SA 3560. Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Stevens, and Ms. Murkowski) 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 778, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
SEC. 60__. GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
(a) In General.--The Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act is amended by inserting after section 344 (7 U.S.C. 1992) the following:
``SEC. 345. GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY.--The term `agricultural commodity' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602).
``(2) GEOGRAPHICALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMER OR RANCHER.--The term `geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher' has the meaning given the term in section 10906(a) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2204 note; Public Law 107-171).
``(b) Authorization.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--Subject to paragraph (2) and the availability of funds under subsection (d), for each fiscal year, the Secretary may provide geographically disadvantaged farmers or ranchers direct reimbursement payments for activities described in subsection (c).
``(2) LIMITATION.--The total amount of direct reimbursement payments provided by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed $15,000,000 for each fiscal year.
``(c) Transportation.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary may provide direct reimbursement payments to a geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher to transport an agricultural commodity, or inputs used to produce an agricultural commodity, during a fiscal year.
``(2) PROOF OF ELIGIBILITY.--To be eligible to receive assistance under paragraph (1), farmer or rancher shall provide to the Secretary proof (as determined by the Secretary) that transportation or the agricultural commodity or inputs occurred over a distance of more than 30 miles.
``(3) AMOUNT.--The amount of direct reimbursement payments made to a geographically disadvantaged farmer or rancher under a subsection for a fiscal year shall equal the product obtained by multiplying--
``(A) the amount of costs incurred by the farmer or rancher for transportation of the agricultural commodity or inputs during the fiscal year; and
``(B) the percentage of the allowance for that fiscal year made under section 5941 of title 5, United States Code, for Federal employees stationed in Alaska and Hawaii.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) takes effect on October 1, 2007.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 7, 2007.)