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Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021
HR #7610 | Last Action: 7/13/2020Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2021 This bill provides FY2021 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to USDA for Agricultural Programs, including * the Office of the Secretary, * Executive Operations, * the Economic Research Service, * the National Agricultural Statistics Service, * the Agricultural Research Service, * the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, * the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, * the Agricultural Marketing Service, and * the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The bill also provides appropriations to USDA for Farm Production and Conservation Programs, including * the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, * the Farm Service Agency, * the Risk Management Agency, and * the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. For USDA Rural Development programs, the bill includes appropriations for * Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, * the Rural Housing Service, * the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and * the Rural Utilities Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Food and Nutrition Service for * Child Nutrition Programs; * the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); * the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); * the Commodity Assistance Program; and * Nutrition Programs Administration. The bill provides appropriations to the Foreign Agricultural Service for (1) Food for Peace Title II Grants, and (2) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. The bill also provides appropriations for * the Food and Drug Administration, * the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and * the Farm Credit Administration. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020
S #2522 | Last Action: 9/19/2019Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The bill provides appropriations to USDA for Agricultural Programs, including * the Office of the Secretary, * Executive Operations, * the Office of the Chief Information Officer, * the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, * the Office of Civil Rights, * Agriculture Buildings and Facilities, * Hazardous Materials Management, * the Office of Inspector General, * the Office of the General Counsel, * the Office of Ethics, * the Economic Research Service, * the National Agricultural Statistics Service, * the Agricultural Research Service, * the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, * the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, * the Agricultural Marketing Service, and * the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The bill also provides appropriations to USDA for Farm Production and Conservation Programs, including * the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, * the Farm Service Agency, * the Risk Management Agency, and * the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. For USDA Rural Development programs, the bill includes appropriations for * Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, * the Rural Housing Service, * the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and * the Rural Utilities Service. Within the Food and Nutrition Service budget, the bill includes appropriations for * Child Nutrition Programs; * the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); * the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); * the Commodity Assistance Program; and * Nutrition Programs Administration. Within the Foreign Agricultural Service budget, the bill provides appropriations for Food for Peace Title II Grants and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. The bill also provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration and the Farm Credit Administration. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020
HR #3164 | Last Action: 6/6/2019Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. The bill provides appropriations to USDA for Agricultural Programs, including * the Office of the Secretary, * Executive Operations, * the Office of the Chief Information Officer, * the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, * the Office of Civil Rights, * Agriculture Buildings and Facilities, * Hazardous Materials Management, * the Office of Inspector General, * the Office of the General Counsel, * the Office of Ethics, * the Economic Research Service, * the National Agricultural Statistics Service, * the Agricultural Research Service, * the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, * the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, * the Agricultural Marketing Service, and * the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The bill also provides appropriations to USDA for Farm Production and Conservation Programs, including * the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, * the Farm Service Agency, * the Risk Management Agency, and * the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. For USDA Rural Development programs, the bill includes appropriations for * Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, * the Rural Housing Service, * the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and * the Rural Utilities Service. Within the Food and Nutrition Service budget, the bill includes appropriations for * Child Nutrition Programs; * the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); * the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); * the Commodity Assistance Program; and * Nutrition Programs Administration. Within the Foreign Agricultural Service budget, the bill provides appropriations for Food for Peace Title II Grants and McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. The bill also provides appropriations for * the Food and Drug Administration, * the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and * the Farm Credit Administration. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act of 2019
S #2518 | Last Action: 9/19/2019Rural Economic Infrastructure Equity Act of 2019 This bill revises existing rural infrastructure functions within the Department of Transportation (DOT) by creating an Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Investment and an Office of Rural Economic Investment. Specifically, the bill * sets forth the duties of the Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Investment and the mission and goals of the Office of Rural Economic Investment, including to improve coordination of DOT policies, programs, and activities in a manner that expands economic development in rural communities and regions; * provides for a rural stakeholder consultation process during the development of any regulation, guidance, or policy that would have substantial direct effects on one or more rural areas; and * establishes a rural transportation advisory council to consult with and advise the Office of Rural Economic Investment.Rebuild Rural America Act of 2019
S #2704 | Last Action: 10/24/2019Rebuild Rural America Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to establish the Rural Innovation and Partnership Administration and the Rural Future Partnership Fund to provide five-year renewable block grants to certified rural regions to implement locally-developed regional revitalization plans.Rural STEM Education Act
HR #4979 | Last Action: 11/5/2019Rural STEM Education Act This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools. (Sec. 3) The NSF must award grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations for (1) research and development to advance innovative approaches to support and sustain high-quality STEM teaching in rural schools, (2) research and development of programming to identify the barriers rural students face in accessing high-quality STEM education, and (3) development of innovative solutions to improve the participation and advancement of rural students in grades Pre-K through 12 in STEM studies. The NSF may establish a pilot program of regional cohorts in rural areas to provide peer support, mentoring, and hands-on research experiences for rural STEM educators of students in grades Pre-K through 12 in order to build an ecosystem of cooperation among educators, researchers, academia, and local industry. (Sec. 4) The NSF shall award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations (or a consortium thereof, which may include a private sector partner) to conduct research on online STEM education courses for rural communities. (Sec. 5) The NSF shall enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy agrees to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas. (Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall conduct a study on the engagement of rural populations in federal STEM programs. (Sec. 7) Each of the federal agencies administering an Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program shall consider modifications to EPSCoR award structures to increase the capacity of rural communities to provide quality STEM education and STEM workforce development programming to students and teachers. (Sec. 8) The bill expands certain outreach activities of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program and MEP Centers to include secondary schools. The National Institute of Standards and Technology must award prizes to stimulate research and development of creative technologies in order to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities. (Sec. 9) The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States.Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2020
S #3155 | Last Action: 1/8/2020Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2020 This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Education may award funds to eligible partnerships to support rural postsecondary education and economic growth and development in rural communities. A grant recipient must be a partnership whose members represent at least three designated types of organizations, specifically (1) a local educational agency or educational service agency serving a rural area, (2) an institution of higher education (IHE), (3) a regional economic development entity, or (4) a rural community-serving organization with demonstrated success supporting rural students in accessing higher education and attaining degrees. A grant recipient must use awarded funds to carry out no less than two specified activities, namely (1) improving postsecondary enrollment rates for rural secondary school students, (2) increasing enrollment and completion rates of rural nontraditional students in degree programs at IHEs, (3) creating or strengthening academic programs at rural serving IHEs to prepare graduates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies, or (4) generating local and regional economic development that creates employment opportunities for rural students with postsecondary degrees.Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2020
HR #7497 | Last Action: 7/6/2020Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2020 This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Education may award funds to eligible partnerships to support rural postsecondary education and economic growth and development in rural communities. A grant recipient must be a partnership whose members represent at least three designated types of organizations, specifically (1) a local educational agency or educational service agency serving a rural area, (2) an institution of higher education (IHE), (3) a regional economic development entity, or (4) a rural community-serving organization with demonstrated success supporting rural students in accessing higher education and attaining degrees. A grant recipient must use awarded funds to carry out no fewer than two specified activities, namely (1) improving postsecondary enrollment rates for rural secondary school students, (2) increasing enrollment and completion rates of rural nontraditional students in degree programs at IHEs, (3) creating or strengthening academic programs at rural-serving IHEs to prepare graduates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies, or (4) generating local and regional economic development that creates employment opportunities for rural students with postsecondary degrees.RURAL Veterans Act
HR #5032 | Last Action: 11/12/2019Recruiting in Underserved Rural Areas and Localities for Veterans Act or the RURAL Veterans Act This bill addresses the recruitment of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals in rural areas. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to establish the Office of Rural Recruitment to improve the recruitment of health care professionals for rural and highly rural community-based outpatient clinics and medical centers of the VA. The bill also requires the director of each Veterans Integrated Service Network that contains at least one rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic to annually develop and maintain a strategy to recruit health care professionals. The Office of Rural Recruitment shall conduct a study on the feasibility of a scholarship program for health care professionals to attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in exchange for service as full-time employees at a rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic or medical center of the VA for a specified period of time. The VA shall establish the Rural Health Quality and Access Fellowship program to provide fellowships to health care professionals at the graduate or post-graduate level who serve on a short-term basis as full-time employees at a rural or highly rural community-based outpatient clinic or medical center of the VA and conduct research on (1) improving the quality of rural health care, (2) access to health care in rural areas, and (3) recruitment and retention of health care professionals in rural areas.Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2020
S #3437 | Last Action: 3/11/2020Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2020 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise modifies certain grant programs in the Department of Health and Human Services for (1) rural health services outreach, (2) rural health network development, and (3) small health care provider quality improvement. Among other changes, the bill expands eligibility for certain grants to include entities that are not nonprofits.Transforming Hiring in Rural Industries and Vital Economies Act of 2020
HR #5762 | Last Action: 2/5/2020Transforming Hiring in Rural Industries and Vital Economies Act of 2020 This bill establishes the White House Rural Council within the Executive Office of the President to make recommendations and coordinate the efforts of the executive branch regarding economic development in rural areas.Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020
S #4873 | Last Action: 10/26/2020Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020 This bill authorizes the Minority Business Development Agency to establish rural business centers at historically Black colleges and universities to assist rural minority businesses with issues such as broadband adoption, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.VAWA Protections for Rural Women Act of 2019
HR #1310 | Last Action: 2/19/2019VAWA Protections for Rural Women Act of 2019 This bill adds the Rural Development Voucher Program to the list of covered housing programs under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (VAWA). Specifically, it extends VAWA's housing protections (e.g., protection from eviction or denial of housing) to residents and applicants under the Rural Development Voucher Program who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.Rural MOMS Act
S #2373 | Last Action: 7/31/2019Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services Act or the Rural MOMS Act This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas. The bill provides funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity. Specifically, these networks must (1) connect individuals with care providers, (2) identify successful maternal-care models, (3) facilitate collaboration among rural providers, (4) provide training and guidance, (5) collaborate with academic institutions that have regional expertise, and (6) measure and address inequities in birth outcomes among rural residents. HRSA also must award five-year demonstration program grants to (1) train physicians, medical residents, and other practitioners to provide maternal and obstetric services in rural communities; and (2) support academic programs that develop or provide training to improve maternal care in rural areas. Further, the bill adds maternal-health services as part of the telehealth network and telehealth resource-centers grant programs. The bill also makes a series of changes to the research and reporting requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Government Accountability Office with respect to data on maternal-health outcomes.Rural MOMS Act
HR #4243 | Last Action: 9/9/2019Rural Maternal and Obstetric Modernization of Services Act or the Rural MOMS Act This bill expands initiatives to address maternal health in rural areas. The bill provides funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to establish rural obstetric networks for improving outcomes in birth and maternal morbidity. Specifically, these networks must (1) connect individuals with care providers, (2) identify successful maternal-care models, (3) facilitate collaboration among rural providers, (4) provide training and guidance, (5) collaborate with academic institutions that have regional expertise, and (6) measure and address inequities in birth outcomes among rural residents. HRSA also must award five-year demonstration program grants to (1) train physicians, medical residents, and other practitioners to provide maternal and obstetric services in rural communities; and (2) support academic programs that develop or provide training to improve maternal care in rural areas. Further, the bill adds maternal-health services as part of the telehealth network and telehealth resource-centers grant programs. The bill also makes a series of changes to the research and reporting requirements of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Government Accountability Office with respect to data on maternal-health outcomes.Office of Rural Telecommunications Act
HR #2601 | Last Action: 5/9/2019Office of Rural Telecommunications Act This bill establishes the Office of Rural Telecommunications to help coordinate federal efforts and resources to develop rural telecommunications systems and to measure broadband adoption rates in rural areas.Office of Rural Broadband Act
S #454 | Last Action: 2/12/2019Office of Rural Broadband Act This bill establishes the Office of Rural Broadband to help coordinate federal efforts and resources to develop rural telecommunications systems and to track broadband subscription rates in rural areas.Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID–19 Public Health Emergency Act of 2020
S #3951 | Last Action: 6/11/2020Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act of 2020 This bill establishes, as part of certain grants for telehealth networks and resource centers, a pilot project to increase the use of remote patient monitoring technology in rural areas during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must award grants to eligible entities in rural areas to coordinate care for individuals with chronic conditions and conduct other activities using remote patient monitoring technology. Eligible entities must meet requirements for participating in telehealth networks and must use appropriate technologies. Grant funds may be used, for example, to develop or acquire computer hardware and other equipment. In awarding these grants, HRSA shall give priority to entities that are capable of establishing programs quickly and that use technologies that provide continuous, real-time coaching services.Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID–19 Public Health Emergency Act of 2020
HR #7190 | Last Action: 6/11/2020Increasing Rural Health Access During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Act of 2020 This bill establishes, as part of certain grants for telehealth networks and resource centers, a pilot project to increase the use of remote patient monitoring technology in rural areas during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Specifically, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must award grants to eligible entities in rural areas to coordinate care for individuals with chronic conditions and conduct other activities using remote patient monitoring technology. Eligible entities must meet requirements for participating in telehealth networks and must use appropriate technologies. Grant funds may be used, for example, to develop or acquire computer hardware and other equipment. In awarding these grants, HRSA shall give priority to entities that are capable of establishing programs quickly and that use technologies that provide continuous, real-time coaching services.To offer persistent poverty counties and political subdivisions of such counties the opportunity to have their rural development loans restructured.
HR #2228 | Last Action: 5/7/2019This bill allows persistent poverty counties and political subdivisions of the counties to restructure certain Department of Agriculture rural development loans so that the interest rate is 0% and the loan term is 40 years. A "persistent poverty county" is a county that has had at least 20% of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990, 2000, and 2010 decennial censuses.Rural Forest Markets Act of 2020
S #4451 | Last Action: 8/5/2020Rural Forest Markets Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish the Rural Forest Market Investment Program to guarantee investments to finance certain projects that will enable rural private forest landowners to participate in an innovative market for forest carbon or other products. Eligible projects are projects developed by a private entity or a publicly supported, charitable nonprofit organization engaged in the aggregation of sustainable forestry practices implemented by rural private forest landowners to facilitate the sale of credits in the voluntary carbon market or other environmental market using a methodology approved by a credible, third-party entity. USDA may guarantee up to $150 million with respect to each investment. Authority to carry out the program terminates on September 30, 2023.Rural Hospital Sustainability Act
S #2157 | Last Action: 7/18/2019Rural Hospital Sustainability Act This bill specifically allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model for global payments to hospitals in rural areas. Under the model, rural hospitals receive fixed, monthly payments from all participating payers (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers) for inpatient and outpatient services (rather than on a fee-for-service basis). In order to participate, hospitals must conduct a community health needs assessment survey and submit a transformation plan that incorporates the survey results and includes other specified information relating to the global payment model, including targeted populations, types of services, and anticipated Medicare savings.Rural Hospital Sustainability Act
HR #6962 | Last Action: 5/22/2020Rural Hospital Sustainability Act This bill specifically allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a model for global payments to hospitals in rural areas. Under the model, rural hospitals receive fixed, monthly payments from all participating payers (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, and private payers) for inpatient and outpatient services (rather than on a fee-for-service basis). In order to participate, hospitals must conduct a community health needs assessment survey and submit a transformation plan that incorporates the survey results and includes other specified information relating to the global payment model, including targeted populations, types of services, and anticipated Medicare savings.Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019
HR #265 | Last Action: 1/8/2019Highlights: This bill provides FY2019 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), except for the Forest Service, which is included in the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The bill also provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Farm Credit Administration. The bill includes both discretionary and mandatory funding. The mandatory funding levels are generally set by authorizing legislation such as the farm bill and are frequently limited in the agriculture appropriations bill. Full Summary: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS This title provides appropriations for the following agricultural programs and services * the Office of the Secretary; * Executive Operations; * the Office of the Chief Information Officer; * the Office of the Chief Financial Officer; * the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; * the Office of Civil Rights; * Agriculture Buildings and Facilities; * Hazardous Materials Management; * the Office of Inspector General; * the Office of the General Counsel; * the Office of Ethics; * the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics; * the Economic Research Service; * the National Agricultural Statistics Service; * the Agricultural Research Service; * the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; * the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; * the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; * the Agricultural Marketing Service; * the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety; and * the Food Safety and Inspection Service. TITLE II--FARM PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS This title provides appropriations for Farm Production and Conservation programs, including * the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, * the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, * the Farm Service Agency, * the Risk Management Agency, and * the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The title also provides appropriations for (1) the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund, and (2) the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS This title provides appropriations for Rural Development Programs including * Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, * the Rural Housing Service, * the Rural Business--Cooperative Service, and * the Rural Utilities Service. TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS This title provides appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. The title provides appropriations for the Food and Nutrition Service for * Child Nutrition Programs; * the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); * the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); * the Commodity Assistance Program; and * Nutrition Programs Administration. TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS The title provides appropriations to the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. It also provides appropriations to the Foreign Agricultural Service for * the Food for Peace Act (P.L. 480), * the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, and * the Commodity Credit Corporation Export (loans) Credit Guarantee Program Account. TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION This title provides appropriations to * the Department of Health and Human Services for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and * the Farm Credit Administration. TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS (Sec. 701) This section permits USDA to use funds provided by this bill for the purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles. (Sec. 702) This section permits USDA to transfer unobligated balances to the Working Capital Fund for the acquisition of plant and capital equipment for financial, administrative, and information technology services. It permits the transferred funds to remain available until expended and specifies restrictions on the use of the funds. (Sec. 703) This section prohibits appropriations provided by this bill from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless the bill expressly provides otherwise. (Sec. 704) This section limits negotiated indirect costs on cooperative agreements between USDA and nonprofit institutions to 10% of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of the agreement is to carry out programs of mutual interest between the two parties. (Sec. 705) This section permits appropriations for direct and guaranteed loans to remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year for (1) the Rural Development Loan Fund program account, (2) the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans program account, and (3) the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account. (Sec. 706) This section prohibits USDA from using funds provided by this bill to acquire new information technology systems or significant upgrades without approval of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board. It also (1) restricts the transfer of funds made available by this bill to the CIO without prior approval of Congress, and (2) prohibits funds from being used for specified information technology projects without the approval of the CIO. (Sec. 707) This section permits specified funds provided under the Federal Crop Insurance Act for the Agricultural Management Assistance Program in the current fiscal year to remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year. (Sec. 708) This section makes a former Rural Utility Service borrower who has repaid or prepaid a loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 or any not-for-profit utility qualified to receive a loan under the Act eligible for rural economic development and job creation assistance in the same manner as a borrower. (Sec. 709) This section permits specified unobligated balances of appropriations provided by this bill for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency and the Rural Development mission area to remain available through FY2020 for information technology expenses. (Sec. 710) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for first-class travel by employees of agencies funded by this bill in contravention of specified regulations. (Sec. 711) This section provides that Commodity Credit Corporation funds authorized or required to be used for specified programs included in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (1) shall be available for salaries and administrative expenses associated with the programs without regard to allotment and transfer limits, and (2) the use of the funds for this purpose shall not be considered to be a fund transfer or allotment for purposes of applying the limits. (Sec. 712) This section limits funds available for USDA advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces, except for panels used to comply with negotiated rulemakings or to evaluate competitively awarded grants. (Sec. 713) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to pay indirect costs charged against any agricultural research, education, or extension grant awards issued by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that exceed 30% of total federal funds provided under each award. It also permits funds provided by this bill for grants awarded competitively by NIFA to be used to pay full allowable indirect costs for specified research and development grants awarded under the Small Business Act. (Sec. 714) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for a computer network unless pornography is blocked, with the exception of law enforcement, prosecution, or adjudication activities. (Sec. 715) This section limits the amount of Section 32 funds that may be used for certain domestic food assistance programs, including * Child Nutrition Programs Entitlement Commodities, * State Option Contracts, * Removal of Defective Commodities, and * Administration of Section 32 Commodity Purchases. (Section 32 is a program created to assist producers of agricultural commodities not supported by other mandatory farm support programs. It is funded by a permanent appropriation of a portion of the previous year's customs receipts less certain mandatory transfers to child nutrition and other programs.) This section also prohibits the use of Section 32 funds to reestablish farmers' purchasing power by making payments in connection with the normal production of any agricultural commodity for domestic consumption. It includes an exception for a limited amount of carryover funds. (Sec. 716) This section prohibits funds from being used to prepare proposals for the President's budget that assume savings from certain user fee proposals without identifying additional spending reductions that should occur if the proposals are not enacted. (Sec. 717) This section sets forth procedures, requirements, and restrictions for reprogramming and transferring funds provided by this bill. (Sec. 718) This section permits USDA to assess a one-time fee for any guaranteed business and industry loan and limits the fee to 3% of the guaranteed principal portion of the loan. (Sec. 719) This section prohibits funds from being used to provide reports, questions, or responses to questions that are a result of information requested for the appropriations hearing process to anyone not employed by USDA, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Farm Credit Administration. (Sec. 720) This section prohibits any executive branch agency from using funds provided by this bill to produce a prepackaged news story for U.S. broadcast or distribution unless the story includes a clear notification that it was prepared or funded by the agency. (Sec. 721) This section prohibits USDA employees from being detailed or assigned from an agency funded by this bill to any other USDA agency or office for more than 60 days in a fiscal year unless the individual's employing agency is reimbursed by the receiving agency for the salary and expenses of the employee. (Sec. 722) This section provides appropriations for a pilot program to provide competitive grants to state departments of agriculture, state cooperative extension services, and nonprofit organizations to carry out programs to address farmer stress and suicide. (Sec. 723) This section directs the agencies funded by this bill to submit spending plans to Congress. (Sec. 724) This section rescinds specified unobligated balances from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). (Sec. 725) This section requires USDA to continue an intermediary loan packaging program based on the FY2013 pilot program for packaging and reviewing section 502 single family direct loans. (The loan program assists low-income applicants in purchasing homes in rural areas. Funds may also be used to build, repair, or renovate a house, including providing water and sewage facilities.) (Sec. 726) This section permits USDA to increase the program level by up to 25% for certain loans and loan guarantees that do not require budget authority and have program levels established by this bill. USDA must notify Congress before implementing an increase under this section. (Sec. 727) This section provides that certain credit card refunds or rebates transferred to the Working Capital Fund (1) shall not be available for obligation without congressional approval; and (2) shall only be available for the acquisition of plant and capital equipment for USDA financial, administrative, and information technology services. (Sec. 728) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from be used for the variety requirements of the final USDA rule titled "Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)" until USDA amends the definition of "variety" to increase the number of items that qualify as acceptable varieties in each staple food category so that the total number of such items in each staple food category exceeds the number of such items in each staple food category included in the final rule. Until the amendments are promulgated, USDA must apply the requirements regarding acceptable varieties and breadth of stock to SNAP retailers that were in effect on the day before the enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014. (Sec. 729) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used (1) in contravention of a provision of the Agricultural Act of 2014 that permits an institution of higher education or a state department of agriculture to grow or cultivate industrial hemp for research purposes; or (2) to prohibit the transportation, processing, sale, or use of industrial hemp or seeds of such plant, that is grown or cultivated in accordance with the Agricultural Act of 2014, within or outside the state in which it is grown or cultivated. (Sec. 730) This section specifies the matching requirements that apply to funds appropriated for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. (Sec. 731) This section sets forth the authorities that apply for USDA to provide loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms. (Sec. 732) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for regulations to allow or require information intended for a prescribing health care professional, in the case of a drug or biological product, to be distributed electronically (in lieu of in paper form) until a federal law is enacted to allow or require electronic distribution. (Sec. 733) This section prohibits the FDA from acknowledging applications for an exemption for investigational use of a drug or biological product in research in which a human embryo is intentionally created or modified to include a heritable genetic modification. Such a submission is deemed not to have been received, and the exemption may not go into effect. (Sec. 734) This section prohibits funds from being used to carry out provisions of the final FDA rule titled "Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals" with respect to certain requirements that apply to the production, distribution, sale, or receipt of dried spent grain by-products of the alcoholic beverage production process. (Sec. 735) This section appropriates funds for direct reimbursement payments for geographically disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to transport agricultural commodities. (Sec. 736) This section prohibits the FDA from deeming partially hydrogenated oils to be unsafe or any food containing a partially hydrogenated oil to be adulterated prior to June 18, 2018. (Sec. 737) This section provides additional funds to remain available until expended for the Rural Energy Savings Program. (The program helps rural families and small businesses achieve cost savings by providing loans to consumers to implement durable cost-effective energy efficiency measures.) USDA may allow eligible entities to offer loans to (1) customers in any part of their service territory; and (2) to replace a manufactured housing unit with another manufactured housing unit, if replacement would be more cost effective in saving energy. (Sec. 738) This section permits the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to make up to 50 appointments in any fiscal year during FY2019-FY2025 for employees of the agencies at the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas. (Sec. 739) This section provides appropriations for USDA to carry out a pilot program that provides forestry inventory analysis, forest management, and economic outcomes modeling for certain currently enrolled Conservation Reserve Program participants. (Sec. 740) This section prohibits the FDA from allowing the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of any food that contains genetically engineered salmon until the FDA publishes final labeling guidelines for informing consumers of the content. (Sec. 741) This section provides appropriations to remain available until expended for implementing non-renewable agreements for wetlands preservation on eligible lands, including flooded agricultural lands. (Sec. 742) This section prohibits funds provided for the rural water, waste water, waste disposal, and solid waste management programs authorized by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act from being used for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water or wastewater system unless all of the iron and steel products used in the project are produced in the United States. The section also specifies exceptions and waiver procedures. (Sec. 743) This section directs USDA to set aside specified additional funds for Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones. (Sec. 744) This section prohibits USDA from including incarcerated prison populations to determine eligibility or the level of program assistance for Rural Development programs. (Sec. 745) This section provides appropriations to remain available until expended for a pilot program for USDA to award grants to non-profit organizations and public housing authorities to provide technical assistance to Rural Housing Service (RHS) multi-family housing borrowers to facilitate the acquisition of RHS multi-family housing properties in areas where there is a risk of loss of affordable housing. The grants must be used to assist acquisitions by non-profit housing organizations and public housing authorities that commit to keep the properties in the RHS multi-family housing program for a period of time determined by USDA. (Sec. 746) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before Congress. (Sec. 747) This section requires USDA to establish a pilot program to permit state Farm Service Agency offices to make county-level payments to agricultural producers under the Agriculture Risk Coverage Program using an alternate calculation method if it is necessary to ensure that there are not significant yield calculation disparities between comparable counties in the state. It also specifies requirements for the alternative calculation method and provides appropriations for the program. (Sec. 748) This section permits USDA to receive access to certain information from federal tax returns to verify the income for individuals participating in loan programs under the Housing Act of 1949. (Sec. 749) This section provides appropriations for the Farm to School Grant Program. (The program provides competitive grants and technical assistance to implement farm-to-school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools.) (Sec. 750) This section prohibits the FDA from using funds provided by this bill to develop, issue, promote, or advance any regulations applicable to food manufacturers for population-wide sodium reduction actions or to develop, issue, promote or advance final guidance applicable to food manufacturers for long term population-wide sodium reduction actions until the dietary reference intake report with respect to sodium is completed. (Sec. 751) This section provides additional funds to USDA for loans and grants that are consistent with the Healthy Food Financing Initiative and that support projects to provide access to healthy food in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities. (Sec. 752) This section provides additional funds to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to remain available through FY2020 for one-time control and management and associated activities directly related to the multiple-agency response to citrus greening. (Sec. 753) This section prohibits the FDA from using funds to enforce the rule titled "Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption" with respect to the regulation of the production, distribution, sale, or receipt of grapes that are grown, harvested, and used solely for wine and receive commercial processing that adequately reduces the presence of microorganisms of public health significance. (Sec. 754) This section provides appropriations for telemedicine and distance learning services in rural area to help address the opioid epidemic in rural America. (Sec. 755) This section provides appropriations to the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to remain available through FY2020 for a pilot program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations for programs and services to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans. (Sec. 756) This section provides addition appropriations for the broadband loan and grant pilot program that was established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018.(Sec. 757) This section provides additional appropriations for direct loans and grants made under the Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program account. (Sec. 758) This section prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes. (Sec. 759) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to revoke an exception made (1) under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration rule titled "Exceptions to Geographic Areas for Official Agencies Under the USGSA"; and (2) before April 14, 2017. (The rule established criteria to allow more than one designated official agency to inspect or weigh grain within a single geographic area.) (Sec. 760) This section requires USDA to provide technical assistance to any state or county impacted by a volcanic eruption covered by major disaster declared by the President in 2018. The technical assistance is for (1) assessing damage to agricultural production and rural infrastructure, and (2) developing recovery plans for impacted farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. (Sec. 761) This section requires USDA, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a working group to study and report to Congress on specified issues related to ocean farming practices. (Sec. 762) This section requires USDA to report to Congress on (1) ways in which conservation programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) may be better used for the conservation of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and (2) actions taken by the NRCS relating to the conservation of ocelots. (Sec. 763) This section requires the Rural Housing Service (RHS) to submit to Congress a report including * specified details regarding properties assisted under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 that are reaching the end of their loan term, * the strategy to preserve the long-term affordability of the properties when the loan matures, and * a description of the resources and tools that the RHS needs from Congress preserve the long-term affordability of the properties. (Sec. 764) This section requires the FDA to use funds to revise the advice provided in the notice of availability titled "Advice About Eating Fish, From the Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration; Revised Fish Advice; Availability" in a manner that is consistent with nutrition science recognized by FDA on the net effects of seafood consumption. (Sec. 765) This section specifies requirements for administering the broadband loan and grant pilot program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018. USDA must (1) allow applicants that are determined to be ineligible for the program to appeal the determination in a timely fashion, and (2) exclude certain loans when determining whether an entity may overbuild or duplicate broadband expansion efforts made by any entity that has received a broadband loan from the Rural Utilities Service. (Sec. 767) This section increases the funding provided by this bill for extension programs and agricultural research at 1890 land-grant colleges, including Tuskegee University. It also decreases the funding provided by this bill for Agriculture Buildings and Facilities (Sec. 768) This section prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to enforce the requirement in the rule titled "Food Labeling: Revision of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels" that any single ingredient sugar, honey, agave, or syrup (including maple syrup) that is packaged and offered for sale as a single ingredient food bear the declaration "Includes 'X'g Added Sugars." (Sec. 769) This section specifies that the explanatory statement printed in the Congressional Record regarding division C (Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019) of H.R. 21 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019) has the same effect, with respect to this bill, as if it were a joint explanatory statement of a conference committee.(Sec. 770) This section compensates federal employees furloughed as a result of a lapse in appropriations that began on or about December 22, 2018, and ended upon the enactment of this bill. It also ratifies and approves certain obligations incurred in anticipation of the appropriations made and the authority granted by this bill. (Sec. 771) This section reimburses or compensates certain states, federal grantees, and furloughed state employees for any period in FY2019 in which a lapse in appropriations occurs.Rural Infrastructure Advancement Act of 2020
S #3842 | Last Action: 5/21/2020Rural Infrastructure Advancement Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish within the Build America Bureau a five-year rural assistance pilot program to provide assistance and information to eligible entities in rural communities. Aneligible entityis an entity located outside of an urbanized area with a population greater than 150,000 or one that may pursue a project located in such an area. DOT may retain the services of expert firms, including counsel, in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in providing financial, technical, and legal assistance to such entities. DOT must make publicly available on its website a description of the rural assistance pilot program, including the resources available to eligible entities. Additionally, DOT must develop and make available to the public an online portal through which it may receive program applications on a rolling basis.