SA 3598. Mr. BAUCUS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3500 proposed by Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. BAUCUS, and Mr. GRASSLEY) to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


On page 245, between lines 22 and 23, insert the following:
(b) Eligibility.--Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Plan Requirements.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--The State plan shall identify the lead agency charged with the responsibility for carrying out the plan and indicate how the grant funds will be used to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.
``(2) REPRESENTATION OF CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.--To the maximum extent practicable and appropriate, the State plan shall be developed taking into consideration the opinions and expertise of beginning farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2003(e))).''.
(c) Audit and Plan Requirements.--Section 101 of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 (7 U.S.C. 1621 note; Public Law 108-465) is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
``(h) Audit and Plan Requirements.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--For each year that a State receives a grant under this section, the State shall conduct an audit of the expenditures of grant funds by the State.
``(2) SUBMISSION OF AUDIT AND DESCRIPTION.--Not later than 30 days after the date of completion of an audit under paragraph (1), the State shall submit to the Secretary of Agriculture--
``(A) a copy of the audit;
``(B) a description of the ways in which the State is complying with the requirement under subsection (e); and
``(C) such additional information as the Secretary may request to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the State is complying with that requirement.''.
On page 245, line 23, strike ``(b)'' and insert ``(d)''.
On page 246, line 11, strike ``(c)'' and insert ``(e)''.
On page 247, line 11, strike ``(d)'' and insert ``(f)''.
On page 247, line 19, strike ``(e)'' and insert ``(g)''.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 13, 2007.)