PUBLIC LAW 104-127—APR. 4, 1996 110 STAT. 1009 adequate safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers, including provision for sharing, on a fair and equitable basis, in payments under the programs established under subtitles B through D. " (d) PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BY OTHER SOURCES.—In the preparation and application of a conservation compliance plan under subtitle B or similar plan required as a condition for assistance from the Department of Agriculture, the Secretary shall permit persons to secure technical assistance from approved sources, as determined by the Secretary, other than the Natural Resources Conservation Service. If the Secretary rejects a technical determination made by such a source, the basis of the Secretary's determination must be supported by documented evidence. "(e) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, the Secretary shall issue regulations to implement the conservation reserve and wetlands reserve programs established under chapter 1 of subtitle D.". SEC. 342. STATE TECHNICAI. COMMITTEES. (a) COMPOSITION.— Section 1261(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3861(c))— (1) in paragraph (7), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(9) agricultural producers with demonstrable conservation expertise; "(10) nonprofit organizations with demonstrable conservation expertise; "(11) persons knowledgeable about conservation techniques; and "(12) agribusiness.". (b) RESPONSIBILITIES.— Section 1262 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3862) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following: "Each State technical committee shall provide public notice of, and permit public attendance at meetings considering, issues of concern related to carrying out this title."; (2) in subsection (b)(1), by adding at the end the following: "Each State technical committee shall establish criteria and guidelines for evaluating petitions by agricultural producers regarding new conservation practices and systems not already described in field office technical guides. "; and (3) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (7), by striking "and" at the end; (B) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (9); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: "(8) establishing criteria and priorities for State initiatives under the environmental quality incentives program under chapter 4 of subtitle D; and". SEC. 343. PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENT FOR REVISIONS TO CERTAIN 16 USC 3862 STATE TECHNICAL GUIDES. note. After the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for public notice and comment under section
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