An act to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other purposes
PL 115-334 (H.R.2), enacted 12/20/2018

132 STAT. 4490 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Public Law 115–334 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs 
of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary. 
TITLE I—COMMODITIES 
Subtitle A—Commodity Policy 
Sec. 1101. Definition of effective reference price. 
Sec. 1102. Base acres. 
Sec. 1103. Payment yields. 
Sec. 1104. Payment acres. 
Sec. 1105. Producer election. 
Sec. 1106. Price loss coverage. 
Sec. 1107. Agriculture risk coverage. 
Sec. 1108. Repeal of transition assistance for producers of upland cotton. 
Subtitle B—Marketing Loans 
Sec. 1201. Extensions. 
Sec. 1202. Loan rates for nonrecourse marketing assistance loans. 
Sec. 1203. Economic adjustment assistance for textile mills. 
Sec. 1204. Special competitive provisions for extra long staple cotton. 
Sec. 1205. Availability of recourse loans. 
Subtitle C—Sugar 
Sec. 1301. Sugar policy. 
Subtitle D—Dairy Margin Coverage and Other Dairy Related Provisions 
Sec. 1401. Dairy margin coverage. 
Sec. 1402. Reauthorizations. 
Sec. 1403. Class I skim milk price. 
Sec. 1404. Dairy product donation. 
Subtitle E—Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance 
Sec. 1501. Supplemental agricultural disaster assistance. 
Subtitle F—Noninsured Crop Assistance 
Sec. 1601. Noninsured crop assistance program. 
Subtitle G—Administration 
Sec. 1701. Regulations. 
Sec. 1702. Suspension of permanent price support authority. 
7 USC 9001 note. 
Agriculture 
Improvement Act 
of 2018. 
Dec. 20, 2018 
[H.R. 2] 
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132 STAT. 4491 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 1703. Payment limitations. 
Sec. 1704. Adjusted gross income limitations. 
Sec. 1705. Farm Service Agency accountability. 
Sec. 1706. Implementation. 
Sec. 1707. Exemption from certain reporting requirements for certain producers. 
TITLE II—CONSERVATION 
Subtitle A—Wetland Conservation 
Sec. 2101. Wetland conversion. 
Sec. 2102. Wetland conservation. 
Sec. 2103. Mitigation banking. 
Subtitle B—Conservation Reserve Program 
Sec. 2201. Conservation reserve. 
Sec. 2202. Conservation reserve enhancement program. 
Sec. 2203. Farmable wetland program. 
Sec. 2204. Pilot programs. 
Sec. 2205. Duties of owners and operators. 
Sec. 2206. Duties of the Secretary. 
Sec. 2207. Payments. 
Sec. 2208. Contracts. 
Sec. 2209. Eligible land; State law requirements. 
Subtitle C—Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation 
Stewardship Program 
Sec. 2301. Repeal of conservation programs. 
Sec. 2302. Purposes of environmental quality incentives program. 
Sec. 2303. Definitions under environmental quality incentives program. 
Sec. 2304. Establishment and administration of environmental quality incentives 
program. 
Sec. 2305. Environmental quality incentives program plan. 
Sec. 2306. Limitation on payments under environmental quality incentives pro-
gram. 
Sec. 2307. Conservation innovation grants and payments. 
Sec. 2308. Conservation stewardship program. 
Sec. 2309. Grassland conservation initiative. 
Subtitle D—Other Conservation Programs 
Sec. 2401. Watershed protection and flood prevention. 
Sec. 2402. Soil and water resources conservation. 
Sec. 2403. Emergency conservation program. 
Sec. 2404. Conservation of private grazing land. 
Sec. 2405. Grassroots source water protection program. 
Sec. 2406. Voluntary public access and habitat incentive program. 
Sec. 2407. Wildlife management. 
Sec. 2408. Feral swine eradication and control pilot program. 
Sec. 2409. Report on small wetlands. 
Sec. 2410. Sense of Congress relating to increased watershed-based collaboration. 
Subtitle E—Funding and Administration 
Sec. 2501. Commodity Credit Corporation. 
Sec. 2502. Delivery of technical assistance. 
Sec. 2503. Administrative requirements for conservation programs. 
Sec. 2504. Temporary administration of conservation programs. 
Subtitle F—Agricultural Conservation Easement Program 
Sec. 2601. Establishment and purposes. 
Sec. 2602. Definitions. 
Sec. 2603. Agricultural land easements. 
Sec. 2604. Wetland reserve easements. 
Sec. 2605. Administration. 
Subtitle G—Regional Conservation Partnership Program 
Sec. 2701. Establishment and purposes. 
Sec. 2702. Definitions. 
Sec. 2703. Regional conservation partnerships. 
Sec. 2704. Assistance to producers. 
Sec. 2705. Funding. 
Sec. 2706. Administration. 
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132 STAT. 4492 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 2707. Critical conservation areas. 
Subtitle H—Repeals and Technical Amendments 
PART I—REPEALS 
Sec. 2811. Repeal of Conservation Corridor Demonstration Program. 
Sec. 2812. Repeal of cranberry acreage reserve program. 
Sec. 2813. Repeal of National Natural Resources Foundation. 
Sec. 2814. Repeal of flood risk reduction. 
Sec. 2815. Repeal of study of land use for expiring contracts and extension of au-
thority. 
Sec. 2816. Repeal of Integrated Farm Management Program Option. 
Sec. 2817. Repeal of clarification of definition of agricultural lands. 
PART II—TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 2821. Technical amendments. 
Sec. 2822. State technical committees. 
TITLE III—TRADE 
Subtitle A—Food for Peace Act 
Sec. 3101. Labeling requirements. 
Sec. 3102. Food aid quality assurance. 
Sec. 3103. Local sale and barter of commodities. 
Sec. 3104. Minimum levels of assistance. 
Sec. 3105. Food aid consultative group. 
Sec. 3106. Issuance of regulations. 
Sec. 3107. Oversight, monitoring, and evaluation. 
Sec. 3108. Assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation, delivery, and dis-
tribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods. 
Sec. 3109. Consideration of impact of provision of agricultural commodities and 
other assistance on local farmers and economy. 
Sec. 3110. Allowance for distribution costs. 
Sec. 3111. Prepositioning of agricultural commodities. 
Sec. 3112. Annual report regarding food aid programs and activities. 
Sec. 3113. Deadline for agreements to finance sales or to provide other assistance. 
Sec. 3114. Minimum level of nonemergency food assistance. 
Sec. 3115. Termination date for micronutrient fortification programs. 
Sec. 3116. John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer program. 
Subtitle B—Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 
Sec. 3201. Agricultural trade promotion and facilitation. 
Subtitle C—Other Agricultural Trade Laws 
Sec. 3301. Growing American Food Exports. 
Sec. 3302. Food for Progress Act of 1985. 
Sec. 3303. Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act. 
Sec. 3304. Promotion of agricultural exports to emerging markets. 
Sec. 3305. Cochran fellowship program. 
Sec. 3306. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship 
program. 
Sec. 3307. International Agricultural Education Fellowship program. 
Sec. 3308. International food security technical assistance. 
Sec. 3309. McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition 
program. 
Sec. 3310. Global Crop Diversity Trust. 
Sec. 3311. Local and regional food aid procurement projects. 
Sec. 3312. Foreign trade missions. 
TITLE IV—NUTRITION 
Subtitle A—Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 
Sec. 4001. Requirements for online acceptance of benefits. 
Sec. 4002. Re-evaluation of thrifty food plan. 
Sec. 4003. Food distribution program on Indian reservations. 
Sec. 4004. Simplified homeless housing costs. 
Sec. 4005. Employment and training for supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram. 
Sec. 4006. Improvements to electronic benefit transfer system. 
Sec. 4007. Review of supplemental nutrition assistance program operations. 
Sec. 4008. Retail incentives. 
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132 STAT. 4493 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 4009. Required action on data match information. 
Sec. 4010. Incentivizing technology modernization. 
Sec. 4011. Interstate data matching to prevent multiple issuances. 
Sec. 4012. Requirement of live-production environments for certain pilot projects 
relating to cost sharing for computerization. 
Sec. 4013. Quality control improvements. 
Sec. 4014. Evaluation of child support enforcement cooperation requirements. 
Sec. 4015. Longitudinal data for research. 
Sec. 4016. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 4017. Assistance for community food projects. 
Sec. 4018. Emergency food assistance program. 
Sec. 4019. Nutrition education. 
Sec. 4020. Retail food store and recipient trafficking. 
Sec. 4021. Public-private partnerships. 
Sec. 4022. Technical corrections. 
Subtitle B—Commodity Distribution Programs 
Sec. 4101. Commodity distribution program. 
Sec. 4102. Commodity supplemental food program. 
Sec. 4103. Distribution of surplus commodities to special nutrition projects. 
Sec. 4104. Food donation standards. 
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
Sec. 4201. Seniors farmers’ market nutrition program. 
Sec. 4202. Purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables for distribution to schools and 
service institutions. 
Sec. 4203. Service of traditional foods in public facilities. 
Sec. 4204. Healthy food financing initiative. 
Sec. 4205. The Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program. 
Sec. 4206. Micro-grants for food security. 
Sec. 4207. Buy American requirements. 
Sec. 4208. Healthy fluid milk incentives projects. 
TITLE V—CREDIT 
Subtitle A—Farm Ownership Loans 
Sec. 5101. Modification of the 3-year experience eligibility requirement for farm 
ownership loans. 
Sec. 5102. Conservation loan and loan guarantee program. 
Sec. 5103. Limitations on amount of farm ownership loans. 
Sec. 5104. Relending program to resolve ownership and succession on farmland. 
Subtitle B—Operating Loans 
Sec. 5201. Limitations on amount of operating loans. 
Sec. 5202. Microloans. 
Sec. 5203. Cooperative lending pilot projects. 
Subtitle C—Administrative Provisions 
Sec. 5301. Beginning farmer and rancher individual development accounts pilot 
program. 
Sec. 5302. Loan authorization levels. 
Sec. 5303. Loan fund set-asides. 
Sec. 5304. Use of additional funds for direct operating microloans under certain 
conditions. 
Sec. 5305. Equitable relief. 
Sec. 5306. Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; qualified beginning farm-
ers and ranchers. 
Sec. 5307. Emergency loan eligibility. 
Subtitle D—Miscellaneous 
Sec. 5401. Technical corrections to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act. 
Sec. 5402. State agricultural mediation programs. 
Sec. 5403. Compensation of bank directors. 
Sec. 5404. Sharing of privileged and confidential information. 
Sec. 5405. Facility headquarters. 
Sec. 5406. Removal and prohibition authority; industry-wide prohibition. 
Sec. 5407. Jurisdiction over institution-affiliated parties. 
Sec. 5408. Definition of institution-affiliated party. 
Sec. 5409. Prohibition on use of funds. 
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132 STAT. 4494 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 5410. Expansion of acreage exception to loan amount limitation. 
Sec. 5411. Repeal of obsolete provisions; technical corrections. 
Sec. 5412. Corporation as conservator or receiver; certain other powers. 
Sec. 5413. Reporting. 
Sec. 5414. Study on loan risk. 
Sec. 5415. GAO report on ability of the Farm Credit System to meet the agricul-
tural credit needs of Indian tribes and their members. 
Sec. 5416. GAO report on credit service to socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers. 
TITLE VI—RURAL DEVELOPMENT 
Subtitle A—Improving Health Outcomes in Rural America 
Sec. 6101. Combating substance use disorder in rural America; prioritizations. 
Sec. 6102. Distance learning and telemedicine. 
Sec. 6103. Refinancing of certain rural hospital debt. 
Subtitle B—Connecting Rural Americans to High Speed Broadband 
Sec. 6201. Access to broadband telecommunications services in rural areas. 
Sec. 6202. Expansion of middle mile infrastructure into rural areas. 
Sec. 6203. Modifications to the Rural Gigabit Program. 
Sec. 6204. Community Connect Grant Program. 
Sec. 6205. Outdated broadband systems. 
Sec. 6206. Default and deobligation; deferral. 
Sec. 6207. Public notice, assessments, and reporting requirements. 
Sec. 6208. Environmental reviews. 
Sec. 6209. Use of loan proceeds to refinance loans for deployment of broadband 
service. 
Sec. 6210. Smart utility authority for broadband. 
Sec. 6211. Refinancing of telephone loans. 
Sec. 6212. Federal broadband program coordination. 
Sec. 6213. Transition rule. 
Sec. 6214. Rural broadband integration working group. 
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
Sec. 6301. Exclusion of certain populations from definition of rural area. 
Sec. 6302. Establishment of technical assistance program. 
Sec. 6303. Rural energy savings program. 
Sec. 6304. Northern Border Regional Commission reauthorization. 
Sec. 6305. Definition of rural area for purposes of the Housing Act of 1949. 
Sec. 6306. Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development. 
Subtitle D—Additional Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act 
Sec. 6401. Strategic economic and community development. 
Sec. 6402. Expanding access to credit for rural communities. 
Sec. 6403. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants. 
Sec. 6404. Rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training programs. 
Sec. 6405. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program. 
Sec. 6406. Tribal college and university essential community facilities. 
Sec. 6407. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant program. 
Sec. 6408. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska. 
Sec. 6409. Rural decentralized water systems. 
Sec. 6410. Solid waste management grants. 
Sec. 6411. Rural business development grants. 
Sec. 6412. Rural cooperative development grants. 
Sec. 6413. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products. 
Sec. 6414. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program. 
Sec. 6415. Rural economic area partnership zones. 
Sec. 6416. Intemediary relending program. 
Sec. 6417. Access to information to verify income for participants in certain rural 
housing programs. 
Sec. 6418. Providing for additional fees for guaranteed loans under the Consoli-
dated Farm and Rural Development Act. 
Sec. 6419. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical assistance and 
training. 
Sec. 6420. National Rural Development Partnership. 
Sec. 6421. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters. 
Sec. 6422. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program. 
Sec. 6423. Health care services. 
Sec. 6424. Rural innovation stronger economy grant program. 
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132 STAT. 4495 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 6425. Delta Regional Authority. 
Sec. 6426. Rural business investment program. 
Sec. 6427. Rural business investment program. 
Subtitle E—Additional Amendments to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
Sec. 6501. Amendments to section 2 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
Sec. 6502. Loans for telephone service. 
Sec. 6503. Cushion of credit payments program. 
Sec. 6504. Extension of the rural economic development loan and grant program. 
Sec. 6505. Guarantees for bonds and notes issued for electrification or telephone 
purposes. 
Sec. 6506. Expansion of 911 access. 
Sec. 6507. Cybersecurity and grid security improvements. 
Subtitle F—Program Repeals 
Sec. 6601. Elimination of unfunded programs. 
Sec. 6602. Repeal of Rural Telephone Bank. 
Sec. 6603. Amendments to LOCAL TV Act. 
Subtitle G—Technical Corrections 
Sec. 6701. Corrections relating to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act. 
Sec. 6702. Corrections relating to the Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
TITLE VII—RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND RELATED MATTERS 
Subtitle A—National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 
Sec. 7101. Purposes of agricultural research, extension, and education. 
Sec. 7102. Matters related to certain school designations and declarations. 
Sec. 7103. National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics 
Advisory Board. 
Sec. 7104. Specialty crop committee. 
Sec. 7105. Renewable energy committee discontinued. 
Sec. 7106. Veterinary services grant program. 
Sec. 7107. Grants and fellowships for food and agriculture sciences education. 
Sec. 7108. Agricultural and food policy research centers. 
Sec. 7109. Education grants to Alaska Native serving institutions and Native Ha-
waiian serving institutions. 
Sec. 7110. Next generation agriculture technology challenge. 
Sec. 7111. Land-grant designation. 
Sec. 7112. Nutrition education program. 
Sec. 7113. Continuing animal health and disease research programs. 
Sec. 7114. Carryover of funds for extension at 1890 land-grant colleges, including 
Tuskegee University. 
Sec. 7115. Extension and agricultural research at 1890 land-grant colleges, includ-
ing Tuskegee University. 
Sec. 7116. Reports on disbursement of funds for agricultural research and exten-
sion at 1862 and 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee Univer-
sity. 
Sec. 7117. Scholarships for students at 1890 institutions. 
Sec. 7118. Grants to upgrade agricultural and food sciences facilities at 1890 land- 
grant colleges, including Tuskegee University. 
Sec. 7119. Grants to upgrade agriculture and food sciences facilities and equipment 
at insular area land-grant institutions. 
Sec. 7120. New Beginning for Tribal Students. 
Sec. 7121. Hispanic-serving institutions. 
Sec. 7122. Binational agricultural research and development. 
Sec. 7123. Partnerships to build capacity in international agricultural research, ex-
tension, and teaching. 
Sec. 7124. Competitive grants for international agricultural science and education 
programs. 
Sec. 7125. Limitation on indirect costs for agricultural research, education, and ex-
tension programs. 
Sec. 7126. Research equipment grants. 
Sec. 7127. University research. 
Sec. 7128. Extension service. 
Sec. 7129. Supplemental and alternative crops; hemp. 
Sec. 7130. New Era Rural Technology program. 
Sec. 7131. Capacity building grants for NLGCA Institutions. 
Sec. 7132. Agriculture advanced research and development authority pilot. 
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132 STAT. 4496 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 7133. Aquaculture assistance programs. 
Sec. 7134. Rangeland research programs. 
Sec. 7135. Special authorization for biosecurity planning and response. 
Sec. 7136. Distance education and resident instruction grants program for insular 
area institutions of higher education. 
Subtitle B—Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
Sec. 7201. Best utilization of biological applications. 
Sec. 7202. Integrated management systems. 
Sec. 7203. Sustainable agriculture technology development and transfer program. 
Sec. 7204. National training program. 
Sec. 7205. National strategic germplasm and cultivar collection assessment and uti-
lization plan. 
Sec. 7206. National Genetics Resources Program. 
Sec. 7207. National Agricultural Weather Information System. 
Sec. 7208. Agricultural genome to phenome initiative. 
Sec. 7209. High-priority research and extension initiatives. 
Sec. 7210. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative. 
Sec. 7211. Farm business management. 
Sec. 7212. Urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production research, 
education, and extension initiative. 
Sec. 7213. Centers of excellence at 1890 Institutions. 
Sec. 7214. Clarification of veteran eligibility for assistive technology program for 
farmers with disabilities. 
Sec. 7215. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse. 
Subtitle C—Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
Sec. 7301. National food safety training, education, extension, outreach, and tech-
nical assistance program. 
Sec. 7302. Integrated research, education, and extension competitive grants pro-
gram. 
Sec. 7303. Support for research regarding diseases of wheat, triticale, and barley 
caused by Fusarium graminearum or by Tilletia indica. 
Sec. 7304. Grants for youth organizations. 
Sec. 7305. Specialty crop research initiative. 
Sec. 7306. Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database program. 
Sec. 7307. Office of Pest Management Policy. 
Sec. 7308. Forestry products advanced utilization research. 
Subtitle D—Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 
PART I—AGRICULTURAL SECURITY 
Sec. 7401. Agricultural biosecurity communication center. 
Sec. 7402. Assistance to build local capacity in agricultural biosecurity planning, 
preparation, and response. 
Sec. 7403. Research and development of agricultural countermeasures. 
Sec. 7404. Agricultural biosecurity grant program. 
PART II—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 7411. Grazinglands research laboratory. 
Sec. 7412. Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. 
Sec. 7413. Natural products research program. 
Sec. 7414. Sun grant program. 
Subtitle E—Amendments to Other Laws 
Sec. 7501. Critical Agricultural Materials Act. 
Sec. 7502. Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. 
Sec. 7503. Research Facilities Act. 
Sec. 7504. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. 
Sec. 7505. Extension design and demonstration initiative. 
Sec. 7506. Repeal of review of agricultural research service. 
Sec. 7507. Biomass research and development. 
Sec. 7508. Reinstatement of matching requirement for Federal funds used in exten-
sion work at the University of the District of Columbia. 
Sec. 7509. Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978. 
Sec. 7510. National Aquaculture Act of 1980. 
Sec. 7511. Federal agriculture research facilities. 
Subtitle F—Other Matters 
Sec. 7601. Enhanced use lease authority program. 
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132 STAT. 4497 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 7602. Transfer of administrative jurisdiction over portion of Henry A. Wallace 
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland. 
Sec. 7603. Foundation for food and agriculture research. 
Sec. 7604. Assistance for forestry research under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative 
Forestry Act. 
Sec. 7605. Legitimacy of industrial hemp research. 
Sec. 7606. Collection of data relating to barley area planted and harvested. 
Sec. 7607. Collection of data relating to the size and location of dairy farms. 
Sec. 7608. Agriculture innovation center demonstration program. 
Sec. 7609. Smith-Lever community extension program. 
Sec. 7610. Mechanization and automation for specialty crops. 
Sec. 7611. Experienced services program. 
Sec. 7612. Simplified plan of work. 
Sec. 7613. Review of land-grant time and effort reporting requirements. 
Sec. 7614. Matching funds requirement. 
TITLE VIII—FORESTRY 
Subtitle A—Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 
Sec. 8101. Support for State assessments and strategies for forest resources. 
Sec. 8102. State and private forest landscape-scale restoration program. 
Subtitle B—Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 
Sec. 8201. Repeal of recycling research. 
Sec. 8202. Repeal of forestry student grant program. 
Subtitle C—Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 
Sec. 8301. Repeals relating to biomass. 
Subtitle D—Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
Sec. 8401. Promoting cross-boundary wildfire mitigation. 
Sec. 8402. Authorization of appropriations for hazardous fuel reduction on Federal 
land. 
Sec. 8403. Repeal of biomass commercial utilization grant program. 
Sec. 8404. Water Source Protection Program. 
Sec. 8405. Watershed Condition Framework. 
Sec. 8406. Authorization of appropriations to combat insect infestations and related 
diseases. 
Sec. 8407. Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 amendments. 
Sec. 8408. Authorization of appropriations for designation of treatment areas. 
Subtitle E—Repeal or Reauthorization of Miscellaneous Forestry Programs 
Sec. 8501. Repeal of revision of strategic plan for forest inventory and analysis. 
Sec. 8502. Semiarid agroforestry research center. 
Sec. 8503. National Forest Foundation Act. 
Sec. 8504. Conveyance of Forest Service administrative sites. 
Subtitle F—Forest Management 
Sec. 8601. Definition of National Forest System. 
PART I—EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL 
EXCLUSIONS TO EXPEDITE FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 
Sec. 8611. Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat. 
PART II—MISCELLANEOUS FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 
Sec. 8621. Additional authority for sale or exchange of small parcels of National 
Forest System land. 
Sec. 8622. Forest Service participation in ACES program. 
Sec. 8623. Authorization for lease of Forest Service sites. 
Sec. 8624. Good neighbor authority. 
Sec. 8625. Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest land adjustment. 
Sec. 8626. Tennessee wilderness. 
Sec. 8627. Kisatchie National Forest land conveyance. 
Sec. 8628. Purchase of Natural Resources Conservation Service property, Riverside 
County, California. 
Sec. 8629. Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program. 
Sec. 8630. Utility infrastructure rights-of-way vegetation management pilot pro-
gram. 
Sec. 8631. Okhissa Lake rural economic development land conveyance. 
Sec. 8632. Remote sensing technologies. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
PART III—TIMBER INNOVATION 
Sec. 8641. Definitions. 
Sec. 8642. Clarification of research and development program for wood building 
construction. 
Sec. 8643. Wood innovation grant program. 
Sec. 8644. Community wood energy and wood innovation program. 
Subtitle G—Other Matters 
Sec. 8701. Rural revitalization technologies. 
Sec. 8702. Resource Advisory Committees. 
Sec. 8703. Tribal forest management demonstration project. 
Sec. 8704. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 8705. Streamlining the Forest Service process for consideration of communica-
tions facility location applications. 
Sec. 8706. Report on wildfire, insect infestation, and disease prevention on Federal 
land. 
Sec. 8707. West Fork Fire Station. 
Sec. 8708. Competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental grants pro-
gram. 
TITLE IX—ENERGY 
Sec. 9001. Definitions. 
Sec. 9002. Biobased markets program. 
Sec. 9003. Biorefinery assistance. 
Sec. 9004. Repowering assistance program. 
Sec. 9005. Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels. 
Sec. 9006. Biodiesel fuel education program. 
Sec. 9007. Rural Energy for America Program. 
Sec. 9008. Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative. 
Sec. 9009. Feedstock flexibility. 
Sec. 9010. Biomass Crop Assistance Program. 
Sec. 9011. Carbon utilization and biogas education program. 
TITLE X—HORTICULTURE 
Sec. 10101. Specialty crops market news allocation. 
Sec. 10102. Local agriculture market program. 
Sec. 10103. Organic production and market data initiatives. 
Sec. 10104. Organic certification. 
Sec. 10105. National organic certification cost-share program. 
Sec. 10106. Food safety education initiatives. 
Sec. 10107. Specialty crop block grants. 
Sec. 10108. Amendments to the Plant Variety Protection Act. 
Sec. 10109. Multiple crop and pesticide use survey. 
Sec. 10110. Report on the arrival in the United States of forest pests through re-
strictions on the importation of certain plants for planting. 
Sec. 10111. Report on plant biostimulants. 
Sec. 10112. Clarification of use of funds for technical assistance. 
Sec. 10113. Hemp production. 
Sec. 10114. Interstate commerce. 
Sec. 10115. FIFRA interagency working group. 
Sec. 10116. Study on methyl bromide use in response to an emergency event. 
TITLE XI—CROP INSURANCE 
Sec. 11101. Definitions. 
Sec. 11102. Data collection. 
Sec. 11103. Sharing of records. 
Sec. 11104. Use of resources. 
Sec. 11105. Specialty crops. 
Sec. 11106. Insurance period. 
Sec. 11107. Cover crops. 
Sec. 11108. Underserved producers. 
Sec. 11109. Treatment of forage and grazing. 
Sec. 11110. Administrative basic fee. 
Sec. 11111. Enterprise units. 
Sec. 11112. Continued authority. 
Sec. 11113. Submission of policies and materials to board. 
Sec. 11114. Crop production on native sod. 
Sec. 11115. Use of national agricultural statistics service data to combat waste, 
fraud, and abuse. 
Sec. 11116. Submission of information to corporation. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 11117. Continuing education for loss adjusters and agents. 
Sec. 11118. Program administration. 
Sec. 11119. Agricultural commodity. 
Sec. 11120. Maintenance of policies. 
Sec. 11121. Reimbursement of research, development, and maintenance costs. 
Sec. 11122. Research and development authority. 
Sec. 11123. Funding for research and development. 
Sec. 11124. Technical amendment to pilot programs. 
Sec. 11125. Education and risk management assistance. 
Sec. 11126. Repeal of cropland report annual updates. 
TITLE XII—MISCELLANEOUS 
Subtitle A—Livestock 
Sec. 12101. Animal disease prevention and management. 
Sec. 12102. Sheep production and marketing grant program. 
Sec. 12103. Feasibility study on livestock dealer statutory trust. 
Sec. 12104. Definition of livestock. 
Sec. 12105. National Aquatic Animal Health Plan. 
Sec. 12106. Veterinary training. 
Sec. 12107. Report on FSIS guidance and outreach to small meat processors. 
Sec. 12108. Regional Cattle and Carcass Grading Correlation and Training Cen-
ters. 
Subtitle B—Agriculture and Food Defense 
Sec. 12201. Repeal of Office of Homeland Security. 
Sec. 12202. Office of Homeland Security. 
Sec. 12203. Agriculture and food defense. 
Sec. 12204. Biological agents and toxins list. 
Sec. 12205. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle C—Historically Underserved Producers 
Sec. 12301. Farming opportunities training and outreach. 
Sec. 12302. Urban agriculture. 
Sec. 12303. Tribal Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 12304. Beginning farmer and rancher coordination. 
Sec. 12305. Agricultural youth organization coordinator. 
Sec. 12306. Availability of Department of Agriculture programs for veteran farmers 
and ranchers. 
Subtitle D—Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 Amendments 
Sec. 12401. Office of Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs. 
Sec. 12402. Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison. 
Sec. 12403. Civil rights analyses. 
Sec. 12404. Farm Service Agency. 
Sec. 12405. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation. 
Sec. 12406. Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. 
Sec. 12407. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. 
Sec. 12408. Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service. 
Sec. 12409. Rural Health Liaison. 
Sec. 12410. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 
Sec. 12411. Office of the Chief Scientist. 
Sec. 12412. Appointment of national appeals division hearing officers. 
Sec. 12413. Trade and foreign agricultural affairs. 
Sec. 12414. Repeals. 
Sec. 12415. Technical corrections. 
Sec. 12416. Termination of authority. 
Subtitle E—Other Miscellaneous Provisions 
PART I—MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURE PROVISIONS 
Sec. 12501. Acer access and development program. 
Sec. 12502. Protecting animals with shelter. 
Sec. 12503. Marketing orders. 
Sec. 12504. Establishment of food loss and waste reduction liaison. 
Sec. 12505. Report on business centers. 
Sec. 12506. Report on personnel. 
Sec. 12507. Report on absent landlords. 
Sec. 12508. Century farms program. 
Sec. 12509. Report on importation of live dogs. 
Sec. 12510. Tribal Promise Zones. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Sec. 12511. Precision agriculture connectivity. 
Sec. 12512. Improvements to United States Drought Monitor. 
Sec. 12513. Dairy business innovation initiatives. 
Sec. 12514. Report on funding for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
and other extension programs. 
Sec. 12515. Prohibition on slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. 
Sec. 12516. Labeling exemption for single ingredient foods and products. 
Sec. 12517. South Carolina inclusion in Virginia/Carolina peanut producing region. 
Sec. 12518. Forest Service hire authority. 
Sec. 12519. Conversion authority. 
Sec. 12520. Authorization of protection operations for the Secretary of Agriculture 
and others. 
PART II—NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE 
Sec. 12531. National oilheat research alliance. 
Subtitle F—General Provisions 
Sec. 12601. Baiting of migratory game birds. 
Sec. 12602. Pima agriculture cotton trust fund. 
Sec. 12603. Agriculture wool apparel manufacturers trust fund. 
Sec. 12604. Wool research and promotion. 
Sec. 12605. Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund. 
Sec. 12606. Extension of merchandise processing fees. 
Sec. 12607. Reports on land access and farmland ownership data collection. 
Sec. 12608. Reauthorization of rural emergency medical services training and 
equipment assistance program. 
Sec. 12609. Commission on Farm Transitions—Needs for 2050. 
Sec. 12610. Exceptions under United States Grain Standards Act. 
Sec. 12611. Conference report requirement threshold. 
Sec. 12612. National agriculture imagery program. 
Sec. 12613. Report on inclusion of natural stone products in Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996. 
Sec. 12614. Establishment of food access liaison. 
Sec. 12615. Eligibility for operators on heirs property land to obtain a farm num-
ber. 
Sec. 12616. Extending prohibition on animal fighting to the territories. 
Sec. 12617. Exemption of exportation of certain echinoderms from permission and 
licensing requirements. 
Sec. 12618. Data on conservation practices. 
Sec. 12619. Conforming changes to Controlled Substances Act. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF SECRETARY. 
In this Act, the term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Agri-
culture. 
TITLE I—COMMODITIES 
Subtitle A—Commodity Policy 
SEC. 1101. DEFINITION OF EFFECTIVE REFERENCE PRICE. 
Section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (25) as para-
graphs (9) through (26), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: 
‘‘(8) EFFECTIVE REFERENCE PRICE.—The term ‘effective ref-
erence price’, with respect to a covered commodity for a crop 
year, means the lesser of the following: 
‘‘(A) An amount equal to 115 percent of the reference 
price for such covered commodity. 
‘‘(B) An amount equal to the greater of— 
‘‘(i) the reference price for such covered commodity; 
or 
‘‘(ii) 85 percent of the average of the marketing 
year average price of the covered commodity for the 
7 USC 9001 note. 
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132 STAT. 4501 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
most recent 5 crop years, excluding each of the crop 
years with the highest and lowest marketing year aver-
age price.’’. 
SEC. 1102. BASE ACRES. 
(a) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 1112(c)(2) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(c)(2)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) Any acreage on the farm enrolled in— 
‘‘(i) the conservation reserve program established 
under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title 
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 
et seq.); or 
‘‘(ii) a wetland reserve easement under section 
1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865c).’’. 
(b) REDUCTION IN BASE ACRES.—Section 1112(d) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(d)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(3) TREATMENT
OF
BASE
ACRES
ON
FARMS
ENTIRELY 
PLANTED TO GRASS OR PASTURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a farm on which 
all of the cropland was planted to grass or pasture 
(including cropland that was idle or fallow), as determined 
by the Secretary, during the period beginning on January 
1, 2009, and ending on December 31, 2017, the Secretary 
shall maintain all base acres and payment yields for the 
covered commodities on the farm, except that no payment 
shall be made with respect to those base acres under section 
1116 or 1117 for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. 
‘‘(B) INELIGIBILITY.—The producers on a farm for which 
all of the base acres are maintained under subparagraph 
(A) shall be ineligible for the option to change the election 
applicable to the producers on the farm under section 
1115(h). 
‘‘(4) PROHIBITION ON RECONSTITUTION OF FARM.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that producers on a farm do not reconstitute 
the farm to void or change the treatment of base acres under 
this section.’’. 
SEC. 1103. PAYMENT YIELDS. 
(a) TREATMENT OF DESIGNATED OILSEEDS.—Section 1113(b) of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9013(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘designated oilseeds’’ and 
inserting ‘‘oilseeds designated before the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018’’; 
(2) in paragraphs (2) and (3), by striking ‘‘a designated 
oilseed’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘an oilseed des-
ignated before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) TREATMENT OF OILSEEDS DESIGNATED AFTER CERTAIN 
DATE.—In the case of oilseeds designated on or after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
payment yield shall be equal to 90 percent of the average 
of the yield per planted acre for the most recent 5 crop years, 
as determined by the Secretary, excluding any crop year in 
which the acreage planted to the covered commodity was zero.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4502 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(b) SINGLE OPPORTUNITY
TO UPDATE YIELDS.—Section 1113 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9013) is amended by 
striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) SINGLE OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE YIELDS.— 
‘‘(1) ELECTION TO UPDATE.—At the sole discretion of the 
owner of a farm, the owner of a farm shall have a 1-time 
opportunity to update, on a covered-commodity-by-covered-com-
modity basis, the payment yield that would otherwise be used 
in calculating any price loss coverage payment for each covered 
commodity on the farm for which the election is made. 
‘‘(2) METHOD OF UPDATING YIELDS FOR COVERED COMMOD-
ITIES.—If the owner of a farm elects to update yields under 
paragraph (1), the payment yield for a covered commodity on 
the farm, for the purpose of calculating price loss coverage 
payments only, shall be equal to the product obtained by multi-
plying— 
‘‘(A) 90 percent; 
‘‘(B) the average of the yield per planted acre for the 
crop of covered commodities on the farm for the 2013 
through 2017 crop years, as determined by the Secretary, 
excluding any crop year in which the acreage planted to 
the covered commodity was zero; and 
‘‘(C) subject to paragraph (3), the ratio obtained by 
dividing— 
‘‘(i) the average of the 2008 through 2012 national 
average yield per planted acre for the covered com-
modity, as determined by the Secretary; by 
‘‘(ii) the average of the 2013 through 2017 national 
average yield per planted acre for the covered com-
modity, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—In no case shall the ratio obtained under 
paragraph (2)(C) be less than 90 percent or greater than 100 
percent. 
‘‘(4) USE OF COUNTY AVERAGE YIELD.—For the purposes 
of determining the average yield per planted acre under para-
graph (2)(B), if the yield per planted acre for a crop of a 
covered commodity for a farm for any of the crop years described 
in that subparagraph was less than 75 percent of the average 
of county yields for those crop years for that commodity, the 
Secretary shall assign a yield for that crop year equal to 75 
percent of the average of the 2013 through 2017 county yield 
for the covered commodity. 
‘‘(5) UPLAND
COTTON
CONVERSION.—In the case of seed 
cotton, for purposes of determining the average of the yield 
per planted acre under this subsection, the average yield for 
seed cotton per planted acre shall be equal to 2.4 times the 
average yield for upland cotton per planted acre. 
‘‘(6) TIME FOR ELECTION.—An election under this subsection 
shall be made at a time and manner so as to be in effect 
beginning with the 2020 crop year, as determined by the Sec-
retary.’’. 
SEC. 1104. PAYMENT ACRES. 
Section 1114 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9014) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
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132 STAT. 4503 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, unless the sum 
of the base acres on the farm, when combined with the 
base acres of other farms in which the producer has an 
interest, is more than 10 acres’’ before the period at the 
end; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) a beginning farmer or rancher (as defined in sub-
section (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)); or 
‘‘(D) a veteran farmer or rancher (as defined in sub-
section (a) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) EFFECT OF REDUCTION.—For each crop year for which 
fruits, vegetables (other than mung beans and pulse crops), 
or wild rice are planted to base acres on a farm for which 
a reduction in payment acres is made under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall consider such base acres to be planted, 
or prevented from being planted, to a covered commodity for 
purposes of any adjustment or reduction of base acres for 
the farm under section 1112.’’. 
SEC. 1105. PRODUCER ELECTION. 
Section 1115 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9015) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘Except as provided in subsection (g), for the 
2014 through 2018 crop years’’ and inserting ‘‘For the 2014 
through 2018 crop years (except as provided in subsection (g)) 
and for the 2019 through 2023 crop years (subject to subsection 
(h))’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘subsection (a), the producers on a farm that 
elect under paragraph (2) of such subsection to obtain agri-
culture risk coverage under section 1117’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (a) or (h), as applicable, the producers on a farm that 
elect to obtain agriculture risk coverage’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘or the 2019 crop year, as applicable’’ after ‘‘2014 crop 
year’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or the 2019 crop 
year, as applicable,’’ after ‘‘2014 crop year’’; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) subject to subsection (h), the producers on the farm 
shall be deemed to have elected, as applicable— 
‘‘(A) price loss coverage for all covered commodities 
on the farm for the 2015 through 2018 crop years; and 
‘‘(B) the same coverage for each covered commodity 
on the farm for the 2020 through 2023 crop years as 
was applicable for the 2015 through 2018 crop years.’’; 
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132 STAT. 4504 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(4) in subsection (g)(1), by inserting ‘‘for the 2018 crop 
year,’’ before ‘‘all of the producers’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) OPTION TO CHANGE ELECTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For the 2021 crop year and each crop 
year thereafter, all of the producers on a farm may change 
the election under subsection (a), subsection (c), or this sub-
section, as applicable, to price loss coverage or agriculture 
risk coverage, as applicable. 
‘‘(2) APPLICABILITY.—An election change under paragraph 
(1) shall apply to— 
‘‘(A) the crop year for which the election change is 
made; and 
‘‘(B) each crop year thereafter until another election 
change is made under that paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 1106. PRICE LOSS COVERAGE. 
Section 1116 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘or (h)’’ after ‘‘subsection (a)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘determines that, for any of the 
2014 through 2018 crop years—’’ and inserting ‘‘deter-
mines that— 
‘‘(1) for any of the 2014 through 2018 crop years—’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1)(B) (as so redesignated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) for any of the 2019 through 2023 crop years— 
‘‘(A) the effective price for the covered commodity for 
the crop year; is less than 
‘‘(B) the effective reference price for the covered com-
modity for the crop year.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as clauses 
(i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appropriately; 
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘The payment rate’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) 2014 THROUGH 2018 CROP YEARS.—For the 2014 
through 2018 crop years, the payment rate’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) 2019 THROUGH 2023 CROP YEARS.—For the 2019 
through 2023 crop years, the payment rate shall be equal 
to the difference between— 
‘‘(i) the effective reference price for the covered 
commodity; and 
‘‘(ii) the effective price determined under sub-
section (b) for the covered commodity.’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4505 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) ANNOUNCEMENT.—Not later than 30 days after the 
end of each applicable 12-month marketing year for each cov-
ered commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
determined under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(3) INSUFFICIENT DATA.—In the case of a covered com-
modity, such as temperate japonica rice, for which the Secretary 
cannot determine the payment rate for the most recent 12- 
month marketing year by the date described in paragraph 
(2) due to insufficient reporting of timely pricing data by 1 
or more nongovernmental entities, including a marketing 
cooperative for the covered commodity, the Secretary shall pub-
lish the payment rate as soon as practicable after the marketing 
year data are made available.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (g) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) REFERENCE PRICE
FOR TEMPERATE JAPONICA RICE.—In 
order to reflect price premiums, the Secretary shall provide a ref-
erence price with respect to temperate japonica rice in an amount 
equal to the amount established under subparagraph (F) of section 
1111(19), as adjusted by paragraph (8) of such section, multiplied 
by the ratio obtained by dividing— 
‘‘(1) the simple average of the marketing year average 
price of medium grain rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop 
years; by 
‘‘(2) the simple average of the marketing year average 
price of all rice from the 2012 through 2016 crop years.’’. 
SEC. 1107. AGRICULTURE RISK COVERAGE. 
Section 1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9017) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(beginning with the 2019 crop year, 
based on the physical location of the farm)’’ after ‘‘pay-
ments’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or the 2019 through 2023 crop years, 
as applicable’’ after ‘‘2014 through 2018 crop years’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (4) and (5)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(5)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(6)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ‘‘(5)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(6)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘If’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) 2014 THROUGH
2018
CROP
YEARS.—Effective for 
the 2014 through 2018 crop years, if’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) 2019 THROUGH
2023
CROP
YEARS.—Effective for 
the 2019 through 2023 crop years, if the yield per planted 
acre for the covered commodity or historical county yield 
per planted acre for the covered commodity for any of 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the 5 most recent crop years, as determined by the Sec-
retary, is less than 80 percent of the transitional yield, 
as determined by the Secretary, the amounts used for 
any of those years in paragraph (2)(A) or (3)(A)(i) shall 
be 80 percent of the transitional yield.’’; 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(5) TREND-ADJUSTED YIELD.—The Secretary shall calculate 
and use a trend-adjusted yield factor to adjust the yield deter-
mined under paragraph (2)(A) and subsection (b)(1)(A), taking 
into consideration, but not exceeding, the trend-adjusted yield 
factor that is used to increase yield history under the endorse-
ment under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.) for that crop and county.’’; and 
(F) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘REFERENCE PRICE.—If the national 
average market price’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘LOW NATIONAL AVERAGE MARKET PRICE.— 
‘‘(A) REFERENCE PRICE.—For the 2014 through 2018 
crop years, if the national average market price’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) EFFECTIVE
REFERENCE
PRICE.—For the 2019 
through 2023 crop years, if the national average market 
price received by producers during the 12-month marketing 
year for any of the 5 most recent crop years is lower 
than the effective reference price for the covered com-
modity, the Secretary shall use the effective reference price 
for any of those years for the amounts in paragraph (2)(B) 
or (3)(A)(ii).’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and 
indenting appropriately; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(C) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘The payment’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The payment’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) ANNOUNCEMENT.—Not later than 30 days after the 
end of each applicable 12-month marketing year for each cov-
ered commodity, the Secretary shall publish the payment rate 
determined under paragraph (1) for each county.’’; 
(4) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(5) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘to the maximum 
extent practicable,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
inserting ‘‘effective for the 2014 through 2018 crop 
years,’’ before ‘‘in the case of’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4507 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) effective for the 2019 through 2023 crop years, in 
the case of county coverage, assign an actual or benchmark 
county yield for each planted acre for the crop year for the 
covered commodity— 
‘‘(A) for a county for which county data collected by 
the Risk Management Agency are sufficient for the Sec-
retary to offer a county-wide insurance product, using the 
actual average county yield determined by the Risk 
Management Agency; or 
‘‘(B) for a county not described in subparagraph (A), 
using— 
‘‘(i) other sources of yield information, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(ii) the yield history of representative farms in 
the State, region, or crop reporting district, as deter-
mined by the Secretary.’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) PUBLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) COUNTY GUARANTEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For each crop year for a covered 
commodity, the Secretary shall publish information 
describing, for that crop year for the covered commodity 
in each county— 
‘‘(i) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee for 
county coverage determined under subsection (c)(1); 
‘‘(ii) the average historical county yield determined 
under subsection (c)(2)(A); and 
‘‘(iii) the national average market price determined 
under subsection (c)(2)(B). 
‘‘(B) TIMING.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in clauses 
(ii) and (iii), not later than 30 days after the end 
of each applicable 12-month marketing year, the Sec-
retary shall publish the information described in 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) INSUFFICIENT DATA.—In the case of a covered 
commodity, such as temperate japonica rice, for which 
the Secretary cannot determine the national average 
market price for the most recent 12-month marketing 
year by the date described in clause (i) due to insuffi-
cient reporting of timely pricing data by 1 or more 
nongovernmental entities, including a marketing 
cooperative for the covered commodity, as soon as prac-
ticable after the pricing data are made available, the 
Secretary shall publish information describing— 
‘‘(I) the agriculture risk coverage guarantee 
under subparagraph (A)(i); and 
‘‘(II) the national average market price under 
subparagraph (A)(iii). 
‘‘(iii) TRANSITION.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, the Secretary shall publish the information 
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) 
for the 2018 crop year. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) ACTUAL AVERAGE COUNTY YIELD.—As soon as prac-
ticable after each crop year, the Secretary shall determine 
and publish each actual average county yield for each covered 
commodity, as determined under subsection (b)(1)(A). 
‘‘(3) DATA
SOURCES
FOR
COUNTY
YIELDS.—For the 2018 
crop year and each crop year thereafter, the Secretary shall 
make publicly available information describing, for the most 
recent crop year— 
‘‘(A) the sources of data used to calculate county yields 
under subsection (c)(2)(A) for each covered commodity— 
‘‘(i) by county; and 
‘‘(ii) nationally; and 
‘‘(B) the number and outcome of occurrences in which 
the Farm Service Agency reviewed, changed, or determined 
not to change a source of data used to calculate county 
yields under subsection (c)(2)(A). 
‘‘(i) ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of agriculture risk coverage 
payments in the case of county coverage, a county may be 
divided into not greater than 2 administrative units in accord-
ance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE COUNTIES.—A county that may be divided 
into administrative units under this subsection is a county 
that— 
‘‘(A) is larger than 1,400 square miles; and 
‘‘(B) contains more than 190,000 base acres. 
‘‘(3) ELECTIONS.—Before making any agriculture risk cov-
erage payments for the 2019 crop year, the Farm Service 
Agency State committee, in consultation with the Farm Service 
Agency county or area committee of a county described in 
paragraph (2), may make a 1-time election to divide the county 
into administrative units under this subsection along a 
boundary that better reflects differences in weather patterns, 
soil types, or other factors. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) limit the number of counties that may be divided 
into administrative units under paragraph (3) to 25 coun-
ties; and 
‘‘(B) give preference to the division of counties that 
have greater variation in climate, soils, and expected 
productivity between the proposed administrative units. 
‘‘(5) ADMINISTRATION.—For purposes of providing agri-
culture risk coverage payments in the case of county coverage, 
the Secretary shall consider an administrative unit elected 
under paragraph (3) to be a county for the 2019 through 2023 
crop years.’’. 
SEC. 1108. REPEAL OF TRANSITION ASSISTANCE FOR PRODUCERS OF 
UPLAND COTTON. 
Section 1119 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9019) 
is repealed. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle B—Marketing Loans 
SEC. 1201. EXTENSIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1201(b)(1) of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9031(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) REPAYMENT.—Section 1204 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 9034) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)(2)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ‘‘2019’’and inserting ‘‘2024’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
(c) LOAN DEFICIENCY PAYMENTS.— 
(1) EXTENSION.—Section 1205(a)(2)(B) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9035(a)(2)(B)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(2) PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF LDPS.—Section 1206 of the Agri-
cultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9036) is amended in subsections 
(a) and (d) by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 1202. LOAN RATES FOR NONRECOURSE MARKETING ASSISTANCE 
LOANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1202 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 9032) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking the subsection heading 
and inserting ‘‘2014 THROUGH 2018 CROP YEARS’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
(c) and (d), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: 
‘‘(b) 2019 THROUGH 2023 CROP YEARS.—For purposes of each 
of the 2019 through 2023 crop years, the loan rate for a marketing 
assistance loan under section 1201 for a loan commodity shall 
be equal to the following: 
‘‘(1) In the case of wheat, $3.38 per bushel. 
‘‘(2) In the case of corn, $2.20 per bushel. 
‘‘(3) In the case of grain sorghum, $2.20 per bushel. 
‘‘(4) In the case of barley, $2.50 per bushel. 
‘‘(5) In the case of oats, $2.00 per bushel. 
‘‘(6)(A) Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in the case 
of base quality of upland cotton, the simple average of the 
adjusted prevailing world price for the 2 immediately preceding 
marketing years, as determined by the Secretary and 
announced October 1 preceding the next domestic planting. 
‘‘(B) Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the loan 
rate determined under subparagraph (A) may not equal less 
than an amount equal to 98 percent of the loan rate for base 
quality of upland cotton for the preceding year. 
‘‘(C) The loan rate determined under subparagraph (A) 
may not be equal to an amount— 
‘‘(i) less than $0.45 per pound; or 
‘‘(ii) more than $0.52 per pound. 
‘‘(7) In the case of extra long staple cotton, $0.95 per 
pound. 
‘‘(8) In the case of long grain rice, $7.00 per hundredweight. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(9) In the case of medium grain rice, $7.00 per hundred-
weight. 
‘‘(10) In the case of soybeans, $6.20 per bushel. 
‘‘(11) In the case of other oilseeds, $10.09 per hundred-
weight for each of the following kinds of oilseeds: 
‘‘(A) Sunflower seed. 
‘‘(B) Rapeseed. 
‘‘(C) Canola. 
‘‘(D) Safflower. 
‘‘(E) Flaxseed. 
‘‘(F) Mustard seed. 
‘‘(G) Crambe. 
‘‘(H) Sesame seed. 
‘‘(I) Other oilseeds designated by the Secretary. 
‘‘(12) In the case of dry peas, $6.15 per hundredweight. 
‘‘(13) In the case of lentils, $13.00 per hundredweight. 
‘‘(14) In the case of small chickpeas, $10.00 per hundred-
weight. 
‘‘(15) In the case of large chickpeas, $14.00 per hundred-
weight. 
‘‘(16) In the case of graded wool, $1.15 per pound. 
‘‘(17) In the case of nongraded wool, $0.40 per pound. 
‘‘(18) In the case of mohair, $4.20 per pound. 
‘‘(19) In the case of honey, $0.69 per pound. 
‘‘(20) In the case of peanuts, $355 per ton.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘sub-
section (a)(11)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsections (a)(11) and (b)(11)’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1204(h)(1) of the Agri-
cultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9034(h)(1)) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 1202(a)(20)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(20) or (b)(20), 
as applicable, of section 1202’’. 
SEC. 1203. ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR TEXTILE MILLS. 
(a) 2008 AUTHORITY.—Section 1207 of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8737) is amended by striking 
subsection (c). 
(b) 2014 AUTHORITY.—Section 1207(c) of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9037(c)) is amended by striking the subsection 
heading and inserting ‘‘ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR 
TEXTILE MILLS’’. 
SEC. 1204. SPECIAL COMPETITIVE PROVISIONS FOR EXTRA LONG 
STAPLE COTTON. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1208(a) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9038(a)) is amended in the matter preceding para-
graph (1) by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
(b) PAYMENTS UNDER PROGRAM; TRIGGER.—Section 1208(b)(2) 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9038(b)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘134 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘113 percent’’. 
SEC. 1205. AVAILABILITY OF RECOURSE LOANS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 9039) is amended in subsections (a)(2) and (b) by striking 
‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) RECOURSE LOANS AVAILABLE FOR CONTAMINATED COMMOD-
ITIES.—Section 1209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9039) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) RECOURSE LOANS AVAILABLE FOR CONTAMINATED COMMOD-
ITIES.—In the case of a loan commodity that is ineligible for 100 
percent of the nonrecourse marketing loan rate in the county due 
to a determination that the commodity is contaminated yet still 
merchantable, for each of the 2019 through 2023 crops of such 
loan commodity, the Secretary shall make available recourse com-
modity loans, at the rate provided under section 1202, on any 
production.’’. 
Subtitle C—Sugar 
SEC. 1301. SUGAR POLICY. 
(a) SUGAR PROGRAM.— 
(1) SUGARCANE.—Section 156(a) of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) 19.75 cents per pound for raw cane sugar for each 
of the 2019 through 2023 crop years.’’. 
(2) SUGAR BEETS.—Section 156(b)(2) of the Federal Agri-
culture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
7272(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(3) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—Section 156(i) of the Federal Agri-
culture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7272(i)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) FLEXIBLE MARKETING ALLOTMENTS FOR SUGAR.— 
(1) SUGAR ESTIMATES.—Section 359b(a)(1) of the Agricul-
tural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359bb(a)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—Section 359l(a) of the Agricultural 
Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1359ll(a)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
Subtitle D—Dairy Margin Coverage and 
Other Dairy Related Provisions 
SEC. 1401. DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE. 
(a) REVIEW OF DATA USED IN CALCULATION OF AVERAGE FEED 
COST.—Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report evalu-
ating the extent to which the average cost of feed used by a 
dairy operation to produce a hundredweight of milk calculated 
by the Secretary as required by section 1402(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9052(a)) is representative of actual dairy 
feed costs. 
(b) CORN SILAGE REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Senate a report detailing the costs incurred by dairy operations 
in the use of corn silage as feed, and the difference between the 
feed cost of corn silage and the feed cost of corn. 
(c) COLLECTION OF ALFALFA HAY DATA.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, 
acting through the National Agricultural Statistics Service, shall 
revise monthly price survey reports to include prices for high- 
quality alfalfa hay in the top five milk producing States, as meas-
ured by volume of milk produced during the previous month. 
(d) REGISTRATION OF MULTIPRODUCER DAIRY OPERATIONS.—Sec-
tion 1404(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054(b)) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) ELECTION PERIOD FOR 2019 CALENDAR YEAR.—For the 
2019 calendar year, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) open the election period not later than 60 days 
after the effective date described in section 1401(m) of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and 
‘‘(B) hold that election period open for not less than 
90 days. 
‘‘(4) TREATMENT OF MULTIPRODUCER DAIRY OPERATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If a participating dairy operation 
is operated by more than 1 dairy producer, the dairy pro-
ducers of the dairy operation who elect to participate shall 
be treated as a single dairy operation for purposes of 
participating in dairy margin coverage. 
‘‘(B) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Subparagraph (A) shall 
not be construed to allow a producer to adjust the propor-
tion of their share covered under tier I or tier II premiums 
from the proportion covered for the operation.’’. 
(e) RELATION TO LIVESTOCK GROSS MARGIN FOR DAIRY PRO-
GRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1404 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054) is amended by striking subsection (d). 
(2) RETROACTIVE PROGRAM OPTION.—Section 1404(b)(2) of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054(b)(2)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) RETROACTIVE PROGRAM OPTION.—In the case of 
a dairy operation that, by operation of subsection (d) (as 
in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018), was ineligible to 
participate in the margin protection program for any part 
of calendar year 2018, the Secretary shall establish a new 
election period for that calendar year that ends on a date 
that is not less than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and the Sec-
retary determines is necessary for dairy operations to make 
new elections to participate in the margin protection pro-
gram (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018) for that cal-
endar year, including dairy operations that elected to 
participate in the livestock gross margin for dairy program 
under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et 
7 USC 9052 note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
seq.) before the date of enactment of the Bipartisan Budget 
Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–123).’’. 
(f) PRODUCTION HISTORY
OF PARTICIPATING DAIRY OPERA-
TORS.— 
(1) ADJUSTMENT.—Section 1405 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘In subsequent 
years’’ and inserting ‘‘In the subsequent calendar years 
ending before January 1, 2019’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘, as applicable’’ 
after ‘‘paragraph (2)’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; 
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as 
so redesignated), by striking ‘‘In the case’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) DAIRY OPERATIONS WITH LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF PRODUC-
TION HISTORY.—In the case’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) DAIRY OPERATIONS WITH 1 YEAR OR MORE OF PRODUC-
TION HISTORY.—In the case of a participating dairy operation 
that was not in operation prior to January 1, 2014, that has 
not established a production history, and that has been in 
operation for equal to or longer than 1 year, the participating 
dairy operation shall elect the annual milk marketings during 
any 1 calendar year to determine the production history of 
the participating dairy operation. 
‘‘(3) ADJUSTMENT.—The Secretary shall adjust the produc-
tion history of a participating dairy operation determined under 
paragraph (1) or (2) to reflect any increase or decrease in 
the national average milk production relative to calendar year 
2017.’’. 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
CHANGES
TO
BUSINESS
STRUCTURE.— 
Section 1405 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) LIMITATION ON CHANGES TO BUSINESS STRUCTURE.—The 
Secretary may not make dairy margin coverage payments to a 
participating dairy operation if the Secretary determines that the 
participating dairy operation has reorganized the structure of such 
operation solely for the purpose of qualifying as a new operation 
under subsection (b).’’. 
(g) COVERAGE LEVEL THRESHOLD
AND COVERAGE PERCENT-
AGE.—Section 1406 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9056) 
is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) COVERAGE LEVEL THRESHOLD AND COVERAGE PERCENT-
AGE.— 
‘‘(1) COVERAGE LEVEL THRESHOLD.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—For purposes of receiving dairy 
margin coverage payments for a month, a participating 
dairy operation shall annually elect a coverage level 
threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, $5.00, $5.50, $6.00, 
$6.50, $7.00, $7.50, $8.00, $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY.—Except as provided in subpara-
graph (C), the coverage level threshold elected under 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
subparagraph (A) shall apply to the covered production 
elected by the participating dairy operation under para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(C) SECOND COVERAGE ELECTION FOR TIER II.—In the 
case of a participating dairy operation that elects a coverage 
level threshold of $8.50, $9.00, or $9.50 under subpara-
graph (A)— 
‘‘(i) that coverage level threshold shall apply to 
the first 5,000,000 pounds of milk marketings included 
in the covered production elected by the participating 
dairy operation; and 
‘‘(ii) the participating dairy operation shall elect 
a coverage level threshold that is equal to $4.00, $4.50, 
$5.00, $5.50, $6.00, $6.50, $7.00, $7.50, or $8.00 to 
apply to milk marketings in excess of 5,000,000 pounds 
included in the covered production elected by the 
participating dairy operation. 
‘‘(2) COVERAGE
PERCENTAGE.—For purposes of receiving 
dairy margin coverage payments for a month, a participating 
dairy operation shall annually elect a percentage of coverage, 
in 5-percent increments, not exceeding 95 percent of the produc-
tion history of the participating dairy operation.’’. 
(h) PRODUCER PREMIUMS.—Section 1407 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) PRODUCER
PREMIUMS.—Except as provided in sub-
section (g), the following annual premiums apply: 
‘‘Coverage Level 
Premium per Cwt. 
$4.00 
None 
$4.50 
$0.0025 
$5.00 
$0.005 
$5.50 
$0.030 
$6.00 
$0.050 
$6.50 
$0.070 
$7.00 
$0.080 
$7.50 
$0.090 
$8.00 
$0.100 
$8.50 
$0.105 
$9.00 
$0.110 
$9.50 
$0.150’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) PRODUCER
PREMIUMS.—Except as provided in sub-
section (g), the following annual premiums apply: 
‘‘Coverage Level 
Premium per Cwt. 
$4.00 
None 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘Coverage Level 
Premium per Cwt. 
$4.50 
$0.0025 
$5.00 
$0.005 
$5.50 
$0.100 
$6.00 
$0.310 
$6.50 
$0.650 
$7.00 
$1.107 
$7.50 
$1.413 
$8.00 
$1.813’’. 
(i) REPAYMENT OF PREMIUMS.—Section 1407 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(f) REPAYMENT OF PREMIUMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each dairy operation described in para-
graph (2) shall be eligible to receive a repayment from the 
Secretary in an amount equal to the difference between— 
‘‘(A) the total amount of premiums paid by the partici-
pating dairy operation under this section for each 
applicable calendar year; and 
‘‘(B) the total amount of payments made to the partici-
pating dairy operation under section 1406 for that calendar 
year. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY.—A dairy operation that is eligible to 
receive a repayment under paragraph (1) is a dairy operation 
that— 
‘‘(A) participated in the margin protection program, 
as in effect for any of calendar years 2014 through 2017; 
and 
‘‘(B) submits to the Secretary an application for the 
repayment at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(3) METHOD OF REPAYMENT.—A dairy operation that is 
eligible to receive a repayment under paragraph (1) shall elect 
to receive the repayment— 
‘‘(A) in an amount equal to 75 percent of the repayment 
calculated under that paragraph as credit that may be 
used by the dairy operation for dairy margin coverage 
premiums; or 
‘‘(B) in an amount equal to 50 percent of the repayment 
calculated under that paragraph as a direct cash repay-
ment. 
‘‘(4) APPLICABILITY.—Paragraph (1) shall only apply to a 
calendar year during the period of calendar years 2014 through 
2017 for which the amount described in subparagraph (A) of 
that paragraph is greater than the amount described in 
subparagraph (B) of that paragraph.’’. 
(j) PREMIUM DISCOUNT.—Section 1407 of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) (as amended by subsection (i)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) PREMIUM DISCOUNT.—The premium per hundredweight 
specified in the tables contained in subsections (b) and (c) for 
each coverage level shall be reduced by 25 percent in accordance 
with the following: 
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132 STAT. 4516 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For each of calendar years 2019 through 
2023, for a participating dairy operation that makes a 1-time 
election of coverage level in a tier and of a percentage of 
coverage under section 1406(a) for the 5-year period beginning 
in January 2019. 
‘‘(2) NEW DAIRY OPERATIONS.—For each applicable calendar 
year through 2023, for a participating dairy operation that— 
‘‘(A) establishes a production history pursuant to sec-
tion 1405(b); and 
‘‘(B) makes a 1-time election of coverage level in a 
tier and of a percentage of coverage under section 1406(a) 
for the period beginning with the first available calendar 
year and ending in December 2023. 
‘‘(3) FULL PARTICIPATION REQUIRED.—Notwithstanding the 
annual elections under section 1406(a)— 
‘‘(A) a 1-time enrollment under this subsection shall 
remain in effect for the full duration applicable to a partici-
pating dairy operation in accordance with paragraph (1) 
or (2)(B), as applicable; and 
‘‘(B) a participating dairy operation that makes a 1- 
time enrollment under this subsection and is noncompliant 
under section 1408 shall be subject to that section.’’. 
(k) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATED TO PROGRAM NAME.— 
(1) HEADING.—The heading of part I of subtitle D of title 
I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79; 128 
Stat. 688) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘PART I—DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE’’. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—Section 1401 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9051) is amended— 
(A) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting 
the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(5) DAIRY
MARGIN
COVERAGE.—The term ‘dairy margin 
coverage’ means the dairy margin coverage program required 
by section 1403. 
‘‘(6) DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE PAYMENT.—The term ‘dairy 
margin coverage payment’ means a payment made to a partici-
pating dairy operation under dairy margin coverage pursuant 
to section 1406.’’; and 
(B) in paragraphs (7) and (8), by striking ‘‘the margin 
protection program’’ both places it appears and inserting 
‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(3) CALCULATION OF ACTUAL DAIRY PRODUCTION MARGIN.— 
Section 1402(b)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9052(b)(1)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A) by striking ‘‘the margin protection program’’ and inserting 
‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(4) PROGRAM OPERATION.—Section 1403 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9053) is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting 
‘‘DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘Not later than September 1, 2014, 
the Secretary shall establish and administer a margin 
protection program’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall continue to administer 
a dairy margin coverage program’’; 
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132 STAT. 4517 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(C) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘margin protection payment’’ both places it appears and 
inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage payment’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—Subpart A of part 1430 of title 7, Code 
of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018), shall remain in effect 
for dairy margin coverage beginning with the 2019 calendar year, 
except to the extent that the regulations are inconsistent with 
any provision of this Act.’’. 
(5) PARTICIPATION.—Section 1404 of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9054) is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘MARGIN 
PROTECTION
PROGRAM’’ and inserting ‘‘DAIRY
MARGIN 
COVERAGE’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘the margin protection 
program to receive margin protection payments’’ and 
inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage to receive dairy margin 
coverage payments’’; and 
(C) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ‘‘the margin 
protection program’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(6) PRODUCTION HISTORY.—Section 1405 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9055) is amended in subsections (a)(1) 
and (c) by striking ‘‘the margin protection program’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(7) PAYMENTS.—Section 1406 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9056) is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘MARGIN 
PROTECTION’’ and inserting ‘‘DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘margin protection’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’; and 
(C) in the heading of subsection (c), by striking 
‘‘MARGIN PROTECTION’’. 
(8) PREMIUMS.—Section 1407 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9057) is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘MARGIN 
PROTECTION
PROGRAM’’ and inserting ‘‘DAIRY
MARGIN 
COVERAGE’’; 
(B) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘the margin protection program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’; 
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’; and 
(D) in subsection (e)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘the margin protection program’’ 
both places it appears and inserting ‘‘dairy margin 
coverage’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘integrity of the 
program’’ and inserting ‘‘integrity of dairy margin cov-
erage’’. 
(9) FAILURE TO PAY ADMINISTRATIVE FEES OR PREMIUMS.— 
Section 1408 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9058) 
is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘margin protection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4518 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the margin protection 
program’’ and inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(10) ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.—Section 1410 of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9060) is amended— 
(A) in subsections (a) and (c), by striking ‘‘the margin 
protection program’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘dairy margin coverage’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘margin protection’’ 
and inserting ‘‘dairy margin coverage’’. 
(l) DURATION.—Section 1409 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 9059) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The margin protection program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Dairy margin coverage’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(m) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on January 1, 2019. 
SEC. 1402. REAUTHORIZATIONS. 
(a) FORWARD PRICING.—Section 1502(e) of the Food, Conserva-
tion, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8772(e)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2021’’ and inserting 
‘‘2026’’. 
(b) INDEMNITY PROGRAM.—Section 3 of Public Law 90–484 (7 
U.S.C. 4553) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(c) PROMOTION AND RESEARCH.—Section 113(e)(2) of the Dairy 
Production Stabilization Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 4504(e)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 1403. CLASS I SKIM MILK PRICE. 
(a) CLASS I SKIM MILK PRICE.—Section 8c(5)(A) of the Agricul-
tural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(5)(A)), reenacted with amend-
ments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is 
amended by striking ‘‘Throughout’’ in the third sentence and all 
that follows through the period at the end of the fourth sentence 
and inserting ‘‘Throughout the 2-year period beginning on the effec-
tive date of this sentence (and subsequent to such 2-year period 
unless modified by amendment to the order involved), for purposes 
of determining prices for milk of the highest use classification, 
the Class I skim milk price per hundredweight specified in section 
1000.50(b) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
regulations), shall be the sum of the adjusted Class I differential 
specified in section 1000.52 of such title 7 (or successor regulations), 
plus the adjustment to Class I prices specified in sections 1005.51(b), 
1006.51(b), and 1007.51(b) of such title 7 (or successor regulations), 
plus the simple average of the advanced pricing factors computed 
in sections 1000.50(q)(1) and 1000.50(q)(2) of such title 7 (or suc-
cessor regulations), plus $0.74.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE AND IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the first day of the first month beginning 
more than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Implementation of the amendment 
made by subsection (a) shall not be subject to any of the 
following: 
(A) The notice and comment provisions of section 553 
of title 5, United States Code. 
7 USC 608c note. 
7 USC 9051 note. 
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132 STAT. 4519 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) The notice and hearing requirements of section 
8c(3) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(3)), 
reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing 
Agreement Act of 1937. 
(C) The order amendment requirements of section 
8c(17) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(17)). 
(D) A referendum under section 8c(19) of that Act 
(7 U.S.C. 608c(19)). 
SEC. 1404. DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION. 
(a) REPEAL OF DAIRY PRODUCT DONATION PROGRAM.—Section 
1431 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9071) is repealed. 
(b) MILK DONATION PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Part III of subtitle D of title I of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79; 128 Stat. 695) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘PART III—MILK DONATION PROGRAM 
‘‘SEC. 1431. MILK DONATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
DAIRY
ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘eligible 
dairy organization’ means a dairy farmer (either individually 
or as part of a cooperative), or a dairy processor, who— 
‘‘(A) accounts to a Federal milk marketing order 
marketwide pool; and 
‘‘(B) incurs qualified expenses under subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE DISTRIBUTOR.—The term ‘eligible distributor’ 
means a public or private nonprofit organization that distrib-
utes donated eligible milk. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE MILK.—The term ‘eligible milk’ means Class 
I fluid milk products produced and processed in the United 
States. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘eligible partnership’ 
means a partnership between an eligible dairy organization 
and an eligible distributor. 
‘‘(5) PARTICIPATING PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘participating 
partnership’ means an eligible partnership for which the Sec-
retary has approved a donation and distribution plan for eligible 
milk under subsection (c)(2). 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM REQUIRED; PURPOSES.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018, the Secretary shall establish and administer a milk dona-
tion program for the purposes of— 
‘‘(1) encouraging the donation of eligible milk; 
‘‘(2) providing nutrition assistance to individuals in low- 
income groups; and 
‘‘(3) reducing food waste. 
‘‘(c) DONATION AND DISTRIBUTION PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive reimbursement 
under subsection (d), an eligible partnership shall submit to 
the Secretary a donation and distribution plan that— 
‘‘(A) describes the process that the eligible partnership 
will use for the donation, processing, transportation, tem-
porary storage, and distribution of eligible milk; 
7 USC 9071. 
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132 STAT. 4520 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) includes an estimate of the quantity of eligible 
milk that the eligible partnership will donate each year, 
based on— 
‘‘(i) preplanned donations; and 
‘‘(ii) contingency plans to address unanticipated 
donations; and 
‘‘(C) describes the rate at which the eligible partnership 
will be reimbursed, which shall be based on a percentage 
of the limitation described in subsection (e)(2), not to exceed 
100 percent. 
‘‘(2) REVIEW
AND
APPROVAL.—Not less frequently than 
annually, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) review donation and distribution plans submitted 
under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) determine whether to approve or disapprove each 
of those donation and distribution plans. 
‘‘(d) REIMBURSEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On receipt of appropriate documentation 
under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall reimburse an eligible 
dairy organization that is a member of a participating partner-
ship on a regular basis for qualified expenses described in 
subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) DOCUMENTATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible dairy organization shall 
submit to the Secretary such documentation as the Sec-
retary may require to demonstrate the qualified expenses 
described in subsection (e) of the eligible dairy organization. 
‘‘(B) VERIFICATION.—The Secretary may verify the 
accuracy of documentation submitted under subparagraph 
(A) by spot checks and audits. 
‘‘(3) 
RETROACTIVE
REIMBURSEMENT.—In 
providing 
reimbursements under paragraph (1), the Secretary may pro-
vide reimbursements for qualified expenses incurred before the 
date on which the donation and distribution plan for the 
applicable participating partnership was approved by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(e) QUALIFIED EXPENSES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a reimbursement under 
subsection (d) shall be an amount equal to the product of— 
‘‘(A) the quantity of eligible milk donated by the eligible 
dairy organization under a donation and distribution plan 
approved by the Secretary under subsection (c); and 
‘‘(B) subject to the limitation under paragraph (2), the 
rate described in that donation and distribution plan under 
subsection (c)(1)(C). 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Expenses eligible for reimbursement 
under subsection (d) shall not exceed the value that an eligible 
dairy organization incurred by accounting to the Federal milk 
marketing order pool at the difference in the Class I milk 
value and the lowest classified price for the applicable month 
(either Class III milk or Class IV milk). 
‘‘(f) PREAPPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) establish a process for an eligible partnership 
to apply for preapproval of donation and distribution plans 
under subsection (c); and 
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132 STAT. 4521 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) not less frequently than annually, preapprove an 
amount for qualified expenses described in subsection (e) 
that the Secretary will allocate for reimbursement under 
each donation and distribution plan preapproved under 
subparagraph (A), based on an assessment of— 
‘‘(i) the feasibility of the plan; and 
‘‘(ii) the extent to which the plan advances the 
purposes described in subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) PREFERENCE.—In preapproving amounts for reimburse-
ment under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall give pref-
erence to eligible partnerships that will provide funding and 
in-kind contributions in addition to the reimbursements. 
‘‘(3) ADJUSTMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall adjust or 
increase amounts preapproved for reimbursement under 
paragraph (1)(B) based on performance and demand. 
‘‘(B) REQUESTS FOR INCREASE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
procedure for a participating partnership to request 
an increase in the amount preapproved for reimburse-
ment under paragraph (1)(B) based on changes in 
conditions. 
‘‘(ii) INTERIM APPROVAL; INCREMENTAL INCREASE.— 
The Secretary may provide an interim approval of an 
increase requested under clause (i) and an incremental 
increase in the amount of reimbursement to the 
applicable participating partnership to allow time for 
the Secretary to review the request without interfering 
with the donation and distribution of eligible milk by 
the participating partnership. 
‘‘(g) PROHIBITION ON RESALE OF PRODUCTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An eligible distributor that receives 
eligible milk donated under this section may not sell the prod-
ucts back into commercial markets. 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION ON FUTURE PARTICIPATION.—An eligible 
distributor that the Secretary determines has violated para-
graph (1) shall not be eligible for any future participation 
in the program established under this section. 
‘‘(h) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall publicize opportuni-
ties to participate in the program established under this section. 
‘‘(i) REVIEWS.—The Secretary shall conduct appropriate reviews 
or audits to ensure the integrity of the program established under 
this section. 
‘‘(j) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion, the Secretary shall use to carry out this section $9,000,000 
for fiscal year 2019, and $5,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter, 
to remain available until expended.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1401 of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9051) is amended, in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and part III’’. 
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132 STAT. 4522 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle E—Supplemental Agricultural 
Disaster Assistance 
SEC. 1501. SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE. 
(a) MEMBERS OF INDIAN TRIBES.—Section 1501(a)(1)(B) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)(1)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (iv) 
and (v), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those 
terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304));’’. 
(b) COVERED LIVESTOCK LOSSES FOR LIVESTOCK INDEMNITY PAY-
MENTS.—Section 1501(b) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9081(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subparagraph (A); 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘cold.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘cold, on the condition that in the case of the 
death loss of unweaned livestock due to that adverse 
weather, the Secretary may disregard any management 
practice, vaccination protocol, or lack of vaccination by 
the eligible producer on a farm; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(C) disease that, as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) is caused or transmitted by a vector; and 
‘‘(ii) is not susceptible to control by vaccination 
or acceptable management practices.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘A payment’’ and inserting 
‘‘PAYMENT REDUCTIONS.—A payment’’. 
(c) EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR LIVESTOCK, HONEY BEES, AND 
FARM-RAISED FISH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1501(d)(2) of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)(2)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, 
including inspections of cattle tick fever’’ before the period 
at the end. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by paragraph 
(1) shall apply to inspections of cattle tick fever conducted 
on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) TREE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 1501(e) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(e)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘paragraph (4)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (4) 
and (5)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) PAYMENT
RATE
FOR
BEGINNING
AND
VETERAN
PRO-
DUCERS.—Subject to paragraph (4), in the case of a beginning 
farmer or rancher or a veteran farmer or rancher (as those 
terms are defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 2279)) that is eligible to receive assistance under this 
subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimbursement of 75 
percent of the costs under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B) of 
paragraph (3).’’. 
7 USC 9081 note. 
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132 STAT. 4523 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(e) PAYMENT LIMITATION.—Section 1501(f)(2) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(f)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘this 
section (excluding payments received under subsections (b) and 
(e))’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (c)’’. 
Subtitle F—Noninsured Crop Assistance 
SEC. 1601. NONINSURED CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) DATA COLLECTION AND SHARING.—The Secretary 
shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Risk 
Management Agency on the type and format of data 
received under the noninsured crop disaster assistance pro-
gram that— 
‘‘(i) best facilitates the use of that data in devel-
oping policies or plans of insurance offered under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); 
and 
‘‘(ii) ensures the availability of that data on a 
regular basis. 
‘‘(D) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate 
between the agencies of the Department that provide pro-
grams or services to farmers and ranchers that are poten-
tially eligible for the noninsured crop disaster assistance 
program under this section— 
‘‘(i) to make available coverage under— 
‘‘(I) the fee waiver under subsection (k)(2); or 
‘‘(II) the premium discount under subsection 
(l)(3); and 
‘‘(ii) to share eligibility information to reduce 
paperwork and avoid duplication.’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), in this 
section, the term ‘eligible crop’ means each commercial 
crop or other agricultural commodity that is produced for 
food or fiber (except livestock) for which catastrophic risk 
protection under subsection (b) of section 508 of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) and additional coverage 
under subsections (c) and (h) of such section are not avail-
able or, if such coverage is available, it is only available 
under a policy that provides coverage for specific intervals 
based on weather indexes or under a whole farm plan 
of insurance.’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (4)(B)— 
(i) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(I) AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014.—During the 
first 4 crop years of planting, as determined by 
the Secretary, native sod acreage that has been 
tilled for the production of an annual crop during 
the period beginning on February 8, 2014, and 
ending on the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
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132 STAT. 4524 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Improvement Act of 2018 shall be subject to a 
reduction in benefits under this section as 
described in this subparagraph. 
‘‘(II) SUBSEQUENT YEARS.—Native sod acreage 
that has been tilled for the production of an eligible 
crop after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 shall be subject to a 
reduction in benefits under this section as 
described in this subparagraph for not more than 
any 4 crop years— 
‘‘(aa) during the first 10 crop years after 
the initial tillage; and 
‘‘(bb) during which a crop on that acreage 
is enrolled under subsection (l)(2) or (k).’’; and 
(ii) in clause (iii)(I), by striking ‘‘transitional yield 
of the producer’’ and inserting ‘‘county expected yield’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘not later than 30 
days’’ and inserting ‘‘by an appropriate deadline’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) STREAMLINED
SUBMISSION
PROCESS.—The Secretary 
shall establish a streamlined process for the submission of 
records and acreage reports under paragraphs (2) and (3) for 
diverse production systems such as those typical of urban 
production systems, other small-scale production systems, and 
direct-to-consumer production systems.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively; 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) the producer’s share of the total acres devoted to the 
eligible crop; by’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘established yield for the crop’’ and inserting ‘‘approved 
yield for the crop, as determined by the Secretary’’; 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘farm’’ and inserting 
‘‘approved’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the second sentence— 
(I) by inserting ‘‘approved’’ before ‘‘yield’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘Subject’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(B) CALCULATION.—Subject’’; and 
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B) (as 
so designated)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘yield coverage’’ and inserting 
‘‘an approved yield’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘transitional yield 
of the producer’’ and inserting ‘‘county expected yield’’; 
(5) in subsection (i)(2), by striking ‘‘exceed $125,000’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘exceed— 
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132 STAT. 4525 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) in the case of catastrophic coverage under sub-
section (c), $125,000; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of additional coverage under subsection 
(l), $300,000’’; 
(6) in subsection (k)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$250’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$325’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘$750’’ and inserting ‘‘$825’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘$1,875’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,950’’; 
and 
(7) in subsection (l)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and 
(C) as subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D), respectively; 
(ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(A) the producer’s share of the total acres devoted 
to the crop;’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by 
inserting ‘‘, contract price, or other premium price (such 
as a local, organic, or direct market price, as elected 
by the producer)’’ after ‘‘price’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i)— 
(i) in subclause (IV), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in subclause (V), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end 
and inserting ‘‘and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(VI) the producer’s share of the crop; or’’; 
(C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (5); and 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3). 
Subtitle G—Administration 
SEC. 1701. REGULATIONS. 
Section 1601(c)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9091(c)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘title and sections 11003 and 11017’’ and inserting ‘‘title, sec-
tions 11003 and 11017, title I of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018 and the amendments made by that title, and 
section 10109 of that Act’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a period; and 
(4) by striking subparagraph (C). 
SEC. 1702. SUSPENSION OF PERMANENT PRICE SUPPORT AUTHORITY. 
Section 1602 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9092) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 1703. PAYMENT LIMITATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1001 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘section 1001 of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
9011)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘first cousin, niece, 
nephew,’’ after ‘‘sibling,’’; 
(2) in subsections (b) and (c), by striking ‘‘and as marketing 
loan gains or loan deficiency payments under subtitle B of 
title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016, 
9017)’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) ADMINISTRATION OF REDUCTION.—The Secretary shall 
apply any order described in section 1614(d)(1) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) to payments under 
sections 1116 and 1117 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9016, 9017) prior 
to applying payment limitations under this section.’’. 
(b) APPLICATION.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply beginning with the 2019 crop year. 
SEC. 1704. ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITATIONS. 
(a) WAIVER.—Section 1001D(b) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘title II of the Agri-
culture Improvement Act of 2018,’’ after ‘‘under’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the limitation 
established by paragraph (1) with respect to a payment pursu-
ant to a covered benefit described in paragraph (2)(C), on a 
case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that environ-
mentally sensitive land of special significance would be pro-
tected as a result of such waiver.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1001D(b)(1) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a(b)(1)) is amended by 
inserting ‘‘subject to paragraph (3),’’ after ‘‘of law,’’. 
(c) TRANSITION.—Section 1001D of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 1308–3a), as in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act, shall apply with respect to the 2018 
crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, for each program 
described in subsection (b)(2) of that section (as so in effect on 
that day). 
SEC. 1705. FARM SERVICE AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish policies, procedures, 
and plans to improve program accountability and integrity through 
targeted and coordinated activities, including utilizing data mining 
to identify and reduce errors, waste, fraud, and abuse in programs 
administered by the Farm Service Agency. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the progress and results of the activities conducted under 
subsection (a). 
7 USC 6932 note. 
7 USC 1308–3a 
note. 
7 USC 1308 note. 
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132 STAT. 4527 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 1706. IMPLEMENTATION. 
(a) MAINTENANCE OF BASE ACRES AND PAYMENT YIELDS.—Sec-
tion 1614(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(a)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘, and as adjusted pursuant to sections 
1112 and 1113’’ before the period at the end. 
(b) STREAMLINING.—Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended by striking subsection (b) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) STREAMLINING.—In implementing this title and the amend-
ments made by this title, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) continue to reduce administrative burdens and costs 
to producers by streamlining and reducing paperwork, forms, 
and other administrative requirements, to ensure that— 
‘‘(A) a producer (or an agent of a producer) may report 
information, electronically (including geospatial data) or 
conventionally, to the Department of Agriculture, subject 
to the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) establishing reasonable levels of tolerance that 
reflect the differences in accuracy between measures 
of common land units and geospatial data; and 
‘‘(ii) ensuring that discrepancies that occur within 
the levels of tolerance established under clause (i) shall 
not be used to penalize a producer (or an agent of 
a producer) under any program administered by the 
Department of Agriculture; 
‘‘(B) on the request of a producer (or an agent of 
a producer), the Department of Agriculture electronically 
shares with the producer (or agent) in real time and with-
out cost to the producer (or agent) the common land unit 
data, related farm level data, conservation practices, and 
other information of the producer through a single Depart-
ment of Agriculture-wide login; 
‘‘(C) not later than September 30, 2020, the Adminis-
trator of the Risk Management Agency and the Adminis-
trator of the Farm Service Agency shall implement a con-
sistent method for determining crop acreage, acreage yields, 
farm acreage, property descriptions, and other common 
informational requirements, including measures of common 
land units; 
‘‘(D) except in the case of misrepresentation, fraud, 
or scheme and device, no crop insurance agent, approved 
insurance provider, or employee or contractor of a crop 
insurance agency or approved insurance provider bears 
responsibility or liability under the Acreage Crop Reporting 
and Streamlining Initiative (or any successor or similar 
initiative) for the eligibility of a producer for a program 
administered by the Department of Agriculture, not 
including a policy or plan of insurance offered under the 
Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and 
‘‘(E) on request of a crop insurance agent or approved 
insurance provider required to deliver policies and plans 
of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) the crop insurance agent or approved 
insurance provider receives, in a timely manner, any 
information held by the Farm Service Agency that is nec-
essary to ensure effective crop insurance coverage for 
farmer customers; 
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132 STAT. 4528 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) continue to improve coordination, information sharing, 
and administrative work among the Farm Service Agency, Risk 
Management Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 
and other agencies, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(3) continue to take advantage of new technologies to 
enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of 
Department of Agriculture programs to producers, including 
by developing and making publicly available data standards 
and security procedures to allow third-party providers to 
develop applications that use or feed data (including geospatial 
and precision agriculture data) into the datasets and analyses 
of the Department of Agriculture; and 
‘‘(4) reduce administrative burdens on producers partici-
pating in price loss coverage or agriculture risk coverage by 
offering— 
‘‘(A) those producers an option to remotely and elec-
tronically sign annual contracts for that coverage; and 
‘‘(B) to the maximum extent practicable, an option 
to sign a multiyear contract for that coverage.’’. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—Section 1614(c) of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(4) AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018.—The Sec-
retary shall make available to the Farm Service Agency to 
carry out title I of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 
and the amendments made by that title $15,500,000.’’. 
(d) LOAN IMPLEMENTATION.—Section 1614(d)(1) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) is amended by striking 
‘‘under subtitles’’ and all that follows through ‘‘except’’ and inserting 
‘‘under subtitle B or C, under the amendments made by subtitle 
B or C, or under the amendments made by subtitle B or C of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, except’’. 
(e) DEOBLIGATION
OF UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS.—Section 
1614 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) DEOBLIGATION OF UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), any payment 
obligated or otherwise made available by the Secretary under 
this title on or after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 that is not disbursed to the recipient 
by the date that is 5 years after the date on which the payment 
is obligated or otherwise made available shall— 
‘‘(A) be deobligated; and 
‘‘(B) revert to the Treasury. 
‘‘(2) OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), any pay-
ment obligated or otherwise made available by the Farm 
Service Agency (or any predecessor agency of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture) under the laws described in subpara-
graph (B) before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018, that is not disbursed by the 
date that is 5 years after the date on which the payment 
is obligated or otherwise made available shall— 
‘‘(i) be deobligated; and 
‘‘(ii) revert to the Treasury. 
‘‘(B) LAWS
DESCRIBED.—The laws referred to in 
subparagraph (A) are any of the following: 
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132 STAT. 4529 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) This title. 
‘‘(ii) Title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8702 et seq.). 
‘‘(iii) Title I of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7901 et seq.). 
‘‘(iv) The Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.). 
‘‘(v) Titles I through XI of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Public Law 101– 
624; 104 Stat. 3374) and the amendments made by 
those titles. 
‘‘(vi) Titles I through X of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (Public Law 99–198; 99 Stat. 1362) and the 
amendments made by those titles. 
‘‘(vii) Titles I through XI of the Agriculture and 
Food Act of 1981 (Public Law 97–98; 95 Stat. 1218) 
and the amendments made by those titles. 
‘‘(viii) Titles I through X of the Food and Agri-
culture Act of 1977 (Public Law 95–113; 91 Stat. 917) 
and the amendments made by those titles. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may delay the date of the 
deobligation and reversion under paragraph (1) or (2) of any 
payment— 
‘‘(A) that is the subject of— 
‘‘(i) ongoing administrative review or appeal; 
‘‘(ii) litigation; or 
‘‘(iii) the settlement of an estate; or 
‘‘(B) for which the Secretary otherwise determines that 
the circumstances are such that the delay is equitable.’’. 
(f) REPORT.—Section 1614 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 9097) (as amended by subsection (e)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) REPORT.—Not later than January 1, 2020, and each January 
1 thereafter through January 1, 2023, 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 that describes the tilled native sod acreage that 
was subject to a reduction in benefits under section 196(a)(4)(B) 
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 
(7 U.S.C. 7333(a)(4)(B) and section 508(o)(2) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(o)(2))— 
‘‘(1) as of the date of submission of the report; and 
‘‘(2) by State and county, relative to the total acres of 
cropland in the State or county.’’. 
SEC. 1707. EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
FOR CERTAIN PRODUCERS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF EXEMPTED PRODUCER.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘exempted producer’’ means an individual or entity that is 
eligible to participate in— 
(1) a conservation program under title II or a law amended 
by title II; 
(2) an indemnity or disease control program under the 
Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8301 et seq.) or the 
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.); or 
(3) a commodity program under title I of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq.), excluding the assistance 
31 USC 6101 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4530 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
provided to users of cotton under sections 1207(c) and 1208 
of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9037(c), 9038). 
(b) 
EXEMPTION.—Notwithstanding 
the 
Federal 
Funding 
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (Public Law 109– 
282; 31 U.S.C. 6101 note), the requirements of parts 25 and 170 
of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), 
shall not apply with respect to assistance received by an exempted 
producer from the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, the Administrator of the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service, or the Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency. 
TITLE II—CONSERVATION 
Subtitle A—Wetland Conservation 
SEC. 2101. WETLAND CONVERSION. 
Section 1221(d) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3821(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Except as’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) DUTY OF THE SECRETARY.—No person shall become 
ineligible under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that 
an exemption under section 1222(b) applies to that person.’’. 
SEC. 2102. WETLAND CONSERVATION. 
Section 1222(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3822(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘No program’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—No program’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by inserting ‘‘, 
which, except as provided in paragraph (2), shall be conducted 
in the presence of the affected person’’ before the period at 
the end; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may conduct an on-site 
visit under paragraph (1) without the affected person present 
if the Secretary has made a reasonable effort to include the 
presence of the affected person at the on-site visit.’’. 
SEC. 2103. MITIGATION BANKING. 
Section 1222(k)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3822(k)(1)(B)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this paragraph $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’. 
Subtitle B—Conservation Reserve Program 
SEC. 2201. CONSERVATION RESERVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4531 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(b) ELIGIBLE LAND.—Section 1231(b) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘Agricultural Act of 
2014 (except for land enrolled in the conservation reserve pro-
gram as of that date)’’ and inserting ‘‘Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, on the condition that the Secretary shall consider 
to be planted cropland enrolled in the conservation reserve 
program’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
(5) and (6), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) cropland, marginal pasture land, and grasslands that 
will have a positive impact on water quality and will be devoted 
to— 
‘‘(A) a grass sod waterway; 
‘‘(B) a contour grass sod strip; 
‘‘(C) a prairie strip; 
‘‘(D) a filterstrip; 
‘‘(E) a riparian buffer; 
‘‘(F) a wetland or a wetland buffer; 
‘‘(G) a saturated buffer; 
‘‘(H) a bioreactor; or 
‘‘(I) another similar water quality practice, as deter-
mined by the Secretary;’’; 
(4) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘or filterstrips 
or riparian buffers devoted to trees, shrubs, or grasses’’ 
and inserting ‘‘salt tolerant vegetation, field borders, or 
practices to benefit State or federally identified wellhead 
protection areas’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘or’’ after the 
semicolon; 
(5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
(B)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; 
and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) as determined by the Secretary, land— 
‘‘(A) that was enrolled in the conservation reserve pro-
gram under a 15-year contract that expired on September 
30, 2017, or September 30, 2018; 
‘‘(B) for which there was no opportunity for additional 
enrollment in that program; and 
‘‘(C) on which the conservation practice under the 
expired contract under subparagraph (A) is maintained.’’. 
(c) ENROLLMENT.—Section 1231(d) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) fiscal year 2019, not more than 24,000,000 acres; 
‘‘(B) fiscal year 2020, not more than 24,500,000 acres; 
‘‘(C) fiscal year 2021, not more than 25,000,000 acres; 
‘‘(D) fiscal year 2022, not more than 25,500,000 acres; 
and 
‘‘(E) fiscal year 2023, not more than 27,000,000 acres.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting 
the following: 
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132 STAT. 4532 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) LIMITATION.—For purposes of applying the limita-
tions in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary shall enroll and maintain in 
the conservation reserve not fewer than 2,000,000 acres 
of the land described in subsection (b)(3) by September 
30, 2023; and 
‘‘(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the 
conservation reserve at any one time during— 
‘‘(I) fiscal year 2019, 1,000,000 acres; 
‘‘(II) fiscal year 2020, 1,500,000 acres; and 
‘‘(III) fiscal years 2021 through 2023, 2,000,000 
acres. 
‘‘(B) PRIORITY.—In enrolling acres under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary may give priority to land, as determined 
by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) with expiring conservation reserve contracts; 
‘‘(ii) at risk of conversion or development; or 
‘‘(iii) of ecological significance, including land 
that— 
‘‘(I) may assist in the restoration of threatened 
or endangered species under the Endangered Spe-
cies Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(II) may assist in preventing a species from 
being listed as a threatened or endangered species 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); or 
‘‘(III) improves or creates wildlife habitat cor-
ridors.’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘In enrolling’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In enrolling’’; 
(ii) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘a continuous’’ and inserting ‘‘an annual’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) TIMING OF GRASSLAND RANKING PERIOD.—For 
purposes of grasslands described in subsection (b)(3), 
the Secretary shall announce at least 1 ranking period 
subsequent to the announcement of general enrollment 
offers.’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) RESERVATION OF UNENROLLED ACRES.—If the Sec-
retary is unable in a fiscal year to enroll enough acres 
of land described in subsection (b)(3) to meet the number 
of acres described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph 
(A) for the fiscal year— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary shall reserve the remaining 
number of acres for that fiscal year for the enrollment 
of land described in subsection (b)(3); and 
‘‘(ii) that number of acres shall not be available 
for the enrollment of any other type of eligible land.’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) WATER QUALITY PRACTICES TO FOSTER CLEAN LAKES, 
ESTUARIES, AND RIVERS (CLEAR INITIATIVE).— 
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132 STAT. 4533 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall give priority 
within continuous enrollment under paragraph (6) to the 
enrollment of land described in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(B) SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT LOADINGS.—In carrying 
out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority 
to the implementation of practices on land that, if enrolled, 
will help reduce sediment loadings, nutrient loadings, and 
harmful algal blooms, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) ACREAGE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Of the acres maintained in the 
conservation reserve in accordance with paragraph (1), 
to the maximum extent practicable, not less than 40 
percent of acres enrolled in the conservation reserve 
using continuous enrollment under paragraph (6) shall 
be of land described in subsection (b)(4). 
‘‘(ii) LIMITATION.—The acres described in clause 
(i) shall not include grasslands described in subsection 
(b)(3). 
‘‘(D) REPORT.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) in the monthly publication of the Secretary 
describing conservation reserve program statistics, 
include a description of enrollments through the pri-
ority under this paragraph; and 
‘‘(ii) publish on the website of the Farm Service 
Agency an annual report describing a summary of, 
with respect to the enrollment priority under this para-
graph— 
‘‘(I) new enrollments; 
‘‘(II) expirations; 
‘‘(III) geographic distribution; and 
‘‘(IV) estimated water quality benefits. 
‘‘(4) STATE ENROLLMENT RATES.—At the beginning of each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall allocate to the States propor-
tionately 60 percent of the available number of acres each 
year for enrollment in the conservation reserve, in accordance 
with historical State enrollment rates, taking into consider-
ation— 
‘‘(A) the average number of acres of all land enrolled 
in the conservation reserve in each State during each of 
fiscal years 2007 through 2016; 
‘‘(B) the average number of acres of all land enrolled 
in the conservation reserve nationally during each of fiscal 
years 2007 through 2016; and 
‘‘(C) the acres available for enrollment during each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, excluding acres described 
in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(5) FREQUENCY.—In carrying out this subchapter, for con-
tracts that are not available on a continuous enrollment basis, 
the Secretary shall hold a signup and enrollment not less 
often than once each year. 
‘‘(6) CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To the maximum extent practicable, 
the Secretary shall allow producers to submit applications 
on a continuous basis for enrollment in— 
‘‘(i) the conservation reserve of— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) marginal pasture land described in sub-
section (b)(2); 
‘‘(II) land described in subsection (b)(4); and 
‘‘(III) cropland described in subsection (b)(5); 
and 
‘‘(ii) the conservation reserve enhancement pro-
gram under section 1231A. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—For purposes of applying the limita-
tions in paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, enroll and maintain not fewer than 
8,600,000 acres of land under subparagraph (A) by 
September 30, 2023; and 
‘‘(ii) in carrying out clause (i), to the maximum 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall maintain in the 
conservation reserve at any one time during— 
‘‘(I) fiscal year 2019, 8,000,000 acres; 
‘‘(II) fiscal year 2020, 8,250,000 acres; 
‘‘(III) fiscal year 2021, 8,500,000 acres; and 
‘‘(IV) fiscal years 2022 and 2023, 8,600,000 
acres.’’. 
(d) ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION.—Section 1231(h) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(h)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘On the expiration’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—On the expiration’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) REENROLLMENT LIMITATION FOR CERTAIN LAND.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), land subject to a contract entered into under this 
subchapter shall be eligible for only one reenrollment in 
the conservation reserve under paragraph (1) if the land 
is devoted to hardwood trees. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
to— 
‘‘(i) riparian forested buffers; 
‘‘(ii) forested wetlands enrolled under subsection 
(d)(3) or the conservation reserve enhancement pro-
gram under section 1231A; and 
‘‘(iii) shelterbelts.’’. 
SEC. 2202. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D 
of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by inserting 
after section 1231 (16 U.S.C. 3831) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1231A. CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CREP.—The term ‘CREP’ means a conservation reserve 
enhancement program carried out under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE LAND.—The term ‘eligible land’ means land 
that is eligible to be included in the program established under 
this subchapter. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE
PARTNER.—The term ‘eligible partner’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) a State; 
‘‘(B) a political subdivision of a State; 
16 USC 3831a. 
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132 STAT. 4535 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304)); or 
‘‘(D) a nongovernmental organization. 
‘‘(4) MANAGEMENT.—The term ‘management’ means an 
activity conducted by an owner or operator under a contract 
entered into under this subchapter after the establishment 
of a conservation practice on eligible land, to regularly maintain 
or enhance the vegetative cover established by the conservation 
practice— 
‘‘(A) throughout the term of the contract; and 
‘‘(B) consistent with the conservation plan that covers 
the eligible land. 
‘‘(b) AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may enter into an agree-
ment with an eligible partner to carry out a conservation 
reserve enhancement program— 
‘‘(A) to assist in enrolling eligible land in the program 
established under this subchapter; and 
‘‘(B) that the Secretary determines will advance the 
purposes of this subchapter. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—An agreement entered into under para-
graph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) describe— 
‘‘(i) 1 or more specific State or nationally significant 
conservation concerns to be addressed by the agree-
ment; 
‘‘(ii) 
quantifiable 
environmental 
goals 
for 
addressing the concerns under clause (i); 
‘‘(iii) a suitable acreage goal for enrollment of 
eligible land under the agreement, as determined by 
the Secretary; 
‘‘(iv) the location of eligible land to be enrolled 
in the project area identified under the agreement; 
‘‘(v) the payments to be offered by the Secretary 
and eligible partner to an owner or operator; and 
‘‘(vi) an appropriate list of conservation reserve 
program conservation practices that are appropriate 
to meeting the concerns described under clause (i), 
as determined by the Secretary in consultation with 
eligible partners; 
‘‘(B) subject to subparagraph (C), require the eligible 
partner to provide matching funds— 
‘‘(i) in an amount determined during a negotiation 
between the Secretary and 1 or more eligible partners, 
if the majority of the matching funds to carry out 
the agreement are provided by 1 or more eligible part-
ners that are not nongovernmental organizations; or 
‘‘(ii) in an amount not less than 30 percent of 
the cost required to carry out the conservation meas-
ures and practices described in the agreement, if a 
majority of the matching funds to carry out the agree-
ment are provided by 1 or more nongovernmental 
organizations; and 
‘‘(C) include procedures to allow for a temporary waiver 
of the matching requirements under subparagraph (B), or 
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132 STAT. 4536 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
continued enrollment with a temporary suspension of incen-
tives or eligible partner contributions for new agreements, 
during a period when an eligible partner loses the authority 
or ability to provide matching contributions, if the Sec-
retary determines that the temporary waiver or continued 
enrollment with a temporary suspension will advance the 
purposes of this subchapter. 
‘‘(3) EFFECT ON EXISTING AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), an 
agreement under this subsection shall not affect, modify, 
or interfere with existing agreements under this sub-
chapter. 
‘‘(B) MODIFICATION
OF
EXISTING
AGREEMENTS.—To 
implement this section, the signatories to an agreement 
under this subsection may mutually agree to a modification 
of an agreement entered into before the date of enactment 
of this section under the Conservation Reserve Enhance-
ment Program established by the Secretary under this 
subchapter. 
‘‘(c) PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) MATCHING
REQUIREMENT.—Funds provided by an 
eligible partner may be in cash, in-kind contributions, or tech-
nical assistance, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) MARGINAL PASTURELAND COST-SHARE PAYMENTS.—The 
Secretary shall ensure that cost-share payments to an owner 
or operator to install stream fencing, crossings, and alternative 
water development on marginal pastureland under a CREP 
reflect the fair market value of the cost of installation. 
‘‘(3) COST-SHARE AND PRACTICE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—On request of an owner or operator, 
the Secretary shall provide cost-share payments when a 
major component of a conservation practice is completed 
under a CREP, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) EXEMPTION.—For purposes of implementing con-
servation practices on land enrolled under a CREP, the 
Secretary may waive the contribution limitation described 
in section 1234(b)(2)(A). 
‘‘(4) RIPARIAN BUFFER MANAGEMENT PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In the case of an agreement under 
subsection (b)(1) that includes riparian buffers as an 
eligible practice, the Secretary shall make cost-share pay-
ments to encourage the regular management of the riparian 
buffer throughout the term of the agreement, consistent 
with the conservation plan that covers the eligible land. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The amount of payments received 
by an owner or operator under subparagraph (A) shall 
not be greater than 100 percent of the normal and cus-
tomary projected management cost, as determined by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the applicable State tech-
nical committee established under section 1261(a). 
‘‘(d) FORESTED RIPARIAN BUFFER PRACTICE.— 
‘‘(1) FOOD-PRODUCING WOODY PLANTS.—In the case of an 
agreement under subsection (b)(1) that includes forested 
riparian buffers as an eligible practice, the Secretary shall 
allow an owner or operator— 
‘‘(A) to plant food-producing woody plants in the for-
ested riparian buffers, on the conditions that— 
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132 STAT. 4537 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) the plants shall contribute to the conservation 
of soil, water quality, and wildlife habitat; and 
‘‘(ii) the planting shall be consistent with— 
‘‘(I) recommendations of the applicable State 
technical committee established under section 
1261(a); and 
‘‘(II) 
technical 
guide 
standards 
of 
the 
applicable field office of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service; and 
‘‘(B) to harvest from plants described in subparagraph 
(A), on the conditions that— 
‘‘(i) the harvesting shall not damage the conserving 
cover or otherwise have a negative impact on the con-
servation concerns targeted by the CREP; 
‘‘(ii) only native plant species appropriate to the 
region shall be used within 35 feet of the watercourse; 
and 
‘‘(iii) the producer shall be subject to a reduction 
in the rental rate commensurate to the value of the 
crop harvested. 
‘‘(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—For the purpose of enrolling 
forested riparian buffers in a CREP, the Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency shall coordinate with the applicable State 
forestry agency. 
‘‘(e) DROUGHT AND WATER CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS.—In the 
case of an agreement under subsection (b)(1) to address regional 
drought concerns, in accordance with the conservation purposes 
of the CREP, the Secretary, in consultation with the applicable 
State technical committee established under section 1261(a), may— 
‘‘(1) notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), enroll other agricul-
tural land on which the resource concerns identified in the 
agreement can be addressed if the enrollment of the land is 
critical to the accomplishment of the purposes of the agreement; 
‘‘(2) permit dryland agricultural uses with the adoption 
of best management practices on enrolled land if the agreement 
involves the significant long-term reduction of consumptive 
water use and dryland production is compatible with the agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(3) calculate annual rental payments consistent with 
existing administrative practice for similar drought and water 
conservation agreements under this subtitle and ensure 
regional consistency in those rates. 
‘‘(f) STATUS REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the end 
of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
that describes, with respect to each agreement entered into under 
subsection (b)(1)— 
‘‘(1) the status of the agreement; 
‘‘(2) the purposes and objectives of the agreement; 
‘‘(3) the Federal and eligible partner commitments made 
under the agreement; and 
‘‘(4) the progress made in fulfilling those commitments.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 1240R(c)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839bb–5(c)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘a special 
conservation reserve enhancement program described in section 
1234(f)(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘a conservation reserve enhancement 
program under section 1231A’’. 
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132 STAT. 4538 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) Section 1244(f)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3844(f)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘subsection 
(d)(2)(A)(ii) or (g)(2) of section 1234’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
1231A’’. 
SEC. 2203. FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM. 
Section 1231B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3831b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)(2), by striking ‘‘1234(d)(2)(A)(ii)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘1234(d)’’. 
SEC. 2204. PILOT PROGRAMS. 
Subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after section 
1231B (16 U.S.C. 3831b) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1231C. PILOT PROGRAMS. 
‘‘(a) CLEAR 30.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) ENROLLMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a 
pilot program to enroll land in the conservation reserve 
program through a 30-year conservation reserve contract 
(referred to in this subsection as a ‘CLEAR 30 contract’) 
in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSION OF ACREAGE LIMITATION.—For purposes 
of applying the limitations in section 1231(d)(1), the Sec-
retary shall include acres of land enrolled under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(2) EXPIRED CONSERVATION CONTRACT ELECTION.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF COVERED CONTRACT.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘covered contract’ means a contract entered 
into under this subchapter that— 
‘‘(i) expires on or after the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and 
‘‘(ii) covers land enrolled in the conservation 
reserve program under the clean lakes, estuaries, and 
rivers priority described in section 1231(d)(3) (or the 
predecessor practices that constitute the priority, as 
determined by the Secretary). 
‘‘(B) ELECTION.—On the expiration of a covered con-
tract, an owner or operator party to the covered contract 
shall elect— 
‘‘(i) not to reenroll the land under the contract; 
‘‘(ii) to offer to reenroll the land under the contract 
if the land remains eligible under the terms in effect 
as of the date of expiration; or 
‘‘(iii) not to reenroll the land under the contract 
and to enroll that land through a CLEAR 30 contract 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE LAND.—Only land that is subject to an expired 
covered contract shall be eligible for enrollment through a 
CLEAR 30 contract under this subsection. 
‘‘(4) TERM.—The term of a CLEAR 30 contract shall be 
30 years. 
‘‘(5) AGREEMENTS.—To be eligible to enroll land in the 
conservation reserve program through a CLEAR 30 contract, 
16 USC 3831c. 
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132 STAT. 4539 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the owner of the land shall enter into an agreement with 
the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) to implement a conservation reserve plan devel-
oped for the land; 
‘‘(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
contract and any related agreements; and 
‘‘(C) to temporarily suspend the base history for the 
land covered by the contract. 
‘‘(6) TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS
OF
CLEAR
30
CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A CLEAR 30 contract shall include 
terms and conditions that— 
‘‘(i) permit— 
‘‘(I) repairs, improvements, and inspections on 
the land that are necessary to maintain existing 
public drainage systems; and 
‘‘(II) owners to control public access on the 
land while identifying access routes to be used 
for restoration activities and management and con-
tract monitoring; 
‘‘(ii) prohibit— 
‘‘(I) the alteration of wildlife habitat and other 
natural features of the land, unless specifically 
authorized by the Secretary as part of the con-
servation reserve plan; 
‘‘(II) the spraying of the land with chemicals 
or the mowing of the land, except where the 
spraying or mowing is authorized by the Secretary 
or is necessary— 
‘‘(aa) to comply with Federal or State nox-
ious weed control laws; 
‘‘(bb) to comply with a Federal or State 
emergency pest treatment program; or 
‘‘(cc) to meet habitat needs of specific wild-
life species; 
‘‘(III) any activity to be carried out on the 
land of the owner or successor that is immediately 
adjacent to, and functionally related to, the land 
that is subject to the contract if the activity will 
alter, degrade, or otherwise diminish the func-
tional value of the land; and 
‘‘(IV) the adoption of any other practice that 
would tend to defeat the purposes of the conserva-
tion reserve program, as determined by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(iii) include any additional provision that the Sec-
retary determines is appropriate to carry out this sec-
tion or facilitate the practical administration of this 
section. 
‘‘(B) VIOLATION.—On the violation of a term or condi-
tion of a CLEAR 30 contract, the Secretary may require 
the owner to refund all or part of any payments received 
by the owner under the conservation reserve program, with 
interest on the payments, as determined appropriate by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) COMPATIBLE USES.—Land subject to a CLEAR 30 
contract may be used for compatible economic uses, 
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132 STAT. 4540 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
including hunting and fishing, managed timber harvest, 
or periodic haying or grazing, if the use— 
‘‘(i) is specifically permitted by the conservation 
reserve plan developed for the land; and 
‘‘(ii) is consistent with the long-term protection 
and enhancement of the conservation resources for 
which the contract was established. 
‘‘(7) COMPENSATION.— 
‘‘(A) AMOUNT OF PAYMENTS.—The Secretary shall pro-
vide payment under this subsection to an owner of land 
enrolled through a CLEAR 30 contract using 30 annual 
payments in an amount equal to the amount that would 
be used if the land were to be enrolled in the conservation 
reserve program under section 1231(d)(3). 
‘‘(B) FORM OF PAYMENT.—Compensation for a CLEAR 
30 contract shall be provided by the Secretary in the form 
of a cash payment in an amount determined under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(C) TIMING.—The Secretary shall provide any annual 
payment obligation under subparagraph (A) as early as 
practicable in each fiscal year. 
‘‘(D) PAYMENTS TO OTHERS.—The Secretary shall make 
a payment, in accordance with regulations prescribed by 
the Secretary, in a manner as the Secretary determines 
is fair and reasonable under the circumstances, if an owner 
who is entitled to a payment under this section— 
‘‘(i) dies; 
‘‘(ii) becomes incompetent; 
‘‘(iii) is succeeded by another person or entity who 
renders or completes the required performance; or 
‘‘(iv) is otherwise unable to receive the payment. 
‘‘(8) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall assist owners 
in complying with the terms and conditions of a CLEAR 
30 contract. 
‘‘(B) CONTRACTS OR AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary may 
enter into 1 or more contracts with private entities or 
agreements with a State, nongovernmental organization, 
or Indian Tribe to carry out necessary maintenance of 
a CLEAR 30 contract if the Secretary determines that 
the contract or agreement will advance the purposes of 
the conservation reserve program. 
‘‘(9) ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(A) CONSERVATION
RESERVE
PLAN.—The Secretary 
shall develop a conservation reserve plan for any land 
subject to a CLEAR 30 contract, which shall include prac-
tices and activities necessary to maintain, protect, and 
enhance the conservation value of the enrolled land. 
‘‘(B) DELEGATION OF CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION.— 
‘‘(i) FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGEN-
CIES.—The Secretary may delegate any of the manage-
ment, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities of 
the Secretary under this subsection to other Federal, 
State, or local government agencies that have the 
appropriate authority, expertise, and resources nec-
essary to carry out those delegated responsibilities. 
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132 STAT. 4541 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) CONSERVATION
ORGANIZATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may delegate any management responsibilities 
of the Secretary under this subsection to conservation 
organizations if the Secretary determines the conserva-
tion organization has similar expertise and resources. 
‘‘(b) SOIL HEALTH AND INCOME PROTECTION PILOT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE LAND.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘eligible land’ means crop-
land that— 
‘‘(i) is selected by the owner or operator of the 
land for proposed enrollment in the pilot program 
under this subsection; and 
‘‘(ii) as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(I) is located within 1 or more States that 
are part of the prairie pothole region, as selected 
by the Secretary based on consultation with State 
Committees of the Farm Service Agency and State 
technical committees established under section 
1261(a) from that region; 
‘‘(II) had a cropping history or was considered 
to be planted during each of the 3 crop years 
preceding enrollment; and 
‘‘(III) is verified to be less-productive land, as 
compared to other land on the applicable farm. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘eligible land’ does not 
include any land that was enrolled in a conservation 
reserve program contract in any of the 3 crop years pre-
ceding enrollment in the pilot program under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a vol-
untary soil health and income protection pilot program 
under which eligible land is enrolled through the use of 
contracts to assist owners and operators of eligible land 
to conserve and improve the soil, water, and wildlife 
resources of the eligible land. 
‘‘(B) DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION.—Eligible land may 
be enrolled in the program under this section through 
December 31, 2020. 
‘‘(3) CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIREMENTS.—A contract described in para-
graph (2) shall— 
‘‘(i) be entered into by the Secretary, the owner 
of the eligible land, and (if applicable) the operator 
of the eligible land; and 
‘‘(ii) provide that, during the term of the contract— 
‘‘(I) the lowest practicable cost perennial con-
serving use cover crop for the eligible land, as 
determined by the applicable State conservationist 
after considering the advice of the applicable State 
technical committee, shall be planted on the 
eligible land; 
‘‘(II) except as provided in subparagraph (E), 
the owner or operator of the eligible land shall 
pay the cost of planting the conserving use cover 
crop under subclause (I); 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) subject to subparagraph (F), the eligible 
land may be harvested for seed, hayed, or grazed 
outside the primary nesting season established for 
the applicable county; 
‘‘(IV) the eligible land may be eligible for a 
walk-in access program of the applicable State, 
if any; and 
‘‘(V) a nonprofit wildlife organization may pro-
vide to the owner or operator of the eligible land 
a payment in exchange for an agreement by the 
owner or operator not to harvest the conserving 
use cover. 
‘‘(B) PAYMENTS.—Except as provided in subparagraphs 
(E) and (F)(ii)(II), the annual rental rate for a payment 
under a contract described in paragraph (2) shall be equal 
to 50 percent of the average rental rate for the applicable 
county under section 1234(d), as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(C) LIMITATION ON ENROLLED LAND.—Not more than 
15 percent of the eligible land on a farm may be enrolled 
in the pilot program under this subsection. 
‘‘(D) TERM.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), each contract described in paragraph (2) shall be 
for a term of 3, 4, or 5 years, as determined by the 
parties to the contract. 
‘‘(ii) EARLY TERMINATION.— 
‘‘(I) SECRETARY.—The Secretary may termi-
nate a contract described in paragraph (2) before 
the end of the term described in clause (i) if the 
Secretary determines that the early termination 
of the contract is necessary. 
‘‘(II) OWNERS AND OPERATORS.—An owner and 
(if applicable) an operator of eligible land enrolled 
in the pilot program under this subsection may 
terminate a contract described in paragraph (2) 
before the end of the term described in clause 
(i) if the owner and (if applicable) the operator 
pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the 
amount of rental payments received under the con-
tract. 
‘‘(E) BEGINNING, LIMITED
RESOURCE, SOCIALLY
DIS-
ADVANTAGED, OR VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.—With 
respect to a beginning, limited resource, socially disadvan-
taged, or veteran farmer or rancher, as determined by 
the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) a contract described in paragraph (2) shall 
provide that, during the term of the contract, of the 
actual cost of establishment of the conserving use cover 
crop under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I)— 
‘‘(I) using the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall pay 50 percent; 
and 
‘‘(II) the beginning, limited resource, socially 
disadvantaged, or veteran farmer or rancher shall 
pay 50 percent; and 
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132 STAT. 4543 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) the annual rental rate for a payment under 
a contract described in paragraph (2) shall be equal 
to 75 percent of the average rental rate for the 
applicable county under section 1234(d), as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(F) HARVESTING, 
HAYING, 
AND
GRAZING
OUTSIDE 
APPLICABLE PERIOD.—The harvesting for seed, haying, or 
grazing of eligible land under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III) out-
side of the primary nesting season established for the 
applicable county shall be subject to the conditions that— 
‘‘(i) with respect to eligible land that is so hayed 
or grazed, adequate stubble height shall be maintained 
to protect the soil on the eligible land, as determined 
by the applicable State conservationist after consid-
ering the advice of the applicable State technical com-
mittee; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to eligible land that is so har-
vested for seed— 
‘‘(I) the eligible land shall not be eligible to 
be insured or reinsured under the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.); and 
‘‘(II) the rental payment otherwise applicable 
to the eligible land under this subsection shall 
be reduced by 25 percent. 
‘‘(4) ACREAGE LIMITATION.—Of the number of acres avail-
able for enrollment in the conservation reserve under section 
1231(d)(1), not more than 50,000 total acres of eligible land 
may be enrolled under the pilot program under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
an annual report describing the eligible land enrolled in the 
pilot program under this subsection, including— 
‘‘(A) the estimated conservation value of the land; and 
‘‘(B) estimated savings from reduced commodity pay-
ments, crop insurance indemnities, and crop insurance pre-
mium subsidies.’’. 
SEC. 2205. DUTIES OF OWNERS AND OPERATORS. 
Section 1232(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3832(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) and (11) as paragraphs 
(11) and (12), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following: 
‘‘(10) on land devoted to hardwood or other trees, excluding 
windbreaks and shelterbelts, to carry out proper thinning and 
other practices— 
‘‘(A) to enhance the conservation benefits and wildlife 
habitat resources addressed by the conservation practice 
under which the land is enrolled; and 
‘‘(B) to promote forest management;’’. 
SEC. 2206. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 
(a) COST-SHARE AND RENTAL PAYMENTS.—Section 1233(a) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, including the cost 
of fencing and other water distribution practices, if applicable’’ 
after ‘‘interest’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4544 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘in an amount necessary to compensate’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, in accordance with section 1234(d),’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, marginal pastureland,’’ after 
‘‘cropland’’; and 
(ii) by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(C) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subpara-
graph (B). 
(b) SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES PERMITTED.—Section 1233 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3833) is amended by striking 
subsection (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES PERMITTED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in coordination with the 
applicable State technical committee established under section 
1261(a), shall permit certain activities or commercial uses of 
established cover on land that is subject to a contract under 
the conservation reserve program if— 
‘‘(A) those activities or uses— 
‘‘(i) are consistent with the conservation of soil, 
water quality, and wildlife habitat; 
‘‘(ii) are subject to appropriate restrictions during 
the primary nesting season for birds in the local area 
that are economically significant, in significant decline, 
or conserved in accordance with Federal or State law; 
‘‘(iii) contribute to the health and vigor of the 
established cover; and 
‘‘(iv) are consistent with a site-specific plan, 
including 
vegetative 
management 
requirements, 
stocking rates, and frequency and duration of activity, 
taking into consideration regional differences, such as 
climate, soil type, and natural resources; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary, in coordination with the State tech-
nical committee, includes contract modifications— 
‘‘(i) without any reduction in the rental rate for— 
‘‘(I) emergency haying, emergency grazing, or 
other emergency use of the forage in response to 
a localized or regional drought, flooding, wildfire, 
or other emergency, on all practices, outside the 
primary nesting season, when— 
‘‘(aa) the county is designated as D2 
(severe drought) or greater according to the 
United States Drought Monitor; 
‘‘(bb) there is at least a 40 percent loss 
in forage production in the county; or 
‘‘(cc) the Secretary, in coordination with 
the State technical committee, determines that 
the program can assist in the response to a 
natural disaster event without permanent 
damage to the established cover; 
‘‘(II) emergency grazing on all practices during 
the primary nesting season if payments are 
authorized for a county under the livestock forage 
disaster program under clause (ii) of section 
1501(c)(3)(D) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
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132 STAT. 4545 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), at 50 percent of the normal 
carrying capacity determined under clause (i) of 
that section, adjusted to the site-specific plan; 
‘‘(III) emergency haying on certain practices, 
outside the primary nesting season, if payments 
are authorized for a county under the livestock 
forage disaster program under clause (ii) of section 
1501(c)(3)(D) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 9081(c)(3)(D)), on not more than 50 percent 
of contract acres, as identified in the site-specific 
plan; 
‘‘(IV) grazing of all practices, outside the pri-
mary nesting season, if included as a mid-contract 
management practice under section 1232(a)(5); 
‘‘(V) the intermittent and seasonal use of vege-
tative buffer established under paragraphs (4) and 
(5) of section 1231(b) that are incidental to agricul-
tural production on land adjacent to the buffer 
such that the permitted use— 
‘‘(aa) does not destroy the permanent vege-
tative cover; and 
‘‘(bb) retains suitable vegetative structure 
for wildlife cover and shelter outside the pri-
mary nesting season; or 
‘‘(VI) grazing on all practices, outside the pri-
mary nesting season, if conducted by a beginning 
farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(ii) with a 25 percent reduction in the annual 
rental rate for the acres covered by the authorized 
activity, including— 
‘‘(I) grazing not more frequently than every 
other year on the same land, except that during 
the primary nesting season, grazing shall be sub-
ject to a 50 percent reduction in the stocking rate 
specified in the site-specific plan; 
‘‘(II) grazing of all practices during the primary 
nesting season, with a 50 percent reduction in 
the stocking rate specified in the site-specific plan; 
‘‘(III) haying and other commercial use 
(including the managed harvesting of biomass and 
excluding the harvesting of vegetative cover), on 
the condition that the activity— 
‘‘(aa) is completed outside the primary 
nesting season; 
‘‘(bb) occurs not more than once every 3 
years; and 
‘‘(cc) maintains 25 percent of the total con-
tract acres unharvested, in accordance with 
a site-specific plan that provides for wildlife 
cover and shelter; 
‘‘(IV) annual grazing outside the primary 
nesting season if consistent with a site-specific 
plan that is authorized for the control of invasive 
species; and 
‘‘(V) the installation of wind turbines and asso-
ciated access, except that in permitting the 
installation of wind turbines, the Secretary shall 
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132 STAT. 4546 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
determine the number and location of wind tur-
bines that may be installed, taking into account— 
‘‘(aa) the location, size, and other physical 
characteristics of the land; 
‘‘(bb) the extent to which the land contains 
threatened or endangered wildlife and wildlife 
habitat; and 
‘‘(cc) the purposes of the conservation 
reserve program under this subchapter. 
‘‘(2) CONDITIONS ON HAYING AND GRAZING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may permit haying 
or grazing in accordance with paragraph (1) on any land 
or practice subject to a contract under the conservation 
reserve program. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) DAMAGE
TO
VEGETATIVE
COVER.—Haying or 
grazing described in paragraph (1) shall not be per-
mitted on land subject to a contract under the conserva-
tion reserve program, or under a particular practice, 
if haying or grazing for that year under that practice, 
as applicable, would cause long-term damage to vegeta-
tive cover on that land. 
‘‘(ii) SPECIAL AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
clause (II), haying or grazing described in para-
graph (1) shall not be permitted on— 
‘‘(aa) land covered by a contract enrolled 
under the State acres for wildlife enhancement 
program established by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(bb) land covered by a contract enrolled 
under a conservation reserve enhancement 
program established under section 1231A or 
the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Pro-
gram established by the Secretary under this 
subchapter. 
‘‘(II) EXCEPTION.—Subclause (I) shall not apply 
to land on which haying or grazing is specifically 
permitted 
under 
the 
applicable 
conservation 
reserve enhancement program agreement or other 
partnership agreement entered into under this 
subchapter.’’. 
(c) NATURAL DISASTER OR ADVERSE WEATHER AS MID-CONTRACT 
MANAGEMENT.—Section 1233 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3833) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) NATURAL DISASTER OR ADVERSE WEATHER AS MID-CON-
TRACT MANAGEMENT.—In the case of a natural disaster or adverse 
weather event that has the effect of a management practice con-
sistent with the conservation plan, the Secretary shall not require 
further management practices pursuant to section 1232(a)(5) that 
are intended to achieve the same effect.’’. 
SEC. 2207. PAYMENTS. 
(a) COST SHARING PAYMENTS.—Section 1234(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (2) through (4) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATIONS.— 
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132 STAT. 4547 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure, to the 
maximum extent practicable, that cost sharing payments 
to an owner or operator under this subchapter, when com-
bined with the sum of payments from all other funding 
sources for measures and practices described in paragraph 
(1), do not exceed 100 percent of the total actual cost 
of establishing those measures and practices, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) MID-CONTRACT MANAGEMENT GRAZING.—The Sec-
retary may not make any cost sharing payment to an 
owner or operator under this subchapter pursuant to sec-
tion 1232(a)(5). 
‘‘(C) SEED
COST.—In the case of seed costs related 
to the establishment of cover, cost sharing payments under 
this subchapter shall not exceed 50 percent of the actual 
cost of the seed mixture, as determined by the Secretary.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (3); 
(3) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘An 
owner’’ and inserting ‘‘Except in the case of incentive payments 
that are related to the cost of the establishment of a practice 
and received from eligible partners under the conservation 
reserve enhancement program under section 1231A, an owner’’; 
and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PRACTICE INCENTIVES FOR CONTINUOUS PRACTICES.— 
In addition to the cost sharing payment described in this sub-
section, the Secretary shall make an incentive payment to 
an owner or operator of land enrolled under section 1231(d)(6) 
in an amount not to exceed 50 percent of the actual cost 
of establishing all measures and practices described in para-
graph (1), including seed costs related to the establishment 
of cover, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.—Section 1234(c) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(c)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘INCENTIVE’’ and 
inserting ‘‘FOREST MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and 
inserting 
‘‘Using 
funds 
made 
available 
under 
section 
1241(a)(1)(A), the Secretary’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘150 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘100 percent’’. 
(c) ANNUAL RENTAL PAYMENTS.—Section 1234(d) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Secretary may consider, among 
other things, the amount’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘the 
Secretary shall consider— 
‘‘(A) the amount’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) the impact on the local farmland rental market; 
and 
‘‘(C) such other factors as the Secretary determines 
to be appropriate.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
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132 STAT. 4548 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting 
a period; 
(ii) by striking clause (ii); and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘determined through—’’ in the 
matter preceding clause (i) and all that follows through 
‘‘the submission of bids’’ in clause (i) and inserting 
‘‘determined through the submission of applications’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (C); 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: 
‘‘(B) MULTIPLE ENROLLMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), if land 
subject to a contract entered into under this subchapter 
is reenrolled under section 1231(h)(1) or has been pre-
viously enrolled in the conservation reserve, the annual 
rental payment shall be in an amount that is not 
more than 85 percent in the case of general enrollment 
contacts, or 90 percent in the case of continuous enroll-
ment contracts, of the applicable estimated average 
county rental rate published pursuant to paragraph 
(4) for the year in which the reenrollment occurs. 
‘‘(ii) CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PRO-
GRAM.—The reduction in annual rental payments 
under clause (i) may be waived as part of the negotia-
tion between the Secretary and an eligible partner 
to enter into a conservation reserve enhancement pro-
gram agreement under section 1231A.’’; 
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘In the case’’ and inserting ‘‘Notwithstanding 
subparagraph (A), in the case’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) CONTINUOUS SIGN-UP INCENTIVES.—The Secretary 
shall make an incentive payment to the owner or operator 
of land enrolled under section 1231(d)(6) at the time of 
initial enrollment in an amount equal to 32.5 percent of 
the amount of the first annual rental payment under 
subparagraph (A).’’; 
(3) by striking paragraph (4); 
(4) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4); and 
(5) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘, not less frequently than once 
every other year,’’ and inserting ‘‘annually’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, and shall publish the estimates 
derived from the survey not later than September 15 
of each year’’ before the period at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘and the average 
current and previous soil rental rates for each county’’ 
after ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘may use’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall consider’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) SUBMISSION OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BY STATE 
FSA OFFICES AND CREP PARTNERS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide an 
opportunity for State Committees of the Farm Service 
Agency or eligible partners (as defined in section 
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132 STAT. 4549 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
1231A(a)) in conservation reserve enhancement pro-
grams under section 1231A to propose an alternative 
soil rental rate prior to finalizing new rates, on the 
condition that documentation described in clause (ii) 
is provided to support the proposed alternative. 
‘‘(ii) ACCEPTABLE
DOCUMENTATION.—Documenta-
tion referred to in clause (i) includes— 
‘‘(I) an average of cash rents from a random 
sample of lease agreements; 
‘‘(II) cash rent estimates from a published 
survey; 
‘‘(III) neighboring county estimate comparisons 
from the National Agricultural Statistics Service; 
‘‘(IV) an average of cash rents from Farm 
Service Agency farm business plans; 
‘‘(V) models that estimate cash rents, such 
as models that use returns to estimate crop produc-
tion or land value data; or 
‘‘(VI) other documentation, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(iii) NOTIFICATION.—Not less than 14 days prior 
to the announcement of new or revised soil rental 
rates, the Secretary shall offer a briefing to the Chair-
man and Ranking Member of the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Chair-
man and Ranking Member of the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, 
including information on and the rationale for the 
alternative rates proposed under clause (i) that were 
accepted or rejected. 
‘‘(E) RENTAL RATE LIMITATION.—Notwithstanding forest 
management incentive payments described in subsection 
(c), the county average soil rental rate (before any adjust-
ments relating to specific practices, wellhead protection, 
or soil productivity) shall not exceed— 
‘‘(i) 85 percent of the estimated rental rate deter-
mined under this paragraph for general enrollment; 
or 
‘‘(ii) 90 percent of the estimated rental rate deter-
mined under this paragraph for continuous enroll-
ment.’’. 
(d) PAYMENT
LIMITATION
FOR
RENTAL
PAYMENTS.—Section 
1234(g) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834(g)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The total’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (2), the total’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) WELLHEAD
PROTECTION.—Paragraph (1) and section 
1001D(b) shall not apply to rental payments received by a 
rural water district or association for land that is enrolled 
under this subchapter for the purpose of protecting a wellhead.’’. 
SEC. 2208. CONTRACTS. 
(a) TRANSITION OPTION FOR CERTAIN FARMERS OR RANCHERS.— 
Section 1235(f) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835(f)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
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132 STAT. 4550 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘retired farmer or rancher’’ and inserting ‘‘contract 
holder’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘retired or retiring owner or operator’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘contract holder’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ‘‘1 year’’ and inserting ‘‘2 years’’; 
(D) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘, including a 
lease with a term of less than 5 years and an option 
to purchase’’ after ‘‘option to purchase’’; 
(E) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; 
(F) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph 
(F); and 
(G) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
‘‘(E) give priority to the enrollment of the land covered 
by the contract in— 
‘‘(i) the environmental quality incentives program 
established under subchapter A of chapter 4; 
‘‘(ii) the conservation stewardship program estab-
lished under subchapter B of chapter 4; or 
‘‘(iii) the agricultural conservation easement pro-
gram established under subtitle H; and’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘To the extent that 
the maximum number of acres permitted to be enrolled 
under the conservation reserve program has not been met, 
the Secretary’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(A)(i) is carried out on land described in paragraph 
(4) or (5) of section 1231(b); and 
‘‘(ii) is eligible for continuous enrollment under section 
1231(d)(6); and’’. 
(b) END
OF CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS.—Section 1235(g) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3835(g)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) END OF CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS.—The Secretary shall 
not consider an owner or operator to be in violation of a term 
or condition of the conservation reserve contract if— 
‘‘(1) during the year prior to expiration of the contract, 
the owner or operator— 
‘‘(A)(i) enters into a contract under the environmental 
quality incentives program established under subchapter 
A of chapter 4; and 
‘‘(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that 
contract; or 
‘‘(B)(i) enters into a contract under the conservation 
stewardship program established under subchapter B of 
chapter 4; and 
‘‘(ii) begins the establishment of a practice under that 
contract; or 
‘‘(2) during the 3 years prior to the expiration of the con-
tract, the owner or operator begins the certification process 
under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
6501 et seq.).’’. 
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132 STAT. 4551 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 2209. ELIGIBLE LAND; STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS. 
The Secretary shall revise paragraph (4) of section 1410.6(d) 
of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to provide that land enrolled 
under a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agreement 
initially established before January 1, 2014 (including an amended 
or successor Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agree-
ment, as determined by the Secretary), shall not be ineligible for 
enrollment in the conservation reserve program established under 
subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) under that paragraph 
if the Deputy Administrator (as defined in section 1410.2(b) of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), 
on recommendation from and in consultation with the applicable 
State technical committee established under section 1261(a) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(a)) determines, under 
such terms and conditions as the Deputy Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the State technical committee, determines to be appro-
priate, that making that land eligible for enrollment in that program 
is not contrary to the purposes of that program. 
Subtitle C—Environmental Quality Incen-
tives Program and Conservation Stew-
ardship Program 
SEC. 2301. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by striking the chapter designation and heading and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘CHAPTER 4—ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES 
PROGRAM AND CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PRO-
GRAM 
‘‘Subchapter A—Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program’’; and 
(2) by inserting after section 1240H the following: 
‘‘Subchapter B—Conservation Stewardship Program’’. 
(b) CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.—Subchapter B of 
chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 1238D through 1238G as sec-
tions 1240I through 1240L, respectively; and 
(2) by moving sections 1240I through 1240L (as so redesig-
nated) so as to appear after the subchapter heading for sub-
chapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of that Act 
(as added by subsection (a)(2)). 
(c) REPEAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838 et seq.) (as 
amended by subsection (b)) is repealed. 
16 USC 
3838–3838c. 
16 USC 
3839aa–21— 
3839aa–24. 
16 USC 
3838d–3838g. 
16 USC 3831 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4552 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) TERMINATION
OF
CONSERVATION
STEWARDSHIP
PRO-
GRAM.—Effective on the date of enactment of this Act, the 
conservation stewardship program under subchapter B of 
chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act) shall cease to be 
effective. 
(3) TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.— 
(A) EFFECT
ON
EXISTING
CONTRACTS
AND
AGREE-
MENTS.—The cessation of effectiveness under paragraph 
(2) shall not affect— 
(i) the validity or terms of any contract entered 
into by the Secretary under subchapter B of chapter 
2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) before the date of 
enactment of this Act, or any payments, modifications, 
or technical assistance required to be made in connec-
tion with the contract; or 
(ii) subject to subparagraph (D), any agreement 
entered into by the Secretary under the regional con-
servation partnership program under subtitle I of title 
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 
et seq.) on or before September 30, 2018, under which 
conservation stewardship program acres and associated 
funding have been allocated to the agreement for the 
purpose of entering into a contract under subchapter 
B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of that Act 
(16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act). 
(B) EXTENSION
PERMITTED.—Notwithstanding para-
graph (2), the Secretary may extend for 1 year a contract 
described in subparagraph (A)(i) if that contract expires 
on or before December 31, 2019, under the terms and 
payment rate of the existing contract and in accordance 
with subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) 
(as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act). 
(C) RENEWAL NOT PERMITTED.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subparagraph 
(A), and subject to clause (ii), the Secretary may not 
renew a contract or agreement described in that 
subparagraph. 
(ii) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may renew a con-
tract described in subparagraph (A)(i)— 
(I) if that contract expires on or after 
December 31, 2019; 
(II) under the terms of the conservation 
stewardship program under subchapter B of 
chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) 
and (b)); and 
(III) subject to the limitation on funding for 
that subchapter under section 1241 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841). 
(D) RCPP CONTRACTS.— 
16 USC 
3839aa–21 note. 
16 USC 3838d 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4553 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) TREATMENT OF ACREAGE.—In the case of an 
agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the Sec-
retary may provide an amount of funding that is 
equivalent to the value of any acres covered by the 
agreement. 
(ii) FUNDS AND ACRES NOT OBLIGATED.—In the case 
of an agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) to 
which program acres and associated funding have been 
allocated but not yet obligated to enter into a contract 
under subchapter B of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title 
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3838d 
et seq.) (as in effect on the day before the date of 
enactment of this Act)— 
(I) the Secretary shall modify the agreement 
to authorize the entrance into a contract under 
subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title 
XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as added 
by subsections (a)(2) and (b)); and 
(II) the funds associated with the conservation 
stewardship program acres allocated under that 
agreement, on modification under subclause (I), 
may be used to enter into conservation stewardship 
program contracts with producers under sub-
chapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (as added by 
subsections (a)(2) and (b)). 
(4) CONTRACT
ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to paragraphs 
(3)(C) and (3)(D)(ii)(II), the Secretary shall administer each 
contract and agreement described in clauses (i) and (ii) of 
paragraph (3)(A) until the expiration of the contract or agree-
ment in accordance with the regulations to carry out the con-
servation stewardship program under subchapter B of chapter 
2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3838d et seq.) (as in effect on the day before the 
date of enactment of this Act) that are in effect on the day 
before that date of enactment. 
(5) FUNDING.—Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), any 
funds made available from the Commodity Credit Corporation 
under section 1241(a)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841(a)(4)) for fiscal years 2014 through 2018 shall 
be available to carry out— 
(A) any contract or agreement described in paragraph 
(3)(A)(i) for fiscal year 2019; 
(B) any contract or agreement described in paragraph 
(3)(A)(ii); 
(C) any contract extended under paragraph (3)(B); and 
(D) any contract or agreement under subchapter B 
of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b)). 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) FOOD SECURITY ACT OF 1985.— 
(A) Section 1211(a)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3811(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(B) Section 1221(b)(3)(A) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3821(b)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
16 USC 
3839aa–21 note. 
16 USC 
3839aa–21 note. 
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132 STAT. 4554 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(C) Section 1240J(b)(1) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(1)) is amended 
by striking subparagraph (C). 
(D) Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’. 
(E) Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–1) is amended by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(F) Section 1240B(i)(2)(B) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(i)(2)(B)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(G) Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–3(b)) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
chapter’’. 
(H) Section 1240E(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–5(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘chapter’’ and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(I) Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–7) is amended by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(J) Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8) is amended by striking ‘‘chapter’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘subchapter’’. 
(K) Section 1244(c)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3844(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘subchapter 
A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(L) Section 1244(l) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3844(l)) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘chapter 2’’ and inserting ‘‘chapter 
4’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘subchapter A of’’ after ‘‘incentives 
program under’’. 
(2) OTHER LAWS.— 
(A) Section 344(f)(8) of the Agricultural Adjustment 
Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1344(f)(8)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(B) Section 377 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act 
of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1377) is amended by inserting ‘‘subchapter 
A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(C) Paragraph (1) of the last proviso of the matter 
under the heading ‘‘CONSERVATION
RESERVE
PROGRAM’’ 
under the heading ‘‘SOIL BANK PROGRAMS’’ of title I of 
the Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Adminis-
tration Appropriation Act, 1959 (7 U.S.C. 1831a), is 
amended by inserting ‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 
4’’. 
(D) Section 8(b)(1) of the Soil Conservation and 
Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(1)) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(E) Section 1271(c)(3)(C) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 2106a(c)(3)(C)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 
4’’. 
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132 STAT. 4555 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(F) Section 304(a)(1) of the Lake Champlain Special 
Designation Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 1270 note; Public Law 
101–596) is amended by inserting ‘‘subchapter A of’’ before 
‘‘chapter 4’’. 
(G) Section 202(c) of the Colorado River Basin Salinity 
Control Act (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘subchapter A of’’ before ‘‘chapter 4’’. 
SEC. 2302. PURPOSES OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 1240 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa) 
is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) assisting producers to make beneficial, cost-effective 
changes to production systems, including addressing identified, 
new, or expected resource concerns related to organic produc-
tion, grazing management, fuels management, forest manage-
ment, nutrient management associated with crops and live-
stock, pest management, irrigation management, adapting to, 
and mitigating against, increasing weather volatility, drought 
resiliency measures, or other practices on agricultural and for-
ested land.’’. 
SEC. 2303. DEFINITIONS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCEN-
TIVES PROGRAM. 
Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–1) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) 
as paragraphs (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8), respectively; 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(1) CONSERVATION PLANNING ASSESSMENT.—The term ‘con-
servation planning assessment’ means a report, as determined 
by the Secretary, that— 
‘‘(A) is developed by— 
‘‘(i) a State or unit of local government (including 
a conservation district); 
‘‘(ii) a Federal agency; or 
‘‘(iii) a third-party provider certified under section 
1242(e) (including a certified rangeland professional); 
‘‘(B) assesses rangeland or cropland function and 
describes conservation activities to enhance the economic 
and ecological management of that land; and 
‘‘(C) can be incorporated into a comprehensive planning 
document required by the Secretary for enrollment in a 
conservation program of the Department of Agriculture.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
(B)(vi)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘environmentally sensitive areas,’’ 
after ‘‘marshes,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘identified or expected’’ before 
‘‘resource concerns’’; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(3) INCENTIVE
PRACTICE.—The term ‘incentive practice’ 
means a practice or set of practices approved by the Secretary 
that, when implemented and maintained on eligible land, 
address 1 or more priority resource concerns.’’; 
(5) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated)— 
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132 STAT. 4556 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (v) as clause (vii); and 
(iii) by inserting after clause (iv) the following: 
‘‘(v) soil testing; 
‘‘(vi) soil remediation to be carried out by the pro-
ducer; and’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (vi); and 
(iii) by inserting after clause (i) the following: 
‘‘(ii) planning for resource-conserving crop rota-
tions (as defined in section 1240L(d)(1)); 
‘‘(iii) soil health planning, including increasing soil 
organic matter and the use of cover crops; 
‘‘(iv) a conservation planning assessment; 
‘‘(v) precision conservation management planning; 
and’’; 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (6) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(7) PRIORITY
RESOURCE
CONCERN.—The term ‘priority 
resource concern’ means a natural resource concern or problem, 
as determined by the Secretary, that— 
‘‘(A) is identified at the national, State, or local level 
as a priority for a particular area of a State; and 
‘‘(B) represents a significant concern in a State or 
region.’’; and 
(7) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) SOIL REMEDIATION.—The term ‘soil remediation’ means 
scientifically based practices that— 
‘‘(A) ensure the safety of producers from contaminants 
in soil; 
‘‘(B) limit contaminants in soil from entering agricul-
tural products for human or animal consumption; and 
‘‘(C) regenerate and sustain the soil. 
‘‘(10) SOIL
TESTING.—The term ‘soil testing’ means the 
evaluation of soil health, including testing for— 
‘‘(A) the optimal level of constituents in the soil, such 
as organic matter, nutrients, and the potential presence 
of soil contaminants, including heavy metals, volatile 
organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or 
other contaminants; and 
‘‘(B) the biological and physical characteristics indic-
ative of proper soil functioning.’’. 
SEC. 2304. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF ENVIRON-
MENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Section 1240B(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2019’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) PAYMENTS.—Section 1240B(d) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(B)— 
(A) in clause (i)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Not more than’’ and inserting ‘‘On 
an election by a producer described in subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall provide at least’’; 
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132 STAT. 4557 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) by striking ‘‘may be provided’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘the purpose of’’ and inserting ‘‘all 
costs related to’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) NOTIFICATION
AND
DOCUMENTATION.—The 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(I) notify each producer described in subpara-
graph (A), at the time of enrollment in the pro-
gram, of the option to receive advance payments 
under clause (i); and 
‘‘(II) document the election of each producer 
described in subparagraph (A) to receive advance 
payments under clause (i) with respect to each 
practice that has costs described in that clause.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) INCREASED PAYMENTS FOR HIGH-PRIORITY PRACTICES.— 
‘‘(A) STATE DETERMINATION.—Each State, in consulta-
tion with the State technical committee established under 
section 1261(a) for the State, may designate not more than 
10 practices to be eligible for increased payments under 
subparagraph (B), on the condition that the practice, as 
determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) addresses specific causes of impairment 
relating to excessive nutrients in groundwater or sur-
face water; 
‘‘(ii) addresses the conservation of water to advance 
drought mitigation and declining aquifers; 
‘‘(iii) meets other environmental priorities and 
other priority resource concerns identified in habitat 
or other area restoration plans; or 
‘‘(iv) is geographically targeted to address a natural 
resource concern in a specific watershed. 
‘‘(B) INCREASED
PAYMENTS.—Notwithstanding para-
graph (2), in the case of a practice designated under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may increase the amount 
that would otherwise be provided for a practice under 
this subsection to not more than 90 percent of the costs 
associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, 
installation, 
labor, 
management, 
maintenance, 
or 
training.’’. 
(c) ALLOCATION
OF FUNDING.—Section 1240B(f) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2019 through 2023’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘60’’ and inserting ‘‘50’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘production.’’ and inserting ‘‘production, 
including grazing management practices.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘For each’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEARS 2014 THROUGH 2018.—For each’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) FISCAL YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2023.—For each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, at least 10 percent of 
the funds made available for payments under the program 
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132 STAT. 4558 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
shall be targeted at practices benefitting wildlife habitat 
under subsection (g).’’. 
(d) WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM.—Section 1240B(g) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(g)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM TERM.—In the case of a contract under the 
program entered into solely for the establishment of 1 or more 
annual management practices for the benefit of wildlife as 
described in paragraph (1), notwithstanding any maximum con-
tract term established by the Secretary, the contract shall 
have a term that does not exceed 10 years. 
‘‘(4) INCLUDED PRACTICES.—For the purpose of providing 
seasonal wetland habitat for waterfowl and migratory birds, 
a practice that is eligible for payment under paragraph (1) 
and targeted for funding under subsection (f) may include— 
‘‘(A) a practice to carry out postharvest flooding; or 
‘‘(B) a practice to maintain the hydrology of temporary 
and seasonal wetlands of not more than 2 acres to maintain 
waterfowl and migratory bird habitat on working crop-
land.’’. 
(e) WATER CONSERVATION
OR IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY PRAC-
TICE.—Section 1240B(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–2(h)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) AVAILABILITY OF PAYMENTS.—The Secretary may pro-
vide water conservation and system efficiency payments under 
this subsection to an entity described in paragraph (2) or a 
producer for— 
‘‘(A) water conservation scheduling, water distribution 
efficiency, soil moisture monitoring, or an appropriate com-
bination thereof; 
‘‘(B) irrigation-related structural or other measures 
that conserve surface water or groundwater, including man-
aged aquifer recovery practices; or 
‘‘(C) a transition to water-conserving crops, water-con-
serving crop rotations, or deficit irrigation.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN ENTITIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 1001(f)(6), 
the Secretary may enter into a contract under this sub-
section with a State, irrigation district, groundwater 
management district, acequia, land-grant mercedes, or 
similar entity under a streamlined contracting process to 
implement water conservation or irrigation practices under 
a watershed-wide project that will effectively conserve 
water, provide fish and wildlife habitat, or provide for 
drought-related environmental mitigation, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) IMPLEMENTATION.—Water conservation or irriga-
tion practices that are the subject of a contract entered 
into under subparagraph (A) shall be implemented on— 
‘‘(i) eligible land of a producer; or 
‘‘(ii) land that is— 
‘‘(I) under the control of an irrigation district, 
groundwater management district, acequia, land- 
grant mercedes, or similar entity; and 
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132 STAT. 4559 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(II) adjacent to eligible land described in 
clause (i), as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(C) WAIVER
AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may waive 
the applicability of the limitations in section 1001D(b) or 
section 1240G for a payment made under a contract entered 
into under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that 
the waiver is necessary to fulfill the objectives of the 
project. 
‘‘(D) CONTRACT LIMITATIONS.—If the Secretary grants 
a waiver under subparagraph (C), the Secretary may 
impose a separate payment limitation for the contract with 
respect to which the waiver applies.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘to a producer’’ and inserting ‘‘under this sub-
section’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘the eligible land 
of the producer is located, there is a reduction in water 
use in the operation of the producer’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
land on which the practices will be implemented is located, 
there is a reduction in water use in the operation on 
that land’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘except in the 
case of an application under paragraph (2),’’ before ‘‘the 
producer agrees’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection authorizes the 
Secretary to modify the process for determining the annual 
allocation of funding to States under the program.’’. 
(f) PAYMENTS
FOR
CONSERVATION
PRACTICES
RELATED
TO 
ORGANIC PRODUCTION.—Section 1240B(i)(3) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(i)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘Payments’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Payments’’; 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘In applying these 
limitations’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—In applying the limita-
tions under subparagraph (A)’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘aggregate, $20,000 per year or $80,000 
during any 6-year period.’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘aggregate— 
‘‘(i) through fiscal year 2018— 
‘‘(I) $20,000 per year; or 
‘‘(II) $80,000 during any 6-year period; and’’; 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, $140,000.’’. 
(g) CONSERVATION INCENTIVE CONTRACTS.—Section 1240B of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) CONSERVATION INCENTIVE CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(1) IDENTIFICATION OF ELIGIBLE PRIORITY RESOURCE CON-
CERNS FOR STATES.— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with 
the applicable State technical committee established under 
section 1261(a), shall identify watersheds (or other appro-
priate regions or areas within a State) and the cor-
responding priority resource concerns for those watersheds 
or other regions or areas that are eligible to be the subject 
of an incentive contract under this subsection. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—For each of the relevant land uses 
within the watersheds, regions, or other areas identified 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall identify not 
more than 3 eligible priority resource concerns. 
‘‘(2) CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall enter into 
contracts with producers under this subsection that 
require the implementation, adoption, management, 
and maintenance of incentive practices that effectively 
address at least 1 eligible priority resource concern 
identified under paragraph (1) for the term of the 
contract. 
‘‘(ii) INCLUSIONS.—Through a contract entered into 
under clause (i), the Secretary may provide— 
‘‘(I) funding, through annual payments, for cer-
tain incentive practices to attain increased levels 
of conservation on eligible land; or 
‘‘(II) assistance, through a practice payment, 
to implement an incentive practice. 
‘‘(B) TERM.—A contract under this subsection shall 
have a term of not less than 5, and not more than 10, 
years. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIZATION.—Notwithstanding section 1240C, 
the Secretary shall develop criteria for evaluating incentive 
practice applications that— 
‘‘(i) give priority to applications that address 
eligible priority resource concerns identified under 
paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) evaluate applications relative to other applica-
tions for similar agriculture and forest operations. 
‘‘(3) INCENTIVE PRACTICE PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide pay-
ments to producers through contracts entered into under 
paragraph (2) for— 
‘‘(i) adopting and installing incentive practices; and 
‘‘(ii) managing, maintaining, and improving the 
incentive practices for the duration of the contract, 
as determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) PAYMENT AMOUNTS.—In determining the amount 
of payments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall 
consider, to the extent practicable— 
‘‘(i) the level and extent of the incentive practice 
to be installed, adopted, completed, maintained, man-
aged, or improved; 
‘‘(ii) the cost of the installation, adoption, comple-
tion, management, maintenance, or improvement of 
the incentive practice; 
‘‘(iii) income foregone by the producer, including 
payments, as appropriate, to address— 
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132 STAT. 4561 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) increased economic risk; 
‘‘(II) loss in revenue due to anticipated reduc-
tions in yield; and 
‘‘(III) economic losses during transition to a 
resource-conserving cropping system or resource- 
conserving land use; and 
‘‘(iv) the extent to which compensation would 
ensure long-term continued maintenance, manage-
ment, and improvement of the incentive practice. 
‘‘(C) DELIVERY
OF
PAYMENTS.—In making payments 
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall, to the extent 
practicable— 
‘‘(i) in the case of annual payments under para-
graph (2)(A)(ii)(I), make those payments as soon as 
practicable after October 1 of each fiscal year for which 
increased levels of conservation are maintained during 
the term of the contract; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of practice payments under para-
graph (2)(A)(ii)(II), make those payments as soon as 
practicable on the implementation of an incentive prac-
tice.’’. 
SEC. 2305. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM PLAN. 
Section 1240E(a)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–5(a)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘progressive’’ before 
‘‘implementation’’. 
SEC. 2306. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL 
QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM. 
Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–7) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘A person’’ and inserting ‘‘Not including 
payments made under section 1240B(j), a person’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or the period of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023,’’ after ‘‘2018,’’. 
SEC. 2307. CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS AND PAYMENTS. 
(a) COMPETITIVE
GRANTS
FOR
INNOVATIVE
CONSERVATION 
APPROACHES.—Section 1240H(a)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(a)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘program;’’ and 
inserting ‘‘program or community colleges (as defined in section 
1473E(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e(a))) carrying out 
demonstration projects on land of the community college;’’; 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subpara-
graphs (G) and (H), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
‘‘(E) partner with farmers to develop innovative prac-
tices for urban, indoor, or other emerging agricultural oper-
ations; 
‘‘(F) utilize edge-of-field and other monitoring practices 
on farms— 
‘‘(i) to quantify the impacts of practices imple-
mented under the program; and 
‘‘(ii) to assist producers in making the best con-
servation investments for the operations of the pro-
ducers;’’. 
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132 STAT. 4562 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(b) AIR
QUALITY
CONCERNS
FROM
AGRICULTURAL
OPER-
ATIONS.—Section 1240H(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa–8(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘$25,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2009 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘$37,500,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
(c) ON-FARM CONSERVATION INNOVATION TRIALS; REPORTING 
AND DATABASE.—Section 1240H of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8) is amended by striking subsection (c) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) ON-FARM CONSERVATION INNOVATION TRIALS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ 
means, as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) a third-party private entity the primary busi-
ness of which is related to agriculture; 
‘‘(ii) a nongovernmental organization with experi-
ence working with agricultural producers; or 
‘‘(iii) a governmental organization. 
‘‘(B) NEW OR INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION APPROACH.— 
The term ‘new or innovative conservation approach’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) new or innovative— 
‘‘(I) precision agriculture technologies; 
‘‘(II) enhanced nutrient management plans, 
nutrient recovery systems, and fertilization sys-
tems; 
‘‘(III) 
soil 
health 
management 
systems, 
including systems to increase soil carbon levels; 
‘‘(IV) water management systems; 
‘‘(V) resource-conserving crop rotations (as 
defined in section 1240L(d)(1)); 
‘‘(VI) cover crops; and 
‘‘(VII) irrigation systems; and 
‘‘(ii) any other conservation approach approved by 
the Secretary as new or innovative. 
‘‘(2) 
TESTING
NEW
OR
INNOVATIVE
CONSERVATION 
APPROACHES.—Using $25,000,000 of the funds made available 
to carry out this subchapter for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023, the Secretary shall carry out on-farm conserva-
tion innovation trials, on eligible land of producers, to test 
new or innovative conservation approaches— 
‘‘(A) directly with producers; or 
‘‘(B) through eligible entities. 
‘‘(3) INCENTIVE PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) AGREEMENTS.—In carrying out paragraph (2), the 
Secretary shall enter into agreements with producers 
(either directly or through eligible entities) on whose land 
an on-farm conservation innovation trial is being carried 
out to provide payments (including payments to compensate 
for foregone income, as appropriate to address the increased 
economic risk potentially associated with new or innovative 
conservation approaches) to the producers to assist with 
adopting and evaluating new or innovative conservation 
approaches to achieve conservation benefits. 
‘‘(B) ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Adjusted gross income require-
ments under section 1001D(b)(1) shall— 
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132 STAT. 4563 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) apply to producers receiving payments 
under this subsection; and 
‘‘(II) be enforced by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) REPORTING.—An eligible entity participating 
in an on-farm conservation innovation trial under this 
subsection shall report annually to the Secretary on 
the amount of payments made to individual farm oper-
ations under this subsection. 
‘‘(C) LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—None 
of the funds made available to carry out this subsection 
may be used to pay for the administrative expenses of 
an eligible entity. 
‘‘(D) LENGTH OF AGREEMENTS.—An agreement entered 
into under subparagraph (A) shall be for a period deter-
mined by the Secretary that is— 
‘‘(i) not less than 3 years; and 
‘‘(ii) if appropriate, more than 3 years, including 
if such a period is appropriate to support— 
‘‘(I) adaptive management over multiple crop 
years; and 
‘‘(II) adequate data collection and analysis by 
a producer or eligible entity to report the natural 
resource and agricultural production benefits of 
the new or innovative conservation approaches to 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) FLEXIBLE ADOPTION.—The scale of adoption of a new 
or innovative conservation approach under an on-farm con-
servation innovation trial under an agreement under paragraph 
(2) may include multiple scales on an operation, including whole 
farm, field-level, or sub-field scales. 
‘‘(5) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide 
technical assistance— 
‘‘(A) to each producer or eligible entity participating 
in an on-farm conservation innovation trial under para-
graph (2) with respect to the design, installation, and 
management of the new or innovative conservation 
approaches; and 
‘‘(B) to each eligible entity participating in an on-farm 
conservation innovation trial under paragraph (2) with 
respect to data analyses of the on-farm conservation innova-
tion trial. 
‘‘(6) GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE.—The Secretary shall identify a 
diversity of geographic regions of the United States in which 
to establish on-farm conservation innovation trials under para-
graph (2), taking into account factors such as soil type, cropping 
history, and water availability. 
‘‘(7) SOIL
HEALTH
DEMONSTRATION
TRIAL.—Using funds 
made available to carry out this subsection, the Secretary shall 
carry out a soil health demonstration trial under which the 
Secretary coordinates with eligible entities— 
‘‘(A) to provide incentives to producers to implement 
conservation practices that— 
‘‘(i) improve soil health; 
‘‘(ii) increase carbon levels in the soil; or 
‘‘(iii) meet the goals described in clauses (i) and 
(ii); 
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132 STAT. 4564 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) to establish protocols for measuring carbon levels 
in the soil and testing carbon levels on land where con-
servation practices described in subparagraph (A) were 
applied to evaluate gains in soil health as a result of 
the practices implemented by the producers in the soil 
health demonstration trial; and 
‘‘(C)(i) not later than September 30, 2020, to initiate 
a study regarding changes in soil health and, if feasible, 
economic outcomes, generated as a result of the conserva-
tion practices described in subparagraph (A) that were 
applied by producers through the soil health demonstration 
trial; and 
‘‘(ii) to submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate annual 
reports on the progress and results of the study under 
clause (i). 
‘‘(d) REPORTING AND DATABASE.— 
‘‘(1) REPORT
REQUIRED.—Not later than September 30, 
2019, and every 2 years thereafter, 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 on the status of activities funded under 
this section, including— 
‘‘(A) funding awarded; 
‘‘(B) results of the activities, including, if feasible, eco-
nomic outcomes; 
‘‘(C) incorporation of findings from the activities, such 
as new technology and innovative approaches, into the 
conservation efforts implemented by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(D) on completion of the study required under sub-
section (c)(7)(C), the findings of the study. 
‘‘(2) CONSERVATION PRACTICE DATABASE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall use the data 
reported under paragraph (1) to establish and maintain 
a publicly available conservation practice database that 
provides— 
‘‘(i) a compilation and analysis of effective con-
servation practices for soil health, nutrient manage-
ment, and source water protection in varying soil com-
positions, cropping systems, slopes, and landscapes; 
and 
‘‘(ii) a list of recommended new and effective con-
servation practices. 
‘‘(B) PRIVACY.—Information provided under subpara-
graph (A) shall be transformed into a statistical or aggre-
gate form so as to not include any identifiable or personal 
information of individual producers.’’. 
SEC. 2308. CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 1240I of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)(B)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4565 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) development of a comprehensive conservation 
plan, as defined in section 1240L(e)(1); 
‘‘(iv) soil health planning, including planning to 
increase soil organic matter; and 
‘‘(v) activities that will assist a producer to adapt 
to, or mitigate against, increasing weather volatility.’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting the following: ‘‘through the use of— 
‘‘(A) quality criteria under a resource management 
system; 
‘‘(B) predictive analytics tools or models developed or 
approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service; 
‘‘(C) data from past and current enrollment in the 
program; and 
‘‘(D) other methods that measure conservation and 
improvement in priority resource concerns, as determined 
by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subsection (a) of section 1240J of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 
2301(b)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2019 through 
2023’’. 
(2) EXCLUSIONS.—Subsection (b)(2) of section 1240J of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) 
is amended in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking 
‘‘the Agricultural Act of 2014’’ and inserting the ‘‘Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018’’. 
(c) STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTS.—Section 1240K of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) RANKING OF APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In evaluating contract offers sub-
mitted under subsection (a) and contract renewals under 
subsection (e), the Secretary shall rank applications based 
on— 
‘‘(i) the natural resource conservation and environ-
mental benefits that result from the conservation treat-
ment on all applicable priority resource concerns at 
the time of submission of the application; 
‘‘(ii) the degree to which the proposed conservation 
activities increase natural resource conservation and 
environmental benefits; and 
‘‘(iii) other consistent criteria, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL CRITERION.—If 2 or more applications 
receive the same ranking under subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary shall rank those contracts based on the extent 
to which the actual and anticipated conservation benefits 
from each contract are provided at the lowest cost relative 
to other similarly beneficial contract offers.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the program under subsection (a)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a contract or contract renewal under this 
section’’; 
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132 STAT. 4566 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or contract renewal’’ before ‘‘offer 
ranks’’; 
(C) by inserting ‘‘or contract renewal’’ after ‘‘steward-
ship contract’’; and 
(D) by adding ‘‘or contract renewal’’ before the period 
at the end; 
(3) in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘1238G(d)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘1240L(c)’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘At the end’’ and all that follows through ‘‘period’’ the 
second place it appears and inserting the following: ‘‘The 
Secretary may provide the producer an opportunity to 
renew an existing contract in the first half of the fifth 
year of the contract period’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘initial’’ and inserting 
‘‘existing’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘new or improved’’ after ‘‘integrate’’; 
and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘demonstrating continued improve-
ment during the additional 5-year period,’’ after ‘‘oper-
ation,’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking ‘‘to exceed the 
stewardship threshold of’’ and inserting ‘‘to adopt or 
improve conservation activities, as determined by the Sec-
retary, to achieve higher levels of performance with respect 
to not less than’’. 
(d) DUTIES OF SECRETARY.—Section 1240L of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (as redesignated by section 2301(b)) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘acres’’ and inserting ‘‘funding’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
(c) and (d), respectively; 
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(5) PAYMENT FOR COVER CROP ACTIVITIES.—The amount 
of a payment under this subsection for cover crop activities 
shall be not less than 125 percent of the annual payment 
amount determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2).’’; 
(5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘AND 
ADVANCED GRAZING MANAGEMENT’’ after ‘‘ROTATIONS’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (4) as para-
graphs (2) and (1), respectively, and moving the paragraphs 
so as to appear in numerical order; 
(D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (D) 
and (E) as clauses (i) through (iv) and (vi), respectively, 
and indenting appropriately; 
(ii) by striking the paragraph designation and all 
that follows through ‘‘the term’’ in the matter preceding 
clause (i) (as so redesignated) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
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132 STAT. 4567 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) ADVANCED
GRAZING
MANAGEMENT.—The term 
‘advanced grazing management’ means the use of a com-
bination of grazing practices (as determined by the Sec-
retary), which may include management-intensive rota-
tional grazing, that provide for— 
‘‘(i) improved soil health and carbon sequestration; 
‘‘(ii) drought resilience; 
‘‘(iii) wildlife habitat; 
‘‘(iv) wildfire mitigation; 
‘‘(v) control of invasive plants; and 
‘‘(vi) water quality improvement. 
‘‘(B) MANAGEMENT-INTENSIVE ROTATIONAL GRAZING.— 
The term ‘management-intensive rotational grazing’ means 
a strategic, adaptively managed multipasture grazing 
system in which animals are regularly and systematically 
moved to fresh pasture in a manner that— 
‘‘(i) maximizes the quantity and quality of forage 
growth; 
‘‘(ii) improves manure distribution and nutrient 
cycling; 
‘‘(iii) increases carbon sequestration from greater 
forage harvest; 
‘‘(iv) improves the quality and quantity of cover 
for wildlife; 
‘‘(v) provides permanent cover to protect the soil 
from erosion; and 
‘‘(vi) improves water quality. 
‘‘(C) 
RESOURCE-CONSERVING
CROP
ROTATION.—The 
term’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (C) (as so designated)— 
(I) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(II) by inserting after clause (iv) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(v) builds soil organic matter; and’’; 
(E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘improve resource-conserving’’ and all that follows through 
the period at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘improve, 
manage, and maintain— 
‘‘(A) resource-conserving crop rotations; or 
‘‘(B) advanced grazing management.’’; 
(F) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graph (2)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and maintain’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting ‘‘or 
improve, manage, and maintain resource-conserving 
crop rotations or advanced grazing management for 
the term of the contract.’’; and 
(G) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.—An additional payment pro-
vided under paragraph (2) shall be not less than 150 percent 
of the annual payment amount determined by the Secretary 
under subsection (c)(2).’’; 
(6) by inserting after subsection (d) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(e) PAYMENT FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN.— 
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132 STAT. 4568 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘comprehensive conservation plan’ 
means a conservation plan that meets or exceeds the steward-
ship threshold for each priority resource concern identified by 
the Secretary under subsection (a)(2). 
‘‘(2) PAYMENT FOR COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN.— 
The Secretary shall provide a 1-time payment to a producer 
that develops a comprehensive conservation plan. 
‘‘(3) AMOUNT OF PAYMENT.—The Secretary shall determine 
the amount of payment under paragraph (2) based on— 
‘‘(A) the number of priority resource concerns addressed 
in the comprehensive conservation plan; and 
‘‘(B) the number of types of land uses included in 
the comprehensive conservation plan.’’; 
(7) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’; 
(8) in subsection (h)— 
(A) by striking the subsection designation and heading 
and all that follows through ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(h) ORGANIC CERTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(1) COORDINATION.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available for the 
program for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, the 
Secretary shall allocate funding to States to support organic 
production and transition to organic production through 
paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) DETERMINATION.—The Secretary shall determine 
the allocation to a State under subparagraph (A) based 
on— 
‘‘(i) the number of certified and transitioning 
organic operations within the State; and 
‘‘(ii) the number of acres of certified and 
transitioning organic production within the State.’’; and 
(9) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) STREAMLINING
AND
COORDINATION.—To the maximum 
extent feasible, the Secretary shall provide for streamlined and 
coordinated procedures for the program and the environmental 
quality incentives program under subchapter A, including applica-
tions, contracting, conservation planning, conservation practices, 
and related administrative procedures. 
‘‘(k) SOIL HEALTH.—To the maximum extent feasible, the Sec-
retary shall manage the program to enhance soil health. 
‘‘(l) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each fiscal year, 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 describing the payment rates for conservation 
activities offered to producers under the program and an analysis 
of whether payment rates can be reduced for the most expensive 
conservation activities.’’. 
SEC. 2309. GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE. 
Subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and 
(b) of section 2301) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4569 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘SEC. 1240L–1. GRASSLAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
LAND.—Notwithstanding sections 1240I(4) 
and 1240J(b)(2), the term ‘eligible land’ means cropland on 
a farm for which base acres have been maintained by the 
Secretary under section 1112(d)(3) of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9012(d)(3)). 
‘‘(2) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘initiative’ means the grassland 
conservation initiative established under subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish within the program a grassland conservation initiative for 
the purpose of assisting producers in protecting grazing uses, con-
serving and improving soil, water, and wildlife resources, and 
achieving related conservation values by conserving eligible land 
through grassland conservation contracts under subsection (e). 
‘‘(c) ELECTION.—Beginning in fiscal year 2019, the Secretary 
shall provide a 1-time election to enroll eligible land in the initiative 
under a contract described in subsection (e). 
‘‘(d) METHOD OF ENROLLMENT.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 1240K, deter-
mine under subsection (c) of that section that eligible land 
ranks sufficiently high under the evaluation criteria described 
in subsection (b) of that section; and 
‘‘(2) enroll the eligible land in the initiative under a contract 
described in subsection (e). 
‘‘(e) GRASSLAND CONSERVATION CONTRACT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 1240K(a)(1), to 
enroll eligible land in the initiative under a grassland conserva-
tion contract, a producer shall agree— 
‘‘(A) to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold for 
not less than 1 priority resource concern by the date on 
which the contract expires; and 
‘‘(B) to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
contract. 
‘‘(2) TERMS.—A grassland conservation contract entered 
into under this section shall— 
‘‘(A)(i) be for a single 5-year term; and 
‘‘(ii) not be subject to renewal or reenrollment under 
section 1240K(e); and 
‘‘(B) be subject to section 1240K(d). 
‘‘(3) EARLY TERMINATION.—The Secretary shall allow a pro-
ducer that enters into a grassland conservation contract under 
this section— 
‘‘(A) to terminate the contract at any time; and 
‘‘(B) to retain payments already received under the 
contract. 
‘‘(f) GRASSLAND CONSERVATION PLAN.—The grassland conserva-
tion plan developed for eligible land shall be limited to— 
‘‘(1) eligible land; and 
‘‘(2) resource concerns and activities relating to grassland. 
‘‘(g) PAYMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Beginning in fiscal year 2019, of the 
funds made available for this subchapter under section 
1241(a)(3)(B), and notwithstanding any payment under title 
I of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, an amendment 
made by that title, or section 1240L(c), the Secretary shall 
make annual grassland conservation contract payments to the 
16 USC 
3839aa–25. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
producer of any eligible land that is the subject of a grassland 
conservation contract under this section. 
‘‘(2) PAYMENT NONELIGIBILITY.—A grassland conservation 
contract under this section shall not be— 
‘‘(A) eligible for payments under section 1240L(d); or 
‘‘(B) subject to the payment limitations under this sub-
chapter. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—The amount of an annual payment under 
this subsection shall be $18 per acre, not to exceed the number 
of base acres on a farm. 
‘‘(h) CONSIDERED PLANTED.—The Secretary shall consider land 
enrolled under a grassland conservation contract under this section 
during a crop year to be planted or considered planted to a covered 
commodity (as defined in section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) during that crop year. 
‘‘(i) OTHER CONTRACTS.—A producer with an agricultural oper-
ation that contains land eligible under this section and land eligible 
under section 1240K— 
‘‘(1) may enroll the land eligible under this section through 
a contract under this section or under section 1240K; and 
‘‘(2) shall not be prohibited from enrolling the land eligible 
under section 1240K through a contract under section 1240K.’’. 
Subtitle D—Other Conservation Programs 
SEC. 2401. WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION. 
(a) ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.—Section 3 of the 
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1003) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the section designation and all that follows 
through ‘‘In order to assist’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to assist’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the watershed plan 
for works of improvement if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(1) the watershed plan is unnecessary or duplicative; and 
‘‘(2) the works of improvement are otherwise consistent 
with applicable requirements under section 4.’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 14(h)(2)(E) of 
the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 
1012(h)(2)(E)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(c) FUNDS OF COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.—The Water-
shed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 15. FUNDING. 
‘‘In addition to any other funds made available by this Act, 
of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
shall make available to carry out this Act $50,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.’’. 
SEC. 2402. SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION. 
The Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 (16 
U.S.C. 2001 et seq.) is amended— 
16 USC 1012a. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in section 5(e) (16 U.S.C. 2004(e)), by striking ‘‘and 
December 31, 2015’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2015, and 
December 31, 2022’’; 
(2) in section 6(d) (16 U.S.C. 2005(d)), by striking ‘‘, respec-
tively’’ and inserting ‘‘, and a program update shall be completed 
by December 31, 2023’’; 
(3) in section 7 (16 U.S.C. 2006)— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘and 2016’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, 2016, and 2022’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘and 2017’’ and inserting ‘‘, 2017, and 
2023’’; and 
(4) in section 10 (16 U.S.C. 2009), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 2403. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM. 
(a) REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF FENCING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 401 of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201) is amended— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘wildfires,’’ after ‘‘hurricanes,’’; 
(B) by striking the section designation and all that 
follows through ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 401. EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to 
in this title as the ‘Secretary’)’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF FENCING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to a payment to an agricul-
tural producer under subsection (a) for the repair or replace-
ment of fencing, the Secretary shall give the agricultural pro-
ducer the option of receiving not more than 25 percent of 
the payment, determined by the Secretary based on the 
applicable percentage of the fair market value of the cost of 
the repair or replacement, before the agricultural producer 
carries out the repair or replacement. 
‘‘(2) RETURN OF FUNDS.—If the funds provided under para-
graph (1) are not expended by the end of the 60-day period 
beginning on the date on which the agricultural producer 
receives those funds, the funds shall be returned within a 
reasonable timeframe, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Sections 402, 403, 404, and 405 of the Agricultural 
Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2202, 2203, 2204, 2205) 
are amended by striking ‘‘Secretary of Agriculture’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’. 
(B) Section 407(a) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2206(a)) is amended by striking paragraph 
(4). 
(b) COST SHARE PAYMENTS.—Title IV of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1978 is amended by inserting after section 402 (16 U.S.C. 
2202) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 402A. COST-SHARE REQUIREMENT. 
‘‘(a) COST-SHARE RATE.—Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the 
maximum cost-share payment under sections 401 and 402 shall 
16 USC 2202a. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
not exceed 75 percent of the total allowable cost, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding subsection (a), a payment 
to a limited resource farmer or rancher, a socially disadvantaged 
farmer or rancher (as defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
(7 U.S.C. 2279), or a beginning farmer or rancher under section 
401 or 402 shall not exceed 90 percent of the total allowable cost, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—The total payment under sections 401 and 
402 for a single event may not exceed 50 percent of the agriculture 
value of the land, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(c) PAYMENT LIMITATIONS.—Title IV of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended by inserting 
after section 402A (as added by subsection (b)) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 402B. PAYMENT LIMITATION. 
‘‘The maximum payment made under the emergency conserva-
tion program to an agricultural producer under sections 401 and 
402 shall not exceed $500,000.’’. 
(d) WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM.—Section 403 of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘EMER-
GENCY WATERSHED PROGRAM’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘watershed protection’’ 
after ‘‘emergency’’. 
(e) FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.—Section 404 of the Agricul-
tural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2204) is amended— 
(1) in the fourth sentence, by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) LIMITATION.—The Commodity Credit Corporation’’; 
(2) in the third sentence (as amended by subsection 
(a)(2)(A)), by striking ‘‘In implementing the provisions of’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) USE
OF COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.—In imple-
menting’’; 
(3) by striking the second sentence; 
(4) by striking the section designation and all that follows 
through ‘‘There are authorized’’ in the first sentence and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 404. FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are author-
ized’’; 
(5) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by inserting ‘‘, 
to remain available until expended’’ before the period at the 
end; and 
(6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so designated) the 
following: 
‘‘(b) SET-ASIDE FOR FENCING.—Of the amounts made available 
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, 25 percent shall be set 
aside until April 1 of that fiscal year for the repair or replacement 
of fencing.’’. 
SEC. 2404. CONSERVATION OF PRIVATE GRAZING LAND. 
Section 1240M of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839bb) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the following: 
16 USC 2202b. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) PARTNERSHIPS.—In carrying out the program 
under this section, the Secretary shall provide education 
and outreach activities through partnerships with— 
‘‘(i) land-grant colleges and universities (as defined 
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103)); and 
‘‘(ii) nongovernmental organizations.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 2405. GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 1240O(b)(1) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–2(b)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) AVAILABILITY
OF FUNDS.—Section 1240O(b) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb–2(b)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—In addition to any other funds 
made available under this subsection, of the funds of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use $5,000,000 
beginning in fiscal year 2019, to remain available until 
expended.’’. 
SEC. 2406. VOLUNTARY PUBLIC ACCESS AND HABITAT INCENTIVE PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839bb–5) is amended— 
(1) in subsections (a) and (c), by striking ‘‘grants’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘funding’’; 
(2) in subsections (b) and (d)(2), by striking ‘‘a grant’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘funding’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(3) (as amended by section 2202(b)(1)), 
by inserting ‘‘or on land covered by a wetland reserve easement 
under section 1265C’’ before ‘‘by providing’’; and 
(4) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘2012 and’’ and inserting ‘‘2012,’’; 
and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, and $50,000,000 for the period 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’ before the period 
at the end; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) ENHANCED PUBLIC ACCESS TO WETLAND RESERVE EASE-
MENTS.—To the maximum extent practicable, of the funds made 
available under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use 
$3,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
to encourage public access to land covered by wetland reserve 
easements under section 1265C through agreements with 
States and tribal governments under this section.’’. 
SEC. 2407. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Secretary of the 
Interior shall continue to carry out the Working Lands for Wildlife 
model of conservation on working landscapes, as implemented on 
16 USC 1531 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4574 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the day before the date of enactment of this Act, in accordance 
with— 
(1) the document entitled ‘‘Partnership Agreement Between 
the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources 
Conservation Service and the United States Department of 
the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service’’, numbered A–3A7516– 
937, and formalized by the Chief of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service on September 15, 2016, and by the 
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on 
August 4, 2016, as in effect on September 15, 2016; and 
(2) United States Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s Order 
No. 217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect on August 9, 2016. 
(b) EXPANSION OF MODEL.—The Secretary and the Secretary 
of the Interior may expand the conservation model described in 
subsection (a) through a new partnership agreement between the 
Farm Service Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service for the purpose of carrying out conservation activities for 
species conservation. 
(c) EXTENSION OF PERIOD OF REGULATORY PREDICTABILITY.— 
(1) DEFINITION
OF
PERIOD
OF
REGULATORY
PREDICT-
ABILITY.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘period of regulatory 
predictability’’ means the period of regulatory predictability 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) initially determined in accordance with the document 
and order described in paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, 
of subsection (a). 
(2) EXTENSION.—After the period of regulatory predict-
ability, on request of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, 
acting through the Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service, may provide additional consultation under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1536(a)(2)), or additional conference under section 7(a)(4) of 
that Act (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(4)), as applicable, with the Chief 
of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Adminis-
trator of the Farm Service Agency, as applicable, to extend 
the period of regulatory predictability. 
SEC. 2408. FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PILOT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a feral swine 
eradication and control pilot program to respond to the threat 
feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human 
and animal health. 
(b) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram, the Secretary shall— 
(1) study and assess the nature and extent of damage 
to the pilot areas caused by feral swine; 
(2) develop methods to eradicate or control feral swine 
in the pilot areas; 
(3) develop methods to restore damage caused by feral 
swine; and 
(4) provide financial assistance to agricultural producers 
in pilot areas. 
(c) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may provide financial assist-
ance to agricultural producers under the pilot program to implement 
methods to— 
(1) eradicate or control feral swine in the pilot areas; and 
7 USC 8351 note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) restore damage caused by feral swine. 
(d) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that the Nat-
ural Resources Conservation Service and the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service coordinate for purposes of this section 
through State technical committees established under section 
1261(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(a)). 
(e) PILOT AREAS.—The Secretary shall carry out the pilot pro-
gram in areas of States in which feral swine have been identified 
as a threat to agriculture, native ecosystems, or human or animal 
health, as determined by the Secretary. 
(f) COST SHARING.— 
(1) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the costs of 
activities under the pilot program may not exceed 75 percent 
of the total costs of such activities. 
(2) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.—The non-Federal share of the 
costs of activities under the pilot program may be provided 
in the form of in-kind contributions of materials or services. 
(g) FUNDING.— 
(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $75,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. 
(2) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.—Of the funds made available 
under paragraph (1)— 
(A) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service to carry out the pilot pro-
gram, including the provision of financial assistance to 
producers for on-farm trapping and technology related to 
capturing and confining feral swine; and 
(B) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Animal and 
Plant Health Inspection Service to carry out the pilot pro-
gram, including the use of established, and testing of 
innovative, population reduction methods. 
(3) LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more 
than 10 percent of funds made available under this section 
may be used for administrative expenses of the pilot program. 
SEC. 2409. REPORT ON SMALL WETLANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Chief of 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, 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 describing the number of wetlands with an area not more 
than 1 acre that have been delineated in each of the States of 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa during fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—In the report under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conserva-
tion Service, shall list the number of wetlands acres in each State 
described in the report by tenths of an acre, and ensure the report 
is based on the best available science. 
SEC. 2410. SENSE OF CONGRESS RELATING TO INCREASED WATER-
SHED-BASED COLLABORATION. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should 
recognize and encourage partnerships at the watershed level 
between nonpoint sources and regulated point sources to advance 
the goals of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
1251 et seq.) and provide benefits to farmers, landowners, and 
the public. 
Subtitle E—Funding and Administration 
SEC. 2501. COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION. 
(a) ANNUAL FUNDING.—Section 1241(a) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018 
(and fiscal year 2019 in the case of the program specified 
in paragraph (5))’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘$10,000,000 for 
the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘$12,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘$33,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000,000 
for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 
including not more than $5,000,000 to provide outreach 
and technical assistance,’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘retired or retiring owners and 
operators’’ and inserting ‘‘contract holders’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’; 
(4) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) The programs under chapter 4, using, to the maximum 
extent practicable— 
‘‘(A) for the environmental quality incentives program 
under subchapter A of that chapter— 
‘‘(i) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(ii) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(iii) $1,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(iv) $1,850,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(v) $2,025,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and 
‘‘(B) for the conservation stewardship program under 
subchapter B of that chapter— 
‘‘(i) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(ii) $725,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(iii) $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(iv) $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(v) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.’’; 
(5) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘(as in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018), using such sums as are necessary to admin-
ister contracts entered into before that date of enactment’’ 
before the period at the end; and 
(6) by striking paragraph (5). 
(b) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Section 1241(b) of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(and fiscal year 2019 in the case of the program specified in sub-
section (a)(5))’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(c) REPORT ON PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS AND ASSISTANCE.—Sec-
tion 1241(i) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(i)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) REPORT
ON PROGRAM ENROLLMENTS
AND ASSISTANCE.— 
Not later than December 15 of each of calendar years 2019 through 
2023, 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 an annual report containing 
statistics by State related to enrollments in conservation programs 
under this title, as follows: 
‘‘(1) The annual and current cumulative activity reflecting 
active agreement and contract enrollment statistics. 
‘‘(2) Secretarial exceptions, waivers, and significant pay-
ments, including— 
‘‘(A) payments made under the agricultural conserva-
tion easement program for easements valued at $250,000 
or greater; 
‘‘(B) payments made under the regional conservation 
partnership program subject to the waiver of adjusted gross 
income limitations pursuant to section 1271C(c)(3); 
‘‘(C) waivers granted by the Secretary under section 
1001D(b)(3); 
‘‘(D) exceptions and activity associated with section 
1240B(h)(2); and 
‘‘(E) exceptions provided by the Secretary under section 
1265B(b)(2)(B)(ii).’’. 
(d) ALLOCATIONS REVIEW AND UPDATE.—Section 1241(g) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(g)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘January’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘shall’’ and inserting ‘‘1 year after the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary, 
acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Con-
servation Service and the Administrator of the Farm 
Service Agency, shall’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘annual’’ after ‘‘utilize’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘relevant data on local natural 
resource concerns, resource inventories, evaluations and 
reports, recommendations from State technical committees 
established under section 1261(a),’’ after ‘‘accounting for’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘that the formulas’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘that— 
‘‘(A) the formulas’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) to the maximum extent practicable, local natural 
resource concerns are considered a leading factor in deter-
mining annual funding allocation to States; 
‘‘(C) the process used at the national level to evaluate 
State budget proposals and to allocate funds is reviewed 
annually to assess the effect of allocations in addressing 
identified natural resource priorities and objectives; and 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(D) the allocation of funds to States addresses priority 
natural resource concerns and objectives.’’. 
(e) ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FARMERS OR RANCHERS FOR CON-
SERVATION ACCESS.—Section 1241(h) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(h)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘Of the funds’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEARS 2009 THROUGH 2018.—Of the funds’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) FISCAL YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2023.—Of the funds 
made available for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
to carry out the environmental quality incentives program 
under subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D and the 
conservation stewardship program under subchapter B of 
chapter 4 of subtitle D, the Secretary shall use, to the 
maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(i) 5 percent to assist beginning farmers or 
ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and, in the case of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, under the conservation steward-
ship program under subchapter B of chapter 4 of subtitle D’’ 
before the period at the end; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘year, acres not obligated 
under paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘year through fiscal year 
2018, acres not obligated under paragraph (1)(A)’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘subparagraph (A) or (B) 
of paragraph (1)’’ and inserting ‘‘, as applicable, clause (i) or 
(ii) of paragraph (1)(A) or clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B)’’. 
(f) CONSERVATION STANDARDS
AND REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) CONSERVATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the requirements of this title, 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service shall serve as the 
lead agency in developing and establishing technical standards 
and requirements for conservation programs carried out under 
this title, including— 
‘‘(A) standards for conservation practices under this 
title; 
‘‘(B) technical guidelines for implementing conservation 
practices under this title, including the location of the 
conservation practices; and 
‘‘(C) standards for conservation plans. 
‘‘(2) CONSISTENCY
OF
FARM
SERVICE
AGENCY
TECHNICAL 
STANDARDS
AND
PAYMENT
RATES.—The Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency shall ensure that— 
‘‘(A) technical standards of programs administered by 
the Farm Service Agency are consistent with the technical 
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132 STAT. 4579 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
standards established by the Natural Resources Conserva-
tion Service under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) payment rates, to the extent practicable, are con-
sistent between the Farm Service Agency and the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service.’’. 
SEC. 2502. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 1242(a) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(a)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘eligible participant’ 
means a producer, landowner, or entity that is participating 
in, or seeking to participate in, programs in which the producer, 
landowner, or entity is otherwise eligible to participate under 
this title or the agricultural management assistance program 
under section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1524(b)). 
‘‘(2) THIRD-PARTY
PROVIDER.—The term ‘third-party pro-
vider’ means a commercial entity (including a farmer coopera-
tive, agriculture retailer, or other commercial entity (as defined 
by the Secretary)), a nonprofit entity, a State or local govern-
ment (including a conservation district), or a Federal agency, 
that has expertise in the technical aspect of conservation plan-
ning, including nutrient management planning, watershed 
planning, or environmental engineering.’’. 
(b) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—Section 1242(e) of the Food Secu-
rity Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(e)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(4) CERTIFICATION PROCESS.—The Secretary shall certify 
a third-party provider through— 
‘‘(A) a certification process administered by the Sec-
retary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service; or 
‘‘(B) a non-Federal entity approved by the Secretary 
to perform the certification. 
‘‘(5) STREAMLINED CERTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall pro-
vide a streamlined certification process for a third-party pro-
vider that has an appropriate specialty certification, including 
a sustainability certification.’’. 
(c) EXPEDITED REVISION
OF STANDARDS.—Section 1242(h) of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(A) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, complete a 
review of each conservation practice standard, including 
engineering design specifications, in effect on the day before 
the date of enactment of that Act;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) evaluate opportunities to increase flexibility in 
conservation practice standards in a manner that ensures 
equivalent natural resource benefits.’’; 
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132 STAT. 4580 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘State technical commit-
tees established under section 1261(a),’’ before ‘‘crop consult-
ants’’; and 
(3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) EXPEDITED REVISION OF STANDARDS.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018, the Secretary shall develop for the programs 
under this title an administrative process for— 
‘‘(A) expediting the establishment and revision of con-
servation practice standards; 
‘‘(B) considering conservation innovations and scientific 
and technological advancements with respect to any 
establishment or revision under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(C) allowing local flexibility in the creation of— 
‘‘(i) interim practice standards and supplements 
to existing practice standards to address the consider-
ations described in subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(ii) partnership-led proposals for new and innova-
tive techniques to facilitate implementing agreements 
and grants under this title; and 
‘‘(D) soliciting regular input from State technical 
committees established under section 1261(a) for rec-
ommendations that identify innovations or advancements 
described in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(4) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and 
every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report on— 
‘‘(A) the administrative process developed under para-
graph (3); 
‘‘(B) conservation practice standards that were estab-
lished or revised under that process; and 
‘‘(C) conservation innovations that were considered 
under that process.’’. 
SEC. 2503. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSERVATION 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) ACREAGE LIMITATIONS.—Section 1244(f) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘10’’ and inserting ‘‘15’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘the Agricultural Act of 
2014’’ and inserting ‘‘the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018’’. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
CONSERVATION
PROGRAMS.—Section 
1244 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (m); 
(2) by redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as sub-
sections (k) through (m), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (i) the following: 
‘‘(j) REVIEW AND GUIDANCE FOR PRACTICE COSTS AND PAYMENT 
RATES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and 
not later than October 1 of each year thereafter, the Secretary 
shall— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) review the estimates for practice costs and rates 
of payments made to producers for practices on eligible 
land under this title; and 
‘‘(B) evaluate whether those costs and rates reflect 
a payment that— 
‘‘(i) encourages participation in a conservation pro-
gram administered by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) encourages implementation of the most effec-
tive practices to address local natural resource concerns 
on eligible land; and 
‘‘(iii) accounts for regional, State, and local varia-
bility relating to the complexity, implementation, and 
adoption of practices on eligible land. 
‘‘(2) GUIDANCE; REVIEW.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) issue guidance to States to annually review and 
adjust the estimates for practice costs and rates of pay-
ments made to producers to reflect the evaluation factors 
described in paragraph (1)(B); and 
‘‘(B) determine the appropriate practice costs and rates 
of payments for each State by— 
‘‘(i) annually reviewing each conservation program 
payment schedule and payment rate used in the State; 
and 
‘‘(ii) consulting with the State technical committee 
established under section 1261(a) in that State.’’. 
(c) FUNDING FOR INDIAN TRIBES.—Section 1244(m) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (as redesignated by subsection (b)(2)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘may’’ and inserting ‘‘shall’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘that the goals’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘that— 
‘‘(1) the goals’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking ‘‘arrange-
ments, and that statutory’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘arrangements; 
‘‘(2) a sufficient number of eligible participants will be 
aggregated under the alternative funding arrangement to 
accomplish the underlying purposes and objectives of the 
applicable program; and 
‘‘(3) statutory’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (3) (as so designated), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘, except that the Secretary 
may approve a waiver if the Secretary is authorized to approve 
a waiver under the statutory authority of the applicable pro-
gram.’’. 
(d) SOURCE WATER PROTECTION THROUGH TARGETING OF AGRI-
CULTURAL PRACTICES.—Section 1244 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by subsection (b)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(n) SOURCE WATER PROTECTION THROUGH TARGETING OF AGRI-
CULTURAL PRACTICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out any conservation pro-
gram administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall encour-
age practices that relate to water quality and water quantity 
that protect source water for drinking water (including pro-
tecting against public health threats) while also benefitting 
agricultural producers. 
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132 STAT. 4582 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION WITH WATER SYSTEMS AND INCREASED 
INCENTIVES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In encouraging practices under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) work collaboratively with community water 
systems and State technical committees established 
under section 1261(a) to identify, in each State, local 
priority areas for the protection of source waters for 
drinking water; and 
‘‘(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), for practices 
described in paragraph (1), offer to producers increased 
incentives and higher payment rates than are other-
wise statutorily authorized by the applicable conserva-
tion program administered by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) 
LIMITATION.—An 
increased 
payment 
under 
subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not exceed 90 percent of practice 
costs associated with planning, design, materials, equip-
ment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or 
training. 
‘‘(3) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection 
not less than 10 percent of any funds available for conserva-
tion programs administered by the Secretary under this 
title (other than the conservation reserve program estab-
lished under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D). 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—Funds available for a specific con-
servation program shall not be transferred to fund a dif-
ferent conservation program under this title.’’. 
(e) ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARKET.—Section 1244 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by sub-
section (d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(o) ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES MARKET.—The Secretary may 
not prohibit, through a contract, easement, or agreement under 
this title, a participant in a conservation program administered 
by the Secretary under this title from participating in, and receiving 
compensation from, an environmental services market if 1 of the 
purposes of the market is the facilitation of additional conservation 
benefits that are consistent with the purposes of the conservation 
program administered by the Secretary.’’. 
(f) REGULATORY CERTAINTY.—Section 1244 of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3844) (as amended by subsection (e)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(p) REGULATORY CERTAINTY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In addition to technical and pro-
grammatic information that the Secretary is otherwise author-
ized to provide, on request of a Federal agency, a State, an 
Indian tribe, or a unit of local government, the Secretary may 
provide technical and programmatic information— 
‘‘(A) subject to paragraph (2), to the Federal agency, 
State, Indian tribe, or unit of local government to support 
specifically the development of mechanisms that would pro-
vide regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe 
harbor protection, or other similar regulatory assurances 
to a farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial forest land-
owner under a regulatory requirement— 
‘‘(i) that relates to soil, water, or wildlife; and 
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132 STAT. 4583 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) over which that Federal agency, State, Indian 
tribe, or unit of local government has authority; and 
‘‘(B) relating to conservation practices or activities that 
could be implemented by a farmer, rancher, or private 
nonindustrial forest landowner to address a targeted soil, 
water, or wildlife resource concern that is the direct subject 
of a regulatory requirement enforced by that Federal 
agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of local government, 
as applicable. 
‘‘(2) MECHANISMS.—The Secretary shall only provide addi-
tional technical and programmatic information under para-
graph (1) if the mechanisms to be developed by the Federal 
agency, State, Indian tribe, or unit of local government, as 
applicable, under paragraph (1)(A) are anticipated to include, 
at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) the implementation of 1 or more conservation 
practices or activities that effectively addresses the soil, 
water, or wildlife resource concern identified under para-
graph (1); 
‘‘(B) the on-site confirmation that the applicable con-
servation practices or activities identified under subpara-
graph (A) have been implemented; 
‘‘(C) a plan for a periodic audit, as appropriate, of 
the continued implementation or maintenance of each of 
the conservation practices or activities identified under 
subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(D) notification to a farmer, rancher, or private non-
industrial forest landowner of, and an opportunity to cor-
rect, any noncompliance with a requirement to obtain regu-
latory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor 
protection, or other similar regulatory assurance. 
‘‘(3) CONTINUING CURRENT COLLABORATION ON SOIL, WATER, 
OR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PRACTICES.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) continue collaboration with Federal agencies, 
States, Indian tribes, or local units of government on 
existing regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe 
harbor protection, or other similar regulatory assurances 
in accordance with paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) continue collaboration with the Secretary of the 
Interior on consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)) or con-
ference under section 7(a)(4) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
1536(a)(4)), as applicable, for wildlife conservation efforts, 
including the Working Lands for Wildlife model of conserva-
tion on working landscapes, as implemented on the day 
before the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018, in accordance with— 
‘‘(i) the document entitled ‘Partnership Agreement 
Between the United States Department of Agriculture 
Natural Resources Conservation Service and the 
United States Department of the Interior Fish and 
Wildlife Service’, numbered A–3A75–16–937, and for-
malized by the Chief of the Natural Resources Con-
servation Service on September 15, 2016, and by the 
Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
on August 4, 2016, as in effect on September 15, 2016; 
and 
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132 STAT. 4584 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) United States Fish and Wildlife Service Direc-
tor’s Order No. 217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect 
on August 9, 2016. 
‘‘(4) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection— 
‘‘(A) preempts, displaces, or supplants any authority 
or right of a Federal agency, a State, an Indian tribe, 
or a unit of local government; 
‘‘(B) modifies or otherwise affects, preempts, or dis-
places— 
‘‘(i) any cause of action; or 
‘‘(ii) a provision of Federal or State law establishing 
a remedy for a civil or criminal cause of action; or 
‘‘(C) applies to a case in which the Department of 
Agriculture is the originating agency requesting a consulta-
tion or other technical and programmatic information or 
assistance from another Federal agency in assisting 
farmers, ranchers, or nonindustrial private forest land-
owners participating in a conservation program adminis-
tered by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 2504. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CONSERVATION PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) INTERIM ADMINISTRATION.—Subject to subsection (d), the 
Secretary shall use the applicable regulations in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act, to the extent that the 
terms and conditions of those regulations are consistent with the 
amendments made by this title, to carry out the programs under 
laws as amended by this title, including— 
(1) the conservation reserve program under subchapter B 
of chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.) (as amended by subtitle 
B); 
(2) the environmental quality incentives program under 
subchapter A of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq) (as added 
by section 2301(a)(1) and amended by subtitle C); 
(3) the conservation stewardship program under subchapter 
B of chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (as added by subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 
2301 and amended by subtitle C); and 
(4) the agricultural conservation easement program estab-
lished under subtitle H of title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865 et seq.) (as amended by subtitle F). 
(b) REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.—Not-
withstanding subsection (e) of section 1271E of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871e) (as amended by section 2706), and 
subject to subsection (d), for fiscal year 2019, the Secretary may 
use an availability of program funding announcement consistent 
with the amendments made by subtitle G to carry out the regional 
conservation partnership program under subtitle I of title XII of 
the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871 et seq.) without 
issuing a regulation. 
(c) FUNDING.—The Secretary may only use funds authorized 
to be made available by this title or the amendments made by 
this title for the specific programs described in paragraphs (1) 
through (4) of subsection (a) and subsection (b), in accordance 
16 USC 3801 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4585 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
with any restrictions on the use of those funds, for the purposes 
described in subsections (a) and (b). 
(d) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority of the Sec-
retary to carry out subsections (a) and (b) shall terminate on Sep-
tember 30, 2019. 
(e) PERMANENT ADMINISTRATION.—Effective beginning on the 
termination date described in subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
carry out this title and the amendments made by this title in 
accordance with such final regulations as the Secretary considers 
necessary to carry out this title and the amendments made by 
this title. 
Subtitle F—Agricultural Conservation 
Easement Program 
SEC. 2601. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES. 
Section 1265(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘that negatively affect 
the agricultural uses and conservation values’’ after ‘‘that land’’; 
and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘restoring and’’ and 
inserting ‘‘restoring or’’. 
SEC. 2602. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 1265A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph(1)(B), by striking ‘‘subject to an agricul-
tural land easement plan, as approved by the Secretary’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as 
paragraphs (3), (4), (6), and (7), respectively; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) BUY-PROTECT-SELL TRANSACTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘buy-protect-sell trans-
action’ means a legal arrangement— 
‘‘(i) between an eligible entity and the Secretary 
relating to land that an eligible entity owns or is 
going to purchase prior to acquisition of an agricultural 
land easement; 
‘‘(ii) under which the eligible entity certifies to 
the Secretary that the eligible entity shall— 
‘‘(I)(aa) hold an agricultural land easement on 
that land, but transfer ownership of the land to 
a farmer or rancher that is not an eligible entity 
prior to or on acquisition of the agricultural land 
easement; or 
‘‘(bb) hold an agricultural land easement on 
that land, but transfer ownership of the land to 
a farmer or rancher that is not an eligible entity 
in a timely manner and, subject to subparagraph 
(B), not later than 3 years after the date of acquisi-
tion of the agricultural land easement; and 
‘‘(II) make an initial sale of the land subject 
to the agricultural land easement to a farmer or 
rancher at not more than agricultural value, plus 
any reasonable holding and transaction costs 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
incurred by the eligible entity, as determined by 
the Secretary; and 
‘‘(iii) 
under 
which 
the 
Secretary 
shall 
be 
reimbursed for the entirety of the Federal share of 
the cost of the agricultural land easement by the 
eligible entity if the eligible entity fails to transfer 
ownership under item (aa) or (bb), as applicable, of 
clause (ii)(I). 
‘‘(B) 
TIME
EXTENSION.—Under 
subparagraph 
(A)(ii)(I)(bb), an eligible entity may transfer land later than 
3 years after the date of acquisition of the agricultural 
land easement if the Secretary determines an extension 
of time is justified.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘to a’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘to— 
‘‘(I) a’’; 
(ii) in subclause (I) (as so designated), by adding 
‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) a buy-protect-sell transaction;’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), by striking ‘‘, as deter-
mined by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary 
of the Interior at the local level’’; and 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(5) MONITORING
REPORT.—The term ‘monitoring report’ 
means a report, the contents of which are formulated and 
prepared by the holder of an agricultural land easement, that 
accurately documents whether the land subject to the agricul-
tural land easement is in compliance with the terms and condi-
tions of the agricultural land easement.’’. 
SEC. 2603. AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE.—Section 1265B(a) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘provide for the conserva-
tion of natural resources pursuant to an agricultural land ease-
ment plan.’’ and inserting ‘‘implement the program, including 
technical assistance for the development of a conservation plan 
under subsection (b)(4)(C)(iv); and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) buy-protect-sell transactions.’’. 
(b) COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) SCOPE OF ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.—Section 1265B(b)(2) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b(b)(2)) is 
amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking clause (ii) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) GRASSLANDS EXCEPTION.—In the case of grass-
land of special environmental significance, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, the Secretary may provide 
an amount not to exceed 75 percent of the fair market 
value of the agricultural land easement. 
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132 STAT. 4587 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) PERMISSIBLE FORMS.—The non-Federal share 
provided by an eligible entity under this subparagraph 
may comprise— 
‘‘(I) cash resources; 
‘‘(II) a charitable donation or qualified con-
servation contribution (as defined in section 170(h) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) from the 
private landowner from which the agricultural 
land easement will be purchased; 
‘‘(III) costs associated with securing a deed 
to the agricultural land easement, including the 
cost of appraisal, survey, inspection, and title; and 
‘‘(IV) other costs, as determined by the Sec-
retary.’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (C). 
(2) EVALUATION AND RANKING OF APPLICATIONS.—Section 
1265B(b)(3) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865b(b)(3)) is amended— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subpara-
graph (E); and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: 
‘‘(C) ACCOUNTING FOR GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES.—The 
Secretary may adjust the criteria established under 
subparagraph (A) to account for geographic differences, 
if the adjustments— 
‘‘(i) meet the purposes of the program; and 
‘‘(ii) continue to maximize the benefit of the Fed-
eral investment under the program. 
‘‘(D) PRIORITY.—In evaluating applications under the 
program, the Secretary may give priority to an application 
for the purchase of an agricultural land easement that, 
as determined by the Secretary, maintains agricultural 
viability.’’. 
(3) 
AGREEMENTS
WITH
ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—Section 
1265B(b)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865b(b)(4)) is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking clauses (iii) and 
(iv) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(iii) include a right of enforcement for the Sec-
retary that— 
‘‘(I) may be used only if the terms and condi-
tions of the easement are not enforced by the 
eligible entity; and 
‘‘(II) does not extend to a right of inspection 
unless— 
‘‘(aa)(AA) the holder of the easement fails 
to provide monitoring reports in a timely 
manner; or 
‘‘(BB) the Secretary has a reasonable and 
articulable belief that the terms and conditions 
of the easement have been violated; and 
‘‘(bb) prior to the inspection, the Secretary 
notifies the eligible entity and the landowner 
of the inspection and provides a reasonable 
opportunity for the eligible entity and the 
landowner to participate in the inspection; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) include a conservation plan only for any por-
tion of the land subject to the agricultural land ease-
ment that is highly erodible cropland; and’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following: 
‘‘(D) ADDITIONAL PERMITTED TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— 
An eligible entity may include terms and conditions for 
an agricultural land easement that— 
‘‘(i) are intended to keep the land subject to the 
agricultural land easement under the ownership of 
a farmer or rancher, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) allow subsurface mineral development on the 
land subject to the agricultural land easement and 
in accordance with applicable State law if, as deter-
mined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(I) the subsurface mineral development— 
‘‘(aa) has a limited and localized impact; 
‘‘(bb) does not harm the agricultural use 
and conservation values of the land subject 
to the easement; 
‘‘(cc) does not materially alter or affect 
the existing topography; 
‘‘(dd) shall comply with a subsurface min-
eral development plan that— 
‘‘(AA) includes a plan for the remedi-
ation of impacts to the agricultural use 
and conservation values of the land sub-
ject to the easement; and 
‘‘(BB) is approved by the Secretary 
prior to the initiation of mineral develop-
ment activity; 
‘‘(ee) is not accomplished by any surface 
mining method; 
‘‘(ff) is within the impervious surface 
limits of the easement under subparagraph 
(C)(v); and 
‘‘(gg) uses practices and technologies that 
minimize the duration and intensity of impacts 
to the agricultural use and conservation values 
of the land subject to the easement; and 
‘‘(II) each area impacted by the subsurface 
mineral development shall be reclaimed and 
restored by the holder of the mineral rights at 
cessation of operation; and 
‘‘(iii) include other relevant activities relating to 
the agricultural land easement, as determined by the 
Secretary.’’. 
(4) 
CERTIFICATION
OF
ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—Section 
1265B(b)(5) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865b(b)(5)) is amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) allow a certified eligible entity to use its own 
terms and conditions, notwithstanding paragraph 
(4)(C), as long as the terms and conditions are con-
sistent with the purposes of the program.’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (iii), by redesignating subclauses (I) 
through (III) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively, 
and indenting appropriately; 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as 
subclauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; 
(iii) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘entity will’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘eligible entity— 
‘‘(i) will’’; 
(iv) in clause (i)(III)(cc) (as so redesignated), by 
striking the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(v) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) has— 
‘‘(I) been accredited by the Land Trust Accredi-
tation Commission, or by an equivalent accrediting 
body, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(II) acquired not fewer than 10 agricultural 
land easements under the program or any prede-
cessor program; and 
‘‘(III) successfully met the responsibilities of 
the eligible entity under the applicable agreements 
with the Secretary, as determined by the Sec-
retary, relating to agricultural land easements that 
the eligible entity has acquired under the program 
or any predecessor program; or 
‘‘(iii) is a State department of agriculture or other 
State agency with statutory authority for farm and 
ranchland protection that has— 
‘‘(I) acquired not fewer than 10 agricultural 
land easements under the program or any prede-
cessor program; and 
‘‘(II) successfully met the responsibilities of 
the eligible entity under the applicable agreements 
with the Secretary, as determined by the Sec-
retary, relating to agricultural land easements that 
the eligible entity has acquired under the program 
or any predecessor program.’’. 
(5) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—Section 1265B of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3865b) is amended by striking 
subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may provide tech-
nical assistance, if requested, to assist in compliance with the 
terms and conditions of easements.’’. 
SEC. 2604. WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENTS. 
Section 1265C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865c) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (3)(C), by inserting ‘‘or improving 
water quality’’ before the period at the end; and 
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132 STAT. 4590 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) in subparagraph (C)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘Land subject’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Land subject’’; 
(II) in clause (i) (as so designated), by inserting 
‘‘water management,’’ after ‘‘timber harvest,’’; and 
(III) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) COMPATIBLE USE AUTHORIZATION.—In evalu-
ating and authorizing a compatible economic use under 
clause (i), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(I) request and consider the advice of the 
applicable State technical committee established 
under section 1261(a) about the 1 or more types 
of uses that may be authorized to be conducted 
on land subject to a wetland reserve easement, 
including the frequency, timing, and intensity of 
those uses; 
‘‘(II) consider the ability of an authorized use 
to facilitate the practical administration and 
management of that land; and 
‘‘(III) ensure that an authorized use furthers 
the functions and values for which the wetland 
reserve easement was established.’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (D)(i)(III), by inserting after 
‘‘under subsection (f)’’ the following: ‘‘or a grazing 
management plan that is consistent with the wetland 
reserve easement plan and has been reviewed, and 
modified as necessary, at least every 5 years’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) WETLAND RESERVE EASEMENT PLAN.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop a wet-
land reserve easement plan— 
‘‘(i) for any eligible land subject to a wetland 
reserve easement; and 
‘‘(ii) that restores, protects, enhances, manages, 
maintains, and monitors the eligible land subject to 
the wetland reserve easements acquired under this 
section. 
‘‘(B) PRACTICES
AND
ACTIVITIES.—A wetland reserve 
easement plan under subparagraph (A) shall include prac-
tices and activities, including repair or replacement, that 
are necessary to restore and maintain the enrolled land 
and the functions and values of the wetland subject to 
a wetland reserve easement.’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as para-
graphs (3) and (4), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES.—The Secretary, in 
coordination with State technical committees established under 
section 1261(a) and pursuant to State-specific criteria and 
guidelines, may authorize the establishment or restoration of 
a hydrologically appropriate native community or alternative 
naturalized vegetative community as part of a wetland reserve 
easement plan on land subject to a wetland reserve easement 
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132 STAT. 4591 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
if that hydrologically appropriate native or alternative natural-
ized vegetative community shall— 
‘‘(A) substantially support or benefit migratory water-
fowl or other wetland wildlife; or 
‘‘(B) meet local resource concerns or needs (including 
as an element of a regional, State, or local wildlife initiative 
or plan).’’. 
SEC. 2605. ADMINISTRATION. 
Section 1265D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3865d) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (a)(4), by striking ‘‘proposed’’ and inserting 
‘‘permitted’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) SUBORDINATION, EXCHANGE, MODIFICATION, AND TERMI-
NATION.— 
‘‘(1) SUBORDINATION.—The Secretary may subordinate any 
interest in land, or portion of such interest, administered by 
the Secretary (including for the purposes of utilities and energy 
transmission services) either directly or on behalf of the Com-
modity Credit Corporation under the program if the Secretary 
determines that the subordination— 
‘‘(A) increases conservation values or has a limited 
negative effect on conservation values; 
‘‘(B) minimally affects the acreage subject to the 
interest in land; and 
‘‘(C) is in the public interest or furthers the practical 
administration of the program. 
‘‘(2) MODIFICATION AND EXCHANGE.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may approve a modi-
fication or exchange of any interest in land, or portion 
of such interest, administered by the Secretary, either 
directly or on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
under the program if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) no reasonable alternative exists and the effect 
on the interest in land is avoided or minimized to 
the extent practicable; and 
‘‘(ii) the modification or exchange— 
‘‘(I) results in equal or increased conservation 
values; 
‘‘(II) results in equal or greater economic value 
to the United States; 
‘‘(III) is consistent with the original intent of 
the easement; 
‘‘(IV) is consistent with the purposes of the 
program; and 
‘‘(V) is in the public interest or furthers the 
practical administration of the program. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—In modifying or exchanging an 
interest in land, or portion of such interest, under this 
paragraph, the Secretary may not increase any payment 
to an eligible entity. 
‘‘(3) TERMINATION.—The Secretary may approve a termi-
nation of any interest in land, or portion of such interest, 
administered by the Secretary, directly or on behalf of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation under the program if the Sec-
retary determines that— 
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132 STAT. 4592 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) termination is in the interest of the Federal 
Government; 
‘‘(B) the United States will be fully compensated for— 
‘‘(i) the fair market value of the interest in land; 
‘‘(ii) any costs relating to the termination; and 
‘‘(iii) any damages determined appropriate by the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(C) the termination will— 
‘‘(i) address a compelling public need for which 
there is no practicable alternative even with avoidance 
and minimization; and 
‘‘(ii) further the practical administration of the pro-
gram. 
‘‘(4) CONSENT.—The Secretary shall obtain consent from 
the landowner and eligible entity, if applicable, for any subordi-
nation, exchange, modification, or termination of interest in 
land, or portion of such interest, under this subsection. 
‘‘(5) NOTICE.—At least 90 days before taking any termi-
nation action described in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall 
provide written notice of such action to the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘transferred into the 
program’’ and inserting ‘‘enrolled in an easement under 
section 1265C(b)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS.—A farmer or rancher 
who owns eligible land subject to an agricultural land easement 
may enter into a contract under subchapter B of chapter 1 
of subtitle D.’’. 
Subtitle G—Regional Conservation 
Partnership Program 
SEC. 2701. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES. 
Section 1271 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, including partner-
ship agreements funded through alternative funding 
arrangements 
or 
grant 
agreements 
under 
section 
1271C(d),’’ after ‘‘partnership agreements’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘contracts with pro-
ducers’’ and inserting ‘‘program contracts with producers’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘use covered programs’’ and inserting 
‘‘carry out eligible activities’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) To further the conservation, protection, restoration, 
and sustainable use of soil, water (including sources of drinking 
water and groundwater), wildlife, agricultural land, and related 
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132 STAT. 4593 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
natural resources on eligible land on a regional or watershed 
scale.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, including 
through alignment of partnership projects with other 
national, State, and local agencies and programs 
addressing similar natural resource or environmental 
concerns’’ after ‘‘eligible land’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘installation’’ 
and inserting ‘‘adoption, installation,’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) To encourage the flexible and streamlined delivery 
of conservation assistance to producers through partnership 
agreements. 
‘‘(5) To engage producers and eligible partners in conserva-
tion projects to achieve greater conservation outcomes and bene-
fits for producers than would otherwise be achieved.’’. 
SEC. 2702. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 1271A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871a) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ‘‘, not including 
the grassland conservation initiative under section 1240L– 
1’’ before the period at the end; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) The conservation reserve program established 
under subchapter B of chapter 1 of subtitle D. 
‘‘(F) The programs established by the Secretary to carry 
out the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act 
(16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), except for any program established 
by the Secretary to carry out section 14 (16 U.S.C. 1012) 
of that Act.’’; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITY.—The term ‘eligible activity’ means 
a practice, activity, agreement, easement, or related conserva-
tion measure that is available under the statutory authority 
for a covered program. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE LAND.—The term ‘eligible land’ means any 
agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land or associated 
land on which the Secretary determines an eligible activity 
would help achieve conservation benefits.’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘acequia,’’ after 
‘‘irrigation district,’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(I) An organization described in section 1265A(3)(B). 
‘‘(J) A conservation district.’’; 
(4) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(5) PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT.—The term ‘partnership 
agreement’ means the programmatic agreement entered into 
between the Secretary and an eligible partner, subject to the 
terms and conditions under section 1271B.’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) PROGRAM CONTRACT.— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘program contract’ means 
the contract between the Secretary and a producer entered 
into under this subtitle. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSION.—The term ‘program contract’ does not 
include a contract under a covered program.’’. 
SEC. 2703. REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS. 
Section 1271B of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871b) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) LENGTH.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A partnership agreement shall be— 
‘‘(A) for a period not to exceed 5 years; or 
‘‘(B) for a period that is longer than 5 years, if the 
longer period is necessary to meet the objectives of the 
program, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) RENEWAL.—A partnership agreement may be renewed 
under subsection (e)(5) for a period not to exceed 5 years. 
‘‘(3) EXTENSION.—A partnership agreement, or any renewal 
of a partnership agreement, may each be extended 1 time 
for a period not longer than 12 months, as determined by 
the Secretary.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as 
clauses (iv) and (v), respectively; and 
(II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) 1 or more conservation benefits that the project 
shall achieve; 
‘‘(ii) the eligible activities on eligible land to be 
conducted under the project to achieve conservation 
benefits; 
‘‘(iii) the implementation timeline for carrying out 
the project, including any interim milestones;’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘funds’’ and 
inserting ‘‘contributions’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘of the 
project’s effects; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘of— 
‘‘(i) the progress made by the project in achieving 
each conservation benefit defined in the partnership 
agreement, including in a quantified form to the extent 
practicable; and 
‘‘(ii) as appropriate, other outcomes of the project; 
and’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘An eligible’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) FORM.—A contribution of an eligible partner under 
this paragraph may be in the form of— 
‘‘(i) direct funding; 
‘‘(ii) in-kind support; or 
‘‘(iii) a combination of direct funding and in-kind 
support. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT.—Any amounts expended during the 
period beginning on the date on which the Secretary 
announces the approval of an application under subsection 
(e) and ending on the day before the effective date of 
the partnership agreement by an eligible partner for staff 
salaries or development of the partnership agreement may 
be considered to be a part of the contribution of the eligible 
partner under this paragraph.’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); 
(4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) DUTIES OF SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish a timeline for carrying out the duties of 
the Secretary under a partnership agreement, including— 
‘‘(A) entering into program contracts with producers; 
‘‘(B) providing financial assistance to producers; and 
‘‘(C) in the case of a partnership agreement that is 
funded through an alternative funding arrangement or 
grant agreement under section 1271C(d), providing the pay-
ments to the eligible partner for carrying out eligible activi-
ties; 
‘‘(2) identify in each State a program coordinator for the 
State, who shall be responsible for providing assistance to 
eligible partners under the program; 
‘‘(3) establish guidance to assist eligible partners with car-
rying out the assessment required under subsection (c)(1)(E); 
‘‘(4) provide to each eligible partner that has entered into 
a partnership agreement that is not funded through an alter-
native funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 
1271C(d)— 
‘‘(A) a semiannual report describing the status of each 
pending and obligated contract under the project of the 
eligible partner; and 
‘‘(B) an annual report describing how the Secretary 
used amounts reserved by the Secretary for that year for 
technical assistance under section 1271D(f); and 
‘‘(5) ensure that any eligible activity effectively achieves 
the conservation benefits identified in the partnership agree-
ment under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i).’’; 
(5) in subsection (e) (as redesignated by paragraph (3))— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘simplified’’ after 
‘‘conduct a’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking the paragraph designation and 
heading and all that follows through ‘‘description of— 
’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—The Secretary shall develop a simplified 
application that includes a description of—’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘, including 
the covered programs to be used’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘financial’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4)— 
(i) by striking subparagraph (D); 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) 
as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and 
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the fol-
lowing: 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(D) build new partnerships with local, State, and pri-
vate entities to include a diversity of stakeholders in the 
project; 
‘‘(E) deliver a high percentage of applied conservation— 
‘‘(i) to achieve conservation benefits; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a project in a critical conserva-
tion area under section 1271F, to address the priority 
resource concern for that critical conservation area; 
‘‘(F) implement the project consistent with existing 
watershed, habitat, or other area restoration plans;’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) RENEWALS.—If the Secretary determines that a project 
that is the subject of a partnership agreement has met or 
exceeded the objectives of the project, the Secretary may renew 
the partnership agreement through an expedited noncompeti-
tive process if the 1 or more eligible partners that are parties 
to the partnership agreement request the renewal in order— 
‘‘(A) to continue to implement the project under a 
renewal of the partnership agreement; or 
‘‘(B) to expand the scope of the project under a renewal 
of the partnership agreement, as long as the expansion 
is within the objectives and purposes of the original part-
nership agreement.’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME LIMITA-
TION.—The adjusted gross income limitation described in section 
1001D(b)(1) shall not apply to an eligible partner under the pro-
gram.’’. 
SEC. 2704. ASSISTANCE TO PRODUCERS. 
Section 1271C of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871c) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A producer may receive financial or technical 
assistance to conduct eligible activities on eligible land through 
a program contract entered into with the Secretary. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a program 
contract to be entered into with a producer to conduct eligible 
activities on eligible land, subject to such terms and conditions 
as the Secretary may establish. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION BUNDLES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible partner may submit to 
the Secretary, on behalf of producers, a bundle of applica-
tions for assistance under the program through program 
contracts to address a substantial portion of the conserva-
tion benefits to be achieved by the project, as defined 
in the partnership agreement. 
‘‘(B) PRIORITY.—The Secretary may give priority to 
applications described in subparagraph (A).’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘In accordance with 
statutory requirements of the covered programs involved, 
the Secretary may make payments to a producer’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Subject to section 1271D, the Secretary may 
make payments to a producer’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4597 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘participating’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) FUNDING THROUGH ALTERNATIVE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS 
OR GRANT AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A partnership agreement entered into 
with an eligible partner may be funded through an alternative 
funding arrangement or grant in accordance with this sub-
section. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) under a funding agreement under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) use funding made available to carry out this 
subtitle to provide funding directly to the eligible 
partner; and 
‘‘(ii) provide technical and administrative assist-
ance, as mutually agreed by the parties; and 
‘‘(B) enter into not more than 15 alternative funding 
arrangements or grant agreements with 1 or more eligible 
partners each fiscal year. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES
OF
ELIGIBLE
PARTNERS.—Under a funding 
agreement under paragraph (1), the eligible partner shall— 
‘‘(A) carry out eligible activities on eligible land in 
agreement with producers to achieve conservation benefits 
on a regional or watershed scale, such as— 
‘‘(i) infrastructure investments relating to agricul-
tural or nonindustrial private forest production that 
would— 
‘‘(I) benefit multiple producers; and 
‘‘(II) address natural resource concerns such 
as drought, wildfire, or water quality impairment 
on the land covered by the project; 
‘‘(ii) projects addressing natural resources concerns 
in coordination with producers, including the develop-
ment and implementation of watershed, habitat, or 
other area restoration plans; 
‘‘(iii) projects that use innovative approaches to 
leveraging the Federal investment in conservation with 
private financial mechanisms, in conjunction with agri-
cultural production or forest resource management, 
such as— 
‘‘(I) the provision of performance-based pay-
ments to producers; and 
‘‘(II) support for an environmental market; or 
‘‘(iv) other projects for which the Secretary deter-
mines that the goals and objectives of the program 
would be easier to achieve through the funding agree-
ment under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) submit to the Secretary, in addition to any 
information that the Secretary requires to prepare the 
report under section 1271E(b), an annual report that 
describes the status of the project, including a description 
of— 
‘‘(i) the use of the funds awarded under paragraph 
(1); 
‘‘(ii) any subcontracts awarded; 
‘‘(iii) the producers receiving funding through the 
funding agreement under paragraph (1); 
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132 STAT. 4598 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv)(I) the progress made by the project in 
addressing each natural resource concern defined in 
the funding agreement under paragraph (1), including 
in a quantified form to the extent practicable; and 
‘‘(II) as appropriate, other outcomes of the project; 
and 
‘‘(v) any other reporting data the Secretary deter-
mines are necessary to ensure compliance with the 
program rules.’’. 
SEC. 2705. FUNDING. 
Section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$100,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$300,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2019 through 2023’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (c); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
(c) and (d), respectively; 
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and acres’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and reserved for the program 
under subsection (c)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘25 percent of the funds and acres 
to projects based on a State competitive process 
administered by the State Conservationist, with the 
advice of the State technical committee’’ and inserting 
‘‘50 percent of the funds to projects based on a State 
or multistate competitive process administered by the 
Secretary at the local level with the advice of the 
applicable State technical committees’’; and 
(ii) by adding ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(C) by striking paragraph (2); 
(D) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); 
and 
(E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘35 percent of the funds and acres’’ and inserting ‘‘50 
percent of the funds’’; 
(5) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘None of the funds made available 
or reserved for the program’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
none of the funds made available for the program, including 
for a partnership agreement funded through an alternative 
funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 
1271C(d),’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND OUTREACH.—Under a part-
nership agreement that is not funded through an alternative 
funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 
1271C(d), the Secretary may advance reasonable amounts of 
funding for not longer than 90 days for technical assistance 
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132 STAT. 4599 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
to eligible partners to conduct project development and outreach 
activities in a project area, including— 
‘‘(A) providing outreach and education to producers 
for potential participation in the project; 
‘‘(B) establishing baseline metrics to support the 
development of the assessment required under section 
1271B(c)(1)(E); or 
‘‘(C) providing technical assistance to producers.’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—At the time of project selection, the 
Secretary shall identify and make publicly available the amount 
that the Secretary shall use to provide technical assistance 
under the terms of the partnership agreement. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall limit costs of the 
Secretary for technical assistance to costs specific and necessary 
to carry out the objectives of the program. 
‘‘(3) THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS.—The Secretary shall develop 
and implement strategies to encourage third-party technical 
service providers to provide technical assistance to eligible part-
ners pursuant to a partnership agreement.’’. 
SEC. 2706. ADMINISTRATION. 
Section 1271E of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871e) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘1271B(d)’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘1271B(e)’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘December 31, 2014’’ and inserting ‘‘December 31, 2019’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; 
(C) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) a summary of— 
‘‘(A) the progress made towards achieving the conserva-
tion benefits defined for the projects; and 
‘‘(B) any other related outcomes of the projects;’’; 
(D) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(E) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘1271C(b)(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘1271C(d)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) in the case of a project within a critical conservation 
area under section 1271F, the status of each priority resource 
concern for each designated critical conservation area, 
including— 
‘‘(A) the priority resource concerns for which each crit-
ical conservation area is designated; 
‘‘(B) conservation goals and outcomes sufficient to dem-
onstrate that progress is being made to address the priority 
resource concerns; 
‘‘(C) the partnership agreements selected to address 
each conservation goal and outcome; and 
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132 STAT. 4600 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(D) the extent to which each conservation goal and 
outcome is being addressed by the partnership agree-
ments.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.—The Sec-
retary may not provide assistance under the program to a producer 
unless the producer agrees, during the program year for which 
the assistance is provided— 
‘‘(1) to comply with applicable conservation requirements 
under subtitle B; and 
‘‘(2) to comply with applicable wetland protection require-
ments under subtitle C. 
‘‘(d) HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS.—To the max-
imum extent practicable, in carrying out the program, the Secretary 
and eligible partners shall conduct outreach to beginning farmers 
and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers, and limited resource farmers and ranchers 
to encourage participation by those producers in a project subject 
to a partnership agreement or funding agreement under 1271C(d). 
‘‘(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall issue regulations to 
carry out the program.’’. 
SEC. 2707. CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREAS. 
Section 1271F of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3871f) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), and (c) as sub-
sections (b), (c), and (e), respectively; 
(2) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CRITICAL CONSERVATION AREA.—The term ‘critical con-
servation area’ means a geographical area that contains a crit-
ical conservation condition that can be addressed through the 
program. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY
RESOURCE
CONCERN.—The term ‘priority 
resource concern’ means a natural resource concern located 
in a critical conservation area that can be addressed through— 
‘‘(A) water quality improvement, including through 
reducing 
erosion, 
promoting 
sediment 
control, 
and 
addressing nutrient management activities affecting large 
bodies of water of regional, national, or international 
significance; 
‘‘(B) water quantity improvement, including improve-
ment relating to— 
‘‘(i) drought; 
‘‘(ii) groundwater, surface water, aquifer, or other 
water sources; or 
‘‘(iii) water retention and flood prevention; 
‘‘(C) wildlife habitat restoration to address species of 
concern at a Federal, State, or local level; and 
‘‘(D) other natural resource improvements, as deter-
mined by the Secretary, within the critical conservation 
area.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(b) IN GENERAL.—’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(b) APPLICATIONS.—’’; 
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132 STAT. 4601 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) 
by 
striking 
‘‘1271D(d)(3)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘1271D(d)(2)’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘producer’’ and inserting ‘‘program’’; 
and 
(D) by inserting ‘‘that address 1 or more priority 
resource concerns for which the critical conservation area 
is designated’’ before the period at the end; 
(4) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall identify 1 or more 
priority resource concerns that apply to each critical conserva-
tion area designated under this section after the date of enact-
ment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79; 
128 Stat. 649), including the conservation goals and outcomes 
sufficient to demonstrate that progress is being made to address 
the priority resource concern.’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(C) contains 1 or more priority resource concerns; 
or’’; and 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subpara-
graph (D); and 
(D) by striking paragraph (3) (as so redesignated) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) REVIEW AND WITHDRAWAL.—The Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) review designations of critical conservation areas 
under this section not more frequently than once every 
5 years; and 
‘‘(B) withdraw designation of a critical conservation 
area only if the Secretary determines that the area is 
no longer a critical conservation area.’’; 
(5) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(d) OUTREACH TO ELIGIBLE PARTNERS AND PRODUCERS.—The 
Secretary shall provide outreach and education to eligible partners 
and producers in critical conservation areas designated under this 
section to encourage the development of projects to address each 
priority resource concern identified by the Secretary for that critical 
conservation area.’’; and 
(6) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘producer’’ and 
inserting ‘‘program’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (3). 
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132 STAT. 4602 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle H—Repeals and Technical 
Amendments 
PART I—REPEALS 
SEC. 2811. REPEAL OF CONSERVATION CORRIDOR DEMONSTRATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle G of title II of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note; Public 
Law 107–171) is repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5059 of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 2007 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note; Public 
Law 110–114) is repealed. 
SEC. 2812. REPEAL OF CRANBERRY ACREAGE RESERVE PROGRAM. 
Section 10608 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3801 note; Public Law 107–171) is repealed. 
SEC. 2813. REPEAL OF NATIONAL NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION. 
Subtitle F of title III of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (16 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.) is repealed. 
SEC. 2814. REPEAL OF FLOOD RISK REDUCTION. 
Section 385 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7334) is repealed. 
SEC. 2815. REPEAL OF STUDY OF LAND USE FOR EXPIRING CONTRACTS 
AND EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY. 
Section 1437 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 3831 note; Public Law 101–624) is repealed. 
SEC. 2816. REPEAL OF INTEGRATED FARM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 
OPTION. 
Section 1451 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5822) is repealed. 
SEC. 2817. REPEAL OF CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF AGRICUL-
TURAL LANDS. 
Section 325 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–127; 110 Stat. 992) is repealed. 
PART II—TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 2821. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
(a) WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION ACT.— 
Section 5(4) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1005(4)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘goodwater’’ and inserting ‘‘floodwater’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Health, Education, and Wel-
fare’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Secretary of Health 
and Human Services’’. 
(b) DELINEATION OF WETLANDS; EXEMPTIONS.—Section 1222(j) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3822(j)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘National Resources Conservation Service’’ and inserting 
‘‘Natural Resources Conservation Service’’. 
16 USC 5801 and 
note, 5802–5809. 
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132 STAT. 4603 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(c) FARMABLE WETLAND PROGRAM.—Section 1231B(b)(2)(A)(i) 
of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831b(b)(2)(A)(i)) is 
amended by adding a semicolon at the end. 
(d) TERMINAL LAKES ASSISTANCE.—Section 2507 of the Farm 
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb– 
6) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (1); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (1); 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Nothing in this section authorizes 
any additional funds to carry out this section. 
‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Any funds made avail-
able to carry out this section before the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 may remain 
available until expended.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority provided by 
this section shall terminate on October 1, 2023.’’. 
(e) DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Section 1242 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842) is amended by striking 
‘‘third party’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘third-party’’. 
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS
FOR CONSERVATION PRO-
GRAMS.—Section 1244(b)(4)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3844(b)(4)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘General 
Accounting Office’’ and inserting ‘‘Government Accountability 
Office’’. 
SEC. 2822. STATE TECHNICAL COMMITTEES. 
(a) STANDARDS.—Section 1261(b)(2) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘under section 
1262(b)’’. 
(b) COMPOSITION.—Section 1261(c) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(14) The State Cooperative Extension Service and land 
grant university in the State.’’. 
TITLE III—TRADE 
Subtitle A—Food for Peace Act 
SEC. 3101. LABELING REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 202(g) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(g)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(g) LABELING OF ASSISTANCE.—Agricultural commodities and 
other assistance provided under this title shall, to the extent prac-
ticable, be clearly identified with appropriate markings on the pack-
age or container of such agricultural commodities or food procured 
outside of the United States, or on printed material that accom-
panies other assistance, in the language of the locality in which 
such commodities and other assistance are distributed, as being 
furnished by the people of the United States of America.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4604 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 3102. FOOD AID QUALITY ASSURANCE. 
Section 202(h)(3) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1722(h)(3)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3103. LOCAL SALE AND BARTER OF COMMODITIES. 
Section 203 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1723) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘to generate proceeds 
to be used as provided in this section’’ before the period at 
the end; 
(2) by striking subsection (b); and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(b) and (c), respectively. 
SEC. 3104. MINIMUM LEVELS OF ASSISTANCE. 
Section 204(a) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1724(a)) 
is amended in paragraphs (1) and (2) by striking ‘‘2018’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3105. FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP. 
Section 205 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1), in the first sentence, by striking 
‘‘45’’ and inserting ‘‘30’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3106. ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS. 
Section 207(c)(1) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(c)(1)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘the Agricultural Act of 2014’’and inserting 
‘‘the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018’’. 
SEC. 3107. OVERSIGHT, MONITORING, AND EVALUATION. 
Section 207(f)(4) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726a(f)(4)) 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$17,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘1.5 per-
cent, but not less than $17,000,000,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘chapter 1 of part I 
of’’. 
SEC. 3108. ASSISTANCE FOR STOCKPILING AND RAPID TRANSPOR-
TATION, 
DELIVERY, 
AND 
DISTRIBUTION 
OF 
SHELF- 
STABLE PREPACKAGED FOODS. 
Section 208 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1726b) is 
amended— 
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows: 
‘‘INTERNATIONAL FOOD RELIEF PARTNERSHIP.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3109. CONSIDERATION OF IMPACT OF PROVISION OF AGRICUL-
TURAL COMMODITIES AND OTHER ASSISTANCE ON LOCAL 
FARMERS AND ECONOMY. 
(a) INCLUSION OF ALL MODALITIES.—Section 403(a) of the Food 
for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733(a)) is amended— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘, food procured outside of the United States, food voucher, 
or cash transfer for food’’ after ‘‘agricultural commodity’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘in the case of the provi-
sion of an agricultural commodity,’’ before ‘‘adequate’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘commodity’’ and inserting 
‘‘agricultural commodity or use of the food procured outside 
of the United States, food voucher, or cash transfer for food’’. 
(b) AVOIDANCE OF DISRUPTIVE IMPACT.—Section 403(b) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733(b)) is amended— 
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting ‘‘, the use of food 
procured outside of the United States, food vouchers, and cash 
transfers for food,’’ after ‘‘agricultural commodities’’; and 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘of sales of agricul-
tural commodities’’. 
SEC. 3110. ALLOWANCE FOR DISTRIBUTION COSTS. 
Section 406(b)(6) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736(b)(6)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘and distribution costs’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
distribution, and program implementation costs to use the commod-
ities’’. 
SEC. 3111. PREPOSITIONING OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES. 
Section 407(c)(4)(A) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 
1736a(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3112. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FOOD AID PROGRAMS AND 
ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 407(f) of the Food for Peace Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1736a(f)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING FOOD AID PROGRAMS
AND 
ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(1) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than April 1 of each fiscal 
year, the Administrator and the Secretary shall jointly, or 
each separately, prepare and submit to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress a report regarding each program and activity 
carried out under this Act by the Administrator, the Secretary, 
or both, as applicable, during the prior fiscal year. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—An annual report described in paragraph 
(1) shall include, with respect to the prior fiscal year, the 
following: 
‘‘(A) A list that contains a description of each country 
and organization that receives food and other assistance 
under this Act (including the quantity of food and assist-
ance provided to each country and organization). 
‘‘(B) A general description of each project and activity 
implemented under this Act (including each activity funded 
through the use of local currencies) and the total number 
of beneficiaries of the project. 
‘‘(C) A statement describing the quantity of agricultural 
commodities made available to, and the total number of 
beneficiaries in, each country pursuant to— 
‘‘(i) this Act; 
‘‘(ii) section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949 
(7 U.S.C. 1431(b)); 
‘‘(iii) the Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 
1736o); and 
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132 STAT. 4606 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) the McGovern-Dole International Food for 
Education and Child Nutrition Program established 
by section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o–1). 
‘‘(D) An assessment of the progress made through pro-
grams under this Act towards reducing food insecurity 
in the populations receiving food assistance from the United 
States. 
‘‘(E) A description of efforts undertaken by the Food 
Aid Consultative Group under section 205 to achieve an 
integrated and effective food assistance program. 
‘‘(F) An assessment of— 
‘‘(i) each program oversight, monitoring, and 
evaluation system implemented under section 207(f); 
and 
‘‘(ii) the impact of each program oversight, moni-
toring, and evaluation system on the effectiveness and 
efficiency of assistance provided under this title. 
‘‘(G) An assessment of the progress made by the 
Administrator in addressing issues relating to quality with 
respect to the provision of food assistance. 
‘‘(H) A statement of the amount of funds (including 
funds for administrative costs, indirect cost recovery, 
internal transportation, storage and handling, and associ-
ated distribution costs) provided to each eligible organiza-
tion that received assistance under this Act, that further 
describes the following: 
‘‘(i) How such funds were used by the eligible 
organization. 
‘‘(ii) The actual rate of return for each commodity 
made available under this Act, including factors that 
influenced the rate of return, and, for the commodity, 
the costs of bagging or further processing, ocean 
transportation, inland transportation in the recipient 
country, storage costs, and any other information that 
the Administrator and the Secretary determine to be 
necessary. 
‘‘(iii) For each instance in which a commodity was 
made available under this Act at a rate of return 
less than 70 percent, the reasons for the rate of return 
realized. 
‘‘(I) For funds expended for purposes of section 202(e), 
406(b)(6), and 407(c)(1)(B), a detailed accounting of the 
expenditures and purposes of such expenditures with 
respect to each such section. 
‘‘(3) RATE OF RETURN DESCRIBED.—For purposes of applying 
subparagraph (H) of paragraph (2), the rate of return for a 
commodity shall be equal to the proportion that— 
‘‘(A) the proceeds the implementing partners generate 
through monetization; bears to 
‘‘(B) the cost to the Federal Government to procure 
and ship the commodity to a recipient country for monetiza-
tion.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Subsection (m) of section 403 of 
the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1733) is repealed. 
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132 STAT. 4607 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 3113. DEADLINE FOR AGREEMENTS TO FINANCE SALES OR TO 
PROVIDE OTHER ASSISTANCE. 
Section 408 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736b) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3114. MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE. 
Section 412(e) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f(e)) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) MINIMUM LEVEL OF NONEMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, not less than $365,000,000 of the amounts made available 
to carry out emergency and nonemergency food assistance pro-
grams under title II, nor more than 30 percent of such amounts, 
shall be expended for nonemergency food assistance programs 
under such title. 
‘‘(2) COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
FUNDS.—Funds appro-
priated each year to carry out part I of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) that are made available 
through grants or cooperative agreements to strengthen food 
security in developing countries and that are consistent with 
section 202(e)(1)(C) may be considered amounts expended for 
nonemergency food assistance programs for purposes of para-
graph (1). 
‘‘(3) FARMER-TO-FARMER
PROGRAM.—In determining the 
amount expended for a fiscal year for nonemergency food assist-
ance programs under paragraph (1), amounts expended for 
that year to carry out programs under section 501 may be 
considered amounts expended for nonemergency food assistance 
programs.’’. 
SEC. 3115. TERMINATION DATE FOR MICRONUTRIENT FORTIFICATION 
PROGRAMS. 
Section 415(c) of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1736g– 
2(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3116. JOHN OGONOWSKI AND DOUG BEREUTER FARMER-TO- 
FARMER PROGRAM. 
Section 501 of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1737) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, or’’ after 
‘‘Notwithstanding’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘technical’’ before 
‘‘assistance’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
inserting ‘‘employees or staff of a State cooperative 
institution (as such term is defined in paragraph 18 
of section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103), except that subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) of 
such paragraph shall not apply),’’ after ‘‘private cor-
porations,’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of clause 
(viii); and 
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132 STAT. 4608 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(II) by striking clause (ix) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(ix) agricultural education and extension; 
‘‘(x) selection of seed varieties and plant stocks; 
‘‘(xi) knowledge of insecticide and sanitation proce-
dures to prevent crop destruction; 
‘‘(xii) use and maintenance of agricultural equip-
ment and irrigation systems; and 
‘‘(xiii) selection of fertilizers and methods of soils 
treatment; and’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) GRANT PROGRAM TO CREATE NEW PARTNERS AND INNOVA-
TION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Agency for 
International Development shall develop a grant program to 
be carried out in fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to facilitate 
new and innovative partnerships and activities under this title. 
‘‘(2) USE
OF
FUNDS.—A grant recipient under this sub-
section shall use funds received under this subsection to— 
‘‘(A) prioritize new implementing partners; 
‘‘(B) develop innovative volunteer models; 
‘‘(C) develop, improve, or maintain strategic partner-
ships with other United States development programs; and 
‘‘(D) expand the footprint and impact of the programs 
and activities under this title, and diversity among program 
participants, including land-grant colleges and universities 
and cooperative extension services (as such terms are 
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3103)).’’. 
Subtitle B—Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 
SEC. 3201. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act 
of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 203. AGRICULTURAL TRADE PROMOTION AND FACILITATION. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall carry out activities 
under this section— 
‘‘(1) to access, develop, maintain, and expand markets for 
United States agricultural commodities; and 
‘‘(2) to promote cooperation and the exchange of informa-
tion. 
‘‘(b) MARKET ACCESS PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE TRADE ORGANIZATION.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘eligible trade organization’ means— 
‘‘(A) a United States agricultural trade organization 
or regional State-related organization that promotes the 
export and sale of United States agricultural commodities 
and that does not stand to profit directly from specific 
sales of United States agricultural commodities; 
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132 STAT. 4609 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) a cooperative organization or State agency that 
promotes the sale of United States agricultural commod-
ities; or 
‘‘(C) a private organization that promotes the export 
and sale of United States agricultural commodities if the 
Secretary determines that such organization would signifi-
cantly contribute to United States export market develop-
ment. 
‘‘(2) IN GENERAL.—The Commodity Credit Corporation shall 
establish and carry out a program, to be known as the ‘Market 
Access Program’, to encourage the development, maintenance, 
and expansion of commercial export markets for United States 
agricultural commodities (including commodities that are 
organically produced (as defined in section 2103 of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502))) through cost- 
share assistance to eligible trade organizations that implement 
a foreign market development program. 
‘‘(3) PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) MARKETING
PLAN
AND
OTHER
REQUIREMENTS.— 
To be eligible for cost-share assistance under this sub-
section, an eligible trade organization shall— 
‘‘(i) prepare and submit a marketing plan to the 
Secretary that meets the guidelines governing such 
a marketing plan specified in this paragraph or other-
wise established by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) meet any other requirements established by 
the Secretary; and 
‘‘(iii) enter into an agreement with the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) PURPOSE OF MARKETING PLAN.—A marketing plan 
submitted under this paragraph shall describe the adver-
tising or other market oriented export promotion activities 
to be carried out by the eligible trade organization with 
respect to which assistance under this subsection is being 
requested. 
‘‘(C) SPECIFIC ELEMENTS.—To be approved by the Sec-
retary, a marketing plan submitted under this paragraph 
shall— 
‘‘(i) specifically describe the manner in which 
assistance received by the eligible trade organization, 
in conjunction with funds and services provided by 
the eligible trade organization, will be expended in 
implementing the marketing plan; 
‘‘(ii) establish specific market goals to be achieved 
under the marketing plan; and 
‘‘(iii) contain whatever additional requirements are 
determined by the Secretary to be necessary. 
‘‘(D) 
BRANDED
PROMOTION.—A 
marketing 
plan 
approved by the Secretary may provide for the use of 
branded advertising to promote the sale of United States 
agricultural commodities in a foreign country under such 
terms and conditions as may be established by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(E) AMENDMENTS.—An approved marketing plan may 
be amended by the eligible trade organization at any time, 
subject to the approval of the amendment by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) LEVEL
OF
ASSISTANCE
AND
COST-SHARE
REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
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132 STAT. 4610 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall justify in 
writing the level of assistance to be provided to an eligible 
trade organization under this subsection and the level of 
cost sharing required of the organization. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION ON BRANDED PROMOTION.—Assistance 
provided under this subsection for activities described in 
paragraph (3)(D) shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost 
of implementing the marketing plan, except that the Sec-
retary may determine not to apply such limitation in the 
case of United States agricultural commodities with respect 
to which there has been a favorable decision by the United 
States Trade Representative under section 301 of the Trade 
Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411). Criteria used by the Secretary 
for determining that the limitation shall not apply shall 
be consistent and documented. 
‘‘(5) OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(A) MULTIYEAR
BASIS.—The Secretary may provide 
assistance under this subsection on a multiyear basis, sub-
ject to annual review by the Secretary for compliance with 
the approved marketing plan. 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION OF ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may 
terminate any assistance made, or to be made, available 
under this subsection if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) the eligible trade organization is not adhering 
to the terms and conditions applicable to the provision 
of the assistance; 
‘‘(ii) the eligible trade organization is not imple-
menting the approved marketing plan or is not ade-
quately meeting the established goals of the plan; 
‘‘(iii) the eligible trade organization is not ade-
quately 
contributing 
its 
own 
resources 
to 
the 
implementation of the plan; or 
‘‘(iv) the Secretary determines that termination 
of assistance in a particular instance is in the best 
interests of the Market Access Program. 
‘‘(C) EVALUATIONS.—Beginning not later than 15 
months after the initial provision of assistance under this 
subsection to an eligible trade organization, the Secretary 
shall monitor the expenditures by the eligible trade 
organization of such assistance, including the following: 
‘‘(i) An evaluation of the effectiveness of the mar-
keting plan of the eligible trade organization in devel-
oping or maintaining markets for United States agri-
cultural commodities. 
‘‘(ii) An evaluation of whether assistance provided 
under this subsection is necessary to maintain such 
markets. 
‘‘(iii) A thorough accounting of the expenditure 
by the eligible trade organization of the assistance 
provided under this subsection. 
‘‘(6) RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF FUNDS.—Assistance provided 
under this subsection to an eligible trade organization may 
not be used— 
‘‘(A) to provide direct assistance to any foreign for- 
profit corporation for the corporation’s use in promoting 
foreign-produced products; or 
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132 STAT. 4611 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) to provide direct assistance to any for-profit cor-
poration that is not recognized as a small business concern 
(as described in section 3(a) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 632(a))), excluding— 
‘‘(i) a cooperative; 
‘‘(ii) an association described in the first section 
of the Act entitled ‘An Act To authorize association 
of producers of agricultural products’, approved Feb-
ruary 18, 1922 (7 U.S.C. 291); or 
‘‘(iii) a nonprofit trade association. 
‘‘(7) PERMISSIVE USE OF FUNDS.—Assistance provided under 
this subsection to a United States agricultural trade association, 
cooperative, or small business may be used for individual 
branded promotional activity related to a United States branded 
product, if the beneficiaries of the activity have provided funds 
for the activity in an amount that is at least equivalent to 
the amount of such assistance. 
‘‘(8) PRIORITY.—In providing assistance for branded pro-
motion, the Secretary should give priority to small-sized enti-
ties. 
‘‘(9) CONTRIBUTION LEVEL.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary should require a min-
imum contribution level of 10 percent from an eligible 
trade organization that receives assistance for nonbranded 
promotion. 
‘‘(B) INCREASES
IN
CONTRIBUTION
LEVEL.—The Sec-
retary may increase the contribution level in any subse-
quent year that an eligible trade organization receives 
assistance for nonbranded promotion. 
‘‘(10) ADDITIONALITY.—The Secretary should require each 
participant in the Market Access Program to certify that any 
Federal funds received supplement, but do not supplant, private 
or third party participant funds or other contributions to Pro-
gram activities. 
‘‘(11) INDEPENDENT AUDITS.—If as a result of an evaluation 
or audit of activities of a participant under the Market Access 
Program, the Secretary determines that a further review is 
justified in order to ensure compliance with the requirements 
of the Program, the Secretary should require the participant 
to contract for an independent audit of the Program activities, 
including activities of any subcontractor. 
‘‘(12) TOBACCO.—No funds made available under the 
Market Access Program may be used for activities to develop, 
maintain, or expand foreign markets for tobacco. 
‘‘(c) FOREIGN MARKET DEVELOPMENT COOPERATOR PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE TRADE ORGANIZATION.—In this 
subsection, the term ‘eligible trade organization’ means a 
United States trade organization that— 
‘‘(A) promotes the export of 1 or more United States 
agricultural commodities; and 
‘‘(B) does not have a business interest in or receive 
remuneration from specific sales of agricultural commod-
ities. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish and, 
in cooperation with eligible trade organizations, carry out a 
program to be known as the ‘Foreign Market Development 
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132 STAT. 4612 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Cooperator Program’ to maintain and develop foreign markets 
for United States agricultural commodities. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds made available to carry out 
this subsection shall be used only to provide— 
‘‘(A) cost-share assistance to an eligible trade organiza-
tion under a contract or agreement with the eligible trade 
organization; and 
‘‘(B) assistance for other costs that are appropriate 
to carry out the Foreign Market Development Cooperator 
Program, including contingent liabilities that are not other-
wise funded. 
‘‘(d) E (KIKA) DE LA GARZA EMERGING MARKETS PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF EMERGING MARKET.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘emerging market’ means any country, foreign terri-
tory, customs union, or other economic market that the Sec-
retary determines— 
‘‘(A) is taking steps toward a market-oriented economy 
through the food, agriculture, or rural business sectors 
of its economy; and 
‘‘(B) has the potential to provide a viable and signifi-
cant market for United States agricultural commodities. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish and 
carry out a program, to be known as the ‘E (Kika) de la 
Garza Emerging Markets Program’— 
‘‘(A) to develop agricultural markets in emerging mar-
kets; and 
‘‘(B) to promote cooperation and exchange of informa-
tion between agricultural institutions and agribusinesses 
in the United States and emerging markets. 
‘‘(3) DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) IMPLEMENTATION.—To develop, maintain, or 
expand markets for exports of United States agricul-
tural commodities, the Secretary shall make available 
to emerging markets the expertise of the United 
States— 
‘‘(I) to make assessments of food and rural 
business systems needs; 
‘‘(II) to make recommendations on measures 
necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the food 
and rural business systems described in subclause 
(I), including potential reductions in trade barriers; 
and 
‘‘(III) to identify and carry out specific 
opportunities and projects to enhance the effective-
ness of the food and rural business systems 
described in subclause (I). 
‘‘(ii) EXTENT
OF
PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall 
implement this subparagraph with respect to at least 
3 emerging markets in each fiscal year. 
‘‘(B) EXPERTS
FROM
THE
UNITED
STATES.—The Sec-
retary may implement subparagraph (A) by providing— 
‘‘(i) assistance to teams (consisting primarily of 
agricultural consultants, agricultural producers, other 
persons from the private sector, and government offi-
cials expert in assessing the food and rural business 
systems of other countries) to enable those teams to 
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132 STAT. 4613 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
conduct the assessments, make the recommendations, 
and identify the opportunities and projects described 
in subparagraph (A)(i) in emerging markets; 
‘‘(ii) for necessary subsistence and transportation 
expenses of— 
‘‘(I) United States food and rural business 
system experts, including United States agricul-
tural producers and other United States individ-
uals knowledgeable in agricultural and agri-
business matters, to enable such United States 
food and rural business system experts to assist 
in transferring knowledge and expertise to entities 
from emerging markets; and 
‘‘(II) individuals designated by emerging mar-
kets to enable such designated individuals to con-
sult with such United States experts to enhance 
food and rural business systems of such emerging 
markets and to transfer knowledge and expertise 
to such emerging markets. 
‘‘(C) COST-SHARING.—The Secretary shall encourage the 
nongovernmental experts described in subparagraph (B) 
to share the costs of, and otherwise assist in, the participa-
tion of those experts in the E (Kika) de la Garza Emerging 
Markets Program. 
‘‘(D) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary is author-
ized to provide, or pay the necessary costs for, technical 
assistance (including the establishment of extension serv-
ices) to enable individuals or other entities to carry out 
recommendations, projects, and opportunities in emerging 
markets, 
including 
recommendations, 
projects, 
and 
opportunities described in subclauses (II) and (III) of 
subparagraph (A)(i). 
‘‘(E) REPORTS TO SECRETARY.—A team that receives 
assistance under subparagraph (B)(i) shall prepare and 
submit to the Secretary such reports as the Secretary may 
require. 
‘‘(F) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—To provide the Secretary 
with information that may be useful to the Secretary in 
carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may establish 
an advisory committee composed of representatives of the 
various sectors of the food and rural business systems 
of the United States. 
‘‘(G) EFFECT.—The authority provided under this sub-
section shall be in addition to and not in place of any 
other authority of the Secretary or the Commodity Credit 
Corporation. 
‘‘(e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall 
establish an export assistance program, in this subsection 
referred to as the ‘program’, to address existing or potential 
unique barriers that prohibit or threaten the export of United 
States specialty crops. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The program shall provide direct assistance 
through public and private sector projects and technical assist-
ance, including through the program under section 2(e) of the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 
U.S.C. 3157(e)), to remove, resolve, or mitigate existing or 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
potential sanitary, phytosanitary, and technical barriers to 
trade. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY.—The program shall address time sensitive 
and strategic market access projects based on— 
‘‘(A) trade effect on market retention, market access, 
and market expansion; and 
‘‘(B) trade impact. 
‘‘(4) MULTIYEAR
PROJECTS.—The Secretary may provide 
assistance under the program to a project for longer than 
a 5-year period if the Secretary determines that further assist-
ance would effectively support the purpose described in para-
graph (2). 
‘‘(5) OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) conduct outreach to inform eligible organizations 
of the requirements of the program and the process by 
which such organizations may submit proposals for 
funding; 
‘‘(B) provide technical assistance to eligible organiza-
tions to assist in developing proposals and complying with 
the requirements of the program; and 
‘‘(C) solicit input from eligible organizations on 
improvements to streamline and facilitate the provision 
of assistance under this subsection. 
‘‘(6) REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018, the Secretary shall review program regulations, 
procedures, and guidelines for assistance under this sub-
section and make revisions to streamline, improve, and 
clarify the application, approval and compliance processes 
for such assistance, including revisions to implement the 
requirements of paragraph (5). 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing and making revi-
sions under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall con-
sider— 
‘‘(i) establishing accountability standards that are 
appropriate for the size and scope of a project; and 
‘‘(ii) establishing streamlined application and 
approval processes, including for smaller-scale projects 
or projects to address time-sensitive trade barriers. 
‘‘(7) ANNUAL
REPORT.—Each year, the Secretary shall 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
that contains, for the period covered by the report, a description 
of— 
‘‘(A) each factor that affects the export of specialty 
crops, including each factor relating to any— 
‘‘(i) significant sanitary or phytosanitary issue; 
‘‘(ii) trade barrier; or 
‘‘(iii) emerging sanitary or phytosanitary issue or 
trade barrier; and 
‘‘(B)(i) any funds provided under subsection (f)(3)(A)(iv) 
that were not obligated in a fiscal year; and 
‘‘(ii) the reason such funds were not obligated. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION.— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION.—The Secretary shall 
use the funds, facilities, and authorities of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation to carry out this section. 
‘‘(2) FUNDING
AMOUNT.—For each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023, of the funds of, or an equal value of commodities 
owned by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary 
shall use to carry out this section $255,000,000, to remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(3) ALLOCATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—For each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023, the Secretary shall allocate funds to carry 
out this section in accordance with the following: 
‘‘(i) MARKET ACCESS PROGRAM.—For market access 
activities authorized under subsection (b), of the funds 
of, or an equal value of commodities owned by, the 
Commodity 
Credit 
Corporation, 
not 
less 
than 
$200,000,000 for each fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) FOREIGN MARKET DEVELOPMENT COOPERATOR 
PROGRAM.—To carry out subsection (c), of the funds 
of, or an equal value of commodities owned by, the 
Commodity 
Credit 
Corporation, 
not 
less 
than 
$34,500,000 for each fiscal year. 
‘‘(iii) E (KIKA) DE LA GARZA EMERGING MARKETS 
PROGRAM.—To provide assistance under subsection (d), 
of the funds of, or an equal value of commodities owned 
by, the Commodity Credit Corporation, not more than 
$8,000,000 for each fiscal year. 
‘‘(iv) 
TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
FOR
SPECIALTY 
CROPS.—To carry out subsection (e), of the funds of, 
or an equal value of the commodities owned by, the 
Commodity Credit Corporation, $9,000,000 for each 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(v) PRIORITY TRADE FUND.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the amounts 
allocated under clauses (i) through (iv), and not-
withstanding any limitations in those clauses, as 
determined by the Secretary, for 1 or more pro-
grams under this section for authorized activities 
to access, develop, maintain, and expand markets 
for 
United 
States 
agricultural 
commodities, 
$3,500,000 for each fiscal year. 
‘‘(II) CONSIDERATIONS.—In allocating funds 
made available under subclause (I), the Secretary 
may consider providing a greater allocation to 1 
or more programs under this section for which 
the amounts requested under applications exceed 
available funding for the 1 or more programs. 
‘‘(B) 
REALLOCATION.—Any 
funds 
allocated 
under 
clauses (i) through (iv) of subparagraph (A) that remain 
unobligated one year after the end of the fiscal year in 
which they are first made available shall be reallocated 
to the priority trade fund under subparagraph (A)(v). To 
the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall allo-
cate such reallocated funds to support exports of those 
types of United States agricultural commodities eligible 
for assistance under the program for which the funds were 
originally allocated under subparagraph (A). 
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132 STAT. 4616 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(4) CUBA.—Notwithstanding section 908 of the Trade Sanc-
tions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 
7207) or any other provision of law, funds made available 
under this section may be used to carry out the programs 
authorized under subsections (b) and (c) in Cuba. Funds may 
not be used as described in the previous sentence in contraven-
tion with directives set forth under the National Security Presi-
dential Memorandum entitled ‘Strengthening the Policy of the 
United States Toward Cuba’ issued by the President on June 
16, 2017, during the period in which that memorandum is 
in effect. 
‘‘(5) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
any other amounts provided under this subsection, there are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to 
carry out the programs and authorities under paragraph 
(3)(A)(v) and subsections (b) through (e).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) MARKET ACCESS PROGRAM.— 
(A) Section 211 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 
(7 U.S.C. 5641) is amended by striking subsection (c). 
(B) Section 402(a)(1) of the Agricultural Trade Act 
of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5662(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘203’’ 
and inserting ‘‘203(b)’’. 
(C) Section 282(f)(2)(C) of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1638a(f)(2)(C)) is amended by striking 
‘‘section 203 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 
5623)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 203(b) of the Agricultural 
Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623(b))’’. 
(D) Section 718 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 1999 (7 U.S.C. 5623 note; Public Law 
105–277) is amended by striking ‘‘section 203 of the Agricul-
tural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5623)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 203(b) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 
U.S.C. 5623(b)’’. 
(E) Section 1302 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1993 is repealed. 
(2) FOREIGN
MARKET
DEVELOPMENT
COOPERATOR
PRO-
GRAM.—Title VII of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 
5721 et seq.) is repealed. 
(3) E (KIKA) DE LA GARZA EMERGING MARKETS PROGRAM.— 
(A) Section 1542 of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C 5622 note; Public 
Law 101–624) is amended— 
(i) by striking subsection (d); 
(ii) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as sub-
sections (d) and (e), respectively; and 
(iii) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)— 
(I) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘country’’ and inserting ‘‘country, foreign 
territory, customs union, or other economic 
market’’; and 
(II) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘the economy 
of the country’’ and inserting ‘‘its economy’’. 
(B) Section 1543(b)(5) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3293(b)(5)) 
7 USC 
5721–5723. 
7 USC 5623 note. 
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132 STAT. 4617 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 1542(f)’’ and inserting ‘‘sec-
tion 1542(e)’’. 
(C) Section 1543A(c)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679(c)(2)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘and section 203(d) of the Agricul-
tural Trade Act of 1978’’ after ‘‘section 1542’’. 
(4) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIALTY CROPS.—Section 
3205 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 5680) is repealed. 
Subtitle C—Other Agricultural Trade Laws 
SEC. 3301. GROWING AMERICAN FOOD EXPORTS. 
Section 1543A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5679) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or new agricultural 
production technologies’’ after ‘‘biotechnology’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘$6,000,000’’ and all that 
follows through the period at the end and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 3302. FOOD FOR PROGRESS ACT OF 1985. 
Section 1110 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (also known 
as the Food for Progress Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 1736o)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘President’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘Secretary’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (5)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of subparagraph 
(E); 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subpara-
graph (G); and 
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(F) a college or university (as such terms are defined 
in section 1404(4) of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3103(4)); and’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(10) RATE
OF
RETURN.—For purposes of applying sub-
section (j)(3), the rate of return for an eligible commodity shall 
be equal to the proportion that— 
‘‘(A) the proceeds eligible entities generate through 
monetization of such commodity, bears to 
‘‘(B) the cost to the Federal Government to procure 
and ship the commodity to the country where it is mone-
tized. 
‘‘(11) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Sec-
retary of Agriculture.’’; 
(3) in subsection (f)(3), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(4) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(5) in subsection (j)(3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘December 1’’ and inserting ‘‘April 1’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘of the Senate a list of programs’’ and 
inserting ‘‘of the Senate— 
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132 STAT. 4618 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) a list of programs’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘approved to date for the fiscal year’’ 
and inserting ‘‘approved during the prior fiscal year’’; 
(D) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
a semicolon; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graphs: 
‘‘(B) a description of the actual rate of return for each 
commodity made available under this section for the pre-
vious fiscal year including— 
‘‘(i) factors that influenced the rate of return; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to the commodity, the costs of 
bagging or further processing, ocean transportation, 
inland transportation, storage costs, and any other 
information that the Secretary determines to be nec-
essary; and 
‘‘(C) for each instance in which a commodity was made 
available under this section at a rate of return less than 
70 percent, an explanation for the rate of return realized.’’. 
(6) in subsection (k), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(7) in subsection (l)(1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(8) in the heading of subsection (m), by striking ‘‘PRESI-
DENTIAL’’ and inserting ‘‘SECRETARIAL’’; 
(9) in subsection (o), by striking ‘‘(acting through the Sec-
retary)’’; 
(10) in subsection (o)(1), by striking ‘‘subparagraphs (C) 
and (F)’’ and inserting ‘‘subparagraphs (C) and (G)’’; and 
(11) by adding at the end the following new subsection:. 
‘‘(p) PILOT AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023, subject to the availability of appropriations pursuant 
to the authorization in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall enter 
into 1 or more pilot agreements with 1 or more eligible entities 
through which the Secretary shall provide financial assistance 
to the eligible entities to carry out activities consistent with 
subsection (l)(4)(A). 
‘‘(2) REPORT
REQUIRED.—In each of fiscal years 2020 
through 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing, with respect to the previous fiscal year— 
‘‘(A) the amount provided to eligible entities under 
each pilot agreement pursuant to paragraph (1) and how 
the funds were used; 
‘‘(B) the activities carried out under each pilot agree-
ment; 
‘‘(C) the number of direct and indirect beneficiaries 
of those activities; and 
‘‘(D) the effectiveness of the pilot agreements, including 
as applicable the impact on food security and agricultural 
productivity. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out pilot agreements pursuant 
to this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4619 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 3303. BILL EMERSON HUMANITARIAN TRUST ACT. 
Section 302 of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 
U.S.C. 1736f–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(i), by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3304. PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TO EMERGING 
MARKETS. 
Section 1542(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5622 note; Public Law 101–624) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 3305. COCHRAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
Section 1543 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3293) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘for study in the United 
States.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘for study— 
‘‘(1) in the United States; or 
‘‘(2) at a college or university located in an eligible country 
that the Secretary determines— 
‘‘(A) has sufficient scientific and technical facilities; 
‘‘(B) has established a partnership with at least one 
college or university in the United States; and 
‘‘(C) has substantial participation by faculty members 
of the United States college or university in the design 
of the fellowship curriculum and classroom instruction 
under the fellowship.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘(which may include 
agricultural extension services)’’ after ‘‘systems’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘enhance trade’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘enhance— 
‘‘(A) trade’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated) by 
striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; 
and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) linkages between agricultural interests in the 
United States and regulatory systems governing sanitary 
and phytosanitary standards for agricultural products 
that— 
‘‘(i) may enter the United States; and 
‘‘(ii) may pose risks to human, animal, or plant 
life or health.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘$3,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$4,000,000’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$2,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$3,000,000’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘$5,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$6,000,000’’. 
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132 STAT. 4620 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 3306. BORLAUG INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND 
TECHNOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. 
Section 1473G of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319j) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘shall support’’ and inserting ‘‘support’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) the development of agricultural extension services 
in eligible countries.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) LEVERAGING ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT.—In carrying out 
the purposes and programs under this section, the Secretary 
shall encourage ongoing engagement with fellowship recipients 
who have completed training under the program to provide 
advice regarding, and participate in, new or ongoing agricul-
tural development projects, with a priority for capacity-building 
projects.’’. 
SEC. 3307. INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FELLOWSHIP 
PROGRAM. 
(a) FELLOWSHIP
PROGRAM
ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary 
shall establish a fellowship program to be known as the Inter-
national Agricultural Education Fellowship Program to provide 
fellowships to citizens of the United States to assist eligible coun-
tries in developing school-based agricultural education and youth 
extension programs. 
(b) ELIGIBLE COUNTRY DESCRIBED.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, an eligible country is a developing country, as determined 
by the Secretary using a gross national income per capita test 
selected by the Secretary. 
(c) PURPOSE OF FELLOWSHIPS.—The goals of providing a fellow-
ship under this section are to— 
(1) develop globally minded United States agriculturists 
with experience living abroad; 
(2) focus on meeting the food and fiber needs of the domestic 
population of eligible countries; and 
(3) strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible 
countries and the United States agricultural industry. 
(d) ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES.—The Secretary may provide fellow-
ships to citizens of the United States who— 
(1) hold at least a bachelors degree in an agricultural 
related field of study; and 
(2) have an understanding of United States school-based 
agricultural education and youth extension programs, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
(e) CANDIDATE IDENTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall consult 
with the National FFA Organization, the National 4–H Council, 
and other entities as the Secretary determines are appropriate 
to identify candidates for fellowships. 
7 USC 3295. 
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132 STAT. 4621 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(f) PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall provide 
for the management, coordination, evaluation, and monitoring of 
the Fellowship Program, except that the Secretary may contract 
out the management of the fellowship program to an outside 
organization with experience in implementing fellowship programs 
focused on building capacity for school-based agricultural education 
and youth extension programs in developing countries. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
$5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023. 
(2) DURATION.—Any funds made available under this sub-
section shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 3308. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
is amended by inserting after section 1543A (7 U.S.C. 5679) the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 1543B. INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY TECHNICAL ASSIST-
ANCE. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF INTERNATIONAL FOOD SECURITY.—In this 
section, the term ‘international food security’ means access by any 
person at any time to food and nutrition that is sufficient for 
a healthy and productive life. 
‘‘(b) COLLECTION
OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall compile 
information from appropriate mission areas of the Department of 
Agriculture (including the Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services 
mission area) relating to the improvement of international food 
security. 
‘‘(c) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—To benefit programs for the 
improvement of international food security, the Secretary shall 
organize the information described in subsection (b) and make 
the information available in a format suitable for— 
‘‘(1) public education; and 
‘‘(2) use by— 
‘‘(A) a Federal, State, or local agency; 
‘‘(B) an agency or instrumentality of the government 
of a foreign country; 
‘‘(C) a domestic or international organization, including 
a domestic or international nongovernmental organization; 
and 
‘‘(D) an intergovernmental organization. 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—On request by an entity described 
in subsection (c)(2), the Secretary may provide technical assistance 
to the entity to implement a program for the improvement of 
international food security. 
‘‘(e) PROGRAM PRIORITY.—In carrying out this section, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to programs relating to the development 
of food and nutrition safety net systems with a focus on food 
insecure countries. 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
7 USC 1736dd. 
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132 STAT. 4622 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 3309. MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION 
AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM. 
Section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘that is’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘that— 
‘‘(1) is’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2)(A) is produced in and procured from— 
‘‘(i) a developing country that is a recipient country; 
or 
‘‘(ii) a developing country in the same region as a 
recipient country; and 
‘‘(B) at a minimum, meets each nutritional, quality, and 
labeling standard of the recipient country, as determined by 
the Secretary.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)(2)(A)— 
(A) in clause (v)(IV), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii); and 
(C) by inserting after clause (v) the following: 
‘‘(vi) the costs associated with transporting the 
commodities described in subsection (a)(2) from a devel-
oping country described in subparagraph (A)(ii) of that 
subsection to any designated point of entry within 
the recipient country; and’’; 
(3) in subsection (f)(1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as 
subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
‘‘(E) ensure to the maximum extent practicable that 
assistance— 
‘‘(i) is provided under this section in a timely 
manner; and 
‘‘(ii) is available when needed throughout the 
applicable school year;’’; and 
(4) in subsection (l)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PURCHASE OF COMMODITIES.—Of the funds made avail-
able to carry out this section, not more than 10 percent shall 
be used to purchase agricultural commodities described in sub-
section (a)(2).’’. 
SEC. 3310. GLOBAL CROP DIVERSITY TRUST. 
Section 3202 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (22 U.S.C. 2220a note; Public Law 110–246) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) UNITED STATES CONTRIBUTION LIMIT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The aggregate contributions of funds 
of the Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not 
exceed— 
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132 STAT. 4623 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) for the period of fiscal years 2014 through 2018, 
25 percent of the total amount of funds contributed to 
the Trust from all sources; and 
‘‘(B) subject to paragraph (2), effective beginning with 
fiscal year 2019, 33 percent of the total amount of funds 
contributed to the Trust from all sources. 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL LIMITATION.—The contributions of funds of 
the Federal Government provided to the Trust shall not exceed 
$5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 
3311. 
LOCAL 
AND 
REGIONAL 
FOOD 
AID 
PROCUREMENT 
PROJECTS. 
Section 3206(e)(1) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1726c(e)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘to the Secretary’’ after ‘‘appropriated’’; 
and 
(2) by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2019 
through 2023’’. 
SEC. 3312. FOREIGN TRADE MISSIONS. 
(a) TRIBAL REPRESENTATION ON TRADE MISSIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Tribal Advisory Committee established under subsection (b)(2) 
of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6921(b)(2)) (as added by section 12303(2)) (referred to in this 
section as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’), shall seek— 
(A) to support the greater inclusion of Tribal agricul-
tural and food products in Federal trade-related activities; 
and 
(B) to increase the collaboration between Federal trade 
promotion efforts and other Federal trade-related activities 
in support of the greater inclusion sought under subpara-
graph (A). 
(2) INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION.—In carrying out 
activities to increase the collaboration described in paragraph 
(1)(B), the Secretary shall coordinate with— 
(A) the Secretary of Commerce; 
(B) the Secretary of State; 
(C) the Secretary of the Interior; and 
(D) the heads of any other relevant Federal agencies. 
(b) REPORT; GOALS.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report describing 
the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and other Federal 
agencies under this section to— 
(A) the Advisory Committee; 
(B) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; 
(C) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives; 
(D) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate; 
(E) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate; and 
(F) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate. 
7 USC 5608. 
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132 STAT. 4624 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) GOALS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish goals for meas-
uring, in an objective and quantifiable format, the extent to 
which Indian Tribes and Tribal agricultural and food products 
are included in the trade-related activities of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
TITLE IV—NUTRITION 
Subtitle A—Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program 
SEC. 4001. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONLINE ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 3(o)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(o)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘or house- 
to-house trade route’’ and inserting ‘‘, house-to-house trade route, 
or online entity’’. 
(b) ACCEPTANCE OF BENEFITS.—Section 7(k) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(k)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘ACCEPTANCE 
OF PROGRAM BENEFITS THROUGH ONLINE TRANSACTIONS’’, 
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking subparagraph (C), and 
(3) by striking paragraph (5). 
SEC. 4002. RE-EVALUATION OF THRIFTY FOOD PLAN. 
Section 3(u) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2012(u)) is amended by inserting after the 1st sentence the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘By 2022 and at 5-year intervals thereafter, the Secretary shall 
re-evaluate and publish the market baskets of the thrifty food 
plan based on current food prices, food composition data, consump-
tion patterns, and dietary guidance.’’. 
SEC. 4003. FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 4(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Secretary shall pay not less than 80 percent of administra-
tive costs and distribution costs on Indian reservations 
as the Secretary determines necessary for effective adminis-
tration of such distribution by a State agency or tribal 
organization. 
‘‘(B) WAIVER.—The Secretary shall waive up to 100 
percent of the non-Federal share of the costs described 
in subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) the tribal organization is financially unable 
to provide a greater non-Federal share of the costs; 
or 
‘‘(ii) providing a greater non-Federal share of the 
costs would be a substantial burden for the tribal 
organization. 
‘‘(C) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may not reduce any 
benefits or services under the food distribution program 
on Indian reservations under this subsection to any tribal 
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132 STAT. 4625 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
organization that is granted a waiver under subparagraph 
(B). 
‘‘(D) TRIBAL CONTRIBUTION.—The Secretary may allow 
a tribal organization to use funds provided to the tribal 
organization through a Federal agency or other Federal 
benefit to satisfy all or part of the non-Federal share of 
the costs described in subparagraph (A) if that use is 
otherwise consistent with the purpose of the funds.’’, 
(2) in paragraph (6)— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘LOCALLY-GROWN’’ and 
inserting ‘‘LOCALLY- AND REGIONALLY-GROWN’’, 
(B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘locally-grown’’ 
and inserting ‘‘locally- and regionally-grown’’, 
(C) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in the heading by striking ‘‘LOCALLY GROWN’’ 
and inserting ‘‘LOCALLY- AND REGIONALLY-GROWN’’, and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘locally-grown’’ and inserting 
‘‘locally- and regionally-grown’’, 
(D) by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows: 
‘‘(D) PURCHASE OF FOODS.—In carrying out this para-
graph, the Secretary shall purchase or offer to purchase 
those traditional foods that may be procured cost-effec-
tively.’’, 
(E) by striking subparagraph (E), and 
(F) in subparagraph (F)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(F)’’ and inserting ‘‘(E)’’, and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’, and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Funds made available for a fiscal 
year to carry out this subsection shall remain available 
for obligation for a period of 2 fiscal years. 
‘‘(B) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Funds made available for 
a fiscal year to carry out paragraph (4) shall remain avail-
able for obligation by the State agency or tribal organiza-
tion for a period of 2 fiscal years.’’. 
(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT FOR TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.—The term ‘‘demonstra-
tion project’’ means the demonstration project established 
under paragraph (2). 
(B) FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘food dis-
tribution program’’ means the food distribution program 
on Indian reservations carried out under section 4(b) of 
the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)). 
(C) INDIAN RESERVATION.—The term ‘‘Indian reserva-
tion’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘reservation’’ in 
section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2012). 
(D) 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. 
5304). 
(E) SELF-DETERMINATION CONTRACT.—The term ‘‘self- 
determination contract’’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
7 USC 2013 note. 
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132 STAT. 4626 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(F) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘tribal organiza-
tion’’ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the 
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the Secretary shall establish a demonstration project 
under which 1 or more tribal organizations may enter into 
self-determination contracts to purchase agricultural commod-
ities under the food distribution program for the Indian reserva-
tion of that tribal organization. 
(3) ELIGIBILITY.— 
(A) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult with 
the Secretary of the Interior and Indian tribes to determine 
the process and criteria under which a tribal organization 
may participate in the demonstration project. 
(B) CRITERIA.—The Secretary shall select for participa-
tion in the demonstration project tribal organizations 
that— 
(i) are successfully administering the food distribu-
tion program of the tribal organization under section 
4(b)(2)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2013(b)(2)(B)), 
(ii) have the capacity to purchase agricultural 
commodities in accordance with paragraph (4) for the 
food distribution program of the tribal organization, 
and 
(iii) meet any other criteria determined by the 
Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the 
Interior and Indian tribes. 
(4) PROCUREMENT
OF
AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITIES.—Any 
agricultural commodities purchased by a tribal organization 
under the demonstration project shall— 
(A) be domestically produced, 
(B) supplant, not supplement, the type of agricultural 
commodities in existing food packages for that tribal 
organization, 
(C) be of similar or higher nutritional value as the 
type of agricultural commodities that would be supplanted 
in the existing food package for that tribal organization, 
and 
(D) meet any other criteria determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
funds are appropriated under paragraph (6) and annually there-
after, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the activities carried out under the demonstration 
project during the preceding year. 
(6) FUNDING.— 
(A) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this subsection $5,000,000, to remain available until 
expended. 
(B) APPROPRIATIONS IN ADVANCE.—Only funds appro-
priated under subparagraph (A) in advance specifically to 
carry out this subsection shall be available to carry out 
this subsection. 
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132 STAT. 4627 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 3(v) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(v)) is amended by striking 
‘‘the Indian Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(b))’’ and 
inserting ‘‘section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)’’. 
SEC. 4004. SIMPLIFIED HOMELESS HOUSING COSTS. 
Section 5(e)(6)(D) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(e)(6)(D)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii), and 
(2) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) ALTERNATIVE DEDUCTION.—The State agency 
shall allow a deduction of $143 a month for house-
holds— 
‘‘(I) in which all members are homeless 
individuals; 
‘‘(II) that are not receiving free shelter 
throughout the month; and 
‘‘(III) that do not opt to claim an excess shelter 
expense deduction under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(ii) ADJUSTMENT.—For fiscal year 2019 and each 
subsequent fiscal year the amount of the homeless 
shelter deduction specified in clause (i) shall be 
adjusted to reflect changes for the 12-month period 
ending the preceding November 30 in the Consumer 
Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of 
Labor.’’. 
SEC. 4005. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING FOR SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRI-
TION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT MEET STATE 
AND LOCAL WORKFORCE NEEDS.—Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (i)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘, in consultation with the State 
workforce development board, or, if the State dem-
onstrates that consultation with private employers or 
employer organizations would be more effective or effi-
cient, in consultation with private employers or 
employer organizations,’’ after ‘‘designed by the State 
agency’’, and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘that will increase their ability 
to obtain regular employment.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘that will— 
‘‘(I) increase the ability of the household mem-
bers to obtain regular employment; and 
‘‘(II) meet State or local workforce needs.’’, 
and 
(B) in clause (ii) by inserting ‘‘and implemented to 
meet the purposes of clause (i)’’ after ‘‘under this para-
graph’’, 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting 
‘‘case management services such as comprehensive intake 
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132 STAT. 4628 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
assessments, individualized service plans, progress moni-
toring, or coordination with service providers and’’ after 
‘‘contains’’, 
(B) in clause (iv) by redesignating subclauses (I) and 
(II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately, 
(C) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vii) and clause 
(viii) as subclauses (I) through (VII) and subclause (IX), 
respectively, and indenting appropriately, 
(D) by striking subclause (I), as so redesignated, and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(I) Supervised job search programs that occur 
at State-approved locations at which the activities 
of participants shall be directly supervised and 
the timing and activities of participants tracked 
in accordance with guidelines issued by the State.’’, 
(E) in subclause (II), as so redesignated, by striking 
‘‘jobs skills assessments, job finding clubs, training in tech-
niques for’’ and inserting ‘‘employability assessments, 
training in techniques to increase’’, 
(F) in subclause (IV), as so redesignated, in the first 
sentence, by inserting ‘‘, including subsidized employment 
and apprenticeships’’ before the period at the end, 
(G) in subclause (VII), as so redesignated, by inserting 
‘‘not less than 30 days but’’ after ‘‘period of’’, 
(H) by inserting after subclause (VII), as so redesig-
nated, the following: 
‘‘(VIII) Programs and activities under clause 
(iv) of section 16(h)(1)(F) that the Secretary deter-
mines, based on results from the independent 
evaluations conducted under clause (vii)(I) of such 
section, have the most demonstrable impact on 
the ability of participants to find and retain 
employment that leads to increased household 
income and reduced reliance on public assistance.’’, 
(I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as so redesig-
nated— 
(i) by striking ‘‘this subparagraph’’ and inserting 
‘‘this clause’’, and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(B) For purposes of this Act, an’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) DEFINITIONS.—In this Act: 
‘‘(i) EMPLOYMENT
AND
TRAINING
PROGRAM.—The 
term’’, and 
(J) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘workforce part-
nership’ means a program that— 
‘‘(aa) is operated by— 
‘‘(AA) a private employer, an organiza-
tion representing private employers, or a 
nonprofit organization providing services 
relating to workforce development; or 
‘‘(BB) an entity identified as an 
eligible provider of training services under 
section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation 
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3152(d)); 
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132 STAT. 4629 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(bb) the Secretary certifies, or the State 
agency certifies to the Secretary— 
‘‘(AA) subject to subparagraph (N)(ii), 
would assist participants who are mem-
bers of households participating in the 
supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram in gaining high-quality, work-rel-
evant skills, training, work, or experience 
that will increase the ability of the partici-
pants to obtain regular employment; 
‘‘(BB) subject to subparagraph (N)(ii), 
would provide participants with not less 
than 20 hours per week of training, work, 
or experience under subitem (AA); 
‘‘(CC) would not use any funds author-
ized to be appropriated by this Act; 
‘‘(DD) 
would 
provide 
sufficient 
information, on request by the State 
agency, for the State agency to determine 
that participants who are members of 
households participating in the supple-
mental nutrition assistance program are 
fulfilling any applicable work requirement 
under this subsection or subsection (o); 
‘‘(EE) would be willing to serve as 
a reference for participants who are mem-
bers of households participating in the 
supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram for future employment or work- 
related programs; and 
‘‘(FF) meets any other criteria estab-
lished by the Secretary, on the condition 
that the Secretary shall not establish any 
additional criteria that would impose 
significant paperwork burdens on the 
workforce partnership; and 
‘‘(cc) is in compliance with the Fair Labor 
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), 
if applicable. 
‘‘(II) INCLUSION.—The term ‘workforce partner-
ship’ includes a multistate program.’’, 
(3) in subparagraph (E)— 
(A) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘Such require-
ments’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) VARIATION.—The requirements under clause 
(i)’’, 
(B) by striking ‘‘(E) Each State’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(E) REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION FOR CERTAIN 
INDIVIDUALS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Each State’’, and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) APPLICATION TO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIPS.— 
To the extent that a State agency requires an indi-
vidual to participate in an employment and training 
program, the State agency shall consider an individual 
participating in a workforce partnership to be in 
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132 STAT. 4630 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
compliance with the employment and training require-
ments.’’, 
(4) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘(B)(v)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(B)(i)(V)’’, and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(N) WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(i) CERTIFICATION.—In certifying that a program 
meets the requirements of subitems (AA) and (BB) 
of subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)(bb) to be certified as a 
workforce partnership, the Secretary or the State 
agency shall require that the program submit to the 
Secretary or State agency sufficient information that 
describes— 
‘‘(I) the services and activities of the program 
that would provide participants with not less than 
20 hours per week of training, work, or experience 
under those subitems; and 
‘‘(II) how the program would provide services 
and activities described in subclause (I) that would 
directly enhance the employability or job readiness 
of the participant. 
‘‘(ii) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.—A State agency 
may use a workforce partnership to supplement, not 
to supplant, the employment and training program 
of the State agency. 
‘‘(iii) PARTICIPATION.—A State agency— 
‘‘(I) shall— 
‘‘(aa) maintain a list of workforce partner-
ships 
certified 
under 
subparagraph 
(B)(ii)(I)(bb); and 
‘‘(bb) not less frequently than at certifi-
cation and recertification, provide to a house-
hold member subject to work requirements 
under subsection (d)(1) or subsection (o), elec-
tronically or by other means, the list described 
in item (aa); but 
‘‘(II) may not require any member of a house-
hold participating in the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program to participate in a workforce 
partnership. 
‘‘(iv) EFFECT.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—A workforce partnership 
shall not replace the employment or training of 
an individual not participating in the workforce 
partnership. 
‘‘(II) SELECTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
or subsection (o) affects the criteria or screening 
process for selecting participants by a workforce 
partnership. 
‘‘(v) LIMITATION ON REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.— 
In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary and 
each applicable State agency shall limit the reporting 
requirements of a workforce partnership to— 
‘‘(I) on notification that an individual is 
receiving supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram benefits, notifying the applicable State 
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132 STAT. 4631 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
agency that the individual is participating in the 
workforce partnership; 
‘‘(II) identifying participants who have com-
pleted or are no longer participating in the 
workforce partnership; 
‘‘(III) identifying changes to the workforce 
partnership that result in the workforce partner-
ship no longer meeting the certification require-
ments of the Secretary or the State agency under 
subparagraph (B)(ii)(I)(bb); and 
‘‘(IV) providing sufficient information, on 
request by the State agency, for the State agency 
to verify that a participant is fulfilling any 
applicable work requirements under this sub-
section or subsection (o). 
‘‘(O) REFERRAL OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with such regula-
tions as may be issued by the Secretary, with respect 
to any individual who is not eligible for an exemption 
under paragraph (2) and who is determined by the 
operator of an employment and training program 
component to be ill-suited to participate in that employ-
ment and training program component, the State 
agency shall— 
‘‘(I) refer the individual to an appropriate 
employment and training program component; 
‘‘(II) refer the individual to an appropriate 
workforce partnership, if available; 
‘‘(III) reassess the physical and mental fitness 
of the individual under paragraph (1)(A); or 
‘‘(IV) to the maximum extent practicable, 
coordinate with other Federal, State, or local 
workforce or assistance programs to identify work 
opportunities or assistance for the individual. 
‘‘(ii) PROCESS.—In carrying out clause (i), the State 
agency shall ensure that an individual undergoing and 
complying with the process established under that 
clause shall not be found to have refused without good 
cause to participate in an employment and training 
program.’’. 
(b) WORK REQUIREMENTS.—Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end, 
(B) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘job search pro-
gram or a job search training program.’’ and inserting 
‘‘supervised job search program or job search training pro-
gram;’’, and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) a program of employment and training for vet-
erans operated by the Department of Labor or the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, and approved by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(E) 
a 
workforce 
partnership 
under 
subsection 
(d)(4)(N).’’, 
(2) in paragraph (4)(A) by inserting ‘‘and with the support 
of the chief executive officer of the State’’ after ‘‘agency’’, and 
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132 STAT. 4632 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) in paragraph (6)— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘15-PERCENT EXEMPTION’’ 
and inserting ‘‘EXEMPTIONS’’, 
(B) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘(G)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(H)’’, 
(C) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘(E) and (G)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(F) and (H)’’ , 
(D) in subparagraph (D)— 
(i) in the heading by striking ‘‘SUBSEQUENT FISCAL 
YEARS’’ and inserting ‘‘FISCAL
YEARS
1999
THROUGH 
2019’’, 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(E) through (G)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(F) through (H)’’, and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘year,’’ and inserting ‘‘year through 
fiscal year 2019,’’, 
(E) in subparagraph (E) by striking ‘‘or (D)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘, (D), or (E)’’, 
(F) by redesignating subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G) 
as subparagraphs (F), (G), and (H), respectively, and 
(G) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following: 
‘‘(E) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.—Subject to subpara-
graphs (F) through (H), for fiscal year 2020 and each subse-
quent fiscal year, a State agency may provide a number 
of exemptions such that the average monthly number of 
exemptions in effect during the fiscal year does not exceed 
12 percent of the number of covered individuals in the 
State, as estimated by the Secretary under subparagraph 
(C), adjusted by the Secretary to reflect changes in the 
State’s caseload and the Secretary’s estimate of changes 
in the proportion of members of households that receive 
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits covered 
by waivers granted under paragraph (4).’’. 
(c) STATE PLANS.—Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)(19) by inserting ‘‘the extent to which 
such programs will be carried out in coordination with the 
activities carried out under title I of the Workforce Innovation 
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.),’’ before ‘‘and 
the basis,’’, and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(w) For households containing at least one adult, with no 
elderly or disabled members and with no earned income at their 
last certification or required report, a State agency shall, at the 
time of recertification, be required to advise members of the house-
hold not exempt under section 6(d)(2) regarding available employ-
ment and training services.’’. 
(d) FUNDING OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.—Sec-
tion 16(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(h)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘$90,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$103,900,000’’, 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in clause (i) by inserting ‘‘, subject to clauses 
(ii) through (v),’’ after ‘‘(B), the Secretary’’, and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4633 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) PRIORITY.—The Secretary shall reallocate 
funds under this subparagraph as follows: 
‘‘(I)(aa) Subject to items (bb) and (cc), not less 
than 50 percent shall be reallocated to State agen-
cies requesting such funds to conduct employment 
and training programs and activities for which 
such State agencies had previously received 
funding under subparagraph (F)(viii) that the Sec-
retary determines have the most demonstrable 
impact on the ability of participants to find and 
retain employment that leads to increased house-
hold income and reduced reliance on public assist-
ance. 
‘‘(bb) The Secretary shall base the determina-
tion under item (aa) on— 
‘‘(AA) project results from the independent 
evaluations conducted under subparagraph 
(F)(vii)(I); or 
‘‘(BB) if the project results from the inde-
pendent evaluations conducted under subpara-
graph (F)(vii)(I) are not yet available, the 
reports under subparagraph (F)(vii)(II) or 
other information relating to performance of 
the programs and activities funded under 
subparagraph (F)(viii). 
‘‘(cc) Employment and training activities 
funded under this subclause are not subject to 
subparagraph (F)(vii), but are subject to moni-
toring under paragraph (h)(5). 
‘‘(II) Not less than 30 percent shall be reallo-
cated to State agencies requesting such funds to 
implement or continue employment and training 
programs and activities under section 6(d)(4)(B)(i) 
that the Secretary determines have the most 
demonstrable impact on the ability of participants 
to find and retain employment that leads to 
increased household income and reduced reliance 
on public assistance, including programs and 
activities that are targeted to— 
‘‘(aa) individuals 50 years of age or older; 
‘‘(bb) formerly incarcerated individuals; 
‘‘(cc) individuals participating in a sub-
stance abuse treatment program; 
‘‘(dd) homeless individuals; 
‘‘(ee) people with disabilities seeking to 
enter the workforce; 
‘‘(ff) other individuals with substantial 
barriers to employment; or 
‘‘(gg) households facing multi-generational 
poverty, to support employment and workforce 
participation 
through 
an 
integrated 
and 
family-focused approach in providing sup-
portive services. 
‘‘(III) The Secretary shall reallocate any 
remaining funds available under this subpara-
graph, to State agencies requesting such funds 
to use for employment and training programs and 
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132 STAT. 4634 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
activities that the Secretary determines have the 
most demonstrable impact on the ability of partici-
pants to find and retain employment that leads 
to increased household income and reduced reli-
ance 
on 
public 
assistance 
under 
section 
6(d)(4)(B)(i). 
‘‘(v) CONSIDERATION.—In reallocating funds under 
this subparagraph, a State agency that receives reallo-
cated funds under clause (iv)(I) may also be considered 
for reallocated funding under clause (iv)(II).’’, and 
(C) in subparagraph (D) by striking ‘‘$50,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$100,000’’, and 
(2) in paragraph (5)(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) STATE OPTION.—The State agency may report 
relevant data from a workforce partnership carried 
out under section 6(d)(4)(N) to demonstrate the number 
of program participants served by the workforce part-
nership.’’. 
(e) EXPIRED AUTHORITY.—Section 17(b) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(b)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2), and 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). 
SEC. 4006. IMPROVEMENTS TO ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER 
SYSTEM. 
(a) EBT PORTABILITY.—Section 7(f)(5) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(f)(5)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(C) OPERATION OF INDIVIDUAL POINT OF SALE DEVICE 
BY FARMERS’ MARKETS AND DIRECT MARKETING FARMERS.— 
A farmers’ market or direct marketing farmer that is 
exempt under paragraph (2)(B)(i) shall be allowed to 
operate an individual electronic benefit transfer point of 
sale device at more than 1 location under the same supple-
mental nutrition assistance program authorization, if— 
‘‘(i) the farmers’ market or direct marketing farmer 
provides to the Secretary information on location and 
hours of operation at each location; and 
‘‘(ii)(I) the point of sale device used by the farmers’ 
market or direct marketing farmer is capable of pro-
viding location information of the device through the 
electronic benefit transfer system; or 
‘‘(II) if the Secretary determines that the tech-
nology is not available for a point of sale device to 
meet the requirement under subclause (I), the farmers’ 
market or direct marketing farmer provides to the 
Secretary any other information, as determined by the 
Secretary, necessary to ensure the integrity of trans-
actions processed using the point of sale device.’’. 
(b) MODERNIZATION OF ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER REGU-
LATIONS.—The 1st sentence of section 7(h)(2) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(2)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘and shall periodically review such regulations and modify such 
regulations to take into account evolving technology and comparable 
industry standards’’ before the period at the end. 
(c) BENEFIT RECOVERY.—Section 7(h)(12) of the Food and Nutri-
tion Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(12)) is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4635 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in subparagraph (A) by inserting ‘‘, or due to the death 
of all members of the household’’ after ‘‘inactivity’’, and 
(2) by striking subparagraphs (B) and (C) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(B) BENEFIT STORAGE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A State agency may store recov-
ered electronic benefits off-line in accordance with 
clause (ii), if the household has not accessed the 
account after 3 months. 
‘‘(ii) NOTICE OF BENEFIT STORAGE.—A State agency 
shall— 
‘‘(I) send notice to a household the benefits 
of which are stored under clause (i); and 
‘‘(II) not later than 48 hours after request 
by the household, make the stored benefits avail-
able to the household. 
‘‘(C) BENEFIT EXPUNGING.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), a State 
agency shall expunge benefits that have not been 
accessed by a household after a period of 9 months, 
or upon verification that all members of the household 
are deceased. 
‘‘(ii) NOTICE
OF
BENEFIT
EXPUNGING.—Not later 
than 30 days before benefits are to be expunged under 
clause (i), a State agency shall— 
‘‘(I) provide sufficient notice to the household 
that benefits will be expunged due to inactivity, 
and the date upon which benefits will be expunged; 
‘‘(II) for benefits stored off-line in accordance 
with subparagraph (B), provide the household an 
opportunity to request that such benefits be 
restored to the household; and 
‘‘(III) not later than 48 hours after request 
by the household, make the benefits available to 
the household.’’. 
(d) PROHIBITED FEES.—Section 7 of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (h)(13) to read as follows: 
‘‘(13) FEES.— 
‘‘(A) INTERCHANGE
FEES.—No interchange fees shall 
apply to electronic benefit transfer transactions under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(B) OTHER FEES.—Effective through fiscal year 2023, 
neither a State, nor any agent, contractor, or subcontractor 
of a State who facilitates the provision of supplemental 
nutrition assistance program benefits in such State may 
impose a fee for switching (as defined in subsection 
(j)(1)(H)) or routing such benefits.’’, and 
(2) by amending subsection (j)(1)(H) to read as follows: 
‘‘(H) SWITCHING.—The term ‘switching’ means the 
routing of an intrastate or interstate transaction that con-
sists of transmitting the details of a transaction electroni-
cally recorded through the use of an electronic benefit 
transfer card in one State to the issuer of the card that 
may be in the same or different State.’’. 
(e) MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES.—Section 7(h)(14) of the Food and 
Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2016(h)(14)) is amended— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Secretary shall authorize the use of mobile technologies 
for the purpose of accessing supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program benefits.’’, 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘DEMONSTRA-
TION PROJECTS ON ACCESS OF BENEFITS THROUGH MOBILE 
TECHNOLOGIES’’, 
(B) by amending clause (i) to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS.—Before author-
izing implementation of subparagraph (A) in all States, 
the Secretary shall approve not more than 5 dem-
onstration project proposals submitted by State agen-
cies that will pilot the use of mobile technologies for 
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits 
access.’’, 
(C) in clause (ii)— 
(i) in the heading by striking ‘‘DEMONSTRATION 
PROJECTS’’ and inserting ‘‘PROJECT REQUIREMENTS’’, 
(ii) by striking ‘‘retail food store’’ the first place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘State agency’’, 
(iii) by striking ‘‘includes’’, 
(iv) by striking subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (IV), 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(I) provides recipient protections regarding 
privacy, ease of use, household access to benefits, 
and support similar to the protections provided 
under existing methods; 
‘‘(II) ensures that all recipients, including 
those without access to mobile payment technology 
and those who shop across State borders, have 
a means of benefit access; 
‘‘(III) requires retail food stores, unless exempt 
under section 7(f)(2)(B), to bear the costs of 
acquiring and arranging for the implementation 
of point-of-sale equipment and supplies for the 
redemption of benefits that are accessed through 
mobile technologies; 
‘‘(IV) requires that foods purchased with bene-
fits issued under this section through mobile tech-
nologies are purchased at a price not higher than 
the price of the same food purchased by other 
methods used by the retail food store, as deter-
mined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(V) ensures adequate documentation for each 
authorized transaction, adequate security meas-
ures to deter fraud, and adequate access to retail 
food stores that accept benefits accessed through 
mobile technologies, as determined by the Sec-
retary; 
‘‘(VI) provides for an evaluation of the dem-
onstration project, including, but not limited to, 
an evaluation of household access to benefits; 
‘‘(VII) requires that the State demonstration 
projects are voluntary for all retail food stores 
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132 STAT. 4637 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
and that all recipients are able to use benefits 
in non-participating retail food stores; and 
‘‘(VIII) meets other criteria as established by 
the Secretary.’’, 
(D) by amending clause (iii) to read as follows: 
‘‘(iv) DATE OF PROJECT APPROVAL.—The Secretary 
shall solicit and approve the qualifying demonstration 
projects required under subparagraph (B)(i) not later 
than January 1, 2021.’’, and 
(E) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) PRIORITY.—The Secretary may prioritize dem-
onstration project proposals that would— 
‘‘(I) reduce fraud; 
‘‘(II) encourage positive nutritional outcomes; 
and 
‘‘(III) meet such other criteria as determined 
by the Secretary.’’, and 
(3) in subparagraph (C)(i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2017’’ and inserting ‘‘2022’’, and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘requires further study by way of 
an extended pilot period or’’ after ‘‘States’’ the 2d place 
it appears. 
(f) APPROVAL OF RETAIL FOOD STORES.—Section 9 of the Food 
and Nutrition Act (7 U.S.C. 2018) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in the 4th sentence by striking ‘‘No retail food 
store’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(D) VISIT REQUIRED.—No retail food store’’, 
(B) in the 3d sentence by striking ‘‘Approval’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(C) CERTIFICATE.—Approval’’, 
(C) in the 2d sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘food; and (D) the’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘food; 
‘‘(iv) any information, if available, about the ability 
of the anticipated or existing electronic benefit transfer 
equipment and service provider of the applicant to 
provide sufficient information through the electronic 
benefit transfer system to minimize the risk of fraudu-
lent transactions; and 
‘‘(v) the’’, 
(ii) by striking ‘‘concern; (C) whether’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘concern; 
‘‘(iii) whether’’, 
(iii) by striking ‘‘applicant; (B) the’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘applicant; 
‘‘(ii) the’’, 
(iv) by striking ‘‘following: (A) the nature’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘following: 
‘‘(i) the nature’’, and 
(v) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so des-
ignated, by striking ‘‘In determining’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(B) FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION.—In determining’’, 
and 
(D) in the 1st sentence by striking ‘‘(a)(1) Regulations’’ 
and inserting the following: 
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132 STAT. 4638 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT AND REDEEM BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Regulations’’, 
(2) in subsection (a) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) ELECTRONIC
BENEFIT
TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
AND 
SERVICE PROVIDERS.—Before implementing clause (iv) of para-
graph (1)(B), the Secretary shall issue guidance for retail food 
stores on how to select electronic benefit transfer equipment 
and service providers that are able to meet the requirements 
of that clause.’’, and 
(3) in the 1st sentence of subsection (c) by inserting ‘‘records 
relating to electronic benefit transfer equipment and related 
services, transaction and redemption data provided through 
the electronic benefit transfer system,’’ after ‘‘purchase 
invoices,’’. 
SEC. 4007. REVIEW OF SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM OPERATIONS. 
Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2018) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) REVIEW OF PROGRAM OPERATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) REVIEW BY THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall review a representative sample of currently 
authorized facilities referred to in section 3(k)(3) to deter-
mine whether benefits are properly used by or on behalf 
of participating households residing in such facilities and 
whether such facilities are using more than 1 source of 
Federal or State funding to meet the food needs of resi-
dents; 
‘‘(B) may carry out similar reviews for currently partici-
pating residential drug and alcohol treatment and 
rehabilitation programs, and group living arrangements 
for the blind and disabled, referred to in section 3(k); 
‘‘(C) shall gather information, and such facilities, pro-
grams, and arrangements shall be required to submit 
information deemed necessary for a full and thorough 
review; and 
‘‘(D) shall report the results of these reviews to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 
2018, along with recommendations regarding— 
‘‘(i) any additional requirements or oversight that 
would be appropriate for such facilities, programs, and 
arrangements; and 
‘‘(ii) 
whether 
such 
facilities, 
programs, 
and 
arrangements should continue to be authorized to 
participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance 
program. 
‘‘(2) 
LIMITATION.—Nothing 
in 
this 
subsection 
shall 
authorize the Secretary to deny any application for continued 
authorization, any application for authorization, or any request 
to withdraw the authorization of any such facility, program, 
or arrangement based on a determination that residents of 
any such facility or entity are residents of an institution for 
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132 STAT. 4639 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
a period of 18 months from the date of enactment of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.’’. 
SEC. 4008. RETAIL INCENTIVES. 
Section 9 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2018), as amended by section 4007, is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(j) INCENTIVES.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE INCENTIVE FOOD.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘eligible incentive food’ means— 
‘‘(A) a staple food that is identified for increased 
consumption, consistent with the most recent dietary rec-
ommendations; and 
‘‘(B) a fruit, vegetable, dairy, whole grain, or product 
thereof. 
‘‘(2) GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall issue guidance 
to clarify the process by which an approved retail food 
store may seek a waiver to offer an incentive, which may 
be used only for the purchase of an eligible incentive food 
at the point of purchase, to a household purchasing food 
with benefits issued under this Act. 
‘‘(B) GUIDANCE.—The guidance under subparagraph (A) 
shall establish a process under which an approved retail 
food store, prior to carrying out an incentive program under 
this subsection, shall provide to the Secretary information 
describing the incentive program, including— 
‘‘(i) the types of incentives that will be offered; 
‘‘(ii) the types of foods that will be incentivized 
for purchase; and 
‘‘(iii) an explanation of how the incentive program 
intends to support meeting dietary intake goals. 
‘‘(3) NO LIMITATION ON BENEFITS.—A waiver granted under 
this subsection shall not be used to carry out any activity 
that limits the use of benefits under this Act or any other 
Federal nutrition law. 
‘‘(4) EFFECT.—Guidance provided under this subsection 
shall not affect any requirements under section 4405 of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517), 
including the eligibility of a retail food store to participate 
in a project funded under such section. 
‘‘(5) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
an annual report describing the types of incentives approved 
under this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 4009. REQUIRED ACTION ON DATA MATCH INFORMATION. 
Section 11(e) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2020(e)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (24) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon, 
(2) in paragraph (25) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(26) that for a household participating in the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program, the State agency shall pursue 
clarification and verification, if applicable, of information 
relating to the circumstances of the household received from 
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132 STAT. 4640 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
data matches for the purpose of ensuring an accurate eligibility 
and benefit determination, only if the information— 
‘‘(A) 
appears 
to 
present 
significantly 
conflicting 
information from the information that was used by the 
State agency at the time of certification of the household; 
‘‘(B) is obtained from data matches carried out under 
subsection (q), (r), or (x); or 
‘‘(C)(i) is less than 60 days old relative to the current 
month of participation of the household; and 
‘‘(ii) if accurate, would have been required to be 
reported by the household based on the reporting require-
ments assigned to the household by the State agency under 
section 6(c).’’. 
SEC. 4010. INCENTIVIZING TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION. 
Section 11(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2020(t)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘GRANTS FOR 
SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION AND ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION SYS-
TEMS AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO BENEFITS’’, 
(2) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘implement—’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end, and inserting ‘‘imple-
ment supplemental nutrition assistance program simplified 
application and eligibility determination systems.’’, and 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) establishing enhanced technological methods that 
improve the administrative infrastructure used in proc-
essing applications and determining eligibility; or’’, 
(B) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D), and 
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subpara-
graph (C). 
SEC. 4011. INTERSTATE DATA MATCHING TO PREVENT MULTIPLE 
ISSUANCES. 
Section 11 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2020), as amended by section 4005(c), is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘(x) NATIONAL ACCURACY CLEARINGHOUSE.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF INDICATION OF MULTIPLE ISSUANCE.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘indication of multiple issuance’ 
means an indication, based on a computer match, that supple-
mental nutrition assistance program benefits are being issued 
to an individual by more than 1 State agency simultaneously. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an 
interstate data system, to be known as the ‘National 
Accuracy Clearinghouse’, to prevent multiple issuances of 
supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits to an 
individual by more than 1 State agency simultaneously. 
‘‘(B) DATA MATCHING.—The Secretary shall require that 
State agencies make available to the National Accuracy 
Clearinghouse only such information as is necessary for 
the purpose described in subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(C) DATA PROTECTION.—The information made avail-
able by State agencies under subparagraph (B)— 
‘‘(i) shall be used only for the purpose described 
in subparagraph (A); 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) shall be exempt from the disclosure require-
ments of section 552(a) of title 5 of the United States 
Code pursuant to section 552(b)(3) of title 5 of the 
United States Code, to the extent such information 
is obtained or received by the Secretary; 
‘‘(iii) shall not be retained for longer than is nec-
essary to accomplish the purpose in subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(iv) shall be used in a manner that protects the 
identity and location of a vulnerable individual 
(including a victim of domestic violence) that is an 
applicant for, or recipient of, supplemental nutrition 
assistance program benefits; and 
‘‘(v) shall meet security standards as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) ISSUANCE OF INTERIM FINAL REGULATIONS.—Not later 
than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall promulgate regu-
lations (which shall include interim final regulations) to carry 
out this subsection that— 
‘‘(A) incorporate best practices and lessons learned from 
the pilot program under section 4032(c) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2036c(c)); 
‘‘(B) require a State agency to take appropriate action, 
as determined by the Secretary, with respect to each indica-
tion of multiple issuance of supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program benefits, or each indication that an individual 
receiving such benefits in 1 State has applied to receive 
such benefits in another State, while ensuring timely and 
fair service to applicants for, and recipients of, such bene-
fits; 
‘‘(C) establish standards to limit and protect the 
information submitted through or retained by the National 
Accuracy Clearinghouse consistent with paragraph (2)(C); 
‘‘(D) establish safeguards to protect— 
‘‘(i) the information submitted through or retained 
by the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, including by 
limiting the period of time that information is retained 
to the period necessary to accomplish the purpose 
described in paragraph (2)(A); and 
‘‘(ii) the privacy of information that is submitted 
through or retained by the National Accuracy Clearing-
house consistent with subsection (e)(8); and 
‘‘(E) include such other rules and standards the Sec-
retary determines appropriate to carry out this subsection. 
‘‘(4) TIMING.—The initial match and corresponding actions 
required by paragraph (3)(B) shall occur within 3 years after 
the date of the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018.’’. 
SEC. 4012. REQUIREMENT OF LIVE-PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS FOR 
CERTAIN PILOT PROJECTS RELATING TO COST SHARING 
FOR COMPUTERIZATION. 
Section 16(g)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2025(g)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (F) by redesignating clauses (i) and 
(ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as 
clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(3) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so redesignated— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (2) and (3)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (2)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘in the planning’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘in the— 
‘‘(A) planning’’, 
(4) in clause (v), as so redesignated, of subparagraph (A), 
as so designated, by striking ‘‘implementation, including 
through pilot projects in limited areas for major systems 
changes as determined under rules promulgated by the Sec-
retary, data from which’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘implementation, including a requirement that— 
‘‘(I) such testing shall be accomplished through 
pilot projects in limited areas for major systems 
changes (as determined under rules promulgated 
by the Secretary); 
‘‘(II) each pilot project described in subclause 
(I) that is carried out before the implementation 
of a system shall be conducted in a live-production 
environment; and 
‘‘(III) the data resulting from each pilot project 
carried out under this clause’’; 
(5) in clause (vi), as so redesignated, by striking the period 
at end and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) operation of 1 or more automatic data processing 
and information retrieval systems that the Secretary deter-
mines may continue to be operated in accordance with 
clauses (i) through (vii) of subparagraph (A).’’. 
SEC. 4013. QUALITY CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) RECORDS.—Section 11(a)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2020(a)(3)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Records described’’ and inserting ‘‘All 
records, and the entire information systems in which records 
are contained, that are covered’’, and 
(2) by amending clause (i) to read as follows: 
‘‘(i) be made available for inspection and audit 
by the Secretary, subject to data and security protocols 
agreed to by the State agency and Secretary;’’. 
(b) QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM.—Section 16(c)(1)(B) of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(1)(B)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM INTEGRITY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, the Secretary shall issue interim final 
regulations that— 
‘‘(I) ensure that the quality control system 
established under this subsection produces valid 
statistical results; 
‘‘(II) provide for oversight of contracts entered 
into by a State agency for the purpose of improving 
payment accuracy; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) ensure the accuracy of data collected 
under the quality control system established under 
this subsection; and 
‘‘(IV) for each fiscal year, to the maximum 
extent practicable, provide for the evaluation of 
the integrity of the quality control process of not 
fewer than 2 State agencies, selected in accordance 
with criteria determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) DEBARMENT.—In accordance with the non-
procurement debarment procedures under part 417 of 
title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regu-
lations, the Secretary shall debar any person that, 
in carrying out the quality control system established 
under this subsection, knowingly submits, or causes 
to be submitted, false information to the Secretary.’’. 
(c) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—The 1st sentence of section 
16(c)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)(4)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘, including providing access to applicable 
State records and the entire information systems in which the 
records are contained,’’ after ‘‘necessary’’. 
(d) STATE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS.—Section 16(d) of the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘STATE PERFORM-
ANCE INDICATORS’’, 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the heading by striking ‘‘AND THEREAFTER’’ and 
inserting ‘‘THROUGH 2017’’, 
(B) in subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘and each fiscal 
year thereafter’’ and inserting ‘‘through fiscal year 2017’’, 
and 
(C) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and each fiscal 
year thereafter’’ and inserting ‘‘through fiscal year 2017’’, 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) FISCAL YEAR 2018 AND FISCAL YEARS THEREAFTER.— 
‘‘(A) With respect to fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal 
year thereafter, the Secretary shall establish, by regulation, 
performance criteria relating to— 
‘‘(i) actions taken to correct errors, reduce rates 
of error, and improve eligibility determinations; and 
‘‘(ii) other indicators of effective administration 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) The Secretary shall not award performance bonus 
payments to State agencies in fiscal year 2019 for fiscal 
year 2018 performance.’’. 
(e) COST SHARING FOR COMPUTERIZATION.—Section 16(g)(1)(A) 
of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2025(g)(1)(A)), 
as amended by section 4012, is amended— 
(1) in clause (v)(III) by striking ‘‘and’’, and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vii) would be accessible by the Secretary for 
inspection and audit under section 11(a)(3)(B); and’’. 
SEC. 4014. EVALUATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT COOPERA-
TION REQUIREMENTS. 
Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2026) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(m) EVALUATION OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT COOPERA-
TION REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct an 
independent evaluation of a representative sample of States— 
‘‘(A) to assess the implementation and impact of the 
eligibility requirements described in subsections (l) through 
(n) of section 6 in States that have formerly implemented 
or continue to implement those requirements, and the feasi-
bility of implementing those requirements in other States; 
‘‘(B) to assess the factors that contributed to the deci-
sion of States that formerly implemented the eligibility 
requirements described in each of subsections (l) through 
(n) of section 6 to cease such implementation; 
‘‘(C) to review alternatives to the eligibility require-
ments described in each of subsections (l) through (n) of 
section 6 that are used by other States to assist participants 
in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to make 
or receive child support payments and the effectiveness 
of those alternatives; and 
‘‘(D) to evaluate the costs and benefits to households 
and to State agencies, of requiring State agencies to imple-
ment each of the eligibility requirements described in sub-
sections (l) through (n) of section 6. 
‘‘(2) EVALUATION.—The evaluation under paragraph (1) 
shall include, to the maximum extent practicable, an assess-
ment of— 
‘‘(A) the manner in which applicable State agencies 
implement 
and 
enforce 
the 
eligibility 
requirements 
described 
in 
subparagraph 
(A) 
of 
such 
paragraph, 
including— 
‘‘(i) the procedures used by each State to determine 
cooperation, to sanction participants for failure to 
cooperate, and to determine good cause for noncoopera-
tion under each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 
6; and 
‘‘(ii) the manner in which each State aligns the 
procedures for implementing those eligibility require-
ments with procedures for implementing other Federal 
programs that require cooperation with child support 
enforcement, including the program of block grants 
to States for temporary assistance for needy families 
established under part A of title IV of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Medicaid program 
under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396 et seq.), and programs carried out under the 
Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 
(42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) the Federal, State, and local costs associated with 
implementing those eligibility requirements, including costs 
incurred under this Act and by child support enforcement 
agencies for personnel, technology upgrades, and other 
costs; 
‘‘(C) the effect of those eligibility requirements on the 
establishment of new child support orders, the establish-
ment of paternity, changes in child support payments to 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
custodial households, and changes in arrears owed on child 
support orders; 
‘‘(D) with respect to the eligibility requirements under 
each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 6— 
‘‘(i) the number of individuals subject to those 
requirements; 
‘‘(ii) the number of individuals in each State who 
meet those requirements; and 
‘‘(iii) the number of individuals in each State who 
fail to meet those requirements; 
‘‘(E) the number of individuals in each State for whom 
good cause for noncooperation has been found under section 
6(l)(2); 
‘‘(F) the impact of those eligibility requirements on 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program eligibility, 
benefit levels, food security, income, and economic stability 
of— 
‘‘(i) individuals subject to those requirements; 
‘‘(ii) the household members of those individuals, 
including children; and 
‘‘(iii) households with nontraditional family struc-
tures, including a household in which a grandparent 
is the primary caretaker of a grandchild of the grand-
parent. 
‘‘(3) STATE
AGENCY
COOPERATION.—Each State agency 
selected under paragraph (1) shall provide information to the 
Secretary necessary to conduct the evaluation under such para-
graph. 
‘‘(4) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the findings from the evaluation conducted under 
paragraph (1).’’. 
SEC. 4015. LONGITUDINAL DATA FOR RESEARCH. 
(a) LONGITUDINAL DATA.—Section 17 of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026), as amended by section 4014, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(n) LONGITUDINAL DATA FOR RESEARCH.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), 
a State agency may, on approval by the Secretary, establish 
a longitudinal database that contains information about house-
holds and members of households that receive benefits under 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the State. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—Each longitudinal database established 
under paragraph (1) shall be used solely to conduct research 
on participation in and the operation of the supplemental nutri-
tion assistance program, including duration of participation 
in the program. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS FOR DATABASES.—Prior to the approval 
of State agencies to establish longitudinal databases under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
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‘‘(A) identify features that shall be standard across 
States such as database format to facilitate use of longitu-
dinal databases established under paragraph (1) for 
research purposes; 
‘‘(B) identify features of longitudinal databases estab-
lished under paragraph (1) that may vary across States; 
‘‘(C) identify a procedure for States operating longitu-
dinal databases under paragraph (1) to use a unique identi-
fier to provide relevant information on household members 
who receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program for the purpose of comparing participa-
tion data in multiple participating States over time while 
protecting participant privacy; 
‘‘(D) establish the manner in which data security and 
privacy protections, as required by Federal law and con-
sistent with other appropriate practices, shall be imple-
mented and maintained; 
‘‘(E) provide direction to State agencies on the respon-
sibilities of and funding arrangements for State agencies 
and any State contractors (including entities providing 
technical assistance) relating to the establishment and 
operation of a longitudinal database; 
‘‘(F) provide a description of the documentation that 
States shall submit to the Secretary prior to allowing 
researchers access to a longitudinal database; 
‘‘(G) consult with other Federal research agencies, 
including the Bureau of the Census; 
‘‘(H) consult with States that have already established 
databases used for purposes similar to the purposes out-
lined in this subsection; and 
‘‘(I) identify any other requirements determined appro-
priate by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) INCLUDED DATA.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), each 
longitudinal database established under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(i) shall include monthly information about house-
holds and members of households that receive benefits 
under the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
in the participating State taken from existing informa-
tion collected by the State agency including, if avail-
able,— 
‘‘(I) demographic characteristics; 
‘‘(II) income and financial resources (as 
described in section 5(g)); 
‘‘(III) employment status; 
‘‘(IV) household circumstances, such as deduct-
ible expenses; and 
‘‘(V) the amount of the monthly allotment 
received under the supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program; and 
‘‘(ii) may include information from other State data 
sources such as— 
‘‘(I) earnings and employment data from the 
State department of labor; 
‘‘(II) health insurance program data; or 
‘‘(III) data from participation in other pro-
grams administered by the State. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) DATA
PROTECTION.—Any State that establishes 
a longitudinal database under paragraph (1) shall, in 
accordance with all applicable Federal and State privacy 
standards and requirements— 
‘‘(i) protect the privacy of information about each 
member of each household that receives benefits under 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program in such 
State by ensuring that no personally identifiable 
information (including social security number, home 
address, or contact information) is included in the 
longitudinal database; and 
‘‘(ii) make the data under this paragraph available 
to researchers and the Secretary. 
‘‘(5) APPROVAL.—The Secretary shall approve the establish-
ment of longitudinal databases under paragraph (1) in States 
that— 
‘‘(A) meet the requirements for databases under para-
graph (3) and (4)(B); 
‘‘(B) reflect a range of participant numbers, demo-
graphics, operational structures, and geographic regions; 
and 
‘‘(C) have the capacity to provide on a periodic and 
ongoing basis household and participant data derived from 
the eligibility system and other data sources of the State. 
‘‘(6) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this subsection, the 
Secretary may provide grants to States that have been 
approved by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph 
(5) out of funds made available under paragraph (9). 
‘‘(B) METHOD OF AWARDING GRANTS.—Grants awarded 
under this paragraph shall be made in such amounts and 
under such terms and conditions as the Secretary deter-
mines necessary to carry out the purposes of this sub-
section. 
‘‘(7) REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 years after the 
effective date of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report on the feasibility of 
expanding implementation of longitudinal databases to 
every State. 
‘‘(B) CONTENTS.—The report required under subpara-
graph (A) shall describe— 
‘‘(i) the cost of expanding implementation of 
longitudinal databases with consistent data to every 
State; 
‘‘(ii) the challenges and benefits of using State 
longitudinal databases with consistent data; and 
‘‘(iii) alternatives to expanding implementation of 
longitudinal databases with consistent data to every 
State that may achieve similar research outcomes and 
the advantages and disadvantages of those alter-
natives. 
‘‘(8) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed 
to prevent or limit the ability of State agencies to establish 
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132 STAT. 4648 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
or continue operating databases used for purposes similar to 
the purposes outlined in this subsection. 
‘‘(9) FUNDING.—Of the funds made available under section 
18, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection— 
‘‘(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to remain avail-
able through fiscal year 2021; and 
‘‘(B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The 1st sentence of section 
16(a) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘(8)’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, and (9) establishing and operating a 
longitudinal database in accordance with section 17(n)’’ before 
‘‘: Provided’’. 
SEC. 4016. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
The 1st sentence of section 18(a)(1) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 4017. ASSISTANCE FOR COMMUNITY FOOD PROJECTS. 
Section 25(b)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2034(b)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end, 
(2) in subparagraph (C) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 2015 and 
each fiscal year thereafter.’’ and inserting ‘‘each of fiscal years 
2015 through 2018; and’’, and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.’’. 
SEC. 4018. EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) STATE PLAN.—Section 202A(b) of the Emergency Food 
Assistance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7503(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) at the option of the State agency, describe a plan 
of operation for 1 or more projects in partnership with 1 or 
more emergency feeding organizations located in the State to 
harvest, process, package, or transport donated commodities 
received under section 203D(d); and 
‘‘(6) describe a plan, which may include the use of a State 
advisory board established under subsection (c), that provides 
emergency feeding organizations or eligible recipient agencies 
within the State an opportunity to provide input on the com-
modity preferences and needs of the emergency feeding 
organization or eligible recipient agency.’’. 
(b) STATE AND LOCAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF COMMODITIES.— 
Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
U.S.C. 7507) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) PROJECTS TO HARVEST, PROCESS, PACKAGE, OR TRANSPORT 
DONATED COMMODITIES.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF PROJECT.—In this subsection, the term 
‘project’ means the harvesting, processing, packaging, or 
transportation of unharvested, unprocessed, or unpackaged 
commodities donated by agricultural producers, processors, or 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
distributors for use by emergency feeding organizations under 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraphs (B) and 
(C) and paragraph (3), using funds made available under 
paragraph (5), the Secretary may provide funding to States 
to pay for the costs of carrying out a project. 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of a project under subparagraph (A) shall not exceed 50 
percent of the total cost of the project. 
‘‘(C) ALLOCATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Each fiscal year, the Secretary 
shall allocate the funds made available under subpara-
graph (A), based on a formula determined by the Sec-
retary, to States that have submitted a State plan 
describing a plan of operation for a project under sec-
tion 202A(b)(5). 
‘‘(ii) REALLOCATION.—If the Secretary determines 
that a State will not expend all of the funds allocated 
to the State for a fiscal year under clause (i), the 
Secretary shall reallocate the unexpended funds to 
other States that have submitted under section 
202A(b)(5) a State plan describing a plan of operation 
for a project during that fiscal year or the subsequent 
fiscal year, as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(iii) REPORTS.—Each State to which funds are 
allocated for a fiscal year under this subparagraph 
shall, on a regular basis, submit to the Secretary finan-
cial reports describing the use of the funds. 
‘‘(3) PROJECT PURPOSES.—A State may only use Federal 
funds received under paragraph (2) for a project the purposes 
of which are— 
‘‘(A) to reduce food waste at the agricultural production, 
processing, or distribution level through the donation of 
food; 
‘‘(B) to provide food to individuals in need; and 
‘‘(C) to build relationships between agricultural pro-
ducers, processors, and distributors and emergency feeding 
organizations through the donation of food. 
‘‘(4) 
COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The 
Secretary 
may 
encourage a State agency that carries out a project using Fed-
eral funds received under paragraph (2) to enter into coopera-
tive agreements with State agencies of other States under 
section 203B(d) to maximize the use of commodities donated 
under the project. 
‘‘(5) FUNDING.—Out of funds not otherwise appropriated, 
the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the Secretary 
to carry out this subsection $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023, to remain available until the end of the 
subsequent fiscal year.’’. 
(c) FOOD WASTE.—Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assist-
ance Act of 1983 (7 U.S.C. 7507), as amended by subsection (b), 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) FOOD WASTE.—The Secretary shall issue guidance outlining 
best practices to minimize the food waste of the commodities 
donated under subsection (a).’’. 
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132 STAT. 4650 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(d) EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS.— 
Section 209(d) of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (7 
U.S.C. 7511a(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
(e) AVAILABILITY OF COMMODITIES FOR THE EMERGENCY FOOD 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 27(a) of the Food and Nutrition 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(iii) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) for fiscal year 2019, $23,000,000; 
‘‘(vi) for fiscal year 2020, $35,000,000; 
‘‘(vii) for fiscal year 2021, $35,000,000; 
‘‘(viii) for fiscal year 2022, $35,000,000; and 
‘‘(ix) for fiscal year 2023, $35,000,000; and’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (E)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2024’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(D)(iv)’’ and inserting ‘‘(D)(ix)’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘June 30, 2017’’ and inserting 
‘‘June 30, 2023’’. 
SEC. 4019. NUTRITION EDUCATION. 
Section 28(c) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2036a(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘Except as provided in subparagraph (C), a’’ and 
inserting ‘‘A’’, 
(ii) in clause (ii) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon, 
(iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv), 
and 
(iv) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: 
‘‘(iii) describe how the State agency shall use an 
electronic reporting system to— 
‘‘(I) measure and evaluate the projects; and 
‘‘(II) account for the allowable State agency 
administrative costs including for— 
‘‘(aa) salaries and benefits of State agency 
personnel; 
‘‘(bb) office supplies and equipment; 
‘‘(cc) travel costs; 
‘‘(dd) development and production of nutri-
tion education materials; 
‘‘(ee) memberships, subscriptions, and 
professional activities; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ff) lease or rental costs; 
‘‘(gg) maintenance and repair expenses; 
‘‘(hh) indirect costs; and 
‘‘(ii) cost of using publicly-owned building 
space; and’’, and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (C), 
(2) in paragraph (3)(B) in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by inserting ‘‘, the Director of the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture,’’ before ‘‘and outside stakeholders’’, 
(3) in paragraph (5) by inserting ‘‘the expanded food and 
nutrition education program or’’ before ‘‘other health pro-
motion’’, and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) INFORMATION
CLEARINGHOUSE.—The Secretary shall 
establish an online clearinghouse that makes available to State 
agencies, local agencies, institutions of higher education, and 
community organizations best practices for planning, imple-
menting, and evaluating nutrition education and obesity 
prevention services to ensure that projects carried out with 
funds received under this section are appropriate for the target 
population. 
‘‘(7) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide 
technical assistance to a State agency in developing and imple-
menting a nutrition education State plan, including— 
‘‘(A) by identifying common challenges faced by entities 
described in paragraph (6) that participate in projects car-
ried out with funds received under this section; 
‘‘(B) by coordinating efforts to address those common 
challenges; 
‘‘(C) by collecting and disseminating information on 
evidence-based practices relating to nutrition education and 
obesity prevention; 
‘‘(D) by facilitating communication between and among 
grantees and subgrantees of funds received under this sec-
tion; 
‘‘(E) by assisting State agencies in creating or 
maintaining systems to compile program data; and 
‘‘(F) by performing or assisting with other activities, 
as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(8) ANNUAL
STATE
REPORT.—Each State agency that 
delivers nutrition education and obesity prevention services 
under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual 
report, which shall be made publicly available by the Secretary, 
that includes— 
‘‘(A) the use of funds on the State agency’s program, 
including for each category of allowable State agency 
administrative costs identified in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II); 
‘‘(B) a description of each project carried out by that 
agency under this subsection, including, with respect to 
the project, the target population, interventions, edu-
cational materials used, key performance indicators used, 
and evaluations made; 
‘‘(C) a comprehensive analysis of the impacts and out-
comes— 
‘‘(i) of the project, including with respect to the 
elements described in subparagraph (A); and 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) to the extent practicable, of completed 
multiyear projects; and 
‘‘(D) the status of any ongoing multiyear project. 
‘‘(9) ANNUAL FEDERAL REPORT.—The Administrator of the 
Food and Nutrition Service, in consultation with the Director 
of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall annually 
submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report that— 
‘‘(A) evaluates the level of coordination between— 
‘‘(i) the nutrition education and obesity prevention 
grant program under this section; 
‘‘(ii) the expanded food and nutrition education 
program under section 1425 of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175); and 
‘‘(iii) any other nutrition education program 
administered by the Department of Agriculture; and 
‘‘(B) includes the use of funds on such programs 
including State agency administrative costs reported by 
States under paragraph (8)(A).’’. 
SEC. 4020. RETAIL FOOD STORE AND RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING. 
Section 29(c)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2036b(c)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 4021. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. 
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 30. PILOT PROJECTS TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PUBLIC-PRI-
VATE PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING FOOD 
INSECURITY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may, on application of eligible 
entities, approve not more than 10 pilot projects to support public- 
private partnerships that address food insecurity and poverty. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section— 
‘‘(1) the term ‘eligible entity’ means— 
‘‘(A) a nonprofit organization; 
‘‘(B) a community-based organization; 
‘‘(C) an institution of higher education; or 
‘‘(D) a private entity, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(2) the term ‘public agency’ means a department, agency, 
other unit, or instrumentality of Federal, State, or local govern-
ment. 
‘‘(c) PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.—Projects approved under this sec-
tion shall— 
‘‘(1) be limited to 2 years in length; and 
‘‘(2) include a collaboration between one or more public 
agencies and one or more eligible entities that— 
‘‘(A) improves the effectiveness and impact of the 
supplemental nutrition assistance program; 
‘‘(B) develops food security solutions that are specific 
to the needs of a community or region; and 
‘‘(C) strengthens the capacity of communities to address 
food insecurity and poverty. 
7 USC 2036d. 
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132 STAT. 4653 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(d) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall provide for an inde-
pendent evaluation of pilot projects approved under this section 
that includes— 
‘‘(1) a summary of the activities conducted under the pilot 
projects; 
‘‘(2) an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot projects; 
and 
‘‘(3) best practices regarding the use of public-private part-
nerships to improve the effectiveness of public benefit programs 
to address food insecurity and poverty. 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 
to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATION IN ADVANCE.—Only funds appropriated 
under paragraph (1) in advance specifically to carry out this 
section shall be available to carry out this section.’’. 
SEC. 4022. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) 
is amended— 
(1) in section 3— 
(A) in subsections (d) and (i) by striking ‘‘7(i)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘7(h)’’, and 
(B) in subsection (o)(1)(A) by striking ‘‘(r)(1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(q)(1)’’, 
(2) in section 5(a) by striking ‘‘and section’’ each place 
it appears and all that follows through ‘‘households’’ the respec-
tive next place it appears, and inserting ‘‘and section 3(m)(4), 
households’’, 
(3) in subsections (e)(1) and (f)(1)(A)(i) of section 8 by 
striking ‘‘3(n)(5)’’ and inserting ‘‘3(m)(5)’’, 
(4) in the 1st sentence of section 10— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or the Federal Savings and Loan Insur-
ance Corporation’’ each place it appears, and 
(B) by striking ‘‘3(p)(4)’’ and inserting ‘‘3(o)(4)’’, 
(5) in section 11— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2) by striking ‘‘3(t)(1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3(s)(1)’’, and 
(B) in subsection (d)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘3(t)(1)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘3(s)(1)’’, and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘3(t)(2)’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘3(s)(2)’’, and 
(C) in subsection (e)— 
(i) in paragraph (17) by striking ‘‘3(t)(1)’’ inserting 
‘‘3(s)(1)’’, and 
(ii) in paragraph (23) by striking ‘‘Simplified 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’’ and 
inserting ‘‘simplified supplemental nutrition assistance 
program’’, 
(6) in section 15(e) by striking ‘‘exchange’’ and all that 
follows through ‘‘anything’’, and inserting ‘‘exchange for bene-
fits, or anything’’, 
(7) in section 17(b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa) by striking ‘‘3(n)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3(m)’’, 
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132 STAT. 4654 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(8) in section 25(a)(1)(B)(i)(I) by striking the 2d semicolon 
at the end, and 
(9) in section 26(b) by striking ‘‘out’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘(referred’’, and inserting ‘‘out a simplified supple-
mental nutrition assistance program (referred’’. 
Subtitle B—Commodity Distribution 
Programs 
SEC. 4101. COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM. 
The 1st sentence of section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Con-
sumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 4102. COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM. 
Section 5 of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 
1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note; Public Law 93–86) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’, and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), in the matter preceding clause 
(i), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’, 
(2) in subsection (d)(2), in the 1st sentence, by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’, and 
(3) in subsection (g)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Except’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except’’, and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) CERTIFICATION.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION
OF
CERTIFICATION
PERIOD.—In this 
paragraph, the term ‘certification period’ means the period 
during which a participant in the commodity supplemental 
food program in a State may continue to receive benefits 
under the commodity supplemental food program without 
a formal review of the eligibility of the participant. 
‘‘(B) MINIMUM CERTIFICATION PERIOD.—Subject to sub-
paragraphs (C) and (D), a State shall establish for the 
commodity supplemental food program of the State a certifi-
cation period of— 
‘‘(i) not less than 1 year; but 
‘‘(ii) not more than 3 years. 
‘‘(C) TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION.—An eligible applicant 
for the commodity supplemental food program in a State 
may be provided with a temporary monthly certification 
to fill any caseload slot resulting from nonparticipation 
by certified participants. 
‘‘(D) APPROVALS.—A certification period of more than 
1 year established by a State under subparagraph (B) 
shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary, who 
shall approve such a certification period on the condition 
that, with respect to each participant receiving benefits 
under the commodity supplemental food program of the 
State, the local agency in the State administering the com-
modity supplemental food program, on an annual basis 
during the certification period applicable to the partici-
pant— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) verifies the address and continued interest of 
the participant; and 
‘‘(ii) has sufficient reason to determine that the 
participant still meets the income eligibility standards 
under paragraph (1), which may include a determina-
tion that the participant has a fixed income.’’. 
SEC. 4103. DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS COMMODITIES TO SPECIAL 
NUTRITION PROJECTS. 
Section 1114(a)(2)(A) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 
(7 U.S.C. 1431e(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 4104. FOOD DONATION STANDARDS. 
Section 203D of the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 
(7 U.S.C. 7507), as amended by section 4018(c), is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) FOOD DONATION STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) APPARENTLY WHOLESOME FOOD.—The term ‘appar-
ently wholesome food’ has the meaning given the term 
in section 22(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 
U.S.C. 1791(b)). 
‘‘(B) INSTITUTION
OF
HIGHER
EDUCATION.—The term 
‘institution of higher education’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002). 
‘‘(C) QUALIFIED
DIRECT
DONOR.—The term ‘qualified 
direct donor’ means a retail food store, wholesaler, agricul-
tural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, 
or institution of higher education. 
‘‘(2) GUIDANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018, the Secretary shall issue guidance to promote 
awareness of donations of apparently wholesome food pro-
tected under section 22(c) of the Child Nutrition Act of 
1966 (42 U.S.C. 1791(c)) by qualified direct donors in 
compliance with applicable State and local health, food 
safety, and food handling laws (including regulations). 
‘‘(B) ISSUANCE.—The Secretary shall encourage State 
agencies and emergency feeding organizations to share the 
guidance issued under subparagraph (A) with qualified 
direct donors.’’. 
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 4201. SENIORS FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM. 
Section 4402(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3007(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 4202. PURCHASE OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR DIS-
TRIBUTION TO SCHOOLS AND SERVICE INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 10603(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 612c-4(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4656 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 4203. SERVICE OF TRADITIONAL FOODS IN PUBLIC FACILITIES. 
Section 4033(d)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 
818) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ the 1st place it appears, 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, a State, a county or county equivalent, 
a local educational agency, and an entity or person authorized 
to facilitate the donation, storage, preparation, or serving of 
traditional food by the operator of a food service program’’ 
after ‘‘organization’’, and 
(3) by inserting ‘‘storage, preparation, or’’ after ‘‘donation 
to or’’. 
SEC. 4204. HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. 
Section 243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6953) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘and enterprises’’ after 
‘‘retailers’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(3)(B)(iii), by inserting ‘‘and enterprises’’ 
after ‘‘retailers’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(ii), by inserting ‘‘as applicable,’’ 
before ‘‘to accept’’. 
SEC. 4205. THE GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENT TO PROGRAM.—Section 4405 of the Food, Con-
servation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7517) is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting ‘‘THE
GUS 
SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM’’, 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means a 
governmental agency or nonprofit organization.’’, 
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘means the’’ and all 
that follows through the period at the end, and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘means— 
‘‘(A) the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); and 
‘‘(B) the programs for nutrition assistance under sec-
tion 19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2028).’’, and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) HEALTHCARE PARTNER.—The term ‘healthcare partner’ 
means a healthcare provider, including— 
‘‘(A) a hospital; 
‘‘(B) a Federally-qualified health center (as defined in 
section 1905(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396d(l))); 
‘‘(C) a hospital or clinic operated by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs; or 
‘‘(D) a healthcare provider group. 
‘‘(5) MEMBER.—The term ‘member’ means, as determined 
by the applicable eligible entity or healthcare partner carrying 
out a project under subsection (c) in accordance with procedures 
established by the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) an individual eligible for— 
‘‘(i) benefits under the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or 
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132 STAT. 4657 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) medical assistance under a State plan or a 
waiver of such a plan under title XIX of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and enrolled 
under such plan or waiver; and 
‘‘(B) a member of a low-income household that suffers 
from, or is at risk of developing, a diet-related health 
condition.’’, 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘The’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Except as provided in subparagraph (D)(iii), 
the’’, 
(ii) in subparagraph (C) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(iii) TRIBAL AGENCIES.—The Secretary may allow 
a Tribal agency to use funds provided to the Indian 
Tribe of the Tribal agency through a Federal agency 
(including the Indian Health Service) or other Federal 
benefit to satisfy all or part of the non-Federal share 
described in clause (i) if such use is otherwise con-
sistent with the purpose of such funds.’’, 
(iii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
as subparagraphs (C) and (D), and 
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) PARTNERS
AND
COLLABORATORS.—An eligible 
entity that receives a grant under this subsection may 
partner with, or make subgrants to, public, private, non-
profit, or for-profit entities, including— 
‘‘(i) an emergency feeding organization; 
‘‘(ii) an agricultural cooperative; 
‘‘(iii) a producer network or association; 
‘‘(iv) a community health organization; 
‘‘(v) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(vi) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(vii) a farmers’ market; 
‘‘(viii) a community-supported agriculture program; 
‘‘(ix) a buying club; 
‘‘(x) a retail food store participating in the supple-
mental nutrition assistance program; 
‘‘(xi) a State, local, or tribal agency; 
‘‘(xii) another eligible entity that receives a grant 
under this subsection; and 
‘‘(xiii) any other entity the Secretary designates.’’, 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To receive a grant under this sub-
section, an eligible entity shall— 
‘‘(i) meet the application criteria set forth by the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) propose a project that, at a minimum— 
‘‘(I) has the support of the State agency admin-
istering the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram; 
‘‘(II) would increase the purchase of fruits and 
vegetables by low-income households participating 
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132 STAT. 4658 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
in the supplemental nutrition assistance program 
by providing an incentive for the purchase of fruits 
and vegetables at the point of purchase to a house-
hold purchasing food with supplemental nutrition 
assistance program benefits; 
‘‘(III) except in the case of projects receiving 
$100,000 or less over 1 year, would measure the 
purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income 
households participating in the supplemental 
nutrition assistance program; 
‘‘(IV) ensures that the same terms and condi-
tions apply to purchases made by individuals with 
benefits issued under the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 and incentives provided for in this sub-
section as apply to purchases made by individuals 
who are not members of households receiving bene-
fits, such as provided for in section 278.2(b) of 
title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
regulation); 
‘‘(V) has adequate plans to collect data for 
reporting and agrees to provide that information 
for the report described in subsection (e)(2)(B)(iii); 
and 
‘‘(VI) would share information with the Nutri-
tion Incentive Program Training, Technical Assist-
ance, Evaluation, and Information Centers estab-
lished under subsection (e).’’, 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) by striking clause (v), 
(II) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (x), 
and 
(III) by inserting after clause (iv) the following: 
‘‘(v) include a project design— 
‘‘(I) that provides incentives when fruits or 
vegetables are purchased using supplemental 
nutrition assistance program benefits; and 
‘‘(II) in which the incentives earned may be 
used only to purchase fruits or vegetables; 
‘‘(vi) have demonstrated the ability to provide serv-
ices to underserved communities; 
‘‘(vii) include coordination with multiple stake-
holders, such as farm organizations, nutrition edu-
cation programs, cooperative extension services, public 
health departments, health providers, private and 
public health insurance agencies, cooperative grocers, 
grocery associations, and community-based and non-
governmental organizations; 
‘‘(viii) offer supplemental services in high-need 
communities, including online ordering, transportation 
between home and store, and delivery services; 
‘‘(ix) include food retailers that are open— 
‘‘(I) for extended hours; and 
‘‘(II) most or all days of the year; or’’, and 
(C) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4), 
(4) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘subsection (b) 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018’’ 
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132 STAT. 4659 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
and inserting ‘‘this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2014 through 2023’’, and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘subsection (b)’’ and inserting ‘‘this section’’, 
(ii) in subparagraph (B) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end, 
(iii) in subparagraph (C) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon, and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(D) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(E) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(F) $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(G) $56,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—With respect to funds made available 
under this section for fiscal years 2019 through 2023— 
‘‘(A) for each fiscal year the Secretary shall use not 
more than 10 percent of such funds available for such 
fiscal year for the produce prescription program described 
in subsection (c); 
‘‘(B) for each fiscal year not more than 8 percent of 
such funds available for such fiscal year shall be used 
by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and 
the Food and Nutrition Service for administration; and 
‘‘(C) the Secretary shall use for the Nutrition Incentive 
Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and 
Information Centers established under subsection (e) not 
more than— 
‘‘(i) $17,000,000 in the aggregate for fiscal years 
2019 and 2020; and 
‘‘(ii) $7,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 
through 2023.’’, 
(5) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (f), and 
(6) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a grant 
program under which the Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible entities to conduct projects that demonstrate and 
evaluate the impact of the projects on— 
‘‘(A) the improvement of dietary health through 
increased consumption of fruits and vegetables; 
‘‘(B) the reduction of individual and household food 
insecurity; and 
‘‘(C) the reduction in healthcare use and associated 
costs. 
‘‘(2) HEALTHCARE
PARTNERS.—In carrying out a project 
using a grant received under paragraph (1), an eligible entity 
shall partner with 1 or more healthcare partners. 
‘‘(3) GRANT APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under paragraph (1), an eligible entity— 
‘‘(i) shall— 
‘‘(I) prescribe fresh fruits and vegetables to 
members; 
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132 STAT. 4660 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(II) submit to the Secretary an application 
containing such information as the Secretary may 
require, including the information described in 
subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(ii) may— 
‘‘(I) provide financial or non-financial incen-
tives for members to purchase or procure fresh 
fruits and vegetables; 
‘‘(II) provide educational resources on nutrition 
to members; and 
‘‘(III) establish additional accessible locations 
for members to procure fresh fruits and vegetables. 
‘‘(B) APPLICATION.—An application shall— 
‘‘(i) identify the 1 or more healthcare partners 
with which the eligible entity is partnering under para-
graph (2); and 
‘‘(ii) include— 
‘‘(I) a description of the methods by which 
an eligible entity shall— 
‘‘(aa) screen and verify eligibility for mem-
bers for participation in a produce prescription 
project, in accordance with procedures estab-
lished under subsection (a)(5); 
‘‘(bb) implement an effective produce 
prescription project, including the role of each 
healthcare 
partner 
in 
implementing 
the 
produce prescription project; 
‘‘(cc) evaluate members participating in a 
produce prescription project with respect to 
the matters described in subparagraphs (A) 
through (C) of paragraph (1); 
‘‘(dd) provide educational opportunities 
relating to nutrition to members participating 
in a produce prescription project; and 
‘‘(ee) inform members of the availability 
of the produce prescription project, including 
locations at which produce prescriptions may 
be redeemed; 
‘‘(II) a description of any additional nonprofit 
or emergency feeding organizations that shall be 
involved in the project and the role of each addi-
tional nonprofit or emergency feeding organization 
in implementing and evaluating an effective 
produce prescription project; 
‘‘(III) documentation of a partnership agree-
ment with a relevant State Medicaid agency or 
other appropriate entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary, to evaluate the effectiveness of the produce 
prescription project in reducing healthcare use and 
associated costs; 
‘‘(IV) adequate plans to collect data for 
reporting and agreement to provide that informa-
tion for the report described in subsection 
(e)(2)(B)(iii); and 
‘‘(V) agreement to share information with the 
Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers 
established under subsection (e). 
‘‘(4) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the grant program 
established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate 
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the 
heads of other appropriate Federal agencies that carry out 
activities relating to healthcare partners. 
‘‘(5) PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the grant program 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary may enter into 1 or 
more memoranda of understanding with a Federal agency, 
a State, or a private entity to ensure the effective 
implementation and evaluation of each project. 
‘‘(B) MEMORANDUM
OF
UNDERSTANDING.—A memo-
randum of understanding entered into under subparagraph 
(A) shall include— 
‘‘(i) a description of a plan to provide educational 
opportunities relating to nutrition to members partici-
pating in produce prescription projects; 
‘‘(ii) a description of the role of the Federal agency, 
State, or private entity, as applicable, in implementing 
and evaluating an effective produce prescription 
project; and 
‘‘(iii) documentation of a partnership agreement 
with a relevant State Medicaid agency or other appro-
priate entity, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The value of any benefit provided to 
a participant in any activity funded under subsections (b) or 
(c) shall be treated as supplemental nutrition benefits under 
section 8(b) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
2017(b)). 
‘‘(2) PROHIBITION ON COLLECTION OF SALES TAXES.—Each 
State shall ensure that no State or local tax is collected on 
a purchase of food with assistance provided under subsections 
(b) and (c). 
‘‘(3) NO LIMITATION ON BENEFITS.—Grants made available 
under subsections (b) and (c) shall not be used to carry out 
any project that limits the use of benefits under the Food 
and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) or any other 
Federal nutrition law. 
‘‘(4) HOUSEHOLD ALLOTMENT.—Assistance provided under 
subsections (b) and (c) to households receiving benefits under 
the supplemental nutrition assistance program shall not— 
‘‘(A) be considered part of the supplemental nutrition 
assistance program benefits of the household; or 
‘‘(B) be used in the collection or disposition of claims 
under section 13 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 
(7 U.S.C. 2022). 
‘‘(e) NUTRITION
INCENTIVE
PROGRAM
TRAINING, TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE, EVALUATION, AND INFORMATION CENTERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) establish 1 or more Nutrition Incentive Program 
Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Informa-
tion Centers, in consultation with the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and 
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132 STAT. 4662 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) to the extent practicable, consult on the design 
and scope of such Centers with grocers, farmers, health 
professionals, researchers, incentive program managers, 
and employees of the Department of Agriculture with direct 
experience with implementation of existing incentive pro-
grams or projects. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Centers shall be capable of pro-
viding services related to grants under subsections (b) and 
(c), including— 
‘‘(A) offering incentive program training and technical 
assistance to applicants and grantees to the extent prac-
ticable, including— 
‘‘(i) collecting and providing information on best 
practices that may include communications, signage, 
record-keeping, incentive instruments, development 
and integration of point of sale systems, and reporting; 
‘‘(ii) disseminating information and assisting with 
collaboration among grantee projects, applicable State 
agencies, and nutrition education programs; 
‘‘(iii) facilitating communication between grantees 
and the Department of Agriculture and applicable 
State agencies; and 
‘‘(iv) providing support for the development of best 
practices for produce prescription projects and the 
sharing of information among eligible entities and 
healthcare providers that participate in a produce 
prescription project under subsection (c); and 
‘‘(v) other services identified by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(B) creating a system to collect and compile core data 
sets from eligible entities that— 
‘‘(i) uses standard metrics with consideration of 
outcome measures for existing projects; 
‘‘(ii) includes to the extent practicable grocers, 
farmers, health professionals, researchers, incentive 
program managers, and employees of the Department 
of Agriculture with direct experience with implementa-
tion of existing incentive programs in the design of 
the instrument through which data will be collected 
and the mechanism for reporting; 
‘‘(iii) compiles project data from grantees, and 
beginning in fiscal year 2020 generates an annual 
report to Congress on grant outcomes, including— 
‘‘(I) the results of the project; and 
‘‘(II) the amount of grant funds used for the 
project; and 
‘‘(iv) creates and maintains a publicly accessible 
online site that makes annual reports and incentive 
program information available in an anonymized for-
mat that protects confidential, personal, or other sen-
sitive data. 
‘‘(3) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—To carry out paragraph (1), the 
Secretary may, on a competitive basis, enter into 1 or 
more cooperative agreements with 1 or more organizations 
with expertise in developing outcome-based reporting, at 
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132 STAT. 4663 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
least 1 of which has expertise in the food insecurity nutri-
tion incentive program and at least 1 of which has expertise 
in produce prescription projects. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSION.—The organizations referred to in 
subparagraph (A) may include— 
‘‘(i) nongovernmental organizations; 
‘‘(ii) State cooperative extension services; 
‘‘(iii) regional food system centers; 
‘‘(iv) Federal, State, or Tribal agencies; 
‘‘(v) institutions of higher education (as defined 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a))); or 
‘‘(vi) other appropriate entities as determined by 
the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 113– 
188) is amended by striking the item relating to section 4405 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 4405. The Gus Schumacher nutrition incentive program.’’. 
SEC. 4206. MICRO-GRANTS FOR FOOD SECURITY. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to increase the 
quantity and quality of locally grown food through small-scale gar-
dening, herding, and livestock operations in food insecure commu-
nities in areas of the United States that have significant levels 
of food insecurity and import a significant quantity of food. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means an 
entity that— 
(A) is— 
(i) an individual; 
(ii) an Indian tribe or tribal organization, as 
defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304); 
(iii) a nonprofit organization engaged in increasing 
food security, as determined by the Secretary, 
including— 
(I) a religious organization; 
(II) a food bank; or 
(III) a food pantry; 
(iv) 
a 
federally 
funded 
educational 
facility, 
including— 
(I) a Head Start program or an Early Head 
Start program carried out under the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.); 
(II) a public elementary school or public sec-
ondary school; 
(III) a public institution of higher education 
(as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); 
(IV) a Tribal College or University (as defined 
in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))); or 
(V) a job training program; or 
(v) a local or Tribal government that may not 
levy local taxes under State or Federal law; and 
(B) is located in an eligible State. 
7 USC 7518. 
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132 STAT. 4664 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) ELIGIBLE STATE.—The term ‘‘eligible State’’ means— 
(A) the State of Alaska; 
(B) the State of Hawaii; 
(C) American Samoa; 
(D) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands; 
(E) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 
(F) the Federated States of Micronesia; 
(G) Guam; 
(H) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; 
(I) the Republic of Palau; and 
(J) the United States Virgin Islands. 
(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall distribute funds to 
the agricultural department or agency of each eligible State for 
the competitive distribution of subgrants to eligible entities to 
increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food 
insecure communities, including through small-scale gardening, 
herding, and livestock operations. 
(d) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Of the amount made available under 
subsection (g), the Secretary shall distribute— 
(A) 40 percent to the State of Alaska; 
(B) 40 percent to the State of Hawaii; and 
(C) 2.5 percent to each eligible State described in any 
of subparagraphs (C) through (J) of subsection (b)(2). 
(2) CARRYOVER OF FUNDS.—Funds distributed under para-
graph (1) shall remain available until expended. 
(3) ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS.—An eligible State that receives 
funds under paragraph (1) may use not more than 3 percent 
of those funds— 
(A) to administer the competition for providing sub-
grants to eligible entities in that eligible State; 
(B) to provide oversight of the subgrant recipients in 
that eligible State; and 
(C) to collect data and submit a report to the Secretary 
under subsection (f)(2). 
(e) SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— 
(1) AMOUNT OF SUBGRANTS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The amount of a subgrant to an 
eligible entity under this section shall be— 
(i) in the case of an eligible entity that is an 
individual, not greater than $5,000 per year; and 
(ii) in the case of an eligible entity described in 
any of clauses (ii) through (v) of subsection (b)(1)(A), 
not greater than $10,000 per year. 
(B) MATCHING
REQUIREMENT.—As a condition of 
receiving a subgrant under this section, an eligible entity 
shall provide funds equal to 10 percent of the amount 
received by the eligible entity under the subgrant, to be 
derived from non-Federal sources. A State may waive the 
matching requirement for an individual who otherwise 
meets the requirements to receive a subgrant by the eligible 
State. 
(C) PROJECT PERIOD.—Funds received by an eligible 
entity that is awarded a subgrant under this section shall 
remain available for expenditure not later than 3 years 
after the date the funds are received. 
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132 STAT. 4665 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) PRIORITY.—In carrying out the competitive distribution 
of subgrants under subsection (c), an eligible State may give 
priority to an eligible entity that— 
(A) has not previously received a subgrant under this 
section; or 
(B) is located in a community or region in that eligible 
State with the highest degree of food insecurity, as deter-
mined by the agricultural department or agency of the 
eligible State. 
(3) PROJECTS.—An eligible State may provide subgrants 
to 2 or more eligible entities to carry out the same project. 
(4) USE OF SUBGRANT FUNDS BY ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An 
eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this section shall 
use the funds to engage in activities that will increase the 
quantity and quality of locally grown food for food insecure 
individuals, 
families, 
neighborhoods, 
and 
communities, 
including by— 
(A) purchasing gardening tools or equipment, soil, soil 
amendments, seeds, plants, animals, canning equipment, 
refrigeration, or other items necessary to grow and store 
food; 
(B) purchasing or building composting units; 
(C) purchasing or building towers designed to grow 
leafy green vegetables; 
(D) expanding an area under cultivation or engaging 
in other activities necessary to be eligible to receive funding 
under the environmental quality incentives program estab-
lished under chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) for 
a high tunnel; 
(E) engaging in an activity that extends the growing 
season; 
(F) starting or expanding hydroponic and aeroponic 
farming of any scale; 
(G) building, buying, erecting, or repairing fencing for 
livestock, poultry, or reindeer; 
(H) purchasing and equipping a slaughter and proc-
essing facility approved by the Secretary; 
(I) traveling to participate in agricultural education 
provided by— 
(i) a State cooperative extension service; 
(ii) a land-grant 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)); 
(iii) a Tribal College or University (as defined in 
section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1059c(b))); 
(iv) an Alaska Native-serving institution or a 
Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as such terms are 
defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))); or 
(v) a Federal or State agency; 
(J) paying for shipping of purchased items relating 
to growing or raising food for local consumption or pur-
chase; 
(K) creating or expanding avenues for— 
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132 STAT. 4666 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) the sale of food commodities, specialty crops, 
and meats that are grown by the eligible entity for 
sale in the local community; or 
(ii) increasing the availability of fresh, locally 
grown, and nutritious food; and 
(L) engaging in other activities relating to increasing 
food security (including subsistence), as determined by the 
Secretary. 
(5) ELIGIBILITY
FOR
OTHER
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE.—An 
eligible entity shall not be ineligible to receive financial assist-
ance under another program administered by the Secretary 
as a result of receiving a subgrant under this section. 
(f) REPORTING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) SUBGRANT RECIPIENTS.—As a condition of receiving a 
subgrant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree to 
submit to the eligible State in which the eligible entity is 
located a report— 
(A) not later than 60 days after the end of the project 
funded by the subgrant; and 
(B) that describes the use of the subgrants by eligible 
entities, the quantity of food grown through small-scale 
gardening, herding, and livestock operations, and the 
number of food insecure individuals fed as a result of 
the subgrant. 
(2) REPORT TO THE SECRETARY.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date on which an eligible State receives a report 
from each eligible entity in that State under paragraph (1), 
the eligible State shall submit to the Secretary a report that 
describes, in the aggregate, the information and data contained 
in the reports received from those eligible entities. 
(g) FUNDING.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this 
section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, to remain available until expended. 
(2) APPROPRIATIONS IN ADVANCE.—Only funds appropriated 
under paragraph (1) in advance specifically to carry out this 
section shall be available to carry out this section. 
SEC. 4207. BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) ENFORCEMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall— 
(1) enforce full compliance with the requirements of section 
12(n) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1760(n)) for purchases of agricultural commodities, 
including fish, meats, vegetables, and fruits, and the products 
thereof, and 
(2) ensure that States and school food authorities fully 
understand their responsibilities under such Act. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—The products of the agricultural commod-
ities described in subsection (a)(1) shall be processed in the United 
States and substantially contain— 
(1) meats, vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural 
commodities produced in— 
(A) a State, 
(B) the District of Columbia, 
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or 
42 USC 1760 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4667 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(D) any territory or possession of the United States, 
or 
(2) fish harvested— 
(A) within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United 
States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 5030 (48 
Fed. Reg. 10605; March 10, 1983), or 
(B) by a United States flagged vessel. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report on the actions the Secretary has taken, and plans to 
take, to comply with this section. 
SEC. 4208. HEALTHY FLUID MILK INCENTIVES PROJECTS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF FLUID MILK.—In this section the term ‘‘fluid 
milk’’ means all varieties of pasteurized cow’s milk that— 
(1) is without flavoring or sweeteners, 
(2) is consistent with the most recent dietary recommenda-
tions, 
(3) is packaged in liquid form, and 
(4) contains vitamins A and D at levels consistent with 
the Food and Drug Administration, State, and local standards 
for fluid milk. 
(b) PROJECTS.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out, 
under such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers to 
be appropriate, healthy fluid milk incentive projects to develop 
and test methods to increase the purchase and consumption of 
fluid milk by members of households that receive supplemental 
nutrition assistance program benefits by providing an incentive 
for the purchase of fluid milk at the point of purchase to members 
of households purchasing food with supplemental nutrition assist-
ance program benefits. 
(c) GRANTS OR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To carry out this section, the Secretary, 
on a competitive basis, shall enter into cooperative agreements 
with, or provide grants to, governmental entities or nonprofit 
organizations for projects that meet the purpose and selection 
criteria specified in this subsection. 
(2) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to enter into a cooperative 
agreement or receive a grant under this subsection, a govern-
ment entity or nonprofit organization shall submit to the Sec-
retary an application containing such information as the Sec-
retary may require. 
(3) SELECTION CRITERIA.—Projects proposed in applications 
shall be evaluated against publicly disseminated criteria that 
shall incorporate a scientifically based strategy that is designed 
to improve diet quality and nutritional outcomes through the 
increased purchase of fluid milk by members of households 
that participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance pro-
gram. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.—Funds made available to carry out 
this section shall not be used for any project that limits the 
use of benefits provided under the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008. 
(d) EVALUATION AND REPORTING.— 
(1) EVALUATION.— 
(A) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.— 
7 USC 2026a 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4668 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide for 
an independent evaluation of projects selected under 
this section that measures, to the maximum extent 
practicable, the impact on health and nutrition. 
(ii) REQUIREMENT.—The independent evaluation 
under this subparagraph shall use rigorous methodolo-
gies, particularly random assignment or other methods 
that are capable of producing scientifically valid 
information regarding which activities are effective. 
(B) COSTS.—The Secretary may use funds not to exceed 
7 percent of the funding provided to carry out this section 
to pay costs associated with evaluating the outcomes of 
the healthy fluid milk incentive projects. 
(2) REPORTING.—Not later than December 31 of 2020, and 
biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report that includes a description of— 
(A) the status of each healthy fluid milk incentives 
project, and 
(B) the results of any completed evaluation that— 
(i) include, to the maximum extent practicable, 
the impact of the healthy fluid milk incentive projects 
on health and nutrition outcomes among households 
participating in such projects, and 
(ii) have not been submitted in a previous report 
under this paragraph. 
(3) PUBLIC DISSEMINATION.—In addition to the reporting 
requirements under paragraph (2), evaluation results shall be 
shared publicly to promote wide use of successful strategies. 
(e) FUNDING.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out and evaluate 
the outcomes of projects under this section, to remain available 
until expended. 
(2) APPROPRIATIONS IN ADVANCE.—Only funds appropriated 
under paragraph (1) in advance specifically to carry out this 
section shall be available to carry out this section. 
TITLE V—CREDIT 
Subtitle A—Farm Ownership Loans 
SEC. 5101. MODIFICATION OF THE 3-YEAR EXPERIENCE ELIGIBILITY 
REQUIREMENT FOR FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS. 
Section 302(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—In the case of a qualified begin-
ning farmer or rancher, the Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) reduce the 3-year requirement in paragraph (1) 
to 1 or 2 years, if the farmer or rancher has— 
‘‘(i) not less than 16 credit hours of post-secondary 
education in a field related to agriculture; 
‘‘(ii) successfully completed a farm management 
curriculum offered by a cooperative extension service, 
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132 STAT. 4669 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
a community college, an adult vocational agriculture 
program, a nonprofit organization, or a land-grant col-
lege or university; 
‘‘(iii) at least 1 year of experience as hired farm 
labor with substantial management responsibilities; 
‘‘(iv) successfully completed a farm mentorship, 
apprenticeship, 
or 
internship 
program 
with 
an 
emphasis on management requirements and day-to- 
day farm management decisions; 
‘‘(v) significant business management experience; 
‘‘(vi) been honorably discharged from the armed 
forces of the United States; 
‘‘(vii) successfully repaid a youth loan made under 
section 311(b); or 
‘‘(viii) an established relationship with an indi-
vidual who has experience in farming or ranching, 
or is a retired farmer or rancher, and is participating 
as a counselor in a Service Corps of Retired Executives 
program authorized under section 8(b)(1)(B) of the 
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), or with 
a local farm or ranch operator or organization, 
approved by the Secretary, that is committed to men-
toring the farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(B) waive the 3-year requirement in paragraph (1) 
if the farmer or rancher meets the requirements of clauses 
(iii) and (viii) of subparagraph (A).’’. 
SEC. 5102. CONSERVATION LOAN AND LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM. 
Section 304(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1924(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 5103. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF FARM OWNERSHIP LOANS. 
Section 305 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1925) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$300,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$600,000’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘$700,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,750,000’’; 
and 
(C) by striking ‘‘2000’’ and inserting ‘‘2019’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘August’’ and inserting 
‘‘July’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘ending on August 
31, 1996’’ and inserting ‘‘that immediately precedes the 
12-month period described in paragraph (1)’’. 
SEC. 5104. RELENDING PROGRAM TO RESOLVE OWNERSHIP AND 
SUCCESSION ON FARMLAND. 
Subtitle A of title III of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 310I. RELENDING PROGRAM TO RESOLVE OWNERSHIP AND 
SUCCESSION ON FARMLAND. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make loans to eligible 
entities described in subsection (b) so that the eligible entities 
7 USC 1936c. 
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132 STAT. 4670 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
may relend the funds to individuals and entities for the purposes 
described in subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Entities eligible for loans described 
in subsection (a) are cooperatives, credit unions, and nonprofit 
organizations with— 
‘‘(1) certification under section 1805.201 of title 12, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), to operate 
as a lender; 
‘‘(2) experience assisting socially disadvantaged farmers 
and ranchers (as defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
(7 U.S.C. 2279)) or limited resource or new and beginning 
farmers and ranchers, rural businesses, cooperatives, or credit 
unions, including experience in making and servicing agricul-
tural and commercial loans; and 
‘‘(3) the ability to provide adequate assurance of the repay-
ment of a loan. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE PURPOSES.—The proceeds from loans made by 
the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a) shall be re-lent by eligible 
entities for projects that assist heirs with undivided ownership 
interests to resolve ownership and succession on farmland that 
has multiple owners. 
‘‘(d) PREFERENCE.—In making loans under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities— 
‘‘(1) with not less than 10 years of experience serving 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(2) in States that have adopted a statute consisting of 
an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Partition of Heirs 
Property Act, as approved and recommended for enactment 
in all States by the National Conference of Commissioners 
on Uniform State Laws in 2010, that relend to owners of 
heirs property (as defined in that Act). 
‘‘(e) LOAN TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The following terms and 
conditions shall apply to loans made under this section: 
‘‘(1) The interest rate at which intermediaries may borrow 
funds under this section shall be determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) The rates, terms, and payment structure for borrowers 
to which intermediaries lend shall be— 
‘‘(A) determined by the intermediary in an amount 
sufficient to cover the cost of operating and sustaining 
the revolving loan fund; and 
‘‘(B) clearly and publicly disclosed to qualified ultimate 
borrowers. 
‘‘(3) Borrowers to which intermediaries lend shall be— 
‘‘(A) required to complete a succession plan as a condi-
tion of the loan; and 
‘‘(B) be offered the opportunity to borrow sufficient 
funds to cover costs associated with the succession plan 
under subparagraph (A) and other associated legal and 
closing costs. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this section, 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 
describing the operation and outcomes of the program under this 
section, with recommendations on how to strengthen the program. 
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132 STAT. 4671 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
Subtitle B—Operating Loans 
SEC. 5201. LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT OF OPERATING LOANS. 
Section 313 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1943) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$300,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$400,000’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘$700,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$1,750,000’’; 
and 
(C) by striking ‘‘2000’’ and inserting ‘‘2019’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘August’’ and inserting 
‘‘July’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘ending on August 
31, 1996’’ and inserting ‘‘that immediately precedes the 
12-month period described in paragraph (1)’’. 
SEC. 5202. MICROLOANS. 
Section 313(c)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘title’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection’’. 
SEC. 5203. COOPERATIVE LENDING PILOT PROJECTS. 
Section 313(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1943(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
Subtitle C—Administrative Provisions 
SEC. 5301. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER INDIVIDUAL DEVELOP-
MENT ACCOUNTS PILOT PROGRAM. 
Section 333B(h) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1983b(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 5302. LOAN AUTHORIZATION LEVELS. 
Section 346(b)(1) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘$4,226,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$10,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) $3,000,000,000 shall be for direct loans, of which— 
‘‘(i) $1,500,000,000 shall be for farm ownership 
loans under subtitle A; and 
‘‘(ii) $1,500,000,000 shall be for operating loans 
under subtitle B; and 
‘‘(B) $7,000,000,000 shall be for guaranteed loans, of 
which— 
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‘‘(i) $3,500,000,000 shall be for farm ownership 
loans under subtitle A; and 
‘‘(ii) $3,500,000,000 shall be for operating loans 
under subtitle B.’’. 
SEC. 5303. LOAN FUND SET-ASIDES. 
Section 346(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)(2)(A)(ii)(III)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 5304. USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR DIRECT OPERATING 
MICROLOANS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. 
Section 346(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1994(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(5) USE
OF
ADDITIONAL
FUNDS
FOR
DIRECT
OPERATING 
MICROLOANS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that 
the amount needed for a fiscal year for direct operating 
loans (including microloans) under subtitle B is greater 
than the aggregate principal amount authorized for that 
fiscal year by this Act, an appropriations Act, or any other 
provision of law, the Secretary shall make additional 
microloans under subtitle B using amounts made available 
under subparagraph (C). 
‘‘(B) NOTICE.—Not later than 15 days before the date 
on which the Secretary uses the authority under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall submit a notice of the use 
of that authority to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; and 
‘‘(iv) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate. 
‘‘(C) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 5305. EQUITABLE RELIEF. 
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
by inserting after section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 366. EQUITABLE RELIEF. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may 
provide a form of relief described in subsection (c) to any farmer 
or rancher who— 
‘‘(1) received a direct farm ownership, operating, or emer-
gency loan under this title; and 
‘‘(2) the Secretary determines is not in compliance with 
the requirements of this title with respect to the loan. 
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The Secretary may only provide relief to a 
farmer or rancher under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines 
that the farmer or rancher— 
‘‘(1) acted in good faith; and 
7 USC 2008a. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) relied on an action of, or the advice of, the Secretary 
(including any authorized representative of the Secretary) to 
the detriment of the farming or ranching operation of the 
farmer or rancher. 
‘‘(c) FORMS OF RELIEF.—The Secretary may provide to a farmer 
or rancher under subsection (a) any of the following forms of relief: 
‘‘(1) The farmer or rancher may retain loans or other bene-
fits received in association with the loan with respect to which 
the farmer or rancher was determined to be noncompliant 
under subsection (a)(2). 
‘‘(2) The farmer or rancher may receive such other equitable 
relief as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(d) CONDITION.—As a condition of receiving relief under this 
section, the Secretary may require the farmer or rancher to take 
actions designed to remedy the noncompliance. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL; JUDICIAL REVIEW.—A determina-
tion or action of the Secretary under this section— 
‘‘(1) shall be final; and 
‘‘(2) shall not be subject to administrative appeal or judicial 
review under chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.’’. 
SEC. 5306. SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS; 
QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
by inserting after section 366 (as added by section 5305) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 367. SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS; 
QUALIFIED BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 
‘‘In the case of a loan guaranteed by the Secretary under 
subtitle A or B to a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher 
(as defined in section 355(e)) or a qualified beginning farmer or 
rancher, the Secretary may provide for a standard guarantee plan, 
which shall cover an amount equal to 95 percent of the outstanding 
principal of the loan.’’. 
SEC. 5307. EMERGENCY LOAN ELIGIBILITY. 
Section 373(b)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008h(b)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) 
and (II), respectively, and indenting appropriately; 
(2) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) RESTRUCTURED
LOANS.—For purposes of 
clause (i), a borrower who was restructured with a 
write-down or restructuring under section 353 shall 
not be considered to have received debt forgiveness 
on a loan made or guaranteed under this title.’’. 
7 USC 2008b. 
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132 STAT. 4674 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle D—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 5401. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE CONSOLIDATED FARM 
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT. 
(a)(1) Section 321(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1961(a)) is amended in the second sen-
tence by striking ‘‘and limited liability companies’’ and inserting 
‘‘limited liability companies, and such other legal entities’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 5201(2)(C) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79) in lieu of the amendment 
made by such section. 
(b)(1) Section 331D(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1981d(e)) is amended by inserting after 
‘‘within 60 days after receipt of the notice required in this section’’ 
the following: ‘‘or, in extraordinary circumstances as determined 
by the applicable State director, after the 60-day period’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 10 of the Agricultural 
Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–554). 
(c)(1) Section 333A(f)(1)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1983a(f)(1)(A)) is amended by striking 
‘‘114’’ and inserting ‘‘339’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 14 of the Agricultural 
Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–554). 
(d) Section 339(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C.1989(d)(3)) is amended by striking ‘‘pre-
ferred certified lender’’ and inserting ‘‘Preferred Certified Lender’’. 
(e)(1) Section 343(a)(11)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(11)(C)) is amended by striking 
‘‘or joint operators’’ and inserting ‘‘joint operator, or owners’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as of the effective date of section 5303(a)(2) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79). 
(f)(1) Section 343(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘307(e)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘307(d)’’. 
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 
as of the date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public 
Law 113–79). 
(g) Section 346(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C.1994(a)) is amended by striking the last comma. 
SEC. 5402. STATE AGRICULTURAL MEDIATION PROGRAMS. 
(a) ISSUES COVERED BY STATE MEDIATION PROGRAMS.—Section 
501(c) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5101(c)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agri-
culture’’; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘and the national 
organic program established under the Organic Foods 
7 USC 1901 note. 
7 USC 1991 note. 
7 USC 1983a 
note. 
7 USC 1981d 
note. 
7 USC 1961 note. 
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132 STAT. 4675 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.)’’ before 
the period at the end; and 
(iii) by striking clause (vii) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(vii) Lease issues, including land leases and equip-
ment leases. 
‘‘(viii) Family farm transition. 
‘‘(ix) Farmer-neighbor disputes. 
‘‘(x) Such other issues as the Secretary or the 
head of the department of agriculture of each partici-
pating State considers appropriate for better serving 
the agricultural community and persons eligible for 
mediation.’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) MEDIATION SERVICES.—Funding provided for the 
mediation program of a qualifying State may also be used 
to provide credit counseling to persons described in para-
graph (2)— 
‘‘(i) prior to the initiation of any mediation 
involving the Department of Agriculture; or 
‘‘(ii) unrelated to any ongoing dispute or mediation 
in which the Department of Agriculture is a party.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) any other persons involved in an issue for 
which mediation services are provided by a mediation 
program described in paragraph (1)(B).’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3)(F), by striking ‘‘that persons’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘that— 
‘‘(i) the Department of Agriculture receives ade-
quate notification of those issues; and 
‘‘(ii) persons’’. 
(b) REPORT REQUIRED.—Section 505 of the Agricultural Credit 
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5105) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 505. REPORT. 
‘‘Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report describing— 
‘‘(1) the effectiveness of the State mediation programs 
receiving matching grants under this subtitle; 
‘‘(2) recommendations for improving the delivery of medi-
ation services to producers; 
‘‘(3) the steps being taken to ensure that State mediation 
programs receive timely funding under this subtitle; and 
‘‘(4) the savings to the States as a result of having a 
mediation program.’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 506 of the 
Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 5106) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 5403. COMPENSATION OF BANK DIRECTORS. 
Section 4.21 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2209) 
is repealed. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 5404. SHARING OF PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMA-
TION. 
Section 5.19 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2254) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) SHARING
OF PRIVILEGED
AND CONFIDENTIAL INFORMA-
TION.—A System institution shall not be considered to have waived 
the confidentiality of a privileged communication with an attorney 
or an accountant if the System institution provides the content 
of the communication to the Farm Credit Administration pursuant 
to the supervisory or regulatory authorities of the Farm Credit 
Administration.’’. 
SEC. 5405. FACILITY HEADQUARTERS. 
Section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2251) 
is amended by striking all that precedes ‘‘to the rental of quarters’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 5.16. QUARTERS AND FACILITIES FOR THE FARM CREDIT 
ADMINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) The Farm Credit Administration shall maintain its prin-
cipal office within the Washington D.C.-Maryland-Virginia standard 
metropolitan statistical area, and such other offices within the 
United States as in its judgment are necessary. 
‘‘(b) As an alternate’’. 
SEC. 5406. REMOVAL AND PROHIBITION AUTHORITY; INDUSTRY-WIDE 
PROHIBITION. 
Part C of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
by inserting after section 5.29 (12 U.S.C. 2265) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 5.29A. REMOVAL AND PROHIBITION AUTHORITY; INDUSTRY-WIDE 
PROHIBITION. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF PERSON.—In this section, the term ‘person’ 
means— 
‘‘(1) an individual; and 
‘‘(2) in the case of a specific determination by the Farm 
Credit Administration, a legal entity. 
‘‘(b) INDUSTRY-WIDE PROHIBITION.—Except as provided in sub-
section (c), any person who, pursuant to an order issued under 
section 5.28 or 5.29, has been removed or suspended from office 
at a System institution or prohibited from participating in the 
conduct of the affairs of a System institution shall not, during 
the period of effectiveness of the order, continue or commence 
to hold any office in, or participate in any manner in the conduct 
of the affairs of— 
‘‘(1) any insured depository institution subject to section 
8(e)(7)(A)(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 
1818(e)(7)(A)(i)); 
‘‘(2) any institution subject to section 8(e)(7)(A)(ii) of the 
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(7)(A)(ii)); 
‘‘(3) any insured credit union under the Federal Credit 
Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); 
‘‘(4) any Federal home loan bank; 
‘‘(5) any institution chartered under this Act; 
‘‘(6) any appropriate Federal financial institutions regu-
latory agency (as defined in section 8(e)(7)(D) of the Federal 
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1818(e)(7)(D))); 
‘‘(7) the Federal Housing Finance Agency; or 
12 USC 2265a. 
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132 STAT. 4677 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(8) the Farm Credit Administration. 
‘‘(c) EXCEPTION
FOR
INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED
PARTY
THAT 
RECEIVES WRITTEN CONSENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) AFFILIATED PARTIES.—If, on or after the date on 
which an order described in subsection (b) is issued that 
removes or suspends an institution-affiliated party from 
office at a System institution or prohibits an institution- 
affiliated party from participating in the conduct of the 
affairs of a System institution, that party receives written 
consent described in subparagraph (B), subsection (b) shall 
not apply to that party— 
‘‘(i) to the extent provided in the written consent 
received; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to the institution described in 
each written consent. 
‘‘(B) WRITTEN CONSENT DESCRIBED.—The written con-
sent referred to in subparagraph (A) is written consent 
received from— 
‘‘(i) the Farm Credit Administration; and 
‘‘(ii) each appropriate Federal financial institutions 
regulatory agency (as defined in section 8(e)(7)(D) of 
the 
Federal 
Deposit 
Insurance 
Act 
(12 
U.S.C. 
1818(e)(7)(D))) of the applicable institution described 
in any of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection 
(b) with respect to which the party proposes to be 
become an affiliated party. 
‘‘(2) DISCLOSURE.—Any agency described in clause (i) or 
(ii) of paragraph (1)(B) that provides a written consent under 
that paragraph shall— 
‘‘(A) report the action to the Farm Credit Administra-
tion; and 
‘‘(B) publicly disclose the action. 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION
BETWEEN
AGENCIES.—The agencies 
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B) shall consult 
with each other before providing any written consent under 
that paragraph. 
‘‘(d) VIOLATIONS.—A violation of subsection (b) by any person 
who is subject to an order described in that subsection shall be 
treated as violation of that order.’’. 
SEC. 5407. JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTIES. 
Part C of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
by inserting after section 5.31 (12 U.S.C. 2267) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 5.31A. JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of sections 5.25, 5.26, and 
5.32, the jurisdiction of the Farm Credit Administration over par-
ties, and the authority of the Farm Credit Administration to initiate 
actions, shall include enforcement authority over institution-affili-
ated parties. 
‘‘(b) EFFECT OF SEPARATION ON JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY.— 
Subject to subsection (c), the resignation, termination of employ-
ment or participation, or separation of an institution-affiliated party 
(including a separation caused by the merger, consolidation, con-
servatorship, or receivership of a Farm Credit System institution) 
shall not affect the jurisdiction and authority of the Farm Credit 
12 USC 2267a. 
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Administration to issue any notice or order and proceed under 
this part against that party. 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION.—To proceed against a party under subsection 
(b), the notice or order described in that subsection shall be served 
not later than 6 years after the date on which the party ceased 
to be an institution-affiliated party with respect to the applicable 
Farm Credit System institution. 
‘‘(d) APPLICABILITY.—The date on which a party ceases to be 
an institution-affiliated party described in subsection (c) may occur 
before, on, or after the date of enactment of this section.’’. 
SEC. 5408. DEFINITION OF INSTITUTION-AFFILIATED PARTY. 
Section 5.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2271) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) the term ‘institution-affiliated party’ means— 
‘‘(A) a director, officer, employee, shareholder, or agent 
of a System institution; 
‘‘(B) an independent contractor (including an attorney, 
appraiser, or accountant) who knowingly or recklessly 
participates in— 
‘‘(i) a violation of law (including regulations) that 
is associated with the operations and activities of 1 
or more System institutions; 
‘‘(ii) a breach of fiduciary duty; or 
‘‘(iii) an unsafe practice that causes or is likely 
to cause more than a minimum financial loss to, or 
a significant adverse effect on, a System institution; 
and 
‘‘(C) any other person, as determined by the Farm 
Credit Administration (by regulation or on a case-by-case 
basis) who participates in the conduct of the affairs of 
a System institution; and’’. 
SEC. 5409. PROHIBITION ON USE OF FUNDS. 
Section 5.65 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2277a– 
14) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) PROHIBITION ON USES OF FUNDS RELATED TO FEDERAL 
AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORPORATION.—No funds from adminis-
trative accounts or from the Farm Credit System Insurance Fund 
may be used by the Corporation to provide assistance to the Federal 
Agricultural Mortgage Corporation or to support any activities 
related to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation.’’. 
SEC. 5410. EXPANSION OF ACREAGE EXCEPTION TO LOAN AMOUNT 
LIMITATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 
1971 (12 U.S.C. 2279aa–8(c)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘1,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2,000’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect 1 year after the date a report submitted in accord-
ance with section 5414 of this Act indicates that it is feasible 
to increase the acreage limitation in section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm 
Credit Act of 1971 to 2,000 acres. 
12 USC 
2279aa–8 note. 
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132 STAT. 4679 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 5411. REPEAL OF OBSOLETE PROVISIONS; TECHNICAL CORREC-
TIONS. 
(1) Section 1.1(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2001(c)) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘including 
any costs of defeasance under section 4.8(b),’’. 
(2) Section 1.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2002) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) COMPOSITION.—The Farm Credit System shall include the 
Farm Credit Banks, the bank for cooperatives, Agricultural Credit 
Banks, the Federal Land Bank Associations, the Federal Land 
Credit Associations, the Production Credit Associations, the agricul-
tural credit associations, the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding 
Corporation, the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, service 
corporations established pursuant to section 4.25, and such other 
institutions as may be made a part of the Farm Credit System, 
all of which shall be chartered by and subject to regulation by 
the Farm Credit Administration.’’. 
(3) Section 2.4 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2075) is amended by striking subsection (d). 
(4) Section 3.0(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2121(a)) is amended— 
(A) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘and a Central 
Bank for Cooperatives’’; and 
(B) by striking the fifth sentence. 
(5) Section 3.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2123) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘not merged into 
the United Bank for Cooperatives or the National Bank 
for Cooperatives’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2)(A), in the matter preceding 
clause (i), by striking ‘‘(other than the National Bank 
for Cooperatives)’’; 
(B) by striking subsection (b); 
(C) in subsection (a)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(a)(1) Each bank’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each bank’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(2)(A) If approved’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(b) NOMINATION AND ELECTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If approved’’; 
(D) in subsection (b)(1) (as so designated)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(B) The total’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) NUMBER OF VOTES.—The total’’; and 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; and 
(E) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘paragraph’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection’’. 
(6) Section 3.5 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2126) is amended in the third sentence by striking ‘‘district’’. 
(7) Section 3.7(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2128(a)) is amended by striking the second sentence. 
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132 STAT. 4680 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(8) Section 3.8(b)(1)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
(12 U.S.C. 2129(b)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘(or any suc-
cessor agency)’’ after ‘‘Rural Electrification Administration’’. 
(9) Section 3.9(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2130(a)) is amended by striking the third sentence. 
(10) Section 3.10 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2131) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c), by striking the second sentence; 
and 
(B) in subsection (d)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘district’’ each place it appears; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘for cooperatives (or any successor 
bank)’’ before ‘‘on account’’. 
(11) Section 3.11 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2132) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), in the first sentence, by striking 
‘‘subsections (b) and (c) of this section’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (b)’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘district’’; and 
(ii) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘Except 
as provided in subsection (c) below, all’’ and inserting 
‘‘All’’; 
(C) by striking subsection (c); and 
(D) by redesignating subsections (d) through (f) as sub-
sections (c) through (e), respectively. 
(12) Part B of title III of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
(12 U.S.C. 2141 et seq.) is amended in the part heading by 
striking ‘‘UNITED AND’’. 
(13) Section 3.20 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2141) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘or the United Bank 
for Cooperatives, as the case may be’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘the district banks 
for cooperatives and the Central Bank for Cooperatives’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the constituent banks described in section 
413(b) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 (12 U.S.C. 
2121 note; Public Law 100–233)’’. 
(14) Section 3.21 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2142) is repealed. 
(15) Section 3.28 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2149) is amended by striking ‘‘a district bank for cooperatives 
and the Central Bank for Cooperatives’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
constituent banks described in section 413(b) of the Agricultural 
Credit Act of 1987 (12 U.S.C. 2121 note; Public Law 100– 
233)’’. 
(16) Section 3.29 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2149a) is repealed. 
(17) Section 4.0 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2151) is repealed. 
(18) Section 4.8 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2159) is amended— 
(A) by striking the section designation and heading 
and all that follows through ‘‘Each bank’’ in subsection 
(a) and inserting the following: 
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132 STAT. 4681 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘SEC. 4.8. PURCHASE AND SALE OF OBLIGATIONS. 
‘‘Each bank’’; and 
(B) by striking subsection (b). 
(19) Section 4.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2160) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (d)— 
(i) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) REPRESENTATION OF BOARD.—The Farm Credit System 
Insurance Corporation shall not have representation on the 
board of directors of the Corporation.’’; 
(ii) in the undesignated matter following para-
graph (1)(D), by striking ‘‘In selecting’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In selecting’’; and 
(iii) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by 
inserting ‘‘of paragraph (1)’’ after ‘‘(A) and (B)’’; 
(B) by striking subsection (e); and 
(C) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e). 
(20) Section 4.9A(c) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2162(c)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘institution, and—’’ in the matter pre-
ceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through the period 
at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘institution.’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘If an institution’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—If an institution’’; 
(C) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘the receiver of the institution’’ and inserting ‘‘the Farm 
Credit System Insurance Corporation, acting as receiver,’’; 
and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) FUNDING.—The Farm Credit System Insurance Cor-
poration shall use such funds from the Farm Credit Insurance 
Fund as are sufficient to carry out this section.’’. 
(21) Section 4.12A(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2184(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A Farm Credit System bank or associa-
tion shall provide to a stockholder of the bank or association 
a current list of stockholders of the bank or association not 
later than 7 calendar days after the date on which the bank 
or association receives a written request for the stockholder 
list from the stockholder.’’. 
(22) Section 4.14A of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2202a) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
inserting ‘‘and section 4.36’’ before the colon at the 
end; and 
(ii) in paragraph (5)(B)(ii)(I), by striking ‘‘4.14C,’’; 
(B) by striking subsection (h); 
(C) by redesignating subsections (i) through (l) as sub-
sections (h) through (k), respectively; and 
(D) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘production credit’’. 
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132 STAT. 4682 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(23) Section 4.14C of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2202c) is repealed. 
(24) Section 4.17 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2205) is amended in the third sentence by striking ‘‘Federal 
intermediate credit banks and’’. 
(25) Section 4.19(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2207(a)) is amended— 
(A) in the first sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘district’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Federal land bank association and 
production credit’’; and 
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘units’’ and 
inserting ‘‘institutions’’. 
(26) Section 4.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2219c) is amended by striking ‘‘The Assistance Board estab-
lished under section 6.0 and all’’ and inserting ‘‘All’’. 
(27) Section 4.39 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2219d) is amended by striking ‘‘8.0(7))’’ and inserting ‘‘8.0)’’. 
(28) Section 5.16 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2251) is amended in the undesignated matter following para-
graph (5) of subsection (b) (as designated by section 5405)— 
(A) in the fifth sentence, by striking ‘‘In actions under-
taken by the banks pursuant to the foregoing provisions 
of this section’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(5) AGENT
FOR
BANKS.—In actions undertaken by the 
banks pursuant to this section’’; 
(B) in the fourth sentence, by striking ‘‘The plans’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) APPROVAL OF BOARD.—The plans’’; 
(C) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘The powers’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) POWERS OF BANKS.—The powers’’; 
(D) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘Such advances’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) ADVANCES.—The advances of funds described in para-
graph (1)’’; and 
(E) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Board’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) FINANCING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board’’. 
(29) Section 5.17(a)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
(12 U.S.C. 2252(a)(2)) is amended by striking the second and 
third sentences. 
(30) Section 5.18 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2253) is repealed. 
(31) Section 5.19 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2254) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘Except for 
Federal land bank associations, each’’ and inserting 
‘‘Each’’; and 
(ii) by striking the second sentence; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(b)(1) Each’’ and inserting ‘‘(b) 
Each’’; 
(ii) in the matter preceding paragraph (2) (as so 
designated)— 
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132 STAT. 4683 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(I) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘, except 
with respect to any actions taken by any banks 
of the System under section 4.8(b),’’; and 
(II) by striking the third sentence; and 
(iii) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3). 
(32) Section 5.31 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2267) is amended in the second sentence by striking ‘‘4.14A(i)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘4.14A(h)’’. 
(33) Section 5.32(h) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2268(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘4.14A(i)’’ and inserting 
‘‘4.14A(h)’’. 
(34) Section 5.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2271) is amended in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by section 
5408(2))— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by striking subparagraph (B); 
(C) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subpara-
graph (B); and 
(D) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘after December 31, 1992,’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘by the Farm Credit System Assist-
ance Board under section 6.6 or’’. 
(35) Section 5.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2274) is amended by striking ‘‘a farm’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘land bank’’ and inserting ‘‘a Farm Credit Bank board, 
officer, or employee shall not remove any director or officer 
of any’’. 
(36) Section 5.44 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2275) is repealed. 
(37) Section 5.58(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2277a–7(2)) is amended by striking the second sentence. 
(38) Section 5.60 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2277a–9) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection des-
ignation and heading and all that follows through ‘‘The 
Corporation’’ in paragraph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) AMOUNTS IN FUND.—The Corporation’’; and 
(B) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ‘‘Insurance Fund 
to—’’ in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all 
that follows through ‘‘ensure’’ in subparagraph (B) and 
inserting ‘‘Insurance Fund to ensure’’. 
(39) Title VI of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2278a et seq.) is repealed. 
(40) Section 7.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279c–2) is amended by striking subsection (c). 
(41) Section 7.10(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2279d(a)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) the institution pays to the Farm Credit Insurance 
Fund the amount by which the total capital of the institution 
exceeds 6 percent of the assets;’’. 
(42) Section 8.0 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279aa) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘means—’’ in the 
matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows 
through the period at the end of the undesignated matter 
12 USC 
2278a— 
2278a–13, 
2278b–2— 
2278b–11. 
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132 STAT. 4684 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
following subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘means the board 
of directors established under section 8.2.’’; 
(B) by striking paragraphs (6) and (8); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (7), (9), and (10) as 
paragraphs (6), (7), and (8), respectively; and 
(D) in subparagraph (B)(i) of paragraph (7) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘(b) through (d)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(b) and (c)’’. 
(43) Section 8.2 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279aa–2) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (a); 
(B) in subsection (b), by striking the subsection des-
ignation and heading and all that follows through the 
period at the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Corporation shall be under the 
management of the board of directors.’’; 
(C) in subsection (a) (as so designated)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘permanent board’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘Board’’; 
(ii) by striking paragraph (3); 
(iii) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (10) 
as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively; and 
(iv) in paragraph (3)(A) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘(6)’’ and inserting ‘‘(5)’’; and 
(D) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b). 
(44) Section 8.4(a)(1) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2279aa–4(a)(1)) is amended— 
(A) in the sixth sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Class B’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) CLASS B STOCK.—Class B’’; and 
(ii) 
by 
striking 
‘‘8.2(b)(2)(B)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘8.2(a)(2)(B)’’; 
(B) in the fifth sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Class A’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(ii) CLASS A STOCK.—Class A’’; and 
(ii) 
by 
striking 
‘‘8.2(b)(2)(A)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘8.2(a)(2)(A)’’; 
(C) in the fourth sentence, by striking ‘‘The stock’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(D) CLASSES OF STOCK.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The stock’’; 
(D) by striking the third sentence and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(C) OFFERS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall offer the voting 
common stock to banks, other financial institutions, 
insurance companies, and System institutions under 
such terms and conditions as the Board may adopt. 
‘‘(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—The voting common stock 
shall be fairly and broadly offered to ensure that— 
‘‘(I) no institution or institutions acquire a dis-
proportionate share of the total quantity of the 
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132 STAT. 4685 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
voting common stock outstanding of a class of 
stock; and 
‘‘(II) capital contributions and issuances of 
voting common stock for the contributions are 
fairly distributed between entities eligible to hold 
class A stock and class B stock.’’; 
(E) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘Each share’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) NUMBER OF VOTES.—Each share’’; and 
(F) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’. 
(45) Section 8.6 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279aa–6) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (d); 
(B) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d); 
and 
(C) in paragraph (2) of subsection (d) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘8.0(9))’’ and inserting ‘‘8.0)’’. 
(46) Section 8.9 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279aa–9) is amended by striking ‘‘4.14C,’’ each place it 
appears. 
(47) Section 8.11(e) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2279aa–11(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘8.0(7))’’ and 
inserting ‘‘8.0)’’. 
(48) Section 8.32(a) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 
U.S.C. 2279bb–1(a)) is amended— 
(A) in the first sentence of the matter preceding para-
graph (1), by striking ‘‘Not sooner than the expiration of 
the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of 
the Farm Credit System Reform Act of 1996, the’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ‘‘8.0(9)(C)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘8.0(7)(C)’’. 
(49) Section 8.33(b)(2)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
(12 U.S.C. 2279bb–2(b)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘8.6(e)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘8.6(d)’’. 
(50) Section 8.35 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279bb–4) is amended by striking subsection (e). 
(51) Section 8.38 of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 
2279bb–7) is repealed. 
(52) Section 4 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141b) is repealed. 
(53) Section 5 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141c) is repealed. 
(54) Section 6 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141d) is repealed. 
(55) Section 7 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141e) is repealed. 
(56) Section 8 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141f) is repealed. 
(57) Section 14 of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 
1141i) is repealed. 
(58) The Act of June 22, 1939 (53 Stat. 853, chapter 239; 
12 U.S.C. 1141d–1), is repealed. 
(59) Section 201(e) of the Emergency Relief and Construc-
tion Act of 1932 (12 U.S.C. 1148) is repealed. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(60) Section 2 of the Act of July 14, 1953 (67 Stat. 150, 
chapter 192; 12 U.S.C. 1148a–4), is repealed. 
(61) Section 32 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
1148b) is repealed. 
(62) Section 33 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
1148c) is repealed. 
(63) Section 34 of the Farm Credit Act of 1937 (12 U.S.C. 
1148d) is repealed. 
(64) The Joint Resolution of March 3, 1932 (47 Stat. 60, 
chapter 70; 12 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), is repealed. 
SEC. 5412. CORPORATION AS CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER; CERTAIN 
OTHER POWERS. 
Part E of title V of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 is amended 
by inserting after section 5.61B (12 U.S.C. 2277a–10b) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 5.61C. CORPORATION AS CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER; CERTAIN 
OTHER POWERS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION
OF INSTITUTION.—In this section, the term 
‘institution’ includes any System institution for which the Corpora-
tion has been appointed as conservator or receiver. 
‘‘(b) CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES OF CORPORATION AS CONSER-
VATOR OR RECEIVER.—In addition to the powers inherent in the 
express grant of corporate authority under section 5.58(9), and 
other powers exercised by the Corporation under this part, the 
Corporation shall have the following express powers to act as a 
conservator or receiver: 
‘‘(1) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY OF CORPORATION.—The Cor-
poration may prescribe such regulations as the Corporation 
determines to be appropriate regarding the conduct of 
conservatorships or receiverships. 
‘‘(2) GENERAL POWERS.— 
‘‘(A) SUCCESSOR TO SYSTEM INSTITUTION.—The Corpora-
tion shall, as conservator or receiver, and by operation 
of law, succeed to— 
‘‘(i) all rights, titles, powers, and privileges of the 
System institution, and of any stockholder, member, 
officer, or director of such System institution with 
respect to the System institution and the assets of 
the System institution; and 
‘‘(ii) title to the books, records, and assets of any 
previous conservator or other legal custodian of such 
System institution. 
‘‘(B) OPERATE THE SYSTEM INSTITUTION.—The Corpora-
tion may, as conservator or receiver— 
‘‘(i) take over the assets of and operate the System 
institution with all the powers of the stockholders or 
members, the directors, and the officers of the System 
institution and conduct all business of the System 
institution; 
‘‘(ii) collect all obligations and money due the 
System institution; 
‘‘(iii) perform all functions of the System institution 
in the name of the System institution which are con-
sistent with the appointment as conservator or 
receiver; 
‘‘(iv) preserve and conserve the assets and property 
of such System institution; and 
12 USC 
2277a–10c. 
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‘‘(v) provide by contract for assistance in fulfilling 
any function, activity, action, or duty of the Corporation 
as conservator or receiver. 
‘‘(C) FUNCTIONS
OF
SYSTEM
INSTITUTION’S
OFFICERS, 
DIRECTORS, MEMBERS, AND STOCKHOLDERS.—The Corpora-
tion may, by regulation or order, provide for the exercise 
of any function by any stockholder, member, director, or 
officer of any System institution for which the Corporation 
has been appointed conservator or receiver. 
‘‘(D) POWERS AS CONSERVATOR.—Subject to any Farm 
Credit Administration approvals required under this Act, 
the Corporation may, as conservator, take such action as 
may be— 
‘‘(i) necessary to put the System institution in a 
sound and solvent condition; and 
‘‘(ii) appropriate to carry on the business of the 
System institution and preserve and conserve the 
assets and property of the System institution. 
‘‘(E) ADDITIONAL POWERS AS RECEIVER.—The Corpora-
tion may, as receiver, liquidate the System institution and 
proceed to realize upon the assets of the System institution, 
in such manner as the Corporation determines to be appro-
priate. 
‘‘(F) ORGANIZATION OF NEW SYSTEM BANK.—The Cor-
poration may, as receiver with respect to any System bank, 
organize a bridge System bank under subsection (h). 
‘‘(G) MERGER; TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), the Cor-
poration may, as conservator or receiver— 
‘‘(I) merge the System institution with another 
System institution; and 
‘‘(II) transfer or sell any asset or liability of 
the System institution in default without any 
approval, assignment, or consent with respect to 
such transfer. 
‘‘(ii) APPROVAL.—No merger or transfer under 
clause (i) may be made to another System institution 
(other than a bridge System bank under subsection 
(h)) without the approval of the Farm Credit Adminis-
tration. 
‘‘(H) PAYMENT OF VALID OBLIGATIONS.—The Corpora-
tion, as conservator or receiver, shall, to the extent that 
proceeds are realized from the performance of contracts 
or the sale of the assets of a System institution, pay all 
valid obligations of the System institution in accordance 
with the prescriptions and limitations of this section. 
‘‘(I) INCIDENTAL POWERS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation may, as conser-
vator or receiver— 
‘‘(I) exercise all powers and authorities specifi-
cally granted to conservators or receivers, respec-
tively, under this section and such incidental 
powers as shall be necessary to carry out such 
powers; and 
‘‘(II) take any action authorized by this section, 
which the Corporation determines is in the best 
interests of— 
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‘‘(aa) the System institution in receiver-
ship or conservatorship; 
‘‘(bb) System institutions; 
‘‘(cc) System institution stockholders or 
investors; or 
‘‘(dd) the Corporation. 
‘‘(ii) TERMINATION OF RIGHTS AND CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
clause (II), notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the appointment of the Corporation as 
receiver for a System institution and the succes-
sion of the Corporation, by operation of law, to 
the rights, titles, powers, and privileges described 
in subparagraph (A) shall terminate all rights and 
claims that the stockholders and creditors of the 
System institution may have, arising as a result 
of their status as stockholders or creditors, against 
the assets or charter of the System institution 
or the Corporation. 
‘‘(II) EXCEPTIONS.—Subclause (I) shall not 
terminate the right to payment, resolution, or 
other satisfaction of the claims of stockholders and 
creditors described in that subclause, as permitted 
under paragraphs (10) and (11) and subsection 
(d). 
‘‘(iii) CHARTER.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, for purposes of this section, the charter 
of a System institution shall not be considered to be 
an asset of the System institution. 
‘‘(J) UTILIZATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR.—In carrying out 
its responsibilities in the management and disposition of 
assets from System institutions, as conservator, receiver, 
or in its corporate capacity, the Corporation may utilize 
the services of private persons, including real estate and 
loan portfolio asset management, property management, 
auction marketing, legal, and brokerage services, if the 
Corporation determines utilization of such services is prac-
ticable, efficient, and cost effective. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORITY OF RECEIVER TO DETERMINE CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation may, as receiver, 
determine claims in accordance with the requirements of 
this subsection and regulations prescribed under paragraph 
(4). 
‘‘(B) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.—The receiver, in any case 
involving the liquidation or winding up of the affairs of 
a closed System institution, shall— 
‘‘(i) promptly publish a notice to the System institu-
tion’s creditors to present their claims, together with 
proof, to the receiver by a date specified in the notice 
which shall be not less than 90 days after the publica-
tion of such notice; and 
‘‘(ii) republish such notice approximately 1 month 
and 2 months, respectively, after the publication under 
clause (i). 
‘‘(C) MAILING
REQUIRED.—The receiver shall mail a 
notice similar to the notice published under subparagraph 
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132 STAT. 4689 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B)(i) at the time of such publication to any creditor shown 
on the System institution’s books— 
‘‘(i) at the creditor’s last address appearing in such 
books; or 
‘‘(ii) upon discovery of the name and address of 
a claimant not appearing on the System institution’s 
books within 30 days after the discovery of such name 
and address. 
‘‘(4) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY RELATING TO DETERMINATION 
OF
CLAIMS.—The Corporation may prescribe regulations 
regarding the allowance or disallowance of claims by the 
receiver and providing for administrative determination of 
claims and review of such determination. 
‘‘(5) PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINATION OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) DETERMINATION PERIOD.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Before the end of the 180-day 
period beginning on the date any claim against a 
System institution is filed with the Corporation as 
receiver, the Corporation shall determine whether to 
allow or disallow the claim and shall notify the claim-
ant of any determination with respect to such claim. 
‘‘(ii) EXTENSION
OF
TIME.—The period described 
in clause (i) may be extended by a written agreement 
between the claimant and the Corporation. 
‘‘(iii) MAILING OF NOTICE SUFFICIENT.—The require-
ments of clause (i) shall be deemed to be satisfied 
if the notice of any determination with respect to any 
claim is mailed to the last address of the claimant 
which appears— 
‘‘(I) on the System institution’s books; 
‘‘(II) in the claim filed by the claimant; or 
‘‘(III) in documents submitted in proof of the 
claim. 
‘‘(iv) CONTENTS OF NOTICE OF DISALLOWANCE.—If 
any claim filed under clause (i) is disallowed, the notice 
to the claimant shall contain— 
‘‘(I) a statement of each reason for the dis-
allowance; and 
‘‘(II) the procedures available for obtaining 
agency review of the determination to disallow 
the claim or judicial determination of the claim. 
‘‘(B) ALLOWANCE
OF
PROVEN
CLAIMS.—The receiver 
shall allow any claim received on or before the date speci-
fied in the notice published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) by 
the receiver from any claimant which is proved to the 
satisfaction of the receiver. 
‘‘(C) DISALLOWANCE OF CLAIMS FILED AFTER END OF 
FILING PERIOD.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), claims filed after the date specified in the notice 
published under paragraph (3)(B)(i) shall be disallowed 
and such disallowance shall be final. 
‘‘(ii) CERTAIN
EXCEPTIONS.—Clause (i) shall not 
apply with respect to any claim filed by any claimant 
after the date specified in the notice published under 
paragraph (3)(B)(i) and such claim may be considered 
by the receiver if— 
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132 STAT. 4690 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) the claimant did not receive notice of the 
appointment of the receiver in time to file such 
claim before such date; and 
‘‘(II) such claim is filed in time to permit pay-
ment of such claim. 
‘‘(D) AUTHORITY TO DISALLOW CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The receiver may disallow any 
portion of any claim by a creditor or claim of security, 
preference, or priority which is not proved to the satis-
faction of the receiver. 
‘‘(ii) PAYMENTS
TO
LESS
THAN
FULLY
SECURED 
CREDITORS.—In the case of a claim of a creditor against 
a System institution which is secured by any property 
or other asset of such System institution, any receiver 
appointed for any System institution— 
‘‘(I) may treat the portion of such claim which 
exceeds an amount equal to the fair market value 
of such property or other asset as an unsecured 
claim against the System institution; and 
‘‘(II) may not make any payment with respect 
to such unsecured portion of the claim other than 
in connection with the disposition of all claims 
of unsecured creditors of the System institution. 
‘‘(iii) EXCEPTIONS.—No provision of this paragraph 
shall apply with respect to— 
‘‘(I) any extension of credit from any Federal 
Reserve bank or the United States Treasury to 
any System institution; or 
‘‘(II) any security interest in the assets of the 
System institution securing any such extension of 
credit. 
‘‘(E) NO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF DETERMINATION PURSUANT 
TO SUBPARAGRAPH (D).—No court may review the Corpora-
tion’s determination pursuant to subparagraph (D) to dis-
allow a claim. 
‘‘(F) LEGAL EFFECT OF FILING.— 
‘‘(i) STATUTE OF LIMITATION TOLLED.—For purposes 
of any applicable statute of limitations, the filing of 
a claim with the receiver shall constitute a commence-
ment of an action. 
‘‘(ii) NO
PREJUDICE
TO
OTHER
ACTIONS.—Subject 
to paragraph (12) and the determination of claims by 
a receiver, the filing of a claim with the receiver shall 
not prejudice any right of the claimant to continue 
any action which was filed before the appointment 
of the receiver. 
‘‘(6) PROVISION FOR JUDICIAL DETERMINATION OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Before the end of the 60-day period 
beginning on the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the end of the period described in paragraph 
(5)(A)(i) with respect to any claim against a System 
institution for which the Corporation is receiver; or 
‘‘(ii) the date of any notice of disallowance of such 
claim pursuant to paragraph (5)(A)(i), 
the claimant may request administrative review of the 
claim in accordance with paragraph (7) or file suit on 
such claim (or continue an action commenced before the 
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132 STAT. 4691 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
appointment of the receiver) in the district or territorial 
court of the United States for the district within which 
the System institution’s principal place of business is 
located or the United States District Court for the District 
of Columbia (and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear 
such claim). 
‘‘(B) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—If any claimant fails 
to file suit on such claim (or continue an action commenced 
before the appointment of the receiver), before the end 
of the 60-day period described in subparagraph (A), the 
claim shall be deemed to be disallowed (other than any 
portion of such claim which was allowed by the receiver) 
as of the end of such period, such disallowance shall be 
final, and the claimant shall have no further rights or 
remedies with respect to such claim. 
‘‘(7) REVIEW OF CLAIMS; ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING.—If any 
claimant requests review under this paragraph in lieu of filing 
or continuing any action under paragraph (6) and the Corpora-
tion agrees to such request, the Corporation shall consider 
the claim after opportunity for a hearing on the record. The 
final determination of the Corporation with respect to such 
claim shall be subject to judicial review under chapter 7 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(8) EXPEDITED DETERMINATION OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT REQUIRED.—The Corporation shall 
establish a procedure for expedited relief outside of the 
routine claims process established under paragraph (5) for 
claimants who— 
‘‘(i) allege the existence of legally valid and enforce-
able or perfected security interests in assets of any 
System institution for which the Corporation has been 
appointed receiver; and 
‘‘(ii) allege that irreparable injury will occur if 
the routine claims procedure is followed. 
‘‘(B) DETERMINATION PERIOD.—Before the end of the 
90-day period beginning on the date any claim is filed 
in accordance with the procedures established pursuant 
to subparagraph (A), the Corporation shall— 
‘‘(i) determine— 
‘‘(I) whether to allow or disallow such claim; 
or 
‘‘(II) whether such claim should be determined 
pursuant to the procedures established pursuant 
to paragraph (5); and 
‘‘(ii) notify the claimant of the determination, and 
if the claim is disallowed, provide a statement of each 
reason for the disallowance and the procedure for 
obtaining agency review or judicial determination. 
‘‘(C) PERIOD
FOR
FILING
OR
RENEWING
SUIT.—Any 
claimant who files a request for expedited relief shall be 
permitted to file a suit, or to continue a suit filed before 
the appointment of the receiver, seeking a determination 
of the claimant’s rights with respect to such security 
interest after the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the end of the 90-day period beginning on 
the date of the filing of a request for expedited relief; 
or 
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132 STAT. 4692 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) the date the Corporation denies the claim. 
‘‘(D) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—If an action described 
in subparagraph (C) is not filed, or the motion to renew 
a previously filed suit is not made, before the end of the 
30-day period beginning on the date on which such action 
or motion may be filed in accordance with subparagraph 
(B), the claim shall be deemed to be disallowed as of 
the end of such period (other than any portion of such 
claim which was allowed by the receiver), such disallowance 
shall be final, and the claimant shall have no further 
rights or remedies with respect to such claim. 
‘‘(E) LEGAL EFFECT OF FILING.— 
‘‘(i) STATUTE OF LIMITATION TOLLED.—For purposes 
of any applicable statute of limitations, the filing of 
a claim with the receiver shall constitute a commence-
ment of an action. 
‘‘(ii) NO
PREJUDICE
TO
OTHER
ACTIONS.—Subject 
to paragraph (12), the filing of a claim with the receiver 
shall not prejudice any right of the claimant to continue 
any action which was filed before the appointment 
of the receiver. 
‘‘(9) AGREEMENT AS BASIS OF CLAIM.— 
‘‘(A) REQUIREMENTS.—Except as provided in subpara-
graph (B), any agreement which does not meet the require-
ments set forth in section 5.61(d) shall not form the basis 
of, or substantially comprise, a claim against the receiver 
or the Corporation. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION
TO
CONTEMPORANEOUS
EXECUTION 
REQUIREMENT.—Notwithstanding 
section 
5.61(d), 
any 
agreement relating to an extension of credit between a 
Federal Reserve bank or the United States Treasury and 
any System institution which was executed before such 
extension of credit to such System institution shall be 
treated as having been executed contemporaneously with 
such extension of credit for purposes of subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(10) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The receiver may, in the receiver’s 
discretion and to the extent funds are available from the 
assets of the System institution, pay creditor claims which 
are allowed by the receiver, approved by the Corporation 
pursuant to a final determination pursuant to paragraph 
(7) or (8), or determined by the final judgment of any 
court of competent jurisdiction in such manner and 
amounts as are authorized under this Act. 
‘‘(B) LIQUIDATION PAYMENTS.—The receiver may, in the 
receiver’s sole discretion, pay from the assets of the System 
institution portions of proved claims at any time, and no 
liability shall attach to the Corporation (in such Corpora-
tion’s corporate capacity or as receiver), by reason of any 
such payment, for failure to make payments to a claimant 
whose claim is not proved at the time of any such payment. 
‘‘(C) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY OF CORPORATION.—The 
Corporation may prescribe such rules, including definitions 
of terms, as it deems appropriate to establish a single 
uniform interest rate for or to make payments of post 
insolvency interest to creditors holding proven claims 
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132 STAT. 4693 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
against the receivership estates of System institutions fol-
lowing satisfaction by the receiver of the principal amount 
of all creditor claims. 
‘‘(11) PRIORITY OF EXPENSES AND CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Amounts realized from the liquida-
tion or other resolution of any System institution by any 
receiver appointed for such System institution shall be 
distributed to pay claims (other than secured claims to 
the extent of any such security) in the following order 
of priority: 
‘‘(i) Administrative expenses of the receiver. 
‘‘(ii) If authorized by the Corporation, wages, sala-
ries, or commissions, including vacation, severance, 
and sick leave pay earned by an individual— 
‘‘(I) in an amount that is not more than 
$11,725 for each individual (as indexed for infla-
tion, by regulation of the Corporation); and 
‘‘(II) that is earned 180 days or fewer before 
the date of appointment of the Corporation as 
receiver. 
‘‘(iii) In the case of the resolution of a System 
bank, all claims of holders of consolidated and System- 
wide bonds and all claims of the other System banks 
arising from the payments of the System banks pursu-
ant to— 
‘‘(I) section 4.4 on consolidated and System- 
wide bonds issued under subsection (c) or (d) of 
section 4.2; or 
‘‘(II) an agreement, in writing and approved 
by the Farm Credit Administration, among the 
System banks to reallocate the payments. 
‘‘(iv) In the case of the resolution of a production 
credit association or other association making direct 
loans under section 7.6, all claims of a System bank 
based on the financing agreement between the associa-
tion and the System bank— 
‘‘(I) including interest accrued before and after 
the appointment of the receiver; and 
‘‘(II) not including any setoff for stock or other 
equity of that System bank owned by the associa-
tion, on that condition that, prior to making that 
setoff, that System bank shall obtain the approval 
of the Farm Credit Administration Board for the 
retirement of that stock or equity. 
‘‘(v) Any general or senior liability of the System 
institution (which is not a liability described in clause 
(vi) or (vii)). 
‘‘(vi) Any obligation subordinated to general credi-
tors (which is not an obligation described in clause 
(vii)). 
‘‘(vii) Any obligation to stockholders or members 
arising as a result of their status as stockholders or 
members. 
‘‘(B) PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.— 
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132 STAT. 4694 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) PAYMENT.—All claims of each priority 
described in clauses (i) through (vii) of subpara-
graph (A) shall be paid in full, or provisions shall 
be made for that payment, prior to the payment 
of any claim of a lesser priority. 
‘‘(II) INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.—If there are insuffi-
cient funds to pay in full all claims in any priority 
described clauses (i) through (vii) of subparagraph 
(A), distribution on that priority of claims shall 
be made on a pro rata basis. 
‘‘(ii) DISTRIBUTION
OF
REMAINING
ASSETS.—Fol-
lowing the payment of all claims in accordance with 
subparagraph (A), the receiver shall distribute the 
remainder of the assets of the System institution to 
the owners of stock, participation certificates, and other 
equities in accordance with the priorities for impair-
ment under the bylaws of the System institution. 
‘‘(iii) 
ELIGIBLE
BORROWER
STOCK.—Notwith-
standing subparagraph (C) or any other provision of 
this section, eligible borrower stock shall be retired 
in accordance with section 4.9A. 
‘‘(C) EFFECT OF STATE LAW.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of subparagraph 
(A) shall not supersede the law of any State except 
to the extent such law is inconsistent with the provi-
sions of such subparagraph, and then only to the extent 
of the inconsistency. 
‘‘(ii) PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINATION OF INCONSIST-
ENCY.—Upon the Corporation’s own motion or upon 
the request of any person with a claim described in 
subparagraph (A) or any State which is submitted 
to the Corporation in accordance with procedures which 
the Corporation shall prescribe, the Corporation shall 
determine whether any provision of the law of any 
State is inconsistent with any provision of subpara-
graph (A) and the extent of any such inconsistency. 
‘‘(iii) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—The final determination 
of the Corporation under clause (ii) shall be subject 
to judicial review under chapter 7 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(D) ACCOUNTING
REPORT.—Any distribution by the 
Corporation in connection with any claim described in 
subparagraph (A)(vii) shall be accompanied by the 
accounting report required under paragraph (15)(B). 
‘‘(12) SUSPENSION OF LEGAL ACTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—After the appointment of a conser-
vator or receiver for a System institution, the conservator 
or receiver may request a stay for a period not to exceed— 
‘‘(i) 45 days, in the case of any conservator; and 
‘‘(ii) 90 days, in the case of any receiver, 
in any judicial action or proceeding to which such System 
institution is or becomes a party. 
‘‘(B) GRANT OF STAY BY ALL COURTS REQUIRED.—Upon 
receipt of a request by any conservator or receiver pursuant 
to subparagraph (A) for a stay of any judicial action or 
proceeding in any court with jurisdiction of such action 
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132 STAT. 4695 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
or proceeding, the court shall grant such stay as to all 
parties. 
‘‘(13) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) PRIOR
FINAL
ADJUDICATION.—The Corporation 
shall abide by any final unappealable judgment of any 
court of competent jurisdiction which was rendered before 
the appointment of the Corporation as conservator or 
receiver. 
‘‘(B) RIGHTS
AND
REMEDIES
OF
CONSERVATOR
OR 
RECEIVER.—In the event of any appealable judgment, the 
Corporation as conservator or receiver shall— 
‘‘(i) have all the rights and remedies available to 
the System institution (before the appointment of such 
conservator or receiver) and the Corporation in its 
corporate capacity, including removal to Federal court 
and all appellate rights; and 
‘‘(ii) not be required to post any bond in order 
to pursue such remedies. 
‘‘(C) NO ATTACHMENT OR EXECUTION.—No attachment 
or execution may issue by any court on— 
‘‘(i) assets in the possession of the receiver; or 
‘‘(ii) the charter of a System institution for which 
the Corporation has been appointed receiver. 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION
ON
JUDICIAL
REVIEW.—Except as 
otherwise provided in this subsection, no court shall have 
jurisdiction over— 
‘‘(i) any claim or action for payment from, or any 
action seeking a determination of rights with respect 
to, the assets of any System institution for which the 
Corporation has been appointed receiver, including 
assets which the Corporation may acquire from itself 
as such receiver; or 
‘‘(ii) any claim relating to any act or omission 
of such System institution or the Corporation as 
receiver. 
‘‘(E) DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.—In exercising any right, 
power, privilege, or authority as receiver in connection 
with any sale or disposition of assets of any System institu-
tion for which the Corporation is acting as receiver, the 
Corporation shall, to the maximum extent practicable, con-
duct its operations in a manner which— 
‘‘(i) maximizes the net present value return from 
the sale or disposition of such assets; 
‘‘(ii) minimizes the amount of any loss realized 
in the resolution of cases; 
‘‘(iii) ensures adequate competition and fair and 
consistent treatment of offerors; 
‘‘(iv) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, 
sex, or ethnic groups in the solicitation and consider-
ation of offers; and 
‘‘(v) mitigates the potential for serious adverse 
effects to the rest of the System. 
‘‘(14) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR ACTIONS BROUGHT BY 
CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any provision of 
any contract, the applicable statute of limitations with 
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132 STAT. 4696 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
regard to any action brought by the Corporation as conser-
vator or receiver shall be— 
‘‘(i) in the case of any contract claim, the longer 
of— 
‘‘(I) the 6-year period beginning on the date 
the claim accrues; or 
‘‘(II) the period applicable under State law; 
and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of any tort claim, the longer of— 
‘‘(I) the 3-year period beginning on the date 
the claim accrues; or 
‘‘(II) the period applicable under State law. 
‘‘(B) DETERMINATION OF THE DATE ON WHICH A CLAIM 
ACCRUES.—For purposes of subparagraph (A), the date on 
which the statute of limitations begins to run on any claim 
described in such subparagraph shall be the later of— 
‘‘(i) the date of the appointment of the Corporation 
as conservator or receiver; or 
‘‘(ii) the date on which the cause of action accrues. 
‘‘(C) REVIVAL OF EXPIRED STATE CAUSES OF ACTION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any tort claim 
described in clause (ii) for which the statute of limita-
tion applicable under State law with respect to such 
claim has expired not more than 5 years before the 
appointment of the Corporation as conservator or 
receiver, the Corporation may bring an action as con-
servator or receiver on such claim without regard to 
the expiration of the statute of limitation applicable 
under State law. 
‘‘(ii) CLAIMS DESCRIBED.—A tort claim referred to 
in clause (i) is a claim arising from fraud, intentional 
misconduct resulting in unjust enrichment, or inten-
tional misconduct resulting in substantial loss to the 
System institution. 
‘‘(15) ACCOUNTING AND RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation as conservator or 
receiver shall, consistent with the accounting and reporting 
practices and procedures established by the Corporation, 
maintain a full accounting of each conservatorship and 
receivership or other disposition of System institutions in 
default. 
‘‘(B) ANNUAL ACCOUNTING OR REPORT.—With respect 
to each conservatorship or receivership to which the Cor-
poration was appointed, the Corporation shall make an 
annual accounting or report, as appropriate, available to 
the Farm Credit Administration Board. 
‘‘(C) AVAILABILITY OF REPORTS.—Any report prepared 
pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be made available by 
the Corporation upon request to any stockholder of the 
System institution for which the Corporation was appointed 
conservator or receiver or any other member of the public. 
‘‘(D) RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), after the end of the 6-year period beginning on 
the date the Corporation is appointed as receiver of 
a System institution, the Corporation may destroy any 
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132 STAT. 4697 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
records of such System institution which the Corpora-
tion, in the Corporation’s discretion, determines to be 
unnecessary unless directed not to do so by a court 
of competent jurisdiction or governmental agency, or 
prohibited by law. 
‘‘(ii) OLD
RECORDS.—Notwithstanding clause (i), 
the Corporation may destroy records of a System 
institution which are at least 10 years old as of the 
date on which the Corporation is appointed as the 
receiver of such System institution in accordance with 
clause (i) at any time after such appointment is final, 
without regard to the 6-year period of limitation con-
tained in clause (i). 
‘‘(16) FRAUDULENT TRANSFERS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation, as conservator or 
receiver for any System institution, may avoid a transfer 
of any interest of a System institution-affiliated party, or 
any person who the Corporation determines is a debtor 
of the System institution, in property, or any obligation 
incurred by such party or person, that was made within 
5 years of the date on which the Corporation was appointed 
conservator or receiver if such party or person voluntarily 
or involuntarily made such transfer or incurred such 
liability with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud the 
System institution, the Farm Credit Administration, or 
the Corporation. 
‘‘(B) RIGHT OF RECOVERY.—To the extent a transfer 
is avoided under subparagraph (A), the Corporation may 
recover, for the benefit of the System institution, the prop-
erty transferred, or, if a court so orders, the value of 
such property (at the time of such transfer) from— 
‘‘(i) the initial transferee of such transfer or the 
System institution-affiliated party or person for whose 
benefit such transfer was made; or 
‘‘(ii) any immediate or mediate transferee of any 
such initial transferee. 
‘‘(C) RIGHTS OF TRANSFEREE OR OBLIGEE.—The Cor-
poration may not recover under subparagraph (B) from— 
‘‘(i) any transferee that takes for value, including 
satisfaction or securing of a present or antecedent debt, 
in good faith; or 
‘‘(ii) any immediate or mediate good faith trans-
feree of such transferee. 
‘‘(D) RIGHTS UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH.—The rights under 
this paragraph of the Corporation shall be superior to 
any rights of a trustee or any other party (other than 
any party which is a Federal agency) under title 11, United 
States Code. 
‘‘(17) ATTACHMENT
OF
ASSETS
AND
OTHER
INJUNCTIVE 
RELIEF.—Subject to paragraph (18), any court of competent 
jurisdiction may, at the request of the Corporation (in the 
Corporation’s capacity as conservator or receiver for any System 
institution or in the Corporation’s corporate capacity with 
respect to any asset acquired or liability assumed by the Cor-
poration under section 5.61), issue an order in accordance with 
Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, including 
an order placing the assets of any person designated by the 
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132 STAT. 4698 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Corporation under the control of the court and appointing a 
trustee to hold such assets. 
‘‘(18) STANDARDS.— 
‘‘(A) SHOWING.—Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil 
Procedure shall apply with respect to any proceeding under 
paragraph (17) without regard to the requirement of such 
rule that the applicant show that the injury, loss, or dam-
age is irreparable and immediate. 
‘‘(B) STATE PROCEEDING.—If, in the case of any pro-
ceeding in a State court, the court determines that rules 
of civil procedure available under the laws of such State 
provide substantially similar protections to such party’s 
right to due process as Rule 65 (as modified with respect 
to such proceeding by subparagraph (A)), the relief sought 
by the Corporation pursuant to paragraph (17) may be 
requested under the laws of such State. 
‘‘(19) TREATMENT OF CLAIMS ARISING FROM BREACH OF CON-
TRACTS EXECUTED BY THE RECEIVER OR CONSERVATOR.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of this subsection, any final 
and unappealable judgment for monetary damages entered 
against a receiver or conservator for a System institution for 
the breach of an agreement executed or approved by such 
receiver or conservator after the date of its appointment shall 
be paid as an administrative expense of the receiver or conser-
vator. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit 
the power of a receiver or conservator to exercise any rights 
under contract or law, including terminating, breaching, can-
celing, or otherwise discontinuing such agreement. 
‘‘(c) PROVISIONS
RELATING
TO
CONTRACTS
ENTERED
INTO 
BEFORE APPOINTMENT OF CONSERVATOR OR RECEIVER.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY TO REPUDIATE CONTRACTS.—In addition to 
any other rights a conservator or receiver may have, the conser-
vator or receiver for a System institution may disaffirm or 
repudiate any contract or lease— 
‘‘(A) to which such System institution is a party; 
‘‘(B) the performance of which the conservator or 
receiver, in the conservator’s or receiver’s discretion, deter-
mines to be burdensome; and 
‘‘(C) the disaffirmance or repudiation of which the con-
servator or receiver determines, in the conservator’s or 
receiver’s discretion, will promote the orderly administra-
tion of the System institution’s affairs. 
‘‘(2) TIMING OF REPUDIATION.—The Corporation as conser-
vator or receiver for any System institution shall determine 
whether or not to exercise the rights of repudiation under 
this subsection within a reasonable period following such 
appointment. 
‘‘(3) CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES FOR REPUDIATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided in 
subparagraph (C) and paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), the 
liability of the conservator or receiver for the disaffirmance 
or repudiation of any contract pursuant to paragraph (1) 
shall be— 
‘‘(i) limited to actual direct compensatory damages; 
and 
‘‘(ii) determined as of— 
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132 STAT. 4699 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) the date of the appointment of the conser-
vator or receiver; or 
‘‘(II) in the case of any contract or agreement 
referred to in paragraph (8), the date of the 
disaffirmance or repudiation of such contract or 
agreement. 
‘‘(B) NO LIABILITY FOR OTHER DAMAGES.—For purposes 
of subparagraph (A), the term ‘actual direct compensatory 
damages’ does not include— 
‘‘(i) punitive or exemplary damages; 
‘‘(ii) damages for lost profits or opportunity; or 
‘‘(iii) damages for pain and suffering. 
‘‘(C) MEASURE OF DAMAGES FOR REPUDIATION OF FINAN-
CIAL CONTRACTS.—In the case of any qualified financial 
contract or agreement to which paragraph (8) applies, 
compensatory damages shall be— 
‘‘(i) deemed to include normal and reasonable costs 
of cover or other reasonable measures of damages uti-
lized in the industries for such contract and agreement 
claims; and 
‘‘(ii) paid in accordance with this subsection and 
subsection (j), except as otherwise specifically provided 
in this section. 
‘‘(4) LEASES UNDER WHICH THE SYSTEM INSTITUTION IS THE 
LESSEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the conservator or receiver dis-
affirms or repudiates a lease under which the System 
institution was the lessee, the conservator or receiver shall 
not be liable for any damages (other than damages deter-
mined pursuant to subparagraph (B)) for the disaffirmance 
or repudiation of such lease. 
‘‘(B) PAYMENTS OF RENT.—Notwithstanding subpara-
graph (A), the lessor under a lease to which such subpara-
graph applies shall— 
‘‘(i) be entitled to the contractual rent accruing 
before the later of the date— 
‘‘(I) the notice of disaffirmance or repudiation 
is mailed; or 
‘‘(II) the disaffirmance or repudiation becomes 
effective, unless the lessor is in default or breach 
of the terms of the lease; and 
‘‘(ii) have no claim for damages under any accelera-
tion clause or other penalty provision in the lease; 
and 
‘‘(iii) have a claim for any unpaid rent, subject 
to all appropriate offsets and defenses, due as of the 
date of the appointment, which shall be paid in accord-
ance with this subsection and subsection (j). 
‘‘(5) LEASES UNDER WHICH THE SYSTEM INSTITUTION IS THE 
LESSOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the conservator or receiver repudi-
ates an unexpired written lease of real property of the 
System institution under which the System institution is 
the lessor and the lessee is not, as of the date of such 
repudiation, in default, the lessee under such lease may 
either— 
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132 STAT. 4700 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) treat the lease as terminated by such repudi-
ation; or 
‘‘(ii) remain in possession of the leasehold interest 
for the balance of the term of the lease, unless the 
lessee defaults under the terms of the lease after the 
date of such repudiation. 
‘‘(B) PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO LESSEE REMAINING IN 
POSSESSION.—If any lessee under a lease described in 
subparagraph (A) remains in possession of a leasehold 
interest pursuant to clause (ii) of such subparagraph— 
‘‘(i) the lessee— 
‘‘(I) shall continue to pay the contractual rent 
pursuant to the terms of the lease after the date 
of the repudiation of such lease; and 
‘‘(II) may offset against any rent payment 
which accrues after the date of the repudiation 
of the lease, any damages which accrue after such 
date due to the nonperformance of any obligation 
of the System institution under the lease after 
such date; and 
‘‘(ii) the conservator or receiver shall not be liable 
to the lessee for any damages arising after such date 
as a result of the repudiation, other than the amount 
of any offset allowed under clause (i)(II). 
‘‘(6) CONTRACTS FOR THE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the conservator or receiver repudi-
ates any contract that meets the requirements of para-
graphs (1) through (4) of section 5.61(d) for the sale of 
real property, and the purchaser of such real property 
under such contract is in possession and is not, as of 
the date of such repudiation, in default, such purchaser 
may either— 
‘‘(i) treat the contract as terminated by such 
repudiation; or 
‘‘(ii) remain in possession of such real property. 
‘‘(B) PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PURCHASER REMAINING 
IN POSSESSION.—If any purchaser of real property under 
any contract described in subparagraph (A) remains in 
possession of such property pursuant to clause (ii) of such 
subparagraph— 
‘‘(i) the purchaser— 
‘‘(I) shall continue to make all payments due 
under the contract after the date of the repudiation 
of the contract; and 
‘‘(II) may offset against any such payments 
any damages which accrue after such date due 
to the nonperformance (after such date) of any 
obligation of the System institution under the con-
tract; and 
‘‘(ii) the conservator or receiver shall— 
‘‘(I) not be liable to the purchaser for any 
damages arising after that date as a result of 
the repudiation, other than the amount of any 
offset allowed under clause (i)(II); 
‘‘(II) deliver title to the purchaser in accord-
ance with the contract; and 
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132 STAT. 4701 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) have no obligation under the contract, 
other than the performance required under sub-
clause (II). 
‘‘(C) ASSIGNMENT AND SALE ALLOWED.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—No provision of this paragraph 
shall be construed as limiting the right of the conser-
vator or receiver to assign the contract described in 
subparagraph (A) and sell the property subject to the 
contract and this paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) NO LIABILITY AFTER ASSIGNMENT AND SALE.— 
If an assignment and sale described in clause (i) is 
consummated, the Corporation, acting as conservator 
or receiver, shall have no further liability under the 
applicable contract described in subparagraph (A) or 
with respect to the real property which was the subject 
of such contract. 
‘‘(7) PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO SERVICE CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) SERVICES PERFORMED BEFORE APPOINTMENT.—In 
the case of any contract for services between any person 
and any System institution for which the Corporation has 
been appointed conservator or receiver, any claim of such 
person for services performed before the appointment of 
the conservator or the receiver shall be— 
‘‘(i) a claim to be paid in accordance with sub-
sections (b) and (d); and 
‘‘(ii) deemed to have arisen as of the date the 
conservator or receiver was appointed. 
‘‘(B) SERVICES
PERFORMED
AFTER
APPOINTMENT
AND 
PRIOR
TO
REPUDIATION.—If, in the case of any contract 
for services described in subparagraph (A), the conservator 
or receiver accepts performance by the other person before 
the conservator or receiver makes any determination to 
exercise the right of repudiation of such contract under 
this section— 
‘‘(i) the other party shall be paid under the terms 
of the contract for the services performed; and 
‘‘(ii) the amount of such payment shall be treated 
as an administrative expense of the conservatorship 
or receivership. 
‘‘(C) ACCEPTANCE OF PERFORMANCE NO BAR TO SUBSE-
QUENT REPUDIATION.—The acceptance by any conservator 
or receiver of services referred to in subparagraph (B) 
in connection with a contract described in such subpara-
graph shall not affect the right of the conservator or 
receiver, to repudiate such contract under this section at 
any time after such performance. 
‘‘(8) CERTAIN QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) COMMODITY CONTRACT.—The term ‘commodity 
contract’ means— 
‘‘(I) with respect to a futures commission mer-
chant, a contract for the purchase or sale of a 
commodity for future delivery on, or subject to 
the rules of, a contract market or board of trade; 
‘‘(II) with respect to a foreign futures commis-
sion merchant, a foreign future; 
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132 STAT. 4702 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) with respect to a leverage transaction 
merchant, a leverage transaction; 
‘‘(IV) with respect to a clearing organization, 
a contract for the purchase or sale of a commodity 
for future delivery on, or subject to the rules of, 
a contract market or board of trade that is cleared 
by such clearing organization, or commodity option 
traded on, or subject to the rules of, a contract 
market or board of trade that is cleared by such 
clearing organization; 
‘‘(V) with respect to a commodity options 
dealer, a commodity option; 
‘‘(VI) any other agreement or transaction that 
is similar to any agreement or transaction referred 
to in this clause; 
‘‘(VII) any combination of the agreements or 
transactions referred to in this clause; 
‘‘(VIII) any option to enter into any agreement 
or transaction referred to in this clause; 
‘‘(IX) a master agreement that provides for 
an agreement or transaction referred to in any 
of subclauses (I) through (VIII), together with all 
supplements to any such master agreement, with-
out regard to whether the master agreement pro-
vides for an agreement or transaction that is not 
a commodity contract under this clause, except 
that the master agreement shall be considered 
to be a commodity contract under this clause only 
with respect to each agreement or transaction 
under the master agreement that is referred to 
in subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), 
or (VIII); or 
‘‘(X) any security agreement or arrangement 
or other credit enhancement related to any agree-
ment or transaction referred to in this clause, 
including any guarantee or reimbursement obliga-
tion in connection with any agreement or trans-
action referred to in this clause. 
‘‘(ii) FORWARD CONTRACT.—The term ‘forward con-
tract’ means— 
‘‘(I) a contract (other than a commodity con-
tract) for the purchase, sale, or transfer of a com-
modity or any similar good, article, service, right, 
or interest which is presently or in the future 
becomes the subject of dealing in the forward con-
tract trade, or product or byproduct thereof, with 
a maturity date more than 2 days after the date 
the contract is entered into, including a repurchase 
or reverse repurchase transaction (whether or not 
such repurchase or reverse repurchase transaction 
is a repurchase agreement), consignment, lease, 
swap, hedge transaction, deposit, loan, option, allo-
cated transaction, unallocated transaction, or any 
other similar agreement; 
‘‘(II) any combination of agreements or trans-
actions referred to in subclauses (I) and (III); 
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132 STAT. 4703 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) any option to enter into any agreement 
or transaction referred to in subclause (I) or (II); 
‘‘(IV) a master agreement that provides for 
an agreement or transaction referred to in sub-
clauses (I) through (III), together with all supple-
ments to any such master agreement, without 
regard to whether the master agreement provides 
for an agreement or transaction that is not a for-
ward contract under this clause, except that the 
master agreement shall be considered to be a for-
ward contract under this clause only with respect 
to each agreement or transaction under the master 
agreement that is referred to in subclause (I), (II), 
or (III); or 
‘‘(V) any security agreement or arrangement 
or other credit enhancement related to any agree-
ment or transaction referred to in subclause (I), 
(II), (III), or (IV), including any guarantee or 
reimbursement obligation in connection with any 
agreement or transaction referred to in any such 
subclause. 
‘‘(iii) PERSON.—The term ‘person’— 
‘‘(I) has the meaning given the term in section 
1 of title 1, United States Code; and 
‘‘(II) includes any governmental entity. 
‘‘(iv) QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACT.—The term 
‘qualified financial contract’ means any securities con-
tract, commodity contract, forward contract, repurchase 
agreement, swap agreement, and any similar agree-
ment that the Corporation determines by regulation, 
resolution, or order to be a qualified financial contract 
for purposes of this paragraph. 
‘‘(v) REPURCHASE AGREEMENT.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘repurchase agree-
ment’ (including with respect to a reverse 
repurchase agreement)— 
‘‘(aa) means— 
‘‘(AA) an agreement, including related 
terms, which provides for the transfer of 
one or more certificates of deposit, mort-
gage-related securities (as such term is 
defined in section 3(a) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))), 
mortgage loans, interests in mortgage- 
related securities or mortgage loans, 
eligible bankers’ acceptances, qualified 
foreign government securities or securities 
that are direct obligations of, or that are 
fully guaranteed by, the United States or 
any agency of the United States against 
the transfer of funds by the transferee 
of such certificates of deposit, eligible 
bankers’ acceptances, securities, mortgage 
loans, or interests with a simultaneous 
agreement by such transferee to transfer 
to the transferor thereof certificates of 
deposit, eligible bankers’ acceptances, 
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132 STAT. 4704 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
securities, mortgage loans, or interests as 
described above, at a date certain not later 
than 1 year after such transfers or on 
demand, against the transfer of funds, or 
any other similar agreement; 
‘‘(BB) any combination of agreements 
or transactions referred to in subitems 
(AA) and (CC); 
‘‘(CC) any option to enter into any 
agreement or transaction referred to in 
subitem (AA) or (BB); 
‘‘(DD) a master agreement that pro-
vides for an agreement or transaction 
referred to in subitem (AA), (BB), or (CC), 
together with all supplements to any such 
master agreement, without regard to 
whether the master agreement provides 
for an agreement or transaction that is 
not a repurchase agreement under this 
item, except that the master agreement 
shall be considered to be a repurchase 
agreement under this item only with 
respect to each agreement or transaction 
under the master agreement that is 
referred to in subitem (AA), (BB), or (CC); 
and 
‘‘(EE) any security agreement or 
arrangement or other credit enhancement 
related to any agreement or transaction 
referred to in any of subitems (AA) 
through (DD), including any guarantee or 
reimbursement obligation in connection 
with 
any 
agreement 
or 
transaction 
referred to in any such subitem; and 
‘‘(bb) does not include any repurchase 
obligation under a participation in a commer-
cial mortgage, loan unless the Corporation 
determines by regulation, resolution, or order 
to include any such participation within the 
meaning of such term. 
‘‘(II) RELATED
DEFINITION.—For purposes of 
subclause (I)(aa), the term ‘qualified foreign 
government security’ means a security that is a 
direct obligation of, or that is fully guaranteed 
by, the central government of a member of the 
Organization 
for 
Economic 
Cooperation 
and 
Development (as determined by regulation or order 
adopted by the appropriate Federal banking 
authority). 
‘‘(vi) SECURITIES CONTRACT.—The term ‘securities 
contract’— 
‘‘(I) means— 
‘‘(aa) a contract for the purchase, sale, 
or loan of a security, a certificate of deposit, 
a mortgage loan, any interest in a mortgage 
loan, a group or index of securities, certificates 
of deposit, or mortgage loans or interests 
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132 STAT. 4705 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
therein (including any interest therein or 
based on the value thereof) or any option on 
any of the foregoing, including any option to 
purchase or sell any such security, certificate 
of deposit, mortgage loan, interest, group or 
index, or option, and including any repurchase 
or reverse repurchase transaction on any such 
security, certificate of deposit, mortgage loan, 
interest, group or index, or option (whether 
or not the repurchase or reverse repurchase 
transaction is a repurchase agreement); 
‘‘(bb) any option entered into on a national 
securities exchange relating to foreign cur-
rencies; 
‘‘(cc) the guarantee (including by novation) 
by or to any securities clearing agency of any 
settlement of cash, securities, certificates of 
deposit, mortgage loans or interests therein, 
group or index of securities, certificates of 
deposit, or mortgage loans or interests therein 
(including any interest therein or based on 
the value thereof) or option on any of the 
foregoing, including any option to purchase 
or sell any such security, certificate of deposit, 
mortgage loan, interest, group or index, or 
option (whether or not the settlement is in 
connection with any agreement or transaction 
referred to in any of items (aa), (bb), and (dd) 
through (kk)); 
‘‘(dd) any margin loan; 
‘‘(ee) any extension of credit for the clear-
ance or settlement of securities transactions; 
‘‘(ff) any loan transaction coupled with a 
securities collar transaction, any prepaid secu-
rities forward transaction, or any total return 
swap transaction coupled with a securities sale 
transaction; 
‘‘(gg) any other agreement or transaction 
that is similar to any agreement or transaction 
referred to in this subclause; 
‘‘(hh) any combination of the agreements 
or transactions referred to in this subclause; 
‘‘(ii) any option to enter into any agree-
ment or transaction referred to in this sub-
clause; 
‘‘(jj) a master agreement that provides for 
an agreement or transaction referred to in 
any of items (aa) through (ii), together with 
all supplements to any such master agree-
ment, without regard to whether the master 
agreement provides for an agreement or trans-
action that is not a securities contract under 
this subclause, except that the master agree-
ment shall be considered to be a securities 
contract under this subclause only with 
respect to each agreement or transaction 
under the master agreement that is referred 
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132 STAT. 4706 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
to in item (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), (ee), (ff), (gg), 
(hh), or (ii); and 
‘‘(kk) any security agreement or arrange-
ment or other credit enhancement related to 
any agreement or transaction referred to in 
this subclause, including any guarantee or 
reimbursement obligation in connection with 
any agreement or transaction referred to in 
this subclause; and 
‘‘(II) does not include any purchase, sale, or 
repurchase obligation under a participation in a 
commercial mortgage loan unless the Corporation 
determines by regulation, resolution, or order to 
include any such agreement within the meaning 
of such term. 
‘‘(vii) SWAP AGREEMENT.—The term ‘swap agree-
ment’ means— 
‘‘(I) any agreement, including the terms and 
conditions incorporated by reference in any such 
agreement, that is— 
‘‘(aa) an interest rate swap, option, future, 
or forward agreement, including a rate floor, 
rate cap, rate collar, cross-currency rate swap, 
and basis swap; 
‘‘(bb) a spot, same day-tomorrow, tomor-
row-next, forward, or other foreign exchange 
precious metals or other commodity agree-
ment; 
‘‘(cc) a currency swap, option, future, or 
forward agreement; 
‘‘(dd) an equity index or equity swap, 
option, future, or forward agreement; 
‘‘(ee) a debt index or debt swap, option, 
future, or forward agreement; 
‘‘(ff) a total return, credit spread or credit 
swap, option, future, or forward agreement; 
‘‘(gg) a commodity index or commodity 
swap, option, future, or forward agreement; 
‘‘(hh) a weather swap, option, future, or 
forward agreement; 
‘‘(ii) an emissions swap, option, future, or 
forward agreement; or 
‘‘(jj) an inflation swap, option, future, or 
forward agreement; 
‘‘(II) any agreement or transaction that is 
similar to any other agreement or transaction 
referred to in this clause and that is of a type 
that has been, is presently, or in the future 
becomes, the subject of recurrent dealings in the 
swap or other derivatives markets (including terms 
and conditions incorporated by reference in such 
agreement) and that is a forward, swap, future, 
option or spot transaction on one or more rates, 
currencies, commodities, equity securities or other 
equity instruments, debt securities or other debt 
instruments, quantitative measures associated 
with an occurrence, extent of an occurrence, or 
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132 STAT. 4707 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
contingency associated with a financial, commer-
cial, or economic consequence, or economic or 
financial indices or measures of economic or finan-
cial risk or value; 
‘‘(III) any combination of agreements or trans-
actions referred to in this clause; 
‘‘(IV) any option to enter into any agreement 
or transaction referred to in this clause; 
‘‘(V) a master agreement that provides for an 
agreement or transaction referred to in any of 
subclauses (I) through (IV), together with all 
supplements to any such master agreement, with-
out regard to whether the master agreement con-
tains an agreement or transaction that is not a 
swap agreement under this clause, except that 
the master agreement shall be considered to be 
a swap agreement under this clause only with 
respect to each agreement or transaction under 
the master agreement that is referred to in sub-
clause (I), (II), (III), or (IV); and 
‘‘(VI) any security agreement or arrangement 
or other credit enhancement related to any agree-
ments or transactions referred to in any of sub-
clauses (I) through (V), including any guarantee 
or reimbursement obligation in connection with 
any agreement or transaction referred to in any 
such subclause. 
‘‘(viii) TRANSFER.—The term ‘transfer’ means every 
mode, direct or indirect, absolute or conditional, vol-
untary or involuntary, of disposing of or parting with 
property or with an interest in property, including 
retention of title as a security interest and foreclosure 
of the equity of redemption of a System institution. 
‘‘(ix) TREATMENT
OF
MASTER
AGREEMENT
AS
1 
AGREEMENT.—For purposes of this subparagraph— 
‘‘(I) any master agreement for any contract 
or agreement described in this subparagraph (or 
any master agreement for such a master agree-
ment or agreements), together with all supple-
ments to the master agreement, shall be treated 
as a single agreement and a single qualified finan-
cial contact; and 
‘‘(II) if a master agreement contains provisions 
relating to agreements or transactions that are 
not qualified financial contracts, the master agree-
ment shall be deemed to be a qualified financial 
contract only with respect to those transactions 
that are themselves qualified financial contracts. 
‘‘(B) RIGHTS
OF
PARTIES
TO
CONTRACTS.—Subject to 
paragraphs (9) and (10), and notwithstanding any other 
provision of this Act (other than subsection (b)(9) and sec-
tion 5.61(d)) or any other Federal or State law, no person 
shall be stayed or prohibited from exercising— 
‘‘(i) any right such person has to cause the termi-
nation, liquidation, or acceleration of any qualified 
financial contract with a System institution which 
arises upon the appointment of the Corporation as 
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132 STAT. 4708 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
receiver for such System institution at any time after 
such appointment; 
‘‘(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
arrangement or other credit enhancement related to 
one or more qualified financial contracts described in 
clause (i); or 
‘‘(iii) any right to offset or net out any termination 
value, payment amount, or other transfer obligation 
arising under, or in connection with, 1 or more con-
tracts and agreements described in clause (i), including 
any master agreement for such contracts or agree-
ments. 
‘‘(C) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.—Subsection 
(b)(12) shall apply in the case of any judicial action or 
proceeding brought against any receiver referred to in 
subparagraph (A), or the System institution for which such 
receiver was appointed, by any party to a contract or agree-
ment described in subparagraph (B)(i) with such System 
institution. 
‘‘(D) CERTAIN TRANSFERS NOT AVOIDABLE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding paragraph (11) 
or any other Federal or State law relating to the avoid-
ance of preferential or fraudulent transfers, the Cor-
poration, whether acting as such or as conservator 
or receiver of a System institution, may not avoid 
any transfer of money or other property in connection 
with any qualified financial contract with a System 
institution. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN TRANSFERS.—Clause 
(i) shall not apply to any transfer of money or other 
property in connection with any qualified financial con-
tract with a System institution if the Corporation 
determines that the transferee had actual intent to 
hinder, delay, or defraud such System institution, the 
creditors of such System institution, or any conservator 
or receiver appointed for such System institution. 
‘‘(E) CERTAIN PROTECTIONS IN EVENT OF APPOINTMENT 
OF CONSERVATOR.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this Act (other than subparagraph (G), paragraph (10), 
subsection (b)(9), and section 5.61(d)) or any other Federal 
or State law, no person shall be stayed or prohibited from 
exercising— 
‘‘(i) any right such person has to cause the termi-
nation, liquidation, or acceleration of any qualified 
financial contract with a System institution in a con-
servatorship based upon a default under such financial 
contract which is enforceable under applicable non-
insolvency law; 
‘‘(ii) any right under any security agreement or 
arrangement or other credit enhancement related to 
one or more qualified financial contracts described in 
clause (i); and 
‘‘(iii) any right to offset or net out any termination 
values, payment amounts, or other transfer obligations 
arising under or in connection with such qualified 
financial contracts. 
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132 STAT. 4709 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(F) CLARIFICATION.—No provision of law shall be con-
strued as limiting the right or power of the Corporation, 
or authorizing any court or agency to limit or delay, in 
any manner, the right or power of the Corporation to 
transfer any qualified financial contract in accordance with 
paragraphs (9) and (10) or to disaffirm or repudiate any 
such contract in accordance with paragraph (1). 
‘‘(G) WALKAWAY CLAUSES NOT EFFECTIVE.— 
‘‘(i) DEFINITION
OF
WALKAWAY
CLAUSE.—In this 
subparagraph, the term ‘walkaway clause’ means any 
provision in a qualified financial contract that sus-
pends, conditions, or extinguishes a payment obligation 
of a party, in whole or in part, or does not create 
a payment obligation of a party that would otherwise 
exist— 
‘‘(I) solely because of— 
‘‘(aa) the status of the party as a non-
defaulting party in connection with the insol-
vency of a System institution that is a party 
to the contract; or 
‘‘(bb) the appointment of, or the exercise 
of rights or powers by, the Corporation as 
a conservator or receiver of the System institu-
tion; and 
‘‘(II) not as a result of the exercise by a party 
of any right to offset, setoff, or net obligations 
that exist under— 
‘‘(aa) the contract; 
‘‘(bb) any other contract between those 
parties; or 
‘‘(cc) applicable law. 
‘‘(ii) TREATMENT.—Notwithstanding the provisions 
of subparagraphs (B) and (E), no walkaway clause 
shall be enforceable in a qualified financial contract 
of a System institution in default. 
‘‘(iii) LIMITED
SUSPENSION
OF
CERTAIN
OBLIGA-
TIONS.—In the case of a qualified financial contract 
referred to in clause (ii), any payment or delivery 
obligations otherwise due from a party pursuant to 
the qualified financial contract shall be suspended from 
the time the receiver is appointed until the earlier 
of— 
‘‘(I) the time such party receives notice that 
such contract has been transferred pursuant to 
subparagraph (B); or 
‘‘(II) 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business 
day following the date of the appointment of the 
receiver. 
‘‘(H) RECORDKEEPING
REQUIREMENTS.—The Corpora-
tion, in consultation with the Farm Credit Administration, 
may prescribe regulations requiring more detailed record-
keeping by any System institution with respect to qualified 
financial contracts (including market valuations), only if 
such System institution is subject to subclause (I), (III), 
or (IV) of section 5.61B(a)(1)(A)(ii). 
‘‘(9) TRANSFER OF QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
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132 STAT. 4710 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) CLEARING ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘clearing 
organization’ has the meaning given the term in section 
402 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 
Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4402). 
‘‘(ii) FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The term ‘financial 
institution’ means a System institution, a broker or 
dealer, a depository institution, a futures commission 
merchant, or any other institution, as determined by 
the Corporation by regulation to be a financial institu-
tion. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—In making any transfer of assets 
or liabilities of a System institution in default which 
includes any qualified financial contract, the conservator 
or receiver for such System institution shall either— 
‘‘(i) transfer to one financial institution, other than 
a financial institution for which a conservator, receiver, 
trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has 
been appointed, or that is otherwise the subject of 
a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding— 
‘‘(I) all qualified financial contracts between 
any person or any affiliate of such person and 
the System institution in default; 
‘‘(II) all claims of such person or any affiliate 
of such person against such System institution 
under any such contract (other than any claim 
which, under the terms of any such contract, is 
subordinated to the claims of general unsecured 
creditors of such System institution); 
‘‘(III) all claims of such System institution 
against such person or any affiliate of such person 
under any such contract; and 
‘‘(IV) all property securing or any other credit 
enhancement for any contract described in sub-
clause (I) or any claim described in subclause (II) 
or (III) under any such contract; or 
‘‘(ii) transfer none of the qualified financial con-
tracts, claims, property or other credit enhancement 
referred to in clause (i) (with respect to such person 
and any affiliate of such person). 
‘‘(C) TRANSFER TO FOREIGN BANK, FOREIGN FINANCIAL 
INSTITUTION, OR BRANCH OR AGENCY OF A FOREIGN BANK 
OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—In transferring any qualified 
financial contracts and related claims and property under 
subparagraph (B)(i), the conservator or receiver for the 
System institution shall not make such transfer to a foreign 
bank, financial institution organized under the laws of 
a foreign country, or a branch or agency of a foreign bank 
or financial institution unless, under the law applicable 
to such bank, financial institution, branch or agency, to 
the qualified financial contracts, and to any netting con-
tract, any security agreement or arrangement or other 
credit enhancement related to one or more qualified finan-
cial contracts, the contractual rights of the parties to such 
qualified financial contracts, netting contracts, security 
agreements or arrangements, or other credit enhancements 
are enforceable substantially to the same extent as per-
mitted under this section. 
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132 STAT. 4711 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(D) TRANSFER OF CONTRACTS SUBJECT TO THE RULES 
OF A CLEARING ORGANIZATION.—In the event that a conser-
vator or receiver transfers any qualified financial contract 
and related claims, property, and credit enhancements 
pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i) and such contract is 
cleared by or subject to the rules of a clearing organization, 
the clearing organization shall not be required to accept 
the transferee as a member by virtue of the transfer. 
‘‘(10) NOTIFICATION OF TRANSFER.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF BUSINESS DAY.—In this paragraph, 
the term ‘business day’ means any day other than any 
Saturday, Sunday, or any day on which either the New 
York Stock Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New 
York is closed. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION.—If— 
‘‘(i) the conservator or receiver for a System institu-
tion in default makes any transfer of the assets and 
liabilities of such System institution; and 
‘‘(ii) the transfer includes any qualified financial 
contract, the conservator or receiver shall notify any 
person who is a party to any such contract of such 
transfer by 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business 
day following the date of the appointment of the 
receiver in the case of a receivership, or the business 
day following such transfer in the case of a conservator-
ship. 
‘‘(C) CERTAIN RIGHTS NOT ENFORCEABLE.— 
‘‘(i) RECEIVERSHIP.—A person who is a party to 
a qualified financial contract with a System institution 
may not exercise any right that such person has to 
terminate, liquidate, or net such contract under para-
graph (8)(B) of this subsection, solely by reason of 
or incidental to the appointment of a receiver for the 
System institution (or the insolvency or financial condi-
tion of the System institution for which the receiver 
has been appointed)— 
‘‘(I) until 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the busi-
ness day following the date of the appointment 
of the receiver; or 
‘‘(II) after the person has received notice that 
the contract has been transferred pursuant to 
paragraph (9)(B). 
‘‘(ii) CONSERVATORSHIP.—A person who is a party 
to a qualified financial contract with a System institu-
tion may not exercise any right that such person has 
to terminate, liquidate, or net such contract under 
paragraph (8)(E) of this subsection, solely by reason 
of or incidental to the appointment of a conservator 
for the System institution (or the insolvency or finan-
cial condition of the System institution for which the 
conservator has been appointed). 
‘‘(iii) NOTICE.—For purposes of this paragraph, the 
Corporation as receiver or conservator of a System 
institution shall be deemed to have notified a person 
who is a party to a qualified financial contract with 
such System institution if the Corporation has taken 
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132 STAT. 4712 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
steps reasonably calculated to provide notice to such 
person by the time specified in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) TREATMENT
OF
BRIDGE
SYSTEM
INSTITUTIONS.— 
The following System institutions shall not be considered 
to be a financial institution for which a conservator, 
receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian 
has been appointed or which is otherwise the subject of 
a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding for purposes of para-
graph (9): 
‘‘(i) A bridge System bank. 
‘‘(ii) A System institution organized by the Cor-
poration or the Farm Credit Administration, for which 
a conservator is appointed either— 
‘‘(I) immediately upon the organization of the 
System institution; or 
‘‘(II) at the time of a purchase and assumption 
transaction between the System institution and 
the Corporation as receiver for a System institu-
tion in default. 
‘‘(11) DISAFFIRMANCE OR REPUDIATION OF QUALIFIED FINAN-
CIAL CONTRACTS.—In exercising the rights of disaffirmance or 
repudiation of a conservator or receiver with respect to any 
qualified financial contract to which a System institution is 
a party, the conservator or receiver for such System institution 
shall either— 
‘‘(A) disaffirm or repudiate all qualified financial con-
tracts between— 
‘‘(i) any person or any affiliate of such person; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the System institution in default; or 
‘‘(B) disaffirm or repudiate none of the qualified finan-
cial contracts referred to in subparagraph (A) (with respect 
to such person or any affiliate of such person). 
‘‘(12) CERTAIN
SECURITY
INTERESTS
NOT
AVOIDABLE.—No 
provision of this subsection shall be construed as permitting 
the avoidance of any legally enforceable or perfected security 
interest in any of the assets of any System institution except 
where such an interest is taken in contemplation of the System 
institution’s insolvency or with the intent to hinder, delay, 
or defraud the System institution or the creditors of such 
System institution. 
‘‘(13) AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE CONTRACTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The conservator or receiver may 
enforce any contract, other than a director’s or officer’s 
liability insurance contract or a System institution bond, 
entered into by the System institution notwithstanding 
any provision of the contract providing for termination, 
default, acceleration, or exercise of rights upon, or solely 
by reason of, insolvency or the appointment of or the exer-
cise of rights or powers by a conservator or receiver. 
‘‘(B) CERTAIN RIGHTS NOT AFFECTED.—No provision of 
this paragraph may be construed as impairing or affecting 
any right of the conservator or receiver to enforce or recover 
under a director’s or officer’s liability insurance contract 
or institution bond under other applicable law. 
‘‘(C) CONSENT REQUIREMENT.— 
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132 STAT. 4713 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as otherwise provided 
by this section, no person may exercise any right or 
power to terminate, accelerate, or declare a default 
under any contract to which the System institution 
is a party, or to obtain possession of or exercise control 
over any property of the System institution or affect 
any contractual rights of the System institution, with-
out the consent of the conservator or receiver, as appro-
priate, during the 45-day period beginning on the date 
of the appointment of the conservator, or during the 
90-day period beginning on the date of the appointment 
of the receiver, as applicable. 
‘‘(ii) CERTAIN
EXCEPTIONS.—No provision of this 
subparagraph shall apply to a director or officer 
liability insurance contract or an institution bond, to 
the rights of parties to certain qualified financial con-
tracts pursuant to paragraph (8), or shall be construed 
as permitting the conservator or receiver to fail to 
comply with otherwise enforceable provisions of such 
contract. 
‘‘(14) EXCEPTION FOR FEDERAL RESERVE AND THE UNITED 
STATES TREASURY.—No provision of this subsection shall apply 
with respect to— 
‘‘(A) any extension of credit from any Federal Reserve 
bank or the United States Treasury to any System institu-
tion; or 
‘‘(B) any security interest in the assets of the System 
institution securing any such extension of credit. 
‘‘(15) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—The meanings of terms used in 
this subsection— 
‘‘(A) are applicable for purposes of this subsection only; 
and 
‘‘(B) shall not be construed or applied so as to challenge 
or affect the characterization, definition, or treatment of 
any similar terms under any other law, regulation, or rule, 
including— 
‘‘(i) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (12 U.S.C. 1811 
note; Public Law 106–102); 
‘‘(ii) the Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act 
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 27 et seq.); 
‘‘(iii) the securities laws (as that term is defined 
in section 3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(15 U.S.C. 78c(a))); and 
‘‘(iv) the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 
et seq.). 
‘‘(d) VALUATION OF CLAIMS IN DEFAULT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
Federal law or the law of any State and regardless of the 
method which the Corporation determines to utilize with 
respect to a System institution in default or in danger of 
default, including transactions authorized under subsection (h) 
and section 5.61(a), this subsection shall govern the rights 
of the creditors of such System institution. 
‘‘(2) MAXIMUM LIABILITY.—The maximum liability of the 
Corporation, acting as receiver or in any other capacity, to 
any person having a claim against the receiver or the System 
institution for which such receiver is appointed shall equal 
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132 STAT. 4714 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the amount such claimant would have received if the Corpora-
tion had liquidated the assets and liabilities of such System 
institution without exercising the Corporation’s authority under 
subsection (h) or section 5.61(a). 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS AUTHORIZED.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation may, in its discre-
tion and in the interests of minimizing its losses, use 
its own resources to make additional payments or credit 
additional amounts to or with respect to or for the account 
of any claimant or category of claimants. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of Federal or State law, or the constitu-
tion of any State, the Corporation shall not be obligated, 
as a result of having made any such payment or credited 
any such amount to or with respect to or for the account 
of any claimant or category of claimants, to make payments 
to any other claimant or category of claimants. 
‘‘(B) MANNER
OF
PAYMENT.—The Corporation may 
make the payments or credit the amounts specified in 
subparagraph (A) directly to the claimants or may make 
such payments or credit such amounts to an open System 
institution to induce such System institution to accept 
liability for such claims. 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON COURT ACTION.—Except as provided in this 
section, no court may take any action, except at the written request 
of the Board of Directors, to restrain or affect the exercise of 
powers or functions of the Corporation as a conservator or a 
receiver. 
‘‘(f) LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A director or officer of a System institu-
tion may be held personally liable for monetary damages in 
any civil action— 
‘‘(A) brought by, on behalf of, or at the request or 
direction of the Corporation; 
‘‘(B) prosecuted wholly or partially for the benefit of 
the Corporation— 
‘‘(i) acting as conservator or receiver of that System 
institution; 
‘‘(ii) acting based on a suit, claim, or cause of 
action purchased from, assigned by, or otherwise con-
veyed by that receiver or conservator; or 
‘‘(iii) acting based on a suit, claim, or cause of 
action purchased from, assigned by, or otherwise con-
veyed in whole or in part by a System institution 
or an affiliate of a System institution in connection 
with assistance provided under section 5.61(a); and 
‘‘(C) for, as determined under the applicable State 
law— 
‘‘(i) gross negligence; or 
‘‘(ii) any similar conduct, including conduct that 
demonstrates a greater disregard of a duty of care 
than gross negligence, such as intentional tortious con-
duct. 
‘‘(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in paragraph (1) impairs or affects 
any right of the Corporation under any other applicable law. 
‘‘(g) DAMAGES.—In any proceeding related to any claim against 
a System institution’s director, officer, employee, agent, attorney, 
accountant, appraiser, or any other party employed by or providing 
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132 STAT. 4715 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
services to a System institution, recoverable damages determined 
to result from the improvident or otherwise improper use or invest-
ment of any System institution’s assets shall include principal losses 
and appropriate interest. 
‘‘(h) BRIDGE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM BANKS.— 
‘‘(1) ORGANIZATION.— 
‘‘(A) PURPOSE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—When 1 or more System banks 
are in default, or when the Corporation anticipates 
that 1 or more System banks may become in default, 
the Corporation may, in its discretion, organize, and 
the Farm Credit Administration may, in its discretion, 
charter, 1 or more System banks, with the powers 
and attributes of System banks, subject to the provi-
sions of this subsection, to be referred to as ‘bridge 
System banks’. 
‘‘(ii) INTENT OF CONGRESS.—It is the intent of the 
Congress that, in order to prevent unnecessary hard-
ship or losses to the customers of any System bank 
in default with respect to which a bridge System bank 
is chartered, the Corporation should— 
‘‘(I) continue to honor commitments made by 
the System bank in default to creditworthy cus-
tomers; and 
‘‘(II) not interrupt or terminate adequately 
secured loans which are transferred under this 
subsection and are being repaid by the debtor in 
accordance with the terms of the loan instrument. 
‘‘(B) AUTHORITIES.—Once chartered by the Farm Credit 
Administration, the bridge System bank may— 
‘‘(i) assume such liabilities of the System bank 
or banks in default or in danger of default as the 
Corporation may, in its discretion, determine to be 
appropriate; 
‘‘(ii) purchase such assets of the System bank or 
banks in default or in danger of default as the Corpora-
tion may, in its discretion, determine to be appropriate; 
and 
‘‘(iii) perform any other temporary function which 
the Corporation may, in its discretion, prescribe in 
accordance with this Act. 
‘‘(C) ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.—The articles of associa-
tion and organization certificate of a bridge System bank 
as approved by the Corporation shall be executed by 3 
representatives designated by the Corporation. 
‘‘(D) INTERIM DIRECTORS.—A bridge System bank shall 
have an interim board of directors consisting of not fewer 
than 5 nor more than 10 members appointed by the Cor-
poration. 
‘‘(2) CHARTERING.— 
‘‘(A) CONDITIONS.—The Farm Credit Administration 
may charter a bridge System bank only if the Board of 
Directors determines that— 
‘‘(i) the amount which is reasonably necessary to 
operate such bridge System bank will not exceed the 
amount which is reasonably necessary to save the cost 
of liquidating 1 or more System banks in default or 
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132 STAT. 4716 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
in danger of default with respect to which the bridge 
System bank is chartered; 
‘‘(ii) the continued operation of such System bank 
or banks in default or in danger of default with respect 
to which the bridge System bank is chartered is essen-
tial to provide adequate farm credit services in the 
1 or more communities where each such System bank 
in default or in danger of default is or was providing 
those farm credit services; or 
‘‘(iii) the continued operation of such System bank 
or banks in default or in danger of default with respect 
to which the bridge System bank is chartered is in 
the best interest of the Farm Credit System or the 
public. 
‘‘(B) BRIDGE
SYSTEM
BANK
TREATED
AS
BEING
IN 
DEFAULT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.—A bridge System bank 
shall be treated as being in default at such times and 
for such purposes as the Corporation may, in its discretion, 
determine. 
‘‘(C) MANAGEMENT.—A bridge System bank, upon the 
granting of its charter, shall be under the management 
of a board of directors consisting of not fewer than 5 nor 
more than 10 members appointed by the Corporation, in 
consultation with the Farm Credit Administration. 
‘‘(D) BYLAWS.—The board of directors of a bridge 
System bank shall adopt such bylaws as may be approved 
by the Corporation. 
‘‘(3) TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.— 
‘‘(A) TRANSFER UPON GRANT OF CHARTER.—Upon the 
granting of a charter to a bridge System bank pursuant 
to this subsection, the Corporation, as receiver, may 
transfer any assets and liabilities of the System bank to 
the bridge System bank in accordance with paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) SUBSEQUENT
TRANSFERS.—At any time after a 
charter is granted to a bridge System bank, the Corpora-
tion, as receiver, may transfer any assets and liabilities 
of such System bank in default as the Corporation may, 
in its discretion, determine to be appropriate in accordance 
with paragraph (1). 
‘‘(C) EFFECTIVE WITHOUT APPROVAL.—The transfer of 
any assets or liabilities of a System bank in default or 
danger of default transferred to a bridge System bank 
shall be effective without any further approval under Fed-
eral or State law, assignment, or consent with respect 
thereto. 
‘‘(4) POWERS
OF
BRIDGE
SYSTEM
BANKS.—Each bridge 
System bank chartered under this subsection shall, to the 
extent described in the charter of the System bank in default 
with respect to which the bridge System bank is chartered, 
have all corporate powers of, and be subject to the same provi-
sions of law as, any System bank, except that— 
‘‘(A) the Corporation may— 
‘‘(i) remove the interim directors and directors of 
a bridge System bank; 
‘‘(ii) fix the compensation of members of the interim 
board of directors and the board of directors and senior 
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132 STAT. 4717 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
management, as determined by the Corporation in its 
discretion, of a bridge System bank; and 
‘‘(iii) waive any requirement established under 
Federal or State law which would otherwise be 
applicable with respect to directors of a bridge System 
bank, on the condition that the waiver of any require-
ment established by the Farm Credit Administration 
shall require the concurrence of the Farm Credit 
Administration; 
‘‘(B) the Corporation may indemnify the representa-
tives for purposes of paragraph (1)(B) and the interim 
directors, directors, officers, employees, and agents of a 
bridge System bank on such terms as the Corporation 
determines to be appropriate; 
‘‘(C) no requirement under any provision of law relating 
to the capital of a System institution shall apply with 
respect to a bridge System bank; 
‘‘(D) the Farm Credit Administration Board may estab-
lish a limitation on the extent to which any person may 
become indebted to a bridge System bank without regard 
to the amount of the bridge System bank’s capital or sur-
plus; 
‘‘(E)(i) the board of directors of a bridge System bank 
shall elect a chairperson who may also serve in the position 
of chief executive officer, except that such person shall 
not serve either as chairperson or as chief executive officer 
without the prior approval of the Corporation; and 
‘‘(ii) the board of directors of a bridge System bank 
may appoint a chief executive officer who is not also the 
chairperson, except that such person shall not serve as 
chief executive officer without the prior approval of the 
Corporation; 
‘‘(F) the Farm Credit Administration may waive any 
requirement for a fidelity bond with respect to a bridge 
System bank at the request of the Corporation; 
‘‘(G) any judicial action to which a bridge System bank 
becomes a party by virtue of its acquisition of any assets 
or assumption of any liabilities of a System bank in default 
shall be stayed from further proceedings for a period of 
up to 45 days at the request of the bridge System bank; 
‘‘(H) no agreement which tends to diminish or defeat 
the right, title or interest of a bridge System bank in 
any asset of a System bank in default acquired by it shall 
be valid against the bridge System bank unless such agree-
ment— 
‘‘(i) is in writing; 
‘‘(ii) was executed by such System bank in default 
and the person or persons claiming an adverse interest 
thereunder, including the obligor, contemporaneously 
with the acquisition of the asset by such System bank 
in default; 
‘‘(iii) was approved by the board of directors of 
such System bank in default or its loan committee, 
which approval shall be reflected in the minutes of 
said board or committee; and 
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132 STAT. 4718 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) has been, continuously from the time of its 
execution, an official record of such System bank in 
default; 
‘‘(I) notwithstanding subsection 5.61(d)(2), any agree-
ment relating to an extension of credit between a System 
bank, Federal Reserve bank, or the United States Treasury 
and any System institution which was executed before 
the extension of credit by such lender to such System 
institution shall be treated as having been executed 
contemporaneously with such extension of credit for pur-
poses of subparagraph (H); and 
‘‘(J) except with the prior approval of the Corporation 
and the concurrence of the Farm Credit Administration, 
a bridge System bank may not, in any transaction or series 
of transactions, issue capital stock or be a party to any 
merger, consolidation, disposition of substantially all of 
the assets or liabilities of the bridge System bank, sale 
or exchange of capital stock, or similar transaction, or 
change its charter. 
‘‘(5) CAPITAL.— 
‘‘(A) NO CAPITAL REQUIRED.—The Corporation shall not 
be required to— 
‘‘(i) issue any capital stock on behalf of a bridge 
System bank chartered under this subsection; or 
‘‘(ii) purchase any capital stock of a bridge System 
bank, except that notwithstanding any other provision 
of Federal or State law, the Corporation may purchase 
and retain capital stock of a bridge System bank in 
such amounts and on such terms as the Corporation, 
in its discretion, determines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(B) OPERATING FUNDS IN LIEU OF CAPITAL.—Upon the 
organization of a bridge System bank, and thereafter, as 
the Corporation may, in its discretion, determine to be 
necessary or advisable, the Corporation may make avail-
able to the bridge System bank, upon such terms and 
conditions and in such form and amounts as the Corpora-
tion may in its discretion determine, funds for the operation 
of the bridge System bank in lieu of capital. 
‘‘(C) AUTHORITY TO ISSUE CAPITAL STOCK.—Whenever 
the Farm Credit Administration Board determines it is 
advisable to do so, the Corporation shall cause capital 
stock of a bridge System bank to be issued and offered 
for sale in such amounts and on such terms and conditions 
as the Corporation may, in its discretion, determine. 
‘‘(6) EMPLOYEE STATUS.—Representatives for purposes of 
paragraph 
(1)(C), 
interim 
directors, 
directors, 
officers, 
employees, or agents of a bridge System bank are not, solely 
by virtue of service in any such capacity, officers or employees 
of the United States. Any employee of the Corporation, the 
Farm Credit Administration, or any Federal instrumentality 
who serves at the request of the Corporation as a representative 
for purposes of paragraph (1)(C), interim director, director, 
officer, employee, or agent of a bridge System bank shall not— 
‘‘(A) solely by virtue of service in any such capacity 
lose any existing status as an officer or employee of the 
United States for purposes of any provision of law; or 
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132 STAT. 4719 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) receive any salary or benefits for service in any 
such capacity with respect to a bridge System bank in 
addition to such salary or benefits as are obtained through 
employment with the Corporation or such Federal 
instrumentality. 
‘‘(7) ASSISTANCE
AUTHORIZED.—The Corporation may, in 
its discretion, provide assistance under section 5.61(a) to facili-
tate any merger or consolidation of a bridge System bank 
in the same manner and to the same extent as such assistance 
may be provided to a qualifying insured System bank (as 
defined in section 5.61(a)(2)(B)) or to facilitate a bridge System 
bank’s acquisition of any assets or the assumption of any liabil-
ities of a System bank in default or in danger of default. 
‘‘(8) DURATION OF BRIDGE SYSTEM BANKS.—Subject to para-
graphs (10) and (11), the status of a bridge System bank as 
such shall terminate at the end of the 2-year period following 
the date it was granted a charter. The Farm Credit Administra-
tion Board may, in its discretion, extend the status of the 
bridge System bank as such for 3 additional 1-year periods. 
‘‘(9) TERMINATION OF BRIDGE SYSTEM BANKS STATUS.—The 
status of any bridge System bank as such shall terminate 
upon the earliest of— 
‘‘(A) the merger or consolidation of the bridge System 
bank with a System institution that is not a bridge System 
bank, on the condition that the merger or consolidation 
shall be subject to the approval of the Farm Credit 
Administration; 
‘‘(B) at the election of the Corporation and with the 
approval of the Farm Credit Administration, the sale of 
a majority or all of the capital stock of the bridge System 
bank to a System institution or another bridge System 
bank; 
‘‘(C) at the election of the Corporation, and with the 
approval of the Farm Credit Administration, either the 
assumption of all or substantially all of the liabilities of 
the bridge System bank, or the acquisition of all or substan-
tially all of the assets of the bridge System bank, by a 
System institution that is not a bridge System bank or 
other entity as permitted under applicable law; and 
‘‘(D) the expiration of the period provided in paragraph 
(8), or the earlier dissolution of the bridge System bank 
as provided in paragraph (11). 
‘‘(10) EFFECT OF TERMINATION EVENTS.— 
‘‘(A) MERGER
OR
CONSOLIDATION.—A bridge System 
bank that participates in a merger or consolidation as 
provided in paragraph (9)(A) shall be for all purposes a 
System institution, with all the rights, powers, and privi-
leges thereof, and such merger or consolidation shall be 
conducted in accordance with, and shall have the effect 
provided in, the provisions of applicable law. 
‘‘(B) CHARTER CONVERSION.—Following the sale of a 
majority or all of the capital stock of the bridge System 
bank as provided in paragraph (9)(B), the Farm Credit 
Administration Board may amend the charter of the bridge 
System bank to reflect the termination of the status of 
the bridge System bank as such, whereupon the System 
bank shall remain a System bank, with all of the rights, 
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132 STAT. 4720 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
powers, and privileges thereof, subject to all laws and regu-
lations applicable thereto. 
‘‘(C) ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES AND SALE OF ASSETS.— 
Following the assumption of all or substantially all of the 
liabilities of the bridge System bank, or the sale of all 
or substantially all of the assets of the bridge System 
bank, as provided in paragraph (9)(C), at the election of 
the Corporation, the bridge System bank may retain its 
status as such for the period provided in paragraph (8). 
‘‘(D) AMENDMENTS
TO
CHARTER.—Following the con-
summation of a transaction described in subparagraph (A), 
(B), or (C) of paragraph (9), the charter of the resulting 
System institution shall be amended by the Farm Credit 
Administration to reflect the termination of bridge System 
bank status, if appropriate. 
‘‘(11) DISSOLUTION OF BRIDGE SYSTEM BANK.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of State or Federal law, if the bridge System bank’s 
status as such has not previously been terminated by the 
occurrence of an event specified in subparagraph (A), (B), 
or (C) of paragraph (9)— 
‘‘(i) the Corporation, after consultation with the 
Farm Credit Administration, may, in its discretion, 
dissolve a bridge System bank in accordance with this 
paragraph at any time; and 
‘‘(ii) the Corporation, after consultation with the 
Farm Credit Administration, shall promptly commence 
dissolution proceedings in accordance with this para-
graph upon the expiration of the 2-year period fol-
lowing the date the bridge System bank was chartered, 
or any extension thereof, as provided in paragraph 
(8). 
‘‘(B) PROCEDURES.—The Farm Credit Administration 
Board shall appoint the Corporation as receiver for a bridge 
System bank upon determining to dissolve the bridge 
System bank. The Corporation as such receiver shall wind 
up the affairs of the bridge System bank in conformity 
with the provisions of law relating to the liquidation of 
closed System banks. With respect to any such bridge 
System bank, the Corporation as such receiver shall have 
all the rights, powers, and privileges and shall perform 
the duties related to the exercise of such rights, powers, 
or privileges granted by law to a receiver of any insured 
System bank and, notwithstanding any other provision of 
law in the exercise of such rights, powers, and privileges, 
the Corporation shall not be subject to the direction or 
supervision of any State agency or other Federal agency. 
‘‘(12) MULTIPLE BRIDGE SYSTEM BANKS.—The Corporation 
may, in the Corporation’s discretion, organize, and the Farm 
Credit Administration may, in its discretion, charter, 2 or more 
bridge System banks under this subsection to assume any 
liabilities and purchase any assets of a single System institution 
in default. 
‘‘(i) CERTAIN SALES OF ASSETS PROHIBITED.— 
‘‘(1) PERSONS WHO ENGAGED IN IMPROPER CONDUCT WITH, 
OR CAUSED LOSSES TO, SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.—The Corporation 
shall prescribe regulations which, at a minimum, shall prohibit 
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132 STAT. 4721 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the sale of assets of a failed System institution by the Corpora-
tion to— 
‘‘(A) any person who— 
‘‘(i) has defaulted, or was a member of a partner-
ship or an officer or director of a corporation that 
has defaulted, on 1 or more obligations the aggregate 
amount of which exceed $1,000,000, to such failed 
System institution; 
‘‘(ii) has been found to have engaged in fraudulent 
activity in connection with any obligation referred to 
in clause (i); and 
‘‘(iii) proposes to purchase any such asset in whole 
or in part through the use of the proceeds of a loan 
or advance of credit from the Corporation or from 
any System institution for which the Corporation has 
been appointed as conservator or receiver; 
‘‘(B) any person who participated, as an officer or 
director of such failed System institution or of any affiliate 
of such System institution, in a material way in trans-
actions that resulted in a substantial loss to such failed 
System institution; 
‘‘(C) any person who has been removed from, or prohib-
ited from participating in the affairs of, such failed System 
institution pursuant to any final enforcement action by 
the Farm Credit Administration; 
‘‘(D) any person who has demonstrated a pattern or 
practice of defalcation regarding obligations to such failed 
System institution; or 
‘‘(E) any person who is in default on any loan or 
other extension of credit from such failed System institution 
which, if not paid, will cause substantial loss to the System 
institution or the Corporation. 
‘‘(2) DEFAULTED
DEBTORS.—Except as provided in para-
graph (3), any person who is in default on any loan or other 
extension of credit from the System institution, which, if not 
paid, will cause substantial loss to the System institution or 
the Corporation, may not purchase any asset from the conser-
vator or receiver. 
‘‘(3) SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply 
to the sale or transfer by the Corporation of any asset of 
any System institution to any person if the sale or transfer 
of the asset resolves or settles, or is part of the resolution 
or settlement, of— 
‘‘(A) 1 or more claims that have been, or could have 
been, asserted by the Corporation against the person; or 
‘‘(B) obligations owed by the person to any System 
institution, or the Corporation. 
‘‘(4) DEFINITION OF DEFAULT.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the term ‘default’ means a failure to comply with the 
terms of a loan or other obligation to such an extent that 
the property securing the obligation is foreclosed upon. 
‘‘(j) EXPEDITED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS.— 
‘‘(1) TIME FOR FILING NOTICE OF APPEAL.—The notice of 
appeal of any order, whether interlocutory or final, entered 
in any case brought by the Corporation against a System 
institution’s 
director, 
officer, 
employee, 
agent, 
attorney, 
accountant, or appraiser or any other person employed by or 
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132 STAT. 4722 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
providing services to a System institution shall be filed not 
later than 30 days after the date of entry of the order. The 
hearing of the appeal shall be held not later than 120 days 
after the date of the notice of appeal. The appeal shall be 
decided not later than 180 days after the date of the notice 
of appeal. 
‘‘(2) SCHEDULING.—A court of the United States shall expe-
dite the consideration of any case brought by the Corporation 
against a System institution’s director, officer, employee, agent, 
attorney, accountant, or appraiser or any other person employed 
by or providing services to a System institution. As far as 
practicable the court shall give such case priority on its docket. 
‘‘(3) JUDICIAL
DISCRETION.—The court may modify the 
schedule and limitations stated in paragraphs (1) and (2) in 
a particular case, based on a specific finding that the ends 
of justice that would be served by making such a modification 
would outweigh the best interest of the public in having the 
case resolved expeditiously. 
‘‘(k) BOND NOT REQUIRED; AGENTS; FEE.—The Corporation as 
conservator or receiver of a System institution shall not be required 
to furnish bond and may appoint an agent or agents to assist 
in its duties as such conservator or receiver. All fees, compensation, 
and expenses of liquidation and administration shall be fixed by 
the Corporation and may be paid by it out of funds coming into 
its possession as such conservator or receiver. 
‘‘(l) 
CONSULTATION
REGARDING
CONSERVATORSHIPS
AND 
RECEIVERSHIPS.—To the extent practicable— 
‘‘(1) the Farm Credit Administration shall consult with 
the Corporation prior to taking a preresolution action con-
cerning a System institution that may result in a conservator-
ship or receivership; and 
‘‘(2) the Corporation, acting in the capacity of the Corpora-
tion as a conservator or receiver, shall consult with the Farm 
Credit Administration prior to taking any significant action 
impacting System institutions or service to System borrowers. 
‘‘(m) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall become applicable with 
respect to the power of the Corporation to act as a conservator 
or receiver on the date on which the Farm Credit Administration 
appoints the Corporation as a conservator or receiver under section 
4.12 or 8.41.’’. 
SEC. 5413. REPORTING. 
(a) DEFINITION OF FARM LOAN.—In this section, the term ‘‘farm 
loan’’ means— 
(1) a farm ownership loan under subtitle A of the Consoli-
dated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1922 et 
seq.); and 
(2) an operating loan under subtitle B of that Act (7 U.S.C. 
1941 et seq.). 
(b) REPORTS.— 
(1) PREPARATION.—For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall 
prepare a report that includes— 
(A) aggregate data based on a review of each out-
standing farm loan made or guaranteed by the Secretary 
describing, for the United States and for each State and 
county in the United States— 
(i) the age of the recipient producer; 
7 USC 2008w. 
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132 STAT. 4723 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) the duration that the recipient producer has 
engaged in agricultural production; 
(iii) the size of the farm or ranch of the recipient 
producer; 
(iv) the race, ethnicity, and gender of the recipient 
producer; 
(v) the agricultural commodity or commodities, or 
type of enterprise, for which the loan was secured; 
(vi) the amount of the farm loan made or guaran-
teed; 
(vii) the type of the farm loan made or guaranteed; 
and 
(viii) the default rate of the farm loan made or 
guaranteed; 
(B) for each State and county in the United States, 
data demonstrating the number of outstanding farm loans 
made or guaranteed, according to loan size cohort; and 
(C) an assessment of actual loans made or guaranteed 
as measured against target participation rates for begin-
ning and socially disadvantaged farmers, broken down by 
State, as described in sections 346(b)(2) and 355 of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1994(b)(2), 2003). 
(2) SUBMISSION OF REPORT.—The report described in para-
graph (1) shall be— 
(A) submitted— 
(i) to— 
(I) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
(II) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives; 
(III) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, 
and Forestry of the Senate; and 
(IV) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; and 
(ii) not later than December 30, 2019, and annually 
thereafter; and 
(B) made publicly available not later than 90 days 
after the date described in subparagraph (A)(ii). 
(c) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 4 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act (and every 5 years thereafter), the 
Secretary shall— 
(A) prepare a comprehensive review of all reports sub-
mitted under subsection (b)(2); 
(B) identify trends within data outlined in subsection 
(b)(1), including the extent to which target annual partici-
pation rates for beginning and socially disadvantaged 
farmers (as defined by the Secretary) are being met for 
each loan type; and 
(C) provide specific actions the Department will take 
to improve the performance of direct and guaranteed loans 
with respect to underserved producers and any rec-
ommendations the Secretary may make for further congres-
sional action. 
(2) SUBMISSION
OF
COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW.—The com-
prehensive review described in paragraph (1) shall be— 
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132 STAT. 4724 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) submitted to— 
(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
(ii) the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives; 
(iii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; and 
(iv) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; and 
(B) made publicly available not later than 90 days 
after the date of submission under subparagraph (A). 
(d) PRIVACY.—In preparing any report or review under this 
section, the Secretary shall aggregate or de-identify the data in 
a manner sufficient to ensure that the identity of a recipient pro-
ducer associated with the data cannot be ascertained. 
SEC. 5414. STUDY ON LOAN RISK. 
(a) STUDY.—The Farm Credit Administration shall conduct a 
study that— 
(1) analyzes and compares the financial risks inherent in 
loans made, held, securitized, or purchased by Farm Credit 
banks, associations, and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Cor-
poration and how such risks are required to be capitalized 
under statute and regulations in effect as of the date of the 
enactment of this Act; and 
(2) assesses the feasibility of increasing the acreage excep-
tion provided in section 8.8(c)(2) of the Farm Credit Act of 
1971 to 2,000 acres. 
(b) TIMELINE.—The Farm Credit Administration shall provide 
the results of the study required by subsection (a) to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate no later 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 5415. GAO REPORT ON ABILITY OF THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM 
TO MEET THE AGRICULTURAL CREDIT NEEDS OF INDIAN 
TRIBES AND THEIR MEMBERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall— 
(1) study the agricultural credit needs of farms, ranches, 
and related agricultural businesses that are owned or operated 
by— 
(A) Indian tribes on tribal lands; or 
(B) enrolled members of Indian tribes on Indian allot-
ments; and 
(2) determine whether the institutions of the Farm Credit 
System have sufficient authority and resources to meet the 
needs. 
(b) DEFINITION OF INDIAN TRIBE.—In subsection (a), the term 
‘‘Indian tribe’’ means an Indian tribal entity that is eligible for 
funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs by virtue 
of the status of the entity as an Indian tribe. 
(c) REPORT TO THE CONGRESS.—Within 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall prepare and submit to the Committees on Agriculture 
and on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a written 
report that contains the findings of the study conducted under 
subsection (a). If the Comptroller General finds that the institutions 
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132 STAT. 4725 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of the Farm Credit System do not have sufficient authority or 
resources to meet the needs referred to in subsection (a), the report 
shall include such legislative and other recommendations as the 
Comptroller General determines would result in a system under 
which the needs are met in an equitable and effective manner. 
SEC. 5416. GAO REPORT ON CREDIT SERVICE TO SOCIALLY DISADVAN-
TAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGRICULTURAL CREDIT PROVIDER.—The term ‘‘agricul-
tural credit provider’’ means— 
(A) a Farm Credit System institution; 
(B) a commercial bank; 
(C) the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation; 
(D) a life insurance company; and 
(E) any other individual or entity, as determined by 
the Comptroller General of the United States. 
(2) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.—The 
term ‘‘socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)). 
(b) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United States 
shall— 
(1) conduct a study— 
(A) to assess the credit and related services provided 
by agricultural credit providers to socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers; 
(B) to review the overall participation of socially dis-
advantaged farmers and ranchers in the services described 
in subparagraph (A); and 
(C) to identify barriers that limit the availability of 
agricultural credit to socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers; and 
(2) provide recommendations on how agricultural credit 
providers may improve outreach to socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers relating to the availability of credit and 
related services. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains the findings 
of the study conducted under subsection (b)(1) and the recommenda-
tions described in subsection (b)(2). 
TITLE VI—RURAL DEVELOPMENT 
Subtitle A—Improving Health Outcomes in 
Rural America 
SEC. 6101. COMBATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN RURAL 
AMERICA; PRIORITIZATIONS. 
(a) COMBATING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN RURAL AMERICA.— 
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132 STAT. 4726 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) PRIORITIZATIONS.—The Secretary shall make the fol-
lowing prioritizations and set asides for fiscal years 2019 
through 2025: 
(A) DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE.— 
(i) SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SET-ASIDE.—Subject 
to clause (ii), the Secretary shall make available not 
less than 20 percent of amounts made available under 
section 2335A of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa-2) for financial 
assistance under chapter 1 of subtitle D of title XXIII 
of such Act for telemedicine projects that provide sub-
stance use disorder treatment services. 
(ii) EXCEPTION.—In the case of a fiscal year for 
which the Secretary determines that there are not 
sufficient qualified applicants to receive financial 
assistance for projects providing substance use disorder 
treatment services to reach the 20-percent requirement 
under clause (i), the Secretary may make available 
less than 20 percent of amounts made available under 
such section 2335A for those services. 
(B) 
COMMUNITY
FACILITIES
DIRECT
LOANS
AND 
GRANTS.— 
(i) SUBSTANCE
USE
DISORDER
SELECTION
PRI-
ORITY.—In selecting recipients of direct loans or grants 
for the development of essential community facilities 
under section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)), the Sec-
retary shall give priority to entities eligible for those 
direct loans or grants— 
(I) to develop facilities to provide substance 
use disorder (including opioid substance use dis-
order)— 
(aa) prevention services; 
(bb) treatment services; 
(cc) recovery services; or 
(dd) any combination of those services; 
and 
(II) that employ staff that have appropriate 
expertise and training in how to identify and treat 
individuals with substance use disorders. 
(ii) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity described 
in clause (i) that receives a direct loan or grant 
described in that clause may use the direct loan or 
grant funds for the development of telehealth facilities 
and systems to provide telehealth services for sub-
stance use disorder treatment. 
(C) RURAL HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS; 
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SELECTION PRIORITY.—In making 
grants under section 502(i) of the Rural Development Act 
of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2662(i)), the Secretary shall give priority 
to an applicant that will use the grant for substance use 
disorder education and treatment and the prevention of 
substance use disorder. 
(2) LIMITATION ON OTHER REPRIORITIZATIONS.—For fiscal 
years 2019 through 2025, the Secretary shall not make any 
national reprioritizations within the Rural Health and Safety 
Education Programs, the Community Facilities direct loan and 
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132 STAT. 4727 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
grant programs, or the Distance Learning and Telemedicine 
programs under section 608 of the Rural Development Act 
of 1972. 
(3) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Title V of the Rural Develop-
ment Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 2661 et seq.) is amended— 
(A) in section 502, in the matter preceding subsection 
(a), by inserting ‘‘(referred to in this title as the ‘Secretary’)’’ 
after ‘‘Agriculture’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Secretary of Agriculture’’ each place 
it appears (other than in section 502 in the matter pre-
ceding subsection (a)) and inserting ‘‘Secretary’’. 
(b) TEMPORARY PRIORITIZATION
OF RURAL HEALTH ASSIST-
ANCE.—Title VI of the Rural Development Act of 1972 (7 U.S.C. 
2204a–2204b) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 608. TEMPORARY PRIORITIZATION OF RURAL HEALTH ASSIST-
ANCE. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO TEMPORARILY PRIORITIZE CERTAIN RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS.—Notwithstanding any other provision 
of law, the Secretary, after consultation with such public health 
officials as may be necessary, may announce through a Federal 
Register notice pursuant to section 553(b)(3)(B) of title 5, United 
States Code, a temporary reprioritization, on a national or 
multistate basis, for certain rural development loan and grant 
applications to assist rural communities in responding to a signifi-
cant public health disruption. 
‘‘(b) PUBLIC HEALTH DISRUPTION.—For the purposes of this 
section, the term ‘public health disruption’ means an unanticipated 
increase in mortality or morbidity in rural communities, when 
compared to non-rural communities, caused by identifiable events, 
actions, or behavioral trends, which can be remediated by the 
programs of the Rural Development mission area. When measuring 
a public health disruption, the Secretary may analyze data on 
a national or multi-state basis. 
‘‘(c) CONTENT OF ANNOUNCEMENT.—In the announcement, the 
Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) describe the nature of the public health disruption, 
including the causes, effects, affected populations, and affected 
States; 
‘‘(2) explain how the programs of the Department of Agri-
culture will work in remedying the public health disruption; 
‘‘(3) identify the services, treatments, or infrastructure best 
suited to address the public health disruption; 
‘‘(4) establish— 
‘‘(A) the start and end dates of the reprioritization; 
‘‘(B) the programs subject to reprioritization and the 
modifications to the application process; 
‘‘(C) the process for making reprioritizations for 
applicable programs; 
‘‘(D) the amount of funds set-aside for applicable pro-
grams, except that a set-aside for such a program shall 
not be greater than 20 percent of the amounts appropriated 
for the program for the fiscal year involved; and 
‘‘(E) the region in which the reprioritization is in effect; 
and 
7 USC 2204b–2. 
7 USC 2662. 
7 USC 2662. 
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132 STAT. 4728 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(5) instruct program administrators to implement the 
reprioritization during the application window or announce-
ment after the announcement takes effect. 
‘‘(d) LIMITATIONS
ON REPRIORITIZATIONS.—When announcing 
the reprioritization, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) establish an initial total time period of less than 4 
years, except as provided for in subsection (e); 
‘‘(2) implement only 1 nationally applicable reprioritization 
at a time; 
‘‘(3) implement only 1 regionally applicable reprioritization 
per State at a time; and 
‘‘(4) not use reprioritizations to allocate additional funds 
to an affected State. 
‘‘(e) EXTENSION.—The Secretary may extend an announcement 
under subsection (a) for no more than 6 years in total, except 
that 
nothing 
shall 
prevent 
the 
Secretary 
from 
renewing 
reprioritizations by making a new announcement under subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(f) RESCINDING
THE ANNOUNCEMENT.—The Secretary may 
rescind a reprioritization announcement made under subsection 
(a) at any time the Secretary determines that the temporary 
reprioritizations are no longer needed or effective. 
‘‘(g) NOTICE.—Not later than 48 hours after making, extending, 
or rescinding an announcement under this section, 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, and transmit to the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, a written notice of the declaration, extension, 
or rescission.’’. 
SEC. 6102. DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE. 
(a) 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 ‘‘$75,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘$82,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1(b) of Public Law 102– 
551 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa note) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6103. REFINANCING OF CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITAL DEBT. 
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 
341 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 342. REFINANCING OF CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITAL DEBT. 
‘‘Assistance under section 306(a) for a community facility, or 
under section 310B, may include the refinancing of a debt obligation 
of a rural hospital as an eligible loan or loan guarantee purpose 
if the assistance would help preserve access to a health service 
in a rural community, meaningfully improve the financial position 
of the hospital, and otherwise meet the financial feasibility and 
adequacy of security requirements of the Rural Development 
Agency.’’. 
7 USC 1990a. 
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132 STAT. 4729 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle B—Connecting Rural Americans 
to High Speed Broadband 
SEC. 6201. ACCESS TO BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 
IN RURAL AREAS. 
Section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
950bb) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘provide loans and loan 
guarantees’’ and inserting ‘‘provide grants, provide loans, and 
provide loan guarantees’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘in the case of 
a grant or direct loan,’’ before ‘‘a city’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘LOANS AND’’ 
and inserting ‘‘GRANTS, LOANS, AND’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘shall make or guar-
antee loans’’ and inserting ‘‘shall make grants, shall make 
loans, and shall guarantee loans’’; 
(C) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In making grants, making loans, 
and guaranteeing loans under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(i) give the highest priority to applications for 
projects to provide broadband service to unserved rural 
communities that do not have any residential 
broadband service of at least— 
‘‘(I) a 10-Mbps downstream transmission 
capacity; and 
‘‘(II) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission capacity; 
‘‘(ii) give priority to applications for projects to 
provide the maximum level of broadband service to 
the greatest proportion of rural households in the pro-
posed service area identified in the application; 
‘‘(iii) provide equal consideration to all eligible enti-
ties, including those that have not previously received 
grants, loans, or loan guarantees under paragraph (1); 
and 
‘‘(iv) with respect to 2 or more applications that 
are given the same priority under clause (i), give pri-
ority to an application that requests less grant funding 
than loan funding. 
‘‘(B) OTHER.—After giving priority to the applications 
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary shall then give priority to applications— 
‘‘(i) for projects to provide broadband service to 
rural communities— 
‘‘(I) with a population of less than 10,000 
permanent residents; 
‘‘(II) that are experiencing outmigration and 
have adopted a strategic community investment 
plan under section 379H(d) that includes consider-
ations for improving and expanding broadband 
service; 
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132 STAT. 4730 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) with a high percentage of low income 
families or persons (as defined in section 501(b) 
of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471(b)); 
‘‘(IV) that are isolated from other significant 
population centers; or 
‘‘(V) that provide rapid and expanded deploy-
ment of fixed and mobile broadband on cropland 
and ranchland within a service territory for use 
in various applications of precision agriculture; and 
‘‘(ii) that were developed with the participation 
of, and will receive a substantial portion of the funding 
for the project from, 2 or more stakeholders, 
including— 
‘‘(I) State, local, and tribal governments; 
‘‘(II) nonprofit institutions; 
‘‘(III) community anchor institutions, such 
as— 
‘‘(aa) public libraries; 
‘‘(bb) elementary schools and secondary 
schools (as defined in section 8101 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)); 
‘‘(cc) institutions of higher education; and 
‘‘(dd) health care facilities; 
‘‘(IV) private entities; 
‘‘(V) philanthropic organizations; and 
‘‘(VI) cooperatives. 
‘‘(3) GRANT AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF DEVELOPMENT COSTS.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘development costs’ means costs of— 
‘‘(i) construction, including labor and materials; 
‘‘(ii) project applications; and 
‘‘(iii) other development activities, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant under this 
section, in addition to the requirements of subsection (d), 
the project that is the subject of the grant shall— 
‘‘(i) be carried out in a proposed service territory 
in which not less than 90 percent of the households 
are unserved; and 
‘‘(ii) not concurrently receive any other broadband 
grant administered by the Rural Utilities Service. 
‘‘(C) MAXIMUM.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(D), the amount of any grant made under this section 
shall not exceed— 
‘‘(i) 75 percent of the total project cost with respect 
to an area with a density of fewer than 7 people 
per square mile; 
‘‘(ii) 50 percent of the total project cost with respect 
to an area with a density of 7 or more and fewer 
than 12 people per square mile; and 
‘‘(iii) 25 percent of the total project cost with 
respect to an area with a density of 12 or more and 
20 or fewer people per square mile. 
‘‘(D) SECRETARIAL
AUTHORITY
TO
ADJUST.—The Sec-
retary may— 
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132 STAT. 4731 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) make grants of up to 75 percent of the develop-
ment costs of the project for which the grant is provided 
to an eligible entity if the Secretary determines that 
the project serves— 
‘‘(I) an area of rural households described in 
paragraph (2)(A)(i); or 
‘‘(II) a rural community described in any of 
subclauses (I) through (IV) of paragraph (2)(B)(i); 
and 
‘‘(ii) make modifications of the density thresholds 
described in subparagraph (C), in order to ensure that 
funds provided under this section are best utilized 
to provide broadband service in communities that are 
the most rural in character. 
‘‘(E) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall establish an 
application process for grants under this section that— 
‘‘(i) permits a single application for a grant and 
a loan under title I, II, or this title that is associated 
with such grant; and 
‘‘(ii) provides a single decision to award such grant 
and such loan. 
‘‘(F) DENSITY
DETERMINATIONS.—When determining 
population density under this section, the Secretary shall 
prescribe a calculation method which— 
‘‘(i) utilizes publicly available data; and 
‘‘(ii) includes only those areas in which the 
applicant is able to meet the service requirements 
under this section, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) FEES.—In the case of loan guarantees issued or modi-
fied under this section, the Secretary shall charge and collect 
from the lender fees in such amounts as to bring down the 
costs of subsidies for guaranteed loans, except that such fees 
shall not act as a bar to participation in the programs nor 
be inconsistent with current practices in the marketplace.’’; 
(4) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘loan or’’ and inserting ‘‘grant, loan, or’’; 
(II) by striking clause (i) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) demonstrate the ability to furnish or improve 
service in order to meet the broadband buildout 
requirements established under subsection (e)(4) in all 
or part of an unserved or underserved rural area;’’. 
(III) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘a loan applica-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘an application’’; and 
(IV) in clause (iii)— 
(aa) by striking ‘‘service’’ and inserting 
‘‘infrastructure’’; 
(bb) by striking ‘‘loan’’ the first place it 
appears; 
(cc) by striking ‘‘3’’ and inserting ‘‘5’’; and 
(dd) by striking ‘‘proceeds from the loan 
made or guaranteed under this section are’’ 
and inserting ‘‘assistance under this section 
is’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4732 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(k)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(j)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘the proceeds of a loan made 
or guaranteed’’ and inserting ‘‘assistance’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘for the loan or loan guarantee’’ 
and inserting ‘‘of the eligible entity’’; and 
(ii) in clause (i)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘15 percent’’ and inserting ‘‘50 
percent (in the case of loans or loan guarantees 
provided in accordance with subsection (g)(1)(A))’’; 
and 
(II) by striking ‘‘level of broadband service’’ 
and inserting ‘‘level of fixed broadband service, 
whether terrestrial or wireless,’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ‘‘loan or’’ and 
inserting ‘‘grant, loan, or’’; 
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘a loan or loan guar-
antee’’ and inserting ‘‘assistance’’; and 
(E) by striking paragraphs (5) through (10) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(5) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may provide to 
eligible entities described in paragraph (1) that are 
applying for assistance under this section for a project 
described in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) technical assistance and 
training— 
‘‘(i) to prepare reports and surveys necessary to 
request grants, loans, and loan guarantees under this 
section for broadband deployment; 
‘‘(ii) to improve management, including financial 
management, relating to the proposed broadband 
deployment; 
‘‘(iii) to prepare applications for grants, loans, and 
loan guarantees under this section; or 
‘‘(iv) to assist with other areas of need identified 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) FUNDING.—Not less than 3 percent and not more 
than 5 percent of amounts appropriated to carry out this 
section for a fiscal year shall be used for technical assist-
ance and training under this paragraph.’’; 
(5) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘4-Mbps’’ and 
inserting ‘‘25-Mbps’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘1-Mbps’’ and 
inserting ‘‘3-Mbps’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by— 
(I) striking the following: 
‘‘(2) ADJUSTMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—At’’; and 
(II) inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) ADJUSTMENTS.—At’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and broadband buildout require-
ments under paragraph (4)’’ after ‘‘(1)’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4733 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(iii) by striking subparagraph (B); and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) BROADBAND BUILDOUT REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘broadband buildout 
requirement’ means the level of internet service an 
applicant receiving assistance under this section must 
agree, at the time the application is finalized, to provide 
for the duration of any project-related agreement between 
the applicant and the Department. 
‘‘(B) BROADBAND
BUILDOUT
REQUIREMENTS
FURTHER 
DEFINED.—Subject to subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall 
establish broadband buildout requirements for projects 
with agreement lengths of— 
‘‘(i) 5 to 10 years; 
‘‘(ii) 11 to 15 years; 
‘‘(iii) 16 to 20 years; and 
‘‘(iv) more than 20 years. 
‘‘(C) REQUIREMENTS.—In establishing the broadband 
buildout requirements under subparagraph (B), the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(i) utilize the same metrics used to define the 
minimum acceptable level of broadband service under 
paragraph (1); 
‘‘(ii) establish such requirements to reasonably 
ensure— 
‘‘(I) the repayment of all loans and loan 
guarantees; and 
‘‘(II) the financed network is technically 
capable of providing broadband service for the life-
time of any project-related agreement. 
‘‘(D) SUBSTITUTE
SERVICE
STANDARDS
FOR
UNIQUE 
SERVICE TERRITORIES.—If an applicant shows that it would 
be cost prohibitive to meet the broadband buildout require-
ments established under this paragraph for the entirety 
of a proposed service territory due to the unique character-
istics of the proposed service territory, the Secretary and 
the applicant may agree to utilize substitute standards 
for any unserved portion of the project. Any substitute 
service standards should continue to consider the best tech-
nology available to meet the needs of the residents in 
the unserved area.’’; 
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘make a loan or loan 
guarantee’’ and inserting ‘‘provide assistance’’; 
(7) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2) and redesig-
nating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); 
(8) by striking subsections (i) and (j) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
FOR CERTAIN LOAN
AND GRANT 
RECIPIENTS.— 
‘‘(1) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—The Secretary may use the 
funds appropriated for a grant under this title for the cost 
(as defined by section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974) of providing assistance under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.—When providing a grant under 
this title, the Secretary, at the sole discretion of the Secretary, 
may make— 
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132 STAT. 4734 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) a subsidized loan, which shall bear a reduced 
interest rate at such a rate as the Secretary determines 
appropriate to meet the objectives of the program; or 
‘‘(B) a payment assistance loan, which shall— 
‘‘(i) require no interest and principal payments 
while the borrower is— 
‘‘(I) in material compliance with the loan 
agreement; and 
‘‘(II) meeting the milestones and objectives of 
the project agreed to under paragraph (3); and 
‘‘(ii) require such nominal periodic payments as 
the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(3) AGREEMENT ON MILESTONES AND OBJECTIVES.—With 
respect to payment assistance provided under paragraph (2), 
before entering into the agreement under which the payment 
assistance will be provided, the applicant and the Secretary 
shall agree to milestones and objectives of the project. 
‘‘(4) AMENDMENT
OF
MILESTONES
AND
OBJECTIVES.—The 
Secretary and the applicant may jointly agree to amend the 
milestones and objectives agreed to under paragraph (3). 
‘‘(5) CONSIDERATIONS.—When deciding to utilize the pay-
ment assistance authority under paragraph (2) the Secretary 
shall consider whether or not the payment assistance will— 
‘‘(A) improve the compliance of the grantee with any 
commitments made through the grant agreement; 
‘‘(B) promote the completion of the broadband project; 
‘‘(C) protect taxpayer resources; and 
‘‘(D) support the integrity of the broadband programs 
administered by the Secretary. 
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS ON PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
may not make a payment assistance loan under paragraph 
(2)(B) to an entity receiving a grant under this section that 
is also the recipient of a loan under title I or II that is associated 
with such grant.’’; 
(9) in subsection (k)(1)— 
(A) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$25,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$350,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2008 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2019 through 2023’’; 
(10) in subsection (l)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘loan or’’ and inserting ‘‘grant, or loan, 
or’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(11) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections 
(j) and (k), respectively. 
SEC. 6202. EXPANSION OF MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO 
RURAL AREAS. 
Section 602 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
950bb–1) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 602. EXPANSION OF MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE INTO 
RURAL AREAS. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to encourage 
the expansion and extension of middle mile broadband infrastruc-
ture to connect underserved rural areas to the backbone of the 
Internet. 
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132 STAT. 4735 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(b) MIDDLE MILE INFRASTRUCTURE.—For the purposes of this 
section, the term ‘middle mile infrastructure’ means any broadband 
infrastructure that does not connect directly to end-user locations 
(including anchor institutions) and may include interoffice trans-
port, backhaul, Internet connectivity, data centers, or special access 
transport to rural areas. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS, LOANS, AND LOAN GUARANTEES.—The Secretary 
shall make grants, loans, and loan guarantees to eligible applicants 
described in subsection (d) to provide funds for the construction, 
improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure to serve 
rural areas. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to obtain assistance 
under this section, an eligible entity shall— 
‘‘(i) submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require; 
‘‘(ii) agree to complete build-out of the middle mile 
infrastructure described in the application by not later 
than 5 years after the initial date on which proceeds 
from the assistance provided under this section are 
made available; and 
‘‘(iii) submit to the Secretary a plan to ensure 
the viability of the project by— 
‘‘(I) connecting, assisting with connecting, or 
enabling the connection of retail broadband sys-
tems that serve rural areas within the proposed 
service territory to the middle mile infrastructure 
project in an affordable and economically competi-
tive manner; 
‘‘(II) leasing or selling sufficient capacity prior 
to project approval; and 
‘‘(III) complying with any other requirements 
imposed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL END USER BROADBAND PROGRAMS.— 
Entities that receive assistance to construct, improve, or 
acquire middle mile infrastructure under this section shall 
be eligible to apply for additional funds under this title 
to provide for retail broadband service to end users. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE
SERVICE
TERRITORIES.—The proceeds of 
assistance provided under this section may be used to carry 
out a project in a proposed service territory only if, as of 
the date the application for assistance under this section is 
submitted, there is not adequate middle mile infrastructure 
available to support broadband service for eligible rural commu-
nities that would be provided access to the middle mile infra-
structure. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE
PROJECTS.—A project shall be eligible for 
assistance under this section if at the time of the application— 
‘‘(A) at least 75 percent of the interconnection points 
serve such eligible rural areas; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that the proposed middle 
mile network will be capable of supporting retail broadband 
service meeting the maximum broadband buildout require-
ment established under section 601(e)(4) for the residents 
within the proposed service territory. 
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132 STAT. 4736 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON GRANTS.—In making grants under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) not provide any grant in excess of 20 percent of the 
total project cost; and 
‘‘(2) provide grants only to those projects which serve rural 
areas where population density or geographic characteristics 
make it infeasible to construct middle mile broadband systems 
without grant assistance. 
‘‘(f) TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND ADEQUACY
OF SECURITY.—All 
loans and loan guarantees provided under this section shall be 
made subject to such terms, conditions, and adequacy of security 
requirements as may be imposed by the Secretary. If the middle 
mile infrastructure would not provide adequate security due to 
long-term leasing arrangements, the Secretary shall require sub-
stitute security in such form and substance as are acceptable to 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2018 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 6203. MODIFICATIONS TO THE RURAL GIGABIT PROGRAM. 
Section 603 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
950bb–2) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘RURAL GIGABIT 
NETWORK
PILOT’’ and inserting ‘‘INNOVATIVE
BROADBAND 
ADVANCEMENT’’; 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and 
(4) by striking subsections (a) through (c) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a program 
to be known as the ‘Innovative Broadband Advancement Program’, 
under which the Secretary may provide a grant, a loan, or both 
to an eligible entity for the purpose of demonstrating innovative 
broadband technologies or methods of broadband deployment that 
significantly decrease the cost of broadband deployment, and pro-
vide substantially faster broadband speeds than are available, in 
a rural area. 
‘‘(b) RURAL AREA.—In this section, the term ‘rural area’ has 
the meaning provided in section 601(b)(3). 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to obtain assistance under this 
section for a project, an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) submit to the Secretary an application— 
‘‘(A) that describes a project designed to decrease the 
cost of broadband deployment, and substantially increase 
broadband speed to not less than the maximum broadband 
buildout requirements established under section 601(e)(4), 
in a rural area to be served by the project; and 
‘‘(B) at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such other information as the Secretary may require; 
‘‘(2) demonstrate that the entity is able to carry out the 
project; and 
‘‘(3) agree to complete the project build-out within 5 years 
after the date the assistance is first provided for the project. 
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132 STAT. 4737 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(d) PRIORITIZATION.—In awarding assistance under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals for projects 
that— 
‘‘(1) involve partnerships between or among multiple enti-
ties; 
‘‘(2) would provide broadband service to the greatest 
number of rural entities at or above the broadband require-
ments referred to in subsection (c)(1)(A); and 
‘‘(3) the Secretary determines could be replicated in rural 
areas described in paragraph (2).’’. 
SEC. 6204. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM. 
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. 604. COMMUNITY CONNECT GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
BROADBAND
SERVICE.—The term ‘eligible 
broadband service’ means broadband service that has the capa-
bility to transmit data at a speed specified by the Secretary, 
which may not be less than the applicable minimum download 
and upload speeds established by the Federal Communications 
Commission in defining the term ‘advanced telecommunications 
capability’ for purposes of section 706 of the Telecommuni-
cations Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE
SERVICE
AREA.—The term ‘eligible service 
area’ means an area in which broadband service capacity is 
less than— 
‘‘(A) a 10-Mbps downstream transmission capacity; and 
‘‘(B) a 1-Mbps upstream transmission capacity. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means a 
legally organized entity that— 
‘‘(i) is— 
‘‘(I) an incorporated organization; 
‘‘(II) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; 
‘‘(III) a State; 
‘‘(IV) a unit of local government; or 
‘‘(V) any other legal entity, including a 
cooperative, a private corporation, or a limited 
liability company, that is organized on a for-profit 
or a not-for-profit basis; and 
‘‘(ii) has the legal capacity and authority to enter 
into a contract, to comply with applicable Federal laws, 
and to own and operate broadband facilities, as pro-
posed in the application submitted by the entity for 
a grant under the Program. 
‘‘(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘eligible entity’ does not 
include— 
‘‘(i) an individual; or 
‘‘(ii) a partnership. 
‘‘(4) RURAL AREA.—The term ‘rural area’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 601(b)(3)(A). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a program, 
to be known as the ‘Community Connect Grant Program’, to provide 
grants to eligible entities to finance broadband transmission in 
rural areas. 
7 USC 950bb–3. 
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132 STAT. 4738 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under the Program shall use the grant to carry out a project 
that— 
‘‘(1) provides eligible broadband service to, within the pro-
posed eligible service area described in the application sub-
mitted by the eligible entity— 
‘‘(A) each essential community facility as defined pursu-
ant to section 306(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)); and 
‘‘(B) any required facilities necessary to offer that 
eligible broadband service to each residential and business 
customer within such proposed eligible service area; and 
‘‘(2) for not less than 2 years— 
‘‘(A) furnishes free eligible broadband service to a 
community center described in subsection (d)(1)(B); 
‘‘(B) provides not fewer than 2 computer access points 
for that free eligible broadband service; and 
‘‘(C) covers the cost of bandwidth to provide free eligible 
broadband service to each essential community facility that 
requests broadband services within the proposed eligible 
service area described in the application submitted by the 
eligible entity. 
‘‘(d) USES OF GRANT FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity that receives a grant 
under the Program may use the grant for— 
‘‘(A) the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities 
(including spectrum), land, or buildings to deploy eligible 
broadband service; and 
‘‘(B) the improvement, expansion, construction, or 
acquisition of a community center within the proposed 
eligible service area described in the application submitted 
by the eligible entity. 
‘‘(2) INELIGIBLE USES.—An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under the Program shall not use the grant for— 
‘‘(A) the duplication of any existing eligible broadband 
service provided by another entity in the eligible service 
area; or 
‘‘(B) operating expenses, except as provided in— 
‘‘(i) subsection (c)(2)(C) with respect to free eligible 
broadband service; and 
‘‘(ii) paragraph (1)(A) with respect to spectrum. 
‘‘(3) FREE
ACCESS
FOR
COMMUNITY
CENTERS.—Of the 
amounts provided to an eligible entity under a grant under 
the Program, the eligible entity shall use to carry out paragraph 
(1)(B) not greater than the lesser of— 
‘‘(A) 10 percent; and 
‘‘(B) $150,000. 
‘‘(e) MATCHING FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity that receives a grant 
under the Program shall provide a cash contribution in an 
amount that is not less than 15 percent of the amount of 
the grant. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A cash contribution described in 
paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) shall be used solely for the project for which the 
eligible entity receives a grant under the Program; and 
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132 STAT. 4739 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) shall not include any Federal funds, unless a 
Federal statute specifically provides that those Federal 
funds may be considered to be from a non-Federal source. 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 
the Program, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT.—An application submitted by an 
eligible entity under paragraph (1) shall include documentation 
sufficient to demonstrate the availability of funds to satisfy 
the requirement of subsection (e). 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 6205. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title VI of the Rural Electrification Act of 
1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is further amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 605. OUTDATED BROADBAND SYSTEMS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
Secretary shall consider any portion of a service territory that 
is subject to an outstanding grant agreement between the Secretary 
and a broadband provider to be unserved for the purposes of all 
broadband assistance programs under this Act, if the broadband 
service in that portion of a service territory is less than 10 Mbps 
downstream transmission capacity or less than 1 Mbps upstream 
transmission capacity. 
‘‘(b) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary shall not consider a portion 
of a service territory described in subsection (a) to be unserved 
if the broadband service provider has constructed or begun to con-
struct broadband facilities that meet the minimum acceptable level 
of service established under section 601(e), in that portion of the 
service territory.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section 
shall not take effect until October 1, 2020. 
SEC. 6206. DEFAULT AND DEOBLIGATION; DEFERRAL. 
Title VI of such Act (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.) is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 606. DEFAULT AND DEOBLIGATION; DEFERRAL. 
‘‘(a) DEFAULT
AND
DEOBLIGATION.—In addition to other 
authority under applicable law, the Secretary shall establish written 
procedures for all broadband programs so that, to the maximum 
extent practicable, the programs are administered to— 
‘‘(1) recover funds from loan and grant defaults; 
‘‘(2) deobligate any awards, less allowable costs that dem-
onstrate an insufficient level of performance (including metrics 
determined by the Secretary) or fraudulent spending, to the 
extent funds with respect to the award are available in the 
account relating to the program established by this title; 
‘‘(3) award those funds, on a competitive basis, to new 
or existing applicants consistent with this title; and 
‘‘(4) minimize overlap among the programs. 
7 USC 950bb–5. 
7 USC 950bb–4 
note. 
7 USC 950bb–4. 
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132 STAT. 4740 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(b) DEFERRAL PERIOD.—In determining the terms and condi-
tions of assistance provided under this title, the Secretary may 
establish a deferral period of not shorter than the buildout period 
established for the project involved in order to support the financial 
feasibility and long-term sustainability of the project.’’. 
SEC. 6207. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, AND REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new title: 
‘‘TITLE VII—GENERAL AND 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
‘‘SEC. 701. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, AND REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
‘‘(a) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary shall promptly 
make available to the public, a fully searchable database on the 
website of the Rural Utilities Service that contains information 
on all retail broadband projects provided assistance or for which 
assistance is sought that are administered by the Secretary, 
including, at a minimum— 
‘‘(1) notice of each application for assistance describing 
the application, including— 
‘‘(A) the identity of the applicant; 
‘‘(B) a description of each application, including— 
‘‘(i) a map of the proposed service area of the 
applicant; and 
‘‘(ii) the amount and type of support requested 
by each applicant; 
‘‘(C) the status of each application; and 
‘‘(D) the estimated number and proportion of service 
points in the proposed service territory without fixed 
broadband service, whether terrestrial or wireless; 
‘‘(2) notice of each entity receiving assistance administered 
by the Secretary, including— 
‘‘(A) the name of the entity; 
‘‘(B) the type of assistance being received; 
‘‘(C) the purpose for which the entity is receiving the 
assistance; and 
‘‘(D) each annual report submitted under subsection 
(c) (redacted to protect any proprietary information in the 
report); and 
‘‘(3) such other information as is sufficient to allow the 
public to understand assistance provided. 
‘‘(b) SERVICE AREA ASSESSMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, with respect to a 
retail broadband application for assistance, which is outside 
an area in which the applicant receives Federal universal 
service support— 
‘‘(A) after giving notice required by subsection (a)(1), 
afford service providers not less than 45 days to voluntarily 
submit information required by the Secretary onto the 
agency’s online mapping tool with respect to areas that 
are coterminous with the proposed service area of the 
application (or any parts thereof), such that the Secretary 
7 USC 950cc. 
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132 STAT. 4741 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
may assess whether the application submitted meets the 
eligibility requirements under this title; and 
‘‘(B) if no broadband service provider submits informa-
tion under paragraph (1), consider the number of providers 
in the proposed service area to be established by using 
any other data regarding the availability of broadband 
service that the Secretary may collect or obtain through 
reasonable efforts. 
‘‘(2) ASSESSMENT OF UNSERVED COMMUNITIES.—In the case 
of an application given the highest priority under section 
601(c)(2)(A)(i), the Secretary shall confirm that each unserved 
rural community identified in the application is eligible for 
funding by— 
‘‘(A) conferring with, and obtaining data from, the 
Chair of the Federal Communications Commission and the 
Administrator of the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration with respect to the service level 
in the service area proposed in the application; 
‘‘(B) reviewing any other source that is relevant to 
service data validation, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(C) performing site-specific testing to verify the 
unavailability of any retail broadband service. 
‘‘(3) FOIA EXEMPTION.—For purposes of section 552 of title 
5, United States Code, information received by the Secretary 
pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection shall be exempt 
from disclosure pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B) of such section 
552. 
‘‘(c) REPORTING BROADBAND IMPROVEMENTS TO USDA.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall require any entity 
receiving assistance for a project which provides retail 
broadband service to submit an annual report for 3 years after 
completion of the project, in a format specified by the Secretary, 
that describes— 
‘‘(A) the use by the entity of the assistance, including 
new equipment and capacity enhancements that support 
high-speed broadband access for educational institutions, 
health care providers, and public safety service providers 
(including the estimated number of end users who are 
currently using or forecasted to use the new or upgraded 
infrastructure); and 
‘‘(B) the progress towards fulfilling the objectives for 
which the assistance was granted, including— 
‘‘(i) the number of service points that will receive 
new broadband service, existing network service 
improvements, and facility upgrades resulting from the 
Federal assistance; 
‘‘(ii) the speed of broadband service; 
‘‘(iii) the average price of the most subscribed tier 
of broadband service in a proposed service area; 
‘‘(iv) new subscribers generated from the project; 
and 
‘‘(v) any metrics the Secretary determines to be 
appropriate. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL REPORTING.— 
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132 STAT. 4742 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) BROADBAND BUILDOUT DATA.—As a condition of 
receiving assistance under section 601, a recipient of assist-
ance shall provide to the Secretary complete, reliable, and 
precise geolocation information that indicates the location 
of new broadband service that is being provided or 
upgraded within the service territory supported by the 
grant, loan, or loan guarantee not later than 30 days after 
the earlier of— 
‘‘(i) the date of completion of any project milestone 
established by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(ii) the date of completion of the project. 
‘‘(B) REPORTING FOR MIDDLE MILE PROJECTS.—The Sec-
retary shall require any entity receiving assistance under 
section 602 to submit a semiannual report for 5 years 
after completion of the project, in a format specified by 
the Secretary, that describes— 
‘‘(i) the use by the entity of the assistance to con-
struct, improve, or acquire middle mile infrastructure; 
‘‘(ii) the progress towards meeting the end-user 
connection 
plan 
submitted 
under 
section 
602(d)(1)(A)(iii); and 
‘‘(iii) any additional metrics the Secretary deter-
mines to be appropriate. 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONAL
REPORTING.—The Secretary may 
require any additional reporting and information by any 
recipient of any broadband assistance under this act so 
as to ensure compliance with this section. 
‘‘(d) ANNUAL REPORT ON BROADBAND PROJECTS AND SERVICE 
TO CONGRESS.—Each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Con-
gress a report that describes the extent of participation in the 
broadband assistance programs administered by the Secretary for 
the preceding fiscal year, including a description of— 
‘‘(1) the number of applications received and accepted, 
including any special loan terms or conditions for which the 
Secretary provided additional assistance to unserved areas; 
‘‘(2)(A) the communities proposed to be served in each 
application submitted for the fiscal year; and 
‘‘(B) the communities served by projects funded by 
broadband assistance programs; 
‘‘(3) the period of time required to approve each loan 
application under broadband programs; 
‘‘(4) any outreach activities carried out by the Secretary 
to encourage entities in rural areas without broadband service 
to submit applications under this Act; 
‘‘(5) the method by which the Secretary determines that 
a service enables a subscriber to originate and receive high- 
quality voice, data, graphics, and video for purposes of providing 
broadband service under this Act; 
‘‘(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 Act; and 
‘‘(7) the overall progress towards fulfilling the goal of 
improving the quality of rural life by expanding rural 
broadband access, as demonstrated by metrics, including— 
‘‘(A) the number of residences and businesses receiving 
new broadband services; 
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132 STAT. 4743 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) network improvements, including facility upgrades 
and equipment purchases; 
‘‘(C) average broadband speeds and prices on a local 
and statewide basis; 
‘‘(D) any changes in broadband adoption rates; and 
‘‘(E) any specific activities that increased high speed 
broadband access for educational institutions, health care 
providers, and public safety service providers. 
‘‘(e) LIMITATIONS ON RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Not less than 
3 but not more than 5 percent of program level amounts available 
pursuant to amounts appropriated to carry out title VI shall be 
set aside to be used for— 
‘‘(1) conducting oversight under such title; 
‘‘(2) implementing accountability measures and related 
activities authorized under such title; and 
‘‘(3) carrying out this section.’’. 
SEC. 6208. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS. 
Title VII of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as added 
by section 6207 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 702. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS. 
‘‘The Secretary may obligate, but not disperse, funds under 
this Act before the completion of otherwise required environmental, 
historical, or other types of reviews if the Secretary determines 
that a subsequent site-specific review shall be adequate and easily 
accomplished for the location of towers, poles, or other broadband 
facilities in the service area of the borrower without compromising 
the project or the required reviews.’’. 
SEC. 6209. USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS FOR 
DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICE. 
Title VII of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as added 
by section 6207 and amended by section 6208 of this Act, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 703. USE OF LOAN PROCEEDS TO REFINANCE LOANS FOR 
DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICE. 
‘‘Notwithstanding 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 purpose of refi-
nancing an outstanding obligation of the recipient on another tele-
communications loan made under this Act, or on any other loan 
if that loan would have been for an eligible telecommunications 
purpose under this Act.’’. 
SEC. 6210. SMART UTILITY AUTHORITY FOR BROADBAND. 
(a) Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1981) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
allow a recipient of a grant, loan, or loan guarantee provided 
by the Office of Rural Development under this title to use not 
more than 10 percent of the amount so provided— 
‘‘(A) for any activity for which assistance may be provided 
under section 601 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936; 
or 
7 USC 950cc–2. 
7 USC 950cc–1. 
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132 STAT. 4744 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) to construct other broadband infrastructure. 
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to a 
recipient who is seeking to provide retail broadband service in 
any area where retail broadband service is available at the min-
imum broadband speeds, as defined under section 601(e) of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936. 
‘‘(3) The Secretary shall not provide funding under paragraph 
(1) if the funding would result in competitive harm to any grant, 
loan, or loan guarantee provided under the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936.’’. 
(b) Title I of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
901–918a) is amended by inserting after section 7 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 8. LIMITATIONS ON USE OF ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Sec-
retary may allow a recipient of a grant, loan, or loan guarantee 
under this title to set aside not more than 10 percent of the 
amount so received to provide retail broadband service. 
‘‘(b) A recipient who sets aside funds under subsection (a) 
of this section may use the funds only in an area that is not 
being provided with the minimum acceptable level of broadband 
service established under section 601(e), unless the recipient meets 
the requirements of section 601(d). 
‘‘(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the 
ability of any borrower to finance or deploy services authorized 
under this Act. 
‘‘(d) The Secretary shall not provide funding under subsection 
(a) if the funding would result in competitive harm to any grant, 
loan, or loan guarantee referred to in subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 6211. REFINANCING OF TELEPHONE LOANS. 
Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
922) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking ‘‘furnishing 
telephone service in rural areas:’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘40 per centum of any loan made under this title.’’ and inserting 
‘‘furnishing telephone service in rural areas, including indebtedness 
of recipients on another telecommunications loan made under this 
Act.’’. 
SEC. 6212. FEDERAL BROADBAND PROGRAM COORDINATION. 
(a) CONSULTATION BETWEEN USDA AND NTIA.—The Secretary 
shall consult with the Assistant Secretary to assist in the 
verification of eligibility of the broadband loan and grant programs 
of the Department of Agriculture. In providing assistance under 
the preceding sentence, the Assistant Secretary shall make avail-
able the broadband assessment and mapping capabilities of the 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration. 
(b) CONSULTATION BETWEEN USDA AND FCC.— 
(1) BY
USDA.—The Secretary shall consult with the 
Commission before providing broadband assistance for a project 
to serve an area with respect to which another entity is 
receiving Connect America Fund or Mobility Fund support 
under the Federal universal service support mechanisms estab-
lished under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 
(47 U.S.C. 254). 
(2) BY FCC.—The Commission shall consult with the Sec-
retary before offering or providing Connect America Fund or 
Mobility Fund support under the Federal universal service 
7 USC 950bb–6. 
7 USC 908. 
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132 STAT. 4745 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
support mechanisms established under section 254 of the 
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254) to serve an area 
with respect to which another entity has received broadband 
assistance under a loan or grant program of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the Commission, 
and the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report on how best to coordinate 
federally supported broadband programs and activities in order 
to achieve the following objectives: 
(1) Promote high-quality broadband service that meets the 
long-term needs of rural residents and businesses, by evaluating 
the broadband service needs in rural areas for each decade 
through 2050. 
(2) Support the long-term viability, sustainability, and 
utility of federally supported rural broadband infrastructure, 
by analyzing the technical capabilities of the technologies cur-
rently available and reasonably expected to be available by 
2035 to meet the broadband service needs of rural residents 
identified under paragraph (1), including by analyzing the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The real-world performance of such technologies, 
including data rates, latency, data usage restrictions, and 
other aspects of service quality, as defined by the Commis-
sion. 
(B) The suitability of each such technology for residen-
tial, agricultural, educational, healthcare, commercial, and 
industrial purposes in rural areas. 
(C) The cost to deploy and support such technologies 
in several rural geographies. 
(D) The costs associated with online platforms, specifi-
cally the resulting constraints on rural network bandwidth. 
(3) Identify and quantify the availability of broadband 
service and ongoing broadband deployment in rural areas, 
including ways to do the following: 
(A) Harmonize broadband notification and reporting 
requirements and develop common verification procedures 
across all federally supported broadband programs. 
(B) Consolidate and utilize the existing broadband 
service data. 
(C) Collect and share data on those projects in rural 
areas where Federal programs are currently supporting 
broadband deployment, including areas with respect to 
which an entity is receiving— 
(i) support under a broadband assistance program 
of the Department of Agriculture; or 
(ii) Connect America Fund or Mobility Fund sup-
port under the Federal universal service support 
mechanisms established under section 254 of the 
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254). 
(D) Leverage support technologies and services from 
online platforms for providers of broadband service in rural 
areas. 
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132 STAT. 4746 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Assistant Secretary’’ 
means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communica-
tions and Information. 
(2) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Fed-
eral Communications Commission. 
(3) RURAL AREA.—The term ‘‘rural area’’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 601(b)(3) of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936. 
SEC. 6213. TRANSITION RULE. 
For the period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act and ending on the date that is one year after such date 
of enactment, with respect to the implementation of the rural 
broadband access program under section 601 of the Rural Elec-
trification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb) and the Community Connect 
Grant Program under section 604 of such Act, as added by section 
6204 of this Act, the Secretary shall use the regulations in existence 
as of the day before the date of enactment of this Act that are 
applicable to the program involved, until the Secretary issues a 
final rule implementing the provisions of, and amendments made 
by, this title that apply to that program. 
SEC. 6214. RURAL BROADBAND INTEGRATION WORKING GROUP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Rural 
Broadband Integration Working Group (referred to in this sub-
section as the ‘‘Working Group’’). 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The membership of the Working Group 
shall be composed of the heads, or their designees, of— 
(A) the Department of Agriculture, acting through the 
Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service; 
(B) the Department of Commerce, acting through the 
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information; 
(C) the Department of Defense; 
(D) the Department of State; 
(E) the Department of the Interior; 
(F) the Department of Labor; 
(G) the Department of Health and Human Services; 
(H) the Department of Homeland Security; 
(I) the Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment; 
(J) the Department of Justice; 
(K) the Department of Transportation; 
(L) the Department of the Treasury; 
(M) the Department of Energy; 
(N) the Department of Education; 
(O) the Department of Veterans Affairs; 
(P) the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(Q) the General Services Administration; 
(R) the Small Business Administration; 
(S) the Institute of Museum and Library Services; 
(T) the National Science Foundation; 
(U) the Council on Environmental Quality; 
(V) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
(W) the Office of Management and Budget; 
(X) the Council of Economic Advisers; 
(Y) the Domestic Policy Council; 
7 USC 950bb 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4747 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(Z) the National Economic Council; and 
(AA) such other Federal agencies or entities as are 
determined appropriate by the co-chairs. 
(3) CO-CHAIRS.—The following individuals, or their des-
ignees, shall serve as co-chairs of the Working Group: 
(A) The Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service. 
(B) The Assistant Secretary for Communications and 
Information. 
(C) The Director of the National Economic Council. 
(D) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. 
(4) CONSULTATION; COORDINATION.—The Working Group 
shall consult, as appropriate, with other relevant agencies, 
including the Federal Communications Commission. The 
Working Group shall coordinate with existing Federal working 
groups and committees involved with broadband. 
(5) MEMBERSHIP CHANGES.—The Director of the National 
Economic Council and the Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall review, on a periodic basis, the 
membership of the Working Group to ensure that the Working 
Group— 
(A) includes necessary Federal Government entities; 
and 
(B) is an effective mechanism for coordinating among 
agencies on the policy described in subsection (b). 
(b) FUNCTIONS OF WORKING GROUP.— 
(1) CONSULTATION.—The Working Group shall consult with 
State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, telecommuni-
cations companies, utilities, trade associations, philanthropic 
entities, policy experts, and other interested parties to identify, 
assess, and determine possible actions relating to barriers and 
opportunities for broadband deployment in rural areas. 
(2) POINT OF CONTACT.—Not later than 15 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, each member of the Working 
Group shall— 
(A) designate a representative to serve as the main 
point of contact for matters relating to the Working Group; 
and 
(B) notify the co-chairs of the Working Group of that 
designee. 
(3) SURVEY.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, based on information provided by the 
members of the Working Group, the Working Group shall pub-
lish a comprehensive survey of— 
(A) Federal programs, including the allocated funding 
amounts, that currently support or could reasonably be 
modified to support broadband deployment and adoption; 
and 
(B) all Federal agency-specific policies and rules with 
the direct or indirect effect of facilitating or regulating 
investment in, or deployment of, wired and wireless 
broadband networks. 
(4) LIST OF ACTIONS.—Not later than 120 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the members of the Working 
Group shall submit to the Working Group an initial list of 
actions that each of the agencies could take to identify and 
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132 STAT. 4748 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
address regulatory barriers to, incentivize investment in, pro-
mote best practices within, align funding decisions with respect 
to, and otherwise support, wired broadband deployment and 
adoption. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than 150 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit to 
the President an agreed-to and prioritized list of recommenda-
tions of the Working Group on actions that Federal agencies 
can take to support broadband deployment and adoption, 
including— 
(A) a list of priority actions and rulemakings; and 
(B) timelines to complete the priority actions and 
rulemakings. 
Subtitle C—Miscellaneous 
SEC. 6301. EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN POPULATIONS FROM DEFINITION 
OF RURAL AREA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘(G)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(I)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(H) EXCLUSION
OF
INCARCERATED
POPULATIONS.— 
Populations of individuals incarcerated on a long-term or 
regional basis shall not be included in determining whether 
an area is ‘rural’ or a ‘rural area’. 
‘‘(I) LIMITED
EXCLUSION
OF
MILITARY
BASE
POPU-
LATIONS.—The first 1,500 individuals who reside in housing 
located on a military base shall not be included in deter-
mining whether an area is ‘rural’ or a ‘rural area’.’’. 
(b) BROADBAND.—Section 601(b)(3) of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(C) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN POPULATIONS.—Such term 
does not include any population described in subparagraph 
(H) or (I) of section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)).’’. 
(c) DISTANCE
LEARNING
AND
TELEMEDICINE
LOANS
AND 
GRANTS.—Section 2332 of the Food Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa–1) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) RURAL AREA.—The term ‘rural area’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 601(b)(3) of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936.’’. 
SEC. 6302. ESTABLISHMENT OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘tribally designated 
housing entity’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of 
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination 
Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103). 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, in coordination with 
the Office of Tribal Relations established under section 309 of 
the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6921), provide technical assistance to improve access by Tribal 
entities to rural development programs funded by the Department 
7 USC 2671. 
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132 STAT. 4749 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of Agriculture through available cooperative agreement authorities 
of the Secretary. 
(c) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—Technical assistance provided 
under subsection (b) shall address the unique challenge of Tribal 
governments, Tribal producers, Tribal businesses, Tribal business 
entities, and tribally designated housing entities in accessing 
Department of Agriculture-supported rural infrastructure, rural 
cooperative development, rural business and industry, rural 
housing, and other rural development activities. 
SEC. 6303. RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM. 
Section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ‘‘efficiency.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘efficiency (including cost-effective on- or off-grid 
renewable energy or energy storage systems).’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as 
paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER LOANS.—The Secretary shall 
not include any debt incurred by a borrower under this section 
in the calculation of the debt-equity ratio of the borrower for 
purposes of eligibility for loans under the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘(6)’’ and inserting ‘‘(7)’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) ACCOUNTING.—The Secretary shall take appropriate 
steps to streamline the accounting requirements on borrowers 
under this section while maintaining adequate assurances of 
the repayment of the loans.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘3 percent’’ and 
inserting ‘‘5 percent’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘electric’’ and 
inserting ‘‘recurring service’’; 
(4) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); 
(5) by inserting after subsection (g) the following: 
‘‘(h) PUBLICATION.—Not later than 120 days after the end of 
each fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a description of— 
‘‘(1) the number of applications received under this section 
for that fiscal year; 
‘‘(2) the number of loans made to eligible entities under 
this section for that fiscal year; and 
‘‘(3) the recipients of the loans described in paragraph 
(2).’’; and 
(6) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6304. NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION REAUTHOR-
IZATION. 
(a) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES OF REGIONAL COMMISSIONS.— 
Section 15304(c)(3)(A) of title 40, United States Code, is amended 
by striking ‘‘unanimous’’ and inserting ‘‘majority’’. 
(b) ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS.— 
Section 15501 of title 40, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
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132 STAT. 4750 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: 
‘‘(8) to grow the capacity for successful community economic 
development in its region; and’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) through 
(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (7)’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘, except that financial assistance may be used 
as otherwise authorized by this subtitle to attract businesses 
to the region from outside the United States.’’. 
(c) STATE CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the 
Northern Border Regional Commission established by sec-
tion 15301(a)(3) of title 40, United States Code. 
(B) COMMISSION STATE.—The term ‘‘Commission State’’ 
means each of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, New 
York, and Vermont. 
(C) ELIGIBLE
COUNTY.—The term ‘‘eligible county’’ 
means a county described in section 15733 of title 40, 
United States Code. 
(D) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘program’’ means the State 
capacity building grant program established under para-
graph (2). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish 
a State capacity building grant program to provide grants to 
Commission States to carry out the purpose under paragraph 
(3). 
(3) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program is to support 
the efforts of the Commission— 
(A) to better support business retention and expansion 
in eligible counties; 
(B) to create programs to encourage job creation and 
workforce development in eligible counties; 
(C) to prepare economic and infrastructure plans for 
eligible counties; 
(D) to expand access to high-speed broadband in 
eligible counties; 
(E) to provide technical assistance that results in 
Commission investments in transportation, water, waste-
water, and other critical infrastructure; 
(F) to create initiatives to increase the effectiveness 
of local development districts in eligible counties; and 
(G) to implement new or innovative economic develop-
ment practices that will better position the eligible counties 
of Commission States to compete in the global economy. 
(4) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Funds from a grant under the pro-
gram may be used to support a project, program, or related 
expense of the Commission State in an eligible county. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Funds from a grant under the pro-
gram shall not be used for— 
(i) the purchase of furniture, fixtures, or equip-
ment; 
40 USC 15501 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4751 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) the compensation of— 
(I) any State member of the Commission (as 
described in section 15301(b)(1)(B) of title 40, 
United States Code); or 
(II) any State alternate member of the 
Commission (as described in section 15301(b)(2)(B) 
of title 40, United States Code); or 
(iii) the cost of supplanting existing State pro-
grams. 
(5) ANNUAL WORK PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—For each fiscal year, before providing 
a grant under the program, each Commission State shall 
provide to the Commission an annual work plan that 
includes the proposed use of the grant. 
(B) APPROVAL.—No grant under the program shall be 
provided to a Commission State unless the Commission 
has approved the annual work plan of the State. 
(6) AMOUNT OF GRANT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The amount of a grant provided to 
a Commission State under the program for a fiscal year 
shall be based on the proportion that— 
(i) the amount paid by the Commission State 
(including any amounts paid on behalf of the Commis-
sion State by a nonprofit organization) for administra-
tive expenses for the applicable fiscal year (as deter-
mined under section 15304(c) of title 40, United States 
Code); bears to 
(ii) the amount paid by all Commission States 
(including any amounts paid on behalf of a Commission 
State by a nonprofit organization) for administrative 
expenses for that fiscal year (as determined under 
that section). 
(B) REQUIREMENT.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under the program for a fiscal year, a Commission State 
(or a nonprofit organization on behalf of the Commission 
State) shall pay the amount of administrative expenses 
of the Commission State for the applicable fiscal year (as 
determined under section 15304(c) of title 40, United States 
Code). 
(C) APPROVAL.—For each fiscal year, a grant provided 
under the program shall be approved and made available 
as part of the approval of the annual budget of the Commis-
sion. 
(7) GRANT AVAILABILITY.—Funds from a grant under the 
program shall be available only during the fiscal year for which 
the grant is provided. 
(8) REPORT.—Each fiscal year, each Commission State shall 
submit to the Commission and make publicly available a report 
that describes the use of the grant funds and the impact of 
the program in the State. 
(9) FUNDING.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(B) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT.—Funds made avail-
able to carry out this subsection shall supplement and 
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132 STAT. 4752 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
not supplant funds made available for the Commission 
and other activities of the Commission. 
(d) NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION.—Section 15733 
of title 40, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘Belknap,’’ before ‘‘Carroll,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘Cheshire,’’ before ‘‘Coos,’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) NEW YORK.—The counties of Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, 
Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jeffer-
son, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, 
Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, 
St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne, and Yates 
in the State of New York.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘Addison, Bennington,’’ before ‘‘Cal-
edonia,’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘Chittenden,’’ before ‘‘Essex,’’; 
(C) by striking ‘‘and’’ and inserting ‘‘Orange,’’ and 
(D) by inserting ‘‘, Rutland, Washington, Windham, 
and Windsor’’ after ‘‘Orleans’’. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 15751(a) of 
title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘$30,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘$33,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
(f) VACANCIES.—Section 15301 of title 40, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) SUCCESSION.—Subject to the time limitations under section 
3346 of title 5, the Federal Cochairperson may designate a Federal 
employee of the Commission to perform the functions and duties 
of the office of the Federal Cochairperson temporarily in an acting 
capacity if both the Federal Cochairperson and the alternate Federal 
Cochairperson die, resign, or otherwise are unable to perform the 
functions and duties of their offices.’’. 
(g) TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.—Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4 of sub-
title V of title 40, United States Code, are redesignated as chapters 
151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively. 
SEC. 6305. DEFINITION OF RURAL AREA FOR PURPOSES OF THE 
HOUSING ACT OF 1949. 
The second sentence of section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 
(42 U.S.C. 1490) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘or 2010 decennial census’’ and inserting 
‘‘2010, or 2020 decennial census’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘December 31, 2010,’’ and inserting 
‘‘December 31, 2020,’’ ; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘year 2020’’ and inserting ‘‘year 2030’’. 
SEC. 6306. COUNCIL ON RURAL COMMUNITY INNOVATION AND ECO-
NOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to enhance the 
efforts of the Federal Government to address the needs of rural 
areas in the United States by— 
(1) establishing a council to better coordinate Federal pro-
grams directed to rural communities; 
7 USC 2204b–3. 
40 USC 
prec. 15101, 
prec. 15301, 
prec. 15501, 
prec. 15701. 
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132 STAT. 4753 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) maximizing the impact of Federal investment to promote 
economic prosperity and quality of life in rural communities 
in the United States; and 
(3) using innovation to resolve local and regional challenges 
faced by rural communities. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) There is established a Council on Rural Community 
Innovation and Economic Development (referred to in this sec-
tion as the ‘‘Council’’). 
(2) The Council shall be the successor to the Interagency 
Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity established 
by Executive Order 13790. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The membership of the Council shall 
be composed of the heads of the following executive branch 
departments, agencies, and offices: 
(A) The Department of Agriculture. 
(B) The Department of the Treasury. 
(C) The Department of Defense. 
(D) The Department of Justice. 
(E) The Department of the Interior. 
(F) The Department of Commerce. 
(G) The Department of Labor. 
(H) The Department of Health and Human Services. 
(I) The Department of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment. 
(J) The Department of Transportation. 
(K) The Department of Energy. 
(L) The Department of Education. 
(M) The Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(N) The Department of Homeland Security. 
(O) The Environmental Protection Agency. 
(P) The Federal Communications Commission. 
(Q) The Office of Management and Budget. 
(R) The Office of Science and Technology Policy. 
(S) The Office of National Drug Control Policy. 
(T) The Council of Economic Advisers. 
(U) The Domestic Policy Council. 
(V) The National Economic Council. 
(W) The Small Business Administration. 
(X) The Council on Environmental Quality. 
(Y) The White House Office of Public Engagement. 
(Z) The White House Office of Cabinet Affairs. 
(AA) Such other executive branch departments, agen-
cies, and offices as the President or the Secretary may, 
from time to time, designate. 
(2) CHAIR.—The Secretary shall serve as the Chair of the 
Council. 
(3) DESIGNEES.—A member of the Council may designate, 
to perform the Council functions of the member, a senior- 
level official who is— 
(A) part of the department, agency, or office of the 
member; and 
(B) a full-time officer or employee of the Federal 
Government. 
(4) ADMINISTRATION.—The Council shall coordinate policy 
development through the rural development mission area. 
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132 STAT. 4754 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(d) FUNDING.—The Secretary shall provide funding and 
administrative support for the Council to the extent permitted 
by law and within existing appropriations. 
(e) MISSION AND FUNCTION OF THE COUNCIL.—The Council shall 
work across executive departments, agencies, and offices to coordi-
nate development of policy recommendations— 
(1) to maximize the impact of Federal investment on rural 
communities; 
(2) to promote economic prosperity and quality of life in 
rural communities; and 
(3) to use innovation to resolve local and regional challenges 
faced by rural communities. 
(f) DUTIES.—The Council shall— 
(1) make recommendations to the President, acting through 
the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Director 
of the National Economic Council, on streamlining and 
leveraging Federal investments in rural areas, where appro-
priate, to increase the impact of Federal dollars and create 
economic opportunities to improve the quality of life in rural 
areas in the United States; 
(2) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of Federal 
engagement with rural stakeholders, including agricultural 
organizations, small businesses, education and training institu-
tions, health-care providers, telecommunications services pro-
viders, electric service providers, transportation providers, 
research and land grant institutions, law enforcement, State, 
local, and tribal governments, and nongovernmental organiza-
tions regarding the needs of rural areas in the United States; 
(3) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the growth 
and development of rural geographic regions that encompass 
both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas; 
(4) identify and facilitate rural economic opportunities asso-
ciated with energy development, outdoor recreation, and other 
conservation related activities; and 
(5) identify common economic and social challenges faced 
by rural communities that could be served through— 
(A) better coordination of existing Federal and non- 
Federal resources; and 
(B) innovative solutions utilizing governmental and 
nongovernmental resources. 
(g) EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The heads of executive departments and 
agencies shall assist and provide information to the Council, 
consistent with applicable law, as may be necessary to carry 
out the functions of the Council. 
(2) EXPENSES.—Each executive department or agency shall 
be responsible for paying any expenses of the executive depart-
ment or agency for participating in the Council. 
(h) COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council may establish, in addition 
to the working groups established under paragraph (3), such 
other working groups as necessary. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Secretary shall include as members 
of each working group such Council members, other heads 
of Federal agencies (or their designees as defined in (d)(3)), 
and non-Federal partners as determined appropriate to the 
subject matter. 
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132 STAT. 4755 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) REQUIRED
WORKING
GROUPS.—The working groups 
specified in this paragraph are each of the following: 
(A) THE RURAL SMART COMMUNITIES WORKING GROUP.— 
(i) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Council shall establish 
a Rural Smart Communities Working Group. 
(ii) 
DUTIES.—The 
Rural 
Smart 
Communities 
Working Group shall— 
(I) not later than 1 year after the establish-
ment of such Working Group, submit to Congress 
a report describing efforts of rural areas to 
integrate smart technology into their communities 
to solve challenges relating to governance, eco-
nomic development, quality of life, or other rel-
evant rural issues, as determined by the Secretary; 
and 
(II) create, publish, and maintain a resource 
guide designed to assist States and other rural 
communities in developing and implementing rural 
smart community programs. 
(iii) SMART
COMMUNITY
DEFINED.—For the pur-
poses of this subparagraph, the term ‘‘smart commu-
nity’’ means a community that has the ability to 
integrate multiple technological solutions, in a secure 
fashion, to manage a community’s assets, including 
local 
government 
information 
systems, 
schools, 
libraries, transportation systems, hospitals, power 
plants, law enforcement, and other community services 
with the goal of promoting quality of life through the 
use of technology in ways that improve the efficiency 
of services and meet residents’ needs. 
(B) JOBS ACCELERATOR WORKING GROUP.— 
(i) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Council shall establish 
a Jobs Accelerator Working Group. 
(ii) GOALS.—The Jobs Accelerator Working Group 
shall support rural jobs accelerators (as defined in 
section 379I(a)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act)— 
(I) to improve the ability of rural communities 
to create high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation 
of new businesses with high-growth potential, and 
strengthen 
regional 
economies, 
including 
by 
helping to build capacity in the applicable region 
to achieve those goals; and 
(II) to help rural communities identify and 
maximize local assets and connect to regional 
opportunities, networks, and industry clusters that 
demonstrate high growth potential. 
(iii) DUTIES.—The Jobs Accelerator Working Group 
shall— 
(I) provide the public with available informa-
tion and technical assistance on Federal resources 
relevant to a project and region; 
(II) establish a Federal support team com-
prised of staff from participating agencies in the 
working group that shall provide coordinated and 
dedicated support services to rural jobs accelera-
tors; and 
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132 STAT. 4756 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(III) provide opportunities for rural jobs accel-
erators to share best practices and further collabo-
rate with one another. 
Subtitle D—Additional Amendments to the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act 
SEC. 6401. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 379H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008v) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 379H. STRATEGIC ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case of any program under this title 
or administered by the Secretary, acting through the rural develop-
ment mission area, as determined by the Secretary (referred to 
in this section as a ‘covered program’), the Secretary shall give 
priority to an application for a project that, as determined and 
approved by the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) meets the applicable eligibility requirements of this 
title or the other applicable authorizing law; 
‘‘(2) will be carried out in a rural area; and 
‘‘(3) supports the implementation of a strategic community 
investment plan described in subsection (d) on a multisectoral 
and multijurisdictional basis, to include considerations for 
improving and expanding broadband services as needed. 
‘‘(b) RESERVE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
shall reserve not more than 15 percent of the funds made 
available for a fiscal year for covered programs for projects 
that support the implementation of a strategic community 
investment plan described in subsection (d) on a multisectoral 
and multijurisdictional basis. 
‘‘(2) PERIOD.—Any funds reserved under paragraph (1) shall 
only be reserved for the 1-year period beginning on the date 
on which the funds were first made available, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(c) APPROVED APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), any applicant 
who submitted an application under a covered program that 
was approved before the date of enactment of this section 
may amend the application to qualify for the funds reserved 
under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) RURAL UTILITIES.—Any applicant who submitted an 
application under paragraph (2), (14), or (24) of section 306(a), 
or section 306A or 310B(b), that was approved by the Secretary 
before the date of enactment of this section shall be eligible 
for the funds reserved under subsection (b)— 
‘‘(A) on the same basis as an application submitted 
under this section; and 
‘‘(B) until September 30, 2019. 
‘‘(d) STRATEGIC COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide assistance 
to rural communities in developing strategic community invest-
ment plans. 
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132 STAT. 4757 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) PLANS.—A strategic community investment plan 
described in paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a variety of activities designed to facilitate the 
vision of a rural community for the future, including consid-
erations for improving and expanding broadband services 
as needed; 
‘‘(B) participation by multiple stakeholders, including 
local and regional partners; 
‘‘(C) leverage of applicable regional resources; 
‘‘(D) investment from strategic partners, such as— 
‘‘(i) private organizations; 
‘‘(ii) cooperatives; 
‘‘(iii) other government entities; 
‘‘(iv) Indian Tribes; and 
‘‘(v) philanthropic organizations; 
‘‘(E) clear objectives with the ability to establish meas-
urable performance metrics; 
‘‘(F) action steps for implementation; and 
‘‘(G) any other elements necessary to ensure that the 
plan results in a comprehensive and strategic approach 
to rural economic development, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall coordinate with 
Indian Tribes and local, State, regional, and Federal partners 
to develop strategic community investment plans under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available 
until expended.’’. 
SEC. 6402. EXPANDING ACCESS TO CREDIT FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES. 
(a) CERTAIN PROGRAMS UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND 
RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT.—Section 343(a)(13) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)(13)) is 
amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘AND GUARANTEED’’; 
and 
(B) in the text— 
(i) by striking ‘‘and guaranteed’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(1), (2), and (24)’’ and inserting 
‘‘(1) and (2)’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and guaranteed’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘(21), and (24)’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
(21)’’. 
(b) POPULATION CAPS
FOR GUARANTEED LENDING.—Section 
306(a)(24) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(24)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) PRIORITY.— 
‘‘(i) WATER
OR
WASTE
FACILITY.—The Secretary 
shall prioritize water and waste facility projects under 
this paragraph in rural areas with a population of 
not more than 10,000 people. 
‘‘(ii) COMMUNITY
FACILITY.—Of the funds made 
available to carry out this paragraph for community 
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132 STAT. 4758 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
facility loan guarantees for a fiscal year the following 
amounts shall be reserved for projects in rural areas 
with a population of not more than 20,000 inhabitants: 
‘‘(I) 100 percent of the first $200,000,000 so 
made available; 
‘‘(II) 50 percent of the next $200,000,000 so 
made available; and 
‘‘(III) 25 percent of all amounts exceeding 
$400,000,000 so made available, 
except that, to the extent that the Secretary dem-
onstrates that the funds so reserved are not needed 
to finance a community facility project in such a rural 
area, the Secretary may use the funds for other commu-
nity facility projects in accordance with this para-
graph.’’. 
SEC. 6403. WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND WASTEWATER FACILITY 
GRANTS. 
Section 306(a)(2)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘$100,000’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘$200,000’’; and 
(2) in clause (vii), by striking ‘‘$30,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2008 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘$15,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 6404. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. 
Section 306(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period and inserting 
a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) identify options to enhance the long-term 
sustainability of rural water and waste systems, 
including operational practices, revenue enhancements, 
partnerships, consolidation, regionalization, or contract 
services; and 
‘‘(v) address the contamination of drinking water 
and surface water supplies by emerging contaminants, 
including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘1 nor more than 3’’ and inserting 
‘‘3 percent and not more than 5’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘1 per centum’’ and inserting ‘‘3 per-
cent’’. 
SEC. 6405. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER CIRCUIT RIDER PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 306(a)(22)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(22)(B)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4759 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 6406. TRIBAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY 
FACILITIES. 
Section 306(a)(25)(C) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(25)(C)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6407. EMERGENCY AND IMMINENT COMMUNITY WATER ASSIST-
ANCE GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 306A of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘, particularly to projects to address contamina-
tion that— 
‘‘(A) poses a threat to human health or the environ-
ment; and 
‘‘(B) was caused by circumstances beyond the control 
of the applicant for a grant, including circumstances that 
occurred over a period of time; and’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(1)(D), by inserting ‘‘, other than those 
covered above for not to exceed 120 days when a more perma-
nent solution is not feasible in a shorter time frame. Where 
drinking water supplies are inadequate due to an event, as 
determined by the Secretary, including drought, severe 
weather, or contamination, the Secretary may provide potable 
water for an additional period of time not to exceed an addi-
tional 120 days in order to protect public health’’ before the 
period; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘according to the 
most recent decennial census of the United States’’; 
(4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ‘‘$500,000’’ and inserting 
‘‘$1,000,000’’; and 
(5) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘3 nor more 
than 5’’ and inserting ‘‘5 percent and not more than 
7’’; and 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(B) RELEASE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Funds reserved under subpara-
graph (A) for a fiscal year shall be reserved only until 
July 1 of the fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding clause (i), in 
response to an eligible community where the drinking 
water supplies are inadequate, as determined by the 
Secretary, due to an event, including drought, severe 
weather, or contamination, the Secretary may use 
funds described in subparagraph (A) from July 1 
through September 30 each fiscal year to provide 
potable water under this section in order to protect 
public health.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$35,000,000 for each 
of 
fiscal 
years 
2008 
through 
2018’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’. 
(b) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE ON RURAL WATER QUALITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall coordinate 
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132 STAT. 4760 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
an interagency task force to examine drinking water and sur-
face water contamination in rural communities, particularly 
rural communities that are in close proximity to active or 
decommissioned military installations in the United States. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The interagency task force shall consist 
of— 
(A) the Secretary; 
(B) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the 
Chief of Engineers; 
(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting 
through— 
(i) the Director of the Agency for Toxic Substances 
and Disease Registry; and 
(ii) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention; 
(D) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; 
(E) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through— 
(i) the Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service; and 
(ii) the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey; 
(F) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency; and 
(G) representatives from rural drinking and waste-
water entities, State and community regulators, and appro-
priate scientific experts that reflect a diverse cross-section 
of the rural communities described in paragraph (1). 
(3) REPORT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 360 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the task force shall submit 
to the committees described in subparagraph (B) a report 
that— 
(i) examines, and identifies issues relating to, 
water contamination in rural communities, particularly 
rural communities that are in close proximity to active 
or decommissioned military installations in the United 
States; 
(ii) reviews the extent to which Federal, State, 
and local government agencies coordinate with one 
another to address the issues identified under clause 
(i); 
(iii) recommends how Federal, State, and local 
government agencies can work together in the most 
effective, efficient, and cost-effective manner prac-
ticable, to address the issues identified under clause 
(i); and 
(iv) recommends changes to existing statutory 
requirements, regulatory requirements, or both, to 
improve interagency coordination and responsiveness 
to address the issues identified under clause (i). 
(B) COMMITTEES DESCRIBED.—The committees referred 
to in subparagraph (A) are— 
(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; 
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132 STAT. 4761 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(iii) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives; 
(iv) the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works of the Senate; 
(v) the Committee on Armed Services of the House 
of Representatives; and 
(vi) the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate. 
SEC. 6408. WATER SYSTEMS FOR RURAL AND NATIVE VILLAGES IN 
ALASKA. 
Section 306D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘Alaska for’’ and inserting 
‘‘Alaska, a consortium formed pursuant to section 325 of the 
Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropria-
tions Act, 1998 (Public Law 105–83; 111 Stat. 1597), and Native 
villages (as defined in section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims 
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)) for’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by inserting ‘‘for any grant awarded 
under subsection (a)’’ before the period at the end; and 
(3) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘Alaska’’ and inserting 
‘‘Alaska, and not more than 2 percent of the amount made 
available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year may be 
used by a consortium formed pursuant to section 325 of 
the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105–83; 111 Stat. 1597),’’. 
SEC. 6409. RURAL DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS. 
Section 306E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926e) is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘RURAL 
DECENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEMS’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘100’’ and inserting ‘‘60’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘and subgrants’’ after ‘‘loans’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and individually owned household 
decentralized wastewater systems’’ after ‘‘well sys-
tems’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2) TERMS AND AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) TERMS OF LOANS.—A loan made with grant funds 
under this section— 
‘‘(i) shall have an interest rate of 1 percent; and 
‘‘(ii) shall have a term not to exceed 20 years. 
‘‘(B) AMOUNTS.—A loan or subgrant made with grant 
funds under this section shall not exceed $15,000 for each 
water well system or decentralized wastewater system 
described in paragraph (1).’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) GROUND WELL WATER CONTAMINATION.—In the event 
of ground well water contamination, the Secretary shall allow 
a loan or subgrant to be made with grant funds under this 
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132 STAT. 4762 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
section for the installation of water treatment where needed 
beyond the point of entry, with or without the installation 
of a new water well system.’’; 
(4) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘productive use of individ-
ually-owned household water well systems’’ and inserting ‘‘effec-
tive use of individually owned household water well systems, 
individually owned household decentralized wastewater sys-
tems,’’; and 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$5,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$20,000,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 6410. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS. 
Section 310B(b)(2) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6411. RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. 
Section 310B(c)(4)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(4)(A)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6412. RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm 
and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (10), by inserting ‘‘(including research 
and analysis based on data from the latest available Economic 
Census conducted by the Bureau of the Census)’’ after ‘‘conduct 
research’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (13), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 310B(e)(11)(B)(i) of such 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)(11)(B)(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘(12)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(13)’’. 
SEC. 6413. LOCALLY OR REGIONALLY PRODUCED AGRICULTURAL 
FOOD PRODUCTS. 
Section 310B(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(9)(B)(iv)(I)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6414. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FOR RURAL AREAS 
PROGRAM. 
Section 310B(i)(4) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(i)(4)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6415. RURAL ECONOMIC AREA PARTNERSHIP ZONES. 
Section 310B(j) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(j)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6416. INTEMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM. 
Section 310H of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1936b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (i); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: 
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132 STAT. 4763 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(e) LIMITATION ON LOAN AMOUNTS.—The maximum amount 
of a loan by an eligible entity described in subsection (b) to individ-
uals and entities for a project under subsection (c), including the 
unpaid balance of any existing loans, shall be the lesser of— 
‘‘(1) $400,000; and 
‘‘(2) 50 percent of the loan to the eligible entity under 
subsection (a). 
‘‘(f) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a loan or loan 
guarantee under subsection (a), an eligible entity described 
in subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(2) EVALUATION.—In evaluating applications submitted 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A)(i) take into consideration the previous performance 
of an eligible entity in carrying out projects under sub-
section (c); and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of satisfactory performance under 
clause (i), require the eligible entity to contribute less 
equity for subsequent loans without modifying the priority 
given to subsequent applications; and 
‘‘(B) in assigning priorities to applications, require an 
eligible entity to demonstrate that it has a governing or 
advisory board made up of business, civic, and community 
leaders who are representative of the communities of the 
service area, without limitation to the size of the service 
area. 
‘‘(g) RETURN
OF EQUITY.—The Secretary shall establish a 
schedule that is consistent with the amortization schedules of the 
portfolio of loans made or guaranteed under subsection (a) for 
the return of any equity contribution made under this section 
by an eligible entity described in subsection (b), if the eligible 
entity is— 
‘‘(1) current on all principal and interest payments; and 
‘‘(2) in compliance with loan covenants. 
‘‘(h) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall promulgate regulations 
and establish procedures reducing the administrative requirements 
on eligible entities described in subsection (b), including regulations 
to carry out the amendments made to this section by the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6417. ACCESS TO INFORMATION TO VERIFY INCOME FOR PARTICI-
PANTS IN CERTAIN RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS. 
Section 331 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1981), as amended by section 6210(a) of this Act, 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) ACCESS TO INFORMATION TO VERIFY INCOME FOR PARTICI-
PANTS IN CERTAIN RURAL HOUSING PROGRAMS.—The Secretary and 
the designees of the Secretary are hereby granted the same access 
to information and subject to the same requirements applicable 
to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as provided 
in section 453 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653) and section 
6103(l)(7)(D)(ix) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (26 U.S.C. 
6103(l)(7)(D)(ix)) to verify income for individuals participating in 
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132 STAT. 4764 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
sections 502, 504, 521, and 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 
U.S.C. 1472, 1474, 1490a, and 1490r), notwithstanding section 453(l) 
of the Social Security Act.’’. 
SEC. 6418. PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL FEES FOR GUARANTEED 
LOANS UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED FARM AND RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT ACT. 
Section 333 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1983) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (5); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) in the case of an insured or guaranteed loan issued 
or modified under section 306(a), charge and collect from the 
lender fees in such amounts as to bring down the costs of 
subsidies for the insured or guaranteed loan, except that the 
fees shall not act as a bar to participation in the programs 
nor be inconsistent with current practices in the marketplace.’’. 
SEC. 6419. RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. 
The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended 
by inserting after section 367, as added by section 5306 of this 
Act, the following: 
‘‘SEC. 368. RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS TECH-
NICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants to public 
bodies, private nonprofit corporations, economic development 
authorities, institutions of higher education, federally recognized 
Indian Tribes, and rural cooperatives for the purpose of providing 
or obtaining technical assistance and training to support funding 
applications for programs carried out by the Secretary, acting 
through the Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative 
Service. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—A grant under subsection (a) may be used— 
‘‘(1) to assist communities in identifying and planning for 
business and economic development needs; 
‘‘(2) to identify public and private resources to finance 
business and small and emerging business needs; 
‘‘(3) to prepare reports and surveys necessary to request 
financial assistance for businesses in rural communities; and 
‘‘(4) to prepare applications for financial assistance. 
‘‘(c) SELECTION PRIORITY.—In selecting recipients of grants 
under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to grants serving 
persistent poverty counties and high poverty communities, as deter-
mined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—Any amounts authorized to be appro-
priated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal year that are not 
appropriated for that fiscal year may be appropriated for the 
immediately succeeding fiscal year.’’. 
7 USC 2008c. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 6420. NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP. 
Section 378 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008m) is amended in each of subsections (g)(1) 
and (h), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’ each place it 
appears. 
SEC. 6421. GRANTS FOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTERS. 
Section 379B(d) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 2008p(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6422. RURAL MICROENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 379E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2008s) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(4)(B)(ii)— 
(A) in the clause heading, by striking ‘‘MAXIMUM 
AMOUNT’’ and inserting ‘‘AMOUNT’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘not less than 20 percent and’’ before 
‘‘not more than 25 percent’’; and 
(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
the following: ‘‘, subject to— 
‘‘(I) satisfactory performance by the microen-
terprise development organization under this sec-
tion, and 
‘‘(II) the availability of funding.’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 6423. HEALTH CARE SERVICES. 
Section 379G(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 2008u(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6424. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PRO-
GRAM. 
Subtitle D of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1981 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 379I. RURAL INNOVATION STRONGER ECONOMY GRANT PRO-
GRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means a 
rural jobs accelerator partnership established after the date 
of enactment of this section that— 
‘‘(A) organizes key community and regional stake-
holders into a working group that— 
‘‘(i) focuses on the shared goals and needs of the 
industry clusters that are objectively identified as 
existing, emerging, or declining; 
‘‘(ii) represents a region defined by the partnership 
in accordance with subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(iii) includes 1 or more representatives of— 
‘‘(I) an institution of higher education (as 
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); 
7 USC 2008w. 
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132 STAT. 4766 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(II) a private entity; or 
‘‘(III) a government entity; and 
‘‘(iv) has, as a lead applicant— 
‘‘(I) a District Organization (as defined in sec-
tion 300.3 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations 
(or a successor regulation)); 
‘‘(II) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), or a consortium 
of Indian tribes; 
‘‘(III) a State or a political subdivision of a 
State, including a special purpose unit of a State 
or local government engaged in economic develop-
ment activities, or a consortium of political subdivi-
sions; 
‘‘(IV) an institution of higher education (as 
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or a consortium 
of institutions of higher education; or 
‘‘(V) a public or private nonprofit organization; 
and 
‘‘(B) subject to approval by the Secretary, may— 
‘‘(i) serve a region that is— 
‘‘(I) a single jurisdiction; or 
‘‘(II) if the region is a rural area, multijuris-
dictional; and 
‘‘(ii) define the region that the partnership rep-
resents, if the region— 
‘‘(I) is large enough to contain critical elements 
of the industry cluster prioritized by the partner-
ship; 
‘‘(II) is small enough to enable close collabora-
tion among members of the partnership; 
‘‘(III) includes a majority of communities that 
are located in— 
‘‘(aa) a nonmetropolitan area that qualifies 
as a low-income community (as defined in sec-
tion 45D(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986); and 
‘‘(bb) an area that has access to or has 
a plan to achieve broadband service (within 
the meaning of title VI of the Rural Electrifica-
tion Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb et seq.)); 
and 
‘‘(IV)(aa) has a population of 50,000 or fewer 
inhabitants; or 
‘‘(bb) for a region with a population of more 
than 50,000 inhabitants, is the subject of a positive 
determination by the Secretary with respect to 
a rural-in-character petition, including such a peti-
tion submitted concurrently with the application 
of the partnership for a grant under this section. 
‘‘(2) INDUSTRY CLUSTER.—The term ‘industry cluster’ means 
a broadly defined network of interconnected firms and sup-
porting institutions in related industries that accelerate innova-
tion, business formation, and job creation by taking advantage 
of assets and strengths of a region in the business environment. 
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132 STAT. 4767 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(3) HIGH-WAGE JOB.—The term ‘high-wage job’ means a 
job that provides a wage that is greater than the median 
wage for the applicable region, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) JOBS ACCELERATOR.—The term ‘jobs accelerator’ means 
a jobs accelerator center or program located in or serving a 
low-income rural community that may provide co-working 
space, in-demand skills training, entrepreneurship support, and 
any other services described in subsection (d)(1)(B). 
‘‘(5) SMALL
AND
DISADVANTAGED
BUSINESS.—The term 
‘small and disadvantaged business’ has the meaning given the 
term ‘small business concern owned and controlled by socially 
and 
economically 
disadvantaged 
individuals’ 
in 
section 
8(d)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(3)(C)). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a grant 
program under which the Secretary shall award grants, on 
a competitive basis, to eligible entities to establish jobs accelera-
tors, including related programming, that— 
‘‘(A) improve the ability of distressed rural communities 
to create high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new 
businesses with high-growth potential, and strengthen 
regional economies, including by helping to build capacity 
in the applicable region to achieve those goals; and 
‘‘(B) help rural communities identify and maximize 
local assets and connect to regional opportunities, net-
works, and industry clusters that demonstrate high growth 
potential. 
‘‘(2) COST-SHARING.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the cost of 
any activity carried out using a grant made under para-
graph (1) shall be not greater than 80 percent. 
‘‘(B) IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS.—The non-Federal share 
of the total cost of any activity carried out using a grant 
made under paragraph (1) may be in the form of donations 
or in-kind contributions of goods or services fairly valued. 
‘‘(3) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting eligible entities to 
receive grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall con-
sider— 
‘‘(A) the commitment of participating core stakeholders 
in the jobs accelerator partnership, including a demonstra-
tion that— 
‘‘(i) investment organizations, including venture 
development organizations, venture capital firms, 
revolving loan funders, angel investment groups, 
community lenders, community development financial 
institutions, rural business investment companies, 
small business investment companies (as defined in 
section 103 of the Small Business Investment Act of 
1958 (15 U.S.C. 662)), philanthropic organizations, and 
other institutions focused on expanding access to cap-
ital, are committed partners in the jobs accelerator 
partnership and willing to potentially invest in projects 
emerging from the jobs accelerator; and 
‘‘(ii) institutions of higher education, applied 
research institutions, workforce development entities, 
and community-based organizations are willing to 
partner with the jobs accelerator to provide workers 
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132 STAT. 4768 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
with skills relevant to the industry cluster needs of 
the region, with an emphasis on the use of on-the- 
job training, registered apprenticeships, customized 
training, classroom occupational training, or incumbent 
worker training; 
‘‘(B) the ability of the eligible entity to provide the 
non-Federal share as required under paragraph (2); 
‘‘(C) the identification of a targeted industry cluster; 
‘‘(D) the ability of the partnership to link rural commu-
nities to markets, networks, industry clusters, and other 
regional opportunities and assets; 
‘‘(E) other grants or loans of the Secretary and other 
Federal agencies that the jobs accelerator would be able 
to leverage; and 
‘‘(F) prospects for the proposed center and related 
programming to have sustainability beyond the full max-
imum length of assistance under this subsection, including 
the maximum number of renewals. 
‘‘(4) GRANT TERM AND RENEWALS.— 
‘‘(A) TERM.—The initial term of a grant under para-
graph (1) shall be 4 years. 
‘‘(B) RENEWAL.—The Secretary may extend the term 
of a grant under paragraph (1) for an additional period 
of not longer than 2 years if the Secretary is satisfied, 
using the evaluation under subsection (e)(2), that the grant 
recipient has successfully established a jobs accelerator 
and related programming. 
‘‘(5) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall provide grants under paragraph 
(1) for jobs accelerators and related programming in not fewer 
than 25 States at any time. 
‘‘(c) GRANT AMOUNT.—A grant awarded under subsection (b) 
may be in an amount equal to— 
‘‘(1) not less than $500,000; and 
‘‘(2) not more than $2,000,000. 
‘‘(d) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), funds from 
a grant awarded under subsection (b) may be used— 
‘‘(A) to construct, purchase, or equip a building to serve 
as an innovation center; 
‘‘(B) to support programs to be carried out at, or in 
direct partnership with, the jobs accelerator that support 
the objectives of the jobs accelerator, including— 
‘‘(i) linking rural communities and entrepreneurs 
to markets, networks, industry clusters, and other 
regional opportunities to support high-wage job cre-
ation, new business formation, business expansion, and 
economic growth; 
‘‘(ii) integrating small businesses into a supply 
chain; 
‘‘(iii) creating or expanding commercialization 
activities for new business formation; 
‘‘(iv) identifying and building assets in rural 
communities that are crucial to supporting regional 
economies; 
‘‘(v) facilitating the repatriation of high-wage jobs 
to the United States; 
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132 STAT. 4769 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(vi) supporting the deployment of innovative proc-
esses, technologies, and products; 
‘‘(vii) enhancing the capacity of small businesses 
in regional industry clusters, including small and dis-
advantaged businesses; 
‘‘(viii) increasing United States exports and busi-
ness interaction with international buyers and sup-
pliers; 
‘‘(ix) developing the skills and expertise of local 
workforces, entrepreneurs, and institutional partners 
to meet the needs of employers and prepare workers 
for high-wage jobs in the identified industry clusters, 
including the upskilling of incumbent workers; 
‘‘(x) ensuring rural communities have the capacity 
and ability to carry out projects relating to housing, 
community facilities, infrastructure, or community and 
economic development to support regional industry 
cluster growth; or 
‘‘(xi) any other activities that the Secretary may 
determine to be appropriate. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), not 
more than 10 percent of a grant awarded under subsection 
(b) shall be used for indirect costs associated with admin-
istering the grant. 
‘‘(B) INCREASE.—The Secretary may increase the 
percentage described in subparagraph (A) on a case-by- 
case basis. 
‘‘(e) ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT
AND EVALUATION.—Not later 
than 1 year after receiving a grant under this section, and annually 
thereafter for the duration of the grant, an eligible entity shall— 
‘‘(1) report to the Secretary on the activities funded with 
the grant; and 
‘‘(2)(A) evaluate the progress that the eligible entity has 
made toward the strategic objectives identified in the applica-
tion for the grant; and 
‘‘(B) measure that progress using performance measures 
during the project period, which may include— 
‘‘(i) high-wage jobs created; 
‘‘(ii) high-wage jobs retained; 
‘‘(iii) private investment leveraged; 
‘‘(iv) businesses improved; 
‘‘(v) new business formations; 
‘‘(vi) new products or services commercialized; 
‘‘(vii) improvement of the value of existing products 
or services under development; 
‘‘(viii) regional collaboration, as measured by such 
metrics as— 
‘‘(I) the number of organizations actively engaged 
in the industry cluster; 
‘‘(II) the number of symposia held by the industry 
cluster, including organizations that are not located 
in the immediate region defined by the partnership; 
and 
‘‘(III) the number of further cooperative agree-
ments; 
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132 STAT. 4770 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ix) the number of education and training activities 
relating to innovation; 
‘‘(x) the number of jobs relocated from outside of the 
United States to the region; 
‘‘(xi) the amount and number of new equity invest-
ments in industry cluster firms; 
‘‘(xii) the amount and number of new loans to industry 
cluster firms; 
‘‘(xiii) the dollar increase in exports resulting from 
the project activities; 
‘‘(xiv) the percentage of employees for which training 
was provided; 
‘‘(xv) improvement in sales of participating businesses; 
‘‘(xvi) improvement in wages paid at participating 
businesses; 
‘‘(xvii) improvement in income of participating workers; 
or 
‘‘(xviii) any other measure the Secretary determines 
to be appropriate. 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 6425. DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 382M(a) of 
the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
2009aa–12(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘2008 through 2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
(b) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—Section 382N of such Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2009aa–13) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6426. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 384A of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘VENTURE’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘venture’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(4) EQUITY CAPITAL.—The term ‘equity capital’ means— 
‘‘(A) common or preferred stock or a similar instrument, 
including subordinated debt with equity features; and 
‘‘(B) any other type of equity-like financing that might 
be necessary to facilitate the purposes of this Act, excluding 
financing such as senior debt or other types of financing 
that competes with routine loanmaking of commercial 
lenders.’’. 
(b) PURPOSES.—Section 384B of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc– 
1) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘venture’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘venture’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘venture’’. 
(c) SELECTION OF RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES.— 
Section 384D(b)(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–3(b)(1)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘developmental venture’’ and inserting ‘‘developmental’’. 
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132 STAT. 4771 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(d) FEES.—Section 384G of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–6) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsections (a) and (b), by striking ‘‘a fee that does 
not exceed $500’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘such 
fees as the Secretary considers appropriate, so long as those 
fees are proportionally equal for each rural business investment 
company,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)(2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘solely to cover 
the costs of licensing examinations’’ and inserting ‘‘as the 
Secretary considers appropriate’’; and 
(B) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(C) shall be in such amounts as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate.’’. 
(e) LIMITATION ON RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT COMPANIES 
CONTROLLED
BY
FARM
CREDIT
SYSTEM
INSTITUTIONS.—Section 
384J(c) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–9(c)) is amended by striking 
‘‘25’’ and inserting ‘‘50’’. 
(f) FLEXIBILITY ON SOURCES OF INVESTMENT OR CAPITAL.—Sec-
tion 384J(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–9(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting appropriately; 
(2) by striking the subsection designation and heading and 
all that follows through ‘‘Except as’’ in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) (as so redesignated) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) INVESTMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION
ON
REQUIREMENTS.—The Secretary may 
not require that an entity described in paragraph (1) provide 
investment or capital that is not required of other companies 
eligible to apply to operate as a rural business investment 
company under section 384D(a).’’. 
SEC. 6427. RURAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 384S of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2009cc–18) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
Subtitle E—Additional Amendments to the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
SEC. 6501. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 2 OF THE RURAL ELECTRIFICA-
TION ACT OF 1936. 
(a) ELECTRIC LOAN REFINANCING.—Section 2(a) of the Rural 
Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 902(a)) is amended by striking 
‘‘loans in’’ and inserting ‘‘loans, or refinance loans made by the 
Secretary under this Act, in’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
FOR
RURAL
ELECTRIFICATION 
LOANS.—Section 2 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 902) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall enter 
into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Energy 
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132 STAT. 4772 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
under which the Secretary of Energy shall provide technical assist-
ance to the Rural Utilities Service on loans to be made under 
subsection (a) of this section and section 4(a).’’. 
SEC. 6502. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE. 
Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
922) is amended— 
(1) by striking the section designation and all that follows 
through ‘‘From such sums’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 201. LOANS FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE. 
‘‘From such sums’’; 
(2) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘associations:’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘same subscribers.’’ and inserting 
‘‘associations.’’; and 
(3) in the sixth sentence, by striking ‘‘, nor shall such 
loan be made in any State’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘writing)’’ in the seventh sentence and inserting the following: 
‘‘and’’. 
SEC. 6503. CUSHION OF CREDIT PAYMENTS PROGRAM. 
Section 313(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
940c(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) DEVELOPMENT
AND
PROMOTION
OF
PROGRAM.— 
The’’; and 
(B) by adding after and below the end the following: 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION.—Effective on the date of enactment 
of this subparagraph, no deposits may be made under 
subparagraph (A).’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(2) INTEREST.—Amounts’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) INTEREST.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Amounts’’; and 
(B) by adding after and below the end the following: 
‘‘(B) REDUCTION.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
amounts in each cushion of credit account shall accrue 
interest to the borrower at a rate equal to— 
‘‘(i) 4 percent per annum in fiscal year 2021; and 
‘‘(ii) the then applicable 1-year Treasury rate there-
after.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(3) BALANCE.—A’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) BALANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A’’; and 
(B) by after and below the end the following: 
‘‘(B) PREPAYMENT.—Notwithstanding subparagraph (A) 
and subject to subparagraph (C), beginning on the date 
of the enactment of this subparagraph and ending with 
September 30, 2020, a borrower may, at the sole discretion 
of the borrower, reduce the balance of its cushion of credit 
account if the amount obtained from the reduction is used 
to prepay loans made or guaranteed under this Act. 
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132 STAT. 4773 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) NO PREPAYMENT PREMIUM.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of this Act, no prepayment premium shall 
be imposed or collected with respect to that portion of 
a loan that is prepaid by a borrower in accordance with 
subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Notwithstanding section 
504 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, out of any 
funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Sec-
retary of the Treasury shall make available such sums 
as necessary to cover any loan modification costs as defined 
in section 502 of such Act.’’. 
SEC. 6504. EXTENSION OF THE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 
LOAN AND GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) Section 12(b)(3)(D) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 912(b)(3)(D)) is amended by striking ‘‘313(b)(2)(A)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘313(b)(2)’’. 
(b) Section 313(b)(2) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 940c(b)(2)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking all that precedes ‘‘shall maintain’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) RURAL
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
SUBACCOUNT.—The 
Secretary’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘the 5 percent’’ and all that follows through 
subparagraph (E) and inserting ‘‘5 percent.’’. 
(c) Title III of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931–940h) is amended by 
inserting after section 313A the following: 
‘‘SEC. 313B. RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOANS AND GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide grants or zero 
interest loans to borrowers under this Act for the purpose of pro-
moting rural economic development and job creation projects, 
including funding for project feasibility studies, start-up costs, incu-
bator projects, and other reasonable expenses for the purpose of 
fostering rural development. 
‘‘(b) REPAYMENTS.—In the case of zero interest loans, the Sec-
retary shall establish such reasonable repayment terms as will 
encourage borrower participation. 
‘‘(c) PROCEEDS.—All proceeds from the repayment of such loans 
made under this section shall be returned to the subaccount that 
the Secretary shall maintain in accordance with sections 313(b)(2) 
and 313B(f). 
‘‘(d) NUMBER OF GRANTS.—Loans and grants required under 
this section shall be made to the full extent of the amounts made 
available under subsection (e). 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.—In addition to other funds 
that are available to carry out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated not more than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023 to carry out this section, to remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(2) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall credit to the subaccount 
to use for the cost of grants and loans under this section 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023, to remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(3) OTHER
FUNDS.—In addition to the funds described 
in paragraphs (1) and (2), the Secretary shall use, without 
7 USC 940c–2. 
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132 STAT. 4774 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
fiscal year limitation, to provide grants and loans under this 
section— 
‘‘(A) the interest differential sums credited to the sub-
account described in subsection (c); and 
‘‘(B) subject to section 313A(e)(2), the fees described 
in subsection (c)(4) of such section. 
‘‘(f) MAINTENANCE OF ACCOUNT.—The Secretary shall maintain 
the subaccount described in section 313(b)(2), as in effect in fiscal 
year 2017, for purposes of carrying out this section.’’. 
(d) Section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 
U.S.C. 940c–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘maintained under 
section 313(b)(2)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘that shall be main-
tained as required by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘313(b)(2)(B)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘313(b)(2)’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ‘‘maintained under sec-
tion 313(b)(2)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘required to be maintained 
by sections 313(b)(2) and 313B(f)’’. 
(e)(1) Subject to section 313B(e) of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (as added by this section), the Secretary of Agriculture 
shall carry out the loan and grant program required under such 
section in the same manner as the loan and grant program under 
section 313(b)(2) of such Act is carried out on the day before the 
date of the enactment of this Act, until such time as any regulations 
necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section are 
fully implemented. 
(2) Paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
SEC. 6505. GUARANTEES FOR BONDS AND NOTES ISSUED FOR ELEC-
TRIFICATION OR TELEPHONE PURPOSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 313A of the Rural Electrification 
Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Subject to’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) GUARANTEES.—Subject to’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘basis’’ and all that follows through the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘basis, if the proceeds of the bonds or notes 
are used to make utility infrastructure loans, or refinance 
bonds or notes issued for those purposes, to a borrower 
that has at any time received, or is eligible to receive, 
a loan under this Act.’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) TERMS.—A bond or note guaranteed under this section 
shall, by agreement between the Secretary and the borrower— 
‘‘(A) be for a term of 30 years (or another term of 
years that the Secretary determines is appropriate); and 
‘‘(B) be repaid by the borrower— 
‘‘(i) in periodic installments of principal and 
interest; 
‘‘(ii) in periodic installments of interest and, at 
the end of the term of the bond or note, as applicable, 
by the repayment of the outstanding principal; or 
7 USC 940c–2 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4775 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) through a combination of the methods 
described in clauses (i) and (ii).’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘electrification’’ and 
all that follows through the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘purposes described in subsection (a)(1).’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as para-
graphs (2) and (3), respectively; and 
(D) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘for electrifica-
tion or telephone purposes’’ and inserting ‘‘for eligible 
purposes described in subsection (a)(1)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a)(1)’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Beginning on the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, the Secretary shall con-
tinue to carry out section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act 
of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–1) (as amended by subsection (a)) under 
a Notice of Solicitation of Applications until the date on which 
any regulations necessary to carry out the amendments made by 
subsection (a) are fully implemented. 
SEC. 6506. EXPANSION OF 911 ACCESS. 
Section 315 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
940e) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking ‘‘commercial or transpor-
tation’’ and inserting ‘‘critical transportation-related’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 6507. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS. 
Title III of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
931 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 319. CYBERSECURITY AND GRID SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION
OF
CYBERSECURITY
AND
GRID
SECURITY 
IMPROVEMENTS.—In this section, the term ‘cybersecurity and grid 
security improvements’ means investment in the development, 
expansion, and modernization of rural utility infrastructure that 
addresses known cybersecurity and grid security risks. 
‘‘(b) LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES.—The Secretary may make 
or guarantee loans under this title and title I for cybersecurity 
and grid security improvements.’’. 
Subtitle F—Program Repeals 
SEC. 6601. ELIMINATION OF UNFUNDED PROGRAMS. 
(a) CONSOLIDATED FARM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT.— 
(1) REPEALERS.—The following provisions of the Consoli-
dated Farm and Rural Development Act are hereby repealed: 
(A) Section 306(a)(23) (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(23)). 
(B) Section 310B(f) (7 U.S.C. 1932(f)). 
(C) Section 379 (7 U.S.C. 2008n). 
(D) Section 379A (7 U.S.C. 2008o). 
(E) Section 379C (7 U.S.C. 2008q). 
7 USC 940i. 
7 USC 940c–1 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4776 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(F) Section 379D (7 U.S.C. 2008r). 
(G) Section 379F (7 U.S.C. 2008t). 
(H) Subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 2009dd–2009dd–7). 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 333A(h) of such Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1983a(h)) is amended by striking ‘‘310B(f),’’. 
(b) RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACT OF 1936.—Section 314 of the 
Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940d) is hereby repealed. 
SEC. 6602. REPEAL OF RURAL TELEPHONE BANK. 
(a) REPEAL.—Title IV of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 941–950b) is repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 18 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 918) is amended in 
each of subsections (a) and (b) by striking ‘‘and the Governor 
of the telephone bank’’. 
(2) Section 204 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 925) is amended 
by striking ‘‘and the Governor of the telephone bank’’. 
(3) Section 205(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 926) is amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘and the Governor of the telephone bank’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘or the Governor 
of the telephone bank’’. 
(4) Section 206(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘and the Governor of the telephone bank’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (1); 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘or 408’’; and 
(D) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as 
paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively. 
(5) Section 206(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 927(b)) is 
amended— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘and the Governor of the telephone bank’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘, or a Rural Telephone 
Bank loan,’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘, the Rural Telephone 
Bank,’’. 
(6) Section 207(1) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 928(1)) is 
amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘305,’’ and inserting ‘‘305 or’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘, or a loan under section 408,’’. 
(7) Section 301 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 931) is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘except for net collec-
tion proceeds previously appropriated for the purchase of 
class A stock in the Rural Telephone Bank,’’; 
(B) by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end of paragraph (4); 
(C) by striking ‘‘; and’’ at the end of paragraph (5) 
and inserting a period; and 
(D) by striking paragraph (6). 
(8) Section 305(d)(2)(B) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 935(d)(2)(B)) 
is amended— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and a loan under section 
408’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and under section 408’’ 
each place it appears. 
7 USC 941–950b. 
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132 STAT. 4777 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(9) Section 305(d)(3)(C) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 935(d)(3)(C)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘and section 408(b)(4)(C), the Secretary 
and the Governor of the telephone bank’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
Secretary’’. 
(10) Section 306 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 936) is amended 
by striking ‘‘the Rural Telephone Bank, National Rural Utilities 
Cooperative Finance Corporation,’’ and inserting ‘‘the National 
Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation’’. 
(11) Section 309 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 739) is amended 
by striking the last sentence. 
(12) Section 2352(b) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 901 note) is amended by 
striking ‘‘the Rural Telephone Bank and’’. 
(13) The first section of Public Law 92–12 (7 U.S.C. 921a) 
is repealed. 
(14) The first section of Public Law 92–324 (7 U.S.C. 921b) 
is repealed. 
(15) Section 1414 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 944a) is repealed. 
(16) Section 1411 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1987 (7 U.S.C. 948 notes) is amended by striking sub-
sections (a) and (b). 
(17) Section 3.8(b)(1)(A) of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 
(12 U.S.C. 2129(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘or a loan 
or loan commitment from the Rural Telephone Bank,’’. 
(18) Section 105(d) of the National Consumer Cooperative 
Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 3015(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘the 
Rural Telephone Bank,’’. 
(19) Section 9101 of title 31, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (H) 
and redesignating subparagraphs (I), (J), and (K) as sub-
paragraphs (H), (I), and (J), respectively; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking subparagraphs (K) 
and (O) and redesignating subparagraphs (L) through (N) 
and (P) through (R) as subparagraphs (K) through (P), 
respectively. 
(20) Section 9108(d)(2) of title 31, United States Code, 
is amended by striking ‘‘the Rural Telephone Bank (when the 
ownership, control, and operation of the Bank are converted 
under section 410(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 
(7 U.S.C. 950(a))),’’. 
SEC. 6603. AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL TV ACT. 
The Launching Our Communities’ Access to Local Television 
Act of 2000 (title X of H.R. 5548 of the 106th Congress, as enacted 
by section 1(a)(2) of Public Law 106–553; 114 Stat. 2762A–128) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the title heading and inserting the following: 
‘‘TITLE X—SATELLITE CARRIER 
RETRANSMISSION ELIGIBILITY’’; 
(2) by striking sections 1001 through 1007 and 1009 
through 1012; and 
(3) by redesignating section 1008 as section 1001. 
47 USC 1101 
and note, 
1102–1110. 
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132 STAT. 4778 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle G—Technical Corrections 
SEC. 6701. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE CONSOLIDATED FARM 
AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT. 
(a)(1) Section 306(a)(19)(A) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(19)(A)) is amended by inserting 
after ‘‘nonprofit corporations’’ the following: ‘‘, Indian Tribes (as 
defined in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Edu-
cation Assistance Act)’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in section 773 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, 
Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropria-
tions Act, 2001 (H.R. 5426 of the 106th Congress, as enacted by 
Public Law 106–387 (114 Stat. 1549A–45)) in lieu of the amendment 
made by such section. 
(b)(1) Section 309A(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1929a(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘and 
section 308’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 661(c)(2) of the Federal 
Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (Public Law 
104–127). 
(c) Section 310B(c)(3)(A)(v) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)(3)(A)(v)) is amended by striking 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon and inserting ‘‘or’’. 
(d)(1) Section 310B(e)(5)(F) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(e)(5)(F)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘, except that the Secretary shall not require non-Federal financial 
support in an amount that is greater than 5 percent in the case 
of a 1994 institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity 
in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
Public Law 103–382))’’ before the period at the end. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 6015 of the Farm Security 
and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–171). 
(e)(1) Section 381E(d)(3) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009d(d)(3)) is amended by striking 
subparagraph (A) and redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) 
as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively. 
(2) The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 6012(b) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79). 
(f)(1) Section 382A of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Develop-
ment Act (7 U.S.C. 2009aa) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State 
of Alabama shall be a full member of the Delta Regional 
Authority and shall be entitled to all rights and privileges 
that said membership affords to all other participating States 
in the Delta Regional Authority.’’. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 
as if included in the enactment of section 153(b) of division B 
of H.R. 5666, as introduced in the 106th Congress, and as enacted 
by section 1(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001 
(Appendix D of Public Law 106–554; 114 Stat. 2763A–252). 
7 USC 2009aa 
note. 
7 USC 2009d 
note. 
7 USC 1932 note. 
7 USC 1929a 
note. 
7 USC 1926 note. 
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132 STAT. 4779 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(g) Section 382E(a)(1)(B) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C.2009aa-4(a)(1)(B)) is amended by moving 
clause (iv) 2 ems to the right. 
(h) Section 383G(c) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009bb-5(c)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading by striking ‘‘TELECOMMUNI-
CATION RENEWABLE ENERGY,,’’ and inserting ‘‘TELECOMMUNI-
CATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY,’’; and 
(2) in the text, by striking ‘‘,,’’ and inserting a comma. 
SEC. 6702. CORRECTIONS RELATING TO THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION 
ACT OF 1936. 
Section 201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 
922) is amended— 
(1) in the 3rd sentence by striking ‘‘wildest’’ and inserting 
‘‘widest’’; and 
(2) in the 6th sentence, by striking ‘‘centifies’’ and inserting 
‘‘certifies’’. 
TITLE VII—RESEARCH, EXTENSION, 
AND RELATED MATTERS 
Subtitle 
A—National 
Agricultural 
Re-
search, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 
SEC. 7101. PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
EDUCATION. 
Section 1402 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) support international collaboration that leverages 
resources and advances priority food and agricultural interests 
of the United States, such as— 
‘‘(A) addressing emerging plant and animal diseases; 
‘‘(B) improving crop varieties and animal breeds; and 
‘‘(C) developing safe, efficient, and nutritious food sys-
tems.’’. 
SEC. 7102. MATTERS RELATED TO CERTAIN SCHOOL DESIGNATIONS 
AND DECLARATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1404(14) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103(14)) is amended— 
(1) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) DEFINITION.—The terms ‘NLGCA Institution’ 
and ‘non-land-grant college of agriculture’ mean a 
public college or university offering a baccalaureate 
or higher degree in the study of agricultural sciences, 
forestry, or both in any area of study specified in 
clause (ii). 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) CLARIFICATION.—For purposes of clause (i), 
an area of study specified in this clause is any of 
the following: 
‘‘(I) Agriculture. 
‘‘(II) Agricultural business and management. 
‘‘(III) Agricultural economics. 
‘‘(IV) Agricultural mechanization. 
‘‘(V) Agricultural production operations. 
‘‘(VI) Aquaculture. 
‘‘(VII) Agricultural and food products proc-
essing. 
‘‘(VIII) Agricultural and domestic animal serv-
ices. 
‘‘(IX) Equestrian or equine studies. 
‘‘(X) Applied horticulture or horticulture oper-
ations. 
‘‘(XI) Ornamental horticulture. 
‘‘(XII) Greenhouse operations and manage-
ment. 
‘‘(XIII) Turf and turfgrass management. 
‘‘(XIV) Plant nursery operations and manage-
ment. 
‘‘(XV) Floriculture or floristry operations and 
management. 
‘‘(XVI) International agriculture. 
‘‘(XVII) Agricultural public services. 
‘‘(XVIII) Agricultural and extension education 
services. 
‘‘(XIX) Agricultural communication or agricul-
tural journalism. 
‘‘(XX) Animal sciences. 
‘‘(XXI) Food science. 
‘‘(XXII) Plant sciences. 
‘‘(XXIII) Soil sciences. 
‘‘(XXIV) Forestry. 
‘‘(XXV) Forest sciences and biology. 
‘‘(XXVI) Natural resources or conservation. 
‘‘(XXVII) Natural resources management and 
policy. 
‘‘(XXVIII) Natural resource economics. 
‘‘(XXIX) Urban forestry. 
‘‘(XXX) Wood science and wood products or 
pulp or paper technology. 
‘‘(XXXI) Range science and management. 
‘‘(XXXII) Agricultural engineering. 
‘‘(XXXIII) Any other area, as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary.’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (C)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting 
‘‘any institution designated under’’ after ‘‘include’’; 
(B) by striking clause (i); and 
(C) in clause (ii)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘(ii) any institution designated 
under—’’; 
(ii) by striking subclause (IV); 
(iii) in subclause (II), by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
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132 STAT. 4781 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(iv) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘; or’’ at the 
end and inserting a period; and 
(v) by redesignating subclauses (I), (II), and (III) 
(as so amended) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respec-
tively, and by moving the margins of such clauses 
(as so redesignated) two ems to the left. 
(b) DESIGNATION REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish 
a process to review each designated NLGCA Institution (as 
defined in section 1404(14)(A) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103(14)(A))) to ensure compliance with such section, as 
amended by this subsection. 
(2) REVOCATION.—An NLGCA Institution that the Sec-
retary determines under subparagraph (A) to be not in compli-
ance shall have the designation of such institution revoked. 
SEC. 7103. NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, EDU-
CATION, AND ECONOMICS ADVISORY BOARD. 
Section 1408 of the National Agricultural 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 ‘‘25’’ and inserting 
‘‘15’’; and 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.—The Advisory Board shall 
consist of members from each of the following categories: 
‘‘(A) 3 members representing national farm or producer 
organizations, which may include members— 
‘‘(i) representing farm cooperatives; 
‘‘(ii) who are producers actively engaged in the 
production of a food animal commodity and who are 
recommended by a coalition of national livestock 
organizations; 
‘‘(iii) who are producers actively engaged in the 
production of a plant commodity and who are rec-
ommended by a coalition of national crop organizations; 
or 
‘‘(iv) who are producers actively engaged in aqua-
culture and who are recommended by a coalition of 
national aquacultural organizations. 
‘‘(B) 2 members representing academic or research soci-
eties, which may include members representing— 
‘‘(i) a national food animal science society; 
‘‘(ii) a national crop, soil, agronomy, horticulture, 
plant pathology, or weed science society; 
‘‘(iii) a national food science organization; 
‘‘(iv) a national human health association; or 
‘‘(v) a national nutritional science society. 
‘‘(C) 5 members representing agricultural research, 
extension, and education, which shall include each of the 
following: 
‘‘(i) 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.). 
7 USC 3103 note. 
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132 STAT. 4782 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) 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 University. 
‘‘(iii) 1 member representing the 1994 Institutions 
(as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational 
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
Public Law 103–382)). 
‘‘(iv) 1 member representing NLGCA Institutions 
or Hispanic-serving institutions. 
‘‘(v) 1 member representing American colleges of 
veterinary medicine. 
‘‘(D) 5 members representing industry, consumer, or 
rural interests, including members representing— 
‘‘(i) entities engaged in transportation of food and 
agricultural products to domestic and foreign markets; 
‘‘(ii) food retailing and marketing interests; 
‘‘(iii) food and fiber processors; 
‘‘(iv) rural economic development interests; 
‘‘(v) a national consumer interest group; 
‘‘(vi) a national forestry group; 
‘‘(vii) a national conservation or natural resource 
group; 
‘‘(viii) a national social science association; 
‘‘(ix) private sector organizations involved in inter-
national development; or 
‘‘(x) a national association of agricultural econo-
mists.’’; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘review and’’ and inserting ‘‘make rec-
ommendations, review, and’’; 
(ii) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting 
the following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(A) long-term and short-term national policies and 
priorities consistent with the— 
‘‘(i) purposes specified in section 1402 for agricul-
tural research, extension, education, and economics; 
and 
‘‘(ii) priority areas of the Agriculture and Food 
Research Initiative specified in subsection (b)(2) of the 
Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant 
Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2));’’; and 
(iii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(B) the annual establishment of national priorities 
that are in accordance with the priority areas of the Agri-
culture and Food Research Initiative specified in subsection 
(b)(2) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)).’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘and make rec-
ommendations to the Secretary based on such evaluation’’ 
after ‘‘priorities’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘and make rec-
ommendations on’’ after ‘‘review’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4783 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7104. SPECIALTY CROP COMMITTEE. 
Section 1408A(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3123a(a)(2)) 
is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘speciality’’ and 
inserting ‘‘specialty’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ‘‘9’’ 
and inserting ‘‘11’’; and 
(B) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘Three’’ and inserting 
‘‘Five’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7105. RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE DISCONTINUED. 
Subtitle B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.) is amended 
by striking section 1408B. 
SEC. 7106. VETERINARY SERVICES GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 1415B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) To expose students in grades 11 and 12 to edu-
cation and career opportunities in food animal medicine.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) by striking the subsection designation and heading 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—From amounts made available for grants 
under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize grant awards 
for programs or activities with a focus on the practice of food 
animal medicine. ’’. 
SEC. 7107. GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 
SCIENCES EDUCATION. 
Section 1417(m)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152(m)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7108. AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD POLICY RESEARCH CENTERS. 
Section 1419A(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155(e)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7109. EDUCATION GRANTS TO ALASKA NATIVE SERVING INSTITU-
TIONS AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN SERVING INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 1419B of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3156) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
7 USC 3123b. 
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132 STAT. 4784 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 7110. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CHAL-
LENGE. 
Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1419C. NEXT GENERATION AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY CHAL-
LENGE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a next genera-
tion agriculture technology challenge competition to provide an 
incentive for the development of innovative mobile technology that 
removes barriers to entry in the marketplace for beginning farmers 
and ranchers (as defined in subsection (a) of section 2501 of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279)). 
‘‘(b) AMOUNT.—The Secretary may award not more than 
$1,000,000 in the aggregate to 1 or more winners of the competition 
under subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 7111. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION. 
Subtitle C of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151 et seq.), as amended 
by section 7110, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1419D. LAND-GRANT DESIGNATION. 
‘‘(a) PROHIBITION ON DESIGNATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law and except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), beginning 
on the date of the enactment of this section, no additional 
entity may be designated as eligible to receive funds under 
a covered program. 
‘‘(2) 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—The prohibition under paragraph 
(1) with respect to the designation of an entity eligible to 
receive funds under a covered program shall not apply in the 
case of the certification of a 1994 Institution under section 
2 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the ‘‘McIntire- 
Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 582a–1). 
‘‘(3) EXTRAORDINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES.—In the case of 
extraordinary circumstances or a situation that would lead 
to an inequitable result, as determined by the Secretary, the 
Secretary may determine that an entity designated after the 
date of enactment of this section is eligible to receive funds 
under a covered program. 
‘‘(b) STATE FUNDING.—No State shall receive an increase in 
funding under a covered program as a result of the State’s designa-
tion of additional entities as eligible to receive such funding. 
‘‘(c) COVERED PROGRAM DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, 
the term ‘covered program’ means agricultural research, extension, 
education, and related programs or grants established or available 
under any of the following: 
‘‘(1) Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 3 of the Smith- 
Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343). 
‘‘(2) The Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.). 
‘‘(3) Sections 1444, 1445, and 1447. 
‘‘(4) Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire- 
Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.). 
7 USC 3159. 
7 USC 3158. 
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132 STAT. 4785 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed as limiting eligibility for a capacity and infrastructure 
program specified in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)) that 
is not a covered program.’’. 
SEC. 7112. NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
Section 1425 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); 
(2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: 
‘‘(f) COORDINATION.—Projects carried out with funds made avail-
able under section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914 (7 U.S.C. 343(d)), 
to carry out the program established under subsection (b) may 
be coordinated with the nutrition education and obesity prevention 
grant program under section 28 of the Food and Nutrition Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2036a) or another health promotion or nutrition 
improvement strategy, whether publicly or privately funded, as 
determined by the Secretary.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7113. CONTINUING ANIMAL HEALTH AND DISEASE RESEARCH 
PROGRAMS. 
Section 1433(c)(1) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3195(c)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7114. CARRYOVER OF FUNDS FOR EXTENSION AT 1890 LAND- 
GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY. 
Section 1444(a) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221(a)) is amended 
by striking paragraph (4). 
SEC. 7115. EXTENSION AND AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AT 1890 LAND- 
GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY. 
(a) EXTENSION.—Section 1444(b) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3221(b)) is amended— 
(1) in the undesignated matter following paragraph (2)(B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraph (2) of this subsection’’ and 
inserting ‘‘this paragraph’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘In computing’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(C) In computing’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘Of the remainder’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (4), of 
the remainder’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘(2) any funds’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.—Any funds’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘are allocated’’ and inserting ‘‘were allo-
cated’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting ‘‘, as so designated 
as of that date.’’; 
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132 STAT. 4786 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(4) by striking ‘‘(b) Beginning’’ in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) and all that follows through ‘‘any funds’’ in 
paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds made available under this section 
shall be distributed among eligible institutions in accordance 
with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) BASE AMOUNT.—Any funds’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) COVERED
FISCAL
YEAR.—The term ‘covered 
fiscal year’ means the fiscal year for which the qualified 
eligible institution first received an allocation of 
$3,000,000 under subparagraph (B)(i). 
‘‘(ii) OTHER
ELIGIBLE
INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘other eligible institution’ means an eligible institution, 
other than the qualified eligible institution, receiving 
an allocation of funds under this section. 
‘‘(iii) QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘qualified eligible institution’ means the eligible institu-
tion described in subparagraph (B)(i). 
‘‘(B) FISCAL YEAR 2019, 2020, 2021, OR 2022.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), for 1 of 
fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, if the calculation 
under paragraph (3)(B) would result in a distribution 
for a fiscal year of less than $3,000,000 to an eligible 
institution that first received funds under this section 
on a date occurring after the date of enactment of 
the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79; 128 
Stat. 649) and before September 30, 2018, that institu-
tion shall receive an allocation of $3,000,000 for that 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) LIMITATION.—Clause (i) shall apply only if 
amounts are appropriated under this section in an 
amount sufficient to provide that each other eligible 
institution receiving an allocation of funds under this 
section for fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, as 
applicable, receives not less than the amount of funds 
received by that other eligible institution under this 
section for the preceding fiscal year. 
‘‘(C) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.— 
‘‘(i) MINIMUM
ADDITIONAL
FUNDING
AMOUNTS.— 
Subject to clauses (ii) and (iii), for each fiscal year 
following the covered fiscal year— 
‘‘(I) the qualified eligible institution shall 
receive an allocation under this subsection of at 
least $3,000,000; and 
‘‘(II) each other eligible institution shall 
receive an allocation under this subsection of at 
least the amount received by such other eligible 
institution under this subsection for the covered 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(ii) SHORTFALL OF SPECIAL AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(I) APPLICABILITY.—This clause shall apply 
to any fiscal year following the covered fiscal year 
and for which the total amount appropriated under 
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132 STAT. 4787 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
this section is insufficient to provide for the min-
imum additional funding amounts described in 
clause (i). 
‘‘(II) REDUCTIONS
IN
ALLOCATIONS.—In the 
case of a fiscal year to which this clause applies, 
reductions in allocations shall be made proportion-
ally from the qualified eligible institution and from 
each other eligible institution based on the 
increased amounts (if any) that the qualified 
eligible institution and each other eligible institu-
tion were allocated for the covered fiscal year as 
compared to the fiscal year immediately preceding 
the covered fiscal year. 
‘‘(iii) EFFECT OF CENSUS.—Clauses (i) and (ii) shall 
not apply in any fiscal year for which a shortfall in 
the minimum additional funding amounts described 
in clause (i) is attributable to the incorporation of 
new census data into the calculation under paragraph 
(3), as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) RESEARCH.—Section 1445(b) of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3222(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) SPECIAL AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this subparagraph: 
‘‘(I) COVERED FISCAL YEAR.—The term ‘covered 
fiscal year’ means the fiscal year for which the 
qualified eligible institution first received an 
allocation of $3,000,000 under clause (ii)(I). 
‘‘(II) OTHER ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘other eligible institution’ means an eligible institu-
tion, other than the qualified eligible institution, 
receiving an allocation of funds under this section. 
‘‘(III) QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘qualified eligible institution’ means the 
eligible institution described in clause (ii)(I). 
‘‘(ii) FISCAL YEAR 2019, 2020, 2021, OR 2022.— 
‘‘(I) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subclause (II), 
for 1 of fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022, 
if the calculation under subparagraph (C) would 
result in a distribution for a fiscal year of less 
than $3,000,000 to an eligible institution that first 
received funds under this section on a date occur-
ring after the date of enactment of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79; 128 Stat. 649) 
and before September 30, 2018, that institution 
shall receive an allocation of $3,000,000 for that 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(II) LIMITATION.—Subclause (I) shall apply 
only if amounts are appropriated under this section 
in an amount sufficient to provide that each other 
eligible institution receiving an allocation of funds 
under this section for fiscal year 2019, 2020, 2021, 
or 2022, as applicable, receives not less than the 
amount of funds received by that other eligible 
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132 STAT. 4788 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
institution under this section for the preceding 
fiscal year. 
‘‘(iii) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.— 
‘‘(I) 
MINIMUM
ADDITIONAL
FUNDING 
AMOUNTS.—Subject to subclauses (II) and (III), for 
each fiscal year following the covered fiscal year— 
‘‘(aa) the qualified eligible institution shall 
receive an allocation under this paragraph of 
at least $3,000,000; and 
‘‘(bb) each other eligible institution shall 
receive an allocation under this paragraph of 
at least the amount received by such other 
eligible institution under this subsection for 
the covered fiscal year. 
‘‘(II) SHORTFALL OF SPECIAL AMOUNTS.— 
‘‘(aa) APPLICABILITY.—This subclause shall 
apply to any fiscal year following the covered 
fiscal year and for which the total amount 
appropriated under this subsection is insuffi-
cient to provide for the minimum additional 
funding amounts described in subclause (I). 
‘‘(bb) REDUCTIONS
IN
ALLOCATIONS.—In 
the case of a fiscal year to which this subclause 
applies, reductions in allocations shall be made 
proportionally from the qualified eligible 
institution and from each other eligible institu-
tion based on the increased amounts (if any) 
that the qualified eligible institution and each 
other eligible institution were allocated for the 
covered fiscal year as compared to the fiscal 
year immediately preceding the covered fiscal 
year. 
‘‘(III) EFFECT OF CENSUS.—Subclauses (I) and 
(II) shall not apply in any fiscal year for which 
a shortfall in the minimum additional funding 
amounts described in subclause (I) is attributable 
to the incorporation of new census data into the 
calculation under paragraph (3)(C), as determined 
by the Secretary.’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘(B) Of funds’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONAL
AMOUNT.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (D), of funds’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘are allocated’’ and inserting ‘‘were 
allocated’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, as so designated as of that 
date’’ before the period at the end; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘(A) Funds’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) BASE AMOUNT.—Funds’’; and 
(D) in the matter preceding subparagraph (B) (as so 
designated), by striking ‘‘(2) The’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘follows:’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) DISTRIBUTIONS.— 
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132 STAT. 4789 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—After allocating amounts under 
paragraph (2), the remainder shall be allotted among the 
eligible institutions in accordance with this paragraph.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘(1) Three per centum’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION.—3 percent’’; and 
(3) in the matter preceding paragraph (2) (as so designated), 
by striking ‘‘(b) Beginning’’ and all that follows through ‘‘fol-
lows:’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds made available under this section 
shall be distributed among eligible institutions in accordance 
with this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 7116. REPORTS ON DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS FOR AGRICUL-
TURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION AT 1862 AND 1890 
LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING TUSKEGEE UNIVER-
SITY. 
Not later than September 30, 2019, and each year thereafter, 
the Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report describing 
the allocations made to, and matching funds received by, 1890 
Institutions and 1862 Institutions (as those terms are defined in 
section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601) for each of the agricultural 
research, extension, education, and related programs established 
under— 
(1) section 1444 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221); 
(2) section 1445 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222); 
(3) subsections (b) and (c) of section 3 of the Smith-Lever 
Act (7 U.S.C. 343); and 
(4) the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.). 
SEC. 7117. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS. 
Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after 
section 1445 (7 U.S.C. 3222) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1446. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) SCHOLARSHIP GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.—The Sec-
retary shall make grants to each college or university eligible 
to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (commonly 
known as the Second Morrill Act; 7 U.S.C. 322 et seq.), 
including Tuskegee University, for purposes of awarding schol-
arships to individuals who— 
‘‘(A) have been accepted for admission at such college 
or university; 
‘‘(B) will be enrolled at such college or university not 
later than one year after the date of such acceptance; 
and 
‘‘(C) intend to pursue a career in the food and agricul-
tural sciences, including a career in— 
‘‘(i) agribusiness; 
‘‘(ii) energy and renewable fuels; or 
‘‘(iii) financial management. 
7 USC 3222a. 
7 USC 2207d. 
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132 STAT. 4790 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) CONDITION.—The Secretary may only award a grant 
under this subsection to a college or university described in 
paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines that such college 
or university has established a competitive scholarship awards 
process for the award of scholarships to individuals described 
in such paragraph. 
‘‘(3) ANNUAL
LIMITATION.—Of the funds made available 
under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary may use not more than 
$10,000,000 to award grants under this subsection for the aca-
demic year beginning on July 1, 2020, and each of the three 
succeeding academic years. 
‘‘(4) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—Each grant made under this sec-
tion shall be in an amount of not less than $500,000. 
‘‘(b) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry 
out this section $40,000,000 not later than October 1, 2019, 
to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) DISCRETIONARY
FUNDING.—In addition to amounts 
made available under paragraph (1), there is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2020 through 2023. 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Of the funds made avail-
able under paragraphs (1) and (2) to carry out this section 
for a fiscal year, not more than 4 percent may be used for 
expenses related to administering the program under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—Beginning on the date that is two years after 
the date on which the first grant is awarded under subsection 
(a), and every two 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 detailing— 
‘‘(1) the amount of funds provided to each eligible college 
or university under this section; 
‘‘(2) the number of scholarships awarded under each grant 
each fiscal year; and 
‘‘(3) the amount of each such scholarship.’’. 
SEC. 7118. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES 
FACILITIES AT 1890 LAND-GRANT COLLEGES, INCLUDING 
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY. 
Section 1447(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b(b)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7119. GRANTS TO UPGRADE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SCIENCES 
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT AT INSULAR AREA LAND- 
GRANT INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 1447B(d) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3222b–2(d)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7120. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS. 
Subtitle G of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4791 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘SEC. 1450. NEW BEGINNING FOR TRIBAL STUDENTS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘Indian tribe’ has the meaning 
given such term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination 
and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)). 
‘‘(2) LAND-GRANT COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY.—The term ‘land- 
grant college or university’ includes a 1994 Institution (as 
defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land- 
Grant Status Act of 1994 (Public Law 103–382; 7 U.S.C. 301 
note)). 
‘‘(3) TRIBAL STUDENT.—The term ‘Tribal student’ means 
a student at a land-grant college or university that is a member 
of an Indian tribe. 
‘‘(b) NEW BEGINNING INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary may make competitive 
grants to land-grant colleges and universities to provide identifi-
able support specifically targeted for Tribal students. 
‘‘(2) APPLICATION.—A land-grant college or university that 
desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may 
require. 
‘‘(3) USE
OF
FUNDS.—A land-grant college or university 
that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant 
funds to support Tribal students through— 
‘‘(A) recruiting; 
‘‘(B) tuition and related fees; 
‘‘(C) experiential learning; and 
‘‘(D) student services, including— 
‘‘(i) tutoring; 
‘‘(ii) counseling; 
‘‘(iii) academic advising; and 
‘‘(iv) other student services that would increase 
the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students 
enrolled at the land-grant college or university, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) MATCHING FUNDS.—A land-grant college or university 
that receives a grant under this section shall provide matching 
funds toward the cost of carrying out the activities described 
in this section in an amount equal to not less than 100 percent 
of the grant award. 
‘‘(5) MAXIMUM AMOUNT PER STATE.—No State shall receive, 
through grants made under this section to land-grant colleges 
and universities located in the State, more than $500,000 per 
year. 
‘‘(c) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on 
Indian Affairs of the Senate a report that includes an itemized 
list of grant funds distributed under this section, including the 
specific form of assistance provided under subsection (b)(3), and 
the number of Tribal students assisted and the graduation rate 
of Tribal students at land-grant colleges and universities receiving 
grants under this section. 
7 USC 3222e. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7121. HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 1455(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3241(c)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7122. BINATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT. 
Section 1458(e) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291(e)) is 
amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘FULL PAYMENT 
OF FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR CERTAIN’’ and inserting ‘‘CER-
TAIN’’ ; 
(2) by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(1) FULL PAYMENT OF FUNDS.—Notwithstanding’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Israel-United States’’ and inserting 
‘‘United States-Israel’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘(referred to in this subsection as 
the ‘BARD Fund’)’’ after ‘‘Development Fund’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES.—Activities under the BARD Fund to pro-
mote and support agricultural research and development that 
are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel shall— 
‘‘(A) accelerate the demonstration, development, and 
application of agricultural solutions resulting from or 
relating to BARD Fund programs, including BARD Fund- 
sponsored research and innovations in drip irrigation, pes-
ticides, aquaculture, livestock, poultry, disease control, and 
farm equipment; and 
‘‘(B) encourage research carried out by governmental, 
nongovernmental, and private entities, including through 
collaboration with colleges and universities, research 
institutions, and the private sector.’’. 
SEC. 7123. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND TEACHING. 
The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1458 
(7 U.S.C. 3291) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1458A. PARTNERSHIPS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN INTERNATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH, 
EXTENSION, 
AND 
TEACHING. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) 1862 INSTITUTION; 1890
INSTITUTION; 1994
INSTITU-
TION.—The terms ‘1862 Institution’, ‘1890 Institution’, and ‘1994 
Institution’ have the meanings given the terms in section 2 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601). 
‘‘(2) COVERED INSTITUTION.—The term ‘covered Institution’ 
means— 
‘‘(A) an 1862 Institution; 
7 USC 3292. 
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132 STAT. 4793 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) an 1890 Institution; 
‘‘(C) a 1994 Institution; 
‘‘(D) an NLGCA Institution; 
‘‘(E) a Hispanic-serving agricultural college or univer-
sity; and 
‘‘(F) a cooperating forestry school. 
‘‘(3) DEVELOPING COUNTRY.—The term ‘developing country’ 
means a country, as determined by the Secretary using a gross 
national income per capita test selected by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) INTERNATIONAL
PARTNER
INSTITUTION.—The term 
‘international partner institution’ means an agricultural higher 
education institution in a developing country that is performing, 
or desiring to perform, activities similar to agricultural 
research, extension, and teaching activities carried out through 
covered Institutions in the United States. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary may pro-
mote cooperation and coordination between covered Institutions 
and international partner institutions through— 
‘‘(1) improving extension by— 
‘‘(A) encouraging the exchange of research materials 
and results between covered Institutions and international 
partner institutions; 
‘‘(B) facilitating the broad dissemination of agricultural 
research through extension; and 
‘‘(C) assisting with efforts to plan and initiate extension 
services in developing countries; 
‘‘(2) improving agricultural research by— 
‘‘(A) in partnership with international partner institu-
tions, encouraging research that addresses problems 
affecting food production and security, human nutrition, 
agriculture, forestry, livestock, and fisheries, including local 
challenges; and 
‘‘(B) supporting and strengthening national agricul-
tural research systems in developing countries; 
‘‘(3) supporting the participation of covered Institutions 
in programs of international organizations, such as the United 
Nations, the World Bank, regional development banks, and 
international agricultural research centers; 
‘‘(4) improving agricultural teaching and education by— 
‘‘(A) in partnership with international partner institu-
tions, supporting education and teaching relating to food 
and agricultural sciences, including technical assistance, 
degree training, research collaborations, classroom instruc-
tion, workforce training, and education programs; and 
‘‘(B) assisting with efforts to increase student capacity, 
including to encourage equitable access for women and 
other underserved populations, at international partner 
institutions by promoting partnerships with, and improving 
the capacity of, covered Institutions; 
‘‘(5) assisting covered Institutions in strengthening their 
capacity for food, agricultural, and related research, extension, 
and teaching programs relevant to agricultural development 
activities in developing countries to promote the application 
of new technology to improve education delivery; 
‘‘(6) providing support for the internationalization of resi-
dent instruction programs of covered Institutions; 
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132 STAT. 4794 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(7) establishing a program, to be coordinated by the 
Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and 
the Administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, to place 
interns from covered Institutions in, or in service to benefit, 
developing countries; and 
‘‘(8) establishing a program to provide fellowships to stu-
dents at covered Institutions to study at foreign agricultural 
colleges and universities. 
‘‘(c) ENHANCING LINKAGES.—The Secretary shall enhance the 
linkages among covered Institutions, the Federal Government, 
international research centers, counterpart research, extension, and 
teaching agencies and institutions in developed countries and devel-
oping countries— 
‘‘(1) to carry out the activities described in subsection (b); 
and 
‘‘(2) to make a substantial contribution to the cause of 
improved food and agricultural progress throughout the world. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7124. COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR INTERNATIONAL AGRICUL-
TURAL SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1459A(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b(c)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7125. LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS FOR AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS. 
Section 1462 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘22 percent’’ and inserting 
‘‘30 percent’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘Subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Subsections (a) and (c)’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) TREATMENT
OF
SUBGRANTS.—In the case of a grant 
described in subsection (a), the limitation on indirect costs specified 
in such subsection shall be applied to both the initial grant award 
and any subgrant of the Federal funds provided under the initial 
grant award so that the total of all indirect costs charged against 
the total of the Federal funds provided under the initial grant 
award does not exceed such limitation.’’. 
SEC. 7126. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS. 
The National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 is amended by inserting after section 1462 
(7 U.S.C. 3310) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 1462A. RESEARCH EQUIPMENT GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make competitive grants 
for the acquisition of special purpose scientific research equipment 
for use in the food and agricultural sciences programs of eligible 
institutions. 
‘‘(b) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—The amount of a grant made to an 
eligible institution under this section may not exceed $500,000. 
7 USC 3310a. 
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132 STAT. 4795 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(c) PROHIBITION
ON CHARGE
OR EQUIPMENT
AS INDIRECT 
COSTS.—The cost of acquisition or depreciation of equipment pur-
chased with a grant under this section shall not be— 
‘‘(1) charged as an indirect cost against another Federal 
grant; or 
‘‘(2) included as part of the indirect cost pool for purposes 
of calculating the indirect cost rate of an eligible institution. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS DEFINED.—In this section, the term 
‘eligible institution’ means— 
‘‘(1) a college or university; or 
‘‘(2) a State cooperative institution. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7127. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH. 
Section 1463 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3311) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears in subsections (a) and (b) 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7128. EXTENSION SERVICE. 
Section 1464 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3312) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7129. SUPPLEMENTAL AND ALTERNATIVE CROPS; HEMP. 
Section 1473D of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘crops,’’ and inserting ‘‘crops (including 
canola),’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘for agronomic rotational purposes 
and as a habitat for honey bees and other pollinators’’ 
after ‘‘alternative crops’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘commodities whose’’ and all that fol-
lows through the period at the end and inserting ‘‘commod-
ities.’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)(3)(E), by inserting ‘‘(including hemp 
(as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act 
of 1946))’’ after ‘‘material’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7130. NEW ERA RURAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. 
Section 1473E of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319e) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(B)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4796 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iv) precision agriculture.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ‘‘2008 through 2012’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 7131. CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FOR NLGCA INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 1473F(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3319i(b)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7132. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY PILOT. 
Subtitle K of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1473H. AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT AUTHORITY PILOT. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The term 
‘advanced research and development’ means research and 
development activities used to address research challenges in 
agriculture and food through— 
‘‘(A) targeted acceleration of novel, early stage innova-
tive agricultural research with promising technology 
applications and products; or 
‘‘(B) development of qualified products and projects, 
agricultural technologies, or innovative research tools, 
which may include— 
‘‘(i) prototype testing, preclinical development, or 
field experimental use; 
‘‘(ii) assessing and assisting with product approval, 
clearance, or need for a license under an applicable 
law, as determined by the Director; or 
‘‘(iii) manufacturing and commercialization of a 
product. 
‘‘(2) AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY.—The term ‘agricultural 
technology’ means machinery and other equipment engineered 
for an applicable and novel use in agriculture, natural 
resources, and food relating to the research and development 
of qualified products and projects. 
‘‘(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means the Director 
of the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
Authority established under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(4) OTHER
TRANSACTION.—The term ‘other transaction’ 
means a transaction other than a procurement contract, grant, 
or cooperative agreement, including a transaction described 
in subsection (b)(6)(A). 
‘‘(5) PERSON.—The term ‘person’ means— 
‘‘(A) an individual; 
‘‘(B) a partnership; 
‘‘(C) a corporation; 
‘‘(D) an association; 
‘‘(E) an entity; 
‘‘(F) a public or private corporation; 
‘‘(G) a Federal, State, or local government agency or 
department; and 
7 USC 3319k. 
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132 STAT. 4797 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(H) an institution of higher education, including a 
land-grant college or university and a non-land-grant col-
lege of agriculture. 
‘‘(6) QUALIFIED PRODUCT OR PROJECT.—The term ‘qualified 
product or project’ means— 
‘‘(A) 
engineering, 
mechanization, 
or 
technology 
improvements that will address challenges relating to 
growing, harvesting, handling, processing, storing, packing, 
and distribution of agricultural products; 
‘‘(B) plant disease or plant pest recovery counter-
measures to intentional or unintentional biological threats 
(including naturally occurring threats), including— 
‘‘(i) replacement or resistant plant cultivars or vari-
eties; 
‘‘(ii) 
other 
enhanced 
management 
strategies, 
including 
novel 
chemical, 
biological, 
or 
cultural 
approaches; or 
‘‘(iii) diagnostic or surveillance technology; and 
‘‘(C) veterinary countermeasures to intentional or 
unintentional biological threats (including naturally occur-
ring threats), including— 
‘‘(i) 
animal 
vaccine 
or 
therapeutic 
products 
(including anti-infective products); or 
‘‘(ii) diagnostic or surveillance technology. 
‘‘(7) RESEARCH TOOL.—The term ‘research tool’ means a 
device, technology, procedure, biological material, reagent, com-
puter system, computer software, or analytical technique that 
is developed to assist in the discovery, development, or manu-
facture of a qualified product or project. 
‘‘(b) AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT 
AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the 
Department of Agriculture a pilot program that shall be known 
as the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development 
Authority (referred to in this section as the ‘AGARDA’) to 
carry out advanced research and development. 
‘‘(2) GOALS.—The goals of the AGARDA are— 
‘‘(A) to develop and deploy advanced solutions to pre-
vent, prepare, and protect against unintentional and inten-
tional threats to agriculture and food in the United States; 
‘‘(B) to overcome barriers in the development of agricul-
tural technologies, research tools, and qualified products 
and projects that enhance export competitiveness, environ-
mental sustainability, and resilience to extreme weather; 
‘‘(C) to ensure that the United States maintains and 
enhances its position as a leader in developing and 
deploying agricultural technologies, research tools, and 
qualified projects and products that increase economic 
opportunities and security for farmers, ranchers, and rural 
communities; and 
‘‘(D) to undertake advanced research and development 
in areas in which industry by itself is not likely to do 
so because of the technological or financial uncertainty. 
‘‘(3) LEADERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The AGARDA shall be a component 
of the Office of the Chief Scientist. 
‘‘(B) DIRECTOR.— 
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132 STAT. 4798 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The AGARDA shall be headed 
by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Chief 
Scientist. 
‘‘(ii) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director shall be an 
individual who, by reason of professional background 
and experience, is exceptionally qualified to advise the 
Chief Scientist on, and manage advanced research and 
development programs and other matters pertaining 
to— 
‘‘(I) qualified products and projects; 
‘‘(II) agricultural technologies; 
‘‘(III) research tools; and 
‘‘(IV) challenges relating to the matters 
described in subclauses (I) through (III). 
‘‘(iii) RELATIONSHIP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURE.—The Director shall report to the Chief 
Scientist. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES.—To achieve the goals described in paragraph 
(2), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall accelerate 
advanced research and development by— 
‘‘(A) identifying and promoting advances in basic 
sciences; 
‘‘(B) translating scientific discoveries and inventions 
into technological innovations; 
‘‘(C) collaborating with other agencies, relevant indus-
tries, academia, international agencies, the Foundation for 
Food and Agriculture Research, and other relevant persons 
to carry out the goals described in paragraph (2), including 
convening, at a minimum, annual meetings or working 
groups to demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of 
advanced research and development of qualified products 
and projects, agricultural technologies, and research tools; 
‘‘(D) conducting ongoing searches for, and support calls 
for, potential advanced research and development of agri-
cultural technologies, qualified products and projects, and 
research tools; 
‘‘(E) awarding grants and entering into contracts, 
cooperative agreements, or other transactions under para-
graph (6) for advanced research and development of agricul-
tural technology, qualified products and projects, and 
research tools; 
‘‘(F) establishing issue-based multidisciplinary teams 
to reduce the time and cost of solving specific problems 
that— 
‘‘(i) are composed of representatives from Federal 
and State agencies, professional groups, academia, and 
industry; 
‘‘(ii) seek novel and effective solutions; and 
‘‘(iii) encourage data sharing and translation of 
research to field use; and 
‘‘(G) serving as a resource for interested persons 
regarding requirements under relevant laws that impact 
the 
development, 
commercialization, 
and 
technology 
transfer of qualified products and projects, agricultural 
technologies, and research tools. 
‘‘(5) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants and entering into con-
tracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions under 
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132 STAT. 4799 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary shall give priority to projects 
that accelerate the advanced research and development of quali-
fied products and projects that— 
‘‘(A) address critical research and development needs 
for technology for specialty crops; or 
‘‘(B) prevent, protect, and prepare against intentional 
and unintentional threats to agriculture and food. 
‘‘(6) OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the pilot program 
under this section, the Secretary shall have the authority 
to enter into other transactions in the same manner and 
subject to the same terms and conditions as transactions 
that the Secretary of Defense may enter into under section 
2371 of title 10, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) SCOPE.—The authority of the Secretary to enter 
into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other trans-
actions under this subsection shall be in addition to the 
authorities under this Act and title I of the Department 
of Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 
1964 (7 U.S.C. 3318a), to use contracts, cooperative agree-
ments, and grants in carrying out the pilot program under 
this section. 
‘‘(C) GUIDELINES.—The Secretary shall establish guide-
lines regarding the use of the authority under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(D) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.—In entering into other 
transactions, the Secretary may negotiate terms for tech-
nology transfer in the same manner as a Federal laboratory 
under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 12(b) of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3710a(b)). 
‘‘(7) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall require that, 
as a condition of being awarded a contract or grant or 
entering into a cooperative agreement or other transaction 
under paragraph (4)(E), a person shall make available to 
the Secretary on an ongoing basis, and submit to the Sec-
retary on request of the Secretary, all data relating to 
or resulting from the activities carried out by the person 
pursuant to this section. 
‘‘(B) EXEMPTION FROM DISCLOSURE.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—This subparagraph shall be 
considered a statute described in section 552(b)(3)(B) 
of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(ii) EXEMPTION.—The following information shall 
be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 
5, United States Code, and withheld from the public: 
‘‘(I) 
Specific 
technical 
data 
or 
scientific 
information that is created or obtained under this 
section that reveals significant and not otherwise 
publicly known vulnerabilities of existing agri-
culture and food defenses against biological, chem-
ical, nuclear, or radiological threats. 
‘‘(II) Trade secrets or commercial or financial 
information that is privileged or confidential 
(within the meaning of section 552(b)(4) of title 
5, United States Code) and obtained in the conduct 
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132 STAT. 4800 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of research or as a result of activities under this 
section from a non-Federal party participating in 
a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other 
transaction under this section. 
‘‘(iii) LIMITATION.—Information that results from 
research and development activities conducted under 
this section and that would be a trade secret or 
commercial or financial information that is privileged 
or confidential if the information had been obtained 
from a non-Federal party participating in a cooperative 
agreement or other transaction shall be withheld from 
disclosure under subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 
5, United States Code, for 5 years. 
‘‘(8) MILESTONE-BASED PAYMENTS ALLOWED.—In awarding 
contracts and grants and entering into cooperative agreements 
or other transactions under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary 
may— 
‘‘(A) use milestone-based awards and payments; and 
‘‘(B) terminate a project for not meeting technical mile-
stones. 
‘‘(9) USE OF EXISTING PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES.—In carrying 
out this subsection, the Secretary may appoint highly qualified 
individuals to scientific or professional positions on the same 
terms and conditions as provided in subsections (b)(3), (b)(4), 
(c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 620 of the Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7657). 
‘‘(10) REPORT AND EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(A) REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
the Senate an annual report examining the actions under-
taken and results generated by the AGARDA. 
‘‘(B) EVALUATION.—After the date on which the 
AGARDA has been in operation for 3 years, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation— 
‘‘(i) to be completed and submitted to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate not later than 1 year after the 
date on which the Comptroller General began con-
ducting the evaluation; 
‘‘(ii) describing the extent to which the AGARDA 
is achieving the goals described in paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(iii) including a recommendation on whether the 
AGARDA 
should 
be 
continued, 
terminated, 
or 
expanded. 
‘‘(c) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 360 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop and 
make publicly available a strategic plan describing the strategic 
vision that the AGARDA shall use— 
‘‘(A) to make determinations for future investments 
during the period of effectiveness of this section; and 
‘‘(B) to achieve the goals described in subsection (b)(2). 
‘‘(2) DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary shall disseminate the 
information contained in the strategic plan under paragraph 
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132 STAT. 4801 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) to persons who may have the capacity to substantially 
contribute to the activities described in that strategic plan. 
‘‘(3) COORDINATION; CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) update and coordinate the strategic coordination 
plan under section 221(d)(7) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 with the strategic plan 
developed under paragraph (1) for activities relating to 
agriculture and food defense countermeasure development 
and procurement; and 
‘‘(B) in developing the strategic plan under paragraph 
(1), consult with— 
‘‘(i) the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
Education, and Economics Advisory Board established 
under section 1408(a); 
‘‘(ii) the specialty crops committee established 
under section 1408A(a)(1); 
‘‘(iii) relevant agriculture research agencies of the 
Federal Government; 
‘‘(iv) 
the 
National 
Academies 
of 
Sciences, 
Engineering, and Medicine; 
‘‘(v) the National Veterinary Stockpile Intra- 
Government 
Advisory 
Committee 
for 
Strategic 
Steering; and 
‘‘(vi) other appropriate parties, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Treasury 
the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Fund, 
which shall be administered by the Secretary, acting through 
the Director— 
‘‘(A) for the purpose of carrying out this section; and 
‘‘(B) in the same manner and subject to the same 
terms and conditions as are applicable to the Secretary 
of Defense under section 2371 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS INTO FUND.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director, may accept and deposit into the Fund monies 
received pursuant to cost recovery, contribution, or royalty 
payments under a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, 
or other transaction under this section. 
‘‘(B) AVAILABILITY
OF
AMOUNTS
IN
FUND.—Amounts 
deposited into the fund shall remain available until 
expended, without further appropriation, and may be used 
to carry out the purposes of this section. 
‘‘(C) 
CLARIFICATION.—Nothing 
in 
this 
paragraph 
authorizes the use of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation to carry out this section. 
‘‘(3) FUNDING.—In addition to funds otherwise deposited 
in the Fund under paragraph (1) or (2), there is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Fund $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(e) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided under paragraph 
(2), the authority provided by this section terminates on the 
date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of the 
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
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132 STAT. 4802 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTIONS.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply with 
respect to— 
‘‘(A) subsection (b)(7)(B); and 
‘‘(B) grants awarded or contracts, cooperative agree-
ments, or other transactions entered into before the end 
of the 5-year period referred to in such clause.’’. 
SEC. 7133. AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. 
Section 1477(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3324(a)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7134. RANGELAND RESEARCH PROGRAMS. 
Section 1483(a)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3336(a)(2)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7135. SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FOR BIOSECURITY PLANNING 
AND RESPONSE. 
Section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘and cooperative agreements’’ after ‘‘competitive grants’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘make competitive 
grants’’ and inserting ‘‘award competitive grants and 
cooperative agreements’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) To coordinate the tactical science activities of the 
Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the 
Department that protect the integrity, reliability, sustainability, 
and profitability of the food and agricultural system of the 
United States against biosecurity threats from pests, diseases, 
contaminants, and disasters.’’. 
SEC. 7136. DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENT INSTRUCTION 
GRANTS PROGRAM FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF 
HIGHER EDUCATION. 
(a) DISTANCE EDUCATION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.—Section 
1490(f)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3362(f)(2)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR INSULAR AREAS.—Sec-
tion 1491(c)(2) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363(c)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4803 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle B—Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
SEC. 7201. BEST UTILIZATION OF BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS. 
Section 1624 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5814) is amended in the first sentence by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7202. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS. 
Section 1627(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT 
AND TRANSFER PROGRAM. 
Section 1628(f)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5831(f)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7204. NATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM. 
Section 1629(i) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5832(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 
7205. 
NATIONAL 
STRATEGIC 
GERMPLASM 
AND 
CULTIVAR 
COLLECTION ASSESSMENT AND UTILIZATION PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1632(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5841(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: 
‘‘(6) develop and implement a national strategic germplasm 
and cultivar collection assessment and utilization plan that 
takes into consideration the resources and research necessary 
to address the significant backlog of characterization and 
maintenance of existing accessions considered to be critical 
to preserve the viability of, and public access to, germplasm 
and cultivars; and’’. 
(b) PLAN PUBLICATION.—Section 1633 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5842) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) PLAN PUBLICATION.—On completion of the development of 
the plan described in section 1632(d)(6), the Secretary shall make 
the plan available to the public.’’. 
SEC. 7206. NATIONAL GENETICS RESOURCES PROGRAM. 
(a) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—Section 1634 of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5843) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; 
(B) in the second sentence of paragraph (1) (as so 
designated), by striking ‘‘The advisory’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The advisory’’; 
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132 STAT. 4804 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(C) in paragraph (2) (as so designated), by striking 
‘‘nine’’ and inserting ‘‘13’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In making recommendations under 
paragraph (1), the advisory council shall include rec-
ommendations on— 
‘‘(i) the state of public cultivar development, 
including— 
‘‘(I) an analysis of existing cultivar research 
investments; 
‘‘(II) the research gaps relating to the develop-
ment of cultivars across a diverse range of crops; 
and 
‘‘(III) an assessment of the state of commer-
cialization of federally funded cultivars; 
‘‘(ii) the training and resources needed to meet 
future breeding challenges; 
‘‘(iii) the appropriate levels of Federal funding for 
cultivar development for underserved crops and 
geographic areas; and 
‘‘(iv) the development of the plan described in sec-
tion 1632(d)(6).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Two-thirds’’ and inserting ‘‘6’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘economics and policy,’’ after ‘‘agri-
cultural sciences,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘One-third’’ and inserting ‘‘3’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘community development,’’ after 
‘‘public policy,’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) 4 of the members shall be appointed from among 
individuals with expertise in public cultivar and animal breed 
development. 
‘‘(4) 4 of the members shall be appointed from among 
individuals representing— 
‘‘(A) 1862 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)); 
‘‘(B) 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)); 
‘‘(C) Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 
1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)); or 
‘‘(D) 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of 
the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382)).’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 1635(b)(2) of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 5844(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4805 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 
7207. 
NATIONAL 
AGRICULTURAL 
WEATHER 
INFORMATION 
SYSTEM. 
Section 1641(c) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5855(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7208. AGRICULTURAL GENOME TO PHENOME INITIATIVE. 
Section 1671 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘TO PHENOME’’ 
after ‘‘GENOME’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) GOALS.—The goals of this section are— 
‘‘(1) to expand knowledge concerning genomes and 
phenomes of crops and animals of importance to the agriculture 
sector of the United States; 
‘‘(2) to understand how variable weather, environments, 
and production systems impact the growth and productivity 
of specific varieties of crops and species of animals in order 
to provide greater accuracy in predicting crop and animal 
performance under variable conditions; 
‘‘(3) to support research that leverages plant and animal 
genomic information with phenotypic and environmental data 
through an interdisciplinary framework, leading to a novel 
understanding of plant and animal processes that affect growth, 
productivity, and the ability to predict performance, which will 
result in the deployment of superior varieties and species to 
producers and improved crop and animal management rec-
ommendations for farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(4) to catalyze and coordinate research that links genomics 
and predictive phenomics at different sites across the United 
States to achieve advances in crops and animals that generate 
societal benefits; 
‘‘(5) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, plant 
physiology, agronomy, climatology, and crop modeling with com-
putation and informatics, statistics, and engineering; 
‘‘(6) to combine fields such as genetics, genomics, animal 
physiology, meat science, animal nutrition, and veterinary 
science with computation and informatics, statistics, and 
engineering; 
‘‘(7) to focus on crops and animals that will yield scientif-
ically important results that will enhance the usefulness of 
many other crops and animals; 
‘‘(8) to build on genomic research, such as the Plant Genome 
Research Project and the National Animal Genome Research 
Program, to understand gene function in production environ-
ments that is expected to have considerable returns for crops 
and animals of importance to the agriculture of the United 
States; 
‘‘(9) to develop improved data analytics to enhance under-
standing of the biological function of genes; 
‘‘(10) to allow resources developed under this section, 
including data, software, germplasm, and other biological mate-
rials, to be openly accessible to all persons, subject to any 
confidentiality requirements imposed by law; and 
‘‘(11) to encourage international partnerships with each 
partner country responsible for financing its own research.’’; 
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132 STAT. 4806 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(b) DUTIES
OF SECRETARY.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
(referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall conduct a 
research initiative, to be known as the ‘Agricultural Genome to 
Phenome Initiative’, for the purpose of— 
‘‘(1) studying agriculturally significant crops and animals 
in production environments to achieve sustainable and secure 
agricultural production; 
‘‘(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing knowledge of 
agricultural crop and animal genetics and phenomics are filled; 
‘‘(3) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
of relevant genes from animals and agronomically relevant 
genes from crops that are of importance to the agriculture 
sector of the United States; 
‘‘(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of crops and ani-
mals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United 
States; 
‘‘(5) studying the relevance of diverse germplasm as a 
source of unique genes that may be of importance in the future; 
‘‘(6) enhancing genetics to reduce the economic impact of 
pathogens on crops and animals of importance to the agriculture 
sector of the United States; 
‘‘(7) disseminating findings to relevant audiences; and 
‘‘(8) otherwise carrying out this section.’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ‘‘, acting through the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture,’’ after ‘‘The Sec-
retary’’; 
(5) in subsection (e), by inserting ‘‘to Phenome’’ after 
‘‘Genome’’; and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7209. HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIATIVES. 
Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (8)— 
(i) in the heading, by striking ‘‘ALFALFA AND FOR-
AGE’’ and inserting ‘‘ALFALFA SEED AND ALFALFA FOR-
AGE SYSTEMS’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘alfalfa and forage’’ and inserting 
‘‘alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘alfalfa and other forages, and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘alfalfa seed and other alfalfa forage’’; 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(11) MACADAMIA TREE HEALTH INITIATIVE.—Research and 
extension grants may be made under this section for the pur-
poses of— 
‘‘(A) developing and disseminating science-based tools 
and treatments to combat the macadamia felted coccid 
(Eriococcus ironsidei); and 
‘‘(B) establishing an areawide integrated pest manage-
ment program in areas affected by, or areas at risk of 
being affected by, the macadamia felted coccid. 
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132 STAT. 4807 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(12) 
NATIONAL
TURFGRASS
RESEARCH
INITIATIVE.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
for the purposes of— 
‘‘(A) carrying out or enhancing research related to 
turfgrass and sod issues; 
‘‘(B) enhancing production and uses of turfgrass for 
the general public; 
‘‘(C) identifying new turfgrass varieties with superior 
drought, heat, cold, and pest tolerance to reduce water, 
fertilizer, and pesticide use; 
‘‘(D) selecting genetically superior turfgrasses and 
developing improved technologies for managing commer-
cial, residential, and recreational turfgrass areas; 
‘‘(E) producing turfgrasses that— 
‘‘(i) aid in mitigating soil erosion; 
‘‘(ii) protect against pollutant runoff into water-
ways; or 
‘‘(iii) provide other environmental benefits; 
‘‘(F) investigating, preserving, and protecting native 
plant species, including grasses not currently utilized in 
turfgrass systems; 
‘‘(G) creating systems for more economical and viable 
turfgrass seed and sod production throughout the United 
States; and 
‘‘(H) investigating the turfgrass phytobiome and devel-
oping biologic products to enhance soil, enrich plants, and 
mitigate pests. 
‘‘(13) FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Research and extension grants may 
be made under this section for the purpose of carrying 
out research to improve fertilizer use efficiency in crops— 
‘‘(i) to maximize crop yield; and 
‘‘(ii) to minimize nutrient losses to surface and 
groundwater and the atmosphere. 
‘‘(B) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under subpara-
graph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to research 
examining the impact of the source, rate, timing, and place-
ment of plant nutrients. 
‘‘(14) CATTLE FEVER TICK PROGRAM.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section to study cattle 
fever ticks— 
‘‘(A) to facilitate the understanding of the role of wild-
life in the persistence and spread of cattle fever ticks; 
‘‘(B) to develop advanced methods for eradication of 
cattle fever ticks, including— 
‘‘(i) alternative treatment methods for cattle and 
other susceptible species; 
‘‘(ii) field treatment for premises, including corral 
pens and pasture loafing areas; 
‘‘(iii) methods for treatment and control on infested 
wildlife; 
‘‘(iv) biological control agents; and 
‘‘(v) new and improved vaccines; 
‘‘(C) to evaluate rangeland vegetation that impacts the 
survival of cattle fever ticks; 
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132 STAT. 4808 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(D) to improve management of diseases relating to 
cattle fever ticks that are associated with wildlife, livestock, 
and human health; 
‘‘(E) to improve diagnostic detection of tick-infested 
or infected animals and pastures; and 
‘‘(F) to conduct outreach to impacted ranchers, hunters, 
and landowners to integrate tactics and document sustain-
ability of best practices. 
‘‘(15) LAYING
HEN
AND
TURKEY
RESEARCH
PROGRAM.— 
Research grants may be made under this section for the purpose 
of improving the efficiency and sustainability of laying hen 
and turkey production through integrated, collaborative 
research and technology transfer. Emphasis may be placed 
on laying hen and turkey disease prevention, antimicrobial 
resistance, nutrition, gut health, and alternative housing sys-
tems under extreme seasonal weather conditions. 
‘‘(16) CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.—Research and extension 
grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
supporting research projects at land-grant colleges and univer-
sities (as defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103)) with established deer research programs for the purposes 
of treating, mitigating, or eliminating chronic wasting disease. 
‘‘(17) ALGAE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Research 
and extension grants may be made under this section for the 
development and testing of algae and algae systems (including 
micro- and macro-algae systems). 
‘‘(18) NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT.—Research and extension 
grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
examining nutrient management based on the source, rate, 
timing, and placement of crop nutrients. 
‘‘(19) 
DRYLAND
FARMING
AGRICULTURAL
SYSTEMS.— 
Research and extension grants may be made under this section 
for the purposes of carrying out or enhancing research on 
the utilization of big data for more precise management of 
dryland farming agricultural systems. 
‘‘(20) HOP PLANT HEALTH INITIATIVE.—Research and exten-
sion grants may be made under this section for the purposes 
of developing and disseminating science-based tools and treat-
ments to combat diseases of hops caused by the plant pathogens 
Podosphaera macularis and Pseudoperonospora humuli.’’; 
(2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(3) in subsection (f)(5), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(4) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3), by striking 
‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘2023’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as para-
graphs (5) and (6), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) ENHANCED COORDINATION OF HONEYBEE AND POLLI-
NATOR RESEARCH.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Chief Scientist of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture shall coordinate research, extension, 
education, and economic activities in the Department of 
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132 STAT. 4809 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Agriculture relating to native and managed pollinator 
health and habitat. 
‘‘(B) DUTIES.—In carrying out subparagraph (A), the 
Chief Scientist shall— 
‘‘(i) assign an individual to serve in the Office 
of the Chief Scientist as a Honeybee and Pollinator 
Research Coordinator who shall be responsible for 
leading the efforts of the Chief Scientist in carrying 
out such subparagraph; 
‘‘(ii) implement and coordinate pollinator health 
research efforts of the Department, as recommended 
by the Pollinator Health Task Force; 
‘‘(iii) establish annual strategic priorities and goals 
for the Department for native and managed pollinator 
research; 
‘‘(iv) communicate such priorities and goals to each 
agency or office of the Department of Agriculture, the 
managed pollinator industry, and relevant grant recipi-
ents under programs administered by the Secretary; 
and 
‘‘(v) coordinate and identify all research on native 
and managed pollinator health needed and conducted 
by the Department of Agriculture and relevant grant 
recipients under programs administered by the Sec-
retary to ensure consistency and reduce unintended 
duplication of effort. 
‘‘(C) RESEARCH.—In coordinating research activities 
under subparagraph (A), the Chief Scientist shall ensure 
that such research— 
‘‘(i) identifies and addresses the multiple stressors 
on pollinator health, including pests and pathogens, 
reduced habitat, lack of nutritional resources, and 
exposure to pesticides; 
‘‘(ii) evaluates stewardship and management prac-
tices of managed pollinators that would impact man-
aged pollinator health; 
‘‘(iii) documents the prevalence of major pests, such 
as varroa destructor (commonly referred to as the 
varroa mite), and diseases that are transported 
between States through practices involving managed 
pollinators; 
‘‘(iv) evaluates the impact of overcrowding of colo-
nies for pollination services and the impact of such 
overcrowding on pollinator health status and pollinator 
health recovery; 
‘‘(v) evaluates and reports on the health differences 
of managed pollinators in— 
‘‘(I) crops not requiring contract pollination; 
‘‘(II) crops requiring contract pollination; and 
‘‘(III) native habitat; 
‘‘(vi) evaluates the impact of horticultural and agri-
cultural pest management practices on native and 
managed pollinator colonies in diverse agroecosystems; 
‘‘(vii) documents pesticide residues that are— 
‘‘(I) found in native and managed pollinator 
colonies; and 
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132 STAT. 4810 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(II) associated with typical localized commer-
cial crop pest management practices; 
‘‘(viii) with respect to native and managed polli-
nator colonies visiting crops for crop pollination or 
honey production purposes, documents— 
‘‘(I) the strength and health of such colonies; 
‘‘(II) the survival, growth, reproduction, and 
production of such colonies; 
‘‘(III) pests, pathogens, and viruses that affect 
such colonies; 
‘‘(IV) environmental conditions of such colo-
nies; 
‘‘(V) beekeeper practices; and 
‘‘(VI) any other relevant information, as deter-
mined by the Chief Scientist; 
‘‘(ix) documents, with respect to healthy popu-
lations of managed pollinators, best management prac-
tices and other practices for managed pollinators and 
crop managers; 
‘‘(x) evaluates the effectiveness of— 
‘‘(I) conservation practices that target the spe-
cific needs of native and managed pollinator habi-
tats; 
‘‘(II) incentives that allow for the expansion 
of native and managed pollinator forage acreage; 
and 
‘‘(III) managed pollinator breeding practices 
and efforts to, with respect to managed pollinators, 
avoid creating a genetic bottleneck and improve 
genetic diversity; 
‘‘(xi) in the case of commercially managed polli-
nator colonies, continues to gather data— 
‘‘(I) on an annual basis with respect to losses 
of such colonies, splits of such colonies, and the 
total number of pollinator colonies; 
‘‘(II) on rising input costs; and 
‘‘(III) overall economic value to the food 
economy; and 
‘‘(xii) addresses any other issue relating to native 
and managed pollinators, as determined by the Chief 
Scientist, in consultation with scientific experts. 
‘‘(D) PUBLICATION.—The Chief Scientist, to the max-
imum extent practicable, shall— 
‘‘(i) make publicly available the results of the 
research described in subparagraph (C); and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of the research described in 
subparagraph (C)(vi), publish any data or reports that 
were produced by the Department of Agriculture but 
not made publicly available during the period begin-
ning on January 1, 2008, and ending on the date 
of the enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018.’’; and 
(5) in subsection (h), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4811 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 7210. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INI-
TIATIVE. 
Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘using funds made available under 
subsection (e),’’ after ‘‘Board,’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘in each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023’’ after ‘‘grants’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ‘‘, soil health,’’ after 
‘‘conservation’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(D) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2020; 
‘‘(E) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(F) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(G) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘FOR 
FISCAL YEARS 2014 THROUGH 2018’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7211. FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT. 
Section 1672D of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925f) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may make competitive 
research and extension grants for the purpose of improving the 
farm management knowledge and skills of agricultural producers 
by maintaining and expanding a national, publicly available farm 
financial management database to support improved farm manage-
ment.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and producer’’ and 
inserting ‘‘educational programs and’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘use and support’’ 
and inserting ‘‘contribute data to’’; and 
(3) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7212. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCTION RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 is amended by inserting after section 1672D 
(7 U.S.C. 5925f) the following: 
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132 STAT. 4812 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘SEC. 1672E. URBAN, INDOOR, AND OTHER EMERGING AGRICULTURAL 
PRODUCTION RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
INITIATIVE. 
‘‘(a) COMPETITIVE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION GRANTS AUTHOR-
IZED.—In consultation with the Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production Advisory Committee established under section 222(b) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, the 
Secretary may make competitive grants to support research, edu-
cation, and extension activities for the purposes of facilitating the 
development of urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
production, harvesting, transportation, aggregation, packaging, dis-
tribution, and markets, including by— 
‘‘(1) assessing and developing strategies to remediate 
contaminated sites; 
‘‘(2) determining and developing the best production 
management and integrated pest management practices; 
‘‘(3) identifying and promoting the horticultural, social, and 
economic factors that contribute to successful urban, indoor, 
and other emerging agricultural production; 
‘‘(4) analyzing the means by which new agricultural sites 
are determined, including an evaluation of soil quality, condi-
tion of a building, or local community needs; 
‘‘(5) exploring new technologies that minimize energy, 
lighting systems, water, and other inputs for increased food 
production; 
‘‘(6) examining building material efficiencies and structural 
upgrades for the purpose of optimizing growth of agricultural 
products; 
‘‘(7) developing new crop varieties and agricultural products 
to connect to new markets; or 
‘‘(8) examining the impacts of crop exposure to urban ele-
ments on environmental quality and food safety. 
‘‘(b) GRANT TYPES AND PROCESS.—Subparagraphs (A) through 
(E) of paragraph (4), paragraph (7), and paragraph (11)(B) of sub-
section (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research 
Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) shall apply with respect to the making 
of grants under this section. 
‘‘(c) PRIORITY.—The Secretary may give priority to grant pro-
posals that involve— 
‘‘(1) the cooperation of multiple entities; or 
‘‘(2) States or regions with a high concentration of or signifi-
cant interest in urban farms, rooftop farms, and indoor produc-
tion facilities. 
‘‘(d) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available 
until expended. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to 
amounts made available under paragraph (1), there is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
(b) DATA COLLECTION ON URBAN, INDOOR, AND EMERGING AGRI-
CULTURAL PRODUCTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct as a 
follow-on study to the census of agriculture conducted in the 
7 USC 5925g. 
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132 STAT. 4813 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
calendar year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of Agriculture 
Act of 1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) a census of urban, indoor, and 
other emerging agricultural production, including information 
about— 
(A) community gardens and farms located in urban 
areas, suburbs, and urban clusters; 
(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and 
green walls; 
(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical 
technology farms; 
(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facili-
ties; and 
(E) other innovations in agricultural production, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $14,000,000 
for the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2021. 
SEC. 7213. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS. 
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(d) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AT 1890S INSTITUTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) RECOGNITION.—The Secretary shall recognize not less 
than 3 centers of excellence, each led by an 1890 Institution 
(as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), to focus 
on 1 or more of the areas described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) AREAS OF FOCUS.— 
‘‘(A) STUDENT
SUCCESS
AND
WORKFORCE
DEVELOP-
MENT.—A center of excellence established under paragraph 
(1) may engage in activities to ensure that students have 
the skills and education needed to work in agriculture 
and food industries, agriculture science, technology, 
engineering, mathematics, and related fields of study. 
‘‘(B) NUTRITION, HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND QUALITY OF 
LIFE.—A center of excellence established under paragraph 
(1) may carry out research, education, and extension pro-
grams that increase access to healthy food, improve nutri-
tion, mitigate preventive disease, and develop strategies 
to assist limited resource individuals in accessing health 
and nutrition resources. 
‘‘(C) FARMING SYSTEMS, RURAL PROSPERITY, AND ECO-
NOMIC SUSTAINABILITY.—A center of excellence established 
under paragraph (1) may share best practices with farmers 
to improve agricultural production, processing, and mar-
keting, reduce urban food deserts, examine new uses for 
traditional and nontraditional crops, animals, and natural 
resources, and continue activities carried out by the Center 
for Innovative and Sustainable Small Farms, Ranches, and 
Forest Lands. 
‘‘(D) GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND DEFENSE.—A center 
of excellence established under paragraph (1) may engage 
in international partnerships that strengthen agricultural 
development in developing countries, partner with inter-
national researchers regarding new and emerging animal 
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132 STAT. 4814 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
and plant pests and diseases, engage in agricultural dis-
aster recovery, and continue activities carried out by the 
Center for International Engagement. 
‘‘(E) NATURAL
RESOURCES, ENERGY, AND
ENVIRON-
MENT.—A center of excellence established under paragraph 
(1) may focus on protecting and managing domestic natural 
resources for current and future production of food and 
agricultural products. 
‘‘(F) EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES.—A center of excellence 
established under paragraph (1) may focus on the develop-
ment of emerging technologies to increase agricultural 
productivity, enhance small farm economic viability, and 
improve rural communities by developing genetic and 
sensor technologies for food and agriculture and providing 
technology training to farmers. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
‘‘(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and every 
year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
a report describing— 
‘‘(A) the resources invested in the centers of excellence 
established under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(B) the work being done by those centers of excel-
lence.’’. 
SEC. 7214. CLARIFICATION OF VETERAN ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTIVE 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR FARMERS WITH DISABIL-
ITIES. 
Section 1680 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5933) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
‘‘(7) CLARIFICATION OF APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS TO VET-
ERANS
WITH
DISABILITIES.—This subsection shall apply with 
respect to veterans with disabilities, and their families, who— 
‘‘(A) are engaged in farming or farm-related occupa-
tions; or 
‘‘(B) are pursuing new farming opportunities.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘(including veterans)’’ after ‘‘individ-
uals’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or, in the case of veterans with disabil-
ities, who are pursuing new farming opportunities’’ before 
the period at the end; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(1)(B), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7215. NATIONAL RURAL INFORMATION CENTER CLEARINGHOUSE. 
Section 2381(e) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 3125b(e)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4815 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle C—Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Education Reform Act of 1998 
SEC. 7301. NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTEN-
SION, OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ENDING LIMITATION ON FUNDING.—Section 405(e)(3) of the 
Agricultural Research, Extension, And Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(e)(3)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) TERM OF GRANT.—A grant under this section shall 
have a term that is not more than 3 years.’’. 
(b) NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, 
OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 405(j) 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(j)) is amended by striking ‘‘there are 
authorized’’ and all that follows through the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7302. INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 406(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626(e)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7303. SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH REGARDING DISEASES OF WHEAT, 
TRITICALE, 
AND 
BARLEY 
CAUSED 
BY 
FUSARIUM 
GRAMINEARUM OR BY TILLETIA INDICA. 
Section 408 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7628) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(f) LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS.—A recipient of a grant 
under this section may not use more than 10 percent of the funds 
provided by the grant for the indirect costs of carrying out the 
initiatives described in subsection (a).’’. 
SEC. 7304. GRANTS FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. 
Section 410(d)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7630(d)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7305. SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
(a) INDUSTRY
NEEDS.—Section 412(b) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7632(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) 
as subparagraphs (C) through (F); and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: 
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132 STAT. 4816 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) size-controlling rootstock systems for perennial 
crops;’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘including threats to spe-
cialty crop pollinators;’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘including— 
‘‘(A) threats to specialty crop pollinators; 
‘‘(B) emerging and invasive species; and 
‘‘(C) a more effective understanding and utilization 
of existing natural enemy complexes;’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘efforts to improve’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘efforts— 
‘‘(A) to improve’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by adding 
‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) to achieve a better understanding of— 
‘‘(i) the soil rhizosphere microbiome; 
‘‘(ii) pesticide application systems and certified 
drift-reduction technologies; and 
‘‘(iii) systems to improve and extend the storage 
life of specialty crops;’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘including improved 
mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; 
and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘including— 
‘‘(A) mechanization and automation of labor-intensive 
tasks in production and processing; 
‘‘(B) technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; 
‘‘(C) decision support systems driven by phenology and 
environmental factors; 
‘‘(D) improved monitoring systems for agricultural 
pests; and 
‘‘(E) effective systems for preharvest and postharvest 
management of quarantine pests; and’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 412(k)(2) of 
the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act 
of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(k)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7306. FOOD ANIMAL RESIDUE AVOIDANCE DATABASE PROGRAM. 
Section 604(e) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7642(e)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7307. OFFICE OF PEST MANAGEMENT POLICY. 
Section 614(f)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7653(f)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7308. FORESTRY PRODUCTS ADVANCED UTILIZATION RESEARCH. 
Section 617(f)(1) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7655b(f)(1)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4817 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle D—Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 
PART I—AGRICULTURAL SECURITY 
SEC. 7401. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY COMMUNICATION CENTER. 
Section 14112(c)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8912(c)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7402. ASSISTANCE TO BUILD LOCAL CAPACITY IN AGRICULTURAL 
BIOSECURITY PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND RESPONSE. 
Section 14113 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8913) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 
7403. 
RESEARCH 
AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
OF 
AGRICULTURAL 
COUNTERMEASURES. 
Section 14121(b)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8921(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7404. AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 14122(e)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8922(e)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
PART II—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 7411. GRAZINGLANDS RESEARCH LABORATORY. 
Section 7502 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (Public Law 110–246; 122 Stat. 2019) is amended by striking 
‘‘10-year period’’ and inserting ‘‘15-year period’’. 
SEC. 7412. FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK. 
Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 5936) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘to support cooperative 
programs between State cooperative extension services and non-
profit organizations’’ and inserting ‘‘to eligible entities described 
in subsection (c)’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (5); 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and indenting 
the subparagraphs appropriately; 
(C) by striking subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) training, including training programs and work-
shops, for— 
‘‘(i) advocates for individuals who are engaged in 
farming, ranching, and other occupations relating to 
agriculture; and 
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132 STAT. 4818 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) other individuals and entities that may assist 
individuals who— 
‘‘(I) are engaged in farming, ranching, and 
other occupations relating to agriculture; and 
‘‘(II) are in crisis;’’; 
(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by adding 
‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the end; 
(E) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘activities; and’’ and inserting ‘‘activities, including 
the dissemination of information and materials; or’’; 
(F) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘be used to initiate’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘be used— 
‘‘(1) to initiate’’; and 
(G) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) to enter into contracts, on a multiyear basis, with 
community-based, 
direct-service 
organizations 
to 
initiate, 
expand, or sustain programs described in paragraph (1) and 
subsection (a).’’; and 
(3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.—The Secretary may award a grant 
under this section to— 
‘‘(1) an Indian tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304)); 
‘‘(2) a State department of agriculture; 
‘‘(3) a State cooperative extension service; 
‘‘(4) a qualified nonprofit organization, as determined by 
the Secretary; 
‘‘(5) an entity providing appropriate services, as determined 
by the Secretary, in 1 or more States; or 
‘‘(6) a partnership carried out by 2 or more entities 
described in paragraphs (1) through (5). 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section 
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
‘‘(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit 
to Congress and any other relevant Federal department or 
agency, and make publicly available, a report describing the 
state of behavioral and mental health of individuals who are 
engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations relating 
to agriculture. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The report under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) an inventory and assessment of efforts to support 
the behavioral and mental health of individuals who are 
engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupations 
relating to agriculture by— 
‘‘(i) the Federal Government, States, and units of 
local government; 
‘‘(ii) communities comprised of those individuals; 
‘‘(iii) health care providers; 
‘‘(iv) State cooperative extension services; and 
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132 STAT. 4819 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(v) other appropriate entities, as determined by 
the Secretary; 
‘‘(B) a description of the challenges faced by individuals 
who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other occupa-
tions relating to agriculture that may impact the behavioral 
and mental health of farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(C) a description of how the Department of Agriculture 
can improve coordination and cooperation with Federal 
health departments and agencies, including the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse 
and Mental Health Services Administration, the Health 
Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, and the National 
Institutes of Health, to best address the behavioral and 
mental health of individuals who are engaged in farming, 
ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; 
‘‘(D) a long-term strategy for responding to the chal-
lenges described under subparagraph (B) and recommenda-
tions based on best practices for further action to be carried 
out by appropriate Federal departments or agencies to 
improve Federal Government response and seek to prevent 
suicide among individuals who are engaged in farming, 
ranching, and other occupations relating to agriculture; 
and 
‘‘(E) an evaluation of the impact that behavioral and 
mental health challenges and outcomes (including suicide) 
among individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, 
and other agriculture related occupations have on— 
‘‘(i) the agricultural workforce; 
‘‘(ii) agricultural production; 
‘‘(iii) rural families and communities; and 
‘‘(iv) succession planning. 
‘‘(f) STATE DEFINED.—For purposes of this section, 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).’’. 
SEC. 7413. NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
Section 7525(e) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 5937(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7414. SUN GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 7526(g) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 8114(g)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
Subtitle E—Amendments to Other Laws 
SEC. 7501. CRITICAL AGRICULTURAL MATERIALS ACT. 
(a) HEMP RESEARCH.—Section 5(b)(9) of the Critical Agricul-
tural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178c(b)(9)) is amended by inserting 
‘‘, and including hemp (as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946)’’ after ‘‘hydrocarbon-containing plants’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 16(a)(2) of the 
Critical Agricultural Materials Act (7 U.S.C. 178n(a)(2)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4820 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 7502. EQUITY IN EDUCATIONAL LAND-GRANT STATUS ACT OF 
1994. 
(a) 1994 INSTITUTION DEFINED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 532 of the Equity in Educational 
Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 532. DEFINITION OF 1994 INSTITUTION. 
‘‘In this part, the term ‘1994 Institution’ means any of the 
following colleges: 
‘‘(1) Aaniiih Nakoda College. 
‘‘(2) Bay Mills Community College. 
‘‘(3) Blackfeet Community College. 
‘‘(4) Cankdeska Cikana Community College. 
‘‘(5) Chief Dull Knife College. 
‘‘(6) College of Menominee Nation. 
‘‘(7) College of the Muscogee Nation. 
‘‘(8) D–Q University. 
‘‘(9) Dine College. 
‘‘(10) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. 
‘‘(11) Fort Peck Community College. 
‘‘(12) Haskell Indian Nations University. 
‘‘(13) Ilisagvik College. 
‘‘(14) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Cul-
ture and Arts Development. 
‘‘(15) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. 
‘‘(16) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College. 
‘‘(17) Leech Lake Tribal College. 
‘‘(18) Little Big Horn College. 
‘‘(19) Little Priest Tribal College. 
‘‘(20) Navajo Technical University. 
‘‘(21) Nebraska Indian Community College. 
‘‘(22) Northwest Indian College. 
‘‘(23) Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College. 
‘‘(24) Oglala Lakota College. 
‘‘(25) Red Lake Nation College. 
‘‘(26) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College. 
‘‘(27) Salish Kootenai College. 
‘‘(28) Sinte Gleska University. 
‘‘(29) Sisseton Wahpeton College. 
‘‘(30) Sitting Bull College. 
‘‘(31) Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. 
‘‘(32) Stone Child College. 
‘‘(33) Tohono O’odham Community College. 
‘‘(34) Turtle Mountain Community College. 
‘‘(35) United Tribes Technical College. 
‘‘(36) White Earth Tribal and Community College.’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(b) ENDOWMENT FOR 1994 INSTITUTIONS.—Section 533(b) of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended in the first sentence 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(c) INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS.—Section 535 
of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
7 USC 301 note. 
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132 STAT. 4821 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
each place it appears in subsections (b)(1) and (c) and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
(d) RESEARCH GRANTS.—Section 536(c) of the Equity in Edu-
cational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public 
Law 103–382) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7503. RESEARCH FACILITIES ACT. 
(a) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FACILITY DEFINED.—The Research 
Facilities Act is amended— 
(1) in section 2(1) (7 U.S.C. 390(1)) by striking ‘‘a college, 
university, or nonprofit institution’’ and inserting ‘‘an entity 
eligible to receive funds under a capacity and infrastructure 
program (as defined in section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department 
of 
Agriculture 
Reorganization 
Act 
of 
1994 
(7 
U.S.C. 
6971(f)(1)(C)))’’; and 
(2) in section 3(c)(2)(D) (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), by striking 
‘‘recipient college, university, or nonprofit institution’’ and 
inserting ‘‘recipient entity’’. 
(b) LONG-TERM SUPPORT.—Section 3(c)(2)(D) of the Research 
Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390a(c)(2)(D)), as amended by subsection 
(a), is further amended by striking ‘‘operating costs’’ and inserting 
‘‘operating and maintenance costs’’. 
(c) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.—The Research Facilities Act 
is amended by inserting after section 3 (7 U.S.C. 390a) the following 
new section: 
‘‘SEC. 4. COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM. 
‘‘The Secretary shall establish a program to make competitive 
grants to assist in the construction, alteration, acquisition, mod-
ernization, renovation, or remodeling of agricultural research facili-
ties.’’. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS AND FUNDING LIMITA-
TIONS.—Section 6 of the Research Facilities Act (7 U.S.C. 390d) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘subsection (b),’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
sections (b), (c), and (d),’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
‘‘Funds appropriated pursuant to the preceding sentence 
shall be available until expended.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsections: 
‘‘(c) MAXIMUM AMOUNT.—Not more than 25 percent of the funds 
made available pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal year shall 
be used for any single agricultural research facility project. 
‘‘(d) PROJECT LIMITATION.—An entity eligible to receive funds 
under this Act may receive funds for only one project at a time.’’. 
SEC. 7504. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
Subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D)— 
(i) by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vii) as 
clauses (iv) through (viii), respectively; and 
(ii) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new 
clause: 
7 USC 390b. 
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132 STAT. 4822 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) soil health;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (E)— 
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
‘‘(v) tools that accelerate the use of automation 
or mechanization for labor-intensive tasks in the 
production and distribution of crops.’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (F)— 
(i) in clause (vi), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (vii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
‘‘(viii) barriers and bridges to entry and farm 
viability for young, beginning, socially disadvantaged, 
veteran, 
and 
immigrant 
farmers 
and 
ranchers, 
including farm succession, transition, transfer, entry, 
and profitability issues.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (6)— 
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) to an institution to carry out collaboration in bio-
medical and agricultural research using existing research 
models.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (11)(A)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘4’’ and inserting ‘‘5’’. 
SEC. 7505. EXTENSION DESIGN AND DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) is amended by inserting after 
subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) EXTENSION DESIGN AND DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE.— 
‘‘(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this subsection is to encour-
age the design of adaptive prototype systems for improving 
extension and education that seek to advance the application, 
translation, and demonstration of scientific discoveries and 
other agricultural research for the adoption and understanding 
of food, agricultural, and natural resources practices, tech-
niques, methods, and technologies using digital or other novel 
platforms. 
‘‘(2) GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award grants each fiscal 
year on a competitive basis— 
‘‘(A) for the design of 1 or more extension and education 
prototype systems— 
‘‘(i) that leverage digital platforms or other novel 
means of translating, delivering, or demonstrating agri-
cultural research; and 
‘‘(ii) to adapt, apply, translate, or demonstrate sci-
entific findings, data, technology, and other research 
outcomes to producers, the agricultural industry, and 
other interested persons or organizations; and 
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132 STAT. 4823 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) to demonstrate, by incorporating analytics and 
specific metrics, the value, impact, and return on the Fed-
eral investment of a prototype system designed under 
subparagraph (A) as a model for use by other eligible 
entities described in paragraph (3) for improving, modern-
izing, and adapting applied research, demonstration, and 
extension services. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity that is eligible to receive 
a grant under paragraph (2) is— 
‘‘(A) a State agricultural experiment station (as defined 
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103)); 
‘‘(B) a cooperative extension service (as defined in such 
section); and 
‘‘(C) a land-grant college or university (as defined in 
such section) . 
‘‘(4) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall award grants 
under paragraph (2) to not fewer than 2 and not more than 
5 eligible entities described in paragraph (3) that represent 
a diversity of regions, commodities, and agricultural or food 
production issues. 
‘‘(5) TERM.—The term of a grant awarded under paragraph 
(2) shall be not longer than 5 years. 
‘‘(6) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available 
until expended.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Competi-
tive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(2), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘subsection—’’ and all that follows 
through ‘‘for the planning’’ in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
‘‘subsection for the planning’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h), by inserting ‘‘, (d),’’ after ‘‘subsections 
(b)’’. 
SEC. 7506. REPEAL OF REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 
SERVICE. 
Section 7404 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3101 note; Public Law 107–171) is repealed. 
SEC. 7507. BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 9008 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8108) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) carbon dioxide that— 
‘‘(i) is intended for permanent sequestration or 
utilization; and 
‘‘(ii) is a byproduct of the production of the products 
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B).’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(2)(A)— 
(A) in clause (xii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
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132 STAT. 4824 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) by redesignating clause (xiii) as clause (xiv); and 
(C) by inserting after clause (xii) the following: 
‘‘(xiii) an individual with expertise in carbon 
dioxide capture, utilization, and sequestration; and’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(B)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) to permanently sequester or utilize carbon 
dioxide described in subsection (a)(1)(C); and’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)(B)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) the development of technologies to perma-
nently sequester or utilize carbon dioxide described 
in subsection (a)(1)(C).’’; and 
(4) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7508. REINSTATEMENT OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT FOR FED-
ERAL FUNDS USED IN EXTENSION WORK AT THE UNIVER-
SITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 209(c) of the District of Columbia 
Public Postsecondary Education Reorganization Act (Public Law 
93–471; sec. 38–1202.09(c), D.C. Official Code) is amended by 
inserting after the first sentence the following: ‘‘Such sums may 
be used to pay not more than 1⁄2 of the total cost of providing 
such extension work.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 7509. RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 6 of the 
Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1675) is 
amended in the first sentence by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
(b) TERMINATION DATE.—Section 8 of the Renewable Resources 
Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 note; Public Law 95–306) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7510. NATIONAL AQUACULTURE ACT OF 1980. 
Section 10 of the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (16 U.S.C. 
2809) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 7511. FEDERAL AGRICULTURE RESEARCH FACILITIES. 
Section 1431 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 (title XIV of Public 
Law 99–198; 99 Stat. 1556) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
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132 STAT. 4825 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle F—Other Matters 
SEC. 7601. ENHANCED USE LEASE AUTHORITY PROGRAM. 
(a) TRANSITION TO PERMANENT PROGRAM.—Section 308 of the 
Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘PILOT’’; and 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘pilot’’. 
(b) 
TERMINATION
OF
AUTHORITY
EXTENDED.—Section 
308(b)(6)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 3125a note) 
is amended by striking ‘‘on the date that is 10 years after the 
date of enactment of this section’’ and inserting ‘‘on September 
30, 2023’’. 
(c) REPORTS.—Section 308(d)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Reform and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 3125a note) is amended by striking ‘‘Not later than 
6, 8, and 10 years after the date of enactment of this section’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Not later than September 30, 2021’’. 
SEC. 7602. TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE JURISDICTION OVER POR-
TION OF HENRY A. WALLACE BELTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL 
RESEARCH CENTER, BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND. 
(a) TRANSFER AUTHORIZED.—Subject to subsection (e), the Sec-
retary may transfer to the Secretary of the Treasury administrative 
jurisdiction over a parcel of real property at the Henry A. Wallace 
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center consisting of approximately 
100 acres, which was originally acquired by the United States 
through land acquisitions in 1910 and 1925, and is generally located 
off of Poultry Road lying between Powder Mill Road and Odell 
Road in Beltsville, Maryland, for the purpose of facilitating the 
establishment of Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities on 
the parcel. 
(b) LEGAL DESCRIPTION AND MAP.— 
(1) PREPARATION.—The Secretary shall prepare a legal 
description and map of the parcel of real property to be trans-
ferred under subsection (a). 
(2) FORCE OF LAW.—The legal description and map pre-
pared under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect 
as if included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct 
errors in the legal description and map. 
(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The transfer of administrative 
jurisdiction under subsection (a) shall be subject to easements, 
valid existing rights, and such other reservations, terms, and condi-
tions as the Secretary considers to be necessary. 
(d) WAIVER.—The parcel of real property under subsection (a) 
is exempt from Federal screening for other possible use due to 
an identified Federal need for the parcel as the site of Bureau 
of Engraving and Printing facilities. 
(e) CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER.—As a condition of the transfer 
of administrative jurisdiction under subsection (a) with respect 
to the parcel described in such subsection— 
(1) the Secretary of the Treasury shall agree to pay the 
Secretary the costs incurred to carry out such transfer, 
including the costs for— 
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132 STAT. 4826 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) any environmental or administrative analysis 
required by law with respect to the parcel to be so trans-
ferred; 
(B) a survey of such parcel, if necessary; and 
(C) any hazardous substances assessment of the parcel 
to be so transferred; and 
(2) except as provided in subsection (d), the Secretary shall 
enter into a binding memorandum of agreement with the Sec-
retary of the Treasury regarding the responsibilities, including 
financial responsibilities, of each party for evaluating and, if 
necessary, remediating or otherwise addressing hazardous sub-
stances, pollutants, or contaminants found at the parcel 
described in subsection (a). 
(f) HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.—Nothing in this section, or the 
amendments made by this section, amends, alters, or affects the 
relevant Federal and State environmental laws, including the Com-
prehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), or the application of such 
laws to the parcel of real property transferred under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 7603. FOUNDATION FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE RESEARCH. 
Section 7601 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5939) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘conflicts;’’ and 
inserting ‘‘conflicts, specifically at the Department of 
Agriculture; and’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following new clause: 
‘‘(iii) document the consultation process and 
include a summary of the results in the annual report 
required in subsection (f)(3)(B)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ‘‘and agriculture 
stakeholders’’ after ‘‘community’’; 
(2) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(C)(ii)(I), by inserting ‘‘agriculture 
or’’ before ‘‘agricultural research’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4)(A)— 
(i) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and 
(iii) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: 
‘‘(iv) actively solicit and accept funds, gifts, grants, 
devises, or bequests of real or personal property made 
to the Foundation, including from private entities; 
and’’; 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), by striking ‘‘any’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)(B)— 
(i) in clause (i)(I)— 
(I) in the matter preceding item (aa), by 
inserting ‘‘and post online’’ before ‘‘a report’’; 
(II) in item (aa), by striking ‘‘accomplishments; 
and’’ and inserting ‘‘accomplishments and how 
those activities align to the challenges identified 
in the strategic plan under clause (iv);’’; 
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132 STAT. 4827 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(III) in item (bb), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(IV) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(cc) a description of available agricultural 
research programs and priorities for the 
upcoming fiscal year.’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) STAKEHOLDER NOTICE.—The Foundation shall 
publish an annual notice with a description of agricul-
tural research priorities under this section for the 
upcoming fiscal year, including— 
‘‘(I) a schedule for funding competitions; 
‘‘(II) a discussion of how applications for 
funding will be evaluated; and 
‘‘(III) how the Foundation will communicate 
information about funded awards to the public 
to ensure that grantees and partners understand 
the objectives of the Foundation. 
‘‘(iv) STRATEGIC PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018, the Foundation shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate a strategic plan describing a path 
for 
the 
Foundation 
to 
become 
self-sustaining, 
including— 
‘‘(I) a forecast of major agricultural challenge 
opportunities identified by the scientific advisory 
councils of the Foundation and approved by the 
Board, including short- and long-term objectives; 
‘‘(II) an overview of the efforts that the 
Foundation will take to be transparent in each 
of the processes of the Foundation, including— 
‘‘(aa) processes relating to grant awards, 
including the selection, review, and notifica-
tion processes; 
‘‘(bb) communication of past, current, and 
future research priorities; and 
‘‘(cc) plans to solicit and respond to public 
input on the opportunities identified in the 
strategic plan; 
‘‘(III) a description of financial goals and 
benchmarks for the next 10 years, including a 
detailed plan for— 
‘‘(aa) raising funds in amounts greater 
than the amounts required under subsection 
(g)(1)(B); 
‘‘(bb) soliciting additional resources pursu-
ant to subsections (e)(4)(A)(iv) and (f)(2)(A)(iii); 
and 
‘‘(cc) 
managing 
and 
leveraging 
such 
resources pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(A)(vii); 
and 
‘‘(IV) other related issues, as determined by 
the Board.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (g)(1)— 
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132 STAT. 4828 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘MANDATORY 
FUNDING’’ and inserting ‘‘FUNDING’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘On the date’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) ESTABLISHMENT FUNDING.—On the date’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) ENHANCED FUNDING.—On the date on which 
the strategic plan described in subsection (f)(3)(B)(iv) 
is submitted, of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall transfer to the 
Foundation to carry out this section $185,000,000, to 
remain available until expended.’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Foundation’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Foundation’’; 
(ii) in clause (i) (as so designated)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘purposes’’ and inserting ‘‘pur-
poses, duties, and powers’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘non-Federal matching funds 
for each expenditure’’ and inserting ‘‘matching 
funds from a non-Federal source, including an agri-
cultural commodity promotion, research, and 
information program’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section requires the 
Foundation to require a matching contribution from 
an individual grantee as a condition of receiving a 
grant under this section.’’. 
SEC. 7604. ASSISTANCE FOR FORESTRY RESEARCH UNDER THE 
MCINTIRE-STENNIS COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ACT. 
Section 2 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the 
‘‘McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 582a–1) 
is amended in the second sentence— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘1890 Institutions’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘and 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 
532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 
1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382)) that offer an 
associate’s degree or a baccalaureate degree in forestry,’’ before 
‘‘and (b)’’. 
SEC. 7605. LEGITIMACY OF INDUSTRIAL HEMP RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 
(7 U.S.C. 5940) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (a) and (b) as subsections 
(b) and (a), respectively, and moving the subsections so as 
to appear in alphabetical order; 
(2) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) STATE.—The term ‘State’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946.’’; 
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132 STAT. 4829 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated), in the subsection 
heading, by striking ‘‘IN GENERAL’’ and inserting ‘‘INDUSTRIAL 
HEMP RESEARCH’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) STUDY AND REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study 
of agricultural pilot programs— 
‘‘(A) to determine the economic viability of the domestic 
production and sale of industrial hemp; and 
‘‘(B) that shall include a review of— 
‘‘(i) each agricultural pilot program; and 
‘‘(ii) any other agricultural or academic research 
relating to industrial hemp. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report describing the results of the study con-
ducted under paragraph (1).’’. 
(b) REPEAL.—Effective on the date that is 1 year after the 
date on which the Secretary establishes a plan under section 297C 
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, section 7606 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940) is repealed. 
SEC. 7606. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO BARLEY AREA 
PLANTED AND HARVESTED. 
For all acreage reports published after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service, shall include the State 
of New York in the States surveyed to produce the table entitled 
‘‘Barley Area Planted and Harvested’’ in those reports. 
SEC. 7607. COLLECTION OF DATA RELATING TO THE SIZE AND LOCA-
TION OF DAIRY FARMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date on 
which the 2017 Census of Agriculture is released, the Secretary, 
acting through the Administrator of the Economic Research Service, 
shall update the report entitled ‘‘Changes in the Size and Location 
of US Dairy Farms’’ contained in the report of the Economic 
Research Service entitled ‘‘Profits, Costs, and the Changing Struc-
ture of Dairy Farming’’ and published in September 2007. 
(b) REQUIREMENT.—In updating the report described in sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
use the same unit of measurement for reporting the full range 
of herd sizes in Table 1 and Table 2 of the report while maintaining 
confidentiality of individual producers. 
SEC. 7608. AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 6402 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(2)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘representatives of each of the following groups’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a diverse group of representatives of public 
and private entities, including the following:’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘The 2’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Two’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘or a State legis-
lator,’’ after ‘‘agency,’’; and 
7 USC 5940 note. 
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132 STAT. 4830 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) Four entities representing commodities produced 
in the State.’’; 
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ‘‘subsection (i)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (g)’’; and 
(3) by striking subsections (g), (h), and (i) and inserting 
the following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 7609. SMITH-LEVER COMMUNITY EXTENSION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 
343(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
‘‘A 1994 Institution (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in 
Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; 
Public Law 103–382)) may compete for and receive funds directly 
from the Secretary of Agriculture for the Children, Youth, and 
Families at Risk funding program and the Federally Recognized 
Tribes Extension Program.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 533(a)(2)(A) of the 
Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
301 note; Public Law 103–382) is amended by striking clause (ii) 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), 
except as provided under— 
‘‘(I) section 3(b)(3) of that Act (7 U.S.C. 
343(b)(3)); or 
‘‘(II) the third sentence of section 3(d) of that 
Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)); or’’. 
SEC. 7610. MECHANIZATION AND AUTOMATION FOR SPECIALTY CROPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of 
the programs of the Department of Agriculture that affect the 
production or processing of specialty crops. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The review under subsection (a) shall iden-
tify— 
(1) programs that currently are, or previously have been, 
effectively used to accelerate the development and use of auto-
mation or mechanization in the production or processing of 
specialty crops; and 
(2) programs that may be more effectively used to accelerate 
the development and use of automation or mechanization in 
the production or processing of specialty crops. 
(c) STRATEGY.—With respect to programs identified under sub-
section (b), the Secretary shall develop and implement a strategy 
to accelerate the development and use of automation and mecha-
nization in the production or processing of specialty crops. 
SEC. 7611. EXPERIENCED SERVICES PROGRAM. 
Section 1252 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851) 
is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘AGRICULTURE CON-
SERVATION’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the first sentence— 
(i) by striking ‘‘a conservation’’ and inserting ‘‘an’’; 
7 USC 7632 note. 
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132 STAT. 4831 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(ii) by striking ‘‘(in this section referred to as the 
‘ACES Program’)’’ and inserting ‘‘(referred to in this 
section as the ‘program’)’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘provide technical’’ and inserting 
the following: ‘‘provide— 
‘‘(1) technical’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Secretary. Such technical services 
may include’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary, including’’; 
(ii) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) technical, professional, and administrative services to 
support the research, education, and economics mission area 
of the Department of Agriculture (including the Agricultural 
Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National 
Agricultural Library, the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service, the Office of the Chief Scientist, and the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture), including— 
‘‘(A) supporting agricultural research and information; 
‘‘(B) advancing scientific knowledge relating to agri-
culture; 
‘‘(C) enhancing access to agricultural information; 
‘‘(D) providing statistical information and research 
results to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness, and public offi-
cials; and 
‘‘(E) assisting research, education, and extension pro-
grams in land-grant colleges and universities (as defined 
in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
3103)).’’; 
(3) by striking ‘‘ACES’’ each place it appears; 
(4) by striking ‘‘technical services’’ each place it appears 
(other than in subsection (a)) and inserting ‘‘technical, profes-
sional, or administrative services, as applicable,’’; and 
(5) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking the paragraph heading and inserting 
‘‘CONSERVATION TECHNICAL SERVICES.—’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘with respect to subsection (a)(1),’’ 
before ‘‘the Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS SERVICES.— 
With respect to services referred to in subsection (a)(2), the 
Secretary may carry out the program under the mission area 
referred to in such subsection to the extent that funds are 
specifically appropriated to provide such services under such 
mission area.’’. 
SEC. 7612. SIMPLIFIED PLAN OF WORK. 
(a) SMITH-LEVER ACT.—The Smith-Lever Act is amended— 
(1) in section 3(h)(2) (7 U.S.C. 343(h)(2)), by striking 
subparagraph (D); and 
(2) in section 4(c) (7 U.S.C. 344(c)), by striking paragraphs 
(1) through (5) and inserting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
State using formula funds. 
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132 STAT. 4832 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) A description of the manner in which the State will 
meet the requirements of section 3(h). 
‘‘(3) A description of the manner in which the State will 
meet the requirements of section 3(i)(2) of the Hatch Act of 
1887 (7 U.S.C. 361c(i)(2)). 
‘‘(4) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
with respect to the previous fiscal year.’’. 
(b) HATCH ACT.—The Hatch Act of 1887 is amended— 
(1) in section 3 (7 U.S.C. 361c)— 
(A) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows: 
‘‘(h) PEER REVIEW.—Research carried out under subsection (c)(3) 
shall be subject to scientific peer review. The review of a project 
conducted under this subsection shall be considered to satisfy the 
merit review requirements of section 103(e) of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7613(e)).’’; and 
(B) in subsection (i)(2), by striking subparagraph (D); 
and 
(2) in section 7(e) (7 U.S.C. 361g(e)), by striking paragraphs 
(1) through (4) and inserting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) A summary of planned projects or programs in the 
State using formula funds. 
‘‘(2) A description of the manner in which the State will 
meet the requirements of subsections (c)(3) and (i)(2) of section 
3. 
‘‘(3) A description of matching funds provided by the State 
with respect to the previous fiscal year.’’. 
(c) EXTENSION AND RESEARCH AT 1890 INSTITUTIONS.— 
(1) EXTENSION.—Section 1444(d)(3) of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3221(d)(3)) is amended by striking subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) and inserting the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(A) A summary of planned projects or programs in 
the State using formula funds. 
‘‘(B) A description of matching funds provided by the 
State with respect to the previous fiscal year.’’. 
(2) RESEARCH.—Section 1445(c)(3) of the National Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 
(7 U.S.C. 3222(c)(3)) is amended by striking subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) and inserting the following new subparagraphs: 
‘‘(A) A summary of planned projects or programs in 
the State using formula funds. 
‘‘(B) A description of matching funds provided by the 
State with respect to the previous fiscal year.’’. 
SEC. 7613. REVIEW OF LAND-GRANT TIME AND EFFORT REPORTING 
REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Office 
of Management and Budget, shall review and revise current 
reporting requirements related to compensation charges, docu-
mentation of personnel expenses, and other requirements that are 
commonly referred to as time and effort reporting for entities that 
receive funds under a program referred to in clause (iii), (iv), (vii), 
(viii), or (xii) of section 251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C)). 
(b) REVISIONS.—The Secretary shall ensure that any revision 
made pursuant to subsection (a)— 
7 USC 343 note. 
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132 STAT. 4833 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) is developed in collaboration with entities described 
in subsection (a); and 
(2) reduces the amount of paperwork and time required 
by the requirements referred to in such subsection, as such 
requirements are in effect on the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
SEC. 7614. MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subtitle P of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3371) is 
repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND 
TEACHING POLICY ACT OF 1977.— 
(A) GRANTS
TO
ENHANCE
RESEARCH
CAPACITY
IN 
SCHOOLS OF VETERINARY MEDICINE.—Section 1415(a) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3151(a)) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—A State receiving a grant 
under paragraph (1) shall provide State matching funds equal 
to not less than the amount of the grant.’’. 
(B) AQUACULTURE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 1475(b) of the National Agricultural Research, Exten-
sion, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3322(b)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary 
may make competitive grants to entities eligible for grants 
under paragraph (2) for research and extension to facilitate 
or expand promising advances in the production and marketing 
of aquacultural food species and products and to enhance the 
safety and wholesomeness of those species and products, 
including the development of reliable supplies of seed stock 
and therapeutic compounds. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—The Secretary may make a 
competitive grant under paragraph (1) to— 
‘‘(A) a land-grant or seagrant college or university; 
‘‘(B) a State agricultural experiment station; 
‘‘(C) a college, university, or Federal laboratory having 
a demonstrable capacity to conduct aquacultural research, 
as determined by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(D) a nonprofit private research institution. 
‘‘(3) MATCHING STATE GRANTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), the Secretary shall not make a grant under paragraph 
(1) unless the State in which the grant recipient is located 
makes a grant to that recipient in an amount equal to 
not less than the amount of the grant under paragraph 
(1) (of which State amount an in-kind contribution shall 
not exceed 50 percent). 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL LABORATORIES.—Subparagraph (A) shall 
not apply to a grant to a Federal laboratory.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4834 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(C) RANGELAND
RESEARCH.—Section 1480 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3333) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) 
IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(b) MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
this grant program shall be based on a matching formula 
of 50 percent Federal and 50 percent non-Federal funding 
(including funding from an agricultural commodity promotion, 
research, and information program). 
‘‘(2) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a grant 
to a Federal laboratory or a grant under subsection (a)(2).’’. 
(2) FOOD, AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION, AND
TRADE
ACT 
OF 1990.— 
(A) FEDERAL-STATE MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.—Sec-
tion 1623(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5813(d)(2)) is amended by 
striking the second sentence. 
(B) AGRICULTURAL GENOME INITIATIVE.—Section 1671 
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 5924) (as amended by section 7208) is 
amended— 
(i) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection 
(g); and 
(ii) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: 
‘‘(f) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), with respect 
to a grant or cooperative agreement under this section that 
provides a particular benefit to a specific agricultural com-
modity, the recipient of funds under the grant or cooperative 
agreement shall provide non-Federal matching funds (including 
funds from an agricultural commodity promotion, research, and 
information program) equal to not less than the amount pro-
vided under the grant or cooperative agreement. 
‘‘(2) 
IN-KIND
SUPPORT.—Non-Federal 
matching 
funds 
described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a research 
project if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the results of the project are of a particular benefit 
to a specific agricultural commodity, but those results are 
likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities gen-
erally; or 
‘‘(B)(i) the project— 
‘‘(I) involves a minor commodity; and 
‘‘(II) deals with scientifically important research; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
funds requirement.’’. 
(C) HIGH-PRIORITY RESEARCH AND EXTENSION INITIA-
TIVES.—Section 1672(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conserva-
tion, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(a)) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture’’ and 
inserting the following: 
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132 STAT. 4835 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), in the 
second sentence, by striking ‘‘The Secretary shall’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall’’; and 
(iii) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (C), an 
entity receiving a grant under paragraph (1) shall provide 
non-Federal matching funds (including funds from an agri-
cultural commodity promotion, research, and information 
program) equal to not less than the amount of the grant. 
‘‘(B) IN-KIND SUPPORT.—Non-Federal matching funds 
described in subparagraph (A) may include in-kind support. 
‘‘(C) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the matching 
funds requirement under subparagraph (A) with respect 
to a research project if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(i) the results of the project are of a particular 
benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, but those 
results are likely to be applicable to agricultural 
commodities generally; or 
‘‘(ii)(I) the project— 
‘‘(aa) involves a minor commodity; and 
‘‘(bb) 
deals 
with 
scientifically 
important 
research; and 
‘‘(II) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
funds requirement.’’. 
(D) ORGANIC AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION 
INITIATIVE.—Section 1672B of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925b) (as 
amended by section 7210) is amended— 
(i) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) 
as subsections (d), (e), and (f), respectively; and 
(ii) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: 
‘‘(c) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), an entity 
receiving a grant under subsection (a) shall provide non-Federal 
matching funds (including funds from an agricultural com-
modity promotion, research, and information program) equal 
to not less than the amount of the grant. 
‘‘(2) 
IN-KIND
SUPPORT.—Non-Federal 
matching 
funds 
described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a research 
project if the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the results of the project are of a particular benefit 
to a specific agricultural commodity, but those results are 
likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities gen-
erally; or 
‘‘(B)(i) the project— 
‘‘(I) involves a minor commodity; and 
‘‘(II) deals with scientifically important research; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
funds requirement.’’. 
(3) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION 
REFORM ACT OF 1998.— 
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132 STAT. 4836 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) INTEGRATED RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION 
COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM.—Section 406 of the Agricul-
tural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 
1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626) is amended— 
(i) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as sub-
sections (e) and (f), respectively; and 
(ii) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: 
‘‘(d) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (3), with respect 
to a grant under this section that provides a particular benefit 
to a specific agricultural commodity, the recipient of the grant 
shall provide non-Federal matching funds (including funds from 
an agricultural commodity promotion, research, and informa-
tion program) equal to not less than the amount of the grant. 
‘‘(2) 
IN-KIND
SUPPORT.—Non-Federal 
matching 
funds 
described in paragraph (1) may include in-kind support. 
‘‘(3) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
requirement under paragraph (1) with respect to a grant if 
the Secretary determines that— 
‘‘(A) the results of the grant are of a particular benefit 
to a specific agricultural commodity, but those results are 
likely to be applicable to agricultural commodities gen-
erally; or 
‘‘(B)(i) the grant— 
‘‘(I) involves a minor commodity; and 
‘‘(II) deals with scientifically important research; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the recipient is unable to satisfy the matching 
funds requirement.’’. 
(B) SPECIALTY
CROP
RESEARCH
INITIATIVE.—Section 
412(g) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(g)) is amended— 
(i) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph 
(4); and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An entity receiving a grant under 
this section shall provide non-Federal matching funds 
(including funds from an agricultural commodity pro-
motion, research, and information program) equal to not 
less than the amount of the grant. 
‘‘(B) IN-KIND SUPPORT.—Non-Federal matching funds 
described in subparagraph (A) may include in-kind sup-
port.’’. 
(4) OTHER LAWS.— 
(A) SUN GRANT PROGRAM.—Section 7526(c)(1)(C)(iv) of 
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
8114(c)(1)(C)(iv)) is amended by striking subclause (IV). 
(B) AGRICULTURE
AND
FOOD
RESEARCH
INITIATIVE.— 
Subsection (b)(9) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities 
Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(9)) is amended— 
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking clause (iii); 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
(I) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘clauses (ii) and 
(iii),’’ and inserting ‘‘clause (ii),’’; and 
(II) by striking clause (iii); and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4837 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) APPLIED RESEARCH.—An entity receiving a grant 
under paragraph (5)(B) for applied research that is com-
modity-specific and not of national scope shall provide non- 
Federal matching funds equal to not less than the amount 
of the grant.’’. 
(c) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) AWARDS MADE AFTER DATE OF ENACTMENT.—The amend-
ments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect 
to grants, cooperative agreements, or other awards described 
in subsection (b) that are made after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(2) AWARDS MADE ON OR BEFORE DATE OF ENACTMENT.— 
Notwithstanding the amendments made by subsections (a) and 
(b), a matching funds requirement in effect on the day before 
the date of enactment of this Act under a provision of law 
amended by subsection (a) or (b) shall continue to apply to 
a grant, cooperative agreement, or other award described in 
subsection (b) that is made on or before the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
TITLE VIII—FORESTRY 
Subtitle A—Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 
SEC. 8101. SUPPORT FOR STATE ASSESSMENTS AND STRATEGIES FOR 
FOREST RESOURCES. 
Section 2A(f)(1) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a(f)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 8102. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORA-
TION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 13A of the Cooperative Forestry 
Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109a) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 13A. STATE AND PRIVATE FOREST LANDSCAPE-SCALE RESTORA-
TION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to encourage 
collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest landscapes. 
‘‘(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) 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. 5304). 
‘‘(2) NONINDUSTRIAL PRIVATE FOREST LAND.—The term ‘non-
industrial private forest land’ means land that— 
‘‘(A) is rural, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(B) has existing tree cover or is suitable for growing 
trees; and 
‘‘(C) is owned by any private individual, group, associa-
tion, corporation, Indian tribe, or other private legal entity. 
‘‘(3) STATE
FOREST
LAND.—The term ‘State forest land’ 
means land that— 
‘‘(A) is rural, as determined by the Secretary; and 
7 USC 3151 note. 
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132 STAT. 4838 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) is under State or local governmental ownership 
and considered to be non-Federal forest land. 
‘‘(c) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation with State 
foresters or appropriate State agencies, shall establish a competitive 
grant program to provide financial and technical assistance to 
encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority forest 
landscapes. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary, through the 
State forester or appropriate State agency, a State and private 
forest landscape-scale restoration proposal based on a restoration 
strategy that— 
‘‘(1) is complete or substantially complete; 
‘‘(2) is for a multiyear period; 
‘‘(3) covers nonindustrial private forest land or State forest 
land; 
‘‘(4) is accessible by wood-processing infrastructure; and 
‘‘(5) is based on the best available science. 
‘‘(e) PLAN CRITERIA.—A State and private forest landscape- 
scale restoration proposal submitted under this section shall include 
plans— 
‘‘(1) to reduce the risk of uncharacteristic wildfires; 
‘‘(2) to improve fish and wildlife habitats, including the 
habitats of threatened and endangered species; 
‘‘(3) to maintain or improve water quality and watershed 
function; 
‘‘(4) to mitigate invasive species, insect infestation, and 
disease; 
‘‘(5) to improve important forest ecosystems; 
‘‘(6) to measure ecological and economic benefits, including 
air quality and soil quality and productivity; and 
‘‘(7) to take other relevant actions, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(f) PRIORITIES.—In making grants under this section, the Sec-
retary shall give priority to plans that— 
‘‘(1) further a statewide forest assessment and resource 
strategy; 
‘‘(2) promote cross boundary landscape collaboration; and 
‘‘(3) leverage public and private resources. 
‘‘(g) COLLABORATION
AND CONSULTATION.—The Chief of the 
Forest Service, the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, and relevant stakeholders shall collaborate and consult 
on an ongoing basis regarding— 
‘‘(1) administration of the program established under this 
section; and 
‘‘(2) identification of other applicable resources for land-
scape-scale restoration. 
‘‘(h) MATCHING FUNDS REQUIRED.—As a condition of receiving 
a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require the recipient 
of the grant to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal 
sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount of 
Federal funds. 
‘‘(i) COORDINATION AND PROXIMITY ENCOURAGED.—In making 
grants under this section, the Secretary may consider coordination 
with and proximity to other landscape-scale projects on other land 
under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, 
or a Governor of a State, including under— 
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132 STAT. 4839 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Pro-
gram established under section 4003 of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303); 
‘‘(2) landscape areas designated for insect and disease treat-
ments under section 602 of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a); 
‘‘(3) good neighbor authority under section 19; 
‘‘(4) stewardship end result contracting projects authorized 
under section 604 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 
2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591c); 
‘‘(5) appropriate State-level programs; and 
‘‘(6) other relevant programs, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(j) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary shall promulgate such regu-
lations as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this 
section. 
‘‘(k) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enact-
ment of this section, 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) the status of development, execution, and administra-
tion of selected projects; 
‘‘(2) the accounting of program funding expenditures; and 
‘‘(3) specific accomplishments that have resulted from land-
scape-scale projects. 
‘‘(l) FUND.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the Treasury 
a fund, to be known as the ‘State and Private Forest Landscape- 
Scale Restoration Fund’ (referred to in this subsection as the 
‘Fund’), to be used by the Secretary to make grants under 
this section. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The Fund shall consist of such amounts 
as are appropriated to the Fund under paragraph (3). 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Fund $20,000,000 for each fiscal 
year beginning with the first full fiscal year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection through fiscal year 2023, to 
remain available until expended.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 13B of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2109b) is repealed. 
(2) Section 19(a)(4)(C) of the Cooperative Forestry Assist-
ance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2113(a)(4)(C)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘sections 13A and 13B’’ and inserting ‘‘section 13A’’. 
Subtitle B—Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 
SEC. 8201. REPEAL OF RECYCLING RESEARCH. 
Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1648) is repealed. 
SEC. 8202. REPEAL OF FORESTRY STUDENT GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 10 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources 
Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1649) is repealed. 
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132 STAT. 4840 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Subtitle C—Global Climate Change 
Prevention Act of 1990 
SEC. 8301. REPEALS RELATING TO BIOMASS. 
(a) BIOMASS ENERGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—Section 2410 
of the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
6708) is repealed. 
(b) 
INTERAGENCY
COOPERATION
TO
MAXIMIZE
BIOMASS 
GROWTH.—Section 2411 of the Global Climate Change Prevention 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6709) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘to—’’ and all that follows through ‘‘such 
forests and lands’’ in paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘to develop a 
program to manage forests and land on Department of Defense 
military installations’’. 
Subtitle D—Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 
SEC. 8401. PROMOTING CROSS-BOUNDARY WILDFIRE MITIGATION. 
Section 103 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6513) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) 
CROSS-BOUNDARY
HAZARDOUS
FUEL
REDUCTION 
PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) HAZARDOUS FUEL REDUCTION PROJECT.—The term 
‘hazardous fuel reduction project’ means a hazardous fuel 
reduction project described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(B) NON-FEDERAL LAND.—The term ‘non-Federal land’ 
includes— 
‘‘(i) State land; 
‘‘(ii) county land; 
‘‘(iii) Tribal land; 
‘‘(iv) private land; and 
‘‘(v) other non-Federal land. 
‘‘(2) GRANTS.—The Secretary may make grants to State 
foresters to support hazardous fuel reduction projects that 
incorporate treatments in landscapes across ownership bound-
aries on Federal and non-Federal land, particularly in areas 
identified as priorities in applicable State-wide forest resource 
assessments or strategies under section 2A(a) of the Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a(a)), as mutu-
ally agreed to by the State forester and the Regional Forester. 
‘‘(3) LAND TREATMENTS.—To conduct and fund treatments 
for hazardous fuel reduction projects carried out by State for-
esters using grants under paragraph (2), the Secretary may 
use the authorities of the Secretary relating to cooperation 
and technical and financial assistance, including the good 
neighbor authority under— 
‘‘(A) section 8206 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 
U.S.C. 2113a); and 
‘‘(B) section 331 of the Department of the Interior 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (16 U.S.C. 
1011 note; Public Law 106–291). 
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132 STAT. 4841 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(4) COOPERATION.—In carrying out a hazardous fuel reduc-
tion project using a grant under paragraph (2) on non-Federal 
land, the State forester, in consultation with the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall consult with any applicable owners of the 
non-Federal land; and 
‘‘(B) shall not implement the hazardous fuel reduction 
project on non-Federal land without the consent of the 
owner of the non-Federal land. 
‘‘(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 8402. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR HAZARDOUS 
FUEL REDUCTION ON FEDERAL LAND. 
Section 108 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6518) is amended by striking ‘‘$760,000,000 for each 
fiscal year’’ and inserting ‘‘$660,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 8403. REPEAL OF BIOMASS COMMERCIAL UTILIZATION GRANT 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 203 of the Healthy Forests Restora-
tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6531) is repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108–148) is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 203. 
SEC. 8404. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 303. WATER SOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) END WATER USER.—The term ‘end water user’ means 
a non-Federal entity, including— 
‘‘(A) a State; 
‘‘(B) a political subdivision of a State; 
‘‘(C) an Indian tribe; 
‘‘(D) a utility; 
‘‘(E) a municipal water system; 
‘‘(F) an irrigation district; 
‘‘(G) a nonprofit organization; and 
‘‘(H) a corporation. 
‘‘(2) FOREST
MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITY.—The term ‘forest 
management activity’ means a project carried out by the Sec-
retary on National Forest System land. 
‘‘(3) FOREST PLAN.—The term ‘forest plan’ means a land 
management plan prepared by the Forest Service for a unit 
of the National Forest System pursuant to section 6 of the 
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604). 
‘‘(4) 
NON-FEDERAL
PARTNER.—The 
term 
‘non-Federal 
partner’ means an end water user with whom the Secretary 
has entered into a partnership agreement under subsection 
(c)(1). 
16 USC 6542. 
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132 STAT. 4842 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(5) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the Water 
Source Protection Program established under subsection (b). 
‘‘(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 
‘‘(7) WATER SOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.—The term ‘water 
source management plan’ means the water source management 
plan developed under subsection (d)(1). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish and main-
tain a program, to be known as the ‘Water Source Protection Pro-
gram’, to carry out watershed protection and restoration projects 
on National Forest System land. 
‘‘(c) WATER SOURCE INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Program, the Sec-
retary may enter into water source investment partnership 
agreements with end water users to protect and restore the 
condition of National Forest watersheds that provide water 
to the end water users. 
‘‘(2) FORM.—A partnership agreement described in para-
graph (1) may take the form of— 
‘‘(A) a memorandum of understanding; 
‘‘(B) a cost-share or collection agreement; 
‘‘(C) a long-term funding matching commitment; or 
‘‘(D) another appropriate instrument, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) WATER SOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Program, the Sec-
retary, in cooperation with the non-Federal partners and 
applicable State, local, and Tribal governments, may develop 
a water source management plan that describes the proposed 
implementation of watershed protection and restoration projects 
under the Program. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT.—A water source management plan 
shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the forest 
plan applicable to the National Forest System land on which 
the watershed protection and restoration project is carried out. 
‘‘(3) ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS.—The Secretary may con-
duct a single environmental impact statement or similar anal-
ysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)— 
‘‘(A) for each watershed protection and restoration 
project included in the water source management plan; 
or 
‘‘(B) as part of the development of, or after the finaliza-
tion of, the water source management plan. 
‘‘(e) FOREST MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To the extent that forest management 
activities are necessary to protect, maintain, or enhance water 
quality, and in accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary 
shall carry out forest management activities as part of water-
shed protection and restoration projects carried out on National 
Forest System land, with the primary purpose of— 
‘‘(A) protecting a municipal water supply system; 
‘‘(B) restoring forest health from insect infestations 
and disease; or 
‘‘(C) any combination of the purposes described in sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B). 
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132 STAT. 4843 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) COMPLIANCE.—The Secretary shall carry out forest 
management activities under paragraph (1) in accordance 
with— 
‘‘(A) this Act; 
‘‘(B) the applicable water source management plan; 
‘‘(C) the applicable forest plan; and 
‘‘(D) other applicable laws. 
‘‘(f) ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973.—In carrying out the 
Program, the Secretary may use the Manual on Adaptive Manage-
ment of the Department of the Interior, including any associated 
guidance, to comply with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 
‘‘(g) FUNDS AND SERVICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the Program, the Sec-
retary may accept and use funding, services, and other forms 
of investment and assistance from non-Federal partners to 
implement the water source management plan. 
‘‘(2) MATCHING
FUNDS
REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall 
require the contribution of funds or in-kind support from non- 
Federal partners to be in an amount that is at least equal 
to the amount of Federal funds. 
‘‘(3) MANNER OF USE.—The Secretary may accept and use 
investments described in paragraph (1) directly or indirectly 
through the National Forest Foundation. 
‘‘(4) WATER SOURCE PROTECTION FUND.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations, the Secretary may establish a Water Source 
Protection Fund to match funds or in-kind support contrib-
uted by non-Federal partners under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
‘‘(C) PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary may 
make multiyear commitments, if necessary, to implement 
1 or more partnership agreements under subsection (c).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108–148) is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 303 and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 303. Water Source Protection Program.’’. 
SEC. 8405. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6541 et seq.) (as amended by section 8404(a)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 304. WATERSHED CONDITION FRAMEWORK. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through 
the Chief of the Forest Service (referred to in this section as 
the ‘Secretary’), may establish and maintain a Watershed Condition 
Framework for National Forest System land— 
‘‘(1) to evaluate and classify the condition of watersheds, 
taking into consideration— 
‘‘(A) water quality and quantity; 
‘‘(B) aquatic habitat and biota; 
‘‘(C) riparian and wetland vegetation; 
‘‘(D) the presence of roads and trails; 
16 USC 6543. 
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132 STAT. 4844 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(E) soil type and condition; 
‘‘(F) groundwater-dependent ecosystems; 
‘‘(G) relevant terrestrial indicators, such as fire regime, 
risk of catastrophic fire, forest and rangeland vegetation, 
invasive species, and insects and disease; and 
‘‘(H) other significant factors, as determined by the 
Secretary; 
‘‘(2) to identify for protection and restoration up to 5 priority 
watersheds in each National Forest, and up to 2 priority water-
sheds in each national grassland, taking into consideration 
the impact of the condition of the watershed condition on— 
‘‘(A) wildfire behavior; 
‘‘(B) flood risk; 
‘‘(C) fish and wildlife; 
‘‘(D) drinking water supplies; 
‘‘(E) irrigation water supplies; 
‘‘(F) forest-dependent communities; and 
‘‘(G) other significant impacts, as determined by the 
Secretary; 
‘‘(3) to develop a watershed protection and restoration 
action plan for each priority watershed that— 
‘‘(A) takes into account existing restoration activities 
being implemented in the watershed; and 
‘‘(B) includes, at a minimum— 
‘‘(i) the major stressors responsible for the impaired 
condition of the watershed; 
‘‘(ii) a set of essential projects that, once completed, 
will address the identified stressors and improve water-
shed conditions; 
‘‘(iii) a proposed implementation schedule; 
‘‘(iv) potential partners and funding sources; and 
‘‘(v) a monitoring and evaluation program; 
‘‘(4) to prioritize protection and restoration activities for 
each watershed restoration action plan; 
‘‘(5) to implement each watershed protection and restora-
tion action plan; and 
‘‘(6) to monitor the effectiveness of protection and restora-
tion actions and indicators of watershed health. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(1) coordinate with interested non-Federal landowners and 
State, Tribal, and local governments within the relevant water-
shed; and 
‘‘(2) provide for an active and ongoing public engagement 
process. 
‘‘(c) EMERGENCY DESIGNATION.—Notwithstanding paragraph (2) 
of subsection (a), the Secretary may identify a watershed as a 
priority for rehabilitation in the Watershed Condition Framework 
without using the process described in that subsection if a Forest 
Supervisor determines that— 
‘‘(1) a wildfire has significantly diminished the condition 
of the watershed; and 
‘‘(2) the emergency stabilization activities of the Burned 
Area Emergency Response Team are insufficient to return the 
watershed to proper function.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
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132 STAT. 4845 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Public Law 108–148) (as amended by section 8404(b)) is amended 
by inserting after the item relating to section 303 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 304. Watershed Condition Framework.’’. 
SEC. 8406. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS TO COMBAT INSECT 
INFESTATIONS AND RELATED DISEASES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 406 of the Healthy Forests Restora-
tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6556) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 406. TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS. 
‘‘The authority provided by this title terminates effective 
October 1, 2023.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108–148) is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 406 and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 406. Termination of effectiveness.’’. 
SEC. 8407. HEALTHY FORESTS RESTORATION ACT OF 2003 AMEND-
MENTS. 
(a) HEALTHY FORESTS RESERVE PROGRAM.— 
(1) ADDITIONAL PURPOSE OF PROGRAM.—Section 501(a) of 
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6571(a)) 
is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (2); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(3) to conserve forest land that provides habitat for species 
described in section 502(b); and’’. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLMENT.—Subsection (b) of section 
502 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
6572) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for enrollment in the healthy 
forests reserve program, land shall be private forest land, or private 
land being restored to forest land, the enrollment of which will 
maintain, restore, enhance, or otherwise measurably— 
‘‘(1) increase the likelihood of recovery of a species that 
is listed as endangered or threatened under section 4 of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533); or 
‘‘(2) improve the well-being of a species that— 
‘‘(A) is— 
‘‘(i) not listed as endangered or threatened under 
such section; and 
‘‘(ii) a candidate for such listing, a State-listed 
species, or a special concern species; or 
‘‘(B) is deemed a species of greatest conservation need 
by a State wildlife action plan.’’. 
(3) OTHER ENROLLMENT CONSIDERATIONS.—Section 502(c) 
of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
6572(c)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph (1); 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
paragraph: 
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132 STAT. 4846 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) conserve forest land that provides habitat for species 
described in subsection (b); and’’. 
(4) ELIMINATION OF LIMITATION ON USE OF EASEMENTS.— 
Section 502(e) of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6572(e)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and 
redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2). 
(5) ENROLLMENT OF ACREAGE OWNED BY AN INDIAN TRIBE.— 
Paragraph (2) of section 502(e) of the Healthy Forests Restora-
tion Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6572(e)) (as redesignated by para-
graph (4)) is amended, in subparagraph (B), by striking clauses 
(ii) and (iii) and inserting the following new clauses: 
‘‘(ii) a 10-year cost-share agreement; 
‘‘(iii) a permanent easement; or 
‘‘(iv) any combination of the options described in 
clauses (i) through (iii).’’. 
(6) ENROLLMENT
PRIORITY.—Section 502(f)(1)(B) of the 
Healthy 
Forests 
Restoration 
Act 
of 
2003 
(16 
U.S.C. 
6572(f)(1)(B)) is amended by striking clause (ii) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(ii)(I) are candidates for such listing, State-listed 
species, or special concern species; or 
‘‘(II) are deemed a species of greatest conservation 
need under a State wildlife action plan.’’. 
(7) RESTORATION PLANS.—Subsection (b) of section 503 of 
the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6573) 
is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) PRACTICES.—The restoration plan shall require such res-
toration practices and measures as are necessary to restore and 
enhance habitat for species described in section 502(b), including 
the following: 
‘‘(1) Land management practices. 
‘‘(2) Vegetative treatments. 
‘‘(3) Structural practices and measures. 
‘‘(4) Practices to increase carbon sequestration. 
‘‘(5) Practices to improve biological diversity. 
‘‘(6) Other practices and measures.’’. 
(8) FUNDING.—Section 508(b) of the Healthy Forests Res-
toration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6578(b)) is amended— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘FISCAL 
YEARS 2014 THROUGH 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘AUTHORIZATION 
OF APPROPRIATIONS’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(9) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 503(a) of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6573(a)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Secretary of Interior’’ and inserting ‘‘Secretary 
of the Interior’’. 
(b) INSECT AND DISEASE INFESTATION.— 
(1) TREATMENT OF AREAS.—Section 602(d)(1) of the Healthy 
Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a(d)(1)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘subsection (b) to reduce the risk or extent 
of, or increase the resilience to, insect or disease infestation 
in the areas.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘subsection (b)— 
‘‘(A) to reduce the risk or extent of, or increase the 
resilience to, insect or disease infestation; or 
‘‘(B) to reduce hazardous fuels.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4847 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) EXTENSION
OF
AUTHORITY.—Section 602(d)(2) of the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591a(d)(2)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 8408. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR DESIGNATION 
OF TREATMENT AREAS. 
Section 602 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 
(16 U.S.C. 6591a) is amended by striking subsection (f). 
Subtitle E—Repeal or Reauthorization of 
Miscellaneous Forestry Programs 
SEC. 8501. REPEAL OF REVISION OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FOREST 
INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS. 
Section 8301 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 1642 
note; Public Law 113–79) is repealed. 
SEC. 8502. SEMIARID AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH CENTER. 
Section 1243(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 1642 note; Public Law 101–624) 
is amended by striking ‘‘annually’’ and inserting ‘‘for each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 8503. NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION ACT. 
(a) MATCHING FUNDS.—Section 405(b) of the National Forest 
Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j–3(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 410(b) of the 
National Forest Foundation Act (16 U.S.C. 583j–8(b)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 8504. CONVEYANCE OF FOREST SERVICE ADMINISTRATIVE SITES. 
Section 503(f) of the Forest Service Facility Realignment and 
Enhancement Act of 2005 (16 U.S.C. 580d note; Public Law 109– 
54) is amended by striking ‘‘2016’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
Subtitle F—Forest Management 
SEC. 8601. DEFINITION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM. 
In this subtitle, the term ‘‘National Forest System’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)). 
PART I—EXPEDITED ENVIRONMENTAL ANAL-
YSIS AND AVAILABILITY OF CATEGORICAL 
EXCLUSIONS TO EXPEDITE FOREST MAN-
AGEMENT ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 8611. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE 
AND MULE DEER HABITAT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title VI of the Healthy Forests Restoration 
Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6591 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
16 USC 580d 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4848 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘SEC. 606. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR GREATER SAGE-GROUSE 
AND MULE DEER HABITAT. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘covered vegetation 
management activity’ means any activity described in 
subparagraph (B) that— 
‘‘(i)(I) is carried out on National Forest System 
land administered by the Forest Service; or 
‘‘(II) is carried out on public land administered 
by the Bureau of Land Management; 
‘‘(ii) with respect to public land, meets the objec-
tives of the order of the Secretary of the Interior num-
bered 3336 and dated January 5, 2015; 
‘‘(iii) conforms to an applicable forest plan or land 
use plan; 
‘‘(iv) protects, restores, or improves greater sage- 
grouse or mule deer habitat in a sagebrush steppe 
ecosystem as described in— 
‘‘(I) Circular 1416 of the United States 
Geological Survey entitled ‘Restoration Handbook 
for Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems with Emphasis 
on Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat—Part 1. Concepts 
for Understanding and Applying Restoration’ 
(2015); or 
‘‘(II) the habitat guidelines for mule deer pub-
lished by the Mule Deer Working Group of the 
Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies; 
‘‘(v) will not permanently impair— 
‘‘(I) the natural state of the treated area; 
‘‘(II) outstanding opportunities for solitude; 
‘‘(III) outstanding opportunities for primitive, 
unconfined recreation; 
‘‘(IV) economic opportunities consistent with 
multiple-use management; or 
‘‘(V) the identified values of a unit of the 
National Landscape Conservation System; 
‘‘(vi)(I) restores native vegetation following a nat-
ural disturbance; 
‘‘(II) prevents the expansion into greater sage- 
grouse or mule deer habitat of— 
‘‘(aa) juniper, pinyon pine, or other associated 
conifers; or 
‘‘(bb) nonnative or invasive vegetation; 
‘‘(III) reduces the risk of loss of greater sage-grouse 
or mule deer habitat from wildfire or any other natural 
disturbance; or 
‘‘(IV) provides emergency stabilization of soil 
resources after a natural disturbance; and 
‘‘(vii) provides for the conduct of restoration treat-
ments that— 
‘‘(I) maximize the retention of old-growth and 
large trees, as appropriate for the forest type; 
‘‘(II) consider the best available scientific 
information to maintain or restore the ecological 
integrity, including maintaining or restoring struc-
ture, function, composition, and connectivity; 
16 USC 6591e. 
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132 STAT. 4849 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(III) are developed and implemented through 
a collaborative process that— 
‘‘(aa) includes multiple interested persons 
representing diverse interests; and 
‘‘(bb)(AA) is transparent and nonexclusive; 
or 
‘‘(BB) meets the requirements for a 
resource advisory committee under subsections 
(c) through (f) of section 205 of the Secure 
Rural Schools and Community Self-Deter-
mination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125); and 
‘‘(IV) may include the implementation of a pro-
posal that complies with the eligibility require-
ments of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Res-
toration Program under section 4003(b) of the 
Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 
(16 U.S.C. 7303(b)). 
‘‘(B) DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES.—An activity referred 
to in subparagraph (A) is— 
‘‘(i) manual cutting and removal of juniper trees, 
pinyon pine trees, other associated conifers, or other 
nonnative or invasive vegetation; 
‘‘(ii) mechanical mastication, cutting, or mowing, 
mechanical piling and burning, chaining, broadcast 
burning, or yarding; 
‘‘(iii) removal of cheat grass, medusa head rye, 
or other nonnative, invasive vegetation; 
‘‘(iv) collection and seeding or planting of native 
vegetation using a manual, mechanical, or aerial 
method; 
‘‘(v) seeding of nonnative, noninvasive, ruderal 
vegetation only for the purpose of emergency stabiliza-
tion; 
‘‘(vi) targeted use of an herbicide, subject to the 
condition that the use shall be in accordance with 
applicable legal requirements, Federal agency proce-
dures, and land use plans; 
‘‘(vii) targeted livestock grazing to mitigate haz-
ardous fuels and control noxious and invasive weeds; 
‘‘(viii) temporary removal of wild horses or burros 
in the area in which the activity is being carried out 
to ensure treatment objectives are met; 
‘‘(ix) in coordination with the affected permit 
holder, modification or adjustment of permissible usage 
under an annual plan of use of a grazing permit issued 
by the Secretary concerned to achieve restoration treat-
ment objectives; 
‘‘(x) installation of new, or modification of existing, 
fencing or water sources intended to control use or 
improve wildlife habitat; or 
‘‘(xi) 
necessary 
maintenance 
of, 
repairs 
to, 
rehabilitation of, or reconstruction of an existing 
permanent road or construction of temporary roads 
to accomplish the activities described in this subpara-
graph. 
‘‘(C) 
EXCLUSIONS.—The 
term 
‘covered 
vegetation 
management activity’ does not include— 
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132 STAT. 4850 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) any activity conducted in a wilderness area 
or wilderness study area; 
‘‘(ii) any activity for the construction of a perma-
nent road or permanent trail; 
‘‘(iii) any activity conducted on Federal land on 
which, by Act of Congress or Presidential proclamation, 
the removal of vegetation is restricted or prohibited; 
‘‘(iv) any activity conducted in an area in which 
activities under subparagraph (B) would be incon-
sistent with the applicable land and resource manage-
ment plan; or 
‘‘(v) any activity conducted in an inventoried 
roadless area. 
‘‘(2) SECRETARY
CONCERNED.—The term ‘Secretary con-
cerned’ means— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
National Forest System land; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to public 
land. 
‘‘(3) TEMPORARY ROAD.—The term ‘temporary road’ means 
a road that is— 
‘‘(A) authorized— 
‘‘(i) by a contract, permit, lease, other written 
authorization; or 
‘‘(ii) pursuant to an emergency operation; 
‘‘(B) not intended to be part of the permanent transpor-
tation system of a Federal department or agency; 
‘‘(C) not necessary for long-term resource management; 
‘‘(D) designed in accordance with standards appropriate 
for the intended use of the road, taking into consideration— 
‘‘(i) safety; 
‘‘(ii) the cost of transportation; and 
‘‘(iii) impacts to land and resources; and 
‘‘(E) managed to minimize— 
‘‘(i) erosion; and 
‘‘(ii) the introduction or spread of invasive species. 
‘‘(b) CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary concerned shall 
develop a categorical exclusion (as defined in section 1508.4 
of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regula-
tion)) for covered vegetation management activities carried out 
to protect, restore, or improve habitat for greater sage-grouse 
or mule deer. 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION.—In developing and administering the 
categorical exclusion under paragraph (1), the Secretary con-
cerned shall— 
‘‘(A) comply with the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) with respect to National Forest System land, apply 
the extraordinary circumstances procedures under section 
220.6 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
regulations), in determining whether to use the categorical 
exclusion; 
‘‘(C) with respect to public land, apply the extraor-
dinary circumstances procedures under section 46.215 of 
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132 STAT. 4851 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regula-
tions), in determining whether to use the categorical exclu-
sion; and 
‘‘(D) consider— 
‘‘(i) the relative efficacy of landscape-scale habitat 
projects; 
‘‘(ii) the likelihood of continued declines in the 
populations of greater sage-grouse and mule deer in 
the absence of landscape-scale vegetation management; 
and 
‘‘(iii) the need for habitat restoration activities 
after wildfire or other natural disturbances. 
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION OF COVERED VEGETATIVE MANAGEMENT 
ACTIVITIES WITHIN
THE RANGE
OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE
AND 
MULE DEER.—If the categorical exclusion developed under sub-
section (b) is used to implement a covered vegetative management 
activity in an area within the range of both greater sage-grouse 
and mule deer, the covered vegetative management activity shall 
protect, restore, or improve habitat concurrently for both greater 
sage-grouse and mule deer. 
‘‘(d) LONG-TERM MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE.—Before com-
mencing any covered vegetation management activity that is cov-
ered by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b), the Secretary 
concerned shall develop a long-term monitoring and maintenance 
plan, covering at least the 20-year period beginning on the date 
of commencement, to ensure that management of the treated area 
does not degrade the habitat gains secured by the covered vegetation 
management activity. 
‘‘(e) DISPOSAL OF VEGETATIVE MATERIAL.—Subject to applicable 
local restrictions, any vegetative material resulting from a covered 
vegetation management activity that is covered by the categorical 
exclusion under subsection (b) may be— 
‘‘(1) used for— 
‘‘(A) fuel wood; or 
‘‘(B) other products; or 
‘‘(2) piled or burned, or both. 
‘‘(f) TREATMENT FOR TEMPORARY ROADS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1)(B)(xi), 
any temporary road constructed in carrying out a covered vege-
tation management activity that is covered by the categorical 
exclusion under subsection (b)— 
‘‘(A) shall be used by the Secretary concerned for the 
covered vegetation management activity for not more than 
2 years; and 
‘‘(B) shall be decommissioned by the Secretary con-
cerned not later than 3 years after the earlier of the date 
on which— 
‘‘(i) the temporary road is no longer needed; and 
‘‘(ii) the project is completed. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENT.—A treatment under paragraph (1) shall 
include reestablishing native vegetative cover— 
‘‘(A) as soon as practicable; but 
‘‘(B) not later than 10 years after the date of completion 
of the applicable covered vegetation management activity. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATIONS.— 
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132 STAT. 4852 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) PROJECT
SIZE.—A covered vegetation management 
activity that is covered by the categorical exclusion under sub-
section (b) may not exceed 4,500 acres. 
‘‘(2) LOCATION.—A covered vegetation management activity 
carried out on National Forest System land that is covered 
by the categorical exclusion under subsection (b) shall be limited 
to areas designated under section 602(b), as of the date of 
enactment of this section.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The table of contents for the 
Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 note; 
Public Law 108–148) is amended by adding at the end of the 
items relating to title VI the following: 
‘‘Sec. 602. Designation of treatment areas. 
‘‘Sec. 603. Administrative review. 
‘‘Sec. 604. Stewardship end result contracting projects. 
‘‘Sec. 605. Wildfire resilience projects. 
‘‘Sec. 606. Categorical exclusion for greater sage-grouse and mule deer habitat.’’. 
PART II—MISCELLANEOUS FOREST 
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES 
SEC. 8621. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE OF 
SMALL PARCELS OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND. 
(a) INCREASE IN MAXIMUM VALUE OF SMALL PARCELS.—Section 
3 of Public Law 97–465 (commonly known as the ‘‘Small Tract 
Act of 1983’’) (16 U.S.C. 521e) is amended in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘$150,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$500,000’’. 
(b) ADDITIONAL CONVEYANCE PURPOSES.—Section 3 of Public 
Law 97–465 (16 U.S.C. 521e) (as amended by subsection (a)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a 
semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) parcels of 40 acres or less that are determined by 
the Secretary— 
‘‘(A) to be physically isolated from other Federal land; 
‘‘(B) to be inaccessible; or 
‘‘(C) to have lost National Forest character; 
‘‘(5) parcels of 10 acres or less that are not eligible for 
conveyance under paragraph (2) but are encroached on by a 
permanent habitable improvement for which there is no evi-
dence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent; or 
‘‘(6) parcels used as a cemetery (including a parcel of not 
more than 1 acre adjacent to the parcel used as a cemetery), 
a landfill, or a sewage treatment plant under a special use 
authorization issued or otherwise authorized by the Secretary.’’. 
(c) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS.—Section 2 of Public Law 97– 
465 (16 U.S.C. 521d) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The 
Secretary is authorized’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY; CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary 
is authorized’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘The Secretary shall insert’’ and inserting the following: 
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132 STAT. 4853 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(b) INCLUSION OF TERMS, COVENANTS, CONDITIONS, AND RES-
ERVATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall insert’’; 
(3) in subsection (b) (as so designated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘convenants’’ and inserting ‘‘covenants’’; 
and 
(B) in the second sentence by striking ‘‘The preceding 
sentence shall not’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (1) shall not’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS.— 
‘‘(1) DEPOSIT IN SISK FUND.—The net proceeds derived from 
any sale or exchange conducted under paragraph (4), (5), or 
(6) of section 3 shall be deposited in the fund established 
under Public Law 90–171 (commonly known as the ‘Sisk Act’) 
(16 U.S.C. 484a). 
‘‘(2) USE.—Amounts deposited under paragraph (1) shall 
be available to the Secretary until expended for— 
‘‘(A) the acquisition of land or interests in land for 
administrative sites for the National Forest System in the 
State from which the amounts were derived; 
‘‘(B) the acquisition of land or interests in land for 
inclusion in the National Forest System in that State, 
including land or interests in land that enhance opportuni-
ties for recreational access; or 
‘‘(C) the reimbursement of the Secretary for costs 
incurred in preparing a sale conducted under the authority 
of section 3 if the sale is a competitive sale.’’. 
SEC. 8622. FOREST SERVICE PARTICIPATION IN ACES PROGRAM. 
Section 8302 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 3851a) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—The authority provided 
to the Secretary to carry out this section terminates effective 
October 1, 2023.’’. 
SEC. 8623. AUTHORIZATION FOR LEASE OF FOREST SERVICE SITES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ADMINISTRATIVE SITE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The term ‘‘administrative site’’ 
means— 
(i) any facility or improvement, including curtilage, 
that was acquired or is used specifically for purposes 
of administration of the National Forest System; 
(ii) any Federal land that— 
(I) is associated with a facility or improvement 
described in clause (i) that was acquired or is 
used specifically for purposes of administration of 
Forest Service activities; and 
(II) underlies or abuts the facility or improve-
ment; and 
(iii) for each fiscal year, not more than 10 isolated, 
undeveloped parcels of not more than 40 acres each. 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘administrative site’’ does 
not include— 
16 USC 580d 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4854 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) any land within a unit of the National Forest 
System that is exclusively designated for natural area 
or recreational purposes; 
(ii) any land within— 
(I) a component of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System; 
(II) a component of the National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System; or 
(III) a National Monument; or 
(iii) any Federal land that the Secretary deter-
mines— 
(I) is needed for resource management pur-
poses or to provide access to other land or water; 
or 
(II) would be in the public interest not to 
lease. 
(2) FACILITY
OR
IMPROVEMENT.—The term ‘‘facility or 
improvement’’ includes— 
(A) a forest headquarters; 
(B) a ranger station; 
(C) a research station or laboratory; 
(D) a dwelling; 
(E) a warehouse; 
(F) a scaling station; 
(G) a fire-retardant mixing station; 
(H) a fire-lookout station; 
(I) a guard station; 
(J) a storage facility; 
(K) a telecommunication facility; and 
(L) any other administrative installation for conducting 
Forest Service activities. 
(3) MARKET ANALYSIS.—The term ‘‘market analysis’’ means 
the identification and study of the market for a particular 
economic good or service. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary may lease an administra-
tive site that is under the jurisdiction of the Secretary in accordance 
with this section. 
(c) IDENTIFICATION
OF ELIGIBLE SITES.—A regional forester, 
in consultation with forest supervisors in the region, may submit 
to the Secretary a recommendation for administrative sites in the 
region that the regional forester considers eligible for leasing under 
this section. 
(d) CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLIC 
NOTICE.—Before making an administrative site available for lease 
under this section, the Secretary shall— 
(1) consult with government officials of the community 
and of the State in which the administrative site is located; 
and 
(2) provide public notice of the proposed lease. 
(e) LEASE REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) SIZE.—An administrative site or compound of adminis-
trative sites under a single lease under this section may not 
exceed 40 acres. 
(2) CONFIGURATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SITES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—To facilitate the lease of an adminis-
trative site under this section, the Secretary may configure 
the administrative site— 
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132 STAT. 4855 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) to maximize the marketability of the adminis-
trative site; and 
(ii) to achieve management objectives. 
(B) SEPARATE
TREATMENT
OF
FACILITY
OR
IMPROVE-
MENT.—A facility or improvement on an administrative 
site to be leased under this section may be severed from 
the land and leased under a separate lease under this 
section. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—A person to which a lease of an 
administrative site is made under this section shall provide 
to the Secretary consideration described in subparagraph 
(B) in an amount that is not less than the market value 
of the administrative site, as determined in accordance 
with subparagraph (C). 
(B) FORM
OF
CONSIDERATION.—The consideration 
referred to in subparagraph (A) may be— 
(i) cash; 
(ii) in-kind, including— 
(I) the construction of new facilities or 
improvements, the title to which shall be trans-
ferred by the lessee to the Secretary; 
(II) the maintenance, repair, improvement, or 
restoration of existing facilities or improvements; 
and 
(III) other services relating to activities that 
occur on the administrative site, as determined 
by the Secretary; or 
(iii) any combination of the consideration described 
in clauses (i) and (ii). 
(C) DETERMINATION OF MARKET VALUE.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall determine 
the market value of an administrative site to be leased 
under this section— 
(I) by conducting an appraisal in accordance 
with— 
(aa) the Uniform Appraisal Standards for 
Federal Land Acquisitions established in 
accordance 
with 
the 
Uniform 
Relocation 
Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Poli-
cies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.); and 
(bb) the Uniform Standards of Profes-
sional Appraisal Practice; or 
(II) by competitive lease. 
(ii) IN-KIND CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary shall 
determine the market value of any in-kind consider-
ation under subparagraph (B)(ii). 
(4) CONDITIONS.—The lease of an administrative site under 
this section shall be subject to such conditions, including 
bonding, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
(5) RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.—Subject to terms and condi-
tions that the Secretary determines to be necessary, the Sec-
retary shall offer to lease an administrative site to the munici-
pality or county in which the administrative site is located 
before seeking to lease the administrative site to any other 
person. 
(f) RELATION TO OTHER LAWS.— 
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132 STAT. 4856 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) FEDERAL PROPERTY DISPOSAL.—Chapter 5 of title 40, 
United States Code, shall not apply to the lease of an adminis-
trative site under this section. 
(2) LEAD-BASED PAINT AND ASBESTOS ABATEMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any provision of law 
relating to the mitigation or abatement of lead-based paint 
or asbestos-containing building materials, the Secretary 
shall not be required to mitigate or abate lead-based paint 
or asbestos-containing building materials with respect to 
an administrative site to be leased under this section. 
(B) PROCEDURES.—With respect to an administrative 
site to be leased under this section that has lead-based 
paint or asbestos-containing building materials, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(i) provide notice to the person to which the 
administrative site will be leased of the presence of 
the lead-based paint or asbestos-containing building 
material; and 
(ii) obtain written assurance from that person that 
the person will comply with applicable Federal, State, 
and local laws relating to the management of lead- 
based paint and asbestos-containing building mate-
rials. 
(3) ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.—The National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall apply to 
the lease of an administrative site under this section, except 
that, in any environmental review or analysis required under 
that Act for the lease of an administrative site under this 
section, the Secretary shall be required only— 
(A) to analyze the most reasonably foreseeable use 
of the administrative site, as determined through a market 
analysis; 
(B) to determine whether to include any conditions 
under subsection (e)(4); and 
(C) to evaluate the alternative of not leasing the 
administrative site in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(4) COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS.—A person that leases 
an administrative site under this section shall comply with 
all applicable State and local zoning laws, building codes, and 
permit requirements for any construction activities that occur 
on the administrative site. 
(g) PROHIBITION.—No agency of the Federal Government shall 
make any cash payments to a leaseholder relating to the use or 
occupancy of any administrative site or facility that has been 
improved under this section. 
(h) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATIONS.— 
(1) ANTICIPATED USE OF AUTHORITY.—As part of the annual 
budget justification documents provided to the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Secretary shall 
include— 
(A) a list of the anticipated leases to be made, including 
the anticipated revenue that may be obtained, under this 
section; 
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132 STAT. 4857 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) a description of the intended use of any revenue 
obtained under a lease under this section, including a 
list of any projects that cost more than $500,000; and 
(C) a description of accomplishments during previous 
years using the authority of the Secretary under this sec-
tion. 
(2) CHANGES TO LEASE LIST.—If the Secretary desires to 
lease an administrative site under this section that is not 
included on a list provided under paragraph (1)(A), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the congressional committees described 
in paragraph (3) a notice of the proposed lease, including the 
anticipated revenue that may be obtained from the lease. 
(3) USE OF AUTHORITY.—Not less frequently than once each 
year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee 
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the 
Committee on Appropriations, and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a report describing each 
lease made by the Secretary under this section during the 
period covered by the report. 
(i) EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The authority of the Secretary to make 
a lease of an administrative site under this section expires 
on October 1, 2023. 
(2) EFFECT
ON
LEASE
AGREEMENT.—Paragraph (1) shall 
not affect the authority of the Secretary to carry out this 
section in the case of any lease agreement that was entered 
into by the Secretary before October 1, 2023. 
SEC. 8624. GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY. 
(a) INCLUSION OF INDIAN TRIBES.—Section 8206(a) of the Agri-
cultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘land and non-Federal 
land’’ and inserting ‘‘land, non-Federal land, and land owned 
by an Indian tribe’’; 
(2) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘or Indian tribe’’ after 
‘‘affected State’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (8) as para-
graphs (7) through (9), respectively; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(6) 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. 5304).’’. 
(b) INCLUSION OF COUNTIES.—Section 8206 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ‘‘or county, as 
applicable,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) (as 
amended by subsection (a)) as paragraphs (3) through (10), 
respectively; 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) COUNTY.—The term ‘county’ means— 
‘‘(A) the appropriate executive official of an affected 
county; or 
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132 STAT. 4858 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) in any case in which multiple counties are affected, 
the appropriate executive official of a compact of the 
affected counties.’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘or county, as applicable,’’ after ‘‘Governor’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or county’’ after 
‘‘Governor’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘cooperative agree-
ment or contract entered into under subsection (a)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘good neighbor agreement’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or county’’ after 
‘‘Governor’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) RECEIPTS.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, any payment made by a county to the Secretary under 
a project conducted under a good neighbor agreement shall 
not be considered to be monies received from National Forest 
System land or Bureau of Land Management land, as 
applicable.’’. 
(c) TREATMENT OF REVENUE FROM TIMBER SALE CONTRACTS.— 
Section 8206(b)(2) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 
2113a(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT OF REVENUE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Funds received from the sale 
of timber by a Governor of a State under a good 
neighbor agreement shall be retained and used by 
the Governor— 
‘‘(I) to carry out authorized restoration services 
on Federal land under the good neighbor agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(II) if there are funds remaining after car-
rying out subclause (I), to carry out authorized 
restoration services on Federal land within the 
State under other good neighbor agreements. 
‘‘(ii) 
TERMINATION
OF
EFFECTIVENESS.—The 
authority provided by this subparagraph terminates 
effective October 1, 2023.’’. 
SEC. 
8625. 
CHATTAHOOCHEE-OCONEE 
NATIONAL 
FOREST 
LAND 
ADJUSTMENT. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) certain National Forest System land in the State of 
Georgia consists of isolated tracts that are inefficient to manage 
or have lost their principal value for National Forest purposes; 
(2) the disposal of that National Forest System land would 
be in the public interest; and 
(3) proceeds from the sale of National Forest System land 
under subsection (b)(1) would be used best by the Forest Service 
to purchase land for National Forest purposes in the State 
of Georgia. 
(b) LAND CONVEYANCE AUTHORITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Under such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may sell or exchange 
any or all rights, title, and interest of the United States in 
and to the National Forest System land described in paragraph 
(2)(A). 
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132 STAT. 4859 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) LAND AUTHORIZED FOR DISPOSAL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The National Forest System land 
referred to in paragraph (1) is the 30 tracts of land totaling 
approximately 3,841 acres that are generally depicted on 
the 2 maps entitled ‘‘Priority Land Adjustments, State 
of Georgia, U.S. Forest Service–Southern Region, Oconee 
and Chattahoochee National Forests, U.S. Congressional 
Districts–8, 9, 10 & 14’’ and dated September 24, 2013. 
(B) MAPS.—The maps described in subparagraph (A) 
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the 
Office of the Forest Supervisor, Chattahoochee-Oconee 
National Forest, until such time as the land is sold or 
exchanged. 
(C) MODIFICATION OF BOUNDARIES.—The Secretary may 
modify the boundaries of the National Forest System land 
described in subparagraph (A) based on land management 
considerations. 
(3) FORM OF CONVEYANCE.— 
(A) QUITCLAIM
DEED.—The Secretary shall convey 
National Forest System land sold or exchanged under para-
graph (1) by quitclaim deed. 
(B) RESERVATIONS.—The Secretary may reserve any 
rights-of-way or other rights or interests in National Forest 
System land sold or exchanged under paragraph (1) that 
the Secretary considers necessary for management pur-
poses or to protect the public interest. 
(4) VALUATION.— 
(A) MARKET VALUE.—The Secretary may not sell or 
exchange National Forest System land under paragraph 
(1) for less than market value, as determined by appraisal 
or through competitive bid. 
(B) APPRAISAL REQUIREMENTS.—Any appraisal under 
subparagraph (A) shall be— 
(i) consistent with the Uniform Appraisal Stand-
ards for Federal Land Acquisitions or the Uniform 
Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and 
(ii) subject to the approval of the Secretary. 
(5) CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) CASH.—Consideration for a sale of National Forest 
System land or equalization of an exchange under para-
graph (1) shall be paid in cash. 
(B) EXCHANGE.—Notwithstanding section 206(b) of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1716(b)), the Secretary may accept a cash equali-
zation payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of 
any National Forest System land exchanged under para-
graph (1). 
(6) METHOD OF SALE.— 
(A) OPTIONS.—The Secretary may sell National Forest 
System land under paragraph (1) at public or private sale, 
including competitive sale by auction, bid, or otherwise, 
in accordance with such terms, conditions, and procedures 
as the Secretary determines are in the best interest of 
the United States. 
(B) SOLICITATIONS.—The Secretary may— 
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132 STAT. 4860 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) make public or private solicitations for the sale 
or exchange of National Forest System land under 
paragraph (1); and 
(ii) reject any offer that the Secretary determines 
is not adequate or not in the public interest. 
(7) BROKERS.—The Secretary may— 
(A) use brokers or other third parties in the sale or 
exchange of National Forest System land under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) from the proceeds of a sale, pay reasonable commis-
sions or fees. 
(c) TREATMENT OF PROCEEDS.— 
(1) DEPOSIT.—Subject to subsection (b)(7)(B), the Secretary 
shall deposit the proceeds of a sale or a cash equalization 
payment received from the sale or exchange of National Forest 
System land under subsection (b)(1) in the fund established 
under Public Law 90–171 (commonly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) 
(16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—Subject to paragraph (3), amounts 
deposited under paragraph (1) shall be available to the Sec-
retary until expended, without further appropriation, for the 
acquisition of land for National Forest purposes in the State 
of Georgia. 
(3) PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.—Nothing in this section 
authorizes the use of funds deposited under paragraph (1) 
to be used to acquire land without the written consent of 
the owner of the land. 
SEC. 8626. TENNESSEE WILDERNESS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) MAP.—The term ‘‘Map’’ means the map entitled ‘‘Pro-
posed Wilderness Areas and Additions-Cherokee National 
Forest’’ and dated January 20, 2010. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Tennessee. 
(b) ADDITIONS TO CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST.— 
(1) DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS.—In accordance with the 
Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following parcels 
of Federal land in the Cherokee National Forest in the State 
are designated as wilderness and as additions to the National 
Wilderness Preservation System: 
(A) Certain land comprising approximately 9,038 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Upper Bald River Wilderness’’ 
on the Map and which shall be known as the ‘‘Upper 
Bald River Wilderness’’. 
(B) Certain land comprising approximately 348 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Big Frog Addition’’ on the 
Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall be 
considered to be a part of, the Big Frog Wilderness. 
(C) Certain land comprising approximately 630 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Little Frog Mountain Addition 
NW’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(D) Certain land comprising approximately 336 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Little Frog Mountain Addition 
NE’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and 
16 USC 1132 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4861 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Little Frog Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(E) Certain land comprising approximately 2,922 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Sampson Mountain Addition’’ 
on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
be considered to be a part of, the Sampson Mountain 
Wilderness. 
(F) Certain land comprising approximately 4,446 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Big Laurel Branch Addition’’ 
on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and shall 
be considered to be a part of, the Big Laurel Branch Wilder-
ness. 
(G) Certain land comprising approximately 1,836 acres, 
as generally depicted as the ‘‘Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Addi-
tion’’ on the Map and which shall be incorporated in, and 
shall be considered to be a part of, the Joyce Kilmer- 
Slickrock Wilderness. 
(2) MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file maps 
and legal descriptions of the wilderness areas designated 
by paragraph (1) with the appropriate committees of Con-
gress. 
(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The maps and legal descrip-
tions filed under subparagraph (A) shall be on file and 
available for public inspection in the office of the Chief 
of the Forest Service and the office of the Supervisor of 
the Cherokee National Forest. 
(C) FORCE OF LAW.—The maps and legal descriptions 
filed under subparagraph (A) shall have the same force 
and effect as if included in this Act, except that the Sec-
retary may correct typographical errors in the maps and 
descriptions. 
(3) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights, the 
Federal land designated as wilderness by paragraph (1) 
shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with 
the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that 
any reference in that Act to the effective date of that 
Act shall be deemed to be a reference to the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(B) FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.—In accordance 
with section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 
1133(d)(7)), nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction 
of the State with respect to fish and wildlife management, 
including the regulation of hunting, fishing, and trapping, 
in the wilderness areas designated by paragraph (1). 
SEC. 8627. KISATCHIE NATIONAL FOREST LAND CONVEYANCE. 
(a) FINDING.—Congress finds that it is in the public interest 
to authorize the conveyance of certain Federal land in the Kisatchie 
National Forest in the State of Louisiana for market value consider-
ation. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COLLINS CAMP PROPERTIES.—The term ‘‘Collins Camp 
Properties’’ means Collins Camp Properties, Inc., a corporation 
incorporated under the laws of the State. 
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132 STAT. 4862 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means the State of Louisiana. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF CONVEYANCES, KISATCHIE NATIONAL 
FOREST, LOUISIANA.— 
(1) AUTHORIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to valid existing rights and 
paragraph (2), the Secretary may convey the Federal land 
described in subparagraph (B) by quitclaim deed at public 
or private sale, including competitive sale by auction, bid, 
or other methods. 
(B) DESCRIPTION OF LAND.—The Federal land referred 
to in subparagraph (A) consists of— 
(i) all Federal land within sec. 9, T. 10 N., R. 
5 W., Winn Parish, Louisiana; and 
(ii) a 2.16-acre parcel of Federal land located in 
the SW1⁄4 of sec. 4, T. 10 N., R. 5 W., Winn Parish, 
Louisiana, as depicted on a certificate of survey dated 
March 7, 2007, by Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436. 
(2) FIRST RIGHT OF PURCHASE.—Subject to valid existing 
rights and subsection (e), during the 1-year period beginning 
on the date of enactment of this Act, on the provision of consid-
eration by the Collins Camp Properties to the Secretary, the 
Secretary shall convey, by quitclaim deed, to Collins Camp 
Properties all right, title, and interest of the United States 
in and to— 
(A) the not more than 47.92 acres of Federal land 
comprising the Collins Campsites within sec. 9, T. 10 N., 
R. 5 W., in Winn Parish, Louisiana, as generally depicted 
on a certificate of survey dated February 28, 2007, by 
Glen L. Cannon, P.L.S. 4436; and 
(B) the parcel of Federal land described in paragraph 
(1)(B)(ii). 
(3) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may— 
(A) configure the Federal land to be conveyed under 
this section— 
(i) to maximize the marketability of the convey-
ance; or 
(ii) to achieve management objectives; and 
(B) establish any terms and conditions for the convey-
ances under this section that the Secretary determines 
to be in the public interest. 
(4) CONSIDERATION.—Consideration for a conveyance of 
Federal land under this section shall be— 
(A) in the form of cash; and 
(B) in an amount equal to the market value of the 
Federal land being conveyed, as determined under para-
graph (5). 
(5) MARKET VALUE.—The market value of the Federal land 
conveyed under this section shall be determined— 
(A) in the case of Federal land conveyed under para-
graph (2), by an appraisal that is— 
(i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform 
Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; 
and 
(ii) approved by the Secretary; or 
(B) if conveyed by a method other than the methods 
described in paragraph (2), by competitive sale. 
(6) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.— 
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132 STAT. 4863 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In any conveyance of Federal land 
under this section, the Secretary shall meet disclosure 
requirements for hazardous substances, but shall otherwise 
not be required to remediate or abate the substances. 
(B) EFFECT.—Except as provided in subparagraph (A), 
nothing in this subsection affects the application of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) to the 
conveyances of Federal land. 
(d) PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF LAND.—The Secretary shall 
deposit the proceeds of a conveyance of Federal land under sub-
section (c) in the fund established under Public Law 90–171 (com-
monly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(e) ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) COSTS.—As a condition of a conveyance of Federal land 
to Collins Camp Properties under subsection (c), the Secretary 
shall require Collins Camp Properties to pay at closing— 
(A) reasonable appraisal costs; and 
(B) the cost of any administrative and environmental 
analyses required by law (including regulations). 
(2) PERMITS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An offer by Collins Camp Properties 
for the acquisition of the Federal land under subsection 
(c) shall be accompanied by a written statement from each 
holder of a Forest Service special use authorization with 
respect to the Federal land that specifies that the holder 
agrees to relinquish the special use authorization on the 
conveyance of the Federal land to Collins Camp Properties. 
(B) SPECIAL
USE
AUTHORIZATIONS.—If any holder of 
a special use authorization described in subparagraph (A) 
fails to provide a written authorization in accordance with 
that subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, as a condi-
tion of the conveyance, that Collins Camp Properties 
administer the special use authorization according to the 
terms of the special use authorization until the date on 
which the special use authorization expires. 
SEC. 8628. PURCHASE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION 
SERVICE PROPERTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds as follows: 
(1) Since 1935, the United States has owned a parcel of 
land in Riverside, California, consisting of approximately 8.75 
acres, more specifically described in subsection (b)(1) (in this 
section referred to as the ‘‘property’’). 
(2) The property is under the jurisdiction of the Department 
of Agriculture and has been variously used for research and 
plant materials purposes. 
(3) Since 1998, the property has been administered by 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(4) Since 2002, the property has been co-managed under 
a cooperative agreement between the Natural Resources Con-
servation Service and the Riverside Corona Resource Conserva-
tion District, which is a legal subdivision of the State of Cali-
fornia under section 9003 of the California Public Resources 
Code. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(5) The Conservation District wishes to purchase the prop-
erty and use it for conservation, environmental, and related 
educational purposes. 
(6) As provided in subsection (b), the purchase of the prop-
erty by the Conservation District would promote the conserva-
tion education and related activities of the Conservation District 
and result in savings to the Federal Government. 
(b) LAND
PURCHASE, NATURAL
RESOURCES
CONSERVATION 
SERVICE PROPERTY, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.— 
(1) PURCHASE AUTHORIZED.—The Secretary shall sell and 
quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation Dis-
trict (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Conservation District’’) 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
a parcel of real property, including improvements thereon, that 
is located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, California, 
consists of approximately 8.75 acres, and is administered by 
the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department 
of Agriculture. As necessary or desirable to facilitate the pur-
chase of the property under this subsection, the Secretary or 
the Conservation District may survey all or portions of the 
property. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—As consideration for the purchase of 
the property under this subsection, the Conservation District 
shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised 
value of the property. 
(3) PROHIBITION ON RESERVATION OF INTEREST.—The Sec-
retary shall not reserve any future interest in the property 
to be conveyed under this subsection, except such interest as 
may be acceptable to the Conservation District. 
(4) HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES.—Notwithstanding section 
120(h) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-
pensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) or 
the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), in the 
case of the property purchased by the Conservation District 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall be only required 
to meet the disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, 
pollutants, or contaminants, but shall otherwise not be required 
to remediate or abate any such releases of hazardous sub-
stances, pollutants, or contaminants, including petroleum and 
petroleum derivatives. 
(5) COOPERATIVE AUTHORITY.— 
(A) LEASES, CONTRACTS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS 
AUTHORIZED.—In conjunction with, or in addition to, the 
purchase of the property by the Conservation District under 
this subsection, the Secretary may enter into leases, con-
tracts and cooperative agreements with the Conservation 
District. 
(B) SOLE
SOURCE.—Notwithstanding sections 3105, 
3301, and 3303 to 3305 of title 41, United States Code, 
or any other provision of law, the Secretary may lease 
real property from the Conservation District on a non-
competitive basis. 
(C) NON-EXCLUSIVE
AUTHORITY.—The authority pro-
vided by this subsection is in addition to any other 
authority of the Secretary. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 8629. COLLABORATIVE FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—Section 4003(d) of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(d)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) WAIVER.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), after 
consulting with the advisory panel established under sub-
section (e), if the Secretary determines that a proposal 
that has been selected under paragraph (1) and is being 
carried out continues to meet the eligibility criteria estab-
lished by subsection (b), the Secretary, on a case-by-case 
basis, may issue for the proposal a 1-time extension of 
the 10-year period requirement under paragraph (1)(B) 
of that subsection. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATION.—The extension described in subpara-
graph (A)— 
‘‘(i) shall be for the shortest period of time prac-
ticable to complete implementation of the proposal, 
as determined by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) shall not exceed 10 years.’’. 
(b) WAIVER LIMITATION.—Section 4003(f)(4) of the Omnibus 
Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(4)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) EXCEPTION.—The limitation described in subpara-
graph (B)(i) shall not apply to a proposal for which a 
1-time extension is granted under subsection (d)(4).’’. 
(c) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 4003(f)(6) of the Omnibus Public 
Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(f)(6)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2019’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023’’. 
(d) REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.—Section 4003(h) of the Omni-
bus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (16 U.S.C. 7303(h)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
(4) and (5), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate;’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives.’’. 
SEC. 8630. UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHTS-OF-WAY VEGETATION 
MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘National Forest System 
land’’ means land within the National Forest System, as 
defined in section 11(a) of the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 
1609(a)). 
43 USC 1772 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4866 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) EXCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘National Forest System 
land’’ does not include— 
(i) a National Grassland; or 
(ii) a land utilization project on land designated 
as a National Grassland and administered pursuant 
to sections 31, 32, and 33 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm 
Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010, 1011, 1012). 
(2) PASSING WILDFIRE.—The term ‘‘passing wildfire’’ means 
a wildfire that originates outside of a right-of-way. 
(3) PILOT PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘pilot program’’ means the 
pilot program established by the Secretary under subsection 
(b). 
(4) RIGHT-OF-WAY.—The term ‘‘right-of-way’’ means a spe-
cial use authorization issued by the Forest Service allowing 
the placement of utility infrastructure. 
(5) UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.—The term ‘‘utility infrastruc-
ture’’ means electric transmission lines, natural gas infrastruc-
ture, or related structures. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—To encourage owners or operators of 
rights-of-way on National Forest System land to partner with 
the Forest Service to voluntarily conduct vegetation manage-
ment projects on a proactive basis to better protect utility 
infrastructure from potential passing wildfires, the Secretary 
may establish a limited, voluntary pilot program, in the manner 
described in this section, to conduct vegetation management 
projects on National Forest System land adjacent to those 
rights-of-way. 
(2) APPLICATION.—The pilot program shall not apply in 
a right-of-way described in paragraph (1). 
(c) ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A participant in the pilot program shall 
be the owner or operator of a right-of-way on National Forest 
System land. 
(2) SELECTION PRIORITY.—In selecting participants for the 
pilot program, the Secretary shall give priority to an owner 
or operator of a right-of-way that has developed the utility 
infrastructure protection prescriptions of the owner or operator 
in coordination with Forest Service fire scientists or fire man-
agers. 
(d) VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—A vegetation management project con-
ducted under the pilot program shall involve only limited vege-
tation management activities that— 
(A) shall create the least ground disturbance and least 
disturbance to wildlife reasonably necessary to protect 
utility infrastructure from passing wildfires based on 
applicable models, including Forest Service fuel models; 
(B) may include thinning and treatment of surface 
fuels, ladder fuels, and activity fuels to create or maintain 
shaded fuel breaks or other appropriate measures rec-
ommended by Forest Service fire scientists or fire man-
agers; 
(C)(i) shall only be conducted on National Forest 
System land; and 
(ii) shall not— 
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132 STAT. 4867 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(I) extend for more than 150 feet from the electric 
transmission line for which the applicable participant 
has a right-of-way; or 
(II) comprise an overall width, for both sides of 
that electric transmission line, that totals more than 
200 feet; and 
(D) shall not be conducted on— 
(i) a component of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System; 
(ii) a designated wilderness study area; 
(iii) an inventoried roadless area; or 
(iv) Federal land on which, by Act of Congress 
or Presidential proclamation, the removal of vegetation 
is restricted or prohibited. 
(2) APPROVAL.—Each vegetation management project 
described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to approval by 
the Forest Service in accordance with this section. 
(3) FIRE
PREVENTION.—In carrying out a vegetation 
management project under the pilot program, a participant 
shall adhere to— 
(A) Forest Service regulations relating to spark 
arresting devices; 
(B) Forest Service regulations limiting and prohibiting 
certain activities conducted by contractors in an area, based 
on weather conditions and fire danger; 
(C) Forest Service regulations that apply to contractors 
removing vegetation on National Forest System land pursu-
ant to a timber sale or stewardship contract, including 
regulations relating to— 
(i) protection of residual trees and timber damaged 
by contractors; 
(ii) protection measures needed for plants, animals, 
cultural resources, and cave resources; 
(iii) streamcourse protection and erosion control; 
(iv) fire plans, precautions, and precautionary 
periods; 
(v) fire suppression costs; and 
(vi) employment of eligible workers; and 
(D) State regulations relating to the prevention of 
wildfires and contractors removing vegetation. 
(4) TREATMENT OF SLASH.—In carrying out a vegetation 
management project under the pilot program, a participant 
shall treat any activity fuels in a manner that— 
(A) is satisfactory to the Forest Service; 
(B) does not result in a fire hazard; and 
(C) reduces the risk of an insect or disease outbreak. 
(e) PROJECT COSTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2) and 
subsection (f)(2), a participant in the pilot program shall be 
responsible for all costs, as determined by the Secretary, 
incurred in participating in the pilot program. 
(2) FEDERAL
FUNDING.—The Secretary may contribute 
funds for a vegetation management project conducted under 
the pilot program if the Secretary determines that the contribu-
tion is in the public interest. 
(f) LIABILITY.— 
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132 STAT. 4868 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) ACTIVITIES WITHIN RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—Participation in the 
pilot program shall not affect any legal obligations or liability 
standards that arise under the right-of-way for activities in 
the right-of-way. 
(2) WILDFIRES.— 
(A) OPERATIONS FIRES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—With respect to fire suppression 
costs for a wildfire caused by the operations of a partici-
pant in the pilot program (other than an operation 
or activity of a participant described in subparagraph 
(B) or (C)), the participant shall reimburse the Forest 
Service for those costs, subject to a maximum dollar 
amount to which the Forest Service and the participant 
shall agree prior to the commencement of the project. 
(ii) CREDIT FOR ACTIONS BY PARTICIPANTS.— 
(I) IN GENERAL.—If a participant in the pilot 
program provides actions, supplies, or equipment 
for use to suppress a wildfire described in clause 
(i) or at the request of the Forest Service, the 
cost of those actions, supplies, or equipment shall 
be credited toward the maximum dollar amount 
described in that clause. 
(II) REIMBURSEMENT.—If the actual cost of a 
participant described in subclause (I) exceeds the 
maximum dollar amount described in clause (i), 
the Forest Service shall reimburse the participant 
for the excess. 
(B) NEGLIGENT FIRES.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), if a wildfire 
is caused by the negligence of a participant in the 
pilot program, or an agent of the participant, including 
a wildfire caused by smoking by persons engaged in 
the operations of the participant, the participant shall 
bear the cost of damages to Forest Service resources 
and the fire suppression costs resulting from the wild-
fire. 
(ii) LIMITATION.—Except as provided in clause (iii), 
the costs borne by a participant under clause (i) shall 
not exceed $500,000. 
(iii) FAILURE TO COMPLY.—If the start or spread 
of a wildfire described in clause (i) is caused by the 
failure of the participant to comply with specific safety 
requirements expressly imposed by the Forest Service 
as a condition of conducting a vegetation management 
project under the pilot program or by this section, 
the participant shall bear the cost of damages to Forest 
Service resources and the fire suppression costs 
resulting from the wildfire. 
(C) EXCEPTIONS.—This paragraph shall not apply in 
the case of a wildfire caused by the felling of a tree by 
a participant in the pilot program, or an agent of the 
participant, onto an electric transmission line. 
(3) EFFECT.—Nothing in this subsection relieves a partici-
pant in the pilot program of any liabilities to which the partici-
pant is subject— 
(A) under State laws; or 
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132 STAT. 4869 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) with regard to damages to property other than 
Forest Service property. 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
Secretary shall use the authority of the Secretary under other 
laws (including regulations) to carry out the pilot program. 
(2) COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAWS.—Except as provided 
in paragraph (3), a vegetation management project under the 
pilot program shall be— 
(A) consistent with the applicable land management 
plan for the area in which the project is located; and 
(B) carried out in accordance with all applicable laws, 
including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
(3) MODIFICATION OF REGULATIONS.—In order to implement 
the pilot program in an efficient and expeditious manner, the 
Secretary may waive or modify specific provisions of the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation, including waivers or modifications to 
allow for the formation of contracts or agreements on a non-
competitive basis. 
(h) TREATMENT
OF PROCEEDS.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary may— 
(1) retain any funds provided to the Forest Service by 
a participant in the pilot program; and 
(2) use funds retained under paragraph (1), in such 
amounts as may be appropriated, to carry out the pilot program. 
(i) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than December 31, 2020, 
and 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
describing the status of the pilot program and vegetation manage-
ment projects conducted under the pilot program to— 
(1) the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate; and 
(2) the Committees on Agriculture and Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives. 
(j) DURATION.—The authority to carry out the pilot program, 
including any vegetation management project conducted under the 
pilot program, expires on October 1, 2023. 
SEC. 8631. OKHISSA LAKE RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAND 
CONVEYANCE. 
(a) DEFINITION OF ALLIANCE.—In this section, the term ‘‘Alli-
ance’’ means the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance. 
(b) REQUEST.—Subject to the requirements of this section, if 
the Alliance submits a written request for conveyance by not later 
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and the 
Secretary determines that it is in the public interest to convey 
the National Forest System Land described in subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall convey to the Alliance all right, title, and interest 
of the United States in and to the National Forest System land 
described in subsection (c) by quitclaim deed through a public 
or private sale, including a competitive sale by auction or bid. 
(c) DESCRIPTION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the National 
Forest System land referred to in subsection (b) is the approxi-
mately 150 acres of real property located in sec. 6, T. 5 N. 
R. 4 E., Franklin County, Mississippi, and further described 
as— 
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132 STAT. 4870 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) the portion of the NW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying south of 
the south boundary of Berrytown Road; 
(B) the portion of the W1⁄2 NE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying south 
of the south boundary of Berrytown Road; 
(C) the portion of the SW1⁄4 NW1⁄4 lying east of the 
east boundary of U.S. Highway 98; 
(D) the W1⁄2 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4; 
(E) the portion of the NW1⁄4 SW1⁄4 lying east of the 
east boundary of U.S. Highway 98; 
(F) the portion of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 commencing at the 
southwest corner of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4, said point being the 
point of beginning, thence running east 330 feet along 
the south boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to a point in Lake 
Okhissa, thence running northeasterly to a point in Lake 
Okhissa on the east boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 330 
feet south of the northeast corner thereof, thence running 
north 330 feet along the east boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 
to the northeast corner thereof, thence running west along 
the north boundary of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to the NW corner 
thereof; thence running south along the west boundary 
of the NE1⁄4 SW1⁄4 to the point of beginning; and 
(G) the portion of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 commencing 
at the southeast corner of the SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4, said point 
being the point of beginning, and running northwesterly 
to the northwest corner of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4, thence 
running south along the west boundary of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 
NW1⁄4 to the southwest corner thereof, thence running 
east along the south boundary of the SE1⁄4 SE1⁄4 NW1⁄4 
to the point of beginning. 
(2) SURVEY.—The exact acreage and legal description of 
the National Forest System land to be conveyed under this 
section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the 
Secretary. 
(d) CONSIDERATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The consideration for the conveyance of 
any National Forest System land under this section shall be— 
(A) provided in the form of cash; and 
(B) in an amount equal to the fair market value of 
the National Forest System land being conveyed, as deter-
mined under paragraph (2). 
(2) FAIR MARKET VALUE DETERMINATION.—The fair market 
value of the National Forest System land conveyed under this 
section shall be determined— 
(A) in the case of a method of conveyance described 
in subsection (b), by an appraisal that is— 
(i) conducted in accordance with the Uniform 
Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions; 
and 
(ii) approved by the Secretary; or 
(B) in the case of a conveyance by a method other 
than a method described in subsection (b), by competitive 
sale. 
(e) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The conveyance under this section 
shall be subject to— 
(1) valid existing rights; and 
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132 STAT. 4871 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) such other terms and conditions as the Secretary con-
siders to be appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
(f) PROCEEDS FROM SALE.—The Secretary shall deposit the 
proceeds of the conveyance of any National Forest System land 
under this section in the fund established under Public Law 90– 
171 (commonly known as the ‘‘Sisk Act’’) (16 U.S.C. 484a). 
(g) COSTS.—As a condition for the conveyance under this sec-
tion, the Secretary shall require the Alliance to pay at closing— 
(1) any reasonable appraisal costs; and 
(2) the costs of any administrative or environmental anal-
ysis required by applicable law (including regulations). 
SEC. 8632. REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES. 
The Chief of the Forest Service shall— 
(1) continue to find efficiencies in the operations of the 
forest inventory and analysis program under section 3(e) of 
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act 
of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) through the improved use and 
integration of advanced remote sensing technologies to provide 
estimates for State- and national-level inventories, where 
appropriate; and 
(2) partner with States and other interested stakeholders 
to carry out the program described in paragraph (1). 
PART III—TIMBER INNOVATION 
SEC. 8641. DEFINITIONS. 
In this part: 
(1) INNOVATIVE
WOOD
PRODUCT.—The term ‘‘innovative 
wood product’’ means a type of building component or system 
that uses large panelized wood construction, including mass 
timber. 
(2) MASS TIMBER.—The term ‘‘mass timber’’ includes— 
(A) cross-laminated timber; 
(B) nail laminated timber; 
(C) glue laminated timber; 
(D) laminated strand lumber; and 
(E) laminated veneer lumber. 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary, acting through the Research and Development deputy 
area and the State and Private Forestry deputy area of the 
Forest Service. 
(4) TALL WOOD BUILDING.—The term ‘‘tall wood building’’ 
means a building designed to be— 
(A) constructed with mass timber; and 
(B) more than 85 feet in height. 
SEC. 8642. CLARIFICATION OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PRO-
GRAM FOR WOOD BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct performance- 
driven research and development, education, and technical assist-
ance for the purpose of facilitating the use of innovative wood 
products in wood building construction in the United States. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
7 USC 7655c. 
7 USC 7655c 
note. 
16 USC 1642 
note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) after receipt of input and guidance from, and collabora-
tion with, the wood products industry, conservation organiza-
tions, and institutions of higher education, conduct research 
and development, education, and technical assistance at the 
Forest Products Laboratory or through the State and Private 
Forestry deputy area that meets measurable performance goals 
for the achievement of the priorities described in subsection 
(c); and 
(2) after coordination and collaboration with the wood prod-
ucts industry and conservation organizations, make competitive 
grants to institutions of higher education to conduct research 
and development, education, and technical assistance that 
meets measurable performance goals for the achievement of 
the priorities described in subsection (c). 
(c) PRIORITIES.—The research and development, education, and 
technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) shall give pri-
ority to— 
(1) ways to improve the commercialization of innovative 
wood products; 
(2) analyzing the safety of tall wood building materials; 
(3) calculations by the Forest Products Laboratory of the 
lifecycle environmental footprint, from extraction of raw mate-
rials through the manufacturing process, of tall wood building 
construction; 
(4) analyzing methods to reduce the lifecycle environmental 
footprint of tall wood building construction; 
(5) analyzing the potential implications of the use of innova-
tive wood products in building construction on wildlife; and 
(6) 1 or more other research areas identified by the Sec-
retary, in consultation with conservation organizations, institu-
tions of higher education, and the wood products industry. 
(d) TIMEFRAME.—To the maximum extent practicable, the meas-
urable performance goals for the research and development, edu-
cation, and technical assistance conducted under subsection (a) 
shall be achievable within a 5-year timeframe. 
SEC. 8643. WOOD INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ means— 
(A) an individual; 
(B) a public or private entity (including a center of 
excellence that consists of 1 or more partnerships between 
forestry, engineering, architecture, or business schools at 
1 or more institutions of higher education); or 
(C) a State, local, or Tribal government. 
(2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Sec-
retary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service. 
(b) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in carrying out the wood 
innovation grant program of the Secretary described in the 
notice of the Secretary entitled ‘‘Request for Proposals: 2016 
Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity’’ (80 Fed. Reg. 63498 
(October 20, 2015)), may make a wood innovation grant to 
1 or more eligible entities each year for the purpose of 
advancing the use of innovative wood products. 
(2) PROPOSALS.—To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this subsection, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary 
7 USC 7655d. 
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132 STAT. 4873 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
a proposal at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require. 
(c) INCENTIVIZING USE
OF EXISTING MILLING CAPACITY.—In 
selecting among proposals of eligible entities under subsection (b)(2), 
the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that include the use 
or retrofitting (or both) of existing sawmill facilities located in 
counties in which the average annual unemployment rate exceeded 
the national average unemployment rate by more than 1 percent 
in the previous calendar year. 
(d) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—As a condition of receiving a 
grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall provide funds 
equal to the amount received by the eligible entity under the 
grant, to be derived from non-Federal sources. 
SEC. 8644. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 9013 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8113) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 9013. COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY AND WOOD INNOVATION PRO-
GRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘community wood energy 
system’ means an energy system that— 
‘‘(i) produces thermal energy or combined thermal 
energy and electricity where thermal is the primary 
energy output; 
‘‘(ii) services public facilities owned or operated 
by State or local governments (including schools, town 
halls, libraries, and other public buildings) or private 
or nonprofit facilities (including commercial and busi-
ness facilities, such as hospitals, office buildings, apart-
ment buildings, and manufacturing and industrial 
buildings); and 
‘‘(iii) uses woody biomass, including residuals— 
‘‘(I) that have not been adulterated with glue 
or other chemical treatments from wood processing 
facilities, as the primary fuel; and 
‘‘(II) for which the use of that biomass for 
energy production does not cause conversion of 
forests to nonforest use. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘community wood energy 
system’ includes single-facility central heating, district 
heating systems serving multiple buildings, combined heat 
and electric systems where thermal energy is the primary 
energy output, and other related biomass energy systems. 
‘‘(2) INNOVATIVE
WOOD
PRODUCT
FACILITY.—The term 
‘innovative wood product facility’ means a manufacturing or 
processing plant or mill that produces— 
‘‘(A) building components or systems that use large 
panelized wood construction, including mass timber; 
‘‘(B) wood products derived from nanotechnology or 
other new technology processes, as determined by the Sec-
retary; or 
‘‘(C) other innovative wood products that use low-value, 
low-quality wood, as determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) MASS TIMBER.—The term ‘mass timber’ includes— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) cross-laminated timber; 
‘‘(B) nail-laminated timber; 
‘‘(C) glue-laminated timber; 
‘‘(D) laminated strand lumber; and 
‘‘(E) laminated veneer lumber. 
‘‘(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the Community 
Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program established under 
subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a competitive 
grant program to be known as the ‘Community Wood Energy and 
Wood Innovation Program’. 
‘‘(c) MATCHING GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the Secretary shall 
make grants to cover not more than 35 percent of the capital 
cost for installing a community wood energy system or building 
an innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(2) SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.—The Secretary may estab-
lish special circumstances, such as in the case of a community 
wood energy system project or innovative wood product facility 
project involving a school or hospital in a low-income commu-
nity, under which grants under the Program may cover up 
to 50 percent of the capital cost. 
‘‘(3) 
SOURCE
OF
MATCHING
FUNDS.—Matching 
funds 
required pursuant to this subsection from a grant recipient 
shall be derived from non-Federal funds. 
‘‘(d) PROJECT CAP.—The total amount of grants under the Pro-
gram for a community wood energy system project or innovative 
wood product facility project may not exceed— 
‘‘(1) in the case of grants under the general authority 
provided under subsection (c)(1), $1,000,000; and 
‘‘(2) in the case of grants for which the special cir-
cumstances apply under subsection (c)(2), $1,500,000. 
‘‘(e) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting applicants for grants 
under the Program, the Secretary shall consider the following: 
‘‘(1) The energy efficiency of the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(2) The cost effectiveness of the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility. 
‘‘(3) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system or innovative wood product facility represents 
the best available commercial technology. 
‘‘(4) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system uses the most stringent control technology that 
has been required or achieved in practice for a wood-fired 
boiler of similar size and type. 
‘‘(5)(A) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system will displace conventional fossil fuel generation. 
‘‘(B) Whether the proposed community wood energy system 
minimizes emission increases to the greatest extent possible. 
‘‘(6) The extent to which the proposed community wood 
energy system will increase delivered thermal efficiency of the 
systems replaced. 
‘‘(7) The extent to which the applicant has demonstrated 
a high likelihood of project success by completing detailed 
engineering and design work in advance of the grant applica-
tion. 
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132 STAT. 4875 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(8) Other technical, economic, conservation, and environ-
mental criteria that the Secretary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(f) GRANT PRIORITIES.—In selecting applicants for grants under 
the Program, the Secretary shall give priority to proposals that 
use the most stringent control technology that has been required 
or achieved in practice for a wood-fired boiler and— 
‘‘(1) would be carried out in a location where markets 
are needed for the low-value, low-quality wood; 
‘‘(2) would be carried out in a location with limited access 
to natural gas pipelines; 
‘‘(3) would include the use or retrofitting (or both) of 
existing sawmill facilities located in a location where the aver-
age annual unemployment rate exceeded the national average 
unemployment rate by more than 1 percent during the previous 
calendar year; or 
‘‘(4) would be carried out in a location where the project 
will aid with forest restoration. 
‘‘(g) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) CAPACITY OF COMMUNITY WOOD ENERGY SYSTEMS.— 
A community wood energy system acquired with grant funds 
under the Program shall not exceed nameplate capacity of 
5 megawatts of thermal energy or combined thermal and elec-
tric energy. 
‘‘(2) FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE WOOD PRODUCT FACILITIES.— 
Not more than 25 percent of funds provided as grants under 
the Program for a fiscal year may go to applicants proposing 
innovative wood product facilities, unless the Secretary has 
received an insufficient number of qualified proposals for 
community wood energy systems. 
‘‘(h) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out the Program $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’. 
Subtitle G—Other Matters 
SEC. 8701. RURAL REVITALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. 
Section 2371(d)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6601(d)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 8702. RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES. 
Section 205 of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self- 
Determination Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 7125) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Each’’ and inserting 
‘‘Except as provided in paragraph (6), each’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘Committee’’ and inserting ‘‘Except 
as provided in paragraph (6), committee’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) COMMITTEE COMPOSITION WAIVER AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) NOTICE.—On notice from the applicable regional 
forester that an adequate number of qualified candidates 
are not interested or available to serve on a resource 
advisory committee, the Secretary concerned shall publish 
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132 STAT. 4876 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
a notice in the Federal Register seeking candidates for 
the resource advisory committee. 
‘‘(B) MODIFICATION OF MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS.— 
If, by the date that is 30 days after the date of publication 
of notice under subparagraph (A), an inadequate number 
of qualified candidates have applied to serve on a resource 
advisory committee, the Secretary concerned may reduce— 
‘‘(i) the membership requirement under paragraph 
(1) to not fewer than 9; and 
‘‘(ii) the membership requirements under subpara-
graphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2) to 3 in each 
category described in that paragraph, except that 
where a vacancy exists on a resource advisory com-
mittee, the Secretary concerned may not reject a quali-
fied applicant from any category. 
‘‘(C) TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.—The authority pro-
vided under this paragraph terminates on October 1, 
2023.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) REGIONAL APPOINTMENT PILOT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION
OF
APPLICABLE
DESIGNEE.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘applicable designee’ means the applicable 
regional forester. 
‘‘(2) PILOT PROGRAM.—The Secretary concerned shall carry 
out a pilot program (referred to in this subsection as the ‘pilot 
program’) to allow an applicable designee to appoint members 
of resource advisory committees. 
‘‘(3) GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATION.—The pilot program shall only 
apply to resource advisory committees chartered in— 
‘‘(A) the State of Montana; and 
‘‘(B) the State of Arizona. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSIBILITIES OF APPLICABLE DESIGNEE.— 
‘‘(A) REVIEW.—Before appointing a member of a 
resource advisory committee under the pilot program, an 
applicable designee shall conduct the review and analysis 
that would otherwise be conducted for an appointment 
to a resource advisory committee if the pilot program was 
not in effect, including any review and analysis with respect 
to civil rights and budgetary requirements. 
‘‘(B) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection 
relieves an applicable designee from any requirement devel-
oped by the Secretary concerned for making an appoint-
ment to a resource advisory committee that is in effect 
on the date of enactment of this subsection, including any 
requirement for advertising a vacancy. 
‘‘(5) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS.—The authority pro-
vided under this subsection terminates on October 1, 2023. 
‘‘(6) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than the date that 
is 180 days after the date described in paragraph (5), the 
Secretary concerned shall submit to Congress a report that 
includes— 
‘‘(A) with respect to appointments made under the 
pilot program compared to appointments to resource 
advisory committees not made under the pilot program, 
a description of the extent to which— 
‘‘(i) appointments were faster or slower; and 
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132 STAT. 4877 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) the requirements described in paragraph (4) 
differ; and 
‘‘(B) a recommendation with respect to whether Con-
gress should terminate, continue, modify, or expand the 
pilot program.’’. 
SEC. 8703. TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior and the Sec-
retary may carry out demonstration projects by which federally 
recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations may contract to 
perform administrative, management, and other functions of pro-
grams of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 3115a 
et seq.) through contracts entered into under the Indian Self-Deter-
mination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.). 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—With respect to any contract or project 
carried out under subsection (a)— 
(1) on National Forest System land, the Secretary shall 
carry out all functions delegated to the Secretary of the Interior 
under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304 et seq.); 
(2) the Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior, as 
applicable, shall make any decisions required to be made 
under— 
(A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and 
(B) the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 
3115a et seq.); and 
(3) the contract or project shall be entered into under, 
and in accordance with, section 403(b)(2) of the Indian Self- 
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5363(b)(2)). 
SEC. 8704. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION FUNDING AND FOREST MANAGEMENT 
ACTIVITIES ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Wildfire Suppression Funding and 
Forest Management Activities Act (Public Law 115–141) is 
amended— 
(A) in section 102(a)(2), by striking ‘‘the date of enact-
ment’’ and inserting ‘‘the date of the enactment’’; and 
(B) in section 401(a)(1), by inserting ‘‘of 2000’’ after 
‘‘Self-Determination Act’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the Wildfire Suppres-
sion Funding and Forest Management Activities Act (Public 
Law 115–141). 
(b) AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 2014.—Section 8206(a) of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 2113a(a)) (as amended by section 
8624(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(B)(i)(II), by striking ‘‘Good Neighbor 
Authority Improvement Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Wildfire Suppres-
sion Funding and Forest Management Activities Act’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking ‘‘Good Neighbor Authority 
Improvement Act’’ and inserting ‘‘Wildfire Suppression Funding 
and Forest Management Activities Act’’. 
2 USC 901 note. 
Ante, p. 1076. 
Ante, p. 1059. 
25 USC 3115b. 
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132 STAT. 4878 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 8705. STREAMLINING THE FOREST SERVICE PROCESS FOR 
CONSIDERATION OF COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY LOCA-
TION APPLICATIONS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY.—The term ‘‘communications 
facility’’ includes— 
(A) any infrastructure, including any transmitting 
device, tower, or support structure, and any equipment, 
switches, wiring, cabling, power sources, shelters, or cabi-
nets, associated with the licensed or permitted unlicensed 
wireless or wireline transmission of writings, signs, signals, 
data, images, pictures, and sounds of all kinds; and 
(B) any antenna or apparatus that— 
(i) is designed for the purpose of emitting radio 
frequency; 
(ii) is designed to be operated, or is operating, 
from a fixed location pursuant to authorization by the 
Federal Communications Commission or is using duly 
authorized devices that do not require individual 
licenses; and 
(iii) is added to a tower, building, or other struc-
ture. 
(2) COMMUNICATIONS
SITE.—The term ‘‘communications 
site’’ means an area of covered land designated for communica-
tions uses. 
(3) COMMUNICATIONS
USE.—The term ‘‘communications 
use’’ means the placement and operation of a communications 
facility. 
(4) COMMUNICATIONS
USE
AUTHORIZATION.—The term 
‘‘communications use authorization’’ means an easement, right- 
of-way, lease, license, or other authorization to locate or modify 
a communications facility on covered land by the Forest Service 
for the primary purpose of authorizing the occupancy and use 
of the covered land for communications use. 
(5) COVERED
LAND.—The term ‘‘covered land’’ means 
National Forest System land. 
(6) FOREST
SERVICE.—The term ‘‘Forest Service’’ means 
the United States Forest Service of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(7) ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT.—The term ‘‘organizational unit’’ 
means, within the Forest Service— 
(A) a regional office; 
(B) the headquarters; 
(C) a management unit; or 
(D) a ranger district office. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Notwithstanding section 6409 of the Middle 
Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1455) 
or section 606 of the Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for 
Users of Modern Services Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–141), not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall issue regulations— 
(1) to streamline the process for considering applications 
to locate or modify communications facilities on covered land; 
(2) to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that 
the process is uniform and standardized across the organiza-
tional units of the Forest Service; and 
43 USC 1761a. 
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132 STAT. 4879 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) to require that the applications described in paragraph 
(1) be considered and granted on a competitively neutral, tech-
nology neutral, and non-discriminatory basis. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—The regulations issued under subsection 
(b) shall include the following: 
(1) Procedures for the tracking of applications described 
in subsection (b)(1), including— 
(A) identifying the number of applications— 
(i) received; 
(ii) approved; and 
(iii) denied; 
(B) in the case of an application that is denied, 
describing the reasons for the denial; and 
(C) describing the amount of time between the receipt 
of an application and the issuance of a final decision on 
an application. 
(2) Provision for minimum lease terms of not less than 
15 years for leases with respect to the location of communica-
tions facilities on covered land. 
(3) A structure of fees for— 
(A) submitting an application described in subsection 
(b)(1), based on the cost to the Forest Service of considering 
such an application; and 
(B) issuing communications use authorizations, based 
on the cost to the Forest Service of any maintenance or 
other activities required to be performed by the Forest 
Service as a result of the location or modification of the 
communications facility. 
(4) Provision for prioritization or streamlining of the consid-
eration of applications to locate or modify communications facili-
ties on covered land in a previously disturbed right-of-way. 
(d) ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.—In issuing regulations under 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider— 
(1) how discrete reviews in considering an application 
described in subsection (b)(1) can be conducted simultaneously, 
rather than sequentially, by any organizational units of the 
Forest Service that must approve the location or modification; 
and 
(2) how to eliminate overlapping requirements among the 
organizational units of the Forest Service with respect to the 
location or modification of a communications facility on covered 
land administered by those organizational units. 
(e) COMMUNICATION OF STREAMLINED PROCESS TO ORGANIZA-
TIONAL UNITS.—The Secretary shall, with respect to the regulations 
issued under subsection (b)— 
(1) communicate the regulations to the organizational units 
of the Forest Service; and 
(2) ensure that the organizational units of the Forest 
Service follow the regulations. 
(f) DEPOSIT AND AVAILABILITY OF FEES.— 
(1) SPECIAL ACCOUNT.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall 
establish a special account in the Treasury for the Forest 
Service for the deposit of fees collected by the Forest Service 
under subsection (c)(3) for communications use authorizations 
on covered land granted, issued, or executed by the Forest 
Service. 
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132 STAT. 4880 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) REQUIREMENTS FOR FEES COLLECTED.—Fees collected 
by the Forest Service under subsection (c)(3) shall be— 
(A) based on the costs described in subsection (c)(3); 
and 
(B) competitively neutral, technology neutral, and non-
discriminatory with respect to other users of the commu-
nications site. 
(3) DEPOSIT OF FEES.—Fees collected by the Forest Service 
under subsection (c)(3) shall be deposited in the special account 
established for the Forest Service under paragraph (1). 
(4) AVAILABILITY OF FEES.—Amounts deposited in the spe-
cial account for the Forest Service shall be available, to the 
extent and in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
appropriation Acts, to the Secretary to cover costs incurred 
by the Forest Service described in subsection (c)(3), including 
the following: 
(A) Preparing needs assessments or other pro-
grammatic analyses necessary to designate communications 
sites and issue communications use authorizations. 
(B) Developing management plans for communications 
sites. 
(C) Training for management of communications sites. 
(D) Obtaining or improving access to communications 
sites. 
(5) NO ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZED.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (4), no other amounts are authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section. 
(g) SAVINGS PROVISIONS.— 
(1) REAL PROPERTY AUTHORITIES.—Nothing in this section, 
or the amendments made by this section, shall be construed 
as providing any executive agency with any new leasing or 
other real property authorities not existing prior to the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(2) EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.—Nothing in this section, or 
the amendments made by this section, and no actions taken 
pursuant to this section, or the amendments made by this 
section, shall impact a decision or determination by any execu-
tive agency to sell, dispose of, declare excess or surplus, lease, 
reuse, or redevelop any Federal real property pursuant to title 
40, United States Code, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer 
Act of 2016 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114–287), or 
any other law governing real property activities of the Federal 
Government. No agreement entered into pursuant to this sec-
tion, or the amendments made by this section, may obligate 
the Federal Government to hold, control, or otherwise retain 
or use real property that may otherwise be deemed as excess, 
surplus, or that could otherwise be sold, leased, or redeveloped. 
SEC. 8706. REPORT ON WILDFIRE, INSECT INFESTATION, AND DISEASE 
PREVENTION ON FEDERAL LAND. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act and every year thereafter, the Secretary and the Secretary 
of Interior shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate a jointly written report on— 
43 USC 1748d. 
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132 STAT. 4881 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) the number of acres of Federal land treated by the 
Secretary or the Secretary of the Interior for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(2) the number of acres of Federal land categorized as 
a high or extreme fire risk; 
(3) the total timber production from Federal land; 
(4) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
wildfires affecting Federal land treated for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(5) the number of acres and average fire intensity of 
wildfires affecting Federal land not treated for wildfire, insect 
infestation, or disease prevention; 
(6) the Federal response time for each fire on greater 
than 25,000 acres; 
(7) the number of miles of roads and trails on Federal 
land in need of maintenance; 
(8) the number of miles of roads on Federal land in need 
of decommissioning; 
(9) the maintenance backlog, as of the date of the report, 
for roads, trails, and recreational facilities on Federal land; 
(10) other measures needed to maintain, improve, or restore 
water quality on Federal land; and 
(11) other measures needed to improve ecosystem function 
or resiliency on Federal land. 
SEC. 8707. WEST FORK FIRE STATION. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNTY.—The term ‘‘County’’ means Dolores County, 
Colorado. 
(2) WEST FORK FIRE STATION CONVEYANCE PARCEL.—The 
term ‘‘West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel’’ means the 
parcel of approximately 3.61 acres of National Forest System 
land in the County, as depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Map 
for West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel’’ and dated 
November 21, 2017. 
(b) CONVEYANCE OF WEST FORK FIRE STATION CONVEYANCE 
PARCEL, DOLORES COUNTY, COLORADO.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—On receipt of a request from the County 
and subject to such terms and conditions as are mutually 
satisfactory to the Secretary and the County, including such 
additional terms as the Secretary determines to be necessary, 
the Secretary shall convey to the County without consideration 
all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to 
the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel. 
(2) COSTS.—Any costs relating to the conveyance under 
paragraph (1), including processing and transaction costs, shall 
be paid by the County. 
(3) USE OF LAND.—The land conveyed to the County under 
paragraph (1) shall be used by the County only for a fire 
station, related infrastructure, and roads to facilitate access 
to and through the West Fork Fire Station Conveyance Parcel. 
(4) REVERSION.—If any portion of the land conveyed under 
paragraph (1) is used in a manner that is inconsistent with 
the use described in paragraph (3), the land shall, at the 
discretion of the Secretary, revert to the United States. 
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132 STAT. 4882 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 8708. COMPETITIVE FORESTRY, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND 
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS PROGRAM. 
Section 1232 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 582a–8) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting ‘‘or forest restoration’’ 
after ‘‘research’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) PRIORITIES.— 
‘‘(1) RESEARCH.—In awarding the initial grants under sub-
section (a) the Secretary shall give priority to applicants who 
will use such grants for research concerning— 
‘‘(A) the biology of forest organisms, including physi-
ology, genetic mechanisms, and biotechnology; 
‘‘(B) ecosystem function and management, including 
forest ecosystem research, biodiversity, forest productivity, 
pest management, water resources, and alternative silvicul-
tural systems; 
‘‘(C) wood as a raw material, including forest products 
and harvesting; 
‘‘(D) human forest interactions, including outdoor recre-
ation, public policy formulation, economics, sociology, and 
administrative behavior; 
‘‘(E) international trade, competition, and cooperation 
related to forest products; 
‘‘(F) alternative native crops, products, and services 
that can be produced from renewable natural resources 
associated with privately held forest lands; 
‘‘(G) viable economic production and marketing systems 
for alternative natural resource products and services; 
‘‘(H) economic and environmental benefits of various 
conservation practices on forest lands; 
‘‘(I) genetic tree improvement; and 
‘‘(J) market expansion. 
‘‘(2) FOREST RESTORATION.—Grants may be used to support 
programs that restore forest tree species native to American 
forests that may have suffered severe levels of mortality caused 
by non-native insects, plant pathogens, or others pests. 
‘‘(A) REQUIRED
COMPONENT
OF
FOREST
RESTORATION 
STRATEGY.—To receive a grant under this subsection, an 
eligible institution shall demonstrate that it offers a pro-
gram with a forest restoration strategy that incorporates 
not less than one of the following components: 
‘‘(i) Collection and conservation of native tree 
genetic material. 
‘‘(ii) Production of propagules of native trees in 
numbers large enough for landscape scale restoration. 
‘‘(iii) Site preparation of former of native tree 
habitat. 
‘‘(iv) Planting of native tree seedlings. 
‘‘(v) Post-planting maintenance of native trees. 
‘‘(B) AWARD OF GRANTS.—The Secretary shall award 
competitive grants under this subsection based on the 
degree to which the applicant addresses the following cri-
teria: 
‘‘(i) Risk posed to the forests of that State by 
non-native pests, as measured by such factors as the 
number of such pests present in the State. 
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132 STAT. 4883 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) The proportion of the State’s forest composed 
of species vulnerable to non-native pests present in 
the United States. 
‘‘(iii) The pests’ rate of spread via natural or 
human-assisted means.’’. 
TITLE IX—ENERGY 
SEC. 9001. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ‘‘agricultural materials’’ 
and inserting ‘‘agricultural materials, renewable chemicals,’’; 
(2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ‘‘into biofuels and 
biobased products; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘or an 
intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass into 
any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) biofuels; 
‘‘(ii) renewable chemicals; or 
‘‘(iii) biobased products; and’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (16)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
‘‘(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘(C)’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘that—’’ in the matter preceding 
clause (i) and all that follows through the period at 
the end of clause (ii) and inserting ‘‘that produces 
usable energy from a renewable energy source.’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subpara-
graph (C); and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘renewable energy system’ 
includes— 
‘‘(i) distribution components necessary to move 
energy produced by a system described in subpara-
graph (A) to the initial point of sale; and 
‘‘(ii) other components and ancillary infrastructure 
of a system described in subparagraph (A), such as 
a storage system.’’. 
SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM. 
Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8102) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iii) RENEWABLE CHEMICALS.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this clause, the 
Secretary shall update the criteria issued under clause 
(i) to provide criteria for determining which renewable 
chemicals may qualify to receive the label under para-
graph (1).’’; 
(2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) MANUFACTURERS OF RENEWABLE CHEMICALS AND BIOBASED 
PRODUCTS.— 
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132 STAT. 4884 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) NAICS CODES.—The Secretary and the Secretary of 
Commerce shall jointly develop North American Industry 
Classification System codes for— 
‘‘(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers; and 
‘‘(B) biobased products manufacturers. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL TESTING CENTER REGISTRY.—The Secretary 
shall establish a national registry of testing centers for biobased 
products that will serve biobased product manufacturers.’’; 
(3) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) as sub-
sections (j) through (l), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after subsection (g) the following: 
‘‘(h) STREAMLINING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish 
guidelines for an integrated process under which biobased prod-
ucts may be, in 1 expedited approval process— 
‘‘(A) determined to be eligible for a Federal procure-
ment preference under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) approved to use the ‘USDA Certified Biobased 
Product’ label under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) INITIATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that a review 
of a biobased product under the integrated qualification process 
established pursuant to paragraph (1) may be initiated on 
receipt of a recommendation or petition from a manufacturer, 
vendor, or other interested party. 
‘‘(3) PRODUCT DESIGNATIONS.—The Secretary may issue a 
product designation pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B), or approve 
the use of the ‘USDA Certified Biobased Product’ label under 
subsection (b), through streamlined procedures, which shall 
not be subject to chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(i) REQUIREMENT
OF
PROCURING
AGENCIES.—A procuring 
agency (as defined in subsection (a)(1)) shall not establish regula-
tions, guidance, or criteria regarding the procurement of biobased 
products, pursuant to this section or any other law, that impose 
limitations on that procurement that are more restrictive than 
the limitations established by the Secretary under the regulations 
to implement this section.’’; 
(5) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘$2,000,000 for each 
of 
fiscal 
years 
2014 
through 
2018’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023’’; 
and 
(6) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(m) RURAL DEVELOPMENT MISSION AREA.—In carrying out this 
section, except as provided in subsection (g), the Secretary shall 
act through the rural development mission area.’’. 
SEC. 9003. BIOREFINERY ASSISTANCE. 
Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8103) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘produces an 
advanced biofuel; and’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘pro-
duces any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) an advanced biofuel; 
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132 STAT. 4885 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) a renewable chemical; or 
‘‘(iii) a biobased product; and’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘produces an 
advanced biofuel.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘produces 
any 1 or more, or a combination, of— 
‘‘(i) an advanced biofuel; 
‘‘(ii) a renewable chemical; or 
‘‘(iii) a biobased product.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and 
‘‘(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 9004. REPOWERING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 9004 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8104) is repealed. 
SEC. 9005. BIOENERGY PROGRAM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUELS. 
Section 9005 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8105) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may’’ and inserting the 
following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) AMOUNT.—The Secretary shall’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) FEEDSTOCK.—The total amount of payments made in 
a fiscal year under this section to one or more eligible producers 
for the production of advanced biofuels derived from a single 
eligible commodity, including intermediate ingredients of that 
single commodity or use of that single commodity and its inter-
mediate ingredients in combination with another commodity, 
shall not exceed one-third of the total amount of funds made 
available under subsection (g).’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘2014 through 2018’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 9006. BIODIESEL FUEL EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
Section 9006(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106(d)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’. 
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132 STAT. 4886 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 9007. RURAL ENERGY FOR AMERICA PROGRAM. 
Section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) ASSISTANCE.—In addition to any similar authority, 
the Secretary shall provide— 
‘‘(i) loan guarantees and grants to agricultural pro-
ducers and rural small businesses— 
‘‘(I) to purchase renewable energy systems, 
including systems that may be used to produce 
and sell electricity; and 
‘‘(II) to make energy efficiency improvements; 
and 
‘‘(ii) loan guarantees to agricultural producers to 
purchase and install energy efficient equipment or sys-
tems for agricultural production or processing that 
exceed— 
‘‘(I) 
energy 
efficiency 
building 
codes, 
if 
applicable; 
‘‘(II) Federal or State energy efficiency stand-
ards, if applicable; and 
‘‘(III) other energy efficiency standards deter-
mined appropriate by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) LIMITATIONS.—With respect to loan guarantees 
under subparagraph (A)(ii)— 
‘‘(i) if no codes or standards described in such 
subparagraph apply to the energy efficient equipment 
or system to be purchased or installed pursuant to 
such subparagraph, the Secretary shall require, to the 
maximum extent practicable, such equipment or 
system to meet the same efficiency measurements as 
the most efficient available equipment or system in 
the market; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary shall not provide such a loan 
guarantee for the purchase or installation of any 
energy efficient equipment or system unless more than 
one type of such equipment or system is available 
in the market.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) LOAN GUARANTEES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT EQUIP-
MENT TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS.—Using funds made 
available under paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (f), 
in each fiscal year the Secretary may use for loan guaran-
tees under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) an amount that does not 
exceed 15 percent of such funds.’’; 
(2) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘subsection (g)’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (f)’’; 
(3) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating subsection 
(g) as subsection (f); and 
(4) in subsection (f)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘2014 through 2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 9008. RURAL ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENCY INITIATIVE. 
Section 9009 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8109) is repealed. 
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132 STAT. 4887 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 9009. FEEDSTOCK FLEXIBILITY. 
Section 9010(b) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8110(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 9010. BIOMASS CROP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. 
Section 9011 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8111) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(6)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii)(II), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) algae.’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) by striking clause (iv); and 
(ii) by redesignating clauses (v) through (vii) as 
clauses (iv) through (vi), respectively; and 
(2) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.’’; and 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—Effective for fiscal year 2014 
and each subsequent fiscal year, funds made available under 
this subsection shall be available for the provision of technical 
assistance with respect to activities authorized under this sec-
tion.’’. 
SEC. 9011. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
Title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (7 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 9014. CARBON UTILIZATION AND BIOGAS EDUCATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) CARBON DIOXIDE.—The term ‘carbon dioxide’ means 
carbon dioxide that is produced as a byproduct of the production 
of a biobased product. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ means an 
entity that— 
‘‘(A) is— 
‘‘(i) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a) of that Code; or 
‘‘(ii) an institution of higher education (as defined 
in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a))); 
‘‘(B) has demonstrated knowledge about— 
‘‘(i) sequestration and utilization of carbon dioxide; 
or 
‘‘(ii) aggregation of organic waste from multiple 
sources into a single biogas system; and 
7 USC 8115. 
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132 STAT. 4888 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) has a demonstrated ability to conduct educational 
and technical support programs. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Energy, shall make competitive grants to eligible enti-
ties— 
‘‘(1) to provide education to the public about the economic 
and emissions benefits of permanent sequestration or utilization 
of carbon dioxide with a primary objective of providing benefits 
and opportunities for rural businesses, rural communities, and 
utilities serving rural communities; or 
‘‘(2) to provide education to agricultural producers and 
other stakeholders about opportunities for aggregation of 
organic waste from multiple sources into a single biogas system. 
‘‘(c) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be appropriated for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023— 
‘‘(1) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(1); and 
‘‘(2) $1,000,000 to carry out subsection (b)(2).’’. 
TITLE X—HORTICULTURE 
SEC. 10101. SPECIALTY CROPS MARKET NEWS ALLOCATION. 
Section 10107(b) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 1622b(b)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10102. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM. 
(a) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this section is to combine the 
purposes and coordinate the functions, as in effect on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act, of— 
(1) the Farmers’ Market and Local Food Promotion Pro-
gram established under section 6 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005); and 
(2) the value-added agricultural product market develop-
ment grants under section 231(b) of the Agricultural Risk 
Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(b)). 
(b) LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM.—Subtitle A of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 210A. LOCAL AGRICULTURE MARKET PROGRAM. 
‘‘(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)). 
‘‘(2) DIRECT
PRODUCER-TO-CONSUMER
MARKETING.—The 
term ‘direct producer-to-consumer marketing’ has the meaning 
given the term ‘direct marketing from farmers to consumers’ 
in section 3 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act 
of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3002). 
‘‘(3) FAMILY FARM.—The term ‘family farm’ has the meaning 
given the term in section 231(a) of the Agricultural Risk Protec-
tion Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a(a)). 
‘‘(4) FOOD COUNCIL.—The term ‘food council’ means a food 
policy council or food and farm system network, as determined 
by the Secretary, that— 
‘‘(A) represents— 
7 USC 1627c. 
7 USC 1627c 
note. 
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132 STAT. 4889 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) multiple organizations involved in the produc-
tion, processing, and consumption of food; and 
‘‘(ii) local, Tribal, or State governments; and 
‘‘(B) addresses food and farm-related issues and needs 
within city, county, State, Tribal region, multicounty 
region, or other region designated by the food council or 
food system network. 
‘‘(5) MAJORITY-CONTROLLED
PRODUCER-BASED
BUSINESS 
VENTURE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘majority-controlled pro-
ducer-based business venture’ means a venture greater 
than 50 percent of the ownership and control of which 
is held by— 
‘‘(i) 1 or more producers; or 
‘‘(ii) 1 or more entities, 100 percent of the owner-
ship and control of which is held by 1 or more pro-
ducers. 
‘‘(B) ENTITY DESCRIBED.—For purposes of subparagraph 
(A), the term ‘entity’ means— 
‘‘(i) a partnership; 
‘‘(ii) a limited liability corporation; 
‘‘(iii) a limited liability partnership; and 
‘‘(iv) a corporation. 
‘‘(6) MID-TIER
VALUE
CHAIN.—The term ‘mid-tier value 
chain’ means a local or regional supply network that links 
independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that 
market value-added agricultural products in a manner that— 
‘‘(A) targets and strengthens the profitability and 
competitiveness of small and medium-sized farms and 
ranches that are structured 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. 
‘‘(7) PARTNERSHIP.—The term ‘partnership’ means a part-
nership entered into under an agreement between— 
‘‘(A) 1 or more eligible partners (as defined in sub-
section (e)(1)); and 
‘‘(B) 1 or more eligible entities (as defined in subsection 
(e)(1)). 
‘‘(8) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the Local Agri-
culture Market Program established under subsection (b). 
‘‘(9) REGIONAL
FOOD
CHAIN
COORDINATION.—The term 
‘regional food chain coordination’ means coordination and 
collaboration along the supply chain to increase connections 
between producers and markets. 
‘‘(10) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Sec-
retary of Agriculture. 
‘‘(11) SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.—The 
term ‘socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 355(e) of the Consolidated 
Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e)). 
‘‘(12) VALUE-ADDED
AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCT.—The term 
‘value-added agricultural product’ means any agricultural com-
modity or product that— 
‘‘(A)(i) has undergone a change in physical state; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) was produced in a manner that enhances the 
value of the agricultural commodity or product, as dem-
onstrated through a business plan that shows the enhanced 
value, as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(iii) is physically segregated in a manner that results 
in the enhancement of the value of the agricultural com-
modity 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 locally 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 com-
modity or product is expanded; and 
‘‘(ii) a greater portion of the revenue derived from 
the marketing, processing, or physical segregation of 
the agricultural commodity or product is available to 
the producer of the commodity or product. 
‘‘(13) VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘veteran 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given the term in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)). 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.—The Secretary shall estab-
lish a program, to be known as the ‘Local Agriculture Market 
Program’, that— 
‘‘(1) supports the development, coordination, and expansion 
of— 
‘‘(A) direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(B) local and regional food markets and enterprises; 
and 
‘‘(C) value-added agricultural products; 
‘‘(2) connects and cultivates regional food economies 
through public-private partnerships; 
‘‘(3) supports the development of business plans, feasibility 
studies, and strategies for value-added agricultural production 
and local and regional food system infrastructure; 
‘‘(4) strengthens capacity and regional food system develop-
ment through community collaboration and expansion of mid- 
tier value chains; 
‘‘(5) improves income and economic opportunities for pro-
ducers and food businesses through job creation; and 
‘‘(6) simplifies the application processes and the reporting 
processes for the Program. 
‘‘(c) ADMINISTRATION.—In administering the Program, the Sec-
retary shall— 
‘‘(1) streamline the Program to better support the activities 
carried out by the recipient of a grant under the Program; 
‘‘(2) connect producers with local food markets and value- 
added agricultural product opportunities; 
‘‘(3) partner with cooperative extension services, as appro-
priate, to provide Program technical assistance and outreach 
to Program stakeholders; and 
‘‘(4) ensure that the Rural Business-Cooperative Service 
and Agricultural Marketing Service provide Program technical 
assistance and outreach to Program stakeholders. 
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132 STAT. 4891 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(d) GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under the Program, the Secretary may, 
using funds made available under subsection (i), provide grants 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, in accordance with 
the purposes of the Program described in subsection (b), for 
the conduct of activities described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—The recipient of a grant may 
use a grant provided under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) to support and promote— 
‘‘(i) domestic direct producer-to-consumer mar-
keting; 
‘‘(ii) farmers’ markets; 
‘‘(iii) roadside stands; 
‘‘(iv) agritourism activities, 
‘‘(v) community-supported agriculture programs; or 
‘‘(vi) online sales; 
‘‘(B) to support local and regional food business enter-
prises that engage as intermediaries in indirect producer- 
to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(C) to support the processing, aggregation, distribu-
tion, and storage of— 
‘‘(i) local and regional food products that are mar-
keted locally or regionally; and 
‘‘(ii) value-added agricultural products; 
‘‘(D) to encourage the development of value-added agri-
cultural products; 
‘‘(E) to assist with business development plans and 
feasibility studies; 
‘‘(F) to develop marketing strategies for producers of 
local food products and value-added agricultural products 
in new and existing markets; 
‘‘(G) to facilitate regional food chain coordination and 
mid-tier value chain development; 
‘‘(H) to promote new business opportunities and mar-
keting strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; 
‘‘(I) to respond to changing technology needs in direct 
producer-to-consumer marketing; or 
‘‘(J) to cover expenses relating to costs incurred in— 
‘‘(i) obtaining food safety certification; and 
‘‘(ii) making changes and upgrades to practices 
and equipment to improve food safety. 
‘‘(3) CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish cri-
teria and guidelines for the submission, evaluation, and 
funding of proposed projects under paragraph (1) as the 
Secretary determines are appropriate. 
‘‘(B) PRODUCER OR FOOD BUSINESS BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an application submitted for a grant under para-
graph (1) shall include a description of the direct or 
indirect producer or food business benefits intended 
by the applicant to result from the proposed project 
within a reasonable period of time after the receipt 
of the grant. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to a 
planning or feasibility project. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(4) AMOUNT.—Unless otherwise determined by the Sec-
retary, the amount of a grant under this subsection shall be 
not more than $500,000. 
‘‘(5) VALUE-ADDED
PRODUCER
GRANTS.—In the case of a 
grant provided under paragraph (1) to an eligible entity 
described in subparagraph (B), the following shall apply: 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
this subsection through the Administrator of the Rural 
Business-Cooperative Service, in coordination with the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
for a grant under this paragraph if the entity is— 
‘‘(i) an independent producer (as determined by 
the Secretary) of a value-added agricultural product; 
or 
‘‘(ii) an agricultural producer group, farmer or 
rancher cooperative, or majority-controlled producer- 
based business venture (as determined by the Sec-
retary). 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applications— 
‘‘(i) in the case of an application submitted by 
a producer, that are submitted by, or serve— 
‘‘(I) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(II) 
socially 
disadvantaged 
farmers 
or 
ranchers; 
‘‘(III) operators of small or medium sized farms 
or ranches that are structured as family farms; 
or 
‘‘(IV) veteran farmers or ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) in the case of an application submitted by 
an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B)(ii), 
that provide the greatest contribution to creating or 
increasing marketing opportunities for producers 
described in subclauses (I) through (IV) of clause (i). 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) 
may not use a grant for the purchase or construction 
of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—An eligible entity described in 
subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of 
the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described 
in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment 
to improve food safety. 
‘‘(E) MATCHING FUNDS.—An eligible entity described 
in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall contribute an 
amount of non-Federal funds that is at least equal to 
the amount of Federal funds received. 
‘‘(6) FARMERS’ MARKETS AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION PRO-
GRAM.—In the case of a grant provided under paragraph (1) 
to an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B), the following 
shall apply: 
‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATION.—The Secretary shall carry out 
this subsection through the Administrator of the Agricul-
tural Marketing Service, in coordination with the Adminis-
trator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. 
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132 STAT. 4893 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity shall be eligible 
to receive a grant under this paragraph if the entity is— 
‘‘(i) an agricultural cooperative or other agricul-
tural business entity or a producer network or associa-
tion, including a community-supported agriculture net-
work or association; 
‘‘(ii) a local or Tribal government; 
‘‘(iii) a nonprofit corporation; 
‘‘(iv) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(v) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(vi) a regional farmers’ market authority; 
‘‘(vii) a food council; or 
‘‘(viii) such other entity as the Secretary may des-
ignate. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITIES.—The Secretary shall give priority to 
applications that— 
‘‘(i) benefit underserved communities, including 
communities that are located in areas of concentrated 
poverty with limited access to fresh locally or regionally 
grown food; or 
‘‘(ii) are used to carry out eligible activities under 
a partnership agreement under subsection (e) and have 
not received benefits from the Program in the recent 
past. 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an eligible entity described in subparagraph (B) 
may not use a grant for the purchase or construction 
of a building, general purpose equipment, or structure. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—An eligible entity described in 
subparagraph (B) may use not more than $6,500 of 
the amount of a grant for an eligible activity described 
in paragraph (2)(J) to purchase or upgrade equipment 
to improve food safety. 
‘‘(E) MATCHING FUNDS.—An eligible entity described 
in subparagraph (B) receiving a grant shall provide 
matching funds in the form of cash or an in-kind contribu-
tion in an amount that is equal to 25 percent of the total 
amount of the Federal portion of the grant. 
‘‘(e) PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) ELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible entity’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a producer; 
‘‘(ii) a producer network or association; 
‘‘(iii) a farmer or rancher cooperative; 
‘‘(iv) a majority-controlled producer-based business 
venture; 
‘‘(v) a food council; 
‘‘(vi) a local or Tribal government; 
‘‘(vii) a nonprofit corporation; 
‘‘(viii) an economic development corporation; 
‘‘(ix) a public benefit corporation; 
‘‘(x) a community-supported agriculture network 
or association; and 
‘‘(xi) a regional farmers’ market authority. 
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132 STAT. 4894 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE
PARTNER.—The term ‘eligible partner’ 
means— 
‘‘(i) a State agency or regional authority; 
‘‘(ii) a philanthropic organization; 
‘‘(iii) a private corporation; 
‘‘(iv) an institution of higher education; 
‘‘(v) a commercial, Federal, or Farm Credit System 
lending institution; and 
‘‘(vi) another entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(2) GRANTS TO SUPPORT PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, in 
accordance with the purposes of the Program described 
in subsection (b), shall, using funds made available under 
subsection (i), provide grants for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 to support partnerships to plan and develop 
a local or regional food system. 
‘‘(B) GEOGRAPHICAL
DIVERSITY.—To the maximum 
extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure geographical 
diversity in selecting partnerships to receive grants under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(3) 
AUTHORITIES
OF
PARTNERSHIPS.—A 
partnership 
receiving a grant under paragraph (2) may— 
‘‘(A) determine the scope of the regional food system 
to be developed, including goals, outreach objectives, and 
eligible activities to be carried out; 
‘‘(B) determine the local, regional, State, multi-State, 
or other geographic area covered; 
‘‘(C) create and conduct a feasibility study, implementa-
tion plan, and assessment of eligible activities under the 
partnership agreement; 
‘‘(D) conduct outreach and education to other eligible 
entities and eligible partners for potential participation 
in the partnership agreement and eligible activities; 
‘‘(E) describe measures to be taken through the part-
nership agreement to obtain funding for the eligible activi-
ties to be carried out under the partnership agreement; 
‘‘(F) at the request of a producer or eligible entity 
desiring to participate in eligible activities under the part-
nership agreement, act on behalf of the producer or eligible 
entity in applying for a grant under subsection (d); 
‘‘(G) monitor, evaluate, and periodically report to the 
Secretary on progress made toward achieving the objectives 
of eligible activities under the partnership agreement; or 
‘‘(H) at the conclusion of the partnership agreement, 
submit to the Secretary a report describing— 
‘‘(i) the results and effects of the partnership agree-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) funds provided under paragraph (4). 
‘‘(4) CONTRIBUTION.—A partnership receiving a grant under 
paragraph (2) shall provide funding in an amount equal to 
not less than 25 percent of the total amount of the Federal 
portion of the grant. 
‘‘(5) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under paragraph (2), a partnership shall submit to the 
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132 STAT. 4895 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary considers 
necessary to evaluate and select applications. 
‘‘(B) COMPETITIVE PROCESS.—The Secretary— 
‘‘(i) shall conduct a competitive process to select 
applications submitted under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) may assess and rank applications with similar 
purposes as a group; and 
‘‘(iii) shall make public the criteria to be used 
in evaluating applications prior to accepting applica-
tions. 
‘‘(C) PRIORITY
TO
CERTAIN
APPLICATIONS.—The Sec-
retary may give priority to applications submitted under 
subparagraph (A) that— 
‘‘(i)(I) leverage significant non-Federal financial 
and technical resources; and 
‘‘(II) coordinate with other local, State, Tribal, or 
national efforts; 
‘‘(ii) cover an area that includes distressed low- 
income rural or urban communities, including areas 
with persistent poverty; or 
‘‘(iii) have multiple entities and partners in a part-
nership. 
‘‘(D) PRODUCER OR FOOD BUSINESS BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), an application submitted under subparagraph (A) 
shall include a description of the direct or indirect 
producer or food business benefits intended by the 
eligible entity to result from the proposed project 
within a reasonable period of time after the receipt 
of a grant. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to a 
planning or feasibility project. 
‘‘(6) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—On request of an eligible 
entity, an eligible partner, or a partnership, the Secretary 
may provide technical assistance in carrying out a partnership 
agreement. 
‘‘(f) SIMPLIFICATION
OF APPLICATION
AND REPORTING PROC-
ESSES.— 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.—The Secretary shall establish a sim-
plified application form for eligible entities that— 
‘‘(A) request less than $50,000 under subsection (d); 
or 
‘‘(B) apply for grants under subsection (d) under a 
single application through partnership agreements under 
subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) REPORTING.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) streamline and simplify the reporting process for 
eligible entities; and 
‘‘(B) obtain from eligible entities and maintain such 
information as the Secretary determines is necessary to 
administer and evaluate the Program. 
‘‘(g) INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION.—In carrying out the 
Program, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall 
ensure coordination among Federal agencies. 
‘‘(h) EVALUATION.— 
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132 STAT. 4896 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using amounts made available under 
subsection (i)(3)(E), the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation 
of the Program that— 
‘‘(A) measures the economic impact of the Program 
on new and existing market outcomes; 
‘‘(B) measures the effectiveness of the Program in 
improving and expanding— 
‘‘(i) the regional food economy through public and 
private partnerships; 
‘‘(ii) the production of value-added agricultural 
products; 
‘‘(iii) producer-to-consumer marketing, including 
direct producer-to-consumer marketing; 
‘‘(iv) local and regional food systems, including 
regional food chain coordination and business develop-
ment; 
‘‘(v) new business opportunities and marketing 
strategies to reduce on-farm food waste; 
‘‘(vi) the use of new technologies in producer-to- 
consumer marketing, including direct producer-to-con-
sumer marketing; and 
‘‘(vii) the workforce and capacity of regional food 
systems; and 
‘‘(C) provides a description of— 
‘‘(i) each partnership agreement; and 
‘‘(ii) each grant provided under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, 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 describing the evaluation conducted under para-
graph (1), including a thorough analysis of the outcomes of 
the evaluation. 
‘‘(i) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year 
thereafter, to remain available until expended. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 
for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter, to remain 
available until expended. 
‘‘(3) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to clause (ii), of the funds 
made available to carry out this section for a fiscal 
year, 35 percent shall be used for grants under sub-
section (d)(5). 
‘‘(ii) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(I) MAJORITY-CONTROLLED
PRODUCER-BASED 
BUSINESS VENTURES.—The total amount of grants 
under subsection (d)(5) provided to majority-con-
trolled producer-based business ventures for a 
fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the 
amount allocated under clause (i). 
‘‘(II) BEGINNING, VETERAN, AND SOCIALLY DIS-
ADVANTAGED
FARMERS
AND
RANCHERS.—Of the 
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132 STAT. 4897 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
funds made available for grants under subsection 
(d)(5), 10 percent shall be reserved for grants pro-
vided to beginning, veteran, and socially disadvan-
taged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(III) MID-TIER VALUE CHAINS.—Of the funds 
made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 
10 percent shall be reserved for grants to develop 
mid-tier value chains. 
‘‘(IV) FOOD SAFETY ASSISTANCE.—Of the funds 
made available for grants under subsection (d)(5), 
not more than 25 percent shall be reserved for 
grants for eligible activities described in subsection 
(d)(2)(J). 
‘‘(B) FARMERS’ MARKET AND LOCAL FOOD PROMOTION 
GRANTS.—Of the funds made available to carry out this 
section for a fiscal year, 47 percent shall be used for grants 
under subsection (d)(6). 
‘‘(C) REGIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS.—Of the funds made 
available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, 10 
percent shall be used to provide grants to support partner-
ships under subsection (e). 
‘‘(D) UNOBLIGATED FUNDS.—Any funds under subpara-
graph (A), (B), or (C) that are not obligated for the uses 
described in that subparagraph, as applicable, by Sep-
tember 30 of the fiscal year for which the funds were 
made available— 
‘‘(i) shall be available to the agency carrying out 
the Program with the unobligated funds to carry out 
any function of the Program, as determined by the 
Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) may carry over to the next fiscal year. 
‘‘(E) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not greater than 8 
percent of amounts made available to provide grants under 
subsections (d) and (e) for a fiscal year may be used for 
administrative expenses.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) AGRICULTURAL
MARKETING
RESOURCE
CENTER
PILOT 
PROJECT.—Section 231 of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act 
of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1632a) is amended— 
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘agri-
cultural marketing resource center pilot project.’’; 
(B) by striking subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e); 
(C) in subsection (c)— 
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as sub-
sections (a) and (b), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; and 
(ii) by striking the subsection designation and 
heading; 
(D) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘paragraph (2)’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘The Sec-
retary shall not use more than 2.5 percent of the 
funds made available to carry out the Local Agriculture 
Market Program established under section 210A of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to establish 
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132 STAT. 4898 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
a pilot project (to be known as the ‘Agricultural Mar-
keting Resource Center’) at an eligible institution 
described in subsection (b)’’; and 
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; and 
(E) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively, and 
indenting appropriately; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (1)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(a)(1)’’. 
(2) AGRICULTURE INNOVATION CENTER DEMONSTRATION PRO-
GRAM.—Section 6402(f) of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1632b(f)) is amended in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘section 231(d) of the Agri-
cultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public 
Law 106–224))’’ and inserting ‘‘section 210A(d)(2) of the Agricul-
tural Marketing Act of 1946’’. 
(3) LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION AND PROGRAM EVALUATION.— 
Section 10016(b)(3)(B) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
2204h(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘Farmers’ Market and 
Local Food Promotion Program established under section 6 
of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 
U.S.C. 3005)’’ and inserting ‘‘Local Agriculture Market Program 
established under section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing 
Act of 1946’’. 
(4) PROGRAM METRICS.—Section 6209(a) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2207b(a)) is amended by striking para-
graph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) section 210A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946;’’. 
(5) FARMER-TO-CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING ACT OF 1976.— 
(A) Section 4 of the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Mar-
keting Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3003) is amended— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.’’. 
(B) Sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Farmer-to-Consumer 
Direct Marketing Act of 1976 (7 U.S.C. 3005, 3006; 90 
Stat. 1983) are repealed. 
SEC. 10103. ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND MARKET DATA INITIATIVES. 
Section 7407(d) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 5925c(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘THROUGH 
FISCAL YEAR 2012’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$5,000,000, to remain available until 
expended.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘, to remain avail-
able until expended— 
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132 STAT. 4899 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) $5,000,000 for each of the periods of fiscal years 
2008 through 2012 and 2014 through 2018; and 
‘‘(B) $5,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (2); 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and 
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (2)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10104. ORGANIC CERTIFICATION. 
(a) EXCLUSIONS FROM CERTIFICATION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue 
regulations to limit the type of organic operations that are excluded 
from certification under section 205.101 of title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and from certification under any other related sections 
under part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2103 of the Organic Foods Production 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6502) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The term’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The term’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) FOREIGN OPERATIONS.—When used in the context 
of a certifying agent operating in a foreign country, the 
term ‘certifying agent’ includes any person (including a 
private entity)— 
‘‘(i) accredited in accordance with section 2115(d); 
or 
‘‘(ii) accredited by a foreign government that acted 
under an equivalency agreement negotiated between 
the United States and the foreign government from 
which the agricultural product is imported.’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (21) as para-
graphs (14) through (22), respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following: 
‘‘(13) NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM IMPORT CERTIFICATE.— 
The term ‘national organic program import certificate’ means 
a form developed for purposes of the program under this title— 
‘‘(A) to provide documentation sufficient to verify that 
an agricultural product imported for sale in the United 
States satisfies the requirement under section 2115(c); 
‘‘(B) which shall include, at a minimum, information 
sufficient to indicate, with respect to the agricultural 
product— 
‘‘(i) the origin; 
‘‘(ii) the destination; 
‘‘(iii) the certifying agent issuing the national 
organic program import certificate; 
‘‘(iv) the harmonized tariff code, if a harmonized 
tariff code exists for the agricultural product; 
‘‘(v) the total weight; and 
‘‘(vi) the organic standard to which the agricultural 
product is certified; and 
7 USC 6503 note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) that is not more than otherwise required under 
an equivalency agreement negotiated between the United 
States and the foreign government.’’. 
(c) ACCREDITATION PROGRAM.—Section 2115 of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6514) is amended by striking 
subsection (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION AND VERIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary, acting through the Deputy Administrator of the national 
organic program established under this title, has the authority, 
and shall grant a certifying agent the authority, to require producers 
and handlers to provide additional documentation or verification 
before granting a certification under section 2104, in the case of 
a compliance risk with respect to meeting the national standards 
for organic production established under section 2105, as deter-
mined by the Secretary or the certifying agent. 
‘‘(d) ACCREDITATION OF FOREIGN ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PRO-
GRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—For an agricultural product being 
imported into the United States to be represented as organically 
produced, the Secretary shall require the agricultural product 
to be accompanied by a complete and valid national organic 
import certificate, which shall be available as an electronic 
record. 
‘‘(2) TRACKING SYSTEM.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
system to track national organic import certificates. 
‘‘(B) INTEGRATION.—In establishing the system under 
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may integrate the system 
into any existing information tracking systems for imports 
of agricultural products. 
‘‘(e) DURATION
OF ACCREDITATION.—An accreditation made 
under this section— 
‘‘(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall be for a period of not 
more than 5 years, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; 
‘‘(2) in the case of a certifying agent operating in a foreign 
country, shall be for a period of time that is consistent with 
the certification of a domestic certifying agent, as determined 
appropriate by the Secretary; and 
‘‘(3) may be renewed.’’. 
(d) REQUIREMENTS OF CERTIFYING AGENTS.—Section 2116 of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6515) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or an entity acting 
as an agent of the certifying agent’’ after ‘‘a certifying 
agent’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); 
and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) OVERSIGHT OF CERTIFYING OFFICES AND FOREIGN OPER-
ATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Secretary determines that 
an office of a certifying agent or entity described in para-
graph (1) is not complying with the provisions of this 
title, the Secretary may suspend the operations of the 
certifying agent or the noncompliant office, including— 
‘‘(i) an office operating in a foreign country; and 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) an office operating in the United States, 
including an office acting on behalf of a foreign-domi-
ciled entity. 
‘‘(B) PROCESS FOR RESUMING OPERATIONS FOLLOWING 
SUSPENSION.—The Secretary shall provide for a process 
that is otherwise consistent with this section that author-
izes a suspended office to resume operations.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) NOTICE.—Not later than 90 days after the date on which 
a new certifying office performing certification activities opens, an 
accredited certifying agent shall notify the Secretary of the 
opening.’’. 
(e) CERTAIN EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE
TO SERVE
AS NATIONAL 
ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERS.—Section 2119(b) of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(b)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘, or employees of such 
individuals’’ after ‘‘operation’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘, or employees of such 
individuals’’ after ‘‘operation’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘, or an employee of 
such individual’’ after ‘‘products’’. 
(f) NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD.—Section 2119(i) of 
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6518(i)) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Two-thirds’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—2⁄3’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL LIST.—Any vote on a motion proposing to 
amend the national list shall be considered to be a decisive 
vote that requires 2⁄3 of the votes cast at a meeting of the 
Board at which a quorum is present to prevail.’’. 
(g) INVESTIGATIONS.—Section 2120(b) of the Organic Foods 
Production Act (7 U.S.C. 6519(b)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(3) INFORMATION
SHARING
DURING
ACTIVE
INVESTIGA-
TION.—In carrying out this title, all parties to an active inves-
tigation (including certifying agents, State organic certification 
programs, and the national organic program) shall share con-
fidential business information with Federal Government officers 
and employees involved in the investigation as necessary to 
fully investigate and enforce potential violations of this title.’’. 
(h) DATA ORGANIZATION
AND ACCESS.—Section 2122 of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6521) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) ACCESS TO DATA DOCUMENTATION SYSTEMS.—The Secretary 
shall have access to available data from cross-border documentation 
systems administered by other Federal agencies, including the Auto-
mated Commercial Environment system of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than March 1, 2020, and 
annually thereafter through March 1, 2023, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress, and make publicly available on the website 
of the Department of Agriculture, a report describing national 
organic program activities with respect to all domestic and 
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overseas investigations and compliance actions taken pursuant 
to this title during the preceding year. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The data described in paragraph (1) 
shall be broken down by agricultural product, quantity, value, 
and month. 
‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—Any data determined by the Secretary 
to be confidential business information shall not be provided 
in the report under paragraph (1).’’. 
(i) ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS INTERAGENCY 
WORKING GROUP.—The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 is 
amended by inserting after section 2122 (7 U.S.C. 6521) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 2122A. ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT IMPORTS INTER-
AGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall jointly establish a working group to 
facilitate coordination and information sharing between the 
Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection relating to imports of organically produced agricul-
tural products (referred to in this section as the ‘working 
group’). 
‘‘(2) MEMBERS.—The working group— 
‘‘(A) shall include— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary (or a designee); and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of Homeland Security (or a des-
ignee); and 
‘‘(B) shall not include any non-Federal officer or 
employee. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—The working group shall facilitate coordina-
tion and information sharing between the Department of Agri-
culture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the pur-
poses of— 
‘‘(A) identifying imports of organically produced agricul-
tural products; 
‘‘(B) verifying the authenticity of organically produced 
agricultural product import documentation, such as 
national organic program import certificates; 
‘‘(C) ensuring imported agricultural products rep-
resented as organically produced meet the requirements 
under this title; 
‘‘(D) collecting and organizing quantitative data on 
imports of organically produced agricultural products; and 
‘‘(E) requesting feedback from stakeholders on how 
to improve the oversight of imports of organically produced 
agricultural products. 
‘‘(4) DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS.—An employee 
or official designated to carry out the duties of the Secretary 
or the Secretary of Homeland Security on the working group 
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) shall be an 
employee or official compensated at a rate of pay not less 
than the minimum annual rate of basic pay for GS–12 under 
section 5332 of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(b) REPORTS.—On an annual basis, the working group shall 
submit to Congress and make publicly available on the websites 
7 USC 6521a. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection the following reports: 
‘‘(1) ORGANIC TRADE ENFORCEMENT INTERAGENCY COORDINA-
TION REPORT.—A report— 
‘‘(A) identifying existing barriers to cooperation 
between the agencies involved in agricultural product 
import inspection, trade data collection and organization, 
and organically produced agricultural product trade 
enforcement, including— 
‘‘(i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; 
‘‘(ii) the Agricultural Marketing Service; and 
‘‘(iii) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service; 
‘‘(B) assessing progress toward integrating organic 
trade enforcement into import inspection procedures of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection and the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service, including an assessment of— 
‘‘(i) the status of the development of systems for— 
‘‘(I) tracking the fumigation of imports of 
organically produced agricultural products into the 
United States; and 
‘‘(II) electronically verifying national organic 
program import certificate authenticity; and 
‘‘(ii) training of U.S. Customs and Border Protec-
tion personnel on— 
‘‘(I) the use of the systems described in clause 
(i); and 
‘‘(II) requirements and protocols under this 
title; 
‘‘(C) establishing methodology for ensuring imports of 
agricultural products represented as organically produced 
meet the requirements under this title; 
‘‘(D) recommending steps to improve the documentation 
and traceability of imported organically produced agricul-
tural products; 
‘‘(E) recommending and describing steps for— 
‘‘(i) improving compliance with the requirements 
of this title for all agricultural products imported into 
the United States and represented as organically pro-
duced; and 
‘‘(ii) ensuring accurate labeling and marketing of 
imported agricultural products represented as organi-
cally produced by the exporter; and 
‘‘(F) describing staffing needs and additional resources 
at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department 
of Agriculture needed to ensure compliance. 
‘‘(2) REPORT ON ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN ON ORGANIC 
IMPORTS.—A report— 
‘‘(A) providing detailed quantitative data (broken down 
by agricultural product, quantity, value, month, and origin) 
on imports of agricultural products represented as organi-
cally produced found to be fraudulent or lacking any docu-
mentation required under this title at the port of entry 
during the report year; 
‘‘(B) providing data on domestic enforcement actions 
taken on imported agricultural products represented as 
organically produced, including the number and type of 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
actions taken by United States officials at ports of entry 
in response to violations of this title; 
‘‘(C) providing data on fumigation of agricultural prod-
ucts represented as organically produced at ports of entry 
and notifications of fumigation actions to shipment owners, 
broken down by product variety and country of origin; 
and 
‘‘(D) providing information on enforcement activities 
under this title involving overseas investigations and 
compliance actions taken within that year, including— 
‘‘(i) the number of investigations by country; and 
‘‘(ii) a descriptive summary of compliance actions 
taken by certifying agents in each country.’’. 
(j) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR NATIONAL ORGANIC 
PROGRAM.—Section 2123 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 
1990 (7 U.S.C. 6522) is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
‘‘FUNDING’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through 
(7) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(2) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
‘‘(3) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 
‘‘(4) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(5) $22,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(6) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) MODERNIZATION
AND IMPROVEMENT
OF INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AND DATA COLLECTION.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a new 
system or modify an existing data collection and organization 
system to collect and organize in a single system quantitative 
data on imports of each organically produced agricultural 
product accepted into the United States. 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary shall modernize trade and transaction certificates to 
ensure full traceability to the port of entry without unduly 
hindering trade or commerce, such as through an electronic 
trade document exchange system. 
‘‘(3) ACCESS.—The single system established under para-
graph (1) shall be accessible by any agency with the direct 
authority to engage in— 
‘‘(A) inspection of imports of agricultural products; 
‘‘(B) trade data collection and organization; or 
‘‘(C) enforcement of trade requirements for organically 
produced agricultural products. 
‘‘(4) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Cor-
poration, the Secretary shall make available $5,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2019 for the purposes of— 
‘‘(A) carrying out this subsection; and 
‘‘(B) maintaining the database and technology upgrades 
previously carried out under this subsection, as in effect 
on the day before the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018. 
‘‘(5) AVAILABILITY.—The amounts made available under 
paragraph (4) are in addition to any other funds made available 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
for the purposes described in that paragraph and shall remain 
available until expended.’’. 
(k) TRADE SAVINGS PROVISION.—The amendments made by sub-
section (i) shall be carried out in a manner consistent with United 
States obligations under international agreements. 
SEC. 10105. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST-SHARE PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ELIMINATION OF DIRECTED DELEGATION.—Section 10606(a) 
of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
6523(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘(acting through the Agricultural 
Marketing Service)’’. 
(b) FUNDING.—Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended by striking 
subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) MANDATORY FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation, the Secretary shall make available to carry out 
this section— 
‘‘(A) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020; 
‘‘(B) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and 
‘‘(C) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 and 2023. 
‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts made available under para-
graph (1) shall remain available until expended.’’. 
SEC. 10106. FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION INITIATIVES. 
Section 10105(c) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 
of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7655a(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 10107. SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS. 
Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 
(7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108–465) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘solely to enhance the competitiveness 
of specialty crops.’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘to enhance 
the competitiveness of specialty crops, including— 
‘‘(1) by leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty 
crops; 
‘‘(2) by assisting producers with research and development 
relevant to specialty crops; 
‘‘(3) by expanding availability and access to specialty crops; 
‘‘(4) by addressing local, regional, and national challenges 
confronting specialty crop producers; and 
‘‘(5) for such other purposes determined to be appropriate 
by the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with specialty 
crop stakeholders and relevant State departments of agri-
culture.’’; 
(2) in subsection (j)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; 
(B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) (as so 
redesignated), by striking ‘‘Not later’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
7 USC 6521a 
note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION OF MULTISTATE PROJECTS FROM NON-
PARTICIPATING
STATES.—The Secretary of Agriculture may 
directly administer all aspects of multistate projects under this 
subsection for applicants in a nonparticipating State.’’; 
(3) in subsection (k), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(A) PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND REVIEW.— 
‘‘(i) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary of Agriculture 
and the State departments of agriculture, in consulta-
tion with specialty crop stakeholders, shall develop 
performance measures to be used as the sole means 
of performing any evaluation of the grant program 
established under this section. 
‘‘(ii) REVIEW.—The Secretary of Agriculture, in con-
sultation with the State departments of agriculture, 
shall periodically evaluate the performance of the grant 
program established under this section. 
‘‘(B) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary of 
Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements— 
‘‘(i) to develop the performance measures under 
subparagraph (A)(i); or 
‘‘(ii) to evaluate the overall performance of the 
grant program established under this section.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (l)(2)(E), by inserting ‘‘and each fiscal 
year thereafter’’ after ‘‘2018’’. 
SEC. 10108. AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION ACT. 
(a) ASEXUALLY REPRODUCED DEFINED.—Section 41(a) of the 
Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2401(a)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), 
(7), (8), and (9) as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), 
(9), and (10), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) 
ASEXUALLY
REPRODUCED.—The 
term 
‘asexually 
reproduced’ means produced by a method of plant propagation 
using vegetative material (other than seed) from a single 
parent, including cuttings, grafting, tissue culture, and propaga-
tion by root division.’’. 
(b) RIGHT TO PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION; PLANT VARIETIES 
PROTECTABLE.—Section 42(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act 
(7 U.S.C. 2402(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘or tuber propagated’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, tuber propagated, or asexually reproduced’’. 
(c) INFRINGEMENT
OF PLANT VARIETY PROTECTION.—Section 
111(a)(3) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2541(a)(3)) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘or asexually’’ after ‘‘sexually’’. 
(d) FALSE MARKETING; CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS.—Section 
128(a) of the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2568(a)) is 
amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or 
asexually’’ after ‘‘sexually’’. 
SEC. 10109. MULTIPLE CROP AND PESTICIDE USE SURVEY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Director 
of the Office of Pest Management Policy, shall conduct a multiple 
crop and pesticide use survey of farmers to collect data for risk 
assessment modeling and mitigation for an active ingredient. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(b) SUBMISSION.—The Secretary shall submit to the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency and make publicly 
available the survey described in subsection (a). 
(c) FUNDING.— 
(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section $500,000 for fiscal year 2019, to remain available until 
expended. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,500,000, 
to remain available until expended. 
(d) CONFIDENTIALITY
OF INFORMATION.—Section 1770 of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(a) In the case’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In the case’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘subsection (d)(12)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (12) or (13) of subsection (d)’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘(d) For purposes’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) PROVISIONS OF LAW REFERENCES.—For purposes’’; 
(B) in paragraph (11), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (12), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(13) section 10109 of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018.’’. 
SEC. 10110. REPORT ON THE ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES OF 
FOREST 
PESTS 
THROUGH 
RESTRICTIONS 
ON 
THE 
IMPORTATION OF CERTAIN PLANTS FOR PLANTING. 
Not later than March 1, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report— 
(1) evaluating the effectiveness of the Federal Government 
in intercepting pests in international shipping and on plants 
for planting; 
(2) describing the geographic sources of intercepted pests 
and the commodities or plant species most often associated 
with infested shipments; 
(3) quantifying the detection of forest pests in the national 
surveillance networks, including the Cooperative Agricultural 
Pest Survey and the Early Detection and Rapid Response net-
work of the Forest Service; 
(4) describing new outbreaks of forest pests in the United 
States and the spread of existing infestations; 
(5) describing how the numbers of such interceptions, detec-
tions, and outbreaks described in a preceding paragraph have 
changed since January 1, 2018; 
(6) containing proposed additional actions to further reduce 
the rate of arrival for forest pests across the borders of the 
United States; 
(7) identifying current challenges with intercepting, 
detecting, and addressing outbreaks of tree and wood pests, 
as well as challenges in achieving compliance with the Plant 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) and recommendations 
with respect to such challenges; and 
(8) describing the coordination and collaboration occurring 
between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and 
the Forest Service with respect to— 
(A) identifying and prioritizing critical detection, 
surveillance, and eradication needs for tree and wood pests; 
and 
(B) identifying the actions each agency takes within 
their respective missions to address identified priorities. 
SEC. 10111. REPORT ON PLANT BIOSTIMULANTS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the President 
and Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non-regu-
latory, and legislative recommendations, including the appropriate-
ness of any definitions for plant biostimulant, to ensure the efficient 
and appropriate review, approval, uniform national labeling, and 
availability of plant biostimulant products to agricultural producers. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall prepare the report 
required by subsection (a) in consultation with the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency, the several States, 
industry stakeholders, and such other stakeholders as the Secretary 
determines necessary. 
(c) PLANT BIOSTIMULANT.—For the purposes of the report under 
subsection (a), the Secretary— 
(1) shall consider ‘‘plant biostimulant’’ to be a substance 
or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the 
rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit 
nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, 
or crop quality and yield; and 
(2) may modify the description of plant biostimulant, as 
appropriate. 
SEC. 10112. CLARIFICATION OF USE OF FUNDS FOR TECHNICAL ASSIST-
ANCE. 
Section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act 
(15 U.S.C. 714i) is amended in the last sentence by inserting after 
‘‘activities’’ the following: ‘‘but excluding any amounts used to pro-
vide technical assistance under title X of the Agriculture Improve-
ment Act of 2018 or an amendment made by that title’’. 
SEC. 10113. HEMP PRODUCTION. 
The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘Subtitle G—Hemp Production 
‘‘SEC. 297A. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this subtitle: 
‘‘(1) HEMP.—The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis 
sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof 
and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, 
and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta- 
9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 per-
cent on a dry weight basis. 
7 USC 1639o. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(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. 5304). 
‘‘(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary 
of Agriculture. 
‘‘(4) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State; 
‘‘(B) the District of Columbia; 
‘‘(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and 
‘‘(D) any other territory or possession of the United 
States. 
‘‘(5) STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.—The term ‘State 
department of agriculture’ means the agency, commission, or 
department of a State government responsible for agriculture 
in the State. 
‘‘(6) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘Tribal government’ 
means the governing body of an Indian tribe. 
‘‘SEC. 297B. STATE AND TRIBAL PLANS. 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State or Indian tribe desiring to have 
primary regulatory authority over the production of hemp in 
the State or territory of the Indian tribe shall submit to the 
Secretary, through the State department of agriculture (in con-
sultation with the Governor and chief law enforcement officer 
of the State) or the Tribal government, as applicable, a plan 
under which the State or Indian tribe monitors and regulates 
that production as described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—A State or Tribal plan referred to in para-
graph (1)— 
‘‘(A) shall only be required to include— 
‘‘(i) a practice to maintain relevant information 
regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State 
or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal 
description of the land, for a period of not less than 
3 calendar years; 
‘‘(ii) 
a 
procedure 
for 
testing, 
using 
post- 
decarboxylation or other similarly reliable methods, 
delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of 
hemp produced in the State or territory of the Indian 
tribe; 
‘‘(iii) a procedure for the effective disposal of— 
‘‘(I) plants, whether growing or not, that are 
produced in violation of this subtitle; and 
‘‘(II) products derived from those plants; 
‘‘(iv) a procedure to comply with the enforcement 
procedures under subsection (e); 
‘‘(v) a procedure for conducting annual inspections 
of, at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers 
to verify that hemp is not produced in violation of 
this subtitle; 
‘‘(vi) a procedure for submitting the information 
described in section 297C(d)(2), as applicable, to the 
Secretary not more than 30 days after the date on 
which the information is received; and 
7 USC 1639p. 
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132 STAT. 4910 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(vii) a certification that the State or Indian tribe 
has the resources and personnel to carry out the prac-
tices and procedures described in clauses (i) through 
(vi); and 
‘‘(B) may include any other practice or procedure estab-
lished by a State or Indian tribe, as applicable, to the 
extent that the practice or procedure is consistent with 
this subtitle. 
‘‘(3) RELATION TO STATE AND TRIBAL LAW.— 
‘‘(A) NO PREEMPTION.—Nothing in this subsection pre-
empts or limits any law of a State or Indian tribe that— 
‘‘(i) regulates the production of hemp; and 
‘‘(ii) is more stringent than this subtitle. 
‘‘(B) REFERENCES IN PLANS.—A State or Tribal plan 
referred to in paragraph (1) may include a reference to 
a law of the State or Indian tribe regulating the production 
of hemp, to the extent that law is consistent with this 
subtitle. 
‘‘(b) APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after receipt 
of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) approve the State or Tribal plan if the State 
or Tribal plan complies with subsection (a); or 
‘‘(B) disapprove the State or Tribal plan only if the 
State or Tribal plan does not comply with subsection (a). 
‘‘(2) AMENDED PLANS.—If the Secretary disapproves a State 
or Tribal plan under paragraph (1)(B), the State, through the 
State department of agriculture (in consultation with the Gov-
ernor and chief law enforcement officer of the State) or the 
Tribal government, as applicable, may submit to the Secretary 
an amended State or Tribal plan that complies with subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(3) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary shall consult with the 
Attorney General in carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(c) AUDIT OF STATE COMPLIANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may conduct an audit 
of the compliance of a State or Indian tribe with a State 
or Tribal plan approved under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) NONCOMPLIANCE.—If the Secretary determines under 
an audit conducted under paragraph (1) that a State or Indian 
tribe is not materially in compliance with a State or Tribal 
plan— 
‘‘(A) the Secretary shall collaborate with the State or 
Indian tribe to develop a corrective action plan in the 
case of a first instance of noncompliance; and 
‘‘(B) the Secretary may revoke approval of the State 
or Tribal plan in the case of a second or subsequent 
instance of noncompliance. 
‘‘(d) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary may provide tech-
nical assistance to a State or Indian tribe in the development 
of a State or Tribal plan under subsection (a). 
‘‘(e) VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A violation of a State or Tribal plan 
approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to enforcement 
solely in accordance with this subsection. 
‘‘(2) NEGLIGENT VIOLATION.— 
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132 STAT. 4911 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A hemp producer in a State or 
the territory of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal 
plan is approved under subsection (b) shall be subject to 
subparagraph (B) of this paragraph if the State department 
of agriculture or Tribal government, as applicable, deter-
mines that the hemp producer has negligently violated 
the State or Tribal plan, including by negligently— 
‘‘(i) failing to provide a legal description of land 
on which the producer produces hemp; 
‘‘(ii) failing to obtain a license or other required 
authorization from the State department of agriculture 
or Tribal government, as applicable; or 
‘‘(iii) producing Cannabis sativa L. with a delta- 
9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of more than 0.3 
percent on a dry weight basis. 
‘‘(B) CORRECTIVE
ACTION
PLAN.—A hemp producer 
described in subparagraph (A) shall comply with a plan 
established by the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable, to correct the negligent viola-
tion, including— 
‘‘(i) a reasonable date by which the hemp producer 
shall correct the negligent violation; and 
‘‘(ii) a requirement that the hemp producer shall 
periodically report to the State department of agri-
culture or Tribal government, as applicable, on the 
compliance of the hemp producer with the State or 
Tribal plan for a period of not less than the next 
2 calendar years. 
‘‘(C) RESULT OF NEGLIGENT VIOLATION.—A hemp pro-
ducer that negligently violates a State or Tribal plan under 
subparagraph (A) shall not as a result of that violation 
be subject to any criminal enforcement action by the Fed-
eral Government or any State government, Tribal govern-
ment, or local government. 
‘‘(D) REPEAT VIOLATIONS.—A hemp producer that neg-
ligently violates a State or Tribal plan under subparagraph 
(A) 3 times in a 5-year period shall be ineligible to produce 
hemp for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of 
the third violation. 
‘‘(3) OTHER VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the State department of agri-
culture or Tribal government in a State or the territory 
of an Indian tribe for which a State or Tribal plan is 
approved under subsection (b), as applicable, determines 
that a hemp producer in the State or territory has violated 
the State or Tribal plan with a culpable mental state 
greater than negligence— 
‘‘(i) the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable, shall immediately report 
the hemp producer to— 
‘‘(I) the Attorney General; and 
‘‘(II) the chief law enforcement officer of the 
State or Indian tribe, as applicable; and 
‘‘(ii) paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply 
to the violation. 
‘‘(B) FELONY.— 
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132 STAT. 4912 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), any person convicted of a felony relating to a 
controlled substance under State or Federal law before, 
on, or after the date of enactment of this subtitle 
shall be ineligible, during the 10-year period following 
the date of the conviction— 
‘‘(I) to participate in the program established 
under this section or section 297C; and 
‘‘(II) to produce hemp under any regulations 
or guidelines issued under section 297D(a). 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION.—Clause (i) shall not apply to any 
person growing hemp lawfully with a license, registra-
tion, or authorization under a pilot program authorized 
by section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 5940) before the date of enactment of this sub-
title. 
‘‘(C) FALSE STATEMENT.—Any person who materially 
falsifies any information contained in an application to 
participate in the program established under this section 
shall be ineligible to participate in that program. 
‘‘(f) EFFECT.—Nothing in this section prohibits the production 
of hemp in a State or the territory of an Indian tribe— 
‘‘(1) for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under 
this section, if the production of hemp is in accordance with 
section 297C or other Federal laws (including regulations); 
and 
‘‘(2) if the production of hemp is not otherwise prohibited 
by the State or Indian tribe. 
‘‘SEC. 297C. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
‘‘(a) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 
297B, the production of hemp in that State or the territory 
of that Indian tribe shall be subject to a plan established 
by the Secretary to monitor and regulate that production in 
accordance with paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—A plan established by the Secretary under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a practice to maintain relevant information 
regarding land on which hemp is produced in the State 
or territory of the Indian tribe, including a legal description 
of the land, for a period of not less than 3 calendar years; 
‘‘(B) a procedure for testing, using post-decarboxylation 
or 
other 
similarly 
reliable 
methods, 
delta-9 
tetrahydrocannabinol concentration levels of hemp pro-
duced in the State or territory of the Indian tribe; 
‘‘(C) a procedure for the effective disposal of— 
‘‘(i) plants, whether growing or not, that are pro-
duced in violation of this subtitle; and 
‘‘(ii) products derived from those plants; 
‘‘(D) a procedure to comply with the enforcement proce-
dures under subsection (c)(2); 
‘‘(E) a procedure for conducting annual inspections of, 
at a minimum, a random sample of hemp producers to 
verify that hemp is not produced in violation of this sub-
title; and 
7 USC 1639q. 
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132 STAT. 4913 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(F) such other practices or procedures as the Secretary 
considers to be appropriate, to the extent that the practice 
or procedure is consistent with this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) LICENSING.—The Secretary shall establish a procedure to 
issue licenses to hemp producers in accordance with a plan estab-
lished under subsection (a). 
‘‘(c) VIOLATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a State or Indian tribe 
for which a State or Tribal plan is not approved under section 
297B, it shall be unlawful to produce hemp in that State 
or the territory of that Indian tribe without a license issued 
by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) NEGLIGENT
AND
OTHER
VIOLATIONS.—A violation of 
a plan established under subsection (a) shall be subject to 
enforcement in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) of sec-
tion 297B(e), except that the Secretary shall carry out that 
enforcement instead of a State department of agriculture or 
Tribal government. 
‘‘(3) REPORTING
TO
ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—In the case of 
a State or Indian tribe covered by paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall report the production of hemp without a license issued 
by the Secretary under subsection (b) to the Attorney General. 
‘‘(d) INFORMATION SHARING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) collect the information described in paragraph (2); 
and 
‘‘(B) make the information collected under subpara-
graph (A) accessible in real time to Federal, State, terri-
torial, and local law enforcement. 
‘‘(2) CONTENT.—The information collected by the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) contact information for each hemp producer in 
a State or the territory of an Indian tribe for which— 
‘‘(i) a State or Tribal plan is approved under section 
297B(b); or 
‘‘(ii) a plan is established by the Secretary under 
this section; 
‘‘(B) a legal description of the land on which hemp 
is grown by each hemp producer described in subparagraph 
(A); and 
‘‘(C) for each hemp producer described in subparagraph 
(A)— 
‘‘(i) the status of— 
‘‘(I) a license or other required authorization 
from the State department of agriculture or Tribal 
government, as applicable; or 
‘‘(II) a license from the Secretary; and 
‘‘(ii) any changes to the status. 
‘‘SEC. 297D. REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES; EFFECT ON OTHER LAW. 
‘‘(a) 
PROMULGATION
OF
REGULATIONS
AND
GUIDELINES; 
REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promulgate 
regulations and guidelines to implement this subtitle as 
expeditiously as practicable. 
7 USC 1639r. 
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132 STAT. 4914 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION
WITH
ATTORNEY
GENERAL.—The 
Secretary shall consult with the Attorney General on the 
promulgation of regulations and guidelines under subpara-
graph (A). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—The Secretary shall annually submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the 
Senate a report containing updates on the implementation of 
this subtitle. 
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY.—Subject to subsection (c)(3)(B), the Secretary 
shall have sole authority to promulgate Federal regulations and 
guidelines that relate to the production of hemp, including Federal 
regulations and guidelines that relate to the implementation of 
sections 297B and 297C. 
‘‘(c) EFFECT ON OTHER LAW.—Nothing in this subtitle shall 
affect or modify— 
‘‘(1) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 
301 et seq.); 
‘‘(2) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
262); or 
‘‘(3) the authority of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs 
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services— 
‘‘(A) under— 
‘‘(i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 
U.S.C. 301 et seq.); or 
‘‘(ii) section 351 of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 262); or 
‘‘(B) to promulgate Federal regulations and guidelines 
that relate to the production of hemp under the Act 
described in subparagraph (A)(i) or the section described 
in subparagraph (A)(ii). 
‘‘SEC. 297E. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this subtitle.’’. 
SEC. 10114. INTERSTATE COMMERCE. 
(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this title or an amend-
ment made by this title prohibits the interstate commerce of hemp 
(as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946 (as added by section 10113)) or hemp products. 
(b) TRANSPORTATION OF HEMP AND HEMP PRODUCTS.—No State 
or Indian Tribe shall prohibit the transportation or shipment of 
hemp or hemp products produced in accordance with subtitle G 
of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (as added by section 
10113) through the State or the territory of the Indian Tribe, 
as applicable. 
SEC. 10115. FIFRA INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
Section 3(c) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 13a(c)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(11) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.— 
‘‘(A) DEFINITION OF COVERED AGENCY.—In this para-
graph, the term ‘covered agency’ means any of the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The Department of Agriculture. 
‘‘(ii) The Department of Commerce. 
7 USC 1639o 
note. 
7 USC 1639s. 
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132 STAT. 4915 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) The Department of the Interior. 
‘‘(iv) The Council on Environmental Quality. 
‘‘(v) The Environmental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(B) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish an interagency working group, to be comprised of rep-
resentatives from each covered agency, to provide rec-
ommendations regarding, and to implement a strategy for 
improving, the consultation process required under section 
7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) 
for pesticide registration and registration review. 
‘‘(C) DUTIES.—The interagency working group estab-
lished under subparagraph (B) shall— 
‘‘(i) analyze relevant Federal law (including regula-
tions) and case law for purposes of providing an outline 
of the legal and regulatory framework for the consulta-
tion process referred to in that subparagraph, 
including— 
‘‘(I) requirements under this Act and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.); 
‘‘(II) Federal case law regarding the intersec-
tion of this Act and the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and 
‘‘(III) Federal regulations relating to the pes-
ticide consultation process; 
‘‘(ii) provide advice regarding methods of— 
‘‘(I) defining the scope of actions of the covered 
agencies that are subject to the consultation 
requirement referred to in subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(II) properly identifying and classifying effects 
of actions of the covered agencies with respect 
to that consultation requirement; 
‘‘(iii) identify the obligations and limitations under 
Federal law of each covered agency for purposes of 
providing a legal and regulatory framework for devel-
oping the recommendations referred to in subpara-
graph (B); 
‘‘(iv) review practices for the consultation referred 
to in subparagraph (B) to identify problem areas, areas 
for improvement, and best practices for conducting that 
consultation among the covered agencies; 
‘‘(v) develop scientific and policy approaches to 
increase the accuracy and timeliness of the process 
for that consultation, in accordance with requirements 
of this Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including— 
‘‘(I) processes to efficiently share data and 
coordinate analyses among the Department of 
Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the 
Department of the Interior, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
‘‘(II) a streamlined process for identifying 
which actions require no consultation, informal 
consultation, or formal consultation; 
‘‘(III) an approach that will provide clarity 
with respect to what constitutes the best scientific 
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132 STAT. 4916 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
and commercial data available in the fields of pes-
ticide use and ecological risk assessment, pursuant 
to section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)); and 
‘‘(IV) approaches that enable the Environ-
mental Protection Agency to better assist the 
Department of the Interior and the Department 
of Commerce in carrying out obligations under that 
section in a timely and efficient manner; and 
‘‘(vi) propose and implement a strategy to imple-
ment approaches to consultations under the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) 
and document that strategy in a memorandum of 
understanding, revised regulations, or another appro-
priate format to promote durable cooperation among 
the covered agencies. 
‘‘(D) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(i) PROGRESS REPORTS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this paragraph, 
the Administrator, in coordination with the head 
of each other covered agency, shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the progress of the working group in 
developing the recommendations under subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(II) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under this 
clause shall— 
‘‘(aa) reflect the perspectives of each cov-
ered agency; and 
‘‘(bb) identify areas of new consensus and 
continuing topics of disagreement and debate. 
‘‘(ii) RESULTS.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the 
Administrator, in coordination with the head of 
each other covered agency, shall submit to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing— 
‘‘(aa) 
the 
recommendations 
developed 
under subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(bb) plans for implementation of those 
recommendations. 
‘‘(II) REQUIREMENTS.—The report under this 
clause shall— 
‘‘(aa) reflect the perspectives of each cov-
ered agency; and 
‘‘(bb) identify areas of consensus and con-
tinuing topics of disagreement and debate, if 
any. 
‘‘(iii) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of submission of the report under clause 
(i), the Administrator, in coordination with the head 
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132 STAT. 4917 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of each other covered agency, shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate a report describing— 
‘‘(I) the implementation of the recommenda-
tions referred to in that clause; 
‘‘(II) the extent to which that implementation 
improved the consultation process referred to in 
subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(III) any additional recommendations for 
improvements to the process described in subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(iv) OTHER
REPORTS.—Not later than the date 
that is 180 days after the date of submission of the 
report under clause (iii), and not less frequently than 
once every 180 days thereafter during the 5-year period 
beginning on that date, the Administrator, in coordina-
tion with the head of each other covered agency, 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 
describing— 
‘‘(I) the implementation of the recommenda-
tions referred to in that clause; 
‘‘(II) the extent to which that implementation 
improved the consultation process referred to in 
subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(III) any additional recommendations for 
improvements to the process described in subpara-
graph (B). 
‘‘(E) CONSULTATION WITH PRIVATE SECTOR.—In carrying 
out the duties under this paragraph, the working group 
shall, as appropriate— 
‘‘(i) consult with, representatives of interested 
industry stakeholders and nongovernmental organiza-
tions; and 
‘‘(ii) take into consideration factors, such as actual 
and potential differences in interest between, and the 
views of, those stakeholders and organizations. 
‘‘(F) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply 
to the working group established under this paragraph. 
‘‘(G) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this paragraph 
supersedes any provision of— 
‘‘(i) this Act; or 
‘‘(ii) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), including the requirements under section 
7 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1536).’’. 
SEC. 10116. STUDY ON METHYL BROMIDE USE IN RESPONSE TO AN 
EMERGENCY EVENT. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) EMERGENCY
EVENT.—The term ‘‘emergency event’’ 
means a situation— 
(A) that occurs at a location on which a plant or com-
modity is grown or produced or facility providing for the 
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132 STAT. 4918 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
storage of, or other services with respect to, a plant or 
commodity; 
(B) for which the lack of availability of methyl bromide 
for a particular use would result in significant economic 
loss to the owner, lessee, or operator of the location or 
facility or the owner, grower, or purchaser of the plant 
or commodity; and 
(C) that, in light of the specific agricultural, meteoro-
logical, or other conditions presented, requires the use of 
methyl bromide to control a pest or disease in the location 
or facility because there are no technically feasible alter-
natives to methyl bromide easily accessible by an entity 
referred to in subparagraph (B) at the time and location 
of the event that— 
(i) are registered under the Federal Insecticide, 
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.) 
for the intended use or pest to be so controlled; and 
(ii) would adequately control the pest or disease 
presented at the location or facility. 
(2) PEST.—The term ‘‘pest’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and 
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136). 
(b) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, shall complete a study on the potential 
use of methyl bromide in response to an emergency event. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The study under paragraph (1) shall 
include— 
(A) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing State, local, 
or Tribal authorities, in accordance with appropriate 
requirements and criteria, such as the recommendations 
developed under subparagraph (E)— 
(i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide 
is required; and 
(ii) to authorize such use; 
(B) a risk-benefit analysis of authorizing the Secretary, 
in accordance with appropriate requirements and criteria, 
such as the recommendations developed under subpara-
graph (E)— 
(i) to determine when the use of methyl bromide 
is required; and 
(ii) to authorize such use; 
(C) a historic estimate of situations occurring on or 
after September 15, 1997, that could have been deemed 
emergency events; 
(D) a detailed assessment of the adherence of the 
United States to international obligations of the United 
States with respect to the prevention of ozone depletion; 
and 
(E) an assessment and recommendations on appro-
priate requirements and criteria to be met to authorize 
the use of methyl bromide in response to an emergency 
event (including any recommendations for revising the defi-
nition of the term ‘‘emergency event’’ in subsection (a)) 
in a manner that fully complies with the Montreal Protocol 
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, including 
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132 STAT. 4919 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Decision IX/7 of the Ninth Meeting of the Conference of 
the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that 
Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report on the study under 
subsection (b) to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and 
Nutrition of the Senate. 
TITLE XI—CROP INSURANCE 
SEC. 11101. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1502(b)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), and 
(11) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), and (13) respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: 
‘‘(6) COVER
CROP
TERMINATION.—The term ‘cover crop 
termination’ means a practice that historically and under 
reasonable circumstances results in the termination of the 
growth of a cover crop.’’; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(9) HEMP.—The term ‘hemp’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 
1946.’’. 
SEC. 11102. DATA COLLECTION. 
Section 506(h)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1506(h)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL
STATISTICS
SERVICE.— 
Data collected by the National Agricultural Statistics 
Service, whether published or unpublished, shall be— 
‘‘(i) provided in an aggregate form to the Corpora-
tion for the purpose of providing insurance under this 
subtitle; and 
‘‘(ii) kept confidential by the Corporation in the 
same manner and to the same extent as is required 
under— 
‘‘(I) section 1770 of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (7 U.S.C. 2276); and 
‘‘(II) the Confidential Information Protection 
and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 note; Public Law 107–347). 
‘‘(C) NONINSURED
CROP
DISASTER
ASSISTANCE
PRO-
GRAM.—In collecting data under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that— 
‘‘(i) appropriate data are collected through the non-
insured crop disaster assistance program established 
by section 196 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333); and 
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132 STAT. 4920 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) not less frequently than annually, the Farm 
Service Agency shares, and the Corporation considers, 
the data described in clause (i).’’. 
SEC. 11103. SHARING OF RECORDS. 
Section 506(h)(3) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1506(h)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘applicants who have received 
payment under section 522(b)(2)(E),’’ after ‘‘divisions,’’. 
SEC. 11104. USE OF RESOURCES. 
Section 507(f) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1507(f)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) the Farm Service Agency, in assisting the Board in— 
‘‘(A) the determination of individual producer yields; 
‘‘(B) sharing information on beginning farmers and 
ranchers and veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(C) investigating potential waste, fraud, or abuse; 
‘‘(D) sharing information to support the transition of 
crops and counties from the noninsured crop disaster assist-
ance program established by section 196 of the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 
7333) to insurance under this subtitle; and 
‘‘(E) serving as a local point of contact for the dissemi-
nation of information on risk management options available 
to farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(4) other Federal agencies, in assisting the Board in any 
way the Board determines is necessary in carrying out this 
subtitle.’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘(2) the’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(2) the’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘(f) The Board’’ in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) and all that follows through the semicolon at 
the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) USE OF RESOURCES, DATA, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES OF 
FEDERAL AGENCIES.—If the Board determines it is necessary, the 
Board shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, the resources, 
data, boards, and the committees of— 
‘‘(1) the Natural Resources Conservation Service, in 
assisting the Board in— 
‘‘(A) the classification of land as to risk and production 
capability; and 
‘‘(B) the consideration of acceptable conservation prac-
tices, including good farming practices with respect to con-
servation (such as cover crop termination);’’. 
SEC. 11105. SPECIALTY CROPS. 
(a) SPECIALTY CROPS COORDINATOR.—Section 507(g) of the Fed-
eral Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1507(g)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the subsection designation and all that 
follows through ‘‘The Corporation’’ in paragraph (1) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(g) SPECIALTY CROPS COORDINATOR.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
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132 STAT. 4921 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(4) SPECIALTY
CROP
LIAISONS.—The Specialty Crops 
Coordinator shall— 
‘‘(A) designate a Specialty Crops Liaison in each 
regional field office; and 
‘‘(B) share the contact information of the Specialty 
Crops Liaisons with specialty crop producers. 
‘‘(5) WEBSITE.—The Specialty Crops Coordinator shall 
establish a website focused on the efforts of the Corporation 
to provide and expand crop insurance for specialty crop pro-
ducers.’’. 
(b) ADDITION OF SPECIALTY CROPS AND OTHER VALUE-ADDED 
CROPS.—Section 508(a)(6) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1508(a)(6)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by adding at the end the 
following: ‘‘(INCLUDING VALUE-ADDED CROPS)’’; 
(2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) ANNUAL REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018, and annually thereafter, the manager of the Cor-
poration shall prepare, to the maximum extent practicable, 
based on data shared from the noninsured crop disaster 
assistance program established by section 196 of the Fed-
eral Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 
U.S.C. 7333), written agreements, or other data, and 
present to the Board not less than 1 of each of the following: 
‘‘(i) Research and development for a policy or plan 
of insurance for a commodity for which there is no 
existing policy or plan of insurance. 
‘‘(ii) Expansion of an existing policy or plan of 
insurance to additional counties or States, including 
malting barley endorsements or contract options. 
‘‘(iii) Research and development for a new policy 
or plan of insurance, or endorsement, for commodities 
with existing policies or plans of insurance, such as 
dollar plans.’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (B), in the subparagraph heading, 
by striking ‘‘ADDITION OF NEW CROPS’’ and inserting ‘‘REPORT’’; 
and 
(4) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D). 
SEC. 11106. INSURANCE PERIOD. 
Section 508(a)(2) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)(2)) is amended by striking ‘‘and sweet potatoes’’ and 
inserting ‘‘sweet potatoes, and hemp’’. 
SEC. 11107. COVER CROPS. 
Section 508(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3)(B), in the subparagraph heading, by 
inserting ‘‘DETERMINATION REVIEW’’ after ‘‘PRACTICES’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(11) COVER CROPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The voluntary practice of cover crop-
ping shall be considered a good farming practice under 
paragraph (3)(A)(iii) if the cover crop is terminated in 
accordance with subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION.— 
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132 STAT. 4922 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The termination of a cover crop 
shall be carried out according to— 
‘‘(I) guidelines established by the Secretary; 
or 
‘‘(II) an exception to the guidelines approved 
under clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION TO GUIDELINES.—The Corporation 
shall approve an exception to the guidelines under 
clause (i)(I) if that exception is recommended by— 
‘‘(I) 
the 
Natural 
Resources 
Conservation 
Service; or 
‘‘(II) an agricultural expert, as determined by 
the Corporation, unless the exception is deter-
mined to be unreasonable by the Corporation. 
‘‘(C) INSURABILITY OF SUBSEQUENT CROP.—Cover crop 
termination shall not affect the insurability of a subse-
quently planted insurable crop if the cover crop is termi-
nated in accordance with subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(D) SUMMER FALLOW.—In a county in which summer 
fallow is an insurable practice, a cover crop in that county 
that is terminated in accordance with subparagraph (B) 
shall be considered as summer fallow for the purpose of 
insurability.’’. 
SEC. 11108. UNDERSERVED PRODUCERS. 
Section 508(a)(7) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(a)(7)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND UNDER-
SERVED PRODUCERS’’ after ‘‘STATES’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by striking the designation and heading and all 
that follows through ‘‘the term’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) ADEQUATELY SERVED.—The term’’; 
(B) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ‘‘partici-
pation rate’’ and inserting ‘‘participation rate, by crop,’’; 
and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) UNDERSERVED PRODUCER.—The term ‘under-
served producer’ means an individual (including a 
member of an Indian Tribe) that is— 
‘‘(I) a beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(II) a veteran farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(III) a socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher.’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (B)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Board’’ and inserting ‘‘Using 
resources and information available to the Board or the 
Secretary, the Board’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘subtitle’’ and inserting ‘‘subtitle, 
including policies and plans of insurance for underserved 
producers,’’; and 
(4) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(C) REPORT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after 
completion of the review under subparagraph (B), and 
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132 STAT. 4923 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, 
the Board shall make publicly available and submit 
to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing 
the results of the review. 
‘‘(ii) RECOMMENDATIONS.—The report under clause 
(i) shall include recommendations to increase participa-
tion in States and among underserved producers that 
are not adequately served by the policies and plans 
of insurance, including any plans for administrative 
action or recommendations for Congressional action.’’. 
SEC. 11109. TREATMENT OF FORAGE AND GRAZING. 
(a) AVAILABILITY OF CATASTROPHIC RISK PROTECTION FOR CROPS 
AND GRASSES USED FOR GRAZING.—Section 508(b)(1) of the Federal 
Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
(b) COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING.—The Federal Crop 
Insurance Act is amended by inserting after section 508C (7 U.S.C. 
1508c) the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 508D. COVERAGE FOR FORAGE AND GRAZING. 
‘‘Notwithstanding section 508A, and in addition to any other 
available coverage, for crops that can be both grazed and mechani-
cally harvested on the same acres during the same growing season, 
producers shall be allowed to purchase separate policies for each 
intended use, as determined by the Corporation, and any indemnity 
paid under those policies for each intended use shall not be consid-
ered to be for the same loss for the purposes of section 508(n).’’. 
SEC. 11110. ADMINISTRATIVE BASIC FEE. 
Section 508(b)(5)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(b)(5)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘$300’’ and inserting ‘‘$655’’. 
SEC. 11111. ENTERPRISE UNITS. 
Section 508(e)(5) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(e)(5)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) ENTERPRISE
UNITS
ACROSS
COUNTY
LINES.—The 
Corporation may allow a producer to establish a single 
enterprise unit by combining an enterprise unit with— 
‘‘(i) 1 or more other enterprise units in 1 or more 
other counties; or 
‘‘(ii) all basic units and all optional units in 1 
or more other counties.’’. 
SEC. 11112. CONTINUED AUTHORITY. 
Section 508(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(g)) is amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(6) CONTINUED AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall establish— 
‘‘(i) underwriting rules that limit the decrease in 
the actual production history of a producer, at the 
election of the producer, to not more than 10 percent 
of the actual production history of the previous crop 
7 USC 1508d. 
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132 STAT. 4924 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
year provided that the production decline was the 
result of drought, flood, natural disaster, or other 
insurable loss (as determined by the Corporation); and 
‘‘(ii) actuarially sound premiums to cover addi-
tional risk. 
‘‘(B) OTHER AUTHORITY.—The authority provided under 
subparagraph (A) is in addition to any other authority 
that adjusts the actual production history of the producer 
under this Act. 
‘‘(C) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph shall be con-
strued to require a change in the administration of any 
provision of this Act as the Act was administered for the 
2018 reinsurance year.’’. 
SEC. 11113. SUBMISSION OF POLICIES AND MATERIALS TO BOARD. 
Section 508(h) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(h)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)— 
(A) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iii) as sub-
clauses (I) through (III), respectively, and indenting appro-
priately; 
(B) in the matter preceding subclause (I) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘The Corporation shall’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall’’; 
(C) in clause (i)(I) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘subject to clause (ii),’’ before ‘‘will likely’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) WAIVER
FOR
HEMP.—The Corporation may 
waive the viability and marketability requirement 
under clause (i)(I) in the case of a policy or pilot pro-
gram relating to the production of hemp.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)(C)— 
(A) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) in the case of reviewing policies and other 
materials relating to the production of hemp, may 
waive the viability and marketability requirement 
under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).’’. 
SEC. 11114. CROP PRODUCTION ON NATIVE SOD. 
Section 508(o)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1508(o)(2)(A)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘During the’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) FIRST 4 CROP YEARS.—During the’’; 
(2) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking ‘‘after the 
date of enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014’’ and inserting 
‘‘beginning on February 8, 2014, and ending on the date of 
enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) SUBSEQUENT CROP YEARS.—Native sod acreage 
that has been tilled for the production of an insurable 
crop after the date of enactment of the Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018 shall be subject to a reduction 
in benefits under this subtitle as described in this 
paragraph for not more than 4 cumulative years— 
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132 STAT. 4925 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) during the first 10 years after initial till-
age; and 
‘‘(II) during each of which a crop on that acre-
age is insured under subsection (c).’’. 
SEC. 11115. USE OF NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE 
DATA TO COMBAT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE. 
Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) using published aggregate data from the National 
Agricultural Statistics Service or any other data source 
to— 
‘‘(i) detect yield disparities or other data anomalies 
that indicate potential fraud; and 
‘‘(ii) target the relevant counties, crops, regions, 
companies, or agents associated with that potential 
fraud for audits and other enforcement actions.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘pursuant to’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘under’’. 
SEC. 11116. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION TO CORPORATION. 
Section 515(g) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1515(g)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D) The actual production history to be used to estab-
lish insurable yields.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The information required by paragraph 
(1)’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The information required to be sub-
mitted under subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph 
(1)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) ACTUAL PRODUCTION HISTORY.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The information required to be 
submitted under paragraph (1)(D) with respect to an 
applicable policy or plan of insurance for a covered 
commodity (as defined in section 1111 of the Agricul-
tural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011)) shall be submitted 
so as to ensure receipt by the Corporation not later 
than the Saturday of the week containing the calendar 
day that is 30 days after the applicable production 
reporting date for the crop to be insured. 
‘‘(ii) CORRECTION OF ERRORS.—Nothing in clause 
(i) limits the ability of an approved insurance provider 
to correct any error in the information submitted under 
paragraph (1)(D) after receipt of the information by 
the Corporation in accordance with clause (i).’’. 
SEC. 11117. CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR LOSS ADJUSTERS AND 
AGENTS. 
Section 515 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515) 
is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4926 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following: 
‘‘(k) CONTINUING
EDUCATION
FOR
LOSS
ADJUSTERS
AND 
AGENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation shall establish require-
ments for continuing education for loss adjusters and agents 
of approved insurance providers. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements for continuing edu-
cation described in paragraph (1) shall ensure that loss 
adjusters and agents of approved insurance providers are 
familiar with— 
‘‘(A) the policies and plans of insurance available under 
this Act, including the regulations promulgated to carry 
out this Act; 
‘‘(B) efforts to promote program integrity through the 
elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse; and 
‘‘(C) other aspects of adjusting, delivering, and serv-
icing policies and plans of insurance by adjustors and 
agents, as determined by the Secretary, including conserva-
tion activities and agronomic practices (including organic 
and sustainable practices) that are common and appro-
priate to the area in which the insured crop being inspected 
is produced.’’. 
SEC. 11118. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION. 
Section 516(b)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 
U.S.C. 1516(b)(2)(C)(i)) is amended by striking ‘‘$9,000,000’’ and 
inserting ‘‘$7,000,000’’. 
SEC. 11119. AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY. 
Section 518 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1518) 
is amended by inserting ‘‘hemp,’’ before ‘‘aquacultural species’’. 
SEC. 11120. MAINTENANCE OF POLICIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by amending subparagraph (B) to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(B) REIMBURSEMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—An applicant who submits a 
policy under section 508(h) shall be eligible for the 
reimbursement of reasonable research and develop-
ment costs if the policy is approved by the Board 
for sale to producers. 
‘‘(ii) REASONABLE
COSTS.—For the purpose of 
reimbursing research and development and mainte-
nance costs under this section, costs of the applicant 
shall be considered reasonable costs if the costs are 
based on— 
‘‘(I) for any employees or contracted personnel, 
wage rates equal to not more than 2 times the 
hourly wage rate plus benefits, as provided by 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year in 
which such costs are incurred, calculated using 
the formula applied to an applicant by the Corpora-
tion in reviewing proposed project budgets under 
this section on October 1, 2016; and 
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132 STAT. 4927 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(II) other actual documented costs incurred 
by the applicant.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘approved insur-
ance provider’’ and inserting ‘‘applicant’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘determined by the 
approved insurance provider’’ and inserting ‘‘deter-
mined by the applicant’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) REVIEW.—After the Board approves the 
amount of a fee under clause (ii), the fee shall remain 
in effect and not be reviewed by the Board unless— 
‘‘(I) the applicant petitions the Board for 
reconsideration of the fee; 
‘‘(II) a substantial change is made to the policy, 
as determined by the Board; or 
‘‘(III) there is substantial evidence that the 
fee is inhibiting sales or use of the policy, as deter-
mined by the Board.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this section 
shall apply to reimbursement requests made on or after October 
1, 2016. 
(2) RESUBMISSION OF DENIED REQUEST.—An applicant that 
was denied all or a portion of a reimbursement request under 
paragraph (1) of section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(b)) during the period between October 1, 
2016, and the date of the enactment of this Act shall be given 
an opportunity to resubmit such request. 
SEC. 11121. REIMBURSEMENT OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
MAINTENANCE COSTS. 
Section 522(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) WAIVER FOR HEMP.—The Board may waive the 
viability and marketability requirements under this para-
graph in the case of research and development relating 
to a policy to insure the production of hemp.’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Corporation’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) WAIVER FOR HEMP.—The Corporation may waive 
the marketability requirement under subparagraph (A) in 
the case of research and development relating to a policy 
to insure the production of hemp.’’. 
SEC. 11122. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. 
Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(c)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraphs (7) through (18) and (20) through 
(23); 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (19) and (24) as paragraphs 
(7) and (8), respectively; 
7 USC 1522 note. 
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132 STAT. 4928 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated) (entitled ‘‘Whole 
farm diversified risk management insurance plan’’), by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) REVIEW OF MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE EFFECTIVE-
NESS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement 
Act of 2018— 
‘‘(I) the Corporation shall hold stakeholder 
meetings to solicit producer and agent feedback; 
and 
‘‘(II) the Board shall— 
‘‘(aa) review procedures and paperwork 
requirements on agents and producers; and 
‘‘(bb) modify procedures and requirements, 
as appropriate, to decrease burdens and 
increase flexibility and effectiveness. 
‘‘(ii) FACTORS.—In carrying out items (aa) and (bb) 
of subclause (i)(II), the Board shall consider— 
‘‘(I) removing caps on nursery and livestock 
production; 
‘‘(II) allowing a waiver to expand operations, 
especially for small and beginning farmers; 
‘‘(III) minimizing paperwork for producers and 
agents; 
‘‘(IV) implementing an option for producers 
with less than $1,000,000 in gross revenue that 
requires significantly less paperwork and record-
keeping; 
‘‘(V) developing and using alternative records 
such as time-stamped photographs or technology 
applications to document planting and production 
history; 
‘‘(VI) treating the different growth stages of 
aquaculture species as separate crops to recognize 
the difference in perils at different phases of 
growth; 
‘‘(VII) moderating the impacts of disaster years 
on historic revenue, such as— 
‘‘(aa) using an average of the historic and 
projected revenue; 
‘‘(bb) counting indemnities as historic rev-
enue for loss years; 
‘‘(cc) counting payments under section 196 
of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and 
Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) as historic 
revenue for loss years; or 
‘‘(dd) using an assigned yield floor similar 
to 
the 
limitation 
described 
in 
section 
508(g)(6)(A)(i), as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(VIII) improving agent training and outreach 
to underserved regions and sectors such as small 
dairy farms; and 
‘‘(IX) providing coverage and indemnification 
of insurable losses— 
‘‘(aa) after the losses exceed the deduct-
ible; and 
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132 STAT. 4929 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(bb) up to the maximum amount of total 
coverage. 
‘‘(F) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER DEFINED.—Not-
withstanding section 502(b)(3), with respect to plans 
described under this paragraph, the term ‘beginning farmer 
or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who has not actively 
operated and managed a farm or ranch with a bona fide 
insurable interest in a crop or livestock as an owner-oper-
ator, landlord, tenant, or sharecropper for more than 10 
crop years.’’; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(9) TROPICAL STORM OR HURRICANE INSURANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding a policy to insure 
crops (including tomatoes, peppers, and citrus) against 
losses due to a tropical storm or hurricane. 
‘‘(B) RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT.—Research and 
development under subparagraph (A) shall— 
‘‘(i) evaluate the effectiveness of risk management 
tools for a low frequency and catastrophic loss weather 
event; and 
‘‘(ii) result in a policy that provides protection for 
at least 1 of the following: 
‘‘(I) Production loss. 
‘‘(II) Revenue loss. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under this paragraph; and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(10) QUALITY LOSS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the establishment of 
each of the following alternative methods of adjusting for 
quality losses: 
‘‘(i) A method that does not impact the actual 
production history of a producer. 
‘‘(ii) A method that provides that, in circumstances 
in which a producer has suffered a quality loss to 
the insured crop of the producer that is insufficient 
to trigger an indemnity payment, the producer may 
elect to exclude that quality loss from the actual 
production history of the producer. 
‘‘(iii) 1 or more methods that combine the methods 
described in clauses (i) and (ii). 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—Notwithstanding subsections (g) 
and (m) of section 508, any method developed under 
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132 STAT. 4930 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
subparagraph (A) that is used by the Corporation shall 
be— 
‘‘(i) optional for a producer to use; and 
‘‘(ii) offered at an actuarially sound premium rate. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(11) CITRUS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the insurance of 
citrus fruit commodities and commodity types, including 
research and development of— 
‘‘(i) improvements to 1 or more existing policies, 
including the whole-farm revenue protection pilot 
policy; 
‘‘(ii) alternative methods of insuring revenue for 
citrus fruit commodities and commodity types; and 
‘‘(iii) the development of new, or expansion of 
existing, revenue policies for citrus fruit commodities 
and commodity types. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(12) HOPS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding a policy to insure 
the production of hops or revenue derived from the produc-
tion of hops. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(13) SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION PRACTICES.— 
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132 STAT. 4931 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, regarding the creation of a sepa-
rate practice for subsurface irrigation, including the 
establishment of a separate transitional yield within a 
county that is reflective of the average gain in productivity 
and yield associated with the installation of a subsurface 
irrigation system. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(14) GRAIN SORGHUM.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development— 
‘‘(i) regarding improvements to 1 or more policies 
to insure irrigated grain sorghum; 
‘‘(ii) regarding alternative methods for producers 
with not more than 4 years of production history to 
insure irrigated grain sorghum; and 
‘‘(iii) to assess, by county, the difference in the 
rate, average yield, and coverage level of grain sorghum 
policies compared to policies for other feed grains in 
that county. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(15) LIMITED IRRIGATION PRACTICES.— 
‘‘(A) AUTHORITY.—The Corporation shall— 
‘‘(i) consider expanding the availability of the lim-
ited irrigation insurance program to neighboring and 
similarly situated States (such as the States of Colo-
rado and Nebraska), as determined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) carry out research, or offer to enter into 1 
or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons 
to carry out research, on the marketability of the 
existing limited irrigation insurance program; and 
‘‘(iii) make recommendations on how to improve 
participation in that program. 
‘‘(B) RESEARCH.—In carrying out research under 
subparagraph (A), a qualified person shall— 
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132 STAT. 4932 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) collaborate with researchers on the subjects 
of— 
‘‘(I) reduced irrigation practices or limited 
irrigation practices; and 
‘‘(II) expected yield reductions following the 
application of reduced irrigation; 
‘‘(ii) collaborate with State and Federal officials 
responsible for the collection of water and the regula-
tion of water use for the purpose of irrigation; 
‘‘(iii) provide recommendations to encourage pro-
ducers to carry out limited irrigation practices or 
reduced irrigation and water conservation practices; 
and 
‘‘(iv) develop web-based applications that will 
streamline access to coverage for producers electing 
to conserve water use on irrigated crops. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research carried out under 
subparagraphs (A) and (B); 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations to encourage producers 
to carry out limited irrigation practices or reduced 
irrigation and water conservation practices; and 
‘‘(iii) the actions taken by the Corporation to carry 
out the recommendations described in clause (ii). 
‘‘(16) INSURABLE IRRIGATION PRACTICES FOR RICE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Corporation shall carry out 
research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more 
contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out 
research and development, to include new and innovative 
irrigation practices under the current rice policy or the 
development of a distinct policy endorsement rated for rice 
produced using— 
‘‘(i) alternate wetting and drying practices (also 
referred to as ‘intermittent flooding’); and 
‘‘(ii) furrow irrigation practices. 
‘‘(B) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under paragraph (1); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(17) GREENHOUSE POLICY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Corpora-
tion shall carry out research and development, or offer 
to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more quali-
fied persons to carry out research and development, 
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132 STAT. 4933 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
regarding a policy to insure in a controlled environment 
such as a greenhouse— 
‘‘(I) the production of floriculture, nursery, and 
bedding plants; 
‘‘(II) the establishment of cuttings or tissue 
culture in a growing medium; or 
‘‘(III) other similar production, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described 
in clause (i) available if the requirements of section 
508(h) are met. 
‘‘(B) 
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
DESCRIBED.— 
Research and development described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
shall evaluate the effectiveness of policies for the production 
of plants in a controlled environment, including policies 
that— 
‘‘(i) are based on the risk of— 
‘‘(I) 
plant 
diseases 
introduced 
from 
the 
environment; 
‘‘(II) contaminated cuttings, seedlings, or 
tissue culture; or 
‘‘(III) Federal or State quarantine or destruc-
tion orders associated with the contaminated items 
described in subclause (II); 
‘‘(ii) consider other causes of loss applicable to 
a controlled environment, such as a loss of electricity 
due to weather; 
‘‘(iii) consider appropriate best practices to mini-
mize the risk of loss; 
‘‘(iv) consider whether to provide coverage for var-
ious types of plants under 1 policy or to provide cov-
erage for 1 species or type of plant per policy; 
‘‘(v) have streamlined reporting and paperwork 
requirements that take into account short propagation 
schedules, variable crop years, and the variety of plants 
that may be produced in a single facility; and 
‘‘(vi) provide protection for revenue losses. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that describes— 
‘‘(i) the results of the research and development 
carried out under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B); and 
‘‘(ii) any recommendations with respect to those 
results. 
‘‘(18) LOCAL FOODS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) FEASIBILITY
STUDY.—The Corporation shall 
carry out a study to determine the feasibility of, or 
offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more 
qualified persons to carry out a study to determine 
the feasibility of, a policy to insure production— 
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132 STAT. 4934 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) of floriculture, fruits, vegetables, poultry, 
livestock, or the products of floriculture, fruits, 
vegetables, poultry, or livestock; and 
‘‘(II) that is targeted toward local consumers 
and markets. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make available a policy 
described in clause (i) if— 
‘‘(I) the results of the feasibility study under 
clause (i) are viable; and 
‘‘(II) the requirements of section 508(h) are 
met. 
‘‘(B) FEASIBILITY
STUDY
DESCRIBED.—The feasibility 
study described in subparagraph (A)(i) shall evaluate the 
effectiveness of policies for production targeted toward local 
consumers and markets, including policies that— 
‘‘(i) consider small-scale production in various 
areas, including urban, suburban, and rural areas; 
‘‘(ii) consider a variety of marketing strategies; 
‘‘(iii) allow for production in soil and in alternative 
systems such as vertical systems, greenhouses, roof-
tops, or hydroponic systems; 
‘‘(iv) consider the price premium when accounting 
for production or revenue losses; 
‘‘(v) consider whether to provide coverage— 
‘‘(I) for various types of production under 1 
policy; and 
‘‘(II) for 1 species or type of plant per policy; 
and 
‘‘(vi) have streamlined reporting and paperwork 
requirements. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that— 
‘‘(i) examines whether a version of existing policies 
such as the whole-farm revenue protection insurance 
plan may be tailored to provide improved coverage 
for producers of local foods; 
‘‘(ii) describes the results of the feasibility study 
carried out under subparagraph (A)(i); and 
‘‘(iii) includes any recommendations with respect 
to those results. 
‘‘(19) HIGH-RISK, 
HIGHLY
PRODUCTIVE
BATTURE
LAND 
POLICY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(i) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The Corpora-
tion shall carry out research and development, or offer 
to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more quali-
fied persons to carry out research and development, 
regarding a policy to insure producers of corn, cotton, 
and soybeans— 
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132 STAT. 4935 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(I) with operations on highly productive 
batture land within the Lower Mississippi River 
Valley; 
‘‘(II) that have a history of production of not 
less than 5 years; and 
‘‘(III) that have been impacted by more fre-
quent flooding over the past 10 years due to sedi-
mentation or federally constructed engineering 
improvements. 
‘‘(ii) AVAILABILITY
OF
POLICY.—Notwithstanding 
the last sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 
508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described 
in clause (i) available if the requirements of section 
508(h) are met. 
‘‘(B) 
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOPMENT
DESCRIBED.— 
Research and development described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
shall evaluate the feasibility of less cost-prohibitive policies 
for batture-land producers in high risk areas, including 
policies that— 
‘‘(i) consider premium rate adjustments; 
‘‘(ii) consider automatic yield exclusion for consecu-
tive-year losses; and 
‘‘(iii) allow for flexibility of final plant dates and 
prevent plant regulations. 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of enactment of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 
the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
report that— 
‘‘(i) examines whether a version of existing policies 
may be tailored to provide improved coverage for 
batture-land producers; 
‘‘(ii) describes the results of the research and 
development carried out under subparagraphs (A) and 
(B); and 
‘‘(iii) includes any recommendations with respect 
to those results.’’. 
SEC. 11123. FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 522(e)(2)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1522(e)(2)(A)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘not more than $12,500,000 for fiscal year 
2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘not more than— 
‘‘(i) $12,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 
through 2018; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter.’’. 
SEC. 11124. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO PILOT PROGRAMS. 
Section 523(i)(3)(A) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1523(i)(3)(A)) is amended by adding a period at the end. 
SEC. 11125. EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE. 
(a) EDUCATION ASSISTANCE.—Section 524(a) of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(a)) is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4936 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘paragraph (5)’’ and all that follows through ‘‘the 
Secretary’’ in subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(4), the Secretary’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘paragraph (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘para-
graph (2)’’; 
(2) by striking paragraph (2); 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as para-
graphs (2) through (4), respectively; 
(4) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), in subparagraph 
(A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘about the full range of’’ and inserting 
‘‘and providing technical assistance to agricultural pro-
ducers on a full range of farm viability and’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘business planning, enterprise anal-
ysis, transfer and succession planning, management 
coaching, market assessment, cash flow analysis,’’ after 
‘‘insurance,’’; and 
(C) 
by 
inserting 
‘‘conservation 
activities,’’ 
after 
‘‘benchmarking,’’; 
(5) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘programs established under para-
graphs (2) and (3)’’ and inserting ‘‘program established 
under paragraph (2)’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘farm viability and’’ after 
‘‘emphasis on’’; and 
(iii) by inserting ‘‘, business planning and technical 
assistance, market assessment, transfer and succession 
planning, and crop insurance participation’’ after 
‘‘benchmarking’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (D)(i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; and 
(C) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(iii) are converting production and marketing sys-
tems to pursue new markets; and 
‘‘(E) producers that are underserved by the Federal 
crop insurance program established under this subtitle, 
as determined by the Corporation.’’; and 
(6) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘transferred’’ and all that follows through ‘‘for 
the partnerships’’ in subparagraph (B) and inserting ‘‘trans-
ferred for the partnerships’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘paragraph (3), $5,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2001’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (2), $10,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2019’’; and 
(C) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
‘‘, of which not less than $5,000,000 shall be used to carry 
out paragraph (3)(E).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 251(f)(1)(D)(ii) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6971(f)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘section 524(a)(3)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
524(a)’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4937 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) by striking ‘‘(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)(3))’’ and inserting ‘‘(7 
U.S.C. 1524(a))’’. 
SEC. 11126. REPEAL OF CROPLAND REPORT ANNUAL UPDATES. 
Section 11014 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 
113–79; 128 Stat. 963) is amended by striking subsection (c). 
TITLE XII—MISCELLANEOUS 
Subtitle A—Livestock 
SEC. 12101. ANIMAL DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT. 
(a) DEFINITION.—Section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(18) VETERINARY COUNTERMEASURE.—The term ‘veterinary 
countermeasure’ means any biological product (including an 
animal 
vaccine 
or 
diagnostic), 
pharmaceutical 
product 
(including 
a 
therapeutic), 
non-pharmaceutical 
product 
(including a disinfectant), or other product or equipment to 
prevent, detect, respond to, or mitigate harm to public or animal 
health resulting from, animal pests or diseases.’’. 
(b) ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.—Section 
10409A of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘ANIMAL 
DISEASE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a) DEFINITION
OF 
ELIGIBLE LABORATORY.—In this section,’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(a) NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY NETWORK.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION
OF
ELIGIBLE
LABORATORY.—In this sub-
section,’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs 
(A) through (E) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively, 
and moving the margins of such clauses (as so redesig-
nated) 2 ems to the right; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as 
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and moving 
the margins of such subparagraphs (as so redesignated) 
2 ems to the right; 
(4) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as paragraphs 
(2) and (3), respectively, and moving the margins of such para-
graphs (as so redesignated) 2 ems to the right; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) NATIONAL ANIMAL DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall establish a 
program, to be known as the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program (referred to in this section 
as ‘the Program’), to address the increasing risk of the introduc-
tion and spread within the United States of animal pests and 
diseases affecting the economic interests of the livestock and 
related industries of the United States, including the mainte-
nance and expansion of export markets. 
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132 STAT. 4938 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.—Activities under the Program 
shall include, to the extent practicable, the following: 
‘‘(A) Enhancing animal pest and disease analysis and 
surveillance. 
‘‘(B) Expanding outreach and education. 
‘‘(C) Targeting domestic inspection activities at vulner-
able points in the safeguarding continuum. 
‘‘(D) Enhancing and strengthening threat identification 
technology. 
‘‘(E) Improving biosecurity. 
‘‘(F) Enhancing emergency preparedness and response 
capabilities, 
including 
training 
additional 
emergency 
response personnel. 
‘‘(G) Conducting technology development to enhance 
electronic sharing of animal health data for risk analysis 
between State and Federal animal health officials. 
‘‘(H) Enhancing the development and effectiveness of 
animal health technologies to treat and prevent animal 
disease, including— 
‘‘(i) veterinary biologics and diagnostics; 
‘‘(ii) animal drugs for minor uses and minor spe-
cies; 
‘‘(iii) animal medical devices; and 
‘‘(iv) emerging veterinary countermeasures. 
‘‘(I) Such other activities as determined appropriate 
by the Secretary, in consultation with eligible entities speci-
fied in paragraph (3). 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To carry out the Program, the 
Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements or 
other legal instruments, as authorized under section 10413 
(referred to in this section as ‘agreements’) with eligible entities, 
to be selected by the Secretary, which may include any of 
the following entities, either individually or in combination: 
‘‘(A) A State department of agriculture. 
‘‘(B) The office of the chief animal health official of 
a State. 
‘‘(C) An entity eligible to receive funds under a capacity 
and 
infrastructure 
program 
(as 
defined 
in 
section 
251(f)(1)(C) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganiza-
tion Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(C))). 
‘‘(D) A college of veterinary medicine, including a vet-
erinary emergency team at such college. 
‘‘(E) A State or national livestock producer organization 
with direct and significant economic interest in livestock 
production. 
‘‘(F) A State emergency agency. 
‘‘(G) A State, national, allied, or regional veterinary 
organization or specialty board recognized by the American 
Veterinary Medical Association. 
‘‘(H) An Indian Tribe. 
‘‘(I) A Federal agency. 
‘‘(4) SPECIAL FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS.—In entering into 
agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to applications submitted by— 
‘‘(A) a State department of agriculture or an office 
of the chief animal health official of a State; or 
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132 STAT. 4939 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) an eligible entity that will carry out program 
activities in a State or region in which— 
‘‘(i) an animal pest or disease is a Federal concern; 
or 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary determines a potential exists 
for the spread of an animal pest or disease after taking 
into consideration— 
‘‘(I) the agricultural industries in the State 
or region; 
‘‘(II) factors contributing to animal pest or dis-
ease in the State or region, such as the climate, 
natural resources, and geography of, and native 
and exotic wildlife species and other disease vec-
tors in, the State or region; and 
‘‘(III) the movement of animals in the State 
or region. 
‘‘(5) CONSULTATION.—For purposes of setting priorities 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with eligible 
entities specified in paragraph (3). The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to consultation car-
ried out under this paragraph. 
‘‘(6) APPLICATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity specified in para-
graph (3) seeking to enter into an agreement under the 
Program shall submit to the Secretary an application con-
taining such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(B) NOTIFICATION.—The Secretary shall notify each 
applicant of— 
‘‘(i) the requirements to be imposed on the eligible 
entity that is the recipient of funds under the Program 
for auditing of, and reporting on, the use of such funds; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the criteria to be used to ensure activities 
supported using such funds are based on sound sci-
entific data or thorough risk assessments. 
‘‘(C) NON-FEDERAL
CONTRIBUTIONS.—When deciding 
whether to enter into an agreement under the Program 
with an eligible entity described in paragraph (3), the Sec-
retary— 
‘‘(i) may take into consideration an eligible entity’s 
ability to contribute non-Federal funds to carry out 
such an agreement; and 
‘‘(ii) shall not require such an eligible entity to 
make such a contribution as a condition to enter into 
an agreement. 
‘‘(7) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) USE
CONSISTENT
WITH
TERMS
OF
COOPERATIVE 
AGREEMENT.—The recipient of funds under the Program 
shall use the funds for the purposes and in the manner 
provided in the agreement under which the funds are pro-
vided. 
‘‘(B) SUB-AGREEMENT.—Nothing in this section pre-
vents an eligible entity from using funds received under 
the Program to enter into sub-agreements with another 
eligible entity or with a political subdivision of a State 
that has legal responsibilities relating to animal disease 
prevention, surveillance, or rapid response. 
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132 STAT. 4940 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(8) REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of completion of an activity conducted using 
funds provided under the Program, the recipient of such funds 
shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the pur-
poses and results of the activities.’’. 
(c) NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE
AND VETERINARY COUNTER-
MEASURES BANK.—Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsection (b), is further 
amended by inserting after subsection (b) (as added by subsection 
(b)(5) of this section) the following: 
‘‘(c) NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE BANK.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a 
national animal vaccine and veterinary countermeasures bank 
(to be known as the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary 
Countermeasures Bank and referred to in this subsection as 
the ‘Vaccine Bank’) to benefit the domestic interests of the 
United States. 
‘‘(2) ELEMENTS OF VACCINE BANK.—Through the Vaccine 
Bank, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) maintain sufficient quantities of veterinary 
countermeasures to appropriately and rapidly respond to 
the most damaging animal diseases affecting or with poten-
tial to affect human health or the economy of the United 
States; and 
‘‘(B) leverage, when appropriate, the mechanisms and 
infrastructure that have been developed for the manage-
ment, storage, and distribution of the National Veterinary 
Stockpile. 
‘‘(3) PRIORITY
FOR
RESPONSE
TO
FOOT
AND
MOUTH
DIS-
EASE.—The Secretary shall prioritize the acquisition and 
maintenance of sufficient quantities of foot and mouth disease 
vaccine and accompanying diagnostic products for the Vaccine 
Bank. As part of such prioritization, the Secretary may offer 
to enter into one or more contracts with one or more entities 
that are capable of producing foot and mouth disease vaccine 
and that have surge production capacity of the vaccine.’’. 
(d) FUNDING.—Section 10409A of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8308A), as amended by subsections (b) and (c), is 
further amended by striking subsection (d) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(d) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.— 
‘‘(A) FISCAL YEARS 2019 THROUGH 2022.—Of the funds 
of the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall 
make available to carry out this section $120,000,000 for 
the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, of which 
not less than $5,000,000 shall be made available for each 
of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b). 
‘‘(B) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.—Of the funds of the 
Commodity Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall make 
available to carry out this section $30,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter, of which not 
less than $18,000,000 shall be made available for each 
of those fiscal years to carry out subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) NATIONAL
ANIMAL
HEALTH
LABORATORY
NET-
WORK.—In addition to the funds made available under 
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132 STAT. 4941 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
paragraph (1), there is authorized to be appropriated 
$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 
to carry out subsection (a). 
‘‘(B) NATIONAL
ANIMAL
DISEASE
PREPAREDNESS
AND 
RESPONSE PROGRAM; NATIONAL ANIMAL VACCINE AND VET-
ERINARY
COUNTERMEASURES
BANK.—In addition to the 
funds made available under paragraph (1), there is author-
ized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for 
each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out sub-
sections (b) and (c). 
‘‘(C) ADDITIONALITY.—The funds authorized for appro-
priation under this paragraph are in addition to any funds 
authorized or otherwise made available under this section 
or section 10417. 
‘‘(3) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.— 
‘‘(A) SECRETARY.—Of the funds made available under 
this section or section 10417 to carry out the National 
Animal Health Laboratory Network under subsection (a) 
and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and 
Response Program under subsection (b), not more than 
4 percent may be retained by the Secretary to pay adminis-
trative costs incurred by the Secretary. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Of the funds made available 
under this section or section 10417 to carry out the National 
Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program under 
subsection (b), not more than 10 percent may be retained 
by an eligible entity that receives funds under any agree-
ment entered into under such subsection, including any 
sub-agreement under paragraph (7)(B) of such subsection 
to pay administrative costs incurred by the eligible entity 
to carry out activities under the Program. 
‘‘(4) DURATION
OF
AVAILABILITY.—Funds made available 
under this subsection, including any proceeds credited under 
paragraph (5), shall remain available until expended. 
‘‘(5) 
PROCEEDS
FROM
VETERINARY
COUNTERMEASURES 
SALES.—Any proceeds of a sale of veterinary countermeasures 
from the Vaccine Bank shall be— 
‘‘(A) deposited into the Treasury of the United States; 
and 
‘‘(B) credited to the account for the operation of the 
Vaccine Bank to be made available for expenditure without 
further appropriation. 
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS
ON
USE
OF
FUNDS
FOR
CERTAIN
PUR-
POSES.—Funds made available under the National Animal 
Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease 
Preparedness and Response Program, and the Vaccine Bank 
shall not be used for the construction of a new building or 
facility or the acquisition or expansion of an existing building 
or facility, including site grading and improvement and 
architect fees. 
‘‘(e) AVAILABILITY AND PURPOSE OF FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using the funds made available under 
subsection (d), the Secretary of Agriculture shall offer to enter 
into contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other legal 
instruments under subsections (a) through (c) during each of 
the fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
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132 STAT. 4942 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) EFFECT.—Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed 
to terminate a contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other 
legal instrument entered into during the period specified in 
such paragraph.’’. 
SEC. 12102. SHEEP PRODUCTION AND MARKETING GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 209(c) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 
U.S.C. 1627a(c)) is amended by striking ‘‘$1,500,000 for fiscal year 
2014’’ and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2019’’. 
SEC. 12103. FEASIBILITY STUDY ON LIVESTOCK DEALER STATUTORY 
TRUST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a study to deter-
mine the feasibility of establishing a livestock dealer statutory 
trust. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The study conducted under subsection (a) 
shall— 
(1) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect buyer and seller behavior in mar-
kets for livestock (as defined in section 2(a) of the Packers 
and Stockyards Act, 1921 (7 U.S.C. 182)); 
(2) examine how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect seller recovery in the event of 
a livestock dealer payment default; 
(3) consider what potential effects a livestock dealer statu-
tory trust would have on credit availability, including impacts 
on lenders and lending behavior and other industry partici-
pants; 
(4) examine unique circumstances common to livestock 
dealers and how those circumstances could impact the 
functionality of a livestock dealer statutory trust; 
(5) study the feasibility of the industry-wide adoption of 
electronic funds transfer or another expeditious method of pay-
ment to provide sellers of livestock protection from nonsufficient 
funds payments; 
(6) assess the effectiveness of statutory trusts in other 
segments of agriculture, whether similar effects could be experi-
enced under a livestock dealer statutory trust, and whether 
authorizing the Secretary to appoint an independent trustee 
under the livestock dealer statutory trust would improve seller 
recovery; 
(7) consider the effects of exempting dealers with average 
annual purchases under a de minimis threshold from being 
subject to the livestock dealer statutory trust; and 
(8) analyze how the establishment of a livestock dealer 
statutory trust would affect the treatment of sellers of livestock 
as it relates to preferential transfer in bankruptcy. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
describing the findings of the study conducted under subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 12104. DEFINITION OF LIVESTOCK. 
Section 602(2) of the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance 
Act of 1988 (7 U.S.C. 1471(2)) is amended in the matter preceding 
subparagraph (A) by striking ‘‘fish’’ and all that follows through 
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132 STAT. 4943 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘that—’’ and inserting ‘‘llamas, alpacas, live fish, crawfish, and 
other animals that—’’. 
SEC. 12105. NATIONAL AQUATIC ANIMAL HEALTH PLAN. 
Section 11013 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8322) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (d); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d). 
SEC. 12106. VETERINARY TRAINING. 
Section 10504 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment 
Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8318) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘and veterinary teams, including those 
based at colleges of veterinary medicine,’’ after ‘‘veterinarians’’; 
and 
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: 
‘‘and who are capable of providing effective services before, 
during, and after emergencies’’. 
SEC. 12107. REPORT ON FSIS GUIDANCE AND OUTREACH TO SMALL 
MEAT PROCESSORS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall offer to enter into a 
contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land- 
grant college of agriculture (as those terms are defined in section 
1404 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101)) to review the effective-
ness of existing Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance mate-
rials and other tools used by small and very small establishments, 
as defined by regulations issued by the Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, operating under Federal inspection, as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act, including— 
(1) the effectiveness of the outreach conducted by the Food 
Safety and Inspection Service to small and very small establish-
ments; 
(2) the effectiveness of the guidance materials and other 
tools used by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to assist 
small and very small establishments; and 
(3) the responsiveness of Food Safety and Inspection Service 
personnel to inquiries and issues from small and very small 
establishments. 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, 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 
that describes— 
(1) the results of the review conducted under subsection 
(a); and 
(2) recommendations on measures the Food Safety and 
Inspection Service should take to improve regulatory clarity 
and consistency and ensure all guidance materials and other 
tools take into account small and very small establishments. 
SEC. 12108. REGIONAL CATTLE AND CARCASS GRADING CORRELATION 
AND TRAINING CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish not more than 
3 regional centers, to be known as Cattle and Carcass Grading 
Correlation and Training Centers (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘Centers’’), to provide education and training for cattle and 
7 USC 1622 note. 
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132 STAT. 4944 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
carcass beef graders of the Agricultural Marketing Service, cattle 
producers, and other professionals involved in the reporting, 
delivery, and grading of feeder cattle, live cattle, and carcasses— 
(1) to limit the subjectivity in the application of beef grading 
standards; 
(2) to provide producers with greater confidence in the 
price of the producers’ cattle; and 
(3) to provide investors with both long and short positions 
more assurance in the cattle delivery system. 
(b) LOCATION.—The Centers shall be located near cattle feeding 
and slaughter populations and areas shall be strategically identified 
in order to capture regional variances in cattle production. 
(c) ADMINISTRATION.—Each Center shall be organized and 
administered by offices of the Department of Agriculture in oper-
ation on the date on which the respective Center is established, 
or in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies or aca-
demic institutions. 
(d) TRAINING PROGRAM.—The Centers shall offer intensive 
instructional programs involving classroom and field training work 
for individuals described in subsection (a). 
(e) COORDINATION OF RESOURCES.—Each Center, in carrying 
out the functions of the Center, shall make use of information 
generated by the Department of Agriculture, the State agricultural 
extension and research stations, relevant designated contract mar-
kets, and the practical experience of area cattle producers, especially 
cattle producers cooperating in on-farm demonstrations, correla-
tions, and research projects. 
(f) PROHIBITION ON CONSTRUCTION.—Funds made available to 
carry out this section shall not be used for the construction of 
a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, 
or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site 
grading and improvement, and architect fees). Notwithstanding the 
preceding sentence, the Secretary may use funds made available 
to carry out this section to provide a Center with payment for 
the cost of the rental of a space determined to be necessary by 
the Center for conducting training under this section and may 
accept donations (including in-kind contributions) to cover such 
cost. 
Subtitle B—Agriculture and Food Defense 
SEC. 12201. REPEAL OF OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
Section 14111 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008 (7 U.S.C. 8911) is repealed. 
SEC. 12202. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 221. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITION OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE.—In this 
section, the term ‘agriculture and food defense’ means any action 
to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, 
or recover from a naturally occurring, unintentional, or intentional 
threat to the agriculture and food system. 
7 USC 6922. 
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132 STAT. 4945 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the Office of Homeland Security. 
‘‘(c) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The Office of Homeland Security 
shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known 
as the Executive Director of Homeland Security. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The Executive Director of Homeland Security 
shall— 
‘‘(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on 
homeland security, including emergency management and agri-
culture and food defense; 
‘‘(2) coordinate activities of the Department, including poli-
cies, processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to home-
land security, including emergency management and agri-
culture and food defense; 
‘‘(3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department 
with other Federal departments and agencies in activities 
relating to homeland security, including emergency manage-
ment and agriculture and food defense, and provide for inter-
agency coordination and data sharing; 
‘‘(4)(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering of 
information relevant to early warning and awareness of threats 
and risks to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector; and 
‘‘(B) share that information with, and provide assistance 
with interpretation and risk characterization of that informa-
tion to, the intelligence community (as defined in section 3 
of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)), law 
enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)); 
‘‘(5) liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to 
assist in the development of periodic assessments and intel-
ligence estimates, or other intelligence products, that support 
the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector; 
‘‘(6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement 
of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness 
and response; 
‘‘(7) produce a Department-wide centralized strategic 
coordination plan to provide a high-level perspective of the 
operations of the Department relating to homeland security, 
including emergency management and agriculture and food 
defense; and 
‘‘(8) carry out other appropriate duties, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(e) AGRICULTURE AND FOOD THREAT AWARENESS PARTNERSHIP 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) INTERAGENCY EXCHANGE PROGRAM.—The Secretary, in 
partnership with the intelligence community (as defined in 
section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003)) 
and fusion centers (as defined in section 210A(j) of the Home-
land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h(j)) that have analysis 
and intelligence capabilities relating to the defense of the food 
and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, shall establish 
and carry out an interagency exchange program of personnel 
and information to improve communication and analysis for 
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132 STAT. 4946 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector. 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION
WITH
FEDERAL, STATE, AND
LOCAL 
AUTHORITIES.—To carry out the program established under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or 
contracts with Federal, State, or local authorities that have 
analysis and intelligence capabilities and expertise relating 
to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastruc-
ture sector; and 
‘‘(B) carry out any other activity under any other 
authority of the Secretary that is appropriate to engage 
the authorities described in subparagraph (A) for the 
defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure 
sector, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 12203. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEFENSE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘animal’’ has the meaning given 
the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(2) DISEASE OR PEST OF CONCERN.—The term ‘‘disease or 
pest of concern’’ means a plant or animal disease or pest that— 
(A) is— 
(i) a transboundary disease; or 
(ii) an established disease; and 
(B) is likely to pose a significant risk to the food 
and agriculture critical infrastructure sector that warrants 
efforts at prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and 
recovery. 
(3) ESTABLISHED DISEASE.—The term ‘‘established disease’’ 
means a plant or animal disease or pest that— 
(A)(i) if it becomes established, poses an imminent 
threat to agriculture in the United States; or 
(ii) has become established, as defined by the Secretary, 
within the United States; and 
(B) requires management. 
(4) HIGH-CONSEQUENCE PLANT TRANSBOUNDARY DISEASE.— 
The term ‘‘high-consequence plant transboundary disease’’ 
means a transboundary disease that is— 
(A)(i) a plant disease; or 
(ii) a plant pest; and 
(B) of high consequence, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(5) PEST.—The term ‘‘pest’’— 
(A) with respect to a plant, has the meaning given 
the term ‘‘plant pest’’ in section 403 of the Plant Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 7702); and 
(B) with respect to an animal, has the meaning given 
the term in section 10403 of the Animal Health Protection 
Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(6) PLANT.—The term ‘‘plant’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 403 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7702). 
(7) PLANT
HEALTH
MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY.—The term 
‘‘plant health management strategy’’ means a strategy to timely 
control and eradicate a plant disease or plant pest outbreak, 
7 USC 8914. 
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132 STAT. 4947 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
including through mitigation (such as chemical control), surveil-
lance, the use of diagnostic products and procedures, and the 
use of existing resistant seed stock. 
(8) TRANSBOUNDARY DISEASE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘transboundary disease’’ 
means a plant or animal disease or pest that is within 
1 or more countries outside of the United States. 
(B) INCLUSION.—The term ‘‘transboundary disease’’ 
includes a plant or animal disease or pest described in 
subparagraph (A) that— 
(i) has emerged within the United States; or 
(ii) has been introduced within the United States. 
(9) VETERINARY COUNTERMEASURE.—The term ‘‘veterinary 
countermeasure’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
10403 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8302). 
(b) DISEASE OR PEST OF CONCERN RESPONSE PLANNING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
(A) establish a list of diseases or pests of concern 
by— 
(i) developing a process to solicit and receive expert 
opinion and evidence relating to the diseases or pests 
of concern entered on the list; and 
(ii) reviewing all available evidence relating to the 
diseases or pests of concern entered on the list, 
including classified information; and 
(B) periodically update the list established under 
subparagraph (A). 
(2) RESPONSE PLANS.— 
(A) COMPREHENSIVE
STRATEGIC
RESPONSE
PLAN
OR 
PLANS.—The Secretary shall develop, in collaboration with 
appropriate Federal, State, regional, and local officials, a 
comprehensive strategic response plan or plans, as appro-
priate, for the diseases or pests of concern that are entered 
on the list established under paragraph (1). 
(B) STATE OR REGION RESPONSE PLAN OR PLANS.—The 
Secretary shall provide information to a State or region 
to assist in producing a response plan or plans that shall 
include a concept of operations for a disease or pest of 
concern or a platform concept of operations for responses 
to similar diseases or pests of concern that are determined 
to be a priority to the State or region that shall, as appro-
priate— 
(i) describe the appropriate interactions among, 
and roles of— 
(I) Federal, State, Tribal, and units of local 
government; and 
(II) plant or animal industry partners; 
(ii) include a decision matrix or dynamic decision 
modeling tools that, as appropriate, include— 
(I) information and timing requirements nec-
essary for the use of veterinary countermeasures; 
(II) plant health management strategies; 
(III) deployment of other key materials and 
resources; and 
(IV) parameters for transitioning from out-
break response to disease management; 
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132 STAT. 4948 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(iii) identify key response performance metrics to 
establish— 
(I) benchmarking to provide assessments of 
capabilities, capacity, and readiness to achieve 
response goals and objectives; 
(II) progressive exercise evaluation; and 
(III) continuing improvement of a response 
plan, including by providing for— 
(aa) ongoing exercises; 
(bb) 
improvement 
planning 
and 
the 
implementation 
of 
corrective 
actions 
to 
enhance a response plan over time; and 
(cc) strategic information to guide invest-
ment in any appropriate research to mitigate 
the risk of a disease or pest of concern; and 
(iv) be updated periodically, including in response 
to— 
(I) an exercise evaluation; or 
(II) new risk information becoming available 
regarding a disease or pest of concern. 
(3) COORDINATION OF PLANS.—Pursuant to section 221(d)(6) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, 
as added by section 12202, the Secretary shall, as appropriate, 
assist in coordinating with other appropriate Federal, State, 
regional, or local officials in the exercising of the plans devel-
oped under paragraph (2). 
(c) NATIONAL PLANT DIAGNOSTIC NETWORK.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department of Agriculture a National Plant Diagnostic Network 
to monitor and surveil through diagnostics threats to plant 
health from diseases or pests of concern in the United States. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The National Plant Diagnostic Net-
work established under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) provide for increased awareness, surveillance, early 
identification, rapid communication, warning, and diag-
nosis of a threat to plant health from a disease or pest 
of concern to protect natural and agricultural plant 
resources; 
(B) coordinate and collaborate with agencies of the 
Department of Agriculture and State agencies and authori-
ties involved in plant health; 
(C) establish diagnostic laboratory standards; 
(D) establish regional hubs throughout the United 
States that provide expertise, leadership, and support to 
diagnostic labs relating to the agricultural crops and plants 
in the covered regions of those hubs; and 
(E) establish a national repository for records of 
endemic or emergent diseases and pests of concern. 
(3) HEAD OF NETWORK.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Institute of Food and Agriculture shall serve as the head 
of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. 
(B) DUTIES.—The head of the National Plant Diag-
nostic Network shall— 
(i) coordinate and collaborate with land-grant col-
leges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
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132 STAT. 4949 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) in carrying 
out the requirements under paragraph (2), including 
through cooperative agreements described in para-
graph (4); 
(ii) partner with the Administrator of the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service for assistance with 
plant health regulation and inspection; and 
(iii) coordinate with other Federal agencies, as 
appropriate, in carrying out activities relating to the 
National Plant Diagnostic Network, including the 
sharing of biosurveillance information. 
(4) COLLABORATION
WITH
LAND-GRANT
COLLEGES
AND 
UNIVERSITIES.—The Secretary shall seek to establish coopera-
tive agreements with land-grant colleges and universities (as 
defined in section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) 
that have the appropriate level of skill, experience, and com-
petence with plant diseases or pests of concern. 
(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addition to the 
amount authorized to carry out this subtitle under section 
12205, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. 
(d) NATIONAL PLANT DISEASE RECOVERY SYSTEM.— 
(1) RECOVERY SYSTEM.—The Secretary shall establish in 
the Department of Agriculture a National Plant Disease 
Recovery System to engage in strategic long-range planning 
to recover from high-consequence plant transboundary diseases. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The National Plant Disease Recovery 
System established under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) coordinate with disease or pest of concern concept 
of operations response plans; 
(B) make long-range plans for the initiation of future 
research projects relating to high-consequence plant trans-
boundary diseases; 
(C) establish research plans for long-term recovery; 
(D) plan for the identification and use of specific 
genotypes, cultivars, breeding lines, and other disease- 
resistant materials necessary for crop stabilization or 
improvement; and 
(E) establish a watch list of high-consequence plant 
transboundary diseases for the purpose of making long- 
range plans under subparagraph (B). 
SEC. 12204. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS AND TOXINS LIST. 
Section 212(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protec-
tion Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8401(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (III), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) by redesignating subclause (IV) as subclause (V); and 
(3) by inserting after subclause (III) the following: 
‘‘(IV)(aa) whether such inclusion would have 
a substantial negative impact on the research and 
development of solutions for the animal or plant 
disease caused by the agent or toxin; and 
‘‘(bb) whether the negative impact described 
in item (aa) would substantially outweigh the risk 
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132 STAT. 4950 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
posed by the agent or toxin to animal or plant 
health if it is not included on the list; and’’. 
SEC. 12205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
In addition to other amounts made available under this subtitle, 
there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
Subtitle C—Historically Underserved 
Producers 
SEC. 12301. FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH. 
(a) REPEAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 7405 of the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 3319f) is repealed. 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 226B(e)(2)(B) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934(e)(2)(B)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘the beginning farmer and rancher 
development program established under section 7405 of 
the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 
U.S.C. 3319f).’’ and inserting ‘‘the beginning farmer and 
rancher development grant program established under sub-
section (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).’’. 
(B) Section 251(f)(1)(D) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(1)(D)) 
is amended by striking clause (iv) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(iv) The beginning farmer and rancher develop-
ment grant program established under subsection (d) 
of section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279).’’. 
(C) Section 7506(e) of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614c(e)) is amended— 
(i) in paragraph (2)(C)— 
(I) by striking clause (v); 
(II) by redesignating clauses (i) through (iv) 
as clauses (ii) through (v), respectively; 
(III) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so 
redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(i) each grant and cooperative agreement awarded 
under subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279);’’; 
(IV) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by 
striking ‘‘450i(b)(2));’’ and inserting ‘‘3157(b)(2));’’; 
and 
(V) in clause (iv) (as so redesignated), by 
adding ‘‘and’’ at the end; and 
(ii) in paragraph (4)— 
(I) by striking subparagraph (E); 
(II) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(A) 
through (D) as subparagraphs (B) through (E), 
respectively; 
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132 STAT. 4951 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(III) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as 
so redesignated) the following: 
‘‘(A) subsection (d) of section 2501 of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279);’’; 
(IV) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘450i(b));’’ and inserting ‘‘3157(b));’’; 
(V) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated), 
by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(VI) in subparagraph (E) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting a period. 
(b) OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED 
FARMERS AND RANCHERS, VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS, AND 
BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS.—Section 2501 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting ‘‘FARMING 
OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (i) as paragraph (5) (and 
moving the margins of such paragraph 2 ems to the right) 
and moving such paragraph (as so redesignated) so as to follow 
subsection (a)(4); 
(3) by redesignating subsections (a) (as amended by para-
graph (2)), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), and (h) as subsections (c), 
(g), (k), (h), (a), (i), and (j), respectively, and moving the sub-
sections so as to appear in alphabetical order; 
(4) by moving paragraph (5) of subsection (a) (as so redesig-
nated) so as to appear at the end of subsection (c) (as so 
redesignated) and redesignating such paragraph as paragraph 
(6); 
(5) in subsection (a) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) by striking the subsection designation and heading 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and 
(6) as paragraphs (6), (5), (1), (3), and (4), respectively, 
and moving the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical 
order; 
(C) in paragraphs (1), (5), and (6) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘As used in this section, the’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘The’’; 
(D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘AGRI-
CULTURE’’ and inserting ‘‘AGRICULTURAL’’; and 
(ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘agriculture’’ and inserting ‘‘agricultural’’; and 
(E) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(2) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ means a person that— 
‘‘(A)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; or 
‘‘(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 
10 years; and 
‘‘(B) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may 
establish.’’; 
(6) by inserting after subsection (a) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
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132 STAT. 4952 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(b) FARMING OPPORTUNITIES TRAINING AND OUTREACH.—The 
Secretary shall carry out this section to encourage and assist socially 
disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, veteran farmers and ranchers, 
and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation 
of farms and ranches through— 
‘‘(1) education and training; and 
‘‘(2) equitable participation in all agricultural programs 
of the Department.’’; 
(7) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated and as amended 
by paragraph (4))— 
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘FOR 
SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED
AND VETERAN FARMERS
AND 
RANCHERS’’ after ‘‘ASSISTANCE’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (4); 
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (6) 
as paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (1), respectively, and moving 
the paragraphs so as to appear in numerical order; 
(D) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘The term’’ and inserting ‘‘In this subsection, 
the term’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ‘‘subsection 
(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘this subsection’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ‘‘450b))’’ and 
inserting ‘‘5304))’’; 
(E) in paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Using funds made available under sub-
section (l), the Secretary of Agriculture shall, for the 
period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, carry out’’; 
and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘agricultural’’ 
and inserting ‘‘agricultural, forestry, and related’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘agricultural’’ and inserting ‘‘agri-
cultural, forestry, and related’’; 
(F) in paragraph (3) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘(1)’’ in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and 
inserting ‘‘(2)’’; and 
(G) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking the subparagraph heading and 
inserting ‘‘OUTREACH
AND
TECHNICAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.—’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘(2)’’ and inserting ‘‘(3)’’; and 
(III) by inserting ‘‘to socially disadvantaged 
farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers and 
ranchers’’ after ‘‘assistance’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ‘‘(1)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(2)’’; 
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(v) The number of farms or ranches started, main-
tained, or improved as a result of funds made available 
under the program. 
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132 STAT. 4953 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(vi) Actions taken by the Secretary in partnership 
with eligible entities to enhance participation in agri-
cultural programs by veteran farmers or ranchers and 
socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(vii) The effectiveness of the actions described 
in clause (vi).’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(E) MAXIMUM TERM AND AMOUNT OF GRANT, CONTRACT, 
OR AGREEMENT.—A grant, contract, or agreement entered 
into under subparagraph (A) shall be— 
‘‘(i) for a term of not longer than 3 years; and 
‘‘(ii) in an amount that is not more than $250,000 
for each year of the grant, contract, or agreement. 
‘‘(F) PRIORITY.—In making grants and entering into 
contracts and other agreements under subparagraph (A), 
the Secretary shall give priority to nongovernmental and 
community-based organizations with an expertise in 
working with socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
or veteran farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(G) REGIONAL
BALANCE.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical 
diversity of eligible entities to which grants are made and 
contracts and other agreements are entered into under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(H) PROHIBITION.—A grant, contract, or other agree-
ment under subparagraph (A) may not be used for the 
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction 
of a building or facility. 
‘‘(I) PEER REVIEW.—The Secretary shall establish a fair 
and efficient external peer review process that— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary shall use in making grants and 
entering into contracts and other agreements under 
subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(ii) shall include a broad representation of peers 
of the eligible entity. 
‘‘(J) INPUT
FROM
ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES.—The Secretary 
shall seek input from eligible entities providing technical 
assistance under this subsection not less than once each 
year to ensure that the program is responsive to the eligible 
entities providing that technical assistance.’’; 
(8) by inserting after subsection (c) (as so redesignated) 
the following: 
‘‘(d) BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER DEVELOPMENT GRANT 
PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Using funds made available under sub-
section (l), the Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, shall, for the period 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, make competitive grants 
or enter into cooperative agreements to support new and estab-
lished local and regional training, education, outreach, and 
technical assistance initiatives to increase opportunities for 
beginning farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(2) 
INCLUDED
PROGRAMS
AND
SERVICES.—Initiatives 
described in paragraph (1) may include programs or services, 
as appropriate, relating to— 
‘‘(A) basic livestock, forest management, and crop 
farming practices; 
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132 STAT. 4954 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial 
forest land transfer and succession strategies; 
‘‘(C) entrepreneurship and business training; 
‘‘(D) technical assistance to help beginning farmers 
or ranchers acquire land from retiring farmers and 
ranchers; 
‘‘(E) financial and risk management training, including 
the acquisition and management of agricultural credit; 
‘‘(F) natural resource management and planning; 
‘‘(G) diversification and marketing strategies; 
‘‘(H) curriculum development; 
‘‘(I) mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships; 
‘‘(J) resources and referral; 
‘‘(K) farm financial benchmarking; 
‘‘(L) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training 
for veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(M) farm safety and awareness; 
‘‘(N) food safety and recordkeeping; and 
‘‘(O) other similar subject areas of use to beginning 
farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
or enter into a cooperative agreement under this subsection, 
the recipient of the grant or participant in the cooperative 
agreement shall be a collaborative State, Tribal, local, or 
regionally-based network or partnership of public or private 
entities. 
‘‘(B) INCLUSIONS.—A recipient of a grant or a partici-
pant that enters into a cooperative agreement described 
in subparagraph (A) may include— 
‘‘(i) a State cooperative extension service; 
‘‘(ii) a Federal, State, municipal, or Tribal agency; 
‘‘(iii) a community-based or nongovernmental 
organization; 
‘‘(iv) a college or university (including an institu-
tion awarding an associate’s degree) or foundation 
maintained by a college or university; or 
‘‘(v) any other appropriate partner, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) TERMS OF GRANTS OR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—A 
grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall— 
‘‘(A) be for a term of not longer than 3 years; and 
‘‘(B) provide not more than $250,000 for each year. 
‘‘(5) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), to be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a coopera-
tive agreement under this subsection, a recipient or partici-
pant shall provide a match in the form of cash or in- 
kind contributions in an amount equal to 25 percent of 
the funds provided by the grant or cooperative agreement. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—The Secretary may waive or reduce 
the matching requirement in subparagraph (A) if the Sec-
retary determines such a waiver or modification is nec-
essary to effectively reach an underserved area or popu-
lation. 
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132 STAT. 4955 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(6) EVALUATION CRITERIA.—In making grants or entering 
into cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall evaluate, with respect to applications for the grants 
or cooperative agreements— 
‘‘(A) relevancy; 
‘‘(B) technical merit; 
‘‘(C) achievability; 
‘‘(D) the expertise and track record of 1 or more 
applicants; 
‘‘(E) the consultation of beginning farmers and ranchers 
in design, implementation, and decisionmaking relating to 
an initiative described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(F) the adequacy of plans for— 
‘‘(i) a participatory evaluation process; 
‘‘(ii) outcome-based reporting; and 
‘‘(iii) the communication of findings and results 
beyond the immediate target audience; and 
‘‘(G) other appropriate factors, as determined by the 
Secretary. 
‘‘(7) REGIONAL BALANCE.—To the maximum extent prac-
ticable, the Secretary shall ensure the geographical diversity 
of recipients of grants or participants in cooperative agreements 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(8) PRIORITY.—In making grants or entering into coopera-
tive agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give 
priority to partnerships and collaborations that are led by or 
include nongovernmental, community-based organizations and 
school-based educational organizations with expertise in new 
agricultural producer training and outreach. 
‘‘(9) PROHIBITION.—A grant made or cooperative agreement 
entered into under this subsection may not be used for the 
planning, repair, rehabilitation, acquisition, or construction of 
a building or facility. 
‘‘(10) COORDINATION PERMITTED.—A recipient of a grant 
or participant in a cooperative agreement under this subsection 
may coordinate with a recipient of a grant or cooperative agree-
ment under section 1680 in addressing the needs of veteran 
farmers and ranchers with disabilities. 
‘‘(11) CONSECUTIVE AWARDS.—A grant or cooperative agree-
ment under this subsection may be made to a recipient or 
participant for consecutive years. 
‘‘(12) PEER REVIEW.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a fair 
and efficient external peer review process, which the Sec-
retary shall use in making grants or entering into coopera-
tive agreements under this subsection. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—The peer review process under 
subparagraph (A) shall include a review panel composed 
of a broad representation of peers of the applicant for 
the grant or cooperative agreement that are not applying 
for a grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection. 
‘‘(13) PARTICIPATION BY OTHER FARMERS AND RANCHERS.— 
Nothing in this subsection prohibits the Secretary from allowing 
a farmer or rancher who is not a beginning farmer or rancher 
(including an owner or operator that has ended, or expects 
to end within 5 years, active labor in a farming or ranching 
operation as a producer, retiring farmers, and non-farming 
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132 STAT. 4956 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
landowners) from participating in a program or service under 
this subsection, to the extent that the Secretary determines 
that such participation— 
‘‘(A) is appropriate; and 
‘‘(B) will not detract from the primary purpose of 
increasing 
opportunities 
for 
beginning 
farmers 
and 
ranchers. 
‘‘(14) EDUCATION TEAMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish begin-
ning farmer and rancher education teams to develop cur-
ricula, conduct educational programs and workshops for 
beginning farmers and ranchers in diverse geographical 
areas of the United States, or provide training and tech-
nical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers or 
ranchers or for trainers and service providers that work 
with beginning farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(B) CURRICULUM.—In promoting the development of 
curricula, educational programs and workshops, or training 
and technical assistance initiatives under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, 
include content tailored to specific audiences of beginning 
farmers and ranchers, based on crop diversity or regional 
diversity. 
‘‘(C) COMPOSITION.—In establishing an education team 
under subparagraph (A) for a specific program or workshop, 
the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable— 
‘‘(i) obtain the short-term services of specialists 
with knowledge and expertise in programs serving 
beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) use officers and employees of the Department 
with direct experience in programs of the Department 
that may be taught as part of the curriculum for the 
program or workshop. 
‘‘(D) COOPERATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this subsection, 
the Secretary shall cooperate, to the maximum extent 
practicable, with— 
‘‘(I) State cooperative extension services; 
‘‘(II) Federal, State, and Tribal agencies; 
‘‘(III) community-based and nongovernmental 
organizations; 
‘‘(IV) colleges and universities (including an 
institution awarding an associate’s degree) or 
foundations maintained by a college or university; 
and 
‘‘(V) other appropriate partners, as determined 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(ii) COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary 
may enter into a cooperative agreement to reflect the 
terms of any cooperation under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(15) CURRICULUM
AND
TRAINING
CLEARINGHOUSE.—The 
Secretary shall establish an online clearinghouse that makes 
available to beginning farmers and ranchers education curricula 
and training materials and programs, which may include online 
courses for direct use by beginning farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(e) APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—In making grants and 
entering into contracts and other agreements, as applicable, under 
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132 STAT. 4957 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
subsections (c) and (d), the Secretary shall make available a sim-
plified application process for an application for a grant that 
requests less than $50,000.’’; 
(9) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(f) STAKEHOLDER INPUT.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall seek stakeholder input from— 
‘‘(1) beginning farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(2) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(3) veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(4) national, State, Tribal, and local organizations and 
other persons with expertise in operating programs for— 
‘‘(A) beginning farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(B) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; or 
‘‘(C) veteran farmers and ranchers; 
‘‘(5) the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and 
Ranchers established under section 5(b) of the Agricultural 
Credit Improvement Act of 1992 (7 U.S.C. 1929 note; Public 
Law 102–554); 
‘‘(6) the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers estab-
lished under section 14008 of the Food, Conservation, and 
Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2279 note; Public Law 110– 
246); and 
‘‘(7) the Tribal Advisory Committee established under sub-
section (b) of section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform 
and Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6921).’’; 
(10) in paragraph (3) of subsection (h) (as so redesignated), 
by inserting ‘‘and not later than March 1, 2020,’’ after ‘‘1991,’’; 
and 
(11) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(l) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) MANDATORY FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity 
Credit Corporation, the Secretary shall use to carry out this 
section— 
‘‘(A) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020; 
‘‘(B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 
‘‘(C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and 
‘‘(D) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
year thereafter. 
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is author-
ized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
‘‘(3) RESERVATION OF FUNDS.—Of the amounts made avail-
able to carry out this section— 
‘‘(A) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection 
(c); and 
‘‘(B) 50 percent shall be used to carry out subsection 
(d). 
‘‘(4) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not less than 5 percent of the 
amounts made available to carry out subsection (d) for 
a fiscal year shall be used to support programs and services 
that address the needs of— 
‘‘(i) limited resource beginning farmers and 
ranchers, as defined by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers 
that are beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
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132 STAT. 4958 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) farmworkers desiring to become farmers or 
ranchers. 
‘‘(B) VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.—Not less than 
5 percent of the amounts made available to carry out 
subsection (d) for a fiscal year shall be used to support 
programs and services that address the needs of veteran 
farmers and ranchers. 
‘‘(5) INTERAGENCY FUNDING.—Any agency of the Depart-
ment may participate in any grant, contract, or agreement 
entered into under this section by contributing funds, if the 
contributing agency determines that the objectives of the grant, 
contract, or agreement will further the authorized programs 
of the contributing agency. 
‘‘(6) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.—Not more than 5 percent 
of the amounts made available to carry out this section for 
a fiscal year may be used for expenses relating to the adminis-
tration of this section. 
‘‘(7) LIMITATION ON INDIRECT COSTS.—A recipient of a grant 
or a party to a contract or other agreement under subsection 
(c) or (d) may not use more than 10 percent of the funds 
received for the indirect costs of carrying out a grant, contract, 
or other agreement.’’. 
SEC. 12302. URBAN AGRICULTURE. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6911 et seq.) (as amended by section 12202) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 222. OFFICE OF URBAN AGRICULTURE AND INNOVATIVE 
PRODUCTION. 
‘‘(a) OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production. 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.—The Secretary shall appoint a senior offi-
cial to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture 
and Innovative Production (referred to in this section as the 
‘Director’). 
‘‘(3) MISSION.—The mission of the Office of Urban Agri-
culture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage and 
promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural prac-
tices, including— 
‘‘(A) community gardens and farms located in urban 
areas, suburbs, and urban clusters; 
‘‘(B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and 
green walls; 
‘‘(C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical 
technology farms; 
‘‘(D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facili-
ties; and 
‘‘(E) other innovations in agricultural production, as 
determined by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director shall be responsible 
for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described 
in paragraph (3), including by— 
‘‘(A) managing programs, including for community gar-
dens, urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical 
production; 
7 USC 6923. 
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132 STAT. 4959 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) advising the Secretary; 
‘‘(C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of 
the Department to update relevant programs; 
‘‘(D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing 
external partnerships; 
‘‘(E) identifying common State and municipal best prac-
tices for navigating local policies; 
‘‘(F) coordinating networks of community gardens and 
facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership 
with the Food and Nutrition Service; and 
‘‘(G) collaborating with other Federal agencies. 
‘‘(b) 
URBAN
AGRICULTURE
AND
INNOVATIVE
PRODUCTION 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish an 
Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Com-
mittee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Committee’) to 
advise the Secretary on— 
‘‘(A) the development of policies and outreach relating 
to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural produc-
tion practices; and 
‘‘(B) any other aspects of the implementation of this 
section. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall be composed 
of 12 members, of whom— 
‘‘(i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural 
producers, of whom— 
‘‘(I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural pro-
ducers located in an urban area or urban cluster; 
and 
‘‘(II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use 
innovative technology; 
‘‘(ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution 
of higher education or extension program; 
‘‘(iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a 
nonprofit organization, which may include a public 
health, environmental, or community organization; 
‘‘(iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents busi-
ness and economic development, which may include 
a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, 
a city government, or a planning organization; 
‘‘(v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain 
experience, which may include a food aggregator, 
wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual 
who has direct-to-consumer market experience; 
‘‘(vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing 
entity; and 
‘‘(vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience 
or expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agri-
culture production practices, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—The Secretary shall 
appoint the members of the Committee not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
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132 STAT. 4960 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for 
a term of 3 years. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—Of the members first 
appointed to the Committee— 
‘‘(i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; 
‘‘(ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and 
‘‘(iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Sec-
retary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year. 
‘‘(C) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Committee— 
‘‘(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; 
and 
‘‘(ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
‘‘(D) CONSECUTIVE TERMS.—An initial appointee of the 
committee may serve an additional consecutive term if 
the member is reappointed by the Secretary. 
‘‘(4) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) FREQUENCY.—The Committee shall meet not fewer 
than 3 times per year. 
‘‘(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date on which the members are appointed under para-
graph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting 
of the Committee. 
‘‘(5) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall— 
‘‘(i) develop recommendations and advise the 
Director on policies, initiatives, and outreach adminis-
tered by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative 
Production; 
‘‘(ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and 
extension activities relating to urban, indoor, and other 
innovative agricultural practices; 
‘‘(iii) identify new and existing barriers to success-
ful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural 
production practices; and 
‘‘(iv) provide additional assistance and advice to 
the Director as appropriate. 
‘‘(B) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
on which the Committee is established, and every 2 years 
through 2023, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a report describing the recommenda-
tions developed under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(6) PERSONNEL MATTERS.— 
‘‘(A) COMPENSATION.—A member of the Committee 
shall serve without compensation. 
‘‘(B) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Committee 
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(7) TERMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), the 
Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years 
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132 STAT. 4961 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
after the date on which the members are appointed under 
paragraph (2)(B). 
‘‘(B) EXTENSIONS.—Before the date on which the Com-
mittee terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee 
for 1 or more 2-year periods. 
‘‘(c) GRANTS.—The Director shall award competitive grants to 
support the development of urban agriculture and innovative 
production to any of the following eligible entities: 
‘‘(1) A nonprofit organization. 
‘‘(2) A unit of local government. 
‘‘(3) A Tribal government. 
‘‘(4) Any school that serves any of grades kindergarten 
through grade 12. 
‘‘(d) PILOT PROJECTS.— 
‘‘(1) URBAN AND SUBURBAN COUNTY COMMITTEES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall estab-
lish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that estab-
lishes 10 county committees in accordance with section 
8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic 
Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) to operate 
in counties located in urban or suburban areas with a 
high concentration of urban or suburban farms. 
‘‘(B) EFFECT.—Nothing in this paragraph requires or 
precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office 
in a county in which a county committee is established 
under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(C) REPORT.—For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, 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 describing 
a summary of— 
‘‘(i) the status of the pilot program under subpara-
graph (A); 
‘‘(ii) meetings and other activities of the commit-
tees established under that subparagraph; and 
‘‘(iii) the types and volume of assistance and serv-
ices provided to farmers in counties in which county 
committees are established under that subparagraph. 
‘‘(2) INCREASING COMMUNITY COMPOST AND REDUCING FOOD 
WASTE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the 
Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements 
with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 
10 States to develop and test strategies for planning and 
implementing municipal compost plans and food waste 
reduction plans. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES
AND
PURPOSES
OF
PILOT 
PROJECTS.—Under a cooperative agreement entered into 
under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assist-
ance to municipalities, counties, local governments, or city 
planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and imple-
menting activities that will— 
‘‘(i) generate compost; 
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132 STAT. 4962 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(ii) increase access to compost for agricultural 
producers; 
‘‘(iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fer-
tilizer; 
‘‘(iv) improve soil quality; 
‘‘(v) 
encourage 
waste 
management 
and 
permaculture business development; 
‘‘(vi) increase rainwater absorption; 
‘‘(vii) reduce municipal food waste; and 
‘‘(viii) divert food waste from landfills. 
‘‘(C) EVALUATION AND RANKING OF APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(i) CRITERIA.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
establish criteria for the selection of pilot projects 
under this paragraph. 
‘‘(ii) CONSIDERATION.—In selecting, undertaking, or 
funding pilot projects under this paragraph, the Sec-
retary shall consider any commonly known significant 
impact on existing food waste recovery and disposal 
by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. 
‘‘(iii) PRIORITY.—In selecting a pilot project under 
this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to 
an application for a pilot project that— 
‘‘(I) anticipates or demonstrates economic 
benefits; 
‘‘(II) incorporates plans to make compost easily 
accessible to agricultural producers, including 
community gardeners; 
‘‘(III) integrates other food waste strategies, 
including food recovery efforts; and 
‘‘(IV) provides for collaboration with multiple 
partners. 
‘‘(D) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The recipient of assist-
ance for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide 
funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from 
sources other than funds provided through the grant in 
an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount 
of the grant. 
‘‘(E) EVALUATION.—The Secretary shall conduct an 
evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph 
to assess different solutions for increasing access to compost 
and reducing municipal food waste, including an evaluation 
of— 
‘‘(i) the amount of Federal funds used for each 
project; and 
‘‘(ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each project. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments 
made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023.’’. 
SEC. 12303. TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
Section 309 of the Federal Crop Insurance Reform and Depart-
ment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6921) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
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132 STAT. 4963 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) TRIBAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) 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. 
5304). 
‘‘(B) RELEVANT COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—The term 
‘relevant committees of Congress’ means— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; and 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(C) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘tribal organiza-
tion’ has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an 
advisory committee, to be known as the Tribal Advisory 
Committee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘Com-
mittee’) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary 
on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs. 
‘‘(B) FACILITATION.—The Committee shall facilitate, but 
not 
supplant, 
government-to-government 
consultation 
between the Department of Agriculture (referred to in this 
subsection as the ‘Department’) and Indian tribes. 
‘‘(3) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) COMPOSITION.—The Committee shall be composed 
of 11 members, of whom— 
‘‘(i) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary; 
‘‘(ii) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; 
‘‘(iii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; 
‘‘(iv) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
of the Senate; 
‘‘(v) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate; 
‘‘(vi) 2 shall be appointed by the chairperson of 
the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
‘‘(vii) 2 shall be appointed by the ranking member 
of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
‘‘(B) 
NOMINATIONS.—The 
Secretary 
shall 
accept 
nominations for members of the Committee from any of 
the following: 
‘‘(i) An Indian tribe. 
‘‘(ii) A tribal organization. 
‘‘(iii) A national or regional organization with 
expertise in issues relating to the duties of the Com-
mittee described in paragraph (4). 
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132 STAT. 4964 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) DIVERSITY.—To the maximum extent feasible, the 
Secretary shall ensure that the members of the Committee 
represent a diverse set of expertise on issues relating to 
geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the agricultural 
industry. 
‘‘(D) LIMITATION.—No member of the Committee shall 
be an officer or employee of the Federal Government. 
‘‘(E) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Each member of the Com-
mittee— 
‘‘(I) subject to clause (ii), shall be appointed 
to a 3-year term; and 
‘‘(II) may be reappointed to not more than 
3 consecutive terms. 
‘‘(ii) INITIAL
STAGGERING.—The first 3 appoint-
ments by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall 
be for a 2-year term. 
‘‘(iii) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Committee 
shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
appointment not more than 90 days after the date 
on which the position becomes vacant. 
‘‘(F) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall meet in 
person not less than twice each year. 
‘‘(ii) OFFICE
OF
TRIBAL
RELATIONS
REPRESENTA-
TIVE.—Not fewer than 1 representative from the Office 
of Tribal Relations of the Department shall be present 
at each meeting of the Committee. 
‘‘(iii) DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR REPRESENTATIVE.— 
The Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the 
Department of the Interior (or a designee) shall be 
present at each meeting of the Committee. 
‘‘(iv) NONVOTING REPRESENTATIVES.—The individ-
uals described in clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting 
representatives at meetings of the Committee. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES OF COMMITTEE.—The Committee shall— 
‘‘(A) identify evolving issues of relevance to Indian 
tribes relating to programs of the Department; 
‘‘(B) communicate to the Secretary the issues identified 
under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(C) submit to the Secretary recommendations for, and 
solutions to— 
‘‘(i) the issues identified under subparagraph (A); 
‘‘(ii) issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or 
national level; and 
‘‘(iii) issues relating to any Tribal consultation car-
ried out by the Department; 
‘‘(D) discuss issues and proposals for changes to the 
regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department 
that impact Indian tribes; 
‘‘(E) identify priorities and provide advice on appro-
priate strategies for Tribal consultation on issues at the 
Tribal, regional, or national level regarding the Depart-
ment; 
‘‘(F) ensure that pertinent issues of the Department 
are brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely 
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132 STAT. 4965 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
manner so that timely feedback from an Indian tribe can 
be obtained; and 
‘‘(G) identify and propose solutions to any interdepart-
mental barrier between the Department and other Federal 
agencies. 
‘‘(5) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than once each 
year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and 
the relevant committees of Congress a report that 
describes— 
‘‘(i) the activities of the Committee during the pre-
vious year; and 
‘‘(ii) recommendations for legislative or administra-
tive action for the following year. 
‘‘(B) RESPONSE FROM SECRETARY.—Not more than 45 
days after the date on which the Secretary receives a 
report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit 
a written response to that report to— 
‘‘(i) the Committee; and 
‘‘(ii) the relevant committees of Congress. 
‘‘(6) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—Members of the Com-
mittee shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which 
the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of 
the Committee. 
‘‘(7) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT EXEMPTION.—Sec-
tion 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Committee.’’. 
SEC. 12304. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION. 
Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506 and 12301(a)(1)) 
is further amended by inserting after section 7403 (7 U.S.C. 3119b 
note; Public Law 107–171) the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7404. BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATION. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) BEGINNING FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘beginning 
farmer or rancher’ has the meaning given such term in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)). 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL COORDINATOR.—The term ‘National Coordi-
nator’ means the National Beginning Farmer and Rancher 
Coordinator established under subsection (b)(1). 
‘‘(3) STATE
COORDINATOR.—The term ‘State coordinator’ 
means a State beginning farmer and rancher coordinator des-
ignated under subsection (c)(1)(A). 
‘‘(4) STATE OFFICE.—The term ‘State office’ means— 
‘‘(A) a State office of— 
‘‘(i) the Farm Service Agency; 
‘‘(ii) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; 
‘‘(iii) the Rural Business-Cooperative Service; or 
‘‘(iv) the Rural Utilities Service; or 
‘‘(B) a regional office of the Risk Management Agency. 
‘‘(b) NATIONAL BEGINNING FARMER
AND RANCHER COORDI-
NATOR.— 
7 USC 6934a. 
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132 STAT. 4966 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of National Beginning Farmer and 
Rancher Coordinator. 
‘‘(2) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The National Coordinator shall— 
‘‘(i) advise the Secretary and coordinate activities 
of the Department on programs, policies, and issues 
relating to beginning farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) in consultation with the applicable State food 
and agriculture council, determine whether to approve 
a plan submitted by a State coordinator under sub-
section (c)(3)(B). 
‘‘(B) DISCRETIONARY DUTIES.—Additional duties of the 
National Coordinator may include— 
‘‘(i) developing and implementing new strategies— 
‘‘(I) for outreach to beginning farmers and 
ranchers; and 
‘‘(II) to assist beginning farmers and ranchers 
with connecting to owners or operators that have 
ended, or expect to end within 5 years, actively 
owning or operating a farm or ranch; and 
‘‘(ii) facilitating interagency and interdepartmental 
collaboration on issues relating to beginning farmers 
and ranchers. 
‘‘(3) REPORTS.—Not less frequently than once each year, 
the National Coordinator shall distribute within the Depart-
ment and make publicly available a report describing the status 
of steps taken to carry out the duties described in subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2). 
‘‘(4) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—In car-
rying out the duties under paragraph (2), the National Coordi-
nator may enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with 
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), coopera-
tive extension services (as defined in section 1404 of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)), or a nonprofit organization— 
‘‘(A) to conduct research on the profitability of new 
farms in operation for not less than 5 years in a region; 
‘‘(B) to develop educational materials; 
‘‘(C) to conduct workshops, courses, training, or cer-
tified vocational training; or 
‘‘(D) to conduct mentoring activities. 
‘‘(c) STATE BEGINNING FARMER AND RANCHER COORDINATORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(A) DESIGNATION.—The National Coordinator, in con-
sultation with State food and agriculture councils and direc-
tors of State offices, shall designate in each State a State 
beginning farmer and rancher coordinator from among 
employees of State offices. 
‘‘(B) REQUIREMENTS.—To be designated as a State 
coordinator, an employee shall— 
‘‘(i) be familiar with issues relating to beginning 
farmers and ranchers; and 
‘‘(ii) have the ability to coordinate with other Fed-
eral departments and agencies. 
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132 STAT. 4967 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(2) TRAINING.—The Secretary shall develop a training plan 
to provide to each State coordinator knowledge of programs 
and services available from the Department for beginning 
farmers and ranchers, taking into consideration the needs of 
all production types and sizes of agricultural operations. 
‘‘(3) DUTIES.—A State coordinator shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate technical assistance at the State level 
to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in accessing pro-
grams of the Department; 
‘‘(B) develop and submit to the National Coordinator 
for approval under subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii) a State plan to 
improve the coordination, delivery, and efficacy of programs 
of the Department to beginning farmers and ranchers, 
taking into consideration the needs of all types of produc-
tion methods and sizes of agricultural operation, at each 
county and area office in the State; 
‘‘(C) oversee implementation of an approved State plan 
described in subparagraph (B); 
‘‘(D) work with outreach coordinators in the State 
offices to ensure appropriate information about technical 
assistance is available at outreach events and activities; 
and 
‘‘(E) coordinate partnerships and joint outreach efforts 
with other organizations and government agencies serving 
beginning farmers and ranchers.’’. 
SEC. 12305. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR. 
Subtitle D of title VII of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (as amended by sections 7506, section 12301(a)(1), 
and 12304) is further amended by inserting after section 7404, 
as added by section 12304, the following: 
‘‘SEC. 7405. AGRICULTURAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION COORDINATOR. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Agricultural Youth Organization Coordi-
nator. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Agricultural Youth Organization Coordinator 
shall— 
‘‘(1) promote the role of youth-serving organizations and 
school-based agricultural education in motivating and preparing 
young people to pursue careers in the agriculture, food, and 
natural resources systems; 
‘‘(2) work to help build youth awareness of the reach and 
importance of agriculture, across a diversity of fields and dis-
ciplines; 
‘‘(3) identify short-term and long-term interests of the 
Department and provide opportunities, resources, input, and 
coordination with programs and agencies of the Department 
to youth-serving organizations and school-based agricultural 
education, including the development of internship opportuni-
ties; 
‘‘(4) share, internally and externally, the extent to which 
active steps are being taken to encourage collaboration with, 
and support of, youth-serving organizations and school-based 
agricultural education; 
‘‘(5) provide information to youth involved in food and 
agriculture organizations concerning the availability of, and 
7 USC 6934b. 
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132 STAT. 4968 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural pro-
grams, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and 
rancher programs; 
‘‘(6) serve as a resource for assisting youth involved in 
food and agriculture organizations in applying for participation 
in agriculture; and 
‘‘(7) advocate on behalf of youth involved in food and agri-
culture organizations in interactions with employees of the 
Department. 
‘‘(c) CONTRACTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—For purposes 
of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Agricultural 
Youth Organization Coordinator shall consult with the cooperative 
extension and the land-grant university systems, and may enter 
into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers 
of the Agricultural Research Service, cooperative extension and 
the land-grant university systems, non-land-grant colleges of agri-
culture, or nonprofit organizations for— 
‘‘(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability 
of small farms; 
‘‘(2) the development of educational materials; 
‘‘(3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified voca-
tional training; 
‘‘(4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or 
‘‘(5) the provision of internship opportunities.’’. 
SEC. 12306. AVAILABILITY OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PRO-
GRAMS FOR VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS. 
(a) DEFINITION OF VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—Paragraph 
(7) of subsection (a) (as redesignated by section 12301(b)(3)) of 
section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
defined) during the most recent 10-year period.’’. 
(b) FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE.— 
(1) DEFINITION OF VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—Section 
502(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1502(b)) 
(as amended by section 11101) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(14) VETERAN FARMER OR RANCHER.—The term ‘veteran 
farmer or rancher’ means a farmer or rancher who— 
‘‘(A) has served in the Armed Forces (as defined in 
section 101 of title 38, United States Code); and 
‘‘(B)(i) has not operated a farm or ranch; 
‘‘(ii) has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 
5 years; or 
‘‘(iii) is a veteran (as defined in section 101 of that 
title) who has first obtained status as a veteran (as so 
defined) during the most recent 5-year period.’’. 
(2) CROP
INSURANCE.—Section 508 of the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1508) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (b)(5)(E)— 
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132 STAT. 4969 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(i) by striking ‘‘The Corporation’’ and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Corporation’’; and 
(ii) in clause (i) (as so designated), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘, 
and veteran farmers or ranchers. 
‘‘(ii) COORDINATION.—The Corporation shall coordi-
nate with other agencies of the Department that pro-
vide programs or services to farmers and ranchers 
described in clause (i) to make available coverage under 
the waiver under that clause and to share eligibility 
information to reduce paperwork and avoid duplica-
tion.’’; 
(B) in subsection (e)(8)— 
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND 
VETERAN’’ after ‘‘BEGINNING’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmer or rancher’’ 
after ‘‘beginning farmer or rancher’’ each place it 
appears; and 
(C) in subsection (g)— 
(i) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), in the matter preceding 
subclause (I), by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmer or 
rancher’’ after ‘‘beginning farmer or rancher’’ each place 
it appears; and 
(ii) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii)(II), by inserting ‘‘and 
veteran farmers or ranchers’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers 
or ranchers’’. 
(3) EDUCATION AND RISK MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.—Para-
graph (3) of section 524(a) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act 
(7 U.S.C. 1524(a)), as redesignated by section 11125(a)(3), is 
amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (D)(ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) veteran farmers or ranchers.’’. 
(c) DOWN PAYMENT LOAN PROGRAM.—Section 310E of the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1935) 
is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘qualified beginning 
farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers’’ and inserting ‘‘eligible farmers or ranchers’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘recipients of the 
loans’’ and inserting ‘‘farmers or ranchers’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) encourage retiring farmers and ranchers to assist in 
the sale of their farms and ranches to eligible farmers or 
ranchers by providing seller financing;’’; 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ‘‘for beginning farmers 
or ranchers or socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers’’ 
and inserting the following: ‘‘for— 
‘‘(A) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(B) socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, as 
defined in section 355(e); or 
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132 STAT. 4970 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(C) veteran farmers or ranchers, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)); and’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘a qualified beginning 
farmer or rancher or socially disadvantaged farmer or 
rancher’’ and inserting ‘‘an eligible farmer or rancher’’; 
and 
(3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE FARMER OR RANCHER.—In this 
section, the term ‘eligible farmer or rancher’ means— 
‘‘(1) a qualified beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(2) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher, as defined 
in section 355(e); and 
‘‘(3) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).’’. 
(d) INTEREST RATE REDUCTION PROGRAM.—Section 351(e)(2)(B) 
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 
1999(e)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) in the subparagraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AND VET-
ERAN’’ after ‘‘BEGINNING’’; 
(2) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘or veteran farmers and 
ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))’’ before 
the period at the end; and 
(3) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘beginning’’. 
(e) NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY TRAINING, EDUCATION, EXTENSION, 
OUTREACH, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 405(c) 
of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform 
Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7625(c)) is amended by inserting ‘‘veteran 
farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a))),’’ after ‘‘socially disadvantaged farmers,’’. 
(f) ADMINISTRATION
AND OPERATION
OF NONINSURED CROP 
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—Section 196 of the Federal Agriculture 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7333) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (k)(2), by inserting ‘‘, or a veteran farmer 
or rancher (as defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agri-
culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a)))’’ before the period at the end; and 
(2) in subsection (l), in paragraph (3) (as redesignated 
by section 1601(7)(D))— 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘VETERAN,’’ 
before ‘‘AND SOCIALLY’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and veteran farmers or ranchers (as 
defined in section 2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Con-
servation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)))’’ before 
‘‘in exchange’’. 
(g) FUNDING FOR TRANSITION OPTION FOR CERTAIN FARMERS 
OR RANCHERS.—Section 1241(a)(1)(B) of the Food Security Act of 
1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841(a)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘beginning 
farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers’’ and inserting ‘‘covered farmers or ranchers, as defined 
in section 1235(f)(1)’’. 
(h) SUPPLEMENTAL AGRICULTURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) DEFINITION OF COVERED PRODUCER.—Section 1501(a) 
of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(a)) is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4971 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesig-
nated) the following: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
PRODUCER.—The term ‘covered producer’ 
means an eligible producer on a farm that is— 
‘‘(A) as determined by the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) a beginning farmer or rancher; 
‘‘(ii) a socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; 
or 
‘‘(iii) a limited resource farmer or rancher; or 
‘‘(B) a veteran farmer or rancher, as defined in section 
2501(a) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)).’’. 
(2) EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR LIVESTOCK, HONEY BEES, 
AND
FARM-RAISED
FISH.—Section 1501(d) of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(d)) is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(4) PAYMENT RATE FOR COVERED PRODUCERS.—In the case 
of a covered producer that is eligible to receive assistance 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide reimburse-
ment of 90 percent of the cost of losses described in paragraph 
(1) or (2).’’. 
Subtitle D—Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 Amendments 
SEC. 12401. OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS AND INTERGOV-
ERNMENTAL AFFAIRS. 
(a) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE.—Section 218(a)(1) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6918(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Relations’’ and inserting 
‘‘Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs’’. 
(b) SUCCESSION.—Any official who is serving as the Assistant 
Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations on the date 
of enactment of this Act and who was appointed by the President, 
by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall not be 
required to be reappointed as a result of the change made to 
the name of that position under the amendment made by subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 12402. MILITARY VETERANS AGRICULTURAL LIAISON. 
Section 219 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6919) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) establish and periodically update the website described 
in subsection (d); and 
‘‘(6) in carrying out the duties described in paragraphs 
(1) through (5), consult with and provide technical assistance 
to any Federal agency, including the Department of Defense, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business 
Administration, and the Department of Labor.’’; and 
7 USC 6918 note. 
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132 STAT. 4972 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) WEBSITE REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The website required under subsection 
(b)(5) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Positions identified within the Department of Agri-
culture that are available to veterans for apprenticeships. 
‘‘(B) Apprenticeships, programs of training on the job, 
and programs of education that are approved for purposes 
of chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code. 
‘‘(C) Employment skills training programs for members 
of the Armed Forces carried out pursuant to section 1143(e) 
of title 10, United States Code. 
‘‘(D) Information designed to assist businesses, non-
profit entities, educational institutions, and farmers 
interested 
in 
developing 
apprenticeships, 
on-the-job 
training, educational, or entrepreneurial programs for vet-
erans in navigating the process of having a program 
approved by a State approving agency for purposes of 
chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code, including— 
‘‘(i) contact information for relevant offices in the 
Department of Defense, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small Business 
Administration; 
‘‘(ii) basic requirements for approval by each State 
approving agency; 
‘‘(iii) recommendations with respect to training and 
coursework to be used during apprenticeships or on- 
the-job training that will enable a veteran to be eligible 
for agricultural programs; and 
‘‘(iv) examples of successful programs and curricu-
lums that have been approved for purposes of chapter 
36 of title 38, United States Code (with consent of 
the organization and without any personally identifi-
able information). 
‘‘(2) REVIEW OF WEBSITE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after the 
date of enactment of this paragraph, and once every 5 
years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to 
determine if the website required under subsection (b)(5) 
is effective in providing veterans the information required 
under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(B) INEFFECTIVE
WEBSITE.—If the Secretary deter-
mines that the website is not effective under subparagraph 
(A), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) notify the agriculture and veterans committees 
described in subparagraph (C) of that determination; 
and 
‘‘(ii) not earlier than 180 days after the date on 
which the Secretary provides notice under clause (i), 
terminate the website. 
‘‘(C) AGRICULTURE AND VETERANS COMMITTEES.—The 
agriculture and veterans committees referred to in subpara-
graph (B)(i) are— 
‘‘(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate; 
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132 STAT. 4973 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(iv) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(e) CONSULTATION REQUIRED.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve veterans. 
‘‘(f) REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall submit a report 
on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural 
vocational and rehabilitation programs for veterans to— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
Representatives; 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; 
‘‘(C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate; and 
‘‘(D) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) a summary of the measures taken to carry out 
subsections (b) and (c); 
‘‘(B) a description of the information provided to vet-
erans under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b); 
‘‘(C) recommendations for best informing veterans of 
the programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of sub-
section (b); 
‘‘(D) a summary of the contracts or cooperative agree-
ments entered into under subsection (c); 
‘‘(E) a description of the programs implemented under 
subsection (c); 
‘‘(F) a summary of the employment outreach activities 
directed to veterans; 
‘‘(G) recommendations for how opportunities for vet-
erans in agriculture should be developed or expanded; 
‘‘(H) a summary of veteran farm lending data and 
a summary of shortfalls, if any, identified by the Military 
Veterans Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with 
respect to veterans engaged in agriculture; and 
‘‘(I) recommendations, if any, on how to improve activi-
ties under subsection (b). 
‘‘(g) PUBLIC DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this subsection, and annually thereafter, the 
Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall make publicly 
available and share broadly, including by posting on the website 
of the Department— 
‘‘(A) the report of the Military Veterans Agricultural 
Liaison on beginning farmer training for veterans and agri-
cultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; and 
‘‘(B) the information disseminated under paragraphs 
(1) and (2) of subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) FURTHER
DISSEMINATION.—Not later than the day 
before the date on which the Military Veterans Agricultural 
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132 STAT. 4974 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Liaison makes publicly available the information under para-
graph (1), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall pro-
vide that information to the Department of Defense, the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, 
and the Department of Labor.’’. 
SEC. 12403. CIVIL RIGHTS ANALYSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct civil rights 
impact analyses in accordance with Departmental Regulation 4300- 
004 issued by the Department of Agriculture on October 17, 2016, 
with respect to the Department of Agriculture’s employment, feder-
ally-conducted programs and activities, and federally-assisted pro-
grams and activities. 
(b) STUDY; REPORT.— 
(1) STUDY.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Comptroller General’’) shall 
conduct a study describing— 
(A) the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture 
in processing and resolving civil rights complaints; 
(B) minority participation rates in farm programs, 
including a comparison of overall farmer and rancher 
participation with minority farmer and rancher participa-
tion by considering particular aspects of the programs of 
the Department of Agriculture for producers, such as 
ownership status, program participation, usage of permits, 
and waivers; 
(C) the realignment of the civil rights functions of 
the Department of Agriculture, as outlined in Secretarial 
Memorandum 1076–023 (March 9, 2018), including an anal-
ysis of whether that realignment has any negative implica-
tions on the civil rights functions of the Department; 
(D) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to identify 
actions, programs, or activities of the Department of Agri-
culture that may adversely affect employees, contractors, 
or beneficiaries (including participants) of the action, pro-
gram, or activity based on the membership of the 
employees, contractors, or beneficiaries in a group that 
is protected under Federal law from discrimination in 
employment, contracting, or provision of an action, pro-
gram, or activity, as applicable; and 
(E) efforts of the Department of Agriculture to strategi-
cally plan actions to decrease discrimination and civil rights 
complaints within the Department of Agriculture or in 
the carrying out of the programs and authorities of the 
Department of Agriculture. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
completion of the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller 
General shall submit a report describing the results of the 
study to— 
(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For-
estry of the Senate. 
SEC. 12404. FARM SERVICE AGENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4975 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘CONSOLIDATED 
FARM’’ and inserting ‘‘FARM’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, by striking 
‘‘OF CONSOLIDATED FARM SERVICE AGENCY’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 246 of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ 
each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Farm’’; and 
(B) in subsection (e)(2), by striking ‘‘Consolidated 
Farm’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(2) Section 271(2)(A) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(A)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘Farm’’. 
(3) Section 275(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6995(b)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Consolidated Farm’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘Farm’’. 
SEC. 12405. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR FARM PRODUC-
TION AND CONSERVATION. 
(a) OFFICE OF RISK MANAGEMENT.—Section 226A(d)(1) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under 
Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation’’. 
(b) MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE.—Section 242(b)(3) of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6952(b)(3)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture 
for Farm Production and Conservation’’. 
(c) FOOD AID CONSULTATIVE GROUP.—Section 205(b)(2) of the 
Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1725(b)(2)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Services’’ and inserting ‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade 
and Foreign Agricultural Affairs’’. 
(d) INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON MINORITY CAREERS IN INTER-
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.—Section 625(c)(1)(A) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1131c(c)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘‘Under 
Secretary’’ and all that follows through ‘‘designee’’ and inserting 
‘‘Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural 
Affairs, or the designee of that Under Secretary’’. 
SEC. 12406. OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. 
(a) CHANGING NAME OF OFFICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 226B of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) is 
amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘ADVOCACY AND 
OUTREACH’’ and inserting ‘‘PARTNERSHIPS
AND
PUBLIC 
ENGAGEMENT’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘Advocacy and Outreach’’ each place 
it appears in subsections (a)(2), (b)(1), and (d)(4)(B) and 
inserting ‘‘Partnerships and Public Engagement’’. 
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132 STAT. 4976 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) REFERENCES.—Beginning on the date of the enactment 
of this Act, any reference to the Office of Advocacy and Outreach 
established under section 226B of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934) in any 
provision of Federal law shall be deemed to be a reference 
to the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. 
(b) INCREASING OUTREACH.—Section 226B of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6934), as 
amended by subsection (a), is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following new clauses: 
‘‘(iv) limited resource producers; and 
‘‘(v) veteran farmers and ranchers; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new subpara-
graph: 
‘‘(C) to promote youth outreach.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
‘‘veteran farmers and ranchers,’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers 
or ranchers,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘or socially disadvan-
taged’’ and inserting ‘‘socially disadvantaged, or veteran’’; 
and 
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ‘‘veteran farmers 
or ranchers,’’ after ‘‘beginning farmers or ranchers,’’. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 226B(f)(3)(B) 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6934(f)(3)(B)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting 
‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 12407. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT. 
Section 231 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘is authorized to’’ and 
inserting ‘‘shall’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘If the Secretary’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘the Under Secretary shall’’ and 
inserting ‘‘The Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural 
Development shall’’. 
SEC. 12408. ADMINISTRATOR OF THE RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE. 
(a) RATE OF PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 232(b) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6942(b)) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATOR.— 
‘‘(1) APPOINTMENT.—The Rural Utilities Service shall be 
headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the 
President. 
‘‘(2) COMPENSATION.—The Administrator of the Rural Utili-
ties Service shall receive basic pay at a rate not to exceed 
the maximum amount of compensation payable to a member 
7 USC 6934 note. 
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132 STAT. 4977 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of the Senior Executive Service under subsection (b) of section 
5382 of title 5, United States Code.’’. 
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘Administrator, 
Rural Utilities Service, Department of Agriculture.’’. 
(b) OTHER AMENDMENT RELATING TO ADMINISTRATOR.—Section 
748 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Adminis-
tration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (7 U.S.C. 
918b) is amended by inserting ‘‘the Secretary of Agriculture, acting 
through’’ before ‘‘the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service’’. 
SEC. 12409. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON. 
Subtitle C of title II of the Department of Agriculture Reorga-
nization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 236. RURAL HEALTH LIAISON. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall establish in the 
Department the position of Rural Health Liaison. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Rural Health Liaison shall— 
‘‘(1) in consultation with the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, coordinate the role of the Department with 
respect to rural health; 
‘‘(2) integrate across the Department the strategic planning 
and activities relating to rural health; 
‘‘(3) improve communication relating to rural health within 
the Department and between Federal agencies; 
‘‘(4) advocate on behalf of the health care and relevant 
infrastructure needs in rural areas; 
‘‘(5) provide to stakeholders, potential grant applicants, 
Federal agencies, State agencies, Indian Tribes, private 
organizations, and academic institutions relevant data and 
information, including the eligibility requirements for, and 
availability and outcomes of, Department programs applicable 
to the advancement of rural health; 
‘‘(6) maintain communication with public health, medical, 
occupational 
safety, 
and 
telecommunication 
associations, 
research entities, and other stakeholders to ensure that the 
Department is aware of current and upcoming issues relating 
to rural health; 
‘‘(7) consult on programs, pilot projects, research, training, 
and other affairs relating to rural health at the Department 
and other Federal agencies; 
‘‘(8) provide expertise on rural health to support the activi-
ties of the Secretary as Chair of the Council on Rural Commu-
nity Innovation and Economic Development; and 
‘‘(9) provide technical assistance and guidance with respect 
to activities relating to rural health to the outreach, extension, 
and county offices of the Department.’’. 
SEC. 12410. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE. 
(a) FIELD OFFICES.—Section 246 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended 
by section 12404(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(g) FIELD OFFICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall not close any field 
office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service unless, 
7 USC 6946. 
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132 STAT. 4978 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
not later than 30 days before the date of the closure, the 
Secretary submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a notification of the closure. 
‘‘(2) EMPLOYEES.—The Secretary shall not permanently 
relocate any field-based employees of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or the rural development mission area 
if doing so would result in a field office of the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service or the rural development mission area 
with 2 or fewer employees, unless, not later than 30 days 
before the date of the permanent relocation, the Secretary 
submits to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
Forestry of the Senate a notification of the permanent reloca-
tion. 
‘‘(3) SUNSET.—The requirements under paragraphs (1) and 
(2) shall cease to be effective on September 30, 2023.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.—Section 246 of the Department 
of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as 
amended by subsection (a)) is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking paragraph (2); 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (6) as 
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively; 
(C) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
‘‘; Public Law 101–624’’ after ‘‘note’’; and 
(D) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘3831–3836’’ and inserting ‘‘3831 et seq.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of subsection (b) 
and the program under subchapter C of chapter 1 of subtitle 
D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3837–3837f)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection 
(b)’’. 
(c) RELOCATION IN ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 246 of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6962) (as amended 
by subsections (a) and (b)) is— 
(A) redesignated as section 228; and 
(B) moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle B 
of title II (7 U.S.C. 6931 et seq.). 
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(A) Section 226 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6932) (as amended 
by section 12404(a)) is amended— 
(i) in subsection (b)(5), by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 228(b)’’; and 
(ii) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘section 228(b)’’. 
(B) Section 271(2)(F) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6991(2)(F)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘section 246(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
228(b)’’. 
SEC. 12411. OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 251(e) of the Department of Agri-
culture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(e)) is amended— 
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132 STAT. 4979 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘RESEARCH, EDU-
CATION, AND EXTENSION OFFICE’’ and inserting ‘‘OFFICE OF THE 
CHIEF SCIENTIST’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Research, Education, 
and Extension Office’’ and inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Sci-
entist’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
(A), by striking ‘‘Research, Education, and Extension Office’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ‘‘subparagraph (A) shall 
not exceed 4 years’’ and inserting ‘‘clauses (i) and (iii) of 
subparagraph (A) shall be for not less than 3 years’’; 
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
(5) and (6), respectively; 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) ADDITIONAL
LEADERSHIP
DUTIES.—In addition to 
selecting the Division Chiefs under paragraph (3), using avail-
able personnel authority under title 5, United States Code, 
the Under Secretary shall select personnel— 
‘‘(A) to oversee implementation, training, and compli-
ance with the scientific integrity policy of the Department; 
‘‘(B)(i) to integrate strategic program planning and 
evaluation functions across the programs of the Depart-
ment; and 
‘‘(ii) to help prepare the annual report to Congress 
on the relevance and adequacy of programs under the 
jurisdiction of the Under Secretary; 
‘‘(C) to assist the Chief Scientist in coordinating the 
international engagements of the Department with the 
Department of State and other international agencies and 
offices of the Federal Government; and 
‘‘(D) to oversee other duties as may be required by 
Federal law or Department policy.’’; 
(7) in paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘Notwithstanding’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to fund the costs of Division personnel. 
‘‘(ii) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—In addition to amounts 
made available under clause (i), notwithstanding’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iii) provides strong staff continuity to the Office 
of the Chief Scientist.’’; and 
(8) in paragraph (6) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘Research, Education and Extension Office’’ and inserting 
‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 251(f)(5)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6971(f)(5)(B)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Research, Education and Extension Office’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’. 
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132 STAT. 4980 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) Section 296(b)(6)(B) of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)(6)(B)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘Research, Education, and Extension Office’’ and 
inserting ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’. 
SEC. 12412. APPOINTMENT OF NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION HEARING 
OFFICERS. 
Section 272(e) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6992(e)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) DIVISION PERSONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall recommend to the 
Secretary persons for appointment as hearing officers as are 
necessary for the conduct of hearings under section 277. The 
Director shall appoint such other employees as are necessary 
for the administration of the Division. A hearing officer or 
other employee of the Division shall have no duties other than 
those that are necessary to carry out this subtitle. Each position 
of the Division shall be filled by an individual who is not 
a political appointee. 
‘‘(2) POLITICAL APPOINTEE.—In this subsection, the term 
‘political appointee’ means an individual occupying— 
‘‘(A) a position described under sections 5312 through 
5316 of title 5, United States Code (relating to the Execu-
tive Schedule); 
‘‘(B) a noncareer position in the Senior Executive 
Service, as described under section 3132(a)(7) of that title; 
‘‘(C) a position in the executive branch of the Govern-
ment of a confidential or policy-determining character 
under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, 
Code of Federal Regulations; or 
‘‘(D) a position which has been excepted from the 
competitive service by reason of its confidential, policy- 
determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating char-
acter.’’. 
SEC. 12413. TRADE AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 
The Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subtitle J (7 U.S.C. 7011 et seq.) 
as subtitle K; and 
(2) by inserting after subtitle I (7 U.S.C. 7005 et seq.) 
the following: 
‘‘Subtitle J—Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs 
‘‘SEC. 287. UNDER SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR TRADE AND FOR-
EIGN AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Department 
the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs. 
‘‘(b) APPOINTMENT.—The Under Secretary of Agriculture for 
Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall be appointed by the 
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.— 
7 USC 7007. 
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132 STAT. 4981 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(1) PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS.—The Secretary shall delegate 
to the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign 
Agricultural Affairs those functions and duties under the juris-
diction of the Department that are related to trade and foreign 
agricultural affairs. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS.—The Under Secretary of Agri-
culture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs shall perform 
such other functions and duties as may be— 
‘‘(A) required by law; or 
‘‘(B) prescribed by the Secretary.’’. 
SEC. 12414. REPEALS. 
(a) DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE REORGANIZATION ACT
OF 
1994.—The following provisions of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 are repealed: 
(1) Section 211 (7 U.S.C. 6911). 
(2) Section 213 (7 U.S.C. 6913). 
(3) Section 214 (7 U.S.C. 6914). 
(4) Section 217 (7 U.S.C. 6917). 
(5) Section 247 (7 U.S.C. 6963). 
(6) Section 252 (7 U.S.C. 6972). 
(7) Section 295 (7 U.S.C. 7013). 
(b) OTHER PROVISION.—Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 6935) is repealed. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the amendments made 
by this section shall be construed as affecting— 
(1) the authority of the Secretary to continue to carry 
out a function vested in, and performed by, the Secretary as 
of the date of enactment of this Act under any provision of 
Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections 
(a) and (b); or 
(2) the authority of an agency, office, officer, or employee 
of the Department of Agriculture to continue to perform all 
functions delegated or assigned to the agency, office, officer, 
or employee as of the date of enactment of this Act any provision 
of Federal law other than the provisions repealed by subsections 
(a) and (b). 
SEC. 12415. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS. 
(a) OFFICE
OF RISK MANAGEMENT.—Section 226A(a) of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 
6933(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Subject to subsection (e), the 
Secretary’’ and inserting ‘‘The Secretary’’. 
(b) CORRECTION OF ERROR.— 
(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF AGRICULTURE.—Section 218 
of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6918) (as in effect on the day before the effective 
date of the amendments made by section 2(a)(1) of the Presi-
dential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 
(Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1283, 1295)) is amended by 
striking ‘‘Senate.’’ in subsection (b) and all that follows through 
‘‘responsibility for—’’ in the matter preceding paragraph (1) 
of subsection (d) and inserting the following: ‘‘Senate. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES
OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY
OF AGRICULTURE
FOR 
CIVIL RIGHTS.—The Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Sec-
retary for Civil Rights responsibility for—’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) take effect on the effective date described in section 6(a) 
7 USC 6918 note. 
7 USC 6911 note. 
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132 STAT. 4982 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining 
Act of 2011 (Public Law 112–166; 126 Stat. 1295). 
SEC. 12416. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. 
Section 296(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7014(b)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(9) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amend-
ments made to this title by section 772 of the Agriculture, 
Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2018. 
‘‘(10) The authority of the Secretary to carry out the amend-
ments made to this title by the Agriculture Improvement Act 
of 2018.’’. 
Subtitle E—Other Miscellaneous 
Provisions 
PART I—MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURE 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 12501. ACER ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. 
Section 12306(f) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1632c(f)) is amended by striking ‘‘2018’’ and inserting ‘‘2023’’. 
SEC. 12502. PROTECTING ANIMALS WITH SHELTER. 
(a) CRIMES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND STALKING 
TARGETING PETS.— 
(1) INTERSTATE
STALKING.—Section 2261A of title 18, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(ii) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: 
‘‘(iv) the pet, service animal, emotional support 
animal, or horse of that person; or’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)— 
(i) by inserting after ‘‘to a person’’ the following: 
‘‘, a pet, a service animal, an emotional support animal, 
or a horse’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘or (iii)’’ and inserting ‘‘(iii), or 
(iv)’’. 
(2) INTERSTATE VIOLATION OF PROTECTION ORDER.—Section 
2262 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting after ‘‘another 
person’’ the following: ‘‘or the pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse of that person’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting after ‘‘proximity 
to, another person’’ the following ‘‘or the pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse of that 
person’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)(5), by inserting after ‘‘in any other 
case,’’ the following: ‘‘including any case in which the 
offense is committed against a pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse,’’. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(3) RESTITUTION TO INCLUDE VETERINARY SERVICES.—Sec-
tion 2264 of title 18, United States Code, is amended in sub-
section (b)(3)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph 
(G); 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following: 
‘‘(F) veterinary services relating to physical care for 
the victim’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
or horse; and’’. 
(4) DEFINITIONS.—Section 2266 of title 18, United States 
Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(11) PET.—The term ‘pet’ means a domesticated animal, 
such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or other animal 
that is kept for pleasure rather than for commercial purposes. 
‘‘(12) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL.—The term ‘emotional 
support animal’ means an animal that is covered by the exclu-
sion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that is not a service 
animal. 
‘‘(13) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘service animal’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).’’. 
(b) EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL PET SHELTER AND HOUSING 
ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(1) GRANT PROGRAM.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting in consultation 
with the Office of the Violence Against Women of the 
Department of Justice, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, and the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, shall award grants under this subsection to 
eligible entities to carry out programs to provide the assist-
ance described in paragraph (3) with respect to victims 
of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or 
stalking and the pets, service animals, emotional support 
animals, or horses of such victims. 
(B) MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.—The Secretary 
may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 
head of another Department or agency, as appropriate, 
to carry out any of the authorities provided to the Secretary 
under this section. 
(2) APPLICATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity seeking a grant 
under this subsection shall submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may reasonably require, 
including— 
(i) a description of the activities for which a grant 
under this subsection is sought; 
(ii) such assurances as the Secretary determines 
to be necessary to ensure compliance by the entity 
with the requirements of this subsection; and 
(iii) a certification that the entity, before engaging 
with any individual domestic violence victim, will dis-
close to the victim any mandatory duty of the entity 
34 USC 20127. 
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132 STAT. 4984 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
to report instances of abuse and neglect (including 
instances of abuse and neglect of pets, service animals, 
emotional support animals, or horses). 
(B) ADDITIONAL
REQUIREMENTS.—In addition to the 
requirements of subparagraph (A), each application sub-
mitted by an eligible entity under that subparagraph 
shall— 
(i) not include proposals for any activities that 
may compromise the safety of a domestic violence 
victim, including— 
(I) background checks of domestic violence vic-
tims; or 
(II) clinical evaluations to determine the eligi-
bility of such a victim for support services; 
(ii) not include proposals that would require 
mandatory services for victims or that a victim obtain 
a protective order in order to receive proposed services; 
and 
(iii) reflect the eligible entity’s understanding of 
the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, 
sexual assault, or stalking. 
(C) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this para-
graph shall be construed to require— 
(i) domestic violence victims to participate in the 
criminal justice system in order to receive services; 
or 
(ii) eligible entities receiving a grant under this 
subsection to breach client confidentiality. 
(3) USE OF FUNDS.—Grants awarded under this subsection 
may only be used for programs that provide— 
(A) emergency and transitional shelter and housing 
assistance for domestic violence victims with pets, service 
animals, emotional support animals, or horses, including 
assistance with respect to any construction or operating 
expenses of newly developed or existing emergency and 
transitional pet, service animal, emotional support animal, 
or horse shelter and housing (regardless of whether such 
shelter and housing is co-located at a victim service pro-
vider or within the community); 
(B) short-term shelter and housing assistance for 
domestic violence victims with pets, service animals, emo-
tional support animals, or horses, including assistance with 
respect to expenses incurred for the temporary shelter, 
housing, boarding, or fostering of the pets, service animals, 
emotional support animals, or horses of domestic violence 
victims and other expenses that are incidental to securing 
the safety of such a pet, service animal, emotional support 
animal, or horse during the sheltering, housing, or reloca-
tion of such victims; 
(C) support services designed to enable a domestic 
violence victim who is fleeing a situation of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking to— 
(i) locate and secure— 
(I) safe housing with the victim’s pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse; or 
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132 STAT. 4985 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(II) safe accommodations for the victim’s pet, 
service animal, emotional support animal, or horse; 
or 
(ii) provide the victim with pet, service animal, 
emotional support animal, or horse related services, 
such as transportation, care services, and other assist-
ance; or 
(D) for the training of relevant stakeholders on— 
(i) the link between domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking and the abuse 
and neglect of pets, service animals, emotional support 
animals, and horses; 
(ii) the needs of domestic violence victims; 
(iii) best practices for providing support services 
to such victims; 
(iv) best practices for providing such victims with 
referrals to victims’ services; and 
(v) the importance of confidentiality. 
(4) GRANT CONDITIONS.—An eligible entity that receives 
a grant under this subsection shall, as a condition of such 
receipt, agree— 
(A) to be bound by the nondisclosure of confidential 
information requirements of section 40002(b)(2) of the 
Violence 
Against 
Women 
Act 
of 
1994 
(34 
U.S.C. 
12291(b)(2)); and 
(B) that the entity shall not condition the receipt of 
support, housing, or other benefits provided pursuant to 
this subsection on the participation of domestic violence 
victims in any or all of the support services offered to 
such victims through a program carried out by the entity 
using grant funds. 
(5) DURATION OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), assist-
ance provided with respect to a pet, service animal, emo-
tional support animal, or horse of a domestic violence victim 
using grant funds awarded under this subsection shall 
be provided for a period of not more than 24 months. 
(B) EXTENSION.—An eligible entity that receives a 
grant under this subsection may extend the 24-month 
period referred to in subparagraph (A) for a period of 
not more than 6 months in the case of a domestic violence 
victim who— 
(i) has made a good faith effort to acquire perma-
nent housing for the victim and the victim’s pet, service 
animal, emotional support animal, or horse during that 
24-month period; and 
(ii) has been unable to acquire such permanent 
housing within that period. 
(6) REPORT
TO
THE
SECRETARY.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date on which an eligible entity receives a grant 
under this subsection and each year thereafter in which the 
grant funds are used, the entity shall submit to the Secretary 
a report that contains, with respect to assistance provided 
by the entity to domestic violence victims with pets, service 
animals, emotional support animals, or horses using grant 
funds received under this subsection, information on— 
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132 STAT. 4986 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) the number of domestic violence victims with pets, 
service animals, emotional support animals, or horses pro-
vided such assistance; and 
(B) the purpose, amount, type of, and duration of such 
assistance. 
(7) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(A) 
REPORTING
REQUIREMENT.—Not 
later 
than 
November 1 of each even-numbered fiscal year, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report 
that contains a compilation of the information contained 
in the reports submitted under paragraph (6). 
(B) AVAILABILITY
OF
REPORT.—The Secretary shall 
transmit a copy of the report submitted under subpara-
graph (A) to— 
(i) the Office on Violence Against Women of the 
Department of Justice; 
(ii) the Office of Community Planning and Develop-
ment of the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development; and 
(iii) the Administration for Children and Families 
of the Department of Health and Human Services. 
(8) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $3,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Of the amount made available under 
subparagraph (A) in any fiscal year, not more than 5 per-
cent may be used for evaluation, monitoring, salaries, and 
administrative expenses. 
(9) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A) DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM DEFINED.—The term 
‘‘domestic violence victim’’ means a victim of domestic 
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 
(B) ELIGIBLE
ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible entity’’ 
means— 
(i) a State; 
(ii) a unit of local government; 
(iii) an Indian tribe; or 
(iv) any other organization that has a documented 
history of effective work concerning domestic violence, 
dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (as deter-
mined by the Secretary), including— 
(I) a domestic violence and sexual assault 
victim service provider; 
(II) a domestic violence and sexual assault 
coalition; 
(III) a community-based and culturally specific 
organization; 
(IV) any other nonprofit, nongovernmental 
organization; and 
(V) any organization that works directly with 
pets, service animals, emotional support animals, 
or horses and collaborates with any organization 
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), including— 
(aa) an animal shelter; and 
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132 STAT. 4987 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(bb) an animal welfare organization. 
(C) EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘emotional 
support animal’’ means an animal that is covered by the 
exclusion specified in section 5.303 of title 24, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), and that 
is not a service animal. 
(D) PET.—The term ‘‘pet’’ means a domesticated 
animal, such as a dog, cat, bird, rodent, fish, turtle, or 
other animal that is kept for pleasure rather than for 
commercial purposes. 
(E) SERVICE ANIMAL.—The term ‘‘service animal’’ has 
the meaning given the term in section 36.104 of title 28, 
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation). 
(F) OTHER TERMS.—Except as otherwise provided in 
this subsection, terms used in this section shall have the 
meaning given such terms in section 40002(a) of the 
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)). 
(c) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
States should encourage the inclusion of protections against violent 
or threatening acts against the pet, service animal, emotional sup-
port animal, or horse of a person in domestic violence protection 
orders. 
SEC. 12503. MARKETING ORDERS. 
Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 
608e–1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Mar-
keting Agreement Act of 1937, is amended by inserting ‘‘cherries, 
pecans,’’ after ‘‘walnuts,’’. 
SEC. 12504. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION 
LIAISON. 
Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization 
Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended by sections 12202, 
12302, and 12403, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 224. FOOD LOSS AND WASTE REDUCTION LIAISON. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a Food 
Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, State, 
local, and nongovernmental programs, and other efforts, to measure 
and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in accordance 
with this section. 
‘‘(b) IN GENERAL.—The Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison 
shall— 
‘‘(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction efforts within 
the Department of Agriculture and with other Federal agencies, 
including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food 
and Drug Administration; 
‘‘(2) support and promote Federal programs to measure 
and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste and increase 
food recovery; 
‘‘(3) provide information to, and serve as a resource for, 
entities engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food 
recovery, including information about the availability of, and 
eligibility requirements for, participation in Federal, State, 
local, and nongovernmental programs; 
‘‘(4) raise awareness of the liability protections afforded 
under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act 
7 USC 6924. 
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132 STAT. 4988 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(42 U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in food loss and waste 
reduction and food recovery; and 
‘‘(5) make recommendations with respect to expanding 
innovative food recovery models and reducing the incidence 
of food loss and waste. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—For purposes of carrying out 
the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with 
the research centers of the Research, Education, and Economics 
mission area, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or 
nonprofit organizations for— 
‘‘(1) the development of educational materials; 
‘‘(2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or 
‘‘(3) the conduct of research on best practices with respect 
to food loss and waste reduction and food recovery. 
‘‘(d) STUDY ON FOOD WASTE.—The Secretary shall conduct a 
study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction 
Liaison, to evaluate and determine— 
‘‘(1) methods of measuring food waste; 
‘‘(2) standards for the volume of food waste; 
‘‘(3) factors that contribute to food waste; 
‘‘(4) the cost and volume of food loss; 
‘‘(5) the effectiveness of existing liability protections 
afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Dona-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and 
‘‘(6) measures to ensure that programs contemplated, 
undertaken, or funded by the Department of Agriculture do 
not disrupt existing food waste recovery and disposal efforts 
by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. 
‘‘(e) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Food Loss and Waste Liaison 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the 
results of the study conducted under subsection (d). 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutri-
tion, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains, with 
respect to the preceding year— 
‘‘(A) an estimate of the quantity of food waste during 
such year; and 
‘‘(B) the results of the food waste reduction and loss 
prevention activities carried out or led by the Department 
of Agriculture.’’. 
SEC. 12505. REPORT ON BUSINESS CENTERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 365 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
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 evaluating each business center 
established in the Department of Agriculture. 
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132 STAT. 4989 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(b) INCLUSIONS.—The report under subsection (a) shall 
include— 
(1) an examination of the effectiveness of each business 
center in carrying out its mission, including any recommenda-
tions to improve the operation of and function of any of those 
business centers; and 
(2) an evaluation of— 
(A) the impact the business centers have on customer 
service of the Department of Agriculture; 
(B) the impact on the annual budget for agencies the 
budget offices of which have been relocated to the business 
center, and the effectiveness of funds used to support the 
business centers, including an accounting of all discre-
tionary and mandatory funding provided to the business 
center for conservation and farm services from— 
(i) the Natural Resources Conservation Service; 
(ii) the Farm Service Agency; and 
(iii) the Risk Management Agency; 
(C) funding described in subparagraph (B) spent on 
information technology modernizations; 
(D) the impact that the business centers have had 
on the human resources of the Department of Agriculture, 
including hiring; 
(E) any concerns or problems with the business centers; 
and 
(F) any positive or negative impact that the business 
centers have had on the functionality of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
SEC. 12506. REPORT ON PERSONNEL. 
For the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, 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 biannual report describing the number 
of staff years and employees of each agency of the Department 
of Agriculture. 
SEC. 12507. REPORT ON ABSENT LANDLORDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
describing the effects of absent landlords on the long-term economic 
health of agricultural production, including the effect of absent 
landlords on— 
(1) land valuation; 
(2) soil health; and 
(3) the economic stability of rural communities. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report under subsection (a) shall include— 
(1) a description of the positive and negative effects of 
an absent landlord on the land owned by the landlord, 
including— 
(A) the effect of an absent landlord on the long-term 
value of the land; and 
(B) the environmental and economic impact of an 
absent landlord on the surrounding community; and 
(2) recommendations to policymakers concerning how to 
mitigate those effects when necessary. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 12508. CENTURY FARMS PROGRAM. 
The Secretary shall establish a program under which the Sec-
retary recognizes any farm that— 
(1) a State department of agriculture or similar statewide 
agricultural organization recognizes as a Century Farm; or 
(2)(A) is defined as a farm or ranch under section 4284.902 
of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the 
date of enactment of this Act); 
(B) has been in continuous operation for at least 100 years; 
and 
(C) has been owned by the same family for at least 100 
consecutive years, as verified through deeds, wills, abstracts, 
tax statements, or other similar legal documents considered 
appropriate by the Secretary. 
SEC. 12509. REPORT ON IMPORTATION OF LIVE DOGS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, 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 the importation of live dogs into the United States. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to the importation of live dogs into the United 
States for each of the 3 most recent calendar years for which 
data are available— 
(1) the total number of live dogs imported; 
(2) the number of live dogs imported as personal pets; 
(3) the number of live dogs imported for resale (as defined 
in section 18(a) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2148(a)); 
(4) the number of live dogs for which importation was 
requested but denied due to the proposed importation failing 
to meet the requirements under— 
(A) section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 
2148); 
(B) section 71.51 of title 42, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or any successor regulations); or 
(C) any other Federal law; and 
(5) any recommendations of the Secretary for modifications 
to Federal law (including regulations) relating to the importa-
tion of live dogs, including for the protection of public health. 
(c) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—To facilitate the preparation 
of the report submitted under subsection (a), not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Commerce, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall each provide to the Secretary 
of Agriculture all available data and information relating to the 
importation of live dogs into the United States, including— 
(1) the data described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
subsection (b) for each of the 3 most recent calendar years 
for which data is available; and 
(2) any recommendations for modifications to Federal law 
(including regulations) relating to the importation of live dogs, 
including for the protection of public health. 
SEC. 12510. TRIBAL PROMISE ZONES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In this section, the term ‘‘Tribal Promise 
Zone’’ means an area that— 
25 USC 4301 
note. 
7 USC 2266a. 
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(1) is nominated by 1 or more Indian tribes (as defined 
in section 4(13) of the Native American Housing Assistance 
and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13))) for 
designation as a Tribal Promise Zone (in this section referred 
to as a ‘‘nominated zone’’); 
(2) has a continuous boundary; and 
(3) the Secretary designates as a Tribal Promise Zone, 
after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, the Sec-
retary of Education, the Attorney General, the Secretary of 
the Interior, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary 
of Labor, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of 
Transportation, and other agencies as appropriate. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION AND NUMBER OF DESIGNATIONS.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall nominate a minimum number of nominated zones, as deter-
mined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes, to be 
designated as Tribal Promise Zones. 
(c) PERIOD OF DESIGNATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall designate nominated 
zones as Tribal Promise Zones before January 1, 2020. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATES OF DESIGNATIONS.—The designation 
of any Tribal Promise Zone shall take effect— 
(A) for purposes of priority consideration in Federal 
grant programs and initiatives (other than this section), 
upon execution of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement with 
the Secretary; and 
(B) for purposes of this section, on January 1 of the 
first calendar year beginning after the date of the execution 
of the Tribal Promise Zone agreement. 
(3) TERMINATION OF DESIGNATIONS.—The designation of any 
Tribal Promise Zone shall end on the earlier of— 
(A)(i) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone not 
described in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period 
beginning on the date that such designation takes effect; 
or 
(ii) with respect to a Tribal Promise Zone described 
in paragraph (4), the end of the 10-year period beginning 
on the date the area was designated as a Tribal Promise 
Zone before the date of the enactment of this Act; or 
(B) the date of the revocation of such designation. 
(4) APPLICATION TO CERTAIN ZONES ALREADY DESIGNATED.— 
In the case of any area designated as a Tribal Promise Zone 
by the Secretary before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, such area shall be deemed a Tribal Promise Zone des-
ignated under this section (notwithstanding whether any such 
designation has been revoked before the date of the enactment 
of this Act) and shall reduce the number of Tribal Promise 
Zones remaining to be designated under paragraph (1). 
(d) LIMITATIONS ON DESIGNATIONS.—No area may be designated 
under this section unless— 
(1) the entities nominating the area have the authority 
to nominate the area of designation under this section; 
(2) such entities provide written assurances satisfactory 
to the Secretary that the competitiveness plan described in 
the application under subsection (e) for such area will be imple-
mented and that such entities will provide the Secretary with 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
such data regarding the economic conditions of the area (before, 
during, and after the area’s period of designation as a Tribal 
Promise Zone) as the Secretary may require; and 
(3) the Secretary determines that any information fur-
nished is reasonably accurate. 
(e) APPLICATION.—No area may be designated under this section 
unless the application for such designation— 
(1) demonstrates that the nominated zone satisfies the 
eligibility criteria described in subsection (a); and 
(2) includes a competitiveness plan that— 
(A) addresses the need of the nominated zone to attract 
investment and jobs and improve educational opportunities; 
(B) leverages the nominated zone’s economic strengths 
and outlines targeted investments to develop competitive 
advantages; 
(C) demonstrates collaboration across a wide range 
of stakeholders; 
(D) outlines a strategy that connects the nominated 
zone to drivers of regional economic growth; and 
(E) proposes a strategy for focusing on increased access 
to high quality affordable housing and improved public 
safety. 
(f) SELECTION CRITERIA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—From among the nominated zones eligible 
for designation under this section, the Secretary shall designate 
Tribal Promise Zones on the basis of— 
(A) the effectiveness of the competitiveness plan sub-
mitted under subsection (e) and the assurances made under 
subsection (d); 
(B) unemployment rates, poverty rates, vacancy rates, 
crime rates, and such other factors as the Secretary may 
identify, including household income, labor force participa-
tion, and educational attainment; and 
(C) other criteria as determined by the Secretary. 
(2) MINIMAL STANDARDS.—The Secretary may set minimal 
standards for the levels of unemployment and poverty that 
must be satisfied for designation as a Tribal Promise Zone. 
SEC. 12511. PRECISION AGRICULTURE CONNECTIVITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) Precision agriculture technologies and practices allow 
farmers to significantly increase crop yields, eliminate overlap 
in operations, and reduce inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pes-
ticides, water, and fuel. 
(2) These technologies allow farmers to collect data in 
real time about their fields, automate field management, and 
maximize resources. 
(3) Studies estimate that precision agriculture technologies 
can reduce agricultural operation costs by up to 25 dollars 
per acre and increase farm yields by up to 70 percent by 
2050. 
(4) The critical cost savings and productivity benefits of 
precision agriculture cannot be realized without the availability 
of reliable broadband Internet access service delivered to the 
agricultural land of the United States. 
(5) The deployment of broadband Internet access service 
to unserved agricultural land is critical to the United States 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
economy and to the continued leadership of the United States 
in global food production. 
(6) Despite the growing demand for broadband Internet 
access service on agricultural land, broadband Internet access 
service is not consistently available where needed for agricul-
tural operations. 
(7) The Federal Communications Commission has an 
important role to play in the deployment of broadband Internet 
access service on unserved agricultural land to promote preci-
sion agriculture. 
(b) TASK FORCE.— 
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
(A)(i) The term ‘‘broadband Internet access service’’ 
means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that 
provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive 
data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints, 
including any capabilities that are incidental to, and enable 
the operation of, the communications service, but excluding 
dial up internet access service. 
(ii) Such term includes any service the Commission 
finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service 
described in clause (i). 
(B) The term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Federal 
Communications Commission. 
(C) The term ‘‘Department’’ means the Department 
of Agriculture. 
(D) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Agri-
culture. 
(E) The term ‘‘Task Force’’ means the Task Force for 
Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Preci-
sion Agriculture in the United States established under 
paragraph (2). 
(2) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall establish the 
Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology 
Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States. 
(3) DUTIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall consult with 
the Secretary, or a designee of the Secretary, and collabo-
rate with public and private stakeholders in the agriculture 
and technology fields to— 
(i) identify and measure current gaps in the avail-
ability of broadband Internet access service on agricul-
tural land; 
(ii) develop policy recommendations to promote the 
rapid, expanded deployment of broadband Internet 
access service on unserved agricultural land, with a 
goal of achieving reliable capabilities on 95 percent 
of agricultural land in the United States by 2025; 
(iii) promote effective policy and regulatory solu-
tions that encourage the adoption of broadband Inter-
net access service on farms and ranches and promote 
precision agriculture; 
(iv) recommend specific new rules or amendments 
to existing rules of the Commission that the Commis-
sion should issue to achieve the goals and purposes 
of the policy recommendations described in clause (ii); 
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132 STAT. 4994 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(v) recommend specific steps that the Commission 
should take to obtain reliable and standardized data 
measurements of the availability of broadband Internet 
access service as may be necessary to target funding 
support, from future programs of the Commission dedi-
cated to the deployment of broadband Internet access 
service, to unserved agricultural land in need of 
broadband Internet access service; and 
(vi) recommend specific steps that the Commission 
should consider to ensure that the expertise of the 
Secretary and available farm data are reflected in 
future programs of the Commission dedicated to the 
infrastructure deployment of broadband Internet access 
service and to direct available funding to unserved 
agricultural land where needed. 
(B) NO
DUPLICATE
DATA
REPORTING.—In performing 
the duties of the Commission under subparagraph (A), 
the Commission shall ensure that no provider of broadband 
Internet access service is required to report data to the 
Commission that is, on the day before the date of enactment 
of this Act, required to be reported by the provider of 
broadband Internet access service. 
(C) HOLD
HARMLESS.—The Task Force and the 
Commission shall not interpret the phrase ‘‘future pro-
grams of the Commission’’, as used in clauses (v) and 
(vi) of subparagraph (A), to include the universal service 
programs of the Commission established under section 254 
of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254). 
(D) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary, or a designee of 
the Secretary, shall explain and make available to the 
Task Force the expertise, data mapping information, and 
resources of the Department that the Department uses 
to identify cropland, ranchland, and other areas with agri-
cultural operations that may be helpful in developing the 
recommendations required under subparagraph (A). 
(E) LIST
OF
AVAILABLE
FEDERAL
PROGRAMS
AND 
RESOURCES.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Commission 
shall jointly submit to the Task Force a list of all Federal 
programs or resources available for the expansion of 
broadband Internet access service on unserved agricultural 
land to assist the Task Force in carrying out the duties 
of the Task Force. 
(4) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall be— 
(i) composed of not more than 15 voting members 
who shall— 
(I) be selected by the Chairman of the Commis-
sion, in consultation with the Secretary; and 
(II) include— 
(aa) agricultural producers representing 
diverse geographic regions and farm sizes, 
including owners and operators of farms of 
less than 100 acres; 
(bb) an agricultural producer representing 
tribal agriculture; 
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(cc) Internet service providers, including 
regional or rural fixed and mobile broadband 
Internet access service providers and tele-
communications infrastructure providers; 
(dd) representatives from the electric 
cooperative industry; 
(ee) representatives from the satellite 
industry; 
(ff) representatives from precision agri-
culture equipment manufacturers, including 
drone manufacturers, manufacturers of auton-
omous agricultural machinery, and manufac-
turers of farming robotics technologies; 
(gg) representatives from State and local 
governments; and 
(hh) representatives with relevant exper-
tise in broadband network data collection, 
geospatial analysis, and coverage mapping; 
and 
(ii) fairly balanced in terms of technologies, points 
of view, and fields represented on the Task Force. 
(B) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—A member of the Committee 
appointed under subparagraph (A)(i) shall serve for 
a single term of 2 years. 
(ii) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Task Force— 
(I) shall not affect the powers of the Task 
Force; and 
(II) shall be filled in the same manner as 
the original appointment. 
(C) EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.—The Secretary, or a designee 
of the Secretary, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting 
member of the Task Force. 
(5) REPORTS.—Not later than 1 year after the date on 
which the Commission establishes the Task Force, and annually 
thereafter, the Task Force shall submit to the Chairman of 
the Commission a report, which shall be made public not later 
than 30 days after the date on which the Chairman receives 
the report, that details— 
(A) the status of fixed and mobile broadband Internet 
access service coverage of agricultural land; 
(B) the projected future connectivity needs of agricul-
tural operations, farmers, and ranchers; and 
(C) the steps being taken to accurately measure the 
availability of broadband Internet access service on agricul-
tural land and the limitations of current, as of the date 
of the report, measurement processes. 
(6) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall renew the Task 
Force every 2 years until the Task Force terminates on January 
1, 2025. 
(c) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.—No additional funds 
is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. This 
section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized. 
SEC. 12512. IMPROVEMENTS TO UNITED STATES DROUGHT MONITOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall coordinate with the 
Director of the National Drought Mitigation Center and the 
7 USC 5856. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion to enhance the collection of data to improve the accuracy 
of the United States Drought Monitor. 
(b) UTILIZATION.—To the maximum extent practicable, the Sec-
retary shall utilize a consistent source or sources of data for pro-
grams that are based on drought or precipitation indices, such 
as the livestock forage disaster program established under section 
1501(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(c)) or policies 
or plans of insurance established under the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.). 
(c) REVIEW.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a review of— 
(1) the types of data currently utilized by the United States 
Drought Monitor; 
(2) the geographic coverage and density of existing data 
collection sites; and 
(3) other meteorological or climatological data that is being 
collected by other Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ments, and non-Federal entities that could be utilized by the 
United States Drought Monitor. 
(d) IMPROVEMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the completion of the review pre-
scribed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall— 
(A) seek to expand the collection of relevant data in 
States or geographic areas where coverage is currently 
lacking as compared to other States or geographic areas; 
and 
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, develop stand-
ards to allow the integration of meteorological or climato-
logical data into the United States Drought Monitor derived 
from— 
(i) in-situ soil moisture profile measuring devices; 
(ii) citizen science (as defined in the Crowdsourcing 
and Citizen Science Act (15 U.S.C. 3724)), including 
data from the Cooperative Observer Program of the 
National Weather Service; and 
(iii) other Federal agencies, State and local govern-
ments, and non-Federal entities. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—There is to be 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023. 
SEC. 12513. DAIRY BUSINESS INNOVATION INITIATIVES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) DAIRY
BUSINESS.—The term ‘‘dairy business’’ means 
a business that develops, produces, markets, or distributes 
dairy products. 
(2) INITIATIVE.—The term ‘‘initiative’’ means a dairy 
product and business innovation initiative established under 
subsection (b). 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish not less 
than 3 regionally-located dairy product and business innovation 
initiatives for the purposes of— 
(1) diversifying dairy product markets to reduce risk and 
develop higher-value uses for dairy products; 
7 USC 1632d. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(2) promoting business development that diversifies farmer 
income through processing and marketing innovation; and 
(3) encouraging the use of regional milk production. 
(c) SELECTION OF INITIATIVES.—An initiative— 
(1) shall be positioned to draw on existing dairy industry 
resources, including activities conducted by the National Dairy 
Promotion and Research Board and other dairy promotion enti-
ties, research capacity, academic and industry expertise, a den-
sity of dairy farms or farmland suitable for dairying, and dairy 
businesses; and 
(2) may serve a certain product niche, such as specialty 
cheese, or serve dairy businesses with dairy products derived 
from the milk of a specific type of dairy animal, including 
dairy products made from cow milk, sheep milk, and goat 
milk. 
(d) ENTITIES ELIGIBLE TO HOST INITIATIVE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), any of the fol-
lowing entities may submit to the Secretary an application 
to host an initiative: 
(A) A State department of agriculture or other State 
entity. 
(B) A nonprofit organization. 
(C) An institution of higher education. 
(D) A cooperative extension service. 
(2) CAPACITY OF ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—Any entity described 
in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of paragraph (1) shall be 
eligible to submit an application under that paragraph if the 
entity has— 
(A) a capacity to provide consultation and expertise 
necessary to advance the purpose and activities of the 
proposed initiative; and 
(B) expertise in grant distribution and tracking. 
(3) INELIGIBLE ENTITY.—A dairy promotion program shall 
not be eligible to host an initiative under this section. 
(e) PARTNERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An entity described in subsection (d)(1) 
may establish as a partner an organization or entity described 
in paragraph (2)— 
(A) prior to the submission of the application under 
that subsection; or 
(B) after approval of the application, in consultation 
with the Secretary. 
(2) PARTNER DESCRIBED.—A partner under paragraph (1) 
shall be an organization or entity with expertise or experience 
in dairy, including the marketing, research, education, or pro-
motion of dairy. 
(f) ACTIVITIES OF INITIATIVES.— 
(1) DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO DAIRY BUSINESSES.—An initiative 
shall provide nonmonetary assistance directly to dairy 
businesses through private consultation or widely available dis-
tribution— 
(A) by the entity that hosts the initiative under sub-
section (d)(1); 
(B) through contracting with industry experts; 
(C) through the provision of technical assistance, such 
as informational websites, webinars, conferences, trainings, 
plant tours, and field days; or 
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132 STAT. 4998 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(D) through research institutions, including cooperative 
extension services. 
(2) TYPES
OF
ASSISTANCE.—Eligible forms of assistance 
include— 
(A) business consulting, including business plan 
development for processed dairy products, strategic plan-
ning assistance, and distribution and supply chain innova-
tion; 
(B) marketing and branding assistance, including 
market messaging, packaging innovation, consumer assess-
ments, innovation in emerging market opportunities, and 
evaluation of regional, national, and international markets; 
(C) assistance in product innovation, including the 
development of value-added products, innovation in 
byproduct reprocessing and use maximization, and dairy 
product production training, including in new, rare, or 
innovative techniques; and 
(D) other nonmonetary assistance, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
(3) GRANTS TO DAIRY BUSINESSES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—An initiative shall provide grants 
on a competitive basis to new and existing dairy businesses 
for the purposes of— 
(i) modernization, specialization, and grazing 
transition on dairy farms; 
(ii) value chain and commodity innovation and 
facility and process updates for dairy processors; and 
(iii) product development, packaging, and mar-
keting of dairy products. 
(B) GRANTS TO CERTAIN ENTITIES.—An initiative may 
provide a grant on a noncompetitive basis to an entity 
that receives assistance under paragraph (1) to advance 
the business activities recommended as a result of that 
assistance. 
(C) GRANT
AMOUNTS.—Grants provided under this 
paragraph shall not exceed $500,000, unless a greater 
amount is approved by the Secretary. 
(4) CONSULTATION.—An entity that hosts an initiative shall 
consult with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, 
the Secretary, and the Administrator of the Agricultural Mar-
keting Service in carrying out the initiative. 
(5) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish guide-
lines and procedures to prevent any conflict of interest 
or the appearance of a conflict of interest by an initiative 
(including a partner of the initiative) during the allocation 
of direct assistance under paragraph (1) or grant funding 
under paragraph (3). 
(B) PENALTY.—The Secretary may suspend or termi-
nate an initiative if the initiative (including a partner 
of the initiative) is found to be in violation of the guidelines 
and procedures established under subparagraph (A). 
(g) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Using the funds made available to carry 
out this section, the Secretary— 
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132 STAT. 4999 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) shall provide not less than 3 awards to eligible 
entities described in subsection (d) for the purposes of 
carrying out the activities under subsection (f); and 
(B) is encouraged to award funds under subparagraph 
(A) in multiyear funding allocations. 
(2) USE OF FUNDS.—Not less than 50 percent of the funds 
made available under subsection (i) shall be allocated to grants 
under subsection (f)(3). 
(3) PRIORITY.—An entity hosting an initiative shall give 
priority to the provision of direct assistance under subsection 
(f)(1) and grants under subsection (f)(3) to— 
(A) dairy farms and dairy businesses with limited 
access to other forms of assistance; 
(B) employee-owned dairy businesses; 
(C) cooperatives; and 
(D) dairy businesses that seek to create dairy products 
that add substantial value in processing or marketing, 
such as specialty cheeses. 
(4) REQUIREMENT.—Assistance or a grant shall not be made 
available to a foreign person making direct investment (as 
those terms are defined in section 801.2 of title 15, Code of 
Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)) in the United 
States in the case of— 
(A) direct assistance under subsection (f)(1) that is 
provided to a specific dairy business and is not publicly 
available, as determined by the Secretary; or 
(B) a grant under subsection (f)(3). 
(5) SUPPLEMENTATION.—To the extent practicable, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that funds provided to an initiative supple-
ment, and do not duplicate or replace, existing dairy product 
research, development, and promotion activities. 
(h) REPORT.—Not later than January 31, 2022, the Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the outcomes of the program 
under this section and any related activities and opportunities 
to further increase dairy innovation. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each 
fiscal year. 
SEC. 12514. REPORT ON FUNDING FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF 
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE AND OTHER EXTENSION PRO-
GRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date on 
which the census of agriculture required to be conducted in calendar 
year 2017 under section 2 of the Census of Agriculture Act of 
1997 (7 U.S.C. 2204g) is released, 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 that describes the funding necessary to adequately 
address the needs of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, 
activities carried out under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 341 
et seq.), and research and extension programs carried out at an 
1890 Institution (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7601)) or an institution designated under the Act of July 2, 1862 
(commonly known as the ‘‘First Morrill Act’’) (12 Stat. 503, chapter 
130; 7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), to provide adequate services for the 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
growth and development of the economies of rural communities 
based on the changing demographic in the rural and farming 
communities in the various States. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In preparing the report under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall focus on the funding needs of the programs 
described in subsection (a) with respect to carrying out activities 
relating to small and diverse farms and ranches, veteran farmers 
and ranchers, value-added agriculture, direct-to-consumer sales, 
and specialty crops. 
SEC. 12515. PROHIBITION ON SLAUGHTER OF DOGS AND CATS FOR 
HUMAN CONSUMPTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (c), no per-
son may— 
(1) knowingly slaughter a dog or cat for human consump-
tion; or 
(2) knowingly ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, pos-
sess, purchase, sell, or donate— 
(A) a dog or cat to be slaughtered for human consump-
tion; or 
(B) a dog or cat part for human consumption. 
(b) SCOPE.—Subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to 
conduct— 
(1) in or affecting interstate commerce or foreign commerce; 
or 
(2) within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction 
of the United States. 
(c) EXCEPTION FOR INDIAN TRIBES.—The prohibition in sub-
section (a) shall not apply to an Indian (as defined in section 
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
(25 U.S.C. 5304)) carrying out any activity described in subsection 
(a) for the purpose of a religious ceremony. 
(d) PENALTY.—Any person who violates subsection (a) shall 
be subject to a fine in an amount not greater than $5,000 for 
each violation. 
(e) EFFECT ON STATE LAW.—Nothing in this section— 
(1) limits any State or local law or regulation protecting 
the welfare of animals; or 
(2) prevents a State or unit of local government from 
adopting and enforcing an animal welfare law or regulation 
that is more stringent than this section. 
SEC. 12516. LABELING EXEMPTION FOR SINGLE INGREDIENT FOODS 
AND PRODUCTS. 
The food labeling requirements under section 403(q) of the 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 343(q)) shall 
not require that the nutrition facts label of any single-ingredient 
sugar, honey, agave, or syrup, including maple syrup, that is pack-
aged and offered for sale as a single-ingredient food bear the dec-
laration ‘‘Includes X g Added Sugars.’’. 
SEC. 12517. SOUTH CAROLINA INCLUSION IN VIRGINIA/CAROLINA PEA-
NUT PRODUCING REGION. 
Section 1308(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Farm Security and Rural Invest-
ment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7958(c)(2)(B)(iii)) is amended by striking 
‘‘Virginia and North Carolina’’ and inserting ‘‘Virginia, North Caro-
lina, and South Carolina’’. 
21 USC 343 note. 
7 USC 2160. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 12518. FOREST SERVICE HIRE AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture may appoint, 
without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 
of title 5, United States Code, other than sections 3303 and 3328 
of such title, a qualified candidate described in subsection (b) 
directly to a position with the Department of Agriculture, Forest 
Service for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Manage-
ment qualification standards. 
(b) QUALIFICATIONS.—Subsection (a) applies to a former 
resource assistant (as defined in section 203 of the Public Land 
Corps Act (16 U.S.C. 1722)) who— 
(1) completed a rigorous internship with a land managing 
agency, such as the Forest Service Resource Assistant Program; 
(2) successfully fulfilled the requirements of the internship 
program; and 
(3) earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an 
accredited institution of higher education (as defined in section 
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)). 
(c) LIMITATION.—The direct hire authority under this section 
may not be exercised with respect to a specific qualified candidate 
after the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date on which 
the candidate completed the undergraduate or graduate degree, 
as the case may be, or has successfully fulfilled the requirements 
of the internship program, whichever is later. 
SEC. 12519. CONVERSION AUTHORITY. 
The Secretary may, notwithstanding subchapter I of chapter 
33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive or excepted service, noncompetitively convert to an 
appointment in the competitive service, in an agency or office within 
the Department of Agriculture, a recent graduate or student who 
is a United States citizen and has been awarded and successfully 
completed a scholarship program granted to the individual by the 
Department through the 1890 National Scholars Program or the 
1994 Tribal Scholars Program carried out by the Department, pro-
vided the individual meets the requirements for such conversion 
and meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards, 
as determined by the Secretary. Nothing in the preceding sentence 
shall be construed as requiring the Secretary to convert an indi-
vidual under the authority under such sentence. 
SEC. 12520. AUTHORIZATION OF PROTECTION OPERATIONS FOR THE 
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE AND OTHERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Department of Agriculture is authorized 
to employ qualified law enforcement officers or special agents to 
provide— 
(1) protection for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary 
during the performance of official duties by each such officer 
and during any activity that is preliminary or postliminary 
to the performance of official duties by each such officer; 
(2) protection, incidental to the protection provided pursu-
ant to paragraph (1), to an individual accompanying each such 
officer who is participating in an activity or event relating 
to the official duties of each such officer when there is an 
articulable threat to such individual; 
(3) continuous protection to the Secretary and Deputy Sec-
retary (including during periods not described in paragraph 
7 USC 2279k. 
7 USC 2279j. 
16 USC 1725b. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1)) if there is an articulable threat of physical harm, in accord-
ance with guidelines established by the Secretary; and 
(4) protection of another senior officer representing the 
Secretary (including a person nominated to be the Secretary 
during the pendency of such nomination) if there is an 
articulable threat of physical harm, in accordance with guide-
lines established by the Secretary. 
(b) AUTHORITIES OF THE PROTECTIVE OPERATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may authorize officers or 
special agents employed pursuant to subsection (a)— 
(A) to carry firearms; 
(B) to conduct criminal investigations into potential 
threats to the security of persons protected under this 
section; 
(C) to make arrests without a warrant for any offense 
against the United States committed in the presence of 
such officer or special agent; 
(D) to perform protective intelligence work, including 
identifying and mitigating potential threats and conducting 
advance work to review security matters relating to sites 
and events; and 
(E) to coordinate with local law enforcement agencies. 
(2) GUIDELINES.—The authority conveyed under this section 
shall be exercised in accordance with any— 
(A) guidelines issued by the Attorney General; and 
(B) such additional guidelines as may be issued by 
the Secretary. 
(c) EXCEPTION.—The authorities granted under this section may 
be exercised notwithstanding section 1343(b)(1) of title 31, United 
States Code. 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than September 30, 2019, and each 
September 30 through 2024, the Secretary shall provide to the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
a report describing the protection provided, and accounting for 
the expenditures made, pursuant to this section. 
PART II—NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH 
ALLIANCE 
SEC. 12531. NATIONAL OILHEAT RESEARCH ALLIANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 713 of the National Oilheat Research 
Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106–469) 
is amended by striking ‘‘18 years’’ and inserting ‘‘28 years’’. 
(b) LIMITATION
ON OBLIGATIONS
OF FUNDS.—The National 
Oilheat Research Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public 
Law 106–469) is amended by inserting after section 707 the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 708. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION OF FUNDS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In each calendar year of the covered period, 
the Alliance may not obligate an amount greater than the sum 
of— 
‘‘(1) 75 percent of the amount of assessments estimated 
to be collected under section 707 in that calendar year; 
‘‘(2) 75 percent of the amount of assessments actually col-
lected under section 707 in the most recent calendar year 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
for which an audit report has been submitted under section 
706(f)(2)(B) as of the beginning of the calendar year for which 
the amount that may be obligated is being determined, less 
the estimate made pursuant to paragraph (1) for that most 
recent calendar year; and 
‘‘(3) amounts permitted in preceding calendar years to be 
obligated pursuant to this subsection that have not been obli-
gated. 
‘‘(b) EXCESS
AMOUNTS
DEPOSITED
IN
ESCROW
ACCOUNT.— 
Assessments collected under section 707 in excess of the amount 
permitted to be obligated under subsection (a) in a calendar year 
shall be deposited in an escrow account for the duration of the 
covered period. 
‘‘(c) TREATMENT OF AMOUNTS IN ESCROW ACCOUNT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—During the covered period, the Alliance 
may not obligate, expend, or borrow against amounts required 
under subsection (b) to be deposited in the escrow account. 
‘‘(2) INTEREST.—Any interest earned on amounts described 
in paragraph (1) shall be— 
‘‘(A) deposited in the escrow account; and 
‘‘(B) unavailable for obligation for the duration of the 
covered period. 
‘‘(d) RELEASE OF AMOUNTS IN ESCROW ACCOUNT.—Beginning 
on October 1, 2028, the Alliance may withdraw and obligate any 
amount in the escrow account. 
‘‘(e) COVERED PERIOD DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘cov-
ered period’ means the period that begins on February 6, 2019, 
and ends on September 30, 2028.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The National Oilheat Research 
Alliance Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 6201 note; Public Law 106–469) 
is amended— 
(1) in section 706(d)(1), by striking ‘‘not exceed 7 percent 
of the amount of assessments collected in any calendar year, 
except that during the first year of operation of the Alliance 
such expenses and amounts shall not exceed 10 percent of 
the amount of assessments’’ and inserting ‘‘not exceed 7 percent 
of the amount of assessments collected in any calendar year 
that are permitted to be obligated in that calendar year’’; and 
(2) in section 707— 
(A) in subsection (e), by inserting ‘‘that are permitted 
to be obligated’’ after ‘‘amount of assessments collected 
in the State’’ each place it appears; and 
(B) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘‘and permitted to 
be obligated’’ after ‘‘assessments collected’’ each place it 
appears. 
Subtitle F—General Provisions 
SEC. 12601. BAITING OF MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) NORMAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATION.—The term ‘‘normal 
agricultural operation’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 20.11 of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
effect on the date of enactment of this Act). 
(2) POST-DISASTER
FLOODING.—The term ‘‘post-disaster 
flooding’’ means the destruction of a crop through flooding 
16 USC 704 note. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
in accordance with practices required by the Federal Crop 
Insurance Corporation for agricultural producers to obtain crop 
insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq.) on land on which a crop was not harvestable 
due to a natural disaster (including any hurricane, storm, tor-
nado, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, 
earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, drought, 
fire, snowstorm, or other catastrophe that is declared a major 
disaster by the President in accordance with section 401 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170)) in the crop year— 
(A) in which the natural disaster occurred; or 
(B) immediately preceding the crop year in which the 
natural disaster occurred. 
(3) RICE
RATOONING.—The term ‘‘rice ratooning’’ means 
the agricultural practice of harvesting rice by cutting the 
majority of the aboveground portion of the rice plant but leaving 
the roots and growing shoot apices intact to allow the plant 
to recover and produce a second crop yield. 
(b) REGULATIONS TO EXCLUDE RICE RATOONING AND POST-DIS-
ASTER FLOODING.—Not later than 30 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation 
with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall revise part 20 of title 
50, Code of Federal Regulations, to clarify that rice ratooning and 
post-disaster flooding, when carried out as part of a normal agricul-
tural operation, do not constitute baiting. 
(c) REPORTS.—Not less frequently than once each year— 
(1) the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Sec-
retary of the Interior a report that describes any changes to 
normal agricultural operations across the range of crops grown 
by agricultural producers in each region of the United States 
in which the official recommendations described in section 
20.11(h) of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect 
on the date of enactment of this Act), are provided to agricul-
tural producers; and 
(2) the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Agriculture and after seeking input from the heads 
of State departments of fish and wildlife or the Regional Migra-
tory Bird Flyway Councils of the United States Fish and Wild-
life Service, shall publicly post a report on the impact that 
rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding have on the behavior 
of migratory game birds that are hunted in the area in which 
rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding, respectively, have 
occurred. 
SEC. 12602. PIMA AGRICULTURE COTTON TRUST FUND. 
Section 12314 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 2101 
note; Public Law 113–79) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘2018’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘calendar year 2013’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘the prior calendar year’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘(2) Twenty-five’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), twenty- 
five’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (A)(ii) (as so designated), by 
striking ‘‘subparagraph (A)’’ and inserting ‘‘clause (i)’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B)(i) A yarn spinner shall not receive an amount under 
subparagraph (A) that exceeds the cost of pima cotton that— 
‘‘(I) was purchased during the prior calendar year; 
and 
‘‘(II) was used in spinning any cotton yarns. 
‘‘(ii) The Secretary shall reallocate any amounts reduced 
by reason of the limitation under clause (i) to spinners using 
the ratio described in subparagraph (A), disregarding produc-
tion of any spinner subject to that limitation.’’; 
(4) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘(b)(2)(A)’’ and inserting ‘‘(b)(2)(A)(i)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) the dollar amount of pima cotton purchased during 
the prior calendar year— 
‘‘(A) that was used in spinning any cotton yarns; and 
‘‘(B) for which the producer maintains supporting docu-
mentation.’’; 
(5) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘by the Secretary—’’ and inserting ‘‘by the Secretary not 
later than March 15 of the applicable calendar year.’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2); and 
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ‘‘subsection (b)—’’ in the 
matter preceding paragraph (1) and all that follows through 
‘‘not later than’’ in paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘subsection 
(b) not later than’’. 
SEC. 12603. AGRICULTURE WOOL APPAREL MANUFACTURERS TRUST 
FUND. 
Section 12315 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 7101 
note; Public Law 113–79) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘2019’’ each place it appears and inserting 
‘‘2023’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘the payment—’’ and inserting ‘‘the pay-
ment, payments in amounts authorized under that 
paragraph.’’; and 
(II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘4002(c)—’’ and inserting ‘‘4002(c), pay-
ments in amounts authorized under that para-
graph.’’; and 
(II) by striking clauses (i) and (ii); and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘submitted—’’ in the 
matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that follows 
through ‘‘to the Secretary’’ in subparagraph (B) and 
inserting ‘‘submitted to the Secretary’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
‘‘subsection (b)—’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (b) not later 
than April 15 of the year of the payment.’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2). 
SEC. 12604. WOOL RESEARCH AND PROMOTION. 
Section 12316(a) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
7101 note; Public Law 113–79) is amended by striking ‘‘2015 
through 2019’’ and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 12605. EMERGENCY CITRUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND DEVELOP-
MENT TRUST FUND. 
(a) DEFINITION OF CITRUS.—In this section, the term ‘‘citrus’’ 
means edible fruit of the family Rutaceae, including any hybrid 
of that fruit and any product of that hybrid that is produced 
for commercial purposes in the United States. 
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST FUND.—There is established in 
the Treasury of the United States a trust fund, to be known as 
the Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust 
Fund (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Citrus Trust Fund’’), 
consisting of such amounts as shall be transferred to the Citrus 
Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (d). 
(c) USE OF FUND.—From amounts in the Citrus Trust Fund, 
the Secretary shall, beginning in fiscal year 2019, carry out the 
Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program in 
section 412(j) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Edu-
cation Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(j)). 
(d) FUNDING.—Of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corpora-
tion, the Secretary shall transfer to the Citrus Trust Fund 
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain 
available until expended. 
SEC. 12606. EXTENSION OF MERCHANDISE PROCESSING FEES. 
Section 503 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement 
Implementation Act (Public Law 112–41; 19 U.S.C. 3805 note) 
is amended by striking ‘‘February 24, 2027’’ and inserting ‘‘May 
26, 2027’’. 
SEC. 12607. REPORTS ON LAND ACCESS AND FARMLAND OWNERSHIP 
DATA COLLECTION. 
(a) LAND ACCESS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation 
with the Chief Economist, shall submit to Congress and make 
publicly available a report identifying— 
(1) the barriers that prevent or hinder the ability of begin-
ning farmers and ranchers (as defined in section 2501(a) of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
(7 U.S.C. 2279(a))) and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
7 USC 2204i. 
7 USC 7632 note. 
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132 STAT. 5007 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
ranchers (as defined in such section) to acquire or access farm-
land; 
(2) the extent to which Federal programs, including agricul-
tural conservation easement programs, land transition pro-
grams, and financing programs, are improving— 
(A) farmland access and tenure for beginning farmers 
and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers; and 
(B) farmland transition and succession; and 
(3) the regulatory, operational, or statutory changes that 
are necessary to improve— 
(A) the ability of beginning farmers and ranchers and 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to acquire 
or access farmland; 
(B) farmland tenure for beginning farmers and 
ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
and 
(C) farmland transition and succession. 
(b) FARMLAND OWNERSHIP.—The Secretary shall collect and, 
not less frequently than once every 3 years report, data and analysis 
on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of beginning 
farmers and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers (as those terms are defined in section 2501(a) of the 
Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a))). In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall, at 
a minimum— 
(1) collect and distribute comprehensive reporting of trends 
in farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers to entry, 
profitability, and viability of beginning farmers and ranchers 
and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; 
(2) develop surveys and report statistical and economic 
analysis on farmland ownership, tenure, transition, barriers 
to entry, profitability, and viability of beginning farmers and 
ranchers, including a regular follow-on survey to each Census 
of Agriculture with results of the follow-on survey made public 
not later than 3 years after the previous Census of Agriculture; 
and 
(3) require the National Agricultural Statistics Service to 
include in the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricul-
tural Land survey questions relating to— 
(A) the extent to which non-farming landowners are 
purchasing and holding onto farmland for the sole purpose 
of real estate investment; 
(B) the impact of these farmland ownership trends 
on the successful entry and viability of beginning farmers 
and ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers; 
(C) the extent to which farm and ranch land with 
undivided interests and no administrative authority identi-
fied have farms or ranches operating on that land; and 
(D) the impact of land tenure patterns, categorized 
by— 
(i) race, gender, and ethnicity; and 
(ii) region. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each 
fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available until expended. 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
SEC. 12608. REAUTHORIZATION OF RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
SERVICES TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 330J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c– 
15) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘in rural areas’’ and 
inserting ‘‘in rural areas or to residents of rural areas’’; 
(2) by striking subsections (b) through (f) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY; APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive grant 
under this section, an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) be— 
‘‘(A) an emergency medical services agency operated 
by a local or tribal government (including fire-based and 
non-fire based); or 
‘‘(B) an emergency medical services agency that is 
described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such 
Code; and 
‘‘(2) submit an application to the Secretary at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the Sec-
retary may require. 
‘‘(c) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity— 
‘‘(1) shall use amounts received through a grant under 
subsection (a) to— 
‘‘(A) train emergency medical services personnel as 
appropriate to obtain and maintain licenses and certifi-
cations relevant to service in an emergency medical services 
agency described in subsection (b)(1); 
‘‘(B) conduct courses that qualify graduates to serve 
in an emergency medical services agency described in sub-
section (b)(1) in accordance with State and local require-
ments; 
‘‘(C) fund specific training to meet Federal or State 
licensing or certification requirements; and 
‘‘(D) acquire emergency medical services equipment; 
and 
‘‘(2) may use amounts received through a grant under 
subsection (a) to— 
‘‘(A) recruit and retain emergency medical services per-
sonnel, which may include volunteer personnel; 
‘‘(B) develop new ways to educate emergency health 
care providers through the use of technology-enhanced edu-
cational methods; or 
‘‘(C) acquire personal protective equipment for emer-
gency medical services personnel as required by the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 
‘‘(d) GRANT AMOUNTS.—Each grant awarded under this section 
shall be in an amount not to exceed $200,000. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘emergency medical services’— 
‘‘(A) means resources used by a public or private non-
profit licensed entity to deliver medical care outside of 
a medical facility under emergency conditions that occur 
as a result of the condition of the patient; and 
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132 STAT. 5009 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(B) includes services delivered (either on a com-
pensated or volunteer basis) by an emergency medical serv-
ices provider or other provider that is licensed or certified 
by the State involved as an emergency medical technician, 
a paramedic, or an equivalent professional (as determined 
by the State). 
‘‘(2) The term ‘rural area’ means— 
‘‘(A) a nonmetropolitan statistical area; 
‘‘(B) an area designated as a rural area by any law 
or regulation of a State; or 
‘‘(C) a rural census tract of a metropolitan statistical 
area (as determined under the most recent rural urban 
commuting area code as set forth by the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget). 
‘‘(f) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary may not award 
a grant under this section to an entity unless the entity agrees 
that the entity will make available (directly or through contributions 
from other public or private entities) non-Federal contributions 
toward the activities to be carried out under the grant in an 
amount equal to 10 percent of the amount received under the 
grant.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (g)(1), by striking ‘‘2002 through 2006’’ 
and inserting ‘‘2019 through 2023’’. 
SEC. 12609. COMMISSION ON FARM TRANSITIONS—NEEDS FOR 2050. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a commission to be 
known as the Commission on Farm Transitions–Needs for 2050 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Commission’’). 
(b) STUDY.—The Commission shall conduct a study on issues 
impacting the transition of agricultural operations from established 
farmers and ranchers to the next generation of farmers and 
ranchers, including— 
(1) access to, and availability of— 
(A) quality land and necessary infrastructure; 
(B) affordable credit; 
(C) adequate risk management tools; and 
(D) apprenticeship and mentorship programs; 
(2) agricultural asset transfer strategies in use as of the 
date of the enactment of this Act and improvements to such 
strategies; 
(3) incentives that may facilitate agricultural asset trans-
fers to the next generation of farmers and ranchers, including 
an assessment of, and recommendations for, how existing and 
new Federal tax policies— 
(A) facilitate lifetime and estate transfers; and 
(B) impact individuals seeking to farm who do not 
have family farm lineage or access to farmland; 
(4) the causes of the failures of such transitions, if any; 
and 
(5) the effectiveness of programs and incentives providing 
assistance with respect to such transitions in effect on the 
date of the enactment of this Act and opportunities for the 
revision or improvement of such programs. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) COMPOSITION.—The Commission shall be composed of 
10 members, as follows: 
(A) 3 members appointed by the Secretary. 
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132 STAT. 5010 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(B) 3 members appointed by the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. 
(C) 3 members appointed by the Committee on Agri-
culture of the House of Representatives. 
(D) The Chief Economist of the Department of Agri-
culture. 
(2) FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYMENT.—In addition to 
the Chief Economist of the Department of Agriculture, the 
membership of the Commission may include 1 or more 
employees of the Department of Agriculture or other Federal 
agencies. 
(3) DATE OF APPOINTMENTS.—The appointment of all mem-
bers of the Commission shall be made not later than 60 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(4) TERM; VACANCIES.— 
(A) TERM.—A member shall be appointed for the life 
of the Commission. 
(B) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission— 
(i) shall not affect the powers of the Commission; 
and 
(ii) shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment was made. 
(5) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date on which all members of the Commission have been 
appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial meeting of 
the Commission. 
(d) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Commission 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a 
lesser number of members may hold hearings. 
(e) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall appoint 1 of the mem-
bers of the Commission to serve as Chairperson of the Commission. 
(f) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the President, the 
Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and 
the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate 
a report containing the results of the study required by subsection 
(b), including such recommendations as the Commission considers 
appropriate. 
(g) HEARINGS.—The Commission may hold such hearings, meet 
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive 
such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out 
this section. 
(h) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The Commission 
may secure directly from a Federal agency such information as 
the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section. On 
request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the 
agency shall provide the information to the Commission. 
(i) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use the United 
States mail in the same manner and under the same conditions 
as other agencies of the Federal Government. 
(j) ASSISTANCE FROM SECRETARY.—The Secretary may provide 
to the Commission appropriate office space and such reasonable 
administrative and support services as the Commission may 
request. 
(k) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
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PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(1) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Commis-
sion who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Govern-
ment shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equiva-
lent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV 
of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which 
the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of 
the Commission. 
(2) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Commission 
who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall 
serve without compensation in addition to the compensation 
received for the services of the member as an officer or employee 
of the Federal Government. 
(3) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Commission shall 
be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsist-
ence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, 
while away from the home or regular place of business of 
the member in the performance of the duties of the Commission. 
(l) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Sections 9 and 14 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission or any proceeding of the Commission. 
(m) TERMINATION.—The Commission shall terminate on Sep-
tember 30, 2023. 
SEC. 12610. EXCEPTIONS UNDER UNITED STATES GRAIN STANDARDS 
ACT. 
(a) GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES FOR OFFICIAL AGENCIES.—Section 
7 of the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)(2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) 
as clauses (i), (iii), and (iv), respectively, and indenting 
appropriately; 
(B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesig-
nated), by striking ‘‘Not more’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), not 
more’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the 
matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking 
‘‘Secretary, except that, if’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘Secretary. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Subject to subsection (g)(4)(A), if’’; 
(D) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated), by inserting 
after clause (i) the following: 
‘‘(ii) a person requesting inspection services in that 
geographic area has not been receiving official inspec-
tion services from the current designated official 
agency for that geographic area;’’; and 
(E) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) TERMINATION OF NONUSE OF SERVICE EXCEPTION.— 
The exception under subparagraph (B)(ii) may only be 
terminated if all parties to that exception jointly agree 
on the termination, unless terminated according to sub-
section (g)(4)(A). 
‘‘(D) RESTORATION OF CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.— 
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132 STAT. 5012 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
‘‘(i) DEFINITION
OF
ELIGIBLE
GRAIN
HANDLING 
FACILITY.—In this subparagraph, the term ‘eligible 
grain handling facility’ means a grain handling facility 
that— 
‘‘(I) was granted an exception under the final 
rule entitled ‘Exceptions to Geographic Areas for 
Official Agencies Under the USGSA’ (68 Fed. Reg. 
19137 (April 18, 2003)); and 
‘‘(II) had that exception revoked between Sep-
tember 30, 2015, and the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
‘‘(ii) RESTORATION OF EXCEPTIONS.—Within 90 days 
of notification from an eligible grain handling facility, 
the Secretary shall restore an exception described in 
clause (i)(I) with an official agency if— 
‘‘(I) the eligible grain handling facility and 
the former excepted official agency agree to restore 
that exception; and 
‘‘(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies 
the Secretary of the preferred date for restoration 
of the exception within 90 days of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) EFFECT ON EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The exceptions under clauses (ii) 
and (iv) of subsection (f)(2)(B) shall not apply if the designa-
tion of an official agency is terminated, pursuant to para-
graph (1). 
‘‘(B) DESIGNATION RENEWED OR RESTORED.—If the des-
ignation of an official agency is renewed or restored after 
being terminated under paragraph (1), the Secretary may 
renew or restore the exceptions under subsection (f)(2)(B) 
in accordance with that subsection.’’. 
(b) UNAUTHORIZED WEIGHING PROHIBITED.—Section 7A(i)(2) of 
the United States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79a(i)(2)) is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses 
(i) and (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately; 
(2) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), 
by striking ‘‘Not more’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (B), not 
more’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), in the matter 
preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking ‘‘Secretary, 
except that, if’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘Secretary. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.—If’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (B) (as so designated)— 
(A) in clause (i), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end; and 
(B) by inserting after clause (i) the following: 
‘‘(ii) a person requesting weighing services in that 
geographic area has not been receiving official 
weighing services from the current designated official 
agency for that geographic area; or’’; and 
(5) by adding after subparagraph (B) (as so designated)— 
‘‘(C) RESTORATION OF CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) DEFINITION
OF
ELIGIBLE
GRAIN
HANDLING 
FACILITY.—In this subparagraph, the term ‘eligible 
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132 STAT. 5013 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
grain handling facility’ means a grain handling facility 
that— 
‘‘(I) was granted an exception under the final 
rule entitled ‘Exceptions to Geographic Areas for 
Official Agencies Under the USGSA’ (68 Fed. Reg. 
19137 (April 18, 2003)); and 
‘‘(II) had that exception revoked between Sep-
tember 30, 2015 and the date of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. 
‘‘(ii) RESTORATION OF EXCEPTIONS.—Within 90 days 
of notification from an eligible grain handling facility, 
the Secretary shall restore an exception described in 
clause (i)(I) with an official agency if— 
‘‘(I) the eligible grain handling facility and 
the former excepted official agency agree to restore 
that exception; and 
‘‘(II) the eligible grain handling facility notifies 
the Secretary of the preferred date for restoration 
of the exception within 90 days of enactment of 
the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.’’. 
(c) TECHNICAL CORRECTION.—Section 7(f)(1) of the United 
States Grain Standards Act (7 U.S.C. 79(f)(1)) is amended by 
indenting subparagraph (C) appropriately. 
SEC. 12611. CONFERENCE REPORT REQUIREMENT THRESHOLD. 
Section 14209(a)(3)(A) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy 
Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2255b(a)(3)(A)) is amended by striking 
‘‘$10,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$50,000’’. 
SEC. 12612. NATIONAL AGRICULTURE IMAGERY PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through 
the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, shall carry out 
a national agriculture imagery program to annually acquire aerial 
imagery during agricultural growing seasons from the continental 
United States. 
(b) DATA.—The aerial imagery acquired under this section 
shall— 
(1) consist of high resolution processed digital imagery; 
(2) be made available in a format that can be provided 
to Federal, State, and private sector entities; 
(3) be technologically compatible with geospatial informa-
tion technology; and 
(4) be consistent with the standards established by the 
Federal Geographic Data Committee. 
(c) SUPPLEMENTAL SATELLITE IMAGERY.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture may supplement the aerial imagery collected under this 
section with satellite imagery. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $23,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter. 
SEC. 12613. REPORT ON INCLUSION OF NATURAL STONE PRODUCTS 
IN COMMODITY PROMOTION, RESEARCH, AND INFORMA-
TION ACT OF 1996. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 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 
7 USC 2204j. 
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132 STAT. 5014 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
examining the effect the establishment of a Natural Stone Research 
and Promotion Board pursuant to the Commodity Promotion, 
Research, and Information Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) 
would have on the natural stone industry, including how such 
a program would effect— 
(1) research conducted on, and the promotion of, natural 
stone; 
(2) the development and expansion of domestic markets 
for natural stone; 
(3) economic activity of the natural stone industry subject 
to such a Board; 
(4) economic development in rural areas; and 
(5) benefits to consumers in the United States of natural 
stone products. 
SEC. 12614. ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD ACCESS LIAISON. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle A of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended 
by sections 12202, 12302, 12403, and 12504, is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 225. FOOD ACCESS LIAISON. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish the posi-
tion of Food Access Liaison to coordinate Department programs 
to reduce barriers to food access and monitor and evaluate the 
progress of such programs in accordance with this section. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Food Access Liaison shall— 
‘‘(1) coordinate the efforts of the Department, including 
regional offices, to experiment and consider programs and poli-
cies aimed at reducing barriers to food access for consumers, 
including but not limited to participants in nutrition assistance 
programs; 
‘‘(2) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to 
reduce barriers to food access in accordance with the statutory 
authorization for each program; 
‘‘(3) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to 
reduce barriers to food access, including retailers, markets, 
producers, and others involved in food production and distribu-
tion, with respect to the availability of, and eligibility for, 
Department programs; 
‘‘(4) raise awareness of food access issues in interactions 
with employees of the Department; 
‘‘(5) make recommendations to the Secretary with respect 
to efforts to reduce barriers to food access; and 
‘‘(6) submit to Congress an annual report with respect 
to the efforts of the Department to reduce barriers to food 
access.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall provide tech-
nical assistance to entities that are participants, or seek to partici-
pate, in Department of Agriculture programs related to reduction 
of barriers to food access. 
SEC. 12615. ELIGIBILITY FOR OPERATORS ON HEIRS PROPERTY LAND 
TO OBTAIN A FARM NUMBER. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ELIGIBLE
DOCUMENTATION.—The term ‘‘eligible docu-
mentation’’, with respect to land for which a farm operator 
7 USC 6622b. 
7 USC 6925 note. 
7 USC 6925. 
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132 STAT. 5015 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
seeks assignment of a farm number under subsection (b)(1), 
includes— 
(A) in States that have adopted a statute consisting 
of an enactment or adoption of the Uniform Partition of 
Heirs Property Act, as approved and recommended for 
enactment in all States by the National Conference of 
Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2010— 
(i) a court order verifying the land meets the defini-
tion of heirs property (as defined in that Act); or 
(ii) a certification from the local recorder of deeds 
that the recorded owner of the land is deceased and 
not less than 1 heir of the recorded owner of the 
land has initiated a procedure to retitle the land in 
the name of the rightful heir; 
(B) a fully executed, unrecorded tenancy-in-common 
agreement that sets out ownership rights and responsibil-
ities among all of the owners of the land that— 
(i) has been approved by a majority of the owner-
ship interests in that property; 
(ii) has given a particular owner the right to man-
age and control any portion or all of the land for 
purposes of operating a farm or ranch; and 
(iii) was validly entered into under the authority 
of the jurisdiction in which the land is located; 
(C) the tax return of a farm operator farming a prop-
erty with undivided interests for each of the 5 years pre-
ceding the date on which the farm operator submits the 
tax returns as eligible documentation under subsection (b); 
(D) self-certification that the farm operator has control 
of the land for purposes of operating a farm or ranch; 
and 
(E) any other documentation identified by the Sec-
retary under subsection (c). 
(2) FARM
NUMBER.—The term ‘‘farm number’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 718.2 of title 7, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment 
of this Act). 
(b) FARM NUMBER.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide for the 
assignment of a farm number to any farm operator who pro-
vides any form of eligible documentation for purposes of dem-
onstrating that the farm operator has control of the land for 
purposes of defining that land as a farm. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—Any farm number provided under para-
graph (1) shall be sufficient to satisfy any requirement of the 
Secretary to have a farm number to participate in a program 
of the Secretary. 
(c) ELIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION.—The Secretary shall identify 
alternative forms of eligible documentation that a farm operator 
may provide in seeking the assignment of a farm number under 
subsection (b)(1). 
SEC. 12616. EXTENDING PROHIBITION ON ANIMAL FIGHTING TO THE 
TERRITORIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act (7 
U.S.C. 2156) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
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132 STAT. 5016 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Except as provided 
in paragraph (3), it’’ and inserting ‘‘It’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (3); 
(2) by striking subsection (d); and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and 
(j) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), and (i), respectively. 
(b) USE OF POSTAL SERVICE OR OTHER INTERSTATE INSTRUMEN-
TALITIES.—Section 26(c) of the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156(c)) 
is amended by striking ‘‘(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘(d)’’. 
(c) CRIMINAL PENALTIES.—Subsection (i) of section 26 of the 
Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2156), as redesignated by section 
2(3), is amended by striking ‘‘(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘(d)’’. 
(d) ENFORCEMENT OF ANIMAL FIGHTING PROHIBITIONS.—Section 
49(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘‘(e)’’ 
and inserting ‘‘(d)’’. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 12617. EXEMPTION OF EXPORTATION OF CERTAIN ECHINODERMS 
FROM PERMISSION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT.—The term ‘‘conserva-
tion and management’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802). 
(2) MARINE
FISHERIES
COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Marine 
Fisheries Commission’’ means an interstate commission (as that 
term is used in the Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act of 1986 
(16 USC 4101 et seq.)). 
(3) STATE
JURISDICTION.—The term ‘‘State jurisdiction’’ 
means areas under the jurisdiction and authority of a State 
as described in section 306(a)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1856(a)(2)). 
(b) EXEMPTION.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service shall amend section 14.92 of title 50, Code of Federal 
Regulations, to clarify that— 
(1) except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection 
(d)(2)— 
(A) fish and wildlife described in subsection (c) are 
fishery products exempt from the export permission 
requirements of section 9(d)(1) of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); and 
(B) any person may engage in business as an exporter 
of fish or wildlife described in subsection (c) without pro-
curing— 
(i) permission under section 9(d)(1) of the Endan-
gered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1538(d)(1)); or 
(ii) an export license under subpart I of part 14 
of title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
regulations); and 
(2) notwithstanding paragraph (1), unless the person has 
qualified for and obtained an export license described in para-
graph (1)(B)(ii), any person that has been convicted of 1 or 
more violations of a Federal law relating to the importation, 
16 USC 1538 
note. 
7 USC 2156 note. 
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132 STAT. 5017 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
transportation, or exportation of wildlife shall not be permitted, 
during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the most 
recent conviction, to engage in business as an exporter of fish 
or wildlife described in subsection (c). 
(c) COVERED FISH OR WILDLIFE.—The fish or wildlife referred 
to in subsection (b) are members of the species Strongylocentrotus 
droebachiensis (commonly known as the ‘‘green sea urchin’’), 
including any products of that species, that— 
(1) do not require a permit under part 16, 17, or 23 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); 
(2)(A) are harvested in waters under State jurisdiction; 
or 
(B) are imported for processing in the United States pursu-
ant to an import license as required under section 14.91 of 
title 50, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), 
and not exempt from import license requirements under section 
14.92 of that title (as in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act); and 
(3) are exported for purposes of human or animal consump-
tion. 
(d) INFORMATION COLLECTION ON EXPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The State agency that regulates or other-
wise oversees a State fishery in which the fish and wildlife 
described in subsection (c) are harvested shall annually 
transmit the conservation and management data (as defined 
in subsection (a)) to the Interstate Fisheries Management Pro-
gram Policy Board of the applicable Marine Fisheries Commis-
sion. 
(2) PRIVACY.—Such data thereafter shall not be released 
and shall be maintained as confidential by such applicable 
Marine Fisheries Commission, including data requested under 
the section 552 of title 5, United States Code, unless disclosure 
is required under court order or unless the data is essential 
for an enforcement action under Federal wildlife management 
laws. 
(3) EXCLUSION.—The exemption under subsection (b)(1) 
shall not apply in a State if— 
(A) the State fails to transmit the data required under 
paragraph (1); or 
(B) the applicable Marine Fisheries Commission deter-
mines, in consultation with the primary research agency 
of such Commission, after notice and an opportunity to 
comment, that the data required under paragraph (1) fails 
to prove that the State agency or official is engaged in 
conservation and management of the fish or wildlife 
described in subsection (c). 
SEC. 12618. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES. 
Subtitle E of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3841 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 1247. DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES. 
‘‘(a) DATA ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES.—The Secretary shall 
identify available data sets within the Department of Agriculture 
regarding the use of conservation practices and the effect of such 
practices on farm and ranch profitability (including such effects 
relating to crop yields, soil health, and other risk-related factors). 
16 USC 3847. 
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132 STAT. 5018 
PUBLIC LAW 115–334—DEC. 20, 2018 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 2: 
HOUSE REPORTS: Nos. 115–661 (Comm. on Agriculture) and 115–1072 (Comm. of 
Conference). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 164 (2018): 
May 16–18, considered and failed House. 
June 21, considered and passed House. 
June 27, 28, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Dec. 11, Senate agreed to the conference report. 
Dec. 12, House agreed to the conference report. 
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2018): 
Dec. 20, Presidential remarks and statement. 
‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, 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 that includes— 
‘‘(1) a summary of the data sets identified under subsection 
(a); 
‘‘(2) a summary of the steps the Secretary would have 
to take to provide access to such data sets by university 
researchers, including taking into account any technical, pri-
vacy, or administrative considerations; 
‘‘(3) a summary of safeguards the Secretary employs when 
providing access to data to university researchers; 
‘‘(4) a summary of appropriate procedures to maximize 
the potential for research benefits while preventing any viola-
tions of privacy or confidentiality; and 
‘‘(5) recommendations for any necessary authorizations or 
clarifications of Federal law to allow access to such data sets 
to maximize the potential for research benefits.’’. 
SEC. 12619. CONFORMING CHANGES TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES 
ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 102(16) of the Controlled Substances 
Act (21 U.S.C. 802(16)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(16) The’’ and inserting ‘‘(16)(A) Subject 
to subparagraph (B), the’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘Such term does not include the’’ and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(B) The term ‘marihuana’ does not include— 
‘‘(i) hemp, as defined in section 297A of the Agricultural 
Marketing Act of 1946; or 
‘‘(ii) the’’. 
(b) TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL.—Schedule I, as set forth in sec-
tion 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)), 
is 
amended 
in 
subsection 
(c)(17) 
by 
inserting 
after 
‘‘Tetrahydrocannabinols’’ 
the 
following: 
‘‘, 
except 
for 
tetrahydrocannabinols in hemp (as defined under section 297A of 
the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946)’’. 
Approved December 20, 2018. 
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