Bill > HR4368

This bill makes appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. * **Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Pilot Projects:** $2,000,000 is appropriated to fund up to 5 pilot projects that allow SNAP benefits to be used for purchasing only nutrient-dense foods and beverages. These funds remain available until expended. * **Rescissions of Unobligated Balances:** * $500,000,000 is rescinded from unobligated balances made available for the supplemental nutrition program under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. * $500,000,000 is rescinded from unobligated balances made available to the Secretary of Agriculture under section 22002(a)(1) of Public Law 117-169. * Unobligated balances from amounts made available under section 1006 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 are rescinded. * Unobligated balances from amounts made available under section 22006 of Public Law 117-169 are rescinded. * $1,000,000,000 is rescinded from unobligated balances made available to the Secretary of Agriculture in section 9003(j)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. * **Child Nutrition Programs:** $1,573,666,000 is allocated for various Child Nutrition Programs, including Entitlement Commodities, State Option Contracts, Removal of Defective Commodities, and Administration of section 32 Commodity Purchases. * **USDA Vehicle Fleet:** The Secretary of Agriculture may purchase new passenger vehicles, but the total number of vehicles purchased in a fiscal year cannot exceed the number owned or leased in fiscal year 2018. Any increase above the 2018 level requires written notification and approval from Congressional Committees. * **Working Capital Fund:** Unobligated discretionary funds from the Department of Agriculture can be transferred to the Working Capital Fund for IT services and infrastructure improvements. These transferred funds remain available until expended, but require agency administrator and Congressional Committee approval for obligation. * **Information Technology (IT) Systems:** Funds for new IT systems or significant upgrades require approval from the Chief Information Officer and the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board. Funds for IT projects over $25,000 require written approval from the Chief Information Officer, with exceptions for smaller projects based on agency performance. * **Advisory Committees:** No more than $20,000,000 of available funds can be used for advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces, excluding those for negotiated rulemakings and competitively awarded grants. * **Rural Development Programs:** At least 10 percent of funds for specific Rural Development programs must be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties. * **Pilot Projects for Indian Tribes:** $2,000,000 is appropriated for up to 10 pilot projects to award grants to Indian tribes and related entities to operate school lunch and other nutrition programs. These funds remain available until expended. * **Restrictions on Certain Rulemakings:** The bill prohibits the use of funds to finalize, implement, or enforce certain rules related to SNAP retailer standards, poultry grower contracting, whole grain requirements for WIC, and the regulation of wine grapes, hops, pulse crops, or almonds. It also prohibits funds from being used to implement certain provisions related to tobacco product standards and to advance Critical Race Theory. * **Prohibition on Certain Foreign Investments:** The Secretary of Agriculture is prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in the United States by nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, or agents associated with Russia, North Korea, Iran, or the Communist Party of China. * **Iron and Steel Products:** Federal funds for rural water, wastewater, waste disposal, and solid waste management programs cannot be used for projects unless all iron and steel products are produced in the United States, with certain exceptions for public interest, availability, or cost.