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$20,539,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans; In-
dian tribe land acquisition loans as authorized by 25
U.S.C. 488, $153,000; for emergency insured loans,
$5,900,000 to meet the needs resulting from natural disas-
ters; and for boll weevil eradication program loans as au-
thorized by 7 U.S.C. 1989, $576,000.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$219,861,000, of which $209,861,000 shall be transferred to
and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Farm Service
Agency, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RISK MANAGEMENT AGENCY
ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING EXPENSES
For administrative and operating expenses, as author-
ized 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 au-
thorized 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
HR 4101 PP
as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation
Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the pro-
grams 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 Fed-
eral 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 1999, such sums as may be necessary
to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net re-
alized losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed (esti-
mated to be $8,439,000,000 in the President’s fiscal year
1999 Budget Request (H. Doc. 105–177)), but not to exceed
$8,439,000,000, 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 1999, the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for expenses to
comply with the requirement of section 107(g) of the Com-
prehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9607(g), and section 6001 of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6961:
Provided, That expenses shall be for operations and mainte-
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nance costs only and that other hazardous waste manage-
ment costs shall be paid for by the USDA Hazardous Waste
Management appropriation in this Act.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
For necessary expenses to provide assistance to agri-
cultural producers in a county with respect to which a dis-
aster or emergency was declared by the President or the Sec-
retary of Agriculture by July 15, 1998, as a result of
drought and fire, through—
(1) the forestry incentives program established
under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
(16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.), $9,000,000;
(2) a livestock indemnity program carried out in
accordance with part 1439 of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations, $300,000;
(3) the emergency conservation program author-
ized under sections 401, 402, and 404 of the Agricul-
tural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201, 2202,
2204), $2,000,000; and
(4) the disaster reserve assistance program estab-
lished under section 813 of the Agricultural Act of
1970 (7 U.S.C. 1427a), $10,000,000;
to remain available until expended: Provided, That the en-
tire amount shall be available only to the extent that the
President submits to Congress an official budget request for
a specific dollar amount that includes designation of the
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entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement
for the purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900 et seq.): Provided
further, That the entire amount of funds necessary to carry
out this paragraph is designated by Congress as an emer-
gency requirement under section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Bal-
anced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
(2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)).
RESERVE INVENTORIES
For the reserve established under section 813 of the Ag-
ricultural Act of 1970 (7 U.S.C. 1427a), $500,000,000: Pro-
vided, That the entire amount shall be available only to
the extent that the President submits to Congress an official
budget request for a specific dollar amount that includes
designation of the entire amount of the request as an emer-
gency requirement for the purposes of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 900
et seq.): Provided further, That the entire amount of funds
necessary to carry out this paragraph is designated by Con-
gress as an emergency 
requirement 
under 
section
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Defi-
cit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)).
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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 For-
est Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service,
$693,000.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
CONSERVATION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses for carrying out the programs
administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Serv-
ice, including 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 res-
ervoirs and to control agricultural related pollutants); oper-
ation of conservation plant materials centers; classification
and mapping of soil; dissemination of information; acquisi-
tion of lands, water, and interests therein for use in the
plant materials program by donation, exchange, or pur-
chase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100 pursuant to the
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Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 428a); purchase and erec-
tion or alteration or improvement of permanent and tem-
porary buildings; and operation and maintenance of air-
craft, $638,664,000, to remain available until expended (7
U.S.C. 2209b), of which not less than $5,835,000 is for snow
survey and water forecasting and not less than $9,025,000
is for operation and establishment of the plant materials
centers: Provided, That, of the total amount appropriated,
$433,000 shall be used, along with prior year appropria-
tions provided for this project, to complete construction of
the Alderson Plant Materials Center, Alderson, West Vir-
ginia: Provided, further, That appropriations hereunder
shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construc-
tion and improvement of buildings and public improve-
ments at plant materials centers, except that the cost of al-
terations and improvements to other buildings and other
public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: Provided
further, That when buildings or other structures are erected
on non-Federal land, that the right to use such land is ob-
tained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a: Provided further,
That this appropriation shall be available for technical as-
sistance and related expenses to carry out programs author-
ized 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 no part of this appropriation may be ex-
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pended for soil and water conservation operations under the
Act of April 27, 1935 in demonstration projects: Provided
further, That this appropriation shall be available for em-
ployment 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 engi-
neers may be temporarily employed at per diem rates to
perform the technical planning work of the Service (16
U.S.C. 590e–2).
WATERSHED SURVEYS AND PLANNING
For necessary expenses to conduct research, investiga-
tion, and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other water-
ways, 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), $11,190,000: 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 em-
ployment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS
For necessary expenses to carry out preventive meas-
ures, including but not limited to research, engineering op-
erations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation,
rehabilitation of existing works and changes in use of land,
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in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood
Prevention Act approved August 4, 1954 (16 U.S.C. 1001–
1005, 1007–1009), the provisions of the Act of April 27,
1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a–f), and in accordance with the provi-
sions of laws relating to the activities of the Department,
$101,036,000, 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 ap-
proved June 22, 1936 (33 U.S.C. 701, 16 U.S.C. 1006a)):
Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for em-
ployment 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 purposes 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 habitats as may be necessary to expedite
project construction.
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
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(16 U.S.C. 590a–f), and the Agriculture and Food Act of
1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451–3461), $34,377,000, to remain avail-
able until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b): 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 $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 ex-
penses, $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 pro-
grams 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 Agri-
culture, $588,000.
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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, and
1932, except for sections 381E–H and 381N of the Consoli-
dated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009f),
$702,601,000, to remain available until expended, of which
$29,786,000 shall be for rural community programs de-
scribed in section 381E(d)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act; of which $622,522,000 shall be for
the rural utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2)
of such Act; and of which $47,893,000 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 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 total amount appropriated, 3 percent shall be
reserved for federally recognized Indian tribes through July
31, 1999, and if not used by Indian tribes shall be available
for use by other qualified applicants: Provided further, That
of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed $70,000
shall be available under 7 U.S.C. 381O and shall be used
only for demonstration programs: Provided further, That
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of the amount appropriated for rural utilities programs,
not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for water and waste dis-
posal systems to benefit the Colonias along the United
States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant to section
306C of such Act; not to exceed $25,000,000 shall be for
water and waste disposal systems for rural and native vil-
lages in Alaska pursuant to section 306D of such Act; 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 $5,200,000 shall
be for contracting with qualified national organizations for
a circuit rider program to provide technical assistance for
rural water systems: Provided further, That of the total
amount appropriated, $2,800,000 shall be available for a
community improvement project in Arkansas: Provided fur-
ther, That of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed
$33,926,000 shall be available through June 30, 1999, for
empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as author-
ized by Public Law 103–66, of which $1,844,000 shall be
for rural community programs described in section
381E(d)(1) of such Act; of which $24,900,100 shall be for
the rural utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2)
of such Act; of which $8,134,000 shall be for the rural busi-
ness and cooperative development programs described in
section 381E(d)(3) of such Act.
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RURAL HOUSING SERVICE
RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For gross obligations for the principal amount of di-
rect 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: $4,000,000,000 for loans
to section 502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary,
of which $3,000,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaran-
teed loans; $30,000,000 for section 504 housing repair
loans; $75,000,000 for section 538 guaranteed multi-family
housing loans; $15,758,000 for section 514 farm labor hous-
ing; $128,640,000 for section 515 rental housing;
$5,000,000 for section 524 site loans; $25,000,000 for credit
sales of acquired property, of which up to $4,000,000 may
be for multi-family credit sales; and $5,000,000 for section
523 self-help housing land development loans.
For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including
the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section
502 loans, $120,900,000, of which $2,700,000 shall be for
unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair
loans, $10,569,000; section 538 multi-family housing guar-
anteed loans, $1,740,000; section 514 farm labor housing,
$8,199,000; section 515 rental housing, $62,069,000; section
524 site loans, $16,000; credit sales of acquired property,
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$3,826,000, of which up to $1,932,000 may be for multi-
family credit sales; and section 523 self-help housing land
development loans, $282,000: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated in this paragraph, $10,380,100 shall
be for empowerment zones and enterprise communities, as
authorized by Public Law 103–66: Provided further, That
if such funds are not obligated for empowerment zones and
enterprise communities by June 30, 1999, they shall remain
available for other authorized purposes under this head.
In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to
carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs,
$360,785,000, which shall be transferred to and merged
with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Housing Service, Sala-
ries and Expenses’’.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For rental assistance agreements entered into or re-
newed 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, $583,397,000;
and, in addition, such sums as may be necessary, as author-
ized 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
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authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to
exceed $10,000 per project for advances to nonprofit organi-
zations or public agencies to cover direct costs (other than
purchase price) incurred in purchasing projects pursuant
to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That
agreements entered into or renewed during fiscal year 1999
shall be funded for a five-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),
$26,000,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C.
2209b): Provided, That of the total amount appropriated,
$1,000,000 shall be for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Pro-
vided further, That if such funds are not obligated for em-
powerment zones and enterprise communities by June 30,
1999, they shall remain available for other authorized pur-
poses under this head.
RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS
For grants and contracts for housing for domestic farm
labor, very low-income housing repair, supervisory and
technical assistance, compensation for construction defects,
and rural housing preservation made by the Rural Housing
Service, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1486,
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1490e, and 1490m, $45,720,000, to remain available until
expended: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated,
$1,372,000 shall be for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities, as authorized by Public Law 103–66: Pro-
vided further, That if such funds are not obligated for em-
powerment zones and enterprise communities by June 30,
1999, they shall remain available for other authorized pur-
poses under this head.
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,
$60,978,000: 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 futher, That the Ad-
ministrator 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
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such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That these
funds are available to subsidize gross obligations for the
principal amount of direct loans of $33,000,000: Provided
further, That through June 30, 1999, of the total amount
appropriated, $3,215,520 shall be available for the cost of
direct loans for empowerment zones and enterprise commu-
nities, as authorized by title XIII of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993, to subsidize gross obligations
for the principal amount of direct loans, $7,246,000: Pro-
vided further, That if such funds are not obligated for em-
powerment zones and enterprise communities by June 30,
1999, they shall remain available for other authorized pur-
poses under this head.
In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out
the direct loan programs, $3,482,000 shall be transferred
to and merged with the appropriation for ‘‘Rural Business-
Cooperative Service, Salaries and Expenses’’.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOANS PROGRAM
ACCOUNT
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS 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, $23,000,000.
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For the cost of direct loans, including the cost of modi-
fying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, $5,801,000.
Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of
credit payments in fiscal year 1999, as authorized by sec-
tion 313 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936,
$3,783,000 shall not be obligated and $3,783,000 are re-
scinded.
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), $3,000,000, of which
$1,300,000 shall be available for cooperative agreements for
the appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program
and $250,000 shall be available for an agribusiness and co-
operative development program.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
For necessary expenses of the Rural Business-Coopera-
tive Service, including administering the programs author-
ized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act;
section 1323 of the Food Security Act of 1985; the Coopera-
tive Marketing Act of 1926; for activities relating to the
marketing aspects of cooperatives, including economic re-
search findings, as authorized by the Agricultural Market-
ing Act of 1946; for activities with institutions concerning
the development and operation of agricultural cooperatives;
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and for cooperative agreements; $25,680,000: Provided,
That this appropriation shall be available for employment
pursuant to the second sentence of section 706(a) of the Or-
ganic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed
$260,000 may be used for employment under 5 U.S.C. 3109.
ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND
COMMERCIALIZATION CORPORATION REVOLVING FUND
For necessary expenses to carry out the Alternative Ag-
ricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990 (7
U.S.C. 5901–5908), $7,000,000 are appropriated to the Al-
ternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization
Corporation Revolving Fund.
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,
$71,500,000; 5 percent rural telecommunications loans,
$75,000,000; cost of money rural telecommunications loans,
$250,000,000; 
municipal 
rate 
rural 
electric 
loans,
$295,000,000; and loans made pursuant to section 306 of
that Act, rural electric, $700,000,000 and rural tele-
communications, $120,000,000, to remain available until
expended.
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For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional 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, $16,667,000; cost of munici-
pal rate loans, $25,842,000; cost of money rural tele-
communications loans, $675,000: Provided, That notwith-
standing 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,
$29,982,000, 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 corporation in accord with law, and to make such
contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year
limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government
Corporation Control Act, as may be necessary in carrying
out its authorized programs. During fiscal year 1999 and
within the resources and authority available, gross obliga-
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tions for the principal amount of direct loans shall be
$140,000,000.
For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying
loans, of direct loans authorized by the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935), $3,710,000.
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., $12,680,000, to remain avail-
able 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, $33,000,000: 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
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U.S.C. 2225), and not to exceed $105,000 may be used for
employment 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 Serv-
ices to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the
Food and Nutrition Service, $554,000.
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; $9,219,897,000, to re-
main available through September 30, 2000, of which
$4,171,747,000 
are 
hereby 
appropriated 
and
$5,048,150,000 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 up to $4,300,000 shall be
available for independent verification of school food service
claims: Provided further, That none of the funds under this
heading shall be available unless the value of bonus com-
modities provided under section 32 of the Act of August 24,
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1935 (49 Stat. 774, chapter 641; 7 U.S.C. 612c), and sec-
tion 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1431)
is included in meeting the minimum commodity assistance
requirement 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 supple-
mental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786),
$3,948,000,000, to remain available through September 30,
2000: Provided, That up to $15,000,000 may be used to
carry out the farmers’ market nutrition program: 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 with-
in the space used to carry out the program: Provided fur-
ther, 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 bid-
ding requirements specified in section 17 of the Child Nutri-
tion Act of 1966.
FOOD STAMP PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp
Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $23,781,806,000, of which
$100,000,000 shall be placed in reserve for use only in such
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amounts and at such times as may become necessary to
carry out program operations: Provided, That not to exceed
$5,700,000 of the funds made available under this head
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 reg-
istration or workfare requirements as may be required by
law: Provided further, That funds made available for Em-
ployment and Training under this head shall remain avail-
able until expended, as authorized by section 16(h)(1) of
the Food Stamp Act.
COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For necessary expenses to carry out the commodity
supplemental food program as authorized by section 4(a)
of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7
U.S.C. 612c note) and the Emergency Food Assistance Act
of 1983, $141,000,000, to remain available through Septem-
ber 30, 2000: Provided, That none of these funds shall be
available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation
for commodities donated to the program.
FOOD DONATIONS PROGRAMS FOR SELECTED GROUPS
For necessary expenses to carry out section 4(a) of the
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C.
612c note), and section 311 of the Older Americans Act of
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1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030a), $141,081,000, to remain available
through September 30, 2000.
FOOD PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic
food programs funded under this Act, $109,069,000, of
which $5,000,000 shall be available only for simplifying
procedures, reducing overhead costs, tightening regulations,
improving food stamp coupon handling, and assistance in
the prevention, identification, and prosecution of fraud and
other violations of law: 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 $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 ac-
tivities 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
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pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956
(7 U.S.C. 1766), $131,795,000: Provided, That of the total
amount appropriated, up to $2,000,000 is available solely
for the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in international
currency exchange rates and these funds and any other
funds that are deposited into the overseas exchange rate ac-
count shall be available until expended: Provided further,
That the Service may utilize advances of funds, or reim-
burse this appropriation for expenditures made on behalf
of Federal agencies, public and private organizations and
institutions under agreements executed pursuant to the ag-
ricultural food production assistance programs (7 U.S.C.
1736) and the foreign assistance programs of the Inter-
national Development Cooperation Administration (22
U.S.C. 2392).
None of the funds in the foregoing paragraph shall be
available to promote the sale or export of tobacco or tobacco
products.
PUBLIC LAW 480 PROGRAM AND GRANT ACCOUNTS
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)
For expenses during the current fiscal year, not other-
wise recoverable, and unrecovered prior years’ costs, includ-
ing interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Develop-
ment and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701–
1704, 1721–1726a, 1727–1727e, 1731–1736g–3, and 1737),
as follows: (1) $203,475,000 for Public Law 480 title I cred-
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it, including Food for Progress programs; (2) $17,608,000
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;
(3) $837,000,000 is hereby appropriated for commodities
supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant
to title II of said Act; and (4) $30,000,000 is hereby appro-
priated for commodities supplied in connection with dis-
positions abroad pursuant to title III 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 Congres-
sional Budget Act of 1974, of direct credit agreements as
authorized by the Agricultural Trade Development and As-
sistance Act of 1954, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985,
including the cost of modifying credit agreements under
said Act, $176,596,000.
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 ap-
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propriation 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 Commod-
ity 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 Cred-
it Corporation Charter Act and in conformity with the Fed-
eral 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 Ex-
penses’’.
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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 Adminis-
tration, including hire and purchase of passenger motor ve-
hicles; for payment of space rental and related costs pursu-
ant to Public Law 92–313 for programs and activities of
the Food and Drug Administration which are included in
this Act; for rental of special purpose space in the District
of Columbia or elsewhere; and for miscellaneous and emer-
gency expenses of enforcement activities, authorized and ap-
proved by the Secretary and to be accounted for solely on
the 
Secretary’s 
certificate, 
not 
to 
exceed 
$25,000;
$1,072,640,000, of which not to exceed $132,273,000 in fees
pursuant to section 736 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cos-
metic Act may be credited to this appropriation and re-
main available until expended: Provided, That fees derived
from applications received during fiscal year 1999 shall be
subject to the fiscal year 1999 limitation: Provided further,
That none of these funds shall be used to develop, establish,
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or operate any program of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C.
9701.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 354 of the Public
Health Service Act may be credited to this account, to re-
main available until expended.
In addition, fees pursuant to section 801 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act may be credited to this ac-
count, to remain available until expended.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
For plans, construction, repair, improvement, exten-
sion, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facili-
ties of or used by the Food and Drug Administration, where
not otherwise provided, $12,350,000, to remain available
until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b).
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
PAYMENTS TO THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
For necessary payments to the Farm Credit System
Financial Assistance Corporation by the Secretary of the
Treasury, as authorized by section 6.28(c) of the Farm
Credit Act of 1971, for reimbursement of interest expenses
incurred by the Financial Assistance Corporation on obli-
gations issued through 1994, as authorized, $2,565,000.
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INDEPENDENT AGENCY
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of
the Commodity 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; $61,000,000, including
not to exceed $1,000 for official reception and representa-
tion expenses: Provided, That the Commission is authorized
to charge reasonable fees to attendees of Commission spon-
sored educational events and symposia to cover the Commis-
sion’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 appropria-
tion.
TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law,
appropriations and authorizations made for the Depart-
ment of Agriculture for the fiscal year 1999 under this Act
shall be available for the purchase, in addition to those spe-
cifically provided for, of not to exceed 440 passenger motor
vehicles, of which 437 shall be for replacement only, and
for the hire of such vehicles.
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SEC. 702. Funds in this Act available to the Depart-
ment of Agriculture shall be available for uniforms or allow-
ances therefor as authorized by law (5 U.S.C. 5901–5902).
SEC. 703. Not less than $1,500,000 of the appropria-
tions of the Department of Agriculture in this Act for re-
search and service work authorized by the Acts of August
14, 1946, and July 28, 1954 (7 U.S.C. 427, 1621–1629),
and by chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code, shall
be available for contracting in accordance 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 Cen-
ter operations shall not exceed $2,000,000: Provided, That
no funds in this Act appropriated to an agency of the De-
partment 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 (7 U.S.C. 2209b): Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, the contingency fund to
meet emergency conditions, fruit fly program, integrated
systems acquisition project, and up to $2,000,000 for costs
associated with collocating regional offices; Farm Service
Agency, salaries and expenses funds made available to
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county committees; and Foreign Agricultural Service, mid-
dle-income country training program.
New obligational authority for the boll weevil program;
up to 10 percent of the screwworm program of the Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service; Food Safety and In-
spection Service, field automation and information man-
agement project; funds appropriated for rental payments;
funds for the Native American Institutions Endowment
Fund in the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service; and funds for the competitive research
grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), shall remain available until ex-
pended.
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 lan-
guage 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 institu-
tions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost of the
agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrange-
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ments is to carry out programs of mutual interest between
the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate pay-
ment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such
institutions 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 Commodity Credit Corporation and section 32 price
support operations 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 avail-
able to restrict the authority of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration 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. With the exception of grants awarded under
the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982,
Public Law 97–219 (15 U.S.C. 638), none of the funds in
this Act shall be available to pay indirect costs on research
grants awarded competitively by the Cooperative State Re-
search, Education, and Extension Service that exceed 14
percent of total Federal funds provided under each award.
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SEC. 712. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Act, all loan levels provided in this Act shall be considered
estimates, not limitations.
SEC. 713. Appropriations to the Department of Agri-
culture for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made
available in fiscal year 1999 shall remain available until
expended to cover obligations made in fiscal year 1999 for
the following accounts: the rural development loan fund
program account; the Rural Telephone Bank program ac-
count; the rural electrification and telecommunications
loans program account; and the rural economic develop-
ment loans program account.
SEC. 714. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal
year 1999 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall
be absorbed within the levels appropriated by this Act.
SEC. 715. Notwithstanding the Federal Grant and Co-
operative Agreement Act, marketing services of the Agricul-
tural Marketing Service and the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service may use cooperative agreements to reflect
a relationship between the Agricultural Marketing Service
or the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and
a State or Cooperator to carry out agricultural marketing
programs or to carry out programs to protect the Nation’s
animal and plant resources.
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SEC. 716. None of the funds in this Act may be used
to retire more than 5 percent of the Class A stock of the
Rural Telephone Bank or to maintain any account or sub-
account within the accounting records of the Rural Tele-
phone 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 trans-
fer 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 require-
ments and such balance shall receive interest as set forth
for financial accounts in section 505(c) of the Federal Cred-
it Reform Act of 1990.
SEC. 717. Hereafter, none of the funds made available
to the Department of Agriculture may be used to provide
assistance to, or to pay the salaries of personnel who carry
out a market promotion/market access program pursuant
to section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7
U.S.C. 5623) that provides assistance to the United States
Mink Export Development Council or any mink industry
trade association.
SEC. 718. Of the funds made available by this Act, not
more than $1,350,000 shall be used to cover necessary ex-
penses of activities related to all advisory committees, pan-
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els, commissions, and task forces of the Department of Agri-
culture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated
rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively
awarded grants.
SEC. 719. None of the funds appropriated in 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. 720. No employee of the Department of Agri-
culture may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office
funded by this Act to any other agency or office of the De-
partment for more than 30 days unless the individual’s em-
ploying 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. 721. 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. 722. None of the funds made available to the De-
partment of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire
new information technology systems or significant up-
grades, as determined by the Office of the Chief Information
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Officer, without the approval of the Chief Information Offi-
cer and the concurrence of the Executive Information Tech-
nology Investment Review Board.
SEC. 723. (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 1999, or provided from any ac-
counts 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
activities; or (6) contracts out or privatizes any functions
or activities presently performed by Federal employees; un-
less the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Con-
gress are notified fifteen days in advance of such re-
programming 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 1999, or provided from any accounts in the
Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of
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fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be
available for obligation or expenditure for activities, pro-
grams, 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) re-
duces 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 Appropriations Commit-
tees of both Houses of Congress are notified fifteen days in
advance of such reprogramming of funds.
SEC. 724. Hereafter, none of the funds appropriated
or otherwise available to the Department of Agriculture
may be used to administer the provision of contract pay-
ments to a producer under the Agricultural Market Transi-
tion 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. 725. The Federal facility located in Stuttgart,
Arkansas, and known as the ‘‘United States National Rice
Germplasm Evaluation and Enhancement Center’’, shall be
known and designated as the ‘‘Dale Bumpers National Rice
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Research Center’’: Provided, That any reference in law,
map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the
United States to such federal facility shall be deemed to be
a reference to the ‘‘Dale Bumpers National Rice Research
Center’’.
SEC. 726. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Secretary of Agriculture, subject to the reprogramming
requirements established by this Act, may transfer up to
$26,000,000 in discretionary funds made available by this
Act among programs of the Department, not otherwise ap-
propriated for a specific purpose or a specific location, for
distribution to or for the benefit of the Lower Mississippi
Delta Region, as defined in Public Law 100–460, prior to
normal state or regional allocation of funds: Provided, That
any funds made available through Chapter Four of Title
III, Subtitle D of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996 may be included in any amount repro-
grammed under this section if such funds are used for a
purpose authorized by such Chapter.
SEC. 727. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries
and expenses of personnel to carry out section 793 of Public
Law 104–127.
SEC. 728. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries
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and expenses of personnel to enroll in excess of 120,000
acres in the fiscal year 1999 wetlands reserve program as
authorized by 16 U.S.C. 3837.
SEC. 729. Notwithstanding section 27(a) of the Food
Stamp Act, the amount specified for allocation under such
section for fiscal year 1999 shall be $80,000,000.
SEC. 730. 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. 731. Public Law 102–237, Title X, Section
1013(a) and (b) (7 U.S.C. 426 note) is amended by striking
‘‘, to the extent practicable,’’ in each instance in which it
appears.
SEC. 732. Funds made available for conservation oper-
ations by this or any other Act, including prior-year bal-
ances, shall be available for financial assistance and tech-
nical assistance for Franklin County, Mississippi, in the
amounts earmarked in appropriations report language.
SEC. 733. Notwithstanding section 381A of Public Law
104–127, the definitions of rural areas for certain business
programs administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative
Service and the community facilities programs adminis-
tered by the Rural Housing Service shall be those provided
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for in statute and regulations prior to the enactment of
Public Law 104–127.
SEC. 734. Section 306D of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d) is amended by
inserting ‘‘25 percent in’’ in lieu of ‘‘equal’’ in subsection
(b), 
and 
by 
inserting 
‘‘$25,000,000’’ 
in 
lieu 
of
‘‘$15,000,000’’ in subsection (d).
SEC. 735. 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.
SEC. 736. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act shall be used to carry out any
commodity purchase program which would prohibit par-
ticipation by a farmer-owned cooperative.
SEC. 737. 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 Agri-
culture inspects and certifies agricultural processing equip-
ment, and imposes a fee for the inspection and certification,
in a manner that is similar to the inspection and certifi-
cation of agricultural products under that section, as deter-
mined by the Secretary: Provided, That this provision shall
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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 Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.).
SEC. 738. (a) AMENDMENT OF THE ARMS EXPORT
CONTROL ACT.—Section 102(b)(2)(D) of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2799aa–1(b)(2)(D)) is amended—
(1) in clause (i) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end;
(2) in clause (ii) by striking the period at the
end and inserting ‘‘, or’’; and
(3) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
‘‘(iii) to any credit, credit guarantee, or
other financial assistance provided by the De-
partment of Agriculture for the purchase or other
provision of food or other agricultural commod-
ities.’’.
(b) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to any credit, credit guarantee, or other financial as-
sistance approved by the Department of Agriculture before,
on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) Amounts made available by this section are des-
ignated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pur-
suant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended: Pro-
vided, That such amounts shall be available only to the ex-
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tent that an official budget request that includes designation
of the entire amount of the request as an emergency require-
ment as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by
the President to the Congress.
SEC. 739. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise
made available by this Act may be used to require any pro-
ducer to pay an administrative fee for catastrophic risk
protection under section 508(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Crop
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(5)(A)) in an amount that
is greater than $50 per crop per county.
SEC. 740. Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted or
construed to alter the current implementation of the Wet-
lands Reserve Program, unless expressly provided herein.
SEC. 741. That notwithstanding section 4703(d)(1) of
title 5, United States Code, the personnel management dem-
onstration project established in the Department of Agri-
culture, as described at 55 FR 9062 and amended at 61
FR 9507 and 61 FR 49178, shall be continued indefinitely
and become effective upon enactment of this Act.
SEC. 742. (a) The first sentence of section 509(f)(4)(A)
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1479(f)(4)(A)) is
amended by striking ‘‘fiscal year 1998’’ and inserting ‘‘fis-
cal year 1999’’.
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(b) Section 515(b)(4) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42
U.S.C. 1485(b)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘September 30,
1998’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 1999’’.
(c) The first sentence of section 515(w)(1) of the Hous-
ing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485(w)(1)) is amended by
striking ‘‘fiscal year 1998’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year
1999’’.
(d) Section 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
1490p–2) is amended—
(1) in subsection (t), by striking ‘‘fiscal year
1998’’ and inserting ‘‘fiscal year 1999’’; and
(2) in subsection (u), by striking ‘‘September 30,
1998’’ and inserting ‘‘September 30, 1999’’.
SEC. 743. METHYL BROMIDE ALTERNATIVES RE-
SEARCH. (a) REVIEW.—The Secretary of Agriculture, act-
ing through the Agricultural Research Service, shall conduct
a review of the methyl bromide alternatives research con-
ducted by the Secretary that describes—
(1) the amount of funds expended by the Sec-
retary since January 1, 1990, on methyl bromide al-
ternatives research, including a description of the
amounts paid for salaries, expenses, and actual re-
search;
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(2) plot and field scale testing of methyl bromide
alternatives conducted by the Secretary since January
1, 1990, including a description of—
(A) the total amount of funds expended for
the testing;
(B) the amount of funds expended for the
testing as a portion of a larger project or inde-
pendently of other projects; and
(C) the results of the testing and the impact
of the results on future research; and
(3) variables that impact the effectiveness of
methyl bromide alternatives, including a description
of—
(A) the individual variables; and
(B) the plan of the Secretary for addressing
each of the variables during the plot and field
scale testing conducted by the Secretary.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
appropriations committees of both Houses of Congress a re-
port that describes the results of the review conducted under
subsection (a).
SEC. 744. SENSE OF SENATE ON DISASTER ASSIST-
ANCE FOR TEXAS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS. (a) FIND-
INGS.—The Senate finds that—
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(1) the statewide economic impact of the drought
on agriculture in the State of Texas could be more
than $4,600,000,000 in losses, according to the Agri-
cultural Extension Service of the State;
(2) the direct loss of income to agricultural pro-
ducers in the State is $1,500,000,000;
(3) the National Weather Service has reported
that all 10 climatic regions in the State have received
below-average rainfall from March through May of
1998, a critical time in the production of corn, cot-
ton, sorghum, wheat, and forage;
(4) the total losses for cotton producers in the
State 
have 
already 
reached 
an 
estimated
$500,000,000;
(5) nearly half of the rangeland in the State (as
of May 31, 1998) was rated as poor or very poor as
a result of the lack of rain;
(6) the value of lost hay production in the State
will approach an estimated $175,000,000 statewide,
leading to an economic impact of $582,000,000;
(7) dryland fruit and vegetable production losses
in East Texas have already been estimated at
$33,000,000;
(8) the early rains in many parts of the State
produced a large quantity of forage that is now ex-
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tremely dry and a dangerous source of fuel for
wildfires; and
(9) the Forest Service of the State has indicated
that over half the State is in extreme or high danger
of wildfires due to the drought conditions.
(b) SENSE OF SENATE.—It is the sense of the Senate
that the Secretary of Agriculture should—
(1) streamline the drought declaration process to
provide necessary relief to the State of Texas as quick-
ly as is practicable;
(2) ensure that local Farm Service Agency offices
in the State are equipped with full-time and emer-
gency personnel in drought-stricken areas to assist ag-
ricultural producers with disaster loan applications;
(3) direct the Forest Service, and request the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, to assist the
State in prepositioning fire fighting equipment and
other appropriate resources in affected counties of the
State;
(4) authorize haying and grazing on acreage in
the State that is enrolled in the conservation reserve
program carried out under section 1231 of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831); and
(5) convene experts within the Department of
Agriculture to develop and implement an emergency
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plan for the State to help prevent wildfires and to
overcome the economic impact of the continuing
drought by providing assistance from the Department
in a rapid and efficient manner for producers that
are suffering from drought conditions.
SEC. 745. Section 1237D(c)(1) of subchapter C of the
Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after
‘‘perpetual’’ the following ‘‘or 30-year’’.
SEC. 746. Section 1237(b)(2) of subchapter C of the
Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by adding the follow-
ing:
‘‘(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), to
the maximum extent practicable should be inter-
preted to mean that acceptance of wetlands re-
serve program bids may be in proportion to
landowner interest expressed in program op-
tions.’’.
SEC. 747. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS
TO AGRICUL-
TURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION REFORM
ACT OF 1998. (a) FOREST AND RANGELAND RENEWABLE
RESOURCES RESEARCH.—Section 3(d)(3) of the Forest and
Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16
U.S.C. 1642(d)(3)) (as amended by section 253(b) of the
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform
Act of 1998) is amended by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and
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losses be on price-supported tobacco or on other tobaccos.
The Secretary shall estimate those administrative and in-
surance costs in advance. The Secretary may make such
adjustments in the assessments under this subsection for fu-
ture crops as are needed to cover shortfalls or over-collec-
tions. The assessment shall be applied so that the additional
amount to be collected under this subsection shall be the
same for all price support tobaccos (and imported tobacco
of like kind) which are marketed or imported into the
United States during the marketing year for the crops cov-
ered by this subsection. For each domestically produced
pound of tobacco the assessment amount to be remitted
under this subsection shall be paid by the purchaser of the
tobacco. On imported tobacco, the assessment shall be paid
by the importer. Monies collected pursuant to this section
shall be commingled with other monies in the No Net Cost
Account maintained under this section. The administrative
and crop insurance costs that are taken into account in
fixing the amount of the assessment shall be a claim on
the account and shall be transferred to the appropriate ac-
count for the payment of administrative costs and insur-
ance costs at a time determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary. Collections under this subsection shall not effect the
amount of any other collection established under this section
or under another provision of law but shall be enforceable