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Bill· SS. 1049 (99th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 1 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 of 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.
Bill· SS. 1041 (99th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Family Farm Protection and Full Production Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Exports - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to make Green Dollar export certificates available to commercial exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities and their products. Provides that each Green Dollar export certificate may be redeemed for commodities owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Requires the Secretary to determine the total quantity of each commodity owned by the CCC each year. Requires the Secretary to make available for export an amount equal to at least 20 percent of the total quantities owned by the CCC the previous year. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to provide that commercial sales of agricultural commodities under the Export Credit Sales program may be financed or guaranteed by the CCC. Title II: Conservation Acreage Reserve - Directs the Secretary, during the 1986 through 1989 crop years, to enter into contracts with farm owners and operators having eligible reserve acreage to place such land in a Conservation Acreage Reserve. Provides that at least ten percent of the total acreage shall be induced to wetlands, and at least ten percent devoted to shelterbelts in areas prone to wind erosion. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary to make nonrecourse loans available to producers for each of the 1986 through 1993 crops of wheat at a level of $2.20 per bushel. Permits the Secretary to raise or lower such levels under specified circumstances. Provides the method for determining the amount of payments to be made to producers for various crop years. Suspends specified quota and certificate provisions. Title IV: Feed Grains - Directs the Secretary to make available to producers nonrecourse loans for each of the 1986 through 1993 crops of corn, grain sorghum, barley, and oats at a level of $1.90, $1.80, $1.63, and $1.01 per bushel, respectively. Permits the Secretary to raise or lower such levels under specified circumstances. Provides the method for determining the amount of payments to be made to producers for various crop years. Title V: Cotton - Suspends base acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions for 1986 through 1993 crops of upland cotton. Directs the Secretary to make nonrecourse loans available to producers for each of the 1986 through 1993 crops of upland wheat at a level of $0.50 per pound. Permits the Secretary to raise or lower such level under specified circumstances. Provides the method for determining the amount of payments to be made to producers for various crop years. Extends skiprow practices through 1993. Title VI: Rice - Directs the Secretary to make nonrecourse loans available to producers for each of the 1986 through 1993 crops of rice at a level of $5.50 per hundredweight. Permits the Secretary to raise or lower such level under specified circumstances. Provides the method for determining the amount of payments to be made to producers for various crop years. Title VII: Dairy - Directs the Secretary to make price support available to the producers of milk at a level of $10.60 per hundredweight for manufacturing grade milk containing 3.67 percent milkfat. Permits the Secretary to raise or lower the price support under specified circumstances. Provides the method for determining the amount of a producer's eligibility for any fiscal year. Establishes the maximum amount of payments which a person may receive as: (1) $20,000 for FY 1986; (2) $18,400 for FY 1987; (3) $16,000 for FY 1988; (4) $13,000 for FY 1989; and (5) $10,000 for FY 1990. Title VIII: Payment Limitation and Conservation of Lands Subject to Excessive Erosion - Establishes a payment limitation for persons receiving payments for wheat, feed grains, cotton, rice, and dairy products of: (1) $63,000 for 1986; (2) $57,960 for 1987; (3) $50,400 for 1988; (4) $40,950 for 1989; and (5) $31,500 for 1990. Directs the Secretary to identify at least 30 million acres of land devoted to the production of agricultural commodities that are subject to excessive erosion. Provides that such acreage shall not be eligible for price supports under such Act. Declares such acreage eligible for the Conservation Acreage Reserve. Title IX: Grain Reserve - Authorizes the Secretary to provide original or extended price support loans for wheat and feed grains. Allows the Secretary to provide for: (1) the repayment of such loans in one to three years; (2) the prohibition of the forfeiture to the CCC of wheat or feed grains pledged as collateral for such loans; (3) the interest rate; (4) payments to producers for storage for the first year of the loan; and (5) payments for storage for the second and third year of such loans if the quantity of wheat or feed gain in the reserve falls below a certain level and the Secretary determines that such payments will not disrupt the market. Provides that interest shall not accrue during the first year of such loans. Allows the Secretary to waive or adjust such interest during the second and third year under specified circumstances. Declares that the Secretary shall not provide such loans during the 1985 and subsequent crop years unless: (1) the quantity of wheat or feed grains falls below a certain level; or (2) the Secretary determines that such levels do not reflect current supply and demand conditions and the quantity of such reserves falls below a certain projected usage. Title X: Sugar - Directs the Secretary to support the prices of domestically grown sugar cane and sugar beets for the 1986 through 1993 crop years. Title XI: Special Option for 1985 Crop Loan Recipients - Directs the Secretary to establish optional repayment levels for 1985 crop loan recipients. Provides that such levels shall not be less than: (1) $2.20 per bushel for wheat; (2) $1.90 per bushel for corn; (3) $1.80 per bushel for grain sorghum; (4) $1.63 per bushel for barley; (5) $1.01 per bushel for oats; (6) $0.50 per pound for upland cotton; (7) $0.75 per pound for extra long staple cotton; and (8) $5.50 per hundredweight for rice.
Bill· SS. 1035 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Fragile Lands Conservation and Wetlands Protection Act of 1985 - Title I: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Makes a person who produces an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land ineligible for five years (with respect to all commodities) for agricultural price supports, storage facility loans, crop insurance, disaster payments, and other Farmers Home Administration loans. Provides exceptions for: (1) crops produced using approved conservation methods; and (2) certain previously cultivated land (1981 through 1985). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to complete specified soil capability class surveys. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Wetlands Conservation - Makes a person who produces an agricultural commodity on converted wetlands ineligible for five years (with respect to all commodities) for agricultural price supports, storage facility loans, crop insurance, disaster payments, and other Farmers Home Administration loans. Provides exceptions for: (1) wetlands converted before enactment of this Act; and (2) production that is possible as a result of natural conditions such as drought, and not harmful to natural wetland characteristics. Directs the Secretary to administer the program in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Conservation Reserve Program - Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to assist producers in conserving soil and water resources on highly erodible land or other erosion-problem land. Directs the Secretary, for FY 1986 through 1988, to enter into ten-year contracts under which the Secretary shall pay an annual fee, share conservation costs, and provide technical assistance in return for converting such cropland to less erosion-prone uses. Limits annual payments to any one person to $50,000. Limits total fiscal year payments to specified amounts. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Requires the Secretary to complete a soil erosion study and report to the Congress within 18 months. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2315 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to make grants to States to pay for the establishment and operation of international trade development centers or the expansion of existing international trade development centers to enhance the exportation of agricultural products and related products. Requires such grants to provide half the funding for such centers. Requires the Secretary to give preference to States which intend to use as sites for international trade development centers land-grant colleges which: (1) operate agriculture programs; (2) have existing international trade programs; and (3) have a communications system that might be linked on an international basis to conduct conferences on trade negotiations. Provides that such centers may: (1) establish a permanent data base to address the problems faced by potential exporters; (2) be used to house exhibits on agricultural products produced in the United States; and (3) carry out certain other activities.
Bill· SS. 1024 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1985
Appalachian Regional Development Repeal Act of 1985 - Repeals the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965. Transfers to the Secretary of Transportation all functions, powers, and duties of the Appalachian Regional Commission that relate to the Appalachian Development Highway System. Authorizes the Secretary to take all necessary and appropriate actions to administer, monitor, manage to completion, and liquidate all existing grants, contracts, agreements, obligations, or guarantees made by said Secretary under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the construction of Appalachian development highways and local access roads. Makes funds which were authorized and appropriated for the Appalachian development highway and local access road programs and allocated to the States available to the Secretary for such programs. Makes Appalachian development highways eligible for construction assistance funds from the Highway Trust Fund under the Federal-aid primary highway program. Limits the Federal share to 70 percent for projects approved after March 31, 1979. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Education, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to take all necessary and appropriate actions to administer, monitor, manage to completion, and liquidate all existing grants, contracts, agreements, obligations, or guarantees made by them under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to take all necessary and appropriate action to administer, monitor, manage to completion, and liquidate all existing contracts, grants, agreements, obligations, or guarantees made by said Secretary. Allows the Appalachian Housing Fund to continue in existence to: (1) receive collections and payments; and (2) pay all obligations and expenses. Provides for the termination of the fund upon certification by the Secretary that the fund is no longer needed. Abolishes the Appalachian Regional Commission. Vests all functions and authorities of the Commission not otherwise disposed of by this Act in the Secretary of Commerce. Authorizes the Secretary to take all necessary and appropriate action to administer, monitor, manage to completion, and liquidate all existing contracts, grants, agreements, obligations, or guarantees made with respect to specified projects. Declares that no suit, action, proceeding, or cause of action by or against the Commission shall abate because of enactment of this Act.
Bill· SS. 1000 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Agricultural Resource Conservation Act of 1985 - Title I: Conservation Policy and Definitions - States that the Congress reaffirms U.S. policy to promote soil and water conservation, to improve water quality, and to preserve and protect natural resources through the use of effective conservation and pollution abatement programs. Title II: Conservation Acreage Reserve Program - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish during the 1986 through 1996 crop years a long-term conservation acreage reserve program to convert erosion-prone cropland to less intensive uses. Provides with regard to such program: (1) that the Secretary shall control program acreage so as not to adversely affect local communities; (2) the farmer or rancher shall establish approved vegetative cover on such land; (3) individual annual payments shall not exceed $50,000; (4) the Secretary shall make an annual payment and a conservation payment to participants based on bids; (5) at least ten percent of program funds shall be used for farmers and ranchers who agree to plant trees as the required vegetative cover; and (6) that the Secretary may modify a contract after providing the appropriate congressional committees with 90-day notice. Title III: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - 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) on land cultivated from 1973 through 1985; (2) before enactment of this Act; (3) under specified conservation systems; or (4) in reliance on a Soil Conservation Service determination that such land was not highly erodible. Requires anyone cultivating wheat, feed grains, rice, or cotton on highly erodible land to use appropriate conservation practices in order to qualify for price support payments. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to assure that acreage set aside for conservation uses is adequately protected from wind and water erosion. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for Commodity Credit Corporation reimbursement.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 144 (99th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Rural Electrification Program must continue to provide financing and technical assistance at reasonable cost; and (2) the people of the United States and Federal and State governmental agencies should commemorate the Rural Electrification Administration on its 50th anniversary.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 131 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should establish a task force of expert farmers to address the long-range concerns of the U.S. agricultural industry.
Bill· HRH.R. 2217 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require that sales and exchanges of real property by Farm Credit System institutions include all mineral rights in such property.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 256 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Designates chili without beans as the official food of the United States.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 255 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1985
Designates Chili as the official food of the United States.
Bill· SS. 983 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1985
Extends through the school year ending June 30, 1987, a school district's eligibility under the school lunch program to continue receiving all cash or all letters of credit in lieu of commodities. Makes such districts eligible for bonus commodities on the same basis as other districts participating in the school lunch program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into agreements with private companies for processing donated commodities into end food products at the expense of the eligible recipient agencies.
Bill· SS. 969 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 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 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. Imposes a $50 annual fee (to be paid into the Treasury general fund) on retailers and wholesalers authorized to accept food stamps. Permits waiver of such fee to ensure food stamp household access to retail food stores. 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 FY 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.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 139 (99th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1985
Authorizes expenditures by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry from March 1, 1985, through February 28, 1986, to: (1) employ personnel; (2) use on a reimbursable basis the services of agency personnel; (3) procure consultant services; and (4) train professional staff.
Bill· HRH.R. 2140 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to take all feasible steps to cause the exportation at competitive world prices of basic agricultural commodities produced in the United States. Directs the Secretary to subsidize, if necessary, the price of exporting any basic agricultural commodity covered by a price support loan program. Limits the total value of such subsidy.
Bill· HRH.R. 2128 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Wheat Marketing Loan Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth price support and related provisions for the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops, including: (1) loan and purchase levels at $4.38 per pound; (2) prevented planting disaster payments; (3) national program acreage (August 15 proclamation date); and (4) reduced acreage and set-asides.
Bill· HRH.R. 2112 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Agricultural Trade, Food, and Fiber Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Exports and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: Commercial Export Programs - Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), to guarantee intermediate loans made to finance agricultural export sales. Requires that such guaranteed or financed sales be made to purchasers from countries that: (1) have previously received assistance under title I of Public Law 480; and (2) are unable to use other Department of Agriculture short-term export programs. Expands the uses for which export credit financing and guarantees may be made to include agricultural export sales promotion. Requires the CCC to make specified amounts available for intermediate credit purposes for FY 1986 through 1991. Requires the Secretary to: (1) sell through the CCC specified amounts of dairy products for export for FY 1986 through 1988; and (2) report annually to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide U.S. exporters and users and foreign purchasers with surplus agricultural commodities and products at no cost in order to expand overseas markets. Makes eligible for supplementary commodity distributions those foreign purchasers who use the receipts from the sale of such products to construct or rehabilitate facilities used to market U.S. agricultural imports. Exempts such commodity distributions, blended credit, and emergency food relief activities 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 GATT dispute settlement procedure; and (3) bring agricultural trade issues within the purview of GATT rules and procedures. Directs the Secretary to use specified CCC funds or commodities for FY 1986 through 1988 export assistance for those commodities adversely affected by foreign subsidies or market practices. Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to direct the President to: (1) consider the benefits to the United States and the nutritional assistance to recipients from the donation of processed and protein-fortified agricultural products; and (2) take steps to ensure that an appropriate share of commodity donations is in such form. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary fund export market development programs for value-added farm products at higher than FY 1985 levels. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require (presently authorizes) the CCC, to the maximum extent practicable, to barter commodities for strategic and critical materials. States that if the volume of petroleum products in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is less than the level prescribed under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act the CCC shall, with the approval of the Secretary of Agriculture and in consultation with the Secretaries of Energy and of State, accept petroleum products in exchange for agricultural commodities and transfer such products without reimbursement to the Reserve. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility and effect of permitting CCC-guaranteed obligations under the export credit sales programs to be traded in a secondary market without CCC approval; and (2) report within one year to the appropriate congressional committees. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 and Related Programs - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to permit credit sales of agricultural commodities with repayment in foreign currency. Requires: (1) repayment within four years from the date of delivery; and (2) interest rates at not less than Treasury costs. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with financial intermediaries (as defined by this Act) in developing countries for the use of foreign currencies accrued from such commodity sales. Sets forth related provisions. Requires an annual program report to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes the Secretary to provide related technical assistance, including the funding of market development activities. Repeals the provisions requiring minimum aggregate value of agreements under the Food for Development Program. Extends Public Law 480 program authorities through FY 1991. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize the President to enter into agreements with developing countries to furnish agricultural products to promote the implementation of long-term free-enterprise agricultural policies. Provides with regard to such program that: (1) the Secretary shall furnish such products through CCC stocks or CCC-purchased commodities; (2) not more than 500,000 metric tons of commodities may be provided in each of FY 1986 through 1989; (3) deliveries may be on a multi-year basis; (4) cargo preference requirements shall not apply; (5) the National Security Advisor in the Executive Office of the President shall serve as coordinator; (6) resale or transshipment shall be prohibited; (7) precautions shall be taken to avoid displacing U.S. agricultural sales; and (8) the President shall report annually to the Congress. Title II: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the dairy price support program through FY 1991. Sets support levels for FY 1986 at $11.60 per hundredweight, and for each of FY 1987 through 1991 at the preceding year's level adjusted by estimated Government purchases. Authorizes the Secretary, after a 60-day public notice, to increase supports by 50 cents per year if necessary to ensure an adequate milk supply. Extends milk marketing order authority through 1991. Title III: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the wool and mohair price support program through 1991. Title IV: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels (market intervention rate) for the 1986 through 1991 wheat crops at between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average, excluding high and low years. Requires separate market intervention rates for: (1) hard red winter wheat; (2) soft red winter wheat; (3) hard red spring wheat; (4) white wheat; and (5) Durum wheat. Sets the Federal guaranteed price (target price) at between 110 percent and 125 percent of the market intervention rate. Authorizes reduced yield disaster payments (50 percent of the Federal guaranteed price) for producers for whom Federal crop insurance is unavailable. Requires the Secretary to proclaim a national program acreage by August 1 of each year. Permits adjustment as necessary to increase or decrease wheat stocks. Requires the Secretary to determine a program allocation factor between 80 and 100 percent for each crop. Authorizes acreage limitation, set-aside, and paid diversion (including multi-year diversion) programs if needed to prevent overproduction. Makes persons who knowingly produce in excess of such limits ineligible for wheat loans and payments. Requires such acreage to be used for conservation purposes, including wildlife, haying, grazing, or the production of certain strategic or industrial-use crops. Authorizes the Secretary to make land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation or set-aside program is in effect. Requires, as a condition of program eligibility, that producers use conservation practices determined by the local soil conservation district to be appropriate for the area. Authorizes the Secretary to make additional producer payments if the land is opened to public hunting, fishing, or hiking. Suspends specified marketing quota and certificate provisions. Title V: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1991 corn crops at between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average, excluding high and low years. States that loan and purchase rates for grain sorghums, oats, rye, and barley shall be determined in relation to corn rates. Sets the Federal guaranteed corn price at between 110 percent and 125 percent of the market intervention rate. States that such price for the other feed grains shall be determined in relation to the corn price. Authorizes reduced yield disaster payments (50 percent of the Federal guaranteed price) for producers for whom Federal crop insurance is unavailable. Requires the Secretary to proclaim a national program acreage by November 1 of each year. Permits adjustment as necessary to increase or decrease feed grain stocks. Requires the Secretary to determine a program allocation factor between 80 percent and 100 percent for each crop. Authorizes acreage limitation, set-aside, and paid diversion programs (including multi-year diversion) programs if needed to prevent overproduction. Makes persons who knowingly produce in excess of such limits ineligible for feed grain loans and payments. Requires such acreage to be used for conservation purposes, including wildlife, haying, grazing or the production of certain strategic or industrial-use crops. Authorizes the Secretary to make land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation or set-aside program is in effect. Requires, as a condition of program eligibility, that producers use conservation practices determined by the local soil conservation district to be appropriate for the area. Authorizes the Secretary to make additional producer payments if the land is open to public hunting, fishing, or hiking. Suspends specified acreage allotment provisions. Title VI: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set ten-month levels for the 1986 through 1991 upland cotton crops at the lower of: (1) between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average U.S. spot market price for Strict Low Middling one-and-one-sixteenth-inch upland cotton; or (2) such figure, plus five percent of the average Northern Europe price for Middling one-and-three-thirty seconds inch upland cotton (as determined by a formula set forth in this Act). Directs the Secretary to determine and announce the market intervention rate by November 1 of the calendar year preceding the marketing year for which such level is to be effective. Authorizes eight-month loan extensions upon producer request unless the previous month's average upland cotton price exceeded 130 percent of the preceding 36 months' average price, in which case the President shall proclaim a special import quota (as provided for by this Act). Sets the Federal guaranteed upland cotton price at between 110 percent and 125 percent of the market intervention rate. Authorizes reduced yield disaster payments (one-third of the Federal guaranteed price) for producers for whom Federal crop insurance is unavailable. Requires the Secretary to proclaim a national program acreage by November 1 of each year. Permits adjustment as necessary to increase or decrease upland cotton stocks. Requires the Secretary to determine a program allocation factor not to exceed 100 percent for each crop. Authorizes acreage limitation and paid diversion programs (including multi-year diversion programs) if needed to prevent overproduction. Makes persons who knowingly produce in excess of such limits ineligible for upland cotton loans and payments. Provides for the conservation use of such acreage. Authorizes the Secretary to make land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation program is in effect. Requires, as a condition of program eligibility, that producers use conservation practices determined by the local soil conservation district to be appropriate for the area. Requires the Secretary to make seed cotton loans available to producers under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act. Suspends specified acreage allotment and marketing quota provisions. Requires the CCC to sell upland cotton for unrestricted use at the same prices as it sells cotton for export, but at no less than appropriate to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets. Title VII: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1991 rice crops at between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average, excluding high and low years. Requires separate market intervention rates for: (1) long grain rice; and (2) short and medium grain rice. Requires the Secretary to announce the market intervention rate and the Federal guaranteed price by March 1 of each year. Sets the Federal guaranteed price at between 110 percent and 125 percent of the market. Authorizes reduced yield disaster payments (one-third of the Federal guaranteed price) for producers for whom Federal crop insurance is unavailable. Requires the Secretary to proclaim a national program acreage by January 31 of each year. Permits adjustment as necessary to increase or decrease rice stocks. Requires the Secretary to determine a program allocation factor between 80 percent and 100 percent for each crop. Authorizes acreage limitation and paid diversion programs (including multi-year diversion programs) if needed to prevent overproduction. Makes persons who knowingly produce in excess of such limits ineligible for rice loans and payments. Requires such acreage to be used for conservation purposes, including wildlife, haying, grazing, or the production of certain strategic or industrial-use crops. Authorizes the Secretary to make land diversion payments whether or not an acreage limitation program is in effect. Requires, as a condition of program eligibility, that producers use conservation practices determined by the local soil conservation district to be appropriate for the area. Authorizes the Secretary to make additional producer payments if the land is opened to public hunting, fishing, or hiking. Title VIII: Peanuts and Tobacco - Requires the Secretary to make loans available for the 1986 and subsequent peanut crops. Sets the loan rate at the lesser of: (1) 75 percent of the preceding three crops' average price; or (2) $250 per ton. Establishes the 1986 payment rate as the amount by which the national average market price for such year is less than $550 per ton. Establishes 1987 and subsequent payment rates as the amount by which the national average market price during such year is less than the national average market price for the three preceding years multiplied by: (1) 95 percent for 1987; (2) 90 percent for 1988; (3) 85 percent for 1989; (4) 80 percent for 1990; and (5) 75 percent for 1991 and subsequent years. Bases a farm's payment yield on the three preceding years' per acre yields. Authorizes payment quota transfers for 1986 through 1990. Authorizes price supports for the 1986 through tobacco crops. Title IX: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set loan and purchase levels for the 1986 through 1991 soybean crops at between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average, excluding high and low years. Requires the Secretary to announce support levels by October 1. Provides that: (1) the Secretary shall not require participation in any production adjustment program as a condition of eligibility for price supports; (2) soybeans shall not be considered an eligible commodity for any reserve program; and (3) the Secretary shall not authorize storage payments. Title X: Sugar and Honey - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1986 through 1991 sugarcane price support levels at 18 cents per pound. Sets sugar beet support levels in relation to such rate. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set 1986 through 1991 honey loan and purchase levels at between 75 percent and 85 percent of the preceding five years' average, excluding high and low years. Title XI: Producer Reserve Program - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the wheat and feed grain reserve program. Amends such program to provide that loans may not exceed three years in length (presently three to five years). Provides for: (1) at least quarterly payments to producers; and (2) early loan repayment or redemption of crops used to secure such loans. Repeals the provision regarding sales of CCC wheat and feed grain stocks while such reserve program is in effect. Requires the Secretary to permit producers with existing reserve loan agreements to modify them in conformance with this Act. Title XII: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Limits 1986 through 1991 program payments (excluding disaster payments) for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, extra long staple cotton, rice, and wool and mohair to an amount not in excess of the national median family income. Limits 1986 through 1991 disaster payments for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice to $50,000. Subjects the value of payment-in-kind commodities to such limits. States that for the 1986 through 1991 crops, the CCC may sell any of its stocks of wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, rye, rice, sugar, and honey at price levels as the Secretary determines appropriate to maintain and expand domestic and export markets for such commodities. Authorizes the Secretary to require as a condition of eligibility for support benefits that whenever a set-aside program is in effect for any of the 1986 wheat or feed grain crops, producers not exceed the normally-planted acreage as reduced by any set-aside or diverted acreage. Requires that any person who receives a CCC price support or reserve loan shall be liable for any accrued interest. Title XIII: Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Integrity and Accountability - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to repeal the provision permitting persons living with others but purchasing and preparing their own food to be treated as a separate food stamp household. Authorizes States to treat such persons as individual households. Repeals the provision exempting portions of student loans or grants from being considered as income for purposes of food stamp program (program) eligibility and benefits. Requires that the income and resources of ineligible students be counted in determining eligibility and benefits for the remaining household. Includes nonrecurring lump-sum payments as income for program purposes (presently excludable). Requires such payments to be treated as they are treated under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. Excludes from being considered as a resource the household's principal dwelling, surrounding lot (up to ten acres), and burial plots. Authorizes States to disqualify persons for fraud or misrepresentation without an administrative hearing. Requires prior notice and opportunity for a hearing. Requires that all resources (presently a pro rata share) of an ineligible alien be considered in determining eligibility and benefits of the household of which such alien is a member. Repeals the cash change provision. Requires each adult member of a household that is applying for the program or is required to file specified reports to certify in writing, under penalty of perjury, to the truth of the information contained in the application or report. Makes discretionary (presently mandatory) expedited coupon issuance for certain households. Requires States to implement a photographic identification card system for program recipients. Requires States to establish fraud detection offices in areas with 5000 or more program households. States that retail or wholesale food stores disqualified from program participation shall also be ineligible during such period for participation in the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC). States that each member of a household shall be jointly and severally liable for the value of any coupon overissuance. Requires States to collect overissuances resulting from State agency error. Requires (presently authorizes) States to collect specified other overissuances. Authorizes States to intercept unemployment benefits in order to satisfy fraud or misrepresentation overissuances. Requires a retail or wholesale food store, in order to obtain a judicial stay of an administrative penalty, to demonstrate the same conditions as locally required for a judicial stay of an administrative order. (Presently a showing of irreparable injury is required.) Revises State agency liability provisions to make such agencies liable for payment error rates above three percent. Reduces the percentage of Federal cost-sharing for automatic data processing from 75 percent to 50 percent (five percent reductions beginning in FY 1988). Authorizes the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture to develop geographical error-prone profiles. Authorizes the Secretary to impose appropriate requirements in such areas. Requires the Secretary to report annually to the appropriate congressional committees, beginning 12 months after enactment of this Act. Requires States that impose a tax on food purchased with food stamps to pay to the Treasury for each fiscal year an amount equal to the total value of food stamps issued in that State in that fiscal year multiplied by the sales tax. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold administrative cost-sharing funds for noncompliance. Revises the Puerto Rico block grant program to make permanent the existing temporary (through September 30, 1985) suspension of the noncash program requirement. Requires States to have a workfare program. Subtitle B: Food Stamp Optional Block Grant - Authorizes States to operate a low-income nutritional assistance block grant program instead of the Federal food stamp program. Sets forth program provisions. Subtitle C: Other Deficit Reduction Provisions - States that households shall be charged (not to exceed 30 percent of income) for food stamp allotments. Exempts households: (1) with an elderly or disabled member; and (2) of four persons with a monthly income of less than $30. Delays from October 1, 1985, to January 1, 1987, the thrifty food plan and the excess shelter deduction inflation adjustments and makes the adjustment date in subsequent years January 1. Establishes the gross income eligibility standard as 130 percent of the poverty line as in effect on January 1, 1985. Authorizes program appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989. Subtitle D: Grace Commission Recommendations - Revises the definition of "thrifty food plan" to reflect the frequency of participation by various categories of participants. Includes in monthly income the value (as determined under this Act) of monthly child nutrition assistance provided in that month. Repeals the ten dollar minimum monthly allotment for one and two-person households. Subtitle E: Commodity Distribution Amendments - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY 1989: (1) commodity distribution program authority; and (2) administrative cost reimbursement. Repeals authority for low-income elderly persons pilot projects. Subtitle F: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this title effective on October 1, 1985. Title XIV: Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to express the sense of the Congress that Department of Agriculture research, extension, and teaching activities relating to agricultural technology should emphasize technology that will benefit small and moderate-sized farms. Amends competitive agricultural research grant provisions to: (1) require recipients to provide 20 percent matching funds; and (2) require at least 50 percent of such funds to be used for agricultural research of use to small and moderate-sized farms. Repeals special research grant authority. Requires at least 50 percent of Smith-Lever funds to be used by the Extension Service for the delivery of agricultural technology of use to small and moderate-sized farms. Repeals authority for the expanded food and nutrition education program. Prohibits the Secretary from conducting such programs after September 30, 1985. Establishes a special matching research program for private sector technology development. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cost-sharing reimbursable cooperative agreements through FY 1991 for such purposes. Obligates at least one-half percent of annual Agricultural Research Service appropriations for such purposes. Limits annual and total Federal expenditures for any particular project. Requires at least 50 percent matching funds. Includes new and alternative industrial uses for agricultural crops within the category of priority agricultural research grants. Obligates at least ten percent of competitive grant appropriations for such purpose. Includes the establishment of controls for the use of biotechnology (in agricultural applications) with the Secretary's research and extension responsibilities. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1991 appropriations for: (1) agricultural research; (2) higher education in the food and agricultural sciences; (3) continuing animal health and disease research; (4) land grant colleges; (5) agricultural research facilities, including State experiment stations; (6) extension education; (7) aquaculture assistance; and (8) rangeland research. Title XV: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible for such year for: (1) price supports or payments; (2) farm storage facility loans; (3) crop insurance; (4) disaster payments; or (5) other specified 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 the county committees in administering this title; (2) establish an appeal procedure for land capability classifications; and (3) complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Directs the Secretary to enter into five- to ten-year contracts with producers to replace crop production on highly erodible land with conservation practices. Authorizes: (1) payments in cash or in kind; and (2) bonus payments for specially designated areas. Redesignates the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs. States that the Foreign Agricultural Service and the Office of International Cooperation and Development shall be under the direct supervision of such Assistant Secretary. Redesignates the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Commodity Programs, Natural Resources, and Extension. States that the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, the Soil Conservation Service, the Forest Service, and the Extension Service shall be under the direct supervision of such Under Secretary. Title XVI: Agricultural Tax Reforms - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the investment tax credit for a single purpose agricultural structure. Ends capital gains treatment for any gain realized on the sale of a single purpose agricultural structure. Repeals the income tax deduction for expenditures by farmers for clearing land. Treats losses attributable to the trade or business of farming as an item of tax preference for purposes of the minimum tax. Allows an additional investment tax credit for soil or water conservation expenses incurred for irrigation property and conservation improvements by a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming. Sets the amount of such credit at ten percent of such expenses (in addition to the regular percentage allowed for the investment tax credit). Title XVII: Effective Date - Makes the provisions of this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided for.
Bill· HRH.R. 2108 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Soil Conservation Act of 1985 - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land ineligible as to those crops 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) on land cultivated from 1976 through 1985; (2) before enactment of this Act; (3) under specified conservation systems; or (4) in reliance on a Soil Conservation Service determination that such land was not highly erodible. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Directs the Secretary to establish a conservation reserve program to assist producers in conserving soil and water resources on highly erodible land. Directs the Secretary through FY 1990 to enter into long-term (ten years or more) contracts under which the Secretary shall pay an annual fee, share conservation costs, and provide technical assistance in return for converting such cropland into less intensive use such as pasture, permanent grass, or trees. Limits annual payments to any one person to $50,000. Directs the Secretary to provide safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 2107 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Agricultural Credit and Rural Development Act of 1985 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a graduated scale of water and waste facilities grant rates, with higher rates for lower population and income areas. Grants maximum rates to communities of 1500 or less and an income level not exceeding the higher of the poverty line prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, or 80 percent of the Statewide nonmetropolitan median household income. Directs the Secretary to establish a water and waste facility project selection system based upon population, income, and health hazard problems. Authorizes facility redevelopment payments and training grants. Gives priority to rural area projects. Authorizes funds to test cost-effective methods of serving rural communities which do not have and cannot afford safe drinking water services. Changes the eligibility standard for five-percent water and waste facility loans from one based on the Federal poverty level to one based on having an income level below 80 percent of the Statewide nonmetropolitan median family income. Establishes a seven percent loan for areas not qualifying for five-percent loans but whose income level is less than 100 percent of the Statewide figure. Provides that interest rates on loans for water and waste facilities and loans for essential community facilities shall be the lower of the rate in effect at the time of loan approval or loan closing. Limits any business and industrial loan which may be made, insured, or guaranteed by the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) to $25,000,000. States that eligibility for FmHA emergency disaster loans shall be based soley on criteria under such Act without regard to whether the Secretary designates a county under a disaster declaration. Revises county committee structure and selection provisions. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations for: (1) real estate loans; (2) operating loans; and (3) emergency disaster loans; (4) water and sewer facilities; (5) industrial development; and (6) community facilities. Requires at least 25 percent of farm ownership and operating loans to be available for low-income borrowers. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize advance recourse commodity loans for the 1986 through 1990 crops.
Bill· HRH.R. 2137 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1985
Human Nutrition Research Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) develop and implement a national food and human nutrition research and extension program; (2) establish nutrition research as a separate and distinct mission of the Department of Agriculture; (3) conduct a study of the relationship, if any, between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol; and (4) establish a nutrition education program.
Bill· HRH.R. 2104 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out an export expansion program under which Commodity Credit Corporation stocks are tendered at no cost to U.S. exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers. Directs the Secretary in carrying out such program to ensure that: (1) normal U.S. agricultural exports are not displaced; (2) such stocks are not transshipped; and (3) any such stocks, reimported into the United States in manufactured form, do not place domestic users at a competitive disadvantage.
Law· HRH.R. 2100 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Food Security Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the price supports for milk for FY 1986 through 1990. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the current price support program for wool and mohair through 1990. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for wheat. Title IV: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for corn and other feed grains. Title V: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for upland cotton. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for rice. Title VII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to set the 1986 through 1990 poundage quotas for peanuts. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for peanuts. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for soybeans. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for sugarcane and sugar beets. Title X: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1990 the current $50,000 limitation on total payments to any person under the wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice programs. Title XI: Trade - Extends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) and the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 through 1990. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should implement a special export subsidy program for U.S. agricultural commodities and products in order to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program under which commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through its price support operations are tendered to U.S. exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers at no cost. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 regarding intermediate credit for agricultural exports. Title XII: Resource Conservation - 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. Directs the Secretary to carry out a conservation reserve program under which farmers agreeing to perform long-term (seven to 15 years) conservation measures on highly erodible land shall receive payments to help offset the cost of such measures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987. Title XIII: Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to reauthorize certain loan programs for FY 1986. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) subject the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) farm loan guarantee programs to prudent policies; and (2) make Department of Agriculture personnel and resources available to the FmHA to help process assistance applications expeditiously. Title XIV: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Amendments of 1985 - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 - Extends specified provisions of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 through FY 1990. Title XV: Food Stamps - Extends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 through FY 1990. Title XVI: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY 1990 the commodity supplemental food program. Extends through FY 1987 the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.
Bill· HRH.R. 2077 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Wheat Export Enhancement Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949, effective for the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops, to set loan and purchase levels at not less than $3.30 per bushel nor more than 90 percent of parity. Makes such loans for a nine-month term, with no interest charged for the first three months. Provides for acreage bases determined on the previous seven years' annual average planted acreage. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue export marketing certificates, based on wheat acreage bases, to participating farmers for overseas wheat sales. Authorizes the Secretary to issue additional certificates as necessary. Permits certificate conveyance. Prohibits export wheat or wheat products sales without such certificates. Exempts Government wheat stocks from such prohibition. Subjects persons who counterfeit such certificates, or make sales without them, to criminal penalties. Directs the Secretary to make export differential payments available on a quarterly basis. Authorizes the Secretary to announce a wheat acreage limitation if he determines that wheat stocks will be otherwise excessive, taking into account the need for an adequate national emergency carryover. Requires the Secretary to announce a wheat acreage limitation if estimated wheat stocks exceed four percent of estimated world consumption in any marketing year. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for a two-year reduction with respect to the 1986 and 1987 crops. Suspends specified marketing quota and certificate provisions. Authorizes expenditures for agricultural export subsidies when necessary to compete in foreign-subsidized markets.
Bill· HRH.R. 2105 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 to establish in the Treasury an Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund for use by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) for financing: (1) commercial export sales of U.S. agricultural commodities; (2) export sales of U.S. breeding animals; and (3) the establishment of facilities in importing countries to improve the capacity of such countries for handling U.S. agricultural exports. Directs the CCC to use the revolving fund only to extend credit to develop and expand markets and only where there is substantial potential for developing or enhancing regular commercial markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure that the revolving fund is used to finance sales to the greatest feasible number of countries consistent with maximizing market opportunities. Sets forth goals for allocating the funds. Authorizes appropriations for the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the use of the Fund.
Bill· HRH.R. 2103 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to deem misbranded any imported meat that is not labeled imported. Requires restaurants and other eating establishments that sell a significant amount of imported meat food products to inform their customers of such fact. Sets forth penalties for noncompliance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue within 30 days a proposed rule defining what constitutes a significant amount of imported meat. Provides for veto of any proposed rule by either congressional agricultural committee within 60 days after issuance. Requires the Secretary to issue a revised rule within 30 days after such a disapproval. Applies U.S. inspection, sanitary species verification, residue, and agricultural chemical and animal drug use standards to all imported carcasses capable of being used as human food and all meat and meat products offered for importation into the United States. Authorizes the President to exempt certain imports from the chemical and drug standards if not to do so would cause serious damage to U.S. agricultural exports. Requires the President to give the Congress ten days notice before any such exemption becomes effective.
Bill· HRH.R. 2080 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1985
Food Assistance and Africa Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Authorization of Appropriations - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize appropriations for: (1) the International Fund for Agricultural Development; and (2) the International Fund for Agricultural Development for its Special Program for Sub-Saharan Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification for each of FY 1986 through 1989. Title II: Appropriations for Fiscal Year 1986 - Makes appropriations for FY 1986 for: (1) expenses for agricultural commodities supplied in connection with dispositions abroad pursuant to the famine relief provisions of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; and (2) the U.S. contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural Development and for the Fund's Special Program for Sub-Saharan Countries Affected by Drought and Desertification.
Bill· SS. 908 (99th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 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 1986 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. Limts 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 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 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 level may not be less than $5.02 per bushel. Limits annual support reductions 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 Provisions - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1989. Title XI: Agricultural Export 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. Exempts export sales financed or guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) from cargo preference laws. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to exempt the special standby export subsidy program from cargo preference laws. Directs the Secretary to use bonus commodities from CCC to offset the adverse effects of competing countries' subsidies and currency exchanges. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase minimum export tonnage levels. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. 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 support 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.
Bill· HRH.R. 2064 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1985
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize additional funds for FY 1985 Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund or Rural Development Insurance Fund loan guarantees. Modifies the approved lender program to: (1) require lender applications to be approved or disapproved within ten days; (2) set maximum interest rates at two and one-half percent above the Federal Reserve rate; (3) extend the maximum loan repayment period to 15 years; (4) permit lenders to convert loans to federally guaranteed or insured loans (caps insured loans at 35 percent, and insured and guaranteed loans at 60 percent guarantees); and (5) entitle the lender and the Secretary of Agriculture to prorated shares of any defaulted loan liquidation.
Bill· HRH.R. 2000 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Food Security Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the price supports for milk for FY 1986 through 1990. Title II: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend the current price support program for wool and mohair through 1990. Title III: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for wheat. Title IV: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for corn and other feed grains. Title V: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for upland cotton. Title VI: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for rice. Title VII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to set the 1986 through 1990 poundage quotas for peanuts. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for peanuts. Title VIII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for soybeans. Title IX: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set the 1986 through 1990 price supports for sugarcane and sugar beets. Title X: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend through 1990 the current $50,000 limitation on total payments to any person under the wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice programs. Title XI: Trade - Extends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) and the Food Security Wheat Reserve Act of 1980 through 1990. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should implement a special export subsidy program for U.S. agricultural commodities and products in order to neutralize the effects of foreign export subsidy programs. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a program under which commodities acquired by the Commodity Credit Corporation through its price support operations are tendered to U.S. exporters, processors, and foreign purchasers at no cost. Amends the Food for Peace Act of 1966 regarding intermediate credit for agricultural exports. Title XII: Resource Conservation - 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. Directs the Secretary to carry out a conservation reserve program under which farmers agreeing to perform long-term (seven to 15 years) conservation measures on highly erodible land shall receive payments to help offset the cost of such measures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987. Title XIII: Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to reauthorize certain loan programs for FY 1986. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture: (1) subject the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) farm loan guarantee programs to prudent policies; and (2) make Department of Agriculture personnel and resources available to the FmHA to help process assistance applications expeditiously. Title XIV: National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Amendments of 1985 - National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act Amendments of 1985 - Extends specified provisions of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 through FY 1990. Title XV: Food Stamps - Extends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 through FY 1990. Title XVI: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through 1990 the commodity supplemental food program. Extends through FY 1987 the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.
Bill· HRH.R. 2017 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1985
Agricultural Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to set forth loan and purchase rates (75 percent of parity) and set-aside programs for the 1986 through 1990 crops of wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice. Eliminates the wheat and feed grain producer reserve program after 1985.
Bill· SS. 843 (99th)reported
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Farm and Market Recovery Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Exports - 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 authorize the CCC to guarantee the repayment of loans made to finance export credit sales and to provide intermediate export credit to developing nations. Authorizes FY 1985 through 1988 appropriations. Authorizes 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. Title II: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish for the 1986 through 1989 wheat crops: (1) loans rates; (2) target prices; (3) disaster payments; and (4) acreage reductions, set-asides, and land diversion provisions. Suspends specified certificate and quota provisions. Title III: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish for the 1986 through 1989 feed grain crops: (1) loan rates; (2) target prices; (3) disaster payments; and (4) acreage reductions, set-asides, and land diversion provisions. Title IV: 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 V: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish for the 1986 through 1989 rice crops: (1) loan rates; (2) target prices; (3) disaster payments; and (4) acreage reduction and land diversion provisions. Title VI: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to establish the national poundage peanut quota for each of the 1986 through 1989 marketing years at 1,100,000 tons. Establishes for such 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 VII: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish 1986 soybean price support levels. Title VIII: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to authorize price supports for the 1986 through 1989 sugar beet and sugarcane crops. Title IX: Honey - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish price support levels for the 1986 through 1989 honey crops. Title X: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Establishes individual payment limitations for each of the 1986 through 1989 crops. Sets specified 1986 through 1989: (1) CCC sales price restrictions; and (2) acreage and target price provisions. Title XI: Effective Date - Makes this Act effective upon enactment, unless otherwise provided for.
Bill· SS. 884 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 authorize price supports for the 1986 through 1989 sugar beet and sugar cane crops. Sets sugar cane levels at: (1) $.185 per pound for 1986; (2) $.19 per pound for 1987; (3) $.195 per pound for 1988; and (4) $.20 per pound for 1989. Sets sugar beet prices at levels the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be reasonable in relation to sugar cane levels.
Bill· SS. 878 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Agricultural Productivity Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make an inventory of existing research and extension materials and recommend further areas of research regarding crop rotation, intercropping, biological pest control, and other related farming and soil conservation systems; and (2) make such information available to the public. Directs the Secretary to conduct research on 24 pilot farms (having specified mixes of livestock and crops) to examine the effects of the transition from practices relying on chemical fertilizers and pesticides and traditional soil tillage to systems relying on organic and biological pest control, crop rotation, and conservation tillage. Requires such farms to be chosen within 140 days. Directs the Secretary to make a parallel study of 24 farms which have been using such farm systems for at least five years. Sets the term of such projects at five years each. Sets forth on-farm study data, including soil profile changes, crop yields, energy and water use, and farm income. Directs the Secretary to make payments to the owner of a pilot farm if the Secretary determines such payments are justified. Stipulates that these payments may be made only during a project's last four years. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such pilot farms project with specified Federal and State agricultural services, colleges, and farmers. Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) within 15 months regarding the information inventory; and (2) by April 1 of each year regarding the pilot farms, with a final project summary and recommendations by April 1 of the year following completion. Provides for a five-year program of intercropping assistance under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 1965 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1985
Agriculture Act of 1985 - Title I: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 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 1986 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 loans 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 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 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 price 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 level may not be less than $5.02 per bushel. Limits annual support reductions 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 Provisions - Extends the special grazing and hay program through 1989. Title XI: Agricultural Export 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. Exempts export sales financed or guaranteed by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) from cargo preference laws. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to exempt the special standby export subsidy program from cargo preference laws. Directs the Secretary to use bonus commodities from CCC to offset the adverse effects of competing countries' subsidies and currency exchanges. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase minimum export tonnage levels. Exempts such exports from cargo preference laws. 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 support 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.
Bill· SS. 835 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Food Stamp Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Definitions - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to provide for charging households for allotments, except households containing an elderly or disabled member and households with less than a specified income. Provides for the deposit of such charges in a separate account maintained by the Treasury. Requires State agencies to institute procedures for the deduction of household allotment charges from payments a household receives under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) of the Social Security Act and to have allotments distributed with such payments. Grants State agencies the option of determining whether or not individuals who live with others constitute a separate household. Removes certain provisions for adjusting the thrifty food plan and the excess shelter expense deduction. Title II: Eligible Households - Makes certain households ineligible for the food stamp program if such a household's income exceeds a specified poverty line. (Currently such households cannot exceed the poverty line by more than 30 percent.) Includes nonrecurring lump-sum payments and energy assistance payments as household income. Decreases the monthly household income standard deduction from $85 to $60. Permits States to establish resource limitations comparable to eligibility determinations under the Social Security Act for the AFDC program and the supplemental security income program. Title III: Eligibility Disqualifications - Reduces from six to three years the maximum age of a dependent child which exempts an individual from work registration. Continues such exemption for any individual caring for a child between three and six where adequate child care is not available. Title IV: Issuance and Use of Coupons - Prohibits the issuance of cash change from purchases made with food stamp coupons. Requires coupon users to pay cash for amounts which exceed the value of the lowest coupon denomination. Title V: Value of Allotment - Eliminates the $10 minimum value of allotments. Title VI: Administration - Grants States the option of providing expedited service to certain families in immediate need of coupons. (Currently States are required to provide such service.) Requires the issuance of photographic identification cards to all household members (currently, such cards are required only in certain areas). Requires a household member to countersign coupons at the times of issuance and use. Title VII: Collection and Disposition of Claims - Sets forth procedures for the collection of an overissuance of food stamp coupons through unemployment compensation benefits. Title VIII: Administrative Cost-Sharing and Quality Controls - Revises State agency liability provisions to make such agencies liable for payment error rates above three percent. Title IX: Effective Date - Declares the amendments made by this Act effective on October 1, 1985, unless otherwise provided.
Bill· HRH.R. 1912 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Agricultural Efficiency and Equity Act of 1985 - Title I: Acreage Base and Program Yield System - States that the purpose of this Act is to prescribe an efficient and predictable system for establishing farm and crop acreage bases and program yields. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for the establishment and maintenance through the county committees of farm acreage and crop acreage bases for each program crop based on the preceding five crop years. Permits producer crop acreage base adjustments. Permits the Secretary to suspend acreage limitations when market factors or emergencies demand. Requires program participation in order to receive price support assistance. Directs the Secretary to provide through the county committees for a farm program yield for each crop based on the preceding five years. Sets forth related county committee recordkeeping responsibilities. Title II: Price Support Levels for Program Crops and Reconciliation with Permanent Law - Applies the provisions of this Act to wheat, feed grains, cotton, and rice. Makes conforming amendments to specified agricultural Acts. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide: (1) that price supports for peanuts for which marketing quotas have been disapproved shall be 50 percent of parity; and (2) no supports for tobacco for which marketing quotas have been disapproved.
Bill· HRH.R. 1901 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Alcoholic Beverage Broadcast Advertising Study Act - Directs the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the Treasury to study the extent to which: (1) the advertising and promotion of alcoholic beverages by radio and television broadcast stations and other media encourage alcohol consumption; (2) such advertising and promotion practices are subject to effective private industry self regulation; and (3) other forms of public information can neutralize or reduce the adverse effects of such practices. Directs the Bureau to report to the Congress within one year after the enactment of this Act on such study as well as on findings by: (1) the Federal Communications Commission regarding such practices of broadcast licensees; and (2) other Federal agencies on the effects of alcohol consumption on health.
Bill· HRH.R. 1906 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to limit participation in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC) to States in which State or local sales taxes are not collected on purchases of food under such program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1887 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1985
Extends through the school year ending June 30, 1987, a school district's eligibility under the school lunch program to continue receiving all cash or all letters of credit in lieu of commodities. Makes such districts eligible for bonus commodities on the same basis as other districts participating in the school lunch program. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into agreements with private companies for processing donated commodities into end food products at the expense of the eligible recipient agencies.
Law· SS. 822 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1985
Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to extend the time for conducting the referendum with respect to the national wheat marketing quota for the June 1, 1986, marketing year.
Bill· HRH.R. 1856 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 1985
Comprehensive Nutrition Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I: National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - School Lunch and Child Nutrition Amendments of 1985 - Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and the National School Lunch Act to authorize appropriations through FY 1986 for: (1) the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC); (2) State administrative expenses; (3) the nutrition education training (NET) program; (4) the children's summer food service program; and (5) the commodity distribution program. Authorizes appropriations through FY 1988 for State administrative expenses relating to the school nutrition programs. Increases NET authorizations. Reduces the student cost of a reduced price lunch from 40 cents to 25 cents and of a reduced price breakfast from 30 cents to 15 cents. Increases reduced meal income eligibility limits from 185 percent to 195 percent of the poverty level. Provides an additional six cents per breakfast to increase the nutritional quality of such program. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate related nutritional improvement regulations. Extends the lunch program "offer versus serve" provision to the breakfast program. Permits a child to refuse one breakfast item if such refusal option is permitted by the local school food authority. Raises the program tuition limit under such Act for private schools from $1,500 to $2,500. Requires annual inflation adjustments. Increases the number of reimbursable meals and snacks under the child care food program. Excludes certain medical expenses from household income for program eligibility purposes. Eliminates the requirement that free meal eligibility be the same as that required for food stamp eligibility. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring school lunch program income verification unless the direct cost of such verification is appropriated. Makes kindergartens in specified schools eligible for the special milk program. Establishes a tiered-payment system for the child care food program. Obligates specified food service equipment appropriations for low-income area schools. States that school food facilities and personnel may be used for nonprofit nutrition programs for the elderly. Prohibits the Secretary, through FY 1986, from reducing child nutrition benefit eligibility unless legislatively directed. Qualifies children participating in the food stamp or aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) programs for free breakfasts and lunches. Makes specified nonprofit private sponsors eligible for the summer feeding program. Increases FY 1984 WIC authorizations. Extends administrative fund allocation provisions through FY 1988. Directs the Secretary to apportion funds so as to insure that at least 70 percent of each fiscal year's amounts have been obligated or used by the beginning of such year's fourth quarter. Provides that such requirement shall not apply to supplemental appropriations enacted after January 1 of a fiscal year or to any reallocated funds. Prohibits States from using more than two and one-half percent of a current fiscal year's WIC appropriations for a preceding year's expenditures. Permits administrative funds to be used for technical assistance to improve State administrative systems. Includes AFDC among the programs to be coordinated with the child nutrition programs. Provides for a reduction in program paperwork. Requires the Secretary to fill any vacancy in the National Advisory Council within 90 days. Requires that the Council meet at least once annually. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the feasibility of a universal school lunch program; and (2) report to the Congress by January 1, 1988. Extends, subject to fund availability, the alternative (cash) assistance school lunch pilot study through the school year ending June 30, 1986. Requires the Secretary, subject to fund availability and upon request, to provide financial assistance to participating school districts that sustained losses due to the methodology change for the school year ending June 30, 1983. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the State administrative expense allocation formula and procedures, including the merits of a State matching requirement; and (2) report to the Congress by January 31, 1986. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the effect on families of the child nutrition programs authorized under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966; and (2) report to the Congress by January 1, 1987. Prohibits a contract between a school food authority and a food service company to provide a la carte food service unless such company provides free and reduced price meals to eligible children. Sets aside specified WIC funds for eligible migrants. Title II: Other Food and Nutrition Programs -Amends the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 (which makes excess commodities available to eligible agencies for distribution) to extend the authorization of appropriations for another year, through FY 1986. Sets aside specified funds from such program for previously unserved areas, particularly areas of rural poverty. Amends the Community Services Block Grant Act, through which the Secretary is authorized to make grants to assist and coordinate food assistance resources at the State, local, and community level, to increase the level of authorizations for FY 1985 and 1986. Sets aside specified funds from such program for organizations serving seasonal or migrant farmworkers and Indian tribes and organizations. Amends the Head Start Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for FY 1986. Limits the use of certain funds to increasing participation in the Head Start program. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to increase specified amounts which may be deducted from a household's income when determining food stamp eligibility. Authorizes a State agency to calculate household income on either a prospective or retrospective basis. Increases the amount of assets a household may retain and still remain eligible for food stamps. Increases the value of household allotment allowed. Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend for another year, through FY 1986, the commodity supplemental food program. Authorizes local agencies to provide supplemental commodities to low-income elderly persons so long as such supplement does not reduce commodity assistance to women, infants, and children. Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to authorize appropriations for the Cooperative Extension Service for FY 1986, increasing the amount authorized for FY 1985. Sets aside specified funds from such program to carry out the expanded food and nutrition program known as the Smith-Lever Act. Sets aside specified funds for geographical areas in which the infant mortality rate or hunger-related disease is high.
Bill· SS. 776 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Farm Emergency Credit Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make advance (recourse) price support loans available for 1985 to producers unable to secure sufficient credit elsewhere. Makes up to one-third of such crop eligible for advance payments. Permits loan conversion to nonrecourse status upon harvest and availability as loan collateral. Administers such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation and the local farmer committees. Requires a participating producer to: (1) obtain crop insurance if available; and (2) use his crop as loan collateral. Limits loans to any single person to $30,000. Directs the Secretary to take immediate steps to make personnel and other Department of Agriculture resources available to improve the administration of such program.
Bill· HRH.R. 1842 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Rural Development Reorganization Act of 1985 - Title I: Reorganization Within Department of Agriculture - Amends Federal law to rename the Department of Agriculture the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Retitles the Secretary of Agriculture the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. Establishes the Rural Development Administration within such Department. Renames the Farmers Home Administration the Farm Administration. Makes conforming administrative changes. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary 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 distressed rural areas. Directs the Secretary to carry out the provisions of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, except for specified loan provisions, through the Rural Development Administration. States that titles V and VI 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 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 current FmHA loan programs for: (1) business and industry; (2) community facilities; (3) water and waste disposal (including grant authority); and (4) rural development and planning, excluding farm production. Transfers to the new Farm Administration current FmHA single-family housing loan programs. Makes conforming amendments to the Housing Act of 1949. Provides for farm ownership assistance to be carried out through such Administration. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act and the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973. Title III: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 1844 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to establish separate deductions for dependent care expenses and excess shelter expenses for determining eligibility for certain food stamp benefit levels. Increases the maximum amount of such deductions.
Bill· HRH.R. 1814 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Farm Emergency Credit Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make advance (recourse) price support loans available for 1985 to producers unable to secure sufficient credit elsewhere. Makes up to one-third of such crop eligible for advance payments. Permits loan conversion to nonrecourse status upon harvest and availability as loan collateral. Administers such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation and the local farmer committees. Requires a participating producer to: (1) obtain crop insurance if available; and (2) use his crop as loan collateral. Limits loans to any single person to $30,000. Directs the Secretary to take immediate steps to make personnel and other Department of Agriculture resources available to improve the administration of such programs.
Bill· HRH.R. 1841 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1985
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for centers for rural technology development.
Bill· HRH.R. 1777 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1985
Farmland Conservation Acreage Reserve Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, during the 1986 through 1996 cropyears, to enter into long-term contracts with farm owners and operators to place erosion-prone land into a (soil and water) conservation acreage reserve. Limits annual payments to any one farm to $50,000. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 744 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to provide that a buyer in the ordinary course of business who buys farm products from a seller engaged in farming operations shall take free of any seller-created security interest even though the interest is perfected and the buyer knows of its existence, unless within 12 months before the sale the buyer: (1) received notice of the security interest and of any payment obligations imposed by the secured party as conditions for waiver or release of the security interest; and (2) has failed to perform such obligations. Sets forth parallel provisions for commission merchants or selling agents.
Bill· HRH.R. 1749 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Emergency Farm Operating Credit Assistance Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make advance price support recourse loans available for 1985 for producers participating in the 1985 farm program. Makes up to 50 percent of such crop eligible for advance payments. Permits loan conversion to nonrecourse status upon harvest and availability as loan collateral. Directs the Secretary to administer such program through the Commodity Credit Corporation and the local farmer committees.
Bill· HJRESH.J.Res. 214 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the financial loss to the American farmer and the loss to the agricultural industry caused by all embargoes declared during the last decade. Authorizes payments to farmers and the agricultural industry to compensate them for any unreimbursed loss. States that any such expenditures shall not be considered part of the agricultural price support program but rather related to international or defense functions.