Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act Amendments bill

Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act Amendments of 1991 - Title I: Agricultural Commodity Programs - Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to permit conserving use acres not planted to program crops (wheat, feed grains, cotton, or rice) to be planted to specified alternate crops, such as experimental, industrial, or minor use crops, oilseeds, or sesame.

Permits double cropping of soybeans on 0/92 wheat or feed grain acreage planted to minor oilseeds, or minor use, experimental, or industrial crops if there is a history of double cropping soybeans. Prohibits price support loans for such double cropped soybeans.

Provides for a preliminary announcement of rice acreage reductions by December 1 of the calendar year preceding the harvest year.

Requires the combining of corn and grain sorghum bases for each of 1992 through 1995.

States that reduced acreage 50 percent cover crop requirements shall not apply to arid areas.

Limits the issuance of cotton user marketing certificates during the period August 1, 1991, through July 31, 1996, based upon specified price index comparisons.

Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to make an annual determination whether to exempt malting barley from the barley acreage reduction program. Exempts from assessment barley certified as being sold for nonmalting purposes.

Accelerates wheat and feed grain deficiency payments.

Authorizes the Secretary to limit loan rate adjustments for oilseeds to reflect transportation differentials of not more than nine percent of the national loan rate for any region, State, or county.

Makes sugar cane producers eligible for supplementary nonrecourse loans. Extends sugar marketing assessment provisions through FY 1996 and requires monthly collection and remittance to the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC).

Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to base reassignment of sugar deficits on any producer's (rather than producers) inability to market his or her market allocation.

Authorizes 20 percent of a crop acreage base to be planted to dry peas or lentils if the producer forgoes 0/92 program benefits on such acreage.

Directs county agricultural committees to increase qualifying acreage bases to 1990 levels.

Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to provide recourse loans for the 1991 through 1995 crops of high moisture feed grains.

Makes technical amendments to: (1) such Act; (2) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (3) the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937; (4) the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938; (5) the Food Security Act of 1985; (6) the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973; (7) the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962; and (8) the National Wool Act of 1954.

Expresses the sense of the Congress regarding the protection of domestic barley from imported barley.

Amends the Cotton Statistics and Estimates Act to extend cotton classing fee authority through FY 1996.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that targeted option payments should be offered for the 1992 through 1995 crops of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice.

Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 to provide for the transfer of peanut quota undermarketings.

Amends the United States Cotton Futures Act to exclude cotton futures contracts settled in cash from coverage under such Act.

Directs the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees regarding Department of Agriculture lamb price and supply reporting services, including recommendations for an information gathering system reflective of the lamb industry's market structure. Authorizes appropriations.

Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to permit black-eyed peas to be planted on 50/92 cotton conserving use and set aside acres if the peas are donated to food banks or soup kitchens.

Limits the milk price support program to the 48 contiguous States.

Provides that if a natural disaster (occurring between October 1, 1990, and February 1, 1991) renders a farm's land or milk production facilities unusable, the Secretary shall allow such production unit to be transferred to a farm idled under the milk production termination program.

Title II: Conservation - Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to: (1) make technical amendments; and (2) direct the Secretary through the Extension Service to operate an education program in each State regarding the handling of agricultural chemicals and containers.

Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to permit county agricultural committee members to serve a fourth consecutive term under specified circumstances.

Amends the Farms for the Future Act of 1990 (Agricultural Resource Conservation Demonstration Program) to: (1) require that CCC funds and facilities be used if sufficient funds are not otherwise available to carry out such Program in Vermont; (2) apply special expedited application approval and loan and interest assistance rules for Vermont; (3) require 1992 stock to be issued for Vermont by December 20, 1991; and (4) require specified Program reports by the Comptroller General.

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to permit grazing on conservation reserve land under specified conditions.

Title III: Agricultural Trade - Makes technical corrections to: (1) the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; (2) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (3) the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978; and (4) the Food for Progress Act of 1985.

Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to require the President to consult with the appropriate congressional committees with regard to the operation of the Enterprise for the Americas Facility.

Amends the Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983 to exempt from certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements cigars, cigar tobaccos, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff in retail packaging.

Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to replace the current agricultural expertise program with the E. (Kika) de la Garza Agricultural Fellowship Program to develop agricultural markets in emerging democracies and to promote cooperation and information exchange between U.S. and Soviet agricultural institutions and agribusinesses. Increases annual assistance levels.

Establishes a U.S.-Soviet agricultural information exchange program. Authorizes appropriations.

Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to increase the number of members on the Environment for the Americas Board.

Title IV: Research - Entitles a section of PL 89-106 as the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act.

Makes technical amendments to: (1) such Act; (2) the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977; (3) the Rural Development Act of 1972; (4) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; and (5) the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization Act of 1990.

Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to state that deer tick research shall be carried out through the Cooperative State Research Service.

Title V: Credit - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; and (2) the Farm Credit Act of 1971.

Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to establish within the Farm Credit Administration the Office of Secondary Market Oversight (Office) to monitor the safe and sound performance of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Corporation).

Requires the Director of the Office to establish a risk-based capital test for the Corporation sufficient to maintain ten-year positive capital based upon credit risk and interest rate risk components (with adjustments for foreign exchange risk and management and operations risk). Provides for test review and revision as necessary five years after enactment of this Act.

Establishes: (1) the minimum capital level for the Corporation based upon specified percentages of assets and obligations; (2) an 18-month transition minimum capital level; (3) linked portfolio asset levels; and (4) critical capital levels.

Requires the Director to classify the Corporation on a quarterly basis according to enforcement levels I, II, III, or IV based upon regulatory capital and minimum capital levels.

Requires the Corporation, if classified as level II or III, to implement a capital restoration plan and restrict dividends as necessary. Authorizes additional supervisory actions for level III, including: (1) limitations on increase in obligations or growth; (2) dividend prohibitions; (3) required acquisition of new capital; and (4) conservatorship.

Requires the appointment of a conservator if the Corporation is classified as level IV.

Title VI: Crop Insurance and Disaster Assistance - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Federal Crop Insurance Act; (2) the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989; (3) the Disaster Assistance Act of 1988; and (4) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Title VII: Rural Development - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; (2) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; and (3) the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary to make grants to academic medical centers and land grant colleges to establish rural health leadership development education programs.

Title VIII: Agricultural Promotion - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (pecans, mushrooms, potatoes, limes, and soybeans); (2) the Honey Research Promotion, and Consumer Information Act; (3) the Cotton Research and Promotion Act; and (4) the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990.

Amends the National Wool Act to prohibit the use of price support payments to influence government activity or policy, except for amendments to the research and promotion program.

Title IX: Food and Nutrition Programs - Subtitle A: Food Stamp Program - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to make disabled persons living in certain group homes and receiving Veteran's Administration assistance, disability payments under the Railroad Retirement Act, or certain pension assistance eligible to receive food stamps.

States that categorical food stamp program (program) eligibility for recipients of general assistance shall be based on income criteria at least as restrictive as food stamp guidelines and not limited to certain one-time emergency payments.

Excludes from income for program purposes supplemental security income (SSI) provided to assist a disabled household member achieve self-sufficiency.

States that with regard to resources that cannot be sold for significant return for the support of the household, the Secretary shall not require State verification of the value of a resource unless the State determines that the information provided by the household is questionable.

Provides program resource exemption for households exempt under SSI, aid to the aged, blind, or disabled, or aid to families with dependent children (AFDC).

Requires performance standards for program employment and training programs to be based upon (rather than measured by as currently required) employment outcomes, including earning increases. Makes the Secretary solely responsible for such standards' development. (Repeals specified consultation and model standards development requirements.)

Establishes ten percent employment and training participation rates for FY 1992 and 1993, and 15 percent rates for FY 1993 and 1994.

Suspends through April 1, 1993: (1) staggered coupon issuance requirements; and (2) Indian household monthly reporting exemption requirements.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees with regard to program operations and participant difficulties on Indian reservations.

Prohibits prorating of monthly benefits in a certification period, except with respect to an initial month.

Requires with regard to nonfraudulent household errors that the household be given notice of alternative repayment (in lieu of allotment reduction) possibilities, and ten days to make such choice.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) solicit participation requests for vehicle exclusion limit projects by May 1, 1992; and (2) begin such projects by January 1, 1993.

Amends the Homeless Eligibility Clarification Act's definition of retail food store.

Subtitle B: Commodity Distribution - Amends the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 to extend commodity reprocessing pilot projects for the elderly through FY 1994.

Amends the Hunger Prevention Act of 1988 to make institutions that distribute food to the needy (in addition to soup kitchens and food banks) eligible for program participation. Provides for commodity distribution to the homeless. Authorizes the Secretary to settle or adjust claims arising under this Act, the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983, and the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973 (commodity supplemental food program).

Subtitle C: Indian Subsistence Farming Demonstration Grant - Authorizes the Secretary to establish an Indian subsistence farming demonstration grant program to grow fresh produce for distribution to recipients in need of dietary enhancement. Authorizes the Extension Service to provide technical and training assistance. Permits the use of funds for: (1) supplies and equipment purchase or lease; (2) facilities construction; (3) produce distribution; and (4) employment. Sets maximum grant amounts at $50,000 and term lengths at three years. Authorizes FY 1993 through 1995 appropriations.

Subtitle D: Technical Amendments - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Food Stamp Act of 1977; and (2) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Title X: Miscellaneous Technical Corrections - Makes technical amendments to: (1) the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990; (2) the Animal Welfare Act; (3) the Critical Agricultural Materials Act; (4) the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; (5) the United States Grain Standards Act; (6) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (7) the United States Warehouse Act; (8) the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930; (9) the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978; and (10) the Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978.

Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to revise registrant maintenance fee provisions. Provides that for each of FY 1992 through 1994, a specified fee percentage (up to $2,000,000 annually) shall be used for the registration and expedited processing fund.

Amends the Egg Products Inspection Act to require egg handlers to store eggs (including imported eggs) intended for human consumption at a minimum temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Sets forth egg facility inspection authority of the Secretaries of Agriculture and of Health and Human Services.

Increases the fine for violations of such Act. Authorizes a civil monetary penalty for violations in which no criminal penalty has been imposed.

Directs the Secretary to take appropriate action to prevent the introduction of brown tree snakes from Guam into Hawaii.

Makes specified FY 1992 funds from the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service available to the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources for potato disease prevention and control, including associated economic compensation.

Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize the collection of FY 1992 and 1993 fees (with specified annual ceilings) for airport and commercial truck and railroad car agricultural inspection services.

Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to exempt from inspection requirements pizzas containing meat or poultry if such components have been prepared and inspected in a cured or cooked form as ready-to-eat in compliance with such Acts, and the pizzas are to be served in public or private nonprofit institutions.

Directs the Secretary to conduct studies and report to the appropriate congressional committees with regard to: (1) criteria for meat and poultry inspection exemptions; and (2) exemptions under such Acts for wholesale meat outlets selling to hotels, restaurants, or other institutions in processing forms limited to cutting, slicing, grinding, or repackaging.

Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act to revise meat and poultry related laboratory accreditation fee provisions. Authorizes appropriations for laboratory accreditation services.

Repeals provisions prohibiting the export of tobacco or tobacco seed without a written permit from the Secretary and providing penalties for such violation.

Title XI: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective dates for provisions of this Act.