REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE.

SEC. 7404. REVIEW OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE. (a) In General.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a task force to— (1) conduct a review of the Agricultural Research Service; and (2) evaluate the merits of establishing one or more National Institutes focused on disciplines important to the progress of food and agricultural science. (b) Membership.— (1) In general.—The Task Force shall consist of 8 members, appointed by the Secretary, that— (A) have a broad-based background in plant, animal, and agricultural sciences research, food, nutrition, biotechnology, crop production methods, environmental science, or related disciplines; and (B) are familiar with the role and infrastructure used to conduct Federal and private research, including— (i)the Agricultural Research Service; (ii)the National Institutes of Health; (iii)the National Science Foundation; (iv)the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; (v)the Department of Energy laboratory system; or (vi)the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. (2) Private sector.—Of the members appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall appoint at least 6 members that are members of the private sector or come from institutions of higher education. (3) Plant and agricultural sciences research.—Of the members appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall appoint at least 3 members that have an extensive background and preeminence in the field of plant, animal, and agricultural sciences research. (4) Chairperson.—Of the members appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall designate a Chairperson that 116 STAT. 458 has significant leadership experience in educational and research institutions and indepth knowledge of the research enterprises of the United States. (5) Consultation.—Before appointing members of the Task Force under this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the National Academy of Sciences and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. (c) Duties.—The Task Force shall— (1) conduct a review of the purpose, efficiency, effectiveness, and impact on agricultural research of the Agricultural Research Service; (2) conduct a review and evaluation of the merits of establishing one or more National Institutes (such as National Institutes for Plant and Agricultural Sciences) focused on disciplines important to the progress of food and agricultural sciences, and, if establishment of one or more National Institutes is recommended, provide further recommendations to the Secretary, including the structure for establishing each Institute, the multistate area location of each Institute, and the amount of funding necessary to establish each Institute; and (3) submit the reports required by subsection (d). (d) Reports.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and the Secretary— (1) a report on the review and evaluation required under subsection (c)(1); and (2) a report on the review and evaluation required under subsection (c)(2). (e) Funding.—The Secretary shall use to carry out this section not more than 0.1 percent of the amount of appropriations available to the Agricultural Research Service for fiscal year 2003.