Bill > S1400

This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to modify the delivery of technical assistance. The key provisions include: 1) Defining a "non-Federal certifying entity" as a non-Federal entity or State agency that can certify third-party providers to deliver technical assistance. 2) Requiring the Secretary to establish a process for non-Federal certifying entities to certify third-party providers, with the goal of increasing third-party provider capacity. 3) Directing the Secretary to provide a streamlined certification process for third-party providers with appropriate specialty certifications, such as certified crop advisors or professional engineers. 4) Requiring the Secretary to review certification requirements for third-party providers, make adjustments to improve participation and conservation practice effectiveness, and set a target utilization rate for third-party providers. 5) Establishing fair and reasonable payment amounts for technical services provided by third-party providers, and excluding those payments from cost-sharing requirements under other federal programs. 6) Requiring the Secretary to provide public information on funds obligated to third-party providers, certification results, the contribution of third-party providers to conservation practice quality and effectiveness, and the target utilization rate.