American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. TITLE I--COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY Subtitle A--Agriculture (Sec. 1001) This section provides funding for FY2021 to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to (1) purchase food and agricultural commodities; (2) purchase and distribute agricultural commodities (including fresh produce, dairy, seafood, eggs, and meat) to individuals in need; (3) provide grants and loans for small or midsized food processors or distributors, seafood processing facilities and processing vessels, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to COVID-19; and (4) provide grants, loans, and other assistance to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. The section also requires USDA to use specified amounts of the funding to (1) conduct animal surveillance and monitoring related to COVID-19; and (2) reduce overtime inspection costs borne by federally inspected small and very small meat, poultry, or egg processors. (Sec. 1002) This section provides funding for, and directs USDA to establish, an emergency pilot program to provide grants to certain applicants for rural health care and other rural development needs related to COVID-19. (Sec. 1003) This section provides funding for necessary administrative expenses associated with carrying out this subtitle. (Sec. 1004) This section provides funding through FY2022 to the Office of the Inspector General of USDA for audits, investigations, and other oversight activities of projects and activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Sec. 1005) This section provides funding for USDA to pay off outstanding farm loan debts of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. (Sec. 1006) This section provides funding for USDA to address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector. Specifically, USDA must use specified amounts to • provide outreach, mediation, training, and assistance on issues concerning food, agriculture, agricultural credit, agricultural extension, rural development, or nutrition to certain socially disadvantaged groups, including socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners; • provide grants and loans to improve land access for such groups; • fund one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs; • support and supplement agricultural research, education, and extension, as well as scholarships and programs that provide internships and pathways to federal employment; and • provide financial assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners who are former farm loan borrowers and suffered related adverse actions or past discrimination or bias in USDA programs. (Sec. 1007) This section provides funding through FY2022 to use the Commodity Credit Corporation to make commodities available and pay associated expenses for the Food for Peace program. Subtitle B--Nutrition (Sec. 1101) This section extends through FY2021 the requirement to calculate the value of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) by using 115% of the June 2020 value of the thrifty food plan. It also provides funding through FY2023 for the costs of state administrative expenses and administering SNAP. (Sec. 1102) This section provides additional funding through FY2026 for USDA to (1) make technological improvements to improve online purchasing in SNAP; (2) modernize electronic benefit transfer technology; (3) support the mobile technologies demonstration projects and the use of mobile technologies; and (4) provide technical assistance to educate retailers on the process and technical requirements for the online acceptance of SNAP benefits, mobile payment…