I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7765 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 13, 2022 Ms. Spanberger (for herself and Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2022 . 2. Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 ( 7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: H Food supply chain resiliency 298. Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, shall enter into cooperative agreements with eligible entities to establish not fewer than 6 Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers to support small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and small-sized and medium-sized agricultural businesses through activities, which may include— (1) offering coordination, technical assistance, and capacity building support to small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and agricultural businesses; (2) supporting supply chain and value chain coordination— (A) in the region in which such producers or businesses are located; and (B) with the Department of Agriculture, other Federal, State, and Tribal agencies with relevant resources, regional commissions, and other Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers; (3) providing technical assistance to such producers and businesses; (4) providing grants or other financial assistance to such producers and businesses looking to expand production or a business or start production or a business in such region; and (5) carrying out such other activities as may be specified by the Secretary. (b) Focus on Tribal supply chain issues At least one Supply Chain Regional Resource Center established pursuant to subsection (a) shall provide coordination, assistance, and capacity building support to address supply chain issues faced by Indian tribes and Tribal organizations (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 )). (c) Application (1) In general An eligible entity (including an entity representing a partnership) seeking to enter into a cooperative agreement under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including how the Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers established by such entity will address food and agricultural supply chain issues faced by underserved communities. (2) Regional diversity In selecting eligible entities to enter into a cooperative agreement under this section, the Secretary shall ensure the regional diversity of such entities. (d) Term The term of a cooperative agreement entered into under this section shall be not less than 4 years. (e) Coordination A Supply Chain Regional Resource Center shall, as a condition on entering into a cooperative agreement under this section, agree to coordinate with other Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers, when appropriate. (f) Report to Congress Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2022 , and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on— (1) with respect to the activities carried out by the Secretary under this section— (A) a description of such activities; and (B) the impact of such activities on supply chain issues faced by small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products; and (2) with respect to the activities carried out by the Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers under this section— (A) a description of such activities; (B) the impact of such activities on supply chain issues faced by small-sized and medium-sized producers of agricultural products and agricultural businesses; and (C) any grants awarded by Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers to such producers and businesses. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a State government (or a political subdivision thereof), regional authority, or an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; (B) a college or university (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3103 )) (including a land-grant college or university); or (C) a nonprofit organization, including a producer network or association, a food council, an economic development corporation, or another organization. (2) State The term State has the meaning given such term in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( 7 U.S.C. 3103 ). (h) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2026. . 3. Agriculture Innovation Centers Program Section 6402(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 ( 7 U.S.C. 1632b(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and at the end; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) research, technical assistance, support services, outreach, and other services to strengthen, maintain, and secure supply chains related to agricultural inputs and agricultural products produced in the United States. .