(a) In generalThe Department of Agriculture is authorized to employ qualified law enforcement officers or special agents to provide—
(1)
protection for the Secretary and the Deputy Secretary during the performance of official duties by each such officer and during any activity that is preliminary or postliminary to the performance of official duties by each such officer;
(2)
protection, incidental to the protection provided pursuant to paragraph (1), to an individual accompanying each such officer who is participating in an activity or event relating to the official duties of each such officer when there is an articulable threat to such individual;
(b) Authorities of the protective operation
(1) In generalThe Secretary may authorize officers or special agents employed pursuant to subsection (a)—
(B)
to conduct criminal investigations into potential threats to the security of persons protected under this section;
(C)
to make arrests without a warrant for any offense against the United States committed in the presence of such officer or special agent;
(c) Exception
The authorities granted under this section may be exercised notwithstanding section 1343(b)(1) of title 31.
(d) Bericht
Not later than September 30, 2019, and each September 30 through 2024, the Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report describing the protection provided, and accounting for the expenditures made, pursuant to this section.