USC Subchapter I

USC Subchapter I
in effect

7 U.S.C. § 6912 Authority of Secretary to delegate transferred functions

(a) Delegation of authority(1) Delegation authorizedSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may delegate to any agency, office, officer, or employee of the Department the authority to perform any function transferred to the Secretary under section 6911(a) 11 See References in Text note below. of this title or any other function vested in the Secretary as of October 13, 1994. The authority provided in the preceding sentence includes the authority to establish, consolidate, alter, or discontinue any agency, office, or other administrative unit of the Department. (2) Condition on authorityThe delegation authority provided by paragraph (1) shall be subject to—(A) sections 6942, 6971(f), 6993, and 2204e of this title and subsections (a) and (b)(1) of section 6981 of this title; (B) sections 5692 and 5693 of this title; and (C) section 590h(b)(5) of title 16. (b) Cost-benefit analysis required for name change(1) Analysis requiredExcept as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis before changing the name of any agency, office, division, or other unit of the Department to ensure that the benefits to be derived from changing the name of the agency, office, division, or other unit outweigh the expense of executing the name change. (2) ExceptionParagraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any name change required or authorized by this chapter. (c) Public comment on proposed reorganizationTo the extent that the implementation of the authority provided to the Secretary by this chapter to reorganize the Department involves the creation of new agencies or offices within the Department or the delegation of major functions or major groups of functions to any agency or office of the Department (or the officers or employees of such agency or office), the Secretary shall, to the extent considered practicable by the Secretary—(1) give appropriate advance public notice of the proposed reorganization action or delegation; and (2) afford appropriate opportunity for interested parties to comment on the proposed reorganization action or delegation. (d) Interagency transfer of records, property, personnel, and funds(1) Related transfersSubject to paragraph (2), as part of the transfer or delegation of a function of the Department made or authorized by this chapter, the Secretary may transfer within the Department—(A) any of the records, property, or personnel affected by the transfer or delegation of the function; and (B) unexpended balances (available or to be made available for use in connection with the transferred or delegated function) of appropriations, allocations, or other funds of the Department. (2) Applicable law relating to funds transferSection 1531 of title 31 shall apply to any transfer of funds under paragraph (1). (e) Exhaustion of administrative appealsNotwithstanding any other provision of law, a person shall exhaust all administrative appeal procedures established by the Secretary or required by law before the person may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against—(1) the Secretary; (2) the Department; or (3) an agency, office, officer, or employee of the Department.

7 U.S.C. § 6915 Combination of field offices

(a) Combination of offices requiredWhere practicable and to the extent consistent with efficient, effective, and improved service, the Secretary shall combine field offices of agencies within the Department to reduce personnel and duplicative overhead expenses. (b) Joint use of resources and offices requiredWhen two or more agencies of the Department share a common field office, the Secretary shall require the agencies to jointly use office space, equipment, office supplies, administrative personnel, and clerical personnel associated with that field office.

7 U.S.C. § 6916 Improvement of information sharing

Whenever the Secretary procures or uses computer systems, as may be provided for in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall do so in a manner that enhances efficiency, productivity, and client services and is consistent with the goal of promoting computer information sharing among agencies of the Department.

7 U.S.C. § 6918 Assistant Secretaries of Agriculture

(a) AuthorizationThe Secretary is authorized to establish in the Department the positions of—(1) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs; (2) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Administration; and (3) Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. (b) Confirmation requiredIf the Secretary establishes any position of Assistant Secretary authorized under paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (c) Duties of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil RightsThe Secretary may delegate to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights responsibility for—(1) ensuring compliance with all civil rights and related laws by all agencies and under all programs of the Department; (2) coordinating administration of civil rights laws (including regulations) within the Department for employees of, and participants in, programs of the Department; and (3) ensuring that necessary and appropriate civil rights components are properly incorporated into all strategic planning initiatives of the Department and agencies of the Department.

7 U.S.C. § 6919 Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison

(a) AuthorizationThe Secretary shall establish in the Department the position of Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison. (b) DutiesThe Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall—(1) provide information to returning veterans about, and connect returning veterans with, beginning farmer training and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs appropriate to the needs and interests of returning veterans, including assisting veterans in using Federal veterans educational benefits for purposes relating to beginning a farming or ranching career; (2) provide information to veterans concerning the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, participation in agricultural programs, with particular emphasis on beginning farmer and rancher programs; (3) serve as a resource for assisting veteran farmers and ranchers, and potential farmers and ranchers, in applying for participation in agricultural programs; (4) advocate on behalf of veterans in interactions with employees of the Department; (5) establish and periodically update the website described in subsection (d); and (6) in carrying out the duties described in paragraphs (1) through (5), consult with and provide technical assistance to any Federal agency, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor. (c) Contracts and cooperative agreementsFor purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Agricultural Research Service, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20), or nonprofit organizations for—(1) the conduct of regional research on the profitability of small farms; (2) the development of educational materials; (3) the conduct of workshops, courses, and certified vocational training; (4) the conduct of mentoring activities; or (5) the provision of internship opportunities. (d) Website required(1) In generalThe website required under subsection (b)(5) shall include the following:(A) Positions identified within the Department of Agriculture that are available to veterans for apprenticeships. (B) Apprenticeships, programs of training on the job, and programs of education that are approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38. (C) Employment skills training programs for members of the Armed Forces carried out pursuant to section 1143(e) of title 10. (D) Information designed to assist businesses, nonprofit entities, educational institutions, and farmers interested in developing apprenticeships, on-the-job training, educational, or entrepreneurial programs for veterans in navigating the process of having a program approved by a State approving agency for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38, including—(i) contact information for relevant offices in the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Labor, and Small Business Administration; (ii) basic requirements for approval by each State approving agency; (iii) recommendations with respect to training and coursework to be used during apprenticeships or on-the-job training that will enable a veteran to be eligible for agricultural programs; and (iv) examples of successful programs and curriculums that have been approved for purposes of chapter 36 of title 38 (with consent of the organization and without any personally identifiable information). (2) Review of website(A) In generalNot later than 5 years after December 20, 2018, and once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine if the website required under subsection (b)(5) is effective in providing veterans the information required under paragraph (1). (B) Ineffective websiteIf the Secretary determines that the website is not effective under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—(i) notify the agriculture and veterans committees described in subparagraph (C) of that determination; and (ii) not earlier than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary provides notice under clause (i), terminate the website. (C) Agriculture and veterans committeesThe agriculture and veterans committees referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) are—(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; (ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (iii) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; and (iv) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. (e) Consultation requiredIn carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with organizations that serve veterans. (f) Report(1) In generalNot later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall submit a report on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs for veterans to—(A) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; (B) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives; (C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and (D) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. (2) Contents of reportThe report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—(A) a summary of the measures taken to carry out subsections (b) and (c); (B) a description of the information provided to veterans under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b); (C) recommendations for best informing veterans of the programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b); (D) a summary of the contracts or cooperative agreements entered into under subsection (c); (E) a description of the programs implemented under subsection (c); (F) a summary of the employment outreach activities directed to veterans; (G) recommendations for how opportunities for veterans in agriculture should be developed or expanded; (H) a summary of veteran farm lending data and a summary of shortfalls, if any, identified by the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison in collecting data with respect to veterans engaged in agriculture; and (I) recommendations, if any, on how to improve activities under subsection (b). (g) Public dissemination of information(1) In generalNot later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall make publicly available and share broadly, including by posting on the website of the Department—(A) the report of the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison on beginning farmer training for veterans and agricultural vocational and rehabilitation programs; and (B) the information disseminated under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b). (2) Further disseminationNot later than the day before the date on which the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison makes publicly available the information under paragraph (1), the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison shall provide that information to the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor.

7 U.S.C. § 6920 Office of Energy Policy and New Uses

The Secretary shall establish for the Department, in the Office of the Secretary, an Office of Energy Policy and New Uses.

7 U.S.C. § 6921 Office of Tribal Relations

(a) In generalThe Secretary shall maintain in the Office of the Secretary an Office of Tribal Relations, which shall advise the Secretary on policies related to Indian tribes and carry out such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate. (b) Tribal Advisory Committee(1) DefinitionsIn this subsection:(A) Indian tribeThe term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of title 25. (B) Relevant committees of CongressThe term “relevant committees of Congress” means—(i) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; (ii) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; and (iii) the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate. (C) Tribal organizationThe term “tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 5304 of title 25. (2) Establishment of committee(A) In generalThe Secretary shall establish an advisory committee, to be known as the Tribal Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the “Committee”) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs. (B) FacilitationThe Committee shall facilitate, but not supplant, government-to-government consultation between the Department of Agriculture (referred to in this subsection as the “Department”) and Indian tribes. (3) Membership(A) CompositionThe Committee shall be composed of 11 members, of whom—(i) 3 shall be appointed by the Secretary; (ii) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; (iii) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate; (iv) 1 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (v) 1 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate; (vi) 2 shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and (vii) 2 shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives. (B) NominationsThe Secretary shall accept nominations for members of the Committee from any of the following:(i) An Indian tribe. (ii) A tribal organization. (iii) A national or regional organization with expertise in issues relating to the duties of the Committee described in paragraph (4). (C) DiversityTo the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that the members of the Committee represent a diverse set of expertise on issues relating to geographic regions, Indian tribes, and the agricultural industry. (D) LimitationNo member of the Committee shall be an officer or employee of the Federal Government. (E) Period of appointment; vacancies(i) In generalEach member of the Committee—(I) subject to clause (ii), shall be appointed to a 3-year term; and (II) may be reappointed to not more than 3 consecutive terms. (ii) Initial staggeringThe first 3 appointments by the Secretary under paragraph (3)(A)(i) shall be for a 2-year term. (iii) VacanciesAny vacancy in the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not more than 90 days after the date on which the position becomes vacant. (F) Meetings(i) In generalThe Committee shall meet in person not less than twice each year. (ii) Office of Tribal Relations representativeNot fewer than 1 representative from the Office of Tribal Relations of the Department shall be present at each meeting of the Committee. (iii) Department of Interior representativeThe Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior (or a designee) shall be present at each meeting of the Committee. (iv) Nonvoting representativesThe individuals described in clauses (ii) and (iii) shall be nonvoting representatives at meetings of the Committee. (4) Duties of CommitteeThe Committee shall—(A) identify evolving issues of relevance to Indian tribes relating to programs of the Department; (B) communicate to the Secretary the issues identified under subparagraph (A); (C) submit to the Secretary recommendations for, and solutions to—(i) the issues identified under subparagraph (A); (ii) issues raised at the Tribal, regional, or national level; and (iii) issues relating to any Tribal consultation carried out by the Department; (D) discuss issues and proposals for changes to the regulations, policies, and procedures of the Department that impact Indian tribes; (E) identify priorities and provide advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal consultation on issues at the Tribal, regional, or national level regarding the Department; (F) ensure that pertinent issues of the Department are brought to the attention of an Indian tribe in a timely manner so that timely feedback from an Indian tribe can be obtained; and (G) identify and propose solutions to any interdepartmental barrier between the Department and other Federal agencies. (5) Reports(A) In generalNot less frequently than once each year, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the relevant committees of Congress a report that describes—(i) the activities of the Committee during the previous year; and (ii) recommendations for legislative or administrative action for the following year. (B) Response from SecretaryNot more than 45 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a report under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit a written response to that report to—(i) the Committee; and (ii) the relevant committees of Congress. (6) Compensation of membersMembers of the Committee shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5 for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Committee. (7) Federal Advisory Committee Act exemptionSection 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 11 See References in Text note below. shall not apply to the Committee.

7 U.S.C. § 6922 Office of Homeland Security

(a) Definition of agriculture and food defenseIn this section, the term “agriculture and food defense” means any action to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, or recover from a naturally occurring, unintentional, or intentional threat to the agriculture and food system. (b) AuthorizationThe Secretary shall establish in the Department the Office of Homeland Security. (c) Executive DirectorThe Office of Homeland Security shall be headed by an Executive Director, who shall be known as the Executive Director of Homeland Security. (d) DutiesThe Executive Director of Homeland Security shall—(1) serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense; (2) coordinate activities of the Department, including policies, processes, budget needs, and oversight relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense; (3) act as the primary liaison on behalf of the Department with other Federal departments and agencies in activities relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense, and provide for interagency coordination and data sharing; (4)(A) coordinate in the Department the gathering of information relevant to early warning and awareness of threats and risks to the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and (B) share that information with, and provide assistance with interpretation and risk characterization of that information to, the intelligence community (as defined in section 3003 of title 50), law enforcement agencies, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and State fusion centers (as defined in section 124h(j) of title 6 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing parenthesis. ; (5) liaise with the Director of National Intelligence to assist in the development of periodic assessments and intelligence estimates, or other intelligence products, that support the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; (6) coordinate the conduct, evaluation, and improvement of exercises to identify and eliminate gaps in preparedness and response; (7) produce a Department-wide centralized strategic coordination plan to provide a high-level perspective of the operations of the Department relating to homeland security, including emergency management and agriculture and food defense; and (8) carry out other appropriate duties, as determined by the Secretary. (e) Agriculture and food threat awareness partnership program(1) Interagency exchange programThe Secretary, in partnership with the intelligence community (as defined in section 3003 of title 50) and fusion centers (as defined in section 124h(j) of title 6 1 that have analysis and intelligence capabilities relating to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, shall establish and carry out an interagency exchange program of personnel and information to improve communication and analysis for the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector. (2) Collaboration with Federal, State, and local authoritiesTo carry out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary may—(A) enter into 1 or more cooperative agreements or contracts with Federal, State, or local authorities that have analysis and intelligence capabilities and expertise relating to the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector; and (B) carry out any other activity under any other authority of the Secretary that is appropriate to engage the authorities described in subparagraph (A) for the defense of the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector, as determined by the Secretary.

7 U.S.C. § 6923 Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production

(a) Office(1) In generalThe Secretary shall establish in the Department an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. (2) DirectorThe Secretary shall appoint a senior official to serve as the Director of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (referred to in this section as the “Director”). (3) MissionThe mission of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production shall be to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including—(A) community gardens and farms located in urban areas, suburbs, and urban clusters; (B) rooftop farms, outdoor vertical production, and green walls; (C) indoor farms, greenhouses, and high-tech vertical technology farms; (D) hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farm facilities; and (E) other innovations in agricultural production, as determined by the Secretary. (4) ResponsibilitiesThe Director shall be responsible for engaging in activities to carry out the mission described in paragraph (3), including by—(A) managing programs, including for community gardens, urban farms, rooftop agriculture, and indoor vertical production; (B) advising the Secretary; (C) coordinating with the agencies and officials of the Department to update relevant programs; (D) engaging in stakeholder relations and developing external partnerships; (E) identifying common State and municipal best practices for navigating local policies; (F) coordinating networks of community gardens and facilitating connections to local food banks, in partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service; and (G) collaborating with other Federal agencies. (b) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee(1) In generalNot later than 180 days after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall establish an Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (referred to in this subsection as the “Committee”) to advise the Secretary on—(A) the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices; and (B) any other aspects of the implementation of this section. (2) Membership(A) In generalThe Committee shall be composed of 12 members, of whom—(i) 4 shall be individuals who are agricultural producers, of whom—(I) 2 individuals shall be agricultural producers located in an urban area or urban cluster; and (II) 2 individuals shall be farmers that use innovative technology; (ii) 2 shall be representatives from an institution of higher education or extension program; (iii) 1 shall be an individual who represents a nonprofit organization, which may include a public health, environmental, or community organization; (iv) 1 shall be an individual who represents business and economic development, which may include a business development entity, a chamber of commerce, a city government, or a planning organization; (v) 1 shall be an individual with supply chain experience, which may include a food aggregator, wholesale food distributor, food hub, or an individual who has direct-to-consumer market experience; (vi) 1 shall be an individual from a financing entity; and (vii) 2 shall be individuals with related experience or expertise in urban, indoor, and other emerging agriculture production practices, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Initial appointmentsThe Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee not later than 180 days after December 20, 2018. (3) Period of appointment; vacancies(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the Committee shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. (B) Initial appointmentsOf the members first appointed to the Committee—(i) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 3 years; (ii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 2 years; and (iii) 4 of the members, as determined by the Secretary, shall be appointed for a term of 1 year. (C) VacanciesAny vacancy in the Committee—(i) shall not affect the powers of the Committee; and (ii) shall be filled as soon as practicable in the same manner as the original appointment. (D) Consecutive termsAn initial appointee of the committee may serve an additional consecutive term if the member is reappointed by the Secretary. (4) Meetings(A) FrequencyThe Committee shall meet not fewer than 3 times per year. (B) Initial meetingNot later than 180 days after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B), the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the Committee. (5) Duties(A) In generalThe Committee shall—(i) develop recommendations and advise the Director on policies, initiatives, and outreach administered by the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production; (ii) evaluate and review ongoing research and extension activities relating to urban, indoor, and other innovative agricultural practices; (iii) identify new and existing barriers to successful urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices; and (iv) provide additional assistance and advice to the Director as appropriate. (B) ReportsNot later than 1 year after the date on which the Committee is established, and every 2 years through 2023, the Committee shall submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the recommendations developed under subparagraph (A). (6) Personnel matters(A) CompensationA member of the Committee shall serve without compensation. (B) Travel expensesA member of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5. (7) Termination(A) In generalSubject to subparagraph (B), the Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the members are appointed under paragraph (2)(B). (B) ExtensionsBefore the date on which the Committee terminates, the Secretary may renew the Committee for 1 or more 2-year periods. (c) GrantsThe Director shall award competitive grants to support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production to any of the following eligible entities:(1) A nonprofit organization. (2) A unit of local government. (3) A Tribal government. (4) Any school that serves any of grades kindergarten through grade 12. (d) Pilot projects(1) Urban and suburban county committees(A) In generalNot later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall establish a pilot program for not fewer than 5 years that establishes 10 county committees in accordance with section 590h(b)(5)(B)(ii)(II) of title 16 to operate in counties located in urban or suburban areas with a high concentration of urban or suburban farms. (B) EffectNothing in this paragraph requires or precludes the establishment of a Farm Service Agency office in a county in which a county committee is established under subparagraph (A). (C) ReportFor fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing a summary of—(i) the status of the pilot program under subparagraph (A); (ii) meetings and other activities of the committees established under that subparagraph; and (iii) the types and volume of assistance and services provided to farmers in counties in which county committees are established under that subparagraph. (2) Increasing community compost and reducing food waste(A) In generalThe Secretary, acting through the Director, shall carry out pilot projects under which the Secretary shall offer to enter into cooperative agreements with local or municipal governments in not fewer than 10 States to develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. (B) Eligible entities and purposes of pilot projectsUnder a cooperative agreement entered into under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide assistance to municipalities, counties, local governments, or city planners, as appropriate, to carry out planning and implementing activities that will—(i) generate compost; (ii) increase access to compost for agricultural producers; (iii) reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer; (iv) improve soil quality; (v) encourage waste management and permaculture business development; (vi) increase rainwater absorption; (vii) reduce municipal food waste; and (viii) divert food waste from landfills. (C) Evaluation and ranking of applications(i) CriteriaNot later than 180 days after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall establish criteria for the selection of pilot projects under this paragraph. (ii) ConsiderationIn selecting, undertaking, or funding pilot projects under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider any commonly known significant impact on existing food waste recovery and disposal by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. (iii) PriorityIn selecting a pilot project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an application for a pilot project that—(I) anticipates or demonstrates economic benefits; (II) incorporates plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners; (III) integrates other food waste strategies, including food recovery efforts; and (IV) provides for collaboration with multiple partners. (D) Matching requirementThe recipient of assistance for a pilot project under this paragraph shall provide funds, in-kind contributions, or a combination of both from sources other than funds provided through the grant in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of the grant. (E) EvaluationThe Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the pilot projects funded under this paragraph to assess different solutions for increasing access to compost and reducing municipal food waste, including an evaluation of—(i) the amount of Federal funds used for each project; and (ii) a measurement of the outcomes of each project. (e) Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023.

7 U.S.C. § 6924 Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish a Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison to coordinate Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental programs, and other efforts, to measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste in accordance with this section. (b) In generalThe Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison shall—(1) coordinate food loss and waste reduction efforts within the Department of Agriculture and with other Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration; (2) support and promote Federal programs to measure and reduce the incidence of food loss and waste and increase food recovery; (3) provide information to, and serve as a resource for, entities engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food recovery, including information about the availability of, and eligibility requirements for, participation in Federal, State, local, and nongovernmental programs; (4) raise awareness of the liability protections afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791) to persons engaged in food loss and waste reduction and food recovery; and (5) make recommendations with respect to expanding innovative food recovery models and reducing the incidence of food loss and waste. (c) Cooperative agreementsFor purposes of carrying out the duties under subsection (b), the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the research centers of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 1001 of title 20), or nonprofit organizations for—(1) the development of educational materials; (2) the conduct of workshops and courses; or (3) the conduct of research on best practices with respect to food loss and waste reduction and food recovery. (d) Study on food wasteThe Secretary shall conduct a study, in consultation with the Food Loss and Waste Reduction Liaison, to evaluate and determine—(1) methods of measuring food waste; (2) standards for the volume of food waste; (3) factors that contribute to food waste; (4) the cost and volume of food loss; (5) the effectiveness of existing liability protections afforded under the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act (42 U.S.C. 1791); and (6) measures to ensure that programs contemplated, undertaken, or funded by the Department of Agriculture do not disrupt existing food waste recovery and disposal efforts by commercial, marketing, or business relationships. (e) Reports(1) Initial reportNot later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, the Food Loss and Waste Liaison shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes the results of the study conducted under subsection (d). (2) ReportNot later than 1 year after the date of the submission of the report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that contains, with respect to the preceding year—(A) an estimate of the quantity of food waste during such year; and (B) the results of the food waste reduction and loss prevention activities carried out or led by the Department of Agriculture.

7 U.S.C. § 6925 Food Access Liaison

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish the position of Food Access Liaison to coordinate Department programs to reduce barriers to food access and monitor and evaluate the progress of such programs in accordance with this section. (b) DutiesThe Food Access Liaison shall—(1) coordinate the efforts of the Department, including regional offices, to experiment and consider programs and policies aimed at reducing barriers to food access for consumers, including but not limited to participants in nutrition assistance programs; (2) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to reduce barriers to food access in accordance with the statutory authorization for each program; (3) provide outreach to entities engaged in activities to reduce barriers to food access, including retailers, markets, producers, and others involved in food production and distribution, with respect to the availability of, and eligibility for, Department programs; (4) raise awareness of food access issues in interactions with employees of the Department; (5) make recommendations to the Secretary with respect to efforts to reduce barriers to food access; and (6) submit to Congress an annual report with respect to the efforts of the Department to reduce barriers to food access.

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