Agriculture

Food Promotion Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005

Food Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing of 1946 to replace current mandatory country of origin labeling requirements with voluntary country of origin labeling programs for: (1) meat and meat products; (2) wild fish, wild shellfish, farm-raised fish, farm-raised shellfish, and related products; and (3) perishable agricultural commodities. Sets forth: (1) limitations on use of U.S. country of origin labels; and (2) civil penalties for program violations.

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States-Free Trade Agreement entered into with the Governments of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (CAFTA-DR), and the statement of administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement, both submitted to Congress. Authorizes the President to proclaim such actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. Government to issue such regulations, as may be necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force. Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of claims against the United States covered by the Agreement; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in certain circumstances, to assess additional duties, calculated according to a specified formula, on agriculture safeguard goods included in the Schedule of the United States to the Agreement that qualify as an originating good under this Act. Excepts from additional duties any good subject to import relief under this Act or to any action to facilitate positive adjustment to import competition under the Trade Act of 1974. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) retroactive application for certain liquidations and reliquidations of textile or apparel goods; (3) reliquidation of certain entries; (3) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement; (5) certain textile and apparel safeguard measures; (6) presidential actions with regard to U.S. International Trade Commission findings on whether imports of articles from a CAFTA-DR country are a substantial cause of serious injury or threat to U.S. articles and industries; (7) designation of CAFTA-DR countries as beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; and (8) periodic presidential reports to Congress on the implementation of the Agreement, and periodic meetings between the Secretary of Labor and the labor ministers of the CAFTA-DR countries on labor obligations and labor capacity-building. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to make products or services of any foreign country or instrumentality that is a party to the Agreement eligible for U.S. government procurement.

A resolution recognizing July 1, 2005, as the 100th Anniversary of the Forest Service.

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005

Recognizes July 1, 2005, as the 100th anniversary of the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and commends the Forest Service for 100 years of dedicated service managing the forests of the United States. Encourages the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Pima County Land Adjustment Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005

Pima County Land Adjustment Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) to convey to Las Cienegas Conservation, LLC, the Sahuarita property, which consists of approximately 1,280 acres, in exchange for the Empirita-Simonson property, which consists of approximately 2,490 acres. Requires the Secretary to modify the boundaries of the Las Cienegas National Conservation to include the Empirita-Simonson property. Instructs the Secretary to provide to the Secretary of Agriculture a right of way for motorized public road access through the Empirita-Simonson property to the boundary of the Coronado National Forest. Requires the Secretary to convey the Tumamoc Hill property, which consists of approximately 290 acres, to Pima County, Arizona upon the County paying the value of such property to the State of Arizona and the State Land Department. Modifies the boundary of the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area to exclude the 40-acre tract presently leased by the Bureau of Land Management to the town of Elgin, Arizona, for a sanitary landfill.

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2005

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States-Free Trade Agreement entered into with the Governments of Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (CAFTA-DR), and the statement of administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement, both submitted to Congress. Authorizes the President to proclaim such actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. Government to issue such regulations, as may be necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force. Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of claims against the United States covered by the Agreement; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in certain circumstances, to assess additional duties, calculated according to a specified formula, on agriculture safeguard goods included in the Schedule of the United States to the Agreement that qualify as an originating good under this Act. Excepts from additional duties any good subject to import relief under this Act or to any action to facilitate positive adjustment to import competition under the Trade Act of 1974. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) retroactive application for certain liquidations and reliquidations of textile or apparel goods; (3) reliquidation of certain entries; (3) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement; (5) certain textile and apparel safeguard measures; (6) presidential actions with regard to U.S. International Trade Commission findings on whether imports of articles from a CAFTA-DR country are a substantial cause of serious injury or threat to U.S. articles and industries; (7) designation of CAFTA-DR countries as beneficiary countries under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; and (8) periodic presidential reports to Congress on the implementation of the Agreement, and periodic meetings between the Secretary of Labor and the labor ministers of the CAFTA-DR countries on labor obligations and labor capacity-building. Amends the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 to make products or services of any foreign country or instrumentality that is a party to the Agreement eligible for U.S. government procurement.

NOMINATION HEARING OF RICHARD RAYMOND TO BE UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

United States · United States Senate · 22 June 2005

Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005

Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2005 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of "marihuana." Defines "industrial hemp" to mean the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant with a delta-nine tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed .3 percent on a dry weight basis. Grants a state regulating the growing and processing of industrial hemp exclusive authority, in any criminal or civil action or administrative proceeding, to determine whether any such plant meets that concentration limit.

Recognizing the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture for 100 years of dedicated service and caring for the forest lands of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2005

Recognizes the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture for 100 years of dedicated service and caring for U.S. forest lands. Acknowledges the promise of the Forest Service to continue to care for the natural legacy of the United States. Encourages the Forest Service to efficiently deliver multiple-use benefits.

Oregon National Forest Administrative Site Disposal Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2005

Oregon National Forest Administrative Site Disposal Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange any or all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified National Forest System lands, and improvements on those lands, located in the Rogue River, Siskiyou, Siuslaw, Umpqua, and Williamette National Forests in Oregon. Allows the Secretary to convey, without consideration, any or all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to such land to the State of Oregon or a local government for public purposes. Grants the Eugene Mission the first right to acquire certain of such land in a direct sale for market value. Allows the Secretary to accept a cash equalization payment exceeding 25 percent of the value of any such land conveyed by exchange as directed above. Provides for the deposit and treatment of the proceeds from the conveyance of all such land. Describes the authorized uses of deposited funds. Revokes any public land orders applicable to such land. Withdraws such land from location, entry, and patent under the U.S. mining laws. Directs the Secretary to convey, without consideration, certain of such land to the city of Oakridge, Oregon, to facilitate the establishment of a timber museum on such land to be managed by the Upper Williamette Pioneer Association. Adjusts the the Rogue-Umpqua Divide wilderness boundary as identified on the "Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness Boundary Modification" map, dated May 6, 2003. .

TO REVIEW THE BENEFITS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD BIOTECHNOLOGY

United States · United States Senate · 14 June 2005

Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005

Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to: (1) allow the Secretary (the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest System land or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to Indian lands, Hawaiian home lands, or lands administered by the Department of the Interior) for purposes of entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under such Act, to give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in a specific area that have a substantial portion of members who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged to carry out projects within the area; (2) require the Secretary, in carrying out priority projects (as defined by this Act) in a specific area, to give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in that specific area that have a substantial portion of such members; (3) allow the Secretary to authorize appropriate conservation projects and other appropriate projects to be carried out on federal, state, local, or private land as part of a federal disaster prevention or relief effort; (4) modify requirements for the establishment and use of conservation centers; (5) authorize the Secretary to provide any appropriate services, facilities, equipment, supplies, technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, or evaluations to carry out such Act; (6) require the Secretary to provide each participant in the Public Lands Corps and each resource assistant with a living allowance as established by the Secretary; and (7) permit the Secretary to grant members of the Public Lands Corps credit for time served with the Corps and to provide to a former member of the Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a specified period after the date on which such member's service with the Corps is complete.

Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2005

Public Lands Corps Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to: (1) allow the Secretary (the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to National Forest System land or the Secretary of the Interior with respect to Indian lands, Hawaiian home lands, or lands administered by the Department of the Interior) for purposes of entering into contracts and cooperative agreements under such Act, to give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in a specific area that have a substantial portion of members who are economically, physically, or educationally disadvantaged to carry out projects within the area; (2) require the Secretary, in carrying out priority projects (as defined by this Act) in a specific area, to give preference to qualified youth or conservation corps located in that specific area that have a substantial portion of such members; (3) allow the Secretary to authorize appropriate conservation projects and other appropriate projects to be carried out on federal, state, local, or private land as part of a federal disaster prevention or relief effort; (4) modify requirements for the establishment and use of conservation centers; (5) authorize the Secretary to provide any appropriate services, facilities, equipment, supplies, technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, or evaluations to carry out such Act; (6) require the Secretary to provide each participant in the Public Lands Corps and each resource assistant with a living allowance as established by the Secretary; and (7) permit the Secretary to grant members of the Public Lands Corps credit for time served with the Corps and to provide to a former member of the Corps noncompetitive hiring status for a specified period after the date on which such member's service with the Corps is complete.

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to free trade negotiations that could adversely impact consumers of sugar in the United States as well as United States agriculture and the broader economy of the United States

United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2005

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should negotiate and sign free trade agreements that are comprehensive in scope in order to ensure that the entire U.S. economy can benefit from new market opportunities provided by such agreements.

National Security and Bioenergy Investment Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005

National Security and Bioenergy Investment Act of 2005 - Amends the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to redefine "biomass." Revises provisions respecting: (1) Biomass Research and Development Technical Advisory Committee membership; (2) the Biomass Research and Development Initiative; (3) reports; and (4) funding. Eliminates the termination date for authority under such Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) conduct a research, development, and demonstration program on the economic production and use of hydrogen from biofuels, with emphasis on the rural transportation and rural electrical generation sectors; (2) establish an incentive program for the production of cellulosic biofuels; and (3) make small business bioproduct marketing and certification grants; (4) make regional bioeconomy development grants; (5) make preprocessing and harvesting demonstration grants; and (6) contract for a biobased fuels and products education program. Directs the Secretary to establish a position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Energy and Biobased Products, who shall be responsible for: (1) energy programs under title IX of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002; and (2) all other programs and initiatives that the Secretary considers appropriate. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 respecting federal biobased product procurement. Directs the Architect of the Capitol to establish in the Capitol Complex a public education program regarding biobased product use by the Architect. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should amend the tax code to encourage investment in, and production and use of, biobased fuels and biobased products through investment tax credits for small manufacturers and facilities construction.

National Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Monitoring Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005

National Health, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Monitoring Act of 2005 - Amends the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 to extend the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Program for ten years. Eliminates the National Nutrition Monitoring Advisory Council. Authorizes appropriations for the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agricultural Research Service to collect and analyze dietary, health, physical activity, diet and health knowledge data.

Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2005

Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Amends the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 to reauthorize the Office through FY 2010. Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) coordinate with the private sector to promote private research and development of medications to treat addiction; (2) seek the support of state and local officials in National Drug Control Strategy formulation and implementation; (3) submit an annual report to the President on major drug transit or illicit drug producing countries and whether each has cooperated fully with the United States; (4) submit to Congress comprehensive strategies that address increased threats from South American and Afghan heroin, a general counter-drug intelligence plan, and a Southwest Border Counter-narcotics Strategy (modifies provisions regarding the Strategy); and (5) submit to Congress annually a description of a national drug control performance measurement system. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense to submit, annually, specified information regarding illegal drug cultivation and manufacturing on federal lands. Dawson Family Community Protection Act - Requires the Director to ensure that at least $5 million of amounts appropriated for a fiscal year for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program is used for specified purposes in areas with severe neighborhood safety and illegal drug distribution problems. Requires the Director to: (1) act through the Chief Scientist (currently, through the Director of Technology) in undertaking specified activities; and (2) conduct a national youth anti-drug media campaign. Requires the Office's Deputy Director for Supply Reduction to serve as the U.S. Interdiction Coordinator and establishes an Interdiction Committee.

REVIEW THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-CENTRAL AMERICA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECTORS

United States · United States Senate · 7 June 2005

Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2005

Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act of the Housing Act of 1949 with respect to the single family rural housing loan guarantee program to: (1) eliminate low and moderate income eligibility requirements; (2) reduce maximum guarantee fees paid by lenders; and (3) require any regulation limiting borrower eligibility based upon the borrower's debt-income ratio to provide for a higher income-to-debt ratio for newly-constructed property loans. Revises refinancing loan guarantee provisions to: (1) authorize a specified lender guarantee fee; (2) permit a guarantee to acquire or construct an eligible single-family residence; (3) amend closing cost provisions; (4) eliminate income requirements; (5) prohibit that an appraisal credit report be required in connection with the loan, or that the residence be in a rural area for an existing loan; and (6) require that the borrower is not delinquent with respect to existing loan payments, and that monthly refinance payments be at least $50 less than existing monthly payments. Requires agricultural housing loans to be recorded as Department of Agriculture, rather than conventional, loans. Revises the definition of "rural area." Increases direct loan income limitations.

Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2744) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2005

Sets forth the rule for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2744) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2005

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes FY 2006 appropriations for the: (1) Department of Agriculture; (2) Food and Drug Administration; (3) Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and (4) Farm Credit Administration. Specifies certain uses and limits on or prohibitions against the use of funds appropriated by this Act.

Richard A. Raymond, of Nebraska, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety, vice Elsa A. Murano, resigned.

United States · United States Senate · 26 May 2005

Idaho Land Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Idaho Land Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, if the State of Idaho offers to convey specified State land to the United States, to accept the offer, and on receipt of title to such land, simultaneously convey to the State specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest System land (the Federal land). Requires the value of the exchanged Federal and State lands to be: (1) equal; or (2) made equal by cash payment to the United States or the State. Sets forth requirements for the disposition and use of proceeds from cash equalization payments received by the United States. Requires the conveyance of certain easements or other rights-of-way. Directs the city of Boise, Idaho, to pay the administrative costs associated with such land exchange. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified BLM land in Shoshone County, Idaho, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture. Considers the boundaries of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Clearwater National Forest, as modified by the exchange authorized by this Act, to be the boundaries of such Forests as of January 1, 1965. Revokes any public land orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal under the public land laws necessary to permit disposal of such land. Withdraws the Federal and State land from: (1) location, entry, and patent under the mining and public land laws; and (2) disposition under the mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2005 - Provides for federal climate change research initiatives and related activities, including: (1) National Science Foundation fellowships for graduate studies in climate change; (2) a report on the impact of the Kyoto Protocol on the United States; (3) abrupt climate change research; (4) research on the impact of climate change on low-income populations worldwide; and (5) a Climate Change Education and Outreach Initiative Program for agricultural organizations and individual farmers. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish and maintain the National Greenhouse Gas Database to collect, verify, and analyze information on greenhouse gas emissions. Establishes a program for market-driven reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the use of tradeable allowances. Requires certain covered entities that own or control a source of GHG emissions in the electric power, industrial, and commercial sectors of the U.S. economy to submit to the Administrator, beginning in 2010, one tradeable allowance for every metric ton of GHGs emitted. Allows tradeable allowances to be sold, exchanged, purchased, retired, or otherwise used as permitted by this Act. Establishes the Climate Change Credit Corporation to manage tradeable allowances. Renames the Technology Administration in the Department of Commerce as the Innovation Administration. Assigns innovation-related duties to the Secretary of Commerce relating to climate change. Provides for various climate change innovation initiatives, including: (1) technology transfer opportunities; (2) climate innovation partnerships; (3) a climate change science and technology enhancement program for math and science teachers; (4) agricultural sequestration; and (5) energy efficiency audits. Establishes a loan guarantee and technology challenge program to encourage technological innovation for reducing GHGs.

Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the definition of dealer (in animals) to include: (1) sellers of dogs imported from outside the United States; and (2) persons who sell more than 25 dogs or cats or who whelp for sale more than six litters of dogs or cats annually. Defines "retail pet store" for purposes of the Act as a public retail establishment that sells animals commonly kept as pets in U.S. households (e.g., dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters). Excludes from such definition: (1) a person breeding animals to sell to the public as pets; (2) a person selling hunting, security, or breeding dogs; or (3) a person selling wild animals. Requires dealers and retail pet stores to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with source records relating to the purchase or acquisition of dogs and cats. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the period for the temporary suspension of a dealer license for a violation of the Act from 21 to 60 days, if the Secretary believes that such violation will continue past the initial 21-day period and will jeopardize the health of any animal. Authorizes the Secretary to apply directly to a U.S. district court for a temporary restraining order or injunction to address violations of the Act.

Idaho Land Enhancement Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Idaho Land Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, if the State of Idaho offers to convey specified State land to the United States, to accept the offer, and on receipt of title to such land, simultaneously convey to the State specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Forest System land (the Federal land). Requires the value of the exchanged Federal and State lands to be: (1) equal; or (2) made equal by cash payment to the United States or the State. Sets forth requirements for the disposition and use of proceeds from cash equalization payments received by the United States. Requires the conveyance of certain easements or other rights-of-way. Directs the city of Boise, Idaho, to pay the administrative costs associated with such land exchange. Transfers administrative jurisdiction over specified BLM land in Shoshone County, Idaho, from the Secretary of the Interior to the Secretary of Agriculture. Considers the boundaries of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Clearwater National Forest, as modified by the exchange authorized by this Act, to be the boundaries of such Forests as of January 1, 1965. Revokes any public land orders withdrawing any of the Federal land from appropriation or disposal under the public land laws necessary to permit disposal of such land. Withdraws the Federal and State land from: (1) location, entry, and patent under the mining and public land laws; and (2) disposition under the mineral leasing laws and the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970.

Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Extension and Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Extension and Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to repeal the authorization to use certain funds in the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund (Fund) by the Secretary of Agriculture for rural land reclamation. Revises guidelines governing: (1) the availability of moneys from the Fund: (2) the disposition of unappropriated Fund balances; (3) transfers to the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund; and (4) submission of quarterly reports by operators of surface coal mining operations. Revises requirements governing allocation of funds and allocation of funds to states and Indian tribes. Prescribes guidelines for initial program sites and bond forfeiture sites with insolvent sureties. Revises requirements for the granting of funds to set forth guidelines governing: (1) the application processing deadline; (2) the disposition of unexpended funds; and (3) a state set-aside program. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to require that states assume responsibility for administering the emergency reclamation program in order to remain eligible to receive grants. Authorizes the Secretary to propose regulations prescribing conditions under which the Fund would be used to promote remining of eligible lands, including reclamation fee rebates or waivers and other incentives.

Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Salt Cedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary), acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, to carry out a salt cedar (Tamarix spp) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) assessment and demonstration program to: (1) assess the extent of the infestation by salt cedar and Russian olive trees in the western United States; (2) demonstrate strategic solutions for the long-term management of such trees and the reestablishment of native vegetation; and (3) assess economic means to dispose of biomass created as a result of removal of those trees. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding for the administration of such program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) complete an assessment of the extent of the infestation on public and private land; (2) identify and document long-term management and funding strategies that could be implemented by federal, state, and private land managers in addressing the infestation and that should be tested as components of specified demonstration projects; and (3) establish a program that selects and funds at least five projects proposed by and implemented in collaboration with federal agencies, state and local governments, national laboratories, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, individuals, organizations, or soil and water conservation districts to demonstrate and evaluate the most effective methods of controlling salt cedar and Russian olive trees. Directs the Secretary to complete an analysis of economic means to use or dispose of biomass created by salt cedar and Russian olive tree removal.

Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Rural Housing Opportunity and Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends the Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act of the Housing Act of 1949 with respect to the single family rural housing loan guarantee program to: (1) eliminate low and moderate income eligibility requirements; (2) reduce maximum guarantee fees paid by lenders; and (3) require any regulation limiting borrower eligibility based upon the borrower's debt-income ratio to provide for a higher income-to-debt ratio for newly-constructed property loans. Revises refinancing loan guarantee provisions to: (1) authorize a specified lender guarantee fee; (2) permit a guarantee to acquire or construct an eligible single-family residence; (3) amend closing cost provisions; (4) eliminate income requirements; (5) prohibit that an appraisal credit report be required in connection with the loan, or that the residence be in a rural area for an existing loan; and (6) require that the borrower is not delinquent with respect to existing loan payments, and that monthly refinance payments be at least $50 less than existing monthly payments. Requires agricultural housing loans to be recorded as Department of Agriculture, rather than conventional, loans. Revises the definition of "rural area." Increases direct loan income limitations.

Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress is committed to achieving domestic hunger goals and ending hunger by 2015; (2) federal food and nutrition programs should receive adequate funding; and (3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food program, the food stamp program, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should be preserved. Directs: (1) the American Communities Survey to collect and submit food security information to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80 %.) Sets forth grant priorities.

Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2005

Pet Animal Welfare Statute of 2005 - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to revise the definition of dealer (in animals) to include: (1) sellers of dogs imported from outside the United States; and (2) persons who sell more than 25 dogs or cats or who whelp for sale more than six litters of dogs or cats annually. Defines "retail pet store" for purposes of the Act as a public retail establishment that sells animals commonly kept as pets in U.S. households (e.g., dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters). Excludes from such definition: (1) a person breeding animals to sell to the public as pets; (2) a person selling hunting, security, or breeding dogs; or (3) a person selling wild animals. Requires dealers and retail pet stores to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with source records relating to the purchase or acquisition of dogs and cats. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the period for the temporary suspension of a dealer license for a violation of the Act from 21 to 60 days, if the Secretary believes that such violation will continue past the initial 21-day period and will jeopardize the health of any animal. Authorizes the Secretary to apply directly to a U.S. district court for a temporary restraining order or injunction to address violations of the Act.

Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005

Hunger-Free Communities Act of 2005 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Congress is committed to achieving domestic hunger goals and ending hunger by 2015; (2) federal food and nutrition programs should receive adequate funding; and (3) the entitlement nature of the child and adult care food program, the food stamp program, the school breakfast and lunch programs, and the summer food service program should be preserved. Directs: (1) the American Communities Survey to collect and submit food security information to the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) the Secretary to conduct an annual study of hunger in the United States and develop recommendations on reducing domestic hunger. Directs the Secretary to make: (1) hunger-free communities collaborative grants to eligible public food program service providers or nonprofit organizations; (2) hunger-free communities infrastructure grants to eligible emergency feeding organizations; and (3) hunger-free communities training and technical assistance grants to eligible national or regional nonprofit organizations. (States that such grants' federal share shall not exceed 80 %.) Sets forth grant priorities.

Irrigation Subsidy Reduction Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005

Irrigation Subsidy Reduction Act of 2005 - Amends the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 to direct the Secretary of the Interior, for each parcel of land to which irrigation water is delivered or proposed to be delivered, to identify a single individual or legal entity as the owner, lessee, or operator. Allows irrigation water to be delivered at less than the normal per-acre cost to either: (1) a qualified recipient that reports gross farm income from a single farm operation in excess of $500,000 per taxable year; or (2) a limited recipient that received such water on or before October 1, 1981, and that reports gross farm income in excess of such amount. Requires lessees (currently, only owners and operators) of an irrigation district to furnish such district a certification of compliance. Allows the Secretary to require a lessee or operator to submit for examination a copy of a tax return for any taxable year in which the single farm operation of the lessee or operator received irrigation water at less than full cost. Repeals a provision exempting from federal reclamation ownership and cost pricing limitations district lands held in trust for a beneficiary whose interests in the lands served do not exceed such limitations. Directs the Secretaries of the Interior, the Treasury, and Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding to grant the Secretary of the Interior access to and use available information collected or maintained by either the Department of the Treasury or Agriculture that would aid in enforcing federal ownership and pricing limitations.

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to convey to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC, all, right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified federal land in Pinal county, Arizona, in exchange for Resolution Copper conveying to the United States title to: (1) the Secretary to specified non-federal land in Gila, Yavapai, Maricopa, and Pinal counties, Arizona, and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to specified non-federal land in Pinal and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona. Directs the Secretary to convey specified land in Pinal county to the town of Superior, Arizona. Instructs Resolution Copper to deliver to the Secretary an executed document granting a permanent conservation easement to an entity that is: (1) a qualified unit of government; or (2) a land trust or other qualified organization. Requires Resolution Copper and the grantee, in consultation with the town and other interested parties, to determine whether the area covered by the easement should be used to establish additional public access routes, trails, and trailheads to Apache Leap. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with Resolution Copper, the town, and other interested parties, to: (1) construct in the Global Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest a replacement campground or campgrounds for the Oak Flat Campground; and (2) provide a replacement rock climbing area or areas on National Forest or public land.

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2005

Southeast Arizona Land Exchange and Conservation Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (the Secretary) to convey to Resolution Copper Mining, LLC, all, right, title, and interest of the United States in and to specified federal land in Pinal county, Arizona, in exchange for Resolution Copper conveying to the United States title to: (1) the Secretary to specified non-federal land in Gila, Yavapai, Maricopa, and Pinal counties, Arizona, and (2) the Secretary of the Interior to specified non-federal land in Pinal and Santa Cruz counties, Arizona. Directs the Secretary to convey specified land in Pinal county to the town of Superior, Arizona. Instructs Resolution Copper to deliver to the Secretary an executed document granting a permanent conservation easement to an entity that is: (1) a qualified unit of government; or (2) a land trust or other qualified organization. Requires Resolution Copper and the grantee, in consultation with the town and other interested parties, to determine whether the area covered by the easement should be used to establish additional public access routes, trails, and trailheads to Apache Leap. Directs the Secretary, in consultation with Resolution Copper, the town, and other interested parties, to: (1) construct in the Global Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest a replacement campground or campgrounds for the Oak Flat Campground; and (2) provide a replacement rock climbing area or areas on National Forest or public land.

Dietary Supplement Regulatory Implementation Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2005

Dietary Supplement Regulatory Implementation Act of 2005 - Authorizes and makes appropriations to: (1) carry out the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) and all applicable regulatory requirements for dietary supplements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (2) expand research and development of consumer information on dietary supplements by the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) use such funds to regulate dietary supplements; and (2) report to Congress on the implementation and enforcement of DSHEA. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding the availability of certain botanical sources of ephedrine alkaloids. Requires the Secretary to: (1) carry out programs to educate health professionals and consumers on the safety and health benefits of dietary supplements; and (2) establish a system for the reporting of serious adverse experiences associated with the use of a dietary supplement received by the manufacturer, packer, or distributor whose name appears on the label of the product.

Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2005

Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, and the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to convey specified parcels of Federal land to certain counties and cities in central Idaho. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the State of Idaho a specified parcel of BLM land for a motorized recreation park. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to construct a trail for use by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles and as a snowmobile route. Addresses the extension of guide and outfitter operating permits authorizing activities in the Boulder-White Cloud Management Area (BWCMA) established by this Act or wilderness areas designated under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to Congress a specified study addressing fire risk mitigation measures in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA). Directs the Secretary of the Interior to expand and improve the Herd Lake Campground facilities located below the outlet of Herd Lake. Designates specified parcels of Federal land in central Idaho as wilderness areas to be managed as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). Repeals existing law requiring review of portions of the SNRA for possible inclusion in the NWPS. Establishes the BWCMA on Federal lands in the Challis National Forest, SNRA, and Challis District of the BLM that are not designated as wilderness areas under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for a grant to Idaho's Off Road Motor Vehicle Program. Establishes a voluntary grazing permit waiver program.

DSHEA Full Implementation and Enforcement Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2005

DSHEA Full Implementation and Enforcement Act of 2005 - Authorizes and makes appropriations to: (1) carry out the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) and all applicable regulatory requirements for dietary supplements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (2) expand research and development of consumer information on dietary supplements by the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully and appropriately use such funds to regulate dietary supplements. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress on the implementation and enforcement of DSHEA.

Farming Flexibility Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2005

Farming Flexibility Act of 2005 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, with respect to direct and counter-cyclical payments, to: (1) permit a producer to reduce a covered commodity base acreage by electing to plant such acres with fruits or vegetables for processing; (2) require such election to be made annually; and (3) provide that if a farm's base acreage is recalculated, such fruit or vegetable production shall be considered the same as the planning, prevented planting, or production of the covered commodity.

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006

United States · United States Congress · 13 May 2005

Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 - Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for the Department of the Interior for: (1) the Bureau of Land Management (including transfer of funds); (2) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; (3) the National Park Service; (4) the U.S. Geological Survey; (5) the Minerals Management Service; (6) the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; (7) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (8) departmental offices for insular affairs; (9) departmental management; (10) the Office of the Solicitor; (11) the Office of the Inspector General; (12) the Office of Special Trustee for American Indians; and (13) natural resource damage assessment and restoration. Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency (including transfers of funds); (2) the Department of Agriculture for the Forest Service (including transfer of funds); and (3) the Department of Health and Human Services for the Indian Health Service. Makes appropriations for FY 2005 for specified related agencies, including: (1) the National Institutes of Health; (2) the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; (3) the Executive Office of the President; (4) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (5) the Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation; (6) the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; (7) the Smithsonian Institution; (8) the National Gallery of Art; (9) the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; (10) the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; (11) the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; (12) the National Endowment for the Humanities; (13) the Commission of Fine Arts; (14) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; (15) the National Capital Planning Commission; (16) the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; and (17) the Presidio Trust.

Consumers' Access to Health Information Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2005

Consumers' Access to Health Information Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food to be misbranded if the label of the food characterizes the curative, mitigation, treatment, or prevention effect of any nutrient on any disease or health-related condition unless the claim is made in accordance with specified regulations. (Currently, a label that characterizes the relationship of any nutrient to a disease or health-related condition is deemed to be misbranded.) Provides that a claim or a truthful and not misleading statement on the label or in the labeling of a food or dietary supplement shall not cause the food or dietary supplement to be a drug.

Montana Cemetery Act of 2006

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Montana Cemetery Act of 2005 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to convey to Jefferson County, Montana, the parcel of National Forest System land known as the Elkhorn Cemetery.

A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to permit certain summer food pilot programs to be carried out in all States and by all service institutions.

United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2005

Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make all States eligible to have specified summer food pilot projects carried out by service institutions within those States. (Eliminates a formula under current law for determining whether a State is eligible for such pilot projects.)

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare an annual report specifying the number of permanent and temporary non-Federal employees for local offices of the Farm Service Agency that will be needed to efficiently and effectively handle the workload generated by recurring and anticipated agriculture programs administered by the Farm Service Agency and the funding levels necessary to support such workforce, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually on the number of required permanent and temporary non-Federal employees for Farm Service Agency (FSA) local offices and the funding levels necessary to support such workforce. Limits temporary workers to not more than ten percent of all such non-Federal workers in any fiscal year.

National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

National Uniform Food Safety Labeling Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem food to be misbranded unless the label: (1) for raw or partially cooked eggs, fish, milk, dairy products, shellfish, or unpasteurized juice discloses the increased risk associated with eating such food in raw or partially cooked form and the risk to children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems of experiencing foodborne illnesses from eating such food; (2) for frozen fish or shellfish prominently discloses that the product has been frozen unless it was smoked, cured, cooked, or commercially sterilized prior to being frozen; (3) for raw eggs discloses the increased risk associated with eating raw eggs for children, the elderly, pregnant women, or persons with weakened immune systems; (4) for perishable agricultural commodities or derivatives contains the country of origin; (5) contains the date upon which it should no longer be sold because of diminution of quality, nutrient availability, or safety; (6) bears the word "natural" only if the food contains no artificial or synthetic ingredient added after harvesting and has not undergone other than minimal processing; (7) does not falsely represent that food has been prepared in accordance with orthodox Jewish religious standards; (8) includes the unit price and the total price of the food in accordance with this Act; and (9) bears a grade where grading is customary within the industry.

Consumer Food Safety Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2005

Consumer Food Safety Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) administer a national program to protect human health by ensuring that the food industry has effective programs to assure the safety of food; (2) prescribe regulations regarding harmful substances in food, registration of facilities, sanitary food processing, proper labeling, processing controls, and inspections of registered facilities; (3) establish tolerances to limit the quantity of contaminants in food; (4) establish a system to ensure the safety of imported food; (5) include food in an active surveillance system; (6) establish guidelines for a sampling system of food products; (7) rank food categories based on their health hazard and identify approaches to minimize such hazards; and (8) design and implement a food safety education program. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require notification of the Secretary of any adulterated or misbranded food. Sets forth provisions regarding ceasing distribution of food, recalls, and civil penalties for violations of this Act. Prohibits any person from being discriminated against because that person participated in any way in carrying out the purpose of specified federal food laws or refused to violate any law, rule, or regulation. Allows the Secretary to impose traceability requirements on a type or class of food product as necessary to assure the protection of the public health. Allows civil actions against the Secretary for failing to perform any non-discretionary act or duty to ensure the safety of food products.

Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2005

Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Protection Study Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to review the lands within the study area (certain lands in or adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in southern Boulder, northern Jefferson, and northern Gilpin Counties, Colorado) and report to Congress on: (1) the present ownership of such lands; (2) which undeveloped land may be at risk of development; and (3) appropriate actions that could be taken by the United States, Colorado, or any other parties to preserve the open and undeveloped character of such lands.

Meat Promotion Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2005

Meat Promotion Act of 2005 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to replace current mandatory country of origin labeling requirements with a voluntary country of origin labeling program for meat and meat products. Sets forth: (1) limitations on use of United States country of origin labels; and (2) civil penalties for program violations.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture should investigate and find alternative actions with regard to the unilateral temporary termination of the participation of retail food stores in the electronic benefits transfer system (EBT) under the Food Stamp Act of 1977.

United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2005

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Food and Nutrition Service, should find alternative actions with regard to the unilateral temporary termination of the participation of retail food stores in the electronic benefits transfer system (EBT) under the Food Stamp Act of 1977.

Farming Flexibility Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2005

Farming Flexibility Act of 2005 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, with respect to direct and counter-cyclical payments, to: (1) permit a producer to reduce a covered commodity base acreage by electing to plant such acres with fruits or vegetables for processing; (2) require such election to be made annually; and (3) provide that if a farm's base acreage is recalculated, such fruit or vegetable production shall be considered the same as the planning, prevented planting, or production of the covered commodity.

Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Reform Act of 2005

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2005

Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Reform Act of 2005 - Amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to repeal the authorization for use of certain moneys in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund: (1) by the Secretary of Agriculture for reclamation of rural lands; and (2) by the Department of the Interior for certain studies, research, and demonstration projects. Extends the authority to collect reclamation fees to 2019. Revises Fund allocation requirements with respect to such fees. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer specified sums to: (1) the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund; (2) the United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan; and (3) a certain multiemployer health benefit plan established after July 20, 1992, by the parties that are the settlors of the 1992 Plan. Repeals Fund objectives concerning: (1) protection , construction, or enhancement of public facilities such as utilities, roads, recreation and conservation facilities adversely affected by coal mining practices; and (2) the development of publicly owned land adversely affected by coal mining practices, including land acquired as provided for recreation and historic purposes, conservation, and reclamation purposes and open space benefits. States that no lien shall be filed against any person who neither consented to, nor participated in, nor exercised control over the mining operation which necessitated reclamation. Repeals the limitation of such prohibition to persons who owned the surface before May 2, 1977. Modifies guidelines for certification of completion of coal reclamation.