Agricultural Research Act of 1988

Summary

Agricultural Research Act of 1988 - Title I: Alternative Agricultural Production Systems Research - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out through the Cooperative State Research Service a competitive grants research program to improve the diversity of production methods available to agricultural producers. Sets forth program criteria and grant priorities. Directs the Secretary to submit annual program reports to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: National Institute For Alternative Agricultural Products - Alternative Agricultural Products Act of 1988 - Directs the Secretary to establish a National Institute for Alternative Agricultural Products as an independent entity within the Department of Agriculture under the general supervision of the National Alternative Agricultural Products Board. Authorizes the Institute to: (1) make grants and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts for research and demonstration projects; (2) provide technology transfer, information collection, and information dissemination; (3) research for new industrial materials that may be produced from agricultural commodities and for processes to produce such materials; and (4) administer the Alternative Agricultural Products Technology Revolving Fund (established by this Act). Directs the Secretary to establish the National Alternative Agricultural Products Board to: (1) supervise the Institute; (2) determine priority research areas; (3) review and approve the annual Institute report; and (4) review and approve Institute grants, contracts, and agreements. States that all projects shall have at least 50 percent matching funds. Reserves at least two-thirds of obligated funds for projects in which a U.S.-domiciled company: (1) provides at least 20 percent of the project's funds; and (2) engages in commercial production and sale of the project's products, technologies, or uses. Provides private companies and research institutions with an exception to certain information disclosure requirements. Directs the Institute to select those projects that will create or improve economically viable commercial products or technologies that involve the use of agricultural commodities. Sets forth the following funding restrictions: (1) not more than five percent for administrative expenses; (2) not more than five percent for information services and technology transfer; (3) not less than five percent for projects at the 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University; (4) not less than 20 percent for projects at the 1862 land-grant colleges and institutions eligible for Federal funding under the Hatch Act of 1887; and (5) not less than 65 percent for project funding. States that uncommitted funds shall be credited to the Revolving Fund established by this Act. Establishes in the Treasury the Alternative Agricultural Products Technology Revolving Fund. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Terminates the provisions of this title on September 30, 2000. Title III: Agricultural Commodity Production and Processing Research - Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a research grant program through FY 1993 to establish a statistical framework to measure, identify, and control microbiological and chemical agents affecting agricultural products; (2) establish a committee to set research priorities; and (3) submit program reports to the appropriate congressional committees within one year of enactment of this Act and upon completion of all research projects. Authorizes FY 1989 through 1993 appropriations. Limits administrative expenses to not more than four percent of appropriations. Title IV: National Agricultural Library - Establishes the National Agricultural Library in the Department of Agriculture. (This makes its authorization statutory. The Library already exists in fact.) Authorizes the Library to: (1) acquire, manage, and make available information and services in all phases of agriculture and allied sciences; and (2) cooperate with and coordinate efforts among libraries and industry to develop an agricultural information network. Authorizes the making and selling of library products and services. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Aquacultural Research - Amends the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to authorize FY 1988 through 1990 appropriations to the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Interior for acquaculture activities.

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Documents

2 official files

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 26 September 1988

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 14 July 1988

  Open at official source

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