Agriculture

Puget Sound Watershed Comprehensive Conservation Project Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2007

Puget Sound Watershed Comprehensive Conservation Project Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) carry out a competitive grant program for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive conservation planning to address water quality; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with state and local governments, Indian tribes, or non-governmental entities with a history of working with agricultural producers to carry out projects under the program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide project demonstration grants, provide technical assistance, and carry out information and education programs to improve water quality in the area by reducing soil erosion and improving sediment control; and (2) provide a priority for projects and activities that directly reduce soil erosion or improve water quality.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Watermelon Month.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2007

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Watermelon Month to recognize watermelon's health benefits and importance to the U.S. agriculture industry.

Farm Safety Net Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007

Farm Safety Net Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend (through crop year 2012) and revise the counter-cyclical payment program. Makes payments available in a state for a covered commodity if the actual state revenue (as defined by this Act) for the commodity is less than the revenue counter-cyclical program guarantee (as defined by this Act) for the commodity. (Under current law, payments are provided if a commodity's effective price is less than its target price.) Provides recourse loans for covered commodities through crop year 2012. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Risk Management Agency, to identify necessary actions to ensure that federal crop insurance programs are properly rated to account for a rebalancing of risk resulting from enactment of this Act.

Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007

Clean Water Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to replace the term "navigable waters," throughout the Act, with the term "waters of the United States," defined to mean all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting them, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution. Declares that nothing in such Act shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary of the Army or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act related to discharges: (1) composed entirely of return flows from irrigated agriculture; (2) of stormwater runoff from certain oil, gas, and mining operations composed entirely of flows from precipitation runoff conveyances, which are not contaminated by or in contact with specified materials; or (3) of dredged or fill materials resulting from normal farming, silviculture, and ranching activities or from activities with respect to which a state has an approved program, or for the purposes of maintenance of currently serviceable structures, construction or maintenance of farm or stock ponds, irrigation ditches and maintenance of drainage ditches, or farm, forest, or temporary roads for moving mining equipment in accordance with best management practices, or construction of temporary sedimentation basins on construction sites for which discharges do not include placement of fill material into the waters of the United States.

Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests Land Exchange Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2007

Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests Land Exchange Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, upon receipt of acceptable title to specified land in Boulder county, Colorado, between the communities of Boulder and Nederland (the non-federal land) offered by the Sugar Loaf Fire Protection District to the United States, to convey to the District, in exchange for such non-federal land, National Forest System land within the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado (the federal lands). Permits the District, pending completion of the land exchange, to commence modification of the fire stations on the federal land. Provides for the non-federal land to become part of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forests and modifies the boundary of such National Forests to incorporate such land. Revokes any public orders withdrawing any of the federal lands from appropriation or disposal under the public land laws to the extent necessary to permit conveyance of such lands.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes FY2008 appropriations for the: (1) Department of Agriculture; (2) Food and Drug Administration; (3) Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (4) Farm Credit Administration. Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to convey to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC, all interest of the United States in and to specified federal land in Pinal County, Arizona, in exchange for Resolution Copper conveying to the United States title to: (1) the Secretary to specified non-federal land in Gila, Yavapai, Maricopa, Pinal, and Coconino Counties, Arizona, and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to specified non-federal land in Pinal and Gila Counties, Arizona. Directs the Secretary to convey specified land in Pinal County to the town of Superior, Arizona. Instructs Resolution Copper to deliver to the Secretary an executed document granting a permanent conservation easement for the easement area (the surface estate of the Apache Leap Conservation Easement Area) to an entity that is: (1) a qualified unit of government or Indian tribe; or (2) a land trust or other qualified organization. Requires Resolution Copper to determine whether the area covered by the easement should be managed to establish: (1) additional cultural and historical resource protections or measures; or (2) additional or alternative public access routes, trails, and trailheads to Apache Leap. Directs: (1) the Secretary to construct in the Global Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest one or more replacement campgrounds for the Oak Flat Campground; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the Arizona State Parks Board approximately 2,000 acres of land under such Secretary's jurisdiction within the exterior boundary of the proposed Tam O'Shanter Area State Park for the establishment of such Park. Requires the Secretary of the Interior, upon request by the Board, to grant the Board a right-of-way for the construction of an access road on a specified route in order to provide public access to the proposed State Park.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2007

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes FY2008 appropriations for the: (1) Department of Agriculture; (2) Food and Drug Administration; (3) Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (4) Farm Credit Administration. Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.

Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2007

Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Labor for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) by adversely affected workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency. Revises group eligibility requirements for TAA to cover: (1) a shift, by a public agency to a foreign country, of production of articles or in provision of services, like or directly competitive with articles which are produced, or services which are provided by the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency; and (2) instances where the workers' firm, subdivision, or public agency obtains or is likely to obtain such services from a foreign country. Provides for industry-wide certification of adversely affected workers for TAA. Increases the amount of payments for training of adversely affected workers under the Act. TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the tax credit for the health insurance costs of certain TAA workers and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension recipients. Sets forth requirements to prevent a lapse of health care coverage for TAA workers and their families. Replaces alternative trade adjustment assistance for older workers provisions with eligibility requirements for wage insurance benefits to older workers who have received an industry-wide certification to apply for TAA. Increases the maximum allowance to cover costs of an adversely affected worker for job search expenses and relocation expenses. Establishes an Office of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Ombudsman. Extends the TAA program for workers through December 31, 2012. Revises the TAA program for communities negatively impacted by trade. Establishes a TAA for communities program to coordinate the federal response. Allows the filing of a petition with the Secretary of Commerce for certification of eligibility to apply for TAA by a service sector firm. Extends the TAA program for firms through FY2012. Makes fishermen and aquaculture producers eligible for TAA without regard to whether such fishermen seek TAA based on an increase in imports of wild stock or an increase of imports of farm-raised stock. Revises TAA group eligibility requirements for certain agricultural commodity producers. Extends the TAA program for farmers through FY2012.

To amend the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, to strike a requirement relating to forage producers.

United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2007

Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to eliminate the requirement that forage producers must participate in the insurance pilot program or the noninsured crop disaster assistance program in order to receive crop disaster and livestock assistance.

A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide loans to eligible agricultural producers of eligible commodities that are used to produce bioenergy to ensure that the capacities of the commodity storage facilities of the agricultural producers are adequate for the storage requirements of the agricultural producers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2007

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide agricultural producers who produce bioenergy with commodity storage capacity loans.

A bill to prohibit the closure or relocation of any county, local, or field office of the Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service or any office related to the rural development mission of the Department of Agriculture until at least 1 year after the enactment of an Act to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs after fiscal year 2007.

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2007

Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from closing or relocating any county, local, or field office of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any rural development-related office of the Department of Agriculture until at least one year after the date of enactment of an Act to provide for the post-FY2007 continuation of agricultural programs.

Carbon Monoxide Treated Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Safe Handling, Labeling, and Consumer Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2007

Carbon Monoxide Treated Meat, Poultry, and Seafood Safe Handling, Labeling, and Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to make changes to the definition of "color additive" to include carbon monoxide that may impart, maintain, preserve, stabilize, fix, or otherwise affect the color of fresh meat, poultry products, or seafood, unless the label of such food bears, prominently and conspicuously, a specified statement that advises consumers: (1) that carbon monoxide has been used to preserve the color of the product; (2) not to rely on the color or the "use or freeze by" date alone to judge the freshness or safety of the product; and (3) to discard any product with an unpleasant odor, slime, or a bulging package. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish alternative labeling requirements, not earlier than five years after the effective date of this Act, if: (1) such statement is no longer required to prevent consumer deception and other harms; and (2) such alternative requirements are shown to be adequate and effective in preventing consumer deception and other harms related to the conditions of use of carbon monoxide.

Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007

Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination. Asserts that it is Congress's intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a claimant with a report on farm credit loans made within the claimant's county or adjacent county during a specified period which shall contain information on all accepted applicants (but without any personally identifiable information), including: (1) the applicant's race; (2) the application and loan decision dates; and (3) the location of the office making the loan decision. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) expedited claim resolution; and (2) foreclosure limitation. Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of Pigford v. Glickman (1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.

Foreign Seafood Safety Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007

Foreign Seafood Safety Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the importation into the United States of any seafood or seafood product capable of use as human food from any foreign country unless: (1) the country applies for, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services issues, a certification finding that the country maintains seafood safety and inspection programs that use reliable analytical methods and that are at least as protective of human health as U.S. programs; and (2) such certification remains in effect. Directs the Secretary to: (1) periodically review such certifications; (2) revoke such certifications if the country involved is not maintaining seafood safety programs that meet the standards described in this Act; and (3) inspect individual establishments to ensure that the seafood safety programs of the foreign country involved meet such standards.

Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2007

Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit any creditor or mortgage broker from making, providing, or arranging for any consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to make the scheduled payments of principal, interest (including variable interest), real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums. Prescribes criteria for determining the reasonable ability to make such payments. Prohibits steering (arranging for a lower investment grade credit transaction if the consumer qualifies for a higher investment grade transaction) and prepayment penalties for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that are not jumbo mortgages. Limits financed points, finance charges, and fees to 5% of a transaction's principal, unless the transaction is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration. Specifies duties of agency for mortgage brokers acting to obtain or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling. Requires creditors and mortgage brokers to obtain independent verification that a borrower seeking to refinance a special mortgage has received counseling on the transaction's advisability. Defines "special mortgage" as one that: (1) was originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or through a state, tribal, or local government, or nonprofit organization; and (2) bears one or more specified nonstandard payment terms which substantially benefit the consumer. Prescribes minimum financial requirements for mortgage brokers. Excludes reverse mortgages from coverage by this Act.

Idaho Land Conveyance Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007

Idaho Land Conveyance Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary), if the Sun Valley Company offers to convey to the Secretary specified non-federal land that is owned by the Company, to accept the offer, and on conveyance of such land, to simultaneously convey to the Company specified Forest Service land. Requires: (1) the Secretary to transfer to the Secretary of the Interior administrative jurisdiction over the non-federal land; and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to transfer to the Secretary administrative jurisdiction over specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. Provides for: (1) the non-federal land to become part of BLM's Shoshone District and the boundaries of such District to be adjusted to include such land; and (2) the BLM land to become part of the Sawtooth National Forest and the boundaries to be adjusted to include the BLM land.

National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007

National Agriculture and Food Defense Act of 2007 - States that: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) shall lead federal, state, local, tribal, and private efforts to enhance the protection of critical U.S. infrastructure and key resources, including the agriculture and food system; (2) the Secretary of Agriculture shall lead federal efforts relating to agriculture, meat, poultry, and egg food products; (3) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall lead federal efforts relating to other food products; and (4) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall lead federal efforts relating to drinking water and waste water. Establishes in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (1) a Chief Medical Officer who shall serve as the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs; and (2) the agriculture and food defense rotational expertise program. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the position of Under Secretary for Protection, Preparedness, and Response. Directs the Secretary of HHS to coordinate the public health surveillance of zoonotic diseases. Directs the Secretary to: (1) prepare and submit to the appropriate congressional committees the national agriculture and food defense strategy; (2) carry out vulnerability assessments of the agriculture and food system; (3) implement mitigation strategies to protect critical production and processing nodes from diseases, pests, and poisonous agents; (3) ensure that combined federal, state, and local capabilities are adequate to respond to a terrorist attack, disease outbreak, or other disaster affecting the U.S. agriculture and food system; (4) assist the states with food and agriculture protection activities; and (5) establish the Food and Agriculture Government Coordinating Council. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) develop a national veterinary stockpile; (2) develop a national plant disease recovery system; (3) establish a National Veterinary Stockpile Advisory Committee; (4) carry out a program (Agricultural Biosecurity Corps) to develop veterinary leaders with epidemiological expertise to respond to animal agriculture threats; (5) develop a national plant diagnostic network; (6) develop a national food emergency response network; (7) develop a national animal health laboratory network; (8) identify an increased production capacity goal for the rendering industry to meet animal disposal needs following a catastrophic animal disease outbreak; and (9) conduct a study of irradiation technology use to enhance food defense capabilities. Directs the Secretaries concerned to submit an integrated food system defense budget. Directs the Administrator to provide assistance to state, local, and tribal governments in assessing, decontaminating, and recovering from an agriculture or food emergency.

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to make grants to at-risk communities in Colorado to assist them in preparing, revising, or implementing a community wildfire protection plan. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the use of fire department grant funds for the development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans. Directs the Secretaries to establish collection points for the placement of vegetative material removed from federal or other land as part of a hazardous fuel reduction project under this Act. Rewrites provisions governing the biomass commercial utilization grant program. Authorizes the Secretaries to designate as Healthy Forest Partnership Zones certain federal lands and non-federal lands adjacent to those lands that are at risk of uncharacteristically severe damage to at-risk communities or community water supply facilities from a wildland fire or an outbreak of insects or disease and require at least one management activity to reduce that risk. Allows the Secretaries to enter into contracts or other agreements with partnering entities to implement hazardous fuel reduction or other projects on federal land to complement similar projects on bordering or adjacent non-federal land. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide grant assistance to the Colorado Wood Program and the Forest Restoration Institute, and any other appropriate entities; and (2) collaborate with the Institute to research, develop, and transfer broader landscape treatment strategies and ways to integrate best science with community needs. Establishes the Colorado Forest Health Fund. Requires the Secretaries to provide grants for the Colorado fuels for schools program. Extends terms for stewardship end result contracting projects. Makes permanent the Secretaries' authority to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts for federal and state cooperative watershed restoration and protection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare fire-danger maps of forested lands. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the tax credit for electricity produced using open-loop biomass to facilities placed in service before January 1, 2030; (2) make electricity produced and sold at qualified open-loop biomass facilities eligible for the full credit rate; (3) partially exclude from gross income payments received for certain hazardous fuel reduction projects in Colorado; and (4) allow the deductibility of certain expenditures made in carrying out eligible hazardous fuel reduction projects on Colorado lands which are identified in community wildfire protection plans.

Public Land Communities Transition Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007

Public Land Communities Transition Assistance Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012 for the making of payments to units of general local government in which entitlement lands are located. Sets forth provisions for the making of transition payments for FY2008-FY2012 to eligible states, U.S. territories, and counties previously receiving payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. Sets forth special requirements with regard to transition payments for FY2008-FY2011 applicable to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington and eligible counties in those states in lieu of the payments that otherwise would have been made under the above transition payment provisions. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to promulgate regulations to establish new fees or fee increases for commercial activities on federal lands, National Forest System lands, and National Grasslands administered by the respective Secretary.

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2007

Colorado Forest Management Improvement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and of the Interior to make grants to at-risk communities in Colorado to assist them in preparing, revising, or implementing a community wildfire protection plan. Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize the use of fire department grant funds for the development and implementation of community wildfire protection plans. Directs the Secretaries to establish collection points for the placement of vegetative material removed from federal or other land as part of a hazardous fuel reduction project under this Act. Rewrites provisions governing the biomass commercial utilization grant program. Authorizes the Secretaries to designate as Healthy Forest Partnership Zones certain federal lands and non-federal lands adjacent to those lands that are at risk of uncharacteristically severe damage to at-risk communities or community water supply facilities from a wildland fire or an outbreak of insects or disease and require at least one management activity to reduce that risk. Allows the Secretaries to enter into contracts or other agreements with partnering entities to implement hazardous fuel reduction or other projects on federal land to complement similar projects on bordering or adjacent non-federal land. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) provide grant assistance to the Colorado Wood Program and the Forest Restoration Institute, and any other appropriate entities; and (2) collaborate with the Institute to research, develop, and transfer broader landscape treatment strategies and ways to integrate best science with community needs. Establishes the Colorado Forest Health Fund. Requires the Secretaries to provide grants for the Colorado fuels for schools program. Extends terms for stewardship end result contracting projects. Makes permanent the Secretaries' authority to enter into cooperative agreements and contracts for federal and state cooperative watershed restoration and protection. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare fire-danger maps of forested lands. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the tax credit for electricity produced using open-loop biomass to facilities placed in service before January 1, 2030; (2) make electricity produced and sold at qualified open-loop biomass facilities eligible for the full credit rate; (3) partially exclude from gross income payments received for certain hazardous fuel reduction projects in Colorado; and (4) allow the deductibility of certain expenditures made in carrying out eligible hazardous fuel reduction projects on Colorado lands which are identified in community wildfire protection plans.

Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2007

Biodiesel Education and Expansion Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to increase, and extend through FY2012, funding for the biodiesel fuel education program.

Agrofuel Rural Energy Empowerment Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2007

Agrofuel Rural Energy Empowerment Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to promote the use of anaerobic digesters to produce renewable energy. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to include the establishment of anaerobic digesters in the list of structural practices recognized under the environmental quality incentives program for agriculture.

Imported Food Security Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007

Imported Food Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) assess and collect fees on food imported into the United States; (2) provide for research on the development of tests of imported food and sampling methodologies; (3) give priority to tests that are suitable for inspections of food at U.S. ports of entry; (4) establish goals of developing certain tests for specified pathogens or substances; and (5) establish a certification system for a foreign government or foreign food establishment seeking to import food to the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to withdraw such certification of any food if: (1) such food is linked to an outbreak of human illness; (2) the food safety programs or procedures are no longer equivalent to U.S. programs and procedures; or (3) there is a refusal to allow U.S. officials to conduct audits and investigations as may be necessary. Directs the Secretary to routinely inspect food and food animals before entry into the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to deny importation of food from: (1) any foreign government that does not permit U.S. audits and inspections; and (2) any foreign government or foreign firm that does not consent to an investigation by the Secretary when food from that country or firm is linked to a food-borne illness outbreak or is otherwise found to be adulterated or mislabeled. Provides that any food imported for consumption in the United States may be detained, seized, or condemned. Directs the Secretary to establish a transitional food safety import review program.

Summer Food Service Program Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2007

Summer Food Service Program Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to revise requirements for the summer food service program for children. Provides for a redefinition of rural areas in which poor economic conditions exist. Revises requirements relating to payments to service institutions for operating expenses and administrative costs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive startup grants to ten states to assist eligible service institutions in initiating summer food service program sites.

Assured Food Safety Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2007

Assured Food Safety Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to jointly establish a program to require all food items imported into the United States to bear a certificate of assured safety issued by the government of the country from which the item is imported. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner to: (1) establish certificate requirements; and (2) prohibit a food item that does not bear such certificate from being imported into the United States. Authorizes specified exemptions. Directs the Secretary and the Commissioner, upon a food item's failure to provide the assured safety level, to prohibit the importation of any similar food item produced by the same person in the same country until the Secretary or the Commissioner inspects the production place and determines that sufficient corrective steps have been taken. Requires: (1) heightened inspections for three years following the removal of a food item's import prohibition; and (2) inspection-related user fees on foods imported into the United States. Authorizes fee waiver or reduction. Provides: (1) a private right of action against an importer; and (2) criminal penalties against an importer who knowingly imports a non-complying food item.

Agriculture Competition Enhancement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2007

Agriculture Competition Enhancement Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice a Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Agricultural Antitrust Matters who shall: (1) be responsible for oversight and coordination of agriculture-related antitrust and related matters; and (2) work in coordination with the Task Force and the Department of Agriculture on all agricultural competition matters. Establishes under the authority of the Attorney General the Agriculture Competition Task Force to examine problems in agricultural competition. Amends the Clayton Act to revise the defendant's burden of proof in agribusiness mergers in which the plaintiff is: (1) the federal or state government; or (2) any other plaintiff. Directs the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) draft agriculture specific guidelines to use when reviewing agriculture mergers; and (2) conduct post merger reviews of certain agribusiness mergers five years after approval. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Competition and Fair Practices to be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters who shall: (1) analyze mergers within the food and agricultural sectors; and (2) investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921. Provides for agribusiness merger review and enforcement by the Department of Agriculture. Authorizes appropriations for additional staff for the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration to investigate the competitive implications of structural changes in the meat packing and poultry industries.

Summer Food Service Rural Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2007

Summer Food Service Rural Expansion Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to the summer food service programs for children in service institutions (e.g., schools and summer camps). Revises the condition limiting eligibility to institutions conducting a regularly scheduled food service for children from areas in which poor economic conditions exist (i.e., where at least 50% of the children meet eligibility requirements for certain free or reduced price school meals.) Eliminates the special 2005 and 2006 exemption from this requirement for rural areas in Pennsylvania which lowers the threshold eligibility to areas where at least 40% of the children meet eligibility requirements for free or reduced price school meals. Applies such 40% threshold to rural areas of all states and makes it permanent.

Summer Food Service Rural Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2007

Summer Food Service Rural Expansion Act - Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to the summer food service programs for children in service institutions (e.g., schools and summer camps). Revises the condition limiting eligibility to institutions conducting a regularly scheduled food service for children from areas in which poor economic conditions exist (i.e., where at least 50% of the children meet eligibility requirements for certain free or reduced price school meals.) Eliminates the special 2005 and 2006 exemption from this requirement for rural areas in Pennsylvania which lowers the threshold eligibility to areas where at least 40% of the children meet eligibility requirements for free or reduced price school meals. Applies such 40% threshold to rural areas of all states and makes it permanent.

District of Columbia Land Grant Enhancement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007

District of Columbia Land Grant Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Smith-Lever Act and the Hatch Act of 1887 to apply to the District of Columbia the reduced matching funds requirements for federal formula funds for agricultural extension work and experiment stations, respectively. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to waive such matching funds requirements when the District of Columbia is unlikely to meet them. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize funding to assist the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), a land-grant university, to construct, acquire, rent, alter, or repair buildings or facilities or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research. Makes UDC eligible for competitive grants under such Act for food and agricultural sciences education at schools having significant minority enrollments.

Pollinator Habitat Protection Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007

Pollinator Habitat Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to require that conservation programs, except the farmland protection program, establish a priority and provide incentives for: (1) increasing habitat for native and managed pollinators; and (2) establishing cropping systems, integrated pest management regimes, and other practices to protect native and managed pollinators. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should: (1) designate pollinator protection as a national priority resource concern for conservation programs administered by the Department of Agriculture; and (2) continue efforts to make nurseries and land managers aware of pollinator-friendly plants.

Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2007

Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 - Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007 - Directs the President to: (1) promulgate regulations establishing a renewable fuel standard; and (2) provide a credit to the owner of any facility that uses renewable energy to displace over 90% of the fossil fuel normally used in renewable fuel production. Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish: (1) a competitive infrastructure pilot grant program for renewable fuels; (2) at least 11 bioresearch centers for systems biology; (3) grants for renewable fuel production research and development in certain states; (4) grants to Indian tribes and local governments for infrastructure for transportation of biomass to local biorefineries; and (5) a biorefinery information center. Authorizes loan guarantees for advanced biofuel projects. Directs the Secretary and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish jointly a public alternative fuel database and related standard reference materials. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to prescribe a fuel tank cap labeling requirement. Directs the President to promulgate a national biodiesel fuel quality standard. Requires transitional assistance payments to farmers who plant dedicated energy crops for a local cellulosic refinery. Directs the President to establish a grant program for research and development in support of low-carbon fuels. Requires the Secretary to study and report to Congress on: (1) advanced biofuels technologies; (2) increased consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline with higher levels of ethanol; (3) ethanol pipeline feasibility; (4) optimization of flexible fueled vehicles to use E-85 fuel; (5) credits for use of renewable electricity in electric vehicles; (6) engine durability associated with the use of biodiesel; (7) streamlined lifecycle analysis tools for the evaluation of renewable carbon content of biofuels; (8) the effects of ethanol-blended gasoline on off-road vehicles; and (9) offshore wind resources. Directs the President to study and report to Congress on incentives for renewable fuels. Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program for production of advanced biofuels. Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for two studies on the effects of increased domestic renewable fuel use. Requires the EPA Administrator to: (1) study whether the renewable fuel volumes required by this Act will adversely impact air quality as a result of changes in vehicle and engine emissions of regulated air pollutants; and (2) promulgate regulations to implement appropriate mitigation (anti-backsliding) measures. Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary to take specified actions to: (1) promote advanced lighting technologies; (2) expedite new energy efficiency standards; (3) promote high efficiency vehicles and advanced batteries; (4) set energy efficiency goals; (5) promote federal leadership in energy efficiency and renewable energy; (6) assist state and local governments in energy efficiency; and (7) promote marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy. United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a research, development, and demonstration program to support the U.S. ability to remain globally competitive in energy storage systems for motor transportation and electricity transmission and distribution; (2) establish an Energy Storage Advisory Council; and (3) establish up to four energy storage research centers. Establishes a National Commission on Energy Independence. Carbon Capture and Sequestration Act of 2007 - Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out research to develop new approaches to capture and store, recycle, or reuse carbon dioxide. Requires the Architect of the U.S. Capitol to establish a competitive Capitol power plant carbon dioxide emissions demonstration program. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to establish within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a program of scientific research on abrupt climate change. Public Buildings Cost Reduction Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of General Services (GSA Administrator) to accelerate the use of more cost-effective technologies and practices and geothermal heat pumps at General Services Administration (GSA) facilities. Requires the EPA Administrator to establish a demonstration grant program to assist local governments to deploy such technologies in their government buildings. Directs the GSA Administrator to install a photovoltaic system at the Department of Energy headquarters building in Washington, D.C. High-Performance Green Buildings Act of 2007 - Directs the GSA Administrator to appoint a Director who shall establish an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings (OHPGB) to conduct research and development to move the federal government toward construction of high-performance green buildings. Directs the EPA Administrator to make grants to state agencies for healthy school environments. Requires the OHPGB Director to: (1) identify incentives to encourage federal government use of green buildings and related technology; and (2) establish guidelines to implement a demonstration project related to OHPGB goals. Ten-in-Ten Fuel Economy Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to: (1) prescribe average fuel economy standards for automobiles and commercial medium-heavy or heavy-duty on-highway vehicles; (2) issue a vehicle safety compatibility standard and biodiesel standards; (3) establish a national tire efficiency consumer information program and an Advanced Battery Initiative; and (4) carry out an alternative fuels grant program and an alternative fuel vehicle action plan. Authorizes a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) credit trading program. Establishes an Energy Security Fund. Directs the Secretaries of Transportation and of Energy to study jointly and report to Congress on the adequacy of transportation of domestically-produced renewable fuel by railroads and other modes of transportation. Petroleum Consumer Price Gouging Protection Act - Prohibits any price gouging with respect to crude oil gasoline or petroleum distillates during presidentially declared energy emergencies, related market manipulation, and reporting of false price information to federal agencies. Authorizes the President to declare a federal energy emergency in certain circumstances. Provides for mandatory enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and discretionary enforcement by state Attorneys General. Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007 - Urges the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Energy, immediately to: (1) seek to establish and expand strategic energy partnerships with the governments of major energy producers and major energy consumers, and with governments of other countries; (2) establish a petroleum crisis response mechanism or mechanisms with the governments of China and India; and (3) seek to establish such a mechanism for the Western Hemisphere, as well as a Hemisphere Energy Cooperation Forum. No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2007, or NOPEC - Makes it unlawful for any foreign state (or instrumentality or agent) to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state (or instrumentality or agent) or any other person to limit oil or natural gas production or distribution, set or maintain related prices, or otherwise restrain trade for oil, natural gas, or any petroleum product when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the U.S. market. Authorizes civil enforcement under the antitrust laws. Allocates contingent costs associated with U.S. participation by the United States in the international nuclear liability compensation system established by the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage. Directs the Secretary to study and report to Congress on the effect of private wire laws on the development of combined heat and power facilities. Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a renewable portfolio standard.

A bill to amend the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, to strike a requirement relating to forage producers.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to eliminate the requirement that forage producers must participate in the insurance pilot program or the noninsured crop disaster assistance program in order to receive crop disaster and livestock assistance.

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider national average market price variations for different classes of wheat when determining wheat producer eligibility for 2007 counter-cyclical payments. States that in calculating a separate effective price for a class of wheat the effective price shall equal the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year, or the national average loan rate during that period; and (2) the direct wheat payment rate.

Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Emerald Ash Borer Municipality Assistance Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Treasury the Emerald Ash Borer Revolving Loan Fund. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use Fund amounts for loans to eligible local government units for purchases of equipment to monitor, dispose of, and replace infested trees on local government land within quarantine areas infested by the emerald ash borer.

A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote growth and opportunity for the dairy industry in the United States, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the dairy price support program. Amends the national dairy market loss payment program to: (1) extend the sign-up and contract duration periods; (2) replace the "Class 1 milk" definition with a "Class III milk" definition; (3) revise the payment formula (which shall include a feed adjustment factor); and (4) establish a maximum annual payment of $50,000 per dairy operation. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a national dairy options program; and (2) make nonrecourse loans available to commercial processors of cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out a milk revenue insurance pilot program under which dairy producers may elect to receive insurance against revenue loss due to natural disasters and price fluctuations. Directs the Secretary to: (1) study the economic benefits to milk producers of establishing a two-class system (fluid milk class and manufacturing grade milk class) for classifying milk under federal milk marketing orders; and (2) amend federal milk marketing orders to implement such system if it would benefit milk producers. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, as amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to eliminate pilot program status for, and extend, the dairy forward pricing program. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize rural industrial assistance loans and loan guarantees for dairy processors to invest in new equipment and technologies. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize banks for cooperatives to assist dairy processing cooperatives with export activities. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish a new subtitle P, entitled the "Federal Dairy Education Loan Forgiveness Act." Directs the Secretary to carry out a dairy education loan forgiveness program under which the Secretary shall assume the obligation to repay a specified amount for one or more qualified loans made to eligible applicants. Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to provide for mandatory reporting of specified dairy commodities.

Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base the minimum Class II milk price on the average production cost of producing all milk in the 48 contiguous states. Directs the Secretary to: (1) announce the minimum price for Class II milk by November 1 of each year, with specified price adjustment dates; (2) use the Class II milk price as the basic formula price for all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas; and (3) estimate annual milk production and domestic consumption. States that the price of Class I (fluid) milk price in all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas shall be equal to the basic formula price plus the opportunity cost of unpaid labor for producing all milk. Prohibits imposition of producer charges for the cost of hauling milk or the conversion of raw milk to manufactured products. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) milk inventory management; and (2) milk handler responsibilities. States that in the case of a federal milk order, disapproval of an amendment to the order shall not be considered disapproval of the order or of other terms of the order.

Safe Interstate Meat Shipment Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Safe Interstate Meat Shipment Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to permit interstate distribution of state-inspected meat and poultry under specified circumstances.

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2007

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider national average market price variations for different classes of wheat when determining wheat producer eligibility for 2007 counter-cyclical payments. States that in calculating a separate effective price for a class of wheat the effective price shall equal the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year, or the national average loan rate during that period; and (2) the direct wheat payment rate.

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2007

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 - Makes appropriations for FY2008 for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management; (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the National Park Service; (4) U.S. Geological Survey; (5) the Minerals Management Service; (6) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; (7) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (8) the Office of the Secretary; (9) departmental offices for insular affairs; (10) the Office of the Solicitor; (11) the Office of Inspector General; (12) the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians; and (13) natural resource damage assessment and restoration. Makes appropriations for FY2008 for the: (1) Environmental Protection Agency; (2) Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service; and (3) Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service. Makes appropriations for FY2008 for specified related agencies, including the: (1) National Institutes of Health; (2) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; (3) Executive Office of the President; (4) Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (5) Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (6) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (7) Smithsonian Institution; (8) National Gallery of Art; (9) John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (10) Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (11) National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (12) Commission of Fine Arts; (13) Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (14) National Capital Planning Commission; (15) U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; (16) Persidio Trust; and (17) White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance.

Pollinator Protection Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2007

Pollinator Protection Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Research Service, for: (1) personnel, facilities improvement, and additional research at Department of Agriculture Bee Research Laboratories; (2) research on honey bee physiology, insect pathology, insect chemical ecology, and honey and native bee toxicology at other Department facilities in New York, Florida, California, Utah, and Texas; and (3) research to identify causes and solutions for Colony Collapse Disorder, with specified amounts for research at the Agricultural Research Services in Beltsville, Maryland, and Tucson, Arizona. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary, through the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, for research grants to investigate: (1) honey bee immunology, genomics, biology, ecology, and bioinformatics; (2) pollination biology; and (3) the effects of genetically modified crops, insecticides, herbicides, parasites, and fungicides on honey bees and other beneficial insects and pollinators.

Food Security and Agricultural Development Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 25 June 2007

Food Security and Agricultural Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase funds available to eligible organizations for agricultural commodity distribution. Extends: (1) minimum assistance and minimum non-emergency assistance authority; (2) the John Ognowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program; (3) the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, and (4) the George McGovern-Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. Provides for program oversight, monitoring, and evaluation. Authorizes the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to make contributions to the World Food Program for indirect support costs. Extends authorization of appropriations for: (1) assistance for stockpiling and rapid transportation, delivery, and distribution of shelf-stable prepackaged foods; and (2) prepositioning of agricultural commodities. Extends authorization of appropriations to finance sales or provide assistance under this Act. Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to extend authorization of appropriations for: (1) the export credit guarantee program; (2) the market access program; (3) the export enhancement program; and (4) the foreign market development cooperator program. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance to address international sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to U.S. agricultural commodities, including poultry, meat, and specialty crops. Amends the Food, Agricultural, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to extend the emerging markets program. Amends the Food for Progress Act of 1985 to extend the food for progress program. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend authorization of appropriations for specialty crop export assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enhance U.S. support for specified international organizations that establish international standards regarding food, food safety, plants, and animals by funding additional positions to address U.S. sanitary and phytosanitary priorities within such organizations; and (2) provide technical assistance to limited resource agriculture persons and organizations to address unfair trade practices, property right violations, and to reduce trade barriers. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should provide significant U.S. financial resources to the Global Crop Diversity Trust to ensure the conservation of crop diversity which can yield significant benefits to U.S. farmers.

To amend the wetlands reserve program of the Department of Agriculture to exclude from enrollment under the program land subject to a State or local set-back requirement unless the Secretary determines that enrollment of the land is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2007

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exclude from wetlands reserve program enrollment land subject to a state or local setback requirement unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines that such land's enrollment is essential to restore or preserve wetlands.

HARVEST OVER THE HORIZON: THE CHALLENGES OF AGING IN AGRICULTURE

United States · United States Senate · 21 June 2007

Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007

Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007 - Prohibits the President from restricting direct transfers from a Cuban depository institution to a U.S. depository institution in payment for a product authorized for sale under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide information and technical assistance to U.S. agricultural producers, cooperative organizations, or state agencies to promote U.S. agricultural exports products to Cuba. Expresses the sense of Congress that temporary entry visas should be issued to Cuban nationals to facilitate purchase of U.S. agricultural products. Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the prohibition on enforcement of rights to certain U.S. intellectual properties and such properties' transfer. Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, and any regulation restricting or prohibiting such travel shall have no effect, relating to: (1) accompanied personal baggage; (2) payment of living expenses and the acquisition of personal-use goods or services; (3) travel arrangements; (4) nonscheduled air, sea, or land voyage transactions, (such provision does not permit the carriage of articles other than accompanied baggage into Cuba or the United States); and (5) normal banking transactions. States that such provision shall not apply in time of war or armed hostilities between the United States and Cuba, or of imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers. Amends the Democracy Act of 1992 to repeal the requirement for onsite verification of certain medical exports to Cuba. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the airport ticket tax for transportation between the United States and Cuba by $1; and (2) establish in the Treasury the Agricultural Export Promotion Trust Fund.

A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to give preference to local communities in the application consideration process for the conservation reserve program.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to give conservation reserve program preference to an owner or operator who is a resident in the county in which the land is located, or in a contiguous county, if the land would provide at least equivalent conservation benefits to competing offers.

Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2007

Promoting American Agricultural and Medical Exports to Cuba Act of 2007 - Prohibits the President from restricting direct transfers from a Cuban depository institution to a U.S. depository institution in payment for a product authorized for sale under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide information and technical assistance to U.S. agricultural producers, cooperative organizations, or state agencies to promote U.S. agricultural exports products to Cuba. Authorizes the issuance of temporary entry visas to Cuban nationals to facilitate purchase of U.S. agricultural products. Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the prohibition on enforcement of rights to certain U.S. intellectual properties and such properties' transfer. Prohibits the President from regulating or prohibiting travel to or from Cuba by U.S. citizens or legal residents, or any of the transactions ordinarily incident to such travel, and any regulation restricting or prohibiting such travel shall have no effect, relating to: (1) accompanied personal baggage; (2) payment of living expenses and the acquisition of personal-use goods or services; (3) travel arrangements; (4) nonscheduled air, sea, or land voyage transactions, (such provision does not permit the carriage of articles other than accompanied baggage into Cuba or the United States); and (5) normal banking transactions. States that such provision shall not apply in time of war or armed hostilities between the United States and Cuba, or of imminent danger to the public health or the physical safety of U.S. travelers. Amends the Democracy Act of 1992 to repeal the requirement for onsite verification of certain medical exports to Cuba. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the airport ticket tax for transportation between the United States and Cuba by $1; and (2) establish in the Treasury the Agricultural Export Promotion Trust Fund.

Wildfire Presuppression Fuels Management Pilot Program Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2007

Wildfire Presuppression Fuels Management Pilot Program Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend the environmental quality incentives program. Includes private land fire presuppression activities in the program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make FY2008-FY2012 cost-share and incentive payments to contracting producers for fuels management conservation plans on private grazing land to help prevent wildfires fueled by invasive or noxious weed species, including activities relating to: (1) fuel breaks; (2) protection of wildlife habitat; (3) restoration of fire-damaged areas; and (4) conservation practices.

National Dairy Equity Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 18 June 2007

National Dairy Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to give producers in a state participating in the national dairy market loss payment program 60 days to decide whether to continue participating in such program or to participate in the program established under this Act. Establishes the following five regional dairy marketing areas: (1) Northeast region - Northeast Dairy Marketing Area (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont); (2) Southern region - Southern Dairy Marketing Area (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia); (3) Midwest region - Midwest Dairy Marketing Area (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin); (4) Intermountain region - Intermountain Dairy Marketing Area (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) and (5) Pacific region - Pacific Dairy Marketing Area (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington). Administers each region by a Regional Dairy Board. Sets forth Board powers, including authority to establish: (1) over-order price (a price higher than the marketing order or non-marketing area price) for Class I milk; (2) equalization pools to equalize over-order prices to producers throughout a regulated area; and (3) processor administrative fees. Requires producer referendum to approve of a proposed over-order price establishment, amendment, or termination. States that each covered processor that purchases Class I milk during a month that will be sold in the regulated area of a Region shall pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the product of the over-order premium and the quantity of purchased Class I milk. Establishes in the Treasury the National Dairy Producers Fund. Directs the Secretary to make monthly payments from the Fund to the Boards which shall make payments to eligible producers of all milk classes. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the national dairy market loss payment program.

Market Incentives for Biobased Products Act of 2007

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2007

Market Incentives for Biobased Products Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to revise labeling requirements for federal procurement of biobased products, including providing for consultation with other federal agencies and interested nongovernmental groups. Extends and revises funding provisions to provide for separate authorization of appropriations for: (1) federal procurement; (2) testing; and (3) labeling. Revises reporting provisions.