H. R. 2673
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the seventh day of January, two thousand and three
An Act
Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2004’’.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. References.
DIVISION A—AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG AD-
MINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS,
2004
Title I—Agricultural Programs
Title II—Conservation Programs
Title III—Rural Development Programs
Title IV—Domestic Food Programs
Title V—Foreign Assistance and Related Programs
Title VI—Related Agencies and Food and Drug Administration
Title VII—General Provisions
DIVISION B—COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Department of Justice
Title II—Department of Commerce and Related Agencies
Title III—The Judiciary
Title IV—Department of State and Related Agency
Title V—Related Agencies
Title VI—General Provisions
Title VII—Rescissions
Title VIII—Alaskan Fisheries
DIVISION C—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Federal Funds
Title II—District of Columbia Funds
Title III—DC School Choice Incentive Act of 2003
Title IV—General Provisions
DIVISION D—FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED
PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Export and Investment Assistance
Title II—Bilateral Economic Assistance
Title III—Military Assistance
Title IV—Multilateral Economic Assistance
H. R. 2673—2
Title V—General Provisions
Title VI—Millennium Challenge Act of 2003
DIVISION E—LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION,
AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Department of Labor
Title II—Department of Health and Human Services
Title III—Department of Education
Title IV—Related Agencies
Title V—General Provisions
DIVISION F—TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, AND INDEPENDENT
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Department of Transportation
Title II—Department of the Treasury
Title III—Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to the Presi-
dent
Title IV—Independent Agencies
Title V—General Provisions
Title VI—General Provisions—Departments, Agencies, and Corporations
DIVISION G—VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS, 2004
Title I—Department of Veterans Affairs
Title II—Department of Housing and Urban Development
Title III—Independent Agencies
Title IV—General Provisions
Title V—Pesticide Products and Fees
DIVISION H—MISCELLANEOUS APPROPRIATIONS AND OFFSETS
SEC. 3. REFERENCES.
Except as expressly provided otherwise, any reference to ‘‘this
Act’’ contained in any division of this Act shall be treated as
referring only to the provisions of that division.
DIVISION A—AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT,
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004
An Act
Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004,
and for other purposes.
That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for
other purposes, namely:
H. R. 2673—3
TITLE I
AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS
PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND MARKETING
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of Agri-
culture, $5,092,000: Provided, That not to exceed $11,000 of this
amount shall be available for official reception and representation
expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined by the Sec-
retary.
EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS
CHIEF ECONOMIST
For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including eco-
nomic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, energy and
new uses, and the functions of the World Agricultural Outlook
Board, as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
(7 U.S.C. 1622g), $8,707,000.
NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION
For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division,
$13,670,000.
OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS
For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program
Analysis, $7,740,000.
HOMELAND SECURITY STAFF
For necessary expenses of the Homeland Security Staff,
$499,000.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Information
Officer, $15,493,000.
COMMON COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
For necessary expenses to acquire a Common Computing
Environment for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service and Rural Development
mission areas for information technology, systems, and services,
$119,289,000, to remain available until expended, for the capital
asset acquisition of shared information technology systems,
including services as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 6915–16 and 40 U.S.C.
1421–28: Provided, That obligation of these funds shall be consistent
with the Department of Agriculture Service Center Modernization
Plan of the county-based agencies, and shall be with the concurrence
of the Department’s Chief Information Officer.
H. R. 2673—4
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer, $5,684,000: Provided, That the Chief Financial Officer shall
actively market and expand cross-servicing activities of the National
Finance Center: Provided further, That no funds made available
by this appropriation may be obligated for FAIR Act or Circular
A–76 activities until the Secretary has submitted to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the
Department’s contracting out policies, including agency budgets
for contracting out.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assist-
ant Secretary for Civil Rights, $808,000.
OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS
For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights,
$17,450,000.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assist-
ant Secretary for Administration, $673,000.
AGRICULTURE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AND RENTAL PAYMENTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to
Public Law 92–313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984
delegation of authority from the Administrator of General Services
to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 486, for programs
and activities of the Department which are included in this Act,
and for alterations and other actions needed for the Department
and its agencies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations
suitable for release to the Administrator of General Services, and
for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agri-
culture buildings and facilities, and for related costs, as follows:
for payments to the General Services Administration, $123,910,000,
and for buildings operations and maintenance, $32,559,000, to
remain available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed 5
percent of amounts which are made available for space rental
and related costs for the Department of Agriculture in this Act
may be transferred between such appropriations to cover the costs
of new or replacement space 15 days after notice thereof is trans-
mitted to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Con-
gress.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to
comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-
pensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.),
H. R. 2673—5
$15,611,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That
appropriations and funds available herein to the Department for
Hazardous Materials Management may be transferred to any
agency of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements
pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands.
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For Departmental Administration, $23,031,000, to provide for
necessary expenses for management support services to offices of
the Department and for general administration, security, repairs
and alterations, and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses
not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and
efficient work of the Department: Provided, That this appropriation
shall be reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act
for travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required
by 5 U.S.C. 551–558.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONGRESSIONAL
RELATIONS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assist-
ant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out the programs
funded by this Act, including programs involving intergovernmental
affairs and liaison within the executive branch, $3,796,000: Pro-
vided, That these funds may be transferred to agencies of the
Department of Agriculture funded by this Act to maintain personnel
at the agency level: Provided further, That no funds made available
by this appropriation may be obligated after 30 days from the
date of enactment of this Act, unless the Secretary has notified
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on
the allocation of these funds by USDA agency: Provided further,
That no other funds appropriated to the Department by this Act
shall be available to the Department for support of activities of
congressional relations.
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry out services relating to the
coordination of programs involving public affairs, for the dissemina-
tion of agricultural information, and the coordination of information,
work, and programs authorized by Congress in the Department,
$9,228,000: Provided, That not to exceed $2,000,000 may be used
for farmers’ bulletins.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General,
including employment pursuant to the Inspector General Act of
1978, $77,281,000, including such sums as may be necessary for
contracting and other arrangements with public agencies and pri-
vate persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General
Act of 1978, and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain con-
fidential operational expenses, including the payment of informants,
H. R. 2673—6
to be expended under the direction of the Inspector General pursu-
ant to Public Law 95–452 and section 1337 of Public Law 97–
98.
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General Counsel,
$34,700,000.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND
ECONOMICS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Economic Research
Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricul-
tural Research Service, and the Cooperative State Research, Edu-
cation, and Extension Service, $596,000.
ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service in
conducting economic research and analysis, as authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621–1627) and other
laws, $71,402,000.
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural Statistics
Service in conducting statistical reporting and service work,
including crop and livestock estimates, statistical coordination and
improvements, marketing surveys, and the Census of Agriculture,
as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627 and 2204g, and other laws,
$128,922,000, of which up to $25,279,000 shall be available until
expended for the Census of Agriculture.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Research
Service to perform agricultural research and demonstration relating
to production, utilization, marketing, and distribution (not otherwise
provided for); home economics or nutrition and consumer use
including the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of agri-
cultural information; and for acquisition of lands by donation,
exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and
for land exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal
value or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor
which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the land
or interests transferred out of Federal ownership, $1,088,892,000:
Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for the
operation and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not
to exceed one for replacement only: Provided further, That appro-
priations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250
for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings and improve-
ments, but unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any
one building shall not exceed $375,000, except for headhouses or
greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,200,000, and except
H. R. 2673—7
for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved at a cost not to
exceed $750,000 each, and the cost of altering any one building
during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current
replacement value of the building or $375,000, whichever is greater:
Provided further, That the limitations on alterations contained in
this Act shall not apply to modernization or replacement of existing
facilities at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That appropria-
tions hereunder shall be available for granting easements at the
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center: Provided further, That the
foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement of buildings
needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a):
Provided further, That funds may be received from any State,
other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the pur-
pose of establishing or operating any research facility or research
project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized by law:
Provided further, That all rights and title of the United States
in the 1.0664-acre parcel of land including improvements, as
recorded at Book 1320, Page 253, records of Larimer County, State
of Colorado, shall be conveyed to the Board of Governors of the
Colorado State University for the benefit of Colorado State Univer-
sity.
None of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be
available to carry out research related to the production, processing
or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement,
extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities
as necessary to carry out the agricultural research programs of
the Department of Agriculture, where not otherwise provided,
$63,810,000, to remain available until expended.
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION
SERVICE
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for coopera-
tive forestry and other research, for facilities, and for other
expenses, $621,447,000, as follows: to carry out the provisions of
the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a–i), $180,148,000; for grants
for cooperative forestry research (16 U.S.C. 582a through a–7),
$21,884,000; for payments to the 1890 land-grant colleges, including
Tuskegee University and West Virginia State College (7 U.S.C.
3222), $36,000,000, of which $1,507,496 shall be made available
only for the purpose of ensuring that each institution shall receive
no less than $1,000,000; for special grants for agricultural research
(7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $111,312,000; for special grants for agricultural
research on improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $13,675,000;
for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), $165,000,000;
for the support of animal health and disease programs (7 U.S.C.
3195), $4,559,000; for supplemental and alternative crops and prod-
ucts (7 U.S.C. 3319d), $1,069,000; for grants for research pursuant
to the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178 et seq.),
$1,118,000, to remain available until expended; for the 1994
research grants program for 1994 institutions pursuant to section
536 of Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), $1,093,000, to
H. R. 2673—8
remain available until expended; for rangeland research grants
(7 U.S.C. 3333), $900,000; for higher education graduate fellowship
grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)), $2,900,000, to remain available until
expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for higher education challenge grants
(7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)), $4,888,000; for a higher education multicul-
tural scholars program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), $992,000, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for an education grants
program 
for 
Hispanic-serving 
Institutions 
(7 
U.S.C. 
3241),
$4,673,000; for noncompetitive grants for the purpose of carrying
out all provisions of 7 U.S.C. 3242 (section 759 of Public Law
106–78) to individual eligible institutions or consortia of eligible
institutions in Alaska and in Hawaii, with funds awarded equally
to each of the States of Alaska and Hawaii, $3,150,000; for a
secondary agriculture education program and 2-year post-secondary
education (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)), $895,000; for aquaculture grants (7
U.S.C. 3322), $4,024,000; for sustainable agriculture research and
education (7 U.S.C. 5811), $12,295,000; for a program of capacity
building grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to colleges eligible to receive
funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 U.S.C. 321–326 and
328), including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State Col-
lege, $11,479,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b); for payments to the 1994 Institutions pursuant to section
534(a)(1) of Public Law 103–382, $1,689,000; and for necessary
expenses of Research and Education Activities, $37,704,000.
None of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be
available to carry out research related to the production, processing
or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products: Provided, That this
paragraph shall not apply to research on the medical, biotechno-
logical, food, and industrial uses of tobacco.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund author-
ized by Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), $9,000,000.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
For payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and
American Samoa, $441,731,000, as follows: payments for cooperative
extension work under the Smith-Lever Act, to be distributed under
sections 3(b) and 3(c) of said Act, and under section 208(c) of
Public Law 93–471, for retirement and employees’ compensation
costs for extension agents, $279,390,000; payments for extension
work at the 1994 Institutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C.
343(b)(3)), $2,946,000; payments for the nutrition and family edu-
cation program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act,
$52,366,000; payments for the pest management program under
section 3(d) of the Act, $9,620,000; payments for the farm safety
program under section 3(d) of the Act, $4,940,000; payments to
upgrade research, extension, and teaching facilities at the 1890
land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University and West Vir-
ginia State College, as authorized by section 1447 of Public Law
95–113 (7 U.S.C. 3222b), $15,000,000, to remain available until
expended; payments for youth-at-risk programs under section 3(d)
of the Smith-Lever Act, $7,583,000; for youth farm safety education
and certification extension grants, to be awarded competitively
under section 3(d) of the Act, $446,000; payments for carrying
H. R. 2673—9
out the provisions of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of
1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), $4,064,000; payments for Indian
reservation agents under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act,
$1,785,000; payments for sustainable agriculture programs under
section 3(d) of the Act, $4,359,000; payments for rural health and
safety education as authorized by section 502(i) of Public Law
92–419 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)), $2,345,000; payments for cooperative
extension work by the colleges receiving the benefits of the second
Morrill Act (7 U.S.C. 321–326 and 328) and Tuskegee University
and West Virginia State College, $31,908,000, of which $1,724,884
shall be made available only for the purpose of ensuring that
each institution shall receive no less than $1,000,000; for grants
to youth organizations pursuant to section 7630 of title 7, United
States Code, $2,683,000; and for necessary expenses of Extension
Activities, $22,296,000.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
For the integrated research, education, and extension grants
programs, 
including 
necessary 
administrative 
expenses,
$50,493,000, as follows: for competitive grants programs authorized
under section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626), $39,793,000,
including $11,598,000 for the water quality program, $13,384,000
for the food safety program, $4,052,000 for the regional pest
management centers program, $4,371,000 for the Food Quality
Protection Act risk mitigation program for major food crop systems,
$1,338,000 for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection Act
implementation, $3,150,000 for the methyl bromide transition pro-
gram, and $1,900,000 for the organic transition program; for a
competitive international science and education grants program
authorized under section 1459A of the National Agricultural
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
3292b), to remain available until expended, $900,000; for grants
programs authorized under section 2(c)(1)(B) of Public Law 89–
106, as amended, $1,800,000, including $447,000, to remain avail-
able until September 30, 2005 for the critical issues program, and
$1,353,000 for the regional rural development centers program;
and $8,000,000 for the homeland security program authorized under
section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and
Teaching Act of 1977, to remain available until September 30,
2005.
OUTREACH FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279),
$5,970,000, to remain available until expended.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MARKETING AND
REGULATORY PROGRAMS
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to administer
programs under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service; the Agricultural Marketing
Service; and the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Adminis-
tration, $725,000.
H. R. 2673—10
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to prevent,
control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal diseases; to
carry out inspection, quarantine, and regulatory activities; and to
protect the environment, as authorized by law, $720,580,000, of
which $4,112,000 shall be available for the control of outbreaks
of insects, plant diseases, animal diseases and for control of pest
animals and birds to the extent necessary to meet emergency condi-
tions; of which $51,000,000 shall be used for the boll weevil eradi-
cation program for cost share purposes or for debt retirement for
active eradication zones: Provided, That no funds shall be used
to formulate or administer a brucellosis eradication program for
the current fiscal year that does not require minimum matching
by the States of at least 40 percent: Provided further, That this
appropriation shall be available for the operation and maintenance
of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed four, of which two
shall be for replacement only: Provided further, That, in addition,
in emergencies which threaten any segment of the agricultural
production industry of this country, the Secretary may transfer
from other appropriations or funds available to the agencies or
corporations of the Department such sums as may be deemed nec-
essary, to be available only in such emergencies for the arrest
and eradication of contagious or infectious disease or pests of ani-
mals, poultry, or plants, and for expenses in accordance with sec-
tions 10411 and 10417 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7
U.S.C. 8310 and 8316) and sections 431 and 442 of the Plant
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7751 and 7772), and any unexpended
balances of funds transferred for such emergency purposes in the
preceding fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred
amounts: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall
be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and
alteration of leased buildings and improvements, but unless other-
wise provided the cost of altering any one building during the
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement
value of the building.
In fiscal year 2004, the agency is authorized to collect fees
to cover the total costs of providing technical assistance, goods,
or services requested by States, other political subdivisions,
domestic and international organizations, foreign governments, or
individuals, provided that such fees are structured such that any
entity’s liability for such fees is reasonably based on the technical
assistance, goods, or services provided to the entity by the agency,
and such fees shall be credited to this account, to remain available
until expended, without further appropriation, for providing such
assistance, goods, or services.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance,
environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, and
purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 428a,
$4,996,000, to remain available until expended.
H. R. 2673—11
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
MARKETING SERVICES
For necessary expenses to carry out services related to con-
sumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribution, transpor-
tation, and regulatory programs, as authorized by law, and for
administration and coordination of payments to States, $75,430,000,
including funds for the wholesale market development program
for the design and development of wholesale and farmer market
facilities for the major metropolitan areas of the country: Provided,
That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C.
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements,
but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year
shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of
the building: Provided further, That, in the case of the term of
protection for the variety for which certificate number 8200179
was issued, on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
of Agriculture shall issue a new certificate for a term of protection
of 10 years for the variety, except that the Secretary may terminate
the certificate (at the end of any calendar year that is more than
5 years after the date of issuance of the certificate) if the Secretary
determines that a new variety of seed (that is substantially based
on the genetics of the variety for which the certificate was issued)
is commercially viable and available in sufficient quantities to meet
market demands.
Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization activities,
as established by regulation pursuant to law (31 U.S.C. 9701).
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $62,577,000 (from fees collected) shall be obli-
gated during the current fiscal year for administrative expenses:
Provided, That if crop size is understated and/or other uncontrol-
lable events occur, the agency may exceed this limitation by up
to 10 percent with notification to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress.
FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY
(SECTION 32)
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24,
1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity program
expenses as authorized therein, and other related operating
expenses, except for: (1) transfers to the Department of Commerce
as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of August 8, 1956;
(2) transfers otherwise provided in this Act; and (3) not more
than $15,392,000 for formulation and administration of marketing
agreements and orders pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937 and the Agricultural Act of 1961.
PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS
For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and
departments of markets, and similar agencies for marketing activi-
ties under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946
H. R. 2673—12
(7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $3,338,000, of which not less than $2,000,000
shall be used to make noncompetitive grants under this heading.
GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the United
States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of the Packers
and Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures used to protect pur-
chasers of farm products, and the standardization activities related
to grain under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, $35,890,000:
Provided, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to
law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and
improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during
the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replace-
ment value of the building.
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES
Not to exceed $42,463,000 (from fees collected) shall be obli-
gated during the current fiscal year for inspection and weighing
services: Provided, That if grain export activities require additional
supervision and oversight, or other uncontrollable factors occur,
this limitation may be exceeded by up to 10 percent with notification
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD SAFETY
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws enacted by the
Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, $599,000.
FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE
For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized by
the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection
Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, including not to exceed
$50,000 for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant
to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766),
$784,511,000, of which no less than $701,823,000 shall be available
for Federal food safety inspection; and in addition, $1,000,000 may
be credited to this account from fees collected for the cost of labora-
tory accreditation as authorized by section 1327 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 138f): Pro-
vided, That no fewer than 50 full time equivalent positions above
the fiscal year 2002 level shall be employed during fiscal year
2004 for purposes dedicated solely to inspections and enforcement
related to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act: Provided further,
That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C.
2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements,
but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year
shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of
the building.
H. R. 2673—13
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FARM AND FOREIGN
AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to administer
the laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service Agency, the
Foreign Agricultural Service, the Risk Management Agency, and
the Commodity Credit Corporation, $635,000.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration
and implementation of programs administered by the Farm Service
Agency, $988,768,000: Provided, That the Secretary is authorized
to use the services, facilities, and authorities (but not the funds)
of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make program payments
for all programs administered by the Agency: Provided further,
That other funds made available to the Agency for authorized
activities may be advanced to and merged with this account.
STATE MEDIATION GRANTS
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural Credit
Act of 1987, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5101–5106), $3,974,000.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity payments
to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products under a
dairy indemnity program, $100,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That such program is carried out by the Sec-
retary in the same manner as the dairy indemnity program
described in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001
(Public Law 106–387; 114 Stat. 1549A–12).
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed farm ownership (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) and operating
(7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.) loans, Indian tribe land acquisition loans
(25 U.S.C. 488), and boll weevil loans (7 U.S.C. 1989), to be available
from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as follows:
farm ownership loans, $1,079,158,000, of which $950,000,000 shall
be for guaranteed loans and $129,158,000 shall be for direct loans;
operating loans, $2,083,752,000, of which $1,200,000,000 shall be
for unsubsidized guaranteed loans, $266,249,000 shall be for sub-
sidized guaranteed loans and $617,503,000 shall be for direct loans;
Indian tribe land acquisition loans, $2,000,000; and for boll weevil
eradication program loans, $100,000,000.
H. R. 2673—14
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the
cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: farm ownership loans,
$33,648,000, of which $5,130,000 shall be for guaranteed loans,
and $28,518,000 shall be for direct loans; operating loans,
$163,004,000, of which $39,960,000 shall be for unsubsidized
guaranteed loans, $34,000,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed
loans, and $89,044,000 shall be for direct loans.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $290,968,000, of
which $283,020,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the
appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural Credit Insur-
ance Program Account for farm ownership and operating direct
loans and guaranteed loans may be transferred among these pro-
grams: Provided, That the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress are notified at least 15 days in advance of
any transfer.
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by
section 226A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act
of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933), $71,422,000: Provided, That not to exceed
$1,000 shall be available for official reception and representation
expenses, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1506(i).
CORPORATIONS
The following corporations and agencies are hereby authorized
to make expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing
authority available to each such corporation or agency and in accord
with law, and to make contracts and commitments without regard
to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of the Govern-
ment Corporation Control Act as may be necessary in carrying
out the programs set forth in the budget for the current fiscal
year for such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.
FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE CORPORATION FUND
For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516), such sums as may be necessary,
to remain available until expended.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION FUND
REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES
For the current fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary
to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized
losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed, pursuant to section
2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 713a–11).
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
(LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)
For the current fiscal year, the Commodity Credit Corporation
shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for site investigation and
H. R. 2673—15
cleanup expenses, and operations and maintenance expenses to
comply with the requirement of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42
U.S.C. 9607(g)), and section 6001 of the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6961).
TITLE II
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Forest Service and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, $745,000.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of the
Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f), including preparation
of conservation plans and establishment of measures to conserve
soil and water (including farm irrigation and land drainage and
such special measures for soil and water management as may
be necessary to prevent floods and the siltation of reservoirs and
to control agricultural related pollutants); operation of conservation
plant materials centers; classification and mapping of soil; dissemi-
nation of information; acquisition of lands, water, and interests
therein for use in the plant materials program by donation,
exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100 pursuant
to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 428a); purchase and erection
or alteration or improvement of permanent and temporary
buildings; and operation and maintenance of aircraft, $853,004,000,
to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b), of which
not less than $9,250,000 is for snow survey and water forecasting,
and not less than $11,500,000 is for operation and establishment
of the plant materials centers, and of which not less than
$23,500,000 shall be for the grazing lands conservation initiative:
Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursu-
ant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improvement of buildings
and public improvements at plant materials centers, except that
the cost of alterations and improvements to other buildings and
other public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: Provided
further, That when buildings or other structures are erected on
non-Federal land, that the right to use such land is obtained as
provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a: Provided further, That this appropria-
tion shall be available for technical assistance and related expenses
to carry out programs authorized by section 202(c) of title II of
the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (43 U.S.C.
1592(c)): Provided further, That qualified local engineers may be
temporarily employed at per diem rates to perform the technical
planning work of the Service: Provided further, That none of the
funds made available under this paragraph by this or any other
appropriations Act may be used to provide technical assistance
H. R. 2673—16
with respect to programs listed in section 1241(a) of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)).
WATERSHED SURVEYS AND PLANNING
For necessary expenses to conduct research, investigation, and
surveys of watersheds of rivers and other waterways, and for small
watershed investigations and planning, in accordance with the
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001–
1009), $10,562,000: Provided, That none of the funds made available
under this paragraph by this or any other appropriations Act may
be used to provide technical assistance with respect to programs
listed in section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. 3841(a)).
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures,
including but not limited to research, engineering operations,
methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, rehabilitation
of existing works and changes in use of land, in accordance with
the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C.
1001–1005 and 1007–1009), the provisions of the Act of April 27,
1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f), and in accordance with the provisions
of laws relating to the activities of the Department, $87,000,000,
to remain available until expended; of which up to $10,000,000
may be available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a): Provided, That
not to exceed $40,000,000 of this appropriation shall be available
for technical assistance: Provided further, That not to exceed
$1,000,000 of this appropriation is available to carry out the pur-
poses of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Public Law 93–
205), including cooperative efforts as contemplated by that Act
to relocate endangered or threatened species to other suitable habi-
tats as may be necessary to expedite project construction: Provided
further, That none of the funds made available under this paragraph
by this or any other appropriations Act may be used to provide
technical assistance with respect to programs listed in section
1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)).
WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out rehabilitation of structural
measures, in accordance with section 14 of the Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012), and in accordance
with the provisions of laws relating to the activities of the Depart-
ment, $29,805,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That none of the funds made available under this paragraph by
this or any other appropriations Act may be used to provide tech-
nical assistance with respect to programs listed in section 1241(a)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)).
RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT
For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out projects
for resource conservation and development and for sound land use
pursuant to the provisions of sections 31 and 32 of the Bankhead-
Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010–1011; 76 Stat. 607); the
Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f); and subtitle H of title
H. R. 2673—17
XV of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451–
3461), $51,947,000, to remain available until expended: Provided,
That none of the funds made available under this paragraph by
this or any other appropriations Act may be used to provide tech-
nical assistance with respect to programs listed in section 1241(a)
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)): Provided
further, That the Secretary shall enter into a cooperative or con-
tribution agreement with a national association regarding a
Resource Conservation and Development program and such agree-
ment shall contain the same matching, contribution requirements,
and funding level, set forth in a similar cooperative or contribution
agreement with a national association in fiscal year 2002: Provided
further, That not to exceed $3,504,300, the same amount as in
the budget, shall be available for national headquarters activities.
TITLE III
RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs under
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing Service,
the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities
Service of the Department of Agriculture, $636,000.
RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, as
authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, 1926d, and 1932, except
for sections 381E–H and 381N of the Consolidated Farm and Rural
Development Act, $757,425,000, to remain available until expended,
of which $75,919,000 shall be for rural community programs
described in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act; of which $605,006,000
shall be for the rural utilities programs described in sections
381E(d)(2), 306C(a)(2), and 306D of such Act, of which not to exceed
$500,000 shall be available for the rural utilities program described
in section 306(a)(2)(B) of such Act, and of which not to exceed
$1,000,000 shall be available for the rural utilities program
described in section 306E of such Act; and of which $76,500,000
shall be for the rural business and cooperative development pro-
grams described in sections 381E(d)(3) and 310B(f) of such Act:
Provided, That of the amount appropriated for rural business and
cooperative development programs, $100,000 shall be for a pilot
program in the State of Alaska to assist communities with commu-
nity planning: Provided further, That of the total amount appro-
priated in this account, $24,000,000 shall be for loans and grants
to benefit federally recognized Native American tribes, including
grants for drinking water and waste disposal systems pursuant
to section 306C of such Act, of which $4,000,000 shall be available
for community facilities grants to tribal colleges, as authorized
by section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act, and of which $250,000 shall be available for a grant
to a qualified national organization to provide technical assistance
for rural transportation in order to promote economic development:
H. R. 2673—18
Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for rural commu-
nity programs, $6,000,000 shall be available for a Rural Community
Development Initiative: Provided further, That such funds shall
be used solely to develop the capacity and ability of private, non-
profit community-based housing and community development
organizations, low-income rural communities, and federally recog-
nized Native American tribes to undertake projects to improve
housing, community facilities, community and economic develop-
ment projects in rural areas: Provided further, That such funds
shall be made available to qualified private, nonprofit and public
intermediary organizations proposing to carry out a program of
financial and technical assistance: Provided further, That such inter-
mediary organizations shall provide matching funds from other
sources, including Federal funds for related activities, in an amount
not less than funds provided: Provided further, That of the amount
appropriated for the rural business and cooperative development
programs, not to exceed $500,000 shall be made available for a
grant to a qualified national organization to provide technical assist-
ance for rural transportation in order to promote economic develop-
ment; $1,750,000 shall be for grants to the Delta Regional Authority
(7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.); and not less than $2,000,000 shall be
available for grants in accordance with section 310B(f) of the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: Provided further,
That of the amount appropriated for rural utilities programs, not
to exceed $25,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal systems
to benefit the Colonias along the United States/Mexico border,
including grants pursuant to section 306C of such Act; not to
exceed $28,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal systems
for rural and native villages in Alaska pursuant to section 306D
of such Act, with up to 1 percent available to administer the
program and up to 1 percent available to improve interagency
coordination may be transferred to and merged with the appropria-
tion for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’, of which
$100,000 shall be provided to develop a regional system for central-
ized billing, operation, and management of rural water and sewer
utilities through regional cooperatives, of which 25 percent shall
be provided for water and sewer projects in regional hubs, and
the State of Alaska shall provide a 25 percent cost share; not
to exceed $17,733,000 shall be for technical assistance grants for
rural water and waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of
such Act, of which $5,513,000 shall be for Rural Community Assist-
ance Programs; and not to exceed $13,000,000 shall be for con-
tracting with qualified national organizations for a circuit rider
program to provide technical assistance for rural water systems:
Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for the circuit
rider program, Alaska shall receive two additional full circuit rider
contracts and not less than $750,000 shall be for contracting with
qualified national organizations to establish a Native American
circuit rider program to provide technical assistance for rural water
systems: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated,
not to exceed $22,132,000 shall be available through June 30,
2004, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture
as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones; of which $1,000,000
shall be for the rural community programs described in section
381E(d)(1) of such Act, of which $12,582,000 shall be for the rural
utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act, and
H. R. 2673—19
of which $8,550,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative
development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act:
Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for rural commu-
nity programs, not to exceed $22,000,000 shall be to provide grants
for facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment
and severe economic depression (Public Law 106–387), with 5 per-
cent for administration and capacity building in the State rural
development offices: Provided further, That of the amount appro-
priated, $28,000,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the
‘‘Rural Utilities Service, High Energy Cost Grants Account’’ to pro-
vide grants authorized under section 19 of the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 918a): Provided further, That any prior year
balances for high cost energy grants authorized by section 19 of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901(19)) shall be
transferred to and merged with the ‘‘Rural Utilities Service, High
Energy Costs Grants Account’’.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration
and implementation of programs in the Rural Development mission
area, including activities with institutions concerning the develop-
ment and operation of agricultural cooperatives; and for cooperative
agreements, $141,869,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any
other provision of law, funds appropriated under this section may
be used for advertising and promotional activities that support
the Rural Development mission area: Provided further, That not
more than $10,000 may be expended to provide modest nonmonetary
awards to non-USDA employees: Provided further, That any
balances available from prior years for the Rural Utilities Service,
Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service
salaries and expenses accounts shall be transferred to and merged
with this appropriation.
RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of
1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing insurance
fund, as follows: $4,091,634,000 for loans to section 502 borrowers,
as determined by the Secretary, of which $1,366,462,000 shall be
for direct loans, and of which $2,725,172,000 shall be for unsub-
sidized guaranteed loans; $35,004,000 for section 504 housing repair
loans; $116,545,000 for section 515 rental housing; $100,000,000
for section 538 guaranteed multi-family housing loans; $5,045,000
for section 524 site loans; $11,500,000 for credit sales of acquired
property, of which up to $1,500,000 may be for multi-family credit
sales; and $2,400,000 for section 523 self-help housing land develop-
ment loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the
cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 loans,
H. R. 2673—20
$165,921,000, of which $126,018,000 shall be for direct loans, and
of which $39,903,000, to remain available until expended, shall
be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair
loans, $9,612,000; section 515 rental housing, $50,126,000; section
538 multi-family housing guaranteed loans, $5,950,000; multi-
family credit sales of acquired property, $663,000; and section 523
self-help housing land development loans, $75,000: Provided, That
of the total amount appropriated in this paragraph, $7,100,000
shall be available through June 30, 2004, for authorized empower-
ment zones and enterprise communities and communities des-
ignated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $443,302,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed
pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or agreements
entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or payments for eligible
households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing
Act of 1949, $584,000,000; and, in addition, such sums as may
be necessary, as authorized by section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate
debt incurred prior to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental
assistance program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided,
That of this amount, not more than $5,900,000 shall be available
for debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as author-
ized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to exceed $20,000
per project for advances to nonprofit organizations or public agencies
to cover direct costs (other than purchase price) incurred in pur-
chasing projects pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided
further, That agreements entered into or renewed during the cur-
rent fiscal year shall be funded for a 4-year period: Provided further,
That any unexpended balances remaining at the end of such 4-
year agreements may be transferred and used for the purposes
of any debt reduction; maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation of
any existing projects; preservation; and rental assistance activities
authorized under title V of the Act.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $34,000,000, to remain
available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount appro-
priated, $1,000,000 shall be available through June 30, 2004, for
authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and
communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural
Economic Area Partnership Zones.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For grants and contracts for very low-income housing repair,
supervisory and technical assistance, compensation for construction
defects, and rural housing preservation made by the Rural Housing
Service, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1490e, and
1490m, $46,222,000, to remain available until expended, of which
H. R. 2673—21
$5,000,000 shall be available for a processing and/or fishery workers
housing demonstration project in Alaska, Mississippi, Utah, and
Wisconsin: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated,
$1,800,000 shall be available through June 30, 2004, for authorized
empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones.
FARM LABOR PROGRAM ACCOUNT
For the cost of direct loans, grants, and contracts, as authorized
by 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486, $36,307,000, to remain available
until expended, for direct farm labor housing loans and domestic
farm labor housing grants and contracts.
RURAL BUSINESS—COOPERATIVE SERVICE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), $40,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, $17,308,000, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), of which
$1,724,000 shall be available through June 30, 2004, for Federally
Recognized Native American Tribes and of which $3,449,000 shall
be available through June 30, 2004, for the Delta Regional Authority
(7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.): Provided, That such costs, including the
cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That
of the total amount appropriated, $2,447,000 shall be available
through June 30, 2004, for the cost of direct loans for authorized
empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities
designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
loan programs, $4,272,000 shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)
For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized under
section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act, for the purpose of
promoting rural economic development and job creation projects,
$15,002,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying
loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, $2,792,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit
payments in the current fiscal year, as authorized by section 313
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $2,792,000 shall not be
obligated and $2,792,000 are rescinded.
H. R. 2673—22
RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
For rural cooperative development grants authorized under
section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $24,000,000, of which $2,500,000 shall be
for cooperative agreements for the appropriate technology transfer
for rural areas program: Provided, That not to exceed $1,500,000
shall be for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose pri-
mary focus is to provide assistance to small, minority producers
and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of
at least 75 percent minority; and of which not to exceed $15,000,000,
to remain available until expended, shall be for value-added agricul-
tural product market development grants, as authorized by section
6401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 1621 note).
RURAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES GRANTS
For grants in connection with second and third rounds of
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, $12,667,000, to
remain available until expended, for designated rural empowerment
zones and rural enterprise communities, as authorized by the Tax-
payer Relief Act of 1997 and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emer-
gency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105–
277): Provided, That of the funds appropriated, $1,000,000 shall
be made available to third round empowerment zones, as authorized
by the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act (Public Law 106–554).
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM
For the cost of a program of direct loans, loan guarantees,
and grants, under the same terms and conditions as authorized
by section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106), $23,000,000 for direct and guaranteed
renewable energy loans and grants: Provided, That the cost of
direct loans and loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying
such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall be made
as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans, $240,000,000; munic-
ipal rate rural electric loans, $1,000,000,000; loans made pursuant
to section 306 of that Act, rural electric, $2,000,000,000; Treasury
rate direct electric loans, $750,000,000; 5 percent rural tele-
communications loans, $145,000,000; cost of money rural tele-
communications loans, $250,000,000; loans made pursuant to sec-
tion 306 of that Act, rural telecommunications loans, $120,000,000;
and for guaranteed underwriting loans pursuant to section 313A,
$1,000,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
H. R. 2673—23
and guaranteed loans authorized by sections 305 and 306 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows:
cost of rural electric loans, $60,000, and the cost of telecommuni-
cation loans, $125,000: Provided, That notwithstanding section
305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest
rates may exceed 7 percent per year.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $37,853,000 which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such corpora-
tion in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commit-
ments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by
section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as may
be necessary in carrying out its authorized programs. During fiscal
year 2004 and within the resources and authority available, gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$173,503,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses, including audits, nec-
essary to carry out the loan programs, $3,171,000, which shall
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural
Development, Salaries and Expenses’’.
DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM
For the principal amount of direct distance learning and tele-
medicine loans, $300,000,000; and for the principal amount of direct
broadband telecommunication loans, $602,000,000.
For grants for telemedicine and distance learning services in
rural areas, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $39,000,000,
to remain available until expended: Provided, That $14,000,000
shall be made available to convert analog to digital operation those
noncommercial educational television broadcast stations that serve
rural areas and are qualified for Community Service Grants by
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting under section 396(k) of
the Communications Act of 1934, including associated translators,
repeaters, and studio-to-transmitter links.
For the cost of broadband loans, as authorized by 7 U.S.C.
901 et seq., $13,116,000: Provided, That the interest rate for such
loans shall be the cost of borrowing to the Department of the
Treasury for obligations of comparable maturity: Provided further,
That the cost of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
In addition, $9,000,000, to remain available until expended,
for a grant program to finance broadband transmission in rural
areas eligible for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program
benefits authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa.
H. R. 2673—24
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD, NUTRITION AND
CONSUMER SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Nutrition
Service, $599,000.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections
17 and 21; $11,417,441,000, to remain available through September
30, 2005, of which $6,717,780,000 is hereby appropriated and
$4,699,661,000 shall be derived by transfer from funds available
under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c):
Provided, That $5,000,000 shall be available for the Food and
Nutrition Service to conduct a study of over and under certification
errors and the effect on expenditures in the National School Lunch
and School Breakfast Programs and an assessment of the feasibility
of using income data matching in those programs: Provided further,
That except as specifically provided under this heading, none of
the funds made available under this heading shall be used for
studies and evaluations: Provided further, That up to $5,235,000
shall be available for independent verification of school food service
claims.
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS,
AND CHILDREN (WIC)
For necessary expenses to carry out the special supplemental
nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $4,639,232,000, to remain available
through September 30, 2005: Provided, That of the total amount
available, the Secretary shall obligate not less than $15,000,000
for a breastfeeding support initiative in addition to the activities
specified in section 17(h)(3)(A) and up to $25,000,000 for a manage-
ment information system initiative upon a determination by the
Secretary that funds are available to meet caseload requirements:
Provided further, That up to $4,000,000 shall be available for pilot
projects to prevent childhood obesity upon a determination by the
Secretary that funds are available to meet caseload requirements:
Provided further, That of the total amount available, the Secretary
shall obligate $23,000,000 for the farmers’ market nutrition pro-
gram: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 17(h)(10)(A)
of such Act, $14,000,000 shall be available for the purposes specified
in section 17(h)(10)(B): Provided further, That none of the funds
made available under this heading shall be used for studies and
evaluations: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act
shall be available to pay administrative expenses of WIC clinics
H. R. 2673—25
except those that have an announced policy of prohibiting smoking
within the space used to carry out the program: Provided further,
That none of the funds provided in this account shall be available
for the purchase of infant formula except in accordance with the
cost containment and competitive bidding requirements specified
in section 17 of such Act: Provided further, That none of the funds
provided shall be available for activities that are not fully
reimbursed by other Federal Government departments or agencies
unless authorized by section 17 of such Act.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $30,945,981,000, of which $3,000,000,000 shall
be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such
times as may become necessary to carry out program operations:
Provided, That none of the funds made available under this heading
shall be used for studies and evaluations: Provided further, That
of the funds made available under this heading and not already
appropriated to the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reserva-
tions (FDPIR) established under section 4(b) of the Food Stamp
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)), not to exceed $4,000,000 shall
be used to purchase bison meat for the FDPIR from Native Amer-
ican bison producers as well as from producer-owned cooperatives
of bison ranchers: Provided further, That funds provided herein
shall be expended in accordance with section 16 of the Food Stamp
Act: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be subject to
any work registration or workfare requirements as may be required
by law: Provided further, That funds made available for Employ-
ment and Training under this heading shall remain available until
expended, as authorized by section 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp
Act.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out disaster assistance and
the commodity supplemental food program as authorized by section
4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7
U.S.C. 612c note); the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983;
and special assistance (in a form determined by the Secretary
of Agriculture) for the nuclear affected islands, as authorized by
section 103(h)(2) of the Compact of Free Association Act of 1985
(48 U.S.C. 1903(h)(2)) (or a successor law), $150,000,000, to remain
available through September 30, 2005: Provided, That none of these
funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration for commodities donated to the program.
NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic nutrition
assistance programs funded under this Act, $138,304,000, of which
$5,000,000 shall be available only for simplifying procedures,
reducing overhead costs, tightening regulations, improving food
stamp benefit delivery, and assisting in the prevention, identifica-
tion, and prosecution of fraud and other violations of law; and
of which not less than $4,000,000 shall be available to improve
integrity in the Food Stamp and Child Nutrition programs.
H. R. 2673—26
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954
(7 U.S.C. 1761–1769), market development activities abroad, and
for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate activities
of the Department in connection with foreign agricultural work,
including not to exceed $158,000 for representation allowances and
for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August
3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $132,148,000: Provided, That the Service
may utilize advances of funds, or reimburse this appropriation
for expenditures made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and
private organizations and institutions under agreements executed
pursuant to the agricultural food production assistance programs
(7 U.S.C. 1737) and the foreign assistance programs of the United
States Agency for International Development.
PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE I PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of agreements under the Agricultural Trade
Development and Assistance Act of 1954, and the Food for Progress
Act of 1985, including the cost of modifying credit arrangements
under said Acts, $103,887,000, to remain available until expended.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the credit
program of title I, Public Law 83–480, and the Food for Progress
Act of 1985, to the extent funds appropriated for Public Law 83–
480 are utilized, $2,134,000, of which $1,075,000 may be transferred
to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural
Service, Salaries and Expenses’’, and of which $1,059,000 may
be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm
Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE I OCEAN FREIGHT DIFFERENTIAL GRANTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For ocean freight differential costs for the shipment of agricul-
tural commodities under title I of the Agricultural Trade Develop-
ment and Assistance Act of 1954 and under the Food for Progress
Act of 1985, $28,000,000, to remain available until expended: Pro-
vided, That funds made available for the cost of agreements under
title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act
of 1954 and for title I ocean freight differential may be used inter-
changeably between the two accounts with prior notice to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
H. R. 2673—27
PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE II GRANTS
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, including interest
thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954, for commodities supplied in connection with dispositions
abroad under title II of said Act, $1,192,000,000, to remain available
until expended.
MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD
NUTRITION PROGRAM GRANTS
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of section
3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002
(7 U.S.C. 1736o–1), $50,000,000, to remain available until expended:
Provided, That the Commodity Credit Corporation is authorized
to provide the services, facilities, and authorities for the purpose
of implementing such section, subject to reimbursement from
amounts provided herein.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit
Corporation’s export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103,
$4,152,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by
section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and
in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which
$3,306,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural Service, Salaries and Expenses’’, and of
which $846,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appro-
priation for ‘‘Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
TITLE VI
RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration,
including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for pay-
ment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public Law
92–313 for programs and activities of the Food and Drug Adminis-
tration which are included in this Act; for rental of special purpose
space in the District of Columbia or elsewhere; for miscellaneous
and emergency expenses of enforcement activities, authorized and
approved by the Secretary and to be accounted for solely on the
Secretary’s certificate, not to exceed $25,000; and notwithstanding
section 521 of Public Law 107–188; $1,673,441,000: Provided, That
of the amount provided under this heading, $249,825,000 shall
be derived from prescription drug user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C.
379h, and shall be credited to this account and remain available
until expended; $31,654,000 shall be derived from medical device
H. R. 2673—28
user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 379j, and shall be credited to
this account and remain available until expended; and $5,000,000
shall be derived from animal drug user fees (subject to enactment
of legislation authorizing such fees), and shall be credited to this
account and remain available until expended: Provided further,
That fees derived from prescription drug, medical device, and
animal drug assessments received during fiscal year 2004, including
any such fees assessed prior to the current fiscal year but credited
during the current year, shall be subject to the fiscal year 2004
limitation: Provided further, That none of these funds shall be
used to develop, establish, or operate any program of user fees
authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701: Provided further, That of the total
amount appropriated: (1) $413,112,000 shall be for the Center for
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and related field activities in
the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (2) $477,966,000 shall be for the
Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and related field activities
in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (3) $169,429,000 shall be for
the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and for related
field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (4) $89,396,000
shall be for the Center for Veterinary Medicine and for related
field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (5) $209,420,000
shall be for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and
for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (6)
$39,887,000 shall be for the National Center for Toxicological
Research; (7) $39,276,000 shall be for Rent and Related activities,
other than the amounts paid to the General Services Administration
for rent; (8) $119,594,000 shall be for payments to the General
Services Administration for rent; and (9) $115,361,000 shall be
for other activities, including the Office of the Commissioner; the
Office of Management and Systems; the Office of External Relations;
the Office of Policy and Planning; and central services for these
offices: Provided further, That funds may be transferred from one
specified activity to another with the prior approval of the Commit-
tees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42 U.S.C.
263b may be credited to this account, to remain available until
expended.
In addition, export certification user fees authorized by 21
U.S.C. 381 may be credited to this account, to remain available
until expended.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alter-
ation, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used
by the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise pro-
vided, $7,000,000 to remain available until expended.
INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the Com-
modity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the purchase
and hire of passenger motor vehicles, and the rental of space (to
include multiple year leases) in the District of Columbia and else-
where, $90,435,000, including not to exceed $3,000 for official recep-
tion and representation expenses.
H. R. 2673—29
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $40,900,000 (from assessments collected from
farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage
Corporation) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for
administrative expenses as authorized under 12 U.S.C. 2249: Pro-
vided, That this limitation shall not apply to expenses associated
with receiverships.
TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law, appropria-
tions and authorizations made for the Department of Agriculture
for the current fiscal year under this Act shall be available for
the purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of not
to exceed 398 passenger motor vehicles, of which 396 shall be
for replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.
SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of
Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances therefor
as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Funds appropriated by this Act shall be available
for employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a)
of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225) and 5 U.S.C. 3109.
SEC. 704. The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer unobligated
balances of discretionary funds appropriated by this Act or other
available unobligated discretionary balances of the Department of
Agriculture to the Working Capital Fund for the acquisition of
plant and capital equipment necessary for the delivery of financial,
administrative, and information technology services of primary ben-
efit to the agencies of the Department of Agriculture: Provided,
That none of the funds made available by this Act or any other
Act shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without
the prior approval of the agency administrator: Provided further,
That none of the funds transferred to the Working Capital Fund
pursuant to this section shall be available for obligation without
the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress.
SEC. 705. New obligational authority provided for the following
appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until
expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the contin-
gency fund to meet emergency conditions, information technology
infrastructure, fruit fly program, emerging plant pests, boll weevil
program, and up to 25 percent of the screwworm program; Food
Safety and Inspection Service, field automation and information
management project; Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service, funds for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C.
450i(b)), funds for the Research, Education, and Economics Informa-
tion System (REEIS), and funds for the Native American Institu-
tions Endowment Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries and
expenses funds made available to county committees; Foreign Agri-
cultural Service, middle-income country training program and up
to $2,000,000 of the Foreign Agricultural Service appropriation
solely for the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in international
currency exchange rates, subject to documentation by the Foreign
Agricultural Service.
H. R. 2673—30
SEC. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act
shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year
unless expressly so provided herein.
SEC. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations available
to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be available
to provide appropriate orientation and language training pursuant
to section 606C of the Act of August 28, 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1766b).
SEC. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department
of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent
of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of
such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual
interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate
payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institu-
tions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis
for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
SEC. 709. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Corporation to
lease space for its own use or to lease space on behalf of other
agencies of the Department of Agriculture when such space will
be jointly occupied.
SEC. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to pay indirect costs charged against competitive agricultural
research, education, or extension grant awards issued by the
Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service that
exceed 20 percent of total Federal funds provided under each award:
Provided, That notwithstanding section 1462 of the National Agri-
cultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3310), funds provided by this Act for grants awarded
competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service shall be available to pay full allowable indirect
costs for each grant awarded under section 9 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 638).
SEC. 711. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered estimates,
not limitations.
SEC. 712. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for
the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in the
current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to cover
obligations made in the current fiscal year for the following
accounts: the Rural Development Loan Fund program account, the
Rural Telephone Bank program account, the Rural Electrification
and Telecommunication Loans program account, the Rural Housing
Insurance Fund program account, and the Rural Economic Develop-
ment Loans program account.
SEC. 713. None of the funds in this Act may be used to retire
more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural Telephone
Bank or to maintain any account or subaccount within the
accounting records of the Rural Telephone Bank the creation of
which has not specifically been authorized by statute: Provided,
That notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used
to transfer to the Treasury or to the Federal Financing Bank
any unobligated balance of the Rural Telephone Bank telephone
liquidating account which is in excess of current requirements and
H. R. 2673—31
such balance shall receive interest as set forth for financial accounts
in section 505(c) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
SEC. 714. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more
than $1,800,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of activi-
ties related to all advisory committees, panels, commissions, and
task forces of the Department of Agriculture, except for panels
used to comply with negotiated rule makings and panels used
to evaluate competitively awarded grants.
SEC. 715. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may
be used to carry out section 410 of the Federal Meat Inspection
Act (21 U.S.C. 679a) or section 30 of the Poultry Products Inspection
Act (21 U.S.C. 471).
SEC. 716. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may
be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this
Act to any other agency or office of the Department for more
than 30 days unless the individual’s employing agency or office
is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office for the salary
and expenses of the employee for the period of assignment.
SEC. 717. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available to the Department of Agriculture shall be used to transmit
or otherwise make available to any non-Department of Agriculture
employee questions or responses to questions that are a result
of information requested for the appropriations hearing process.
SEC. 718. None of the funds made available to the Department
of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire new information
technology systems or significant upgrades, as determined by the
Office of the Chief Information Officer, without the approval of
the Chief Information Officer and the concurrence of the Executive
Information Technology Investment Review Board: Provided, That
notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds
appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be trans-
ferred to the Office of the Chief Information Officer without the
prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress.
SEC. 719. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this
Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the cur-
rent fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury
of the United States derived by the collection of fees available
to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation
or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds which: (1) creates
new programs; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3)
increases funds or personnel by any means for any project or
activity for which funds have been denied or restricted; (4) relocates
an office or employees; (5) reorganizes offices, programs, or activi-
ties; or (6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities
presently performed by Federal employees; unless the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days
in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by
previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act
that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current
fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the
United States derived by the collection of fees available to the
agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or
H. R. 2673—239
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN
DISEASES
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin
diseases, $504,300,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION
DISORDERS
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to deafness and other communication dis-
orders, $384,477,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to nursing research, $135,555,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to alcohol abuse and alcoholism,
$431,471,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to drug abuse, $997,414,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to mental health, $1,390,714,000.
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to human genome research, $482,222,000.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to biomedical imaging and bioengineering
research, $288,900,000.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to research resources and general research
support grants, $1,186,183,000: Provided, That none of these funds
shall be used to pay recipients of the general research support
grants program any amount for indirect expenses in connection
with such grants: Provided further, That $119,220,000 shall be
for extramural facilities construction grants.
H. R. 2673—240
NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE
MEDICINE
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to complementary and alternative medi-
cine, $117,752,000.
NATIONAL CENTER ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to minority health and health disparities
research, $192,724,000.
JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
For carrying out the activities at the John E. Fogarty Inter-
national Center, $65,800,000.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
For carrying out section 301 and title IV of the Public Health
Service Act with respect to health information communications,
$311,635,000, of which $4,000,000 shall be available until expended
for improvement of information systems: Provided, That in fiscal
year 2004, the Library may enter into personal services contracts
for the provision of services in facilities owned, operated, or con-
structed under the jurisdiction of the National Institutes of Health:
Provided further, That in addition to amounts provided herein,
$8,200,000 shall be available from amounts available under section
241 of the Public Health Service Act to carry out National Informa-
tion Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Tech-
nology and related health services.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
For carrying out the responsibilities of the Office of the Director,
National Institutes of Health, $329,707,000, of which up to
$7,500,000 shall be used to carry out section 221 of this Act:
Provided, That funding shall be available for the purchase of not
to exceed 29 passenger motor vehicles for replacement only: Pro-
vided further, That the Director may direct up to 1 percent of
the total amount made available in this or any other Act to all
National Institutes of Health appropriations to activities the
Director may so designate: Provided further, That no such appro-
priation shall be decreased by more than 1 percent by any such
transfers and that the Congress is promptly notified of the transfer:
Provided further, That the National Institutes of Health is author-
ized to collect third party payments for the cost of clinical services
that are incurred in National Institutes of Health research facilities
and that such payments shall be credited to the National Institutes
of Health Management Fund: Provided further, That all funds cred-
ited to the National Institutes of Health Management Fund shall
remain available for 1 fiscal year after the fiscal year in which
they are deposited: Provided further, That up to $500,000 shall
be available to carry out section 499 of the Public Health Service
Act.
H. R. 2673—379
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in title II of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolu-
tion, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; House Report No. 108–10) is deemed
to be amended with respect to item number 253 by striking ‘‘to
the Salvation Army/Boys and Girls Club-Northfolk community
center’’ and inserting ‘‘to the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club
in Louisville, Kentucky for the renovation of the Newburg commu-
nity center’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in title II of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolu-
tion, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; House Report No. 108–10) is deemed
to be amended with respect to item number 288 by striking ‘‘for
building renovations’’ and inserting ‘‘for signage, street furniture,
sidewalks and streetscape improvements’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in title II of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolu-
tion, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; House Report No. 108–10) is deemed
to be amended with respect to item number 217 by striking
‘‘$135,000 to the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois for construction
of a hall, public library and upgraded commuter station’’ and
inserting ‘‘$135,000 to the Village of Olympia Fields, Illinois, for
sidewalks, street lighting, neighborhood redevelopment improve-
ments, and building renovations’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in title II of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolu-
tion, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; House Report No. 108–10) is deemed
to be amended with respect to item number 809 by striking ‘‘$90,000
to the Department of Vermont Veterans of Foreign Wars for the
construction of the Green Block Veterans Memorial in Brandon,
Vermont and the Windsor, Vermont War Memorial’’ and inserting
‘‘$90,000 to the Department of Buildings and General Services
of the State of Vermont for the construction of the Brandon,
Vermont Veterans Memorial and the Windsor, Vermont War Memo-
rial’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in title II of division K of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolu-
tion, 2003 (Public Law 108–7; House Report No. 108–10) is deemed
to be amended with respect to item number 244 by striking
‘‘$900,000 to Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana for
facilities construction for the Northwest Indiana Purdue Technology
Center’’ and inserting ‘‘$900,000 to Purdue Research Foundation
in West Lafayette, Indiana for facilities buildout for the Northwest
Indiana Purdue Technology Center’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in Public Law 107–73 is deemed to be amended with respect to
the amount made available to Connecticut Hospice, Inc., of Bran-
ford, Connecticut by striking ‘‘for construction of a new facility’’
and inserting ‘‘for facilities renovation and equipment upgrades’’.
The referenced statement of the managers under this heading
in Public Law 107–73 is deemed to be amended with respect to
a grant made available to the United Way community services
facility in Anchorage, Alaska by striking ‘‘the United Way commu-
nity services facility in Anchorage, Alaska, to complete construction
of asocial service facility to serve low-income people;’’ and inserting
‘‘the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., in Anchorage, Alaska as a
Federal contribution for construction of asocial service facility to
serve low income people;’’.
H. R. 2673—424
‘‘(iv) DOCUMENTATION.—An entity requesting a
waiver under this subparagraph shall provide to the
Administrator—
‘‘(I) documentation demonstrating that the
entity is a small business (as defined in section
4(i)(5)(E)(ii)) at the time of application; and
‘‘(II) if the entity is requesting a waiver of
all registration service fees payable under this sec-
tion, documentation demonstrating that the entity
has an average annual global gross revenues
described in section 4(i)(5)(E)(ii)(I)(bb) that does
not exceed $10,000,000, at the time of application.
‘‘(G) FEDERAL
AND
STATE
AGENCY
EXEMPTIONS.—An
agency of the Federal Government or a State government
shall be exempt from covered registration service fees under
this section.
‘‘(8) REFUNDS.—
‘‘(A) EARLY WITHDRAWALS.—If, during the first 60 days
after the beginning of the applicable decision time review
period under subsection (f)(3), a covered pesticide registra-
tion application is withdrawn by the applicant, the
Administrator shall refund all but 10 percent of the total
registration service fee payable under paragraph (3) for
the application.
‘‘(B) WITHDRAWALS AFTER THE FIRST 60 DAYS OF DECI-
SION REVIEW TIME PERIOD.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If a covered pesticide registra-
tion application is withdrawn after the first 60 days
of the applicable decision time review period, the
Administrator shall determine what portion, if any,
of the total registration service fee payable under para-
graph (3) for the application may be refunded based
on the proportion of the work completed at the time
of withdrawal.
‘‘(ii) TIMING.—The Administrator shall—
‘‘(I) make the determination described in
clause (i) not later than 90 days after the date
the application is withdrawn; and
‘‘(II) provide any refund as soon as practicable
after the determination.
‘‘(C) DISCRETIONARY REFUNDS.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a pesticide reg-
istration application that has been filed with the
Administrator and has not been withdrawn by the
applicant, but for which the Administrator has not
yet made a final determination, the Administrator may
refund a portion of a covered registration service fee
if the Administrator determines that the refund is
justified.
‘‘(ii) BASIS.—The Administrator may provide a
refund for an application under this subparagraph—
‘‘(I) on the basis that, in reviewing the applica-
tion, the Administrator has considered data sub-
mitted in support of another pesticide registration
application; or