HR1613-119

2. Research and development on mushrooms Section 522(c) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1522(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Corporation shall carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and development, regarding a policy to insure— the production of mushroom growing media; and the production of mushrooms. Notwithstanding the second sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described in subparagraph (A) available if the requirements of section 508(h) are met. Research and development described in subparagraph (A) shall evaluate the effectiveness of policies described in that subparagraph, including policies that— are based on the risk of— pests, including mushroom phorid flies and sciarid flies; fungal pathogens; and viral pathogens; consider other causes of loss applicable to mushroom compost and mushroom production, such as— a loss of electricity due to weather; and loss of growing media due to excessive 5-year, 10-year, or 20-year rainfall events; consider appropriate best practices to minimize the risk of loss; consider whether to provide coverage for mushrooms under 1 policy or to provide coverage for various phases of production; have streamlined reporting and paperwork requirements that take into account short propagation schedules, variable crop years, and the variety of mushrooms that may be produced in a single facility; and provide protection for revenue losses. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes— the results of the research and development carried out under subparagraph (A); and any recommendations with respect to those results. (20)Mushrooms(A)In generalThe Corporation shall carry out research and development, or offer to enter into 1 or more contracts with 1 or more qualified persons to carry out research and development, regarding a policy to insure—(i)the production of mushroom growing media; and(ii)the production of mushrooms.(B)Availability of policyNotwithstanding the second sentence of section 508(a)(1), and section 508(a)(2), the Corporation shall make a policy described in subparagraph (A) available if the requirements of section 508(h) are met.(C)Research and development describedResearch and development described in subparagraph (A) shall evaluate the effectiveness of policies described in that subparagraph, including policies that—(i)are based on the risk of—(I)pests, including mushroom phorid flies and sciarid flies;(II)fungal pathogens; and(III)viral pathogens;(ii)consider other causes of loss applicable to mushroom compost and mushroom production, such as—(I)a loss of electricity due to weather; and (II)loss of growing media due to excessive 5-year, 10-year, or 20-year rainfall events;(iii)consider appropriate best practices to minimize the risk of loss;(iv)consider whether to provide coverage for mushrooms under 1 policy or to provide coverage for various phases of production;(v)have streamlined reporting and paperwork requirements that take into account short propagation schedules, variable crop years, and the variety of mushrooms that may be produced in a single facility; and(vi)provide protection for revenue losses.(D)ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Corporation shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that describes—(i)the results of the research and development carried out under subparagraph (A); and(ii)any recommendations with respect to those results..