Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 21, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Elimination of USDA and Transfer of Certain Functions Title II: Agribusiness Block Grant Program Title III: Elimination of Certain Agricultural Programs Subtitle A: Elimination of Price Support Programs Subtitle B: Elimination of Other Programs Title IV: Effective Date Agriculture Modernization Act of 1995 - Title I: Elimination of USDA and Transfer of Certain Functions - Transfers specified Department of Agriculture functions to: (1) the Secretary of Commerce; (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services; (3) the Secretary of the Interior; (4) the Secretary of State; (5) the Secretary of the Treasury; and (6) the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Provides for related transfer of appropriations and personnel. (Sec. 114) Amends Federal law to repeal statutory authority for the Department of Agriculture. Title II: Agribusiness Block Grant Program - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish: (1) an agribusiness block grant program; and (2) the position of Under Secretary of Commerce for Agribusiness Affairs. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Elimination of Certain Agricultural Programs - Subtitle A: Elimination of Price Support Programs - Eliminates specified agricultural price support and related programs. Subtitle B: Elimination of Other Programs - Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to eliminate the market promotion program. (Sec. 322) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to eliminate the export enhancement program. (Sec. 323) Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to eliminate the rural electric and telephone programs. (Sec. 324) Amends the Rural Development, Agriculture, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1986 to eliminate certain nuisance animal control authority of the Secretary of Agriculture. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for amendments made by this Act.
Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze S.586 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine S.586 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine S.586 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine S.586 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.