving institution’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5)). 
(b) GRANT AUTHORITY.—The Secretary of Agriculture may make 
grants, on a competitive basis, to Hispanic-serving institutions for 
the purpose of establishing an undergraduate scholarship program 
to assist in the recruitment, retention, and training of Hispanics 
and other under-represented groups in forestry and related fields. 
(c) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—Grants made under this section 
shall be used to recruit, retain, train, and develop professionals 
to work in forestry and related fields with Federal agencies, such 
as the Forest Service, State agencies, and private-sector entities. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 
section. 
TITLE IX—ENERGY 
SEC. 9001. ENERGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended to 
read as follows: