Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill)

[115th Congress Public Law 334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 4489]]

 AGRICULTURE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2018

 

 

 

 

<star> (Star Print)

[[Page 132 STAT. 4490]]

Public Law 115-334
115th Congress

 An Act

 
 To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other 
programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and 
 for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 20, 2018 - [H.R. 2]>> 

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Agriculture 
Improvement Act of 2018.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 (a) <<NOTE: 7 USC 9001 note.>> Short Title.--This Act may be cited 
as the ``Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018''.

 (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.

 TITLE I--COMMODITIES

 Subtitle A--Commodity Policy

Sec. 1101. Definition of effective reference price.
Sec. 1102. Base acres.
Sec. 1103. Payment yields.
Sec. 1104. Payment acres.
Sec. 1105. Producer election.
Sec. 1106. Price loss coverage.
Sec. 1107. Agriculture risk coverage.
Sec. 1108. Repeal of transition assistance for producers of upland 
 cotton.

 Subtitle B--Marketing Loans

Sec. 1201. Extensions.
Sec. 1202. Loan rates for nonrecourse marketing assistance loans.
Sec. 1203. Economic adjustment assistance for textile mills.
Sec. 1204. Special competitive provisions for extra long staple cotton.
Sec. 1205. Availability of recourse loans.

 Subtitle C--Sugar

Sec. 1301. Sugar policy.

 Subtitle D--Dairy Margin Coverage and Other Dairy Related Provisions

Sec. 1401. Dairy margin coverage.
Sec. 1402. Reauthorizations.
Sec. 1403. Class I skim milk price.
Sec. 1404. Dairy product donation.

 Subtitle E--Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance

Sec. 1501. Supplemental agricultural disaster assistance.

 Subtitle F--Noninsured Crop Assistance

Sec. 1601. Noninsured crop assistance program.

 Subtitle G--Administration

Sec. 1701. Regulations.
Sec. 1702. Suspension of permanent price support authority.

[[Page 132 STAT. 4491]]

Sec. 1703. Payment limitations.
Sec. 1704. Adjusted gross income limitations.
Sec. 1705. Farm Service Agency accountability.
Sec. 1706. Implementation.
Sec. 1707. Exemption from certain reporting requirements for certain 
 producers.

 TITLE II--CONSERVATION

 Subtitle A--Wetland Conservation

Sec. 2101. Wetland conversion.
Sec. 2102. Wetland conservation.
Sec. 2103. Mitigation banking.

 Subtitle B--Conservation Reserve Program

Sec. 2201. Conservation reserve.
Sec. 2202. Conservation reserve enhancement program.
Sec. 2203. Farmable wetland program.
Sec. 2204. Pilot programs.
Sec. 2205. Duties of owners and operators.
Sec. 2206. Duties of the Secretary.
Sec. 2207. Payments.
Sec. 2208. Contracts.
Sec. 2209. Eligible land; State law requirements.

 Subtitle C--Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation 
 St

Sec. 6401. Strategic economic and community development.
Sec. 6402. Expanding access to credit for rural communities.
Sec. 6403. Water, waste disposal, and wastewater facility grants.
Sec. 6404. Rural water and wastewater technical assistance and training 
 programs.
Sec. 6405. Rural water and wastewater circuit rider program.
Sec. 6406. Tribal college and university essential community facilities.
Sec. 6407. Emergency and imminent community water assistance grant 
 program.
Sec. 6408. Water systems for rural and native villages in Alaska.
Sec. 6409. Rural decentralized water systems.
Sec. 6410. Solid waste management grants.
Sec. 6411. Rural business development grants.
Sec. 6412. Rural cooperative development grants.
Sec. 6413. Locally or regionally produced agricultural food products.
Sec. 6414. Appropriate technology transfer for rural areas program.
Sec. 6415. Rural economic area partnership zones.
Sec. 6416. Intemediary relending program.
Sec. 6417. Access to information to verify income for participants in 
 certain rural housing programs.
Sec. 6418. Providing for additional fees for guaranteed loans under the 
 Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.
Sec. 6419. Rural Business-Cooperative Service programs technical 
 assistance and training.
Sec. 6420. National Rural Development Partnership.
Sec. 6421. Grants for NOAA weather radio transmitters.
Sec. 6422. Rural microentrepreneur assistance program.
Sec. 6423. Health care services.
Sec. 6424. Rural innovation stronger economy grant program.

Sec. 7201. Best utilization of biological applications.
Sec. 7202. Integrated management systems.
Sec. 7203. Sustainable agriculture technology development and transfer 
 program.
Sec. 7204. National training program.
Sec. 7205. National strategic germplasm and cultivar collection 
 assessment and utilization plan.
Sec. 7206. National Genetics Resources Program.
Sec. 7207. National Agricultural Weather Information System.
Sec. 7208. Agricultural genome to phenome initiative.
Sec. 7209. High-priority research and extension initiatives.
Sec. 7210. Organic agriculture research and extension initiative.
Sec. 7211. Farm business management.
Sec. 7212. Urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production 
 research, education, and extension initiative.
Sec. 7213. Centers of excellence at 1890 Institutions.
Sec. 7214. Clarification of veteran eligibility for assistive technology 
 program for farmers with disabilities.
Sec. 7215. National Rural Information Center Clearinghouse.

Sec. 8201. Repeal of recycling research.
Sec. 8202. Repeal of forestry student grant program.

Sec. 9001. Definitions.
Sec. 9002. Biobased markets program.
Sec. 9003. Biorefinery assistance.
Sec. 9004. Repowering assistance program.
Sec. 9005. Bioenergy program for advanced biofuels.
Sec. 9006. Biodiesel fuel education program.
Sec. 9007. Rural Energy for America Program.
Sec. 9008. Rural Energy Self-Sufficiency Initiative.
Sec. 9009. Feedstock flexibility.
Sec. 9010. Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
Sec. 9011. Carbon utilization and biogas education program.

(b) Certification Process.--Section 1242(e) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3842(e)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
 ``(4) Certification process.--The Secretary shall certify a 
 third-party provider through--
 ``(A) a certification process administered by the 
 Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural 
 Resources Conservation Service; or
 ``(B) a non-Federal entity approved by the Secretary 
 to perform the certification.
 ``(5) Streamlined certification.--The Secretary shall 
 provide a streamlined certification process for a third-party 
 provider that has an appropriate specialty certification, 
 including a sustainability certification.''.

Section 1271 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871) is 
amended--
 (1) in subsection (a)--
 (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including 
 partnership agreements funded through alternative 
 funding arrangements or grant agreements under section 
 1271C(d),'' after ``partnership agreements''; and
 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``contracts with 
 producers'' and inserting ``program contracts with 
 producers''; and
 (2) in subsection (b)--
 (A) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding 
 subparagraph (A), by striking ``use covered programs'' 
 and inserting ``carry out eligible activities'';
 (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
 following:
 ``(2) To further the conservation, protection, restoration, 
 and sustainable use of soil, water (including sources of 
 drinking water and groundwater), wildlife, agricultural land, 
 and related

(2) Priority.--In carrying out the competitive distribution 
 of subgrants under subsection (c), an eligible State may give 
 priority to an eligible entity that--
 (A) has not previously received a subgrant under 
 this section; or
 (B) is located in a community or region in that 
 eligible State with the highest degree of food 
 insecurity, as determined by the agricultural department 
 or agency of the eligible State.
 (3) Projects.--An eligible State may provide subgrants to 2 
 or more eligible entities to carry out the same project.
 (4) Use of subgrant funds by eligible entities.--An eligible 
 entity that receives a subgrant under this section shall use the 
 funds to engage in activities that will increase the quantity 
 and quality of locally grown food for food insecure individuals, 
 families, neighborhoods, and communities, including by--
 (A) purchasing gardening tools or equipment, soil, 
 soil amendments, seeds, plants, animals, canning 
 equipment, refrigeration, or other items necessary to 
 grow and store food;
 (B) purchasing or building composting units;
 (C) purchasing or building towers designed to grow 
 leafy green vegetables;
 (D) expanding an area under cultivation or engaging 
 in other activities necessary to be eligible to receive 
 funding under the environmental quality incentives 
 program established under chapter 4 of subtitle D of 
 title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
 3839aa et seq.) for a high tunnel;
 (E) engaging in an activity that extends the growing 
 season;
 (F) starting or expanding hydroponic and aeroponic 
 farming of any scale;
 (G) building, buying, erecting, or repairing fencing 
 for livestock, poultry, or reindeer;
 (H) purchasing and equipping a slaughter and 
 processing facility approved by the Secretary;
 (I) traveling to participate in agricultural 
 education provided by--
 (i) a State cooperative extension service;
 (ii) a land-grant college or university (as 
 defined in section 1404 of the National 
 Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching 
 Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103));
 (iii) a Tribal College or University (as 
 defined in section 316(b) of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)));
 (iv) an Alaska Native-serving institution or a 
 Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as such terms 
 are defined in section 317(b) of the Higher 
 Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))); or
 (v) a Federal or State agency;
 (J) paying for shipping of purchased items relating 
 to growing or raising food for local consumption or 
 purchase;
 (K) creating or expanding avenues for--

``(b) Deferral Period.--In determining the terms and conditions of 
assistance provided under this title, the Secretary may establish a 
deferral period of not shorter than the buildout period established for 
the project involved in order to support the financial feasibility and 
long-term sustainability of the project.''.
SEC. 6207. PUBLIC NOTICE, ASSESSMENTS, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, the Commission, and the Assistant 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on how best to 
coordinate federally supported broadband programs and activities in 
order to achieve the following objectives:
 (1) Promote high-quality broadband service that meets the 
 long-term needs of rural residents and businesses, by evaluating 
 the broadband service needs in rural areas for each decade 
 through 2050.
 (2) Support the long-term viability, sustainability, and 
 utility of federally supported rural broadband infrastructure, 
 by analyzing the technical capabilities of the technologies 
 currently available and reasonably expected to be available by 
 2035 to meet the broadband service needs of rural residents 
 identified under paragraph (1), including by analyzing the 
 following:
 (A) The real-world performance of such technologies, 
 including data rates, latency, data usage restrictions, 
 and other aspects of service quality, as defined by the 
 Commission.
 (B) The suitability of each such technology for 
 residential, agricultural, educational, healthcare, 
 commercial, and industrial purposes in rural areas.
 (C) The cost to deploy and support such technologies 
 in several rural geographies.
 (D) The costs associated with online platforms, 
 specifically the resulting constraints on rural network 
 bandwidth.
 (3) Identify and quantify the availability of broadband 
 service and ongoing broadband deployment in rural areas, 
 including ways to do the following:
 (A) Harmonize broadband notification and reporting 
 requirements and develop common verification procedures 
 across all federally supported broadband programs.
 (B) Consolidate and utilize the existing broadband 
 service data.
 (C) Collect and share data on those projects in 
 rural areas where Federal programs are currently 
 supporting broadband deployment, including areas with 
 respect to which an entity is receiving--
 (i) support under a broadband assistance 
 program of the Department of Agriculture; or
 (ii) Connect America Fund or Mobility Fund 
 support under the Federal universal service 
 support mechanisms established under section 254 
 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 254).
 (D) Leverage support technologies and services from 
 online platforms for providers of broadband service in 
 rural areas.

Section 306(a)(14) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1926(a)(14)) is amended--
 (1) in subparagraph (A)--
 (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
 (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period and 
 inserting a semicolon; and
 (C) by adding at the end the following:
 ``(iv) identify options to enhance the long-
 term sustainability of rural water and waste 
 systems, including operational practices, revenue 
 enhancements, partnerships, consolidation, 
 regionalization, or contract services; and
 ``(v) address the contamination of drinking 
 water and surface water supplies by emerging 
 contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl 
 substances.''; and
 (2) in subparagraph (C)--
 (A) by striking ``1 nor more than 3'' and inserting 
 ``3 percent and not more than 5''; and
 (B) by striking ``1 per centum'' and inserting ``3 
 percent''.
SEC. 6405. RURAL WATER AND WASTEWATER CIRCUIT RIDER PROGRAM.

section for the installation of water treatment where needed 
 beyond the point of entry, with or without the installation of a 
 new water well system.'';
 (4) in subsection (c), by striking ``productive use of 
 individually-owned household water well systems'' and inserting 
 ``effective use of individually owned household water well 
 systems, individually owned household decentralized wastewater 
 systems,''; and
 (5) in subsection (d)--
 (A) by striking ``$5,000,000'' and inserting 
 ``$20,000,000''; and
 (B) by striking ``2014 through 2018'' and inserting 
 ``2019 through 2023''.
SEC. 6410. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT GRANTS.

with skills relevant to the industry cluster needs 
 of the region, with an emphasis on the use of on-
 the-job training, registered apprenticeships, 
 customized training, classroom occupational 
 training, or incumbent worker training;
 ``(B) the ability of the eligible entity to provide 
 the non-Federal share as required under paragraph (2);
 ``(C) the identification of a targeted industry 
 cluster;
 ``(D) the ability of the partnership to link rural 
 communities to markets, networks, industry clusters, and 
 other regional opportunities and assets;
 ``(E) other grants or loans of the Secretary and 
 other Federal agencies that the jobs accelerator would 
 be able to leverage; and
 ``(F) prospects for the proposed center and related 
 programming to have sustainability beyond the full 
 maximum length of assistance under this subsection, 
 including the maximum number of renewals.
 ``(4) Grant term and renewals.--
 ``(A) Term.--The initial term of a grant under 
 paragraph (1) shall be 4 years.
 ``(B) Renewal.--The Secretary may extend the term of 
 a grant under paragraph (1) for an additional period of 
 not longer than 2 years if the Secretary is satisfied, 
 using the evaluation under subsection (e)(2), that the 
 grant recipient has successfully established a jobs 
 accelerator and related programming.
 ``(5) Geographic distribution.--To the maximum extent 
 practicable, the Secretary shall provide grants under paragraph 
 (1) for jobs accelerators and related programming in not fewer 
 than 25 States at any time.

``(b) Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority.--
 ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
 Department of Agriculture a pilot program that shall be known as 
 the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority 
 (referred to in this section as the `AGARDA') to carry out 
 advanced research and development.
 ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the AGARDA are--
 ``(A) to develop and deploy advanced solutions to 
 prevent, prepare, and protect against unintentional and 
 intentional threats to agriculture and food in the 
 United States;
 ``(B) to overcome barriers in the development of 
 agricultural technologies, research tools, and qualified 
 products and projects that enhance export 
 competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and 
 resilience to extreme weather;
 ``(C) to ensure that the United States maintains and 
 enhances its position as a leader in developing and 
 deploying agricultural technologies, research tools, and 
 qualified projects and products that increase economic 
 opportunities and security for farmers, ranchers, and 
 rural communities; and
 ``(D) to undertake advanced research and development 
 in areas in which industry by itself is not likely to do 
 so because of the technological or financial 
 uncertainty.
 ``(3) Leadership.--
 ``(A) In general.--The AGARDA shall be a component 
 of the Office of the Chief Scientist.
 ``(B) Director.--

Section 1484 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3351) is amended--
 (1) in subsection (a)--
 (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the 
 end and inserting ``; and''; and
 (C) by adding at the end the following new 
 paragraph:
 ``(3) $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
 2023.''; and
 (2) in subsection (b)--
 (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
 inserting ``and cooperative agreements'' after 
 ``competitive grants'';
 (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``make competitive 
 grants'' and inserting ``award competitive grants and 
 cooperative agreements''; and
 (C) by adding at the end the following new 
 paragraph:
 ``(5) To coordinate the tactical science activities of the 
 Research, Education, and Economics mission area of the 
 Department that protect the integrity, reliability, 
 sustainability, and profitability of the food and agricultural 
 system of the United States against biosecurity threats from 
 pests, diseases, contaminants, and disasters.''.
SEC. 7136. DISTANCE EDUCATION AND RESIDENT INSTRUCTION GRANTS 
 PROGRAM FOR INSULAR AREA INSTITUTIONS OF 
 HIGHER EDUCATION.

Section 1627(d) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5821(d)) is amended by striking ``2018'' and 
inserting ``2023''.
SEC. 7203. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND 
 TRANSFER PROGRAM.

``(b) Duties of Secretary.--The Secretary of Agriculture (referred 
to in this section as the `Secretary') shall conduct a research 
initiative, to be known as the `Agricultural Genome to Phenome 
Initiative', for the purpose of--
 ``(1) studying agriculturally significant crops and animals 
 in production environments to achieve sustainable and secure 
 agricultural production;
 ``(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing knowledge of 
 agricultural crop and animal genetics and phenomics are filled;
 ``(3) identifying and developing a functional understanding 
 of relevant genes from animals and agronomically relevant genes 
 from crops that are of importance to the agriculture sector of 
 the United States;
 ``(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of crops and 
 animals of importance to the agriculture sector of the United 
 States;
 ``(5) studying the relevance of diverse germplasm as a 
 source of unique genes that may be of importance in the future;
 ``(6) enhancing genetics to reduce the economic impact of 
 pathogens on crops and animals of importance to the agriculture 
 sector of the United States;
 ``(7) disseminating findings to relevant audiences; and
 ``(8) otherwise carrying out this section.'';
 (4) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``, acting through 
 the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,'' after ``The 
 Secretary'';
 (5) in subsection (e), by inserting ``to Phenome'' after 
 ``Genome''; and
 (6) by adding at the end the following:

``(D) to improve management of diseases relating to 
 cattle fever ticks that are associated with wildlife, 
 livestock, and human health;
 ``(E) to improve diagnostic detection of tick-
 infested or infected animals and pastures; and
 ``(F) to conduct outreach to impacted ranchers, 
 hunters, and landowners to integrate tactics and 
 document sustainability of best practices.
 ``(15) Laying hen and turkey research program.--Research 
 grants may be made under this section for the purpose of 
 improving the efficiency and sustainability of laying hen and 
 turkey production through integrated, collaborative research and 
 technology transfer. Emphasis may be placed on laying hen and 
 turkey disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, nutrition, 
 gut health, and alternative housing systems under extreme 
 seasonal weather conditions.
 ``(16) Chronic wasting disease.--Research and extension 
 grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
 supporting research projects at land-grant colleges and 
 universities (as defined in section 1404 of the National 
 Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3103)) with established deer research programs 
 for the purposes of treating, mitigating, or eliminating chronic 
 wasting disease.
 ``(17) Algae agriculture research program.--Research and 
 extension grants may be made under this section for the 
 development and testing of algae and algae systems (including 
 micro- and macro-algae systems).
 ``(18) Nutrient management.--Research and extension grants 
 may be made under this section for the purposes of examining 
 nutrient management based on the source, rate, timing, and 
 placement of crop nutrients.
 ``(19) Dryland farming agricultural systems.--Research and 
 extension grants may be made under this section for the purposes 
 of carrying out or enhancing research on the utilization of big 
 data for more precise management of dryland farming agricultural 
 systems.
 ``(20) Hop plant health initiative.--Research and extension 
 grants may be made under this section for the purposes of 
 developing and disseminating science-based tools and treatments 
 to combat diseases of hops caused by the plant pathogens 
 Podosphaera macularis and Pseudoperonospora humuli.'';
 (2) in subsection (e)(5), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
 ``2023'';
 (3) in subsection (f)(5), by striking ``2018'' and inserting 
 ``2023'';
 (4) in subsection (g)--
 (A) in paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (3), by 
 striking ``2018'' each place it appears and inserting 
 ``2023'';
 (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as 
 paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
 (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following 
 new paragraph:
 ``(4) Enhanced coordination of honeybee and pollinator 
 research.--
 ``(A) In general.--The Chief Scientist of the 
 Department of Agriculture shall coordinate research, 
 extension, education, and economic activities in the 
 Department of

Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act 
of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by adding at the end the following:
 ``(d) Centers of Excellence at 1890s Institutions.--
 ``(1) Recognition.--The Secretary shall recognize not less 
 than 3 centers of excellence, each led by an 1890 Institution 
 (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, 
 Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)), to 
 focus on 1 or more of the areas described in paragraph (2).
 ``(2) Areas of focus.--
 ``(A) Student success and workforce development.--A 
 center of excellence established under paragraph (1) may 
 engage in activities to ensure that students have the 
 skills and education needed to work in agriculture and 
 food industries, agriculture science, technology, 
 engineering, mathematics, and related fields of study.
 ``(B) Nutrition, health, wellness, and quality of 
 life.--A center of excellence established under 
 paragraph (1) may carry out research, education, and 
 extension programs that increase access to healthy food, 
 improve nutrition, mitigate preventive disease, and 
 develop strategies to assist limited resource 
 individuals in accessing health and nutrition resources.
 ``(C) Farming systems, rural prosperity, and 
 economic sustainability.--A center of excellence 
 established under paragraph (1) may share best practices 
 with farmers to improve agricultural production, 
 processing, and marketing, reduce urban food deserts, 
 examine new uses for traditional and nontraditional 
 crops, animals, and natural resources, and continue 
 activities carried out by the Center for Innovative and 
 Sustainable Small Farms, Ranches, and Forest Lands.
 ``(D) Global food security and defense.--A center of 
 excellence established under paragraph (1) may engage in 
 international partnerships that strengthen agricultural 
 development in developing countries, partner with 
 international researchers regarding new and emerging 
 animal

SEC. 8201. REPEAL OF RECYCLING RESEARCH.

(b) Land Purchase, Natural Resources Conservation Service Property, 
Riverside County, California.--
 (1) Purchase authorized.--The Secretary shall sell and 
 quitclaim to the Riverside Corona Resource Conservation District 
 (in this section referred to as the ``Conservation District'') 
 all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to a 
 parcel of real property, including improvements thereon, that is 
 located at 4500 Glenwood Drive in Riverside, California, 
 consists of approximately 8.75 acres, and is administered by the 
 Natural Resources Conservation Service of the Department of 
 Agriculture. As necessary or desirable to facilitate the 
 purchase of the property under this subsection, the Secretary or 
 the Conservation District may survey all or portions of the 
 property.
 (2) Consideration.--As consideration for the purchase of the 
 property under this subsection, the Conservation District shall 
 pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the appraised value of 
 the property.
 (3) Prohibition on reservation of interest.--The Secretary 
 shall not reserve any future interest in the property to be 
 conveyed under this subsection, except such interest as may be 
 acceptable to the Conservation District.
 (4) Hazardous substances.--Notwithstanding section 120(h) of 
 the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
 Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9620(h)) or the Solid Waste 
 Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), in the case of the 
 property purchased by the Conservation District under this 
 subsection, the Secretary shall be only required to meet the 
 disclosure requirements for hazardous substances, pollutants, or 
 contaminants, but shall otherwise not be required to remediate 
 or abate any such releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, 
 or contaminants, including petroleum and petroleum derivatives.
 (5) Cooperative authority.--
 (A) Leases, contracts, and cooperative agreements 
 authorized.--In conjunction with, or in addition to, the 
 purchase of the property by the Conservation District 
 under this subsection, the Secretary may enter into 
 leases, contracts and cooperative agreements with the 
 Conservation District.
 (B) Sole source.--Notwithstanding sections 3105, 
 3301, and 3303 to 3305 of title 41, United States Code, 
 or any other provision of law, the Secretary may lease 
 real property from the Conservation District on a 
 noncompetitive basis.
 (C) Non-exclusive authority.--The authority provided 
 by this subsection is in addition to any other authority 
 of the Secretary.

(g) Savings Provisions.--
 (1) Real property authorities.--Nothing in this section, or 
 the amendments made by this section, shall be construed as 
 providing any executive agency with any new leasing or other 
 real property authorities not existing prior to the date of 
 enactment of this Act.
 (2) Effect on other laws.--Nothing in this section, or the 
 amendments made by this section, and no actions taken pursuant 
 to this section, or the amendments made by this section, shall 
 impact a decision or determination by any executive agency to 
 sell, dispose of, declare excess or surplus, lease, reuse, or 
 redevelop any Federal real property pursuant to title 40, United 
 States Code, the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 
 (40 U.S.C. 1303 note; Public Law 114-287), or any other law 
 governing real property activities of the Federal Government. No 
 agreement entered into pursuant to this section, or the 
 amendments made by this section, may obligate the Federal 
 Government to hold, control, or otherwise retain or use real 
 property that may otherwise be deemed as excess, surplus, or 
 that could otherwise be sold, leased, or redeveloped.
SEC. 8706. <<NOTE: 43 USC 1748d.>> REPORT ON WILDFIRE, INSECT 
 INFESTATION, AND DISEASE PREVENTION ON 
 FEDERAL LAND.

Section 9001 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 8101) is amended--
 (1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking ``agricultural 
 materials'' and inserting ``agricultural materials, renewable 
 chemicals,'';
 (2) in paragraph (7)(A), by striking ``into biofuels and 
 biobased products; and'' and inserting the following: ``or an 
 intermediate ingredient or feedstock of renewable biomass into 
 any 1 or more, or a combination, of--
 ``(i) biofuels;
 ``(ii) renewable chemicals; or
 ``(iii) biobased products; and''; and
 (3) in paragraph (16)--
 (A) in subparagraph (A)--
 (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
 striking ``(B)'' and inserting ``(C)''; and
 (ii) by striking ``that--'' in the matter 
 preceding clause (i) and all that follows through 
 the period at the end of clause (ii) and inserting 
 ``that produces usable energy from a renewable 
 energy source.'';
 (B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
 subparagraph (C); and
 (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
 following:
 ``(B) Inclusions.--The term `renewable energy 
 system' includes--
 ``(i) distribution components necessary to 
 move energy produced by a system described in 
 subparagraph (A) to the initial point of sale; and
 ``(ii) other components and ancillary 
 infrastructure of a system described in 
 subparagraph (A), such as a storage system.''.
SEC. 9002. BIOBASED MARKETS PROGRAM.

``(f) Manufacturers of Renewable Chemicals and Biobased Products.--

``(1) NAICS codes.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
 Commerce shall jointly develop North American Industry 
 Classification System codes for--
 ``(A) renewable chemicals manufacturers; and
 ``(B) biobased products manufacturers.
 ``(2) National testing center registry.--The Secretary shall 
 establish a national registry of testing centers for biobased 
 products that will serve biobased product manufacturers.'';
 (3) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) as 
 subsections (j) through (l), respectively;
 (4) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:

``(h) Streamlining.--
 ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish 
 guidelines for an integrated process under which biobased 
 products may be, in 1 expedited approval process--
 ``(A) determined to be eligible for a Federal 
 procurement preference under subsection (a); and
 ``(B) approved to use the `USDA Certified Biobased 
 Product' label under subsection (b).
 ``(2) Initiation.--The Secretary shall ensure that a review 
 of a biobased product under the integrated qualification process 
 established pursuant to paragraph (1) may be initiated on 
 receipt of a recommendation or petition from a manufacturer, 
 vendor, or other interested party.
 ``(3) Product designations.--The Secretary may issue a 
 product designation pursuant to subsection (a)(3)(B), or approve 
 the use of the `USDA Certified Biobased Product' label under 
 subsection (b), through streamlined procedures, which shall not 
 be subject to chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.

``(i) Requirement of Procuring Agencies.--A procuring agency (as 
defined in subsection (a)(1)) shall not establish regulations, guidance, 
or criteria regarding the procurement of biobased products, pursuant to 
this section or any other law, that impose limitations on that 
procurement that are more restrictive than the limitations established 
by the Secretary under the regulations to implement this section.'';
 (5) in subsection (k) (as so redesignated)--
 (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2018'' and 
 inserting ``2023''; and
 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$2,000,000 for 
 each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018'' and inserting 
 ``$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
 2023''; and
 (6) by adding at the end the following:

``(ii) a renewable chemical; 
 or
 ``(iii) a biobased product; 
 and''; and
 (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``produces an 
 advanced biofuel.'' and inserting the following: 
 ``produces any 1 or more, or a combination, of--
 ``(i) an advanced biofuel;
 ``(ii) a renewable chemical; 
 or
 ``(iii) a biobased 
 product.''; and
 (2) in subsection (g)--
 (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
 (i) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the 
 end;
 (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at 
 the end and inserting a semicolon; and
 (iii) by adding at the end the following:
 ``(iii) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and
 ``(iv) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2020.''; 
 and
 (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``2018'' and 
 inserting ``2023''.
SEC. 9004. REPOWERING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
 ``(1) Carbon dioxide.--The term `carbon dioxide' means 
 carbon dioxide that is produced as a byproduct of the production 
 of a biobased product.
 ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an 
 entity that--
 ``(A) is--
 ``(i) an organization described in section 
 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and 
 exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of that 
 Code; or
 ``(ii) an institution of higher education (as 
 defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education 
 Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)));
 ``(B) has demonstrated knowledge about--
 ``(i) sequestration and utilization of carbon 
 dioxide; or
 ``(ii) aggregation of organic waste from 
 multiple sources into a single biogas system; and

``(k) Continuing Education for Loss Adjusters and Agents.--
 ``(1) In general.--The Corporation shall establish 
 requirements for continuing education for loss adjusters and 
 agents of approved insurance providers.
 ``(2) Requirements.--The requirements for continuing 
 education described in paragraph (1) shall ensure that loss 
 adjusters and agents of approved insurance providers are 
 familiar with--
 ``(A) the policies and plans of insurance available 
 under this Act, including the regulations promulgated to 
 carry out this Act;
 ``(B) efforts to promote program integrity through 
 the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse; and
 ``(C) other aspects of adjusting, delivering, and 
 servicing policies and plans of insurance by adjustors 
 and agents, as determined by the Secretary, including 
 conservation activities and agronomic practices 
 (including organic and sustainable practices) that are 
 common and appropriate to the area in which the insured 
 crop being inspected is produced.''.
SEC. 11118. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.

``(d) Pilot Projects.--
 ``(1) Urban and suburban county committees.--
 ``(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
 date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall 
 establish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years 
 that establishes 10 county committees in accordance with 
 section 8(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of the Soil Conservation and 
 Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II)) 
 to operate in counties located in urban or suburban 
 areas with a high concentration of urban or suburban 
 farms.
 ``(B) Effect.--Nothing in this paragraph requires or 
 precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency 
 office in a county in which a county committee is 
 established under subparagraph (A).
 ``(C) Report.--For fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal 
 year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, the Secretary 
 shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the 
 House of Representatives and the Committee on 
 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a 
 report describing a summary of--
 ``(i) the status of the pilot program under 
 subparagraph (A);
 ``(ii) meetings and other activities of the 
 committees established under that subparagraph; 
 and
 ``(iii) the types and volume of assistance and 
 services provided to farmers in counties in which 
 county committees are established under that 
 subparagraph.
 ``(2) Increasing community compost and reducing food 
 waste.--
 ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
 Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the 
 Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative 
 agreements with local or municipal governments in not 
 fewer than 10 States to develop and test strategies for 
 planning and implementing municipal compost plans and 
 food waste reduction plans.
 ``(B) Eligible entities and purposes of pilot 
 projects.--Under a cooperative agreement entered into 
 under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide 
 assistance to municipalities, counties, local 
 governments, or city planners, as appropriate, to carry 
 out planning and implementing activities that will--
 ``(i) generate compost;

``(ii) increase access to compost for 
 agricultural producers;
 ``(iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use 
 of, fertilizer;
 ``(iv) improve soil quality;
 ``(v) encourage waste management and 
 permaculture business development;
 ``(vi) increase rainwater absorption;
 ``(vii) reduce municipal food waste; and
 ``(viii) divert food waste from landfills.
 ``(C) Evaluation and ranking of applications.--
 ``(i) Criteria.--Not later than 180 days after 
 the date of enactment of this section, the 
 Secretary shall establish criteria for the 
 selection of pilot projects under this paragraph.
 ``(ii) Consideration.--In selecting, 
 undertaking, or funding pilot projects under this 
 paragraph, the Secretary shall consider any 
 commonly known significant impact on existing food 
 waste recovery and disposal by commercial, 
 marketing, or business relationships.
 ``(iii) Priority.--In selecting a pilot 
 project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
 give priority to an application for a pilot 
 project that--
 ``(I) anticipates or demonstrates 
 economic benefits;
 ``(II) incorporates plans to make 
 compost easily accessible to 
 agricultural producers, including 
 community gardeners;
 ``(III) integrates other food waste 
 strategies, including food recovery 
 efforts; and
 ``(IV) provides for collaboration 
 with multiple partners.
 ``(D) Matching requirement.--The recipient of 
 assistance for a pilot project under this paragraph 
 shall provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a 
 combination of both from sources other than funds 
 provided through the grant in an amount equal to not 
 less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant.
 ``(E) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall conduct an 
 evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this 
 paragraph to assess different solutions for increasing 
 access to compost and reducing municipal food waste, 
 including an evaluation of--
 ``(i) the amount of Federal funds used for 
 each project; and
 ``(ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each 
 project.