S 1527 IS

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1527

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend and improve the environmental quality incentive program.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 10, 2001

Mr. ENZI (for himself and Mr. JOHNSON) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

A BILL

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to extend and improve the environmental quality incentive program.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    (a) DEFINITION OF MAXIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS PER DOLLAR EXPENDED- Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-1) is amended--
      (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and
      (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
      `(4) MAXIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS PER DOLLAR EXPENDED-
        `(A) IN GENERAL- The term `maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended' means to maximize environmental benefits to the extent the Secretary, in consultation with local work groups (as defined in section 1466.3 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)), determines is practicable and appropriate, taking into account the amount of funding made available to carry out this chapter.
        `(B) LIMITATION- The term `maximize environmental benefits per dollar expended' does not require the Secretary--
          `(i) to provide the least cost contract or practice; or
          `(ii) to require the development of a plan under section 1240E as part of an application for the program.'.
    (b) EXTENSION OF PROGRAM-
      (1) IN GENERAL- Section 1240B(a)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(a)(1)) is amended by striking `2002' and inserting `2011'.
      (2) FUNDING- Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3841) is amended--
        (A) in subsection (a) and subsection (b)(2), by striking `2002' each place it appears and inserting `2011'; and
        (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking `2002,' and inserting `2011, to remain available until expended,'.
    (c) APPLICATION AND TERM- Section 1240B(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-2(b)(2)) is amended by striking `less than 5,' and inserting `less than 3,'.
    (d) TIMING OF EXPENDITURES- Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa-7) is amended by striking subsection (c).
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