7 USC § 7031 - Electronic filing and retrieval

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t7/s7031"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "7 USC § 7031 - Electronic filing and retrieval"
title_number: 7
title_name: "AGRICULTURE"
section_number: "7031"
section_name: "Electronic filing and retrieval"
chapter_number: 98
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REORGANIZATION"
subchapter_number: "X"
subchapter_name: "FREEDOM TO E-FILE"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 106–222, § 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 353.)"
---


# § 7031. Electronic filing and retrieval

**(a)** **In general** June 20, 2000

Not later than 180 days after , 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)** **Applicability** 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)** **Implementation** 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)** **Progress reports** June 20, 2000

Not later than 180 days after , the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the progress made toward implementing the Internet-based system required under this section.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 106–222, § 2, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 353.)