H. R. 1906—4
of congressional relations: Provided further, That not less than
$2,241,000 shall be transferred to agencies funded by this Act
to maintain personnel at the agency level.
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry on 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,
$8,138,000, including employment pursuant to the second sentence
of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), of
which not to exceed $10,000 shall be available for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109, and not to exceed $2,000,000 may be used
for farmers’ bulletins.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General,
including employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and the Inspector
General Act of 1978, $65,128,000, including such sums as may
be necessary for contracting and other arrangements with public
agencies and private persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the
Inspector General Act of 1978, including not to exceed $50,000
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109; and including not to exceed
$125,000 for certain confidential operational expenses, including
the payment of informants, to be expended under the direction
of the Inspector General pursuant 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,
$29,194,000.
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, $540,000.
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, $65,419,000: Provided, That $1,000,000 shall be transferred
to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Food and Nutrition
Service, Food Program Administration’’ for studies and evaluations:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for
employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of
the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225).
H. R. 1906—5
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, Public Law 105–113, and
other laws, $99,405,000, of which up to $16,490,000 shall be avail-
able until expended for the Census of Agriculture: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $40,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE
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, $834,322,000:
Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for tem-
porary employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $115,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C.
3109: Provided further, 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 appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7
U.S.C. 2250 for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings
and improvements, but unless otherwise provided, the cost of con-
structing any one building shall not exceed $250,000, except for
headhouses or greenhouses which shall each be limited to
$1,000,000, and except for 10 buildings to be constructed or
improved at a cost not to exceed $500,000 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
$250,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That the limita-
tions on alterations contained in this Act shall not apply to mod-
ernization or replacement of existing facilities at Beltsville, Mary-
land: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be
available for granting easements at the Beltsville Agricultural
Research Center, including an easement to the University of Mary-
land to construct the Transgenic Animal Facility which upon
completion shall be accepted by the Secretary as a gift: Provided
further, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply to replace-
ment 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 indi-
vidual for the purpose of establishing or operating any research
facility or research project of the Agricultural Research Service,
as authorized by law.
H. R. 1906—6
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available
to carry out research related to the production, processing or mar-
keting of tobacco or tobacco products.
In fiscal year 2000, the agency is authorized to charge fees,
commensurate with the fair market value, for any permit, easement,
lease, or other special use authorization for the occupancy or use
of land and facilities (including land and facilities at the Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center) issued by the agency, as authorized
by law, and such fees shall be credited to this account and shall
remain available until expended for authorized purposes.
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,
$52,500,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b):
Provided, That funds may be received from any State, other political
subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of estab-
lishing any research facility of the Agricultural Research Service,
as authorized by law.
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, including $180,545,000 to carry into effect the provisions
of the Hatch Act (7 U.S.C. 361a–i); $21,932,000 for grants for
cooperative forestry research (16 U.S.C. 582a–a7); $30,676,000 for
payments to the 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee
University (7 U.S.C. 3222), of which $1,000,000 shall be made
available to West Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia,
which for fiscal year 2000 and thereafter shall be designated as
an eligible institution under section 1445 of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 3222); $63,238,000 for special grants for agricultural
research (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)); $13,721,000 for special grants for agri-
cultural research on improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 450i(c));
$119,300,000 for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b));
$5,109,000 for the support of animal health and disease programs
(7 U.S.C. 3195); $750,000 for supplemental and alternative crops
and products (7 U.S.C. 3319d); $650,000 for grants for research
pursuant to the Critical Agricultural Materials Act of 1984 (7 U.S.C.
178) and section 1472 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977
(7 U.S.C. 3318), to remain available until expended; $500,000 for
the 1994 research program (7 U.S.C. 301 note); $3,000,000 for
higher education graduate fellowship grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)),
to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); $4,350,000
for higher education challenge grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1));
$1,000,000 for a higher education multicultural scholars program
(7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b); $2,850,000 for an education grants program for Hispanic-
serving Institutions (7 U.S.C. 3241); $500,000 for a secondary agri-
culture education program and 2-year post-secondary education (7
H. R. 1906—7
U.S.C. 3152(h)); $4,000,000 for aquaculture grants (7 U.S.C. 3322);
$8,000,000 for sustainable agriculture research and education (7
U.S.C. 5811); $9,200,000 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, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b); $1,552,000 for payments to the 1994 Institutions pursuant
to section 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103–382; and $14,825,000 for
necessary expenses of Research and Education Activities, of which
not to exceed $100,000 shall be for employment under 5 U.S.C.
3109; in all, $485,698,000.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available
to carry out research related to the production, processing or mar-
keting of tobacco or tobacco products.
NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND
For establishment of a Native American institutions endowment
fund, as authorized by Public Law 103–382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note),
$4,600,000.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and
American Samoa: For 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 and for costs of penalty mail for cooperative extension agents
and State extension directors, $276,548,000; payments for extension
work at the 1994 Institutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C.
343(b)(3)), $3,060,000; payments for the nutrition and family edu-
cation program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act,
$58,695,000; payments for the pest management program under
section 3(d) of the Act, $10,783,000; payments for the farm safety
program under section 3(d) of the Act, $4,000,000; payments to
upgrade research, extension, and teaching facilities at the 1890
land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University, as authorized
by section 1447 of Public Law 95–113 (7 U.S.C. 3222b), $12,000,000,
to remain available until expended; payments for the rural develop-
ment centers under section 3(d) of the Act, $908,000; payments
for youth-at-risk programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $9,000,000;
payments for carrying out the provisions of the Renewable
Resources Extension Act of 1978, $3,192,000; payments for Indian
reservation agents under section 3(d) of the Act, $1,714,000; pay-
ments for sustainable agriculture programs under section 3(d) of
the Act, $3,309,000; payments for rural health and safety education
as authorized by section 2390 of Public Law 101–624 (7 U.S.C.
2661 note, 2662), $2,628,000; 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,
$26,843,000, of which $1,000,000 shall be made available to West
Virginia State College in Institute, West Virginia, which for fiscal
year 2000 and thereafter shall be designated as an eligible institu-
tion under section 1444 of the National Agricultural Research,
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221); and
H. R. 1906—8
for Federal administration and coordination including administra-
tion of the Smith-Lever Act, and the Act of September 29, 1977
(7 U.S.C. 341–349), and section 1361(c) of the Act of October 3,
1980 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), and to coordinate and provide program
leadership for the extension work of the Department and the several
States and insular possessions, $12,242,000; in all, $424,922,000:
Provided, That funds hereby appropriated pursuant to section 3(c)
of the Act of June 26, 1953, and section 506 of the Act of June
23, 1972, shall not be paid to any State, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam, or the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern
Marianas, and American Samoa prior to availability of an equal
sum from non-Federal sources for expenditure during the current
fiscal year.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES
For the integrated research, education, and extension competi-
tive grants programs, including necessary administrative expenses,
$39,541,000, as follows: payments for the water quality program,
$13,000,000; payments for the food safety program, $15,000,000;
payments for the national agriculture pesticide impact assessment
program, $4,541,000; payments for the Food Quality Protection
Act risk mitigation program for major food crop systems, $4,000,000;
payments for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection Act
implementation, $1,000,000; and payments for the methyl bromide
transition program, $2,000,000, as authorized under section 406
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626).
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, $618,000.
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses, not otherwise provided for, including those pursu-
ant to the Act of February 28, 1947 (21 U.S.C. 114b–c), necessary
to prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal dis-
eases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and regulatory activities;
to discharge the authorities of the Secretary of Agriculture under
the Act of March 2, 1931 (46 Stat. 1468; 7 U.S.C. 426–426b);
and to protect the environment, as authorized by law, $441,263,000,
of which $4,105,000 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: Provided, That no funds shall be used to formulate or admin-
ister a brucellosis eradication program for the current fiscal year
that does not require minimum matching by the States of at least
H. R. 1906—9
40 percent: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be avail-
able for field employment pursuant to the second sentence of section
706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to
exceed $40,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C.
3109: 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 necessary, to be available only in such
emergencies for the arrest and eradication of contagious or infec-
tious disease or pests of animals, poultry, or plants, and for expenses
in accordance with the Act of February 28, 1947, and section 102
of the Act of September 21, 1944, and any unexpended balances
of funds transferred for such emergency purposes in the next pre-
ceding 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 otherwise 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 2000, 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.
Of the total amount available under this heading in fiscal
year 2000, $87,000,000 shall be derived from user fees deposited
in the Agricultural Quarantine Inspection User Fee Account.
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,
$5,200,000, to remain available until expended.
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
MARKETING SERVICES
For necessary expenses to carry on services related to consumer
protection, agricultural marketing and distribution, transportation,
and regulatory programs, as authorized by law, and for administra-
tion and coordination of payments to States, including field employ-
ment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the
Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225) and not to exceed $90,000
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $51,625,000, including funds
for the wholesale market development program for the design and
H. R. 1906—10
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.
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 $60,730,000 (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 Appropriations Committees.
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 $12,443,000 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
(7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,200,000.
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, including
field employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a)
of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$25,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109, $26,448,000: Pro-
vided, 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.
H. R. 1906—11
LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES
Not to exceed $42,557,000 (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 Appropriations Committees.
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, $446,000.
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, $649,411,000, of which
no less than $544,902,000 shall be available for Federal food inspec-
tion, and in addition, $1,000,000 may be credited to this account
from fees collected for the cost of laboratory accreditation as author-
ized by section 1017 of Public Law 102–237: Provided, That this
appropriation shall not be available for shell egg surveillance under
section 5(d) of the Egg Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1034(d)):
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for
field employment pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a)
of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$75,000 shall be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109:
Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available pursu-
ant 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.
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, $572,000.
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, $794,839,000: 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
H. R. 1906—12
activities may be advanced to and merged with this account: Pro-
vided further, That these funds shall be available for employment
pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic
Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $1,000,000 shall
be available for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
STATE MEDIATION GRANTS
For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural Credit
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101–5106), $3,000,000.
DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity payments
to dairy farmers for milk or cows producing such milk and manufac-
turers of dairy products who have been directed to remove their
milk or dairy products from commercial markets because it con-
tained residues of chemicals registered and approved for use by
the Federal Government, and in making indemnity payments for
milk, or cows producing such milk, at a fair market value to
any dairy farmer who is directed to remove his milk from commer-
cial markets because of: (1) the presence of products of nuclear
radiation or fallout if such contamination is not due to the fault
of the farmer; or (2) residues of chemicals or toxic substances
not included under the first sentence of the Act of August 13,
1968 (7 U.S.C. 450j), if such chemicals or toxic substances were
not used in a manner contrary to applicable regulations or labeling
instructions provided at the time of use and the contamination
is not due to the fault of the farmer, $450,000, to remain available
until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That none of the funds
contained in this Act shall be used to make indemnity payments
to any farmer whose milk was removed from commercial markets
as a result of the farmer’s willful failure to follow procedures pre-
scribed by the Federal Government: Provided further, That this
amount shall be transferred to the Commodity Credit Corporation:
Provided further, That the Secretary is authorized to utilize the
services, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration for the purpose of making dairy indemnity disbursements.
AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and
guaranteed loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1928–1929, to be avail-
able from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as
follows: farm ownership loans, $559,422,000, of which $431,373,000
shall be for guaranteed loans; operating loans, $2,397,842,000, of
which $1,697,842,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans
and $200,000,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans; Indian
tribe land acquisition loans as authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488,
$1,028,000; for emergency insured loans, $25,000,000 to meet the
needs resulting from natural disasters; and for boll weevil eradi-
cation program loans as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $100,000,000.
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,
H. R. 1906—13
$7,243,000, of which $2,416,000, shall be for guaranteed loans;
operating loans, $70,860,000, of which $23,940,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $17,620,000 shall be for sub-
sidized guaranteed loans; Indian tribe land acquisition loans as
authorized by 25 U.S.C. 488, $21,000; and for emergency insured
loans, $3,882,000 to meet the needs resulting from natural disasters.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $214,161,000, of
which $209,861,000 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 with the prior approval of the House and Senate Committees
on Appropriations.
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by
the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 6933), $64,000,000: Provided, That not to exceed $700 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, such sums as may be necessary, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION FUND
REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES
For fiscal year 2000, 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).
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE
MANAGEMENT
For fiscal year 2000, the Commodity Credit Corporation shall
not expend more than $5,000,000 for expenses to comply with
the requirement of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive Environ-
mental 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: Provided, That expenses shall be
H. R. 1906—14
for operations and maintenance costs only and that other hazardous
waste management costs shall be paid for by the USDA Hazardous
Waste Management appropriation in this Act.
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, $693,000.
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, $661,243,000,
to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b), of which
not less than $5,990,000 is for snow survey and water forecasting
and not less than $9,125,000 is for operation and establishment
of the plant materials centers: Provided, That appropriations here-
under shall be available pursuant 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 improve-
ments 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 appropriation 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
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $25,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That qualified
local engineers may be temporarily employed at per diem rates
to perform the technical planning work of the Service (16 U.S.C.
590e–2).
H. R. 1906—15
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 approved August
4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001–1009), $10,368,000: Provided, That this
appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $110,000 shall be available for
employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
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 approved
August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001–1005 and 1007–1009), the provi-
sions 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, $99,443,000, to remain available until expended
(7 U.S.C. 2209b) (of which up to $15,000,000 may be available
for the watersheds authorized under the Flood Control Act approved
June 22, 1936 (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a)): Provided,
That not to exceed $47,000,000 of this appropriation shall be avail-
able for technical assistance: Provided further, That this appropria-
tion shall be available for employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $200,000 shall be available for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109: 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 of the funds available for Emergency Watershed
Protection activities, $8,000,000 shall be available for Mississippi,
New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin for financial and technical assist-
ance for pilot rehabilitation projects of small, upstream dams built
under the Watershed and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001
et seq., section 13 of the Act of December 22, 1994; Public Law
78–534; 58 Stat. 905), and the pilot watershed program authorized
under the heading ‘‘FLOOD PREVENTION’’ of the Department
of Agriculture Appropriation Act, 1954 (Public Law 83–156; 67
Stat. 214).
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 section 32(e) of title III 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 the Agri-
culture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451–3461), $35,265,000,
to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided,
That this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant
H. R. 1906—16
to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of
1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $50,000 shall be available
for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
FORESTRY INCENTIVES PROGRAM
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to carry
out the program of forestry incentives, as authorized by the
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101),
including technical assistance and related expenses, $6,325,000,
to remain available until expended, as authorized by that Act.
TITLE III
RURAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY 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, $588,000.
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, 381N, and 381O of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009f ), $718,837,000, to
remain available until expended, of which $23,150,000 shall be
for rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of
such Act; of which $631,088,000 shall be for the rural utilities
programs described in section 381E(d)(2), 306C(a)(2), and 306D
of such Act; and of which $64,599,000 shall be for the rural business
and cooperative development programs described in section
381E(d)(3) of such Act: Provided, That of the amount appropriated
for rural community 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, nonprofit community-based housing and community
development organizations, and low-income rural communities to
undertake projects to improve housing, community facilities,
community and economic development projects in rural areas: Pro-
vided further, That such funds shall be made available to qualified
private and public (including tribal) intermediary organizations pro-
posing to carry out a program of technical assistance: Provided
further, That such intermediary organizations shall provide
matching funds from other sources 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 assistance for rural
transportation in order to promote economic development: Provided
further, That of the amount appropriated for rural utilities pro-
grams, not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for water and waste
H. R. 1906—17
disposal systems to benefit the Colonias along the United States/
Mexico borders, including grants pursuant to section 306C of such
Act; not to exceed $12,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal
systems to benefit Federally Recognized Native American Tribes,
including grants pursuant to section 306C of such Act: Provided
further, That the Federally Recognized Native American Tribe is
not eligible for any other rural utilities programs set aside under
the Rural Community Advancement Program; not to exceed
$20,000,000 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 one percent available to administer the program
and up to one percent available to improve interagency coordination;
not to exceed $16,215,000 shall be for technical assistance grants
for rural waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such
Act; and not to exceed $7,300,000 shall be for contracting with
qualified national organizations for a circuit rider program to pro-
vide technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided further,
That of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed $45,245,000
shall be available through June 30, 2000, for authorized empower-
ment zones and enterprise communities and communities des-
ignated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area
Partnership Zones; of which $34,704,000 shall be for the rural
utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act; of
which $8,435,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative
development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act:
Provided further, That any obligated and unobligated balances
available from prior years for the ‘‘Rural Utilities Assistance Pro-
gram’’ account shall be transferred to and merged with this account.
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: $4,300,000,000 for loans to section 502 borrowers,
as determined by the Secretary, of which $3,200,000,000 shall be
for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; $32,396,000 for section 504
housing repair loans; $100,000,000 for section 538 guaranteed
multi-family housing loans; $25,001,000 for section 514 farm labor
housing; $114,321,000 for section 515 rental housing; $5,152,000
for section 524 site loans; $7,503,000 for credit sales of acquired
property, of which up to $1,250,000 may be for multi-family credit
sales; and $5,000,000 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,
$113,350,000, of which $19,520,000 shall be for unsubsidized
guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair loans, $9,900,000;
section 538 multi-family housing guaranteed loans, $480,000; sec-
tion 514 farm labor housing, $11,308,000; section 515 rental
housing, $45,363,000; section 524 site loans, $4,000; credit sales
of acquired property, $874,000, of which up to $494,250 may be
for multi-family credit sales; and section 523 self-help housing
H. R. 1906—18
land development loans, $281,000: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated in this paragraph, $11,180,000 shall be avail-
able through June 30, 2000, 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 necessary to carry
out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $375,879,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Housing Service, Salaries and Expenses’’: Provided, That
of this amount the Secretary of Agriculture may transfer up to
$7,000,000 to the appropriation for ‘‘Outreach for Socially Disadvan-
taged Farmers’’.
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, $640,000,000; 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 $10,000
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 fiscal
year 2000 shall be funded for a 5-year period, although the life
of any such agreement may be extended to fully utilize amounts
obligated.
MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS
For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of
the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $28,000,000, to remain
available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Provided, That of the
total amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be available through
June 30, 2000, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise
communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agri-
culture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For grants and contracts for housing for domestic farm labor,
very low-income housing repair, supervisory and technical assist-
ance, compensation for construction defects, and rural housing
preservation made by the Rural Housing Service, as authorized
by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1486, 1490e, and 1490m, $45,000,000,
to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated, $1,200,000 shall be available through June
30, 2000, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture
as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
H. R. 1906—19
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Housing Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, title V of the Housing Act of 1949,
and cooperative agreements, $61,979,000: Provided, That this
appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to the
second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7
U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $520,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109: Provided further, That the Administrator
may expend not more than $10,000 to provide modest nonmonetary
awards to non-USDA employees.
RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE
RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For the cost of direct loans, $16,615,000, as authorized by
the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)): Provided,
That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall
be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to subsidize
gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans of
$38,256,000: Provided further, That of the total amount appro-
priated, $3,216,000 shall be available through June 30, 2000, for
the cost of direct loans for authorized empowerment zones and
enterprise communities and communities designated by the Sec-
retary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct
loan programs, $3,337,000 shall be transferred to and merged with
the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Salaries
and Expenses’’.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING 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,
$15,000,000.
For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modifying
loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, $3,453,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit
payments in fiscal year 2000, as authorized by section 313 of
the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $3,453,000 shall not be obli-
gated and $3,453,000 are rescinded.
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), $6,000,000, of which $1,500,000 shall be avail-
able for cooperative agreements for the appropriate technology
transfer for rural areas program: Provided, That at least 25 percent
H. R. 1906—20
of the total amount appropriated shall be made available to coopera-
tives or associations of cooperatives that assist small, minority
producers.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service, including administering the programs authorized by the
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; section 1323 of
the Food Security Act of 1985; the Cooperative Marketing Act
of 1926; for activities relating to the marketing aspects of coopera-
tives, including economic research findings, as authorized by the
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946; for activities with institutions
concerning the development and operation of agricultural coopera-
tives; and for cooperative agreements, $24,612,000: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $260,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall be made
as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans, $121,500,000; 5
percent rural telecommunications loans, $75,000,000; cost of money
rural telecommunications loans, $300,000,000; municipal rate rural
electric loans, $295,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section
306 of that Act, rural electric, $1,700,000,000 and rural tele-
communications, $120,000,000, to remain available until expended.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
and guaranteed loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of direct loans,
$1,935,000; cost of municipal rate loans, $10,827,000; cost of money
rural telecommunications loans, $2,370,000: Provided, That not-
withstanding 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, $31,046,000, which
shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for
‘‘Rural Utilities Service, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL TELEPHONE BANK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
The Rural Telephone Bank is hereby authorized to make such
expenditures, within the limits of funds available to such corpora-
tion in accord with law, and to make such contracts and commit-
ments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by
section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act, as may
be necessary in carrying out its authorized programs. During fiscal
H. R. 1906—21
year 2000 and within the resources and authority available, gross
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$175,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct
loans authorized by the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C.
935), $3,290,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry
out the loan programs, $3,000,000, which shall be transferred to
and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Utilities Service,
Salaries and Expenses’’.
DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE PROGRAM
For the cost of direct loans and grants, as authorized by 7
U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $20,700,000, to remain available until
expended, to be available for loans and grants for telemedicine
and distance learning services in rural areas: Provided, That the
costs of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Utilities Service, including
administering the programs authorized by the Rural Electrification
Act of 1936, and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development
Act, and for cooperative agreements, $34,107,000: Provided, That
this appropriation shall be available for employment pursuant to
the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944
(7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $105,000 may be used for employ-
ment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE IV
DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS
OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD, NUTRITION AND
CONSUMER SERVICES
For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under
Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer
the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Nutrition
Service, $554,000.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections
17 and 21; $9,554,028,000, to remain available through September
30, 2001, of which $4,618,829,000 is hereby appropriated and
$4,935,199,000 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, except as specifically provided under this heading,
none of the funds made available under this heading shall be
H. R. 1906—22
used for studies and evaluations: Provided further, That of the
funds made available under this heading, up to $7,000,000 shall
be for school breakfast pilot projects, including the evaluation
required under section 18(e) of the National School Lunch Act:
Provided further, That up to $4,363,000 shall be available for inde-
pendent verification of school food service claims: Provided further,
That none of the funds under this heading shall be available unless
the value of bonus commodities provided under section 32 of the
Act of August 24, 1935 (49 Stat. 774, chapter 641; 7 U.S.C. 612c),
and section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1431)
is included in meeting the minimum commodity assistance require-
ment of section 6(g) of the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C.
1755(g)).
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), $4,032,000,000, to remain available
through September 30, 2001: Provided, That none of the funds
made available under this heading shall be used for studies and
evaluations: Provided further, That of the total amount available,
the Secretary shall obligate $10,000,000 for the farmers’ market
nutrition program within 45 days of the enactment of this Act,
and an additional $5,000,000 for the farmers’ market nutrition
program from any funds not needed to maintain current caseload
levels: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act shall
be available to pay administrative expenses of WIC clinics except
those that have an announced policy of prohibiting smoking within
the space used to carry out the program: Provided further, That
none of the funds provided in this account shall be available for
the purchase of infant formula except in accordance with the cost
containment and competitive bidding requirements specified in sec-
tion 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966: 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 the Child Nutrition
Act of 1966.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $21,071,751,000, of which $100,000,000 shall
be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such
times as may become necessary to carry out program operations:
Provided, That none of the funds made available under this heading
shall be used for studies and evaluations: 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 Employment and Training under this heading shall
remain available until expended, as authorized by section 16(h)(1)
of the Food Stamp Act.
H. R. 1906—23
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity supple-
mental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture
and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); the
Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, $133,300,000, to remain
available through September 30, 2001: Provided, That none of these
funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration for commodities donated to the program.
FOOD DONATIONS PROGRAMS
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the Agri-
culture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; special assistance
for the nuclear affected islands as authorized by section 103(h)(2)
of the Compacts of Free Association Act of 1985, as amended;
and section 311 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, $141,081,000,
to remain available through September 30, 2001.
FOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic food
programs funded under this Act, $111,561,000, of which $5,000,000
shall be available only for simplifying procedures, reducing overhead
costs, tightening regulations, improving food stamp coupon han-
dling, and assisting in the prevention, identification, and prosecu-
tion of fraud and other violations of law and of which not less
than $3,000,000 shall be available to improve integrity in the Food
Stamp and Child Nutrition programs: Provided, That this appro-
priation shall be available for employment pursuant to the second
sentence of section 706(a) of the Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C.
2225), and not to exceed $150,000 shall be available for employment
under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
TITLE V
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS
FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE AND GENERAL SALES MANAGER
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service,
including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954
(7 U.S.C. 1761–1768), market development activities abroad, and
for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate activities
of the Department in connection with foreign agricultural work,
including not to exceed $128,000 for representation allowances and
for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August
3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $109,203,000: 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.
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be available
to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco products.
H. R. 1906—24
PUBLIC LAW 480 PROGRAM AND GRANT ACCOUNTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise
recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, including interest
thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance
Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701–1704, 1721–1726a, 1727–1727e,
1731–1736g–3, and 1737), as follows: (1) $155,000,000 for Public
Law 480 title I credit, including Food for Progress programs; (2)
$21,000,000 is hereby appropriated for ocean freight differential
costs for the shipment of agricultural commodities pursuant to
title I of said Act and the Food for Progress Act of 1985; and
(3) $800,000,000 is hereby appropriated for commodities supplied
in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to title II of said
Act: Provided, That not to exceed 15 percent of the funds made
available to carry out any title of said Act may be used to carry
out any other title of said Act: Provided further, That such sums
shall remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements as authorized by
the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954,
and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, including the cost of modi-
fying credit agreements under said Act, $127,813,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the Public
Law 480 title I credit program, and the Food for Progress Act
of 1985, to the extent funds appropriated for Public Law 480 are
utilized, $1,850,000, of which $1,035,000 may be transferred to
and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural Service
and General Sales Manager’’ and $815,000 may be transferred
to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service Agency,
Salaries and Expenses’’.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit
Corporation’s export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103,
$3,820,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by
section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and
in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which
$3,231,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ‘‘Foreign Agricultural Service and General Sales Manager’’ and
$589,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation
for ‘‘Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
H. R. 1906—25
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; and for miscella-
neous 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; $1,186,072,000,
of which not to exceed $145,434,000 in prescription drug user fees
authorized by 21 U.S.C. 379(h) may be credited to this appropriation
and remain available until expended: Provided, That fees derived
from applications received during fiscal year 2000 shall be subject
to the fiscal year 2000 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) $269,245,000 shall be
for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and related
field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (2) $309,026,000
shall be for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and
related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs, of which
no less than $11,542,000 shall be available for grants and contracts
awarded under section 5 of the Orphan Drug Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee);
(3) $132,092,000 shall be for the Center for Biologics Evaluation
and Research and for related field activities in the Office of Regu-
latory Affairs; (4) $48,821,000 shall be for the Center for Veterinary
Medicine and for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory
Affairs; (5) $154,271,000 shall be for the Center for Devices and
Radiological Health and for related field activities in the Office
of Regulatory Affairs, of which $1,000,000 shall be for premarket
review, enforcement and oversight activities related to users and
manufacturers of all reprocessed medical devices as authorized
by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321 et
seq.), and of which no less than $55,500,000 and 522 full-time
equivalent positions shall be for premarket application review
activities to meet statutory review times; (6) $34,536,000 shall
be for the National Center for Toxicological Research; (7)
$34,000,000 shall be for the Office of Tobacco; (8) $25,855,000
shall be for Rent and Related activities, other than the amounts
paid to the General Services Administration; (9) $100,180,000 shall
be for payments to the General Services Administration for rent
and related costs; and (10) $78,046,000 shall be for other activities,
including the Office of the Commissioner; the Office of Policy; the
Office of the Senior Associate Commissioner; the Office of Inter-
national and Constituent Relations; the Office of Policy, Legislation,
and Planning; and central services for these offices: Provided fur-
ther, That funds may be transferred from one specified activity
H. R. 1906—26
to another with the prior approval of the Committee on Appropria-
tions of both Houses of Congress.
In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42 U.S.C.
263(b) 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, $11,350,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b).
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; the rental of space (to include
multiple year leases) in the District of Columbia and elsewhere;
and not to exceed $25,000 for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109,
$63,000,000, including not to exceed $1,000 for official reception
and representation expenses: Provided, That for fiscal year 2000
and thereafter, the Commission is authorized to charge reasonable
fees to attendees of Commission sponsored educational events and
symposia to cover the Commission’s costs of providing those events
and symposia, and notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, said fees shall
be credited to this account, to be available without further appro-
priation.
FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Not to exceed $35,800,000 (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 fiscal year 2000 under this Act shall be available for the
purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of not to
exceed 365 passenger motor vehicles, of which 361 shall be for
replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.
SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Department of
Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allowances therefor
as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropriations of
the Department of Agriculture in this Act for research and service
H. R. 1906—27
work authorized by the Acts of August 14, 1946, and July 28,
1954 (7 U.S.C. 427 and 1621–1629), and by chapter 63 of title
31, United States Code, shall be available for contracting in accord-
ance with said Acts and chapter.
SEC. 704. The cumulative total of transfers to the Working
Capital Fund for the purpose of accumulating growth capital for
data services and National Finance Center operations shall not
exceed $2,000,000: Provided, That no funds in this Act appropriated
to an agency of the Department shall be transferred to the Working
Capital Fund without the approval of the agency administrator.
SEC. 705. New obligational authority provided for the following
appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until
expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the contin-
gency fund to meet emergency conditions, fruit fly program,
integrated systems acquisition project, boll weevil program, up to
10 percent of the screwworm program, and up to $2,000,000 for
costs associated with colocating regional offices; Food Safety and
Inspection Service, field automation and information management
project; funds appropriated for rental payments; Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service, funds for competitive
research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) and funds for the Native Amer-
ican Institutions Endowment Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries
and expenses funds made available to county committees; and For-
eign Agricultural Service, middle-income country training program.
SEC. 706. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act
shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year
unless expressly so provided herein.
SEC. 707. Not to exceed $50,000 of the appropriations available
to the Department of Agriculture in this Act shall be available
to provide appropriate orientation and language training pursuant
to Public Law 94–449.
SEC. 708. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used
to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements
or similar arrangements between the United States Department
of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent
of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of
such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual
interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate
payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institu-
tions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis
for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
SEC. 709. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
commodities acquired by the Department in connection with the
Commodity Credit Corporation and section 32 price support oper-
ations may be used, as authorized by law (15 U.S.C. 714c and
7 U.S.C. 612c), to provide commodities to individuals in cases of
hardship as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
SEC. 710. None of the funds in this Act shall be available
to 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. 711. 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 19 percent of total Federal funds provided under each award:
H. R. 1906—28
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 the Small Business Innovation
Development Act of 1982, Public Law 97–219 (15 U.S.C. 638).
SEC. 712. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered estimates,
not limitations.
SEC. 713. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective
on September 29, 1999, appropriations made available to the Rural
Housing Insurance Fund Program Account for the costs of direct
and guaranteed loans and to the Rural Housing Assistance Grants
Account in fiscal years 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999
shall remain available until expended to cover obligations made
in each of those fiscal years respectively with regard to each account.
SEC. 714. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for
the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in fiscal
year 2000 shall remain available until expended to cover obligations
made in fiscal year 2000 for the following accounts: the rural
development loan fund program account; the Rural Telephone Bank
program account; the rural electrification and telecommunications
loans program account; the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program
Account; and the rural economic development loans program
account.
SEC. 715. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2000
pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be absorbed within
the levels appropriated by this Act.
SEC. 716. Notwithstanding the Federal Grant and Cooperative
Agreement Act, marketing services of the Agricultural Marketing
Service; Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration;
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and the food
safety activities of the Food Safety and Inspection Service may
use cooperative agreements to reflect a relationship between the
Agricultural Marketing Service; the Grain Inspection, Packers and
Stockyards Administration; the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service; or the Food Safety and Inspection Service and a State
or Cooperator to carry out agricultural marketing programs, to
carry out programs to protect the Nation’s animal and plant
resources, or to carry out educational programs or special studies
to improve the safety of the Nation’s food supply.
SEC. 717. Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including
provisions of law requiring competition), the Secretary may enter
into cooperative agreements (which may provide for the acquisition
of goods or services, including personal services) with a State,
political subdivision, or agency thereof, a public or private agency,
organization, or any other person, if the Secretary determines that
the objectives of the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest
of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the Wetlands Reserve
Program; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accom-
plishment of these objectives: Provided, That Commodity Credit
Corporation funds obligated for such purposes shall not exceed
the level obligated by the Commodity Credit Corporation for such
purposes in fiscal year 1998.
SEC. 718. None of the funds in this Act may be used to retire
more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the Rural Telephone
H. R. 1906—29
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
such balance shall receive interest as set forth for financial accounts
in section 505(c) of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
SEC. 719. 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: Provided, That inter-
agency funding is authorized to carry out the purposes of the
National Drought Policy Commission.
SEC. 720. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may
be used to carry out the provisions of section 918 of Public Law
104–127, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act.
SEC. 721. 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. 722. 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. 723. 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 Committee on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress.
SEC. 724. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided
by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this
Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in fiscal
year 2000, 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 Committee
H. R. 1906—30
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 fiscal year
2000, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United
States derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies
funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure
for activities, programs, or projects through a reprogramming of
funds in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that:
(1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2) reduces
by 10 percent funding for any existing program, project, or activity,
or numbers of personnel by 10 percent as approved by Congress;
or (3) results from any general savings from a reduction in personnel
which would result in a change in existing programs, activities,
or projects as approved by Congress; unless the Committee on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days
in advance of such reprogramming of funds.
SEC. 725. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act or any other Act may be used to pay the
salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out the transfer or
obligation of fiscal year 2000 funds under the provisions of section
793 of Public Law 104–127.
SEC. 726. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses
of personnel who carry out an environmental quality incentives
program authorized by sections 334–341 of Public Law 104–127
in excess of $174,000,000.
SEC. 727. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise available
to the Department of Agriculture in fiscal year 2000 or thereafter
may be used to administer the provision of contract payments
to a producer under the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.) for contract acreage on which wild rice is
planted unless the contract payment is reduced by an acre for
each contract acre planted to wild rice.
SEC. 728. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses
of personnel to enroll in excess of 150,000 acres in the fiscal year
2000 wetlands reserve program as authorized by 16 U.S.C. 3837.
SEC. 729. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries
and expenses of personnel to carry out the transfer or obligation
of fiscal year 2000 funds under the provisions of section 401 of
Public Law 105–185, the Initiative for Future Agriculture and Food
Systems.
SEC. 730. Notwithstanding section 381A of the Consolidated
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009), in fiscal year
2000 and thereafter, the definitions of rural areas for certain busi-
ness programs administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service and the community facilities programs administered by
the Rural Housing Service shall be those provided for in statute
and regulations prior to the enactment of Public Law 104–127.
SEC. 731. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to carry out any commodity
purchase program that would prohibit eligibility or participation
by farmer-owned cooperatives.
H. R. 1906—31
SEC. 732. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses
of personnel to carry out a conservation farm option program,
as authorized by section 335 of Public Law 104–127.
SEC. 733. None of the funds made available to the Food and
Drug Administration by this Act shall be used to close or relocate,
or to plan to close or relocate, the Food and Drug Administration
Division of Drug Analysis in St. Louis, Missouri, or the Food and
Drug Administration Detroit, Michigan, District Office Laboratory;
or to reduce the Detroit, Michigan, Food and Drug Administration
District Office below the operating and full-time equivalent staffing
level of July 31, 1999; or to change the Detroit District Office
to a station, residence post or similarly modified office; or to reassign
residence posts assigned to the Detroit District Office.
SEC. 734. None of the funds made available by this Act or
any other Act for any fiscal year may be used to carry out section
302(h) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622(h))
unless the Secretary of Agriculture inspects and certifies agricul-
tural processing equipment, and imposes a fee for the inspection
and certification, in a manner that is similar to the inspection
and certification of agricultural products under that section, as
determined by the Secretary: Provided, That this provision shall
not affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out the Federal
Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Poultry Products
Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451 et seq.), or the Egg Products Inspec-
tion Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.).
SEC. 735. None of the funds appropriated by this Act or any
other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel
who prepare or submit appropriations language as part of the
President’s Budget submission to the Congress of the United States
for programs under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Sub-
committees on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agen-
cies that assumes revenues or reflects a reduction from the previous
year due to user fees proposals that have not been enacted into
law prior to the submission of the Budget unless such Budget
submission identifies which additional spending reductions should
occur in the event the users fees proposals are not enacted prior
to the date of the convening of a committee of conference for
the fiscal year 2001 appropriations Act.
SEC. 736. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to establish an Office of Commu-
nity Food Security or any similar office within the United States
Department of Agriculture without the prior approval of the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
SEC. 737. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this or any other Act may be used to carry out provision
of section 612 of Public Law 105–185.
SEC. 738. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses
of personnel to carry out the emergency food assistance program
authorized by section 27(a) of the Food Stamp Act (7 U.S.C. 2036(a))
if such program exceeds $98,000,000.
SEC. 739. None of the funds appropriated by this Act shall
be used to propose or issue rules, regulations, decrees, or orders
for the purpose of implementation, or in preparation for
implementation of the Kyoto Protocol which was adopted on
December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan.
H. R. 1906—32
SEC. 740. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in fiscal
year 2000 and thereafter, permanent employees of county commit-
tees employed on or after October 1, 1998, pursuant to 8(b) of
the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C.
590h(b)) shall be considered as having Federal Civil Service status
only for the purpose of applying for United States Department
of Agriculture Civil Service vacancies.
SEC. 741. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made
available by this Act may be used to declare excess or surplus
all or part of the lands and facilities owned by the Federal Govern-
ment and administered by the Secretary of Agriculture at Fort
Reno, Oklahoma, or to transfer or convey such lands or facilities,
without the specific authorization of Congress.
SEC. 742. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall provide
funds, within discretionary amounts available, for the settlement
of claims associated with the Chuquatonchee Watershed Project
in Mississippi to close out this project.
SEC. 743. (a) Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall offer to
enter into an agreement with the Governor of the State of Hawaii
to conduct a pilot program to inspect mail entering the State of
Hawaii for any plant, plant product, plant pest, or other organism
that is subject to Federal quarantine laws.
(b) The agreement described in subsection (a) shall contain
the same terms and conditions as are contained in the memorandum
of understanding entered into between the Secretary and the State
of California, dated February 1, 1999, unless the Secretary and
the Governor agree to different terms or conditions.
(c) Unless the Secretary and the Governor agree otherwise,
the agreement described in subsection (b) shall terminate on the
later of—
(1) the date that is 1 year after the date the agreement
becomes effective; or
(2) the date that the February 1, 1999 memorandum of
understanding terminates.
SEC. 744. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary is authorized under section 306 of the Consolidated Farm
and Rural Development Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1926), to provide
guaranteed lines of credit, including working capital loans, for
health care facilities, to address Year 2000 computer conversion
issues.
SEC. 745. After taking any action involving the seizure, quar-
antine, treatment, destruction, or disposal of wheat infested with
karnal bunt, the Secretary of Agriculture shall compensate the
producers and handlers for economic losses incurred as the result
of the action not later than 45 days after receipt of a claim that
includes all appropriate paperwork.
SEC. 746. In addition to amounts otherwise appropriated or
made available by this Act, $2,000,000 is appropriated for the
purpose of providing Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger
Fellowships through the Congressional Hunger Center, which is
an organization described in subsection (c)(3) of section 501 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is exempt from taxation
under subsection (a) of such section.
SEC. 747. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, there
are hereby appropriated $250,000 for the program authorized under
H. R. 1906—33
section 388 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform
Act of 1996, solely for use in the State of New Hampshire.
SEC. 748. The Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1188
et seq.) is amended—
(1) in section 218(c)(1) by striking ‘‘60 days’’ and inserting
‘‘45 days’’; and
(2) in section 218(c)(3)(A) by striking ‘‘20 days’’ and
inserting ‘‘30 days’’.
SEC. 749. SUCCESSORSHIP PROVISIONS RELATING TO BARGAINING
UNITS AND EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVES. (a) VOLUNTARY AGREE-
MENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the exercise of the Secretary of Agri-
culture’s authority under this section results in changes to
an existing bargaining unit that has been certified under
chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code, the affected parties
shall attempt to reach a voluntary agreement on a new bar-
gaining unit and an exclusive representative for such unit.
(2) CRITERIA.—In carrying out the requirements of this
subsection, the affected parties shall use criteria set forth in—
(A) sections 7103(a)(4), 7111(e), 7111(f )(1), and 7120
of title 5, United States Code, relating to determining an
exclusive representative; and
(B) section 7112 of title 5, United States Code (dis-
regarding subsections (b)(5) and (d) thereof ), relating to
determining appropriate units.
(b) EFFECT OF AN AGREEMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the affected parties reach agreement
on the appropriate unit and the exclusive representative for
such unit under subsection (a), the Federal Labor Relations
Authority shall certify the terms of such agreement, subject
to paragraph (2)(A). Nothing in this subsection shall be consid-
ered to require the holding of any hearing or election as a
condition for certification.
(2) RESTRICTIONS.—
(A) CONDITIONS
REQUIRING
NONCERTIFICATION.—The
Federal Labor Relations Authority may not certify the
terms of an agreement under paragraph (1) if—
(i) it determines that any of the criteria referred
to in subsection (a)(2) (disregarding section 7112(a)
of title 5, United States Code) have not been met;
or
(ii) after the Secretary’s exercise of authority and
before certification under this section, a valid election
under section 7111(b) of title 5, United States Code,
is held covering any employees who would be included
in the unit proposed for certification.
(B) TEMPORARY WAIVER OF PROVISION THAT WOULD BAR
AN ELECTION AFTER A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
IS REACHED.—Nothing in section 7111(f )(3) of title 5, United
States Code, shall prevent the holding of an election under
section 7111(b) of such title that covers employees within
a unit certified under paragraph (1), or giving effect to
the results of such an election (including a decision not
to be represented by any labor organization), if the election
is held before the end of the 12-month period beginning
on the date such unit is so certified.
H. R. 1906—52
(ii) delay or preclude implementation of a report
of a dispute panel of the World Trade Organization;
and
(C) negotiations within the World Trade Organization
should be structured so as to provide the maximum lever-
age possible to ensure the successful conclusion of negotia-
tions on agricultural products;
(3) the President should—
(A) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of all existing
export and food aid programs, including—
(i) the export credit guarantee program established
under section 202 of the Agricultural Trade Act of
1978 (7 U.S.C. 5622);
(ii) the market access program established under
section 203 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 5623);
(iii) the export enhancement program established
under section 301 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 5651);
(iv) the foreign market development cooperator
program established under section 702 of that Act (7
U.S.C. 5722); and
(v) programs established under the Agricultural
Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7
U.S.C. 1691 et seq.); and
(B) transmit to Congress—
(i) the results of the evaluation under subpara-
graph (A); and
(ii) recommendations on maximizing the effective-
ness of the programs described in subparagraph (A);
and
(4) the Secretary should carry out a purchase and donation
or concessional sales initiative in each of fiscal years 1999
and 2000 to promote the export of additional quantities of
soybeans, beef, pork, poultry, and products of such commodities
(including soybean meal, soybean oil, textured vegetable pro-
tein, and soy protein concentrates and isolates) using programs
established under—
(A) the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act
(15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.);
(B) section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C.
1431);
(C) titles I and II of the Agricultural Trade Develop-
ment and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
and
(D) the Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o).
Subtitle C—Administration
SEC. 821. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.
The Secretary shall use the funds, facilities, and authorities
of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this title.
SEC. 822. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
(a) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsections (b) and
(c), the Secretary may reserve up to $56,000,000 of the amounts
made available under subtitle A to cover administrative costs
H. R. 1906—58
‘‘(i) type of purchase;
‘‘(ii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a live weight
basis; and
‘‘(iii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a dressed
weight basis.
‘‘(C) The quantity of cattle committed to the packer
(quoted in numbers of head) as of that day, categorized
by—
‘‘(i) type of purchase;
‘‘(ii) the quantity of cattle committed on a live
weight basis; and
‘‘(iii) the quantity of cattle committed on a dressed
weight basis.
‘‘(D) The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as
applicable.
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall make the informa-
tion available to the public not less frequently than three
times each reporting day.
‘‘(d) WEEKLY REPORTING.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The corporate officers or officially des-
ignated representatives of each packer processing plant shall
report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each
week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following
information applicable to the prior slaughter week:
‘‘(A) The quantity of cattle purchased through a for-
ward contract that were slaughtered.
‘‘(B) The quantity of cattle delivered under a formula
marketing arrangement that were slaughtered.
‘‘(C) The quantity and carcass characteristics of packer-
owned cattle that were slaughtered.
‘‘(D) The quantity, basis level, and delivery month for
all cattle purchased through forward contracts that were
agreed to by the parties.
‘‘(E) The range and average of intended premiums
and discounts that are expected to be in effect for the
current slaughter week.
‘‘(2) FORMULA PURCHASES.—The corporate officers or offi-
cially designated representatives of each packer processing
plant shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day
of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the fol-
lowing information for cattle purchased through a formula mar-
keting arrangement and slaughtered during the prior slaughter
week:
‘‘(A) The quantity (quoted in both numbers of head
and hundredweights) of cattle.
‘‘(B) The weighted average price paid for a carcass,
including applicable premiums and discounts.
‘‘(C) The range of premiums and discounts paid.
‘‘(D) The weighted average of premiums and discounts
paid.
‘‘(E) The range of prices paid.
‘‘(F) The aggregate weighted average price paid for
a carcass.
‘‘(G) The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as
applicable.
‘‘(3) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall make available to
the public the information obtained under paragraphs (1) and
H. R. 1906—64
period per hundred pounds of carcass weight of
swine;
‘‘(V) the average carcass weight, which shall
be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing—
‘‘(aa) the total carcass weight of the swine
slaughtered at the packing plant during the
applicable reporting period; by
‘‘(bb) the number of the swine described
in item (aa),
adjusted for special slaughter situations (such as
skinning or foot removal), as the Secretary deter-
mines necessary to render comparable carcass
weights;
‘‘(VI) the average sort loss, which shall be
equal to the average discount (in dollars per hun-
dred pounds carcass weight) for swine slaughtered
during the applicable reporting period, resulting
from the fact that the swine did not fall within
the individual packer’s established carcass weight
or lot variation range;
‘‘(VII) the average backfat, which shall be
equal to the average of the backfat thickness (in
inches) measured between the third and fourth
from the last ribs, 7 centimeters from the carcass
split (or adjusted from the individual packer’s
measurement to that reference point using an
adjustment made by the Secretary) of the swine
slaughtered during the applicable reporting period;
‘‘(VIII) the average lean percentage, which
shall be equal to the average percentage of the
carcass weight comprised of lean meat for the
swine slaughtered during the applicable reporting
period, except that when a packer is required to
report the average lean percentage under this sub-
clause, the packer shall make available to the Sec-
retary the underlying data, applicable methodology
and formulae, and supporting materials used to
determine the average lean percentage, which the
Secretary may convert to the carcass measure-
ments or lean percentage of the swine of the indi-
vidual packer to correlate to a common percent
lean measurement; and
‘‘(IX) the total slaughter quantity, which shall
be equal to the total number of swine slaughtered
during the applicable reporting period, including
all types of purchases and packer-owned swine;
and
‘‘(iii) packer purchase commitments, which shall
be equal to the number of swine scheduled for delivery
to a packer for slaughter for each of the next 14 cal-
endar days.
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the
information obtained under this paragraph in a prior day
report not later than 8:00 a.m. Central Time on the
reporting day on which the information is received from
the packer.
‘‘(2) MORNING REPORT.—
H. R. 1906—65
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The corporate officers or officially
designated representatives of each packer processing plant
shall report to the Secretary not later than 10:00 a.m.
Central Time each reporting day—
‘‘(i) the packer’s best estimate of the total number
of swine, and packer-owned swine, expected to be pur-
chased throughout the reporting day through each type
of purchase;
‘‘(ii) the total number of swine, and packer-owned
swine, purchased up to that time of the reporting day
through each type of purchase;
‘‘(iii) the base price paid for all base market hogs
purchased up to that time of the reporting day through
negotiated purchases; and
‘‘(iv) the base price paid for all base market hogs
purchased through each type of purchase other than
negotiated purchase up to that time of the reporting
day, unless such information is unavailable due to
pricing that is determined on a delayed basis.
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the
information obtained under this paragraph in the morning
report as soon as practicable, but not later than 11:00
a.m. Central Time, on each reporting day.
‘‘(3) AFTERNOON REPORT.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The corporate officers or officially
designated representatives of each packer processing plant
shall report to the Secretary not later than 2:00 p.m. Cen-
tral Time each reporting day—
‘‘(i) the packer’s best estimate of the total number
of swine, and packer-owned swine, expected to be pur-
chased throughout the reporting day through each type
of purchase;
‘‘(ii) the total number of swine, and packer-owned
swine, purchased up to that time of the reporting day
through each type of purchase;
‘‘(iii) the base price paid for all base market hogs
purchased up to that time of the reporting day through
negotiated purchases; and
‘‘(iv) the base price paid for all base market hogs
purchased up to that time of the reporting day through
each type of purchase other than negotiated purchase,
unless such information is unavailable due to pricing
that is determined on a delayed basis.
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION.—The Secretary shall publish the
information obtained under this paragraph in the afternoon
report as soon as practicable, but not later than 3:00 p.m.
Central Time, on each reporting day.
‘‘(d) WEEKLY NONCARCASS MERIT PREMIUM REPORT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4:00 p.m. Central Time
on the first reporting day of each week, the corporate officers
or officially designated representatives of each packer proc-
essing plant shall report to the Secretary a noncarcass merit
premium report that lists—
‘‘(A) each category of standard noncarcass merit pre-
miums used by the packer in the prior slaughter week;
and