Department of Agriculture Civil Rights and Efficiency Act of 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Department of Agriculture Reorganization

Title II: Implementation of Recommendations of Civil Rights

Action Team

Title III: Effective Date

Department of Agriculture Civil Rights and Efficiency Act of 1997 - Title I: Department of Agriculture Reorganization - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Foreign Agriculture and Agricultural Field Services. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to delegate to the Under Secretary functions and duties of: (1) the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services; and (2) the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment (other than Forest Service functions).

Makes conforming amendments to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 and to specified Federal law.

(Sec. 102) Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary for Forestry. Directs the Secretary to delegate (to such Under Secretary) Forest Service functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.

Makes conforming amendments to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 and to specified Federal law.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish in the Department a Farm Service Agency (Agency); and (2) assign to such Agency functions of the Consolidated Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Makes conforming amendments to the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.

(Sec. 104) Authorizes Agency use of Federal and non-Federal employees, with specified provisions concerning County Executive Directors.

(Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to issue regulations concerning management of State, county, and area offices of the Agency.

Title II: Implementation of Recommendations of Civil Rights Team - Defines "socially disadvantaged group" and "socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher" for purposes of this title.

(Sec. 202) Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to increase county and area committee membership by two nonvoting members appointed by the Secretary who shall advise the committee regarding Department policies to promote the interests of socially disadvantaged groups.

(Sec. 203) Authorizes the Secretary to remove a committee member for misconduct, delinquency, or inefficiency, or a committee employee for discriminating in administering a Department program or activity.

(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to establish an Office of Civil Rights Protection for Program Participants under the jurisdiction of the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Administration.

(Sec. 206) Requires the Secretary to approve related legal settlements of $25,000 or more.

(Sec. 207) Requires an agricultural census to sample each socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher.

(Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to study Department and committee hiring practices in order to make recommendations for increased hiring of socially disadvantaged group members.

(Sec. 209) Directs the (Department's) Inspector General to: (1) include in each report audits of Department civil rights rules and policies and legal settlements; and (2) report on nepotism and conflicts of interest in the Department.

Title III: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for amendments made by this Act.