Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), beginning on December 20, 2018, no additional entity may be designated as eligible to receive funds under a covered program.

(1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law and except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), beginning on December 20, 2018, no additional entity may be designated as eligible to receive funds under a covered program.

(2) 1994 institutions The prohibition under paragraph (1) with respect to the designation of an entity eligible to receive funds under a covered program shall not apply in the case of the certification of a 1994 Institution under section 2 of Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the “McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act”) (16 U.S.C. 582a–1).

(3) Extraordinary circumstances In the case of extraordinary circumstances or a situation that would lead to an inequitable result, as determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may determine that an entity designated after December 20, 2018, is eligible to receive funds under a covered program.

No State shall receive an increase in funding under a covered program as a result of the State’s designation of additional entities as eligible to receive such funding.

For purposes of this section, the term “covered program” means agricultural research, extension, education, and related programs or grants established or available under any of the following:

(1) Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of section 343 of this title.

(2) The Hatch Act of 1887 (7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.).

(3) Sections 3221, 3222, and 3222b of this title.

(4) Public Law 87–788 (commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Act; 16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.).

Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting eligibility for a capacity and infrastructure program specified in section 6971(f)(1)(C) of this title that is not a covered program.

(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1419D, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7111, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4784.)