Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.

Bill Text
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance for the construction, improvement, and rehabilitation of farmers markets.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Farmers Markets Infrastructure Assistance Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans, loan guarantees, and grants to eligible public agencies and nonprofit organizations for the construction of new farmers markets, or the improvement or rehabilitation of existing farmers markets.

Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S120-121)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Trade Act of 1974 to extend benefits to service sector workers and firms, enhance certain trade adjustment assistance authorities, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Trade Adjustment Assistance Improvement Act of 2007 - Trade Adjustment Assistance Equity for Service Workers Act of 2007 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to allow the filing of a petition for certification of eligibility to apply for trade adjustment assistance by adversely affected: (1) workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or public agency; and (2) service sector firms. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide technical assistance to service industries adversely affected by import competition. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) certify as eligible to apply for trade adjustment assistance adversely affected secondary workers in a service sector firm, its subdivision, or a public agency; and (2) upon the request of the President, the U.S. Trade Representative,[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/06/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.

Bill Text
To amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to implement mandatory country of origin labeling requirements for meat and produce on September 30, 2007.

1/9/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to change the country of origin labeling implementation date from September 30, 2008, to September 30, 2007.

Latest Action: 01/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1239)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the implementation of country of origin labeling requirements by September 30, 2007.

1/26/2007--Introduced.

Country of Origin Labeling Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to change the country of origin labeling implementation date from September 30, 2008, to September 30, 2007.

Latest Action: 05/01/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Bill Text
Recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission and expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that an Idaho Potato Month should be established.

5/1/2007--Introduced.

Recognizes the 70th anniversary of the Idaho Potato Commission.

Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that an Idaho Potato Month should be established.

Latest Action: 01/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1346-1348)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1086 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes. 1/30/2007--Introduced. Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1785)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from basing minimum prices for Class I milk on the distance or transportation costs from any location that is not within a marketing area, except under certain circumstances, and for other purposes.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

Federal Milk Marketing Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from using distance or transportation costs from a location not within a marketing area as the basis for pricing Class I (fluid) milk unless such location supplies the recipient marketing area with specified quantities of milk (single base point pricing).

Latest Action: 02/08/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1800-1808)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote local and regional support for sustainable bioenergy and biobased products, to support the future of farming, forestry, and land management, to develop and support local bioenergy, biobased products, and food systems, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Rural Opportunities Act of 2007 - Amends the Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) make state grants for extension, education, applied research, and development activities at institutions of higher education, state agencies, or partnerships for local and regional bioenergy and biobased product use and production; and (2) provide funds for basic research on next generation technology. Authorizes the Secretary to make supplemental rural cooperative development grants. Amends the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary to: (1) [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2052-2053)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance fair and open competition in the production and sale of agricultural commodities. 2/15/2007--Introduced. Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Fair Practices Act of 1967 to define specified terms. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Office of Special Counsel for Competition Matters, which shall be headed by a Special Counsel for Competition Matters. States that the Office shall: (1) investigate and prosecute violations of this Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921; (2) serve as a liaison between the Department and the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector; and (3) maintain a staff of attorneys and other appropriate professionals. Prohibits unfair or deceptive agricultural commerce acts or practices respecting: (1) crops; (2) producer associations; and (3) agricultural production [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To provide additional funds for food safety research related to perishable agricultural commodities, to provide emergency financial assistance to producers and first handlers of fresh spinach for losses incurred as a result of the removal of fresh spinach and products containing fresh spinach from the market and other actions undertaken in response to a public health advisory regarding spinach issued by the Food and Drug Administration in September 2006, and for other purposes. 2/8/2007--Introduced. Spinach Research and Recovery Act of 2007 - Authorizes additional FY2008 appropriations for conducting and supporting applied research to enhance the safety of perishable agricultural commodities for consumers for: (1) the Agricultural Research Service: (2) the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service; and (3) the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments (not to exceed 75% of the value of the [...]

show full description

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/18/2008 - Vetoed by President. (text of veto message: CR H5535)

Bill Text
To provide for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - Provides for the continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through FY2012.Revises agricultural and related programs, including provisions respecting: (1) commodity programs; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) horticulture and organic agriculture; (11) livestock; (12) crop insurance and disaster assistance; (13) socially disadvantaged and limited resource producers; and (14) miscellaneous programs.Directs the President to establish and maintain an importer declaration program with respect to the importation of softwood lumber and softwood lumber products.Establishes the Bill Emerson National Hunger [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 05/18/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond May 16, 2008.

5/18/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends, with specified exceptions, agricultural programs under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 until May 23, 2008, or the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

Suspends permanent price support authorities through May 23, 2008, or the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.

Latest Action: 05/02/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond May 2, 2008.

5/2/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends, with specified exceptions, agricultural programs under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 until May 16, 2008.

Suspends permanent price support authorities through May 16, 2008.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond April 25, 2008.

4/25/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends, with specified exceptions, agricultural programs under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 until May 2, 2008.

Suspends permanent price support authorities through May 2, 2008.

Latest Action: 04/18/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To amend Public Law 110-196 to provide for a temporary extension of programs authorized by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 beyond April 18, 2008.

4/18/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends, with specified exceptions, agricultural programs under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 until April 25, 2008.

Suspends permanent price support authorities through April 25, 2008.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.

Bill Text
To establish the Orange Juice Promotion and Production Improvements Trust Fund.

1/29/2008--Introduced.

Establishes within the Treasury the Orange Juice Promotion and Production Improvements Trust Fund in order to provide grants to U.S. entities for the generic promotion of orange juice in the U.S. market. Requires such grants to be made only to entities that themselves provide funds on a matching basis.

Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14790-14791)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reform the system of public financing for Presidential elections, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Presidential Funding Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to public financing of presidential election campaigns to: (1) quadruple (1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates; (2) lower from $250 to $200 the limit on individual campaign contributions; (3) increase the presidential primary qualifying threshold from $5,000 to $25,000 in 20 states; (4) require presidential candidates to participate in the primary payment system to be eligible for general election payments; (5) move the starting date for payments to primary candidates from January 1 of a presidential election year to six months before the earliest state primary election; (6) allow additional payments and increased expenditure limits for candidates who face opponents who do not participate [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Harkin. With written report No. 110-220. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.

11/2/2007--Introduced.

Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 - Revises agricultural and related programs and provisions respecting: (1) producer income; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development and investment; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) livestock marketing; and (11) agricultural security.

Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to extend and improve agricultural programs, and for other purposes. 10/24/2007--Introduced. Farm, Ranch, Equity, Stewardship, and Health Act of 2007 - Amends the federal crop insurance program. Establishes: (1) a risk management account contract program; (2) a conservation planning pilot program; (3) a nutrient reduction and sediment control pilot program for the Chesapeake Bay watershed; (4) a national clean plant network; (5) an Office of Pest Management Policy; and (6) a program of hunger-free community collaborative and infrastructure grants. Extends and revises specified programs for: (1) commodity assistance; (2) conservation; (3) specialty crops; (4) food programs and nutrition, (5) agricultural trade; (6) rural development; (7) forestry; and (8) energy, including biobased products. Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program Act of 2007 or FEED Act of 2007 - Establishes the food employment empowerment and development program to [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require country of origin labeling for processed food items.

9/26/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require country of origin labeling for processed food items. (Includes as a covered item under such Act.)