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Bill· SS. 4625 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
National Prescribed Fire Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior to significantly increase the number and size of prescribed fires conducted on federal lands. Before the end of FY2022, Interior and USDA shall each have carried out a minimum of one prescribed fire on each unit of the National Forest System (with exceptions), unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, unit of the National Park System, and Bureau of Land Management district (1) that includes an area that has a historical low-severity fire regime, has a historical fire-return interval of not more than 35 years, and is larger than 100 acres; and (2) less than half of which was burned by a wildland fire during the previous 10-year period. Interior shall establish a collaborative prescribed fire program to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct prescribed fires in priority landscapes. Interior shall establish an incentive program to encourage the implementation of large, cross-boundary prescribed fires. Interior and USDA shall hire additional employees and provide training to increase the number of skilled and qualified prescribed fire practitioners in the departments and other organizations. To address the public health and safety risk of the expanded use of prescribed fire, USDA and Interior shall conduct research to improve or develop, among other things, cost-effective, and consistent mitigation strategies for communities impacted adversely by smoke from prescribed fire.
Bill· HRH.R. 8292 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act or the FUELS Act This bill increases thresholds for requiring a farm to have a plan to address oil spills. Currently, regulations require a farm to have an oil spill control and prevention plan that is certified by a professional engineer if the farm's aboveground oil storage capacity is above a certain threshold or if the farm has a reportable oil discharge history. A farm with lower aboveground storage capacity and no reportable history is either allowed to self-certify its plan or not required to have a plan at all, depending on the farm's storage capacity. Under the bill, the Environmental Protection Agency must require a farm to have a professionally certified plan if the farm has an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity of 40,000 gallons or more, whereas the current threshold is 20,000 gallons. The bill also raises the aggregate capacity thresholds at which a farm with no reportable oil discharge history may self-certify its plan or is not required to have a plan. The bill also limits when a farm's aboveground oil storage containers on separate parcels shall count toward the farm's oil storage capacity for the purposes of these thresholds.
Bill· HRH.R. 8282 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Saving American History Act of 2020 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by an elementary or secondary school to teach the 1619 Project or by a local educational agency (LEA) to support its teaching in public schools. (The 1619 Project is an initiative that addresses the beginning of slavery in the United States.) Additionally, an elementary or secondary school that teaches this project or an LEA that supports its teaching in public schools is ineligible to receive federal funds for professional development. Further, the Departments of Education, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services must reduce federal funds in a prorated amount to an elementary or secondary school that teaches this project or an LEA that supports its teaching in public schools. However, federal funding shall not be reduced for programs for low-income students (e.g., free or reduced-price lunch) or students with disabilities.
Bill· SS. 4617 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020 This bill provides for funding and permitting restrictions in relation to environmental cleanup and remediation of areas with public health threats. Specifically, the bill provides supplemental appropriations for FY2020 to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, and the Indian Health Service for various environmental cleanup and remediation projects, including those that affect low-income and tribal communities. For example, the bill appropriates $30 billion to HUD to provide grants to local governments to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards and other housing-related health and safety hazards in low-income housing. The bill immediately prohibits the granting of a Title V permit for a major proposed source (relating to air pollution control requirements) for an overburdened census tract, which is an area that has been identified as having a specified amount of particulate matter and an identified heightened risk of cancer due to air pollution. The EPA must publish a list of overburdened census tracts and update the list annually based on the most recently available modeling and monitoring data. After January 1, 2025, the bill also prohibits the renewal of Title V permits for major sources in an overburdened census tract.
Bill· SS. 4611 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 2020
Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to address the effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on state and local fairs. In carrying out the program, USDA may provide competitive grants to states (i.e., the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States). A state may only use grant funds provided under the program to assist a state agricultural agency to address cost coverage issues related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on state and local fairs, including by identifying opportunities to provide virtual education and entertainment related to agriculture.
Bill· SS. 4603 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Forest Health and Biomass Energy Act of 2020 This bill addresses biomass energy, particularly with respect to materials removed from high-hazard areas (e.g., areas that pose wildfire risks). The bill directs the Department of Energy, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), to assess the potential to produce biomass energy from certain land under the administrative jurisdiction of Interior and USDA. With respect to the removal of timber located within certain high-hazard areas, USDA shall not charge a stumpage rate or assign any value to (1) certain trees, (2) forest processing residues or byproducts of forest restoration, or (3) a large dead tree that is not suitable for higher-valued wood products because of decay. The bill establishes the High Hazard Area Wood Biomass Fund, into which USDA may deposit a percentage of the revenue generated from base stumpage rates of timber sales that occur on National Forest System land to assist timber operators and biomass energy producers with the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of biomass material removed from high-hazard areas. The President shall include in the annual budget submission an annual performance metric, which shall be established by USDA, for the harvest of wood biomass material in green tons made available for bioenergy markets.
Bill· HRH.R. 8264 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
This bill bars amounts from the Land and Water Conservation Fund from being used by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture to acquire private land within a county in which 50% or more of the land is owned by the federal government, unless the department acquiring the private land disposes of an equal amount of federally owned land within that county during the same fiscal year to ensure no net loss of private, taxable acreage in that county.
Bill· HRH.R. 8265 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
This bill establishes funding for, expands, and provides additional economic assistance to small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the Small Business Administration is authorized to provide second draw loans of up to $2 million under the Paycheck Protection Program. A recipient shall be eligible for forgiveness of a second draw loan in the same manner as an initial paycheck protection loan. Further the bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program by, among other things, (1) expanding forgivable expenses, (2) allowing borrowers to select an eight-week period through December 31, 2020, to use their paycheck protection loan, (3) simplifying the forgiveness application for smaller loans, (4) expanding eligibility to certain chambers of commerce and destination marketing organizations, and (5) establishing a specific loan calculation for farmers and ranchers.
Bill· HRH.R. 8274 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Dairy Pricing and Policy Commission Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Dairy Pricing and Policy Commission. The commission must conduct a comprehensive study on (1) decreasing real values of dairy farmer milk prices and income; (2) economic and policy causes for the declining number of small and medium-sized dairy operations; (3) levels of milk production in the United States with regional changes in farm numbers, cow numbers, and milk production per cow; (4) opportunities and challenges for increasing domestic and export demand for dairy products; (5) effects of declining dairy farm numbers on rural economies; and (6) causes for the consolidation within the dairy industry. In conducting the study, the commission shall develop legislative, regulatory, and market-based recommendations to improve milk prices and dairy farm profitability, including for responding to periods of heightened dairy production during low prices, enhancing competitiveness of American dairy in world markets, and evaluating new markets for dairy exports. The commission shall terminate on the earlier of (1) the date it submits to USDA and Congress a report containing the results of the study, including the legislative and regulatory recommendations; or (2) the date that is two years after the date of its first meeting.
Bill· HRH.R. 8271 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 2020
Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act of 2020 This bill provides for funding and permitting restrictions in relation to environmental cleanup and remediation of areas with public health threats. Specifically, the bill provides supplemental appropriations for FY2020 to the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Agriculture, and the Indian Health Service for various environmental cleanup and remediation projects, including those that affect low-income and tribal communities. For example, the bill appropriates $30 billion to HUD to provide grants to local governments to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards and other housing-related health and safety hazards in low-income housing. The bill immediately prohibits the granting of a Title V permit for a major proposed source (relating to air pollution control requirements) for an overburdened census tract, which is an area that has been identified as having a specified amount of particulate matter and an identified heightened risk of cancer due to air pollution. The EPA must publish a list of overburdened census tracts and update the list annually based on the most recently available modeling and monitoring data. After January 1, 2025, the bill also prohibits the renewal of Title V permits for major sources in an overburdened census tract.
Bill· HRH.R. 8238 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2020
Agricultural Intelligence Measures Act or the AIM Act This bill establishes the Office of Intelligence in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the National Intelligence Program. The office must leverage the capabilities of the intelligence community and the intelligence-related research of the National Laboratories to ensure that USDA is fully informed of threats by foreign actors to U.S. agriculture; focus on understanding foreign efforts to steal U.S. agriculture knowledge and technology and develop or implement biological warfare attacks, cyber or clandestine operations, or other means of sabotaging and disrupting U.S. agriculture; conduct or facilitate intelligence briefings for USDA; operate as the liaison between USDA and the intelligence community, with the authority to request intelligence collection and analysis on matters related to U.S. agriculture; collaborate with the intelligence community to downgrade intelligence assessments for broader dissemination within USDA; and facilitate sharing information on foreign activities related to agriculture with the intelligence community.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 688 (116th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 2020
This resolution designates September 25, 2020, as National Lobster Day and encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Bill· SS. 4538 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 2020
Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps Act or the RENEW Conservation Corps Act This bill establishes the Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps program within the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture under which participants must implement eligible projects (e.g., planting trees or controlling invasive species).
Bill· HRH.R. 8170 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 2020
Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management to develop a distinct wildland firefighter occupational series. The series must apply to the following positions forestry technician; range technician; other positions related to significant prevention, preparedness, control, suppression, or management activities for wildland firefighters; and other positions conducting activities necessary to meet any other emergency incident. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture must use the series in the advertising and hiring of a wildland firefighter. The bill requires an employee in a wildland firefighter occupational series to receive a pay differential based on the unusual physical hardship or hazardous nature of the position. An individual employed as a wildland firefighter on the date on which the occupational series takes effect may (1) remain in the occupational series in which the individual is working, or (2) be included in the wildland firefighter occupational series.
Bill· HRH.R. 8135 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Fruits and Vegetables for Children During Pandemic Act of 2020 This bill increases emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits that were provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to households with children who would otherwise receive free or reduced-price school meals if their schools were not closed due to the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, the bill provides such households with a $35 monthly increase in SNAP benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Bill· HRH.R. 8131 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
Hemp Opportunity Zone Act of 2020 The bill permits the designation of up to 25% of the low-income communities as Hemp Opportunity Zones. Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species grown specifically for certain industrial uses, such as making rope, strong fabrics, fiberboard, and paper. In designating such zones, preference must be given to areas that are facing obstacles to economic development, are the focus of governmental or private economic development initiatives, are poised for economic growth requiring access to a larger hemp market, and represent the areas of a state where hemp production would result in the highest return on investment. The bill also allows deferral of tax on gain from investment in Hemp Opportunity Zones, immediate expensing off qualified zone business property, an increased business income tax deduction for hemp producers, a start-up tax credit for hemp farmers, and a 30% investment tax credit for the farming property of certain small hemp farmers. The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to study certain issues relating to hemp production, including the potential opportunities for hemp seed to be used as animal feed and for the use of hemp to create personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 114 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 August 2020
This concurrent resolution (1) recognizes the 130 years of significant and meaningful contributions the 1890 Institutions (i.e., historically Black universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890) have made to the United States, (2) supports the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies to build stronger partnerships with such institutions, and (3) commits to working in a bipartisan way to address the past funding and program inequities of such institutions.
Bill· HRH.R. 8096 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act This bill provides emergency assistance to certain farmers, ranchers, and farmers' markets affected by COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including by directing the Department of Agriculture to prioritize providing assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and minority-owned businesses.
Bill· HRH.R. 8097 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2020
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility for assistance under the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program with respect to qualified volunteer first responders.
Bill· HRH.R. 8087 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 2020
This bill establishes funding for, expands, and provides additional economic assistance to small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the Small Business Administration (SBA) is authorized to provide second draw loans of up to $2 million under the Paycheck Protection Program. A recipient shall be eligible for forgiveness of a second draw loan in the same manner as an initial paycheck protection loan. Further the bill modifies the Paycheck Protection Program by, among other things, (1) expanding forgivable expenses, (2) allowing borrowers to select an eight-week period through December 31, 2020, to use their paycheck protection loan, (3) simplifying the forgiveness application for smaller loans, (4) expanding eligibility to certain chambers of commerce and destination marketing organizations, and (5) establishing a specific loan calculation for farmers and ranchers.
Bill· HRH.R. 8077 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 2020
Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk Into the Lives of Kids Act or the GIVE MILK Act This bill revises the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to allow WIC participants (or the parent or guardian of such participants) to elect to be issued nonfat milk, 1% low-fat milk, 2% reduced-fat milk, or whole milk.
Bill· HRH.R. 8057 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Healthy Soil, Resilient Farmers Act of 2020 This bill revises the conservation loan and loan guarantee program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to authorize USDA to provide loans for soil health transition plans. A soil health transition plan is a comprehensive, whole-farm plan, approved by USDA, that, for a farming or ranching operation, identifies the conservation activities that will be addressed with loan funds provided or guaranteed to assist the borrower in making a transition to a farming or ranching production and conservation system. USDA may limit eligibility for soil health transition loans to certain entities, including farmers or ranchers whose farm or ranch land is subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. USDA must establish terms and conditions for making or guaranteeing soil health transition loans that waive principal and interest repayment for up to three years from the date on which the loan is made or guaranteed in order for the borrower to make a satisfactory transition to the farming or ranching production and conservation system under a soil health transition plan.
Bill· HRH.R. 8064 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Mobilizing Restaurants in America Act of 2020 This bill revises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to authorize the use of SNAP benefits to purchase meals for immediate consumption and frozen prepacked meals at approved retail food stores and restaurants during a major disaster or emergency declaration.
Bill· HRH.R. 8042 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 2020
Helping America's Farmers Act This bill directs the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a program to provide economic disaster loans to certain agricultural entities with an adjusted gross income of less than or equal to $500,000. Under the program, such entities are eligible for loans of up to $2 million and may seek loan forgiveness based on demonstrated economic hardship. In making loans, priority must be given to (1) entities located in states most impacted by an economic disaster; and (2) minority, veteran, and women farmers and ranchers. The FSA may guarantee a loan to certain agricultural entities with an adjusted gross income of greater than $500,000 if such loan meets certain requirements. Entities that apply for a loan or loan guarantee may request that the FSA provide an emergency grant of at least $20,000 upon application. The bill provides funding for USDA to carry out a training program to provide FSA staff with appropriate training relating to economic injury loan processing and servicing.
Bill· HRH.R. 7996 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
Rural Equal Aid Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on loans made under certain rural development loan programs for a six-month period. USDA must also encourage the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and state bank regulators to not require lenders to increase their reserves on account of receiving such payments made by USDA. USDA must waive statutory limits on maximum loan maturities for certain loan durations where the lender provides a deferral and extends the maturity of such loans and, when necessary to provide more time because of difficulties during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, extend lender site visit requirements.
Bill· HRH.R. 8024 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
WIC Waiver Extension Act of 2020 This bill extends authority through September 30, 2021, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grant certain waivers to participants under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, USDA may grant waivers allowing participants under WIC to get certified or recertified without being physically present at a WIC clinic; defer anthropometric and bloodwork requirements necessary to determine nutritional risk; and grant waivers from administrative requirements for WIC if it determines that the requirement cannot be met by a state due to COVID-19, and the waiver is necessary to provide assistance under WIC.
Bill· SS. 4522 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2020
This bill authorizes appropriations for the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund for each fiscal year to promote and support agricultural research and development activities that are of mutual benefit to the United States and Israel.
Bill· HRH.R. 7978 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 7985 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 2020
Emergency Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act This bill allows, and provides funds for, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide grants and loans, as well as loan forgiveness, modification, and refinancing, to rural water or waste disposal facilities. Specifically, USDA may provide such assistance for purposes of ensuring public health, safety, and order and to address financial hardships, in particular those due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency.
Bill· SS. 4470 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2020
Rural Equal Aid Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on loans made under certain rural development loan programs for a six-month period.
Bill· SS. 4447 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2020
Child Nutrition Relief Act of 2020 This bill extends the authority of the Department of Agriculture to waive certain requirements for the school meal programs due to COVID-19.
Bill· SS. 4453 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2020
Food Supply Protection Act of 2020 This bill supports the continuity of the food supply chain during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency, including by providing grants that support the purchase or distribution of surplus perishable food or meals prepared with such food.
Bill· SS. 4451 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2020
Rural Forest Markets Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Rural Forest Market Investment Program to guarantee investments to finance certain projects that will enable rural private forest landowners to participate in an innovative market for forest carbon or other products. Eligible projects are projects developed by a private entity or a publicly supported, charitable nonprofit organization engaged in the aggregation of sustainable forestry practices implemented by rural private forest landowners to facilitate the sale of credits in the voluntary carbon market or other environmental market using a methodology approved by a credible, third-party entity. USDA may guarantee up to $150 million with respect to each investment. Authority to carry out the program terminates on September 30, 2023.
Bill· SS. 4431 (116th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act of 2020 This bill addresses wildfire preparedness and response. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to select three forest landscapes on which to conduct projects to reduce the risk of wildfire, restore ecological health, or adapt to the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change. USDA and the Department of the Interior shall expedite the placement of wildfire detection equipment in areas at risk of wildfire, expedite related permitting, expand the use of satellite data to assist wildfire response, and establish a center to train individuals in methods to mitigate wildfire risk. The bill excludes certain forest management activities from environmental review requirements. Interior may make a determination that an emergency situation exists regarding National Forest System land and authorize specified emergency actions. Such a determination and such actions are not subject to administrative review. Interior shall provide grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support biomass conversion facilities. The bill allows the export of unprocessed timber of dead and dying trees from federal land in California. Interior shall establish a grant program to assist in the development and utilization of innovative activities relating to workforce development in the forest sector, raise public awareness about the forest sector, and connect individuals to careers in the forest sector. The Department of Energy shall provide support to improve the energy resilience, power needs, and energy efficiency of critical facilities.
Bill· HRH.R. 7933 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2020
COVID-19 WIC Safety and Modernization Act This bill direct the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a task force on supplemental foods delivery in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The task force must study measures to streamline the redemption of supplemental foods benefits that promote convenience, safety, and equitable access to supplemental foods for participants in WIC, including online and telephonic purchasing of supplemental foods. The task force must submit to USDA a report that includes the results of the study and recommendations with respect to such results. USDA must submit to Congress a report that includes a plan to carry out the recommendations of the task force and an assessment of whether legislative changes are necessary to carry out such plan. The task force shall terminate on the date USDA submits the report to Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 7916 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
Removing Barriers to Basic Needs Act of 2020 This bill modifies eligibility requirements under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to temporarily waive requirements related to the denial of assistance and benefits for certain drug-related convictions. Any state law, policy, or regulation that imposes conditions on eligibility for SNAP and TANF based on an individual's conviction of an offense related to a controlled substance shall have no force or effect until December 31, 2022.
Bill· HRH.R. 7899 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
SNAP Healthy Incentives Act of 2020 This bill revises the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to provide a financial incentive for participants to purchase fruits and vegetables containing nutrients that promote the health of the population served by SNAP.
Bill· HRH.R. 7904 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2020
Critical Infrastructure Employee Protection Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to support state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions in providing (1) priority COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing for essential critical infrastructure employees; and (2) priority access to personal protective equipment, sanitizers, face coverings, and health-related or protective supplies necessary to safely perform essential critical infrastructure work. ( Essential critical infrastructure employees include, but are not limited to, medical and health care, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, law enforcement, and public works.)
Bill· HRH.R. 7860 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Expanding Access to Emergency Meals Act This bill makes an exception to the prohibition on duplication of assistance during a major disaster or emergency for any person who is or may be entitled to receive nutrition assistance through a program administered by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Thus, individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other USDA nutrition programs may also participate in feeding programs funded using Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance funds.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1072 (116th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
This resolution elects specified Members to the following House committees: (1) Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio to Agriculture, (2) Representative Mike Garcia of California to Homeland Security, (3) Representative Mark Green of Tennessee to Foreign Affairs, and (4) Representative Pete Stauber of Minnesota to Natural Resources.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 109 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) the 130th year anniversary of the 1890 Institutions should be observed with appropriate ceremonies and activities to recognize the collective contributions that these 19 historically Black land-grant colleges and universities have made to the United States, (2) the Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture should remain committed to supporting the goals of the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act, and (3) the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act have helped the United States develop agricultural leaders.
Bill· HRH.R. 7887 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Pandemic Child Hunger Prevention Act This bill revises food and nutrition programs of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. USDA must reimburse states at the free rate for meals served by school food authorities in such states during the 2020-2021 school year under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. All children enrolled in a school that participates in such programs are temporarily eligible (without application) to receive free school meals during the 2020-2021 school year. Additionally, such children are certified eligible (without application) for free meals under the (1) summer food service program, (2) child and adult care food program, and (3) meal supplements for children in after-school programs. The bill also sets forth provisions related to the 2021-2022 school year, including provisions regarding (1) calculations to determine the percentage of identified students under the school meal programs, (2) the selection of schools under the fresh fruit and vegetable program, and (3) establishing a price for paid lunches during such school year.
Bill· HRH.R. 7883 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Agricultural Fairs Rescue Act This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department of Agriculture to establish a program to award grants to states or state departments of agriculture to provide support to agricultural fairs for losses sustained by such fairs due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Grant amounts shall be based on the difference between the average attendance at agricultural fairs in the state for a month occurring in 2019 compared to the corresponding month in 2020. As a condition of receiving a grant, recipients shall agree to (1) prioritize supporting agricultural fairs in the state facing the greatest financial hardship, and (2) use not more than 1% of grant funds for administrative costs incurred in providing support to agricultural fairs.
Bill· SS. 4386 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
Substance Regulation and Safety Act of 2020 This bill decriminalizes cannabis and contains other related provisions. Specifically, the bill removes marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols, commonly known as THC, from the schedule of controlled substances and removes references to such substances from various criminal provisions. Such changes related to decriminalization shall be retroactive to apply to cases from before this bill's enactment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall regulate cannabis products in the same manner as the FDA's regulation of tobacco, including prohibiting any retailer from selling cannabis products to an individual younger than 21 years of age. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to promulgate regulations relating to the production and quality control of cannabis, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prescribe regulations relating to the import and export of cannabis. The bill also requires each national research institute and national center to (1) evaluate each application for medical research related to cannabis on the same basis as it would any other application for medical research, and (2) not deny an application for financial assistance solely due to the fact that the research relates to cannabis. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy to prevent youth use and abuse of cannabis. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall research and publicly report on methods for detecting cannabis-impaired driving. Both the strategy and the research shall address whether any proposed strategies or methods would have racially disparate impacts.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 42 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2020
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that (1) the 130th year anniversary of the 1890 Land-Grant Educational Institutions should be observed with appropriate ceremonies and activities to recognize the collective contributions that these 19 historically Black federal land-grant educational institutions have made to the United States, (2) the Department of Agriculture and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture should remain committed to supporting the goals of the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act, and (3) the Second Morrill Act and the Smith-Lever Act have helped the United States develop agricultural leaders.
Bill· HRH.R. 7823 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Emergency Rural Community Relief Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide emergency grants to associations, local governments, nonprofit corporations, and Indian Tribes to purchase vehicles, equipment, or services needed for the immediate safe operation of an essential community facility or a temporary installation necessary to support the public response to an emergency in a rural area.
Bill· HRH.R. 7843 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Repairing Existing Public Lands by Adding Necessary Trees Act or the REPLANT Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually for each of the 10 years after enactment of this bill to transmit to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to be appropriated, in addition to the funds available from other sources, to replant and otherwise treat an acreage equal to the acreage to be cut over that year, plus a sufficient portion of the backlog of lands found to be in need of treatment to eliminate the backlog within the 10-year period. After such 10-year period, USDA shall transmit annually to Congress an estimate of the sums necessary to replant and otherwise treat all lands being cut over and maintain planned timber production on all other forested lands in the National Forest System to prevent the development of a backlog of needed work larger than the needed work at the beginning of the fiscal year. Each reforestation activity included in a renewable resource assessment shall be carried out in accordance with applicable Forest Service management practices and definitions, including those contained in a specified amendment and regulations related to silvicultural practices. The Forest Service shall, based on recommendations from regional foresters, create a priority list of reforestation projects that primarily take place on priority land, promote effective reforestation following unplanned events, and may include activities to ensure adequate and appropriate seed availability. USDA shall give priority to projects on the priority list.
Bill· HRH.R. 7831 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
Small Farm to School Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to award three-year grants to eight states or tribal organizations to provide school food authorities with an increased reimbursement for free and reduced price lunches that are comprised of locally-grown and unprocessed foods procured directly from certain agricultural producers. USDA must select at least one state or tribal organization located in each of the following regions: (1) the Mid-Atlantic Region, (2) the Midwest Region, (3) the Mountain Plains Region, (4) the Northeast Region, (5) the Southern Region, (6) the Southwest Region, and (7) the Western Region. USDA must give the highest priority to applications that propose to carry out certain projects, including projects that (1) serve a high proportion of children from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, and (2) increase the availability of locally-produced and unprocessed foods to children. Additionally, priority must be given to states or tribal organizations with a high quantity and variety of growers of local fruits and vegetables on a per capita basis, and with a demonstrated commitment to farm-to-school activities. Each state or tribal organization that receives a grant must provide, from non-federal sources, an amount equal to 100% of the awarded grant amount.
Bill· SS. 4354 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to make recourse loans available to commercial processors, packagers, or merchandisers of dairy products during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. The bill also provides funding for the loans and specifies that loans shall be provided to applicants for up to the value of the dairy product inventory of such applicants. Dairy product inventory used as collateral for the recourse loan program shall be pledged on a rotating basis to prevent spoilage of perishable products.
Bill· SS. 4353 (116th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2020
This bill provides funding and establishes requirements for the Department of Agriculture to make specified payments to independent poultry growers that have experienced losses during the COVID-19 public health emergency. An independent poultry grower is a poultry grower that assumes the production and market risks associated with the agricultural production of poultry.