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151 records in US in 1985
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Responsible Dairy Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set milk price support levels as of October 1, 1985, at $11.60 per hundredweight. Provides for annual 50 cent support price increases or decreases based on estimated 12-month Commodity Credit Corporation milk or milk product purchases.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to devote certain farmland (administered by the Farmers Home Administration as a result of a lien or foreclosure on a loan) to conservation uses. Stipulates that such land may be leased back to the owner for crop production.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Agricultural Fair Market Price Act of 1985 - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan rates, target prices, disaster payments, and acreage reduction and land diversion programs for the 1986 through 1993 wheat crops. Title II: Feed Grains - Sets forth similar provisions for the 1986 through 1993 feed grain crops. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth payment limitations for the 1986 through 1993 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend through 1993 authority for the National Agricultural Cost of Production Standards Review Board. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1993 authority for the special grazing and hay program. Amends the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 to extend through 1993 the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to limit normally planted acreage whenever a wheat or feed grain set-aside program is in effect. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1993 specified Commodity Credit Corporation sales price restrictions for wheat and feed grains. Extends through 1993 wheat and feed grain set-aside (including multiyear set-asides) and acreage limitation authority.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through December 31, 1990, Commodity Credit Corporation authority to transfer dairy products to the armed forces and Veterans Administration hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 regarding the food stamp workfare program to: (1) make such program mandatory; and (2) give program responsibility to the State agency administering the food stamp program.
United States · United States Senate · 5 June 1985
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Reorganization Within Department of Agriculture - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Rural Development Administration, which shall be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Renames the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) the Farm Administration. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to nonprofit institutions to establish rural technology development centers to seek to improve rural economic conditions. Permits the Secretary to provide employment related technical assistance in economically depressed rural areas. Authorizes grants for up to 75 percent of the administrative cost of rural development projects incurred by organizations and public bodies. Directs the Secretary to carry out provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, except for specified loan provisions, through the Rural Development Administration. States that titles V (Rural Development and Small Farm Research and Education) and VI (Miscellaneous) of the Rural Development Act of 1972 shall be carried out through the Rural Development Administration. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to expand the number of designated assistance areas from 225 to 450. Transfers certain conservation loan programs from the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) to the Soil Conservation Service. Makes conforming amendments to specified agricultural and rural affairs Acts. Title II: Administration of Federal Rural Housing and Community Development Programs - Transfers to the Rural Development Administration all functions of the Farmers Home Administration relating to: (1) the FmHA loan program; and (2) certain trusts that may be established under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Makes supplemental FY 1985 appropriations for Department of Agriculture food distribution under the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1985
Expresses the Senate's commendation of the Soil Conservation Service on its 50th anniversary, and the Senate's commitment to vigorous soil and water conservation efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1985
National Dairy Policy Commission Act of 1985 - Establishes a National Commission on Dairy Policy to study and make recommendations concerning the future provisions of the dairy price-support program. Requires the Commission to report to the President and the Congress by March 31, 1987. Terminates the Commission 30 days after submission of such report.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set sugar price supports at not less than: (1) 13 cents per pound for 1985 (presently set at 18 cents per pound); (2) ten cents per pound for 1986; (3) nine cents per pound for 1987; and (4) eight cents per pound for 1988 and subsequent crop years.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Tobacco Equalization Act of 1985 - Title I: Adjustment of Tobacco Price Support Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to exempt the 1985 and subsequent tobacco crops from the No Net Cost Tobacco Fund (Fund) and No Net Cost Tobacco Account (Account) contribution provisions. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the 1985 and subsequent tobacco crops, to make price supports available to producers through loans to associations. Provides for the transfer of such Fund and Account balances through the Commodity Credit Corporation to the Tobacco Equalization Trust Fund, as created by this Act. Title II: Additional Tax on Cigarettes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish in the Treasury the Tobacco Equalization Trust Fund; and (2) impose an additional excise tax on cigarettes to finance such Fund and support program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Farm Credit System Central Reserve Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to decrease the maximum amount of a loan which a Federal land bank may originate, or in which such a bank may participate with a lender that is not a Farm Credit System (FCS) institution, from 85 to 60 percent of the appraised value of the real estate security, or from 97 to 75 percent of that value as may be authorized by the Farm Credit Administration for loans guaranteed by a governmental agency. Directs the Administration to establish and maintain a central reserve for FCS which the Governor of the Administration may use to make temporary deposits and investments in financially troubled FCS banks or production credit associations. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for funding of the reserve from the proceeds of FCS notes, bonds, and debentures and from payments from FCS banks and associations. Directs the Governor to report annually to specified congressional committees and to FCS investors on the condition of such central reserve. Provides that from the date that funds are appropriated to the reserve until the later of one year after such date or the date equivalent funds are repaid to the Treasury, the appointment of the Governor shall be subject to the President's approval and the President shall have the power to remove the Governor. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, during any such period, to designate two additional members to the Federal Farm Credit Board. Requires such members to have commercial agricultural lending or academic agricultural financial backgrounds. Allows the Secretary to designate as his or her representative to the Board a former member of a farm credit district board, officer or employee of the Administration, or officer or employee of any institution operating under the Administration's supervision. Requires Federal land banks and their associations to offer to farmers, ranchers, and producers or harvesters of aquatic products, for the purpose of purchasing land for any agricultural or aquacultural use, fixed-rate real estate mortgage loans with terms of at least 20 years. Allows such banks and associations to assess prepayment penalties on such mortgages under certain conditions. Directs the Governor to require each Federal intermediate credit bank, Federal land bank, Federal land bank association, and production credit association to: (1) provide to its stockholders and members, at least annually and upon request, copies of its bylaws, current director and officer lists, and schedules of stockholder meetings; (2) conduct an annual financial audit of its accounts and each loan; and (3) hold an annual meeting of stockholders and members to consider a report on such audit. Limits the total amount of loans and credit that may be extended to any person by a FCS bank or association to the greater of: (1) $200,000; or (2) five percent of the total of all outstanding loans and credit extensions of the institution. Sets forth provisions governing Administration enforcement actions, including: (1) the issuance of cease and desist orders directed at institutions or persons conducting institution activities who engage in unsafe or unsound practices or violate applicable laws or Administration rules; (2) the removal or suspension of an FCS institution director or officer who engages in such a practice, violates such rules or such an order, or breaches his or her fiduciary duty; and (3) the prohibition against participation in institution affairs by a person, or the removal or suspension of an FCS institution director or officer, whose conduct results in a substantial financial loss or other damage to the institution and evidences either personal dishonesty or a negligent, willful, or continuing disregard for the safety and soundness of the institution and unfitness to participate in institution affairs; and (4) the suspension or removal of a director or officer charged or convicted of a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust. Sets forth penalties for violations of cease and desist orders or regulations issued under this Act. Provides for notice and Administration hearings for, and judicial review and enforcement of, such actions. Requires forfeiture of all rights, privileges, and franchises by any FCS institution whose directors knowingly violate, or knowingly permit any person participating in institution affairs to violate, the Farm Credit Act of 1971 as determined by a U.S. district court in a suit brought by the Administration. Provides that any institution director or officer who knowingly violates or permits the violation of such act shall be held personally liabile for all damages that the institution, its stockholders, or other persons sustain as a result of such violation. Grants the Administration subpoena power in connection with enforcement action proceedings under this Act. Repeals the authority of the Federal Farm Credit Board to require the merger of FCS associations. Authorizes the Governor to require two or more FCS institutions to merge if the merger would promote efficient and effective service to borrowers and if one or more of such institutions: (1) is insolvent or not financially viable; or (2) has failed to comply with an order issued under this Act or to conduct its operations in accordance with the Farm Credit Act of 1971. Directs the Comptroller General to audit FCS, evaluate the programs and activities authorized by such Act, and report the results to the Congress every three years.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Tobacco Equalization Act of 1985 - Title I: Adjustment of Tobacco Price Support Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to exempt the 1985 and subsequent tobacco crops from the No Net Cost Tobacco Fund (Fund) and No Net Cost Tobacco Account (Account) contribution provisions. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the 1985 and subsequent tobacco crops, to make price supports available to producers through loans to associations. Provides for the transfer of such Fund and Account balances through the Commodity Credit Corporation of the Tobacco Equalization Trust Fund as created by this Act. Title II: Additional Tax on Cigarettes - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish in the Treasury the Tobacco Equalization Trust Fund; and (2) impose an additional excise tax on cigarettes to finance such Fund and support program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to require: (1) each State agency to submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a statistically reliable sample of cases for purposes of quality control review; (2) the Secretary to analyze such information and notify the State agency of its error rate; and (3) the State agency to develop, submit to the Secretary, and implement a corrective action plan. Directs the Secretary to: (1) waive the requirement of a corrective action plan where a State's error rate has been consistently below the "target" error rate; (2) establish corrective action plan criteria; (3) monitor the implementation of any such plans; and (4) reduce a State's federally funded share of administrative costs if its error rate exceeds "target" rates. Provides with regard to such financial sanctions that: (1) the Secretary may waive such sanctions based on a State's good faith effort to reduce its error rate; (2) sanctions shall be reduced by the amount of collections from allotments to ineligible households or from overissuances to eligible households; and (3) the Secretary waive such sanctions if a State spends the sanction amount on implementation of a corrective action plan. Sets (fiscal year) error rate tolerance levels at five percent adjusted by specified socio-economic factors. Imposes a one-year moratorium on sanctionable food stamp program errors, and a 90-day moratorium on administrative errors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of client errors and broader performance measures; and (2) report to the Congress within one year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
American Agricultural Defense Act of 1985 - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set wheat loan and purchase levels for: (1) 1986, at $4.86 per bushel; and (2) 1987 through 1989, at $4.86 per bushel adjusted by a consumer price indexed-increase, if any. Authorizes prevented planting and reduced yield disaster payments. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) proclaim (by August 15 of each year) a national program acreage for each of the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops; and (2) determine a program allocation factor for each wheat crop. Authorizes acreage limitation or set-aside programs. Directs the Secretary to announce any such program by August 15 prior to the calendar year in which the crop is harvested. Penalizes farmers who knowingly overproduce. Requires set-aside acres to be used for conservation purposes in order to qualify for price supports. Suspends specified quota and certificate provisions. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set corn loan and purchase levels for: (1) 1986, at $3.03 per bushel; and (2) 1987 through 1989, at $3.03 per bushel adjusted by a consumer price indexed-increase, if any. Bases loan and purchase levels for grain sorghums, barley, oats, and rye on corn levels. Sets forth provisions similar to title I of this Act regarding disaster payments, acreage limitations, and set-asides. Title III: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set upland cotton loan levels for: (1) 1986, at 81 cents per pound; and (2) 1987 through 1989, at 81 cents per pound adjusted by a consumer price indexed-increase, if any. Authorizes eight-month loan extensions. Directs the President to proclaim a special limited global import quota for upland cotton whenever spot market average prices exceed 130 percent of the previous 36 months' average price. Authorizes prevented planting and reduced yield disaster payments. Directs the Secretary to: (1) proclaim (by November 1 of each year) a national program acreage for each of the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops; and (2) determine a program allocation factor for each wheat crop. Authorizes acreage limitations based on uniform percentage reductions for each farm. Penalizes farmers who knowingly overproduce. Authorizes land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation is in effect if necessary to adjust the total national upland cotton acreage. Requires such land to be used for conservation purposes, including wildlife habitats. Directs the Secretary to make loans available for seed cotton. Suspends specified acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions. Extends specified skiprow practices through 1989. States that 1977 upland cotton farm base acreage allotments, adjusted for 1977 underplantings and reconstituted as provided for under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, shall be the preliminary 1990 allotments. Title IV: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set rice loan and purchase levels for: (1) 1986, at $11.90 per hundredweight; and (2) 1987 through 1989, at $11.90 per hundredweight adjusted by a consumer price-indexed increase, if any. Directs the Secretary to: (1) proclaim (by January 31 of each year) a national program acreage for each of the 1986 through 1989 rice crops; and (2) determine a program allocation factor for each rice crop. Authorizes acreage limitations based on uniform percentage reductions for each farm. Penalizes farmers who knowingly overproduce. Directs the Secretary to announce any such program by January 31 of the calendar year for such harvest. Authorizes land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation is in effect if necessary to adjust the total national rice acreage. Requires such land to be used for conservation purposes, including wildlife habitats. Title V: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1986 through 1989 soybean price supports at 75 percent of the average price for each of the preceding five years, with a minimum price of $6.25 per bushel. Title VI: Loan and Purchase Limitation - Sets the aggregate individual loan and purchase limitation at $500,000. Title VII: Conservation Provisions - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible (regarding such crops) for price supports and other agricultural loans and benefits. Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to convert cropland and highly erodible land to less intensive use.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1985
Dairy Farm Efficiency Promotion Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1982, to replace existing milk price support provisions with a support price of $11.60 per hundredweight for the first year following enactment of this Act and for the six succeeding years, with four percent annual price decreases. Amends Federal law to authorize the Attorney General to prosecute agricultural cooperative antitrust violations. Amends Agricultural Act of 1933 to terminate milk marketing order authority as of June 1, 1993. Gives consumers and producers standing to petition for marketing order modifications. Sets the highest price for any milk classification at $16 per hundredweight. Amends the Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961, as amended by the Rural Development Act of 1972, to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide loans to assist certain dairy farmers to convert to non-dairy farming or business operations. Cancels up to five percent annually of such loan for up to ten years for each year of conversion.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Family Farm Homestead Protection Act of 1985 - Provides that specified farmers or ranchers who have occupied and worked family homestead property for at least five years may retain possession of such residence and up to ten acres of land for up to five years following any bankruptcy or foreclosure resulting from inability to repay Department of Agriculture or Small Business Administration farm loans. Requires rental payments (of up to 20 percent of family income) during such occupancy period. Permits such farmers and ranchers to participate on a limited basis in any conservation set-aside programs. Requires payments received to be applied to reducing outstanding indebtedness. Provides for Federal guarantees (of at least 70 percent) of privately-held agricultural loans under a similar occupancy framework.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Food Are Not Drugs Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to exclude from the definition of "drug" and of "food additive" foods for special dietary use, i.e. vitamins and minerals, where such foods are promoted or offered for sale in the diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Provides that food shall be considered misbranded if oral representatives have been made with respect to the food which are false or misleading in any particular.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set wheat and feed grain storage levels at which price support loans shall be made available or terminated under the producer reserve program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Agriculture Expansion Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to set milk price support levels at 90 percent of the previous three year average. Provides for: (1) automatic price support revisions on April 1 and October 1 of 1986 through 1989; and (2) additional adjustments based on Government purchase levels. Extends authority through 1989 for: (1) the dairy indemnity program; and (2) the program of dairy product transfers to the military and veterans' hospitals. Amends specified milk marketing order provisions. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool program through 1989. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1980 through 1989 wheat crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Suspends specified marketing quota and producer certificate provisions. Title IV: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 corn crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets loan and purchase levels for grain sorghum, barley, oats, and rye in relation to corn levels. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if carryover stocks exceed four percent of annual world utilization. Title V: Cotton - Suspends specified base acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions for the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set upland cotton loan rates at the lower of: (1) 85 percent of the average U.S. spot market price (weighted by market and month) for the preceding five years, excluding the high and low years; or (2) 90 percent of the average of comparable cotton prices, quoted C.I.F. northern Europe. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the same average market price used to determine loan rates. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Directs the President to establish a special limited global import quota for upland cotton if average spot prices exceed specified levels. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if upland cotton carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 rice crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than ten percent. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets target prices beginning in 1987 at 110 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Limits annual adjustments to not more than five percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require compliance with an acreage reduction or paid land diversion program as a condition of eligibility for program benefits. Requires the Secretary to implement an acreage reduction program if rice carryover stocks exceed normal supply by more than 15 percent. Title VII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish the national poundage quota for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops at the level of the previous three-year average of domestic edible and seed use. Authorizes modifications of up to five percent. Extends price support provisions for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops. Permits changes in support levels based upon changes in the prices paid index. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1989 soybean crops at 75 percent of the preceding five year average, excluding high and low years. Stipulates that such levels may not be less than $5.02 per bushel. Limits annual support to not more than ten percent or below $4.50 per bushel. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan levels for the 1986 through 1989 sugarcane crops at 18 cents per pound. Bases sugar beet support levels on sugarcane prices. Title X: Miscellaneous - Subtitle A: Advance Diversion Payments - States that if the Secretary makes land diversion payments to assist in adjusting acreage for the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, or rice, at least 50 percent of such payment shall be made available as soon as possible after program signup. Subtitle B: Grain Reserves - Terminates the producer-owned reserve storage program. Subtitle C: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Limits annual deficiency payments to $50,000 per person for the 1986 through 1989 crop years. Subtitle D: General Provision - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1984. Title XI: Agricultural Exports and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: Export Provisions - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to extend authority through 1989 for the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund. Directs the Secretary to use bonus commodities from CCC to offset the adverse effects of competing countries' subsidies and currency exchanges. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase minimum export tonnage levels. Extends such programs through 1989. Title XII: Resource Conservation - Subtitle A: Conservation Reserve - Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to convert cropland and highly erodible land to less intensive use. Subtitle B: Program Eligibility on Highly Erodible Land - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for price supports and other agricultural loans and benefits. Subtitle C: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations. Title XIII: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise so provided.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1985
Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to change the four-person thrifty food plan adult age range of from 20 to 54 years old to 20 to 50 years old. Includes as income all educational assistance used for purposes other than tuition or mandatory fees. States that assistance provided to a third party on behalf of a household by a State or local government, including Federal or federally-assisted payments, shall be included as income. Exempts medical, child care, energy, housing, or emergency assistance. States that direct payments to energy suppliers under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act shall not be counted in determining a household's excess shelter deduction. Lowers the minimum food stamp program work registration age from 18 years old to 16 years old. Makes mandatory certain State program job search requirements which are currently optional. Gives a State the option of extending work requirements to currently exempt caretakers of three-year old to six-year old children. Repeals the student work requirement exemption. Establishes a nationwide community work experience program. Sets forth program provisions. Authorizes the disclosure of certain required food stamp information kept by retail stores to State agencies administering the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). States that State agencies shall administer the work registration and job search services. Imposes a civil penalty on the transferor of a disqualified retail food store. Prohibits any new owner from accepting food stamps until such penalty has been paid. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sue in district court to collect such penalty. States that State agencies shall be liable for interest on claims established by the Secretary under such Act. Permits a stay of action in a wholesaler-retailer disqualification or penalty action only if the appellant presents a strong showing that he or she is likely to prevail on the case's merits. Replaces the existing administrative cost-sharing provisions with an administrative grant based on previous administrative costs. Sets the maximum amount for FY 1986 and provides for inflation increases in subsequent fiscal years. Establishes grants for work requirement programs. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1989 appropriations. Authorizes food stamp program appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Revises the Puerto Rico block grant program to: (1) make permanent the existing temporary (through September 30, 1985) suspension of the non-cash program requirement; (2) repeal the provision requiring Puerto Rico to pay 50 percent of administrative costs; (3) change the due date for the annual plan from July 1 to April 1; and (4) repeal the requirement of a single administering agency. Permits States to elect to operate a low-income nutrition assistance program in lieu of the food stamp program. Requires participants in the Indian reservation food distribution program to furnish the administering State agency with their social security numbers. Amends the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 to include benefits under such Act as income for food stamp purposes. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to: (1) extend commodity distribution program authority through FY 1989; (2) extend commodity supplemental food program authority through FY 1989; and (3) prohibit the authorization of any new commodity supplemental food program in an area with an existing WIC program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate recognizing the centennial anniversary of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1985
Cotton, Rice, and Sugar Act of 1985 - Title I: Cotton - Suspends specified base acreage allotment, marketing quota, and related provisions under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 for the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set upland cotton loan rates at the lower of: (1) 85 percent of the average U.S. spot market price (weighted by market and month) for the preceding five years, excluding the high and low years. Stipulates that: (1) loan levels shall not be less than 95 percent of the preceding crop's level; and (2) loan levels may be reduced by up to 15 percent in order to assist U.S. upland cotton exports and avoid excess domestic stocks. Requires the Secretary to announce loan levels by November 1. Directs the President to establish a special limited global import quota for upland cotton if average spot prices exceed specified levels. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets 1987 through 1989 target prices at not less than 90 percent of the U.S. average cost of production for the three preceding years. Stipulates that such price may not be less than 95 percent of the preceding year's price. Authorizes target price increases if loan levels are reduced. Directs the Secretary to establish acreage reduction and paid diversion programs if estimated harvests exceed specified levels. Limits: (1) reductions to not more than 25 percent of a farm's upland cotton acreage base; and (2) payment-in-kind payments to not more than $50,000 per person. Authorizes additional payments if such land is made available to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, or hiking. Makes producers who knowingly exceed limits ineligible for upland cotton benefits with respect to the farm concerned. Sets forth acreage base, yield, and national and farm program acreage provisions. Directs the Secretary to make seed cotton loans available. Provides that from August 1, 1978, through July 31, 1990, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) shall sell upland cotton for unrestricted use at the export price, but not less than 115 percent of the loan rate. Extends existing skiprow practice authority through 1989. States that 1977 permanent State, county, and farm base acreage allotments shall serve as 1990 preliminary allotments. Title II: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1986 through 1989 rice loan rates at not less than 85 percent of the average price for the three preceding years. Stipulates that: (1) loan levels shall not be less than 95 percent of the preceding crop's level; and (2) loan levels may be reduced by up to 15 percent in order to assist U.S. rice exports and avoid excess domestic stocks. Requires the Secretary to announce loan levels by January 31. Sets 1986 target prices at not less than 1985 levels. Sets 1987 through 1989 target prices at not less than 90 percent of the U.S.average cost of production for the three preceding years. Stipulates that such price may not be less than 95 percent of the preceding year's price. Directs the Secretary to establish acreage reduction and paid diversion programs if estimated harvests exceed specified levels. Limits: (1) reductions to not more than 25 percent of a farm's rice acreage base; and (2) payment-in-kind payments to not more than $50,000 per person. Authorizes additional payments if such land is made available to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, or hiking. Makes producers who knowingly exceed limits ineligibile for rice benefits with respect to the farm concerned. Sets forth acreage base, yield, and national and farm program acreage provisions. Title III: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan levels for the 1986 through 1989 sugarcane crops at 18 cents per pound. Bases sugar beet support levels on sugarcane loan levels. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Limits payments to $50,000 to any one person for each of the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Domestic Food Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to decrease from 20 percent to 18 percent the proportion of earned income disregarded for food stamp eligibility and benefit purposes. Requires that Federal educational grants shall be considered income for food stamp purposes to the extent that such grants are not used for tuition or mandatory school fees and regardless of whether they may be earmarked as reimbursements for expenses. Requires that payments for living expenses made to third parties on behalf of a household by State or local governments shall be considered as money payable directly to the household. Exempts medical assistance, child care assistance, energy assistance, and emergency or special assistance from such requirement. Requires that income received by participants in Job Training Partnership Act programs be counted as earned income for food stamp purposes. Diregards payments made to energy suppliers under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program for purposes of determining the household shelter expense deduction for food stamp purposes. Allows States to use a standard utility allowance for households for which such payments have been made to a supplier if such household incurs out-of-pocket heating or cooling expenses. Requires that States use monthly reporting and retrospective budgeting for households having earned income or any recent work history. Provides that elderly or disabled households with no earned income and migrant households shall be subject to prospective budgeting and a requirement to report changes in household circumstances when they occur (rather than monthly). Allows States the option of whether to apply monthly reporting and retrospective budgeting to other types of households. Grants automatic food stamp eligibility to households in which all members receive either Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Specifies that eligibility for food stamps may not be denied or terminated solely on the basis of an AFDC or SSI eligibility determination. Provides that disqualification for failure to meet any of the food stamp programs work requirements shall be two months, or until the requirement is complied with, or until the household member who fails to comply leaves the household. Requires States to operate a job search program for food stamp recipients. Increases the basic allocation for job search activities from $30 million to $40 million in FY 1986, and $50 million in FY 1987 and each FY thereafter. Requires that the Federal Government share in half the cost of any efforts beyond a State's share of the basic allocation. Allows staggered issuance of food stamps throughout the month (rather than at set times every month). Prohibits food-price increases by retailers or wholesalers relating to the issuance of food stamps. Requires the use of alternative means of issuing food stamps if it is determined that such means could improve program integrity. Prohibits financial institutions which redeem food stamps from retailers from charging a fee for redemption if the food stamps are submitted in accordance with Federal Reserve Board requirements. Requires States to periodically assess the need for operating food stamp offices within the State during evening and weekend hours. Requires States to provide a method of certifying and issuing food stamps to eligible households not residing in a permanent dwelling or without a fixed mailing address. Provides that any disqualified retail food store or wholesale food concern which is sold or otherwise transferred shall be subject to a civil money penalty based upon the amount of disqualification time remaining. Imposes such penalty on the person who sells or transfers such store or concern. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Provides that no funds appropriated to carry out this Act may be transferred to the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture. Requires that States transfer to the Federal Government an estimated amount equal to the sales taxes collected on food stamp purchases in the State. Continues the authorization of $825 million for the Puerto Rico Block Grant for nutrition assistance through FY 1989. Revises certain administrative provisions of the Puerto Rico Block Grant program. Authorizes States to establish community work experience programs. Sets forth the purposes and requirements for such programs. Title II: Nutrition Surveillance - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to require the Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a comprehensive nutritional status monitoring program. Specifies requirements for such program. Title III: Food Distribution and Emergency Shelters - Allows public or private nonprofit agencies receiving agricultural commodities to transfer those commodities to other public or private nonprofit organizations which agree to use the commodities to assist low-income groups without cost or waste. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend from FY 1985 to FY 1989 the authorization of appropriations to obtain commodities for the commodity supplemental food program. Requires the continuation of pilot commodity supplemental food projects for the elderly. Extends through 1989 current requirements for the provision of Federal funds for State and local administrative operating costs. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to extend the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program through FY 1989. Authorizes commissary stores of the Department of Defense to donate surplus, unmarketable food to local food banks. Title IV: Effective Dates - Sets forth the effective dates of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) recognition be extended to the Holstein-Friesian Association of America for its most noteworthy contribution to the American agricultural revolution; (2) special commendation be extended to such Association for its contribution to the genetic advancement and the efficiency of the national dairy herd; and (3) such Association be specifically complimented on the advancement of the Holstein breed of dairy cattle in the United States and the contribution being made through its genetic pool of purebred, registered animals to the advancement of the Holstein breed worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) recognition and commendation be extended to the Holstein-Friesian Association of America for its most noteworthy contribution to the American agricultural revolution; (2) special commendation be extended to such Association for its contribution to the genetic advancement and the efficiency of the national dairy herd; (3) such Association be specifically complimented on the advancement of the Holstein breed of dairy cattle in the United States and the contribution being made through its genetic pool of purebred, registered animals to the advancement of the Holstein breed worldwide; and (4) all such recognition and commendation be extended on the occasion of such Association's centennial anniversary.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1985
Amends the United States Grain Standards Act to prohibit the owner or operator of an export elevator at an export port location from knowingly adding or mixing grain dust, grain related material, or nongrain material to grain shipped from such elevator. Permits fumigation of grain.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should appoint a bipartisan Commission to consider the urgent needs of agriculture and make recommendations to the President and the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Agricultural and Food Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I: Food Aid and Trade - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to furnish to nonprofit voluntary agencies and the World Food Program for distribution in developing countries at least ten percent of the available amount of each surplus eligible commodity in any fiscal year. Makes conforming amendments to the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480). Extends such Act and the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 through FY 1989. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program under which commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through its price support operations are made available to United States exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 regarding intermediate credit for agricultural exports. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate long-term bilateral and multilateral agreements to promote the free trade of agricultural commodities and products between the United State and other countries. Directs the President to designate a Special Assistant to the President for Food Aid and Trade. Title II: Natural Resources Conservation - Declares that it is the sense of Congress that full support and funding for the Soil Conservation Service be continued. Soil Conservation Act of 1985 - Disqualifies from agricultural program benefits, with specified exceptions, any person who produces during any crop year an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land. Directs the Secretary to carry out a conservation reserve program under which farmers agreeing to perform long-term (seven to 15 year) conservation measures on highly erodible land shall receive payments to help offset the cost of such measures. Soil and Water Conservation Fund Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury a Soil and Water Conservation Fund into which taxpayers may designate transfer of $5 of the taxes they pay. Title III: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the current price support program for wool and mohair through FY 1989. Title IV: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports, loan rates, target prices, disaster payment rates, acreage reduction, and set-aside program and land diversion goals for the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat. Title V: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports, loan rates, target prices, disaster payment rates, acreage reduction, and set-aside program and land diversion goals for the 1986 through 1989 crops of corn and other feed grains. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports, loan rates, target prices, disaster payment rates, acreage reduction, and set-aside program and land diversion goals for the 1986 through 1989 crops of rice. Title VII: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports, loan rates, target prices, disaster payment rates, acreage reduction and set-aside program and land diversion goals for the 1986 through 1989 crops of upland cotton. Title VIII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth national and farm poundage quotas and price supports for the 1986 through 1989 crops of peanuts. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports for the 1986 through 1989 crops of sugarcane and sugar beets. Title X: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price supports for the 1986 through 1989 crops of soybeans. Title XI: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth formulae for the determination of dairy price supports for FY 1986 through 1989. Title XII: Miscellaneous - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1989 the current limitation ($50,000) on total payments to any person under the wheat, feed grain, upland cotton, and rice programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make advance deficiency payments available for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, or rice if acreage limitation or set-aside programs are established and it is determined that deficiency payments are likely to be made. Title XIII: Agricultural Credit - Agricultural Credit Act of 1985 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants to States for use in buying down the interest rates charged by commercial or cooperative lenders to farmers and ranchers whose debts are restructured by such lenders. Provides for Federal buy-downs where it is not practicable for States to provide matching funds. Authorizes the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) to use special terms, including leases with options to buy and low-interest, long-term financing, to dispose of farm property in inventory to limited resource farmers. Directs the Secretary to study the administrative appeals procedure of the FmHA and report findings to the Congress by September 1, 1986. Directs the Secretary to hire personnel needed to process FmHA farm loan applications expeditiously. Revises requirements for speedy designation of approved lenders. Agricultural Credit Task Force Act of 1985 - Establishes a National Task Force on Agricultural Credit to study the credit problems confronting U.S. agricultural producers and related businesses. Requires a final report to the President and the Congress by July 1, 1986. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to make certain revolving funds available to the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to alleviate the impairment of stock of Federal land bank associations and production credit associations. Title XIV: Agricultural Research and Extension - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 - Extends through FY 1989 certain provisions of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. Title XV: Food Stamps - Food Stamp Act of 1977 Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend its provisions through FY 1989. Title XVI: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY 1989 the commodity distribution program and the commodity supplemental feeding program. Extends through FY 1987 the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Consumers and Dairy Producers Fairness Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set milk price support levels through FY 1989 at $11.00 per hundredweight except that such level shall be set at $11.50 per hundredweight through FY 1986. Repeals the provision providing for a July 1, 1985, 50-cent milk price adjustment. Provides for the following adjustments based on 12-month estimated price support purchases: (1) 25-cent reduction as of October 1, 1986; (2) 25-cent reduction as of October 1, 1987; and (3) 50-cent increases after October 1, 1987. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, for the period beginning October 1987 to report to the appropriate congressional committees if further adjustments are necessary. Directs the Secretary to make loans and purchases for the 1986 corn crop at: (1) $3 per bushel for domestic use; and (2) not more than 75 percent of such price for other corn. Establishes 1987 through 1989 corn prices at: (1) $2.75 per bushel for domestic use; and (2) 80 percent of such price for other corn. Authorizes the Secretary to limit price support availability to producers of more than 10,000 bushels. Bases 1986 through 1989 feed grain support levels on such corn prices.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the executive branch should release appropriations for the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1985 - Title I: Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research - Establishes a ten-year coordinated program, to be known as the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program, which will be implemented by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Establishes an Intergovernmental Science Board for Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research to facilitate the management and implementation of such program. Directs the Secretary to appoint an Administrator of Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program to coordinate such program. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary with respect to such program including: (1) establishing a National Science Foundation administered matching grant program for specified nutritional and dietary purposes; and (2) submitting an annual report to the President and the Congress. Requires the Secretary to prepare and implement a comprehensive National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Plan which shall: (1) assess and report on U.S. nutritional and dietary trends; (2) assess and report on low-income food and household expenditures; (3) sponsor and conduct research; and (4) develop and update a national dietary and nutritional status data bank; (5) assist State and local agencies in developing procedures and networks for nutrition monitoring and surveillance; and (6) focus the activities of Federal agencies. Requires the plan to allocate the project functions and activities among the various Federal agencies and offices involved. Requires the Secretary to provide for and coordinate such scientific research and development as may be necessary to support the coordinated program and comprehensive plan. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council - Establishes a 15-member Advisory Council to: (1) provide scientific and technical advice on the development and implementation of all components of the coordinated program and the comprehensive plan; (2) evaluate such program and plan; and (3) submit an annual report to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Improvement Act of 1985 - Title I: Food Stamp and Related Provisions - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make homeless persons eligible to participate in the food stamp program (program). Requires State agencies to develop related certification and issuance procedures. Changes the four-person thrifty food plan adult age range from 20 to 54 years old to 20 to 50 years old. Requires the thrifty food plan to be adjusted annually each October 1 to reflect: (1) food price changes through the preceding June; and (2) the Secretary of Agriculture's projection of food price changes through the following September. Revises the definition of "disabled" to include certain persons receiving benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act or persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disabled benefits. Prohibits the collection of State and local taxes on food stamp purchases. Removes provisions which prohibited the distribution of federally donated foods in jurisdictions where the food stamp program is operated. Makes households each of whose members receive SSI or Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) categorically eligible for program participation. States that denial of eligibility or termination of benefits from such programs cannot be a basis for denial of food stamp eligibility or termination of benefits. Excludes loan origination fee payments and insurance premiums from "household income" under the program. Includes as such income any income from Federal educational grants not used for tuition and fees, from the program definition of "income." Requires that certain AFDC payments and State assistance made to third parties on behalf of food stamp households be treated as money paid directly to such households. Declares that earnings attributable to the Job Training Partnership Act shall be considered earned income. Increases the earned income deduction from 18 to 20 percent. Separates (presently combined) dependent care and excess shelter expense deductions. Provides for an educational deduction and an energy assistance deduction. Grants States the option of calculating income either prospectively or retrospectively. Authorizes the Food Stamp Disaster Task Force to assist States in implementing and operating the regular food stamp program in a disaster area. Increases the resources limitation from $1500 to $2500, and from $3000 to $3500 for the elderly and disabled. Increases the threshold for accounting a vehicle's value against resources from $4500 to $5500. Requires the disqualification of a household if the head of household fails to fulfill work requirements. (Current law disqualifies a household where any eligible member of such household fails to fulfill work requirements.) Exempts students under the Job Training Partnership Act from certain disqualification provisions and removes the exception for certain students who are parents. Requires each State agency to implement an employment program as set forth under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989 for such program. Directs the Secretary to report by January 1, 1989, to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of such programs. Permits States to stagger coupon issuance. Permits the disclosure of information submitted by retail stores to State agencies that administer the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. Permits federally insured credit unions which have wholesale or retail grocers in their membership to redeem food stamps. Prohibits financial institutions from collecting charges for the redemption of coupons, other than charges relating to the cancellation of such coupons. Directs State agencies to periodically assess the need to keep food stamp offices open during weekend or evening hours. Requires the Secretary to encourage State agencies to disseminate program information. Imposes a civil penalty on the transferor of a disqualified retail food store. Prohibits any new owner from accepting food stamps until such penalty has been paid. Authorizes the Secretary to sue in district court to collect such penalty. Authorizes the Secretary, at the request of a State agency, to waive payment of a portion of any claim asserted against the State for its error rate, if the State shows that it will devote the waived portion to administrative efforts to reduce its payment error rate. Directs the Secretary to develop a model plan for computerization of the information systems under the food stamp program by October 1, 1986. Requires a report to the Congress by April 1, 1987, on the sufficiency of each State's computerized system. Extends the authority to conduct pilot projects intended to improve the efficiency of the program until October 1, 1990. (Currently, such authority expires October 1, 1985.) Authorizes the Secretary to continue any project beyond any established term if such project has a beneficial effect on administrative costs and error rates. Authorizes appropriations for the food stamp program for FY 1986 through 1990. Revises the Puerto Rico block grant program to: (1) make permanent the existing temporary (through September 30, 1985) suspension for the non-cash program requirement; (2) repeal the provision requiring Puerto Rico to pay 50 percent of administrative costs; and (3) repeal the requirement of a single administering agency. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1986 through 1990. (Currently, such authorization is a fixed amount and open-ended.) Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity distribution program for FY 1986 through FY 1990 and the commodity supplemental food program from FY 1986 through 1989. (Currently, such programs expire in FY 1985.) Allows the continued distribution of agricultural commodities to low-income elderly under certain pilot projects. Title II: Amendments to the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 and Other Commodity Distribution Provisions - Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to declare emergency feeding organizations as eligible commodity recipients. Defines such organizations as those including charitable institutions, food banks, hunger centers, soup kitchens, and similar nonprofit agencies. Repeals provisions which: (1) authorize the use of wheat provided under the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980; and (2) relate to agreements for reprocessing commodities into end-use food products. Authorizes State agencies to enter into cooperative agreements for the provision of commodities to an emergency feeding organization. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and 1987 for the costs associated with the distribution of commodities by emergency feeding organizations. Sets forth conditions associated with such funding. Requires the Secretary to publish regulations regarding the commodity distribution program for FY 1986 and 1987. Requires such regulations to include provisions that set standards of liability for commodity losses. Terminates the temporary emergency food program on September 30, 1987. (Currently, such program terminates September 30, 1985.) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the activities under such program by April 1, 1987. Amends the Agricultural and Food Act of 1981 to require the Secretary to encourage consumption of products made available without charge or credit through agreements with private companies for the reprocessing of such products. Title III: Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Education - Directs the Department of Agriculture, through its Extension Service, to coordinate a program where by State cooperative extension services provide food, nutrition, and consumer education services to low-income persons. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1986 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to authorize food stamp coupons to be redeemed through financial institutions insured by the National Credit Union Administration Board and through credit unions which are eligible to apply to become insured by such Board.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Farm Policy Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Supply Management - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1986 through 1999 crops, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct referendums (August of 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997) to determine by majority vote if a mandatory supply management program shall be in effect for the succeeding four-year program period. Provides that the Secretary shall determine the farm program for the succeeding four-year period if such referendum fails. Provides for 36-month loans at rates of 70 percent of parity for 1986 with two-percent annual increments rising to 90 percent of parity for 1996 through 1999. Eliminates target prices. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national marketing quota (for each commodity) for each of the 1986 through 1999 crops based on domestic and export demands, and food aid and carryover requirements. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national acreage allotment for each of the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers who earn more than 50 percent of their gross income from nonfarm sources to set aside an additional ten percent of eligible crop acreage. Permits the Secretary to award bonus acres if the allotment request totals do not exceed the national marketing quota. Directs the Secretary to issue marketing certificates for each commodity at the same time acreage allotments are assigned. Bases such certificates on the higher of county average yield or farm yield. Permits adjustments. Permits excess production to be: (1) used for on-farm use; (2) stored and marketed in the subsequent year; (3) donated for specified foreign food assistance programs; and (4) sold to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for 50 percent of the loan level. Requires producers to apply conservation measures (including haying and grazing or wildlife use) to set-aside acres. Directs the Secretary to establish a farmers disaster reserve (in lieu of crop insurance) for each commodity for the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers to contribute a portion of their production to such reserve. Provides that in the event of a disaster, producers will receive 90 percent of their marketing certificate amount reduced by actual production, not to exceed an annual value of $360,000. Permits the use of CCC stocks to supplement insufficient reserve stocks. Amends the National Wool Act to extend the wool and mohair program through 1990. Suspends marketing quota, certificate, and other specified provisions of current law with regard to the 1986 through 1999 wheat and feed grain crops. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to limit Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) guaranteed ownership and operating loans to ten percent of such total loans. Requires farm recordkeeping training for limited resource borrowers. Limits direct operating loans to any individual to $200,000, except that no more than 25 percent of the funds may be used for loans in excess of $100,000. Limits similar guaranteed operating loans to $400,000, except that no more than 25 percent of guaranty authority may be for loans in excess of $200,000. Limits total individual indebtedness to $500,000. Revises FmHA emergency loan provisions, including: (1) making such loans more family-farm oriented; (2) reducing the individual loan ceiling; and (3) making such loans available only to persons unable to secure credit elsewhere. Provides for loan (principal and interest) and foreclosure deferrals for up to five years, for the period 1986 through 1999. Sets forth loan default provisions. Expands county committee membership to five, of which three must be farmer-elected. Sets forth time limits for approval of FmHA loans and loan guarantees. Establishes an appeals procedure for FmHA loan applications, including: (1) written notice of an adverse decision; and (2) opportunities for informal and formal hearings. Limits the leasing or sale of FmHA-held land to persons who are eligible for FmHA ownership or operating loans. Sets forth a priority order for such dispositions, with first priority for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to sell to such borrower at a price which reflects the average expected income from such land. Authorizes the Secretary to make or insure loans to assist borrowers. Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing search to identify, publicize, and transfer such farmland to eligible borrowers. Requires the Secretary to furnish borrowers with loan summary statements at least once a year. Increases from 20 percent to 25 percent the amount of FmHA ownership and operating loans for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the appropriateness of the FmHA "Farm and Home Plan"; and (2) report within 120 days to the appropriate congressional committees. Title III: Agricultural Exports and Imports - Subtitle A: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to permit local currency sales to developing countries with a per capita gross national product of $500 or less. Authorizes grants to private entities for projects to improve storage and marketing or expand private enterprise. Requires using at least $500,000,000 annually for FY 1985 through 1988 for an intermediate export credit program. Increases minimum food relief tonnage under title II of P.L. 480 for FY 1985 through 1990. Requires at least 60 percent of such commodities to be in the form of processed and fortified foods. Authorizes multiyear agreements with nonprofit voluntary agencies. Requires such agencies to maintain an operating reserve of at least 15 percent in disaster or drought-prone areas. Directs the Secretary to maintain a processed product and fortified grain reserve. Increases famine relief funding for: (1) CCC reimbursement; and (2) foreign currency purchases. Directs the President, to the extent possible, to enter into multilateral agreements with other food exporting nations to aid needy nations. Subtitle B: Agricultural Imports - Directs the Secretary to utilize existing law to minimize agricultural and food imports. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require country of origin labeling of imported meat. Requires eating establishments serving imported meat to so inform patrons. Title IV: Soil and Water Conservation - Subtitle A: Soil and Water Conservation - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to direct the Secretary to establish a training program for Soil Conservation Service personnel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promote energy and water conservation through dry land farming; and (2) strengthen the role of local and state committees. Requires producers to use agricultural conservation program payments and grants in accordance with a conservation plan approved by the local soil and water conservation district or by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance. Directs the Secretary to enter into ten-year conservation reserve program contracts to promote soil and water conservation on erosion-prone land. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into five-year contracts to reduce water use from underground aquifers to irrigate land. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for five years for: (1) price supports; (2) farm storage facility loans; (3) crop insurance; (4) disaster payments; or (5) specified other agricultural loans. Exempts crops planted: (1) on land cultivated from 1981 through 1985; (2) before enactment of this Act; or (3) under specified conservation systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use local agricultural committees to help administer such program; and (2) complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Title V: Food Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to base food stamp allotments on the projected average cost of the thrifty food plan for the coming (as of October 1) year. Raises the earned income deduction from 18 percent to 20 percent. Separates and raises the maximum dependent care deduction ($160) and excess shelter deduction ($175). Permits family income to be calculated prospectively or retrospectively. Authorizes supplemental allotments to a household that experiences a monthly income loss of $100 or more. Increases resource limitations. Waives nonliquid asset requirements for up to four months in areas of high unemployment or high farm foreclosures. Requires States to conduct food stamp public information programs. Authorizes food stamp program appropriations through FY 1989. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Programs - Amends the National School Lunch Act to permit certain private nonprofit agencies to participate in the children's summer food service program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the school breakfast program subsidy by six cents per meal. Requires the Secretary to review and revise the nutrition requirements for such meals. Subtitle C: Food Distribution Program - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity supplemental food program through FY 1989. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to extend the temporary emergency food assistance program through 1989. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this title effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided for.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Agricultural Fair Trade Act of 1985 - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee intermediate agricultural export loans. Includes the promotion of agricultural export sales within the uses for which export credit financing and guarantees may be made. Requires that, to the maximum extent possible, intermediate export credit sales be made to purchasers from countries: (1) that have previously received assistance under title I of Public Law 480; and (2) that are unable to use other Department of Agriculture short term credit. Requires the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to make available specified amounts for each of FY 1986 through 1991 for financing or guaranteeing such intermediate export credit sales. Authorizes the Secretary to provide agricultural commodities at no cost to U.S. exporters and users and foreign purchasers in order to expand overseas markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products, including value-added products. Authorizes supplemental commodity distributions to countries that have utilized receipts from sales of U.S.-supplied commodities to improve their handling, storage, and marketing facilities. Exempts Department of Agriculture blended credit agricultural sales from cargo preference requirements. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate a new round of multilateral trade negotiations with U.S. trading partners to: (1) strengthen the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); (2) improve the dispute settlement procedures of GATT; (3) bring agricultural trade issues within the purview of GATT; and (4) clarify the intent and bring uniformity to the interpretation of Article XVI of GATT. Requires the Secretary to use specified amounts of CCC funds or an equivalent value of CCC-owned commodities in each of FY 1985 through 1988 (for FY 1989 through 1991 requires the Secretary to use necessary amounts) for targeted export assistance for those commodities or products: (1) which are price-supported surpluses; or (2) which have been adversely affected by foreign subsidies or marketing practices. Gives priority to commodities and products that have demonstrated unfair trading practices under GATT. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to direct the President, in distributing commodities under such Act, to consider the recipients' nutritional needs and the benefits to the United States from distributing processed and protein-fortified products, including processed milk, plant protein products, and fruit, nut, and vegetable products. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary fund export market development programs for value-added farm products and processed foods at higher than FY 1985 levels. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require (presently authorizes) the CCC, to the maximum extent possible and in consultation with the Secretary of State, to barter commodities for strategic and critical materials. Declares it to be U.S. policy: (1) to encourage agricultural exports; (2) and not to limit such exports or abrogate such contracts except for national security reasons and not for reasons of foreign policy. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require intradepartmental consultation, as well as consultation with the United States Special Trade Representative, before relaxing or removing any agricultural import restriction; and (2) establish private sector advisory committees with respect to specific commodities to assist Department of Agriculture personnel in negotiating trade agreements, protocols, or procedures. Directs the Secretary to: (1) require annual agricultural attache reports; and (2) make such information available to the Congress and to other interested parties. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct studies and report to the Congress regarding: (1) Food and Drug Administration agricultural import sanitation standards; and (2) United States International Trade Commission import relief data requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a label of origin study and report to the appropriate congressional committees; and (2) increase research programs aimed at developing technology to overcome barriers to U.S. agricultural exports. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize: (1) the President to enter into agreements with developing nations to provide agricultural commodities and products to promote free-enterprise agricultural policies; and (2) the Secretary to provide CCC stocks or CCC-purchased commodities for such purposes. Exempts such commodities from cargo preference laws. Requires the President to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes such program for FY 1986 through 1989. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit domestic producers of processed agricultural products and their principal raw agricultural commodities to seek specified import relief from the United States International Trade Commission. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to prohibit the importation of live animals or meat products from countries having standards for the use of antibiotics chloramphenicol and dimethridazole in food producing animals that are not as stringent as those of the United States. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, along with other appropriate Departments, to seek and participate in negotiation for the purpose of developing an international agreement regarding the use of antibiotics and other drugs in livestock production.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Farm Policy Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Supply Management - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1986 through 1999 crops, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct referendums (August of 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997) to determine by majority vote if a mandatory supply management program shall be in effect for the succeeding four-year program period. Provides that the Secretary shall determine the farm program for the succeeding four-year period if such referendum fails. Provides for 36-month loans at rates of 70 percent of parity for 1986 with two-percent annual increments rising to 90 percent of parity for 1996 through 1999. Eliminates target prices. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national marketing quota (for each commodity) for each of the 1986 through 1999 crops based on domestic and export demands, and food aid and carryover requirements. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national acreage allotment for each of the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers who earn more than 50 percent of their gross income from nonfarm sources to set aside an additional ten percent of eligible crop acreage. Permits the Secretary to award bonus acres if the allotment request totals do not exceed the national marketing quota. Directs the Secretary to issue marketing certificates for each commodity at the same time acreage allotments are assigned. Bases such certificates on the higher of county average yield or farm yield. Permits adjustments. Permits excess production to be: (1) used for on-farm use; (2) stored and marketed in the subsequent year; (3) donated for specified foreign food assistance programs; and (4) sold to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for 50 percent of the loan level. Requires producers to apply conservation measures (including haying and grazing or wildlife use) to set-aside acres. Directs the Secretary to establish a farmers disaster reserve (in lieu of crop insurance) for each commodity for the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers to contribute a portion of their production to such reserve. Provides that in the event of a disaster, producers will receive 90 percent of their marketing certificate amount reduced by actual production, not to exceed an annual value of $360,000. Permits the use of CCC stocks to supplement insufficient reserve stocks. Amends the National Wool Act to extend the wool and mohair program through 1990. Suspends marketing quota, certificate, and other specified provisions of current law with regard to the 1986 through 1999 wheat and feed grain crops. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to limit Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) guaranteed ownership and operating loans to ten percent of such total loans. Requires farm recordkeeping training for limited resource borrowers. Limits direct operating loans to any individual to $200,000, except that no more than 25 percent of the funds may be used for loans in excess of $100,000. Limits similar guaranteed operating loans to $400,000, except that no more than 25 percent of guaranty authority may be for loans in excess of $200,000. Limits total individual indebtedness to $500,000. Revises FmHA emergency loan provisions, including: (1) making such loans more family-farm oriented; (2) reducing the individual loan ceiling; and (3) making such loans available only to persons unable to secure credit elsewhere. Provides for loan (principal and interest) and foreclosure deferrals for up to five years, for the period 1986 through 1999. Sets forth loan default provisions. Expands county committee membership to five, of which three must be farmer-elected. Sets forth time limits for approval of FmHA loans and loan guarantees. Establishes an appeals procedure for FmHA loan applications, including: (1) written notice of an adverse decision; and (2) opportunities for informal and formal hearings. Limits the leasing or sale of FmHA-held land to persons who are eligible for FmHA ownership or operating loans. Sets forth a priority order for such dispositions, with first priority for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to sell to such borrower at a price which reflects the average expected income from such land. Authorizes the Secretary to make or insure loans to assist borrowers. Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing search to identify, publicize, and transfer such farmland to eligible borrowers. Requires the Secretary to furnish borrowers with loan summary statements at least once a year. Increases from 20 percent to 25 percent the amount of FmHA ownership and operating loans for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the appropriateness of the FmHA "Farm and Home Plan"; and (2) report within 120 days to the appropriate congressional committees. Title III: Agricultural Exports and Imports - Subtitle A: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to permit local currency sales to developing countries with a per capita gross national product of $500 or less. Authorizes grants to private entities for projects to improve storage and marketing or expand private enterprise. Requires using at least $500,000,000 annually for FY 1985 through 1988 for an intermediate export credit program. Increases minimum food relief tonnage under title II of P.L. 480 for FY 1985 through 1990. Requires at least 60 percent of such commodities to be in the form of processed and fortified foods. Authorizes multiyear agreements with nonprofit voluntary agencies. Requires such agencies to maintain an operating reserve of at least 15 percent in disaster or drought-prone areas. Directs the Secretary to maintain a processed product and fortified grain reserve. Increases famine relief funding for: (1) CCC reimbursement; and (2) foreign currency purchases. Directs the President, to the extent possible, to enter into multilateral agreements with other food exporting nations to aid needy nations. Subtitle B: Agricultural Imports - Directs the Secretary to utilize existing law to minimize agricultural and food imports. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require country of origin labeling of imported meat. Requires eating establishments serving imported meat to so inform patrons. Title IV: Soil and Water Conservation - Subtitle A: Soil and Water Conservation - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to direct the Secretary to establish a training program for Soil Conservation Service personnel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promote energy and water conservation through dry land farming; and (2) strengthen the role of local and state committees. Requires producers to use agricultural conservation program payments and grants in accordance with a conservation plan approved by the local soil and water conservation district or by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance. Directs the Secretary to enter into ten-year conservation reserve program contracts to promote soil and water conservation on erosion-prone land. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into five-year contracts to reduce water use from underground aquifers to irrigate land. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for five years for: (1) price supports; (2) farm storage facility loans; (3) crop insurance; (4) disaster payments; or (5) specified other agricultural loans. Exempts crops planted: (1) on land cultivated from 1981 through 1985; (2) before enactment of this Act; or (3) under specified conservation systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use local agricultural committees to help administer such program; and (2) complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Title V: Food Assistance Programs - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to base food stamp allotments on the projected average cost of the thrifty food plan for the coming (as of October 1) year. Raises the earned income deduction from 18 percent to 20 percent. Separates and raises the maximum dependent care deduction ($160) and excess shelter deduction ($175). Permits family income to be calculated prospectively or retrospectively. Authorizes supplemental allotments to a household that experiences a monthly income loss of $100 or more. Increases resource limitations. Waives nonliquid asset requirements for up to four months in areas of high unemployment or high farm foreclosures. Requires States to conduct food stamp public information programs. Authorizes food stamp program appropriations through FY 1989. Subtitle B: Child Nutrition Programs - Amends the National School Lunch Act to permit certain private nonprofit agencies to participate in the children's summer food service program. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the school breakfast program subsidy by six cents per meal. Requires the Secretary to review and revise the nutrition requirements for such meals. Subtitle C: Food Distribution Program - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend the commodity supplemental food program through FY 1989. Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to extend the temporary emergency food assistance program through 1989. Subtitle D: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this title effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided for.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1985
Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to eliminate any limitations on the use of alcohol in confectionery.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1985
Agricultural Export Reserve Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, to carry out an export expansion program for the 1985 through 1989 marketing years. Establishes an agricultural surplus Export Reserve for such program. Permits such Reserve to be used for barter for strategic and other stockpiled materials, either for direct ownership or for storage use as collateral. Sets forth policy guidelines for such Reserve, including a prohibition on its use to expand exports to any nation with which the United States does not have full diplomatic relations or against which the President has imposed a trade embargo. Establishes the Export Reserve Advisory Council to advise the Secretary and the Trade Representative on how best to use such Reserve. Requires semi-annual reports to the appropriate congressional committees.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1985
Dairy Program Improvement Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set FY 1986 and 1987 milk price supports at the July 1, 1985, level. Bases FY 1988 and 1989 levels on production costs, productivity increases, and a fixed dollar amount. Permits price adjustments based on Government purchase. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend Federal milk marketing order authority through 1989. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend authority to transfer dairy products to the military and VA hospitals through 1989. Amends Federal law to extend dairy indemnity authority through 1989.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Family Farmer Policy Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Supply Management - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1986 through 1999 crops, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct referendums (August of 1985, 1989, 1993, and 1997) to determine by majority vote if a mandatory supply management program shall be in effect for the succeeding four-year program period. Provides that the Secretary shall determine the farm program for the succeeding four-year period if such referendum fails. Provides for 36-month loans at rates of 90 percent of parity for 1986 through 1999. Eliminates target prices. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national marketing quota (for each commodity) for each of the 1986 through 1999 crops based on domestic and export demands and food aid and carryover requirements. Directs the Secretary to proclaim a national acreage allotment for each of the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers who earn more than 50 percent of their gross income from nonfarm sources to set aside an additional ten percent of eligible crop acreage. Permits the Secretary to award bonus acres if the allotment request totals do not exceed the national marketing quota. Directs the Secretary to issue marketing certificates for each commodity at the same time acreage allotments are assigned. Bases such certificates on the higher of county average yield or farm yield. Permits adjustments. Permits excess production to be: (1) used for on-farm use; (2) stored and marketed in the subsequent year; (3) donated for specified foreign food assistance programs; and (4) sold to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for 50 percent of the loan level. Requires producers to apply conservation measures (including haying and grazing or wildlife use) to set-aside acres. Directs the Secretary to establish a farmers disaster reserve (in lieu of crop insurance) for each commodity for the 1986 through 1999 crop years. Requires producers to contribute a portion of their production to such reserve. Provides that in the event of a disaster, producers will receive 90 percent of their marketing certificate amount reduced by actual production, not to exceed an annual value of $360,000. Permits the use of CCC stocks to supplement insufficient reserve stocks. Suspends marketing quota, certificate, and other specified provisions of current law with regard to the 1986 through 1999 wheat and feed grain crops. Title II: Agricultural Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to limit Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) guaranteed ownership and operating loans to ten percent of such total loans. Requires farm recordkeeping training for limited resource borrowers. Limits direct operating loans to any individual to $200,000, except that no more than 25 percent of the funds may be used for loans in excess of $100,000. Limits similar guaranteed operating loans to $400,000, except that no more than 25 percent of guaranty authority may be for loans in excess of $200,000. Limits total individual indebtedness to $500,000. Revises FmHA emergency loan provisions, including: (1) making such loans more family-farm oriented; (2) reducing the individual loan ceiling; and (3) making such loans available only to persons unable to secure credit elsewhere. Provides for loan (principal and interest) and foreclosure deferrals for up to five years, for the period 1986 through 1999. Sets forth loan default provisions. Expands county committee membership to five, of which three must be farmer-elected. Sets forth time limits for approval of FmHA loans and loan guarantees. Establishes an appeals procedure for FmHA loan applications, including: (1) written notice of an adverse decision; and (2) opportunities for informal and formal hearings. Limits the leasing or sale of FmHA-held land to persons who are eligible for FmHA ownership or operating loans. Sets forth a priority order for such dispositions, with first priority for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to sell to such borrower at a price which reflects the average expected income from such land. Authorizes the Secretary to make or insure loans to assist borrowers. Directs the Secretary to conduct an ongoing search to identify, publicize, and transfer such farmland to eligible borrowers. Requires the Secretary to furnish borrowers with loan summary statements at least once a year. Increases from 20 percent to 25 percent the amount of FmHA ownership and operating loans for limited resource borrowers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the appropriateness of the FmHA "Farm and Home Plan"; and (2) report within 120 days to the appropriate congressional committees. Directs the CCC to guarantee certain agricultural loans made by private lending institutions. Title III: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to permit local currency sales to developing countries with a per capita gross national product of $500 or less. Authorizes grants to private entities for projects to improve storage and marketing or expand private enterprise. Requires using at least $500,000,000 annually for FY 1985 through 1988 for an intermediate export credit program. Increases minimum food relief tonnage under title II of P.L. 480 for FY 1985 through 1990. Requires at least 60 percent of such commodities to be in the form of processed and fortified foods. Authorizes multiyear agreements with nonprofit voluntary agencies. Requires such agencies to maintain an operating reserve of at least 15 percent in disaster or drought-prone areas. Directs the Secretary to maintain a processed product and fortified grain reserve. Increases famine relief funding for: (1) CCC reimbursement; and (2) foreign currency purchases. Directs the President, to the extent possible, to enter into multilateral agreements with other food exporting nations to aid needy nations. Authorizes foreign currency proceeds from agricultural sales to be used to carry out direct feeding programs and agricultural development projects. Directs the President, to the extent practicable, to make at least 50,000 metric tons available annually for nondirect feeding projects. Directs the Secretary to utilize existing law to minimize agricultural and food imports. Title IV: Soil and Water Conservation - Subtitle A: Soil and Water Conservation - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to direct the Secretary to establish a training program for Soil Conservation Service personnel. Directs the Secretary to: (1) promote energy and water conservation through dry land farming; and (2) strengthen the role of local and State committees. Requires producers to use agricultural conservation program payments and grants in accordance with a conservation plan approved by the local soil and water conservation district or by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance. Directs the Secretary to enter into five-year minimum contracts (conservation reserve program) to promote soil and water conservation on erosion-prone land. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into ten-year minimum contracts to reduce water use from underground aquifers to irrigate land. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle B: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for: (1) price supports; (2) farm storage facility loans; (3) crop insurance; (4) disaster payments; or (5) specified other agricultural loans. Exempts crops planted: (1) on land cultivated from 1976 through 1985; (2) before enactment of this Act; or (3) under specified conservation systems. Directs the Secretary to: (1) use local agricultural committees to help administer such program; and (2) complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Title V: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Interest Rate Equity Act of 1985 - Limits the maximum interest rate applicable to loans made under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act and the Small Business Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) conduct a study of integrated pest management systems; (2) conduct a study of domestic cosmetic marketing standards for agricultural commodities; and (3) report to the President and to the Congress. Authorizes FY 1986 appropriations for such studies.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1985
Family Farm Survival Act of 1985 - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend price supports for wheat through 1989. Establishes the price at: (1) $5.25 per bushel for 1986; (2) $5.41 per bushel for 1987; (3) $5.57 per bushel for 1988; and (4) $5.74 per bushel for 1989. Suspends specified quota and certificate provisions. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend price supports for feed grains through 1989. Establishes the price for corn at: (1) $3.56 per bushel for 1986; (2) $3.67 per bushel for 1987; (3) $3.78 per bushel for 1988; and (4) $3.89 per bushel for 1989. Title III: Loan and Purchase Limitations for Wheat and Feed Grains - Sets limits on 1986 through 1989 wheat and feed grain loans and purchases.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Food and Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 for the 1986 through 1989 crops of wheat to provide for price supports and target prices for years when marketing quotas are proclaimed and for years when they are not proclaimed. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to determine, before April 15 of any year, the wheat supply needed to meet anticipated needs for the next marketing year, and by June 1 to implement mandatory marketing quotas if they are determined necessary, subject to approval by referendum. Title II: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set price supports, target prices, and deficiency payment rates for the 1986 through 1989 crops of corn and other feed grains. Title III: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set price supports for the 1986 through 1989 marketing years for soybeans. Title IV: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to set national poundage quotas for the 1986 through 1989 marketing years for peanuts. Title V: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set price supports for the 1986 through 1989 crops of sugarcane and sugar beets. Title VI: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the current price supports for wool and mohair through 1989. Title VII: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through FY 1989 certain milk marketing order provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. Sets price supports for milk through FY 1990. Title VIII: Tobacco - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to terminate the current price support program for tobacco after 1989 unless it is reauthorized by law. Title IX: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1989 the current limitation ($50,000) on total payments to any person under the wheat, feed grain, upland cotton, and rice programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make advance deficiency payments available for wheat or feed grains if an acreage limitation or set-aside program is established and it is determined that deficiency payments are likely to be made. Title X: Agricultural Exports - Extends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) through 1989. Exempts certain export activities (but not Public Law 480 exports) from the Cargo Preference Act. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 regarding intermediate credit for agricultural exports. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a program under which commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through its price support operations are made available to United States exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers at no cost. Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out an export subsidy program whenever the supply of a particular commodity exceeds a certain amount, in order to neutralize the effect on U.S. exports of the export subsidy or trading practices of foreign countries or instrumentalities. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the President should negotiate to develop long-term bilateral and multilateral agreements to promote the free trade of agricultural commodities and products between the United States and other countries. Title XI: Natural Resource Conservation - Soil Conservation Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary to carry out a conservation reserve program under which farmers agreeing to perform long-term (seven to 15 year) conservation measures on highly erodible lands shall receive payments to help offset the cost of such measures. Disqualifies from agricultural program benefits, with specified exceptions, any person who produces during any crop year an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land on a field in which such land is the predominant class. Wetland Conservation Act of 1985 - Makes ineligible for agricultural program benefits, with specified exceptions, any person who produces during any crop year an agricultural commodity on wetland. Title XII: Farm Credit Assistance - Farm Credit Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary to release certain borrowers from personal liability and any lien the Secretary may hold on their assets, up to a total of $10,000. Limits such release authority to borrowers with a negative net worth who are facing imminent foreclosure or bankruptcy. Limits the use of such released assets to transition out of farming or ranching. Requires any released borrower to convey the remainder of his or her property to the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States for use in buying down the interest rates charged by commercial or cooperative lenders to limited resource farmers. Provides for Federal buy-downs where it is not practicable for States to provide matching funds. Directs the Secretary to hire personnel needed to process Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) farm loan applications whenever the number of applications exceeds specified levels. Revises requirements for speedy designation of approved lenders and for the sale of farm property in inventory to limited resource farmers. Directs the Secretary to study the administrative appeals procedure of the FmHA and report findings to the Congress by September 1, 1986. Directs the Farm Credit Administration to study the feasibility of obtaining insurance to protect its borrower capital. Title XIII: Task Force on Agricultural Credit - Agricultural Credit Task Force Act of 1985 - Establishes a National Task Force on Agricultural Credit to study the credit problems confronting U.S. agricultural producers and related businesses. Requires a final report to the President and the Congress by July 1, 1986. Title XIV: Agricultural Research and Extension - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 - Extends through FY 1989 certain provisions of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977. Title XV: Rural Development - Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Improvement Act of 1985 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act with respect to grants and loans for drinking water and waste disposal facilities in rural communities. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services to revise the memorandum of understanding on financing for rural health centers with respect to the costs of repaying FmHA loans for buildings and to provide for the lawful period for the amortization of such loans. Title XVI: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committees - Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee Act of 1985 - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act with respect to local committees. Title XVII: Food Reserves - Emergency Food Reserve Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a separate reserve of inventories of wheat and feed grains to alleviate distress resulting from a national emergency. Extends through FY 1989 the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980. Title XVIII: Food Stamps - Extends through FY 1989 the Food Stamp Act of 1977. Title XIX: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY 1989 the commodity distribution program and the commodity supplemental feeding program. Extends through FY 1987 the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983. Title XX: Extension of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act - Extends through FY 1987 the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. Title XXI: Effective Date - Makes October 1, 1985, the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Agricultural Export Enhancement and Soil Conservation Act of 1985 - Title I: Protection of Exports - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to authorize the President to impose or extend agricultural commodity export controls. Specifies the related congressional and presidential actions that shall be taken before such controls go into effect. Title II: Bonus Commodity Exports - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) surplus stocks at no cost to U.S. exporters, users, and foreign purchasers to offset the adverse effects of foreign subsidies and the high value of the U.S. dollar abroad. Title III: Financing of Sales of Agricultural Commodities - Directs the Secretary, for FY 1986 through 1989, to use CCC funds (under the Export Credit Sales Program) for surplus commodity export credit in any year that carryover stocks exceed specified levels. Title IV: Protection of Highly Erodible Land - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for: (1) price supports or payments; (2) farm storage facility loans; (3) crop insurance; (4) disaster payments; or (5) specified other agricultural loans. Exempts crops planted: (1) before enactment of this Act; or (2) under specified conservation systems. Title V: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective as of October 1, 1985, unless otherwise provided for.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Emergency Agricultural Marketing and Sales Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide U.S. exporters and users and foreign purchasers with free agricultural commodities in order to expand overseas markets for U.S. agricultural products; and (2) carry out such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to: (1) authorize the CCC to guarantee the repayment of loans made to finance export credit sales and to provide intermediate export credit to developing nations; (2) authorize FY 1985 through 1988 appropriations; and (3) authorize the Secretary to provide commodities to countries not qualifying for export credit or guarantees to reduce the cost of such commodities and to enable them to meet such qualifications. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to expand agricultural donation authority. Provides for commodity loan repayment of the 1981 through 1985 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, or rice at the original rate or at a rate that will: (1) minimize foreclosures; (2) prevent surplus accumulations and related storage costs; and (3) permit free and competitive marketing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Southern Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish for the 1986 through 1989 cotton crops: (1) loan rates; (2) target prices; (3) disaster payments; and (4) acreage reduction and land diversion provisions. Suspends base acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions. Extends specified skiprow provisions through 1989. Title II: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to establish for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops: (1) farm poundage quotas; (2) sale, lease, or transfer provisions; (3) marketing penalties; and (4) price support levels. Suspends specified marketing quota and acreage allotment provisions. Title III: Miscellaneous - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the Secretary to make advance deficiency payments available to producers of 1986 through 1989 upland crops.