H. R. 2419—317 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—In addition to amounts made 
available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2012.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment made by 
this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the Division Chief 
of the applicable Research, Education, and Extension Office estab-
lished under section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activi-
ties under this section to ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7207. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND ENERGY 
EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. 
Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
section 1672B (7 U.S.C. 5925b) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1672C. AGRICULTURAL BIOENERGY FEEDSTOCK AND ENERGY 
EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—There is established within 
the Department of Agriculture an agricultural bioenergy feedstock 
and energy efficiency research and extension initiative (referred 
to in this section as the ‘Initiative’) for the purpose of enhancing 
the production of biomass energy crops and the energy efficiency 
of agricultural operations. 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION GRANTS AUTHOR-
IZED.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall make 
competitive grants to support research and extension activities 
specified in subsections (c) and (d). 
‘‘(c) AGRICULTURAL
BIOENERGY
FEEDSTOCK
RESEARCH
AND 
EXTENSION AREAS.— 
‘‘(1) 
IN
GENERAL.—Agricultural 
bioenergy 
feedstock 
research and extension activities funded under the Initiative 
shall focus on improving agricultural biomass production, bio-
mass conversion in biorefineries, and biomass use by— 
‘‘(A) supporting on-farm research on crop species, 
nutrient requirements, management practices, environ-
mental impacts, and economics; 
‘‘(B) supporting the development and operation of on- 
farm, integrated biomass feedstock production systems; 
‘‘(C) leveraging the broad scientific capabilities of the 
Department of Agriculture and other entities in— 
‘‘(i) plant genetics and breeding; 
‘‘(ii) crop production; 
‘‘(iii) soil and water science; 
‘‘(iv) use of agricultural waste; and 
‘‘(v) carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and lignin chem-
istry, enzyme development, and biochemistry; and 
‘‘(D) supporting the dissemination of any of the 
research conducted under this subsection that will assist 
in achieving the goals of this section. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting grant recipients for 
projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(A) the capabilities and experiences of the applicant, 
including— 
‘‘(i) research in actual field conditions; and
H. R. 2419—318 
‘‘(ii) engineering and research knowledge relating 
to biofuels or the production of inputs for biofuel 
production; 
‘‘(B) the range of species types and cropping practices 
proposed for study (including species types and practices 
studied using side-by-side comparisons of those types and 
practices); 
‘‘(C) the need for regional diversity among feedstocks; 
‘‘(D) the importance of developing multiyear data rel-
evant to the production of biomass feedstock crops; 
‘‘(E) the extent to which the project involves direct 
participation of agricultural producers; 
‘‘(F) the extent to which the project proposal includes 
a plan or commitment to use the biomass produced as 
part of the project in commercial channels; and 
‘‘(G) such other factors as the Secretary may determine. 
‘‘(d) ENERGY-EFFICIENCY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AREAS.— 
On-farm energy-efficiency research and extension activities funded 
under the Initiative shall focus on developing and demonstrating 
technologies and production practices relating to— 
‘‘(1) improving on-farm renewable energy production; 
‘‘(2) encouraging efficient on-farm energy use; 
‘‘(3) promoting on-farm energy conservation; 
‘‘(4) making a farm or ranch energy-neutral; and 
‘‘(5) enhancing on-farm usage of advanced technologies to 
promote energy efficiency. 
‘‘(e) BEST PRACTICES DATABASE.—The Secretary shall develop 
a best-practices database that includes information, to be available 
to the public, on— 
‘‘(1) the production potential of a variety of biomass crops; 
and 
‘‘(2) best practices for production, collection, harvesting, 
storage, and transportation of biomass crops to be used as 
a source of bioenergy. 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) shall apply with respect 
to making grants under this section. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION
AND
COORDINATION.—The Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) make the grants in consultation with the National 
Agricultural 
Research, 
Extension, 
Education, 
and 
Economics Advisory Board; and 
‘‘(B) coordinate projects and activities carried out under 
the Initiative with projects and activities under section 
9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that— 
‘‘(i) unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated 
or minimized; and 
‘‘(ii) the respective strengths of the Department 
of Agriculture and the Department of Energy are 
appropriately used. 
‘‘(3) GRANT
PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall give priority 
to grant applications that integrate research and extension 
activities established under subsections (c) and (d), respectively.
H. R. 2419—319 
‘‘(4) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIRED.—As a condition of 
receiving a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require 
the recipient of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support 
from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal 
to the amount provided by the Federal Government. 
‘‘(5) PARTNERSHIPS
ENCOURAGED.—Following the comple-
tion of a peer review process for grant proposals received under 
this section, the Secretary may provide a priority to those 
grant proposals found as a result of the peer review process— 
‘‘(A) to be scientifically meritorious; and 
‘‘(B) that involve cooperation— 
‘‘(i) among multiple entities; and 
‘‘(ii) with agricultural producers. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7208. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND BENCHMARKING. 
The Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 
is amended by inserting after section 1672C (as added by section 
7207) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1672D. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may make competitive 
research and extension grants for the purpose of— 
‘‘(1) improving the farm management knowledge and skills 
of agricultural producers; and 
‘‘(2) establishing and maintaining a national, publicly avail-
able farm financial management database to support improved 
farm management. 
‘‘(b) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In allocating funds made available 
to carry out this section, the Secretary may give priority to grants 
that— 
‘‘(1) demonstrate an ability to work directly with agricul-
tural producers; 
‘‘(2) collaborate with farm management and producer 
associations; 
‘‘(3) address the farm management needs of a variety of 
crops and regions of the United States; and 
‘‘(4) use and support the national farm financial manage-
ment database. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of 
subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) shall apply with respect to the making 
of grants under this section. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.’’. 
SEC. 7209. AGRICULTURAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM. 
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is repealed. 
SEC. 7210. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH 
DISABILITIES. 
Section 1680(c)(1) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933(c)(1)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 2419—320 
SEC. 7211. RESEARCH ON HONEY BEE DISEASES. 
Section 1681 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5934) is repealed. 
SEC. 7212. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE. 
Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle C—Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
SEC. 7301. PEER AND MERIT REVIEW. 
Section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(a)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) CONSIDERATION.—Peer and merit review procedures 
established under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not take the 
offer or availability of matching funds into consideration.’’. 
SEC. 7302. PARTNERSHIPS FOR HIGH-VALUE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT 
QUALITY RESEARCH. 
Section 402 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7622) is repealed. 
SEC. 7303. PRECISION AGRICULTURE. 
Section 403 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7623) is repealed. 
SEC. 7304. BIOBASED PRODUCTS. 
(a) PILOT
PROJECT.—Section 404(e)(2) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7624(e)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 404(h) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7624(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7305. THOMAS JEFFERSON INITIATIVE FOR CROP DIVERSIFICA-
TION. 
Section 405 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625) is repealed. 
SEC. 7306. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 406(f) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(f)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7307. FUSARIUM GRAMINEARUM GRANTS. 
Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘GRANT’’ and inserting ‘‘GRANTS’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’.
H. R. 2419—321 
SEC. 7308. BOVINE JOHNE’S DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM. 
Section 409(b) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7629(b)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7309. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 410 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630) is amended by striking 
subsections (b) and (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) FLEXIBILITY.—The Secretary shall provide maximum flexi-
bility in content delivery to each organization receiving funds under 
this section so as to ensure that the unique goals of each organiza-
tion, as well as the local community needs, are fully met. 
‘‘(c) REDISTRIBUTION
OF
FUNDING
WITHIN
ORGANIZATIONS 
AUTHORIZED.—Recipients of funds under this section may redis-
tribute all or part of the funds received to individual councils 
or local chapters within the councils without further need of 
approval from the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 
7310. 
AGRICULTURAL 
BIOTECHNOLOGY 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. 
Section 411(c) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7631(c)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7311. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 412. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘Initiative’ means the specialty 
crop research and extension initiative established by subsection 
(b). 
‘‘(2) SPECIALTY CROP.—The term ‘specialty crop’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 3 of the Specialty Crops 
Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 
108–465). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Depart-
ment a specialty crop research and extension initiative to address 
the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and 
disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops 
and their regions, including— 
‘‘(1) research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics 
to improve crop characteristics, such as— 
‘‘(A) product, taste, quality, and appearance; 
‘‘(B) environmental responses and tolerances; 
‘‘(C) nutrient management, including plant nutrient 
uptake efficiency; 
‘‘(D) pest and disease management, including resist-
ance to pests and diseases resulting in reduced application 
management strategies; and 
‘‘(E) enhanced phytonutrient content;
H. R. 2419—322 
‘‘(2) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and 
diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; 
‘‘(3) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, 
and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop 
policy and marketing); 
‘‘(4) new innovations and technology, including improved 
mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; 
and 
‘‘(5) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and 
respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and 
processing of specialty crops, including fresh produce. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may carry out the Ini-
tiative through— 
‘‘(1) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(2) national laboratories; 
‘‘(3) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(4) research institutions and organizations; 
‘‘(5) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(6) State agricultural experiment stations; 
‘‘(7) individuals; or 
‘‘(8) groups consisting of 2 or more entities described in 
paragraphs (1) through (7). 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH PROJECTS.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to grants awarded under 
subsection (d), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals 
through a system of peer and merit review in accordance 
with section 103; and 
‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and 
relevance. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a grant under this section may 
not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(3) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide 
funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount 
that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal 
Government. 
‘‘(4) OTHER CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may set such other 
conditions on the award of a grant under this section as the 
Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIES.—In making grants under this section, the Sec-
retary shall provide a higher priority to projects that— 
‘‘(1) are multistate, multi-institutional, or multidisciplinary; 
and 
‘‘(2) include explicit mechanisms to communicate results 
to producers and the public. 
‘‘(g) BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.—Funds made available under 
this section shall not be used for the construction of a new building 
or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration 
of an existing building or facility (including site grading and 
improvement, and architect fees). 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out
H. R. 2419—323 
this section $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $50,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, from which activities 
under each of paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (b) 
shall be allocated not less than 10 percent. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
funds made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER.—Of the funds made available to the Sec-
retary under paragraph (1) for fiscal year 2008 and authorized 
for use for payment of administrative expenses under section 
1469(a)(3) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3315(a)(3)), the 
Secretary shall transfer, upon the date of enactment of this 
section, $200,000 to the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and 
Toxic Substances of the Environmental Protection Agency for 
use in conducting a meta-analysis relating to methyl bromide. 
‘‘(4) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available pursuant to this 
subsection for a fiscal year shall remain available until 
expended to pay for obligations incurred in that fiscal year.’’. 
(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the amendment made by 
this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the Division Chief 
of the applicable Research, Education, and Extension Office estab-
lished under section 251 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971) coordinates projects and activi-
ties under this section to ensure, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, that unnecessary duplication of effort is eliminated or mini-
mized. 
SEC. 7312. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM. 
Section 604 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to any 
other funds available to carry out subsection (c), there is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7313. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY. 
Section 614(f) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
Subtitle D—Other Laws 
SEC. 7401. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT. 
Section 16(a) of the Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 
178n(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7402. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 
1994. 
(a) DEFINITION
OF 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 532 of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(34) Ilisagvik College.’’.
H. R. 2419—324 
(b) ENDOWMENT FOR 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 533 of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘this section and’’ before ‘‘sections 534,’’; 
and 
(2) in the first sentence of subsection (b), by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(c) REDISTRIBUTION.—Section 534(a)(3) of the Equity in Edu-
cational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The amounts’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the amounts’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) REDISTRIBUTION.—Funds that would be paid to 
a 1994 Institution under paragraph (2) shall be withheld 
from that 1994 Institution and redistributed among the 
other 1994 Institutions if that 1994 Institution— 
‘‘(i) declines to accept funds under paragraph (2); 
or 
‘‘(ii) fails to meet the accreditation requirements 
under section 533(a)(3).’’. 
(d) INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.—Section 535 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(e) RESEARCH GRANTS.—Section 536(c) of the Equity in Edu-
cational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘2007’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
takes effect on October 1, 2008. 
SEC. 7403. SMITH-LEVER ACT. 
(a) PROGRAM.—Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
343(d)) is amended in the second sentence by striking ‘‘apply for 
and receive’’ and all that follows through paragraph (2) and 
inserting ‘‘compete for and receive funds directly from the Secretary 
of Agriculture.’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION
OF
THE GOVERNOR’S REPORT REQUIREMENT 
FOR EXTENSION ACTIVITIES.—Section 5 of the Smith-Lever Act (7 
U.S.C. 345) is amended by striking the third sentence. 
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 1444(a)(2) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘after 
September 30, 1995, under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d))’’ 
and all that follows through the end of the sentence and inserting 
‘‘under section 3(d) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)).’’. 
SEC. 7404. HATCH ACT OF 1887. 
(a) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.—Section 3(d)(4) of the Hatch Act 
of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(d)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND THE DIS-
TRICT OF COLUMBIA’’ after ‘‘AREAS’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Columbia’’ after 
‘‘United States’’; and
H. R. 2419—325 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and the District of Columbia’’ after 
‘‘respectively,’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘or the District of 
Columbia’’ after ‘‘area’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION OF PENALTY MAIL AUTHORITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 6 of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 
U.S.C. 361f) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘under 
penalty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end of the 
sentence and inserting a period. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS IN OTHER LAWS.— 
(A) NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, 
AND TEACHING POLICY ACT OF 1977.— 
(i) Section 1444(f) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3221(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘under pen-
alty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end 
of the sentence and inserting a period. 
(ii) Section 1445(e) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3222(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘under pen-
alty indicia:’’ and all that follows through the end 
of the sentence and inserting a period. 
(B) OTHER
PROVISIONS.—Section 3202(a) of title 39, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in subparagraph (D), by adding ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
(II) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘sections; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘sections.’’; and 
(III) by striking subparagraph (F); 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(iii) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘thereof; and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘thereof.’’; and 
(iv) by striking paragraph (4). 
SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION RESEARCH FACILI-
TIES ACT. 
Section 6(a) of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d(a)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 7406. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Depart-
ment of Agriculture an Agriculture and Food Research Initiative 
under which the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this 
subsection as ‘the Secretary’) may make competitive grants 
for fundamental and applied research, extension, and education 
to address food and agricultural sciences (as defined under 
section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)). 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY
AREAS.—The competitive grants program 
established under this subsection shall address the following 
areas: 
‘‘(A) PLANT HEALTH AND PRODUCTION AND PLANT PROD-
UCTS.—Plant systems, including—
H. R. 2419—326 
‘‘(i) plant genome structure and function; 
‘‘(ii) molecular and cellular genetics and plant bio-
technology; 
‘‘(iii) conventional breeding, including cultivar and 
breed development, selection theory, applied quan-
titative genetics, breeding for improved food quality, 
breeding for improved local adaptation to biotic stress 
and abiotic stress, and participatory breeding; 
‘‘(iv) plant-pest interactions and biocontrol sys-
tems; 
‘‘(v) crop plant response to environmental stresses; 
‘‘(vi) unproved nutrient qualities of plant products; 
and 
‘‘(vii) new food and industrial uses of plant prod-
ucts. 
‘‘(B) ANIMAL
HEALTH
AND
PRODUCTION
AND
ANIMAL 
PRODUCTS.—Animal systems, including— 
‘‘(i) aquaculture; 
‘‘(ii) cellular and molecular basis of animal repro-
duction, growth, disease, and health; 
‘‘(iii) animal biotechnology; 
‘‘(iv) 
conventional 
breeding, 
including 
breed 
development, selection theory, applied quantitative 
genetics, breeding for improved food quality, breeding 
for improved local adaptation to biotic stress and abi-
otic stress, and participatory breeding; 
‘‘(v) identification of genes responsible for improved 
production traits and resistance to disease; 
‘‘(vi) improved nutritional performance of animals; 
‘‘(vii) improved nutrient qualities of animal prod-
ucts and uses; and 
‘‘(viii) the development of new and improved 
animal husbandry and production systems that take 
into account production efficiency, animal well-being, 
and animal systems applicable to aquaculture. 
‘‘(C) FOOD SAFETY, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH.—Nutrition, 
food safety and quality, and health, including— 
‘‘(i) microbial contaminants and pesticides residue 
relating to human health; 
‘‘(ii) links between diet and health; 
‘‘(iii) bioavailability of nutrients; 
‘‘(iv) postharvest physiology and practices; and 
‘‘(v) improved processing technologies. 
‘‘(D) RENEWABLE ENERGY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND 
ENVIRONMENT.—Natural resources and the environment, 
including— 
‘‘(i) fundamental structures and functions of eco-
systems; 
‘‘(ii) biological and physical bases of sustainable 
production systems; 
‘‘(iii) minimizing soil and water losses and sus-
taining surface water and ground water quality; 
‘‘(iv) global climate effects on agriculture; 
‘‘(v) forestry; and 
‘‘(vi) biological diversity. 
‘‘(E) 
AGRICULTURE
SYSTEMS
AND
TECHNOLOGY.— 
Engineering, products, and processes, including—
H. R. 2419—327 
‘‘(i) new uses and new products from traditional 
and nontraditional crops, animals, byproducts, and nat-
ural resources; 
‘‘(ii) robotics, energy efficiency, computing, and 
expert systems; 
‘‘(iii) new hazard and risk assessment and mitiga-
tion measures; and 
‘‘(iv) water quality and management. 
‘‘(F) AGRICULTURE
ECONOMICS
AND
RURAL
COMMU-
NITIES.—Markets, trade, and policy, including— 
‘‘(i) strategies for entering into and being competi-
tive in domestic and overseas markets; 
‘‘(ii) farm efficiency and profitability, including the 
viability and competitiveness of small and medium- 
sized dairy, livestock, crop and other commodity oper-
ations; 
‘‘(iii) new decision tools for farm and market sys-
tems; 
‘‘(iv) choices and applications of technology; 
‘‘(v) technology assessment; and 
‘‘(vi) new approaches to rural development, 
including rural entrepreneurship. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—The term of a competitive grant made under 
this subsection may not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(4) GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.—In making grants under 
this subsection, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; 
‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals 
through a system of peer and merit review in accordance 
with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613); 
‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and 
relevance; 
‘‘(D) solicit and consider input from persons who con-
duct or use agricultural research, extension, or education 
in accordance with section 102(b) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
(7 U.S.C. 7612(b)); and 
‘‘(E) in seeking proposals for grants under this sub-
section and in performing peer review evaluations of such 
proposals, seek the widest participation of qualified individ-
uals in the Federal Government, colleges and universities, 
State agricultural experiment stations, and the private 
sector. 
‘‘(5) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.—In making grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall allocate funds to the Agriculture 
and Food Research Initiative to ensure that, of funds allocated 
for research activities— 
‘‘(A) not less than 60 percent is made available to 
make grants for fundamental research (as defined in sub-
section (f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)), of which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent is made available 
to make grants for research to be conducted by multi-
disciplinary teams; and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 2 percent is used for equipment 
grants under paragraph (6)(A); and
H. R. 2419—328 
‘‘(B) not less than 40 percent is made available to 
make grants for applied research (as defined in subsection 
(f)(1) of section 251 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971)). 
‘‘(6) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATIONS.—In making grants under 
this subsection, the Secretary may assist in the development 
of capabilities in the agricultural, food, and environmental 
sciences by providing grants— 
‘‘(A) to an institution to allow for the improvement 
of the research, development, technology transfer, and edu-
cation capacity of the institution through the acquisition 
of special research equipment and the improvement of agri-
cultural education and teaching, except that the Secretary 
shall use not less than 25 percent of the funds made 
available for grants under this subparagraph to provide 
fellowships to outstanding pre- and post-doctoral students 
for research in the agricultural sciences; 
‘‘(B) to a single investigator or coinvestigators who 
are beginning research careers and do not have an exten-
sive research publication record, except that, to be eligible 
for a grant under this subparagraph, an individual shall 
be within 5 years of the beginning of the initial career 
track position of the individual; 
‘‘(C) to ensure that the faculty of small, mid-sized, 
and minority-serving institutions who have not previously 
been successful in obtaining competitive grants under this 
subsection receive a portion of the grants; and 
‘‘(D) to improve research, extension, and education 
capabilities in States (as defined in section 1404 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in which institutions 
have been less successful in receiving funding under this 
subsection, based on a 3-year rolling average of funding 
levels. 
‘‘(7) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Secretary may make grants 
to carry out research, extension, and education under this sub-
section to— 
‘‘(A) State agricultural experiment stations; 
‘‘(B) colleges and universities; 
‘‘(C) university research foundations; 
‘‘(D) other research institutions and organizations; 
‘‘(E) Federal agencies; 
‘‘(F) national laboratories; 
‘‘(G) private organizations or corporations; 
‘‘(H) individuals; or 
‘‘(I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities 
described in subparagraphs (A) through (H). 
‘‘(8) CONSTRUCTION PROHIBITED.—Funds made available for 
grants under this subsection shall not be used for the construc-
tion of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, 
remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility 
(including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). 
‘‘(9) MATCHING FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) EQUIPMENT GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), in the case of a grant made under paragraph 
(6)(A), the amount provided under this subsection may
H. R. 2419—329 
not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the special research 
equipment or other equipment acquired using funds 
from the grant. 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive all or part 
of the matching requirement under clause (i) in the 
case of a college, university, or research foundation 
maintained by a college or university that ranks in 
the lowest 
1⁄3
of such colleges, universities, and 
research foundations on the basis of Federal research 
funds received, if the equipment to be acquired using 
funds from the grant costs not more than $25,000 
and has multiple uses within a single research project 
or is usable in more than 1 research project. 
‘‘(B) APPLIED
RESEARCH.—As a condition of making 
a grant under paragraph (5)(B), the Secretary shall require 
the funding of the grant to be matched with equal matching 
funds from a non-Federal source if the grant is for applied 
research that is— 
‘‘(i) commodity-specific; and 
‘‘(ii) not of national scope. 
‘‘(10) PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Director of the National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture, in coordination with the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics, shall allocate grants 
under this subsection to high-priority research, taking into 
consideration, when available, the determinations made by the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and 
Economics Advisory Board (as established under section 1408 
of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123)). 
‘‘(11) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $700,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, of which— 
‘‘(i) not less than 30 percent shall be made avail-
able for integrated research pursuant to section 406 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626); and 
‘‘(ii) not more than 4 percent may be retained 
by the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred 
by the Secretary in carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available under this 
paragraph shall— 
‘‘(i) be available for obligation for a 2-year period 
beginning on October 1 of the fiscal year for which 
the funds are first made available; and 
‘‘(ii) remain available until expended to pay for 
obligations incurred during that 2-year period.’’. 
(b) REPEALS.— 
(1) Section 401 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621) is repealed. 
(2) Subsection (d) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i(d)) is repealed. 
(c) EFFECT
ON CURRENT SOLICITATIONS.—The amendments 
made by this section shall not apply to any solicitation for grant 
applications issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, 
and Extension Service before the date of enactment of this Act.
H. R. 2419—330 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1473 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319) 
is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘and subsection 
(d)’’. 
(2) Section 1671(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924(d) is amended by striking 
‘‘Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Paragraphs 
(4), (7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
(3) Section 1672B(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b(b)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11)’’ and inserting ‘‘Para-
graphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B)’’. 
SEC. 7407. AGRICULTURAL RISK PROTECTION ACT OF 2000. 
Section 221 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 
(7 U.S.C. 6711(g)) is amended by striking subsection (g) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 7408. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 3238) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 307. EXCHANGE OR SALE AUTHORITY. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED ITEM OF PERSONAL PROPERTY.— 
In this section, the term ‘qualified item of personal property’ 
means— 
‘‘(1) an animal; 
‘‘(2) an animal product; 
‘‘(3) a plant; or 
‘‘(4) a plant product. 
‘‘(b) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—Except as provided in subsection 
(c), notwithstanding chapter 5 of subtitle I of title 40, United 
States Code, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary 
for Research, Education, and Economics, in managing personal 
property for the purpose of carrying out the research functions 
of the Department, may exchange, sell, or otherwise dispose of 
any qualified item of personal property, including by way of public 
auction, and may retain and apply the sale or other proceeds, 
without further appropriation and without fiscal year limitation, 
in whole or in partial payment— 
‘‘(1) to acquire any qualified item of personal property; 
or 
‘‘(2) to offset costs related to the maintenance, care, or 
feeding of any qualified item of personal property. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (b) does not apply to the free 
dissemination of new varieties of seeds and germplasm in accord-
ance with section 520 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known 
as the ‘Department of Agriculture Organic Act’) (7 U.S.C. 2201).’’. 
SEC. 7409. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PILOT PROGRAM. 
Title III of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act 
of 1994 (Public Law 103–354; 108 Stat. 3238) (as amended by 
section 7408) is amended by adding at the end the following: