Records whose title is actually about this topic. Use a country filter if the list is still too broad.
Records
Bill· HRH.R. 3973 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1985
National Seed Protection Act of 1985 - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the protection and preservation of plant and animal germplasm. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) inventory and classify all Department of Agriculture-financed materials related to such subject; (2) establish at least three additional plant germplasm storage facilities and at least one animal germplasm facility; (3) evaluate germplasm for possible agricultural benefit to the United States; and (4) report to the Congress within 120 days. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct research on germplasm storage, preservation, and distribution. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· SS. 1951 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
Fair Meat Trading Act of 1985 - Prohibits meat traders from engaging in formula pricing. Requires the licensing of market price reporting services for meat commodities. Requires meat commodities traders to furnish licensed reporting services with transaction information. Imposes criminal penalties or license revocation for furnishing false information and other violations of this Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3944 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
Amends the Grain Standards Act of 1916 to require a quality variation statement on all official grade certificates issued for export grain lots.
Bill· HRH.R. 3955 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1985
Amends Federal law to provide in-kind bonuses to producers and exporters of specified high quality export corn.
Law· HRH.R. 3919 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend dairy price support authority through December 31, 1985. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend authority through December 31, 1985, for: (1) a pilot program of cash allotments for elderly or supplemental security income households; and (2) suspension of the noncash benefit requirement for the Puerto Rican nutrition program. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to provide that the proclamation of the national marketing quota for the 1986 crop of Flue-cured tobacco may be made not later than December 31, 1985.
Bill· SS. 1906 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Title I: Short Title - Farm Credit Partnership Act. Title II: Definitions - Defines "borrower" for the purposes of this Act as being any individual, family corporation, or family partnership that makes at least 50 percent of its gross income from farming and holds an agricultural loan. Limits assistance for any borrower to $400,000 for an individual, and $600,000 for a family corporation or partnership. Lists the qualifications a borrower must demonstrate to receive such assistance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a cooperative Federal- State-Lender Agricultural Loan Interest Subsidy Program. Allows a borrower to apply to a lender for an interest rate subsidy with respect to any agriculture loan outstanding on October 1, 1985. Provides that the interest rate for such loans shall be fixed for a period of three years at a rate equal to the rate of the borrower's loan as of December 1, 1985, less up to five percent subsidy. Provides that two percent of the subsidy shall be paid by the Federal government, one to two percent by the State, and one percent by the lender. Requires participating States to submit a plan by June 1, 1986, and March 1 of each year thereafter, which: (1) designates a single agency to run the program; (2) assesses the interest subsidy needs of borrowers in the State; (3) describes the program for the provision of interest subsidies; and (4) estimates the amount of expenditures necessary. Requires the Secretary to review and rule on such plans by July 15, 1986, and April 15, in subsequent years. Provides for disapproval and sanctions of noncompliant plans. Title III: Agricultural Loan Principal Reduction - Allows a participating lender to write down the outstanding principal balance on a loan by such amount as will permit a borrower to qualify for assistance. Declares that the borrower shall not be liable for any of the written-down portion of the loan or the accrued interest attributable. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to establish and carry out a guaranteed loan program pursuant to the Agricultural Loan Cancellation Program. Lists the qualifications and conditions for such guarantees. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Comptroller of the Currency (CCC), and the Federal Reserve System to develop an Inter-Agency Agricultural Task Force. Describes the responsibilities of such task force. Sets forth criminal penalties for anyone who embezzles, misapplies, steals, or obtains by fraud, false statement, or forgery, any funds, assets, or property provided under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3868 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1985
Title I: Short Title - Farm Credit Partnership Act. Title II: Definitions - Defines "borrower" for the purposes of this Act as being any individual, family corporation, or family partnership that makes at least 50 percent of its gross income from farming and holds an agricultural loan. Limits assistance for any borrower to $400,000 for an individual, and $600,000 for a family corporation or partnership. Lists the qualifications a borrower must demonstrate to receive such assistance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a cooperative Federal- State-Lender Agricultural Loan Interest Subsidy Program. Allows a borrower to apply to a lender for an interest rate subsidy with respect to any agricultural loan outstanding on October 1, 1985. Provides that the interest rate for such loans shall be fixed for a period of three years at a rate equal to the rate of the borrower's loan as of December 1, 1985, less up to five percent subsidy. Provides that two percent of the subsidy shall be paid by the Federal Government, one to two percent by the State, and one percent by the lender. Requires participating States to submit a plan, by June 1, 1986, and March 1 of each year thereafter, which: (1) designates a single agency to run the program; (2) assesses the interest subsidy needs of borrowers in the State; (3) describes the program for the provision of interest subsidies; and (4) estimates the amount of expenditures necessary. Requires the Secretary to review and rule on such plans by July 15, 1986, and by April 15 of subsequent years. Provides for disapproval and sanctions of noncompliant plans. Title III: Agricultural Loan Principal Reduction - Allows a participating lender to write down the outstanding principal balance on a loan by such amount as will permit a borrower to qualify for assistance. Declares that the borrower shall not be liable for any of the written-down portion of the loan or the accrued interest attributable. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to direct the Secretary to establish and carry out a guaranteed loan program pursuant to the Agricultural Loan Cancellation Program. Lists the qualifications and conditions for such guarantees. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Comptroller of the Currency (CCC), and the Federal Reserve System to develop an Inter-Agency Agricultural Task Force. Describes the responsibilities of such task force. Sets forth criminal penalties for anyone who embezzles, misapplies, steals, or obtains by fraud, false statement, or forgery any funds, assets, or property provided under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· SS. 1884 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 23 November 1985
Farm Credit System Restructuring and Regulatory Reform Act of 1985 - Title I: Purposes, Organization, and Powers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to vest management of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) in a Farm Credit Administration Board (replacing the Federal Farm Credit Board), to be headed by a Chairman. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions. Establishes a Farm Credit Advisory Committee. Requires: (1) FCA examinations of Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions; and (2) each institution to make an annual report. Authorizes the FCA to publish reports of such examinations under specified circumstances. Title II: Regulatory Role of the Farm Credit Administration - Amends the Farm Credit Act to remove certain regulatory powers of the FCA regarding the establishment and regulation of Federal banks. Grants the FCA authority to establish minimum levels of capital for FCS institutions and see that such levels are maintained. Sets forth requirements for voluntary single district-wide association mergers. Allows the Chairman of the FCA to require bank mergers where such banks have failed to meet their outstanding obligations. Grants the Chairman the power to appoint a conservator or receiver for any institution of the FCS. Lists the grounds for such an appointment. Title III: Enforcement Powers and Procedures of the Farm Credit Administration - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) to issue cease and desist orders against any Farm Credit System institution or director, officer, employee, or agent engaged in an unsafe or unsound practice or in violation of any FCA rule or regulation. Provides for written notice and hearing opportunity. Authorizes the FCA to issue temporary cease and desist orders. Permits U.S. district court appeal. Permits FCA appeal to such court for injunctive enforcement. Authorizes the FCA to remove or suspend any Farm Credit System director or officer who has engaged in unsafe or prohibited practices, is in breach of fiduciary duty, or has been indicted for a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust. Provides for written notice and hearing opportunity. Establishes procedures for administrative hearings and judicial review. Authorizes the FCA to apply to any U.S. district court with jurisdiction for the enforcement of any outstanding notice or order. Provides for civil penalties of up to $1,000 for violations of final orders or of the provisions of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 or regulations. Makes directors and officers who knowingly violate, or permit others to violate, such Act or regulations personally liable for damages. Title IV: Farm Credit System Capital Corporation - Establishes the Federal Farm Credit System Capital Corporation to ensure the continued viability of the FCS. Describes the powers of the Capital Corporation. States that the Capital Corporation shall have the power to acquire property, debts, and assets of institutions of the FCS. Provides initial capitalization through institution contributions. States that the capital, reserves, surplus, and income derived therefrom shall be tax exempt. Title V: Rights of Applicants and Shareholders - Amends the Farm Credit Act to direct the FCA to promulgate regulations regarding: (1) the disclosure of certain interest rate information to borrowers; (2) access to documents and information for applicants, borrowers, and stockholders; and (3) the establishment of credit review committees. Title VI: Miscellaneous Amendments - Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to provide that the Chairman of the FCA shall serve as a nonvoting member of the Council. Requires Federal land banks and associations to carry a reserve account. Subjects Federal intermediate credit banks to the direction of the FCA with regard to dividend payments. Requires Federal land banks, Federal intermediate credit banks, banks for cooperatives, Federal land bank associations, and production credit associations to purchase stock, pay assessments, and make capital contributions to the Capital Corporation. Title VII: Authorization for Borrowing - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase obligations issued by the Capital Corporation.
Bill· SS. 1886 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 November 1985
Farm Programs Predictability Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide that if the Secretary of Agriculture does not announce the terms of the 1986 price support programs for wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, or rice within 60 days of the planting date, producers may elect to participate in such programs by reducing planted acreages for each crop by specified percentages. Permits five percent increases in the percentage reduction if 1985 carryover stocks exceed a specified percent of annual usage for the 1986 marketing year. Stipulates that such election shall not apply to any commodity for which acreage allotments or marketing quotas are in effect.
Bill· HRH.R. 3823 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Farm Credit Act Amendments and Producer Referendum Act of 1985 - Title I: Provisions to Strengthen the Operation of Farm Credit System Lending Institutions - Amends Part A of title IV of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to merge specified revolving funds and make such funds available to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) for the purchase on behalf of the United States of stock in the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (established by this Act). Replaces existing debt-to-capital provisions with authority to maintain adequate capital in Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions. Empowers the FCA to appoint a receiver or conservator for an FCS institution in situations of: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial asset dissipation; (3) unsound conditions; (4) willful violation of a final cease and desist order; or (5) concealment of records. Provides for the charter of a new Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (Corporation) within 60 days. Makes such Corporation a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and an FCS institution. Directs the Corporation to provide financial and technical assistance to financially-troubled FCS institutions. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions. States that the Corporation shall assume all assets and debts of the predecessor Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon FCA certification of need, to purchase Corporation obligations in order to assist FCS institutions. Provides initial capitalization through institution contributions. Title II: Regulation of Farm Credit System - Amends Part B of title V of the Farm Credit Act to state that the FCA shall be an independent executive agency. Vests management in a Farm Credit Administration Board. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions, including authority to establish advisory committees. Requires: (1) at least annual examinations of FCS institutions; and (2) each institution to make an annual audit report. Authorizes the FCA to publish reports of such examinations under specified circumstances. Authorizes the FCA to: (1) initiate cease-and-desist and temporary cease-and-desist proceedings against FCS institutions or persons; and (2) initiate proceedings to remove an individual from office or suspend an officer or director in an FCS institution. Sets forth hearing, judicial review, and penalty provisions. Title III: Protection for Farmers and Other Farm Credit System Borrowers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to set forth loan disclosure (interest rates, variable loan rates, stock purchases) and access to information provisions (borrower document copies). Provides for a credit review committee. Requires in cases of voluntary or involuntary association liquidation that the supervising bank minimize the adverse effects on borrowers whose loans are purchased by other FCS institutions. Title IV: Implementation Procedures - Makes title I through III of this Act effective 30 days after their enactment. States that the Governor of the FCA shall perform the functions of the Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration Board until his appointment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the needs of the U.S. agriculture industry require implementation of this Act as soon as possible. Title V: Referenda and Production Acreages Marketing Certificates, and Minimum Loan Rates for the 1987 through 1990 Crops of Wheat and Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a referendum of wheat and feed grains producers every two years to determine whether they favor the national marketing certificate program proposed by this Act. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for voting in such referenda. Provides that if the marketing certificate programs are not approved by such producers, the Secretary shall provide loans, purchases, payments, and other assistance. Describes the operation of the national marketing certificate program for wheat, if approved. Sets forth the method for determining the amount of loans and purchases which will be available to wheat producers. Requires loans and purchases to be at a level which will maintain the competitive relationship of wheat to other grains. States that the level of wheat loans and purchases for the 1987 through 1990 marketing years may not be established at less than $5.03 per bushel or 70 percent of parity, whichever is greater. Allows the Secretary to make such certificates available to importers of wheat. Provides that a marketing certificate shall authorize the producer or importer to market, barter, or donate an amount of wheat equal to the amount of the certificate. Allows the Secretary to provide incentive payments for domestically marketed, bartered, or donated wheat if necessary to assure that wheat remains competitive in the domestic market. Allows excess wheat to be used on farms, transferred for export, or held over to the succeeding marketing year and marketed under a certificate for such year. Prohibits the transfer of marketing certificates. Describes the operation of the national marketing certificate program for feed grains. Sets forth the method for determining the amount of loans and purchases which will be available to feed grains producers. Requires loans and purchases to be at a level which will maintain the competitive relationship of corn to other grains. States that the level of corn loans and purchases for the 1987 through 1990 marketing years may not be established at less than $3.49 per bushel or 70 percent of parity, whichever is greater. Provides loans and purchases for other feed grains at levels in relation to that of corn. Allows the Secretary to make such certificates available to importers of feed grains. Provides that a marketing certificate shall authorize the producer or importer to market, barter, or donate an amount of feed grain equal to the amount of the certificate. Allows the Secretary to provide incentive payments for domestically marketed, bartered, or donated feed grains if necessary to assure that such feed grains remain competitive in the domestic market. Allows excess feed grains to be used on the farms, transferred for export, or held over to the succeeding marketing year and marketed under a certificate for such year. Prohibits the transfer of marketing certificates. Permits the imposition of penalties, at the discretion of the Secretary, for noncompliance with this Act. Prohibits wheat or feed grain producers from adjusting their crop acreage bases. Directs the Secretary to advise the President on the need to impose fees or quantitative limitations on articles that may be imported.
Bill· HRH.R. 3811 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Farm Credit Borrower Protection Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to require Farm Credit System institutions to disclose borrower information regarding annual loan costs and payments, variable interest rates, and defaults. Directs the Farm Credit Administration to prescribe regulations relating to variable interest rates on loans from System institutions. Provides, with regard to an adverse credit decision, that: (1) the applicant shall be given written notice and explanation of such decision; and (2) System institutions shall establish credit committees to review, upon applicant request, adverse credit decisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3812 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to prohibit any Farm Credit System institution from separately selling the surface mineral rights of any land acquired by the System through foreclosure.
Bill· HRH.R. 3805 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a referendum of wheat and feed grains producers every two years to determine whether they favor the national marketing certificate program proposed by this Act. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for voting in such referendum. Provides that if the marketing certificate programs are not approved by such producers, the Secretary shall provide loans, purchases, payments, and other assistance. Describes the operation of the national marketing certificate program for wheat, if approved. Sets forth the method for determining the amount of loans and purchases which will be available to wheat producers. Requires loans and purchases to be a level which will maintain the competitive relationship of wheat to other grains. States that the level of wheat loans and purchases for the 1987 through 1990 marketing years may not be established at less than $4.50 per bushel. Allows the Secretary to make such certificates available to importers of wheat. Provides that a marketing certificate shall authorize the producer or importer to market, barter, or donate an amount of wheat equal to the amount of the certificate. States that wheat accompanied by a marketing certificate that is sold or transferred for export shall be eligible for an export incentive payment. Allows the Secretary to provide incentive payments for domestically marketed, bartered, or donated wheat if necessary to assure that wheat remains competitive in the domestic market. Allows excess wheat to be used on farms, transferred for export, or held over to the succeeding marketing year and marketed under a certificate for such year. Prohibits the transfer of marketing certificates. Describes the operation of the national marketing certificate program for feed grains. Sets forth the method for determining the amount of loans and purchases which will be available to feed grains producers. Requires loans and purchases to be at a level which will maintain the competitive relationship of corn to other grains. States that the level of corn loans and purchases for the 1987 through 1990 marketing years may not be established at less than $3.25 per bushel. Provides loans and purchases for other feed grains at levels in relation to that of corn. Allows the Secretary to make such certificates available to importers of feed grains. Provides that a marketing certificate shall authorize the producer or importer to market, barter, or donate an amount of feed grain equal to the amount of the certificate. States that feed grain accompanied by a marketing certificate that is sold or transferred for export shall be eligible for an export incentive payment. Allows the Secretary to provide incentive payments for domestically marketed, bartered, or donated feed grains if necessary to assure that such feed grains remain competitive in the domestic market. Allows excess feed grains to be used on the farms, transferred for export, or held over to the succeeding marketing year and marketed under a certificate for such year. Prohibits the transfer of marketing certificates. Permits the imposition of penalties, at the discretion of the Secretary, for noncompliance with this Act. Prohibits wheat or feed grain producers from adjusting their crop acreage bases. Directs the Secretary to advise the President on the need to impose fees or quantitative limitations on articles that may be imported. Directs the Secretary to provide export incentives to reduce world price levels if necessary.
Bill· HRH.R. 3792 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1985
Farm Credit Act Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Provisions to Strengthen the Operation of Farm Credit System Lending Institutions - Amends Part A of title IV of the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to merge specified revolving funds and make such funds available to the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) for the purchase on behalf of the United States of stock in the Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (established by this Act). Replaces existing debt-to-capital provisions with authority to maintain adequate capital in Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions. Empowers the FCA to appoint a receiver or conservator for an FCS institution in situations of: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial asset dissipation; (3) unsound conditions; (4) willful violation of a final lease and desist order; or (5) concealment of records. Provides for the charter of a new Farm Credit System Capital Corporation (Corporation) within 60 days. Makes such Corporation a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and an FCS institution. Directs the Corporation to provide financial and technical assistance to financially-troubled FCS institutions. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions. States that the Corporation shall assume all assets and debts of the predecessor Corporation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, upon FCA certification of need, to purchase Corporation obligations in order to assist FCS institutions. Provides initial capitalization through institution contributions. Title II: Regulation of Farm Credit System - Amends Part B of title V of the Farm Credit Act to state that the FCA shall be an independent executive agency. Vests management in a Farm Credit Administration Board. Sets forth related operating and administrative provisions, including authority to establish advisory committees. Requires: (1) at least annual examinations of FCS institutions; and (2) each institution to make an annual audit report. Authorizes the FCA to publish reports of such examinations under specified circumstances. Authorizes the FCA to: (1) initiate cease-and-desist and temporary cease-and-desist proceedings against FCS institutions on persons; and (2) initiate proceedings to remove an individual from office or suspend an officer or director in an FCS institution. Sets forth hearing, judicial review, and penalty provisions. Title III: Protection for Farmers and Other Farm Credit System Borrowers - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to set forth loan disclosure (interest rates, variable loan rates, stock purchases) and access to information provisions (borrower document copies). Provides for a credit review committee. Requires, in cases of voluntary or involuntary association liquidation, that the supervising bank minimize the adverse effects on borrowers whose loans are purchased by other FCS institutions. Title IV: Implementation Procedures - Makes titles I through III of this Act effective 30 days after their enactment. States that the Governor of the FCA shall perform the functions of the Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration Board until his appointment. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the needs of the U.S. agriculture industry require implementation of this Act as soon as possible.
Bill· HRH.R. 3785 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1985
Agricultural Loans for Agriculture Act of 1986 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that Agricultural Loans for Agriculture (ALFA) Bonds are qualified tax-exempt bonds. Requires: (1) such obligations to be general obligations of a State; (2) the proceeds to be used to make or finance loans for acquiring farmland for use in a trade or business of farming, or refinancing loans secured by farmland only if the borrower is engaged in the trade or business of farming; and (3) such obligations be issued as part of a program under which the gain from the sale of farmland by farmers is exempt from income tax. Permits the nonrecognition of gain from the sale of farmland if the taxpayer within one year beginning on the date of such sale purchased an ALFA bond. Requires the recognition of gain from such sale to the extent that the amount realized from such sale exceeds the cost to the taxpayer of the ALFA bond. Provides for the recapture of the tax benefit of the nonrecognition provision if the ALFA bond is disposed of before the end of the three-year period beginning on the date of purchase of the bond. Provides that the recapture provision shall not apply if the disposition of the ALFA bond is the result of death. Requires that the taxpayer's basis in the ALFA bond purchased as a result of the nonrecognition provisions must be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of gain not so recognized on the sale of the property. Extends the statute of limitations with respect to the assessment of tax on the sale of farmland involving the purchase of any ALFA bond. Provides that the holding period for an ALFA bond shall include the period for which the property sold or exchanged had been held as of the date of such sale or exchange.
Bill· SS. 1854 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 1985
Farm Credit Partnership Act of 1985 - Defines "borrower" for the purposes of this Act as being any individual, family corporation, or family partnership that makes at least 50 percent of its gross income from farming and holds an agricultural loan. Limits assistance for any borrower to $500,000 for an individual, and $750,000 for a family corporation or partnership. Lists the qualifications a borrower must demonstrate to receive such assistance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a Cooperative Federal-State-Lender Agricultural Loan Interest Subsidy Program. Allows a borrower to apply to a lender during calendar year 1986 for an interest rate subsidy with respect to any agricultural loan outstanding on October 1, 1985. Provides that the interest rate for such loans shall be fixed for a period of three years or the remaining term of the loan, whichever is less, at a rate equal to the three-year T-bill rate plus three percent, less up to five percent subsidy. Provides that two percent of the subsidy shall be paid by the Federal government, one to two percent by the State, and one percent by the lender. Requires participating States to submit a plan by March 1 of each year which: (1) designates a single agency to run the program; (2) assesses the interest subsidy needs of borrowers in the State; (3) describes the program for the provision of interest subsidies; and (4) estimates the amount of expenditures necessary. Requires the Secretary to review and rule on such plans by April 15 of each year. Authorizes appropriations. Allows an institution to write down the outstanding principal balance on a loan by as much as 30 percent in order to qualify a borrower for assistance under this Act. Declares that the borrower shall not be liable for any of the written-down loan or the accrued interest attributed. Directs the institutions to sell the written-down portion of such loans to the Capital Corporation established by the Farm Credit System. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to provide to the Capital Corporation such sums necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Governor of the Federal Credit Administration to transfer to the Capital Corporation all moneys in specified revolving funds. Allows the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to reduce the capital requirements of an institution by not more than 50 percent for up to three years. Forbids any consolidations or mergers of Federal Credit System institutions from October 1, 1985 through January 1, 1986. Prohibits such institutions from defaulting on an outstanding loan during such period. Prohibits the Farmers Home Administration of the United States Department of Agriculture from guaranteeing any new restructured loan during calendar year 1986. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to purchase capital instruments from qualified institutions. Authorizes such institutions to issue capital certificates. Sets forth criminal penalties for anyone who embezzles, misapplies, steals, or obtains by fraud, false statement, or forgery, any funds, assets, or property provided under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.
Law· SS. 1851 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend dairy price support authority through December 13, 1985. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend authority through December 13, 1985, for: (1) suspension of the noncash benefit requirement for the Puerto Rican nutrition program; and (2) a pilot program of cash allotments for elderly or supplemental security income households. Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct the cotton and peanut referendums not later than 31 days after adjournment sine die of the first session of the 99th Congress.
Bill· HRH.R. 3751 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1985
Nutritional Information Labeling Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require food labels to list detailed nutritional information concerning any fats, oils, cholesterol, sodium, or potassium present in such product.
Bill· SS. 1844 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1985
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) shall offer inventory-held farmland for sale: (1) to farmers for the first two years; (2) if unsold at the end of such two-year period, then to State and local agencies and nonprofit organizations for an additional one-year period (such land to remain in agricultural use and to be conveyed to a farmer at the earliest practicable time); and (3) at the end of such three-year period, on the open market. Authorizes FmHA to sell or grant conservation easements separately from the underlying property.
Bill· HRH.R. 3686 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1985
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to the State of Nebraska, specified Nebraska National Forest lands in Dawes County, Nebraska, to be used as part of the Chadron State Park.
Bill· SS. 1812 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1985
Milk Production Adjustment Act of 1985 - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a milk production adjustment program for 1986 and 1987 if estimated annual price support purchases for such years exceed 5,000,000,000 pounds. Requires a producer wishing to participate in such program to submit a bid to the Secretary for a milk production termination contract. States that no contract shall be offered to a producer who began milk production after March 31, 1985. Subjects a person to civil penalties for false statements made in such a bid. Includes within such contracts provisions regarding: (1) marketing of dairy cattle for slaughter; and (2) limitations on dairy interest acquisitions. States that such program shall be carried out through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
Bill· SS. 1802 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for the establishment and maintenance through the county committees of farm acreage and crop acreage bases for each program crop (wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice) based on the preceding five crop years. Permits: (1) producer crop acreage base adjustments; and (2) the Secretary to suspend acreage limitations when market factors or emergencies demand. Requires program participation in order to receive price support assistance. Directs the Secretary to provide through the county committees for a farm program yield for each crop based on the preceding five years. Sets forth related county committee recordkeeping responsibilities. Provides that: (1) price supports for peanuts for which marketing quotas have been disapproved shall be 50 percent of parity; and (2) no supports for tobacco for which marketing quotas have been disapproved.
Bill· SS. 1790 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1985
Farm Credit Soundness, Stability and Private Ownership Restoration Act of 1985 - Title I: Establishment of the Federal Farm Credit Insurance Corporation and Sunset of the Farm Credit Administration - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to establish a Federal Farm Credit Insurance Corporation (FFCIC) to regulate the Farm Credit System (System). Provides for a three-member Board of Directors appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the general powers of the FFCIC, including: (1) approval of issuances of obligations by System institutions; (2) review of System mergers, divisions, or consolidations; and (3) System audits and examinations, including publication of financial statements prepared under generally accepted accounting principles. Directs the FFCIC to provide loans, grants, or guarantees to System institutions faced with illiquidity or impairment of capital. Authorizes the FFCIC to prescribe related rules concerning the institutions' use of disbursed funds. Provides initial FFCIC funds through a one-time assessment of primary lenders (based on outstanding loans) in return for nonvoting stock. Authorizes a special assessment or rebates if such fund falls below or exceeds specified levels. Grants the FFCIC cease and desist and removal and suspension authorities. Provides for the sunset of specified Farm Credit Administration functions 90 days after enactment of this Act. Transfers the Federal Farm Credit Board from the Farm Credit Administration to the FFCIC. Makes its principal function an advisory one. Title II: Representative Boards of Directors - Provides that each System bank shall have its own shareholder-elected five-member board of directors. Reduces from seven to five the size of the Farm Credit District Boards and makes their principal function an advisory one. Title III: Farm Credit System Self-Help Powers - Authorizes Federal land banks, as an alternative to foreclosure, and with the consent of the defaulting farmer, to enter into lease-back arrangements with the original owner or another operator. Authorizes the FFCIC to collectively lower the capital requirements of System institutions to not less than one-half of one percent more than the capital requirements applicable to national banks. Title IV: Preservation of the Independence and Separate Identities of Farm Credit System Institutions - Prohibits the merger of banks and associations operating under different titles of such Act. Repeals specified provisions regarding service corporations. Limits the FFCIC's charter powers to Federal land banks and associations, Federal intermediate credit banks, production credit associations, banks for cooperatives, or the Central Bank for Cooperatives. Liquidates all such service corporations, except the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, within 90 days of enactment of this Act. Requires such Corporation to make operating reports to the President and the Congress by April 1 of each year. Title V: Conforming Amendments - Makes conforming amendments to such Act.
Bill· HRH.R. 3620 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Farm Credit Debt Restructuring Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to permit Farm Credit System (FCS) institutions to: (1) renegotiate certain real estate-secured loans; and (2) treat a specified portion of such a loan as a loss over a period of time up to 20 years. Requires the institution to forgive the borrower an amount (not to exceed 50 percent cumulative) equal to the amount treated as a loss. Authorizes the FCS to pay an institution one-half of the imputed interest on the portion of the loan being treated as a loss. Prohibits such renegotiations after December 31, 1990.
Bill· HRH.R. 3619 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Foreclosed Asset Reserve and Management Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to provide for Farm Credit System purchases of foreclosed farmland through an asset reserve and management agent corporation. Provides that such farmland: (1) shall be managed by the bank or association holding the lien on the property; and (2) shall be sold by the agent upon such managing bank's request.
Bill· HRH.R. 3618 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1985
Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to repeal the provision denying United States liability for Farm Credit System obligations.
Bill· HRH.R. 3561 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1985
Farm Credit Bond Repurchase Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to authorize the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration to repurchase certain Farm Credit System obligations and pay certain associated costs.
Bill· HRH.R. 3557 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1985
Agricultural Conservation Easement Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, to acquire conservation easements on agricultural land used as collateral for agricultural loans. States that compensation for such easements shall be in the form of commodities, and shall be nontaxable. Makes such easements perpetual, unless the Secretary establishes easements of fixed duration (20-year minimum).
Bill· SS. 1738 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1985
Farm Credit Bond Guarantee Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to provide Government guarantees for Farm Credit System obligations issued before December 31, 1988, and outstanding as of such date.
Bill· HRH.R. 3504 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1985
Federal Food Irradiation Development and Control Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to delete "sources of radiation" from the definition of "food additive." Defines "food irradiation process." Applies specified food additive regulatory provisions to food irradiation treatments. Declares it the intent of the Congress to require national uniformity in the regulation of food irradiation treatment. Prohibits States or their political subdivisions from establishing food irradiation requirements different from, or in addition to, Federal requirements. Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to state that the Department of Energy should give preference to leasing byproduct material for commercial food irradiation purposes, among other specified priorities. Requires the Subcommittee on Interagency Radiation Research and Policy Coordination of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology, constituted under the National Science, Engineering, and Technology Policy Organization and Priorities Act of 1976, to coordinate Federal research and development programs pertaining to food irradiation and other radiation matters as assigned and to coordinate and disseminate information.
Bill· HRH.R. 3488 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1985
Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to make nutritional content a criterion in agricultural product classification.
Bill· SS. 1714 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1985
Agriculture, Food, Trade, and Conservation Act of 1985 - Title I: Agricultural Exports and Public Law 480 - Subtitle A: Agricultural Exports - Amends the Food for Peace Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), to guarantee loan repayments under the intermediate export credit program to finance agricultural commodity export sales. Requires such repayment to be in dollars. Exempts such sales from the cargo preference laws. Requires the CCC to make specified amounts available for financing or guaranteeing: (1) intermediate export credit sales for FY 1985 through 1991; and (2) short term export credit sales for FY 1986 through 1989. Extends the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund through FY 1989. Directs the Secretary to use specified amounts for targeted export assistance for FY 1986 through 1991. Directs the Secretary to sell for export specified amounts of dairy products for FY 1986 through 1988. Directs the Secretary to formulate and implement a program to provide CCC commodities at no cost to U.S. exporters, users, and processors, and to foreign purchasers in order to develop and expand export markets for U.S. commodities. Requires that at least a specified dollar value of commodities be used during FY 1986 through 1988. Terminates program authority as of September 30, 1989. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should initiate a new round of multilateral trade negotiations to: (1) strengthen the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); (2) improve the dispute settlement procedures in GATT; (3) bring agricultural trade issues within the GATT framework; and (4) clarify Article XVI of GATT. Requires consultation between the Foreign Agricultural Service and other appropriate Department of Agriculture agencies before relaxing or removing any agricultural import restrictions. Requires annual agricultural attache reports. Encourages the President to begin free trade negotiations. Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to limit to direct payments the form of compensation that may be made to producers of commodities upon which export controls have been imposed. Amends the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to require the CCC to accept strategic and critical materials (including petroleum for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) products abroad in exchange for CCC commodities. States that the cargo preference laws do not apply to export activities of the Secretary or the CCC: (1) under which CCC stocks are made available to develop or expand U.S. agricultural export markets; (2) under which CCC credit guarantees are blended with direct credits to reduce the effective export interest rates; (3) under which CCC credit or credit guarantees are not extended for more than three years; and (4) if undertaken to promote U.S. agricultural exports. Authorizes matching grants for State costs incurred in developing and expanding agricultural exports. Subtitle B: Public Law 480 and Related Programs - Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 (Public Law 480) to revise title I finance authority as follows: (1) require specified levels of sales for foreign currencies; (2) authorize loan agreements with foreign intermediaries for (foreign-owned or controlled) private enterprise development, with priority given to agricultural enterprises; and (3) require specified amounts for technical assistance, including market development. Sets forth specified amounts for title II (agricultural donations) distribution for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years. Requires that specified amounts of nonemergency donations be in processed or fortified forms. Authorizes the President, with regard to nonprofit voluntary organizations, to: (1) enter into multiyear distribution agreements; and (2) permit such organizations to establish local food reserves. Authorizes such agencies to sell (requiring at least five percent sales of) title II commodities and use the proceeds to enhance their food distribution programs. Lowers the aggregate minimum value of title III Food for Development agreements. Increases the Secretary's distribution authority under the Agricultural Act of 1949 to include all CCC commodities acquired through price support programs. Provides for the safeguarding of usual marketings. Expands bartering authority. Requires that a specified amount of commodities be available to voluntary agencies for resale. Authorizes the President (through the National Security Advisor) to donate up to 500,000 metric tons of eligible commodities in each of FY 1986 through 1989 to promote private enterprise. Directs the President to appoint a Special Assistant for Agricultural Trade and Food Aid. Title II: Dairy - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish milk support levels at $11.60 per hundredweight for FY 1986 through 1989. Stipulates that such levels shall be: (1) reduced by 50 cents per hundredweight as of January 1, 1987, if estimated purchases exceed specified levels; and (2) reduced or increased on January 1, 1988, and 1989, respectively, based on estimated purchases. Extends through December 31, 1989, existing provisions regarding seasonal base-excess plans and milk marketing hearings. Extends through FY 1989 authority for: (1) indemnity payments; and (2) donations to veterans' hospitals and the military. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of the differentials used to adjust the minimum price under milk marketing orders; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees within one year. Title III: Wool and Mohair - Amends the National Wool Act of 1954 to extend wool and mohair price supports through 1989. Title IV: Wheat - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to direct the Secretary, for the 1987 through 1989 wheat crops, to: (1) conduct a poll by April 1, 1986, to determine whether producers favor a marketing quota referendum, and, if approved, to hold such referendum by August 1, 1986; (2) establish marketing quota apportionment factors; (3) establish farm marketing quotas; (4) provide penalties for excess production; (5) provide for deficiency payments; and (6) provide for prevented planting and disaster payments where Federal crop insurance is unavailable. Makes loans and purchases available for the 1987 through 1989 wheat crops. Sets levels for marketing quota years at the higher of $3.55 per bushel or 75 percent of the national average cost of production. Sets levels for nonmarketing quota years at: (1) $3.00 per bushel for 1986; and (2) between 75 and 85 percent of the preceding five year price for the 1987 through 1989 crops. Authorizes support reductions. Sets target prices for marketing quota years at the higher of $4.65 per bushel or the national average cost of production. Sets target prices for nonmarketing quota years at $4.55 per bushel on the first 20,000 bushels and $4.00 per bushel on any additional bushels. Authorizes acreage limitation and set-aside programs. Requires program announcements by July 1. Authorizes haying and grazing in 1986 and grazing in 1987 through 1989 as permitted conservation uses of such land. Authorizes the Secretary to make land diversion payments regardless of whether an acreage limitation or set-aside program is in effect. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study of loan and deficiency payment rates for specified classes of wheat; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees within 18 months. Authorizes reduced loan interest repayments. Title V: Feed Grains - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make loans and purchases available for the 1986 through 1989 feed grain crops. Sets 1986 levels at not less than $2.40 per bushel, and at between 75 and 85 percent of the preceding five year price for the 1987 through 1989 crops. Authorizes support reductions. Directs the Secretary to provide for prevented planting, disaster, and deficiency payments. Authorizes acreage limitation, set-aside, and land diversion programs. Authorizes reduced loan interest repayments. Title VI: Cotton - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make ten-month nonrecourse loans available for the 1986 through 1989 upland cotton crops. Sets 1986 levels at not less than $.55 per pound. Sets 1987 through 1989 levels at the higher of: (1) $.50 per pound; or (2) 85 percent of the average U.S. spot market price during three of the preceding five years. Authorizes support reductions. Requires a loan level announcement by November 1. Authorizes: (1) eight-month loan extensions; and (2) reduced loan interest repayments. Directs the Secretary to provide for prevented planting, disaster, and deficiency payments. Authorizes acreage limitation, set-aside, and land diversion programs. Makes recourse loans available for seed cotton. Provides for import quotas under specified conditions. Sets forth CCC sales price restrictions. Extends skiprow practice authority through 1989. Title VII: Rice - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make loans and purchases available for the 1986 through 1989 rice crops. Sets 1986 levels at $7.20 per hundredweight. Sets 1987 through 1989 levels at the higher of: (1) $6.50 per hundredweight; or (2) 85 percent of the preceding five year average. Authorizes support reductions. Requires a loan and purchase level announcement by March 1. Authorizes reduced loan interest payments. Directs the Secretary to provide for prevented planting, disaster, and deficiency payments. Authorizes acreage limitation, set-aside, and land diversion programs. Sets target prices at $11.90 per hundredweight. Title VIII: Peanuts - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to establish a national poundage quota of at least 1,100,000 tons per year for the 1986 through 1989 peanut crops. Bases State apportionment on 1985 State allocations. Requires a program announcement by December 15. Requires the setting of farm poundage quotas for each farm that had a 1985 quota and for other farms which produced peanuts in at least two of the 1983 through 1985 crops. Authorizes quota leasing under specified circumstances. Extends "quota" and "additional" peanut production provisions. Increases handler penalties for marketing violations. Establishes an August 1 deadline date for contracting with handlers for crushing or exporting additional peanuts. Directs the Secretary to conduct a referendum by December 15 of each year to determine if producers favor poundage quotas. Makes warehouse storage loans available to designated area marketing associations. Extends marketing pool authority. Prohibits pools by type except for Valencia peanuts produced in New Mexico. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make price supports available for the 1986 through 1989 quota peanut crops. Sets 1986 levels at adjusted 1985 rates. Sets 1987 through 1989 levels at the preceding year's adjusted rate, except that such levels may not be less than 1985 rates nor may they exceed the previous year's rate by a specified percentage. Title IX: Soybeans - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend soybean price supports through 1989. Sets minimum levels at $5.02 per bushel. Authorizes support reductions (not less than $4.50 per bushel). Prohibits: (1) storage payments; (2) reserve program eligibility; and (3) participation in an adjustment control program as a condition for price support eligibility. Title X: Sugar - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide nonrecourse loan price supports for the 1986 through 1989 sugar crops at not less than $.18 per pound for sugarcane. Authorizes support increases. Title XI: Honey - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make loans and purchases available for the 1986 through 1989 honey crops. Sets 1986 levels at not less than $.653 per pound. Sets 1987 through 1989 levels at the higher of: (1) $.50 per pound; or (2) 85 percent of the preceding five year average. Makes any person who knowingly pledges adulterated or imported honey as loan collateral ineligible for price supports for three years. Title XII: Food Assistance Reserve - Directs the Secretary to establish a wheat and feed grain food assistance reserve to meet urgent humanitarian needs. Repeals specified wheat and feed grain reserves provisions. Title XIII: Miscellaneous Commodity Provisions - Limits 1986 through 1989 annual payments to any person to: (1) $100,000 for disaster payments; and (2) $50,000 for other program payments. Extends normally planted acreage provisions through 1989. Authorizes second crop plantings on diverted land if the producer has historically produced crops of two commodities on the same land in the same year. Sets forth CCC sales price restrictions. Authorizes 1986 through 1989 advance deficiency payments. Extends the special hay and grazing program through 1989. Title XIV: Food Stamps and Commodity Distribution - Subtitle A: Food Stamps - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to permit certain publicly operated community health centers to accept food stamps from residents who are participating in drug addiction or alcoholic treatment programs, and make residents of such programs eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program (Program). Modifies the definition of a disabled person for program purposes to include anyone receiving Federal benefits based on a determination of disability or blindness under criteria substantially similar to the criteria used in the supplemental security income (SSI) program. Requires educational grants, loans, and scholarships, to the extent they provide assistance beyond that for tuition and mandatory fees, to be counted as income if they are provided in the form of vendor payments. Provides that food stamp benefits will not be adjusted to reflect a reduction in aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) or SSI benefits due to receipt of a nonrecurring lump sum payment. Includes payments received under programs authorized by the Job Training Partnership Act as income for Program purposes. Excludes from income at State option child support payments that are excluded under AFDC if the State agrees to pay the additional food stamp benefit costs caused by such exclusion. States that shelter expenses paid by any kind of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act payments will not qualify as household expenses for the purpose of calculating the excess shelter expenses deduction. Requires retrospective budgeting and monthly reporting for all households with earnings or a recent work history. Grants States the option of using either prospective or retrospective budgeting and requiring periodic reports for all other types of households. Excludes from resources the value of a burial plot for each household member. Authorizes States to consider households containing only persons receiving AFDC or SSI benefits as automatically meeting the food stamp income and resources eligibility tests if the gross income of such households does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty level. Requires States to: (1) establish employment and training programs for able-bodied food stamp recipients; and (2) place 25 percent of the persons subject to the work requirements in employment and training activities by the end of FY 1987, 35 percent by the end of FY 1988, and 45 percent by the end of FY 1990 and thereafter. Counts all income (instead of a pro rata share) of an ineligible alien as available to his or her household. Prohibits the charging of sales tax on food purchased with food stamp coupons. Requires (current law authorizes) the Secretary to use alternative methods of food stamp issuance to improve program integrity. Requires State agencies to provide a means of certifying and issuing food stamps to eligible households that do not reside in permanent dwellings or have fixed mailing addresses. Requires all adult members of a household, or one adult member of a household being certified under expedited service procedures, to certify under penalty of perjury the truth of all submitted information. Requires State agencies to verify household size in any case in which household size is questionable. Provides that the Secretary, after consulting with the Inspector General, may require State agencies to require most households to present photographic identification cards to receive coupons in project areas where the Secretary determines that this practice would be cost effective as well as useful to protect program integrity. Permits State agencies to stagger food stamp coupon issuance throughout a month except that no household could go more than 40 days between coupon issuances as a result of scheduling changes. Requires State agencies to establish and operate fraud detection units in all project areas with 5,000 or more participating households. Makes a retail food store or wholesale food concern that has been disqualified under the program ineligible to participate in the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Subjects retail and wholesale food stores that are sold during a disqualification period to a civil money penalty. Prohibits the buyer of the store from accepting food stamps until the penalty is fully paid if the buyer had actual or constructive notice of the penalty when the store was sold. Makes all adult household members jointly and severally liable for the value of any overissuance of benefits. Makes State agencies liable for interest on claims assessed against the State by the Secretary (after the State agency has exhausted the administrative review process). Requires States to use other means of collection to collect claims arising from intentional program violations which are not collected through cash payment or allotment reduction unless the State agency can demonstrate that other collection methods are not cost effective. Permits State agencies to reduce household allotments to collect claims arising from State agencies' errors. Authorizes the intercept of unemployment compensation benefits by State agencies to collect claims arising from a food stamp overissuance. Requires a retail or wholesale food store or State agency to show that it is likely to prevail on the merits of its case to obtain a judicial stay of an administrative action. Requires the Secretary to set standards for States' periodic review of office hours of operations. Requires States with error rates in excess of five percent to pay 75 percent of the dollar value of benefits issued erroneously between five and seven percent, and 100 percent of the benefits issued erroneously over seven percent. Authorizes the Secretary to require special certification procedures in project areas with high payment error rates if such procedures would improve program integrity. Extends for four years the supplemental security income cash-out demonstration projects. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a pilot project on the effects of eliminating cash change. Prohibits funds appropriated under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 from being transferred to the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Inspector General or Office of the General Counsel. Repeals the requirements that Puerto Rico: (1) provide noncash benefits under its food assistance block grant beginning in FY 1986; and (2) designate a single administrative agency for such program. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1989 appropriations. Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 to extend through FY 1989: (1) the commodity distribution program; and (2) the commodity supplemental food program. Extends the temporary emergency food assistance program through FY 1987. Requires States, as of January 1, 1986, to provide matching funds in order to receive storage and distribution payments. Encourages rural distribution. Authorizes the transfer of perishable commodities under section 32 of Public Law 74-320 among nonprofit organizations in order to provide low-income nutrition assistance. Makes such commodities available for the temporary emergency food assistance program. Title XV: Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching - Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to designate the Department of Agriculture as the lead agency for the development and use of biotechnology in agriculture. Extends through FY 1989: (1) the Joint Council on Food and Agriculture Sciences; (2) the National Agricultural Research and Extension Users Advisory Board; (3) competitive research grants; (4) research facilities grants; (5) food and agricultural sciences education; (6) the Animal Health Science Research Advisory Board; (7) animal health and disease research; (8) agricultural research; (9) Extension Service programs; (10) State agricultural experiment stations; (11) development of new agricultural technology; (12) aquaculture assistance; (13) the Rangeland Research Advisory Board; (14) rangeland research; and (15) land-grant college grants (including Tuskegee Institute). Requires the Secretary to: (1) increase agricultural export-oriented research; and (2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for implementing a national food and human nutrition research program. Title XVI: Conservation - Subtitle A: Definitions - Defines specified terms for purposes of subtitles A through D of this Act. Subtitle B: Highly Erodible Land Conservation - Disqualifies from agricultural program benefits, with specified exceptions, any person who produces an agricultural commodity on highly erodible land in a field in which such land is the predominant class. Directs the Secretary to complete certain soil capability surveys as soon as practicable. Subtitle C: Wetland Conservation - Disqualifies from agricultural program benefits, with specified exceptions, any person who produces an agricultural commodity on converted wetland. Subtitle D: Conservation Acreage Reserve - Directs the Secretary, for the 1986 through 1990 crop years, to carry out a conservation reserve program under which farmers agreeing to perform long-term (seven to 15 years) conservation measures on highly erodible land shall receive payments to help offset the cost of such measures. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle E: Other Conservation Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary to purchase conservation easements on wetland or highly erodible land used as security for Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) loans. Provides for energy and water conservation through dry land farming under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. Provides that soil conservation payments or grants in aid under the agricultural conservation program must be used in accordance with approved soil conservation plans. Extends the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977. Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the importance of the Soil Conservation Service and urges that necessary funding be continued. Directs the Secretary to implement a program for the amortization of delinquent FmHA loans using revenues from softwood timber crops planted on former cropland. Title XVII: Agricultural Credit - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to consolidate authorization of appropriations for farm ownership and operating loan programs into one authorization. Authorizes FY 1986 through 1988 appropriations. Authorizes fund transfers of up to 25 percent. Establishes a three-year interest rate buy-down (up to two percent) program for FmHA guaranteed loans. Provides for the reduction, adjustment or charge-off, and release of security agreements entered into or administered by FmHA. Requires that a rejected loan applicant be given written notice and opportunity for a hearing. Sets forth provisions regarding the sale or lease of FmHA-held farmland, including highly erodible land. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a study regarding the effectiveness of constructing rural water and waste disposal facilities at individual, rather than central, locations; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees within 120 days. Restricts emergency disaster loans to producers who: (1) do not have access to Federal crop insurance; and (2) have suffered physical (crop) losses. Authorizes: (1) one-time transfers of FmHA accounts to adjacent county offices; and (2) prospective loan payments from oil, gas, or other mineral rights. Requires: (1) a study of FmHA loan appeals procedure; and (2) a report to the appropriate congressional committees by September 1, 1986. Requires: (1) a study of FmHA's Farm and Home Plan; and (2) a report to the appropriate congressional committees within 120 days. Requires the release of funds from normal income security in amounts sufficient to pay the borrower's essential household and farm expenses until a liquidation determination has been made. Title XVIII: Agricultural Marketing - Subtitle A: Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information - Provides for the establishment of: (1) a National Pork Producers Delegate Body made up of producers and importers to nominate members for the National Pork Board; (2) a body to be known as the National Pork Producer Directors to provide liaison services; and (3) a National Pork Board to develop promotion, research, and consumer information plans. Sets forth related marketing order provisions. Subtitle B: Beef Promotion and Research - Amends the Beef Research and Information Act to provide for the establishment of: (1) a Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board made up of producers and importers to administer marketing orders; and (2) a Beef Promotion Operating Committee to develop promotion, research, advertising, and consumer and industry information. Sets forth related marketing order provisions. Title XIX: General Provisions - Subtitle A: National Commission on Agricultural Policy - Establishes a National Commission on Agricultural Policy to study U.S. agricultural policies and programs. Requires annual reports to the President and to Congress. Terminates the Commission four years after enactment of this Act. Subtitle B: Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committees - Amends provisions regarding Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation committees to: (1) permit county committees to petition the Secretary to change the number of administrative areas in the county (not to exceed the number of such areas in the county on December 31, 1980); (2) increase terms of office from one to three years; and (3) increase compensation rates, including travel reimbursement. Subtitle C: Other Provisions - Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to authorize FY 1986 and 1987 appropriations. Authorizes grants for rural technology development centers. Increases the Secretary's user fee authority. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate the preparation, sale, and shipment of animal biological products in interstate and intrastate commerce and export (currently only interstate commerce). Authorizes special expedited licenses in specified circumstances. Sets forth licensing requirement exceptions. Establishes a four-year transition period. Subjects imported poultry and poultry products to the same standards as apply to domestically produced poultry products. States that it is in the public interest to maintain Federal involvement in providing agricultural weather and climate information. Title XX: Effective Date - Makes this Act and its amendments effective upon enactment, unless otherwise so provided.
Law· HRH.R. 3454 (99th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend dairy price support authority for 45 days (through November 15, 1985). Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend authority for 45 days (through November 15, 1985) for: (1) suspension of the noncash benefit requirement for the Puerto Rican nutrition program; and (2) a pilot program of cash allotments for elderly or supplemental security income households. Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to make technical changes in related cotton and upland cotton loan rate provisions.
Bill· HRH.R. 3434 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1985
Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to provide that prior to January 1, 1988, no person shall execute any nonmargin commodity transactions under a standardized contract unless such person has been approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a leverage transaction merchant. (Exempts registered associates of registered leverage transaction merchants from such requirement.) Provides that on or after January 1, 1988, no person shall enter into such a transaction unless the transaction is conducted subject to the rules of a board of trade designated by the Commission as a contract market.
Bill· SS. 1699 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1985
Nutritional Information Labeling Act of 1985 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require food labels to list detailed nutritional information concerning any fats, oils, cholesterol, sodium, or potassium present in such product.
Bill· SS. 1691 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1985
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend the dairy price support program from September 30, 1985, through November 30, 1985. Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to extend the suspension of the noncash benefit requirement for the Puerto Rico nutrition program from September 30, 1985, through November 30, 1985.
Bill· SS. 1680 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1985
Honey Price Support Reform Act - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to extend honey price supports through the 1988 crop. Bases support levels on market conditions. Ends honey price supports beginning with the 1989 crop.
Bill· HRH.R. 3377 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1985
Citrus Freeze Recovery Act of 1985 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee 90 percent of loans made to producers to restore winter-damaged citrus groves.
Bill· HRH.R. 3332 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1985
Transfers specified U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, lands at the Savannah River Plant near Aiken, South Carolina, to the Department of Energy.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 64 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should form a National Commission on the Farm Credit System to recommend agricultural credit reform.
Resolution· SCONRESS.Con.Res. 63 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the efforts of the organizers of and participants in the Farmaid Concert to be held in Champaign, Illinois, to bring the current crisis in American agriculture to the attention of the American people should be supported.
Bill· HRH.R. 3307 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Family Farm Assistance Act of 1985 - Title I: - Amendment to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Regarding Deductions for Cost of Health Insurance - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business deduction of one-half of the cost of medical care insurance paid by a self-employed taxpayer. Title II: Amendment to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Regarding Filing of Certain Returns - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement that certain service-recipients file a return regarding payments of remuneration for services and direct sales. Repeals backup withholding on such payments. Title III: Soil Conservation - Soil Conservation Act of 1985 - Makes any person who cultivates crops on highly erodible land, with certain exceptions, ineligible for price supports and certain other agricultural loans and benefits. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to complete land capability classification surveys. Authorizes appropriations for such survey. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit to certain congressional committees a cropland base protection study; and (2) implement a soil and water resources conservation and improvement program with owners and operators of highly erodible cropland. Sets guidelines for the implementation of such program. Authorizes appropriations for such program for FY 1986 through 1988. Requires the Secretary to publish implementing regulations for the conservation and improvement program in the Federal Register, and to establish an appeal procedure for persons adversely affected by a determination under such program. Title IV: Amendment to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Repealing Certain Imputed Interest Rules Relating to Sales of Farms - Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to imputed interest rules relating to farms to exclude: (1) any farm sales (currently only sales under $1,000,000) by individuals or small businesses from the determination of issue price in the case of certain property debt instruments; and (2) any farmland transfers between related parties from the guidelines for interest on certain deferred payments debt instruments. Title V: Amendment to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 Providing Exemption from Tax on Sales of Farm Property in Bankruptcy, Etc. - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from gross income any gain realized on the sale of farm property in bankruptcy; and (2) make inapplicable to farm property transferred under foreclosure or bankruptcy certain disposition and business credit guidelines. Title VI: Special Standby Export Subsidy Program - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to direct the Secretary to implement a special standby export subsidy program. Title VII: Effect of Exchange Rates on Foreign Agricultural Sales - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Congress regarding the results of a study determining the effect upon foreign agricultural sales, overseas market development, and agricultural imports of: (1) the exchange rate of the dollar; and (2) the imposition of a currency adjustment charge neutralizing such exchange rate. Title VIII: Stabilizing the Value of Farm Assets - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to prescribe standards for the determination of the value of agricultural land or assets whenever the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) examines the collateral used to secure an agricultural loan made by an FDIC-insured bank.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 190 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should form a National Commission on the Farm Credit System to recommend agricultural credit reforms.
Bill· SS. 1624 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Controlled Substances Production Control Act of 1985 - Makes person convicted under Federal or State law of planting, growing, or harvesting controlled substances ineligible for agricultural program benefits.
Resolution· HRESH.Res. 264 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should consider the appointment of individuals with experience in the small business and agricultural sectors when filling vacancies on the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 185 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the efforts of the organizers of and participants in the Farmaid Concert to be held in Champaign, Illinois, to bring the current crisis in American agriculture to the attention of the American people should be supported.
Bill· HRH.R. 3240 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1985
Denial of Programs Eligibility Act of 1985 - Denies farm program benefits to agricultural producers who participate in the illegal production of cannabis (marihuana) or other prohibited drug-producing plants on their farms.
Bill· HRH.R. 3231 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1985
Farm Credit Bond Guarantee Act of 1985 - Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to provide Government guarantees for Farm Credit System obligations issued before December 31, 1988, and outstanding as of such date.
Resolution· HCONRESH.Con.Res. 183 (99th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 4 September 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) food producers who permit gleaning of their fields and nonprofit organizations which glean fields and distribute the resulting harvest to help alleviate hunger should be commended for their efforts; and (2) State and local governments should be encouraged to offer tax and other incentives for such purposes.
Bill· SS. 1599 (99th)open
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1985
Farm Credit System Review Commission Act of 1985 - Establishes the Farm Credit System Review Commission to study the Farm Credit System structure and recommend any appropriate changes. Requires the Commission to submit to each House of the Congress an interim report by March 31, 1986, and a final report by June 30, 1986. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of such final report. Establishes a 90-day moratorium on specified association mergers under the Farm Credit Act of 1971.