1. U.S. Code
  2. title 7
  3. chapter 35
  4. subchapter II
  5. part A
  6. § 1307

Collapse to view only § 1307. Limitation on payments under wheat, feed grains, and cotton programs for 1974 through 1977 crops

§ 1301. Definitions
(a) General definitionsFor the purposes of this subchapter and the declaration of policy—
(1)
(A) The “parity price” for any agricultural commodity, as of any date, shall be determined by multiplying the adjusted base price of such commodity as of such date by the parity index as of such date.
(B) The “adjusted base price” of any agricultural commodity, as of any date, shall be (i) the average of the prices received by farmers for such commodity, at such times as the Secretary may select during each year of the ten-year period ending on the 31st of December last before such date, or during each marketing season beginning in such period if the Secretary determines use of a calendar year basis to be impracticable, divided by (ii) the ratio of the general level of prices received by farmers for agricultural commodities during such period to the general level of prices received by farmers for agricultural commodities during the period January 1910 to December 1914, inclusive. As used in this subparagraph, the term “prices” shall include wartime subsidy payments made to producers under programs designed to maintain maximum prices established under the Emergency Price Control Act of 1942.
(C) The “parity index”, as of any date, shall be the ratio of (i) the general level of prices for articles and services that farmers buy, wages paid hired farm labor, interest on farm indebtedness secured by farm real estate, and taxes on farm real estate, for the calendar month ending last before such date to (ii) the general level of such prices, wages, rates, and taxes during the period January 1910 to December 1914, inclusive.
(D) The prices and indices provided for herein, and the data used in computing them, shall be determined by the Secretary, whose determination shall be final.
(E) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the transitional parity price for any agricultural commodity, computed as provided in this subparagraph, shall be used as the parity price for such commodity until such date after January 1, 1950, as such transitional parity price may be lower than the parity price, computed as provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, for such commodity. The transitional parity price for any agricultural commodity as of any date shall be—
(i) its parity price determined in the manner used prior to the effective date of the Agricultural Act of 1948, less
(ii) 5 per centum of the parity price so determined multiplied by the number of full calendar years (not counting 1956 in the case of basic agricultural commodities) which, as of such date, have elapsed after January 1, 1949, in the case of non-basic agricultural commodities, and after January 1, 1955, in the case of the basic agricultural commodities.
(F) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph, if the parity price for any agricultural commodity, computed as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (E) of this paragraph, appears to be seriously out of line with the parity prices of other agricultural commodities, the Secretary may, and upon the request of a substantial number of interested producers shall, hold public hearings to determine the proper relationship between the parity price of such commodity and the parity prices of other agricultural commodities. Within sixty days after commencing such hearing the Secretary shall complete such hearing, proclaim his findings as to whether the facts require a revision of the method of computing the parity price of such commodity, and put into effect any revision so found to be required.
(G) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the parity price for any basic agricultural commodity, as of any date during the six-year period beginning January 1, 1950, shall not be less than its parity price computed in the manner used prior to October 31, 1949.
(2) “Parity”, as applied to income, shall be that gross income from agriculture which will provide the farm operator and his family with a standard of living equivalent to those afforded persons dependent upon other gainful occupation. “Parity” as applied to income from any agricultural commodity for any year, shall be that gross income which bears the same relationship to parity income from agriculture for such year as the average gross income from such commodity for the preceding ten calendar years bears to the average gross income from agriculture for such ten calendar years.
(3) The term “interstate and foreign commerce” means sale, marketing, trade, and traffic between any State or Territory or the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, and any place outside thereof; or between points within the same State or Territory or within the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, through any place outside thereof; or within any Territory or within the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
(4) The term “affect interstate and foreign commerce” means, among other things, in such commerce, or to burden or obstruct such commerce or the free and orderly flow thereof; or to create or tend to create a surplus of any agricultural commodity which burdens or obstructs such commerce or the free and orderly flow thereof.
(5) The term “United States” means the several States and Territories and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
(6) The term “State” includes a Territory and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
(7) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, and the term “Department” means the Department of Agriculture.
(8) The term “person” means an individual, partnership, firm, joint-stock company, corporation, association, trust, estate, or any agency of a State.
(9) The term “corn” means field corn.
(b) Definitions applicable to one or more commoditiesFor the purposes of this subchapter—
(1)
(A) “Actual production” as applied to any acreage of corn means the number of bushels of corn which the local committee determines would be harvested as grain from such acreage if all the corn on such acreage were so harvested. In case of a disagreement between the farmer and the local committee as to the actual production of the acreage of corn on the farm, or in case the local committee determines that such actual production is substantially below normal, the local committee, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, shall weigh representative samples of ear corn taken from the acreage involved, make proper deductions for moisture span, and determine the actual production of such acreage on the basis of such samples.
(B) “Actual production” of any number of acres of cotton, rice or peanuts on a farm means the actual average yield for the farm times such number of acres.
(2) “Bushel” means in the case of ear corn that amount of ear corn, including not to exceed 15½ per centum of moisture span, which weighs seventy pounds, and in the case of shelled corn, means that amount of shelled corn including not to exceed 15½ per centum of moisture span, which weighs fifty-six pounds.
(3)
(A) “Carry-over”, in the case of corn, rice, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be the quantity of the commodity on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any quantity which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current.
(B) “Carry-over” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the quantity of cotton on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any part of the crop which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current.
(C) “Carry-over” of wheat, for any marketing year shall be the quantity of wheat on hand in the United States at the beginning of such marketing year, not including any wheat which was produced in the United States during the calendar year then current, and not including any wheat held by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation under the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.].
(4)
(A) “Commercial corn-producing area” shall include all counties in which the average production of corn (excluding corn used as silage) during the ten calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year for which such area is determined, after adjustment for abnormal weather conditions, is four hundred and fifty bushels or more per farm and four bushels or more for each acre of farm land in the county.
(B) Whenever prior to February 1 of any calendar year the Secretary has reason to believe that any county which is not included in the commercial corn-producing area determined pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this subsection, but which borders upon one of the counties in such area, or that any minor civil division in a county bordering on such area, is producing (excluding corn used for silage) an average of at least four hundred and fifty bushels of corn per farm and an average of at least four bushels for each acre of farm land in the county or in the minor civil division, as the case may be, he shall cause immediate investigation to be made to determine such fact. If, upon the basis of such investigation, the Secretary finds that such county or minor civil division is likely to produce corn in such average amounts during such calendar year, he shall proclaim such determination and, commencing with such calendar year, such county shall be included in the commercial corn-producing area. In the case of a county included in the commercial corn-producing area pursuant to this subparagraph, whenever prior to February 1 of any calendar year the Secretary has reason to believe that facts justifying the inclusion of such county are not likely to exist in such calendar year, he shall cause an immediate investigation to be made with respect thereto. If, upon the basis of such investigation, the Secretary finds that such facts are not likely to exist in such calendar year, he shall proclaim such determination, and commencing with such calendar year, such county shall be excluded from the commercial corn-producing area.
(5) “Farm consumption” of corn means consumption by the farmer’s family, employees, or household, or by his work stock; or consumption by poultry or livestock on his farm if such poultry or livestock, or the products thereof, are consumed or to be consumed by the farmer’s family, employees, or household.
(6)
(A) “Market”, in the case of corn, cotton, rice, and wheat, means to dispose of, in raw or processed form, by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter, or exchange, or by gift inter vivos, and, in the case of corn and wheat, by feeding (in any form) to poultry or livestock which, or the products of which, are sold, bartered, or exchanged, or to be so disposed of, but does not include disposing of any such commodities as premium to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation under the Federal Crop Insurance Act [7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.].
(B) “Marketed”, “marketing”, and “for market” shall have corresponding meanings to the term “market” in the connection in which they are used.
(C) “Market”, in the case of peanuts, means to dispose of peanuts, including farmers’ stock peanuts, shelled peanuts, cleaned peanuts, or peanuts in processed form, by voluntary or involuntary sale, barter, or exchange, or by gift inter vivos.
(7) “Marketing year” means, in the case of the following commodities, the period beginning on the first and ending with the second date specified below:

Corn, September 1–August 31;

Cotton, August 1–July 31;

Rice, August 1–July 31;

Tobacco (flue-cured), July 1–June 30;

Tobacco (other than flue-cured), October 1–September 30;

Wheat, June 1–May 31.

(8)
(A) “National average yield” as applied to cotton or wheat shall be the national average yield per acre of the commodity during the ten calendar years in the case of wheat, and during the five calendar years in the case of cotton, preceding the year in which such national average yield is used in any computation authorized in this subchapter, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and, in the case of wheat, but not in the case of cotton, for trends in yields.
(B) “Projected national yield” as applied to any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the national yield per harvested acre of the commodity during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected national yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices.
(9) “Normal production” as applied to any number of acres of corn or rice means the normal yield for the farm times such number of acres. “Normal production” as applied to any number of acres of cotton or wheat means the projected farm yield times such number of acres.
(10)
(A) “Normal supply” in the case of corn, rice, wheat, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be (i) the estimated domestic consumption of the commodity for the marketing year ending immediately prior to the marketing year for which normal supply is being determined, plus (ii) the estimated exports of the commodity for the marketing year for which normal supply is being determined, plus (iii) an allowance for carry-over. The allowance for carry-over shall be the following percentage of the sum of the consumption and exports used in computing normal supply: 15 per centum in the case of corn; 10 per centum in the case of rice; 20 per centum in the case of wheat; and 15 per centum in the case of peanuts. In determining normal supply the Secretary shall make such adjustments for current trends in consumption and for unusual conditions as he may deem necessary.
(B) The “normal supply” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the estimated domestic consumption of cotton for the marketing year for which such normal supply is being determined, plus the estimated exports of cotton for such marketing year, plus, 30 per centum of the sum of such consumption and exports as an allowance for carry-over.
(11)
(A) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of corn and wheat, shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity, wherever produced, that was cosumed 1
1 So in original. Probably should be “consumed”.
in the United States during the ten marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(B) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of cotton, shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity produced in the United States that was consumed in the United States during the ten marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(C) “Normal year’s domestic consumption”, in the case of rice, shall be the yearly average quantity of rice produced in the United States that was consumed in the United States during the five marketing years immediately preceding the marketing year in which such consumption is determined, adjusted for current trends in such consumption.
(12) “Normal year’s exports” in the case of corn, cotton, rice, and wheat shall be the yearly average quantity of the commodity produced in the United States that was exported from the United States during the ten marketing years (or, in the case of rice, the five marketing years) immediately preceding the marketing year in which such exports are determined, adjusted for current trends in such exports.
(13)
(A) Repealed. Pub. L. 87–703, title III, § 320(1), Sept. 27, 1962, 76 Stat. 625.
(B) “Normal yield” for any county, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of peanuts for the county, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions, during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. For 1942, the normal yield for any county, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre for peanuts for the county, adjusted for abnormal conditions, during the years 1936–1940, inclusive, except that for any county in which the years 1935–1939, inclusive, are equally as representative, such period may be used in determining the normal yields for counties in the State.
(C) In applying subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph, if for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, shall be used as the actual yield for such year. In applying such subparagraphs, if, on account of drought, flood, insect pests, plant disease, or other uncontrollable natural cause, the yield in any year of such ten-year period or five-year period, as the case may be, is less than 75 per centum of the average (computed without regard to such year) such year shall be eliminated in calculating the normal yield per acre.
(D) “Normal yield” for any county, in the case of rice and wheat, shall be the average yield per acre of rice or wheat, as the case may be, for the county during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year for which such normal yield is determined in the case of rice, or during the five years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined in the case of wheat, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and for trends in yields. If for any such year data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, taking into consideration the yields obtained in surrounding counties during such year and the yield in years for which data are available, shall be used as the actual yield for such year.
(E) “Normal yield” for any farm, in the case of rice and wheat, shall be the average yield per acre of rice or wheat, as the case may be, for the farm during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year for which such normal yield is determined in the case of rice, or during the five years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined in the case of wheat, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and for trends in yields. If for any such year the data are not available or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, trends in yields, the normal yield for the county, the yields obtained on adjacent farms during such year and the yield in years for which data are available.
(F) In applying subparagraphs (D) and (E) of this paragraph, if on account of drought, flood, insect pests, plant disease, or other uncontrollable natural cause, the yield for any year of such five-year period is less than 75 per centum of the average, 75 per centum of such average shall be substituted therefor in calculating the normal yield per acre. If, on account of abnormally favorable weather conditions, the yield for any year of such five-year period is in excess of 125 per centum of the average, 125 per centum of such average shall be substituted therefor in calculating the normal yield per acre.
(G) “Normal yield” for any farm, in the case of corn or peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of corn or peanuts, as the case may be, for the farm, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions, during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. For 1942, the normal yield for any farm, in the case of peanuts, shall be the average yield per acre of peanuts for the farm, adjusted for abnormal conditions, during the years 1936–1940, inclusive, except that for any county in which the years 1935–1939, inclusive, are equally as representative, such period may be used in determining normal yields for farms in the county. If for any such year the data are not available or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, the normal yield for the county, and the yield in years for which data are available.
(H) “Normal yield” for any county, for any crop of cotton, shall be the average yield per acre of cotton for the county, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and any significant changes in production practices during the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which the national marketing quota for such crop is proclaimed. If for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, an appraised yield for such year, determined in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary, shall be used as the actual yield for such year.
(I) “Normal yield” for any farm, for any crop of cotton, shall be the average yield per acre of cotton for the farm, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions and any significant changes in production practices during the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such normal yield is determined. If for any such year the data are not available, or there is no actual yield, then the normal yield for the farm shall be appraised in accordance with regulations of the Secretary, taking into consideration abnormal weather conditions, the normal yield for the county, changes in production practices, and the yield in years for which data are available.
(J) “Projected county yield” for any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such commodity in the county during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected county yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices.
(K) “Projected farm yield” for any crop of wheat shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such commodity on the farm during each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected farm yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields and for any significant changes in production practices, but in no event shall such projected farm yield be less than the normal yield for such farm as provided in subparagraph (E) of this paragraph.
(L) “Projected national, State, and county yields” for any crop of cotton shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such crop in the United States, the State and the county, respectively, during each of the five calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected yield for the United States, the State, and the county, respectively, is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields, and for any significant changes in production practices.
(M) “Projected farm yield” for any crop of cotton shall be determined on the basis of the yield per harvested acre of such crop on the farm during each of the three calendar years immediately preceding the year in which such projected farm yield is determined, adjusted for abnormal weather conditions affecting such yield, for trends in yields, and for any significant changes in production practices, but in no event shall such projected farm yield be less than the normal yield for such farm as provided in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph.
(14) “Reserve supply level”, in the case of corn, shall be a normal year’s domestic consumption and exports of corn plus 10 per centum of a normal year’s domestic consumption and exports, to insure a supply adequate to meet domestic consumption and export needs in years of drought, flood, or other adverse conditions, as well as in years of plenty.
(15)
(A) “Total supply” of wheat, corn, rice, and peanuts for any marketing year shall be the carry-over of the commodity for such marketing year, plus the estimated production of the commodity in the United States during the calendar year in which such marketing year begins and the estimated imports of the commodity into the United States during such marketing year.
(B) “Total supply” of cotton for any marketing year shall be the carry-over at the beginning of such marketing year, plus the estimated production of cotton in the United States during the calendar year in which such marketing year begins and the estimated imports of cotton into the United States during such marketing year.
(c) Use of Federal statistics

The latest available statistics of the Federal Government shall be used by the Secretary in making the determinations required to be made by the Secretary under this chapter.

(d) Exclusion of stocks of certain commodities

In making any determination under this chapter or under the Agricultural Act of 1949 [7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.] with respect to the carryover of any agricultural commodity, the Secretary shall exclude from such determination the stocks of any commodity acquired pursuant to, or under the authority of, the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act (60 Stat. 596) [50 U.S.C. 98 et seq.].

(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 301, 52 Stat. 38; Apr. 7, 1938, ch. 107, §§ 2–4, 52 Stat. 202; June 13, 1940, ch. 360, § 1, 54 Stat. 392; July 2, 1940, ch. 521, §§ 3–5, 54 Stat. 727, 728; Nov. 22, 1940, ch. 914, §§ 1, 3, 4, 54 Stat. 1209, 1210; Nov. 25, 1940, ch. 917, 54 Stat. 1211; Apr. 3, 1941, ch. 39, §§ 2, 3, 55 Stat. 91, 92; July 9, 1942, ch. 497, § 1(4), (5), 56 Stat. 654; July 3, 1948, ch. 827, title II, § 201(a), (b), (d), (e), 62 Stat. 1250; Aug. 29, 1949, ch. 518, § 2(a), 63 Stat. 675; Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, title IV, §§ 409(a)–(d), 415(c)–(e), 418(b), (c), 63 Stat. 1056–1058, 1062; July 8, 1952, ch. 587, 66 Stat. 442; July 17, 1952, ch. 933, § 1, 66 Stat. 758; July 14, 1953, ch. 194, § 6, 67 Stat. 152; Aug. 28, 1954, ch. 1041, title III, §§ 301, 302, 68 Stat. 902; May 28, 1956, ch. 327, title V, § 502, title VI, § 602, 70 Stat. 212, 213; Pub. L. 85–92, § 1, July 10, 1957, 71 Stat. 284; Pub. L. 87–703, title III, § 320, Sept. 27, 1962, 76 Stat. 625; Pub. L. 88–297, title I, § 106(5)–(7), Apr. 11, 1964, 78 Stat. 177; Pub. L. 89–321, title IV, § 403, title V, §§ 509, 511(a), Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1197, 1204, 1205;

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301

§ 1301a. References to parity prices, etc., in other laws after January 1, 1950
All references in other laws to—
(1) parity,
(2) parity prices,
(3) prices comparable to parity prices, or
(4) prices to be determined in the same manner as provided by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 [7 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.] prior to its amendment by this Act for the determination of parity prices,
with respect to prices for agricultural commodities and products thereof, shall hereafter be deemed to refer to parity prices as determined in accordance with the provisions of section 301(a)(1) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 [7 U.S.C. 1301(a)(1)], as amended by this Act.
(July 3, 1948, ch. 827, title III, § 302(f), 62 Stat. 1258.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301a

§ 1301b. Repealed. Pub. L. 85–835, title I, § 108, Aug. 28, 1958, 72 Stat. 993

CITE AS: 7 USC 1301b

§ 1302. Repealed. Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, title IV, § 414, 63 Stat. 1057

CITE AS: 7 USC 1302

§ 1303. Parity payments

If and when appropriations are made therefor, the Secretary is authorized and directed to make payments to producers of corn, wheat, cotton, or rice, on their normal production of such commodities in amounts which, together with the proceeds thereof, will provide a return to such producers which is as nearly equal to parity price as the funds so made available will permit. All funds available for such payments with respect to these commodities shall unless otherwise provided by law, be apportioned to these commodities in proportion to the amount by which each fails to reach the parity income. Such payments shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other payments authorized by law.

(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 303, 52 Stat. 45; Pub. L. 108–357, title VI, § 611(g), Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1522.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1303

§ 1304. Consumer safeguards

The powers conferred under this chapter shall not be used to discourage the production of supplies of foods and fibers sufficient to maintain normal domestic human consumption as determined by the Secretary from the records of domestic human consumption in the years 1920 to 1929, inclusive, taking into consideration increased population quantities of any commodity that were forced into domestic consumption by decline in exports during such period, current trends in domestic consumption and exports of particular commodities, and the quantities of substitutes available for domestic consumption within any general class of food commodities. In carrying out the purposes of this chapter it shall be the duty of the Secretary to give due regard to the maintenance of a continuous and stable supply of agricultural commodities from domestic production adequate to meet consumer demand at prices fair to both producers and consumers.

(Feb. 16, 1938, ch. 30, title III, § 304, 52 Stat. 45.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1304

§ 1305. Transfer of acreage allotments or feed grain bases on public lands upon request of State agencies

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary, upon the request of any agency of any State charged with the administration of the public lands of the State, may permit the transfer of acreage allotments or feed grain bases together with relevant production histories which have been determined pursuant to the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1281 et seq.], or section 590p of title 16, from any farm composed of public lands to any other farm or farms in the same county composed of public lands: Provided, That as a condition for the transfer of any allotment or base an acreage equal to or greater than the allotment or base transferred prior to adjustment, if any, shall be devoted to and maintained in permanent vegetative cover on the farm from which the transfer is made. The Secretary shall prescribe regulations which he deems necessary for the administration of this section, which may provide for adjusting downward the size of the allotment or base transferred if the farm to which the allotment or base is transferred normally has a higher yield per acre for the commodity for which the allotment or base is determined, for reasonable limitations on the size of the resulting allotments and bases on farms to which transfers are made, taking into account the size of the allotments and bases on farms of similar size in the community, and for retransferring allotments or bases and relevant histories if the conditions of the transfers are not fulfilled.

(Pub. L. 89–321, title VII, § 706, Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1210; Pub. L. 91–524, title IV, § 405(a), formerly § 405, title VI, § 606, Nov. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1366, 1378, renumbered § 405(a) and amended Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(12)(a), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 229.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1305

§ 1306. Projected yields; determination; base period

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the determination of farm yields the Secretary may use projected yields in lieu of normal yields. In the determination of such yields the Secretary shall take into account the actual yield proved by the producer for the base period used in determining the projected yield, and the projected yield shall not be less than such actual yield proved by the producer.

(Pub. L. 89–321, title VII, § 708, Nov. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 1211; Pub. L. 91–524, title IV, § 405(b), as added Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(12)(a), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 229.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1306

§ 1307. Limitation on payments under wheat, feed grains, and cotton programs for 1974 through 1977 crops
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1) The total amount of payments which a person shall be entitled to receive under one or more of the annual programs established by titles IV, V, and VI of this Act for the 1974 through 1976 crops of the commodities and by titles IV and V of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 and titles IV, V, and VI of this Act for the 1977 crop of the commodities shall not exceed $20,000.
(2) The term “payments” as used in this section shall not include loans or purchases, or any part of any payment which is determined by the Secretary to represent compensation for resource adjustment or public access for recreation.
(3) If the Secretary determines that the total amount of payments which will be earned by any person under the program in effect for any crop will be reduced under this section, the set-aside acreage for the farm or farms on which such person will be sharing in payments earned under such program shall be reduced to such extent and in such manner as the Secretary determines will be fair and reasonable in relation to the amount of the payment reduction.
(4) The Secretary shall issue regulations defining the term “person” and prescribing such rules as he determines necessary to assure a fair and reasonable application of such limitation: Provided, That the provisions of this Act which limit payments to any person shall not be applicable to lands owned by States, political subdivisions, or agencies thereof, so long as such lands are farmed primarily in the direct furtherance of a public function, as determined by the Secretary. The rules for determining whether corporations and their stockholders may be considered as separate persons shall be in accordance with the regulations issued by the Secretary on December 18, 1970.
(Pub. L. 91–524, title I, § 101, Nov. 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 1358; Pub. L. 93–86, § 1(1), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 95–113, title I, § 104, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 919.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1307

§ 1308. Payment limitations
(a) Definitions
In this section through section 1308–5 of this title:
(1) Covered commodity

The term “covered commodity” has the meaning given that term in section 1111 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9011).

(2) Family member

The term “family member” means a person to whom a member in the farming operation is related as lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, sibling, first cousin, niece, nephew, spouse, or otherwise by marriage.

(3) Legal entity
The term “legal entity” means an entity that is created under Federal or State law and that—
(A) owns land or an agricultural commodity; or
(B) produces an agricultural commodity.
(4) Person

The term “person” means a natural person, and does not include a legal entity.

(5) Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.

(b) Limitation on payments for covered commodities (other than peanuts)

The total amount of payments received, directly or indirectly, by a person or legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) for any crop year under sections 1116 and 1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016, 9017) (other than for peanuts) may not exceed $125,000.

(c) Limitation on payments for peanuts

The total amount of payments received, directly or indirectly, by a person or legal entity (except a joint venture or general partnership) for any crop year under sections 1116 and 1117 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9016, 9017) for peanuts may not exceed $125,000.

(d) Limitation on applicability

Nothing in this section authorizes any limitation on any benefit associated with the forfeiture of a commodity pledged as collateral for a loan made available under subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9031 et seq.] or title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9001 et seq.].

(e) Attribution of payments
(1) In general

In implementing subsections (b) and (c) and a program described in paragraphs (1)(C) and (2)(B) of section 1308–3a(b) 1

1 See References in Text note below.
of this title, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to ensure that the total amount of payments are attributed to a person by taking into account the direct and indirect ownership interests of the person in a legal entity that is eligible to receive the payments.

(2) Payments to a person

Each payment made directly to a person shall be combined with the pro rata interest of the person in payments received by a legal entity in which the person has a direct or indirect ownership interest unless the payments of the legal entity have been reduced by the pro rata share of the person.

(3) Payments to a legal entity
(A) In general

Each payment made to a legal entity shall be attributed to those persons who have a direct or indirect ownership interest in the legal entity unless the payment to the legal entity has been reduced by the pro rata share of the person.

(B) Attribution of payments
(i) Payment limits

Except as provided in clause (ii), payments made to a legal entity shall not exceed the amounts specified in subsections (b) and (c).

(ii) Exception for joint ventures and general partnerships

Payments made to a joint venture or a general partnership shall not exceed, for each payment specified in subsections (b) and (c), the amount determined by multiplying the maximum payment amount specified in subsections (b) and (c) by the number of persons and legal entities (other than joint ventures and general partnerships) that comprise the ownership of the joint venture or general partnership.

(iii) Reduction

Payments made to a legal entity shall be reduced proportionately by an amount that represents the direct or indirect ownership in the legal entity by any person or legal entity that has otherwise exceeded the applicable maximum payment limitation.

(4) 4 levels of attribution for embedded legal entities
(A) In general

Attribution of payments made to legal entities shall be traced through 4 levels of ownership in legal entities.

(B) First level

Any payments made to a legal entity (a first-tier legal entity) that is owned in whole or in part by a person shall be attributed to the person in an amount that represents the direct ownership in the first-tier legal entity by the person.

(C) Second level
(i) In general

Any payments made to a first-tier legal entity that is owned (in whole or in part) by another legal entity (a second-tier legal entity) shall be attributed to the second-tier legal entity in proportion to the ownership of the second-tier legal entity in the first-tier legal entity.

(ii) Ownership by a person

If the second-tier legal entity is owned (in whole or in part) by a person, the amount of the payment made to the first-tier legal entity shall be attributed to the person in the amount that represents the indirect ownership in the first-tier legal entity by the person.

(D) Third and fourth levels
(i) In general

Except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary shall attribute payments at the third and fourth tiers of ownership in the same manner as specified in subparagraph (C).

(ii) Fourth-tier ownership

If the fourth-tier of ownership is that of a fourth-tier legal entity and not that of a person, the Secretary shall reduce the amount of the payment to be made to the first-tier legal entity in the amount that represents the indirect ownership in the first-tier legal entity by the fourth-tier legal entity.

(f) Special rules
(1) Minor children
(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), payments received by a child under the age of 18 shall be attributed to the parents of the child.

(B) Regulations

The Secretary shall issue regulations specifying the conditions under which payments received by a child under the age of 18 will not be attributed to the parents of the child.

(2) Marketing cooperatives

Subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to a cooperative association of producers with respect to commodities produced by the members of the association that are marketed by the association on behalf of the members of the association but shall apply to the producers as persons.

(3) Trusts and estates
(A) In general

With respect to irrevocable trusts and estates, the Secretary shall administer this section through section 1308–5 of this title in such manner as the Secretary determines will ensure the fair and equitable treatment of the beneficiaries of the trusts and estates.

(B) Irrevocable trust
(i) In general
In order for a trust to be considered an irrevocable trust, the terms of the trust agreement shall not—
(I) allow for modification or termination of the trust by the grantor;(II) allow for the grantor to have any future, contingent, or remainder interest in the corpus of the trust; or(III) except as provided in clause (ii), provide for the transfer of the corpus of the trust to the remainder beneficiary in less than 20 years beginning on the date the trust is established.
(ii) Exception
Clause (i)(III) shall not apply in a case in which the transfer is—
(I) contingent on the remainder beneficiary achieving at least the age of majority; or(II) contingent on the death of the grantor or income beneficiary.
(C) Revocable trust

For the purposes of this section through section 1308–5 of this title, a revocable trust shall be considered to be the same person as the grantor of the trust.

(4) Cash rent tenants
(A) Definition
In this paragraph, the term “cash rent tenant” means a person or legal entity that rents land—
(i) for cash; or
(ii) for a crop share guaranteed as to the amount of the commodity to be paid in rent.
(B) Restriction

A cash rent tenant who makes a significant contribution of active personal management, but not of personal labor, with respect to a farming operation shall be eligible to receive a payment described in subsection (b) or (c) only if the tenant makes a significant contribution of equipment to the farming operation.

(5) Federal agencies
(A) In general

Notwithstanding subsection (d), a Federal agency shall not be eligible to receive any payment, benefit, or loan under title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 [7 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.], title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9001 et seq.], or title XII of this Act [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].

(B) Land rental

A lessee of land owned by a Federal agency may receive a payment described in subsection (b), (c), or (d) if the lessee otherwise meets all applicable criteria.

(6) State and local governments
(A) In general

Notwithstanding subsection (d), except as provided in subsection (g), a State or local government, or political subdivision or agency of the government, shall not be eligible to receive any payment, benefit, or loan under title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 [7 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.], title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9001 et seq.], or title XII of this Act [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].

(B) Tenants

A lessee of land owned by a State or local government, or political subdivision or agency of the government, may receive payments described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) if the lessee otherwise meets all applicable criteria.

(7) Changes in farming operations
(A) In general

In the administration of this section through section 1308–5 of this title, the Secretary may not approve any change in a farming operation that otherwise will increase the number of persons to which the limitations under this section are applied unless the Secretary determines that the change is bona fide and substantive.

(B) Family members

The addition of a family member to a farming operation under the criteria set out in section 1308–1 of this title shall be considered a bona fide and substantive change in the farming operation.

(8) Death of owner
(A) In general

If any ownership interest in land or a commodity is transferred as the result of the death of a program participant, the new owner of the land or commodity may, if the person is otherwise eligible to participate in the applicable program, succeed to the contract of the prior owner and receive payments subject to this section without regard to the amount of payments received by the new owner.

(B) Limitations on prior owner

Payments made under this paragraph shall not exceed the amount to which the previous owner was entitled to receive under the terms of the contract at the time of the death of the prior owner.

(9) Administration of reduction

The Secretary shall apply any order described in section 1614(d)(1) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9097(d)(1)) to payments under sections 1116 and 1117 of that Act (7 U.S.C. 9016, 9017) prior to applying payment limitations under this section.

(g) Public schools
(1) In general

Notwithstanding subsection (f)(6)(A), a State or local government, or political subdivision or agency of the government, shall be eligible, subject to the limitation in paragraph (2), to receive a payment described in subsection (b) or (c) for land owned by the State or local government, or political subdivision or agency of the government, that is used to maintain a public school.

(2) Limitation
(A) In general

For each State, the total amount of payments described in subsections (b) and (c) that are received collectively by the State and local government and all political subdivisions or agencies of those governments shall not exceed $500,000.

(B) Exception

The limitation in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to States with a population of less than 1,500,000.

(h) Time limits; reliance

Regulations of the Secretary shall establish time limits for the various steps involved with notice, hearing, decision, and the appeals procedure in order to ensure expeditious handling and settlement of payment limitation disputes. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, actions taken by an individual or other entity in good faith on action or advice of an authorized representative of the Secretary may be accepted as meeting the requirement under this section or section 1308–1 of this title, to the extent the Secretary deems it desirable in order to provide fair and equitable treatment.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1444; Pub. L. 99–500, § 108(a), Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–346, and Pub. L. 99–591, § 108(a), Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–346; Pub. L. 100–71, title I, July 11, 1987, 101 Stat. 428; Pub. L. 100–203, title I, §§ 1301(a)(1), (2), 1303, 1305(c), 1307, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–12, 1330–16, 1330–18, 1330–19; Pub. L. 101–217, §§ 1, 2, Dec. 11, 1989, 103 Stat. 1857; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(a), (c), (e), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3497–3499; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, § 118(b), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1841; Pub. L. 103–66, title I, § 1101(b)(3)(A), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(b), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 902; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(a), (b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 213, 214; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(a), (b), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(a), (b), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1730; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, §§ 1603(a)–(b)(2), 1605(f), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 705, 706, 708; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1703(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4525.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308

§ 1308–1. Notification of interests; payments limited to active farmers
(a) Notification of interestsTo facilitate administration of section 1308 of this title and this section, each person or legal entity receiving payments described in subsections (b) and (c) of section 1308 of this title as a separate person or legal entity shall separately provide to the Secretary, at such times and in such manner as prescribed by the Secretary—
(1) the name and social security number of each person, or the name and taxpayer identification number of each legal entity, that holds or acquires an ownership interest in the separate person or legal entity; and
(2) the name and taxpayer identification number of each legal entity in which the person or legal entity holds an ownership interest.
(b) Actively engaged
(1) In general

To be eligible to receive a payment described in subsection (b) or (c) of section 1308 of this title, a person or legal entity shall be actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation as provided in this subsection or subsection (c).

(2) Classes actively engagedExcept as provided in subsections (c) and (d)—
(A) a person (including a person participating in a farming operation as a partner in a general partnership, a participant in a joint venture, a grantor of a revocable trust, or a participant in a similar entity, as determined by the Secretary) shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation if—
(i) the person makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation) to the farming operation of—(I) capital, equipment, or land; and(II) personal labor or active personal management;
(ii) the person’s share of the profits or losses from the farming operation is commensurate with the contributions of the person to the farming operation; and
(iii) the contributions of the person are at risk;
(B) a legal entity that is a corporation, joint stock company, association, limited partnership, charitable organization, or other similar entity determined by the Secretary (including any such legal entity participating in the farming operation as a partner in a general partnership, a participant in a joint venture, a grantor of a revocable trust, or as a participant in a similar legal entity as determined by the Secretary) shall be considered as actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation if—
(i) the legal entity separately makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation) of capital, equipment, or land;
(ii) the stockholders or members collectively make a significant contribution of personal labor or active personal management to the operation; and
(iii) the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applied to the legal entity, are met by the legal entity;
(C) if a legal entity that is a general partnership, joint venture, or similar entity, as determined by the Secretary, separately makes a significant contribution (based on the total value of the farming operation involved) of capital, equipment, or land, and the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applied to the legal entity, are met by the legal entity, the partners or members making a significant contribution of personal labor or active personal management shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation involved; and
(D) in making determinations under this subsection regarding equipment and personal labor, the Secretary shall take into consideration the equipment and personal labor normally and customarily provided by farm operators in the area involved to produce program crops.
(c) Special classes actively engaged
(1) LandownerA person or legal entity that is a landowner contributing the owned land to a farming operation shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if—
(A) the landowner receives rent or income for the use of the land based on the production on the land or the operating results of the operation; and
(B) the person or legal entity meets the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A).
(2) Adult family memberIf a majority of the participants in a farming operation are family members, an adult family member shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if the person—
(A) makes a significant contribution, based on the total value of the farming operation, of active personal management or personal labor; and
(B) with respect to such contribution, meets the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A).
(3) Sharecropper

A sharecropper who makes a significant contribution of personal labor to a farming operation shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if the contribution meets the standards provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subsection (b)(2)(A).

(4) Growers of hybrid seed

In determining whether a person or legal entity growing hybrid seed under contract shall be considered to be actively engaged in farming, the Secretary shall not take into consideration the existence of a hybrid seed contract.

(5) Custom farming services
(A) In general

A person or legal entity receiving custom farming services shall be considered separately eligible for payment limitation purposes if the person or legal entity is actively engaged in farming based on subsection (b)(2) or paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection.

(B) Prohibition

No other rules with respect to custom farming shall apply.

(6) Spouse

If 1 spouse (or estate of a deceased spouse) is determined to be actively engaged, the other spouse shall be determined to have met the requirements of subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)(II).

(d) Classes not actively engaged
(1) Cash rent landlord

A landlord contributing land to a farming operation shall not be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to the farming operation if the landlord receives cash rent, or a crop share guaranteed as to the amount of the commodity to be paid in rent, for the use of the land.

(2) Other persons and legal entities

Any other person or legal entity that the Secretary determines does not meet the standards described in subsections (b)(2) and (c) shall not be considered to be actively engaged in farming with respect to a farming operation.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001A, as added and amended Pub. L. 100–203, title I, §§ 1301(a)(3), 1302, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–12, 1330–14; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(d), (f), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3498, 3499; Pub. L. 102–237, title I, § 118(c), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1841; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(c)(1), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(c), (d), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1007, 1008; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(c), (d), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1735, 1736.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-1

§ 1308–2. Denial of program benefits
(a) 2-year denial of program benefits
A person or legal entity shall be ineligible to receive payments specified in subsections (b) and (c) of section 1308 of this title for the crop year, and the succeeding crop year, in which the Secretary determines that the person or legal entity—
(1) failed to comply with section 1308–1(b) of this title and adopted or participated in adopting a scheme or device to evade the application of section 1308, 1308–1, or 1308–3 of this title; or
(2) intentionally concealed the interest of the person or legal entity in any farm or legal entity engaged in farming.
(b) Extended ineligibility

If the Secretary determines that a person or legal entity, for the benefit of the person or legal entity or the benefit of any other person or legal entity, has knowingly engaged in, or aided in the creation of a fraudulent document, failed to disclose material information relevant to the administration of sections 1308 through 1308–5 of this title, or committed other equally serious actions (as identified in regulations issued by the Secretary), the Secretary may for a period not to exceed 5 crop years deny the issuance of payments to the person or legal entity.

(c) Pro rata denial
(1) In general

Payments otherwise owed to a person or legal entity described in subsections (a) or (b) shall be denied in a pro rata manner based on the ownership interest of the person or legal entity in a farm.

(2) Cash rent tenant

Payments otherwise payable to a person or legal entity shall be denied in a pro rata manner if the person or legal entity is a cash rent tenant on a farm owned or under the control of a person or legal entity with respect to which a determination has been made under subsection (a) or (b).

(d) Joint and several liability

Any legal entity (including partnerships and joint ventures) and any member of any legal entity determined to have knowingly participated in a scheme or device to evade, or that has the purpose of evading, sections 1308, 1308–1, or 1308–3 of this title shall be jointly and severally liable for any amounts that are payable to the Secretary as the result of the scheme or device (including amounts necessary to recover those amounts).

(e) Release

The Secretary may partially or fully release from liability any person or legal entity who cooperates with the Secretary in enforcing sections 1308, 1308–1, and 1308–3 of this title, and this section.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001B, as added Pub. L. 100–203, title I, § 1304(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–17; amended Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(e), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1010; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(e), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1738.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-2

§ 1308–3. Foreign persons made ineligible for program benefits
Notwithstanding any other provision of law:
(a) In general

Any person who is not a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted into the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) shall be ineligible to receive any type of loans or payments made available under title I of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 [7 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.], title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9001 et seq.], the Agricultural Market Transition Act [7 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.], the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714 et seq.), or subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831 et seq.),1

1 See References in Text note below.
or under any contract entered into under title XII [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.], with respect to any commodity produced, or land set aside from production, on a farm that is owned or operated by such person, unless such person is an individual who is providing land, capital, and a substantial amount of personal labor in the production of crops on such farm.

(b) Corporations or other entities

For purposes of subsection (a), a corporation or other entity shall be considered a person that is ineligible for production adjustment payments, price support program loans, payments, or benefits if more than 10 percent of the beneficial ownership of the entity is held by persons who are not citizens of the United States or aliens lawfully admitted into the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.], unless such persons provide a substantial amount of personal labor in the production of crops on such farm. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, with respect to an entity that is determined to be ineligible to receive such payments, loans, or other benefits, the Secretary may make payments, loans, and other benefits in an amount determined by the Secretary to be representative of the percentage interests of the entity that is owned by citizens of the United States and aliens lawfully admitted into the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

(c) Prospective application

No person shall become ineligible under this section for production adjustment payments, price support program loans, payments or benefits as the result of the production of a crop of an agricultural commodity planted, or commodity program or conservation reserve contract entered into, before December 22, 1987.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001C, as added Pub. L. 100–203, title I, § 1306, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–19; amended Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(b), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3498; Pub. L. 103–66, title I, § 1101(b)(3)(B), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 314; Pub. L. 104–127, title I, § 115(c)(2), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1603(c)(3), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1002; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1730; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1603(b)(3), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 706.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-3

§ 1308–3a. Adjusted gross income limitation
(a) Definitions
(1) Average adjusted gross income

In this section, the term “average adjusted gross income”, with respect to a person or legal entity, means the average of the adjusted gross income or comparable measure of the person or legal entity over the 3 taxable years preceding the most immediately preceding complete taxable year, as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Special rules for certain persons and legal entities

In the case of a legal entity that is not required to file a Federal income tax return or a person or legal entity that did not have taxable income in 1 or more of the taxable years used to determine the average under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide, by regulation, a method for determining the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity for purposes of this section.

(3) Allocation of income
On the request of any person filing a joint tax return, the Secretary shall provide for the allocation of average adjusted gross income among the persons filing the return if—
(A) the person provides a certified statement by a certified public accountant or attorney that specifies the method by which the average adjusted gross income would have been declared and reported had the persons filed 2 separate returns; and
(B) the Secretary determines that the method described in the statement is consistent with the information supporting the filed joint tax return.
(b) Limitations on commodity and conservation programs
(1) Limitation

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to paragraph (3), a person or legal entity shall not be eligible to receive any benefit described in paragraph (2) during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, if the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity exceeds $900,000.

(2) Covered benefits
Paragraph (1) applies with respect to the following:
(A) A payment or benefit under subtitle A or E of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9011 et seq., 9081].
(B) A marketing loan gain or loan deficiency payment under subtitle B of title I of the Agricultural Act of 2014 [7 U.S.C. 9031 et seq.].
(C) Starting with fiscal year 2015, a payment or benefit under title II of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014, title II of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, or title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.].
(D) A payment or benefit under section 1524(b) of this title.
(E) A payment or benefit under section 7333 of this title.
(3) Waiver

The Secretary may waive the limitation established by paragraph (1) with respect to a payment pursuant to a covered benefit described in paragraph (2)(C), on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretary determines that environmentally sensitive land of special significance would be protected as a result of such waiver.

(c) Enforcement
(1) In general
To comply with subsection (b), at least once every 3 years a person or legal entity shall provide to the Secretary—
(A) a certification by a certified public accountant or another third party that is acceptable to the Secretary that the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity does not exceed the applicable limitation specified in that subsection; or
(B) information and documentation regarding the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity through other procedures established by the Secretary.
(2) Denial of program benefits

If the Secretary determines that a person or legal entity has failed to comply with this section, the Secretary shall deny the issuance of applicable payments and benefits specified in subsection (b)(2) to the person or legal entity, under similar terms and conditions as described in section 1308–2 of this title.

(3) Audit

The Secretary shall establish statistically valid procedures under which the Secretary shall conduct targeted audits of such persons or legal entities as the Secretary determines are most likely to exceed the limitations under subsection (b).

(d) Commensurate reduction

In the case of a payment or benefit described in subsection (b)(2) made in a crop, program, or fiscal year, as appropriate, to an entity, general partnership, or joint venture, the amount of the payment or benefit shall be reduced by an amount that is commensurate with the direct and indirect ownership interest in the entity, general partnership, or joint venture of each person who has an average adjusted gross income in excess of the applicable limitation specified in subsection (b).

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001D, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(2), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1604(a), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1604(a), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1740; Pub. L. 113–79, title I, § 1605(a)–(e), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 707, 708; Pub. L. 115–334, title I, § 1704(a), (b), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4526.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-3a

§ 1308–4. Education program
(a) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a payment provisions education program for appropriate personnel of the Department of Agriculture and members and other personnel of county and State committees established under section 590h(b) of title 16, for the purpose of fostering more effective and uniform application of the payment limitations and restrictions established under sections 1308 through 1308–3 of this title.

(b) Training

The education program shall provide training to the personnel in the fair, accurate, and uniform application to individual farming operations of the provisions of law and regulation relating to the payment provisions of sections 1308 through 1308–3 of this title.

(c) Administration

The State office of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service shall make the initial determination concerning the application of payment limitations and restrictions established under sections 1308 through 1308–3 of this title to farm operations consisting of more than 5 persons, subject to review by the Secretary.

(d) Commodity Credit Corporation

The Secretary shall carry out the program provided under this section through the Commodity Credit Corporation.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001E, formerly § 1001D, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(g), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3499; renumbered § 1001E, Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-4

§ 1308–5. Treatment of multiyear program contract payments
(a) In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the event of a transfer of ownership of land (or an ownership interest in land) by way of devise or descent, the Secretary of Agriculture may, if the new owner succeeds to the prior owner’s contract entered into under title XII,1

1 See References in Text note below.
make payments to the new owner under such contract without regard to the amount of payments received by the new owner under any contract entered into under title XII 1 executed prior to such devise or descent.

(b) Limitation

Payments made pursuant to this section shall not exceed the amount to which the previous owner was entitled to receive under the terms of the contract at the time of the death of the prior owner.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1001F, formerly § 1001E, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1111(h), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3499; renumbered § 1001F, Pub. L. 107–171, title I, § 1604(1), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 215.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308-5

§ 1308a. Cost reduction options
(a) Authority of Secretary to take action

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the Secretary of Agriculture determines that an action authorized under subsection (c), (d), or (e) will reduce the total of the direct and indirect costs to the Federal Government of a commodity program administered by the Secretary without adversely affecting income to small- and medium-sized producers participating in such program, the Secretary shall take such action with respect to the commodity program involved.

(b) Reservation of Secretary’s right to reopen or change contracts if producer agrees

In the announcement of the specific provisions of any commodity program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary shall include a statement setting forth which, if any, of the actions are to be initially included in the program, and a statement that the Secretary reserves the right to initiate at a later date any action not previously included but authorized by this section, including the right to reopen and change a contract entered into by a producer under the program if the producer voluntarily agrees to the change.

(c) Purchase from other sources of commodities covered by nonrecourse loans

When a nonrecourse loan program is in effect for a crop of a commodity, the Secretary may enter the commercial market to purchase such commodity if the Secretary determines that the cost of such purchases plus appropriate carrying charges will probably be less than the comparable cost of later acquiring the commodity through defaults on nonrecourse loans under the program.

(d) Reduction in settlement price of nonrecourse loans
(1) receipt by the Federal Government of a portion rather than none of the accumulated interest;
(2) avoidance of default; or
(3) elimination of storage, handling, and carrying charges on the forfeited commodity.
(e) Reopening of production control or loan programs to allow for payment in kind

When a production control or loan program is in effect for a crop of a major agricultural commodity, the Secretary may at any time prior to harvest reopen the program to participating producers for the purpose of accepting bids from producers for the conversion of acreage planted to such crop to diverted acres in return for payment in kind from Commodity Credit Corporation surplus stocks of the commodity to which the acreage was planted, if the Secretary determines that (1) changes in domestic or world supply or demand conditions have substantially changed after announcement of the program for that crop, and (2) without action to further adjust production, the Federal Government and producers will be faced with a burdensome and costly surplus. Such payments in kind shall not be included within the payment limitation per person established under section 1308 of this title, but shall be limited to a total $20,000 per year per producer for any one commodity.

(f) Other authorities of Secretary not affected

The authority provided in this section shall be in addition to, and not in place of, any authority granted to the Secretary under any other provision of law.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1009, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1453; Pub. L. 101–134, § 3, Oct. 30, 1989, 103 Stat. 781; Pub. L. 110–234, title I, § 1603(g)(1), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1011; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title I, § 1603(g)(1), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1739.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1308a

§ 1309. Normally planted acreage and target prices
(a) Authorized planted acreage for 1982 through 1995 crops of wheat and feed grains as prerequisite for loan, etc.; eligibility; determinations; records

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever a set-aside program is in effect for one or more of the 1982 through 1995 crops of wheat and feed grains, the Secretary of Agriculture may require, as a condition of eligibility for loans, purchases, and payments for such crops under the Agricultural Act of 1949 [7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.], that producers not exceed the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary, adjusted as deemed necessary by the Secretary to be fair and equitable among producers and reduced by any set-aside or diverted acreage. Such normal crop acreage for any crop year shall be determined as provided by the Secretary. The Secretary may require producers participating in the program to keep such records as the Secretary determines necessary to assist in making such determination.

(b) Established price payments
Notwithstanding any other provision of law—
(1) Whenever the Secretary, for one or more of the 1982 through 1995 crops of wheat and feed grains, requires that producers not exceed the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary may increase the established price payments for any such commodity by such amount (or if there are no such payments in effect for such crop by providing for payments in such amount) as the Secretary determines appropriate to compensate producers for not exceeding the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary and participation in any required set-aside with respect to such commodity.
(2) In determining the amount of any payments for any commodity under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account changes in the costs of production resulting from not exceeding the acreage on the farm normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary and participation in any required set-aside with respect to such commodity.
(3) If payments are provided for any commodity under this subsection, the Secretary may provide for payments for any other commodity in such amount as the Secretary determines necessary for effective operation of the program.
(4) The Secretary shall adjust any payments under this subsection to reflect, in whole or in part, any land diversion payments for the commodity for which an increase is determined.
(c) Marketing quotas in effect for 1987 through 1995 crops of wheat; reduction in normally planted acreage as condition prerequisite for loan, etc.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever marketing quotas are in effect for any of the 1987 through 1995 crops of wheat, the Secretary of Agriculture may require, as a condition of eligibility for loans, purchases, and payments on any commodity under the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.), that the acreage normally planted to crops designated by the Secretary, adjusted as considered necessary by the Secretary to be fair and equitable among producers, shall be reduced by a quantity equal to—
(1) the acreage that the Secretary determines would normally be planted to wheat on a farm; minus
(2) the individual farm program acreage for the farm under section 107B(d)(3)(A) 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of such Act.
(Pub. L. 95–113, title X, § 1001, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 950; Pub. L. 95–279, title I, § 101, May 15, 1978, 92 Stat. 240; Pub. L. 95–334, title V, § 501(a), Aug. 4, 1978, 92 Stat. 434; Pub. L. 96–213, § 6, Mar. 18, 1980, 94 Stat. 120; Pub. L. 97–98, title XI, § 1106, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1265; Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1014, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1456; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1141, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3515.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1309

§ 1310. American agriculture protection program
(a) Determination of short supply; suspension of commercial export sales; parity price

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, whenever the President or any other member of the executive branch of the Federal Government causes to be suspended, based upon a determination of short supply, the commercial export sales of any commodity, as defined in subsection (c) of this section, to any country or area with which the United States otherwise continues commercial trade, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, on the day the suspension is initiated, set the loan level for such commodity under the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended [7 U.S.C. 1421 et seq.], if a loan program is in effect for the commodity, at 90 per centum of the parity price for the commodity, as such parity price is determined on the day the suspension is initiated.

(b) Duration of loan level

Any loan level established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall remain in effect as long as the suspension of commercial export sales described in subsection (a) remains in effect.

(c) “Commodity” defined

For purposes of this section, the term “commodity” shall include any of the following: wheat, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, oats, rye, barley, rice, flaxseed, and cotton.

(Pub. L. 95–113, title X, § 1002, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 950.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1310

§ 1310a. Normal supply of commodity for 1986 through 1995 crops

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the Secretary of Agriculture determines that the supply of wheat, corn, upland cotton, or rice for the marketing year for any of the 1986 through 1995 crops of such commodity is not likely to be excessive and that program measures to reduce or control the planted acreage of the crop are not necessary, such a decision shall constitute a determination that the total supply of the commodity does not exceed the normal supply and no determination to the contrary shall be made by the Secretary with respect to such commodity for such marketing year.

(Pub. L. 99–198, title X, § 1019, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1459; Pub. L. 101–624, title XI, § 1142, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3515.)

CITE AS: 7 USC 1310a