§ 8002. Implementation funding and information management
(a)
Additional funds for administrative costs
(1)
In general
The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Farm Service Agency, may use not more than $55,000,000 of funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to cover administrative costs associated with the implementation of title I and the amendments made by that title.
(b)
Information management
(1)
Development of system
The Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a comprehensive information management system, using appropriate technologies, to be used in implementing the programs administered by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Farm Service Agency.
(2)
Elements
The information management system developed under this subsection shall be designed to—
(3)
Reconciliation of current information management
The Secretary shall ensure that all current information of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Farm Service Agency is combined, reconciled, redefined, and reformatted in such a manner so that the agencies can use the common information management system developed under this subsection.
(4)
Assistance for development of system
The Secretary shall enter into an agreement or contract with a non-Federal entity to assist the Secretary in the development of the information management system. The Secretary shall give preference in entering into an agreement or contract to entities that have—
(c)
Authorization of appropriations
In addition to amounts made available under subsection (a)(3) of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out subsection (b) of this section for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2008.