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Bill· HRH.R. 12271 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1978
Dairy Herd Reduction Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service and the Commodity Credit Corporation, to make incentive payments to any qualified dairyman of 15 cents per pound with respect to: (1) any dairy cow which such person markets and delivers for slaughter; and (2) any bred dairy heifer or dairy cow exported. Limits the number of animals for which such payments may be made to those in excess of 12 percent but not more than 25 percent of the average number of dairy cows which the dairyman owns on April 1, 1978.
Law· SS. 2946 (95th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to relinquish to a State all or part of the legislative jurisdiction of the United States over lands or interests under his control in that State.
Law· SS. 2951 (95th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to accept and administer on behalf of the United States gifts or devises of any real and personal property for the benefit of the Department of Agriculture or any of its programs.
Bill· SS. 2947 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the exportation and transportation of animal semen.
Bill· SS. 2952 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Amends the Tobacco Inspection Act, in the interest of efficient and equitable marketing, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) to require periodic reports from specified persons and facilities; (2) to prohibit unfair trade practices and unfair methods of competition; (3) to regulate the dimensions and conditions of tobacco containers; (4) to issue marketing schedules which allocate available sales opportunity to locations, warehouses, other facilities or persons through which tobacco is marketed. Penalizes any person or facility subject to a marketing schedule which exceeds its allocated sales opportunity with forfeiture of one-third of the value of tobacco sold in excess of such allocation.
Bill· HRH.R. 12239 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Beef Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require imported equine meat products capable of use as human food (1) to be labeled as imported, and (2) to be tested for chemical substances. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assess fees for the testing and labeling of such products. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend imports for failure to pay such assessments. Amends the policy of Congress to restrict the importation of beef, veal, goat, and sheep meat, and live cattle to specified amounts after December 31, 1978. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such quota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate such quota among supplying countries according to certain criteria. Decreases the percentage by which estimates of such annual imports must exceed the imports of the preceding calendar year before triggering the imposition of import quotas. Permits the President to suspend an import quota proclamation if it determined that domestic cattle producers are operating at a reasonable profit. Permits the President to prohibit or curtail the importation of any products covered by this Act if it is determined that such action is required by the economic or national security interests of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 12235 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Intermediate Term Agricultural Export Credit Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, to provide intermediate export loans on terms of from five to ten years in order to develop and expand foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities, including breeding livestock. Prohibits any sale involving such intermediate credit unless the Secretary determines that such sale will develop, expand, or maintain a particular country as a long-term foreign market for United States agricultural commodities.
Bill· HRH.R. 12223 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1978
Botulism Prevention Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, for a two-year period, from issuing any order or regulation: (1) restricting the use of nitrites or nitrates as preservatives in meat products beyond the degree recommended in the final report of the Department of Agriculture's Expert Panel on Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines; or (2) requiring labeling on meat products concerning nitrites or nitrates in addition to the requirements in effect on January 1, 1978.
Bill· HRH.R. 12150 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to permit the President to waive prohibitions against commodity assistance relating to (1) status as a "friendly country," (2) North Vietnam, (3) diplomatic relations with the United States, (4) seizure of property owned by any United States person, and (5) emigration restrictions; in order to directly benefit needy people. Amends the Food for Peace Act to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to extend agricultural export credit if the President waives prohibitions against such credit relating to (1) emigration restrictions, and (2) North Vietnam, in order to directly benefit needy people.
Bill· SS. 2918 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Permits marketing orders under the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to include provisions concerning marketing promotion, including paid advertisement, of raisins. Authorizes distribution among producers of the pro rata costs of such promotion. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to the appropriate Congressional committees describing in detail how this Act has been implemented, particularly with regard to assessments collected.
Bill· SS. 2906 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Establishes the position of Administrator, Economics, Statistics, and Cooperatives Service, Department of Agriculture, at Executive level V.
Bill· HRH.R. 12129 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Beef Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require imported equine meat products capable of use as human food (1) to be labeled as imported, and (2) to be tested for chemical substances. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assess fees for the testing and labeling of such products. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend imports for failure to pay such assessments. Amends the policy of Congress to restrict the importation of beef, veal, goat, and sheep meat, and live cattle to specified amounts after December 31, 1978. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such quota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate such quota among supplying countries according to certain criteria. Decreases the percentage by which estimates of such annual imports must exceed the imports of the preceding calendar year before triggering the imposition of import quotas. Permits the President to suspend an import quota proclamation if it determined that domestic cattle producers are operating at a reasonable profit. Permits the President to prohibit or curtail the importation of any products covered by this Act if it is determined that such action is required by the economic or national security interests of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 12119 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1978
Agricultural Trade Expansion Act - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to finance export sales of agricultural commodities on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Exempts such sales from the requirement that exports be transported on privately owned United States - flag commercial vessels.
Bill· HRH.R. 12101 (95th)failed
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act Amendments - Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for the development of innovative methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers. Directs the Secretary, through the Agricultural Marketing Service, to establish within three years after enactment at least five different kinds of projects in different regions of the United States, involving such innovative methods. Authorizes the appropriation of: (1) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for such grants; and (2) $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981 for direct marketing assistance within the States.
Bill· HRH.R. 12053 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Establishes an Office of Inspector General within each of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Community Services, General Services, National Aeronautics and Space, Small Business, and Veterans' Administrations. Makes it the duty of such Offices to direct the auditing and investigation of the programs of the agency in which each such Office is established and to recommend policies to each respective agency to promote the efficiency and economy of and to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the programs administered by each agency. Directs each such Office to coordinate the relationships between its agency and other Federal agencies, States, and local government agencies in carrying out its mission. Requires each such Office to keep Congress and the head of the respective agency fully informed concerning its activities and findings. Specifies the frequency and content of reports. Transfers to each Office the functions of specified existing audit and investigation offices within the appropriate agencies.
Bill· HRH.R. 12074 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Natural Resources Conservation Act - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to extend the Great Plains conservation program to all contiguous States of the continental United States designated by the Secretary of Agriculture as susceptible to serious water and wind erosion. Provides for contracts of three to ten years duration, renewable for additional periods not to exceed 20 years. Requires an annual contract payment of up to $50 per acre for agreements to preserve or establish shelterbelts. Removes existing cost ceilings and authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, and $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983.
Bill· HRH.R. 12087 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
International Emergency Wheat Reserve Act - Declares it to be United States policy to develop a wheat reserve in compliance with the Wheat Trade Convention. Directs the President to establish a wheat reserve. Sets forth acquisition, storage, and release procedures with respect to such reserves. Exempts such reserves from the "total domestic supply" of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 and the quantitative export limitations of the Export Administration Act of 1969. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize the funds and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 12063 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to prohibit the importation of any agricultural commodity whenever the use of any pesticide in connection with its production, processing, or handling is restricted in the United States, if: (1) the exporting country does not have at least equal restrictions with respect to the use of such pesticide; and (2) such commodity is produced in substantial quantities in the continental United States.
Bill· SS. 2833 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Amends the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976: (1) to extend such Act through fiscal year 1981; (2) to authorize the appropriation of $3,000,000 annually, instead of the current $1,500,000; and (3) to state that such Act covers all agricultural commodities, including livestock (whether on hoof or butchered).
Bill· HRH.R. 11882 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Botulism Prevention Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, for a two-year period, from issuing any order or regulation: (1) restricting the use of nitrites or nitrates as preservatives in meat products beyond the degree recommended in the final report of the Department of Agriculture's Expert Panel on Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines; or (2) requiring labeling on meat products concerning nitrites or nitrates in addition to the requirements in effect on January 1, 1978.
Bill· HRH.R. 11841 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Statistical Reporting Service, to take an enumeration of horses in the United States, by the "sampling" method if preferred. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1979 for such purpose.
Bill· HRH.R. 11854 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to permit the President to waive prohibitions against commodity assistance relating to (1) status as a "friendly country," (2) North Vietnam, (3) diplomatic relations with the United States, (4) seizure of property owned by any United States person, and (5) emigration restrictions; in order to directly benefit needy people. Amends the Food for Peace Act to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to extend agricultural export credit if the President waives prohibitions against such credit relating to (1) emigration restrictions, and (2) North Vietnam, in order to directly benefit needy people.
Bill· HRH.R. 11842 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Agricultural Trade Act - Title I: Establishment of United States Agricultural Trade Offices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad not less than six nor more than 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Title II: Intermediate Commercial Credit - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the Corporation to finance, under its export credit sales program, export sales of agricultural commodities out of its own private stocks on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Title III: Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Title IV: Agricultural Counselors - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to change the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and to require each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Department, especially those of the United States Agricultural Trade Offices, in developing, maintaining, and expanding foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities.
Bill· SS. 2795 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 1978
Potato Production Reform Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and carry out a program under which producers of potatoes shall be paid to set aside and devote to approved conservation uses an acreage of potato cropland. Requires such payment rate or rates as the Secretary determines to be fair and reasonable, and requires 50 percent of any payment in advance of determination of performance.
Bill· HRH.R. 11761 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
National Consumer Nutrition Information Act - States the findings of Congress. Title I: Interdepartmental Planning and Coordination and Interdepartmental Coordination - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a National Nutrition Education Council to plan and coordinate the activities of Federal agencies concerning nutrition education and nutrition education research. Title II: Research and Demonstration Projects on Dissemination of Nutrition Information to Consumers at the Community Level - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct, between April 1, 1979 and September 30, 1981, in standard metropolitan and rural areas, demonstration projects pertaining to dissemination of nutrition information. Requires: (1) consumer participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of such projects; (2) the utilization of local resources and services; and (3) at least two projects each through the Department, local government units, and nonprofit organizations. Title III: Demonstration Program on Graphic Labeling - Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and demonstrations of methods of graphically indicating nutritional values of fresh fruit and vegetables in supermarkets and other places where consumers purchase groceries. Title IV: Television Demonstration Projects - Directs the Secretary to solicit and receive proposals for the purpose of producing not more than 15 public service announcements concerning the relationship between diet and health and concerning methods of achieving a healthy diet. Title V: General Provisions - Defines terms used in this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 11782 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, on the date the Congress first assembles in 1985 and on the date Congress first assembles in each fifth year thereafter, to transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate an assessment of the status and condition of privately owned forest land, productivity of such land, and methods of increasing such productivity.
Bill· HRH.R. 11787 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Exempts Federal fruit or vegetable graders from minimum wage and maximum hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Bill· HRH.R. 11752 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Agriculture Emergency Act - Title I: Agricultural Export Expansion - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad between six and 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Changes the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and requires each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Secretary to provide Corporation financing to exporters of agricultural commodities who wish to extend deferred payment terms, not to exceed three years, to foreign buyers in order to meet foreign competition and to make additional export sales. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide loans to any farm owners or tenants for the purposes of meeting Federal, State, or local requirements for agricultural, animal, or poultry waste pollution abatement and control facilities. Establishes a low-income farm ownership loan program for owners or operators of small or family farms, and extends eligibility for real estate and operating loans to private domestic corporations and partnerships primarily engaged in farming or ranching. Extends eligibility for operating loans to farm cooperatives. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Replaces the current provision for an up to five-year renewal of an operating loan with a provision for the consolidation or rescheduling of outstanding loans for payment over a period not to exceed seven years from the date of such consolidation or rescheduling. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is able to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the amount of claims that can be compromised without approval of the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a moratorium upon the payment by an individual of interest and principal on a loan, upon a showing of temporary inability to continue making payments, beyond the individual's control. Subtitle B: Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act - Directs the Secretary to insure, guarantee, or make direct loans for the purpose of making payment of principal and interest installments or refinancing, in whole or in part, equipment or operating loans, giving preference to owners or operators of small or family farms. Requires the Secretary to guarantee 100 percent of the principal and interest of any such loan. Limits the total principal balance outstanding on insured or guaranteed loans to $200,000. Allows the total outstanding principal indebtedness of any borrower to reach $150,000 without approval of the senior State official of the Farmers Home Administration. Limits the total principal amount of all outstanding loans under this title during 1978 to $1,500,000,000, and during 1979 to $3,000,000,000. Terminates such program on December 31, 1979. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends the Emergency Livestock Credit Act through September 30, 1979. Title III: Wheat, Feed Grains, and Cotton Price Supports, Set-Aside and Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 and 1979 crops of the following commodities a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging: (1) for wheat, from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.00 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside; (2) for corn, from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.49 for a 50 percent set-aside; and (3) for upland cotton, from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 85 cents per pound for a 50 percent set-aside. Sets the 1979 established price for a 50 percent set-aside of all three commodities at the January, 1979 parity price for the 1979 crops. Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) the calling of such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities. Title IV: Sugar - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to increase the price support for the 1978 through 1980 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane to a minimum of 65 percent of parity, but not less than 17 cents per pound raw sugar equivalent. Title V: Meat Imports - Sets formulae for quotas on the importation of specified meat products as of January 1, 1979. Prohibits the annual importation of specified kinds of cattle in excess of the smaller of either: (1) the average number of such livestock imported during the period January 1, 1973, through December 31, 1977; or (2) 960,000 head. Title VI: National Farmer and Rancher Board - Establishes the National Farmer and Rancher Board, composed of bona fide farmers and ranchers from eight agricultural regions of the United States who shall be elected to such Board by agricultural producers according to specified procedures. Limits the duties of such Board to advising, consulting with, and making written recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretaries and Administrators of other specified departments and agencies on matters pertaining to the family farm and/or the production and marketing of agricultural commodities. Title VII: Congressional Review of Embargoes or Sale Suspensions - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require notification of Congress of any embargo or suspension of a commercial export sale of specified commodities, and to permit Congress to halt such embargo by adoption of a resolution of disapproval within 60 days after notification. Title VIII: Government Purchases - Declares that it is the sense of Congress that all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of all three branches of the United States Government use their resources and facilities to the maximum extent practicable to purchase agricultural products produced in the United States. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to exclude from food stamp coverage any food labeled imported. Title IX: Agricultural Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for buildings and structural components used in the business of farming. Grants an exemption from the excise tax for any trailer or semitrailer used for farming purposes or for transporting horses or livestock, whose gross vehicle weight is 10,000 pounds or less. Entitles aerial applicators to a refund of gasoline and special fuels taxes. Repeals the carryover basis provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent. Allows a deduction from income for State estate taxes in the case of income in respect of a decedent. Title X: Natural Gas for Essential Agricultural Purposes - Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prohibit curtailment by a natural gas company of natural gas for essential agricultural, food processing, and food packaging purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Requires the Secretary to determine the purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Title XI: Increase Farm Storage Loan Ceiling - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase the farm storage loan ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000. Title XII: Regulatory Reform - Authorizes either House of Congress by resolution to disapprove, in whole or in part, any rule or regulation prescribed by the head of any Federal department or agency. Requires the heads of all Federal departments and agencies to submit a comprehensive review and evaluation of their programs and activities so that the Congress may determine if the merits of each program or activity support its continuation or diminution rather than its termination.
Bill· HRH.R. 11709 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to Congress on the effect on the price of agricultural land, the production of agricultural commodities, and on farming operations carried on by United States citizens, of the purchase of agricultural land by persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Requires any person not a United States citizen or permanent resident who purchases agricultural land to report his name and address, a legal description of such land, and any other necessary information to the Secretary within 30 days after such purchase. Requires similar reports, within 60 days after the enactment of this Act, from any such persons who have purchased agricultural land between January 1, 1970, and the date of enactment.
Bill· HRH.R. 11738 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Declares that it is the policy of the Congress in the interest of public health to phase out Federal assistance which promotes the production of tobacco and the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products for human consumption. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the President and to the appropriate Congressional committees his findings and recommendations regarding the probable economic effects (particularly on family farmers) of the phasing out of specified Federal tobacco assistance programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 11744 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to permit the production of hay on set-aside wheat or feed grains acreage in any area where a drought, flood, or other natural disaster, or other condition beyond the control of the producers, has depleted hay stocks.
Bill· HRH.R. 11731 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1978
Emergency Food and Agriculture Act - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 through 1981 crops of wheat a price support floor of not less than $3.00 per bushel and a ceiling of not more than 100 percent of parity. Sets a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 60 percent of parity per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to 89 percent of parity per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 through 1981 crops of corn a price support floor of not less than $2.25 per bushel and a ceiling of not more than 100 percent of parity. Sets a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 60 percent of parity per bushel for a ten percent set-aside up to full parity for a 50 percent set- aside. Title III: Upland Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 through 1981 crops of upland cotton a loan level floor of not less than 52 cents per pound and a ceiling of not more than 100 percent of parity. Sets a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging from 64 percent of parity per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to full parity for a 50 percent set-aside. Title IV: Grain Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949: (1) to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) to prohibit the Secretary from calling such loans until the market for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) to prohibit the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities.
Bill· HRH.R. 11654 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1978
Agricultural Trade Act - Title I: Establishment of United States Agricultural Trade Offices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad not less than six nor more than 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Title II: Intermediate Commercial Credit - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the Corporation to finance, under its export credit sales program, export sales of agricultural commodities out of its own private stocks on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Title III: Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Title IV: Agricultural Counselors - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to change the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and to require each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Department, especially those of the United States Agricultural Trade Offices, in developing, maintaining, and expanding foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities.
Bill· SS. 2760 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require each program country under Title I (sales of agricultural commodities) and Title III (barter) to nominate to the United States Department of Agriculture for approval the shipping agent with which it contracts, and certify that such agent's selection was made on the basis of merit and that political influence was not a factor. Requires nonpayment of ocean freight differentials to any program country making a false certification for the duration of the period covered by such false certification.
Bill· SS. 2752 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an export subsidy program for wheat, wheat flour, feed grains, and rice, utilizing the funds and facilities of the Commodity Credit Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary to initiate such program upon a determination that it is necessary or appropriate (1) to prevent any substantial decrease in the annual export of such commodities or (2) to encourage such exports.
Bill· HRH.R. 11626 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Botulism Prevention Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, for a two-year period, from issuing any order or regulation: (1) restricting the use of nitrites or nitrates as preservatives in meat products beyond the degree recommended in the final report of the Department of Agriculture's Expert Panel on Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines; or (2) requiring labeling on meat products concerning nitrites or nitrates in addition to the requirements in effect on January 1, 1978.
Bill· HRH.R. 11602 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to deny eligibility for food stamps to any household including a person participating in a strike or labor dispute which the President determines is causing or substantially contributing to: (1) a critical shortage of any essential resource or strategic material; or (2) unemployment in an industry not directly involved in such strike or labor dispute.
Bill· HRH.R. 11564 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Agriculture Refinance Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to permit insured loans of up to $1,000,000 to farm owners and operators for refinancing existing indebtedness incurred between January 1, 1973, and December 31, 1977. Allows a repayment period for refinancing loans of 40 years for real estate loans, 12 years for equipment loans, and five years for operating loans. Defers the first payment for the interest and principal of such loans for five years for real estate loans, for three years for equipment loans, and for two years for operating loans.
Bill· SS. 2737 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Beef Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require imported equine meat products capable of use as human food (1) to be labeled as imported, and (2) to be tested for chemical substances. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to assess fees for the testing and labeling of such products. Authorizes the Secretary to suspend imports for failure to pay such assessments. Amends the policy of Congress to restrict the importation of beef, veal, goat, and sheep meat, and live cattle to specified amounts after December 31, 1978. Prescribes a formula for adjustment of such quota. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate such quota among supplying countries according to certain criteria. Decreases the percentage by which estimates of such annual imports must exceed the imports of the preceding calendar year before triggering the imposition of import quotas. Permits the President to suspend an import quota proclamation if it determined that domestic cattle producers are operating at a reasonable profit. Permits the President to prohibit or curtail the importation of any products covered by this Act if it is determined that such action is required by the economic or national security interests of the United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 11496 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 to restrict the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the justness or reasonableness of any stockyard service rate or charge to only those rates or charges for services at stockyards which have a certain minimum annual sales volume.
Bill· HRH.R. 11468 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to repeal the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to determine rates and charges for stockyard services. Requires the authorized State department, agency, or association which is registered as a market agency to determine brand inspection fees.
Bill· HRH.R. 11471 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to permit the President to waive prohibitions against commodity assistance relating to (1) status as a "friendly country," (2) North Vietnam, (3) diplomatic relations with the United States, (4) seizure of property owned by any United States person, and (5) emigration restrictions; in order to directly benefit needy people. Amends the Food for Peace Act to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to extend agricultural export credit if the President waives prohibitions against such credit relating to (1) emigration restrictions, and (2) North Vietnam, in order to directly benefit needy people.
Bill· HRH.R. 11463 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Agriculture Emergency Act - Title I: Agricultural Export Expansion - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad between six and 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Changes the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and requires each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to direct the Secretary to provide Corporation financing to exporters of agricultural commodities who wish to extend deferred payment terms, not to exceed three years, to foreign buyers in order to meet foreign competition and to make additional export sales. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Subtitle A: Amendments to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide loans to any farm owners or tenants for the purposes of meeting Federal, State, or local requirements for agricultural, animal, or poultry waste pollution abatement and control facilities. Establishes a low-income farm ownership loan program for owners or operators of small or family farms, and extends eligibility for real estate and operating loans to private domestic corporations and partnerships primarily engaged in farming or ranching. Extends eligibility for operating loans to farm cooperatives. Increases the maximum allowable total principal indebtedness for real estate loans which may be outstanding by any one borrower to $200,000, or $300,000 in the case of a guaranteed loan. Removes the $500,000 ceiling from the aggregate principal of loans made using the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Increases the amount of indebtedness which may be outstanding for operating loans for an individual from $50,000 to $100,000, or in the case of a guaranteed loan, $200,000. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase the guaranteed portion of any rural development loan using funds from the Rural Development Insurance Fund and the guaranteed portion of all other loans with funds from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund. Replaces the current provision for an up to five-year renewal of an operating loan with a provision for the consolidation or rescheduling of outstanding loans for payment over a period not to exceed seven years from the date of such consolidation or rescheduling. Authorizes the Secretary to make loans and grants, and approve transfers and assumptions under such Act in connection with property securing a loan made, insured, or held by the Secretary notwithstanding the fact an area ceases to be eligible for assistance under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a procedure for appeal and review of determinations by a county committee that a loan applicant is able to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere to finance his actual needs at reasonable rates and terms. Increases from $15,000 to $25,000 the amount of claims that can be compromised without approval of the Administrator of the Farmers Home Administration. Authorizes the Secretary to grant a moratorium upon the payment by an individual of interest and principal on a loan, upon a showing of temporary inability to continue making payments, beyond the individual's control. Subtitle B: Emergency Agricultural Credit Adjustment Act - Directs the Secretary to insure, guarantee, or make direct loans for the purpose of making payment of principal and interest installments or refinancing, in whole or in part, equipment or operating loans, giving preference to owners or operators of small or family farms. Requires the Secretary to guarantee 100 percent of the principal and interest of any such loan. Limits the total principal balance outstanding on insured or guaranteed loans to $200,000. Allows the total outstanding principal indebtedness of any borrower to reach $150,000 without approval of the senior State official of the Farmers Home Administration. Limits the total principal amount of all outstanding loans under this title during 1978 to $1,500,000,000, and during 1979 to $3,000,000,000. Terminates such program on December 31, 1979. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Provisions - Extends the Emergency Livestock Credit Act through September 30, 1979. Title III: Wheat, Feed Grains, and Cotton Price Supports, Set-Aside and Release Prices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide for the 1978 and 1979 crops of the following commodities a sliding-scale of established prices, keyed to voluntary five percent increments above the required acreage set-aside level, ranging: (1) for wheat, from $3.00 per bushel for a 20 percent set-aside up to $5.00 per bushel for a 50 percent set-aside; (2) for corn, from $2.10 for a ten percent set-aside up to $3.49 for a 50 percent set-aside; and (3) for upland cotton, from 54 cents per pound for a 20 percent set-aside up to 85 cents per pound for a 50 percent set-aside. Sets the 1979 established price for a 50 percent set-aside of all three commodities at the January, 1979 parity price for the 1979 crops. Prohibits: (1) the Secretary from providing for the redemption of stored wheat and feed grains loans unless the market price for such commodities is not less than parity; (2) the calling of such loans until the market price for wheat and feed grains is at least 105 percent of parity; and (3) the Commodity Credit Corporation from selling its stocks of wheat and feed grains for less than the parity price of such commodities. Title IV: Sugar - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to increase the price support for the 1978 through 1980 crops of sugar beets and sugarcane to a minimum of 65 percent of parity, but not less than 17 cents per pound raw sugar equivalent. Title V: Meat Imports - Sets formulae for quotas on the importation of specified meat products as of January 1, 1979. Prohibits the annual importation of specified kinds of cattle in excess of the smaller of either: (1) the average number of such livestock imported during the period January 1, 1973, through December 31, 1977; or (2) 960,000 head. Title VI: National Farmer and Rancher Board - Establishes the National Farmer and Rancher Board, composed of bona fide farmers and ranchers from eight agricultural regions of the United States who shall be elected to such Board by agricultural producers according to specified procedures. Limits the duties of such Board to advising, consulting with, and making written recommendations to the President, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretaries and Administrators of other specified departments and agencies on matters pertaining to the family farm and/or the production and marketing of agricultural commodities. Title VII: Congressional Review of Embargoes or Sale Suspensions - Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to require notification of Congress of any embargo or suspension of a commercial export sale of specified commodities, and to permit Congress to halt such embargo by adoption of a resolution of disapproval within 60 days after notification. Title VIII: Government Purchases - Declares that it is the sense of Congress that all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of all three branches of the United States Government use their resources and facilities to the maximum extent practicable to purchase agricultural products produced in the United States. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to exclude from food stamp coverage any food labeled imported. Title IX: Agricultural Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an investment tax credit for buildings and structural components used in the business of farming. Grants an exemption from the excise tax for any trailer or semitrailer used for farming purposes or for transporting horses or livestock, whose gross vehicle weight is 10,000 pounds or less. Entitles aerial applicators to a refund of gasoline and special fuels taxes. Repeals the carryover basis provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1976 which provide that beneficiaries receiving property from a decedent's estate will retain the decedent's basis in the property. Restores prior law which "stepped up" or "stepped down" the property's basis to its market value at the time of death without imposing tax consequences on the appreciation or depreciation the property underwent while held by the decedent. Allows a deduction from income for State estate taxes in the case of income in respect of a decedent. Title X: Natural Gas for Essential Agricultural Purposes - Directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to prohibit curtailment by a natural gas company of natural gas for essential agricultural, food processing, and food packaging purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Requires the Secretary to determine the purposes for which natural gas is necessary. Title XI: Increase Farm Storage Loan Ceiling - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to increase the farm storage loan ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000. Title XII: Regulatory Reform - Authorizes either House of Congress by resolution to disapprove, in whole or in part, any rule or regulation prescribed by the head of any Federal department or agency. Requires the heads of all Federal departments and agencies to submit a comprehensive review and evaluation of their programs and activities so that the Congress may determine if the merits of each program or activity support its continuation or diminution rather than its termination.
Bill· HRH.R. 11441 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to prohibit the importation of any agricultural commodity whenever the use of any pesticide in connection with its production, processing, or handling is restricted in the United States, if: (1) the exporting country does not have at least equal restrictions with respect to the use of such pesticide; and (2) such commodity is produced in substantial quantities in the continental United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 11442 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Agricultural Trade Act - Title I: Establishment of United States Agricultural Trade Offices - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish abroad not less than six nor more than 25 United States Agricultural Trade Offices, for the purpose of developing, maintaining, and expanding international markets for United States agricultural commodities. Title II: Intermediate Commercial Credit - Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the Corporation to finance, under its export credit sales program, export sales of agricultural commodities out of its own private stocks on credit terms in excess of three years, but not more than ten years. Title III: Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture: (1) an Assistant Secretary for Commodity Programs, to perform duties related to agricultural stabilization and conservation; and (2) an Under Secretary for International Affairs to perform duties related to foreign agriculture. Title IV: Agricultural Counselors - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1954 to change the title of Agricultural Attaches to Agricultural Counselors, and to require each Counselor to submit to the Secretary an annual report detailing the social, political and economic factors affecting agriculture and agricultural trade in the country or area to which such Counselor is assigned. Title V: General Provisions - Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress annual reports on the activities and accomplishments of the Department, especially those of the United States Agricultural Trade Offices, in developing, maintaining, and expanding foreign markets for United States agricultural commodities.
Bill· HRH.R. 11349 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to prohibit the importation of any agricultural commodity whenever the use of any pesticide in connection with its production, processing, or handling is restricted in the United States, if: (1) the exporting country does not have at least equal restrictions with respect to the use of such pesticide; and (2) such commodity is produced in substantial quantities in the continental United States.
Bill· HRH.R. 11337 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Beef Import Act - Title I: Import Quotas - Revises the quotas on the importation of beef. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the domestic production quantity of beef each quarter in order that the import quota may be determined. Directs the Secretary to establish a system for the equitable distribution of such quota among importers. Title II: Customs Duties - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to increase the customs duties on beef whenever domestic production is too low to trigger the imposition of import quotas.
Bill· HRH.R. 11340 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to accept and administer on behalf of the United States gifts, bequests, or devises of real and personal property made for the benefit of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Bill· HRH.R. 11327 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Botulism Prevention Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture, for a two-year period, from issuing any order or regulation: (1) restricting the use of nitrites or nitrates as preservatives in meat products beyond the degree recommended in the final report of the Department of Agriculture's Expert Panel on Nitrates, Nitrites, and Nitrosamines; or (2) requiring labeling on meat products concerning nitrites or nitrates in addition to the requirements in effect on January 1, 1978.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 1059 (95th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Declares that the President should direct United States negotiators for the International Wheat Conference and the Multilateral Trade Negotiations, and the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of State, and the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, to set as their goals the expansion of United States agricultural markets abroad and the increase in prices of United States agricultural exports to levels sufficient to assure, for United States farmers, a return on those exports equal to that which would be available at domestic parity levels.