Volume 1, No. 10 - October 22, 2003
 

Implementation of the Agro-Security Provisions in the
F.Y. 2004 Appropriations Bills
To Members of the NASULGC Family:

As reported previously, the BRT has been closely monitoring appropriations and budget developments relating to homeland security. This provides you with important background information and an update on implementation by the Bush administration.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations for F.Y. 2004
Signed by the president on October 1, 2003, this bill provides funding for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2004. The bill included $874 million for science, technology, and related activities, including $70 million for "a university-based system to enhance the nation's homeland security efforts." The conference report to accompany the bill provides this explanation:
 
"The conferees agree to provide $70,000,000, an increase of $60,000,000 over the budget request of $10,000,000, to establish a university-based system to enhance the nation’s homeland security efforts. The conferees encourage the Department to consider all colleges and universities that meet the requirements of 6 U.S.C. 188 in the selection of university-based centers, including historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Alaskan Native-serving institutions." – H. Rpt. 108-280 Conference Report to Accompany H.R.2555
 
Link:    Revisions to Eligibility Requirements for Universities
 
The House Committee report to accompany the DHS bill also included a directive to the Department to work in collaboration with USDA to identify research gaps:
 
"With the increased focus on the possibility of agricultural terrorism, the Committee expects the Office of Science and Technology to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify high-priority research opportunities. The Department’s budget request includes $14,000,000 within the biological countermeasures program for agro-terrorism research. To ensure appropriate coordination and collaboration between the two agencies, the Department is directed to work with USDA to prepare a comprehensive strategy for combating agro-terrorism. The report should identify ongoing research being conducted by USDA, and any gaps in the current research portfolio that could be funded by the Department. This report is due to the Committee by January 15, 2004." – H. Rpt. 108-169, Report to Accompany H.R. 2555
 
Since this report language was not contradicted by the House-Senate conference, it is in force.
 
Department of Agriculture Appropriations for F.Y. 2004
This bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and reported by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It is not expected to pass the Senate as a stand-alone bill, but rather to be included within an omnibus appropriations measure. The House version of the Ag Appropriations bill accepted the president's budget request and included $16 million to continue funding a network of plant and animal diagnostic centers. The committee report to accompany the bill also included the following directive:
 
"Agro-terrorism research.--The Committee is familiar with potential agro/bioterrorism vulnerabilities, from animal and plant diseases to food chain introductions. While some agro-terrorism research is already being done by the Department of Agriculture, the Committee is aware of the need for more such research, particularly in the areas of threats to field crops, farm animals, and food in the processing and distribution chain. The Homeland Security Act of 2002 provides for coordination of research between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other relevant federal agencies in various areas of research. Because the Department of Agriculture (USDA) already possesses mechanisms, authorities, and personnel to carry out needed agro/bioterrorism research, the Committee expects to see effective coordination between the USDA and the DHS to move such research forward in an effective and expeditious fashion. The Committee expects USDA to coordinate with DHS to identify research gaps and develop a plan, to include research priorities, for proceeding to fill such gaps. Further, the Committee expects that non-government entities selected to carry out research will be ones with proven expertise in agriculture research, and strong familiarity with USDA animal and plant diagnostic laboratories and practices." – H. Rpt. 108-193, Report to Accompany H.R. 2673
 
BRT Follow-up Underway
BRT members Tim Sanders and Fred Clark of Cornerstone Government Affairs spoke on Monday, October 20, with officials in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the White House Homeland Security Council.

The BRT discussed with these officials the fact that the president’s $10 million request had been increased to $70 million. They also encouraged these White House officials to have conversations with their counterparts in the Departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security about the implementation of this enhanced funding.

It was indicated that work had begun at USDA and DHS on a “road map” to review and lay out a plan for addressing the “gaps” in agro-terrorism research, but that the report would not likely be done by the January 15, 2004, deadline specified in the House F.Y. 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations report.
 

Stay Tuned
The BRT will continue to keep the NASULGC family informed as implementation of these important provisions proceeds.

BRT Report from Washington is edited by Fred H. Hutchison on behalf of the BRT. The BRT,  comprised of Fleishman-Hillard Government Relations, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., and Cornerstone Government Affairs,  represents the Budget and Advocacy Committee of NASULGC's Board on Agriculture Assembly before Congress and executive branch agencies. © Fleishman-Hillard, 2003. For more information: www.nasulgc-bac.com