Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
Latest action (18 Jun 2008): Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 151.
What this bill does
H.R. 6124, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, reauthorized and revised a broad range of U.S. Department of Agriculture programs through fiscal year 2012. It covers commodity price and income support programs (including direct and counter-cyclical payments, marketing loans, and specific provisions for crops such as peanuts, sugar, and dairy), conservation programs (including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program), international food aid and trade programs, nutrition assistance (including renaming the Food Stamp Program and adjusting benefit and eligibility rules), farm credit and loan programs, rural development initiatives, and agricultural research and extension activities.
The bill affects a wide range of parties: farmers and ranchers who receive commodity payments, loans, or conservation payments; low-income households receiving nutrition assistance; rural communities and businesses eligible for development grants and loans; agricultural researchers and universities receiving grants; and recipients of U.S. food aid abroad. It also affects USDA administration of these programs, setting new rules, payment limits, and reporting requirements.
The bill was introduced on May 22, 2008, by Rep. Collin Peterson and passed both chambers of Congress. After President Bush vetoed the measure, Congress overrode the veto, with the Senate voting 80–14 on June 18, 2008, completing enactment of the law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Deems the Joint Explanatory Statement submitted by the Committee of Conference for the conference report to accompany H.R. 2419 of the 110th Congress (House Report 110-627) to be part of the legislative history of this Act and to have the same effect regarding implementation of this Act as it would have had regarding implementation of H.R. 2419.
(Sec. 4) Repeals P.L. 110-234 (H.R. 2419) and the amendments made by that Act, effective on the date of enactment of that Act.
States that, except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the earlier of: (1) the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) the date of enactment of P.L. 110-234 (H.R. 2419).
Title I: Commodity Programs - (Sec. 1001) Defines specified terms.
Subtitle A: Direct Payments and Counter-Cyclical Payments - (Sec. 1101) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to adjust base acres for covered commodities for a farm whenever: (1) a conservation reserve contract expires or is voluntarily terminated; (2) cropland is released from coverage under a conservation reserve contract; or (3) the producer has eligible pulse crop or oilseed acreage.
Requires election of either direct payments and counter-cyclical payments or conservation payments if the base adjustment is made due to a change in status of a conservation reserve contract.
Requires a reduction in base acres if the sum of base acres and other specified acreage exceeds the actual cropland acreage on the farm.
Allows an owner to permanently reduce farm base acres at any time.
Timeline
18 Jun 2008
Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 151.
18 Jun 2008
Two-thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative the bill is passed, the Passed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 317 - 109 (Roll no. 417).
18 Jun 2008
Vetoed by President.
5 Jun 2008
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 15. Record Vote Number: 144.
22 May 2008
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 306 - 110 (Roll no. 353).
Common questions
- What does H.R. 6124 do?
- H.R. 6124, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, reauthorized and revised a broad range of U.S. Department of Agriculture programs through fiscal year 2012. It covers commodity price and income support programs (including direct and counter-cyclical payments, marketing loans, and specific provisions for crops such as peanuts, sugar, and dairy), conservation programs (including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and Environmental Quality Incentives Program), international food aid and trade programs, nutrition assistance (including renaming the Food Stamp Program and adjusting benefit and eligibility rules), farm credit and loan programs, rural development initiatives, and agricultural research and extension activities. The bill affects a wide range of parties: farmers and ranchers who receive commodity payments, loans, or conservation payments; low-income households receiving nutrition assistance; rural communities and businesses eligible for development grants and loans; agricultural researchers and universities receiving grants; and recipients of U.S. food aid abroad. It also affects USDA administration of these programs, setting new rules, payment limits, and reporting requirements. The bill was introduced on May 22, 2008, by Rep. Collin Peterson and passed both chambers of Congress. After President Bush vetoed the measure, Congress overrode the veto, with the Senate voting 80–14 on June 18, 2008, completing enactment of the law.
- Has H.R. 6124 become law?
- Yes. H.R. 6124 has been enacted. Status last updated 18 Jun 2008.
- Who sponsored H.R. 6124?
- H.R. 6124 was sponsored by Rep. Collin Peterson [D-MN7, 1991-2020] (Democrat-MN), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 6124?
- Passed Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 80 - 14. Record Vote Number: 151. (18 Jun 2008).
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