12 2 STA T . 22 08PUBLIC LA W 110 – 2 46—J U NE 18 , 2008 ‘ ‘ (3)LIM I TA TI ON.—Exceptaso t h e rwi se pro v i d ed , the data un der this section sha l l not b e used f or the evaluation of individual applications for assistance. ’ ’. SEC.140 0 7 . OV E R S IGHTAND CO MPL IANCE. T he S ecretar y , actin g through the A ssistant Secretary for C ivil R ights of the D epart m ent of Agriculture, shall use the reports described in subsection (c) of section 2501 Aofthe F ood, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1 9 90( 7U .S.C. 2279 – 1), as amended by section 1 4 00 6 , in the conduct of oversight and evaluation of civil rights compliance. SEC. 1400 8 . MINORIT YF ARMER ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) E S TA BL IS H M E NT.— N ot later than 1 8 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an advisory committee, to be k nown as the ‘‘Advisory Committee on M inority Farmers’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Committee’’). (b) D U TIES.—The Committee shall provide advice to the Sec - retary on— (1) the implementation of section 2501 of the Food, Agri- culture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279)
(2) methods of maximi z ing the participation of minority farmers and ranchers in Department of Agriculture programs; and (3) civil rights activities within the Department as such activities relate to participants in such programs. (c) MEMBE R SHI P .— (1) I N G ENERAL.—The Committee shall be composed of not more than 15 members, who shall be appointed by the Sec- retary, and shall include— (A) not less than four socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2501(e)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 2279(e)(2))); ( B ) not less than two representatives of nonprofit organizations with a history of working with minority farmers and ranchers; (C) not less than two civil rights professionals; (D) not less than two representatives of institutions of higher education with demonstrated experience working with minority farmers and ranchers; and (E) such other persons as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) E X -O F FI C IO MEMBERS.—The Secretary may appoint such employees of the Department of Agriculture as the Secretary considers appropriate to serve as ex-officio members of the Committee. SEC. 1400 9 . NATIONAL APPEALS DIVISION. Section 280 of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 7000) is amended— (1) by striking ‘‘ O n the return’’ and inserting the following
‘‘(a) IN G ENERAL.—On the return’’; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(b) REPORTS.— Deadlin e .7USC2 27 9 n ot e. 7 USC 2279 –1 note.
�
