Agriculture

Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019

Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct visual, x-ray, and canine preclearance quarantine inspections for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials on persons, baggage, cargo, and any other articles destined for direct movement to or from the state of Hawaii. The inspections must be conducted at airports, ports, and postal sorting facilities. APHIS must also consult with the state of Hawaii to develop and publish a list of items subject to inspection. User fees must be prescribed and collected to cover the cost of inspections.

Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019

Food Donation Improvement Act of 2019 This bill expands liability protections for the donation of food and grocery products. Specifically, the bill expands the liability protections to include donations of an apparently fit grocery product or apparently wholesome food: for which the recipient receives at zero cost or is charged a good Samaritan reduced price that is no greater than the cost of handling, administering, and distributing the product; or that is donated directly to a needy individual by a retail grocer, wholesaler, agricultural producer, restaurant, caterer, school food authority, or institution of higher education. The Department of Agriculture must issue regulations that clarify the quality and labeling standards that food products donated under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act must meet to be eligible for liability protection.

Reforestation Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 December 2019

Reforestation Act of 2019 This bill addresses the need for reforestation of National Forest System (NFS) lands following certain unplanned events, including wildfires, weather events, and infestations of insects or diseases. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to transmit to Congress annually, for 10 years, an estimate of the funds needed to replant and otherwise treat an acreage equal to the acreage to be cut over that year plus a sufficient portion of the backlog of lands in need of treatment to eliminate the backlog in the 10-year period. The Forest Service shall create a priority list of projects that promote effective reforestation following specified unplanned events. The bill sets 2029 as the target year for when the renewable resources of the NFS must be operating where there are no longer any backlogs and the major portion of planned intensive multiple-use sustained-yield management procedures must be installed and operating on an environmentally-sound basis. The bill increases the amount that may be transferred to the reforestation trust fund for any fiscal year. The land management goals of Forest Service stewardship end result contracting projects may include reforestation in accordance with the priority list. USDA may enter into good neighbor agreements for reforestation activities in accordance with the priority list.

Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019

Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture, when distributing funds for broadband deployment, to give priority to projects for small ports and projects on cropland or ranchland. In addition, a recipient of such rural broadband buildout funding must provide certain geolocation information as a condition of receiving the funds.

COLA’s Don’t Count Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019

COLA's Don't Count Act of 2019 This bill revises requirements for determining eligibility and benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to exclude household income received from certain cost-of-living adjustments and supplementary payments under the Social Security Act.

Community Broadband Mapping Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2019

Community Broadband Mapping Act This bill authorizes the Rural Utilities Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, to make grants to government or telecommunications entities that serve a rural area (with less than 25,000 population) to foster data collection about where broadband infrastructure is located and which homes have non-satellite broadband service.

Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019

Healthy Meal Time Act of 2019 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into an agreement with an independent, nonpartisan, science-based research organization to carry out a study on the time lunches are served, the time that recess is offered, and the duration of lunch periods at schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. USDA must also make the findings of the study publicly available online; establish a task force, in coordination with the Department of Education, to review the study, review other related research, and develop best practices for lunch and recess periods to ensure student health, including appropriate nutritional intake; and issue guidance regarding such best practices to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

An original bill to release a federal reversionary interest in Chester County, Tennessee, to manage certain Federal land in Bath County, Virginia, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 December 2019

This bill releases certain reversionary interest in land to Tennessee and adds additional lands to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and the Rich Hole Wilderness in Virginia. Upon the transfer of ownership of the approximately 0.90-acre parcel of land identified as the Webb property to Tennessee for inclusion in the Chickasaw State Forest and the transfer of the approximately 0.62-acre parcel of land identified as state forest land to Tennessee or a non-state entity, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall release to Tennessee the reversionary interest of the United States in the state forest land that requires the land to be used for public purposes. After such actions, USDA shall offer to sell to Tennessee the undivided mineral interests of the United States in the state forest land. The bill adds specified lands in the George Washington National Forest to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and the Rich Hole Wilderness. Until the additional land is incorporated into the Rich Hole Wilderness, USDA may use motorized equipment and mechanized transport in the addition for activities to improve water quality and aquatic passage.

To amend the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, with respect to enforcement of animal fighting ventures prohibition in the territories, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019

This bill delays the implementation of a ban on sponsoring or exhibiting live birds in fighting ventures (e.g., cockfights) in states and U.S. territories and possessions that do not ban such fights. In addition, the Department of Agriculture must analyze the impacts of the ban on U.S. territories and possessions.

Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2019

Food Safety Modernization for Innovative Technologies Act This bill provides statutory authority for joint agency jurisdiction over food intended for humans that is produced using animal cell culture technology. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall oversee tissue collection, cell lines, and cell banks. The FDA shall regulate food derived from cell lines of animals other than livestock or poultry, and the Department of Agriculture shall regulate food derived from cell lines of livestock and poultry.

Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019

Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2019 This bill prohibits federal regulation of the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk or milk products packaged for direct human consumption under specified circumstances. Specifically, the prohibition applies if (1) such products would be considered adulterated or misbranded or otherwise in violation of federal law solely because they are unpasteurized; (2) the products are allowed by the state of origin to be distributed for direct human consumption by any means; (3) they are produced, packaged, and moved in compliance with the laws of such state; and (4) they are moved from the state of origin with the intent to transport them to another state that allows the distribution of such products for direct human consumption.

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to qualified small issue bonds for manufacturing purposes, to expand the definition of "manufacturing facility" to include a facility that (1) is used in the creation or production of intangible property; or (2) is functionally related, subordinate to, and located on the same site as a facility used in the manufacturing or production of tangible or intangible personal property. The bill also increases from $10 million to $30 million the maximum bond size limitation. The bill also modifies requirements for private activity bond financing for first-time farmers. The modified provisions (1) increase from $450,000 to $552,500 (adjusted annually for inflation) the amount of bond proceeds that may be used by a first-time farmer to acquire land for farming purposes, (2) repeal the separate dollar limitation on the use of bond proceeds for used farm equipment, and (3) modify the definition of "substantial farmland" to determine farm size by reference to the average (instead of median) size of a farm in the county in which the farm is located.

A bill to amend the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to provide designees of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture with positions on the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.

United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2019

This bill adds to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Rural Housing Service within the Department of Agriculture.

Spittlebug Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2019

Spittlebug Act This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide competitive research and extension grants to (1) develop and disseminate science-based tools and treatments to combat the insect known as the spittlebug (Cercopoidea); and (2) establish an area-wide integrated pest management program in areas affected, or at risk of being affected by, the insect.

Protect SNAP Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2019

Protect SNAP Act This bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture from modifying work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds (including fees) to implement or enforce the Food and Nutrition Service rule titled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents , published on February 1, 2019.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill provides federal housing assistance to Indians and Native Hawaiians. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and otherwise revises housing assistance block grants for Indians and Native Hawaiians. Among other things, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must award competitive grants to eligible recipients of block grants to carry out affordable housing activities, such as housing rehabilitation projects. The bill authorizes HUD to guarantee housing loans for Indians and Native Hawaiians through FY2024. Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for the Tribal HUD-VASH program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Indians who (1) are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, (2) are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and (3) live in or near an area where a tribe or tribally designated housing entity provides assistance for affordable housing. The program must be carried out by HUD in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the program, grants must be made to entities eligible for housing assistance block grants. HUD may also make renewal grants to entities that have received prior program grants. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to set aside and reserve certain rural housing funds for Indian tribes.

Forestry Renewal Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019

Forestry Renewal Act This bill makes permanent the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. The council shall meet at least twice a year. The bill removes the ceiling on the amount that may by transferred by the Department of Agriculture to the Reforestation Trust Fund.

Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019

Expanding Access to School Meals Act of 2019 This bill revises program requirements under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Specifically, the bill eliminates the reduced price school breakfast and lunch programs to include prohibiting USDA from providing reimbursements for such programs, expands the income guidelines for purposes of determining eligibility for free school lunches and breakfasts to make families living at 200% of the poverty-level eligible (currently, families living at 130% or below are eligible), allows states to use Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) participation data to directly certify students for free school lunches and breakfasts, and increases the multiplier from 1.6% to 1.8% for purposes of determining reimbursement under the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high poverty areas to serve all meals free of charge.

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2019

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility for assistance under the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program with respect to qualified volunteer first responders.

School MEALS Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 3 December 2019

School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students Act of 2019 or the School MEALS Act of 2019 This bill establishes programs and revises requirements relating to direct certification processes for the National School Lunch Program. Direct certification allows schools to use data matching procedures to approve school meals without the need for applications for children who receive assistance under other programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Agriculture to provide grants and technical assistance for states and tribal organizations to improve their direct certification processes, including with respect to children who receive assistance under a food distribution program on Indian reservations. The bill also expands the time frame for schools to elect and gather eligibility data for the Community Eligibility Provision that permits schools in high-poverty areas to serve free meals to all enrolled students without the need for applications.

Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 November 2019

Urban Agriculture Healthy Food and Entrepreneur Act This bill addresses Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs relating to urban agricultural production. Specifically, the bill directs USDA to establish an urban agriculture conservation easement program for (1) the conservation of certain private or tribal land, (2) improved community food security, (3) improved access to cropland for beginning farmers or ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers; and (4) majority-controlled producer-based business ventures through easements or other interest in land; establishes an urban agriculture microentrepreneur assistance program to provide loans and grants to support microentrepreneurs in the development and ongoing success of urban agriculture microenterprises; extends authority for USDA to assist nonprofit entities establish and carry out community food projects; modifies USDA requirements for the national school food programs relating to the purchases of locally produced food; and increases funding for USDA's Farm to School Program.

Bandelier National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

Bandelier National Park and Preserve Establishment Act This bill converts the Bandelier National Monument in Sandoval County, New Mexico, into a unit of the National Park System known as the Bandelier National Park and Preserve. The Department of the Interior shall permit hunting on land in the preserve in the same manner as hunting is managed in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. Interior shall provide access to traditional cultural and religious sites in the park and preserve by members of Indian tribes for traditional cultural and customary uses. Interior shall allow an enrolled member of any tribe that is culturally affiliated with the land within the park and preserve or the Valles Caldera National Preserve to collect plants and mineral resources for noncommercial traditional and cultural uses. Interior shall establish a tribal commission for the park and preserve to provide guidance and recommendations on the development and implementation of management plans for and policies of the park and preserve. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall seek to enter into an agreement to adjust the boundary between the Valles Caldera National Preserve and the Santa Fe National Forest to improve management of those areas.

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to require States to include a photograph on electronic benefit cards issued to provide supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

This bill revises provisions related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to require states to include a photograph of one or more members of a household on electronic benefit cards that are issued to provide program benefits.

Proven Forest Management Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

Proven Forest Management Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA), when conducting a forest management activity on National Forest System land, to coordinate with impacted parties to increase efficiency and maximize the compatibility of management practices across such land. USDA shall conduct such an activity on National Forest System land in a manner that attains multiple ecosystem benefits, including reducing forest fuels and maintaining biological diversity. However, a forest management activity shall not be conducted if the costs associated with attaining such benefits are excessive. Additionally, the USDA shall (1) establish any post-program ground condition criteria for a ground disturbance caused by a forest management activity required by the applicable forest plan, and (2) provide for monitoring to ascertain the attainment of relevant post-program conditions. The bill categorically excludes certain forest management activities for reducing forest fuels from certain environmental impact requirements. For a specified period, USDA or the Department of the Interior, as appropriate, in conjunction with land adjustment programs, may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with a qualified entity to provide for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, Stream Environment Zone restoration, and similar management activities on federal lands and nonfederal lands within such programs.

WOW Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

Water Optimization for the West Act or the WOW Act This bill addresses issues related to water projects in the Western States. Among other things, the bill makes the Bureau of Reclamation the lead agency for coordinating permitting activities required for the construction of certain new surface-water storage projects, directs the bureau to convey certain facilities and easements to the Kennewick Irrigation District in Washington State, redirects Department of Transportation funds previously intended for high-speed rail development in California to the Department of the Interior for certain water-related programs, gives the Fish and Wildlife Service the sole authority to protect endangered or threatened fish species that are anadromous species or catadromous species, authorizes the use of certain bureau facilities to convey water to recharge certain aquifers, and prohibits Interior or the Department of Agriculture from requiring a water user to apply for or acquire a water right in order to obtain certain permits or licenses.

Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2019

Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2019 This bill modifies the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to add requirements for supporting individuals impacted by a substance use disorder. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture to: collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate nutrition education materials for individuals impacted by a substance use disorder, including materials for infants impacted by prenatal substance exposure and neonatal abstinence syndrome; conduct outreach to individuals who are potentially eligible for the WIC program and who are impacted by a such a disorder; and make available to states through an online clearinghouse any nutrition education and training materials related to nutrition for individuals impacted by a substance use disorder or neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019

Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the use of wildlife corridors on Indian land to provide habitat or ecological connectivity and allow for fish, wildlife, or plant movement on such land. Specifically, the bill permits an Indian tribe to nominate a corridor within the land of such tribe as a tribal wildlife corridor. The Department of the Interior must establish criteria for determining whether such a corridor qualifies as a tribal wildlife corridor, including criteria for restoring historical habitat. Interior must provide tribes with technical assistance to establish, manage, or expand a tribal wildlife corridor. Such assistance must include support with accessing wildlife data and working with private landowners to access programs for facilitating connectivity on nonfederal land. Additionally, Interior must (1) establish a program to award grants to tribes to increase connectivity through tribal wildlife corridors, and (2) consult with tribes to determine whether a tribal wildlife corridor may be expanded into public lands or otherwise benefit connectivity between public lands and such corridor. The bill also permits the Department of Agriculture to give priority under certain conservation programs to those projects that enhance connectivity by expanding a tribal wildlife corridor.

Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 19 November 2019

Tribal Wildlife Corridors Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the use of wildlife corridors on Indian land to provide habitat or ecological connectivity and allow for fish, wildlife, or plant movement on such land. Specifically, the bill permits an Indian tribe to nominate a corridor within the land of such tribe as a tribal wildlife corridor. The Department of the Interior must establish criteria for determining whether such a corridor qualifies as a tribal wildlife corridor, including criteria for restoring historical habitat. Interior must provide tribes with technical assistance to establish, manage, or expand a tribal wildlife corridor. Such assistance must include support with accessing wildlife data and working with private landowners to access programs for facilitating connectivity on nonfederal land. Additionally, Interior must (1) establish a program to award grants to tribes to increase connectivity through tribal wildlife corridors, and (2) consult with tribes to determine whether a tribal wildlife corridor may be expanded into public lands or otherwise benefit connectivity between public lands and such corridor. The bill also permits the Department of Agriculture to give priority under certain conservation programs to those projects that enhance connectivity by expanding a tribal wildlife corridor.

Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2019

Douglas County Economic Development and Conservation Act This bill provides for the conveyance, sale, or management of specified federal lands in Nevada. The bill conveys 67 acres of Forest Service land in the Lake Tahoe area for the conservation of wildlife or natural resources or for a public park. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall implement a cooperative management agreement for the Tahoe Rim Trail North Parcel to (1) improve the quality of recreational access for such land, and (2) conserve the land's natural resource values. The Forest Service and the Department of the Interior shall convey 7,777 acres of specified federal land to Douglas County, Nevada, for flood control or any other public purpose. The Forest Service and Interior shall select jointly with the county federal land to be sold to qualified bidders or for the county to obtain for public purposes. USDA shall convey 1,084 acres of specified federal land to the county for recreation and any other public purpose. U.S. interest in 2,669 acres of certain federal land shall be held in trust for the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. The bill designates 12,392 acres of Bureau of Land Management land as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System to be known as the Burbank Canyons Wilderness. USDA may transfer to Nevada or the county certain Forest Service land or interest in such land that is unsuitable for Forest Service administration or is necessary for a public purpose. The recipient of the land must protect its environmental quality and use the land for recreation or other public purposes.

SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN AGRICULTURE FROM WILD, INVASIVE, AND NON-NATIVE SPECIES

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 November 2019

Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

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

DRIP Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

Drought Relief through Innovative Projects Act of 2019 or the DRIP Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a competitive grant program to (1) remove nonnative plant species in riparian areas that contribute to drought conditions, (2) replace those nonnative plant species with native plant species, and (3) maintain and monitor riparian areas in which nonnative plant species have been removed and replaced.

DRIP Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

Drought Relief through Innovative Projects Act of 2019 or the DRIP Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a competitive grant program to (1) remove nonnative plant species in riparian areas that contribute to drought conditions, (2) replace those nonnative plant species with native plant species, and (3) maintain and monitor riparian areas in which nonnative plant species have been removed and replaced.

A bill to amend the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to clarify the prohibition on the use of certain Federal funds for lobbying, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

This bill prohibits the use of county funds distributed under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 for (1) any expenses related to lobbying, or (2) any activity that is to influence a state or federal lawmaker. Currently, the funds are authorized to be used for activities such as emergency services on federal land or wildfire protection. The Forest Service, in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), must promulgate regulations that provide guidance to participating counties on the appropriate use of county funds. The Forest Service and the BLM each must publish such guidance on a public website. Each participating county shall submit to the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior an annual report that includes a description of how the county used its county funds.

A resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the Colorado Farm Bureau Federation and celebrating the long history of the Colorado Farm Bureau Federation representing the farmers and ranchers of Colorado.

United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2019

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

Animal Disease Surveillance and Detection Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2019

Animal Disease Surveillance and Detection Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish an interagency task force to make recommendations regarding inspection requirements and detection protocols for preventing the transmission of animal diseases. The bill also requires the CPB to hire additional agriculture specialists, support staff, agriculture technicians, and canine teams for ports of entry.

AIR Safety Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019

Aerial Incursion Repercussion Safety Act of 2019 or the AIR Safety Act of 2019 This bill directs the Bureau of Land Management to study the effects of drone incursions on the suppression of wildfires concerning lands managed by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture.

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2019

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 This bill contains provisions related to alien farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying alien who (1) performed at least 1,035 hours of agricultural labor during the two-year period prior to November 12, 2019, (2) was inadmissible or deportable on that date, and (3) has been continuously present in the United States from that date until receiving CAW status. The bill imposes additional crime-related inadmissibility grounds on CAW applicants and makes some other grounds inapplicable. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. DHS may grant dependent status to the spouse or children of a principal alien. An alien with a pending application may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. A CAW alien (and dependents) may apply for lawful permanent resident status after meeting various requirements, including performing a certain amount of agricultural labor for a number of years. DHS shall create an electronic platform for (1) filing H-2A petitions, (2) facilitating the processing of H-2A cases, and (3) providing agencies a single tool for obtaining H-2A-related case information. The bill makes various changes to the H-2A program, such as (1) modifying the method for calculating and making adjustments to the H-2A worker minimum wage, (2) specifying how an employer may satisfy requirements that it attempted to recruit U.S. workers, (3) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, and (4) making the program available for year-round agricultural work and reserving a visa allocation for the dairy industry. DHS shall establish a pilot program allowing certain H-2A workers to apply for portable status, which gives the worker 60 days after leaving a position to secure new employment with a registered H-2A employer. DHS shall establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. This bill permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program, which provides financing assistance for rural rental housing and off-farm labor housing and rental assistance for qualified tenants of such housing. It also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide various assistance, including funding for insuring loans and grants for new farmworker housing.

Recognizing the National Peanut Festival held annually in Dothan, Alabama, and the importance of the peanut industry in the State of Alabama and the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the National Peanut Festival held in Dothan, Alabama, is of remarkable importance to the state of Alabama and the peanut industry.

Farmers’ Access to Resources and Machinery Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2019

Farmers' Access to Resources and Machinery Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to private activity bond financing for first-time farmers, to (1) increase from $450,000 to $524,200 (adjusted annually for inflation) the amount of bond proceeds that may be used by a first-time farmer to acquire land for farming purposes, (2) repeal the separate dollar limitation on the use of bond proceeds for used farm equipment, and (3) modify the definition of "substantial farmland" to determine farm size by reference to the average (instead of median) size of a farm in the county in which the farm is located.

CARE for Kids Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019

Caregivers, Access, and Responsible Expansion for Kids Act of 2019 or the CARE for Kids Act of 2019 This bill modifies program requirements for the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast program of the Department of Agriculture. A local educational agency (including any school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education) may certify as eligible for free lunches or breakfasts, without further application, the following: children whose placement with a caregiver was carried out with the involvement of an agency that administers a state plan or a tribal child welfare agency, without regard to whether the agency is responsible for the care and placement of the child; children being raised by a relative who receives adoption or guardianship assistance; and children of a family that lives in housing dedicated to low-income families with a caregiver who is a grandparent or another older person that cares for the child full-time or that receives housing or housing assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The bill also extends eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunches for children who were determined to be eligible in the school year prior to placement with a grandparent or relative for the school year immediately following placement. The bill provides children who receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program with direct certification for free lunches and breakfasts under the school lunch and breakfast programs.

A resolution designating October 2019 as "National Farm to School Month".

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019

This resolution (1) designates October 2019 as National Farm to School Month; (2) recognizes support for policy improvements to farm to school programs in legislation reauthorizing child nutrition programs; (3) encourages schools and local educational agencies to use local farm products in meals; and (4) encourages schools, farmers and farm groups, local businesses, nonprofit institutions, churches, cities, state governments, and other local groups to raise awareness of farm to school efforts in their communities.

A resolution recognizing the National Peanut Festival held annually in Dothan, Alabama, and the importance of the peanut industry in the State of Alabama and the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the National Peanut Festival held in Dothan, Alabama, is of remarkable importance to the state of Alabama, the United States, and the peanut industry.

A resolution reaffirming a strong commitment to the U.S. producers and American-made commodities.

United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2019

This resolution expresses that the Senate supports legislation to reinstate Country-of-Origin labeling for pork and beef to allow consumers to make an informed and free choice about where their food comes from.

SOLVING THE CLIMATE CRISIS: OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 30 October 2019

REVIEWING THE STATE OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 30 October 2019

Expressing support for the designation of the week of October 24, 2019, to October 31, 2019, as "BatWeek".

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019

This resolution expresses support for the designation of BatWeek and acknowledges the important role bats play as pollinators and pest control for agriculture.

Wounded Veterans Recreation Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 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.

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019

Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 This bill contains provisions related to alien farmworkers, including provisions establishing a certified agricultural worker (CAW) status and changing the H-2A temporary worker program. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may grant CAW status to an applying alien who (1) performed at least 1,035 hours of agricultural labor during the two-year period prior to October 30, 2019, (2) was inadmissible or deportable on that date, and (3) has been continuously present in the United States from that date until receiving CAW status. The bill imposes additional crime-related inadmissibility grounds on CAW applicants and makes some other grounds inapplicable. CAW status shall be valid for 5.5 years and may be extended. DHS may grant dependent status to the spouse or children of a principal alien. An alien with a pending application may not be detained or removed by DHS and shall be authorized for employment until DHS makes a final decision on the application. A CAW alien (and dependents) may apply for lawful permanent resident status after meeting various requirements, including performing a certain amount of agricultural labor for a number of years. DHS shall create an electronic platform for (1) filing H-2A petitions, (2) facilitating the processing of H-2A cases, and (3) providing agencies a single tool for obtaining H-2A-related case information. The bill makes various changes to the H-2A program, such as (1) modifying the method for calculating and making adjustments to the H-2A worker minimum wage, (2) specifying how an employer may satisfy requirements that it attempted to recruit U.S. workers, (3) requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, and (4) making the program available for year-round agricultural work and reserving a visa allocation for the dairy industry. DHS shall establish a pilot program allowing certain H-2A workers to apply for portable status, which gives the worker 60 days after leaving a position to secure new employment with a registered H-2A employer. DHS shall establish an electronic system patterned on the E-Verify Program for employers to verify an individual's identity and employment authorization. Employers hiring individuals for agricultural employment must use the system. This bill permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program, which provides financing assistance for rural rental housing and off-farm labor housing and rental assistance for qualified tenants of such housing. It also authorizes the Department of Agriculture to provide various assistance, including funding for insuring loans and grants for new farmworker housing.

Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2019

Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act This bill modifies exemptions from service hour requirements for drivers transporting agricultural commodities who are within a 150 air-mile radius from their destination. The bill allows this exemption to be utilized yearly rather than only during planting and harvesting seasons.