
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC7031]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
          CHAPTER 98--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REORGANIZATION
 
                     SUBCHAPTER X--FREEDOM TO E-FILE
 
Sec. 7031. Electronic filing and retrieval


(a) In general

    Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, in accordance with 
subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (referred 
to in this subchapter as the ``Secretary'') shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, establish an Internet-based system that enables 
agricultural producers to access all forms of the agencies of the 
Department of Agriculture (referred to in this subchapter as the 
``Department'') specified in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Applicability

    The agencies referred to in subsection (a) of this section are the 
following:
        (1) The Farm Service Agency.
        (2) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
        (3) The rural development components of the Department included 
    in the Secretary's service center initiative regarding State and 
    field office collocation implemented pursuant to section 6915 of 
    this title.
        (4) The agricultural producer programs component of the 
    Commodity Credit Corporation administered by the Farm Service Agency 
    and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

(c) Implementation

    In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary 
shall--
        (1) provide a method by which agricultural producers may--
            (A) download from the Internet the forms of the agencies 
        specified in subsection (b) of this section; and
            (B) submit completed forms via electronic facsimile, mail, 
        or similar means;

        (2) redesign the forms by incorporating into the forms user-
    friendly formats and self-help guidance materials; and
        (3) ensure that the agencies specified in subsection (b) of this 
    section--
            (A) use computer hardware and software that is compatible 
        among the agencies and will operate in a common computing 
        environment; and
            (B) develop common Internet user-interface locations and 
        applications to consolidate the agencies' news, information, and 
        program materials.

(d) Progress reports

    Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report that describes the progress made toward 
implementing the Internet-based system required under this section.

(Pub. L. 106-222, Sec. 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 353.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 7032, 7033, and 7034 of this 
title.
