Funding

(a) Allocation of funding Section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d) is amended— (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and (3) in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by striking subsection (a) and inserting section 1241(a)(6). (b) Limitation on administrative expenses Subsection (b) of section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows: (b) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) In general Of the funds made available to implement a project under a partnership agreement, the Secretary may use not more than ten percent to reimburse the eligible partner for administrative expenses relating to the project. (2) Consideration Any amounts expended by an eligible partner for administrative expenses that are not reimbursed under paragraph (1) may be considered to be a part of the contribution of the eligible partner under section 1271B(c)(2).. (c) Technical assistance Subsection (c) of section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows: (c) Technical assistance (1) In general The Secretary shall, through a partnership agreement, identify— (A) the total amount of funds that will be used for technical assistance; and (B) the share of such funds that will be provided to eligible partners under paragraph (2). (2) Provision of assistance (A) Reimbursement Under a partnership agreement that is not funded through an alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 1271C(d), the Secretary may reimburse eligible partners for the costs of technical assistance provided through such partnership agreement, including— (i) the costs of technical assistance needed to facilitate the maximum conservation benefit of the applicable project; (ii) the costs of providing outreach and education to producers for potential participation in the applicable project; (iii) the costs of establishing baseline metrics to support the development of the assessment required under section 1271B(c)(1)(E); and (iv) other costs necessary to support the implementation of eligible activities, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Advancement of funds The Secretary may advance to eligible partners reasonable amounts of funds for costs that may be reimbursed under subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary. (3) Limitation The Secretary shall limit costs of the Secretary for technical assistance to costs necessary to carry out the objectives of the program. (4) Reduction of administrative barriers The Secretary shall provide a single, simplified process for reimbursements or advancements to eligible partners for the costs of technical assistance under this subsection. (5) Third-party providers The Secretary shall develop and implement strategies to encourage third-party technical service providers to provide technical assistance to eligible partners pursuant to a partnership agreement..

(a) Allocation of funding Section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d) is amended— (1) by striking subsections (a) and (b); (2) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), and (e) as subsections (a), (b), and (c), respectively; and (3) in subsection (a), as so redesignated, by striking subsection (a) and inserting section 1241(a)(6). (b) Limitation on administrative expenses Subsection (b) of section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows: (b) Limitation on administrative expenses (1) In general Of the funds made available to implement a project under a partnership agreement, the Secretary may use not more than ten percent to reimburse the eligible partner for administrative expenses relating to the project. (2) Consideration Any amounts expended by an eligible partner for administrative expenses that are not reimbursed under paragraph (1) may be considered to be a part of the contribution of the eligible partner under section 1271B(c)(2).. (c) Technical assistance Subsection (c) of section 1271D of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3871d), as so redesignated, is amended to read as follows: (c) Technical assistance (1) In general The Secretary shall, through a partnership agreement, identify— (A) the total amount of funds that will be used for technical assistance; and (B) the share of such funds that will be provided to eligible partners under paragraph (2). (2) Provision of assistance (A) Reimbursement Under a partnership agreement that is not funded through an alternative funding arrangement or grant agreement under section 1271C(d), the Secretary may reimburse eligible partners for the costs of technical assistance provided through such partnership agreement, including— (i) the costs of technical assistance needed to facilitate the maximum conservation benefit of the applicable project; (ii) the costs of providing outreach and education to producers for potential participation in the applicable project; (iii) the costs of establishing baseline metrics to support the development of the assessment required under section 1271B(c)(1)(E); and (iv) other costs necessary to support the implementation of eligible activities, as determined by the Secretary. (B) Advancement of funds The Secretary may advance to eligible partners reasonable amounts of funds for costs that may be reimbursed under subparagraph (A), as determined by the Secretary. (3) Limitation The Secretary shall limit costs of the Secretary for technical assistance to costs necessary to carry out the objectives of the program. (4) Reduction of administrative barriers The Secretary shall provide a single, simplified process for reimbursements or advancements to eligible partners for the costs of technical assistance under this subsection. (5) Third-party providers The Secretary shall develop and implement strategies to encourage third-party technical service providers to provide technical assistance to eligible partners pursuant to a partnership agreement..