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SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States Army operates a military education
and training facility known as the United States Army School of
the Americas, which is currently located at Fort Benning,
Georgia, and is used to train military personnel of Latin
American armed forces.
(2) The United States Army School of the Americas has a
history of having had graduates who were abusive of human
rights, and the continued operation of the school stands as a
barrier to United States efforts to establish a new and
constructive relationship with Latin American armed forces
after the Cold War.
(3) Closing the United States Army School of the Americas
would not prevent the United States from providing appropriate
training for military personnel of Latin American armed forces.
(4) The United States Army School of the Americas is only
part of the United States' extensive training relationship with
Latin American armed forces, which includes--
(A) the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, the
United States Air Force's Inter-American Air Forces
Academy, and the United States Navy's Small Craft
Instruction and Technical Training School;
(B) courses taken by Latin American military
personnel with members of the United States Armed
Forces at numerous institutions in the United States;
and
(C) training with some of the more than 50,000
members of the United States Armed Forces who serve on
active duty in Latin America each year.
(5) Graduates of the United States Army School of the
Americas include some of the worst human rights abusers in the
western hemisphere, including--
(A) 19 Salvadoran soldiers linked to the 1989
murder of six Jesuit priests and their housekeeper and
her daughter;
(B) two of the three officers prosecuted by
Guatemala for being intellectual authors of the killing
of anthropologist Myrna Mack in 1992, as well as
several leaders of the notorious Guatemalan military
intelligence unit D-2;
(C) one-half of the 247 Colombian army officers
cited in the definitive work on Colombian human rights
abuses, El Terrorismo de Estado en Colombia, 1992;
(D) El Salvador death squad leader Roberto
D'Aubuisson;
(E) Panamanian dictator and drug dealer Manuel
Noriega;
(F) Argentinian dictator Leopoldo Galtieri, a
leader of the so-called ``dirty war'', during which
some 30,000 civilians were killed or disappeared;
(G) Haitian Colonel Gambetta Hyppolite, who ordered
his soldiers to fire on a provincial electoral bureau
in 1987;
(H) two of the three killers of Archbishop Oscar
Romero of El Salvador;
(I) 10 of the 12 officers responsible for the
murder of 900 civilians in the El Salvadoran village El
Mozote; and
(J) three of the five officers involved in the 1980
rape and murder of four United States churchwomen in El
Salvador.
(6) Despite sustained congressional and public pressure,
the United States Army School of the Americas has implemented
only limited reforms of its curriculum.
(7) The continued operation of the United States Army
School of the Americas continues to associate the United States
with the abuses of its graduates.
SEC. 2. CLOSURE OF UNITED STATES ARMY SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS.
(a) Closure Required.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall close the
military education and training facility known as the United States
Army School of the Americas located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
(b) Repeal of Statutory Authority.--(1) Section 4415 of title 10,
United States Code, is repealed.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 407 of such
title is amended by striking out the item relating to such section.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ALL OTHER TRAINING OF FOREIGN
MILITARY PERSONNEL BY THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, in each
training activity undertaken by the United States with foreign security
forces, the Secretary of Defense (or any other executive branch
official who may be overseeing the training activity) should--
(1) substantially increase emphasis upon respect for human
rights, the proper role of a military within a democratic
society, and accountable and transparent management of defense
and security policy; and
(2) vigorously implement Department of Defense regulations
regarding the screening of foreign candidates for inclusion in
the training activity to ensure that the United States does not
train individuals implicated in human rights abuses, illegal
drug trafficking, or corruption.
(b) Training Activity Defined.--In subsection (a), the term
``training activity'' means any activity in which the United States
provides military education and training for foreign security forces,
whether conducted in the United States or abroad, including
international military education and training under chapter 5 of part
II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2347 et seq.),
international narcotics control under chapter 8 of part I of such Act
(22 U.S.C. 2291 et seq.), activities under section 1004 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 (10 U.S.C. 374 note),
and activities under the major force program for special operations
forces of the United States. | Directs the Secretary of the Army to close the military education and training facility known as the United States Army School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. Repeals current statutory authority for the School.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in each training activity undertaken by the United States with foreign security forces, the Secretary of Defense should: (1) substantially increase emphasis upon respect for human rights, the proper role of a military within a democratic society, and appropriate management of defense and security policy; and (2) implement Department of Defense regulations regarding the screening of foreign candidates for inclusion in the training activity to ensure that the United States does not train individuals implicated in human rights abuses, illegal drug trafficking, or corruption. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to close the United States Army School of the Americas."} | 1,184 | 152 | 0.4867 | 1.544778 | 0.689088 | 6.868056 | 7.465278 | 0.951389 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Reserve Board Retirement
Portability Act''.
SEC. 2. PORTABILITY OF SERVICE CREDIT.
(a) Creditable Service.--
(1) In general.--Section 8411(b) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph
(3);
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``of the preceding
provisions'' and inserting ``other paragraph'';
and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) a period of service (other than any service under any
other paragraph of this subsection, any military service, and
any service performed in the employ of a Federal Reserve Bank)
that was creditable under the Bank Plan (as defined in
subsection (i)), if the employee waives credit for such service
under the Bank Plan and makes a payment to the Fund equal to
the amount that would have been deducted from pay under section
8422(a) had the employee been subject to this chapter during
such period of service (together with interest on such amount
computed under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 8334(e)).
Paragraph (5) shall not apply in the case of any employee as to whom
subsection (g) (or, to the extent subchapter III of chapter 83 is
involved, section 8332(n)) otherwise applies.''.
(2) Bank plan defined.--Section 8411 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) For purposes of subsection (b)(5), the term `Bank Plan' means
the benefit structure in which employees of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System appointed on or after January 1, 1984,
participate, which benefit structure is a component of the Retirement
Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System, established under
section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (and any redesignated or
successor version of such benefit structure, if so identified in
writing by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for
purposes of this chapter).''.
(b) Exclusion From Chapter 84.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (2) of section 8402(b) of title
5, United States Code, is amended by striking the matter before
subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
``(2)(A) any employee or Member who has separated from the
service after--
``(i) having been subject to--
``(I) subchapter III of chapter 83
of this title;
``(II) subchapter I of chapter 8 of
title I of the Foreign Service Act of
1980; or
``(III) the benefit structure for
employees of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System appointed
before January 1, 1984, that is a
component of the Retirement Plan for
Employees of the Federal Reserve
System, established under section 10 of
the Federal Reserve Act; and
``(ii) having completed--
``(I) at least 5 years of civilian
service creditable under subchapter III
of chapter 83 of this title;
``(II) at least 5 years of civilian
service creditable under subchapter I
of chapter 8 of title I of the Foreign
Service Act of 1980; or
``(III) at least 5 years of
civilian service (other than any
service performed in the employ of a
Federal Reserve Bank) creditable under
the benefit structure for employees of
the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System appointed before January
1, 1984, that is a component of the
Retirement Plan for Employees of the
Federal Reserve System, established
under section 10 of the Federal Reserve
Act,
determined without regard to any deposit or
redeposit requirement under either such
subchapter or under such benefit structure, or
any requirement that the individual become
subject to either such subchapter or to such
benefit structure after performing the service
involved; or''.
(2) Exception.--Subsection (d) of section 8402 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) shall not apply to an
individual who--
``(1) becomes subject to--
``(A) subchapter II of chapter 8 of title I of the
Foreign Service Act of 1980 (relating to the Foreign
Service Pension System) pursuant to an election; or
``(B) the benefit structure in which employees of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
appointed on or after January 1, 1984, participate,
which benefit structure is a component of the
Retirement Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve
System, established under section 10 of the Federal
Reserve Act (and any redesignated or successor version
of such benefit structure, if so identified in writing
by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
for purposes of this chapter); and
``(2) subsequently enters a position in which, but for
paragraph (2) of subsection (b), such individual would be
subject to this chapter.''.
(c) Provisions Relating to Certain Former Employees.--A former
employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System who--
(1) has at least 5 years of civilian service (other than
any service performed in the employ of a Federal Reserve Bank)
creditable under the benefit structure for employees of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System appointed
before January 1, 1984, that is a component of the Retirement
Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System, established
under section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act;
(2) was subsequently employed subject to the benefit
structure in which employees of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System appointed on or after January 1, 1984,
participate, which benefit structure is a component of the
Retirement Plan for Employees of the Federal Reserve System,
established under section 10 of the Federal Reserve Act (and
any redesignated or successor version of such benefit
structure, if so identified in writing by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System for purposes of chapter
84 of title 5, United States Code); and
(3) after service described in paragraph (2), becomes
subject to and thereafter entitled to benefits under chapter 84
of title 5, United States Code,
shall, for purposes of section 302 of the Federal Employees' Retirement
System Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 601; 5 U.S.C. 8331 note) be considered to
have become subject to chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code,
pursuant to an election under section 301 of such Act.
(d) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--Subject to succeeding provisions of this
subsection, this section and the amendments made by this
section shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Provisions relating to creditability and certain former
employees.--The amendments made by subsection (a) and the
provisions of subsection (c) shall apply only to individuals
who separate from service subject to chapter 84 of title 5,
United States Code, on or after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(3) Provisions relating to exclusion from chapter.--The
amendments made by subsection (b) shall not apply to any former
employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System who, subsequent to his or her last period of service as
an employee of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and prior to the date of enactment of this Act, became
subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title
5, United States Code, under the law in effect at the time of
the individual's appointment.
SEC. 3. CERTAIN TRANSFERS TO BE TREATED AS A SEPARATION FROM SERVICE
FOR PURPOSES OF THE THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN.
(a) Amendments to Chapter 84 of Title 5, United States Code.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended by inserting before section 8432
the following:
``Sec. 8431. Certain transfers to be treated as a separation
``(a) For purposes of this subchapter, separation from Government
employment includes a transfer from a position that is subject to one
of the retirement systems described in subsection (b) to a position
that is not subject to any of them.
``(b) The retirement systems described in this subsection are--
``(1) the retirement system under this chapter;
``(2) the retirement system under subchapter III of chapter
83; and
``(3) any other retirement system under which individuals
may contribute to the Thrift Savings Fund through withholdings
from pay.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
84 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting
before the item relating to section 8432 the following:
``8431. Certain transfers to be treated as a separation.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Subsection (b) of section 8351 of title
5, United States Code, is amended by redesignating paragraph (11) as
paragraph (8), and by adding at the end the following:
``(9) For the purpose of this section, separation from
Government employment includes a transfer described in section
8431.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to transfers occurring before, on, or after the date
of enactment of this Act, except that, for purposes of applying such
amendments with respect to any transfer occurring before such date of
enactment, the date of such transfer shall be considered to be the date
of enactment of this Act. The Executive Director (within the meaning of
section 8401(13) of title 5, United States Code) may prescribe any
regulations necessary to carry out this subsection.
SEC. 4. CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS.
(a) In General.--Subsection (f) of section 3304 of title 5, United
States Code, as added by section 2 of Public Law 105-339, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (4);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) If selected, a preference eligible or veteran described in
paragraph (1) shall acquire competitive status and shall receive a
career or career-conditional appointment, as appropriate.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as if enacted on October 31, 1998.
Passed the House of Representatives March 16, 1999.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk. | Federal Reserve Board Retirement Portability Act - Includes as creditable service of a Federal employee or Member of Congress for purposes of Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) provisions a period of service (other than any service already creditable under FERS, any military service, and any service performed in the employ of a Federal Reserve Bank) that was creditable under the Bank Plan (the benefit structure in which employees of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System appointed on or after January 1, 1984, participate), if the employee waives credit for such service under the Bank Plan and makes a payment to the Thrift Savings Fund equal to the amount that would have been deducted from pay had the employee been subject to FERS during such period of service (together with interest on such amount computed).
Excludes from participation in FERS any employee or Member who has separated from civilian service after having been subject to the benefit structure for employees of the Board appointed before January 1, 1984, and having at least five years of civilian service (other than any service performed in the employ of a Federal Reserve Bank) creditable under such benefit structure, except for such persons who subsequently enter a position subject to FERS provisions.
Makes the amendments regarding creditability and certain former Board employees applicable only to individuals who separate from service subject to FERS on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(Sec. 3) Treats as a separation from Government employment, for purposes of the Thrift Savings Plan, any transfer from a position that is subject to FERS, CSRS, or any other retirement system under which individuals may contribute to the Thrift Savings Fund through withholdings from pay, to a position that is not subject to any of them.
(Sec. 4) Amends competitive service examination provisions to: (1) repeal the requirement that the Office of Personnel Management establish an appointing authority to appoint preference eligibles and veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three or more years of active service; and (2) require such a preference eligible or veteran, if selected, to acquire competitive status and receive a career or career-conditional appointment. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Federal Reserve Board Retirement Portability Act"} | 2,356 | 472 | 0.635423 | 2.018815 | 0.813998 | 5.327711 | 5.443373 | 0.908434 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Since 1988, three cost-sharing payment programs that
provide certain low-income elderly and disabled individuals
with financial assistance in covering Medicare beneficiary
costs have been established by law.
(2) While eligibility for Medicare cost-sharing assistance
has expanded, and while the Social Security Administration, the
Health Care Financing Administration, and State agencies are
working cooperatively to identify and implement reforms to cure
the chronic deficiencies associated with the programs described
in paragraph (1), reports have shown that gaps in beneficiary
knowledge and deficiencies in program administration by Federal
and State agencies present persistent barriers to enrolling
eligible beneficiaries in such programs.
(3) The financial plight of Social Security and Medicare
beneficiaries who experience critical income shifts due to the
death of a spouse is of particular concern. Statistics
furnished by the Social Security Administration show that 40
percent of nonmarried women (a category that includes widows)
rely on Social Security benefits for 90 percent of their income
in comparison to only 18 percent of married couples. Further,
nearly \1/4\ of nonmarried women rely on Social Security
retirement benefits as their sole source of income.
(4) While current reform proposals concentrate on reaching
potential eligible beneficiaries upon initial enrollment in
Social Security or Medicare, the financial vulnerability of
widowed spouses can arise at any time after a senior has begun
to receive retirement benefits.
SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) Outreach.--The Commissioner shall establish a
demonstration project to conduct outreach efforts to--
(A) identify individuals entitled to benefits under
the medicare program who may be eligible for medical
assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-
sharing under the medicaid program pursuant to sections
1902(a)(10)(E) and 1933 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(E); 1396u-3); and
(B) notify such individuals of the availability of
such medical assistance under such sections.
(2) Content of notice.--Any notice furnished under
paragraph (1) shall state that eligibility for medicare cost-
sharing assistance under such sections is conditioned upon the
individual providing an accurate statement as to whether or not
the individual has tax-exempt income, and, if so, the amount of
such income and, in the case of an individual residing in a
State that imposes an asset test for such eligibility, the
amount of countable assets the individual has.
(b) Coordination With States and Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) Furnishing information to states.--In conducting the
demonstration project established under subsection (a), the
Commissioner shall furnish the appropriate agency of each State
with information consisting of the identity of individuals
residing in the State that the Commissioner determines are or
may be eligible for medical assistance for payment of the cost
of medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program under
sections 1902(a)(10)(E) and 1933 of the Social Security Act,
and shall periodically update any such information as
appropriate.
(2) Coordination with irs and hcfa.--Except as otherwise
prohibited by law, in conducting such demonstration project the
Commissioner, in cooperation with the Commissioner of the
Internal Revenue Service and the Administrator of the Health
Care Financing Administration, shall furnish the appropriate
agency of each State with available income and asset
information of individuals residing in the State who are or may
be eligible for the medical assistance described in paragraph
(1).
(c) Duration.--The Commissioner shall conduct the demonstration
project during the 1-year period beginning on October 1, 1998.
(d) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the completion of the
demonstration project, the Commissioner, after consultation with the
Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and the Administrator of
the Health Care Financing Administration, shall submit to Congress a
report on the outreach efforts and results of such efforts under the
project. The report may include any recommendations for legislative or
administrative actions to further carry out the purpose of the project.
(e) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Commissioner.--The term ``Commissioner'' means the
Commissioner of Social Security.
(2) Medicaid program.--The term ``medicaid program'' means
the program of medical assistance established under title XIX
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
(3) Medicare program.--The term ``medicare program'' means
the health insurance program established under title XVIII of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--From sums made available to
the Social Security Administration for fiscal year 1999 to carry out
research and demonstrations activities, not more than $5,000,000 may be
obligated to carry out the demonstration project under this Act. | Directs the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration to establish a demonstration project to conduct outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of assistance under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries for Medicare cost-sharing.
Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to direct the Commissioner of Social Security to establish a demonstration project to conduct outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of medicare costsharing assistance to eligible low-income medicare beneficiaries."} | 1,031 | 63 | 0.454371 | 1.124491 | 0.893822 | 3.018868 | 17.981132 | 0.90566 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``American
Infrastructure Investment Act of 2010''.
(b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in
terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision,
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(c) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; amendment of 1986 Code; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Extension of Build America Bonds.
Sec. 3. Exempt-facility bonds for sewage and water supply facilities.
Sec. 4. Extension of exemption from alternative minimum tax treatment
for certain tax-exempt bonds.
Sec. 5. Extension and additional allocations of recovery zone bond
authority.
Sec. 6. Allowance of new markets tax credit against alternative minimum
tax.
Sec. 7. Extension of tax-exempt eligibility for loans guaranteed by
Federal home loan banks.
Sec. 8. Extension of temporary small issuer rules for allocation of
tax-exempt interest expense by financial
institutions.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF BUILD AMERICA BONDS.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 54AA(d)(1) is amended
by striking ``January 1, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2013''.
(b) Extension of Payments to Issuers.--
(1) In general.--Section 6431 is amended--
(A) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subsection
(a) and inserting ``January 1, 2013''; and
(B) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subsection
(f)(1)(B) and inserting ``a particular date''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Subsection (g) of section 54AA
is amended--
(A) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' and inserting
``January 1, 2013''; and
(B) by striking ``Qualified Bonds Issued Before
2011'' in the heading and inserting ``Certain Qualified
Bonds''.
(c) Reduction in Percentage of Payments to Issuers.--Subsection (b)
of section 6431 is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';
(2) by striking ``35 percent'' and inserting ``the
applicable percentage''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(2) Applicable percentage.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `applicable percentage' means the
percentage determined in accordance with the following table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
``In the case of a qualified bond issued during calendar
year: The applicable percentage is:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009 or 2010............................................... 35 percent
2011....................................................... 32 percent
2012....................................................... 30 percent.''.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Current Refundings Permitted.--Subsection (g) of section 54AA
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Treatment of current refunding bonds.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term `qualified bond' includes any bond (or series
of bonds) issued to refund a qualified bond if--
``(i) the average maturity date of the
issue of which the refunding bond is a part is
not later than the average maturity date of the
bonds to be refunded by such issue,
``(ii) the amount of the refunding bond
does not exceed the outstanding amount of the
refunded bond, and
``(iii) the refunded bond is redeemed not
later than 90 days after the date of the
issuance of the refunding bond.
``(B) Applicable percentage.--In the case of a
refunding bond referred to in subparagraph (A), the
applicable percentage with respect to such bond under
section 6431(b) shall be the lowest percentage
specified in paragraph (2) of such section.
``(C) Determination of average maturity.--For
purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), average maturity shall
be determined in accordance with section
147(b)(2)(A).''.
(e) Clarification Related to Levees and Flood Control Projects.--
Subparagraph (A) of section 54AA(g)(2) is amended by inserting
``(including capital expenditures for levees and other flood control
projects)'' after ``capital expenditures''.
SEC. 3. EXEMPT-FACILITY BONDS FOR SEWAGE AND WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES.
(a) Bonds for Water and Sewage Facilities Exempt From Volume Cap on
Private Activity Bonds.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (3) of section 146(g) is amended
by inserting ``(4), (5),'' after ``(2),''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraphs (2) and (3)(B) of
section 146(k) are both amended by striking ``(4), (5), (6),''
and inserting ``(6)''.
(b) Tax-Exempt Issuance by Indian Tribal Governments.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (c) of section 7871 is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Exception for bonds for water and sewage
facilities.--Paragraph (2) shall not apply to an exempt
facility bond 95 percent or more of the net proceeds (as
defined in section 150(a)(3)) of which are to be used to
provide facilities described in paragraph (4) or (5) of section
142(a).''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (2) of section 7871(c)
is amended by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and inserting
``paragraphs (3) and (4)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to obligations issued after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
SEC. 4. EXTENSION OF EXEMPTION FROM ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX TREATMENT
FOR CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT BONDS.
(a) In General.--Clause (vi) of section 57(a)(5)(C) is amended--
(1) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subclause (I) and
inserting ``January 1, 2012''; and
(2) by striking ``and 2010'' in the heading and inserting
``, 2010, and 2011''.
(b) Adjusted Current Earnings.--Clause (iv) of section 56(g)(4)(B)
is amended--
(1) by striking ``January 1, 2011'' in subclause (I) and
inserting ``January 1, 2012''; and
(2) by striking ``and 2010'' in the heading and inserting
``, 2010, and 2011''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2010.
SEC. 5. EXTENSION AND ADDITIONAL ALLOCATIONS OF RECOVERY ZONE BOND
AUTHORITY.
(a) Extension of Recovery Zone Bond Authority.--Section 1400U-
2(b)(1) and section 1400U-3(b)(1)(B) are each amended by striking
``January 1, 2011'' and inserting ``January 1, 2012''.
(b) Additional Allocations of Recovery Zone Bond Authority Based on
Unemployment.--Section 1400U-1 is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(c) Allocation of 2010 Recovery Zone Bond Limitations Based on
Unemployment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allocate the 2010
national recovery zone economic development bond limitation and
the 2010 national recovery zone facility bond limitation among
the States in the proportion that each such State's 2009
unemployment number bears to the aggregate of the 2009
unemployment numbers for all of the States.
``(2) Minimum allocation.--The Secretary shall adjust the
allocations under paragraph (1) for each State to the extent
necessary to ensure that no State (prior to any reduction under
paragraph (3)) receives less than 0.9 percent of the 2010
national recovery zone economic development bond limitation and
0.9 percent of the 2010 national recovery zone facility bond
limitation.
``(3) Allocations by states.--
``(A) In general.--Each State with respect to which
an allocation is made under paragraph (1) shall
reallocate such allocation among the counties and large
municipalities (as defined in subsection (a)(3)(B)) in
such State in the proportion that each such county's or
municipality's 2009 unemployment number bears to the
aggregate of the 2009 unemployment numbers for all the
counties and large municipalities (as so defined) in
such State.
``(B) 2010 allocation reduced by amount of previous
allocation.--Each State shall reduce (but not below
zero)--
``(i) the amount of the 2010 national
recovery zone economic development bond
limitation allocated to each county or large
municipality (as so defined) in such State by
the amount of the national recovery zone
economic development bond limitation allocated
to such county or large municipality under
subsection (a)(3)(A) (determined without regard
to any waiver thereof), and
``(ii) the amount of the 2010 national
recovery zone facility bond limitation
allocated to each county or large municipality
(as so defined) in such State by the amount of
the national recovery zone facility bond
limitation allocated to such county or large
municipality under subsection (a)(3)(A)
(determined without regard to any waiver
thereof).
``(C) Waiver of suballocations.--A county or
municipality may waive any portion of an allocation
made under this paragraph. A county or municipality
shall be treated as having waived any portion of an
allocation made under this paragraph which has not been
allocated to a bond issued before May 1, 2011. Any
allocation waived (or treated as waived) under this
subparagraph may be used or reallocated by the State.
``(D) Special rule for a municipality in a
county.--In the case of any large municipality any
portion of which is in a county, such portion shall be
treated as part of such municipality and not part of
such county.
``(4) 2009 unemployment number.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `2009 unemployment number' means, with
respect to any State, county or municipality, the number of
individuals in such State, county, or municipality who were
determined to be unemployed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
for December 2009.
``(5) 2010 national limitations.--
``(A) Recovery zone economic development bonds.--
The 2010 national recovery zone economic development
bond limitation is $10,000,000,000. Any allocation of
such limitation under this subsection shall be treated
for purposes of section 1400U-2 in the same manner as
an allocation of national recovery zone economic
development bond limitation.
``(B) Recovery zone facility bonds.--The 2010
national recovery zone facility bond limitation is
$15,000,000,000. Any allocation of such limitation
under this subsection shall be treated for purposes of
section 1400U-3 in the same manner as an allocation of
national recovery zone facility bond limitation.''.
(c) Authority of State To Waive Certain 2009 Allocations.--
Subparagraph (A) of section 1400U-1(a)(3) is amended by adding at the
end the following: ``A county or municipality shall be treated as
having waived any portion of an allocation made under this subparagraph
which has not been allocated to a bond issued before May 1, 2011. Any
allocation waived (or treated as waived) under this subparagraph may be
used or reallocated by the State.''.
SEC. 6. ALLOWANCE OF NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT AGAINST ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM
TAX.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 38(c)(4) is amended by
redesignating clauses (v) through (ix) as clauses (vi) through (x),
respectively, and by inserting after clause (iv) the following new
clause:
``(v) the credit determined under section
45D, but only with respect to credits
determined with respect to qualified equity
investments (as defined in section 45D(b))
initially made before January 1, 2012,''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to credits determined with respect to qualified equity
investments (as defined in section 45D(b) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986) initially made after March 15, 2010.
SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF TAX-EXEMPT ELIGIBILITY FOR LOANS GUARANTEED BY
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANKS.
Clause (iv) of section 149(b)(3)(A) is amended by striking
``December 31, 2010'' and inserting ``December 31, 2011''.
SEC. 8. EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY SMALL ISSUER RULES FOR ALLOCATION OF
TAX-EXEMPT INTEREST EXPENSE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of section
265(b)(3)(G) are each amended by striking ``or 2010'' and inserting ``,
2010, or 2011''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subparagraph (G) of section 265(b)(3) is
amended by striking ``and 2010'' in the heading and inserting ``, 2010,
and 2011''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to obligations issued after December 31, 2010. | American Infrastructure Investment Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend until January 1, 2013, the period for issuing Build America Bonds and for credits allowable to issuers of such bonds. Allows funding through such bonds for capital expenditures for levees and flood control projects.
Exempts private activity bonds for sewage and water supply facilities from the state volume caps applicable to such bonds. Allows Indian tribal governments to issue tax-exempt private activity bonds to provide water or sewage facilities.
Extends through 2011 the exemption from alternative minimum tax (AMT) treatment of interest on certain tax-exempt bonds.
Extends through 2011 the period for issuing recovery zone economic development bonds and recovery zone facility bonds. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate 2010 national limitations on recovery bonds based upon state unemployment statistics.
Allows a full offset against the AMT for new market tax credit amounts.
Extends through 2011: (1) the tax exemption allowed for interest on bonds guaranteed by a federal home loan bank; and (2) small issuer rules for the allocation of tax-exempt interest expense by financial institutions. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage investments in infrastructure, and for other purposes."} | 3,239 | 244 | 0.553188 | 1.597305 | 0.777544 | 2.474178 | 12.699531 | 0.859155 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs
Employment Discrimination Resolution and Adjudication Act''.
SEC. 2. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--(1) Chapter 5 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting at the end of subchapter I the following new
section:
``Sec. 516. Equal employment responsibilities
``(a) The Secretary shall provide that the employment
discrimination complaint resolution system within the Department be
established and administered so as to encourage timely and fair
resolution of concerns and complaints. The Secretary shall take steps
to ensure that the system is administered in an objective, fair, and
effective manner and in a manner that is perceived by employees and
other interested parties as being objective, fair, and effective.
``(b) The Secretary shall provide--
``(1) that employees responsible for counseling functions
associated with employment discrimination and for receiving,
investigating, and processing complaints of employment
discrimination shall be supervised in those functions by, and
report to, an Assistant Secretary or a Deputy Assistant
Secretary for complaint resolution management; and
``(2) that employees performing employment discrimination
complaint resolution functions at a facility of the Department
shall not be subject to the authority, direction, and control
of the Director of the facility with respect to those
functions.
``(c) The Secretary shall ensure that all employees of the
Department receive adequate education and training for the purposes of
this section and section 319 of this title.
``(d) The Secretary shall impose appropriate disciplinary measures,
as authorized by law, in the case of employees of the Department who
engage in unlawful employment discrimination, including retaliation
against an employee asserting rights under an equal employment
opportunity law.
``(e) The number of employees of the Department whose duties
include equal employment opportunity counseling functions as well as
other, unrelated functions may not exceed 40 full-time equivalent
employees. Any such employee may be assigned equal employment
opportunity counseling functions only at Department facilities in
remote geographic locations (as determined by the Secretary). The
Secretary may waive the limitation in the preceding sentence in
specific cases.
``(f) The provisions of this section shall be implemented in a
manner consistent with procedures applicable under regulations
prescribed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 515 the
following new item:
``516. Equal employment responsibilities.''.
(b) Reports on Implementation.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to Congress reports on the implementation and operation of
the equal employment opportunity system within the Department of
Veterans Affairs. The first such report shall be submitted not later
than April 1, 1998, and subsequent reports shall be submitted not later
than January 1, 1999, and January 1, 2000. Each such report shall set
forth the actions taken by the Secretary to implement section 516 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and other
actions taken by the Secretary in relation to the equal employment
opportunity system within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
SEC. 3. DISCRIMINATION COMPLAINT ADJUDICATION AUTHORITY IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) In General.--(1) Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 319. Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication
``(a)(1) There is in the Department an Office of Employment
Discrimination Complaint Adjudication. There is at the head of the
Office a Director.
``(2) The Director shall be a career appointee in the Senior
Executive Service.
``(3) The Director reports directly to the Secretary or the Deputy
Secretary concerning matters within the responsibility of the Office.
``(b)(1) The Director is responsible for making the final agency
decision within the Department on the merits of any employment
discrimination complaint filed by an employee, or an applicant for
employment, with the Department. The Director shall make such decisions
in an impartial and objective manner.
``(2) No person may make any ex parte communication to the Director
or to any employee of the Office with respect to a matter on which the
Director has responsibility for making a final agency decision.
``(c) Whenever the Director has reason to believe that there has
been retaliation against an employee by reason of the employee
asserting rights under an equal employment opportunity law, the
Director shall report the suspected retaliatory action directly to the
Secretary or Deputy Secretary, who shall take appropriate action
thereon.
``(d)(1) The Office shall employ a sufficient number of attorneys
and other personnel as are necessary to carry out the functions of the
Office. Attorneys shall be compensated at a level commensurate with
attorneys employed by the Office of General Counsel.
``(2) The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is furnished
sufficient resources in addition to personnel under paragraph (1) to
enable the Director to carry out the functions of the Office in a
timely manner.
``(3) The Secretary shall ensure that any performance appraisal of
the Director of the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint
Adjudication or of any employee of the Office does not take into
consideration the record of the Director or employee in deciding cases
for or against the Department.''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``319. Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication.''.
(b) Reports on Implementation.--The Director of the Office of
Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication of the Department of
Veterans Affairs (established by section 319 of title 38, United States
Code, as added by subsection (a)) shall submit to the Secretary and to
Congress reports on the implementation and the operation of that
office. The first such report shall be submitted not later than April
1, 1998, and subsequent reports shall be submitted not later than
January 1, 1999, and January 1, 2000.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Sections 516 and 319 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
sections 2 and 3 of this Act, shall take effect 90 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. INDEPENDENT PANEL TO REVIEW EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND
SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROCEDURES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established a panel to review
the equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment practices and
procedures within the Department of Veterans Affairs and to make
recommendations on improvements to those practices and procedures.
(b) Panel Functions Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity and
Sexual Harassment.--The panel shall assess the culture of the
Department of Veterans Affairs in relationship to the issues of equal
employment opportunity and sexual harassment, determine the effect of
that culture on the operation of the Department overall, and provide
recommendations as necessary to change that culture. As part of the
review, the panel shall do the following:
(1) Determine whether laws relating to equal employment
opportunity and sexual harassment, as those laws apply to the
Department of Veterans Affairs, and regulations and policy
directives of the Department relating to equal employment
opportunity and sexual harassment have been consistently and
fairly applied throughout the Department and make
recommendations to correct any disparities.
(2) Review practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
relevant studies, and private sector training and reporting
concepts as those practices, studies, and concepts pertain to
equal employment opportunity, sexual misconduct, and sexual
harassment policies and enforcement.
(3) Provide an independent assessment of the Report on the
Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Process Review Task
Force of the Department.
(c) Composition.--(1) The panel shall be composed of six members,
appointed as follows:
(A) Three members shall be appointed jointly by the
chairman and ranking minority party member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(B) Three members shall be appointed jointly by the
chairman and ranking minority party member of the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate.
(2) The members of the panel shall choose one of the members to
chair the panel.
(d) Qualifications.--Members of the panel shall be appointed from
among private United States citizens with knowledge and expertise in
one or more of the following:
(1) Extensive prior military experience, particularly in
the area of personnel policy management.
(2) Extensive experience with equal employment opportunity
complaint procedures, either within Federal or State government
or in the private sector.
(3) Extensive knowledge of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and particularly knowledge of personnel practices
within the Department.
(e) Reports.--(1) Not later than six months after the members of
the panel are appointed, the panel shall submit an interim report on
its findings and conclusions to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of
the Senate and House of Representatives.
(2) Not later than one year after establishment of the panel, the
panel shall submit a final report to the Committees on Veterans'
Affairs of the Senate and House of Representatives. The final report
shall include an assessment of the equal employment opportunity system
and the culture within the Department of Veterans Affairs, with
particular emphasis on sexual harassment. The panel shall include in
the report recommendations to improve the culture within the
Department.
(f) Pay and Expenses of Members.--(1) Each member of the panel
shall be paid at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including
travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of
the duties of the panel.
(2) The members of the panel shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of
business in the performance of services for the panel.
(g) Administrative Support.--The Chairman may hire such staff as
necessary to accomplish the duties outlined under this title.
(h) Funding.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, upon the
request of the panel, make available to the panel such amounts as the
panel may require, not to exceed $400,000, to carry out its duties
under this title.
(i) Termination of Panel.--The panel shall terminate 60 days after
the date on which it submits its final report under subsection (e)(2).
Passed the House of Representatives October 6, 1997.
Attest:
ROBIN H. CARLE,
Clerk. | Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Discrimination Resolution and Adjudication Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide that the employment discrimination complaint resolution system within the Department of Veterans Affairs be established and administered so as to encourage timely and fair resolution of concerns and complaints and that the system is administered in an objective, fair, and effective manner as perceived by Department employees. Directs the Secretary to impose appropriate disciplinary measures for Department employees who engage in unlawful employment discrimination, including retaliation against employees asserting equal employment opportunity (EEO) rights. Limits to 40 the number of Department employees whose duties include EEO counseling functions as well as other unrelated functions. Allows such splitting of functions only at Department facilities located in remote geographic locations. Directs the Secretary to submit to the Congress reports on the implementation and operation of the EEO system within the Department.
Establishes in the Department an Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication headed by a Director who shall be responsible for making final agency decisions on the merits of any unlawful employment discrimination complaints filed by a Department employee. Requires the Director to report to the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs when the Director has reason to believe that there has been retaliation against an employee asserting EEO rights. Requires the Director to submit to the Secretary and the Congress reports on the implementation and operation of the Office.
Establishes an independent panel to review and report to the veterans' committees on the EEO and sexual harassment practices and procedures within the Department and to make recommendations on improvements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Discrimination Resolution and Adjudication Act"} | 2,320 | 337 | 0.661561 | 1.867156 | 0.861841 | 4.127148 | 7.704467 | 0.917526 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Energy and Water Research
Integration Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. INTEGRATING ENERGY AND WATER RESEARCH.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall integrate water
considerations into energy research, development, and demonstration
programs and projects of the Department of Energy by--
(1) advancing energy and energy efficiency technologies and
practices that meet the objectives of--
(A) minimizing freshwater withdrawal and
consumption;
(B) increasing water use efficiency; and
(C) utilizing nontraditional water sources with
efforts to improve the quality of the water from those
sources;
(2) considering the effects climate variability may have on
water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel
production; and
(3) improving understanding of the energy-water nexus.
(b) Strategic Plan.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a strategic
plan identifying the research, development, and demonstration
needs for Department programs and projects to carry out
subsection (a). The strategic plan shall include technical
milestones for achieving and assessing progress toward the
objectives of subsection (a)(1).
(2) Specific considerations.--In developing the strategic
plan, the Secretary shall consider--
(A) new advanced cooling technologies for energy
generation and fuel production technologies;
(B) performance improvement of existing cooling
technologies and cost reductions associated with using
those technologies;
(C) innovative water reuse, recovery, and treatment
technologies in energy generation and fuel production;
(D) technology development for carbon capture and
storage systems that utilize efficient water use design
strategies;
(E) technologies that are life-cycle cost
effective;
(F) systems analysis and modeling of issues
relating to the energy-water nexus;
(G) technologies to treat and utilize wastewater
and produced waters discharged from oil, natural gas,
coalbed methane, and any other substance to be used as
an energy source;
(H) advanced materials for the use of
nontraditional water sources for energy generation and
fuel production;
(I) biomass production and utilization and the
impact on hydrologic systems;
(J) technologies that reduce impacts on water from
energy resource development;
(K) energy efficient technologies for water
distribution, treatment, and collection systems;
(L) technologies for energy generation from water
distribution, treatment, and collection systems; and
(M) any other area of the energy-water nexus that
the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) Collaboration and nonduplication.--In developing the
strategic plan, the Secretary shall coordinate and avoid
duplication--
(A) with other Federal agencies operating related
programs, if appropriate; and
(B) across programs and projects of the Department,
including with those of the National Laboratories.
(4) Relevant information and recommendations.--In
developing the strategic plan, the Secretary shall consider and
incorporate, as appropriate, relevant information and
recommendations, including those of the National Water
Availability and Use Assessment Program under section 9508(d)
of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C.
10368(d)).
(5) Additional participation.--In developing the strategic
plan, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate with a diverse
group of representatives from research and academic
institutions, industry, and State and local governments who
have expertise in technologies and practices relating to the
energy-water nexus.
(6) Submission to congress.--Not later than 15 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to Congress the strategic plan.
(7) Updating the strategic plan.--Not later than 3 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once
every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall--
(A) utilize relevant information produced by
Federal Government agencies, academia, States, and
industry to update the strategic plan;
(B) include in the updated strategic plan a
description of the changes from the previous strategic
plan and the rationale for such changes; and
(C) submit the updated strategic plan to Congress.
(c) Progress Reports.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years,
the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the progress the
Department has made toward the milestones outlined in the strategic
plan.
(d) Additional Activities.--The Secretary may provide for such
additional research, development, and demonstration activities as
appropriate to integrate water considerations into the research,
development, and demonstration activities of the Department as
described in subsection (a).
SEC. 3. ENERGY-WATER OVERSIGHT AND COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in coordination with other relevant
Federal agencies, shall establish an Energy-Water Subcommittee of the
Energy Advisory Board to promote and enable improved energy and water
resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. The
Subcommittee shall consist of--
(1) representation from each program within the Department
and each Federal agency that conducts research related to the
energy-water nexus; and
(2) non-Federal members, including representatives of
research and academic institutions, States, and industry, who
have expertise in technologies and practices relating to the
energy-water nexus.
(b) Functions.--The Subcommittee shall--
(1) make recommendations on the development and integration
of data collection and data communication standards and
protocols to agencies and entities currently engaged in
collecting the data for the energy-water nexus;
(2) recommend ways to make improvements to Federal water
use data to increase understanding of trends in energy
generation and fuel production;
(3) recommend best practices for utilizing information from
existing monitoring networks to provide nationally uniform
water and energy use and infrastructure data; and
(4) conduct annual technical workshops, including at least
1 regional workshop annually, to facilitate information
exchange among Federal, regional, State, local, and tribal
governments and private sector experts on technologies that
encourage the conservation and efficient use of water and
energy.
(c) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and at least once every 2 years thereafter, the Subcommittee,
through the Secretary, shall transmit to Congress a report on its
findings and activities under this section.
SEC. 4. MANDATES.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require State, tribal, or
local governments to take any action that may result in an increased
financial burden to such governments by restricting the use of water by
such governments.
SEC. 5. COORDINATION AND NONDUPLICATION.
To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate
activities under this Act with other programs of the Department and
other Federal research programs.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Energy.
(2) Energy-water nexus.--The term ``energy-water nexus''
means the energy required to provide reliable water supplies
and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies
throughout the United States.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(4) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means the
Energy-Water Subcommittee of the Energy Advisory Board
established under section 3(a). | Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2014 - Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to integrate water considerations into its energy research, development, and demonstration programs and projects by: (1) advancing energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices that meet the objectives of minimizing freshwater withdrawal and consumption, increasing water use efficiency, and utilizing nontraditional water sources with efforts to improve the quality of the water from those sources; (2) considering the effects climate variability may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production; and (3) improving the understanding of the energy required to provide reliable water supplies and the water required to provide reliable energy supplies. Directs DOE to develop and update every five years a strategic plan to carry out the integration. Requires DOE to establish an Energy-Water Subcommittee of the Energy Advisory Board to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation. Prohibits this Act from being construed to require state, tribal, or local governments to take any action that may result in an increased financial burden by restricting their water use. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2014"} | 1,582 | 235 | 0.625651 | 1.816128 | 1.025188 | 6.279621 | 7.075829 | 0.952607 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal
Cord Injury Registry Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) traumatic brain and spinal cord injury are severe and
disabling, have enormous personal and societal costs;
(2) 51,000 people die each year from traumatic brain injury
and 4,500,000 people live with lifelong and severe disability
as a result of a traumatic brain injury;
(3) approximately 10,000 people sustain spinal cord
injuries each year, and 200,000 live with life-long and severe
disability; and
(4) a nationwide system of registries will help better
define--
(A) who sustains such injuries and the impact of
such injuries;
(B) the range of impairments and disability
associated with such injuries; and
(C) better mechanisms to refer persons with
traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries to
available services.
SEC. 3. TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SPINAL CORD INJURY REGISTRIES
PROGRAM.
Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Part O--National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord
Injury Registries
``SEC. 399N. NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND SPINAL
CORD INJURY REGISTRIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may make grants to
States or their designees to operate the State's traumatic brain injury
and spinal cord injury registry, and to academic institutions to
conduct applied research that will support the development of such
registries, to collect data concerning--
``(1) demographic information about each traumatic brain
injury or spinal cord injury;
``(2) information about the circumstances surrounding the
injury event associated with each traumatic brain injury and
spinal cord injury;
``(3) administrative information about the source of the
collected information, dates of hospitalization and treatment,
and the date of injury;
``(4) information characterizing the clinical aspects of
the traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, including the
severity of the injury, the types of treatments received, and
the types of services utilized;
``(5) information on the outcomes associated with traumatic
brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, such as impairments,
functional limitations, and disability;
``(6) information on the outcomes associated with traumatic
brain injuries and spinal cord injuries which do not result in
hospitalization; and
``(7) other elements determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
``(b) Eligibility for Grants.--
``(1) In general.--No grant shall be made by the Secretary
under subsection (a) unless an application has been submitted
to, and approved by, the Secretary. Such application shall be
in such form, submitted in such a manner, and be accompanied by
such information, as the Secretary may specify. No such
application may be approved unless it contains assurances that
the applicant will use the funds provided only for the purposes
specified in the approved application and in accordance with
the requirements of subsection (a), that the application will
establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as
may be necessary to assure proper disbursement and accounting
of Federal funds paid to the applicant under subsection (a) of
this section, and that the applicant will comply with review
requirements under sections 491 and 492.
``(2) Establishment of registries.--Each applicant, prior
to receiving Federal funds under subsection (a), shall provide
for the establishment of a registry that will--
``(A) comply with appropriate standards of
completeness, timeliness, and quality of data
collection;
``(B) provide for periodic reports of traumatic
brain injury and spinal cord injury registry data; and
``(C) provide for the authorization under State law
of the statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal cord
injury registry, including promulgation of regulations
providing--
``(i) a means to assure timely and complete
reporting of brain injuries and spinal cord
injuries (as described in subsection (a)) to
the statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal
cord injury registry by hospitals or other facilities providing
diagnostic or acute care or rehabilitative social services to patients
with respect to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury;
``(ii) a means to assure the complete
reporting of brain injuries and spinal cord
injuries (as defined in subsection (a)) to the
statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal
cord injury registry by physicians, surgeons,
and all other health care practitioners
diagnosing or providing treatment for traumatic
brain injury and spinal cord injury patients,
except for cases directly referred to or
previously admitted to a hospital or other
facility providing diagnostic or acute care or
rehabilitative services to patients in that
State and reported by those facilities;
``(iii) a means for the statewide traumatic
brain injury and spinal cord injury registry to
access all records of physicians and surgeons,
hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes,
and all other facilities, individuals, or
agencies providing such services to patients
which would identify cases of traumatic brain
injury or spinal cord injury or would establish
characteristics of the injury, treatment of the
injury, or medical status of any identified
patient; and
``(iv) for the reporting of traumatic brain
injury and spinal cord injury case data to the
statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal
cord injury registry in such a format, with
such data elements, and in accordance with such
standards of quality timeliness and
completeness, as may be established by the
Secretary.
``(3) Applied research.--Applicants for applied research
shall conduct applied research as determined by the Secretary,
acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, to be necessary to support the development of
registry activities as defined in this section.
``(4) Assurances for confidentiality of registry data.--
Each applicant shall provide to the satisfaction of the
Secretary for--
``(A) a means by which confidential case data may
in accordance with State law be disclosed to traumatic
brain injury and spinal cord injury researchers for the
purposes of the prevention, control and research of
brain injuries and spinal cord injuries;
``(B) the authorization or the conduct, by the
statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
registry or other persons and organizations, of studies
utilizing statewide traumatic brain injury and spinal
cord injury registry data, including studies of the
sources and causes of traumatic brain injury and spinal
cord injury, evaluations of the cost, quality,
efficacy, and appropriateness of diagnostic,
rehabilitative, and preventative services and programs
relating to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord
injury, and any other clinical, epidemiological, or
other traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
research;
``(C) the protection of individuals complying with
the law, including provisions specifying that no person
shall be held liable in any civil action with respect
to a traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury case
report provided to the statewide traumatic brain injury
and spinal cord injury registry, or with respect to
access to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
case information provided to the statewide traumatic
brain injury and spinal cord injury registry; and
``(D) the protection of individual privacy and
confidentiality consistent with Federal and State laws.
``SEC. 399O. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN OPERATIONS OF STATEWIDE
REGISTRIES.
``The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, may, directly or through grants and
contracts, or both, provide technical assistance to the States in the
establishment and operation of statewide registries, including
assistance in the development of model legislation for statewide
traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury registries and assistance
in establishing a computerized reporting and data processing system. In
providing such assistance, the Secretary shall encourage States to
utilize standardized procedures where appropriate.
``SEC. 399P. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``For the purpose of carrying out this part, there are authorized
to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as
may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2000 through 2004.
``SEC. 399Q. DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Spinal cord injury.--The term `spinal cord injury'
means an acquired injury to the spinal cord. Such term does not
include spinal cord dysfunction caused by congenital or
degenerative disorders, vascular disease, or tumors, or spinal
column fractures without a spinal cord injury.
``(2) Traumatic brain injury.--The term `traumatic brain
injury' means an acquired injury to the brain, including brain
injuries caused by anoxia due to near-drowning. Such term does
not include brain dysfunction caused by congenital or
degenerative disorders, cerebral vascular disease, tumors, or
birth trauma. The Secretary may revise the definition of such
term as the Secretary determines appropriate.''. | Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Registry Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants to: (1) States or their designees to operate the State's traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury registry; and (2) academic institutions to conduct applied research to support the registries. Regulates registry data confidentiality. Authorizes technical assistance, directly or through grants and contracts, regarding the registries and regarding development of model legislation. Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury Registry Act"} | 1,988 | 105 | 0.64655 | 1.499115 | 0.947145 | 4.477778 | 20.733333 | 0.877778 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cuba Reconciliation Act''.
SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF PROVISIONS RESTRICTING TRADE AND OTHER RELATIONS
WITH CUBA.
(a) Authority for Embargo.--Section 620(a) of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2370(a)) is repealed.
(b) Trading With the Enemy Act.--The authorities conferred upon the
President by section 5(b) of the Trading with the Enemy Act, which were
being exercised with respect to Cuba on July 1, 1977, as a result of a
national emergency declared by the President before that date, and are
being exercised on the day before the effective date of this Act, may
not be exercised on or after such effective date with respect to Cuba.
Any regulations in effect on the day before such effective date
pursuant to the exercise of such authorities, shall cease to be
effective on such date.
(c) Exercise of Authorities Under Other Provisions of Law.--
(1) Removal of prohibitions.--Any prohibition on exports to
Cuba that is in effect on the day before the effective date of
this Act under the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as
continued in effect under the International Emergency Economic
Powers Act) shall cease to be effective on such effective date.
(2) Authority for new restrictions.--The President may, on
and after the effective date of this Act--
(A) impose export controls with respect to Cuba
under section 5, 6(j), 6(l), or 6(m) of the Export
Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect
under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act);
and
(B) exercise the authorities he has under the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act with
respect to Cuba pursuant to a declaration of national
emergency required by that Act that is made on account
of an unusual and extraordinary threat, that did not
exist before the enactment of this Act, to the national
security, foreign policy, or economy of the United
States.
(d) Cuban Democracy Act of 1992.--The Cuban Democracy Act of 1992
(22 U.S.C. 6001 and following) is repealed.
(e) Repeal of Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD)
Act of 1996.--
(1) Repeal.--The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity
(LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 is repealed.
(2) Conforming amendments.--(A) Section 498A of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2295a) is amended--
(i) in subsection (a)(11), by striking ``and
intelligence facilities, including the military and
intelligence facilities at Lourdes and Cienfuegos,''
and inserting ``facilities,'';
(ii) in subsection (b)--
(I) in paragraph (4), by adding ``and''
after the semicolon;
(II) by striking paragraph (5); and
(III) by redesignating paragraph (6) as
paragraph (5); and
(iii) by striking subsection (d).
(B) Section 498B(k) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2295b(k)) is amended by striking paragraphs (3) and
(4).
(C) Section 1611 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking subsection (c).
(D) Sections 514 and 515 of the International Claims
Settlement Act of 1949 (22 U.S.C. 1643l and 1643m) are
repealed.
(f) Termination of Denial of Foreign Tax Credit With Respect to
Cuba.--Subparagraph (A) of section 901(j)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to denial of foreign tax credit, etc., with
respect to certain foreign countries) is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following new flush sentence:
``Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, this subsection shall not
apply to Cuba after the date which is 60 days after the date of the
enactment of this sentence.''.
(g) Sugar Quota Prohibition Under Food Security Act of 1985.--
Section 902(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 is repealed.
(h) Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.--The
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C.
7201 and following) is amended--
(1) in section 906(a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``Cuba,''; and
(B) by inserting ``(other than Cuba)'' after ``to
the government of a country'';
(2) in section 908--
(A) by striking subsection (b);
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``Prohibition'' and all
that follows through ``(1) In general.--'' and
inserting ``In General.--'';
(ii) by striking ``for exports to Cuba
or'';
(iii) by striking paragraph (2); and
(iv) by redesignating paragraph (3) as
subsection (b) (and conforming the margin
accordingly); and
(C) in subsection (b) (as redesignated), by
striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``subsection
(a)'';
(3) by striking section 909; and
(4) by striking section 910.
(i) Repeal of Prohibition on Transactions or Payments With Respect
to Certain United States Intellectual Property.--Section 211 of the
Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
(as contained in section 101(b) of division A of Public Law 105-277;
112 Stat. 2681-88) is repealed.
SEC. 3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES.
Any common carrier within the meaning of section 3 of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153) is authorized to install,
maintain, and repair telecommunications equipment and facilities in
Cuba, and otherwise provide telecommunications services between the
United States and Cuba. The authority of this section includes the
authority to upgrade facilities and equipment.
SEC. 4. TRAVEL.
(a) In General.--Travel to and from Cuba by individuals who are
citizens or residents of the United States, and any transactions
ordinarily incident to such travel, may not be regulated or prohibited
if such travel would be lawful in the United States.
(b) Transactions Incident to Travel.--Any transactions ordinarily
incident to travel which may not be regulated or prohibited under
subsection (a) include, but are not limited to--
(1) transactions ordinarily incident to travel or
maintenance in Cuba; and
(2) normal banking transactions involving foreign currency
drafts, traveler's checks, or other negotiable instruments
incident to such travel.
SEC. 5. DIRECT MAIL DELIVERY TO CUBA.
The United States Postal Service shall take such actions as are
necessary to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba, including,
in the absence of common carrier service between the 2 countries, the
use of charter providers.
SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect 60
days after the date of the enactment of this Act. | Cuba Reconciliation Act Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal the embargo placed upon all trade with Cuba. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare the denial of foreign tax credit inapplicable to Cuba.Permits: (1) installation and maintenance of telecommunications equipment and facilities in Cuba, including telecommunications services between the United States and Cuba; and (2) travel to and from Cuba by U.S. citizens or residents. Requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide direct mail service to and from Cuba. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Cuba Reconciliation Act"} | 1,661 | 120 | 0.458127 | 1.122727 | 0.456008 | 3.378947 | 15.115789 | 0.873684 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-
Living Adjustment Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN RATES OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION AND DEPENDENCY AND
INDEMNITY COMPENSATION.
(a) Veterans' Disability Compensation.--Section 1114 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$106'' and inserting
``$112'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$205'' and inserting
``$218'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$316'' and inserting
``$337'';
(4) in subsection (d), by striking ``$454'' and inserting
``$485'';
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``$646'' and inserting
``$690'';
(6) in subsection (f), by striking ``$817'' and inserting
``$873'';
(7) in subsection (g), by striking ``$1,029'' and inserting
``$1,099'';
(8) in subsection (h), by striking ``$1,195'' and inserting
``$1,277'';
(9) in subsection (i), by striking ``$1,344'' and inserting
``$1,436'';
(10) in subsection (j), by striking ``$2,239'' and inserting
``$2,393'';
(11) in subsection (k)--
(A) by striking ``$82'' both places it appears and
inserting ``$87''; and
(B) by striking ``$2,785'' and ``$3,907'' and inserting
``$2,977'' and ``$4,176'', respectively;
(12) in subsection (l), by striking ``$2,785'' and inserting
``$2,977'';
(13) in subsection (m), by striking ``$3,073'' and inserting
``$3,284'';
(14) in subsection (n), by striking ``$3,496'' and inserting
``$3,737'';
(15) in subsections (o) and (p), by striking ``$3,907'' each
place it appears and inserting ``$4,176'';
(16) in subsection (r), by striking ``$1,677'' and ``$2,497''
and inserting ``$1,792'' and ``$2,669'', respectively; and
(17) in subsection (s), by striking ``$2,506'' and inserting
``$2,678''.
(b) Additional Compensation for Dependents.--Section 1115(1) of
such title is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$127'' and inserting
``$135'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``$219'' and ``$65'' and
inserting ``$233'' and ``$68'', respectively;
(3) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``$86'' and ``$65'' and
inserting ``$91'' and ``$68'', respectively;
(4) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``$103'' and inserting
``$109'';
(5) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``$241'' and inserting
``$257''; and
(6) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``$202'' and inserting
``$215''.
(c) Clothing Allowance for Certain Disabled Veterans.--Section 1162
of such title is amended by striking ``$600'' and inserting ``$641''.
(d) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Surviving Spouses.--
(1) New law dic.--Section 1311(a) of such title is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$967'' and inserting
``$1,033''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$208'' and inserting
``$221''.
(2) Old law dic.--The table in paragraph (3) of such section is
amended to read as follows:
``Pay grade Monthly rate Pay grade Monthly rate
E-1.................................. $1,033 W-4.................... $1,236
E-2.................................. $1,033 O-1.................... $1,092
E-3.................................. $1,033 O-2.................... $1,128
E-4.................................. $1,033 O-3.................... $1,207
E-5.................................. $1,033 O-4.................... $1,277
E-6.................................. $1,033 O-5.................... $1,406
E-7.................................. $1,069 O-6.................... $1,585
E-8.................................. $1,128 O-7.................... $1,712
E-9.................................. $1,1771 O-8.................... $1,879
W-1.................................. $1,092 O-9.................... $2,010
W-2.................................. $1,135 O-10................... $2,2042
W-3.................................. $1,169 ....................... ..............
1 If the veteran served as sergeant major of the Army, senior enlisted advisor of the Navy, chief master
sergeant of the Air Force, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, or master chief petty officer of the Coast
Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate shall be
$1,271.
2 If the veteran served as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army,
Chief of Naval Operations, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Commandant of the Marine Corps, or Commandant of
the Coast Guard, at the applicable time designated by section 1302 of this title, the surviving spouse's rate
shall be $2,365.''.
(3) Additional dic for children or disability.--Section 1311 of
such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (b), by striking ``$241'' and inserting
``$257'';
(B) in subsection (c), by striking ``$241'' and inserting
``$257''; and
(C) in subsection (d), by striking ``$115'' and inserting
``$122''.
(e) Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for Children.--
(1) Dic when no surviving spouse.--Section 1313(a) of such
title is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$410'' and inserting
``$438'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``$590'' and inserting
``$629'';
(C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``$767'' and inserting
``$819''; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``$767'' and ``$148'' and
inserting ``$819'' and ``$157'', respectively.
(2) Supplemental dic for certain children.--Section 1314 of
such title is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``$241'' and inserting
``$257'';
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``$410'' and inserting
``$438''; and
(C) in subsection (c), by striking ``$205'' and inserting
``$218''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on December 1, 2005.
(g) Special Rule.--The Secretary may adjust administratively,
consistent with the increases made under subsection (a), the rates of
disability compensation payable to persons within the purview of
section 10 of Public Law 85-857 (72 Stat. 1263) who are not in receipt
of compensation payable pursuant to chapter 11 of title 38, United
States Code.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate. | Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2005 - Increases, as of December 1, 2005, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to increase, effective as of December 1, 2005, the rates of compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of certain disabled veterans."} | 1,925 | 64 | 0.555858 | 1.247255 | 0.288804 | 3.111111 | 30.851852 | 0.962963 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Kate Mullany
National Historic Site Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 4. Establishment of Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
Sec. 5. Acquisition of property.
Sec. 6. Administration of historic site.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) The term ``historic site'' means the Kate Mullany
National Historic Site established by section 4 of this Act.
(2) The term ``plan'' means the general management plan
developed pursuant to section 6(d).
(3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Interior.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Kate Mullany House in Troy, New York, is listed on
the National Register of Historic Places and has been
designated as a National Historic Landmark.
(2) The National Historic Landmark Theme Study on American
Labor History concluded that the Kate Mullany House appears to
meet the criteria of national significance, suitability, and
feasibility for inclusion in the National Park System.
(3) The city of Troy, New York--
(A) played an important role in the development of
the collar and cuff industry and the iron industry in
the 19th century, and in the development of early men's
and women's worker and cooperative organizations; and
(B) was the home of the first women's labor union,
led by Irish immigrant Kate Mullany.
(4) The city of Troy, New York, with 6 neighboring cities,
towns, and villages, entered into a cooperative arrangement to
create the Hudson-Mohawk Urban Cultural Park Commission to
manage their valuable historic resources and the area within
these municipalities has been designated by the State of New
York as a heritage area to represent industrial development and
labor themes in the State's development.
(5) This area, known as the Hudson-Mohawk Urban Cultural
Park or RiverSpark, has been a pioneer in the development of
partnership parks where intergovernmental and public and
private partnerships bring about the conservation of our
heritage and the attainment of goals for preservation,
education, recreation, and economic development.
(6) Establishment of the Kate Mullany National Historic
Site and cooperative efforts between the National Park Service
and the Hudson-Mohawk Urban Cultural Park Commission will
provide opportunities for the illustration and interpretation
of important themes of the heritage of the United States, and
will provide unique opportunities for education, public use, and
enjoyment.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to preserve and interpret the nationally significant
home of Kate Mullany for the benefit, inspiration, and
education of the people of the United States; and
(2) to interpret the connection between immigration and the
industrialization of the Nation, including the history of Irish
immigration, women's history, and worker history.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF KATE MULLANY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE.
(a) Establishment.--There is established, as a unit of the National
Park System, the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of
New York.
(b) Description.--The historic site shall consist of the home of
Kate Mullany, comprising approximately 0.05739 acre, located at 350
Eighth Street in Troy, New York, as generally depicted on the map
entitled __________ and dated ____________.
SEC. 5. ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY.
(a) Real Property.--The Secretary may acquire lands and interests
therein within the boundaries of the historic site and ancillary real
property for parking or interpretation, as necessary and appropriate
for management of the historic site. Such acquisitions may be by
donation, purchase from willing sellers with donated or appropriated
funds, or exchange.
(b) Personal Property.--The Secretary may acquire personal property
associated with, and appropriate for, the interpretation of the
historic site using the methods provided in subsection (a).
SEC. 6. ADMINISTRATION OF HISTORIC SITE.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the historic site
in accordance with this Act and all laws generally applicable to units
of the National Park System, including the Act of August 25, 1916 (16
U.S.C. 1 et seq.; commonly known as the National Park Service Organic
Act), and the Act of August 21, 1935 (16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.; commonly
known as the Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act).
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--To further the purposes of this Act,
the Secretary may consult with and enter into cooperative agreements
with the State of New York and the Hudson-Mohawk Urban Cultural Park
Commission, and other public and private entities to facilitate public
understanding and enjoyment of the life and work of Kate Mullany
through the development, presentation, and funding of exhibits and
other appropriate activities related to the preservation,
interpretation, and use of the historic site and related historic
resources.
(c) Exhibits.--The Secretary may display, and accept for the
purposes of display, items associated with Kate Mullany, as may be
necessary for the interpretation of the historic site.
(d) General Management Plan.--Not later than 2 complete fiscal
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
develop a general management plan for the historic site. Upon its
completion, the Secretary shall submit the plan to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives. The plan shall include
recommendations for regional wayside exhibits, to be carried out
through cooperative agreements with the State of New York and other
public and private entities. The plan shall be prepared in accordance
with section 12(b) of Public Law 91-383 (16 U.S.C. 1a-1 et seq.;
commonly known as the National Park System General Authorities Act). | Kate Mullany National Historic Site Act - (Sec. 4) Establishes the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in Troy, New York.(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within the Site's boundaries, and ancillary real property for parking or interpretation, as necessary and appropriate for management of the Site, and personal property associated with and appropriate for interpretation of the Site, by donation, purchase from wiling sellers, or exchange.(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to administer the Site in accordance with this Act and all laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System. Allows the Secretary to consult and enter into cooperative agreements with New York State, the Hudson-Mohawk Urban Cultural Park Commission, and other public and private entities to facilitate public understanding and enjoyment of the life and work of Kate Mullany through exhibits and other appropriate activities. Permits the Secretary to accept and display items associated with Mullany for interpretation.Requires the Secretary to develop and submit to specified congressional committees a general management plan for the Site, including recommendations for regional wayside exhibits, to be carried out through cooperative agreements with New York State and other public and private entities. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site in the State of New York, and for other purposes."} | 1,338 | 266 | 0.643552 | 2.271079 | 0.748489 | 4.665158 | 5.728507 | 0.945701 |
SECTION 1. HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES BYCATCH MORTALITY REDUCTION
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of a Program.--(1) There is established within
the National Marine Fisheries Service a pelagic longline highly
migratory species bycatch and mortality reduction research program. The
Program shall be developed by a design team established by the
Secretary of Commerce. The Program design shall be submitted to the
Secretary no later than 120 days after the first meeting of the design
team and shall include a statistically significant recommendation for
the level of observer coverage on pelagic longline fishing vessels that
is necessary to monitor the fishery effectively and participate in the
research program. The design team shall be available as a resource to
the Secretary throughout the research and the development of the
recommendations.
(2) The program shall identify and test a variety of pelagic
longline fishing gear configurations and uses and determine which of
those configurations and uses are the most effective in reducing highly
migratory species mortality. The program shall place an emphasis on
determining the gear configurations and uses that are the most
effective in reducing blue and white marlin mortality in the exclusive
economic zone of the United States in the Atlantic Ocean. The program
shall also include a provision for observers to be placed on pelagic
longline fishing vessels for the purposes of monitoring the fishery and
participating in the research program.
(3) The highly migratory species program shall conduct research to
determine the impact of existing time and area closures designed to
reduce the bycatch of longline vessels. The program shall focus on
whether existing closures should be modified to decrease bycatch by
longline vessels and shall determine what adjustments to the existing
boundaries and temporal constraints should be made as a result of any
research. Any vessel participating in the program shall be provided an
observer by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The full cost of the
observer and any incidental costs to the vessel as a result of being
included in the research program shall be paid for by the National
Marine Fisheries Service. The National Marine Fisheries Service may
authorize, without notice and comment, scientific research permits
authorizing a vessel to enter and fish in any closed area in the
Atlantic Ocean so long as there is 100 percent observer coverage and
the activities of the vessel are in furtherance of the research
program. Access to any closed area may be granted only after
consideration of the scientific need for access.
(b) Design Team.--(1) Knowledgeable members of the pelagic longline
fishing sector, the recreational billfish and tuna sector, and the
conservation community, along with scientists associated with each such
entity, shall be appointed by the Secretary to the program design team.
Each of the sectors shall to the extent practicable be fairly
represented on the design team. The design team shall not exceed nine
members only one of which may be an employee of the Federal Government.
The design team shall select a chairman and establish its own rules of
operation. Each member of the design team who is not employed by the
Federal Government shall be compensated in the manner provided for
members of a Fishery Management Council under section 302(d) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1852(d)).
(2) The design team shall not be considered to be an advisory
committee for the purposes of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.), but shall hold its deliberations in meetings for which
prior noticed is published in the Federal Register and that are open to
the public.
(c) Mid-Atlantic Conservation Zone for Highly Migratory Species.--
Section 304(g) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1854(g)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(3) Mid-atlantic conservation zone for highly migratory
species.--
``(A) No person shall engage in pelagic longline
fishing--
``(i) in the lower mid-Atlantic
Conservation Zone in the period beginning
August 15 and ending October 1 each year; or
``(ii) in the upper mid-Atlantic
Conservation Zone in the period beginning July
15 and ending September 1 each year.
``(B) In this paragraph the term `lower mid-
Atlantic Conservation Zone' means the area that is
enclosed by a series of geodesics connecting in
succession the points at the following coordinates:
``(i) 36 degrees 30 minutes north latitude,
75 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(ii) 37 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
75 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(iii) 38 degrees 0 minutes north
latitude, 74 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(iv) 38 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
73 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(v) 37 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
74 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(vi) 36 degrees 30 minutes north
latitude, 75 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(C) In this paragraph the term `upper mid-
Atlantic Conservation Zone' means the area that is
enclosed by a series of geodesics connecting in
succession the points at the following coordinates:
``(i) 38 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
74 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(ii) 40 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
72 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(iii) 39 degrees 0 minutes north
latitude, 72 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(iv) 38 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
73 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(v) 38 degrees 0 minutes north latitude,
74 degrees 0 minutes west longitude.
``(D) This paragraph shall not apply after the end
of the 4-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of this paragraph.''.
(d) Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Commerce shall submit to
the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate--
(1) an interim report of the findings of the research
conducted under this section within two years after the date of
enactment of this Act; and
(2) a final report with the necessary regulatory documents
to initiate implementation of any adjustments to time and area
closures, gear configurations, or fishing techniques warranted
as a result of the research.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For research under this
section there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce $5,000,000 for fiscal years 2004 through 2008. | Creates within the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) a pelagic longline highly migratory species bycatch and mortality reduction research program, to be developed by a design team established by the Secretary of Commerce.Requires the program to determine the impact of existing time and area closures designed to reduce bycatch of longline vessels. Authorizes the NMFS to grant permits for vessels with NMFS-provided observers to fish in closed areas of the Atlantic Ocean in furtherance of the research program.Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to close to pelagic longline fishing the lower mid-Atlantic Conservation Zone between August 15 and October 1 and the upper mid-Atlantic Conservation Zone between July 15 and October 1 of each year. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish in the National Marine Fisheries Service a pelagic longline highly migratory species bycatch and mortality reduction research program, and for other purposes."} | 1,463 | 179 | 0.641502 | 1.882624 | 0.909021 | 4.059701 | 9.910448 | 0.910448 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Livestock Reinvestment Extension Act
of 2002''.
SEC. 2. INVOLUNTARY CONVERSION RELIEF FOR PRODUCERS FORCED TO SELL
LIVESTOCK DUE TO WEATHER-RELATED CONDITIONS OR FEDERAL
LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY POLICY OR ACTION.
(a) Income Inclusion Rules.--Subsection (e) of section 451 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to general rule for taxable
year of inclusion) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Special Rule for Proceeds From Livestock Sold on Account of
Weather-Related Conditions or Federal Land Management Agency Policy or
Action.--
``(1) In general.--If--
``(A) a taxpayer sells or exchanges livestock in
excess of the number the taxpayer would sell if he
followed his usual business practices, and
``(B) the taxpayer establishes that, under his
usual business practices, the sale or exchange would
not have occurred in the taxable year in which it
occurred if it were not for--
``(i) a drought, flood, or other weather-
related condition that resulted in the area
being designated as eligible for assistance by
the Federal Government, or
``(ii) forced sales resulting from Federal
land management agency policy or action,
the taxpayer may elect to include income from such excess sales
or exchanges for the second taxable year following the taxable
year in which the circumstance applicable under subparagraph
(B) ceased to exist.
``(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) shall apply only to a
taxpayer whose principal trade or business is farming (within
the meaning of section 6420(c)(3)).
``(3) Special rules for drought designations.--For purposes
of this subsection, areas may be designated as eligible for
drought condition assistance--
``(A) by Federal Government declaration, or
``(B) through Farm Service Agency flash reports as
verified and approved by the Farm Service Agency
director of the State in which such condition
exists.''.
(b) Rules for Replacement of Involuntarily Converted Livestock.--
Subsection (e) of section 1033 of such Code (relating to involuntary
conversions) is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Livestock Sold on Account of Weather-Related Conditions or
Federal Land Management Agency Policy or Action.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this subtitle, the sale
or exchange of livestock (other than poultry) by the taxpayer
in excess of the number the taxpayer would sell if he followed
usual business practices, shall be treated as an involuntary
conversion to which this section applies if such livestock are
sold or exchanged by the taxpayer solely on account of--
``(A) drought, flood, or other weather-related
conditions, or
``(B) forced sales caused by Federal land
management agency policy or action.
``(2) Extension of replacement period.--
``(A) Droughts, etc.--In a case to which paragraph
(1)(A) applies, the 2-year period in subsection
(a)(2)(B) shall not expire before the later of--
``(i) 4 years after the close of the first
taxable year in which any part of the gain upon
the conversion is realized, or
``(ii) 2 years after the close of the
taxable year in which the drought, flood, or
other weather-related condition ceased to
exist.
``(B) Forced sales.--In a case to which paragraph
(1)(B) applies, the 2-year period in subsection
(a)(2)(B) shall not expire before 2 years after the
close of the taxable year in which the forced sales
resulting from Federal land management agency policy or
action have ended.''.
(3) Conversion by heirs.--Section 1033(a)(2) of such Code
is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) Conversion of certain property by heirs.--In
the case of an involuntary conversion of property
described in subsection (e), if the taxpayer dies
during the period specified in subparagraph (B), the
requirements of subparagraph (A) shall be satisfied if
the decedent's--
``(i) personal representative,
``(ii) the beneficiary of the converted
property, if no personal representative exists,
or
``(iii) the trustee in the case of a trust,
replaces the property within such period.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to sales and exchanges after December 31, 2000. | Livestock Reinvestment Extension Act of 2002 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow farmers to delay the inclusion in income of the amount earned from the sale of excess livestock due to Federal land management policy or action or to severe weather conditions until the second year following the year in which the special circumstance ceased to exist.(present law allows for inclusion of such income in the year following a year of severe weather).Sets forth new rules for drought designations. Modifies rules for replacement of involuntarily converted livestock, including to extend the replacement period (for both weather-related sales and sales forced by Federal policy) and to prescribe that an heir to an estate may replace such property within the required time frame.Applies this Act to sales and exchanges made after December 31, 2000. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide involuntary conversion tax relief for producers forced to sell livestock due to weather-related conditions or Federal land management agency policy or action, and for other purposes."} | 1,058 | 164 | 0.60324 | 1.770154 | 0.719041 | 1.958333 | 6.451389 | 0.819444 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Renewable Energey Access Through
Leasing Act of 2010'' or the ``REAL Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR LOANS FOR FINANCING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
SYSTEMS LEASED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
(1) to encourage residential use of renewable energy
systems by minimizing upfront costs and providing immediate
utility cost savings to consumers through leasing of such
systems to homeowners;
(2) to reduce carbon emissions and the use of nonrenewable
resources;
(3) to encourage energy efficient residential construction
and rehabilitation;
(4) to encourage the use of renewable resources by
homeowners;
(5) to minimize the impact of development on the
environment;
(6) to reduce consumer utility costs; and
(7) to encourage private investment in the green economy.
(b) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
(1) Authorized renewable energy lender.--The term
``authorized renewable energy lender'' means a lender
authorized by the Secretary to make a loan under this section.
(2) Renewable energy system lease.--The term ``renewable
system energy lease'' means an agreement between an authorized
renewable energy system owner and a homeowner for a term of not
less than 5 years, pursuant to which the homeowner--
(A) grants an easement to such renewable energy
system owner to install, maintain, use, and otherwise
access the renewable energy system; and
(B) agrees to--
(i) lease the use of such system from such
renewable energy system owner; or
(ii) purchase electric power from such
renewable energy system owner.
(3) Renewable energy manufacturer.--The term ``renewable
energy manufacturer'' means a manufacturer of renewable energy
systems.
(4) Renewable energy system owner.--The term ``renewable
energy system owner'' means a homebuilder, a manufacturer or
installer of a renewable energy system, or any other person, as
determined by the Secretary.
(5) Renewable energy system.--The term ``renewable energy
system'' means a system of energy derived from--
(A) a wind, solar (including photovoltaic and solar
thermal), biomass (including biodiesel), or geothermal
source; or
(B) hydrogen derived from biomass or water using an
energy source described in subparagraph (A).
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development.
(c) Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may, upon application by an
authorized renewable energy system owner, insure or make a
commitment to insure a loan made by an authorized renewable
energy lender to a renewable energy system owner to finance the
acquisition of a renewable energy system for lease to a
homeowner for use at the residence of such homeowner.
(2) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary may prescribe such
terms and conditions for insurance under paragraph (1) as are
consistent with the purposes of this section.
(d) Limitation on Principal Amount.--
(1) Limitation.--The principal amount of a loan insured
under this section shall not exceed the residual value of the
renewable energy system to be acquired with the loan.
(2) Residual value.--For purposes of this subsection--
(A) the residual value of a renewable energy system
is the fair market value of the future revenue stream
from the sale of the expected remaining electricity
production from the system, pursuant to the easement
granted in accordance with subsection (e); and
(B) the fair market value of the future revenue
stream for each year of the remaining life of the
renewable energy system shall be determined based on
the net present value of the power output production
warranty for such renewable energy system provided by
the renewable energy manufacturer and the forecast of
regional residential electricity prices made by the
Energy Information Administration of the Department of
Energy.
(e) Easement.--The Secretary may not insure a loan under this
section unless the renewable energy system owner certifies, in
accordance with such requirements as the Secretary shall establish,
consistent with the purposes of this section, that the systems financed
will be leased only to homeowners that grant easements to install,
maintain, use, and otherwise access the system that include the right
to sell electricity produced during the life of the renewable energy
system to a wholesale or retail electrical power grid.
(f) Discount or Prepayment.--To encourage the use of renewable
energy systems, the Secretary shall ensure that a discount given to a
homeowner by a renewable energy system owner or other investor or
prepayment of a renewable energy system lease by a renewable energy
system owner does not adversely affect the mortgage requirements of
such homeowner.
(g) Eligibility of Lenders.--The Secretary may not insure a loan
under this section unless the lender making the loan--
(1) is an institution that--
(A) qualifies as a green banking center under
section 8(x) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12
U.S.C. 1818(x)) or section 206(x) of the Federal Credit
Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1786(x)); or
(B) meets such other requirements as the Secretary
shall establish for participation of renewable energy
lenders in the program under this section; and
(2) meets such qualifications as the Secretary shall
establish for all lenders for participation in the program
under this section.
(h) Certificate of Insurance.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue to a lender that
is insured under this section a certificate that serves as
evidence of insurance coverage under this section.
(2) Contents of certificate.--The certificate required
under paragraph (1) shall set forth the fair market value of
the future revenue stream for each year of the remaining life
of the renewable energy system.
(3) Full faith and credit.--The certificate required under
paragraph (1) shall be backed by the full faith and credit of
the United States.
(i) Payment of Insurance Claim.--
(1) Filing of claim.--The Secretary shall provide for the
filing of claims for insurance under this section and the
payment of such claims.
(2) Payment of claim.--A claim under paragraph (1) may be
paid only upon a default under the loan insured under this
section and the assignment, transfer, and delivery to the
Secretary of--
(A) all rights and interests arising under the
loan; and
(B) all claims of the lender or the assigns of the
lender against the borrower or others arising under the
loan transaction.
(3) Lien.--
(A) In general.--Upon payment of a claim for
insurance of a loan under this section, the Secretary
shall hold a lien on the underlying renewable energy
system assets and any associated revenue stream from
the use of such system, which shall be superior to all
other liens on such assets.
(B) Residual value.--The residual value of such
renewable energy system and the revenue stream from the
use of such system shall be not less than the unpaid
balance of the loan amount covered by the certificate
of insurance.
(C) Revenue from sale.--The Secretary shall be
entitled to any revenue generated by such renewable
energy system from selling electricity to the grid when
an insurance claim has been paid out.
(j) Assignment and Transferability of Insurance.--A renewable
energy system owner or an authorized renewable energy lender that is
insured under this section may assign or transfer the insurance in
whole or in part, to another owner or lender, subject to such
requirements as the Secretary may prescribe.
(k) Premiums and Charges.--
(1) Insurance premiums.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall fix and
collect premiums for insurance of loans under this
section, that shall be paid by the applicant renewable
energy system owner at the time of issuance of the
certificate of insurance to the lender and shall be
adequate, in the determination of the Secretary, to
cover the expenses and probable losses of administering
the program under this section.
(B) Deposit of premium.--The Secretary shall
deposit any premiums collected under this subsection in
the Renewable Energy Lease Insurance Fund established
under subsection (l).
(2) Prohibition on other charges.--Except as provided in
paragraph (1), the Secretary may not assess any other fee
(including a user fee), insurance premium, or charge in
connection with loan insurance provided under this section.
(l) Renewable Energy Lease Insurance Fund.--
(1) Fund established.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States the Renewable Energy Lease Insurance Fund
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Fund''), which shall
be available to the Secretary without fiscal year limitation,
for the purpose of providing insurance under this section.
(2) Credits.--The Fund shall be credited with any premiums
collected under subsection (k)(1), any amounts collected by the
Secretary under subsection (i)(3), and any associated interest
or earnings.
(3) Availability.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available
to the Secretary for fulfilling any obligations with respect to
insurance for loans provided under this section and paying
administrative expenses in connection with this section.
(4) Excess amounts.--The Secretary may invest in
obligations of the United States any amounts in the Fund
determined by the Secretary to be in excess of amounts required
at the time of such determination to carry out this section.
(m) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue such regulations
as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(2) Timing.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue interim or
final regulations.
(n) Ineligibility for Purchase by Federal Financing Bank.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no debt obligation that is
insured or committed to be insured by the Secretary under this section
shall be subject to the Federal Financing Bank Act of 1973 (12 U.S.C.
2281 et seq.).
(o) Termination of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary to
insure and make commitments to insure new loans under this Act shall
terminate 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act. | Renewable Energy Access Through Leasing Act of 2010 or the REAL Act of 2010- Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make loan guarantees for the financing of renewable energy systems leased for residential use. Prohibits the Secretary from insuring a loan unless the renewable energy system owner certifies that the systems financed will be leased only to homeowners that grant easements to install, maintain, use and otherwise access the system that include the right to sell electricity produced during the life of the renewable energy system to a wholesale or retail electrical power grid.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) ensure that a discount given under this Act does not adversely affect the homeowner's mortgage requirements; and (2) fix and collect premiums for insurance of loans under this Act that shall be paid for by the renewable energy system owner and that shall be adequate to cover the expenses and probable losses of administering the program. Prohibits the Secretary from assessing any other fee, premium, or charge in connection with such loan insurance.
Establishes the Renewable Energy Lease Insurance Fund, into which the Secretary shall deposit any such premiums.
Terminates the Secretary's authority to insure and make commitments to insure new loans under this Act ten years after its enactment. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to encourage residential use of renewable energy systems by minimizing upfront costs and providing immediate utility cost savings to consumers through leasing of such systems to homeowners, and for other purposes."} | 2,209 | 273 | 0.64104 | 1.857759 | 0.806698 | 4.949367 | 8.725738 | 0.932489 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Healthier Heroes Act''.
SEC. 2. CLARIFICATION OF OBJECTIVES FOR AND COORDINATION BETWEEN DOD
AND VA PROGRAMS.
(a) Single, Comprehensive, Standardized Medical Examination.--The
Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall
develop a single, comprehensive, standardized medical examination for
members of the Armed Forces that, while administered by the Department
of Defense, will be--
(1) used by medical evaluation boards and physical
evaluation boards of the Department of Defense to determine the
fitness of a member of the Armed Forces to perform the duties
of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating; and
(2) used by the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish
the disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs for
the member if the member is retired or separated because of
physical disability.
(b) DOD Role Limited to Determining Fitness To Serve.--Section 1216
of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e) The determination under this chapter of the percentage of
disability of a member of the armed forces at the time of the member's
separation from active duty shall be made by the Department of Veterans
Affairs.''.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the use of
a single, comprehensive, standardized medical examination by both the
Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and the
clear differentiation of the roles of the Department of Defense and
Department of Veterans Affairs disability programs will eliminate
duplicative processes as well as reduce inequities for members of the
Armed Forces.
SEC. 3. AVAILABILITY OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER CARE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs shall provide appropriate medical care to any veteran
of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom who needs
medical care for post-traumatic stress disorder regardless of the
length of time the veteran has been separated from active duty service
in the armed forces.
SEC. 4. EXTENDED BENEFITS UNDER TRICARE FOR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF
MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES WHO INCUR A SERIOUS
INJURY OR ILLNESS ON ACTIVE DUTY.
(a) In General.--Section 1079(d) of title 10, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs
(3) and (4), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph (2):
``(2)(A) Subject to such terms, conditions, and exceptions as the
Secretary of Defense considers appropriate, the program of extended
benefits for eligible dependents under this subsection shall include
extended benefits for the primary caregivers of members of the
uniformed services who incur a serious injury or illness on active
duty.
``(B) The Secretary of Defense shall prescribe in regulations the
individuals who shall be treated as the primary caregivers of a member
of the uniformed services for purposes of this paragraph.
``(C) For purposes of this section, a serious injury or illness,
with respect to a member of the uniformed services, is an injury or
illness that may render the member medically unfit to perform the
duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating and that renders
a member of the uniformed services dependant upon a caregiver.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT.
(a) Servicemember Family Leave Under the Family and Medical Leave
Act.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 101 of the Family and Medical
Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2611) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(14) Active duty.--The term `active duty' means duty
under a call or order to active duty under a provision of law
referred to in section 101(a)(13)(B) of title 10, United States
Code.
``(15) Covered servicemember.--The term `covered
servicemember' means a member of the Armed Forces, including a
member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing
medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in
medical hold or medical holdover status, or is otherwise on the
temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or
illness.
``(16) Medical hold or medical holdover status.--The term
`medical hold or medical holdover status' means--
``(A) the status of a member of the Armed Forces,
including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve,
assigned or attached to a military hospital for medical
care; and
``(B) the status of a member of a reserve component
of the Armed Forces who is separated, whether pre-
deployment or post-deployment, from the member's unit
while in need of health care based on a medical
condition identified while the member is on active duty
in the Armed Forces.
``(17) Next of kin.--The term `next of kin', used with
respect to an individual, means the nearest blood relative of
that individual.
``(18) Serious injury or illness.--The term `serious injury
or illness', in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, means
an injury or illness incurred by the member in line of duty on
active duty in the Armed Forces that results in a serious
physical disability, as defined in section 199.2 of title 32,
Code of Federal Regulations, or that renders the member
medically unfit to perform the duties of the member's office,
grade, rank, or rating.''.
(2) Entitlement to leave.--Section 102(a) of such Act (29
U.S.C. 2612(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Servicemember family leave.--Subject to section 103,
an eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent,
or next of kin of a covered servicemember shall be entitled to
a total of 26 workweeks of leave during a 12-month period to
care for the servicemember. The leave described in this
paragraph shall only be available during a single 12-month
period.
``(4) Combined leave total.--During the single 12-month
period described in paragraph (3), an eligible employee shall
be entitled to a combined total of 26 workweeks of leave under
paragraphs (1) and (3). Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to limit the availability of leave under paragraph
(1) during any other 12-month period.''.
(3) Requirements relating to leave.--
(A) Schedule.--Section 102(b) of such Act (29
U.S.C. 2612(b)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the second
sentence--
(I) by striking ``section
103(b)(5)'' and inserting ``subsection
(b)(5) or (f) (as appropriate) of
section 103''; and
(II) by inserting ``or under
subsection (a)(3)'' after ``subsection
(a)(1)''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or
under subsection (a)(3)'' after ``subsection
(a)(1)''.
(B) Substitution of paid leave.--Section 102(d) of
such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(d)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by inserting ``(or 26 workweeks
in the case of leave provided under
subsection (a)(3))'' after ``12
workweeks'' the first place it appears;
and
(II) by inserting ``(or 26
workweeks, as appropriate)'' after ``12
workweeks'' the second place it
appears; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B), by adding at the
end the following: ``An eligible employee may
elect, or an employer may require the employee,
to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation
leave, personal leave, family leave, or medical
or sick leave of the employee for leave
provided under subsection (a)(3) for any part
of the 26-week period of such leave under such
subsection.''.
(C) Notice.--Section 102(e)(2) of such Act (29
U.S.C. 2612(e)(2)) is amended by inserting ``or under
subsection (a)(3)'' after ``subsection (a)(1)''.
(D) Spouses employed by same employer.--Section
102(f) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(f)) is amended--
(i) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2)
as subparagraphs (A) and (B), and aligning the
margins of the subparagraphs with the margins
of section 102(e)(2)(A);
(ii) by striking ``In any'' and inserting
the following:
``(1) In general.--In any''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Servicemember family leave.--
``(A) In general.--The aggregate number of
workweeks of leave to which both that husband and wife
may be entitled under subsection (a) may be limited to
26 workweeks during the single 12-month period
described in subsection (a)(3) if the leave is--
``(i) leave under subsection (a)(3); or
``(ii) a combination of leave under
subsection (a)(3) and leave described in
paragraph (1).
``(B) Both limitations applicable.--If the leave
taken by the husband and wife includes leave described
in paragraph (1), the limitation in paragraph (1) shall
apply to the leave described in paragraph (1).''.
(4) Certification.--Section 103 of such Act (29 U.S.C.
2613) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Certification for Servicemember Family Leave.--An employer
may require that a request for leave under section 102(a)(3) be
supported by a certification issued at such time and in such manner as
the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.''.
(5) Failure to return.--Section 104(c) of such Act (29
U.S.C. 2614(c)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``or under
section 102(a)(3)'' before the semicolon; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(A)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``or'' at
the end;
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period
and inserting ``; or''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) a certification issued by the
health care provider of the servicemember being
cared for by the employee, in the case of an
employee unable to return to work because of a
condition specified in section 102(a)(3).''.
(6) Enforcement.--Section 107 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2617)
is amended, in subsection (a)(1)(A)(i)(II), by inserting ``(or
26 weeks, in a case involving leave under section 102(a)(3))''
after ``12 weeks''.
(7) Instructional employees.--Section 108 of such Act (29
U.S.C. 2618) is amended, in subsections (c)(1), (d)(2), and
(d)(3), by inserting ``or under section 102(a)(3)'' after
``section 102(a)(1)''.
(b) Servicemember Family Leave for Civil Service Employees.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 6381 of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) the term `active duty' means duty under a call or
order to active duty under a provision of law referred to in
section 101(a)(13)(B) of title 10, United States Code;
``(8) the term `covered servicemember' means a member of
the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a
Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or
therapy, is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover
status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired
list, for a serious injury or illness;
``(9) the term `medical hold or medical holdover status'
means--
``(A) the status of a member of the Armed Forces,
including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve,
assigned or attached to a military hospital for medical
care; and
``(B) the status of a member of a reserve component
of the Armed Forces who is separated, whether pre-
deployment or post-deployment, from the member's unit
while in need of health care based on a medical
condition identified while the member is on active duty
in the Armed Forces;
``(10) the term `next of kin', used with respect to an
individual, means the nearest blood relative of that
individual; and
``(11) the term `serious injury or illness', in the case of
a member of the Armed Forces, means an injury or illness
incurred by the member in line of duty on active duty in the
Armed Forces that results in a serious physical disability, as
defined in section 199.2 of title 32, Code of Federal
Regulations, or that renders the member medically unfit to
perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or
rating.''.
(2) Entitlement to leave.--Section 6382(a) of such title is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Subject to section 6383, an employee who is the
spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered
servicemember shall be entitled to a total of 26 administrative
workweeks of leave during a 12-month period to care for the
servicemember. The leave described in this paragraph shall only
be available during a single 12-month period.
``(4) During the single 12-month period described in
paragraph (3), an employee shall be entitled to a combined
total of 26 administrative workweeks of leave under paragraphs
(1) and (3). Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
limit the availability of leave under paragraph (1) during any
other 12-month period.''.
(3) Requirements relating to leave.--
(A) Schedule.--Section 6382(b) of such title is
amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), in the second
sentence--
(I) by striking ``section
6383(b)(5)'' and inserting ``subsection
(b)(5) or (f) (as appropriate) of
section 6383''; and
(II) by inserting ``or under
subsection (a)(3)'' after ``subsection
(a)(1)''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or
under subsection (a)(3)'' after ``subsection
(a)(1)''.
(B) Substitution of paid leave.--Section 6382(d) of
such title is amended by adding at the end the
following: ``An employee may elect to substitute for
leave under subsection (a)(3) any of the employee's
accrued or accumulated annual or sick leave under
subchapter I for any part of the 26-week period of
leave under such subsection.''.
(C) Notice.--Section 6382(e) of such title is
amended by inserting ``or under subsection (a)(3)''
after ``subsection (a)(1)''.
(4) Certification.--Section 6383 of such title is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(f) An employing agency may require that a request for leave
under section 6382(a)(3) be supported by a certification issued at such
time and in such manner as the Office of Personnel Management may by
regulation prescribe.''. | Healthier Heroes Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a single medical examination for members of the Armed Forces to be used by: (1) Department of Defense (DOD) medical evaluation boards and physical evaluation boards to determine the fitness of a member of the Armed Forces to perform the duties of the member's office, grade, rank, or rating; and (2) the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish the disability rating, compensation, and benefits programs for a member who is retired or separated because of physical disability.
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide appropriate medical care to any veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom for post-traumatic stress disorder regardless of the length of time the veteran has been separated from active duty service.
Provides extended benefits under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) for the primary caregivers of members who incur a serious injury or illness while on active duty.
Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle an eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of a covered servicemember to a total of 26 workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for the servicemember.
Defines covered servicemember as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is otherwise in medical hold or medical holdover status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list, for a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty that may render the member medically unfit to perform his or her duties.
Provides for the substitution of accrued paid vacation, personal, family leave, or medical or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period.
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the availability of such leave during any other 12-month period.
Amends federal civil service law to entitle civilian federal employees to the same leave allowance. Provides for the substitution of accrued paid annual or sick leave for any part of the 26-week period. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To implement recommendations of the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors."} | 3,831 | 476 | 0.627812 | 1.893286 | 0.762263 | 6.271429 | 7.959524 | 0.957143 |
TITLE I--CHOICES IN EDUCATION ACT
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Choices in Education Act of
2016''.
SEC. 102. REPEAL OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT AND
LIMITATION ON SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY.
(a) Repeal.--The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) is repealed.
(b) Limitation on Secretarial Authority.--The authority of the
Secretary under this title is limited to evaluating State applications
under section 104 and making payments to States under section 103. The
Secretary shall not impose any further requirements on States with
respect to elementary and secondary education beyond the requirements
of this title.
SEC. 103. BLOCK GRANTS TO STATES.
(a) Grants to States.--From amounts appropriated to carry out this
title for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants (from
allotments made under subsection (b)) to qualified States to enable
such States to carry out an education voucher program under section
105.
(b) Allotment.--From amounts described in subsection (a) for a
fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each qualified State for that
fiscal year an amount that bears the same ratio to those amounts as the
number of eligible children in the qualified State (as determined by
the Secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory data) bears
to the number of all eligible children in all States in such school
year.
(c) Reallotment.--If a State does not receive funds under
subsection (b) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot the
remainder of such funds to each qualified State in an amount that bears
the same ratio to such remainder for such year as the amount received
under subsection (b) by such qualified State bears to the amount
received under such subsection for such year by all qualified States.
(d) Deficit Reduction.--Any amounts remaining after allotments are
made under subsection (c) for a fiscal year shall not be available for
any purpose other than deficit reduction.
SEC. 104. APPLICATION.
(a) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this
title, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary that
includes assurances that the State will--
(1) comply with the requirements of section 105; and
(2) make it lawful for parents of an eligible child to
elect--
(A) to enroll their child in any public or private
elementary or secondary school in the State; or
(B) to home-school their child.
(b) Approval.--Not later than 30 days after receiving an
application from a State that meets the requirements of subsection (a),
the Secretary shall approve such application.
SEC. 105. EDUCATION VOUCHER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Education Voucher Program.--
(1) In general.--The State shall distribute funds received
under this title among the local educational agencies in the
State based on the number of eligible children enrolled in the
public schools operated by each local educational agency and
the number of eligible children within each local educational
agency's geographical area whose parents elect to send their
child to a private school or to home-school their child.
(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
States should distribute non-Federal funds for elementary and
secondary education in a manner that promotes competition and
choices in education.
(b) Identification of Eligible Children; Allocation and
Distribution of Funds.--
(1) Identification of eligible children.--
(A) LEA identification.--On an annual basis, on a
date to be determined by the Secretary, each local
educational agency shall inform the State educational
agency of--
(i) the number of eligible children
enrolled in public schools served by the local
educational agency; and
(ii) the number of eligible children within
each local educational agency's geographical
area whose parents elect--
(I) to send their child to a
private school; or
(II) to home-school their child.
(B) State identification.--On an annual basis, on a
date to be determined by the Secretary, each State
educational agency shall inform the Secretary of the
total number of children identified by all local
educational agencies in the State under subparagraph
(A).
(2) Amount of payment.--
(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
amount of payment for each eligible child in a State
shall be equal to--
(i) the total amount allotted to the State
under this title; divided by
(ii) the total number of eligible children
in the State identified under paragraph (1).
(B) Limitations.--
(i) In the case of a payment made to the
parent of an eligible child who elects to
attend a private school, the amount of the
payment described in subparagraph (A) for each
eligible child shall not exceed the cost for
tuition, fees, and transportation for the
eligible child to attend the private school.
(ii) In the case of a payment made to a
parent of an eligible child who elects to home-
school such child, the amount of the payment
described in subparagraph (A) for each eligible
child shall not exceed the cost of home-
schooling the child.
(3) Allocation to local educational agencies.--Based on the
identification of eligible children in paragraph (1), the State
educational agency shall provide to a local educational agency
an amount equal to the product of--
(A) the amount available for each eligible child in
the State, as determined in paragraph (2); multiplied
by
(B) the number of eligible children identified by
the local educational agency under paragraph (1)(A).
(4) Distribution to schools.--From amounts allocated under
paragraph (3), each local educational agency that receives
funds under such paragraph shall distribute a portion of such
funds to the public schools served by the local educational
agency, which amount shall--
(A) be based on the number of eligible children
enrolled in such schools and included in the count
submitted under paragraph (1)(A); and
(B) be distributed in a manner that would, in the
absence of such Federal funds, supplement the funds
made available from non-Federal resources for the
education of eligible children, and not to supplant
such funds.
(5) Distribution to parents.--
(A) In general.--From the amounts allocated under
paragraph (3), each local educational agency that
receives funds under such paragraph shall distribute a
portion of such funds, in an amount equal to the amount
described in paragraph (2), to the parents of each
eligible child within the local educational agency's
geographical area who elect to send their child to a
private school or to home-school their child (as the
case may be) and whose child is included in the count
of such eligible children under paragraph (1)(A), which
amount shall be distributed in a manner so as to ensure
that such payments will be used for appropriate
educational expenses.
(B) Reservation.--A local educational agency
described in this paragraph may reserve not more than 1
percent of the funds available for distribution under
subparagraph (A) to pay administrative costs associated
with carrying out the activities described in such
subparagraph.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Payments to parents under subsection
(b)(5) shall be considered assistance to the eligible child and shall
not be considered assistance to the school that enrolls the eligible
child. The amount of any payment under this section shall not be
treated as income of the child or his or her parents for purposes of
Federal tax laws or for determining eligibility for any other Federal
program.
SEC. 106. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Eligible child.--The term ``eligible child'' means a
child aged 5 to 17, inclusive.
(2) Parent.--The term ``parent'' includes a legal guardian
or other person standing in loco parentis (such as a
grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a
person who is legally responsible for the child's welfare).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States
and the District of Columbia.
(5) Qualified state.--The term ``qualified State'' means a
State that has an application approved by the Secretary under
section 104.
TITLE II--NO HUNGRY KIDS ACT
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``No Hungry Kids Act''.
SEC. 202. REPEAL OF RULE.
The rule prescribed by the Food and Nutrition Service of the
Department of Agriculture relating to nutrition standards in the
national school lunch and school breakfast programs published on
January 26, 2012 (77 Fed. Reg. 4088 et seq.), and revising parts 210
and 220 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, shall have no force or
effect.
SEC. 203. LIMITS ON CERTAIN NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
Section 9(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Richard B. Russell National School
Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1758(a)(1)(A)(i)) is amended by inserting before
the semicolon the following: ``, to establish a calorie maximum for
individual school lunches, or to prohibit a child from eating a lunch
provided by the child's parent or legal guardian''. | Choices in Education Act of 2016 This bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is authorized only to award block grants to qualified states. The bill establishes an education voucher program, through which each state shall distribute block grant funds among local educational agencies (LEAs) based on the number of eligible children within each LEA's geographical area. From these amounts, each LEA shall: (1) distribute a portion of funds to parents who elect to enroll their child in a private school or to home-school their child, and (2) do so in a manner that ensures that such payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses. To be eligible to receive a block grant, a state must: (1) comply with education voucher program requirements, and (2) make it lawful for parents of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or private elementary or secondary school in the state or to home-school their child. No Hungry Kids Act The bill repeals a specified rule that established certain nutrition standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. (In general, the rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat free milk in school meals; reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat in school meals; and meet children's nutritional needs within their caloric requirements.) | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To distribute Federal funds for elementary and secondary education in the form of vouchers for eligible students and to repeal a certain rule relating to nutrition standards in schools."} | 2,135 | 353 | 0.484815 | 1.435743 | 0.782456 | 3.42029 | 6.931159 | 0.818841 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Information Technology Worker
Shortage Commission Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) information technology is one of the fastest growing
areas in the United States economy;
(2) the United States is a world leader in the information
technology industry;
(3) the continued growth and prosperity of the information
technology industry is important to the continued prosperity of
the United States economy;
(4) an adequate supply of information technology workers is
essential for the success of information technology and other
business entities that use information technology;
(5) as of the date of enactment of this Act, there is a
shortage of information technology workers; and
(6) in the absence of a concerted effort by business
entities, the Federal Government, the governments of States and
political subdivisions thereof, and educational institutions,
the shortage of information technology workers will continue to
be a problem.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Business entity.--The term ``business entity'' means a
firm, corporation, association, partnership, consortium, joint
venture, or other form of enterprise.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Information Technology Worker Shortage Commission established
under section 4.
(3) Information technology.--The term ``information
technology'' has the meaning given that term in section 5002 of
the Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (110
Stat. 679).
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States of the United States and the District of Columbia.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission to be known
as the Information Technology Worker Shortage Commission.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall be composed
of 21 members, of which--
(i) 7 members shall be appointed by the
President;
(ii) 7 members shall be appointed by the
Majority Leader of the Senate; and
(iii) 7 members shall be appointed by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(B) Governmental representatives.--Of the members
appointed under this subsection--
(i) 1 member shall be an officer or
employee of the Department of Labor, who shall
be appointed by the President;
(ii) 1 member shall be an officer or
employee of the Department of Education, who
shall be appointed by the President; and
(iii) 2 members shall be representatives of
the governments of States and political
subdivisions thereof.
(C) Educators.--Of the members appointed under this
subsection, 6 shall be educators who are selected from
among elementary, secondary, vocational, and
postsecondary educators.
(D) Business representatives.--Of the members
appointed under this subsection, at least 4 shall be
individuals who are employed in information technology
business entities of a size that is small or average
for that type of business entity (as determined by the
appropriate appointing authority under this
subsection).
(2) Date.--The appointments of the members of the
Commission shall be made by the later of--
(A) September 1, 1997; or
(B) the date that is 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(c) Period of Appointment; Vacancies.--Members shall be appointed
for the life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission shall not
affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment.
(d) Initial Meeting.--No later than 30 days after the date on which
all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall
hold its first meeting.
(e) Meetings.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the
Chairperson.
(f) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(g) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Commission shall select
a chairperson and vice chairperson from among its members.
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a thorough
study of all matters relating to the shortage of information
technology workers in the United States.
(2) Matters studied.--The matters studied by the Commission
shall include an examination of--
(A) the causes of the shortage of information
technology workers in the United States;
(B) possible solutions to address the shortage
referred to in subparagraph (A); and
(C) the relative efficacy of programs in the United
States and foreign countries to provide for an increase
in the number of information technology workers, with
special emphasis on programs that provide for secondary
education or postsecondary education in a program other
than a 4-year baccalaureate program (including
associate degree programs and graduate degree
programs).
(3) Public hearings.--As part of the study conducted under
this subsection, the Commission shall hold public hearings in
each region of the United States concerning the issues referred
to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2).
(4) Existing information.--To the extent practicable, in
carrying out the study under this subsection, the Commission
shall identify and use existing information related to the
issues referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
(2).
(5) Consultation with chief information officers council.--
In carrying out the study under this subsection, the Commission
shall consult with the Chief Information Officers Council
established under Executive Order No. 13011.
(b) Report.--Not later than July 1, 1998, the Commission shall
submit a report to the President and the Congress which shall contain a
detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission,
together with its recommendations for such legislation and
administrative actions as it considers appropriate.
(c) Facilitation of Exchange of Information.--In carrying out the
study under subsection (a), the Commission shall, to the extent
practicable, facilitate the exchange of information concerning the
issues that are the subject of the study among--
(1) officials of the Federal Government and the governments
of States and political subdivisions thereof; and
(2) educators from Federal, State, and local institutions
of higher education and secondary schools.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE COMMISSION.
(a) Hearings.--The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act
at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such
evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out the
purposes of this Act.
(b) Information From Federal Agencies.--The Commission may secure
directly from any Federal department or agency such information as the
Commission considers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Upon request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of such
department or agency shall furnish such information to the Commission.
(c) Postal Services.--The Commission may use the United States
mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other
departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(d) Gifts.--The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
SEC. 7. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS.
(a) Compensation of Members.--Except as provided in subsection (b),
each member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the
Federal Government shall serve without compensation. All members of the
Commission who are officers or employees of the United States shall
serve without compensation in addition to that received for their
services as officers or employees of the United States.
(b) Travel Expenses.--The members of the Commission shall be
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at
rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes
or regular places of business in the performance of services for the
Commission.
(c) Staff.--
(1) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission may,
without regard to the civil service laws and regulations,
appoint and terminate an executive director and such other
additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to perform its duties. The employment of an
executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Commission.
(2) Compensation.--The Chairperson of the Commission may
fix the compensation of the executive director and other
personnel without regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and
subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code,
relating to classification of positions and General Schedule
pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive
director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable
for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of
such title.
(d) Detail of Government Employees.--Any Federal Government
employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and
such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service
status or privilege.
(e) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates
for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of such title.
SEC. 8. TERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION.
The Commission shall terminate on the date that is 90 days after
the date on which the Commission submits its report under section 5(b).
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated $750,000
for fiscal year 1998 to the Commission to carry out the purposes of
this Act.
(b) Availability.--Any sums appropriated under the authorization
contained in this section shall remain available, without fiscal year
limitation, until expended. | Information Technology Worker Shortage Commission Act - Establishes the Information Technology Worker Shortage Commission to conduct a thorough study of all matters relating to the shortage of information technology workers in the United States. Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Information Technology Worker Shortage Commission Act"} | 2,146 | 52 | 0.59341 | 1.362388 | 0.540568 | 5.794872 | 51.461538 | 0.923077 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``California Compact Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) With the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
(25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), Congress provided a statutory basis
for the operation of gaming by federally recognized Indian
tribes as a means of promoting tribal economic development,
self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments.
(2) The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act defines three classes
of gaming, specifying that class III gaming may only be
conducted in States that have authorized gaming and pursuant to
Tribal-State compacts negotiated in good faith through the
government-to-government relationship between federally
recognized Indian tribes and States.
(3) With the passage of Proposition 1A in 2000, the voters
of California amended the State Constitution to authorize the
operation of class III gaming by federally recognized Indian
tribes on Indian lands in California in accordance with Federal
law. Proposition 1A also authorized the Governor of California
to negotiate gaming compacts with such tribes, subject to
ratification by the State legislature.
(4) Under California law, actions by the State legislature,
including the ratification of gaming compacts, are subject to
California's referendum process. Under that process, the State
legislature's ratification of a gaming compact does not go into
effect if California voters qualify a referendum vote on that
compact. If such a referendum is qualified, the Compact only
goes into effect after voter approval of the legislature's
decision.
(5) This referendum process serves as a form of democratic
oversight of the California Governor and State legislature.
(6) In passing the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Congress
intended to respect the individual States' authority to
determine their own public policy and to negotiate and conclude
gaming compacts pursuant to each State's laws.
(7) The Tribal-State gaming compact process in California
is undermined if the Secretary of the Interior prescribes
Federal procedures under which class III gaming may be
conducted on the land made eligible for Indian gaming pursuant
to section 20(b)(1)(A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25
U.S.C. 2719 (b)(1)(A)), when the compact for gaming on that
land was not ratified by the State Legislature or was rejected
by a constitutionally called referendum.
(8) Congress reaffirms the importance of section
20(b)(1)(A) of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C.
2719(b)(1)(A)), the statutory authority by which federally
recognized Indian tribes can acquire certain gaming lands
eligible for gaming purposes outside of their reservation
boundaries. This section provides State and tribal governments
with the flexibility to locate tribal government gaming
facilities on newly acquired land at the most appropriate
locations. However, Congress did not intend for this section to
allow for tribal gaming facilities on after-acquired lands over
the express objection of the voters of the State.
(9) It is in the interest of the Federal Government,
States, and federally recognized Indian tribes that Congress
require that, in California, off-reservation gaming proposals
be subject to the full ratification and referendum process
established by California State law.
SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON ACTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ABSENT A
VALID COMPACT.
(a) Prohibition on Certain Class III Gaming.--Section 11(d)(7)(B)
of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(7)(B)) is
amended by inserting after clause (vii) the following:
``(viii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, for any
land in California on which Indian gaming was authorized under (25
U.S.C. 2719(b)(1)(A)) and for which the Legislature of the State of
California did not ratify a proposed class III Tribal-State gaming
compact or for which the electorate of California rejected the approval
of a class III Tribal-State gaming compact through a constitutionally
valid referendum, the Secretary may not--
``(I) prescribe class III gaming procedures;
``(II) approve a class III gaming compact; or
``(III) consider a class III gaming compact to have been
approved by the Secretary, if the Secretary does not approve or
disapprove the compact before the date that is 45 days after
the date on which the compact is submitted.''.
(b) Clarification.--Nothing in this Act or the amendment made by
subsection (a) shall be interpreted to impact the implementation of
authorities under the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the
``Indian Reorganization Act''), or any other section of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be
effective as of April 27, 2016. | California Compact Protection Act This bill amends the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to prohibit the Department of the Interior from allowing certain gaming on California land for which a proposed gaming compact was not ratified by the state or for which the electorate rejected a gaming compact. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "California Compact Protection Act"} | 1,084 | 58 | 0.599698 | 1.351371 | 0.693939 | 3.3125 | 19.895833 | 0.895833 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Wage Theft Prevention and Community
Partnership Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Wage and hour violations are a serious and growing
problem for working Americans.
(2) According to a study by the Ford, Joyce, Hayne, and
Russell Sage Foundations, low-wage workers are routinely denied
proper overtime pay and are paid less then the minimum wage,
often resulting up to a 15-percent loss in pay.
(3) Widespread wage and hour violations place ethical
businesses at a competitive disadvantage.
(4) Wage and hour violations hurt local economies. State
and local governments lose vital tax revenues and spending
power when employers do not pay legally required wages and
workers receive less than full pay.
(5) Women are far more likely to suffer minimum wage
violations than men, while minority women suffer such
violations at a rate nearly triple the rate that white women
suffer such violations.
(6) Social service networks are further strained and
poverty increases when low-wage workers receive lower wages
than what is required by law.
(7) The Department of Labor and State departments of labor
could more adequately address wage and hour violations with a
significant partnership with stakeholders in the community.
(8) The Government Accountability Office recommended that
the Department of Labor identify ways to leverage its existing
tools to better address wage and hour violations by improving
services provided through partnerships.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act the following definitions apply:
(1) The term ``eligible partner'' means any of the
following:
(A) A not-for-profit community organization that,
in whole or in part, is dedicated to combating poverty
and preventing abuse of wage and hour laws.
(B) A labor organization as defined in section 2(5)
of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(5)).
(C) A Joint Labor Management Cooperative Committee
established pursuant to section 205A of the Labor
Management Relations Act, 1947 (29 U.S.C. 175a).
(2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Labor.
(3) The term ``wage and hour violations'' refers to
violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Migrant and
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, or any regulations
issued under either such Act, or violations of any other law
enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of
Labor, as the Secretary may determine.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION TO CREATE A WAGE THEFT PREVENTION FUND.
The Secretary shall establish a Wage Theft Prevention Fund, which
shall provide funding for the Wage Theft Prevention and Community
Partnership Grants described in section 5. The Secretary may promulgate
regulations as necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 5. WAGE THEFT GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Wage Theft Prevention and Community
Partnership Grants.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a
competitive basis, to eligible partners to--
(1) prevent wage and hour violations by informing workers
of their rights and the remedies available to them; and
(2) expand and improve cooperative efforts between agencies
charged with enforcing wage and hour requirements and employers
and their employees.
(b) Applications.--An eligible partner seeking a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and
in such manner as the Secretary may require. An application shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) A description of the plan for preventing wage and hour
violations.
(2) A description of the plan for outreach, including a
plan for assisting the Department of Labor in communicating
with workers.
(3) A description of the eligible partner's prior
experience in raising awareness about and enforcing wage and
hour laws and ensuring that worker rights are respected.
(4) Evidence of the community need for this type of work,
including prevalence of wage and hour violations in the
eligible partner's community or State.
(5) A description of any larger working group of
organizations, including Federal, State, or local government
agencies, and faith-based, labor, community, and business
organizations--
(A) of which the eligible partner is a member; or
(B) which the eligible partner is proposing to work
with in carrying out activities funded by such grant.
(c) Duration and Renewal of Grants.--
(1) Initial grant period.--A Wage Theft Prevention and
Community Partnerships Grant shall be awarded for an initial
grant period of 1 to 3 years.
(2) Renewals.--Such grant may be renewed for 2 additional
grant periods of the same duration as the initial grant period,
if--
(A) the Secretary determines that the funds made
available to the recipient were used in a manner
required under an approved application; and
(B) the recipient can demonstrate significant
progress in achieving the objectives of the initial
application.
(3) Additional grant.--A grant recipient may apply for an
additional grant under this section once the recipient's grant
renewals with respect to the initial grant have been exhausted.
(d) Ineligibility for Grants.--No grant may be awarded under this
section to--
(1) an entity that the Secretary determines infringes upon
upon the rights guaranteed by section 7 of the National Labor
Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 157); or
(2) an entity prohibited by section 427 of Public Law 111-
88 from receiving funds appropriated by that Act.
(e) Performance Evaluation.--Each program, project, or activity
funded under this section shall be subject to monitoring by the
Secretary which shall include systematic identification and collection
of data about activities, accomplishments, programs, and expenditures
throughout the life of the program, project, or activity.
(f) Reports to Congress.--For each year in which funding is
provided under this section, the Secretary shall submit an annual
report to the Congress on the activities carried out by grantees under
this section including, at a minimum, information on the following:
(1) The activities undertaken by each grantee and any other
entity that partnered with the grantee to prevent wage and hour
violations by informing workers of their rights and the
remedies available to them.
(2) The number of workers assisted by each grantee
disaggregated by State, age, income, gender, and race.
(3) A summary of progress by each grantee in implementing
wage theft prevention outreach plans approved by the Secretary.
(g) Revocation or Suspension of Funding.--If the Secretary
determines, as a result of the reviews required by subsections (e) and
(f), or otherwise, that a grant recipient under this section is not in
substantial compliance with the terms and requirements of an approved
grant application submitted under subsection (b), the Secretary may
revoke or suspend funding of that grant, in whole or in part.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry
out this Act, including administrative costs associated with carrying
out this Act, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2010
through 2014, to remain available until expended. | Wage Theft Prevention and Community Partnership Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award one- to three-year renewable grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partners to prevent wage and hour violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, or any related regulations, or violations of any other law enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor by: (1) informing workers of their rights and the remedies available to them; and (2) expanding and improving cooperative efforts between agencies charged with enforcing wage and hour requirements and employers and their employees.
Makes eligible for such grants such partners as: (1) not-for-profit community organizations dedicated to combating poverty and preventing abuse of wage and hour laws; (2) labor organizations; and (3) Joint Labor Management Cooperative Committees established under the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947.
Directs the Secretary to establish a Wage Theft Prevention Fund to fund such grants.
Prohibits the award of such a grant to: (1) any entity that infringes upon the organizational and collective bargaining rights guaranteed by the National Labor Relations Act; or (2) the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) or any of its subsidiaries. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish a wage theft prevention grant program in the Department of Labor to prevent wage and hour violations and expand and improve cooperative efforts between enforcement agencies and members of the community."} | 1,551 | 270 | 0.556319 | 1.785981 | 0.809393 | 4.114754 | 6.065574 | 0.92623 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Commercial Space Launch Amendments
Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) the goal of opening space to the American people and
their private commercial, scientific, and cultural enterprises
should guide Federal space investments, policies, and
regulations;
(2) private industry has begun to develop commercial launch
vehicles capable of carrying human beings into space, and
greater private investment in these efforts will stimulate the
Nation's commercial space transportation industry as a whole;
(3) space transportation is inherently risky;
(4) a critical area of responsibility for the Office of the
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation is
to regulate the emerging commercial human space flight
industry; and
(5) the public interest is served by creating a clear legal
and regulatory regime for commercial human space flight.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS.
(a) Findings and Purposes.--Section 70101 of title 49, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by inserting ``human space
flight,'' after ``microgravity research,''; and
(2) in subsection (a)(4)--
(A) by striking ``satellite''; and
(B) by striking ``services now available from'' and
inserting ``capabilities of''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 70102 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (17) as
paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (12), (13),
(14), (15), (16), (18), (21), and (22), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) `crew' means any employee of a licensee or
transferee, or of a contractor or subcontractor of a licensee
or transferee, who performs activities in the course of that
employment directly relating to the launch, reentry, or other
operation of or in a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle that
carries human beings.'';
(3) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated by paragraph (1)
of this subsection, by inserting ``, crew, or space flight
participant'' after ``any payload'';
(4) in paragraph (6)(A), as so redesignated by paragraph
(1) of this subsection, by striking ``and payload'' and
inserting ``, payload, crew (including crew training), or space
flight participant'';
(5) in paragraph (8)(A), as so redesignated by paragraph
(1) of this subsection, by inserting ``or human beings'' after
``place a payload'';
(6) by inserting after paragraph (10), as so redesignated
by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following new
paragraph:
``(11) `permit' means an experimental permit issued under
section 70105.''.
(7) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated by paragraph (1)
of this subsection, by inserting ``crew, or space flight
participants,'' after ``and its payload,'';
(8) in paragraph (14)(A), as so redesignated by paragraph
(1) of this subsection, by striking ``and its payload''
inserting ``and payload, crew (including crew training), or
space flight participant'';
(9) by inserting after paragraph (16), as so redesignated
by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following new
paragraph:
``(17) `space flight participant' means an individual, who
is not crew, carried within a launch vehicle or reentry
vehicle.'';
(10) by inserting after paragraph (18), as so redesignated
by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following new
paragraphs:
``(19) `suborbital rocket' means a rocket-propelled vehicle
intended for flight on a suborbital trajectory whose thrust is
greater than its lift for the majority of the powered portion
of its flight.
``(20) `suborbital trajectory' means the intentional flight
path of a launch vehicle, reentry vehicle, or any portion
thereof, whose vacuum instantaneous impact point does not leave
the surface of the Earth.''; and
(11) in paragraph (21), as so redesignated by paragraph (1)
of this subsection--
(A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
(C);
(B) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (D) and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(E) crew or space flight participants.''.
(c) Commercial Human Space Flight.--(1) Section 70103(a) of title
49, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, through the
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation,'' after
``Secretary of Transportation''.
(2) Section 70103(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``, including those involving space flight participants''
after ``private sector''.
(3) Section 70104(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``License Requirement.--A license issued or
transferred under this chapter'' and inserting ``Requirement.--
A license issued or transferred under this chapter, or a
permit,''; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``Notwithstanding this subsection, a permit shall not authorize a
person to operate a launch site or reentry site.''.
(4) Section 70104(b) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or permit'' after ``holder of a license''.
(5) The section heading of section 70105 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``License applications'' and inserting
``Applications'', and the item relating to that section in the table of
sections for chapter 701 of title 49, United States Code, is amended
accordingly.
(6) Section 70105(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by striking ``Applications.-- '' and inserting
``Licenses.--'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (b)(2)(D)''
both places it appears and inserting ``subsection (c)(2)(D)'';
and
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including crews,''
after ``or personnel''.
(7) Section 70105 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d),
respectively, and by inserting after subsection (a) the following new
subsection:
``(b) Experimental Permits.--(1) A person may apply to the
Secretary of Transportation for an experimental permit under this
subsection in the form and manner the Secretary prescribes. Consistent
with the public health and safety, safety of property, and national
security and foreign policy interests of the United States, the
Secretary, not later than 90 days after receiving an application
pursuant to this subsection, shall issue a permit if the Secretary
decides in writing that the applicant complies, and will continue to
comply, with this chapter and regulations prescribed under this
chapter. The Secretary shall inform the applicant of any pending issue
and action required to resolve the issue if the Secretary has not made
a decision not later than 60 days after receiving an application. The
Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate a written notice not later than 15 days after any
occurrence when a permit is not issued within the deadline established
by this subsection.
``(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary may establish
procedures for safety approvals of launch vehicles, reentry vehicles,
safety systems, processes, services, or personnel, including crews,
that may be used in conducting commercial space launch or reentry
activities pursuant to a permit.
``(3) In order to encourage the development of a commercial space
flight industry, the Secretary, to the greatest extent practicable,
shall when issuing permits use the authority granted under subsection
(c)(2)(C).
``(4) The Secretary may issue a permit only for reusable suborbital
rockets that will be launched or reentered solely for--
``(A) research and development to test new design concepts,
new equipment, or new operating techniques;
``(B) showing compliance with requirements as part of the
process for obtaining a license under this chapter; or
``(C) crew training prior to obtaining a license for a
launch or reentry using the design of the rocket for which the
permit would be issued.
``(5) Permits issued under this subsection shall--
``(A) authorize an unlimited number of launches and
reentries for a particular suborbital rocket design for the
uses described in paragraph (4); and
``(B) specify the modifications that may be made to the
suborbital rocket without changing the design to an extent that
would invalidate the permit.
``(6) Permits shall not be transferable.
``(7) A permit may not be issued for, and a permit that has already
been issued shall cease to be valid for, a particular design for a
reusable suborbital rocket after a license has been issued for the
launch or reentry of a rocket of that design.
``(8) No person may operate a reusable suborbital rocket under a
permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or
hire.
``(9) For the purposes of sections 70106, 70107, 70108, 70109,
70110, 70112, 70115, 70116, 70117, and 70121 of this chapter--
``(A) a permit shall be considered a license;
``(B) the holder of a permit shall be considered a
licensee;
``(C) a vehicle operating under a permit shall be
considered to be licensed; and
``(D) the issuance of a permit shall be considered
licensing.
This paragraph shall not be construed to allow the transfer of a
permit.''.
(8) Section 70105(c)(1) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by
inserting ``or permit'' after ``for a license''.
(9) Section 70105(c)(2)(B) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by
striking ``an additional requirement'' and inserting ``any additional
requirement''.
(10) Section 70105(c)(2)(C) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by
inserting ``or permit'' after ``for a license''.
(11) Section 70105(c)(2)(D) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by
inserting ``or permit'' after ``for a license''.
(12) Section 70105(c)(3) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by adding
at the end the following: ``Nothing in this paragraph shall be
construed to allow the launch or reentry of a launch vehicle or a
reentry vehicle without a license or permit if a human being will be on
board.''.
(13) Section 70105(c) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by adding
at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(4) The holder of a license or a permit under this chapter may
launch or reenter crew only if--
``(A) the crew has received training and has satisfied
medical or other standards specified in the license or permit
in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary;
and
``(B) the holder of the license or permit and crew have
complied with all requirements of the laws of the United States
that apply to crew.
``(5) The holder of a license or a permit under this chapter may
launch or reenter a space flight participant only if--
``(A) in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Secretary, the holder of the license or permit has informed the
space flight participant in writing about the risks of the
launch or reentry, including the safety record of the launch or
reentry vehicle type, and the space flight participant has
provided written informed consent to participation in the
launch or reentry; and
``(B) the holder of the license or permit and space flight
participant have complied with all requirements of the laws of
the United States related to launching or reentering a space
flight participant.''.
(14) Section 70105(d) of title 49, United States Code, as so
redesignated by paragraph (7) of this subsection, is amended by
inserting ``or permit'' after ``of a license''.
(15) Section 70106(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(A) by inserting ``at a site used for crew training,''
after ``assemble a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle,''; and
(B) by striking ``section 70104(c)'' and inserting
``sections 70104(c) and 70105(c)(4)''.
(16) Section 70110(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``70105(a)'' and inserting ``70105''.
(17) Section 70112(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by inserting ``space flight participants,'' after ``its
contractors, subcontractors,'';
(B) by inserting ``or by space flight participants,'' after
``its own employees''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ``The requirement
for space flight participants to make a reciprocal waiver of
claims with the licensee or transferee shall expire 3 years
after the first licensed launch of a launch vehicle carrying a
space flight participant.''.
(18) Section 70112(b)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by inserting ``crew, space flight participants,'' after
``transferee, contractors, subcontractors,''; and
(B) by inserting ``or by space flight participants,'' after
``its own employees''.
(19) Section 70113(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``but not against a space flight participant,''
after ``subcontractor of a customer,''.
(20) Section 70113(f) of title 49, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``December 31, 2004.'' and inserting ``December 31, 2007.
This section does not apply to permits.''.
(21) Section 70115(b)(1)(D)(i) of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``crew training site,'' after ``site of a launch
vehicle or reentry vehicle,''.
(22) Section 70119 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting the following:
``(1) $11,776,000 for fiscal year 2005;
``(2) $11,776,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
``(3) $11,776,000 for fiscal year 2007.''.
(23) Section 70120 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(c) Amendments.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the
Secretary shall publish proposed regulations to carry out that Act,
including regulations relating to crew, space flight participants, and
permits for launch or reentry of reusable suborbital rockets. Not later
than 18 months after such date of enactment, the Secretary shall issue
final regulations.
``(d) Effective Date.--(1) Licenses for the launch or reentry of
launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human beings on board and
permits may be issued by the Secretary prior to the issuance of the
regulations described in subsection (c).
``(2) As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the
Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Secretary shall
issue guidelines or advisory circulars to guide the implementation of
that Act until regulations are issued.
``(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), no licenses for the
launch or reentry of launch vehicles or reentry vehicles with human
beings on board or permits may be issued starting three years after the
date of enactment of the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004
unless the final regulations described in subsection (c) have been
issued.''.
SEC. 4. STUDY ON THE GRADUAL ELIMINATION OF COMMERCIAL SPACE
TRANSPORTATION LIABILITY RISK SHARING REGIME.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of Transportation shall enter into an appropriate arrangement
with the National Academy of Public Administration to conduct a study
of how best to gradually eliminate the liability risk sharing regime in
the United States for commercial space transportation under section
70113 of title 49, United States Code. The study shall assess methods
by which the liability risk sharing regime could be eliminated by 2008
or as soon as possible thereafter and the impact those methods would be
likely to have on the commercial space transportation industry. The
methods examined shall include incremental approaches.
SEC. 5. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
Section 102(c) of the Commercial Space Act of 1998 is repealed.
Passed the House of Representatives March 4, 2004.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk. | Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 - (Sec. 2) States that Congress finds that: (1) the goal of opening space to the American people and to their private commercial enterprises should guide Federal space investments, policies, and regulations; (2) private industry has begun to develop commercial launch vehicles capable of carrying human beings into space; (3) greater private investment in these efforts will stimulate the commercial space transportation industry; and (4) space transportation is inherently risky.
(Sec. 3) Amends the Commercial Space Launch Act to define the following terms: (1) crew; (2) permit; (3) space flight participant; (4) suborbital rocket; and (5) suborbital trajectory. Amends the definitions of: (1) launch; (2) launch services; (3) reentry services; (4) launch vehicle; (5) reenter and reentry; and (6) third party.
Declares that regulatory authority for such transportation shall be carried out by the Secretary of Transportation (as under current law), but through the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
Provides for the issuance of experimental permits (including permits for reusable suborbital rockets) allowing for an unlimited number of launches.
Directs the Secretary when issuing permits, in order to encourage the development of a commercial space flight industry and to the greatest extent practicable, to use the authority to waive, by regulation, any Federal law requirement as a requirement for a license if such requirement is not necessary to protect the public health and safety, safety of property, and U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.
Limits the Secretary's authority to issue permits for reusable suborbital rockets to those rockets that will be launched or reentered solely for: (1) research and development to test new design concepts, new equipment, or new operating techniques; (2) showing compliance with requirements as part of the process for obtaining a license; or (3) crew training before obtaining a license for a launch or reentry using the design of the rocket for which the permit would be issued.
Prohibits operating a reusable suborbital rocket under a permit for carrying any property or human being for compensation or hire.
Permits the holder of a license or a permit to: (1) launch or reenter crew only if the crew has received specified training and has satisfied specified medical standards; (2) launch or reenter a space flight participant only if the holder of the license or permit has informed the space flight participant in writing about the risks of the launch or reentry, including the safety record of the vehicle type, and the space flight participant has provided written informed consent to participation; and (3) launch and reenter crews and space flight participants only in accordance with regulations and applicable laws.
Provides for expedited procedures for the issuance of permits.
Requires crew and space flight participants to execute reciprocal waivers of claims with licensees and permitees and the Federal government. Declares that the requirement for flight participants shall expire three years after the first licensed launch of a launch vehicle carrying the space flight participant.
Makes liability indemnification program requirements inapplicable to space flight participants.
Extends from December 31, 2004, through December 31, 2007, liability insurance and financial responsibility requirements.
Authorizes appropriations through FY 2007.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to arrange with the National Academy of Public Administration for a study to assess: (1) methods by which the liability risk sharing regime for commercial space transportation could be eliminated by 2008 (or as soon as possible thereafter); and (2) the impact those methods would be likely to have on the commercial space transportation industry. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To promote the development of the emerging commercial human space flight industry, to extend the liability indemnification regime for the commercial space transportation industry, to authorize appropriations for the Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, and for other purposes."} | 4,075 | 794 | 0.699446 | 2.324782 | 0.807491 | 4.616457 | 5.269177 | 0.937238 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Highway Aid Performance-
Based Improvement Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 23, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 171. Consolidated funding pilot program
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a consolidated
funding pilot program (referred to in this section as the `program') in
3 States, as selected by the Secretary, that are eligible under
subsection (c)--
``(1) to transform the Federal-aid highway program to a
performance- and outcome-based program that refocuses
investment of resources on transportation projects that make
progress toward the achievement of the national goals described
in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 150(b); and
``(2) to continue advancements made under the Moving Ahead
for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Public Law 112-141; 126
Stat. 405) and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act
(Public Law 114-94; 129 Stat. 1312) to streamline program
categories by demonstrating how additional flexibility would
enable States to make investment decisions that better achieve
State and national goals while advancing accountability and
transparency of the Federal-aid highway program.
``(b) Implementation.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program, of those
funds apportioned to a participating eligible State and after
suballocations, set-asides, and pass-throughs made within each
State to entities other than the transportation department of
the State (including a metropolitan planning organization and a
regional transportation planning organization), the Secretary
shall treat the apportionments remaining with the State
transportation department under the individual apportionment
programs described in section 104 as a single, consolidated
apportionment.
``(2) Eligible activities.--Activities eligible under the
program shall include all activities eligible for the
individual apportionment programs described in section 104.
``(c) Eligibility.--To be eligible to participate in the program--
``(1) a State selected by the Secretary under subsection
(a) shall--
``(A) demonstrate that well-established performance
management systems are in place in the State for the
national goals for--
``(i) safety described in section
150(b)(1); and
``(ii) infrastructure condition described
in section 150(b)(2);
``(B) demonstrate that the performance management
systems in place in the State include a system of
metrics and performance measures that guide the State
in using program funds and prioritizing projects--
``(i) to ensure an effective use of
resources; and
``(ii) to further the objectives of the
program; and
``(C) demonstrate progress made toward achieving
measurable performance of national goals for--
``(i) congestion reduction described in
section 150(b)(3);
``(ii) system reliability described in
section 150(b)(4);
``(iii) freight movement and economic
vitality described in section 150(b)(5);
``(iv) environmental sustainability
described in section 150(b)(6); and
``(v) reduced project delivery delays
described in section 150(b)(7); and
``(2) the head of the State agency with primary
jurisdiction over highways shall enter into a written agreement
with the division administrator of the field office of the
Federal Highway Administration located in the State and any
metropolitan planning organization located in the State, which
shall specify which individual apportionment programs or
portions of programs referred to in subsection (b) shall be
included in the program in that State.
``(d) Term.--The Secretary shall carry out the program for a term
of not fewer than 6 years.
``(e) Termination.--Participation of a State in the program may be
terminated--
``(1) by the Secretary if--
``(A) the Secretary determines that the State is
not adequately carrying out the responsibilities
assigned to the State under the program;
``(B) the Secretary provides to the State--
``(i) notification of the determination of
noncompliance under subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) a period of not less than 30 days
during which the State may take such corrective
action as the Secretary determines necessary to
comply with the program; and
``(C) after the notification of noncompliance and
the expiration of the period under subparagraph (B),
the State has not taken satisfactory corrective action,
as determined by the Secretary; or
``(2) by the State at any time if--
``(A) not later than 90 days before the date of
termination, the State provides to the Secretary notice
of the termination; and
``(B) the State complies with such other terms or
conditions as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
``(f) Reports.--
``(1) State reporting requirements.--Participating eligible
States shall submit to the Secretary an annual report--
``(A) demonstrating how performance management
systems were used to guide the decisionmaking process
of the State in the development of the statewide
transportation improvement program of the State under
section 135; and
``(B) describing the results of the program based
on performance measures that demonstrate progress
toward the achievement of performance goals.
``(2) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit to
Congress an annual report that describes the administration of
the program.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 1 of title 23,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 170 the following:
``171. Consolidated funding pilot program.''. | Federal Highway Aid Performance-Based Improvement Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out a six-year consolidated funding pilot program in three states, selected by DOT, to: (1) transform the federal-aid highway program to a performance- and outcome-based program, and (2) continue advancements made in prior enactments to streamline program categories. The bill sets forth eligibility criteria for participation by states in the pilot program. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Federal Highway Aid Performance-Based Improvement Act of 2017"} | 1,289 | 97 | 0.588284 | 1.439557 | 1.145445 | 2.855556 | 13.233333 | 0.833333 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reading Readiness Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. READING READINESS REPORT AND EVALUATION OF CURRENT BEST READING
READINESS PRACTICES.
Section 649(d) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9844(d)) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (d)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (9) as
paragraphs (3) through (10), respectively, and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) determine whether every Head Start program is
providing to children who participate in such program the tools
necessary to succeed in school, including reading readiness,
and to review current best practices of Head Start programs
with respect to reading readiness;'', and
(2) in the matter following paragraph (10), as so
redesignated, by striking ``paragraph (9)'' and inserting
``paragraph (10)''.
SEC. 3. REQUIRING READING READINESS IN ALL HEAD START PROGRAMS.
The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C 9831 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 636 by inserting ``(including a strong focus
on reading readiness)'' after ``other services'', and
(2) in section 638 by inserting ``(including a strong focus
on reading readiness)'' after ``other services''.
SEC. 4. INCENTIVE FOR HEAD START PROGRAMS TO ADOPT CURRENT BEST
PRACTICES IN READING READINESS ACTIVITIES.
(a) Financial Assistance.--Section 638 of the Head Start Act (42
U.S.C. 9833) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' after ``Sec.'', and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) From the portion specified in section 639(b)(4), the
Secretary shall award grants under this subsection on a competitive
basis to applicants selected by the Secretary to carry out current best
practices in reading readiness activities.''.
(b) Priority Use of Allotted Funds.--Section 640(a)(2)(C) of the
Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(a)(2)(C)) is amended in the matter
preceding clause (i) by inserting ``reading readiness and'' after
``carry out''.
SEC. 5. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON MAKING HEAD START SEAMLESS.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) Recent early brain research has yielded evidence of the
need to help children in the earliest years of life in order to
ensure their success in school and in life.
(2) The Early Head Start pilot program begun in 1994 has
proven the value of intervention with younger children and
their families.
(3) Head Start programs have shown an increasing interest
to expand the scope of their preschool programs to include
infants, toddlers, and their families, and there is nothing in
the Head Start Act that precludes the Secretary of Health and
Human Services from approving the use of preschool Head Start
funds to enroll children less than 3 years of age.
(b) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that
the Secretary of Health and Human Services should immediately take such
steps as may be necessary to allow Head Start grantees that find
evidence of community need, to modify the use of their current grants
so as to enroll infants and toddlers in Head Start programs without
obtaining a separate Early Head Start grant.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL HEAD START ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGN.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall implement an
outreach campaign to promote enrollment in Head Start programs and
Early Head Start programs and shall include in such campaign--
(1) forceful messages that convey the fact that
participating in such programs increases the ability of
children to learn to read, and
(2) outreach activities in hospitals, clinics, Federal food
assistance programs, child care referral agencies, and other
programs that serve the health needs of children and pregnant
women.
SEC. 7. INCREASED ELIGIBILITY THRESHOLD.
Section 645(a)(1)(B)(i) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9840(a)(1)(B)(i)) is amended to read as follows:
``(i) programs demonstrating by community
assessment that all reasonable attempt has been made to
enroll children whose families' incomes are below the
poverty line may make eligible for participation in the
program children whose families' incomes are no greater
than 150 percent of the poverty line; and''.
SEC. 8. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS REGARDING FULL FUNDING OF THE HEAD START
ACT.
It is the sense of the Congress that the Congress should
appropriate sufficient funds to carry out the Head Start Act so that
all children who are eligible to participate in programs under such Act
(including children who are on waiting lists to participate in such
programs) may participate in such programs.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 639 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9834) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ``such sums'' and all
that follows through ``2003'', and inserting ``$9,200,000,000
for fiscal year 2002, and $11,200,000,000 for fiscal year
2003'', and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``and'' at the
end,
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and'', and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) not more than $1,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2002 and 2003 to provide additional funds for expansion
of existing Head Start programs or for new grantees who are
using current best practices in reading readiness activities
identified under section 649(d)(2).''. | Reading Readiness Act of 2001 - Amends the Head Start Act to require Head Start programs to include a strong focus on reading readiness. Requires research, demonstration, and evaluation activities to: (1) determine whether every Head Start program is providing participating children the tools necessary to succeed in school, including reading readiness; and (2) review current best practices of Head Start programs with respect to reading readiness.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants to selected Head Start applicants to carry out current best practices in reading readiness activities.Allows Head Start programs that demonstrate by community assessment that all reasonable attempt has been made to enroll children whose families' incomes are below the poverty line to make eligible for program participation children whose families' incomes are no greater than 150 percent of the poverty line.Directs the Secretary to implement an outreach campaign to promote enrollment in Head Start programs and Early Head Start programs.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary should allow Head Start grantees that find evidence of community need to modify the use of their current grants so as to enroll infants and toddlers without obtaining a separate Early Head Start grant; and (2) Congress should appropriate sufficient funds to carry out the Head Start Act so that all eligible children may participate. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Head Start Act to ensure that every child who is eligible to participate in a program under such Act has the tools to learn to read."} | 1,358 | 267 | 0.61431 | 1.626196 | 0.935996 | 5.282258 | 4.762097 | 0.959677 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Exercise and Fitness For All Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Individuals with disabilities can maintain and improve
their health through appropriate physical activity.
(2) In the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
(referred to as the ``Guidelines''), the Department of Health
and Human Services recommends that individuals with
disabilities, who are able, participate in regular aerobic
activity.
(3) The Guidelines also recommend that adults with
disabilities, who are able, do muscle-strengthening activities
of moderate or high intensity on 2 or more days a week, as
these activities provide additional health benefits.
(4) The Guidelines recommend that when adults with
disabilities are not able to meet the Guidelines, they should
engage in regular physical activity according to their
abilities and avoid inactivity.
(5) Unfortunately, many individuals with disabilities are
unable to engage in the recommended exercise or fitness
activities due to the inaccessibility of exercise or fitness
equipment.
(6) Physical inactivity by adults with disabilities can
lead to increased risk for functional limitations and secondary
health conditions.
(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to encourage exercise and fitness service providers to
provide accessible exercise and fitness equipment for
individuals with disabilities; and
(2) to provide guidance about the requirements necessary to
ensure that such exercise and fitness equipment is accessible
to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Access board.--The term ``Access Board'' means the
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board
established under section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 792).
(2) Accessible exercise or fitness equipment.--The term
``accessible exercise or fitness equipment'' means exercise or
fitness equipment that is accessible to, and can be
independently used and operated by, individuals with
disabilities.
(3) Exercise or fitness equipment.--The term ``exercise or
fitness equipment'' means devices such as motorized treadmills,
stair climbers or step machines, stationary bicycles, rowing
machines, weight machines, circuit training equipment,
cardiovascular equipment, strength equipment, or other exercise
or fitness equipment.
(4) Exercise or fitness service provider.--The term
``exercise or fitness service provider'' means a gymnasium,
health spa, health club, college or university facility, or
other similar place of exercise or fitness that--
(A) is considered a public accommodation under
section 301 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12181) or is considered a public entity
under section 201 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12131); and
(B) provides exercise or fitness equipment for the
use of its patrons.
(5) Individual with a disability.--The term ``individual
with a disability'' means any person with a disability as
defined in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
(6) Individuals with disabilities.--The term ``individuals
with disabilities'' means more than one individual with a
disability.
SEC. 4. EXERCISE AND FITNESS ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES.
(a) Establishment of Guidelines.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Access Board shall develop and
publish guidelines for exercise or fitness service providers regarding
the provision of accessible exercise or fitness equipment, including
relevant personnel training.
(b) Contents of Guidelines.--The guidelines described in subsection
(a) shall--
(1) be consistent with the Standard Specification for
Universal Design of Fitness Equipment for Inclusive Use by
Persons with Functional Limitations and Impairments of the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F3021-13) (and
any future revisions thereto);
(2) ensure that--
(A) exercise or fitness equipment is accessible to,
and usable by, individuals with disabilities; and
(B) individuals with disabilities have independent
entry to, use of, and exit from the exercise or fitness
equipment, to the maximum extent possible; and
(3) take into consideration the following:
(A) Whether the exercise or fitness service
provider is a new or existing facility.
(B) Whether the exercise or fitness service
provider is staffed or not.
(C) Instruction and additional assistance on the
use of the accessible exercise or fitness equipment
(including specific accessibility features) for
individuals with disabilities.
(D) The size and overall financial resources of the
exercise or fitness service provider.
(E) The availability of closed captioning of video
programming displayed on equipment and televisions
provided by an exercise or fitness service provider.
(c) Review and Amendment.--The Access Board shall periodically
review and, as appropriate, amend the guidelines, and shall issue the
resulting guidelines as revised guidelines.
SEC. 5. TAX CREDIT FOR EXPENDITURES TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE EXERCISE OR
FITNESS EQUIPMENT.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 44(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``paid or incurred by an eligible small
business'' and inserting ``paid or incurred--
``(A) by an eligible small business'',
(2) by striking ``section).'' and inserting ``section),
and'', and
(3) by inserting at the end the following:
``(B) by an eligible small business which is an
exercise or fitness service provider for the purpose of
providing for use by individuals with disabilities
accessible exercise or fitness equipment that meets the
guidelines established by the Access Board under
section 4 of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act.
Any term used in subparagraph (B) which is defined in section 3
of the Exercise and Fitness for All Act shall have the meaning
given such term in such section, as in effect on the date of
the enactment of such subparagraph.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenses paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after the
date of the enactment of this Act. | Exercise and Fitness For All Act - Directs the Access Board to develop and publish guidelines for exercise or fitness service providers to provide accessible exercise or fitness equipment, including relevant personnel training. Requires such guidelines to ensure that exercise or fitness equipment is accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow eligible small businesses a tax credit for providing accessible exercise or fitness equipment for use by individuals with disabilities. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Exercise and Fitness For All Act"} | 1,362 | 100 | 0.563979 | 1.379585 | 0.791213 | 4.607143 | 15.119048 | 0.916667 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Electronic Privacy Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO INFORMATION COLLECTION DEVICES.
(a) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for any person to knowingly make,
import, export, distribute, sell, offer for sale, install, or use an
information collection device in a manner that violates any regulation
issued under subsection (b).
(b) Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall
issue regulations that make it unlawful under subsection (a)
for any person--
(A) to knowingly make, import, export, distribute,
sell, or offer for sale an information collection
device, unless the device has a label that discloses in
a manner that is readily apparent and understood that
the device may transmit from a computer information
that is identifiable to that computer, to a primary
user of that computer, or to an individual who operates
that computer but is not a primary user thereof;
(B) to knowingly install an information collection
device on a computer that is not under general
management and control of that person, unless that
person in accordance with regulations issued under
paragraph (2)--
(i) has given a primary user of that
computer notice of such installation; and
(ii) after providing such notice to a
primary user, has obtained the consent of the
primary user to such installation; or
(C) to knowingly use an information collection
device to transmit from a computer that is not under
general management and control of that person, any
information that is identifiable to that computer, to a
primary user of that computer, or to an individual who
operates that computer but is not a primary user
thereof, unless that person in accordance with
regulations issued under paragraph (2)--
(i) has given a primary user of that
computer notice that the device may transmit
such information; and
(ii) after providing such notice to a
primary user, has obtained consent by the
primary user to such a transmission.
(2) Notice and consent.--For purposes of notice and consent
required by paragraph (1), regulations shall require that--
(A) notice be given and consent be obtained for
each instance of installation or use of an information
collection device; and
(B) consent is effective only if the person
obtaining the consent has a good faith belief that the
person giving the consent--
(i) has attained 18 years of age; and
(ii) has authority to give such consent.
(c) Limitation on Application of Regulations.--Regulations issued
under subsection (b)(1)(A) shall not prohibit the making, importation,
exportation, distribution, sale, or offer for sale of any information
collection device made before the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Penalty.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), whoever violates
this section shall be fined $500 for the first such violation
and $1,500 for each subsequent violation.
(2) Information about minors.--Whoever commits a violation
of a regulation issued under subsection (b)(1)(C) shall be
fined twice the amount of the fine that would otherwise apply
under this subsection if such violation results in the
transmission from a computer of information that is
identifiable to--
(A) an individual who operates that computer and
has not attained 18 years of age; or
(B) that computer if a primary user of that
computer is an individual who has not attained such
age.
(3) Subsequent violations.--Each violation of a regulation
issued under subsection (b)(1), including each transmission of
information in violation of subsection (b)(1)(C), constitutes a
separate violation for purposes of this subsection.
(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) Computer.--The term ``computer'' means a programmable
electronically activated device that--
(A) is capable of accepting information, applying
prescribed processes to the information, and supplying
the results of those processes with or without human
intervention; and
(B) consists of a central processing unit
containing extensive storage, logic, and control
capabilities.
(2) Information collection device.--The term ``information
collection device'' means any device that--
(A) is a computer program that is capable of
collecting and transmitting from a computer to a person
other than a primary user of that computer, information
that is identifiable to that computer, to a primary
user of that computer, or to an individual who operates
that computer but is not a primary user thereof; and
(B) does not consist of only a simple identifying
string of computer code, commonly referred to as a
``cookie''.
(3) Primary user.--The term ``primary user'' means any
individual with general authority over management and use of a
computer or any person on whose behalf an individual exercises
such general authority. | Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Electronic Privacy Protection Act"} | 1,097 | 12 | 0.388808 | 0.960863 | -0.848709 | 1.7 | 102.1 | 0.5 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Kids Vision Care Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Good vision is essential for proper physical
development and educational progress in growing children.
(2) Many serious ocular conditions are treatable if
identified in the preschool and early school-aged years.
(3) Early detection of ocular conditions provides the best
opportunity for effective, inexpensive treatment and can have
far-reaching implications for vision.
(4) Various identification methods, whether vision
screening or comprehensive eye exams required by State laws,
will identify children needing services. A child identified
through vision screening should receive a comprehensive eye
exam followed by subsequent treatment as needed. A child
identified through a comprehensive eye exam should receive
subsequent treatment as needed. All children identified as
needing services should have access to subsequent treatment as
needed.
SEC. 3. GRANTS REGARDING VISION CARE FOR CHILDREN.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award
grants to States on the basis of an established review process for the
purpose of complementing existing State efforts for--
(1) providing comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed
optometrist or ophthalmologist for children who have been
previously identified through a vision screening or eye
examination by a licensed health care provider or vision
screener as needing such services, with priority given to
children who are under the age of 9 years;
(2) providing treatment or services, subsequent to the
examinations described in paragraph (1), necessary to correct
vision problems; and
(3) developing and disseminating, to parents, teachers, and
health care practitioners, educational materials on recognizing
signs of visual impairment in children.
(b) Criteria and Coordination.--
(1) Criteria.--The Secretary, in consultation with
appropriate professional and consumer organizations including
individuals with knowledge of age appropriate vision services,
shall develop criteria--
(A) governing the operation of the grant program
under subsection (a); and
(B) for the collection of data related to vision
assessment and the utilization of follow up services.
(2) Coordination.--The Secretary shall, as appropriate,
coordinate the program under subsection (a) with the program
under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (relating to
health centers) (42 U.S.C. 254b), the program under title XIX
of the Social Security Act (relating to the Medicaid program)
(42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), the program under title XXI of such
Act (relating to the State children's health insurance program)
(42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.), and with other Federal or State
programs that provide services to children.
(c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), a State shall submit to the Secretary an application in
such form, made in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require, including--
(1) information on existing Federal, Federal-State, or
State-funded children's vision programs;
(2) a plan for the use of grant funds, including how funds
will be used to complement existing State efforts (including
possible partnerships with non-profit entities);
(3) a plan to determine if a grant eligible child has been
identified as provided for in section 3(a); and
(4) a description of how funds will be used to provide
items or services only as a secondary payer to--
(A) any State compensation program, under an
insurance policy, or under any Federal or State health
benefits program; or
(B) by any entity that provides health services on
a prepaid basis.
(d) Evaluations.--To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), a State shall agree that, not later than 1 year after
the date on which amounts under the grant are first received by the
State, and annually thereafter while receiving amounts under the grant,
the State will submit to the Secretary an evaluation of the operations
and activities carried out under the grant, including--
(1) an assessment of the utilization of vision services and
the status of children receiving these services as a result of
the activities carried out under the grant;
(2) the collection, analysis, and reporting of children's
vision data according to guidelines prescribed by the
Secretary; and
(3) such other information as the Secretary may require.
(e) Limitations in Expenditure of Grant.--A grant may be made under
subsection (a) only if the State involved agrees that the State will
not expend more than 20 percent of the amount received under the grant
to carry out the purpose described in paragraph (3) of such subsection.
(f) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term
``comprehensive eye examination'' includes an assessment of a patient's
history, general medical observation, external and ophthalmoscopic
examination, visual acuity, ocular alignment and motility, refraction,
and as appropriate, binocular vision or gross visual fields, performed
by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011. | Kids Vision Care Act of 2006 - Allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants to states to: (1) provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children identified by a licensed health care provider or vision screener, with priority to children under age nine; (2) provide treatment or services to correct vision problems of such children; and (3) develop and disseminate educational materials on recognizing signs of visual impairment in children. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish a grant program to provide vision care to children."} | 1,179 | 120 | 0.617767 | 1.701434 | 0.559683 | 4.207547 | 10.5 | 0.962264 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief
and Community Protection Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. BANKRUPTCY RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE KATRINA.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
provisions of title 11, United States Code, as in effect on August 29,
2005, shall apply to any case described in subsection (b).
(b) Eligibility.--A case described in this subsection is a case
commenced during the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of
the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005,
under title 11, United States Code (other than under chapter 12 of that
title 11), by or on behalf of a debtor--
(1) who resides, or who resided on August 29, 2005, in any
area that is subject to a declaration by the President of a
major disaster, as defined under section 102 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5122) in connection with Hurricane Katrina; and
(2) whose financial condition is materially adversely
affected by the major disaster.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS; WHO MAY BE A DEBTOR.
(a) Current Monthly Income.--Section 101(10A)(B) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``and payments'' and inserting
``payments''; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end ``, and
payments to victims of a natural disaster, on account of their
status as victims of a natural disaster''.
(b) Natural Disaster; Natural Disaster Zone.--Section 101 of title
11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (40A) and (40B) as
paragraphs (40C) and (40D), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (40) the following:
``(40A) The term `natural disaster' means--
``(A) a major disaster, as defined in section 102
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122); or
``(B) a situation similar to such a major disaster
(as so defined), with respect to which a determination
is made in accordance with State law that such
situation exists.
``(40B) The term `natural disaster zone' means the
geographical area included in the determination of a natural
disaster.''.
(c) Victim of Natural Disaster.--Section 101 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(56) The term `victim of a natural disaster' means a
person--
``(A) whose financial condition is materially
adversely affected by a natural disaster; and
``(B) whose domicile, residence, or principal place
of business in the United States, or whose principal
assets in the United States, were located in a natural
disaster zone immediately preceding the event that
caused the natural disaster.''.
(d) Who May Be a Debtor.--Section 109(h)(4) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``natural disaster,'' after
``disability,''.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 3.
Section 362(b)(22) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``(excluding a debtor who is a victim of a natural
disaster)'' after ``debtor'' the first place that term appears.
SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 5.
Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(k) The Court may extend any time period specified in this
section as may be necessary if--
``(1) the debtor is a victim of a natural disaster; and
``(2) the debtor's status as a victim of a natural disaster
necessitates such extension of time.''.
SEC. 6. AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 7.
(a) Debtor's Monthly Expenses.--Section 707(b)(2)(A)(ii) of title
11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(IV) In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses may include the
actual reasonably necessary expenses incurred as a result of being a
victim of a natural disaster.''.
(b) Limitation on Conversion of Case.--Section 707(b)(2) of title
11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(E) Subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) shall not apply, and the
court may not dismiss or convert a case under this subsection, if the
debtor is a victim of a natural disaster.''.
SEC. 7. AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 11.
(a) Conversion of Case.--Section 1112(b) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``, including a
natural disaster'' before the semicolon; and
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``(including a natural
disaster)'' after ``circumstances''.
(b) Who May File a Plan.--Section 1121(e)(3) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``(i)'' after
``(A)'';
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or'';
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as clauses
(ii) and (iii), respectively; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) the debtor is unable to meet the deadline
because of a natural disaster.''.
(c) Extension of Time for Small Businesses.--Chapter 11 of title
11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the table of sections, by adding at the end the
following:
``1117. Extension of time for small businesses'';
and
(2) in subchapter I, by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1117. Extension of time for small businesses
``Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, in a small
business case, the court may extend any deadline specified in this
chapter if the court finds that such extension is--
``(1) necessary to protect the best interests of the
creditors and the estate; or
``(2) warranted by a natural disaster.''.
SEC. 8. AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 13.
(a) Conversion or Dismissal.--Section 1307(e) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``The Court may extend any time period specified in this subsection as
may be necessary if--
``(1) the debtor is a victim of a natural disaster; and
``(2) the debtor's status as a victim of a natural disaster
necessitates such extension of time.''.
(b) Filing of Prepetition Tax Returns.--Section 1308 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) The Court may extend any time period specified in this
subsection as may be necessary if--
``(1) the debtor is a victim of a natural disaster; and
``(2) the debtor's status as a victim of a natural disaster
necessitates such extension of time.''.
SEC. 9. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE.
Section 1408 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Except'', and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) If a case under title 11 cannot be commenced in a district
court described in subsection (a) because a person is the victim of a
natural disaster (as defined in section 101 of title 11), then a case
under title 11 may be commenced by such person in the district court
for the district in which such person resides.''.
SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.
(a) Effective Date.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act
shall take effect on October 18, 2005.
(b) Application of Amendments.--The amendments made by this Act
shall apply only with respect to cases commenced under title 11 of the
United States Code on and after October 17, 2005. | Hurricane Katrina Bankruptcy Relief and Community Protection Act of 2005 - Applies the provisions of federal bankruptcy law, as in effect on August 29, 2005, to any case commenced (except under chapter 12) during the 12-month period beginning on October 17, 2005, (the effective date of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA)) by a debtor: (1) who on August 29, 2005, resided in any area declared by the President as a major disaster related to Hurricane Katrina; and (2) whose financial condition is materially adversely affected by such disaster.
Authorizes the bankruptcy court to extend statutory deadlines governing debtor's submission of specified financial documentation if the debtor's status as a victim of a natural disaster necessitates such extension.
Expands debtor's non-abusive monthly expenses to include actual reasonably necessary expenses incurred as a result of being a victim of a natural disaster.
States that if the debtor is a victim of a natural disaster: (1) the presumption of bankruptcy abuse is inapplicable; and (2) the court may not dismiss or convert the case for either an individual (Chapter 7) or a business debtor (Chapter 11).
Authorizes the court to grant an extension of time to comply with bankruptcy deadlines if it finds that: (1) it is warranted by a natural disaster in the case of a small business debtor; and (2) the debtor's status as a victim of a natural disaster necessitates such extension in the case of a chapter 13 debtor capable of making periodic payments.
Amends the federal judicial code to permit a case in bankruptcy to be commenced in the district court for the district in which a person who is the victim of a natural disaster resides. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend title 11, United States Code, to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters."} | 2,016 | 413 | 0.619522 | 1.924003 | 0.775144 | 4.106195 | 5.212389 | 0.902655 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Water Quality Research, Development,
and Technology Demonstration Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to
be made to a section or other provision of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.).
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Technical Assistance for Rural and Small Treatment Works.--
Section 104(b) (33 U.S.C. 1254(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide
technical assistance to rural and small municipalities for the
purpose of assisting, in consultation with the State in which
the assistance is provided, such municipalities to plan,
develop, and gain financing for wastewater infrastructure
assistance;
``(9) make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide
technical assistance and training to rural and small publicly
owned treatment works and decentralized wastewater treatment
systems to enable such treatment works and systems to protect
water quality and achieve and maintain compliance with the
requirements of this Act; and
``(10) make grants to nonprofit organizations to
disseminate information to rural municipalities, small
municipalities, and municipalities that meet the affordability
criteria established under section 603(i)(2) by the State in
which the municipality is located with respect to planning,
design, construction, and operation of publicly owned treatment
works and decentralized wastewater treatment systems.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 104(u) (33 U.S.C.
1254(u)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and (6)'' and inserting ``(6)''; and
(2) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``(7) not to exceed $80,000,000 for fiscal year
2003, $85,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, $90,000,000 for fiscal
year 2005, $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, and $100,000,000
for fiscal year 2007 for carrying out subsections (b)(3),
(b)(8), (b)(9), and (b)(10), except that not less than 20
percent of the amounts appropriated pursuant to this paragraph
in a fiscal year shall be used for carrying out subsections
(b)(8), (b)(9), and (b)(10)''.
(c) Competitive Procedures for Awarding Grants.--Section 104 (33
U.S.C. 1254(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(v) Competitive Procedures for Awarding Grants.--The
Administrator shall establish procedures that, to the maximum extent
practicable, promote competition and openness in the award of grants to
nonprofit private agencies, institutions, and organizations under this
section.''.
SEC. 4. CAPITALIZATION GRANT AGREEMENT ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT.
Section 602(b) (33 U.S.C. 1382(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (9);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (10) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) beginning in fiscal year 2004, the State will
include as a condition of providing assistance under section
603(c)(1) that the recipient of such assistance study and
evaluate the cost and effectiveness of innovative and
alternative processes, materials, and techniques for carrying
out projects and activities eligible for such assistance under
section 603(c), and select, to the extent practicable, projects
and activities that more efficiently use energy and natural and
financial resources or provide greater environmental
benefits.''.
SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE AND SUBSIDIZATION.
(a) Technical and Planning Assistance for Small Systems.--Section
603(d) (33 U.S.C. 1383(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (6);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (7) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) to provide to treatment works, which serve a
population of 20,000 or fewer, with technical and planning
assistance to improve wastewater treatment plant management and
operations; except that such amounts shall not exceed 2 percent
of grant awards to such fund under this title.''.
(b) Additional Subsidization.--Section 603 (33 U.S.C. 1383) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Additional Subsidization.--
``(1) In general.--In any case in which a State provides
assistance under subsection (d), the State may provide
additional subsidization, including forgiveness of principal
and negative interest loans, for projects and activities
eligible for assistance under section 603(c)(1) to implement
innovative and alternative processes, materials, and techniques
(including nonstructural protection of surface waters, new or
improved methods of waste treatment, and pollutant trading)
that are of a type recommended under paragraph (2) and that may
result in cost savings or increased environmental benefit when
compared to standard processes, materials, and techniques.
``(2) Support for innovative and alternative processes,
materials, and techniques.--Based on recommendations of the
Water Quality Research Technical Advisory Committee under
section 104(a)(3), the Administrator shall annually prepare a
list and description of innovative and alternative processes,
materials, and techniques that the Administrator recommends for
additional State subsidization under this subsection.''.
SEC. 6. PROGRAM PLAN.
Section 104 (33 U.S.C. 1254) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4),
(5), and (6) as subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), (E),
and (F), respectively; and
(B) by moving such subparagraphs 2 ems to the
right;
(2) by striking the section heading, the section
designation, and ``(a) The Administrator shall'' and inserting
the following:
``SEC. 104. RESEARCH, INVESTIGATION, TRAINING, AND INFORMATION.
``(a) National Programs.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Administrator shall''; and
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
``(2) Program plan.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after
the date enactment of this subparagraph, the
Administrator, in cooperation with other Federal,
State, and local agencies and nonprofit organizations
with expertise in water pollution control research,
development, and technology demonstration, shall
prepare and transmit to Congress a 5-year program plan
to guide water pollution control research, development,
and technology demonstration activities under this Act.
``(B) Comments of advisory committee.--The program
plan shall be submitted to the Water Quality Research
Technical Advisory Committee established under
paragraph (3) for review and comment.
``(3) Water quality research technical advisory
committee.--
``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 12 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall establish under paragraph (1)(D) a
Water Quality Research Technical Advisory Committee (in
this paragraph referred to as the `Advisory
Committee').
``(B) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall--
``(i) advise the Administrator on the
development and implementation of the program
plan under paragraph (1);
``(ii) advise the Administrator annually on
priority needs for water pollution control
research, development, and technology
demonstration under this Act and resources
necessary for meeting such needs;
``(iii) make recommendations annually to
the Administrator on types of innovative and
alternative processes, materials, and
techniques that should be recommended for
additional subsidization under section 603(i);
and
``(iv) review annually the results of water
pollution control research, development, and
technology demonstration carried out under this
Act in the preceding fiscal year.
``(C) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall be
composed of 7 members appointed by the Administrator
after seeking and receiving recommendations from the
National Academy of Sciences. Members appointed to the
Advisory Committee shall have experience or be technically qualified,
by training or knowledge, in water pollution control research,
development, and technology demonstration.
``(D) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory
Committee shall serve without compensation, but shall
receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703
of title 5, United States Code.
``(E) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet
at least 4 times each year.
``(F) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall
terminate 5 years after the date of its establishment.
``(4) Reports to congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the Water Quality Research, Development,
and Technology Demonstration Act, and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on the status
and results to date of the implementation of the program plan
prepared under paragraph (2). Each report shall include the
comments of the Water Quality Research Technical Advisory
Committee under paragraphs (2) and (3).''.
SEC. 7. TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR WATER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
AND MANAGEMENT.
Title I of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second section 121 (relating to
wet weather watershed pilot projects) as section 122; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 123. TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR WATER QUALITY
ENHANCEMENT AND MANAGEMENT.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall establish a
nationwide demonstration program to--
``(A) promote innovations in technology and
alternative approaches to water quality management; and
``(B) reduce costs to municipalities incurred in
complying with this Act.
``(2) Scope.--The demonstration program shall consist of 10
projects per year, to be carried out in municipalities selected
by the Administrator under subsection (b).
``(b) Selection of Municipalities.--
``(1) Application.--A municipality that seeks to be
selected to participate in the demonstration program shall
submit to the Administrator a plan that--
``(A) is developed in coordination with--
``(i) the Water Quality Research Technical
Advisory Committee established under section
104(a)(3);
``(ii) the agency of the State having
jurisdiction over water quality; and
``(iii) interested stakeholders;
``(B) describes adverse water quality impacts
specific to surrounding ecosystems;
``(C) includes a strategy under which the
municipality, through participation in the
demonstration program, could effectively address those
impacts and achieve the same water quality goals as
those goals that could be achieved using more
traditional methods or are mandated under this Act; and
``(D) includes a schedule for achieving the goals
of the municipality.
``(2) Types of projects.--In carrying out the demonstration
program, the Administrator may select projects which have the
potential to advance innovative or alternative approaches to
addressing--
``(A) excessive nutrient growth;
``(B) water reclamation and reuse;
``(C) nonpoint source water pollution;
``(D) sanitary overflows;
``(E) combined sewer overflows;
``(F) problems with naturally-occurring
constituents of concern; or
``(G) problems with erosion and excess sediment.
``(3) Responsibilities of administrator.--In selecting
municipalities under this subsection, the Administrator shall--
``(A) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable--
``(i) the inclusion in the demonstration
program of projects which reflect a broad
geographic distribution and nontraditional
approaches (including low-impact development
technologies) used for the projects; and
``(ii) that each category of project
described in paragraph (2) is adequately
represented;
``(B) give higher priority to projects that address
multiple problems and are regionally applicable;
``(C) ensure, to the maximum extent practicable,
that at least 1 small community having a population of
10,000 or less receives a grant each year; and
``(D) ensure that, for each fiscal year, no
municipality receives more than 25 percent of the total
amount of funds made available for the fiscal year to
provide grants under this section.
``(4) Cost sharing.--The non-Federal share of the cost of a
project carried out under this section shall be at least 20
percent.
``(c) Reports.--
``(1) Reports from municipalities.--A municipality that is
selected for participation in the demonstration program shall
submit to the Administrator, on the date of completion of a
project of the municipality and on each of the dates that is 1,
2, and 3 years after that date, a report that describes the
effectiveness of the project.
``(2) Reports to congress.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this section, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Administrator shall compile, and submit to
Congress, a report that describes the status and results of the
demonstration program.
``(d) Incorporation of Results and Information.--To the maximum
extent practicable, the Administrator shall incorporate the results of,
and information obtained from, successful projects under this section
into programs administered by the Administrator.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2003 through 2007.''. | Water Quality Research, Development, and Technology Demonstration Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to nonprofit organizations to provide technical and information assistance for rural and small treatment works. Requires establishment of procedures for the competitive award of grants.Extends funding for State- and interstate-managed pollution control programs.Revises State water pollution control revolving fund provisions concerning: (1) agreements for treatment works capitalization grants; (2) technical and planning assistance for small treatment works; and (3) additional subsidization.Requires the Administrator to: (1) prepare and transmit to Congress a five-year program plan to guide water pollution control research, development, and technology demonstration activities under FWPCA; and (2) submit the plan for review and comment to the Water Quality Research Technical Advisory Committee established by this Act; (3) establish a nationwide demonstration program, carried out in selected municipalities, to promote technological innovations and alternative approaches to water quality management and reduce municipalities' FWPCA compliance costs. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for water pollution control research, development, and technology demonstration, and for other purposes."} | 3,145 | 232 | 0.566803 | 1.594916 | 0.813739 | 3.142157 | 14.323529 | 0.906863 |
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) School district.--The term ``School District'' means
the Lame Deer High School District No. 6., Rosebud County,
Montana.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(3) Tribe.--The term ``Tribe'' means the Northern Cheyenne
Tribe.
SEC. 2. NORTHERN CHEYENNE LAND TRANSFER.
(a) Conveyance of Lands.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary shall convey by patent to the School District all
right, title, and interest of the United States and the Tribe in the
lands described in subsection (b) for use by the School District only
for the purposes of constructing and operating on the lands a public
high school and related facilities.
(b) Description of Lands.--
(1) General legal description.--The lands described in this
paragraph are within the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation,
as follows: The W\1/2\ of SE\1/4\ and the E\1/2\ of SW\1/4\ of
section 10, township 3 south, range 41 east, M.P.M.
(2) Narrative description.--Such lands may be described as
follows: Beginning at the south \1/4\ corner of such section
10, thence south 89 degrees 56 minutes west 393.31 feet, on and
along the south line of such section 10 to the true point of
beginning, thence south 89 degrees 56 minutes west 500 feet, on
and along such section line, thence north 00 degrees 00 minutes
east, 575.0 feet, thence north 54 degrees 9 minutes 22 seconds
east, 2,382.26 feet, thence south 23 degrees 44 minutes 21
seconds east, 622.56 feet, thence south 51 degrees 14 minutes
40 seconds west, 2,177.19 feet, to the true point of beginning,
containing in all 40.0 acres, more or less.
SEC. 3. PATENT.
The patent issued by the Secretary under this Act shall be issued
subject to the following conditions:
(1) Title to all coal and other minerals, including oil,
gas, and other natural deposits, within the lands described in
section 2(b) shall remain with the Secretary to be held in
trust for the Tribe, as provided in Public Law 90-424 (82 Stat.
424).
(2) The lands described in section 2(b) conveyed to the
School District may be used only by the School District and
only for the purposes of constructing and operating on the
lands a public high school and related facilities.
(3) If, on the termination of the 8-year period beginning
on the date of issuance of the patent, classes have not
commenced in a permanent public high school facility
established on the lands described in section 2(b) conveyed to
the School District, or if such classes commence at the
facility during such period, but the facility subsequently
permanently ceases operating as a public high school--
(A) all right, title, and interest to the lands
described in section 2(b) conveyed to the School
District, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances,
shall automatically revert to the Secretary to be held
in trust for the Tribe; and
(B) the Secretary shall void the patent and the
patent shall have no further force or effect.
(4)(A) At any time after the conclusion of any litigation
pending as of the date of enactment of this Act (including any
trial and, if any, appellate proceedings) that challenges the
decision made by the Superintendent of Public Instruction for
the State of Montana on November 9, 1993, granting the petition
to create the School District, and with the prior approval of
the Superintendent of Public Instruction--
(i) the Tribe shall have the right to request the
Secretary to void the patent in accordance with
subparagraph (C); and
(ii) if the Tribe makes such request and meets the
requirements of subparagraph (C), the Tribe may enter
into a lease with the School District pursuant to the
Act of August 9, 1995 (69 Stat. 539, chapter 615; (25
U.S.C. 415(a))--
(I) covering the lands described in section
2(b);
(II) of a term of 25 years, with a right to
renew for an additional 25-year period; and
(III) under which the lands described in
section 2(b) shall be leased rent free to the
School District for the exclusive purpose of
constructing and operating a public high school
and related facilities on such lands.
(B) Any lease entered into pursuant to subparagraph (A)
shall, notwithstanding subparagraph (A)(II), terminate upon the
termination of the period specified in paragraph (3) if, by
such date, classes have not commenced in a permanent public
high school facility established on the lands described in
section 2(b) conveyed to the School District, or if, during
such period, such classes commence at the facility, but the
facility subsequently permanently ceases operating as a public
high school.
(C) If the Tribe seeks and obtains approval of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of Montana,
the Tribe may enter into a lease, if the lease is signed by the
Tribe and approved by the Secretary. Such lease shall comply
with the requirements of this paragraph. At such time as the
Tribe enters into a lease under this paragraph, the Secretary
shall void the patent, and, subject to the leasehold interest
offered to the School District, title to the lands described in
section 2(b), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances,
shall automatically revert to the Secretary in trust for the
Tribe.
(D) The Tribe may at any time irrevocably relinquish the
right of the Tribe to enter into a lease under this paragraph
by resolution of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council that
explicitly provides for the relinquishment of the right.
SEC. 4. EFFECT OF ACCEPTANCE OF PATENT.
Upon the acceptance by the School District of a patent issued by
the Secretary under this Act, the School District, and any party who
may subsequently acquire any right, title, or interest in the lands
described in section 2(b) by or through the School District, shall be
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in paragraphs (1) through
(4) of section 3. | Directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer certain lands on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana, to the Lame Deer High School District No. 6, Rosebud County, Montana, for construction of a high school and related facilities.
Stipulates that such lands shall revert to the Secretary (to held in trust for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe) if the high school is not operating within a specified time or ceases operations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to transfer 40 acres of land on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana, to Lame Deer High School District No. 6, Rosebud County, Montana, and for other purposes."} | 1,429 | 99 | 0.510261 | 1.454834 | 0.93385 | 3.012346 | 15.82716 | 0.938272 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ammunition Safety Act of 1995''.
SEC. 2. DEALERS OF AMMUNITION.
(a) Definition.--Section 921(a)(11)(A) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``or ammunition'' after ``firearms''.
(b) Licensing.--Section 923(a) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``or
importing or manufacturing ammunition'' and inserting ``or
importing, manufacturing, or dealing in ammunition''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' the
last place it appears;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by inserting the following new subparagraph:
``(C) in ammunition other than ammunition for destructive
devices, $10 per year.''.
(c) Unlawful Acts.--Section 922(a)(1)(A) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``or ammunition'' after
``firearms''; and
(ii) by inserting ``or ammunition'' after
``firearm''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``or licensed
manufacturer'' and inserting ``licensed manufacturer,
or licensed dealer'';
(2) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by inserting ``or ammunition'' after ``firearm'';
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or ammunition'' after
``firearm'' the first place it appears;
(4) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or ammunition'' after
``firearm'' the first place it appears; and
(5) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``or ammunition'' after
``firearms''.
(d) Penalties.--Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (5)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``1 year''
and inserting ``2 years''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) in clause (i), by striking ``1 year''
and inserting ``2 years''; and
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``10
years'' and inserting ``20 years''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(o) Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise
provided, any person at least 18 years of age who violates section
922(g) shall be subject to--
``(1) twice the maximum punishment authorized by this
subsection; and
``(2) at least twice any term of supervised release.''.
(e) Application of Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act To
Transfer of Ammunition.--Section 922(t) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by inserting ``or ammunition'' after ``firearm'' each
place it appears.
SEC. 3. REGULATION OF ARMOR PIERCING AND NEW TYPES OF DESTRUCTIVE
AMMUNITION.
(a) Testing of Ammunition.--Section 921(a)(17) of title 18, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (D), as added by section
2(e)(2), as subparagraph (E); and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new
subparagraph:
``(D)(i) Notwithstanding subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5,
United States Code, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this subparagraph, the Secretary shall--
``(I) establish uniform standards for testing and rating
the destructive capacity of projectiles capable of being used
in handguns;
``(II) utilizing the standards established pursuant to
subclause (I), establish performance-based standards to define
the rating of `armor piercing ammunition' based on the rating
at which the projectiles pierce armor; and
``(III) at the expense of the ammunition manufacturer
seeking to sell a particular type of ammunition, test and rate
the destructive capacity of the ammunition utilizing the
testing, rating, and performance-based standards established
under subclauses (I) and (II).
``(ii) The term `armor piercing ammunition' shall include any
projectile determined to have a destructive capacity rating higher than
the rating threshold established under subclause (II), in addition to
the composition-based determination of subparagraph (B).
``(iii) The Congress may exempt specific ammunition designed for
sporting purposes from the definition of `armor piercing
ammunition'.''.
(b) Prohibition.--Section 922(a) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7)--
(A) by striking ``or import'' and inserting ``,
import, possess, or use'';
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'';
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) the manufacture, importation, or use of any
projectile that has been proven, by testing performed
at the expense of the manufacturer of the projectile,
to have a lower rating threshold than armor piercing
ammunition.''; and
(2) in paragraph (8)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) the manufacture, importation, or use of any
projectile that has been proven, by testing performed
at the expense of the manufacturer of the projectile,
to have a lower rating threshold than armor piercing
ammunition.''. | Ammunition Safety Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal criminal code to include persons selling ammunition within the definition of "dealer" for purposes of Federal firearms laws. Subjects dealers in ammunition to licensing requirements applicable to firearms dealers.
Sets a $10 per year license fee for dealers in ammunition other than ammunition for destructive devices.
Applies to ammunition specified prohibitions currently applicable to importing, manufacturing, dealing in, transporting, or receiving firearms without a license.
Increases penalties for specified violations of Federal firearms provisions.
Subjects any person at least 18 years of age who violates provisions regarding shipping, transporting, possessing, or receiving a firearm or ammunition by specified categories of persons (such as fugitives and illegal aliens) to twice the maximum punishment authorized and at least twice any term of supervised release, except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided.
Makes specified provisions of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act applicable to the transfer of ammunition.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury: (1) to establish uniform standards for testing and rating the destructive capacity of projectiles capable of being used in handguns; (2) utilizing such standards, to establish performance-based standards to define the rating of "armor piercing ammunition" based on the rating at which the projectiles pierce armor; and (3) at the expense of the ammunition manufacturer seeking to sell a particular type of ammunition, to test and rate the destructive capacity of the ammunition utilizing such standards.
Defines "armor piercing ammunition" to include any projectile determined to have a destructive capacity rating higher than the threshold established, in addition to the composition-based determination. Authorizes the Congress to exempt specific ammunition designed for sporting purposes from such definition. Prohibits the possession or use of armor piercing ammunition, with exceptions. Permits the manufacture, importation, or use of any projectile that has been proven, by testing performed at the expense of the manufacturer, to have a lower rating threshold than armor piercing ammunition. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Ammunition Safety Act of 1995"} | 1,466 | 444 | 0.538588 | 1.494655 | 0.677966 | 4.026042 | 3.367188 | 0.817708 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tobacco Consumption Reduction and
Health Improvement Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN TAXES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Cigars.--Subsection (a) of section 5701 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rate of tax on cigars) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``$1.125 cents per thousand (93.75
cents per thousand on cigars removed during 1991 and
1992)'' in paragraph (1) and inserting ``$4.6875 per
thousand''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following new paragraph:
``(2) Large cigars.--On cigars weighing more than 3 pounds
per thousand, a tax equal to 50 percent of the price for which
sold but not more than $120 per thousand.''
(2) Cigarettes.--Subsection (b) of section 5701 of such
Code (relating to rate of tax on cigarettes) is amended--
(A) by striking ``$12 per thousand ($10 per
thousand on cigarettes removed during 1991 and 1992)''
in paragraph (1) and inserting ``$50 per thousand'';
and
(B) by striking ``$25.20 per thousand ($21 per
thousand on cigarettes removed during 1991 and 1992)''
in paragraph (2) and inserting ``$105 per thousand''.
(3) Cigarette papers.--Subsection (c) of section 5701 of
such Code (relating to rate of tax on cigarette papers) is
amended by striking ``0.75 cent (0.625 cent on cigarette papers
removed during 1991 or 1992)'' and inserting ``3.12 cents''.
(4) Cigarette tubes.--Subsection (d) of section 5701 of
such Code (relating to rate of tax on cigarette tubes) is
amended by striking ``1.5 cents (1.25 cents on cigarette tubes
removed during 1991 or 1992)'' and inserting ``6.25 cents''.
(5) Snuff.--Paragraph (1) of section 5701(e) of such Code
(relating to rate of tax on smokeless tobacco) is amended by
striking ``36 cents (30 cents on snuff removed during 1991 or
1992)'' and inserting ``$1.50''.
(6) Chewing tobacco.--Paragraph (2) of section 5701(e) of
such Code is amended by striking ``12 cents (10 cents on
chewing tobacco removed during 1991 or 1992)'' and inserting
``50 cents''.
(7) Pipe tobacco.--Subsection (f) of section 5701 of such
Code (relating to rate of tax on pipe tobacco) is amended by
striking ``67.5 cents (56.25 cents on chewing tobacco removed
during 1991 or 1992)'' and inserting ``$2.8125''.
(b) Floor Stocks.--
(1) Imposition of tax.--On cigars, cigarettes, cigarette
paper, cigarette tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe
tobacco manufactured in or imported into the United States
which is removed before January 1, 1994, and held on such date
for sale by any person, there shall be imposed the following
taxes:
(A) Small cigars.--On cigars, weighing not more
than 3 pounds per thousand, $3.5625 per thousand.
(B) Large cigars.--On cigars, weighing more than 3
pounds per thousand, a tax equal to 37.25 percent of
the price for which sold, but not more than $90 per
thousand.
(C) Small cigarettes.--On cigarettes, weighing not
more than 3 pounds per thousand, $38 per thousand.
(D) Large cigarettes.--On cigarettes, weighing more
than 3 pounds per thousand, $79.80 per thousand; except
that, if more than 6\1/2\ inches in length, they shall
be taxable at the rate prescribed for cigarettes
weighing not more than 3 pounds per thousand, counting
each 2\3/4\ inches, or fraction thereof, of the length
of each as one cigarette.
(E) Cigarette papers.--On cigarette papers, 2.37
cents for each 50 papers or fractional part thereof;
except that, if cigarette papers measure more than 6\1/
2\ inches in length, they shall be taxable at the rate
prescribed, counting each 2\3/4\ inches, or fraction
thereof, of the length of each as one cigarette paper.
(F) Cigarette tubes.--On cigarette tubes, 4.75
cents for each 50 tubes or fractional part thereof;
except that, if cigarette tubes measure more than 6\1/
2\ inches in length, they shall be taxable at the rate
prescribed, counting each 2\3/4\ inches, or fraction
thereof, of the length of each as one cigarette tube.
(G) Snuff.--On snuff, $1.14 per pound and a
proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional
parts of a pound.
(H) Chewing tobacco.--On chewing tobacco, 38 cents
per pound and a proportionate tax at the like rate on
all fractional parts of a pound.
(I) Pipe tobacco.--On pipe tobacco, $2.1375 per
pound and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all
fractional parts of a pound.
(2) Liability for tax and method of payment.--
(A) Liability for tax.--A person holding cigars,
cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette tubes, snuff,
chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco on January 1, 1994,
to which any tax imposed by paragraph (1) applies shall
be liable for such tax.
(B) Method of payment.--The tax imposed by
paragraph (1) shall be treated as a tax imposed under
section 5701 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
shall be due and payable on February 15, 1994, in the
same manner as the tax imposed under such section is
payable with respect to cigars, cigarettes, cigarette
paper, cigarette tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and
pipe tobacco removed on January 1, 1994.
(3) Cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette tubes,
snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco.--For purposes of this
subsection, the terms ``cigar'', ``cigarette'', ``cigarette
paper'', ``cigarette tubes'', ``snuff'', ``chewing tobacco'',
and ``pipe tobacco'' shall have the meaning given to such terms
by subsections (a), (b), (e), and (g), paragraphs (2) and (3)
of subsection (n), and subsection (o) of section 5702 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, respectively.
(4) Exception for retail stocks.--The taxes imposed by
paragraph (1) shall not apply to cigars, cigarettes, cigarette
paper, cigarette tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe
tobacco in retail stocks held on January 1, 1994, at the place
where intended to be sold at retail.
(5) Foreign trade zones.--Notwithstanding the Act of June
18, 1934 (19 U.S.C. 81a et seq.) or any other provision of
law--
(A) cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette
tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco--
(i) on which taxes imposed by Federal law
are determined, or customs duties are
liquidated, by a customs officer pursuant to a
request made under the first proviso of section
3(a) of the Act of June 18, 1934 (19 U.S.C.
81c(a)) before January 1, 1994, and
(ii) which are entered into the customs
territory of the United States on or after
January 1, 1994, from a foreign trade zone, and
(B) cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette
tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco which--
(i) are placed under the supervision of a
customs officer pursuant to the provisions of
the second proviso of section 3(a) of the Act
of June 18, 1934 (19 U.S.C. 81c(a)) before
January 1, 1994, and
(ii) are entered into the customs territory
of the United States on or after January 1,
1994, from a foreign trade zone,
shall be subject to the tax imposed by paragraph (1) and such
cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette tubes, snuff,
chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco shall, for purposes of
paragraph (1), be treated as being held on January 1, 1994, for
sale.
(c) Establishment of Trust Fund.--
(1) In General.--Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to trust fund code) is amended
by adding at the end thereof the following new section:
``SEC. 9512. HEALTH REFORM TRUST FUND.
``(a) Creation of Trust Fund.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a trust fund to be known as the `Health Reform
Trust Fund' (hereafter referred to in this section as the `Trust
Fund'), consisting of such amounts as may be appropriated or credited
to the Trust Fund as provided in this section or section 9602(b).
``(b) Transfers to Trust Fund.--The Secretary shall transfer to the
Trust Fund an amount equivalent to the net increase in revenues
received in the Treasury attributable to the amendments made to section
5701 by section 2(a) and the provisions contained in section 2(b) of
the Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Health Reform Act of 1993, as
estimated by the Secretary.
``(c) Distribution of Amounts in Trust Fund.--
``(1) Uninsured persons.--Eighty percent of the amounts in
the Trust Fund shall be available in each fiscal year, as
provided by appropriation Acts, to the Secretary for the
provision of medical care and medical insurance to persons
without medical insurance.
``(2) Other.--Twenty percent of the amounts in the Health
Reform Trust Fund shall be available in each fiscal year, as
provided by appropriation Acts, to the Secretary to--
``(A) develop and implement health education
programs;
``(B) develop and implement smoking cessation
programs; and
``(C) distribute to each State that was required by
State law to decrease State taxes on the sale of
tobacco products (as defined in section 5702(c)) as a
result of the increase in the Federal excise tax on
such products provided for in section 2(a) of the
Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Health Reform Act of
1993.''
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for such
subchapter A is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new item:
``Sec. 9512. Health Reform Trust Fund.''
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to cigars, cigarettes, cigarette paper, cigarette
tubes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and pipe tobacco removed after December
31, 1993. | Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Health Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the excise tax on: (1) cigars; (2) cigarettes; (3) cigarette papers and tubes; (4) snuff; and (5) chewing and pipe tobacco. Imposes a tax on the floor stocks of such tobacco products which are removed before January 1, 1994. Makes an exception to the imposition of such tax for floor stocks of such products held on such date at the place intended to be sold at retail. Imposes such tax on such products entered into the United States from foreign trade zones before such date.
Establishes in the Treasury the Health Reform Trust Fund composed of the net increases in revenues received by the Treasury as the result of this Act. Directs the Secretary to use: (1) 80 percent of such funds in a fiscal year for the provision of medical care and medical insurance to persons without such insurance; and (2) 20 percent for health education programs, smoking cessation programs, and distribution to States required to reduce State taxes on tobacco products as a result of the increase in the Federal excise tax under this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Tobacco Consumption Reduction and Health Improvement Act of 1993"} | 2,523 | 244 | 0.590201 | 1.557272 | 0.680506 | 2.761905 | 9.497835 | 0.909091 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``10 Million Solar Roofs Act of
2014''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) there is enormous potential for increasing the quantity
of electricity produced in the United States from distributed
solar photovoltaic systems;
(2) as the market for solar technology continues to grow,
the industry will achieve economies of scale that make the cost
of solar-generated electricity broadly competitive with the
cost of electricity from fossil fuels;
(3) producing electricity from distributed solar
photovoltaic systems helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
and does not result in emissions of harmful air pollutants such
as mercury, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides;
(4) increasing the quantity of electricity generated from
domestic renewable energy sources enhances national energy
security;
(5) investments in solar energy and other renewable energy
sources lead to the creation of green jobs that provide
substantial economic benefits;
(6) the United States solar industry employed more than
140,000 people spread across all 50 States in 2013, which is a
53 percent increase over 2010, according to the Solar
Foundation; and
(7) the solar industry is investing almost $15,000,000,000
in the United States economy annually, according to GTM
Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Photovoltaic system.--The term ``photovoltaic system''
includes--
(A) solar panels;
(B) roof support structures;
(C) inverters;
(D) an energy storage system, if the energy storage
system is integrated with the photovoltaic system; and
(E) any other hardware necessary for the
installation of a photovoltaic system.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
SEC. 4. REBATES FOR PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a program under
which the Secretary shall provide rebates to eligible individuals or
entities for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems for
residential and commercial properties in order to install, over the 10-
year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, at least an
additional 10,000,000 photovoltaic systems in the United States (as
compared to the number of photovoltaic systems installed in the United
States as of the date of enactment of this Act) with a cumulative
capacity of at least 60,000 megawatts.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible for a rebate under this
section--
(A) the recipient of the rebate shall be a
homeowner, business, nonprofit entity, or State or
local government that purchased and installed a
photovoltaic system for a property located in the
United States; and
(B) the recipient of the rebate shall meet such
other eligibility criteria as are determined to be
appropriate by the Secretary.
(2) Other entities.--After public review and comment, the
Secretary may identify other individuals or entities located in
the United States that qualify for a rebate under this section.
(c) Amount.--Subject to subsection (d)(2), the amount of a rebate
provided to an eligible individual or entity for the purchase and
installation of a photovoltaic system for a property under this section
shall be equal to the lesser of--
(1) 15 percent of the initial capital costs for purchasing
and installing the photovoltaic system, including costs for
hardware, permitting and other ``soft costs'', and
installation; or
(2) $10,000.
(d) Intermediate Report.--As soon as practicable after the end of
the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and
publish on the website of the Department of Energy, a report that
describes--
(1) the number of photovoltaic systems for residential and
commercial properties purchased and installed with rebates
provided under this section; and
(2) any steps the Secretary will take to ensure that the
goal of the installation of an additional 10,000,000
photovoltaic systems in the United States is achieved by 2024.
(e) Relationship to Other Law.--The authority provided under this
section shall be in addition to any other authority under which credits
or other types of financial assistance are provided for installation of
a photovoltaic system for a property.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act. | 10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2014 - Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems with the goal to install 10 million systems with a cumulative capacity of at least 60,000 megawatts over the next ten years. Includes within the photovoltaic system solar panels, roof support structures, inverters (to convert the current output from a solar panel into a frequency that can be fed into the electrical grid), an energy storage system if it is integrated with the system, and any other hardware necessary for the installation of a system. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2014"} | 984 | 139 | 0.580893 | 1.639323 | 0.588261 | 2.826087 | 7.947826 | 0.826087 |
SECTION 1. FULFILLING THE POTENTIAL OF WOMEN IN ACADEMIC SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.
(a) Definition of Federal STEM Agency.--In this Act, the term
``Federal STEM agency'' means any Federal agency that is responsible
for not less than 2 percent of total Federal research and development
funding in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (referred
to in this Act as ``STEM'') to institutions of higher education,
according to the most recent data available from the National Science
Foundation.
(b) Workshops To Enhance Gender Equity in Academic STEM.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in
consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, shall develop a uniform policy for all
Federal STEM agencies to carry out a program of workshops that
educate program officers, members of grant review panels, and
institution of higher education STEM department chairs on how
to implement methods that minimize the influence of gender bias
in evaluation of Federal research grants and in the related
academic advancement of actual and potential recipients of
these grants, including hiring, tenure, promotion, and
selection for any honor based in part on the recipient's
research record.
(2) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary of Commerce,
in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, shall ensure that programs of workshops
across the Federal STEM agencies are coordinated and supported
jointly as appropriate. As part of this process, the Secretary
of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy, shall ensure that at least 1
workshop is supported every 2 years among the Federal STEM
agencies.
(3) Organizations eligible to carry out workshops.--Federal
STEM agencies may carry out the program of workshops under this
subsection by making grants to eligible organizations. In
addition to any other organizations made eligible by the
Federal STEM agencies, the following organizations are eligible
for grants under this subsection:
(A) Nonprofit scientific and professional societies
and organizations that represent 1 or more STEM
disciplines.
(B) Nonprofit organizations that have a primary
mission or program focus of advancing the participation
of women in STEM.
(4) Characteristics of workshops.--The workshops shall have
the following characteristics:
(A) Invitees to workshops shall include at least--
(i) the chairs of departments in the
relevant discipline from at least the top 50
institutions of higher education, as determined
by the amount of Federal STEM research and
development funds obligated to each institution
of higher education in the prior year based on
data available from the National Science
Foundation;
(ii) members of any standing research grant
review panel appointed by the Federal STEM
agencies; and
(iii) Federal STEM agency program officers
in the relevant discipline, other than program
officers that participate in comparable
workshops organized and run specifically for
that agency's program officers.
(B) Activities at the workshops shall include
research presentations and interactive discussions or
other activities that increase the awareness of the
influence of gender bias in the grant-making process
and the development of the academic record necessary to
qualify as a grant recipient, including recruitment,
hiring, tenure review, promotion, and other forms of
formal recognition of individual achievement.
(C) Research presentations and other workshop
programs, as appropriate, shall include a discussion of
the unique challenges faced by women who are members of
historically underrepresented groups and
recommendations for increasing the numbers of women
represented in these groups.
(5) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy shall transmit to the Secretary of
Commerce who shall transmit to the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report
determining--
(A) the effectiveness of the program carried out
under this subsection to reduce gender bias towards
women engaged in STEM research funded by the Federal
Government;
(B) any recommendations for improving the workshop
evaluation process;
(C) the rates of participation by invitees in the
workshops authorized under this subsection; and
(D) any relevant institutional policy or practice
changes implemented by workshop participants.
(6) Minimizing costs.--To the extent practicable, workshops
shall be held in conjunction with national or regional
disciplinary meetings to minimize costs associated with
participant travel.
(c) Extended Research Grant Support and Interim Technical Support
for Caregivers.--
(1) Policies for caregivers.--Not later than 6 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce,
in consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, shall develop a uniform policy to extend the
period of grant support for federally funded researchers who
have caregiving responsibilities.
(2) Report.--Upon developing the policy required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy,
shall transmit a copy of the policy to the Committee on Science
and Technology of the House of Representatives and to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate.
(d) Collection and Reporting of Data on Federal Research Grants.--
(1) In general.--Each Federal STEM agency shall collect
standardized annual composite information on demographics for
all applications and proposals for STEM research and
development grants to institutions of higher education
supported by that agency, including--
(A) rank, gender, race, and age;
(B) field;
(C) award type and budget request;
(D) review score; and
(E) funding outcome.
(2) Reporting of data.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce, in
consultation with the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy, shall establish a policy to
ensure uniformity and standardization of collection,
transmittal, and reporting of the data required under
paragraph (1).
(B) Submission.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter,
each Federal STEM agency shall submit data collected
under paragraph (1) to the Director of the National
Science Foundation.
(C) Responsibilities of the national science
foundation.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall--
(i) be responsible for storing and
publishing all of the grant data submitted
under subparagraph (B), in conjunction with the
biennial report required under section 37 of
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d); and
(ii) share such data with the Secretary of
Commerce.
(e) Collection of Data on Demographics of Faculty.--
(1) Collection of data.--The Director of the National
Science Foundation (referred to in this subsection as the
``Director'') shall report, in conjunction with the biennial
report required under section 37 of the Science and Engineering
Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885d), statistical summary
data on the demographics of STEM discipline faculty at
institutions of higher education in the United States. At a
minimum, the Director shall consider--
(A) the number and percentage of faculty by gender,
race, and age;
(B) the number and percentage of faculty at each
rank, by gender, race, and age;
(C) the number and percentage of faculty who are in
nontenure-track positions, including teaching and
research, by gender, race, and age;
(D) the number of faculty who are reviewed for
promotion, including tenure, and the percentage of that
number who are promoted, by gender, race, and age;
(E) faculty years in rank by gender, race, and age;
(F) faculty attrition by gender, race, and age;
(G) the number and percentage of faculty hired by
rank, gender, race, and age; and
(H) the number and percentage of faculty in
leadership positions, including endowed or named
chairs, serving on promotion and tenure committees, by
gender, race, and age.
(2) Recommendations.--The Director shall solicit input and
recommendations from relevant stakeholders, including
representatives from institutions of higher education and
nonprofit organizations, on the collection of data required
under paragraph (1), including the development of standard
definitions on the terms and categories to be used in the
collection of such data.
(3) Report to congress.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit a
report to Congress on how the National Science Foundation will
gather the demographic data on STEM faculty, including--
(A) a description of the data to be reported and
the sources of those data;
(B) justification for the exclusion of any data
described in subparagraph (A); and
(C) a list of the definitions for the terms and
categories, such as ``faculty'' and ``leadership
positions'', to be applied in the reporting of all data
described in subparagraph (A). | Defines a "federal STEM agency" as any federal agency responsible for not less than 2% of total federal research and development funding in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to institutions of higher education, according to National Science Foundation (NSF) data.
Requires the Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a policy for federal STEM agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate program officers, members of grant review panels, and institution of higher education (IHE) STEM department chairs on how to implement methods that minimize the influence of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants.
Authorizes federal STEM agencies to make grants to eligible organizations to carry out workshops.
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to support at least one workshop every two years among the federal STEM agencies.
Requires the Director to transmit a report to Congress determining such program's effectiveness.
Requires the Secretary to develop a policy to extend research grant support for federally funded researchers who are caregivers.
Requires federal STEM agencies to collect specified standardized annual demographic data for all applications and proposals for STEM research and development grants to IHEs. Provides for the publication of such data.
Requires NSF to report statistical summary data on the demographics of STEM faculty at IHEs in the United States and report to Congress on how NSF will gather such data. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to promote the potential of women in academic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."} | 1,900 | 315 | 0.65564 | 1.852589 | 0.839085 | 4.322464 | 6.782609 | 0.880435 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Strategic and Critical
Minerals Policy Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the availability of minerals and metals is essential
for economic growth, national security, technological
innovation, and the manufacturing and agricultural supply
chain;
(2) the exploration, production, processing, use, and
recycling of minerals contribute significantly to the economic
well-being, security, and general welfare of the Nation;
(3) the industrialization of China and India has driven
demand for nonfuel mineral commodities, sparking a period of
resource nationalism exemplified by China's reduction and
stoppage of exports of rare-earth mineral elements necessary
for telecommunications, military technologies, medical devices,
agricultural production, and renewable energy technologies;
(4) the United States has vast mineral resources but is
becoming increasingly dependent upon foreign sources;
(5) 25 years ago the United States was dependent on foreign
sources for 30 nonfuel mineral materials, 6 of which were
entirely imported to meet the Nation's requirements and another
16 of which were imported to meet more than 60 percent of the
Nation's needs;
(6) by 2010, United States import dependence for nonfuel
mineral materials more than doubled from 30 to 67 commodities,
18 commodities were imported entirely to meet the Nation's
requirements, and another 25 commodities required imports of
more than 50 percent;
(7) the United States lacks a coherent national policy to
assure the availability of minerals essential to manufacturing,
national economic well-being and security, agricultural
production, and global economic competitiveness; and
(8) the Nation's ability to compete and innovate requires
proper planning and preparation today to meet tomorrow's
mineral needs.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY.
(a) In General.--It is the continuing policy of the United States
to promote an adequate and stable supply of minerals to maintain our
Nation's economic well-being, security, and manufacturing, industrial,
energy, agricultural, and technological capabilities.
(b) Policy Goals.--Implementation of the policy set forth in
subsection (a) requires that the Federal Government coordinate the
Federal departments and agencies responsible for ensuring that supply,
to--
(1) facilitate the availability, development, and
production of domestic mineral resources to meet national
needs, including the demands of the Nation's manufacturing and
agricultural industries;
(2) promote and encourage the development of economically
and environmentally sound, safe, and stable domestic mining,
minerals, metals, processing, and minerals recycling
industries;
(3) establish an assessment capability for identifying the
mineral demands, supply, and needs of our Nation; and
(4) minimize duplication, needless paperwork, and delays in
the administration of Federal and State laws and regulations,
and issuance of permits and authorizations necessary to
explore, develop, and produce minerals and construct and
operate mineral-related facilities.
SEC. 4. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR REPORT ON ACCESS AND AUTHORIZATIONS
FOR MINERAL DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, through the
Bureau of Land Management and the United States Geological Survey, and
in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture (through the Forest
Service Mineral and Geology Management Division), the Secretary of
Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, and the heads of other appropriate
Federal agencies, shall prepare, submit to Congress, and make available
to the public a report that includes--
(1) an inventory of the nonfossil-fuel mineral potential of
lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management
and the Forest Service and an identification of all such lands
that have been withdrawn, segregated, or otherwise restricted
from mineral exploration and development;
(2) an assessment of--
(A) the mineral requirements to meet current and
emerging national security, economic, industrial
manufacturing, technological, agricultural, and social
needs;
(B) the Nation's reliance on foreign sources to
meet those needs; and
(C) the implications of mineral supply shortages or
disruptions;
(3) a detailed description of the time required to process
mineral applications, operating plans, leases, licenses,
permits, and other use authorizations for mineral-related
activities on lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of
Land Management and the Forest Service, and identification of
measures that would streamline the processing of such
applications, such as elimination of overlapping requirements
or set deadlines;
(4) an itemized list of all use authorizations referred to
in paragraph (3) for which applications are pending before the
Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, and the
length of time each of those applications has been pending;
(5) an assessment of the impact of litigation on processing
or issuing mineral exploration and mine permits, identification
of the statutes the litigation was brought under, and the cost
to the agency or the Federal Government, including for payments
of attorney fees;
(6) an update of the 2009 Economic Impact of the Department
of the Interior's Programs and Activities report to include
locatable minerals;
(7) an assessment of the Federal workforce with educational
degrees and expertise in economic geology, geochemistry,
mining, industrial minerals, metallurgy, metallurgical
engineering, and mining engineering, including--
(A) retirement eligibility and agency plans for
retention, recruitment, and succession planning;
(B) comparison of the existing Federal salaries and
recruitment and retention bonuses with the salaries,
recruitment incentives, and retention packages normally
offered in the mineral industry; and
(C) examination of the differences between Federal
and private financial packages for early-, mid-, and
late-career workers; and
(8) an inventory of rare earth element potential on the
Federal lands, and impediments or restrictions on the
exploration or development of those rare earth elements, and
recommendations to lift the impediments or restrictions while
maintaining environmental safeguards.
(b) Progress Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter for the following two
years, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to Congress and make
available to the public a report that describes the progress made in
reaching the policy goals described in section 3(b), including--
(1) efforts to increase access to domestic supplies of
minerals, and facilitation of their production; and
(2) implementation of recommendations contained in--
(A) the National Research Council reports--
(i) Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the
U.S. Economy;
(ii) Managing Minerals for a Twenty-First
Century Military; and
(iii) the current workforce study
authorized in sections 385 and 1830 of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (119 Stat. 744,
1137);
(B) the Department of Energy Critical Minerals
Strategy I and II; and
(C) the Department of Defense assessment and plan
for critical rare earth elements in defense
applications required under section 843 of the National
Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2011.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL MINERAL ASSESSMENT.
For the first National Mineral Assessment conducted after the date
of enactment of this Act, the United States Geological Survey shall
include mineral assessments for those mineral commodities important to
the Nation's energy infrastructure, manufacturing and agricultural
industries, and to the national defense. Priority should be given to
minerals that are critical based on the impact of a potential supply
restriction and the likelihood of a supply restriction.
SEC. 6. GLOBAL MINERAL ASSESSMENT.
The United States Geological Survey is directed to expand the
current Global Mineral Assessment to include mineral assessments for
rare earth elements and other minerals that are critical based on the
impact of a potential supply restriction and the likelihood of a supply
restriction. Assessments conducted under this section shall include an
analysis, developed with participation by the National Minerals
Information Center and in consultation with appropriate agencies, of
the rare earth elements or other critical minerals supply chain and
associated processes and products, including mining, processing,
recycling, separation, metal production, alloy production, and
manufacturing of products sold to end users. In conducting the
assessment, the United States Geological Survey should coordinate with
the heads of foreign geologic surveys when possible.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) Inventory.--The term ``inventory'' means an accounting
of known mineral occurrences and mineral deposits, including
documentation of identified resources.
(2) Mineral assessment.--The term ``mineral assessment''
means an assessment of undiscovered mineral resources that
includes a qualitative assessment and a quantitative assessment
of such resources.
(3) Qualitative assessment.--The term ``qualitative
assessment'' means a geologic-based delineation (mapping) of
areas permissive for the occurrence of undiscovered mineral
resources, based on all available geotechnical data including
geology, geophysics, geochemistry, remote sensing, and mineral
localities data.
(4) Quantitative assessment.--The term ``quantitative
assessment'' means a probabilistic estimate of the quantity and
quality by tonnage and grade of undiscovered mineral resources
in areas delineated as permissive for occurrence in a
qualitative assessment.
SEC. 8. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER STATUTORY MINING POLICIES.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting any provision
of or requirement under the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 (30
U.S.C. 21a).
Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to require the
Secretary of the Interior to conduct an assessment of the
capability of the Nation to meet our current and future demands
for the minerals critical to United States manufacturing and
agricultural competitiveness and economic and national security
in a time of expanding resource nationalism, and for other
purposes.''. | National Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2011 - (Sec. 3) Declares that it is the continuing policy of the United States to promote an adequate and stable supply of minerals to maintain the nation's economic well-being, security, and manufacturing, industrial, energy, agricultural, and technological capabilities.
(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Geological Survey (Survey), to report to Congress: (1) an inventory of the nonfossil-fuel mineral potential of lands under BLM and U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction; (2) an identification of all such lands that have been withdrawn, segregated, or otherwise restricted from mineral exploration and development; (3) a detailed description of the time required to process mineral applications, operating plans, leases, licenses, permits, and other use authorizations for mineral-related activities on lands; (4) an itemized list of all use authorizations for which applications are pending; (5) an assessment of the impact of litigation on the processing or issuing of permits; (6) an assessment of the federal workforce with educational degrees and expertise in economic geology, geochemistry, mining, industrial minerals, metallurgy, metallurgical engineering, and mining engineering; and (7) an inventory of rare earth element potential on federal lands, and impediments to or restrictions on the exploration or development of those rare earth elements, with recommendations to lift the impediments or restrictions while maintaining environmental safeguards.
Requires progress reports to Congress on: (1) efforts to increase access to domestic supplies of minerals, and facilitation of their production; (2) implementation of recommendations in National Research Council reports on "Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy" and on "Managing Minerals for a Twenty-First Century Military"; (3) the Department of Energy Critical Minerals Strategy I and II; and (4) a specified Department of Defense assessment and plan for critical rare earth elements in defense applications.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Survey, for the first National Mineral Assessment conducted after enactment of this Act, to include mineral assessments for mineral commodities important to the nation's energy infrastructure, manufacturing and agricultural industries, and to the national defense. Urges priority be given to minerals that are critical based on the impact of a potential supply restriction and the likelihood of a supply restriction.
(Sec. 6) Directs the Survey to expand the current Global Mineral Assessment to include mineral assessments for rare earth elements and other minerals that are critical based on the impact of a potential supply restriction and the likelihood of a supply restriction.
Requires such assessments to include an analysis, developed with participation by the National Minerals Information Center, of the rare earth elements or other critical minerals supply chain and associated processes and products, including mining, processing, recycling, separation, metal production, alloy production, and manufacturing of products sold to end users. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an assessment of the capability of the Nation to meet our current and future demands for the minerals critical to United States manufacturing competitiveness and economic and national security in a time of expanding resource nationalism, and for other purposes."} | 2,094 | 643 | 0.64091 | 2.16399 | 0.647504 | 7.04021 | 3.506993 | 0.973776 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Health
Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Rural health clinic reimbursement.
Sec. 3. Rural health clinic quality reporting initiative.
Sec. 4. Rural health clinic and community health center collaborative
access expansion.
Sec. 5. GAO report on diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy
services.
Sec. 6. Rural health clinic provider retention demonstration project.
Sec. 7. Definition of rural health clinic.
Sec. 8. Medicare Advantage plan payments.
Sec. 9. Sense of the Senate regarding adequacy of network-based health
plans.
SEC. 2. RURAL HEALTH CLINIC REIMBURSEMENT.
Section 1833(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(f)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, and'' at the end and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``in a subsequent year'' and
inserting ``after 1988 and before 2010''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(3) in 2010, at $92 per visit; and
``(4) in a subsequent year, at the limit established under
this subsection for the previous year increased by the
percentage increase in the MEI (as defined in section
1842(i)(3)) applicable to primary care services (as defined in
section 1842(i)(4)) furnished as of the first day of that
year.''.
SEC. 3. RURAL HEALTH CLINIC QUALITY REPORTING INITIATIVE.
Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(x) Incentive Payments for Rural Health Clinic Quality
Reporting.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall implement a system
to provide incentive payments for the satisfactory reporting of
data on quality measures by eligible professionals, as defined
in subsection (k)(3)(B) of section 1848, who are employed by a
rural health clinic or provide services in a rural health
clinic through a contractual arrangement, similar to the
reporting system for covered professional services as
established under subsections (k) and (m) of such section.
``(2) Amount; duration.--Incentive payments in the amount
of $2 per visit shall be made to rural health clinics with
respect to eligible professionals who furnish rural health
clinic services during the period beginning on January 1, 2010,
and ending on December 31, 2013.
``(3) Payment from trust fund.--The incentive payments
provided under this subsection shall be made available from the
Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund under
section 1841.
``(4) Payment limits.--Incentive payments made under this
subsection shall not be subject to the payment limits
established under subsection (f).
``(5) Single form.--The Secretary shall provide rural
health clinics that participate in the quality reporting system
under this subsection with a single form for submission of data
on quality measures and reimbursement claim information.
``(6) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2012, the
Secretary shall prepare and submit a report to Congress on the
quality reporting system established under this subsection,
including--
``(A) the number and types of services involved in
the system;
``(B) the number of rural health clinics
participating in the system;
``(C) the overall quality of care that was
delivered by the rural health clinics during this
period;
``(D) the patient outcomes under the system;
``(E) recommendations for improving the system; and
``(F) any additional related matters that the
Secretary determines appropriate.''.
SEC. 4. RURAL HEALTH CLINIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER COLLABORATIVE
ACCESS EXPANSION.
Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(s) Rule of Construction With Respect to Rural Health Clinics.--
``(1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to prevent a community health center from contracting
with a federally certified rural health clinic (as defined by
section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act) for the
delivery of primary health care services that are available at
the rural health clinic to individuals who would otherwise be
eligible for free or reduced cost care if that individual were
able to obtain that care at the community health center. Such
services may be limited in scope to those primary health care
services available in that rural health clinic.
``(2) Assurances.--In order for a rural health clinic to
receive funds under this section through a contract with a
community health center under paragraph (1), such rural health
clinic shall establish policies to ensure--
``(A) nondiscrimination based upon the ability of a
patient to pay; and
``(B) the establishment of a sliding fee scale for
low-income patients.''.
SEC. 5. GAO REPORT ON DIABETES EDUCATION AND MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY
SERVICES.
Not later than July 1, 2012, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives a report concerning the medical nutrition
therapy counseling services provided by federally qualified health
clinics. Such report shall specifically examine--
(1) the availability, health provider cost, reimbursement
amount, and barriers to diabetes education and medical
nutrition therapy services in federally qualified health
clinics;
(2) the availability, health provider cost, reimbursement
amount, and quality outcomes of diabetes education and medical
nutrition therapy services in rural and frontier areas;
(3) the feasibility of implementing diabetes education and
medical nutrition therapy services in rural health clinics; and
(4) to the extent practical, analyze existing health
outcomes and cost savings attributed to diabetes education and
medical nutrition therapy services provided by federally
qualified health centers and the potential health outcomes and
cost savings if those services are offered in rural health
clinics.
SEC. 6. RURAL HEALTH CLINIC PROVIDER RETENTION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a demonstration
project under which States are awarded grants to examine whether health
care professionals can be recruited or retained to work in underserved
rural areas by providing such professionals with medical malpractice
subsidies.
(b) Duration; Scope.--The demonstration project shall be
conducted--
(1) for a 3-year period, beginning not later than January
1, 2011; and
(2) in not more than 5 States.
(c) State Application.--A State that desires to receive a grant
under the demonstration project shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including adequate assurances
that the State--
(1) promotes the establishment and continued maintenance of
rural health clinics within the State; and
(2) is working to improve access to primary care and other
health care services for rural residents of the State.
(d) State Selection.--In awarding grants to States under this
section, the Secretary shall--
(1) ensure the participation of States with a diverse
selection of rural health clinics, including clinics with 3 or
less full-time equivalent physicians, physician assistants, and
nurse practitioners;
(2) ensure the participation of States that maintain both
provider-based and independent rural health clinics;
(3) give preference to States with existing State-funded
medical malpractice subsidy programs; and
(4) give preference to States with 15 or more rural health
clinics.
(e) Distribution of Grant Funds by States to Rural Health
Clinics.--
(1) In general.--A State awarded a grant under the
demonstration project shall, acting through the State Office of
Rural Health, select not less than 5 rural health clinics to
receive grant funds for the purpose of subsidizing medical
malpractice insurance costs for health care professionals
employed by such clinics.
(2) Rural health clinic application.--A rural health clinic
that desires to receive a grant from the State under the
demonstration project shall submit to the State Office of Rural
Health an application at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require,
including assurances that the clinic shall--
(A) provide access to health care services for all
individuals, regardless of ability to pay;
(B) establish a sliding fee scale for low-income
patients;
(C) make health care services available to
individuals for not less than 20 hours per week; and
(D) meet any other requirements established by the
Secretary to ensure proper and efficient use of grant
funds.
(3) Required clinic participation.--A State awarded a grant
under the demonstration project shall provide grant funds to at
least 1 provider-based rural health clinic and at least 1
independent rural health clinic.
(4) Distribution of grant funds.--
(A) In general.--Subject to paragraph (B), a State
shall provide each rural health clinic participating in
the demonstration project with the lesser of--
(i) $5,000; or
(ii) 50 percent of the aggregate cost of
malpractice insurance purchased by each
physician, physician assistant, nurse
practitioner, and certified nurse midwife (or
purchased by the rural health clinic on behalf
of each physician, physician assistant, nurse
practitioner, and certified nurse midwife) who,
on a weekly basis, provides patient care
services at the rural health clinic for an
average of not less than--
(I) 20 hours per week; or
(II) 80 percent of the operational
hours of the clinic.
(B) Special rule for obstetrics and gynecology.--
Subject to subparagraph (C), in the case of a rural
health clinic participating in the demonstration
project that provides obstetrical services, a State
shall provide such clinic with the lesser of--
(i) $10,000; or
(ii) 50 percent of the aggregate cost of
malpractice insurance purchased by each
physician, physician assistant, nurse
practitioner, and certified nurse midwife (or
purchased by the rural health clinic on behalf
of each physician, physician assistant, nurse
practitioner, and certified nurse midwife) who
provides obstetrical services at the rural
health clinic.
(C) Amount of obstetrical care.--The Administrator
of the Office of Rural Health Policy of the Health
Resources and Services Administration shall develop
standards for the amount of obstetrical care that a
rural health clinic would have to provide in order to
qualify for a grant under subparagraph (B).
(f) Reporting.--
(1) Annual evaluations and reports.--The Secretary, acting
through the Administrator of the Office of Rural Health Policy
of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall
provide for an annual evaluation of the demonstration project
and submit to Congress a report on the status of the project.
(2) Final evaluation and report.--Not later than 12 months
after completion of the demonstration project, the Secretary,
acting through the Administrator of the Office of Rural Health
Policy of the Health Resources and Services Administration,
shall prepare and submit to Congress a final report and
evaluation of the project. The report shall include--
(A) an assessment of the effectiveness of the
project at recruiting and retaining health care
professionals in underserved rural areas;
(B) an assessment of the feasibility and efficacy
of an expansion of the project to all States; and
(C) an evaluation of the project in comparison with
an expansion of coverage under chapter 171 of title 28,
United States Code (commonly referred to as the
``Federal Tort Claims Act'') to include rural health
clinics as a means of recruiting and retaining health
care professionals in underserved rural areas.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Certified nurse midwife.--The term ``certified nurse
midwife'' has the same meaning given such term in section
1861(gg)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(gg)(2)).
(2) Demonstration project.--The term ``demonstration
project'' means the demonstration project conducted under this
section.
(3) Nurse practitioner; physician assistant; rural health
clinic.--The terms ``nurse practitioner'', ``physician
assistant'', and ``rural health clinic'' have the same meaning
given such terms in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)).
(4) Physician.--The term ``physician'' has the same meaning
given such term in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
SEC. 7. DEFINITION OF RURAL HEALTH CLINIC.
Section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(aa)(2)) is amended in the flush text by inserting before the last
sentence the following: ``A facility that is in operation, that
qualifies as a rural health clinic under this title or title XIX and
that subsequently fails to satisfy the requirement in clause (i) that
the clinic is not located in an urbanized area, shall, with respect to
services furnished on or after the date of enactment of the Rural
Health Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009, be
considered, for purposes of this title and title XIX, as still
satisfying such requirement if it is determined that the clinic is
located in an area defined by the State and certified by the Secretary
as rural.''.
SEC. 8. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN PAYMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 1857(e) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395w-27(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Minimum payment rate for services furnished by a
rural health clinic.--A contract under this section between a
Medicare Advantage organization and the Secretary for the
offering of a Medicare Advantage plan shall require the
organization to provide for a payment rate under the plan for
rural health clinic services furnished to enrollees of the plan
(whether or nor the services are furnished pursuant to an
agreement between the organization and a rural health clinic)
that is not less than--
``(A) the applicable payment rate established under
part A or part B (which includes the payment of an
interim rate and a subsequent cost reconciliation) with
respect to the rural health clinic for such rural
health clinic services; or
``(B) if the rural health clinic determines
appropriate, 103 percent of the applicable interim
payment rate established under part A or part B with
respect to the rural health clinic for such rural
health clinic services.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to Medicare Advantage contract years beginning on or after
January 1, 2010.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING ADEQUACY OF NETWORK-BASED HEALTH
PLANS.
It is the sense of the Senate that network-based health plans
shall--
(1) be expected to provide a pool of health care
professionals that is adequate to meet the needs of enrollees
residing in rural and frontier areas;
(2) ensure that enrollees residing in rural and frontier
areas that have been designated by the Federal Government or a
State government as lacking an adequate number of health care
professionals are provided with reasonable access to an in-
network provider;
(3) make every effort to include as part of their provider
network any State-licensed or certified health care
professionals (particularly primary care and mental health
professionals) that are available in many underserved rural and
frontier areas; and
(4) recognize that reliance on a physician-only network, or
forcing enrollees to travel for more than 30 minutes to receive
primary care or mental health services from a network provider,
does not constitute an ``adequate'' network. The following
distances should be used as guidelines in determining distances
that correspond to a 30-minute travel time:
(A) Under normal conditions with primary roads
available: 20 miles.
(B) In mountainous terrain or in areas with only
secondary roads available: 15 miles.
(C) In flat terrain or in areas connected by
interstate highways: 25 miles. | Rural Health Clinic Patient Access and Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to rural health clinic reimbursement.
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make incentive payments to rural health clinic employees or contractors for satisfactory reporting of data on clinic quality measures.
Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow a community health center to contract with a federally certified rural health clinic for the delivery of primary health care services to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for free or reduced cost care if they were able to obtain it at the community health center.
Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy counseling services provided by federally qualified health clinics.
Directs the Secretary to establish a demonstration project of grants to states to examine whether health care professionals can be recruited or retained to work in underserved rural areas by providing them with medical malpractice subsidies.
States that a rural health clinic qualified under Medicare or Medicaid may be defined and certified by the Secretary as rural even if it fails to satisfy the requirement that it not be located in an urbanized area.
Amends SSA title XVIII to establish the minimum Medicare Advantage plan payment rate for services furnished by a rural health clinic.
Expresses the sense of the Senate concerning the adequacy of network-based health plans. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to health care for individuals residing in underserved rural areas and for other purposes."} | 3,666 | 300 | 0.545513 | 1.564341 | 0.831803 | 4.041825 | 12.939163 | 0.931559 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Student Loan Employment Benefits Act
of 2012''.
SEC. 2. STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Part III of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 127
the following new section:
``SEC. 127A. STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
``(a) In General.--Gross income of an employee does not include
amounts paid or incurred by the employer for student loan payment
assistance provided to such employee if the assistance is furnished
pursuant to a program which is described in subsection (d).
``(b) Limitation.--The amount taken into account under paragraph
(1) with respect to an individual for student loan assistance with
respect to student loan payments during a taxable year shall not exceed
$5,000.
``(c) Earned Income Limitation.--The amount excluded from the
income of an employee under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall
not exceed the earned income of such employee for such taxable year.
``(d) Student Loan Payment Assistance Program.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section a student
loan payment assistance program is a separate written plan of
an employer for the exclusive benefit of his employees to
provide such employees with student loan payment assistance
which meets the requirements of paragraphs (2) through (9) of
this subsection. If any plan would qualify as a student loan
payment assistance program but for a failure to meet the
requirements of this subsection, then, notwithstanding such
failure, such plan shall be treated as a student loan payment
assistance program in the case of employees who are not highly
compensated employees.
``(2) Discrimination.--The contributions or benefits
provided under the plan shall not discriminate in favor of
employees who are highly compensated employees (within the
meaning of section 414(q)).
``(3) Eligibility.--The program shall benefit employees who
qualify under a classification set up by the employer and found
by the Secretary not to be discriminatory in favor of employees
described in paragraph (2).
``(4) Principal shareholders or owners.--Not more than 25
percent of the amounts paid or incurred by the employer for
student loan payment assistance during the year may be provided
for the class of individuals who are shareholders or owners (or
their spouses or dependents), each of whom (on any day of the
year) owns more than 5 percent of the stock or of the capital
or profits interest in the employer.
``(5) No funding required.--A program referred to in
paragraph (1) is not required to be funded.
``(6) Notification of eligible employees.--Reasonable
notification of the availability and terms of the program shall
be provided to eligible employees.
``(7) Statement of expenses.--The plan shall furnish to an
employee, on or before January 31, a written statement showing
the amounts paid or expenses incurred by the employer in
providing student loan payment assistance to such employee
during the previous calendar year.
``(8) Benefits.--
``(A) In general.--A plan meets the requirements of
this paragraph if the average benefits provided to
employees who are not highly compensated employees
under all plans of the employer is at least 55 percent
of the average benefits provided to highly compensated
employees under all plans of the employer.
``(B) Salary reduction agreements.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), in the case of any benefits provided
through a salary reduction agreement, a plan may
disregard any employees whose compensation is less than
$25,000. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term
`compensation' has the meaning given such term by
section 414(q)(4), except that, under rules prescribed
by the Secretary, an employer may elect to determine
compensation on any other basis which does not
discriminate in favor of highly compensated employees.
``(9) Excluded employees.--For purposes of paragraphs (3)
and (8), there shall be excluded from consideration--
``(A) subject to rules similar to the rules of
section 410(b)(4), employees who have not attained the
age of 21 and completed 1 year of service (as defined
in section 410(a)(3)), and
``(B) employees not included in a student loan
payment assistance program who are included in a unit
of employees covered by an agreement which the
Secretary finds to be a collective bargaining agreement
between employee representatives and 1 or more
employees, if there is evidence that student loan
payment benefits were the subject of good faith
bargaining between such employee representatives and
such employer or employers.
``(e) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) Student loan payment assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The term `student loan payment
assistance' means the payment of principal or interest
on--
``(i) any indebtedness incurred by the
employee solely to pay qualified higher
education expenses (as defined in section 221)
which--
``(I) are paid or incurred within a
reasonable period of time before or
after the indebtedness was incurred,
and
``(II) are attributable to
education furnished during a period
during which the employee was an
eligible student, or
``(ii) any indebtedness used to refinance
indebtedness described in clause (i).
Such term shall not include any payment of principal or
interest on indebtedness owed to a person who is
related (within the meaning of section 267(b) or
707(b)(1)) to the taxpayer or to any person by reason
of a loan under any qualified employer plan (as defined
in section 72(p)(4)) or under any contract referred to
in section 72(p)(5).
``(B) Eligible student.--The term `eligible
student' has the meaning given such term by section
25A(b)(3).
``(C) Dependent.--The term `dependent' has the
meaning given such term by section 152 (determined
without regard to subsections (b)(1), (b)(2), and
(d)(1)(B) thereof).
``(2) Earned income.--The term `earned income' shall have
the meaning given such term in section 32(c)(2), but such term
shall not include any amounts paid or incurred by an employer
for student loan payment assistance to an employee.
``(3) Employee.--The term `employee' includes, for any
year, an individual who is an employee within the meaning of
section 401(c)(1) (relating to self-employed individuals).
``(4) Employer.--An individual who owns the entire interest
in an unincorporated trade or business shall be treated as his
own employer. A partnership shall be treated as the employer of
each partner who is an employee within the meaning of paragraph
(3).
``(5) Attribution rules.--
``(A) Ownership of stock.--Ownership of stock in a
corporation shall be determined in accordance with the
rules provided under subsections (d) and (e) of section
1563 (without regard to section 1563(e)(3)(C)).
``(B) Interest in unincorporated trade or
business.--The interest of an employee in a trade or
business which is not incorporated shall be determined
in accordance with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary, which shall be based on principles similar
to the principles which apply in the case of
subparagraph (A).
``(6) Utilization test not applicable.--A student loan
payment assistance program shall not be held or considered to
fail to meet any requirements of subsection (d) (other than
paragraphs (4) and (8) thereof) merely because of utilization
rates for the different types of assistance made available
under the program.
``(7) Disallowance of excluded amounts as credit or
deduction.--No deduction or credit shall be allowed to the
employee under any other section of this chapter for any amount
excluded from the gross income of the employee by reason of
this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Sections 221(d)(2)(A), 414(n)(3)(C) and
(t)(2), 3121(a)(18), 3306(b)(13), 3401(a)(18), and 6039D(d)(1) of such
Code are each amended by inserting ``127A,'' after ``127,''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 127 the following new item:
``Sec. 127A. Student loan payment assistance programs.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of
this Act. | Student Loan Employment Benefits Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee amounts paid by an employer under a student loan payment assistance program. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $5,000 in a taxable year.
Requires an employer student loan payment assistance program to be a separate written plan of an employer to provide employees with student loan payment assistance. Defines "student loan payment assistance" as the payment of principal or interest on any indebtedness incurred by an employee solely to pay qualified higher education expenses which are paid or incurred within a reasonable time before or after such indebtedness was incurred and are attributable to education furnished during a period in which such employee was a student eligible for federal financial assistance. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude from gross income amounts paid by an employer on an employee's student loans."} | 1,998 | 174 | 0.634826 | 1.692779 | 0.79759 | 2.957746 | 12.492958 | 0.929577 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Agricultural Export Facilitation Act
of 2005''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The export sector of United States agriculture makes an
important positive contribution to this country's trade
balance.
(2) The total value of United States exports of
agricultural products shipped to Cuba since 2000 when such
sales were first authorized by Congress is approximately
$1,000,000,000, including transportation, port fees, and
insurance costs. In December 2001, Cuba purchased approximately
$4,300,000 in food and agricultural products. In 2002, Cuba
purchased approximately $138,600,000 in food and agricultural
products. In 2003, Cuba purchased approximately $256,900,000 in
food and agricultural products. In 2004, Cuba purchased
approximately $380,000,000 in food and agricultural products.
Cuba ranked at the bottom of 226 agricultural export markets
for United States companies in 2001; ranked 50th of 226 in
2002; ranked 35th of 219 in 2003; and ranked approximately 25th
of 228 in 2004. Cuba is therefore an important source of
revenue for United States agriculture and its affiliated
industries, such as manufacturers and distributors of value-
added food products.
(3) To be competitive in sales to Cuban purchasers, United
States exporters of agricultural products and their
representatives, including representatives of United States air
or sea carriers, ports and shippers, must have ready and
reliable physical access to Cuba. Such access is currently
uncertain because, under existing regulations, United States
exporters and their representatives must apply for and receive
special Treasury Department licenses to travel to Cuba to
engage in sales-related activities. The issuance of such
licenses is subject to both administrative delays and periodic
denials. A blanket statutory authorization for sales and
transport-related travel to Cuba by United States exporters
will remove the current bureaucratic impediment to agricultural
product sales endorsed by Congress when it passed the Trade
Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.
(4) On many occasions United States visas have been delayed
and often denied to prospective Cuban purchasers of products
authorized under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000. The result has been that family
farmers and other small producers and distributors of
agricultural products who lack the resources to fund sales
delegations to Cuba have been denied access to potential
purchasers in that country. A simple solution is for the
Department of State to issue visas to Cuban nationals who
demonstrate an itinerary of meetings with prospective United
States exporters of products authorized under the Trade
Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. In
addition, visas should be issued to Cuban phytosanitary
inspectors who require entry into the United States to conduct
on-premise inspections of production and processing facilities
and the products of potential United States exporters.
(5) The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act
of 2000 requires ``payment of cash in advance'' for United
States agricultural exports to Cuba. Some Federal agencies
responsible for the implementation of the Trade Sanctions
Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 have expressed the
view that ``cash in advance'' requires that payment be received
by a United States exporter in advance of shipment of goods to
Cuba. Indeed, late last year payments due United States
exporters from purchasers in Cuba were frozen in United States
banks while the terms of those payments were reviewed
unnecessarily. This action by the Department of the Treasury
has created a climate of commercial uncertainty that has
inhibited agricultural sales under the Trade Sanctions Reform
and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to Cuba.
(6) There is nothing in either the Trade Sanctions Reform
and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 itself or its legislative
history to support the view that Congress intended payment to
be made in advance of the shipment of goods from this country
to Cuba. It was and is the intent of Congress that a seller of
a product authorized under the Trade Sanctions Reform and
Export Enhancement Act of 2000 receive payment only before a
Cuban purchaser takes physical possession of that product.
(7) At present it is the policy of the United States
Government to prohibit direct payment between Cuban and United
States financial institutions. As a result, Cuban purchasers of
products authorized under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000 must route their payments through third
country banks that charge a fee for this service. Allowing
direct payments between Cuban and United States financial
institutions will permit the United States exporters to receive
payment directly to their financial institutions within hours
instead of days and will eliminate an unnecessary transactional
fee, thereby allowing Cuban purchasers to purchase more United
States origin agricultural products.
(8) Trademarks and trade names are vital assets of the
United States companies that export branded food products,
including those who today or in the future may sell such
products to Cuba under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000. Hundreds of United States companies
have registered their trademarks in Cuba in order to ensure the
exclusive right to use those trademarks when the United States
trade embargo on that country is lifted. Moreover, following
the enactment of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000, many United States companies are today
exporting branded food products to Cuba where they hope to
establish their brands with Cuban purchasers in order to
benefit from current sales under the Trade Sanctions Reform and
Export Enhancement Act of 2000, as well as position themselves
for the larger post-embargo market for United States goods in
Cuba.
(9) Sales to Cuba of branded products of United States
companies contribute to the livelihoods of American workers and
the balance sheets of United States businesses. Those sales
depend on the security of United States trademarks and trade
names protected in Cuba by reciprocal treaties and agreements
for the protection of intellectual property. Among such
treaties and agreements are the Agreement on Trade-Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the Inter-
American Convention for Trademark and Commercial Protection.
(10) The United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York ruled that section 211 of the Department
of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999
abrogates, with respect to Cuba, the Inter-American Convention
on Trademarks and Commercial Protection. The court's ruling was
affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit.
(11) Cuba's international remedy under customary
international law (as codified by Article 60 of the 1969 Vienna
Convention on Treaties), for a breach by the United States of
the Inter-American Convention, is to suspend or revoke the
protections Cuba currently affords United States trademarks and
trade names.
(12) In order to preserve the rights of United States
nationals holding trademarks in Cuba, including those engaged
in authorized sales under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000 now and in the future, the United
States must repeal section 211 of the Department of Commerce
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 and the United
States must comply with all treaty obligations owed Cuba as
they relate to trademarks and trade names.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to remove impediments to
present and future sales of United States agricultural products to Cuba
under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 and
to otherwise facilitate such sales.
SEC. 3. TRAVEL TO CUBA IN CONNECTION WITH AUTHORIZED SALES ACTIVITIES.
Section 910 of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement
Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7209) is amended by inserting after subsection
(b) the following:
``(c) General License Authority for Travel-Related Expenditure in
Cuba by Persons Engaging in TSREEA of 2000 Sales and Marketing
Activities in That Country and TSREEA-Related Transportation
Activities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
authorize under a general license the travel-related
transactions listed in subsection (c) of section 515.560 of
title 31, Code of Federal Regulations, for travel to, from, or
within Cuba in connection with activities undertaken in
connection with sales and marketing, including the organization
and participation in product exhibitions, and the
transportation by sea or air of products pursuant to this Act.
``(2) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term `sales and
marketing activities' means any activity with respect to travel
to, from, or within Cuba that is undertaken by a United States
person in order to explore the market in that country for the
sale of products pursuant to this Act or to engage in sales
activities with respect to such products. The term `sales
activities' includes exhibiting, negotiating, marketing,
surveying the market, and delivering and servicing products
pursuant to this Act. Persons authorized to travel to Cuba
under this section include full-time employees, executives,
sales agents and consultants of producers, manufacturers,
distributors, shippers, United States air and sea ports, and
carriers of products authorized for sale pursuant to this Act,
as well as exhibitors and representatives and members of
national and State trade organizations that promote the
interests of producers and distributors of such products.
``(3) Regulations.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry
out the provisions of this subsection.''.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT VISAS SHOULD BE ISSUED.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of State should issue visas for temporary entry into the
United States of Cuban nationals whose itinerary documents an intent to
conduct activities, including phytosanitary inspections, related to
purchasing United States agricultural goods under the provisions of the
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000.
(b) Periodic Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 45 days after the date of
enactment of this Act and every 3 months thereafter, the
Secretary of State shall submit to the Committees on Finance,
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Foreign Relations of
the Senate and the Committees on Agriculture, Ways and Means,
and International Relations of the House of Representatives a
report on the issuance of visas described in subsection (a).
(2) Content of reports.--Each report shall contain a full
description of each application received from a Cuban national
to travel to the United States to engage in purchasing
activities pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000 and shall describe the disposition of
each such application.
SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF PAYMENT TERMS UNDER TRADE SANCTIONS REFORM AND
EXPORT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2000.
Section 908(b)(1) of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7207(b)(1)) is amended by inserting
after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the term `payment of cash in advance' means the payment
by the purchaser of an agricultural commodity or
product and the receipt of such payment by the seller
prior to--
``(i) the transfer of title of such
commodity or product to the purchaser; and
``(ii) the release of control of such
commodity or product to the purchaser.''.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF DIRECT TRANSFERS BETWEEN CUBAN AND UNITED
STATES FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not
restrict direct transfers from a Cuban financial institution to a
United States financial institution executed in payment for a product
authorized for sale under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export
Enhancement Act of 2000.
SEC. 7. ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE MUTUAL PROTECTION
OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INCLUDING REPEAL OF SECTION
211.
(a) Repeal of Prohibition on Enforcement of Rights to Certain
United States Intellectual Properties and Transfer of Such
Properties.--
(1) Repeal.--Section 211 of the Department of Commerce and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (section 101(b) of
division A of Public Law 105-277; 112 Stat. 2681-2688) is
repealed.
(2) Regulations.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out the
repeal made by paragraph (1), including removing any
prohibition on transactions or payments to which subsection
(a)(1) of section 211 of the Department of Commerce and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 applied.
(3) Further regulations.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall amend the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (part 515 of
title 31, Code of Federal Regulations) to authorize under
general license the transfer or receipt of any trademark or
trade name subject to United States law in which a designated
national has an interest. The filing and prosecution of
opposition and infringement proceedings related to any
trademark or trade name in which a designated national has an
interest and the prosecution of any defense to such proceedings
shall also be authorized by general license. | Agricultural Export Facilitation Act of 2005 - Amends the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSREEA of 2000) to require the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize, under a general license, certain travel-related transactions specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, for travel to, from, or within Cuba in connection with activities undertaken in connection with sales and marketing, including the organization and participation in product exhibitions, and the transportation by sea or air of products pursuant to this Act.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should issue visas for temporary entry into the United States of Cuban nationals whose itinerary documents an intent to conduct activities, including phytosanitary inspections, related to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods under the provisions of TSREEA of 2000.
Prohibits the President from restricting direct transfers from a Cuban financial institution to a U.S. financial institution executed in payment for a product authorized for sale under TSREEA of 2000.
Repeals the ban in the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 on certain transactions with respect to intellectual property in which the Cuban Government or a Cuban national has an interest regarding a mark or trade or commercial name that is the same as or substantially similar to one that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated, unless the original owner or successor-in-interest has expressly consented.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to amend the Cuban Asset Control regulations to authorize under general license the transfer or receipt of any trademark or trade name subject to U.S. law in which a designated national has an interest. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To facilitate the sale of United States agricultural products to Cuba, as authorized by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000."} | 2,863 | 366 | 0.550072 | 1.976791 | 0.743804 | 5.357616 | 8.645695 | 0.907285 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that:
(1) By Interstate Compact (Chapter 170 of the Laws of 1937
of the State of New York; Chapter 148 of the Laws of 1937 of
the State of New Jersey) and by Resolution of the 75th Congress
(H.J. Resolution 445), the Palisades Interstate Park Commission
was formed in 1937.
(2) The Palisades Interstate Park Commission is the only
interstate park management agency in the United States and is
responsible for the management of 23 parks and historic sites
in New York and New Jersey, consisting of 82,000 acres. More
than 8,000,000 national and international visitors per year
seek outdoor recreational opportunities in the Palisades Park
System. The management of these sites is consistent with
standards maintained by the National Park Service.
(3) Sterling Forest is a biologically diverse 17,500 acre
corporate-owned open space property on the New York/New Jersey
border. The property is a highly significant watershed area for
northern New Jersey, and an important outdoor recreational
asset in the Northeastern United States. Clean drinking water
flows from the property into a reservoir system which serves 25
percent of the population of the State of New Jersey. Twenty-
seven rare and endangered wildlife species have been identified
at Sterling Forest by The Nature Conservancy. The land supports
a mixed hardwood forest, wetlands, lakes, glaciated valleys and
ridge lines, and is strategically located on a north-south
wildlife migratory route.
(4) The Appalachian Trail, administered by the National
Park Service, passes through Sterling Forest. Sterling Forest
shares a common boundary with the 51,680 acre Harriman/Bear
Mountain State Parks in which the first segment of the
Appalachian Trail was constructed in 1923. If protected,
Sterling Forest would greatly enhance the Appalachian Trail and
would become the largest park created in the Northeastern
United States since World War II.
(5) Sterling Forest is located in the most densely
populated metropolitan region in the United States, and is a
very critical open space buffer for a large urban population. A
14 percent growth rate is projected for the region in the next
20 years.
(6) Lands held and managed by the Palisades Interstate Park
Commission in the State of New York traditionally remain on the
tax rolls. Taxes are paid by the State.
(7) Stewardship and management costs for lands in the
Palisades Park System traditionally are paid by the States of
New York and New Jersey.
(8) The Palisades Interstate Park Commission is committed
to a willing seller--willing buyer transaction with the
corporate owners of Sterling Forest. Use of eminent domain
authority is not anticipated, nor would it be acceptable to the
Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
(9) In establishing the Federal Agencies Program for the
Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Congress specified the
need to address the increasing demand for the creation of
recreation areas of national significance easily accessible to
large centers of the population, and to provide a partial basis
for financing the extension of Federal recreational facilities
in the East and Midwest.
(10) Given the nationally significant watershed, outdoor
recreational, and wildlife attributes of Sterling Forest, the
demand for park open space in the Northeastern United States,
the lack of open space in the densely populated New York-New
Jersey-Connecticut Tri-State Region, and the presence of a
willing seller and a federally chartered interstate park
management agency, there is clear Federal interest in acquiring
land in Sterling Forest for permanent protection of watershed,
recreational, and wild flora and fauna open space.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION.
(a) Funding.--In order to enhance protection of watershed, outdoor
recreational, wildlife habitat, and Appalachian Trail values in the
Sterling Forest area of the New York/New Jersey Highlands Region, there
is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the
Interior for transfer to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Commission'') for fiscal
year 1995 not more than $35,000,000 to be used by the Commission for
purposes of acquiring an undeveloped, open space tract of land
presently owned by the Sterling Forest Corporation. Such sums shall
remain available for expenditure through fiscal year 1999.
(b) Property Taxes.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
authorize the United States Government, or relieve the Commission and
the State of New York of any obligation otherwise imposed under New
York State law, to pay property taxes or provide for the costs of
stewardship and management of any lands located in the State of New
York which may be acquired through this authorization.
(c) Management.--The Commission shall hold and manage all property
acquired with funds made available under this Act for the purposes
referred to in subsection (a). | Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of the Interior to be transferred to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to be used to acquire an undeveloped, open space tract of land presently owned by the Sterling Forest Corporation to protect the watershed, outdoor recreational, wildlife habitat, and Appalachian Trail values in the Sterling Forest area of the New York/New Jersey Highlands Region.
States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the Government, or relieve the Commission and New York of any obligation otherwise imposed under New York State law, to pay property taxes or provide for the costs of stewardship and management of any lands located in New York that may be acquired through this authorization.
Requires the Commission to hold and manage all property acquired with funds made available in this Act for the purposes specified in it. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide funds to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission for acquisition of lands in the Sterling Forest area of the New York/New Jersey Highlands Region."} | 1,043 | 177 | 0.529439 | 1.78227 | 0.696776 | 6.823529 | 6.359477 | 0.954248 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Non-Homeland Security Mission
Performance Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Federal agencies included in the Department of Homeland
Security perform important non-homeland security functions on
which all United States citizens rely, such as the protection
of fisheries and agriculture, communication and transportation
infrastructures, and medical supplies.
(2) Federal agencies included in the Department shall
ensure the continuation of non-homeland security functions as
new homeland security responsibilities are adopted.
(3) A strategy to address non-homeland security functions
is needed to meet the daily needs of Americans and to preserve
the security of the Nation.
(4) Non-homeland security functions are complementary to
homeland security functions and often share personnel,
resources, and assets. It is appropriate for each Under
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that
non-homeland security functions are performed.
(5) Agencies in the Department of Homeland Security perform
essential non-homeland security functions Americans rely on
everyday, including the following:
(A) The United States Coast Guard has vital non-
homeland security functions, including search and
rescue, fisheries enforcement, marine environmental
protection, law enforcement, marine safety, and aids to
navigation.
(B) The Department of Homeland Security Bureau of
Citizenship and Immigration Services provides important
immigration and citizenship services and benefits
including processing and approving requests for
citizenship, adjudicating asylum for refugees, and
immigration benefits, such as refugee and intercountry
adoptions.
(C) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
assists local communities to prepare for and respond to
floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, and
other natural disasters. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency supplements State and local responses
to natural disasters and the mitigation of damage, and
prevention of disasters, such as earthquakes.
(D) The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
and the Animal Research Service develop strategies to
prevent and control foreign or emerging animal and
plant disease epidemics vital to farmers, the economy,
and the protection of the environment.
(E) The Secret Service is charged with safeguarding
payment and financial systems by protecting against
counterfeiting, identity theft, credit card fraud, cell
phone fraud, computer and telecommunications fraud,
money laundering, and other financial crimes.
(F) The United States Customs Service protects our
free trade essential for a healthy economy by working
to lower the cost of trade compliance, providing
guidance on the conduct of legal trade, and monitoring
imports to ensure compliance with public health and
safety laws. Customs protects intellectual property and
combats money laundering, child pornography, and drug
trafficking.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) ensure the continuation of non-homeland security
functions of Federal agencies; and
(2) ensure that Federal agencies develop sound management
strategies and allocate sufficient funding to carry out non-
homeland security functions.
SEC. 3. NON-HOMELAND SECURITY FUNCTIONS PERFORMANCE.
(a) In General.--For each entity in the Department of Homeland
Security that performs non-homeland security functions, the Under
Secretary with responsibility for that entity, in conjunction with the
head of that entity, shall submit a report on the performance of the
entity and all the functions of that entity, with a particular emphasis
on examining the continuing level of performance of non-homeland
security functions to--
(1) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(2) the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Government Reform of the House of
Representatives;
(5) the Select Committee on Homeland Security of the House
of Representatives; and
(6) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Contents.--The report referred to under subsection (a) shall--
(1) to the greatest extent possible, provide an inventory
of the non-homeland security functions of the entity and
identify the capabilities of the entity with respect to those
functions, including--
(A) the number of employees carrying out those
functions;
(B) the budget for those functions; and
(C) the flexibilities, personnel or otherwise, used
to carry out those functions;
(2) contain information relating to the roles,
responsibilities, organizational structure, capabilities,
personnel assets, and annual budgets, specifically with respect
to the capabilities of the entity to accomplish non-homeland
security functions without any diminishment;
(3) contain information relating to whether any changes are
required to the roles, responsibilities, functions,
organizational structure, modernization programs, projects,
activities, recruitment and retention programs, and annual
fiscal resources to enable the entity to accomplish non-
homeland security functions without diminishment; and
(4) contain the strategy the Department will use for the
performance of non-homeland security functions and homeland
security functions.
(c) Submission of Reports.--During the 5-year period following the
date of the transfer of an entity that performs non-homeland security
functions to the Department of Homeland Security or the date of the
establishment of an entity that performs non-homeland security
functions within the Department of Homeland Security, the Under
Secretary with responsibility for that entity shall submit an annual
report described under subsection (a).
(d) Annual Evaluations.--
(1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of this
section.
(2) Reports.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act and every year during the succeeding 5-
year period, the Comptroller General of the United States shall
submit a report to the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Government Reform of the House of
Representatives containing--
(A) an evaluation of the implementation progress
reports submitted under this section;
(B) the findings and conclusions of the Comptroller
General of the United States resulting from the
monitoring and evaluation conducted under this
subsection, including evaluations of how successfully
the Department of Homeland Security is meeting the non-
homeland security functions of the Department; and
(C) any recommendations for legislation or
administrative action the Comptroller General of the
United States considers appropriate.
(e) Performance Reports.--In performance reports submitted under
section 1116 of title 31, United States Code, the Department of
Homeland Security shall--
(1) clarify homeland security and non-homeland security
function performance; and
(2) fully describe and evaluate the performance of homeland
and non-homeland security functions and goals to Congress.
(f) Application of Requirements to the Coast Guard and the Secret
Service.--
(1) Coast guard.--
(A) In general.--This paragraph shall apply with
respect to the Coast Guard, instead of subsections (a),
(b), and (c).
(B) Report of inspector general.--During the 5-year
period following the date of the transfer of the Coast
Guard to the Department of Homeland Security, the
Inspector General of the Department shall include in
each report submitted under section 888(f) of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(f)) the
contents required in reports under subsections (a) and
(b) of this section.
(2) Secret service.--With respect to the Secret Service,
the Director of the Secret Service shall submit each report as
provided under subsections (a), (b), and (c).
(3) Annual evaluations and performance reports.--
Subsections (d) and (e) shall apply with respect to that
portion included in each report under paragraph (1)(B) and each
report under paragraph (2). | Non-Homeland Security Mission Performance Act of 2003 - Requires the Under Secretary of each entity within the Department of Homeland Security that performs non-homeland security functions to report to the Secretary of Homeland Security and specified congressional committees on its performance of such functions, with an emphasis on examining the continuing performance level. Requires new entities that are transferred to the Department and that perform such functions to submit such reports for a five-year period. Requires: (1) the Inspector General of the Department to provide such required information with respect to the Coast Guard during the five-year period following its transfer to the Department; and (2) the Director of the Secret Service to provide such information with respect to the Secret Service.
Directs the Comptroller General to monitor, evaluate, and report to specified congressional committees on the implementation of this Act. Directs the Department, in required annual performance reports, to clarify, describe, and evaluate the performance of homeland and non-homeland security functions. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to ensure the continuation of non-homeland security functions of Federal agencies transferred to the Department of Homeland Security."} | 1,651 | 213 | 0.47751 | 1.315326 | 0.823328 | 2.732984 | 8.429319 | 0.910995 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere
Act'' or the ``SAVE Reauthorization Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) homelessness is a serious problem in the United States;
(2) veterans, who have served and defended this Nation, are
especially at risk for homelessness;
(3) the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that more
than 250,000 veterans are homeless on any given night;
(4) an estimated 1 out of every 3 homeless men served in
the Armed Forces;
(5) America's homeless veterans have served bravely in
World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War,
and more recent efforts such as Operation Enduring Freedom and
Operation Iraqi Freedom;
(6) male veterans are twice as likely to become homeless
compared to their non-veteran counterparts;
(7) female veterans are almost 4 times as likely to become
homeless than their non-veteran counterparts;
(8) it is imperative that the United States Government
provide homeless or at-risk veterans with the services they
need to prevent and end their homeless situations; and
(9) the programs reauthorized by this Act provide important
housing and services to homeless veterans and deserve to be
reauthorized.
SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE PROGRAMS.
(a) Amending the Structure by Which Grant and Per Diem Grantees
Receive Payment.--Section 2012(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(2) The rate for per diem payments under paragraph (1)
shall be the rate authorized for State homes for domiciliary
care under section 1741(a)(1)(A) of this title.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations for the Homeless Providers
Grant and Per Diem Program.--Section 2013 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through
2011.''.
SEC. 4. HOMELESS VETERANS REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Expansion to Include Veterans at Imminent Risk for
Homelessness.--Section 2021(a) of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``and veterans who are at imminent risk of
homelessness'' after ``to expedite the reintegration of homeless
veterans''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2021(e)(1) of title
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(F) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2011.''.
SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OUTREACH SERVICES.
Section 2022 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``including particular veterans''
and inserting the following: ``including--
``(1) particular veterans''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
the following: ``; and
``(2) members of the armed forces separating from active
duty.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Plans to provide information concerning homelessness,
including risk factors, awareness assessment, and contact
information for preventative assistance associated with
homelessness.''; and
(3) in subsection (e)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) provision of information concerning homelessness,
including risk factors, awareness assessment, and contact
information for preventative assistance associated with
homelessness.''.
SEC. 6. TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY ILL AND
HOMELESS VETERANS.
(a) Extension of General Treatment Authorization.--Section 2031(b)
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``2006'' and
inserting ``2011''.
(b) Extension of Additional Services Authorization.--Section
2033(d) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking
``2006'' and inserting ``2011''.
SEC. 7. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SECRETARY OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS TO TRANSFER PROPERTIES OBTAINED THROUGH
FORECLOSURE OF VA HOME MORTGAGES.
Section 2041 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsection (c).
SEC. 8. GRANT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
Section 2061(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005'' and inserting ``fiscal
years 2005 through 2011''.
SEC. 9. EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR DENTAL CARE.
Section 2062(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``, for a period of 60
consecutive days,''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS VETERAN
SERVICE PROVIDER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
Section 2064(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 to
carry out the programs under this section.''.
SEC. 11. ANNUAL REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2065(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(6) Information on the efforts of the Secretary to
coordinate the delivery of housing and services to homeless
veterans with other Federal departments and agencies,
including--
``(A) the Department of Defense;
``(B) the Department of Health and Human Services;
``(C) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
``(D) the Department of Justice;
``(E) the Department of Labor;
``(F) the Interagency Council on Homelessness; and
``(G) the Social Security Administration.''.
SEC. 12. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESS VETERANS.
Section 2066 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by adding at the end the
following:
``(E) The Executive Director of the Interagency
Council on Homelessness (or a representative of the
Executive Director).''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``December 31, 2006''
and inserting ``September 30, 2011.''
SEC. 13. STUDY ON MILITARY SEXUAL TRAUMA AND HOMELESSNESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2007, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall submit a report containing the results of a
study on the intersection of military sexual trauma and homelessness
and effective service models for addressing trauma among homeless
veterans to--
(1) the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Armed Services of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
(b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) an examination of a possible correlation between
military sexual trauma and homelessness among veterans;
(2) a summary description of effective service models for
assembling various treatment modalities and environments for
treating homeless veterans who have experienced military sexual
trauma; and
(3) an outcome evaluation of the ``Seeking Safety''
treatment regime made available by the Secretary to homeless
female veterans.
(c) Funding.--From amounts appropriated for fiscal years 2006 and
2007 to the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical services to
veterans, the Secretary shall make available such sums as may be
necessary to conduct the study under subsection (a). | Sheltering All Veterans Everywhere Act or SAVE Reauthorization Act of 2005 - Extends through FY2011: (1) the authorization of appropriations for Department of Veterans Affairs comprehensive services for homeless veterans; (2) the homeless veterans reintegration program; (3) a Department program to provide additional services to homeless veterans at certain locations; (4) a Department grant program for homeless veterans with special needs; (5) the authorization of appropriations for the homeless veteran service provider technical assistance program; and (6) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.
Makes the rate for per diem payments under the Department's comprehensive services for homeless veterans programs the same as that authorized for State homes for veterans' domiciliary care.
Includes veterans at imminent risk of homelessness under the veterans reintegration program.
Makes permanent (currently terminates at the end of 2008) the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer properties obtained through foreclosures of Department home mortgages to certain organizations to assist homeless veterans and their families in acquiring shelter.
Requires: (1) additional information in an annual report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans' committees on assistance provided to homeless veterans; and (2) a new report from the Secretary to the defense and veterans' committees on the intersection of military sexual trauma and homelessness in veterans. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reauthorize various programs servicing the needs of homeless veterans for fiscal years 2007 through 2011, and for other purposes."} | 1,869 | 277 | 0.678374 | 2.127458 | 0.807428 | 3.048193 | 6.634538 | 0.903614 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Neighborhood Crime Fighters Housing
Assistance Act''.
SEC. 2. SECTION 8 ASSISTANCE FOR PROTECTION OF NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME
FIGHTERS.
Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(z) Neighborhood Crime Fighters Assistance.--
``(1) Assistance.--To the extent amounts for assistance
under this section are reserved under section 213(d)(4)(A) of
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for use under
this subsection, the Secretary may provide such amounts to any
public housing agency approved under paragraph (3) to make
assistance payments under this subsection on behalf of any
family described under paragraph (2) for the rental of a
dwelling unit for the family that, in the determination of the
public housing agency (after consultation with law enforcement
agency concerned) provides for the protection of the family.
``(2) Eligible families.--A family referred to in paragraph
(1) shall be any family that--
``(A) contains a member that has provided
information to any Federal, State, or local law
enforcement agency that such law enforcement agency
determines substantially contributes to the arrest,
criminal prosecution, or conviction of any person for
any criminal activity in or near the area or
neighborhood in which the person providing the
information resides;
``(B) is likely, in the determination of such law
enforcement agency, to be subject to a crime of
violence directed at the family on account of providing
the information referred to in subparagraph (A);
``(C) is legally residing, at the time such
information is provided to the law enforcement agency,
in a dwelling unit in a public housing project
administered by a public housing agency meeting the
requirements of paragraph (3) or in a dwelling unit
assisted under this section by such a public housing
agency; and
``(D) is not protected or assisted, or to be
protected or assisted, under chapter 224 of title 18,
United States Code.
``(3) Eligible pha's.--The Secretary may provide amounts
reserved for use under this subsection only to public housing
agencies approved by the Secretary under this paragraph. The
Secretary may approve only agencies that the Secretary
determines have--
``(A) established sufficient cooperation with local
law enforcement agencies to make determinations to
provide assistance under this subsection; and
``(B) coordinated with local law enforcement
agencies to promptly inform the public housing agency
and the Secretary of any determination that assistance
under this subsection is appropriate for a family,
except that such coordination shall be subject to the
procedures established under paragraph (6)(C) to ensure
confidentiality.
``(4) Guidelines.--
``(A) Determination of need and coordination.--The
Secretary shall establish guidelines jointly with the
Attorney General that--
``(i) describe the types of situations
under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
(2) in which assistance may be provided under
this subsection, which shall include situations
in which the information referred to in
paragraph (2)(A) is information regarding any
crime that is detrimental to the health,
safety, peace, or security of the area or
neighborhood in which the family providing the
information resides; and
``(ii) describe elements of sufficient
cooperation between public housing agencies and
law enforcement agencies for purposes of
paragraph (3)(A).
``(B) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures for public housing agencies approved under
paragraph (3)--
``(i) to apply for, obtain, and administer
amounts reserved for providing assistance under
this subsection on behalf of families eligible
under paragraph (2); and
``(ii) to provide for the termination of
the tenancy of any family assisted under this
subsection from the dwelling unit in which the
family is residing so that such assistance may
be utilized.
``(5) Pha actions.--Each public housing agency approved by
the Secretary under paragraph (3) shall--
``(A) periodically notify Federal, State, and local
law enforcement agencies in the area of jurisdiction of
the public housing agency of the availability of
assistance under this subsection;
``(B) take such actions as may be appropriate to
inform residents of public housing projects
administered by the agency and dwelling units assisted
under this section by the agency of the availability of
such assistance; and
``(C) coordinate with such law enforcement agencies
to promptly inform the public housing agency and the
Secretary of any determination that assistance under
this subsection is appropriate for a family, except
that such coordination shall be subject to the
procedures established under paragraph (6)(C) to ensure
confidentiality.
``(6) Notice and confidentiality.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) periodically notify public housing agencies
of the availability of assistance under this
subsection;
``(B) encourage public housing agencies to
cooperate and coordinate with law enforcement agencies
to encourage residents of public housing projects and
dwelling units assisted under this section to provide
information to law enforcement agencies regarding
criminal activity; and
``(C) develop and implement procedures to ensure
the confidentiality of the identity and new location of
any family assisted under this subsection.
``(7) Other assistance.--A public housing agency that
provides assistance under paragraph (1) for a family and the
law enforcement agency involved shall ensure that the family is
provided access to other assistance and services appropriate to
ensure that the relocation of the family to the dwelling unit
assisted under paragraph (1) and the neighborhood of such
dwelling unit occurs with the minimum possible amount of
disruption to the life of the family.
``(8) Liability.--The United States, and its officers and
employees, shall not be subject to any civil liability on
account of any decision to provide or not to provide protection
under this subsection.''.
SEC. 3. SET ASIDE OF SECTION 8 ASSISTANCE AMOUNTS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
CRIME FIGHTERS ASSISTANCE.
Section 213(d)(4)(A) of the Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1439(d)(4)(A)) is amended--
(1) by inserting after the period at the end of the first
sentence the following new sentence: ``In addition to any
financial assistance for the rental housing assistance program
under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 that
is reserved pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Secretary
shall reserve an additional $15,000,000 of any financial
assistance that becomes available under such program during
each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996 and such additional amounts
may be used only for the purpose under clause (v) of this
subparagraph.'';
(2) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(v) in the case of financial assistance under the rental
housing assistance program under section 8 of the United States
Housing Act of 1937, providing assistance pursuant to section
8(z)(1) of such Act.''. | Neighborhood Crime Fighters Housing Assistance Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to provide public housing rental assistance on behalf of a family that has provided law enforcement assistance and is likely to be subject to retaliatory violence.
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to set aside funds for such program. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Neighborhood Crime Fighters Housing Assistance Act"} | 1,516 | 71 | 0.57221 | 1.349875 | 0.918311 | 3.45 | 25.016667 | 0.916667 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthen And Fortify Existing
Bridges Act of 2017'' or the ``SAFE Bridges Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. STRENGTHEN AND FORTIFY EXISTING BRIDGES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Bridge.--The term ``bridge'' means a bridge on a public
road, without regard to whether the bridge is on a Federal-aid
highway.
(2) Eligible bridge.--The term ``eligible bridge'' means a
bridge that is structurally deficient.
(3) Federal-aid highway.--The term ``Federal-aid highway''
has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of title 23,
United States Code.
(4) Public road.--The term ``public road'' has the meaning
given the term in section 101(a) of title 23, United States
Code.
(5) Rehabilitation.--The term ``rehabilitation'' means,
with respect to a bridge, the carrying out of major work
necessary, as determined by the Secretary--
(A) to restore the structural integrity of the
bridge; or
(B) to correct a major safety defect of the bridge.
(6) Replacement.--The term ``replacement'' means, with
respect to a bridge, the construction of a new facility that,
as determined by the Secretary, is in the same general traffic
corridor as the replaced bridge.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) the District of Columbia; and
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(9) Structurally deficient.--The term ``structurally
deficient'', with respect to a bridge, means a bridge that, as
determined by the Secretary--
(A) has significant load-carrying elements that are
in poor or worse condition due to deterioration,
damage, or both;
(B) has a load capacity that is significantly below
truckloads using the bridge and that requires
replacement; or
(C) has a waterway opening causing frequent
flooding of the bridge deck and approaches resulting in
significant traffic interruptions.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to
assist States to rehabilitate or replace eligible bridges.
(c) Apportionment of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Amounts made available to carry out the
program established under subsection (b) for a fiscal year
shall be apportioned to each State according to the ratio
that--
(A) the total cost to rehabilitate or replace
eligible bridges in that State; bears to
(B) the total cost to rehabilitate or replace
eligible bridges in all States.
(2) Calculation of total cost.--
(A) In general.--For purposes of the calculation
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall multiply the
deck area of eligible bridges by the unit price on a
State-by-State basis, as determined by the Secretary,
to determine the total cost to rehabilitate or replace
eligible bridges in each State.
(B) Data used in making determinations.--The
Secretary shall make determinations under this
subsection based on the latest available data, which
shall be updated not less than annually.
(C) Use of existing inventories.--To the extent
practicable, the Secretary shall make determinations
under this subsection using inventories prepared under
section 144 of title 23, United States Code.
(d) Use of Funds.--Funds apportioned to a State under the program
established under subsection (b) shall--
(1) be used by that State for the rehabilitation and
replacement of eligible bridges;
(2) except as otherwise specified in this section, be
administered as if apportioned under chapter 1 of title 23,
United States Code, except that the funds shall not be
transferable;
(3) be subject to the requirements described in section
1101(b) of the FAST Act (23 U.S.C. 101 note; 129 Stat. 1323) in
the same manner as amounts made available for programs under
titles I, II, and III of that Act; and
(4) not be subject to any limitation on obligations for
Federal-aid highways or highway safety construction programs
set forth in any Act.
(e) Condition at Project Completion.--On completion of the
rehabilitation or replacement, a bridge that is rehabilitated or
replaced under the program established under subsection (b) may not be
structurally deficient.
(f) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of a project
carried out with funds apportioned to a State under the program
established under subsection (b) shall be 100 percent.
(g) Reapportionment of Unobligated Funds.--Any funds apportioned to
a State under the program established under subsection (b) and not
obligated by that State at the end of the third fiscal year beginning
after the fiscal year during which the funds were apportioned shall be
withdrawn from that State and reapportioned by the Secretary to States
that have not had funds withdrawn under this subsection in accordance
with the formula under subsection (c).
(h) Nonsubstitution.--In carrying out the program established under
subsection (b), the Secretary shall ensure that funding made available
to a State under the program supplements, and does not supplant--
(1) other Federal funding made available for the
rehabilitation or replacement of eligible bridges; and
(2) the planned obligations of that State with respect to
eligible bridges.
(i) Prevailing Rate of Wage.--Section 113 of title 23, United
States Code, shall apply to this section.
(j) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, and each year thereafter if States obligated funds
apportioned under the program established under subsection (b) during
that year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report
that describes the amounts obligated by each State for projects under
the program.
(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $2,750,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020, to remain available until
expended. | Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2017 or the SAFE Bridges Act of 2017 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient. States shall use apportioned program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges. The federal share of project costs is 100%. Prevailing rate of wage requirements for construction of federal-aid highways projects shall apply to such projects. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2017"} | 1,463 | 109 | 0.570122 | 1.399465 | 0.709005 | 2.476744 | 14.790698 | 0.872093 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Securing the Homeland Security
Supply Chain Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION
RELATING TO SUPPLY CHAIN RISK.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title VIII of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 836. REQUIREMENTS FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO SUPPLY CHAIN RISK.
``(a) Authority.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may--
``(1) carry out a covered procurement action;
``(2) limit, notwithstanding any other provision of law, in
whole or in part, the disclosure of information, including
classified information, relating to the basis for carrying out
such an action; and
``(3) exclude, in whole or in part, a source carried out in
the course of such an action applicable to a covered
procurement of the Department.
``(b) Determination and Notification.--Except as authorized by
subsection (c) to address an urgent national security interest, the
Secretary may exercise the authority provided in subsection (a) only
after--
``(1) obtaining a joint recommendation, in unclassified or
classified form, from the Chief Acquisition Officer and the
Chief Information Officer of Department, including a review of
any risk assessment made available by an appropriate person or
entity, that there is a significant supply chain risk in a
covered procurement;
``(2) notifying any source named in the joint
recommendation described in paragraph (1) advising--
``(A) that a recommendation has been obtained;
``(B) to the extent consistent with the national
security and law enforcement interests, the basis for
such recommendation;
``(C) that, within 30 days after receipt of notice,
such source may submit information and argument in
opposition to such recommendation; and
``(D) of the procedures governing the consideration
of such submission and the possible exercise of the
authority provided in subsection (a);
``(3) notifying the relevant components of the Department
that such risk assessment has demonstrated significant supply
chain risk to a covered procurement; and
``(4) making a determination in writing, in unclassified or
classified form, that after considering any information
submitted by a source under paragraph (2), and in consultation
with the Chief Information Officer of the Department, that--
``(A) use of authority under subsection (a)(1) is
necessary to protect national security by reducing
supply chain risk;
``(B) less intrusive measures are not reasonably
available to reduce such risk;
``(C) a decision to limit disclosure of information
under subsection (a)(2) is necessary to protect
national security interest; and
``(D) the use of such authorities will apply to a
single covered procurement or a class of covered
procurements, and otherwise specifies the scope of such
determination;
``(5) providing to the Committee on Homeland Security of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a classified or
unclassified notice of the determination made under paragraph
(4) that includes--
``(A) the joint recommendation described in
paragraph (1);
``(B) a summary of any risk assessment reviewed in
support of such joint recommendation; and
``(C) a summary of the basis for such
determination, including a discussion of less intrusive
measures that were considered and why such measures
were not reasonably available to reduce supply chain
risk;
``(6) notifying the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget, and the heads of other Federal agencies as
appropriate, in a manner and to the extent consistent with the
requirements of national security; and
``(7) taking steps to maintain the confidentiality of any
notifications under this subsection.
``(c) Procedures To Address Urgent National Security Interests.--In
any case in which the Secretary determines that national security
interests require the immediate exercise of the authorities under
subsection (a), the Secretary--
``(1) may, to the extent necessary to address any such
national security interest, and subject to the conditions
specified in paragraph (2)--
``(A) temporarily delay the notice required by
subsection (b)(2);
``(B) make the determination required by subsection
(b)(4), regardless of whether the notice required by
subsection (b)(2) has been provided or whether the
notified source at issue has submitted any information
in response to such notice;
``(C) temporarily delay the notice required by
subsections (b)(4) and (b)(5); and
``(D) exercise the authority provided in subsection
(a) in accordance with such determination; and
``(2) shall take actions necessary to comply with all
requirements of subsection (b) as soon as practicable after
addressing the urgent national security interest that is the
subject of paragraph (1), including--
``(A) providing the notice required by subsection
(b)(2);
``(B) promptly considering any information
submitted by the source at issue in response to such
notice, and making any appropriate modifications to the
determination required by subsection (b)(4) based on
such information; and
``(C) providing the notice required by subsections
(b)(5) and (b)(6), including a description of such
urgent national security, and any modifications to such
determination made in accordance with subparagraph (B).
``(d) Annual Review of Determinations.--The Secretary shall
annually review all determinations made under subsection (b).
``(e) Delegation.--The Secretary may not delegate the authority
provided in subsection (a) or the responsibility identified in
subsection (d) to an official below the Deputy Secretary.
``(f) Limitation of Review.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no action taken by the Secretary under subsection (a) may be
subject to review in a bid protest before the Government Accountability
Office or in any Federal court.
``(g) Consultation.--In developing procedures and guidelines for
the implementation of the authorities described in this section, the
Secretary shall review the procedures and guidelines utilized by the
Department of Defense to carry out similar authorities.
``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered article.--The term `covered article' means:
``(A) Information technology, including cloud
computing services of all types.
``(B) Telecommunications equipment.
``(C) Telecommunications services.
``(D) The processing of information on a Federal or
non-Federal information system, subject to the
requirements of the Controlled Unclassified Information
program of the Department.
``(E) Hardware, systems, devices, software, or
services that include embedded or incidental
information technology.
``(2) Covered procurement.--The term `covered procurement'
means--
``(A) a source selection for a covered article
involving either a performance specification, as
provided in subsection (a)(3)(B) of section 3306 of
title 41, United States Code, or an evaluation factor,
as provided in subsection (c)(1)(A) of such section,
relating to supply chain risk, or with respect to which
supply chain risk considerations are included in the
Department's determination of whether a source is a
responsible source as defined in section 113 of such
title;
``(B) the consideration of proposals for and
issuance of a task or delivery order for a covered
article, as provided in section 4106(d)(3) of title 41,
United States Code, with respect to which the task or
delivery order contract includes a contract clause
establishing a requirement relating to supply chain
risk;
``(C) any contract action involving a contract for
a covered article with respect to which such contract
includes a clause establishing requirements relating to
supply chain risk; or
``(D) any procurement made via Government Purchase
Care for a covered article when supply chain risk has
been identified as a concern.
``(3) Covered procurement action.--The term `covered
procurement action' means any of the following actions, if such
action takes place in the course of conducting a covered
procurement:
``(A) The exclusion of a source that fails to meet
qualification requirements established pursuant to
section 3311 of title 41, United States Code, for the
purpose of reducing supply chain risk in the
acquisition or use of a covered article.
``(B) The exclusion of a source that fails to
achieve an acceptable rating with regard to an
evaluation factor providing for the consideration of
supply chain risk in the evaluation of proposals for
the award of a contract or the issuance of a task or
delivery order.
``(C) The determination that a source is not a
responsible source based on considerations of supply
chain risk.
``(D) The decision to withhold consent for a
contractor to subcontract with a particular source or
to direct a contractor to exclude a particular source
from consideration for a subcontract.
``(4) Information system.--The term `information system'
has the meaning given such term in section 3502 of title 44,
United States Code.
``(5) Information technology.--The term `information
technology' has the meaning given such term in section 11101 of
title 40, United States Code.
``(6) Responsible source.--The term `responsible source'
has the meaning given such term in section 113 of title 41,
United States Code.
``(7) Supply chain risk.--The term `supply chain risk'
means the risk that a malicious actor may sabotage, maliciously
introduce an unwanted function, extract or modify data, or
otherwise manipulate the design, integrity, manufacturing,
production, distribution, installation, operation, or
maintenance of a covered article so as to surveil, deny,
disrupt, or otherwise manipulate the function, use, or
operation of the information technology or information stored
or transmitted on the covered articles.
``(8) Telecommunications equipment.--The term
`telecommunications equipment' has the meaning given such term
in section 153(52) of title 47, United States Code.
``(9) Telecommunications service.--The term
`telecommunications service' has the meaning given such term in
section 153(53) of title 47, United States Code.
``(i) Effective Date.--The requirements of this section shall take
effect on the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act and shall apply to--
``(1) contracts awarded on or after such date; and
``(2) task and delivery orders issued on or after such date
pursuant to contracts awarded before, on, or after such
date.''.
(b) Rulemaking.--Section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and
section 1707 of title 41, United States Code, shall not apply to the
Secretary of Homeland Security when carrying out the authorities and
responsibilities under section 836 of the Homeland Security Act of
2002, as added by subsection (a).
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 835 the following new item:
``Sec. 836. Requirements for information relating to supply chain
risk.''.
Passed the House of Representatives September 4, 2018.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk. | Securing the Homeland Security Supply Chain Act of 2018 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to restrict procurement of information technology, telecommunications equipment and services, and related products or services (covered articles), if it determines that a vendor of such products and services poses a risk to the DHS supply chain. After determining that such a risk exists, DHS may limit the disclosure of information relating to the basis for restricting a procurement and may exclude a vendor from the procurement process. The bill requires DHS to make certain security-related determinations and provide notifications before it can exercise the authority to restrict procurement of any covered article. The bill defines "supply chain risk" as the risk that a malicious actor may sabotage, maliciously introduce an unwanted function, extract or modify data, or otherwise manipulate the design, integrity, manufacturing, production, distribution, installation, operation, or maintenance of a covered article. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Securing the Homeland Security Supply Chain Act of 2018"} | 2,514 | 218 | 0.50802 | 1.405332 | 0.81997 | 3.492147 | 12.623037 | 0.832461 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Surveillance State Repeal Act''.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF USA PATRIOT ACT.
(a) Repeal.--The USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) is repealed,
and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such Act are restored
or revived as if such Act had not been enacted.
(b) Destruction of Certain Information.--The Director of National
Intelligence and the Attorney General shall destroy any information
collected under the USA PATRIOT Act (Public Law 107-56) and the
amendments made by such Act, as in effect the day before the date of
the enactment of this Act, concerning a United States person that is
not related to an investigation that is actively ongoing on such date.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF THE FISA AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2008.
(a) Repeal.--The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-261;
122 Stat. 2477) is repealed, and the provisions of law amended or
repealed by such Act are restored or revived as if such Act had not
been enacted.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) of this Act shall not apply to
sections 103 and 110 of the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (Public Law
110-261; 122 Stat. 2477).
(c) Destruction of Certain Information.--The Director of National
Intelligence and the Attorney General shall destroy any information
collected under section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1881a), as in effect the day before the date of
the enactment of this Act, concerning a United States person that is
not related to an investigation that is actively ongoing on such date.
SEC. 4. TERMS OF JUDGES ON FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT;
REAPPOINTMENT; SPECIAL MASTERS.
(a) Terms; Reappointment.--Section 103(d) of the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``maximum of seven'' and inserting
``maximum of ten''; and
(2) by striking ``and shall not be eligible for
redesignation''.
(b) Special Masters.--Section 103(f) of such Act, as amended by
section 3 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) Special Masters.--
``(A) The courts established pursuant to subsections (a)
and (b) may appoint one or more Special Masters to advise the
courts on technical issues raised during proceedings before the
courts.
``(B) In this paragraph, the term `Special Master' means an
individual who has technological expertise in the subject
matter of a proceeding before a court established pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b).''.
SEC. 5. ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE OF SPECIFIED PERSONS WITHOUT REGARD TO
SPECIFIC DEVICE.
Section 105(c)(2)(B) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1805(c)(2)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) that, upon the request of the applicant, any
person or entity shall furnish the applicant forthwith
all information, facilities, or technical assistance
necessary to accomplish the electronic surveillance in
such a manner as will protect its secrecy and produce a
minimum of interference with the services that such
carrier, landlord, custodian, or other person is
providing that target of electronic surveillance;''.
SEC. 6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR COLLECTIONS UNDER THE FOREIGN
INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT OF 1978.
(a) In General.--Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as amended by section 3 of this
Act, is further amended to read as follows:
``TITLE VII--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
``SEC. 701. WARRANT REQUIREMENT.
``Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no information
relating to a United States person may be acquired pursuant to this Act
without a valid warrant based on probable cause.''.
(b) Table of Contents Amendments.--The table of contents in the
first section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as amended by section 3 of this Act, is further
amended by striking the items relating to title VII and section 701 and
inserting the following new items:
``TITLE VII--ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
``701. Warrant requirement.''.
SEC. 7. ENCRYPTION AND PRIVACY TECHNOLOGY OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND
SOFTWARE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Government
shall not mandate that the manufacturer of an electronic device or
software for an electronic device build into such device or software a
mechanism that allows the Federal Government to bypass the encryption
or privacy technology of such device or software.
SEC. 8. GAO COMPLIANCE EVALUATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
annually evaluate compliance by the Federal Government with the
provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
(b) Report.--The Comptroller General shall annually submit to
Congress a report containing the results of the evaluation conducted
under subsection (a).
SEC. 9. WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS.
(a) Authorization To Report Complaints or Information.--An employee
of or contractor to an element of the intelligence community that has
knowledge of the programs and activities authorized by the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) may
submit a covered complaint--
(1) to the Comptroller General of the United States;
(2) to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of
the House of Representatives;
(3) to the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate;
or
(4) in accordance with the process established under
section 103H(k)(5) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50
U.S.C. 3033(k)(5)).
(b) Investigations and Reports to Congress.--The Comptroller
General shall investigate a covered complaint submitted pursuant to
subsection (b)(1) and shall submit to Congress a report containing the
results of the investigation.
(c) Covered Complaint Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered
complaint'' means a complaint or information concerning programs and
activities authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of
1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) that an employee or contractor reasonably
believes is evidence of--
(1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or
(2) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse
of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety.
SEC. 10. PROHIBITION ON INTERFERENCE WITH REPORTING OF WASTE, FRAUD,
ABUSE, OR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
officer or employee of an element of the intelligence community shall
take any retaliatory action against an employee of or contractor to an
element of the intelligence community who seeks to disclose or
discloses covered information to--
(1) the Comptroller General;
(2) the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the
House of Representatives;
(3) the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; or
(4) the Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence
Community.
(b) Administrative Sanctions.--An officer or employee of an element
of the intelligence community who violates subsection (a) shall be
subject to administrative sanctions, up to and including termination.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered information.--The term ``covered information''
means any information (including classified or sensitive
information) that an employee or contractor reasonably believes
is evidence of--
(A) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or
(B) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an
abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific
danger to public health or safety.
(2) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence
community'' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003).
SEC. 11. PROHIBITION OF TARGETING UNITED STATES PERSONS UNDER EXECUTIVE
ORDER 12333 WITHOUT A WARRANT.
(a) Prohibition on Targeting of United States Persons Without a
Warrant.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no United States
person may be the target of an acquisition under Executive Order 12333
without a valid warrant based on probable cause.
(b) Audit of Compliance With Prohibition.--
(1) Audit.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall annually conduct an audit of intelligence collection
under Executive Order 12333 to ensure compliance with the
requirement under subsection (a).
(2) Report.--The Comptroller General shall annually submit
to Congress a report containing the results of each audit
conducted under paragraph (1).
(c) Destruction of Certain Information.--The Director of National
Intelligence and the Attorney General shall destroy any information
collected under Executive Order 12333 without a valid warrant based on
probable cause concerning a United States person that is not related to
an investigation that is actively ongoing on the date of the enactment
of this Act. | Surveillance State Repeal Act Repeals the USA PATRIOT Act and the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 (thereby restoring or reviving provisions amended or repealed by such Acts as if such Acts had not been enacted), except with respect to reports to Congress regarding court orders under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) and the acquisition of intelligence information concerning an entity not substantially composed of U.S. persons that is engaged in the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Extends from 7 to 10 years the maximum term of FISA judges. Makes such judges eligible for redesignation. Permits FISA courts to appoint special masters to advise on technical issues raised during proceedings. Requires orders approving certain electronic surveillance to direct that, upon request of the applicant, any person or entity must furnish all information, facilities, or technical assistance necessary to accomplish such surveillance in a manner to protect its secrecy and produce a minimum of interference with the services that such carrier, landlord, custodian, or other person is providing the target of such surveillance (thereby retaining the ability to conduct surveillance on such targets regardless of the type of communications methods or devices being used by the subject of the surveillance). Prohibits acquisitions under FISA relating to a U.S. person, or acquisitions under Executive Order 12333 targeting a U.S. person, without a warrant based on probable cause. Requires the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Justice to destroy any information collected under the repealed Acts, or acquired under Executive Order 12333 without a warrant, if the information concerns a U.S. person that is not related to an investigation that is actively ongoing on the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers of electronic devices and related software to build in mechanisms allowing the federal government to bypass encryption or privacy technology. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report annually on the federal government's compliance with FISA. Permits an employee of or contractor to an element of the intelligence community with knowledge of FISA-authorized programs and activities to submit a covered complaint to the GAO, to the House or Senate intelligence committees, or in accordance with a process under the National Security Act of 1947 with respect to reports made to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community. Defines a "covered complaint" as a complaint or information concerning FISA-authorized programs and activities that an employee or contractor reasonably believes is evidence of: (1) a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; or (2) gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Prohibits an officer or employee of an element of the intelligence community from taking retaliatory action against an employee or contractor who seeks to disclose, or who discloses, such information. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Surveillance State Repeal Act"} | 2,288 | 663 | 0.612766 | 1.916276 | 0.6368 | 3.919173 | 3.454887 | 0.866541 |
SECTION 1. STUDY AND REPORT OF PROPOSED WILLAMETTE FALLS NATIONAL
HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Willamette
Falls National Heritage Area''.
(b) Study.--The Secretary of the Interior (hereafter referred to as
the ``Secretary''), in consultation with appropriate State historic
preservation officers, State historical societies, and other
appropriate organizations, shall conduct a study of the suitability and
feasibility of designating the study area at the Willamette Falls
National Heritage Area in the State of Oregon.
(c) Criteria.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall apply
the following criteria to determine the suitability and feasibility of
designating the study area as a National Heritage Area:
(1) The area--
(A) has an assemblage of natural, historic,
cultural, education, scenic, or recreational resources
that together are nationally important to the heritage
of the United States;
(B) represents distinctive aspects of the heritage
of the United States worthy of recognition,
conservation, interpretation, and continuing use;
(C) is best managed as such an assemblage through
partnerships among public and private entities at the
local regional level;
(D) reflects traditions, customs, beliefs, and
folklife that are a valuable part of the heritage of
the United States;
(E) provides outstanding opportunities to conserve
natural, historical, cultural, or scenic features;
(F) provides outstanding recreational or education
opportunities; and
(G) has resources and traditional uses that have
national importance.
(2) Residents, business interests, nonprofit or
organizations, and governments (including relevant Federal land
management agencies) within the proposed area are involved in
the planning and have demonstrated significant support through
letters and other means for National Heritage Area designation
and management.
(3) The local coordinating entity responsible for preparing
and implementing the management plan is identified.
(4) The proposed local coordinating entity and units of
government supporting the designation have documented their
commitment to work in partnership to protect, enhance,
interpret, fund, manage, and develop resources within the
National Heritage Area.
(5) The proposed local coordinating entity has developed a
conceptual financial plan that outlines the roles of all
participants (including the Federal Government) in the
management of the National Heritage Area.
(6) The proposal is consistent with continued economic
activity within the area.
(7) A conceptual boundary map has been developed and is
supported by the public and participating Federal agencies.
(d) Consultation.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall
consult with the managers of any Federal land within the proposed
National Heritage Area and secure the concurrence of the managers with
the findings of the study before making a determination for
designation.
(e) Boundaries of the Study Area.--The study areas shall consist of
the following:
(1) The area between the Tualatin River and the Clackamas
River.
(2) The cities of West Linn and Oregon City, Oregon, and
the surrounding areas.
(3) The McLoughlin House in Oregon City, Oregon.
(f) Report.--The Secretary shall--
(1) review, comment on, and determine if the study area
meets the criteria specified in this section for designation as
a National Heritage Area;
(2) consult with the Governor of Oregon; and
(3) not later than 3 fiscal years after the date on which
funds are first made available for this section, submit to the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate
a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of
the study, including--
(A) any comments received from the Governor of
Oregon; and
(B) a finding as to whether the proposed National
Heritage Area meets the criteria for designation.
(g) Disapproval.--If the Secretary determines that the proposed
National Heritage Area does not meet the criteria for designation, the
Secretary shall include within the study submitted under subsection
(f)(3) a description of the reasons for the determination. | Willamette Falls National Heritage Area - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility and suitability of designating a specified study area in Oregon as the Willamette Falls National Heritage Area. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Willamette Falls National Heritage Area in Oregon, and for other purposes."} | 841 | 44 | 0.577682 | 1.394686 | 0.756589 | 2 | 24.647059 | 0.941176 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Museum of Industrial
History Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the economic and societal transition of the United
States from an agricultural age to an industrial age, and the
ongoing transformation of the United States to a postindustrial
society, reflect and embody the fundamental spirit and ideals
of the United States;
(2) it is crucial that people in the United States have the
opportunity to learn--
(A) the history of the industrialization of the
United States; and
(B) the impact of industrialization on their way of
life;
(3) it is important to preserve the history of
industrialization of the United States for future generations;
(4) to ensure the protection, interpretation, and awareness
of the history of the industrialization of the United Sates,
key structures and artifacts relating to the process of
industrialization must be preserved and exhibited in an
educational museum;
(5) the site of the former Bethlehem Steel Plant, which is
the proposed site of the National Museum of Industrial History,
has a particular relevance to the preservation and awareness of
the history of industrialization;
(6) on that site--
(A) the Bethlehem Steel Plant began operation in
the 1850s;
(B) in 1853, the first commercial zinc production
began;
(C) Frederick W. Taylor conducted time and motion
studies that became the basis for his principles of
modern scientific management;
(D) on June 1, 1887, the modern American defense
industry was born when the Navy awarded the first armor
plate contract to the Bethlehem Iron Company;
(E) the steel plant produced armor plate for--
(i) the battleships U.S.S. Maine and U.S.S.
Texas; and
(ii) other battleships, including the
U.S.S. Wisconsin;
(F) high-speed tool steel was perfected; and
(G) in 1908, the 48 Grey Mill became the first
rolling mill in the United States to produce large
wide-flange steel beams; and
(7) the site contains the oldest significant remains of
bessemer steel production in the United States.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to assist in the
establishment of an interpretive center and museum in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania--
(1) to ensure the protection of historical resources
relating to industrialization; and
(2) to interpret the impact of industrialization on the
history of the United States.
SEC. 3. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND MUSEUM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the interpretive
center and museum to be located on the western end and central
core of the former Bethlehem Steel Plant Site in Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania.
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Assistance.--Not later than 180 days after the date on which
funds are first made available to carry out this section, subject to
the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall offer to enter
into an agreement with an appropriate entity under which the Secretary
shall provide financial assistance to the entity for the development
and operation of the Center.
(c) Purposes of Center.--The purposes of the Center shall be--
(1) to preserve, display, and interpret historical
resources relating to industrialization in the United States;
and
(2) to promote other historical and cultural resources in
the region of the Center through activities conducted at the
Center.
(d) Terms of Assistance.--
(1) Limitations.--
(A) Covered expenses.--Financial assistance
provided under this section may be used at the Center
only for--
(i) facilities construction;
(ii) acquisition of contemporary technology
to be used primarily to enhance the
presentation of historical information at the
Center; and
(iii) program development and
implementation, including--
(I) educational program development
and implementation;
(II) curriculum design and
development;
(III) other activities directly
relating to providing programs at the
Center; and
(IV) salaries of staff carrying out
any activity described in subclause
(I), (II), or (III).
(B) Prohibited expenses.--Financial assistance
provided under this section shall not be used for--
(i) the acquisition of any item for the
museum collection of the Center;
(ii) administrative expenses;
(iii) the acquisition of technology
primarily used for administrative purposes; or
(iv) staff salaries for administrative
activities, except as provided in subparagraph
(A)(iii)(IV).
(2) Matching requirement.--The Secretary shall require each
party to an agreement under subsection (b) to provide funds
from non-Federal sources for the purposes described in
subsection (c) in an amount at least equal to the amount
provided by the Secretary for those purposes under this
section.
(3) Maximum amount; payment schedule.--
(A) Maximum amount.--The total amount of assistance
provided by the Secretary under this section shall not
exceed $25,000,000.
(B) Payment schedule.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall make
payments of financial assistance under this
section on an annual basis.
(ii) Initial payment.--The initial payment
under this section shall be made not later than
30 days after the date on which an agreement is
entered into under subsection (b) by the
Secretary and an appropriate entity.
(iii) Number of payments.--The Secretary
shall make not less than 5 annual payments
under this section.
(e) Report.--
(1) In general.--For each calendar year during the 5-year
period beginning on the date on which funds are first made
available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall submit
to Congress an annual report describing the implementation by
the Secretary of this section.
(2) Contents.--Each report under paragraph (1) shall
include a description of--
(A) the current status of the development of the
Center;
(B) each project and activity funded under this
section during the preceding calendar year; and
(C) the unexpended balance, if any, of amounts made
available to carry out this section.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary $25,000,000 to carry out this section, to
remain available until expended. | National Museum of Industrial History Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to offer to enter into an agreement with an appropriate entity under which to provide federal assistance for the development and operation of an interpretive center and museum on the former Bethlehem Steel Plant Site in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to preserve, display, and interpret historical resources relating to industrialization in the United States and to promote other historical and cultural resources in the region through activities conducted at the interpretive center and museum.
Sets forth covered and prohibited uses of such financial assistance, including prohibiting the use of assistance for the acquisition of any item for the museum's collection.
Provides for a non-federal match from each party to an agreement.
Requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress that describe: (1) the current status of the development of the interpretive center and museum; (2) each project and activity funded; and (3) the unexpended balance, if any, of amounts made available to carry out this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to assist in the establishment of an interpretive center and museum in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to protect and interpret the history of the industrialization of the United States."} | 1,402 | 210 | 0.473412 | 1.546578 | 0.872574 | 4.371134 | 6.778351 | 0.927835 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Egyptian Counterterrorism and
Political Reform Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) According to the Middle East Media Research Institute,
two weeks before the September 11, 2001, attacks, the Egyptian
Government daily newspaper Al-Akhbar published a column that
stated: ``The Statue of Liberty, in New York Harbor, must be
destroyed because of following the idiotic American policy that
goes from disgrace to disgrace in the swamp of bias and blind
fanaticism.''.
(2) Since forging a ``cold peace'' with Israel in 1978, the
Government of Egypt has placed severe trade restrictions on
Israeli goods and Egyptian Government officials have allowed
anti-Semitic articles and cartoons to flood the semi-official
Egyptian press.
(3) In violation of the 1979 peace agreement between Egypt
and Israel, Egypt continues to promote a boycott of Israeli
products.
(4) The Israeli Defense Forces have repeatedly found arms
smuggling tunnels between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. More than
40 tunnels were discovered in 2003. Some of these tunnels
originate in Egyptian army and police outposts.
(5) Despite facing no major regional external threat, Egypt
has used military assistance from the United States to purchase
combat aircraft, advanced missile systems, tanks, and naval
vessels that undermine Israel's security.
(6) The Coptic Christian minority of between 6 and 10
million in Egypt is victimized regularly, and remains without
protection. The Government of Egypt has never taken
responsibility for the arrest and torture of more than 1,200
Copts in late 1998 in the wake of sectarian violence.
(7) Egypt regularly tortures its citizens. According to the
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights approximately 13,000 to
16,000 people are detained without charge on suspicion of
security or political offenses in Egypt each year. Amnesty
International published a report in 2003 stating that
``everyone taken into detention in Egypt is at risk of
torture''.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON UNITED STATES MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR EGYPT.
(a) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for
fiscal year 2006 and subsequent fiscal years, United States military
assistance may not be provided for Egypt.
(b) Waiver.--The President may waive the application of subsection
(a) for a fiscal year if the President determines and certifies to
Congress that it is in the national security interests of the United
States to do so.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the amount of United States military assistance that
would have been provided for Egypt for a fiscal year but for
the application of section 3(a) should be provided for Egypt
for such fiscal year in the form of economic support fund
assistance under chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 and further that such assistance should be in
addition to economic support fund assistance already proposed
to be provided for Egypt for such fiscal year;
(2) funds for economic support fund assistance for Egypt
should not be used by the armed forces of Egypt;
(3) 30 days prior to the initial obligation of funds for
economic support fund assistance for Egypt for a fiscal year,
the President should certify to Congress that procedures have
been established to ensure that the Comptroller General will
have access to appropriate United States financial information
in order to review the uses of such funds; and
(4) the agreement among the United States, Egypt, and
Israel to decrease the overall amount of United States foreign
assistance for both countries should continue.
SEC. 5. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ``United States military assistance'' means--
(1) assistance for nonproliferation, anti-terrorism,
demining and related programs and activities, including
assistance under chapter 8 of part II of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (relating to anti-terrorism assistance) and
assistance under chapter 9 of part II of such Act, section 504
of the FREEDOM Support Act, section 23 of the Arms Export
Control Act, or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for demining
activities, the clearance of unexploded ordnance, the
destruction of small arms, and related activities;
(2) assistance under section 541 of the Foreign Assistance
Act of 1961 (relating to international military education and
training); and
(3) assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control
Act (relating to the ``Foreign Military Finance'' program). | Egyptian Counterterrorism and Political Reform Act - Prohibits military assistance to Egypt beginning in FY 2006 unless the President determines and certifies to Congress that it is in the national security interests to provide assistance for a given fiscal year.
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) funds that would have been provided for military assistance should be given in the form of economic support fund assistance and not used by the armed forces of Egypt; (2) the President should certify the establishment of procedures to ensure access by the Comptroller General to appropriate financial information in order to review the use of these funds; and (3) the agreement among the United States, Egypt, and Israel to decrease the overall amount of U.S. foreign assistance for both countries should continue. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To prohibit United States military assistance for Egypt and to express the sense of Congress that the amount of military assistance that would have been provided for Egypt for a fiscal year should be provided in the form of economic support fund assistance."} | 966 | 157 | 0.443704 | 1.473983 | 0.836259 | 4.3125 | 6.451389 | 0.923611 |
SECTION 1. CAPITAL GAIN TREATMENT OF GAIN FROM CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP
TRANSACTIONS.
(a) In General.--Part IV of subchapter P of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to special rules for
determining capital gains and losses) is amended by inserting after
section 1259 the following new section:
``SEC. 1260. GAINS FROM CONSTRUCTIVE OWNERSHIP TRANSACTIONS.
``(a) In General.--If the taxpayer has gain from a constructive
ownership transaction with respect to any financial position and such
gain would (without regard to this section) be treated as a long-term
capital gain--
``(1) such gain shall be treated as short-term capital gain
to the extent that such gain exceeds the net underlying long-
term capital gain, and
``(2) to the extent such gain is treated as a long-term
capital gain after the application of paragraph (1), the
determination of the capital gain rate (or rates) applicable to
such gain under section 1(h) shall be determined on the basis
of the respective rate (or rates) that would have been
applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain.
``(b) Interest Charge on Deferral of Gain Recognition.--
``(1) In general.--If any gain is treated as short-term
capital gain for any taxable year by reason of subsection
(a)(1), the taxpayer's tax imposed by this chapter for such
taxable year shall be increased by the amount of interest which
would have been imposed under section 6601--
``(A) for periods ending on the due date (without
extensions) for the return of tax imposed by this
chapter for such taxable year, and
``(B) on underpayments of tax for prior taxable
years which would have resulted had such gain been
included in gross income ratably during the period the
constructive ownership transaction was open.
Any amount payable under this paragraph shall be taken into
account in computing the amount of any deduction allowable to
the taxpayer for interest paid or accrued during such taxable
year.
``(2) No credits against increase in tax.--Any increase in
tax under paragraph (1) shall not be treated as tax imposed by
this chapter for purposes of determining--
``(A) the amount of any credit allowable under
subpart A, B, D, or G of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1, or
``(B) the amount of the tax imposed by section 55.
``(c) Financial Position.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `financial position' means any
position with respect to any stock, debt instrument,
partnership interest, or investment trust interest.
``(2) Position.--The term `position' means an interest,
including a futures or forward contract, short sale, or option.
``(d) Constructive Ownership Transaction.--
``(1) In general.--The taxpayer shall be treated as having
entered into a constructive ownership transaction with respect
to any financial position if the taxpayer (or a related
person)--
``(A) holds a long position under a notional
principal contract with respect to the same or
substantially identical property,
``(B) enters into a forward or futures contract to
acquire the same or substantially identical property,
``(C) is the grantor of a put, and is the holder of
a call, with respect to the same or substantially
identical property and such options have substantially
equal strike prices, or
``(D) enters into 1 or more other transactions (or
acquires 1 or more positions) that have substantially
the same effect as a transaction described in any of
the preceding subparagraphs.
``(2) Exception for positions which are marked to market.--
This section shall not apply to any constructive ownership
transaction if all of the positions which are part of such
transaction are marked to market under any provision of this
title or the regulations thereunder.
``(3) Long position.--A person shall be treated as holding
a long position under a notional principal contract with
respect to any property if such person--
``(A) has the right to be paid (or receive credit
for) all or substantially all of the investment yield
(including appreciation) on such property for a
specified period, and
``(B) is obligated to reimburse (or provide credit)
for all or substantially all of any decline in the
value of such property.
``(4) Forward contract.--The term `forward contract' has
the meaning given to such term by section 1259(d)(1).
``(5) Related person.--The term `related person' has the
meaning given to such term by section 1259(c)(4).
``(e) Net Underlying Long-Term Capital Gain.--For purposes of this
section, in the case of any constructive ownership transaction with
respect to any financial position, the term `net underlying long-term
capital gain' means the aggregate net capital gain that the taxpayer
would have had if--
``(1) such position had been acquired on the date such
transaction was opened and sold on the date such transaction
was closed, and
``(2) only gains and losses that would have resulted from
the deemed ownership under paragraph (1) were taken into
account.
The amount of the net underlying long-term capital gain with respect to
any financial position shall be treated as zero unless the amount
thereof is established by clear and convincing evidence.
``(f) Exception If Mark to Market Elected.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of a taxpayer who elects to
have this subsection apply--
``(A) subsections (a) and (b) shall not apply,
``(B) such taxpayer shall recognize gain or loss on
any constructive ownership transaction which is open as
of the close of any taxable year as if the financial
position to which such transaction relates were sold
for its fair market value on the last business day of
such taxable year, and
``(C) any gain or loss shall be taken into account
for such taxable year.
Proper adjustment shall be made in the amount of any gain or
loss subsequently realized for gain or loss taken into account
under the preceding sentence.
``(2) Character of gain or loss.--
``(A) In general.--Any gain or loss with respect to
a constructive ownership transaction under paragraph
(1) shall be treated as ordinary income or loss.
``(B) Special rule for dispositions.--If--
``(i) gain or loss is recognized with
respect to a constructive ownership transaction
before the close of the taxable year, and
``(ii) paragraph (1) would have applied if
the transaction were open as of the close of
the taxable year,
such gain or loss shall be treated as ordinary income
or loss.
``(3) Election.--An election under paragraph (1) may be
made without the consent of the Secretary. Such an election,
once made, shall apply to the taxable year for which made and
all subsequent taxable years unless revoked with the consent of
the Secretary.
``(g) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this
section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part IV of
subchapter P of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at the end
the following new item:
``Sec. 1260. Gains from constructive
ownership transactions.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to gain recognized after the date of the enactment of this Act. | Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat a gain as a short-term capital gain to the extent such gain exceeds the net underlying long-term capital gain where the taxpayer has gain from a constructive ownership transaction with respect to any financial position and such gain otherwise would be treated as a long-term capital gain. Provides that, to the extent such gain is treated as a long-term capital gain after the application of the previous sentence, the determination of the applicable capital gain rate (or rates) shall be determined on the basis of the respective rate (or rates) that would have been applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain. Sets forth definitions and exceptions. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to prevent the conversion of ordinary income or short-term capital gain into income eligible for the long-term capital gain rates, and for other purposes."} | 1,696 | 148 | 0.617368 | 1.698672 | 0.613312 | 6.422222 | 11.822222 | 0.911111 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Stimulus Act of
2008''.
SEC. 2. ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.
(a) In General.--For fiscal year 2008, and to the extent the cost
of such reduction in fees are offset by appropriations--
(1) the Administrator shall, in lieu of the fee otherwise
applicable under section 7(a)(23)(A) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 636(a)(23)(A)), collect an annual fee in an amount
equal to .25 percent of the outstanding balance of the deferred
participation share of a loan made under section 7(a) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) to a small business
concern; and
(2) with respect to each loan guaranteed under section 7(a)
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)), the Administrator
shall--
(A) in lieu of the fee otherwise applicable under
section 7(a)(18)(A) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)(18)(A)), collect a guarantee fee in an
amount equal to--
(i) 1 percent of the deferred participation
share of a total loan amount that is not more
than $150,000;
(ii) 2.5 percent of the deferred
participation share of a total loan amount that
is more than $150,000, and not more than
$700,000; and
(iii) 3 percent of the deferred
participation share of a total loan amount that
is more than $700,000; and
(B) in lieu of the fee otherwise applicable under
section 7(a)(18)(A)(iv) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)(18)(A)(iv)), collect no fee.
(b) Appropriation.--
(1) In general.--There are appropriated, out of any money
in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2008--
(A) $150,000,000 for the ``Business Loans Program
Account'' of the Administration, for loan subsidies and
for loan modifications for loans to small business
concerns authorized under subsection (a), to remain
available until expended;
(B) $2,000,000 for the ``Business Loans Program
Account'' of the Administration, for direct loans under
the Microloan Program under section 7(m) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)), to remain available
until expended; and
(C) $10,000,000 for the ``Salaries and Expenses
Account'' of the Administration, for marketing,
management, and technical assistance under section
7(m)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(4))
by intermediaries that make microloans under the
Microloan Program, to remain available until expended.
(2) Emergency designation.--The amounts provided under this
subsection are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant
to section 204 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th Congress).
(c) Budgetary Treatment of Loans and Financings.--Assistance made
available under any loan made or approved by the Administration under
section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) during fiscal
year 2008, shall be treated as separate programs of the Administration
for purposes of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et
seq.) only.
(d) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator''
means the Small Business Administration and the Administrator
thereof, respectively; and
(2) the term ``small business concern'' has the same
meaning as in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632).
SEC. 3. INCREASED EXPENSING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 179 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(7) Special rules for 2008.--In the case of any taxable
year beginning in 2008, this subsection shall be applied--
``(A) by substituting `$200,000' for `$25,000
($125,000 in the case of taxable years beginning after
2006 and before 2011)' in paragraph (1), and
``(B) by substituting `$800,000' for `$200,000
($500,000 in the case of taxable years beginning after
2006 and before 2011)'.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007.
SEC. 4. CARRYBACK OF CERTAIN NET OPERATING LOSSES ALLOWED FOR 5 YEARS;
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF 90 PERCENT AMT LIMIT.
(a) In General.--Subparagraph (H) of section 172(b)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by inserting ``5-year carryback of certain losses.--''
after ``(H)'', and
(2) by striking ``or 2002'' and inserting ``, 2002, 2007,
or 2008''.
(b) Temporary Suspension of 90 Percent Limit on Certain NOL
Carrybacks.--Subclause (I) of section 56(d)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking ``or 2002'' and inserting ``, 2002, 2007,
or 2008'', and
(2) by striking ``and 2002'' and inserting ``, 2002, 2007,
or 2008''.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
amendments made by this section shall apply to net operating
losses for taxable years ending after December 31, 2006.
(2) Election.--In the case of a net operating loss for a
taxable year ending during 2007 or 2008--
(A) any election made under section 172(b)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 may (notwithstanding
such section) be revoked before November 1, 2008, and
(B) any election made under section 172(j) of such
Code shall (notwithstanding such section) be treated as
timely made if made before November 1, 2008. | Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act.
Appropriates, as an emergency requirement, additional funds in FY2008 for: (1) loan subsidies under the SBA Business Loans Program Account; and (2) direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback of certain unused net operating losses. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to modify certain fees applicable under the Small Business Act for 2008, to make an emergency appropriation for certain small business programs, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide increased expensing for 2008, to provide a 5-year carryback for certain net operating losses, and for other purposes."} | 1,468 | 137 | 0.501049 | 1.347502 | 0.651363 | 2.1 | 10.1 | 0.833333 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Foreign Manufacturers Legal
Accountability Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Each year, many people in the United States are injured
by defective products manufactured or produced by foreign
entities and imported into the United States.
(2) Both consumers and businesses in the United States have
been harmed by injuries to people in the United States caused
by defective products manufactured or produced by foreign
entities.
(3) People in the United States injured by defective
products manufactured or produced by foreign entities often
have difficulty recovering damages from the foreign
manufacturers and producers responsible for such injuries.
(4) The difficulty described in paragraph (3) is caused by
the obstacles in bringing a foreign manufacturer or producer
into a United States court and subsequently enforcing a
judgment against that manufacturer or producer.
(5) Obstacles to holding a responsible foreign manufacturer
or producer liable for an injury to a person in the United
States undermine the purpose of the tort laws of the United
States.
(6) The difficulty of applying the tort laws of the United
States to foreign manufacturers and producers puts United
States manufacturers and producers at a competitive
disadvantage because United States manufacturers and producers
must--
(A) abide by common law and statutory safety
standards; and
(B) invest substantial resources to ensure that
they do so.
(7) Foreign manufacturers and producers can avoid the
expenses necessary to make their products safe if they know
that they will not be held liable for violations of United
States product safety laws.
(8) Businesses in the United States undertake numerous
commercial relationships with foreign manufacturers, exposing
the businesses to additional tort liability when foreign
manufactures or producers evade United States courts.
(9) Businesses in the United States engaged in commercial
relationships with foreign manufacturers or producers often
cannot vindicate their contractual rights if such manufacturers
or producers seek to avoid responsibility in United States
courts.
(10) One of the major obstacles facing businesses and
individuals in the United States who are injured and who seek
compensation for economic or personal injuries caused by
foreign manufacturers and producers is the challenge of serving
process on such manufacturers and producers.
(11) An individual or business injured in the United States
by a foreign company must rely on a foreign government to serve
process when that company is located in a country that is a
signatory to the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial
and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters done
at The Hague November 15, 1965 (20 UST 361; TIAS 6638).
(12) An injured person in the United States must rely on
the cumbersome system of letters rogatory to effect service in
a country that did not sign the Convention on the Service
Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or
Commercial Matters. These countries do not have an enforceable
obligation to serve process as requested.
(13) The procedures described in paragraphs (11) and (12)
add time and expense to litigation in the United States,
thereby discouraging or frustrating meritorious lawsuits
brought by persons injured in the United States against foreign
manufacturers and producers.
(14) Foreign manufacturers and producers often seek to
avoid judicial consideration of their actions by asserting that
United States courts lack personal jurisdiction over them.
(15) The due process clauses of the fifth amendment to and
section 1 of the 14th amendment to the Constitution govern
United States court assertions of personal jurisdiction over
defendants.
(16) The due process clauses described in paragraph (15)
are satisfied when a defendant consents to the jurisdiction of
a court.
(17) United States markets present many opportunities for
foreign manufacturers.
(18) Creating a competitive advantage for either foreign or
domestic manufacturers violates the principles of United States
trade agreements with other countries.
(19) In choosing to import products into the United States,
a foreign manufacturer or producer subjects itself to the laws
of the United States. Such a foreign manufacturer or producer
thereby acknowledges that it is subject to the personal
jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts in at least one
State.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) foreign manufacturers and producers whose products are
sold in the United States should not be able to avoid liability
simply because of difficulties relating to serving process upon
them;
(2) to avoid such lack of accountability, foreign
manufacturers and producers of foreign products distributed in
the United States should be required, by regulation, to
register an agent in the United States who is authorized to
accept service of process for such manufacturer or producer;
(3) it is unfair to United States consumers and businesses
that foreign manufacturers and producers often seek to avoid
judicial consideration of their actions by asserting that
United States courts lack personal jurisdiction over them;
(4) those who benefit from importing products into United
States markets should expect to be subject to the jurisdiction
of at least one court within the United States;
(5) importing products into the United States should be
understood as consent to the accountability that the legal
system of the United States ensures for all manufacturers and
producers, foreign, and domestic;
(6) importers recognize the scope of opportunities
presented to them by United States markets but also should
recognize that products imported into the United States must
satisfy Federal and State safety standards established by
statute, regulation, and common law;
(7) foreign manufacturers should recognize that they are
responsible for the contracts they enter into with United
States companies;
(8) foreign manufacturers should act responsibly and
recognize that they operate within the constraints of the
United States legal system when they import products into the
United States;
(9) foreign manufacturers who are unwilling to act and
recognize as described in paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) should
not have access to United States markets;
(10) United States laws and the laws of United States
trading partners should not put burdens on foreign
manufacturers and importers that do not apply to domestic
companies;
(11) it is fair to ensure that foreign manufacturers, whose
products are distributed in commerce in the United States, are
subject to the jurisdiction of State and Federal courts in at
least one State because all United States manufacturers are
subject to the jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts in
at least one State; and
(12) it should be understood that, by registering an agent
for service of process in the United States, the foreign
manufacturer or producer acknowledges consent to the
jurisdiction of the State in which the registered agent is
located.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Applicable agency.--The term ``applicable agency''
means, with respect to covered products--
(A) described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
paragraph (3), the Food and Drug Administration;
(B) described in paragraph (3)(C), the Consumer
Product Safety Commission;
(C) described in subparagraphs (D) and (E) of
paragraph (3), the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Commerce.--The term ``commerce'' means trade, traffic,
commerce, or transportation--
(A) between a place in a State and any place
outside thereof; or
(B) which affects trade, traffic, commerce, or
transportation described in subparagraph (A).
(3) Covered product.--The term ``covered product'' means
any of the following:
(A) Drugs, devices, and cosmetics, as such terms
are defined in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321).
(B) A biological product, as such term is defined
in section 351(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 262(i)).
(C) A consumer product, as such term is used in
section 3(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15
U.S.C. 2052).
(D) A chemical substance or new chemical substance,
as such terms are defined in section 3 of the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2602).
(E) A pesticide, as such term is defined in section
2 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 136).
(4) Distribute in commerce.--The term ``distribute in
commerce'' means to sell in commerce, to introduce or deliver
for introduction into commerce, or to hold for sale or
distribution after introduction into commerce.
SEC. 5. REGISTRATION OF AGENTS OF FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS AUTHORIZED TO
ACCEPT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Registration.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act and except as provided in paragraph
(3), the head of each applicable agency shall require foreign
manufacturers and producers of covered products distributed in
commerce (or component parts that will be used in the United
States to manufacture such products) to establish a registered
agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service
of process on behalf of such manufacturer or producer for the
purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in State and
Federal courts, if such service is made in accord with the
State or Federal rules for service of process in the State in
which the case or regulatory action is brought.
(2) Location.--The head of each applicable agency shall
require that an agent of a foreign manufacturer or producer
registered under paragraph (1) be located in a State with a
substantial connection to the importation, distribution, or
sale of the products of such foreign manufacturer or producer.
(3) Minimum size.--Paragraph (1) shall only apply to
foreign manufacturers and producers that manufacture or produce
covered products (or component parts that will be used in the
United States to manufacture such products) in excess of a
minimum value or quantity established by the head of the
applicable agency under this section.
(b) Registry of Agents of Foreign Manufacturers.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce shall, in
cooperation with each head of an applicable agency, establish
and keep up to date a registry of agents registered under
subsection (a).
(2) Availability.--The Secretary of Commerce shall make the
registry established under paragraph (1) available to the
public through the Internet website of the Department of
Commerce.
(c) Consent to Jurisdiction.--A foreign manufacturer or producer of
covered products that registers an agent under this section thereby
consents to the personal jurisdiction of the State or Federal courts of
the State in which the registered agent is located for the purpose of
any civil or regulatory proceeding.
(d) Regulations.--Not later than the date described in subsection
(a)(1), the Secretary of Commerce and each head of an applicable agency
shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
SEC. 6. PROHIBITION OF IMPORTATION OF PRODUCTS OF MANUFACTURERS WITHOUT
REGISTERED AGENTS IN UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Beginning on the date that is 180 days after the
date the regulations required under section 5(d) are prescribed, a
person may not import into the United States a covered product (or
component part that will be used in the United States to manufacture a
covered product) if such product (or component part) or any part of
such product (or component part) was manufactured or produced outside
the United States by a manufacturer or producer who does not have a
registered agent described in section 5(a) whose authority is in effect
on the date of the importation.
(b) Enforcement.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
prescribe regulations to enforce the prohibition in subsection (a).
SEC. 7. STUDY ON REGISTRATION OF AGENTS OF FOREIGN FOOD PRODUCERS
AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs
shall jointly--
(1) complete a study on the feasibility and advisability of
requiring foreign producers of food distributed in commerce to
establish a registered agent in the United States who is
authorized to accept service of process on behalf of such
producers for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions
in State and Federal courts; and
(2) submit to Congress a report on the findings of the
Secretary with respect to such study.
SEC. 8. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER LAWS.
Nothing in this Act shall affect the authority of any State to
establish or continue in effect a provision of State law relating to
service of process or personal jurisdiction, except to the extent that
such provision of law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
and then only to the extent of such inconsistency. | Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to jurisdiction of courts in the United States over foreign manufacturers that import products into the United States.
Directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (with respect to drugs, devices, cosmetics, and biological products), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (with respect to consumer products), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (with respect to chemical substances, new chemical substances, and pesticides) to require foreign manufacturers and producers of such products (or components used to manufacture them), in excess of a minimum value or quantity, to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on their behalf for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts. Requires the registered agent to be located in a state with a substantial connection to the importation, distribution, or sale of the products. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, maintain, and make available to the public a registry of such agents.
Deems a foreign manufacturer or producer of products covered under this Act that registers an agent to consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of the state in which the agent is located for the purpose of any civil or regulatory proceeding.
Prohibits importation into the United States of a covered product (or component part that will be used in the United States to manufacture a covered product) if the product (or component part) or any part of the product (or component part) was manufactured or produced outside the United States by a manufacturer or producer who does not have a registered agent whose authority is in effect on the date of the importation.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to jointly study the feasibility and advisability of requiring foreign producers of food distributed in commerce to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on behalf of such producers for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the United States to establish registered agents in the United States who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers, and for other purposes."} | 2,702 | 442 | 0.463428 | 1.504563 | 0.585576 | 5.710723 | 6.586035 | 0.962594 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Regional Economic Recovery
Coordination Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to assist eligible regions affected by
sudden and severe economic dislocation by--
(1) identifying and coordinating Federal, State, and local
economic development resources;
(2) providing technical assistance in support of regional
economic development strategies; and
(3) integrating public and private economic development
strategies for such regions.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Regional Economic Adjustment appointed under
section 4(b).
(2) Eligible region.--The term ``eligible region'' means a
region that--
(A) has been certified by the Director under
section 5(a); and
(B) has established a Regional Economic and
Workforce Development Coordinating Committee under
section 6(a).
(3) Mass layoff.--The term ``mass layoff'' has the meaning
given the term in section 2 of the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2101).
(4) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of
Regional Economic Adjustment established under section 4(a).
(5) Plant closing.--The term ``plant closing'' has the
meaning given the term in section 2 of the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2101).
(6) Rural community.--The term ``rural community'' means a
community that has a rural-urban continuum code of 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, or 9, as defined by the Economic Research Service of the
Department of Agriculture.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(8) Sudden and severe economic dislocation.--The term
``sudden and severe economic dislocation'' has the same meaning
as such term when used in section 209(a) of the Public Works
and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3149).
(9) Urban community.--The term ``urban community'' means a
community that has a rural-urban continuum code of 1, 2, or 3,
as defined by the Economic Research Service of the Department
of Agriculture.
SEC. 4. OFFICE OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Commerce an office to be known as the ``Office of Regional Economic
Adjustment''.
(b) Director.--The Director of the Office of Regional Economic
Adjustment shall be the head of the Office. The Director shall be
appointed by the Secretary from among individuals qualified to perform
the duties of the position.
(c) Personnel.--The Office shall have such staff as may be
necessary to carry out the functions described in subsection (d).
(d) Functions.--The functions of the Office are as follows:
(1) To provide leadership, support, and coordination for a
comprehensive management program to address economic
dislocation in eligible regions.
(2) To assist the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Economic Development in making the central information
clearinghouse maintained under section 502(1) of the Public
Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3192(1))
readily accessible to States and eligible regions so that such
States and regions can easily obtain information regarding
economic adjustment assistance available to them under Federal
law.
(3) To coordinate the Federal response to eligible regions
undergoing sudden and severe economic dislocation by--
(A) identifying all Federal, State, and local
resources that are available to assist such regions in
recovering from sudden and severe economic dislocation;
(B) ensuring that all Federal agencies offering
economic adjustment assistance to such regions do so in
a targeted, integrated manner that ensures that
officials of such regions are aware of all available
Federal assistance for the economic adjustment of such
regions;
(C) ensuring timely consultation and cooperation
between Federal, State, and regional officials
concerning economic adjustment for such regions;
(D) identifying and strengthening existing agency
mechanisms designed to assist such regions in economic
adjustment and workforce redeployment;
(E) applying, to the extent practicable, consistent
policies, practices, and procedures in the
administration of Federal programs that are used to
assist with the economic adjustment of such regions;
(F) creating, maintaining, and using a uniform
economic database to analyze regional economic
adjustment activities; and
(G) upon request by an eligible region, assigning a
Federal economic recovery coordinator to work with the
region in accordance with section 7.
(4) To provide comprehensive technical assistance to any
eligible region seeking to--
(A) identify serious economic problems in such
region that result from a sudden and severe economic
dislocation;
(B) integrate the major groups and organizations
significantly affected by the economic adjustment of
such region;
(C) access Federal, State, and local resources
designed to assist in the economic adjustment and
workforce development of such region;
(D) explore layoff aversion strategies, including
employee ownership and alternate financing; and
(E) diversify and strengthen the economy of the
region.
(5) To establish an interagency regional economic
adjustment working group, consisting of the representatives of
any Federal department or agency with responsibility for
economic adjustment or workforce development, including
representatives of the following:
(A) The Department of Agriculture.
(B) The Department of Defense.
(C) The Department of Education.
(D) The Department of Labor.
(E) The Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(F) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(G) The Small Business Administration.
(H) The Department of the Treasury.
(I) The Department of Commerce.
(J) The National Economic Council.
SEC. 5. NOTIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION.
(a) Certification.--Not later than 15 days after the Secretary
receives a notice under section 3(e) of the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C. 2102(e)) with respect to a plant
closing or mass layoff, the Director shall certify for purposes of this
Act the region in which the plant closing or mass layoff is located if
1 or more of the following conditions apply:
(1) Number of job losses.--
(A) Urban community.--In the case that the region
is comprised of an urban community, not fewer than 500
individuals employed in such community have received
written notices under section 3 of the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (29 U.S.C.
2102) in the most recent 6-month period for which data
are available.
(B) Rural community.--In the case that the region
is comprised of a rural community, not fewer than 300
individuals employed in such community have received
such written notices in the most recent 6-month period
for which data are available.
(2) Percent of workforce unemployed.--The unemployment rate
for the region is not less than 1 percent greater than the
national unemployment rate for the most recent 12-month period
for which data are available through the Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
(b) Notification to Certified Regions.--Not later than 15 days
after the Director certifies a region under subsection (a), the
Director shall notify the Governor of the State of such region and the
officials of the region--
(1) of such certification;
(2) of the provisions of this Act;
(3) how to access the central information clearinghouse
maintained under section 502(1) of the Public Works and
Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3192(1)); and
(4) how to obtain the technical assistance described in
section 4(d)(4).
SEC. 6. REGIONAL ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING
COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--A region may establish a committee in
accordance with the provisions of this section to be known as a
``Regional Economic and Workforce Development Coordinating Committee''
(in this section referred to as a ``Committee'').
(b) Composition of a Committee.--
(1) Local participation.--A Committee established by a
region under subsection (a) shall be composed of
representatives of the groups significantly affected by sudden
and severe economic dislocation in such region, such as--
(A) State, tribal, municipal, county, and regional
governments;
(B) planning boards;
(C) local businesses;
(D) labor and health organizations;
(E) 2-year institutions of higher education (as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001));
(F) vocational institutions; and
(G) religious and other community-based groups that
provide assistance to the workers of the region and the
families of such workers.
(2) Federal participation.--A Committee of a region shall
have as ex officio members the following:
(A) A Federal economic recovery coordinator
assigned by the Director under section 7(a) to such
region.
(B) Such representatives of Federal agencies as the
coordinator described in subparagraph (A) considers
necessary.
(3) Existing organization.--A region may designate an
existing organization in the region as a Committee for purposes
of this Act if the organization meets the requirements under
paragraphs (1) and (2).
(c) Duties.--The duties of a Committee of a region are as follows:
(1) To ascertain the severity of the economic dislocation
of the region, including consideration of measures of
unemployment rates and employment opportunities.
(2) To assess the capacity of the region to respond to such
economic dislocation and the needs of such region as such
region undertakes economic adjustment, taking into
consideration such factors as the following:
(A) The number of jobs lost as a result of the
economic dislocation.
(B) The size of the region.
(C) The diversity of industries in the region.
(D) The skills of the labor force in the region.
(E) The condition of the labor market of the
region.
(F) The availability of financial resources in the
region.
(G) The quality and availability of educational
facilities, including 2-year institutions of higher
education and vocational institutions, that serve the
region.
(3) To facilitate a dialogue between concerned interests in
the region, represent the impacted region, and ensure all
interests in the region work collaboratively toward collective
goals without duplication of effort or resources.
(4) To create an executive council with an equitable
representation of regional interests to ensure coordination and
cooperation among all stakeholders of the region.
SEC. 7. FEDERAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY COORDINATORS.
(a) Assignment.--Upon the request of an eligible region, the
Director shall assign a Federal economic recovery coordinator to such
region to carry out the duties described in subsection (b).
(b) Duties.--The duties of a Federal economic recovery coordinator
assigned under subsection (a) to an eligible region are as follows:
(1) To provide technical assistance to the eligible region
and assist in the development of a comprehensive economic
development strategy (as used in sections 203 and 302 of the
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C.
3143 and 3162)) for such region, including applying for
applicable grants to develop or implement such plan.
(2) At the local or regional level, to coordinate the
response of all Federal agencies offering economic adjustment
assistance to the eligible region.
(3) Serve as an ex officio member of the Regional Economic
and Workforce Development Coordinating Committee of such region
established under section 6(a).
(4) To act as a liaison between the Regional Economic and
Workforce Development Coordinating Committee established by the
eligible region and all Federal agencies that offer economic
adjustment assistance to eligible regions, including the
following:
(A) The Department of Agriculture.
(B) The Department of Defense.
(C) The Department of Education.
(D) The Department of Labor.
(E) The Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(F) The Department of Health and Human Services.
(G) The Small Business Administration.
(H) The Department of the Treasury.
(I) The National Economic Council.
(J) The Department of Commerce.
(5) To report regularly to the Director regarding the
progress of economic adjustment in the eligible region.
(6) To perform such other duties as the Secretary or the
Director consider appropriate.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such
sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through
2011.
SEC. 9. NOTICE TO THE SECRETARY.
Section 3 of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
(29 U.S.C. 2102) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Notice to the Secretary.--Not later than 60 days after a
plant closing or mass layoff, the employer involved shall submit to the
Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce separate notifications
of the closing or layoff and the number of employees affected by such
closing or layoff.''. | Regional Economic Recovery Coordination Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Commerce the Office of Regional Economic Adjustment, headed by a Director, to: (1) lead, support, and coordinate a program to address economic dislocation in eligible regions (regions undergoing sudden and severe economic dislocation); (2) assist in making a specified central information clearinghouse available to states and eligible regions; (3) coordinate the federal response and provide comprehensive technical assistance to eligible regions; and (4) establish an interagency regional economic adjustment working group.
Requires the Director, after notification of certain plant closings or mass employee layoffs, to certify that region as an eligible region for purposes of benefits under this Act.
Authorizes a region to establish a Regional Economic and Workforce Development Coordinating Committee to, among other things: (1) ascertain the severity of the region's economic dislocation; and (2) assess the region's capacity to respond to the economic dislocation and its needs as it undertakes economic adjustment.
Requires the Director to assign a federal economic recovery coordinator to each eligible region.
Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require the employer involved to notify the Secretaries of Labor and Commerce of a plant closing or layoff and the number of employees affected. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to establish the Office of Regional Economic Adjustment in the Department of Commerce, to assist regions affected by sudden and severe economic dislocation by coordinating Federal, State, and local resources for economic adjustment and by providing technical assistance, and for other purposes."} | 2,811 | 275 | 0.658858 | 1.954641 | 0.776916 | 3.045267 | 11.148148 | 0.921811 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Law Enforcement Officers Pay
Equity and Reform Act''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON PREMIUM PAY.
(a) In General.--Section 5547 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``5545a,'';
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``or 5545a''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking the period and inserting
``or a criminal investigator who is paid availability pay under
section 5545a.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect as if included in the enactment of section 1114 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (Public Law 107-107; 115
Stat. 1239).
SEC. 3. SPECIAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN
CERTAIN AREAS.
(a) In General.--Section 404(b)(1) of the Federal Law Enforcement
Pay Reform Act of 1990 (5 U.S.C. 5305 note) is amended by striking the
matter after the semicolon and inserting the following:
``Area Differential
Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH Consolidated 24.4%
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI Consolidated 24.5%
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI........................ 18.5%
Hartford, CT....................................... 20.3%
Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA Consolidated 27.1%
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT 26.1%
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Philadelphia-Wilmington-Trenton PA-NJ-DE-MD 20.3%
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Portland-Salem, OR-WA.............................. 18.5%
Sacramento-Yolo, CA................................ 21%
San Diego, CA Metropolitan Statistical Area........ 27.1%
San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA Consolidated 32.03%
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA....................... 27.5%
Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-VA-WV Consolidated 24.3%''.
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
with respect to pay for service performed in pay periods beginning on
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. SEPARATE PAY, EVALUATION, AND PROMOTION SYSTEM FOR FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
(a) Study.--Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Office of Personnel Management shall study and submit
to Congress a report which shall contain its findings and
recommendations regarding the need for, and the potential benefits to
be derived from, the establishment of a separate pay, evaluation, and
promotion system for Federal law enforcement officers. In carrying out
this subsection, the Office of Personnel Management shall take into
account the findings and recommendations contained in the September
1993 report of the Office entitled ``A Plan to Establish a New Pay and
Job Evaluation System for Federal Law Enforcement Officers''.
(b) Demonstration Project.--
(1) In general.--If, after completing its report under
subsection (a), the Office of Personnel Management considers it
to be appropriate, the Office shall implement, within 12 months
after the date of the enactment of this Act, a demonstration
project to determine whether a separate system for Federal law
enforcement officers (as described in subsection (a)) would
result in improved Federal personnel management.
(2) Applicable provisions.--Any demonstration project under
this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the
provisions of chapter 47 of title 5, United States Code, except
that a project under this subsection shall not be taken into
account for purposes of the numerical limitation under section
4703(d)(2) of such title.
(3) Permanent changes.--Not later than 6 months before the
demonstration project's scheduled termination date, the Office
of Personnel Management shall submit to Congress--
(A) its evaluation of the system tested under the
demonstration project; and
(B) recommendations as to whether or not that
system (or any aspects of that system) should be
continued or extended to other Federal law enforcement
officers.
(c) Federal Law Enforcement Officer Defined.--For purposes of this
section, the term ``Federal law enforcement officer'' means a law
enforcement officer as defined by section 8331 or 8401 of title 5,
United States Code, and, subsection (b)(2) notwithstanding, includes
any such officer serving in or under the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. | Federal Law Enforcement Officers Pay Equity and Reform Act - Excludes availability pay for Federal criminal investigators from premium pay limitations.Amends the Federal Law Enforcement Pay Reform Act of 1990 to increase the Federal special pay differential for Federal law enforcement officers employed in specified metropolitan statistical areas.Requires a study by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regarding the need for, and potential benefits of, the establishment of a separate pay, evaluation, and promotion system for Federal law enforcement officers (including officers serving in or under the Federal Bureau of Investigation). Authorizes OPM to implement a demonstration project for such a system. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code, to exclude availability pay for Federal criminal investigators from the limitation on premium pay; to modify levels of special pay adjustments for Federal law enforcement officers in certain areas, and for other purposes."} | 1,111 | 135 | 0.419932 | 1.179487 | 0.625991 | 4.017241 | 8.155172 | 0.896552 |
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT BASE CLOSURE ROUNDS IN 2003 AND 2005.
(a) Commission Matters.--
(1) Appointment.--Subsection (c)(1) of section 2902 of the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of
title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note) is
amended--
(A) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of
clause (ii);
(ii) by striking the period at the end of
clause (iii) and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following
new clauses (iv) and (v):
``(iv) by no later than January 24, 2003, in the case of
members of the Commission whose terms will expire at the end of
the first session of the 108th Congress; and
``(v) by no later than March 15, 2005, in the case of
members of the Commission whose terms will expire at the end of
the first session of the 109th Congress.''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or for 1995
in clause (iii) of such subparagraph'' and inserting
``, for 1995 in clause (iii) of that subparagraph, for
2003 in clause (iv) of that subparagraph, or for 2005
in clause (v) of that subparagraph''.
(2) Meetings.--Subsection (e) of that section is amended by
striking ``and 1995'' and inserting ``1995, 2003, and 2005''.
(3) Staff.--Subsection (i)(6) of that section is amended in
the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by striking ``and 1994''
and inserting ``, 1994, and 2004''.
(4) Funding.--Subsection (k) of that section is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph (4):
``(4) If no funds are appropriated to the Commission by the end of
the second session of the 107th Congress for the activities of the
Commission in 2003 or 2005, the Secretary may transfer to the
Commission for purposes of its activities under this part in either of
those years such funds as the Commission may require to carry out such
activities. The Secretary may transfer funds under the preceding
sentence from any funds available to the Secretary. Funds so
transferred shall remain available to the Commission for such purposes
until expended.''.
(5) Termination.--Subsection (l) of that section is amended
by striking ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting ``December 31,
2005''.
(b) Procedures.--
(1) Force-structure plan.--Subsection (a)(1) of section
2903 of that Act is amended by striking ``and 1996,'' and
inserting ``1996, 2004, and 2006,''.
(2) Selection criteria.--Subsection (b) of such section
2903 is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and by no
later than December 31, 2001, for purposes of
activities of the Commission under this part in 2003
and 2005,'' after ``December 31, 1990,''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A)--
(i) in the first sentence, by inserting
``and by no later than February 15, 2002, for
purposes of activities of the Commission under
this part in 2003 and 2005,'' after ``February
15, 1991,''; and
(ii) in the second sentence, by inserting
``, or enacted on or before March 31, 2002, in
the case of criteria published and transmitted
under the preceding sentence in 2001'' after
``March 15, 1991''.
(3) Department of defense recommendations.--Subsection
(c)(1) of such section 2903 is amended by striking ``and March
1, 1995,'' and inserting ``March 1, 1995, March 14, 2003, and
May 16, 2005,''.
(4) Commission review and recommendations.--Subsection (d)
of such section 2903 is amended--
(A) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``or by no
later than July 7 in the case of recommendations in
2003, or no later than September 8 in the case of
recommendations in 2005,'' after ``pursuant to
subsection (c),'';
(B) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``or after July
7 in the case of recommendations in 2003, or after
September 8 in the case of recommendations in 2005,''
after ``under this subsection,''; and
(C) in paragraph (5)(B), by inserting ``or by no
later than May 1 in the case of such recommendations in
2003, or no later than July 1 in the case of such
recommendations in 2005,'' after ``such
recommendations,''.
(5) Review by president.--Subsection (e) of such section
2903 is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or by no later
than July 22 in the case of recommendations in 2003, or
no later than September 23 in the case of
recommendations in 2005,'' after ``under subsection
(d),'';
(B) in the second sentence of paragraph (3), by
inserting ``or by no later than August 18 in the case
of 2003, or no later than October 20 in the case of
2005,'' after ``the year concerned,''; and
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``or by
September 3 in the case of recommendations in 2003, or
November 7 in the case of recommendations in 2005,''
after ``under this part,''.
(c) Relationship to Other Base Closure Authority.--Section 2909(a)
of that Act is amended by striking ``December 31, 1995,'' and inserting
``December 31, 2005,''.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATION OF BASE CLOSURE AUTHORITIES UNDER 1990 BASE
CLOSURE LAW.
(a) Cost Savings and Return on Investment Under Secretary of
Defense Selection Criteria.--Subsection (b) of section 2903 of the
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX
of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2867 note) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(3) Any selection criteria proposed by the Secretary relating to
the cost savings or return on investment from the proposed closure or
realignment of a military installation shall be based on the total cost
and savings to the Federal Government that would result from the
proposed closure or realignment of such military installation.''.
(b) Department of Defense Recommendations to Commission.--
Subsection (c) of such section 2903 is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph (4):
``(4)(A) In making recommendations to the Commission under this
subsection in any year after 2000, the Secretary shall consider any
notice received from a local government in the vicinity of a military
installation that the government would approve of the closure or
realignment of the installation.
``(B) Notwithstanding the requirement in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall make the recommendations referred to in that
subparagraph based on the force-structure plan and final criteria
otherwise applicable to such recommendations under this section.
``(C) The recommendations made by the Secretary under this
subsection in any year after 2000 shall include a statement of the
result of the consideration of any notice described in subparagraph (A)
that is received with respect to an installation covered by such
recommendations. The statement shall set forth the reasons for the
result.''; and
(3) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ``paragraph
(5)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph (6)(B)''; and
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``24
hours'' and inserting ``48 hours''.
(c) Privatization in Place.--Section 2904(a) of that Act is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new
paragraph (3):
``(3) carry out the privatization in place of a military
installation recommended for closure or realignment by the
Commission in each such report after 2000 only if privatization
in place is a method of closure or realignment of the
installation specified in the recommendation of the Commission
in such report and is determined to be the most-cost effective
method of implementation of the recommendation;''.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AND CLARIFYING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Commencement of Period for Notice of Interest in Property for
Homeless.--Section 2905(b)(7)(D)(ii)(I) of the Defense Base Closure and
Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10
U.S.C. 2867 note) is amended by striking ``that date'' and inserting
``the date of publication of such determination in a newspaper of
general circulation in the communities in the vicinity of the
installation under subparagraph (B)(i)(IV)''.
(b) Other Clarifying Amendments.--
(1) That Act is further amended by inserting ``or
realignment'' after ``closure'' each place it appears in the
following provisions:
(A) Section 2905(b)(3).
(B) Section 2905(b)(5).
(C) Section 2905(b)(7)(B)(iv).
(D) Section 2905(b)(7)(N).
(E) Section 2910(10)(B).
(2) That Act is further amended by inserting ``or
realigned'' after ``closed'' each place it appears in the
following provisions:
(A) Section 2905(b)(3)(C)(ii).
(B) Section 2905(b)(3)(D).
(C) Section 2905(b)(3)(E).
(D) Section 2905(b)(4)(A).
(E) Section 2905(b)(5)(A).
(F) Section 2910(9).
(G) Section 2910(10).
(3) Section 2905(e)(1)(B) of that Act is amended by
inserting ``, or realigned or to be realigned,'' after ``closed
or to be closed''. | Amends the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to: (1) provide for continued appointments to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, authorize the Secretary of Defense to transfer funds for future Commission expenses, and extend Commission authority through December 31, 2005; (2) require the Secretary to include within budget justification documents a force structure plan for the armed forces through FY 2006 (currently, FY 1996); and (3) extend similarly the dates for submission of final selection criteria used for the closure or realignment of military installations, Department of Defense recommendations for such closures or realignments, Commission review and recommendations, and presidential review. Terminates on December 31, 2005 (currently, 1995), the authority to close or realign such installations.Requires base closure or realignment cost saving or return on investment selection criteria to be based on the total cost and savings to the Federal Government.Requires the Secretary, in making closure or realignment recommendations, to consider any notice received from a local government approving such closure or realignment.Allows privatization in place of a military installation recommended for closure or realignment only if privatization is a method specified in the Commission's recommendation and it is determined to be the most cost-effective method of implementation of the recommendation. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 to authorize additional rounds of base closures and realignments under the Act in 2003 and 2005, to modify certain authorities relating to closures and realignments under that Act."} | 2,387 | 278 | 0.501513 | 1.440516 | 0.701042 | 2.564315 | 8.917012 | 0.838174 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Return on Investment Accountability
Act''.
SEC. 2. PAYOR STATE CREDIT AMOUNT FOR INDIVIDUALS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter B of chapter 65 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 6427 the following
new section:
``SEC. 6428. PAYOR STATE CREDIT AMOUNT FOR INDIVIDUALS.
``(a) In General.--There shall be allowed to the taxpayer with
respect to each eligible individual as a credit against the tax imposed
by subtitle A for a taxable year an amount equal to the individual
payor State amount.
``(b) Individual Payor State Amount.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) In general.--The term `individual payor State amount'
means the amount that is the same proportion of the payor State
amount as the ratio that one bears to all eligible individuals
of the State for the calendar year preceding the calendar year
in which the taxable year begins.
``(2) Payor state amount.--The term `payor State amount'
means the amount equal to the excess (if any) of--
``(A) the Federal tax burden of the State for the
calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the
taxable year begins, over
``(B) the Federal outlays received by the State for
such preceding calendar year for the calendar year
preceding the calendar year in which the taxable year
begins.
``(3) Federal tax burden and federal outlays.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall calculate
the Federal tax burden of each State for each calendar
year and the Federal outlays received by the State for
the calendar year.
``(B) Federal tax burden.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
``(i) treat all Federal taxes paid by
eligible individuals as a burden on the State
in which such individual resides; and
``(ii) treat all Federal taxes paid by a
legal business entity as a burden on the State
in which economic activity of such entity is
performed in the same proportion that the
economic activity of such entity in such State
bears to the economic activity of such entity
in all the States.
``(C) Federal outlays.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), a Federal contract award shall be
treated as a Federal outlay received by each State in
which performance under the award takes place in the
same proportion that such performance in such State
bears to such performance in all the States.
``(4) Eligible individual.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible individual'
means any individual who is--
``(i) the taxpayer, the spouse of the
taxpayer, or a dependent of the taxpayer,
``(ii) a citizen of the United States or
lawfully present in the United States, and
``(iii) a resident of the payor State for
more than half of the taxable year.
``(B) Exception.--The term `eligible individual'
does not include--
``(i) any individual with respect to whom a
deduction under section 151 is allowable to
another taxpayer for a taxable year beginning
in the calendar year in which the individual's
taxable year begins, or
``(ii) an estate or trust.
``(c) Treatment of Credit.--The credit allowed by subsection (a)
shall be treated as allowed by subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1.
``(d) Coordination With Advance Refunds of Credit.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of credit which would (but
for this paragraph) be allowable under this section shall be
reduced (but not below zero) by the aggregate refunds and
credits made or allowed to the taxpayer under subsection (e).
Any failure to so reduce the credit shall be treated as arising
out of a mathematical or clerical error and assessed according
to section 6213(b)(1).
``(2) Joint returns.--In the case of a refund or credit
made or allowed under subsection (e) with respect to a joint
return, half of such refund or credit shall be treated as
having been made or allowed to each individual filing such
return.
``(e) Advance Refunds and Credits.--
``(1) In general.--Each individual who was an eligible
individual for a calendar year shall be treated as having made
a payment against the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such first
taxable year in an amount equal to the advance refund amount
for such taxable year.
``(2) Advance refund amount.--For purposes of paragraph
(1), the advance refund amount is the amount that would have
been allowed as a credit under this section for the taxable
year in which the calendar year begins (other than subsection
(d) and this subsection) had applied to such taxable year.
``(3) No interest.--No interest shall be allowed on any
overpayment attributable to this section.
``(f) Identification Number Requirement.--
``(1) In general.--No credit shall be allowed under
subsection (a) to an eligible individual who does not include
on the return of tax for the taxable year--
``(A) such individual's valid identification
number, and
``(B) in the case of a joint return, the valid
identification number of such individual's spouse.
``(2) Valid identification number.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), the term `valid identification number' means a
social security number issued to an individual by the Social
Security Administration. Such term shall not include a TIN
issued by the Internal Revenue Service.''.
(b) Administrative Amendments.--
(1) Definition of deficiency.--Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of
such Code is amended by inserting ``6428,'' after
``168(k)(4),''.
(2) Mathematical or clerical error authority.--Section
6213(g)(2) of such Code is amended by striking ``and'' at the
end of subparagraph (P), by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (R) and inserting ``, and'', and by inserting
after subparagraph (R) the following:
``(S) an omission of information required under
section 6428(f) to be included on a return.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Paragraph (2) of section 1324(b) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``6428,'' before ``or
6431''.
(2) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 65 of
such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 6427 the following new item:
``Sec. 6428. Payor State credit amount for individuals.''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act. | Return on Investment Accountability Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a refundable tax credit for eligible individuals who reside in states in which the federal tax burden of the state exceeds the federal outlays received by the state. An "eligible individual" is an individual who is: (1) the taxpayer, the spouse of the taxpayer, or a dependent of the taxpayer; (2) a citizen of the United States or lawfully present in the United States; and (3) a resident of the state for more than half of the year. The term does not include an estate, trust, or an individual for whom another taxpayer is allowed a deduction for a personal exemption. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Return on Investment Accountability Act"} | 1,604 | 147 | 0.524879 | 1.442687 | 0.665798 | 3.451852 | 10.577778 | 0.903704 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Economic Growth and Jobs Act of
1994''.
SEC. 2. TAX RELIEF IN THE EVENT OF LOW GROWTH.
(a) Low-Growth Report.--
(1) In general.--At any time, the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget (hereafter in this section referred to as
the ``Director'') shall notify the President and the Congress
if the Director has determined that for any of the periods
described in paragraph (2)--
(A) economic growth as measured by the change in
real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at an annual rate is
estimated to be less than 3 percent, and
(B) the rate of national unemployment (seasonally
adjusted) is estimated to be greater than 6.0 percent.
(2) Testing periods.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
periods described in this paragraph are--
(A) the period consisting of the quarter during
which the notification is given and the quarter
preceding such notification,
(B) the period consisting of the preceding 4
quarters, and
(C) the period consisting of the 4 quarters
following such notification.
(b) Presidential Authorization of Temporary Tax Reductions.--
(1) Presidential declaration.--After notification under
subsection (a), the President may issue a declaration that
temporary income tax reductions are required for a specified
calendar year to provide a quick and necessary fiscal stimulus
to the economy. Any such declaration shall be transmitted to
the Congress.
(2) Temporary tax modifications.--If the President
transmits a declaration under paragraph (1) to the Congress--
(A) Temporary tax reductions.--
(i) In general.--Effective for taxable
years beginning in the calendar year specified
in such declaration--
(I) the rates applicable to the
first income bracket in the tax tables
contained in section 1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 shall be reduced
by a percentage (not to exceed 13\1/3\
percent) specified in such declaration,
and
(II) the amounts set forth as tax
in such tables shall be adjusted to
reflect such rate reduction.
(ii) Withholding adjustments.--The
withholding tables or procedures prescribed by
the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate
under section 3402(a) of such Code shall be
modified so that, to the maximum extent
possible, the full calendar year effect of such
reduction is reflected through withholding
reductions during the portion of the calendar
year after such declaration.
(B) Temporary surtax where economic growth
requirements subsequently satisfied.--
(i) In general.--Effective for taxable
years beginning in the first subsequent
calendar year for which the economic growth
requirements of paragraph (3) are satisfied--
(I) each rate of tax in the tax
tables contained in section 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be
increased by the percentage determined
under paragraph (4) for such year, and
(II) the amounts set forth as tax
in such tables shall be adjusted to
reflect such rate increases.
(ii) Withholding adjustments.--Effective
for such subsequent calendar year, the
withholding tables or procedures prescribed by
the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate
under section 3402(a) of such Code shall be
modified to reflect the increase in tax rates
under clause (i).
(3) Economic growth requirements.--The economic growth
requirements of this paragraph are satisfied for any calendar
year if, before the beginning of such calendar year, the
President determines (and publishes such determination in the
Federal Register) that for such calendar year and the
immediately preceding calendar year--
(A) economic growth as measured by the change in
the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to
be greater than 4 percent, and
(B) the rate of national unemployment (seasonally
adjusted) is estimated to be less than 6.0 percent.
(4) Rate increase percentage.--The percentage determined
under this paragraph is the percentage increase in the tax
rates contained in section 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 which the President estimates will result in an aggregate
increase in receipts under chapter 1 of such Code equal to the
aggregate decrease in receipts under such Code by reason of
subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2). Such percentage shall be
published in the Federal Register before the beginning of the
calendar year for which the economic growth requirements of
paragraph (2) are satisfied.
(5) Special rules where more than 1 rate reduction.--If
there has been more than 1 reduction under paragraph (2)(A)
before any increase under paragraph (2)(B)--
(A) paragraph (2)(B) shall not be limited to the
first subsequent calendar year for which the economic
growth requirements of paragraph (3) are satisfied, but
(B) the percentage determined under paragraph (4)
for each such subsequent calendar year shall be
determined by taking into account only the decrease in
receipts under such Code with respect to taxable years
beginning in a single calendar year, beginning with the
earliest calendar year with respect to which a
percentage increase has not been determined under
paragraph (4).
SEC. 3. TREATMENT UNDER PAY-AS-YOU-GO PROCEDURES.
Any reduction or increase in receipts resulting from section 2 of
this Act shall not be considered for any purpose under the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. | Economic Growth and Jobs Act of 1994 - Grants the President authority to declare temporary tax reductions based on economic growth and the rate of national unemployment.
Provides for a temporary surtax when the economic growth requirements are subsequently satisfied. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Economic Growth and Jobs Act of 1994"} | 1,140 | 51 | 0.510617 | 1.165574 | 1.208448 | 2.651163 | 25.395349 | 0.837209 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Gun Show Accountability Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) more than 4,400 traditional gun shows are held annually
across the United States, attracting thousands of attendees per
show and hundreds of Federal firearms licensees and nonlicensed
firearms sellers;
(2) traditional gun shows, as well as flea markets and
other organized events, at which a large number of firearms are
offered for sale by Federal firearms licensees and nonlicensed
firearms sellers, form a significant part of the national
firearms market;
(3) firearms and ammunition that are exhibited or offered
for sale or exchange at gun shows, flea markets, and other
organized events move easily in and substantially affect
interstate commerce;
(4) in fact, even before a firearm is exhibited or offered
for sale or exchange at a gun show, flea market, or other
organized event, the gun, its component parts, ammunition, and
the raw materials from which it is manufactured have moved in
interstate commerce;
(5) gun shows, flea markets, and other organized events at
which firearms are exhibited or offered for sale or exchange,
provide a convenient and centralized commercial location at
which firearms may be bought and sold anonymously, often
without background checks and without records that enable gun
tracing;
(6) at gun shows, flea markets, and other organized events
at which guns are exhibited or offered for sale or exchange,
criminals and other prohibited persons obtain guns without
background checks and frequently use guns that cannot be traced
to later commit crimes;
(7) many persons who buy and sell firearms at gun shows,
flea markets, and other organized events cross State lines to
attend these events and engage in the interstate transportation
of firearms obtained at these events;
(8) gun violence is a pervasive, national problem that is
exacerbated by the availability of guns at gun shows, flea
markets, and other organized events;
(9) firearms associated with gun shows have been
transferred illegally to residents of another State by Federal
firearms licensees and nonlicensed firearms sellers, and have
been involved in subsequent crimes including drug offenses,
crimes of violence, property crimes, and illegal possession of
firearms by felons and other prohibited persons; and
(10) Congress has the power, under the interstate commerce
clause and other provisions of the Constitution of the United
States, to ensure, by enactment of this Act, that criminals and
other prohibited persons do not obtain firearms at gun shows,
flea markets, and other organized events.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF BRADY BACKGROUND CHECKS TO GUN SHOWS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(35) Gun Show.--The term `gun show' means any event--
``(A) at which 50 or more firearms are offered or exhibited
for sale, transfer, or exchange, if 1 or more of the firearms
has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects,
interstate or foreign commerce; and
``(B) at which 2 or more persons are offering or exhibiting
1 or more firearms for sale, transfer, or exchange.
``(36) Gun Show Promoter.--The term `gun show promoter' means any
person who organizes, plans, promotes, or operates a gun show.
``(37) Gun Show Vendor.--The term `gun show vendor' means any
person who exhibits, sells, offers for sale, transfers, or exchanges 1
or more firearms at a gun show, regardless of whether or not the person
arranges with the gun show promoter for a fixed location from which to
exhibit, sell, offer for sale, transfer, or exchange 1 or more
firearms.''
(b) Regulation of Firearms Transfers at Gun Shows.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 44 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 931. Regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows
``(a) Registration of Gun Show Promoters.--It shall be unlawful for
any person to organize, plan, promote, or operate a gun show unless
that person--
``(1) registers with the Secretary in accordance with
regulations promulgated by the Secretary; and
``(2) pays a registration fee, in an amount determined by
the Secretary.
``(b) Responsibilities of Gun Show Promoters.--It shall be unlawful
for any person to organize, plan, promote, or operate a gun show unless
that person--
``(1) not later that 30 days before commencement of the gun
show, notifies the Secretary of the date, time, duration, and
location of the gun show and any other information concerning
the gun show as the Secretary may require by regulation;
``(2) not later than 72 hours before commencement of the
gun show, submits to the Secretary an updated list of all gun
show vendors planning to participate in the gun show and any
other information concerning such vendors as the Secretary may
require by regulation;
``(3) before commencement of the gun show, verifies the
identity of each gun show vendor participating in the gun show
by examining a valid identification document (as defined in
section 1028(d)(1)) of the vendor containing a photograph of
the vendor;
``(4) before commencement of the gun show, requires each
gun show vendor to sign--
``(A) a ledger with identifying information
concerning the vendor; and
``(B) a notice advising the vendor of the
obligations of the vendor under this chapter; and
``(5) notifies each person who attends the gun show of the
requirements of this chapter, in accordance with such
regulations as the Secretary shall prescribe;
``(6) not later than 5 days after the last day of the gun
show, submits to the Secretary a copy of the ledger and notice
described in paragraph (4); and
``(7) maintains a copy of the records described in
paragraphs (2) through (4) at the permanent place of business
of the gun show promoter for such period of time and in such
form as the Secretary shall require by regulation.
``(c) Responsibilities of Transferors Other Than Licensees.--
``(1) In general.--If any part of a firearm transaction
takes place at a gun show, it shall be unlawful for any person
who is not licensed under this chapter to transfer a firearm to
another person who is not licensed under this chapter, unless
the firearm is transferred through a licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer in accordance with
subsection (e).
``(2) Criminal background checks.--A person who is subject
to the requirement of paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall not transfer the firearm to the
transferee until the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer through which the
transfer is made under subsection (e) makes the
notification described in subsection (e)(3)(A); and
``(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), shall not
transfer the firearm to the transferee if the licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer
through which the transfer is made under subsection (e)
makes the notification described in subsection
(e)(3)(B).
``(d) Responsibilities of Transferees Other Than Licensees.--
``(1) In general.--If any part of a firearm transaction
takes place at a gun show, it shall be unlawful for any person
who is not licensed under this chapter to receive a firearm
from another person who is not licensed under this chapter,
unless the firearm is transferred through a licensed importer,
licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer in accordance with
subsection (e).
``(2) Criminal background checks.--A person who is subject
to the requirement of paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall not receive the firearm from the
transferor until the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer through which the
transfer is made under subsection (e) makes the
notification described in subsection (e)(3)(A); and
``(B) notwithstanding subparagraph (A), shall not
receive the firearm from the transferor if the licensed
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer
through which the transfer is made under subsection (e)
makes the notification described in subsection
(e)(3)(B).
``(e) Responsibilities of Licensees.--A licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer who agrees to assist a person who is
not licensed under this chapter in carrying out the responsibilities of
that person under subsection (c) or (d) with respect to the transfer of
a firearm shall--
``(1) enter such information about the firearm as the
Secretary may require by regulation into a separate bound
record;
``(2) record the transfer on a form specified by the
Secretary;
``(3) comply with section 922(t) as if transferring the
firearm from the inventory of the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer to the designated transferee
(although a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer complying with this subsection shall not be
required to comply again with the requirements of section
922(t) in delivering the firearm to the nonlicensed
transferor), and notify the nonlicensed transferor and the
nonlicensed transferee--
``(A) of such compliance; and
``(B) if the transfer is subject to the
requirements of section 922(t)(1), of any receipt by
the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer of a notification from the national
instant criminal background check system that the
transfer would violate section 922 or would violate
State law;
``(4) not later than 10 days after the date on which the
transfer occurs, submit to the Secretary a report of the
transfer, which report--
``(A) shall be on a form specified by the Secretary
by regulation; and
``(B) shall not include the name of or other
identifying information relating to any person involved
in the transfer who is not licensed under this chapter;
``(5) if the licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or
licensed dealer assists a person other than a licensee in
transferring, at 1 time or during any 5 consecutive business
days, 2 or more pistols or revolvers, or any combination of
pistols and revolvers totaling 2 or more, to the same
nonlicensed person, in addition to the reports required under
paragraph (4), prepare a report of the multiple transfers,
which report shall be--
``(A) prepared on a form specified by the
Secretary; and
``(B) not later than the close of business on the
date on which the transfer occurs, forwarded to--
``(i) the office specified on the form
described in subparagraph (A); and
``(ii) the appropriate State law
enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which
the transfer occurs; and
``(6) retain a record of the transfer as part of the
permanent business records of the licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer.
``(f) Records of Licensee Transfers.--If any part of a firearm
transaction takes place at a gun show, each licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, and licensed dealer who transfers 1 or more firearms to a
person who is not licensed under this chapter shall, not later than 10
days after the date on which the transfer occurs, submit to the
Secretary a report of the transfer, which report--
``(1) shall be in a form specified by the Secretary by
regulation;
``(2) shall not include the name of or other identifying
information relating to the transferee; and
``(3) shall not duplicate information provided in any
report required under subsection (e)(4).
``(g) Firearm Transaction Defined.--In this section, the term
`firearm transaction' includes the exhibition, sale, offer for sale,
transfer, or exchange of a firearm.''.
(2) Penalties.--Section 924(a) of title 18, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7)(A) Whoever knowingly violates section 931(a) shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
``(B) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (b) or (c) of section
931, shall be--
``(i) fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2
years, or both; and
``(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent conviction,
such person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 5 years, or both.
``(C) Whoever willfully violates section 931(d), shall be--
``(i) fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 2
years, or both; and
``(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent conviction,
such person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 5 years, or both.
``(D) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (e) or (f) of section
931 shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years,
or both.
``(E) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this
paragraph, the Secretary may, with respect to any person who knowingly
violates any provision of section 931--
``(i) if the person is registered pursuant to section
931(a), after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend for
not more than 6 months or revoke the registration of that
person under section 931(a); and
``(ii) impose a civil fine in an amount equal to not more
than $10,000.''.
(3) Technical and conforming amendments.--Chapter 44 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in the chapter analysis, by adding at the end
the following:
``931. Regulation of firearms transfers at gun shows.''; and
(B) in the first sentence of section 923(j), by
striking ``a gun show or event'' and inserting ``an
event''; and
(c) Inspection Authority.--Section 923(g)(1) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(E) Notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the Secretary may enter
during business hours the place of business of any gun show promoter
and any place where a gun show is held for the purposes of examining
the records required by sections 923 and 931 and the inventory of
licensees conducting business at the gun show. Such entry and
examination shall be conducted for the purposes of determining
compliance with this chapter by gun show promoters and licensees
conducting business at the gun show and shall not require a showing of
reasonable cause or a warrant.''.
(d) Increased Penalties for Serious Recordkeeping Violations by
Licensees.--Section 924(a)(3) of title 18, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any licensed
dealer, licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed collector
who knowingly makes any false statement or representation with respect
to the information required by this chapter to be kept in the records
of a person licensed under this chapter, or violates section 922(m)
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or
both.
``(B) If the violation described in subparagraph (A) is in relation
to an offense--
``(i) under paragraph (1) or (3) of section 922(b), such
person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 5 years, or both; or
``(ii) under subsection (a)(6) or (d) of section 922, such
person shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more
than 10 years, or both.''.
(e) Increased Penalties for Violations of Criminal Background Check
Requirements.--
(1) Penalties.--Section 924 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``subsection (s)
or (t) of section 922'' and inserting ``section
922(s)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Whoever knowingly violates section 922(t) shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.''.
(2) Elimination of certain elements of offense.--Section
922(t)(5) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``and, at the time'' and all that follows through
``State law''.
(f) Effective Date.--This section and the amendments made by this
section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act. | Gun Show Accountability Act - Amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to prohibit any person from organizing, planning, promoting, or operating a gun show without: (1) registering with the Secretary of the Treasury and paying a registration fee; (2) notifying the Secretary, at least 30 days in advance, of the date, time, duration, and location of the show; (3) submitting to the Secretary, at least 72 hours in advance, an updated list of all show vendors planning to participate; (4) first verifying the identity of each show vendor participating by examining a valid identification document containing a photograph of the vendor; (5) first requiring each vendor to sign a ledger with identifying information and a notice advising the vendor of his or her obligations; (6) notifying each attendee of requirements under the Act; (7) submitting to the Secretary, at least five days after the end of the show, a copy of the ledger and notice; and (8) maintaining a copy of the records described above at the permanent place of business of the show promoter for such period of time and in such form as the Secretary shall require.
Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) responsibilities of transferors and transferees other than licensees, including criminal background check requirements; and (2) records of licensee transfers.
Sets penalties for violations of this Act.
Authorizes the Secretary to enter during business hours the place of business of any show promoter and any place where a show is held for purposes of examining required records and the inventory of licensees conducting business at the show, without a showing of reasonable cause or a warrant.
Increases penalties for: (1) serious recordkeeping violations by licensees; and (2) violations of criminal background check requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Gun Show Accountability Act"} | 3,777 | 378 | 0.539465 | 1.744379 | 0.616168 | 3.342029 | 10.142029 | 0.901449 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States Independent Film and
Television Production Incentive Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. TAX INCENTIVES FOR QUALIFIED UNITED STATES INDEPENDENT FILM AND
TELEVISION PRODUCTION.
(a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
(relating to business related credits) is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``SEC. 45G. UNITED STATES INDEPENDENT FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION
WAGE CREDIT.
``(a) Amount of Credit.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of section 38, the United
States independent film and television production wage credit
determined under this section with respect to any employer for
any taxable year is an amount equal to 25 percent of the
qualified wages paid or incurred during such taxable year.
``(2) Higher percentage for production employment in
certain areas.--In the case of qualified employees in any
qualified United States independent film and television
production located in an area eligible for designation as a
low-income community under section 45D or eligible for
designation by the Delta Regional Authority as a distressed
county or isolated area of distress, paragraph (1) shall be
applied by substituting `35 percent' for `25 percent'.
``(b) Only First $25,000 of Wages per Year Taken Into Account.--
With respect to each qualified United States independent film and
television production, the amount of qualified wages paid or incurred
to each qualified employee which may be taken into account for a
taxable year shall not exceed $25,000.
``(c) Qualified Wages.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified wages' means--
``(A) any wages paid or incurred by an employer for
services performed in the United States by an employee
while such employee is a qualified employee, and
``(B) the employee fringe benefit expenses of the
employer allocable to such services performed by such
employee.
``(2) Qualified employee.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified employee'
means, with respect to any period, any employee of an
employer if substantially all of the services performed
during such period by such employee for such employer
are performed in an activity related to any qualified
United States independent film and television
production in a trade or business of the employer.
``(B) Certain individuals not eligible.--Such term
shall not include--
``(i) any individual described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of section
51(i)(1), and
``(ii) any 5-percent owner (as defined in
section 416(i)(1)(B).
``(3) Coordination with other wage credits.--No credit
shall be allowed under any other provision of this chapter for
wages paid to any employee during any taxable year if the
employer is allowed a credit under this section for any of such
wages.
``(4) Wages.--The term `wages' has the same meaning as when
used in section 51.
``(5) Employee fringe benefit expenses.--The term `employee
fringe benefit expenses' means the amount allowable as a
deduction under this chapter to the employer for any taxable
year with respect to--
``(A) employer contributions under stock bonus,
pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan,
``(B) employer-provided coverage under any accident
or health plan for employees, and
``(C) the cost of life or disability insurance
provided to employees.
Any amount treated as wages under paragraph (1)(A) shall not be
taken into account under this subparagraph.
``(d) Qualified United States Independent Film and Television
Production.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified United States
independent film and television production' means any
production of any motion picture (whether released theatrically
or directly to video cassette or any other format), television
or cable programming, mini series, episodic television, movie
of the week, or pilot production for any of the preceding
productions if--
``(A) the majority of the days of principal
photography of the production are within the United
States (or in the case of the credit under subsection
(a)(2), the area described in such subsection),
``(B) the production is created primarily for use
as public entertainment or for educational purposes,
and
``(C) the total cost of qualified wages of the
production is more than $200,000 but less than
$10,000,000.
Such term shall not include any production if records are
required under section 2257 of title 18, United States Code, to
be maintained with respect to any performer in such production
(reporting of books, films, etc. with sexually explicit
conduct). For purposes of subparagraph (A), no day of
photography shall be considered a day of principal photography
unless the cost of wages for the production for that day
exceeds the average daily cost of wages for such production.
``(2) Public entertainment.--The term `public
entertainment' includes a motion picture film, video tape, or
television program intended for initial broadcast via the
public broadcast spectrum or delivered via cable distribution,
or productions that are submitted to a national organization in
existence on July 27, 2001, that rates films for violent or
adult content. Such term does not include any film or tape the
market for which is primarily topical, is otherwise essentially
transitory in nature, or is produced for private noncommercial
use.
``(3) Inflation adjustment.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of any taxable year
beginning in a calendar year after 2001, the
$10,000,000 amount contained in paragraph (1)(C) shall
be increased by an amount equal to--
``(i) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(ii) the cost-of-living adjustment under
section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by
substituting `calendar year 2000' for `calendar
year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
``(B) Rounding.--If any increase determined under
subparagraph (A) is not a multiple of $500,000, such
amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of
$500,000.
``(e) Controlled Groups.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) all employers treated as a single employer under
subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 shall be treated as a
single employer for purposes of this subpart, and
``(2) the credit (if any) determined under this section
with respect to each such employer shall be its proportionate
share of the wages giving rise to such credit.
``(f) Application of Certain Other Rules.--For purposes of this
section, rules similar to the rules of section 51(k) and subsections
(c) and (d) of section 52 shall apply.''.
(b) Credit Treated as Business Credit.--Section 38(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``plus'' at the
end of paragraph (14), by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(15) and inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(16) the United States independent film and television
production wage credit determined under section 45G(a).''.
(c) No Carrybacks.--Subsection (d) of section 39 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to carryback and carryforward of unused
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(11) No carryback of section 45g credit before effective
date.--No portion of the unused business credit for any taxable
year which is attributable to the United States independent
film and television production wage credit determined under
section 45G may be carried back to a taxable year ending before
the date of the enactment of section 45G.''.
(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--Subsection (a) of section 280C of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting ``45G(a),''
after ``45A(a),''.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart C of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``Sec. 45G. United States independent
film and television production
wage credit.''.
(f) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to amounts paid or incurred after the date of the enactment of
this Act in taxable years ending after such date. | United States Independent Film and Television Production Incentive Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a tax credit for 25 percent of up to the first $25,000 of qualified wages paid or incurred by an employer with respect to employees in any qualified U.S. independent film and television production during a taxable year. Increases the credit to 35 percent if the production is located in an area eligible for designation as a low-income community or eligible for designation by the Delta Regional Authority as a distressed county or isolated area of distress. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a United States independent film and television production wage credit."} | 1,961 | 118 | 0.705899 | 1.837889 | 0.616239 | 4.435644 | 17.683168 | 0.950495 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``College Savings Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS.
(a) Eligible Educational Institutions Permitted To Maintain
Qualified Tuition Programs.--
(1) In general.--Section 529(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (defining qualified State tuition program) is
amended by inserting ``or by one or more eligible educational
institutions'' after ``maintained by a State or agency or
instrumentality thereof''.
(2) Private qualified tuition programs limited to benefit
plans.--Clause (ii) of section 529(b)(1)(A) of such Code is
amended by inserting ``in the case of a program established and
maintained by a State or agency or instrumentality thereof,''
before ``may make''.
(3) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Sections 72(e)(9), 135(c)(2)(C), 135(d)(1)(D),
529, 530(b)(2)(B), 4973(e), and 6693(a)(2)(C) of such
Code are each amended by striking ``qualified State
tuition'' each place it appears and inserting
``qualified tuition''.
(B) The headings for sections 72(e)(9) and
135(c)(2)(C) of such Code are each amended by striking
``qualified state tuition'' and inserting ``qualified
tuition''.
(C) The headings for sections 529(b) and
530(b)(2)(B) of such Code are each amended by striking
``Qualified state tuition'' and inserting ``Qualified
tuition''.
(D) The heading for section 529 of such Code is
amended by striking ``state''.
(E) The item relating to section 529 in the table
of sections for part VIII of subchapter F of chapter 1
of such Code is amended by striking ``State''.
(b) Exclusion From Gross Income of Education Distributions From
Qualified Tuition Programs.--
(1) In general.--Section 529(c)(3)(B) of such Code
(relating to distributions) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) Distributions for qualified higher education
expenses.--For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) In-kind distributions.--No amount
shall be includible in gross income under
subparagraph (A) by reason of a distribution
which consists of providing a benefit to the
distributee which, if paid for by the
distributee, would constitute payment of a
qualified higher education expense.
``(ii) Cash distributions.--In the case of
distributions not described in clause (i), if--
``(I) such distributions do not
exceed the qualified higher education
expenses (reduced by expenses described
in clause (i)), no amount shall be
includible in gross income, and
``(II) in any other case, the
amount otherwise includible in gross
income shall be reduced by an amount
which bears the same ratio to such
amount as such expenses bear to such
distributions.
``(iii) Treatment as distributions.--Any
benefit furnished to a designated beneficiary
under a qualified tuition program shall be
treated as a distribution to the beneficiary
for purposes of this paragraph.
``(iv) Coordination with hope and lifetime
learning credits.--The total amount of
qualified higher education expenses with
respect to an individual for the taxable year
shall be reduced--
``(I) as provided in section
25A(g)(2), and
``(II) by the amount of such
expenses which were taken into account
in determining the credit allowed to
the taxpayer or any other person under
section 25A.
``(v) Coordination with education
individual retirement accounts.--If, with
respect to an individual for any taxable year--
``(I) the aggregate distributions
to which clauses (i) and (ii) and
section 530(d)(2)(A) apply, exceed
``(II) the total amount of
qualified higher education expenses
otherwise taken into account under
clauses (i) and (ii) (after the
application of clause (iv)) for such
year,
the taxpayer shall allocate such expenses among
such distributions for purposes of determining
the amount of the exclusion under clauses (i)
and (ii) and section 530(d)(2)(A).''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 135(d)(2)(B) of such Code is amended by
striking ``the exclusion under section 530(d)(2)'' and
inserting ``the exclusions under sections
529(c)(3)(B)(i) and 530(d)(2)''.
(B) Section 221(e)(2)(A) of such Code is amended by
inserting ``529,'' after ``135,''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000. | College Savings Protection Act- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) permit private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs; and (2) exclude distributions from such programs which are used to pay educational expenses from gross income. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit private educational institutions to maintain qualified tuition programs and to provide that distributions from such programs which are used to pay educational expenses shall not be includible in gross income."} | 1,163 | 46 | 0.539736 | 1.21768 | 1.017475 | 1.75 | 21.454545 | 0.840909 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of
Louisiana Confirmation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In 1903 and 1904, after presenting testimony before the
Dawes Commission, ancestors of the Jena Band of Choctaw were
identified as ``Fullblood Mississippi Choctaw Indians''.
(2) More than 60 percent of the membership on the Jena Band
of Choctaw roll dated December 1, 1984, and later submitted to
the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, on May 2, 1985, can
document possessing one-half or more Choctaw Indian blood
quantum based on descent from individuals listed as
``Mississippi Choctaw'' by the Dawes Commission or as
``Choctaw'' on the Indian Schedules of the 1900 Federal
Population Census.
(3) High blood degree such as that demonstrated and
documented by the Jena Band of Choctaw, although not a
requirement for maintaining a Federal tribal relationship
provides exceptional evidence which supports confirmation of
that relationship outside the normal administrative process,
because a group cannot maintain a high blood degree without a
continuity of close and significant social relationships which
in themselves demonstrate distinct social community.
(4) The Jena Band of Choctaw has retained a distinct
dialect of the Choctaw language on a continuous basis since
historic times, thus, providing supporting evidence that the
Jena Band has maintained itself as a separate and distinct
historic band of Choctaw.
(5) The Jena Band's Choctaw ancestors resided in close
proximity in historic Catahoula Parish, the predecessor to
modern Catahoula and La Salle Parishes, according to the 1880,
1900 and 1910 Federal population censuses; Federal documents
place the members of the Tribe in this same area in the 1930's
and 1950's; 72 percent of the Tribe's current membership still
resides in La Salle, and neighboring Grant and Rapides
Parishes, thus providing supporting evidence for continuity of
membership and location.
(6) The Jena Band of Choctaw can document and identify
traditional leaders by name from 1850 to 1968 and elected
leaders from 1974 to the present, which in the historical
context of their community provides supporting evidence for
continuity of political influence.
(7) Confirmation of the Federal relationship with the Tribe
is supported by all the federally recognized tribes in
Louisiana and by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ``Tribe'' means the Jena Band of Choctaw
Indians of Louisiana.
(2) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the
Interior.
(3) The term ``Interim Council'' means the Board of
Directors of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana.
(4) The term ``member'' means an individual who is enrolled
on the membership roll of the Tribe.
(5) The term ``State'' means the State of Louisiana.
SEC. 4. CONFIRMATION OF FEDERAL RELATIONSHIP.
Federal Recognition as a Tribe is hereby confirmed with regard to
the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana. All Federal laws of
general application to Indians and Indian tribes, including the Act of
June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984; 25 U.S.C. 461 et seq.), popularly known as
the ``Indian Reorganization Act'', shall apply with respect to the
Tribe and to the members.
SEC. 5. RECOGNITION OF RIGHTS.
(a) Existing Rights of Tribe.--Nothing in this Act may be construed
to diminish any rights or privileges of the Tribe, or of its members,
that existed prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Existing Rights and Obligations.--Except as otherwise
specifically provided in this Act, nothing in this Act may be construed
as altering or affecting--
(1) any rights or obligations with respect to property,
(2) any rights or obligations under any contract,
(3) any hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, or water
rights of the Tribe or its members, or
(4) any obligation to pay a tax levied before the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. FEDERAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and without regard to
the existence of a reservation, the Tribe and its members shall be
eligible, on and after the date of enactment of this Act, for all
Federal services and benefits furnished to federally recognized Indian
tribes or their members. In the case of Federal services available to
members of federally recognized tribes residing on a reservation,
members of the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana residing in La
Salle, Rapides, and Grant Parishes, Louisiana, shall be deemed to be
residing on a reservation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the Tribe shall be considered an Indian tribe for the purpose of the
Indian Tribal Government Tax Status Act (26 U.S.C. 7871).
SEC. 7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Plan for Economic Development.--The Secretary shall--
(1) enter into negotiations with the governing body of the
Tribe with respect to establishing a plan for economic
development for this Tribe;
(2) in accordance with this section and not later than 2
years after the adoption of a tribal constitution as provided
in section 10, develop such a plan; and
(3) upon the approval of such plan by the governing body of
the Tribe, submit such plan to the Congress.
(b) Restrictions To Be Contained in Plan.--Any proposed transfer of
real property contained in the plan developed by the Secretary under
subsection (a) shall be consistent with the requirements of section 11
of this Act.
SEC. 8. INTERIM GOVERNMENT.
Until such time as a constitution for the Tribe is adopted in
accordance with section 10(a), the Tribe shall be governed by the
Interim Council.
SEC. 9. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Base Roll.--The Jena Band of Choctaw membership list dated
December 1, 1984, and submitted to the Assistant Secretary, Indian
Affairs, on May 2, 1985, shall constitute the base roll of the Tribe
subject to the review and approval of the Secretary.
(b) Eligibility.--(1) Until a tribal constitution is adopted, a
person shall be placed on the Jena membership roll, if the individual
is living, possesses at least one-fourth or more Choctaw Indian blood
quantum derived directly from those Choctaw who lived in the historic
Catahoula Parish, and is not an enrolled member of another federally
recognized tribe, and if--
(A) that individual's name is listed on the Jena Band of
Choctaw membership list dated December 1, 1984, submitted to
the Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs, on May 2, 1985;
(B) that individual is not listed on but meets the
requirements established by the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of
Louisiana in its Articles of Incorporation, filed and recorded
in the State of Louisiana on May 22, 1974, which had to be met
to be included on the Jena Band's list dated December 1, 1984;
or
(C) that individual is a lineal descendant of an
individual, living or dead, identified by subparagraph (A) or
(B).
(2) After adoption of a tribal constitution, such constitution
shall govern membership in the Tribe. In addition to meeting any other
criteria imposed in such tribal constitution, any person added to the
roll must be of Choctaw ancestry derived directly from those Choctaw
who lived in the historic Catahoula Parish and cannot be a member of
another federally recognized Indian tribe.
SEC. 10. TRIBE CONSTITUTION.
(a) In General.--Upon the written request of the Interim Council,
the Secretary shall conduct, by secret ballot, an election to adopt a
constitution for the Tribe which is consistent with this Act. Such
constitution shall be submitted by the Interim Council to the Secretary
no later than 1 year following the date of enactment of this Act.
Absentee balloting shall be permitted regardless of voter residence.
The election shall be conducted in accordance with section 16 of the
Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 987; 25 U.S.C. 476), as amended.
(b) Election of Tribal Officials.--Not later than 120 days after
the Tribe adopts a tribal constitution, the Secretary shall conduct an
election by secret ballot for the purpose of electing tribal officials
as provided in the constitution. Such election shall be conducted
according to the procedures stated in subsection (a) except to the
extent that such procedures conflict with the tribal constitution.
(c) Tribal Government.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
the governing body of the Tribe established under the constitution
adopted under subsection (a), shall be treated as an Indian tribal
government for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and all
other Federal laws of general application to Indians and Indian tribes,
including the Act of June 18, 1934 (48 Stat. 984; 25 U.S.C. 461 et
seq.), as amended.
SEC. 11. REAL PROPERTY.
(a) Subject to Existing Rights and Obligations.--Any real property
taken in trust by the Secretary shall be subject to--
(1) all legal rights and interests in such lands existing
at the time of acquisition of such land by the Secretary,
including any lien, mortgage, or previously levied and
outstanding State or local tax;
(2) foreclosure or sale in accordance with the laws of the
State of Louisiana pursuant to the terms of any valid
obligation in existence at the time of the acquisition of such
land by the Secretary; and
(3) the provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.).
(b) Tax Exemption.--Any real property held in trust by the
Secretary pursuant to this Act shall be exempt from Federal, State, and
local taxation on and after the date such property is accepted by the
Secretary.
Passed the Senate August 5 (legislative day, June 30),
1993.
Attest:
WALTER J. STEWART,
Secretary. | Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana Confirmation Act - Confirms and extends Federal recognition and associated services and benefits to the Jena Band of Choctaw of Louisiana.
Directs that the Tribe be governed by an Interim Council until the Secretary of the Interior, upon the written request of the Council, conducts an election to adopt a constitution for the Tribe, and for the election of tribal officials.
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate an economic development plan with the Tribe. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Jena Band of Choctaw Indians of Louisiana Confirmation Act"} | 2,354 | 116 | 0.540316 | 1.48304 | 0.447589 | 2.835165 | 22.637363 | 0.923077 |
SECTION 1. TEMPORARY DUTY SUSPENSION.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of Chapter 99 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in
numerical sequence the following new headings:
`` 9902.32.12 3-acetoxy-2-
methylbenzoyl
chloride (CAS No.
167678-46-8)
(provided for in
subheading
2918.29.65)........ Free No change On or before 3/30/
97
9902.32.13 2S, 3R-N-Cbz-3-amino-
1-chloro-4-
phenylsulfanyl-
butan-2-ol (CAS No.
159878-02-1)
(provided for in
subheading
2922.19.60)........ Free No change On or before 3/30/
97
9902.32.14 N-(1,1-
dimethylethyl)
decahydro-2-[2-
hydroxy-3-[(3-
hydroxy-2-
methylbenzoyl)
amino]-4-
(phenylthio)butyl]-
3-
isoquinolinecarboxa
mide, [3S-
[2(2S*,3S*),
3.a.,4a.b.,8a.b.]]
(CAS No. 159989-64-
7) (provided for in
subheading
2933.40.60)........ Free No change On or before 3/30/
97
''
(b) Effective Date.--
(1) In general.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
applies with respect to goods entered or withdrawn from
warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Retroactive application to certain entries.--
Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19
U.S.C. 1514) or any other provision of law, upon proper request
filed with the Customs Service before the 90th day after the
date of the enactment of this Act, any entry, or withdrawal
from warehouse for consumption, of any goods described in
subheading 9902.32.12, 9902.32.13, or 9902.32.14 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (as amended by
subsection (a)) that was made--
(A) on or after August 1, 1996, and
(B) before the 15th day after the date of the
enactment of this Act,
shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry or
withdrawal occurred on the 15th day after the date of the
enactment of this Act. | Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through March 30, 1997, the duty on certain chemicals used in the formulation of an HIV protease inhibitor. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To suspend temporarily the duty on certain chemicals used in the formulation of an HIV Protease Inhibitor."} | 598 | 40 | 0.38033 | 1.028761 | -0.179997 | 1.575758 | 13.242424 | 0.606061 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``North Korea Nonproliferation and
Accountability Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) On February 12, 2013, the Government of North Korea
declared that it had conducted its third test of a nuclear
device, following its first self-declared test on October 9,
2006, and its second test on May 25, 2009.
(2) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718,
adopted on October 14, 2006, condemned the nuclear test
proclaimed by North Korea on October 9, 2006, in flagrant
disregard of its relevant resolutions, in particular Security
Council Resolution 1695 (2006), and demanded that North Korea
not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic
missile; immediately retract its announcement of withdrawal
from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
done at Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and
entered into force March 5, 1970 (NPT); and return to the NPT
and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
(3) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 further
decided that North Korea shall suspend all activities related
to its ballistic missile program and in this context re-
establish its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on
missile launching; shall abandon all nuclear weapons and
existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable, and
irreversible manner; shall act strictly in accordance with the
obligations applicable to parties under the NPT and the terms
and conditions of its IAEA Safeguards Agreement; shall provide
the IAEA transparency measures extending beyond these
requirements, including such access to individuals,
documentation, equipments and facilities as may be required and
deemed necessary by the IAEA; and shall abandon all other
existing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and its ballistic
missile program in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible
manner.
(4) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 also
required United Nations Member States to prevent--
(A) transfers to, and procurement from, North Korea
of--
(i) items, materials, equipment, goods, and
technology listed in the resolution; and
(ii) other items, determined by the
Security Council or the 1718 Committee, which
could contribute to North Korea's nuclear-
related, ballistic missile-related, or other
weapons of mass destruction-related programs;
(B) certain military equipment or technology
transfers related to the prohibited items; and
(C) the transfer of luxury goods to North Korea.
(5) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1718 further
required United Nations Member States to prevent the entry into
and transit through their territories of individuals designated
by the Security Council or the 1718 Committee as being
responsible for North Korea's ballistic missile-related,
nuclear-related, or other weapons of mass destruction-related
programs, and the immediate freezing of funds, other financial
assets, and economic resources of persons or entities
designated by the Security Council or the 1718 Committee as
being engaged in or providing support for such programs, or by
persons or entities acting on their behalf or at their
direction.
(6) On May 25, 2009, the Government of North Korea declared
that it had conducted a second test of a nuclear device.
(7) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1874,
adopted on June 12, 2009--
(A) decided that North Korea shall abandon all
nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a
complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner;
(B) authorized and required United Nations Member
States to seize and dispose of proscribed illicit North
Korea items related to its missile, nuclear, and WMD
programs identified in inspections called for by the
resolution;
(C) banned the export to North Korea of all arms
and related material other than small arms and light
weapons; and
(D) decided that Member States shall--
(i) prevent the provision of financial
services or the transfer to, through, or from
their territory of any financial or other
assets or resources that could contribute to
North Korea's nuclear-related, ballistic
missile-related, or other WMD-related programs
or activities; and
(ii) deny fuel or supplies to service the
vessels carrying them except where necessary on
humanitarian grounds.
(8) On December 12, 2012, in flagrant defiance of past
United Nations Security Council resolutions, the international
community, and its Six-Party partners, the Government of North
Korea launched a three-stage, long-range missile, which
overflew Japanese territory near Okinawa and dropped debris
into the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, and waters adjacent to
the Philippines.
(9) The United Nations Security Council adopted Security
Council Resolution 2087 on January 22, 2013, which condemned
North Korea's December 12, 2012, missile launch as a breach of
Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, demanded that North
Korea ``abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear
programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner,''
and expressed the determination of the Security Council ``to
take significant action in the event of a further DPRK launch
or nuclear test''.
(10) the transition to the leadership of Kim Jong-Un after
the death of Kim Jong-Il has introduced new uncertainties, yet
the fundamental human rights and humanitarian conditions inside
North Korea remain deplorable, thousands of North Koreans
remain imprisoned in modern-day gulags, North Korean refugees
remain acutely vulnerable, and the findings in the North Korean
Human Rights Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-333; 22 U.S.C. 7801 et
seq.), the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of
2008 (Public Law 110-346), and the Ambassador James R. Lilley
and Congressman Stephen J. Solarz North Korea Human Rights
Reauthorization Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-172) remain
substantially accurate today.
(11) There has been extensive military cooperation between
the Governments of North Korea and Iran that dates back to the
1980s.
(12) The latest provocative and defiant action by the
Government of North Korea represents a direct threat to the
United States and to our regional allies and partners.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the test of a nuclear device by the Government of North
Korea on February 12, 2013, and the missile launch of December
12, 2012, represent flagrant violations of the sanctions regime
created by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1695
(2006), 1718 (2006), and 1874 (2009), the test of the nuclear
device on February 12, 2013, is a clear, deliberate, and
provocative violation of United Nations Security Resolution
2087 (2013), and the Government of North Korea continues to
defy the United Nations, its Six-Party partners, and the
international community;
(2) all Member States of the United Nations should
immediately implement and enforce sanctions imposed by these
resolutions and censure North Korea;
(3) the Government of North Korea should abandon and
dismantle its provocative ballistic missile and nuclear weapons
programs, cease its proliferation activities, and come into
immediate compliance with all United Nations Security Council
resolutions and its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement
of the Six-Party Talks;
(4) restrictions against the Government of North Korea,
including sanctions that ban the importation into the United
States of unlicensed North Korean products and goods, should
remain in effect until the Government of North Korea no longer
engages in activities that threaten the United States, our
allies and partners, and global peace and stability;
(5) the United States Government should seek a new round of
United Nations Security Council sanctions, including the public
identification of all North Korean and foreign banks, business,
and government agencies suspected of conduct that violates
United Nations Security Council resolutions, and implementing
necessary measures to ensure enforcement of such sanctions;
(6) all United Nations Member States should--
(A) further strengthen efforts to prevent the
transfer of military and dual-use technologies to North
Korea, including an expansion of the list of sanctioned
materials identified by the United Nations Panel of
Experts on North Korea sanctions and the items on the
Nuclear Suppliers Group lists;
(B) exercise enhanced vigilance including
monitoring the activities of their nationals, persons
in their territories, financial institutions, and other
entities with or on behalf of financial institutions in
North Korea, or of those that act on behalf or at the
direction of financial institutions in North Korea,
including their branches, representatives, agents, and
subsidiaries abroad; and
(C) prevent transshipments that relate to North
Korean military, missile, and nuclear programs and
proliferation activities;
(7) the United States Government should explore appropriate
measures by the United States Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific
region, including in partnership with the armed forces of
others countries in the region, to safeguard the national
interests, security, and livelihood of the United States and
its people, as well as those of United States allies and
partners in the region; and
(8) the United States Government, acting through its
appropriate diplomatic representatives, should secure the
agreement of the United Nations Human Rights Council and
General Assembly to adopt the recommendations made in the
February 1, 2013, report of Marzuki Darusman, Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, that an inquiry mechanism should be
established to investigate North Korea's ``grave, widespread
and systematic violations of human rights,'' as well as to
analyze whether crimes against humanity are being perpetrated
in North Korea.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than May 15, 2013, the Secretary of State shall conduct,
coordinate, and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on United
States policy towards North Korea based on a full and complete
interagency review of current policy and possible alternatives,
including North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile
programs and human rights atrocities. The report shall include
recommendations for such legislative or administrative action as the
Secretary considers appropriate in light of the results of the review.
SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed as a declaration of war or
an authorization for the use of force against North Korea.
Passed the Senate February 25, 2013.
Attest:
NANCY ERICKSON,
Secretary. | (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on February 14, 2013. North Korea Nonproliferation and Accountability Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: the test of a nuclear device by North Korea on February 12, 2013, and the missile launch of December 12, 2012, represent flagrant violations of the sanctions regime created by United Nations (U.N.) Security Council Resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874; the February 12, 2013 test of the nuclear device is a clear and provocative violation of Security Resolution 2087; North Korea continues to defy the U.N., its Six-Party partners, and the international community; U.N. member states should implement and enforce sanctions imposed by these resolutions and censure North Korea; North Korea should dismantle its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs, cease its proliferation activities, and comply with all relevant resolutions and its commitments; restrictions against North Korea should remain in effect until it no longer threatens the United States, our allies, and global peace; the United States should seek a new round of Security Council sanctions; U.N. member states should strengthen efforts to prevent the transfer of military and dual-use technologies to North Korea, monitor the activities of their nationals, financial institutions, and other entities with or on behalf of North Korean financial institutions, and prevent transshipments that relate to North Korean military, missile, and nuclear programs and proliferation activities; the United States should explore all appropriate measures for enhanced military operations by the U.S. Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific region in order to safeguard U.S. national interests; and the United States should secure the agreement of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and General Assembly to adopt the recommendations made in the February 2013 report of Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, that an inquiry mechanism should be established to investigate North Korea's systematic violations of human rights, as well as to analyze whether crimes against humanity are being perpetrated in North Korea. Directs the Secretary of State to conduct and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on U.S. policy towards North Korea. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of force against North Korea. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "North Korea Nonproliferation and Accountability Act of 2013"} | 2,164 | 503 | 0.565818 | 1.925607 | 0.655408 | 5.511468 | 4.951835 | 0.947248 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act
of 2003''.
SEC. 2. REFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR HEALTH CARE COSTS.
(a) In General.--Section 35 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to health insurance costs of eligible individuals) is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 35. HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS.
``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by subtitle A an amount
equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer for insurance which
constitutes medical care for the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and
dependents.
``(b) Limitation.--The credit allowed by subsection (a) for the
taxable year shall not exceed the sum of--
``(1) the taxpayer's net income tax for the taxable year,
and
``(2) the taxpayer's social security taxes (as defined in
section 24(d)) for such taxable year.
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term `net income tax' means the sum
of the regular tax liability and the tax imposed by section 55, reduced
by the credits allowable under this part (other than this subpart).
``(c) Denial of Double Benefit.--Any amount allowed as a credit
under this section shall not be taken into account in determining the
amount of any deduction under this chapter.''
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 162(l) of such Code is hereby repealed.
(2) Section 202 of the Trade Act of 2002, and the
amendments made by such section, is hereby repealed, and the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall be applied as if such
section had not been enacted.
(3) The item relating to section 35 in the table of
sections for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of such Code is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 35. Health insurance costs.''
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
SEC. 3. DISPOSITION OF UNUSED HEALTH BENEFITS IN CAFETERIA PLANS AND
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ARRANGEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to cafeteria plans) is amended by redesignating subsections
(h) and (i) as subsections (i) and (j), respectively, and by inserting
after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Carryforwards or Payments of Certain Unused Health
Benefits.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this title, a plan or
other arrangement shall not fail to be treated as a cafeteria
plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include
a health flexible spending arrangement under which not more
than $500 of unused health benefits may be--
``(A) carried forward to the succeeding plan year
of such health flexible spending arrangement, or
``(B) paid to or on behalf of an employee as
compensation as of the end of such plan year or upon
the termination of, or failure to re-enroll in, such
plan or arrangement.
``(2) Distribution of unused health benefits on behalf of
employee.--For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), unused health
benefits paid as compensation on behalf of an employee by the
employer shall be--
``(A) includible in gross income and wages of the
employee, whether or not a deduction for such payment
is allowable under this title to the employee, and
``(B) excludable from--
``(i) gross income to the extent provided
under section 402(e), 457(a) (with respect to
contributions to an eligible deferred
compensation plan (as defined in section
457(b)) of an eligible employer described in
section 457(e)(1)(A)), or 220, and
``(ii) wages to the extent otherwise
provided for amounts so excludable.
``(3) Health flexible spending arrangement.--For purposes
of this subsection, the term `health flexible spending
arrangement' means a flexible spending arrangement (as defined
in section 106(c)) that is a qualified benefit and only permits
reimbursement for expenses for medical care (as defined in
section 213(d)(1) (without regard to subparagraphs (C) and (D)
thereof).
``(4) Unused health benefits.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `unused health benefits' means the excess
of--
``(A) the maximum amount of reimbursement allowable
during a plan year under a health flexible spending
arrangement, over
``(B) the actual amount of reimbursement during
such year under such arrangement.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
SEC. 4. EXPANSION OF AVAILABILITY OF ARCHER MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.
(a) Repeal of Dollar Limitations on Amount That May Be Contributed
to Archer MSA.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (b) of section 220 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to limitations) is
amended by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) and by
redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as (1) through (4),
respectively.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Paragraph (1) of section 106(b)
of such Code is amended by striking ``to the extent'' and all
that follows and inserting a period.
(b) Repeal of Limitations on Number of Medical Savings Accounts.--
(1) In general.--Subsections (i) and (j) of section 220 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 are hereby repealed.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Paragraph (1) of section 220(c) of such Code is
amended by striking subparagraph (D).
(B) Section 138 of such Code is amended by striking
subsection (f).
(c) Availability Not Limited to Accounts for Employees of Small
Employers and Self-Employed Individuals.--
(1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 220(c)(1) of
such Code (relating to eligible individual) is amended to read
as follows:
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible individual'
means, with respect to any month, any individual if--
``(i) such individual is covered under a
high deductible health plan as of the 1st day
of such month, and
``(ii) such individual is not, while
covered under a high deductible health plan,
covered under any health plan--
``(I) which is not a high
deductible health plan, and
``(II) which provides coverage for
any benefit which is covered under the
high deductible health plan.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 220(c)(1) of such Code is amended by
striking subparagraph (C).
(B) Section 220(c) of such Code is amended by
striking paragraph (4) (defining small employer) and by
redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (4).
(C) Section 220(b) of such Code is amended by
striking paragraph (4) (relating to deduction limited
by compensation) and by redesignating paragraphs (5),
(6), and (7) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6),
respectively.
(d) Both Employers and Employees May Contribute to Medical Savings
Accounts.--Paragraph (4) of section 220(b) of such Code (as
redesignated by subsection (b)(2)(C)) is amended to read as follows:
``(4) Coordination with exclusion for employer
contributions.--The limitation which would (but for this
paragraph) apply under this subsection to the taxpayer for any
taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the
amount which would (but for section 106(b)) be includible in
the taxpayer's gross income for such taxable year.''.
(e) Reduction of Permitted Deductibles Under High Deductible Health
Plans.--
(1) In general.--Subparagraph (A) of section 220(c)(2) of
such Code (defining high deductible health plan) is amended--
(A) by striking ``$1,500'' in clause (i) and
inserting ``$1,000''; and
(B) by striking ``$3,000'' in clause (ii) and
inserting ``$2,000''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Subsection (g) of section 220 of
such Code is amended to read as follows:
``(g) Cost-of-Living Adjustment.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of any taxable year
beginning in a calendar year after 1998, each dollar amount in
subsection (c)(2) shall be increased by an amount equal to--
``(A) such dollar amount, multiplied by
``(B) the cost-of-living adjustment determined
under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
such taxable year begins by substituting `calendar year
1997' for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B)
thereof.
``(2) Special rules.--In the case of the $1,000 amount in
subsection (c)(2)(A)(i) and the $2,000 amount in subsection
(c)(2)(A)(ii), paragraph (1)(B) shall be applied by
substituting `calendar year 2002' for `calendar year 1997'.
``(3) Rounding.--If any increase under paragraph (1) or (2)
is not a multiple of $50, such increase shall be rounded to the
nearest multiple of $50.''.
(f) Providing Incentives for Preferred Provider Organizations To
Offer Medical Savings Accounts.--Clause (ii) of section 220(c)(2)(B) of
such Code is amended by striking ``preventive care if'' and all that
follows and inserting ``preventive care.''
(g) Medical Savings Accounts May Be Offered Under Cafeteria
Plans.--Subsection (f) of section 125 of such Code is amended by
striking ``106(b),''.
(h) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
SEC. 5. REPEAL OF 7.5 PERCENT THRESHOLD ON DEDUCTION FOR MEDICAL
EXPENSES.
(a) In General.--Subsection (a) of section 213 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to deduction for medical expenses) is
amended by striking ``to the extent that such expenses exceed 7.5
percent of adjusted gross income''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003. | Comprehensive Health Care Reform Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a limited tax credit for medical insurance; (2) set forth that a plan or other arrangement shall not cease to count as a cafeteria plan solely because qualified benefits under such plan include a health flexible spending arrangement under which not more than $500 of unused health benefits may be carried forward to the next year of such arrangement or paid to or on behalf of an employee as compensation from employment; (3) provide for (among other things), with respect to Archer Medical Savings Accounts, repealing limitations on the amount that may be contributed, repealing limitations on the number of such accounts, and expanding the availability of such accounts beyond employees of small employers and the self-employed; and (4) repeal the 7.5 percent threshold on the medical expense deduction. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make health care coverage more accessible and affordable."} | 2,498 | 177 | 0.512778 | 1.354466 | 0.615624 | 3.54491 | 12.988024 | 0.898204 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Holocaust Victims' Assets,
Restitution Policy, and Remembrance Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States should continue to lead the
international effort to identify, protect, and return looted
assets taken by the Nazis and their collaborators from victims
of the Holocaust.
(2) The citizens of the United States should understand
exactly how the United States Government dealt with the assets
looted from victims of the Nazis that came into its possession.
(3) The United States forces in Europe made extraordinary
efforts to locate and restitute assets taken by the Nazis and
their collaborators from victims of the Holocaust.
(4) However, the restitution policy formulated by the
United States and implemented in the countries in Europe
occupied by the United States had many inadequacies and fell
short of realizing the goal of returning stolen property to the
victims.
(5) As a result of these United States policies and their
implementation, there remain today many survivors or heirs of
survivors who have not had restored to them that which the
Nazis looted.
(6) The Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust
Assets in the United States, established in Public Law 105-186,
found the following:
(A) The United States authorities generally
restituted those victims' assets that came under United
States control to the national government of their
country of origin. In these cases the recipient
government bore the responsibility to locate the
rightful owner and to restitute the property turned
over to it by United States authorities. The Commission
found little evidence of efforts by these countries to
effect restitution and no evidence that the United
States monitored the recipient countries' compliance
with these responsibilities.
(B) The policy explained in subparagraph (A)
excluded those who no longer had a nation to represent
their interests, or who had fallen victim to the
ruthless efficiency of Nazi genocide and whose property
had been rendered heirless and unidentifiable. For
those cases, the United States designated ``successor
organizations'' to sell heirless and unclaimed property
and apply the proceeds to the care, resettlement, and
rehabilitation of victims. The adoption of this policy
led to many assets being too hastily labeled as
heirless or unidentifiable, with the result that they
were assigned to the successor organizations rather
than to the individuals themselves.
(C) The United States military government
established strict deadlines that created narrow
windows for filing petitions for restitution and
prevented many rightful owners from asserting their
rights.
(D) Even when property was returned to individual
owners or their heirs, it was often only after
protracted, cumbersome, and expensive administrative
proceedings that yielded settlements far less than the
full value of the assets concerned.
(E) Better policy implementation in Germany and
Austria would have prevented identifiable victims'
assets from being stored in disorganized and poorly
secured military warehouses and facilities where they
were occasionally subject to theft and requisitioning
by United States servicemen and civilian employees.
(F) In 1953, a Senate judiciary subcommittee
delving into the activities of the United States Office
of Alien Property (OAP) criticized the agency for
lacking good business practices in the way it handled
the assets under its control. The subcommittee
particularly singled out the ``inefficient and
dilatory'' manner in which claims were processed. Of
approximately 15,000 title claims only about 6,000 had
been processed.
(G) Congress regarded frozen German assets as a
source from which to pay United States war claims for
damages suffered by American businesses and
individuals. The United States War Claims Commission
received more than $200,000,000 from liquidated German
and Japanese assets. Thus, United States war claims
were paid in part by German assets that likely included
victims' assets.
(7) The United States Government should redress and improve
upon the results that occurred as a result of the policies it
established to assist the victims or their heirs to recover
property stolen from them during the Nazi regime.
(8) The best way to improve upon these results is to create
a single institution to serve as a centralized repository for
research and information about Holocaust-era assets.
(9) Enhancing these policies will also assist victims of
future armed conflicts around the world.
(10) The conference on Material Claims Against Germany has
worked since 1951 with the Government of the United States and
with other governments to accomplish material restitution of
the looted assets of Holocaust victims, wherever those assets
were identified, and has played a major role in allocating
unclaimed restitution funds, including funds contributed by the
United States, to the Nazi Persecutee Relief Fund.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES.
(a) Establishment.--There is established as an independent entity
of the executive branch of the United States Government the National
Foundation for the Study of Holocaust Assets (in this Act referred to
as the ``Foundation'').
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Foundation are--
(1) to serve as a centralized repository for research and
information about Holocaust-era assets by--
(A) compiling and publishing a comprehensive report
that integrates and supplements where necessary the
research on Holocaust-era assets prepared by various
countries' commissions on the Holocaust;
(B) working with the Department of State's Special
Envoy for Holocaust Issues to review the degree to
which foreign governments have implemented the
principles adopted at the Washington Conference on
Holocaust-era Assets and the Vilnius International
Forum on Holocaust-era Looted Cultural Property, and
should encourage the signatories that have not yet
implemented those principles to do so; and
(C) collecting and disseminating information about
restitution programs around the world;
(2) to create tools to assist individuals and institutions
to determine the ownership of Holocaust victims' assets and to
enable claimants to obtain the speedy resolution of their
personal property claims by--
(A) ensuring the implementation of the agreements
entered into by the Presidential Advisory Commission on
Holocaust Assets in the United States with the American
Association of Museums and the Association of Art
Museum Directors to provide for the establishment and
maintenance of a searchable central registry of
Holocaust-era cultural property in the United States,
beginning with European paintings and Judaica;
(B) funding grants to museums, libraries,
universities, and other institutions that hold
Holocaust-era cultural property and adhere to the
agreements referred to in subparagraph (A), to conduct
provenance research;
(C) encouraging the creation and maintenance of
mechanisms such as a computerized, searchable database
of Holocaust victims' claims for the restitution of
personal property;
(D) funding a cross match of records developed by
the 50 States of escheated property from the Holocaust
era against databases of victims' names and publicizing
the results of this effort;
(E) assisting State governments in the preservation
and automation of records of unclaimed property that
may include Holocaust-era property; and
(F) regularly publishing lists of Holocaust-era
artwork returned to claimants by museums in the United
States;
(3) to work with private sector institutions to develop and
promote common standards and best practices for research and
information gathering on Holocaust-era assets by--
(A) promoting and monitoring banks' implementation
of the suggested best practices developed by the
Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in
the United States and the New York Bankers'
Association; and
(B) promoting the development of common standards
and best practices for research by United States
corporations into their records concerning whether they
conducted business with Nazi Germany in the period
preceding the onset of hostilities in December 1941;
and
(4) other purposes the Board considers appropriate.
SEC. 4. BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
(a) Membership and Terms.--The Foundation shall have a Board of
Directors (in this Act referred to as the ``Board''), which shall
consist of 17 members, each of whom shall be a United States citizen.
(b) Appointment.--Members of the Board shall be appointed as
follows:
(1) Nine members of the Board shall be individuals
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate.
(2) Eight members of the Board shall be individuals
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate, after consideration of the recommendations of
the Congressional leadership, as follows:
(A) Two members each shall be appointed after
consideration of the recommendations of the Majority
Leader of the Senate and after consideration of the
recommendations of the Minority Leader of the Senate.
(B) Two members each shall be appointed after
consideration of the recommendations of the Speaker of
the House of Representatives and after consideration of
the recommendations of the Minority Leader of the House
of Representatives.
(c) Chairman.--The President shall appoint a Chair from among the
members of the Board.
(d) Quorum and Voting.--A majority of the membership of the Board
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Voting shall
be by simple majority of those members voting.
(e) Meetings and Consultations.--The Board shall meet at the call
of the Chairman at least twice a year. Where appropriate, members of
the Board shall consult with relevant agencies of the Federal
Government, and with the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and
Museum.
(f) Reimbursements.--Members of the Board shall serve without pay,
but shall be reimbursed for the actual and necessary traveling and
subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties
of the Foundation.
SEC. 5. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
(a) Executive Director.--The Foundation shall have an Executive
Director appointed by the Board and such other officers as the Board
may appoint. The Executive Director and the other officers of the
Foundation shall be compensated at rates fixed by the Board and shall
serve at the pleasure of the Board.
(b) Employees.--Subject to the approval of the Board, the
Foundation may employ such individuals at such rates of compensation as
the Executive Director determines appropriate.
(c) Volunteers.--Subject to the approval of the Board, the
Foundation may accept the services of volunteers in the performance of
the functions of the Foundation.
SEC. 6. FUNCTION AND CORPORATE POWERS.
The Foundation--
(1) may conduct business in the United States and abroad;
(2) shall have its principal offices in the District of
Columbia or its environs; and
(3) shall have the power--
(A) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer,
and use any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely
or in trust, of real or personal property or any income
therefrom or other interest therein;
(B) to acquire by purchase or exchange any real or
personal property or interest therein;
(C) to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest,
retain, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal
property or income therefrom;
(D) to enter into contracts or other arrangements
with public agencies, private organizations, and other
persons, and to make such payments as may be necessary
to carry out its purposes; and
(E) to do any and all acts necessary and proper to
carry out the purposes of the Foundation.
SEC. 7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
The Foundation shall, as soon as practicable after the end of each
fiscal year, transmit to Congress a report of its proceedings and
activities during that fiscal year, including a full and complete
statement of its receipts, expenditures, and investments, and a
description of all acquisition and disposal of real property.
SEC. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.
The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Education, the
Secretary of State, and the heads of any other Federal agencies may
provide personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the
Foundation.
SEC. 9. SUNSET PROVISION.
The Foundation shall exist until September 30, 2011, at which time
the Foundation's functions and research materials and products shall be
transferred to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, or to other
appropriate entities, as determined by the Board.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Foundation such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
(b) Limitation.--No funds appropriated to carry out this Act may be
used to pay attorneys fees in the pursuit of private claims. | Holocaust Victims' Assets, Restitution Policy, and Remembrance Act - Establishes the National Foundation for the Study of Holocaust Assets as an independent entity of the Executive branch to: (1) serve as a centralized repository for research and information about Holocaust-era assets; and (2) create tools to assist individuals and institutions to determine the ownership of Holocaust victims' assets and to enable claimants to obtain the speedy resolution of their personal property claims. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish a National Foundation for the Study of Holocaust Assets."} | 2,699 | 97 | 0.493519 | 1.433501 | 0.700504 | 6.258824 | 30.2 | 0.988235 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Technology Retraining And Investment
Now Act of 2004'' or the ``TRAIN Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress hereby finds:
(1) The value added by workers in the United States and in
other countries is increasingly a function of the aggregate
knowledge acquired by workers through the aggregate educational
and training investments of both governments and businesses.
(2) The aggregate investment by governments of many of the
United States's trading partners in the education and training
of knowledge workers in those countries has exceeded the
aggregate per-worker investment by Federal, State, and local
governments in the United States.
(3) The disparity is evidenced by the declining educational
performance of students in the United States compared to their
counterparts in other countries.
(4) In an increasingly global and competitive marketplace
it is becoming increasingly difficult for United States-based
businesses to fund worker education and training that is
provided at no cost for similar workers in other countries by
their governments.
(5) The current global workforce environment creates
increasing competitive pressures on domestic companies to
utilize highly educated knowledge workers in other countries.
(6) It is in the interest of the United States government,
national security, the preservation of a strong middle class,
and the welfare of our Nation's workers to reverse this trend
in a fashion that is consistent with trade obligations and the
ability of domestic companies to compete globally.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to encourage businesses
and individuals to support the educational development of knowledge
workers in the United States by providing incentives for information
and communications technology education and training investments, for
workers requiring the use of those skills in professions such as
information or communications technology, engineering, manufacturing
and other fields, and for other purposes.
SEC. 3. CREDIT FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
AND TRAINING PROGRAM EXPENSES.
(a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 30B. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AND
TRAINING PROGRAM EXPENSES.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--
``(1) In general.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an
amount equal to 50 percent of information and communications
technology education and training program expenses paid or
incurred by the taxpayer for the benefit of--
``(A) in the case of a taxpayer engaged in a trade
or business, an employee of the taxpayer, or
``(B) in the case of a taxpayer who is an
individual not so engaged, such individual.
``(2) Coordination of credits.--Credit shall be allowable
to the employer with respect to an employee only to the extent
that the employee assigns some or all of the limitation
applicable to such employee under subsection (b) to such
employer.
``(b) Limitations.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of expenses with respect to
any individual which may be taken into account under subsection
(a) for the taxable year shall not exceed $8,000.
``(2) Increase in credit amount for participation in
certain programs and for certain individuals.--Paragraph (1)
shall be applied by substituting `$10,000' for `$8,000' in the
case of expenses--
``(A) with respect to a program operated--
``(i) in an empowerment zone or enterprise
community designated under part I of subchapter
U or a renewal community designated under part
I of subchapter X,
``(ii) in a school district in which at
least 50 percent of the students attending
schools in such district are eligible for free
or reduced-cost lunches under the school lunch
program established under the National School
Lunch Act,
``(iii) in an area designated as a disaster
area by the Secretary of Agriculture or by the
President under the Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act in the taxable year or
the 4 preceding taxable years,
``(iv) in a rural enterprise community
designated under section 766 of the
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1999,
``(v) in an area designated by the
Secretary of Agriculture as a Rural Economic
Area Partnership Zone,
``(vi) in an area over which an Indian
tribal government (as defined in section
7701(a)(40)) has jurisdiction, or
``(vii) by an employer who has 200 or fewer
employees for each business day in each of 20
or more calendar weeks in the current or
preceding calendar year, or
``(B) in the case of an individual with a
disability.
``(c) Information Technology Education and Training Program
Expenses.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The term `information technology
education and training program expenses' means expenses paid or
incurred by reason of the participation of the taxpayer (or any
employee of the taxpayer) in any information and communications
technology education and training program. Such expenses shall
include expenses paid in connection with--
``(A) course work,
``(B) certification testing,
``(C) programs carried out under the Act of August
16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et
seq) which are registered by the Department of Labor,
and
``(D) other expenses that are essential to
assessing skill acquisition.
``(2) Information technology education and training
program.--The term `information technology education and
training program' means a training program in information and
communications technology workplace disciplines or other skill
sets which is provided in the United States by an accredited
college, university, private career school, postsecondary
educational institution, a commercial information technology
provider, or an employer-owned information technology training
organization.
``(3) Commercial information technology training
provider.--The term `commercial information technology training
provider' means a private sector organization providing an
information and communications technology education and
training program.
``(4) Employer-owned information technology training
organization.--The term `employer-owned information technology
training organization' means a private sector organization that
provides information technology training to its employees using
internal training development and delivery personnel. The
training programs must use industry-recognized training
disciplines and evaluation methods, comparable to institutional
and commercial training providers.
``(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--
``(1) Disallowance of other credits and deductions.--No
deduction or credit shall be allowed under any other provision
of this chapter for expenses taken into account in determining
the credit under this section.
``(2) Reduction for hope and lifetime learning credits.--
The amount taken into account under subsection (a) shall be
reduced by the information technology education and training
program expenses taken into account in determining the credits
under section 25A.
``(e) Certain Rules Made Applicable.--For purposes of this section,
rules similar to the rules of section 45A(e)(2) and subsections (c),
(d), and (e) of section 52 shall apply.
``(f) Application With Other Credits.--The credit allowed by
subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the excess (if
any) of--
(1) the regular tax for the taxable year reduced by the sum
of the credits allowable under the subpart A and the previous
sections of this subpart, over
(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.''
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 30B. Information and
communications technology
education and training program
expenses.''
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to amounts paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2004.
SEC. 4. ELIGIBLE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
(a) In General.--Section 25A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (relating to eligible educational institution) is amended to read
as follows:
``(2) Eligible educational institution.--The term `eligible
educational institution' means--
``(A) an institution--
``(i) which is described in section 101(b)
or 102(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965,
and
``(ii) which is eligible to participate in
a program under title IV of such Act, or
``(B) a commercial information and communications
technology training provider (as defined in section
30B(c)(3)).''
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The second sentence of section 221(e)(2)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``section
25A(f)(2)'' and inserting ``section 25A(f)(2)(A)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003. | Technology Retraining And Investment Now Act of 2004 (TRAIN Act of 2004) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow businesses and individuals a tax credit for 50 percent of their information and communications technology education and training expenses up to $8,000 for a taxable year. Increases the allowable amount of the credit to $10,000 for expenses for a program operated: (1) in an empowerment zone, enterprise community, or renewal community; (2) in a school district in which at least 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches under the National School Lunch Act; (3) in an area designated as a disaster area under the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; (4) in a designated rural enterprise community; (5) in an area designated as a Rural Economic Area Partnership Zone; (6) in an area over which an Indian tribal government has jurisdiction; (7) by an employer who has 200 or fewer employees for each business day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year; or (8) for an individual with a disability.
Defines "information technology education and training program expenses" to include: (1) course work: (2) certification testing; (3) apprenticeship programs registered by the Department of Labor; and (4) other expenses that are essential to assessing skill acquisition.
Redefines" eligible educational institution" to include a commercial information and communications technology training provider. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income for certain education and training expenses, and for other purposes."} | 2,043 | 294 | 0.519295 | 1.710712 | 0.602804 | 3.867133 | 6.611888 | 0.951049 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Enterprise Communities Enhancement
Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FUNDING ENTITLEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES.
(a) Entitlement.--Section 2007(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1397f(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (A), by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B)
and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the end the following:
``(C) 7 grants under this section for each
qualified enterprise community that is in the State and
is designated pursuant to section 766 of the
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 1999.''.
(b) Amount of Grants.--Section 2007(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1397f(a)(2)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Additional enterprise community grants.--The
amount of the grant to a State under this section for
each qualified enterprise community referred to in
paragraph (1)(C) shall be $500,000, multiplied by the
proportion of the population of the community that
resides in the State.''.
(c) Timing of Grants.--Section 2007(a)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1397f(a)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Additional qualified enterprise
communities.--With respect to each qualified enterprise
community referred to in paragraph (1)(C), the
Secretary shall make 1 grant under this section to the
State in which the community lies on the first day of
fiscal year 2002 and of each of the 6 succeeding fiscal
years.''.
(d) Funding.--Section 2007(a)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1397f(a)(4)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(4) Funding.--$1,000,000,000'' and
inserting the following:
``(4) Funding.--
``(A) Original grants.--$1,000,000,000'';
(2) by inserting ``for empowerment zones and enterprise
communities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph
(1)'' before the period; and
(3) by adding after and below the end the following:
``(B) Additional enterprise community grants.--
$70,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary
for grants under this section for enterprise
communities referred to in paragraph (1)(C).''.
(e) Definitions.--
(1) Qualified enterprise community.--Section 2007(f)(2)(A)
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397f(f)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting
``or pursuant to section 766 of the Agriculture, Rural
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1999'' before the semicolon.
(2) Strategic plan.--Section 2007(f)(3) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 1397f(f)(3)) is amended by inserting ``or under section
766 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999''
before the period.
SEC. 3. USE OF GRANT FUNDS.
(a) Revolving Loan Activities.--Section 2007(b) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397f(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(5) Revolving loan activities.--
``(A) In general.--In order to assist disadvantaged
adults and youths in achieving and maintaining economic
self-support, a State may use amounts paid under this
section to fund revolving loan funds or similar
arrangements for the purpose of making loans to
residents, institutions, organizations, or businesses
that hire disadvantaged adults and youths.
``(B) Rules for disbursement.--Amounts to be used
as described in subparagraph (A) shall be disbursed by
the Secretary, consistent with the provisions of the
Cash Management Improvement Act and its implementing
rules, regulations, and procedures issued by the
Secretary of the Treasury--
``(i) in the case of a grant to a revolving
loan fund--
``(I) pursuant to a written
irrevocable grant commitment; and
``(II) at such time or times as the
Secretary determines that the funds are
needed to meet the purposes of such
commitment; or
``(ii) in the case of a grant for purposes
of capitalizing an insured depository
institution (as defined in section 3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813))
or an insured credit union (as defined in
section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12
U.S.C. 1742)), at such time or times as the
Secretary determines that funds are needed for
such capitalization.''. | Enterprise Communities Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act to provide for: (1) additional State entitlements to grants for designated qualified enterprise communities; (2) funding for such grants; and (3) use of grant funds for revolving loan fund loans to residents, institutions, organizations, or businesses that hire disadvantaged adults and youths. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend section 2007 of the Social Security Act to provide grant funding for additional Enterprise Communities, and for other purposes."} | 1,187 | 88 | 0.510311 | 1.202661 | 0.646901 | 3.164557 | 12.189873 | 0.911392 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of
2011''.
SEC. 2. AMNESTY PERIOD FOR VETERANS TO REGISTER QUALIFYING FIREARMS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Amnesty period.--The term ``amnesty period'' means the
90-day period beginning on the date that is 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Applicable veteran.--The term ``applicable veteran''
means, with respect to a firearm, the veteran referred to in
paragraph (7)(A) with respect to the firearm.
(3) Continental united states.--The term ``continental
United States''--
(A) means the several States and the District of
Columbia; and
(B) does not include Alaska or Hawaii.
(4) Family.--
(A) In general.--The term ``family'' means, with
respect to a veteran--
(i) a grandparent of the veteran;
(ii) the spouse of the veteran;
(iii) a lineal descendant of a grandparent
described in clause (i); and
(iv) the spouse of a lineal descendant
described in clause (iv).
(B) Special rules.--For purposes of subparagraph
(A)--
(i) a spouse of an individual who is
legally separated from the individual under a
decree of divorce or separate maintenance shall
be deemed to be the spouse of the individual;
and
(ii) an individual shall be deemed to be a
lineal descendant of a grandparent of a veteran
if the individual is--
(I) the biological child of an
individual who is the spouse of a
lineal descendant of the grandparent;
(II) adopted by a lineal descendant
of the grandparent; or
(III) a lineal descendant of an
individual described in subclause (I)
or (II).
(5) Firearm.--The term ``firearm''--
(A) has the meaning given the term in section 5845
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B) does not include--
(i) any device described in section
5845(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986; or
(ii) any combination of parts--
(I) designed or intended for use in
converting any device into a device
described in clause (i); or
(II) from which a device described
in clause (i) may be readily assembled.
(6) National firearms registration and transfer record.--
The term ``National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record''
means the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record
established under section 5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
(7) Qualifying firearm.--
(A) In general.--The term ``qualifying firearm''
means any firearm that was acquired--
(i) before October 31, 1968; and
(ii) by a veteran, while the veteran was--
(I) a member of the Armed Forces;
and
(II) stationed outside the
continental United States.
(B) Presumption of validity.--In the absence of
clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, the
Attorney General shall accept as true and accurate any
affidavit, document, or other evidence submitted by an
individual to establish that a firearm meets the
requirements of subparagraph (A).
(8) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
that term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code.
(b) Registration.--Subject to such regulations as the Attorney
General may prescribe, during the amnesty period an applicable veteran
or a member of the family of the applicable veteran who owns and
possesses a qualifying firearm may register the qualifying firearm in
the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
(c) Hearings.--If the Attorney General determines that an
individual may not register a firearm under subsection (b) during the
amnesty period, the Attorney General, on the request of the individual,
shall--
(1) provide the individual any evidence on which the
decision by the Attorney General is based; and
(2) promptly hold a hearing to review the determination.
(d) Limited Immunity.--
(1) Criminal liability under title 18.--An individual who
registers a qualifying firearm under subsection (b)--
(A) shall be treated, for purposes of subsections
(a)(3) and (o) of section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, as having lawfully acquired and possessed
the qualifying firearm before the date of the enactment
of chapter 44 of such title and of each provision of
such chapter; and
(B) shall not be liable for any violation of such
chapter that--
(i) is based solely on the ownership,
possession, transportation, importation, or
alteration of the qualifying firearm by the
individual; and
(ii) occurred at or before the time at
which the individual registered the qualifying
firearm.
(2) Criminal liability under internal revenue code.--Except
as provided in paragraph (3), an individual who registers a
qualifying firearm under subsection (b) shall not be liable for
a violation of chapter 53 or 75 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 with respect to the qualifying firearm that occurred at or
before the time at which the individual registered the
qualifying firearm.
(3) Transfer tax liability.--Paragraph (2) shall not affect
the liability of any individual for any transfer tax imposed
under section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(4) Attempts to register.--In the case of an applicable
veteran or a member of the family of the applicable veteran who
attempts to register a qualifying firearm in the National
Firearms Registration and Transfer Record at a time other than
during the amnesty period, paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall
apply with respect to the individual if the individual
surrenders the qualifying firearm to a law enforcement agency
not later than 30 days after notification by the Attorney
General of potential criminal liability for continued
possession of the qualifying firearm.
(e) Forfeiture.--A qualifying firearm registered under subsection
(b) shall not be subject to seizure or forfeiture under chapter 53 or
75 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or chapter 44 of title 18,
United States Code, for a violation of any such chapter with respect to
the qualifying firearm that occurred at or before the time at which the
individual registered the firearm.
(f) Notice; Forms; Mailbox Rule.--
(1) Notice of amnesty period.--The Attorney General shall
provide clear printed notices providing information regarding
the amnesty period and registering a qualifying firearm during
the period. To the extent feasible, the Attorney General shall
ensure that the notices are posted in post offices, law
enforcement buildings, buildings of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and businesses of licensed firearms dealers.
(2) Forms.--The Attorney General shall make available any
forms necessary for registering a firearm in the National
Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. To the extent
feasible, the Attorney General shall make such forms available
in the locations referred to in paragraph (1) and through the
website of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives.
(3) Mailbox rule.--For purposes of this section, the
Attorney General shall treat any form that is postmarked during
the amnesty period as being received during the amnesty period.
SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF FIREARMS TO MUSEUMS.
(a) Transfer of Forfeited Curio or Relic Firearms to Museums.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Curio or relic firearm.--The term ``curio or
relic firearm'' means any firearm (as defined in
section 2(a)(5)) that is treated as a curio or relic
under chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code.
(B) Qualified museum.--The term ``qualified
museum'' means--
(i) any museum owned or operated by the
Federal Government or a State or local
government; and
(ii) any museum that--
(I) is open to the public;
(II) is incorporated as a nonprofit
corporation under applicable State law;
(III) may possess a firearm in the
collection of the museum under the laws
of the State in which the collection is
displayed;
(IV) holds a license under chapter
44 of title 18, United States Code, as
a collector of curios or relics; and
(V) certifies to the Attorney
General that--
(aa) the museum is not
engaged in the trade or
business of buying or selling
curio or relic firearms;
(bb) with respect to the
transfer of any curio or relic
firearm under paragraph (2),
the museum is not requesting
the transfer of the curio or
relic firearm for purpose of
sale; and
(cc) the museum shall, not
later than 90 days after the
museum ceases operations, file
an application pursuant to
chapter 53 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 to
transfer any machinegun
transferred to the museum under
paragraph (2) to an entity or
person who may lawfully possess
the machinegun under section
922(o) of title 18, United
States Code, or abandon the
machinegun to Federal, State,
or local law enforcement
authorities.
(2) Transfer.--The Attorney General shall transfer each
curio or relic firearm that is forfeited to the United States
to the first qualified museum that submits a request for the
curio or relic firearm in such form and manner as the Attorney
General may specify.
(3) Destruction of forfeited curio or relic firearms
prohibited.--The Attorney General shall not destroy any curio
or relic firearm that is forfeited to the United States until
the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the
forfeiture.
(4) Catalogue of curio or relic firearms.--With respect to
each curio or relic firearm that is available to be transferred
to a qualified museum under paragraph (2), the Attorney General
shall, not later than 60 days after the date of the forfeiture
of the curio or relic firearm, publish information which
identifies the curio or relic firearm (including a picture) on
the website of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives. The information shall be available to the public
without cost and without restriction.
(5) Registration of curio or relic firearms.--Any curio or
relic firearm transferred under paragraph (2) to a qualified
museum shall be registered to the transferee in the National
Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
(b) Transfer of Machineguns to Museums.--Section 922(o)(2) of title
18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
``(B) a transfer to or by, or possession by, a
museum that is open to the public and incorporated as a
nonprofit corporation under applicable State law; or''. | Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2011 - Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States. Grants such an individual limited immunity under the federal criminal code and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the acquisition, possession, transportation, or alteration of such qualifying firearm at or before the time at which the individual registered the qualifying firearm. Extends such immunity to a veteran who attempts to register a qualifying firearm outside of the amnesty period if the veteran surrenders the firearm within 30 days after being notified of potential criminal liability for continued possession.
Requires the Attorney General to: (1) transfer each curio or relic firearm that is forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that requests it, and (2) publish information identifying each such firearm which is available to be transferred to a museum. Requires that any firearm transferred to a qualified museum be registered to the transferee.
Makes a prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine-gun inapplicable to a transfer to or by, or possession by, a museum which is open to the public and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under applicable state law. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to provide an amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register certain firearms in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and for other purposes."} | 2,522 | 303 | 0.552037 | 1.467747 | 0.691965 | 3.853755 | 8.881423 | 0.913043 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Workforce Restructuring Act
of 1993''.
SEC. 2. TRAINING.
(a) In General.--Chapter 41 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in section 4101(4) by striking ``fields'' and all that
follows through the semicolon and inserting ``fields which will
improve individual and organizational performance and assist in
achieving the agency's mission and performance goals;'';
(2) in section 4103--
(A) in subsection (a) by striking ``In'' and all
that follows through ``proficiency'' and inserting ``In
order to assist in achieving an agency's mission and
performance goals by improving employee and
organizational performance''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1) by striking
``determines'' and all that follows through the
period and inserting ``determines that such
training would be in the interests of the
Government.'';
(ii) by striking paragraph (2) and
redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);
and
(iii) in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2)
(as so redesignated) by striking ``retaining''
and all that follows through the period and
inserting ``such training.'';
(3) in section 4105--
(A) in subsection (a) by striking ``(a)''; and
(B) by striking subsections (b) and (c);
(4) by striking section 4106;
(5) in section 4107--
(A) by amending the catchline to read as follows:
``Sec. 4107. Restriction on degree training'';
(B) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and
redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections
(a) and (b), respectively;
(C) by amending subsection (a) (as so
redesignated)--
(i) by striking ``subsection (d)'' and
inserting ``subsection (b)''; and
(ii) by striking ``by, in, or through a
non-Government facility''; and
(D) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (b) (as
so redesignated) by striking ``subsection (c)'' and
inserting ``subsection (a)'';
(6) in section 4108(a) by striking ``by, in, or through a
non-Government facility under this chapter'' and inserting
``for more than a minimum period prescribed by the head of the
agency'';
(7) in section 4113(b) by striking the matter following the
first sentence;
(8) by striking section 4114; and
(9) in section 4118--
(A) in subsection (a)(7) by striking ``by, in, and
through non-Government facilities'';
(B) by striking subsection (b); and
(C) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
subsections (b) and (c), respectively.
(b) Chapter Analysis.--The analysis of chapter 41 of title 5,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking the items relating to sections 4106 and
4114; and
(2) by amending the item relating to section 4107 to read
as follows:
``4107. Restriction on degree training.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
become effective on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVES.
(a) Definitions.--For the purpose of this section--
(1) the term ``agency'' means an Executive agency, as
defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, but does
not include the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence
Agency, or the General Accounting Office; and
(2) the term ``employee'' means an employee, as defined in
section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, of an agency,
serving under an appointment without time limitation, who has
been currently employed for a continuous period of at least 12
months, including an individual employed by a county committee
established under section 8(b) of the Soil Conservation and
Domestic Allotment Act (16 U.S.C. 590h(b)), but does not
include--
(A) a reemployed annuitant under subchapter III of
chapter 83 or chapter 84 of title 5, United States
Code, or another retirement system for employees of the
Government; or
(B) an employee having a disability on the basis of
which such employee is or would be eligible for
disability retirement under the applicable retirement
system referred to in subparagraph (A).
(b) Establishment of Program.--
(1) In general.--In order to assist in the restructuring of
the Federal workforce while minimizing involuntary separations,
the head of an agency may pay, or authorize the payment of, a
voluntary separation incentive to employees in any component of
the agency, employees in any occupation or geographic location,
or any combination thereof, who agree, during a continuous 90-
day period designated by the agency head for the agency or a
component thereof, beginning no earlier than the date of
enactment of this Act and ending no later than September 30,
1994, to separate from service with the agency, whether by
retirement or resignation.
(2) Requirements relating to separation date.--In order to
receive a voluntary separation incentive, an employee shall
separate from service no later than the last day of the 90-day
period designated by the agency head under paragraph (1),
unless the agency head determines that, in order to ensure the
performance of the agency's mission, the employee must agree to
continue in service until a later date, but not later than 2
years after such last day of the 90-day period.
(c) Amount and Treatment of Payments.--A voluntary separation
incentive--
(1) shall be paid in a lump sum after the employee's
separation;
(2) shall be equal to the lesser of--
(A) an amount equal to the amount the employee
would be entitled to receive under section 5595(c) of
title 5, United States Code, if the employee were
entitled to payment under such section; or
(B) $25,000;
(3) shall not be a basis for payment, and shall not be
included in the computation, of any other type of Government
benefit;
(4) shall not be taken into account in determining the
amount of any severance pay to which an employee may be
entitled under section 5595 of title 5, United States Code,
based on any other separation; and
(5) shall be paid from appropriations or funds available
for the payment of the basic pay of the employee.
(d) Effect of Subsequent Employment With the Government.--
(1) In general.--An employee who has received a voluntary
separation incentive under this section and accepts employment
with the Government of the United States within 2 years of the
date of the separation on which payment of the incentive is
based shall be required to repay the entire amount of the
incentive to the agency that paid the incentive.
(2) Waiver authority.--If the employment is with an
Executive agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United
States Code), the Director of the Office of Personnel
Management may, at the request of the head of the agency, waive
the repayment if the employment is in a position for which
there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting a qualified
employee. If the employment is with an entity in the
legislative branch, the head of the entity or the appointing
official may waive the repayment if the employment is in a
position for which there is exceptional difficulty in
recruiting a qualified employee. If the employment is with the
judicial branch, the Director of the Administrative Office of
the United States Courts may waive the repayment if the
employment is in a position for which there is exceptional
difficulty in recruiting a qualified employee.
(e) Regulations.--The Director of the Office of Personnel
Management may prescribe any regulations necessary for the
administration of this Act.
(f) Employees of the Judicial Branch.--The Director of the
Administrative Office of the United States Courts may, by regulation,
establish a program consistent with the program established by
subsections (a) through (d) of this section for employees of the
judicial branch.
(g) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) employment in the executive branch should be reduced by
not less than one full-time equivalent position for each 2
employees who are paid voluntary separation incentives under
this Act; and
(2) each agency should adjust its employment levels to
achieve this result.
SEC. 4. COORDINATION WITH OTHER PROVISIONS OF LAW.
(a) Defense Agencies.--Section 5597 of title 5, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) An employee who receives separation pay under this section on
the basis of a separation occurring on or after the date of enactment
of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1993, and accepts
employment with the Government of the United States within 2 years of
the date of the separation on which payment of the separation pay is
based shall be required to repay the entire amount of the separation
pay to the defense agency that paid the separation pay. If the
employment is with an Executive agency, the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management may, at the request of the head of the agency,
waive the repayment if the employment is in a position for which there
is exceptional difficulty in recruiting a qualified employee. If the
employment is with an entity in the legislative branch, the head of the
entity or the appointing official may waive the repayment if the
employment is in a position for which there is exceptional difficulty
in recruiting a qualified employee. If the employment is with the
judicial branch, the Director of the Administrative Office of the
United States Courts may waive the repayment if the employment is in a
position for which there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting a
qualified employee.''.
(b) Central Intelligence Agency.--Section 2(b) of the Central
Intelligence Agency Voluntary Separation Pay Act (Public Law 103-36;
107 Stat. 104) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``An
employee who receives separation pay under this section on the basis of
a separation occurring on or after the date of enactment of the Federal
Workforce Restructuring Act of 1993 and accepts employment with the
Government of the United States within 2 years of the date of the
separation on which payment of the separation pay is based shall be
required to repay the entire amount of the separation pay to the
Central Intelligence Agency. If the employment is with an Executive
agency (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code), the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management may, at the request of
the head of the agency, waive the repayment if the employment is in a
position for which there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting a
qualified employee. If the employment is with an entity in the
legislative branch, the head of the entity or the appointing official
may waive the repayment if the employment is in a position for which
there is exceptional difficulty in recruiting a qualified employee. If
the employment is with the judicial branch, the Director of the
Administrative Office of the United States Courts may waive the
repayment if the employment is in a position for which there is
exceptional difficulty in recruiting a qualified employee.''.
SEC. 5. ADDITIONAL AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETIREMENT FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 8334 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(m) In addition to any other payments required by this
subchapter, an agency shall remit to the Office for deposit in the
Treasury of the United States to the credit of the Fund an amount equal
to 9 percent of the final rate of basic pay of each employee of the
agency who retires under section 8336(d).''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
with respect to retirements occurring on or after the date of enactment
of this Act. | Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1993 - Amends Federal civil service law to eliminate various restrictions on employee training and authorize certain Federal agencies to establish temporary programs to offer a lump sum financial incentive (the lesser of $25,000 or the amount of an employee's severance pay) to selected groups of employees in order to encourage them to voluntarily separate from an agency, whether by retirement or resignation, in order to assist agency heads in restructuring their workforce. Provides for repayment of separation incentives if the employee rejoins the Federal Government within a certain period of time. Requires Federal agencies to pay a specified contribution to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund based on the final rate of basic pay of each agency employee who retires early.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) employment in the executive branch should be reduced by not less than one full-time equivalent position for each two employees who are paid voluntary separation incentives under this Act; and (2) each agency should adjust its employment levels to achieve such result. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1993"} | 2,713 | 217 | 0.39408 | 1.179527 | 0.684233 | 3.75 | 12.75 | 0.84 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``COLA Fairness Act of 1999''.
SEC. 2. REGIONAL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.
(a) Recognition of Regions.--The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the
Department of Labor shall establish and publish a mapping of the United
States under which 14 regions are recognized comprising the United
States. Each region shall include one of the cities listed in
subsection (b).
(b) Specified Cities.--The cities specified in this subsection are
the following:
(1) Atlanta, Georgia;
(2) Boston, Massachusetts;
(3) Chicago, Illinois;
(4) Cleveland, Ohio;
(5) Dallas, Texas;
(6) Detroit, Michigan;
(7) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
(8) Houston, Texas;
(9) Los Angeles, California;
(10) Miami, Florida;
(11) New York, New York;
(12) San Francisco, California;
(13) Seattle, Washington; and
(14) Washington, District of Columbia.
(c) Establishment of Regional Consumer Price Indices.--The Bureau
shall establish and publish for each region recognized pursuant to
subsection (a) a monthly index for the region, to be known as the
``Regional Consumer Price Index'' for the region, that indicates
changes over time in expenditures for consumption which are typical for
individuals residing in the region.
(d) Effective Date.--The preceding provisions of this section shall
apply with respect to calendar months beginning on or after January 1,
2001.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of
this section.
SEC. 3. COMPUTATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES.
(a) Amendments to Title II.--
(1) In general.--Section 215(i) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 415(i)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (1)(G), by inserting before the
period the following: ``, and, with respect to an
individual who, at the time he initially becomes
eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability
insurance benefits (or dies before initially becoming
so eligible), resides in a region of the United States
recognized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics pursuant
to section 2(a) of the COLA Fairness Act of 1999, the
applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed to be
the Regional Consumer Price Index for such region'';
and
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and by section
9001'' and inserting ``, by section 9001'', and by
inserting after ``1986,'' the following: ``and by
section 3(a) of the COLA Fairness Act of 1999,''.
(2) Conforming amendments relating to applicable former
law.--Section 215(i)(4) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 415(i)(4)) is
amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``For
purposes of computing adjustments under this subsection as so
in effect, the applicable Consumer Price Index shall be deemed
to be the Regional Consumer Price Index for the region in which
such individual resides at the time he becomes eligible for
old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits (or
dies before initially becoming so eligible).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to determinations made by the Commissioner of Social Security
under section 215(i)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
415(i)(2)) with respect to cost-of-living computation quarters ending
on or after September 30 of the second calendar year following the
calendar year in which this Act is enacted.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO TITLE XVIII OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT.
(a) In General.--Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 1814(i)(2)(B), by inserting ``(i) for
accounting years ending before October 1 of the second calendar
year following the calendar year in which the COLA Fairness Act
of 1999 was enacted,'' after ``for a year is'', and by
inserting after ``fifth month of the accounting year'' the
following: ``, and (ii) for accounting years ending after
October 1 of such calendar year, the cap amount determined
under clause (i) for the last accounting year referred to in
such clause, increased or decreased by the same percentage as
the percentage increase or decrease, respectively, in the
medical care expenditure category (or corresponding category)
of the applicable consumer price index, published by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics, from March of such calendar year to the
fifth month of the accounting year'';
(2) in section 1833(h)(2)(A)(i), by striking ``Consumer
Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city
average)'' and insert ``applicable consumer price index'';
(3) in section 1833(i)(2)(C), by striking ``consumer price
index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average)'' and insert
``applicable consumer price index'';
(4) in section 1834(a)(14)(D), by striking ``consumer price
index for all urban consumers (United States city average)''
and insert ``applicable consumer price index'';
(5) in section 1834(h)(4)(A)(vi), by striking ``consumer
price index for all urban consumers (United States city
average)'' and insert ``applicable consumer price index'';
(6) in section 1834(l)(3)(A), by striking ``consumer price
index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average)'' and insert
``applicable consumer price index'';
(7) in section 1834(l)(3)(B), by striking ``consumer price
index for all urban consumers (U.S. city average)'' and insert
``applicable consumer price index'';
(8) in section 1842(s)(1), by striking ``consumer price
index for all urban consumers (United States city average)''
and insert ``applicable consumer price index''; and
(9) in section 1886(h)(5)(B), by striking ``Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average)''
and insert ``applicable consumer price index''.
(b) Definition of Applicable Consumer Price Index.--Section 1861 of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``Applicable Consumer Price Index
``(uu) The term `applicable consumer price index' means, in
connection with any person affected by an adjustment to be made under
this title based on such index, the Regional Consumer Price Index (as
prescribed from time to time by the Bureau of Labor Statistics pursuant
to section 2(c) of the COLA Fairness Act of 1999) for the region in
which such person resides (in the case of an individual) or maintains
principal offices (in any other case) at the time the adjustment takes
effect. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall prescribe by
regulation, in connection with each requirement for an adjustment under
this title based a Regional Consumer Price Index, the manner in which
such adjustment is to be determined to affect particular persons for
purposes of this subsection.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to determinations made for periods ending after
December 31 of the second calendar year following the calendar year in
which this Act was enacted. | COLA Fairness Act of 1999 - Requires the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor to establish monthly regional consumer price indices for computation of cost-of-living increases for social security and Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) benefits. Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "COLA Fairness Act of 1999"} | 1,752 | 68 | 0.490597 | 1.204844 | 0.677433 | 3.339623 | 28.867925 | 0.886792 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Public-Private Partnership Advisory
Council to End Human Trafficking Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) According to a 2014 report by the International Labour
Organization, an estimated 20,900,000 people are enslaved in
human trafficking worldwide.
(2) Slavery is estimated to be a $150,000,000,000 worldwide
industry.
(3) The Department of State defines ``trafficking in
persons'' and ``human trafficking'' as umbrella terms for the
act of recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, or
obtaining a person for compelled labor or commercial sex acts
through the use of force, fraud, or coercion.
(4) Nearly 2,000,000 of the enslaved people are children
being forced into sex slavery.
(5) Conservative estimates by the International Labour
Office indicate that a child sex slave may be raped as many as
10 to 15 times per night.
(6) Although many developed regions and countries in the
world meet the standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection
Act (referred to in this Act as ``TVPA''), there are many
developing countries that--
(A) do not attempt to meet the minimum standards of
the TVPA; or
(B) lack the necessary resources or infrastructure
to employ effective anti-trafficking measures.
(7) Although slavery is not legal in any country of the
world, it is taking place in every country and no country is
immune to the consequences of modern slavery.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Public-Private
Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking.
(2) Group.--The term ``Group'' means the Senior Policy
Operating Group established under section 105(g) of the
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(g)).
(3) Task force.--The term ``Task Force'' means the
President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat
Trafficking established under section 105(a) of the Trafficking
Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103(a)).
SEC. 4. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL TO END HUMAN
TRAFFICKING.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the Public-Private
Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking, which shall
provide advice and recommendations to the Group and the Task Force.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of not
fewer than 8 and not more than 14 representatives of
nongovernmental organizations and nonprofit groups who have
significant knowledge and experience in anti-human trafficking
or rehabilitation and aftercare of human trafficking victims
and survivors.
(2) Representation of nonprofit and nongovernmental
organizations.--To the extent practicable, members of the
Council shall be representatives of nonprofit groups and
nongovernmental organizations who shall accurately reflect the
diverse backgrounds of public-private partnerships for anti-
trafficking, including--
(A) anti-trafficking efforts; and
(B) rehabilitation and aftercare of human
trafficking victims and survivors.
(3) Appointment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President shall appoint--
(A) 1 member of the Council, after consultation
with the President pro tempore of the Senate;
(B) 1 member of the Council, after consultation
with the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(C) 1 member of the Council, after consultation
with the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(D) 1 member of the Council, after consultation
with the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives; and
(E) the remaining members of the Council.
(4) Term; reappointment.--Each member of the Council--
(A) shall serve for a term of 2 years; and
(B) may be reappointed by the President to serve 1
additional 2-year term.
(5) Employee status.--Members of the Council--
(A) shall not be considered employees of the
Federal Government for any purpose; and
(B) shall not receive compensation.
(c) Functions.--The Council shall--
(1) be a nongovernmental advisory body to the Group;
(2) meet, at its own discretion or at the request of the
Group, not less frequently than annually, to review Federal
Government policy and programs intended to combat human
trafficking, including programs relating to the provision of
services for victims;
(3) serve as a point of contact for Federal agencies
reaching out to human trafficking nonprofit groups and
nongovernmental organizations for input on programming and
policies relating to human trafficking in the United States;
(4) formulate assessments and recommendations to ensure
that the policy and programming efforts of the Federal
Government conform, to the extent practicable, to the best
practices in the field of human trafficking prevention and
rehabilitation and aftercare of human trafficking victims; and
(5) meet with the Group not less frequently than annually,
and not later than 45 days before a meeting with the Task
Force, to formally present the findings and recommendations of
the Council.
(d) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Council shall not be subject to
the requirements under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.).
SEC. 5. REPORTS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act
and annually thereafter until the date described in section 6, the
Council shall submit a report containing the findings derived from the
reviews conducted pursuant to section 3(c)(2) to--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(5) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives;
(6) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives;
(7) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives;
(8) the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives;
(9) the chair of the Task Force; and
(10) the members of the Group.
SEC. 6. SUNSET.
The Council shall terminate on September 30, 2020. | Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking Act This bill establishes the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. The council must provide advice and recommendations to the Senior Policy Operating Group and the President's Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking Act"} | 1,397 | 67 | 0.541396 | 1.344591 | 1.326951 | 5.826923 | 24.615385 | 0.942308 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``FFSCC Charter Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
more than 60 million low- and moderate-income consumers in
America remain unbanked, underbanked, or underserved.
(2) The proportion of United States households that are
unbanked varies considerably across racial and ethnic groups
with certain racial and ethnic groups being more likely to be
unbanked than the population as a whole. Minorities more likely
to be unbanked include Blacks (21.7 percent of Black
households), Hispanics (19.3 percent), and American Indian/
Alaskans (15.6 percent). Racial groups less likely to be
unbanked are Asians (3.5 percent) and Whites (3.3 percent).
(3) Certain racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to
be underbanked than the population as a whole. Minorities more
likely to be underbanked include Blacks (an estimated 31.6
percent), American Indian/Alaskans (28.9 percent), and
Hispanics (24.0 percent). Asians and Whites are less likely to
be underbanked (7.2 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively).
(4) Households with income under $30,000 account for at
least 71 percent of unbanked households. As income increases,
the share of households that are unbanked declines
considerably. Nationally, nearly 20 percent of lower-income
United States households--almost 7 million households earning
below $30,000 per year--do not currently have a bank account.
In contrast, only 4.2 percent of households with annual income
between $30,000 and $50,000 and less than 1 percent of
households with yearly income of $75,000 or higher are
unbanked.
(5) Lack of access to affordable banking products and
services deters the economic advancement of low- and moderate-
income consumers and stunts the economic growth of communities
in which they live.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish a vibrant,
safe, and commercially viable market for underbanked and unbanked
individuals to gain access to financial services and products.
SEC. 3. FEDERAL FINANCIAL SERVICES AND CREDIT COMPANY.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller of the Currency shall--
(1) under such regulations as the Comptroller of the
Currency may prescribe, provide for the organization,
incorporation, examination, operation, regulation, and
chartering of companies to be known as Federal Financial
Services and Credit Companies (hereinafter in this Act referred
to as ``FFSCCs''); and
(2) have the responsibility to ensure that credit
alternatives are available to the underbanked.
(b) Eligibility.--The Comptroller of the Currency may not issue an
FFSCC charter to a company unless the company satisfies the following
requirements, as reasonably determined by the Comptroller of the
Currency:
(1) The company has a demonstrated history of experience in
providing underbanked persons with a financial product from
within the following services:
(A) Credit extended to consumers or, in an amount
less than $10,000, to small businesses.
(B) The issuing of reloadable stored value cards to
consumers or small businesses.
(C) Ancillary financial services extended to
consumers or small businesses, including issuing money
orders, sending and receiving wire transfers, check
cashing services, bill payment services, and tax
preparation services.
(D) Such other short-term consumer credit services
as the Comptroller of the Currency determines
appropriate.
(2)(A) No person who is a director, officer, partner,
agent, sole proprietor, owner, or controlling person of the
company--
(i) has been convicted of a felony within ten years
of the charter application date; or
(ii) is associated with any person who has been
convicted of a felony within ten years of the charter
application date.
(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A)--
(i) the term ``controlling person'' means a person
owning or controlling 10 percent or more of the total
outstanding ownership of the company; and
(ii) with respect to two people, the term
``associated with'' means one person--
(I) is a partner, officer, or director (or
any person occupying a similar status or
performing similar functions) of the other
person; or
(II) directly or indirectly controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with
the other person.
(3) The company submits a business plan or operating plan
that adequately addresses the appropriate statutory and policy
considerations. Such plan shall--
(A) reflect sound financial principles and
demonstrate realistic assessments of risk in light of
economic and competitive conditions in the market for
serving underbanked and unbanked populations;
(B) include information sufficient to permit the
Comptroller of the Currency to evaluate the overall
management ability of the company, especially the
ability to provide financial services to the
underbanked and unbanked population; and
(C) demonstrate that the company is aware of, and
understands, Federal and State consumer credit laws and
sound consumer credit operations and practices in the
context of serving the needs of the underbanked and
unbanked populations.
(4) The company has senior management officials who are
familiar with applicable Federal and State consumer credit laws
and regulations, and the credit needs of underbanked and
unbanked consumers.
(5) The company has competent management, with ability and
experience relevant to the types of services to be provided,
especially the ability and experience to design and provide
financial services to the underbanked and unbanked consumer
population.
(c) Requirements Placed on FFSCCs.--
(1) Credit disclosures.--
(A) Short-term credit.--With respect to an
extension of short-term credit by an FFSCC, the FFSCC
shall provide the person to whom credit is being
extended a clear and prominent statement in the loan
agreement that states the true cost of the loan in
terms of an actual finance charge per dollar of credit
extended to such person instead of the annual
percentage rate disclosure required under the Truth in
Lending Act.
(B) Long-term credit.--With respect to an extension
of long-term credit by an FFSCC, the FFSCC shall
provide the person to whom credit is being extended a
disclosure of the finance charge to be paid by the
person, expressed as an ``annual percentage rate'',
using that term.
(2) Account access.--Each FFSCC shall provide continuous
account access to the customers of the FFSCC, either through a
toll-free telephone number, the Internet, or both.
(3) Financial literacy programs.--Each FFSCC shall
implement a financial literacy program, which shall include--
(A) making financial literacy materials available
to its customers; and
(B) assisting customers in building and improving
their credit scores.
(4) Financial products offered.--Each FFSCC shall provide
to underbanked persons at least three financial products from
within the services listed under the subparagraphs of
subsection (b)(1).
(5) Additional requirements.--Each FFSCC shall comply with
the following:
(A) Have a primary mission of providing a
comprehensive array of financial services to the
underbanked, unbanked, and consumers with low credit
scores.
(B) Serve as a vehicle for providing access to
credit products predominately to unbanked or
underbanked consumers.
(C) File articles of association, articles of
incorporation, or other appropriate organizational
documents with the Comptroller of the Currency.
(D) Submit to the Comptroller of the Currency for
approval a business plan which, among other things,
provides in reasonable detail evidence of the
knowledge, understanding, and experience of the
institution and senior management of the unique
challenges that unbanked and underbanked individuals
face with respect to access to financial credit.
(d) FFSCC Powers.--Subject to such regulations as the Comptroller
of the Currency may issue, in addition to general corporate powers, an
FFSCC shall have the authority to provide any financial products
authorized by the Comptroller of the Currency under section 4(2).
(e) Penalty.--Whoever knowingly violates any provision of this
section, or any regulation issued pursuant to this section, shall be
fined not more than $20,000 for each day such violation continues or
imprisoned for not more than 3 years, or both. The Comptroller of the
Currency may authorize any State attorney general to enforce violations
of this Act, or regulations issued pursuant to this Act.
(f) FFSCC Fee.--All FFSCCs shall pay an annual fee to the
Comptroller of the Currency in an amount that the Comptroller of the
Currency determines is sufficient, in the aggregate, to offset the cost
to the Comptroller of the Currency of carrying out the provisions of
this section.
(g) Preemption of State Law.--A law of a State or political
subdivision thereof shall be preempted if the application of such law
would have a discriminatory effect on a company because such company is
chartered as an FFSCC.
(h) Model Forms.--The Comptroller of the Currency shall draft
approved, model product and disclosure forms that may be utilized by
FFSCCs with any approved credit products or services offered by an
FFSCC.
SEC. 4. RATES AND TERMS STUDY; DEVELOPMENT OF FINANCIAL PRODUCTS.
The Comptroller of the Currency shall--
(1) conduct a study on rates and terms used in the
extension of credit; and
(2) develop a suite of financial products that FFSCCs may
offer to underbanked persons, that will--
(A) contain transparent and full disclosure of all
fees and terms related to such products; and
(B) be economically viable for FFSCCs to offer to
consumers.
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) Company defined.--For purposes of this subsection, the
term ``company'' shall include--
(A) the entity applying for an FFSCC charter;
(B) any wholly owned subsidiary of such entity
applying for an FFSCC charter; and
(C) any other entity that is part of an affiliated
control group with such entity applying for an FFSCC
charter.
(2) Consumer.--The term ``consumer'' shall have the meaning
given such term under section 103(h) of the Truth in Lending
Act (15 U.S.C. 1602(h)).
(3) Insured credit union.--The term ``insured credit
union'' shall have the meaning given such term under section
101(7) of the Federal Credit Union Act.
(4) Insured depository institution.--The term ``insured
depository institution'' shall have the meaning given such term
under section 3(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
(5) Long-term credit.--The term ``long-term credit'' means
an extension of credit with an initial term of one year or
more.
(6) Short-term credit.--The term ``short-term credit''
means an extension of credit with an initial term of less than
one year.
(7) Small business.--The term ``small business'' means a
company with no more than 500 employees.
(8) Underbanked.--The term ``underbanked'' means a natural
person or a small business that--
(A) has a deposit account with an insured
depository institution or an insured credit union; and
(B) has limited or no ability to access non-
depository services from insured depository
institutions or insured credit unions, as reasonably
determined by the Comptroller of the Currency.
(9) Underbanked person.--The term ``underbanked person''
means a natural person or a small business that is underbanked,
unbanked, or has a low credit score.
(10) Other terms.--The Comptroller of the Currency may
issue regulations to define such other terms as the Comptroller
of the Currency determines necessary to carry out this Act. | FFSCC Charter Act of 2011 - Directs the Comptroller of the Currency to: (1) provide for the establishment and chartering of Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies (FFSCCs); and (2) ensure that credit alternatives are available to the underbanked.
Prescribes eligibility criteria for an FFSCC charter.
Subjects FFSCCs to specified requirements, including: (1) credit disclosures; (2) account access; (3) financial literacy programs; (4) a comprehensive array of financial services to the underbanked, unbanked, and consumers with low credit scores; and (5) grant of access to credit products predominately to unbanked or underbanked consumers.
Subjects FFSCCs to an annual fee to offset the cost of implementing this Act.
Directs the Comptroller to: (1) draft approved, model product and disclosure forms that may be utilized by FFSCCs with any approved credit products or services; (2) study rates and terms used in the extension of credit; and (3) develop a suite of FSCC financial products for underbanked persons which contain transparent and full disclosure of all related fees and terms, and are economically viable for FFSCCs to offer. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To create a charter for Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies."} | 2,736 | 259 | 0.530667 | 1.71746 | 0.73991 | 4.321267 | 10.850679 | 0.936652 |
SECTION 1. PURCHASE OF SETTLEMENT COMMON STOCK OF COOK INLET REGION.
(a) In General.--Section 7(h) of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1606(h)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(4) Cook Inlet Regional Corporation.--(A) In this paragraph:
``(i) The term `Cook Inlet Regional Corporation' means Cook
Inlet Region, Incorporated.
``(ii) The term `nonresident distribution right' means the
right of owners of nonvillage shares to share in distributions
made to shareholders pursuant to subsections (j) and (m).
``(iii) The term `nonvillage shares' means shares of
Settlement Common Stock owned by stockholders who are not
residents of a Native village.
``(iv) The term `nonvoting security' means a security, for
only the nonresident rights that attach to a share of
Settlement Common Stock, that does not have attached voting
rights.
``(B) Cook Inlet Regional Corporation may, by an amendment to its
articles of incorporation made in accordance with the voting standards
under section 36(d)(1), purchase Settlement Common Stock of Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation and all rights associated with the stock from the
shareholders of Cook Inlet Regional Corporation in accordance with any
provisions included in the amendment that relate to the terms,
procedures, number of offers to purchase, and timing of offers to
purchase.
``(C) Subject to subparagraph (D), and notwithstanding paragraph
(1)(B), the shareholders of Cook Inlet Regional Corporation may, in
accordance with an amendment made pursuant to subparagraph (B), sell
Settlement Common Stock of the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation to the
Corporation.
``(D) No purchase or sale may be made pursuant to this paragraph
without the prior approval of the board of directors of Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation. Except as provided in subparagraph (E), each
purchase and sale made under this paragraph shall be made pursuant to
an offer made on the same terms to all holders of Settlement Common
Stock of the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation.
``(E) To recognize the different rights that accrue to any class or
series of nonvillage shares, an amendment made pursuant to subparagraph
(B) shall authorize the board of directors (at the option of the board)
to offer to purchase--
``(i) nonvillage shares, including nonresident distribution
rights, at a price that includes a premium, in addition to the
amount that is offered for the purchase of other village shares
of Settlement Common Stock of the Cook Inlet Regional
Corporation, that reflects the value of the nonresident
distribution rights; or
``(ii) nonvillage shares without the nonresident
distribution rights associated with the shares.
``(F) Any shareholder who accepts an offer made by the board of
directors pursuant to subparagraph (E)(ii) shall receive, with respect
to each nonvillage share sold by the shareholder to the Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation--
``(i) the consideration for a share of Settlement Common
Stock offered to shareholders of village shares; and
``(ii) a nonvoting security.
``(G) An amendment made pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall
authorize the issuance of a nonvoting security that--
``(i) shall, for purposes of subsections (j) and (m), be
treated as a nonvillage share with respect to--
``(I) computing distributions under those
subsections; and
``(II) entitling the holder of the share to the
proportional share of the distributions made under
those subsections;
``(ii) may be sold to Cook Inlet Regional Corporation; and
``(iii) shall otherwise be subject to the restrictions
under paragraph (1)(B).
``(H) A share of Settlement Common Stock purchased pursuant to this
paragraph shall be canceled on the conditions that--
``(i) a nonvillage share with the nonresident rights that
attach to such a share that is purchased pursuant to this
paragraph shall be considered to be--
``(I) an outstanding share; and
``(II) for the purposes of subsection (m), a share
of stock registered on the books of the Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation in the name of a stockholder who
is not a resident of a Native village;
``(ii) any amount of funds that would be distributable with
respect to a nonvillage share or nonvoting security pursuant to
subsection (j) or (m) shall be distributed by Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation to the Corporation; and
``(iii) a village share that is purchased pursuant to this
paragraph shall be considered to be--
``(I) an outstanding share; and
``(II) for the purposes of subsection (k), shares
of stock registered on the books of the Cook Inlet
Regional Corporation in the name of a resident of a
Native village.
``(I) Any offer to purchase Settlement Common Stock made pursuant
to this paragraph shall exclude from the offer--
``(i) any share of Settlement Common Stock held, at the
time the offer is made, by an officer (including a member of
the board of directors) of Cook Inlet Regional Corporation or a
member of the immediate family of the officer; and
``(ii) any share of Settlement Common Stock held by any
custodian, guardian, trustee, or attorney representing a
shareholder of Cook Inlet Regional Corporation in fact or law,
or any other similar person, entity, or representative.
``(J)(i) The board of directors of Cook Inlet Regional Corporation,
in determining the terms of an offer to purchase made under this
paragraph, including the amount of any premium paid with respect to a
nonvillage share, may rely upon the good faith opinion of a recognized
firm of investment bankers or valuation experts.
``(ii) Notwithstanding any other law, Cook Inlet Regional
Corporation, a member of the board of directors of Cook Inlet Regional
Corporation, and any firm or member of a firm of investment bankers or
valuation experts who assists in a determination made under this
subparagraph shall not be liable for damages resulting from terms made
in an offer made in connection with any purchase of Settlement Common
Stock if the offer was made--
``(I) in good faith;
``(II) in reliance on a determination made pursuant to
clause (i); and
``(III) otherwise in accordance with this paragraph.
``(K) The consideration given for the purchase of Settlement Common
Stock made pursuant to an offer to purchase that provides for the
consideration may be in the form of cash, securities, or a combination
of cash and securities, as determined by the board of directors of Cook
Inlet Regional Corporation, in a manner consistent with an amendment
made pursuant to subparagraph (B).
``(L) Sale of Settlement Common Stock in accordance with this
paragraph shall not diminish a shareholder's status as a Native or
descendant of a Native for the purpose of qualifying for those
programs, benefits and services or other rights or privileges set out
for the benefit of Natives and Native Americans. Proceeds from the sale
of Settlement Common Stock shall not be excluded in determining
eligibility for any needs-based program that may be provided by a
Federal, State, or local agency.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8(c) of the Alaska Native Claims
Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1607(c)) is amended by striking ``(h)'' and
inserting ``(h) (other than paragraph (4))''. | Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to authorize the Cook Inlet Regional Corporation (Cook Inlet Region, Incorporated) to purchase its shareholder-held common stock. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide for the purchase of common stock of Cook Inlet Region, and for other purposes."} | 1,719 | 39 | 0.573172 | 1.453549 | 0.610612 | 2.3 | 52.5 | 0.966667 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pennsylvania
National Forest Improvement Act of 2004''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Disposal of administrative sites, Allegheny National Forest,
Pennsylvania.
Sec. 3. Conveyance of Sheffield Ranger District Headquarters, Warren
County, Pennsylvania.
Sec. 4. Conveyance of Ridgeway Ranger District Headquarters, Elk
County, Pennsylvania.
Sec. 5. Conveyance of Marienville Ranger Residence, Forest County,
Pennsylvania.
Sec. 6. Disposition of funds.
Sec. 7. Administration of land acquired by United States.
Sec. 8. Relation to other conveyances authorities.
SEC. 2. DISPOSAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE SITES, ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST,
PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Disposal Authority.--The Secretary of Agriculture may convey,
by sale or exchange, any and all right, title, and interest of the
United States in and to the following National Forest System lands and
administrative sites in the Allegheny National Forest, in Pennsylvania:
(1) US Tract 121, Sheffield ranger residence, consisting of
0.41 acres, as depicted on the map titled ``Allegheny Unit,
Allen M. Gibson Tract 121, March 1942''.
(2) US Tract 896, an undeveloped administrative site,
consisting of 2.42 acres, as depicted on the map titled
``Allegheny Unit, Howard L. Harp Tract 896, 1947''.
(3) US Tract 1047 (formerly Tracts 551, 551a,b,c), original
Marienville Ranger District Headquarters, consisting of 4.90
acres, as depicted on the map titled ``Marienville Ranger
Station Compound Tract 1047, August 1998''.
(4) US Tract 844, Marienville ranger residence, as depicted
on the map titled ``Allegheny Unit, Peter B. DeSmet Tract 844,
1936'', except that portion of the tract identified as Lot 2,
on the Survey Plat prepared by D. M. Heller and dated December
12, 1999, which is subject to conveyance under section 5.
(b) Property Descriptions.--The maps referred to in subsection (a)
are the primary descriptions of the lands to which the maps refer. In
the event of a conflict between a map description and the metes and
bounds description of the lands, the map shall be deemed to be the
definitive description of the lands unless the map cannot be located.
The maps shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service until the lands are disposed
of pursuant to this section.
(c) Consideration.--
(1) Authorized consideration.--As consideration for a
conveyance of land under subsection (a), the recipient of the
land, with the consent of the Secretary, may convey to the
Secretary other land, existing improvements, or improvements
constructed to the specifications of the Secretary.
(2) Cash equalization.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, the Secretary may accept a cash equalization payment in
excess of 25 percent of the value of any land and
administrative site exchanged under subsection (a).
(d) Applicable Law.--Except as otherwise provided in this section,
any conveyance of land under subsection (a) shall be subject to the
laws and regulations applicable to the conveyance and acquisition of
land for the National Forest System.
(e) Solicitation of Offers.--
(1) Conveyance priority.--In the selection of the recipient
of land under this section, the Secretary may give a preference
to public entities that agree to use the land for public
purposes.
(2) Terms and conditions.--The Secretary may solicit offers
for the conveyance of land under this section on such terms and
conditions as the Secretary may prescribe.
(3) Rejection of offers.--The Secretary may reject any
offer made under this section if the Secretary determines that
the offer is not adequate or not in the public interest.
(f) Revocations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on
conveyance of land by the Secretary under this section, any public
order withdrawing the land from any form of appropriation under the
public land laws is revoked.
(g) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may require
such additional terms and conditions in connection with any conveyance
under subsection (a) as the Secretary considers appropriate to protect
the interests of the United States.
SEC. 3. CONVEYANCE OF SHEFFIELD RANGER DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, WARREN
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may convey
to the Warren County Development Association of Warren County,
Pennsylvania, all right, title, and interest of the United States in
and to US Tract 770, Sheffield Ranger District Headquarters, consisting
of 5.50 acres, as depicted on the map titled ``Allegheny Unit, Elk
Tanning Company Tract 770, 1934''.
(b) Consideration.--As consideration for the conveyance under
subsection (a), the Warren County Development Association shall make to
the Secretary a lump sum payment of $100,000.
(c) Property Description.--The map referred to in subsection (a) is
the primary description of the lands to which the map refers. In the
event of a conflict between the map description and the metes and
bounds description of the lands, the map shall be deemed to be the
definitive description of the lands unless the map cannot be located.
The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service until the lands are disposed
of pursuant to this section.
(d) Revocations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on
conveyance of land by the Secretary under this section, any public
order withdrawing the land from any form of appropriation under the
public land laws is revoked.
SEC. 4. CONVEYANCE OF RIDGEWAY RANGER DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS, ELK
COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may convey
to Ridgeway Township, Pennsylvania, all right, title, and interest of
the United States in and to US Tract 904, consisting of 8.812 acres,
and US Tract 905, consisting of 0.869 acres, Ridgeway Ranger District
Headquarters, as depicted on the maps titled ``Allegheny Unit, Harry R.
Eliza E. Larson Tract 904, 1959'' and ``Allegheny Unit, Leo S. Laura A.
Guth Tract 905, July 1948''.
(b) Consideration.--As consideration for the conveyance under
subsection (a), Ridgeway Township shall pay to the Secretary an amount
equal to the fair market value of the conveyed lands, as determined by
an appraisal acceptable to the Secretary and Ridgeway Township.
(c) Property Description.--The maps referred to in subsection (a)
is the primary description of the lands to which the maps refer. In the
event of a conflict between a map description and the metes and bounds
description of the lands, the map shall be deemed to be the definitive
description of the lands unless the map cannot be located. The maps
shall be on file and available for public inspection in the Office of
the Chief of the Forest Service until the lands are disposed of
pursuant to this section.
(d) Revocations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on
conveyance of land by the Secretary under this section, any public
order withdrawing the land from any form of appropriation under the
public land laws is revoked.
SEC. 5. CONVEYANCE OF MARIENVILLE RANGER RESIDENCE, FOREST COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Conveyance Authorized.--The Secretary of Agriculture may
convey, without consideration, to the Marienville Volunteer Fire
Department of Forest County, Pennsylvania, all right, title, and
interest of the United States in and to that portion of US Tract 844,
Marienville ranger residence, as depicted on the map titled ``Allegheny
Unit, Peter B. DeSmet Tract 844, 1936'', which is identified as Lot 2
on the Survey Plat prepared by D. M. Heller and dated December 12,
1999.
(b) Property Description.--The map referred to in subsection (a) is
the primary description of the lands to which the map refers. In the
event of a conflict between the map description and the metes and
bounds description of the lands, the map shall be deemed to be the
definitive description of the lands unless the map cannot be located.
The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the
Office of the Chief of the Forest Service until the lands are disposed
of pursuant to this section.
(c) Revocations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on
conveyance of land by the Secretary under this section, any public
order withdrawing the land from any form of appropriation under the
public land laws is revoked.
SEC. 6. DISPOSITION OF FUNDS.
(a) Deposit in Sisk Act Fund.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
deposit in the fund established under Public Law 90-171 (16 U.S.C.
484a; commonly known as the Sisk Act)--
(1) the proceeds of a sale or exchange under section 2; and
(2) the consideration received pursuant to sections 3(b)
and 4(b).
(b) Use of Proceeds.--Subject to subsection (c), funds deposited
under subsection (a) shall be available to the Secretary, without
further appropriation, for--
(1) the acquisition, construction, or improvement of
administrative facilities and sites for the Allegheny National
Forest; or
(2) the acquisition of land and interests in land in the
Allegheny National Forest.
(c) Condition on Land Acquisition.--The acquisition of lands in the
Allegheny National Forest using funds deposited under subsection (a) is
subject to the condition that the market value of the acquired lands
may not exceed 125 percent of the market value of the lands disposed of
under this Act.
SEC. 7. ADMINISTRATION OF LAND ACQUIRED BY UNITED STATES.
Lands acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture under section 6(b)
or by exchange under section 2 shall be managed by the Secretary in
accordance with the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the Weeks
Act; 16 U.S.C. 480 et seq.) and other laws and regulations pertaining
to National Forest System lands. For the purposes of section 7 of the
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-9), the
boundaries of the Allegheny National Forest, as adjusted on account of
the disposal and acquisition of lands under this Act, shall be
considered to be the boundaries of that national forest as of January
1, 1965.
SEC. 8. RELATION TO OTHER CONVEYANCES AUTHORITIES.
Except as expressly provided in this Act, nothing in this Act
affects any other authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to sell,
exchange, or acquire land. Lands authorized for disposal under this Act
shall not be subject to subchapters II and III of chapter 5 of title
40, United States Code.
Passed the House of Representatives October 5, 2004.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk. | Pennsylvania National Forest Improvement Act of 2004 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to sell or exchange certain National Forest System lands and administrative sites in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, and to accept a cash equalization payment in excess of 25 percent of the value of the land exchanged.
(Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to the Warren County, Pennsylvania Development Association, U.S. Tract 770, Sheffield Ranger District Headquarters for a lump sum payment of $100,000.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to convey to Ridgeway Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. Tract 904, Ridgeway Ranger District Headquarters, as depicted on specified Allegheny Unit maps.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to convey, without consideration, to the Marienville Volunteer Fire Department of Forest County, Pennsylvania, U.S. Tract 844, Marienville Ranger Residence.
(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary to deposit in a Sisk Fund amounts received from the sale or exchange of land under this Act and to use such funds for administrative facilities and sites for the Allegheny National Forest or the acquisition of land in the Allegheny National Forest. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to convey certain lands and improvements associated with the National Forest System in the State of Pennsylvania, and for other purposes."} | 2,644 | 278 | 0.65829 | 2.082438 | 0.679006 | 4.184332 | 10.258065 | 0.949309 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) Children today are spending less time outdoors than any
generation in human history, as evidenced by studies that show
children enjoy half as much time outdoors today as they did
just 20 years ago, while spending more than 7\1/2\ hours every
day in front of electronic media.
(2) The health of our children is at risk as evidenced by
the growing obesity crisis where, in the past 30 years,
childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents, costing the economy of the United
States billions of dollars each year.
(3) Our military readiness is declining as nearly 1 in 4
applicants to the military is rejected for being overweight or
obese, which is the most common reason for medical
disqualification.
(4) Research has shown that military children and families
are facing increased stress and mental strain and challenges
due to multiple, extended deployments. Military family service
organizations have developed programs that connect military
children and families with positive, meaningful outdoor
experiences that benefit mental and physical health, but they
lack sufficient resources to meet increasing demand.
(5) In addition to the negative economic impact of
childhood obesity, the outdoor retail industry, many local
tourist destinations or ``gateway communities'', and State fish
and wildlife agencies rely on revenue generated when
individuals spend time outdoors to create jobs in local
communities.
(6) Over the past several years, urbanization, changing
land use patterns, increasing road traffic, and inadequate
solutions to addressing these challenges in the built
environment have combined to make it more difficult for many
Americans to walk or bike to schools, parks, and play areas or
experience the natural environment in general.
(7) Spending time in green spaces outside the home,
including public lands, parks, play areas, and gardens, can
increase concentration, inhibition of initial impulses, and
self-discipline, and has been shown to reduce stress and mental
fatigue. In one study, children who were exposed to greener
environments in a public housing area demonstrated less
aggression, violence, and stress.
(8) Visitation to our Nation's public lands has declined or
remained flat in recent years, and yet, connecting with nature
and the great outdoors in our communities is critical to
fostering the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts who will
visit, appreciate, and become stewards of our Nation's public
lands.
(9) Spending time outdoors in nature is beneficial to our
children's physical, mental, and emotional health and has been
proven to decrease symptoms of attention deficit and
hyperactivity disorder, stimulate brain development, improve
motor skills, result in better sleep, reduce stress, increase
creativity, improve mood, and reduce children's risk of
developing myopia.
(10) Children who spend time playing outside are more
likely to take risks, seek out adventure, develop self-
confidence, and respect the value of nature. A direct childhood
experience with nature before the age of 11 promotes a long-
term connection to nature.
(11) Conservation education and outdoor recreation
experiences such as camping, hiking, boating, hunting, fishing,
archery, recreational shooting, wildlife watching, and others
are critical to engaging young people in the outdoors.
(12) As children become more disconnected from the natural
world, the hunting and angling conservation legacy of America
is at risk.
(13) Hunters and anglers play a critical role in
reconnecting young people with nature, protecting our natural
resources, and fostering a lifelong understanding of the value
of conserving the natural world.
(14) Research demonstrates that hunters who become engaged
in hunting as children are among the most active and interested
hunters as adults. The vast majority of hunters report they
were introduced to hunting between the ages of 10 and 12, and
the overwhelming majority of children are introduced to hunting
by an adult.
(15) Parks and recreation, youth-serving, service-learning,
conservation, health, education, and built-environment
organizations, facilities, and personnel provide critical
resources and infrastructure for connecting children and
families with nature.
(16) It takes many dedicated men and women to work to
preserve, protect, enhance, and restore America's natural
resources, and with an aging workforce in the natural resource
professions, it is critical for the next generation to have an
appreciation for nature and be ready to take over these
responsibilities.
(17) Place-based service-learning opportunities use our
lands and waters as the context for learning by engaging
students in the process of exploration, action, and reflection.
Physical activity outdoors connected with meaningful community
service to solve real-world problems, such as removing invasive
plants or removing trash from a streambed, strengthens
communities by engaging youth as citizen stewards.
(18) States nationwide and their community based partners
have some notable programs that connect children and families
with nature; however, most States lack sufficient resources and
a comprehensive strategy to effectively engage State agencies
across multiple fields.
(19) States need to engage in cross-sector agency and
nonprofit collaboration that involves public health and
wellness, parks and recreation, transportation and city
planning, and other sectors focused on connecting children and
families with the outdoors to increase coordination and
effective implementation of the policy tools and programs that
a State can bring to bear to provide outdoor opportunities for
children and families.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a State; or
(B) a consortium from one State that may include
such State and municipalities, entities of local or
tribal governments, parks and recreation departments or
districts, school districts, institutions of higher
education, or nonprofit organizations.
(2) Local partners.--The term ``local partners'' means a
municipality, entity of local or tribal government, parks and
recreation departments or districts, Indian tribe, school
district, institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or a consortium of local partners.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa,
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, any other
territory or possession of the United States, or any Indian
tribe.
SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OR IMPLEMENTATION OF
HEALTHY KIDS OUTDOORS STATE STRATEGIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to issue one
cooperative agreement per State to eligible entities to develop,
implement, and update a 5-year State strategy, to be known as a
``Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy'', designed to encourage
Americans, especially children, youth, and families, to be physically
active outdoors.
(b) Submission and Approval of Strategies.--
(1) Applications.--An application for a cooperative
agreement under subsection (a) shall--
(A) be submitted not later than 120 days after the
Secretary publishes guidelines under subsection (f)(1);
and
(B) include a Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy
meeting the requirements of subsection (c) or a
proposal for development and submission of such a
strategy.
(2) Approval of strategy; peer review.--Not later than 90
days after submission of a Healthy Kids Outdoors State
Strategy, the Secretary shall, through a peer review process,
approve or recommend changes to the strategy.
(3) Strategy update.--An eligible entity receiving funds
under this section shall update its Healthy Kids Outdoors State
Strategy at least once every 5 years. Continued funding under
this section shall be contingent upon submission of such
updated strategies and reports that document impact evaluation
methods consistent with the guidelines in subsection (f)(1) and
lessons learned from implementing the strategy.
(c) Comprehensive Strategy Requirements.--The Healthy Kids Outdoors
State Strategy under subsection (a) shall include--
(1) a description of how the eligible entity will encourage
Americans, especially children, youth, and families, to be
physically active in the outdoors through State, local, and
tribal--
(A) public health systems;
(B) public parks and recreation systems;
(C) public transportation and city planning
systems; and
(D) other public systems that connect Americans,
especially children, youth, and families, to the
outdoors;
(2) a description of how the eligible entity will partner
with nongovernmental organizations, especially those that serve
children, youth, and families, including those serving military
families and tribal agencies;
(3) a description of how State agencies will collaborate
with each other to implement the strategy;
(4) a description of how funding will be spent through
local planning and implementation subgrants under subsection
(d);
(5) a description of how the eligible entity will evaluate
the effectiveness of, and measure the impact of, the strategy,
including an estimate of the costs associated with such
evaluation;
(6) a description of how the eligible entity will provide
opportunities for public involvement in developing and
implementing the strategy;
(7) a description of how the strategy will increase
visitation to Federal public lands within the State; and
(8) a description of how the eligible entity will leverage
private funds to expand opportunities and further implement the
strategy.
(d) Local Planning and Implementation.--
(1) In general.--A Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy
shall provide for subgrants by the cooperative agreement
recipient under subsection (a) to local partners to implement
the strategy through one or more of the program activities
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Program activities.--Program activities may include--
(A) implementing outdoor recreation and youth
mentoring programs that provide opportunities to
experience the outdoors, be physically active, and
teach skills for lifelong participation in outdoor
activities, including fishing, hunting, recreational
shooting, archery, hiking, camping, outdoor play in
natural environments, and wildlife watching;
(B) implementing programs that connect communities
with safe parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation
areas through affordable public transportation and
trail systems that encourage walking, biking, and
increased physical activity outdoors;
(C) implementing school-based programs that use
outdoor learning environments, such as wildlife
habitats or gardens, and programs that use service
learning to restore natural areas and maintain
recreational assets; and
(D) implementing education programs for parents and
caregivers about the health benefits of active time
outdoors to fight obesity and increase the quality of
life for Americans, especially children, youth, and
families.
(e) Priority.--In making cooperative agreements under subsection
(a) and subgrants under subsection (d)(1), the Secretary and the
recipient under subsection (a), respectively, shall give preference to
entities that serve individuals who have limited opportunities to
experience nature, including those who are socioeconomically
disadvantaged or have a disability or suffer disproportionately from
physical and mental health stressors.
(f) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and after notice and opportunity for public
comment, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register guidelines
on the implementation of this Act, including guidelines for--
(1) developing and submitting strategies and evaluation
methods under subsection (b); and
(2) technical assistance and dissemination of best
practices under section 7.
(g) Reporting.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary approves
the Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy of an eligible entity
receiving funds under this section, and every year thereafter, the
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary a report on the
implementation of the strategy based on the entity's evaluation and
assessment of meeting the goals specified in the strategy.
(h) Allocation of Funds.--An eligible entity receiving funding
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
(1) may use not more than 5 percent of the funding for
administrative expenses; and
(2) shall use at least 95 percent of the funding for
subgrants to local partners under subsection (d).
(i) Match.--An eligible entity receiving funding under subsection
(a) for a fiscal year shall provide a 25-percent match through in-kind
contributions or cash.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR ENCOURAGING AMERICANS TO BE ACTIVE
OUTDOORS.
(a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2016, the President,
in cooperation with appropriate Federal departments and agencies, shall
develop and issue a national strategy for encouraging Americans,
especially children, youth, and families, to be physically active
outdoors. Such a strategy shall include--
(1) identification of barriers to Americans, especially
children, youth, and families, spending healthy time outdoors
and specific policy solutions to address those barriers;
(2) identification of opportunities for partnerships with
Federal, State, tribal, and local partners;
(3) coordination of efforts among Federal departments and
agencies to address the impacts of Americans, especially
children, youth, and families, spending less active time
outdoors on--
(A) public health, including childhood obesity,
attention deficit disorders and stress;
(B) the future of conservation in the United
States; and
(C) the economy;
(4) identification of ongoing research needs to document
the health, conservation, economic, and other outcomes of
implementing the national strategy and State strategies;
(5) coordination and alignment with Healthy Kids Outdoors
State Strategies; and
(6) an action plan for implementing the strategy at the
Federal level.
(b) Strategy Development.--
(1) Public participation.--Throughout the process of
developing the national strategy under subsection (a), the
President may use, incorporate, or otherwise consider existing
Federal plans and strategies that, in whole or in part,
contribute to connecting Americans, especially children, youth,
and families, with the outdoors and shall provide for public
participation, including a national summit of participants with
demonstrated expertise in encouraging individuals to be
physically active outdoors in nature.
(2) Updating the national strategy.--The President shall
update the national strategy not less than 5 years after the
date the first national strategy is issued under subsection
(a), and every 5 years thereafter. In updating the strategy,
the President shall incorporate results of the evaluation under
section 6.
SEC. 6. NATIONAL EVALUATION OF HEALTH IMPACTS.
The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and
Human Services, shall--
(1) develop recommendations for appropriate evaluation
measures and criteria for a study of national significance on
the health impacts of the strategies under this Act; and
(2) carry out such a study.
SEC. 7. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND BEST PRACTICES.
The Secretary shall--
(1) provide technical assistance to grantees under section
4 through cooperative agreements with national organizations
with a proven track record of encouraging Americans, especially
children, youth, and families, to be physically active
outdoors; and
(2) disseminate best practices that emerge from strategies
funded under this Act.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this Act--
(1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2016;
(2) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2017; and
(3) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
(b) Limitation.--Of the amounts made available to carry out this
Act for a fiscal year, not more than 5 percent may be made available
for carrying out section 7.
(c) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under this Act
shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, any other Federal,
State, or local funds available for activities that encourage
Americans, especially children, youth, and families to be physically
active outdoors. | Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2015 Authorizes the Department of the Interior to issue one cooperative agreement per state to eligible entities to implement and update a five-year Healthy Kids Outdoors State Strategy for encouraging Americans, especially children, youth, and families, to be physically active outdoors. Requires eligible entities to provide a 25% match of the funding that they receive under this Act through in-kind contributions or cash. Directs the President to issue a national strategy for encouraging Americans to be physically active outdoors. Directs Interior and the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a study of national significance on the health impacts of the strategies under this Act. Requires Interior to provide technical assistance to grantees and to disseminate best practices that emerge from the state strategies funded by this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Healthy Kids Outdoors Act of 2015"} | 3,318 | 172 | 0.384627 | 1.224386 | 0.671982 | 4.396104 | 21.480519 | 0.902597 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Appalachian Coal Heritage Area Act
of 1994''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) the rise of American industry in the late 19th and
early 20th century led to tremendous growth in the Appalachian
coal fields, creating an area of national historic significance
in terms of its contributions to American industry,
architecture, culture, and diversity;
(2) within the Appalachian coal belt, the area surrounding
and including Pocahontas, Virginia, has a particularly rich
history because the Pocahontas mine produced some of the
Nation's purest and most sought-after coal and now serves as an
invaluable historical and educational resource;
(3) to accommodate the growing population in the area, the
coal mining companies built the town of Pocahontas, one of the
oldest and most important company towns in America's coal
region;
(4) the town of Pocahontas is blessed with a rich
architectural heritage that testifies to American cultural
ability;
(5) this heritage is unique and must be preserved;
(6) the influx of labor needed to support the Pocahontas
mine created a unique cultural convergence, bringing together
Americans from northern mining areas, African-Americans from
the South, recent immigrants from Southern and Southeastern
Europe, and native Appalachians into a diverse yet integrated
community that represents the distinctive American heritage;
(7) it is in the national interest to preserve and protect
physical remnants of the late 19th and early 20th century rise
of American industry for the education and benefit of present
and future generations; and
(8) there is a need to provide assistance for the
preservation and promotion of the vestiges of the coal heritage
of Appalachia that have outstanding cultural, historic, and
architectural value.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to provide a management framework to
assist the Commonwealth of Virginia, its units of local and regional
government, and its citizens in the development and implementation of
integrated cultural, historical, and recreational land resource
management programs in order to retain, enhance, and interpret the
significant features of the lands, water, and structures of the
Appalachian Coal Heritage Area in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF APPALACHIAN COAL HERITAGE AREA.
There is hereby established in the Commonwealth of Virginia the
Appalachian Coal Heritage Area (hereinafter in this Act referred to as
the ``Area''). The Area shall consist of the area generally depicted on
the map entitled ``Appalachian Coal Heritage Area Master Plan'',
numbered ____________, and dated ____________, which shall be on file
and available for public inspection in the Office of the Director of
the National Park Service.
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) Preparation of Plan.--The town of Pocahontas may submit a
management plan (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``Plan'')
for the Area to the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') for the review and concurrence of the
Secretary. The Plan shall be based on existing Federal, State, and
local plans, and shall coordinate such plans and present an integrated
plan for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the
cultural, natural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area. The
Plan shall specify a management entity with respect to the Appalachian
Coal Heritage Area. The Secretary is authorized to provide technical
assistance in the preparation of the Plan.
(b) Implementation.--If a Plan referred to in subsection (a) is
submitted to the Secretary within 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and the Secretary concurs with the Plan, the
Secretary is authorized to enter into a cooperative agreement with the
management entity specified in the Plan to provide technical assistance
for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the resources
identified in the Plan.
SEC. 6. CONTINGENCY IF HERITAGE COMPACT NOT SUBMITTED.
(a) In General.--The establishment of the Area under section 4 and
the authorization of the Secretary under section 5(b) shall cease to be
effective if, within 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, a Heritage Compact for the Area is not--
(1) submitted to the Secretary;
(2) approved by the Secretary, after consultation with the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation in accordance with
section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; and
(3) submitted to the Congress, together with any comments
that the Secretary deems appropriate.
(b) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical
assistance to a unit of government or private nonprofit organization in
the preparation of a Heritage Compact.
(c) Definition of Heritage Compact.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``Heritage Compact'' means a compact that--
(1) is prepared with public participation;
(2) contains information relating to the objectives and
management of the Area, including--
(A) a delineation of the boundaries of the Area;
(B) a discussion of the goals and objectives of the
Area, including an explanation of the proposed approach
to conservation and interpretation and a general
outline of the protection measures committed to by the
partners;
(C) an identification and description of the
management entity that will administer the Area;
(D) a list of the initial partners to be involved
in developing and implementing the management plan for
the Area, as well as a statement of the financial
commitment of such partners; and
(E) a description of the role of the Commonwealth
of Virginia regarding the Area;
(3) outlines an implementation program that is likely to be
initiated within a reasonable time after the date of the
enactment of this Act and that ensures effective implementation
of the State and local aspects of the Plan; and
(4) is accompanied by the comments of the Governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
SEC. 7. DUTIES OF FEDERAL ENTITIES.
Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly
affecting the Area shall--
(1) consult with the Secretary and the town of Pocahontas
with respect to the activities;
(2) cooperate with the Secretary and the town of Pocahontas
with respect to the activities and, to the maximum extent
practicable, coordinate the activities with the Secretary and
the town of Pocahontas; and
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, conduct or support
the activities in a manner that will not have an adverse effect
on the Area, as determined by the Secretary and the town of
Pocahontas. | Appalachian Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994 - Establishes the Appalachian Coal Heritage Area in Virginia.
Requires the town of Pocahontas to submit an integrated management plan to the Secretary of the Interior for review and concurrence for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the cultural, natural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Area. Requires the Plan to specify a management entity for the Area. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with the entity to provide technical assistance for such protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the resources identified in the Plan.
Ceases the establishment of the Area and the authorization of the Secretary under this Act if, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, a Heritage Compact for the Area is not: (1) submitted to, and approved by, the Secretary; and (2) submitted to the Congress. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Appalachian Coal Heritage Area Act of 1994"} | 1,461 | 193 | 0.606325 | 1.840622 | 0.738715 | 5.14881 | 8.166667 | 0.946429 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Small Business Enhancement Act
of 2008''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator''
mean the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof,
respectively.
SEC. 3. RURAL AREAS.
Section 34(e)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 6657d(e)(2))
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
``(C) Rural areas.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the non-Federal share of the cost
of the activity carried out using an award or
under a cooperative agreement under this
section shall be 50 cents for each Federal
dollar that will be directly allocated by a
recipient described in paragraph (A) to serve
small business concerns located in a rural
area.
``(ii) SBIR awards.--For a recipient
located in a rural area that is located in a
States as described in subparagraph (A)(i), the
non-Federal share of the cost of the activity
carried out using an award or under a
cooperative agreement under this section shall
be 35 cents for each Federal dollar that will
be directly allocated by a recipient described
in paragraph (A) to serve small business
concerns located in the rural area.
``(iii) Definition of rural area.--In this
subparagraph, the term `rural area' has the
meaning given that term in section 1393(a)(2))
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.''.
SEC. 4. RURAL OUTREACH PROGRAM.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by
inserting after subsection (r) the following:
``(s) Outreach.--
``(1) Definition of eligible state.--In this subsection,
the term `eligible State' means a State--
``(A) if the total value of contracts awarded to
the State during fiscal year 2004 under this section
was less than $10,000,000; and
``(B) that certifies to the Administration
described in paragraph (2) that the State will, upon
receipt of assistance under this subsection, provide
matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount
that is not less than 50 percent of the amount provided
under this subsection.
``(2) Program authority.--Of amounts made available to
carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2009
through 2020, the Administrator may expend with eligible States
not more than $2,000,000 in each such fiscal year in order to
increase the participation of small business concerns located
in those States in the programs under this section.
``(3) Amount of assistance.--The amount of assistance
provided to an eligible State under this subsection in any
fiscal year--
``(A) shall be equal to twice the total amount of
matching funds from non-Federal sources provided by the
State; and
``(B) shall not exceed $100,000.
``(4) Use of assistance.--Assistance provided to an
eligible State under this subsection shall be used by the
State, in consultation with State and local departments and
agencies, for programs and activities to increase the
participation of small business concerns located in the State
in the programs under this section, including--
``(A) the establishment of quantifiable performance
goals, including goals relating to--
``(i) the number of program awards under
this section made to small business concerns in
the State; and
``(ii) the total amount of Federal research
and development contracts awarded to small
business concerns in the State;
``(B) the provision of competition outreach support
to small business concerns in the State that are
involved in research and development; and
``(C) the development and dissemination of
educational and promotional information relating to the
programs under this section to small business concerns
in the State.''.
SEC. 5. RURAL SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``qualified small business concern'' means a
small business concern located in a rural area;
(2) the term ``rural area'' has the meaning given that term
in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(3) the term ``small business concern'' has the same
meaning as under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632).
(b) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Administrator of
General Services, shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of
the House of Representatives a report describing--
(1) the number of Government-owned computers in the
possession of the Administration, including the number of
working computers, nonworking computers, desktop computers, and
laptop computers;
(2) the number of Government-owned computers disposed of by
the Administration during the 5-year period ending on the date
of enactment of this Act, including the number of such
computers that were working computers, nonworking computers,
desktop computers, or laptop computers;
(3) the procedures of the Administration for the disposal
of Government-owned computers; and
(4) the plans of the Administrator for carrying out the
pilot program under subsection (c).
(c) Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a
pilot program to provide not more than 1,000 excess Government-
owned computers each year to qualified small business concerns
at no cost or a reduced cost.
(2) Purposes of program.--The pilot program established
under paragraph (1) shall be designed to--
(A) encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas;
(B) assist small business concerns in accessing
technology; and
(C) accelerate the growth of qualified small
business concerns.
(3) Termination.--The authority to conduct the pilot
program under this subsection shall terminate 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator such sums as are necessary to carry
out this section.
SEC. 6. OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall hire not less than 5
additional full-time equivalent employees for the Office of Technology
of the Administration.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator such sums as are necessary to carry
out this section.
SEC. 7. RURAL LENDING OUTREACH PROGRAM.
Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (25)(C);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (32) relating to increased
veteran participation, as added by section 208 of the Military
Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and
Opportunity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-186; 122 Stat. 631), as
paragraph (33); and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(34) Rural lending outreach program.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall carry
out a rural lending outreach program to provide not
more than an 85 percent guaranty for loans of not more
than $250,000. The program shall be carried out only
through lenders located in rural areas (as the term
`rural' is defined in section 501(f) of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695(f))).
``(B) Loan terms.--For a loan made through the
program under this paragraph--
``(i) the Administrator shall approve or
disapprove the loan within 36 hours of the time
the Administrator receives the application;
``(ii) the program shall use abbreviated
application and documentation requirements; and
``(iii) minimum credit standards, as the
Administrator considers necessary to limit the
rate of default on loans made under the
program, shall apply.''. | Rural Small Business Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to reduce state matching funds requirements for participation in the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Revises the SBA's Rural Outreach program (a program to increase states' participation in the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs) to: (1) make eligible for program awards states whose total value of SBIR and STTR contracts awarded during FY2004 was less than $10 million and will match federal funding on a 50% basis; (2) reauthorize the program for FY2009-FY2020; and (3) require award funds to be used to increase state participation in the SBIR and STTR programs.
Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to the congressional small business committees on the number of government-owned computers in possession of, and recently disposed by, the SBA.
Directs the Administrator to establish a pilot program to annually provide up to 1,000 excess government-owned computers to small businesses at no cost or a reduced cost.
Requires the Administrator to hire at least five additional full-time employees for the SBA's Office of Technology.
Directs the Administrator to carry out a rural lending outreach program to provide up to an 85% guaranty of loans of not more than $250,000. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to improve access to technology by and increase entrepreneurship among small businesses located in rural communities, and for other purposes."} | 1,838 | 300 | 0.505231 | 1.482332 | 0.78216 | 2.283019 | 6.422642 | 0.826415 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Global Health Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Approximately \1/2\ of all childhood deaths each year
in developing nations, or 4,900,000 childhood deaths, are
caused by pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, malaria, or measles.
Every day approximately 13,500 children in developing nations
die from such conditions.
(2) Despite progress in making family planning services
available, more than 150,000,000 married women in developing
nations still want to space or limit child bearing, but do not
have access to modern contraceptives.
(3) According to the World Health Organization,
approximately 500,000 women die each year from complications of
pregnancy and childbirth, and more than 50,000,000 women suffer
from acute pregnancy-related health conditions that can be
permanently disabling.
(4) According to the World Health Organization, 13,000,000
people die annually from infectious diseases, most of which are
preventable or curable, and 6 diseases account for 90 percent
of these deaths: pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, measles,
tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.
(5) HIV/AIDS has become the world's leading infectious
disease threat, with 36,100,000 people infected worldwide, and
more than 15,000 new infections daily, of which more than 6,000
cases occur in people between the ages of 15 and 24.
SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE GLOBAL HEALTH.
(a) Emphasis on Disease Surveillance and Prevention and Response to
Disease Outbreaks.--Section 104(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(8) Congress recognizes the growing threat that
infectious diseases and other global health problems pose to
Americans and people everywhere. Accordingly, activities
supported under this subsection shall include activities to
improve the capacity of developing nations to conduct disease
surveillance and prevention programs and to respond promptly
and effectively to disease outbreaks.''.
(b) Increase in USAID Assistance for FY 2002 and Subsequent Fiscal
Years.--
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--To carry out the
purposes of section 104 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2151b) for fiscal year 2002 and for each subsequent
fiscal year, there are authorized to be appropriated, in
addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes, the
following amounts for the following purposes:
(A) The amount equal to the aggregate of amounts
made available for the immediately preceding fiscal
year to carry out that section with respect to the
health and survival of children, the health and
nutrition of pregnant women and mothers, voluntary
family planning, combating HIV/AIDS, and the prevention
and control of infectious diseases other than HIV/AIDS,
to be used for such purposes.
(B) $1,000,000,000, to be available in accordance
with paragraph (2).
(2) Allocation of funds.--Of the amount authorized to be
appropriated in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) $275,000,000 should be available for combating
HIV/AIDS;
(B) $225,000,000 should be available for the health
and survival of children;
(C) $200,000,000 should be available for the
prevention and control of infectious diseases other
than HIV/AIDS;
(D) $200,000,000 should be available for voluntary
family planning; and
(E) $100,000,000 should be available for the health
and nutrition of pregnant women and mothers.
(3) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until
expended.
(c) Coordination Among Federal Departments and Agencies.--It is the
sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development, should
coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
National Institutes of Health, the Department of State, the Department
of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and other
appropriate Federal departments and agencies to ensure that United
States funds made available to carry out section 104 of the Foreign
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151b) are utilized effectively.
SEC. 4. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ``HIV/AIDS'' means infection with the human
immunodeficiency virus. Such term includes the acquired immune
deficiency syndrome. | Global Health Act of 2001 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to mandate that activities supported in connection with health programs include activities to improve the capacity of developing nations to conduct disease surveillance and prevention programs, and to respond promptly and effectively to disease outbreaks. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 2002 and for each subsequent fiscal year for specified allocations, including the health and nutrition of children and pregnant women and mothers, voluntary family planning, and the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.Expresses the sense of Congress that the President, acting through the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, should coordinate with specified Federal departments and agencies to ensure that U.S. funds available for population planning and health programs in developing nations are used effectively. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To improve global health by increasing assistance to developing nations with high levels of infectious disease and premature death, by improving children's and women's health and nutrition, by reducing unintended pregnancies, and by combating the spread of infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, and for other purposes."} | 951 | 162 | 0.526248 | 1.531179 | 0.888451 | 4.458904 | 6.027397 | 0.910959 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Computer Owners' Bill of Rights''.
SEC. 2. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY OF TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER
OWNERS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
carry out a study of the technical support (also known as customer
service) provided computer owners by the computer industry.
(b) Owner Survey.--In carrying out the study under subsection (a),
the Comptroller General shall utilize the results of a survey of
computer owners conducted by the Comptroller General for purposes of
the study.
(c) Elements of Study.--The study under subsection (a) shall--
(1) identify the types and ranges of technical support
provided computer owners by the computer industry, including
the types and ranges of support provided by various segments of
the computer industry and the types and ranges of support
provided at various times in the life of a computer (such as
upon purchase and as part of on-going maintenance);
(2) determine whether the technical support provided
computer owners by the computer industry is adequate to address
the needs of computer owners for such support, including
whether or not computer owners receive the support promised by
various segments of the computer industry; and
(3) identify an appropriate role, if any, for the Federal
Government in the regulation of the provision of technical
support to computer owners by the computer industry in order to
ensure the protection of computer owners in the receipt of such
support.
(d) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress
a report on the study under subsection (a). The report shall--
(1) set forth the findings and conclusions of the
Comptroller General as a result of the study; and
(2) include the recommendations of the Comptroller General
on the appropriate role, if any, for the Federal Government in
the regulation of the provision of technical support to
computer owners by the computer industry as identified under
subsection (c)(3).
SEC. 3. INDUSTRY-WIDE STANDARDS FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER
OWNERS.
(a) Standards.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall establish
standards for the provision of technical support (also known as
customer service) for computers and computer-related products by the
entities referred to in subsection (c).
(b) Technical Support.--For purposes of the standards required by
subsection (a), technical support shall include the following:
(1) Telephone support.
(2) On-line support through the Internet.
(3) Support manuals and related documents.
(4) On-site support, including in-store support.
(5) Such other support as the Commission considers
appropriate for coverage under the standards.
(c) Covered Entities.--The entities covered by the standards
required by subsection (a) in the provision of technical support shall
include the following:
(1) Manufacturers of computer hardware (including
peripherals).
(2) Manufacturers of computer software.
(3) Consultants and other entities that provide technical
support.
(4) Computer resellers, if such resellers provide technical
support.
(5) Such other entities as the Commission considers
appropriate for coverage under the standards.
(d) Additional Requirements.--
(1) Consultation.--In establishing the standards required
by subsection (a), the Commission shall consult with entities
to be covered by the standards and with such consumer
organizations as the Commission considers appropriate.
(2) Separate standards based on imposition of fees.--In
establishing the standards, the Commission shall establish
separate standards for technical support provided without
charge and for technical support provided for a fee or on
another remunerative basis.
SEC. 4. COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR COMPUTER
OWNERS.
(a) Guidelines on Collection and Submission of Data on
Compliance.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall issue guidelines to
encourage each entity covered by the standards for the provision of
technical support for computers and computer-related products
established under section 3 to collect and submit to the Commission the
information specified in subsection (c).
(b) Consultation.--The Commission shall consult with appropriate
consumer organizations in issuing the guidelines under subsection (a).
(c) Information.--The information on technical support that is to
be collected and submitted by an entity pursuant to the guidelines
under subsection (a) shall include such information as the Commission
considers appropriate to provide owners and operators of computers and
computer-related products for which such technical support is provided
with the nature and quality of such technical support, including
customer satisfaction with such technical support.
(d) Presentation of Information.--
(1) In general.--The guidelines under subsection (a) shall
specify the manner of the presentation of information submitted
pursuant to the guidelines under subsection (a), including the
aggregation, disaggregation, or averaging of information, and
any other manner of presentation of information that the
Commission considers appropriate.
(2) Separate information on each basis of support.--The
guidelines shall provide that separate information be collected
and submitted under subsection (c) on each basis of technical
support provided by each entity submitting information pursuant
to the guidelines.
(e) Frequency of Submittal.--The guidelines under subsection (a)
shall provide for the submittal of information pursuant to the
guidelines on a quarterly basis.
(f) Publication.--The Commission shall make available to the
public, in a form considered appropriate by the Commission, the
information submitted to the Commission pursuant to the guidelines
under subsection (a). The Commission shall make such information public
in both printed and Internet form.
SEC. 5. PROTECTION FROM UNSOLICITED MARKETING E-MAIL.
(a) In General.--The Federal Trade Commission shall establish a
registry in which any person or entity that does not seek to receive
unsolicited marketing e-mail (commonly referred to as ``spam'') to a
computer may register the e-mail address or addresses of such computer
for that purpose.
(b) Registration.--The Commission shall permit the registration,
including registration by e-mail, of any computer on the registry
established under subsection (a).
(c) Availability of Registry to Public.--The Commission shall make
available to the public the information on the registry established
under subsection (a).
(d) Prohibition on Unsolicited Marketing E-Mail to Registered
Computers.--Except as otherwise authorized by the Commission in
regulations prescribed under this section, no person or entity may send
or otherwise submit to any computer whose e-mail address is registered
on the registry established under subsection (a) unsolicited marketing
e-mail.
(e) Civil Penalty.--The Commission may impose a civil penalty not
to exceed $10,000 for each violation of subsection (d). For purposes of
this subsection, each day of violation shall constitute a separate
offense.
(f) Enforcement Powers.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall enforce subsection
(d) utilizing the powers and authorities available to the
Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41
et seq.).
(2) Reporting of violations.--For purposes of the
enforcement of the subsection (d), the Commission shall
establish mechanisms to permit the reporting of violations of
such sections to the Commission, including appropriate links on
the Internet web site of the Commission and the use of a toll-
free telephone number (commonly referred to as an ``800
number'') for such purposes. | Computer Owners' Bill of Rights - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to carry out a study of the technical support provided computer owners by the computer industry.Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) establish standards for the provision of technical support for computers and computer-related products by computer hardware and software manufacturers, as well as consultants and resellers that provide technical support (entities); (2) issue guidelines to encourage each such entity to collect and submit to the FTC information on the nature and quality of such technical support; and (3) establish a public registry in which any person or entity that does not seek to receive unsolicited marketing e-mail to a computer may register the e-mail address(es) of such computer for that purpose. Prohibits unsolicited marketing e-mail to registered computers. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to protect owners of computers, and for other purposes."} | 1,674 | 185 | 0.592564 | 1.896407 | 0.929498 | 5.104938 | 9.648148 | 0.95679 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Responsible Online
Voter Empowerment Registration Act of 2010''.
(b) Findings.--Congress finds as follows:
(1) Most States continue to rely upon paper forms for voter
registration.
(2) Paper voter registration forms are subject to delays in
postal delivery or in submission to election officials for
processing, and may be subject to errors when data is entered
into registration systems.
(3) Online voter registration systems can solve the
problems identified with paper forms, and with proper security
measures can do so without increasing fraud.
(4) Online voter registration can increase the accuracy of
registration records and reduce costs by eliminating the need
for data entry of paper forms.
(5) States that offer online voter registration have
experienced rapid and widespread adoption by individuals
registering to vote.
(6) To ensure that online voter registrations are secure it
is vital to validate them against an existing database with
suitable information for voter registration.
(7) Voter registration records must include the voter's
signature in order to validate absentee ballots and signatures
on petitions, initiatives, and referenda.
SEC. 2. PAYMENTS TO REIMBURSE STATES FOR COSTS INCURRED IN ESTABLISHING
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION PROGRAMS.
(a) Payments for Costs of Establishing Program.--
(1) In general.--The Election Assistance Commission shall
make a payment to each eligible State to reimburse the State
for the costs incurred in establishing, if the State so chooses
to establish, an online voter registration program which meets
the requirements of subsection (b) (including costs incurred
prior to the date of the enactment of this Act).
(2) Limit on number of payments received.--A State may not
receive more than one payment under this Act.
(b) Requirements for Online Voter Registration Program.--
(1) Requirements.--An online voter registration program
established by a State meets the requirements of this
subsection if each of the following are met:
(A) The program is operated through the official
public website of the chief State election official, or
through the official public websites of such other
officials of the State or of units of local government
in the State as the chief State election official may
designate.
(B) If an applicant for voter registration uses the
program, the entire process by which the applicant
obtains, completes, and submits the voter registration
application form for elections for Federal office in
the State shall be carried out online.
(C) An applicant for voter registration may use the
program only if the applicant--
(i) has a current and valid motor vehicle
operator's license issued by the State, or
another current and valid identification issued
by the State, which includes the applicant's
signature;
(ii) agrees that such license or
identification, and the signature contained on
the license or identification, may be used by
the appropriate election officials in the State
for voter registration purposes; and
(iii) includes in the information submitted
in the application the number of the license or
identification which will be used as described
in subparagraph (B).
(D) In processing an application submitted under
the program, the election official obtains a digital
copy of the signature which is contained on the license
or identification for which the applicant provided the
number pursuant to subparagraph (C) from the State
office which issued the license or identification to
the applicant.
(E) An applicant for voter registration who uses
the program is subject to the same requirements
regarding eligibility and attestations (including
attestations of age and citizenship), and subject to
the same penalties for providing false information, as
an applicant for voter registration in the State who
does not use the program.
(F) The chief State election official establishes
measures sufficient to ensure the accuracy, integrity,
and security of the information provided by an
applicant using the program, including security
measures to prevent registration attempts when such
attempts can be identified as originating with an
automated source or being multiple or repeated attempts
from the same individual.
(2) Treatment as registration by mail for purposes of
meeting certain identification requirements.--For purposes of
section 303(b) of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C.
15483(b)), an individual who registers to vote using an online
voter registration program which meets the requirements of this
subsection shall be considered to have registered to vote by
mail.
SEC. 3. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE AND COSTS.
(a) Certification Required.--
(1) In general.--In order to receive a payment under this
Act, the State shall submit to the Commission, at such time and
in such form as the Commission may require, a statement
containing the following information and assurances:
(A) A certification that the State has established
an online voter registration program which meets the
requirements of section 2(b).
(B) A statement of the reasonable costs incurred by
the State and by units of local government in the State
in establishing the program, together with
documentation of such costs.
(2) Deadline.--A State may not receive a payment under this
Act if the State does not submit the statement required under
paragraph (1) prior to December 31, 2012.
(b) Amount of Payment.--
(1) In general.--The amount of the payment made to an
eligible State under this section shall be equal to the
reasonable costs incurred by the State and by units of local
government in the State in establishing the online voter
registration program, as set forth in the statement submitted
by the State under subsection (a)(1)(B), except that the total
amount of the payment may not exceed $1,000,000.
(2) Exclusion of amounts already reimbursed.--The amount
determined with respect to a State under paragraph (1) shall be
reduced to the extent that the State has already been
reimbursed by a requirements payment under part 1 of subtitle D
of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C.
15401 et seq.) for the costs incurred in establishing the
online voter registration program.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``chief State election official'' means, with
respect to a State, the individual designated by the State
under section 10 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993
(42 U.S.C. 1973gg-8) to be responsible for coordination of the
State's responsibilities under such Act;
(2) the term ``Commission'' means the Election Assistance
Commission; and
(3) the term ``State'' means each of the several States,
the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Guam, American Samoa, and the United States Virgin Islands.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Authorization.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Commission such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
(b) Corresponding Reduction in Unobligated Requirements Payments.--
The aggregate amount of the requirements payments under part 1 of
subtitle D of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C.
15401 et seq.) which were appropriated prior to a fiscal year which
remain unobligated as of the beginning of that fiscal year shall be
reduced by the amount appropriated pursuant to the authorization under
this section for that fiscal year.
(c) Continuing Availability of Funds.--Any amounts appropriated
pursuant to the authorization under this section shall remain available
until expended. | Responsible Online Voter Empowerment Act of 2010 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to reimburse each eligible state for the costs incurred in establishing, if it so chooses, an online voter registration program meeting specified requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To direct the Election Assistance Commission to make payments to reimburse States for costs incurred in establishing online voter registration programs, and for other purposes."} | 1,639 | 49 | 0.614713 | 1.498533 | 1.047312 | 3.794872 | 39.384615 | 0.923077 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Investment
Competitiveness Act of 1993''.
(b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Whenever in this Act an amendment or
repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a
section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be
made to a section or other provision of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
SEC. 2. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN DIVIDENDS OF REGULATED INVESTMENT
COMPANIES.
(a) General Rule.--
(1) Nonresident alien individuals.--Section 871 (relating
to tax on nonresident alien individuals) is amended by
redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l) and by inserting
after subsection (j) the following new subsection:
``(k) Exemption for Certain Dividends of Regulated Investment
Companies.--
``(1) Interest-related dividends.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), no tax shall be imposed under
paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (a) on any interest-
related dividend received from a regulated investment
company.
``(B) Exceptions.--Subparagraph (A) shall not
apply--
``(i) to any interest-related dividend
received from a regulated investment company by
a person to the extent such dividend is
attributable to interest (other than interest
described in subparagraph (E) (i) or (iii))
received by such company on indebtedness issued
by such person or by any corporation or
partnership with respect to which such person
is a 10-percent shareholder,
``(ii) to any interest-related dividend
with respect to stock of a regulated investment
company unless the person who would otherwise
be required to deduct and withhold tax from
such dividend under chapter 3 receives a
statement (which meets requirements similar to
the requirements of subsection (h)(4)) that the
beneficial owner of such stock is not a United
States person, and
``(iii) to any interest-related dividend
paid to any person within a foreign country (or
any interest-related dividend payment addressed
to, or for the account of, persons within such
foreign country) during any period described in
subsection (h)(5) with respect to such country.
Clause (iii) shall not apply to any dividend with
respect to any stock which was acquired on or before
the date of the publication of the Secretary's
determination under subsection (h)(5).
``(C) Interest-related dividend.--For purposes of
this paragraph, an interest-related dividend is any
dividend (or part thereof) which is designated by the
regulated investment company as an interest-related
dividend in a written notice mailed to its shareholders
not later than 60 days after the close of its taxable
year. If the aggregate amount so designated with
respect to a taxable year of the company (including
amounts so designated with respect to dividends paid
after the close of the taxable year described in
section 855) is greater than the qualified net interest
income of the company for such taxable year, the
portion of each distribution which shall be an
interest-related dividend shall be only that portion of
the amounts so designated which such qualified net
interest income bears to the aggregate amount so
designated.
``(D) Qualified net interest income.--For purposes
of subparagraph (C), the term `qualified net interest
income' means the qualified interest income of the
regulated investment company reduced by the deductions
properly allocable to such income.
``(E) Qualified interest income.--For purposes of
subparagraph (D), the term `qualified interest income'
means the sum of the following amounts derived by the
regulated investment company from sources within the
United States:
``(i) Any amount includible in gross income
as original issue discount (within the meaning
of section 1273) on an obligation payable 183
days or less from the date of original issue
(without regard to the period held by the
company).
``(ii) Any interest includable in gross
income (including amounts recognized as
ordinary income in respect of original issue
discount or market discount or acquisition
discount under part V of subchapter P and such
other amounts as regulations may provide) on an
obligation which is in registered form; except
that this clause shall not apply to any
interest on an obligation issued by a
corporation or partnership if the regulated
investment company is a 10-percent shareholder
in such corporation or partnership.
``(iii) Any interest referred to in
subsection (i)(2)(A) (without regard to the
trade or business of the regulated investment
company).
``(F) 10-percent shareholder.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the term `10-percent shareholder' has the
meaning given to such term by subsection (h)(3).
``(2) Short-term capital gain dividends.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), no tax shall be imposed under
paragraph (1)(A) of subsection (a) on any short-term
capital gain dividend received from a regulated
investment company.
``(B) Exception for aliens taxable under subsection
(a)(2).--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply in the case
of any nonresident alien individual subject to tax
under subsection (a)(2).
``(C) Short-term capital gain dividend.--For
purposes of this paragraph, a short-term capital gain
dividend is any dividend (or part thereof) which is
designated by the regulated investment company as a
short-term capital gain dividend in a written notice
mailed to its shareholders not later than 60 days after
the close of its taxable year. If the aggregate amount
so designated with respect to a taxable year of the
company (including amounts so designated with respect
to dividends paid after the close of the taxable year
described in section 855) is greater than the qualified
short-term gain of the company for such taxable year,
the portion of each distribution which shall be a
short-term capital gain dividend shall be only that
portion of the amounts so designated which such
qualified short-term gain bears to the aggregate amount
so designated.
``(D) Qualified short-term gain.--For purposes of
subparagraph (C), the term `qualified short-term gain'
means the excess of the net short-term capital gain of
the regulated investment company for the taxable year
over the net long-term capital loss (if any) of such
company for such taxable year. For purposes of this
paragraph, the excess of the net short-term capital
gain for a taxable year over the net long-term capital
loss for a taxable year (to which an election under
section 4982(e)(4) does not apply) shall be determined
without regard to any net capital loss or net short-
term capital loss attributable to transactions after
October 31 of such year, and any such net capital loss
or net short-term capital loss shall be treated as
arising on the 1st day of the next taxable year. To the
extent provided in regulations, the preceding sentence
shall apply also for purposes of computing the taxable
income of the regulated investment company.''.
(2) Foreign corporations.--Section 881 is amended by
redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f) and by inserting
after subsection (d) the following new subsection:
``(e) Tax Not To Apply to Certain Dividends of Regulated Investment
Companies.--
``(1) Interest-related dividends.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), no tax shall be imposed under
paragraph (1) of subsection (a) on any interest-related
dividend (as defined in section 871(k)(1)) received
from a regulated investment company.
``(B) Exception.--Subparagraph (A) shall not
apply--
``(i) to any dividend referred to in
section 871(k)(1)(B), and
``(ii) to any interest-related dividend
received by a controlled foreign corporation
(within the meaning of section 957(a)) to the
extent such dividend is attributable to
interest received by the regulated investment
company from a person who is a related person
(within the meaning of section 864(d)(4)) with
respect to such controlled foreign corporation.
``(C) Treatment of dividends received by controlled
foreign corporations.--The rules of subsection
(c)(4)(A) shall apply to any interest-related dividend
received by a controlled foreign corporation (within
the meaning of section 957(a)) to the extent such
dividend is attributable to interest received by the
regulated investment company which is described in
clause (ii) of section 871(k)(1)(E) (and not described
in clause (i) or (iii) of such section).
``(2) Short-term capital gain dividends.--No tax shall be
imposed under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) on any short-term
capital gain dividend (as defined in section 871(k)(2))
received from a regulated investment company.''.
(3) Withholding taxes.--
(A) Subsection (c) of section 1441 is amended by
adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
``(12) Certain dividends received from regulated investment
companies.--
``(A) In general.--No tax shall be required to be
deducted and withheld under subsection (a) from any
amount exempt from the tax imposed by section
871(a)(1)(A) by reason of section 871(k).
``(B) Special rule.--For purposes of subparagraph
(A), clause (i) of section 871(k)(1)(B) shall not apply
to any dividend unless the regulated investment company
knows that such dividend is a dividend referred to in
such clause. A similar rule shall apply with respect to
the exception contained in section 871(k)(2)(B).''.
(B) Subsection (a) of section 1442 is amended--
(i) by striking ``and the references in
section 1441(c)(10)'' and inserting ``the
reference in section 1441(c)(10)'', and
(ii) by inserting before the period at the
end thereof the following: ``, and the
references in section 1441(c)(12) to sections
871(a) and 871(k) shall be treated as referring
to sections 881(a) and 881(e) (except that for
purposes of applying subparagraph (A) of
section 1441(c)(12), as so modified, clause
(ii) of section 881(e)(1)(B) shall not apply to
any dividend unless the regulated investment
company knows that such dividend is a dividend
referred to in such clause)''.
(b) Estate Tax Treatment of Interest in Certain Regulated
Investment Companies.--Section 2105 (relating to property without the
United States for estate tax purposes) is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following new subsection:
``(d) Stock in a RIC.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this subchapter, stock
in a regulated investment company (as defined in section 851)
owned by a nonresident not a citizen of the United States shall
not be deemed property within the United States in the
proportion that, at the end of the quarter of such investment
company's taxable year immediately preceding a decedent's date
of death (or at such other time as the Secretary may designate
in regulations), the assets of the investment company that were
qualifying assets with respect to the decedent bore to the
total assets of the investment company.
``(2) Qualifying assets.--For purposes of this subsection,
qualifying assets with respect to a decedent are assets that,
if owned directly by the decedent, would have been--
``(A) amounts, deposits, or debt obligations
described in subsection (b) of this section,
``(B) debt obligations described in the last
sentence of section 2104(c), or
``(C) other property not within the United
States.''.
(c) Treatment of Regulated Investment Companies Under Section
897.--
(1) Paragraph (1) of section 897(h) is amended by striking
``REIT'' each place it appears and inserting ``qualified
investment entity''.
(2) Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 897(h) are amended to
read as follows:
``(2) Sale of stock in domestically controlled entity not
taxed.--The term `United States real property interest' does
not include any interest in a domestically controlled qualified
investment entity.
``(3) Distributions by domestically controlled qualified
investment entities.--In the case of a domestically controlled
qualified investment entity, rules similar to the rules of
subsection (d) shall apply to the foreign ownership percentage
of any gain.''.
(3) Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 897(h)(4) are
amended to read as follows:
``(A) Qualified investment entity.--The term
`qualified investment entity' means any real estate
investment trust and any regulated investment company.
``(B) Domestically controlled.--The term
`domestically controlled qualified investment entity'
means any qualified investment entity in which at all
times during the testing period less than 50 percent in
value of the stock was held directly or indirectly by
foreign persons.''.
(4) Subparagraphs (C) and (D) of section 897(h)(4) are each
amended by striking ``REIT'' and inserting ``qualified
investment entity''.
(5) The subsection heading for subsection (h) of section
897 is amended by striking ``REITS'' and inserting ``Certain
Investment Entities''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to dividends with respect to taxable years of regulated
investment companies beginning after the date of the enactment of this
Act. | Investment Competitiveness Act of 1993 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt interest-related dividends received from a regulated investment company from the 30 percent tax on the income of nonresident aliens and foreign corporations not connected with U.S. business. Provides exceptions.
Provides for determining taxable estate stock of nonresident non-citizens in regulated investment companies.
Applies the special rules for real estate investment trusts on the disposition of investment in U.S. real property to regulated investment companies. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Investment Competitiveness Act of 1993"} | 3,130 | 116 | 0.583126 | 1.438593 | 0.622484 | 1.659091 | 32.170455 | 0.818182 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Work for Warriors Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. DIRECT EMPLOYMENT PILOT PROGRAM FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL
GUARD AND RESERVE.
(a) Establishment.--Chapter 1601 of title 10, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``CHAPTER 1601--TRAINING GENERALLY
``Sec.
``16101. Work for Warriors Program.
``Sec. 16101. Work for Warriors Program
``(a) Program Authority.--The Chief of the National Guard Bureau
shall carry out a pilot program (to be known as the `Work for Warriors
Program') to enhance the efforts of the Department of Defense to
provide job placement assistance and related employment services
directly to members of the reserve components of the armed forces.
``(b) Administration.--The Work for Warriors Program shall be
offered to, and administered by, the adjutants general appointed under
section 314 of title 32.
``(c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--As a condition on the provision of
funds under this section to a State to support the operation of a Work
for Warriors Program in the State, the State must agree to contribute
an amount, derived from non-Federal sources, equal to at least 30
percent of the funds provided by the Chief of the National Guard
Bureau.
``(d) Direct Employment Program Model.--The Work for Warriors
Program should follow a job placement program model that focuses on
working one-on-one with a member of a reserve component to cost-
effectively provide job placement services, including services such as
identifying unemployed and underemployed members, job matching
services, resume editing, interview preparation, and post-employment
follow up. Development of the Work for Warriors Program should be
informed by State direct employment programs for members of the reserve
components of the armed forces, such as the programs conducted in
California and South Carolina.
``(e) Assistance From Other Federal Agencies.--The Secretary of
Labor may provide technical assistance to the Chief of the National
Guard Bureau and State adjutants general in the development and
implementation of the Work for Warriors Program.
``(f) Evaluation.--The Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall
develop outcome measurements to evaluate the success of the Work for
Warriors Program in a State.
``(g) Reporting Requirements.--
``(1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the
completion of a Work for Warriors Program conducted under
subsection (a), the Chief of the National Guard Bureau shall
submit to the congressional defense committees a report
describing the results of the program. The Chief shall prepare
the report in coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense
for Personnel and Readiness.
``(2) Elements of report.--A report under paragraph (1)
shall include the following:
``(A) A description and assessment of the
effectiveness and achievements of the Work for Warriors
Program, including the number of members of the reserve
components hired and the cost-per-placement of
participating members.
``(B) An assessment of the impact of the Work for
Warriors Program and increased reserve component
employment levels on the readiness of members of the
reserve components.
``(C) A comparison of the Work for Warriors Program
to other programs conducted by the Department of
Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to provide
unemployment and underemployment support to members of
the reserve components.
``(D) Any other matters considered appropriate by
the Chief of the National Guard Bureau or the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
``(h) Limitation on Total Fiscal-Year Obligations.--The total
amount obligated by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to carry out
the Work for Warriors Program for any fiscal year may not exceed
$20,000,000.
``(i) Duration of Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The authority of the Chief of the
National Guard Bureau to carry out the Work for Warriors
Program applies during fiscal years 2015 through 2018.
``(2) Extension.--Upon the expiration of the authority
under paragraph (1), the Chief of the National Guard Bureau may
extend the Work for Warriors Program for not more than two
additional fiscal years.''.
(b) Table of Chapters.--The table of chapters at the beginning of
subtitle E of title 10, United States Code, and at the beginning of
part IV of such subtitle, are each amended by striking the item
relating to chapter 1601 and inserting the following new item:
``1601. Work for Warriors Program.......................... 16101''. | Work for Warriors Act of 2014 - Directs the Chief of the National Guard to carry out a pilot program, to be known as the Work for Warriors Program, to enhance Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to provide job placement assistance and related employment services to members of the reserve components. Requires each participating state to provide at least 30% in matching funds. Requires the Program to follow a direct employment program model, with one-on-one job placement and follow-up services to such individuals. Requires the Chief to: (1) develop outcome measures to evaluate the success of the Program in each state, and (2) report to the congressional defense committees on Program results. Grants the Chief authority to carry out the Program during FY2015-FY2018, with an authorized extension for up to two additional years. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Work for Warriors Act of 2014"} | 1,009 | 174 | 0.689784 | 1.929584 | 0.791635 | 2.880503 | 5.930818 | 0.918239 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Occupation of Guam Remembrance
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) In August 1978, Public Law 95-348 (section 6; 16 U.S.C.
410dd) established the War in the Pacific National Historical
Park on Guam.
(2) In December 1993, section 3(b)(1) of Public Law 103-197
(16 U.S.C. 410dd(l)) authorized the construction of a memorial
wall at the Asan Bay Overlook in the War in the Pacific
National Historical Park, commemorating the loyalty of the
people of Guam during World War II and the heroism of the
American forces that liberated Guam from occupation by Imperial
Japan.
(3) In December 2002, the Guam War Claims Review Commission
Act (Public Law 107-333) established the Guam War Claims Review
Commission to--
(A) review the facts and circumstances surrounding
the implementation and administration of the Guam
Meritorious Claims Act of 1945 (Public Law 79-224); and
(B) advise on additional compensation to the people
of Guam for death, personal injury, forced labor,
forced march, and internment by occupying Imperial
Japanese military forces between December 8, 1941, and
July 21, 1944.
(4) In December 2016, the Guam World War II Loyalty
Recognition Act (title XVII of Public Law 114-328), provided
for war claim payments to victims and survivors of the
occupation of Guam by Imperial Japan.
(5) In June 2018, the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission
began reviewing war claims submitted on behalf of victims and
survivors of the occupation of Guam and their families,
pursuant to the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act
(title XVII of Public Law 114-328).
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO UPDATE AND MAINTAIN MEMORIAL WALL.
(a) Authorities and Duties of the Secretary.--The Secretary--
(1) shall maintain the memorial wall, including correcting
and updating the names of those eligible to be listed on the
memorial wall; and
(2) shall notify the delegate to the United States House of
Representatives from Guam and the Governor of Guam of any
proposed revisions or additions to the memorial wall not less
than 1 month before any revisions or additions are made.
(b) Addition of War Claimant Names.--In carrying out subsection
(a), the Secretary shall--
(1) add the names of all ``compensable Guam decedents'' and
``compensable Guam victims'' submitted to the Foreign Claims
Settlement Commission pursuant to section 1705(b)(8) of the
Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act (title XVII of Public
Law 114-328; 22 U.S.C. 1621 note), if such names do not appear
on the wall on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) inform individuals who submitted claims to the Foreign
Claims Settlement Commission under the Guam World War II
Loyalty Recognition Act (title XVII of Public Law 114-328; 22
U.S.C. 1621 note) that the name of each ``compensable Guam
decedent'' or ``compensable Guam victim'' submitted by the
respective individual to the Commission--
(A) appears on the memorial wall already, and
provide additional relevant information as appropriate;
or
(B) will be added to the memorial wall pursuant to
paragraph (1).
(c) War Claimant Information.--The Foreign Claims Settlement
Commission shall provide such information as is necessary for the
Secretary to carry out this section.
(d) Revisions to Names Listed.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Secretary shall--
(1) publish the names listed on the memorial wall on a
publicly accessible website of the National Park Service;
(2) publish the names to be added to or revised on the
memorial wall, at a future date to be determined by the
Secretary, on such website; and
(3) provide a mechanism on such website for individuals to
request that names listed on the memorial wall be revised to
ensure accuracy or added to the memorial wall if such
individuals--
(A) demonstrate a legitimate reason, as determined
by the Secretary, for such listed names to be revised
or added; and
(B) submit appropriate documentation including
affidavits, as determined by the Secretary, to
substantiate the revision or addition requested.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Compensable guam decedents.--The term ``compensable
Guam decedents'' has the meaning given that term by the Guam
World War II Loyalty Recognition Act (title XVII of Public Law
114-328; 22 U.S.C. 1621 note).
(2) Compensable guam victims.--The term ``compensable Guam
victims'' has the meaning given that term by the Guam World War
II Loyalty Recognition Act (title XVII of Public Law 114-328;
22 U.S.C. 1621 note).
(3) Government of guam.--The term ``Government of Guam''
has the meaning given that term by the Organic Act of Guam (48
U.S.C. 1421 et seq.).
(4) Memorial wall.--The term ``memorial wall'' means the
Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall authorized to be constructed
under section 3(b)(1) of Public Law 103-197 (16 U.S.C.
410dd(l)), and located in the War in the Pacific National
Historical Park on Guam established under section 6 of Public
Law 95-348 (16 U.S.C. 410dd).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 4. FUNDING.
Section 1707 of the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act
(title XVII of Public Law 114-328; 22 U.S.C. 1621 note) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Memorial Wall.--The Secretary may award grants under
subsection (a) (and, when grant recipients acceptable to the Secretary
are not available for this purpose, may directly use funds made
available for such grants) to correct and update the names of those
eligible to be listed on, and other activities related to updating and
maintaining, the Asan Bay Overlook Memorial Wall authorized to be
constructed under section 3(b)(1) of Public Law 103-197.''.
SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) section 6 of Public Law 95-348 (16 U.S.C. 410dd(i))
directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the
National Park Service, to employ and train residents of Guam or
the Northern Mariana Islands to develop, maintain, and
administer the War in the Pacific National Historical Park; and
(2) the Secretary, acting through the Director of the
National Park Service, should increase efforts to recruit,
hire, and train Guam residents as employees at the War in the
Pacific National Historical Park pursuant to the directive in
such section.
SEC. 6. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY.
The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the
National Park Service, may appoint, without regard to the provisions of
subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, other than sections 3303 and
3328 of such title, a qualified candidate directly to for any future
vacant position at the War in the Pacific National Historical Park for
which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification
standards.
SEC. 7. LAND CONVEYANCE TO GOVERNMENT OF GUAM.
(a) Conveyance Required.--Not later than 6 months after the date on
which the Guam Waterworks Authority submits a written request to the
Secretary, the Secretary shall convey to the Government of Guam for
public benefit use, by quitclaim deed and without reimbursement, all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the
approximately 1 acre of Federal land generally described as ``GWA
parcel of Lot 499'' on the map entitled ``War in the Pacific National
Historical Park, Guam, Proposed Conveyance and Boundary Adjustment''
and dated July 2018.
(b) Availability of Map.--The map referred to in subsection (a)
shall be kept on file and available for public inspection at the
appropriate office of the National Park Service and available for
public inspection on a website of the National Park Service. The
Secretary may correct minor errors in the map.
(c) Survey.--The exact acreage and legal description of the Federal
land to be conveyed under subsection (a) shall be determined by a
survey satisfactory to the Secretary.
(d) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The conveyance under
subsection (a) shall be subject to any other terms and conditions that
the Secretary considers appropriate to protect the interests of the
United States.
(e) Required Use; Reversion.--
(1) Required use.--The Federal land conveyed under
subsection (a) may be used by the Government of Guam only for
the Guam Waterworks Authority to operate the public drinking
water system of the territory of Guam.
(2) Reversion.--If the Secretary determines that the
Federal land conveyed to the Government of Guam pursuant to
subsection (a) is not used in accordance with paragraph (1),
all right, title, and interest in and to such parcel shall, at
the option of the Secretary, revert to the United States.
SEC. 8. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 6 of the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize appropriations
for certain insular areas of the United States, and for other
purposes'', approved August 18, 1978 (16 U.S.C. 410dd), is amended--
(1) in subsection (l), by striking ``herosim'' and
inserting ``heroism''; and
(2) in subsection (n), by striking ``section (l)'' before
the final period and inserting ``subsection (l)''. | Occupation of Guam Remembrance Act This bill directs the National Park Service (NPS) of the Department of the Interior to maintain the memorial wall of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam. The bill requires the NPS to: notify Guam's Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives and the Governor of Guam of any proposed revisions or additions to the wall at least one month in advance, add specified names to the wall, respond to specified claims submitted to the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission under the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, and publish the names listed on the memorial wall on a public website. The NPS shall convey to Guam approximately one acre of identified federal land for public use. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Occupation of Guam Remembrance Act"} | 2,272 | 172 | 0.649349 | 1.909845 | 0.681705 | 3.385714 | 14.228571 | 0.842857 |
SECTION 1. USE OF BUILDINGS ON MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND RESERVE
COMPONENT FACILITIES AS POLLING PLACES.
(a) Use of Military Installations Authorized.--Section 2670 of
title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``Under'' and inserting ``(a) Use by Red
Cross.--Under'';
(2) by striking ``this section'' and inserting ``this
subsection''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Use as Polling Places.--(1) Notwithstanding chapter 29 of
title 18 (including sections 592 and 593 of such title), the Secretary
of a military department may make a building located on a military
installation under the jurisdiction of the Secretary available for use
as a polling place in any Federal, State, or local election for public
office.
``(2) Once a military installation is made available as the site of
a polling place with respect to a Federal, State, or local election for
public office, the Secretary shall continue to make the site available
for subsequent elections for public office unless the Secretary
provides to Congress advance notice in a reasonable and timely manner
of the reasons why the site will no longer be made available as a
polling place.
``(3) In this section, the term `military installation' has the
meaning given the term in section 2687(e) of this title.''.
(b) Use of Reserve Component Facilities.--(1) Section 18235 of
title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(c) Pursuant to a lease or other agreement under subsection
(a)(2), the Secretary may make a facility covered by subsection (a)
available for use as a polling place in any Federal, State, or local
election for public office notwithstanding chapter 29 of title 18
(including sections 592 and 593 of such title). Once a facility is made
available as the site of a polling place with respect to an election
for public office, the Secretary shall continue to make the facility
available for subsequent elections for public office unless the
Secretary provides to Congress advance notice in a reasonable and
timely manner of the reasons why the facility will no longer be made
available as a polling place.''.
(2) Section 18236 of such title is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(e) Pursuant to a lease or other agreement under subsection
(c)(1), a State may make a facility covered by subsection (c) available
for use as a polling place in any Federal, State, or local election for
public office notwithstanding chapter 29 of title 18 (including
sections 592 and 593 of such title).''.
(c) Conforming Amendments to Title 18.--(1) Section 592 of title
18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``This section shall not prohibit the use of buildings located on
military installations, or the use of reserve component facilities, as
polling places in Federal, State, and local elections for public office
in accordance with section 2670(b), 18235, or 18236 of title 10.''.
(2) Section 593 of such title is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``This section shall not prohibit the use of buildings located on
military installations, or the use of reserve component facilities, as
polling places in Federal, State, and local elections for public office
in accordance with section 2670(b), 18235, or 18236 of title 10.''.
(d) Conforming Amendment to Voting Rights Law.--Section 2003 of the
Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1972) is amended by adding at the end the
following: ``Making a military installation or reserve component
facility available as a polling place in a Federal, State, or local
election for public office in accordance with section 2670(b), 18235,
or 18236 of title 10, United States Code, shall be deemed to be
consistent with this section.''.
(e) Availability of Polling Places for 2000 Federal Elections.--If
a military installation or reserve component facility was made
available as the site of a polling place with respect to an election
for Federal office held during 1998, the same or a comparable site
shall be made available for use as a polling place with respect to the
general election for Federal office to be held in November 2000.
(f) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of section 2670 of title
10, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 2670. Buildings on military installations: use by American
National Red Cross and as polling places in Federal,
State, and local elections''.
(2) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at
the beginning of chapter 159 of such title is amended to read as
follows:
``2670. Buildings on military installations: use by American National
Red Cross and as polling places in Federal,
State, and local elections.''.
Passed the House of Representatives October 12, 2000.
Attest:
Clerk. | Amends the Revised Statutes to authorize the use of military installations or reserve facilities for such purposes. Requires an installation or facility that was made available for a Federal election during 1998 to be made available for the general election for Federal office in November 2000. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend titles 10 and 18, United States Code, and the Revised Statutes to remove the uncertainty regarding the authority of the Department of Defense to permit buildings located on military installations and reserve component facilities to be used as polling places in Federal, State, and local elections for public office."} | 1,150 | 58 | 0.491466 | 1.302987 | 0.526941 | 2.1875 | 21.958333 | 0.895833 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Small Governments Regulatory
Improvement and Innovation Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) better determine the cost and other impacts of
regulation on small governments;
(2) encourage the use of more flexible regulatory
approaches that lessen compliance burdens on small governments;
and
(3) test innovative methods of regulation.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act--
(1) the term ``small government'' means a small
governmental jurisdiction as defined under section 601(5) of
title 5, United States Code;
(2) the term ``agency'' means any agency as defined under
section 551(1) of title 5, United States Code;
(3) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the Office
of Management and Budget;
(4) the term ``Council'' means the Council on Small
Governments established under section 8;
(5) the term ``small entity'' means a small entity as
defined under section 601(6) of title 5, United States Code;
and
(6) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
the Small Business Administration.
SEC. 4. AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) Guidelines.--The head of each agency shall, after opportunity
for public comment, issue guidelines consistent with section 6(b) of
this Act to ensure implementation of chapter 6 of title 5, United
States Code, by the agency.
(b) Plans.--The head of each agency shall develop a plan to inform,
educate, and advise small entities on compliance with any rule that has
a significant impact on small entities. Such plan shall be published in
the Federal Register in the notice of proposed rulemaking and the final
rulemaking notice for any such rule, and shall include a listing of--
(1) local and regional workshops for the purpose of
providing and receiving information about the impact of the
rule;
(2) written guidance and other applicable publications and
their availability; and
(3) relevant Federal, State, and local technical assistance
programs.
(c) Reports.--The head of each agency shall report annually to the
Administrator and to the Director on the agency's implementation of
this Act and compliance with the provisions of chapter 6 of title 5,
United States Code.
SEC. 5. SMALL GOVERNMENT COORDINATORS.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in each agency the
position of Small Government Coordinator who shall report directly to
the head of the agency. The Small Government Coordinator shall--
(1) communicate the small government perspective on agency
rules and policies during the development of such rules and
policies;
(2) oversee and report to the agency head on agency efforts
to comply with chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, as
such chapter applies to small governmental jurisdictions,
including--
(A) participation in the development of agency
guidelines for the full implementation of chapter 6 of
title 5, United States Code, as such chapter applies to
small governmental jurisdictions; and
(B) the development of alternative regulatory
proposals that accomplish the stated objectives of
applicable statutes and which minimize the impact of
regulations on small governments by working with--
(i) agency regulatory policy personnel;
(ii) national organizations representing
small governments;
(iii) local elected officials;
(iv) public policy experts;
(v) the Administrator;
(vi) the Director; and
(vii) the Council;
(3) advising the agency head on establishing electronic or
other means of information collection to gather data on small
governments;
(4) advising the agency head and the Director on the
development and implementation of the pilot program established
under section 6; and
(5) providing technical assistance to small governments on
compliance with agency regulations.
(b) Personnel.--To the greatest extent practicable, the head of
each agency shall designate existing personnel to perform the duties
described under this section.
(c) Waiver.--(1) The head of an agency may waive the requirements
of this section if such agency head--
(A) in consultation with the Council and in concurrence
with the Director, certifies that the agency does not issue a
significant number of rules affecting small governments; and
(B) publishes such certification in the Federal Register.
(2) Such waiver shall be reviewed annually and such certification
shall be made annually, if appropriate.
SEC. 6. REGULATORY COORDINATION.
(a) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.--The Director
shall delegate responsibility for the implementation of all duties of
the Director under this Act to the Administrator of the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs.
(b) Guidelines.--The Director, in consultation with the
Administrator of Small Business, shall issue guidelines to agencies on
the identification of rules having a significant impact on small
entities. In issuing the guidelines, the Director shall consider--
(1) the number of small entities that may be impacted by a
rule;
(2) the economic cost or benefit to small entities from
compliance with a rule;
(3) the effect a rule may have on regional economies; and
(4) the reporting and paperwork requirements imposed on
small entities by a rule.
(c) Compliance.--The Director, to the extent permitted by law and
in consultation with the Administrator, shall be responsible for
monitoring and coordinating agency compliance with the requirements of
this Act.
SEC. 7. REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Director, in consultation with agencies and
the Council, shall establish pilot programs in at least 2 agencies to
test innovative, and more flexible regulatory approaches that--
(1) reduce reporting and compliance burdens on small
entities; and
(2) meet overall statutory goals and objectives.
(b) Program Contents.--The pilot programs shall focus on rules in
effect or proposed rules, or a combination thereof, that have a
significant impact on small entities, with equal emphasis given to
rules that impact small governments, small business, and small
organizations.
SEC. 8. THE SMALL GOVERNMENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Establishment.--(1) There is established a Small Governments
Advisory Council composed of 9 representatives from small governments
appointed by the President, of whom no more than 5 shall be from any
one political party.
(2) No later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the President shall make the original appointments to the Council.
(b) Membership.--No less than 6 members of the Council shall be
acting small governmental officials. Members of the Council shall--
(1) have an extensive understanding of and experience with
the operations of small governments; and
(2) represent a balance with respect to the regions, the
sizes of small governments, and the occupations represented on
the Council.
(c) Duties.--The duties of the Small Governments Advisory Council
shall be to--
(1) serve as a focal point for the receipt of comments
concerning the regulatory policies and activities of agencies
that affect small governments;
(2) advise the Small Government Coordinators as to the
performance of their duties under section 5;
(3)(A) develop proposals for changes in the regulatory
policies and activities of any agency which shall carry out the
purposes of this Act; and
(B) communicate such proposals to the Director and
appropriate agencies;
(4)(A) monitor the costs and other burdens of Federal
regulation on small governments, including the cumulative
effect of such regulation; and
(B) make legislative and nonlegislative proposals for
eliminating excessive or unnecessary regulatory burdens placed
on small governments;
(5) advise the Director on the implementation of section 6
as such section relates to small governments; and
(6) report annually to the Administrator and the Director
on the actions of the Council under this Act, including--
(A) a summary of all proposals offered under
subsection (c)(3);
(B) a detailed assessment, prepared in consultation
with the Small Government Coordinators established
under section 5, of the costs and other burdens of
government regulation on small governments, including
the cumulative effects of such regulation; and
(C) an assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot
programs established under section 7.
(d) Chairman.--The Council shall elect a chairman and meet at the
call of the chairman but no less often than every 6 months.
(e) Meetings.--The Director shall meet with the Council on a
regular basis, but no less often than every 6 months.
(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Council shall be subject
to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this
section.
SEC. 9. ASSISTANCE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
Consistent with applicable law, each department, agency, and
instrumentality of the Federal Government shall furnish to the Council
such reports and other information as the Council determines necessary
to carry out its duties under this Act.
SEC. 10. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 601(5) by inserting ``Indian tribes,'' after
``school districts,'';
(2) in section 602(b) by inserting ``the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and'' after ``transmitted to'';
and
(3) in section 605(b)--
(A) in the first sentence by striking out
``sections 603 and 604 of this title'' and inserting in
lieu thereof ``sections 603(c) and 604 of this title'';
and
(B) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking out ``or at the time of
publication of the final rule''; and
(ii) by inserting ``the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and'' after
``such certification and statement to''. | Small Governments Regulatory Improvement and Innovation Act of 1993 - Requires agency heads to: (1) issue guidelines to ensure agency implementation of regulatory function analysis requirements under current Federal law; and (2) develop a plan to inform, educate, and advise small entities on compliance with any rule with a significant impact on them.
Establishes in each agency the position of Small Government Coordinator to: (1) communicate the small government perspective on agency rules and policies during their development; (2) oversee and report to the agency head on agency efforts to comply with regulatory function analysis requirements as they apply to small governmental jurisdictions; (3) advise the agency head on establishing electronic or other means of information collection to gather data on small governments; (4) advise the agency head and the OMB Director on the development and implementation of the pilot program established pursuant to such requirements; and (5) provide technical assistance to small governments on compliance with agency regulations.
Requires the OMB Director to: (1) delegate responsibility for the implementation of all his or her duties under this Act to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; (2) issue agency guidelines on the identification of rules having a significant impact on small entities; (3) monitor agency compliance with this Act; and (4) establish pilot programs to test innovative, more flexible approaches to reduce burdens on small entities while meeting overall statutory goals and objectives.
Establishes a Small Governments Advisory Council to perform various specified duties, including developing proposals for : (1) changes in the regulatory policies and activities of any agency which carries out the purposes of this Act; and (2) eliminating excessive or unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on small governments. Authorizes appropriations.
Amends Federal law to include Indian tribes within the purview of regulatory function analysis requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Small Governments Regulatory Improvement and Innovation Act of 1993"} | 2,125 | 367 | 0.636338 | 1.93347 | 0.93569 | 4.296089 | 5.74581 | 0.882682 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Mammal Cooperative Agreements
in Alaska Amendments Act of 2008''.
SEC. 2. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS IN ALASKA.
(a) Definition of Depletion and Depleted.--Section 3(1)(A) of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1362(1)(A)) is amended
by striking ``of this Act,'' and inserting ``and, for any stock subject
to a cooperative agreement with a harvest management plan entered into
under section 119, those Alaska Native organizations that are
signatories to such an agreement,''.
(b) Exemption of Takings for Subsistence or Authentic Native
Articles.--Section 101(b) (16 U.S.C. 1371) is amended by striking
``section 109'' and inserting ``sections 109 and 119(c)''.
(c) Use of Alaska Native Organizations for Enforcement.--Section
107(a) (16 U.S.C. 1377(a)) is amended by inserting ``, or of an Alaska
Native organization for purposes of enforcing this title pursuant to a
harvest management plan with the organization under section 119''
before the period at the end.
(d) Marine Mammal Cooperative Agreements in Alaska.--Section 119
(16 U.S.C. 1388) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 119. MARINE MAMMAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS IN ALASKA.
``(a) Marine Mammal Cooperative Agreements in Alaska.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements with Alaska Native organizations to conserve and
manage any stock of marine mammals and provide comanagement of
subsistence use by Alaska Natives. Such agreements may include,
among other purposes--
``(A) the collection and analysis of population
data;
``(B) harvest monitoring;
``(C) participation in marine mammal research;
``(D) development of marine mammal comanagement
structures;
``(E) collection of biological specimens;
``(F) educational and scientific displays;
``(G) a harvest management plan governing Alaska
Native subsistence use for those stocks or species
covered by the cooperative agreement; and
``(H) reporting requirements.
``(2) Consultation.--The Secretaries shall consult with
each other in the development of cooperative agreements to
ensure consistency in the implementation of this section.
``(3) Reporting requirements.--
``(A) Reports by permittees.--All transfers of
marine mammal specimens collected under subsection
(a)(1)(E) shall be included in reports under section
104(c)(1) from scientific researchers who receive the
specimens under authority granted under that section.
``(B) Reports by alaska native organizations.--An
Alaska Native organization shall--
``(i) maintain an inventory of all marine
mammal parts used in a display under subsection
(a)(1)(F); and
``(ii) provide periodic reports to the
Secretary on such use.
``(b) Management Plan Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--A harvest management plan established
under a cooperative agreement under this section with an Alaska
Native organization shall--
``(A) apply only to Alaska Natives, included in the
exemption under section 101(b);
``(B) identify the signatories to the plan, and the
stock or species and geographic area covered by the
plan;
``(C) be based on biological information and
traditional ecological knowledge;
``(D) provide for a sustainable harvest of each
stock or species covered by the plan, and be designed
to prevent populations of such stocks and species from
becoming depleted;
``(E) have a clearly defined process and authority
for enforcement and implementation of any management
prescriptions under the plan; and
``(F) specify the duration of the plan and set
forth procedures for periodic review and termination of
the plan.
``(2) Responsibilities of alaska native organization.--A
harvest management plan established under a cooperative
agreement under this section must require the Alaska Native
organization to--
``(A) monitor compliance by Alaska Natives with the
terms of harvest management plan;
``(B) administer its management of marine mammals
in accordance with the terms of the harvest management
plan; and
``(C) report to the Secretary on actions taken to
implement the agreement and the harvest management
plan.
``(c) Implementing Regulations and Ordinances.--
``(1) Regulations by secretary.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Secretary--
``(i) shall promulgate such regulations as
are necessary to carry out this section; and
``(ii) may promulgate regulations that
implement any ordinance, regulation, or other
provision that--
``(I) is included in an Alaskan
Native organization harvest management
plan established under a cooperative
agreement; and
``(II) restricts the taking or use
of marine mammals for subsistence
purposes consistent with such plan.
``(B) Limitation.--The Secretary may not promulgate
any regulation under subparagraph (A) unless the
regulation--
``(i) is necessary to carry out this
section;
``(ii) is no more restrictive than any
taking limit or other restriction contained in
the harvest management plan adopted by the
Alaska Native organization and implemented by
the Secretary in accordance with this section;
and
``(iii) is necessary to improve compliance
with any taking limit or other restriction in a
harvest management plan that is adopted by the
Alaskan Native organization and implemented by
the Secretary in accordance with this section.
``(2) Depleted stocks.--A regulation or ordinance adopted
by an Alaska Native organization in a harvest management plan
for a depleted stock shall apply only to the extent the
regulation or ordinance is consistent with regulations issued
by the Secretary under sections 101(b) and 103 that apply to
such stock.
``(d) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for any Alaska Native within the
geographic area to which a harvest management plan under this section
applies, to take, transport, sell, or possess a marine mammal in
violation of the provisions of a harvest management plan or regulations
promulgated under this section.
``(e) Grants.--An agreement entered into under this section may,
subject to the availability of appropriations, include a grant by the
Secretary to an Alaska Native organization for, among other purposes--
``(1) collecting and analyzing data on marine mammal
populations;
``(2) monitoring the harvest of marine mammals for
subsistence and handicraft uses;
``(3) participating in marine mammal research conducted by
the Federal Government, the State of Alaska, academic
institutions, or private organizations; and
``(4) developing marine mammal comanagement structures with
Federal and State agencies, and implementing and enforcing any
harvest management plan included in the agreement.
``(f) Advance Notice and Opportunity for Comment Regarding
Proposed Regulations.--Before proposing any regulation under section
101(b) relating to the taking of a stock of marine mammals that is the
subject of a harvest management plan under this section, the Secretary
shall--
``(1) solicit recommendations for such proposed regulation
from each Alaska Native organization engaged in harvest
management of the species or stock pursuant to this section;
and
``(2) provide to each such organization with a cooperative
agreement--
``(A) a copy of the proposed regulation;
``(B) an analysis of how the proposed regulation
would achieve the goal of being the least restrictive
measure upon subsistence use of the stock and the
conservation of marine mammals; and
``(C) an opportunity to comment on the proposed
regulation prior to publication of any proposed
regulations in the Federal Register.
``(g) Public Notice.--The Secretary shall publish each harvest
management plan entered into under this section.
``(h) FACA Exemption.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App.
U.S.C.) shall not apply with respect to the provision of any advice or
recommendations to the Secretary by any Alaska Native organization
(including any scientific review group associated with such an
organization), or the obtaining of any advice or recommendations by the
Secretary from such an organization, for the purpose of formulation or
implementation of a cooperative agreement under this section.
``(i) Relationship to Title V.--Nothing in this section affects
title V or any authority under title V of this Act.
``(j) Effect of Jurisdiction.--Nothing in this section is intended
or shall be construed--
``(1) as authorizing any expansion or change in the
respective jurisdiction of Federal, State, or Tribal
governments over fish and wildlife resources; or
``(2) as altering in any respect the existing political or
legal status of Alaska Natives, or the governmental or
jurisdictional status of Alaska Native communities or Alaska
Native entities.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
for the purposes of carrying out this section--
``(A) to the Secretary of the Interior, $3,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010; and
``(B) to the Secretary of Commerce $3,700,000, for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010 of which not
less than $300,000 shall be for payment to the
Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals, or its
successor organization, for administrative expenses and
statewide coordination between its member Alaska Native
Organizations.
``(2) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts authorized
under this section for each of the Secretary of Commerce and
the Secretary of the Interior, not more than 5 percent may be
used for agency administrative costs.
``(l) Report to Congress.--The Secretaries shall each issue a
report to Congress on--
``(1) actions taken to implement this section; and
``(2) the use of funds authorized by this section by the
Secretaries and Alaska Native organizations, including the
Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals.
``(m) Indigenous People's Council for Marine Mammals Defined.--For
the purpose of this section the term `Indigenous People's Council for
Marine Mammals' means a consortium of Alaska Native organizations that
are engaged in the conservation and comanagement of subsistence use of
marine mammals by Alaska Natives.''. | Marine Mammal Cooperative Agreements in Alaska Amendments Act of 2008 - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize the Secretary of the department in which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is operating to enter into cooperative agreements with Alaska Native organizations to conserve and manage (currently, to conserve) any stock of marine mammals. Sets forth allowed contents of agreements and required aspects of harvest management plans.
Makes it unlawful for any Alaska Native within the geographic area to which a harvest management plan applies to take, transport, sell, or possess a marine mammal in violation of the provisions of that plan.
Modifies the uses of related grants to Alaska Native organizations, including allowing: (1) monitoring marine mammal harvesting for subsistence and handicraft (currently, for subsistence) uses; and (2) participating in marine mammal research conducted by the state of Alaska (currently, by states). | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to authorize appropriations for marine mammal cooperative management agreements in Alaska, and for other purposes."} | 2,341 | 204 | 0.661917 | 1.789102 | 0.805614 | 3.971264 | 12.114943 | 0.844828 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Project Apollo Commemorative Coin
Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Project Apollo in general, and the flight of Apollo 11
in particular, were milestones in the history of our Nation.
(2) When referring to Project Apollo, historian Arthur
Schlesinger, Jr., observed, ``The one thing for which this
century will be remembered 500 years from now was: This was the
century when we began the exploration of space.''
(3) Project Apollo helped demonstrate the technological and
economic strength of the United States at the height of the
cold war.
(4) Project Apollo was an engineering triumph that
successfully achieved the policy goals set by President
Kennedy.
(5) In only 9 years, Project Apollo advanced rocket
technology from the 28-foot Redstone rocket which produced
78,000 pounds of thrust to the 363-foot Saturn V which produced
7.7 million pounds of thrust, which is comparable to building a
modern commercial aircraft 9 years after the Wright brothers
built their first airplane.
(6) The Apollo flights are among the high points of our
human achievement and allowed the entire world to view the
planet Earth in a new way.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Denominations.--In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the
Apollo 11 landing, and notwithstanding section 5112(m)(1) of title 31,
United States Code, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this
Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the
following:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 100,000 $5 coins, each of
which shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
(2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 500,000 $1 coins, each
of which shall--
(A) weigh 26.73 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent
copper.
(b) Legal Tender.--The coins minted under this Act shall be legal
tender, as provided in section 5103 of title 31, United States Code.
(c) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5136 of title 31,
United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered
to be numismatic items.
(d) Sources of Bullion.--The Secretary may obtain silver for
minting coins under this Act from any available source, including
stockpiles established under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock
Piling Act (Public Law 76-117; 50 U.S.C. 98, et seq.).
SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.
(a) In General.--The design of the coins minted under this Act
shall be emblematic of the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar
landing.
(b) Designation and Inscriptions.--On each coin minted under this
Act there shall be--
(1) a designation of the value of the coin;
(2) an inscription of the year ``2004''; and
(3) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God We
Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E Pluribus Unum''.
(c) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act
shall be selected by the Secretary after--
(1) consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) receiving the advice of the Citizens Commemorative Coin
Advisory Committee.
SEC. 5. ISSUANCE OF COINS.
(a) Quality of Coins.--Coins minted under this Act shall be issued
in uncirculated and proof qualities.
(b) Mint Facility.--Only 1 facility of the United States Mint may
be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this
Act.
(c) Commencement of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted
under this Act beginning on January 1, 2004.
(d) Termination of Minting.--No coins may be minted under this Act
after December 31, 2004.
SEC. 6. SALE OF COINS.
(a) Sale Price.--The coins issued under this Act shall be sold by
the Secretary at a price equal to the sum of--
(1) the face value of the coins;
(2) the surcharges required by section 7(a) with respect to
such coins; and
(3) the cost of designing and issuing the coins (including
labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses,
discounts, marketing, and shipping).
(b) Bulk Sales.--The Secretary shall make bulk sales of the coins
issued under this Act at a reasonable discount.
(c) Prepaid Orders.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
received before January 1, 2004 for the coins minted under this Act.
The sale prices with respect to such prepaid orders shall be at a
reasonable discount.
SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.
(a) Assessment.--Any sale by the Secretary of a coin minted under
this Act shall include a surcharge as follows:
(1) A surcharge of $35 per coin for the $5 coin.
(2) A surcharge of $10 per coin for the $1 coin.
(b) Distribution.--
(1) In general.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31,
United States Code, the proceeds from the surcharges received
by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act
shall be paid promptly by the Secretary to the National Air and
Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution for the purposes
of--
(A) collecting, exhibiting, and caring for objects
related to Project Apollo; and
(B) documenting and researching the mission of
Project Apollo (including a collective outreach to the
workers associated with Project Apollo for the
contribution of their memories regarding Project
Apollo).
(2) Audits.--The National Air and Space Museum of the
Smithsonian Institution shall be subject to the audit
requirements of section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States
Code, with regard to the amounts received by the museum under
paragraph (1).
SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.
(a) No Net Cost to the Government.--The Secretary shall take such
actions as may be necessary to ensure that minting and issuing coins
under this Act does not result in any net cost to the United States
Government.
(b) Payment for Coins.--The Secretary shall not issue a coin minted
under this Act unless the Secretary has first received--
(1) full payment for the coin;
(2) security satisfactory to the Secretary to indemnify the
United States for full payment; or
(3) a guarantee of full payment satisfactory to the
Secretary from a depository institution, the deposits of which
are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the
National Credit Union Administration Board. | Project Apollo Commemorative Coin Act of 2001 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue five-dollar gold coins and one-dollar silver coins emblematic of the 35th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of Project Apollo."} | 1,522 | 48 | 0.527877 | 1.389207 | 0.695362 | 4.219512 | 34.097561 | 0.902439 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Airport Access Control Security
Improvement Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. AVIATION SECURITY.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XVI of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 1602. RISK-BASED SCREENING OF EMPLOYEES AT AIRPORTS.
``(a) Screening Model.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish a risk-based, intelligence-driven model for the
screening of employees at airports based on level of access and
employment positions at domestic airports. Such screening model
shall--
``(A) ensure that only those individuals authorized
to have access to the secure areas of a domestic
airport are permitted such access;
``(B) ensure that an individual is immediately
denied entry to a secure area when such individual's
access authorization for such secure area is withdrawn;
and
``(C) provide a means to differentiate between
individuals authorized to have access to an entire
secure area and individuals authorized access to only a
particular portion of a secure area.
``(2) Factors.--The Administrator shall consider the
following factors when establishing the screening model
described in paragraph (1):
``(A) Whether and how often employees at airports
require employment-related access to Secure
Identification Display Areas, Airport Operations Areas,
or secure areas.
``(B) The ability of each airport operator to
reduce employee entry and exit points to a mutually
agreed-upon minimum number of such entry and exit
points necessary to maintain airport operations.
``(C) In consultation with airport operators, the
ability of the Administration to create a randomization
plan for screening at the defined operational minimum
entry and exit points at airports which maximizes the
deterrent effect of screening efforts.
``(b) Disqualifying Offenses.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, labor organizations representing aviation,
ground, and cabin crew workers, and the Aviation Security
Advisory Committee, shall conduct an aviation security risk-
based review of the disqualifying criminal offenses codified in
sections 1542.209 and 1544.229 of title 49, Code of Federal
Regulations, to determine the appropriateness of such offenses
as a basis for denying to an employee a credential that allows
unescorted access to Secure Identification Display Areas of
airports. Such review shall consider the following:
``(A) The adequacy of codified disqualifying
offenses to address the current aviation security
threat environment, particularly the terrorism insider
threat.
``(B) If such codified disqualifying offenses
should be tailored to address the current aviation
security threat environment, particularly the terrorism
insider threat, by excluding or including other
offenses.
``(C) The potential security benefits, drawbacks,
and challenges associated with identifying patterns of
misdemeanors or of other non-disqualifying offenses
that could jeopardize aviation security.
``(D) The feasibility of integrating similar
departmental eligibility requirements for access to
Secure Identification Display Areas of airports.
``(E) If the 10-year look-back period for
disqualifying offenses is appropriate, in light of the
current aviation security threat environment,
particularly the terrorism insider threat.
``(2) Waiver.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall provide
an adequate redress process for an employee who is subject to
an adverse employment decision, including removal or suspension
of such employee, due to a disqualifying offense referred to in
paragraph (1), that is consistent with the appeals and waiver
process established for applicants for commercial motor vehicle
hazardous materials endorsements and transportation workers at
ports under section 70105(c) of title 46, United States Code.
``(3) Notice.--Any changes to the Secure Identification
Display area badge program, such as changes considered pursuant
to subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) of paragraph (1) shall
be subject to notice of proposed rulemaking.
``(4) Briefing to congress.--Upon completion of the
aviation security risk-based review required under paragraph
(1), the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the
results of such review.
``(c) Credentialing.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Aviation Security Advisory Committee, shall review the auditing
procedures for all airport-issued identification media. Such review
shall determine the following:
``(1) The efficacy of the auditing program requirements at
domestic airports to ensure the integrity, accountability, and
control of airport-issued identification media.
``(2) The feasibility of including biometrics standards for
all airport-issued identification media used for identity
verification and badge verification.
``(3) The feasibility of integrating other departmental
programs' eligibility requirements for access to secure areas
of airports.
``(d) Vetting.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall--
``(A) establish a program to allow airport badging
offices to utilize the employment eligibility
confirmation system established under section 404 of
the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1324a note;
commonly referred to as `E-Verify') to determine the
eligibility to work in the United States of all
applicants seeking access to secure areas of airports;
``(B) establish a process to transmit applicants'
biometric fingerprint data to the Office of Biometric
Identity Management's (OBIM's) Automated Biometrics
Identification System (IDENT) for vetting; and
``(C) conduct a data quality assessment to ensure
that credential application data elements received by
the Administration are complete and match the data
submitted by the airport operators.
``(2) Briefing to congress.--Upon completion of the
responsibilities specified in paragraph (1), the Administrator
shall brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate on the results of such
completion.
``(e) Reporting of Violations.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall
establish a nationwide program for the anonymous reporting of
violations of airport security.
``(f) Centralized Database.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation
with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, shall--
``(1) establish a national database of employees who have
had either their airport or aircraft operator-issued badge
revoked for failure to comply with aviation security
requirements;
``(2) determine the appropriate reporting mechanisms for
airports and airlines to submit data regarding employees
described in paragraph (1) and to access the database
established pursuant to such paragraph; and
``(3) establish a process that allows individuals whose
names were mistakenly entered into such database to have their
names removed and have their credentialing restored.
``(g) Updated Review.--Not later than April 8, 2016, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory
Committee, shall conduct an updated and thorough review of airport
access controls.
``(h) Employee Screening Study.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Aviation Security Advisory Committee,
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House
of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate, and the Comptroller General
of the United States a cost and feasibility study of a
statistically significant number of Category I, II, and X
airports, that ensures that all employee entry and exit points
that lead to secure areas of such airports are comprised of the
following:
``(A) A secure door utilizing card and pin entry or
biometric technology.
``(B) Surveillance video recording, capable of
storing video data for at least 30 days.
``(C) Advanced screening technologies, including at
least one of the following:
``(i) Magnetometer (walk-through or hand-
held).
``(ii) Explosives detection canines.
``(iii) Explosives trace detection
swabbing.
``(iv) Advanced imaging technology.
``(v) X-ray bag screening technology.
``(2) Contents.--The study required under paragraph (1)
shall include information related to the employee screening
costs of those airports which have already implemented
practices of screening 100 percent of employees entering secure
areas of airports, including the following:
``(A) Costs associated with establishing an
operational minimum number of employee entry and exit
points.
``(B) A comparison of costs associated with
implementing the requirements specified in paragraph
(1), based on whether such implementation was carried
out by the Administration or airports.
``(3) Comptroller general assessment.--
``(A) In general.--Upon completion of the study
required under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General
of the United States shall review such study to assess
the quality and reliability of such study.
``(B) Assessment.--Not later than 60 days after the
receipt of the study required under paragraph (1), the
Comptroller General of the United States shall report
to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on the
results of the review required under subparagraph
(A).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1601 the following new item:
``Sec. 1602. Risk-based screening of employees at airports.''.
Passed the House of Representatives October 6, 2015.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk. | (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on October 6, 2015. Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a risk-based, intelligence-driven model for the screening of airport employees based on level of employment-related access to Secure Identification Display Areas, Airport Operations Areas, or secure areas at U.S. airports. TSA shall conduct an aviation security risk-based review of certain federal disqualifying criminal offenses to determine their appropriateness as a basis for denying an employee a credential that allows unescorted access to Secure Identification Display Areas of airports. TSA shall provide a redress process for employees subject to an adverse employment decision (including removal or suspension) due to a disqualifying offense that is consistent with the appeals and waiver process for applicants for commercial motor vehicle hazardous materials endorsements and transportation workers at ports. TSA shall review the auditing procedures for all airport-issued identification media. TSA shall: establish a program to allow airport badging offices to use "E-Verify" to determine eligibility to work in the United States of all applicants seeking access to secure areas of airports, establish a process to transmit applicants' biometric fingerprint data to the Office of Biometric Identity Management's Automated Biometrics Identification System for vetting, assess credential application data received by DHS to ensure it is complete and matches data submitted by airport operators. TSA shall establish a nationwide program for the anonymous reporting of violations of airport security. TSA shall: establish a national database of employees who have had either their airport or aircraft operator-issued badge revoked for failure to comply with aviation requirements, determine the appropriate mechanisms for airports and airlines to submit such data and access the database, and establish a process to allow individuals whose names were mistakenly entered into the database to have them removed and their credentialing restored. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee shall update and review airport access controls. TSA shall conduct a cost and feasibility study of a significant number of Category I, II, and X airports that ensures that all employee entry and exit points that lead to airport secured areas comprise the following: a secure door that uses card and pin entry or biometric technology, surveillance video recording capable of storing video data for at least 30 days, and certain advanced screening technologies (including at least one of the following: magnetometer [walk through or hand-held], explosives detection canines or explosives trace detection swabbing, advanced imaging technology, or X-ray bag screening technology). The Government Accountability Office shall assess the quality and reliability of the study. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act of 2015"} | 2,330 | 598 | 0.619649 | 2.208507 | 0.607199 | 4.46124 | 4.238372 | 0.910853 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``AMT and Tax Deduction Fairness Act
of 2001''.
SEC. 2. ALLOWANCE OF STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES AGAINST ALTERNATIVE
MINIMUM TAX.
(a) In General.--Section 56(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to limitation on deductions) is amended by
inserting ``(other than State and local income taxes or general sales
taxes)'' before the period.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 3. DEDUCTION OF STATE AND LOCAL GENERAL SALES TAXES IN LIEU OF
STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES.
(a) In General.--Subsection (b) of section 164 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definitions and special rules) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) General sales taxes.--For purposes of subsection
(a)--
``(A) Election to deduct state and local sales
taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes.--
``(i) In general.--At the election of the
taxpayer for the taxable year, subsection (a)
shall be applied--
``(I) without regard to the
reference to State and local income
taxes,
``(II) as if State and local
general sales taxes were referred to in
a paragraph thereof, and
``(III) without regard to the last
sentence.
``(B) Definition of general sales tax.--The term
`general sales tax' means a tax imposed at one rate
with respect to the sale at retail of a broad range of
classes of items.
``(C) Special rules for food, etc.--In the case of
items of food, clothing, medical supplies, and motor
vehicles--
``(i) the fact that the tax does not apply
with respect to some or all of such items shall
not be taken into account in determining
whether the tax applies with respect to a broad
range of classes of items, and
``(ii) the fact that the rate of tax
applicable with respect to some or all of such
items is lower than the general rate of tax
shall not be taken into account in determining
whether the tax is imposed at one rate.
``(D) Items taxed at different rates.--Except in
the case of a lower rate of tax applicable with respect
to an item described in subparagraph (C), no deduction
shall be allowed under this paragraph for any general
sales tax imposed with respect to an item at a rate
other than the general rate of tax.
``(E) Compensating use taxes.--A compensating use
tax with respect to an item shall be treated as a
general sales tax. For purposes of the preceding
sentence, the term `compensating use tax' means, with
respect to any item, a tax which--
``(i) is imposed on the use, storage, or
consumption of such item, and
``(ii) is complementary to a general sales
tax, but only if a deduction is allowable under
this paragraph with respect to items sold at
retail in the taxing jurisdiction which are
similar to such item.
``(F) Special rule for motor vehicles.--In the case
of motor vehicles, if the rate of tax exceeds the
general rate, such excess shall be disregarded and the
general rate shall be treated as the rate of tax.
``(G) Separately stated general sales taxes.--If
the amount of any general sales tax is separately
stated, then, to the extent that the amount so stated
is paid by the consumer (other than in connection with
the consumer's trade or business) to the seller, such
amount shall be treated as a tax imposed on, and paid
by, such consumer.
``(H) Amount of deduction to be determined under
tables.--
``(i) In general.--The amount of the
deduction allowed under this paragraph shall be
determined under tables prescribed by the
Secretary.
``(ii) Requirements for tables.--The tables
prescribed under clause (i) shall reflect the
provisions of this paragraph and shall be based
on the average consumption by taxpayers on a
State-by-State basis, as determined by the
Secretary, taking into account filing status,
number of dependents, adjusted gross income,
and rates of State and local general sales
taxation.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of
this Act. | AMT and Tax Deduction Fairness Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) the State and local income tax deduction against the alternative minimum tax; and (2) the deduction of State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for State and local sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes and to allow the State and local income tax deduction against the alternative minimum tax."} | 1,070 | 58 | 0.531482 | 1.223534 | 0.794568 | 4.545455 | 17.418182 | 0.945455 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Organ Mountains National Monument
Establishment Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) City.--The term ``City'' means the city of Las Cruces,
New Mexico.
(2) County.--The term ``County'' means Dona Ana County, New
Mexico.
(3) Management plan.--The term ``management plan'' means
the management plan developed pursuant to this Act.
(4) Map.--The term ``map'' means the map titled ``Organ
Mountains National Monument'' and dated February 6, 2013.
(5) Monument.--The term ``monument'' means the national
monument established by this Act.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the Bureau of
Land Management.
(7) State director.--The term ``State Director'' means the
New Mexico State Director of the Bureau of Land Management.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New
Mexico.
SEC. 3. WATER RIGHTS.
Nothing in this Act shall--
(1) constitute or be construed to constitute either an
express or implied reservation by the United States of any
water or water rights with respect to the lands within the
monument; or
(2) affect any water rights existing on the date of the
enactment of this Act, including any water right held by the
United States.
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF MONUMENT.
(a) In General.--There is established the Organ Mountains monument
in the State.
(b) Area Included.--The monument shall consist of approximately
54,800 acres of public land in Dona Ana County in the State, as
generally depicted on the map.
SEC. 5. PURPOSES.
The purposes of the monument are to conserve, protect, and enhance
the cultural, traditional, archaeological, natural, ecological,
geological, historical, wildlife, livestock, watershed, educational,
recreational, and scenic resources of the monument for the benefit and
enjoyment of present and future generations.
SEC. 6. MANAGEMENT OF MONUMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall manage the monument--
(1) in a manner that conserves, protects, and enhances the
resources of the monument; and
(2) in accordance with--
(A) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);
(B) this Act; and
(C) any other applicable laws.
(b) Uses.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall allow only such uses
of the monument that the Secretary determines would further the
purposes described in section 5.
(2) Use of motorized vehicles.--Except as needed for
administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use
of motorized vehicles in the monument shall be permitted only
on roads designated for use by motorized vehicles in the
management plan. Nothing in this Act precludes the use of
motorized vehicles or mechanical equipment for the construction
or maintenance of range improvements or the performance of
standard ranching operations or for the construction,
maintenance, operation, or management of flood control or water
conservation systems.
(3) New roads.--No additional road shall be built within
the monument after the date of the enactment of this Act unless
the Secretary determines that the road is necessary for public
safety or natural resource protection.
(c) Grazing.--The Secretary shall issue any grazing leases or
permits in the monument in accordance with the same laws and executive
orders that apply to issuance by the Secretary of grazing leases and
permits on other land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land
Management.
(d) Utility Right-of-Ways.--Nothing in this section precludes the
Secretary from authorizing, renewing or upgrading (including widening)
a utility right-of-way through the monument in a manner that minimizes
harm to the purposes of the monument in accordance with--
(1) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
(2) any other applicable law; and
(3) such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate.
SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 3 years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a management plan
for the monument.
(b) Consultation.--The management plan shall be developed in
consultation with--
(1) State, tribal, and local governments;
(2) the public; and
(3) interested Federal agencies.
SEC. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
(a) Map and Legal Description.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file the map and
legal description of the monument.
(2) Force and effect.--The map and legal description filed
under paragraph (1) shall have the same force and effect as if
included in this Act, except that the Secretary may correct
errors in the map and legal description.
(3) Public availability.--The map and legal description
filed under paragraph (1) shall be on file and available for
public inspection in the appropriate offices of--
(A) the Bureau of Land Management; and
(B) the Office of the County Clerk of Dona Ana
County, New Mexico.
(4) Fish and wildlife.--Nothing in this Act affects the
jurisdiction of the State with respect to fish and wildlife
located on public land in the State.
(5) No buffer zones.--
(A) In general.--There shall be no buffer zone
around a monument.
(B) Activities outside the monument.--The fact that
an activity or use of land is not permitted on land
within a monument shall not preclude the activity or
use outside the boundary of the monument or on private
or State land within the monument, consistent with
other applicable laws.
(6) Withdrawals.--Subject to valid existing rights
(including lease rights), all Federal land within the monument
and any land and interests in land acquired for the monument by
the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act
are withdrawn from--
(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal
under the public land laws;
(B) location, entry, and patent under the mining
laws; and
(C) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral
materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
SEC. 9. HUNTING AND TRAPPING.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall allow hunting and trapping in
the monument.
(b) Limitations.--
(1) Regulations.--The Secretary may designate by regulation
areas in the monument in which, and establish periods during
which no hunting or trapping will be allowed for reasons of
public safety, administration, or compliance with applicable
laws.
(2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall obtain the
concurrence of the appropriate State agency before promulgating
regulations under paragraph (1) that close a portion of the
monument to hunting or trapping.
SEC. 10. RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.
For purposes of section 603 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782), the Federal land in the
following has been adequately studied for wilderness designation and
shall no longer be subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)):
(1) The Organ Mountains Wilderness Study Area.
(2) The Organ Needles Wilderness Study Area.
(3) The Pena Blanca Wilderness Study Area.
SEC. 11. LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Nothing in this Act, or regulations issued in furtherance of this
Act, shall prevent Federal, State, or local law enforcement personnel
from having unfettered access to the entire monument, including the use
of motorized vehicles and specialized equipment.
SEC. 12. NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SYSTEM.
The monument designated by this Act shall be administered as a
component of the National Landscape Conservation System. | Organ Mountains National Monument Establishment Act - Establishes the Organ Mountains monument in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, to comprise approximately 54,800 acres of public land in the county. States that, the purposes of the monument are the conservation, protection, and enhancement of its cultural, traditional, archaeological, natural, ecological, geological, historical, wildlife, livestock, watershed, educational, recreational, and scenic resources for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), to manage the monument in a manner to conserve, protect, and enhance those resources. Requires the Secretary to develop a management plan for the Organ Mountains monument. Allows hunting and trapping in the monument. Releases the Organ Mountains, Organ Needles, and Pena Blanca Wilderness Study Areas from further study for designation as wilderness and prohibits such Areas from any longer being subject to requirements under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 regarding the status of their lands during the period of review and determination of such areas for preservation as wilderness. Requires such monument to be administered as a component of the National Landscape Conservation System. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Organ Mountains National Monument Establishment Act"} | 1,785 | 254 | 0.620403 | 1.791154 | 0.898399 | 3.788546 | 7.202643 | 0.889868 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``District of Columbia and United
States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act''.
SEC. 2. ISSUANCE OF REDESIGNED QUARTER DOLLARS HONORING THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA AND EACH OF THE TERRITORIES.
Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after subsection (m) the following new subsection:
``(n) Redesign and Issuance of Circulating Quarter Dollar Honoring
the District of Columbia and Each of the Territories.--
``(1) Redesign in 2009.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the fourth
sentence of subsection (d)(1) and subsection (d)(2) and
subject to paragraph (6)(B), quarter dollar coins
issued during 2009 shall have designs on the reverse
side selected in accordance with this subsection which
are emblematic of the District of Columbia and the
territories.
``(B) Flexibility with regard to placement of
inscriptions.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)(1), the
Secretary may select a design for quarter dollars
issued during 2009 in which--
``(i) the inscription described in the
second sentence of subsection (d)(1) appears on
the reverse side of any such quarter dollars;
and
``(ii) any inscription described in the
third sentence of subsection (d)(1) or the
designation of the value of the coin appears on
the obverse side of any such quarter dollars.
``(2) Single district or territory design.--The design on
the reverse side of each quarter dollar issued during 2009
shall be emblematic of one of the following: The District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands.
``(3) Selection of design.--
``(A) In general.--Each of the 6 designs required
under this subsection for quarter dollars shall be--
``(i) selected by the Secretary after
consultation with--
``(I) the chief executive of the
District of Columbia or the territory
being honored, or such other officials
or group as the chief executive officer
of the District of Columbia or the
territory may designate for such
purpose; and
``(II) the Commission of Fine Arts;
and
``(ii) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee.
``(B) Selection and approval process.--Designs for
quarter dollars may be submitted in accordance with the
design selection and approval process developed by the
Secretary in the sole discretion of the Secretary.
``(C) Participation.--The Secretary may include
participation by District of Columbia or territorial
officials, artists from the District of Columbia or the
territory, engravers of the United States Mint, and
members of the general public.
``(D) Standards.--Because it is important that the
Nation's coinage and currency bear dignified designs of
which the citizens of the United States can be proud,
the Secretary shall not select any frivolous or
inappropriate design for any quarter dollar minted
under this subsection.
``(E) Prohibition on certain representations.--No
head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person,
living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may
be included in the design of any quarter dollar under
this subsection.
``(4) Treatment as numismatic items.--For purposes of
sections 5134 and 5136, all coins minted under this subsection
shall be considered to be numismatic items.
``(5) Issuance.--
``(A) Quality of coins.--The Secretary may mint and
issue such number of quarter dollars of each design
selected under paragraph (4) in uncirculated and proof
qualities as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
``(B) Silver coins.--Notwithstanding subsection
(b), the Secretary may mint and issue such number of
quarter dollars of each design selected under paragraph
(4) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, with
a content of 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper.
``(C) Timing and order of issuance.--Coins minted
under this subsection honoring the District of Columbia
and each of the territories shall be issued in equal
sequential intervals during 2009 in the following
order: the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States
Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.
``(6) Other provisions.--
``(A) Application in event of admission as a
state.--If the District of Columbia or any territory
becomes a State before the end of the 10-year period
referred to in subsection (l)(1), subsection (l)(7)
shall apply, and this subsection shall not apply, with
respect to such State.
``(B) Application in event of independence.--If any
territory becomes independent or otherwise ceases to be
a territory or possession of the United States before
quarter dollars bearing designs which are emblematic of
such territory are minted pursuant to this subsection,
this subsection shall cease to apply with respect to
such territory.
``(7) Territory defined.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term `territory' means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.''. | District of Columbia and United States Territories Circulating Quarter Dollar Program Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue during 2009 redesigned quarter dollars commemorating the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to provide for a circulating quarter dollar coin program to honor the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes."} | 1,189 | 52 | 0.615676 | 1.324132 | 0.464125 | 3.833333 | 30 | 0.888889 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Pinnacles National Park Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Map.--The term ``Map'' means the map entitled
``Proposed Wilderness Additions to the Proposed Pinnacles
National Park'', numbered 114/106,106, and dated November 2010.
(2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means the Pinnacles National
Park established by section 3(a).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of
California.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the State the Pinnacles
National Park.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Park are--
(1) to preserve and interpret for the benefit of future
generations--
(A) the chaparral, grasslands, blue oak woodlands,
and majestic valley oak savanna ecosystems of the area;
(B) the geomorphology, riparian watersheds, and
unique flora and fauna of the area; and
(C) the ancestral and cultural history of Native
Americans, settlers, and explorers; and
(2) to interpret the recovery program for the California
Condor, including the international significance of the
program.
(c) Boundaries.--The boundaries of the Park shall consist of the
areas generally depicted on the Map.
(d) Availability of Map.--The Map shall be on file and available
for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park
Service.
(e) Abolishment of Current Pinnacles National Monument.--
(1) In general.--The Pinnacles National Monument is
abolished.
(2) Incorporation of land.--The land and any interests in
the land that comprise the Pinnacles National Monument are
incorporated in, and shall be considered to be part of, the
Park.
(3) Availability of funds.--Any funds available for the
Pinnacles National Monument shall be available for the Park.
(4) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to
``Pinnacles National Monument'' shall be considered to be a
reference to ``Pinnacles National Park''.
(f) Administration.--The Secretary shall administer the Park in
accordance with--
(1) this Act; and
(2) the laws generally applicable to units of the National
Park System, including the National Park Service Organic Act
(16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).
(g) Land Acquisition.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may acquire land or
interests in land within the boundaries of the Park by purchase
from a willing seller with donated or appropriated funds,
donation, or exchange.
(2) Acquisition of rock springs ranch.--
(A) Acquisition authorized.--The Secretary may
acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation,
or exchange, the approximately 18,200 acres of land in
San Benito County, California, known as the ``Rock
Springs Ranch Tract''.
(B) Inclusion within national park.--On acquisition
of the land described in subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall modify the boundaries of the Park to
include the acquired land.
(C) Map.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall file a map
depicting the land described in subparagraph (A) with--
(i) the Committee on Natural Resources of
the House of Representatives; and
(ii) the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate.
SEC. 4. REDESIGNATION OF PINNACLES WILDERNESS AS HAIN WILDERNESS AND
EXPANSION OF WILDERNESS.
(a) Redesignation.--
(1) In general.--Subsection (i) of the first section of
Public Law 94-567 (16 U.S.C. 1132 note) is amended by striking
``Pinnacles Wilderness'' and inserting ``Hain Wilderness.''
(2) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
``Pinnacles Wilderness'' shall be considered to be a reference
to the ``Hain Wilderness''.
(b) Expansion.--Certain land comprising approximately 2,715 acres,
as generally depicted on the map entitled ``Proposed Wilderness
Additions to the Proposed Pinnacles National Park'', numbered 114/
106,106, and dated November 2010, is--
(1) designated as wilderness and a component of the
National Wilderness Preservation System; and
(2) incorporated in, and considered to be a part of, the
Hain Wilderness.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act. | Pinnacles National Park Act - Establishes Pinnacles National Park in California to: (1) preserve and interpret the Park's ecosystems and the history of Native Americans, settlers, and explorers, and (2) interpret the recovery program for the California Condor.
Abolishes Pinnacles National Monument and includes the land and any interests comprising the Monument in the Park.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands or interests within the Park's boundaries and approximately 18,200 acres of land in San Benito County, California, known as the Rock Springs Ranch Tract.
Redesignates the Pinnacles Wilderness as the Hain Wilderness.
Designates specified lands comprising approximately 2,715 acres as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System and includes such lands in the Hain Wilderness. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to establish Pinnacles National Park in the State of California as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes."} | 1,165 | 186 | 0.605436 | 1.597267 | 1.001826 | 3.145833 | 6.583333 | 0.909722 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cyberterrorism Preparedness Act of
2002''.
SEC. 2. GRANT FOR PROGRAM FOR PROTECTION OF INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE
AGAINST DISRUPTION.
(a) In General.--The National Institute of Standards and Technology
shall, using amounts authorized to be appropriated by section 5, award
a grant to a qualifying nongovernmental entity for purposes of a
program to support the development of appropriate cybersecurity best
practices, support long-term cybersecurity research and development,
and perform functions relating to such activities. The purpose of the
program shall be to provide protection for the information
infrastructure of the United States against terrorist or other
disruption or attack or other unwarranted intrusion.
(b) Qualifying Nongovernmental Entity.--For purposes of this
section, a qualifying nongovernmental entity is any entity that--
(1) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental consortium composed of
at least three academic centers of expertise in cybersecurity
and at least three private sector centers of expertise in
cybersecurity;
(2) has a board of directors of at least 12 members who
include senior administrators of academic centers of expertise
in cybersecurity and senior managers of private sector centers
of expertise in cybersecurity and of whom not more than one
third are affiliated with the centers comprising the
consortium;
(3) is operated by individuals from academia, the private
sector, or both who have--
(A) a demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity; and
(B) the capacity to carry out the program required
under subsection (g);
(4) has in place a set of rules to ensure that conflicts of
interest involving officers, employees, and members of the
board of directors of the entity do not undermine the
activities of the entity;
(5) has developed a detailed plan for the program required
under subsection (g); and
(6) meets any other requirements established by the
National Institute of Standards and Technology for purposes of
this Act.
(c) Application.--Any entity seeking a grant under this section
shall submit to the National Institute of Standards and Technology an
application therefor, in such form and containing such information as
the National Institute for Standards and Technology shall require.
(d) Selection of Grantee.--The entity awarded a grant under this
section shall be selected after full and open competition among
qualifying nongovernmental entities.
(e) Dispersal of Grant Amount.--Amounts available for the grant
under this section pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in
section 5 shall be dispersed on a fiscal year basis over the five
fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2003.
(f) Consultation.--In carrying out activities under this section,
including selecting an entity for the award of a grant, dispersing
grant amounts, and overseeing activities of the entity receiving the
grant, the National Institute of Standards and Technology--
(1) shall consult with an existing interagency entity, or
new interagency entity, consisting of the elements of the
Federal Government having a substantial interest and expertise
in cybersecurity and designated by the President for purposes
of this Act; and
(2) may consult separately with any such element of the
Federal Government.
(g) Program Using Grant Amount.--
(1) In general.--The entity awarded a grant under this
section shall carry out a national program for the purpose of
protecting the information infrastructure of the United States
against disruption. The program shall consist of--
(A) multi-disciplinary research and development to
identify appropriate cybersecurity best practices, to
measure the effectiveness of cybersecurity best
practices that are put into use, and to identify sound
means to achieve widespread use of appropriate
cybersecurity best practices that have proven
effective;
(B) multi-disciplinary, long-term, or high-risk
research and development (including associated human
resource development) to improve cybersecurity; and
(C) the activities required under paragraphs (3)
and (4).
(2) Conduct of research and development.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), research and development under subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of paragraph (1) shall be carried out using
funds and other support provided by the grantee to
entities selected by the grantee after full and open
competition among entities determined by the grantee to
be qualified to carry out such research and
development.
(B) Conduct by grantee.--The grantee may carry out
research and development referred to in subparagraph
(A) in any fiscal year using not more than 15 percent
of the amount dispersed to the grantee under this Act
in such fiscal year by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology.
(3) Recommendations on cybersecurity best practices.--
(A) Recommendations.--Not later than 18 months
after the selection of the grantee under this section,
the grantee shall prepare a report containing
recommendations for appropriate cybersecurity best
practices.
(B) Updates.--The grantee shall update the
recommendations made under subparagraph (A) not less
often than once every six months, and may update any
portion of such recommendations more frequently if the
grantee determines that circumstances so require.
(C) Considerations.--In making recommendations
under subparagraph (A), and any update of such
recommendations under subparagraph (B), the grantee
shall--
(i) review the most current cybersecurity
best practices identified by the National
Institute of Standards and Technology under
section 3(a); and
(ii) consult with--
(I) the entities carrying out
research and development under
paragraph (1)(A);
(II) entities employing
cybersecurity best practices; and
(III) a wide range of academic,
private sector, and public entities.
(D) Dissemination.--The grantee shall submit the
report under subparagraph (A), and any update of the
report under paragraph (B), to the bodies and officials
specified in paragraph (5), and shall widely
disseminate the report, and any such update, among
government (including State and local government),
private, and academic entities.
(4) Activities relating to widespread use of cybersecurity
best practices.--
(A) In general.--Not later than two years after the
selection of the grantee under this section, the
grantee shall submit to the bodies and officials
specified in paragraph (5) a report containing--
(i) an assessment of the advisability of
requiring the contractors and grantees of the
Federal Government to use appropriate
cybersecurity best practices; and
(ii) recommendations for sound means to
achieve widespread use of appropriate
cybersecurity best practices that have proven
effective.
(B) Report elements.--The report under subparagraph
(A) shall set forth--
(i) whether or not the requirement
described in subparagraph (A)(i) is advisable,
including whether the requirement would impose
undue or inappropriate burdens, or other
inefficiencies, on contractors and grantees of
the Federal Government;
(ii) if the requirement is determined
advisable--
(I) whether, and to what extent,
the requirement should be subject to
exceptions or limitations for
particular contractors or grantees,
including the types of contractors or
grantees and the nature of the
exceptions or limitations; and
(II) which cybersecurity best
practices should be covered by the
requirement and with what, if any,
exceptions or limitations; and
(iii) any other matters that the grantee
considers appropriate.
(5) Specified bodies and officials.--The bodies and
officials specified in this paragraph are as follows:
(A) The appropriate committees of Congress.
(B) The President.
(C) The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
(D) The National Institute of Standards and
Technology.
(E) The interagency entity designated by the
President under subsection (f)(1).
(h) Grant Administration.--
(1) Use of grant competition and management systems.--The
National Institute of Standards and Technology may permit the
entity awarded the grant under this section to utilize the
grants competition system and grants management system of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology for purposes of
the efficient administration of activities by the entity under
subsection (g).
(2) Rules.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall establish any rules and procedures that the
National Institute of Standards and Technology considers
appropriate to further the purposes of this section. Such rules
may include provisions relating to the ownership of any
intellectual property created by the entity awarded the grant
under this section or funded by the entity under subsection
(g).
(i) Supplement Not Supplant.--The National Institute of Standards
and Technology shall take appropriate actions to ensure that activities
under this section supplement, rather than supplant, other current
governmental and nongovernmental efforts to protect the information
infrastructure of the United States.
SEC. 3. APPROPRIATE CYBERSECURITY BEST PRACTICES FOR THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT.
(a) NIST Recommendations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology shall submit to the bodies and officials
specified in subsection (e) a report that--
(A) identifies appropriate cybersecurity best
practices that could reasonably be adopted by the
departments and agencies of the Federal Government over the 24-month
period beginning on the date of the report; and
(B) sets forth proposed demonstration projects for
the adoption of such best practices by various
departments and agencies of the Federal Government
beginning 90 days after the date of the report.
(2) Updates.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology may submit to the bodies and officials specified in
subsection (e) any updates of the report under paragraph (1)
that the National Institute of Standards and Technology
consider appropriate due to changes in circumstances.
(3) Consultation.--In preparing the report under paragraph
(1), and any updates of the report under paragraph (2), the
National Institute of Standards and Technology shall consult
with departments and agencies of the Federal Government having
an interest in the report and such updates, and with academic
centers of expertise in cybersecurity and private sector
centers of expertise in cybersecurity.
(b) Demonstration Projects for Implementation of Recommendations.--
(1) In general.--Commencing not later than 90 days after
receipt of the report under subsection (a), the President shall
carry out the demonstration projects set forth in the report,
including any modification of any such demonstration project
that the President considers appropriate.
(2) Updates.--If the National Institute of Standards and
Technology updates under subsection (a)(2) any recommendation
under subsection (a)(1)(A) that is relevant to a demonstration
project under paragraph (1), the President shall modify the
demonstration project to take into account such update.
(3) Report.--Not later than nine months after commencement
of the demonstration projects under this subsection, the
President shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the demonstration projects. The report
shall set forth the following:
(A) An assessment of the extent to which the
adoption of appropriate cybersecurity best practices by
departments and agencies of the Federal Government
under the demonstration projects has improved
cybersecurity at such departments and agencies.
(B) An assessment whether or not the adoption of
appropriate cybersecurity best practices by departments
and agencies of the Federal Government under the
demonstration projects has affected the capability of
such departments and agencies to carry out their
missions.
(C) A description of the cost of the adoption of
appropriate cybersecurity best practices by departments
and agencies of the Federal Government under the
demonstration projects.
(D) A description of a security-enhancing,
missions-compatible, cost-effective program, to the
extent such program is feasible, for the adoption of
appropriate cybersecurity best practices government-
wide.
(E) Any other matters that the President considers
appropriate.
(c) Adoption of Cybersecurity Best Practices Government-Wide.--The
President shall implement a program for the adoption of appropriate
cybersecurity best practices government-wide commencing not later than
six months after the date of the report.
(d) Incorporation of Recommendations.--If during the development or
implementation of the program under subsection (c) the President
receives any recommendations under paragraph (3) or (4) of section
3(g), the President shall modify the program in order to take into
account such recommendations.
(e) Specified Bodies and Officials.--The bodies and officials
specified in this subsection are as follows:
(1) The appropriate committees of Congress.
(2) The President.
(3) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(4) The interagency entity designated by the President
under section 3(f)(1).
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Science of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Cybersecurity.--The term ``cybersecurity'' means
information assurance, including information security,
information technology disaster recovery, and information
privacy.
(3) Cybersecurity best practice.--The term ``cybersecurity
best practice'' means a computer hardware or software
configuration, information system design, operational
procedure, or measure, structure, or method that most
effectively protects computer hardware, software, networks, or
network elements against an attack that would cause harm
through the installation of unauthorized computer software,
saturation of network traffic, alteration of data, disclosure
of confidential information, or other means.
(4) Appropriate cybersecurity best practice.--The term
``appropriate cybersecurity best practice'' means a
cybersecurity best practice that--
(A) permits, as needed, customization or expansion
for the computer hardware, software, network, or
network element to which the best practice applies;
(B) takes into account the need for security
protection that balances--
(i) the risk and magnitude of harm
threatened by potential attack; and
(ii) the cost of imposing security
protection; and
(C) takes into account the rapidly changing nature
of computer technology.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the National
Institute of Standards and Technology for purposes of activities under
this Act, amounts as follows:
(1) For fiscal year 2003, $70,000,000.
(2) For each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2007, such
sums as may be necessary. | Cyberterrorism Preparedness Act of 2002 - Directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to award a grant to a qualifying nongovernmental entity to conduct a program to support the development of appropriate cybersecurity best practices, long-term cybersecurity research and development, and related activities. Funds such grants for five fiscal years beginning with 2003. Requires the entity awarded a grant to: (1) carry out a national program to protect the U.S. information infrastructure against disruption; and (2) make recommendations for appropriate cybersecurity best practices and to update such recommendations every six months.Requires: (1) NIST to recommend to specified bodies and officials appropriate cybersecurity best practices for the Government; and (2) the President to carry out demonstration projects for the adoption of such practices. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to protect against cyberterrorism and cybercrime, and for other purposes."} | 3,073 | 163 | 0.653078 | 1.921985 | 0.73762 | 3.673469 | 20.07483 | 0.952381 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Correcting Obstructions to Mediate,
Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility Act'' or the ``COMPLI Act''.
SEC. 2. NOTICE AND COMPLIANCE OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT.
Section 308(a)(1) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 12188(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``procedures.--'' and all that follows
through ``The'', and inserting the following: ``procedures.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B),
the''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Notice and compliance opportunity.--A civil
action for discrimination described in section
302(b)(2) may not be commenced by a person aggrieved by
such discrimination unless--
``(i) such person has provided to the owner
or operator of such accommodation a written
notice by certified mail specific enough to
allow such owner or operator to identify such
barrier;
``(ii) such notice shall include the date
and time that such person was denied access to
the public accommodation as a result of the
barrier;
``(iii) such notice specifies that the
owner or operator has 90 days to remove the
barrier or correct the violation before a civil
action will be brought;
``(iv) such owner or operator failed to
remove such barrier or correct such violation
within 90 days beginning on the date such
notice was received;
``(v) the civil action states that the
person bringing the action has notified the
owner or operator against whom the action is
brought of the violation as required under this
subparagraph and such owner or operator has not
corrected the alleged violation within the 90-
day period; and
``(vi) the person filing the civil action
has refrained from sending any demand letter
(other than the notice described in this
subparagraph), request for settlement, or other
communication to the owner or operator of such
accommodation during such 90-day period.
``(C) Notification of corrective action.--
``(i) In general.--An owner or operator of
a public accommodation who is provided notice
described in subparagraph (B) shall provide
reasonable notification to the public of the
alleged violation that is the subject of the
notice and of the steps being taken by such
owner or operator to remedy the basis for such
alleged violation.
``(ii) Penalty for noncompliance.--An owner
or operator who does not provide such
notification to the public within 15 days after
receiving notice of the alleged violation shall
not be entitled to the 90-day period to remove
the barrier or correct the violation as set
forth in subparagraph (B) and a civil action
for discrimination described in section
302(b)(2) based on the alleged violation may be
commenced immediately after such 15 days.
``(D) Good faith effort.--
``(i) Additional 30 days.--An owner or
operator of a public accommodation who is
provided notice described in subparagraph (B)
who demonstrates a good faith effort to remove
such barrier or correct such violation but is
not able to do so within the 90-day period
provided shall be entitled to an additional 30
days to comply with such requirements.
``(ii) Factors.--Factors indicating such a
good faith effort include that the owner or
operator of a public accommodation--
``(I) has secured the requisite
construction permits to start the
renovation necessary to remove the
barrier or correct the violation;
``(II) has hired contractors to
complete such construction and has
secured an estimate from the contractor
for the date of completion for such
renovation; or
``(III) has begun any necessary
construction and has worked to minimize
delays and complete the required
renovation.
``(E) Limitations.--
``(i) Additional actions.--No civil action
for discrimination under section 302(b)(2) may
be commenced--
``(I) during the 90-day period
described in subparagraph (B) or, where
applicable, the additional 30-day
period described in subparagraph
(D)(i); or
``(II) while a civil action
relating to the same violation is
pending.
``(ii) Damages.--In an action described in
this paragraph any damages awarded shall be
limited to a plaintiff who was actually denied
access to or reasonable use of the public
accommodation that is the subject of such
action.''.
SEC. 3. REPORT ON HIGH-FREQUENCY LITIGATORS.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Attorney General shall submit a report to Congress that analyzes the
impact of the notice and compliance opportunity afforded under section
308(a)(1)(B), as added by this Act. The report shall include--
(1) a determination of the number of persons in each State
who have filed 10 or more actions alleging a violation
described in section 302(b)(2) of the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 within any 12-month period after the
date of enactment of this Act;
(2) an analysis on whether the notice and compliance
opportunity has had an effect on the number of actions
commenced alleging such a violation;
(3) an analysis on whether the notice and compliance
opportunity has impacted an individual's ability to bring a
legitimate good-faith accessibility claim under such section;
and
(4) recommendations on whether a cap on recoverable
attorneys fees would reduce the number of such actions brought
by individual plaintiffs. | Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility Act or the COMPLI Act This bill amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit persons aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they: (1) provide the owner or operator of the accommodation with a written notice that is specific enough to identify the violation; (2) specify in the notice that the owner or operator has 90 days to remove or correct the violation before an action will be brought; and (3) refrain from sending demand letters, requests for settlement, or other communications to the owner or operator during such 90-day period. An owner or operator of a public accommodation who is provided such a notice must notify the public of the alleged violation and the steps being taken to remedy it. Owners or operators are entitled to an additional 30 days to comply if they make a good faith effort but are unable to correct the violation within the original 90-day period. A civil action for discrimination based on such a violation may not be commenced while a civil action relating to the same violation is pending. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "COMPLI Act"} | 1,274 | 246 | 0.711462 | 2.38308 | 0.881707 | 3.341014 | 5.317972 | 0.880184 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Disabled Veterans Life Insurance
Enhancement Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. REDUCTION IN PREMIUMS UNDER SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS INSURANCE
PROGRAM.
Section 1922(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
(2) by striking the fourth sentence and all that follows
and inserting the following:
``(2) Insurance granted under this section shall be issued upon the
same terms and conditions as are contained in the standard policies of
National Service Life Insurance, except that--
``(A) the amount of such insurance shall be $50,000, or
such lesser amount, evenly divisible by $10,000, as the insured
may specify;
``(B) the premium rates for such insurance--
``(i) for premiums for months beginning before the
date of the enactment of the Disabled Veterans Life
Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005 shall be based on the
Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality
and interest at the rate of 2\1/4\ percent per year;
and
``(ii) for premiums for months beginning on or
after that date shall be based upon the 2001
Commissioners Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and
interest at the rate of 4\1/2\ percent per year;
``(C) all cash, loan, paid-up, and extended values--
``(i) for a policy issued under this section before
the date of the enactment of the Disabled Veterans Life
Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005 shall be based upon
the Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of
Mortality and interest at the rate of 2\1/4\ percent
per year; and
``(ii) for a policy issued under this section on or
after that date shall be based upon the 2001
Commissioners Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and
interest at the rate of 4\1/2\ percent per year;
``(D) all settlements on policies involving annuities shall
be calculated on the basis of the Annuity Table for 1949, and
interest at the rate of 2\1/4\ percent per year;
``(E) insurance granted under this section shall be on a
nonparticipating basis;
``(F) all premiums and other collections for insurance
under this section shall be credited directly to a revolving
fund in the Treasury of the United States; and
``(G) any payments on such insurance shall be made directly
from such fund.
``(3) Appropriations to the fund referred to in subparagraphs (F)
and (G) of paragraph (2) are hereby authorized.
``(4) As to insurance issued under this section, waiver of premiums
pursuant to section 602(n) of the National Service Life Insurance Act
of 1940 and section 1912 of this title shall not be denied on the
ground that the service-connected disability became total before the
effective date of such insurance.''.
SEC. 3. INCREASE TO $200,000 IN MAXIMUM COVERAGE UNDER VETERANS'
MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Increase.--Subsection (b) of section 2106 of title 38, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)'';
(2) by designating the second, third, and fourth sentences
as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), respectively;
(3) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1) of
this subsection, by striking ``may not exceed'' and all that
follows through ``on the housing unit.'' and inserting ``shall
be the amount of the loan outstanding on the housing unit,
except that--
``(A) coverage may not exceed $200,000; and
``(B) a veteran may elect, in writing, to be
covered for less than the maximum coverage
available.''; and
(4) in paragraph (2), as designated by paragraph (2) of
this subsection, by striking ``of such insurance'' and
inserting ``of insurance provided a veteran under this
section''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (g) of such section is
amended by striking ``of this section or'' and inserting ``or an
election under that subsection or by''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect at the end of the 120-day period beginning on the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. INCLUSION OF STILL-BORN CHILDREN IN DEPENDENT-COVERAGE UNDER
SERVICEMEMBERS GROUP LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAM.
(a) Coverage of Still-Born Children.--Section 1965(10) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(C) The member's natural child from the fetal
gestational age of 20 weeks (or from a fetal weight of
450 grams if gestational age cannot be determined),
other than a case in which there is an induced
termination of pregnancy.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as of November 1, 2001. | Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act of 2005 - Amends Federal provisions concerning service-disabled veterans' life insurance to make the amount of such insurance $50,000, or such lesser amount evenly divisible by $10,000.
States that the premium rates for such insurance for months beginning: (1) before the date of enactment of this Act shall be based upon the Commissioners 1941 Standard Ordinary Table of Mortality and interest at the rate of two and one-fourth percent per year; and (2) on or after the date of enactment of this Act shall be based upon such Table at a four and one-half percent interest rate. Makes the same changes with respect to all policy cash, loan, paid-up, and extended values.
Increases from $90,000 to $200,000 the maximum amount of veterans' mortgage life insurance coverage.
Includes still-born children within dependent coverage under the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 38, United States Code, to enhance military and veterans' life insurance programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes."} | 1,189 | 200 | 0.67274 | 1.915467 | 0.821607 | 3.329609 | 6 | 0.893855 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Regulatory Responsibility for our
Economy Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the term ``agency'' means any authority of the United
States that is--
(A) an agency as defined under section 3502(1) of
title 44, United States Code; and
(B) shall include an independent regulatory agency
as defined under section 3502(5) of title 44, United
States Code;
(2) the term ``regulation''--
(A) means an agency statement of general
applicability and future effect, which the agency
intends to have the force and effect of law, that is
designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or
policy or to describe the procedure or practice
requirements of an agency; and
(B) shall not include--
(i) regulations issued in accordance with
the formal rulemaking provisions of sections
556 and 557 of title 5, United States Code;
(ii) regulations that pertain to a military
or foreign affairs function of the United
States, other than procurement regulations and
regulations involving the import or export of
non-defense articles and services; or
(iii) regulations that are limited to
agency organization, management, or personnel
matters;
(3) the term ``regulatory action'' means any substantive
action by an agency (normally published in the Federal
Register) that promulgates or is expected to lead to the
promulgation of a final regulation, including notices of
inquiry, advance notices of proposed rulemaking, and notices of
proposed rulemaking; and
(4) the term ``significant regulatory action'' means any
regulatory action that is likely to result in a regulation that
may--
(A) have an annual effect on the economy of
$100,000,000 or more or adversely affect in a material
way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity,
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or
communities;
(B) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise
interfere with an action taken or planned by another
agency;
(C) materially alter the budgetary impact of
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or
the rights and obligation of recipients thereof;
(D) add to the national debt; or
(E) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out
of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the
principles set forth in this Act.
SEC. 3. AGENCY REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Federal Regulatory System.--The Federal regulatory system
shall--
(1) protect the public health, welfare, safety, and the
environment of the United States, especially those promoting
economic growth, innovation, competitiveness, and job creation;
(2) be based on the best available science and information;
(3) allow for public participation and an open exchange of
ideas;
(4) promote predictability and reduce uncertainty,
including adherence to a clearly articulated timeline for the
release of regulatory documents at all stages of the regulatory
process;
(5) identify and use the best, most innovative, and least
burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends;
(6) take into account benefits and costs, both quantitative
and qualitative;
(7) ensure that regulations are accessible, consistent,
written in plain language, and easy to understand; and
(8) measure, and seek to improve, the actual results of
regulatory requirements.
(b) Requirements.--Each agency shall--
(1) propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned
determination that the benefits of the regulation justify the
costs of the regulation to the extent permitted by law;
(2) tailor regulations of the agency to impose the least
burden on society, consistent with obtaining regulatory
objectives, taking into account, among other things, the costs
of cumulative regulations;
(3) select, in choosing among alternative regulatory
approaches, those approaches that maximize net benefits,
including potential economic, environmental, public health and
safety, and other advantages, distributive impacts, and equity;
(4) specify performance objectives, rather than specifying
the behavior or manner of compliance that regulated entities
are required to adopt;
(5) identify and assess available alternatives to direct
regulation, including providing economic incentives to
encourage the desired behavior, such as user fees or marketable
permits, or providing information upon which choices can be
made by the public; and
(6) use the best available techniques to quantify
anticipated present and future benefits and costs.
SEC. 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
(a) In General.--Regulations shall be--
(1) adopted through a process that involves public
participation; and
(2) based, to the extent consistent with law, on the open
exchange of information and perspectives among State, local,
and tribal officials, experts in relevant disciplines, affected
stakeholders in the private sector, and the public as a whole.
(b) Opportunity To Participate.--Each agency shall--
(1) provide the public with an opportunity to participate
in the regulatory process;
(2) as authorized by law, afford the public a meaningful
opportunity to comment through the Internet on any proposed
regulation, with a comment period that shall begin on the date
on which the proposed regulation is published in the Federal
Register and be not less than 60 days, unless the relevant
regulation is designated by the Administrator of the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs to be an emergency rule;
(3) provide, for both proposed and final rules, timely
online access to the rulemaking docket on regulations.gov,
including relevant scientific and technical findings, in an
open format that can be easily searched and downloaded; and
(4) for proposed rules, provide access to include, to the
extent permitted by law, an opportunity for public comment on
all pertinent parts of the rulemaking docket, including
relevant scientific and technical findings.
(c) Seeking Affected Parties.--Before issuing a notice of proposed
rulemaking, each agency shall, where appropriate, seek the views of
those who are likely to be affected, including those who are likely to
benefit from and those who are potentially subject to such rulemaking.
(d) Delay of Implementation.--
(1) In general.--An agency shall delay implementation of an
interim final rule until final disposition of a challenge is
entered by a court in the United States, if--
(A) the agency excepted the rule from notice and
public procedure under section 553(b)(B) of title 5,
United States Code; and
(B) the agency exception of the rule described
under paragraph (1) is challenged in a court in the
United States.
(2) Length of delay.--If implementation of an interim final
rule is delayed under paragraph (1), the delay shall continue
until a final disposition of the challenge is entered by the
court.
SEC. 5. INTEGRATION AND INNOVATION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) some sectors and industries face a significant number
of regulatory requirements, some of which may be redundant,
inconsistent, or overlapping; and
(2) greater coordination across agencies should reduce
these requirements, thus reducing costs and simplifying and
harmonizing rules.
(b) Promotion of Innovation.--In developing regulatory actions and
identifying appropriate approaches, each agency shall--
(1) promote coordination, simplification, and
harmonization; and
(2) identify means to achieve regulatory goals that are
designed to promote innovation.
SEC. 6. FLEXIBLE APPROACHES.
(a) In General.--Each agency shall identify and consider regulatory
approaches that reduce burdens, especially economic burdens, and
maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public.
(b) Contents.--The approaches described under subsection (a) shall
include warnings, appropriate default rules, disclosure requirements,
and the provision of information to the public in a form that is clear
and intelligible.
SEC. 7. SCIENCE.
Each agency shall ensure the objectivity of any scientific and
technological information and processes used to support the regulatory
actions of the agency.
SEC. 8. RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSES OF EXISTING RULES.
(a) Retrospective Analyses.--
(1) In general.--To facilitate the periodic review of
existing significant regulatory actions, agencies shall
consider how best to promote retrospective analysis of rules
that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively
burdensome, and to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal such
regulations in accordance with what has been learned.
(2) Agreement.--Once every 5 years, each agency may enter
into an agreement with a qualified private organization to
conduct the retrospective analysis described in paragraph (1)
of the agency.
(3) Publication online.--Any retrospective analyses
conducted under this subsection, including supporting data,
shall be published online.
(b) Agency Plans.--
(1) Plan.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, each agency shall
develop and submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a preliminary plan for reviewing significant
regulatory actions issued by the agency, consistent
with law, under which the agency shall review its
existing significant regulatory actions once every 5
years to determine whether such regulations should be
modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed so as to
make the regulatory program of the agency more
effective or less burdensome in achieving the
regulatory objectives.
(B) Repeal.--If the plan described in subparagraph
(A) includes suggestions for needed repeals a timeline
for such repeals shall also be included in the plan.
(2) Report.--Upon completion of a review under a plan
submitted under paragraph (1), each agency shall submit to the
appropriate congressional committees a report that--
(A) describes the outcome of the review, including
which regulations were modified, streamlined, expanded,
or repealed;
(B) describes the reasons for the modifications,
streamlining, expansions, or repeals described in
subparagraph (A); and
(C) in any case where an agency did not take
action, describes the reasons why the agency did not
take action to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal
any significant regulatory actions. | Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act of 2011 - Sets forth general requirements for the federal regulatory system, including the protection of public health, welfare, safety, and the environment, the promotion of predictability in the regulatory process, and the consideration of benefits and costs of regulations.
Requires federal agencies to: (1) propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of such regulations justify their costs; (2) tailor regulations to impose the least burden on society and to maximize economic and other benefits; (3) involve the public and parties affected by regulations in the regulatory process; (4) develop regulatory actions that promote innovation, flexibility, and objectivity; and (5) consider methods to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and develop plans for reviewing on a periodic basis significant regulation actions (i.e., those having an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or otherwise adversely affecting the economy). | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to codify and modify regulatory requirements of Federal agencies."} | 2,148 | 208 | 0.535268 | 1.592281 | 0.799989 | 3.412371 | 10.778351 | 0.917526 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Health Care Purchasing
Cooperatives Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Health care spending in the United States has reached
13 percent of the Gross Domestic Product of the United States,
yet 42,500,000 people, or 15.5 percent of the population,
remains uninsured.
(2) After nearly a decade of manageable increases in
commercial insurance premiums, many employers are now faced
with consecutive years of double digit premium increases.
(3) Purchasing cooperatives owned by participating
businesses are a proven method of achieving the bargaining
power necessary to manage the cost and quality of employer-
sponsored health plans and other employee benefits.
(4) The Employer Health Care Alliance Cooperative has
provided its members with health care purchasing power through
provider contracting, data collection, activities to enhance
quality improvements in the health care community, and
activities to promote employee health care consumerism.
(5) According to the National Business Coalition on Health,
there are more than 90 employer-led coalitions across the
United States that collectively purchase health care,
proactively challenge high costs and the inefficient delivery
of health care, and share information on quality. These
coalitions represent over 7,000 employers and approximately
34,000,000 employees.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to build off of
successful local employer-led health insurance initiatives by improving
the value of their employees health care.
SEC. 3. GRANTS TO SELF INSURED BUSINESSES TO FORM HEALTH CARE
COOPERATIVES.
(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting through the Director
of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, is authorized to
award grants to eligible groups who meet the criteria described in
subsection (d), for the development of health care purchasing
cooperatives. Such grants may be used to provide support for the
professional staff of such cooperatives, and to obtain contracted
services for planning, development, and implementation activities for
establishing such health care purchasing cooperatives.
(b) Eligible Group Defined.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of this section the term
``eligible group'' means a consortia of--
(A) two or more self-insured employers each of
which are responsible for their own health insurance
risk pool with respect to their employees; or
(B) two or more employers each of which--
(i) have 99 employees or less; and
(ii) are purchasers of health insurance
(are not self-insured) for their employees.
(2) No transfer of risk.--Individual employers who are
members of an eligible group may not transfer insurance risk to
such group.
(c) Application.--An eligible entity desiring a grant under this
section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may
require.
(d) Criteria.--
(1) Feasibility study grants.--
(A) In general.--An eligible group may submit an
application under subsection (c) for a grant to conduct
a feasibility study concerning the establishment of a
health insurance purchasing cooperative. The Secretary
shall approve applications submitted under the
preceding sentence if the study will consider the
criteria described in paragraph (2).
(B) Report.--After completion of a feasibility
study under a grant under this section, an
eligible group shall submit to the Secretary a report describing the
results of such study.
(2) Grant criteria.--The criteria described in this
paragraph include the following with respect to the eligible
group:
(A) The ability of the group to effectively pool
the health care purchasing power of employers.
(B) The ability of the group to provide data to
employers to enable such employers to make data-based
decisions regarding their health plans.
(C) The ability of the group to drive quality
improvement in the health care community.
(D) The ability of the group to promote health care
consumerism through employee education, self-care, and
comparative provider performance information.
(E) The ability of the group to meet any other
criteria determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(e) Cooperative Grants.--After the submission of a report by an
eligible group under subsection (d)(1)(B), the Secretary shall
determine whether to award the group a grant for the establishment of a
cooperative under subsection (a). In making a determination under the
preceding sentence, the Secretary shall consider the criteria described
in subsection (d)(2) with respect to the group.
(f) Cooperatives.--
(1) In general.--An eligible group awarded a grant under
subsection (a) shall establish or expand a health insurance
purchasing cooperative that shall--
(A) be a nonprofit organization;
(B) be wholly owned, and democratically governed by
its member-employers;
(C) exist solely to serve the membership base;
(D) be governed by a board of directors that is
democratically elected by the cooperative membership
using a 1-member, 1-vote standard; and
(E) accept any new member in accordance with
specific criteria, including a limitation on the number
of members, determined by the Secretary.
(2) Authorized cooperative activities.--A cooperative
established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) assist the members of the cooperative in
pooling their health care insurance purchasing power;
(B) provide data to improve the ability of the
members of the cooperative to make data-based decisions
regarding their health plans;
(C) conduct activities to enhance quality
improvement in the health care community;
(D) the ability of the group to promote health care
consumerism through employee education, self-care, and
comparative provider performance information; and
(E) conduct any other activities determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
(g) Review.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which grants are awarded under this section, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall study programs funded by grants
under this section and provide to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report on the progress of such programs in improving
the access of employees to quality, affordable health
insurance.
(2) Sliding scale funding.--The Secretary shall use the
information included in the report under paragraph (1) to
establish a schedule for scaling back payments under this
section with the goal of ensuring that programs funded with
grants under this section are self sufficient within 10 years.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
From the administrative funds provided to the Secretary of Health
and Human Services, the Secretary may use not more than a total of
$60,000,000 for fiscal years 2003 through 2012 to carry out this Act. | Promoting Health Care Purchasing Cooperatives Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, to award grants for the development of health care purchasing cooperatives by two or more employers. Includes employers who self-insure as well as those with fewer than 100 employees who purchase insurance.Permits the use of funds for professional staff support and the conduct of a feasibility study.Requires the Secretary to determine a group's eligibility for a grant to establish or expand a cooperative based upon the report of the feasibility study. Requires cooperatives to: (1) be nonprofit; (2) be wholly owned and governed by its member-employees; (3) assist members in pooling their health care insurance purchasing power; and (4) provide data and activities to improve the quality of health care decision-making. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to promote the development of health care cooperatives that will help businesses to pool the health care purchasing power of employers, and for other purposes."} | 1,476 | 194 | 0.595134 | 1.766589 | 0.954207 | 2.927711 | 8.403614 | 0.915663 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Point Reyes National Seashore
Farmland Protection Act of 1997''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) protect the pastoral nature of the land adjacent to the
Point Reyes National Seashore from development that would be
incompatible with the character, integrity, and visitor
experience of the park;
(2) create a model public/private partnership among the
Federal, State, and local governments, as well as organizations
and citizens that will preserve and enhance the historic
agricultural lands along Tomales and Bodega Bay Watersheds;
(3) protect the substantial Federal investment in Point
Reyes National Seashore by furnishing watershed and
environmental protection and maintaining the relatively
undeveloped nature of the land surrounding Tomales and Bodega
Bays; and
(4) preserve productive long-term agriculture and
aquaculture in Marin and Sonoma Counties, primarily by
maintaining the land in private ownership restricted by
conservation easements.
SEC. 3. ADDITION OF FARMLAND PROTECTION AREA TO POINT REYES NATIONAL
SEASHORE AND ACQUISITION OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS.
(a) Addition.--Section 2 of the Act entitled ``An Act to establish
the Point Reyes National Seashore in the State of California, and for
other purposes'' (16 U.S.C. 459c-1) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) The Point Reyes National Seashore shall also include the
Farmland Protection Area depicted on the map numbered 612/60,163 and
dated July, 1995. Such map shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the Offices of the National Park Service, Department of
the Interior, Washington, District of Columbia.
``(d) Within the Farmland Protection Area depicted on the map
referred to in section 2(c) of this Act the primary objective shall be
to maintain agricultural land in private ownership protected from
nonagricultural development by conservation easements.''
(b) Authority for Farmland Acquisition and Management.--Section 3
of such Act (16 U.S.C. 459c-2) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d)(1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) through (c) of this
section, the Secretary, to encourage continued agricultural use, may
acquire lands or interests in lands from the owners of such lands
within the Farmland Protection Area depicted on the map referred to in
section 2(c) of this Act. Except as provided in paragraph (3), lands
and interests in lands may only be acquired under this subsection by
donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.
Lands acquired under this subsection by exchange may be exchanged for
lands located outside of the State of California, notwithstanding
section 206(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1716(b)).
``(2)(A) The Secretary shall give priority to (i) acquiring
interests in lands through the purchase of development rights and
conservation easements, (ii) acquiring lands and interests therein from
nonprofit corporations operating primarily for conservation purposes,
and (iii) acquiring lands and interests therein by donation or
exchange.
``(B) The Secretary shall not acquire any conservation easements on
land within the Farmland Protection Area from nonprofit organizations
which were acquired by such nonprofit organizations prior to January 1,
1997.
``(C) For the purpose of managing, in the most cost effective
manner, interests in lands acquired under this subsection, and for the
purpose of maintaining continuity with lands that have existing
easements, the Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with
public agencies or nonprofit organizations having substantial
experience holding, monitoring, and managing conservation easements on
agricultural land in the region, such as the Marin Agricultural Land
Trust, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space
District, and the Sonoma Land Trust.
``(3)(A) Within the boundaries of the Farmland Protection Area
depicted on the map referred to in section 2(c), absent an acquisition
of privately owned lands or interests therein by the United States,
nothing in this Act shall authorize any Federal agency or official to
regulate the use or enjoyment of privately owned lands, including lands
currently subject to easements held by the Marin Agricultural Land
Trust, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space
District, and the Sonoma Land Trust, and such privately owned lands
shall continue under the jurisdiction of the State and political
subdivisions within which they are located.
``(B) The Secretary may permit, or lease, lands acquired in fee
under this subsection. Any such permit or lease shall be subject to
such conditions and restrictions as the Secretary deems necessary to
assure the continued agricultural use of such lands in a manner
compatible with the purposes of the Point Reyes National Seashore
Farmland Protection Act of 1997. Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, revenues derived from any such permit, or lease, may be retained
by the Secretary, and such revenues shall be available, without further
appropriation, for expenditure to further the goals and objectives of
agricultural preservation within the boundaries of the area depicted on
the map referred to in section 2(c).
``(C) Lands, and interests in lands, within the area depicted on
the map referred to in section 2(c) of this Act which are owned by the
State of California, or any political subdivision thereof, may be
acquired only by donation or exchange.
``(4) Section 5 shall not apply with respect to lands and interests
in lands acquired under this subsection.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 9 of such Act (16
U.S.C. 459c-7) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``In
addition to the sums authorized to be appropriated by this section
before the enactment of the Point Reyes National Seashore Farmland
Protection Act of 1997, there is authorized to be appropriated
$30,000,000 to be used on a matching basis to acquire lands and
interests in lands under section 3(d). The Federal share of the costs
for acquiring land and interests in lands under section 3(d) shall be
one half of the total costs of such acquisition. The non-Federal share
of such acquisition costs may be in the form of property, monies,
services, or in-kind contributions, fairly valued. For such purposes,
any lands or interests in lands that are within the boundaries of the
area depicted on the map referred to in section 2(c), that are
currently held under a conservation easement by the Marin Agricultural
Land Trust, the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space
District, the Sonoma Land Trust, or any other land protection agency or
by the State of California or any political subdivision thereof shall
be considered a matching contribution from non-Federal sources in an
amount equal to the fair market value of such lands or interests in
land, as determined by the Secretary.''. | Point Reyes National Seashore Farmland Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal law to include the Farmland Protection Area in the Point Reyes National Seashore, California, with the primary objective being to protect private agricultural land from nonagricultural development by conservation easements.
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make farmland acquisitions within the Area. Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Point Reyes National Seashore Farmland Protection Act of 1997"} | 1,556 | 86 | 0.604057 | 1.470616 | 1.074818 | 2.460317 | 22.111111 | 0.873016 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be referred to as the ``Manufacturing Jobs for
Veterans Act''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of Pilot Program.--To encourage the employment of
eligible veterans in manufacturing, the Secretary of Labor, as part of
the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, shall carry out a pilot
program to be known as the ``Veterans Manufacturing Employment
Program''. Under the pilot program, the Secretary shall award
competitive grants to three States for the establishment and
administration of a State program to make grants to manufacturing
employers and labor-management organizations that provide covered
training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes
to eligible veterans. Such a program shall be known as a ``State
Manufacturing Employment Program''.
(b) Eligibility for Grants.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under the pilot program, a State shall submit to the Secretary an
application that includes each of the following:
(1) A proposal for the expenditure of grant funds to
establish and administer a public-private partnership program
designed to provide covered training, on-job training,
apprenticeships, and certification classes to a significant
number of eligible veterans and ensure lasting and sustainable
employment in well-paying jobs in manufacturing.
(2) Evidence that the State has--
(A) a population of eligible veterans of an
appropriate size to carry out the State program;
(B) a robust and diverse manufacturing industry;
and
(C) the ability to carry out the State program
described in the proposal under paragraph (1).
(3) Such other information and assurances as the Secretary
may require.
(c) Use of Funds.--A State that is the recipient of a grant under
this section shall use the grant for the following purposes:
(1) Making grants to manufacturing employers and labor-
management organizations to reimburse such employers and
organizations for the cost of providing covered training, on-
job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to
eligible veterans.
(2) Conducting outreach to inform manufacturing employers,
labor-management organizations, and veterans, including
veterans in rural areas, of their eligibility or potential
eligibility for participation in the State program.
(d) Conditions.--Under the pilot program, each grant to a State
shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) The State shall repay to the Secretary, on such date as
shall be determined by the Secretary, any amount received under
the pilot program that is not used for the purposes described
in subsection (c).
(2) The State shall submit to the Secretary, at such times
and containing such information as the Secretary shall require,
reports on the use of grant funds.
(e) Employer Requirements.--In order to receive a grant made by a
State under the pilot program, a manufacturing employer shall--
(1) submit to the administrator of the State Manufacturing
Employment Program an application that includes--
(A) the rate of pay for each eligible veteran
proposed to be trained using grant funds;
(B) the average rate of pay for an individual
employed by the manufacturing employer in a similar
position who is not an eligible veteran; and
(C) such other information and assurances as the
administrator may require; and
(2) agree to submit to the administrator, for each quarter,
a report containing such information as the Secretary may
specify.
(f) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to a
manufacturing employer through a grant under the pilot program may be
used to provide training of any kind to a person who is not an eligible
veteran.
(g) Report to Congress.--Together with the report required to be
submitted annually under section 4107(c) of title 38, United States
Code, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot
program for the year covered by such report. The report on the pilot
program shall include a detailed description of activities carried out
under this section and an evaluation of the program.
(h) Administrative and Reporting Costs.--Of the amounts
appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under
subsection (j), 2 percent shall be made available to the Secretary for
administrative costs associated with implementing and evaluating the
pilot program under this section and for preparing and submitting the
report required under subsection (f). The Secretary shall determine the
appropriate maximum amount of each grant awarded under this section
that may be used by the recipient for administrative and reporting
costs.
(i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
(1) The term ``covered training, on-job training,
apprenticeships, and certification classes'' means training,
on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes
that are--
(A) designed to provide the veteran with skills
that are particular to manufacturing and not directly
transferable to employment in another industry; and
(B) approved as provided in paragraph (1) or (2),
as appropriate, of subsection (a) of section 3687 of
title 38, United States Code.
(2) The term ``eligible veteran'' means a veteran, as that
term is defined in section 101(3) of title 38, United States
Code, who is employed by a manufacturing employer and enrolled
or participating in a covered training, on-job training,
apprenticeship, or certification class.
(3) The term ``manufacturing employer'' means a business
concern--
(A) that employs individuals in a trade or business
in manufacturing;
(B) the production facilities of which are located
in the United States; and
(C) the primary business of which is classified in
sector 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industrial
Classification System.
(j) Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019, for
the purpose of carrying out the pilot program. | Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor, as part of the Veteran's Workforce Investment Program, to carry out a five-year pilot program (to be known as the Veterans Manufacturing Employment Program) to award competitive grants to three states for the establishment and administration of a State Manufacturing Employment Program to make grants to manufacturing employers and labor-management organizations that provide training, on-job training, apprenticeships, and certification classes to eligible veterans. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act"} | 1,238 | 97 | 0.700722 | 1.745 | 1.296919 | 6.101124 | 13.674157 | 0.977528 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund
Act of 1995''.
SEC. 2. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL TRUST FUND.
(a) Establishment of Trust Fund.--Subchapter A of chapter 98 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to trust fund code) is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 9512. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL TRUST FUND.
``(a) Creation of Trust Fund.--There is established in the Treasury
of the United States a trust fund to be known as the `Intercity
Passenger Rail Trust Fund', consisting of such amounts as may be
transferred or credited to the Trust Fund as provided in section
9503(c)(7) or section 9602(b).
``(b) Expenditures From Trust Fund.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
amounts in the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund shall be
available, as provided by appropriation Acts, to finance
qualified expenses of--
``(A) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation,
and
``(B) each eligible State, to the extent determined
under paragraph (3).
``(2) Direct spending amounts.--The following amounts in
the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund are hereby appropriated
to finance qualified expenses:
Amount
``Fiscal year: Available:
1996.......................................... $131,000,000
1997.......................................... 663,000,000
1998.......................................... 667,000,000
1999.......................................... 670,000,000
2000.......................................... 672,000,000.
``(3) Maximum amount of funds to eligible states.--Each
eligible State shall receive under this subsection an amount
equal to the lesser of--
``(A) the State's qualified expenses for the fiscal
year, or
``(B) the product of--
``(i) \1/12\ of 1 percent of the lesser
of--
``(I) the aggregate amounts
transferred and credited to the
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund
under subsection (a) for such fiscal
year, or
``(II) the aggregate amounts
appropriated from the Intercity
Passenger Rail Trust Fund under this
subsection for such fiscal year, and
``(ii) the number of months such State was
an eligible State in the preceding fiscal year.
If the amount determined under subparagraph (B) exceeds the
amount under subparagraph (A) for any fiscal year, the amount
under subparagraph (B) for the following fiscal year shall be
increased by the amount of such excess.
``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) Qualified expenses.--The term `qualified expenses'
means expenses incurred, with respect to obligations made,
after December 31, 1995, and before October 1, 2000--
``(A) in the case of--
``(i) the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation, for capital improvements in
intercity passenger rail service, or
``(ii) an eligible State, for capital
improvements in intercity rail service, and
``(B) certified by the Secretary of Transportation
as meeting the requirements of subparagraph (A).
``(2) Eligible state.--The term `eligible State' means any
State which does not receive intercity passenger rail service
from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
``(d) Termination.--The Secretary shall determine and retain, not
later than October 1, 2000, the amount in the Intercity Passenger Rail
Trust Fund necessary to pay any outstanding qualified expenses, and
shall transfer any amount not so retained to the Mass Transit Account
under section 9503(e).''
(b) Transfers From Highway Trust Fund.--Section 9503(c) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to expenditures from Highway
Trust Fund) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(7) Transfers from trust fund for intercity passenger
rail.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall transfer
from time to time from the Highway Trust Fund to the
Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund under section 9512
the intercity passenger rail portion of the amounts
appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund under subsection
(b) which are attributable to taxes under sections 4041
and 4081 imposed after December 31, 1995, and before
October 1, 2000.
``(B) Intercity passenger rail portion.--For
purposes of subparagraph (A), the term `intercity
passenger rail portion' means the amount--
``(i) determined at the rate of 0.5 cent
for each gallon with respect to which tax was
imposed under section 4041 or 4081, and
``(ii) reduced (but not below zero) by the
amount by which--
``(I) the outlays of the Mass
Transit Account for the fiscal year
with respect to which such tax was
imposed, as estimated by the Secretary,
exceed
``(II) the available funds in the
Mass Transit Account for such fiscal
year (as so estimated).''
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 9503(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to transfers to mass transit account) is amended by
striking ``4081.'' and inserting ``4081 (for the period
beginning after December 31, 1995, and ending before October 1,
2000, an amount determined at the rate of 1.5 cents for each
such gallon, increased by the amount described in subsection
(c)(7)(B)(ii)).''.
(2) The table of sections for subchapter A of chapter 98 of
such Code (relating to trust fund code) is amended by adding at
the end the following new item:
``Sec. 9512. Intercity Passenger Rail
Trust Fund.''
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to taxes imposed after December 31, 1995. | Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund to finance qualified expenses of: (1) the National Railroad Passenger Corporation; and (2) eligible States. Makes appropriations in specified amounts for FY 1996 through 2000 to such Fund. Directs the Secretary of Transportation, by October 1, 2000, to determine and retain the amount in the Intercity Passenger Rail Fund necessary to pay any outstanding qualified expenses and to transfer any amount not so retained to the Mass Transit Fund.
Authorizes the Secretary to transfer from time to time from the Highway Trust Fund to the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund the intercity passenger rail portion of specified funds appropriated to the Highway Trust Fund. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act of 1995"} | 1,329 | 160 | 0.63099 | 1.509029 | 0.770618 | 4.678322 | 8.321678 | 0.902098 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bilingual Education and
Technological Advancement Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. GRANTS FOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION.
(a) Grants Authorized.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary of Education may award grants, on a
competitive basis, to local educational agencies to provide financial
assistance to elementary and secondary schools for obtaining computer
software for bilingual education.
(b) Preference.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall give preference to local educational agencies that
serve an elementary or secondary school in which--
(1) a majority of the students are from families with
incomes below the poverty line, as defined by the Office of
Management and Budget and in effect under section 673(2) of the
Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)); or
(2) there is a high concentration of students with low
levels of English proficiency.
(c) Eligible Schools.--A grant under this section may be used to
provide financial assistance only to an elementary or secondary school
that meets the criteria of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).
(d) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an annual
study of the effectiveness of the grant program under this
section.
(2) Report.--By the end of each fiscal year for which
appropriations to carry out this Act are available, the
Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report that includes
the following:
(A) Findings on the effectiveness of this grant
program, including the effectiveness of the computer
software.
(B) Recommendations for improving this grant
program.
(e) Application.--To seek a grant under subsection (a), a local
educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for grants under this section $80,000,000
for fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR COMPUTERS.
(a) Grants Authorized.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary of Education may award grants, on a
competitive basis, to local educational agencies to provide financial
assistance to elementary and secondary schools for obtaining computers.
(b) Mandatory Grants.--The Secretary shall award a grant under
subsection (a) to any local educational agency that--
(1) submits an application under subsection (c); and
(2) serves elementary or secondary schools in which,
cumulatively, a majority of the students are from families with
incomes below the poverty line, as defined by the Office of
Management and Budget and in effect under section 673(2) of the
Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).
(c) Eligible Schools.--A grant under this section may be used to
provide financial assistance only to an elementary or secondary school
in which--
(1) a majority of students are from families with incomes
below the poverty line, as defined by the Office of Management
and Budget and in effect under section 673(2) of the Community
Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)); or
(2) there are fewer computers than the greater of--
(A) 6 computers; or
(B) a number of computers for that type school
established by the Secretary by a regulation under this
paragraph.
(d) Application.--To seek a grant under this section, a local
educational agency shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary for grants under this section
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
SEC. 4. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AND BILINGUAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
GRANTS.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretaries may make grants to eligible partnerships to pay the Federal
share of the cost of establishing and carrying out--
(1) information technology training programs for former
participants in information technology training programs who
have not received information technology certification,
minorities, women, older individuals, veterans, Native
Americans, and dislocated workers; and
(2) bilingual education programs.
(b) Partnerships.--To be an eligible partnership under subsection
(a), a partnership shall consist of--
(1) an institution of higher education; and
(2) a private organization, such as a certified commercial
information technology training provider or an information
technology trade or professional association.
(c) Application.--To seek a grant under subsection (a), an eligible
partnership shall submit an application to the Secretaries at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretaries may require.
(d) Federal Share.--
(1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost described in
subsection (a) shall be 50 percent.
(2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of the cost
shall be provided in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated by the
Secretaries, and may include plant, equipment, or services.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretaries to carry out this section $100,000,000
for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for each
subsequent fiscal year.
SEC. 5. BONUS GRANTS FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary of Education may make grants to local educational agencies to
assist such agencies in awarding bonuses to teachers who achieve
information technology certification.
(b) Limitation on Amount.--The amount of a grant to a local
educational agency under subsection (a) shall not exceed the product
determined by multiplying $5,000 by the number of teachers described
pursuant to subsection (c)(2) in the application for the grant.
(c) Application.--
(1) In general.--To seek a grant under this section, a
local educational agency shall submit an application to the
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents.--The application shall include information
describing the number of teachers employed by the local
educational agency who--
(A) have achieved information technology
certification, including such certification for
integrating information technology into the classroom
or a curriculum; and
(B) have not previously received a bonus under this
section.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Education to carry out this section
$120,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
SEC. 6. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TEACHER TRAINING.
(a) Grants Authorized.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary of Education may award grants, on a
competitive basis, to institutions of higher education to provide
scholarships to any eligible student.
(b) Eligible Students.--For purposes of this section, the term
``eligible student'' means a student who--
(1) is preparing to enter the teaching workforce; and
(2) meets the criteria established under subsection (c).
(c) Criteria.--For purposes of subsection (b)(2), the Secretary
shall establish criteria that require a student to obtain both
technological and bilingual education.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $100,000,000
for fiscal year 2001 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the
4 succeeding fiscal years.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Certified commercial information technology training
provider.--The term ``certified commercial information
technology training provider'' means a private sector provider
of educational products and services utilized for training in
information technology that is certified by 1 or more software
publishers or hardware manufacturers (the products of which are
the subject of the training) with respect to--
(A) the curriculum that is used for the training;
or
(B) the technical knowledge of the instructors of
such provider.
(2) Dislocated worker.--The term ``dislocated worker'' has
the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801).
(3) Elementary school.--The term ``elementary school'' has
the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).
(4) Information technology certification.--The term
``information technology certification'' means certification in
information technology, in accordance with such standards as--
(A)(i) the Computing Technology Industry
Association or the Information Technology Training
Association may issue, after consultation with chief
education officers of States, State boards, entities
that certify or license teachers, and other entities
affected by the standards; or
(ii) a State board or entity that certifies or
licenses teachers may issue, after consultation with
chief education officers of States, and other entities
affected by the standards; and
(B) the Secretaries may approve.
(5) Information technology training program.--The term
``information technology training program'' means a program for
the training of--
(A) computer programmers, systems analysts, and
computer scientists or engineers (as such occupations
are defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics); and
(B) persons for such other occupations as are
determined to be appropriate by the Secretaries, after
consultation with a working group broadly solicited by
the Secretaries and open to all interested information
technology entities and trade and professional
associations.
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002).
(7) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
8801).
(8) Native American.--The term ``Native American'' means an
Indian or a Native Hawaiian, as defined in section 166(b) of
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2911(b)).
(9) Secondary school.--The term ``secondary school'' has
the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801).
(10) Secretaries.--The term ``Secretaries'' means the
Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Labor, acting
jointly.
(11) Veteran.--The term ``veteran'' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(29 U.S.C. 2801). | (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to LEAs to provide financial assistance to elementary and secondary schools for obtaining computers. Requires such grants to be awarded to any applicant LEA that serves elementary or secondary schools in which, cumulatively, a majority of the students are from families with incomes below the poverty line.
Allows grants to be used only to assist schools in which: (1) a majority of students meet such poverty criteria; or (2) there are fewer computers than the greater of six or the number established by the Secretary for that type of school. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary, jointly with the Secretary of Labor, to make matching grants for: (1) information technology training programs for former participants in such programs who have not received information technology certification, minorities, women, older individuals, veterans, Native Americans, and dislocated workers; and (2) bilingual education programs. Requires a partnership, to be eligible for such a grant, to consist of: (1) an institution of higher education; and (2) a private organization, such as a certified commercial information technology training provider or an information technology trade or professional association. Sets the Federal share of program cost at 50 percent. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to LEAs to assist them in awarding bonuses to teachers who achieve information technology certification. Limits the amount of such a grant to not more than $5,000 times the number of teachers described in the application. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary to make competitive grants to institutions of higher education to provide scholarships to students who: (1) are preparing to enter the teaching profession; and (2) meet criteria established by the Secretary that requires them to obtain both technological and bilingual education. Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Bilingual Education and Technological Advancement Act of 2000"} | 2,395 | 406 | 0.653815 | 1.786983 | 0.760375 | 4.57967 | 5.961538 | 0.925824 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sustainable Urban Development Act of
2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Approximately 51 percent of the world's population
lives in cities of various sizes and produce the majority of
the world's economic output.
(2) It is estimated that by 2030--
(A) almost 4,000,000,000 people will live in cities
in the developing world;
(B) urban populations in Africa and Asia will
double; and
(C) the number of people living in slums will
double.
(3) Of the approximately 1,000,000,000 people worldwide who
live in slums, more than 50 percent are younger than 25 years
of age.
(4) In most countries, the largest urban areas account for
significant shares of gross domestic product and, due to the
economic advantages of large integrated markets for skills,
inputs and outputs are often drivers of national economic
growth.
(5) More than 1,100,000,000 people lack adequate access to
safe water and nearly 2,500,000,000 lack access to sanitation
services. These problems may become more severe with rapid
urbanization.
(6) The costs of diseases and productivity losses linked to
water and sanitation amount to--
(A) 2 percent of gross domestic product in less
developed countries; and
(B) up to 5 percent of gross domestic product in
sub-Saharan Africa.
(7) Insecure lease and real property ownership tenure often
subject slum dwellers to arbitrary, often supra-market rents,
forced evictions, threats, and harassment, particularly
affecting women who are often heads of households.
(8) Insecurity of tenure--
(A) severely inhibits economic development by
undermining investment incentives and constraining the
growth of credit markets;
(B) imperils the ability of families to achieve
sustainable livelihoods and assured access to shelter;
and
(C) often contributes to conflict over property
rights.
(9) Although women constitute 66 percent of the world's
work force, they own less than 15 percent of the world's
private property. This disparity is particularly damaging in
cities and towns in which women are disproportionately affected
by forced evictions and insecure tenure as a result of
discrimination, gender-biased laws, and customs that--
(A) define women as legal minors or otherwise
prevent women from acquiring and securing property,
housing leases, or ownership rights; and
(B) increase the vulnerability of women to poverty,
violence, and sexual abuse.
(10) Cities can play an important role in economic growth
only if--
(A) there is appropriate infrastructure,
institutions, and policies; and
(B) basic services are extended to everyone.
(11) Connective infrastructure, such as roads and
telecommunications--
(A) plays a critical role linking cities and their
markets to rural production, to hinterlands, and to the
global economy;
(B) reduces economic distances; and
(C) strengthens the ability of cities to take
advantage of the resulting market opportunities and
ensures that urban and rural development policies are
integrated into a holistic approach that promotes
economic growth throughout the country.
(12) The 2006 National Security Strategy states,
``America's national interests and moral values drive us in the
same direction: to assist the world's poor citizens and least
developed nations and help integrate them into the global
economy.''.
(13) In his October 2009 remarks for World Habitat Day,
President Obama stated, ``My administration is committed to . .
. bolstering our metropolitan areas, the cities, suburban and
rural areas that are the engines of our economic growth. We are
investing in a clean energy sector that will generate new green
jobs, building affordable, energy efficient homes and promoting
more sustainable development so that we can meet the needs of
the present, for securing the future for our children and
grandchildren . . . That is why we are committed to working
with the United Nations and our partners around the world to
help more families find a safe and secure place to live.''.
(14) Target 11 of Goal 7 of the Millennium Development
Goals states, ``By 2020, to have achieved a significant
improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum-
dwellers.''.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to recognize urban development, as an objective of
United States foreign policy, and overseas development
assistance, particularly programs that--
(A) foster improved urban governance, management,
and planning;
(B) increase land and real property tenure;
(C) promote the formal provision of, and access to,
essential urban services and infrastructure;
(D) expand access to basic shelter, affordable
urban housing;
(E) economically empower women and youth;
(F) promote civic participation and social
cohesion;
(G) respond to, and proactively prepare for,
environmental and climatic challenges;
(H) promote economic growth and alleviate poverty;
and
(I) expand the availability of financing for urban
housing and infrastructure;
(2) to prevent waste and duplication in the use of United
States overseas development assistance with respect to the
programs described in paragraph (1);
(3) to foster cooperative relations with foreign
governments, intergovernmental organizations, private
businesses, and nonprofit and community-based organizations
that support or implement programs similar to those described
in paragraph (1);
(4) to support innovative international mechanisms designed
to increase coordination and mutual complementarity in the
planning, financing, and implementation of sustainable urban
development policies and programs implemented by the United
States and other donors described in this section;
(5) to ensure access to--
(A) basic shelter and affordable housing,
particularly by residents of slums and informal
settlements and similar densely populated, impoverished
urban areas; and
(B) safe water and sanitation;
(6) to promote--
(A) the security of land and other real property
use, lease, and ownership rights;
(B) the legal recognition and protections of such
rights by all income groups;
(C) equitable and sustainable national land
policies; and
(D) enhanced land administration services,
including services for groups that--
(i) are socioeconomically vulnerable or
institutionally marginalized; or
(ii) are subject to discrimination,
including women, children, the poor, and people
living in urban slums and informal settlements;
and
(7) to support efforts to enhance the technical and
financial capacity of developing country governments, including
regional and municipal governments, to plan and manage urban
growth in transparent, participatory, and accountable manner.
SEC. 4. SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development (referred to in this section as the
``USAID'') shall develop a strategy to foster sustainable urban
development in developing countries that updates the Making Cities Work
Urban Strategy.
(b) Consultation.--The strategy required under subsection (a)--
(1) shall be developed in consultation with other United
States Government agencies with relevant technical expertise or
policy mandates pertaining to urban development in foreign
countries; and
(2) shall draw upon best practices and successful models of
urban development undertaken or developed by international
intergovernmental organizations, international finance
institutions, recipient countries, United States and
international nongovernmental organizations, private sector
actors, and other appropriate entities.
(c) Content.--The strategy required under subsection (a) shall--
(1) review and assess existing or past United States
programs and foreign assistance strategies for developing
countries designed to improve urban development, including--
(A) increasing access to basic shelter, affordable
housing, and shared communal infrastructure;
(B) enhancing land tenure security;
(C) promoting environmentally sound urban
infrastructure and services;
(D) building capacity for municipal planning,
management, and governance;
(E) leveraging innovative financing for urban
investments;
(F) promoting gender equality and women's
empowerment; and
(G) promoting active participation of urban
dwellers in the planning and execution of urban
governance and social services programs;
(2) define short- and long-term objectives and performance
measures by which progress in urban development in foreign
countries should be measured;
(3) integrate United States programs and foreign assistance
strategies that address urban development and slums in
developing countries;
(4) integrate into the broader strategic foreign assistance
plans of the Department of State and the programs and
objectives of the United Stated Agency for International
Development related to urban development and slums;
(5) assess the feasibility of establishing, in the USAID, a
senior advisor for urban sustainable development, who would--
(A) provide--
(i) leadership for coordinated programming;
(ii) technical support for urban
development; and
(iii) dissemination of best practices with
policy and technical staff with experience and
expertise in urban planning and development;
(B) guide urban programming;
(C) help build the capacity of government officials
in developing countries to more effectively manage
urbanization; and
(D) encourage the organization and involvement of
local civil society, including collective and municipal
associations;
(6) evaluate options to leverage private sector
partnerships on issues related to housing, slum improvement,
and finance though--
(A) the Global Development Alliance of USAID and
the Global Partnerships Initiative of the Department of
State;
(B) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation;
(C) the Development Credit Authority;
(D) the Millennium Challenge Corporation; and
(E) other relevant initiatives;
(7) support a policy of United States Government
collaboration and coordination with other donors towards urban
development issues, including--
(A) working to achieve Target 4 of Goal 7 of the
Millennium Development Goals;
(B) supporting local development plans and
strategies;
(C) reviewing technical assistance and financial
resource needs for urban development programming;
(D) fostering greater program coordination among
donors; and
(E) disseminating best practices in urban planning
and development;
(8) assess the feasibility of establishing a pilot urban
strategies initiative that would--
(A) support, through technical and financial
assistance, a select number of cities in developing
countries by identifying, developing, and implementing
long-term sustainable urban development strategies to
provide a framework for future growth and development
in identified countries;
(B) provide support for such urban development
strategies through a variety of approaches, including
direct financial support, innovative financial
mechanisms, and private sector investment;
(C) raise critical global awareness of urban
development issues, including the emergence of mega-
cities and the increasing burdens placed on secondary
cities in developing countries; and
(D) fully integrate the needs of women, who are
often heads of households, yet do not have equitable
access to land, resources, or services;
(9) analyze approaches to improve environmental
sustainability in urban areas, while recognizing that
developing cities are facing severe environmental stress as a
result of the difficulties of expanding facilities fast enough
to keep up with rapidly growing populations and industrial
activity; and
(10) develop a plan for providing long-term United States
support for sustainable urban growth and development
initiatives in developing countries that--
(A) includes regular coordination between United
States Government agencies that have relevant technical
expertise or policy responsibilities, as appropriate,
including--
(i) the United States Agency for
International Development;
(ii) the Department of State;
(iii) the Millennium Challenge Corporation;
(iv) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
(v) the Department of the Treasury; and
(vi) the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation; and
(B) draws upon the available expertise of United
States-based city and regional elected officials and
professionals in--
(i) community, real estate, and banking
sectors;
(ii) major United States private
foundations, nongovernmental organizations, and
policy, education, and research organizations;
(iii) United Nations organizations; and
(iv) multilateral development banks.
(d) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report to
Congress that includes the strategy required under this section. | Sustainable Urban Development Act of 2010 - Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a strategy to foster sustainable urban development in developing countries that updates the Making Cities Work Urban Strategy.
Requires such strategy to: (1) review U.S. foreign assistance strategy and programs; (2) assess the feasibility of establishing a USAID senior advisor for urban sustainable development; (3) evaluate options to leverage private sector partnerships; (4) support U.S. government collaboration with other donors; (5) assess the feasibility of establishing a pilot urban strategies initiative; and (6) analyze approaches to improve environmental sustainability in urban areas. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to direct the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to develop a strategy to foster sustainable urban development in developing countries that updates the Making Cities Work Urban Strategy."} | 2,548 | 135 | 0.390233 | 1.137681 | 0.614805 | 4.412698 | 20.507937 | 0.968254 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Tax Moratorium and Equity
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The moratorium of the Internet Tax Freedom Act on new
taxes on Internet access and on multiple and discriminatory
taxes on electronic commerce should be extended.
(2) States should be encouraged to simplify their sales and
use tax systems.
(3) As a matter of economic policy and basic fairness,
similar sales transactions should be treated equally, without
regard to the manner in which sales are transacted, whether in
person, through the mails, over the telephone, on the Internet,
or by other means.
(4) Congress may facilitate such equal taxation consistent
with the United States Supreme Court's decision in Quill Corp.
v. North Dakota.
(5) States that adequately simplify their tax systems
should be authorized to correct the present inequities in
taxation through requiring sellers to collect taxes on sales of
goods or services delivered in-state, without regard to the
location of the seller.
(6) The States have experience, expertise, and a vital
interest in the collection of sales and use taxes, and thus
should take the lead in developing and implementing sales and
use tax collection systems that are fair, efficient, and non-
discriminatory in their application and that will simplify the
process for both sellers and buyers.
(7) Online consumer privacy is of paramount importance to
the growth of electronic commerce and must be protected.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF INTERNET TAX FREEDOM ACT MORATORIUM.
Section 1101(a) of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151
note) is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Moratorium.--No State or political subdivision thereof shall
impose--
``(1) any taxes on Internet access during the period
beginning after September 30, 1998, unless such a tax was
generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1,
1998; and
``(2) multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic
commerce during the period beginning on October 1, 1998, and
ending on December 31, 2005.''.
SEC. 4. INTERNET TAX FREEDOM ACT DEFINITIONS.
(a) Internet Access Services.--Section 1104 of the Internet Tax
Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note) is amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(11) Internet access services.--The term `Internet access
services' means services that combine computer processing,
information storage, protocol conversion, and routing with
transmission to enable users to access Internet content and
services. Such term does not include receipt of such content or
services.''.
(b) Internet Access.--Section 1104(5) of the Internet Tax Freedom
Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note) is amended by striking ``telecommunications
services.' and inserting ``telecommunications services generally, but
does include wireless web access services used to enable users to
access content, information, electronic mail, or other services offered
over the Internet, including any comparable package of services offered
to users.''.
(c) Telecommunications Services.--Section 1104(9) of the Internet
Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note) is amended by striking ``and
includes communications services (as defined in section 4251 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986)''.
(d) Wireless Web Access Services.--Section 1104 of the Internet Tax
Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151 note), as amended by subsection (a), is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(12) Wireless web access services.--The term `wireless
web access services' means commercial mobile services (as
defined in section 332(d)(1) of Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 332(d)(1)), multi-channel, multi-point distribution
services, or any wireless telecommunications services used to
access the Internet.''.
SEC. 5. STREAMLINED SALES AND USE TAX SYSTEM.
(a) Development of Streamlined System.--It is the sense of Congress
that States and localities should work together to develop a
streamlined sales and use tax system that addresses the following in
the context of remote sales:
(1) A centralized, one-stop, multi-state reporting,
submission, and payment system for sellers.
(2) Uniform definitions for goods or services, the sale of
which may, by State action, be included in the tax base.
(3) Uniform rules for attributing transactions to
particular taxing jurisdictions.
(4) Uniform procedures for--
(A) the treatment of purchasers exempt from sales
and use taxes; and
(B) relief from liability for sellers that rely on
such State procedures.
(5) Uniform procedures for the certification of software
that sellers rely on to determine sales and use tax rates and
taxability.
(6) A uniform format for tax returns and remittance forms.
(7) Consistent electronic filing and remittance methods.
(8) State administration of all State and local sales and
use taxes.
(9) Uniform audit procedures, including a provision giving
a seller the option to be subject to no more than a single
audit per year using those procedures; except that if the
seller does not comply with the procedures to elect a single
audit, any State can conduct an audit using those procedures.
(10) Reasonable compensation for tax collection by sellers.
(11) Exemption from use tax collection requirements for
remote sellers falling below a de minimis threshold of
$5,000,000 in gross annual sales.
(12) Appropriate protections for consumer privacy.
(13) Such other features that the States deem warranted to
promote simplicity, uniformity, neutrality, efficiency, and
fairness.
(b) No Undue Burden.--Congress finds that, if adopted, the system
described in subsection (a) will not place an undue burden on
interstate commerce or burden the growth of electronic commerce and
related technologies in any material way.
(c) Study.--It is the sense of Congress that a joint, comprehensive
study should be commissioned by State and local governments and the
business community to determine the cost to all sellers of collecting
and remitting State and local sales and use taxes on sales made by
sellers under the law as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act
and under the system described in subsection (a) to assist in
determining what constitutes reasonable compensation.
SEC. 6. INTERSTATE SALES AND USE TAX COMPACT.
(a) Authorization and Consent.--In general, the States are
authorized to enter into an Interstate Sales and Use Tax Compact.
Subject to subsection (c), Congress consents to their entry into that
Compact. The Compact shall describe a uniform, streamlined sales and
use tax system consistent with section 5(a), and shall provide that
States joining the Compact must adopt that system.
(b) Expiration.--The authorization and consent in subsection (a)
shall expire if the Compact has not been formed before January 1, 2006.
(c) Congressional Consent Withdrawn if Compact Disapproved.--
(1) Adopting states to transmit.--Upon the 20th State
becoming a signatory to the Compact, the adopting States shall
transmit a copy of the Compact to Congress.
(2) Congressional action.--The consent of Congress to the
Compact is withdrawn if Congress, by law, disapproves the
Compact within 120 days (computed in accordance with section
154 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2194)) after the
adopting States transmit the Compact to Congress.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION TO SIMPLIFY STATE USE-TAX RATES THROUGH
AVERAGING.
(a) In General.--Subject to the exception in subsection (c), a
State that adopts the Compact authorized under section 6 and that
levies a use tax shall impose a single, uniform State-wide use-tax rate
on all remote sales on which it assesses a use tax for any calendar
year for which the State meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(b) Averaging Requirement.--A State meets the requirements of this
subsection for any calendar year in which the single, uniform State-
wide use-tax rate is in effect if such rate is no greater than the
weighted average of the sales tax rates actually imposed by the State
and its local jurisdictions during the 12-month period ending on June
30 prior to such calendar year.
(c) Annual Option To Collect Actual Tax.--Notwithstanding
subsection (a), a remote seller may elect annually to collect the
actual applicable State and local use taxes on each sale made in the
State.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION TO REQUIRE COLLECTION OF USE TAXES.
(a) Grant of Authority.--
(1) States that adopt the system may require collection.--
Any State that has adopted the system described in the Compact
is authorized, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to
require all sellers not qualifying for the de minimis exception
to collect and remit sales and use taxes on remote sales to
purchasers located in such State after the expiration of the
120 day period described by section 6(c)(2) unless the Compact
is disapproved under section 6(c).
(2) States that do not adopt the system may not require
collection.--Paragraph (1) does not extend to any State that
does not adopt the system described in the Compact.
(b) No Effect on Nexus, Etc.--No obligation imposed by virtue of
authority granted by subsection (a)(1) or denied by subsection (a)(2)
shall be considered in determining whether a seller has a nexus with
any State for any other tax purpose. Except as provided in subsection
(a), nothing in this Act permits or prohibits a State--
(1) to license or regulate any person;
(2) to require any person to qualify to transact intrastate
business; or
(3) to subject any person to State taxes not related to the
sale of goods or services.
SEC. 9. NEXUS FOR STATE BUSINESS ACTIVITY TAXES.
It is the sense of Congress that before the conclusion of the 107th
Congress, legislation should be enacted to determine the appropriate
factors to be considered in establishing whether nexus exists for State
business activity tax purposes.
SEC. 10. LIMITATION.
In general, nothing in this Act shall be construed as subjecting
sellers to franchise taxes, income taxes, or licensing requirements of
a State or political subdivision thereof, nor shall anything in this
Act be construed as affecting the application of such taxes or
requirements or enlarging or reducing the authority of any State or
political subdivision to impose such taxes or requirements.
SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of the
United States of America and includes the District of Columbia.
(2) Goods or services.--The term ``goods or services''
includes tangible and intangible personal property and
services.
(3) Remote sale.--The term ``remote sale'' means a sale in
interstate commerce of goods or services attributed, under the
rules established pursuant to section 5(a)(3), to a particular
taxing jurisdiction that could not, except for the authority
granted by this Act, require that the seller of such goods or
services collect and remit sales or use taxes on such sale.
(4) Locus of remote sale.--The term ``particular taxing
jurisdiction'', when used with respect to the location of a
remote sale, means a remote sale of goods or services
attributed, under the rules established pursuant to section
5(a)(3), to a particular taxing jurisdiction. | Internet Tax Moratorium and Equity Act - Amends the Internet Tax Freedom Act to extend: (1) permanently provisions which prohibit a State or political subdivision from imposing taxes on Internet access, unless such tax was generally imposed and actually enforced prior to October 1, 1998; and (2) until December 31, 2005, the State or political subdivision prohibition on multiple or discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce.Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) States and localities should work together to develop a uniform streamlined sales and use tax system that addresses remote sales; and (2) a study should be commissioned to determine seller costs of collecting and remitting State and local sales and use taxes from remote sales.Authorizes States to enter into an Interstate Sales and Use Tax Compact which shall describe a uniform, streamlined sales and use tax system consistent with the above system. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to foster innovation and technological advancement in the development of the Internet and electronic commerce, and to assist the States in simplifying their sales and use taxes."} | 2,611 | 183 | 0.651592 | 1.902639 | 0.791002 | 4.668675 | 14.13253 | 0.933735 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Broadband Competition and Incentives
Act of 2001''.
TITLE I--PROTECTION OF BROADBAND SERVICES FROM CONTINUING
MONOPOLIZATION
SEC. 101. AMENDMENT TO THE CLAYTON ACT TO INCLUDE MARKET POWER ENTRY
TEST.
The Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 15 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``SEC. 28. BROADBAND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.
``(a) Determination by Attorney General.--A Bell operating company
or an affiliate of a Bell operating company may not provide interLATA
services in any of its in-region States under the authority of any
amendments to section 271 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
271) enacted after April 24, 2001, unless the Attorney General of the
United States determines that such company or such affiliate does not
have market power in the provision of wireline telephone exchange
service in the State involved.
``(b) Market Power.--For purposes of this section, a Bell operating
company or an affiliate of a Bell operating company shall be deemed to
have market power in the provision of wireline telephone exchange
service in the State involved if such company or such affiliate
provides service to more than 85 percent of the business subscribers,
or more than 85 percent of the residential subscribers, in such State
at the time such company or such affiliate requests that the Attorney
General make a determination under subsection (a).
``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Affiliate.--The term `affiliate' means a person that
(directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is owned or
controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with,
another person. For purposes of this paragraph, the term `own'
means to own an equity interest (or equivalent thereof) of more
than 10 percent.
``(2) Bell operating company.--The term `Bell operating
company' has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153).''.
TITLE II--BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT INCENTIVES FOR SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE
RURAL COMMUNITIES AND UNDERSERVED AREAS
SEC. 201. ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATORY TAXES ON BROADBAND SERVICE
PROVIDERS.
(a) Prohibition.--No State or political subdivision of a State may
impose--
(1) discriminatory taxes on broadband services; or
(2) a tax or fee imposed on telecommunications carriers or
affiliates thereof, other than incumbent local exchange
carriers and affiliates thereof, for the use of public rights-
of-way that is greater than the tax or fee imposed on incumbent
local exchange carriers or affiliates thereof for their use of
public rights-of-way.
(b) Liabilities and Pending Cases.--Subsection (a) shall not affect
liability for taxes or fees accrued and enforced before the date of the
enactment of this Act or to ongoing litigation relating to such taxes
or such fees.
SEC. 202. LOAN PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND FOR
UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.
(a) Authority To Make Direct Loans and Loan Guarantees.--The
Attorney General of the United States may make direct loans or loan
guarantees to eligible broadband service providers in accordance with
this section to finance the deployment of broadband services to
eligible rural communities and to underserved areas.
(b) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a loan or
loan guarantee under this section, a broadband service provider shall
submit to the Attorney General an application containing such
information and assurances as the Attorney General may require by rule,
including--
(1) information demonstrating that such provider is capable
of delivering broadband service;
(2) a description of the proposed project to deploy
broadband service to an eligible rural community or to an
underserved area where broadband service is not otherwise
generally available throughout such community or such area; and
(3) an assurance that such provider will meet the standards
for service and area wide coverage established by the Attorney
General.
(c) Terms and Conditions.--Direct loans and loan guarantees made
under this section--
(1) shall be made available in accordance with the
requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C.
661 et seq.);
(2) in the case of direct loans and loans guaranteed, shall
bear interest at an annual rate of not more than 2 percent per
annum; and
(3) shall be made for the longer of--
(A) a term of 30 years; or
(B) the useful life of the assets constructed,
reconstructed, or acquired with any part of the
proceeds of such loan or of the loan guaranteed.
(d) Limitations.--
(1) Technology neutrality.--In making direct loans and loan
guarantees under this section, the Attorney General may not
take into consideration the technology proposed to be employed
by the applicants for such loans or such guarantees.
(2) Security interest.--The Attorney General may take a
security interest in assets or revenue streams, in connection
with a direct loan or loan guarantee made under this section,
of not more than the amount sufficient to cover the assets
financed by such loan or such guarantee.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Attorney General to carry out this section
$3,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General.--In this title:
(1) Affiliate.--Term ``affiliate'' means a person that
(directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is owned or
controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with,
another person. For purposes of this paragraph, the term
``own'' means to own an equity interest (or equivalent thereof)
of more than 10 percent.
(2) Assessment.--The term ``assessment'' means valuation
for a property tax levied by a taxing State or political
subdivision thereof.
(3) Assessment jurisdiction.--The term ``assessment
jurisdiction'' means a geographical area in a State used in
determining the assessed value of property for ad valorem
taxation.
(4) Broadband service.--The term ``broadband service''
includes, without regard to any particular transmission medium
or technology, high-speed, switched, broadband
telecommunications capable of delivering not less than 1.5
megabits of data per second to the user and 128,000 bits of
data per second from the user that enables users to originate
and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video
telecommunications.
(5) Commercial business.--The term ``commercial business''
means a business, other than a broadband service provider,
devoted to a commercial use.
(6) Commercial property.--The term ``commercial property''
means property, other than property owned by a broadband
service provider, devoted to a commercial use.
(7) Discriminatory tax.--The term ``discriminatory tax''
means any tax imposed by a State or political subdivision of a
State on a broadband service provider that--
(A) uses an assessment of property owned by
broadband service providers at a value that has a
higher ratio to the true market value of the broadband
service provider's property than the ratio that the
assessed value of other commercial property in the same
assessment jurisdiction has to the true market value of
the other commercial property value;
(B) uses an assessment of property owned by
broadband service providers at a value that encompasses
factors other than tangible assets, such as intangible
assets and a going concern component, and bases the
assessed value of other commercial property on a local
assessment process of only tangible assets;
(C) is not generally imposed and legally
collectible by such State or such political subdivision
on commercial businesses; or
(D) is imposed without 180 days advance
notification of the imposition of such tax.
(8) Eligible rural community.--The term ``eligible rural
community'' means any census tract which--
(A) is not within 10 miles of any incorporated or
unincorporated place containing more than 25,000
people, and
(B) is not within a county or county equivalent
which has an overall population density of more than
500 people per square mile of land.
(9) Incumbent local exchange carrier.--The term ``incumbent
local exchange carrier'' means, with respect to an area, the
local exchange carrier that--
(A) on the date of enactment of this Act, is
providing telephone exchange service in such area; and
(B)(i) is deemed to be a member of the exchange
carrier association pursuant to section 69.601(b) of
title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in
effect on such date; or
(ii) on or after such date, is a successor or
assign of a member described in clause (i).
(10) Tax.--The term ``tax'' has the meaning given such term
in section 1104 of the Internet Tax Freedom Act (47 U.S.C. 151
note).
(11) Telecommunications carrier.--The term
``telecommunications carrier'' has the meaning given such term
by section 3(44) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
153 (44)), but--
(A) includes all members of an affiliated group of
which a telecommunications carrier is a member, and
(B) does not include a commercial mobile service
carrier.
(12) Underserved area.--The term ``underserved area'' means
any census tract which is located in--
(A) an empowerment zone or enterprise community
designated under section 1391 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986;
(B) the District of Columbia Enterprise Zone
established under section 1400 of such Code;
(C) a renewal community designated under section
1400E of such Code; or
(D) a low-income community designated under section
45D of such Code.
(b) Designation of Census Tracts.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, designate and publish those census tracts meeting the criteria
described in paragraphs (8) and (12) of subsection (a). | Broadband Competition and Incentives Act of 2001 - Amends the Clayton Act to prohibit a Bell operating company or affiliate (BOC) from providing interLATA services in any of its in-region States under any amendments to provisions concerning BOCs under the Communications Act of 1934 enacted after April 24, 2001, unless the Attorney General determines that such BOC does not have market power in the provision of wireline telephone exchange service in the State involved. Deems a BOC to have such market power if it provides service to more than 85 percent of the business or residential subscribers in such State at the time it requests that the Attorney General make such determination.Prohibits a State or political subdivision from imposing: (1) discriminatory taxes on broadband services; or (2) a tax or fee imposed on telecommunications carriers or affiliates thereof, other than incumbent local exchange carriers and affiliates, for the use of public rights-of-way that is greater than the tax or fee imposed on incumbent local exchange carriers or affiliates for their use of public rights-of-way.Authorizes the Attorney General to make direct loans or loan guarantees to eligible broadband service providers to finance the deployment of broadband services to eligible rural communities and underserved areas. Prohibits the Attorney General from considering the technology proposed to be employed by the applicants. Allows the Attorney General to take a security interest in assets or revenue streams to cover the assets financed. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Clayton Act to ensure the application of the antitrust laws to local telephone monopolies, and for other purposes."} | 2,350 | 315 | 0.691977 | 1.911626 | 0.7859 | 5.76779 | 7.677903 | 0.93633 |
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