§ 7031. Electronic filing and retrieval

• (a) Not later than 180 days after June 20, 2000 , in accordance with subsection (c), 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).
• (b) The agencies referred to in subsection (a) 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) In carrying out subsection (a), 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); 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)—
    • (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) 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.