Agriculture

VET-2-FARM Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018

Veteran Empowerment and Training to Facilitate Agricultural Revitalization and Mobilization Act of 2018 or the VET-2-FARM Act of 2018 This bill expands the assistance that is available to veteran farmers or ranchers from Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill also specifies or modifies the definition of "veteran farmer or rancher" for several USDA programs, requires the USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to provide additional information to veterans and members of the Armed Forces regarding agriculture-related employment and training opportunities, requires the USDA Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to consult with specified federal departments and agencies regarding activities that assist veterans with agriculture-related employment, and requires USDA to report annually to Congress regarding positions and training opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

Assistance for Farmers Harmed by Tariffs on Exports Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2018

Trade Assistance for Farmers Act of 2018 This bill extends eligibility for trade adjustment assistance to farmers affected by a reduction in exports resulting from retaliation to tariffs imposed by the United States. Such farmers may apply to the Department of Agriculture for trade adjustment assistance.

SNAP-Ed Fights Lead Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2018

SNAP-Ed Fights Lead Act of 2018 This bill modifies the nutrition education and obesity prevention grant program carried out under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (known as SNAP-Ed) to require the Department of Agriculture to ensure that program includes messaging and educational activities related to lead poisoning prevention and mitigation. The bill also modifies the requirements for state nutrition education plans.

AG RESEARCH Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2018

Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-Edge and Helpful Act or the AG RESEARCH Act This bill amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to provide funding for maintenance at agricultural research facilities. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to: (1) establish a grant program within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to provide agricultural research facilities with a federal share of the cost for the alteration, modernization, renovation, or remodeling of the research facilities or the equipment necessary for agricultural research; and (2) use specified Commodity Credit Corporation funds to provide direct payments to research facilities of the Agricultural Research Service for addressing deferred maintenance.

Carbon Utilization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2018

Carbon Utilization Act of 2018 This bill modifies several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to authorize additional grants, loans, and loan guarantees for carbon utilization technologies, such as carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration; and biogas systems. The bill also requires USDA to establish: (1) a carbon utilization education program, and (2) an interagency biogas opportunities task force.

Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics, vice Catherine E. Woteki.

United States · United States Senate · 18 July 2018

Kip Tom, of Indiana, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

United States · United States Senate · 18 July 2018

To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to provide for a set aside for small fruits in the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018

This bill amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to require specified funds provided for the Department of Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative to be reserved to support research to: (1) promote sustainable production of berry and grape crops; and (2) to improve, with respect to such crops, the ability to forecast pest and disease spread and to implement precision pest and disease management strategies.

Healthy Food Choices Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018

Healthy Food Choices Act This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to apply nutritional standards for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to foods purchased for the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). Under current law, foods purchased for WIC must: (1) contain nutrients determined by nutritional research to be lacking in the diets of pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, or children; or (2) promote the health of the population served by the program.

Walnut Grove Land Exchange Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2018

Walnut Grove Land Exchange Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, if the Walnut Grove Church in Garland County, Arkansas, offers to convey to the United States approximately 6.3 acres of nonfederal land in the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas and Oklahoma and identified as Offered Tract 5742, to convey, in exchange, to the church approximately 4 acres identified as Selected Tract 5743. The federal and nonfederal lands under the exchange shall be of equal value, or the values shall be equalized by a cash payment, unless the value of the offered tract exceeds that of the selected tract.

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with other appropriate entities, to develop and carry out a national science-based education campaign to increase public awareness regarding the use of technology in food and agriculture production, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2018

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to: carry out a national science-based education campaign to increase public awareness of the use of technology in food and agriculture production, and establish a federal government website through which the public may obtain information about biotechnology used in the food and agricultural sectors. USDA may use publicly available social media platforms in supplementing the national science-based education campaign and as an extension of such website.

Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2018

Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 This bill makes certain farmers operating on land that is heirs' property (e.g., property received from an owner who died without a will) eligible to receive a farm number and participate in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill also requires USDA to collect and report on data related to farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Fairness for Farm Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2018

Fairness for Farm Workers Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 with respect to agricultural workers. The bill requires employers, beginning in 2019, to compensate agricultural workers for hours worked in excess of their regular hours (i.e., 55 hours in 2019, 50 hours in 2020, 45 hours in 2021, and 40 hours in 2022) at not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the overtime pay requirements begin in 2022. These overtime pay requirements do not apply, as in current law, to employees who are the parent, spouse, child, or other member of the employer's immediate family. The bill also repeals the exemption from overtime pay requirements for employers in various agriculture-related industries, including certain small farms, irrigation projects, sugar processing, and cotton ginning and compressing.

SALE Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2018

Securing All Livestock Equitably Act of 2018 or the SALE Act of 201 8 This bill amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to require all livestock purchased by a dealer in cash sales and all inventories of, or receivables or proceeds from, such livestock to be held by the dealer in a trust until all unpaid cash sellers of the livestock have been paid. The bill exempts from the requirement any dealer whose average annual purchases of livestock do not exceed $250,000. A dealer and cash seller may voluntarily waive the requirement using a written agreement that meets specified requirements. The bill also specifies requirements regarding enforcement, preserving a trust, notifying lien holders, and purchasing or transferring livestock that is subject to a trust.

Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018

Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the importation of any seafood from a foreign country unless the country complies with U.S. standards for seafood manufacturing, processing, and holding. Among other requirements, the bill requires an annual inspection of each foreign facility that exports seafood to the United States to ensure compliance with U.S. standards.

Puerto Rico Flexibility in Food Assistance Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018

Puerto Rico Flexibility in Food Assistance Act of 2018 This bill modifies the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrition Assistance Program to: (1) authorize additional funds during FY2020 and FY2021 for the block grant for Puerto Rico, and (2) allow participants in Puerto Rico to receive benefits in cash after USDA determines that access to benefits is limited or unavailable as a result of a natural disaster.

Fairness for Farm Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018

Fairness for Farm Workers Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 with respect to agricultural workers. The bill requires employers, beginning in 2019, to compensate agricultural workers for hours worked in excess of their regular hours (i.e., 55 hours in 2019, 50 hours in 2020, 45 hours in 2021, and 40 hours in 2022) at not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the overtime pay requirements begin in 2022. These overtime pay requirements do not apply, as in current law, to employees who are the parent, spouse, child, or other member of the employer's immediate family. The bill also repeals the exemption from overtime pay requirements for employers in various agriculture-related industries, including certain small farms, irrigation projects, sugar processing, and cotton ginning and compressing.

Help Encourage a Lifetime of Public Service Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2018

Help Encourage a Lifetime of Public Service Act This bill makes first responders and certain farmers or ranchers eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and eliminates interest on federal student loans of certain borrowers employed in the public service sector.

ACCELERATING AGRICULTURE: HOW FEDERAL REGULATIONS IMPACT AMERICA'S SMALL FARMERS

United States · United States House of Representatives · 21 June 2018

Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018

Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 This bill makes certain farmers operating on land that is heirs' property (e.g., property received from an owner who died without a will) eligible to receive a farm number and participate in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill also requires USDA to collect and report on data related to farmland ownership, tenure, transition, and entry of beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018

Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to establish at least three regionally located product and business innovation initiatives to provide grants and technical assistance to dairy businesses.

Expanded SUTA Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018

Expanded SUTA Act of 2018 This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to expand the Department Agriculture (USDA) Substantially Underserved Trust Area (SUTA) authority to: (1) include all programs administered by the USDA rural development mission area, and (2) specify that USDA may use the authority for certain communities within former Indian reservations. (Under current law, the SUTA authority is limited to certain programs administered by the USDA Rural Utilities Service. The authority permits USDA to modify or waive certain requirements and procedures for loans and grants in order to improve the availability of programs in communities on trust land [e.g., land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans] that have a high need for the benefits of an eligible program.)

Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2018

Growing American Food Exports Act of 2018 This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to reauthorize through FY2023 and modify the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology and Agricultural Trade Program. The purpose of the program is to remove, resolve, or mitigate significant regulatory nontariff barriers to the export of U.S. agricultural commodities into foreign markets through policy advocacy and certain targeted projects.

Emergency SNAP Lapse Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2018

Emergency SNAP Lapse Act This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) funds from state agencies that do not provide sufficient funds to pay the state share of the administrative costs of the program. To participate in SNAP, state agencies must submit annually to USDA a statement certifying the amount of funds committed by the state agency to pay the state share of the administrative costs for the year. If the state agency has not committed sufficient funds, USDA must notify the agency, provide a specified period of time to correct the failure, and withhold SNAP funds if the failure is not corrected. USDA must use any funds that are withheld from a state to provide grants to private nonprofit entities within the state for the costs of: (1) providing food to individuals in need; and (2) administering the grants, including hiring additional personnel.

Cottonwood Land Exchange Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018

Cottonwood Land Exchange Act of 2018 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture, upon request by Yavapai County, Arizona, to convey to the county 80 acres of land within Coconino National Forest in exchange for 369 acres of county land.

Federal School Meals Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018

Federal School Meals Parity Act This bill increases the reimbursement rates for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam under the Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal and child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The bill also requires USDA to report on the reimbursement rates and costs for providing meals and supplements under the programs in U.S. territories and in the states.

Interior, Environment, Financial Services and General Government, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2018

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies. Provides appropriations to Interior for: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Provides appropriations to Interior for Departmental Offices, including: the Office of the Secretary, Insular Affairs, the Office of the Solicitor, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. Provides appropriations to Interior for Department-Wide Programs, including: Wildland Fire Management, the Central Hazardous Materials Fund, the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Fund, the Working Capital Fund, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Provides appropriations to the EPA. Provides appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service. Provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for: the Indian Health Service, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Provides appropriations to other related agencies, including: the Executive Office of the President for the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Environmental Quality; the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; the Smithsonian Institution; the National Gallery of Art; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Commission of Fine Arts; the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the National Capital Planning Commission; the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission; the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission; and the World War I Centennial Commission. Sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

Food Security, Housing, and Sanitation Improvements in Rural, Remote, and Frontier Areas Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2018

Food Security, Housing, and Sanitation Improvements in Rural, Remote, and Frontier Areas Act of 2018 This bill reauthorizes and modifies several Department of Agriculture programs, including several programs that provide assistance to farms, fisheries, local governments, and other entities in Alaska. The bill addresses policies and programs regarding food security, conservation, trade, rural development, research, and horticulture and organics.

Generating American Income and Infrastructure Now Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018

Generating American Income and Infrastructure Now Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sell certain distressed notes and other obligations held by USDA. The sale must be conducted under terms and procedures established by the Department of the Treasury and specified in the bill. Of the proceeds from the sale: (1) 50% must be deposited into an account for carrying out infrastructure projects in low-income communities, and (2) 50% must be retained in the Treasury for deficit reduction.

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2018

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and related agencies. Provides appropriations to Interior for: the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Provides appropriations to Interior for Departmental Offices, including: the Office of the Secretary, Insular Affairs, the Office of the Solicitor, the Office of Inspector General, and the Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians. Provides appropriations to Interior for Department-Wide Programs, including: Wildland Fire Management, the Central Hazardous Materials Fund, the Natural Resources Damage Assessment Fund, the Working Capital Fund, the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Provides appropriations to the EPA. Provides appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service. Provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for: the Indian Health Service, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Provides appropriations to other related agencies, including: the Executive Office of the President for the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Environmental Quality; the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; the Smithsonian Institution; the National Gallery of Art; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Commission of Fine Arts; the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; the National Capital Planning Commission; the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission; the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission; and the World War I Centennial Commission. Sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

REAL Opportunity Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Recognizing and Encouraging Agricultural Leadership Opportunity Act or the REAL Opportunity Act This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to require the Department of Agriculture to establish up to six Centers of Excellence and Leadership led by 1890 Institutions (historically black land-grant colleges and universities that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890) to award grants, conduct activities, and develop public-private partnerships related to specified research and outreach goals.

VET-2-FARM Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2018

Veteran Empowerment and Training to Facilitate Agricultural Revitalization and Mobilization Act of 2018 or the VET-2-FARM Act of 2018 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison to provide additional information to veterans and members of the Armed Forces regarding agriculture-related employment and training opportunities. The Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison must: provide information to veterans concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, positions identified within USDA that are available to employ or train veterans; consult with specified federal departments and agencies regarding activities that assist veterans with agriculture-related employment; and establish and periodically update a website with information regarding employment and training opportunities for service members and veterans. USDA must report annually to Congress regarding positions and training opportunities for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

RURAL Broadband Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

Reprioritizing Unserved Rural Areas and Locations for Broadband Act of 2018 or the RURAL Broadband Act of 2018 This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to allow financial assistance provided by the Rural Utilities Service for the deployment of broadband-capable infrastructure by a service provider to be used to provide retail fixed broadband service in an area where there is no qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure owned or operated by another service provider. The term "qualifying broadband-capable infrastructure" means fixed broadband-capable infrastructure: (1) used by a service provider to provide fixed broadband service for which the provider receives universal service support funds, and (2) was financed with funds from the Department of Agriculture. 

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that flowers grown in the United States support the farmers, small businesses, jobs, and economy of the United States, that flower farming is an honorable vocation, and designating July as "American Grown Flower Month".

United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2018

Designates July 2018 as American Grown Flower Month and recognizes that flowers grown in the United States support farmers, small businesses, jobs, and the economy; are a vital part of the U.S. agricultural industry; and enhance the ability of the people of the United States to celebrate holidays and special occasions.

Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2018

This bill amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to reauthorize through FY2023 the Department of Agriculture (USDA) extension programs, which are informal education programs conducted in the states in cooperation with USDA. The bill also allows 1890 land-grant colleges and universities (historically black colleges and universities that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 and receive funding from USDA) to carry over all extension funding into the succeeding fiscal year. (Under current law, the institutions are prohibited from carrying over more than 20% of the funds received in any fiscal year.) USDA must report to Congress regarding extension and agricultural research funding for 1890 land-grant colleges and universities, including allocations made and matching funds received.

Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2018

Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2018 This bill amends the Indian Self-Determination Act to direct the Department of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts upon the request of Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out supplemental nutrition assistance programs.

McIntire-Stennis Act District of Columbia Equality Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

McIntire-Stennis Act District of Columbia Equality Act This bill makes the District of Columbia eligible for funding under the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act. (Under the Act, the Department of Agriculture provides funding to states for forestry research and graduate training at colleges and universities.)

Rural Jobs and Investment Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

Rural Jobs and Investment Act of 2018 This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to establish a Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant program for establishing jobs accelerators that are located in or serve low-income rural communities. The jobs accelerators are centers or programs that may provide co-working space, in-demand skills training, entrepreneurship support, and other specified services. USDA must establish an interagency federal task force to support the network of jobs accelerators by providing certain information, technical assistance, support services, and opportunities for collaboration. The bill also reauthorizes and modifies the USDA Rural Business Investment Program. The modifications address the limitation on rural business and investment companies controlled by Farm Credit System institutions and coordination with the Small Business Administration Small Business Investment Company program.

Fraud Reduction Through Photographic Identification Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2018

Fraud Reduction Through Photographic Identification Act of 2018 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) beneficiaries to show photographic identification when making purchases using SNAP benefits. State agencies must require the electronic benefits transfer card used for SNAP benefits to list the names of: the head of the household, each adult member of the household, and each adult that is not a member of the household that is authorized to use that card. Each individual listed on the card must show photographic identification at the point of sale when using the card. A head of a household is not required to show photographic identification if the card includes a photograph of that individual.

Urban Agriculture Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2018

Urban Agriculture Act of 2018 This bill establishes an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices. The bill also makes farmers developing innovative agricultural production practices and using traditional practices in innovative areas such as urban areas eligible for various USDA loan and grant programs. USDA must work with producers to mitigate the presence of contaminants in soil by taking several specified actions, such as establishing a coordinated soil testing protocol, coordinating and conducting research, and providing soil assessment and remediation technical assistance. The bill establishes various USDA pilot projects, including programs to: establish urban and suburban county committees, increase municipal compost and food waste reduction activities; and strengthen marketplace links between healthy food consumption, good environmental practices, and direct public health outcomes.

Carbon Utilization Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Carbon Utilization Act of 2018 This bill modifies several Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to authorize additional grants, loans, and loan guarantees for carbon utilization technologies, such as carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration; and biogas systems. The bill also requires USDA to establish: (1) a carbon utilization education program, and (2) an interagency biogas opportunities task force.

A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include energy storage as renewable energy under the Rural Energy for America Program.

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

This bill amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include energy storage as renewable energy under the Rural Energy for America Program. (The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture and provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to farmers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or energy efficiency improvements.) The bill specifies that energy storage includes electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical storage, for example, provided by battery storage, a grid-enabled water heater, or pumped hydroelectric storage.

Promoting Cybersecurity for Rural Electric Utilities Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Promoting Cybersecurity for Rural Electric Utilities Act This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Department of Agriculture to make or guarantee loans for cybersecurity and grid security improvements.

COVER Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Conservation for Very Erodible Row Cropland Act of 2018 or the COVER Act This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to modify Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs to authorize additional assistance for farm practices related to soil health and carbon storage. The bill modifies the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to require USDA to provide payments under the program for practices that: improve soil health, enhance the ability of a farmer to absorb and recover from shocks and stresses to production, increase the storage of carbon on agricultural land, and achieve other conservation outcomes determined by USDA. The bill modifies the Conservation Innovation Grants program to establish a pilot program to provide payments to encourage: (1) the measurement of outcomes relating to the planting of a regionally appropriate cover crop, and (2) opportunities to increase farm income. In carrying out the program, USDA must prioritize certain projects with third-party partners such as academic entities, carbon offset protocol developers, livestock producers, and food manufacturers.

A resolution designating the week of June 4 through June 10, 2018, as "Hemp History Week".

United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2018

Designates the week of June 4-June 10, 2018, as Hemp History Week. Recognizes the historical relevance and growing economic potential of industrial hemp.

Fixing Housing Access Act of 2018

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2018

Fixing Housing Access Act of 2018 This bill modifies provisions concerning civil actions under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 related to certain housing programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Agriculture.

Farm Support Integrity for Family Farms Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2018

Farm Support Integrity for Family Farms Act The bill modifies Department of Agriculture commodity programs with respect to: (1) payment limitations, and (2) the requirement to be actively engaged in farming in order to receive payments.

Export Promotion Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Export Promotion Act This bill establishes the Export Promotion Agency in the Department of Commerce. The bill designates the functions, responsibilities, organizational structure, and reporting requirements of the agency. The bill terminates the following entities and programs and transfers their functions to the agency: the International Trade Administration, the Office of International Trade of the Small Business Administration, the Trade and Development Agency, the Export Credit Guarantee Program and the Facilities Guarantee Program of the Department of Agriculture, and the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs of the Department of State.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 Provides FY2019 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Provides appropriations to USDA for Agricultural Programs, including: the Office of the Secretary, Executive Operations, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Office of Civil Rights, Agriculture Buildings and Facilities, Hazardous Materials Management, the Office of Inspector General, the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of Ethics, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Provides appropriations to USDA for Farm Production and Conservation Programs, including: the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Provides appropriations to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund, and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. Provides appropriations to USDA for Rural Development Programs, including: Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. Provides appropriations to USDA for the Food and Nutrition Service, including: Child Nutrition Programs; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); the Commodity Assistance Program; and Nutrition Programs Administration. Provides appropriations to USDA for the Foreign Agricultural Service, including Food for Peace Title II Grants and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. Provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Farm Credit Administration. Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2018

Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act This bill rescinds approximately $15 billion in budget authority over 2018-2028 that was proposed to be rescinded by the President under procedures included in the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. (A rescission is legislation enacted by Congress that cancels the availability of previously enacted budget authority before the authority would otherwise expire. Under current law, the President may propose rescissions to Congress, which must be enacted into law to take effect. Congress may rescind all, part, or none of the amounts proposed by the President. If Congress does not pass rescission legislation within 45 days of continuous session of Congress, the President must make the funds available.) The bill rescinds budget authority from specified programs and accounts within: the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, the Department of State, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the U.S. Agency for International Development. the Department of Transportation, the Department of the Treasury, the Corporation for National and Community Service, and the Railroad Retirement Board.