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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Food Tracking Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. TRACEABILITY OF FOOD.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) in section 301, by inserting at the end the following:
''(jj) The failure to comply with any requirement of section 414A
(relating to the traceability of food).''; and
(2) in chapter IV, by inserting after section 414 the
following:

''SEC. 414A. TRACEABILITY OF FOOD.

''(a) Establishment of System.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a
traceability system described in subsection (b) for all stages of
manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food.
''(b) Description of System.--The traceability system required by
subsection (a) shall require each article of food shipped in interstate
commerce to be identified in a manner that enables the Secretary to
retrieve the history, use, and location of the article through a
recordkeeping and audit system, a secure, online database, or
registered identification.
''(c) Records.--
''(1) In general.--The Secretary may require that each
person required to identify an article of food pursuant to
subsection (b) maintain accurate records, as prescribed by the
Secretary, regarding the purchase, sale, and identification of
the article.
''(2) Access.--Each person described in paragraph (1)
shall, at all reasonable times, on notice by a duly authorized
representative of the Secretary, allow the representative to
access to each place of business of the person to examine and
copy the records described in paragraph (1).
''(3) Duration.--Each person described in paragraph (1)
shall maintain records as required under this subsection for
such period of time as the Secretary prescribes.
''(d) False Information.--No person shall falsify or misrepresent
to any other person or to the Secretary, any information as to any
location at which any article of food was held.
''(e) Alteration or Destruction of Records.--No person shall,
without authorization from the Secretary, alter, detach, or destroy any
records or other means of identification prescribed by the Secretary
for use in determining the location at which any article of food was
held.
''(f) Advisory Committee.--
''(1) In general.--In order to assist the Secretary in
implementing the traceability system under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall convene an advisory committee (referred to in
this subsection as the 'Committee').
''(2) Membership.--The Committee shall consist of 13
members appointed by the Secretary which shall include--
''(A) an equitable number of food safety and
tracking technology experts, representatives of the
food industry, and consumer advocates; and
''(B) officials from the Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition and the Office of Regulatory Affairs
of the Food and Drug Administration and the Agriculture
Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture.
''(3) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall appoint a
Chairperson of the Committee.
''(4) Meeting.--The Committee shall convene not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this section and
periodically thereafter at the call of the Chairperson.
''(5) Report of committee.--
''(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Committee shall
submit to the Secretary and the Office of the
Commissioner a report that describes the
recommendations regarding the most practicable approach
to providing for the traceability of food, including
the most efficient means of implementing the traceback
of contaminated foods.
''(B) Considerations.--In developing the report
under subparagraph (A), the Committee shall consider
the following approaches to providing for the
traceability of food:
''(i) A national database or registry
operated by the Food and Drug Administration.
''(ii) Electronic records identifying each
prior sale, purchase, or trade of the food and
its ingredients, and establishing that the food
and its ingredients were grown, prepared,
handled, manufactured, processed, distributed,
shipped, warehoused, imported, and conveyed
under conditions to ensure the safety of the
food. The records would include an electronic
statement with the date of, and the names and
addresses of all parties to, each prior sale,
purchase, or trade, and any other information
as appropriate.
''(iii) Standardized tracking numbers on
all shipments. These numbers would identify the
country of origin, the unique facility
registration number, date of production, and
lot number (if applicable).
''(iv) Recall performance standards for
each food or commodity type.
''(v) Safeguards for the combining,
repacking, or otherwise mixing of items of
food, particularly fresh produce.
''(vi) Other approaches that enable the
reliable tracking of food and food products.
''(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $40,000,000
for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2011.''.

A: Food Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit failing to comply with any requirement of this Act.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food; and (2) convene an advisory committee to assist in implementing the system. Requires the system to identify each article of food shipped in interstate commerce in a manner that enables the Secretary to retrieve the history, use, and location of the article through a recordkeeping and audit system, a secure, online database, or registered identification.

Authorizes the Secretary to direct each person required to identify an article of food to maintain accurate records regarding the purchase, sale, and identification of the article. Requires each such person to allow authorized representatives of the Secretary to examine and copy records. Prohibits any person from: (1) falsifying or misrepresenting information as to the location at which any article of food was held; or (2) altering, detaching, or destroying any records or other means of identification for use in determining such a location.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''Paycheck Fairness Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Women have entered the workforce in record numbers.
(2) Even in the 1990's, women earn significantly lower pay
than men for work on jobs that require equal skill, effort, and
responsibility and that are performed under similar working
conditions. These pay disparities exist in both the private and
governmental sectors. In many instances, the pay disparities
can only be due to continued intentional discrimination or the
lingering effects of past discrimination.
(3) The existence of such pay disparities--
(A) depresses the wages of working families who
rely on the wages of all members of the family to make
ends meet;
(B) prevents the optimum utilization of available
labor resources;
(C) has been spread and perpetuated, through
commerce and the channels and instrumentalities of
commerce, among the workers of the several States;
(D) burdens commerce and the free flow of goods in
commerce;
(E) constitutes an unfair method of competition in
commerce;
(F) leads to labor disputes burdening and
obstructing commerce and the free flow of goods in
commerce;
(G) interferes with the orderly and fair marketing
of goods in commerce; and
(H) in many instances, may deprive workers of equal
protection on the basis of sex in violation of the 5th
and 14th amendments.
(4)(A) Artificial barriers to the elimination of
discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex
continue to exist more than 3 decades after the enactment of
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.)
and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.).
(B) Elimination of such barriers would have positive
effects, including--
(i) providing a solution to problems in the economy
created by unfair pay disparities;
(ii) substantially reducing the number of working
women earning unfairly low wages, thereby reducing the
dependence on public assistance; and
(iii) promoting stable families by enabling all
family members to earn a fair rate of pay;
(iv) remedying the effects of past discrimination
on the basis of sex and ensuring that in the future
workers are afforded equal protection on the basis of
sex; and
(v) ensuring equal protection pursuant to Congress'
power to enforce the 5th and 14th amendments.
(5) With increased information about the provisions added
by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and wage data, along with more
effective remedies, women will be better able to recognize and
enforce their rights to equal pay for work on jobs that require
equal skill, effort, and responsibility and that are performed
under similar working conditions.
(6) Certain employers have already made great strides in
eradicating unfair pay disparities in the workplace and their
achievements should be recognized.

SEC. 3. ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT OF EQUAL PAY REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Required Demonstration for Affirmative Defense.--Section
6(d)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)(1))
is amended by striking ''(iv) a differential'' and all that follows
through the period and inserting the following: ''(iv) a differential
based on a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training
or experience, except that this clause shall apply only if--
''(I) the employer demonstrates that--
''(aa) such factor--
''(AA) is job-related with
respect to the position in
question; or
''(BB) furthers a
legitimate business purpose,
except that this item shall not
apply where the employee
demonstrates that an
alternative employment practice
exists that would serve the
same business purpose without
producing such differential and
that the employer has refused
to adopt such alternative
practice; and
''(bb) such factor was actually
applied and used reasonably in light of
the asserted justification; and
''(II) upon the employer succeeding under
subclause I, the employee fails to demonstrate
that the differential produced by the reliance
of the employer on such factor is itself the
result of discrimination on the basis of sex by
the employer.
''An employer that is not otherwise in compliance with this
paragraph may not reduce the wages of any employee in order to
achieve such compliance.''.
(b) Application of Provisions.--Section 6(d)(1) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the
end the following: ''The provisions of this subsection shall apply to
applicants for employment if such applicants, upon employment by the
employer, would be subject to any provisions of this section.''.
(c) Elimination of Establishment Requirement.--Section 6(d) of the
Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking '', within any establishment in which such
employees are employed,''; and
(2) by striking ''in such establishment'' each place it
appears.
(d) Nonretaliation Provision.--Section 15(a)(3) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 215(a)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ''or has'' each place it appears and
inserting ''has''; and
(2) by inserting before the semicolon the following: '', or
has inquired about, discussed, or otherwise disclosed the wages
of the employee or another employee, or because the employee
(or applicant) has made a charge, testified, assisted, or
participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding,
hearing, or action under section 6(d)''.
(e) Enhanced Penalties.--Section 16(b) of the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(b)) is amended--
(1) by inserting after the first sentence the following:
''Any employer who violates section 6(d) shall additionally be
liable for such compensatory or punitive damages as may be
appropriate, except that the United States shall not be liable
for punitive damages.'';
(2) in the sentence beginning ''An action to'', by striking
''either of the preceding sentences'' and inserting ''any of
the preceding sentences of this subsection'';
(3) in the sentence beginning ''No employees shall'', by
striking ''No employees'' and inserting ''Except with respect
to class actions brought to enforce section 6(d), no
employee'';
(4) by inserting after the sentence referred to in
paragraph (3), the following: ''Notwithstanding any other
provision of Federal law, any action brought to enforce section
6(d) may be maintained as a class action as provided by the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.''; and
(5) in the sentence beginning ''The court in''--
(A) by striking ''in such action'' and inserting
''in any action brought to recover the liability
prescribed in any of the preceding sentences of this
subsection''; and
(B) by inserting before the period the following:
'', including expert fees''.
(f) Action by Secretary.--Section 16(c) of the Fair Labor Standards
Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(c)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting ''or, in the case of a violation
of section 6(d), additional compensatory or punitive
damages,'' before ''and the agreement''; and
(B) by inserting before the period the following:
'', or such compensatory or punitive damages, as
appropriate'';
(2) in the second sentence, by inserting before the period
the following: ''and, in the case of a violation of section
6(d), additional compensatory or punitive damages'';
(3) in the third sentence, by striking ''the first
sentence'' and inserting ''the first or second sentence''; and
(4) in the last sentence--
(A) by striking ''commenced in the case'' and
inserting ''commenced--
''(1) in the case'';
(B) by striking the period and inserting
''; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
''(2) in the case of a class action brought to enforce
section 6(d), on the date on which the individual becomes a
party plaintiff to the class action''.

SEC. 4. TRAINING.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs, subject to the availability of
funds appropriated under section 9(b), shall provide training to
Commission employees and affected individuals and entities on matters
involving discrimination in the payment of wages.

SEC. 5. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH.

The Secretary of Labor shall conduct studies and provide
information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public
concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men
and women, including--
(1) conducting and promoting research to develop the means
to correct expeditiously the conditions leading to the pay
disparities;
(2) publishing and otherwise making available to employers,
labor organizations, professional associations, educational
institutions, the media, and the general public the findings
resulting from studies and other materials, relating to eliminating the
pay disparities;
(3) sponsoring and assisting State and community
informational and educational programs;
(4) providing information to employers, labor
organizations, professional associations, and other interested
persons on the means of eliminating the pay disparities;
(5) recognizing and promoting the achievements of
employers, labor organizations, and professional associations
that have worked to eliminate the pay disparities; and
(6) convening a national summit to discuss, and consider
approaches for rectifying, the pay disparities.

SEC. 6. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EMPLOYER RECOGNITION PROGRAM.

(a) Guidelines.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor shall develop
guidelines to enable employers to evaluate job categories based
on objective criteria such as educational requirements, skill
requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility,
including decisionmaking responsibility and de facto supervisory
responsibility.
(2) Use.--The guidelines developed under paragraph (1)
shall be designed to enable employers voluntarily to compare
wages paid for different jobs to determine if the pay scales
involved adequately and fairly reflect the educational
requirements, skill requirements, independence, working
conditions, and responsibility for each such job with the goal
of eliminating unfair pay disparities between occupations
traditionally dominated by men or women.
(3) Publication.--The guidelines shall be developed under
paragraph (1) and published in the Federal Register not later
than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Employer Recognition.--
(1) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subsection to
emphasize the importance of, encourage the improvement of, and
recognize the excellence of employer efforts to pay wages to
women that reflect the real value of the contributions of such
women to the workplace.
(2) In general.--To carry out the purpose of this
subsection, the Secretary of Labor shall establish a program
under which the Secretary shall provide for the recognition of
employers who, pursuant to a voluntary job evaluation conducted
by the employer, adjust their wage scales (such adjustments
shall not include the lowering of wages paid to men) using the
guidelines developed under subsection (a) to ensure that women
are paid fairly in comparison to men.
(3) Technical assistance.--The Secretary of Labor may
provide technical assistance to assist an employer in carrying
out an evaluation under paragraph (2).
(c) Regulations.--The Secretary of Labor shall promulgate such
rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 7. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL AWARD FOR PAY EQUITY IN THE
WORKPLACE.

(a) In General.--There is established the Robert Reich National
Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace, which shall be evidenced by a
medal bearing the inscription ''Robert Reich National Award for Pay
Equity in the Workplace''. The medal shall be of such design and
materials, and bear such additional inscriptions, as the Secretary of
Labor may prescribe.
(b) Criteria for Qualification.--To qualify to receive an award
under this section a business shall--
(1) submit a written application to the Secretary of Labor,
at such time, in such manner, and containing such information
as the Secretary may require, including at a minimum
information that demonstrates that the business has made
substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and
women, and deserves special recognition as a consequence; and
(2) meet such additional requirements and specifications as
the Secretary of Labor determines to be appropriate.
(c) Making and Presentation of Award.--
(1) Award.--After receiving recommendations from the
Secretary of Labor, the President or the designated
representative of the President shall annually present the
award described in subsection (a) to businesses that meet the
qualifications described in subsection (b).
(2) Presentation.--The President or the designated
representative of the President shall present the award under
this section with such ceremonies as the President or the
designated representative of the President may determine to be
appropriate.
(d) Business.--In this section, the term ''business'' includes--
(1)(A) a corporation, including a nonprofit corporation;
(B) a partnership;
(C) a professional association;
(D) a labor organization; and
(E) a business entity similar to an entity described in any
of subparagraphs (A) through (D);
(2) an entity carrying out an education referral program, a
training program, such as an apprenticeship or management
training program, or a similar program; and
(3) an entity carrying out a joint program, formed by a
combination of any entities described in paragraph (1) or (2).

SEC. 8. COLLECTION OF PAY INFORMATION BY THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION.

Section 709 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-8) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
''(f)(1) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Commission shall--
''(A) complete a survey of the data that is currently
available to the Federal Government relating to employee pay
information for use in the enforcement of Federal laws
prohibiting pay discrimination and, in consultation with other
relevant Federal agencies, identify additional data collections
that will enhance the enforcement of such laws; and
''(B) based on the results of the survey and consultations
under subparagraph (A), issue regulations to provide for the
collection of pay information data from employers as described
by the sex, race, and national origin of employees.
''(2) In implementing paragraph (1), the Commission shall have as
its primary consideration the most effective and efficient means for
enhancing the enforcement of Federal laws prohibiting pay
discrimination. For this purpose, the Commission shall consider factors
including the imposition of burdens on employers, the frequency of
required reports (including which employers should be required to
prepare reports), appropriate protections for maintaining data
confidentiality, and the most effective format for the data collection
reports.''.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this Act.

A: Paycheck Fairness Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to revise remedies for and enforcement of prohibitions against sex discrimination in the payment of wages (such FLSA prohibitions are also known as the Equal Pay Act).
(Sec. 3) Amends FLSA to provide for enhanced enforcement of equal pay requirements, adding a nonretaliation requirement. Increases penalties for such violations. Provides for the Secretary of Labor to seek additional compensatory or punitive damages in such cases.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to train EEOC employees and affected individuals and entities on matters involving wage discrimination.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and provide information to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning the means available to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, including convening a national summit and carrying out other specified activities.
(Sec. 6) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop guidelines for employer evaluations of job categories based on objective criteria, to be used voluntarily by employers to compare wages for different jobs to determine if pay scales adequately and fairly reflect each job's educational and skill requirements, independence, working conditions, and responsibility, in order to eliminate unfair pay disparities between occupations traditionally dominated by men or women; and (2) establish a program to recognize employers who use such guidelines to ensure that women are paid fairly in comparison to men without lowering men's wages. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance for employers to carry out such evaluations.
(Sec. 7) Establishes the Robert Reich National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace, which shall be evidenced by a medal. Sets forth criteria for specified types of entities to receive such an award.
(Sec. 8) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should: (1) take appropriate steps to increase the amount of information available with respect to wage disparities; and (2) consider ways to collect such information that maximize its utility, protect individual privacy, and minimize reporting burdens.
(Sec. 9) Authorizes appropriations.
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Q: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ''United States-Israel Agriculture
Strategic Partnership Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Agreement to establish the United States-Israel
Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) Fund,
signed on October 25, 1977, between the United States
Government and the Government of Israel ''to promote and
support agricultural research and development activities which
are of mutual benefits to the United States and Israel''.
(2) Since its founding, the BARD Fund has cultivated
strategic partnerships between United States and Israeli
scientists and has been a benchmark for the establishment of
cooperative agreements.
(3) BARD Fund-sponsored research projects have contributed
billions of dollars to both United States and Israeli
economies, as determined by independent economic surveys. As
the major platform for United States-Israel agricultural
research collaboration, the BARD Fund has funded more than
1,300 bi-national projects, awarded over $300 million for
research and development, and supported other programs such as
more than 250 postdoctoral fellows and 50 scientific workshops.
(4) BARD Fund-sponsored research projects have led to
innovative developments, new technologies, and renewed focus in
drip irrigation, pesticides, fish farming, livestock, poultry,
disease control, and farm equipment.
(5) The BARD Fund has been successful in research
collaboration between United States and Israel without fraud,
waste, or abuse for 40 years.
(6) The Memorandum of Understanding Between the U.S.
National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Israel
Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund To
Promote Scientific Collaboration among U.S. and Israeli
Scientists and Engineers, signed on November 22, 2013, promotes
collaboration between the United States and Israel. The 2013
Memorandum of Understanding was intended to provide a framework
whereby Israeli scientists and engineers could receive funding
from the BARD Fund and United States scientists and engineers
could receive funding from the National Institute for Food and
Agriculture.
(7) It would be in the interest of the United States to
expand the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding to include
cooperation with private entities and to statutorily authorize
the BARD Fund to enhance prospects for its long-term funding.
(8) In 2014, Congress enacted legislation declaring that
Israel is a major strategic partner of the United States and
authorized the President to promote cooperation with Israel in
multiple fields, including agriculture.
(9) Joint cooperation can help solve specific challenges,
including food safety, food security, food quality, and post-
harvest issues, as well as maximize production with limited
resources, environmental changes, water scarcity, and water
management.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF UNITED STATES-ISRAEL EXPANDED-BINATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with
the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States
Agency for International Development, is authorized to establish a
program for cooperative research and development in agriculture with
the Government of Israel.
(b) Existing Authority.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
establish and carry out the program authorized under subsection (a) in
a manner consistent with the Secretary's authority under section 1458
of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3291).
(c) Purpose.--The purpose of the program authorized under
subsection (a) shall be to establish a framework to enhance the
collaboration between the United States and Israel in research and
development activities relating to agriculture, including between
public and private entities.
(d) Activities Supported.--Activities that may be supported under
the program authorized under subsection (a) include--
(1) activities authorized under the Agreement to establish
the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and
Development (BARD) Fund; and
(2) activities authorized under section 1458 of the Food
and Agriculture Act of 1977.
(e) Nongovernmental and Private Entities.--Projects and activities
under the program authorized under subsection (a) may be carried out by
nongovernmental and private entities, including through collaboration
with private universities, research institutions, and corporations if
such projects and activities support the objectives of the Agreement to
establish the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and
Development (BARD) Fund.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Agriculture such sums as may be necessary to
carry out this section.
(2) Fund; availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to
the authorization of appropriations under paragraph (1)--
(A) shall be known as the ''United States-Israel
Expanded-Binational Agricultural Research and
Development Fund'' or ''E-BARD Fund''; and
(B) are authorized to remain available until
expended.
(3) Transfer authority.--The Secretary of Agriculture may
transfer amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of
appropriations under paragraph (1) to the heads of other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, including the
Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development, for purposes of carrying out the
program authorized under subsection (a).
(g) Binational Task Force.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in coordination
with the Secretary of Agriculture, is authorized to seek to
establish a binational task force to provide guidance and
oversight with respect to the program authorized under
subsection (a), including to address matters described in
paragraph (2).
(2) Matters described.--The matters described in this
paragraph are the following:
(A) Identifying funding priorities and innovative
developments in agriculture in evaluating projects
under the program.
(B) Proposing research competitions among
universities and private entities in selecting projects
under the program.
(3) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the task force established under paragraph (1) should be
comprised of the following:
(A) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) The Israeli Minister for Agriculture and Rural
Development.
(C) Members of the board of directors of the BARD
Fund.
(D) The administrators of the Agriculture Research
Service, Economic Research Service, and the National
Institute of Food and Agriculture.
(E) The chief scientist of the Israeli Ministry of
Agriculture and the director of the Agricultural
Research Organization--Volcani Center.

A:
United States-Israel Agriculture Strategic Partnership Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish a program for cooperative research and development in agriculture with the government of Israel. The purpose of the program is to establish a framework to enhance the collaboration between the United States and Israel in research and development activities relating to agriculture, including between public and private entities. The bill also authorizes the Department of State to establish a binational task force to provide guidance and oversight with respect to the cooperative research and development program.
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