S 1970 in Congressional Session 103

Bill Number : S 1970

Title : An original bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to reorganize the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

SUMMARY AS OF:
9/28/1994--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I:

General Reorganization Authorities

Title II:

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

Title III:

Rural Economic and Community Development

Title IV:

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

Title V:

Natural Resources and Environment

Title VI:

Research, Education, and Economics

Title VII:

Food Safety

Title VIII:

National Appeals Division

Title IX:

Miscellaneous Provisions Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 -

Title I:

General Reorganization Authorities - Transfers to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) all functions of the Department of Agriculture (Department) not already vested in the Secretary, with specified exceptions. Grants the Secretary general delegation authority, with specified exceptions.

(Sec. 102)

Directs the Secretary to: (1) reduce the number of Department employees by at least 7500 by September 30, 1999; and (2) combine field offices where practicable.

(Sec. 105)

Establishes in the Department the positions of: (1) Director of External Affairs of the Department of Agriculture to assume the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations and the Director of Public Affairs; and (2) Director for Administration of the Department of Agriculture to assume the functions and duties of the Assistant for Administration.

Title II:

Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services - Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs.

(Sec. 202)

Directs the Secretary to establish an Agricultural Service Agency which shall carry out programs of price and income support, crop insurance, and conservation.

(Sec. 203)

Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to revise State, county, and area committee provisions.

Title III:

Rural Economic and Community Development - Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Economic and Community Development to succeed the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Small Community and Rural Development.

Title IV:

Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services - Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services to succeed the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Food and Consumer Services.

Title V:

Natural Resources and Environment - Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment to succeed the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.

Title VI:

Research, Education, and Economics - Establishes in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department a Cooperative State Research and Education Service.

Title VII:

Food Safety - Establishes within the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety.

Title VIII:

National Appeals Division - Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department an independent National Appeals Division. Transfers to the Division all functions and pending appeals relating to: (1) the National Appeals Division established by the Agricultural Act of 1949; (2) the National Appeals Division established by the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act; (3) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation appeals; and (4) Soil Conservation Service appeals.

(Sec. 812)

Amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to expand issues covered by State mediation programs.

Title IX:

Miscellaneous Provisions - Sets forth bargaining unit voluntary agreement successorship provisions. Sec. 902) Directs the Secretary to establish in the Department an Office of Environmental Risk Assessment.

(Sec. 903)

Directs the Secretary to make necessary adjustments to ensure equitable treatment of socially disadvantaged farmers with respect to: (1) acreage bases and program payment yields; and (2) application of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.

(Sec. 907)

Expresses the sense of the Congress in favor of the purchase of American-made equipment and products in connection with this Act.

(Sec. 908)

Prohibits the Food and Drug Administration from implementing a specified final rule to alter the permitted amount of selenium in animal diets without specified prior findings.