Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-2051
Sponsor: Rep. Conaway, K. Michael [R-TX-11]
Introduced: 2015-04-28 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Livestock
Meat

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: 

Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
 The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. USDA must continue to receive and publish the required daily reporting information during a government shutdown. 
 
 USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
Packers must include entities with at least 50% ownership in a facility as well as a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
 The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 

action_date: 2015-05-29
text: 

Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
(Sec. 2) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. USDA must continue to receive and publish the required daily reporting information during a government shutdown. 
 
(Sec. 3) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
(Sec. 4) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
Packers must include entities with at least 50% ownership in a facility as well as a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
(Sec. 5) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 

action_date: 2015-06-09
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 29, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2015 

 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
(Sec. 2) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. USDA must continue to receive and publish the required daily reporting information during a government shutdown. 
 
(Sec. 3) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
(Sec. 4) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
Packers must include entities with at least 50% ownership in a facility as well as a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
(Sec. 5) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 

action_date: 2015-09-17
text: 

Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015

 
 This bill reauthorizes and amends laws that address livestock mandatory price reporting requirements, funding for the National Forest Foundation, and procedures for weighing and inspecting grain.
 
 TITLE I--MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING 
 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
(Sec. 101) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. 
 
(Sec. 102) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
(Sec. 103) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
The term &quot;packer&quot; applies to any entity with at least 50% ownership in a facility and includes a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
(Sec. 104) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 
 
TITLE II--NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
(Sec. 201) This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize USDA to provide matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation for FY2016-FY2018. 
 
TITLE III--UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
This bill reauthorizes and amends provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. The Act authorizes USDA to establish official marketing standards for grains, and to provide procedures for grain inspection and weighing. The bill reauthorizes several expiring provisions through FY2020, establishes procedures in the event of an interruption of inspection and weighing services, revises the process for delegating inspections to state agencies, and revises fees for inspection and weighing services. 
 
(Sec. 301) The bill revises USDA's discretionary authority to waive weighing and inspection requirements in emergency circumstances to require a waiver in an emergency. Transfers of grain into an export elevator by any mode of transportation are not required to be officially weighed. 
 
In the case of a disruption in official grain inspection or weighing services, the bill requires USDA to immediately take the actions necessary to address the disruption and resume services. USDA must also report to Congress on the disruption and provide daily updates until services have resumed. 
 
The bill ends the permanent delegation to state agencies to carry out export inspection and weighing services. Every five years, USDA must certify that each state agency with a delegation of authority is meeting specified criteria. The certification process must include public notice and a comment period. State agencies that have been delegated authority and intend to temporarily discontinue official inspection or weighing services, except in the case of a major disaster, must notify USDA in advance. 
 
USDA must waive geographic boundaries to permit agencies to carry out weighing and inspection activities in another geographic area if specified conditions are met. 
 
In order to review the performance of states, local agencies, and individuals that have applied to perform official inspections other than at export port locations, USDA must periodically consult with customers of the applicant and work with the applicant to address any concerns. 
 
The bill extends the duration of licenses for inspectors from three to five years. Designations of official agencies terminate at a time specified by USDA that is no later than every five years. 
 
The bill changes the fee calculation for inspection and weighing services and extends the authority to collect fees through FY2020. 
 
The bill extends the limitation on total administrative and supervisory costs, the authorization of appropriations, and the authorization of the advisory committee through FY2020. 
 
(Sec. 302) USDA must report to Congress on the disruption in federal inspection of grain exports at the Port of Vancouver in the summer of 2014. The report must include factors that led or contributed to the disruption and changes in policy USDA has implemented to ensure that a similar disruptions does not occur in the future. 
 
(Sec. 303) USDA must report to Congress on policy barriers to U.S. grain producers in countries that: (1) produce grain that receives official grading in the United States, and (2) do not offer official grading for U.S. grain or provide only the lowest designation for U.S. grain. 

action_date: 2015-09-21
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 
 

Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015

 
 This bill reauthorizes and amends laws that address livestock mandatory price reporting requirements, funding for the National Forest Foundation, and procedures for weighing and inspecting grain.
 
 TITLE I--MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING 
 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
(Sec. 101) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. 
 
(Sec. 102) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
(Sec. 103) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
The term &quot;packer&quot; applies to any entity with at least 50% ownership in a facility and includes a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
(Sec. 104) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 
 
TITLE II--NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
(Sec. 201) This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize USDA to provide matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation for FY2016-FY2018. 
 
TITLE III--UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
This bill reauthorizes and amends provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. The Act authorizes USDA to establish official marketing standards for grains, and to provide procedures for grain inspection and weighing. The bill reauthorizes several expiring provisions through FY2020, establishes procedures in the event of an interruption of inspection and weighing services, revises the process for delegating inspections to state agencies, and revises fees for inspection and weighing services. 
 
(Sec. 301) The bill revises USDA's discretionary authority to waive weighing and inspection requirements in emergency circumstances to require a waiver in an emergency. Transfers of grain into an export elevator by any mode of transportation are not required to be officially weighed. 
 
In the case of a disruption in official grain inspection or weighing services, the bill requires USDA to immediately take the actions necessary to address the disruption and resume services. USDA must also report to Congress on the disruption and provide daily updates until services have resumed. 
 
The bill ends the permanent delegation to state agencies to carry out export inspection and weighing services. Every five years, USDA must certify that each state agency with a delegation of authority is meeting specified criteria. The certification process must include public notice and a comment period. State agencies that have been delegated authority and intend to temporarily discontinue official inspection or weighing services, except in the case of a major disaster, must notify USDA in advance. 
 
USDA must waive geographic boundaries to permit agencies to carry out weighing and inspection activities in another geographic area if specified conditions are met. 
 
In order to review the performance of states, local agencies, and individuals that have applied to perform official inspections other than at export port locations, USDA must periodically consult with customers of the applicant and work with the applicant to address any concerns. 
 
The bill extends the duration of licenses for inspectors from three to five years. Designations of official agencies terminate at a time specified by USDA that is no later than every five years. 
 
The bill changes the fee calculation for inspection and weighing services and extends the authority to collect fees through FY2020. 
 
The bill extends the limitation on total administrative and supervisory costs, the authorization of appropriations, and the authorization of the advisory committee through FY2020. 
 
(Sec. 302) USDA must report to Congress on the disruption in federal inspection of grain exports at the Port of Vancouver in the summer of 2014. The report must include factors that led or contributed to the disruption and changes in policy USDA has implemented to ensure that a similar disruptions does not occur in the future. 
 
(Sec. 303) USDA must report to Congress on policy barriers to U.S. grain producers in countries that: (1) produce grain that receives official grading in the United States, and (2) do not offer official grading for U.S. grain or provide only the lowest designation for U.S. grain. 

action_date: 2015-09-30
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 
 

Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015

 
 This bill reauthorizes and amends laws that address livestock mandatory price reporting requirements, funding for the National Forest Foundation, and procedures for weighing and inspecting grain.
 
 TITLE I--MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING 
 
This bill amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to extend and revise the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) livestock mandatory price reporting requirements. 
 
(Sec. 101) The bill extends the authority for continuing mandatory livestock price reporting through FY2020. Current authority expires at the end of FY2015. 
 
(Sec. 102) USDA must begin reporting specified price details regarding certain negotiated purchases of swine. USDA must include required information that occurs after the afternoon reporting deadline in reports for the next day. 
 
(Sec. 103) USDA must revise regulations to modify the definitions of &quot;packer&quot; and &quot;importers&quot; for the purpose of lamb reporting requirements. 
 
USDA must include only importers that imported an average of 1,000 metric tons of lamb meat products per year during the previous four years, or importers that USDA determines should be included based on the volume of lamb imports. 
 
The term &quot;packer&quot; applies to any entity with at least 50% ownership in a facility and includes a federally inspected processing plant that slaughtered or processed the equivalent of an average of 35,000 head of lambs per year during the previous five years. USDA may include other processing plants that should be considered packers based on capacity. 
 
(Sec. 104) The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service must consult with relevant market participants to study and report to Congress on the implementation of livestock mandatory price reporting. 
 
TITLE II--NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
(Sec. 201) This bill amends the National Forest Foundation Act to authorize USDA to provide matching funds for certain administrative and project expenses incurred by the National Forest Foundation for FY2016-FY2018. 
 
TITLE III--UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS ACT REAUTHORIZATION 
 
This bill reauthorizes and amends provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. The Act authorizes USDA to establish official marketing standards for grains, and to provide procedures for grain inspection and weighing. The bill reauthorizes several expiring provisions through FY2020, establishes procedures in the event of an interruption of inspection and weighing services, revises the process for delegating inspections to state agencies, and revises fees for inspection and weighing services. 
 
(Sec. 301) The bill revises USDA's discretionary authority to waive weighing and inspection requirements in emergency circumstances to require a waiver in an emergency. Transfers of grain into an export elevator by any mode of transportation are not required to be officially weighed. 
 
In the case of a disruption in official grain inspection or weighing services, the bill requires USDA to immediately take the actions necessary to address the disruption and resume services. USDA must also report to Congress on the disruption and provide daily updates until services have resumed. 
 
The bill ends the permanent delegation to state agencies to carry out export inspection and weighing services. Every five years, USDA must certify that each state agency with a delegation of authority is meeting specified criteria. The certification process must include public notice and a comment period. State agencies that have been delegated authority and intend to temporarily discontinue official inspection or weighing services, except in the case of a major disaster, must notify USDA in advance. 
 
USDA must waive geographic boundaries to permit agencies to carry out weighing and inspection activities in another geographic area if specified conditions are met. 
 
In order to review the performance of states, local agencies, and individuals that have applied to perform official inspections other than at export port locations, USDA must periodically consult with customers of the applicant and work with the applicant to address any concerns. 
 
The bill extends the duration of licenses for inspectors from three to five years. Designations of official agencies terminate at a time specified by USDA that is no later than every five years. 
 
The bill changes the fee calculation for inspection and weighing services and extends the authority to collect fees through FY2020. 
 
The bill extends the limitation on total administrative and supervisory costs, the authorization of appropriations, and the authorization of the advisory committee through FY2020. 
 
(Sec. 302) USDA must report to Congress on the disruption in federal inspection of grain exports at the Port of Vancouver in the summer of 2014. The report must include factors that led or contributed to the disruption and changes in policy USDA has implemented to ensure that a similar disruptions does not occur in the future. 
 
(Sec. 303) USDA must report to Congress on policy barriers to U.S. grain producers in countries that: (1) produce grain that receives official grading in the United States, and (2) do not offer official grading for U.S. grain or provide only the lowest designation for U.S. grain. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-08
text: By Senator Roberts from Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry filed written report. Report No. 114-206.
action_date: 2016-02-08
text: By Senator Roberts from Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry filed written report. Report No. 114-206.
action_date: 2015-09-30
text: Became Public Law No: 114-54.
action_date: 2015-09-30
text: Became Public Law No: 114-54.
action_date: 2015-09-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-09-30
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-09-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-09-29
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6287-6289)
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6287-6289)
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to H.R. 2051.
action_date: 2015-09-28
text: Mr. Conaway moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H6287-6290)
action_date: 2015-09-22
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-09-21
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6852-6855; text as passed Senate: CR S6853-6854)
action_date: 2015-09-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6852-6855; text as passed Senate: CR S6853-6854)
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 231.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Roberts with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Roberts with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2015-09-17
text: Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-06-10
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3929-3930)
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3929-3930)
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2051.
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3929-3931)
action_date: 2015-06-09
text: Mr. Conaway moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2015-05-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 95.
action_date: 2015-05-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 114-132.
action_date: 2015-05-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 114-132.
action_date: 2015-04-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2015-04-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-04-28
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-54