HR1207-119

1. Transfer of functions Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the functions, duties, responsibilities, assets, liabilities, orders, determinations, rules, regulations, permits, grants, loans, contracts, agreements, certificates, licenses, and privileges of the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development relating to carrying out any authority under the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) shall be transferred to the Secretary of Agriculture. Any reference in any provision of law or regulation to the Administrator or Agency referred to in subsection (a), as applicable, shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of Agriculture or to any department or office of the Department of Agriculture to which the Secretary assigns the functions, duties, or responsibilities transferred pursuant to this Act, respectively. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Agriculture may implement amendments to a regulation referred to in subsection (a), which shall be published as an interim final rule and may be made effective immediately on publication, to ensure continuity of the applicable program as a result of a transfer under this Act. Any existing statutory authorities available to the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development that have or could have been used by the Administrator to implement the functions, duties, or responsibilities of the United States Agency for International Development relating to implementing or administering the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1691 et seq.) may be exercised by the Secretary of Agriculture. Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Secretary of Agriculture shall continue to carry out the Famine Early Warning Systems Network or a successor program, 1 of the purposes of which is to provide objective, evidence-based analyses with respect to potential or existing famine and flood situations to assist the Secretary of Agriculture in mitigating food insecurity. The Secretary of Agriculture shall consult with the Secretary of State from time to time in carrying out the authorities under title II of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).