FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERS.

SEC. 305. [7 U.S.C. 2279a] FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED PRODUCERS. (a) Fair Crop Acreage Bases and Farm Program Payment Yields.—If the Secretary of Agriculture determines that crop acreage bases or farm program payment yields established for farms owned or operated by socially disadvantaged producers are not established in accordance with title V of the Agricultural Act of 1949 (7 U.S.C. 1461 et seq.), the Secretary shall adjust the bases and yields to conform to the requirements of such title and make available any appropriate commodity program benefits. (b) Fair Application of Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act.—If the Secretary of Agriculture determines that application of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1921 et seq.) with respect to socially disadvantaged producers is not consistent with the requirements of such Act, the Secretary shall make such changes in the administration of such Act as the Secretary considers necessary to provide for the fair and equitable treatment of socially disadvantaged producers under such Act. (c) Report on Treatment of Socially Disadvantaged Producers.— (1) Report required.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare a report to determine— (A) whether socially disadvantaged producers are underrepresented on State, county, area, or local committees established under section 8(b)(5) of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)(5)) or local review committees established under section 363 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 (7 U.S.C. 1363) because of racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice; and (B) if such underrepresentation exists, whether it inhibits or interferes with the participation of socially disadvantaged producers in programs of the Department of Agriculture. (2) Submission of report.—Not later than February 1, 1995, the Comptroller General shall submit the report required by this subsection to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. (d) Definition.—For purposes of this section, the term “socially disadvantaged producer” means a producer who is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.