7 U.S.C. § 6963 — Repealed. Pub. L. 115–334, title XII,

Page 1943 TITLE 7—AGRICULTURE § 6971 § 336(a)(2)(D), (b)(2)(B), (c)(3), (d)(2), Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1005, 1006; Pub. L. 107–171, title VIII, § 8002(c), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 473; Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, §§ 12404(b)(1), 12410(a)(c)(1)(A), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4975, 4977, 4978, was moved so as to appear at the end of subtitle B of title II of Pub. L. 103–354 by Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12410(c)(1)(B), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4978, and editorially reclassified as section 6936 of this title. § 6962a. Cooperative agreements Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including provisions of law requiring competi- tion), the Secretary of Agriculture may on and after October 28, 2000, enter into cooperative agreements (which may provide for the acquisi- tion of goods or services, including personal services) with a State, political subdivision, or agency thereof, a public or private agency, orga- nization, or any other person, if the Secretary determines that the objectives of the agreement will: (1) serve a mutual interest of the parties to the agreement in carrying out the programs ad- ministered by the Natural Resources Conserva- tion Service; and (2) all parties will contribute resources to the accomplishment of these objec- tives: Provided, That Commodity Credit Corpora- tion funds obligated for such purposes shall not exceed the level obligated by the Commodity Credit Corporation for such purposes in fiscal year 1998. (Pub. L. 106–387, § 1(a) [title VII, § 714], Oct. 28, 2000, 114 Stat. 1549, 1549A–30.) Editorial Notes CODIFICATION Section was enacted as part of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Re- lated Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, and not as part of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994, which in part comprises this chapter. § 6963. Repealed. Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12414(a)(5), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4981 Section, Pub. L. 103–354, title II, § 247, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3225, related to reorganization of Forest Service. SUBCHAPTER VI—RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMICS § 6971. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Re- search, Education, and Economics (a) Authorization The Secretary is authorized to establish in the Department the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Eco- nomics (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Under Secretary’’). (b) Confirmation required The Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among distinguished scientists with specialized training or significant experi- ence in agricultural research, education, and ec- onomics. (c) Chief Scientist The Under Secretary shall— (1) hold the title of Chief Scientist of the De- partment; and (2) be responsible for the coordination of the research, education, and extension activities of the Department. (d) Functions of Under Secretary (1) Principal function The Secretary shall delegate to the Under Secretary those functions and duties under the jurisdiction of the Department that relate to research, education, and economics. (2) Specific functions and duties The Under Secretary shall— (A) identify, address, and prioritize cur- rent and emerging agricultural research, education, and extension needs (including funding); (B) ensure that agricultural research, edu- cation, and extension programs are effec- tively coordinated and integrated— (i) across disciplines, agencies, and insti- tutions; and (ii) among applicable participants, grantees, and beneficiaries; (C) promote the collaborative use of all ag- ricultural research, education, and extension resources from the local, State, tribal, re- gional, national, and international levels to address priority needs; and (D) foster communication among agricul- tural research, education, and extension beneficiaries, including the public, to ensure the delivery of agricultural research, edu- cation, and extension knowledge. (3) Additional functions The Under Secretary shall perform such other functions and duties as may be required by law or prescribed by the Secretary. (e) Office of the Chief Scientist (1) Establishment The Under Secretary shall organize within the office of the Under Secretary 6 Divisions, to be known collectively as the ‘‘Office of the Chief Scientist’’, which shall coordinate the research programs and activities of the De- partment. (2) Division designations The Divisions within the Office of the Chief Scientist shall be as follows: (A) Renewable energy, natural resources, and environment. (B) Food safety, nutrition, and health. (C) Plant health and production and plant products. (D) Animal health and production and ani- mal products. (E) Agricultural systems and technology. (F) Agricultural economics and rural com- munities. (3) Division Chiefs (A) Selection The Under Secretary shall select a Divi- sion Chief for each Division using available personnel authority under title 5, includ- ing— (i) by term, temporary, or other appoint- ment, without regard to— (I) the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service;