Agriculture

Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2022

Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency to jointly establish and implement a pilot demonstration program to provide, to eligible applicants with federal student loan debt, assistance in purchasing eligible properties. Specifically, the program may provide for (1) discounts on the appraised value of eligible properties, (2) flexibility in certain underwriting standards, (3) the development of new mortgage products specifically targeted to eligible applicants, and (4) other appropriate assistance. The program must provide for the development of a program that uses actuarial information to determine how the repayment of federal student loans may be integrated into a mortgage repayment schedule to allow eligible applicants to accumulate home equity. An eligible property is a property (1) that is designed as a dwelling for occupancy by one to four families; (2) that is safe and habitable; (3) the occupancy of which will promote community revitalization; and (4) that is owned by HUD, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), a local land bank, the Department of Agriculture, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act This bill expands the Smith River National Recreation Area in California into Oregon and designates specified segments of the North Fork Smith River as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (NWSRS). The management emphasis for any portion of the recreation area in Oregon shall be on roadless backcountry and white-water recreation. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall study the additions to the recreation area, including inventories and assessments of water features (e.g., streams and lakes). USDA shall modify any applicable management plan to protect the resources inventoried. USDA shall seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with applicable Indian tribes to (1) provide them with access to the portions of the recreation area in Oregon to conduct historical and cultural activities; and (2) develop interpretive information to be provided to the public on the history of, and use of the area by, those tribes. On the adoption of a resolution by the State Land Board of Oregon, USDA shall acquire the 555 acres of land known as the Cedar Creek Parcel in Oregon. A streamside protection zone in which timber harvesting is prohibited (with exceptions) shall be established for each of the designated North Fork Smith River segments.

CARE Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Children's Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety of 2022 or the CARE Act of 20 22 This bill revises labor provisions for protecting child workers, including those employed in agriculture, and increases the civil penalties for violations of such provisions and imposes new criminal penalties for violations resulting in the death or serious injury or illness of a child worker. Specifically, the bill revises the definition of oppressive child labor to prohibit the employment of children under 14 years of age and imposes new employer reporting requirements for work-related injuries or deaths of agricultural employees under the age of 18. The Department of Labor must analyze, collect, and report on data concerning children under the age of 18 who are employed in agriculture and each work-related injury, illness, or death of any such child. Labor must also revise regulations to prohibit the employment of a child under the age of 18 as a pesticide handler.

FIND Food Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Further Incentivizing Nutritious Donations of Food Act of 2022 or the FIND Food Act of 2022 This bill provides tax incentives for food donation. Specifically, it expands the charitable tax deduction for contributions of food inventory to allow donations at reduced prices, allows a deduction for the cost of transporting donated food, and allows a tax credit for donations of food by farmers.

Support Kids Not Red Tape Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Support Kids Not Red Tape Act of 2022 This bill extends and modifies the authority of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements related to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. Current law authorizes USDA to waive certain requirements, such as those related to nutritional content and congregate feeding, for the purpose of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this bill, USDA shall have authority through FY2023 to grant such a waiver, with no waiver having effect past FY2023. Currently, USDA's authority to grant a waiver expires on June 30, 2022, with no waiver having effect past the 2021-2022 school year. If a state elects to receive a waiver that modifies the operation of a school breakfast or lunch program for the 2022-2023 school year, the state must provide a transition plan to USDA. USDA must provide technical assistance to help school food authorities and states meet nutritional standards and resume regular meal program operations for the 2023-2024 school year. While a waiver is in effect during the 2022-2023 school year, the state subject to the waiver must provide technical assistance in lieu of fiscal action for meal pattern violations due to supply chain disruptions. The bill also appropriates funds as necessary to carry out this bill's activities.

American Beef Labeling Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022

American Beef Labeling Act of 2022 This bill reinstates mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to develop a means of reinstating the requirements that complies with the rules of the World Trade Organization. The USTR and the Department of Agriculture must implement the means within one year.

Part 2 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations For 2023

United States · United States House of Representatives · 29 March 2022

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations for 2023

United States · United States Senate · 29 March 2022

Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2022 This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain disabled veterans, including those determined to be catastrophically disabled.

A resolution designating March 24, 2022, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022

This resolution designates March 24, 2022, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.

Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2022 This bill establishes a grant program to fund demonstration projects to provide mental health services to medically underserved individuals in rural areas or in the farming, fishing, and forestry industries. Specifically, the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth within the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to public or nonprofit telemental health provider networks to deliver, and evaluate the impact of, home-based telemental services for such individuals. The office must coordinate activities with the Rural Health Liaison of the Department of Agriculture.

Expressing support for the designation of March 24, 2022, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.

Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022

Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act of 2022 This bill revises the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) of the Farm Service Agency. The CRP is a land conservation program that provides an annual rental payment to farmers in exchange for farmers removing environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and planting species that will improve environmental health and quality. Specifically, the bill establishes a continuous enrollment procedure for the conservation reserve of land that will be enrolled under the state acres for wildlife enhancement initiative; provides federal cost sharing payments for the establishment of grazing infrastructure on all CRP contracts and practices, if grazing is included in the conservation plan and addresses a resource concern; and increases the CRP annual rental payment limitation from $50,000 to $125,000.

Home Front Energy Independence Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022

Home Front Energy Independence Act This bill prohibits the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from Russia until Russia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The bill allows a new tax credit for the sale or blending of ethanol fuels. It also extends through 2025 the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel. The bill modifies requirements relating to the waiver of ethanol reid vapor pressure limitations and E15 labeling. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award grants to certain governmental entities for expanding the biofuel infrastructure and agriculture product market.

Recognizing the contribution and importance of maple syrup producers and their families in the State of New Hampshire and supporting the designation of March 19 and 20, 2022, as "New Hampshire Maple Weekend".

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022

This resolution recognizes the contribution and importance of maple syrup producers and their families in the state of New Hampshire. It also supports the designation of New Hampshire Maple Weekend.

Leandra Wai Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022

Leandra Wai Act This bill provides for the conveyance and return by the Department of Defense (DOD), to the state of Hawaii, without consideration, all interest of the United States in the parcel of property known as the Makua Military Reservation located in Oahu, Hawaii. DOD shall, in collaboration with the state, conduct a study to map out land hazards, including unexploded ordnance and other contaminants; determine an appropriate schedule, consistent with community standards, for the removal of such land hazards; and provide a cost estimate for the land remediation and restoration activities required to make the reservation suitable for agriculture, residential use, and human habitation. There is established a Makua Military Reservation Conveyance, Remediation, and Environmental Restoration Trust Fund to (1) make the reservation suitable for agriculture, residential use, and human habitation, including any remedial actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; and (2) carry out this bill. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the state that shall govern the study; the conveyance; the timing, planning, methodology, and implementation for the removal of unexploded ordnance; and the use of the sums appropriated to the fund.

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022

Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022 This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters. Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 by packers and live poultry dealers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer. Additionally, the office must serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector, consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, and maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.

Expressing support for the designation of the third week of March 2022 as "National CACFP Week".

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022

This resolution recognizes the role of the child and adult care food program (commonly referred to as CACFP) in improving the health of the country's most vulnerable children and adults in child care centers, adult day care homes, and after-school care by providing nutritious meals and snacks. It also supports the designation of National CACFP Week.

A resolution recognizing the importance of maple syrup production to Maine and designating March 27, 2022, as "Maine Maple Sunday".

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2022

This resolution designates March 27, 2022, as Maine Maple Sunday. It also recognizes the contribution and importance of maple syrup producers and their families in the state of Maine.

Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2022

Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Currently, schools participating in the program may provide lactose-free and flavored and unflavored milk. Under the bill, these schools must provide students flavored and unflavored milk and maintain the discretion to offer lactose-free milk.

Rural Prosperity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022

Rural Prosperity Act of 2022 This bill addresses social, economic, and community well-being and resilience in rural communities. Specifically, the bill establishes, within the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Rural Prosperity to promote and support social and economic prosperity in rural areas. The office, among other duties, must develop (1) a strategy for rural development, and (2) metrics to measure the effectiveness of federal programs on rural areas. Additionally, the bill sets up a council that includes representatives from federal agencies and White House policy offices to ensure collaboration across federal agencies and with other stakeholders concerning the needs of rural areas. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to develop, and report on the implementation of, a rural prosperity action plan that addresses structural challenges that affect rural communities.

ID for EBT Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022

ID for EBT Act of 2022 This bill revises provisions related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to require states to include a photograph of one or more members of a household on electronic benefit cards that are issued to provide program benefits.

Rural Prosperity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022

Rural Prosperity Act of 2022 This bill addresses social, economic, and community well-being and resilience in rural communities. Specifically, the bill establishes, within the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Rural Prosperity to promote and support social and economic prosperity in rural areas. The office, among other duties, must develop (1) a strategy for rural development, and (2) metrics to measure the effectiveness of federal programs on rural areas. Additionally, the bill sets up a council that includes representatives from federal agencies and White House policy offices to ensure collaboration across federal agencies and with other stakeholders concerning the needs of rural areas. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to develop, and report on the implementation of, a rural prosperity action plan that addresses structural challenges that affect rural communities.

Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022

Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act of 2022 This bill provides funding through FY2029 to the Department of Agriculture for maintaining a clearinghouse that provides information to assist low-income individuals and communities in obtaining nutrition assistance and related resources.

School Hunger Elimination Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022

School Hunger Elimination Act of 2022 This bill revises requirements under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program of the Department of Agriculture, including by expanding mandatory direct certification of low-income children for free or reduced-price meals.

Public Lands Telecommunications Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

Public Lands Telecommunications Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to establish separate special accounts for the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Bureau of Reclamation for the deposit of rental fees received by such agencies under communications use authorizations, which allow for the occupancy and use of federal lands for communications purposes. The rental fees received by each agency shall be deposited in the agency's special account, and remain available for expenditure for agency activities related to communications sites (those areas of federal lands designated for telecommunications uses). The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture may enter into cooperative agreements to carry out activities related to communications sites.

Home Front Energy Independence Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

Home Front Energy Independence Act This bill prohibits the importation of petroleum and petroleum products from Russia until Russia recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The bill allows a new tax credit for the sale or blending of ethanol fuels. It also extends through 2025 the income tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel used as fuel. The bill modifies requirements relating to the waiver of ethanol reid vapor pressure limitations and E15 labeling. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture to award grants to certain governmental entities for expanding the biofuel infrastructure and agriculture product market.

A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exclude a basic allowance for housing from income for purposes of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

This bill excludes military housing allowances from income when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Stamp Out Invasive Species Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022

Stamp Out Invasive Species Act This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue and sell a Combating Invasive Species Semipostal Stamp. Proceeds from the sale of the stamp must be transferred in equal proportion to the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture for combating invasive species. (Invasive species are nonnative species whose introduction poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and causes detrimental economic damage to local communities.) The stamp must be made available to the public for two years.

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Act This bill authorizes the voluntary waiver of permits or leases for grazing on federal lands managed by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior in the 16 western states (e.g., Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). If a permit or lease is waived by a permittee or lessee with the intention of permanently ending livestock grazing, the appropriate department must accept and terminate, on a first-come, first-served basis, the permit or lease; refrain from issuing any new grazing permit or lease within the grazing allotment covered by the permit or lease; and ensure a permanent end to livestock grazing on the allotment covered by the permit or lease. If an allotment covered by a waiver is also covered by another permit or lease that is not waived, the department must reduce the level of commercial livestock grazing on the allotment to reflect the waiver. The departments must not accept more than (1) 100 grazing permits per year, in the aggregate for all of the 16 western states; and (2) 25 grazing permits for land located in whole or in part in any individual state.

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out activities to suppress wildfires, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2022

This bill sets out requirements for wildfire suppression and management activities carried out by the Forest Service. Within 24 hours of detecting a wildfire on Forest Service land, the service must use (to the maximum extent practicable) all available resources to extinguish the wildfire. Additionally, the service may not inhibit the firefighting activities of state and local agencies that are authorized to respond to wildfires on Forest Service land. Further, the service may not initiate a backfire or burnout as part of a fire suppression strategy unless ordered by the responsible incident commander and must control any initiated fire until it is extinguished. An individual who is harmed by an improperly initiated or controlled backfire or burnout may sue the United States. The bill also limits the service's use of prescribed fires (i.e., the controlled application of fire by a team of experts under specified weather conditions to restore health to ecosystems that depend on fire). The service must comply with all applicable laws and regulations concerning prescribed fires and must immediately suppress (to the maximum extent practicable) a prescribed fire that exceeds its prescription.

FARM Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2022

Future Agriculture Retention and Management Act of 2022 or FARM Act of 2022 This bill makes solar and wind electricity ineligible for certain renewable energy tax credits if the electricity was generated by facilities that a public utility placed on agricultural land.

Expressing support for the designation of February 19 through February 26, 2022, as "National FFA Week", recognizing the important role of the National Future Farmers of America (referred to in this resolution as "FFA") Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and celebrating 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine, The National Future Farmer, now called New Horizons.

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2022

This resolution supports the designation of a National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine.

FUELS Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2022

Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship Act or the FUELS Act This bill increases thresholds for requiring a farm to have a plan to address oil spills. Currently, regulations require a farm to have an oil spill control and prevention plan that is certified by a professional engineer if the farm's aboveground oil storage capacity is above a certain threshold or if the farm has a reportable oil discharge history. A farm with lower aboveground storage capacity and no reportable history is either allowed to self-certify its plan or not required to have a plan at all, depending on the farm's storage capacity.     Under the bill, the Environmental Protection Agency must require a farm to have a professionally certified plan if the farm has an aggregate aboveground oil storage capacity of 40,000 gallons or more, whereas the current threshold is 20,000 gallons. The bill also raises the aggregate capacity thresholds at which a farm with no reportable oil discharge history may self-certify its plan or is not required to have a plan. The bill also limits when a farm's aboveground oil storage containers on separate parcels shall count toward the farm's oil storage capacity for the purposes of these thresholds.

MODERN WIC Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2022

More Options to Develop and Enhance Remote Nutrition in WIC Act of 2022 or the MODERN WIC Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to allow individuals to remotely certify their eligibility for, and receive benefits through, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The Department of Agriculture must also report to Congress about the use of remote technologies and other tools in the WIC program.

American Small Business Competition Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022

American Small Business Competition Act of 2022 This bill increases the maximum loan amounts available for small businesses principally engaged in agriculture, manufacturing, or the production of certain technologies. It also requires the Small Business Administration to report about the effect of inflation and supply chain disruption on the cost to small businesses of accessing capital.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of February 19 through February 26, 2022, as "National FFA Week", recognizing the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and celebrating 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine, originally called The National Future Farmer, now called New Horizons.

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022

This resolution supports the designation of February 19-February 26, 2022, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine.

Beagle Brigade Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022

Beagle Brigade Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Detector Dog Training Center that is operated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. The center trains dogs to inspect passenger baggage, cargo, mailed packages, and vehicles to detect foreign pests and diseases that threaten domestic agriculture and natural resources.

LUNCHES Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2022

Level Up Nutrition for CHildren in Every School Act of 2022 or the LUNCHES Act of 2022 This bill increases the reimbursement rate for school lunches by 49 cents.

Healthy Breakfasts Help Kids Learn Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 11 February 2022

Healthy Breakfasts Help Kids Learn Act of 20 22 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide additional food (known as commodity assistance) to states participating in the School Breakfast Program (SBP). Under current law, USDA provides commodity assistance to states participating in the National School Lunch Program based on the number of lunches served. The food may also be served as part of the SBP or other child nutrition programs. Specifically, the bill (1) repeals a provision that prohibits USDA from offering commodity assistance based on the number of school breakfasts served, and (2) requires USDA to use a specified formula to provide additional commodity assistance for each school breakfast served.

Hemp Advancement Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2022

Hemp Advancement Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to federal requirements that apply to growing hemp, including requirements related to the permitted amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and hemp testing in laboratories. The bill also allows individuals who have been convicted of certain drug-related felonies to obtain hemp licenses, which is currently prohibited for 10 years after the conviction.

One Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2022

One Stop Shop for Small Business Compliance Act of 2022 This bill requires the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to create a website compiling small entity compliance guides and contact information for individuals who can assist small entities with each guide.

Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2022

Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act This bill establishes a pilot program to award competitive grants to school food authorities and local educational agencies for activities that promote the use of ingredients that are unprocessed or minimally processed (i.e., scratch cooking) in school meals.

Keeping School Meals Flexible Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2022

Keeping School Meals Flexible Act This bill extends authority through June 30, 2023, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements for the school meal programs to address COVID-19. The bill extends the authority for USDA to issue a single waiver of child nutrition program requirements to all states under the National School Lunch Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; grant waivers of requirements to allow non-congregate feeding in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; and grant waivers related to the nutritional content of meals served in child nutrition programs if it determines the waiver is necessary to provide meals and snacks, and there is a food supply chain disruption due to COVID-19.

Watershed Results Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2022

Watershed Results Act This bill provides funding for the Department of the Interior, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency, to establish a total of not less than two and not more than five watershed pilot programs in certain western states that use pay-for-performance contracts. Interior is required to designate a management team for each watershed pilot project. Each team must develop and implement a five-year plan for carrying out the applicable pilot. Interior and the management team for each watershed pilot must use advance watershed analytics throughout the planning, implementation, measuring, and monitoring of projects within the pilot. This technical analysis must be conducted to identify quantifiable outcomes, costs, feasibility, and impacts of the projects before making funding available for a watershed pilot. Further, Interior and the management team for a watershed pilot are required to set and publish minimum per-unit outcome prices. Interior must also enter into a pay-for-performance contract to achieve outcome-based goals described in the plan developed for the pilot. Interior must also submit specified annual and five-year reports to Congress.

Agricultural Right to Repair Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2022

Agricultural Right to Repair Act This bill requires original manufacturers of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment to provide (on fair and reasonable terms) owners or independent repair shops with the documentation, parts, software, and tools needed to diagnose, maintain, or repair such equipment. If an original manufacturer stops providing required items, any related copyrights or patents held by that manufacturer shall be placed in the public domain. Furthermore, the bill allows individuals, in specified circumstances, to circumvent copyright protections to facilitate diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of electronics-enabled agricultural equipment. The bill provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission.

Healthy Meal Time Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2022

Healthy Meal Time Act of 20 22 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, the time that recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. USDA must also make the findings of the study publicly available online; establish a task force, in coordination with the Department of Education, to review the study, review other related research, and develop best practices for lunch and recess periods to ensure student health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and issue guidance regarding such best practices to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

TO REVIEW THE STATE OF THE RURAL ECONOMY WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 January 2022

SNAP Second Chance Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2022

SNAP Second Chance Act of 2022 This bill limits the authority of the Department of Agriculture to exclude retailers from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) based on an owner's past criminal conviction.

AGRITOURISM Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2022

Accelerating the Growth of Rural Innovation and Tourism Opportunities to Uphold Rural Industries and Sustainable Marketplaces Act or the AGRITOURISM Act This bill establishes an office within the Department of Agriculture to promote agritourism activities and businesses.