Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Reported in House	16,833	n/a	n/a
Engrossed in House	16,743	26	3%
Placed on Calendar Senate	17,216	8 Show Changes Hide Changes	0%

Display Version Reported in House Engrossed in House Placed on Calendar Senate

HR 3161 EHPCSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3161 AN ACT

Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes, namely:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

Production, Processing and Marketing

Office of the Secretary

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary of Agriculture, $5,505,000 (reduced by $100,100): Provided, That not to exceed $11,000 of this amount shall be available for official reception and representation expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Executive Operations

CHIEF ECONOMIST

For necessary expenses of the Chief Economist, including economic analysis, risk assessment, cost-benefit analysis, energy and new uses, and the functions of the World Agricultural Outlook Board, as authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622g), $10,847,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION

For necessary expenses of the National Appeals Division, $15,056,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS

For necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, $8,622,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

HOMELAND SECURITY STAFF

For necessary expenses of the Homeland Security Staff, $2,252,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Chief Information Officer

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, $16,723,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, $6,076,000: Provided, That no funds made available by this appropriation may be obligated for FAIR Act or Circular A-76 activities until the Secretary has submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives a report on the Department's contracting out policies, including agency budgets for contracting out.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, $897,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of Civil Rights

For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights, $23,147,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, $709,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Agriculture Buildings and Facilities and Rental Payments

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public Law 92-313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984 delegation of authority from the Administrator of General Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 486, for programs and activities of the Department which are included in this Act, and for alterations and other actions needed for the Department and its agencies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations suitable for release to the Administrator of General Services, and for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings and facilities, and for related costs, $196,616,000, to remain available until expended, of which $156,590,000 shall be for payments to the General Services Administration for rent and the Department of Homeland Security for building security: Provided, That amounts which are made available for space rental and related costs for the Department of Agriculture in this Act may be transferred between such appropriations to cover the costs of additional, new, or replacement space 15 days after notice thereof is transmitted to the Appropriations Committees of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Hazardous Materials Management

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), $12,200,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to the Department for Hazardous Materials Management may be transferred to any agency of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Departmental Administration

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For Departmental Administration, $23,913,000, to provide for necessary expenses for management support services to offices of the Department and for general administration, security, repairs and alterations, and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the Department: Provided, That this appropriation shall be reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C. 551-558.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations to carry out the programs funded by this Act, including programs involving intergovernmental affairs and liaison within the executive branch, $3,936,000: Provided, That these funds may be transferred to agencies of the Department of Agriculture funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the agency level: Provided further, That no funds made available by this appropriation may be obligated after 30 days from the date of enactment of this Act, unless the Secretary has notified the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the allocation of these funds by USDA agency: Provided further, That no other funds appropriated to the Department by this Act shall be available to the Department for support of activities of congressional relations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of Communications

For necessary expenses to carry out services relating to the coordination of programs involving public affairs, for the dissemination of agricultural information, and the coordination of information, work, and programs authorized by Congress in the Department, $9,720,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of Inspector General

For necessary expenses of the Office of the Inspector General, including employment pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978, $85,998,000, including such sums as may be necessary for contracting and other arrangements with public agencies and private persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain confidential operational expenses, including the payment of informants, to be expended under the direction of the Inspector General pursuant to Public Law 95-452 and section 1337 of Public Law 97-98.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the General Counsel

For necessary expenses of the Office of the General Counsel, $40,964,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, $626,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Economic Research Service

For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service in conducting economic research and analysis, $79,282,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

National Agricultural Statistics Service

For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural Statistics Service in conducting statistical reporting and service work, $166,099,000, of which up to $52,725,000 shall be available until expended for the Census of Agriculture.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Agricultural Research Service

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses to enable the Agricultural Research Service to perform agricultural research and demonstration relating to production, utilization, marketing, and distribution (not otherwise provided for); home economics or nutrition and consumer use including the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of agricultural information; and for acquisition of lands by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100, and for land exchanges where the lands exchanged shall be of equal value or shall be equalized by a payment of money to the grantor which shall not exceed 25 percent of the total value of the land or interests transferred out of Federal ownership, $1,076,340,000: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed one for replacement only: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for the construction, alteration, and repair of buildings and improvements, but unless otherwise provided, the cost of constructing any one building shall not exceed $375,000, except for headhouses or greenhouses which shall each be limited to $1,200,000, and except for 10 buildings to be constructed or improved at a cost not to exceed $750,000 each, and the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building or $375,000, whichever is greater: Provided further, That the limitations on alterations contained in this Act shall not apply to modernization or replacement of existing facilities at Beltsville, Maryland: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available for granting easements at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center: Provided further, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply to replacement of buildings needed to carry out the Act of April 24, 1948 (21 U.S.C. 113a): Provided further, That funds may be received from any State, other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the purpose of establishing or operating any research facility or research project of the Agricultural Research Service, as authorized by law: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be available to carry out research related to the production, processing, or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

For acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities as necessary to carry out the agricultural research programs of the Department of Agriculture, where not otherwise provided, $64,000,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

For payments to agricultural experiment stations, for cooperative forestry and other research, for facilities, and for other expenses, $671,419,000, as follows: to carry out the provisions of the Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a-i), $195,817,000; for grants for cooperative forestry research (16 U.S.C. 582a through a-7), $23,318,000; for payments to eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 3222), $42,000,000, of which $944,737 shall be made available only for the purpose of ensuring that each institution shall receive no less than $1,000,000; for special grants for agricultural research (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $94,242,000; for competitive grants for agricultural research on improved pest control (7 U.S.C. 450i(c)), $15,973,000; for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), $190,229,000; for the support of animal health and disease programs (7 U.S.C. 3195), $5,006,000; for the 1994 research grants program for 1994 institutions pursuant to section 536 of Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), $1,544,000, to remain available until expended; for higher education graduate fellowship grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(6)), $3,701,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for a veterinary medicine loan repayment program pursuant to section 1415A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.), $1,000,000; for higher education challenge grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)), $5,423,000; for a higher education multicultural scholars program (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(5)), $988,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for an education grants program for Hispanic-serving Institutions (7 U.S.C. 3241), $6,237,000; for competitive grants for the purpose of carrying out all provisions of 7 U.S.C. 3242 (section 759 of Public Law 106-78) to individual eligible institutions or consortia of eligible institutions in Alaska and in Hawaii, with funds awarded equally to each of the States of Alaska and Hawaii, $3,218,000; for a secondary agriculture education program and 2-year post-secondary education (7 U.S.C. 3152(j)), $990,000; for aquaculture grants (7 U.S.C. 3322), $3,956,000; for sustainable agriculture research and education (7 U.S.C. 5811), $14,000,000; for a program of capacity building grants (7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4)) to institutions eligible to receive funds under 7 U.S.C. 3221 and 3222, $15,000,000, to remain available until expended (7 U.S.C. 2209b); for payments to the 1994 Institutions pursuant to section 534(a)(1) of Public Law 103-382, $3,342,000; for resident instruction grants for insular areas under section 1491 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3363), $1,000,000; and for necessary expenses of Research and Education Activities, $44,435,000, of which $2,723,000 for the Research, Education, and Economics Information System and $2,151,000 for the Electronic Grants Information System, are to remain available until expended: Provided, That none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be available to carry out research related to the production, processing, or marketing of tobacco or tobacco products: Provided further, That this paragraph shall not apply to research on the medical, biotechnological, food, and industrial uses of tobacco.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

NATIVE AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS ENDOWMENT FUND

For the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund authorized by Public Law 103-382 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), $11,880,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

For payments to States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, and American Samoa, $463,886,000, as follows: payments for cooperative extension work under the Smith-Lever Act, to be distributed under sections 3(b) and 3(c) of said Act, and under section 208(c) of Public Law 93-471, for retirement and employees' compensation costs for extension agents, $281,429,000; payments for extension work at the 1994 Institutions under the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(b)(3)), $3,321,000; payments for the nutrition and family education program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Act, $68,500,000; payments for the pest management program under section 3(d) of the Act, $9,860,000; payments for the farm safety program under section 3(d) of the Act, $5,000,000; payments for New Technologies for Ag Extension under Section 3(d) of the Act, $1,485,000; payments to upgrade research, extension, and teaching facilities at institutions eligible to receive funds under 7 U.S.C. 3221 and 3222, $18,000,000, to remain available until expended; payments for youth-at-risk programs under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, $8,396,000; for youth farm safety education and certification extension grants, to be awarded competitively under section 3(d) of the Act, $494,000; payments for carrying out the provisions of the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1671 et seq.), $4,052,000; payments for the federally-recognized Tribes Extension Program under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act, $3,000,000; payments for sustainable agriculture programs under section 3(d) of the Act, $4,200,000; payments for cooperative extension work by eligible institutions (7 U.S.C. 3221), $37,000,000, of which $1,113,333 shall be made available only for the purpose of ensuring that each institution shall receive no less than $1,000,000; for grants to youth organizations pursuant to section 7630 of title 7, United States Code, $1,980,000; and for necessary expenses of Extension Activities, $17,169,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

INTEGRATED ACTIVITIES

For the integrated research, education, and extension grants programs, including necessary administrative expenses, $57,244,000, as follows: for competitive grants programs authorized under section 406 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7626), $42,286,000, including $12,738,000 for the water quality program, $14,699,000 for the food safety program, $4,125,000 for the regional pest management centers program, $4,419,000 for the Food Quality Protection Act risk mitigation program for major food crop systems, $1,375,000 for the crops affected by Food Quality Protection Act implementation, $3,075,000 for the methyl bromide transition program, and $1,855,000 for the organic transition program; for a competitive international science and education grants program authorized under section 1459A of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3292b), to remain available until expended, $3,000,000; for grants programs authorized under section 2(c)(1)(B) of Public Law 89-106, as amended, $737,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009, for the critical issues program; $1,321,000 for the regional rural development centers program; and $9,900,000 for the Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative authorized under section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Act of 1977, to remain available until September 30, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

OUTREACH FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS

For grants and contracts pursuant to section 2501 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279), $6,930,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs to administer programs under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; the Agricultural Marketing Service; and the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; $759,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary to prevent, control, and eradicate pests and plant and animal diseases; to carry out inspection, quarantine, and regulatory activities; and to protect the environment, as authorized by law, $874,643,000, of which $4,113,000 shall be available for the control of outbreaks of insects, plant diseases, animal diseases and for control of pest animals and birds to the extent necessary to meet emergency conditions; of which $36,269,000 shall be used for the cotton pests program for cost share purposes or for debt retirement for active eradication zones; of which $57,044,000 shall be used to conduct a surveillance and preparedness program for highly pathogenic avian influenza: Provided, That no funds shall be used to formulate or administer a brucellosis eradication program for the current fiscal year that does not require minimum matching by the States of at least 40 percent: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for the operation and maintenance of aircraft and the purchase of not to exceed four, of which two shall be for replacement only: Provided further, That, in addition, in emergencies which threaten any segment of the agricultural production industry of this country, the Secretary may transfer from other appropriations or funds available to the agencies or corporations of the Department such sums as may be deemed necessary, to be available only in such emergencies for the arrest and eradication of contagious or infectious disease or pests of animals, poultry, or plants, and for expenses in accordance with sections 10411 and 10417 of the Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 8310 and 8316) and sections 431 and 442 of the Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 7751 and 7772), and any unexpended balances of funds transferred for such emergency purposes in the preceding fiscal year shall be merged with such transferred amounts: Provided further, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the repair and alteration of leased buildings and improvements, but unless otherwise provided the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In fiscal year 2008, the agency is authorized to collect fees to cover the total costs of providing technical assistance, goods, or services requested by States, other political subdivisions, domestic and international organizations, foreign governments, or individuals, provided that such fees are structured such that any entity's liability for such fees is reasonably based on the technical assistance, goods, or services provided to the entity by the agency, and such fees shall be credited to this account, to remain available until expended, without further appropriation, for providing such assistance, goods, or services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

For plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance, environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 428a, $4,946,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Agricultural Marketing Service

MARKETING SERVICES

For necessary expenses to carry out services related to consumer protection, agricultural marketing and distribution, transportation, and regulatory programs, as authorized by law, and for administration and coordination of payments to States, $79,945,000, including funds for the wholesale market development program for the design and development of wholesale and farmer market facilities for the major metropolitan areas of the country: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Fees may be collected for the cost of standardization activities, as established by regulation pursuant to law (31 U.S.C. 9701).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Not to exceed $61,233,000 (from fees collected) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative expenses: Provided, That if crop size is understated and/or other uncontrollable events occur, the agency may exceed this limitation by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

FUNDS FOR STRENGTHENING MARKETS, INCOME, AND SUPPLY (SECTION 32)

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c), shall be used only for commodity program expenses as authorized therein, and other related operating expenses, including not less than $20,000,000 for replacement of a system to support commodity purchases, except for: (1) transfers to the Department of Commerce as authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of August 8, 1956; (2) transfers otherwise provided in this Act; and (3) not more than $16,798,000 for formulation and administration of marketing agreements and orders pursuant to the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937 and the Agricultural Act of 1961.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

PAYMENTS TO STATES AND POSSESSIONS

For payments to departments of agriculture, bureaus and departments of markets, and similar agencies for marketing activities under section 204(b) of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), $1,334,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act, for the administration of the Packers and Stockyards Act, for certifying procedures used to protect purchasers of farm products, and the standardization activities related to grain under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, $41,115,000: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

LIMITATION ON INSPECTION AND WEIGHING SERVICES EXPENSES

Not to exceed $42,463,000 (from fees collected) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for inspection and weighing services: Provided, That if grain export activities require additional supervision and oversight, or other uncontrollable factors occur, this limitation may be exceeded by up to 10 percent with notification to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food Safety and Inspection Service, $632,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Food Safety and Inspection Service

For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, including not to exceed $50,000 for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $930,120,000, of which no less than $830,057,000 shall be available for Federal food safety inspection; and in addition, $1,000,000 may be credited to this account from fees collected for the cost of laboratory accreditation as authorized by section 1327 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 138f): Provided, That of the total amount made available under this heading, no less than $20,653,000 shall be obligated for regulatory and scientific training: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Farm Assistance Programs

Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services to administer the laws enacted by Congress for the Farm Service Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service, the Risk Management Agency, and the Commodity Credit Corporation, $666,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Farm Service Agency

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration and implementation of programs administered by the Farm Service Agency, $1,127,409,000: Provided, That the Secretary is authorized to use the services, facilities, and authorities (but not the funds) of the Commodity Credit Corporation to make program payments for all programs administered by the Agency: Provided further, That other funds made available to the Agency for authorized activities may be advanced to and merged with this account: Provided further, That none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salary or expenses of any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to close or relocate any county or field office of the Farm Service Agency (other than a county or field office that had zero employees as of February 7, 2007), or to develop, submit, consider, or approve any plan for any such closure or relocation before the expiration of the six month period following the date of the enactment of an omnibus authorization law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007: Provided further, That after the expiration of the six month period following the date of the enactment of an omnibus authorization law to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs for fiscal years after 2007 none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture to close any local or county office of the Farm Service Agency unless the Secretary of Agriculture, not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary proposed the closure, holds a public meeting about the proposed closure in the county in which the local or county office is located, and, after the public meeting but not later than 120 days before the date on which the Secretary approves the closure, notifies the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the members of Congress from the State in which the local or county office is located of the proposed closure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

STATE MEDIATION GRANTS

For grants pursuant to section 502(b) of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, as amended (7 U.S.C. 5101-5106), $4,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

GRASSROOTS SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PROGRAM

For necessary expenses to carry out wellhead or groundwater protection activities under section 1240O of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-2), $3,713,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DAIRY INDEMNITY PROGRAM

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses involved in making indemnity payments to dairy farmers and manufacturers of dairy products under a dairy indemnity program, $100,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such program is carried out by the Secretary in the same manner as the dairy indemnity program described in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-387, 114 Stat. 1549A-12).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AGRICULTURAL CREDIT INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and guaranteed farm ownership (7 U.S.C. 1922 et seq.) and operating (7 U.S.C. 1941 et seq.) loans, Indian tribe land acquisition loans (25 U.S.C. 488), and boll weevil loans (7 U.S.C. 1989), to be available from funds in the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, as follows: farm ownership loans, $1,423,857,000, of which $1,200,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans and $223,857,000 shall be for direct loans; operating loans, $1,879,595,000, of which $1,000,000,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans, $250,000,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans and $629,595,000 shall be for direct loans; Indian tribe land acquisition loans, $3,960,000; and for boll weevil eradication program loans, $100,000,000: Provided, That the Secretary shall deem the pink bollworm to be a boll weevil for the purpose of boll weevil eradication program loans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the cost of modifying loans as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: farm ownership loans, $14,762,000, of which $4,800,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans, and $9,962,000 shall be for direct loans; operating loans, $137,446,000, of which $24,200,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans, $33,350,000 shall be for subsidized guaranteed loans, and $79,896,000 shall be for direct loans; and Indian tribe land acquisition loans, $125,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $318,150,000, of which $310,230,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Funds appropriated by this Act to the Agricultural Credit Insurance Program Account for farm ownership and operating direct loans and guaranteed loans may be transferred among these programs: Provided, That the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified at least 15 days in advance of any transfer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Risk Management Agency

For administrative and operating expenses, as authorized by section 226A of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6933), $78,833,000: Provided, That not to exceed $1,000 shall be available for official reception and representation expenses, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1506(i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

CORPORATIONS

The following corporations and agencies are hereby authorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available to each such corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund

For payments as authorized by section 516 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1516), such sums as may be necessary, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Commodity Credit Corporation Fund

REIMBURSEMENT FOR NET REALIZED LOSSES

For the current fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for net realized losses sustained, but not previously reimbursed, pursuant to section 2 of the Act of August 17, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 713a-11): Provided, That of the funds available to the Commodity Credit Corporation under section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i) for the conduct of its business with the Foreign Agricultural Service, up to $5,000,000 may be transferred to and used by the Foreign Agricultural Service for information resource management activities of the Foreign Agricultural Service that are not related to Commodity Credit Corporation business.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT

(LIMITATION ON EXPENSES)

For the current fiscal year, the Commodity Credit Corporation shall not expend more than $5,000,000 for site investigation and cleanup expenses, and operations and maintenance expenses to comply with the requirement of section 107(g) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9607(g)), and section 6001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6961).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II

CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, $781,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Natural Resources Conservation Service

CONSERVATION OPERATIONS

For necessary expenses for carrying out the provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), including preparation of conservation plans and establishment of measures to conserve soil and water (including farm irrigation and land drainage and such special measures for soil and water management as may be necessary to prevent floods and the siltation of reservoirs and to control agricultural related pollutants); operation of conservation plant materials centers; classification and mapping of soil; dissemination of information; acquisition of lands, water, and interests therein for use in the plant materials program by donation, exchange, or purchase at a nominal cost not to exceed $100 pursuant to the Act of August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 428a); purchase and erection or alteration or improvement of permanent and temporary buildings; and operation and maintenance of aircraft, $851,910,000, to remain available until June 30, 2009, of which not less than $10,840,000 is for snow survey and water forecasting, and not less than $10,779,000 is for operation and establishment of the plant materials centers, and of which not less than $27,225,000 shall be for the grazing lands conservation initiative: Provided, That appropriations hereunder shall be available pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2250 for construction and improvement of buildings and public improvements at plant materials centers, except that the cost of alterations and improvements to other buildings and other public improvements shall not exceed $250,000: Provided further, That when buildings or other structures are erected on non-Federal land, that the right to use such land is obtained as provided in 7 U.S.C. 2250a: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available for technical assistance and related expenses to carry out programs authorized by section 202(c) of title II of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Act of 1974 (43 U.S.C. 1592(c)): Provided further, That qualified local engineers may be temporarily employed at per diem rates to perform the technical planning work of the Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

WATERSHED SURVEYS AND PLANNING

For necessary expenses to conduct research, investigation, and surveys of watersheds of rivers and other waterways, and for small watershed investigations and planning, in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001-1009), $6,556,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

WATERSHED AND FLOOD PREVENTION OPERATIONS

For necessary expenses to carry out preventive measures, including but not limited to research, engineering operations, methods of cultivation, the growing of vegetation, rehabilitation of existing works and changes in use of land, in accordance with the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001-1005 and 1007-1009), the provisions of the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to the activities of the Department, $37,000,000, to remain available until expended; of which up to $10,000,000 may be available for the watersheds authorized under the Flood Control Act (33 U.S.C. 701 and 16 U.S.C. 1006a): Provided, That not to exceed $18,500,000 of this appropriation shall be available for technical assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

WATERSHED REHABILITATION PROGRAM

For necessary expenses to carry out rehabilitation of structural measures, in accordance with section 14 of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012), and in accordance with the provisions of laws relating to the activities of the Department, $31,586,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

For necessary expenses in planning and carrying out projects for resource conservation and development and for sound land use pursuant to the provisions of sections 31 and 32 of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act (7 U.S.C. 1010-1011; 76 Stat. 607); the Act of April 27, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 590a-f); and subtitle H of title XV of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3451-3461), $52,370,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $3,073,000 shall be available for national headquarters activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III

RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development to administer programs under the laws enacted by the Congress for the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service, $666,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RURAL COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For the cost of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 1926, 1926a, 1926c, 1926d, and 1932, except for sections 381E-H and 381N of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, $728,807,000, to remain available until expended, of which $55,742,000 shall be for rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act; of which $573,065,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs described in sections 381E(d)(2), 306C(a)(2), and 306D of such Act, of which not to exceed $500,000 shall be available for the rural utilities program described in section 306(a)(2)(B) of such Act, and of which not to exceed $1,000,000 shall be available for the rural utilities program described in section 306E of such Act; and of which $100,000,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative development programs described in sections 381E(d)(3) and 310B(f) of such Act: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated in this account, $24,000,000 shall be for loans and grants to benefit Federally Recognized Native American Tribes, including grants for drinking water and waste disposal systems pursuant to section 306C of such Act, of which $4,000,000 shall be available for community facilities grants to tribal colleges, as authorized by section 306(a)(19) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, and of which $250,000 shall be available for a grant to a qualified national organization to provide technical assistance for rural transportation in order to promote economic development: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for the rural business and cooperative development programs, not to exceed $500,000 shall be made available for a grant to a qualified national organization to provide technical assistance for rural transportation in order to promote economic development; $3,000,000 shall be for grants to the Delta Regional Authority (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) for any purpose under this heading: Provided further, That of the amount appropriated for rural utilities programs, not to exceed $25,000,000 shall be for water and waste disposal systems to benefit the Colonias along the United States/Mexico border, including grants pursuant to section 306C of such Act; $18,250,000 shall be for technical assistance grants for rural water and waste systems pursuant to section 306(a)(14) of such Act, of which $5,600,000 shall be for Rural Community Assistance Programs; and not to exceed $14,000,000 shall be for contracting with qualified national organizations for a circuit rider program to provide technical assistance for rural water systems: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, not to exceed $22,800,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones; of which $1,100,000 shall be for the rural community programs described in section 381E(d)(1) of such Act, of which $13,400,000 shall be for the rural utilities programs described in section 381E(d)(2) of such Act, and of which $8,300,000 shall be for the rural business and cooperative development programs described in section 381E(d)(3) of such Act: Provided further, That any prior year balances for high cost energy grants authorized by section 19 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 901(19)) shall be transferred to and merged with the `Rural Utilities Service, High Energy Costs Grants Account'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Rural Development Salaries and Expenses

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses for carrying out the administration and implementation of programs in the Rural Development mission area, including activities with institutions concerning the development and operation of agricultural cooperatives; and for cooperative agreements; $175,382,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, funds appropriated under this section may be used for advertising and promotional activities that support the Rural Development mission area: Provided further, That not more than $10,000 may be expended to provide modest nonmonetary awards to non-USDA employees: Provided further, That any balances available from prior years for the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, and the Rural Business-Cooperative Service salaries and expenses accounts shall be transferred to and merged with this appropriation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Rural Housing Service

RURAL HOUSING INSURANCE FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For gross obligations for the principal amount of direct and guaranteed loans as authorized by title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to be available from funds in the rural housing insurance fund, as follows: $4,845,816,000 for loans to section 502 borrowers, as determined by the Secretary, of which $1,129,391,000 shall be for direct loans, and of which $3,716,425,000 shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; $34,652,000 for section 504 housing repair loans; $99,000,000 for section 515 rental housing; $99,000,000 for section 538 guaranteed multi-family housing loans; $5,046,000 for section 524 site loans; $11,486,000 for credit sales of acquired property, of which up to $1,486,000 may be for multi-family credit sales; and $5,000,000 for section 523 self-help housing land development loans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, including the cost of modifying loans, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as follows: section 502 loans, $150,183,000, of which $105,824,000 shall be for direct loans, and of which $44,359,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for unsubsidized guaranteed loans; section 504 housing repair loans, $9,796,000; repair, rehabilitation, and new construction of section 515 rental housing, $42,184,000; section 538 multi-family housing guaranteed loans, $9,306,000; credit sales of acquired property, $552,000; and section 523 self-help housing and development loans, $142,000: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated in this paragraph, $2,500,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones: Provided further, That any balances for a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-family rental housing properties as authorized in Public Law 109-97 shall be transferred to and merged with the `Rural Housing Service, Multifamily Housing Revitalization Program Account'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $462,521,000, which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For rental assistance agreements entered into or renewed pursuant to the authority under section 521(a)(2) or agreements entered into in lieu of debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949, $533,020,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009; and, in addition, such sums as may be necessary, as authorized by section 521(c) of the Act, to liquidate debt incurred prior to fiscal year 1992 to carry out the rental assistance program under section 521(a)(2) of the Act: Provided, That of this amount, up to $7,920,000 shall be available for debt forgiveness or payments for eligible households as authorized by section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Act, and not to exceed $50,000 per project for advances to nonprofit organizations or public agencies to cover direct costs (other than purchase price) incurred in purchasing projects pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(C) of the Act: Provided further, That agreements entered into or renewed during the current fiscal year shall be funded for a one-year period: Provided further, That any unexpended balances remaining at the end of such one-year agreements may be transferred and used for the purposes of any debt reduction; maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation of any existing projects; preservation; and rental assistance activities authorized under title V of the Act: Provided further, That rental assistance that is recovered from projects that are subject to prepayment shall be deobligated and reallocated for vouchers and debt forgiveness or payments consistent with the requirements of this Act for purposes authorized under section 542 and section 502(c)(5)(D) of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended: Provided further, That rental assistance provided under agreements entered into prior to fiscal year 2008 for a section 514/516 project may not be recaptured for use in another project until such assistance has remained unused for a period of 12 consecutive months, if such project has a waiting list of tenants seeking such assistance or the project has rental assistance eligible tenants who are not receiving such assistance: Provided further, That such recaptured rental assistance shall, to the extent practicable, be applied to another section 514/516 project.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REVITALIZATION PROGRAM ACCOUNT

For the rural housing voucher program as authorized under section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (without regard to section 542(b)), for the cost to conduct a housing demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the preservation of low-income multi-family housing projects, and for additional costs to conduct a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-family rental housing properties, $27,800,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the funds made available under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be available for rural housing vouchers to any low-income household (including those not receiving rental assistance) residing in a property financed with a section 515 loan which has been prepaid after September 30, 2005: Provided further, That the amount of such voucher shall be the difference between comparable market rent for the section 515 unit and the tenant paid rent for such unit: Provided further, That funds made available for such vouchers, shall be subject to the availability of annual appropriations: Provided further, That the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, administer such vouchers with current regulations and administrative guidance applicable for section 8 housing vouchers administered by the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (including the ability to pay administrative costs related to delivery of the voucher funds): Provided further, That if the Secretary determines that the amount made available for vouchers in this or any other Act is not needed for vouchers, the Secretary may use such funds for the demonstration programs for the preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-family rental housing properties described in this paragraph: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $3,000,000 shall be available for loans to private non-profit organizations, or such non-profit organizations' affiliate loan funds and State and local housing finance agencies, to carry out a housing demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the preservation of low-income multi-family housing projects: Provided further, That loans under such demonstration program shall have an interest rate of not more than 1 percent direct loan to the recipient: Provided further, That the Secretary may defer the interest and principal payment to the Rural Housing Service for up to 3 years and the term of such loans shall not exceed 30 years: Provided further, That of the funds made available under this heading, $14,800,000 shall be available for a demonstration program for the preservation and revitalization of the section 515 multi-family rental housing properties to restructure existing section 515 loans, as the Secretary deems appropriate, expressly for the purposes of ensuring the project has sufficient resources to preserve the project for the purpose of providing safe and affordable housing for low-income residents including reducing or eliminating interest; deferring loan payments, subordinating, reducing or reamortizing loan debt; and other financial assistance including advances and incentives required by the Secretary: Provided further, That if the Secretary determines that additional funds for vouchers described in this paragraph are needed, funds for the preservation and revitalization demonstration program may be used for such vouchers: Provided further, That if Congress enacts legislation to permanently authorize a section 515 multi-family rental housing loan restructuring program similar to the demonstration program described herein, the Secretary may use funds made available for the demonstration program under this heading to carry out such legislation with the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP HOUSING GRANTS

For grants and contracts pursuant to section 523(b)(1)(A) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490c), $40,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated, $1,000,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RURAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For grants and contracts for very low-income housing repair, supervisory and technical assistance, compensation for construction defects, and rural housing preservation made by the Rural Housing Service, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1474, 1479(c), 1490e, and 1490m, $39,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated, $1,200,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones: Provided further, That any balances to carry out a housing demonstration program to provide revolving loans for the preservation of low-income multi-family housing projects authorized in Public Law 108-447 and Public Law 109-97 shall be transferred to and merged with `Rural Housing Service, Multifamily Housing Revitalization Program Account'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

FARM LABOR PROGRAM ACCOUNT

For the cost of direct loans, grants, and contracts, as authorized by 42 U.S.C. 1484 and 1486, $46,630,000, to remain available until expended, for direct farm labor housing loans and domestic farm labor housing grants and contracts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Rural Business--Cooperative Service

RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

For the principal amount of direct loans, as authorized by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), $33,772,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For the cost of direct loans, $14,485,000, as authorized by the Rural Development Loan Fund (42 U.S.C. 9812(a)), of which $1,724,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for Federally Recognized Native American Tribes and of which $3,449,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for Mississippi Delta Region counties (as determined in accordance with Public Law 100-460): Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated, $880,000 shall be available through June 30, 2008, for the cost of direct loans for authorized empowerment zones and enterprise communities and communities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan programs, $4,861,000 shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RURAL COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

For rural cooperative development grants authorized under section 310B(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932), $29,193,000, of which $495,000 shall be for a cooperative research agreement with a qualified academic institution to conduct research on the national economic impact of all types of cooperatives; and of which $2,475,000 shall be for cooperative agreements for the appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program: Provided, That not to exceed $1,473,000 shall be for cooperatives or associations of cooperatives whose primary focus is to provide assistance to small, minority producers and whose governing board and/or membership is comprised of at least 75 percent minority; and of which $20,295,000, to remain available until expended, shall be for value-added agricultural product market development grants, as authorized by section 6401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RURAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES GRANTS

For grants in connection with second and third rounds of empowerment zones and enterprise communities, $11,088,000, to remain available until expended, for designated rural empowerment zones and rural enterprise communities, as authorized by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 and the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-277).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM

For the cost of a program of direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants, under the same terms and conditions as authorized by section 9006 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8106), $46,000,000 for direct and guaranteed renewable energy loans and grants: Provided, That the cost of direct loans and loan guarantees, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Rural Utilities Service

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Insured loans pursuant to the authority of section 305 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935) shall be made as follows: 5 percent rural electrification loans, $100,000,000; loans made pursuant to section 306 of that Act, rural electric, $4,500,000,000; 5 percent rural telecommunications loans, $145,000,000; cost of money rural telecommunications loans, $250,000,000; and for loans made pursuant to section 306 of that Act, rural telecommunications loans, $295,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For the cost, as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, including the cost of modifying loans, of direct and guaranteed loans authorized by sections 305 and 306 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 935 and 936), as follows: cost of rural electric loans, $120,000, and the cost of telecommunications loans, $3,620,000: Provided, That notwithstanding section 305(d)(2) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, borrower interest rates may exceed 7 percent per year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct and guaranteed loan programs, $39,405,000 which shall be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Rural Development, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

DISTANCE LEARNING, TELEMEDICINE, AND BROADBAND PROGRAM

For the principal amount of broadband telecommunication loans, $300,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For grants for telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa et seq., $35,000,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





For the cost of broadband loans, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., $6,450,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009: Provided, That the interest rate for such loans shall be the cost of borrowing to the Department of the Treasury for obligations of comparable maturity: Provided further, That the cost of direct loans shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, $17,820,000, to remain available until expended, for a grant program to finance broadband transmission in rural areas eligible for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program benefits authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV

DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services

For necessary salaries and expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services to administer the laws enacted by the Congress for the Food and Nutrition Service, $628,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Food and Nutrition Service

CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses to carry out the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), except section 21, and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.), except sections 17 and 21; $13,903,213,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009, of which $7,668,156,000 is hereby appropriated and $6,235,057,000 shall be derived by transfer from funds available under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c): Provided, That up to $5,505,000 shall be available for independent verification of school food service claims.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)

For necessary expenses to carry out the special supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), $5,620,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009, of which such sums as are necessary to restore the contingency reserve to $125,000,000 shall be placed in reserve, to remain available until expended, to be allocated as the Secretary deems necessary, notwithstanding section 17(i) of such Act, to support participation should cost or participation exceed budget estimates: Provided, That of the total amount available, the Secretary shall obligate not less than $15,000,000 for a breastfeeding support initiative in addition to the activities specified in section 17(h)(3)(A): Provided further, That only the provisions of section 17(h)(10)(B)(i) and section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) shall be effective in 2008; including $14,000,000 for the purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(i) and $30,000,000 for the purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii): Provided further, That funds made available for the purposes specified in section 17(h)(10)(B)(ii) shall only be made available upon a determination by the Secretary that funds are available to meet caseload requirements without the use of the contingency reserve funds: Provided further, That none of the funds in this Act shall be available to pay administrative expenses of WIC clinics except those that have an announced policy of prohibiting smoking within the space used to carry out the program: Provided further, That none of the funds provided in this account shall be available for the purchase of infant formula except in accordance with the cost containment and competitive bidding requirements specified in section 17 of such Act: Provided further, That none of the funds provided shall be available for activities that are not fully reimbursed by other Federal Government departments or agencies unless authorized by section 17 of such Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

For necessary expenses to carry out the Food Stamp Act (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), $39,816,223,000, of which $3,000,000,000 to remain available through September 30, 2009, shall be placed in reserve for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations: Provided, That funds provided herein shall be expended in accordance with section 16 of the Food Stamp Act: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be subject to any work registration or workfare requirements as may be required by law: Provided further, That funds made available for Employment and Training under this heading shall remain available until expended, as authorized by section 16(h)(1) of the Food Stamp Act: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 5(d) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, any additional payment received under chapter 5 of title 37, United States Code, by a member of the United States Armed Forces deployed to a designated combat zone shall be excluded from household income for the duration of the member's deployment if the additional pay is the result of deployment to or while serving in a combat zone, and it was not received immediately prior to serving in the combat zone.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

COMMODITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For necessary expenses to carry out disaster assistance and the commodity supplemental food program as authorized by section 4(a) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (7 U.S.C. 612c note); the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983; special assistance for the nuclear affected islands, as authorized by section 103(f)(2) of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-188); and the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, as authorized by section 17(m) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, $221,070,000, to remain available through September 30, 2009: Provided, That none of these funds shall be available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for commodities donated to the program: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, effective with funds made available in fiscal year 2008 to support the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), such funds shall remain available through September 30, 2009: Provided further, That of the funds made available under section 27(a) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the Secretary may use up to $10,000,000 for costs associated with the distribution of commodities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION

For necessary administrative expenses of the domestic nutrition assistance programs funded under this Act, $146,926,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V

FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Foreign Agricultural Service

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For necessary expenses of the Foreign Agricultural Service, including carrying out title VI of the Agricultural Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1761-1768), market development activities abroad, and for enabling the Secretary to coordinate and integrate activities of the Department in connection with foreign agricultural work, including not to exceed $158,000 for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $159,136,000: Provided, That the Service may utilize advances of funds, or reimburse this appropriation for expenditures made on behalf of Federal agencies, public and private organizations and institutions under agreements executed pursuant to the agricultural food production assistance programs (7 U.S.C. 1737) and the foreign assistance programs of the United States Agency for International Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE I DIRECT CREDIT AND FOOD FOR PROGRESS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For administrative expenses to carry out the credit program of title I, Public Law 83-480, and the Food for Progress Act of 1985, $2,749,000, to be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, the funds made available for the cost of agreements under title I of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and for title I ocean freight differential may be used interchangeably between the two accounts with prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

PUBLIC LAW 480 TITLE II GRANTS

For expenses during the current fiscal year, not otherwise recoverable, and unrecovered prior years' costs, including interest thereon, under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, for commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad under title II of said Act, $1,219,400,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION EXPORT LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

For administrative expenses to carry out the Commodity Credit Corporation's export guarantee program, GSM 102 and GSM 103, $5,338,000; to cover common overhead expenses as permitted by section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and in conformity with the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, of which $4,985,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Foreign Agricultural Service, Salaries and Expenses', and of which $353,000 may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for `Farm Service Agency, Salaries and Expenses'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

MCGOVERN-DOLE INTERNATIONAL FOOD FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM GRANTS

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of section 3107 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 1736o-1), $100,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the Commodity Credit Corporation is authorized to provide the services, facilities, and authorities for the purpose of implementing such section, subject to reimbursement from amounts provided herein.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VI

RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

For necessary expenses of the Food and Drug Administration, including hire and purchase of passenger motor vehicles; for payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public Law 92-313 for programs and activities of the Food and Drug Administration which are included in this Act; for rental of special purpose space in the District of Columbia or elsewhere; for miscellaneous and emergency expenses of enforcement activities, authorized and approved by the Secretary and to be accounted for solely on the Secretary's certificate, not to exceed $25,000; and notwithstanding section 521 of Public Law 107-188; $1,683,405,000: Provided, That of the amount provided under this heading, $13,696,000 shall be derived from animal drug user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 379j, and shall be credited to this account and remain available until expended: Provided further, That fees derived from animal drug assessments received during fiscal year 2008, including any such fees assessed prior to the current fiscal year but credited during the current year, shall be subject to the fiscal year 2008 limitation: Provided further, That none of these funds shall be used to develop, establish, or operate any program of user fees authorized by 31 U.S.C. 9701: Provided further, That of the total amount appropriated: (1) $475,726,000 shall be for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition and related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (2) $348,438,000 shall be for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (3) $155,073,000 shall be for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research and for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (4) $94,809,000 shall be for the Center for Veterinary Medicine and for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (5) $240,122,000 shall be for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health and for related field activities in the Office of Regulatory Affairs; (6) $36,455,000 shall be for the National Center for Toxicological Research; (7) $97,976,000 shall be for Rent and Related activities, of which $38,808,000 is for White Oak Consolidation, other than the amounts paid to the General Services Administration for rent; (8) $131,533,000 shall be for payments to the General Services Administration for rent; and (9) $89,577,000 shall be for other activities, including the Office of the Commissioner; the Office of Management; the Office of External Relations; the Office of Policy and Planning; and central services for these offices: Provided further, That funds may be transferred from one specified activity to another with the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, mammography user fees authorized by 42 U.S.C. 263b may be credited to this account, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, export certification user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 381 may be credited to this account, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





In addition, $28,000,000 shall be for the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, to remain available from July 1, 2008, through September 30, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

For plans, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of or used by the Food and Drug Administration, where not otherwise provided, $4,950,000, to remain available until expended.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

For necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), including the purchase and hire of passenger motor vehicles, and the rental of space (to include multiple year leases) in the District of Columbia and elsewhere, $102,550,000, including not to exceed $3,000 for official reception and representation expenses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Farm Credit Administration

LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Not to exceed $46,000,000 (from assessments collected from farm credit institutions and from the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation) shall be obligated during the current fiscal year for administrative expenses as authorized under 12 U.S.C. 2249: Provided, That this limitation shall not apply to expenses associated with receiverships.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

SEC. 701. Within the unit limit of cost fixed by law, appropriations and authorizations made for the Department of Agriculture for the current fiscal year under this Act shall be available for the purchase, in addition to those specifically provided for, of not to exceed 182 passenger motor vehicles, of which 142 shall be for replacement only, and for the hire of such vehicles.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 702. New obligational authority provided for the following appropriation items in this Act shall remain available until expended: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the contingency fund to meet emergency conditions, information technology infrastructure, fruit fly program, emerging plant pests, cotton pests program, avian influenza programs, up to $4,505,000 in the pest and disease management program to control grasshoppers and Mormon cricket, up to $1,500,000 in the scrapie program for indemnities, up to $3,000,000 in the emergency management systems program for the vaccine bank, up to $1,000,000 for wildlife services methods development, up to $1,000,000 of the wildlife services operations program for aviation safety, and up to 25 percent of the screwworm program; Food Safety and Inspection Service, Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure System; Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, funds for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), funds for the Research, Education, and Economics Information System, and funds for the Native American Institutions Endowment Fund; Farm Service Agency, salaries and expenses funds made available to county committees; Foreign Agricultural Service, middle-income country training program, and up to $2,000,000 of the Foreign Agricultural Service appropriation solely for the purpose of offsetting fluctuations in international currency exchange rates, subject to documentation by the Foreign Agricultural Service.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 703. The Secretary of Agriculture may transfer unobligated balances of discretionary funds appropriated by this Act or other available unobligated discretionary balances of the Department of Agriculture to the Working Capital Fund for the acquisition of plant and capital equipment necessary for the delivery of financial, financial management modernization initiative, administrative, and information technology services of primary benefit to the agencies of the Department of Agriculture: Provided, That none of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without the prior approval of the agency administrator: Provided further, That none of the funds transferred to the Working Capital Fund pursuant to this section shall be available for obligation without the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 704. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 705. No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institutions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 706. None of the funds in this Act shall be available to pay indirect costs charged against competitive agricultural research, education, or extension grant awards issued by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service that exceed 20 percent of total Federal funds provided under each award: Provided, That notwithstanding section 1462 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3310), funds provided by this Act for grants awarded competitively by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service shall be available to pay full allowable indirect costs for each grant awarded under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 707. Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to cover obligations made in the current fiscal year for the following accounts: the Rural Development Loan Fund program account, the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans program account, and the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 708. Of the funds made available by this Act, not more than $1,800,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of activities related to all advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces of the Department of Agriculture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively awarded grants.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 709. None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used to carry out section 410 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 679a) or section 30 of the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 471).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 710. No employee of the Department of Agriculture may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this Act to any other agency or office of the Department for more than 30 days unless the individual's employing agency or office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of assignment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 711. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Agriculture or the Food and Drug Administration shall be used to transmit or otherwise make available to any non-Department of Agriculture or non-Department of Health and Human Services employee questions or responses to questions that are a result of information requested for the appropriations hearing process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 712. None of the funds made available to the Department of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire new information technology systems or significant upgrades, as determined by the Office of the Chief Information Officer, without the approval of the Chief Information Officer and the concurrence of the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be transferred to the Office of the Chief Information Officer without the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That none of the funds available to the Department of Agriculture for information technology shall be obligated for projects over $25,000 prior to receipt of written approval by the Chief Information Officer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 713. (a) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming of funds which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) creates new programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) eliminates a program, project, or activity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) increases funds or personnel by any means for any project or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) relocates an office or employees;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) reorganizes offices, programs, or activities; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities presently performed by Federal employees; unless the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury of the United States derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure for activities, programs, or projects through a reprogramming of funds in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, which-ever is less, that: (1) augments existing programs, projects, or activities; (2) reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program, project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent as approved by Congress; or (3) results from any general savings from a reduction in personnel which would result in a change in existing programs, activities, or projects as approved by Congress; unless the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress are notified 15 days in advance of such reprogramming of funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before implementing a program or activity not carried out during the previous fiscal year unless the program or activity is funded by this Act or specifically funded by any other Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 714. None of the funds appropriated by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel who prepare or submit appropriations language as part of the President's Budget submission to the Congress of the United States for programs under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies that assumes revenues or reflects a reduction from the previous year due to user fees proposals that have not been enacted into law prior to the submission of the Budget unless such Budget submission identifies which additional spending reductions should occur in the event the user fees proposals are not enacted prior to the date of the convening of a committee of conference for the fiscal year 2009 appropriations Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 715. None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to close or relocate a Rural Development office unless or until the Secretary of Agriculture determines the cost effectiveness and enhancement of program delivery: Provided, That not later than 120 days before the date of the proposed closure or relocation, the Secretary notifies the Committees on Appropriation of the House and Senate, and the members of Congress from the State in which the office is located of the proposed closure or relocation and provides a report that describes in detail the justifications for such closures and relocations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 716. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the funds made available in this Act for competitive research grants (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)), the Secretary may use up to 22 percent of the amount provided to carry out a competitive grants program under the same terms and conditions as those provided in section 401 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7621).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 717. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel who carry out an environmental quality incentives program authorized by chapter 4 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa et seq.) in excess of $1,017,000,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 718. None of the funds made available in fiscal year 2008 or preceding fiscal years for programs authorized under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) in excess of $20,000,000 shall be used to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation for the release of eligible commodities under section 302(f)(2)(A) of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act (7 U.S.C. 1736f-1): Provided, That any such funds made available to reimburse the Commodity Credit Corporation shall only be used pursuant to section 302(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 719. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or administer the program authorized by section 14(h)(1) of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1012(h)(1)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 720. Of the funds derived from interest on the cushion of credit payments, as authorized by section 313 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, $34,000,000 shall not be obligated and $34,000,000 are rescinded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 721. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to issue a final rule in furtherance of, or otherwise implement, the proposed rule on cost-sharing for animal and plant health emergency programs of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published on July 8, 2003 (Docket No. 02-062-1; 68 Fed. Reg. 40541).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 722. Funds made available under section 1240I and section 1241(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 in the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year, and are not available for new obligations. Funds made available under section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, 7 U.S.C. 1524(b), in fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in fiscal years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 respectively, and except for fiscal year 2008 funds, are not available for new obligations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 723. None of the funds provided in this Act may be used for salaries and expenses to draft or implement any regulation or rule insofar as it would require recertification of rural status for each electric and telecommunications borrower for the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 724. Unless otherwise authorized by existing law, none of the funds provided in this Act, may be used by an executive branch agency to produce any prepackaged news story intended for broadcast or distribution in the United States unless the story includes a clear notification within the text or audio of the prepackaged news story that the prepackaged news story was prepared or funded by that executive branch agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 725. In addition to other amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act, there is hereby appropriated to the Secretary of Agriculture $10,000,000, of which not to exceed 5 percent may be available for administrative expenses, to remain available until expended, to make specialty crop block grants under section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-465; 7 U.S.C. 1621 note).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 726. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act for the Food and Drug Administration may be used under section 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prevent an individual not in the business of importing a prescription drug within the meaning of section 801(g) of such Act, wholesalers, or pharmacists from importing a prescription drug (as defined in section 804(a)(3) of such Act) which complies with sections 501, 502, and 505 of such Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 727. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to study, complete a study of, or enter into a contract with a private party to carry out, without specific authorization in a subsequent Act of Congress, a competitive sourcing activity of the Secretary of Agriculture, including support personnel of the Department of Agriculture, relating to rural development or farm loan programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 728. Of the amount available for Estimated Future Needs under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, $63,361,000 are hereby rescinded: Provided, That in addition, of the unobligated balances under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935, $147,000,000 are hereby rescinded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 729. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) grant a waiver of a financial conflict of interest requirement pursuant to section 505(n)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(n)(4)) for any voting member of an advisory committee or panel of the Food and Drug Administration; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) make a certification under section 208(b)(3) of title 18, United States Code, for any such voting member.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 730. Of the appropriations available for payments for the nutrition and family education program for low-income areas under section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act (7 U.S.C. 343(d)), if the payment allocation pursuant to section 1425(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3175(c)) would be less than $100,000 for any institution eligible under section 3(d)(2) of the Smith-Lever Act, the Secretary shall adjust payment allocations under section 1425(c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to ensure that each institution receives a payment of not less than $100,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 731. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to establish or implement a rule allowing poultry products to be imported into the United States from the People's Republic of China.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 732. Of the unobligated balances available in the High Energy Cost Grants account, $25,740,000 is hereby rescinded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 733. None of the funds made available to the Department of Agriculture in this Act may be used to implement the risk-based inspection program in the 30 prototype locations announced on February 22, 2007, by the Under Secretary for Food Safety, or at any other locations, until the USDA Office of Inspector General has provided its findings to the Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the data used in support of the development and design of the risk-based inspection program and FSIS has addressed and resolved issues identified by OIG.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 734. Not more than $11,166,000 of the funds made available under section 522(e) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(e)) may be used for program compliance and integrity purposes, including the data mining project, and for the Common Information Management System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 735. The Secretary of Agriculture shall continue the Water and Waste Systems Direct Loan Program under the authority and conditions (including the fees, borrower interest rate, and the President's economic assumptions for the 2008 Fiscal Year, as of June 1, 2007) provided by the `Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 736. (a) Section 13(b) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1761(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subparagraph (A) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), striking `(B)' and all that follows through `shall not exceed' and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- Subject to subparagraph (B) and in addition to amounts made available under paragraph (3), payments to service institutions shall be';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in subparagraph (B) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking `subparagraph (B)' and inserting `subparagraph (A)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) in subparagraph (C) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking `(A), (B), and (C)' and inserting `(A) and (B)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the second sentence of paragraph (3), by striking `full amount of State approved' and all that follows through `maximum allowable'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT- Section 18 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking subsection (f); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating subsection (g) through (k) as subsections (f) through (j), respectively.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section take effect on January 1 of the first full calendar year following the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 737. There is hereby appropriated $21,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009, of which not to exceed 5 percent may be available for Federal and/or State administrative expenses, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture, to carry out a program similar to section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)) in each State not currently served by the authorized program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 738. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public Law 104-127); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 739. Of the unobligated balances available in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children reserve account, $16,069,000 is hereby rescinded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 740. In addition to amounts otherwise appropriated or made available by this Act, $2,475,000 is appropriated for the purpose of providing Bill Emerson and Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowships, through the Congressional Hunger Center.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 741. From the unobligated balances of funds transferred to the Department of Homeland Security when the Department was established pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296), excluding mandatory appropriations, $8,000,000 is rescinded.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 742. Effective as of May 25, 2007, section 9012 of Public Law 110-28 (121 Stat. 218) is repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 743. Section 17(r)(5) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766(r)(5)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `seven' and inserting `eight';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking `five' and inserting `six'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting `West Virginia,' after the first instance of `States shall be'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 744. Hereafter, notwithstanding any other provision of law, of the funds made available for the Commodity Assistance Program under division B of Public Law 109-148, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and Pandemic Influenza, 2006, all unexpended funds shall be made available to support normal program operations of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program under the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 and of the Emergency Food Assistance Program under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983: Provided, That any commodities purchased with funds made available under Public Law 109-148 and remaining undistributed shall be used to support normal program operations under the authorities cited in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 745. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and until receipt of the decennial Census in the year 2010, the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the City of Alamo, Texas; the City of Mercedes, Texas; the City of Weslaco, Texas; the City of Donna, Texas; and the City of La Feria, Texas, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the rural business and cooperative development programs in the Rural Community Advancement Program account;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington; and the City of Havelock, North Carolina, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the rural community programs in the Rural Community Advancement Program account;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the City of Freeport, Illinois; Kitsap County (except the City of Bremerton), Washington; the City of Atascadero, California; and the City of Paso Robles, California, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program account and the Rural Housing Assistance Grants account; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) the City of Canton, Mississippi, (including individuals and entities with projects within the cities) eligible for loans and grants funded through the rural utilities programs in the Rural Community Advancement Program account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 746. No funds in this Act for the Food and Drug Administration may be used to authorize qualified health claims for conventional foods.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 747. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to enter into a contract with an entity that does not participate in the basic pilot program described in section 403(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 748. None of the funds in this Act shall be available for the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) in Thomas, West Virginia.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 749. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to terminate any of the 13 field laboratories that are operated by the Food and Drug Administration as of January 1, 2007, or 20 District Offices, or any of the inspection or compliance functions of any of the 20 District Offices, of the Food and Drug Administration functioning as of January 1, 2007; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to consolidate any such laboratory with any other laboratory, or any such District Office, or any of the inspection or compliance functions of any District Office, with any other District Office.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





SEC. 750. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have the `ENERGY STAR' or `Federal Energy Management Program' designation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





This Act may be cited as the `Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives August 2, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk. LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3161 AN ACT

Making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink