§ 7031. — Electronic filing and retrieval.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC7031]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 98--DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REORGANIZATION
SUBCHAPTER X--FREEDOM TO E-FILE
Sec. 7031. Electronic filing and retrieval
(a) In general
Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, in accordance with
subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture (referred
to in this subchapter as the ``Secretary'') shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, establish an Internet-based system that enables
agricultural producers to access all forms of the agencies of the
Department of Agriculture (referred to in this subchapter as the
``Department'') specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Applicability
The agencies referred to in subsection (a) of this section are the
following:
(1) The Farm Service Agency.
(2) The Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(3) The rural development components of the Department included
in the Secretary's service center initiative regarding State and
field office collocation implemented pursuant to section 6915 of
this title.
(4) The agricultural producer programs component of the
Commodity Credit Corporation administered by the Farm Service Agency
and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
(c) Implementation
In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary
shall--
(1) provide a method by which agricultural producers may--
(A) download from the Internet the forms of the agencies
specified in subsection (b) of this section; and
(B) submit completed forms via electronic facsimile, mail,
or similar means;
(2) redesign the forms by incorporating into the forms user-
friendly formats and self-help guidance materials; and
(3) ensure that the agencies specified in subsection (b) of this
section--
(A) use computer hardware and software that is compatible
among the agencies and will operate in a common computing
environment; and
(B) develop common Internet user-interface locations and
applications to consolidate the agencies' news, information, and
program materials.
(d) Progress reports
Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report that describes the progress made toward
implementing the Internet-based system required under this section.
(Pub. L. 106-222, Sec. 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 353.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 7032, 7033, and 7034 of this
title.
