State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018

Bill: 115-hr-5066
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gabbard, Tulsi [D-HI-2]
Introduced: 2018-02-16
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Government studies and investigations

Horticulture and plants

Research and development

State and local government operations
Latest action: action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-02-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018 </b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish and carry out a program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to state departments of agriculture for the research and development of disease resistant varieties of tropical flowers. </p> <p>A grant awarded under the program must be at least $250,000 for a fiscal year. A state department of agriculture that receives a grant must conduct and submit to USDA an audit regarding the use of the grant funds. </p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5066 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 16, 2018 Ms. Gabbard (for herself and Ms. Hanabusa ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a grant program to make grants to State departments of agriculture for the research and development of disease resistant varieties of tropical flowers.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the State Assistance for Tropical Floriculture Research Act of 2018 . 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Tropical flowers contribute a natural and beautiful element to human environments, retain cultural, historic, and ceremonial significance to native peoples and others, and sustain an agricultural economy that employs thousands of Americans. (2) Given the value of tropical flowers, the public stands to benefit from scientific research that protects these flowers against diseases. 3. Tropical floriculture research grant program (a) Program established (1) In general The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish and carry out a grant program to make grants, on a competitive basis, to State departments of agriculture for the research and development of disease resistant varieties of tropical flowers. (2) Minimum amount of grant A grant awarded under this subsection may not be less than $250,000 for a fiscal year. (b) Application To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State department of agriculture shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Agriculture may require, including the State department of agriculture’s plan to research and develop disease resistant varieties of tropical flowers. (c) Temporary ineligibility for subsequent grants The Secretary of Agriculture shall determine a State department of agriculture to be ineligible to receive a grant payment under this section for a fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the State department of agriculture did not comply with the plan submitted under subsection (b). (d) Audit (1) Audit required For each year in which a State department of agriculture receives a grant under this section, the State department of agriculture shall conduct an audit of the use of such grant funds. (2) Submission of audit Not later than 30 days after an audit is completed pursuant to paragraph (1), the State department of agriculture shall submit such audit to the Secretary of Agriculture. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal years 2018 through 2020.