7 U.S.C. § 2026 — Research, demonstration, and evaluations

Page 1358 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 retary of Agriculture 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 regarding whether the amounts made available under section 16(h)(1)(A) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [now the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2025(h)(1)(A)] (as a result of the amend- ment made by subsection (a)) have been used by State agencies to increase the number of work slots for re- cipients subject to section 6(o) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) in employment and training programs and workfare in the most efficient and effec- tive manner practicable.’’ QUALITY CONTROL SANCTIONS Pub. L. 101–624, title XVII, § 1751, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3797, provided that: ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—No disallowance or other similar action shall be applied to or collected from any State for any of the fiscal years 1983, 1984, or 1985 under sec- tion 16(c) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025(c)) or any predecessor statutory or regulatory pro- vision relating to disallowances or other similar ac- tions for erroneous issuances made in carrying out a State plan under such Act [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.], except for amounts to be paid or collected after the date of en- actment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990] pursuant to settle- ment agreements which do not provide for payment ad- justments based on future changes in law. ‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—Subsection (a) shall also apply to disallowances described in subsection (a) with respect to which an administrative or judicial appeal is pend- ing on the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 28, 1990], including any such disallowance that has been col- lected before such date.’’ QUALITY CONTROL STUDIES AND PENALTY MORATORIUM Pub. L. 99–198, title XV, § 1538, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1587, as amended by Pub. L. 99–260, § 12, Mar. 20, 1986, 100 Stat. 52, provided that: ‘‘(a)(1)(A) The Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall con- duct a study of the quality control system used for the food stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [now the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008] (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.). ‘‘(B) The study shall— ‘‘(i) examine how best to operate such system in order to obtain information that will allow the State agencies to improve the quality of administration; and ‘‘(ii) provide reasonable data on the basis of which Federal funding may be withheld for State agencies with excessive levels of erroneous payments. ‘‘(2)(A) The Secretary shall also contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a concurrent independent study for the purpose described in para- graph (1). ‘‘(B) For purposes of such study, the Secretary shall provide to the National Academy of Sciences any rel- evant data available to the Secretary at the onset of the study and on an ongoing basis. ‘‘(3) Not later than 1 year after the date the Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences enter into the contract required under paragraph (2), the Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences shall report the results of their respective studies to the Congress. ‘‘(b)(1) During the 6-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 1985] (herein- after in this section referred to as the ‘moratorium pe- riod’), the Secretary shall not impose any reductions in payments to State agencies pursuant to section 16 of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2025). ‘‘(2) During the moratorium period, the Secretary and the State agencies shall continue to— ‘‘(A) operate the quality control systems in effect under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.]; and ‘‘(B) calculate error rates under section 16 of such Act [7 U.S.C. 2025]. ‘‘(c)(1) Not later than 6 months after the date on which the results of both studies required under sub- section (a)(3) have been reported, the Secretary shall publish regulations that shall— ‘‘(A) restructure the quality control system used under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.] to the extent the Secretary determines to be ap- propriate, taking into account the studies conducted under subsection (a); and ‘‘(B) establish, taking into account the studies con- ducted under subsection (a), criteria for adjusting the reductions that shall be made for quarters prior to the implementation of the restructured quality con- trol system so as to eliminate reductions for those quarters that would not be required if the restruc- tured quality control system had been in effect dur- ing those quarters. ‘‘(2) Beginning 6 months after the date on which the results of both studies required under subsection (a)(3) have been reported, the Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) implement the restructured quality control system; and ‘‘(B) reduce payments to State agencies— ‘‘(i) for quarters after implementation of such system in accordance with the restructured quality control system; and ‘‘(ii) for quarters before implementation of such system, as provided under the regulations described in paragraph (1)(B).’’ [References to the food stamp program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 considered to refer to the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under that Act, see section 4002(c) of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title.] § 2026. Research, demonstration, and evaluations (a) Contracts or grants; issuance of aggregate al- lotments (1) The Secretary may enter into contracts with or make grants to public or private organi- zations or agencies under this section to under- take research that will help improve the admin- istration and effectiveness of the supplemental nutrition assistance program in delivering nu- trition-related benefits. The waiver authority of the Secretary under subsection (b) shall extend to all contracts and grants under this section. (2) The Secretary may, on application, permit not more than two State agencies to establish procedures that allow households whose month- ly supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits do not exceed $20, at their option, to re- ceive, in lieu of their supplemental nutrition as- sistance program benefits for the initial period under section 2017 of this title and their regular allotment in following months, and at intervals of up to 3 months thereafter, aggregate allot- ments not to exceed $60 and covering not more than 3 months’ benefits. The allotments shall be provided in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (9) of section 2020(e) of this title (except that no household shall begin to receive combined allot- ments under this section until it has complied with all applicable verification requirements of section 2020(e)(3) of this title) and (with respect to the first aggregate allotment so issued) with- in 40 days of the last benefit issuance. (b) Pilot projects (1)(A) The Secretary may conduct on a trial basis, in one or more areas of the United States, pilot or experimental projects designed to test program changes that might increase the effi- ciency of the supplemental nutrition assistance Page 1359 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 program and improve the delivery of supple- mental nutrition assistance program benefits to eligible households, and may waive any require- ment of this chapter to the extent necessary for the project to be conducted. (B) PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.— (i) PROGRAM GOAL.—The Secretary may not conduct a project under subparagraph (A) un- less— (I) the project is consistent with the goal of the supplemental nutrition assistance program of providing food assistance to raise levels of nutrition among low-income indi- viduals; and (II) the project includes an evaluation to determine the effects of the project. (ii) PERMISSIBLE PROJECTS.—The Secretary may conduct a project under subparagraph (A) to— (I) improve program administration; (II) increase the self-sufficiency of supple- mental nutrition assistance program recipi- ents; (III) test innovative welfare reform strate- gies; or (IV) allow greater conformity with the rules of other programs than would be al- lowed but for this paragraph. (iii) RESTRICTIONS ON PERMISSIBLE PROJECTS.—If the Secretary finds that a project under subparagraph (A) would reduce benefits by more than 20 percent for more than 5 percent of households in the area subject to the project (not including any household whose benefits are reduced due to a failure to comply with work or other conduct require- ments), the project— (I) may not include more than 15 percent of the number of households in the State re- ceiving supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits; and (II) shall continue for not more than 5 years after the date of implementation, un- less the Secretary approves an extension re- quested by the State agency at any time. (iv) IMPERMISSIBLE PROJECTS.—The Sec- retary may not conduct a project under sub- paragraph (A) that— (I) involves the payment of the value of an allotment in the form of cash or otherwise providing benefits in a form not restricted to the purchase of food, unless the project was approved prior to August 22, 1996; (II) has the effect of substantially transfer- ring funds made available under this chapter to services or benefits provided primarily through another public assistance program, or using the funds for any purpose other than the purchase of food, program adminis- tration, or an employment or training pro- gram; (III) is inconsistent with— (aa) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 2012(m) of this title; (bb) the last sentence of section 2014(a) of this title, insofar as a waiver denies as- sistance to an otherwise eligible household or individual if the household or individual has not failed to comply with any work, behavioral, or other conduct requirement under this or another program; (cc) section 2014(c)(2) of this title; (dd) paragraph (2)(B), (4)(F)(i), or (4)(K) of section 2015(d) of this title; (ee) section 2017(b) of this title; (ff) section 2020(e)(2)(B) of this title; (gg) the time standard under section 2020(e)(3) of this title; (hh) subsection (a), (c), (g), (h)(1)(F), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of section 2025 of this title; (ii) this paragraph; or (jj) subsection (a)(1) or (g)(1) of section 2029 of this title; (IV) modifies the operation of section 2014 of this title so as to have the effect of— (aa) increasing the shelter deduction to households with no out-of-pocket housing costs or housing costs that consume a low percentage of the household’s income; or (bb) absolving a State from acting with reasonable promptness on substantial re- ported changes in income or household size (except that this subclause shall not apply with regard to changes related to supple- mental nutrition assistance program de- ductions); (V) is not limited to a specific time period; (VI) waives a provision of section 2035 of this title; or (VII) waives a provision of section 2016(i) of this title. (v) ADDITIONAL INCLUDED PROJECTS.—A pilot or experimental project may include projects involving the payment of the value of allot- ments or the average value of allotments by household size in the form of cash to eligible households all of whose members are age sixty-five or over or any of whose members are entitled to supplemental security income ben- efits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.] or are receiving as- sistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the use of identification mechanisms that do not invade a household’s privacy, and the use of food checks or other voucher-type forms in place of EBT cards. (vi) CASH PAYMENT PILOT PROJECTS.—Subject to the availability of appropriations under sec- tion 2027(a) of this title, any pilot or experi- mental project implemented under this para- graph and operating as of October 1, 1981, in- volving the payment of the value of allot- ments in the form of cash to eligible house- holds all of whose members are either age sixty-five or over or entitled to supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act shall be continued if the State so requests. (C)(i) No waiver or demonstration program shall be approved under this chapter after No- vember 28, 1990, unless— (I) any household whose food assistance is issued in a form other than EBT cards has its allotment increased to the extent necessary to compensate for any State or local sales tax that may be collected in all or part of the area covered by the demonstration project, the tax on purchases of food by any such household is waived, or the Secretary determines on the Page 1360 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 1 See References in Text note below. basis of information provided by the State agency that the increase is unnecessary on the basis of the limited nature of the items sub- ject to the State or local sales tax; and (II) the State agency conducting the dem- onstration project pays the cost of any in- creased allotments. (ii) Clause (i) shall not apply if a waiver or demonstration project already provides a house- hold with assistance that exceeds that which the household would otherwise be eligible to receive by more than the estimated amount of any sales tax on the purchases of food that would be col- lected from the household in the project area in which the household resides. (D) RESPONSE TO WAIVERS.— (i) RESPONSE.—Not later than 60 days after the date of receiving a request for a waiver under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide a response that— (I) approves the waiver request; (II) denies the waiver request and describes any modification needed for approval of the waiver request; (III) denies the waiver request and de- scribes the grounds for the denial; or (IV) requests clarification of the waiver re- quest. (ii) FAILURE TO RESPOND.—If the Secretary does not provide a response in accordance with clause (i), the waiver shall be considered ap- proved, unless the approval is specifically pro- hibited by this chapter. (iii) NOTICE OF DENIAL.—On denial of a waiv- er request under clause (i)(III), the Secretary shall provide a copy of the waiver request and a description of the reasons for the denial to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri- culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. (2)(A) The Secretary may conduct demonstra- tion projects to test improved consistency or co- ordination between the supplemental nutrition assistance program employment and training program and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills program under title IV of the Social Secu- rity Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). (B) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Sec- retary may, as part of a project authorized under this paragraph, waive requirements under section 2015(d) of this title to permit a State to operate an employment and training program for supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients on the same terms and conditions under which the State operates its Job Opportu- nities and Basic Skills program for recipients of aid to families with dependent children under part F 1 of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 681 et seq.). Any work experience program conducted as part of the project shall be con- ducted in conformity with section 482(f) 1 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 682(f)). (C) A State seeking such a waiver shall pro- vide assurances that the resulting employment and training program shall meet the require- ments of subsections (a)(19) and (g) of section 402 1 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 602) (but not including the provision of transitional benefits under clauses (ii) through (vii) of section 402(g)(1)(A) 1) and sections 481 through 487 1 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 681 through 687). Each reference to ‘‘aid to families with dependent children’’ in such sections shall be deemed to be a reference to supplemental nutrition assistance program ben- efits for purposes of the demonstration project. (D) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this paragraph, participation in an employment and training activity in which supplemental nu- trition assistance program benefits are con- verted to cash shall occur only with the consent of the participant. (E) For the purposes of any project conducted under this paragraph, the provisions of this chapter affecting the rights of recipients may be waived to the extent necessary to conform to the provisions of section 402, and sections 481 through 487,1 of the Social Security Act. (F) At least 60 days prior to granting final ap- proval of a project under this paragraph, the Secretary shall publish the terms and conditions for any demonstration project conducted under the paragraph for public comment in the Fed- eral Register and shall notify the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. (G) Waivers may be granted under this para- graph to conduct projects at any one time in a total of up to 60 project areas (or parts of project areas), as such areas are defined in regulations in effect on January 1, 1990. (H) A waiver for a change in program rules may be granted under this paragraph only for a demonstration project that has been approved by the Secretary, that will be evaluated accord- ing to criteria prescribed by the Secretary, and that will be in operation for no more than 4 years. (I) The Secretary may not grant a waiver under this paragraph on or after August 22, 1996. Any reference in this paragraph to a provision of title IV of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] shall be deemed to be a reference to such provision as in effect on the day before August 22, 1996. (c) Evaluation measures; pilot programs for nu- tritional monitoring The Secretary shall develop and implement measures for evaluating, on an annual or more frequent basis, the effectiveness of the supple- mental nutrition assistance program in achiev- ing its stated objectives, including, but not lim- ited to, the program’s impact upon the nutri- tional and economic status of participating households, the program’s impact upon all sec- tors of the agricultural economy, including farmers and ranchers, as well as retail food stores, and the program’s relative fairness to households of different income levels, different age composition, different size, and different re- gions of residence. Further, the Secretary shall, by way of making contracts with or grants to public or private organizations or agencies, im- plement pilot programs to test various means of measuring on a continuing basis the nutritional status of low income people, with special empha- sis on people who are eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance, in order to develop min- Page 1361 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 imum common criteria and methods for system- atic nutrition monitoring that could be applied on a nationwide basis. The locations of the pilot programs shall be selected to provide a rep- resentative geographic and demographic cross- section of political subdivisions that reflect nat- ural usage patterns of health and nutritional services and that contain high proportions of low income people. The Secretary shall report on the progress of these pilot programs on an annual basis commencing on July 1, 1982, to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Rep- resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, together with such recommendations as the Secretary deems appropriate. (d) Employment initiatives program (1) Election to participate (A) In general Subject to the other provisions of this sub- section, a State may elect to carry out an employment initiatives program under this subsection. (B) Requirement A State shall be eligible to carry out an employment initiatives program under this subsection only if not less than 50 percent of the households in the State that received supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits during the summer of 1993 also re- ceived benefits under a State program fund- ed under part A of title IV of the Social Se- curity Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) during the summer of 1993. (2) Procedure (A) In general A State that has elected to carry out an employment initiatives program under para- graph (1) may use amounts equal to the al- lotments that would otherwise be issued to a household under the supplemental nutrition assistance program, but for the operation of this subsection, to provide cash benefits in lieu of the allotments to the household if the household is eligible under paragraph (3). (B) Payment The Secretary shall pay to each State that has elected to carry out an employment ini- tiatives program under paragraph (1) an amount equal to the value of the allotment that each household participating in the program in the State would be eligible to re- ceive under this chapter but for the oper- ation of this subsection. (C) Other provisions For purposes of the supplemental nutrition assistance program (other than this sub- section)— (i) cash assistance under this subsection shall be considered to be an allotment; and (ii) each household receiving cash bene- fits under this subsection shall not receive any other supplemental nutrition assist- ance program benefits during the period for which the cash assistance is provided. (D) Additional payments Each State that has elected to carry out an employment initiatives program under paragraph (1) shall— (i) increase the cash benefits provided to each household participating in the pro- gram in the State under this subsection to compensate for any State or local sales tax that may be collected on purchases of food by the household, unless the Sec- retary determines on the basis of informa- tion provided by the State that the in- crease is unnecessary on the basis of the limited nature of the items subject to the State or local sales tax; and (ii) pay the cost of any increase in cash benefits required by clause (i). (3) Eligibility A household shall be eligible to receive cash benefits under paragraph (2) if an adult mem- ber of the household— (A) has worked in unsubsidized employ- ment for not less than the preceding 90 days; (B) has earned not less than $350 per month from the employment referred to in subpara- graph (A) for not less than the preceding 90 days; (C)(i) is receiving benefits under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); or (ii) was receiving benefits under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) at the time the member first received cash benefits under this subsection and is no longer eligible for the State program be- cause of earned income; (D) is continuing to earn not less than $350 per month from the employment referred to in subparagraph (A); and (E) elects to receive cash benefits in lieu of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits under this subsection. (4) Evaluation A State that operates a program under this subsection for 2 years shall provide to the Sec- retary a written evaluation of the impact of cash assistance under this subsection. The State agency, with the concurrence of the Sec- retary, shall determine the content of the evaluation. (e) Study and report to Congressional commit- tees of effect of reduction of benefits The Secretary shall conduct a study of the ef- fects of reductions made in benefits provided under this chapter pursuant to part 1 of subtitle A of title I of the Omnibus Budget Reconcili- ation Act of 1981, the Food Stamp and Com- modity Distribution Amendments of 1981, the Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1982, and any other laws enacted by the Ninety-seventh Con- gress which affect the supplemental nutrition assistance program. The study shall include a study of the effect of retrospective accounting and periodic reporting procedures established under such Acts, including the impact on benefit and administrative costs and on error rates and the degree to which eligible households are de- nied supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for failure to file complete periodic re- ports. The Secretary shall submit to the Com- mittee on Agriculture of the House of Rep- Page 1362 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 resentatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an in- terim report on the results of such study no later than February 1, 1984, and a final report on the results of such study no later than March 1, 1985. (f) Demonstration projects for development and use of intelligent benefit cards to pay bene- fits In order to encourage States to plan, design, develop, and implement a system for making supplemental nutrition assistance program ben- efits available through the use of intelligent benefit cards or other automated or electronic benefit delivery systems, the Secretary may conduct one or more pilot or experimental projects, subject to the restrictions imposed by subsection (b)(1) and section 2016(f)(2) of this title, designed to test whether the use of such cards or systems can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations while ensur- ing that individuals receive correct benefit amounts on a timely basis. Intelligent benefit cards developed under such a demonstration project shall contain information, encoded on a computer chip embedded in a credit card me- dium, including the eligibility of the individual and the amount of benefits to which such indi- vidual is entitled. Any other automated or elec- tronic benefit delivery system developed under such a demonstration project shall be able to use a plastic card to access such information from a data file. (g) Study of effectiveness of employment and training programs In order to assess the effectiveness of the em- ployment and training programs established under section 2015(d) of this title in placing indi- viduals into the work force and withdrawing such individuals from the supplemental nutri- tion assistance program, the Secretary is au- thorized to carry out studies comparing the pre- and post-program labor force participation, wage rates, family income, level of receipt of supplemental nutrition assistance program and other transfer payments, and other relevant in- formation, for samples of participants in such employment and training programs as compared to the appropriate control or comparison groups that did not participate in such programs. Such studies shall, to the maximum extent possible— (1) collect such data for up to 3 years after the individual has completed the employment and training program; and (2) yield results that can be generalized to the national program as a whole. The results of such studies and reports shall be considered in developing or updating the per- formance standards required under section 2015 of this title. (h) Demonstration projects for vehicle exclusion limits The Secretary shall conduct a sufficient num- ber of demonstration projects to evaluate the ef- fects, in both rural and urban areas, of including in financial resources under section 2014(g) of this title the fair market value of licensed vehi- cles to the extent the value of each vehicle ex- ceeds $4,500, but excluding the value of— (1) any licensed vehicle that is used to produce earned income, necessary for trans- portation of an elderly or physically disabled household member, or used as the household’s home; and (2) one licensed vehicle used to obtain, con- tinue, or seek employment (including travel to and from work), used to pursue employment- related education or training, or used to se- cure food or the benefits of the supplemental nutrition assistance program. (i) Testing resource accumulation The Secretary shall conduct, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe, for a period not to exceed 4 years, projects to test allowing not more than 11,000 eligible households, in the aggregate, to accumulate re- sources up to $10,000 each (which shall be ex- cluded from consideration as a resource) for later expenditure for a purpose directly related to improving the education, training, or employ- ability (including self-employment) of household members, for the purchase of a home for the household, for a change of the household’s resi- dence, or for making major repairs to the house- hold’s home. (j) Demonstration projects directed at benefit trafficking The Secretary shall use up to $4,000,000 of the funds provided in advance in appropriations Acts for projects authorized by this section to conduct demonstration projects in which State or local supplemental nutrition assistance pro- gram agencies test innovative ideas for working with State or local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute benefit trafficking. (k) Pilot projects to evaluate health and nutri- tion promotion in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out, under such terms and conditions as the Secretary con- siders to be appropriate, pilot projects to de- velop and test methods— (A) of using the supplemental nutrition as- sistance program to improve the dietary and health status of households eligible for or participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and (B) to reduce overweight, obesity (includ- ing childhood obesity), and associated co- morbidities in the United States. (2) Grants (A) In general In carrying out this subsection, the Sec- retary may enter into competitively award- ed contracts or cooperative agreements with, or provide grants to, public or private organizations or agencies (as defined by the Secretary), for use in accordance with projects that meet the strategy goals of this subsection. (B) Application To be eligible to receive a contract, coop- erative agreement, or grant under this para- graph, an organization shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in Page 1363 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 2 So in original. Probably should be ‘‘farmers’ ’’. such manner, and containing such informa- tion as the Secretary may require. (C) Selection criteria Pilot projects shall be evaluated against publicly disseminated criteria that may in- clude— (i) identification of a low-income target audience that corresponds to individuals living in households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the poverty level; (ii) incorporation of a scientifically based strategy that is designed to improve diet quality through more healthful food purchases, preparation, or consumption; (iii) a commitment to a pilot project that allows for a rigorous outcome evalua- tion, including data collection; (iv) strategies to improve the nutritional value of food served during school hours and during after-school hours; (v) innovative ways to provide signifi- cant improvement to the health and wellness of children; (vi) other criteria, as determined by the Secretary. (D) Use of funds Funds provided under this paragraph shall not be used for any project that limits the use of benefits under this chapter. (3) Projects Pilot projects carried out under paragraph (1) may include projects to determine whether healthier food purchases by and healthier diets among households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program re- sult from projects that— (A) increase the supplemental nutrition assistance purchasing power of the partici- pating households by providing increased supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit allotments to the participating households; (B) increase access to farmers 2 markets by participating households through the elec- tronic redemption of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits at farmers’ mar- kets; (C) provide incentives to authorized sup- plemental nutrition assistance program re- tailers to increase the availability of healthy foods to participating households; (D) subject authorized supplemental nutri- tion assistance program retailers to stricter retailer requirements with respect to car- rying and stocking healthful foods; (E) provide incentives at the point of pur- chase to encourage households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to purchase fruits, vegetables, or other healthful foods; or (F) provide to participating households in- tegrated communication and education pro- grams, including the provision of funding for a portion of a school-based nutrition coordi- nator to implement a broad nutrition action plan and parent nutrition education pro- grams in elementary schools, separately or in combination with pilot projects carried out under subparagraphs (A) through (E). (4) Evaluation and reporting (A) Evaluation (i) Independent evaluation (I) In general The Secretary shall provide for an independent evaluation of projects se- lected under this subsection that meas- ures the impact of the pilot program on health and nutrition as described in paragraph (1). (II) Requirement The independent evaluation under sub- clause (I) shall use rigorous methodolo- gies, particularly random assignment or other methods that are capable of pro- ducing scientifically valid information regarding which activities are effective. (ii) Costs The Secretary may use funds provided to carry out this section to pay costs associ- ated with monitoring and evaluating each pilot project. (B) Reporting Not later than 90 days after the last day of fiscal year 2009 and each fiscal year there- after until the completion of the last evalua- tion under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agri- culture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that in- cludes a description of— (i) the status of each pilot project; (ii) the results of the evaluation com- pleted during the previous fiscal year; and (iii) to the maximum extent prac- ticable— (I) the impact of the pilot project on appropriate health, nutrition, and asso- ciated behavioral outcomes among households participating in the pilot project; (II) baseline information relevant to the stated goals and desired outcomes of the pilot project; and (III) equivalent information about similar or identical measures among control or comparison groups that did not participate in the pilot project. (C) Public dissemination In addition to the reporting requirements under subparagraph (B), evaluation results shall be shared broadly to inform policy makers, service providers, other partners, and the public in order to promote wide use of successful strategies. (5) Funding (A) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012. (B) Mandatory funding Out of any funds made available under sec- tion 2027 of this title, on October 1, 2008, the Page 1364 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 Secretary shall make available $20,000,000 to carry out a project described in paragraph (3)(E), to remain available until expended. (l) Cooperation with program research and eval- uation Subject to the requirements of this chapter, including protections under section 2020(e)(8) of this title, States, State agencies, local agencies, institutions, facilities such as data consortiums, and contractors participating in programs au- thorized under this chapter shall— (1) cooperate with officials and contractors acting on behalf of the Secretary in the con- duct of evaluations and studies under this chapter; and (2) submit information at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (m) Evaluation of child support enforcement co- operation requirements (1) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Sec- retary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct an independent evaluation of a rep- resentative sample of States— (A) to assess the implementation and im- pact of the eligibility requirements de- scribed in subsections (l) through (n) of sec- tion 2015 of this title in States that have for- merly implemented or continue to imple- ment those requirements, and the feasibility of implementing those requirements in other States; (B) to assess the factors that contributed to the decision of States that formerly im- plemented the eligibility requirements de- scribed in each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 2015 of this title to cease such im- plementation; (C) to review alternatives to the eligibility requirements described in each of sub- sections (l) through (n) of section 2015 of this title that are used by other States to assist participants in the supplemental nutrition assistance program to make or receive child support payments and the effectiveness of those alternatives; and (D) to evaluate the costs and benefits to households and to State agencies, of requir- ing State agencies to implement each of the eligibility requirements described in sub- sections (l) through (n) of section 2015 of this title. (2) Evaluation The evaluation under paragraph (1) shall in- clude, to the maximum extent practicable, an assessment of— (A) the manner in which applicable State agencies implement and enforce the eligi- bility requirements described in subpara- graph (A) of such paragraph, including— (i) the procedures used by each State to determine cooperation, to sanction par- ticipants for failure to cooperate, and to determine good cause for noncooperation under each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 2015 of this title; and (ii) the manner in which each State aligns the procedures for implementing those eligibility requirements with proce- dures for implementing other Federal pro- grams that require cooperation with child support enforcement, including the pro- gram of block grants to States for tem- porary assistance for needy families estab- lished under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), and programs carried out under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.); (B) the Federal, State, and local costs as- sociated with implementing those eligibility requirements, including costs incurred under this chapter and by child support enforce- ment agencies for personnel, technology up- grades, and other costs; (C) the effect of those eligibility require- ments on the establishment of new child support orders, the establishment of pater- nity, changes in child support payments to custodial households, and changes in arrears owed on child support orders; (D) with respect to the eligibility require- ments under each of subsections (l) through (n) of section 2015 of this title— (i) the number of individuals subject to those requirements; (ii) the number of individuals in each State who meet those requirements; and (iii) the number of individuals in each State who fail to meet those requirements; (E) the number of individuals in each State for whom good cause for noncoopera- tion has been found under section 2015(l)(2) of this title; (F) the impact of those eligibility require- ments on the supplemental nutrition assist- ance program eligibility, benefit levels, food security, income, and economic stability of— (i) individuals subject to those require- ments; (ii) the household members of those indi- viduals, including children; and (iii) households with nontraditional fam- ily structures, including a household in which a grandparent is the primary care- taker of a grandchild of the grandparent. (3) State agency cooperation Each State agency selected under paragraph (1) shall provide information to the Secretary necessary to conduct the evaluation under such paragraph. (4) Report Not later than 3 years after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Com- mittee on Agriculture of the House of Rep- resentatives and the Committee on Agri- culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the findings from the eval- uation conducted under paragraph (1). (n) Longitudinal data for research (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), a State agency may, on approval by the Sec- retary, establish a longitudinal database that Page 1365 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 contains information about households and members of households that receive benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program in the State. (2) Purpose Each longitudinal database established under paragraph (1) shall be used solely to conduct research on participation in and the operation of the supplemental nutrition as- sistance program, including duration of par- ticipation in the program. (3) Requirements for databases Prior to the approval of State agencies to es- tablish longitudinal databases under para- graph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) identify features that shall be standard across States such as database format to fa- cilitate use of longitudinal databases estab- lished under paragraph (1) for research pur- poses; (B) identify features of longitudinal data- bases established under paragraph (1) that may vary across States; (C) identify a procedure for States oper- ating longitudinal databases under para- graph (1) to use a unique identifier to pro- vide relevant information on household members who receive benefits under the sup- plemental nutrition assistance program for the purpose of comparing participation data in multiple participating States over time while protecting participant privacy; (D) establish the manner in which data se- curity and privacy protections, as required by Federal law and consistent with other ap- propriate practices, shall be implemented and maintained; (E) provide direction to State agencies on the responsibilities of and funding arrange- ments for State agencies and any State con- tractors (including entities providing tech- nical assistance) relating to the establish- ment and operation of a longitudinal data- base; (F) provide a description of the docu- mentation that States shall submit to the Secretary prior to allowing researchers ac- cess to a longitudinal database; (G) consult with other Federal research agencies, including the Bureau of the Cen- sus; (H) consult with States that have already established databases used for purposes simi- lar to the purposes outlined in this sub- section; and (I) identify any other requirements deter- mined appropriate by the Secretary. (4) Included data (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), each longitu- dinal database established under paragraph (1)— (i) shall include monthly information about households and members of house- holds that receive benefits under the sup- plemental nutrition assistance program in the participating State taken from exist- ing information collected by the State agency including, if available,— (I) demographic characteristics; (II) income and financial resources (as described in section 2014(g) of this title); (III) employment status; (IV) household circumstances, such as deductible expenses; and (V) the amount of the monthly allot- ment received under the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and (ii) may include information from other State data sources such as— (I) earnings and employment data from the State department of labor; (II) health insurance program data; or (III) data from participation in other programs administered by the State. (B) Data protection Any State that establishes a longitudinal database under paragraph (1) shall, in ac- cordance with all applicable Federal and State privacy standards and requirements— (i) protect the privacy of information about each member of each household that receives benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program in such State by ensuring that no personally identifiable information (including social security number, home address, or contact informa- tion) is included in the longitudinal data- base; and (ii) make the data under this paragraph available to researchers and the Secretary. (5) Approval The Secretary shall approve the establish- ment of longitudinal databases under para- graph (1) in States that— (A) meet the requirements for databases under paragraph (3) and (4)(B); (B) reflect a range of participant numbers, demographics, operational structures, and geographic regions; and (C) have the capacity to provide on a peri- odic and ongoing basis household and partic- ipant data derived from the eligibility sys- tem and other data sources of the State. (6) Grants (A) In general In carrying out this subsection, the Sec- retary may provide grants to States that have been approved by the Secretary in ac- cordance with paragraph (5) out of funds made available under paragraph (9). (B) Method of awarding grants Grants awarded under this paragraph shall be made in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as the Secretary deter- mines necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection. (7) Report (A) In general Not later than 4 years after the effective date of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Com- mittee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and For- estry of the Senate a report on the feasi- bility of expanding implementation of longi- tudinal databases to every State. Page 1366 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 (B) Contents The report required under subparagraph (A) shall describe— (i) the cost of expanding implementation of longitudinal databases with consistent data to every State; (ii) the challenges and benefits of using State longitudinal databases with con- sistent data; and (iii) alternatives to expanding implemen- tation of longitudinal databases with con- sistent data to every State that may achieve similar research outcomes and the advantages and disadvantages of those al- ternatives. (8) Effect Nothing in this subsection shall be con- strued to prevent or limit the ability of State agencies to establish or continue operating databases used for purposes similar to the pur- poses outlined in this subsection. (9) Funding Of the funds made available under section 2027 of this title, the Secretary shall use to carry out this subsection— (A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 to remain available through fiscal year 2021; and (B) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter. (Pub. L. 88–525, § 17, as added Pub. L. 93–86, § 3(n), Aug. 10, 1973, 87 Stat. 248; amended Pub. L. 95–113, title XIII, § 1301, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 977; Pub. L. 95–400, Sept. 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 856; Pub. L. 96–249, title I, §§ 130–132(a), 133, May 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 367, 368; Pub. L. 97–98, title XIII, §§ 1328–1330, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1289, 1290; Pub. L. 97–253, title I, §§ 152(c), 181, 182, 190(d), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 776, 784, 785, 787; Pub. L. 99–114, § 4, Oct. 1, 1985, 99 Stat. 488; Pub. L. 99–157, § 2, Nov. 15, 1985, 99 Stat. 818; Pub. L. 99–182, § 2, Dec. 13, 1985, 99 Stat. 1173; Pub. L. 99–198, title XV, § 1540, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1588; Pub. L. 100–435, title V, §§ 504, 505, Sept. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 1673; Pub. L. 101–624, title XVII, §§ 1729(b), 1731, 1754–1759, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3790, 3798–3800, 3802; Pub. L. 102–237, title IX, § 941(8), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1893; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13925, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 675; Pub. L. 103–225, title II, § 204, Mar. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 109; Pub. L. 104–127, title IV, § 401(c), (d), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1026; Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 109(d), title VIII, §§ 815(b)(1), 850–852, 854(c)(2), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2169, 2317, 2336–2338, 2342; Pub. L. 105–18, title VII, [(b)], June 12, 1997, 111 Stat. 217; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(2)(C), (f)(2)(C)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–418, 2681–429; Pub. L. 107–171, title IV, §§ 4112(b)(4), 4116(b), 4122(b), 4123(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 313, 316, 324; Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, §§ 4001(b), 4002(a)(9), 4115(b)(12), 4141, 4406(a)(5), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1092, 1094, 1108, 1117, 1141; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, §§ 4001(b), 4002(a)(9), 4115(b)(12), 4141, 4406(a)(5), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1853, 1855, 1869, 1879, 1902; Pub. L. 113–79, title IV, §§ 4022(b)(3), 4023, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 808, 809; Pub. L. 113–128, title V, § 512(l)(3), July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1709; Pub. L. 115–334, title IV, §§ 4005(e), 4014, 4015(a), 4022(7), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4634, 4643–4645, 4653.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(B)(v), (vi), (2)(A), (B), (I), (d)(1)(B), (3)(C), and (m)(2)(A)(ii), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620. Title IV, part A of title IV, title XVI, and title XIX of the Act are classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 601 et seq.), part A (§ 601 et seq.) of subchapter IV, sub- chapter XVI (§ 1381 et seq.), and subchapter XIX (§ 1396 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Pub- lic Health and Welfare. Part F of title IV of the Act was classified generally to part F (§ 681 et seq.) of sub- chapter IV of chapter 7 of Title 42, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 108(e), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2167. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables. Sections 481 to 487 of the Social Security Act, re- ferred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C), (E), were classified to section 681 to 687, respectively, of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 108(e), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2167. Section 402 of the Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), which was classified to section 602 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, was repealed and a new section 402 enacted by Pub. L. 104–193, title I, § 103(a)(1), Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2112, and, as so en- acted, no longer contains subsecs. (a)(19) and (g). The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, re- ferred to in subsec. (e), is Pub. L. 97–35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 357. Part 1 of subtitle A of title I of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act amended this chapter gen- erally. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables. The Food Stamp and Commodity Distribution Amendments of 1981, referred to in subsec. (e), is title XIII of Pub. L. 97–98, Dec. 22, 1981, 95 Stat. 1282, which amended this chapter generally. For complete classi- fication of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1981 Amendment note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables. The Food Stamp Act Amendments of 1982, referred to in subsec. (e), is subtitle E of title I of Pub. L. 97–253, Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 772, which amended this chapter generally. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1982 Amendment note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables. The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, referred to in subsec. (m)(2)(A)(ii), is subchapter C (§ 658A et seq.) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97–35, as added by Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5082(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–236, which is classi- fied generally to subchapter II–B (§ 9857 et seq.) of chap- ter 105 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see sec- tion 9857(a) of Title 42 and Tables. The effective date of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (n)(7)(A), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 115–334, which added subsec. (n) and which was approved Dec. 20, 2018. CODIFICATION Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246. AMENDMENTS 2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa). Pub. L. 115–334, § 4022(7), substituted ‘‘2012(m)’’ for ‘‘2012(n)’’. Subsec. (b)(2), (3). Pub. L. 115–334, § 4005(e), redesig- nated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which related to two pilot projects involving the performance of work in return for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits and joint issuance of initial and in- terim reports by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Labor to appropriate committees of Con- gress and a final report describing the results of such projects based upon their operation from commence- ment through the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1981. Page 1367 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 115–334, § 4014, added subsec. (m). Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 115–334, § 4015(a), added subsec. (n). 2014—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(hh). Pub. L. 113–79, § 4022(b)(3), inserted ‘‘(h)(1)(F),’’ after ‘‘(g),’’. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 113–128 substituted ‘‘a program carried out under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’’ for ‘‘a program carried out under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998’’. Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 113–79, § 4023, added subsec. (l). 2008—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), sub- stituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘food stamp program’’. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(A), sub- stituted ‘‘benefit issuance’’ for ‘‘coupon issuance’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(A), substituted ‘‘supple- mental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’ in two places. Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(i)(I), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance pro- gram benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘efficiency of the supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘efficiency of the food stamp program’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(i)(I). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), sub- stituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘food stamp program’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(i)(II)(aa), substituted ‘‘supplemental nu- trition assistance program recipients’’ for ‘‘food stamp recipients’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iii)(I). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(i)(II)(bb), substituted ‘‘the number of households in the State receiving supplemental nutri- tion assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘the State’s food stamp households’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(B)(i)(I), in subcl. (I) inserted ‘‘or otherwise providing benefits in a form not restricted to the pur- chase of food’’ after ‘‘the form of cash’’, in subcl. (III)(aa) substituted ‘‘section 2012(n)’’ for ‘‘section 2012(i)’’, and in subcl. (VII) substituted ‘‘section 2016(i)’’ for ‘‘section 2016(j)’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv)(IV)(bb). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(i)(II)(cc), substituted ‘‘supplemental nu- trition assistance program deductions’’ for ‘‘food stamp deductions’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(v). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(B)(i)(II), struck out ‘‘countersigned food coupons or similar’’ before ‘‘identification mecha- nisms’’ and substituted ‘‘EBT cards’’ for ‘‘food cou- pons’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4406(a)(5), sub- stituted ‘‘Subject to the availability of appropriations under section 2027(a) of this title, any pilot’’ for ‘‘Any pilot’’ and struck out ‘‘through October 1, 2007,’’ after ‘‘shall be continued’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i)(I). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(B)(ii), substituted ‘‘EBT cards’’ for ‘‘cou- pons’’. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(ii), sub- stituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘participate in the food stamp program’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(iii)(I), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance pro- gram employment’’ for ‘‘food stamp employment’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(B). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(iii)(II), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance pro- gram recipients’’ for ‘‘food stamp recipients’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(iii)(III), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutri- tion assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamps’’. Subsec. (b)(3)(D). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(B)(iii)(IV), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutri- tion assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp ben- efits’’. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(C), substituted ‘‘eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance’’ for ‘‘eligible for food stamps’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘effectiveness of the supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘effectiveness of the food stamp program’’. Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(D)(i), sub- stituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(D)(ii)(I), substituted ‘‘allotments’’ for ‘‘food stamp allotments’’ in two places. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘food stamp pro- gram’’. Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘food stamp program’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (d)(2)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(D)(ii)(II), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutri- tion assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp ben- efit’’. Subsec. (d)(3)(E). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(D)(iii), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance pro- gram benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(E), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘affect the sup- plemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘affect the food stamp program’’. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(C), substituted ‘‘section 2016(f)(2)’’ for ‘‘section 2016(g)(2)’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(E), substituted ‘‘supple- mental nutrition assistance program benefits’’ for ‘‘food stamp benefits’’. Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(F), substituted ‘‘receipt of supplemental nutrition assistance program and other transfer payments’’ for ‘‘receipt of food stamp and other transfer payments’’ in introductory provisions. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘from the sup- plemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘from the food stamp program’’ in introductory provisions. Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4001(b), substituted ‘‘supplemental nutrition assistance program’’ for ‘‘food stamp program’’. Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4115(b)(12)(D), sub- stituted ‘‘benefit trafficking’’ for ‘‘coupon trafficking’’. Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(a)(9)(G), substituted ‘‘supple- mental nutrition assistance program agencies’’ for ‘‘food stamp agencies’’. Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 110–246, § 4141, added subsec. (k). 2002—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 107–171, § 4123(a), sub- stituted ‘‘enter into contracts with or make grants to public or private organizations or agencies under this section to’’ for ‘‘, by way of making contracts with or grants to public or private organizations or agencies,’’ and inserted at end ‘‘The waiver authority of the Sec- retary under subsection (b) shall extend to all con- tracts and grants under this section.’’ Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv)(III)(aa). Pub. L. 107–171, § 4112(b)(4), substituted ‘‘paragraphs (4) and (5) of sec- tion 2012(i) of this title’’ for ‘‘the last 2 sentences of section 2012(i) of this title’’. Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 107–171, § 4122(b), sub- stituted ‘‘2007’’ for ‘‘2002’’. Subsecs. (i) to (k). Pub. L. 107–171, § 4116(b), redesig- nated subsecs. (j) and (k) as (i) and (j), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (i) which related to grants to improve food stamp participation. 1998—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(f)(2)(C)], in second sentence, struck out ‘‘the Job Training Partnership Act or’’ before ‘‘title I of the Workforce’’. Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(2)(C)], in second sentence, substituted ‘‘to accept an offer of em- ployment from a political subdivision or provider pur- suant to a program carried out under the Job Training Partnership Act or title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998,’’ for ‘‘to accept an offer of employment from a political subdivision or a prime sponsor pursu- ant to the Comprehensive Employment and Training Page 1368 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 812),’’ and substituted ‘‘, if all of the jobs supported under the program have been made available to participants in the program be- fore the political subdivision or provider providing the jobs extends an offer of employment under this para- graph, and if the political subdivision or provider, in employing the person, complies with the requirements of Federal law that relate to the program.’’ for ‘‘: Provided, That all of the political subdivision’s or prime sponsor’s public service jobs supported under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 812), are filled before such sub- division or sponsor can extend a job offer pursuant to this paragraph: Provided further, That the sponsor of each such project shall provide the assurances required of prime sponsors under section 205(c)(7), (8), (15), (19), and (24) of the Comprehensive Employment and Train- ing Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 845(c)), and the Secretary shall require such sponsors to comply with the conditions contained in sections 208(a)(1), (4), and (5) and (c) and 703(4) of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 848(a) and (c) and 983).’’ 1997—Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(iv)(VII). Pub. L. 105–18 added subcl. (VII). 1996—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–193, §§ 850, 851, in first sentence, substituted ‘‘benefits to eligible households, and may waive any requirement of this chapter to the extent necessary for the project to be conducted.’’ along with subpar. (B) heading, cls. (i) to (iv), cl. (v) of subpar. (B) heading, and ‘‘A pilot or experimental project may include’’ for ‘‘benefits to eligible house- holds, including’’, in subpar. (B)(v), substituted ‘‘are re- ceiving assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)’’ for ‘‘to aid to families with dependent chil- dren under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act’’, substituted ‘‘coupons.’’ along with cl. (vi) of sub- par. (B) heading and ‘‘Any pilot’’ for ‘‘coupons. The Secretary may waive the requirements of this chapter to the degree necessary for such projects to be con- ducted, except that no project, other than a project in- volving the payment of the average value of allotments by household size in the form of cash to eligible house- holds or a project conducted under paragraph (3), shall be implemented which would lower or further restrict the income or resource standards or benefit levels pro- vided pursuant to sections 2014 and 2017 of this title. Any pilot’’, redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C), and added subpar. (D). Pub. L. 104–193, § 109(d)(1), which directed substitution of ‘‘or are receiving assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)’’ for ‘‘to aid to families with dependent children under part A of title IV of the So- cial Security Act’’ in first sentence of subsec. (b)(1)(A), effective July 1, 1997, could not be executed because of amendment by Pub. L. 104–193 which redesignated por- tions of subsec. (b)(1)(A) and struck out the language sought to be amended. See above. Pub. L. 104–127, § 401(c), substituted ‘‘October 1, 2002’’ for ‘‘October 1, 1995’’ in last sentence of par. (1)(A). Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104–193, § 815(b)(1), substituted ‘‘section 2015(d)(1)(A)(i)’’ for ‘‘section 2015(d)(1)(i)’’ in second sentence. Subsec. (b)(3)(I). Pub. L. 104–193, § 109(d)(2), added sub- par. (I). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–193, § 852, added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which authorized pilot projects for employment of applicants and recipients, defined ‘‘qualification period’’, and provided for excep- tions, waiver of requirements, and reestablishment of eligibility. Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–193, § 854(c)(2), redesignated subsec. (j) as (i) and struck out former subsec. (i) which authorized four demonstration projects, in both urban and rural areas, under which households in which each member received benefits under State plan approved under part A of title IV of Social Security Act would be issued monthly allotments following rules and pro- cedures of programs under part A of title IV of Social Security Act, and without regard to eligibility, benefit, and administrative rules established under this chap- ter. Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–193, § 854(c)(2), redesignated subsec. (k) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (i). Subsec. (j)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–127, § 401(d), substituted ‘‘2002’’ for ‘‘1995’’. Subsecs. (k), (l). Pub. L. 104–193, § 854(c)(2)(B), redesig- nated subsec. (l) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (j). 1994—Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 103–225 added subsec. (l). 1993—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 103–66 added subsec. (k). 1991—Subsec. (b)(3)(C). Pub. L. 102–237 inserted a clos- ing parenthesis after ‘‘402(g)(1)(A)’’. 1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1731, designated ex- isting provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1756(1), inserted ‘‘or a project conducted under paragraph (3)’’ after ‘‘eligible households’’ in second sentence of subpar. (A). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1755, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1754, substituted ‘‘1995’’ for ‘‘1990’’. Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1756(2), added par. (3). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1729(b), struck out par. (1) designation preceding text. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1757, added subsec. (h). Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1758, added subsec. (i). Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1759, added subsec. (j). 1988—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–435, § 504, added subsec. (f). Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–435, § 505, added subsec. (g). 1985—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 99–198, § 1540(a), sub- stituted ‘‘October 1, 1990’’ for ‘‘December 31, 1985’’. Pub. L. 99–182 substituted ‘‘December 31, 1985’’ for ‘‘December 13, 1985’’. Pub. L. 99–157 substituted ‘‘December 13, 1985’’ for ‘‘November 15, 1985’’. Pub. L. 99–114 substituted ‘‘through November 15, 1985’’ for ‘‘until October 1, 1985’’. Subsecs. (d) to (f). Pub. L. 99–198, § 1540(b), (c), struck out subsec. (d) which had authorized the Secretary to conduct statewide pilot projects respecting the proc- essing of applications for certain recipients, and redes- ignated subsecs. (e) and (f) as (d) and (e), respectively. 1982—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–253, §§ 152(c), 190(d), redes- ignated subsec. (f) as (d), and struck out former subsec. (d), which provided that notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary has required, in con- sultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to con- duct a study, through the use of Federal income tax data, of the feasibility, alternative methods of imple- mentation, and the effects of a program to recover food stamp benefits from members of eligible households in which the adjusted gross income of members of such households for a calendar year (as defined by the Inter- nal Revenue Code of 1954) exceeded twice the income poverty guidelines set forth in section 2014(c) of this title, and that such study had to be conducted in rural and urban areas only on a voluntary basis by food stamp recipients, and that the Secretary was required, no later than twelve months and eighteen months from September 29, 1977, to report the results of the study to the Committees on Agriculture and Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and Finance of the Senate, together with such recommendations as the Secretary deemed appropriate. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 97–253, §§ 152(c), 190(d), redesig- nated subsec. (g) as (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which provided for a study of the Consumer Price Index and other alternative consumer price or cost-of- living indices. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97–253, § 190(d), redesignated sub- sec. (h) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (d). Subsecs. (g), (h). Pub. L. 97–253, §§ 181, 182, 190(d), added subsecs. (g) and (h) and redesignated them as (e) and (f), respectively. 1981—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1328, substituted ‘‘may conduct’’ for ‘‘is authorized to conduct’’, ‘‘age Page 1369 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026 sixty-five or over and any of whose members are enti- tled to supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act or to aid to fami- lies with dependent children under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act’’ for ‘‘either age sixty-five or over or entitled to supplemental security income bene- fits under title XVI of the Social Security Act’’, and ‘‘October 1, 1985’’ for ‘‘October 1, 1981’’ and inserted ‘‘or the average value of allotments by household size’’ after ‘‘value of allotments’’, ‘‘, other than a project in- volving the payment of the average value of allotments by household size in the form of cash to eligible house- holds,’’ after ‘‘no project’’, ‘‘and operating as of Octo- ber 1, 1981,’’ after ‘‘under this paragraph’’ and ‘‘all of whose members are either age sixty-five or over or en- titled to supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act’’ before ‘‘shall be continued’’. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1329, inserted provision au- thorizing the Secretary to implement pilot programs to test various means of measuring on a continual basis the nutritional status of low income people in order to develop minimum common criteria and methods for systematic nutrition monitoring that could be applied on a nationwide basis and directing the Secretary to re- port on the progress of these pilot programs on an an- nual basis commencing on July 1, 1982, to designated Congressional committees. Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97–98, § 1330, added subsec. (f). 1980—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 96–249, § 130, inserted pro- visions requiring that any pilot or experimental project implemented under this paragraph involving the pay- ment of the value of allotments in the form of cash to eligible households be continued until October 1, 1981, if the State so requests. Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 96–249, §§ 131, 132(a), inserted ‘‘(ten days in at least one pilot project area designated by the Secretary)’’ after ‘‘thirty days’’ and substituted ‘‘interim reports no later than October 1, 1979, October 1, 1980, and March 30, 1981, shall issue a final report de- scribing the results of such pilot project based upon their operation from their commencement through the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981, and shall pay to the agencies or organizations operating such pilot projects 50 per centum of all administrative costs in- volved in such operation’’ for ‘‘an interim report no later than October 1, 1979, and shall issue a final report describing the results of such pilot projects no later than October 1, 1980’’. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 96–249, § 133, added subsec. (e). 1978—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 95–400 required issuance of an interim report no later than Oct. 1, 1979, and sub- stituted requirement for issuance of a final report no later than Oct. 1, 1980, for prior requirement of a final report no later than eighteen months following Sept. 29, 1977. 1977—Pub. L. 95–113 substituted provisions relating to research, demonstrations, and evaluations for provi- sions relating to the purchase with coupons of hunting and fishing equipment for procuring food by members of eligible households living in Alaska. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 113–128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, except as other- wise provided, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title. Amendment by sections 4001(b), 4002(a)(9), 4115(b)(12), 4141, and 4406(a)(5) of Pub. L. 110–246 effective Oct. 1, 2008, see section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as a note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 107–171, title IV, § 4123(b), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 324, provided that: ‘‘The amendments made by this section [amending this section] take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [May 13, 2002].’’ Amendment by sections 4112(b)(4), 4116(b), and 4122(b) of Pub. L. 107–171 effective Oct. 1, 2002, except as other- wise provided, see section 4405 of Pub. L. 107–171, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1161 of Title 2, The Congress. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(d)(2)(C)] of Pub. L. 105–277 effective Oct. 21, 1998, and amendment by section 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(f)(2)(C)] of Pub. L. 105–277 effective July 1, 2000, see section 101(f) [title VIII, § 405(g)(1), (2)(B)] of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section 3502 of Title 5, Government Organi- zation and Employees. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 109(d) of Pub. L. 104–193 effec- tive July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of enti- tlement under AFDC program, see section 116 of Pub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section 601 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103–66 effective, and to be im- plemented beginning on, Oct. 1, 1993, see section 13971(a) of Pub. L. 103–66, set out as a note under sec- tion 2025 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1991 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 102–237 effective and to be im- plemented no later than Feb. 1, 1992, see section 1101(d)(1) of Pub. L. 102–237, set out as a note under sec- tion 1421 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT Amendment by sections 1729(b), 1731, and 1755 to 1759 of Pub. L. 101–624 effective Nov. 28, 1990, and amend- ment by section 1754 of Pub. L. 101–624 effective Oct. 1, 1990, see section 1781(a), (b)(1) of Pub. L. 101–624, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 100–435 to be effective and im- plemented on Oct. 1, 1988, except that such amendment to become effective and implemented on Oct. 1, 1989, if final order is issued under section 902(b) of Title 2, The Congress, for fiscal year 1989 making reductions and se- questrations specified in the report required under sec- tion 901(a)(3)(A) of Title 2, see section 701(a), (c)(2) of Pub. L. 100–435, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1982 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 97–253 effective Sept. 8, 1982, see section 193(a) of Pub. L. 97–253, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1981 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 97–98 effective on earlier of Sept. 8, 1982, or date such amendment became effective pursuant to section 1338 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title, see section 192(b) of Pub. L. 97–253, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title. Page 1370 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 2026a Amendment by Pub. L. 97–98 effective upon such date as Secretary of Agriculture may prescribe, taking into account need for orderly implementation, see section 1338 of Pub. L. 97–98, set out as a note under section 2012 of this title. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 96–249, title I, § 132(b), May 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 368, provided that: ‘‘The provisions of section 17(b)(2) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 [now the Food and Nutri- tion Act of 2008, 7 U.S.C. 2026(b)(2)] for the sharing of administrative costs, as added by subsection (a) of this section, shall be effective on the date of enactment of this Act [May 26, 1980].’’ EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1977 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 95–113, title XIII, § 1301, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 958, provided that the amendment made by section 1301 is effective Oct. 1, 1977. TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (c) of this section relating to annual reports on the progress of pilot programs, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under sec- tion 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 48 of House Document No. 103–7. STUDY OF USE OF FOOD STAMPS TO PURCHASE VITAMINS AND MINERALS Pub. L. 104–193, title VIII, § 855, Aug. 22, 1996, 110 Stat. 2342, directed the Secretary of Agriculture, in consulta- tion with the National Academy of Sciences and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct a study on the use of food stamps to purchase vitamins and minerals and to report the results of the study to Committees of Congress not later than Dec. 15, 1998. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR VEHICLE EXCLUSION LIMIT Pub. L. 102–237, title IX, § 912, Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1887, as amended by Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(NN), May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1096, 1098; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(NN), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1857, 1859, provided that: ‘‘The Secretary of Agriculture shall solicit requests to participate in the demonstration projects required by section 17(h) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2026(h)) by May 1, 1992. The projects shall com- mence operations no later than January 1, 1993.’’ § 2026a. Healthy fluid milk incentives projects (a) Definition of fluid milk In this section the term ‘‘fluid milk’’ means all varieties of pasteurized cow’s milk that— (1) is without flavoring or sweeteners, (2) is consistent with the most recent die- tary recommendations, (3) is packaged in liquid form, and (4) contains vitamins A and D at levels con- sistent with the Food and Drug Administra- tion, State, and local standards for fluid milk. (b) Projects The Secretary of Agriculture shall carry out, under such terms and conditions as the Sec- retary considers to be appropriate, healthy fluid milk incentive projects to develop and test methods to increase the purchase and consump- tion of fluid milk by members of households that receive supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits by providing an incentive for the purchase of fluid milk at the point of pur- chase to members of households purchasing food with supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits. (c) Grants or cooperative agreements (1) In general To carry out this section, the Secretary, on a competitive basis, shall enter into coopera- tive agreements with, or provide grants to, governmental entities or nonprofit organiza- tions for projects that meet the purpose and selection criteria specified in this subsection. (2) Application To be eligible to enter into a cooperative agreement or receive a grant under this sub- section, a government entity or nonprofit or- ganization shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Selection criteria Projects proposed in applications shall be evaluated against publicly disseminated cri- teria that shall incorporate a scientifically based strategy that is designed to improve diet quality and nutritional outcomes through the increased purchase of fluid milk by mem- bers of households that participate in the sup- plemental nutrition assistance program. (4) Use of funds Funds made available to carry out this sec- tion shall not be used for any project that lim- its the use of benefits provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.]. (d) Evaluation and reporting (1) Evaluation (A) Independent evaluation (i) In general The Secretary shall provide for an inde- pendent evaluation of projects selected under this section that measures, to the maximum extent practicable, the impact on health and nutrition. (ii) Requirement The independent evaluation under this subparagraph shall use rigorous meth- odologies, particularly random assignment or other methods that are capable of pro- ducing scientifically valid information re- garding which activities are effective. (B) Costs The Secretary may use funds not to exceed 7 percent of the funding provided to carry out this section to pay costs associated with evaluating the outcomes of the healthy fluid milk incentive projects. (2) Reporting Not later than December 31 of 2020, and bien- nially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Ag- riculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen- ate a report that includes a description of— (A) the status of each healthy fluid milk incentives project, and (B) the results of any completed evalua- tion that— (i) include, to the maximum extent prac- ticable, the impact of the healthy fluid milk incentive projects on health and nu-