Program compliance and integrity

Section 515(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515(b)) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting, response, and final determination after Notification; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking shall notify in writing and inserting shall, through an initial finding in writing, notify (unless such notification is pursuant to the responsibilities to conduct reviews and make corrections); (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the heading, by striking Time for notification and inserting Required timing; (B) by striking Notice and inserting the following: (A) Initial finding Notice; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) Response During the 90-day period beginning on the date the Corporation notifies an approved insurance provider through an initial finding under paragraph (1), such approved insurance provider may appeal such initial finding in writing. (C) Final finding Not later than 90 days after the date on which an approved insurance provider appeals pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Corporation shall issue a final finding in writing to such approved insurance provider. (D) Request for final administrative determination An approved insurance provider shall have not more than 90 days after the receipt of the Corporation’s final finding under subparagraph (C) to request, in writing, a final administrative determination, if such approved insurance provider has reason to believe that the Corporation’s final finding under subparagraph (C) is not in accordance with— (i) the applicable laws, regulations, custom, or practice of the crop insurance industry; or (ii) the approved policy and procedure of the Corporation. (E) Final determination The Corporation shall have not more than 90 days after the receipt of a request for a final administrative determination under subparagraph (D) to provide such final administrative determination, unless substantial new information, as determined by the Corporation, is provided by the approved insurance provider. (F) Appeal to Civilian Board of Contract Appeals An approved insurance provider shall have not more than 90 days after receipt of a final administrative determination provided pursuant to subparagraph (E) to appeal such determination to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.; and (4) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Effect of failure to timely notify (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), failure of the Corporation to comply with the requirements under paragraph (2) shall relieve the approved insurance provider from the debt owed to the Corporation. (B) Exception Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any matters referred to the Office of the Inspector General or the Department of Justice..

(a) In General Section 515(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1515(b)) is amended— (1) in the subsection heading, by inserting, response, and final determination after Notification; (2) in paragraph (1), by striking shall notify in writing and inserting shall, through an initial finding in writing, notify (unless such notification is pursuant to the responsibilities to conduct reviews and make corrections); (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the heading, by striking Time for notification and inserting Required timing; (B) by striking Notice and inserting the following: (A) Initial finding Notice; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (B) Response During the 90-day period beginning on the date the Corporation notifies an approved insurance provider through an initial finding under paragraph (1), such approved insurance provider may appeal such initial finding in writing. (C) Final finding Not later than 90 days after the date on which an approved insurance provider appeals pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Corporation shall issue a final finding in writing to such approved insurance provider. (D) Request for final administrative determination An approved insurance provider shall have not more than 90 days after the receipt of the Corporation’s final finding under subparagraph (C) to request, in writing, a final administrative determination, if such approved insurance provider has reason to believe that the Corporation’s final finding under subparagraph (C) is not in accordance with— (i) the applicable laws, regulations, custom, or practice of the crop insurance industry; or (ii) the approved policy and procedure of the Corporation. (E) Final determination The Corporation shall have not more than 90 days after the receipt of a request for a final administrative determination under subparagraph (D) to provide such final administrative determination, unless substantial new information, as determined by the Corporation, is provided by the approved insurance provider. (F) Appeal to Civilian Board of Contract Appeals An approved insurance provider shall have not more than 90 days after receipt of a final administrative determination provided pursuant to subparagraph (E) to appeal such determination to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.; and (4) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Effect of failure to timely notify (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), failure of the Corporation to comply with the requirements under paragraph (2) shall relieve the approved insurance provider from the debt owed to the Corporation. (B) Exception Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any matters referred to the Office of the Inspector General or the Department of Justice.. (b) Procedures for responding to certain inquiries Section 506(r)(1) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1506(r)(1)) is amended by inserting binding before final agency determination.