Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Highlights:

This bill provides FY2017 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.

It also provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), 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.

The bill decreases discretionary funding for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies below FY2016 levels.

Compared to FY2016 levels, the bill increases discretionary funding for:

 Conservation Programs, Rural Development, Domestic Food Programs, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs, and the FDA. The bill decreases discretionary funding for Agricultural Programs and funds both the CFTC and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at the FY2016 levels.

Also included in the bill are provisions that affect policies in areas such as:

 regulation of newly deemed tobacco products such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and cigars, reporting requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) households, inventory requirements for SNAP-authorized retailers, nutrition standards for school meals, menu labeling requirements, horse slaughter facility inspections, and livestock and poultry marketing rules. Full Summary:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017

Provides FY2017 appropriations to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and related agencies.

TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

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 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety; the Food Safety and Inspection Service; the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; the Farm Service Agency; the Risk Management Agency; the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Provides appropriations to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Conservation Operations and the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for Rural Development Programs including:

 the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, Rural Development, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business--Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

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 food stamps); the Commodity Assistance Program; and Nutrition Programs Administration. TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Foreign Agricultural Service, including:

 the Food for Peace Act (P.L. 480) and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCIES AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Provides appropriations to independent agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Farm Credit Administration (FCA).

TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sets forth permissible and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

(Sec. 701) Permits USDA to use funds provided by this bill for the purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles.

(Sec. 702) 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. Permits the transferred funds to remain available until expended and specifies restrictions on the use of the funds.

(Sec. 703) Prohibits appropriations provided by this bill from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless the bill expressly provides otherwise.

(Sec. 704) 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) 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) Prohibits USDA from using funds provided by this bill to acquire or upgrade information technology systems without approval of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board. Restricts the transfer of funds made available by this bill to the CIO without prior approval of Congress. Requires the CIO to approve specified information technology projects.

(Sec. 707) Permits specified FY2017 funds provided under the Federal Crop Insurance Act for agricultural management assistance to remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year.

(Sec. 708) Makes a former Rural Utility Service borrower that 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) Permits up to $20 million of the unobligated balances from appropriations by this bill for salaries and expenses of the Farm Service Agency to remain available through FY2018 for information technology expenses. Permits unobligated balances from appropriations by this bill for salaries and expenses for the Rural Development mission area to remain available for information technology expenses through FY2018.

 (Sec. 710) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for first-class travel by employees of agencies funded by this bill.

(Sec. 711) 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) shall not be considered to be a fund transfer or allotment for purposes of applying the limits.

(Sec. 712) Limits funds available for USDA advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces, except for panels used to comply with negotiated rulemaking or to evaluate competitively awarded grants.

(Sec. 713) 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.

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) Limits funds that may be used for the following programs:

 the Watershed Rehabilitation Program; the Environmental Quality Incentives Program; the Biomass Crop Assistance Program; the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program; the Conservation Stewardship Program; and agricultural management assistance programs authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act. (Sec. 715) Limits funds for the following domestic food assistance categories: (1) Child Nutrition Programs Entitlement Commodities, (2) State Option Contracts, and (3) Removal of Defective Commodities.

Limits FY2017 funds for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that provides fruit and vegetables to students in participating elementary schools.

Prohibits USDA from using funds for payments authorized by Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 to increase purchasing power of agricultural producers or for surplus removal or price support activities authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.

(Section 32 is a program created to assist agricultural producers of non-price-supported commodities and 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 provision effectively prohibits the use of Section 32 for emergency disaster payments.)

Rescinds specified unobligated balances provided for domestic food assistance programs.

 (Sec. 716) 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) Sets forth procedures, requirements, and restrictions for reprogramming and transferring funds provided by this bill.

(Sec. 718) Permits USDA to assess a one-time fee for any guaranteed business and industry loan in an amount that does not exceed 3% of the guaranteed principal portion of the loan.

(Sec. 719) Prohibits funds from being used to provide questions or responses to questions requested for the appropriations hearing process to anyone not employed by an agency funded by this bill.

(Sec. 720) 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 it includes clear notification that it was produced or funded by the agency.

(Sec. 721) 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) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for any proposed rulemaking that does not comply with the requirements for cost-benefit analysis set forth in Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review).

(Sec. 723) Directs the agencies funded by this bill to submit spending plans to Congress.

(Sec. 724) Provides that funds for title II of the Food for Peace Act may only be used to assist nations if the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) determines that adequate monitoring and controls exist to ensure that emergency food aid is received by the intended beneficiaries in areas affected by food shortages and not diverted for unauthorized or inappropriate purposes.

(Sec. 725) Requires USDA to establish 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) 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. Requires congressional notification prior to implementing any increase.

(Sec. 727) 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) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to procure processed poultry products from China for the National School Lunch Program, the Child and Adult Food Care Program, the Summer Food Service Program, or the School Breakfast Program.

(Sec. 729) Permits USDA to respond to a community with inadequate drinking water supplies due to a natural disaster by providing potable water through the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program for up to 120 days beyond the time period established in the program.

(Sec. 730) Specifies the matching requirements that apply to funds appropriated for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

(Sec. 731) Requires USDA to permit states to grant exemptions from whole grain requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program that took effect on or after July 1, 2014.

Requires states to establish a process for responding to exemption requests, provided that school food authorities demonstrate hardship in procuring whole grain products compliant with new standards and comply with whole grain standards in effect prior to July 1, 2014.

Prohibits funds from being used to implement regulations requiring a specified reduction in sodium in federally reimbursed meals, foods, and snacks sold in schools until the latest scientific research establishes that the reduction is beneficial for children.

(Sec. 732) Prohibits the Food and Nutrition Service from using funds provided by this bill for any new research and evaluation projects until after a research and evaluation plan is submitted to Congress.

(Sec. 733) Sets forth the authorities that apply for USDA to provide loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms.

(Sec. 734) 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 until a federal law is enacted to allow or require electronic distribution.

(Sec. 735) Prohibits the FDA from using funds for the rule entitled "Food Labeling; Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments" until the later of: (1) December 1, 2016, or (2) one year after HHS publishes specified guidance for nutrition labeling of standard menu items in restaurants and similar retail food establishments.

(Sec. 736) 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. Provides that any submission is deemed not to have been received, and the exemption may not go into effect.

(Sec. 737) Prohibits funds from being used to implement or enforce any provisions of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, with respect to the regulation of the distribution, sale, or receipt of dried spent grain byproducts of the alcoholic beverage production process, irrespective of whether the byproducts are solely intended for use as animal feed.

(Sec. 738) Requires the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to:

 establish a prioritization process for conducting audits or reviews of countries or regions that have received animal health status recognitions by APHIS; and conduct audits that evaluate specified factors in the country or region being audited. (Sec. 739) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to issue or renew licenses under the Animal Welfare Act for certain dealers who sell dogs and cats for research, experiments, teaching, or testing.

(Sec. 740) 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. 741) Permits USDA to charge a fee for lenders to access USDA loan guarantee systems in connection with participation in the loan guarantee programs of the Rural Housing Service.

(Sec. 742) 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. 743) Provides additional funds to APHIS to remain available until expended for fruit fly rearing facilities.

(Sec. 744) Requires a household that is certified to participate in SNAP to report when it no longer resides in the state in which it is certified.

(Sec. 745) Rescinds specified unobligated balances from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

(Sec. 746) 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. Specifies exceptions and waiver procedures.

(Sec. 747) Prohibits the FDA from using funds provided by this bill for the rule entitled "Supplemental Applications Proposing Labeling Changes for Approved Drugs and Biological Products" unless the rule requires the FDA to approve in advance via prior approval supplement any change to the safety information in the labeling of: (1) a drug that is marketed pursuant to an abbreviated new drug application, and (2) the listed drug and any other drug that is marketed pursuant to an abbreviated new drug application citing the same listed drug.

(Sec. 748) Provides additional funds for the purchase of commodities for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

(Sec. 749) Prohibits the FDA from using funds provided by this bill to enforce the proposed "deeming rule" for tobacco products if the rule would apply to traditional large and premium cigars.

(The rule deems e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, and other products, to meet the statutory definition of "tobacco product" and to, therefore, be subject to FDA's regulatory authority. Manufacturers of newly deemed tobacco products that are currently being marketed in the United States must file an application for premarket review with FDA.)

(Sec. 750) Requires at least 10% of the funds provided by this bill for specified Rural Development programs to be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. Defines a "persistent poverty county" as county that has had at least 20% of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the decennial censuses.

(Sec. 751) Prohibits USDA from including incarcerated prison populations to determine eligibility or the level of program assistance for Rural Development programs.

(Sec. 752) Provides funds to the FDA to remain available until expended to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the Ebola virus domestically and internationally and to develop necessary medical countermeasures and vaccines.

(Sec. 753) Provides funds for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program to remain available until expended, for emergencies not declared as a major disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

(Sec. 754) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before Congress, other than to communicate with Congress as permitted under current law.

(Sec. 755) Deems subtitles A (Patient-Focused Drug Development), D (Modern Trial Design and Evidence Development), and L (Priority Review for Breakthrough Devices) of title II of H.R. 6 (the 21st Century Cures Act), as passed by the House of Representatives on July 10, 2015, to be enacted into law.

(Sec. 756) Requires the FDA to issue final regulations revising the federal drug regulations with respect to medical gases not later than July 9, 2016. Requires the FDA, if it fails to issue regulations by the deadline, to incorporate by reference voluntary consensus safety and labeling standards developed by an American National Standards Institute-accredited standard development organization until the FDA revises the regulations.

(Sec. 757) Provides additional funds to APHIS for the multiple-agency response to citrus greening.

(Sec. 758) Rescinds specified unobligated balances of funds provided to USDA for the Rural Housing and Community Development Service, the Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service.

(Sec. 759) Rescinds specified unobligated balances of funds provided to USDA for the Rural Housing and Community Development Service, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service.

(Sec. 760) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for regulations, requirements, or policies with respect to the importation into the United States of lemons from Argentina, unless and until:

 USDA certifies to Congress that: (1) it has completed site visits of production areas of lemons in Argentina; and (2) conducted pest and disease risk assessments with respect to the lemons; and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget certifies to Congress that specified assessments of the costs and benefits required by Executive Order 12866 have been completed. (Sec. 761) Prohibits the FDA from using funds to require manufacturers of e-cigarettes and other newly deemed tobacco products currently on the market from filing an application for premarket review with the FDA.

Requires the FDA to issue specified regulations regarding vapor product batteries. Specifies requirements for advertising, selling, and labeling of vapor products.

(Sec. 762) Prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes.

(Sec. 763) Prohibits funds from be used for rules to change the definition of "staple food," the definition of "retail food store," or the approval of retail food stores or wholesale food concerns for SNAP, except to change the variety of foods required or the number of perishable items to comply with the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

(Sec. 764) Prohibits the FDA from using funds provided by this bill for guidelines or regulations applicable to food manufacturers for population-wide sodium reduction actions until the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the National Academy of Medicine completes a dietary reference intake report with respect to sodium.

(Sec. 765) Prohibits funds from being used to lower the de minimis quantity of swap dealing established under the Commodity Exchange Act below $8 billion.

(Sec. 766) Provides additional funds to USDA for loans and grants to food retailers to support projects under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative that provide access to healthy food in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities.

(Sec. 767) Prohibits the use of funds for proposed Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration rules (commonly referred to as the GIPSA rule) establishing criteria to determine whether conduct in the livestock and poultry industries violates provisions of the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 intended to ensure a fair marketplace. Prohibits advancing the proposed rules unless the combined annual cost to the economy of the rules does not exceed $100 million.

TITLE VIII

(Sec. 801) Permits unobligated balances of specified funds provided to the Departments of State and Health and Human Services for Ebola response and preparedness to be used to prevent, prepare, and respond to the Zika virus, domestically and internationally. Designates the funds as an emergency requirement and permits the funds to be available only if the President subsequently designates the amounts and transmits the designation to Congress.

(Sec. 802) Establishes a spending reduction account for the amount by which spending proposed in this bill exceeds the subcommittee's allocation under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Specifies that the amount is $0. (Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, any savings included in the spending reduction account are not available for further appropriation during consideration of the bill.)

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure bill provides fy2017 appropriations department_of_agriculture usda forest_service included department_of_the_interior environment related agencies appropriations bill provides appropriations food_and_drug_administration fda commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc farm credit administration bill includes discretionary mandatory funding mandatory funding levels generally set authorizing legislation farm bill frequently limited agriculture appropriations bill bill decreases discretionary funding agriculture rural_development food_and_drug_administration related agencies fy2016 levels compared fy2016 levels bill increases discretionary funding conservation programs rural_development domestic food programs foreign assistance related programs fda bill decreases discretionary funding agricultural programs funds cftc special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic fy2016 levels included bill provisions affect policies areas regulation newly deemed tobacco products electronic cigarettes cigarettes cigars reporting requirements supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamp program households inventory requirements snap authorized retailers nutrition standards school meals menu labeling requirements horse slaughter facility inspections livestock poultry marketing rules summary agriculture rural_development food_and_drug_administration related agencies appropriations act provides fy2017 appropriations department_of_agriculture usda food_and_drug_administration fda related agencies title agricultural programs provides appropriations following agricultural programs services office_of_the_secretary executive operations office chief information officer office chief financial officer office assistant secretary civil rights office civil rights agriculture buildings facilities hazardous materials management office_of_inspector_general office general counsel office ethics office secretary research education economics economic research service national agricultural statistics service agricultural_research_service national_institute_of_food_and_agriculture office secretary marketing regulatory programs animal plant_health_inspection_service agricultural marketing service grain inspection packers administration office secretary food safety food_safety_and_inspection_service office secretary farm foreign agricultural services farm_service_agency risk_management_agency federal_crop_insurance_corporation fund commodity_credit_corporation fund title conservation programs provides appropriations office secretary natural resources environment provides appropriations natural_resources_conservation_service conservation operations watershed rehabilitation program title iii rural_development programs provides appropriations rural_development programs including office secretary rural_development rural_development rural housing service rural business cooperative service rural_utilities_service title domestic food programs provides appropriations office secretary food nutrition consumer services provides appropriations food nutrition service child nutrition programs special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamps commodity assistance program nutrition programs administration title foreign assistance related programs provides appropriations foreign agricultural service including food_for_peace_act mcgovern dole international food education child nutrition program title related agencies food_and_drug_administration provides appropriations department_of_health_and_human_services hhs food_and_drug_administration fda provides appropriations independent agencies including commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc farm credit administration title vii general_provisions sets forth permissible prohibited uses funds provided appropriations acts sec permits usda use funds provided bill purchase replacement hire passenger motor vehicles sec permits usda transfer unobligated balances working capital_fund acquisition plant capital equipment financial administrative information technology services permits transferred funds remain available expended specifies restrictions use funds sec prohibits appropriations provided bill remaining available obligation current fiscal year bill expressly provides sec limits negotiated indirect costs cooperative agreements usda nonprofit institutions total direct cost agreement purpose agreement carry programs mutual interest parties sec permits appropriations direct guaranteed loans remain available expended disburse obligations current fiscal year rural_development loan fund program account rural electrification telecommunication loans program account rural housing insurance fund program account sec prohibits usda funds provided bill acquire upgrade information technology systems approval chief information officer cio executive information technology investment review board restricts transfer funds available bill cio prior approval congress requires cio approve specified information technology projects sec permits specified fy2017 funds provided federal_crop_insurance_act agricultural management assistance remain available expended disburse obligations current fiscal year sec makes rural utility service borrower repaid prepaid loan rural electrification act profit utility qualified receive loan act eligible rural economic development job creation assistance manner borrower sec permits million unobligated balances appropriations bill salaries expenses farm_service_agency remain available fy2018 information technology expenses permits unobligated balances appropriations bill salaries expenses rural_development mission area remain available information technology expenses fy2018 sec prohibits funds provided bill class travel employees agencies funded bill sec provides commodity_credit_corporation funds authorized required specified programs included agricultural act shall available salaries administrative expenses associated programs regard allotment transfer limits shall considered fund transfer allotment purposes applying limits sec limits funds available usda advisory committees panels commissions task forces panels comply negotiated rulemaking evaluate competitively awarded grants sec prohibits funds provided bill pay indirect costs charged agricultural research education extension grant awards issued national_institute_of_food_and_agriculture exceed total federal funds provided award permits funds provided bill grants awarded competitively pay allowable indirect costs specified research development grants awarded small_business_act sec limits funds following programs watershed rehabilitation program environmental quality incentives program biomass crop assistance program biorefinery renewable chemical biobased product manufacturing assistance program conservation stewardship program agricultural management assistance programs authorized federal_crop_insurance_act sec limits funds following domestic food assistance categories child nutrition programs entitlement commodities state option contracts removal defective commodities limits fy2017 funds fresh fruit vegetable program provides fruit vegetables students participating elementary schools prohibits usda funds payments authorized section agricultural adjustment act increase purchasing power agricultural producers surplus removal price support activities authorized commodity_credit_corporation charter act section program created assist agricultural producers non price supported commodities funded permanent appropriation portion previous year customs receipts certain mandatory transfers child nutrition programs provision effectively prohibits use section emergency disaster payments rescinds specified unobligated balances provided domestic food assistance programs sec prohibits funds prepare proposals president budget assume savings certain user fee proposals identifying additional spending reductions occur proposals enacted sec sets forth procedures requirements restrictions reprogramming transferring funds provided bill sec permits usda assess time fee guaranteed business industry loan exceed guaranteed principal portion loan sec prohibits funds provide questions responses questions requested appropriations hearing process employed agency funded bill sec prohibits executive branch agency funds provided bill produce news story broadcast distribution includes clear notification produced funded agency sec prohibits usda employees detailed assigned agency funded bill usda agency office days fiscal year individual employing agency reimbursed receiving agency salary expenses employee sec prohibits funds provided bill proposed rulemaking comply requirements cost benefit analysis set forth executive order improving regulation regulatory review sec directs agencies funded bill submit spending plans congress sec provides funds title food_for_peace_act assist nations agency international_development usaid determines adequate monitoring controls exist ensure emergency food aid received intended beneficiaries areas affected food shortages diverted unauthorized inappropriate purposes sec requires usda establish intermediary loan packaging program based fy2013 pilot program packaging reviewing section single family direct_loans loan program assists low income applicants purchasing homes rural areas funds build repair renovate house including providing water sewage facilities sec permits usda increase program level certain loans loan guarantees require budget authority program levels established bill requires congressional notification prior implementing increase sec provides certain credit card refunds rebates transferred working capital_fund shall available obligation congressional approval shall available acquisition plant capital equipment usda financial administrative information technology services sec prohibits funds provided bill procure processed poultry products china national school lunch program child adult food care program summer food service program school breakfast program sec permits usda respond community inadequate drinking water supplies natural disaster providing potable water emergency community water assistance grant program days time period established program sec specifies matching requirements apply funds appropriated agriculture_and_food_research_initiative sec requires usda permit states grant exemptions grain requirements national school lunch program school breakfast program took effect july requires states establish process responding exemption requests provided school food authorities demonstrate hardship procuring grain products compliant new standards comply grain standards effect prior july prohibits funds implement regulations requiring specified reduction sodium federally reimbursed meals foods snacks sold schools latest scientific research establishes reduction beneficial children sec prohibits food nutrition service funds provided bill new research evaluation projects research evaluation plan submitted congress sec sets forth authorities apply usda provide loans housing buildings adequate farms sec prohibits funds provided bill regulations allow require information intended prescribing health_care professional case drug biological product distributed electronically federal law enacted allow require electronic distribution sec prohibits fda funds rule entitled food labeling nutrition labeling standard menu items restaurants similar retail food establishments later december year hhs publishes specified guidance nutrition labeling standard menu items restaurants similar retail food establishments sec prohibits fda acknowledging applications exemption investigational use drug biological product research human embryo intentionally created modified include genetic modification provides submission deemed received exemption effect sec prohibits funds implement enforce provisions fda food safety modernization act respect regulation distribution sale receipt dried spent grain byproducts alcoholic beverage production process irrespective byproducts solely intended use animal feed sec requires animal plant_health_inspection_service establish prioritization process conducting audits reviews countries regions received animal health status conduct audits evaluate specified factors country region audited sec prohibits funds provided bill issue renew licenses animal welfare act certain dealers sell dogs cats research experiments teaching testing sec prohibits fda deeming partially oils unsafe food containing partially oil adulterated prior june sec permits usda charge fee lenders access usda loan guarantee systems connection participation loan guarantee programs rural housing service sec prohibits funds provided bill computer network pornography blocked exception law enforcement prosecution adjudication activities sec provides additional funds remain available expended fruit fly facilities sec requires household certified participate snap report longer resides state certified sec rescinds specified unobligated balances special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic sec prohibits funds provided rural water waste water waste disposal solid_waste management programs authorized consolidated_farm rural_development act construction alteration maintenance repair public water wastewater system iron steel products project produced united_states specifies exceptions waiver procedures sec prohibits fda funds provided bill rule entitled supplemental applications proposing labeling changes approved drugs biological products rule requires fda approve advance prior approval supplement change safety information labeling drug marketed pursuant abbreviated new drug application listed drug drug marketed pursuant abbreviated new drug application listed drug sec provides additional funds purchase commodities emergency food assistance program sec prohibits fda funds provided bill enforce proposed deeming rule tobacco products rule apply traditional large premium cigars rule deems cigarettes cigars pipe tobacco tobacco products meet statutory definition tobacco product subject fda regulatory authority manufacturers newly deemed tobacco products currently marketed united_states file application premarket review fda sec requires funds provided bill specified rural_development programs allocated assistance persistent poverty counties defines persistent poverty county county population living poverty past years measured decennial censuses sec prohibits usda including incarcerated prison populations determine eligibility level program assistance rural_development programs sec provides funds fda remain available expended prevent prepare respond ebola virus domestically internationally develop necessary medical countermeasures vaccines sec provides funds emergency watershed protection program remain available expended emergencies declared major disaster emergency robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act sec prohibits funds provided bill influence congressional action legislation appropriation matters pending congress communicate congress permitted current law sec deems subtitles patient focused drug development modern trial design evidence development priority review breakthrough devices title 21st century cures act passed house_of_representatives july enacted law sec requires fda issue final regulations revising federal drug regulations respect medical gases later july requires fda fails issue regulations deadline incorporate reference voluntary consensus safety labeling standards developed american_national_standards_institute accredited standard development organization fda revises regulations sec provides additional funds multiple agency response citrus sec rescinds specified unobligated balances funds provided usda rural housing community development service rural housing service rural business cooperative service rural_utilities_service sec rescinds specified unobligated balances funds provided usda rural housing community development service rural housing service rural business cooperative service rural_utilities_service sec prohibits funds provided bill regulations requirements policies respect importation united_states usda certifies congress completed site visits production areas conducted pest disease risk assessments respect office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget certifies congress specified assessments costs benefits required executive order completed sec prohibits fda funds require manufacturers cigarettes newly deemed tobacco products currently market filing application premarket review fda requires fda issue specified regulations vapor product batteries specifies requirements advertising selling labeling vapor products sec prohibits funds inspect horses slaughter purposes sec prohibits funds rules change definition staple food definition retail food store approval retail food stores wholesale food concerns snap change variety foods required number perishable items comply food_and_nutrition_act_of_2008 sec prohibits fda funds provided bill guidelines regulations applicable food manufacturers population wide sodium reduction actions centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention national academy medicine completes dietary reference intake report respect sodium sec prohibits funds lower minimis quantity swap dealing established commodity_exchange_act billion sec provides additional funds usda loans grants food retailers support projects healthy food financing initiative provide access healthy food underserved areas create preserve quality jobs revitalize low income communities sec prohibits use funds proposed grain inspection packers administration rules commonly referred rule establishing criteria determine conduct livestock poultry industries violates provisions packers stockyards_act intended ensure fair marketplace prohibits advancing proposed rules combined annual cost economy rules exceed million title viii sec permits unobligated balances specified funds provided departments_of_state health_and_human_services ebola response preparedness prevent prepare respond zika virus domestically internationally designates funds emergency requirement permits funds available president subsequently designates amounts transmits designation congress sec establishes spending reduction account spending proposed bill exceeds subcommittee allocation congressional_budget_act specifies rules house_of_representatives savings included spending reduction account available appropriation consideration bill


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Highlights:

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 provides FY2016 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), except for the Forest Service; and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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.

The bill decreases funding for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies below FY2015 levels.

Compared to FY2015 levels, the bill:

 increases funding for Rural Development, Foreign Assistance and Related Programs, and the FDA; and decreases funding for Agricultural Programs, Conservation Programs, and Domestic Food Programs. Also included in the bill are provisions that restrict funding for:

 importing beef from Brazil and Argentina, the 2015 dietary guidelines, and horse slaughter facility inspections. Full Summary:

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016

Provides FY2016 appropriations to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and related agencies.

TITLE I--AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS

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 Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety; the Food Safety and Inspection Service; the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; the Farm Service Agency; the Risk Management Agency; the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund; and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. TITLE II--CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Provides appropriations to the Natural Resources Conservation Service for Conservation Operations.

TITLE III--RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for Rural Development Programs including:

 the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. TITLE IV--DOMESTIC FOOD PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

Provides appropriations to the Food and Nutrition Service, including:

 Child Nutrition Programs; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps); the Commodity Assistance Program; and Nutrition Programs Administration. TITLE V--FOREIGN ASSISTANCE AND RELATED PROGRAMS

Provides appropriations for the Foreign Agricultural Service, including the Food for Peace Act (P.L. 480) and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

TITLE VI--RELATED AGENCY AND FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

Provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Provides appropriations to the Farm Credit Administration.

TITLE VII--GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sets forth permissible, restricted, and prohibited uses for funds provided by this and other appropriations Acts.

(Sec. 701) Permits USDA to use funds provided by this bill for the purchase, replacement, and hire of passenger motor vehicles.

(Sec. 702) 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. Permits the transferred funds to remain available until expended and specifies restrictions on the use of the funds.

(Sec. 703) Prohibits appropriations provided by this bill from remaining available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless the bill expressly provides otherwise.

(Sec. 704) Limits negotiated indirect costs on cooperative agreements between USDA and nonprofit institutions to 10% of the total direct cost of the agreement.

(Sec. 705) 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) Prohibits USDA from using funds provided by this bill to acquire or upgrade information technology systems without approval of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board. Restricts the transfer of funds made available by this bill to the CIO without prior approval of Congress. Requires the CIO to approve specified information technology projects.

(Sec. 707) Permits specified FY2016 funds provided under the Federal Crop Insurance Act for agricultural management assistance to remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year.

(Sec. 708) Makes a former Rural Utility Service borrower that 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) Permits up to $20 million of the unobligated balances from appropriations by this bill for salaries and expenses of the Farm Services Agency to remain available through FY2017 for information technology expenses.

Permits unobligated balances from appropriations by this bill for salaries and expenses for the Rural Development mission area to remain available for information technology expenses through FY2017.

(Sec. 710) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for first-class travel by employees of agencies funded by this bill.

(Sec. 711) 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) shall not be considered to be a fund transfer or allotment for purposes of applying the limits.

(Sec. 712) Limits funds available for USDA advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces.

(Sec. 713) 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 that exceed 30% of total federal funds provided under each award.

(Sec. 714) Limits funds that may be used for the following programs:

 the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program. (Sec. 715) Limits funds for the following domestic food assistance categories: (1) Child Nutrition Programs Entitlement Commodities, (2) State Option Contracts, and (3) Removal of Defective Commodities.

Limits FY2016 funds for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that provides fruit and vegetables to students in participating elementary schools.

Prohibits USDA from using funds for payments authorized by Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1935 to increase purchasing power of agricultural producers or for surplus removal or price support activities authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.

(Section 32 is a program created to assist agricultural producers of non-price-supported commodities and 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 provision effectively prohibits the use of Section 32 for emergency disaster payments.)

Rescinds specified unobligated balances provided for domestic food assistance programs.

 (Sec. 716) Prohibits the use of funds 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) Sets forth procedures, requirements, and restrictions, for reprogramming and transferring funds provided by this bill.

(Sec. 718) Permits USDA to assess a one-time fee for any guaranteed business and industry loan in an amount that does not exceed 3% of the guaranteed principal portion of the loan.

(Sec. 719) Prohibits funds from being used to provide questions or responses to questions requested for the appropriations hearing process to anyone not employed by an agency funded by this bill.

(Sec. 720) 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 it includes clear notification that it was produced or funded by the agency.

(Sec. 721) Prohibits USDA employees from being detailed 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) Permits USDA to authorize a state agency to exceed the maximum amount of liquid infant formula that regulations permit to be issued to participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

(Sec. 723) Directs the agencies funded by this bill to submit spending plans to Congress.

(Sec. 724) Appropriates funds for direct reimbursement payments for geographically disadvantaged farmers or ranchers to transport agricultural commodities.

(Sec. 725) Directs USDA to: (1) continue the pilot program in effect for FY2013 for packaging and reviewing direct loans for single family rural housing, and (2) enter into additional agreements to increase the number of participating organizations to at least 10.

(Sec. 726) 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. Requires congressional notification prior to implementing any increase.

(Sec. 727) 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 acquisition of plant and capital equipment for USDA financial, administrative, and information technology services.

(Sec. 728) Appropriates funds for a pilot program to demonstrate new technologies that increase growth of re-forested hardwood trees on private nonindustrial forests lands on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

(Sec. 729) Prohibits the FDA from using funds for the rule entitled "Food Labeling; Nutrition Labeling of Standard Menu Items in Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments" before December 1, 2016.

(Sec. 730) Permits USDA to respond to a community with inadequate drinking water supplies due to a natural disaster by providing potable water through the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant Program for up to 120 days beyond the time period established in the program.

(Sec. 731) Provides appropriations to remain available until expended for implementing non-renewable agreements for wetlands preservation on eligible lands, including flooded agricultural lands.

(Sec. 732) Directs USDA to set aside specified additional funds for Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones.

(Sec. 733) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans unless specified requirements regarding the reliance on scientific evidence and the scope of the guidelines are met.

(Sec. 734) Specifies the matching requirements that apply to funds appropriated for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.

(Sec. 735) 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. 736) Permits USDA to charge a fee for lenders to access UDA loan guarantee systems in connection with participation in the loan guarantee programs of the Rural Housing Service.

(Sec. 737) Rescinds specified unobligated balances previously provided to USDA for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

(Sec. 738) Rescinds specified unobligated balances previously provided to USDA for the Rural Utilities Service.

(Sec. 739) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used 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.

(Sec. 740) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used 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 until a federal law is enacted to allow or require electronic distribution.

(Sec. 741) Provides specified funds to USDA for projects to provide access to healthy food in underserved areas, create and preserve quality jobs, and revitalize low-income communities.

(Sec. 742) Makes state agricultural experiment stations and state cooperative extension services eligible to enter into cooperative agreements with USDA to support the dissemination of objective, scholarly, and authoritative agricultural and food law research, legal tools, and information.

(Sec. 743) Prohibits funds provided by this bill from being used for the rules entitled "Importation of Beef From a Region in Argentina" and "Importation of Beef From a Region in Brazil" until USDA:

 conducts a comprehensive risk evaluation of importing beef from Argentina and Brazil, updates a specified report on the economic impacts associated with the potential introduction of foot-and-mouth disease, and reports to Congress on the implementation of GAO recommendations regarding federal veterinarians and workforce needs for emergency response to an animal disease outbreak. (Sec. 744) Prohibits funds from being used to inspect horses for slaughter purposes.

(Sec. 745) Requires USDA to permit states to grant exemptions from whole grain requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program that took effect on or after July 1, 2014.

 Requires states to establish a process for responding to exemption requests, provided that school food authorities demonstrate hardship in procuring whole grain products compliant with new standards and comply with whole grain standards in effect prior to July 1, 2014.

 Prohibits funds from being used to implement regulations requiring a specified reduction in sodium in federally reimbursed meals, foods, and snacks sold in schools until the latest scientific research establishes that the reduction is beneficial for children.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure agriculture rural_development food_and_drug_administration related agencies appropriations act provides fy2016 appropriations department_of_agriculture usda forest_service food_and_drug_administration fda bill includes discretionary mandatory funding mandatory funding levels generally set authorizing legislation farm bill frequently limited agriculture appropriations bill bill decreases funding agriculture rural_development food_and_drug_administration related agencies fy2015 levels compared fy2015 levels bill increases funding rural_development foreign assistance related programs fda decreases funding agricultural programs conservation programs domestic food programs included bill provisions restrict funding importing beef brazil dietary guidelines horse slaughter facility inspections summary agriculture rural_development food_and_drug_administration related agencies appropriations act provides fy2016 appropriations department_of_agriculture usda food_and_drug_administration fda related agencies title agricultural programs provides appropriations following agricultural programs services office_of_the_secretary executive operations office chief information officer office chief financial officer office assistant secretary civil rights office civil rights agriculture buildings facilities hazardous materials management office_of_inspector_general office general counsel office ethics office secretary research education economics economic research service national agricultural statistics service agricultural_research_service national_institute_of_food_and_agriculture office secretary marketing regulatory programs animal plant_health_inspection_service agricultural marketing service grain inspection packers administration office secretary food safety food_safety_and_inspection_service office secretary farm foreign agricultural services farm_service_agency risk_management_agency federal_crop_insurance_corporation fund commodity_credit_corporation fund title conservation programs provides appropriations office secretary natural resources environment provides appropriations natural_resources_conservation_service conservation operations title iii rural_development programs provides appropriations rural_development programs including office secretary rural_development rural_development salaries expenses rural housing service rural business cooperative service rural_utilities_service title domestic food programs provides appropriations office secretary food nutrition consumer services provides appropriations food nutrition service including child nutrition programs special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic supplemental nutrition assistance program snap known food stamps commodity assistance program nutrition programs administration title foreign assistance related programs provides appropriations foreign agricultural service including food_for_peace_act mcgovern dole international food education child nutrition program title related agency food_and_drug_administration provides appropriations department_of_health_and_human_services hhs food_and_drug_administration fda provides appropriations farm credit administration title vii general_provisions sets forth permissible restricted prohibited uses funds provided appropriations acts sec permits usda use funds provided bill purchase replacement hire passenger motor vehicles sec permits usda transfer unobligated balances working capital_fund acquisition plant capital equipment financial administrative information technology services permits transferred funds remain available expended specifies restrictions use funds sec prohibits appropriations provided bill remaining available obligation current fiscal year bill expressly provides sec limits negotiated indirect costs cooperative agreements usda nonprofit institutions total direct cost agreement sec permits appropriations direct guaranteed loans remain available expended disburse obligations current fiscal year rural_development loan fund program account rural electrification telecommunication loans program account rural housing insurance fund program account sec prohibits usda funds provided bill acquire upgrade information technology systems approval chief information officer cio executive information technology investment review board restricts transfer funds available bill cio prior approval congress requires cio approve specified information technology projects sec permits specified fy2016 funds provided federal_crop_insurance_act agricultural management assistance remain available expended disburse obligations current fiscal year sec makes rural utility service borrower repaid prepaid loan rural electrification act profit utility qualified receive loan act eligible rural economic development job creation assistance manner borrower sec permits million unobligated balances appropriations bill salaries expenses farm services agency remain available fy2017 information technology expenses permits unobligated balances appropriations bill salaries expenses rural_development mission area remain available information technology expenses fy2017 sec prohibits funds provided bill class travel employees agencies funded bill sec provides commodity_credit_corporation funds authorized required specified programs included agricultural act shall available salaries administrative expenses associated programs regard allotment transfer limits shall considered fund transfer allotment purposes applying limits sec limits funds available usda advisory committees panels commissions task forces sec prohibits funds provided bill pay indirect costs charged agricultural research education extension grant awards issued national_institute_of_food_and_agriculture exceed total federal funds provided award sec limits funds following programs watershed rehabilitation program environmental quality incentives program biomass crop assistance program sec limits funds following domestic food assistance categories child nutrition programs entitlement commodities state option contracts removal defective commodities limits fy2016 funds fresh fruit vegetable program provides fruit vegetables students participating elementary schools prohibits usda funds payments authorized section agricultural adjustment act increase purchasing power agricultural producers surplus removal price support activities authorized commodity_credit_corporation charter act section program created assist agricultural producers non price supported commodities funded permanent appropriation portion previous year customs receipts certain mandatory transfers child nutrition programs provision effectively prohibits use section emergency disaster payments rescinds specified unobligated balances provided domestic food assistance programs sec prohibits use funds prepare proposals president budget assume savings certain user fee proposals identifying additional spending reductions occur proposals enacted sec sets forth procedures requirements restrictions reprogramming transferring funds provided bill sec permits usda assess time fee guaranteed business industry loan exceed guaranteed principal portion loan sec prohibits funds provide questions responses questions requested appropriations hearing process employed agency funded bill sec prohibits executive branch agency funds provided bill produce news story broadcast distribution includes clear notification produced funded agency sec prohibits usda employees detailed usda agency office days fiscal year individual employing agency reimbursed receiving agency salary expenses employee sec permits usda authorize state agency exceed maximum liquid infant formula regulations permit issued participants special supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic sec directs agencies funded bill submit spending plans congress sec appropriates funds direct reimbursement payments geographically disadvantaged farmers ranchers transport agricultural commodities sec directs usda continue pilot program effect fy2013 packaging reviewing direct_loans single family rural housing enter additional agreements increase number participating organizations sec permits usda increase program level certain loans loan guarantees require budget authority program levels established bill requires congressional notification prior implementing increase sec provides certain credit card refunds rebates transferred working capital_fund shall available obligation congressional approval shall available acquisition plant capital equipment usda financial administrative information technology services sec appropriates funds pilot program demonstrate new technologies increase growth forested trees private nonindustrial forests lands coast gulf_of_mexico damaged hurricane katrina sec prohibits fda funds rule entitled food labeling nutrition labeling standard menu items restaurants similar retail food establishments december sec permits usda respond community inadequate drinking water supplies natural disaster providing potable water emergency community water assistance grant program days time period established program sec provides appropriations remain available expended implementing non renewable agreements wetlands preservation eligible lands including flooded agricultural lands sec directs usda set aside specified additional funds rural economic area partnership reap zones sec prohibits funds provided bill dietary guidelines americans specified requirements reliance scientific evidence scope guidelines met sec specifies matching requirements apply funds appropriated agriculture_and_food_research_initiative sec permits usda receive access certain information federal tax returns verify income individuals participating loan programs housing act sec permits usda charge fee lenders access loan guarantee systems connection participation loan guarantee programs rural housing service sec rescinds specified unobligated balances previously provided usda natural_resources_conservation_service sec rescinds specified unobligated balances previously provided usda rural_utilities_service sec prohibits funds provided bill contravention provision agricultural act permits institution higher education state department_of_agriculture grow industrial hemp research purposes sec prohibits funds provided bill allow require information intended prescribing health_care professional case drug biological product distributed electronically federal law enacted allow require electronic distribution sec provides specified funds usda projects provide access healthy food underserved areas create preserve quality jobs revitalize low income communities sec makes state agricultural experiment stations state cooperative extension services eligible enter cooperative agreements usda support dissemination objective scholarly authoritative agricultural food law research legal tools information sec prohibits funds provided bill rules entitled importation beef region importation beef region brazil usda conducts comprehensive risk evaluation importing beef brazil updates specified report economic impacts associated potential introduction foot mouth disease reports congress implementation gao recommendations federal veterinarians workforce needs emergency response animal disease outbreak sec prohibits funds inspect horses slaughter purposes sec requires usda permit states grant exemptions grain requirements national school lunch program school breakfast program took effect july requires states establish process responding exemption requests provided school food authorities demonstrate hardship procuring grain products compliant new standards comply grain standards effect prior july prohibits funds implement regulations requiring specified reduction sodium federally reimbursed meals foods snacks sold schools latest scientific research establishes reduction beneficial children


Summary:
This bill amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 to prohibit livestock packers from owning, controlling, or feeding livestock to such an extent that the producer no longer materially participates in the management of the operation with respect to the production of the livestock.

The bill includes exceptions for: (1) livestock held for not more than seven days before slaughter; (2) certain cooperatives that own, control, or feed livestock and provide such livestock for slaughter; (3) packers that are not required to report price and quantity information on each reporting day; or (4) packers that own one livestock processing plant.

bill amends packers stockyards_act prohibit livestock packers owning controlling feeding livestock extent producer longer materially participates management operation respect production livestock bill includes exceptions livestock held seven days slaughter certain cooperatives control feed livestock provide livestock slaughter packers required report price quantity information reporting day packers livestock processing plant