H.R. 3242 (108th): Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004

Introduced:
Oct 02, 2003 (108th Congress, 2003–2004)
Sponsor:
Rep. Doug Ose [R-CA3]
Status:
Signed by the President

The bill’s title was written by the bill’s sponsor. H.R. stands for House of Representatives bill.

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Status

This bill was enacted after being signed by the President on December 21, 2004.

Progress
Introduced Oct 02, 2003
Reported by Committee Sep 30, 2004
Passed House Oct 07, 2004
Passed Senate Dec 07, 2004
Signed by the President Dec 21, 2004
Cosponsors
122 cosponsors (78D, 43R, 1P) (show)
Committees

House Agriculture

House Ways and Means

The committee chair determines whether a bill will move past the committee stage.

Full Title

To ensure an abundant and affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops for American consumers and international markets by enhancing the competitiveness of United States-grown specialty crops, and for other purposes.

Summary

No summaries available.

Text

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Last updated Jan 01, 2004.
6 pages

Primary Source

View on THOMAS (The Library of Congress)

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GovTrack’s Bill Summary

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Library of Congress Summary

The summary below was written by the Congressional Research Service, which is a nonpartisan division of the Library of Congress.

12/21/2004.
Section 3 -
Defines "specialty crop" as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
Title I - State Assistance for Specialty Crops
Section 101 -
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make FY 2005 through 2009 State grants to enhance specialty crop competitiveness. Bases grant amounts on specialty crop production value. Sets minimum State grants at $100,000 per fiscal year. Authorizes FY 2005 through 2009 appropriations.
Title II - Specialty Crop Advancement
Section 201 -
Authorizes FY 2005 through 2009 appropriations for specialty crop technical assistance under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.
Section 202 -
Directs the Secretary to: (1) reduce the number of backlog permit applications for the export of agricultural commodities without diluting or diminishing existing personnel resources that are currently managing sanitary and phytosanitary issues; and (2) report annually respecting such backlog, including the number of applications and backlog applications processed to completion.
Section 203 -
Directs the Secretary to report on the significant sanitary and phytosanitary issues affecting specialty crop exports.
Title III - Specialty Crop Research
Section 301 -
Directs the Secretary to elevate the priority of methyl bromide alternative research and extension activities and reexamine the risks and benefits of extending the phase-out deadline. Authorizes FY 2005 through 2009 appropriations.
Section 302 -
Amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to include specialty crop research among high priority research and extension activities.
Section 303 -
Amends the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to direct the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board to establish a permanent specialty crops committee to study the scope of research, extension, and economics programs affecting the specialty crop industry.
Title IV - Pest and Disease Response Fund
Section 401 -
Establishes in the Treasury the Pest and Disease Response Fund. Authorizes FY 2005 through 2009 appropriations.
Section 402 -
Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Plant Board for peer review of the procedures and standards of import and export requests under the Plant Protection Act, which shall address: (1) the preparation of risk assessments; and (2) the sufficiency, type, and quality of data that should be submitted to the Secretary.
Section 403 -
Authorizes FY 2005 through 2009 appropriations for maintenance of the Agricultural Marketing Service inspection training center in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

House Republican Conference Summary

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No summary available.

House Democratic Caucus Summary

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The bill contains the following citations to other parts of U.S. law:

United States Code

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