SEC. 116. DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDIZATION FOR IM-
PROVED INTEROPERABILITY. 
(a) DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDIZATION.—Section 
11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDS FOR IMPROVED 
INTEROPERABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary shall, in 
consultation with an interagency work group estab-
lished by the Office of Management and Budget, and 
considering State government perspectives, designate 
data exchange standards to govern, under this 
part— 
‘‘(A) necessary categories of information 
that State agencies operating such programs 
are required under applicable law to electroni-
cally exchange with another State agency; and 
‘‘(B) Federal reporting and data exchange 
required under applicable law. 
‘‘(2) 
REQUIREMENTS.—The 
data 
exchange 
standards required by paragraph (1) shall, to the ex-
tent practicable— 
‘‘(A) incorporate a widely accepted, non- 
proprietary, searchable, computer-readable for-
mat, such as the eXtensible Markup Language;
‘‘(B) contain interoperable standards devel-
oped and maintained by intergovernmental 
partnerships, such as the National Information 
Exchange Model; 
‘‘(C) incorporate interoperable standards 
developed and maintained by Federal entities 
with authority over contracting and financial 
assistance; 
‘‘(D) be consistent with and implement ap-
plicable accounting principles; 
‘‘(E) be implemented in a manner that is 
cost-effective and improves program efficiency 
and effectiveness; and 
‘‘(F) be capable of being continually up-
graded as necessary. 
‘‘(3) RULES
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this subsection shall be construed to require a 
change to existing data exchange standards for Fed-
eral reporting found to be effective and efficient.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The Secretary shall issue a 
proposed rule within 24 months after the date of the en-
actment of this Act. The rule shall identify federally re-
quired data exchanges, include specification and timing of 
exchanges to be standardized, and address the factors 
used in determining whether and when to standardize data
exchanges. It should also specify state implementation op-
tions and describe future milestones. 
SEC. 117. PILOT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL-STATE 
COOPERATION IN IDENTIFYING AND REDUC-
ING FRAUD IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRI-
TION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2021) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) PILOT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE FEDERAL-STATE 
COOPERATION IN IDENTIFYING AND REDUCING FRAUD IN 
THE
SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION
ASSISTANCE
PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out, under such terms and conditions as determined 
by the Secretary, pilot projects to test innovative 
Federal-State partnerships to identify, investigate, 
and reduce retailer fraud in the supplemental nutri-
tion assistance program, including allowing States to 
operate retail Food Store investigation programs. At 
least 1 such pilot project shall be carried out in an 
urban area that is among the 10 largest urban areas 
in the United States (based on population) if the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program is sepa-
rately administered in such area and if the adminis-
tration of such program in such area complies with 
the other applicable requirements of such program. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—Pilot projects shall 
be selected based on criteria the Secretary estab-
lishes, which shall include— 
‘‘(A) enhancing existing efforts by the Sec-
retary to reduce retailer fraud; 
‘‘(B) requiring participant States to main-
tain their overall level of effort at addressing 
recipient fraud, as determined by the Secretary, 
prior to participation in the pilot project; 
‘‘(C) collaborating with other law enforce-
ment authorities as necessary to carry out an 
effective pilot project; 
‘‘(D) commitment of the participant State 
agency to follow Federal rules and procedures 
with respect to retailer investigations; and 
‘‘(E) the extent to which a State has com-
mitted resources to recipient fraud and the rel-
ative success of those efforts. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(A) The Secretary shall evaluate the 
projects selected under this subsection to meas-
ure the impact of the pilot projects. 
‘‘(B) Such evaluation shall include—
‘‘(i) each pilot project’s impact on in-
creasing the Secretary’s capacity to ad-
dress retailer fraud; 
‘‘(ii) the effectiveness of the pilot 
projects in identifying, preventing and re-
ducing retailer fraud; and 
‘‘(iii) the cost effectiveness of such 
pilot projects. 
‘‘(4) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
September 30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nu-
trition and Forestry of the Senate, a report that in-
cludes a description of the results of each pilot 
project, including an evaluation of the impact of the 
project on retailer fraud and the costs associated 
with each pilot project. 
‘‘(5) FUNDING.—Any costs incurred by the 
State to operate the pilot projects in excess of the 
amount expended under this Act for retailer fraud in 
the respective State in the previous fiscal year shall 
not be eligible for Federal reimbursement under this 
Act.’’.
SEC. 118. PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED RE-
CRUITMENT ACTIVITIES. 
(a) ADMINISTRATIVE COST-SHARING AND QUALITY 
CONTROL.—Section 16(a)(4) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(a)(4)) is amended by insert-
ing after ‘‘recruitment activities’’ the following: ‘‘designed 
to persuade an individual to apply for program benefits 
or that promote the program via television, radio, or bill-
board advertisements’’. 
(b) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS AUTHORIZED TO 
BE APPROPRIATED UNDER ACT.—Section 18 of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) BAN ON RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION AC-
TIVITIES.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no 
funds authorized to be appropriated under this Act shall 
be used by the Secretary for— 
‘‘(A) recruitment activities designed to persuade 
an individual to apply for supplemental nutrition as-
sistance program benefits; 
‘‘(B) television, radio, or billboard advertise-
ments that are designed to promote supplemental 
nutrition assistance program benefits and enroll-
ment; or
‘‘(C) any agreements with foreign governments 
designed to promote supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program benefits and enrollment. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1)(B) shall not apply to pro-
grammatic activities undertaken with respect to benefits 
made available in response to a natural disaster.’’. 
(c) BAN ON RECRUITMENT ACTIVITIES BY ENTITIES 
THAT RECEIVE FUNDS.—Section 18 of the Food and Nu-
trition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) BAN ON RECRUITMENT BY ENTITIES THAT RE-
CEIVE FUNDS.—The Secretary shall issue regulations that 
forbid entities that receive funds under this Act to com-
pensate any person for conducting outreach activities re-
lating to participation in, or for recruiting individuals to 
apply to receive benefits under, the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program if the amount of such compensation 
would be based on the number of individuals who apply 
to receive such benefits.’’. 
SEC. 119. REPEAL OF BONUS PROGRAM. 
Section 16(d) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is repealed.
SEC. 120. FUNDING OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PRO-
GRAMS. 
Section 16(h)(1)(A) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)(A)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$90,000,000’’ 
and 
all 
that 
follows 
through 
‘‘$79,000,000’’, and inserting ‘‘$79,000,000 for each fis-
cal year’’. 
SEC. 121. MONITORING EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) REPORTING MEASURES.—Section 16(h)(5) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(5)) 
is amended to read: 
‘‘(5)(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
monitor the employment and training programs car-
ried out by State agencies under section 6(d)(4) and 
assess their effectiveness in— 
‘‘(i) preparing members of households par-
ticipating in the supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program for employment, including the ac-
quisition of basic skills necessary for employ-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) increasing the numbers of household 
members who obtain and retain employment 
subsequent to their participation in such em-
ployment and training programs.
‘‘(B) REPORTING MEASURES.—The Secretary, 
in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall de-
velop reporting measures that identify improvements 
in the skills, training education or work experience 
of members of households participating in the sup-
plemental nutrition assistance program. Measures 
shall be based on common measures of performance 
for federal workforce training programs, so long as 
they reflect the challenges facing the types of mem-
bers of households participating in the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program who participate in a 
specific employment and training component. The 
Secretary shall require that each State employment 
and training plan submitted under section 11(e)(19) 
identify appropriate reporting measures for each of 
their proposed components that serve at least 100 
people. Such measures may include: 
‘‘(i) the percentage and number of pro-
gram participants who received employment and 
training services and are in unsubsidized em-
ployment subsequent to the receipt of those 
services; 
‘‘(ii) the percentage and number of pro-
gram participants who obtain a recognized post-
secondary credential, including a registered ap-
prenticeship, or a regular secondary school di-
ploma or its recognized equivalent, while par-
ticipating in or within 1 year after receiving 
employment and training services; 
‘‘(iii) the percentage and number of pro-
gram participants who are in an education or 
training program that is intended to lead to a 
recognized postsecondary credential, including a 
registered apprenticeship or on-the-job training 
program, a regular secondary school diploma or 
its recognized equivalent, or unsubsidized em-
ployment; 
‘‘(iv) subject to the terms and conditions 
set by the Secretary, measures developed by 
each State agency to assess the skills acquisi-
tion of employment and training program par-
ticipants that reflect the goals of their specific 
employment and training program components, 
which may include, but are not limited to— 
‘‘(I) the percentage and number of 
program participants who are meeting pro-
gram requirements in each component of 
the State’s education and training pro-
gram; and
‘‘(II) the percentage and number of 
program participants who are gaining 
skills likely to lead to employment as meas-
ured through testing, quantitative or quali-
tative assessment or other method; and 
‘‘(v) other indicators as approved by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(C) STATE REPORT.—Each State agency shall 
annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a re-
port on the State’s employment and training pro-
gram that includes the numbers of supplemental nu-
trition assistance program participants who have 
gained skills, training, work or experience that will 
increase their ability to obtain regular employment 
using measures identified in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) MODIFICATIONS TO THE STATE EMPLOY-
MENT AND TRAINING PLAN.—Subject to the terms 
and conditions established by the Secretary, if the 
Secretary determines that the state agency’s per-
formance with respect to employment and training 
outcomes is inadequate, the Secretary may require 
the State agency to make modifications to their em-
ployment and training plan to improve such out-
comes. 
‘‘(E) PERIODIC EVALUATION.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to terms and 
conditions established by the Secretary, not 
later than October 1, 2016, and not less fre-
quently than once every 5 years thereafter, the 
Secretary shall conduct a study to review exist-
ing practice and research to identify employ-
ment and training program components and 
practices that— 
‘‘(I) effectively assist members of 
households participating in the supple-
mental nutrition assistance program in 
gaining skills, training, work, or experience 
that will increase their ability to obtain 
regular employment, and 
‘‘(II) are best integrated with state-
wide workforce development systems. 
‘‘(ii) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—The Sec-
retary shall submit a report that describes the 
results of the study under clause (i) to the 
Committee on Agriculture in the House of Rep-
resentatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition and Forestry in the Senate.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Notwithstanding section 4(c) 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2013(a)), the Secretary shall issue interim final regula-
tions implementing the amendment made by subsection 
(a) no later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act. States shall include such reporting measures 
in their employment and training plans for the 1st fiscal 
year thereafter that begins no sooner than 6 months after 
the date that such regulations are published. 
SEC. 122. COOPERATION WITH PROGRAM RESEARCH AND 
EVALUATION. 
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2026) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(l) COOPERATION WITH PROGRAM RESEARCH AND 
EVALUATION.—States, State agencies, local agencies, in-
stitutions, facilities such as data consortiums, and con-
tractors participating in programs authorized under this 
Act shall cooperate with officials and contractors acting 
on behalf of the Secretary in the conduct of evaluations 
and studies under this Act and shall submit information 
at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
require.’’.
SEC. 123. PILOT PROJECTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCY AND 
INCREASE WORK EFFORT IN THE SUPPLE-
MENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2026), as amended by section 121, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) PILOT PROJECTS TO REDUCE DEPENDENCY 
AND INCREASE WORK EFFORT IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL 
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out, under such terms and conditions as the Sec-
retary considers to be appropriate, pilot projects to 
identify best practices for employment and training 
programs under this Act to raise the number of 
work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employ-
ment, increase their earned income, and reduce their 
reliance on public assistance, including but not lim-
ited to the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram. 
‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—Pilot projects shall 
be selected based on criteria the Secretary estab-
lishes, that shall include— 
‘‘(A) enhancing existing employment and 
training programs in the State; 
‘‘(B) agreeing to participate in the evalua-
tion described in paragraph (3), including mak-
ing available data on participants’ employment 
activities and post-participation employment, 
earnings, and public benefit receipt; 
‘‘(C) collaborating with the State work-
force board and other job training programs in 
the State and local area; 
‘‘(D) the extent to which the pilot project’s 
components can be easily replicated by other 
States or political subdivisions; and 
‘‘(E) such additional criteria that ensure 
that the pilot projects— 
‘‘(i) target a variety of populations of 
work registrants, including childless adults, 
parents, and individuals with low skills or 
limited work experience; 
‘‘(ii) are selected from a range of ex-
isting employment and training programs 
including programs that provide— 
‘‘(I) section 20 workfare; 
‘‘(II) skills development for work 
registrants with limited employment 
history; 
‘‘(III) post-employment support 
services necessary for maintaining em-
ployment; and
‘‘(IV) education leading to a rec-
ognized postsecondary credential, reg-
istered apprenticeship, or secondary 
school diploma or its equivalent; 
‘‘(iii) are located in a range of geo-
graphic areas, including rural, urban, and 
Indian reservations; and 
‘‘(iv) include participants who are ex-
empt and not exempt under section 
(6)(d)(2). 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall pro-
vide for an independent evaluation of projects se-
lected under this subsection to measure the impact 
of the pilot projects on the ability of each pilot 
project target population to find and retain employ-
ment that leads to increased household income and 
reduced dependency, compared to what would have 
occurred in the absence of the pilot project. 
‘‘(4) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—By September 
30, 2017, the Secretary shall submit, to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate, a report that includes 
a description of—
‘‘(A) the results of each pilot project, in-
cluding an evaluation of the impact of the 
project on the employment, income, and public 
benefit receipt of the targeted population of 
work registrants; 
‘‘(B) the Federal, State, and other costs of 
each pilot project; 
‘‘(C) the planned dissemination of the re-
ports’ findings with State agencies; and 
‘‘(D) the steps and funding necessary to 
incorporate components of pilot projects that 
demonstrate increased employment and earn-
ings into State employment and training pro-
grams. 
‘‘(5) FUNDING.—From amounts made available 
under section 18(a)(1), the Secretary shall make 
$10,000,000 available for each of the fiscal years 
2014, 2015, and 2016 to carry out this subsection. 
Such amounts shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(6) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) Funds provided under this subsection 
for pilot projects shall be used only for— 
‘‘(i) pilot projects that comply with 
the provisions of this Act;
‘‘(ii) the costs and administration of 
the pilot projects; 
‘‘(iii) the costs incurred in providing 
information and data to the independent 
evaluation under paragraph (3); and 
‘‘(iv) the costs of the evaluation under 
paragraph (3). 
‘‘(B) Funds made available under this sub-
section may not be used to supplant non-Fed-
eral funds used for existing employment and 
training activities.’’. 
SEC. 124. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended in the 1st sen-
tence by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2016’’. 
SEC. 125. LIMITATION ON USE OF BLOCK GRANT TO PUER-
TO RICO. 
Section 19(a)(2)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(2)(B)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) 
LIMITATION
ON
USE
OF 
FUNDS.—None of the funds made available 
to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 
under this subparagraph may be used to
provide nutrition assistance in the form of 
cash benefits.’’. 
SEC. 126. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 25(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034(a)(1)(B)(i)) is 
amended— 
(1) in subclause (II) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in subclause (III) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end and inserting ‘‘and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(IV) to provide incentives for the 
consumption of fruits and vegetables 
among low-income individuals; or’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—Section 25(b) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Out of any funds in 
the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the 
Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the 
Secretary to carry out this section not less than 
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fis-
cal year thereafter. Of the amount made avail-
able under this subparagraph for each such fis-
cal year, $5,000,000 shall be available to carry 
out subsection (a)(1)(B)(I)(IV). 
‘‘(B) RECEIPT
AND
ACCEPTANCE.—The 
Secretary shall be entitled to receive, shall ac-
cept, and shall use to carry out this section, the 
funds transferred under subparagraph (A) with-
out further appropriation. 
‘‘(C) MAINTENANCE
OF
FUNDING.—The 
funding provided under subparagraph (A) shall 
supplement (and not supplant) other Federal 
funding made available to the Secretary to 
carry out this section.’’. 
SEC. 127. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE. 
(a) PURCHASE OF COMMODITIES.—Section 27(a) of 
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘2008 through 
2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2013 through 2016’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking subparagraphs 
(A), (B), and (C), and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) for fiscal year 2013, $265,750,000; 
‘‘(B) for fiscal year 2014, the dollar 
amount of commodities specified in subpara-
graph (A) adjusted by the percentage by which 
the thrifty food plan has been adjusted under
section 3(u)(4) between June 30, 2012 and 
June 30, 2013, and increased by $70,000,000; 
‘‘(C) for fiscal year 2015, the dollar 
amount of commodities determined for fiscal 
year 2014 under subparagraph (B) adjusted by 
the percentage by which the thrifty food plan 
has been adjusted under section 3(u)(4) be-
tween June 30, 2013 and June 30, 2014; 
‘‘(D) for fiscal year 2016, the dollar 
amount of commodities determined for fiscal 
year 2015 under subparagraph (C) adjusted by 
the percentage by which the thrifty food plan 
has been adjusted under section 3(u)(4) be-
tween June 30, 2014 and June 30, 2015, and 
reduced by $50,000,000; and 
‘‘(E) for each subsequent fiscal year, the 
dollar amount of commodities determined for 
the preceding fiscal year adjusted to reflect the 
percentage by which the thrifty food plan has 
been adjusted under section 3(u)(4) for the 12- 
month period ending on the preceding June 
30.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(3) FUNDS AVAILABILITY.—For purposes of 
the funds described in this subsection, the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) make the funds available for 2 fiscal 
years; and 
‘‘(B) allow States to carry over unex-
pended balances to the next fiscal year pursu-
ant to such terms and conditions as are deter-
mined by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE 
GRANTS.—Section 209(d) of the Emergency Food Assist-
ance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7511a(d)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2016’’. 
SEC. 128. NUTRITION EDUCATION. 
Section 28 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2036a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) by inserting ‘‘and physical 
activity’’ after ‘‘healthy food choices’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D) by striking 
‘‘$401,000,000;’’ and inserting ‘‘$372,000,000; 
and’’; 
(B) by striking subparagraph (E); and
(C) in subparagraph (F) by striking ‘‘(F) 
for fiscal year 2016’’ and inserting ‘‘(E) for fis-
cal year 2015’’. 
SEC. 129. RETAILER TRAFFICKING. 
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 29. RETAILER TRAFFICKING. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to 
provide the Department of Agriculture with additional re-
sources to prevent trafficking in violation of this Act by 
strengthening recipient and retailer program integrity. 
Additional funds are provided to supplement the Depart-
ment’s payment accuracy, and retailer and recipient integ-
rity activities. 
‘‘(b) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Out of any funds in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary 
of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary to 
carry out this section not less than $5,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
‘‘(2) RECEIPT
AND
ACCEPTANCE.—The Sec-
retary shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and 
shall use to carry out this section the funds trans-
ferred under paragraph (1) without further appro-
priation.
‘‘(3) MAINTENANCE OF FUNDING.—The fund-
ing provided under paragraph (1) shall supplement 
(and not supplant) other Federal funding for pro-
grams carried out under this Act.’’. 
SEC. 130. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) Section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2012) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (g) by striking ‘‘coupon,’’ the 
last place it appears and inserting ‘‘coupon’’; 
(2) in subsection (k)(7) by striking ‘‘or are’’ 
and inserting ‘‘and’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (l); 
(4) by redesignating subsections (m) through 
(t) as subsections (l) through (s), respectively; and 
(5) by inserting after subsection (s) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(t) ‘Supplemental nutritional assistance program’ 
means the program operated pursuant to this Act.’’. 
(b) Section 4(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘bene-
fits’’ the last place it appears and inserting ‘‘Benefits’’. 
(c) Section 5 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2014) is amended—
(1) in the last sentence of subsection (i)(2)(D) 
by striking ‘‘section 13(b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
13(b)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (k)(4)(A) by striking ‘‘para-
graph (2)(H)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (2)(G)’’. 
(d) Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B)(vii) by moving the left 
margin 4 ems to the left, and 
(2) in subparagraph (F)(iii) by moving the left 
margin 6 ems to the left. 
(e) Section 7(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)) is amended by redesignating the 
2d paragraph (12) as paragraph (13). 
(f) Section 12 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2021) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(C) by striking ‘‘civil 
money penalties’’ and inserting ‘‘civil penalties’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)(1) by striking ‘‘(7 U.S.C. 
1786)’’ and inserting ‘‘(42 U.S.C. 1786)’’. 
(g) Section 15(b)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2024(b)(1)) is amended in the 1st sen-
tence by striking ‘‘an benefit’’ both places it appears and 
inserting ‘‘a benefit’’.
(o) Section 3803(c)(2)(C)(vii) of title 31 of the 
United States Code is amended by striking ‘‘section 3(l)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 3(s)’’. 
(p) Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and 
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 
104–193) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ‘‘section 
3(l)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(s)’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(2) by striking ‘‘section 
3(l)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(s)’’; and 
(3) in subsection (e)(2) by striking ‘‘section 
3(l)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 3(s)’’. 
(q) The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 
1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c) is amended— 
(1) in section 4(a) by striking ‘‘Food Stamp 
Act of 1977’’ and inserting ‘‘Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008’’; and 
(2) in section 5— 
(A) in subsection (i)(1) by striking ‘‘Food 
Stamp Act of 1977’’ and inserting ‘‘Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008’’; and 
(B) in subsection (l)(2)(B) by striking 
‘‘Food Stamp Act of 1977’’ and inserting 
‘‘Food and Nutrition Act of 2008’’.
(r) The Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) 
is amended— 
(1) in the heading of section 453(j)(10) by 
striking ‘‘FOOD
STAMP’’ and inserting ‘‘SUPPLE-
MENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE’’; 
(2) in section 1137— 
(A) in subsection (a)(5)(B) by striking 
‘‘food stamp’’ and inserting ‘‘supplemental nu-
trition assistance’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(4) by striking ‘‘food 
stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 
1977’’ and inserting ‘‘supplemental nutrition 
assistance program under the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008’’; and 
(3) in the heading of section 1631(n) by strik-
ing ‘‘FOOD STAMP’’ and inserting ‘‘SUPPLEMENTAL 
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE’’. 
SEC. 131. TOLERANCE LEVEL FOR EXCLUDING SMALL ER-
RORS. 
The Secretary shall set the tolerance level for exclud-
ing small errors for the purposes of section 16(c) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c))— 
(1) for fiscal year 2014 at an amount no great-
er than $25; and
(2) for each fiscal year thereafter, the amount 
specified in paragraph (1) adjusted by the percent-
age by which the thrifty food plan is adjusted under 
section 3(u)(4) of such Act between June 30, 2012, 
and June 30 of the immediately preceding fiscal 
year. 
SEC. 132. COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA 
ISLANDS PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Prior to establishing the 
pilot program under subsection (b), the Secretary 
shall conduct a study to be completed not later than 
2 years after the effective date of this section to as-
sess— 
(A) the capabilities of the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands to operate the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program in 
the same manner in which the program is oper-
ated in the States (as defined in section 3 of 
the Food and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
seq.)); and 
(B) alternative models of the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program operation and ben-
efit delivery that best meet the nutrition assist-
ance needs of the Commonwealth of the North-
ern Mariana Islands. 
(2) SCOPE.—The study conducted under para-
graph (1)(A) will assess the capability of the Com-
monwealth to fulfill the responsibilities of a State 
agency, including— 
(A) extending and limiting participation to 
eligible households, as prescribed by sections 5 
and 6 of the Act; 
(B) issuing benefits through EBT cards, 
as prescribed by section 7 of the Act; 
(C) maintaining the integrity of the pro-
gram, including operation of a quality control 
system, as prescribed by section 16(c) of the 
Act; 
(D) implementing work requirements, in-
cluding operating an employment and training 
program, as prescribed by section 6(d) of the 
Act; and 
(E) paying a share of administrative costs 
with non-Federal funds, as prescribed by sec-
tion 16(a) of the Act. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—If the Secretary determines 
that a pilot program is feasible, the Secretary shall estab-
lish a pilot program for the Commonwealth of the North-
ern Mariana Islands to operate the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program in the same manner in which the pro-
gram is operated in the States. 
(c) SCOPE.—The Secretary shall utilize the informa-
tion obtained from the study conducted under subsection 
(a) to establish the scope of the pilot program established 
under subsection (b). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than June 30, 2019, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a re-
port on the pilot program carried out under this section, 
including an analysis of the feasibility of operating in the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands the sup-
plemental nutrition assistance program as it is operated 
in the States. 
(e) FUNDING.— 
(1) STUDY.—Of the funds made available under 
section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008, the Secretary may use not more than 
$1,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015 to 
conduct the study described in subsection (a). 
(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—Of the funds made avail-
able under section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008, for the purposes of establishing
and carrying out the pilot program established under 
subsection (b) of this section, including the Federal 
costs for providing technical assistance to the Com-
monwealth, authorizing and monitoring retail food 
stores, and assessing pilot operations, the Secretary 
may use not more than— 
(A) $13,500,000 in fiscal year 2016; and 
(B) $8,500,000 in each of fiscal years 
2017 and 2018. 
SEC. 133. ANNUAL STATE REPORT ON VERIFICATION OF 
SNAP PARTICIPATION. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later 1 year after the 
date specified by the Secretary in the 180-day period be-
ginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, and an-
nually thereafter, each State agency that carries out the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program shall submit to 
the Secretary a report containing sufficient information 
for the Secretary to determine whether the State agency 
has, for the then most recently concluded fiscal year pre-
ceding such annual date, verified that households to which 
such State agency provided such assistance in such fiscal 
year— 
(1) did not obtain benefits attributable to a de-
ceased individual;
(2) did not include an individual who was si-
multaneously included in a household receiving such 
assistance in another State; and 
(3) did not include, during the time benefits 
were provided, an individual who was then disquali-
fied from receiving benefits. 
(b) PENALTY FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.—For any fiscal 
year for which a State agency fails to comply with sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall reduce by 50 percent the 
amount otherwise payable to such State agency under sec-
tion 16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 with 
respect to such fiscal year. 
SEC. 134. TERMINATION OF EXISTING AGREEMENT. 
Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the memorandum of understanding entered into on July 
22, 2004, by the Secretary of Agriculture of the United 
States Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of 
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mexico and known as 
the ‘‘Partnership for Nutrition Assistance Initiative’’ is 
null and void. 
SEC. 135. SERVICE OF TRADITIONAL FOODS IN PUBLIC FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘food 
service program’’ includes—
(A) food service at a residential child care 
facility with a license from an appropriate State 
agency; 
(B) a child nutrition program (as defined 
in section 25(b) of the Richard B. Russell Na-
tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769f(b)); 
(C) food service at a hospital or clinic or 
long term care facility; and 
(D) a senior meal program. 
(2) INDIAN; INDIAN TRIBE; INDIAN TRIBAL OR-
GANIZATION.—The terms ‘‘Indian’’; ‘‘Indian tribe’’; 
and ‘‘Indian Tribal Organization’’ have the mean-
ings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 450b). 
(3) TRADITIONAL FOOD.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘traditional 
food’’ means food that has traditionally been 
prepared and consumed by an Indian tribe. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘traditional 
food’’ includes— 
(i) wild game meat; 
(ii) fish; 
(iii) seafood; 
(iv) marine mammals;
(v) plants; and 
(vi) berries. 
(b) PROGRAM.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary shall allow the donation to and serv-
ing of traditional food through a food service program at 
a public facility, nonprofit facility, including facilities oper-
ated by an Indian tribe or tribal organization that pri-
marily serves Indians if the operator of the food service 
program— 
(1) ensures that the food is received whole, gut-
ted, gilled, as quarters, or as a roast, without fur-
ther processing; 
(2) makes a reasonable determination that— 
(A) the animal was not diseased; 
(B) the food was butchered, dressed, trans-
ported, and stored to prevent contamination, 
undesirable microbial growth, or deterioration; 
and 
(C) the food will not cause a significant 
health hazard or potential for human illness; 
(3) carries out any further preparation or proc-
essing of the food at a different time or in a dif-
ferent space from the preparation or processing of 
other food for the applicable program to prevent 
cross-contamination;
(4) cleans and sanitizes food-contact surfaces of 
equipment and utensils after processing the tradi-
tional food; and 
(5) labels donated traditional food with the 
name of the food and stores the traditional food sep-
arately from other food for the applicable program, 
including through storage in a separate freezer or 
refrigerator or in a separate compartment or shelf in 
the freezer or refrigerator. 
(c) LIABILITY.—Liability for damages from donated 
traditional food and products to the participating food 
service program shall not be subject to civil or criminal 
liability arising from the nature, age, packaging, or condi-
tion of donated food. 
SEC. 136. TESTING APPLICANTS FOR UNLAWFUL USE OF 
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. 
Section 6 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2015), as amended by section 109, is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(s) TESTING APPLICANTS FOR UNLAWFUL USE OF 
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.— 
‘‘(1) Nothing in this Act, or in any other Fed-
eral law, shall be considered to prevent a State, at 
the full cost to such State, from—
‘‘(A) enacting legislation to provide for 
testing any individual who is a member of a 
household applying for supplemental nutrition 
assistance benefits, for the unlawful use of con-
trolled substances as a condition for receiving 
such benefits; and 
‘‘(B) finding an individual ineligible to par-
ticipate in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program on the basis of the positive result of 
the testing conducted by the State under such 
legislation. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of this subsection, term ‘con-
trolled substance’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act ((21 
U.S.C. 802).’’. 
SEC. 137. ELIGIBILITY DISQUALIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN 
CONVICTED FELONS. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Section 6 of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015), as amended by sections 
109 and 135, is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(t) DISQUALIFICATION FOR CERTAIN CONVICTED 
FELONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual shall not be 
eligible for benefits under this Act if the individual 
is convicted of— 
‘‘(A) aggravated sexual abuse under sec-
tion 2241 of title 18, United States Code; 
‘‘(B) murder under section 1111 of title 
18, United States Code; 
‘‘(C) an offense under chapter 110 of title 
18, United States Code; 
‘‘(D) a Federal or State offense involving 
sexual assault, as defined in 40002(a) of the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 
U.S.C. 13925(a)); or 
‘‘(E) an offense under State law deter-
mined by the Attorney General to be substan-
tially similar to an offense described in sub-
paragraph (A), (B), or (C). 
‘‘(2) EFFECTS ON ASSISTANCE AND BENEFITS 
FOR OTHERS.—The amount of benefits otherwise re-
quired to be provided to an eligible household under 
this Act shall be determined by considering the indi-
vidual to whom paragraph (1) applies not to be a 
member of such household, except that the income 
and resources of the individual shall be considered to 
be income and resources of the household.
‘‘(3) ENFORCEMENT.—Each State shall require 
each individual applying for benefits under this Act, 
during the application process, to state, in writing, 
whether the individual, or any member of the house-
hold of the individual, has been convicted of a crime 
described in paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5(a) of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2014(a)), as 
amended by section 109, is amended in the 2d sentence 
by striking ‘‘and (r)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (r), and (t)’’. 
(c) INAPPLICABILITY TO CONVICTIONS OCCURRING 
ON OR BEFORE ENACTMENT.—The amendments made by 
this section shall not apply to a conviction if the conviction 
is for conduct occurring on or before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 138. EXPUNGEMENT OF UNUSED SUPPLEMENTAL NU-
TRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS. 
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2020), as amended by section 115, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(w) EXPUNGEMENT OF UNUSED BENEFITS.—The 
State agency shall expunge from the EBT account of a 
household benefits that are not used before the expiration 
of the 60-day period beginning on the date such benefits 
are posted to such account.’’.
SEC. 139. PILOT PROJECTS TO PROMOTE WORK AND IN-
CREASE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE 
SUPPLEMENTAL 
NUTRITION 
ASSISTANCE 
PROGRAM. 
(a) PILOT PROJECTS.—Section 17 of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026), as amended by 
sections 122 and 123, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(n) PILOT PROJECTS TO PROMOTE WORK AND IN-
CREASE STATE ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL 
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out pilot projects to develop and test methods allow-
ing States to run a work program with certain fea-
tures comparable to the State program funded under 
part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.), with the intent of increasing 
employment and self-sufficiency through increased 
State accountability and thereby reducing the need 
for supplemental nutrition assistance benefits. 
‘‘(2) AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this 
subsection, the Secretary shall enter into coop-
erative agreements with States in accordance 
with pilot projects that meet the criteria re-
quired under this subsection.
‘‘(B) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to 
enter into a cooperative agreement to operate a 
pilot project under this subsection, a State shall 
amend its State plan under section 11(d) to in-
clude a description of its pilot project and ex-
planations of how such project meets the cri-
teria required under this subsection. The Sec-
retary may not disapprove a pilot project which 
meets the requirements under this subsection. 
‘‘(C) ASSURANCES.—A State shall include 
in its plan assurances that its pilot project 
will— 
‘‘(i) operate for at least three 12- 
month periods but not more than five 12- 
month periods; 
‘‘(ii) have a robust data collection sys-
tem for program administration that is de-
signed and shared with project evaluators 
to ensure proper and timely evaluation; 
and 
‘‘(iii) intend to offer a work activity 
described in paragraph (3) to adults as-
signed and required to participate under 
paragraph (4)(A) and who are not exempt 
under paragraph (4)(B).
‘‘(D) NUMBER OF PILOT PROJECTS.—Any 
State may carry out a pilot project that meets 
the requirements of this subsection. 
‘‘(E) EXTENT OF PILOT PROJECTS.—Pilot 
projects shall cover no less than the entire 
State. 
‘‘(3) WORK
ACTIVITY.—(A) For purposes of 
this subsection, the term ‘work activity’ means any 
of the following: 
‘‘(i) Employment in the public or private 
sector that is not subsidized by any public pro-
gram. 
‘‘(ii) Employment in the private sector for 
which the employer receives a subsidy from 
public funds to offset some or all of the wages 
and costs of employing an adult. 
‘‘(iii) Employment in the public sector for 
which the employer receives a subsidy from 
public funds to offset some or all of the wages 
and costs of employing an adult. 
‘‘(iv) A work activity that— 
‘‘(I) is performed in return for public 
benefits; 
‘‘(II) provides an adult with an oppor-
tunity to acquire the general skills, knowl-
edge, and work habits necessary to obtain 
employment; 
‘‘(III) is designed to improve the em-
ployability of those who cannot find unsub-
sidized employment; and 
‘‘(IV) is supervised by an employer, 
work site sponsor, or other responsible 
party on an ongoing basis. 
‘‘(v) Training in the public or private sec-
tor that is given to a paid employee while he or 
she is engaged in productive work and that pro-
vides knowledge and skills essential to the full 
and adequate performance of the job. 
‘‘(vi) Job search, obtaining employment, or 
preparation to seek or obtain employment, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(I) life skills training; 
‘‘(II) substance abuse treatment or 
mental health treatment, determined to be 
necessary and documented by a qualified 
medical, substance abuse, or mental health 
professional; or 
‘‘(III) rehabilitation activities, 
supervised by a public agency or other respon-
sible party on an ongoing basis.
‘‘(vii) Structured programs and embedded 
activities— 
‘‘(I) in which adults perform work for 
the direct benefit of the community under 
the auspices of public or nonprofit organi-
zations; 
‘‘(II) that are limited to projects that 
serve useful community purposes in fields 
such as health, social service, environ-
mental protection, education, urban and 
rural redevelopment, welfare, recreation, 
public facilities, public safety, and child 
care; 
‘‘(III) that are designed to improve 
the employability of adults not otherwise 
able to obtain unsubsidized employment; 
and 
‘‘(IV) that are supervised on an ongo-
ing basis; and 
‘‘(V) with respect to which a State 
agency takes into account, to the extent 
possible, the prior training, experience, and 
skills of a recipient in making appropriate 
community service assignments.
‘‘(viii) Career and technical training pro-
grams (not to exceed 12 months with respect to 
any adult) that are directly related to the prep-
aration of adults for employment in current or 
emerging occupations and that are supervised 
on an ongoing basis. 
‘‘(ix) Training or education for job skills 
that are required by an employer to provide an 
adult with the ability to obtain employment or 
to advance or adapt to the changing demands 
of the workplace and that are supervised on an 
ongoing basis. 
‘‘(x) Education that is related to a specific 
occupation, job, or job offer and that is super-
vised on an ongoing basis. 
‘‘(xi) In the case of an adult who has not 
completed secondary school or received such a 
certificate of general equivalence, regular at-
tendance— 
‘‘(I) in accordance with the require-
ments of the secondary school or course of 
study, at a secondary school or in a course 
of study leading to such certificate; and 
‘‘(II) supervised on an ongoing basis.
‘‘(xii) Providing child care to enable an-
other recipient of public benefits to participate 
in a community service program that— 
‘‘(I) does not provide compensation 
for such community service; 
‘‘(II) is a structured program de-
signed to improve the employability of 
adults who participate in such program; 
and 
‘‘(III) is supervised on an ongoing 
basis. 
‘‘(B) PROTECTIONS.—Work activities under 
this subsection shall be subject to all applicable 
health and safety standards. Except as described in 
clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subparagraph (A), the 
term ‘work activity’ shall be considered work prepa-
ration and not defined as employment for purposes 
of other law. 
‘‘(4) PILOT PROJECTS.—Pilot projects carried 
out under this subsection shall include interventions 
to which adults are assigned that are designed to re-
duce unnecessary dependence, promote self-suffi-
ciency, increase work levels, increase earned income, 
and reduce supplemental nutrition assistance benefit 
expenditures among households eligible for, applying
for, or participating in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program. 
‘‘(A) Adults assigned to interventions by 
the State shall— 
‘‘(i) be subject to mandatory partici-
pation in work activities specified in para-
graph (3); 
‘‘(ii) participate in work activities 
specified in paragraph (3) for a minimum 
of 20 hours per week per household; 
‘‘(iii) be a maximum age of not less 
than 50 and not more than 60, as defined 
by the State; 
‘‘(iv) be subject to penalties during a 
period of nonparticipation without good 
cause ranging from, at State option, a 
minimum of the removal of the adults from 
the household benefit amount, up to a 
maximum of the discontinuance of the en-
tire household benefit amount; and 
‘‘(v) not be penalized for nonparticipa-
tion if child care is not available for 1 or 
more children under 6 years of age. 
‘‘(B) The State shall allow certain individ-
uals to be exempt from work requirements—
‘‘(i) those participating in work pro-
grams under a State program funded 
under part A of title IV of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) for an 
equal or greater number of hours; 
‘‘(ii) those with 1 or more dependent 
children under 1 year of age; 
‘‘(iii) 1 adult family member per 
household who is needed in the home to 
care for a disabled family member; 
‘‘(iv) an adult who is receiving tem-
porary or permanent disability benefits 
provided by a governmental entity; and 
‘‘(v) those with a good cause reason 
for nonparticipation, such as victims of do-
mestic violence, as defined by the State. 
‘‘(5) EVALUATION AND REPORTING.— 
‘‘(A) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(i) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—The Sec-
retary shall provide for each State 
that enters into a cooperative agree-
ment under paragraph (2) an inde-
pendent, longitudinal evaluation of its 
pilot project under this subsection to
determine total program savings over 
the entire course of the pilot project 
with results reported in consecutive 
12-month increments. 
‘‘(II) PURPOSE.—The purpose of 
the evaluation is to measure the im-
pact of interventions provided by the 
State under the pilot project on the 
ability of adults in households eligible 
for, applying for, or participating in 
the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program to find and retain employ-
ment that leads to increased house-
hold income and reduced dependency. 
‘‘(III) 
REQUIREMENT.—The 
independent evaluation under sub-
clause (I) shall use valid statistical 
methods which can determine the dif-
ference between supplemental nutri-
tion assistance benefit expenditures, if 
any, as a result of the interventions as 
compared to a control group that— 
‘‘(aa) is not subject to the 
interventions provided by the
State under the pilot project 
under this subsection; and 
‘‘(bb) 
maintains 
services 
provided under 16(h) in the year 
prior to the start of the pilot 
project under this subsection. 
‘‘(IV) 
OPTION.—States 
shall 
have the option to evaluate pilot 
projects by matched counties or 
matched geographical areas using a 
constructed control group design to 
isolate the effects of the intervention 
of the pilot project. 
‘‘(V) DEFINITION.—Constructed 
control group means there is no ran-
dom assignment, and instead program 
participants (those subject to inter-
ventions) and non-participants (con-
trol described in subclause (III)) are 
equated using matching or statistical 
procedures on characteristics that 
may be associated with program out-
comes. 
‘‘(B) REPORTING.—Not later than 90 days 
after the end of fiscal year 2014 and of each
fiscal year thereafter, until the completion of 
the last evaluation under subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ag-
riculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate, a report that includes 
a description of— 
‘‘(i) the status of each pilot project 
carried out under this subsection; 
‘‘(ii) the results of the evaluation com-
pleted during the previous fiscal year; and 
‘‘(iii) to the maximum extent prac-
ticable— 
‘‘(I) baseline information relevant 
to the stated goals and desired out-
comes of the pilot project; 
‘‘(II) the impact of the interven-
tions on appropriate employment, in-
come, and public benefit receipt out-
comes among households participating 
in the pilot project; 
‘‘(III) 
equivalent 
information 
about similar or identical measures 
for control groups;
‘‘(IV) the planned dissemination 
of the report findings to State agen-
cies; and 
‘‘(V) the steps and funding nec-
essary to incorporate into State em-
ployment and training programs the 
components of pilot projects that dem-
onstrate increased employment and 
earnings. 
‘‘(C) PUBLIC
DISSEMINATION.—In addi-
tion to the reporting requirements under sub-
paragraph (B), evaluation results shall be 
shared broadly to inform policy makers, service 
providers, other partners, and the public in 
order to promote wide use of successful strate-
gies, including by posting evaluation results on 
the Internet website of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
‘‘(6) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) ADDITIONAL
AVAILABLE
FUNDS.— 
From amounts made available under section 
18(a)(1), the Secretary shall make available— 
‘‘(i) up to $1,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2014 through 2017 for evalua-
tions described in paragraph (5) to carry
out this subsection, with such amounts to 
remain available until expended; and 
‘‘(ii) amounts equal to one-half of the 
accumulated supplemental nutrition assist-
ance benefit dollars saved over each con-
secutive 12-month period according to the 
evaluation under paragraph (5) for bonus 
grants to States under paragraph (7)(B). 
‘‘(B) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.— 
‘‘(i) 
REIMBURSEMENT.—Except 
as 
provided in clause (ii)— 
‘‘(I) if, in carrying out a pilot 
project under this subsection during a 
fiscal year, a State incurs costs that 
exceed the amount allocated to the 
State agency under section 16(h)(1), 
the Secretary shall pay such State an 
amount equal to 50 percent of such 
costs; and 
‘‘(II) the Secretary shall also re-
imburse the State in an amount equal 
to 50 percent of the total amount of 
payments made or costs incurred by 
the State agency in connection with 
transportation costs and other ex-
penses reasonably necessary and di-
rectly related to participation in a 
pilot project under this subsection, ex-
cept that the amount of the reim-
bursement for dependent care ex-
penses shall not exceed an amount 
equal to the payment made under sec-
tion 6(d)(4)(I)(i)(II) but not more 
than the applicable local market rate, 
and such reimbursement shall not be 
made out of funds allocated under 
section 16(h)(1). 
‘‘(ii) LIMITATION.—For any fiscal 
year, the Secretary may not pay under 
clause (i) to a State an amount the exceeds 
the amount equal to the product of— 
‘‘(I) the amount of administrative 
expenses that would be reimbursable 
for such fiscal year to such State 
under clause (i) without regard to this 
clause; and 
‘‘(II) $277,000,000 (plus the 
amount carried over, if any, under 
clause (iii)), divided by the aggregate 
amount of administrative expenses
that would be reimbursable for such 
fiscal year to all of the States under 
clause (i) without regard to this 
clause. 
‘‘(iii) CARRYOVER.—The amount by 
which $277,000,000 exceeds the aggregate 
amount paid under clause (i) for a par-
ticular fiscal year shall remain available for 
payments under such clause for any subse-
quent fiscal year. 
‘‘(C) 
OTHER
FUNDS.—Any 
additional 
funds required by a State to carry out a pilot 
project under this subsection may be provided 
by the State from funds made available to the 
State for such purpose and in accordance with 
State and other Federal laws, including the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) Section 403 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 603). 
‘‘(ii) The Workforce Investment Act 
of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 9201 et seq.). 
‘‘(iii) The Child Care and Develop-
ment Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
9858 et seq.) and section 418 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 618).
‘‘(iv) The social services block grant 
under subtitle A of title XX of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.). 
‘‘(7) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) SPECIFIC
USES.—Funds provided 
under this subsection for evaluation of pilot 
projects under paragraph (6)(A)(i) shall be 
used only for— 
‘‘(i) pilot projects that comply with 
this subsection; 
‘‘(ii) the costs incurred in gathering 
and providing information and data used 
to conduct the independent evaluation 
under paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(iii) the costs of the evaluation under 
paragraph (5). 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—Funds provided for 
bonus grants to States for pilot projects under 
subparagraph (6)(A)(ii) shall be used only for— 
‘‘(i) pilot projects that comply with 
this subsection; and 
‘‘(ii) any State purpose, not to be re-
stricted to the supplemental nutrition as-
sistance program or its beneficiary popu-
lation.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in section 16, as amended by section 121 of 
this Act— 
(A) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘sub-
section (k)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsections (k) and 
(h) and section 20’’; and 
(B) in subsection (h)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)— 
(I) in subparagraph (A) by in-
serting ‘‘under sections 6(d)(4) and 
17(n)’’ after ‘‘programs’’; and 
(II) by striking subparagraph 
(E); 
(ii) by striking paragraphs (2) and 
(3), and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) EXCLUSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR AD-
MINISTRATIVE COSTS.—No funds may be paid under 
subsection (a) to a State agency for administrative 
costs incurred to carry out any of such programs in 
such fiscal year.’’; 
(iii) in paragraph (4) by inserting ‘‘or 
17(n)’’ after ‘‘section 6(d)(4)’’; and
(iv) by redesignating paragraphs (4) 
and (5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respec-
tively; 
(2) in section 20 by amending subsection (g) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(g) EXCLUSION OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADMINIS-
TRATIVE COSTS.—No funds may be paid under this sec-
tion to a State agency for administrative costs incurred 
to carry out a workfare program operated under this sec-
tion.’’; and 
(3) in section 22(d)(1)(B)(ii) by striking ‘‘, (g), 
(h)(2), and (h)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘and (g)’’. 
SEC. 140. IMPROVED WAGE VERIFICATION USING THE NA-
TIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES. 
Effective October 1, 2013, section 11(e) of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(e)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘and after 
compliance with the requirement specified in para-
graph (24)’’ after ‘‘section 16(e) of this Act’’, 
(2) in paragraph (22) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end, 
(3) in paragraph (23) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and 
(4) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(24) that the State agency shall request wage 
data directly from the National Directory of New 
Hires established under section 453(i) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(i)) relevant to deter-
mining eligibility to receive supplemental nutrition 
assistance program benefits and determining the 
correct amount of such benefits.’’. 
SEC. 141. FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR INDIAN TRIBES. 
Section 4 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2013) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR INDIAN TRIBES.— 
‘‘(1) STUDY.—Subject to the availability of ap-
propriations to carry out this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall conduct a study to determine the feasi-
bility of a tribal demonstration project for tribes to 
administer all Federal food assistance programs, 
services, functions, and activities (or portions there-
of) of the agency. 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the 
study, the Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(A) the probable effects on specific pro-
grams and program beneficiaries of such a 
demonstration project;
‘‘(B) statutory, regulatory, or other im-
pediments to implementation of such a dem-
onstration project; 
‘‘(C) strategies for implementing such a 
demonstration project; 
‘‘(D) probable costs or savings associated 
with such a demonstration project; 
‘‘(E) methods to assure quality and ac-
countability in such a demonstration project; 
and 
‘‘(F) such other issues that may be deter-
mined by the Secretary or developed through 
consultation with pursuant to paragraph (4). 
‘‘(3) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the effective date of this subsection, the Secretary 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition and Forestry of the Senate and 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives. The report shall contain— 
‘‘(A) the results of the study under this 
subsection; 
‘‘(B) a list of programs, services, functions, 
and activities (or portions thereof) within each 
agency with respect to which it would be fea-
sible to include in a tribal demonstration 
project; 
‘‘(C) a list of programs, services, functions, 
and activities (or portions thereof) included in 
the list provided pursuant to subparagraph (B) 
that could be included in a tribal demonstration 
project without amending a statute, or waiving 
regulations that the Secretary may not waiver; 
and 
‘‘(D) a list of legislative actions required in 
order to include those programs, services, func-
tion, and activities (or portions thereof) in-
cluded in the list provided pursuant to subpara-
graph (B) but not included in the list provided 
pursuant to subparagraph (C), in a tribal dem-
onstration project. 
‘‘(4) CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBES.— 
The Secretary shall consult with Indian tribes to de-
termine a protocol for consultation under paragraph 
(1) prior to consultation under such paragraph with 
the other entities described in such paragraph. The 
protocol shall require, at a minimum, that— 
‘‘(A) the government-to-government rela-
tionship with Indian tribes forms the basis for 
the consultation process;
‘‘(B) the Indian tribes and the Secretary 
jointly conduct the consultations required by 
this subsection; and 
‘‘(C) the consultation process allows for 
separate and direct recommendations from the 
Indian tribes and other entities described in 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(5) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $1,000,000.’’. 
TITLE II—COMMODITY 
DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS 
SEC. 201. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. 
Section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protec-
tion Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93– 
86) is amended in the 1st sentence by striking ‘‘2012’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2016’’. 
SEC. 202. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM. 
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protec-
tion Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93– 
86) is amended— 
(1) in paragraphs (1) and (2)(B) of subsection 
(a) by striking ‘‘2012’’ each place it appears and in-
serting ‘‘2016’’;
(2) in the 1st sentence of subsection (d)(2) by 
striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2016’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(g) ELIGIBILITY.—Except as provided in subsection 
(m), the States shall only provide assistance under the 
commodity supplemental food program to low-income indi-
viduals aged 60 and older.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) PHASE-OUT.—Notwithstanding any other pro-
vision of law, an individual who receives assistance under 
the commodity supplemental food program on the day be-
fore the effective date of this subsection shall continue to 
receive that assistance until the date on which the indi-
vidual no longer qualifies for assistance under the eligi-
bility criteria for the program in effect on the day before 
the effective date of this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 203. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO 
SPECIAL NUTRITION PROJECTS. 
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food 
Act of 1981 (7 U.S.C. 1431e(2)(A)) is amended in the 
1st sentence by striking ‘‘2012’’ and inserting ‘‘2016’’.
SEC. 204. PROCESSING OF COMMODITIES. 
(a) Section 17 of the Commodity Distribution Reform 
Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) 
is amended by— 
(1) striking the heading and inserting ‘‘COM-
MODITY DONATIONS AND PROCESSING’’; and 
(2) adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) PROCESSING.—For any program included in 
subsection (b), the Secretary may, notwithstanding any 
other provision of State or Federal law relating to the pro-
curement of goods and services— 
‘‘(1) retain title to commodities delivered to a 
processor, on behalf of a State (including a State 
distributing agency and a recipient agency), until 
such time as end products containing such commod-
ities, or similar commodities as approved by the Sec-
retary, are delivered to a State distributing agency 
or to a recipient agency; and 
‘‘(2) promulgate regulations to ensure account-
ability for commodities provided to a processor for 
processing into end products, and to facilitate proc-
essing of commodities into end products for use by 
recipient agencies. Such regulations may provide 
that— 
‘‘(A) a processor that receives commodities 
for processing into end products, or provides a
service with respect to such commodities or end 
products, in accordance with its agreement with 
a State distributing agency or a recipient agen-
cy, provide to the Secretary a bond or other 
means of financial assurance to protect the 
value of such commodities; and 
‘‘(B) in the event a processor fails to de-
liver to a State distributing agency or a recipi-
ent agency an end product in conformance with 
the processing agreement entered into under 
this Act, the Secretary take action with respect 
to the bond or other means of financial assur-
ance pursuant to regulations promulgated 
under this paragraph and distribute any pro-
ceeds obtained by the Secretary to one or more 
State distributing agencies and recipient agen-
cies as determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary.’’. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 18 of the Commodity 
Distribution Reform Act and WIC Amendments of 1987 
(7 U.S.C. 612c note) is amended by striking paragraphs 
(1) and (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘commodities’ means agricultural 
commodities and their products that are donated by 
the Secretary for use by recipient agencies.
‘‘(2) The term ‘end product’ means a food 
product that contains processed commodities.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
Section 3 of the Commodity Distribution Reform Act and 
WIC Amendments of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public 
Law 100–237) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking subpara-
graph (B) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) the program established under sec-
tion 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b));’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)(D) by striking ‘‘the 
Committee on Education and Labor’’ and in-
serting ‘‘the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) by striking ‘‘sec-
tion 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 32 of 
the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c)’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii) by striking sub-
clause (II) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(II) the program established 
under section 4(b) of the Food and
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2013(b));’’; and 
(4) in subsection (k) by striking ‘‘the Com-
mittee on Education and Labor’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Committee on Education and the Workforce’’. 
TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 301. FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM. 
Section 4402 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading by striking ‘‘SEN-
IORS’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary of Agri-
culture shall use to carry out and expand the farm-
ers market nutrition program $20,600,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2014 through 2016. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this subsection for each of the fiscal 
years specified in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENT.—Not less than 50 percent 
of the funds made available to carry out this section
in any fiscal year shall be used to provide assistance 
to seniors.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘seniors’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, and 
low-income families who are determined to be at 
nutritional risk’’ after ‘‘low-income seniors’’; 
(4) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘seniors’’; 
(5) in subsection (d) by striking ‘‘seniors’’; 
(6) in subsection (e) by striking ‘‘seniors’’; 
(7) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), (e), 
and (f) as subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g), respec-
tively; and 
(8) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) STATE GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.—The 
Secretary shall carry out the Program through grants and 
other assistance provided in accordance with agreements 
made with States, for implementation through State agen-
cies and local agencies, that include provisions— 
‘‘(1) for the issuance of coupons or vouchers to 
participating individuals;
‘‘(2) establishing an appropriate annual per-
centage limitation on the use of funds for adminis-
trative costs; and 
‘‘(3) specifying other terms and conditions as 
the Secretary deems appropriate to encourage ex-
panding the participation of small scale farmers in 
Federal nutrition programs.’’. 
SEC. 302. NUTRITION INFORMATION AND AWARENESS 
PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 4403 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3171 note; Public Law 107– 
171) is repealed. 
SEC. 303. FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM. 
Section 19 of the Richard B. Russell National School 
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769a) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking 
‘‘FRESH’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘fresh’’; 
(3) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘fresh’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘fresh’’. 
SEC. 304. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR PURCHASE OF 
FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND OTHER 
SPECIALTY FOOD CROPS. 
Section 10603 of the Farm Security and Rural In-
vestment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c–4) is amended—
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2016’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) PILOT GRANT PROGRAM FOR PURCHASE OF 
FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using amounts made avail-
able to carry out subsection (b), the Secretary of Ag-
riculture shall conduct a pilot program under which 
the Secretary will give not more than five partici-
pating States the option of receiving a grant in an 
amount equal to the value of the commodities that 
the participating State would otherwise receive 
under this section for each of fiscal years 2014 
through 2016. 
‘‘(2) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—A participating 
State receiving a grant under this subsection may 
use the grant funds solely to purchase fresh fruits 
and vegetables for distribution to schools and service 
institutions in the State that participate in the food 
service programs under the Richard B. Russell Na-
tional School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.)
and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
1771 et seq.). 
‘‘(3) SELECTION OF PARTICIPATING STATES.— 
The Secretary shall select participating States from 
applications submitted by the States. 
‘‘(4) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) SCHOOL AND SERVICE INSTITUTION 
REQUIREMENT.—Schools and service institu-
tions in a participating State shall keep records 
of purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables 
made using the grant funds and report such 
records to the State. 
‘‘(B) STATE
REQUIREMENT.—Each par-
ticipating State shall submit to the Secretary a 
report on the success of the pilot program in 
the State, including information on— 
‘‘(i) the amount and value of each 
type of fresh fruit and vegetable purchased 
by the State; and 
‘‘(ii) the benefit provided by such pur-
chases in conducting the school food serv-
ice in the State, including meeting school 
meal requirements.’’.
SEC. 
305. 
ENCOURAGING 
LOCALLY 
AND 
REGIONALLY 
GROWN AND RAISED FOOD. 
(a) COMMODITY PURCHASE STREAMLINING.—The 
Secretary may permit each school food authority with a 
low annual commodity entitlement value, as determined by 
the Secretary, to elect to substitute locally and regionally 
grown and raised food for the authority’s allotment, in 
whole or in part, of commodity assistance for the school 
meal programs under the Richard B. Russell National 
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), if— 
(1) the election is requested by the school food 
authority; 
(2) the Secretary determines that the election 
will reduce State and Federal administrative costs; 
and 
(3) the election will provide the school food au-
thority with greater flexibility to purchase locally 
and regionally grown and raised foods. 
(b) 
FARM-TO-SCHOOL
DEMONSTRATION
PRO-
GRAMS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may establish 
farm-to-school demonstration programs under which 
school food authorities, agricultural producers pro-
ducing for local and regional markets, and other 
farm-to-school stakeholders will collaborate with the
Agriculture Marketing Service to, on a cost neutral 
basis, source food for the school meal programs 
under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the Child Nutri-
tion Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.) from local 
farmers and ranchers in lieu of the commodity as-
sistance provided to the school food authorities for 
the school meal programs. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Each demonstration 
program carried out under this subsection 
shall— 
(i) facilitate and increase the purchase 
of unprocessed and minimally processed lo-
cally and regionally grown and raised agri-
cultural products to be served under the 
school meal programs; 
(ii) test methods to improve procure-
ment, transportation, and meal preparation 
processes for the school meal programs; 
(iii) assess whether administrative 
costs can be saved through increased 
school food authority flexibility to source 
locally and regionally produced foods for 
the school meal programs; and
100 
(iv) undertake rigorous evaluation and 
share information about results of the 
demonstration program, including cost sav-
ings, with the Secretary, other school food 
authorities, agricultural producers pro-
ducing for the local and regional market, 
and the general public. 
(B) PLANS.—In order to be selected to 
carry out a demonstration program under this 
subsection, a school food authority shall submit 
to the Secretary a plan at such time and in 
such manner as the Secretary may require, and 
containing information with respect to the re-
quirements described in clauses (i) through (iv) 
of subparagraph (A). 
(3) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
shall provide technical assistance to demonstration 
program participants to assist such participants to 
acquire bids from potential vendors in a timely and 
cost-effective manner. 
(4) LENGTH.—The Secretary shall determine 
the appropriate length of time for each demonstra-
tion program under this subsection. 
(5) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall co-
ordinate among relevant agencies of the Department
101 
of Agriculture and non-governmental organizations 
with appropriate expertise to facilitate the provision 
of training and technical assistance necessary to suc-
cessfully carry out demonstration programs under 
this subsection. 
(6) NUMBER.—Subject to the availability of 
funds to carry out this subsection, the Secretary 
shall select at least 10 demonstration programs to 
be carried out under this subsection. 
(7) DIVERSITY
AND
BALANCE.—In selecting 
demonstration programs to be carried out under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall, to the maximum ex-
tent practicable, ensure— 
(A) geographical diversity; 
(B) that at least half of the demonstration 
programs are completed in collaboration with 
school food authorities with small annual com-
modity entitlements, as determined by the Sec-
retary; 
(C) that at least half of the demonstration 
programs are completed in rural or tribal com-
munities; 
(D) equitable treatment of school food au-
thorities with a high percentage of students eli-
102 
gible for free or reduced price lunches, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; and 
(E) that at least one of the demonstration 
programs is completed on a military installation 
as defined in section 2687(e)(1) of title 10, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 306. REVIEW OF PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHITE 
POTATOES. 
The Secretary shall conduct a review of the economic 
and public health benefits of white potatoes on low-income 
families who are determined to be at nutritional risk. Not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall report the findings of this review 
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate. 
SEC. 307. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle D of title II of the De-
partment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6951 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 242. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to en-
hance the authorities of the Secretary to support efforts 
to provide access to healthy food by establishing an initia-
103 
tive to improve access to healthy foods in underserved 
areas, to create and preserve quality jobs, and to revitalize 
low-income communities by providing loans and grants to 
eligible fresh, healthy food retailers to overcome the higher 
costs and initial barriers to entry in underserved areas. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL IN-
STITUTION.—The term ‘community development fi-
nancial institution’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 103 of the Community Development 
Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 
U.S.C. 4702). 
‘‘(2) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘Initiative’ means 
the Healthy Food Financing Initiative established 
under subsection (c)(1). 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL
FUND
MANAGER.—The term 
‘national fund manager’ means a community devel-
opment financial institution that is— 
‘‘(A) in existence on the date of enactment 
of this section; and 
‘‘(B) certified by the Community Develop-
ment Financial Institution Fund of the Depart-
ment of Treasury to manage the Initiative for 
purposes of— 
‘‘(i) raising private capital;
104 
‘‘(ii) providing financial and technical 
assistance to partnerships; and 
‘‘(iii) funding eligible projects to at-
tract fresh, healthy food retailers to under-
served areas, in accordance with this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(4) PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘partnership’ 
means a regional, State, or local public-private part-
nership that— 
‘‘(A) is organized to improve access to 
fresh, healthy foods; 
‘‘(B) provides financial and technical as-
sistance to eligible projects; and 
‘‘(C) meets such other criteria as the Sec-
retary may establish. 
‘‘(5) PERISHABLE FOOD.—The term ‘perishable 
food’ means a staple food that is fresh, refrigerated, 
or frozen. 
‘‘(6) QUALITY
JOB.—The term ‘quality job’ 
means a job that provides wages and other benefits 
comparable to, or better than, similar positions in 
existing businesses of similar size in similar local 
economies. 
‘‘(7) STAPLE FOOD.—
105 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘staple food’ 
means food that is a basic dietary item. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘staple food’ 
includes— 
‘‘(i) bread; 
‘‘(ii) flour; 
‘‘(iii) fruits; 
‘‘(iv) vegetables; and 
‘‘(v) meat. 
‘‘(c) INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish an initiative to achieve the purpose described 
in subsection (a) in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out 
the Initiative, the Secretary shall provide 
funding to entities with eligible projects, as 
described in subparagraph (B), subject to 
the priorities described in subparagraph 
(C). 
‘‘(ii) USE
OF
FUNDS.—Funds pro-
vided to an entity pursuant to clause (i) 
shall be used—
106 
‘‘(I) to create revolving loan pools 
of capital or other products to provide 
loans to finance eligible projects or 
partnerships; 
‘‘(II) to provide grants for eligi-
ble projects or partnerships; 
‘‘(III) to provide technical assist-
ance to funded projects and entities 
seeking Initiative funding; and 
‘‘(IV) to cover administrative ex-
penses of the national fund manager 
in an amount not to exceed 10 per-
cent of the Federal funds provided. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—Subject to the 
approval of the Secretary, the national fund 
manager shall establish eligibility criteria for 
projects under the Initiative, which shall include 
the existence or planned execution of agree-
ments— 
‘‘(i) to expand or preserve the avail-
ability of staple foods in underserved areas 
with moderate- and low-income populations 
by maintaining or increasing the number 
of retail outlets that offer an assortment of 
perishable food and staple food items, as
107 
determined by the Secretary, in those 
areas; and 
‘‘(ii) to accept benefits under the sup-
plemental nutrition assistance program es-
tablished under the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIES.—In carrying out the Ini-
tiative, priority shall be given to projects that— 
‘‘(i) are located in severely distressed 
low-income communities, as defined by the 
Community Development Financial Insti-
tutions Fund of the Department of Treas-
ury; and 
‘‘(ii) include 1 or more of the fol-
lowing characteristics: 
‘‘(I) The project will create or re-
tain quality jobs for low-income resi-
dents in the community. 
‘‘(II) The project supports re-
gional food systems and locally grown 
foods, to the maximum extent prac-
ticable. 
‘‘(III) In areas served by public 
transit, the project is accessible by 
public transit.
108 
‘‘(IV) 
The 
project 
involves 
women- or minority-owned businesses. 
‘‘(V) The project receives funding 
from other sources, including other 
Federal agencies. 
‘‘(VI) The project otherwise ad-
vances the purpose of this section, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $125,000,000, to remain available until 
expended.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 296(b) of 
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(2) in paragraph (7) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) the authority of the Secretary to establish 
and carry out the Health Food Financing Initiative 
under section 242.’’.
109 
SEC. 308. REVIEW OF SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACTS IN FED-
ERAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS. 
The Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of sole- 
source contracts in Federal nutrition programs, and the 
effect such contracts have on program participation, pro-
gram goals, nonprogram consumers, retailers, and free 
market dynamics. Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report the 
findings of this review to the Committee on Agriculture 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. 
SEC. 309. PURCHASE OF HALAL AND KOSHER FOOD FOR 
EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 202 of the Emergency Food Assistance Act 
of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7502) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(h) KOSHER AND HALAL FOOD.—As soon as prac-
ticable after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Secretary shall finalize and implement a plan— 
‘‘(1) to increase the purchase of Kosher and 
Halal food from food manufacturers with a Kosher 
or Halal certification to carry out the program es-
tablished under this Act if the Kosher and Halal 
food purchased is cost neutral as compared to food 
that is not from food manufacturers with a Kosher 
or Halal certification; and
110 
‘‘(2) to modify the labeling of the commodities 
list used to carry out the program in a manner that 
enables Kosher and Halal food bank operators to 
identify which commodities to obtain from local food 
banks.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 19, 
2013. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 3102 
AN ACT 
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; and 
for other purposes.