Revision of Delegations of Authority, 44101-44117 [2014-17352]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Rural Utilities Service
• Office of the Secretary
• World Agricultural Outlook Board

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44101-44117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17352]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

7 CFR Parts 1 and 2

Rural Utilities Service

7 CFR Part 1700

World Agricultural Outlook Board

7 CFR Part 3800

RIN 0503-AA56


Revision of Delegations of Authority

AGENCIES: Office of the Secretary, Rural Utilities Service, World 
Agricultural Outlook Board, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document revises the delegations of authority from the 
Secretary of Agriculture and general officers of the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) to reflect changes and additions to the delegations 
required by the Agricultural Act of 2014, Public Law 113-79. Other 
additions, deletions, and changes are made as summarized below.

DATES: Effective July 30, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam J. Hermann, Office of the General 
Counsel, USDA, 3311-South Bldg., 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-9425, adam.hermann@ogc.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Agricultural Act of 2014

    The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) previously delegated 
authorities under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act), Public Law 113-
79, in Secretary's Memorandum (SM) 1076-005 (March 6, 2014), available 
at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-005. 
This rule codifies those delegations and makes other changes to 
existing delegations required by the Act, as follows. Note that 
delegations of authority made by SM 1076-005 to conduct or prepare a 
one-time study, report, economic analysis, or similar activity remain 
in effect until such study, report, economic analysis, or similar 
activity is completed and, thus, are not reflected in this rulemaking.
    Title I of the Act provides several authorities that do not fit 
within existing delegations. The following provisions of title I are 
being delegated to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 
Agricultural Services (FFAS) in 7 CFR 2.16 and the Administrator of the 
Farm Service Agency (FSA) in 7 CFR

[[Page 44102]]

2.42, as follows: Sections 1401-1410 (margin protection program for 
dairy producers); section 1431 (dairy product donation program); and 
section 1612 (tracking of benefits).
    Additionally, the delegations to the Under Secretary for FFAS at 7 
CFR 2.16(a)(1)(xxv) and the Administrator, FSA at 7 CFR 2.42(a)(45) are 
revised to clarify that Commodity Credit Corporation programs covered 
by those delegations include those that support production agriculture 
and producer income support, or that provide disaster assistance or the 
domestic marketing of commodities.
    The Under Secretary for FFAS is redelegating part of his delegated 
authority in 7 CFR 2.16(a)(3)(xxxix) to the Administrator, FSA to enter 
into cooperative agreements under section 1472(b) of the National 
Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 3318(b)) for the purpose of implementing section 1614(c)(3) of 
the Act. Section 1614(c)(3) provides funding for producer education, 
including the development of web-based decision aids and training.
    Title II of the Act adds or revises several authorities that 
require new delegations of authority to the Under Secretary for Natural 
Resources and Environment (NRE) and the Chief, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS), as follows: Section 2301 (new Agricultural 
Conservation Easement Program); section 2401 (new Regional Conservation 
Partnership Program); section 2507 (revised Terminal Lakes assistance 
program); and section 2609 (revised wetlands mitigation banking 
program). 7 CFR 2.20 is amended to reflect the delegation of these 
authorities to the Under Secretary for NRE, and 7 CFR 2.61 is amended 
to reflect the delegation of these authorities to the Chief, NRCS.
    In addition, section 2503 of the Act provides new funding to carry 
out the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program under 
section 1240R of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5). 
This authority, previously delegated to the Under Secretary for FFAS 
and the Administrator, FSA, is transferred to the Under Secretary for 
NRE and the Chief, NRCS.
    Section 2611 of the Act amends title XII of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 to add new authorities regarding highly erodible land and 
wetland conservation for crop insurance. While the Under Secretaries 
for FFAS and NRE, the Administrator, FSA, and the Chief, NRCS, have 
existing delegations of authority that cover this part of the Food 
Security Act of 1985, a new delegation of authority is being added to 7 
CFR 2.44 for the Administrator, Risk Management Agency (RMA) to carry 
out the functions pertaining to RMA.
    Title IV of the Act provides several authorities related to 
nutrition that require new delegations of authority. The delegations at 
7 CFR 2.19 are amended to reflect the delegation of these authorities 
to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services 
(FNCS), and the delegations at 7 CFR 2.57 are amended to reflect the 
redelegation of these authorities to the Administrator of the Food and 
Nutrition Service (FNS), as follows: section 4004(b) (demonstration 
project regarding the Food Distribution Program on Indian 
Reservations); section 4031 (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands pilot program regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 
Program (SNAP)); section 4032 (annual State reporting on verification 
of SNAP participation); section 4033 (service of traditional foods in 
public facilities); and section 4214 (pilot project for canned, frozen, 
or dried fruits and vegetables as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
Program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act). 
Additionally, 7 CFR 2.19 is amended to reflect the delegation of 
authority to the Under Secretary for FNCS to establish a multiagency 
task force for the purpose of providing coordination and direction for 
commodity programs, as required by section 4205 of the Act, which 
amended the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994.
    Section 4204 of the Act amends the authority of the Secretary in 
section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research 
Act of 1990 to publish the ``Dietary Guidelines for Americans.'' A new, 
specific delegation is added to the Under Secretary for FNCS and 
Administrator, FNS, to administer section 301.
    Section 4206 of the Act amends the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 to authorize a new Healthy Food Financing 
Initiative. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.17 and 2.48 are amended to 
reflect that the Under Secretary for Rural Development (RD) and 
Administrator of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) are 
delegated this authority.
    Section 4208 of the Act establishes a food insecurity nutrition 
incentive grants program, and section 4209 authorizes a competitively 
awarded food and agriculture service learning grant program to increase 
knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutritional health of 
children. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.21 and 2.66 are amended to reflect 
that the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) 
and the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture 
(NIFA) are delegated these authorities.
    Section 4213 seeks to encourage awareness and interest in the 
number and variety of pulse crop products available to schoolchildren. 
Section 4213(c) directs the Secretary to purchase eligible pulse crops 
and pulse crop products for use in the school lunch and school 
breakfast programs. 7 CFR 2.22 and 2.79 are amended to reflect the 
delegation of this purchasing authority to the Under Secretary for 
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and the Administrator of the 
Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), respectively. Sections 4213(d) 
and (e), which provide a one-time evaluation and reporting requirement, 
were delegated to the Under Secretary for FNCS and the Administrator, 
FNS, by SM 1076-005 and are not reflected in this rulemaking.
    Title VI of the Act, at section 6205, amends the Farm Security and 
Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize a rural energy savings 
program. Section 6210 provides funding for certain pending loan and 
grant applications. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.17 and 2.47 are amended 
to reflect the delegation of these authorities to the Under Secretary 
for RD and the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, 
respectively.
    Section 6017 of the Act moves the authority for the Intermediary 
Relending Program from the Food Security Act of 1985 to the 
Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Section 6209 provides 
authorities relating to the collection and reporting of program 
metrics. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.17 and 2.48 are amended to reflect 
the delegation of these authorities to the Under Secretary for RD and 
the Administrator, RBS, respectively.
    Title VII of the Act provides several new authorities involving 
research, extension, and related matters. The delegations of authority 
at 7 CFR 2.21 are amended to reflect the delegation of these 
authorities to the Under Secretary for REE, and the delegations at 7 
CFR 2.65 and 2.66 are amended to reflect the delegation of these 
authorities to the Administrator of the Agricultural Research Service 
(ARS) and the Director of NIFA, respectively, as follows: section 
7104--a competitive grants program for the purpose of developing, 
implementing, and sustaining veterinary services (NIFA); section 7121--
authority to enter into agreements with former USDA agricultural 
research facilities for the purpose of supporting ongoing research and 
information dissemination activities (ARS); section 7310--a forestry 
and forestry products research

[[Page 44103]]

and extension initiative (NIFA); and section 7603--authority for the 
National Agricultural Library to enter into cooperative agreements with 
institutions of higher education regarding the dissemination of 
agricultural and food law research, legal tools, and information (ARS). 
The Under Secretary for REE is also delegated the authority in section 
7513(2) of the Act to submit an annual report to Congress describing 
agricultural research, extension, and education activities carried out 
by the Federal Government.
    Additionally, the delegation of section 1672 of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925), as 
amended by the Act, to the Under Secretary for REE (7 CFR 
2.21(a)(1)(lxxx)) is revised to clarify that the REE mission area is 
responsible for carrying out the pollinator authorities in section 
1672(g) of that act, including the annual report, except for the honey 
bee surveillance authorities that are delegated to the Under Secretary 
for MRP (7 CFR 2.22(a)(2)(xli)). The delegation to the Director of NIFA 
(7 CFR 2.66(a)(42)) is revised to clarify that NIFA is responsible for 
carrying out the pollinator authorities in section 1672(g) of that act, 
except for the honey bee surveillance authorities that are delegated to 
the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS) (7 CFR 2.80(a)(47)) and the pollinator health research 
activities that are delegated to the Administrator of ARS (7 CFR 
2.65(a)(113)).
    Section 7106 directs that the authority of the Secretary to make 
competitive grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, 
agricultural and food policy research centers under section 1419A of 
the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act 
of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3155) is to be carried out through the Office of the 
Chief Economist. This authority was previously delegated to the Under 
Secretary for REE and the Director of NIFA. A new delegation of 
authority for this program is added to 7 CFR 2.29 for the Chief 
Economist.
    Title VIII of the Act adds two authorities to the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (HFRA) (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.)--authority to 
address insect and disease infestation on designated National Forest 
System (NFS) land (section 8204) and permanent authority for 
stewardship end result contracting projects (section 8205). A new, 
specific delegation is added to 7 CFR 2.20 (Under Secretary for NRE) 
and 2.60 (Chief, Forest Service) to administer the HFRA, including the 
authorities added by sections 8204 and 8205 of the Act. The new 
delegation excepts the Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized under 
title V of HFRA, which is already delegated to the Under Secretary for 
NRE and the Chief, NRCS.
    Section 8206 of the Act provides authority (known as the ``Good 
Neighbor Authority'') for the Secretary to enter into contracts and 
cooperative agreements with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and 
watershed restoration services on NFS lands. Similar Good Neighbor 
Authority is provided in section 331 of the Department of the Interior 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Pub. L. 106-291; 114 
Stat. 996), as amended and extended through fiscal year 2018 by section 
417 of the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014 (Pub. L. 113-76, div. G). The 
delegations at 7 CFR 2.20 and 2.60 are amended to reflect the 
delegation of this authority to the Under Secretary for NRE and Chief, 
Forest Service, respectively.
    The following provisions of the Act are also delegated to the Under 
Secretary for NRE and Chief, Forest Service: Section 8302 (authorizes 
the Forest Service to utilize conservation-related program funds to 
establish an Agriculture Conservation Experience Services (ACES) 
Program to provide technical services for conservation-related programs 
and authorities carried out on NFS land); section 8304 (provides for 
State-to-State reimbursement of amounts expended for resources and 
services for wildfire management and suppression and authorizes the 
Secretary to retain any funds received as reimbursements for costs 
incurred by the Secretary for fire protection and to credit the amounts 
to the same appropriation from which the expenses were paid); and 
section 8305 (authorizes establishment of a large airtanker and aerial 
asset lease program).
    Section 9002(a)(5) of the Act adds a new authority to the 
Secretary, acting through the Forest Products Laboratory of the Forest 
Service, to provide appropriate technical and other assistance with 
respect to determining eligibility of forest products for the ``USDA 
Certified Biobased Product'' labeling program. The delegations at 7 CFR 
2.20 and 2.60 are amended to reflect the delegation of this authority 
to the Under Secretary for NRE and Chief, Forest Service, respectively.
    Section 10016 of the Act adds new authorities regarding local food 
production and program evaluation. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.21 and 
2.67 are amended to reflect that the authority to coordinate 
implementation of section 10016 is delegated to the Under Secretary for 
REE and Administrator, Economic Research Service (ERS), respectively. 
Delegations are also added to 7 CFR 2.16 (Under Secretary for FFAS), 
2.22 (Under Secretary for MRP), 2.44 (Administrator, RMA), 2.68 
(Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service), and 2.79 
(Administrator, AMS) to assist with implementing section 10016.
    Section 11014(c) of the Act directs the Secretary to prepare a 
cropland acreage report and annual updates to the report. The 
delegations at 7 CFR 2.16 and 2.44 are amended to reflect the 
delegation of this responsibility to the Under Secretary for FFAS and 
Administrator, RMA, respectively.
    Additionally, a new delegation of authority is added to 7 CFR 2.16 
and 2.44 to clarify the authority of the Under Secretary for FFAS and 
Administrator, RMA, respectively, to administer the Federal Crop 
Insurance Act.
    In title XII of the Act, section 12303 directs the Secretary to 
maintain, in the Office of the Secretary, an Office of Tribal Relations 
to advise the Secretary on policies related to Indian tribes and carry 
out such other functions as the Secretary considers appropriate. The 
Department already maintains an Office of Tribal Relations within the 
Office of the Secretary. To reflect this, a new section (Sec.  2.38) is 
added to identify the delegated functions and duties of the Director, 
Office of Tribal Relations, who reports to the Secretary. Some of those 
functions had been delegated to the Director, Office of 
Intergovernmental Affairs (Sec.  2.85(a)(5)), through the Assistant 
Secretary for Congressional Relations (Sec.  2.23(a)(2)(v)), and are 
now being transferred to the Director, Office of Tribal Relations. 
Additionally, 7 CFR 2.4 is amended to add the Director, Office of 
Tribal Relations to the list of general officers of the Department.
    Section 12306 authorizes a new competitive grants program to 
support the efforts of States, tribal governments, and research 
institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry. This 
authority, which was delegated by SM 1076-005 to the Chief of the 
Forest Service, through the Under Secretary for NRE, is now being 
delegated to the Administrator of AMS, through the Under Secretary for 
MRP. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.22 and 2.79 are amended to reflect 
this.
    Section 12309 directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance 
to U.S. Customs and Border Protection related to the identification of 
produce that is represented as grown in the United

[[Page 44104]]

States when it is not actually grown in the United States, as well as a 
report to Congress. The delegations at 7 CFR 2.22 and 2.80 are amended 
to reflect the delegation of these authorities to the Under Secretary 
for MRP and Administrator, APHIS, respectively.
    The authority of the Secretary to administer section 12314 of the 
Act (Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund) and section 12315 of the Act 
(Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufacturers Trust Fund), which was 
delegated by SM 1076-005 to the Administrator of FSA, through the Under 
Secretary for FFAS, is now being delegated through the Under Secretary 
to both the Administrator of FSA and the Administrator of the Foreign 
Agricultural Service.
    Section 12316 of the Act provides continued funding for grants from 
the Wool Research, Development, and Promotion Trust Fund, which was 
established by section 506 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 7101 note). The delegation of authority to provide grants from 
the Trust Fund was inadvertently omitted from 7 CFR part 2. The 
delegations at 7 CFR 2.22 and 2.79 are amended to reflect the 
delegation of this authority to the Under Secretary for MRP and the 
Administrator, AMS.
    This rulemaking does not add a separate delegation for section 
12101 of the Act to amend a rule issued by APHIS implementing a 
voluntary trichinae certification program. That regulation was issued 
under the authority of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and the 
Animal Health Protection Act, which are already delegated to the 
Administrator of APHIS. Accordingly, no new delegation is necessary to 
carry out the requirements of section 12101 of the Act.
    Finally, this rulemaking makes a number of miscellaneous changes by 
removing delegations of statutory authorities that were repealed by the 
Act or delegations that are otherwise obsolete, and by revising 
existing delegations to reflect amendments made by the Act or to make 
other updates or corrections to descriptions and citations.

Other Delegations

    This rulemaking also amends the delegations of authority to reflect 
the 2013 realignment of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer 
(OCFO) and the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA). See 
Secretary's Memorandum 1072-003 (July 11, 2013), available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1072-003. In 2013, 
OCFO, previously established within the Departmental Management 
organization, was transferred from the supervision of the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration (ASA) to the supervision of the Secretary. 
The delegations from the Secretary to the ASA in 7 CFR 2.24(a)(3), and 
the delegations from the ASA to the Chief Financial Officer in 7 CFR 
2.90, are removed. The functions of the Chief Financial Officer are now 
reflected in a new 7 CFR 2.28. Also, as part of the 2013 realignment, 
OBPA, previously established within OCFO, was transferred from the 
supervision of the Chief Financial Officer to the supervision of the 
Secretary. The delegations from the Chief Financial Officer to the 
Director, OBPA in 7 CFR 2.501 are removed. The functions of the 
Director, OBPA are now reflected in a new 7 CFR 2.30.
    This rulemaking also amends the delegations of authority to reflect 
the realignment of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization (OSDBU) to implement amendments made to section 15(k) of 
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(k)) by the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, Pub. L. 112-239. See 
Secretary's Memorandum 1076-007 (April 8, 2014), available at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/document/secretarys-memorandum-1076-007. Previously, 
the ASA was the Department's Director of Small and Disadvantaged 
Business Utilization, who had management responsibility for OSDBU. 
OSDBU was headed by a Director under the supervision of the ASA. 
Pursuant to the Small Business Act amendments noted above, the 
delegations of authority are being revised to reflect that the 
Director, OSDBU is now the Department's Director of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, who will report directly to the 
Secretary or Deputy Secretary. A new section (Sec.  2.37) is added to 
reflect the functions and duties of the Director, OSDBU. Additionally, 
7 CFR 2.4 is amended to reflect the Director, OSDBU as a general 
officer of the Department. The delegations from the Secretary to the 
ASA in 7 CFR 2.24(a)(5) are amended to reflect that offices within the 
Departmental Management organization will continue to provide general 
administrative support to OSDBU. The delegations from the ASA to the 
Director, OSDBU in 7 CFR 2.92 are removed.
    New delegations of authority are added from the Under Secretary for 
REE to the Director, NIFA in 7 CFR 2.66 and the Administrator, ERS in 7 
CFR 2.67 to enter into agreements with and receive funds from any 
State, other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the 
purpose of conducting cooperative research projects (7 U.S.C. 450a).
    This rulemaking also amends the delegation of authority from the 
Under Secretary for RD to the Deputy Under Secretary for RD in 7 CFR 
2.45, which gives the Deputy Under Secretary, during the absence or 
unavailability of the Under Secretary, the authority to perform all the 
duties and exercise all the powers delegated to the Under Secretary. 
The delegation is amended to establish the order in which a Deputy 
Under Secretary may exercise that delegation when the Rural Development 
mission area has more than one Deputy Under Secretary. The authority 
shall be exercised first by the Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and 
Planning, and second by the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations and 
Management.
    This rulemaking also revises the delegation of authority to the 
Under Secretary for NRE in 7 CFR 2.20(a)(2)(viii) to reflect the 
current administrative review authorities in 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 
219. The delegations of authority to the Under Secretary for NRE in 7 
CFR 2.20(a)(2)(xxxix) and Chief of the Forest Service in 7 CFR 
2.60(a)(48) are revised to reflect recent changes to the ``Service 
First'' program authority (43 U.S.C. 1703).
    Additionally, the delegations of authority from the Secretary to 
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in 7 CFR 2.25 are amended to 
reflect that the General Counsel has authority for legal sufficiency 
review of, and concurrence on, settlement offers and draft settlement 
agreements in Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters that meet 
certain criteria. The delegations to the General Counsel in 7 CFR 2.31 
are amended to reflect that authority and to specify those criteria.
    The rule also amends the delegations of authority to the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration in 7 CFR 2.24 and the Director, Office of 
Human Resources Management in 7 CFR 2.91 to remove Alternative Dispute 
Resolution (ADR) from the description of the term ``human resources.'' 
This amendment was inadvertently omitted from the final rule 
transferring ADR authorities to the Assistant Secretary for Civil 
Rights (78 FR 40935, July 9, 2013).
    Finally, a new delegation of authority is added to the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration in 7 CFR 2.24 and the Director, Office of 
Advocacy and Outreach in 7 CFR 2.94 to carry out student internship 
programs under section 922 of the Federal Agriculture

[[Page 44105]]

Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 2279c).

Miscellaneous

    This rulemaking amends 7 CFR part 1, subpart H, Rules of Practice 
Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary 
Under Various Statutes, to add a reference to section 28(o)(1) of the 
Mineral Leasing Act, regarding administrative proceedings involving 
suspensions or terminations of rights-of-way. The list of statutory 
provisions in 7 CFR 1.131(a) inadvertently omitted that statutory 
reference.
    This rulemaking also amends the RUS organizational rules to reflect 
the provisions of the Presidential Appointment Efficiency and 
Streamlining Act of 2011, Public Law 112-166. That act amended section 
232 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6942) to no longer require Senate approval for Presidential 
appointments of the Administrator, RUS. Pursuant to that amendment, the 
position of Administrator, RUS is no longer subject to the Federal 
Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 (Vacancies Act) (5 U.S.C. 3345-3349d). The 
regulations at 7 CFR 1700.25 and 1700.26 are amended by removing the 
references to Senate approval and the Vacancies Act. This rulemaking 
also removes 7 CFR 1700.53, which identifies the order of succession 
for officials to act as the Administrator, RUS during the 
Administrator's absence. Orders of succession for USDA officials are 
coordinated uniformly by USDA's Office of Homeland Security and 
Emergency Coordination as part of its Continuity of Operations (COOP) 
planning, and maintained by USDA outside of the Code of Federal 
Regulations framework. The order of succession established by Executive 
Order of the President of the United States for the Secretary of 
Agriculture is reflected in 7 CFR 2.5.
    This rulemaking also amends the Office of the Chief Economist, 
World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) regulations by removing an 
obsolete reference to remote sensing activities in 7 CFR 3800.3. WAOB's 
remote sensing authorities have been transferred to the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration and the Chief Information Officer. See 77 
FR 14951 (Mar. 14, 2012).

Classification

    This rule relates to internal agency management. Accordingly, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, notice of proposed rulemaking and opportunity 
for comment are not required, and this rule may be made effective less 
than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. This rule also 
is exempt from the provisions of Executive Order 12866. This action is 
not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended by 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq., or the Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et 
seq., and thus is exempt from the provisions of those acts. This rule 
contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

List of Subjects

7 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedure, Agriculture, Antitrust, 
Claims, Cooperatives, Courts, Equal access to justice, Fraud, Freedom 
of information, Government employees, Lawyers, Motion pictures, 
Penalties, Privacy.

7 CFR Part 2

    Authority delegations (Government agencies)

7 CFR Part 1700

    Authority delegations (Government agencies), Electric power, 
Freedom of information, Loan programs-communications, Loan programs-
energy, Organization and functions (Government agencies), Rural areas, 
Telecommunications.

7 CFR Part 3800

    Organization and functions (Government agencies).

    Accordingly, 7 CFR Subtitle A, and Chapters XVII and XXXVIII, are 
amended as set forth below:

Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Agriculture

PART 1--ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS

Subpart H--Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory 
Proceedings Instituted by the Secretary Under Various Statutes

0
1. The authority citation for subpart H is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 61, 87e, 228, 268, 499o, 
608c(14), 1592, 1624(b), 2151, 2279e, 2621, 2714, 2908, 3812, 4610, 
4815, 4910, 6009, 6107, 6207, 6307, 6411, 6519, 6520, 6808, 7107, 
7734, 8313; 15 U.S.C. 1828; 16 U.S.C. 620d, 1540(f), 3373; 21 U.S.C. 
104, 111, 117, 120, 122, 127, 134e, 134f, 135a, 154, 463(b), 621, 
1043; 30 U.S.C. 185(o)(1); 43 U.S.C. 1740; 7 CFR 2.27, 2.35.


0
2. Amend Sec.  1.131(a) by adding a statutory provision to the list in 
alphabetical order to read as follows:


Sec.  1.131  Scope and applicability of this subpart.

    (a) * * *
    Mineral Leasing Act, section 28(o)(1) (30 U.S.C. 185(o)(1)).
* * * * *

PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

0
3. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 6912(a)(1); 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization 
Plan No. 2 of 1953, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1024.

Subpart A--General

0
4. Revise Sec.  2.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.4  General officers

    The work of the Department is under the supervision and control of 
the Secretary who is assisted by the following general officers: The 
Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Services; the Under Secretary for Rural Development; the Under 
Secretary for Food Safety; the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and 
Consumer Services; the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 
Environment; the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics; the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs; 
the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration; the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights; 
the Chief Financial Officer; the Chief Economist; the Director, Office 
of Budget and Program Analysis; the General Counsel; the Inspector 
General; the Director, National Appeals Division; the Judicial Officer; 
the Director, Office of Communications; the Director, Office of Small 
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; the Director, Office of Tribal 
Relations; and the Chief Information Officer.

Subpart C--Delegations of Authority to the Deputy Secretary, the 
Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries

0
5. Amend Sec.  2.16 as follows:
0
a. Revise the heading in paragraph (a)(1);
0
b. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(xviii) and (a)(1)(xxv);
0
c. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(xxx), (a)(1)(xxxi), 
(a)(1)(xxxiv)(A), (a)(1)(xxxiv)(C), (a)(1)(xxxiv)(D), (a)(1)(xxxiv)(F), 
and (a)(1)(xxxiv)(G);

[[Page 44106]]

0
d. Add new paragraph (a)(1)(xxxvi);
0
e. Revise paragraphs (a)(2)(i)(C), (a)(2)(i)(H), (a)(2)(i)(I), and 
(a)(2)(i)(J);
0
f. Add new paragraph (a)(2)(i)(M);
0
g. Revise paragraphs (a)(3)(xii), (a)(3)(xiii), and (a)(3)(xiv);
0
h. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(3)(xv) and (a)(3)(xvi);
0
i. Add new paragraphs (a)(3)(xlix), (a)(4)(vi), (a)(4)(vii), 
(a)(4)(viii), and (a)(4)(ix); and
0
j. Revise paragraph (b)(2)(iii).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.16  Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Related to Farm Service Agency.
* * * * *
    (xviii) Formulate and carry out the Conservation Reserve Program, 
including the implementation of technical assistance, under the Food 
Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.), and the 
functions of the Grassland Reserve Program transferred to the 
Conservation Reserve Program.
* * * * *
    (xxv) Administer all programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
that provide assistance with respect to the production of agricultural 
commodities or the income of producers, including disaster assistance 
and the domestic marketing of such commodities, except as may otherwise 
be reserved by the Secretary of Agriculture, and similar programs 
(including commodity quality development programs) consigned by statute 
to the Secretary of Agriculture unless otherwise delegated.
* * * * *
    (xxx) [Reserved]
    (xxxi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xxxiv) * * *
    (A) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (C) [Reserved]
    (D) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (F) [Reserved]
    (G) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xxxvi) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (A) Sections 1401-1410 relating to a margin protection program for 
dairy producers (7 U.S.C. 9051-9060), and section 1431 relating to a 
dairy product donation program (7 U.S.C. 9071).
    (B) Section 1612 relating to the tracking of benefits (7 U.S.C. 
9095).
    (C) Section 12314 relating to the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust 
Fund (7 U.S.C. 2101 note).
    (D) Section 12315 relating to the Agriculture Wool Apparel 
Manufacturers Trust Fund (7 U.S.C. 7101 note).
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) Section 306A (7 U.S.C. 1926a) and section 306B (7 U.S.C. 
1926b), relating to the emergency community water assistance grant 
programs, and section 306D (7 U.S.C. 1926d), relating to water systems 
for rural Alaskan Native Villages;
* * * * *
    (H) Section 310C (7 U.S.C. 1933), relating to housing program 
interest rates;
    (I) Section 310G (7 U.S.C. 1936a), relating to the use of rural 
development loans and grants for other purposes, and section 353A (7 
U.S.C. 2001a), relating to the servicing of community facilities loans;
    (J) Section 364 (7 U.S.C. 2006f) and section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008);
* * * * *
    (M) Sections 379 (7 U.S.C. 2008n) through 379G (7 U.S.C. 2008u) and 
subtitles E through I (7 U.S.C. 2009-2009dd-7) relating to rural 
development programs and activities.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (xii) Perform functions of the Department in connection with the 
development and implementation of agreements to finance the sale and 
exportation of agricultural commodities under the Food for Peace Act (7 
U.S.C. 1691, 1701 et seq.).
    (xiii) Administer commodity procurement and supply, transportation 
(other than from point of export, except for movement to trust 
territories or possessions), handling, payment, and related services in 
connection with programs under titles II and III of the Food for Peace 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701 et seq.), and payment and related services 
with respect to export programs and barter operations.
    (xiv) Coordinate within the Department activities arising under the 
Food for Peace Act (except as delegated to the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics in Sec.  2.21(a)(8)), and represent 
the Department in its relationships in such matters with the Department 
of State, any interagency committee on the Food for Peace Act, and 
other departments, agencies and committees of the Government.
    (xv) [Reserved]
    (xvi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xlix) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (A) Section 12314 relating to the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust 
Fund (7 U.S.C. 2101 note).
    (B) Section 12315 relating to the Agriculture Wool Apparel 
Manufacturers Trust Fund (7 U.S.C. 7101 note).
    (4) * * *
    (vi) Carry out functions relating to highly erodible land and 
wetland conservation under sections 1211-1213 and 1221-1223 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3811-3813 and 3821-3823).
    (vii) Prepare cropland reports as required by section 11014(c) of 
the Agricultural Act of 2013, Public Law 113-79.
    (viii) Assist the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics with implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food 
products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).
    (ix) Administer the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501, et 
seq.), except for sections 524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (b) (7 U.S.C. 
1524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), (b)) and 531 (7 U.S.C. 1531).
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Determining the agricultural commodities and the quantities 
thereof available for disposition under the Food for Peace Act (7 
U.S.C. 1731).
* * * * *

0
6. Amend Sec.  2.17 as follows:
0
a. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(20)(x);
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(20)(xii) and (a)(20)(xiii);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(21)(ii)(E);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(21)(iv);
0
e. Add new paragraphs (a)(21)(xxvi) and (a)(21)(xxvii); and
0
f. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(28).
0
The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.17  Under Secretary for Rural Development.

    (a) * * *
    (20) * * *
    (x) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xii) Administer section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a), relating to a rural energy 
savings program.
    (xiii) Administer section 6210 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, 
Public Law 113-79, relating to funding of pending rural development 
loan and grant applications.

[[Page 44107]]

    (21) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (E) Section 310H (7 U.S.C. 1936b), relating to an intermediary 
relending program.
* * * * *
    (iv) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xxvi) Administer the Healthy Food Financing Initiative under 
section 243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 
(7 U.S.C. 6953).
    (xxvii) Administer section 6209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 2207b), relating to the collection and reporting of program 
metrics.
    (28) [Reserved]
* * * * *

0
7. Amend Sec.  2.19 as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraph (a)(1)(i)(M); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(1)(vii), (a)(1)(viii), and (a)(1)(ix).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.19  Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (M) [Removed]
* * * * *
    (vii) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act 
of 2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (A) Section 4004(b), relating to a demonstration project regarding 
the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (7 U.S.C. 2013 
note).
    (B) Section 4031, relating to a Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands pilot program regarding the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (48 U.S.C. 1841 note).
    (C) Section 4032, relating to annual State reporting on 
verification of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation 
(7 U.S.C. 2036c).
    (D) Section 4033, relating to service of traditional foods in 
public facilities (25 U.S.C. 443d).
    (E) Section 4214, relating to a pilot project for canned, frozen, 
or dried fruits and vegetables as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
Program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
U.S.C. 1769a note).
    (viii) Administer section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring 
and Related Research Act of 1990, relating to the Dietary Guidelines 
for Americans (7 U.S.C. 5341).
    (ix) Implement section 242 of the Department of Agriculture 
Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6952), relating to establishment 
of a multiagency task force for the purpose of providing coordination 
and direction for commodity programs.
* * * * *

0
8. Amend Sec.  2.20 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(viii);
0
b. Remove paragraph (a)(2)(xxvii)(E);
0
c. Add new paragraph (a)(2)(xxviii);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(2)(xxxvii);
0
e. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(xxxix);
0
f. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(2)(xliii);
0
g. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(xliv); and
0
h. Add new paragraphs (a)(2)(xlvi), (a)(2)(xlvii), (a)(2)(xlviii), 
(a)(2)(xlix), (a)(2)(l), (a)(2)(li), (a)(3)(xiii)(S), (a)(3)(xiii)(T), 
(a)(3)(xiii)(U), (a)(3)(xiii)(V), and (a)(3)(xxv).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.20  Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (viii) Exercise the administrative appeal review functions of the 
Secretary of Agriculture for decisions of the Chief of the Forest 
Service pursuant to 36 CFR parts 214, 218, and 219.
* * * * *
    (xxviii) Represent USDA in all matters relating to responsibilities 
and authorities under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a-823).
* * * * *
    (xxxvii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xxxix) Establish programs with any bureau of the U.S. Department 
of the Interior (DOI) in support of the Service First initiative for 
the purpose of promoting customer service and efficiency including 
delegating to DOI employees those authorities of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) necessary to carry out projects on behalf of USDA 
(43 U.S.C. 1703).
* * * * *
    (xliii) [Reserved]
    (xliv) Administer the community wood energy program providing 
grants to develop community wood energy plans, acquire or upgrade 
community wood energy systems, and establish or expand biomass consumer 
cooperatives (7 U.S.C. 8113).
* * * * *
    (xlvi) Administer the programs authorized by the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), except for the 
Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized in title V of such act (16 
U.S.C. 6571-6578).
    (xlvii) Administer Good Neighbor contracts and cooperative 
agreements with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed 
restoration services on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 2113a; 
Pub. L. 106-291, section 331, as amended).
    (xlviii) Utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services 
(ACES) Program (16 U.S.C. 3851) to provide technical services for 
conservation-related programs and authorities carried out on National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 3851a).
    (xlix) Administer reimbursements received for fire suppression (42 
U.S.C. 1856e; 42 U.S.C. 1856d(b)).
    (l) Administer the large airtanker and aerial asset lease program 
(16 U.S.C. 551c).
    (li) Provide technical and other assistance with respect to 
eligibility of forest products for the ``USDA Certified Biobased 
Products'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102(g)).
    (3) * * *
    (xiii) * * *
    (S) The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program authorized by 
sections 1265-1265D of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3865-3865d).
    (T) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program authorized by 
sections 1271-1271F (16 U.S.C. 3871-3871f).
    (U) The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program 
authorized by section 1240R of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5).
    (V) A wetlands mitigation banking program authorized by section 
1222(k) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3822(k)).
* * * * *
    (xxv) Administer the Terminal Lakes assistance program authorized 
by section 2507 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(16 U.S.C. 3839bb-6).
* * * * *

0
9. Amend Sec.  2.21 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(ii), (a)(1)(xix), and (a)(1)(xxv);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(xxviii) and (a)(1)(xxix);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(xxx);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(1)(xlii);
0
e. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(xlviii) and (a)(1)(l);
0
f. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(1)(lv);
0
g. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(lxvi);
0
h. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(lxvii), (a)(1)(lxxii), 
(a)(1)(lxxiii), (a)(1)(lxxiv), (a)(1)(lxxv), (a)(1)(lxxvi), and 
(a)(1)(lxxviii);
0
i. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(lxxx);
0
j. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(1)(lxxxi);
0
k. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(lxxxii);
0
l. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(1)(lxxxviii);

[[Page 44108]]

0
m. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(ciii);
0
n. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(cxi) and (a)(1)(cxvi);
0
o. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(cxvii);
0
p. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(cxix) and (a)(1)(cxx);
0
q. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(cxxiv), (a)(1)(cxxxv), and (a)(1)(cxli);
0
r. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(cxlv) and (a)(1)(cxlvi);
0
s. Revise paragraph (a)(1)(cliii);
0
t. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(clxx) and (a)(1)(clxxix);
0
u. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(clxxxiv) and (a)(1)(clxxxv);
0
v. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(clxxxviii), (a)(1)(cxcvi), 
(a)(1)(cxcix), and (a)(1)(cc);
0
x. Add new paragraphs (a)(1)(ccvi), (a)(1)(ccvii), (a)(1)(ccviii), 
(a)(1)(ccix), (a)(1)(ccx), (a)(1)(ccxi), and (a)(1)(ccxii);
0
y. Revise paragraph (a)(7)(i)(C);
0
z. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(8)(iii) and (a)(8)(xi);
0
aa. Add new paragraph (a)(8)(xviii);
0
bb. Remove paragraph (a)(10)(iv); and
0
cc. Revise paragraph (b)(2)(i).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.21  Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Provide national leadership and support for research, 
extension, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences 
to carry out sustainable agriculture research and education; a National 
Plant Genetic Resources Program; a national agricultural weather 
information system; and any other provisions pursuant to title XVI of 
the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 
101-624, 104 Stat. 3703).
* * * * *
    (xix) Carry out a program (IR-4 Program) for the collection of 
residue and efficacy data in support of registration or reregistration 
of pesticides for minor agricultural use and for use on specialty 
crops, and to determine tolerances for minor use chemical residues in 
or on agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 450i(e)).
* * * * *
    (xxv) Conduct a Special Cotton Research Program designed to reduce 
the cost of producing upland cotton in the United States (7 U.S.C. 
1444a(c)).
* * * * *
    (xxviii) [Reserved]
    (xxix) [Reserved]
    (xxx) Conduct education and extension programs related to nutrition 
education (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)).
* * * * *
    (xlii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xlviii) Administer a National Food and Human Nutrition Research 
and Extension Program (7 U.S.C. 3171-3173, 3175).
* * * * *
    (l) Support continuing agricultural and forestry extension and 
research at 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee University 
(7 U.S.C. 3221, 3222, 3222d).
* * * * *
    (lv) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (lxvi) Develop and make available handbooks, technical guides, and 
other educational materials emphasizing sustainable agriculture 
production systems and practices; carry out activities related to a 
national training program for sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5831, 
5832).
    (lxvii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (lxxii) [Reserved]
    (lxxiii) [Reserved]
    (lxxiv) [Reserved]
    (lxxv) [Reserved]
    (lxxvi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (lxxviii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (lxxx) Administer a competitive high priority research and 
extension grants program in specified subject areas (7 U.S.C. 5925), 
including pollinator activities (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)) not otherwise 
delegated to the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs 
in Sec.  2.22(a)(2)(xli); prepare an annual report to Congress 
regarding pollinator issues (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)(5)).
    (lxxxi) [Reserved]
    (lxxxii) Administer competitive grants to support research, 
education, and extension activities regarding organically grown and 
processed agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 5925b).
* * * * *
    (lxxxviii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (ciii) Administer a cooperative forestry program in accordance with 
the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act, and administer a 
competitive forestry, natural resources, and environmental grant 
program (16 U.S.C. 582a-582-8).
* * * * *
    (cxi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (cxvi) [Reserved]
    (cxvii) Obtain and furnish Federal excess property to eligible 
recipients for use in the conduct of research and extension programs 
(40 U.S.C. 525(c)).
* * * * *
    (cxix) [Reserved]
    (cxx) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (cxxiv) Represent the Department on the Federal Interagency 
Committee on Education.
* * * * *
    (cxxxv) Administer the Department's Patent Program except as 
delegated to the General Counsel in Sec.  2.31(a)(5).
* * * * *
    (cxli) Implement and administer the Community Food Projects Program 
under section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034).
* * * * *
    (cxlv) [Reserved]
    (cxlvi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (cliii) Establish procedures that provide for scientific peer 
review of each agricultural research grant administered on a 
competitive basis, and for relevancy and merit review of each 
agricultural research, extension, or education grant administered on a 
competitive basis, by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (7 
U.S.C. 7613(a)).
* * * * *
    (clxx) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (clxxix) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (clxxxiv) Administer grants to assist the land-grant colleges and 
universities in insular areas to acquire, alter, or repair facilities 
or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research; 
and to support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, 
including pest and disease research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2).
    (clxxxv) Enter into agreements necessary to administer an Hispanic-
Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Fund; enter into 
agreements necessary to administer a program of making annual payments 
to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer 
an institutional capacity-building grants program for Hispanic-serving 
agricultural colleges and universities; administer a competitive grants 
program to fund fundamental and applied research and extension at 
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities and to award 
competitive grants to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and 
universities to provide for training in the food and agricultural 
sciences of Hispanic agricultural workers and Hispanic youth working in

[[Page 44109]]

the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3243).
* * * * *
    (clxxxviii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (cxcvi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (cxcix) [Reserved]
    (cc) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (ccvi) Administer a food insecurity nutrition incentive program (7 
U.S.C. 7517).
    (ccvii) Administer a food and agriculture service learning grant 
program (7 U.S.C. 7633).
    (ccviii) Administer a veterinary services grant program (7 U.S.C. 
3151b).
    (ccix) Enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or 
other legal instruments with former Department of Agriculture 
agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 3315(b)).
    (ccx) Administer a forestry and forestry products research and 
extension initiative (7 U.S.C. 7655b).
    (ccxi) Submit to Congress an annual report describing agricultural 
research, extension, and education activities carried out by the 
Federal Government (7 U.S.C. 7614c(f)).
    (ccxii) Enter into cooperative agreements with institutions of 
higher education regarding the dissemination of agricultural and food 
law research, legal tools, and information (7 U.S.C. 3125a-1).
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) Research on the factors affecting food preference and habits (7 
U.S.C. 3171-3173, 3175).
* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (iii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xi) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (xviii) Coordinate implementation of section 10016 of the 
Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding locally or regionally produced 
agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) Final approval and issuance of the crop and livestock reports.
* * * * *

0
10. Amend Sec.  2.22 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii)(C), and (a)(1)(viii)(CCC);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(1)(viii)(MMM) and 
(a)(1)(viii)(PPP); c. Add new paragraphs (a)(1)(viii)(QQQ), 
(a)(1)(viii)(RRR), (a)(1)(viii)(SSS), and (a)(1)(xiii);
0
d. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(xli); and
0
e. Add new paragraph (a)(2)(xlii).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.22  Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture 
contained in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 1621-1627b), including payments to State Departments of 
Agriculture in connection with cooperative marketing service projects 
under section 204(b) (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), but excepting matters 
otherwise assigned.
    (ii) * * *
    (C) Application of presently available scientific knowledge to the 
solution of practical problems encountered in the marketing of 
agricultural products (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627b).
* * * * *
    (viii) * * *
    (CCC) Farmers' Market Promotion Program (7 U.S.C. 3005).
* * * * *
    (MMM) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (PPP) [Reserved]
    (QQQ) Section 4213(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1755b(c)).
    (RRR) Section 12306 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1632c).
    (SSS) Section 506 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 7101 note).
* * * * *
    (xiii) Assist the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and 
Economics with implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 
2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food 
products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).
    (2) * * *
    (xli) Section 1672(g)(3) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)(3)) regarding honey bee pest, 
pathogen, health, and population status surveillance.
    (xlii) Section 12309 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding 
produce represented as grown in the United States (19 U.S.C. 1304a).
* * * * *


Sec.  2.23  [Amended]

0
11. Amend Sec.  2.23 by removing paragraph (a)(1)(v).
0
12. Amend Sec.  2.24 as follows:
0
a. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(3);
0
b. Remove paragraph (a)(4)(x)(Z);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(5);
0
d. Add new paragraphs (a)(6)(xix) and (a)(7)(xv); and
0
e. Remove paragraph (a)(13).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.24  Assistant Secretary for Administration.

    (a) * * *
    (3) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (5) Related to small and disadvantaged business utilization. 
Provide general administrative support to the Office of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, consistent with the other 
delegations of authority to the Assistant Secretary for Administration 
in this section.
    (6) * * *
    (xix) In coordination with the Chief Financial Officer, implement 
the debarment authorities in section 14211 of the Food, Conservation, 
and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2009j), in connection with procurement 
activities.
* * * * *
    (7) * * *
    (xv) Serve as a lead agency in carrying out student internship 
programs (7 U.S.C. 2279c).
* * * * *

0
13. Amend Sec.  2.25 by revising paragraph (a)(16)(i)(C), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.25  Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

    (a) * * *
    (16) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) To make final agency decisions, or enter into settlement 
agreements on EEO complaints by Department employees or applicants for 
employment and order such corrective measures in response to such 
complaints as may be considered necessary, except that in qualifying 
cases as described in Sec.  2.31(a)(18) the Assistant Secretary for 
Civil Rights must first obtain legal sufficiency review and concurrence 
by the General Counsel before extending settlement offers or entering 
into settlement agreements. Corrective measures may include 
recommending to the Office of Human Resources Management and the 
affected agency or office that appropriate disciplinary action be taken 
when an employee has been found to have engaged in a discriminatory 
practice.
* * * * *

[[Page 44110]]

Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and 
Agency Heads

0
14. Add Sec.  2.28 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.28  Chief Financial Officer.

    (a) The Chief Financial Officer, under the supervision of the 
Secretary of Agriculture, is responsible for executing the duties 
enumerated for agency Chief Financial Officers in the Chief Financial 
Officers Act of 1990, Public Law 101-576, 31 U.S.C. 902, and additional 
specified duties, including:
    (1) Report directly to the Secretary regarding financial management 
matters.
    (2) Oversee all financial management activities relating to the 
programs and operations of the Department and component agencies.
    (3) Develop and maintain an integrated accounting and financial 
system for the Department and component agencies, including financial 
reporting and internal controls, which--
    (i) Complies with applicable accounting principles, standards, and 
requirements, and internal control standards;
    (ii) Complies with such policies and requirements as may be 
prescribed by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB);
    (iii) Complies with any other requirements applicable to such 
systems; and
    (iv) Provides for complete, reliable, consistent, and timely 
information which is prepared on a uniform basis and which is 
responsive to the financial information needs of Department management 
and for the development and reporting of cost information, the 
integration of accounting and budgeting information, and the systematic 
measurement of performance.
    (4) Make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the selection 
of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the Department, and selection 
of principal financial officers of component agencies of the 
Department.
    (5) Direct, manage, and provide policy guidance and oversight of 
Department financial management personnel, activities, and operations, 
including:
    (i) Prepare and annually revise a Departmental plan to:
    (A) Implement the 5-year financial management plan prepared by the 
Director of OMB under 31 U.S.C. 3512(a)(3); and
    (B) Comply with the requirements established for agency financial 
statements under 31 U.S.C. 3515 and with the requirements for audits of 
Department financial statements established in 31 U.S.C. 3521(e) and 
(f).
    (ii) Develop Departmental financial management budgets, including 
the oversight and recommendation of approval of component agency 
financial management budgets.
    (iii) Recruit, select, and train personnel to carry out 
Departmental financial management functions.
    (iv) Approve and manage Departmental, and approve component agency, 
financial management systems design or enhancement projects.
    (v) Implement and approve Departmental, and approve component 
agency, asset management systems, including systems for cash 
management, credit management, debt collection, and property and 
inventory management and control.
    (6) Prepare and transmit, by not later than 60 days after the 
submission of the audit report required by 31 U.S.C. 3521(f), an annual 
report to the Secretary and the Director of OMB, which shall include:
    (i) A description and analysis of the status of financial 
management of the Department.
    (ii) The annual financial statements prepared under 31 U.S.C. 3521.
    (iii) The audit report transmitted to the Secretary under 31 U.S.C. 
3521.
    (iv) A summary of the reports on internal accounting and 
administrative control systems submitted to the President and the 
Congress under the amendments made by the Federal Managers' Financial 
Integrity Act of 1982 (31 U.S.C. 1113, 3512).
    (v) Other information the Secretary considers appropriate to inform 
fully the President and the Congress concerning the financial 
management of the Department.
    (7) Monitor the financial execution of the budget of the Department 
in relation to projected and actual expenditures, and prepare and 
submit to the Secretary timely performance reports.
    (8) Review, on a biennial basis, the fees, royalties, rent, and 
other charges imposed by the Department for services and things of 
value it produces, and make recommendations on revising those charges 
to reflect costs incurred by the Department in providing those services 
and things of value.
    (9) Access all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, 
papers, recommendations, or other material that are the property of the 
Department or that are available to the Department, and that relate to 
programs and operations with respect to which the Chief Financial 
Officer has responsibilities, except that this grant allows no access 
greater than that permitted under any other law to records, reports, 
audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material 
of the Office of Inspector General.
    (10) Request such information or assistance as may be necessary for 
carrying out the duties and responsibilities granted by the Chief 
Financial Officers Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-576), from any Federal, 
State, or local governmental entity.
    (11) To the extent and in such amounts as may be provided in 
advance by appropriations acts, enter into contracts and other 
arrangements with public agencies and with private persons for the 
preparation of financial statements, studies, analyses, and other 
services, and making such payments as may be necessary to carry out the 
duties and prerogatives of the Chief Financial Officer.
    (12) Designate the Department's Comptroller of the Department 
Working Capital Fund.
    (13) Establish Departmental policies, standards, techniques, and 
procedures applicable to all USDA agencies for the following areas:
    (i) Development, maintenance, review and approval of all 
departmental, and review and approval of component agency, internal 
control, fiscal, financial management and accounting systems including 
the financial aspects of payment management and property systems.
    (ii) Selection, standardization, and simplification of program 
delivery processes utilizing grants, cooperative agreements and other 
forms of Federal assistance.
    (iii) Review and approval of Federal assistance, internal control, 
fiscal, accounting and financial management regulations and 
instructions proposed or issued by USDA agencies for conformity with 
Departmental requirements.
    (iv) Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (21 U.S.C. 
862) as it relates to grants, loans, and licenses.
    (14) Establish policies related to the Department Working Capital 
Fund.
    (15) Approve regulations, procedures and rates for goods and 
services financed through the Department Working Capital Fund which 
will impact the financial administration of the Fund.
    (16) Exercise responsibility and authority for operating USDA's 
financial and subsidiary management systems and related administrative 
systems including: Departmentwide payroll and personnel information 
systems, statistics, administrative payments, billings and collections, 
and related reporting systems that are either requested by the agencies 
or required by the Department.

[[Page 44111]]

    (17) Manage the National Finance Center (NFC).
    (18) Provide management support services for the NFC, and by 
agreement with agency heads concerned, provide such services for other 
USDA tenants housed in the same facility. As used herein, such 
management support services shall include:
    (i) Personnel services, as listed in Sec.  2.24(a)(4)(x), and 
organizational support services, with authority to take actions 
required by law or regulation to perform such services; and
    (ii) Procurement, property management, space management, 
communications, messenger, paperwork management, and related 
administrative services, with authority to take actions required by law 
or regulation to perform such services.
    (19) Exercise responsibility and authority for all matters related 
to the Department's accounting and financial operations including such 
activities as:
    (i) Financial administration, including accounting and related 
activities.
    (ii) Reviewing financial aspects of agency operations and 
proposals.
    (iii) Furnishing consulting services to agencies to assist them in 
developing and maintaining accounting and financial management systems 
and internal controls, and for other purposes consistent with 
delegations in paragraph (a)(13) of this section.
    (iv) Reviewing and monitoring agency implementation of Federal 
assistance policies.
    (v) Reviewing and approving agencies' accounting systems 
documentation including related development plans, activities, and 
controls.
    (vi) Monitoring agencies' progress in developing and revising 
accounting and financial management systems and internal controls.
    (vii) Evaluating agencies' financial systems to determine the 
effectiveness of procedures employed, compliance with regulations, and 
the appropriateness of policies and practices.
    (viii) Promulgation of Department schedule of fees and charges for 
reproductions, furnishing of copies and making searches for official 
records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
    (ix) Monitoring USDA implementation of section 5301 of the Anti-
Drug Abuse Act of 1988 (21 U.S.C. 862) as it relates to grants, loans, 
and licenses.
    (20) Establish Department and approve component agency programs, 
policies, standards, systems, techniques and procedures to improve the 
management and operational efficiency and effectiveness of the USDA 
including:
    (i) Increased use of operations research and management science in 
the areas of productivity and management.
    (ii) All activities financed through the Department Working Capital 
Fund.
    (21) Develop Departmental policies, standards, techniques, and 
procedures for the conduct of reviews and analysis of the utilization 
of the resources of State and local governments, other Federal agencies 
and of the private sector in domestic program operations.
    (22) Represent the Department in contacts with OMB, General 
Services Administration, GAO, Department of the Treasury, Office of 
Personnel Management, Department of Health and Human Services, 
Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of 
Commerce, Congress of the United States, State and local governments, 
universities, and other public and private sector individuals, 
organizations or agencies on matters related to assigned 
responsibilities.
    (23) Establish policies related to travel by USDA employees.
    (24) Provide budget, accounting, fiscal, and related financial 
management services, with authority to take action required by law or 
regulation to provide such services for:
    (i) The Secretary of Agriculture.
    (ii) The general officers of the Department, except the Inspector 
General.
    (iii) The offices and agencies reporting to the Assistant Secretary 
for Administration as a Working Capital Fund activity.
    (iv) Any other offices or agencies of the Department as may be 
agreed.
    (25) Develop, promulgate, and coordinate Department-wide policy 
concerning nonprocurement debarment and suspension.
    (26) Prepare and submit to Congress reports on conferences 
sponsored or held by the Department or attended by employees of the 
Department (7 U.S.C. 2255b).
    (27) Administer the debarment authorities in section 14211 of the 
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2209j) in 
coordination with the Director, Office of Procurement and Property 
Management.
    (28) Redelegate, as appropriate, any authority delegated under this 
section to general officers of the Department and heads of Departmental 
agencies.
    (b) [Reserved]

0
15. Amend Sec.  2.29 as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraph (a)(11)(ix); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(14)(iii) and (b).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.29  Chief Economist.

    (a) * * *
    (14) * * *
    (iii) Make competitive grants to, or enter into cooperative 
agreements with, agricultural and food policy research centers (7 
U.S.C. 3155).
    (b) [Reserved]

0
16. Add Sec.  2.30 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.30  Director, Office of Budget and Program Analysis.

    (a) The following delegations of authority are made by the 
Secretary of Agriculture to the Director, Office of Budget and Program 
Analysis:
    (1) Serve as the Department's Budget Officer and exercise general 
responsibility and authority for all matters related to the 
Department's budgeting affairs including:
    (i) Resource administration, including all phases of the 
acquisition, and distribution of funds and staff years.
    (ii) Legislative and regulatory reporting and related activities.
    (2) Provide staff assistance for the Secretary, general officers, 
and other Department and agency officials.
    (3) Formulate and promulgate Departmental budgetary, legislative 
and regulatory policies and procedures.
    (4) Represent the Department in contacts with the Office of 
Management and Budget, the Government Accountability Office, the 
Department of the Treasury, Congressional Committees on Appropriations, 
and other organizations and agencies on matters related to his or her 
responsibility.
    (5) Coordinate and/or conduct policy and program analyses on agency 
operations and proposals to assist the Secretary, general officers and 
other Department and agency officials in formulating and implementing 
USDA policies and programs.
    (6) Review and analyze legislation, regulations, and policy options 
to determine their impact on USDA programs and policy objectives and on 
the Department's budget.
    (7) Monitor ongoing studies with significant program or policy 
implications.
    (8) Exercise responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the 
implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, 
Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 
111-352, at the Department.
    (b) The following authority is reserved to the Secretary of 
Agriculture: Final approval of the Department's program and financial 
plans.

[[Page 44112]]


0
17. Amend Sec.  2.31 by adding new paragraph (a)(18), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.31  General Counsel.

    (a) * * *
    (18) Conduct legal sufficiency reviews and concur prior to final 
implementation for all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) settlement 
offers and agreements involving complaints that:
    (i) Are brought by, or allege discriminatory conduct by, any 
political appointee;
    (ii) Involve any combination of compensatory damages, attorney's 
fees, back pay awards, or any other compensation resulting in costs to 
the Department totaling $200,000 or more; or
    (iii) Place any political appointee on a detail outside the 
Department or on an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) agreement for 
one year or more if the Department retains the obligation to pay the 
employee's salary and benefits during the duration of the detail or IPA 
agreement.
* * * * *

0
18. Amend Sec.  2.34 by revising the introductory text to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.34  Director, National Appeals Division.

    The Director, National Appeals Division, under the general 
supervision of the Secretary or Deputy Secretary, has specific duties, 
responsibilities, and authorities pursuant to subtitle H of the 
Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, Public Law 103-
354 (7 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.), including:
* * * * *

0
19. Add Sec.  2.37 to subpart D to read as follows:


Sec.  2.37  Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
Utilization.

    (a) In compliance with the Small Business Act, the Director, Office 
of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is designated as the 
Department's Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
who shall report directly to the Secretary of Agriculture or the Deputy 
Secretary of Agriculture. The Director of Small and Disadvantaged 
Business Utilization has specific responsibilities under the Small 
Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 644(k). These duties include being responsible 
for the following:
    (1) Administer the Department's small and disadvantaged business 
activities related to procurement contracts, minority bank deposits, 
and grants and loan activities affecting small and minority businesses 
including women-owned business, and the small business, small minority 
business, and small women-owned business subcontracting programs.
    (2) Provide Departmentwide liaison and coordination of activities 
related to small, small disadvantaged, and women-owned businesses with 
the Small Business Administration and others in the public and private 
sector.
    (3) Develop policies and procedures required by the applicable 
provision of the Small Business Act, as amended, to include the 
establishment of goals.
    (4) Implement and administer programs described under sections 8 
and 15 of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637 and 644).
    (5) In compliance with the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 
108-183) amending the Small Business Act, implement and administer 
procurement programs for small business concerns owned and controlled 
by service-disabled veterans.
    (b) The following additional authorities are delegated by the 
Secretary of Agriculture to the Director, Office of Small and 
Disadvantaged Business Utilization:
    (1) In compliance with the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501 
et seq.), implement and administer the Department's AbilityOne program 
for purchases from qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind or for 
the severely disabled.
    (2) [Reserved]

0
20. Add Sec.  2.38 to subpart D to read as follows:


Sec.  2.38  Director, Office of Tribal Relations.

    (a) Delegations. The following delegations of authority are made by 
the Secretary of Agriculture to the Director, Office of Tribal 
Relations:
    (1) Serve as the Department's primary point of contact for tribal 
issues.
    (2) Advise the Secretary on policies related to Indian tribes.
    (3) Serve as the official with principal responsibility for the 
implementation of Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' including the provision 
of Department-wide guidance and oversight regarding tribal 
consultation, coordination, and collaboration.
    (4) Coordinate the Department's programs involving assistance to 
American Indians and Alaska Natives.
    (5) Enter into cooperative agreements to improve the coordination 
and effectiveness of Federal programs, services, and actions affecting 
rural areas (7 U.S.C. 2204b(b)(4)); and to provide outreach and 
technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and 
veteran farmers and ranchers (7 U.S.C. 2279(a)(3)).
    (b) [Reserved]

Subpart F--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for Farm 
and Foreign Agricultural Services

0
21. Amend Sec.  2.42 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(20), (a)(28)(iii), (a)(28)(viii), (a)(28)(ix), 
and (a)(28)(x);
0
b. Add new paragraph (a)(28)(xiii);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(45);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(52), (a)(53), (a)(56)(i), 
(a)(56)(iii), (a)(56)(iv), (a)(56)(vi), and (a)(56)(vii); and
0
e. Add new paragraphs (a)(58) and (a)(59).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.42  Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

    (a) * * *
* * * * *
    (20) Formulate and carry out the Conservation Reserve Program, 
including the implementation of technical assistance, under the Food 
Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.), and the 
functions of the Grassland Reserve Program transferred to the 
Conservation Reserve Program.
* * * * *
    (28) * * *
    (iii) Section 306A (7 U.S.C. 1926a) and section 306B (7 U.S.C. 
1926b), relating to the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant 
Programs, and section 306D (7 U.S.C. 1926d), relating to water systems 
for rural Alaskan Native Villages;
* * * * *
    (viii) Section 310C (7 U.S.C. 1933), relating to housing program 
interest rates;
    (ix) Section 310G (7 U.S.C. 1936a), relating to the use of rural 
development loans and grants for other purposes, and section 353A (7 
U.S.C. 2001a), relating to the servicing of community facilities loans;
    (x) Section 364 (7 U.S.C. 2006f) and section 365 (7 U.S.C. 2008);
* * * * *
    (xiii) Sections 379 (7 U.S.C. 2008n) through 379G (7 U.S.C. 2008u) 
and subtitles E through I (7 U.S.C. 2009-2009dd-7) relating to rural 
development programs and activities.
* * * * *
    (45) Administer all programs of the Commodity Credit Corporation 
that provide assistance with respect to the production of agricultural 
commodities

[[Page 44113]]

or the income of producers, including disaster assistance and the 
domestic marketing of such commodities, except as may otherwise be 
reserved by the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural 
Services, and similar programs (including commodity quality development 
programs) consigned by statute to the Secretary of Agriculture unless 
otherwise delegated.
* * * * *
    (52) [Reserved]
    (53) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (56) * * *
    (i) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (iv) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (vi) [Reserved]
    (vii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (58) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 
2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (i) Sections 1401-1410 relating to a margin protection program for 
dairy producers (7 U.S.C. 9051-9060), and section 1431 relating to a 
dairy product donation program (7 U.S.C. 9071).
    (ii) Section 1612 relating to the tracking of benefits (7 U.S.C. 
9095).
    (iii) Section 12314 relating to the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust 
Fund (7 U.S.C. 2101 note), in coordination with the Administrator, 
Foreign Agricultural Service.
    (iv) Section 12315 relating to the Agriculture Wool Apparel 
Manufacturers Trust Fund (7 U.S.C. 7101 note), in coordination with the 
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
    (59) Enter into cooperative agreements under section 1472(b) of the 
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 
1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318(b)) for the purpose of implementing section 
1614(c)(3) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(c)).
* * * * *

0
22. Amend Sec.  2.43 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(16) and (a)(17);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(18) and (a)(19); and
0
c. Add new paragraph (a)(50).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.43  Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.

    (a) * * *
    (16) Perform functions of the Department in connection with the 
development and implementation of agreements to finance the sale and 
exportation of agricultural commodities on long-term credit or for 
foreign currencies under the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691, 1701 et 
seq.).
    (17) Coordinate within the Department activities arising under the 
Food for Peace Act (except as delegated to the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics in Sec.  2.21(a)(8)), and to 
represent the Department in its relationships in such matters with the 
Department of State, any interagency committee on the Food for Peace 
Act, and other departments, agencies, and committees of the Government.
    (18) [Reserved]
    (19) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (50) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 
2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (i) Section 12314 relating to the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust 
Fund (7 U.S.C. 2101 note), in coordination with the Administrator, Farm 
Service Agency.
    (ii) Section 12315 relating to the Agriculture Wool Apparel 
Manufacturers Trust Fund (7 U.S.C. 7101 note), in coordination with the 
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
* * * * *

0
23. Amend Sec.  2.44 by adding new paragraphs (a)(5), (a)(6), (a)(7), 
and (a)(8), to read as follows:


Sec.  2.44  Administrator, Risk Management Agency and Manager, Federal 
Crop Insurance Corporation

    (a) * * *
    (5) Carry out functions relating to highly erodible land and 
wetland conservation under sections 1211-1213 and 1221-1223 of the Food 
Security Act of 1985, as amended (16 U.S.C. 3811-3813 and 3821-3823).
    (6) Prepare cropland reports as required by section 11014(c) of the 
Agricultural Act of 2013, Public Law 113-79.
    (7) Assist the Administrator, Economic Research Service with 
implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding 
locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 
2204h).
    (8) Administer the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501, et 
seq.), except for sections 524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), and (b) (7 U.S.C. 
1524(a)(1)(B), (a)(3), (b)) and 531 (7 U.S.C. 1531).
* * * * *

Subpart G--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Rural Development

0
24. Revise Sec.  2.45 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.45  Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development.

    Pursuant to Sec.  2.17(a), subject to reservations in Sec.  
2.17(b), and subject to policy guidance and direction by the Under 
Secretary for Rural Development, the following delegation of authority 
is made to the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, to be 
exercised only during the absence or unavailability of the Under 
Secretary: Perform all the duties and exercise all the powers which are 
now or which may hereafter be delegated to the Under Secretary for 
Rural Development: Provided, that this authority shall be exercised 
first by the Deputy Under Secretary for Policy and Planning, and second 
by the Deputy Under Secretary for Operations and Management.

0
25. Amend Sec.  2.47 as follows:
0
a. Revise the introductory text in paragraph (a);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(4)(xii) and (a)(15); and
0
c. Add new paragraphs (a)(17) and (a)(18).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.47  Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.

    (a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.17(a)(14) and (a)(16) 
through (a)(20), and subject to policy guidance and direction by the 
Under Secretary for Rural Development, the following delegations of 
authority are made by the Under Secretary for Rural Development to the 
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service:
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (xii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (15) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (17) Administer section 6407 of the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 8107a), relating to a rural energy 
savings program.
    (18) Administer section 6210 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, 
Public Law 113-79, relating to funding of pending rural development 
loan and grant applications.
* * * * *

0
26. Amend Sec.  2.48 as follows:
0
a. Revise the introductory text of paragraph (a) and paragraph 
(a)(2)(v);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(4); and

[[Page 44114]]

0
c. Add new paragraphs (a)(33) and (a)(34).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.48  Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service.

    (a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.17(a)(1), (a)(2), 
(a)(14), (a)(16) through (a)(19), and (a)(21), subject to reservations 
in Sec.  2.17(b)(1), and subject to policy guidance and direction by 
the Under Secretary for Rural Development, the following delegations of 
authority are made by the Under Secretary for Rural Development to the 
Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service:
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Section 310H (7 U.S.C. 1936b), relating to an intermediary 
relending program.
* * * * *
    (4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (33) Administer the Healthy Food Financing Initiative under section 
243 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 
U.S.C. 6953).
    (34) Administer section 6209 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 
U.S.C. 2207b), relating to the collection and reporting of program 
metrics.
* * * * *

0
27. Amend Sec.  2.49 by revising the introductory text of paragraph 
(a), to read as follows:


Sec.  2.49  Administrator, Rural Housing Service.

    (a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec. Sec.  2.17(a)(14), (a)(16) 
through (a)(19) and (a)(22), and subject to policy guidance and 
direction by the Under Secretary for Rural Development, the following 
delegations of authority are made by the Under Secretary for Rural 
Development to the Administrator, Rural Housing Service:
* * * * *

Subpart I--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

0
28. Amend Sec.  2.57 as follows:
0
a. Remove paragraph (a)(1)(xiii); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(15) and (a)(16)
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  2.57  Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.

    (a) * * *
    (15) Administer the following provisions of the Agricultural Act of 
2014, Public Law 113-79:
    (i) Section 4004(b), relating to a demonstration project regarding 
the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (7 U.S.C. 2013 
note).
    (ii) Section 4031, relating to a Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands pilot program regarding the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (48 U.S.C. 1841 note).
    (iii) Section 4032, relating to annual State reporting on 
verification of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation 
(7 U.S.C. 2036c).
    (iv) Section 4033, relating to service of traditional foods in 
public facilities (25 U.S.C. 443d).
    (v) Section 4214, relating to a pilot project for canned, frozen, 
or dried fruits and vegetables as part of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable 
Program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 
U.S.C. 1769a note).
    (16) Administer section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring 
and Related Research Act of 1990, relating to the Dietary Guidelines 
for Americans (7 U.S.C. 5341).
* * * * *

Subpart J--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Natural Resources and Environment

0
29. Amend Sec.  2.60 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(28);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(45);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(48);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(52);
0
e. Revise paragraph (a)(53); and
0
f. Add new paragraphs (a)(55), (a)(56), (a)(57), (a)(58), (a)(59), and 
(a)(60).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.60  Chief, Forest Service.

    (a) * * *
    (28) Represent USDA in all matters relating to responsibilities and 
authorities under the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a-823).
* * * * *
    (45) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (48) Establish programs with any bureau of the U.S. Department of 
the Interior (DOI) in support of the Service First initiative for the 
purpose of promoting customer service and efficiency including 
delegating to DOI employees those authorities of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) necessary to carry out projects on behalf of USDA 
(43 U.S.C. 1703).
* * * * *
    (52) [Reserved]
    (53) Administer the community wood energy program providing grants 
to develop community wood energy plans, acquire or upgrade community 
wood energy systems, and establish or expand biomass consumer 
cooperatives (7 U.S.C. 8113).
* * * * *
    (55) Administer the programs authorized by the Healthy Forests 
Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), except for the 
Healthy Forests Reserve Program authorized in title V of such act (16 
U.S.C. 6571-6578).
    (56) Administer Good Neighbor contracts and cooperative agreements 
with a State to carry out forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration 
services on National Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 2113a; Public Law 
106-291, section 331, as amended).
    (57) Utilize the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services 
(ACES) Program (16 U.S.C. 3851) to provide technical services for 
conservation-related programs and authorities carried out on National 
Forest System lands (16 U.S.C. 3851a).
    (58) Administer reimbursements received for fire suppression (16 
U.S.C. 1856e; 42 U.S.C. 1856d(b)).
    (59) Administer the large airtanker and aerial asset lease program 
(16 U.S.C. 551c).
    (60) Provide technical and other assistance with respect to 
eligibility of forest products for the ``USDA Certified Biobased 
Products'' labeling program (7 U.S.C. 8102(g)).
* * * * *

0
30. Amend Sec.  2.61 as follows:
0
a. Add new paragraphs (a)(13)(xix), (a)(13)(xx), (a)(13)(xxi), and 
(a)(13)(xxii); b. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(16); and
0
c. Add new paragraph (a)(30).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.61  Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

    (a) * * *
    (13) * * *
    (xix) The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program authorized by 
sections 1265-1265D of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3865-3865d).
    (xx) The Regional Conservation Partnership Program authorized by 
sections 1271-1271F (16 U.S.C. 3871-3871f).
    (xxi) The Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program 
authorized by section 1240R of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3839bb-5).
    (xxii) A wetlands mitigation banking program authorized by section 
1222(k) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 3822(k)).
* * * * *
    (16) [Reserved]
* * * * *

[[Page 44115]]

    (30) Administer the Terminal Lakes assistance program authorized by 
section 2507 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (16 
U.S.C. 3839bb-6).
* * * * *

Subpart K--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Research, Education, and Economics

0
31. Amend Sec.  2.65 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(15);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(16), (a)(25), (a)(30), (a)(34), 
(a)(35), (a)(36), (a)(37), (a)(53), and (a)(55);
0
c. Revise paragraph (a)(58);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(61);
0
e. Revise the introductory text of paragraph (a)(64) and (a)(64)(iii);
0
f. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(82) and (a)(83);
0
g. Revise paragraph (a)(113); and
0
h. Add new paragraphs (a)(114) and (a)(115).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.65  Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.

    (a) * * *
    (15) Conduct a Special Cotton Research Program designed to reduce 
the cost of producing upland cotton in the United States (7 U.S.C. 
1444a(c)).
    (16) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (25) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (30) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (34) [Reserved]
    (35) [Reserved]
    (36) [Reserved]
    (37) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (53) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (55) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (58) Administer the Department's Patent Program except as delegated 
to the General Counsel in Sec.  2.31(a)(5).
* * * * *
    (61) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (64) Administer a National Food and Human Nutrition Research 
Program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended. As used herein the term 
``research'' includes:
* * * * *
    (iii) Research on the factors affecting food preference and habits 
(7 U.S.C. 3171-3173, 3175).
* * * * *
    (82) [Reserved]
    (83) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (113) Carry out pollinator health research activities (7 U.S.C. 
5925(g)(2)).
    (114) Enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or 
other legal instruments with former Department of Agriculture 
agricultural research facilities (7 U.S.C. 3315(b)).
    (115) Enter into cooperative agreements with institutions of higher 
education regarding the dissemination of agricultural and food law 
research, legal tools, and information (7 U.S.C. 3125a-1).
* * * * *

0
32. Amend Sec.  2.66 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(6);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(16);
0
c. Revise paragraphs (a)(17) and (a)(18);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(21), (a)(34), (a)(35), (a)(36), 
and (a)(39);
0
e. Revise paragraph (a)(42);
0
f. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(43);
0
g. Revise paragraphs (a)(44) and (a)(57);
0
h. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(64), (a)(65), and (a)(73);
0
i. Revise paragraph (a)(78);
0
j. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(79), (a)(80), and (a)(81);
0
k. Revise paragraph (a)(83);
0
l. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(91) and (a)(96);
0
m. Revise paragraph (a)(102);
0
n. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(105) and (a)(109);
0
o. Revise paragraph (a)(121);
0
p. Remove and reserve paragraph (a)(137);
0
q. Revise paragraphs (a)(143) and (a)(144);
0
r. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(147), (a)(152), (a)(154), and 
(a)(155); and
0
s. Add new paragraphs (a)(161), (a)(162), (a)(163), (a)(164), and 
(a)(165).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.66  Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

    (a) * * *
    (6) Carry out a program (IR-4 Program) for the collection of 
residue and efficacy data in support of registration or reregistration 
of pesticides for minor agricultural use and for use on specialty 
crops, and to determine tolerances for minor use chemical residues in 
or on agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 450i(e)).
* * * * *
    (16) [Reserved]
    (17) Administer and direct an Animal Health and Disease Research 
Program under the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and 
Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3191-3201).
    (18) Support continuing agricultural and forestry extension and 
research, at 1890 land-grant institutions, including Tuskegee 
University (7 U.S.C. 3221, 3222, 3222d).
* * * * *
    (21) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (34) [Reserved]
    (35) [Reserved]
    (36) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (39) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (42) Administer a competitive high priority research and extension 
grants program in specified subject areas (7 U.S.C. 5925), including 
pollinator activities (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)) not otherwise delegated to the 
Administrator, Agricultural Research Service in Sec.  2.65(a)(113) and 
the Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in Sec.  
2.80(a)(47).
    (43) [Reserved]
    (44) Administer competitive grants to support research, education, 
and extension activities regarding organically grown and processed 
agricultural commodities (7 U.S.C. 5925b).
* * * * *
    (57) Represent the Department on the Federal Interagency Committee 
on Education.
* * * * *
    (64) [Reserved]
    (65) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (73) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (78) Develop and make available handbooks, technical guides, and 
other educational materials emphasizing sustainable agriculture 
production systems and practices; carry out activities related to a 
national training program for sustainable agriculture (7 U.S.C. 5831, 
5832).
    (79) [Reserved]
    (80) [Reserved]
    (81) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (83) Conduct education and extension programs related to nutrition 
education (7 U.S.C. 2027(a)).
* * * * *
    (91) [Reserved]
* * * * *

[[Page 44116]]

    (96) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (102) Implement and administer the Community Food Projects Program 
under section 25 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2034).
* * * * *
    (105) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (109) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (121) Establish procedures that provide for scientific peer review 
of each agricultural research grant administered on a competitive 
basis, and for relevancy and merit review of each agricultural 
research, extension, or education grant administered on a competitive 
basis, by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (7 U.S.C. 
7613(a)).
* * * * *
    (137) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (143) Administer grants to assist the land-grant colleges and 
universities in insular areas to acquire, alter, or repair facilities 
or relevant equipment necessary for conducting agricultural research; 
and to support tropical and subtropical agricultural research, 
including pest and disease research (7 U.S.C. 3222b-2).
    (144) Enter into agreements necessary to administer an Hispanic-
Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities Fund; enter into 
agreements necessary to administer a program of making annual payments 
to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities; administer 
an institutional capacity-building grants program for Hispanic-serving 
agricultural colleges and universities; administer a competitive grants 
program to fund fundamental and applied research and extension at 
Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities and to award 
competitive grants to Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and 
universities to provide for training in the food and agricultural 
sciences of Hispanic agricultural workers and Hispanic youth working in 
the food and agricultural sciences (7 U.S.C. 3243).
* * * * *
    (147) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (152) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (154) [Reserved]
    (155) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (161) Enter into agreements with and receive funds from any State, 
other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the 
purpose of conducting cooperative research projects (7 U.S.C. 450a).
    (162) Administer a food insecurity nutrition incentive program (7 
U.S.C. 7517).
    (163) Administer a food and agriculture service learning grant 
program (7 U.S.C. 7633).
    (164) Administer a veterinary services grant program (7 U.S.C. 
3151b).
    (165) Administer a forestry and forestry products research and 
extension initiative (7 U.S.C. 7655b).
* * * * *

0
33. Amend Sec.  2.67 as follows:
0
a. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(7); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(21) and (a)(22).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.67  Administrator, Economic Research Service.

    (a) * * *
    (3) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (7) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (21) Enter into agreements with and receive funds from any State, 
other political subdivision, organization, or individual for the 
purpose of conducting cooperative research projects (7 U.S.C. 450a).
    (22) Coordinate implementation of section 10016 of the Agricultural 
Act of 2014 regarding locally or regionally produced agricultural food 
products (7 U.S.C. 2204h).
* * * * *

0
34. Amend Sec.  2.68 by adding new paragraph (a)(13) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.68  Administrator, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

    (a) * * *
    (13) Assist the Administrator, Economic Research Service with 
implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding 
locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 
2204h).
* * * * *

Subpart L--Delegations of Authority by the Chief Economist


Sec.  2.73  [Amended]

0
35. Amend Sec.  2.73 by removing paragraph (a)(10).

Subpart N--Delegations of Authority by the Under Secretary for 
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

0
36. Amend Sec.  2.79 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2)(iii), and (a)(8)(lxiii);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (a)(8)(lxxiii) and (a)(8)(lxxvi); and
0
c. Add new paragraphs (a)(8)(lxxvii), (a)(8)(lxxviii), (a)(8)(lxxix), 
and (a)(15).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  2.79  Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.

    (a) * * *
    (1) Exercise the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture 
contained in the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 1621-1627b), including payments to State Departments of 
Agriculture in connection with cooperative marketing service projects 
under section 204(b) (7 U.S.C. 1623(b)), but excepting matters 
otherwise assigned.
    (2) * * *
    (iii) Application of presently available scientific knowledge to 
the solution of practical problems encountered in the marketing of 
agricultural products (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627b).
* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (lxiii) Farmers' Market Promotion Program (7 U.S.C. 3005).
* * * * *
    (lxxiii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (lxxvi) [Reserved]
    (lxxvii) Section 4213(c) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1755b(c)).
    (lxxviii) Section 12306 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 
1632c).
    (lxxix) Section 506 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (7 
U.S.C. 7101 note).
* * * * *
    (15) Assist the Administrator, Economic Research Service with 
implementing section 10016 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding 
locally or regionally produced agricultural food products (7 U.S.C. 
2204h).
* * * * *

0
37. Amend Sec.  2.80 as follows:
0
b. Revise paragraph (a)(47); and
0
b. Add new paragraph (a)(48).
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  2.80  Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

    (a) * * *
    (47) Section 1672(g)(3) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and 
Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925(g)(3)) regarding honey bee pest, 
pathogen, health, and population status surveillance.

[[Page 44117]]

    (48) Section 12309 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 regarding 
produce represented as grown in the United States (19 U.S.C. 1304a).
* * * * *

Subpart O--Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for 
Congressional Relations


Sec.  2.85  [Amended]

0
38. Amend Sec.  2.85 by removing paragraph (a)(5).

Subpart P--Delegations of Authority by the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration


Sec.  2.90  [Removed]

0
39. Remove Sec.  2.90.


Sec.  2.91  [Amended]

0
40. Amend Sec.  2.91 by removing paragraph (a)(10)(xxvi).


Sec.  2.92  [Removed]

0
41. Remove Sec.  2.92.

0
42. Amend Sec.  2.93 by revising the introductory text of paragraph (a) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  2.93  Director, Office of Procurement and Property Management.

    (a) Delegations. Pursuant to Sec.  2.24(a)(6) of this chapter, and 
with due deference for delegations to other Departmental Management 
officials, the following delegations of authority are made by the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Director, Office of 
Procurement and Property Management:
* * * * *
0
43. Amend Sec.  2.94 by adding a new paragraph (a)(15), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2.94  Director, Office of Advocacy and Outreach.

    (a) * * *
    (15) Serve as a lead agency in carrying out student internship 
programs (7 U.S.C. 2279c).
* * * * *

Subpart T--Delegations of Authority by the Chief Financial Officer

0
44. Revise Sec.  2.500 to read as follows:


Sec.  2.500  Deputy Chief Financial Officer.

    Pursuant to Sec.  2.28, the following delegation of authority is 
made by the Chief Financial Officer to the Deputy Chief Financial 
Officer, to be exercised only during the absence or unavailability of 
the Chief Financial Officer: Perform all the duties and exercise all 
the powers which are now or which may hereafter be delegated to the 
Chief Financial Officer.


Sec.  2.501  [Removed]

0
45. Remove Sec.  2.501.

CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

PART 1700--GENERAL INFORMATION

0
46. The authority citation for part 1700 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301, 552; 7 U.S.C. 901 et seq., 1921 et 
seq., 6941 et seq.; 7 CFR 2.7.

Subpart B--Agency Organization and Functions

0
47. Revise Sec.  1700.25 to read as follows:


Sec.  1700.25  Office of the Administrator.

    The Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and of the 
Rural Telephone Bank (RTB) is appointed by the President. The Under 
Secretary, Rural Development delegated to the Administrator, in 7 CFR 
part 2, responsibility for administering the programs and activities of 
RUS and RTB. The Administrator is aided directly by Deputy 
Administrators and by Assistant Administrators for the electric 
program, telecommunications program, the water and environmental 
programs, and program accounting and regulatory analysis, and by other 
staff offices. The work of the agency is carried out as described in 
this part.

0
48. Revise Sec.  1700.26 to read as follows:


Sec.  1700.26  Deputy Administrator.

    The Deputy Administrator aids and assists the Administrator. The 
Deputy Administrator provides overall policy direction to all RUS 
programs. The Deputy Administrator reviews agency policies and, as 
necessary, implements changes and participates with the Administrator 
and other officials in planning and formulating the programs and 
activities of the agency, including the making and servicing of loans 
and grants.

Subpart C--Loan and Grant Approval Authorities


Sec.  1700.53  [Removed]

0
49. Remove Sec.  1700.53.

CHAPTER XXXVIII--WORLD AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK BOARD, DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURE

PART 3800--ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS

0
50. The authority citation for part 3800 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 301 and 552, and 7 CFR 2.72, except as 
otherwise noted.


Sec.  3800.3  [Amended]

0
51. Amend Sec.  3800.3 by removing paragraph (d).

    Dated: July 14, 2014.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2014-17352 Filed 7-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-90-P