Plant Protection Act
S 321 IS
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 321
To streamline, modernize, and enhance the authority of the Secretary
of Agriculture relating to plant protection and quarantine, and for other
purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 1999
Mr. CRAIG introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
A BILL
To streamline, modernize, and enhance the authority of the Secretary
of Agriculture relating to plant protection and quarantine, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the `Plant Protection Act'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--PLANT PROTECTION
Sec. 101. Regulation of movement of plant pests.
Sec. 102. Regulation of movement of plants, plant products, biological
control organisms, noxious weeds, articles, and means of conveyance.
Sec. 103. Notification and holding requirements on arrival.
Sec. 104. General remedial measures for new plant pests and noxious
weeds.
Sec. 105. Extraordinary emergencies.
Sec. 106. Recovery of compensation for unauthorized activities.
Sec. 107. Control of grasshoppers and Mormon crickets.
Sec. 108. Certification for exports.
TITLE II--INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 201. Inspections, seizures, and warrants.
Sec. 202. Collection of information.
Sec. 203. Subpoena authority.
Sec. 204. Penalties for violation.
Sec. 205. Enforcement actions of Attorney General.
Sec. 206. Court jurisdiction.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 302. Buildings, land, people, claims, and agreements.
Sec. 303. Reimbursable agreements.
Sec. 304. Protection for mail carriers.
Sec. 305. Regulations and orders.
Sec. 306. Repeal of superseded laws.
TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 402. Transfer authority.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
(1) the detection, control, eradication, suppression, prevention, and
retardation of the spread of plant pests and noxious weeds is necessary
for the protection of the agriculture, environment, and economy of the
United States;
(A) is often a desirable, low-risk means of ridding crops and other
plants of plant pests and noxious weeds; and
(B) should be facilitated by the Secretary of Agriculture, Federal
agencies, and States, whenever feasible;
(3) the smooth movement of enterable plants, plant products, certain
biological control organisms, or other articles into, out of, or within
the United States is vital to the economy of the United States and should
be facilitated to the extent practicable;
(4) markets could be severely impacted by the introduction or spread
of plant pests or noxious weeds into or within the United States;
(5) the unregulated movement of plants, plant products, biological
control organisms, plant pests, noxious weeds, and articles capable of
harboring plant pests or noxious weeds would present an unacceptable risk
of introducing or spreading plant pests or noxious weeds;
(6) the existence on any premises in the United States of a plant pest
or noxious weed new to or not known to be widely prevalent in or distributed
within and throughout the United States could threaten crops, other plants,
and plant products of the United States and burden interstate commerce
or foreign commerce; and
(7) all plants, plant products, biological control organisms, plant
pests, noxious weeds, or articles capable of harboring plant pests or noxious
weeds regulated under this Act are in or affect interstate commerce or
foreign commerce.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(1) ARTICLE- The term `article' means a material or tangible object
that could harbor a pest, disease, or noxious weed.
(2) BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ORGANISM- The term `biological control organism'
means an enemy, antagonist, or competitor organism used to control a plant
pest or noxious weed.
(3) ENTER- The term `enter' means to move into the commerce of the
United States.
(4) ENTRY- The term `entry' means the act of movement into the commerce
of the United States.
(5) EXPORT- The term `export' means to move from the United States
to any place outside the United States.
(6) EXPORTATION- The term `exportation' means the act of movement from
the United States to any place outside the United States.
(7) IMPORT- The term `import' means to move into the territorial limits
of the United States.
(8) IMPORTATION- The term `importation' means the act of movement into
the territorial limits of the United States.
(9) INTERSTATE- The term `interstate' means--
(A) from 1 State into or through any other State; or
(B) within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the
United States, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
(10) INTERSTATE COMMERCE- The term `interstate commerce' means trade,
traffic, movement, or other commerce--
(A) between a place in a State and a point in another State;
(B) between points within the same State but through any place outside
the State; or
(C) within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the
United States, or any other territory or possession of the United States.
(11) MEANS OF CONVEYANCE- The term `means of conveyance' means any
personal property or means that could harbor a pest, disease, or noxious
weed and that is used for or intended for use for the movement of any other
personal property.
(12) MOVE- The term `move' means to--
(A) carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;
(B) aid, abet, cause, or induce the carrying, entering, importing,
mailing, shipping, or transporting;
(C) offer to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;
(D) receive to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;
(E) release into the environment; or
(F) allow any of the activities referred to this paragraph to be conducted
by a person under another person's control.
(13) MOVEMENT- The term `move' means the act of--
(A) carrying, entering, importing, mailing, shipping, or transporting;
(B) aiding, abetting, causing, or inducing the carrying, entering,
importing, mailing, shipping, or transporting;
(C) offering to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;
(D) receiving to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport;
(E) releasing into the environment; or
(F) allowing any of the activities referred to this paragraph to be
conducted by a person under another person's control.
(14) NOXIOUS WEED- The term `noxious weed' means a plant or plant product
that has the potential to directly or indirectly injure or cause damage
to a plant or plant product through injury or damage to a crop (including
nursery stock or a plant product), livestock, poultry, or other interest
of agriculture (including irrigation), navigation, natural resources of
the United States, public health, or the environment.
(15) PERMIT- The term `permit' means a written (including electronic)
or oral authorization by the Secretary to move a plant, plant product,
biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means
of conveyance under conditions prescribed by the Secretary.
(16) PERSON- The term `person' means an individual, partnership, corporation,
association, joint venture, or other legal entity.
(17) PLANT- The term `plant' means a plant (including a plant part)
for or capable of propagation (including a tree, tissue culture, plantlet
culture, pollen, shrub, vine, cutting, graft, scion, bud, bulb, root, and
seed).
(18) PLANT PEST- The term `plant pest' means--
(A) a living stage of a protozoan, invertebrate animal, parasitic plant,
bacteria, fungus, virus, viroid, infection agent, or pathogen that has
the potential to directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to, or cause
disease in, a plant or plant product; or
(B) an article that is similar to or allied with an article referred
to in subparagraph (A).
(19) PLANT PRODUCT- The term `plant product' means--
(A) a flower, fruit, vegetable, root, bulb, seed, or other plant part
that is not considered by the Secretary to be a plant; and
(B) a manufactured or processed plant or plant part.
(20) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(21) STATE- The term `State' means each of the several States of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
and any other territory or possession of the United States.
(22) UNITED STATES- The term `United States', when used in a geographical
sense, means all of the States.
TITLE I--PLANT PROTECTION
SEC. 101. REGULATION OF MOVEMENT OF PLANT PESTS.
(a) PROHIBITION OF UNAUTHORIZED MOVEMENT OF PLANT PESTS- Except as
provided in subsection (b), no person shall import, enter, export, or move
in interstate commerce a plant pest, unless the importation, entry, exportation,
or movement is authorized under general or specific permit and is in accordance
with such regulations as the Secretary may promulgate to prevent the introduction
of plant pests into the United States or the dissemination of plant pests
within the United States.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF MOVEMENT OF PLANT PESTS BY REGULATION-
(1) EXCEPTION TO PERMIT REQUIREMENT- The Secretary may promulgate regulations
to allow the importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate
commerce of specified plant pests without further restriction if the Secretary
finds that a permit under subsection (a) is not necessary.
(2) PETITION TO ADD OR REMOVE PLANT PESTS FROM REGULATION- A person
may petition the Secretary to add a plant pest to, or remove a plant pest
from, the regulations promulgated under paragraph (1).
(3) RESPONSE TO PETITION BY THE SECRETARY- In the case of a petition
submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall--
(A) act on the petition within a reasonable time; and
(B) notify the petitioner of the final action the Secretary takes on
the petition.
(4) BASIS FOR DETERMINATION- The determination of the Secretary on
the petition shall be based on sound science.
(c) PROHIBITION OF UNAUTHORIZED MAILING OF PLANT PESTS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to section 304, a letter, parcel, box, or other
package containing a plant pest, whether sealed as letter-rate postal matter,
is nonmailable, and a mail carrier shall not knowingly convey in the mail
or deliver from a post office such a package, unless the package is mailed
in compliance with such regulations as the Secretary may promulgate to
prevent the dissemination of plant pests into the United States or interstate.
(2) APPLICATION OF POSTAL LAWS- Nothing in this subsection authorizes
a person to open a mailed letter or other mailed sealed matter except in
accordance with the postal laws (including regulations).
(d) REGULATIONS- Regulations promulgated by the Secretary to implement
subsections (a), (b), or (c) may include provisions requiring that a plant
pest imported, entered, to be exported, moved in interstate commerce, mailed,
or delivered from a post office--
(1) be accompanied by a permit issued by the Secretary before the importation,
entry, exportation, movement in interstate commerce, mailing, or delivery
of the plant pest;
(2) be accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued (in a manner
and form required by the Secretary) by appropriate officials of the country
or State from which the plant pest is to be moved;
(3) be raised under post-entry quarantine conditions by or under the
supervision of the Secretary for the purposes of determining whether the
plant pest may be infested with other plant pests, may pose a significant
risk of causing injury to, damage to, or disease in a plant or plant product,
or may be a noxious weed; and
(4) be subject to such remedial measures as the Secretary determines
are necessary to prevent the dissemination of plant pests.
SEC. 102. REGULATION OF MOVEMENT OF PLANTS, PLANT PRODUCTS, BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL ORGANISMS, NOXIOUS WEEDS, ARTICLES, AND MEANS OF CONVEYANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may prohibit or restrict the importation,
entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce of a plant, plant
product, biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of
conveyance, if the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction
is necessary to prevent the introduction into the United States or the
dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed within the United States.
(b) REGULATIONS- The Secretary may promulgate regulations to carry
out this section, including regulations requiring that a plant, plant product,
biological control organism, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
imported, entered, to be exported, or moved in interstate commerce--
(1) be accompanied by a permit issued by the Secretary prior to the
importation, entry, exportation, or movement in interstate commerce;
(2) be accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued in a manner
and form required by the Secretary or by appropriate official of the country
or State from which the plant, plant product, biological control organism,
noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is to be moved;
(3) be subject to remedial measures the Secretary determines to be
necessary to prevent the spread of plant pests or noxious weeds; and
(4) in the case of a plant or biological control organism, be grown
or handled under post-entry quarantine conditions by or under the supervision
of the Secretary for the purpose of determining whether the plant or biological
control organism may be infested with a plant pest or noxious weed, or
may be a plant pest or noxious weed.
(c) LIST OF RESTRICTED NOXIOUS WEEDS-
(1) PUBLICATION- The Secretary may publish, by regulation, a list of
noxious weeds that are prohibited or restricted from entering the United
States or that are subject to restrictions on interstate movement within
the United States.
(2) PETITIONS TO ADD PLANT SPECIES TO OR REMOVE PLANT SPECIES FROM
LIST-
(A) IN GENERAL- A person may petition the Secretary to add a plant
species to, or remove a plant species from, the list authorized under paragraph
(1).
(B) ACTION ON PETITION- The Secretary shall--
(i) act on the petition within a reasonable time; and
(ii) notify the petitioner of the final action the Secretary takes
on the petition.
(C) BASIS FOR DETERMINATION- The determination of the Secretary on
the petition shall be based on sound science.
(d) LIST OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ORGANISMS-
(1) PUBLICATION- The Secretary may publish, by regulation, a list of
biological control organisms the movement of which in interstate commerce
is not prohibited or restricted.
(2) DISTINCTIONS- In publishing the list, the Secretary may take into
account distinctions between biological control organisms that are indigenous,
nonindigenous, newly introduced, or commercially raised.
(3) PETITIONS TO ADD BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ORGANISMS TO OR REMOVE BIOLOGICAL
CONTROL ORGANISMS FROM LIST-
(A) IN GENERAL- A person may petition the Secretary to add a biological
control organism to, or remove a biological control organism from, the
list authorized under paragraph (1).
(B) ACTION ON PETITION- The Secretary shall--
(i) act on the petition within a reasonable time; and
(ii) notify the petitioner of the final action the Secretary takes
on the petition.
(C) BASIS FOR DETERMINATION- The determination of the Secretary on
the petition shall be based on sound science.
SEC. 103. NOTIFICATION AND HOLDING REQUIREMENTS ON ARRIVAL.
(a) DUTY OF SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY-
(1) NOTIFICATION- The Secretary of the Treasury shall promptly notify
the Secretary of the arrival of a plant, plant product, biological control
organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance at
a port of entry.
(2) HOLDING- The Secretary of the Treasury shall hold a plant, plant
product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance for which notification is made under paragraph (1)
at the port of entry until the plant, plant product, biological control
organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is--
(A) inspected and authorized by the Secretary of Agriculture for entry
into or movement through the United States; or
(B) otherwise released by the Secretary.
(3) EXCEPTIONS- Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to a plant,
plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance that is imported from a country or region of a country
designated by the Secretary, by regulation, as exempt from the requirements
of those paragraphs.
(b) NOTIFICATION BY RESPONSIBLE PERSON- The person responsible for
a plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious
weed, article, or means of conveyance required to have a permit under section
101 or 102 shall promptly, on arrival at the port of entry and before the
plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious
weed, article, or means of conveyance is moved from the port of entry,
notify the Secretary or, at the Secretary's direction, the proper official
of the State to which the plant, plant product, biological control organism,
plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance is destined,
or both, as the Secretary may prescribe, of--
(1) the name and address of the consignee;
(2) the nature and quantity of the plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
proposed to be moved; and
(3) the country and locality where the plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
was grown, produced, or located.
(c) PROHIBITION OF MOVEMENT OF ITEMS WITHOUT INSPECTION AND AUTHORIZATION-
No person shall move from a port of entry or interstate an imported plant,
plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance unless the imported plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
has been--
(1) inspected and authorized by the Secretary for entry into or movement
through the United States; or
(2) otherwise released by the Secretary.
SEC. 104. GENERAL REMEDIAL MEASURES FOR NEW PLANT PESTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS.
(a) AUTHORITY TO HOLD, TREAT, OR DESTROY ITEMS- If the Secretary considers
it necessary to prevent the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed
that is new to or not known to be widely prevalent or distributed within
and throughout the United States, the Secretary may hold, seize, quarantine,
treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise dispose
of a plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious
weed, article, or means of conveyance that--
(1)(A) is moving into or through the United States or interstate, or
has moved into or through the United States or interstate; and
(B)(i) the Secretary has reason to believe is a plant pest or noxious
weed or is infested with a plant pest or noxious weed at the time of the
movement; or
(ii) is or has been otherwise in violation of this Act;
(2) has not been maintained in compliance with a post-entry quarantine
requirement; or
(3) is the progeny of a plant, plant product, biological control organism,
plant pest, or noxious weed that is moving into or through the United States
or interstate, or has moved into the United States or interstate, in violation
of this Act.
(b) AUTHORITY TO ORDER AN OWNER TO TREAT OR DESTROY-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may order the owner of a plant, plant
product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance subject to action under subsection (a), or the owner's
agent, to treat, apply other remedial measures to, destroy, or otherwise
dispose of the plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant
pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance, without cost to the
Federal Government and in a manner the Secretary considers appropriate.
(2) FAILURE TO COMPLY- If the owner or agent of the owner fails to
comply with an order of the Secretary under paragraph (1), the Secretary
may take an action authorized by subsection (a) and recover from the owner
or agent of the owner the costs of any care, handling, application of remedial
measures, or disposal incurred by the Secretary in connection with actions
taken under subsection (a).
(c) CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM-
(1) IN GENERAL- To facilitate control of noxious weeds, the Secretary
may develop a classification system to describe the status and action levels
for noxious weeds.
(2) CATEGORIES- The classification system may include the geographic
distribution, relative threat, and actions initiated to prevent introduction
or distribution.
(3) MANAGEMENT PLANS- In conjunction with the classification system,
the Secretary may develop integrated management plans for noxious weeds
for the geographic region or ecological range where the noxious weed is
found in the United States.
(d) APPLICATION OF LEAST DRASTIC ACTION- No plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
shall be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point of origin,
or ordered to be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point
of origin under this section unless, in the opinion of the Secretary, there
is no less drastic action that is feasible and that would be adequate to
prevent the dissemination of any plant pest or noxious weed new to or not
known to be widely prevalent or distributed within and throughout the United
States.
SEC. 105. EXTRAORDINARY EMERGENCIES.
(a) AUTHORITY TO DECLARE- Subject to subsection (b), if the Secretary
determines that an extraordinary emergency exists because of the presence
of a plant pest or noxious weed that is new to or not known to be widely
prevalent in or distributed within and throughout the United States and
that the presence of the plant pest or noxious weed threatens plants or
plant products of the United States, the Secretary may--
(1) hold, seize, quarantine, treat, apply other remedial measures to,
destroy, or otherwise dispose of, a plant, plant product, biological control
organism, article, or means of conveyance that the Secretary has reason
to believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed;
(2) quarantine, treat, or apply other remedial measures to any premises,
including a plant, plant product, biological control organism, article,
or means of conveyance on the premises, that the Secretary has reason to
believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed;
(3) quarantine a State or portion of a State in which the Secretary
finds the plant pest or noxious weed or a plant, plant product, biological
control organism, article, or means of conveyance that the Secretary has
reason to believe is infested with the plant pest or noxious weed; or
(4) prohibit or restrict the movement within a State of a plant, plant
product, biological control organism, article, or means of conveyance if
the Secretary determines that the prohibition or restriction is necessary
to prevent the dissemination of the plant pest or noxious weed or to eradicate
the plant pest or noxious weed.
(b) REQUIRED FINDING OF EMERGENCY- The Secretary may take action under
this section only on finding, after review and consultation with the Governor
or other
appropriate official of the State affected, that the measures being taken
by the State are inadequate to prevent the dissemination of the plant pest
or noxious weed or to eradicate the plant pest or noxious weed.
(c) NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES-
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), before any action
is taken in a State under this section, the Secretary shall--
(A) notify the Governor or another appropriate official of the State;
(B) issue a public announcement; and
(C) except as provided in paragraph (2), publish in the Federal Register
a statement of--
(i) the findings of the Secretary;
(ii) the action the Secretary intends to take;
(iii) the reason for the intended action; and
(iv) if practicable, an estimate of the anticipated duration of the
extraordinary emergency.
(2) TIME SENSITIVE ACTIONS- If it is not practicable to publish a statement
in the Federal Register under paragraph (1) before taking an action under
this section, the Secretary shall publish the statement in the Federal
Register within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 10 business
days, after commencement of the action.
(d) APPLICATION OF LEAST DRASTIC ACTION- No plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
shall be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point of origin,
or ordered to be destroyed, exported, or returned to the shipping point
of origin under this section unless, in the opinion of the Secretary, there
is no less drastic action that is feasible and that would be adequate to
prevent the dissemination of a plant pest or noxious weed new to or not
known to be widely prevalent or distributed within and throughout the United
States.
(e) PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may pay compensation to a person for
economic losses incurred by the person as a result of action taken by the
Secretary under this section.
(2) AMOUNT- The determination by the Secretary of the amount of any
compensation to be paid under this subsection shall be final and shall
not be subject to judicial review.
SEC. 106. RECOVERY OF COMPENSATION FOR UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.
(a) RECOVERY ACTION- The owner of a plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the Secretary under section 104 or
105 may bring an action against the United States to recover just compensation
for the destruction or disposal of the plant, plant product, biological
control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance
(not including compensation for loss due to delays incident to determining
eligibility for importation, entry, exportation, movement in interstate
commerce, or release into the environment) if the owner establishes that
the destruction or disposal was not authorized under this Act.
(b) TIME FOR ACTION; LOCATION-
(1) TIME FOR ACTION- An action under this section shall be brought
not later than 1 year after the destruction or disposal of the plant, plant
product, biological control mechanism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance involved.
(2) LOCATION- The action may be brought in a United States District
Court where the owner is found, resides, transacts business, is licensed
to do business, or is incorporated.
(c) PAYMENT OF JUDGMENTS- A judgment in favor of the owner shall be
paid out of any money in the Treasury appropriated for plant pest control
activities of the Department of Agriculture.
SEC. 107. CONTROL OF GRASSHOPPERS AND MORMON CRICKETS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Subject to the availability of funds under this section,
the Secretary shall carry out a program to control grasshoppers and Mormon
Crickets on all Federal land to protect rangeland.
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (3), on the request of the Secretary,
the Secretary of the Interior shall transfer to the Secretary, from any
no-year appropriations, funds for the prevention, suppression, and control
of actual or potential grasshopper and Mormon Cricket outbreaks on Federal
land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) USE- The transferred funds shall be available only for the payment
of obligations incurred on the Federal land.
(3) TRANSFER REQUESTS- The Secretary shall make a request for the transfer
of funds under this subsection as promptly as practicable.
(4) LIMITATION- The Secretary may not use funds transferred under this
subsection until funds specifically appropriated to the Secretary for grasshopper
and Mormon Cricket control have been exhausted.
(5) REPLENISHMENT OF TRANSFERRED FUNDS- Funds transferred under this
section shall be replenished by supplemental or regular appropriations,
which the Secretary shall request as promptly as practicable.
(c) TREATMENT FOR GRASSHOPPERS AND MORMON CRICKETS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to the availability of funds under this section,
on request of the head of the administering agency or the agriculture department
of an affected State, the Secretary, to protect rangeland, shall immediately
treat Federal, State, or private land that is infested with grasshoppers
or Mormon Crickets at levels of economic infestation, unless the Secretary
determines that delaying treatment will not cause greater economic damage
to adjacent owners of rangeland.
(2) OTHER PROGRAMS- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
work in conjunction with other Federal, State, and private prevention,
control, or suppression efforts to protect rangeland.
(d) FEDERAL COST SHARE OF TREATMENT-
(1) CONTROL ON FEDERAL LAND- Out of funds made available under this
section, the Secretary shall pay 100 percent of the cost of grasshopper
or Mormon Cricket control on Federal land to protect rangeland.
(2) CONTROL ON STATE LAND- Out of funds made available under this section,
the Secretary shall pay 50 percent of the cost of grasshopper or Mormon
Cricket control on State land.
(3) CONTROL ON PRIVATE LAND- Out of funds made available under this
section, the Secretary shall pay 33.3 percent of the cost of grasshopper
or Mormon Cricket control on private land.
(e) TRAINING- From funds made available or transferred by the Secretary
of the Interior to the Secretary to carry out this section, the Secretary
shall provide adequate funding for a program to train personnel to accomplish
effectively the purposes of this section.
SEC. 108. CERTIFICATION FOR EXPORTS.
The Secretary may certify a plant, plant product, or biological control
organism as free from plant pests and noxious weeds, and exposure to plant
pests and noxious weeds, according to the phytosanitary or other requirements
of the countries to which the plant, plant product, or biological control
organism may be exported.
TITLE II--INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 201. INSPECTIONS, SEIZURES, AND WARRANTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Consistent with guidelines approved by the Attorney
General, the Secretary may--
(1) stop and inspect, without a warrant, a person or means of conveyance
moving into the United States to determine whether the person or means
of conveyance is carrying a plant, plant product, biological control organism,
plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance subject to this
Act;
(2) stop and inspect, without a warrant, a person or means of conveyance
moving in interstate commerce on probable cause to believe that the person
or means of conveyance is carrying a plant, plant product, biological control
organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance subject
to this Act;
(3) stop and inspect, without a warrant, a person or means of conveyance
moving in intrastate commerce or on premises quarantined as part of an
extraordinary emergency declared under section 105 on probable cause to
believe that the person or means of conveyance is carrying a plant, plant
product, biological control organism, plant pest, noxious weed, article,
or means of conveyance subject to this Act; and
(4) enter, with a warrant, a premises in the United States for the
purpose of conducting investigations or making inspections and seizures
under this Act.
(1) IN GENERAL- A United States judge, a judge of a court of record
in the United States, or a United States magistrate judge may, on proper
oath or affirmation showing probable cause to believe that there is on
certain premises a plant, plant product, biological control organism, plant
pest, noxious weed, article, or means of conveyance regulated under this
Act, issue a warrant for entry on the premises to conduct an investigation
or make an inspection or seizure under this Act.
(2) EXECUTION- The warrant may be applied for and executed by the Secretary
or a United States marshal.
SEC. 202. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION.
The Secretary may gather and compile information and conduct such investigations
as the Secretary considers necessary for the administration and enforcement
of this Act.
SEC. 203. SUBPOENA AUTHORITY.
(a) AUTHORITY TO ISSUE- The Secretary may require by subpoena--
(1) the attendance and testimony of a witness; and
(2) the production of all documentary evidence relating to the administration
or enforcement of this Act or a matter under investigation in connection
with this Act.
(b) LOCATION OF PRODUCTION- The attendance of a witness and production
of documentary evidence may be required from any place in the United States
at any designated place of hearing.
(c) ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENA- If a person fails to comply with a subpoena,
the Secretary may request the Attorney General to invoke the aid of a court
of the United States within the jurisdiction in which the investigation
is conducted, or where the person resides, is found, transacts business,
is licensed to do business, or is incorporated, in obtaining compliance.
(1) IN GENERAL- A witness summoned by the Secretary shall be paid the
same fees and mileage that are paid to a witness in a court of the United
States.
(2) DEPOSITIONS- A witness whose deposition is taken, and the person
taking the deposition, shall be entitled to the same fees that are paid
for similar services in a court of the United States.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall publish procedures for the issuance
of subpoenas under this section.
(2) LEGAL SUFFICIENCY- The procedures shall include a requirement that
a subpoena be reviewed for legal sufficiency and signed by the Secretary.
(3) DELEGATION- If the authority to sign a subpoena is delegated, the
agency receiving the delegation shall seek review for legal sufficiency
outside that agency.
(f) SCOPE OF SUBPOENA- A subpoena for a witness to attend a court in
a judicial district or to testify or produce evidence at an administrative
hearing in a judicial district in an action or proceeding arising under
this Act may run to any other judicial district.
SEC. 204. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
(a) CRIMINAL PENALTIES- A person that knowingly violates this Act,
or that knowingly forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the
Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys a certificate, permit, or
other document provided under this Act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,
and, on conviction, shall be fined in accordance with title 18, United
States Code, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
(1) IN GENERAL- A person that violates this Act, or that forges, counterfeits,
or, without authority from the Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys
a certificate, permit, or other document provided under this Act may, after
notice and opportunity for a hearing on the record, be assessed a civil
penalty by the Secretary that does not exceed the greater of--
(A) $50,000 in the case of an individual (except that the civil penalty
may not exceed $1,000 in the case of an initial violation of this Act by
an individual moving regulated articles not for monetary gain), or $250,000
in the case of any other person for each violation, except the amount of
penalties assessed under this subparagraph in a single proceeding shall
not exceed $500,000; or
(B) twice the gross gain or gross loss for a violation or forgery,
counterfeiting, or unauthorized use, defacing or destruction of a certificate,
permit, or other document provided for in this Act that results in the
person's deriving pecuniary gain or causing pecuniary loss to another person.
(2) FACTORS IN DETERMINING CIVIL PENALTY- In determining the amount
of a civil penalty, the Secretary--
(A) shall take into account the nature, circumstance, extent, and gravity
of the violation; and
(B) may take into account the ability to pay, the effect on ability
to continue to do business, any history of prior violations, the degree
of culpability of the violator, and any other factors the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(3) SETTLEMENT OF CIVIL PENALTIES- The Secretary may compromise, modify,
or remit, with or without conditions, a civil penalty that may be assessed
under this subsection.
(A) IN GENERAL- An order of the Secretary assessing a civil penalty
shall be treated as a final order reviewable under chapter 158 of title
28, United States Code.
(B) COLLECTION ACTION- The validity of an order of the Secretary may
not be reviewed in an action to collect the civil penalty.
(C) INTEREST- A civil penalty not paid in full when due under an order
assessing the civil penalty shall (after the due date) accrue interest
until paid at the rate of interest applicable to a civil judgment of the
courts of the United States.
(c) LIABILITY FOR ACTS OF AN AGENT- For purposes of this Act, the act,
omission, or failure of an officer, agent, or person acting for or employed
by any other person within the scope of employment or office of the officer,
agent, or person, shall be considered to be the act, omission, or failure
of the other person.
(d) GUIDELINES FOR CIVIL PENALTIES- The Secretary shall coordinate
with the Attorney General to establish guidelines to determine under what
circumstances the Secretary may issue a civil penalty or suitable notice
of warning in lieu of prosecution by the Attorney General of a violation
of this Act.
SEC. 205. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The Attorney General may--
(1) prosecute, in the name of the United States, a criminal violation
of this Act that is referred to the Attorney General by the Secretary or
is brought to the notice of the Attorney General by any person;
(2) bring a civil action to enjoin the violation of or to compel compliance
with this Act, or to enjoin any interference by a person with the Secretary
in carrying out this Act, if the Attorney General has reason to believe
that the person has violated or is about to violate this Act, or has interfered,
or is about to interfere, with the Secretary; and
(3) bring a civil action for the recovery of an unpaid civil penalty,
funds under a reimbursable agreement, late payment penalty, or interest
assessed under this Act.
SEC. 206. COURT JURISDICTION.
(a) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in section 204(b), a United States
district court, the District Court of Guam, the District Court of the Virgin
Islands, the highest court of American Samoa, and the United States courts
of other territories and possessions are vested with jurisdiction in all
cases arising under this Act.
(b) LOCATION- An action arising under this Act may be brought, and
process may be served, in the judicial district where--
(1) a violation or interference occurred or is about to occur; or
(2) the person charged with the violation, interference, impending
violation, impending interference, or failure to pay resides, is found,
transacts business, is licensed to do business, or is incorporated.
TITLE III--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. COOPERATION.
(a) IN GENERAL- To carry out this Act, the Secretary may cooperate
with--
(1) other Federal agencies or entities;
(2) States or political subdivisions of States;
(3) national governments;
(4) local governments of other nations;
(5) domestic or international organizations;
(6) domestic or international associations; and
(b) RESPONSIBILITY- The individual or entity cooperating with the Secretary
shall be responsible for conducting the operations or taking measures on
all land and property within the foreign country or State, other than land
and property owned or controlled by the United States, and for other facilities
and means determined by the Secretary.
(c) TRANSFER OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL METHODS- The Secretary may transfer
to a Federal or State agency or other person biological control methods
using biological control organisms against plant pests or noxious weeds.
(d) COOPERATION IN PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION- The Secretary may cooperate
with State authorities or other persons in the administration of programs
for the improvement of plants, plant products, and biological control organisms.
SEC. 302. BUILDINGS, LAND, PEOPLE, CLAIMS, AND AGREEMENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may acquire and maintain such real or
personal property, and employ such persons, make such grants, and enter
into such contracts, cooperative agreements, memoranda of understanding,
or other agreements, as are necessary to carry out this Act.
(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary
may pay a tort claim (in the manner authorized in the first paragraph of
section 2672 of title 28, United States Code) if the
claim arises outside the United States in connection with an activity authorized
under this Act.
(2) REQUIREMENTS OF CLAIM- A claim may not be allowed under paragraph
(1) unless the claim is presented in writing to the Secretary not later
than 2 years after the claim arises.
SEC. 303. REIMBURSABLE AGREEMENTS.
(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may enter into a reimbursable fee agreement
with a person for preclearance (at a location outside the United States)
of plants, plant products, biological control organisms, articles, and
means of conveyance for movement to the United States.
(2) ACCOUNT- All funds collected under this subsection shall be credited
to an account that may be established by the Secretary and shall remain
available until expended without fiscal year limitation.
(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other law, the Secretary may pay
an employee of the Department of Agriculture performing services under
this Act relating to imports into and exports from the United States, for
all overtime, night, or holiday work performed by the employee, at a rate
of pay determined by the Secretary.
(2) REIMBURSEMENT OF SECRETARY- The Secretary may require a person
for whom the services are performed to reimburse the Secretary for funds
paid by the Secretary for the services.
(3) ACCOUNT- All funds collected under this subsection shall be credited
to the account that incurs the costs and remain available until expended
without fiscal year limitation.
(c) LATE PAYMENT PENALTY AND INTEREST-
(1) COLLECTION- On failure of a person to reimburse the Secretary in
accordance with this section, the Secretary may assess a late payment penalty
against the person.
(2) INTEREST- Overdue funds due the Secretary under this section shall
accrue interest in accordance with section 3717 of title 31, United States
Code.
(3) ACCOUNT- A late payment penalty and accrued interest shall be credited
to the account that incurs the costs and shall remain available until expended
without fiscal year limitation.
SEC. 304. PROTECTION FOR MAIL CARRIERS.
This Act shall not apply to an employee of the United States in the
performance of the duties of the employee in handling the mail.
SEC. 305. REGULATIONS AND ORDERS.
The Secretary may promulgate such regulations, and issue such orders,
as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 306. REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED LAWS.
(a) REPEAL- The following provisions of law are repealed:
(1) Subsections (a) through (e) of section 102 of the Department of
Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 147a).
(2) Section 1773 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (7 U.S.C. 148f).
(3) The Golden Nematode Act (7 U.S.C. 150 et seq.).
(4) The Federal Plant Pest Act (7 U.S.C. 150aa et seq).
(5) The Joint Resolution of April 6, 1937 (56 Stat. 57, chapter 69;
7 U.S.C. 148 et seq.).
(6) The Act of January 31, 1942 (56 Stat. 40, chapter 31; 7 U.S.C.
149).
(7) The Act of August 20, 1912 (commonly known as the `Plant Quarantine
Act') (37 Stat. 315, chapter 308; 7 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).
(8) The Halogeton Glomeratus Control Act (7 U.S.C. 1651 et seq.).
(9) The Act of August 28, 1950 (64 Stat. 561, chapter 815; 7 U.S.C.
2260).
(10) The Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 (7 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.),
other than the first section and section 15 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 2801
note, 2814).
(b) EFFECT ON REGULATIONS- Regulations promulgated under the authority
of a provision of law repealed by subsection (a) shall remain in effect
until such time as the Secretary promulgates a regulation under section
304 that supersedes the earlier regulation.
TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
are necessary to carry out this Act.
(b) COMPENSATION- Except as provided in section 106 and as specifically
authorized by law, no part of the amounts appropriated under this section
shall be used to provide compensation for property injured or destroyed
by or at the direction of the Secretary.
SEC. 402. TRANSFER AUTHORITY.
(a) AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER CERTAIN FUNDS- In connection with an emergency
in which a plant pest or noxious weed threatens a segment of the agricultural
production of the United States, the Secretary may transfer from other
appropriations or funds available to the agencies or corporations of the
Department of Agriculture such amounts as the Secretary considers necessary
to be available in the emergency for the arrest, control, eradication,
and prevention of the dissemination of the plant pest or noxious weed and
for related expenses.
(b) AVAILABILITY- Any funds transferred under this section shall remain
available for such purposes without fiscal year limitation.
END