Agriculture

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Border Security and Disaster Relief, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2019

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Border Security and Disaster Relief, 2019 This bill provides FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to natural disasters and border security. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill includes appropriations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2019

Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act This bill allows tax credits and grants for activities that provide access to healthy food in food deserts, which are communities that have limited or no access to grocery stores and meet income requirements. For entities that are certified by the Department of the Treasury as special access food providers using specified criteria, the bill allows tax credits for operating a new grocery store or renovating an existing grocery store in a food desert. The bill also authorizes grants for a portion of (1) the construction costs of building a permanent food bank in a food desert, and (2) the annual operating costs of temporary access merchants (mobile markets, farmers markets, and food banks). Treasury, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (USDA), must annually allocate the tax credits and grants to special access food providers. Grants authorized by this bill are not considered gross income for tax purposes. The bill also requires USDA to update the Food Access Research Atlas at least annually to account for food retailers that are placed in service during that year.

Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2019

Healthy Food Access for All Americans Act This bill allows tax credits and grants for activities that provide access to healthy food in food deserts, which are communities that have limited or no access to grocery stores and meet income requirements. For entities that are certified by the Department of the Treasury as special access food providers using specified criteria, the bill allows tax credits for operating a new grocery store or renovating an existing grocery store in a food desert. The bill also authorizes grants for a portion of (1) the construction costs of building a permanent food bank in a food desert, and (2) the annual operating costs of temporary access merchants (mobile markets, farmers markets, and food banks). Treasury, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture (USDA), must annually allocate the tax credits and grants to special access food providers. Grants authorized by this bill are not considered gross income for tax purposes. The bill also requires USDA to update the Food Access Research Atlas at least annually to account for food retailers that are placed in service during that year.

National Monument CAP Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2019

National Monument Creation And Protection Act or the National Monument CAP Act This bill allows the President to declare by public proclamation an object or objects of antiquity (currently, historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest) that are situated on lands owned or controlled by the federal government to be national monuments. "Objects of antiquity" means relics, artifacts, human or animal skeletal remains, fossils, and certain buildings constructed before enactment of this bill. The bill prescribes limits on land that may be declared to be a national monument based on acreage, proximity to other national monuments, whether it has been reviewed by the Department of the Interior or Agriculture (USDA) under the National Environmental Policy Act, and whether it has been approved by each county and state within whose boundaries it will be located. Such limitation shall not apply to a designation made to prevent imminent and irreparable harm to the object or objects of antiquity to be protected. Such exception shall end after one year and may be used only once. The President may reduce the size of any declared national monument: (1) by 85,000 acres or less; or (2) by more than 85,000 acres only if the reduction has been approved by each county and state within whose boundaries the monument will be located and reviewed by Interior or USDA under the National Environmental Policy Act. The bill prohibits any land from being declared as a national monument in a configuration that would place nonfederally owned property within the monument without first obtaining the owners' written consent.

RE–VAC Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

Returning Essential Rural Veterinary Animal Care Act or the RE-VAC Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide certain loans and grants for the establishment or expansion of animal care facilities or veterinary practices in rural areas.

Recognizing the American Peanut Shellers Association for their exemplary services and dedicated efforts to support our Nation's peanut industry over the past 100 years.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

This resolution recognizes the American Peanut Shellers Association for their exemplary services and dedicated efforts to support our nation's peanut industry over the past 100 years.

Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Agriculture in the One Hundred Sixteenth Congress.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2019

This resolution provides amounts for the expenses of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 116th Congress.

KITTEN Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act of 2019 or the KITTEN Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from using cats in experiments that may cause pain or stress, unless the pain or stress is a result of a physical exam or training program.

KITTEN Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2019

Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act of 2019 or the KITTEN Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from using cats in experiments that may cause pain or stress, unless the pain or stress is a result of a physical exam or training program.

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019 This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture. (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.)

Chester County Reversionary Interest Release Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Chester County Reversionary Interest Release Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release the reversionary interest of the United States in a 0.62-acre parcel of land in Chickasaw State Forest in Tennessee (the state forest land), if, as consideration for the release, the State of Tennessee agrees to transfer to the United States a vested future interest in the 0. 90-acre parcel known as the Webb property that is similar to such interest, in order to facilitate a land exchange between Bethel Baptist Church in Henderson, Tennessee, and the state. As soon as the state has complied with specified requirements concerning the deed for the state forest land, Interior shall convey to the state the undivided mineral interest of the United States in such land. Additionally, Interior must determine the mineral character of the state forest land and the fair market value of the U.S. mineral interests 90 days after enactment of this bill.

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act This bill requires the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services to support state and tribal efforts to address chronic wasting disease. The transmissible disease afflicts deer, elk, and moose populations. The agency must make grants to research centers to support efforts to expand and accelerate applied research on the disease. Land management agencies of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior must work cooperatively with states in researching the disease and implementing state response plans to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease.

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support state and tribal efforts to address chronic wasting disease. The transmissible disease afflicts deer, elk, and moose populations. In addition, USDA must make grants to research centers to support efforts to expand and accelerate applied research on the disease. Land management agencies of the USDA and the Department of the Interior must work cooperatively with states in researching the disease and implementing state management strategies to reduce the spread and prevalence of the disease.

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2019

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2019 This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture. (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.)

CREATE Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy Act of 2019 or the CREATE Act of 2019 This bill expands financial assistance for, and establishes measures to support, the creative economy and art entrepreneurs. Specifically, the bill requires (1) the Small Business Administration to develop loan criteria, evaluation procedures, and technical assistance programs for small business concerns that are owned by artists and support the creative economy, (2) the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture to ensure that traditional economic development tools, such as business incubators and grant programs, support the arts industry and creative economy, and (3) the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that expenses incurred by a self-employed worker to repair or replace needed tools because of a major disaster are eligible for disaster assistance. Further, the recipient of a national service program grant is authorized to carry out the program through an Artist Corps that identifies and meets unmet needs in communities through artistic activities. The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist activities that support creative placemaking through community development mechanisms and partnerships between local governments and nonprofit cultural organizations. Commerce shall establish a demonstration program to promote creative and performing arts in the economic planning of local governments. Finally, the Department of Homeland Security must adjudicate petitions for nonimmigrant visas for aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement, and artists and entertainers, within 14 days after receiving them.

CREATE Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2019

Comprehensive Resources for Entrepreneurs in the Arts to Transform the Economy Act of 2019 or the CREATE Act of 2019 This bill expands financial assistance for, and establishes measures to support, the creative economy and art entrepreneurs. Specifically, the bill requires (1) the Small Business Administration to develop loan criteria, evaluation procedures, and technical assistance programs for small business concerns that are owned by artists and support the creative economy, (2) the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture to ensure that traditional economic development tools, such as business incubators and grant programs, support the arts industry and creative economy, and (3) the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that expenses incurred by a self-employed worker to repair or replace needed tools because of a major disaster are eligible for disaster assistance. Further, the recipient of a national service program grant is authorized to carry out the program through an Artist Corps that identifies and meets unmet needs in communities through artistic activities. The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist activities that support creative placemaking through community development mechanisms and partnerships between local governments and nonprofit cultural organizations. Commerce shall establish a demonstration program to promote creative and performing arts in the economic planning of local governments. Finally, the Department of Homeland Security must adjudicate petitions for nonimmigrant visas for aliens with extraordinary ability or achievement, and artists and entertainers, within 14 days after receiving them.

Chester County Reversionary Interest Release Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2019

Chester County Reversionary Interest Release Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to release the reversionary interest of the United States in a 0.62-acre parcel of land in Chickasaw State Forest in Tennessee (the state forest land), if, as consideration for the release, the State of Tennessee agrees to transfer to the United States a vested future interest in the 0. 90-acre parcel known as the Webb property that is similar to such interest, in order to facilitate a land exchange between Bethel Baptist Church in Henderson, Tennessee, and the state. As soon as the state has complied with specified requirements concerning the deed for the state forest land, Interior shall convey to the state the undivided mineral interest of the United States in such land. Additionally, Interior must determine the mineral character of the state forest land and the fair market value of the U.S. mineral interests 90 days after enactment of this bill.

IMPLEMENTING THE AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

United States · United States Senate · 28 February 2019

LOTTERY Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Letting Outdoor Tourism Thrive for Every Recreation Yearly Act or the LOTTERY Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, beginning on January 1, 2020, to carry out a lottery system for the issuance of permits for the use of boats in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of the Superior National Forest in Minnesota, and make such system available to the public on a recreation website of the federal government.

Anti-Hunger Empowerment Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 201 9 This bill reduces administrative requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), authorizes funding to increase access to SNAP offices, and authorizes grants for community-based nonprofits to expand anti-hunger activities. The bill repeals existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to carry out new activities to increase the operating hours of SNAP offices, reduce wait times, accept online applications, upgrade technology, and provide a checklist of required documents. If a state agency believes that information provided by a SNAP applicant is incorrect or incomplete, the agency must notify the applicant in writing and include instructions for providing the required information. A state may not require an appplicant to appear in person unless the information is not provided in response to the request or cannot be verified. State agencies may not require fingerprints for any member of a household to participate in SNAP or receive benefits. USDA must report annually to Congress on the comparative progress of states in improving access to SNAP. The bill also establishes a Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs and technical assistance to reduce hunger, increase the use of nutrition assistance and anti-poverty programs, bolster food security, assist individuals and families to develop assets, promote economic independence, improve nutrition, and reduce obesity.

DEER Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2019

Detection, Enhanced Education, and Response Act of 2019 or the DEER Act This bill addresses chronic wasting disease, which is a transmissible disease that afflicts deer, elk, and moose populations. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support state efforts to develop and implement chronic wasting disease surveillance, testing, management, and response activities. In addition, USDA must (1) establish a multiagency task force to respond to the disease, and (2) award a grant to a land-grant college or university to establish a policy research center for wildlife diseases.

AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2020

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 February 2019

Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Closing the Meal Gap Act of 2019 This bill revises the requirements for calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits. Specifically, the bill increases the minimum SNAP benefit and requires that benefits be calculated using a low-cost food plan (i.e., the diet required to feed a family of four); directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine the requirements for the low-cost food plan; requires USDA to make adjustments to the plan to account for household size, changes in the cost of the diet, and the costs of food in specified areas; revises the amounts authorized for nutrition assistance block grants for Puerto Rico and American Samoa and requires that the amounts be modified based on adjustments to the low-cost food plan; modifies the requirements for calculating household income to determine SNAP eligibility by authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for households containing an elderly or disabled member and eliminating the cap on the deduction for excess shelter expenses; and revises eligibility requirements under SNAP for certain students enrolled in institutions of higher education.

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief, 2019

United States · United States Congress · 26 February 2019

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief, 2019 This bill provides FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to the consequences of recent wildfires, hurricanes, volcanos, earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. The bill includes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Saving America’s Pollinators Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2019

Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2019 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Pollinator Protection Board to develop an independent review process for pesticides that pose a threat to pollinators and their habitats. The bill also requires the EPA to cancel the registrations of any pesticides containing imidacloprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, sulfoxaflor, flupyradifurone, or fipronil until the board has made a determination that such insecticide will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on pollinators based on findings that include results of studies of neonicotinoids and the effects of residues, repeated applications, and multiple chemical exposures. Under the bill, the EPA shall not issue any new registrations for any seed treatment, soil application, and foliar treatment on bee-attractive plants, trees, and cereals until the board has made determinations on such insecticides. The bill requires the Department of the Interior, the EPA, and the Department of Agriculture to coordinate monitoring activities and report on the health and population status of native bees and other pollinators. The bill prohibits unregistered uses of pesticides by a federal or state agency to address emergency conditions except (1) to avert significant risk to threatened or endangered species, (2) to quarantine invasive species, or (3) to protect public health.

Federal School Meals Parity Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2019

Federal School Meals Parity Act This bill increases the reimbursement rates for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam under the Department of Agriculture (USDA) school meal and child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The bill also requires USDA to report on the reimbursement rates and costs for providing meals and supplements under the programs in U.S. territories and in the states.

ACCESS Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2019

Authorizing Critical Conservation and Enabling Sportsmen and Sportswomen Act or the ACCESS Act This bill reauthorizes, authorizes, and establishes entities and activities for the conservation of fish and wildlife and opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting. The bill authorizes the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct critical monitoring, scientific assessments, and research in support of the binational fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin between the United States and Canada, facilitates the construction and expansion of public target ranges, and requires the Departments of Agriculture and of the Interior to establish a fee schedule for commercial filming and still photography operations on federal land. The bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Chesapeake Bay Program and the Chesapeake Bay Initiative. The bill establishes the National Fish Habitat Board and the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council Advisory Committee on wildlife and habitat conservation, hunting, and recreational shooting. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services shall allocate funds to support states and tribes in their efforts to implement management strategies to address chronic wasting disease, and make grants to support the expansion and acceleration of applied research on such disease. The bill requires a National Academy of Sciences study on the transmission of chronic wasting disease in any species within the family Cervidae (the deer family) in the United States.

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2019

Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act This bill designates specified National Forest System lands, National Park System lands, and public lands in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming as wilderness and as components or additions to existing components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill also designates (1) specified federal lands as biological connecting corridors and as special corridor management areas; (2) segments of specified rivers and creeks in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; and (3) specified areas as wildland recovery areas. The Department of Agriculture shall develop a wildland recovery plan for each recovery area. A specified panel of independent scientists shall study roadless lands greater than 1,000 acres that are within the National Forest System in the Wild Rockies bioregion in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming and that are not designated as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System for their role in maintaining biological diversity in the Northern Rockies and as part of the overall forest reserve system. Any new road construction or reconstruction or timber harvest is prohibited in those lands after the evaluation without an Act of Congress. Oil or gas leasing, mining, or other development which impairs the natural and roadless qualities of the land is also prohibited.

America’s Public Land Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019

America's Public Land Act of 2019 This bill reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to retain public land in federal ownership unless its disposal has been authorized by an Act of Congress; to retain management authority over public land, except where a nonfederal individual or entity is authorized to exercise management authority pursuant to an Act of Congress or another applicable law; and that retention of public land and the management authority over it is in the public interest. Neither the Department of the Interior nor of Agriculture shall approve or permit the conveyance of public land or the granting of management authority over such land to nonfederal individuals or entities except as authorized by an Act of Congress.

To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to treat certain planted soybean crops as harvested commodity crops under the Market Facilitation Program.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to treat a soybean crop as an eligible crop for payments under the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) if market conditions have discouraged or prevented a producer of a soybean crop from harvesting the crop or entering the crop into the stream of commerce. (The MFP provides payments to producers with commodities that have been significantly impacted by actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of traditional exports.)

America's Public Land Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019

America's Public Land Act of 2019 This bill reaffirms that it is U.S. policy to retain public land in federal ownership unless its disposal has been authorized by an Act of Congress; to retain management authority over public land, except where a nonfederal individual or entity is authorized to exercise management authority pursuant to an Act of Congress or another applicable law; and that retention of public land and the management authority over it is in the public interest. Neither the Department of the Interior nor of Agriculture shall approve or permit the conveyance of public land or the granting of management authority over such land to nonfederal individuals or entities except as authorized by an Act of Congress.

A resolution designating the week of February 16 through 23, 2019, as "National FFA Week," recognizing the important role of the National FFA Organization in developing young leaders, and celebrating 50 years of female membership in the National FFA Organization.

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019

This resolution designates February 16-23, 2019, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing young leaders, and (2) celebrates 50 years of female membership in the organization.

Agriculture Research Integrity Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2019

Agriculture Research Integrity Act of 201 9 This bill reaffirms that the Agricultural Research Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and any successor agencies must be (1) within the research, education, and economics mission area of the Department of Agriculture (USDA); and (2) administered by the USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics. USDA must locate each of the specified agencies and the majority of the staff of the agencies within the National Capital Region.

To repeal section 12616 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019

This bill repeals a ban on sponsoring or exhibiting live birds in fighting ventures (e.g., cockfights) in states that do not ban such fights.

Every Kid Outdoors Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019

Every Kid Outdoors Act This bill directs the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and the Army to establish the Every Kids Outdoors program to provide fourth graders or home- schooled learners who are 10 years old and reside in the United States free access to federal lands and waters to which the public has access. Such Departments shall issue such students annual passes, upon request, which shall allow free access to a per-vehicle fee area for the student and any passengers accompanying the student in a private, noncommercial vehicle or for up to three adults accompanying the student on bicycles; or a per-person fee area for the student and up to three adults accompanying the student. In carrying out such program, such departments may collaborate with state park systems that opt to implement a complementary Every Kid Outdoors State park pass, may coordinate with the Department of Education to implement the program, shall maintain a publicly available website that provides information about the program, may provide visitor services, and may support approved partners of the federal lands and waters by furnishing them with opportunities for participation in the program.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, and October 1, 2020 through February 28, 2021.

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019

This resolution authorizes expenditures by the following Senate committees for March 1, 2019-September 30, 2019, for FY2020, and for October 1, 2020-February 28, 2021: (1) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; (2) Armed Services; (3) Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; (4) Budget; (5) Commerce, Science, and Transportation; (6) Energy and Natural Resources; (7) Environment and Public Works; (8) Finance; (9) Foreign Relations; (10) Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; (11) Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; (12) Judiciary; (13) Rules and Administration; (14) Small Business and Entrepreneurship; (15) Veterans' Affairs; (16) Special Committee on Aging; (17) Select Committee on Intelligence; and (18) Indian Affairs. The resolution requires committee expenses, with specified exceptions, to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chair of the applicable committee. The resolution authorizes establishment of a special reserve within funds in the Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations account, to be available to any committee to meet specified unpaid obligations or expenses.

Horse Protection Amendments Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2019

Horse Protection Amendments Act This bill addresses the protection of horses. Specifically, the bill replaces the Designated Qualified Persons program responsible for inspecting horses for soring with a new inspection system. The soring of horses is any of various actions taken on a horse's limb to produce a higher gait that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. The Department of Agriculture must establish a single Horse Industry Organization (HIO) in order to establish a formal affiliation with the management of each horse sale, horse exhibition, and horse sale or auction, and appoint inspectors to conduct inspections. The Commissioners of Agriculture for Tennessee and Kentucky must appoint individuals to the HIO. Those individuals must appoint individuals representing the Tennessee Walking Horse industry.

To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of genetically engineered fish.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019

This bill prohibits the sale of food that contains genetically engineered fish unless the food bears a label stating that it contains genetically engineered fish.

American Food for American Schools Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019

American Food for American Schools Act of 201 9 This bill requires school food authorities (SFAs) to request a waiver from the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase foreign commodities or products for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). SFAs may purchase foreign commodities or products without a waiver if the commodities or products are not produced or available domestically. (Under current law, Buy American provisions require SFAs to purchase, to the maximum extent practicable, domestic commodities or products for the NSLP. There are limited exceptions which permit the purchase of foreign products in circumstances when using domestic products is truly not practicable. If an SFA uses an exception, there is no requirement to request a waiver to purchase a foreign product or commodity, but the SFA must keep documentation justifying the exception.) USDA may not provide a waiver for an SFA to purchase foreign commodities or products unless (1) the commodities or products are not produced domestically in sufficient amounts or of satisfactory quality, (2) the domestic commodities or products would be significantly higher in price than foreign commodities or products, and (3) the SFA agrees to make the waiver publicly available on its website and email a notification of the waiver to parents or guardians of students who will be served the foreign commodity or product purchased pursuant to the waiver.

Fairness for Farm Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019

Fairness for Farm Workers Act This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 with respect to agricultural workers. The bill requires employers, beginning in 2021, to compensate agricultural workers for hours worked in excess of their regular hours (i.e., 55 hours in 2021, 50 hours in 2022, 45 hours in 2023, and 40 hours in 2024) at not less than one and one-half times the employee's regular rate. For employers with 25 or fewer employees, the overtime pay requirements begin in 2024. These overtime pay requirements do not apply, as in current law, to employees who are the parent, spouse, child, or other member of the employer's immediate family. The bill also repeals the exemption from overtime pay requirements for employers in various agriculture-related industries, including certain small farms, irrigation projects, sugar processing, and cotton ginning and compressing.

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2019

This resolution authorizes expenditures by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for the 116th Congress.

Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2019

Water and Agriculture Tax Reform Act of 201 9 This bill permits tax-exempt mutual ditch or irrigation companies to earn income from dispositions of certain property and stock interests without affecting their tax-exempt status, but requires that such income be used to pay the costs of operations, maintenance, and capital improvements of such a company. The bill also establishes a rule regarding the organizational governance of mutual ditch or irrigation companies. Where state law provides that such a company may be organized in a manner that permits voting on a basis that is pro rata to share ownership on corporate governance matters, the tax-exempt status of the mutual ditch or irrigation company must be determined without taking into account whether its member shareholders have one vote on corporate governance matters per share held in the corporation.

Wounded Veterans Recreation Act

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2019

Wounded Veterans Recreation Act This bill instructs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to any veteran who has been found to have a compensable or noncompensable service-connected disability.

Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2019

Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of equines (i.e., horses or other members of the horse family) or equine parts for human consumption.

A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the American Farm Bureau Federation and celebrating the long history of the American Farm Bureau Federation representing the farmers of the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2019

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American Farm Bureau Federation and recognizes its efforts to promote and advocate for U.S. farm and ranch interests.

Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2019

Safeguard American Food Exports Act of 2019 This bill prohibits the knowing sale or transport of equines (i.e., horses or other members of the horse family) or equine parts for human consumption.

Bears Ears Expansion And Respect for Sovereignty Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2019

Bears Ears Expansion And Respect for Sovereignty Act This bill expands the boundaries of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall administer the lands under their jurisdictions within the expanded boundaries (1) as part of the monument; and (2) in accordance with Presidential Proclamation 9558, dated December 28, 2016, that provided for the establishment of the monument. Interior and USDA shall promptly carry out the proclamation's provisions, including the provisions requiring them to engage the Bears Ears Commission to ensure the proper care and management of the objects identified, ensure that management decisions affecting the monument reflect tribal expertise and traditional and historical knowledge, and provide guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of management plans and on management of the monument. The National Park Service shall administer the Natural Bridges National Monument and those portions of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that are within the expanded boundaries of the monument. Interior and USDA may acquire any land, water, or interests in land that are located within the revised boundaries of the monument by donation, purchase, or exchange.

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2019 This bill allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk.

Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2019

Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2019 This bill modifies coverage requirements under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The bill allows certain local variances from compliance with elevation and flood-proofing requirements for agricultural structures located in special flood hazard zones. The chargeable premium rate for coverage of a structure given a variance shall be the same as would otherwise apply if the structure had been dry floodproofed. The bill allows for alternative maps and risk-based rates for NFIP coverage in certain areas where levees fail to meet specified minimum standards.

Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2019

Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act This bill provides for the conservation of specified lands in Colorado. Specifically, the bill designates specified federal lands within the White River National Forest as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System, the proposed Williams Fork Wilderness as a potential wilderness area, the Tenmile Recreation Management Area, the Porcupine Gulch Wildlife Conservation Area, the Williams Fork Wildlife Conservation Area, the Camp Hale National Historic Landscape, the Sheep Mountain and Liberty Bell East Special Management Areas, and the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The bill adjusts the boundary of the White River National Forest, the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, and the Arapaho National Forest. The bill directs the Department of Agriculture to permit by special use authorization nonmotorized access and use of the Bolts Ditch headgate and the Bolts Ditch within the Holy Cross Wilderness for the diversion of water and use, maintenance, and repair of the ditch and headgate by the town of Minturn. The bill provides for the inclusion of additional federal lands in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill provides for the cancellation of all Thompson Divide oil or gas leases. The Department of the Interior shall carry out a program to lease federal methane from coal mines leaking methane in the North Fork Valley.