Conservation reserve enhancement program participation

(a) Conservation reserve (1) Reauthorization Section 1231(a) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(a)) is amended by striking the 2023 fiscal year and inserting fiscal year 2028. (2) Eligible land Section 1231(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831(b)) is amended— (A) in paragraph (6)(B)(ii), by striking or at the end; (B) in paragraph (7)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting; or; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (8) cropland, marginal pastureland, grasslands, and other rural land that will— (A) have a positive impact on water quality in furtherance of the goals of the conservation reserve enhancement program under section 1231A; and (B) be devoted to a riparian buffer.. (3) Conservation reserve enhancement program Section 1231A(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3831a(b)) is amended— (A) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: (C) Updates (i) In general The Secretary shall provide to each signatory to an agreement under this subsection an option to update the agreement, without renegotiating other provisions of the agreement, to include new incentives made available under this subchapter beginning on January 1, 2018, such as riparian forest buffer management payments. (ii) Matching funds Requirements for matching funds described in paragraph (2)(B) shall not apply to an update to an agreement under clause (i).; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (4) Amendments (A) In general In the case of an amendment to an agreement under this subsection, including an addendum to such an agreement, the Secretary shall— (i) streamline the amendment process relating to time-sensitive national priorities, including the Chesapeake Bay total maximum daily load; and (ii) give priority to simple amendments to update existing agreements in accordance with paragraph (3)(C). (B) Simple amendments A simple amendment to an agreement described in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall not constitute a renegotiation of the agreement.. (4) Payments Section 1234 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3834) is amended— (A) in subsection (b)(4)— (i) by striking In addition and inserting the following: (A) In general In addition; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (B) Minimum payment for certain contracts In the case of a contract updated under section 1231A(b)(3)(C), the incentive payment under subparagraph (A) shall be in an amount that is not less than 40 percent of the actual costs described in that subparagraph.; and (B) in subsection (g)(1), by striking $50,000 and inserting $100,000. (b) Environmental quality incentives program (1) Conservation incentive contracts Section 1240B(j)(2)(C) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(j)(2)(C)) is amended— (A) in clause (i), by striking and at the end; (B) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (iii) consider participation in the conservation reserve program and the conservation reserve enhancement program under subchapter B of chapter 1, and practices under those programs (such as riparian buffers), in prioritizing grazing practices under the program established by this subchapter with respect to the efficient implementation of grazing systems to holistically address resource concerns.. (2) Evaluation of applications Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–3(b)) is amended— (A) in paragraph (3), by striking and at the end; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (5) that would include grazing practices under the program established by this subchapter, in consideration of participation in the conservation reserve program and the conservation reserve enhancement program under subchapter B of chapter 1, and practices under those programs (such as riparian buffers), with respect to the efficient implementation of grazing systems to holistically address resource concerns..