Equitable relief

(a) Equitable relief from ineligibility for loans, payments, or other benefits Section 1613 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C. 7996) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (f) through (j) as subsections (g) through (k), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Equitable relief by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (1) In general The Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or a designee of the Secretary in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, if no Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights is appointed and confirmed in accordance with section 218A(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994) may grant relief in accordance with subsections (b) through (d) to a participant who files a civil rights program complaint. (2) Decisions The decision by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary) to grant relief under this subsection— (A) shall not require prior approval by any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture; and (B) is subject to reversal only by the Secretary (who may not delegate the reversal authority). (3) Other authority The authority provided to the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary) under this subsection is in addition to any other applicable authority and does not limit other authority provided by law or the Secretary.; (3) in subsection (g), as so redesignated, by striking or the State Conservationist and inserting the State Conservationist, or the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary); and (4) in paragraph (1) of subsection (h), as so redesignated, by striking and (e) and inserting, (e), and (f). (b) Equitable relief for actions taken in good faith Section 366 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2008a) is amended— (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: (b) Limitation The Secretary may only provide relief to a farmer or rancher under subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the farmer or rancher— (1) acted in good faith and relied on an action of, or the advice of, the Secretary (including any authorized representative of the Secretary) to the detriment of the farming or ranching operation of the farmer or rancher; or (2) failed to comply fully with the requirements to receive a loan described in subsection (a)(1), but made a good faith effort to comply with the requirements.; (2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); (3) by inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Equitable relief by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (1) In general The Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or a designee of the Secretary in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, if no Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights is appointed and confirmed in accordance with section 218A(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994) may grant relief in accordance with subsections (a) through (d) to an individual who files a complaint with respect to civil rights regarding a direct farm ownership, operating, or emergency loan under this title. (2) Decisions The decision by the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary) to grant relief under this subsection— (A) shall not require prior approval by any officer or employee of the Department of Agriculture; and (B) is subject to reversal only by the Secretary (who may not delegate the reversal authority). (3) Other authority The authority provided to the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary) under this subsection is in addition to any other applicable authority and does not limit other authority provided by law or the Secretary.; and (4) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by striking Secretary and inserting Secretary, or the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights (or the designee of the Secretary),.