ming, agricultural research, and marketing information.

(b) Objectives

The objectives of the program established under this section are

(1) to make optimal use of available resources for agricultural extension, resident education, and research by sharing resources between participating institutions;

(2) to improve the competitive position of United States agriculture in international markets by disseminating information to producers, processors, and researchers;

(3) to train students for careers in agriculture and food industries;

(4) to facilitate interaction among leading agricultural scientists;

(5) to enhance the ability of United States agriculture to respond to environmental and food safety concerns; and

(6) to identify new uses for farm commodities and to increase the demand for United States agricultural products in both domestic and foreign markets.

(c) Definitions

For purposes of this section

(1) The term "eligible institution" means an accredited institution of higher education determined by the Secretary to be able to meet the objectives identified in subsection (b) of this section.

(2) The term "communications network" refers to television or cable television origination or distribution equipment, signal conversion equipment (including both modulators and demodulators), computer hardware and software, programs or terminals, or related devices, used to process and exchange data through a telecommunications system in which signals are generated, modified, or prepared for transmission, or received, via telecommunications terminal equipment or via telecommunications transmission.

(3) The term "delivery" means the transmission and reception of programs by facilities that transmit, receive, or carry data between telecommunications terminal equipment at each end of a telecommunications circuit or path.

(4) The term "facilities" includes microwave antennae, fiberoptic cables and repeaters, coaxial cables, communications satellite ground station complexes, copper cable electronic equipment associated with telecommunications transmission, and similar items as defined by the Secretary.

(5) The term "satellite ground station complex" includes transmitters, receivers, and communications antennae at the Earth station site together with the interconnecting terrestrial transmission facilities (including cables, line, or microwave facilities) and modulating and demodulating equipment necessary for processing traffic received from the terrestrial distribution system prior to transmission via satellite and the traffic received from the satellite prior to transfer to terrestrial distribution systems.

(d) Authorization of assistance to eligible institutions (1) The Secretary shall establish a program, to be administered by the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education, under which financial and technical assistance may be provided to eligible institutions that participate in a network that distributes programs consistent with the objectives described in subsection (b) of this section.

(2) The Secretary may approve all or part of any application submitted by an eligible institution if the proposed activity will contribute, directly or indirectly, to the purpose and objectives of the program established under this section.

(3) As provided in subsection (f) of this section, applications for financial assistance may include requests to fund program production or program delivery, or both.

(e) Priority

The Secretary, in considering applications for assistance under this program, shall establish procedures to ensure a broad dissemination of programming, giving a preference to applications that

(1) are submitted by institutions affiliated with an established agricultural telecommunications network that distributes programs to a wide geographical area; or

(2) demonstrate the need for such assistance, taking into consideration the relative needs of all applicants and the financial ability of the applicants to otherwise secure or create the telecommunications system.

(f) Applications for program production and delivery

(1) The Secretary shall consider applications for financial assistance for the production and delivery of programs of cooperative extension, academic instruction in agriculture, agricultural research, and other topics consistent with the objectives described in subsection (b) of this section.

(2) Eligible institutions shall request assistance by submitting applications to the Assistant Secretary for Science and Education. Applications shall include

(A) a detailed description of the telecommunications network and programming proposed to be produced and delivered, including to whom the programming will be distributed, how the programming will contribute to achieving the objectives described in subsection (b) of this section, and the total cost of producing and delivering such programming;

(B) the amount of assistance requested for the proposed program authorized under this section and other sources of funding that will be used for the proposed program; and

(C) an analysis of the costs and benefits of purchasing (or leasing) different types of facilities, equipment, components, hardware and software, or other items.

(g) Limitations on assistance

(1) The Secretary may provide funds totaling not more than 50 percent of the cost of a proposal for which an application is submitted under subsection (f) of this section. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Secretary

may provide funds totaling up to 100 percent of the cost of such a proposal if the Secretary determines that an eligible institution would otherwise be unable to carry out the proposal.

(2) The Secretary may allocate not more than 10 percent of the funds appropriated under this section for the acquisition and installation of telecommunications transmission facilities. (h) Authorization of appropriations

For the purposes of implementing the program established under this section, there are hereby authorized to be appropriated not more than $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1995.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, § 1673, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3773; Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, § 407(12), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865.)

AMENDMENTS

1991-Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 102-237 substituted "programs of" for "programs or”.

§ 5927. Commission on agricultural research facilities (a) Definitions

For purposes of this section:
(1) Agricultural research facility

The term "agricultural research facility" means a facility at which agricultural research is regularly carried out, or proposed to be carried out, and which is—

(A) an existing Agricultural Research Service facility or a Forest Service facility; (B) an agricultural facility in the process of being planned or being constructed using Federal funding or a planned agricultural facility that will use Federal funding; or

(C) any other facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture. (2) Study Commission

The term "Study Commission" means the Agriculture Research Facilities Planning and Closure Study Commission established under this section.

(3) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(b) Study Commission established

The Secretary shall establish an Agriculture Research Facilities Planning and Closure Study Commission to carry out the activities described in subsection (c) of this section. (c) General duties

The Study Commission shall-

(1) review all currently operating and planned agricultural research facilities for research importance;

(2) identify those agricultural research facilities that should be closed, realigned, consolidated, or modernized, in order to aid in carrying out the research agenda of the Secretary;

(3) develop recommendations concerning agricultural research facilities; and

(4) evaluate the agricultural research facilities acquisition and modernization system utilized by the Department of Agriculture and recommend improvements in such system.

The Study Commission shall be composed of 14 members to be appointed not later than 60 days after November 28, 1990, of which

(A) two members shall be appointed by the Secretary from among private citizens or employees of the Executive Branch;

(B) three members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

(C) three members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;

(D) three members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and

(E) three members shall be appointed by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives.

it in carrying out its duties. The Chairperson may employ experts and consultants.

(e) General powers

The Study Commission shall have the power to meet and hold hearings, use the mails of the United States, and provide and acquire administrative support services.

(f) Report

Not later than 240 days after November 28, 1990, the Study Commission shall prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committees on Agriculture and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Appropriations of the Senate, a report concerning the findings and recommendations developed under subsection (c) of this section.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, § 1674, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3775; Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, § 407(13), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865.)

§ 407(13)(A), substituted "Schedule" for "Schedules". Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(13)(B), substituted "Committees" for "Committee” in two places.

TERMINATION OF ADVISORY COMMISSIONS

Advisory commissions established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a commission established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such commission is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a commission established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided for by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of Pub. L. 92-463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, 776, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

REFERENCES IN OTHER LAWS TO GS-16, 17, OR 18 PAY RATES

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

§ 5928. National centers for agricultural product quality research

(a) Purposes

The purposes of the national centers for agricultural product quality research shall be to

(1) serve as regional or commodity specific agricultural product quality research and education focal points involving one or more university and Federal participants;

(2) take advantage of opportunities, and establish linkages between universities and other entities with expertise, in basic biology and engineering, the development of new technology, the application of technology to practice, and related quality assurance and regulatory activities;

(3) develop and enhance explicit relationships (including the possible sharing of the cost of center operations) between the research and development community, the Department, and other Federal agencies, and with all aspects of the involved industries;

(4) provide a mechanism for dealing with the safety and wholesomeness of new food products and processes that use biotechnology (including transgenic plants and animals);

(5) provide factual public information about agricultural product quality and wholesomeness on a continuing basis; and

(6) where appropriate, build on existing institutional strengths and commitments to address issues relating to agricultural product quality and wholesomeness and on demonstrated capability to effectively link with operational units of the Department, other Federal agencies, and private industry.

(b) Characteristics of centers

(1) Regional basis

The centers shall be regional based units that conduct a broad spectrum of research, development, and education programs to assure the safety and wholesomeness of food through the prevention, detection, and modification of processes and products involved in the food chain that potentially compromise agricultural product quality and wholesome

ness.

(2) Research approach

The centers shall involve multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to the development of new knowledge and technology. The centers may include multi-institutional linkages between universities or related Federal laboratories.

(3) Management

The centers shall serve as a management focal point for grants that deal with agricultural product quality research, extension, and teaching, including the provision of mechanisms for sharing resources between cooperating institutions and laboratories.

(4) Research linkages

Appropriate linkages within the centers shall include related efforts in agriculture, medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, engineering and related life and physical sciences, and social sciences dealing with health related behavior.

(5) Research scope

Each center shall conduct research and education on the full spectrum of production, processing, transportation, and marketing for commodity classes, such as animals (including animal products and animal feed), agronomic crops, and horticultural crops.

(c) Establishment of centers (1) Establishment

Notwithstanding subsection (g)(1) of this section, the Secretary shall establish not more than four centers.

(2) Operating grants

The Secretary shall make grants to operate the centers established under paragraph (1). Such grants shall be competitively awarded based on merit and relevance in reference to meeting the purposes specified in subsection (a) of this section. Such grants may be awarded for periods of up to five years and may be renewed in competition with demonstration of adequate performance. The Secretary shall give preference to proposals that demonstrate linkages with action agencies of the Department, with other related Federal research laboratories and agencies, and with private industry.

(3) Primary institution in center

The primary institution involved in a center shall be a land-grant college with other cooperating or collaborating academic institutions, nonprofit research and development entities, and Federal laboratories. A center may involve institutions or laboratories in more than one State.

(2) The centers shall be funded through the Cooperative State Research Service in the Department.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, § 1675, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3777; Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, § 407(14), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865.)

AMENDMENTS

1991-Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(14)A), added par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) "Grants" which read as follows: "The Secretary shall make grants to establish the centers. Such grants establish ing centers shall be competitively awarded based on merit and relevance in reference to meeting the pur poses specified in subsection (a) of this section."

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(14)(B), in heading substituted "Operating grants" for "Periods and preferences" and in text substituted "The Secretary shall make grants to operate the centers established under paragraph (1). Such grants shall be competitively awarded based on merit and relevance in reference to meeting the purposes specified in subsection (a) of this section. Such grants" for "Grants".

§ 5929. Turkey Research Center

There are authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for fiscal year 1992 to be used by the Agricultural Research Service for planning purposes in the establishment of a facility to be known as the Agricultural Turkey Research Center to be located in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, and operated in cooperation with the North Dakota State University.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, § 1676, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3779.)

§ 5930. Reservation extension agents (a) Establishment

The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Extension Service, shall establish appropri ate extension education programs on Indian reservations and tribal jurisdictions. In establishing these extension programs, the Secretary shall consult with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and the Southwest Indian Agriculture Association, and shall make such interagency cooperative agree ments or memoranda of understanding as may be necessary. The programs to be developed and delivered on reservations and within tribal jurisdictions shall be determined with the advice and counsel of reservation or tribal program advisory committees.

(b) Administration and management

Extension agents shall be employees of, and administratively responsible to, the Cooperative Extension Service of the State within which the reservation or tribal jurisdiction is located, and employment and personnel management responsibilities shall be vested with the State Cooperative Extension Service. In cases where a reservation or tribal jurisdiction is located in two or more States, the Secretary of Agricul ture shall make the determination of adminis trative responsibility, including possible divi sions along State boundaries.

(c) Advisory committees

At the request of a State Extension Director, and with the assistance of the tribal authori

ties, the Secretary of Agriculture may form an advisory committee to give overall policy and program advice to that State Extension Director with regard to programs conducted on reservations or within tribal jurisdictions. Program advisory committees may be formed to assist extension staff in development and conduct of program activities.

(d) Staffing

Insofar as possible, agent and specialist staff shall include individuals representative of the tribal grouping being served. Programs shall emphasize training and employment of local people in positions such as program aides, master gardeners, and volunteers. Staffing at a particular location shall be dependent on the needs and priorities of that location, as identified by the advisory committees and the State Extension Director, and the Director may make use of existing personnel and facilities as appropriate.

(e) Placing of agents

The number of offices and their placement shall be jointly determined by the State Extension Directors and tribal authorities of the respective States by taking into consideration the agricultural acreage within the boundaries of an Indian reservation or tribal jurisdiction, the soil classifications of such acreage, and the population of such reservation or tribal jurisdiction.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 101-624, title XVI, § 1677, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3779; Pub. L. 102-237, title IV, § 407(15), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1865.)

AMENDMENTS

1991-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(15)(A), (B), substituted "reservation" for "Reservation" and "reservations" for "Reservations" wherever appearing. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(15)(A), substituted "reservation" for "Reservation" in two places.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(15)(C), substituted "tribal" for "Tribal" after "assistance of the".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102-237, § 407(15)(A), substituted "reservation" for "Reservation" in two places.

INDIAN SUBSISTENCE FARMING DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM

Subtitle C (§§ 931-939) of title IX of Pub. L. 102-237 provided that:

"SEC. 931. PURPOSES.

"The purposes of this subtitle are to—

"(1) provide technical assistance and training through the Extension Service in the Department of Agriculture to Indian tribes and Alaska Natives for the development and operation of subsistence farming programs to improve the nutritional health of Indians living on or near Indian reservations;

"(2) establish the Indian subsistence farming demonstration grant program within the Department of Agriculture; and

"(3) provide a supplemental source of fresh produce for Indians and Alaska Natives who"(A) have special dietary needs;

"(B) are participating in

"(i) the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or

"(ii) the food distribution program on Indian reservations established under section 4(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)); or

"(C) have income below 185 percent of the poverty line referred to in section 5(c)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(c)(1)).

"SEC. 932. DEFINITIONS.

"For the purposes of this subtitle:

“(1) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT.-The term 'eligible recipient' means an Indian who

"(A) is identified by the Secretary as having special dietary needs;

"(B) is participating in

"(i) the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); or

"(ii) the food distribution program on Indian reservations established under section 4(b) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2013(b)); or

"(C) has income below 185 percent of the poverty line referred to in section 5(c)(1) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(c)(1)).

"(2) INDIAN.-The term 'Indian' means a person who is a member of an Indian tribe, or who is an Alaska Native and a member of a Regional Corporation (as defined in section 3(g) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(g))[)].

"(3) INDIAN RESERVATION.-The term 'Indian reservation' has the same meaning given to the term 'reservation' under section 3(d) of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452(d)).

"(4) INDIAN TRIBE.-The term 'Indian tribe' means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community (including any Alaska Native village, Regional Corporation, or Regional Corporation (as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.))[], which is recognized as eligible for the special services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

"(5) INTER-TRIBAL CONSORTIUM.-The term 'intertribal consortium' means a partnership between

"(A) an Indian tribe or tribal organization on an Indian reservation; and

"(B) one or more Indian tribes or tribal organizations of other Indian tribes.

"(6) PROGRAM.-The term 'program' means any subsistence farming program funded or assisted under this subtitle.

"(7) SECRETARY.-The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Agriculture.

"SEC. 933. INDIAN SUBSISTENCE FARMING DEMONSTRATION GRANT PROGRAM.

"(a) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary may establish an Indian subsistence farming demonstration grant program that provides grants to any Indian tribe, or intertribal consortium, for the establishment on Indian reservations of subsistence farming operations that grow fresh produce for distribution to eligible recipients.

"(b) APPLICATION.-Any Indian tribe or tribal consortium may submit to the Secretary an application for a grant under this subtitle. Any such application shall"(1) be in such form as the Secretary may prescribe;

"(2) be submitted to the Secretary on or before the date designated by the Secretary; and

"(3) specify

"(A) the nature and scope of the subsistence farming project proposed by the applicant; "(B) the extent to which the project plans to use or incorporate existing resources and services available on the reservation; and

"(C) the number of Indians who are projected as eligible recipients of produce grown under the project.