Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 02/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to make certain modifications to the trade adjustment assistance program.

2/8/2007--Introduced.

American Competitiveness and Adjustment Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 with respect to: (1) trade adjustment assistance; (2) data collection; (3) industry-wide certifications; (4) trade adjustment assistance for farmers; (5) trade adjustment assistance for firms; and (6) trade adjustment assistance for service workers and firms and industries.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise and increase the health care tax credit.

Establishes in the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce an Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance.

Extends the trade adjustment assistance program through FY2012.

Latest Action: 03/28/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4058-4059)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to prohibit the use of certain anti-competitive forward contracts.

3/28/2007--Introduced.

Captive Supply Reform Act - Amends the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 respecting livestock producer-packer forward contracts to: (1) require the inclusion of fixed dollar amount base pricing and public bidding; (2) prohibit formula pricing; (3) limit individual contract size; and (4) exclude from the definition of "formula price" futures-based prices and base adjustments resulting from factors outside packer control.

Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.

Bill Text
To require that the payment rate used to make any direct payments with respect to wheat for the 2008 through 2012 crop years be $1.20 per bushel.

2/16/2007--Introduced.

Sets the direct wheat payment rate for crop years 2008-2012 at $1.20 per bushel.

Latest Action: 05/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2013, and for other purposes.

5/17/2007--Introduced.

Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007 - Extends and revises various agricultural programs, including programs respecting: (1) milk and dairy; (2) conservation security; (3) conservation reserve; (4) wetlands reserve; (5) environmental quality incentives; (6) farmland protection; (7) cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (8) wildlife habitat; (9) conservation loan guarantees; (10) market access; (11) food stamps; (12) farm and ranch profitability grants; (13) community forest and open space conservation; (14) healthy forests reserve; (15) biomass and renewable energy; (16) specialty crops, farmers' markets, and nutrition; (17) organic agriculture programs; (18) crop insurance; and (18) colony collapse disorder.

Latest Action: 03/30/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend the Milk Income Loss Contract Program through fiscal year 2012 at the 45 percent payment rate, to establish a minimum price for Class I milk under Federal milk marketing orders, and for other purposes.

3/20/2007--Introduced.

American Dairy Farmer Protection Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend national dairy market loss payments through September 30, 2012. Increases the maximum payment quantity for all producers on a single dairy operation.

Sets the FY2008 minimum price for Class 1 milk under a federal marketing order at $15.58 per hundredweight.

Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider variations in the national average market price for different classes of wheat when determining the eligibility of wheat producers for counter-cyclical payments for the 2007 crop year.

6/27/2007--Introduced.

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider national average market price variations for different classes of wheat when determining wheat producer eligibility for 2007 counter-cyclical payments.

States that in calculating a separate effective price for a class of wheat the effective price shall equal the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year, or the national average loan rate during that period; and (2) the direct wheat payment rate.

Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8620-8621)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote growth and opportunity for the dairy industry in the United States, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the dairy price support program. Amends the national dairy market loss payment program to: (1) extend the sign-up and contract duration periods; (2) replace the "Class 1 milk" definition with a "Class III milk" definition; (3) revise the payment formula (which shall include a feed adjustment factor); and (4) establish a maximum annual payment of $50,000 per dairy operation. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a national dairy options program; and (2) make nonrecourse loans available to commercial processors of cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out a milk revenue [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8620-8621)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the price of all milk used for manufactured purposes, which shall be classified as Class II milk, by using the national average cost of production, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base the minimum Class II milk price on the average production cost of producing all milk in the 48 contiguous states. Directs the Secretary to: (1) announce the minimum price for Class II milk by November 1 of each year, with specified price adjustment dates; (2) use the Class II milk price as the basic formula price for all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas; and (3) estimate annual milk production and domestic consumption.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9921-9922)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to make revenue counter-cyclical payments available to producers on a farm to ensure that the producers at least receive a minimum level of revenue from the production of a covered commodity, and for other purposes. 7/25/2007--Introduced. Farm Safety Net Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend (through crop year 2012) and revise the counter-cyclical payment program.Makes payments available in a state for a covered commodity if the actual state revenue (as defined by this Act) for the commodity is less than the revenue counter-cyclical program guarantee (as defined by this Act) for the commodity. (Under current law, payments are provided if a commodity's effective price is less than its target price.)Provides recourse loans for covered commodities through crop year 2012.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Risk Management [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To extend and enhance farm, nutrition, and community development programs of the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Farm, Nutrition, and Community Investment Act of 2007 - Establishes the farm and ranch profitability grant program. Extends the market access program. Revises (and extends certain of) the following conservation programs: (1) the environmental quality incentives program; (2) the conservation innovation grant program; (3) the cost share and incentive payment program; (4) state performance incentives; (5) the wildlife habitat incentive program; (6) the conservation reserve program; and (7) the wetlands reserve program. Establishes: (1) the cooperative conservation partnership initiative; (2) the comprehensive conservation planning pilot program; (3) the farmland protection program; (4) the debt for agricultural easements program; (5) the conservation risk management pilot program; (6) the (Delmarva) conservation [...]

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: 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: 07/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9921-9922)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to make revenue counter-cyclical payments available to producers on a farm to ensure that the producers at least receive a minimum level of revenue from the production of a covered commodity, and for other purposes. 7/25/2007--Introduced. Farm Safety Net Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to extend (through crop year 2012) and revise the counter-cyclical payment program.Makes payments available in a state for a covered commodity if the actual state revenue (as defined by this Act) for the commodity is less than the revenue counter-cyclical program guarantee (as defined by this Act) for the commodity. (Under current law, payments are provided if a commodity's effective price is less than its target price.)Provides recourse loans for covered commodities through crop year 2012.Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Risk Management [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider variations in the national average market price for different classes of wheat when determining the eligibility of wheat producers for counter-cyclical payments for the 2007 crop year.

6/27/2007--Introduced.

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider national average market price variations for different classes of wheat when determining wheat producer eligibility for 2007 counter-cyclical payments.

States that in calculating a separate effective price for a class of wheat the effective price shall equal the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year, or the national average loan rate during that period; and (2) the direct wheat payment rate.

Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8620-8621)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to promote growth and opportunity for the dairy industry in the United States, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the dairy price support program. Amends the national dairy market loss payment program to: (1) extend the sign-up and contract duration periods; (2) replace the "Class 1 milk" definition with a "Class III milk" definition; (3) revise the payment formula (which shall include a feed adjustment factor); and (4) establish a maximum annual payment of $50,000 per dairy operation. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a national dairy options program; and (2) make nonrecourse loans available to commercial processors of cheddar cheese, butter, and nonfat dry milk. Amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to direct the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry out a milk revenue [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8620-8621)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the price of all milk used for manufactured purposes, which shall be classified as Class II milk, by using the national average cost of production, and for other purposes. 6/27/2007--Introduced. Federal Milk Marketing Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to base the minimum Class II milk price on the average production cost of producing all milk in the 48 contiguous states. Directs the Secretary to: (1) announce the minimum price for Class II milk by November 1 of each year, with specified price adjustment dates; (2) use the Class II milk price as the basic formula price for all federal and state milk marketing orders and all unregulated milk production areas; and (3) estimate annual milk production and domestic consumption.[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 06/27/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Bill Text
To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider variations in the national average market price for different classes of wheat when determining the eligibility of wheat producers for counter-cyclical payments for the 2007 crop year.

6/27/2007--Introduced.

Wheat Counter-Cyclical Payments Enhancement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to consider national average market price variations for different classes of wheat when determining wheat producer eligibility for 2007 counter-cyclical payments.

States that in calculating a separate effective price for a class of wheat the effective price shall equal the sum of: (1) the higher of the national average market price received by producers during the 12-month marketing year, or the national average loan rate during that period; and (2) the direct wheat payment rate.

Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

Bill Text
To establish regional dairy marketing areas to stabilize the price of milk and support the income of dairy producers. 6/18/2007--Introduced. National Dairy Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to give producers in a state participating in the national dairy market loss payment program 60 days to decide whether to continue participating in such program or to participate in the program established under this Act. Establishes the following five regional dairy marketing areas: (1) Northeast region - Northeast Dairy Marketing Area (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont); (2) Southern region - Southern Dairy Marketing Area (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia); (3) Midwest [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to reform commodity programs and to increase nutrition, conservation, and energy programs of the Department of Agriculture, to reduce the national budget deficit, and for other purposes. 6/14/2007--Introduced. Food and Agriculture Risk Management for the 21st Century Act of 2007 or FARM 21 Act of 2007 - Prohibits, after 2007, any direct, counter-cyclical or transition payment to an individual or entity whose adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to offer to enter into a risk management account with a qualifying farm or ranch operator. Extends direct payments and reduces payment amounts. Requires specified payment percentages, and 100% for FY2012, to be deposited into a risk management account. Links such payments to environmental stewardship. Extends counter-cyclical payments. Repeals: (1) the milk price support program; (2) specified commodity support [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research.

Bill Text
To enhance the ongoing profitability and viability of America's farms, forests, and ranches by making conservation activities more cost-effective and efficient, by creating new revenue opportunities through biofuels, and for other purposes. 6/11/2007--Introduced. American Farm Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the Farmland Stewardship Process whose purposes shall be to: (1) enable conservation programs to be responsive to local and site-specific conditions; (2) reduce administrative procedures and costs; and (3) coordinate multiple conservation programs and develop a delivery mechanism which can be applied to individual owners, operators, or producers. Sets forth program provisions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into stewardship conservation agreements with owners, operators, and producers; and (2) make rural land stewardship implementation grants (from funds available for the farmland [...]

show full description