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‘‘(2) PURPOSES.—A Regional Board may use a 
regional innovation grant— 
‘‘(A) to support the development of critical 
infrastructure (including technology deployment 
and services) necessary to facilitate the com-
petitiveness of a region; 
‘‘(B) to provide assistance to entities with-
in the region that provide essential public and 
community services; 
‘‘(C) to enhance the value-added produc-
tion, marketing, and use of agricultural and 
natural resources within the region, including 
activities relating to renewable and alternative 
energy production and usage; 
‘‘(D) to assist with entrepreneurship, job 
training, workforce development, housing, edu-
cational, or other quality of life services or 
needs, relating to the development and mainte-
nance of strong local and regional economies; 
‘‘(E) to assist in the development of unique 
new collaborations that link public, private, and 
philanthropic resources, including community 
foundations; 
‘‘(F) to provide support for business and 
entrepreneurial investment, strategy, expansion, 
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and development, including feasibility strate-
gies, technical assistance, peer networks, busi-
ness development funds, and other activities to 
strengthen the economic competitiveness of the 
region; 
‘‘(G) to provide matching funds to enable 
community foundations located within the re-
gion to build endowments which provide perma-
nent philanthropic resources to implement a re-
gional investment strategy; and 
‘‘(H) to preserve and promote rural herit-
age. 
‘‘(3) AVAILABILITY
OF
FUNDS.—The funds 
made available to a Regional Board or any other eli-
gible grantee through a regional innovation grant 
shall remain available for the 7-year period begin-
ning on the date on which the award is provided, on 
the condition that the Regional Board or other 
grantee continues to be certified by the Secretary as 
making adequate progress toward achieving estab-
lished benchmarks. 
‘‘(g) COST SHARING.— 
‘‘(1) WAIVER OF GRANTEE SHARE.—The Sec-
retary may waive the share of a grantee of the costs 
of a project funded by a regional innovation grant 
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under this section if the Secretary determines that 
such a waiver is appropriate, including with respect 
to special circumstances within tribal regions, in the 
event an area experiences— 
‘‘(A) a sudden or severe economic disloca-
tion; 
‘‘(B) significant chronic unemployment or 
poverty; 
‘‘(C) a natural disaster; or 
‘‘(D) other severe economic, social, or cul-
tural duress. 
‘‘(2) OTHER
FEDERAL
PROGRAMS.—For the 
purpose of determining cost-sharing requirements 
for any other Federal program, funds provided as a 
regional innovation grant under this section shall be 
considered to be non-Federal funds. 
‘‘(h) NONCOMPLIANCE.—If a Regional Board or 
other eligible grantee fails to comply with any requirement 
relating to the use of funds provided under this section, 
the Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) take such actions as are necessary to ob-
tain reimbursement of unused grant funds; and 
‘‘(2) reprogram the recaptured funds for pur-
poses relating to implementation of this subtitle. 
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‘‘(i) PRIORITY TO AREAS WITH AWARDS AND AP-
PROVED STRATEGIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), 
in providing rural development assistance under 
other programs, the Secretary shall give a high pri-
ority to areas that receive innovation grants under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall con-
sult with the heads of other Federal agencies to pro-
mote the development of priorities similar to those 
described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) EXCLUSION
OF
CERTAIN
PROGRAMS.— 
Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the provision of 
rural development assistance under any program re-
lating to basic health, safety, or infrastructure, in-
cluding broadband deployment or minimum environ-
mental needs. 
‘‘SEC. 385G. RURAL ENDOWMENT LOANS PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide long- 
term loans to eligible community foundations to assist in 
the implementation of regional investment strategies. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS.—To be 
eligible to receive a loan under this section, a community 
foundation shall— 
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‘‘(1) be located in an area that is covered by a 
regional investment strategy; 
‘‘(2) match the amount of the loan with an 
amount that is at least 250 percent of the amount 
of the loan; and 
‘‘(3) use the loan and the matching amount to 
carry out the regional investment strategy in a man-
ner that is targeted to community and economic de-
velopment, including through the development of 
community foundation endowments. 
‘‘(c) TERMS.—A loan made under this section shall— 
‘‘(1) have a term of not less than 10, nor more 
than 20, years; 
‘‘(2) bear an interest rate of 1 percent per 
annum; and 
‘‘(3) be subject to such other terms and condi-
tions as are determined appropriate by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘SEC. 385H. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subtitle $135,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 
2009 through 2012.’’. 
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SEC. 6029. FUNDING OF PENDING RURAL DEVELOPMENT 
LOAN AND GRANT APPLICATIONS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF APPLICATION.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘application’’ does not include an application for 
a loan or grant that, as of the date of enactment of this 
Act, is in the preapplication phase of consideration under 
regulations of the Secretary in effect on the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(b) USE OF FUNDS.—Subject to subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall use funds made available under subsection 
(d) to provide funds for applications that are pending on 
the date of enactment of this Act for— 
(1) water or waste disposal grants or direct 
loans under paragraph (1) or (2) of section 306(a) 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)); and 
(2) emergency community water assistance 
grants under section 306A of that Act (7 U.S.C. 
1926a). 
(c) LIMITATIONS.— 
(1) APPROPRIATED
AMOUNTS.—Funds made 
available under this section shall be available to the 
Secretary to provide funds for applications for loans 
and grants described in subsection (b) that are 
pending on the date of enactment of this Act only 
to the extent that funds for the loans and grants ap-
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Subtitle B—Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 
SEC. 6101. ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS. 
Sections 2(a) and 4 of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902(a), 904) are amended by inserting 
‘‘efficiency and’’ before ‘‘conservation’’ each place it ap-
pears. 
SEC. 6102. REINSTATEMENT OF RURAL UTILITY SERVICES 
DIRECT LENDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4 of the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 904) is amended— 
(1) by designating the first, second, and third 
sentences as subsections (a), (b), and (d), respec-
tively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) (as so des-
ignated) the following: 
‘‘(c) DIRECT LOANS.— 
‘‘(1) DIRECT HARDSHIP LOANS.—Direct hard-
ship loans under this section shall be for the same 
purposes and on the same terms and conditions as 
hardship loans made under section 305(c)(1). 
‘‘(2) OTHER DIRECT LOANS.—All other direct 
loans under this section shall bear interest at a rate 
equal to the then current cost of money to the Gov-
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ernment of the United States for loans of similar 
maturity, plus 1⁄8 of 1 percent.’’. 
(b) ELIMINATION OF FEDERAL FINANCING BANK 
GUARANTEED LOANS.—Section 306 of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 936) is amended— 
(1) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘guar-
antee, accommodation, or subordination’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘accommodation or subordination’’; and 
(2) by striking the fourth sentence. 
SEC. 6103. DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS TO ALLOWS LOANS 
FOR IMPROVED ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND 
DEMAND REDUCTION AND FOR ENERGY EFFI-
CIENCY AND USE AUDITS. 
Section 12 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 912) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) DEFERMENT OF PAYMENTS ON LOANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall allow 
borrowers to defer payment of principal and interest 
on any direct loan made under this Act to enable the 
borrower to make loans to residential, commercial, 
and industrial consumers— 
‘‘(A) to conduct energy efficiency and use 
audits; and 
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‘‘(B) to install energy efficient measures or 
devices that reduce the demand on electric sys-
tems. 
‘‘(2) 
AMOUNT.—The 
total 
amount 
of 
a 
deferment under this subsection shall not exceed the 
sum of the principal and interest on the loans made 
to a customer of the borrower, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—The term of a deferment under 
this subsection shall not exceed 60 months.’’. 
SEC. 6104. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ASSISTANCE. 
Section 13 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 913) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 13. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this Act: 
‘‘(1) FARM.—The term ‘farm’ means a farm, as 
defined by the Bureau of the Census. 
‘‘(2) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b). 
‘‘(3) RURAL AREA.—Except as provided other-
wise in this Act, the term ‘rural area’ means the 
farm and nonfarm population of— 
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‘‘(A) 
any 
area 
described 
in 
section 
343(a)(13)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural 
Development 
Act 
(7 
U.S.C. 
1991(a)(13)(C)); and 
‘‘(B) any area within a service area of a 
borrower for which a borrower has an out-
standing loan made under titles I through V as 
of the date of enactment of this paragraph. 
‘‘(4) TERRITORY.—The term ‘territory’ includes 
any insular possession of the United States. 
‘‘(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means 
the Secretary of Agriculture.’’. 
SEC. 6105. SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERSERVED TRUST AREAS. 
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is amended by 
inserting after section 306E (7 U.S.C. 936e) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 306F. SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERSERVED TRUST AREAS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE PROGRAM.—The term ‘eligible 
program’ means a program administered by the 
Rural Utilities Service and authorized in— 
‘‘(A) this Act; or 
‘‘(B) paragraph (1), (2), (14), (22), or 
(24) of section 306(a) or section 306A, 306C, 
306D, or 306E of the Consolidated Farm and 
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Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a), 
1926a, 1926c, 1926d, 1926e). 
‘‘(2) SUBSTANTIALLY
UNDERSERVED
TRUST 
AREA.—The term ‘substantially underserved trust 
area’ means a community in ‘trust land’ (as defined 
in section 3765 of title 38, United States Code) with 
respect to which the Secretary determines has a high 
need for the benefits of an eligible program. 
‘‘(b) INITIATIVE.—The Secretary, in consultation 
with local governments and Federal agencies, may imple-
ment an initiative to identify and improve the availability 
of eligible programs in communities in substantially un-
derserved trust areas. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY.—In carrying out 
subsection (b), the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) may make available from loan or loan 
guarantee programs administered by the Rural Utili-
ties Service to qualified utilities or applicants financ-
ing with an interest rate as low as 2 percent, and 
with extended repayment terms; 
‘‘(2) may waive nonduplication restrictions, 
matching fund requirements, or credit support re-
quirements from any loan or grant program admin-
istered by the Rural Utilities Service to facilitate the 
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construction, acquisition, or improvement of infra-
structure; 
‘‘(3) may give the highest funding priority to 
designated projects in substantially underserved 
trust areas; and 
‘‘(4) shall only make loans or loan guarantees 
that are found to be financially feasible and that 
provide eligible program benefits to substantially un-
derserved trust areas. 
‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that de-
scribes— 
‘‘(1) the progress of the initiative implemented 
under subsection (b); and 
‘‘(2) recommendations for any regulatory or 
legislative changes that would be appropriate to im-
prove services to substantially underserved trust 
areas.’’. 
SEC. 6106. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED 
FOR ELECTRIFICATION OR TELEPHONE PUR-
POSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 313A of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
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(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘for elec-
trification’’ and all that follows through the end 
and inserting ‘‘for eligible electrification or tele-
phone purposes consistent with this Act.’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (4) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL AMOUNT.—The total amount of 
guarantees provided by the Secretary under this sec-
tion 
during 
a 
fiscal 
year 
shall 
not 
exceed 
$1,000,000,000, subject to the availability of funds 
under subsection (e).’’; 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraphs (2) 
and (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of the 
annual fee paid for the guarantee of a bond or 
note under this section shall be equal to 30 
basis points of the amount of the unpaid prin-
cipal of the bond or note guaranteed under this 
section. 
‘‘(B) PROHIBITION.—Except as otherwise 
provided in this subsection and subsection 
(e)(2), no other fees shall be assessed. 
‘‘(3) PAYMENT.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A lender shall pay the 
fees required under this subsection on a semi-
annual basis. 
‘‘(B) STRUCTURED SCHEDULE.—The Sec-
retary shall, with the consent of the lender, 
structure the schedule for payment of the fee to 
ensure that sufficient funds are available to pay 
the subsidy costs for note or bond guarantees 
as provided for in subsection (e)(2).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2007’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall continue 
to carry out section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–1) in the same manner as on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act, except with-
out regard to the limitations prescribed in subsection 
(b)(1) of that section, until such time as any regulations 
necessary to carry out the amendments made by this sec-
tion are fully implemented. 
SEC. 6107. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS. 
Section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 940e) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 315. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c) and 
such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe, 
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the Secretary may make loans under this title to entities 
eligible to borrow from the Rural Utilities Service, State 
or local governments, Indian tribes (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assist-
ance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), or other public entities for 
facilities and equipment to expand or improve in rural 
areas— 
‘‘(1) 911 access; 
‘‘(2) integrated interoperable emergency com-
munications, including multiuse networks that pro-
vide commercial or transportation information serv-
ices in addition to emergency communications serv-
ices; 
‘‘(3) homeland security communications; 
‘‘(4) transportation safety communications; or 
‘‘(5) location technologies used outside an ur-
banized area. 
‘‘(b) LOAN SECURITY.—Government-imposed fees re-
lated to emergency communications (including State or 
local 911 fees) may be considered to be security for a loan 
under this section. 
‘‘(c) EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT 
PROVIDERS.—The Secretary may make a loan under this 
section to an emergency communication equipment pro-
vider to expand or improve 911 access or other commu-
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nications or technologies described in subsection (a) if the 
local government that has jurisdiction over the project is 
not allowed to acquire the debt resulting from the loan. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The 
Secretary shall use to make loans under this section any 
funds otherwise made available for telephone loans for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6108. ELECTRIC LOANS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY. 
Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is 
amended by inserting after section 316 (7 U.S.C. 940f) 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 317. ELECTRIC LOANS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY. 
‘‘(a) 
DEFINITION
OF
RENEWABLE
ENERGY 
SOURCE.—In this section, the term ‘renewable energy 
source’ means an energy conversion system fueled from 
a solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, or geothermal source 
of energy. 
‘‘(b) LOANS.—In addition to any other funds or au-
thorities otherwise made available under this Act, the Sec-
retary may make electric loans under this title for electric 
generation from renewable energy resources for resale to 
rural and nonrural residents. 
‘‘(c) RATE.—The rate of a loan under this section 
shall be equal to the average tax-exempt municipal bond 
rate of similar maturities.’’. 
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SEC. 6109. BONDING REQUIREMENTS. 
Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 is 
amended by inserting after section 317 (as added by sec-
tion 6108) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 318. BONDING REQUIREMENTS. 
‘‘The Secretary shall review the bonding require-
ments for all programs administered by the Rural Utilities 
Service under this Act to ensure that bonds are not re-
quired if— 
‘‘(1) the interests of the Secretary are ade-
quately protected by product warranties; or 
‘‘(2) the costs or conditions associated with a 
bond exceed the benefit of the bond.’’. 
SEC. 6110. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 601 of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 601. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS 
SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to 
provide loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the 
costs of the construction, improvement, and acquisition of 
facilities and equipment for broadband service in rural 
areas. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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‘‘(1) 
BROADBAND
SERVICE.—The 
term 
‘broadband service’ means any technology identified 
by the Secretary as having the capacity to transmit 
data to enable a subscriber to the service to origi-
nate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, 
and video. 
‘‘(2) INCUMBENT
SERVICE
PROVIDER.—The 
term ‘incumbent service provider’, with respect to an 
application submitted under this section, means an 
entity that, as of the date of submission of the appli-
cation, is providing broadband service to not less 
than 5 percent of the households in the service terri-
tory proposed in the application. 
‘‘(3) RURAL AREA.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘rural area’ 
means any area other than— 
‘‘(i) an area described in clause (i) or 
(ii) of section 343(a)(13)(A) of the Con-
solidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)(A)); and 
‘‘(ii) a city, town, or incorporated area 
that has a population of greater than 
20,000 inhabitants. 
‘‘(B) URBAN
AREA
GROWTH.—The Sec-
retary may, by regulation only, consider an area 
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described in section 343(a)(13)(F)(i)(I) of that 
Act to not be a rural area for purposes of this 
section. 
‘‘(c) LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make 
or guarantee loans to eligible entities described in 
subsection (d) to provide funds for the construction, 
improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equip-
ment for the provision of broadband service in rural 
areas. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In making or guaranteeing 
loans under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give 
the highest priority to applicants that offer to pro-
vide broadband service to the greatest proportion of 
households that, prior to the provision of the 
broadband service, had no incumbent service pro-
vider. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to ob-
tain a loan or loan guarantee under this sec-
tion, an entity shall— 
‘‘(i) demonstrate the ability to fur-
nish, improve, or extend a broadband serv-
ice to a rural area; 
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‘‘(ii) submit to the Secretary a loan 
application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require; and 
‘‘(iii) agree to complete buildout of 
the broadband service described in the loan 
application by not later than 3 years after 
the initial date on which proceeds from the 
loan made or guaranteed under this section 
are made available. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—An eligible entity that 
provides telecommunications or broadband serv-
ice to at least 20 percent of the households in 
the United States may not receive an amount 
of funds under this section for a fiscal year in 
excess of 15 percent of the funds authorized 
and appropriated under subsection (k) for the 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C), the proceeds of a 
loan made or guaranteed under this section 
may be used to carry out a project in a pro-
posed service territory only if, as of the date on 
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which the application for the loan or loan guar-
antee is submitted— 
‘‘(i) not less than 25 percent of the 
households in the proposed service territory 
is offered broadband service by not more 
than 1 incumbent service provider; and 
‘‘(ii) broadband service is not provided 
in any part of the proposed service terri-
tory by 3 or more incumbent service pro-
viders. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION
TO
PERCENT
RE-
QUIREMENT.—Subparagraph (A)(i) shall not 
apply to the proposed service territory of a 
project if a loan or loan guarantee has been 
made under this section to the applicant to pro-
vide broadband service in the proposed service 
territory. 
‘‘(C) EXCEPTION TO 3 OR MORE INCUM-
BENT SERVICE PROVIDER REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as pro-
vided in clause (ii), subparagraph (A)(ii) 
shall not apply to an incumbent service 
provider that is upgrading broadband serv-
ice to the existing territory of the incum-
bent service provider. 
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‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall 
not apply if the applicant is eligible for 
funding under another title of this Act. 
‘‘(3) EQUITY AND MARKET SURVEY REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may re-
quire an entity to provide a cost share in an 
amount not to exceed 10 percent of the amount 
of the loan or loan guarantee requested in the 
application of the entity, unless the Secretary 
determines that a higher percentage is required 
for financial feasibility. 
‘‘(B) MARKET SURVEY.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
may require an entity that proposes to 
have a subscriber projection of more than 
20 percent of the broadband service mar-
ket in a rural area to submit to the Sec-
retary a market survey. 
‘‘(ii) LESS THAN 20 PERCENT.—The 
Secretary may not require an entity that 
proposes to have a subscriber projection of 
less than 20 percent of the broadband 
service market in a rural area to submit to 
the Secretary a market survey. 
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‘‘(4) STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND IN-
DIAN TRIBES.—Subject to paragraph (1), a State or 
local government (including any agency, subdivision, 
or instrumentality thereof (including consortia there-
of)) and an Indian tribe shall be eligible for a loan 
or loan guarantee under this section to provide 
broadband services to a rural area. 
‘‘(5) NOTICE
REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary 
shall publish a notice of each application for a loan 
or loan guarantee under this section describing the 
application, including— 
‘‘(A) the identity of the applicant; 
‘‘(B) each area proposed to be served by 
the applicant; and 
‘‘(C) the estimated number of households 
without terrestrial-based broadband service in 
those areas. 
‘‘(6) PAPERWORK REDUCTION.—The Secretary 
shall take steps to reduce, to the maximum extent 
practicable, the cost and paperwork associated with 
applying for a loan or loan guarantee under this sec-
tion by first-time applicants (particularly first-time 
applicants who are small and start-up broadband 
service providers), including by providing for a new 
application that maintains the ability of the Sec-
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retary to make an analysis of the risk associated 
with the loan involved. 
‘‘(7) PREAPPLICATION
PROCESS.—The Sec-
retary shall establish a process under which a pro-
spective applicant may seek a determination of area 
eligibility prior to preparing a loan application under 
this section. 
‘‘(e) BROADBAND SERVICE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, from 
time to time as advances in technology warrant, re-
view and recommend modifications of rate-of-data 
transmission criteria for purposes of the identifica-
tion of broadband service technologies under sub-
section (b)(1). 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION.—The Secretary shall not 
establish requirements for bandwidth or speed that 
have the effect of precluding the use of evolving 
technologies appropriate for rural areas. 
‘‘(f) TECHNOLOGICAL NEUTRALITY.—For purposes 
of determining whether to make a loan or loan guarantee 
for a project under this section, the Secretary shall use 
criteria that are technologically neutral. 
‘‘(g) TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR LOANS AND LOAN 
GUARANTEES.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, a loan or loan guarantee under this 
section shall— 
‘‘(A) bear interest at an annual rate of, as 
determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) in the case of a direct loan, a rate 
equivalent to— 
‘‘(I) the cost of borrowing to the 
Department of the Treasury for obli-
gations of comparable maturity; or 
‘‘(II) 4 percent; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a guaranteed loan, 
the current applicable market rate for a 
loan of comparable maturity; and 
‘‘(B) have a term of such length, not ex-
ceeding 35 years, as the borrower may request, 
if the Secretary determines that the loan is ade-
quately secured. 
‘‘(2) TERM.—In determining the term of a loan 
or loan guarantee, the Secretary shall consider 
whether the recipient is or would be serving an area 
that is not receiving broadband services. 
‘‘(3) RECURRING
REVENUE.—The Secretary 
shall consider the existing recurring revenues of the 
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entity at the time of application in determining an 
adequate level of credit support. 
‘‘(h) ADEQUACY OF SECURITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that the type and amount of, and method of security 
used to secure, any loan or loan guarantee under 
this section is commensurate to the risk involved 
with the loan or loan guarantee, particularly in any 
case in which the loan or loan guarantee is issued 
to a financially strong and stable entity, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT AND METH-
OD OF SECURITY.—In determining the amount of, 
and method of security used to secure, a loan or 
loan guarantee under this section, the Secretary 
shall consider reducing the security in a rural area 
that does not have broadband service. 
‘‘(i) USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS 
FOR DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of this Act, the proceeds of 
any loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary under this 
Act may be used by the recipient of the loan for the pur-
pose of refinancing an outstanding obligation of the recipi-
ent on another telecommunications loan made under this 
Act if the use of the proceeds for that purpose will support 
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the construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities 
and equipment for the provision of broadband service in 
rural areas. 
‘‘(j) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall 
submit to Congress a report that describes the extent of 
participation in the loan and loan guarantee program 
under this section for the preceding fiscal year, including 
a description of — 
‘‘(1) the number of loans applied for and pro-
vided under this section; 
‘‘(2)(A) the communities proposed to be served 
in each loan application submitted for the fiscal 
year; and 
‘‘(B) the communities served by projects funded 
by loans and loan guarantees provided under this 
section; 
‘‘(3) the period of time required to approve 
each loan application under this section; 
‘‘(4) any outreach activities carried out by the 
Secretary to encourage entities in rural areas with-
out broadband service to submit applications under 
this section; 
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‘‘(5) the method by which the Secretary deter-
mines that a service enables a subscriber to originate 
and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and 
video for purposes of subsection (b)(1); and 
‘‘(6) each broadband service, including the type 
and speed of broadband service, for which assistance 
was sought, and each broadband service for which 
assistance was provided, under this section. 
‘‘(k) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain avail-
able until expended. 
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—From amounts made 
available for each fiscal year under this sub-
section, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) establish a national reserve for 
loans and loan guarantees to eligible enti-
ties in States under this section; and 
‘‘(ii) allocate amounts in the reserve 
to each State for each fiscal year for loans 
and loan guarantees to eligible entities in 
the State. 
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‘‘(B) AMOUNT.—The amount of an alloca-
tion made to a State for a fiscal year under 
subparagraph (A) shall bear the same ratio to 
the amount of allocations made for all States 
for the fiscal year as— 
‘‘(i) the number of communities with 
a population of 2,500 inhabitants or less in 
the State; bears to 
‘‘(ii) the number of communities with 
a population of 2,500 inhabitants or less in 
all States. 
‘‘(C) 
UNOBLIGATED
AMOUNTS.—Any 
amounts in the reserve established for a State 
for a fiscal year under subparagraph (B) that 
are not obligated by April 1 of the fiscal year 
shall be available to the Secretary to make 
loans and loan guarantees under this section to 
eligible entities in any State, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(l) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—No loan or loan 
guarantee may be made under this section after Sep-
tember 30, 2012.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary may implement 
the amendment made by subsection (a) through the pro-
mulgation of an interim regulation. 
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(c) APPLICATION.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall not apply to— 
(1) an application submitted under section 601 
of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
950bb) (as it existed before the amendment made by 
subsection (a)) that— 
(A) was pending on the date that is 45 
days prior to the date of enactment of this Act; 
and 
(B) is pending on the date of enactment of 
this Act; or 
(2) a petition for reconsideration of a decision 
on an application described in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 6111. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT. 
Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 602. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RURAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS ASSESSMENT. 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION
OF
CENTER.—The Secretary 
shall designate an entity to serve as the National Center 
for Rural Telecommunications Assessment (referred to in 
this section as the ‘Center’). 
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‘‘(b) CRITERIA.—In designating the Center under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration 
the following criteria: 
‘‘(1) The Center shall be an entity that dem-
onstrates to the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) a focus on rural policy research; and 
‘‘(B) a minimum of 5 years of experience 
relating to rural telecommunications research 
and assessment. 
‘‘(2) The Center shall be capable of assessing 
broadband services in rural areas. 
‘‘(3) The Center shall have significant experi-
ence involving other rural economic development cen-
ters and organizations with respect to the assess-
ment of rural policies and the formulation of policy 
solutions at the Federal, State, and local levels. 
‘‘(c) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The Center shall be 
managed by a board of directors, which shall be respon-
sible for the duties of the Center described in subsection 
(d). 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Center shall— 
‘‘(1) assess the effectiveness of programs car-
ried out under this title in increasing broadband 
penetration and purchase in rural areas, especially 
in rural communities identified by the Secretary as 
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having no broadband service before the provision of 
a loan or loan guarantee under this title; 
‘‘(2) work with existing rural development cen-
ters selected by the Center to identify policies and 
initiatives at the Federal, State, and local levels that 
have increased broadband penetration and purchase 
in rural areas and provide recommendations to Fed-
eral, State, and local policymakers on effective strat-
egies to bring affordable broadband services to resi-
dents of rural areas, particularly residents located 
outside of the municipal boundaries of a rural city 
or town; and 
‘‘(3) develop and publish reports describing the 
activities carried out by the Center under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(e) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Not later than 
December 1 of each applicable fiscal year, the board of 
directors of the Center shall submit to Congress and the 
Secretary a report describing the activities carried out by 
the Center during the preceding fiscal year and the results 
of any research conducted by the Center during that fiscal 
year, including— 
‘‘(1) an assessment of each program carried out 
under this title; and 
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‘‘(2) an assessment of the effects of the policy 
initiatives identified under subsection (d)(2). 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6112. COMPREHENSIVE RURAL BROADBAND STRAT-
EGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Fed-
eral Communications Commission, in coordination with 
the Secretary, shall submit to Congress a report describing 
a comprehensive rural broadband strategy that includes— 
(1) recommendations— 
(A) to promote interagency coordination of 
Federal agencies in regards to policies, proce-
dures, and targeted resources, and to stream-
line or otherwise improve and streamline the 
policies, programs, and services; 
(B) to coordinate existing Federal rural 
broadband or rural initiatives; 
(C) to address both short- and long-term 
needs assessments and solutions for a rapid 
build-out of rural broadband solutions and ap-
plication of the recommendations for Federal, 
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State, regional, and local government policy-
makers; and 
(D) to identify how specific Federal agency 
programs and resources can best respond to 
rural broadband requirements and overcome ob-
stacles that currently impede rural broadband 
deployment; and 
(2) a description of goals and timeframes to 
achieve the purposes of the report. 
(b) UPDATES.—The Chairman of the Federal Com-
munications Commission, in coordination with the Sec-
retary, shall update and evaluate the report described in 
subsection (a) during the third year after the date of en-
actment of this Act. 
SEC. 6113. STUDY ON RURAL ELECTRIC POWER GENERA-
TION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study on the electric power generation needs in rural areas 
of the United States. 
(b) COMPONENTS.—The study shall include an exam-
ination of— 
(1) generation in various areas in rural areas of 
the United States, particularly by rural electric co-
operatives;; 
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(2) financing available for capacity, including fi-
nancing available through programs authorized 
under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 901 et seq.); 
(3) the impact of electricity costs on consumers 
and local economic development; 
(4) the ability of fuel feedstock technology to 
meet regulatory requirements, such as carbon cap-
ture and sequestration; and 
(5) any other factors that the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report containing the findings 
of the study under this section. 
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 6201. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2333(c)(1) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. Sec. 950aaa–2(a)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end; 
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(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) libraries.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
2335A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa–5) is amended by striking 
‘‘2007’’ and inserting ‘‘2012’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1(b) of 
Public Law 102–551 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa note; Public Law 
102–551) is amended by striking ‘‘2007’’ and inserting 
‘‘2012’’. 
SEC. 6202. VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURAL MARKET DEVEL-
OPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 231 of the Agricultural 
Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public 
Law 106–224) is amended by striking subsection (a) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The 
term ‘beginning farmer or rancher’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1991(a)). 
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‘‘(2) FAMILY FARM.—The term ‘family farm’ 
has the meaning given the term in section 761.2 of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
December 30, 2007). 
‘‘(3) MID-TIER VALUE CHAIN.—The term ‘mid- 
tier value chain’ means local and regional supply 
networks that link independent producers with busi-
nesses and cooperatives that market value-added ag-
ricultural products in a manner that— 
‘‘(A) targets and strengthens the profit-
ability and competitiveness of small and me-
dium-sized farms and ranches that are struc-
tured as a family farm; and 
‘‘(B) obtains agreement from an eligible 
agricultural producer group, farmer or rancher 
cooperative, or majority-controlled producer- 
based business venture that is engaged in the 
value chain on a marketing strategy. 
‘‘(4) SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED
FARMER
OR 
RANCHER.—The term ‘socially disadvantaged farmer 
or rancher’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural De-
velopment Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)). 
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‘‘(5) 
VALUE-ADDED
AGRICULTURAL
PROD-
UCT.—The term ‘value-added agricultural product’ 
means any agricultural commodity or product that— 
‘‘(A)(i) has undergone a change in physical 
state; 
‘‘(ii) was produced in a manner that en-
hances the value of the agricultural commodity 
or product, as demonstrated through a business 
plan that shows the enhanced value, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(iii) is physically segregated in a manner 
that results in the enhancement of the value of 
the agricultural commodity or product; 
‘‘(iv) is a source of farm- or ranch-based 
renewable energy, including E–85 fuel; or 
‘‘(v) is aggregated and marketed as a lo-
cally-produced agricultural food product; and 
‘‘(B) as a result of the change in physical state 
or the manner in which the agricultural commodity 
or product was produced, marketed, or segregated— 
‘‘(i) the customer base for the agricultural 
commodity or product is expanded; and 
‘‘(ii) a greater portion of the revenue de-
rived from the marketing, processing, or phys-
ical segregation of the agricultural commodity 
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or product is available to the producer of the 
commodity or product.’’. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.—Section 231(b) of the Agri-
cultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; 
Public Law 106–224) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (7)’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) TERM.—A grant under this subsection 
shall have a term that does not exceed 3 years. 
‘‘(5) SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION.—The Secretary 
shall offer a simplified application form and process 
for project proposals requesting less than $50,000. 
‘‘(6) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to 
projects that contribute to increasing opportunities 
for— 
‘‘(A) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers; and 
‘‘(C) operators of small- and medium-sized 
farms and ranches that are structured as a 
family farm. 
‘‘(7) FUNDING.— 
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‘‘(A) MANDATORY FUNDING.—On October 
1, 2008, of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available 
to carry out this subsection $15,000,000, to re-
main available until expended. 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
subsection $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(C) 
RESERVATION
OF
FUNDS
FOR 
PROJECTS
TO
BENEFIT
BEGINNING
FARMERS 
OR
RANCHERS, 
SOCIALLY
DISADVANTAGED 
FARMERS OR RANCHERS, AND MID-TIER VALUE 
CHAINS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
shall reserve 10 percent of the amounts 
made available for each fiscal year under 
this paragraph to fund projects that ben-
efit beginning farmers or ranchers or so-
cially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(ii) MID-TIER VALUE CHAINS.—The 
Secretary shall reserve 10 percent of the 
amounts made available for each fiscal 
year under this paragraph to fund applica-
tions of eligible entities described in para-
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graph (1) that propose to develop mid-tier 
value chains. 
‘‘(iii) UNOBLIGATED AMOUNTS.—Any 
amounts in the reserves for a fiscal year 
established under clauses (i) and (ii) that 
are not obligated by June 30 of the fiscal 
year shall be available to the Secretary to 
make grants under this subsection to eligi-
ble entities in any State, as determined by 
the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 6203. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEM-
ONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
Section 6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 107– 
171) is amended by striking subsection (i) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2012.’’. 
SEC. 6204. RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 6405 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2655) is amended to read 
as follows: 
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‘‘SEC. 6405. RURAL FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MED-
ICAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERV-
ICES.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘emergency med-
ical services’ means resources used by a public or 
nonprofit entity to deliver medical care outside of a 
medical facility under emergency conditions that 
occur as a result of— 
‘‘(A) the condition of a patient; or 
‘‘(B) a natural disaster or related condi-
tion. 
‘‘(2) INCLUSION.—The term ‘emergency med-
ical services’ includes services (whether compensated 
or volunteer) delivered by an emergency medical 
services provider or other provider recognized by the 
State involved that is licensed or certified by the 
State as— 
‘‘(A) an emergency medical technician or 
the equivalent (as determined by the State); 
‘‘(B) a registered nurse; 
‘‘(C) a physician assistant; or 
‘‘(D) a physician that provides services 
similar to services provided by such an emer-
gency medical services provider. 
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‘‘(b) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible entities— 
‘‘(1) to enable the entities to provide for im-
proved emergency medical services in rural areas; 
and 
‘‘(2) to pay the cost of training firefighters and 
emergency medical personnel in firefighting, emer-
gency medical practices, and responding to haz-
ardous materials and bioagents in rural areas. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) be— 
‘‘(A) a State emergency medical services 
office; 
‘‘(B) a State emergency medical services 
association; 
‘‘(C) a State office of rural health or an 
equivalent agency; 
‘‘(D) a local government entity; 
‘‘(E) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)); 
‘‘(F) a State or local ambulance provider; 
or 
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‘‘(G) any other public or nonprofit entity 
determined appropriate by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(2) prepare and submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Secretary may re-
quire, that includes— 
‘‘(A) a description of the activities to be 
carried out under the grant; and 
‘‘(B) an assurance that the applicant will 
comply with the matching requirement of sub-
section (f). 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity shall use amounts 
received under a grant made under subsection (b) only in 
a rural area— 
‘‘(1) to hire or recruit emergency medical serv-
ice personnel; 
‘‘(2) to recruit or retain volunteer emergency 
medical service personnel; 
‘‘(3) to train emergency medical service per-
sonnel in emergency response, injury prevention, 
safety awareness, or other topics relevant to the de-
livery of emergency medical services; 
‘‘(4) to fund training to meet State or Federal 
certification requirements; 
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‘‘(5) to provide training for firefighters or emer-
gency medical personnel for improvements to the 
training facility, equipment, curricula, or personnel; 
‘‘(6) to develop new ways to educate emergency 
health care providers through the use of technology- 
enhanced educational methods (such as distance 
learning); 
‘‘(7) to acquire emergency medical services vehi-
cles, including ambulances; 
‘‘(8) to acquire emergency medical services 
equipment, including cardiac defibrillators; 
‘‘(9) to acquire personal protective equipment 
for emergency medical services personnel as required 
by the Occupational Safety and Health Administra-
tion; or 
‘‘(10) 
to 
educate 
the 
public 
concerning 
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, in-
jury prevention, safety awareness, illness prevention, 
or other related emergency preparedness topics. 
‘‘(e) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give preference to— 
‘‘(1) applications that reflect a collaborative ef-
fort by 2 or more of the entities described in sub-
paragraphs (A) through (G) of subsection (c)(1); 
and 
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‘‘(2) applications submitted by entities that in-
tend to use amounts provided under the grant to 
fund activities described in any of paragraphs (1) 
through (5) of subsection (d). 
‘‘(f) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary may 
not make a grant under this section to an entity unless 
the entity makes available (directly or through contribu-
tions from other public or private entities) non-Federal 
contributions toward the activities to be carried out under 
the grant in an amount equal to at least 5 percent of the 
amount received under the grant. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this sec-
tion not more than $30,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2008 through 2012. 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 
5 percent of the amount appropriated under para-
graph (1) for a fiscal year may be used for adminis-
trative expenses incurred in carrying out this sec-
tion.’’. 
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SEC. 6205. INSURANCE OF LOANS FOR HOUSING AND RE-
LATED FACILITIES FOR DOMESTIC FARM 
LABOR. 
Section 514(f)(3) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
U.S.C. 1484(f)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘or the han-
dling of such commodities in the unprocessed stage’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, the handling of agricultural or aquacultural 
commodities in the unprocessed stage, or the processing 
of agricultural or aquacultural commodities’’. 
SEC. 6206. STUDY OF RURAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture and 
the Secretary of Transportation shall jointly conduct a 
study of transportation issues regarding the movement of 
agricultural products, domestically produced renewable 
fuels, and domestically produced resources for the produc-
tion of electricity for rural areas of the United States, and 
economic development in those areas. 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The study shall include an exam-
ination of— 
(1) the importance of freight transportation, in-
cluding rail, truck, and barge, to— 
(A) the delivery of equipment, seed, fer-
tilizer, and other such products important to 
the development of agricultural commodities 
and products; 
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(B) the movement of agricultural commod-
ities and products to market; 
(C) the delivery of ethanol and other re-
newable fuels; 
(D) the delivery of domestically produced 
resources for use in the generation of electricity 
for rural areas; 
(E) the location of grain elevators, ethanol 
plants, and other facilities; 
(F) the development of manufacturing fa-
cilities in rural areas; and 
(G) the vitality and economic development 
of rural communities; 
(2) the sufficiency in rural areas of transpor-
tation capacity, the sufficiency of competition in the 
transportation system, the reliability of transpor-
tation services, and the reasonableness of transpor-
tation rates; 
(3) the sufficiency of facility investment in rural 
areas necessary for efficient and cost-effective trans-
portation; and 
(4) the accessibility to shippers in rural areas 
of Federal processes for the resolution of grievances 
arising within various transportation modes. 
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(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and 
the Secretary of Transportation shall submit to Congress 
a report that contains the results of the study required 
by subsection (a). 
Subtitle D—Housing Assistance 
Council 
SEC. 6301. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Housing Assist-
ance Council Authorization Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 6302. ASSISTANCE TO HOUSING ASSISTANCE COUNCIL. 
(a) USE.—The Secretary of Housing and Urban De-
velopment may provide financial assistance to the Housing 
Assistance Council for use by the Council to develop the 
ability and capacity of community-based housing develop-
ment organizations to undertake community development 
and affordable housing projects and programs in rural 
areas. Assistance provided by the Secretary under this sec-
tion may be used by the Housing Assistance Council for— 
(1) technical assistance, training, support, re-
search, and advice to develop the business and ad-
ministrative capabilities of rural community-based 
housing development organizations; 
(2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance 
to rural community-based housing development orga-
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nizations to carry out community development and 
affordable housing activities for low- and moderate- 
income families; and 
(3) such other activities as may be determined 
by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment and the Housing Assistance Council. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated for financial assistance 
under this section for the Housing Assistance Council 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2011. 
SEC. 6303. AUDITS AND REPORTS. 
(a) AUDIT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The financial transactions 
and activities of the Housing Assistance Council 
shall be audited annually by an independent certified 
public accountant or an independent licensed public 
accountant certified or licensed by a regulatory au-
thority of a State or other political subdivision of the 
United States. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS OF AUDITS.—The Comp-
troller General of the United States may rely on any 
audit completed under paragraph (1), if the audit 
complies with— 
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(A) the annual programmatic and financial 
examination requirements established in OMB 
Circular A-133; and 
(B) generally accepted government audit-
ing standards. 
(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
Representative a report detailing each audit com-
pleted under paragraph (1). 
(b) GAO REPORT.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study and submit a report 
to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Af-
fairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Serv-
ices of the House of Representative on the use of any 
funds appropriated to the Housing Assistance Council 
over the past 7 years. 
SEC. 6304. PERSONS NOT LAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE 
UNITED STATES. 
Aliens who are not lawfully present in the United 
States shall be ineligible for financial assistance under this 
subtitle, as provided and defined by section 214 of the 
Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 (42 
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U.S.C. 1436a). Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed 
to alter the restrictions or definitions in such section 214. 
SEC. 6305. LIMITATION ON USE OF AUTHORIZED AMOUNTS. 
None of the amounts authorized by this subtitle may 
be used to lobby or retain a lobbyist for the purpose of 
influencing a Federal, State, or local governmental entity 
or officer. 
TITLE VII—RESEARCH AND 
RELATED MATTERS 
Subtitle A—National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 
SEC. 7101. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1404 of the National Ag-
ricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respec-
tively; 
(B) by striking ‘‘(4) The terms’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(4) COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The terms’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The terms ‘college’ 
and ‘university’ include a research foundation 
maintained by a college or university described 
in subparagraph (A).’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through 
(8), (9) through (11), (12) through (14), (15), (16), 
(17), and (18) as paragraphs (6) through (9), (11) 
through (13), (15) through (17), (20), (5), (18), and 
(19), respectively, and moving the paragraphs so as 
to appear in alphabetical and numerical order; 
(3) in paragraph (9) (as redesignated by para-
graph (2))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘renewable natural re-
sources’’ and inserting ‘‘renewable energy and 
natural resources’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (F) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(F) Soil, water, and related resource con-
servation and improvement.’’; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (9) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(10) HISPANIC-SERVING AGRICULTURAL COL-
LEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities’ 
means colleges or universities that— 
‘‘(i) qualify as Hispanic-serving insti-
tutions; and 
‘‘(ii) offer associate, bachelors, or 
other accredited degree programs in agri-
culture-related fields. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The term ‘Hispanic- 
serving agricultural colleges and universities’ 
does not include 1862 institutions (as defined 
in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 
U.S.C. 7601)).’’; 
(5) by striking paragraph (11) (as so redesig-
nated) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(11) HISPANIC-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘Hispanic-serving institution’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 502 of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a).’’; and 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (13) (as so re-
designated) the following: 
‘‘(14) NLGCA INSTITUTION; NON-LAND-GRANT 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.— 
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‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The terms ‘NLGCA 
Institution’ and ‘non-land-grant college of agri-
culture’ mean a public college or university of-
fering a baccalaureate or higher degree in the 
study of agriculture or forestry. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The terms ‘NLGCA 
Institution’ and ‘non-land-grant college of agri-
culture’ do not include— 
‘‘(i) Hispanic-serving agricultural col-
leges and universities; or 
‘‘(ii) 
any 
institution 
designated 
under— 
‘‘(I) the Act of July 2, 1862 
(commonly known as the ‘First Mor-
rill Act’; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); 
‘‘(II) the Act of August 30, 1890 
(commonly known as the ‘Second 
Morrill Act’) (7 U.S.C. 321 et seq.); 
‘‘(III) the Equity in Educational 
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (Pub-
lic Law 103–382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note); 
or 
‘‘(IV) Public Law 87–788 (com-
monly known as the ‘McIntire-Stennis 
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Cooperative Forestry Act’) (16 U.S.C. 
582a et seq.).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 2(3) of the Research Facilities Act 
(7 U.S.C. 390(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘section 
1404(8) of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103(8))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1404 of the Na-
tional Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)’’. 
(2) Section 2(k) of the Competitive, Special, 
and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 
450i(k)) is amended in the second sentence by strik-
ing ‘‘section 1404(17) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(17))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103)’’. 
(3) Section 18(a)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(3)(B)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 1404(5) of the Na-
tional Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teach-
ing Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(5)))’’ and in-
serting ‘‘section 1404 of the National Agricultural 
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Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103))’’. 
(4) Section 1473 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319) is amended in the first sen-
tence by striking ‘‘section 1404(16) of this title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 1404(18)’’. 
(5) Section 1619(b) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
5801(b)) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 
1404(17) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(17))’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 1404 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘section 
1404(7) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3103(7))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1404 
of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3103)’’; and 
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(C) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘section 
1404(13) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103(13))’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 1404 of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)’’. 
(6) Section 125(c)(1)(C) of Public Law 100– 
238 (5 U.S.C. 8432 note) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 1404(5) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3103(5))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)’’. 
SEC. 7102. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTEN-
SION, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVI-
SORY BOARD. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1408 of the National Ag-
ricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘31’’ and 
inserting ‘‘25’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and insert-
ing the following: 
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‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.—The Advisory 
Board shall consist of members from each of the fol-
lowing categories: 
‘‘(A) 1 member representing a national 
farm organization. 
‘‘(B) 1 member representing farm coopera-
tives. 
‘‘(C) 1 member actively engaged in the 
production of a food animal commodity, rec-
ommended by a coalition of national livestock 
organizations. 
‘‘(D) 1 member actively engaged in the 
production of a plant commodity, recommended 
by a coalition of national crop organizations. 
‘‘(E) 1 member actively engaged in aqua-
culture, recommended by a coalition of national 
aquacultural organizations. 
‘‘(F) 1 member representing a national 
food animal science society. 
‘‘(G) 1 member representing a national 
crop, soil, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathol-
ogy, or weed science society. 
‘‘(H) 1 member representing a national 
food science organization. 
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‘‘(I) 1 member representing a national 
human health association. 
‘‘(J) 1 member representing a national nu-
tritional science society. 
‘‘(K) 1 member representing the land- 
grant colleges and universities eligible to receive 
funds under the Act of July 2, 1862 (7 U.S.C. 
301 et seq.). 
‘‘(L) 1 member representing the land- 
grant colleges and universities eligible to receive 
funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (7 
U.S.C. 321 et seq.), including Tuskegee Univer-
sity. 
‘‘(M) 1 member representing the 1994 In-
stitutions (as defined in section 532 of the Eq-
uity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103– 
382)). 
‘‘(N) 1 member representing NLGCA In-
stitutions. 
‘‘(O) 1 member representing Hispanic- 
serving institutions. 
‘‘(P) 1 member representing the American 
Colleges of Veterinary Medicine. 
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(b) NO EFFECT ON TERMS.—Nothing in this section 
or any amendment made by this section affects the term 
of any member of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board serv-
ing as of the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 7103. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE REPORT. 
Section 1408A(c) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3123a(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) Analyses of changes in macroeconomic 
conditions, technologies, and policies on specialty 
crop production and consumption, with particular 
focus on the effect of those changes on the financial 
stability of producers. 
‘‘(5) Development of data that provide applied 
information useful to specialty crop growers, their 
associations, and other interested beneficiaries in 
evaluating that industry from a regional and na-
tional perspective.’’. 
SEC. 7104. RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE. 
The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after 
section 1408A (7 U.S.C. 3123a) the following: 
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‘‘SEC. 1408B. RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE. 
‘‘(a) INITIAL MEMBERS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the executive 
committee of the Advisory Board shall establish and ap-
point the initial members of a permanent renewable energy 
committee. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The permanent renewable energy 
committee shall study the scope and effectiveness of re-
search, extension, and economics programs affecting the 
renewable energy industry. 
‘‘(c) NONADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An individual who is not a 
member of the Advisory Board may be appointed as 
a member of the renewable energy committee. 
‘‘(2) SERVICE.—A member of the renewable en-
ergy committee shall serve at the discretion of the 
executive committee. 
‘‘(d) REPORT
BY
RENEWABLE
ENERGY
COM-
MITTEE.—Not later than 180 days after the date of estab-
lishment of the renewable energy committee, and annually 
thereafter, the renewable energy committee shall submit 
to the Advisory Board a report that contains the findings 
and any recommendations of the renewable energy com-
mittee with respect to the study conducted under sub-
section (b). 
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‘‘(e) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out the duties de-
scribed in subsection (b), the renewable energy committee 
shall consult with the Biomass Research and Development 
Technical Advisory Committee established under section 
9008(d) of the Biomass Research and Development Act 
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 8605). 
‘‘(f) MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN BUDGET REC-
OMMENDATION.—In preparing the annual budget rec-
ommendations for the Department, the Secretary shall 
take into consideration those findings and recommenda-
tions contained in the most recent report of the renewable 
energy committee under subsection (d) that are developed 
by the Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(g) REPORT BY THE SECRETARY.—In the budget 
material submitted to Congress by the Secretary in con-
nection with the budget submitted pursuant to section 
1105 of title 31, United States Code, for a fiscal year, 
the Secretary shall include a report that describes the 
ways in which the Secretary addressed each recommenda-
tion of the renewable energy committee described in sub-
section (f).’’. 
SEC. 7105. VETERINARY MEDICINE LOAN REPAYMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1415A of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151a) is amended— 
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(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(b) DETERMINATION OF VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE 
SITUATIONS.—In determining ‘veterinarian shortage situ-
ations’, the Secretary may consider— 
‘‘(1) geographical areas that the Secretary de-
termines have a shortage of veterinarians; and 
‘‘(2) areas of veterinary practice that the Sec-
retary determines have a shortage of veterinarians, 
such as food animal medicine, public health, epide-
miology, and food safety.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(8) PRIORITY.—In administering the program, 
the Secretary shall give priority to agreements with 
veterinarians for the practice of food animal medi-
cine in veterinarian shortage situations.’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (f); and 
(4) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.—None of the funds appro-
priated to the Secretary under subsection (f) may be used 
to carry out section 5379 of title 5, United States Code. 
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‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—Notwithstanding subchapter II 
of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, not later than 
270 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, 
the Secretary shall promulgate regulations to carry out 
this section.’’. 
(b) DISAPPROVAL OF TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—Con-
gress disapproves the transfer of funds from the Coopera-
tive State Research, Education, and Extension Service to 
the Food Safety and Inspection Service described in the 
notice of use of funds for implementation of the veterinary 
medicine loan repayment program authorized by the Na-
tional Veterinary Medical Service Act (72 Fed. Reg. 
48609 (August 24, 2007)), and such funds shall be re-
scinded on the date of enactment of this Act and made 
available to the Secretary, without further appropriation 
or fiscal year limitation, for use only in accordance with 
section 1415A of the National Agricultural Research, Ex-
tension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3151a) (as amended by subsection (a)). 
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SEC. 7106. ELIGIBILITY OF UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT 
OF COLUMBIA FOR GRANTS AND FELLOW-
SHIPS 
FOR 
FOOD 
AND 
AGRICULTURAL 
SCIENCES EDUCATION. 
Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3152) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of 
subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘(including the Univer-
sity of the District of Columbia)’’ after ‘‘land-grant 
colleges and universities’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by inserting ‘‘(includ-
ing the University of the District of Columbia)’’ 
after ‘‘universities’’. 
SEC. 7107. GRANTS TO 1890 SCHOOLS TO EXPAND EXTEN-
SION CAPACITY. 
Section 1417(b)(4) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘teaching and 
research’’ and inserting ‘‘teaching, research, and exten-
sion’’. 
SEC. 7108. EXPANSION OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL 
SCIENCES AWARDS. 
Section 1417(i) of the National Agricultural Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3152(i)) is amended— 
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