Department of Agriculture loans and grants for commercial fishing and fish processing businesses

(a) Definitions of farmer and farming Section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking farming. and inserting farming, commercial fishing, or fish processing.; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking farming. and inserting farming, commercial fishing, and fish processing.; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (14) Commercial fishing The term commercial fishing means fishing (as defined in section 3 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1802)) in which the fish harvested, either in whole or in part, are intended to enter commerce or enter commerce through sale, barter, or trade. (15) Commercial fishing vessel The term commercial fishing vessel means a fishing vessel and a fish processing vessel (as those terms are defined in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code). (16) Fish The term fish has the meaning given the term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code. (17) Fish processing The term fish processing means the processing of fish for commercial use or consumption. (18) Fish processing facility The term fish processing facility means a facility or vessel, boat, ship, or other craft used or equipped for fish processing.. (b) Farm ownership loans (1) Eligibility Section 302(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1922(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, for purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this subtitle— (A) the terms farmer and rancher shall include an individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing; and (B) the terms farm and ranch shall include— (i) a commercial fishing vessel; and (ii) a fish processing facility.. (2) Purposes Section 303(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1923(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Commercial fishery participants; fish processors (A) Commercial fishery participants An individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may only use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for— (i) acquiring a commercial fishing permit; (ii) acquiring a commercial fishing vessel; and (iii) making capital improvements to a commercial fishing vessel. (B) Fish processors An individual or entity engaged in fish processing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for acquiring or making capital improvements to a fish processing facility.. (c) Farm operating loans (1) Eligibility Section 311(a) of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1941(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Eligibility of wild-caught fish and shellfish Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, for purposes of direct and guaranteed farm loans under this subtitle— (A) the terms farmer and rancher shall include an individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing; and (B) the terms farm and ranch shall include— (i) a commercial fishing vessel; and (ii) a fish processing facility.. (2) Purposes Section 312 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 1942) is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) Commercial fishery participants; fish processors (1) Commercial fishery participants An individual or entity engaged in commercial fishing may only use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for the costs associated with operating and maintaining a commercial fishing vessel. (2) Fish processors An individual or entity engaged in fish processing may use a direct or guaranteed loan under this subtitle for the costs associated with operating and maintaining a fish processing facility.. (d) Implementation and coordination (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure the successful and effective integration of individuals and entities in the commercial fishing industry, including those engaged in commercial fishing or fish processing (as those terms are defined in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a))), into each program of the Department of Agriculture for which those individuals and entities are made eligible under the amendments made by this section. (2) Technical assistance and guidance In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) provide outreach and technical assistance to participants in the commercial fishing industry, including through cooperative agreements and public-private and other partnerships, to promote awareness of and access to relevant programs; (B) provide guidance and training to relevant agency personnel of the Department, including through cooperative agreements and public-private and other partnerships, to ensure program services are effectively delivered to the commercial fishing industry; and (C) coordinate, as appropriate, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other relevant Federal and State agencies to implement the amendments made by this section.