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SECTION 1. EDUCATION SCHOLARS BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
Part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Subpart 9--Education Scholars Block Grant Program
``SEC. 420G. SHORT TITLE; PURPOSE; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Short Title.--This subpart may be cited as the `Teacher
Investment Act'.
``(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this subpart--
``(1) to attract more of our Nation's most academically
gifted students into teaching careers in elementary and
secondary education;
``(2) to retain in teaching our Nation's best teachers who
have demonstrated promise in, and a commitment to, a teaching
career;
``(3) to increase the public status of a teaching career in
elementary and secondary education;
``(4) to address the anticipated shortage of teachers in
the next several decades; and
``(5) to provide States with the flexibility to integrate
State teacher education initiatives with Federal teacher
scholarship support.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this subpart such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 1998 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
``SEC. 420H. SCHOLARSHIP AUTHORIZED.
``(a) Program Authority.--The Secretary may award grants to States
from allotments under section 420I to enable the States to provide
scholarships to individuals who--
``(1)(A) have completed at least half of the academic
credit requirements for graduation from an institution of
higher education with a bachelor's degree, or with a graduate
degree that prepares the individual for licensure or
certification as an elementary school or secondary school
teacher;
``(2) are admitted to or enrolled in an institution of
higher education;
``(3) have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement
while enrolled in an institution of higher education; and
``(4) are committed to becoming or remaining elementary
school or secondary school teachers.
``(b) Period of Award.--A State shall determine the scholarship
period, except that a scholarship recipient shall not receive a
scholarship award for more than 2 years of study at any institution of
higher education.
``SEC. 420I. ALLOTMENT AMONG STATES.
``(a) Allocation Formula.--From the sums appropriated pursuant to
the authority of section 420G(c) for any fiscal year, the Secretary
shall allot to each State that has an agreement under section 420J an
amount equal to $5,000 multiplied by the number of scholarships
determined by the Secretary to be available to such State in accordance
with subsection (b).
``(b) Number of Scholarships Available.--The number of scholarships
to be made available in a State for any fiscal year shall bear the same
ratio to the number of scholarships made available to all States as the
State's population ages 5 through 17 bears to the population ages 5
through 17 in all the States, except that not less than 10 scholarships
shall be made available to any State.
``(c) Use of Census Data.--For the purpose of this section, the
population ages 5 through 17 in a State and in all the States shall be
determined by the most recently available data from the Bureau of the
Census that the Secretary determines is satisfactory.
``SEC. 420J. STATE AGREEMENTS.
``The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with each State
desiring to participate in the scholarship program under this subpart.
Each such agreement shall include provisions to ensure that--
``(1) the State educational agency will administer the
program in the State;
``(2) the State educational agency will comply with the
provisions of this subpart;
``(3) the State educational agency will conduct outreach
activities to publicize the availability of the scholarships to
all eligible postsecondary students in the State, with
particular emphasis on activities designed to ensure that
students from low-income and moderate-income families have
access to the information regarding the opportunity for full
participation in the program; and
``(4) the State educational agency will pay to each
individual in the State who is awarded a scholarship the cost
of tuition and fees at an institution of higher education for a
year, except that such payment shall not exceed $5,000.
``SEC. 420K. SELECTION OF EDUCATION SCHOLARS.
``(a) Establishment of Criteria.--The State educational agency
shall establish the criteria for selection of scholars. Such criteria
shall--
``(1) fulfill the purpose of the subpart in accordance with
a State's projected elementary school and secondary school
teaching needs and priorities; and
``(2) require a scholarship recipient to have demonstrated
outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to a teaching
career, as determined by the State educational agency.
``(b) Limitations.--In awarding scholarships under this subpart,
the State educational agency shall provide--
``(1) not less than 75 percent of the scholarships to
individuals who do not possess a bachelor's degree; and
``(2) not more than 25 percent of the scholarships to
individuals who are pursuing a graduate degree.
``(c) Consultation Requirement.--In carrying out this subpart, the
State educational agency shall consult with school administrators,
school boards, teachers, and counselors.
``SEC. 420L. AWARD AMOUNT; SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS.
``(a) Award Amount.--Each individual awarded a scholarship under
this subpart shall receive an award for the cost of tuition and fees at
an institution of higher education of not more than $5,000 for an
academic year of study.
``(b) Conditions.--Each State educational agency receiving a grant
under this subpart shall establish procedures to ensure that each
scholarship recipient--
``(1) pursues a course of study at an institution of higher
education;
``(2) maintains a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
and
``(3) enters into an agreement to teach in accordance with
section 420M(a).
``SEC. 420M. SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT; REPAYMENT PROVISIONS.
``(a) Scholarship Agreement.--Each recipient of a scholarship under
this subpart shall enter into an agreement with the State educational
agency under which the recipient shall--
``(1) within the 2-year period after completing the
education for which the scholarship was awarded, teach for a
period of 2 years as an elementary school or secondary school
teacher in the State served by the State educational agency;
``(2) provide the State educational agency with evidence of
compliance, determined pursuant to regulations promulgated by
the Secretary, with the provisions of paragraph (1); and
``(3) repay all or part of the scholarship award received
in accordance with subsection (b) in the event the conditions
of paragraph (1) are not complied with, except as provided by
section 420N.
``(b) Repayment Provisions.--A recipient of a scholarship found by
the State educational agency to be in noncompliance with the agreement
entered into under subsection (a) shall be required to repay to the
State educational agency a pro rata amount of such scholarship
assistance received, plus interest, at the rate of 8 percent or the
rate applicable to loans in the applicable period under part B of this
title, whichever is lower, and where applicable, reasonable collection
fees, on a schedule to be prescribed by the Secretary pursuant to
regulations promulgated under this subpart.
``SEC. 420N. EXCEPTIONS TO REPAYMENT PROVISIONS.
``(a) Deferral During Certain Periods.--A scholarship recipient
shall not be considered in violation of the agreement entered into
pursuant to section 420M(a) during any period in which the recipient--
``(1) is pursuing a full-time course of study related to
the field of teaching at an institution of higher education;
``(2) is serving, not in excess of 3 years, as a member of
the Armed Forces;
``(3) is temporarily totally disabled for a period of time
not to exceed 3 years as established by the sworn affidavit of
a qualified physician;
``(4) is unable to secure employment for a period not to
exceed 12 months by reason of the care required by a spouse who
is disabled;
``(5) is seeking and unable to find full-time employment
for a single period not to exceed 12 months; or
``(6) satisfies the provisions of additional repayment
exceptions that may be prescribed by the Secretary in
regulations promulgated under this subpart.
``(b) Forgiveness if Permanently Totally Disabled.--A recipient
shall be excused from repayment of any scholarship assistance received
under this subpart if the recipient becomes permanently and totally
disabled as established by the sworn affidavit of a qualified
physician.
``SEC. 420O. CONSTRUCTION OF NEEDS PROVISIONS.
``Except as provided in section 471, nothing in this subpart, or
any other Act, shall be construed to permit the receipt of a
scholarship under this subpart to be counted for any needs analysis in
connection with the awarding of any grant or the making of any loan
under this Act or any other provision of Federal law relating to
education assistance.''. | Teacher Investment Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the Education Scholars Block Grant Program. Authorizes appropriations.
Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award such grants to States according to an allotment formula.
Requires the use of such grant funds to provide scholarships to individuals who: (1) have completed at least half of the academic credit requirements for graduation from an institution of higher education with a bachelor's degree, or with a graduate degree that prepares the individual for licensure or certification as an elementary school or secondary school teacher; (2) are admitted to or enrolled in an institution of higher education; (3) have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement while enrolled in an institution of higher education; and (4) are committed to becoming or remaining elementary school or secondary school teachers.
Requires States to determine the scholarship period, but prohibits a scholarship recipient from receiving a scholarship award for more than two years of study at any institution of higher education.
Sets forth requirements for: (1) agreements between the Secretary and State educational agencies (SEAs) desiring to participate in the scholarship program; and (2) SEA establishment of criteria for selection of education scholars.
Requires an SEA to provide at least 75 percent of the scholarships to undergraduates and not more than 25 percent to graduate students.
Limits individual scholarship awards to not more than $5,000 for an academic year of study.
Requires each scholarship recipient to agree to: (1) teach for a period of two years as an elementary school or secondary school teacher in the State, within the two-year period after completing the education for which the scholarship was awarded; or (2) repay all or part of the scholarship award in the event of noncompliance, with specified exceptions.
Excludes such scholarships from any needs analysis relating to other Federal education assistance. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Teacher Investment Act"} | 2,108 | 387 | 0.678312 | 1.876158 | 0.90573 | 4.767313 | 5.271468 | 0.911357 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National Pain Care
Policy Act of 2008''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Institute of Medicine Conference on Pain.
Sec. 3. Pain research at National Institutes of Health.
Sec. 4. Pain care education and training.
Sec. 5. Public awareness campaign on pain management.
SEC. 2. INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE CONFERENCE ON PAIN.
(a) Convening.--Not later than June 30, 2009, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall seek to enter into an agreement with
the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies to convene a
Conference on Pain (in this section referred to as ``the Conference'').
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Conference shall be to--
(1) increase the recognition of pain as a significant
public health problem in the United States;
(2) evaluate the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis,
treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain in the
general population, and in identified racial, ethnic, gender,
age, and other demographic groups that may be
disproportionately affected by inadequacies in the assessment,
diagnosis, treatment, and management of pain;
(3) identify barriers to appropriate pain care, including--
(A) lack of understanding and education among
employers, patients, health care providers, regulators,
and third-party payors;
(B) barriers to access to care at the primary,
specialty, and tertiary care levels, including
barriers--
(i) specific to those populations that are
disproportionately undertreated for pain;
(ii) related to physician concerns over
regulatory and law enforcement policies
applicable to some pain therapies; and
(iii) attributable to benefit, coverage,
and payment policies in both the public and
private sectors; and
(C) gaps in basic and clinical research on the
symptoms and causes of pain, and potential assessment
methods and new treatments to improve pain care; and
(4) establish an agenda for action in both the public and
private sectors that will reduce such barriers and
significantly improve the state of pain care research,
education, and clinical care in the United States.
(c) Other Appropriate Entity.--If the Institute of Medicine
declines to enter into an agreement under subsection (a), the Secretary
of Health and Human Services may enter into such agreement with another
appropriate entity.
(d) Report.--A report summarizing the Conference's findings and
recommendations shall be submitted to the Congress not later than June
30, 2010.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010.
SEC. 3. PAIN RESEARCH AT NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 409J. PAIN RESEARCH.
``(a) Research Initiatives.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH is encouraged to
continue and expand, through the Pain Consortium, an aggressive
program of basic and clinical research on the causes of and
potential treatments for pain.
``(2) Annual recommendations.--Not less than annually, the
Pain Consortium, in consultation with the Division of Program
Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, shall
develop and submit to the Director of NIH recommendations on
appropriate pain research initiatives that could be undertaken
with funds reserved under section 402A(c)(1) for the Common
Fund or otherwise available for such initiatives.
``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `Pain
Consortium' means the Pain Consortium of the National
Institutes of Health or a similar trans-National Institutes of
Health coordinating entity designated by the Secretary for
purposes of this subsection.
``(b) Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
section and as necessary maintain a committee, to be known as
the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee (in this
section referred to as the `Committee'), to coordinate all
efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services and
other Federal agencies that relate to pain research.
``(2) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee shall be composed
of the following voting members:
``(i) Not more than 7 voting Federal
representatives as follows:
``(I) The Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention.
``(II) The Director of the National
Institutes of Health and the directors
of such national research institutes
and national centers as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(III) The heads of such other
agencies of the Department of Health
and Human Services as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(IV) Representatives of other
Federal agencies that conduct or
support pain care research and
treatment, including the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veterans
Affairs.
``(ii) 12 additional voting members
appointed under subparagraph (B).
``(B) Additional members.--The Committee shall
include additional voting members appointed by the
Secretary as follows:
``(i) 6 members shall be appointed from
among scientists, physicians, and other health
professionals, who--
``(I) are not officers or employees
of the United States;
``(II) represent multiple
disciplines, including clinical, basic,
and public health sciences;
``(III) represent different
geographical regions of the United
States; and
``(IV) are from practice settings,
academia, manufacturers or other
research settings; and
``(ii) 6 members shall be appointed from
members of the general public, who are
representatives of leading research, advocacy,
and service organizations for individuals with
pain-related conditions
``(C) Nonvoting members.--The Committee shall
include such nonvoting members as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(3) Chairperson.--The voting members of the Committee
shall select a chairperson from among such members. The
selection of a chairperson shall be subject to the approval of
the Director of NIH.
``(4) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call of
the chairperson of the Committee or upon the request of the
Director of NIH, but in no case less often than once each year.
``(5) Duties.--The Committee shall--
``(A) develop a summary of advances in pain care
research supported or conducted by the Federal agencies
relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of
pain and diseases and disorders associated with pain;
``(B) identify critical gaps in basic and clinical
research on the symptoms and causes of pain;
``(C) make recommendations to ensure that the
activities of the National Institutes of Health and
other Federal agencies, including the Department of
Defense and the Department of Veteran Affairs, are free
of unnecessary duplication of effort;
``(D) make recommendations on how best to
disseminate information on pain care; and
``(E) make recommendations on how to expand
partnerships between public entities, including Federal
agencies, and private entities to expand collaborative,
cross-cutting research.
``(6) Review.--The Secretary shall review the necessity of
the Committee at least once every 2 years.''.
SEC. 4. PAIN CARE EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
(a) Pain Care Education and Training.--Part D of title VII of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 754 through 758 as sections
755 through 759, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 753 the following:
``SEC. 754. PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN PAIN CARE.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make awards of grants,
cooperative agreements, and contracts to health professions schools,
hospices, and other public and private entities for the development and
implementation of programs to provide education and training to health
care professionals in pain care.
``(b) Priorities.--In making awards under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall give priority to awards for the implementation of
programs under such subsection.
``(c) Certain Topics.--An award may be made under subsection (a)
only if the applicant for the award agrees that the program carried out
with the award will include information and education on--
``(1) recognized means for assessing, diagnosing, treating,
and managing pain and related signs and symptoms, including the
medically appropriate use of controlled substances;
``(2) applicable laws, regulations, rules, and policies on
controlled substances, including the degree to which
misconceptions and concerns regarding such laws, regulations,
rules, and policies, or the enforcement thereof, may create
barriers to patient access to appropriate and effective pain
care;
``(3) interdisciplinary approaches to the delivery of pain
care, including delivery through specialized centers providing
comprehensive pain care treatment expertise;
``(4) cultural, linguistic, literacy, geographic, and other
barriers to care in underserved populations; and
``(5) recent findings, developments, and improvements in
the provision of pain care.
``(d) Program Sites.--Education and training under subsection (a)
may be provided at or through health professions schools, residency
training programs, and other graduate programs in the health
professions; entities that provide continuing education in medicine,
pain management, dentistry, psychology, social work, nursing, and
pharmacy; hospices; and such other programs or sites as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
``(e) Evaluation of Programs.--The Secretary shall (directly or
through grants or contracts) provide for the evaluation of programs
implemented under subsection (a) in order to determine the effect of
such programs on knowledge and practice of pain care.
``(f) Peer Review Groups.--In carrying out section 799(f) with
respect to this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the membership
of each peer review group involved includes individuals with expertise
and experience in pain care.
``(g) Definitions.--For purposes of this section the term `pain
care' means the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or management of
acute or chronic pain regardless of causation or body location.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 758(b)(1) of the
Public Health Service Act (as redesignated by subsection (a)(1) of this
section) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C)
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) not less than $5,000,000 for awards of
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts under
sections 754.''.
(c) Technical Amendments.--Title VII of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 292 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2) of section 757(b) (as redesignated by
subsection (a)(1)), by striking ``754(3)(A), and 755(b)'' and
inserting ``755(3)(A), and 756(b)''; and
(2) in subparagraph (C) of section 758(b)(1) (as
redesignated by subsection (a)(1)), by striking ``754, and
755'' and inserting ``755, and 756''.
SEC. 5. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON PAIN MANAGEMENT.
Part B of title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 238
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 249. NATIONAL EDUCATION OUTREACH AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON PAIN
MANAGEMENT.
``(a) Establishment.--Not later than June 30, 2009, the Secretary
shall establish and implement a national pain care education outreach
and awareness campaign described in subsection (b).
``(b) Requirements.--The Secretary shall design the public
awareness campaign under this section to educate consumers, patients,
their families, and other caregivers with respect to--
``(1) the incidence and importance of pain as a national
public health problem;
``(2) the adverse physical, psychological, emotional,
societal, and financial consequences that can result if pain is
not appropriately assessed, diagnosed, treated, or managed;
``(3) the availability, benefits, and risks of all pain
treatment and management options;
``(4) having pain promptly assessed, appropriately
diagnosed, treated, and managed, and regularly reassessed with
treatment adjusted as needed;
``(5) the role of credentialed pain management specialists
and subspecialists, and of comprehensive interdisciplinary
centers of treatment expertise;
``(6) the availability in the public, nonprofit, and
private sectors of pain management-related information,
services, and resources for consumers, employers, third-party
payors, patients, their families, and caregivers, including
information on--
``(A) appropriate assessment, diagnosis, treatment,
and management options for all types of pain and pain-
related symptoms; and
``(B) conditions for which no treatment options are
yet recognized; and
``(7) other issues the Secretary deems appropriate.
``(c) Consultation.--In designing and implementing the public
awareness campaign required by this section, the Secretary shall
consult with organizations representing patients in pain and other
consumers, employers, physicians including physicians specializing in
pain care, other pain management professionals, medical device
manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies.
``(d) Coordination.--
``(1) Lead official.--The Secretary shall designate one
official in the Department of Health and Human Services to
oversee the campaign established under this section.
``(2) Agency coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure the
involvement in the public awareness campaign under this section
of the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service, the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
such other representatives of offices and agencies of the
Department of Health and Human Services as the Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(e) Underserved Areas and Populations.--In designing the public
awareness campaign under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(1) take into account the special needs of geographic
areas and racial, ethnic, gender, age, and other demographic
groups that are currently underserved; and
``(2) provide resources that will reduce disparities in
access to appropriate diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.
``(f) Grants and Contracts.--The Secretary may make awards of
grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to public agencies and
private nonprofit organizations to assist with the development and
implementation of the public awareness campaign under this section.
``(g) Evaluation and Report.--Not later than the end of fiscal year
2011, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Congress a report
evaluating the effectiveness of the public awareness campaign under
this section in educating the general public with respect to the
matters described in subsection (b).
``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For purposes of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000
for fiscal year 2009 and $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and
2011.''.
Passed the House of Representatives September 24, 2008.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk. | National Pain Care Policy Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to seek to enter into an agreement with the Institute of Medicine to convene a Conference on Pain to: (1) increase the recognition of pain as a significant public health problem in the United States; (2) evaluate the adequacy of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of acute and chronic pain in the general population and in identified demographics groups that may be disproportionately affected by inadequacies; (3) identify barriers to appropriate pain care; and (4) establish an agenda for action to reduce such barriers and significantly improve the state of pain care research, education, and clinical care in the United States. Allows the Secretary to enter into an agreement with another appropriate entity if the Institute of Medicine declines. Requires a report summarizing the Conference's findings and recommendations to be submitted to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010.
(Sec. 3) Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to continue and expand, through the Pain Consortium, an aggressive program of basic and clinical research on the causes of and potential treatments for pain. Requires the Pain Consortium to develop and submit to the Director of NIH recommendations on appropriate pain research initiatives that could be undertaken with funds available for such initiatives.
Requires the Secretary to establish the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee to coordinate all efforts within Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies that relate to pain research. Directs the Committee to: (1) develop a summary of advances in federal pain care research relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of pain and diseases and disorders associated with pain; and (2) identify critical gaps in basic and clinical research on the symptoms and causes of pain. Requires the Secretary to review the necessity of the Committee at least once every two years.
(Sec. 4) Allows the Secretary to make awards of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to health professions schools, hospices, and other public and private entities for the development and implementation of programs to provide education and training to health care professionals in pain care. Sets forth information and education that must be included in the program as a condition for receiving a grant.
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to establish and implement a national pain care education outreach and awareness campaign to educate consumers, patients, their families, and other caregivers with respect to: (1) the incidence and importance of pain as a national public health problem; (2) the adverse physical, psychological, emotional, societal, and financial consequences that can result if pain is not appropriately assessed, diagnosed, treated, or managed; (3) the availability, benefits, and risks of all pain treatment and management options; and (4) having pain promptly assessed, appropriately diagnosed, treated, and managed and regularly reassessed with treatment adjusted as needed. Requires the Secretary, in designing such campaign, to: (1) take into account the special needs of geographic areas and underserved demographic groups; and (2) provide resources that will reduce disparities in access to appropriate diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2011. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to pain care."} | 3,445 | 705 | 0.726261 | 2.531251 | 0.770808 | 6.479495 | 5.104101 | 0.952681 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bindu Philips and Devon Davenport
International Child Abduction Return Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2016, 629 American children were taken from the
United States by one parent without the consent of the other,
often in direct violation of valid United States court orders,
United States criminal law, and the Hague Convention on the
Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
(2) Abducted children in a foreign country are often
blocked from any contact with the American parent, losing half
of their family and heritage.
(3) Such children are also at grave risk of serious
emotional and psychological problems. Many such children
experience anxiety, eating problems, nightmares, mood swings,
aggressive behavior, resentment, and fear. Every day the
abduction continues only compounds these harms.
(4) The Department of State had at least 944 open cases of
child abduction in 2016, only 152, or 16 percent, of which were
resolved with return of the abducted child to the United
States.
(5) Tragically, abductions resolved with a return of the
child to the United States hit a three-year low in 2016.
(6) In contrast, the number of abduction cases closed by
the Department without the child being returned reached a high
mark of 189 in 2016.
(7) Such low return rates encourage parents to abduct their
children rather than to abide by the laws of the United States.
(8) The United States is a party to the 1980 Hague
Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction (``Hague Abduction Convention''), which provides a
framework for the prompt resolutions of international
abductions between the United States and the 76 other countries
with which the United States has reciprocal obligations.
(9) The Hague Abduction Convention does not have an
enforcement mechanism and countries regularly ignore their
legal duty--without consequences--to return abducted children
whose habitual residence is the United States.
(10) In the 2017 Annual Report on International Parental
Child Abduction published by the Department of State, nine
countries were identified as demonstrating a ``pattern of non-
compliance'' for failure to comply with legal obligations under
the Hague Abduction Convention to resolve ongoing abductions,
including Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, the Dominican
Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Peru, and Romania.
(11) The report also identified four countries without an
established reciprocal relationship with the United States
under the Hague Abduction Convention as demonstrating a
``pattern of non-compliance'' for failure to work with the
United States to resolve abduction cases, including India,
Jordan, Nicaragua, and Tunisia.
(12) Eleven of the thirteen countries so identified for
non-compliance, other than the Bahamas and Romania, are
currently receiving trade benefits under the Generalized System
of Preferences established by the Trade Act of 1974.
(13) In India, where more than 100 children are being held
against the wishes of their American parent, only 10 came home
in 2016, and 66 percent of United States requests for the
return of abducted children from India have remained unresolved
for more than 12 months.
(14) After eight years of heroic legal efforts in the
United States and India to bring home her twin sons, who were
abducted to India in 2008, Bindu Philips saw her case closed by
the State Department in 2016 without their return.
(15) Brazil has been continuously cited for demonstrating a
pattern of non-compliance since 2005, and has neither issued
nor enforced a court order to return a single one of the long
term cases there since the return of Sean Goldman to his
American father in 2009, after international pressure and the
stalling of Brazil's renewed participation in the Generalized
System of Preferences.
(16) Thirteen cases of abducted American children in Brazil
have been pending from 2.5 years to 10 years.
(17) Dr. Christopher Brann has been reduced to seeing his
young son Nico for only a few weeks of the year, and only in
Brazil, since 2013, when Nico's Brazilian-American mother
abducted Nico to Brazil in violation of pre-existing court
orders in Texas granting shared custody, in violation of the
Hague Convention, and despite ten independent assessments that
he is an excellent father.
(18) Devon Davenport has won each of the 24 appeals in his
case in Brazil for the return of his daughter, Nadia Lynn,
since 2009, but Brazil still has not returned his daughter to
him.
SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL LIMITATION ON BENEFICIARY DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DESIGNATION.
Section 504(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462) is
amended by inserting after subparagraph (H) the following:
``(I) Such country has engaged in a pattern of
noncompliance in cases of child abduction, as
determined by the Secretary of State for purposes of
the notification requirement under section 101(f) of
the Sean and David Goldman International Child
Abduction Prevention and Return Act.''. | Bindu Philips and Devon Davenport International Child Abduction Return Act of 2017 This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to prohibit the President from designating a country as a beneficiary developing country if the country has a pattern of noncompliance under the Sean and David Goldman International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act of 2014 in cases of child abduction during the preceding 12 months. Under current law, a beneficiary developing country is eligible for benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (i.e., tariff benefits). | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Bindu Philips and Devon Davenport International Child Abduction Return Act of 2017"} | 1,107 | 117 | 0.353823 | 1.274806 | 0.544802 | 3.076087 | 11.434783 | 0.858696 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``SBIR Commercialization Assistance
Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. COMMERCIALIZATION ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(tt) Commercialization Assistance Pilot Programs.--
``(1) Pilot programs implemented.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), not later than one year after the
date of the enactment of this subsection, a covered
agency shall implement a commercialization assistance
pilot program, under which an eligible entity may
receive a subsequent Phase II SBIR award.
``(B) Exception.--If the Administrator determines
that a covered agency has a program that is
sufficiently similar to the commercialization
assistance pilot program established under this
subsection, such covered agency shall not be required
to implement a commercialization assistance pilot
program under this subsection.
``(2) Percent of agency funds.--The head of each covered
agency may allocate not more than 5 percent of the funds
allocated to the SBIR program of the covered agency for the
purpose of making a subsequent Phase II SBIR award under the
commercialization assistance pilot program.
``(3) Termination.--A commercialization assistance pilot
program established under this subsection shall terminate on
September 30, 2022.
``(4) Application.--To be selected to receive a subsequent
Phase II SBIR award under a commercialization assistance pilot
program, an eligible entity shall submit to the covered agency
implementing such pilot program an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the covered
agency may require, including--
``(A) an updated Phase II commercialization plan;
and
``(B) the source and amount of the matching funding
required under paragraph (5).
``(5) Matching funding.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall require,
as a condition of any subsequent Phase II SBIR award
made to an eligible entity under this subsection, that
a matching amount (excluding any fees collected by the
eligible entity receiving such award) equal to the
amount of such award be provided from an eligible
third-party investor.
``(B) Ineligible sources.--An eligible entity may
not use funding from ineligible sources to meet the
matching requirement of subparagraph (A).
``(6) Award.--A subsequent Phase II SBIR award made to an
eligible entity under this subsection--
``(A) may not exceed the limitation described under
subsection (aa)(1); and
``(B) shall be disbursed during Phase II.
``(7) Use of funds.--The funds awarded to an eligible
entity under this subsection may only be used for research and
development activities that build on eligible entity's Phase II
program and ensure the research funded under such Phase II is
rapidly progressing towards commercialization.
``(8) Selection.--In selecting eligible entities to
participate in a commercialization assistance pilot program
under this subsection, the head of a covered agency shall
consider--
``(A) the extent to which such award could aid the
eligible entity in commercializing the research funded
under the eligible entity's Phase II program;
``(B) whether the updated Phase II
commercialization plan submitted under paragraph (4)
provides a sound approach for establishing technical
feasibility that could lead to commercialization of
such research;
``(C) whether the proposed activities to be
conducted under such updated Phase II commercialization
plan further improve the likelihood that such research
will provide societal benefits;
``(D) whether the small business concern has
progressed satisfactorily in Phase II to justify
receipt of a subsequent Phase II SBIR award;
``(E) the expectations of the eligible third-party
investor that provides matching funding under paragraph
(5); and
``(F) the likelihood that the proposed activities
to be conducted under such updated Phase II
commercialization plan using matching funding provided
by such eligible third-party investor will lead to
commercial and societal benefit.
``(9) Evaluation report.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of the enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Small
Business of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, a report
including--
``(A) a summary of the activities of
commercialization assistance pilot programs carried out
under this subsection;
``(B) a detailed compilation of results achieved by
such commercialization assistance pilot programs,
including the number of eligible entities that received
awards under such programs;
``(C) the rate at which each eligible entity that
received a subsequent Phase II SBIR award under this
subsection commercialized research of the recipient;
``(D) the growth in employment and revenue of
eligible entities that is attributable to participation
in a commercialization assistance pilot program;
``(E) a comparison of commercialization success of
eligible entities participating in a commercialization
assistance pilot program with recipients of an
additional Phase II SBIR award under subsection (ff);
``(F) demographic information, such as ethnicity
and geographic location, of eligible entities
participating in a commercialization assistance pilot
program;
``(G) an accounting of the funds used at each
covered agency that implements a commercialization
assistance pilot program under this subsection;
``(H) the amount of matching funding provided by
eligible third-party investors, set forth separately by
source of funding;
``(I) an analysis of the effectiveness of the
commercialization assistance pilot program implemented
by each covered agency; and
``(J) recommendations for improvements to the
commercialization assistance pilot program.
``(10) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
``(A) Covered agency.--The term `covered agency'
means a Federal agency required to have an SBIR
program.
``(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity'
means a small business concern that has received a
Phase II award under an SBIR program and an additional
Phase II SBIR award under subsection (ff) from the
covered agency to which such small business concern is
applying for a subsequent Phase II SBIR award.
``(C) Eligible third-party investor.--The term
`eligible third-party investor' means a small business
concern other than an eligible entity, a venture
capital firm, an individual investor, a non-SBIR
Federal, State or local government, or any combination
thereof.
``(D) Ineligible sources.--The term `ineligible
sources' means the following:
``(i) The eligible entity's internal
research and development funds.
``(ii) Funding in forms other than cash,
such as in-kind or other intangible assets.
``(iii) Funding from the owners of the
eligible entity, or the family members or
affiliates of such owners.
``(iv) Funding attained through loans or
other forms of debt obligations.
``(E) Subsequent phase ii sbir award.--The term
`subsequent Phase II SBIR award' means an award granted
to an eligible entity under this subsection to carry
out further commercialization activities for research
conducted pursuant to an SBIR program.''. | SBIR Commercialization Assistance Act of 2017 This bill amends the Small Business Act to require a federal agency required to have a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program (covered agency) to implement a commercialization assistance pilot program (CAPP), under which an eligible entity may received a subsequent Phase II SBIR award through FY2022, unless the Small Business Administration determines that the agency already has a program sufficiently similar to a CAPP. An eligible entity is a small business concern that has received a Phase II award under an SBIR program and an additional Phase II SBIR award from the covered agency to which such small business concern is applying for the subsequent award. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report to Congress on CAPP, including a summary of activities and results and recommendations for CAPP improvement. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "SBIR Commercialization Assistance Act of 2017"} | 1,628 | 175 | 0.683931 | 1.742922 | 0.73217 | 3.812081 | 10.221477 | 0.885906 |
SECTION 1. CHANGE IN COMPOSITION, OPERATION, AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16
U.S.C. 831 et seq.) is amended by striking section 2 and inserting the
following:
``SEC. 2. MEMBERSHIP, OPERATION, AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
``(a) Membership.--
``(1) Appointment.--The Board of Directors of the
Corporation (referred to in this Act as the `Board') shall be
composed of 9 members appointed by the President by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall be legal
residents of the service area.
``(2) Chairman.--The members of the Board shall select 1 of
the members to act as chairman of the Board.
``(b) Qualifications.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible to be appointed as a
member of the Board, an individual--
``(A) shall be a citizen of the United States;
``(B) shall have widely recognized experience or
applicable expertise in the management of or
decisionmaking for a large corporate structure;
``(C) shall not be an employee of the Corporation;
``(D) shall have no substantial direct financial
interest in--
``(i) any public-utility corporation
engaged in the business of distributing and
selling power to the public; or
``(ii) any business that may be adversely
affected by the success of the Corporation as a
producer of electric power; and
``(E) profess a belief in the feasibility and
wisdom of this Act.
``(2) Party affiliation.--Not more than 5 of the 9 members
of the Board may be affiliated with a single political party.
``(c) Recommendations.--In appointing members of the Board, the
President shall--
``(1) consider recommendations from such public officials
as--
``(A) the Governors of States in the service area;
``(B) individual citizens;
``(C) business, industrial, labor, electric power
distribution, environmental, civic, and service
organizations; and
``(D) the congressional delegations of the States
in the service area; and
``(2) seek qualified members from among persons who reflect
the diversity and needs of the service area of the Corporation.
``(d) Terms.--
``(1) In general.--A member of the Board shall serve a term
of 5 years, except that in first making appointments after the
date of enactment of this paragraph, the President shall
appoint--
``(A) 2 members to a term of 2 years;
``(B) 1 member to a term of 3 years; and
``(C) 2 members to a term of 4 years.
``(2) Vacancies.--A member appointed to fill a vacancy in
the Board occurring before the expiration of the term for which
the predecessor of the member was appointed shall be appointed
for the remainder of that term.
``(3) Reappointment.--
``(A) In general.--A member of the Board that was
appointed for a full term may be reappointed for 1
additional term.
``(B) Appointment to fill vacancy.--For the purpose
of subparagraph (A), a member appointed to serve the
remainder of the term of a vacating member for a period
of more than 2 years shall be considered to have been
appointed for a full term.
``(e) Quorums.--
``(1) In general.--Six members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
``(2) Minimum number of members.--A vacancy in the Board
shall not impair the power of the Board to act, so long as
there are 6 members in office.
``(f) Compensation.--A member of the Board shall be entitled to
receive--
``(1)(A) a stipend of $25,000 per year; plus
``(B) compensation, not to exceed $10,000 for any year, at
a rate that does not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual
rate of basic pay prescribed under level V of the Executive
Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code, for
each day the member is engaged in the actual performance of
duties as a member of the Board at meetings or hearings; and
``(2) travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of
subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed
intermittently in Government service under section 5703 of
title 5, United States Code.
``(g) Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Board shall--
``(A) establish the broad goals, objectives, and
policies of the Corporation that are appropriate to
carry out this Act;
``(B) develop long-range plans to guide the
Corporation in achieving the goals, objectives, and
policies of the Corporation and provide assistance to
the chief executive officer to achieve those goals,
objectives, and policies, including preparing the
Corporation for fundamental changes in the electric
utilities industry;
``(C) ensure that those goals, objectives, and
policies are achieved;
``(D) approve an annual budget for the Corporation;
``(E) establish a compensation plan for employees
of the Corporation in accordance with subsection (i);
``(F) approve the salaries, benefits, and
incentives for managers and technical personnel that
report directly to the chief executive officer;
``(G) ensure that all activities of the Corporation
are carried out in compliance with applicable law;
``(H) create an audit committee, composed solely of
Board members independent of the management of the
Corporation, which shall--
``(i) recommend to the Board an external
auditor;
``(ii) receive and review reports from the
external auditor; and
``(iii) make such recommendations to the
Board as the audit committee considers
necessary;
``(I) create such other committees of Board members
as the Board considers to be appropriate;
``(J) conduct public hearings on issues that could
have a substantial effect on--
``(i) the electric ratepayers in the
service area; or
``(ii) the economic, environmental, social,
or physical well-being of the people of the
service area; and
``(K) establish the electricity rate schedule.
``(2) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at least 4 times each
year.
``(h) Chief Executive Officer.--
``(1) Appointment.--The Board shall appoint a person to
serve as chief executive officer of the Corporation.
``(2) Qualifications.--To serve as chief executive officer
of the Corporation, a person--
``(A) shall be a citizen of the United States;
``(B) shall have management experience in large,
complex organizations;
``(C) shall not be a current member of the Board or
have served as a member of the Board within 2 years
before being appointed chief executive officer; and
``(D) shall have no substantial direct financial
interest in--
``(i) any public-utility corporation
engaged in the business of distributing and
selling power to the public; or
``(ii) any business that may be adversely
affected by the success of the Corporation as a
producer of electric power; and
``(3) Tenure.--The chief executive officer shall serve at
the pleasure of the Board.
``(i) Compensation Plan.--
``(1) In general.--The Board shall approve a compensation
plan that specifies salaries, benefits, and incentives for the
chief executive officer and employees of the Corporation.
``(2) Annual survey.--The compensation plan shall be based
on an annual survey of the prevailing salaries, benefits, and
incentives for similar work in private industry, including
engineering and electric utility companies, publicly owned
electric utilities, and Federal, State, and local governments.
``(3) Considerations.--The compensation plan shall provide
that education, experience, level of responsibility, geographic
differences, and retention and recruitment needs will be taken
into account in determining salaries of employees.
``(4) Submission to congress.--No salary shall be
established under a compensation plan until after the
compensation plan and the survey on which it is based have been
submitted to Congress and made available to the public for a
period of 30 days.
``(5) Positions at or below level iv.--The chief executive
officer shall determine the salary and benefits of employees
whose annual salary is not greater than the annual rate payable
for positions at level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
``(6) Positions above level iv.--On the recommendation of
the chief executive officer, the Board shall approve the
salaries of employees whose annual salaries would be in excess
of the annual rate payable for positions at level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States
Code.''.
(b) Current Board Members.--A member of the board of directors of
the Tennessee Valley Authority who was appointed before the effective
date of the amendment made by subsection (a)--
(A) shall continue to serve as a member until the
date of expiration of the member's current term; and
(B) may not be reappointed.
SEC. 2. CHANGE IN MANNER OF APPOINTMENT OF STAFF.
Section 3 of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C.
831b) is amended--
(1) by striking the first undesignated paragraph and
inserting the following:
``(a) Appointment by the Chief Executive Officer.--The chief
executive officer shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the
Board, and without regard to the provisions of the civil service laws
applicable to officers and employees of the United States, such
managers, assistant managers, officers, employees, attorneys, and
agents as are necessary for the transaction of the business of the
Corporation.''; and
(2) by striking ``All contracts'' and inserting the
following:
``(b) Wage Rates.--All contracts''.
SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) The Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16 U.S.C. 831 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in the first section, by striking ``board of
directors'' and inserting ``Board of Directors''; and
(2) by striking ``board'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Board''.
(b) Section 9 of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 (16
U.S.C. 831h) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Comptroller General of the United
States shall audit'' and inserting the following:
``(c) Audits.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
audit''; and
(2) by striking ``The Corporation shall determine'' and
inserting the following:
``(d) Administrative Accounts and Business Documents.--The
Corporation shall determine''.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act take effect, and 7 additional
members of the Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority shall be
appointed so as to commence their terms on, May 18, 1999. | Amends the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to revise the membership, operation, and duties of the Board of Directors, expanding its size from three to nine members, and requiring such members to be legal residents of the service area. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933 to modify provisions relating to the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and for other purposes."} | 2,514 | 51 | 0.551476 | 1.397727 | 0.734005 | 5 | 52.488889 | 0.822222 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``One Percent Spending Reduction Act
of 2013''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) The fiscal crisis faced by the Federal Government
demands immediate action.
(2) The dramatic growth in spending and debt in recent
years threatens our economic and national security:
(A) Federal spending has grown from 18 percent of
GDP in 2001 to nearly 23 percent of GDP in 2012.
(B) Total Federal debt exceeds $16,000,000,000,000
and is projected to increase each year over the next 10
years.
(C) Without action, the Federal Government will
continue to run massive deficits in the next decade and
total Federal debt will rise to $26,000,000,000,000 by
2023.
(D) Interest payments on this debt will soon rise
to the point where balancing the budget as a matter of
policy is beyond the reach of Congress.
(3) Due to recent tax hikes, Federal revenues are scheduled
to rise to approximately 19 percent of GDP, a full percentage
point above the average of about 18 percent of GDP over the
past 40 years.
(4) Absent reform, the growth of Social Security, Medicare,
Medicaid, and other health-related spending will overwhelm all
other Federal programs and consume all projected tax revenues.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to address the fiscal
crisis by--
(1) acting quickly to balance the Federal budget and
eliminate the parade of deficits and ballooning interest
payments;
(2) achieving balance by reducing spending one percent per
year until spending equals projected long-term revenues; and
(3) reforming entitlement programs to ensure long-term
fiscal stability and balance.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF SPENDING CAP.
(a) Outlay Caps.--The Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after section 253 the following:
``SEC. 253A. ESTABLISHING OUTLAY CAPS.
``In this section, the term `outlay cap' means:
``(a) Fiscal Year 2014.--For fiscal year 2014, the aggregate
projected outlays (less interest payments) for fiscal year 2013 (as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office prior to March, 2013),
less one percent.
``(b) Fiscal Year 2015.--For fiscal year 2015, the aggregate
projected outlays (less interest payments) for fiscal year 2014 (as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office prior to March, 2014),
less one percent.
``(c) Fiscal Year 2016.--For fiscal year 2016, the aggregate
projected outlays (less interest payments) for fiscal year 2015 (as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office prior to March, 2015),
less one percent.
``(d) Fiscal Year 2017.--For fiscal year 2017, the aggregate
projected outlays (less interest payments) for fiscal year 2016 (as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office prior to March, 2016),
less one percent.
``(e) Fiscal Year 2018.--For fiscal year 2018, the aggregate
projected outlays (less interest payments) for fiscal year 2017 (as
estimated by the Congressional Budget Office prior to March, 2017),
less one percent.
``(f) Fiscal Year 2019 and Subsequent Fiscal Years.--For fiscal
year 2019 and for each subsequent fiscal year, 18 percent of Gross
Domestic Product for that calendar year (as estimated by the
Congressional Budget Office prior to March of the previous fiscal
year).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments to BBEDCA.--
(1) Sequestration preview reports.--Section 254(c)(4) of
the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
is amended to read as follows:
``(4) Outlay cap sequestration reports.--The preview
reports shall set forth for the budget year estimates for the
following:
``(A)(i) For each of budget years 2014 through
2019: the aggregate projected outlays (less net
interest payment), less one percent.
``(ii) For budget year 2020 and each subsequent
budget year: the estimated gross domestic product (GDP)
for that budget year.
``(B) The amount of reductions required under
section 253A.
``(C) The sequestration percentage necessary to
achieve the required reduction under section 253A.''.
(2) Final sequestration reports.--Section 254(f)(3) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is
amended to read as follows:
``(3) Outlay caps sequestration reports.--The final reports
shall contain all the information required in the outlay cap
sequestration preview reports. In addition, these report shall
contain, for the budget year, for each account to be
sequestered, estimates of the baseline level of sequestrable
budgetary resources and resulting outlays and the amount of
budgetary sources to be sequestered and result in outlay
reductions. The report shall also contain estimates of the
effects on outlays on the sequestration of each outyear for
direct spending programs.''.
(c) Enforcement.--Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
is amended by adding after section 315 the following:
``SEC. 316. ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES.
``(a) Outlay Caps.--It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would
cause the most recently reported, current outlay cap set forth in
section 253A of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 to be breached.
``(b) Waiver or Suspension.--
``(1) In the senate.--The provisions of this section may be
waived or suspended in the Senate only by the affirmative vote
of two-thirds of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
``(2) In the house.--The provisions of this section may be
waived or suspended in the House of Representatives only by a
rule or order proposing only to waive such provisions by an
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members, duly chosen and
sworn.
``(c) Point of Order Protection.--In the House, it shall not be in
order to consider a rule or order that waives the application of
paragraph (2) of subsection (b).
``(d) Motion To Suspend.--It shall not be in order for the Speaker
to entertain a motion to suspend the application of this section under
clause 1 of rule XV.''.
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
The table of contents set forth in--
(1) section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 315 the following new item:
``Sec. 316. Enforcement procedures.'';
and
(2) section 250(a) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 253 the following new item:
``Sec. 253A. Establishing outlay caps.''.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by it shall apply to fiscal year
2014 and subsequent fiscal years, including any reports and
calculations required for implementation in fiscal year 2014. | One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2013 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish the aggregate projected outlay (outlay cap) (less net interest payments) for FY2014 at the FY2013 outlay cap (as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] before March 2013), less 1%. Reduces each outlay cap for FY2015-FY2018 by 1% of the previous fiscal year's outlay cap (as estimated by CBO before March of such fiscal year). Requires the outlay cap for FY2019 and each subsequent fiscal year to be 18% of the CBO-estimated gross domestic product (GDP) for that calendar year. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would cause the most recently reported, current outlay cap to be exceeded. Prescribes procedures for waiver or suspension of this rule. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2013"} | 1,638 | 237 | 0.552309 | 1.559067 | 0.863033 | 3.732984 | 7.732984 | 0.832461 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness
and National Scenic Areas Act of 2004''.
SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF ADDITIONAL NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS AS
WILDERNESS IN VIRGINIA.
Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to designate certain
National Forest System lands in the States of Virginia and West
Virginia as wilderness areas'', approved June 7, 1988 (Public Law 100-
326; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note), as amended by Public Law 106-471 (114 Stat.
2057), is further amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(9) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, which
comprise approximately 3,844 acres, as generally depicted on a
map entitled `Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East', dated
February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the Brush
Mountain East Wilderness;
``(10) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 4,707 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East',
dated February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the Brush
Mountain Wilderness;
``(11) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 4,384 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch', dated
February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the Raccoon
Branch Wilderness;
``(12) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 3,300 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Stone Mountain', dated February 12, 2004,
and which shall be known as the Stone Mountain Wilderness;
``(13) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 5,573 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Mountain Lake Additions', dated February 12,
2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Mountain Lake
Wilderness;
``(14) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 748 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek
Additions', dated February 12, 2004, and which are hereby
incorporated in the Lewis Fork Wilderness;
``(15) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 1,862 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek
Additions', dated February 12, 2004, and which are hereby
incorporated in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness;
``(16) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 2,789 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Shawvers Run Additions', dated February 12,
2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Shawvers Run
Wilderness; and
``(17) certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 1,570 acres, as generally depicted
on a map entitled `Peters Mountain Addition', dated February
12, 2004, and which are hereby incorporated in the Peters
Mountain Wilderness.''.
SEC. 3. SENG MOUNTAIN AND CRAWFISH VALLEY SCENIC AREAS, JEFFERSON
NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA.
(a) Establishment of Scenic Areas.--
(1) Establishment.--The following National Forest System
lands in the State of Virginia are hereby designated as
National Scenic Areas (in this section referred to as the
``scenic areas''):
(A) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 6,455 acres, as generally
depicted on a map entitled ``Seng Mountain and Raccoon
Branch'', dated February12, 2004, and which shall be
known as the Seng Mountain National Scenic Area.
(B) Certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest,
which comprise approximately 5,400 acres, as generally
depicted on a map entitled ``Crawfish Valley'' dated
February 12, 2004, and which shall be known as the
Crawfish Valley National Scenic Area.
(2) Maps and descriptions.--As soon as practicable after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall file a map and boundary description of the
scenic areas with the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives. The map and description shall have
the same force and effect as if included in this Act, except
that the Secretary may correct clerical and typographical
errors in the map and description. The map and boundary
description shall be on file and available for public
inspection in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service,
Department of Agriculture. In the case of any discrepancy
between the acreage specified in paragraph (1) and the map
filed under this paragraph, the map shall control.
(b) Purposes of Scenic Areas.--The scenic areas are established for
the purposes of--
(1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic
quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water
resources;
(2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat, consistent with
paragraph (1);
(3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of
old-growth forests; and
(4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities,
consistent with the preceding paragraphs.
(c) Administration.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
administer the scenic areas in accordance with this section and
the laws and regulations generally applicable to the National
Forest System. In the event of conflict between this section
and other laws and regulations, this section shall take
precedence.
(2) Consistent use.--The Secretary shall only allow such
uses of the scenic areas as the Secretary finds will further
the purposes for which the scenic areas are established.
(d) Management Plan.--Within two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop a
management plan for the scenic areas consistent with this section. The
management plan shall be developed as an amendment to the land and
resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest, except that
nothing in this section requires the Secretary to revise the land and
resource management plan for the Jefferson National Forest pursuant to
section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604).
(e) Roads.--After the date of the enactment of this Act, no roads
shall be established or constructed within the scenic areas, except
that this prohibition shall not be construed to deny access to private
lands or interests therein in the scenic areas.
(f) Vegetation Management.--No timber harvest shall be allowed
within the scenic areas, except as the Secretary of Agriculture finds
necessary in the control of fire, insects, and diseases and to provide
for public safety and trail access. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the Secretary may engage in vegetation manipulation practices
for maintenance of existing wildlife clearings and visual quality.
Firewood may be harvested for personal use along perimeter roads under
such conditions as the Secretary may impose.
(g) Motorized Travel.--Motorized travel shall not be permitted
within the scenic areas, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may
authorize motorized travel within the scenic area--
(1) as necessary for administrative use in furtherance of
the purposes of this section;
(2) in support of wildlife management projects in existence
as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(3) on Forest Development Road 9410 and 84b during deer and
bear hunting seasons.
(h) Fire.--Wildfires in the scenic area shall be suppressed in a
manner consistent with the purposes of this section, using such means
as the Secretary of Agriculture considers appropriate.
(i) Insects and Disease.--Insect and disease outbreaks may be
controlled in the scenic areas to maintain scenic quality, prevent tree
mortality, reduce hazards to visitors, or protect private lands.
(j) Water.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall administer the
scenic areas so as to maintain and enhance water quality.
(k) Mining Withdrawal.--Subject to valid existing rights, all
federally owned lands in the scenic areas are withdrawn from location,
entry, and patent under the mining laws of the United States and from
leasing claims under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws of the
United States, including amendments to such laws.
SEC. 4. TRAIL PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Trail Plan.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish, in
consultation with interested parties, a trail plan for National Forest
System lands described in this paragraph in order to develop the
following:
(1) Hiking and equestrian trails within the wilderness
areas designated by the amendments made by section 2, in a
manner consistent with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et
seq.).
(2) Nonmotorized recreation trails within the scenic areas
designated by section 3.
(b) Implementation Report.--Within two years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to
Congress a report on the implementation of the trail plan, includ | Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic Areas Act of 2004 - Designates certain lands in the Jefferson National Forest, Virginia (Brush Mountain and Brush Mountain East, Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, Stone Mountain, Mountain Lake Additions, Lewis Fork Addition and Little Wilson Creek Additions, Shawvers Run Additions, and Peters Mountain Addition) as wilderness.
Designates Seng Mountain and Raccoon Branch, and Crawfish Valley, as National Scenic Areas (Areas). Establishes such Areas for purposes of: (1) ensuring the protection and preservation of scenic quality, water quality, natural characteristics, and water resources; (2) protecting wildlife and fish habitat; (3) protecting areas that may develop characteristics of old-growth forests; and (4) providing a variety of recreation opportunities.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) administer such Areas in accordance with this Act and the laws and regulations generally applicable to the National Forest System (NFS); (2) develop a management plan for such Areas; and (3) establish a trail for NFS lands to develop hiking and equestrian trails within the wilderness areas and non-motorized recreation trails within the Areas. Sets forth provisions regarding roads, vegetation management, motorized travel, fire, insects and disease, water, and mining and geothermal leasing. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To designate additional National Forest System lands in the State of Virginia as wilderness, to establish the Seng Mountain and Crawfish Valley Scenic Areas, to provide for the development of trail plans for the wilderness areas and scenic areas, and for other purposes."} | 2,095 | 292 | 0.591917 | 1.877178 | 0.814132 | 4.585657 | 7.434263 | 0.952191 |
SECTION 1. PERMANENT INCREASE IN DEPOSIT INSURANCE.
(a) Amendments to Federal Deposit Insurance Act.--Effective upon
the date of the enactment of this Act, section 11(a) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(E), by striking ``$100,000'' and
inserting ``$250,000'';
(2) in paragraph (1)(F)(i), by striking ``2010'' and
inserting ``2015'';
(3) in subclause (I) of paragraph (1)(F)(i), by striking
``$100,000'' and inserting ``$250,000'';
(4) in subclause (II) of paragraph (1)(F)(i), by striking
``the calendar year preceding the date this subparagraph takes
effect under the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005''
and inserting ``calendar year 2008''; and
(5) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``, except that
$250,000 shall be substituted for $100,000 wherever such term
appears in such paragraph''.
(b) Amendment to Federal Credit Union Act.--Section 207(k) of the
Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1787(k)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking the opening quotation mark before
``$250,000'';
(B) by striking ``, except that $250,000 shall be
substituted for $100,000 wherever such term appears in
such section''; and
(C) by striking the closing quotation mark after
the closing parenthesis; and
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``$100,000'' and
inserting ``$250,000''.
(c) Rule of Construction.--No provision of law, other than a
provision of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (with respect to the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and insured depository
institutions) or the Federal Credit Union Act (with respect to the
National Credit Union Administration and insured credit unions), may be
construed as limiting the authority of--
(1) the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation to set assessments under section 7(b)(2) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act or to make any inflation
adjustment under section 11(a)(1)(F) of such Act; or
(2) the National Credit Union Administration Board to
periodically adjust the amount of an insured credit union's
deposit under section 202(c)(1) of the Federal Credit Union
Act, set the insurance premium charge under section 202(c)(2)
of such Act, or to make any inflation adjustment pursuant to
section 207(k)(5) of such Act.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF RESTORATION PLAN PERIOD.
Section 7(b)(3)(E)(ii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12
U.S.C. 1817(b)(3)(E)(ii)) is amended by striking ``5-year period'' and
inserting ``8-year period''.
SEC. 3. FDIC AND NCUA BORROWING AUTHORITY.
(a) FDIC.--Section 14(a) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12
U.S.C. 1824(a)) is amended by striking ``$30,000,000,000'' and
inserting ``$100,000,000,000''.
(b) NCUA.--Section 203(d)(1) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12
U.S.C. 1783(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``$100,000,000'' and
inserting ``$6,000,000,000''.
SEC. 4. EXPANDING SYSTEMIC RISK SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS.
Section 13(c)(4)(G)(ii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12
U.S.C. 1823(c)(4)(G)(ii)) is amended to read as follows:
``(ii) Repayment of loss.--
``(I) In general.--The Corporation
shall recover the loss to the Deposit
Insurance Fund arising from any action
taken or assistance provided with
respect to an insured depository
institution under clause (i) from 1 or
more special assessments on insured
depository institutions, depository
institution holding companies (with the
concurrence of the Secretary of the
Treasury with respect to holding
companies), or both, as the Corporation
determines to be appropriate.
``(II) Treatment of depository
institution holding companies.--For
purposes of this clause, sections
7(c)(2) and 18(h) shall apply to
depository institution holding
companies as if they were insured
depository institutions.
``(III) Regulations.--The
Corporation shall prescribe such
regulations as it deems necessary to
implement this clause. In prescribing
such regulations, defining terms, and
setting the appropriate assessment rate
or rates, the Corporation shall
establish rates sufficient to cover the
losses incurred as a result of the
actions of the Corporation under clause
(i) and shall consider: the types of
entities that benefit from any action
taken or assistance provided under this
subparagraph; economic conditions, the
effects on the industry, and such other
factors as the Corporation deems
appropriate and relevant to the action
taken or the assistance provided. Any
funds so collected that exceed actual
losses shall be placed in the Deposit
Insurance Fund.''.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL CREDIT UNION SHARE INSURANCE FUND
RESTORATION PLAN PERIOD.
Section 202(c)(2) of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C.
1782(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) Fund restoration plans.--
``(i) In general.--Whenever--
``(I) the Board projects that the
equity ratio of the Fund will, within 6
months of such determination, fall
below the minimum amount specified in
subparagraph (C) for the designated
equity ratio; or
``(II) the equity ratio of the Fund
actually falls below the minimum amount
specified in subparagraph (C) for the
equity ratio without any determination
under sub-clause (I) having been made,
the Board shall establish and implement a Share
Insurance Fund restoration plan within 90 days
that meets the requirements of clause (ii) and
such other conditions as the Board determines
to be appropriate.
``(ii) Requirements of restoration plan.--A
Share Insurance Fund restoration plan meets the
requirements of this clause if the plan
provides that the equity ratio of the Fund will
meet or exceed the minimum amount specified in
subparagraph (C) for the designated equity
ratio before the end of the 5-year period
beginning upon the implementation of the plan
(or such longer period as the Board may
determine to be necessary due to extraordinary
circumstances).
``(iii) Transparency.--Not more than 30
days after the Board establishes and implements
a restoration plan under clause (i), the Board
shall publish in the Federal Register a
detailed analysis of the factors considered and
the basis for the actions taken with regard to
the plan.''. | Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA) to redefine the standard maximum deposit insurance amount and the standard maximum share insurance amount as being $250,000, respectively (thus making such increase permanent).
Amends the FDIA to: (1) extend from five years to eight years the period during which the restoration plan for the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) must rebuild its statutory reserve ratio; (2) increase to $100 billion the borrowing authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and (3) authorize the FDIC to impose special assessments upon depository institution holding companies to recover losses to the DIF.
Amends the FCUA to: (1) increase to $6 billion the borrowing authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA); and (2) require the NCUA Board to establish a Share Insurance Fund (SIF) restoration plan whenever the Board projects that the SIF equity ratio will fall below, or the SIF equity ratio actually does fall below, the required minimum amount. Sets forth restoration plan requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To make permanent the temporary increase in deposit insurance coverage, and for other purposes."} | 1,583 | 218 | 0.450812 | 1.335206 | 0.675823 | 1.755981 | 6.4689 | 0.789474 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Choice in Healthcare Act''.
SEC. 2. MEDICARE AND MEDICAID CHOICE.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the
``Secretary'') shall establish a demonstration program (referred to in
this Act as the ``demonstration program'') under which Medicare and
Medicaid eligible beneficiaries (as defined in section 4) are
provided--
(1) the option of purchasing qualifying health benefits
coverage; and
(2) access to a debit style card (referred to in this Act
as a ``Medi-Choice card'') for the purpose of purchasing health
benefits coverage in accordance with the demonstration program
and for paying certain other out-of-pocket health care
expenditures.
(b) Qualifying Health Benefits Coverage.--In this Act, the term
``qualifying health benefits coverage'' means health benefits coverage
that meets the following requirements:
(1) Benefits coverage.--In the case of--
(A) a dual eligible beneficiary, the coverage
provides benefits that are at least as comprehensive as
the benefits provided, as of the date of the enactment
of this Act, under parts A, B, and D of title XVIII of
the Social Security Act and under the State Medicaid
plan under title XIX of such Act in California;
(B) a Medicare eligible beneficiary who is not a
dual eligible beneficiary, the coverage provides
benefits that are at least as comprehensive as the
benefits provided, as of the date of the enactment of
this Act, under parts A, B, and D of title XVIII of the
Social Security Act; and
(C) a Medicaid eligible beneficiary who is not a
dual eligible beneficiary, the coverage provides
benefits that are at least as comprehensive as the
benefits provided, as of the date of the enactment of
this Act, under the State Medicaid plan under title XIX
of the Social Security Act in California.
(2) Guarantee issue; no preexisting condition exclusions.--
The coverage is offered and available under the demonstration
program on a guaranteed issue basis without regard to health
status and does not apply any preexisting condition exclusion
(as defined in section 2701(b)(1)(A) of the Public Health
Service Act).
(3) Community rating.--Premiums for the coverage are
uniform and do not vary by age, health status, geographic area,
or other characteristics of the enrolled individual.
SEC. 3. MEDI-CHOICE CARD.
(a) Provision.--The Secretary shall enter into a contract with a
major credit card provider or financial institution for the purpose of
issuing Medi-Choice cards under the demonstration program.
(b) Use.--
(1) Toward purchasing qualifying benefits coverage.--Medi-
Choice cards shall be used to purchase qualifying health
benefits coverage for eligible beneficiaries enrolled in the
demonstration program.
(2) Toward out of pocket costs.--Amounts remaining on such
a card after the application of paragraph (1) may be used--
(A) to pay copayments or deductibles and other cost
sharing on behalf of enrolled eligible beneficiaries;
and
(B) for other qualified medical expenses (as
defined in section 223(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986) of such beneficiaries.
(3) Unused amount.--Amounts on a Medi-Choice card not
otherwise used under this paragraph shall remain available
under the card until expended by or on behalf of an enrolled
eligible beneficiary during the period of participation in the
demonstration program.
SEC. 4. ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES.
(a) In General.--In this Act, the term ``eligible beneficiary''
means an individual--
(1) who is a legal permanent resident of the United States
residing within the area covered by the demonstration program;
and
(2)(A) who is eligible for medical assistance for full
benefits under the State plan under title XIX of the Social
Security Act for California as of the date of the enactment of
this Act; or
(B) who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII
of the Social Security Act.
(b) Exclusion.--The term ``eligible beneficiary'' does not include
any individual for a month if the individual, as of the first day of
the month is--
(1) enrolled by reason of disability in the program under
title XIX of the Social Security Act;
(2) entitled to benefits under chapter 55 of title 10,
United States Code, including under the TRICARE program (as
defined in section 1072(7) of such title);
(3) imprisoned under Federal, State, or local authority; or
(4) an alien who is not a lawful permanent resident of the
United States.
(c) References.--In this Act:
(1) Medicare eligible beneficiary.--The term ``Medicare
eligible beneficiary'' means an eligible beneficiary described
in subsection (a)(2)(B).
(2) Medicaid eligible beneficiary.--The term ``Medicaid
eligible beneficiary'' means an eligible beneficiary described
in subsection (a)(2)(A).
(3) Dual eligible beneficiary.--The term ``dual eligible
beneficiary'' means an eligible beneficiary who is both a
Medicare eligible beneficiary and a Medicaid eligible
beneficiary.
SEC. 5. FUNDING OF MEDI-CHOICE CARDS.
(a) Amounts.--Under the demonstration program, subject to the
succeeding subsections, the Secretary shall make funds available
through the Medi-Choice card as follows:
(1) Dual eligible beneficiaries.--For a dual eligible
beneficiary the annual amount of the deposit--
(A) for 2012 is equal to the sum of--
(i) the United States average nominal
dollar value of medical assistance under title
XIX of the Social Security Act; and
(ii) the United States average nominal
dollar value of the benefits under parts A, B,
and D of title XVIII of such Act;
(B) for any subsequent year is equal to the annual
amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding
year increased by the annual inflation adjustment
described in subsection (d) for such subsequent year.
(2) Other medicaid eligible beneficiaries.--For a Medicaid
eligible beneficiary who is not a dual eligible beneficiary,
the annual amount of the deposit--
(A) for 2012 is equal to the United States average
nominal dollar value of medical assistance under title
XIX of the Social Security Act; and
(B) for any subsequent year is equal to the annual
amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding
year increased by the annual inflation adjustment
described in subsection (d) for such subsequent year.
(3) Other medicare eligible beneficiaries.--For a Medicare
eligible beneficiary who is not a dual eligible beneficiary,
the annual amount of the deposit shall--
(A) for 2012 be equal to the United States average
nominal dollar value of the benefits under parts A, B,
and D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and
(B) for any subsequent year is equal to the annual
amount specified in this paragraph for the preceding
year increased by the annual inflation adjustment
described in subsection (d) for such subsequent year.
(4) Rounding.--Any amount computed under paragraph (1)(B),
(2)(B), or (3)(B) that is not a multiple of $12 shall be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $12.
(b) Risk Adjustment.--The payment amounts under subsection (a) for
an individual shall be adjusted, using a methodology specified by the
Secretary, in a manner that takes into account the relative risk
factors (such as those described in section 1853(a)(1)(C)(i) of the
Social Security Act) associated with such individual. Such adjustment
shall be made in such a manner as not to change the total amount of
payments made under this section as a result of such adjustment.
(c) Medi-Choice Reductions for Higher-Income Individuals.--In the
case of an individual whose modified adjusted gross income (as defined
in paragraph (4) of section 1839(i)(4) of the Social Security Act),
exceeds the threshold amount specified in paragraph (2) of such
section, as adjusted under paragraph (5) of such section, the annual
amount under subsection (a)(2) shall be reduced by one percent for each
percent of such excess, but not to exceed a reduction of 50 percentage
points.
(d) Annual Inflation Adjustment.--The annual inflation adjustment
under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) for a year is equal to the average
of--
(1) the annual rate of increase in the consumer price index
for urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for
the year, as projected by the Secretary in consultation with
the Bureau of Labor Statistics before the beginning of the
year; and
(2) the annual rate of increase in the medical care
component of the consumer price index for all urban consumers
(United States city average) for the year, as projected by the
Secretary in consultation with the Bureau of Labor Statistics
before the beginning of the year.
(e) Monthly Deposits.--Deposits of amounts to Medi-Choice cards
under this section shall be credited on a monthly basis and prorated
for partial months of program enrollment.
SEC. 6. SCOPE OF DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
(a) Area.--The demonstration program shall be conducted in the
counties of Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Merced, Madera, Stanislaus,
and San Joaquin in California.
(b) Period of Demonstration Project.--
(1) Duration.--The demonstration program shall be conducted
for a period of 10 years.
(2) Initial enrollment.--Eligible beneficiaries shall be
permitted to enroll in the demonstration program beginning on
June 1, 2013.
(c) Numerical Limitation.--No more than 100,000 eligible
beneficiaries may be enrolled in the demonstration program at any time.
SEC. 7. PAYMENT OF COSTS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall be responsible for the cost of
operating the demonstration program, including all amounts deposited
onto Medi-Choice cards. The cost of operation of the program insofar as
they are attributable (as determined by the Secretary) to--
(1) Medicare eligible beneficiaries and benefits under part
A, part B, or part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act
shall be payable from the respective trust fund or account
under the respective part, and the amounts in such trust funds
or account shall be available to make such payments; or
(2) Medicaid eligible beneficiaries and benefits under
title XIX of such Act shall be payable from amounts
appropriated to carry out such title and the amounts so
appropriated shall be available to make such payments.
(b) No Duplicate Payments.--Except as provided in section 8(d)(2),
no amounts shall be payable under title XVIII or XIX of the Social
Security Act for benefits or medical assistance for an eligible
beneficiary participating in the demonstration program.
SEC. 8. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Assistance in Enrollment.--The Secretary shall maintain a toll
free phone number to assist eligible beneficiaries with enrollment
under the demonstration program and shall make information available to
eligible beneficiaries in the demonstration area describing the options
available, which shall include a comparison of plan costs and benefits.
(b) Not Treated as Income.--Amounts paid into a Medi-Choice card
shall not be treated as income for purposes of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 or for purposes of determining eligibility for any Federal
program.
(c) Premium Obligations.--An individual participating in the
demonstration--
(1) is not responsible for payment of any premium otherwise
applicable under part B or D of title XVIII or under title XIX
of the Social Security Act; but
(2) shall use benefits applied to the Medi-Choice card for
the purpose of purchasing qualifying health benefits coverage.
(d) Relation to Medicaid Benefits.--
(1) In general.--In the case of an individual who
participates in the demonstration program, the individual is
not entitled to any payment under a State plan under title XIX
of the Social Security Act with respect to any benefits
relating to items and services for which coverage is provided
under this title.
(2) Continuation of medical assistance for noncovered items
and services.--Nothing in this Act shall affect the continued
provision of medical assistance under title XIX of such Act for
items and services, such as dental, vision, or long-term care
facility services, for which benefits are not provided under
this Act regardless of medical necessity. | Choice in Healthcare Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program under which Medicare and Medicaid eligible beneficiaries are given: (1) the option of purchasing qualifying health benefits coverage, and (2) access to a debit style card (Medi-Choice card) for purchasing such coverage under the program and for paying certain other out-of-pocket health care expenditures.
Directs the Secretary to contract with a major credit card provider or financial institution for issuing Medi-Choice cards under the program.
Limits the demonstration program to specified counties in California and to a period of ten years. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide a demonstration project under which Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries are provided the choice of health benefits coverage and access to a debit style card for the purpose of purchasing qualified health benefits coverage and paying for other health care expenses."} | 2,769 | 136 | 0.603547 | 1.56697 | 0.682054 | 5.130081 | 20.463415 | 0.95122 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Entrepreneurship Act of
2009''.
SEC. 2. EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Section 4 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 633) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(g) Management and Direction.--
``(1) Plan for entrepreneurial development and job creation
strategy.--The Administrator shall develop and submit to
Congress a plan, in consultation with a representative from
each of the agency's entrepreneurial development programs, for
using the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial
development programs to create jobs during fiscal years 2010
and 2011. The plan shall include the Administration's plan for
drawing on existing programs, including Small Business
Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, SCORE, Veterans
Business Centers, Native American Outreach, and other
appropriate programs. The Administrator shall identify a
strategy for each Administration region to create or retain
jobs through Administration programs. The Administrator shall
identify, in consultation with appropriate personnel from
entrepreneurial development programs, performance measures and
criteria, including job creation, job retention, and job
retraining goals, to evaluate the success of the
Administration's actions regarding these efforts.
``(2) Data collection process.--The Administrator shall,
after notice and opportunity for comment, promulgate a rule to
develop and implement a consistent data collection process to
cover all entrepreneurial development programs. Such data
collection process shall include data relating to job creation,
performance, and any other data determined appropriate by the
Administrator with respect to the Administration's
entrepreneurial development programs.
``(3) Coordination and alignment of sba entrepreneurial
development programs.--The Administrator shall submit annually
to Congress, in consultation with other Federal departments and
agencies as appropriate, a report on opportunities to foster
coordination, limit duplication, and improve program delivery
for Federal entrepreneurial development programs.
``(4) Database of entrepreneurial development service
providers.--The Administrator shall, after a period of 60 days
for public comment, establish a database of providers of
entrepreneurial development services and, make such database
available through the Administration's Web site. The database
shall be searchable by industry, geography, and service
required.
``(5) Community specialist.--The Administrator shall
designate not less than one staff member in each Administration
district office as a community specialist who has as their
full-time responsibility working with local entrepreneurial
development service providers to increase coordination with
Federal resources. The Administrator shall develop benchmarks
for measuring the performance of community specialists under
this subsection.
``(6) Entrepreneurial development portal.--The
Administrator shall publish a design for a Web-based portal to
provide comprehensive information on the Administration's
entrepreneurial development programs. After a period of 60 days
for public comment, the Administrator shall establish such
portal and--
``(A) integrate under one Web portal, Small
Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers,
SCORE, Veterans Business Centers, the Administration's
distance learning program, and other programs as
appropriate;
``(B) revise the Administration's primary Web site
so that the Web portal described in subparagraph (A) is
available as a link on the main Web page of the Web
site;
``(C) increase consumer-oriented content on the
Administration's Web site and focus on promoting access
to business solutions, including marketing, financing,
and human resources planning;
``(D) establish relevant Web content aggregated by
industry segment, stage of business development, level
of need, and include referral links to appropriate
Administration services, including financing, training
and counseling, and procurement assistance; and
``(E) provide style guidelines and links for
visitors to the Administration's Web site to be able to
comment on and evaluate the materials in terms of their
usefulness.
``(7) Pilot programs.--The Administrator may not conduct
any pilot program for a period of greater than 3 years if the
program conflicts with, or uses the resources of, any of the
entrepreneurial development programs authorized under section
8(b)(1)(B), 21, 29, 32, or any other provision of this Act.''.
Passed the House of Representatives November 18, 2009.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk. | Expanding Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act relating to small business entrepreneurial development programs (programs) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) develop and submit to Congress a plan for using the programs as a catalyst for job creation for FY2010-FY2011; (2) promulgate a rule to develop and implement a data collection process covering all programs; (3) report to Congress on opportunities to foster coordination, limit duplication, and improve delivery under the programs; (3) after public comment, establish and make available a database of providers of entrepreneurial development services; (4) designate at least one staff member in each SBA district office as a community specialist with full-time responsibility working with such providers to increase coordination with federal resources; and (5) publish a design for a Web-based portal that provides comprehensive information on the programs and, after public comment, establish such portal.
Prohibits the Administrator from conducting any pilot program for a period of more than three years if the pilot program conflicts with or uses the resources of any of the entrepreneurial development programs. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs, and for other purposes."} | 901 | 239 | 0.714346 | 2.233447 | 0.910242 | 3.356164 | 3.995434 | 0.945205 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Partnership for Productive Ports
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) A network of ports and harbors is essential to the
United States economy, competitiveness in world trade, and
national security. Approximately 95 percent of United States
overseas trade moves on ships in and out of United States
ports.
(2) The Nation's coastal, ocean, and freshwater resources
are critical assets which must be protected, conserved, and
restored. These resources provide numerous economic and
environmental benefits.
(3) Port facilities serve as a key link in the intermodal
transportation chain and can realize their full potential as
magnets for shipping and commerce only if timely, cost-
effective, and environmentally sound dredging and dredged
material management occurs.
(4) Approximately 400,000,000 cubic yards of sediment are
dredged from our Nation's ports each year, 300,000,000 cubic
yards of which is dredged from Federal channels.
(5) Improved environmental responsibility requires that
dredged material demonstrating a potential to unreasonably
degrade human health or the environment be appropriately
managed to minimize negative environmental interactions, yet
suitable disposal sites are often not readily available.
(6) All Federal navigation dredging projects are approved
because they are in the national interest and therefore should
not be blocked because of a lack of disposal capacity that
meets the necessary Federal requirements.
(7) The cost of disposal and management of sediments
dredged in the course of constructing and maintaining a
navigation project are integral to the total project costs and
as such should be cost shared according to the allocations
under existing law.
(8) Inconsistent cost-sharing policies for the use of open
water, upland, and confined disposal facilities create an
economic incentive to use open water disposal sites even when
more environmentally positive alternatives are preferable.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to provide Federal-non-
Federal cost sharing for the construction and operation of confined
disposal facilities for contaminated dredged materials in order to make
suitable alternatives to open water disposal available nationwide.
SEC. 3. CREATION OF CONFINED DREDGED MATERIAL DISPOSAL FACILITIES.
(a) Federal Share.--Section 101(b) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Federal share'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) General federal share.--The Federal share'';
(2) by moving the text of paragraph (1), as so designated,
2 ems to the right; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Federal share for confined disposal facilities.--The
Federal share of the cost of project features that are
necessary for creation of confined dredged material disposal
facilities shall be determined in accordance with subsection
(a)(1). The cost sharing requirements of this paragraph shall
apply to projects authorized before, on, or after the the date
of the enactment of this paragraph.
``(3) Confined disposal facility defined.--In this section
and section 210, the term `confined disposal facility' means
any alternative to ocean disposal or ocean disposal with
capping, including subaqueous borrow pits, containment islands,
and upland confined disposal facilities.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 101 of such Act is further
amended--
(1) in the second sentence of subsection (a)(2)--
(A) by inserting ``and'' after ``rights-of-way,'';
and
(B) by striking ``, and dredged material disposal
areas'';
(2) in subsection (a)(3)--
(A) by inserting ``and'' after ``rights-of-way,'';
and
(B) by striking ``, and dredged material disposal
areas'' and inserting ``, including those required for
confined dredged material disposal facilities,''; and
(3) in subsection (e)(1) by striking ``, and to provide
dredged material disposal areas''.
SEC. 4. FUNDING FROM HARBOR MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND.
Section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33
U.S.C. 2238) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Inclusion of Disposal Costs as O&M Costs.--For purposes of
this section, the term `operation and maintenance costs' includes costs
related to disposal of dredged materials in a confined dredged material
disposal facility. Operation and maintenance costs other than costs
related to such disposal shall receive priority consideration for
funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.''.
SEC. 5. CONFINED DISPOSAL FACILITY IN THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND
NEW JERSEY.
(a) Creation and Operation.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army, in
cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency and State and local governmental agencies, shall create,
operate, and maintain a confined dredged material disposal
facility in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The facility shall be
designed for the disposal of dredged materials that do not meet
applicable criteria for open water disposal. | Partnership for Productive Ports Act - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to: (1) require the Federal share of the cost of creation of confined dredged material disposal facilities to be determined in the same manner as such costs are determined for a harbor navigation project under such Act; (2) define "confined disposal facility" as any alternative to ocean disposal or ocean disposal with capping; and (3) include costs related to confined disposal facilities as operation and maintenance costs under such Act.
Directs the Secretary of the Army to create, operate, and maintain a confined dredged material disposal facility in the Port of New York and New Jersey. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Partnership for Productive Ports Act"} | 1,215 | 138 | 0.566305 | 1.750566 | 0.695269 | 4.149606 | 8.354331 | 0.92126 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Lifetime Prosperity Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF SAVERS CREDIT.
(a) Credit Extended and Made Permanent.--
(1) Permanent extension of credit.--Section 25B of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to elective deferrals
and IRA contributions by certain individuals) is amended by
striking subsection (h).
(2) Sunset made inapplicable.--Title IX of the Economic
Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 shall not
apply to the amendments made by section 618 of such Act
(relating to nonrefundable credit to certain individuals for
elective deferrals and IRA contributions).
(b) Expansion of Credit.--Subsections (a) and (b) of section 25B of
such Code are amended to read as follows:
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--In the case of an eligible individual,
there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this
subtitle for the taxable year an amount equal to 50 percent of the
qualified retirement savings contributions of the eligible individual
for the taxable year.
``(b) Limitation.--
``(1) In general.--The amount allowed as a credit under
subsection (a) for a taxable year shall not exceed the
applicable dollar limit.
``(2) Applicable dollar limit.--For purposes of paragraph
(1)--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the applicable dollar limit is--
``(i) in the case of a joint return,
$3,000, and
``(ii) in the case of any other return, 50
percent of the dollar amount applicable for the
taxable year under clause (i).
``(B) Limitation based on adjusted gross income.--
The applicable dollar limit shall be zero in the case
of a taxpayer whose adjusted gross income for the
taxable year exceeds--
``(i) $150,000 in the case of a joint
return, and
``(ii) $95,000 in any other case.
``(3) Inflation adjustment.--In the case of any taxable
year beginning after 2006, the amounts contained in
subparagraph (A)(i) and clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph
(B) of paragraph (2) shall each 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 such calendar year by
substituting `calendar year 2005' for `calendar year
1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof.
If any amount as adjusted under the preceding sentence is not a
multiple of $100, such amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple
of $100.''.
(c) Credit Allowed for Contributions to Roth IRAs for Children.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 25B(d) of such
Code (defining qualified retirement savings contributions) is
amended by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (B), by
striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and
inserting ``, and'', and by inserting after subparagraph (C)
the following new subparagraph:
``(D) the amount of contributions made by the
eligible individual to all Roth IRAs for children under
section 408A(g).''.
(2) Limitation.--Paragraph (1) of section 25B(d) of such
Code (defining qualified retirement savings contributions) is
amended by adding at the end the following flush sentence:
``The amount taken into account under subparagraph (D) shall
not exceed the aggregate amount of contributions allowed to all
Roth IRAs of such eligible individual under section 408A(g).''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005.
SEC. 3. ROTH IRAS FOR CHILDREN.
(a) In General.--Section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to Roth IRAs) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(g) Special Rules for Roth IRAs for Children.--
``(1) General rule.--A Roth IRA maintained for the benefit
of an individual who has not attained age 25 before the close
of the taxable year shall be maintained under this section, as
modified by this subsection.
``(2) Contribution limits.--
``(A) In general.--For so long as a Roth IRA is
subject to this subsection, contributions to such Roth
IRA shall be subject to this paragraph and not to
subsection (c)(2), and subsection (c)(3) shall not
apply.
``(B) Limit.--The aggregate amount of contributions
for any taxable year to all child Roth IRAs maintained
for the benefit of an individual under this subsection
shall not exceed the maximum amount allowable as a
deduction under subsection (b)(1) of section 219 for
such taxable year (computed without regard to
subsections (b)(1)(B), (d)(1), and (g) of such
section).''.
(b) Enforcement of Contribution Limits.--Paragraphs (1)(B) and
(2)(B) of section 4973(f) of such Code are each amended by striking
``and (c)(3)'' and inserting ``, (c)(3), and (f)(2)''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005. | Lifetime Prosperity Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax credit for retirement savings contributions; (2) revise the applicable percentage and dollar limitations for such credit; (3) provide for an inflation adjustment to adjusted gross income limitations applicable to such credit; and (4) allow a tax credit for contributions to Roth IRAs for children (under age 25). | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand incentives for saving."} | 1,271 | 83 | 0.559577 | 1.225641 | 0.801241 | 2.189873 | 14.037975 | 0.848101 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) the Augusta Canal National Landmark in the State of
Georgia, listed on the National Historic Register of Historic
Places, and designated by the Governor of Georgia as one of 4
regionally important resources in the State, is one of the last
unspoiled areas in the State of Georgia;
(2) the Augusta Canal National Historic Landmark possesses
excellent water quality, beautiful rural and historic cultural
landscapes, architecturally significant mill structures and
mill villages, and large acreages of parks and permanent open
space;
(3) 3 national historic districts, the Harrisburg, Laney
Walker, and Greene Street districts, and 2 national historic
landmarks, Stallings Island, located in the Savannah River, and
Meadow Garden, are connected by the Augusta Canal Area;
(4) the beautiful rural landscapes and historic cultural
landscapes, scenic vistas and excellent water quality of the
Augusta Canal contain significant undeveloped recreational
opportunities for people throughout the United States;
(5) the Augusta Canal and related mill sites, structures,
and associated neighborhoods are representative of the
development of the cotton textile industry and associated
agriculture and trade in the South;
(6) the transformation of the agrarian economy of the area
into an early industrial economy was precipitated by the
development and use of the Augusta Canal;
(7) several significant sites associated with the American
Revolution, the Civil War, Native Americans, Colonial
Americans, African Americans, Chinese Americans, and Irish
Americans are located within the Augusta Canal area;
(8) despite the efforts by the State of Georgia, political
subdivisions of the State, volunteer organizations, and private
businesses, the cultural, historical, natural, and recreational
resources of the area have not realized full potential and may
be lost without assistance from the Federal Government;
(9) the Secretary of the Interior considers this landmark
to be threatened and has designated it a priority for
protection;
(10) many local, regional, and State agencies, businesses,
and private citizens have expressed an overwhelming desire to
combine forces to work cooperatively to preserve and enhance
the resources of the Augusta Canal National Historic Landmark
and better plan for its future; and
(11) the Augusta Canal Authority, a public body established
under the law of the State of Georgia, would be an appropriate
management entity for a National Heritage Area established in
the area of the Augusta Canal.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to provide a cooperative management
framework to assist the State of Georgia, its units of local
government, and area citizens in retaining, enhancing, and interpreting
the significant features of the lands, water, and structures of the
Augusta Canal, in a manner that is consistent with positive economic
impact and development for the benefit and inspiration of present and
future generations in the State of Georgia and the United States.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF AUGUSTA CANAL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the State of Georgia
the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area (referred to in this Act as
the ``Heritage Area'').
(b) Boundaries.--
(1) In general.--The Heritage Area shall include the land
generally depicted on the map entitled ``The Augusta Canal'',
numbered AUCA-80,000, and dated August 1994, which shall be on
file and available for public inspection in the Office of the
Director of the National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
(2) Legal description.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall prepare
and place on file with the map described in paragraph (1) a
legal description of the boundaries of the Heritage Area.
SEC. 4. MANAGEMENT.
The Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park
Service, shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the Augusta
Canal Authority, a public body established under the law of the State
of Georgia, providing for the management of the Heritage Area by the
Augusta Canal Authority under terms and conditions stated in the
cooperative agreement.
SEC. 5. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
(a) Preparation of Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Augusta Canal Authority shall prepare and
submit to the Secretary for review and approval a plan for the
management and administration of the Heritage Area.
(b) Contents.--The plan shall be based on Federal, State, and local
plans in existence on the date of enactment of this Act, including the
Augusta Canal Master Plan. The Augusta Canal Authority shall coordinate
and combine such plans and present an integrated and cooperative
approach for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the
cultural, natural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Heritage
Area.
(c) Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical and financial
assistance in the preparation of the management plan.
(d) Approval.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after receipt of
the plan submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall
approve or disapprove the plan.
(2) Criteria.--In determining whether to approve a plan,
the Secretary shall consider--
(A) whether the planning area has strong local
support for the study from a diversity of landowners,
business interests, nonprofit organizations, and
governments within the proposed study area;
(B) whether the proposal is consistent with and
complements continued economic activity in the area;
(C) whether the planning area has a high potential
for effective partnership mechanisms;
(D) whether the plan improperly infringes on
private property rights; and
(E) whether the plan will take appropriate action
to ensure private property rights are observed.
(3) Disapproval.--
(A) In general.--If the Secretary disapproves the
management plan, the Secretary shall notify the Augusta
Canal Authority of the disapproval in writing.
(B) Contents.--A notification under subparagraph
(A) shall include--
(i) the reasons for the disapproval; and
(ii) recommendations for revision.
(C) Revised plan.--The Augusta Canal Authority
shall revise and resubmit the management plan to the
Secretary for approval. Not later than 180 days after
receipt of the revised plan, the Secretary shall
approve or disapprove the plan as provided in paragraph
(2). The Augusta Canal Authority shall revise and
submit the management plan until the management plan is
approved by the Secretary.
(e) Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Upon approval of the management plan as
provided in subsection (d), the Secretary, in conjunction with
the Augusta Canal Authority, shall take appropriate steps to
implement the management plan.
(2) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary is authorized to
enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Georgia,
political subdivisions of the State, the Augusta Canal
Authority, or any organization or individual to implement the
management plan.
(f) Economic Development.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Augusta Canal Authority, the State of Georgia, and the city of Augusta
and other political subdivisions of the State of Georgia should
encourage, by appropriate means, enhanced economic and industrial
development in the area consistent with the goals of the Augusta Canal
Master Plan.
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF OTHER FEDERAL ENTITIES.
Any Federal entity conducting or supporting activities directly
affecting the Heritage Area shall--
(1) consult with the Secretary and the Augusta Canal
Authority with respect to such activities;
(2) cooperate with the Secretary and the Augusta Canal
Authority with respect to such activities;
(3) coordinate such activities with the Secretary and the
Augusta Canal Authority; and
(4) conduct or support such activities in a manner that the
Secretary and the Augusta Canal Authority determine will not
have an adverse effect on the Heritage Area.
SEC. 7. ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.
The Augusta Canal Authority may not use any Federal funds that it
may receive to acquire real property or an interest in real property.
SEC. 8. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
(a) Occupational, Safety, Conservation, and Environmental
Regulation.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to--
(1) impose any occupational, safety, conservation, or
environmental regulation on the Heritage Area that is more
stringent than the regulations that would be applicable to the
Heritage Area but for the establishment of the Heritage Area
under section 3; or
(2) authorize any Federal agency to promulgate an
occupational, safety, conservation, or environmental regulation
for the Heritage Area that is more stringent than the
regulations applicable to the Heritage Area in existence on the
date of enactment of this Act, solely as a result of the
establishment of the Heritage Area under section 3.
(b) Land Use Regulation.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to--
(1) modify, enlarge, or diminish any authority of Federal,
State, and local governments to regulate any use of land as
provided for by current law or regulation; or
(2) grant powers of zoning or land use to the Augusta Canal
Authority.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary
to carry out this Act. | Establishes the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area in Georgia.
Requires the Augusta Canal Authority to prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Interior for review and approval a plan for the management of the Area, based on existing Federal, State, and local plans in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Authority to coordinate and combine such plans and present an integrated and cooperative approach for the protection, enhancement, and interpretation of the Area's cultural, natural, scenic, and recreational resources.
Prohibits the Authority from using any Federal funds to acquire real property or interest in such property. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) authorize Federal agencies to promulgate an occupational, safety, conservation, or environmental regulation for the Area that is more stringent than existing applicable regulations, solely as a result of the establishment of the Area; (2) modify, enlarge, or diminish the authority of Federal, State, and local governments to regulate any use of land as provided for by current law or regulation; or (3) grant powers of zoning or land use to the Authority.
Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to establish the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area in the State of Georgia, and for other purposes."} | 1,991 | 249 | 0.522597 | 1.687423 | 0.928482 | 5.831111 | 8.386667 | 0.933333 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Compensation Equity Act of
2000''.
SEC. 2. CONCURRENT RECEIPT OF RETIRED PAY AND DISABILITY RETIREMENT FOR
VETERANS WHO RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART.
(a) Concurrent Receipt.--Section 5304 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a)(1) the following
new sentence: ``Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
emergency officers', regular, or reserve retirement pay (other
than retired pay under chapter 61 of title 10) shall be paid to
a veteran concurrently with compensation for a service-
connected disability, without deduction from either the
retirement pay or the compensation, in the case of a veteran
who was awarded the Purple Heart and whose retirement pay is
based on service of 20 years or more.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) Compensation paid by the Secretary for a service-connected
disability may not be considered in determining eligibility for any
other benefit under any provision of Federal, State, or local law and
may not be counted as income of the veteran or the veteran's family for
purposes of any provision of Federal, State, or local law for which
eligibility for any benefit or program is determined based upon
income.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply with respect to payments for periods beginning on or after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. PRESERVATION OF VETERAN'S COMPENSATION BENEFIT FOR SURVIVING
SPOUSE.
(a) Compensation Benefit To Survive Death of Veteran.--Section 1311
of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(f) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, the
rate of dependency and indemnity compensation paid for any month to the
surviving spouse of a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart shall be
at the rate at which compensation under chapter 11 of this title would
be paid for that month to that veteran if the veteran were not deceased
(except that, for purposes of section 1115 of this title, such rate of
compensation shall be determined as if the veteran had no spouse).''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply
with respect to payments for months beginning on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. ANNUITIES UNDER SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN TO BE 100 PERCENT OF
RETIRED PAY BASE AMOUNT.
(a) Termination.--Section 1451 of title 10, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking out ``shall be''
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that
follows in that paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof
``shall be the amount equal to 100 percent of the base
amount.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking out ``shall be''
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all that
follows in that paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof
``shall be the amount equal to a percentage of the base
amount that--
``(A) is less than 100 percent; and
``(B) is determined under subsection (f).''; and
(2) in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), by striking out
``shall be'' in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) and all
that follows in that paragraph and inserting in lieu thereof
``shall be the amount equal to 100 percent of the retired pay
to which the member or former member would have been entitled
if the member or former member had been entitled to that pay
based upon his years of active service when he died.''.
(b) Repeal of Requirement for Reduction of Annuity at Age 62.--Such
section is further amended by striking out subsection (d).
(c) Repeal of Alternative Computation for Certain Beneficiaries for
Whom Social Security Offset Was More Beneficial Than Two-Tier
Computation.--Such section is further amended by striking out
subsection (e).
(d) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (f) of such section is
amended by striking out ``(a)(2), (b)(2), or (e)(2)(B)'' and inserting
in lieu thereof ``(a)(2) or (b)(2)''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to payment of annuities for months that begin after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
(f) Recomputation of Existing Annuities.--In the case of a person
who is a beneficiary under the Survivor Benefit Plan established by
subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code, on the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary concerned (as defined
in section 101 of title 37, United States Code) shall recompute the
amount of that person's annuity as necessary to reflect the amendments
made by this section. | Makes the rate of dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for the surviving spouse of a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart the same as the rate of compensation for service-connected disability or death that would be paid to a veteran if the veteran were not deceased (thereby continuing the DIC payment beyond the veteran's death).
Makes annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan 100 percent of the base amount. (Currently, such annuities are specified percentages of such base amount based on age.) Repeals: (1) the requirement for annuity reduction at age 62; and (2) an alternative computation of such annuity for certain beneficiaries. Requires the recomputation of existing annuities due to amendments made by this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Veterans Compensation Equity Act of 2000"} | 1,193 | 165 | 0.553403 | 1.595643 | 0.778825 | 2.92029 | 7.492754 | 0.876812 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Legislative Line Item Veto Act''.
SEC. 2. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED RESCISSIONS AND
REPEALS OF TAX EXPENDITURES AND DIRECT SPENDING.
(a) In General.--Title X of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) is amended by
adding after section 1012 the following new section:
``expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions and repeals
of tax expenditures and direct spending
``Sec. 1012A. (a) Proposed Cancellation of Budget Item.--The
President may propose, at the time and in the manner provided in
subsection (b), the cancellation of any budget item provided in any
Act.
``(b) Transmittal of Special Message.--
``(1)(A) Subject to the time limitations provided in
subparagraph (B), the President may transmit to Congress a
special message proposing to cancel budget items and include
with that special message a draft bill that, if enacted, would
only cancel those budget items as provided in this section. The
bill shall clearly identify each budget item that is proposed
to be canceled including, where applicable, each program,
project, or activity to which the budget item relates. The bill
shall specify the amount, if any, of each budget item that the
President designates for deficit reduction as provided in
paragraph (4).
``(B) A special message may be transmitted under this
section--
``(i) during the 20-calendar-day period (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) commencing on
the day after the date of enactment of the provision
proposed to be rescinded or repealed; or
``(ii) at the same time as the President's budget.
``(2) In the case of an Act that includes budget items
within the jurisdiction of more than one committee of a House,
the President in proposing to cancel such budget item under
this section shall send a separate special message and
accompanying draft bill for each such committee.
``(3) Each special message shall specify, with respect to
the budget item proposed to be canceled--
``(A) the amount that the President proposes be
canceled;
``(B) any account, department, or establishment of
the Government to which such budget item is available
for obligation, and the specific project or
governmental functions involved;
``(C) the reasons why the budget item should be
canceled;
``(D) to the maximum extent practicable, the
estimated fiscal, economic, and budgetary effect
(including the effect on outlays and receipts in each
fiscal year) of the proposed cancellation; and
``(E) all facts, circumstances, and considerations
relating to or bearing upon the proposed cancellation
and the decision to effect the proposed cancellation,
and to the maximum extent practicable, the estimated
effect of the proposed cancellation upon the objects,
purposes, and programs for which the budget item is
provided.
``(4)(A) Not later than 5 days after the date of enactment
of a bill containing an amount designated by the President for
deficit reduction under paragraph (1), the President shall--
``(i) with respect to a rescission bill, reduce the
discretionary spending limits under section 601 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 for the budget year
and each outyear to reflect such amount; and
``(ii) with respect to a repeal of a tax
expenditure or direct spending, adjust the balances for
the budget year and each outyear under section 252(b)
of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985 to reflect such amount.
``(B) Not later than 5 days after the date of enactment of
a bill containing an amount designated by the President for
deficit reduction under paragraph (1), the chairs of the
Committees on the Budget of the Senate and the House of
Representatives shall revise levels under section 311(a) and
adjust the committee allocations under section 602(a) to
reflect such amount.
``(c) Procedures for Expedited Consideration.--
``(1)(A) Before the close of the second day of session of
the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively,
after the date of receipt of a special message transmitted to
Congress under subsection (b), the majority leader or minority
leader of each House shall introduce (by request) the draft
bill accompanying that special message. If the bill is not
introduced as provided in the preceding sentence in either
House, then, on the third day of session of that House after
the date of receipt of that special message, any Member of that
House may introduce the bill.
``(B) The bill shall be referred to the appropriate
committee or (in the House of Representatives) committees. The
committee shall report the bill without substantive revision
and with or without recommendation. The committee shall report
the bill not later than the seventh day of session of that
House after the date of receipt of that special message. If the
committee fails to report the bill within that period, the
committee shall be automatically discharged from consideration
of the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the appropriate
calendar.
``(C) A vote on final passage of the bill shall be taken in
the Senate and the House of Representatives on or before the
close of the 10th day of session of that House after the date
of the introduction of the bill in that House. If the bill is
passed, the Clerk of the Senate or the House of
Representatives, as the case may be, shall cause the bill to be
engrossed, certified, and transmitted to the other House within
one calendar day of the day on which the bill is passed.
``(2)(A) During consideration under this subsection in the
House of Representatives, any Member of the House of
Representatives may move to strike any proposed cancellation of
a budget item if supported by 49 other Members.
``(B) A motion in the House of Representatives to proceed
to the consideration of a bill under this subsection shall be
highly privileged and not debatable. An amendment to the motion
shall not be in order, nor shall it be in order to move to
reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or
disagreed to.
``(C) Debate in the House of Representatives on a bill
under this subsection shall not exceed 4 hours, which shall be
divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the
bill. A motion further to limit debate shall not be debatable.
It shall not be in order to move to recommit a bill under this
subsection or to move to reconsider the vote by which the bill
is agreed to or disagreed to.
``(D) Appeals from decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the
procedure relating to a bill under this section shall be
decided without debate.
``(E) Except to the extent specifically provided in this
section, consideration of a bill under this section shall be
governed by the Rules of the House of Representatives. It shall
not be in order in the House of Representatives to consider any
rescission bill introduced pursuant to the provisions of this
section under a suspension of the rules or under a special
rule.
``(3)(A) During consideration of a bill under this
subsection in the Senate, any Member of the Senate may move to
strike any proposed cancellation of a budget item if supported
by 11 other Members.
``(B) It shall not be in order to move to reconsider the
vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to.
``(C) Debate in the Senate on a bill under this subsection,
and all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith
(including debate pursuant to subparagraph (D)), shall not
exceed 10 hours. The time shall be equally divided between, and
controlled by, the majority leader and the minority leader or
their designees.
``(D) Debate in the Senate on any debatable motion or
appeal in connection with a bill under this subsection shall be
limited to not more than 1 hour, to be equally divided between,
and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill,
except that in the event the manager of the bill is in favor of
any such motion or appeal, the time in opposition thereto,
shall be controlled by the minority leader or his designee.
Such leaders, or either of them, may, from time under their
control on the passage of a bill, allot additional time to any
Senator during the consideration of any debatable motion or
appeal.
``(E) A motion in the Senate to further limit debate on a
bill under this subsection is not debatable. A motion to
recommit a bill under this subsection is not in order.
``(F) If the Senate proceeds to consider a bill introduced
in the House of Representatives under paragraph (1)(A), then
any Senator may offer as an amendment the text of the companion
bill introduced in the Senate under paragraph (1)(A) as amended
if amended (under subparagraph (A)). Debate in the Senate on
such bill introduced in the House of Representatives, and all
debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith
(including debate pursuant to subparagraph (D)), and any
amendment offered under this subparagraph, shall not exceed 10
hours minus such times (if any) as Senators consumed or yielded
back during consideration of the companion bill introduced in the
Senate under paragraph (1)(A).
``(4) Debate in the House of Representatives or the Senate
on the conference report on any bill considered under this
section shall be limited to not more than 2 hours, which shall
be divided equally between the majority leader and the minority
leader. A motion further to limit debate is not debatable. A
motion to recommit the conference report is not in order, and
it is not in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the
conference report is agreed to or disagreed to.
``(d) Amendments and Divisions Prohibited.--Except as otherwise
provided by this section, no amendment to a bill considered under this
section shall be in order in either the Senate or the House of
Representatives. It shall not be in order to demand a division of the
question in the House of Representatives (or in a Committee of the
Whole). No motion to suspend the application of this subsection shall
be in order in the House of Representatives, nor shall it be in order
in the House of Representatives to suspend the application of this
subsection by unanimous consent.
``(e) Requirement To Make Available for Obligation.--Any budget
item proposed to be canceled in a special message transmitted to
Congress under subsection (b) shall not be made available for
obligation or take effect until the day after the date on which either
House rejects the bill transmitted with that special message.
``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `appropriation Act' means any general or
special appropriation Act, and any Act or joint resolution
making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations;
``(2) the term `direct spending' shall have the same
meaning given such term in section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985;
``(3) the term `budget item' means--
``(A) an amount, in whole or in part, of budget
authority provided in an appropriation Act;
``(B) an amount of direct spending; or
``(C) a targeted tax benefit;
``(4) the term `cancellation of a budget item' means--
``(A) the rescission of any budget authority
provided in an appropriation Act;
``(B) the repeal of any amount of direct spending;
or
``(C) the repeal of any targeted tax benefit; and
``(5) the term `targeted tax benefit' means any provision
which has the practical effect of providing a benefit in the
form of a different treatment to a particular taxpayer or a
limited class of taxpayers, whether or not such provision is
limited by its terms to a particular taxpayer or a class of
taxpayers. Such term does not include any benefit provided to a
class of taxpayers distinguished on the basis of general
demographic conditions such as income, number of dependents, or
marital status.''.
(b) Exercise of Rulemaking Powers.--Section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and 1017'' and
inserting ``1012A, and 1017''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 1017'' and
inserting ``sections 1012A and 1017''.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of sections for subpart B of
title X of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1012 the
following:
``Sec. 1012A. Expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions
and repeals of tax expenditures and direct
spending.''.
(d) Effective Period.--The amendments made by this Act shall--
(1) take effect on the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) apply only to budget items provided in Acts enacted on
or after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(3) cease to be effective on September 30, 1998. | Legislative Line Item Veto Act - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose to the Congress the cancellation of any budget item provided in any Act. Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal, including the amount of each budget item designated for deficit reduction.
Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Legislative Line Item Veto Act"} | 3,019 | 101 | 0.576673 | 1.262612 | 0.975604 | 3.650602 | 33.915663 | 0.927711 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Belarus Democracy Reauthorization
Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Section 2 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480;
22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
``Congress makes the following findings:
``(1) The United States Government supports a prosperous
and democratic Belarus that upholds the rule of law and
respects the fundamental rights of its citizens, including
rights to freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
``(2) The United States Government remains committed to the
sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Belarus and
supports its integration into the Euro-Atlantic community of
nations.
``(3) The Government of Belarus has engaged in a pattern of
clear and systematic abuse of state authority, including
through a series of fraudulent elections that have undermined
the democratic process and deprived the people of Belarus of a
voice in the conduct of public affairs.
``(4) The Government of Belarus has subjected thousands of
political activists, civil society representatives, and
independent journalists to harassment and intimidation,
creating a climate of fear that has weakened the bond of trust
between the people of Belarus and their government.
``(5) On December 19, 2010, the Government of Belarus
conducted flawed and undemocratic presidential elections that
were marred by significant misconduct, including--
``(A) the detention of numerous opposition and
civil society representatives;
``(B) the use of disproportionate force against
pro-democracy political activists, journalists, and
opposition candidates; and
``(C) the disruption of independent broadcast and
Internet media, including Gmail, Hotmail,
Charter97.org, euroradio.by, gazetaby.com, and
zapraudu.info.
``(6) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election,
the Government of Belarus detained or arrested more than 600
political activists, journalists, civil society
representatives, and seven of the nine presidential candidates,
depriving them of their liberty, access to legal counsel, and
communication with their families.
``(7) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election,
security services of the Government of Belarus conducted raids
at the offices and homes of journalists, political activists,
and civil society representatives, including searches and
seizures of equipment at opposition and non-governmental
organizations, effectively curtailing their ability to operate.
``(8) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election,
Belarus officials initiated criminal proceedings against an
estimated 40 defendants, disbarred several opposition defense
lawyers, and closed the Organization for Security and
Cooperation (OSCE) Office in Minsk, violating its commitment as
a participating state of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation.
``(9) On March 17, 2011, the Senate passed unanimously
Senate Resolution 105, condemning the December 19, 2010,
presidential election as `illegitimate, fraudulent, and not
representative of the will or the aspirations of the voters in
Belarus'.''.
SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
Section 3 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480;
22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.
``It is the policy of the United States--
``(1) to continue its support of those in the Republic of
Belarus seeking--
``(A) to promote representative government, human
rights, and the rule of law and to preserve and
strengthen the sovereignty and independence of Belarus;
and
``(B) to promote the integration of Belarus into
the Euro-Atlantic community of nations;
``(2) to commend the democratic opposition in Belarus for
their commitment to fundamental human freedoms, their courage
in the face of authoritarianism and repression, and their
struggle to forge a vibrant civil society, which is the
foundation for the institutions of democratic governance;
``(3) to condemn the conduct of the December 19, 2010,
presidential election in Belarus and violent crackdown on
opposition candidates, political activists, journalists, and
civil society representatives;
``(4) to call on the Government of Belarus to release
immediately all those who have been unjustly detained for
exercising their basic rights;
``(5) to continue to refuse to accept as legitimate the
results of the December 19, 2010, presidential election, and to
support calls for new presidential and parliamentary elections
that are free, fair, and consistent with the obligations of the
Republic of Belarus as a participating state of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation;
``(6) to support the continued application of targeted
European Union and United States sanctions, including both visa
bans and asset freezes, against officials and responsible
associates in Belarus until such time as the Government of
Belarus treats its people with the dignity and respect they
deserve;
``(7) to call upon other members of the international
community, including the Government of the Russian Federation,
to use their influence in Belarus to promote the purposes of
this Act;
``(8) to expand both material and technical assistance to
the people of Belarus and to Belarusian civil society,
including--
``(A) support for strengthening regional
independent media in Belarus;
``(B) support for strengthening online independent
media, to include creating mobile-friendly content and
multimedia content; and
``(C) support for expanding the capacity of non-
government organizations and civil society in Belarus,
with a focus on reaching women and youth;
``(9) to continue to coordinate our actions with the
European Union and other countries and international
organizations to promote the democratic development of the
Republic of Belarus and its integration into the Euro-Atlantic
community of nations; and
``(10) to remain open to reevaluating United States policy
toward Belarus as warranted and provided that all political
prisoners detained arbitrarily as a result of the presidential
elections of December 19, 2010, are released.''.
SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN BELARUS.
Section 4 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480;
22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``primarily for indigenous'' and
inserting ``for independent, indigenous''; and
(B) by inserting ``and that are capable of
absorbing international assistance'' before the period
at the end;
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) facilitating the development of independent,
indigenous print, radio, television, and Internet broadcasting
working within Belarus and from locations outside Belarus;'';
and
(3) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008'' and
inserting ``such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 2012 through 2014''.
SEC. 5. RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING TO BELARUS.
Section 5 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480;
22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 5. RADIO, TELEVISION, AND INTERNET BROADCASTING TO BELARUS.
``It is the sense of Congress that the President should continue to
support Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America
broadcasting to the people of Belarus to ensure access to objective and
timely information about domestic and global public affairs.''.
SEC. 6. SANCTIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS.
Section 6(b) of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-
480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or expression,
including those individuals jailed based on political beliefs
or expression in connection with the presidential election of
December 19, 2010'' before the period at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including
politically motivated legal charges made in connection with the
presidential election of December 19, 2010'' before the period
at the end; and
(3) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and abridgements of
fundamental freedoms, including abridgements of fundamental
freedoms committed in connection with the presidential election
of December 19, 2010'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 7. REPORT.
Section 8(a) of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-
480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph
(1)--
(1) by striking ``this Act'' and inserting ``the Belarus
Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2011''; and
(2) by inserting ``and the Commission on Security and
Cooperation in Europe'' after ``appropriate congressional
committees''.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
Section 9 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480;
22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Committee on
International Relations'' and inserting ``Committee on Foreign
Affairs''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``Lukashenka regime''
and inserting ``Government of Belarus''. | Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 to authorize assistance to promote democracy and civil society in Belarus.
Includes Internet broadcasting within the scope of support and funding for broadcasting from within and to Belarus.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should continue to support Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America broadcasting to the people of Belarus to ensure access to objective and timely information about domestic and global public affairs.
Includes among the criteria that the government of Belarus must meet in order to end U.S. sanctions the release of individuals who were jailed based on political beliefs or human rights violations in connection with the repression that attended the December 2010 presidential election. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004."} | 2,032 | 151 | 0.501348 | 1.550903 | 0.774568 | 5.22963 | 14.488889 | 0.888889 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. OIL FUEL TANK PROTECTION.
Section 3306 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(k)(1) Each vessel of the United States that is constructed under
a contract entered into after the date of enactment of the Oil Spill
Prevention Act of 2010, or that is delivered after August 1, 2010, with
an aggregate capacity of 600 cubic meters or more of oil fuel, shall
comply with the requirements of Regulation 12A under Annex I to the
Protocol of 1978 relating to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, entitled `Oil Fuel Tank
Protection.'.
``(2) The Secretary may prescribe regulations to apply the
requirements described in Regulation 12A to vessels described in
paragraph (1) that are not otherwise subject to that convention.
``(3) In this subsection the term `oil fuel' means any oil used as
fuel in connection with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery of the
vessel in which such oil is carried.''.
SEC. 3. MARITIME EMERGENCY PREVENTION.
(a) In General.--Section 4(b) of the Ports and Waterways Safety Act
of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1223(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``operate or'' and inserting ``operate,
including direction to change the vessel's heading and speed,
or''; and
(2) by inserting ``emergency or'' after ``other'' in
paragraph (3).
(b) Revision of VTS Policy.--The Secretary of the department in
which the Coast guard is operating shall--
(1) provide guidance to all vessel traffic personnel that
clearly defines the use of authority to direct or control
vessel movement when such direction or control is justified in
the interest of safety; and
(2) require vessel traffic personnel communications to
identify the vessel, rather than the pilot, when vessels are
operating in vessel traffic service pilotage areas.
(c) Adequacy of VTS Locations and Infrastructure.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating shall continue to conduct
individual port and waterway safety assessments under the Ports
and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 1221 et seq.) to
determine and prioritize the United States ports, waterways,
and channels that are in need of new, expanded, or improved
vessel traffic management risk mitigation measures, including
vessel traffic service systems, by evaluating--
(A) the nature, volume, and frequency of vessel
traffic;
(B) the risks of collisions, allisions, spills, and
other maritime mishaps associated with that traffic;
(C) the projected impact of installation,
expansion, or improvement of a vessel traffic service
system or other risk mitigation measures; and
(D) any other relevant data.
(2) Analyses.--Based on the results of the assessments
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall identify the
requirements for necessary expansion, improvement, or
construction of buildings, networks, communications, or other
infrastructure to improve the effectiveness of existing vessel
traffic service systems, or necessary to support recommended
new vessel traffic service systems, including all necessary
costs for construction, reconstruction, expansion, or
improvement.
(3) Personnel.--The Secretary shall--
(A) review and validate the recruiting, retention,
training, and expansion of the vessel traffic service
personnel workforce necessary to maintain the
effectiveness of existing vessel traffic service
systems and to support any expansion or improvement
identified by the Secretary under this section; and
(B) require basic navigation training for vessel
traffic service watchstander personnel--
(i) to support and complement the existing
mission of the vessel traffic service to
monitor and assess vessel movements within a
vessel traffic service Area;
(ii) to exchange information regarding
vessel movements with vessel and shore-based
personnel; and
(iii) to provide advisories to vessel
masters.
(4) Report.--Within 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report
consolidating the results of the analyses under paragraph (2),
together with recommendations for implementing the study
results.
SEC. 4. TRAINED POLLUTION INVESTIGATORS.
To the extent practicable, the Commandant of the Coast Guard shall
ensure that there is at least 1 trained and experienced pollution
investigator on duty, or in an on-call status, at all times for each
Coast Guard Sector Command.
SEC. 5. DURATION OF CREDENTIALS.
(a) Merchant Mariner's Documents.--Section 7302(f) of title 46,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(f) Periods of Validity and Renewal of Merchant Mariners'
Documents.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in subsection (g), a
merchant mariner's document issued under this chapter is valid
for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year
periods.
``(2) Advance renewals.--A renewed merchant mariner's
document may be issued under this chapter up to 8 months in
advance but is not effective until the date that the previously
issued merchant mariner's document expires.''.
(b) Duration of Licenses.--Section 7106 of such title is amended to
read as follows:
``7106. Duration of licenses
``(a) In General.--A license issued under this part is valid for a
5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year periods; except
that the validity of a license issued to a radio officer is conditioned
on the continuous possession by the holder of a first-class or second-
class radiotelegraph operator license issued by the Federal
Communications Commission.
``(b) Advance Renewals.--A renewed license issued under this part
may be issued up to 8 months in advance but is not effective until the
date that the previously issued license expires.''.
(c) Certificates of Registry.--Section 7107 of such title is
amended to read as follows:
``7107. Duration of certificates of registry
``(a) In General.--A certificate of registry issued under this part
is valid for a 5-year period and may be renewed for additional 5-year
periods; except that the validity of a certificate issued to a medical
doctor or professional nurse is conditioned on the continuous
possession by the holder of a license as a medical doctor or registered
nurse, respectively, issued by a State.
``(b) Advance Renewals.--A renewed certificate of registry issued
under this part may be issued up to 8 months in advance but is not
effective until the date that the previously issued certificate of
registry expires.''.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF LICENSES, CERTIFICATES
OF REGISTRY, AND MERCHANT MARINERS' DOCUMENTS.
(a) Merchant Mariner Licenses and Documents.--Chapter 75 of title
46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``7507. Authority to extend the duration of licenses, certificates of
registry, and merchant mariner documents
``(a) Licenses and Certificates of Registry.--Notwithstanding
sections 7106 and 7107, the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating may extend for up to one year an expiring
license or certificate of registry issued for an individual under
chapter 71 if the Secretary determines that extension is required--
``(1) to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in
processing applications for those licenses or certificates of
registry;
``(2) because necessary records have been destroyed or are
unavailable due to a natural disaster; or
``(3) to align the expiration date of a license or
certificate of registry with the expiration date of a
transportation worker identification credential under section
70501.
``(b) Merchant Mariner Documents.--Notwithstanding section 7302(g),
the Secretary may extend for one year an expiring merchant mariner's
document issued for an individual under chapter 71 if the Secretary
determines that extension is required--
``(1) to enable the Coast Guard to eliminate a backlog in
processing applications for those licenses or certificates of
registry;
``(2) because necessary records have been destroyed or are
unavailable due to a natural disaster; or
``(3) to align the expiration date of a license or
certificate of registry with the expiration date of a
transportation worker identification credential under section
70501.
``(c) Manner of Extension.--Any extensions granted under this
section may be granted to individual seamen or a specifically
identified group of seamen.
``(d) Expiration of Authority.--The authority for providing an
extension under this section shall expire on December 31, 2011.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``7507. Authority to extend the duration of licenses, certificates of
registry, and merchant mariner
documents.''.
SEC. 7. ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN REPORTS.
Notwithstanding the direction of the House of Representatives
Committee on Appropriations on page 60 of Report 109-79 (109th
Congress, 1st Session) under the headings ``United States Coast Guard
Operating Expenses'' and ``Area Security Maritime Exercise Program'',
concerning the submission by the Coast Guard of reports to that
Committee on the results of port security terrorism exercises,
beginning with October, 2010, the Coast Guard shall submit only 1 such
report each year.
SEC. 8. BUDGETARY EFFECTS
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Passed the Senate September 29, 2010.
Attest:
NANCY ERICKSON,
Secretary. | Oil Spill Prevention Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Requires double hull protection of oil fuel tanks on certain vessels with a tank capacity of at least 600 cubic meters. Defines "oil fuel" as any oil used as fuel in connection with the vessel's propulsion and auxiliary machinery.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) provide guidance to all vessel traffic personnel that clearly defines the use of authority to direct or control vessel movement when such direction or control is justified in the interest of safety; and (2) require vessel traffic personnel communications to identify the vessel, rather than the pilot, when vessels are operating in vessel traffic service pilotage areas.
Requires the Secretary to identify, and report to Congress concerning, requirements for the necessary expansion, improvement, or construction of buildings, networks, communications, or other infrastructure to improve the effectiveness of existing vessel traffic service systems, or necessary to support recommended new vessel traffic service systems, including all necessary costs for construction, reconstruction, expansion, or improvement.
Requires a review and validation of the recruiting, retention, training, and expansion of vessel traffic service personnel.
(Sec. 4) Requires that at least one trained and experienced pollution investigator be on duty or on call at all times for each Coast Guard Sector Command.
(Sec. 5) Modifies requirements regarding the duration of merchant mariner's documents and certificates of registry.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the extending of licenses, certificates of registry, and merchant mariner's documents in specified circumstances. Terminates that authorization on December 31, 2011.
(Sec. 7) Limits to one the number of reports regarding port security terrorism exercises that the Coast Guard is required to submit each year to the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
(Sec. 8) Requires that compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to require new vessels for carrying oil fuel to have double hulls, and for other purposes."} | 2,270 | 456 | 0.592349 | 1.804779 | 0.856483 | 4.882206 | 5.16792 | 0.937343 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Health Care Full Funding
Act''.
SEC. 2. ENHANCED PROCESS FOR FUNDING VETERANS HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--(1) Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 320. Enhanced funding process for veterans health care
``(a) In the President's budget for each fiscal year transmitted
under section 1105 of title 31, amounts shall be requested for veterans
health care programs in accordance with this section. Amounts
appropriated for veterans health care programs shall be available for
obligation for a period of two consecutive fiscal years.
``(b)(1) For each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2005),
the Veterans Health Care Funding Review Board shall determine the level
of funding needed for veterans health care programs for that fiscal
year and the next fiscal year. The Board shall make such determination,
and shall publish such determination in the Federal Register, not later
than November 1 of the year preceding the year in which the budget for
such fiscal year is transmitted to Congress.
``(2) In making any such determination under paragraph (1), the
Board shall take into consideration the most recent information
relating to economic assumptions provided to the Board by the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to subsection
(f)(4)(b).
``(c) The amount determined under subsection (b) for any two-
fiscal-year period is the amount needed to be appropriated to the
Department for that two-fiscal-year period for veterans health care
programs. The President shall include the full amount so determined in
the budget transmitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31 for
the first fiscal year in such two-year period and shall include the
amount of the second fiscal year as a budget forecast year.
``(d)(1) The Board shall make its determination of the level of
funding needed for veterans health care programs for any two-fiscal-
year period under subsection (b) based upon an annual review of those
programs and of veterans health care needs.
``(2) The Board shall ensure that its determination of the level of
funding needed for veterans health care programs for any period is in
an amount sufficient to provide for--
``(A) the health care needs of veterans estimated to be
enrolled in the Department health care system under section
1705(a) of this title (other than veterans described in
paragraph (8) of such section);
``(B) the health care needs of veterans with service-
connected disabilities who are not required to enroll in such
health care system;
``(C) timely access to health care under standards for
access prescribed under section 1703(d)(1) of this title;
``(D) maintenance of capacities of Department nursing home
facilities as required by section 1710B(b) of this title and of
specialized programs as required by section 1706(b)(1) of this
title;
``(E) the health care needs of persons eligible for
benefits under chapter 17 of this title based upon subchapter
VIII of that chapter;
``(F) the necessary maintenance, improvement, upgrading,
expanding, repairing, and replacing of major and minor medical
facilities, capital equipment, and systems to ensure that
health care facilities of the Department are adequate for the
purposes of programs and benefits authorized for the care of
veterans under chapter 17 of this title; and
``(G) unanticipated requirements, including--
``(i) changes in benefits;
``(ii) changes in beneficiaries;
``(iii) changes in economic conditions or
assumptions; and
``(iv) such other factors as the Board considers
appropriate.
``(3) Each such review under paragraph (1) shall consider--
``(A) demographic information;
``(B) utilization and cost trends for veterans enrolled
under section 1705 of this title and other Department health-
care beneficiaries;
``(C) requirements for support of other core missions of
the Department related to health care;
``(D) the degree of efficiency (or the lack of efficiency)
by which the Secretary actually delivers health care services
to veterans; and
``(E) such other factors as the Board considers
appropriate.
``(4)(A) The Board shall submit to Congress an annual report, not
later than the date on which the President transmits the budget to
Congress under section 1105 of title 31 each year, on its most recent
determination under subsection (b) and its most recent review under
paragraph (1).
``(B) The report shall include the following:
``(i) A statement of the amount determined for each of the
two fiscal years covered by such determination under subsection
(b).
``(ii) A description of the economic assumptions and other
assumptions made by the Board in making such determination and
how that determination was developed.
``(iii) Any recommendations to Congress or the Secretary
that the Board considers appropriate concerning the means and
methods for the Secretary to achieve optimal efficiencies or
savings in delivering health care to veterans.
``(5) Following the submission of the report under paragraph (4)
each year, the Board shall review and reconsider the matters contained
in the report and shall, during the five-day period ending on May 1 of
that year, submit to Congress a report updating the matters in the
report submitted under paragraph (4). The Board shall include in that
report any revision it considers appropriate to its most recent
determination under subsection (b), together with the reasons for any
such revision.
``(e) For purposes of this section, the term `veterans health care
programs' means programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans
Health Administration other than--
``(1) medical and prosthetic research; and
``(2) grants under subchapter III of chapter 81 of this
title.
``(f)(1) There is established in the Department of Veterans Affairs
a Veterans Health Care Funding Review Board. The Board shall consist of
three members who shall be appointed by the Secretary. Persons
appointed to the Board shall have professional backgrounds and
experience in health care policy analysis, health care statistics,
health care insurance, or health care economics or have similar
qualifications considered suitable by the Secretary.
``(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the members of the
Board shall serve for a term of 15 years, except that a member of the
Board appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the end of the term
for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall only serve until
the end of such term. A member may serve after the end of the term of
the member until the successor of that member has taken office. A
member of the Board may be removed by the Secretary for misconduct or
failure to perform functions vested in the Board, and for no other
reason.
``(B) Of the members of the Board who are first appointed under
this paragraph, one each shall be appointed for terms ending five, ten,
and 15 years, respectively, after the date of appointment, as
designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment.
``(3) A member of the Board who is not otherwise an employee of the
United States is entitled to receive pay at the daily equivalent of the
annual rate of basic pay of the highest rate of basic pay under the
General Schedule of subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, for each
day the member is engaged in the performance of duties vested in the
Board, and is entitled to travel expenses, including a per diem
allowance, in accordance with section 5703 of title 5.
``(4)(A) The Secretary shall furnish the Board all papers, records,
information, and other materials it requires in order to carry out its
functions under this section.
``(B) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall
furnish to the Board complete information on the economic assumptions
(including assumptions as to inflation, unemployment, revenues and
expenses, and energy costs) that inform or guide the President's
overall budgetary presentation to Congress, including those assumptions
that would be expected to particularly affect health care costs in the
Department, or the cost of care to veterans.
``(5) Funds for the expenses of the Board for any fiscal year shall
be provided from amounts available for that fiscal year for veterans
health care programs. The Board shall include consideration of its own
budget requirements in determinations under subsection (b).''.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is
amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``320. Enhanced funding process for veterans health care.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Sections 320 of title 38, United States Code,
as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on January 1, 2004.
(c) Repeal of Construction Authorization Requirement.--Effective
October 1, 2004, subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of section 8104 of
title 38, United States Code, are repealed.
(d) Appointment of Initial Members of Board.--The initial
appointment of the members of the Board established under subsection
(f) of section 320 of title 38, United States Code, as added by
subsection (a), shall be completed not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Initial Funding for Board.--For fiscal year 2004, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs shall provide amounts needed for the operation of
the Board established under subsection (f) of section 320 of title 38,
United States Code, as added by subsection (a), in a total amount not
to exceed $2,000,000, from amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs for that fiscal year for Medical Care.
SEC. 3. ACCESS TO CARE STANDARDS.
(a) Required Standard for Access to Care.--Section 1703 of title
38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(d)(1) The following are the standards for access to care for the
Department:
``(A) For a veteran seeking primary care, the standard for
access is 30 days, determined from the date on which the
veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until
the date on which a visit with a primary care provider is
completed.
``(B) For a veteran seeking specialized care, the standard
for access is 30 days, determined from the date on which the
veteran is referred for specialty care by a primary care
provider until the date on which a visit with an appropriate
specialty primary care provider is completed.
``(2) The Secretary shall develop and disseminate an appropriate
standard of waiting time, determined from the time at which the
veteran's visit is scheduled until the veteran is seen by the provider.
The Secretary shall periodically review performance of Department
facilities compared to that standard. The Secretary shall annually
report to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House
of Representatives an assessment of the Department's performance
against that standard.
``(3) In a case in which the Secretary is unable to meet the
standard for access to care, the Secretary shall use the authority of
subsection (a) to furnish health care and services for that veteran in
a non-Department facility.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
take effect on the first day of the first month beginning more than six
months after the date of the enactment of this Act. | Veterans Health Care Full Funding Act - Requires each fiscal year budget submitted to Congress by the President to include requests for amounts for veterans health care programs. Requires amounts appropriated for such programs to be available for two consecutive fiscal years.
Establishes the Veterans Health Care Funding Review Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the Board, beginning with FY 2005, to determine the level of funding needed for such programs for that fiscal year and the next and to publish such determination in the Federal Register. Outlines veterans' health care needs factors to be considered by the Board in arriving at such determination.
Repeals requirements for certain congressional notifications in connection with a funding request for a Department major medical facility project or lease.
Provides a 30-day standard for access to medical care for veterans seeking primary or specialized care, as measured from: (1) the time the veteran contacts the Department seeking an appointment until the date a visit is completed (primary care); and (2) the date on which the veteran is referred to a specialist until the date a visit is completed (specialty care). Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a standard of waiting time during a visit and to periodically review the performance of Department facilities compared to that standard. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide an enhanced funding process to ensure an adequate level of funding for veterans health care programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish standards of access to care for veterans seeking health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes."} | 2,446 | 267 | 0.610317 | 1.543838 | 0.776305 | 2.758197 | 10.040984 | 0.913934 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Family Enterprise
Preservation Act of 1995''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN UNIFIED ESTATE AND GIFT TAX CREDITS FOR FAMILY
ENTERPRISES.
(a) Estate Tax.--Section 2010 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to unified credit against estate tax) 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) Additional Credit For Family Enterprises.--The amount of the
credit allowable under subsection (a) shall be increased by an amount
equal to the value of any family enterprise property included in the
decedent's gross estate under section 2040A(a), to the extent such
value does not exceed $121,800.''.
(b) Gift Tax.--Section 2505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to unified credit against gift tax) 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) Additional Credit For Family Enterprises.--The amount of the
credit allowable under subsection (a) for each calendar year shall be
increased by an amount equal to--
``(1) the value of gifts of family enterprise property (as
defined in section 2040A(b)(1)), to the extent such value does
not exceed $121,800, reduced by
``(2) the sum of the amounts allowable as a credit to the
individual under this subsection for all preceding calendar
periods.''.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) Estate tax credit.--The amendments made by subsection
(a) shall apply to the estates of decedents dying after
December 31, 1995.
(2) Gift tax credit.--The amendments made by subsection (b)
shall apply to gifts made after December 31, 1995.
SEC. 3. INCREASE IN ANNUAL GIFT TAX EXCLUSION.
(a) In General.--Section 2503 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to taxable gifts) is amended by redesignating subsection (c)
as subsection (d), and by inserting after subsection (b) the following
new subsection:
``(c) Additional Exclusions From Gifts.--The amount of the
exclusion allowable under subsection (b) during a calendar year shall
be increased by an amount equal to the value of gifts of family
enterprise property (as defined in section 2040A(b)(1)) made during
such year, to the extent such value does not exceed $10,000.''.
(b) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to gifts made after December 31, 1995.
SEC. 4. FAMILY ENTERPRISE PROPERTY.
(a) In General.--Part III of subchapter A of chapter 11 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to gross estate) is amended by
inserting after section 2040 the following new section:
``SEC. 2040A. FAMILY ENTERPRISE PROPERTY.
``(a) General Rule.--The value included in the decedent's gross
estate with respect to family enterprise property by reason of this
section shall be--
``(1) the value of such property, reduced by
``(2) the lesser of--
``(A) 50 percent of the value of such property, or
``(B) $1,000,000.
``(b) Family Enterprise Property.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, the term
``family enterprise property'' means any interest in real or
personal property which is devoted to use as a farm or used for
farming purposes (within the meaning of paragraphs (4) and (5)
of section 2032A(e)) or is used in any other trade or business,
if at least 80 percent of the ownership interest in such farm
or other trade or business is held--
``(A) by 5 or fewer individuals, or
``(B) by individuals who are members of the same
family (within the meaning of section 2032A(e)(2)).
``(2) Limited partnership interests excluded.--An interest
in a limited partnership (other than a limited partnership
composed solely of individuals described in paragraph (1)(B))
shall in no event be treated as family enterprise property.
``(c) Tax Treatment of Dispositions and Failure To Use for
Qualifying Use.--
``(1) Imposition of additional estate tax.--With respect to
family enterprise property inherited from the decedent, if
within 10 years after the decedent's death and before the death
of any individual described in subsection (b)(1)--
``(A) such individual disposes of any interest in
such property (other than by a disposition to a member
of the individual's family), or
``(B) such individual or a member of the
individual's family ceases to participate in the active
management of such property,
then there is hereby imposed an additional estate tax.
``(2) Amount of additional tax.--The amount of the
additional tax imposed by paragraph (1) with respect to any
interest in family enterprise property shall be the amount
equal to the excess of the estate tax liability attributable to
such interest (determined without regard to subsection (a))
over the estate tax liability, reduced by 5 percent for each
year following the date of the decedent's death in which the
individual described in subsection (b)(1) or a member of the
individual's family participated in the active management of
such family enterprise property.
``(3) Active management.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term ``active management'' means the making of the
management decisions of a business other than the daily
operating decisions.
``(d) Additional Rules.--For purposes of this section, rules
similar to the rules under paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of section
2032A(c), paragraphs (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (12) of section
2032(e), and subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) of section 2032A shall
apply.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part III of
subchapter A of chapter 11 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2040 the
following new item:
``Sec. 2040A. Family enterprise
property.''.
(c) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1995.
SEC. 5. VALUATION OF CERTAIN FARM, ETC., REAL PROPERTY.
(a) In General.--Section 2032A(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (relating to limitation on aggregate reduction in fair market
value) is amended by striking ``$750,000'' and inserting
``$1,000,000''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to the estates of decedents dying after December 31, 1995. | National Family Enterprise Preservation Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the unified estate and gift tax credit by creating: (1) an additional estate tax credit measured by the value of inherited family enterprise property (up to $121,800); (2) an additional gift tax credit equal to the value of gifts of family enterprise property (up to $121,800) minus the sum value of such tax credits for preceding calendar periods; and (3) an additional gift tax exclusion equal to the value of gifts of family enterprise property (up to $10,000).
Includes in a decedent's estate the value of family enterprise property, reduced by 50 percent or by $1 million, whichever is less.
Defines family enterprise property as an interest in real or personal property used for farming, business, or any other trade that is at least 80 percent owned by either: (1) five or fewer individuals who have not formed a limited partnership; or (2) members of the same family.
Imposes an additional estate tax on a taxpayer who: (1) inherits family enterprise property; (2) qualifies for an estate tax credit; and (3) disposes of that property within ten years of the decedent's death, and before the death of another individual with an interest in the property. Defines the additional estate tax as past estate tax liability attributable to the taxpayer for interest in the family enterprise property (for which he received an estate tax credit) reduced by five percent for every year after the decedent's death that the taxpayer participated in the management of the family enterprise property.
Increases from $750,000 to $1 million the amount of aggregate reduction permitted in the fair market value of certain farm, etc. real property taken into account for determining the gross estate. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "National Family Enterprise Preservation Act of 1995"} | 1,610 | 364 | 0.682949 | 2.006245 | 0.813304 | 2.405634 | 4.073239 | 0.856338 |
SECTION 1. PROCEDURES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 4 of title 39, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 414. Provisions relating to certain improperly arrested
individuals
``(a) Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of
this section, the Judicial Officer shall by regulation establish
procedures under which any individual described in subsection (b)(1)(A)
may seek reemployment under this section.
``(b) The regulations shall include provisions under which--
``(1) a petition for reemployment may be brought--
``(A) by any individual involuntarily separated
from a position in the Postal Service as a result of
having been arrested by the Postal Inspection Service--
``(i) after December 31, 1983;
``(ii) pursuant to any investigation in
which one or more paid confidential informants
were used;
``(iii) for violating any law of the United
States, or of any State, prohibiting the use,
sale, or possession of a controlled substance;
but only if such individual--
``(I) is not convicted, pursuant to such
arrest, of a violation of any law described in
clause (iii); and
``(II) has not been reemployed by the
Postal Service; and
``(B) after all administrative procedures otherwise
available to petitioner for seeking reemployment have
been exhausted, but not later than 2 years after the
date as of which--
``(i) the exhaustion requirement is met; or
``(ii) if later, any such petition may
first be filed under this section;
``(2) a petition for reemployment under this section shall
be considered by a panel of 3 administrative law judges who
shall be--
``(A) qualified by virtue of their background,
objectivity, and experience; and
``(B) individuals detailed to the Postal Service,
for purposes of this section, on a reimbursable basis;
``(3) the provisions of sections 556 and 557 of title 5
shall apply to any proceeding conducted by a panel under this
section;
``(4) a panel may require the Postal Service to reemploy
the petitioner if, in the panel's judgment, the petitioner was
improperly arrested due to the actions of the Inspection
Service or its paid confidential informants;
``(5)(A) paragraph (4) shall not be considered satisfied
unless--
``(i) the position in which the petitioner is
reemployed is reasonably similar to the position from
which the petitioner was separated; and
``(ii) the rate of pay for the position in which
petitioner is reemployed is not less than the rate
which would have been payable to petitioner, as of the
date of reemployment, had the petitioner remained
continuously employed in the position from which
separated; and
``(B) the provisions of section 5596(b) (1) and (2) of
title 5 shall (for purposes of this section) apply with respect
to any separation referred to in paragraph (1)(A) of this
subsection, except that the total amount of back pay (including
interest) which may be awarded under such provisions by any
panel (described in paragraph (2)) may not, in connection with
any particular separation, exceed $100,000;
``(6) the Postal Service shall be required to contribute to
the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for the
benefit of petitioner an amount equal to that required (under
regulations which the Office of Personnel Management shall
prescribe) in order that, with respect to the period beginning
on the date of involuntary separation and ending on the date of
reemployment, petitioner shall, for retirement purposes, be
treated as if such separation had not occurred; and
``(7) any payments required under this section shall be
payable out of the Postal Service Fund.
``(c) A determination under this section shall not be subject to
any administrative or judicial review.
``(d) For purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `Judicial Officer' means the Judicial
Officer appointed under section 204;
``(2) the term `controlled substance' has the meaning given
such term by section 102(6) of the Controlled Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control Act of 1970;
``(3) the term `administrative law judge' means an
administrative law judge appointed under section 3105 of title
5; and
``(4) a confidential informant shall be considered to be
`paid' if such informant receives, or is to receive, a monetary
or nonmonetary benefit (including any forbearance from a civil
or criminal action) for the services involved.''.
(b) Chapter Analysis.--The analysis for chapter 4 of title 39,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``414. Provisions relating to certain improperly arrested
individuals.''.
Passed the House of Representatives October 5, 1994.
Attest:
DONNALD K. ANDERSON,
Clerk. | Requires the Judicial Officer of the Postal Service to establish procedures under which specified individuals involuntarily separated from the Postal Service may seek reemployment. Lists such individuals as persons separated as a result of having been arrested by the Postal Inspection Service: (1) after December 31, 1983; (2) pursuant to any investigation in which paid confidential informants were used; and (3) for violating any law prohibiting the use, sale, or possession of controlled substances. Authorizes an individual to petition for reemployment only if the individual was not convicted of the violation and has exhausted all administrative procedures for seeking reemployment within a specified time frame. Requires petitions to be considered by a panel of administrative law judges. Authorizes a panel to require the Postal Service to reemploy the petitioner if the petitioner was improperly arrested due to the actions of the Inspection Service or its informants. Requires the position in which the petitioner is reemployed to be reasonably similar to the position from which the petitioner was separated and the pay to be equivalent. Provides for back pay and retroactive contributions to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund for reemployed individuals. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 39, United States Code, to provide for procedures under which persons involuntarily separated by the United States Postal Service as a result of having been improperly arrested by the Postal Inspection Service on narcotics charges may seek reemployment."} | 1,113 | 261 | 0.671125 | 2.034611 | 0.84618 | 3.372093 | 4.925581 | 0.897674 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES IN ACT.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Physician
Ownership Referral Reform Act of 1995''.
(b) Amendments to Social Security Act.--Except as otherwise
specifically provided, whenever in this Act an amendment 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 that section or other
provision of the Social Security Act.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF PROHIBITIONS BASED ON COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 1877(a)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(a)(2)) is
amended by striking ``is--'' and all that follows through ``equity,''
and inserting the following: ``is (except as provided in subsection
(c)) an ownership or investment interest in the entity through
equity,''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1877 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn) is
amended as follows:
(1) In subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``to Both Ownership
and Compensation Arrangement Provisions'' and inserting
``Where Financial Relationship Exists''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(7).
(2) In subsection (c)--
(A) by amending the heading to read as follows:
``Exception for Ownership or Investment Interest in
Publicly Traded Securities and Mutual Funds''; and
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``subsection (a)(2)(A)'' and inserting
``subsection (a)(2)''.
(3) In subsection (d)--
(A) by striking the matter preceding paragraph (1);
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``paragraph (1)''
and inserting ``paragraph (4)''; and
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)
as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), and by transferring
and inserting such paragraphs after paragraph (3) of
subsection (b).
(4) By striking subsection (e).
(5) In subsection (f)(2), as amended by section 152(a) of
the Social Security Act Amendments of 1994--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``ownership, investment, and compensation''
and inserting ``ownership and investment'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection
(a)(2)(A)'' and all that follows through ``subsection
(a)(2)(B)),'' and inserting ``subsection (a)(2),''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or who have
such a compensation relationship with the entity''.
(6) In subsection (h)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (3);
(B) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking clause (iv);
and
(C) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ``rules.--''
and all that follows through ``(ii) Faculty'' and
inserting ``rules for faculty.
SEC. 3. REVISION OF DESIGNATED HEALTH SERVICES SUBJECT TO PROHIBITION.
(a) In General.--Section 1877(h)(6) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(h)(6)) is
amended by striking subparagraphs (B) through (K) and inserting the
following:
``(B) Items and services furnished by a community
pharmacy (as defined in paragraph (1)).
``(C) Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized
tomography services.
``(D) Outpatient physical therapy services.''.
(b) Community Pharmacy Defined.--Section 1877(h) (42 U.S.C.
1395nn(h)), as amended by section 2(b)(6), is amended by inserting
before paragraph (4) the following new paragraph:
``(1) Community pharmacy.--The term `community pharmacy'
means any entity licensed or certified to dispense outpatient
prescription drugs by the State in which the entity is located
(including an entity which dispenses such drugs by mail order),
but does not include such an entity which is owned and operated
by--
``(A) a hospital;
``(B) an ambulatory surgical center described in
section 1832(a)(2)(F)(i); or
``(C) a prepaid plan described in subsection
(b)(3).''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1877(b)(2) (42 U.S.C.
1395nn(b)(2)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by
striking ``services'' and all that follows through ``supplies)--'' and
inserting ``services--''.
SEC. 4. DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION UNTIL PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 13562(b) of OBRA-1993 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn
note) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) Promulgation of regulations.--Notwithstanding
paragraphs (1) and (2), the amendments made by this section
shall not apply to any referrals made before the effective date
of final regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health and
Human Services to carry out such amendments.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect as if included in the enactment of OBRA-1993.
SEC. 5. EXCEPTIONS TO PROHIBITION.
(a) Revisions to Exception for In-office Ancillary Services.--
(1) Repeal of site-of-service requirement.--Section
1877(b)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)(2)(A)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(A) that are furnished personally by the
referring physician, personally by a physician who is a
member of the same group practice as the referring
physician, or personally by individuals who are under
the general supervision of the physician or of another
physician in the group practice, and''.
(2) Clarification of treatment of physician owners of group
practice.--Section 1877(b)(2)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)(2)(B)) is
amended by striking ``physician or group practice'' and
inserting ``physician, such group practice, or the physician
owners of such group practice''.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 1877(b)(2) (42 U.S.C.
1395nn(b)(2)) is amended by amending the heading to read as
follows: ``Ancillary services furnished personally or through
group practice.--''.
(b) Clarification of Exception for Services Furnished in a Rural
Area.--Paragraph (5) of section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as
transferred by section 2(b)(3)(C), is amended by striking
``substantially all'' and inserting ``not less than 75 percent''.
(c) Revision of Exception for Prepaid Plans.--
(1) Expansion of exception for certain managed care
arrangements.--Section 1877(b)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)(3)) is
amended--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``organization--'' and inserting
``organization, directly or through contractual
arrangements with other entities, to individuals
enrolled with the organization--'';
(B) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
(C);
(C) by striking the period at the end of
subparagraph (D) and inserting a comma; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new
subparagraphs:
``(E) with a contract with a State to provide
services under the State plan under title XIX (in
accordance with section 1903(m)); or
``(F) which meets State regulatory requirements
applicable to health maintenance organizations and
which--
``(i) provides designated health services
directly or through contractual arrangements
with providers;
``(ii) assumes financial risk for the
provision of services or provides services on
behalf of another individual or entity
(including but not limited to a self-insured
employer, indemnity plan, physician, or
physician group) that assumes financial risk
for the provision of the item or service; and
``(iii) subjects the services to a program
of utilization review offered by an
organization described in a preceding
subparagraph, an organization meeting State
regulatory requirements applicable to
utilization review, or an organization
accredited to perform utilization review
considered appropriate by the Secretary.''.
(2) New exception for other capitated payments.--Section
1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as amended by section
2(b)(3)(C), is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as
paragraphs (5) through (8); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Other capitated payments.--In the case of a
designated health service which is included in the services for
which a physician or physician group (including a preferred
provider organization) is paid only on a capitated basis by a
health plan or insurer pursuant to a written arrangement
between the plan or insurer and the physician or physician
group in which the physician or physician group assumes
financial risk for the furnishing of the service.''.
(d) New Exception for Shared Facility Services.--
(1) In general.--Section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as
amended by section 2(b)(3)(C) and by subsection (c)(2), is
amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as
paragraphs (6) through (9); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following
new paragraph:
``(5) Shared facility services.--In the case of a
designated health service consisting of a shared facility
service of a shared facility--
``(A) that is furnished--
``(i) personally by the referring physician
who is a shared facility physician or
personally by an individual directly employed
or under the general supervision of such a
physician,
``(ii) by a shared facility in a building
in which the referring physician furnishes
substantially all of the services of the
physician that are unrelated to the furnishing
of shared facility services, and
``(iii) to a patient of a shared facility
physician; and
``(B) that is billed by the referring physician or
a group practice of which the physician is a member.''.
(2) Definitions.--Section 1877(h) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(h)), as
amended by section 2(b)(6) and section 3(b), is amended by
inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
``(2) Shared facility related definitions.--
``(A) Shared facility service.--The term `shared
facility service' means, with respect to a shared
facility, a designated health service furnished by the
facility to patients of shared facility physicians.
``(B) Shared facility.--The term `shared facility'
means an entity that furnishes shared facility services
under a shared facility arrangement.
``(C) Shared facility physician.--The term `shared
facility physician' means, with respect to a shared
facility, a physician (or a group practice of which the
physician is a member) who has a financial relationship
under a shared facility arrangement with the facility.
``(D) Shared facility arrangement.--The term
`shared facility arrangement' means, with respect to
the provision of shared facility services in a
building, a financial arrangement--
``(i) which is only between physicians who
are providing services (unrelated to shared
facility services) in the same building,
``(ii) in which the overhead expenses of
the facility are shared, in accordance with
methods previously determined by the physicians
in the arrangement, among the physicians in the
arrangement, and
``(iii) which, in the case of a
corporation, is wholly owned and controlled by
shared facility physicians.''.
(e) New Exception for Services Furnished in Communities With No
Alternative Providers.--Section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as
amended by section 2(b)(3)(C), subsection (c)(2), and subsection
(d)(1), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as
paragraphs (7) through (10); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new
paragraph:
``(6) No alternative providers in area.--In the case of a
designated health service furnished in any area with respect to
which the Secretary determines that individuals residing in the
area do not have reasonable access to such a designated health
service for which subsection (a)(1) does not apply.''.
(f) New Exception for Services Furnished in Ambulatory Surgical
Centers.--Section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as amended by section
2(b)(3)(C), subsection (c)(2), subsection (d)(1), and subsection
(e)(1), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (10) as
paragraphs (8) through (11); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
paragraph:
``(7) Services furnished in ambulatory surgical centers.--
In the case of a designated health service furnished in an
ambulatory surgical center described in section
1832(a)(2)(F)(i).''.
(g) New Exception for Services Furnished in Renal Dialysis
Facilities.--Section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as amended by
section 2(b)(3)(C), subsection (c)(2), subsection (d)(1), subsection
(e)(1), and subsection (f), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (11) as
paragraphs (9) through (12); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following new
paragraph:
``(8) Services furnished in renal dialysis facilities.--In
the case of a designated health service furnished in a renal
dialysis facility under section 1881.''.
(h) New Exception for Services Furnished in a Hospice.--Section
1877(b) (42 U.S.C. 1395nn(b)), as amended by section 2(b)(3)(C),
subsection (c)(2), subsection (d)(1), subsection (e)(1), subsection
(f), and subsection (g), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (12) as
paragraphs (10) through (13); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new
paragraph:
``(9) Services furnished by a hospice program.--In the case
of a designated health service furnished by a hospice program
under section 1861(dd)(2).''.
(i) New Exception for Services Furnished in a Comprehensive
Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility.--Section 1877(b) (42 U.S.C.
1395nn(b)), as amended by section 2(b)(3)(C), subsection (c)(2),
subsection (d)(1), subsection (e)(1), subsection (f), subsection (g),
and subsection (h), is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as
paragraphs (11) through (14); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following new
paragraph:
``(10) Services furnished in a comprehensive outpatient
rehabilitation facility.--In the case of a designated health
service furnished in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation
facility under section 1861(cc)(2).''.
SEC. 6. REPEAL OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
Section 1877 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (f); and
(2) by striking subsection (g)(5).
SEC. 7. PREEMPTION OF STATE LAW.
Section 1877 (42 U.S.C. 1395nn) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(i) Preemption of State Law.--This section preempts State law to
the extent State law is inconsistent with this section.''.
SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as provided in section 4(b), the amendments made by this Act
shall apply to referrals made on or after August 15, 1995, without
regard to whether or not regulations to carry out the amendments have
been promulgated by such date.
HR 2390 IH--2 | Medicare Physician Ownership Referral Reform Act of 1995 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) repeal the prohibition of physician referrals to certain entities with which the referring physician has a financial relationship if such relationship is based on compensation arrangements only; (2) eliminate reporting requirements under such provisions; (3) provide that such provisions preempt State law to the extent it is inconsistent; and (4) limit the designated health services subject to such prohibition to items and services furnished by a community pharmacy, magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography services, and outpatient physical therapy services.
Revises exceptions to such prohibition against physician referrals to an entity in which the referring physician has an ownership or investment relationship to: (1) repeal the site-of-service requirement for excepted in-office ancillary services; (2) revise the exceptions for services furnished in a rural area and for pre-paid plans; and (3) add new exceptions for shared facility services, services furnished in communities with no alternative providers, in ambulatory surgical centers, in renal dialysis facilities, in a hospice, or in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, and designated health services for which a physician or physician group is paid only on a capitated basis by a health plan or insurer.
Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to make its amendments to such physician referral limitations inapplicable until the Secretary of Health and Human Services promulgates final implementing regulations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Medicare Physician Ownership Referral Reform Act of 1995"} | 3,968 | 325 | 0.450036 | 1.357739 | 0.726208 | 2.925795 | 11.720848 | 0.897527 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Plymouth 400th Commemoration
Commission Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of the
colony at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620, the first permanent
and sustaining English colony in the New World, and the treaty
of mutual protection between the Wampanoag indigenous tribe and
the English colonists, has major significance in the history of
the United States;
(2) the colonists that traveled with their families were
the first true immigrants to the New World, relocating their
families in search of the right to self-governance and
religious freedom;
(3) Plymouth Colony brought people together to form a
multicultural society, including English and other European
settlers and indigenous tribes;
(4) the economic, political, religious, and social
institutions that developed during the early years of Plymouth
Colony, including the signing of the Mayflower Compact and the
treaty that ensured 50 years of peaceful relations between the
indigenous Wampanoags and the English colonists at Plymouth,
continue to have profound effects on the United States,
influencing the content of the United States Constitution,
English common law and language, cross-cultural relationships,
and economic structure and status; and
(5) in 2016, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts designated
Plymouth 400, Incorporated, as the official agency responsible
for planning and implementing the commemoration of the 400th
anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of
Plymouth Colony.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to establish the Plymouth
400th Commemoration Commission--
(1) to ensure suitable national and international
observances of the 400th anniversary of the Plymouth Colony
during calendar year 2020 (referred to in this subsection as
the ``Plymouth 2020 observances'') by complementing the
programs and activities of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
(2) to cooperate with and assist the programs and
activities of the State in the Plymouth 2020 observances;
(3) to assist in ensuring that the Plymouth 2020
observances provide an excellent visitor experience and
beneficial interaction among--
(A) visitors; and
(B) the natural and cultural resources of--
(i) the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts;
and
(ii) all other municipalities that make up
the original colony;
(4) to assist in ensuring that the Plymouth 2020
observances--
(A) are inclusive; and
(B) appropriately recognize the experiences of all
people present in 17th-Century Plymouth Colony;
(5) to provide assistance in the development of Plymouth-
related programs and activities;
(6) to facilitate international involvement in the Plymouth
2020 observances;
(7) to support and facilitate marketing efforts for a
commemorative coin, stamp, and related activities for the
Plymouth 2020 observances; and
(8) to assist in the appropriate development of heritage
tourism and economic benefits to the United States.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Commemoration.--The term ``commemoration'' means the
commemoration of the 400th anniversary of--
(A) the voyage of the Mayflower; and
(B) the founding of Plymouth Colony.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Plymouth
400th Commemoration Commission established by section 4(a).
(3) Governor.--The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of
Massachusetts.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (including the governmental agencies and entities
of the Commonwealth).
SEC. 4. PLYMOUTH 400TH COMMEMORATION COMMISSION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established a commission, to be known
as the ``Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission''.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 15
members, of whom--
(A) 1 shall be the Director of the Brand USA (or a
designee);
(B) 1 shall be appointed by the Secretary from
among employees of the National Park Service;
(C) 4 shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking
into consideration recommendations of the executive
committee of Plymouth 400, Incorporated;
(D) 4 shall be appointed by the Secretary, taking
into consideration recommendations of the Governor; and
(E) 5 shall be appointed by the Secretary from
among individuals that have an interest in, support
for, and expertise relating to, the commemoration.
(2) Term; vacancies.--
(A) Term.--A member of the Commission shall be
appointed for the life of the Commission.
(B) Vacancies.--
(i) In general.--A vacancy on the
Commission shall be filled in the same manner
in which the original appointment was made.
(ii) Partial term.--A member appointed to
fill a vacancy on the Commission shall serve
for the remainder of the term for which the
predecessor of the member was appointed.
(3) Meetings.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall meet--
(i) not less frequently than twice each
year; or
(ii) at the call of--
(I) the chairperson of the
Commission; or
(II) the majority of the members of
the Commission.
(B) Initial meeting.--Not later than 30 days after
the date on which all initial members of the Commission
have been appointed under paragraph (1), the Commission
shall hold the initial meeting of the Commission.
(4) Voting.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall act only on
an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the
Commission.
(B) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the
Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(5) Chairperson.--The Secretary shall appoint 1 member of
the Commission to serve as chairperson of the Commission,
taking into consideration any recommendations of the Governor.
(c) Duties of Commission.--
(1) In general.--The Commission shall--
(A) assist in the planning, development, and
implementation of programs and activities appropriate
to the commemoration;
(B) generally facilitate commemoration activities
throughout the United States;
(C) encourage civic, military, historical,
educational, religious, economic, and other
organizations throughout the United States to organize
and participate in commemoration activities to expand
the understanding and appreciation of the significance
of the founding and early history of Plymouth Colony;
(D) coordinate and facilitate for the public
scholarly research and publications regarding, and
interpretation of, the cultures present in 17th-Century
Plymouth Colony, including the English colonists and
the indigenous Wampanoag tribes; and
(E) ensure that the 400th anniversary of Plymouth
provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit
by assisting in the development of appropriate programs
and facilities.
(2) Plans; reports.--
(A) In general.--The Commission shall prepare, with
respect to each activity carried out by the Commission
under this section--
(i) a strategic plan in accordance with
section 306 of title 5, United States Code; and
(ii) an annual performance plan in
accordance with section 1115 of title 31,
United States Code.
(B) Final report.--Not later than December 31,
2021, the Commission shall submit to Congress a final
report that includes--
(i) a summary of the activities of the
Commission;
(ii) a final accounting of funds received
and expended by the Commission; and
(iii) any findings or recommendations of
the Commission.
(d) Powers of Commission.--The Commission may--
(1) accept donations and make dispersions of money,
personal services, and real and personal property relating to--
(A) Plymouth Colony; and
(B) the significance of Plymouth Colony in the
history of the United States;
(2) appoint such advisory committees as the Commission
determines to be necessary to carry out this section;
(3) authorize any member or employee of the Commission to
take any action that the Commission is authorized to take
pursuant to this section;
(4) procure supplies, services, and property, and make or
enter into contracts, leases, or other legal agreements, to
carry out this section (except that any contracts, leases, or
other legal agreements made or entered into by the Commission
shall not extend beyond the date of termination of the
Commission);
(5) use the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other Federal agencies;
(6) subject to approval by the Commission, make grants in
amounts not to exceed $10,000 to communities and nonprofit
organizations to develop programs to assist in the
commemoration;
(7) make grants to research and scholarly organizations to
research, publish, or distribute information relating to
Plymouth Colony; and
(8) provide technical assistance to States, localities, and
nonprofit organizations to advance the purposes of the
commemoration.
(e) Commission Personnel Matters.--
(1) Compensation of members.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), a member of the Commission shall serve without
compensation.
(B) Federal employees.--A member of the Commission
who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government
shall serve without compensation in addition to the
compensation received for the services of the member as
an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
(C) Travel expenses.--A member of the Commission
shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an
employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57
of title 5, United States Code, while away from the
home or regular place of business of the member in the
performance of the duties of the Commission.
(2) Staff.--
(A) In general.--The Chairperson of the Commission
may, without regard to the civil service laws
(including regulations), appoint and terminate an
executive director and such other additional personnel
as are necessary to enable the Commission to perform
the duties of the Commission.
(B) Confirmation of executive director.--The
employment of an executive director shall be subject to
confirmation by the Commission.
(3) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), 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.
(B) Maximum rate of pay.--The rate of pay for the
executive director and other personnel shall not exceed
the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Detail of government employees.--
(A) Federal employees.--
(i) In general.--On the request of the
Commission, the head of any Federal agency may
detail, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of the agency to
the Commission to assist the Commission in
carrying out the duties of the Commission under
this section.
(ii) Civil service status.--The detail of
an employee under clause (i) shall be without
interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
(B) State employees.--The Commission may--
(i) accept the services of personnel
detailed from the State (including subdivisions
of the State); and
(ii) reimburse the State for services of
detailed personnel.
(5) Volunteer and uncompensated services.--Notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission
may accept and use voluntary and uncompensated services as the
Commission determines necessary.
(6) Support services.--The Director of the National Park
Service shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable
basis, such administrative support services as the Commission
may request.
(f) Procurement of Temporary and Intermittent Services.--The
chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, United States
Code, at rates for individuals that 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 that title.
(g) Nonapplicability of FACA.--Section 14(b) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the
Commission.
(h) No Effect on Authority.--Nothing in this section supersedes the
authority of the State, the National Park Service, or the Association
for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities with respect to the
commemoration.
(i) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on December 31,
2021. | Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2016 This bill establishes the Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission to: assist in the planning, development, and implementation of programs and activities to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts; facilitate such activities throughout the United States; encourage civic, military, historical, educational, religious, economic, and other organizations to organize and participate in commemoration activities to expand the understanding and appreciation of the significance of the founding and early history of Plymouth Colony; coordinate and facilitate for the public scholarly research and publications regarding, and interpretation of, the cultures present in 17th Century Plymouth Colony, including the English colonists and the indigenous Wampanoag tribes; and ensure that the 400th anniversary of Plymouth provides a lasting legacy and long-term public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate programs and facilities. The commission shall: (1) prepare a strategic plan and an annual performance plan; and (2) submit a final report by December 31, 2021, that includes a summary of its activities, a final accounting of its funds, and its findings or recommendations. The commission shall terminate on December 31, 2021. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission Act of 2016"} | 2,811 | 258 | 0.703538 | 2.13398 | 1.013705 | 4.978355 | 11.203463 | 0.943723 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
(a) The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The free exchange of ideas and information through
modern, reliable telecommunications equipment fosters the
development of democratic institutions, the promotion of free
market economic reforms, and the facilitation of international
commerce.
(2) Exports of advanced telecommunications equipment and
technology contribute to United States economic competitiveness
and high-skill, high-wage jobs in the United States.
(3) Export restrictions on telecommunications equipment and
technology are outdated, controlling the export of equipment
and technology that is more than 10 years old and has over 15
times less capacity than similar equipment and technology in
use today in the United States.
(4) Foreign availability of telecommunications equipment
and technology exists both from countries that do not belong to
or cooperate with the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral
Export Controls, and from within countries to which exports of
such equipment and technology are controlled by agreement of
the Coordinating Committee.
SEC. 2. EXPORT CONTROLS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 5(c) of the Export Administration Act of
1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2404(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(8)(A) The Secretary shall, not later than 30 days after
the date of the enactment of this paragraph, propose to the
Coordinating Committee that exports of telecommunications
equipment and telecommunications technology for civil end uses
shall not require a validated license for export to any of the
republics of the former Soviet Union, the People's Republic of
China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania,
Albania, Estonia, Lithuania, or Latvia.
``(B) For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) the term `telecommunications equipment'
includes--
``(I) telephone switching systems and
stored program controlled communications
switching systems, including related features
and components that provide services and
management of telecommunications networks;
``(II) telecommunications transmission
equipment;
``(III) microwave, light wave, and other
radio relay, transmitting, or test equipment,
and related components and accessories;
``(IV) telecommunications cables and
components, including optical fibers and
optical fiber cables;
``(V) equipment containing frequency
synthesizers when used in land-based mobile
communications systems;
``(VI) equipment described in any of
subclauses (I) through (V), or any other
telecommunications equipment, that contains
lasers;
``(VII) computer hardware and application
specific software which are related to any of
the items described in clauses (I) through (VI)
and are required for data communications; and
``(VIII) all spare parts, components, and
measuring or test equipment related to any of
the items described in subclauses (I) through
(VII);
``(ii) the term `telecommunications technology'
means technology related to telecommunications
equipment, including technology for the production,
development, and use of telecommunications equipment;
``(iii) the term `telecommunications networks'
includes local area, intracity, intercity, and
international telecommunications networks; and
``(iv) the term `telecommunications' means voice,
video, and data communications over any public or
private network or broadcasting system, and services
related to such communications.''.
(b) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the President shall submit to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate a report certifying that the proposal required by
section 5(c)(8) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as added by
subsection (a) of this section) has been made to the members of the
Coordinating Committee and outlining the plans to gain the concurrence
of the other members of the Committee in the proposal. | Directs the Secretary of Commerce to propose to the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls that exports of telecommunications technology for civil end uses shall not require a validated license for export to any of the republics of the former Soviet Union, China, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Estonia, Lithuania, or Latvia.
Requires the President to submit to specified congressional committees a report that certifies that such proposal was made and that outlines plans to gain the concurrence of other Coordinating Committee members in the proposal. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To liberalize controls on the export of telecommunications equipment and technology in order to promote democracy and free communication and enhance economic competitiveness."} | 874 | 121 | 0.519217 | 1.668085 | 0.57933 | 6.039216 | 7.970588 | 0.921569 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The unpaid volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``CAP'') during World
War II provided extraordinary humanitarian, combat and national
services during a critical time of need for the Nation.
(2) During the war, CAP members used their own aircraft to
perform a myriad of essential tasks for the military and the
Nation within the United States including attacks on enemy
submarines off the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the
United States.
(3) This extraordinary national service set the stage for
the post-war CAP to become a valuable nonprofit, public service
organization chartered by Congress and designated the Auxiliary
of the United States Air Force that provides essential
emergency, operational, and public services to communities,
States, the Federal Government, and the military.
(4) The CAP was established, initially as a part of the
Office of Civil Defense, by air-minded citizens one week before
the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 1,
1941, out of the desire of civil airmen of the country to be
mobilized with their equipment in the common defense of the
Nation.
(5) Within days of the start of the war, the German Navy
started a massive submarine offensive, known as Operation
Drumbeat, off the east coast of the United States against oil
tankers and other critical shipping that threatened the overall
war effort.
(6) Neither the Navy nor the Army had enough aircraft,
ships, or other resources to adequately patrol and protect the
shipping along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the
United States, and many ships were torpedoed and sunk, often
within sight of civilians on shore, including 52 tankers sunk
between January and March 1942.
(7) At that time General George Marshall remarked that
``[t]he losses by submarines off our Atlantic seaboard and in
the Caribbean now threaten our entire war effort''.
(8) From the beginning CAP leaders urged the military to
use its services to patrol coastal waters but met with great
resistance because of the nonmilitary status of CAP civilian
pilots.
(9) Finally, in response to the ever-increasing submarine
attacks, the Tanker Committee of the Petroleum Industry War
Council urged the Navy Department and the War Department to
consider the use of the CAP to help patrol the sea lanes off
the coasts of the United States.
(10) While the Navy initially rejected this suggestion, the
Army decided it had merit, and the Civil Air Patrol Coastal
Patrol began in March 1942.
(11) Oil companies and other organizations provided funds
to help pay for some CAP operations, including vitally needed
shore radios that were used to monitor patrol missions.
(12) By late March 1942, the Navy also began to use the
services of the CAP.
(13) Starting with three bases located in Delaware,
Florida, and New Jersey, CAP aircrews (ranging in age from 18
to over 80) immediately started to spot enemy submarines as
well as lifeboats, bodies, and wreckage.
(14) Within 15 minutes of starting his patrol on the first
Coastal Patrol flight, a pilot had sighted a torpedoed tanker
and was coordinating rescue operations.
(15) Eventually 21 bases, ranging from Bar Harbor, Maine,
to Brownsville, Texas, were set up for the CAP to patrol the
Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States, with
40,000 volunteers eventually participating.
(16) The CAP used a wide range of civilian-owned aircraft,
mainly light-weight, single-engine aircraft--manufactured by
Cessna, Beech, Waco, Fairchild, Stinson, Piper, Taylorcraft,
and Sikorsky, among others--as well as some twin engine
aircraft such as the Grumman Widgeon.
(17) Most of these aircraft were painted in their civilian
prewar colors (red, yellow, blue, etc.) and carried special
markings (a blue circle with a white triangle) to identify them
as CAP aircraft.
(18) Patrols were conducted up to 100 miles off shore,
generally with 2 aircraft flying together, in aircraft often
equipped with only a compass for navigation and a single radio
for communication.
(19) Due to the critical nature of the situation, CAP
operations were conducted in bad weather as well as good, often
when the military was unable to fly, and in all seasons
including the winter, when ditching an aircraft in cold water
would likely mean certain death to the aircrew.
(20) Personal emergency equipment was often lacking,
particularly during early patrols where inner tubes and kapok
duck hunter vests were carried as flotation devices since ocean
worthy wet suits, life vests, and life rafts were unavailable.
(21) The initial purpose of the Coastal Patrol was to spot
submarines, report their position to the military, and force
them to dive below the surface, which limited their operating
speed and maneuverability and reduced their ability to detect
and attack shipping because attacks against shipping were
conducted while the submarines were surfaced.
(22) It immediately became apparent that there were
opportunities for CAP pilots to attack submarines, such as when
a Florida CAP aircrew came across a surfaced submarine that
quickly stranded itself on a sand bar. However, the aircrew
could not get any assistance from armed military aircraft
before the submarine freed itself.
(23) Finally, after several instances when the military
could not respond in a timely manner, a decision was made by
the military to arm CAP aircraft with 50- and 100-pound bombs,
and to arm some larger twin-engine aircraft with 325-pound
depth charges.
(24) The arming of CAP aircraft dramatically changed the
mission for these civilian aircrews and resulted in more than
57 attacks on enemy submarines.
(25) While CAP volunteers received $8 a day flight
reimbursement for cost incurred, their patrols were
accomplished at a great economic cost to many CAP members who--
(A) used their own aircraft and other equipment in
defense of the Nation;
(B) paid for much of their own aircraft maintenance
and hangar use; and
(C) often lived in the beginning in primitive
conditions along the coast, including old barns and
chicken coops converted for sleeping.
(26) More importantly, the CAP Coastal Patrol service came
at the high cost of 26 fatalities, 7 serious injuries, and 90
aircraft lost.
(27) At the conclusion of the 18-month Coastal Patrol, the
heroic CAP aircrews would be credited with the following:
(A) 2 submarines possibly damaged or destroyed;
(B) 57 submarines attacked;
(C) 82 bombs dropped against submarines;
(D) 173 radio reports of submarine positions (with
a number of credited assists for kills made by military
units);
(E) 17 floating mines reported;
(F) 36 dead bodies reported;
(G) 91 vessels in distress reported;
(H) 363 survivors in distress reported;
(I) 836 irregularities noted;
(J) 1,036 special investigations at sea or along
the coast;
(K) 5,684 convoy missions as aerial escorts for
Navy ships;
(L) 86,685 total missions flown;
(M) 244,600 total flight hours logged; and
(N) more than 24,000,000 total miles flown.
(28) It is believed that at least one high-level German
Navy Officer credited CAP as one reason that submarine attacks
moved away from the United States when he concluded that ``[i]t
was because of those damned little red and yellow planes!''.
(29) CAP was dismissed from coastal missions with little
thanks in August 1943 when the Navy took over the mission
completely and ordered CAP to stand down.
(30) While the Coastal Patrol was ongoing, CAP was also
establishing itself as a vital wartime service to the military,
States, and communities nationwide by performing a wide range
of missions including among others--
(A) border patrol;
(B) forest and fire patrols;
(C) military courier flights for mail, repair and
replacement parts, and urgent military deliveries;
(D) emergency transportation of military personnel;
(E) target towing (with live ammunition being fired
at the targets and seven lives being lost) and
searchlight tracking training missions;
(F) missing aircraft and personnel searches;
(G) air and ground search and rescue for missing
aircraft and personnel;
(H) radar and aircraft warning system training
flights;
(I) aerial inspections of camouflaged military and
civilian facilities;
(J) aerial inspections of city and town blackout
conditions;
(K) simulated bombing attacks on cities and
facilities to test air defenses and early warning;
(L) aerial searches for scrap metal materials;
(M) river and lake patrols including aerial surveys
for ice in the Great Lakes;
(N) support of war bond drives;
(O) management and guard duties at hundreds of
airports;
(P) support for State and local emergencies such as
natural and manmade disasters;
(Q) predator control;
(R) rescue of livestock during floods and
blizzards;
(S) recruiting for the Army Air Force;
(T) initial flight screening and orientation
flights for potential military recruits;
(U) mercy missions including the airlift of plasma
to central blood banks;
(V) nationwide emergency communications services;
and
(W) a cadet youth program which provided aviation
and military training for tens of thousands.
(31) The CAP flew more than 500,000 hours on these
additional missions, including, for example--
(A) 20,500 missions involving target towing (with
live ammunition) and gun/searchlight tracking which
resulted in 7 deaths, 5 serious injuries, and the loss
of 25 aircraft;
(B) a courier service involving 3 major Air Force
Commands over a 2-year period carrying more than
3,500,000 pounds of vital cargo and 543 passengers;
(C) southern border patrol flying more than 30,000
hours and reporting 7,000 unusual sightings including a
vehicle (that was apprehended) with 2 enemy agents
attempting to enter the country;
(D) a week in February 1945 during which CAP units
rescued seven missing Army and Navy pilots; and
(E) a State in which the CAP flew 790 hours on
forest fire patrol missions and reported 576 fires to
authorities during a single year.
(32) On April 29, 1943, the CAP was transferred to the Army
Air Forces, thus beginning its long association with the United
States Air Force.
(33) Hundreds of CAP-trained women pilots joined military
women's units including the Women's Air Force Service Pilots
(WASP) program.
(34) Many members of the WASP program joined or rejoined
the CAP during the post-war period because it provided women
opportunities to fly and continue to serve the Nation that were
severely lacking elsewhere.
(35) Due to the exceptional emphasis on safety, unit and
pilot training and discipline, and the organization of the CAP,
by the end of the war a total of only 64 CAP members had died
in service and only 150 aircraft had been lost (including its
Coastal Patrol losses from early in the war).
(36) It is estimated that up to 100,000 civilians
(including youth in its cadet program) participated in CAP in
wide range of staff and operational positions and that CAP
aircrews flew a total of approximately 750,000 hours during the
war, most of which was in their own personal aircraft and often
at risk to their lives.
(37) After the war, at a CAP dinner for Congress, a quorum
of both Houses attended with the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President thanking CAP for its service.
(38) While air medals were issued for some of those
participating in the Coastal Patrol, little other recognition
was forthcoming for the myriad of services CAP volunteers
provided during the war.
(39) Despite some misguided efforts to end CAP at the end
of the war, the organization had proved its capabilities to the
Nation and strengthened its ties with the Air Force and
Congress.
(40) In 1946, Congress chartered the CAP as a nonprofit,
public service organization and in 1948 made CAP the Auxiliary
of the United States Air Force.
(41) Today the CAP conducts many of the same missions it
performed during World War II, including a vital role in
homeland security.
(42) CAP's wartime service was highly unusual and
extraordinary due to the unpaid civilian status of its members,
the use of privately-owned aircraft and personal funds by many
of its members, the myriad of humanitarian and national
missions flown for the Nation, and the fact that for 18 months,
during a time of great need for the United States, CAP flew
combat-related missions in support of military operations off
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award.--
(1) Authorized.--The President pro tempore of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall make
appropriate arrangements for the award, on behalf of Congress,
of a single gold medal of appropriate design in honor of the
World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol collectively, in
recognition of the military service and exemplary record of the
Civil Air Patrol during World War II.
(2) Design and striking.--For the purposes of the award
referred to in paragraph (1), the Secretary of the Treasury
shall strike the gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and
inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
(3) Smithsonian institution.--
(A) In general.--Following the award of the gold
medal referred to in paragraph (1) in honor of all of
the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol, the
gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian
Institution, where it shall be displayed as appropriate
and made available for research.
(B) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold
medal received under this paragraph available for
display elsewhere, particularly at other locations
associated with the Civil Air Patrol.
(b) Duplicate Medals.--Under such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of
the gold medal struck under this Act, at a price sufficient to cover
the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of
machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.
(c) National Medals.--Medals struck pursuant to this Act are
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States
Code.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund, an
amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the medals
authorized under section 2.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of duplicate
bronze medals under section 2(b) shall be deposited in the United
States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. | Directs the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to arrange for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor collectively the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in recognition of their military service and exemplary record during World War II. Requires the Medal's display at the Smithsonian Institution. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Medal should be made available for display elsewhere, particularly at locations associated with the CAP. Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal, at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol."} | 3,301 | 145 | 0.329619 | 1.102743 | 0.42402 | 4.327869 | 25.819672 | 0.95082 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Capital Construction Fund Qualified
Withdrawal Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF THE MERCHANT MARINE ACT OF 1936 TO ENCOURAGE
RETIREMENT OF CERTAIN FISHING VESSELS AND PERMITS.
(a) In General.--Section 607(a) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1936
(46 U.S.C. App. 1177(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Any agreement entered into under this section may be modified for the
purpose of encouraging the sustainability of the fisheries of the
United States by making the termination and withdrawal of a capital
construction fund a qualified withdrawal if done in exchange for the
retirement of the related commercial fishing vessels and related
commercial fishing permits.''.
(b) New Qualified Withdrawals.--
(1) In general.--Section 607(f)(1) of the Merchant Marine
Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1177(f)(1)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``for:'' and inserting
``for--'';
(B) by striking ``vessel'' in subparagraph (A) and
inserting ``vessel;'';
(C) by striking ``vessel, or'' in subparagraph (B)
and inserting ``vessel;'';
(D) by striking ``vessel.'' in subparagraph (C) and
inserting ``vessel;''; and
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) the payment of an industry fee authorized by
the fishing capacity reduction program under section
312(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b));
``(E) in the case of any such person or shareholder
for whose benefit such fund was established with
respect to any vessel operated in the fisheries of the
United States, or any shareholder of such person, a
rollover contribution (within the meaning of section
408(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) to such
person's or shareholder's individual retirement plan
(as defined in section 7701(a)(37) of such Code);
``(F) the payment of the net proceeds deposited
into the fund from a sale described in subsection
(b)(1)(C)(ii) to a person retiring related commercial
fishing vessels and permits;
``(G) the acquisition of a vessel monitoring system
as a safety improvement for a fishing vessel; or
``(H) the acquisition or construction of fishing
gear designed to minimize or avoid by-catch as required
under section 301(a)(9) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1851(a)(9)).''.
(2) Reduction program sale proceeds allowed in determining
deposit ceiling.--Section 607(b)(1)(C) of such Act (46 U.S.C.
App. 1177(b)(1)(C)) is amended by striking ``or (ii)'' and
inserting ``(ii) the sale of any agreement vessel or fishing
permit retired through the fishing capacity reduction program
under section 312(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b)), or
(iii)''.
(3) Certain qualified withdrawals treated as withdrawn from
the capital account.--Section 607(e)(2)(B) of such Act (46
U.S.C. App. 1177(e)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end
``unless such portion represents gain from a sale described in
subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii) and is withdrawn for any purpose
provided under subparagraph (D), (E), or (F) of subsection
(f)(1),''.
(4) Secretary to ensure retirement of vessels and
permits.--The Secretary of Commerce by regulation shall
establish procedures to ensure that any person making a
qualified withdrawal authorized by section 607(f)(1)(F) of the
Merchant Marine Act, 1936 (46 U.S.C. App. 1177(f)(1)(F))
retires the related commercial use of fishing vessels and
commercial fishery permits.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) In general.--Section 7518(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (relating to purposes of qualified withdrawals) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``for:'' and inserting
``for--'';
(B) by striking ``vessel, or'' in subparagraph (B)
and inserting ``vessel;'';
(C) by striking ``vessel.'' in subparagraph (C) and
inserting ``vessel;'';
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) the payment of an industry fee authorized by
the fishing capacity reduction program under section
312 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a);
``(E) in the case of any person or shareholder for
whose benefit such fund was established with respect to
any vessel operated in the fisheries of the United
States, or any shareholder of such person, a rollover
contribution (within the meaning of section 408(d)(3))
to such person's or shareholder's individual retirement
plan (as defined in section 7701(a)(37));
``(F) the payment of the net proceeds deposited
into the fund from a sale described in subsection
(a)(1)(C)(ii) to a person retiring related commercial
fishing vessels and permits;
``(G) the acquisition of a vessel monitoring system
as a safety improvement for a fishing vessel; or
``(H) the acquisition or construction of fishing
gear designed to minimize or avoid by-catch as required
under section 301(a)(9) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1851(a)(9)).''.
(2) Reduction program sale proceeds allowed in determining
deposit ceiling.--Section 7518(a)(1)(C) of such Code is amended
by striking ``or'' at the end of clause (i), by redesignating
clause (ii) as clause (iii), and by inserting after clause (i)
the following new clause:
``(ii) the sale of any agreement vessel or
fishing permit retired through the fishing
capacity reduction program under section 312(b)
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861a(b)), or''.
(3) Certain qualified withdrawals treated as withdrawn from
the capital account.--Section 7718(d)(2)(B) of such Code is
amended by adding at the end ``unless such portion represents
gain from a sale described in subsection (a)(1)(C)(ii) and is
withdrawn for any purpose provided under subparagraph (D), (E),
or (F) of subsection (e)(1),''.
(4) Secretary to ensure retirement of vessels and
permits.--The Secretary of the Treasury by regulation shall
establish procedures to ensure that any person making a
qualified withdrawal authorized by section 7518(e)(1)(F) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 retires the related commercial
use of fishing vessels and commercial fishery permits referred
to therein.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to withdrawals made after the date of enactment of this Act. | Capital Construction Fund Qualified Withdrawal Act of 2003 - Amends the Merchant Marine Act and the Internal Revenue Code to permit as qualified withdrawals from fishing capital construction funds money used by retiring fishermen for the following purposes: (1) paying the net proceeds to a person retiring related commercial fishing vessels and permits; (2) making a rollover contribution into an owner's individual retirement plan; (3) making a payment of an industry fee authorized by the fishing capacity reduction program; and (4) acquiring a vessel monitoring system or the aquisition or construction of fishing gear designed to minimize or avoid bycatch. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide for qualified withdrawals from the Capital Construction Fund for fishermen leaving the industry and for the rollover of Capital Construction Funds to individual retirement plans, and for other purposes."} | 1,769 | 129 | 0.586581 | 1.498454 | 0.677722 | 3.280702 | 12.45614 | 0.912281 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Pharmacy Consumer
Protection Act'' or the ``Ryan Haight Act''.
SEC. 2. INTERNET SALES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act (21 U.S.C. 351 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 503A
the following:
``SEC. 503B. INTERNET SALES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
``(a) Requirements Regarding Information on Internet Site.--
``(1) In general.--A person may not dispense a prescription
drug pursuant to a sale of the drug by such person if--
``(A) the purchaser of the drug submitted the
purchase order for the drug, or conducted any other
part of the sales transaction for the drug, through an
Internet site; and
``(B) such site, or any other Internet site used by
such person for purposes of sales of a prescription
drug, fails to meet each of the requirements specified
in paragraph (2) (other than a site or pages on a site
that are not intended to be accessed by purchasers or
prospective purchasers or that provide an Internet
information location tool within the meaning of section
231(e)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
231(e)(5)).
``(2) Requirements.--With respect to an Internet site, the
requirements referred to in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)
for a person to whom such paragraph applies are as follows:
``(A) Each page of the site shall include either
the following information or a link to a page that
provides the following information:
``(i) The name of such person; the address
of the principal place of business of the
person with respect to sales of prescription
drugs through the Internet; and the telephone
number for such place of business.
``(ii) Each State in which the person is
authorized by law to dispense prescription
drugs.
``(iii) The name of each individual who
serves as a pharmacist for purposes of the
site; and each State in which the individual is
authorized by law to dispense prescription
drugs.
``(iv) If the person provides for medical
consultations through the site for purposes of
providing prescriptions, the name of each
individual who provides such consultations;
each State in which the individual is licensed
or otherwise authorized by law to provide such
consultations or practice medicine; and the
type or types of health professions for which
the individual holds such licenses or other
authorizations.
``(B) A link to which paragraph (1) applies shall
be displayed in a clear and prominent place and manner,
and shall include in the caption for the link the words
`licensing and contact information'.
``(b) Internet Sales Without Appropriate Medical Relationships.--
``(1) In general.--A person may not dispense a prescription
drug, or sell such a drug, if--
``(A) for purposes of such dispensing or sale, the
purchaser communicated with the person through the
Internet;
``(B) the patient for whom the drug was dispensed
or purchased did not, when such communications began,
have a prescription for the drug that is valid in the
United States;
``(C) pursuant to such communications, the person
provided for the involvement of a practitioner, or an
individual represented by the person as a practitioner,
and the practitioner or such individual issued a
prescription for the drug that was purchased;
``(D) the person knew, or had reason to know, that
the practitioner or the individual referred to in
subparagraph (C) did not, when issuing the
prescription, have a qualifying medical relationship
with the patient; and
``(E) the person received payment for the
dispensing or sale of the drug.
For purposes of subparagraph (E), payment is received if money
or other valuable consideration is received.
``(2) Qualifying medical relationship.--
``(A) In general.--With respect to issuing a
prescription for a drug for a patient, a practitioner
has a qualifying medical relationship with the patient
for purposes of this section if at least 1 in-person
medical evaluation of the patient has been conducted by
the practitioner.
``(B) In-person medical evaluation.--A medical
evaluation by a practitioner is an in-person medical
evaluation for purposes of this section if the
practitioner is in the physical presence of the patient
as part of conducting the evaluation, without regard to
whether portions of the evaluation are conducted by
other health professionals.
``(3) Rules of construction.--
``(A) Individuals represented as practitioners.--A
person who is not a practitioner (as defined in
subsection (e)(1)) lacks legal capacity under this
section to have a qualifying medical relationship with
any patient.
``(B) Applicability of requirements.--Paragraph (2)
may not be construed as having any applicability beyond
this section, and does not affect any State law, or
interpretation of State law, concerning the practice of
medicine.
``(C) Standard practice of pharmacy.--Paragraph (1)
may not be construed as prohibiting any conduct that is
a standard practice in the practice of pharmacy.
``(c) Actions by States.--
``(1) In general.--Whenever an attorney general of any
State has reason to believe that the interests of the residents
of that State have been or are being threatened or adversely
affected because any person has engaged or is engaging in a
pattern or practice that violates section 301(l), the State may
bring a civil action on behalf of its residents in an appropriate
district court of the United States to enjoin such practice, to enforce
compliance with such section (including a nationwide injunction), to
obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation on behalf of
residents of such State, to obtain reasonable attorneys' fees and costs
if the State prevails in the civil action, or to obtain such further
and other relief as the court may deem appropriate.
``(2) Notice.--The State shall serve prior written notice
of any civil action under paragraph (1) or (5)(B) upon the
Secretary and provide the Secretary with a copy of its
complaint, except that if it is not feasible for the State to
provide such prior notice, the State shall serve such notice
immediately upon instituting such action. Upon receiving a
notice respecting a civil action, the Secretary shall have the
right--
``(A) to intervene in such action;
``(B) upon so intervening, to be heard on all
matters arising therein; and
``(C) to file petitions for appeal.
``(3) Construction.--For purposes of bringing any civil
action under paragraph (1), nothing in this chapter shall
prevent an attorney general of a State from exercising the
powers conferred on the attorney general by the laws of such
State to conduct investigations or to administer oaths or
affirmations or to compel the attendance of witnesses or the
production of documentary and other evidence.
``(4) Venue; service of process.--
``(A) Venue.--Any civil action brought under
paragraph (1) in a district court of the United States
may be brought in the district in which the defendant
is found, is an inhabitant, or transacts business or
wherever venue is proper under section 1391 of title
28, United States Code.
``(B) Service of process.--Process in such an
action may be served in any district in which the
defendant is an inhabitant or in which the defendant
may be found.
``(5) Actions by other state officials.--
``(A) Effect of section.--Nothing contained in this
section shall prohibit an authorized State official
from proceeding in State court on the basis of an
alleged violation of any civil or criminal statute of
such State.
``(B) Additional action.--In addition to actions
brought by an attorney general of a State under
paragraph (1), such an action may be brought by
officers of such State who are authorized by the State
to bring actions in such State on behalf of its
residents.
``(d) Interactive Computer Service; Advertising.--No provider of an
interactive computer service, as defined in section 230(f)(2) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 230(f)(2)), or of advertising
services shall be liable under this section for dispensing or selling
prescription drugs in violation of this section on account of another
person's selling or dispensing such drugs, provided that the provider
of the interactive computer service or of advertising services does not
own or exercise corporate control over such person.
``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) Practitioner.--The term `practitioner' means a
practitioner referred to in section 503(b)(1) with respect to
issuing a written or oral prescription.
``(2) Prescription drug.--The term `prescription drug'
means a drug that is subject to section 503(b)(1).
``(3) Qualifying medical relationship.--The term
`qualifying medical relationship', with respect to a
practitioner and a patient, has the meaning indicated for such
term in subsection (b).''.
(b) Inclusion as Prohibited Act.--Section 301 of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by inserting after
paragraph (k) the following:
``(l) The dispensing or selling of a prescription drug in violation
of section 503B.''.
(c) Internet Sales of Prescription Drugs; Consideration by
Secretary of Practices and Procedures for Certification of Legitimate
Businesses.--In carrying out section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (as added by subsection (a)), the Secretary of Health
and Human Services shall take into consideration the practices and
procedures of public or private entities that certify that businesses
selling prescription drugs through Internet sites are legitimate
businesses, including practices and procedures regarding disclosure
formats and verification programs.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b)
take effect upon the expiration of the 60-day period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act, without regard to whether a final rule
to implement such amendments has been promulgated by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services under section 701(a) of the Federal Food,
Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 371(a)). The preceding sentence may
not be construed as affecting the authority of such Secretary to
promulgate such a final rule.
SEC. 3. REPORTS REGARDING INTERNET-RELATED VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL AND
STATE LAWS ON DISPENSING OF DRUGS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall, pursuant to
the submission of an application meeting the criteria of the Secretary,
award a grant or contract to the National Clearinghouse on Internet
Prescribing (operated by the Federation of State Medical Boards) for
the purpose of--
(1) identifying Internet sites that appear to be in
violation of Federal or State laws concerning the dispensing of
drugs;
(2) reporting such sites to State medical licensing boards
and State pharmacy licensing boards, and to the Attorney
General and the Secretary, for further investigation; and
(3) submitting, for each fiscal year for which the award
under this subsection is made, a report to the Secretary
describing investigations undertaken with respect to violations
described in paragraph (1).
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out subsection (a), there is authorized to be appropriated $100,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2006. | Internet Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act or the Ryan Haight Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to prohibit any person from dispensing a prescription drug pursuant to a sale if: (1) any part of the sales transaction for the drug is conducted through an Internet site; and (2) such site fails to meet specified requirements regarding inclusion of a page (and links thereto) providing the identities and licensing information of the seller, pharmacists, or medical consultants.
Prohibits a person from selling or dispensing a prescription drug if: (1) the purchaser communicated with the person through the Internet; (2) the purchaser did not have a valid prescription when the communication began; (3) the person provided for the involvement of a practitioner; (4) the practitioner issued a prescription for the drug that was purchased; (5) the person knew that no qualifying medical relationship existed (defines "qualifying medical relationship" as requiring an in-person medical evaluation); and (6) the person received payment.
Allows States to bring civil actions against a person for violations of this Act.
Prevents Internet providers from being held liable for dispensing or selling prescriptions drugs on account of another person's activities.
Includes the dispensing or selling of a prescription drug in violation of this Act as a prohibited act under the FFDCA.
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award a grant or contract to the National Clearinghouse on Internet Prescribing to identify and report Internet sites that violate Federal or State laws concerning the dispensing of drugs. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to the sale of prescription drugs through the Internet."} | 2,647 | 343 | 0.662111 | 2.091026 | 0.755141 | 3.450658 | 7.960526 | 0.904605 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Recovery Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL MITIGATION ASSISTANCE.
Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Additional Mitigation Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--If, at the time of a declaration of a
major disaster, the affected State has in effect and is
actively enforcing throughout the State an approved State
building code, the President may increase the maximum total of
contributions under this section for the major disaster, as
specified in subsection (a), by an amount equal to 5 percent of
the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made (less any
associated administrative costs) under this Act with respect to
the major disaster.
``(2) Submission.--To be eligible for an increased Federal
share under paragraph (1), a State, at least once every 4
years, shall submit its State building code to the President
for approval.
``(3) Approval.--The President shall approve a State
building code submitted under paragraph (2) if the President
determines that the building code--
``(A) is consistent with the most recent version of
a nationally recognized model building code;
``(B) has been adopted by the State within 4 years
of the most recent version of the nationally recognized
model building code; and
``(C) uses the nationally recognized model building
code as a minimum standard.
``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection, the following
definitions apply:
``(A) Actively enforcing.--The term `actively
enforcing' means effective jurisdictional execution of
all phases of a State building code in the process of
examination and approval of construction plans,
specifications, and technical data and the inspection
of new construction or renovation.
``(B) Nationally recognized model building code.--
The term `nationally recognized model building code'
means a building code for residential and commercial
construction and construction materials that--
``(i) has been developed and published by a
code organization in an open consensus type
forum with input from national experts; and
``(ii) is based on national structural
design standards that establish minimum
acceptable criteria for the design,
construction, and maintenance of residential
and commercial buildings for the purpose of
protecting the health, safety, and general
welfare of the building's users against natural
disasters.
``(C) State building code.--The term `State
building code' means requirements and associated
standards for residential and commercial construction
and construction materials that are implemented on a
statewide basis by ordinance, resolution, law, housing
or building code, or zoning ordinance. At a minimum,
such requirements and associated standards shall
apply--
``(i) to construction-related activities of
residential building contractors applicable to
single-family and two-family residential
structures; and
``(ii) to construction-related activities
of engineers, architects, designers, and
commercial building contractors applicable to
the structural safety, design, and construction
of commercial, industrial, and multifamily
structures.
``(5) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the President, acting through
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out
this subsection.''.
SEC. 3. EXPEDITED PAYMENTS.
Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(f) Expedited Payments.--
``(1) Grant assistance.--In making a contribution under
subsection (a)(1), the President shall provide not less than 50
percent of the President's initial estimate of the Federal
share of assistance as an initial payment in accordance with
paragraph (2).
``(2) Date of payment.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of the estimate described in paragraph (1), and not later
than 90 days after the date on which the State or local
government or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility
applies for assistance under this section, the initial payment
described in paragraph (1) shall be paid.''.
SEC. 4. DEBRIS REMOVAL.
(a) Debris Management Plans.--Section 407(d) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5173(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``The Federal
share shall be increased by 5 percent for States and local governments
that (1) have a debris management plan approved by the Administrator;
and (2) have prequalified 2 or more debris and wreckage removal
contractors before the date of declaration of the major disaster. To
qualify for the increased Federal share under the preceding sentence, a
debris management plan shall be resubmitted to the Administrator for
approval every 4 years.''.
(b) Financial Incentives for Debris Recycling.--Section 407 such
Act (42 U.S.C. 5173) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Debris Recycling.--
``(1) In general.--A grant recipient under subsection
(a)(2) may use funds from the grant for the costs of recycling
debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster, including
the sorting of such materials.
``(2) Value of salvaged material.--
``(A) Retention of financial benefits.--A grant
recipient under subsection (a)(2) may retain any
financial benefit received from the salvage of recycled
debris or wreckage.
``(B) Treatment of financial benefits.--Any such
financial benefit shall not be considered to be program
income for purposes of section 13.25 of title 44, Code
of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
``(C) Contracts.--Any arrangement between a grant
recipient under subsection (a)(2) and a contractor in
which the contractor will retain possession of
recyclable materials shall be reflected in the
contractor's bid price.
``(3) Reporting.--
``(A) Recipients that recycle debris.--A grant
recipient under subsection (a)(2) that recycles debris
or wreckage during disaster operations shall submit to
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency a written description of what the recipient did
to recycle the debris or wreckage, the volume of the
debris or wreckage that was recycled, and the monetary
or nonmonetary benefits received, if any.
``(B) Recipients that do not recycle debris.--A
grant recipient under subsection (a)(2) that chooses
not to recycle debris or wreckage during disaster
operations shall submit to the Administrator a written
statement describing why this option was not used.''.
SEC. 5. APPEALS PROCESS.
(a) Timing.--Section 423(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a(b)) is amended by
striking ``90 days'' and inserting ``60 days''.
(b) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue rules regarding the
information that must be provided to an applicant in the event that a
project worksheet is denied. The required information shall include, at
a minimum--
(1) all reasons for which the project worksheet was denied;
(2) the specific items, if any, in the project worksheet
that are disputed; and
(3) a description of any additional information the
applicant needs to provide.
SEC. 6. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FACTORS.
In order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need
for assistance to individuals and to speed a declaration of a major
disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with
representatives of State and local emergency management agencies, shall
review, update, and revise through rulemaking the factors considered
under section 206.48 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, to
measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster.
SEC. 7. HOUSEHOLD PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS.
Section 502(a) of Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5192(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) provide assistance for rescue, care, shelter, and
essential needs--
``(A) to individuals with household pets and
service animals; and
``(B) to such pets and animals.''. | Disaster Recovery Improvement Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total contributions for a major disaster by 5% under such Act if, at the time of a declaration of a major disaster, the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved building code.
Sets forth state building code submission and approval requirements, including use of the nationally recognized model building code as a minimum standard.
Directs the President, in making a contribution to a state or local government or a person that owns a nonprofit facility for repair, restoration, and replacement of a damaged facility, to provide not less than 50% of the President's initial estimate of the federal share as an initial payment. Provides for expedited payments.
Requires the federal share for debris removal to be increased by 5% for states and local governments that have: (1) a debris management plan approved by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (2) prequalified two or more debris and wreckage removal contractors before the date of declaration of the major disaster; and (3) resubmitted such plan to the Administrator for approval every four years. Allows a recipient of a debris removal grant to: (1) use funds for the costs of recycling debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster; and (2) retain any financial benefit received from the salvage.
Increases the period for appeals of disaster assistance decisions. Directs the Administrator to review, update, and revise the factors considered to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster.
Authorizes the President to provide emergency assistance to pets and animals and their owners. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to make improvements in the provision of Federal disaster assistance, and for other purposes."} | 1,972 | 359 | 0.596739 | 1.702949 | 0.81401 | 4.223242 | 5.538226 | 0.920489 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``No Arms Sales to Iran Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015)
which endorses implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan
of Action also provides restrictions on ballistic missile-
related transfers to or activities with Iran absent case-by-
case approval by the United Nations Security Council.
(2) Iran has conducted at least three ballistic missile
tests since implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action in 2015.
(3) Iran continues to pursue a policy of destabilization
throughout the Middle East, relying on proxies and direct
military engagement to challenge United States partners and
threaten Israel.
(4) Various countries have reportedly proposed arms
transfers to or activities with Iran despite Iran's ongoing
regional aggression.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) arms transfers to or activities with Iran would empower
Iran to further destabilize the region and would undermine core
objectives of regional peace; and
(2) the Secretary of State, through bilateral engagement
and multilateral fora, should diplomatically engage with the
governments of countries that have reportedly proposed arms
transfers to or activities with Iran and with other United
Nations Security Council member states in order to prevent such
transfers or activities.
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State shall submit to
Congress a report on each covered activity or transfer, and the
diplomatic responses of the United States to each such covered activity
or transfer, that is proposed during the one-year period preceding the
date of the submission of the report.
SEC. 5. PROHIBITION ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES THAT ENGAGE IN
ARMS TRANSFERS AND ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO IRAN.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), and effective beginning
on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act--
(1) no military assistance, including military assistance
furnished under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Arms
Export Control Act, or any other provision of law, may be
provided to a county that engages in any covered activity or
transfer; and
(2) no license may be granted to export an item on the
United States Munitions List under section 38 of the Arms
Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) or any other provision of
law to any country that engages in any covered activity or
transfer.
(b) Waiver.--The President may waive the prohibitions under
subsections (a) on a case-by-case basis with respect to a particular
country if the President determines and reports to the appropriate
congressional committees that it is important to the national interest
of the United States to do so.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee
on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate.
(2) Covered transfer or activity.--The term ``covered
activity or transfer'' means any arms transfer to or activity
with Iran described in paragraphs 2, 4, and 5 of Annex B of
United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) with
respect to which a country has sought approval by the United
Nations Security Council under such Resolution.
(3) Joint comprehensive plan of action.--The term ``Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action'' means the Joint Comprehensive
Plan of Action, agreed to at Vienna July 14, 2015, by Iran and
by the People's Republic of China, France, Germany, the Russian
Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs
and Security Policy, and all implementing materials and
agreements related to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action,
and transmitted by the President to Congress on July 19, 2015,
pursuant to section 135(a) of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as
amended by the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015
(Public Law 114-17; 129 Stat. 201). | No Arms Sales to Iran Act This bill prohibits military assistance or military export licenses from being provided to a country that engages in U.N.-restricted arms transfers to or activity with Iran. The President may waive such prohibitions if in the U.S. national interest. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "No Arms Sales to Iran Act"} | 947 | 65 | 0.541718 | 1.335166 | 0.34665 | 2.369565 | 19.630435 | 0.847826 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Community-Based Mental Health
Infrastructure Improvements Act''.
SEC. 2. COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT.
Title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``PART H--COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
``SEC. 560. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
IMPROVEMENTS.
``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to
eligible entities to expend funds for the construction or modernization
of facilities used to provide mental health and substance abuse
services to individuals.
``(b) Eligible Entity.--In this section, the term `eligible entity'
means--
``(1) a State that is the recipient of a Community Mental
Health Services Block Grant under subpart I of part B of title
XIX and a Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
under subpart II of such part; or
``(2) an Indian tribe or a tribal organization (as such
terms are defined in sections 4(b) and 4(c) of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act).
``(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 containing--
``(1) a plan for the construction or modernization of
facilities used to provide mental health and substance abuse
services to individuals that--
``(A) designates a single State or tribal agency as
the sole agency for the supervision and administration
of the grant;
``(B) contains satisfactory evidence that such
agency so designated will have the authority to carry
out the plan;
``(C) provides for the designation of an advisory
council, which shall include representatives of
nongovernmental organizations or groups, and of the
relevant State or tribal agencies, that aided in the
development of the plan and that will implement and
monitor any grant awarded to the eligible entity under
this section;
``(D) in the case of an eligible entity that is a
State, includes a copy of the State plan under section
1912(b) and section 1932(b);
``(E)(i) includes a listing of the projects to be
funded by the grant; and
``(ii) in the case of an eligible entity that is a
State, explains how each listed project helps the State
in accomplishing its goals and objectives under the
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant under
subpart I of part B of title XIX and the Substance
Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant under
subpart II of such part;
``(F) includes assurances that the facilities will
be used for a period of not less than 10 years for the
provision of community-based mental health or substance
abuse services for those who cannot pay for such
services, subject to subsection (e); and
``(G) in the case of a facility that is not a
public facility, includes the name and executive
director of the entity who will provide services in the
facility; and
``(2) with respect to each construction or modernization
project described in the application--
``(A) a description of the site for the project;
``(B) plans and specifications for the project and
State or tribal approval for the plans and
specifications;
``(C) assurance that the title for the site is or
will be vested with either the public entity or private
nonprofit entity who will provide the services in the
facility;
``(D) assurance that adequate financial resources
will be available for the construction or major
rehabilitation of the project and for the maintenance
and operation of the facility;
``(E) estimates of the cost of the project; and
``(F) the estimated length of time for completion
of the project.
``(d) Subgrants by States.--
``(1) In general.--A State that receives a grant under this
section may award a subgrant to a qualified community program
(as such term is used in section 1913(b)(1)).
``(2) Use of funds.--Subgrants awarded pursuant to
paragraph (1) may be used for activities such as--
``(A) the construction, expansion, and
modernization of facilities used to provide mental
health and substance abuse services to individuals;
``(B) acquiring and leasing facilities and
equipment (including paying the costs of amortizing the
principal of, and paying the interest on, loans for
such facilities and equipment) to support or further
the operation of the subgrantee;
``(C) the construction and structural modification
(including equipment acquisition) of facilities to
permit the integrated delivery of behavioral health and
primary care of specialty medical services to
individuals with co-occurring mental illnesses and
chronic medical or surgical diseases at a single
service site; and
``(D) acquiring information technology required to
accommodate the clinical needs of primary and specialty
care professionals.
``(3) Limitation.--Not to exceed 15 percent of grant funds
may be used for activities described in paragraph (2)(D).
``(e) Request To Transfer Obligation.--An eligible entity that
receives a grant under this section may submit a request to the
Secretary for permission to transfer the 10-year obligation of facility
use, as described in subsection (c)(1)(F), to another facility.
``(f) Agreement to Federal Share.--As a condition of receipt of a
grant under this section, an eligible entity shall agree, with respect
to the costs to be incurred by the entity in carrying out the
activities for which such grant is awarded, that the entity will make
available non-Federal contributions (which may include State or local
funds, or funds from the qualified community program) in an amount
equal to not less than $1 for every $1 of Federal funds provided under
the grant.
``(g) Reporting.--
``(1) Reporting by states.--During the 10-year period
referred to in subsection (c)(1)(F), the Secretary shall
require that a State that receives a grant under this section
submit, as part of the report of the State required under the
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant under subpart I of
part B of title XIX and the Substance Abuse Prevention and
Treatment Block Grant under subpart II of such part, a
description of the progress on--
``(A) the projects carried out pursuant to the
grant under this section; and
``(B) the assurances that the facilities involved
continue to be used for the purpose for which they were
funded under such grant during such 10-year period.
``(2) Reporting by indian tribes and tribal
organizations.--The Secretary shall establish reporting
requirements for Indian tribes and tribal organizations that
receive a grant under this section. Such reporting requirements
shall include that such Indian tribe or tribal organization
provide a description of the progress on--
``(A) the projects carried out pursuant to the
grant under this section; and
``(B) the assurances that the facilities involved
continue to be used for the purpose for which they were
funded under such grant during the 10-year period
referred to in subsection (c)(1)(F).
``(h) Failure To Meet Obligations.--
``(1) In general.--If an eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section fails to meet any of the obligations
of the entity required under this section, the Secretary shall
take appropriate steps, which may include--
``(A) requiring that the entity return the unused
portion of the funds awarded under this section for the
projects that are incomplete; and
``(B) extending the length of time that the entity
must ensure that the facility involved is used for the
purposes for which it is intended, as described in
subsection (c)(1)(F).
``(2) Hearing.--Prior to requesting the return of the funds
under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall provide the entity
notice and opportunity for a hearing.
``(i) Collaboration.--The Secretary may establish intergovernmental
and interdepartmental memorandums of agreement as necessary to carry
out this section.
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''. | Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act - Amends Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award matching grants to states or Indian tribes to expend funds for the construction or modernization of facilities used to provide community-based mental health and substance abuse services to individuals. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Community-Based Mental Health Infrastructure Improvements Act"} | 1,893 | 69 | 0.602956 | 1.431653 | 0.993051 | 4.066667 | 29.133333 | 0.9 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Chapter 12 Extension and Bankruptcy
Judgeship Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF CHAPTER 12 OF TITLE 11 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Amendments.--Section 149 of title I of division C of Public Law
105-277, as amended by Public Law 106-5 and Public Law 106-70, is
amended--
(1) by striking ``July 1, 2000'' each place it appears and
inserting ``July 1, 2001''; and
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``September 30, 1999'' and
inserting ``June 30, 2000''; and
(B) by striking ``October 1, 1999'' and inserting
``July 1, 2000''.
(b) Effective Date.--
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on July 1,
2000.
SEC. 3. BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIPS.
(a) Temporary Judgeships.--
(1) Appointments.--The following bankruptcy judges shall be
appointed in the manner prescribed in section 152(a)(1) of
title 28, United States Code, for the appointment of bankruptcy
judges provided for in section 152(a)(2) of such title:
(A) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of California.
(B) Four additional bankruptcy judges for the
central district of California.
(C) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of Delaware.
(D) Two additional bankruptcy judges for the
southern district of Florida.
(E) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of Georgia.
(F) Two additional bankruptcy judges for the
district of Maryland.
(G) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Michigan.
(H) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of Mississippi.
(I) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of New Jersey.
(J) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of New York.
(K) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
northern district of New York.
(L) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of New York.
(M) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of North Carolina.
(N) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Pennsylvania.
(O) One additional bankruptcy judge for the middle
district of Pennsylvania.
(P) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of Puerto Rico.
(Q) One additional bankruptcy judge for the western
district of Tennessee.
(R) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Virginia.
(2) Vacancies.--The first vacancy occurring in the office
of a bankruptcy judge in each of the judicial districts set
forth in paragraph (1) shall not be filled if the vacancy--
(A) results from the death, retirement,
resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy judge; and
(B) occurs 5 years or more after the appointment
date of a bankruptcy judge appointed under paragraph
(1).
(b) Extensions.--
(1) In general.--The temporary office of bankruptcy judges
authorized for the northern district of Alabama, the district
of Delaware, the district of Puerto Rico, the district of South
Carolina, and the eastern district of Tennessee under
paragraphs (1), (3), (7), (8), and (9) of section 3(a) of the
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 note) are
extended until the first vacancy occurring in the office of a
bankruptcy judge in the applicable district resulting from the
death, retirement, resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy
judge and occurring--
(A) 8 years or more after November 8, 1993, with
respect to the northern district of Alabama;
(B) 10 years or more after October 28, 1993, with
respect to the district of Delaware;
(C) 8 years or more after August 29, 1994, with
respect to the district of Puerto Rico;
(D) 8 years or more after June 27, 1994, with
respect to the district of South Carolina; and
(E) 8 years or more after November 23, 1993, with
respect to the eastern district of Tennessee.
(2) Applicability of other provisions.--Except as provided
in paragraph (1), section 3 of the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of
1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 note) shall continue to apply to the
temporary office of bankruptcy judges referred to in such
paragraph.
(c) Technical Amendments.--Section 152(a) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) by striking the first sentence and
inserting the following:
``Each bankruptcy judge authorized to be appointed for a judicial
district as provided in paragraph (2) shall be appointed by the United
States court of appeals for the circuit in which such district is
located.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the item relating to the middle district of
Georgia, by striking ``2'' and inserting ``3''; and
(B) in the collective item relating to the middle
and southern districts of Georgia, by striking ``Middle
and Southern . . . . . . 1''. | Makes this Act effective as of July 1, 2000 (the previous expiration date).
Mandates appointments for additional temporary bankruptcy judgeships in designated districts of the following States: California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Prohibits filling the first vacancy occurring in such judicial districts five years or more after such appointments if it results from death, retirement, resignation or removal.
Extends temporary bankruptcy judgeship positions authorized for the northern district of Alabama, the eastern district of Tennessee, and the districts of Delaware, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Chapter 12 Extension and Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2000"} | 1,123 | 141 | 0.634248 | 1.761205 | 0.732031 | 2.488372 | 8.457364 | 0.906977 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Northern Virginia Metrorail
Extension Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(Metro) maintains the second largest rail network in the
Nation.
(2) Local and State governments in the National Capital
Region have led efforts to extend Metrorail service, and any
future Metrorail extension will be provided only with their
collaboration, consistent with local planning objectives.
(3) In the most recent draft strategic plan, Momentum: The
Next Generation of Metro, Metro identifies future expansion
opportunities, including the Orange Line in Virginia from
Vienna to Centreville and the Blue Line in Virginia from
Franconia-Springfield to Prince William.
(4) More than 120,000 Federal employees ride Metro to work,
accounting for more than 40 percent of the morning rush-hour
ridership.
(5) More than half of Metro's current stations are located
on Federal property.
(6) The Federal Government has partnered with the State and
local governments to provide $300 million, consisting of $150
million in Federal funds to match $50 million each from
Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia (Public Law
110-432), over a 10-year period for safety and other capital
improvements throughout the Metro system.
(7) Metro takes 580,000 cars off the road each day,
eliminates the need for 1,400 lane miles of highway, reduces
gas consumption by 75 million gallons annually, and eliminates
more than 10,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
(8) Metrorail stations encourage transit-oriented
development, which is critical to protecting open space
throughout the region.
(9) Metro stimulates economic and job growth, and real
estate near Metrorail stations is worth in excess of $25
billion.
(10) The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and
the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transit (VDRPT)
completed a Major Investment Study that concluded that a
multimodal transportation strategy is required to accommodate
projected travel demand in Virginia along Interstate Route 66
from Interstate Route 495 to the Centreville and Haymarket
communities, areas which would be served by the proposed Orange
Line extension.
(11) The Route 1 Multimodal Alternatives Analysis, a
partnership between VDOT, VDRPT, and Fairfax and Prince William
counties, in October 2014 endorsed recommendations for
improving the corridor to include extending Metro's Yellow Line
to Hybla Valley ``as expeditiously as possible''.
(12) The population of the area to be served by the
proposed Orange Line extension is expected to be 681,000
individuals by 2025, while employment in the area is projected
to increase to 362,000 individuals.
(13) The population of the area to be served by the
proposed Blue and Yellow Line extensions grew by 120,000 people
between 2000 and 2010, and continued growth of another 100,000
people is expected by 2020.
(14) The Comprehensive Plans for both Fairfax and Prince
William counties identify the need to develop alternative
transit concepts, including an extension of the existing
Metrorail lines.
(15) As a result of military base realignments and
closures, thousands of national defense-related Federal and
civilian jobs will shift from the area of Crystal City,
Virginia, which is served by Metrorail, to Fort Belvoir,
Virginia, and the Engineer Proving Ground in southern Fairfax,
neither of which is currently served by Metro.
(16) Department of Defense analysis shows many of those
employees are coming from points south and west.
(17) Additional job growth along the Richmond Highway
(Route 1) corridor and Interstate Route 95 in both Fairfax and
Prince William counties, including communities like Mount
Vernon, Woodbridge, and Potomac Mills, adds further urgency to
the need to expand Metro service in Northern Virginia.
(18) To ensure the regional transportation network can
accommodate projected growth, it is critical that extensions of
transit service are coordinated with local land use planning,
including the use of smart growth principles and transit-
oriented development.
SEC. 3. NEW FIXED GUIDEWAY CAPITAL PROJECTS, NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
The following projects are deemed to have entered the project
development phase under section 5309(d)(1) of title 49, United States
Code:
(1) Northern Virginia--Extension of Metrorail Blue Line to
include the Engineer Proving Ground and the Interstate Route 95
corridor in Fairfax and Prince William counties.
(2) Northern Virginia--Extension of Metrorail Orange Line
to Centreville.
(3) Northern Virginia--Extension of Metrorail Yellow Line
to the Richmond Highway (Route 1) corridor in Fairfax and
Prince William counties. | Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act Authorizes project development for specified Metrorail new fixed guideway capital projects in Virginia. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act"} | 962 | 25 | 0.459072 | 1.179228 | 0.628965 | 2.35 | 47.85 | 0.85 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Explosive Materials Background Check
Act''.
SEC. 2. EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS BACKGROUND CHECKS.
(a) Amendments to Title 18.--Chapter 40 of title 18, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in section 841--
(A) in subsection (d), by inserting ``smokeless
powder and black powder substitutes,'' after ``black
powder,''; and
(B) in subsection (h), by striking ``the business
of'';
(2) in section 842--
(A) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (9), by striking the
period and inserting a semicolon; and
(ii) inserting at the end the following:
``(10) is subject to a court order that restrains such
person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate
partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or
person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an
intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the
partner or child, except that this paragraph shall only apply
to a court order that--
``(A) was issued after a hearing of which such
person received actual notice, and at which such person
had the opportunity to participate; and
``(B)(i) includes a finding that such person
represents a credible threat to the physical safety of
such intimate partner or child; or
``(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use,
attempted use, or threatened use of physical force
against such intimate partner or child that would
reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury;
``(11) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor
crime of domestic violence; or
``(12) has received actual notice of the Attorney General's
determination made pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(B) or (j) of
section 843 of this title.''; and
(B) in subsection (i)--
(i) in paragraph (7), by inserting a
semicolon after ``person'';
(ii) inserting at the end the following:
``(8) is subject to a court order that restrains such
person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate
partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or
person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an
intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the
partner or child, except that this paragraph shall only apply
to a court order that--
``(A) was issued after a hearing of which such
person received actual notice, and at which such person
had the opportunity to participate; and
``(B)(i) includes a finding that such person
represents a credible threat to the physical safety of
such intimate partner or child; or
``(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the use,
attempted use, or threatened use of physical force
against such intimate partner or child that would
reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury;
``(9) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor
crime of domestic violence; or
``(10) has received actual notice of the Attorney General's
determination made pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(B) or (j) of
section 843 of this title.'';
(3) in section 843--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``Upon'' and inserting
``Except as provided in subsection (j), upon'';
(ii) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and''
after the semicolon;
(iii) in paragraph (7), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by inserting at the end the following:
``(8) in the case of a limited permit holder, the applicant
certifies the permit will only be used to purchase black
powder, black powder substitute, and smokeless powder in which
case the limitation in paragraph (7) shall not apply.'';
(B) in subsection (d)--
(i) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)'';
(ii) by striking ``if in the opinion'' and
inserting the following: ``if--
``(A) in the opinion''; and
(iii) by striking ``. The Secretary's
action'' and inserting the following: ``; or
``(B) the Attorney General determines that the
licensee or holder (or any responsible person or
employee possessor thereof) is known (or appropriately
suspected) to be or have been engaged in conduct
constituting, in preparation for, in aid of, or related
to terrorism, or providing material support or
resources for terrorism, and that the Attorney General
has a reasonable belief that the person may use
explosives in connection with terrorism.
``(2) The Attorney General's action''; and
(C) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by inserting after
the first sentence the following: ``However, if
the denial or revocation is based upon an
Attorney General determination under subsection
(j) or (d)(1)(B), any information which the
Attorney General relied on for this
determination may be withheld from the
petitioner if the Attorney General determines
that disclosure of the information would likely
compromise national security.''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end
the following: ``In responding to any petition
for review of a denial or revocation based upon
an Attorney General determination under
subsection (j) or (d)(1)(B), the United States
may submit, and the court may rely upon,
summaries or redacted versions of documents
containing information the disclosure of which
the Attorney General has determined would
likely compromise national security.'';
(D) in subsection (h)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or
in subsection (j) of this section (on grounds
of terrorism)'' after ``section 842(i)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in the matter preceding clause
(i), by inserting ``or in subsection
(j) of this section,'' after ``section
842(i),''; and
(II) in clause (ii), by inserting
``, except that any information that
the Attorney General relied on for a
determination pursuant to subsection
(j) may be withheld if the Attorney
General concludes that disclosure of
the information would likely compromise
national security'' after
``determination'' ; and
(E) by inserting at the end the following:
``(j) Attorney General Discretionary Denial of Federal Explosives
Licenses and Permits.--The Attorney General may deny the issuance of a
permit or license to an applicant if the Attorney General determines
that the applicant or a responsible person or employee possessor
thereof is known (or appropriately suspected) to be or have been
engaged in conduct constituting, in preparation of, in aid of, or
related to terrorism, or providing material support or resources for
terrorism, and the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that the
person may use explosives in connection with terrorism.''; and
(4) in section 845(a)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by inserting after ``and
components thereof'' the following: ``, except for
smokeless powder and black powder substitutes''; and
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``black powder in
quantities not to exceed fifty pounds,''.
(b) Guidelines.--
(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall issue
guidelines describing the circumstances under which the
Attorney General will exercise the authority and make
determinations under subsections (d)(1)(B) and (j) of section
843 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this Act.
(2) Contents.--The guidelines issued under paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) provide accountability and a basis for
monitoring to ensure that the intended goals for, and
expected results of, the grant of authority under
subsections (d)(1)(B) and (j) of section 843 of title
18, United States Code, as amended by this Act, are
being achieved; and
(B) ensure that terrorist watch list records are
used in a manner that safeguards privacy and civil
liberties protections, in accordance with requirements
outlines in Homeland Security Presidential Directive 11
(dated August 27, 2004). | Explosive Materials Background Check Act - Amends federal criminal code provisions governing the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive materials to: (1) include smokeless powder and black powder substitute within the definition of an "explosive" to which such provisions apply; (2) revise the definition of "manufacturer" to mean any person engaged in manufacturing (currently, in the business of manufacturing) explosive materials; and (3) delete the exemption for commercially manufactured black powder in quantities of less than fifty pounds. Prohibits knowingly distributing explosive materials to any person who: (1) is subject to a court order (issued after a hearing meeting specified requirements) that restrains such person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or a child of such intimate partner or person or from engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child; (2) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; or (3) the Attorney General has determined is an individual known or appropriately suspected to be or have been engaged in, conduct constituting or related to terrorism or providing material support or resources for terrorism and the Attorney General has a reasonable belief that such person may use explosives in connection with terrorism. Makes it unlawful for any such person to ship or transport any explosive in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or to receive or possess any explosive that has been shipped or transported in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce. Exempts a limited explosives material permit holder who certifies that the permit will only be used to purchase black powder, black powder substitute, and smokeless powder from provisions limiting the receipt of explosive materials to six separate occasions during a 12-month period. Authorizes the Attorney General to deny or revoke an explosives materials license or permit upon determining that the licensee or holder is known to be or have been engaged in such terrorist conduct and may use explosives in connection with terrorism. Directs the Attorney General to issue guidelines describing the circumstances under which the Attorney General will exercise such authority and make such determinations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Explosive Materials Background Check Act"} | 1,898 | 473 | 0.567297 | 1.87152 | 0.747529 | 3.550868 | 4.424318 | 0.836228 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Freedom and Flexibility to Rebuild
Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. LOUISIANA FLEXIBILITY.
(a) High Priority Projects.--The following items in the table
contained in section 1702 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59) are
each amended by striking the project description and inserting ``Such
projects as are eligible for assistance under the surface
transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Louisiana'': 38, 60, 76, 120, 183, 235, 273,
352, 432, 499, 612, 761, 870, 945, 1332, 1362, 1380, 1427, 1483, 1534,
1629, 1731, 1968, 2184, 2203, 2225, 2226, 2258, 2291, 2361, 2380, 2388,
2400, 2418, 2470, 2675, 2703, 2712, 2751, 3037, 3080, 3088, 3103, 3110,
3231, 3290, 3342, 3423, 3424, 3453, 3525, 3629, 4226, 4227, 4228, 4229,
4230, 4231, 4232, 4233, 4234, 4235, 4236, 4237, 4238, 4239, 4240, 4241,
4242, 4243, 4244, 4245, 4246, 4247, 4248, 4249, 4250, 4251, 4252, 4253,
4254, 4255, 4256, 4257, 4258, 4259, 4260, 4261, 4262, 4263, and 4264.
(b) Transportation Improvement.--Item 171 in the table contained in
section 1934 of such Act is amended by striking the project description
and inserting ``Such projects as are eligible for assistance under the
surface transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Louisiana''.
(c) National Corridor Infrastructure Improvements.--The following
items in the table contained in section 1302 of such Act are each
amended by striking the project description and inserting ``Such
projects as are eligible for assistance under the surface
transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Louisiana'': 2, 8, 25, 28, and 29.
(d) Bus and Bus-Related Facilities Improvements.--The following
items in the table contained in section 3044(a) of such Act are each
amended by striking the project description and inserting: ``Such
projects as are eligible for assistance under the surface
transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Louisiana'': 55, 67, 72, 170, 239, 243, 277,
283, 310, 356, 484, 555, 568, 606, and 625.
SEC. 3. MISSISSIPPI FLEXIBILITY.
(a) High Priority Projects.--The following items in the table
contained in section 1702 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59) are
each amended by striking the project description and inserting ``Such
projects as are eligible for assistance under the surface
transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Mississippi'': 105, 175, 178, 212, 214, 293,
409, 411, 527, 648, 1001, 1201, 1281, 1283, 1287, 1458, 1470, 1474,
1482, 1643, 1716, 1717, 1896, 1969, 2011, 2022, 2028, 2085, 2138, 2242,
2264, 2347, 2348, 2422, 2519, 2587, 2642, 2748, 2769, 3035, 3084, 3118,
3171, 3193, 3450, 3458, 3522, 3523, 4396, 4397, 4398, 4399, 4400, 4401,
4402, 4403, 4404, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4408, 4409, 4410, and 4411.
(b) Transportation Improvements.--The following items in the table
contained in section 1934 of such Act are each amended by striking the
project description and inserting ``Such projects as are eligible for
assistance under the surface transportation program established under
23 U.S.C. 133 and are designated by the State of Mississippi'': 227,
228, 229, 230, 231, 232, and 233.
(c) Bus and Bus-Related Facilities.--Items 130 and 547 in the table
contained in section 3044(a) of such Act are each amended by striking
the project description and inserting ``Such projects as are eligible
for assistance under the surface transportation program established
under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are designated by the State of Mississippi''.
SEC. 4. ALABAMA FLEXIBILITY.
(a) High Priority Projects.--The following items in the table
contained in section 1702 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59) are
each amended by striking the project description and inserting: ``Such
projects as are eligible for assistance under the surface
transportation program established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are
designated by the State of Alabama'': 104, 177, 256, 322, 341, 827,
921, 940, 1129, 1252, 1310, 1333, 1372, 1448, 1460, 1463, 1485, 1572,
1586, 1787, 1831, 1860, 1906, 1935, 2190, 2265, 2323, 2395, 2516, 2541,
2581, 2593, 2608, 2615, 2723, 2779, 2792, 2872, 2887, 2898, 2952, 3142,
3189, 3287, 3352, 3354, 3372, 3728, 3729, 3730, 3731, 3732, 3733, and
3734.
(b) Transportation Improvements.--Items 14, 15, and 16 in the table
contained in section 1934 of such Act are each amended by striking the
project description and inserting ``Such projects as are eligible for
assistance under the surface transportation program established under
23 U.S.C. 133 and are designated by the State of Alabama''.
(c) Bus and Bus-Related Facilities.--The following items in the
table contained in section 3044(a) of such Act are each amended by
striking the project description and inserting ``Such projects as are
eligible for assistance under the surface transportation program
established under 23 U.S.C. 133 and are designated by the State of
Alabama'': 98, 437, 461, 462, 469, 496, 501, 503, 504, 507, 528, 534,
582, 644, 645, 646, 647, and 650. | Freedom and Flexibility to Rebuild Act of 2005 - Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to revise the allocation of specified surface transportation projects for the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to allow such states to designate other eligible transportation projects for such projects. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend Public Law 109-59 to allow the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to designate the projects for which certain highway and transit funds allocated to such States may be obligated."} | 1,640 | 71 | 0.478032 | 1.27752 | 0.517116 | 3.322034 | 21.932203 | 0.847458 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSES.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Responsible Off-
Road Vehicle Enforcement and Response Act''.
(b) Findings.--The Congress finds the following:
(1) The public lands managed by the Bureau of Land
Management and the Federal lands within the National Forest
System provide important opportunities for recreational
activities as well as for other uses.
(2) The use of vehicles on such lands for recreational and
other purposes is appropriate and should be permitted to
continue.
(3) Use of vehicles, whether motorized or nonmotorized, on
such lands can result in damage and should occur only where
consistent with the other purposes for which those lands are
managed and in compliance with all applicable requirements or
regulations.
(4) Violations of such requirements or regulations should
be subject to fines commensurate with the severity of any
damages resulting from such violations.
(5) Current law should be revised so that the Secretary of
the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture can impose more
appropriate fines for violations of such requirements or
regulations and can require violators to reimburse the United
States for restoration or other costs resulting from such
violations.
(c) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are as follows:
(1) To authorize imposition of appropriate fines for
violations of requirements or regulations regarding use of
vehicles on public lands or on Federal lands within the
National Forest System that result in damage to such lands.
(2) To authorize immediate use of funds received as a
result of the imposition of such fines for restoration or other
treatment of lands damaged by such violations, for increasing
public awareness of the regulations applicable to use of
vehicles on such lands, and for defraying the costs of
enforcing such regulations.
SEC. 2. PUBLIC LANDS.
(a) Fines.--Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) The'' and inserting ``(a)(1) The'';
and
(2) by adding after paragraph (1) (as so designated above)
the following new paragraph:
``(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including section
3571 of title 18, United States Code), the Secretary may impose a fine
of no more than $10,000 or an amount equal to the cost to the United
States of any improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work on the
public lands rendered necessary by damages to such lands resulting from
violation of any regulation or other requirement regarding use of any
vehicle over such lands, whichever amount is greater. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, such a violation not resulting in death
shall be considered a Class B misdemeanor.''.
(b) Use of Fines.--Section 305 of the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1735), is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection:
``(d) Any moneys received by the United States as a result of a
fine imposed pursuant to section 303(a)(2) shall be available to the
Secretary, without further appropriation, and shall be used--
``(1) to cover the administrative, legal, and related
expenses, including damage assessments, payments of rewards for
information, and investigative costs of enforcing regulations
or other requirements regarding use of vehicles on public
lands;
``(2) to cover the costs of any improvement, protection, or
rehabilitation work on public lands; and
``(3) to increase public awareness of regulations and other
requirements regarding recreational use of vehicles on public
lands.''.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL FOREST LANDS.
(a) Vehicle Violations.--Section 1 of the Act of June 4, 1897 (16
U.S.C. 551), is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary of Agriculture'' and
inserting ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Fines for Vehicle Violations.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law (including section 3571 of title 18, United States
Code), the Secretary may impose a fine of no more than $10,000 or any
amount equal to the cost to the United States of any improvement,
protection, or rehabilitation work on lands managed by the Forest
Service rendered necessary by damages to such lands resulting from
violation of any regulation or requirement regarding use of any vehicle
on such lands, whichever amount is greater. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, such a violation not resulting in death shall be
considered a Class B misdemeanor.''.
(b) Use of Fines.--Section 7 of the Act of June 20, 1958 (16 U.S.C.
579c), is amended--
(1) by inserting ``administrative, legal, and related
expenses, including damage assessments, payments of rewards for
information, and investigative costs, incurred in connection
with such claim, and all'' after ``cost to the United States of
any''; and
(2) by striking ``Provided'' and all that follows at the
end of such section and inserting the following: ``Provided,
That any portion of the moneys so received in excess of the
amounts expended for such purposes shall be similarly made
available to be used for enforcement and increased public
awareness of the regulations and other requirements regarding
activities on such lands, including the regulations and
requirements regarding the use of vehicles on such lands.''. | Responsible Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement and Response Act - Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to impose a fine of up to the greater of $10,000 or an amount equal to the cost to the United States of any improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work on public lands rendered necessary for damages to such lands resulting from violation of any regulation or other requirement regarding use of a vehicle over such lands. Makes such a violation not resulting in death a Class B misdemeanor.Directs that any moneys received by the United States from such a fine be used to: (1) cover administrative, legal, and related expenses; (2) cover the costs of any improvement, protection, or rehabilitation work on public lands; and (3) increase public awareness of regulations and other requirements regarding recreational use of vehicles on public lands.Amends Federal law to set forth similar provisions regarding vehicle violations in National Forest lands. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To authorize increased fines for improper use of vehicles that results in damage to public lands or national forests, and for other purposes."} | 1,236 | 208 | 0.62342 | 1.894706 | 0.813423 | 5.605405 | 6.135135 | 0.935135 |
SECTION 1. COVERAGE OF EMPLOYEES.
Paragraphs (2)(B)(ii) and (4)(A)(i) of section 101 of the Family
and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2611 (2)(B)(ii) and (4)(A)(i))
are amended by striking ``50'' each place it appears and inserting
``25''.
SEC. 2. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT LEAVE.
(a) Leave Requirement.--Section 102(a) of the Family and Medical
Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2612(a)) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(3) Entitlement to parental involvement leave.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to section 103(f), an
eligible employee shall be entitled to a total of 4
hours of leave during any 30-day period, and a total of
24 hours of leave during any 12-month period, in
addition to leave available under paragraph (1), to
participate in or attend an activity that--
``(i) is sponsored by a school or community
organization; and
``(ii) relates to a program of the school
or organization that is attended by a son or
daughter of the employee, including foster
children.
``(B) Definitions.--As used in this paragraph:
``(i) Community organization.--The term
`community organization' means a private
nonprofit organization that is representative
of a community or a significant segment of a
community and provides activities for
individuals described in subparagraph (A) or
(B) of section 101(12), such as a scouting or
sports organization.
``(ii) School.--The term `school' means an
elementary school or secondary school (as such
terms are defined in section 14101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 8801)), a Head Start program
assisted under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9831 et seq.), and a child care facility
licensed under State law.''.
(b) Schedule.--Section 102(b)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(b)(1))
is amended by inserting after the second sentence the following:
``Leave under subsection (a)(3) may be taken intermittently or on a
reduced leave schedule.''
(c) Substitution of Paid Leave.--Section 102(d)(2)(A) of such Act
(29 U.S.C. 2612(d)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting before the period the
following: ``, or for leave provided under subsection (a)(3) for any
part of the 24-hour period of such leave under such subsection''.
(d) Notice.--Section 102(e)(1) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2612(e)(1))
is amended by adding at the end the following: ``In any case in which
an employee requests leave under subsection (a)(3), the employee shall
provide the employer with not less than 7 days' notice, before the date
the leave is to begin, of the employee's intention to take leave under
such subsection.''.
(e) Certification.--Section 103 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2613) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Certification for Parental Involvement 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.''.
SEC. 3. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT LEAVE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
(a) Leave Requirement.--Section 6382(a) of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3)(A) Subject to section 6383(f), an employee shall be entitled
to a total of 4 hours of leave during any 30-day period, and a total of
24 hours of leave during any 12-month period, in addition to leave
available under paragraph (1), to participate in or attend an activity
that--
``(i) is sponsored by a school or community organization;
and
``(ii) relates to a program of the school or organization
that is attended by a son or daughter of the employee,
including foster children.
``(B) As used in this paragraph:
``(i) The term `community organization' means a private
nonprofit organization that is representative of a community or
a significant segment of a community and provides activities
for individuals described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section
6381(6), such as a scouting or sports organization.
``(ii) The term `school' means an elementary school or
secondary school (as such terms are defined in section 14101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
8801)), a Head Start program assisted under the Head Start Act
(42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), and a child care facility licensed
under State law.''.
(b) Schedule.--Section 6382(b)(1) of such title is amended by
inserting after the second sentence the following: ``Leave under
subsection (a)(3) may be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave
schedule.''
(c) Substitution of Paid Leave.--Section 6382(d) of such title is
amended by inserting before ``, except'' the following: ``, or for
leave provided under subsection (a)(3) any of the employee's accrued or
accumulated annual leave under subchapter I for any part of the 24-hour
period of such leave under such subsection''.
(d) Notice.--Section 6382(e)(1) of such title is amended by adding
at the end the following: ``In any case in which an employee requests
leave under subsection (a)(3), the employee shall provide the employing
agency with not less than 7 days' notice, before the date the leave is
to begin, of the employee's intention to take leave under such
subsection.''.
(e) 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.''. | Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to extend coverage to employees at worksites where the employer employs at least 25 (currently 50) employees at the worksite and within 75 miles of that worksite.
Allows employees covered by such Act to take up to four hours during any 30-day period, and up to 24 hours during any 12-month period, of parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities.
Amends Federal civil service law to apply the same parental involvement leave allowance to Federal employees. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to apply the Act to a greater percentage of the United States workforce and to allow employees to take parental involvement leave to participate in or attend their children's educational and extracurricular activities, and for other purposes."} | 1,519 | 115 | 0.479106 | 1.307159 | 0.556252 | 2.311321 | 11.783019 | 0.745283 |
SECTION 1. REIMBURSEMENT FOR ADOPTION EXPENSES.
(a) In General.--Subpart G of part III of title 5, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``CHAPTER 90--MISCELLANEOUS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
``9001. Adoption benefits.
``Sec. 9001. Adoption benefits
``(a) For the purpose of this section--
``(1) the term `agency' means--
``(A) an Executive agency;
``(B) an agency in the judicial branch; and
``(C) an agency in the legislative branch (other
than any included under subparagraph (A));
``(2) the term `employee' does not include any individual
who, pursuant to the exercise of any authority under section
8913(b), is excluded from participating in the health insurance
program under chapter 89; and
``(3) the term `adoption expenses', as used with respect to
a child, means any reasonable and necessary expenses directly
relating to the adoption of such child, including--
``(A) fees charged by an adoption agency;
``(B) placement fees;
``(C) legal fees;
``(D) counseling fees;
``(E) medical expenses, including those relating to
obstetrical care for the biological mother, medical
care for the child, and physical examinations for the
adopting parent or parents;
``(F) foster-care charges; and
``(G) transportation expenses.
``(b) The head of each agency shall by regulation establish a
program under which any employee of such agency who adopts a child
shall be reimbursed for any adoption expenses incurred by such employee
in the adoption of such child.
``(c) Under the regulations, reimbursement may be provided only--
``(1) after the adoption becomes final, as
determined under the laws of the jurisdiction governing
the adoption;
``(2) if, at the time the adoption becomes final,
the child is under 18 years of age and unmarried; and
``(3) if appropriate written application is filed
within such time, complete with such information, and
otherwise in accordance with such procedures as may be
required.
``(d)(1) Reimbursement for an employee under this section with
respect to any particular child--
``(A) shall be payable only if, or to the extent that,
similar benefits paid (or payable) under one or more programs
established under State law or another Federal statute have not
met (or would not meet) the full amount of the adoption
expenses incurred; and
``(B) may not exceed $2,000.
``(2)(A) In any case in which both adopting parents are employees
eligible for reimbursement under this section, each parent shall be
eligible for an amount determined in accordance with paragraph (1),
except as provided in subparagraph (B).
``(B) No amount shall be payable under this section if, or to the
extent that, payment of such amount would cause the sum of the total
amount payable to the adoptive parents under this section, and the
total amount paid (or payable) to them under any program or programs
referred to in paragraph (1)(A), to exceed the lesser of--
``(i) the total adoption expenses incurred; or
``(ii) $5,000.
``(3) The guidelines issued under subsection (g) shall include
provisions relating to interagency cooperation and other appropriate
measures to carry out this subsection.
``(e) Any amount payable under this section shall be paid from the
appropriation or fund used to pay the employee involved.
``(f) An application for reimbursement under this section may not
be denied based on the marital status of the individual applying.
``(g)(1) The Office of Personnel Management may issue any general
guidelines which the Office considers necessary to promote the uniform
administration of this section.
``(2) The regulations prescribed by the head of each Executive
agency under this section shall be consistent with any guidelines
issued under paragraph (1).
``(3) Upon the request of any agency, the Office may provide
consulting, technical, and any other similar assistance necessary to
carry out this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--(1) The heading of subpart G of part
III of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``SUBPART G--ANNUITIES, INSURANCE, AND MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS''.
(2) The analysis for part III of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking the item relating to subpart G and
inserting in lieu thereof the following:
``SUBPART G--ANNUITIES, INSURANCE, AND MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS''; and
(B) by adding after the item relating to chapter 89 the
following:
``90. Miscellaneous Employee Benefits....................... 9001''.
SEC. 2. APPLICABILITY TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES.
Section 1005 of title 39, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Section 9001 of title 5 shall apply to the Postal Service.
Regulations prescribed by the Postal Service to carry out this
subsection shall be consistent with any guidelines issued under
subsection (g)(1) of such section.''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on October 1, 1997, and shall apply with
respect to any adoption which becomes final (determined in the manner
described in section 9001(c)(1) of title 5, United States Code, as
added by this Act) on or after that date. | Amends Federal law concerning Government organization and employees to require the head of each Federal agency, including the U.S. Postal Service, by regulation to establish a program for the reimbursement of adoption expenses incurred by an employee of such agency in the adoption of a child. Prohibits denial of an application on the basis of the applicant's marital status. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for the reimbursement of expenses incurred by a Federal employee in the adoption of a child, and for other purposes."} | 1,256 | 80 | 0.508837 | 1.267874 | 0.875274 | 1.8 | 18.323077 | 0.815385 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Campaign Cost Reduction and Reform
Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF QUALIFYING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATE.
Section 301(19) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 431(19)) is amended to read as follows:
``(19) The term `qualifying House of Representatives candidate'
means a candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, whose principal campaign
committee includes in its statement of organization a declaration of
intention under section 303(b)(7) and, by reason of such declaration,
is subject to the expenditure limitations specified in section 315(i)
or section 315(j).''.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITION OF CONTRIBUTION RELATING TO VALUATION
FORMULA AND ENCOURAGEMENT CONTRIBUTIONS.
Section 301(8)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 431(8)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting after ``anything of value'' the
following: (such value to be determined by the highest
of: cost to the person making the contribution, fair
market value on the date of acquisition by the person
making the contribution, or fair market value on the
date of the contribution); and
(B) by striking out ``or'' after the semicolon;
(2) in clause (ii), by striking out the period and
inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) any gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit
of money or anything of value (such value to be determined in
the manner described in clause (i)) made by any person for the
purpose of encouraging any specific individual who is not a
candidate to become a candidate.''.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO DEFINITION OF EXPENDITURE RELATING TO VALUATION
FORMULA AND ENCOURAGEMENT EXPENDITURES.
Section 301(9)(A) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 431(9)(A)) is amended--
(1) in clause (i)--
(A) by inserting after ``anything of value'' the
following: ``(such value to be determined by the
highest of: cost to the person making the expenditure,
fair market value on the date of acquisition by the
person making the expenditure, or fair market value on
the date of the expenditure); and
(B) by striking out ``and'' after the semicolon;
(2) in clause (ii), by striking out the period and
inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) any purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance,
deposit, or gift of money or anything of value (such value to
be determined in the manner described in clause (i)) made by
any person for the purpose of encouraging any specific
individual who is not a candidate to become a candidate.''.
SEC. 5. REGISTRATION AS QUALIFYING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATE.
(a) In General.--Section 303(b) of the Federal Election Campaign
Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 433(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking out ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking out the period at the end
and inserting in lieu thereof the following: ``and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) in the case of a principal campaign committee of a
candidate for the office of Representative in, or Delegate or
Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, who desires to be a
qualifying House of Representatives candidate, a declaration of
intention of the candidate to comply voluntarily with all
contribution limitations and expenditure limitations under this
Act.''.
(b) Amendment to Statement of Organization.--Section 303 of the
Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 433) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(e)(1) In the case of a political committee referred to in
paragraph (7) of subsection (b), if the statement of organization does
not include a declaration referred to in that paragraph, the committee
may amend the statement to include such declaration, if such amendment
is filed under section 302(g) not later than the day the candidate
becomes a candidate for purposes of State law.
``(2) A declaration of intention that is included in a statement of
organization under paragraph (7) of subsection (b), whether in the
original filing or by amendment, may not be revoked.''.
SEC. 6. AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION OF INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE.
Section 301(17) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2
U.S.C. 431(17)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``An
expenditure is not an independent expenditure if--
``(A) there is any arrangement, coordination, or direction
with respect to the expenditure between the candidate and the
person making the expenditure;
``(B) with respect to the election, the person making the
expenditure--
``(i) is authorized to solicit contributions or
make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or an
authorized committee of the candidate;
``(ii) is an officer of an authorized committee of
the candidate; or
``(iii) receives any compensation or reimbursement
from the candidate, or an authorized committee of the
candidate;
``(C) the expenditure is clearly intended to encourage
voters to support or oppose a specific candidate for the office
of Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to,
the Congress.''.
SEC. 7. LIMITATIONS ON EXPENDITURES BY QUALIFYING HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(i) A qualifying House of Representatives candidate shall not
make expenditures derived from personal funds of such candidate in
excess of $75,000 with respect to an election for the Office of
Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the
Congress.
``(j) A qualifying House of Representatives candidate shall not
make expenditures in excess of $600,000 with respect to an election
cycle.''.
SEC. 8. LIMITATIONS WITH RESPECT TO QUALIFYING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CANDIDATES.
Section 315 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C.
441a), as amended by section 7 of this Act, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(k)(1) A qualifying House of Representatives candidate may not
accept, in an election cycle--
``(A) more than $300,000 in contributions from persons
other than individuals;
``(B) more than $5,000 from a single multicandidate
political committee;
``(C) more than $75,000 from political party committees; or
``(D) more than $100,000 from individuals who reside
outside the congressional district involved.
``(2) No person may make independent expenditures in an election
cycle of more than $10,000 advocating the election of a qualifying
House of Representatives candidate or advocating the defeat of the
opponent of such candidate.
``(3) An individual may not make contributions of more than $2,000
to a qualifying House of Representatives candidate in an election
cycle.
``(4) As used in this section, the term `election cycle' means--
``(A) in the case of a candidate or the authorized
committees of a candidate, the term beginning on the day after
the date of the most recent general election for the specific
office or seat which such candidate seeks and ending on the
date of the next general election for such office or seat; or
``(B) for all other persons, the term beginning on the
first day following the date of the last general election and
ending on the date of the next general election.
``(5)(A) Any person who exceeds a limitation under this subsection
by 5 percent or less shall pay to the Commission an amount equal to the
amount of the excess.
``(B) Any person who exceeds a limitation under this subsection by
more than 5 percent but not more than 10 percent shall pay to the
Commission an amount equal to three times the amount of the excess.
``(C) Any person who exceeds a limitation under this subsection by
more than 10 percent shall pay to the Commission an amount equal to
three times the amount of the excess plus a civil penalty in an amount
determined by the Commission.''.
SEC. 9. AMENDMENTS TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 RELATING TO THE
CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN QUALIFYING HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES CANDIDATES.
(a) General Rule.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter
1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 23 the
following new section:
``SEC. 24. CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN QUALIFYING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CANDIDATES.
``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the
taxable year an amount equal to the total of contributions to
qualifying House of Representatives candidates which are made by the
taxpayer during the taxable year, with respect to elections in the
congressional district of which the taxpayer is a resident.
``(b) Limitations.--
``(1) Maximum credit.--The credit allowed by subsection (a)
for a taxable year shall not exceed $100 ($200 in the case of a
joint return under section 6013).
``(2) Verification.--The credit allowed by subsection (a)
shall be allowed, with respect to any qualified political
contribution, only if such contribution is verified in such
manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by regulations.
``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
`contribution' and `qualifying House of Representatives candidate' have
the meanings given those terms in section 301 of the Federal Election
Campaign Act of 1971.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 642 of such Code (relating to special rules for
credits and deductions of estates or trusts) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(j) Credit for Political Contributions Not Allowed.--An estate or
trust shall not be allowed the credit against tax provided by section
24.''.
(2) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 23 the following new item:
``Sec. 24. Contributions to certain qualifying House of Representatives
candidates.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1993.
SEC. 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the amendments made by
this Act shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office
beginning with the general election of November 8, 1994 (and any
primary election relating to such general election). | Campaign Cost Reduction and Reform Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the definition of: (1) qualifying House of Representatives candidate; (2) contribution; (3) expenditure; and (4) independent expenditure.
Limits with regard to an election cycle of an House of Representatives candidate: (1) general and personal funds expenditures; (2) contributions from persons other than individuals, multicandidate political committees (PACs), political party committees, and persons from outside the district; (3) independent expenditures; and (4) individual contributions. Sets forth penalties for excess contributions.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit ($100 for an individual, $200 for a joint return) for contributions to House of Representatives candidates with respect to elections in the taxpayer's congressional district of residence. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Campaign Cost Reduction and Reform Act of 1993"} | 2,632 | 172 | 0.515377 | 1.334195 | 0.737842 | 2.538462 | 13.905325 | 0.905325 |
SECTION 1. USE OF OPTION 1A AS PRICE STRUCTURE FOR CLASS I MILK UNDER
CONSOLIDATED FEDERAL MILK MARKETING ORDERS.
(a) Final Rule Defined.--In this section, the term ``final rule''
means the final rule for the consolidation and reform of Federal milk
marketing orders that was published in the Federal Register on
September 1, 1999 (64 Fed. Reg. 47897-48021), to comply with section
143 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7
U.S.C. 7253).
(b) Implementation of Final Rule for Milk Order Reform.--Subject to
subsection (c), the final rule shall take effect, and be implemented by
the Secretary of Agriculture, on the first day of the first month
beginning at least 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Use of Option 1A for Pricing Class I Milk.--In lieu of the
Class I price differentials specified in the final rule, the Secretary
of Agriculture shall price fluid or Class I milk under the Federal milk
marketing orders using the Class I price differentials identified as
Option 1A ``Location-Specific Differentials Analysis'' in the proposed
rule published in the Federal Register on January 30, 1998 (63 Fed.
Reg. 4802, 4809), except that the Secretary shall include the
corrections and modifications to such Class I differentials made by the
Secretary through April 2, 1999.
(d) Effect of Prior Announcement of Minimum Prices.--If the
Secretary of Agriculture announces minimum prices for milk under
Federal milk marketing orders pursuant to section 1000.50 of title 7,
Code of Federal Regulations, before the effective date specified in
subsection (b), the minimum prices so announced before that date shall
be the only applicable minimum prices under Federal milk marketing
orders for the month or months for which the prices have been
announced.
(e) Implementation of Requirement.--The implementation of the final
rule, as modified by subsection (c), shall not be subject to any of the
following:
(1) The notice and hearing requirements of section 8c(3) of
the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c(3)), reenacted
with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of
1937, or the notice and comment provisions of section 553 of
title 5, United States Code.
(2) A referendum conducted by the Secretary of Agriculture
pursuant to subsections (17) or (19) of section 8c of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c), reenacted with
amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937.
(3) The Statement of Policy of the Secretary of Agriculture
effective July 24, 1971 (36 Fed. Reg. 13804), relating to
notices of proposed rulemaking and public participation in
rulemaking.
(4) Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly
known as the Paperwork Reduction Act).
(5) Any decision, restraining order, or injunction issued
by a United States court before the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 2. FURTHER RULEMAKING TO DEVELOP PRICING METHODS FOR CLASS III AND
CLASS IV MILK UNDER MARKETING ORDERS.
(a) Congressional Finding.--The Class III and Class IV milk pricing
formulas included in the final decision for the consolidation and
reform of Federal milk marketing orders, as published in the Federal
Register on April 2, 1999 (64 Fed. Reg. 16025), do not adequately
reflect public comment on the original proposed rule published in the
Federal Register on January 30, 1998 (63 Fed. Reg. 4802), and are
sufficiently different from the proposed rule and any comments
submitted with regard to the proposed rule that further emergency
rulemaking is merited.
(b) Rulemaking Required.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall
conduct rulemaking, on the record after an opportunity for an agency
hearing, to reconsider the Class III and Class IV milk pricing formulas
included in the final rule for the consolidation and reform of Federal
milk marketing orders that was published in the Federal Register on
September 1, 1999 (64 Fed. Reg. 47897-48021).
(c) Time Period for Rulemaking.--On December 1, 2000, the Secretary
of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register a final decision
on the Class III and Class IV milk pricing formulas. The resulting
formulas shall take effect, and be implemented by the Secretary, on
January 1, 2001.
(d) Effect of Court Order.--The actions authorized by subsections
(b) and (c) are intended to ensure the timely publication and
implementation of new pricing formulas for Class III and Class IV milk.
In the event that the Secretary of Agriculture is enjoined or otherwise
restrained by a court order from implementing a final decision within
the time period specified in subsection (c), the length of time for
which that injunction or other restraining order is effective shall be
added to the time limitations specified in subsection (c) thereby
extending those time limitations by a period of time equal to the
period of time for which the injunction or other restraining order is
effective.
(e) Failure To Timely Complete Rulemaking.--If the Secretary of
Agriculture fails to implement new Class III and Class IV milk pricing
formulas within the time period required under subsection (c) (plus any
additional period provided under subsection (d)), the Secretary may not
assess or collect assessments from milk producers or handlers under
section 8c of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608c),
reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act
of 1937, for marketing order administration and services provided under
such section after the end of that period until the pricing formulas
are implemented. The Secretary may not reduce the level of services
provided under that section on account of the prohibition against
assessments, but shall rather cover the cost of marketing order
administration and services through funds available for the
Agricultural Marketing Service of the Department.
(f) Implementation of Requirement.--The implementation of the final
decision on new Class III and Class IV milk pricing formulas shall not
be subject to congressional review under chapter 8 of title 5, United
States Code.
SEC. 3. DAIRY FORWARD PRICING PROGRAM.
The Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), reenacted
with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 23. DAIRY FORWARD PRICING PILOT PROGRAM.
``(a) Pilot Program Required.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture
shall establish a temporary pilot program under which milk producers
and cooperatives are authorized to voluntarily enter into forward price
contracts with milk handlers.
``(b) Minimum Milk Price Requirements.--Payments made by milk
handlers to milk producers and cooperatives, and prices received by
milk producers and cooperatives, under the forward contracts shall be
deemed to satisfy--
``(1) all regulated minimum milk price requirements of
paragraphs (B) and (F) of subsection (5) of section 8c; and
``(2) the requirement of paragraph (C) of such subsection
regarding total payments by each handler.
``(c) Milk Covered by Pilot Program.--
``(1) Covered milk.--The pilot program shall apply only
with respect to the marketing of federally regulated milk
that--
``(A) is not classified as Class I milk or
otherwise intended for fluid use; and
``(B) is in the current of interstate or foreign
commerce or directly burdens, obstructs, or affects
interstate or foreign commerce in federally regulated
milk.
``(2) Relation to class i milk.--To assist milk handlers in
complying with the limitation in paragraph (1)(A) without
having to segregate or otherwise individually track the source
and disposition of milk, a milk handler may allocate milk
receipts from producers, cooperatives, and other sources that
are not subject to a forward contract to satisfy the handler's
obligations with regard to Class I milk usage.
``(d) Duration.--The authority of the Secretary of Agriculture to
carry out the pilot program shall terminate on December 31, 2004. No
forward price contract entered into under the program may extend beyond
that date.
``(e) Study and Report on Effect of Pilot Program.--
``(1) Study.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a
study on forward contracting between milk producers and
cooperatives and milk handlers to determine the impact on milk
prices paid to producers in the United States. To obtain
information for the study, the Secretary may use the
authorities available to the Secretary under section 8d,
subject to the confidentiality requirements of subsection (2)
of such section.
``(2) Report.--Not later than April 30, 2002, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the
House of Representatives a report containing the results of the
study.''.
SEC. 4. CONTINUATION OF CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT FOR NORTHEAST INTERSTATE
DAIRY COMPACT.
Section 147(3) of the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C.
7256(3)) is amended by striking ``concurrent with'' and all that
follows through the period at the end and inserting ``on September 30,
2001.''. | States that if the Secretary announces minimum milk prices under a marketing order prior to implementation of the rule under this Act, such prices shall be the applicable minimum prices for the months so covered.
States that the Option 1A requirement shall not be subject to specified requirements regarding: (1) notice and hearing; (2) referendum; (3) rulemaking notice and public participation; (4) paperwork reduction; and (5) judicial decision or order.
(Sec. 2) Expresses the congressional finding that certain Class III and IV milk pricing formulas require further emergency rulemaking because they do not adequately reflect public comment and are sufficiently different from the proposed rule. States that the Secretary shall: (1) conduct formal rulemaking, and implement such final formulas on January 1, 2001 (with an extension if necessitated by judicial restraining order); and (2) collect no marketing order assessments (without reducing service levels) during any period of noncompliance with such time frame.
(Sec. 3) Amends the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, to direct the Secretary to implement a dairy forward pricing pilot program through December 31, 2004. Applies such program to federally regulated milk that: (1) is not Class I milk or otherwise intended for fluid use; and (2) is in or directly affects interstate or foreign milk commerce.
Directs the Secretary to study the impact of forward contracting on milk prices paid to U.S. producers.
(Sec. 4) Amends the Agricultural Market Transition Act to extend congressional consent for the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact through September 30, 2001. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide for the modification and implementation of the final rule for the consideration and reform of Federal milk marketing orders, and for other purposes."} | 2,082 | 349 | 0.59486 | 1.798234 | 0.694058 | 2.55205 | 5.943218 | 0.92429 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Tax Relief for Working Older
Americans''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) no American should be unfairly discouraged from
working;
(2) older Americans are currently severely penalized for
attempting to continue to work past the Federal retirement age;
(3) an older American that earns just $10,560 annually will
face an effective Federal marginal tax rate of 56 percent;
(4) continued American economic strength and prosperity
will require retaining our most experienced and dependable
workers;
(5) By eliminating the $200,000,000 administrative expense
spent each year by the Social Security Administration enforcing
the earning penalties, and encouraging more older Americans to
continue to work while productive, Federal revenues would be
increased by over $140,000,000, and a significant increase in
Social Security reserves would accrue as well.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF TAX PENALTY ON OLDER AMERICANS.
(a) Section 203 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1) of subsection (c), paragraphs (1)(A)
and (2) of subsection (d), by striking ``the age of seventy''
and inserting ``retirement age (as defined in section
216(l))'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1)(B), by striking ``age seventy''
and inserting ``retirement age (as defined in section
216(l))'';
(3) in subsection (f)(3)--
(A) by striking ``33\1/3\ percent'' and all that
follows through ``multiplied by the number of months in
such year'' and inserting ``50 percent of his earnings
for such year in excess of the product derived by
multiplying the applicable exempt amount as determined
under paragraph (8) by the number of months in such
year'', and
(B) by striking ``age 70'' and inserting
``retirement age (as defined in section 216(l))'';
(4) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``attained age 70'' and inserting
``attained the age of retirement (as defined in section
216(l))'', and
(B) by striking ``under age 70'' and inserting
``under the age of retirement (as defined in section
216(l))'';
(5) in subsection (j)--
(A) by striking ``age seventy'' in the heading and
inserting ``retirement age'', and
(B) by striking ``seventy years of age'' and
inserting ``having attained retirement age (as defined
in section 216(l))''.
SEC. 4. CONFORMING AND RELATED AMENDMENTS.
(a) Section 203 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 403(f)(8)(A))
is amended--
(1) in the last sentence of subsection (c), by striking
``nor shall any deduction'' and all that follows and inserting
``nor shall any deduction be made under this subsection from
any widow's or widower's insurance benefit if the widow,
surviving divorced wife, widower, or surviving divorced husband
involved became entitled to such benefit prior to attaining age
60.'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1) by striking clause (D) and
inserting the following ``(D) for which such individual is
entitled to widow's or widower's insurance benefits if such
individual became so entitled prior to attaining age 60, or'';
(3) in subsection (f)(8)(A), by striking ``the new exempt
amounts (separately stated for individuals described in
subparagraph (D) and for other individuals which are to be
applicable'' and inserting ``the new exempt amount which is to
be applicable'';
(4) in subsection (f)(8)(B)--
(A) by striking all that precedes clause (i) and
inserting the following:
``(B) The exempt amount which is applicable for each month
of a particular taxable year shall be whichever of the
following is the larger--'',
(B) in clause (i), by striking ``corresponding'',
and
(C) in the last sentence, by striking ``an exempt
amount'' and inserting ``the exempt amount'';
(b) Section 203(f)(8)(D) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 403(f)(8)(D)) is
repealed.
(c) Section 202(w)(2)(B)(ii) of such Act is amended--
(1) by striking ``either''; and
(2) by striking ``or suffered deductions under section
203(b) or 203(c) in amounts equal to the amount of such
benefit''.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments and repeals made by this Act shall be effective with
respect to taxable years ending after December 31, 1993. | Fair Tax Relief for Working Older Americans - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to revise excess earnings provisions in order to eliminate the tax and earnings penalties imposed on the wage income of individuals who have attained retirement age. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Fair Tax Relief for Working Older Americans"} | 1,153 | 65 | 0.465458 | 1.062817 | 0.525981 | 1.673077 | 19.288462 | 0.711538 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Infant Crib Safety Act.''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS, PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) The disability and death of infants resulting from
injuries sustained in crib incidents are a serious threat to
the public health, welfare, and safety of people of this
country.
(2) The design and construction of a baby crib must ensure
that it is safe to leave an infant unattended for extended
periods of time. A parent or caregiver has a right to believe
that the crib in use is a safe place to leave an infant.
(3) Each year more than 9,000 children ages 4 and under are
injured in cribs seriously enough to require hospital
treatment.
(4) Each year at least 45 children ages 4 and under die
from injuries sustained in cribs.
(5) The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission
estimates that the cost to society resulting from deaths due to
cribs is 225 million dollars per year.
(6) Secondhand, hand-me-down, and heirloom cribs pose a
special problem. There are nearly 4 million infants born in
this country each year, but only one million new cribs sold. As
many as 2 out of 4 infants are placed in secondhand, hand-me-
down, or heirloom cribs.
(7) Most crib deaths occur in secondhand, hand-me-down, or
heirloom cribs.
(8) Existing State and Federal legislation is inadequate to
deal with the hazard presented by secondhand, hand-me-down, or
heirloom cribs .
(9) Prohibiting the contracting to sell, resell, lease,
sublease of unsafe cribs which are not new, or otherwise place
in the stream of commerce unsafe secondhand, hand-me-down, or
heirloom cribs, will prevent injuries and deaths caused by
cribs.
(b) Purposes.--The purpose of this Act is to prevent the occurrence
of injuries and deaths to infants as a result of unsafe cribs by making
it illegal to manufacture, sell, or contract to sell any crib which is
unsafe for any infant using the crib and to resell, lease, sublet, or
otherwise place in the stream of commerce, after the effective date of
this Act, any crib which is not new and which is unsafe for any infant
using the crib.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this title:
(1) Infant.--The term ``infant'' means any person less than
35 inches tall or less than 2 years of age.
(2) Crib.--The term ``crib'' means a bed designed to
provide a sleeping accommodation for an infant.
(3) Full-size crib.--The term ``full-size crib'' means a
full-size crib as defined in section 1508.1 of title 16 of the
Code of Federal Regulations and regarding the requirements for
full-size cribs.
(4) Non full-size crib.--The term ``non-full size crib''
means a non-full size crib as defined in section 1509.2(b) of
title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations and American
Society for Testing Materials Voluntary Standards F. 1822
regarding the requirements for non full-size cribs.
(5) Commercial user.--The term ``commercial user'' means
any person--
(A) who manufactures, sells, or contracts to sell
full-size or non full-size cribs; or
(B) who deals in full-size or non full-size cribs
which are not new or who otherwise by one's occupation
holds oneself out as having knowledge or skill peculiar
to the full-size or non full-size cribs, including
child care facilities and family child care homes, or
any person who is in the business of contracting to
sell or resell, lease, sublet, or otherwise placing in
the stream of commerce full-size or non full-size cribs
which are not new.
SEC. 4. PROHIBITIONS.
(a) In General.--It shall be unlawful for any commercial user--
(1) to manufacture, sell, or contract to sell, on or after
the effective date of this Act, any full-size or non full-size
crib which is unsafe for any infant using the crib; or
(2) to sell, contract to sell or resell, lease, sublet, or
otherwise place in the stream of commerce, on or after the
effective date of this Act, any full-size or non full-size crib
which is not new and which is unsafe for any infant using the
crib.
(b) Lodgings.--It shall be unlawful for any hotel, motel and
similar transient lodging facility to offer or provide for use or
otherwise place in the stream of commerce, on or after the effective
date of this Act, any full-size or non full-size crib which is unsafe
for any infant using the crib.
SEC. 5. CRIB STANDARDS.
A crib shall be presumed to be unsafe under this Act if it does not
conform to all of the following:
(1) Part 1508 (commencing with section 1508.1) of title 16
of the Code of Federal Regulations;
(2) Part 1509 (commencing with section 1509.1) of title 16
of the Code of Federal Regulations;
(3) Part 1303 (commencing with section 1303.1) of title 16
of the Code of Federal Regulations;
(4) American Society for Testing Materials Voluntary
Standards F966;
(5) American Society for Testing Materials Voluntary
Standards F1169;
(6) American Society for Testing Materials Voluntary
Standards F1822; and
(7) Any regulations that are adopted in order to amend or
supplement the regulations described in paragraphs (1) through
(6) of this section.
SEC. 6. EXCEPTIONS.
A crib that is not intended for use by an infant, including a toy
or display item, shall be exempt from this Act if the crib is
accompanied at the time of manufacturing, contract to sell or resell,
leasing, subletting, or otherwise placed in the stream of commerce by a
notice to be furnished by the commercial user declaring that the crib
is not intended to be used for an infant and is dangerous to use for an
infant.
SEC. 7. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Fine.--Any commercial user, hotel, motel, or similar transient
lodging facility who knowingly violates section 4 is punishable by a
fine not exceeding $1,000.
(b) Injunction.--Any person may maintain an action in a district
court of the United States against any commercial user, hotel, motel,
or similar transient lodging facility who violates section 4 to enjoin
the manufacture, sale, contract to sell, contract to resell, lease,
subletting, or otherwise place in the stream of commerce any full-size
or non full-size crib which is unsafe for any infant using the crib,
and for reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
SEC. 8. REMEDIES.
Fines or other remedies available under this Act are in addition to
any other fines, penalties, remedies, or procedures under any other
provision of law.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall become effective 90 days from the date of its
enactment. | Authorizes a fine and injunction against violators of this Act. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Infant Crib Safety Act"} | 1,597 | 19 | 0.340678 | 0.847425 | -1.535292 | 1.272727 | 135.636364 | 0.727273 |
SECTION 1. RELIQUIDATION OF CERTAIN ENTRIES OF TELEVISIONS SUBJECT TO
DUMPING.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1514) or any other provision of law and subject to the
provisions of subsection (b), the United States Customs Service shall,
not later than 90 days after the receipt of the request described in
subsection (b), liquidate or reliquidate each entry described in
subsection (d) at the rate of duty that would have been applicable to
such merchandise on the date of entry and the amount of the antidumping
duty described in such subsection.
(b) Requests.--Reliquidation may be made under subsection (a) with
respect to an entry described in subsection (d) only if a request
therefor is filed with the Customs Service within 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act and the request contains sufficient
information to enable the Customs Service to locate the entry or
reconstruct the entry if it cannot be located.
(c) Payment of Amounts Owed.--Any amounts owed by the United States
pursuant to the liquidation or reliquidation of an entry under
subsection (a) shall be paid not later than 90 days after the date of
such liquidation or reliquidation.
(d) Entries Described.--
(1) Antidumping duty of 2.2 percent.--The entries described
in this paragraph shall be reliquidated at an antidumping rate
of duty of 2.2 percent:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry number Port of entry Date of entry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8390 41175 2704 09/23/83
8343 01399 2704 08/17/83
8412 70594 2704 10/05/83
8412 76857 2704 10/18/83
8412 80568 2704 10/20/83
8412 82016 2704 10/25/83
8412 85084 2704 11/02/83
8412 90765 2704 11/18/83
8413 01832 2704 12/09/83
8413 01858 2704 12/13/83
8413 01861 2704 12/11/83
8413 03924 2704 12/21/83
8413 03937 2704 12/21/83
8413 06853 2704 12/27/83
8413 07742 2704 01/02/84
8413 09944 2704 01/07/84
8413 13642 2704 01/20/84
8413 15802 2704 01/27/84
8413 24071 2704 01/31/84
8413 27201 2704 02/08/84
8413 35028 2704 02/27/84
8413 35031 2704 02/27/84
8413 37343 2704 03/06/84
8365 73387 3901 05/23/83
8365 74250 3901 06/02/83
8365 75437 3901 06/14/83
8365 77118 3901 07/01/83
8365 78120 3901 07/13/83
8365 79080 3901 07/27/83
8365 81094 3901 08/17/83
8365 83144 3901 09/08/83
8365 83429 3901 09/09/83
8365 84839 3901 10/05/83
8413 01845 2704 12/09/83
8413 09863 2704 01/06/84
8467 42386 3901 10/05/83
8467 51843 3901 12/30/83
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Antidumping duty of 1.75 percent.--The entries
described in this paragraph shall be reliquidated at an
antidumping rate of duty of 1.75 percent:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry number Port of entry Date of entry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8413 58513 2704 05/09/84
8413 58526 2704 05/09/84
8413 58539 2704 05/14/84
8413 58542 2704 05/14/84
8413 58555 2704 05/11/84
8413 58568 2704 05/09/84
8413 64031 2704 05/23/84
8413 65797 2704 06/06/84
8413 65852 2704 06/06/84
8413 66152 2704 06/11/84
8413 66181 2704 06/13/84
8413 66194 2704 06/07/84
8413 66482 2704 06/26/84
8467 67772 3901 08/01/84
8467 69026 3901 06/13/84
8479 77684 3901 09/25/84
8491 45401 2704 06/21/84
8491 45414 2704 06/21/84
8491 45427 2704 06/25/84
8491 45430 2704 06/25/84
8491 50580 2704 07/12/84
8491 50593 2704 07/13/84
8491 52795 2704 07/12/84
8491 54298 2704 07/17/84
8491 57350 2704 07/24/84
8491 57389 2704 07/21/84
8491 57392 2704 07/26/84
8491 68750 2704 08/06/84
8491 70544 2704 08/07/84
8491 70748 2704 08/14/84
8491 74414 2704 08/23/84
8491 75633 2704 08/17/84
8491 75659 2704 08/15/84
8491 75662 2704 08/15/84
8491 77903 2704 08/21/84
8491 77916 2704 08/23/84
8491 77929 2704 09/11/84
8491 78504 2704 08/28/84
8491 79383 2704 09/02/84
8491 79930 2704 09/02/84
8491 84954 2704 09/21/84
8491 84967 2704 09/21/84
8491 87197 2704 09/29/84
8538 51914 2704 11/13/84
8538 55224 2704 11/08/84
8538 58836 2704 11/05/84
8538 60060 2704 10/29/84
8538 60073 2704 10/29/84
8538 60086 2704 10/26/84
8538 64655 2704 11/27/84
8538 65939 2704 11/19/84
8538 68965 2704 10/17/84
8538 68978 2704 10/17/84
8538 70047 2704 10/08/84
8538 71347 2704 10/11/84
8538 71486 2704 10/14/84
8538 73989 2704 10/04/84
8538 76290 2704 12/03/84
8538 78337 2704 12/14/84
8538 79954 2704 12/17/84
8538 80697 2704 12/18/84
8538 82789 2704 12/26/84
8538 84279 2704 01/09/85
8538 85809 2704 01/08/85
8538 85812 2704 01/14/85
8538 85825 2704 01/08/85
8538 93406 2704 01/29/85
8538 94337 2704 02/04/85
8538 96270 2704 02/19/85
8538 96283 2704 02/21/85
8538 97266 2704 02/27/85
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Antidumping duty of 2.55 percent.--The entry described
in this paragraph shall be reliquidated at an antidumping rate
of duty of 2.55 percent:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry number Port of entry Date of entry
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8641 98116 2704 02/13/86
------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Directs the U.S. Customs Service, upon request, to liquidate or reliquidate certain entries at the rate of duty that would have been applicable on the date of entry and the amount of the antidumping duty, as specified. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to provide for reliquidation and payment of antidumping duties on certain entries of televisions."} | 1,970 | 52 | 0.611221 | 1.696054 | 0.607185 | 6 | 28.170732 | 0.878049 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Regional Presidential Selection Act
of 1999''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Caucus.--The term ``caucus'' means any convention,
meeting, or series of meetings held for the selection of
delegates to a national Presidential nominating convention of a
political party.
(2) Election year.--The term ``election year'' means a year
during which a Presidential election is to be held.
(3) National committee.--The term ``national committee''
means the organization which, by virtue of the bylaws of a
political party, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of
such political party at the national level, as determined by
the Federal Election Commission.
(4) Political party.--The term ``political party'' means an
association, committee, or organization which--
(A) nominates a candidate for election to any
Federal office whose name appears on the election
ballot as the candidate of such association, committee,
or organization; and
(B) won electoral votes in the preceding
Presidential election.
(5) Primary.--The term ``primary'' means a primary election
held for the selection of delegates to a national Presidential
nominating convention of a political party, but does not
include a caucus, convention, or other indirect means of
selection.
(6) State committee.--The term ``State committee'' means
the organization which, by virtue of the bylaws of a political
party, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of such
political party at the State level, as determined by the
Federal Election Commission.
SEC. 3. SCHEDULE.
(a) Schedule.--
(1) First election cycle.--Subject to paragraph (3), in
2004, each State shall hold a primary in accordance with this
Act, according to the following schedule:
(A) Region i.--Each State in Region I shall hold a
primary on the first Tuesday in March.
(B) Region ii.--Each State in Region II shall hold
a primary on the first Tuesday in April.
(C) Region iii.--Each State in Region III shall
hold a primary on the first Tuesday in May.
(D) Region iv.--Each State in Region IV shall hold
a primary on the first Tuesday in June.
(2) Subsequent election cycles.--
(A) General rule.--Subject to paragraph (3), except
as provided in subparagraph (B), in each subsequent
election year after 2004, each State in each region
shall hold a primary on the first Tuesday of the month
following the month in which the State held a primary
in the preceding election year.
(B) Limitation.--If the States in a region were
required to hold primaries on the first Tuesday in June
of the preceding election year, such States shall hold
primaries on the first Tuesday in March of the
succeeding election year.
(3) Exception.--If all but one of the seriously considered
candidates withdraw from a primary in a State before the date
on which the primary for such State is scheduled, the State may
cancel the primary in the State.
(b) Regions.--For purposes of subsection (a):
(1) Region i.--Region I shall be comprised of the
following:
(A) Connecticut.
(B) Delaware.
(C) District of Columbia.
(D) Maine.
(E) Maryland.
(F) Massachusetts.
(G) New Hampshire.
(H) New Jersey.
(I) New York.
(J) Pennsylvania.
(K) Rhode Island.
(L) Vermont.
(M) West Virginia.
(2) Region ii.--Region II shall be comprised of the
following:
(A) Alabama.
(B) Arkansas.
(C) Florida.
(D) Georgia.
(E) Kentucky.
(F) Louisiana.
(G) Mississippi.
(H) North Carolina.
(I) Oklahoma.
(J) South Carolina.
(K) Tennessee.
(L) Texas.
(M) Virginia.
(3) Region iii.--Region III shall be comprised of the
following:
(A) Illinois.
(B) Indiana.
(C) Iowa.
(D) Kansas.
(E) Michigan.
(F) Minnesota.
(G) Missouri.
(H) Nebraska.
(I) North Dakota.
(J) Ohio.
(K) South Dakota.
(L) Wisconsin.
(4) Region iv.--Region IV shall be comprised of the
following:
(A) Alaska.
(B) Arizona.
(C) California.
(D) Colorado.
(E) Hawaii.
(F) Idaho.
(G) Montana.
(H) Nevada.
(I) New Mexico.
(J) Oregon.
(K) Utah.
(L) Washington.
(M) Wyoming.
(5) Territories.--The national committees shall jointly
determine the region of each territory of the United States.
SEC. 4. QUALIFICATION FOR BALLOT.
(a) Certification by Federal Election Commission.--The Federal
Election Commission shall certify to the States in the relevant region
the names of all seriously considered candidates of each political
party--
(1) for the first primary in the election year, not later
than 6 weeks before such primary; and
(2) in the subsequent primaries in the election year, not
later than one week after the preceding primary in such
election year.
(b) State Primary Ballots.--Each State shall include on the State's
primary ballot--
(1) the names certified by the Federal Election Commission;
and
(2) any other names determined by the appropriate State
committee.
SEC. 5. VOTING AT NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTIONS BY STATE DELEGATES.
(a) In General.--Each State committee shall establish a procedure
for the apportionment of delegates to the national Presidential
nominating convention of each political party based on one of the
following models:
(1) Winner-take-all.--A binding, winner-take-all system in
which the results of the primary bind each member of the State
delegation or Congressional district delegation (or combination
thereof) to the national convention to cast a vote for the
primary winner in the State.
(2) Proportionate preference.--A binding proportionate
representation system in which the results of the State primary
are used to allocate members of the State delegation or
Congressional district delegation (or combination thereof) to
the national convention to Presidential candidates based on the
proportion of the vote for some or all of the candidates
received in the primary in the State.
(b) Selection of Delegates.--
(1) Submission of names.--Not later than the date on which
a candidate is certified on the ballot for a State, such
candidate shall submit to the State committee, in priority
order, a list of names of individuals proposed by the candidate
to serve as delegates for such candidate.
(2) Selection.--Delegates apportioned to represent a
candidate pursuant to the procedure established under
subsection (a) shall be selected according to the list
submitted by the candidate pursuant to paragraph (1).
(c) Voting at the National Conventions.--Each delegate to a
national convention who is required to vote for the winner of the State
primary under the system established under subsection (a) shall so vote
for at least 2 ballots at the national convention, unless released by
the winner of the State primary to which such delegate's vote is
pledged.
SEC. 6. OPTIONAL STATE CAUCUS TO SELECT DELEGATES.
(a) Election.--Instead of, or in addition to, holding the primary
required under section 3, a State may elect to select delegates to a
national Presidential nominating convention of a political party in
accordance with this section, through a caucus held by any political
party which has the authority to nominate a candidate.
(b) Schedule.--A State that makes an election under subsection (a)
shall ensure that the caucus does not commence earlier than the date
such State otherwise would be required to hold a primary under section
3.
(c) Qualification for Ballot.--A State committee of a political
party that holds a caucus shall certify and include candidates in the
same manner provided under section 4.
(d) Voting at National Party Conventions by State Delegates.--Each
State committee shall establish a procedure for the apportionment of
delegates to the national Presidential nominating convention of each
political party and the method of selecting such delegates.
SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall apply with respect to any primary or caucus held in
connection with a general election held in the year 2004 and in each
election year thereafter. | Requires: (1) the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to certify to the States in the relevant region the names of all seriously considered candidates of each political party; and (2) each State to include on its primary ballot the names certified by the FEC and any other names determined by the appropriate State committee.
Directs each State committee to establish a procedure for the apportionment of delegates to the national conventions of each political party based on either the winner-take-all or the proportionate preference method. Prescribes delegate selection and voting at the national conventions. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Regional Presidential Selection Act of 1999"} | 1,943 | 125 | 0.512297 | 1.322119 | 0.460099 | 4.302752 | 16.495413 | 0.926606 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Greener Government Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The policies and programs of the Federal Government
should encourage sustainable economic development.
(2) The Federal Government spends substantial sums annually
on the development of new technologies.
(3) The development of environmental technologies can
enhance the economic competitiveness and environmental security
of the United States.
(4) In order to contribute to the achievement of
sustainable economic development and to promote the economic
and environmental security of the United States, environmental
concerns should be incorporated into the technology development
programs of the Federal Government.
SEC. 3. ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND TECHNOLOGIES IN ONGOING PROGRAMS.
(a) Stevenson-Wydler Amendments.--The Stevenson-Wydler Technology
Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701) is amended--
(1) in section 2(2), by inserting ``greater environmental
sustainability,'' after ``employment opportunities,'';
(2) in section 3(1), by inserting ``for sustainable
economic development'' after ``stimulate technology'';
(3) in section 4, by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(14) `Sustainable economic development' means the
integration of environment and economic development concerns
leading to long-term economic development with reduced
pollution and the more efficient use of energy and
materials;'';
(4) in section 6(a), by inserting ``and sustainable
economic development in their regions'' after ``enhance the
competitiveness of American business'';
(5) in section 6(d), by inserting ``and sustainable
economic development of their regions'' after ``enhance the
competitiveness of American businesses'';
(6) in section 7(a), by inserting ``and sustainable
economic development'' after ``enhance technological
innovation'';
(7) in section 7(c)(1), by striking ``economic
competitiveness'' and inserting ``sustainable economic
development'';
(8) in section 9(a), by inserting ``and sustainable
economic development'' after ``enhance technological
innovation''; and
(9) in section 11(c)(1) by inserting ``and would enhance
sustainable economic development'' after ``commercial
applications''.
(b) NIST Amendments.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271) is amended--
(1) in section 1(b)(1), by inserting ``sustainable economic
development,'' after ``improved product reliability and
manufacturing processes,'';
(2) in section 1, by adding after subsection (b) the
following new subsection:
``(c) For purposes of the this section, the term `sustainable
economic development' means the integration of environment and economic
development concerns leading to long-term economic development with
reduced pollution and the more efficient use of energy and
materials.''; and
(3) in section 2(b)(1), by inserting ``to enhance
sustainable economic development (as that term is defined in
section 1(c))'' after ``to improve quality,''.
(c) NASA Amendments.--The National Aeronautics and Space Act of
1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451 note) is amended--
(1) in section 102(d)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and
(9) as paragraphs (7), (8), (9), and (10),
respectively; and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following
new paragraph:
``(6) The making available to Federal and non-Federal
entities of the United States, technologies that will enhance
the sustainable economic development of the Nation.''; and
(2) in section 103--
(A) by striking ``; and'' in paragraph (1) and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(2) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) the term `sustainable economic development' means the
integration of environment and economic development concerns
leading to long-term economic development with reduced
pollution and the more efficient use of energy and
materials.''.
(d) NSF Amendments.--
(1) Functions.--Section 3(a) of the National Science
Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(8) to foster education and research that would promote
sustainable economic development nationally and
internationally.''.
(2) Definition.--Subsection (g) of section 14 of such Act
is amended to read as follows:
``(g) For purposes of this Act:
``(1) The term `United States' when used in a geographical
sense means the States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and all territories and
possessions of the United States.
``(2) The term `sustainable economic development' means the
integration of environment and economic development concerns
leading to long-term economic development with reduced
pollution and the more efficient use of energy and
materials.''.
(e) Title 10 Amendments.--
(1) In general.--Section 2501(b) of title 10, United States
Code, is amended by striking ``economic growth'' in paragraphs
(1) and (2) and inserting ``sustainable economic development''.
(2) Definition.--Section 2491 of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(13) The term `sustainable economic development' means
the integration of environment and economic development
concerns leading to long-term economic development with reduced
pollution and the more efficient use of energy and
materials.''.
(f) Title 49 Amendment.--Section 101(b)(4) of title 49, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``and sustainable economic
development (as defined in section 4(14) of the Stevenson-Wydler
Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3703(14))'' after
``technological advances''. | Greener Government Act of 1993 - Provides for the incorporation of environmentally sound principles in programs under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act, the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, and the National Science Foundation Act of 1950. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Greener Government Act of 1993"} | 1,408 | 65 | 0.540089 | 1.281251 | -0.128523 | 3.333333 | 24.611111 | 0.925926 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``National
Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2000''.
(b) References.--Except as otherwise specifically 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 of law, the
reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other
provision of title 49, United States Code.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1101 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1101. Definitions
``Section 2101(17a) of title 46 and section 40102(a) of this title
apply to this chapter. In this chapter, the term `accident' includes
damage to or destruction of vehicles in surface or air transportation
or pipelines, regardless of whether the initiating event is accidental
or otherwise.''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 1113(b)(1)(I) is amended to read as
follows:
``(I) negotiate and enter into agreements with individuals
and private entities and departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities of the Government, State and local
governments, and governments of foreign countries for the
provision of facilities, accident-related and technical
services or training in accident investigation theory and
techniques, and require that such entities provide appropriate
consideration for the reasonable costs of any facilities,
goods, services, or training provided by the Board.''.
(b) Deposit of Amounts.--
(1) Section 1113(b)(2) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``as offsetting collections'' after ``to
be credited''; and
(B) by adding after ``Board.'' the following: ``The Board
shall maintain an annual record of collections received under
paragraph (1)(I) of this subsection.''.
(2) Section 1114(a) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Except''; and
(B) by adding at the end thereof the following:
``(2) The Board shall deposit in the Treasury amounts received
under paragraph (1) to be credited to the appropriation of the
Board as offsetting collections.''.
(3) Section 1115(d) is amended by striking ``of the `National
Transportation Safety Board, Salaries and Expenses''' and inserting
``of the Board''.
SEC. 4. OVERTIME PAY.
Section 1113 is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Overtime Pay.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to the requirements of this section
and notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 5542(a) of
title 5, for an employee of the Board whose basic pay is at a rate
which equals or exceeds the minimum rate of basic pay for GS-10 of
the General Schedule, the Board may establish an overtime hourly
rate of pay for the employee with respect to work performed at the
scene of an accident (including travel to or from the scene) and
other work that is critical to an accident investigation in an
amount equal to one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay
of the employee. All of such amount shall be considered to be
premium pay.
``(2) Limitation on overtime pay to an employee.--An employee
of the Board may not receive overtime pay under paragraph (1), for
work performed in a calendar year, in an amount that exceeds 15
percent of the annual rate of basic pay of the employee for such
calendar year.
``(3) Limitation on total amount of overtime pay.--The Board
may not make overtime payments under paragraph (1) for work
performed in any fiscal year in a total amount that exceeds 1.5
percent of the amount appropriated to carry out this chapter for
that fiscal year.
``(4) Basic pay defined.--In this subsection, the term `basic
pay' includes any applicable locality-based comparability payment
under section 5304 of title 5 (or similar provision of law) and any
special rate of pay under section 5305 of title 5 (or similar
provision of law).
``(5) Annual report.--Not later than January 31, 2002, and
annually thereafter, the Board shall transmit to the Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee a report identifying
the total amount of overtime payments made under this subsection in
the preceding fiscal year, and the number of employees whose
overtime pay under this subsection was limited in that fiscal year
as a result of the 15 percent limit established by paragraph
(2).''.
SEC. 5. RECORDERS.
(a) Cockpit Video Recordings.--Section 1114(c) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Voice'' in the subsection heading;
(2) by striking ``cockpit voice recorder'' in paragraphs (1)
and (2) and inserting ``cockpit voice or video recorder''; and
(3) by inserting ``or any written depiction of visual
information'' after ``transcript'' in the second sentence of
paragraph (1).
(b) Surface Vehicle Recordings and Transcripts.--
(1) In general.--Section 1114 is amended--
(A) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as
subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(d) Surface Vehicle Recordings and Transcripts.--
``(1) Confidentiality of recordings.--The Board may not
disclose publicly any part of a surface vehicle voice or video
recorder recording or transcript of oral communications by or among
drivers, train employees, or other operating employees responsible
for the movement and direction of the vehicle or vessel, or between
such operating employees and company communication centers, related
to an accident investigated by the Board. However, the Board shall
make public any part of a transcript or any written depiction of
visual information that the Board decides is relevant to the
accident--
``(A) if the Board holds a public hearing on the accident,
at the time of the hearing; or
``(B) if the Board does not hold a public hearing, at the
time a majority of the other factual reports on the accident
are placed in the public docket.
``(2) References to information in making safety
recommendations.--This subsection does not prevent the Board from
referring at any time to voice or video recorder information in
making safety recommendations.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The first sentence of section
1114(a) is amended by striking ``and (e)'' and inserting ``(d), and
(f)''.
(c) Discovery and Use of Cockpit and Surface Vehicle Recordings and
Transcripts.--
(1) In general.--Section 1154 is amended--
(A) by striking the section heading and inserting the
following:
``Sec. 1154. Discovery and use of cockpit and surface vehicle
recordings and transcripts'';
(B) by striking ``cockpit voice recorder'' each place it
appears in subsection (a) and inserting ``cockpit or surface
vehicle recorder'';
(C) by striking ``section 1114(c)'' each place it appears
in subsection (a) and inserting ``section 1114(c) or 1114(d)'';
and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) In this subsection:
``(A) Recorder.--The term `recorder' means a voice or video
recorder.
``(B) Transcript.--The term `transcript' includes any
written depiction of visual information obtained from a video
recorder.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 11
is amended by striking the item relating to section 1154 and
inserting the following:
``1154. Discovery and use of cockpit and surface vehicle recordings and
transcripts.''.
SEC. 6. PRIORITY OF INVESTIGATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 1131(a)(2) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(2) An investigation'' and inserting:
``(2)(A) Subject to the requirements of this paragraph, an
investigation''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) If the Attorney General, in consultation with the
Chairman of the Board, determines and notifies the Board that
circumstances reasonably indicate that the accident may have
been caused by an intentional criminal act, the Board shall
relinquish investigative priority to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. The relinquishment of investigative priority by
the Board shall not otherwise affect the authority of the Board
to continue its investigation under this section.
``(C) If a Federal law enforcement agency suspects and
notifies the Board that an accident being investigated by the
Board under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (1)
may have been caused by an intentional criminal act, the Board,
in consultation with the law enforcement agency, shall take
necessary actions to ensure that evidence of the criminal act
is preserved.''.
(b) Revision of 1977 Agreement.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the National Transportation Safety
Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation shall revise their 1977
agreement on the investigation of accidents to take into account the
amendments made by this Act.
SEC. 7. PUBLIC AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATION CLARIFICATION.
Section 1131(d) is amended by striking ``1134(b)(2)'' and inserting
``1134 (a), (b), (d), and (f)''.
SEC. 8. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the National Transportation Safety Board and the United States Coast
Guard shall revise their Memorandum of Understanding governing major
marine accidents--
(1) to redefine or clarify the standards used to determine when
the National Transportation Safety Board will lead an
investigation; and
(2) to develop new standards to determine when a major marine
accident involves significant safety issues relating to Coast Guard
safety functions.
SEC. 9. TRAVEL BUDGETS.
The Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board shall
establish annual fiscal year budgets for non-accident-related travel
expenditures for Board members which shall be approved by the Board and
submitted to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation and to the House of Representatives Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure together with an annual report
detailing the non-accident-related travel of each Board member. The
report shall include separate accounting for foreign and domestic
travel, including any personnel or other expenses associated with that
travel.
SEC. 10. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.
Section 1111 is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the following:
``(h) Chief Financial Officer.--The Chairman shall designate an
officer or employee of the Board as the Chief Financial Officer. The
Chief Financial Officer shall--
``(1) report directly to the Chairman on financial management
and budget execution;
``(2) direct, manage, and provide policy guidance and oversight
on financial management and property and inventory control; and
``(3) review the fees, rents, and other charges imposed by the
Board for services and things of value it provides, and suggest
appropriate revisions to those charges to reflect costs incurred by
the Board in providing those services and things of value.''.
SEC. 11. IMPROVED AUDIT PROCEDURES.
The National Transportation Safety Board, in consultation with the
Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, shall develop
and implement comprehensive internal audit controls for its financial
programs based on the findings and recommendations of the private
sector audit firm contract entered into by the Board in March, 2000.
The improved internal audit controls shall, at a minimum, address Board
asset management systems, including systems for accounting management,
debt collection, travel, and property and inventory management and
control.
SEC. 12. AUTHORITY OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 11 of subtitle II is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1137. Authority of the Inspector General
``(a) In General.--The Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation, in accordance with the mission of the Inspector General
to prevent and detect fraud and abuse, shall have authority to review
only the financial management, property management, and business
operations of the National Transportation Safety Board, including
internal accounting and administrative control systems, to determine
compliance with applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
``(b) Duties.--In carrying out this section, the Inspector General
shall--
``(1) keep the Chairman of the Board and Congress fully and
currently informed about problems relating to administration of the
internal accounting and administrative control systems of the
Board;
``(2) issue findings and recommendations for actions to address
such problems; and
``(3) report periodically to Congress on any progress made in
implementing actions to address such problems.
``(c) Access to Information.--In carrying out this section, the
Inspector General may exercise authorities granted to the Inspector
General under subsections (a) and (b) of section 6 of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(d) Reimbursement.--The Inspector General shall be reimbursed by
the Board for the costs associated with carrying out activities under
this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The subchapter analysis for such
subchapter is amended by adding at the end the following:
``1137. Authority of the Inspector General.''.
SEC. 13. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 1118 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1118. Authorization of appropriations
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated for the
purposes of this chapter $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $65,000,000
for fiscal year 2001, and $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, such sums
to remain available until expended.
``(b) Emergency Fund.--The Board has an emergency fund of
$2,000,000 available for necessary expenses of the Board, not otherwise
provided for, for accident investigations. Amounts equal to the amounts
expended annually out of the fund are authorized to be appropriated to
the emergency fund.''.
SEC. 14. CREDITING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT FLIGHT TIME.
In determining whether an individual meets the aeronautical
experience requirements imposed under section 44703 of title 49, United
States Code, for an airman certificate or rating, the Secretary of
Transportation shall take into account any time spent by that
individual operating a public aircraft as defined in section 40102 of
title 49, United States Code, if that aircraft is--
(1) identifiable by category and class; and
(2) used in law enforcement activities.
SEC. 15. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 46301(d)(2) of title 49, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``46302, 46303,'' and inserting ``46301(b), 46302, 46303,
46318,''.
SEC. 16. CONFIRMATION OF INTERIM FINAL RULE ISSUANCE UNDER SECTION
45301.
The publication, by the Department of Transportation, Federal
Aviation Administration, in the Federal Register of June 6, 2000 (65 FR
36002) of an interim final rule concerning Fees for FAA Services for
Certain Flights (Docket No. FAA-00-7018) is deemed to have been issued
in accordance with the requirements of section 45301(b)(2) of title 49,
United States Code.
SEC. 17. AERONAUTICAL CHARTING.
(a) In General.--Section 44721 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (c); and
(2) by adding at the end of subsection (g)(1) the following:
``(D) Continuation of prices.--The price of any product
created under subsection (d) may correspond to the price of a
comparable product produced by a department of the United
States Government as that price was in effect on September 30,
2000, and may remain in effect until modified by regulation
under section 9701 of title 31, United States Code.''; and
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (g) the following:
``(5) Crediting amounts received.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, amounts received for the sale of products created
and services performed under this section shall be fully credited
to the account of the Federal Aviation Administration that funded
the provision of the products or services and shall remain
available until expended.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) take
effect on October 1, 2000.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate. | (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Board, for an employee whose basic pay equals or exceeds the minimum rate for GS-10 of the General Schedule, to establish an overtime hourly rate of time-and-a-half (which shall be considered premium pay), up to a specified annual limit, with respect to work performed at the scene of an accident (including travel to or from the scene) and other work critical to an accident investigation. Limits the total amount of overtime pay that can be paid out in any given fiscal year.
(Sec. 5) Extends to cockpit video recordings or written depictions of visual information the same disclosure limitations and requirements (including those applicable to discovery and use of such recordings or written depictions in judicial proceedings) that apply to cockpit voice recordings or transcripts of them. Extends such disclosure limitations and requirements to surface vehicle voice or video recorder recordings or transcripts of oral communications by or among drivers, train employees, or other operating employees responsible for the movement and direction of the vehicle or vessel, or between such operating employees and company communication centers, related to an accident investigated by the Board.
(Sec. 6) Revises the Board's current investigative priority over other Federal agencies to require the Board to relinquish such priority to the Federal Bureau of Investigation if the Attorney General determines that circumstances reasonably indicate that the accident may have been caused by an intentional criminal act. Requires the Board to take necessary actions to ensure that evidence is preserved if a Federal law enforcement agency suspects and notifies the Board that an accident the Board is investigating may have been caused by an intentional criminal act.
(Sec. 7) Revises the duties and powers of the Board with respect to accidents involving public aircraft.
(Sec. 8) Requires the Board and the U.S. Coast Guard to revise their Memorandum of Understanding governing major marine accidents to: (1) to redefine or clarify the standards used to determine when the Board will lead an investigation; and (2) develop new standards to determine when a major marine accident involves significant safety issues relating to Coast Guard safety functions.
(Sec. 9) Directs the Chairman of the Board to establish annual fiscal year budgets for approved non-accident-related travel expenditures for Board members, and report annually to specified congressional committees on the non-accident-related travel of each Board member, with separate accounting for foreign and domestic travel.
(Sec. 10) Requires the Board Chairman to designate an officer or employee of the Board as the Chief Financial Officer, who shall perform specified duties.
(Sec. 11) Directs the Board to develop and implement comprehensive internal audit controls for its financial programs based on the findings and recommendations of the private sector audit firm contract entered into by the Board in March, 2000. Requires the improved internal audit controls, at a minimum, to address Board asset management systems, including systems for accounting management, debt collection, travel, and property and inventory management and control.
(Sec. 12) Grants the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation authority to review only the Board's financial management, property management, and business operations.
(Sec. 13) Authorizes appropriations for the Board through FY 2002. Increases from $1 million to $2 million the Board's emergency fund for accident investigations.
(Sec. 14) Requires the Secretary in determining whether a pilot meets certain aeronautical experience requirements for a pilot certificate or rating to take into account time spent by such pilot operating a public aircraft that meets certain criteria.
(Sec. 16) Declares that the publication by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of an interim final rule concerning Fees for FAA Services for Certain Flights (Docket No. FAA-00-7018) in the Federal Register of June 6, 2000, shall be deemed in compliance with certain publication and public comment requirements.
(Sec. 17) Sets forth requirements with respect to: (1) the continuation of sale prices (in effect as of September 30, 2000) for aeronautical maps and charts produced by the Office of Aeronautical Charting and Cartography of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and (2) the crediting of amounts received from the sale of aeronautical charts and related products and services. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "National Transportation Safety Board Amendments Act of 2000"} | 3,786 | 940 | 0.432773 | 1.403894 | 0.577957 | 4.669915 | 4.248477 | 0.915956 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Military Enlistment Opportunity Act
of 2015''.
SEC. 2. QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMED FORCES.
(a) Additional Qualified Persons.--Paragraph (1) of subsection (b)
of section 504 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraphs:
``(C) An alien who, at the time of enlistment in an armed
force, has resided continuously in a lawful status in the
United States for at least two years.
``(D) A person who, at the time of enlistment in an armed
force, possesses an employment authorization document issued by
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under the
requirements of the Department of Homeland Security policy
entitled `Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals' (DACA).''.
(b) Admission to Permanent Residence of Certain Enlistees.--Such
section is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(c) Admission to Permanent Residence of Certain Enlistees.--(1) A
person described in subsection (b) who, at the time of enlistment in an
armed force, is not a citizen or other national of the United States or
lawfully admitted for permanent residence shall be adjusted to the
status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the
provisions of section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1259), except that the alien need not--
``(A) establish that he or she entered the United States
prior to January 1, 1972; and
``(B) comply with section 212(e) of such Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(e)).
``(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall rescind the lawful
permanent resident status of a person whose status was adjusted under
paragraph (1) if the person is separated from the armed forces under
other than honorable conditions before the person served for a period
or periods aggregating five years. Such grounds for rescission are in
addition to any other provided by law. The fact that the person was
separated from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions
shall be proved by a duly authenticated certification from the armed
force in which the person last served. The service of the person in the
armed forces shall be proved by duly authenticated copies of the
service records of the person.
``(3) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to alter the
process prescribed by sections 328, 329, and 329A of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1439, 1440, 1440-1) by which a person may
naturalize through service in the armed forces.''.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) Section heading.--The heading of such section is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 504. Persons not qualified; citizenship or residency
requirements; exceptions''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 31 of such title is amended by striking
the item relating to section 504 and inserting the following
new item:
``504. Persons not qualified; citizenship or residency requirements;
exceptions.''.
SEC. 3. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN PERSONS AS HAVING SATISFIED ENGLISH AND
CIVICS, GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, AND HONORABLE SERVICE AND
DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR NATURALIZATION.
(a) Immigration and Nationality Act.--The Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 329A (8 U.S.C. 1440-1) the following:
``SEC. 329B. PERSONS WHO HAVE RECEIVED AN AWARD FOR ENGAGEMENT IN
ACTIVE COMBAT OR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN COMBAT.
``(a) In General.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of naturalization and
continuing citizenship under the following provisions of law, a
person who has received an award described in subsection (b)
shall be treated--
``(A) as having satisfied the requirements under
sections 312(a) and 316(a)(3), and subsections (b)(3),
(c), and (e) of section 328; and
``(B) except as provided in paragraph (2), under
sections 328 and 329--
``(i) as having served honorably in the
Armed Forces for (in the case of section 328) a
period or periods aggregating 1 year; and
``(ii) if separated from such service, as
having been separated under honorable
conditions.
``(2) Revocation.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(B), any
person who separated from the Armed Forces under other than
honorable conditions may be subject to revocation of
citizenship under section 328(f) or 329(c) if the other
requirements under such section are met.
``(b) Application.--This section shall apply with respect to the
following awards from the Armed Forces of the United States:
``(1) The Combat Infantryman Badge from the Army.
``(2) The Combat Medical Badge from the Army.
``(3) The Combat Action Badge from the Army.
``(4) The Combat Action Ribbon from the Navy, the Marine
Corps, or the Coast Guard.
``(5) The Air Force Combat Action Medal.
``(6) Any other award that the Secretary of Defense
determines to be an equivalent award for engagement in active
combat or active participation in combat.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents of such Act (8
U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 329A the following:
``Sec. 329B. Persons who have received an award for engagement in
active combat or active participation in
combat.''. | Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015 Amends citizenship and residency qualifications for enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces to permit enlistment of additional persons who: (1) have resided continuously in a lawful status in the United States for at least two years, or (2) possess an employment authorization document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy entitled Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Requires authorized enlistees who are not citizens or other nationals of the United States or lawfully admitted for permanent residence to be adjusted to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under an exception to specified provisions of Immigration and Nationality Act. (Such enlistees need not establish that they entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972, or comply with other specified requirements.) Directs DHS to rescind such adjusted status if the person is separated from the armed forces under other than honorable conditions before the person served for a period or periods aggregating five years. Deems any person who has received an award from the U.S. Armed Forces for engagement in active combat or active participation in combat to have satisfied specified naturalization requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015"} | 1,394 | 276 | 0.663997 | 1.825472 | 0.970054 | 4.424658 | 5.43379 | 0.899543 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Recognize, Assist, Include, Support,
and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2015'' or the ``RAISE Family
Caregivers Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory council.--The term ``Advisory Council'' means
the Family Caregiving Advisory Council convened under section
4.
(2) Family caregiver.--The term ``family caregiver'' means
an adult family member or other individual who has a
significant relationship with, and who provides a broad range
of assistance to, an individual with a chronic or other health
condition, disability, or functional limitation.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(4) Strategy.--The term ``Strategy'' means the National
Family Caregiving Strategy established, maintained, and updated
under section 3.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVING STRATEGY.
(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the heads of
other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop, maintain, and
periodically update a National Family Caregiving Strategy.
(b) Contents.--The Strategy shall identify specific actions that
Federal, State, and local governments, communities, health care, long-
term services and supports and other providers, employers, and others
can take to recognize and support family caregivers in a manner that
reflects their diverse needs, including with respect to the following:
(1) Promoting greater adoption of person- and family-
centered care in all health and long-term services and supports
settings, with the person receiving services and supports and
the family caregiver (as appropriate) at the center of care
teams.
(2) Assessment and service planning (including care
transitions and coordination) involving family caregivers and
care recipients.
(3) Training and other supports.
(4) Information, education, referral, and care
coordination, including hospice, palliative care, and advance
planning services.
(5) Respite options.
(6) Financial security.
(7) Workplace policies and supports that allow family
caregivers to remain in the workforce.
(c) Responsibilities of the Secretary.--The Secretary, in carrying
out this section, shall be responsible for the following:
(1) Collecting and making publicly available information,
including evidence-based or promising practices and innovative
models (both domestically and internationally) regarding the
provision of care by family caregivers or support for family
caregivers.
(2) Coordinating Federal Government programs and activities
to recognize and support family caregivers while ensuring
maximum effectiveness and avoiding unnecessary duplication.
(3) Providing technical assistance, such as best practices
and information sharing, to State or local efforts, as
appropriate, to support family caregivers.
(4) Addressing disparities in recognizing and supporting
family caregivers and meeting the needs of the diverse family
caregiving population.
(5) Assessing all Federal programs regarding family
caregivers, including with respect to funding levels.
(d) Initial Strategy; Updates.--The Secretary shall--
(1) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, develop, publish, and submit to Congress the initial
Strategy incorporating the items addressed in the Advisory
Council's report in section 4(d)(2) and other priority actions
for recognizing and supporting family caregivers; and
(2) not less than every 2 years, update, republish, and
submit to Congress the Strategy, taking into account the most
recent annual report submitted under section 4(d)(1)--
(A) to reflect new developments, challenges,
opportunities, and solutions; and
(B) to assess progress in implementation of the
Strategy and, based on the results of such assessment,
recommend priority actions for such implementation.
(e) Process for Public Input.--The Secretary shall establish a
process for public input to inform the development of, and updates to,
the Strategy, including a process for the public to submit
recommendations to the Advisory Council and an opportunity for public
comment on the proposed Strategy.
(f) No Preemption.--Nothing in this Act preempts any authority of a
State or local government to recognize or support family caregivers.
SEC. 4. FAMILY CAREGIVING ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) Convening.--The Secretary shall convene a Family Caregiving
Advisory Council to provide advice to the Secretary on recognizing and
supporting family caregivers.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The members of the Advisory Council shall
consist of--
(A) the appointed members under paragraph (2); and
(B) the Federal members under paragraph (3).
(2) Appointed members.--In addition to the Federal members
under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall appoint not more than
15 members of the Advisory Council who are not representatives
of Federal departments or agencies and who shall include at
least one representative of each of the following:
(A) Family caregivers.
(B) Older adults with long-term services and
supports needs, including older adults facing
disparities.
(C) Individuals with disabilities.
(D) Advocates for family caregivers, older adults
with long-term services and supports needs, and
individuals with disabilities.
(E) Health care and social service providers.
(F) Long-term services and supports providers.
(G) Employers.
(H) Paraprofessional workers.
(I) State and local officials.
(J) Accreditation bodies.
(K) Relevant industries.
(L) Veterans.
(M) As appropriate, other experts in family
caregiving.
(3) Federal members.--The Federal members of the Advisory
Council, who shall be nonvoting members, shall consist of the
following:
(A) The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (or the Administrator's designee).
(B) The Administrator of the Administration for
Community Living (or the Administrator's designee who
has experience in both aging and disability).
(C) The Assistant Secretary for the Administration
for Children and Families (or the Assistant Secretary's
designee).
(D) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or the
Secretary's designee).
(E) The Secretary of Labor (or the Secretary's
designee).
(F) The Secretary of the Treasury (or the
Secretary's designee).
(G) The National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology (or the National Coordinator's designee).
(H) The Administrator of the Small Business
Administration (or the Administrator's designee).
(I) The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
for National and Community Service (or the Chief
Executive Officer's designee).
(J) The heads of other Federal departments or
agencies (or their designees), as appointed by the
Secretary or the Chair of the Advisory Council.
(4) Diverse representation.--The Secretary shall ensure
that the membership of the Advisory Council reflects the
diversity of family caregivers and individuals receiving
services and supports.
(c) Meetings.--The Advisory Council shall meet quarterly during the
1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and at
least three times during each year thereafter. Meetings of the Advisory
Council shall be open to the public.
(d) Advisory Council Annual Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Advisory
Council shall submit to the Secretary and Congress a report
concerning the development, maintenance, and updating of the
Strategy and the implementation thereof, including a
description of the outcomes of the recommendations and
priorities under paragraph (2), as appropriate. Such report
shall be made publicly available by the Advisory Council.
(2) Initial report.--The Advisory Council's initial report
under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an inventory and assessment of all federally
funded efforts to recognize and support family
caregivers and the outcomes of such efforts, including
analyses of the extent to which federally funded
efforts are reaching family caregivers and gaps in such
efforts;
(B) recommendations for priority actions--
(i) to improve and better coordinate
programs; and
(ii) to deliver services based on the
performance, mission, and purpose of a program
while eliminating redundancies and ensuring the
needs of family caregivers are met;
(C) recommendations to reduce the financial impact
and other challenges of caregiving on family
caregivers; and
(D) an evaluation of how family caregiving impacts
the Medicare program, and Medicaid program, and other
Federal programs.
(e) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Council.
SEC. 5. SUNSET PROVISION.
The authority and obligations established by this Act shall
terminate on December 31, 2025.
Passed the Senate December 8, 2015.
Attest:
JULIE E. ADAMS,
Secretary. | Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2015 or the RAISE Family Caregivers Act (Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop, maintain, and periodically update a National Family Caregiving Strategy. (Sec. 4) HHS shall convene a Family Caregiving Advisory Council to advise it on recognizing and supporting family caregivers. (Sec. 5) This Act shall terminate on December 31, 2025. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "RAISE Family Caregivers Act"} | 1,925 | 120 | 0.61308 | 1.564252 | 0.556993 | 4.351648 | 20.021978 | 0.923077 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Immigration Services and
Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2000''.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Applications for naturalization have increased
dramatically in recent years, outpacing the Immigration and
Naturalization Service's ability to process them.
(2) The dramatic increase in applications for
naturalization and the inability of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service to deal with them adequately has
resulted in an unacceptably large backlog in naturalization
adjudications.
(3) The processing times in the Immigration and
Naturalization Service's other immigration benefits have been
unacceptably long. Applicants for family- and employment-based
visas are waiting as long as 3 to 4 years to obtain a visa or
an adjustment to lawful permanent resident status.
(4) In California, the delays in processing adjustment of
status applications have averaged 52 months. In Texas, the
delays have averaged 69 months. Residents of New York have had
to wait up to 28 months; in Florida, 26 months; in Illinois, 37
months; in Oregon, 31 months; and in Arizona, 49 months. Most
other States have experienced unacceptably long processing and
adjudication delays.
(5) Applicants pay fees to have their applications
adjudicated in a timely manner. These fees have increased
dramatically in recent years without a commensurate increase in
the capability of that Immigration and Naturalization Service
to process and adjudicate these cases in an efficient manner.
(6) Processing these applications in a timely fashion is
critical. Each 12-month delay in adjudicating an adjustment of
status application requires the alien to file applications to
extend employment authorization to work and advance parole
documents to travel.
(7) The enormous delays in processing applications for
families and businesses have had a negative impact on the
reunification of spouses and minor children and the ability of
law-abiding and contributing members of our communities to
participate fully in the civic life of the United States.
(8) United States employers have also experienced
debilitating delays in hiring employees who contribute to the
economic growth of the United States. These delays have forced
employers to send highly skilled and valued employees out of
the United States because their immigrant petitions were not
approved in a timely fashion. Such disruptions seriously
threaten the competitive edge of the United States in the
global marketplace.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to--
(1) provide the Immigration and Naturalization Service with
the mechanisms it needs to eliminate the current backlog in the
processing of immigration benefit applications within 1 year
after enactment of this Act and to maintain the elimination of
the backlog in future years; and
(2) provide for regular congressional oversight of the
performance of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in
eliminating the backlog and processing delays in immigration
benefits adjudications.
(c) Policy.--It is the sense of Congress that the processing of an
immigration benefit application should be completed not later than 180
days after the initial filing of the application, except that a
petition for a nonimmigrant visa under section 214(c) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act should be processed not later than 30
days after the filing of the petition.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Backlog.--The term ``backlog'' means, with respect to
an immigration benefit application, the period of time in
excess of 180 days that such application has been pending
before the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
(2) Immigration benefit application.--The term
``immigration benefit application'' means any application or
petition to confer, certify, change, adjust, or extend any
status granted under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
SEC. 4. IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT ACCOUNT.
(a) Authority of the Attorney General.--The Attorney General shall
take such measures as may be necessary to--
(1) reduce the backlog in the processing of immigration
benefit applications, with the objective of the total
elimination of the backlog not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act;
(2) make such other improvements in the processing of
immigration benefit applications as may be necessary to ensure
that a backlog does not develop after such date; and
(3) make such improvements in infrastructure as may be
necessary to effectively provide immigration services.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Department of Justice from time to time such sums as may be
necessary for the Attorney General to carry out subsection (a).
(2) Designation of account in treasury.--Amounts
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be referred to as
the ``Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements
Account''.
(3) Availability of funds.--Amounts appropriated pursuant
to paragraph (1) are authorized to remain available until
expended.
(4) Limitation on expenditures.--None of the funds
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) may be expended until
the report described in section 5(a) has been submitted to
Congress.
SEC. 5. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) Backlog Elimination Plan.--
(1) Report required.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit a
report to the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of
the Senate and the House of Representatives concerning--
(A) the backlogs in immigration benefit
applications in existence as of the date of enactment
of this Act; and
(B) the Attorney General's plan for eliminating
such backlogs.
(2) Report elements.--The report shall include--
(A) an assessment of the data systems used in
adjudicating and reporting on the status of immigration
benefit applications, including--
(i) a description of the adequacy of
existing computer hardware, computer software,
and other mechanisms to comply with the
adjudications and reporting requirements of
this Act; and
(ii) a plan for implementing improvements
to existing data systems to accomplish the
purpose of this Act, as described in section
2(b);
(B) a description of the quality controls to be put
into force to ensure timely, fair, accurate, and
complete processing and adjudication of such
applications;
(C) the elements specified in subsection (b)(2);
(D) an estimate of the amount of appropriated funds
that would be necessary in order to eliminate the
backlogs in each category of immigration benefit
applications described in subsection (b)(2); and
(E) a detailed plan on how the Attorney General
will use any funds in the Immigration Services and
Infrastructure Improvements Account to comply with the
purposes of this Act.
(b) Annual Reports.--
(1) In general.--Beginning 90 days after the end of the
first fiscal year for which any appropriation authorized by
section 4(b) is made, and 90 days after the end of each fiscal
year thereafter, the Attorney General shall submit a report to
the Committees on the Judiciary and Appropriations of the
Senate and the House of Representatives concerning the status
of--
(A) the Immigration Services and Infrastructure
Improvements Account including any unobligated balances
of appropriations in the Account; and
(B) the Attorney General's efforts to eliminate
backlogs in any immigration benefit application
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Report elements.--The report shall include--
(A) State-by-State data on--
(i) the number of naturalization cases
adjudicated in each quarter of each fiscal
year;
(ii) the average processing time for
naturalization applications;
(iii) the number of naturalization
applications pending for up to 6 months, 12
months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48
months or more;
(iv) estimated processing times
adjudicating newly submitted naturalization
applications;
(v) an analysis of the appropriate
processing times for naturalization
applications; and
(vi) the additional resources and process
changes needed to eliminate the backlog for
naturalization adjudications;
(B) the status of applications or, where
applicable, petitions described in subparagraph (C), by
Immigration and Naturalization Service district,
including--
(i) the number of cases adjudicated in each
quarter of each fiscal year;
(ii) the average processing time for such
applications or petitions;
(iii) the number of applications or
petitions pending for up to 6 months, 12
months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48
months or more;
(iv) the estimated processing times
adjudicating newly submitted applications or
petitions;
(v) an analysis of the appropriate
processing times for applications or petitions;
and
(vi) a description of the additional
resources and process changes needed to
eliminate the backlog for such processing and
adjudications; and
(C) a status report on--
(i) applications for adjustments of status
to that of an alien lawfully admitted for
permanent residence;
(ii) petitions for nonimmigrant visas under
section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act;
(iii) petitions filed under section 204 of
such Act to classify aliens as immediate
relatives or preference immigrants under
section 203 of such Act;
(iv) applications for asylum under section
208 of such Act;
(v) registrations for Temporary Protected
Status under section 244 of such Act; and
(vi) a description of the additional
resources and process changes needed to
eliminate the backlog for such processing and
adjudications.
(3) Absence of appropriated funds.--In the event that no
funds are appropriated subject to section 4(b) in the fiscal
year in which this Act is enacted, the Attorney General shall
submit a report to Congress not later than 90 days after the
end of such fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter,
containing the elements described in paragraph (2). | Authorizes appropriations which shall be designated in the Treasury as the Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Account.
Directs the Attorney General to make specified backlog elimination reports. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Immigration Services and Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2000"} | 2,174 | 37 | 0.326824 | 0.829829 | 0.153183 | 2.2 | 67.2 | 0.866667 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Education Advancement (NEA)
and Teacher Relief Act''.
SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
(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 new section:
``SEC. 30B. CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to 75 percent of the qualified charitable contributions of the
taxpayer for the taxable year.
``(b) Maximum Credit.--
``(1) Individuals.--In the case of a taxpayer other than a
corporation, the credit allowed by subsection (a) for any
taxable year shall not exceed $500 ($1,000 in the case of a
joint return).
``(2) Corporations.--In the case of a corporation, the
credit allowed by subsection (a) shall not exceed $100,000.
``(c) Qualified Charitable Contribution.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified charitable
contribution' means, with respect to any taxable year, the
aggregate amount allowable as a deduction under section 170
(determined without regard to subsection (d)(1)) for cash
contributions--
``(A) to a school tuition organization,
``(B) for the improvement, renovation, or
construction of a school facility that is used
primarily to provide education at the elementary or
secondary level, and
``(C) for the acquisition of computer technology or
equipment (as defined in subparagraph (E)(i) of section
170(e)(6)), or for training related to the use of such
technology or equipment, for use in a school facility
described in subparagraph (B).
``(2) Certain expenses of elementary and secondary school
teachers.--
``(A) In general.--In the case of an individual who
is an eligible educator, the term `qualified charitable
contribution' includes amounts allowable as a deduction
by section 162 paid or incurred by the eligible
educator in connection with books, supplies (other than
nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in
health or physical education), computer equipment
(including related software and services) and other
equipment, and supplementary materials used by the
eligible educator in the classroom.
``(B) Coordination with exclusions.--An amount
shall be allowed as a credit under this section for
expenses described in subparagraph (A) only to the
extent the amount of such expenses exceeds the amount
excludable under section 135, 529(c)(1), or 530(d)(2)
for the taxable year.
``(3) School tuition organization.--
``(A) In general.--The term `school tuition
organization' means any organization which--
``(i) is described in section 170(c)(2),
``(ii) allocates at least 90 percent of its
gross income and contributions and gifts to
elementary and secondary school scholarships,
and
``(iii) awards scholarships to any student
who is eligible for free or reduced cost lunch
under the school program established under the
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.
``(B) Elementary and secondary school
scholarship.--The term `elementary and secondary school
scholarship' means any scholarship excludable from
gross income under section 117 for expenses related to
education at or below the 12th grade level.
``(4) Eligible educator.--
``(A) In general.--The term `eligible educator'
means, with respect to any taxable year, an individual
who is a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher,
instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in a school
for at least 900 hours during a school year.
``(B) School.--For purposes of subparagraph (A),
the term `school' means any school which provides
elementary education or secondary education
(kindergarten through grade 12), as determined under
State law.
``(5) School facility.--The term `school facility' shall
not include any stadium or other facility primarily used for
athletic contests or exhibitions or other events for which
admission is charged to the general public.
``(d) Special Rules.--
``(1) Denial of double benefit.--Amounts taken into account
under subsection (a) shall not be taken into account in
determining any deduction allowed under section 162 or 170.
``(2) Application with other credits.--The credit allowable
under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not exceed the
excess (if any) of--
``(A) the regular tax for the taxable year, reduced
by the sum of the credits allowable under subpart A and
the preceding sections of this subpart, over
``(B) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable
year.
``(e) Election to Have Credit not Apply.--A taxpayer may elect to
have this section not apply for any taxable year.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:
``Sec. 30B. Credit for contributions for the benefit of elementary and
secondary schools.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
SEC. 3. REVISION OF DEFINITION OF SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF QUALIFIED
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION EXPENSES.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (4) of section 530(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualified elementary and secondary
education expenses) is amended--
(1) in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), by
striking ``public, private, or religious'', and
(2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after ``any school''
the following: ``, including a public, private, religious, or
home school,''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003. | National Education Advancement (NEA) and Teacher Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 75 percent of charitable contributions made by a taxpayer: (1) to a school tuition organization that provides certain scholarship aid; (2) for the improvement, renovation, or construction of an elementary or secondary school facility; and (3) for the acquisition of computer technology or equipment, or for related training, for use in an elementary or secondary school facility. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $500 for individuals and $100,000 for corporations.
Allows elementary or secondary school teachers, instructors, counselors, principals, or aides who work at least 900 hours during a school year to claim the tax credit provided by this Act for their expenses in connection with books, supplies (other than nonathletic supplies for courses of instruction in health or physical education), computer equipment (including related software and services), and other equipment and supplementary materials used in the classroom.
Revises the definition of "school" for purposes of defining qualified elementary and secondary education expenses to include public, private, religious or home schools. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against income tax for teacher classroom supply expenses, for improving elementary and secondary education, and for contributions for scholarships to attend elementary and secondary schools, and for other purposes."} | 1,461 | 232 | 0.626153 | 1.649976 | 0.907473 | 3.529412 | 5.80543 | 0.895928 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``State and Tribal Government
Sovereignty Protection Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The people of the States created the national
government when they delegated to it those enumerated
governmental powers relating to matters beyond the competence
of the individual States. All other sovereign powers, save
those expressly prohibited the States by the Constitution, are
reserved to the States or the people.
(2) In most areas of governmental concern, the States
uniquely possess the constitutional authority, the resources,
and the competence to discern the sentiments of the people and
to govern accordingly.
(3) Our constitutional system encourages a healthy
diversity in the public policies adopted by the people of the
several States according to their own conditions, needs, and
desires. Individual States and communities are free to
experiment with a variety of approaches to public issues. One-
size-fits-all approaches to public policy problems can inhibit
the creation of effective solutions to problems.
(4) Federal action limiting the policymaking discretion of
the States should be taken only where constitutional and
statutory authority for the action is clear and certain and the
national activity is necessitated by the presence of a problem
of national scope.
(5) Federal agencies must recognize the distinction between
problems of national scope (which may justify Federal action)
and problems that are merely common to the States (which will
not justify Federal action because individual States, acting
individually or together, can effectively deal with them).
(6) On March 26, 2015, the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection released an outline of proposals under consideration
for potential rulemakings for ``payday, vehicle title, and
similar loans''.
(7) The Bureau acknowledged that ``markets for payday,
vehicle title, and similar loans are regulated by a variety of
state laws, as well as some tribal and municipal laws''. The
Bureau specifically acknowledged that ``Some jurisdictions have
imposed usury limits that prohibit lenders from offering high-
cost credit. In other jurisdictions, certain products are
specifically authorized by state laws, often crafted as
exceptions to general state credit regulation, including
consumer loan laws and general usury limits. Some of the states
authorizing these products have sought to regulate loan
structures and lender practices in a variety of ways, including
limiting permissible costs, restricting reborrowing in certain
circumstances, or setting a maximum ratio for the amount of
debt on such loans to gross monthly income. States, tribes, and
local governments also impose a variety of licensure
requirements on lenders engaged in payday and vehicle title
lending.''. This variation in State, local, and tribal law
suggests a healthy, dynamic, legal environment in which the
democratically elected representatives in each jurisdiction
respond appropriately to the particular conditions, needs, and
desires of their constituents.
(8) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Director of the
Bureau seeks to ``establish a federal floor for consumer
protection for covered loans'', thus substituting the
Director's own judgment for that of State, tribal, and local
governments.
(9) The Bureau made no showing that any State or tribal
government lacks the legal authority to enact laws or
regulations that are substantially similar to the Bureau's
outline of proposals.
(10) The Bureau made no showing that any State or tribal
government is incapable of protecting its citizens from
potential risks associated with using payday, vehicle title,
and similar loans.
(11) The Bureau's proposals, if implemented, would be an
unwarranted infringement of State and tribal sovereignty and a
violation of fundamental federalist principles designed to
secure the liberty of the American people.
SEC. 3. MORATORIUM.
(a) Prohibition on Payday Loans, Vehicle Title Loans, and Other
Similar Loan Regulations.--The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
may not issue or enforce any rule or regulation with respect to payday
loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans during the 24-month
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Payday Loan.--For purposes of this section the term ``payday
loan'' means a loan described under section 1024(a)(1)(E) of the
Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (12 U.S.C. 5514(a)(1)(E)).
SEC. 4. PROTECTING STATE AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SOVEREIGNTY.
Section 1022(b) of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010
(12 U.S.C. 5512(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Protecting state and tribal government sovereignty
with respect to payday loans, vehicle title loans, and other
similar loans.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Bureau may not issue any final
rule or regulation to regulate payday loans, vehicle
title loans, or other similar loans, unless the Bureau
first--
``(i) consults with appropriate State,
tribal, and local officials in each
jurisdiction that may be affected by the rule
regarding the effect of the rule on State,
tribal, or local sovereignty, laws,
regulations, and citizens;
``(ii) carries out a study that--
``(I) examines the Bureau's
constitutional and statutory authority
to preempt State, tribal, and local
laws and regulations;
``(II) examines the effect the rule
or regulation will have on the laws and
regulations of individual States,
federally recognized Indian tribes, and
municipalities; and
``(III) identifies alternative
proposals to mitigate potential risks
associated with using payday loans,
vehicle title loans, and other similar
loans without infringing upon State and
tribal sovereignty or preempting State
and tribal laws and regulations; and
``(iii) issues a public report that--
``(I) contains all findings and
determinations made by the Bureau in
carrying out such study;
``(II) addresses all comments and
advice received during consultation
with State, tribal, and local
officials;
``(III) lists each State, tribal,
or local law and regulation (or any
portion thereof) the Bureau proposes to
preempt by rule or regulation;
``(IV) identifies by name any State
or federally recognized Indian tribe
that lacks the legal authority to enact
laws or regulations that are
substantially similar to the rule or
regulation, and states the basis for
why the Bureau has determined that the
State or federally recognized Indian
tribe lacks such authority; and
``(V) identifies by name any State
or federally recognized Indian tribe
the Director believes is incapable of
protecting its citizens from potential
risks associated with using payday
loans, vehicle title loans, and other
similar loans, and states the basis for
why the Bureau has determined that the
State or federally recognized Indian
tribe is incapable of such protection.
``(B) Waiver for state and tribal governments.--
``(i) In general.--With respect to a final
rule or regulation issued by the Bureau to
regulate payday loans, vehicle title loans, or
other similar loans, if a State or a federally
recognized Indian tribe requests, in writing,
for the Bureau to provide the State or tribe
with a waiver from such rule or regulation, the
Director shall grant a 5-year waiver to such
State or tribe, during which such rule or
regulation shall not apply within such State or
land held in trust for the benefit of such
federally recognized Indian tribe.
``(ii) Right to renew waiver.--A State or
federally recognized Indian tribe granted a
waiver under clause (i) shall have the right to
renew such waiver at the end of each 5-year
waiver period.''. | State and Tribal Government Sovereignty Protection Act of 2016 This bill establishes a moratorium period during which the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may not issue or enforce any rule or regulation governing payday loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans. The Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 is amended to prohibit the CFPB from issuing any final rule or regulation to regulate payday loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans, unless it first: (1) consults with appropriate state, tribal, and local officials in each jurisdiction that may be affected by the rule; (2) conducts specified studies; and (3) issues a public report regarding study findings. The CPFB shall grant a five-year waiver from such a rule or regulation if a state or federally recognized Indian tribe requests one. The waiver may be renewed at the expiration of each five-year waiver period. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "State and Tribal Government Sovereignty Protection Act of 2016"} | 1,664 | 192 | 0.40885 | 1.386544 | 0.776279 | 4.304094 | 9.362573 | 0.900585 |
SECTION 1. TREATMENT OF REHABILITATION CREDIT UNDER PASSIVE ACTIVITY
LIMITATIONS.
(a) General Rule.--Paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 469(i) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to $25,000 offset for rental
real estate activities) are amended to read as follows:
``(2) Dollar limitations.--
``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in
this paragraph, the aggregate amount to which paragraph
(1) applies for any taxable year shall not exceed
$25,000 reduced (but not below zero) by 50 percent of
the amount (if any) by which the adjusted gross income
of the taxpayer for the taxable year exceeds $100,000.
``(B) Phaseout not applicable to low-income housing
credit.--In the case of the portion of the passive
activity credit for any taxable year which is
attributable to any credit determined under section
42--
``(i) subparagraph (A) shall not apply, and
``(ii) paragraph (1) shall not apply to the
extent that the deduction equivalent of such
portion exceeds--
``(I) 25,000, reduced by
``(II) the aggregate amount of the
passive activity loss (and the
deduction equivalent of any passive
activity credit which is not so
attributable and is not attributable to
the rehabilitation credit determined
under section 47) to which paragraph
(1) applies after the application of
subparagraph (A).
``(C) $65,000 limit for rehabilitation credits.--In
the case of the portion of the passive activity credit
for any taxable year which is attributable to the
rehabilitation credit determined under section 47--
``(i) subparagraph (A) shall not apply, and
``(ii) paragraph (1) shall not apply to the
extent that the deduction equivalent of such
portion exceeds--
``(I) $65,000, reduced by
``(II) the aggregate amount of the
passive activity loss (and the
deduction equivalent of any passive
activity credit which is not so
attributable) to which paragraph (1)
applies for the taxable year after the
application of subparagraphs (A) and
(B).
``(3) Adjusted gross income.--For purposes of paragraph
(2)(A), adjusted gross income shall be determined without
regard to--
``(A) any amount includable in gross income under
section 86,
``(B) any amount excludable from gross income under
section 135,
``(C) any amount allowable as a deduction under
section 219, and
``(D) any passive activity loss.''
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Subparagraph (B) of section 469(i)(4) of such Code is
amended to read as follows:
``(B) Reduction for surviving spouse's exemption.--
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the $25,000 amounts
under paragraph (2)(A) and (2)(B)(ii) and the $65,000
amount under paragraph (2)(C)(ii) shall each be reduced
by the amount of the exemption under paragraph (1)
(determined without regard to the reduction contained
in paragraph (2)(A)) which is allowable to the
surviving spouse of the decedent for the taxable year
ending with or within the taxable year of the estate.''
(2) Subparagraph (A) of section 469(i)(5) of such Code is
amended by striking clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) and inserting
the following:
``(i) `$12,500' for `$25,000' in
subparagraphs (A) and (B)(ii) of paragraph (2),
``(ii) `$50,000' for `$100,000' in
paragraph (2)(A)'', and
``(iii) `$32,500' for `$65,000' in
paragraph (2)(C)(ii).''
(3) The subsection heading for subsection (i) of section
469 of such Code is amended by striking ``$25,000''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to property placed in service after December 31, 1992, in taxable
years ending after such date. | Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the offset for rental real estate activities under passive activity rules to increase the rehabilitation credit under such rules. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to the treatment of the rehabilitation credit under the passive activity limitations."} | 929 | 31 | 0.548454 | 1.29349 | 0.289803 | 1.964286 | 30.785714 | 0.821429 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Environmental Employment Transition
Assistance Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.
(a) Amendment.--Part B of title III of the Job Training Partnership
Act (29 U.S.C. 1662 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 327. ENVIRONMENTAL EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION ASSISTANCE.
``(a) Definitions.--As used in this section:
``(1) Adversely affected employment.--The term `adversely
affected employment' means work in an industry, occupation or
establishment which--
``(A) has sustained or is projected to sustain
substantial economic harm;
``(B) has experienced, is experiencing, or will
experience interruptions in the supply of raw materials
or goods used in manufacturing; or
``(C) will gradually decline or down-size or
experience an acceleration of decline,
as a direct or indirect result of the listing of any species as
`threatened' or `endangered' under the Endangered Species Act
of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), or of the implementation of
the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2949), the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701
et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et
seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resource Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), or the
Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528 et
seq.).
``(2) Adversely affected worker.--The term `adversely
affected worker' means an individual who--
``(A) is an eligible dislocated worker; and
``(B)(i) has been totally, partially or temporarily
separated from work that is considered as adversely
affected employment within the 3-year period beginning
on the date of enactment of this section; or
``(ii) has received a notice of termination or
layoff from such work.
``(3) Affected state.--The term `affected State' means any
of the several States of the United States and the District of
Columbia in which there is adversely affected employment.
``(b) Determination of Eligibility.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible for assistance under this
section, an individual shall be determined to be an adversely
affected worker as defined under paragraph (2) of subsection
(a).
``(2) Special rule.--The Secretary of Labor, pursuant to
criteria established by the Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary
of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the
Secretary of Energy shall make the eligibility determination of
whether an individual meets the definitional requirement under
subsection (a)(2)(B).
``(3) Certification.--The Secretary of Labor, in
consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of
Commerce, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
Agriculture, the Secretary of Energy, and the Governor of an
affected State, shall certify an industry, occupation or
establishment based on the listing, or the implementation of
any of the Acts, described in subsection (a)(1) as one in which
there is adversely affected employment.
``(4) Conclusive presumption.--
``(A) In general.--The total, partial, or temporary
layoff, or the notification of termination or layoff,
of an adversely affected worker during a period of 5
years following the listing of the species, or the
implementation of the Acts, on which certification of
an industry, occupation, or establishment is based
under paragraph (3) shall be conclusively presumed to
be attributable to compliance with the Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the
National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2949),
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16
U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resource
Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), or the
Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528
et seq.).
``(B) Exception.--No conclusive presumption exists
under subparagraph (A) if an adversely affected worker
has voluntarily quit, been laid off, or terminated from
a job for a cause that would disqualify such worker for
unemployment compensation under the State law.
``(c) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to States,
substate grantees (as described in section 312(c)), employers, employer
associations, and labor organizations--
``(1) to provide training, adjustment assistance, and
employment services to adversely affected workers; and
``(2) to make needs-related payments to such workers in
accordance with subsection (h).
``(d) Grant Amount.--
``(1) In general.--The amount of a grant awarded under this
section shall be based on a percentage developed by the
Secretary through consideration of the ratio of--
``(A) the per capita incidence of adversely
affected workers in each State; to
``(B) the per capita incidence of adversely
affected workers in all States.
``(2) Rural areas.--The Secretary shall not award a grant
under subsection (c) unless the applicant provides assurances
that the applicant will use a portion of the amount awarded
under the grant to provide training, adjustment assistance,
employment services and needs-related payments to adversely
affected workers in rural areas.
``(e) Priority and Approval.--
``(1) Application.--
``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a
grant under subsection (c), a State, substate grantee,
employer, employer association, or labor organization
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such assurances as
the Secretary may require.
``(B) Review prior to submission.--Prior to the
submission of an application under subparagraph (A), an
applicant shall--
``(i) submit the application for review and
comment to the private industry council and the
State; and
``(ii) offer local labor organizations the
opportunity to provide comments on the
application.
``(C) Documentation.--An applicant that submits an
application under subparagraph (B) shall maintain all
documentation relating to consultations with the
entities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of such
subparagraph.
``(2) Needs-related payments required.--The Secretary
shall not approve an application for a grant under subsection
(c) unless the application contains assurances that the
applicant will use amounts provided under the grant to provide
needs-related payments in accordance with subsection (h).
``(f) Use of Funds.--Subject to the requirements of subsections (g)
and (h), grants under subsection (c) may be used for any purpose for
which funds may be used under section 314.
``(g) Adjustment Assistance.--
``(1) Job search allowance.--Grants under subsection (c)
for adjustment assistance may be used to provide a job search
allowance to an adversely affected worker. Such allowance, if
provided, shall provide reimbursement to such worker in an
amount that does not exceed 90 percent of the cost to such
worker for necessary job search expenses, as prescribed by
regulations of the Secretary, or $800 whichever is less, unless
the need for a greater amount is demonstrated in the
application and approved by the Secretary.
``(2) Criteria for awarding job search allowances.--A job
search allowance may be provided only--
``(A) to assist an adversely affected worker who
has been totally separated in securing a job within the
United States; and
``(B) if the Secretary determines that the
adversely affected worker cannot reasonably be expected
to secure suitable employment in the commuting area in
which such worker resides.
``(h) Needs-Related Payments.--The Secretary shall prescribe
regulations with respect to the use of amounts awarded under a grant
under subsection (c) for needs-related payments in order to enable
adversely affected workers to complete training or education programs
under this section. Such regulations shall--
``(1) require that needs-related payments shall be provided
to an adversely affected worker only if such worker--
``(A)(i) qualifies for emergency or extended
unemployment benefits; or
``(ii) does not qualify or has ceased to qualify
for unemployment compensation;
``(B) is participating in training or education
programs under this section, except that the
regulations shall protect an adversely affected worker
from being disqualified pursuant to this subparagraph
for a failure to participate that is not the fault of
such worker; and
``(C) receives, or is a member of a family that
receives, a total family income (exclusive of
unemployment compensation, child support payments, and
welfare payments) that, in relation to family size, is
not in excess of the lower living standard income
level;
``(2) provide that an adversely affected worker may not be
disqualified from receipt of needs-related payments if such
worker terminates temporary or part-time employment to
participate in a training or education program under this
section;
``(3) provide that not later than 30 days after enrollment
in a training program, an adversely affected worker shall
receive needs-related payments if such worker--
``(A) does not qualify or has ceased to qualify for
unemployment compensation; and
``(B) has enrolled in a training program under this
section;
``(4) provide for procedures for waiving maximum benefits
requirements;
``(5) provide for procedures for allowing the payment of
needs-related payments based on special needs which shall be
determined on appeal by the Secretary;
``(6) provide that the levels of needs-related payments to
an adversely affected worker who does not qualify or has ceased
to qualify for unemployment compensation shall be equal to the
higher of--
``(A) the applicable level of unemployment
compensation; or
``(B) the official poverty line (as defined by the
Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually
by the Secretary in accordance with section 673(2) of
the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C.
9902(2));
``(7) provide that the amount of needs-related payments to
an adversely affected worker who qualifies for emergency or
extended unemployment benefits shall be equal to the difference
between the amount of such worker's compensation and the amount
of such worker's unemployment benefits;
``(8) provide for the adjustment of payments to reflect
changes in total family income; and
``(9) provide that the grantee shall obtain information
with respect to such income, and changes therein, from the
adversely affected worker.
``(i) Counseling and Referrals.--Not later than 45 days after an
adversely affected worker qualifies for unemployment benefits, a
grantee under this section shall provide employment counseling and
referral to training programs, if needed, to such worker.
``(j) Administrative Expenses.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Labor may reserve not
more than 5 percent of the awards appropriated under this
section for the administration of activities authorized under
this section, including the provision of technical assistance
for the preparation of grant applications.
``(2) Priority.--In the provision of technical assistance
for preparation of grant applications under paragraph (1), the
Secretary of Labor shall give priority to nongovernmental, and
nonprofit organizations.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--In addition to amounts authorized to be
appropriated by section 3(b), as amended by section 102(a) of
the Job Training Reform Amendments (Public Law 102-367), there
are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for fiscal year
1994, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal
years 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998, to carry out this section.
The total amount appropriated for all 5 such fiscal years shall
not exceed $500,000,000.
``(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to this
subsection shall remain available until expended.
``(l) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this section.
``(m) General Accounting Office Assessment of Effects on Employment
of Compliance With Environmental Policies.--The Comptroller General of
the United States shall--
``(1) identify and assess, to the extent possible, the
effects on employment that are attributable to compliance with
the provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (90
Stat. 2949), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976
(43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16
U.S.C. 703 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Forest and Rangeland
Renewable Resource Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1601 et
seq.), or the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16
U.S.C. 528 et seq.); and
``(2) submit to the Congress on the date that is 4 years
after the date of the enactment of this section a written
report on the assessments required under paragraph (1).''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The table of contents of the Job Training Partnership
Act is amended by adding at the end of the items pertaining to
part B of title III the following:
``Sec. 327. Environmental employment transition assistance.''.
(2) Section 3(b) of the Job Training Partnership Act (29
U.S.C. 1502(c)), as amended by section 102(a) of the Job
Training Reform Amendments (Public Law 102-367), is amended by
striking ``section 326'' and inserting ``sections 326 and
327''. | Environmental Employment Transition Assistance Act of 1993 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to establish an Environmental Employment Transition Assistance Program.
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to award grants to States, substate grantees, employers, employer associations, and labor organizations to: (1) provide training, adjustment assistance, and employment services to workers adversely affected by the listing of any species as "threatened" or "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act or by the implementation of specified Federal environmental protection or forestry laws; and (2) make needs-related payments to such workers.
Authorizes appropriations.
Directs the Comptroller General to assess the effects on employment of compliance with such environmental laws. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Environmental Employment Transition Assistance Act of 1993"} | 3,406 | 153 | 0.489424 | 1.398058 | 0.689944 | 3.045455 | 23.075758 | 0.893939 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``S.I. Hayakawa Official English
Language Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.
(a) In General.--Title 4, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following new chapter:
``CHAPTER 6--LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT
``Sec.
``161. Declaration of official language.
``162. Official Government activities in English.
``163. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language.
``164. Exceptions.
``Sec. 161. Declaration of official language
``English shall be the official language of the Government of the
United States.
``Sec. 162. Official Government activities in English
``The Government of the United States shall conduct its official
activities in English, including preparing publications, income tax
forms, and informational materials in English.
``Sec. 163. Preserving and enhancing the role of the official language
``(a) In General.--The Government of the United States shall
preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of
the United States.
``(b) Government Materials in English.--
``(1) In general.--Unless expressly provided for in an
applicable provision of law, no person has a right,
entitlement, or claim to have the Government of the United
States or any of its officials or representatives act,
communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials
in any language other than English.
``(2) Effect of exceptions.--If an official or
representative of the Government of the United States acts,
communicates, performs or provides services, or provides
materials in a language other than English, that exception does
not create a legal entitlement to additional acts,
communications, services, or materials in that language or any
language other than English.
``(c) English Version as Authority.--If the Government of the
United States issues a form in a language other than English (or such
forms are completed in a language other than English), the English
language version of the form is the sole authority for all legal
purposes.
``Sec. 164. Exceptions
``(a) In General.--This chapter may not apply to the use of a
language other than English--
``(1) for religious purposes;
``(2) for training in foreign languages for international
communication; or
``(3) to programs in schools designed to encourage students
to learn foreign languages.
``(b) Interpreters.--This chapter may not be considered to prevent
the Government of the United States from providing interpreters for
persons over 62 years of age.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 4,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
item:
``6. Language of the Government............................. 161''.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF BILINGUAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Bilingual election requirements.--Section 203 of the
Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa-1a) is repealed.
(2) Voting rights.--Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973b) is amended by striking subsection (f).
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) References to section 203.--The Voting Rights Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 204, by striking ``or 203,''; and
(B) in section 205, by striking ``, 202, or 203''
and inserting ``or 202''.
(2) References to section 4.--The Voting Rights Act of 1965
(42 U.S.C. 1973 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in sections 2(a), 4(d), 5, and 13, by striking
``, or in contravention of the guarantees set forth in
section 4(f)(2)'';
(B) in subsections (a), (b), and (c) of section 3,
by striking ``, or in contravention of the voting
guarantees set forth in section 4(f)(2)''; and
(C) in section 4(a)--
(i) in paragraphs (1)(A) and (3), by
striking ``or (in the case of a State or
subdivision seeking a declaratory judgment
under the second sentence of this subsection)
in contravention of the guarantees of
subsection (f)(2)'';
(ii) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``or
(in the case of a State or subdivision seeking
a declaratory judgment under the second
sentence of this subsection) that denials or
abridgments of the right to vote in
contravention of the guarantees of subsection
(f)(2) have occurred anywhere in the territory
of such State or subdivision''; and
(iii) in paragraph (5), by striking ``or
(in the case of a State or subdivision which
sought a declaratory judgment under the second
sentence of this subsection) that denials or
abridgments of the right to vote in
contravention of the guarantees of subsection
(f)(2) have occurred anywhere in the territory
of such State or subdivision''.
SEC. 4. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR CEREMONIES FOR ADMISSION OF
NEW CITIZENS.
Section 337(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1448(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence:
``All public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered
pursuant to this section shall be conducted solely in the English
language.''.
SEC. 5. NONPREEMPTION.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act may not be construed
to preempt any law of any State. | S.I. Hayakawa Official English Language Act of 2007 - Makes English the official language of the U.S. government. Requires the government to: (1) conduct its official activities in English, including preparing publications, income tax forms, and informational materials in English; and (2) preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the United States. Provides that no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the government act, communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in any other language, unless expressly provided for in an applicable provision of law.
Provides that this Act may not: (1) apply to the use of a language other than English for religious purposes, for training in foreign languages for international communication, or in school programs designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages; or (2) be considered to prevent the U.S. government from providing interpreters for persons over age 62. Repeals provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 regarding bilingual election requirements and regarding congressional findings of voting discrimination against language minorities, prohibition of English-only elections, and other remedial measures. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that all public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to such Act be conducted solely in English. Specifies that this Act may not be construed to preempt any state law. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend title 4, United States Code, to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States, and for other purposes."} | 1,349 | 298 | 0.652359 | 2.028102 | 0.802599 | 4.290698 | 4.585271 | 0.910853 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``International
Child Support Recovery Improvement Act of 2012''.
(b) References.--Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Act, wherever in this Act an amendment is expressed in terms of an
amendment to a section or other provision, the amendment shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Social
Security Act.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESS TO CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES FOR
INTERNATIONAL CHILD SUPPORT CASES.
(a) Authority of the Secretary of HHS To Ensure Compliance With
Multilateral Child Support Conventions.--
(1) In general.--Section 452 (42 U.S.C. 652) is amended--
(A) by redesignating the second subsection (l) (as
added by section 7306 of the Deficit Reduction Act of
2005) as subsection (m); and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(n) The Secretary shall use the authorities otherwise provided by
law to ensure the compliance of the United States with any multilateral
child support convention to which the United States is a party.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 453(k)(3) (42 U.S.C.
653(k)(3)) is amended by striking ``452(l)'' and inserting
``452(m)''.
(b) Access to the Federal Parent Locator Service.--Section 453(c)
(42 U.S.C. 653(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (4) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) an entity designated as a Central Authority for child
support enforcement in a foreign reciprocating country or a
foreign treaty country for purposes specified in section
459A(c)(2).''.
(c) State Option To Require Individuals in Foreign Countries To
Apply Through Their Country's Appropriate Central Authority.--Section
454 (42 U.S.C. 654) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(A)(ii), by inserting before the
semicolon ``(except that, if the individual applying for the
services resides in a foreign reciprocating country or foreign
treaty country, the State may opt to require the individual to
request the services through the Central Authority for child
support enforcement in the foreign reciprocating country or the
foreign treaty country, and if the individual resides in a
foreign country that is not a foreign reciprocating country or
a foreign treaty country, a State may accept or reject the
application)''; and
(2) in paragraph (32)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, a foreign
treaty country,'' after ``a foreign reciprocating
country''; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``or foreign
obligee'' and inserting ``, foreign treaty country, or
foreign individual''.
(d) Amendments to International Support Enforcement Provisions.--
Section 459A (42 U.S.C. 659a) is amended--
(1) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) References.--In this part:
``(1) Foreign reciprocating country.--The term `foreign
reciprocating country' means a foreign country (or political
subdivision thereof) with respect to which the Secretary has
made a declaration pursuant to subsection (a).
``(2) Foreign treaty country.--The term `foreign treaty
country' means a foreign country for which the 2007 Family
Maintenance Convention is in force.
``(3) 2007 family maintenance convention.--The term `2007
Family Maintenance Convention' means the Hague Convention of 23
November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support
and Other Forms of Family Maintenance.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``foreign countries that are the subject of a
declaration under this section'' and inserting
``foreign reciprocating countries or foreign treaty
countries''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and foreign
treaty countries'' after ``foreign reciprocating
countries''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``the subject of a
declaration pursuant to subsection (a)'' and inserting
``foreign reciprocating countries or foreign treaty
countries''.
(e) Collection of Past-Due Support From Federal Tax Refunds.--
Section 464(a)(2)(A) (42 U.S.C. 664(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking
``under section 454(4)(A)(ii)'' and inserting ``under paragraph
(4)(A)(ii) or (32) of section 454''.
(f) State Law Requirement Concerning the Uniform Interstate Family
Support Act (UIFSA).--
(1) In general.--Section 466(f) (42 U.S.C. 666(f)) is
amended--
(A) by striking ``on and after January 1, 1998,'';
(B) by striking ``and as in effect on August 22,
1996,''; and
(C) by striking ``adopted as of such date'' and
inserting ``adopted as of September 30, 2008''.
(2) Conforming amendments to title 28, united states
code.--Section 1738B of title 28, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) in subsection (d), by striking ``individual
contestant'' and inserting ``individual contestant or
the parties have consented in a record or open court
that the tribunal of the State may continue to exercise
jurisdiction to modify its order,'';
(B) in subsection (e)(2)(A), by striking
``individual contestant'' and inserting ``individual
contestant and the parties have not consented in a
record or open court that the tribunal of the other
State may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify
its order''; and
(C) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ```child' means'' and
inserting ``(1) The term `child' means'';
(ii) by striking ```child's State' means''
and inserting ``(2) The term `child's State'
means'';
(iii) by striking ```child's home State'
means'' and inserting ``(3) The term `child's
home State' means'';
(iv) by striking ```child support' means''
and inserting ``(4) The term `child support'
means'';
(v) by striking ```child support order'''
and inserting ``(5) The term `child support
order''';
(vi) by striking ```contestant' means'' and
inserting ``(6) The term `contestant' means'';
(vii) by striking ```court' means'' and
inserting ``(7) The term `court' means'';
(viii) by striking ```modification' means''
and inserting ``(8) The term `modification'
means''; and
(ix) by striking ```State' means'' and
inserting ``(9) The term `State' means''.
(3) Effective date; grace period for state law changes.--
(A) Paragraph (1).--(i) The amendments made by
paragraph (1) shall take effect with respect to a State
on the earlier of--
(I) October 1, 2013; or
(II) the effective date of laws enacted by
the legislature of the State implementing such
paragraph, but in no event later than the first
day of the first calendar quarter beginning
after the close of the first regular session of
the State legislature that begins after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(ii) For purposes of clause (i), in the case of a
State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year
of the session shall be deemed to be a separate regular
session of the State legislature.
(B) Paragraph (2).--(i) The amendments made by
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) shall take
effect on the date on which the Hague Convention of 23
November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child
Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance enters
into force for the United States.
(ii) The amendments made by subparagraph (C) of
paragraph (2) shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDIZATION FOR IMPROVED INTEROPERABILITY.
(a) In General.--Section 452 (42 U.S.C. 652), as amended by section
2(a)(1) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(o) Data Exchange Standardization for Improved
Interoperability.--
``(1) Data exchange standards.--
``(A) Designation.--The Secretary, in consultation
with an interagency work group which shall be
established by the Office of Management and Budget, and
considering State and tribal perspectives, shall, by
rule, designate a data exchange standard for any
category of information required to be reported under
this part.
``(B) Data exchange standards must be
nonproprietary and interoperable.--The data exchange
standard designated under subparagraph (A) shall, to
the extent practicable, be nonproprietary and
interoperable.
``(C) Other requirements.--In designating data
exchange standards under this section, the Secretary
shall, to the extent practicable, incorporate--
``(i) interoperable standards developed and
maintained by an international voluntary
consensus standards body, as defined by the
Office of Management and Budget, such as the
International Organization for Standardization;
``(ii) interoperable standards developed
and maintained by intergovernmental
partnerships, such as the National Information
Exchange Model; and
``(iii) interoperable standards developed
and maintained by Federal entities with
authority over contracting and financial
assistance, such as the Federal Acquisition
Regulatory Council.
``(2) Data exchange standards for reporting.--
``(A) Designation.--The Secretary, in consultation
with an interagency work group established by the
Office of Management and Budget, and considering State
and tribal perspectives, shall, by rule, designate data
exchange standards to govern the data reporting
required under this part.
``(B) Requirements.--The data exchange standards
required by subparagraph (A) shall, to the extent
practicable--
``(i) incorporate a widely-accepted,
nonproprietary, searchable, computer-readable
format;
``(ii) be consistent with and implement
applicable accounting principles; and
``(iii) be capable of being continually
upgraded as necessary.
``(C) Incorporation of nonproprietary standards.--
In designating reporting standards under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable, incorporate existing nonproprietary
standards, such as the eXtensible Markup Language.''.
(b) Effective Dates.--
(1) Data exchange standards.--The Secretary of Health and
Human Services shall issue a proposed rule under section
452(o)(1) of the Social Security Act within 12 months after the
date of the enactment of this section, and shall issue a final
rule under such section 452(o)(1), after public comment, within
24 months after such date of enactment.
(2) Data reporting standards.--The reporting standards
required under section 452(o)(2) of such Act shall become
effective with respect to reports required in the first
reporting period, after the effective date of the final rule
referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, for which the
authority for data collection and reporting is established or
renewed under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
SEC. 4. EFFICIENT USE OF THE NATIONAL DIRECTORY OF NEW HIRES DATABASE
FOR FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH ASSESSING THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF FEDERAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN
ACHIEVING POSITIVE LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES.
Section 453 (42 U.S.C. 653) is amended--
(1) in subsection (i)(2)(A), by striking ``24'' and
inserting ``48''; and
(2) in subsection (j), by striking paragraph (5) and
inserting the following:
``(5) Research.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B) of
this paragraph, the Secretary may provide access to
data in each component of the Federal Parent Locator
Service maintained under this section and to
information reported by employers pursuant to section
453A(b), for--
``(i) research undertaken by a State or
Federal agency (including through grant or
contract) for purposes found by the Secretary
to be likely to contribute to achieving the
purposes of part A or this part; or
``(ii) an evaluation or statistical
analysis undertaken to assess the effectiveness
of a Federal program in achieving positive
labor market outcomes (including through grant
or contract), by--
``(I) the Department of Health and
Human Services;
``(II) the Social Security
Administration;
``(III) the Department of Labor;
``(IV) the Department of Education;
``(V) the Department of Housing and
Urban Development;
``(VI) the Department of Justice;
``(VII) the Department of Veterans
Affairs;
``(VIII) the Bureau of the Census;
``(IX) the Department of
Agriculture; or
``(X) the National Science
Foundation.
``(B) Personal identifiers.--Data or information
provided under this paragraph may include a personal
identifier only if, in addition to meeting the
requirements of subsections (l) and (m)--
``(i) the State or Federal agency
conducting the research described in
subparagraph (A)(i), or the Federal department
or agency undertaking the evaluation or
statistical analysis described in subparagraph
(A)(ii), as applicable, enters into an
agreement with the Secretary regarding the
security and use of the data or information;
``(ii) the agreement includes such
restrictions or conditions with respect to the
use, safeguarding, disclosure, or redisclosure
of the data or information (including by
contractors or grantees) as the Secretary deems
appropriate;
``(iii) the data or information is used
exclusively for the purposes defined in the
agreement; and
``(iv) the Secretary determines that the
provision of data or information under this
paragraph is the minimum amount needed to
conduct the research, evaluation, or
statistical analysis, as applicable, and will
not interfere with the effective operation of
the program under this part.
``(C) Penalties for unauthorized disclosure of
data.--Any individual who willfully discloses a
personal identifier (such as a name or social security
number) provided under this paragraph, in any manner to
an entity not entitled to receive the data or
information, shall be fined under title 18, United
States Code, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or
both.''.
SEC. 5. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying
with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by
reference to the latest statement titled ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO
Legislation'' for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional
Record by the Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that
such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Passed the House of Representatives June 5, 2012.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk. | International Child Support Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 - Amends part D (Child Support and Establishment of Paternity) of title IV of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use the authorities otherwise provided by law to ensure U.S. compliance with any multilateral child support convention to which the United States is a party.
Authorizes access to the Federal Parent Locator Service (FPLS) by an entity designated as a Central Authority for child support enforcement in a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country (for which the 2007 Family Maintenance Convention is in force) so that foreign reciprocating countries will be notified of the state of residence of individuals sought for support enforcement.
Gives the state the option to require individuals applying for services relating to establishment of paternity or child support obligations who reside in a foreign reciprocating country or foreign treaty country to apply for such services with respect to a child through the Central Authority for child support enforcement in the foreign country. Allows the state to accept or reject the application of any individual residing in a foreign country that is not a foreign reciprocating country or a foreign treaty country.
Directs the Secretary of HHS to designate: (1) a nonproprietary and interoperable data exchange standard for any category of information required to be reported under SSA title IV part D, and (2) data exchange standards to govern reporting of such data.
Increases from 24 to 48 months the length of time information entered into the data base maintained by the National Directory of New Hires shall remain before being deleted.
Revises the authority of the Secretary of HHS to provide access to data in each component of the FPLS and to information reported by employers for certain research purposes. Limits such research to any undertaken by a state or federal agency for purposes likely to contribute to achieving the purposes of SSA title IV part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) or in SSA title IV part D. Authorizes the Secretary to provide access also for an evaluation or statistical analysis to assess the effectiveness of a federal program in achieving positive labor market outcomes (including through grant or contract) by specified federal departments and entities. Reverses the current prohibition against personal identifiers in such research to allow them if certain requirements are met. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend part D of title IV of the Social Security Act to ensure that the United States can comply fully with the obligations of the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007 on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance, and for other purposes."} | 3,613 | 505 | 0.560179 | 1.918702 | 0.788026 | 3.518349 | 7.31422 | 0.880734 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Bituminous Coal Mining Industry
Labor Law Amendment of 1993''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) the production of bituminous coal involves, by its very
nature, the depletion of resources at work locations,
(2) various mining arrangements and technological advances
in the last 20 years have adversely impacted on job security
for workers employed in the bituminous coal mining industry,
(3) both workers and employers share the mutual goal of
mining coal safely and efficiently, and
(4) the safe and efficient mining of coal can best be
achieved by the use of experienced miners who are knowledgeable
as to the industry's standards.
SEC. 3. SINGLE EMPLOYERS IN THE BITUMINOUS COAL MINING INDUSTRY.
(a) Definition of Single Employer.--Section 2(2) of the National
Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152(2)) is amended by adding at the end
thereof the following: ``Any two or more business entities engaged
primarily in the production of coal, including removal of overburden
and coal waste, preparation, processing and cleaning of coal, and
transportation of coal, repair and maintenance work normally performed
at mine sites or at central shops of a mine site, and the maintenance
of gob piles in mine roads, performing work covered by a collective
bargaining agreement to which any of the entities is a party,
performing the type of work described in such agreement, and having
directly or indirectly substantial common ownership, substantial common
management, or substantial common control shall be deemed a single
employer. The terms and provisions of a contractor-subcontractor
relationship between any 2 or more business entities working at a
mining operation shall not be deemed to create a single employer or be
considered as evidence of direct or indirect common management or
control, within the meaning of the preceding sentence.''.
(b) Concerning Scope of Duty to Bargain.--Section 8(d) of such Act
(29 U.S.C. 158(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Whenever the collective bargaining involves employees of a business
entity comprising part of a single employer in the bituminous coal
mining industry, as defined in section 2(2) of this Act, the duty to
bargain collectively, for the purposes of this section, shall include
the duty to apply the terms of a collective bargaining agreement
between such business entity and a labor organization to all other
business entities comprising the single employer and performing the
work described in the collective bargaining agreement. An agreement
lawfully made pursuant to this subsection shall impose the same
obligations under this Act as an agreement with the majority
representative pursuant to section 9(a). Nothing in this subsection
shall set aside the final proviso to subsection (a)(3) of this section.
Any agreement which would be invalid, but for clause (1) of this
subsection, shall not be a bar to a petition filed pursuant to section
159(c) or section 159(e). Any agreement lawfully made pursuant to this
subsection may be repudiated only after the Board certified the results
of an election conducted pursuant to section 9(c), in which a majority
of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit (as defined in section
9(b)) either selects a bargaining representative other than the labor
organization with which such agreement was made or chooses not to be
represented by a labor organization.''.
(c) Section 159 Representatives and Elections.--Section 9 of such
Act (29 U.S.C. 159) is amended by inserting a new ``(1)'' after ``(b)''
and by adding at the end the following: ``A majority of the employees
in a unit appropriate for such purposes shall also include a majority
of employees working at any 2 or more business entities engaged
primarily in the production of coal, including removal of overburden
and coal waste, preparation, processing and cleaning of coal, and
transportation for coal, repair and maintenance work normally performed
at mine sites or at central shops of a mine site and the maintenance of
gob piles in mine roads, performing work covered by a collective
bargaining agreement to which any of the entities is a party,
performing the type of work described in such agreement where 2 or more
entities have either directly or indirectly (A) substantial common
ownership, (B) substantial common management, or (C) substantial common
control.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATES.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
amendments made by section 3 shall take effect upon the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(b) Special Rules.--The requirement imposed by an amendment made by
section 3(b) shall take effect--
(1) one year after such date of enactment with respect to
any bituminous coal mining operation for which the contract was
entered into by an employer before the date of the enactment of
this Act; and
(2) on the date on which the contract is entered into with
respect to any bituminous coal mining operation for which the
contract is entered into by an employer on or after the date of
the enactment of this Act. | Bituminous Coal Mining Industry Labor Law Amendment of 1993 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to add provisions involving the bituminous coal mining industry relating to: (1) definition of single employer; (2) scope of duty to bargain; and (3) union representatives and elections. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Bituminous Coal Mining Industry Labor Law Amendment of 1993"} | 1,156 | 61 | 0.569119 | 1.432631 | 0.901596 | 2.690909 | 19.018182 | 0.872727 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Korean Immigration Commemorative
Coin Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) January 13, 2003, marked the 100th anniversary of the
first wave of Korean immigration to the United States.
(2) At the time of that anniversary, more than 100 Korean
American communities throughout this Nation commemorated this
important event.
(3) According to immigration records, in December 1902, 56
men, 21 women, and 25 children left Korea and sailed across the
Pacific Ocean aboard the S.S. Gaelic, landing in Honolulu,
Hawaii, on January 13, 1903.
(4) These early Korean immigrants worked at sugar cane and
pineapple fields in Hawaii.
(5) Since that first voyage, approximately 1,000,000
Koreans have immigrated to the United States.
(6) Korean Americans have served with distinction in the
Armed Forces of the United States with distinction in every war
and armed conflict from World War I through Operation Enduring
Freedom.
(7) Korean Americans have taken root and thrived in the
United States through strong family ties, robust community
support, and countless hours of hard work.
(8) Korean immigrants have invigorated business, church,
and academic communities throughout the United States and
Korean Americans have also established themselves as important
members in the medical, legal, financial, and governmental
professions.
(9) The strategic partnership between the United States and
Korea has helped undergird peace and stability in the Asia
Pacific region and has provided economic benefits not only to
the people of the United States and Korea, but also to the
entire world.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) Denominations.--The Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in
this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall mint and issue the
following coins:
(1) $5 gold coins.--Not more than 20,000 $5 coins, which
shall--
(A) weigh 8.359 grams;
(B) have diameter of 0.850 inches; and
(C) contain 90 percent gold and 10 percent alloy.
(2) $1 silver coins.--Not more than 10,000 $1 coins, 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 5134 of title 31,
United States Code, all coins minted under this Act shall be considered
to be numismatic items.
SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.
(a) Design Requirements.--
(1) In general.--The design of the coins minted under this
Act shall be emblematic of the immigration of Koreans into the
United States and the significant contributions of Korean
Americans to this Nation.
(2) Designation and inscriptions.--On each coin minted
under this Act there shall be--
(A) a designation of the value of the coin;
(B) an inscription of the year ``2018''; and
(C) inscriptions of the words ``Liberty'', ``In God
We Trust'', ``United States of America'', and ``E
Pluribus Unum''.
(b) Selection.--The design for the coins minted under this Act
shall be--
(1) selected by the Secretary after consultation with the
Commission of Fine Arts; and
(2) reviewed by the Citizens Coinage 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) Period of Issuance.--The Secretary may issue coins minted under
this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2018.
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 surcharge provided in 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,
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.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall accept prepaid orders
for the coins minted under this Act before the issuance of such
coins.
(2) Discount.--Sale prices with respect to prepaid orders
under paragraph (1) shall be at a reasonable discount.
SEC. 7. SURCHARGES.
(a) In General.--All sales of coins 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.--Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United
States Code, all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of
coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to
the Council on 100th Year Korean Immigration Commemorative Coin Act to
provide academic scholarships.
(c) Audits.--The Council on 100th Year Korean Immigration
Commemorative Coin Act shall be subject to the audit requirements of
section 5134(f)(2) of title 31, United States Code, with regard to the
amounts received under subsection (b).
(d) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), no surcharge may
be included with respect to the issuance under this Act of any coin
during a calendar year if, as of the time of such issuance, the
issuance of such coin would result in the number of commemorative coin
programs issued during such year to exceed the annual commemorative
coin program issuance limitation under section 5112(m)(1) of title 31,
United States Code. The Secretary of the Treasury may issue guidance to
carry out this subsection.
SEC. 8. FINANCIAL ASSURANCES.
The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure
that--
(1) minting and issuing coins under this Act will not
result in any net cost to the United States Government; and
(2) no funds, including applicable surcharges, are
disbursed to any recipient designated in section 7 until the
total cost of designing and issuing all of the coins authorized
by this Act (including labor, materials, dies, use of
machinery, winning design compensation, overhead expenses,
marketing, and shipping) is recovered by the United States
Treasury, consistent with sections 5112(m) and 5134(f) of title
31, United States Code. | Korean Immigration Commemorative Coin Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2018, to mint and issue $5 gold coins and $1 silver coins emblematic of the immigration of Koreans into the United States and their significant contributions to this nation. Requires all surcharges received from coin sales to be promptly paid by the Secretary to the Council on 100th Year Korean Immigration Commemorative Coin Act in order to provide academic scholarships. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Korean Immigration Commemorative Coin Act"} | 1,504 | 99 | 0.468738 | 1.390122 | 0.822715 | 4.352273 | 15.784091 | 0.943182 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Surface Owner
Protection Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES
Sec. 101. Mineral Leasing Act requirements.
Sec. 102. Relationship to State law.
TITLE II--SURFACE OWNER PROTECTION
Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Post-lease surface use agreement.
Sec. 203. Authorized exploration and drilling operations.
Sec. 204. Surface owner notification.
TITLE III--RECLAMATION AND BONDING
Sec. 301. Reclamation requirements and bond.
TITLE I--PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES
SEC. 101. MINERAL LEASING ACT REQUIREMENTS.
Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(q) Water Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--An operator producing oil or gas
(including coalbed methane) under a lease issued under this Act
shall--
``(A) replace the water supply of a water user who
obtains all or part of the supply of the user of water
for domestic, agricultural, or other purposes from an
underground or surface source that has been affected by
contamination, diminution, or interruption proximately
resulting from drilling operations for the production;
and
``(B) comply with all applicable requirements of
Federal and State law for discharge of any water
produced under the lease.
``(2) Water management plan.--An application for a lease
under this subsection shall be accompanied by a proposed water
management plan including provisions--
``(A) to protect the quantity and quality of
surface and ground water systems, both on-site and off-
site, from adverse effects of the exploration,
development, and reclamation processes or to provide
alternative sources of water if the protection cannot
be ensured;
``(B) to protect the rights of present users of
water that would be affected by operations under the
lease, including the discharge of any water produced in
connection with the operations that is not reinjected;
and
``(C) to identify any agreements with other parties
for the beneficial use of produced waters and the steps
that will be taken to comply with Federal and State
laws relating to the use.''.
SEC. 102. RELATIONSHIP TO STATE LAW.
Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act--
(1) impairs or affects any right or jurisdiction of any
State with respect to the waters of the State; or
(2) limits, alters, modifies, or amends any of the
interstate compacts or equitable apportionment decrees that
apportion water among and between States.
TITLE II--SURFACE OWNER PROTECTION
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Lease.--The term ``lease'' means a lease issued by the
Secretary under the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.)
or any other law, providing for development of oil and gas
resources (including coalbed methane) owned by the United
States.
(2) Lessee.--The term ``lessee'' means the holder of a
lease.
(3) Operator.--The term ``operator'' means any person that
is responsible under the terms and conditions of a lease for
the operations conducted on leased land or any portion of the
land.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 202. POST-LEASE SURFACE USE AGREEMENT.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in section 203, the Secretary
may not authorize any operator to conduct exploration and drilling
operations on land with respect to which title to oil and gas resources
is held by the United States but title to the surface estate is not
held by the United States, until the operator has filed with the
Secretary a document, signed by the operator and the 1 or more surface
owners, indicating that the operator has secured a written surface use
agreement between the operator and the 1 or more surface owners that
meets the requirements of subsection (b).
(b) Contents.--A surface use agreement shall provide for--
(1) the use of only the portion of the surface estate that
is reasonably necessary for exploration and drilling operations
based on site-specific conditions, as determined by the
Secretary;
(2) the accommodation of the surface estate owner, to the
maximum extent practicable, including the location, use,
timing, and type of exploration and drilling operations,
consistent with the right of the operator to develop the oil
and gas estate;
(3) the reclamation of the site to a condition capable of
supporting the uses which the land was capable of supporting
prior to exploration and drilling operations; and
(4) compensation for damages as a result of exploration and
drilling operations, including--
(A) loss of income and increased costs incurred;
(B) damage to or destruction of personal property,
including crops, forage, and livestock; and
(C) failure to reclaim the site in accordance with
paragraph (3).
(c) Procedure.--
(1) Notice.--An operator shall notify each surface estate
owner of the desire of the operator to conclude an agreement
under this section.
(2) Arbitration.--
(A) In general.--If the surface estate owner and
the operator do not reach an agreement within 90 days
after the date on which the operator provided the
notice, the matter shall be referred to third party
arbitration for resolution within a period of 90 days.
(B) Cost.--The cost of the arbitration shall be the
responsibility of the operator.
(C) Arbitrators.--The Secretary shall--
(i) identify persons with experience in
conducting arbitrations; and
(ii) make the information available to
operators.
(D) Referrals.--Referral of a matter for
arbitration by a person identified by the Secretary
pursuant to subparagraph (C) shall constitute
compliance with paragraph (1).
(d) Attorneys Fees.--If action is taken to enforce or interpret any
of the terms and conditions contained in a surface use agreement, the
prevailing party shall be reimbursed by the other party for reasonable
attorneys fees and actual costs incurred, in addition to any other
relief that a court or arbitration panel may grant.
SEC. 203. AUTHORIZED EXPLORATION AND DRILLING OPERATIONS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary may authorize an operator to conduct
exploration and drilling operations on land covered by section 202 in
the absence of an agreement with each surface estate owner, if--
(1) the Secretary makes a determination, in writing, that
the operator made a good faith attempt to conclude such an
agreement, including referral of the matter to arbitration
pursuant to section 202(c)(2), but that no agreement was
concluded within 90 days after the referral to arbitration;
(2) the operator submits a plan of operations that covers
the matters specified in section 202(b) and for compliance with
all other applicable requirements of Federal and State law; and
(3) the operator posts a bond or other financial assurance
in an amount the Secretary determines to be adequate to ensure
compensation to the surface estate owner for any damage to the
site, in the form of a surety bond, trust fund, letter of
credit, government security, certificate of deposit, cash, or
equivalent.
(b) Surface Owner Participation.--The Secretary shall provide
surface estate owners with an opportunity--
(1) to comment on plans of operations in advance of a
determination of compliance with this title;
(2) to participate in bond level determinations and bond
release proceedings under this section;
(3) to attend an on-site inspection during the
determinations and proceedings;
(4) to file written objections to a proposed bond release;
and
(5) to request and participate in an on-site inspection if
the owners have reason to believe there is a violation of the
terms and conditions of a plan of operations.
(c) Payment of Financial Guarantee.--
(1) In general.--A surface estate owner, with respect to
any land subject to a lease, may petition the Secretary for
payment of all or part of a bond or other financial assurance
required under this section as compensation for any damage as a
result of exploration and drilling operations.
(2) Compensation.--Pursuant to the petition, the Secretary
may use the bond or other guarantee to provide compensation to
the surface estate owner for the damage.
(d) Bond Release.--On request and after inspection and opportunity
for surface estate owner review, the Secretary may release the
financial assurance required under this section if the Secretary
determines that--
(1) exploration and drilling operations have ended; and
(2) all damage has been fully compensated.
SEC. 204. SURFACE OWNER NOTIFICATION.
The Secretary shall--
(1) notify surface estate owners of lease sales in writing
at least 45 days in advance;
(2) not later than 10 working days after the date on which
a lease is issued, notify surface estate owners regarding the
identity of the lessee;
(3) notify surface estate owners in writing concerning any
subsequent decisions regarding a lease, such as modifying or
waiving stipulations and approving rights of way; and
(4) notify surface estate owners not later than 5 business
days after the date of issuance of a drilling permit under a
lease.
TITLE III--RECLAMATION AND BONDING
SEC. 301. RECLAMATION REQUIREMENTS AND BOND.
(a) In General.--Section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C.
226) (as amended by section 101) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(r) Reclamation Requirements and Bond.--
``(1) Requirements.--An operator producing oil or gas
(including coalbed methane) under a lease issued pursuant to
this Act shall--
``(A) at a minimum, restore the land affected to a
condition capable of supporting the uses that the land
was capable of supporting prior to any drilling, or
higher or better uses if there is reasonable likelihood
that--
``(i) the 1 or more uses do not--
``(I) present any actual or
probable hazard to public health or
safety; or
``(II) pose any actual or probable
threat of water diminution or
pollution; and
``(ii) the declared proposed land use of
the permit applicant following reclamation--
``(I) is not impractical or
unreasonable, inconsistent with
applicable land use policies and plans,
or involve unreasonable delay in
implementation; and
``(II) does not violate Federal,
State, or local law;
``(B) ensure that all reclamation efforts proceed
in an environmentally sound manner and as
contemporaneously as practicable with the oil and gas
drilling operations; and
``(C) submit, with the plan of operations, a
reclamation plan that describes in detail the methods
and practices that will be used to ensure complete and
timely restoration of all land affected by oil and gas
operations.
``(2) Reclamation bond.--
``(A) In general.--An operator producing oil or gas
(including coalbed methane) under a lease issued under
this Act shall post a bond that covers the area of land
within the permit area on which the operator will
initiate and conduct oil and gas drilling and
reclamation operations within the initial term of the
permit.
``(B) Additional bonds.--As succeeding increments
of oil and gas drilling and reclamation operations are
initiated and conducted within the permit area, the
lessee shall file with the regulatory authority 1 or
more additional bonds to cover the increments in
accordance with this section.
``(C) Amount.--The amount of the bond required for
each bonded area shall--
``(i) meet the reclamation requirements of
the approved permit;
``(ii) reflect the probable difficulty of
reclamation considering factors such as
topography, the geology of the site, hydrology,
and revegetation potential;
``(iii) be determined by the Secretary; and
``(iv) be sufficient to ensure the
completion of the reclamation plan if the work
had to be performed by the Secretary in the
event of forfeiture.
``(3) Regulations.--No later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall promulgate
regulations to implement the requirements of this
subsection.''.
(b) Review and Report.--
(1) Review.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a review of the adequacy of the regulations
promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior pursuant to
subsection (r)(3) of section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 226) (as added by subsection (a)) to ensure that
operators will meet the requirements of subsection (r) of that
section.
(2) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date on
which the Secretary promulgates regulations pursuant to
subsection (r)(3) of section 17 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30
U.S.C. 226) (as added by subsection (a)), the Comptroller
General of the United States shall 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 that describes the results of the review conducted under
paragraph (1), including--
(A) any findings and conclusions of the Comptroller
General of the United States; and
(B) any recommendations the Comptroller General may
make with respect to any legislation or administrative
actions the Comptroller General of the United States
determines would be appropriate to ensure compliance
with the requirements of subsection (r) of that
section. | Surface Owner Protection Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require an operator producing oil or gas (including coalbed methane) under a federal lease to: (1) replace the water supply of a water user who obtains all or part of it from an underground or surface source affected by contamination, diminution, or interruption proximately resulting from such drilling operations; and (2) comply with federal and state law governing discharge of water produced under the lease.
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing exploration and drilling operations on land with respect to which title to oil and gas resources is held by the United States but not the title to the surface estate, unless the operator has filed a document with the Secretary, signed by the operator and surface owners, that a written surface use agreement has been consummated meeting certain criteria.
Cites conditions under which the Secretary may authorize an operator to conduct exploration and drilling operations in the absence of such an agreement.
Requires the Secretary to comply with specified surface owner notification requirements.
Sets forth reclamation and bond requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Mineral Leasing Act to ensure that development of certain Federal oil and gas resources will occur in a manner that protects water resources and respects the rights of surface owners, and for other purposes."} | 3,091 | 230 | 0.618043 | 1.751128 | 0.9397 | 4.004878 | 13.843902 | 0.931707 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Superior National Forest Fund Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The anticipated number of persons using the facilities
of the Superior National Forest requires additional funding to
provide minimum sanitary and safety related service at the
Superior National Forest as well as management of the
environment and riparian areas.
(2) The quality of services provided at the Superior
National Forest and the integrity of the environment could best
be served by maintaining public, rather than private,
management of the Superior National Forest.
(3) The users of units of the National Forest System have
demonstrated a willingness to pay a user fee for maintenance
and operation if the locally collected funds are returned to
the unit.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to use funds generated
from fees charged in connection with the recreational use of the
Superior National Forest--
(1) to assure adequate funding of maintenance and operation
of the Superior National Forest; and
(2) to provide additional funding to the counties in which
the Superior National Forest is located, enabling the counties
to increase investment in facilities and services related to
public safety, sanitation, and the recreational environment.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) Recreation site.--The term ``recreation site'' means a
campground, picnic ground, swimming site, boat launch site,
lake access site, or other man-made or natural recreational
facility in the Superior National Forest.
(2) Recreation use fee; fee.--The terms ``recreation use
fee'' or ``fee'' mean a fee that is charged for the use of a
recreation site in the Superior National Forest.
(3) Recreation use pass.--The term ``recreation use pass''
means a document that entitles the holder access and use of
recreation sites in the Superior National Forest for a
specified period of time.
(4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
SEC. 4. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO COLLECT RECREATION USE FEES.
(a) Recreation Use Fee Authorized.--Except as provided in
subsection (b), the Secretary may establish and collect recreation use
fees at designated recreation sites within the Superior National
Forest.
(b) Exceptions.--The Secretary may not impose or collect a
recreation use fee for the use or provision in the Superior National
Forest, either singly or in any combination, of drinking water, wayside
exhibits, toilet facilities, general purpose roads, overlook sites, or
general information. The Secretary may not impose or collect a fee from
any officer or employee of the Federal Government or State or local
government authorized by the Secretary to perform administrative duties
at recreation sites in the Superior National Forest.
(c) Establishment and Collection.--Establishment and collection of
recreation use fees shall be made in accordance with subsections (d)
and (e) of section 4 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of
1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a). The Secretary may authorize the collection of
fees by volunteers in accordance with subsection (k) of such section.
(d) Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport.--Any person
holding a valid Golden Age Passport or Golden Access Passport issued
under paragraph (4) or (5) of section 4(a) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a(a)) shall be entitled
upon presentation of such passport to use a recreation site within the
Superior National Forest at a rate equal to 50 percent of the
recreation use fee otherwise applicable to such recreation site.
(e) Effect on Other Laws.--Recreation use fees established under
this section for use of recreation sites in the Superior National
Forest shall be in lieu of any recreation use fees for such recreation
sites under section 4(b) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of
1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a(b)) or section 1401 of the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6c).
SEC. 5. TEMPORARY AUTHORITY TO SELL RECREATION USE PASSES.
(a) Recreation Use Pass Authorized.--The Secretary shall make
available for purchase recreation use passes for the use on a daily or
annual basis of recreation sites in the Superior National Forest
otherwise subject to a recreation use fee. Use of an annual recreation
use pass shall be subject to any single stay time limits imposed on the
recreation site.
(b) Availability.--The Secretary may have recreation use passes
available for sale at any recreation site for which a recreation use
fee is charged or at other convenient locations.
(c) Use of Pass.--The recreation use pass shall apply to--
(1) the pass holder and any person accompanying the pass
holder in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle; or
(2) the pass holder and the spouse, children, and parents
of the pass holder accompanying the pass holder where entry to
a recreation site is by any means other than a private,
noncommercial vehicle.
(d) Golden Age Passport and Golden Access Passport.--Any person
holding a valid Golden Age Passport or Golden Access Passport issued
under paragraph (4) or (5) of section 4(a) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a(a)) shall be entitled
upon presentation of such passport to purchase of a recreation use pass
for the Superior National Forest at a rate equal to 50 percent of the
purchase price otherwise applicable to the recreation use pass.
(e) Rules and Regulations, Enforcement Powers.--Recreation use
passes sold under this section shall be nontransferable. The unlawful
use of a recreation use pass shall be punishable in accordance with
regulations established under section 4(e) of the Land and Water
Conservation Fund Act of 1964 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a(e)).
SEC. 6. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.
(a) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary to establish or
collect fees under section 4 or sell recreation use passes under
section 5 shall expire at the end of the seven-year period beginning on
the date of the enactment of this Act. Termination of such authority
shall not affect the validity of any annual recreation use pass sold
under section 5 before that date.
(b) Report.--Not later than six years after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture,
Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Natural
Resources and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of
Representatives a report evaluating the authority provided by sections
4 and 5 regarding recreation use fees and recreation use passes. The
report shall include any recommendations of the Secretary for modifying
the authority, for extending the authority beyond the date specified in
subsection (a), or for extending the authority to other units of the
National Forest System.
SEC. 7. DISPOSITION OF RECREATION USE FEES AND FUNDS FROM SALES OF
RECREATION USE PASSES.
(a) Deposit of Funds.--Notwithstanding paragraphs (1), (2), or (3)
of section 4(i) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16
U.S.C. 460l-6a(i)), recreation use fees collected under section 4 and
amounts received from sales of recreation use passes under section 5
shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury.
(b) Use of Funds.--
(1) Operation, maintenance, and other uses.--In such
amounts as are provided in advance in appropriation Acts, the
Secretary may use amounts in the special account to provide
supplemental funds for operation, maintenance, and management
of recreation sites within the Superior National Forest, for
interpretation and management of resources in the Superior
National Forest, and for administrative costs associated with
such activities.
(2) Payments to states and counties.--Recreation use fees
collected under section 4 and amounts received for recreation
use passes sold under section 5 shall be considered as money
received for purpose of computing and distributing payments to
States and counties pursuant to section 13 of the Act of March
1, 1911 (16 U.S.C. 500).
(c) Roads and Trails.--Recreation use fees collected under section
4 and amounts received for recreation use passes sold under section 5
shall not be considered as money received for purpose of the fourteenth
paragraph under the heading ``forest service'' of the Act of March 4,
1913 (16 U.S.C. 501). | Superior National Forest Fund Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to collect recreation use fees and sell recreation use passes on a temporary basis within the Superior National Forest, Minnesota. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Superior National Forest Fund Act"} | 1,916 | 38 | 0.634412 | 1.478724 | 0.846901 | 3.606061 | 51.787879 | 0.939394 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement
Act''.
SEC. 2. AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding after section 1028, the following:
``Sec. 1028A. Aggravated identity theft
``(a) Offenses.--
``(1) In general.--Whoever, during and in relation to any
felony violation enumerated in subsection (c), knowingly transfers,
possesses, or uses, without lawful authority, a means of
identification of another person shall, in addition to the
punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to a term of
imprisonment of 2 years.
``(2) Terrorism offense.--Whoever, during and in relation to
any felony violation enumerated in section 2332b(g)(5)(B),
knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful authority,
a means of identification of another person or a false
identification document shall, in addition to the punishment
provided for such felony, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of
5 years.
``(b) Consecutive Sentence.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law--
``(1) a court shall not place on probation any person convicted
of a violation of this section;
``(2) except as provided in paragraph (4), no term of
imprisonment imposed on a person under this section shall run
concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed on the
person under any other provision of law, including any term of
imprisonment imposed for the felony during which the means of
identification was transferred, possessed, or used;
``(3) in determining any term of imprisonment to be imposed for
the felony during which the means of identification was
transferred, possessed, or used, a court shall not in any way
reduce the term to be imposed for such crime so as to compensate
for, or otherwise take into account, any separate term of
imprisonment imposed or to be imposed for a violation of this
section; and
``(4) a term of imprisonment imposed on a person for a
violation of this section may, in the discretion of the court, run
concurrently, in whole or in part, only with another term of
imprisonment that is imposed by the court at the same time on that
person for an additional violation of this section, provided that
such discretion shall be exercised in accordance with any
applicable guidelines and policy statements issued by the
Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994 of title 28.
``(c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `felony
violation enumerated in subsection (c)' means any offense that is a
felony violation of--
``(1) section 641 (relating to theft of public money, property,
or rewards), section 656 (relating to theft, embezzlement, or
misapplication by bank officer or employee), or section 664
(relating to theft from employee benefit plans);
``(2) section 911 (relating to false personation of
citizenship);
``(3) section 922(a)(6) (relating to false statements in
connection with the acquisition of a firearm);
``(4) any provision contained in this chapter (relating to
fraud and false statements), other than this section or section
1028(a)(7);
``(5) any provision contained in chapter 63 (relating to mail,
bank, and wire fraud);
``(6) any provision contained in chapter 69 (relating to
nationality and citizenship);
``(7) any provision contained in chapter 75 (relating to
passports and visas);
``(8) section 523 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (15 U.S.C.
6823) (relating to obtaining customer information by false
pretenses);
``(9) section 243 or 266 of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1253 and 1306) (relating to willfully failing to leave
the United States after deportation and creating a counterfeit
alien registration card);
``(10) any provision contained in chapter 8 of title II of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1321 et seq.) (relating
to various immigration offenses); or
``(11) section 208, 811, 1107(b), 1128B(a), or 1632 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 408, 1011, 1307(b), 1320a-7b(a), and
1383a) (relating to false statements relating to programs under the
Act).''.
(b) Amendment to Chapter Analysis.--The table of sections for
chapter 47 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 1028 the following new item:
``1028A. Aggravated identity theft.''.
(c) Application of Definitions From Section 1028.--Section 1028(d)
of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``and section
1028A'' after ``In this section''.
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING IDENTITY THEFT PROHIBITION.
Section 1028 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(7)--
(A) by striking ``transfers'' and inserting ``transfers,
possesses,''; and
(B) by striking ``abet,'' and inserting ``abet, or in
connection with,'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(D), by striking ``transfer'' and
inserting ``transfer, possession,'';
(3) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``three years'' and
inserting ``5 years''; and
(4) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting after ``facilitate'' the
following: ``an act of domestic terrorism (as defined under section
2331(5) of this title) or''.
SEC. 4. AGGREGATION OF VALUE FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 641.
The penultimate paragraph of section 641 of title 18 of the United
States Code is amended by inserting ``in the aggregate, combining
amounts from all the counts for which the defendant is convicted in a
single case,'' after ``value of such property'' .
SEC. 5. DIRECTIVE TO THE UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION.
(a) In General.--Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of
title 28, United States Code, and in accordance with this section, the
United States Sentencing Commission shall review and amend its
guidelines and its policy statements to ensure that the guideline
offense levels and enhancements appropriately punish identity theft
offenses involving an abuse of position.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out this section, the United States
Sentencing Commission shall do the following:
(1) Amend U.S.S.G. section 3B1.3 (Abuse of Position of Trust of
Use of Special Skill) to apply to and punish offenses in which the
defendant exceeds or abuses the authority of his or her position in
order to obtain unlawfully or use without authority any means of
identification, as defined section 1028(d)(4) of title 18, United
States Code.
(2) Ensure reasonable consistency with other relevant
directives, other sentencing guidelines, and statutory provisions.
(3) Make any necessary and conforming changes to the sentencing
guidelines.
(4) Ensure that the guidelines adequately meet the purposes of
sentencing set forth in section 3553(a)(2) of title 18, United
States Code.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
In addition to any other sums authorized to be appropriated for
this purpose, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Department
of Justice, for the investigation and prosecution of identity theft and
related credit card and other fraud cases constituting felony
violations of law, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 and $2,000,000 for
each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate. | Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for aggravated identity theft. Prescribes sentences, to be imposed in addition to the punishments provided for the related felonies, of: (1) two years' imprisonment for knowingly transferring, possessing, or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person during and in relation to specified felony violations (including theft of public property, theft by a bank officer or employee, theft from employee benefit plans, various fraud and immigration offenses, and false statements regarding Social Security and Medicare benefits); and (2) five years' imprisonment for knowingly taking such action with respect to a means of identification or a false identification document during and in relation to specified felony violations pertaining to terrorist acts. Prohibits a court from: (1) placing any person convicted of such a violation on probation; (2) reducing any sentence for the related felony to take into account the sentence imposed for such a violation; or (3) providing for concurrent terms of imprisonment for a violation of this Act and a violation under any other Act.
(Sec. 3) Expands the existing identify theft prohibition to: (1) cover possession of a means of identification of another with intent to commit specified unlawful activity; (2) increase penalties for violations; and (3) include acts of domestic terrorism within the scope of a prohibition against facilitating an act of international terrorism.
(Sec. 4) Modifies provisions regarding embezzlement and theft of public money, property, or records to provide for combining amounts from all the counts for which the defendant is convicted in a single case for purposes of determining which penalties apply.
(Sec. 5) Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines and policy statements to ensure that the guideline offense levels and enhancements appropriately punish identity theft offenses involving an abuse of position.
(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations to the Department of Justice for the investigation and prosecution of identity theft and related credit card and other fraud cases constituting felonies. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 18, United States Code, to establish penalties for aggravated identity theft, and for other purposes."} | 1,832 | 464 | 0.600991 | 1.786945 | 0.809318 | 3.07196 | 3.997519 | 0.853598 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Local Emergency Health Services
Reimbursement Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OF EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICES FURNISHED TO
UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
Section 4723 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (8 U.S.C. 1611
note) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 4723. FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OF EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICES
FURNISHED TO UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.
``(a) Total Amount Available for Allotment.--There is appropriated,
out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
$1,450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008, for the
purpose of making allotments under this section to States described in
paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b). Funds appropriated under the
preceding sentence shall remain available until expended.
``(b) State Allotments.--
``(1) Based on percentage of undocumented aliens.--
``(A) In general.--Out of the amount appropriated
under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, the
Secretary shall use $957,000,000 of such amount to make
allotments for each such fiscal year in accordance with
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Formula.--The amount of the allotment for
each State for a fiscal year shall be equal to the
product of--
``(i) the total amount available for
allotments under this paragraph for the fiscal
year; and
``(ii) the percentage of undocumented
aliens residing in the State with respect to
the total number of such aliens residing in all
States, as determined by the Statistics
Division of the Immigration and Naturalization
Service, as of January 2003, based on the 2000
decennial census.
``(2) Based on number of undocumented alien apprehension
states.--
``(A) In general.--Out of the amount appropriated
under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary
shall use $493,000,000 of such amount to make
allotments for each such fiscal year for each of the 6
States with the highest number of undocumented alien
apprehensions for such fiscal year.
``(B) Determination of allotments.--The amount of
the allotment for each State described in subparagraph
(A) for a fiscal year shall bear the same ratio to the
total amount available for allotments under this
paragraph for the fiscal year as the ratio of the
number of undocumented alien apprehensions in the State
in the fiscal year bears to the total of such numbers
for all such States for such fiscal year.
``(C) Data.--For purposes of this paragraph, the
highest number of undocumented alien apprehensions for
a fiscal year shall be based on the 4 most recent
quarterly apprehension rates for undocumented aliens in
such States, as reported by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall
be construed as prohibiting a State that is described in both
of paragraphs (1) and (2) from receiving an allotment under
both paragraphs for a fiscal year.
``(c) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Authority to make payments.--From the allotments made
for a State under subsection (b) for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall pay directly to local governments, hospitals,
or other providers located in the State (including providers of
services received through an Indian Health Service facility
whether operated by the Indian Health Service or by an Indian
tribe or tribal organization) that provide uncompensated
emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens
during that fiscal year, and to the State, such amounts
(subject to the total amount available from such allotments) as
the local governments, hospitals, providers, or State
demonstrate were incurred for the provision of such services
during that fiscal year.
``(2) Limitation on state use of funds.--Funds paid to a
State from allotments made under subsection (b) for a fiscal
year may only be used for making payments to local governments,
hospitals, or other providers for costs incurred in providing
emergency health services to undocumented aliens or for State
costs incurred with respect to the provision of emergency
health services to such aliens.
``(3) Inclusion of costs incurred with respect to certain
aliens.--Uncompensated emergency health services furnished to
aliens who have been allowed to enter the United States for the
sole purpose of receiving emergency health services may be
included in the determination of costs incurred by a State,
local government, hospital, or other provider with respect to the
provision of such services.
``(d) Applications; Advance Payments; Reallotment of Unused
Funds.--
``(1) Deadline for establishment of application process.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than July 31, 2003,
the Secretary shall establish a process under which
States, local governments, hospitals, or other
providers located in the State may apply for payments
from allotments made under subsection (b) for a fiscal
year for uncompensated emergency health services
furnished to undocumented aliens during that fiscal
year.
``(B) Inclusion of measures to combat fraud.--The
Secretary shall include in the process established
under subparagraph (A) measures to ensure that
fraudulent payments are not made from the allotments
determined under subsection (b) or from amounts
reallotted under paragraph (3).
``(2) Advance payment; retrospective adjustment.--The
process established under paragraph (1) shall allow for making
payments under this section for each quarter of a fiscal year
on the basis of advance estimates of expenditures submitted by
applicants for such payments and such other investigation as
the Secretary may find necessary, and for making reductions or
increases in the payments as necessary to adjust for any
overpayment or underpayment for prior quarters.
``(3) Reallotment of unused funds.--
``(A) In general.--With respect to allotments made
under subsection (b) for a fiscal year, the amount of
any allotment to a State for a fiscal year that the
Secretary determines will not be expended during that
fiscal year or the succeeding fiscal year shall be
available for reallotment during the second succeeding
fiscal year, on such date as the Secretary may
determine, to other States with allotments under that
subsection that the Secretary determines will use such
excess amounts during that second succeeding fiscal
year.
``(B) Determination of reallotments.--Reallotments
under subparagraph (A) shall be made in the same manner
as allotments are determined under paragraphs (1) and
(2) of subsection (b) but only with respect to those
States that the Secretary determines qualify for a
reallotment for a fiscal year under that subparagraph.
``(C) Treatment.--Any amount reallotted under
subparagraph (A) to a State is deemed to be part of its
allotment under subsection (b) for the fiscal year in
which the reallotment occurs.
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Hospital.--The term `hospital' has the meaning given
such term in section 1861(e) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x(e)).
``(2) Indian tribe; tribal organization.--The terms `Indian
tribe' and `tribal organization' have the meanings given such
terms in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
``(3) Provider.--The term `provider' includes a physician,
any other health care professional licensed under State law,
and any other entity that furnishes emergency health services,
including ambulance services.
``(4) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
``(5) State.--The term `State' means the 50 States and the
District of Columbia.
``(f) Entitlement.--This section constitutes budget authority in
advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the
Federal Government to provide for the payment of amounts provided under
this section.''. | Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act of 2003 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to appropriate $1,450,000,000 for each of FY's 2004 through 2008 for allotments to States for reimbursement of emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens (presently such appropriations end after FY 2001). Sets forth formulas for the disbursement of funds by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Declares that $957,000,000 shall be allotted based on a percentage of undocumented aliens and $493,000,000 shall be allotted based on numbers of undocumented alien apprehensions (in the six States with the highest number of such apprehensions).Permits a State to receive funds on both accounts. Allows funds to go to States, local governments, hospitals, or other providers in a State, including providers of services received through an Indian Health Service facility (presently funds go only to States). Permits reimbursement to providers for the uncompensated provision of emergency health services to aliens who have been allowed to enter the United States for the sole purpose of receiving such services.Directs the Secretary to ensure that fraudulent payments are not made from allotments under this Act. Allows for the reallotment of unused funds.Declares that this Act constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to extend and modify the reimbursement of State and local funds expended for emergency health services furnished to undocumented aliens."} | 1,875 | 306 | 0.692408 | 2.151675 | 0.775451 | 3.535398 | 7.088496 | 0.871681 |
SECTION 1. FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAMS.
(a) Mortgage Amount Limits for Elevator-Type Structures.--
(1) Amendments.--Title II of the National Housing Act (12
U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 207(c)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C.
1713(c)(3)(A))--
(i) by inserting ``with sound standards of
construction and design'' after ``elevator-type
structures''; and
(ii) by striking ``to not to exceed'' and
all that follows through the semicolon at the
end and inserting ``by not more than 50 percent
of the amounts specified in this subparagraph
for each unit size;'';
(B) in section 213(b)(2)(A) (12 U.S.C.
1715e(b)(2)(A))--
(i) by inserting ``with sound standards of
construction and design'' after ``consist of
elevator-type structures''; and
(ii) by striking ``to not to exceed'' and
all that follows through ``; (B)(i)'' and
inserting ``by not more than 50 percent of the
amounts specified in this subparagraph for each
applicable family unit size; (B)(i)'';
(C) in section 220(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I) (12 U.S.C.
1715k(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I))--
(i) by inserting ``with sound standards of
construction and design'' after ``consist of
elevator-type structures''; and
(ii) by striking ``family unit not to
exceed'' and all that follows through ``design;
and'' and inserting ``family unit by not more
than 50 percent of the amounts specified in
this subclause for each applicable family unit
size; and'';
(D) in section 221(d) (12 U.S.C. 1715l(d))--
(i) in paragraph (3)(ii)(I)--
(I) by inserting ``with sound
standards of construction and design''
after ``consist of elevator-type
structures''; and
(II) by striking ``to not to
exceed'' and all that follows through
``design;'' and inserting ``by not more
than 50 percent of the amounts
specified in this subclause for each
applicable family unit size;''; and
(ii) in paragraph (4)(ii)(I)--
(I) by inserting ``with sound
standards of construction and design''
after ``consist of elevator-type
structures''; and
(II) by striking ``to not to
exceed'' and all that follows through
``design;'' and inserting ``by not more
than 50 percent of the amounts
specified in this subclause for each
applicable family unit size;'';
(E) in section 231(c)(2)(A) (12 U.S.C.
1715v(c)(2)(A))--
(i) by inserting ``with sound standards of
construction and design'' after ``consist of
elevator-type structures''; and
(ii) by striking ``to not to exceed'' and
all that follows through ``design;'' and
inserting ``by not more than 50 percent of the
amounts specified in this subparagraph for each
applicable family unit size;''; and
(F) in section 234(e)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C.
1715y(e)(3)(A))--
(i) by inserting ``with sound standards of
construction and design'' after ``consist of
elevator-type structures''; and
(ii) by striking ``to not to exceed'' and
all that follows through ``sound standards of
construction and design;'' and inserting ``by
not more than 50 percent of the amounts
specified in this subparagraph for each
applicable family unit size;''.
(b) Mortgage Amount Limits for Extremely High-Cost Areas.--Section
214 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715d) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting ``or with respect to projects
consisting of more than 4 dwelling units located in an
extremely high-cost area, as determined by the
Secretary'' after ``or the Virgin Islands,'';
(B) by striking ``or the Virgin Islands without
sacrifice'' and inserting ``or the Virgin Islands, or
to construct projects consisting of more than 4
dwelling units on property located in an extremely
high-cost area, as determined by the Secretary, without
sacrifice''; and
(C) by striking ``or the Virgin Islands in such''
and inserting ``or the Virgin Islands, or with respect
to projects consisting of more than 4 dwelling units
located in an extremely high-cost area, as determined
by the Secretary, in such'';
(2) in the second sentence--
(A) by striking ``the Virgin Islands shall'' and
inserting ``the Virgin Islands, or with respect to a
project consisting of more than 4 dwelling units
located in an extremely high-cost area, as determined
by the Secretary, shall''; and
(B) by striking ``Virgin Islands:'' and inserting
``Virgin Islands, or in the case of a project
consisting of more than 4 dwelling units in an
extremely high-cost area as determined by the
Secretary, in such extremely high-cost area:''; and
(3) in the section heading, by striking ``and the virgin
islands'' and inserting ``the virgin islands, and extremely
high-cost areas''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall apply to
mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1707 et seq.) on and after the date of enactment of this Act. | Amends the National Housing Act to revise the maximum mortgage loan principal amounts the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may insure for elevator-type multifamily structures for: (1) rental housing; (2) cooperative housing; (3) rehabilitation and neighborhood conservation housing; (4) housing for moderate income and displaced families; (5) housing for elderly persons; and (6) condominiums.
Replaces the current specific dollar amount limitations per family unit by which the insurable mortgage principal obligation for elevator-type multifamily structures may be increased. Prescribes instead an increase limitation per family unit of up to 50% higher than the corresponding limitations for non-elevator-type multifamily structures.
Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe a higher maximum (up to 50%) for the principal obligation of mortgages insured for multifamily projects located in an extremely high-cost area (similar to that for mortgage insurance for property in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands). | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to increase the maximum mortgage amount limitations under the Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance programs for multi-family housing projects with elevators and for extremely high-cost areas."} | 1,390 | 201 | 0.477305 | 1.399064 | 0.697274 | 1.402116 | 6.074074 | 0.650794 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Airline Pilot Hiring and Safety Act
of 1996''.
SEC. 2. EMPLOYMENT INVESTIGATIONS OF PILOTS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 447 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended by redesignating section 44723 as section 44724 and by
inserting after section 44722 the following:
``Sec. 44723. Preemployment review of prospective pilot records
``(a) Pilot Records.--
``(1) In general.--Before allowing an individual to begin
service as a pilot, an air carrier shall request and receive
the following information:
``(A) FAA records.--From the Administrator of the
Federal Aviation Administration, information pertaining
to the individual that is maintained by the
Administrator concerning--
``(i) current airman certificates
(including airman medical certificates) and
associated type ratings, including any
limitations thereon; and
``(ii) summaries of legal enforcement
actions which have resulted in a finding by the
Administrator of a violation of this title or a
regulation prescribed or order issued under
this title and which have not been subsequently
overturned.
``(B) Air carrier records.--From any air carrier
(or the trustee in bankruptcy for the air carrier) that
has employed the individual at any time during the 5-
year period preceding the date of the employment
application of the individual--
``(i) records pertaining to the individual
that are maintained by an air carrier (other
than records relating to flight time, duty
time, or rest time) under regulations set forth
in--
``(I) section 121.683 of title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations;
``(II) paragraph (A) of section VI,
appendix I, part 121 of such title;
``(III) paragraph (A) of section
IV, appendix J, part 121 of such title;
``(IV) section 125.401 of such
title; and
``(V) section 135.63(a)(4) of such
title; and
``(ii) other records pertaining to the
individual that are maintained by the air
carrier concerning--
``(I) the training, qualifications,
proficiency, or professional competence
of the individual, including comments
and evaluations made by a check airman
designated in accordance with section
121.411, 125.295, or 135.337 of such
title;
``(II) any disciplinary action
relating to the training,
qualifications, proficiency, or
professional competence of the
individual which was taken by the air
carrier with respect to the individual
and which was not subsequently
overturned by the air carrier; and
``(III) any release from employment
or resignation, termination, or
disqualification with respect to
employment.
``(C) National driver register records.--From the
chief driver licensing official of a State, information
concerning the motor vehicle driving record of the
individual in accordance with section 30305(b)(7) of this title.
``(2) 5-year reporting period.--A person is not required to
furnish a record in response to a request made under paragraph
(1) if the record was entered more than 5 years before the date
of the request, unless the information is about a revocation or
suspension of an airman certificate or motor vehicle license
that is still in effect on the date of the request.
``(3) Requirement to maintain records.--The Administrator
and each air carrier (or the trustee in bankruptcy for the air
carrier) shall maintain pilot records described in paragraph
(1) for a period of at least 5 years.
``(4) Written consent for release.--Neither the
Administrator nor any air carrier may furnish a record in
response to a request made under paragraph (1) (A) or (B)
without first obtaining the written consent of the individual
whose records are being requested.
``(5) Deadline for provision of information.--A person who
receives a request for records under paragraph (1) shall
furnish, on or before the 30th day following the date of
receipt of the request (or on or before the 30th day following
the date of obtaining the written consent of the individual in
the case of a request under paragraph (1) (A) or (B)), all of
the records maintained by the person that have been requested.
``(6) Right to receive notice and copy of any record
furnished.--A person who receives a request for records under
paragraph (1) shall provide to the individual whose records
have been requested--
``(A) on or before the 20th day following the date
of receipt of the request, written notice of the
request and of the individual's right to receive a copy
of such records; and
``(B) in accordance with paragraph (9), a copy of
such records, if requested by the individual.
``(7) Reasonable charges for processing requests and
furnishing copies.--A person who receives a request for records
under paragraph (1) or (9) may establish a reasonable charge
for the cost of processing the request and furnishing copies of
the requested records.
``(8) Right to correct inaccuracies.--An air carrier that
receives the records of an individual under paragraph (1)(B)
shall provide the individual with a reasonable opportunity to
submit written comments to correct any inaccuracies contained
in the records before making a final hiring decision with
respect to the individual.
``(9) Right of pilot to review certain records.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of a law or agreement, an
air carrier shall, upon written request from a pilot employed
by such carrier, make available, within a reasonable time of
the request, to the pilot for review any and all employment
records referred to in paragraph (1)(B) pertaining to the
pilot's employment.
``(10) Privacy protections.--
``(A) Use of records.--An air carrier or employee
of an air carrier that receives the records of an
individual under paragraph (1) may use such records
only to assess the qualifications of the individual in
deciding whether or not to hire the individual as a
pilot.
``(B) Required actions.--Subject to subsection (c),
the air carrier or employee of an air carrier shall
take such actions as may be necessary to protect the
privacy of the pilot and the confidentiality of the
records, including ensuring that the information
contained in the records is not divulged to any
individual that is not directly involved in the hiring
decision.
``(C) Individuals not hired.--If the individual is
not hired, the air carrier shall destroy or return the
records of the individual received under paragraph (1);
except that the air carrier may retain any records
needed to defend its decisions not to hire the
individual.
``(11) Standard forms.--The Administrator may promulgate--
``(A) standard forms which may be used by an air
carrier to request the records of an individual under
paragraph (1); and
``(B) standard forms which may be used by a person
who receives a request for records under paragraph (1)
to obtain the written consent of the individual and to
inform the individual of the request and of the
individual's right to receive a copy of any records
furnished in response to the request.
``(12) Regulations.--The Administrator may prescribe such
regulations as may be necessary--
``(A) to protect the personal privacy of any
individual whose records are requested under paragraph
(1) and to protect the confidentiality of those records;
``(B) to preclude the further dissemination of
records received under paragraph (1) by the air carrier
who requested them; and
``(C) to ensure prompt compliance with any request
under paragraph (1).
``(b) Limitation on Liability; Preemption of State and Local Law.--
``(1) Limitation on liability.--No action or proceeding may
be brought by or on behalf of an individual who is seeking a
position with an air carrier as a pilot against--
``(A) the air carrier for requesting the
individual's records under subsection (a)(1);
``(B) a person who has complied with such request
and in the case of a request under subsection (a)(1)
(A) or (B) has obtained the written consent of the
individual;
``(C) a person who has entered information
contained in the individual's records; or
``(D) an agent or employee of a person described in
subparagraph (A) or (B);
in the nature of an action for defamation, invasion of privacy,
negligence, interference with contract, or otherwise, or under
any Federal, State, or local law with respect to the furnishing
or use of such records in accordance with subsection (a).
``(2) Preemption.--No State or political subdivision
thereof may enact, prescribe, issue, continue in effect, or
enforce any law, regulation, standard, or other provision
having the force and effect of law that prohibits, penalizes,
or imposes liability for furnishing or using records in
accordance with subsection (a).
``(3) Provision of knowingly false information.--Paragraphs
(1) and (2) shall not apply with respect to a person that
furnishes in response to a request made under subsection (a)(1)
information that the person knows is false.
``(c) Limitation on Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this
section shall be construed as precluding the availability of the
records of a pilot in an investigation or other proceeding concerning
an accident or incident conducted by the Secretary, the National
Transportation Safety Board, or a court.''.
(b) Chapter Analysis Amendment.--The analysis for chapter 447 of
such title is amended by striking
``44723. Annual report.''
and inserting
``44723. Preemployment review of prospective pilot records.
``44724. Annual report.''.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 30305(b) of such title is
amended by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8) and by
inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(7) An individual who is employed or seeking employment by an air
carrier as a pilot may request the chief driver licensing official of a
State to provide information about the individual under subsection (a)
of this section to the individual's prospective employer or to the
Secretary of Transportation. Information may not be obtained from the
Register under this paragraph if the information was entered in the
Register more than 5 years before the request, unless the information
is about a revocation or suspension still in effect on the date of the
request.''.
(d) Civil Penalties.--Section 46301 of such title is amended by
inserting ``44723,'' after ``44716,'' in each of subsections (a)(1)(A),
(a)(2)(A), (d)(2), and (f)(1)(A)(i).
(e) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to any air carrier hiring an individual as a pilot on or after the 30th
day after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. RULEMAKING TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PILOT
QUALIFICATIONS.
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall
issue a notice of a proposed rulemaking to establish--
(1) minimum standards and criteria for preemployment
screening tests measuring the biographical factors (psychomotor
coordination), general intellectual capacity, instrument and
mechanical comprehension, and physical fitness of an applicant
for employment as a pilot by an air carrier; and
(2) minimum standards and criteria for pilot training
facilities which will be licensed by the Administrator and
which will assure that pilots trained at such facilities meet
the preemployment screening standards and criteria described in
paragraph (1).
SEC. 4. SHARING ARMED SERVICES RECORDS.
(a) Study.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration, in conjunction with the Secretary of Defense, shall
conduct a study to determine the relevance and appropriateness of
requiring the Secretary of Defense to provide to an air carrier, upon
request in connection with the hiring of an individual as a pilot,
records of the individual concerning the individual's training,
qualifications, proficiency, professional competence, or terms of
discharge from the Armed Forces.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on
the results of the study.
SEC. 5. MINIMUM FLIGHT TIME.
(a) Study.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration shall conduct a study to determine whether current
minimum flight time requirements applicable to individuals seeking
employment as a pilot with an air carrier are sufficient to ensure
public safety.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to Congress a report on
the results of the study.
Passed the House of Representatives July 22, 1996.
Attest:
ROBIN H. CARLE,
Clerk. | Airline Pilot Hiring and Safety Act of 1996 - Amends Federal aviation law to require air carriers to request and receive a pilot applicant's record for the previous five years with respect to: (1) current airman certificate, including any summaries of legal enforcement actions; (2) employment; and (3) motor vehicle driving record. Prohibits any Federal or State court action for defamation or invasion of privacy against any carrier or person with respect to the furnishing or use of such records according to the requirements of this Act.
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish certain minimum standards for pilot qualifications for employment.
Directs the Administrator of the FAA to study and report to the Congress on: (1) the appropriateness of requiring the Secretary of Defense to provide an air carrier with the armed services records of an applicant pilot; and (2) whether current minimum flight time requirements applicable to individuals seeking employment as pilots with air carriers are sufficient to ensure public safety. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Airline Pilot Hiring and Safety Act of 1996"} | 2,875 | 215 | 0.548777 | 1.524572 | 0.781973 | 3.00495 | 13.376238 | 0.935644 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Save America's Future Economy Act of
2010''.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON THE GROWTH OF FEDERAL SPENDING.
(a) In General.--Part C of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended by adding after section 253 the
following new section:
``SEC. 253A. LIMITATION ON THE GROWTH OF FEDERAL SPENDING.
``(a) Reducing Nonexempt Spending Accounts by a Uniform
Percentage.--OMB shall calculate the uniform percentage by which
nonexempt spending accounts are to be sequestered such that the total
spending of the Government for a budget year compared to the preceding
fiscal year does not increase at a rate greater than the percentage
point change in the Consumer Price Index plus the percentage point
change in annual population growth as computed under this section.
``(b) January OMB Reports.--In January of each calendar year, OMB
shall prepare a report which shall be included in the budget submission
of the President under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code,
for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 of that calendar setting
forth--
``(1) the projected level of total Federal spending for the
current year;
``(2) the percentage point increase in the Consumer Price
Index over the 12-month period comprising the fiscal year
before the current year;
``(3) the total percentage point increase in population
from July 1 of the second preceding fiscal year before the
current year and July 1 of the fiscal year before the current
year;
``(4) the sum of the total percentage point increases under
paragraphs (2) and (3); and
``(5) the projected level of total Federal spending for the
budget year and the amount, if any, by which that spending
would exceed the projected level of total Federal spending for
the current year as adjusted by the sum of the total percentage
point increases under paragraphs (2) and (3).
``(c) Preview Report.--Not later than August 20 of each calendar
year, OMB shall prepare and have printed in the Federal Register a
preview report which shall set forth for the budget year the following:
``(1) An up-to-date reestimate of all of the information
set forth in the most recent report of OMB under subsection
(b).
``(2) The estimated percentage point reduction that would
be required in nonexempt spending accounts in order to limit
total Federal spending as set forth under paragraph (1).
``(d) OMB Final Sequestration Report.--Not later than 15 days after
Congress adjourns to end a session, but after any sequestration under
section 5 of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, OMB shall prepare
and have printed in the Federal Register a final sequestration report
which shall set forth for the budget year the following:
``(1) An up-to-date reestimate of all of the information
set forth in the most recent report of OMB under subsection
(c), taking into account any sequestration under such section
5.
``(2) The percentage point reduction that would be required
in nonexempt spending accounts in order to limit total Federal
spending as set forth under paragraph (1).
``(3) The amount by which total Federal spending exceeds
the permissible amount of such spending under this section.
``(e) Presidential Order.--On the same day that OMB issues its
final sequestration report, the President shall issue an order fully
implementing without change all sequestrations required by the OMB
calculation set forth in that report. This order shall be effective on
issuance.
``(f) Adjustment for Emergency Spending.--(1) If a provision is
enacted as an emergency requirement that the Congress so designates in
statute pursuant to this subsection, the amounts of new budget
authority and outlays in all fiscal years resulting from that provision
shall be treated as an emergency requirement for the purposes of this
section.
``(2) If a provision is designated as an emergency requirement
under this section, OMB shall not include the budgetary effects of such
a provision in its estimates under this section.
``(g) Exemptions.--The following shall be exempt from reduction
under any order issued under this section:
``(1) Payments for net interest.
``(2) Any obligations of the Government required to be paid
under the United States Constitution or legally contractual
obligations.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents set forth in
section 250(a) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 253
the following new item:
``253A. Limitation on the growth of Federal spending.''.
SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF EXPIRATION DATE.
Section 275(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Act of 1985 is repealed.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by it shall apply to fiscal year
2012 and subsequent fiscal years. | Save America's Future Economy Act of 2010 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to calculate the uniform percentage by which nonexempt spending accounts are to be sequestered such that total government spending for a budget year, compared to the preceding fiscal year, does not increase at a rate greater than the percentage point change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus the percentage point change in annual population growth.
Requires OMB to prepare annually a report to be included in the President's budget for each fiscal year setting forth: (1) the projected level of total federal spending for the current year; (2) the percentage point increase in the CPI over the fiscal year before the current year; (3) the total percentage point increase in population from July 1 of the second preceding fiscal year before the current year and July 1 of the fiscal year before the current year; (4) the sum of such total percentage point increases; and (5) the projected level of total federal spending for the budget year and the amount, if any, by which that spending would exceed the projected level of total federal spending for the current year, as adjusted by the such sum of the total percentage point increases.
Prescribes requirements for OMB Preview Reports and OMB Final Sequestration Reports.
Requires the President to issue a sequestration order, effective on issuance, if OMB in its Final Sequestration Report estimates that any sequestration is required.
Prohibits OMB from including the budgetary effects of an emergency requirement in its estimates.
Exempts from any sequestration reduction order: (1) payments for net interest; and (2) federal obligations required to be paid under the U.S. Constitution or legally contractual obligations.
Extends indefinitely certain Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) enforcement mechanisms. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to limit the year-to-year increase in total Federal spending to increases in the Consumer Price Index and population."} | 1,115 | 421 | 0.696126 | 2.046845 | 0.805617 | 5.368852 | 2.860656 | 0.92623 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Access to Investment Research
Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. SAFE HARBOR FOR INVESTMENT FUND RESEARCH.
(a) Expansion of Safe Harbor.--Not later than the end of the 45-day
period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Securities
and Exchange Commission shall propose, and not later than the end of
the 120-day period beginning on such date, the Commission shall adopt,
upon such terms, conditions, or requirements as the Commission may
determine necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the
protection of investors, and for the promotion of capital formation,
revisions to section 230.139 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations,
to provide that a covered investment fund research report--
(1) shall be deemed, for purposes of sections 2(a)(10) and
5(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, not to constitute an offer
for sale or an offer to sell a security that is the subject of
an offering pursuant to a registration statement that the
issuer proposes to file, or has filed, or that is effective,
even if the broker or dealer is participating or will
participate in the registered offering of the covered
investment fund's securities; and
(2) shall be deemed to satisfy the conditions of subsection
(a)(1) or (a)(2) of section 230.139 of title 17, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor provisions, for purposes
of the Commission's rules and regulations under the Federal
securities laws and the rules of any self-regulatory
organization.
(b) Implementation of Safe Harbor.--In implementing the safe harbor
pursuant to subsection (a), the Commission shall--
(1) not, in the case of a covered investment fund with a
class of securities in substantially continuous distribution,
condition the safe harbor on whether the broker's or dealer's
publication or distribution of a covered investment fund
research report constitutes such broker's or dealer's
initiation or reinitiation of research coverage on such covered
investment fund or its securities;
(2) not--
(A) require the covered investment fund to have
been registered as an investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or subject to the
reporting requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for any period
exceeding twelve months; or
(B) impose a minimum float provision exceeding that
referenced in subsection (a)(1)(i)(A)(1)(i) of section
230.139 of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations;
(3) provide that a self-regulatory organization may not
maintain or enforce any rule that would--
(A) condition the ability of a member to publish or
distribute a covered investment fund research report on
whether the member is also participating in a
registered offering or other distribution of any
securities of such covered investment fund;
(B) condition the ability of a member to
participate in a registered offering or other
distribution of securities of a covered investment fund
on whether the member has published or distributed a
covered investment fund research report about such
covered investment fund or its securities; or
(C) require the filing of a covered investment fund
research report with such self-regulatory organization;
and
(4) provide that a covered investment fund research report
shall not be subject to sections 24(b) or 34(b) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or the rules and regulations
thereunder.
(c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
as in any way limiting--
(1) the applicability of the antifraud provisions of the
Federal securities laws; or
(2) the authority of any self-regulatory organization to
examine or supervise a member's practices in connection with
such member's publication or distribution of a covered
investment fund research report for compliance with otherwise
applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws or self-
regulatory organization rules.
(d) Interim Effectiveness of Safe Harbor.--From and after the 120-
day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, if the
Commission has not met its obligations pursuant to subsection (a) to
adopt revisions to section 230.139 of title 17, Code of Federal
Regulations, and until such time as the Commission has done so, a
covered investment fund research report published or distributed by a
broker or dealer after such date shall be deemed to meet the
requirements of section 230.139 of title 17, Code of Federal
Regulations, and to satisfy the conditions of subsection (a)(1) or
(a)(2) thereof for purposes of the Commission's rules and regulations
under the Federal securities laws and the rules of any self-regulatory
organization, as if revised and implemented in accordance with
subsections (a) and (b).
(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act:
(1) Covered investment fund research report.--The term
``covered investment fund research report'' means a research
report published or distributed by a broker or dealer about a
covered investment fund or any of its securities.
(2) Covered investment fund.--The term ``covered investment
fund'' means--
(A) an investment company registered under, or that
has filed an election to be treated as a business
development company under, the Investment Company Act
of 1940 and that has filed a registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933 for the public
offering of a class of its securities, which
registration statement has been declared effective by
the Commission; and
(B) a trust or other person--
(i) that has a class of securities listed
for trading on a national securities exchange;
(ii) the assets of which consist primarily
of commodities, currencies, or derivative
instruments that reference commodities or
currencies, or interests in the foregoing; and
(iii) that allows its securities to be
purchased or redeemed, subject to conditions or
limitations, for a ratable share of its assets.
(3) Research report.--The term ``research report'' has the
meaning given to that term under section 2(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933, except that such term shall not include
an oral communication.
(4) Self-regulatory organization.--The term ``self-
regulatory organization'' has the meaning given to that term
under section 3(a)(26) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | . Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revise a specified regulation to create a safe harbor for certain publications or distributions of research reports by brokers or dealers distributing securities. The revised regulation shall declare that, even if a broker or dealer participates in the registered offering of a covered investment fund's securities, the investment fund research report shall not be deemed to constitute an offer for sale nor an offer to sell a security that is the subject of the offering pursuant to a registration statement that the issuer proposes to file, or has filed, or that is effective. The covered investment fund research report shall indeed be deemed to satisfy the regulation's requirements as well as those of any self-regulatory organization. The SEC shall not impose specified conditions and requirements when implementing the safe harbor. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Fair Access to Investment Research Act of 2015"} | 1,378 | 197 | 0.687288 | 2.050573 | 0.861696 | 3.970588 | 7.547059 | 0.852941 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of
Minnesota Use or Distribution of Indian Judgment Funds Plan Approval
Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) On August 2, 1951, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa
Indians of Minnesota filed a complaint before the Indian Claims
Commission in Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians v. United
States, Docket Nos. 189-A, 189-B, and 189-C, pursuant to the
Indian Claims Commission Act (25 U.S.C. 70 et seq.).
(2) Upon the close of the Indian Claims Commission in 1976,
all of the cases then remaining unresolved, included Red Lake
Band of Chippewa Indians v. United States, Docket Nos. 189-A,
189-B, and 189-C, were transferred to the Court of Claims (now
known as the United States Court of Federal Claims).
(3) The Red Lake Band obtained a settlement in Dockets 189-
A and 189-B in 1997, for a total of $27,105,000.
(4) That 1997 settlement was distributed pursuant to the
Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act (25 U.S.C.
1401 et seq.), except for $3,780,616.20, which were escrowed in
the name of the Red Lake Band at the Office of Trust Funds
Management of the Department of the Interior pursuant to an
Escrow Agreement dated August 20, 1998.
(5) The escrowed funds were for the purpose of securing
repayment to the United States for certain expert witness loans
made by the United States to the Red Lake Band to assist the
Band in developing the evidence needed to prosecute its claims
in Dockets 189-A, 189-B, and 189-C.
(6) Pursuant to section 813 of the Omnibus Indian
Advancement Act (Public Law 106-568), the balance of such Red
Lake Band expert witness loans was canceled, thereby releasing
the Red Lake Band from any liability associated with such
loans.
(7) The escrowed funds and the investment income earned
thereon are ready for distribution along with other funds
secured to the Red Lake Band from the order and judgment
entered in its favor by the Court of Federal Claims on January
16, 2001, in the amount of $53,500,000 and the investment
income earned thereon.
(8) A use or distribution plan for those funds was approved
by the Secretary and submitted to Congress pursuant to the
Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act (25 U.S.C.
1401 et seq.) and provides as follows:
(A) $40,000,000 shall be disbursed to a permanent
trust fund that, consistent with the Settlement
Agreement entered into between the Red Lake Band and
the United States in Docket 189-C, the Red Lake Band
has created pursuant to Tribal Resolution No. 243-2000
and Ordinance adopted thereby No. 02-2000, and from
which fund some of the interest income will be expended
in accordance with a reforestation plan, which is
described in the Use or Distribution Plan and which may
be amended from time to time as provided in the Use or
Distribution Plan.
(B) $7,525,657 shall be disbursed to the Red Lake
Band for reimbursement to the Band for litigation-
related fees, costs, and expenses it has incurred in
the successful prosecution of the claims in Docket 189-
C, and $680,578 shall be disbursed to the Red Lake Band
for expenses and fees, including legal costs, related
to the Band's ongoing land restoration project.
(C) The remaining funds, estimated to be
$10,422,394.00, together with all investment income
earned on the Current Red Lake Judgment Funds through
the date of disbursement by the Office of Trust Funds
Management, shall be paid out per capita to the members
of the Red Lake Band who were born and alive on July
31, 2001.
(9) The Use or Distribution Plan is in the best interests
of the Red Lake Band.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Current red lake judgment funds.--The term ``Current
Red Lake Judgment Funds'' means the escrowed funds described in
section 2(a)(4), together with the judgment amount of January
16, 2001, described in section 2(a)(7), along with all interest
earned on those amounts while held by the Office of Trust Funds
Management.
(2) Red lake band.--The term ``Red Lake Band'' means the
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota of the Red Lake
Indian Reservation in north central Minnesota.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(4) Use or distribution plan.--The term ``Use or
Distribution Plan'' means the use or distribution plan approved
by the Secretary and submitted to Congress as described in
section 2(8).
SEC. 4. APPROVAL OF SECRETARIAL PLAN
Congress hereby approves the Use or Distribution Plan.
SEC. 5. PLAN APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION FOR IMMEDIATE DISBURSEMENT OF
FUNDS.
The Secretary, through the Office of Trust Funds Management, shall
immediately disburse the funds identified in this Act as follows:
(1) $40,000,000 to a permanent trust fund that, consistent
with the Settlement Agreement entered into between the Red Lake
Band and the United States in Docket 189-C, the Red Lake Band
has created pursuant to Tribal Resolution No. 243-2000 and
Ordinance adopted thereby No. 02-2000, and from which fund some
of the interest income shall be expended in accordance with a
reforestation plan, which is described in the Use or
Distribution Plan and which may be amended from time to time as
provided in the Use or Distribution Plan.
(2) $7,525,657 to the Red Lake Band for reimbursement to
the Band for litigation-related fees, costs, and expenses it
has incurred in the successful prosecution of the claims in
Docket 189-C and related matters.
(3) $680,578 to the Red Lake Band for expenses and fees,
including legal costs, related to the Band's ongoing land
restoration project.
(4) $10,422,394, and all investment income earned on the
Current Red Lake Judgment Funds through the date of
disbursement by the Secretary through the Office of Trust Funds
Management, per capita to the members of the Red Lake Band who
were born and alive on July 31, 2001. Such payments shall be
exempt to the extent provided in section 7 of the Indian Tribal
Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act (25 U.S.C. 1407). | Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota Use or Distribution of Indian Judgment Funds Plan Approval Act - Approves the Use or Distribution Plan for specified escrowed funds, investment income, and funds secured to the Red Lake Band from the order and judgment entered in its favor on January 16, 2001.Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Office of Trust Funds Management, to immediately disburse the funds as specified, including amounts for: (1) a permanent trust fund; (2) litigation-related expenses incurred for Docket 189-C claims; (3) land restoration project expenses and fees; and (4) per capita disbursement to Red Lake Band members. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To approve the use or distribution of judgment funds of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians of Minnesota by the Senate and the House of Representatives, and for other purposes."} | 1,530 | 153 | 0.626862 | 2.082142 | 0.709837 | 4.398438 | 10.523438 | 0.945313 |
SECTION 1. CONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY REGARDING NATIONAL PARK
SYSTEM LANDS, NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS, AND OTHER
PUBLIC LANDS.
(a) Lands Under Jurisdiction of Bureau of Land Management.--Section
303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1733(a)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)'';
(2) by striking the second sentence; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(2) Any person who knowingly violates or fails to comply
with any of the provisions of this Act or any regulation issued
under this Act shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor,
subject to fine as provided in section 3571 of title 18, United
States Code, or imprisonment as provided in section 3581 of
that title, or both.
``(3) Any person who otherwise violates or fails to comply
with any of the provisions of this Act or any regulation issued
under this Act shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor,
subject to fine or imprisonment, or both, as provided in such
sections. A person who violates any such provision or
regulation may also be adjudged to pay all costs of the
proceedings.''.
(b) National Park System Lands.--
(1) Enforcement.--Section 3 of the National Park Service
Organic Act (16 U.S.C. 3) is amended--
(A) by striking ``That the Secretary'' the first
place it appears and inserting ``(a) Regulations for
Use and Management of National Park System; Enforcement
(1) The Secretary'';
(B) by striking ``Service,'' and all that follows
through ``proceedings.'' and inserting ``Service.'';
and
(C) by inserting after the first sentence the
following new paragraphs:
``(2) Any person who knowingly violates or fails to comply
with any rule or regulation issued under this section shall be
guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, subject to fine as provided in
section 3571 of title 18, United States Code, or imprisonment
as provided in section 3581 of that title, or both.
``(3) Any person who otherwise violates or fails to comply
with any rule or regulation issued under this section shall be
guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, subject to fine or
imprisonment, or both, as provided in such sections. A person
who violates any such rule or regulation may also be adjudged
to pay all costs of the proceedings.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Such section is further
amended--
(A) by striking ``He may also'' the first place it
appears and inserting the following:
``(b) Special Management Authorities.--The Secretary of the
Interior may'';
(B) by striking ``He may also'' the second place it
appears and inserting ``The Secretary may''; and
(C) by striking ``No natural,'' and inserting the
following:
``(c) Lease and Permit Authorities.--No natural''.
(c) National Wildlife Refuge System Lands.--Section 4(f) of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd(f)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``fined under title 18,
United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or
both.'' and inserting ``guilty of a Class A misdemeanor,
subject to fine as provided in section 3571 of title 18, United
States Code, or imprisonment as provided in section 3581 of
that title, or both. A person who violates any such provision
or regulation may also be adjudged to pay all costs of the
proceedings.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``fined under title 18,
United States Code, or imprisoned not more than 180 days, or
both.'' and inserting ``guilty of a Class B misdemeanor,
subject to fine as provided in section 3571 of title 18, United
States Code, or imprisonment as provided in section 3581 of
that title, or both. A person who violates any such provision
or regulation may also be adjudged to pay all costs of the
proceedings.''.
(d) National Forest System Lands.--The eleventh undesignated
paragraph under the heading ``Surveying the public lands'' of the Act
of June 4, 1897 (16 U.S.C. 551), is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 551. PROTECTION OF NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS; REGULATIONS.
``(a) Regulations for Use and Protection of National Forest
System.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall make provisions for the
protection of the National Forest System (as defined in section 11 of
the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16
U.S.C. 1609)) against destruction by fire and depredations. The
Secretary may issue such regulations and establish such service as will
insure the objects of the National Forest System, namely, to regulate
their occupancy and use and to protect National Forest System lands
from destruction.
``(b) Violations; Penalties.--(1) Any person who knowingly violates
any regulation issued under subsection (a) shall be guilty of a Class A
misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine as provided in section 3571
of title 18, United States Code, or imprisonment as provided in section
3581 of that title, or both.
``(2) Any person who otherwise violates any regulation issued under
subsection (a) shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and shall be
subject to a fine as provided in section 3571 of title 18, United
States Code, or imprisonment as provided in section 3581 of that title,
or both.
``(3) A person who violates any regulation issued under subsection
(a) may also be adjudged to pay all costs of the proceedings.
``(c) Procedure.--Any person charged with the violation of a
regulation issued under subsection (a) may be tried and sentenced by
any United States magistrate judge specially designated for that
purpose by the court by which the magistrate judge was appointed, in
the same manner and subject to the same conditions as provided for in
subsections (b) through (e) of section 3401 of title 18, United States
Code.''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF MINIMUM FINE FOR VIOLATION OF PUBLIC LAND FIRE
REGULATIONS DURING FIRE BAN.
(a) Lands Under Jurisdiction of Bureau of Land Management.--Section
303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C.
1733(a)), as amended by section 1(a), is further amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) In the case of a regulation issued under this section
regarding the use of fire by individuals on the public lands,
if the violation of the regulation was the result of reckless
conduct, occurred in an area subject to a complete ban on open
fires, and resulted in damage to public or private property,
the fine may not be less than $500.''.
(b) National Park System Lands.--Subsection (a) of section 3 of the
National Park Service Organic Act (16 U.S.C. 3), as designated and
amended by section 1(b), is further amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) In the case of a rule or regulation issued under this
subsection regarding the use of fire by individuals on such
lands, if the violation of the rule or regulation was the
result of reckless conduct, occurred in an area subject to a
complete ban on open fires, and resulted in damage to public or
private property, the fine may not be less than $500.''.
(c) National Forest System Lands.--Subsection (b) of section 551 of
the Act of June 4, 1897 (16 U.S.C. 551), as designated and amended by
section 1(d), which before such designation and amendment was the
eleventh undesignated paragraph under the heading ``Surveying the
public lands'' of such Act, is further amended by adding at the end the
following new paragraph:
``(4) In the case of a regulation issued under subsection
(a) regarding the use of fire by individuals on National Forest
System lands, if the violation of the regulation was the result
of reckless conduct, occurred in an area subject to a complete
ban on open fires, and resulted in damage to public or private
property, the fine may not be less than $500.''. | Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Park Service Organic Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, and other federal law to provide that: (1) any person who knowingly violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of such an Act or any regulation issued under such an Act concerning the management, use, and protection of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, National Park System lands, National Wildlife Refuge lands, and National Forest lands shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, subject to fine and/or imprisonment as provided under federal criminal law; and (2) any person who otherwise violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of such an Act or any regulation issued under such an Act concerning the management, use, and protection of such lands shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor, subject to fine and/or imprisonment as provided under federal criminal law. Permits requiring persons adjudged guilty of a: (1) Class B misdemeanor on BLM or National Park System lands to pay all costs of the proceedings; and (2) a Class A or Class B misdemeanor on National Wildlife Refuge or National Forest lands to pay all costs of the proceedings.
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Park Service Organic Act, and other federal law to set a minimum fine of $500 for certain fire usage violations on BLM, National Park System, and National Forest lands. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide consistent enforcement authority to the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Forest Service to respond to violations of regulations regarding the management, use, and protection of public lands under the jurisdiction of these agencies, and for other purposes."} | 1,965 | 323 | 0.733713 | 2.2293 | 0.689967 | 3.989437 | 6.183099 | 0.919014 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tax Depreciation, Modernization, and
Simplification Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO MODIFY CLASS LIVES.
(a) In General.--Paragraph (1) of section 168(i) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
``(1) Class life.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in this
section, the term `class life' means the class life (if
any) which would be applicable with respect to any
property as of January 1, 1986, under subsection (m) of
section 167, as in effect on the day before the date of
the enactment of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1990
(determined without regard to paragraph (4) thereof and
as if the taxpayer had made an election under such
subsection).
``(B) Secretarial authority.--
``(i) In general.--Except as provided in
clause (ii), the Secretary, after consultation
with Congress, may prescribe by regulation--
``(I) a new class life for any
property, or
``(II) a class life for any
property which does not have a class
life within the meaning of subparagraph
(A).
``(ii) Exceptions.--Clause (i) shall not
apply to--
``(I) residential rental property
or nonresidential real property, or
``(II) property for which a class
life, classification, or recovery
period is assigned under subsection
(e)(3) (other than subparagraph (C)(v)
thereof) or subparagraph (B), (C), or
(D) of subsection (g)(3).
``(iii) Standards.--Any class life
prescribed or modified under clause (i) shall
reasonably reflect the anticipated useful life
and the anticipated decline in value over time
of the property to the industry or other group,
and shall take into account when the property
is technologically or functionally obsolete for
the original purpose under which it was
acquired.
``(iv) Consultation.--Not later than 60
days before the date on which the Secretary
publishes any proposed regulation under clause
(i), the Secretary shall submit to Congress the
proposed regulation together with a report
containing the information considered by the
Secretary in modifying or prescribing any class
life under the regulation.
``(v) Monitoring.--The Secretary, through
an office established in the Treasury, shall
monitor and analyze actual experience with
respect to depreciable assets to which this
subparagraph applies.
``(C) Effect of modification.--Any class life with
respect to any property prescribed or modified under
subparagraph (B) shall be used in classifying such
property under subsection (e) and in applying
subsection (g).''.
(b) Application of Congressional Review Act.--For purposes of
applying chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to any regulation
prescribed under section 168(i)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, each class life prescribed under such section shall be considered
to be a separate rule.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall take
effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 3. ELIMINATION OF MID-QUARTER CONVENTION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (d) of section 168 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraph
(4) as paragraph (3), and
(2) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by
striking subparagraph (C).
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 4. MASS ASSET ACCOUNTING.
(a) In General.--Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Mass Asset Accounting.--
``(1) Election.--
``(A) In general.--In lieu of the deduction
otherwise allowed under this section with respect to an
item of qualified property, the taxpayer may elect to
add the adjusted basis of such property to the mass
asset account of the taxpayer to which such qualified
property is assigned and to determine the deduction
under this section using the applicable depreciation
method with respect to such mass asset account.
``(B) Election to apply to all assets of the
taxpayer with same recovery period.--An election made
under subparagraph (A) shall be made in such manner as
the Secretary may by regulations prescribe and shall
apply to all qualified property of the taxpayer which
has the same applicable recovery period for such
taxable year and all subsequent taxable years.
``(C) Election irrevocable.--Any election made
under this paragraph shall be irrevocable except with
the consent of the Secretary. The Secretary shall
prescribe rules for the proper accounting of assets in
a mass asset account in the case of any such
revocation.
``(2) Special rules.--
``(A) Modification of depreciation method.--In
applying the applicable depreciation method to any mass
asset account, subsection (b) shall be applied without
regard to paragraph (1)(B) thereof.
``(B) Adjustment to reflect half-year convention.--
In applying the deduction allowable under subsection
(a) to any mass asset account, the amount of the
deduction under subsection (a) shall be--
``(i) 100 percent of the deduction
otherwise allowed under this section in the
case of qualified property placed in service
before the beginning of the taxable year, and
``(ii) 50 percent of the deduction
otherwise allowed under this section with
respect to qualified property placed in service
during the taxable year.
``(C) Sale of qualified property.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of the sale
of any property the adjusted basis of which has
been added to a mass asset account, the balance
of the mass asset account to which such
property was assigned shall be reduced (but not
below zero) by the amount of the proceeds from
such sale.
``(ii) Recognition of gain.--If the
proceeds from the sale of any property the
adjusted basis of which has been added to a
mass asset account exceed the balance of such
mass asset account, then the excess shall be
treated as ordinary income.
``(3) Qualified property.--
``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection,
the term `qualified property' means any tangible
property--
``(i) to which an applicable depreciation
method under paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection
(b) applies, and
``(ii) the cost of which is not more than
$10,000.
``(B) Inflation adjustment.--
``(i) In general.--In the case of any
taxable year beginning after 2006, the $10,000
amount under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be
increased by an amount equal to--
``(I) such dollar amount,
multiplied by
``(II) the cost-of-living
adjustment determined under section
1(f)(3) for the calendar year in which
the taxable year begins, determined by
substituting `calendar year 2005' for
`calendar year 1992' in subparagraph
(B) thereof.
``(ii) Rounding.--If any amount as adjusted
under the clause (i) is not a multiple of
$1,000, such amount shall be rounded to the
next lowest multiple of $1,000.
``(4) Mass asset account.--The term `mass asset account'
means an account of the taxpayer which reflects the adjusted
basis of all qualified property to which the same applicable
depreciation method and applicable recovery period applies.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to property placed in service after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
SEC. 5. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF EXPENSING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) Dollar Limitation.--Paragraph (1) of section 179(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``$25,000
($100,000 in the case of taxable years beginning after 2002 and before
2008)'' and inserting ``$100,000''.
(b) Reduction in Limitation.--Paragraph (2) of section 179(b) of
such Code is amended by striking ``$200,000 ($400,000 in the case of
taxable years beginning after 2002 and before 2008)'' and inserting
``$400,000''.
(c) Inflation Adjustments.--Subparagraph (A) of section 179(b)(5)
of such Code is amended by striking ``and before 2008''.
(d) Election.--Paragraph (2) of section 179(c) of such Code is
amended by striking ``and before 2008''.
(e) Computer Software.--Clause (ii) of section 179(d)(1)(A) is
amended by striking ``and before 2008''. | Tax Depreciation, Modernization, and Simplification Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to modify or create new class lives for depreciable business assets that reasonably reflect anticipated useful life and decline in value; (2) eliminate the mid-quarter accounting convention for determining depreciation; (3) allow an election to consolidate, in a mass asset account, the accounting of depreciable properties that each cost less than $10,000; and (4) extend permanently the $100,000 expensing allowance for depreciable business assets. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the deduction for depreciation."} | 2,038 | 124 | 0.456825 | 1.189891 | 0.508339 | 2.168224 | 17.280374 | 0.82243 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention
Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON REPORTING AND TRACKING SEXUAL ASSAULT
INCIDENTS AND OTHER SAFETY INCIDENTS.
(a) Policy.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual
assault incidents and other safety incidents
``(a) Policy Required.--Not later than February 1, 2012, the
Secretary shall develop and implement a centralized and comprehensive
policy on the reporting and tracking of sexual assault incidents and
other safety incidents that occur at each medical facility of the
Department, including--
``(1) suspected, alleged, attempted, or confirmed cases of
sexual assault, regardless of whether such assaults lead to
prosecution or conviction;
``(2) criminal and purposefully unsafe acts;
``(3) alcohol or substance abuse related acts (including by
employees of the Department); and
``(4) any kind of event involving alleged or suspected
abuse of a patient.
``(b) Scope.--The policy required by subsection (a) shall cover
each of the following:
``(1) For purposes of reporting and tracking sexual assault
incidents and other safety incidents, definitions of the
terms--
``(A) `safety incident';
``(B) `sexual assault'; and
``(C) `sexual assault incident'.
``(2) The development and use of specific risk-assessment
tools to examine any risks related to sexual assault that a
veteran may pose while being treated at a medical facility of
the Department, including clear and consistent guidance on the
collection of information related to--
``(A) the legal history of the veteran; and
``(B) the medical record of the veteran.
``(3) The mandatory training of employees of the Department
on security issues, including awareness, preparedness,
precautions, and police assistance.
``(4) The mandatory implementation, use, and regular
testing of appropriate physical security precautions and
equipment, including surveillance camera systems, computer-
based panic alarm systems, stationary panic alarms, and
electronic portable personal panic alarms.
``(5) Clear, consistent, and comprehensive criteria and
guidance with respect to an employee of the Department
communicating and reporting sexual assault incidents and other
safety incidents to--
``(A) supervisory personnel of the employee at--
``(i) a medical facility of the Department;
``(ii) an office of a Veterans Integrated
Service Network; and
``(iii) the central office of the Veterans
Health Administration; and
``(B) a law enforcement official of the Department.
``(6) Clear and consistent criteria and guidelines with
respect to an employee of the Department referring and
reporting to the Office of Inspector General of the Department
sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents that meet
the regulatory criminal threshold in accordance with sections
1.201 and 1.204 of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations.
``(7) An accountable oversight system within the Veterans
Health Administration that includes--
``(A) systematic information sharing of reported
sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents
among officials of the Administration who have
programmatic responsibility; and
``(B) a centralized reporting, tracking, and
monitoring system for such incidents.
``(8) Consistent procedures and systems for law enforcement
officials of the Department with respect to investigating,
tracking, and closing reported sexual assault incidents and
other safety incidents.
``(9) Clear and consistent guidance for the clinical
management of the treatment of sexual assaults that are
reported more than 72 hours after the assault.
``(c) Updates to Policy.--The Secretary shall review and revise the
policy required by subsection (a) on a periodic basis as the Secretary
considers appropriate and in accordance with best practices.
``(d) Annual Report.--(1) Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the Secretary develops the policy required by subsection (a), and
by not later than January 1 of each year thereafter, the Secretary
shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a
report on the implementation of the policy during the preceding fiscal
year.
``(2) Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include, for the
fiscal year covered by such report, the following:
``(A) The number and type of sexual assault incidents and
other safety incidents reported by each medical facility of the
Department.
``(B) A detailed description of the implementation of the
policy required by subsection (a), including any revisions made
to such policy from the previous year.
``(C) The effectiveness of such policy on improving the
safety and security of the medical facilities of the
Department, including the performance measures used to evaluate
such effectiveness.
``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section
1708 the following:
``1709. Comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking of sexual
assault incidents and other safety
incidents.''.
(c) Interim Report.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee
on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the
development of the performance measures described in section
1709(d)(2)(C) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a).
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORTS ON STAFFING FOR NURSES
AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH-CARE FACILITIES.
Section 7451(e) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraphs (4), (5), and (6). | Veterans Sexual Assault Prevention Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement, by February 1, 2012, a centralized and comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assaults and other safety incidents at each medical facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including: (1) risk-assessment tools; (2) mandatory security training; (3) physical security precautions (surveillance camera systems and panic alarm systems); (4) criteria and guidance for employees communicating and reporting incidents to specified supervisory personnel, VA law enforcement officials, and the Office of Inspector General; (4) an oversight system within the Veterans Health Administration; (5) procedures for VA law enforcement officials investigating, tracking, and closing reported incidents; and (6) clinical guidance for treating sexual assaults reported over 72 hours after assault.
Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit an annual report to Congress on such incidents and policy implementation, and (2) prescribe applicable regulations.
Repeals required annual reports concerning registered nurse staffing at VA health care facilities. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to require a comprehensive policy on reporting and tracking sexual assault incidents and other safety incidents that occur at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes."} | 1,318 | 212 | 0.664391 | 1.751582 | 1.082932 | 2.653846 | 6.139423 | 0.923077 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement
Act of 2015''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in both
its proposed and final calendar year 2015 physician fee
schedule rules made adjustments to the geographic area
designations used to calculate payments for ambulance providers
and suppliers and misidentified the number of zip code
designations that would be impacted by the change.
(2) On July 11, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services published a proposal (79 FR 40375) informing the
public that no zip codes in the State of California, only two
zip codes in the State of Louisiana, and only one zip code in
the State of Texas would be changed based on the Office of
Management and Budget's revised delineations and updated Rural-
Urban Commuting Area codes.
(3) After publication of the zip code proposal, the public
had 60 days to submit comments, per the requirements of the
Administration Procedures Act.
(4) On November 13, 2014, the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services published a final regulation (79 FR 67748)
informing the public, for the first time, that 3.45 percent of
zip codes (or 94 zip codes) in the State of California, 13.67
percent of zip codes (or 101 zip codes) in the State of
Louisiana, 5.96 percent of zip codes (or 155 zip codes) in the
State of Texas, and 7.1 percent of zip codes (or 35 zip codes)
in the State of Oregon would change based on the Office of
Management and Budget's revised delineations of the Rural-Urban
Commuting Area codes.
(5) This change from the data that was published in the
proposed rule to the data that was published in the final rule
did not afford the public proper notice and comment and
therefore is an apparent violation of the Administration
Procedures Act.
(6) Further, the corrected final list of zip code changes
was not posted until December 4, 2014, less than a month before
the new policy was implemented on January 1, 2015, giving
ambulance providers and suppliers insufficient time to prepare
for the change in reimbursement.
(7) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also did
not provide an impact analysis or certification determining
whether there is a significant economic impact on small
entities, as required by law.
(8) These changes will result in nearly 9 percent cut in
reimbursement under the Medicare program for transports
originating in areas losing rural status.
SEC. 3. SUSPENSION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL TO URBAN ZIP CODE
RECLASSIFICATIONS FOR MEDICARE PAYMENT FOR AMBULANCE
SERVICES.
(a) Suspension of Rural to Urban Zip Code Reclassifications.--Not
later than July 1, 2015, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall issue a notice suspending through December 31, 2015, the
implementation of the reclassification of rural to urban zip codes for
payment for ambulance services under the fee schedule under section
1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)), as contained
in the final rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services in the Federal Register on November 13, 2014 (76 Fed. Reg.
67744 through 67750). The Secretary shall ensure, subject to subsection
(d)(1), that claims for payment under the fee schedule under section
1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for ambulance
services furnished during 2015 (beginning on July 1, 2015) are paid as
if the reclassification of rural to urban zip codes applied under such
final rule were the classification of zip codes applied the day before
the effective date of such final rule.
(b) Reclassifications Pursuant to Notice and Comment Rulemaking.--
Not later than November 1, 2015, the Secretary of Health and Human
Services shall, through notice and comment rulemaking, reclassify rural
to urban zip codes for payment under the fee schedule under section
1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for ambulance
services furnished on or after January 1, 2016, taking into account the
revised geographic delineations of the Office of Management and Budget,
as described in the February 28, 2013 Office of Management and Budget
Bulletin No. 13-01.
(c) Treatment of 2015 Claims; Budget Neutrality.--
(1) Treatment of 2015 claims.--Nothing in this section, or
the amendment made by this section, shall be construed as
instructing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to re-
process any claims for payment under the fee schedule under
section 1834(l) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l))
for ambulance services furnished during 2015.
(2) Budget neutrality.--
(A) Determining affect of 2015 suspension.--The
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall estimate
the amount, if any, by which--
(i) the aggregate amount of payments under
the fee schedule under section 1834(l) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for
ambulance services furnished during 2015 after
application of subsection (a), exceeds
(ii) the aggregate amount of payments that
would have been made under such fee schedule
for such services furnished during such year if
subsection (a) had not been enacted.
(B) Adjustments in 2016.--If the Secretary
estimates the amount under clause (i) of subparagraph
(A) exceeds the amount described in clause (ii) of such
subparagraph, the Secretary shall, through notice and
comment rulemaking, adjust payments under the fee
schedule under section 1834(l) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)) for ambulance services (other
than air ambulance services) furnished during 2016 such
that the total amount of such adjustments is equal to
the amount by which the amount described in such clause
(i) exceeds the amount described in such clause (ii). | Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement Act of 2015 This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to suspend through December 31, 2015, implementation of the reclassification of rural to urban zip codes for payments under the fee schedule for ambulance services, as contained in the final rule published in the Federal Register by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 13, 2014. The Secretary is required to ensure that claims for ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2015, are paid according to the classification of zip codes applied the day before the effective date of that final rule. The Secretary must reclassify rural to urban zip codes for payment for ambulance services furnished on or after January 1, 2016, taking into account specified revised geographic delineations of the Office of Management and Budget. Payments for ambulance services (other than air ambulance services) furnished during 2016 must be adjusted according to a certain formula to achieve budget-neutral results. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Fairness in Ambulance Reimbursement Act of 2015"} | 1,323 | 196 | 0.599359 | 1.821166 | 0.793882 | 5.127778 | 6.666667 | 0.916667 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Keep America's Oil Here Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States is taking a number of steps to reduce
domestic consumption of oil, many of which will soon take
effect.
(2) In 2007, the Congress passed the Energy Independence
and Security Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-140), which increased
fuel economy standards to at least 35 miles per gallon by 2020
and established renewable fuel standards to ensure that enough
renewable fuel is produced by 2022 to reduce the need for 1.6
million barrels of oil per day. These programs to reduce our
domestic oil consumption have yet to be fully implemented.
(3) The administration of President Obama is accelerating
the implementation of the fuel economy standards and greenhouse
gas emission standards.
(4) In 2010, the President issued a rule that required
increased fuel economy and decreased global warming emissions
for light-duty vehicles produced in model years 2012-2016. This
rule is in the process of being implemented, and will reduce
the need for an additional 1.9 million barrels of oil per day
by 2030 and reduce the need for 2.3 million barrels of oil per
day by 2040.
(5) In 2011, the President issued a proposed rule to
implement increased fuel economy and decreased global warming
emissions for light duty vehicles produced in model years 2017-
2025. This rule, once fully implemented, will reduce the need
for an additional 1.5 million barrels of oil per day by 2030
and reduce the need for 2.4 million barrels of oil per day by
2040.
(6) These actions will help reduce domestic consumption of
crude oil, which is an exhaustible natural resource. These
measures represent only a portion of Federal Government efforts
to assist economic growth and reduce economic pressures
relating to high oil prices.
(7) As the result of actions undertaken by the Congress and
the executive branch, domestic oil production has ramped up
considerably. Oil production is currently at its highest level
since 2003, while production of oil and natural gas liquids
combined are at their highest level since 1997. Domestic oil
production is expected to continue rising through 2020.
Restrictions on exports of oil produced on public lands are a
necessary and appropriate complement to energy efficiency
measures and will help to ensure a reliable and affordable
supply of such oil and refined products from such oil.
SEC. 3. NO FOREIGN SALES OF OIL PRODUCED ON FEDERAL LANDS.
The Secretary of the Interior may accept bids on any new oil and
gas leases of Federal lands (including submerged lands) under the
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) or the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) only from bidders certifying
that all crude oil produced under such leases, and all refined
petroleum products produced from such crude oil, shall be offered for
sale only in the United States.
SEC. 4. WAIVER.
The President may provide for waiver of the application of section
3 with respect to a lease in a case in which--
(1) the President determines that such a waiver is in the
national interest because it--
(A) will not lead to an increase in domestic
consumption of crude oil obtained from countries
hostile to United States interests or that have
political and economic instability that compromises
energy supply security;
(B) will not lead to higher costs to oil refiners
that purchase the crude oil than such refiners would
have to pay for crude oil in the absence of such a
waiver; and
(C) will not lead to higher gasoline costs paid by
consumers than consumers would have to pay in the
absence of such a waiver;
(2) an exchange of crude oil or refined petroleum products
provides for no net loss of crude oil or refined petroleum
products, respectively, consumed domestically;
(3) a waiver is necessary under the Constitution, a law, or
an international agreement; or
(4) a standing trade agreement with a North American
trading partner allows for such exports, and all crude oil and
refined petroleum products exported under such a waiver will be
consumed in North America.
SEC. 5. REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCT DEFINED.
In this Act the term ``refined petroleum product'' means any of the
following:
(1) Finished reformulated or conventional motor gasoline.
(2) Finished aviation gasoline.
(3) Kerosene-type jet fuel.
(4) Kerosene.
(5) Distillate fuel oil.
(6) Residual fuel oil.
(7) Lubricants.
(8) Waxes.
(9) Petroleum coke.
(10) Asphalt and road oil. | Keep America's Oil Here Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to accept bids on any new oil and gas leases of federal lands (including submerged lands) only from bidders certifying that all crude oil produced under such leases, and all refined petroleum products made from such crude oil, shall be offered for sale only in the United States.
Authorizes the President to waive such limited leasing authorization upon specified determinations, including that waiver is in the national interest because it will not lead to: (1) an increase in domestic consumption of crude oil obtained from countries hostile to U.S. interests or that have political and economic instability compromising energy supply security, (2) higher costs to oil refiners purchasing the crude oil than the refiners would have to pay in the absence of such a waiver; and (3) higher gasoline costs paid by consumers than they would have to pay in the absence of such a waiver. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide that the Secretary of the Interior may accept bids on any new oil and gas leases of Federal lands (including submerged lands) only from bidders certifying that all oil produced pursuant to such leases, and all refined petroleum products produced from such oil, shall be offered for sale only in the United States, and for other purposes."} | 998 | 197 | 0.478678 | 1.444625 | 0.661377 | 5.170455 | 5.568182 | 0.920455 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Congenital Heart Futures
Reauthorization Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE COHORT STUDY, SURVEILLANCE,
AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
Section 399V-2 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-13)
is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``national congenital heart disease cohort study, surveillance
system, and awareness campaign'';
(2) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Activities.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) enhance and expand research and surveillance
infrastructure to study and track the epidemiology of
congenital heart disease (in this section referred to
as `CHD') across the lifespan; and
``(B) plan and implement a public outreach and
education campaign regarding CHD across the lifespan.
``(2) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible
entities to carry out the activities described in subsections
(b), (c), and (d).'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Purpose'' and
inserting ``National Congenital Heart Disease
Surveillance System''; and
(B) by striking ``The purpose of the Congenital
Heart Disease Surveillance System shall be to
facilitate'' and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a
Congenital Heart Disease Surveillance System for the purpose of
facilitating'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating
subparagraphs (A) through (E) as clauses (i) through
(v), respectively, and adjusting the margins
accordingly;
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as
subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and
adjusting the margins accordingly; and
(C) by redesignating such subsection (c) as
paragraph (2) of subsection (b) and adjusting the
margin accordingly;
(5) by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the
following:
``(c) National Congenital Heart Disease Cohort Study.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall plan, develop, implement, and submit annual reports to
the Congress on research and surveillance activities of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including a cohort
study to improve understanding of the epidemiology of CHD
across the lifespan, from birth to adulthood, with particular
interest in the following:
``(A) Health care utilization and natural history
of individuals affected by CHD.
``(B) Demographic factors associated with CHD, such
as age, race, ethnicity, gender, and family history of
individuals who are diagnosed with the disease.
``(C) Outcome measures, such that analysis of the
outcome measures will allow derivation of evidence-
based best practices and guidelines for CHD patients.
``(2) Permissible considerations.--The study under this
subsection may--
``(A) gather data on the health outcomes of a
diverse population of those affected by CHD;
``(B) consider health disparities among those
affected by CHD which may include the consideration of
prenatal exposures; and
``(C) incorporate behavioral, emotional, and
educational outcomes of those affected by CHD.
``(3) Public access.--Subject to appropriate protections of
personal information, including protections required under
paragraph (4), data generated from the study under this
subsection and through the Congenital Heart Disease
Surveillance System under subsection (b) shall be made
available for purposes of CHD research and to the public.
``(4) Patient privacy.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
study under this subsection and the Congenital Heart Disease
Surveillance System under subsection (b) are carried out in a
manner that complies with the requirements applicable to a
covered entity under the regulations promulgated pursuant to
section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996.
``(d) Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Campaign.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall establish and implement an awareness, outreach, and
education campaign regarding CHD across the lifespan. The
information expressed through such campaign may--
``(A) emphasize the prevalence of CHD;
``(B) identify CHD as a condition that affects
those diagnosed throughout their lives; and
``(C) promote the need for pediatric, adolescent,
and adult individuals with CHD to seek and maintain
lifelong, specialized care.
``(2) Permissible activities.--The campaign under this
subsection may--
``(A) utilize collaborations or partnerships with
other agencies, health care professionals, and patient
advocacy organizations that specialize in the needs of
individuals with CHD; and
``(B) include the use of print, film, or electronic
materials distributed via television, radio, Internet,
or other commercial marketing venues.'';
(6) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (e); and
(7) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021.''.
SEC. 3. CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE RESEARCH.
Section 425 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285b-8) is
amended by adding the end the following:
``(d) Report From NIH.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017,
the Director of NIH, acting through the Director of the Institute,
shall provide a report to Congress--
``(1) outlining the ongoing research efforts of the
National Institutes of Health regarding congenital heart
disease; and
``(2) identifying--
``(A) future plans for research regarding
congenital heart disease; and
``(B) the areas of greatest need for such
research.''. | Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the authorization for a National Congenital Heart Disease Surveillance System with a requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services, regarding congenital heart disease, to enhance and expand research and surveillance infrastructure, and to plan and implement a public outreach and education campaign. (Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by a heart defect that is present at birth.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must conduct: (1) a study of congenital heart disease, from birth to adulthood, that considers health care utilization, demographic factors, and outcomes; and (2) an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding congenital heart disease. Data from the study must be made available to the public. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must report on its ongoing research efforts regarding congenital heart disease, future plans for such research, and areas of greatest need for such research. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2017"} | 1,424 | 214 | 0.60756 | 1.682401 | 0.866496 | 2.935484 | 6.930108 | 0.903226 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Baseline Reform Act of 1994''.
SEC. 2. THE BASELINE.
(a) The second sentence of section 257(c) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 is amended--
(1) by inserting ``but only for the purpose of adjusting
the discretionary spending limits set forth in section
601(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974'' after ``for
inflation as specified in paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting ``but only for the purpose of adjusting
the discretionary spending limits set forth in section
601(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974'' after ``to
offset pay absorption and for pay annualization as specified in
paragraph (4)''.
(b) Section 1109(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
adding after the first sentence the following new sentence: ``These
estimates shall not include an adjustment for inflation for programs
and activities subject to discretionary appropriations.''.
SEC. 3. THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET.
(a) Paragraph (5) of section 1105(a) of title 31, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(5) except as provided in subsection (b) of this section,
estimated expenditures and appropriations for the current year
and estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations the
President decides are necessary to support the Government in
the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted and the 4
fiscal years following that year;''.
(b) Section 1105(a)(6) of title 31, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``current fiscal year and the'' before ``fiscal year''.
(c) Section 1105(a)(12) of title 31, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A), by striking the
period and inserting ``; and'' at the end of subparagraph (B), and by
adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) the estimated amount for the same activity (if any)
in the current fiscal year.''.
(d) Section 1105(a)(18) of title 31, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``new budget authority and'' before ``budget outlays''.
(e) Section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(30) a comparison of levels of estimated expenditures and
proposed appropriations for each function and subfunction in
the current fiscal year and the fiscal year for which the
budget is submitted, along with the proposed increase or
decrease of spending in percentage terms for each function and
subfunction.''.
SEC. 4. THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET.
Section 301(e) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended
by--
(1) inserting after the second sentence the following:
``The starting point for any deliberations in the Committee on
the Budget of each House on the concurrent resolution on the
budget for the next fiscal year shall be the estimated level of
outlays for the current year in each function and subfunction.
Any increases or decreases in the Congressional budget for the
next fiscal year shall be from such estimated levels.''; and
(2) striking paragraph (8) and redesignating paragraphs (9)
and (10) as paragraphs (10) and (11), respectively, and by
inserting after paragraph (7) the following new paragraphs:
``(8) a comparison of levels for the current fiscal year
with proposed spending and revenue levels for the subsequent
fiscal years along with the proposed increase or decrease of
spending in percentage terms for each function and subfunction;
and
``(9) information, data, and comparisons indicating the
manner in which and the basis on which, the committee
determined each of the matters set forth in the concurrent
resolution;''.
SEC. 5. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE REPORTS TO COMMITTEES.
(a) The first sentence of section 202(f)(1) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows: ``On or before
February 15 of each year, the Director shall submit to the Committees
on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report
for the fiscal year commencing on October 1 of that year with respect
to fiscal policy, including (A) alternative levels of total revenues,
total new budget authority, and total outlays (including related
surpluses and deficits) compared to comparable levels for the current
year and (B) the levels of tax expenditures under existing law, taking
into account projected economic factors and any changes in such levels
based on proposals in the budget submitted by the President for such
fiscal year.''.
(b) Section 202(f)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is
amended by inserting after the first sentence the following new
sentence: ``That report shall also include a table on sources of
spending growth in total mandatory spending for the budget year and the
ensuing 4 fiscal years, which shall include changes in outlays
attributable to the following: cost-of-living adjustments; changes in
the number of program recipients; increases in medical care prices,
utilization and intensity of medical care; and residual factors.''.
(c) Section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, and shall include
a comparison of those levels to comparable levels for the
current fiscal year'' before ``if timely submitted''; and
(2) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (C), by
striking the period and inserting ``; and'' at the end of
subparagraph (D), and by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(E) comparing the levels in existing programs in
such measure to the estimated levels for the current
fiscal year.''
(d) Title IV of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``gao reports to budget committees
``Sec. 408. On or before January 15 of each year, the Comptroller
General, after consultation with appropriate committees of the House of
Representatives and Senate, shall submit to the Congress a report
listing all programs, projects, and activities that fall within the
definition of direct spending under section 250(c)(8) of the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.''.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents set forth in
section 1(b) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of
1974 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 407 the
following new item:
``Sec. 408. GAO reports to budget committees.''.
Passed the House of Representatives August 12, 1994.
Attest:
Clerk.
103d CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4907
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To reform the concept of baseline budgeting. | Baseline Reform Act of 1994 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to revise the definition of baseline to provide for certain inflation adjustments only for the purpose of adjusting discretionary spending limits.
Requires the President's budget to include: (1) estimated expenditures and appropriations for the current year; (2) new budget authority in budget outlay comparisons; and (3) a certain comparison of levels of estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations that includes the proposed increase or decrease in spending in percentage terms.
Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make conforming changes to the development of the concurrent resolution on the budget.
Requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include in reports to budget committees certain current year comparisons and a table on sources of spending growth under current law in total mandatory spending for the budget year and the ensuing four fiscal years.
Requires the CBO to include in cost estimates of pending legislation a comparison of prior year spending levels to current year levels.
Requires the CBO to report to the Congress annually on all programs, projects, and activities that fall within the definition of direct spending. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Baseline Reform Act of 1994"} | 1,565 | 270 | 0.572724 | 1.40444 | 0.815723 | 3.486842 | 6.671053 | 0.881579 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protect Our Heroes Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Law enforcement officers, first responders, and public
safety officials risk their lives every day to serve and
protect our neighborhoods and communities.
(2) These men and women are true public servants who
regularly sacrifice and encounter grave daily harm.
(3) The families of law enforcement officers, first
responders, and public safety officials also sacrifice and
contribute to their roles as guardians of the public good.
(4) In recent times, it has become apparent that these
women and men are being targeted intentionally by criminals in
our society.
(5) Congress must do all it can to promote a system of law
and order which enables law enforcement officers, first
responders, and public safety officials to properly do their
jobs.
SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS.
(a) Killing of Public Safety Officers.--
(1) Offense.--Chapter 51 of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1123. Killing of public safety officers
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the terms `Federal law enforcement officer' and
`United States judge' have the meanings given those terms in
section 115;
``(2) the term `federally funded public safety officer'
means a public safety officer or judicial officer for a public
agency that--
``(A) receives Federal financial assistance; and
``(B) is an agency of an entity that is a State of
the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, or any territory or possession of the
United States, an Indian tribe, or a unit of local
government of that entity;
``(3) the term `firefighter' includes an individual serving
as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally
organized volunteer fire department and an officially
recognized or designated public employee member of a rescue
squad or ambulance crew;
``(4) the term `judicial officer' means a judge or other
officer or employee of a court, including prosecutors, court
security, pretrial services officers, court reporters, and
corrections, probation, and parole officers;
``(5) the term `law enforcement officer' means an
individual, with arrest powers, involved in crime or juvenile
delinquency control or reduction or enforcement of the laws;
``(6) the term `public agency' includes a court system, the
National Guard of a State to the extent the personnel of that
National Guard are not in Federal service, and the defense
forces of a State authorized by section 109 of title 32; and
``(7) the term `public safety officer' means an individual
serving a public agency in an official capacity, as a law
enforcement officer, as a firefighter, as a chaplain, or as a
member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
``(b) Offense.--It shall be unlawful for any person to--
``(1) kill, or attempt or conspire to kill--
``(A) a United States judge;
``(B) a Federal law enforcement officer; or
``(C) a federally funded public safety officer
while that officer is engaged in official duties, or on
account of the performance of official duties; or
``(2) kill a former United States judge, Federal law
enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer
on account of the past performance of official duties.
``(c) Penalty.--
``(1) In general.--Any person that violates subsection (b)
shall be fined under this title and imprisoned for not less
than 10 years or for life, or, if death results, shall be
sentenced to not less than 30 years and not more than life, or
may be punished by death.
``(2) Enhanced penalty.--Any person that, in the commission
of a violation of subsection (b), lures a public safety officer
to a location for the purpose of killing, or attempting to
kill, the public safety officer shall, in addition to a penalty
under paragraph (1), be fined under this title and imprisoned
for not less than 5 years.''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter
51 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``1123. Killing of public safety officers.''.
(b) Assault of Public Safety Officers.--
(1) Offense.--Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 120. Assaults of public safety officers
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `federally funded public safety officer'
means a public safety officer or judicial officer for a public
agency that--
``(A) receives Federal financial assistance; and
``(B) is an agency of an entity that is a State of
the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam,
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, or any territory or possession of the
United States, an Indian tribe, or a unit of local
government of that entity;
``(2) the term `firefighter' includes an individual serving
as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally
organized volunteer fire department and an officially
recognized or designated public employee member of a rescue
squad or ambulance crew;
``(3) the term `judicial officer' means a judge or other
officer or employee of a court, including prosecutors, court
security, pretrial services officers, court reporters, and
corrections, probation, and parole officers;
``(4) the term `law enforcement officer' means an
individual, with arrest powers, involved in crime or juvenile
delinquency control or reduction or enforcement of the laws;
``(5) the term `public agency' includes a court system, the
National Guard of a State to the extent the personnel of that
National Guard are not in Federal service, and the defense
forces of a State authorized by section 109 of title 32; and
``(6) the term `public safety officer' means an individual
serving a public agency in an official capacity, as a law
enforcement officer, as a firefighter, as a chaplain, or as a
member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.
``(b) Offense.--It shall be unlawful to assault, or attempt to
assault, a federally funded public safety officer while engaged in or
on account of the performance of official duties, or assaults any
person who formerly served as a federally funded public safety officer
on account of the performance of such person's official duties during
such service, or because of the actual or perceived status of the
person as a federally funded public safety officer.
``(c) Penalty.--
``(1) In general.--Any person that violates subsection (b)
shall be subject to a fine under this title and--
``(A) if the assault resulted in bodily injury (as
defined in section 1365), shall be imprisoned not less
than 2 years and not more than 10 years;
``(B) if the assault resulted in substantial bodily
injury (as defined in section 113), shall be imprisoned
not less than 5 years and not more than 20 years;
``(C) if the assault resulted in serious bodily
injury (as defined in section 1365), shall be
imprisoned for not less than 10 years;
``(D) if a deadly or dangerous weapon was used
during and in relation to the assault, shall be
imprisoned for not less than 20 years; and
``(E) shall be imprisoned for not more than 1 year
in any other case.
``(2) Enhanced penalty.--Any person that, in the commission
of a violation of subsection (b), lures a public safety officer
to a location for the purpose of assaulting, or attempting to
assault, the public safety officer shall, in addition to a
penalty under paragraph (1), be fined under this title and
imprisoned for not less than 5 years.''.
(2) Table of sections.--The table of sections for chapter 7
of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``120. Assaults of public safety officers.''. | Protect Our Heroes Act of 2016 This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime: (1) to kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to kill a former federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of duties. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term. This bill also makes it a crime: (1) to assault, or attempt to assault, a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to assault a former federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of official duties or because of their perceived status as a federally funded public safety officer. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Protect Our Heroes Act of 2016"} | 1,923 | 206 | 0.555862 | 1.610799 | 0.809782 | 3.430939 | 10.060773 | 0.889503 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Quality Water Supply Enhancement
Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to provide for the development of economically viable
advanced water supply enhancement demonstration projects,
including desalination, that would--
(A) substantially improve access to existing water
supplies; and
(B) provide access to untapped water sources;
(2) to facilitate the widespread commercialization of newly
developed water supply for use in real-world applications;
(3) to provide objective analyses of water supply policies;
and
(4) to facilitate collaboration among Federal agencies in
the development of advanced water supply demonstration
projects, including desalination.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
Water Supply Advisory Panel established under section 5(a).
(2) Regional center.--The term ``Regional Center'' means
the Regional Center referenced in the National Water Supply
Technology Program White Paper, with a specific region of the
nation and a specific water theme as designated under section
6(b).
(3) Institute.--The term ``Institute'' means the Water
Supply Policy Institute designated by section 8(a).
(4) Program.--The term ``program'' means the water supply
program established under section 4(a).
(5) Program coordinator.--The term ``Program Coordinator''
means the lead Facility as described in the National Water
Supply Technology Program White Paper.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(7) Water resource agencies.--Federal agencies, as
identified in the Interagency Consortium, developed by the
Bureau of Reclamation, for Desalination and Membrane
Separation.
(8) Water supply enhancement.--
(A) In general.--The term ``water supply
enhancement'' means a demonstration project, including
desalination, designed to improve water quality or make
more efficient use of existing water sources.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``water supply
enhancement'' includes demonstration projects for--
(i) reducing water consumption in the
production or generation of energy;
(ii) desalination and related concentrate
disposal;
(iii) water reuse;
(iv) contaminant removal;
(v) agriculture, industrial, and municipal
efficiency; and
(vi) water monitoring and systems analysis.
SEC. 4. DESALINATION AND WATER SUPPLY ENHANCEMENT DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall, in coordination with the
Water Resource Agencies, and the Program Coordinator, establish a
desalination and advanced water supply enhancement demonstration
program and fund demonstration projects for the development and
commercialization of, advanced water supply demonstration projects,
including desalination. The Secretary shall be responsible for
coordinating the Water Resource Agencies activities authorized under
this Act.
(b) Program Coordinator.--
(1) In general.--The program shall be carried out by the
Secretary, in coordination with the Water Resources Agencies
and the Program Coordinator.
(2) Duties.--In carrying out the program, the Program
Coordinator, in consultation with the Secretary and Water
Resource Agencies, shall--
(A) construct a facility at the office of the
Program Coordinator for administering the program;
(B) establish budgetary and contracting procedures
for the program;
(C) perform any administrative duties relating to
the program;
(D) administer funds under section 7;
(E) conduct peer review of water supply enhancement
demonstration proposals and research results;
(F) create a water supply enhancement demonstration
roadmap to--
(i) identify the best water supply
demonstration projects; and
(ii) make determinations about which water
supply demonstration projects would most
substantially improve the use of existing water
supplies;
(G) coordinate budgets for demonstration projects
at Regional Centers;
(H) coordinate research carried out under the
program;
(I) perform annual evaluations of demonstration
projects and the progress made by Regional Centers;
(J) establish a water supply demonstration transfer
program--
(i) to identify commercially promising
water supply demonstration projects; and
(ii) to facilitate prototyping of, business
planning for, regulatory acceptance of, and
full commercialization of promising water
supply demonstration projects through--
(I) project facilities;
(II) industry consortia; and
(III) collaboration with commercial
financing organizations;
(K) establish procedures and criteria to
periodically assess Regional Centers under section
6(f)(2);
(L) establish procedures for providing information
to the public on the results of demonstration projects
conducted under the program; and
(M) implement cross-cutting research to develop
sensor and monitoring systems for water and energy
efficiency and management.
SEC. 5. WATER SUPPLY ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Establishment.--The Program Coordinator, in consultation with
the Secretary, shall establish an advisory panel, to be known as the
``Water Supply Advisory Panel'', to advise the Program with respect
to--
(1) the direction of the program;
(2) reviewing the performance of any demonstration project
carried out using amounts made available under the program;
(3) facilitating the commercialization of the water supply
demonstration successes developed under the program; and
(4) evaluating water policy.
(b) Membership.--The Advisory Panel shall include members, with
interest and expertise in water supply demonstration projects, that
represent--
(1) industry;
(2) educational institutions;
(3) the Federal Government;
(4) nongovernmental organizations;
(5) international water technology institutions; and
(6) the Regional Centers.
SEC. 6. REGIONAL CENTERS IN WATER SUPPLY ENHANCEMENT.
(a) In General.--A Regional Center shall partner with one or more
universities from the region, that shall be eligible for funding under
section 7(a) to conduct demonstration projects on specific advanced
water supply enhancement projects.
(b) Initial Regional Centers.--The Regional Centers as identified
in the National Water Supply Technology Program White Paper, shall be
grouped by region and theme, including, but not limited to the
following:
(1) Northeast region.--Reducing water quality impacts from
power plant outfall and decentralized water treatment.
(2) Central atlantic region.--Produced water purification
and use for power production and water reuse for mega-cities.
(3) Southeast region.--Shallow aquifer conjunctive water
use; energy reduction for sea water desalination and membrane
demonstration project development.
(4) Midwest region.--Water efficiency in manufacturing and
energy reduction in wastewater treatment.
(5) Central region.--Cogeneration of nuclear power and
water, energy systems for pumping irrigation and mining water
reuse.
(6) West region.--Conjunctive management of hydropower and
water; and watershed management.
(7) Southwest region.--Water for power production in arid
environments; energy reduction and waste disposal for brackish
desalination; high water and energy efficiency in arid
agriculture; and transboundary water management.
(8) Pacific region.--Point of use technology to reduce
water treatment and conveyance energy; co-located energy
production and water treatment; and water reuse for
agriculture.
(c) Selection of University Partners.--In consultation with the
Program Coordinator and the Advisory Panel, each Regional Center,
within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, shall select a
primary university partner and may nominate additional university
partners.
(d) Operational Procedures.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, each Regional Center shall submit to the
Program Coordinator operational procedures for such Regional Center.
(e) Additional Regional Centers.--Subject to approval by the
Advisory Panel, the Program Coordinator may, not sooner than 5 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, designate not more than 4
additional Regional Centers if the Program Coordinator determines that
there are additional water supply technologies that need to be
researched.
(f) Period of Designation.--
(1) In general.--A designation under subsection (b),
subsection (c), or subsection (d) shall be for a period of 5
years.
(2) Assessment.--A Regional Center shall be subject to
periodic assessments in accordance with procedures and criteria
established under section 4(b)(2)(K).
(3) Renewal.--After the initial period under paragraph (1),
a designation may be renewed for subsequent 5-year periods in
accordance with procedures and criteria established under
section 4(b)(2)(K).
(4) Probation, termination, or nonrenewal.--
(A) In general.--Based on a periodic assessment
conducted under paragraph (2) and after review by the
Secretary and Water Resource Agencies, the Secretary
may determine not to renew the designation of a
Regional Center.
(B) Termination.--In coordination with the Water
Resources Agencies, the Secretary may terminate or
choose not to renew the designation of a Regional
Center.
(g) Executive Director.--A Regional Center shall be administered by
an executive director.
(h) Publication of Research Results.--A Regional Center shall
periodically publish the results of any research carried out under the
program in appropriate peer-reviewed journals.
SEC. 7. PROGRAM FUNDING.
(a) Funding to Regional Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Program Coordinator, in coordination
with the Secretary, and Water Resource Agencies, shall provide
funding to the Regional Center subject to the provisions of
section 10(b) to carry out demonstration projects identified in
section 6(b) in coordination with other Regional Centers
without cost-share requirements.
(2) Distribution.--Of the funds made available to each
Regional Center, 50 percent shall be distributed to regional
university partners. Funds distributed to university partners
within the region shall be distributed following a plan
developed and included in the Regional Center's operational
procedures developed under section 6(d) without cost-share
requirements.
(b) Open-Call Funding.--
(1) In general.--The Program Coordinator, in coordination
with the Secretary, and Water Resource Agencies, shall provide
competitive funding mechanisms to eligible institutions and
individuals for water supply demonstration projects.
(2) Eligible collaborative institutions.--Each of the
following are eligible for funding under paragraph (1):
(A) Nongovernmental organizations.
(B) Department of Energy National Laboratories.
(C) Private corporations.
(D) Industry consortia.
(E) Universities or university consortia.
(F) Any other entity with expertise in the conduct
of research on water supply technologies.
(G) International research consortia.
(3) Distribution of funds.--Of the funds allotted for the
program funding, the following percentages and restrictions
apply:
(A) Nongovernmental organizations.--No less than 15
percent and no more than 25 percent of the total funds
shall be provided as block funding to nongovernmental
organizations subject to a 50 percent nonprogram cost
share that then may be redistributed by the
nongovernmental organization along with non-program
matching funds for individual projects.
(B) National laboratories.--No less than 20 percent
and no more than 30 percent of the total funds shall be
provided to support individual projects from Department
of Energy National Laboratories without matching fund
requirements.
(c) Federal Agencies.--No less than 15 percent and no more than 25
percent of the total funds shall be provided to support individual
projects that are recommended by at least one other Federal Agency that
is providing at least a 50 percent funding match.
(d) Other Entities.--The remainder of funds may be provided to
support individual projects subject to a 25 percent nonprogram cost
share.
(e) Term of Grant.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), funds
provided under this section shall be for a term of 2 years.
(2) Renewal.--The Program Coordinator, in consultation with
the Secretary, and Water Resource Agencies, may renew
demonstration project financing for up to 2 additional years as
appropriate.
(f) Reporting.--Organizations receiving funding under this section
shall report on a bi-annual basis the results and status of research
projects undertaken with funds from this Act.
(g) Treatment of Funds.--Amounts received under funding provided to
a non-Federal entity by this program shall be considered to be non-
Federal funds when used as matching funds by the non-Federal entity
toward a Federal cost-shared project outside this program.
(h) Criteria.--The Program Coordinator, in coordination with the
Secretary, and Water Resource Agencies, shall establish criteria for
the submission and review of grant applications and the provision of
funds under this section.
(i) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--A National Laboratory that receives
funding under this section shall not be subject to a cost-sharing
requirement.
SEC. 8. NATIONAL WATER SUPPLY POLICY INSTITUTE.
(a) Designation.--The Utton Center at the University of New Mexico
Law School is designated as the National Water Policy Institute.
(b) Duties.--The Institute shall--
(1) perform objective research on relevant water,
regulations, and policy pertinent to this Act;
(2) provide policy alternatives to increase national and
international water supplies;
(3) consult with the Regional Centers, industry,
municipalities, nongovernmental organizations, other
participants of the program, and any other interested persons,
with priority for consultation services to be given to
participants in the program; and
(4) conduct an annual water policy seminar to provide
information on demonstration projects carried out or funded by
the Institute.
(c) Partnerships.--The Institute may enter into partnerships with
other institutions to assist in carrying out the duties of the
Institute under subsection (b).
(d) Executive Director.--The Institute shall be administered by an
executive director, subject to approval by the Program Coordinator.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
(a) Reports to Program Coordinator.--Any Regional Center, or
collaborative institution that receives funding under section 7 shall
submit to the Program Coordinator an annual report on activities
carried out using amounts made available under this Act during the
preceding fiscal year.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 3 fiscal years after the
date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, the Program
Coordinator shall submit to the Secretary, and other Water Resource
Agencies, and Congress a report that describes the activities carried
out under this Act.
SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary, and Water Resource Agencies, for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2009--
(1) for the construction of a facility under section
4(b)(2)(A), $20,000,000;
(2) for the administration of the program by the Program
Coordinator and for administration of the facility constructed
under section 4(b)(2)(A), $5,000,000;
(3) for demonstration projects carried out under the
program, $200,000,000; and
(4) for Regional Centers to administer funding and to
update, maintain, and operate the facilities, as necessary,
$7,500,000.
(b) Allocation.--Of amounts made available under subsection (a)(3)
for a fiscal year--
(1) not more than the lesser of $10,000,000 or 5 percent
shall be made available to each Regional Center designated by
section 6(b) or under section 6(e) as block funding following
the funding procedures in section 7(a);
(2) not more than the lesser of $10,000,000 or 5 percent
shall be made available for the Institute designated by section
8(a);
(3) at least 15 percent shall be made available for
demonstration projects implemented under section 4(b)(2)(J);
and
(4) at least 30 percent shall be made available for the
open-call funding program described in section 7(b). | Quality Water Supply Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with specified Federal agencies (Water Resource Agencies or WRAs) and the lead facility described in the National Water Supply Technology Program White Paper (Program Coordinator), to establish and carry out a desalination and advanced water supply enhancement demonstration program and fund demonstration projects.
Directs the Program Coordinator to: (1) construct a facility for administering the program; (2) conduct peer review of proposals and research results; (3) create a roadmap to identify the best projects and make determinations about which would most substantially improve the use of existing supplies; (4) coordinate budgets for projects at, and provide funding to, Regional Centers; (5) establish a transfer program to identify and facilitate full commercialization of promising projects; (6) implement crosscutting research to develop sensor and monitoring systems for water and energy efficiency and management; (7) establish a Water Supply Advisory Panel; and (8) provide competitive funding mechanisms to eligible institutions and individuals for projects.
Designates the Utton Center at the University of New Mexico Law School as the National Water Policy Institute. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To establish a water supply enhancement demonstration program, including the demonstration of desalination, and for other purposes."} | 3,415 | 235 | 0.610895 | 1.728555 | 0.922756 | 3.639269 | 14.47032 | 0.972603 |
SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL LAND FOR GRAND RONDE RESERVATION.
Section 1 of Public Law 100-425 (commonly known as the ``Grand
Ronde Reservation Act'') (25 U.S.C. 713f note; 102 Stat. 1594; 104
Stat. 207; 108 Stat. 708; 108 Stat. 4566; 112 Stat. 1896), is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by striking ``Subject to valid existing
rights, including (but not limited to) all''
and inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights,
including all''; and
(ii) by inserting ``(referred to in this
Act as the `Tribes')'' before the period at the
end;
(B) in the second sentence, by striking ``Such
land'' and inserting the following:
``(2) Treatment.--The land referred to in paragraph (1)'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Additional trust acquisitions.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may accept title
in and to any additional real property located within
the boundaries of the original 1857 reservation of the
Tribes (as established by the Executive order dated
June 30, 1857, and comprised of land within the
political boundaries of Polk and Yamhill Counties,
Oregon), if that real property is conveyed or otherwise
transferred to the United States by, or on behalf of,
the Tribes.
``(B) Treatment of trust land.--
``(i) In general.--An application to take
land into trust within the boundaries of the
original 1857 reservation of the Tribes shall
be treated by the Secretary as an on-
reservation trust acquisition.
``(ii) Gaming.--
``(I) In general.--Except as
provided in subclause (II), real
property taken into trust pursuant to
this paragraph shall not be eligible,
or used, for any class II gaming or
class III gaming (as those terms are
defined in section 4 of the Indian
Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C.
2703)).
``(II) Exception.--Subclause (I)
shall not apply to any real property
located within 2 miles of the gaming
facility in existence on the date of
enactment of this paragraph located on
State Highway 18 in the Grand Ronde
community, Oregon.
``(C) Reservation.--All real property taken into
trust within the boundaries described in subparagraph
(A) at any time after September 9, 1988, shall be
considered to be a part of the reservation of the
Tribes.''; and
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding the table, by striking
``in subsection (a) are approximately 10,311.60'' and
inserting ``in subsection (a)(1) are the approximately
11,349.92''; and
(B) by striking the table and inserting the
following:
``South West Section Subdivision Acres
4 8 36 SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 40
4 7 31 Lots 1,2, NE\1/4\, E\1/ 320.89
2\ NW\1/4\
5 7 6 All 634.02
5 7 7 All 638.99
5 7 18 Lots 1 & 2, NE\1/4\, 320.07
E\1/2\ NW\1/4\
5 8 1 SE\1/4\ 160
5 8 3 All 635.60
5 8 7 All 661.75
5 8 8 All 640
5 8 9 All 640
5 8 10 All 640
5 8 11 All 640
5 8 12 All 640
5 8 13 All 640
5 8 14 All 640
5 8 15 All 640
5 8 16 All 640
5 8 17 All 640
6 8 1 SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\, W\1/2\ 53.78
SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\
6 8 1 S\1/2\ E\1/2\ SE\1/4\ 10.03
SW\1/4\
6 7 7, 8, Former tax lot 800, 5.55
17, 18 located within the
SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ of
sec. 7; SW\1/4\ SW\1/
4\ of sec. 8; NW\1/4\
NW\1/4\ of sec. 17;
and NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\ of
sec. 18
4 7 30 Lots 3,4, SW\1/4\ NE\1/ 241.06
4\, SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\,
E\1/2\ SW\1/4\
6 8 1 N\1/2\ SW\1/4\ 29.59
6 8 12 W\1/2\ SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\, 21.70
SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ NE\1/
4\ NW\1/4\, N\1/2\
SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\, N\1/
2\ SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\
SE\1/4\
6 8 13 W\1/2\ E\1/2\ NW\1/4\ 5.31
NW\1/4\
6 7 7 E\1/2\ E\1/2\ 57.60
6 7 8 SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ NW\1/ 22.46
4\, W\1/2\ SW\1/4\
6 7 17 NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\, N\1/2\ 10.84
SW\1/4\ NW\1/4\
6 7 18 E\1/2\ NE\1/4\ 43.42
6 8 1 W\1/2\ SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 20.6
6 8 1 N\1/2\ SW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 19.99
6 8 1 SE\1/4\ NE\1/4\ 9.99
6 8 1 NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 10.46
6 8 1 NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\, NW\1/ 12.99
4\ SW\1/4\
6 7 6 SW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 37.39
6 7 5 SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 24.87
6 7 5, 8 SW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ of sec. 109.9
5; and NE\1/4\ NE\1/
4\, NW\1/4\ NE\1/4\,
NE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ of
sec. 8
6 8 1 NW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 31.32
6 8 1 NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 8.89
6 8 1 SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\, NW\1/ 78.4
4\ NE\1/4\
6 7 8, 17 SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ of sec. 14.33
8; and NE\1/4\ NW\1/
4\, NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ of
sec. 17
6 7 17 NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 6.68
6 8 12 SW\1/4\ NE\1/4\ 8.19
6 8 1 SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 2.0
6 8 1 SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 5.05
6 8 12 SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\ 54.64
6 7 17, 18 SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\ of 136.83
sec. 17; and SE\1/4\,
NE\1/4\ of sec. 18
6 8 1 SW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 20.08
6 7 5 NE\1/4\ SE\1/4\, SE\1/ 97.38
4\ SE\1/4\, E\1/2\
SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\
4 7 31 SE\1/4\ 159.60
6 7 17 NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 3.14
6 8 12 NW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 1.10
6 7 8 SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 0.92
6 8 12 NE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 1.99
6 7, 8 7, 12 NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\ of sec. 86.48
7; and S\1/2\ NE\1/4\
E\1/2\ NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\
of sec. 12
6 8 12 NE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 1.56
6 7,8 6,1 W\1/2\ SW\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 35.82
of sec. 6; and E\1/2\
SE\1/4\ SE\1/4\ of
sec. 1
6 7 5 E\1/2\ NW\1/4\ SE\1/4\ 19.88
6 8 12 NW\1/4\ NE\1/4\ 0.29
6 8 1 SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 2.5
6 7 8 NE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 7.16
6 8 1 SE\1/4\ SW\1/4\ 5.5
6 8 1 SE\1/4\ NW\1/4\ 1.34
....... Total 11,349.92.''. | This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to permit the Department of the Interior to accept real property located within the boundaries of the original 1857 reservation of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (comprising land within Polk and Yamhill Counties) that is transferred to the United States by or on behalf of the tribes. Interior must treat applications to take land into trust within the boundaries of the original 1857 reservation as on-reservation trust acquisitions. Gaming is prohibited on such real property taken into trust, except for real property within two miles of a specified gaming facility. All real property taken into trust within those boundaries after September 9, 1988, is part of the tribes' reservation. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to make technical corrections, and for other purposes."} | 2,037 | 156 | 0.604635 | 1.741547 | 0.659834 | 3.066667 | 11.577778 | 0.874074 |
SECTION 1. INVESTIGATIONS BY THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT AND FEDERAL POWER ACT.
(a) Investigations Under the Natural Gas Act.--Section 14(c) of the
Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717m(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(c) For the purpose of'' and inserting
the following:
``(c) Taking of Evidence.--
``(1) In general.--For the purpose of'';
(2) by striking ``Such attendance'' and inserting the
following:
``(2) No geographic limitation.--The attendance'';
(3) by striking ``Witnesses summoned'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Expenses.--Any witness summoned''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Exclusive authority.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the exercise of the authorities of the
Commission under this subsection shall not be subject to the
consent of the Office of Management and Budget or any other
Federal agency.''.
(a) Investigations Under the Federal Power Act.--Section 307(b) of
the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 825f(b)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(b) For the purpose of'' and inserting
the following:
``(b) Taking of Evidence.--
``(1) In general.--For the purpose of'';
(2) by striking ``Such attendance'' and inserting the
following:
``(2) No geographic limitation.--The attendance'';
(3) by striking ``Witnesses summoned'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Expenses.--Any witness summoned''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Exclusive authority.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the exercise of the authorities of the
Commission under this subsection shall not be subject to the
consent of the Office of Management and Budget or any other
Federal agency.''.
SEC. 2. INCREASE IN CRIMINAL PENALTIES UNDER THE NATURAL GAS ACT AND
FEDERAL POWER ACT.
(a) Criminal Penalties Under the Natural Gas Act.--Section 21 of
the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717t) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``punished by a fine of
not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two
years, or both'' and inserting ``imprisoned not more than 5
years, fined not more than $1,000,000, or both''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$500 for each and
every day during which such offense occurs'' and inserting
``$50,000 for each day of each violation''.
(b) Criminal Penalties Under the Federal Power Act.--
(1) General Penalties.--Section 316 of the Federal Power
Act (16 U.S.C. 825o) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``punished by a
fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not
more than two years or both'' and inserting
``imprisoned not more than 5 years, fined not more than
$1,000,000, or both''; and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``$500 for each
and every day during which such offense occurs'' and
inserting ``$50,000 for each day of each violation''.
(2) Enforcement of certain provisions.--Section 316A of the
Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 825o-1) is amended--
(A) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Violations.--It shall be unlawful for any person--
``(1) to violate any provision of part II (including any
rule or order issued under a provision of that part); or
``(2) to fail to comply, within a time period specified by
the Commission, with--
``(A) any written request by the Commission or a
member of the staff of the Commission for information;
or
``(B) a formal investigation or proceeding under
this part.''; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``section 211, 212, 213 or
214 or any provision of any rule or order
thereunder'' and inserting the following:
``part II (including any rule or order issued
under a provision of that part) or fails to
comply in a timely manner with any written
request for information by the Commission or a
member of the staff of the Commission or in a
formal investigation or proceeding under this
part''; and
(ii) by striking ``$10,000 for each day
that such violation continues'' and inserting
``$50,000 for each day of each violation''.
SEC. 3. CONSULTING SERVICES.
Title IV of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C.
7171 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 408. CONSULTING SERVICES.
``(a) In General.--The Chairman may contract for the services of
consultants to assist the Commission in carrying out any
responsibilities of the Commission under this Act, the Federal Power
Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.), or the Natural Gas Act (15 U.S.C. 717 et
seq.).
``(b) Applicable Law.--In contracting for consultant services under
subsection (a), if the Chairman determines that the contract is in the
public interest, the Chairman, in entering into a contract, shall not
be subject to--
``(1) section 5, 253, 253a, or 253b of title 41, United
States Code; or
``(2) any law (including a regulation) relating to
conflicts of interest.''. | Amends the Natural Gas Act and the Federal Power Act to: (1) provide that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is not subject to the consent of the Office of Management and Budget or any other Federal agency when it elects to exercise its investigative authority; and (2) increase criminal penalties for violations of these Acts.Amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to authorize the Chairman of FERC to contract for consultant services to assist the Commission in carrying out its responsibilities.States that in contracting for those services the Chairman shall not be subject to any law relating to conflicts of interest. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to modify the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to conduct investigations, to increase the criminal penalties for violations of the Federal Power Act and the Natural Gas Act, and to authorize the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to contract for consultant services."} | 1,374 | 128 | 0.462682 | 1.28454 | 0.473315 | 3.46087 | 10.304348 | 0.852174 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Judicial Improvement and Integrity
Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR USING PHYSICAL FORCE TO TAMPER WITH
WITNESSES, VICTIMS, OR INFORMANTS.
(a) In General.--Section 1512 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``as provided in
paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``as provided in
paragraph (3)'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(3);
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Whoever uses physical force or the threat of physical force
against any person, or attempts to do so, with intent to--
``(A) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any
person in an official proceeding;
``(B) cause or induce any person to--
``(i) withhold testimony, or withhold a record,
document, or other object, from an official proceeding;
``(ii) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an
object with intent to impair the integrity or
availability of the object for use in an official
proceeding;
``(iii) evade legal process summoning that person
to appear as a witness, or to produce a record,
document, or other object, in an official proceeding;
or
``(iv) be absent from an official proceeding to
which that person has been summoned by legal process;
or
``(C) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication to a law
enforcement officer or judge of the United States of
information relating to the commission or possible commission
of a Federal offense or a violation of conditions of probation,
supervised release, parole, or release pending judicial
proceedings;
shall be punished as provided in paragraph (3).''; and
(D) in paragraph (3), as redesignated--
(i) by striking ``and'' at the end of
subparagraph (A); and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following:
``(B) in the case of--
``(i) an attempt to murder; or
``(ii) the use or attempted use of physical force
against any person;
imprisonment for not more than 20 years; and
``(C) in the case of the threat of use of physical force
against any person, imprisonment for not more than 10 years.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``or physical force'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section
shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the
offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.''.
(b) Retaliating Against a Witness.--Section 1513 of title 18,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Whoever conspires to commit any offense under this section
shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the
offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Witness tampering.--Section 1512 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended in subsections (b)(3) and (c)(2) by
inserting ``supervised release,'' after ``probation''.
(2) Retaliation against a witness.--Section 1513 of title
18, United States Code, is amended in subsections (a)(1)(B) and
(b)(2) by inserting ``supervised release,'' after
``probation''.
SEC. 3. CORRECTION OF ABERRANT STATUTES TO PERMIT IMPOSITION OF BOTH A
FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
(a) In General.--Title 18 of the United States Code is amended--
(1) in section 401, by inserting ``or both,'' after ``fine
or imprisonment,'';
(2) in section 1705, by inserting ``, or both'' after
``years''; and
(3) in sections 1916, 2234, and 2235, by inserting ``, or
both'' after ``year''.
(b) Imposition by Magistrate.--Section 636 of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ``, or both,'' after
``fine or imprisonment''; and
(2) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``or both,'' after
``fine or imprisonment,''.
SEC. 4. REINSTATEMENT OF COUNTS DISMISSED PURSUANT TO A PLEA AGREEMENT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 213 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3296. Counts dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
chapter, any counts of an indictment or information that are dismissed
pursuant to a plea agreement shall be reinstated by the District Court
if--
``(1) the counts sought to be reinstated were originally
filed within the applicable limitations period;
``(2) the counts were dismissed pursuant to a plea
agreement approved by the District Court under which the
defendant pled guilty to other charges;
``(3) the guilty plea was subsequently vacated on the
motion of the defendant; and
``(4) the United States moves to reinstate the dismissed
counts within 60 days of the date on which the order vacating
the plea becomes final.
``(b) Defenses; Objections.--Nothing in this section shall preclude
the District Court from considering any defense or objection, other
than statute of limitations, to the prosecution of the counts
reinstated under subsection (a).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Chapter 213 of title 18,
United States Code, is amended in the table of sections by adding at
the end the following new item:
``3296. Counts dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement.''.
SEC. 5. APPEALS FROM CERTAIN DISMISSALS.
Section 3731 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, or any part thereof'' after ``as to any one or more
counts''.
SEC. 6. CLARIFICATION OF LENGTH OF SUPERVISED RELEASE TERMS IN
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CASES.
(a) Drug Abuse Penalties.--Subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of
section 401(b)(1) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
841(b)(1)) are amended by striking ``Any sentence'' and inserting
``Notwithstanding section 3583 of title 18, any sentence''.
(b) Penalties for Drug Import and Export.--Section 1010(b) of the
Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960(b)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), by striking ``Any
sentence'' and inserting ``Notwithstanding section 3583 of
title 18, any sentence''; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``notwithstanding
section 3583 of title 18,'' before ``in addition to such term
of imprisonment''.
SEC. 7. AUTHORITY OF COURT TO IMPOSE A SENTENCE OF PROBATION OR
SUPERVISED RELEASE WHEN REDUCING A SENTENCE OF
IMPRISONMENT IN CERTAIN CASES.
Section 3582(c)(1)(A) of title 18, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``(and may impose a sentence of probation or supervised
release with or without conditions)'' after ``may reduce the term of
imprisonment''.
SEC. 8. CLARIFICATION THAT MAKING RESTITUTION IS A PROPER CONDITION OF
SUPERVISED RELEASE.
Subsections (c) and (e) of section 3583 of title 18, United States
Code, are amended by striking ``and (a)(6) and inserting ``(a)(6), and
(a)(7)''. | Judicial Improvement and Integrity Act of 2001 - Amends the Federal criminal code to expand the scope of provisions concerning, and increase penalties for, tampering with witnesses, victims, or informants. Sets forth provisions prohibiting the use of (or threat to use) physical force with intent to influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding. Specifies that whoever conspires to tamper with a witness, victim, or informant, or to retaliate against any such individuals, shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.Modifies various code prohibitions to permit imposition of both a fine and imprisonment, instead of just one or the other, including for contempt and for destruction of letter boxes or mail.Directs that any counts of an indictment or information that are dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement be reinstated by the District Court if: (1) such counts were originally filed within the applicable limitations period; (2) the counts were dismissed pursuant to a plea agreement approved by the District Court under which the defendant pled guilty to other charges; (3) the guilty plea was subsequently vacated on the motion of the defendant; and (4) the United States moves to reinstate the dismissed counts within 60 days of the date on which the order vacating the plea becomes final. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to make improvements in title 18, United States Code, and safeguard the integrity of the criminal justice system."} | 1,916 | 303 | 0.48607 | 1.484688 | 0.838779 | 5.961686 | 6.35249 | 0.881226 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act''.
SEC. 2. RESOURCE STUDY OF THE LOS ANGELES COASTAL AREA, CALIFORNIA.
(a) Study Required.--The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct a
special resource study of the lands, waters, and interests of the study
area to evaluate a range of alternatives for protecting resources of
the study area, including--
(1) expanding the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area
and redesignating the area as the ``Santa Monica Mountains and
Coastal Recreation Area''; or
(2) creating a new coastal recreation area designated as
``Los Angeles Coastal Recreation Area''.
(b) Study Topics.--In conducting the study, the Secretary shall
evaluate alternatives that accomplish, to the extent practicable, the
following objectives:
(1) Preserving and restoring beaches, coastal uplands, and
waterways.
(2) Connecting, coordinating, and preserving State, county,
and local government parks and other publicly owned lands to
enhance the potential for public recreation use.
(3) Developing and protecting historic sites, significant
landscapes, districts, sites, structures, and recreation areas
in connection therewith, including parks, picnic areas, scenic
overlooks, hiking trails, bicycle trails and equestrian trails.
(4) Creating open spaces for parks and recreational use
along the coastline adjoining the Ballona Wetlands, in the City
of Santa Monica, adjacent to and along State and county beaches
of Los Angeles along the north Santa Monica Bay down through
Dockweiler State Beach up and around the Ballona Creek and
Wetlands, Baldwin Hills, and along the coastline in the San
Pedro section of the City of Los Angeles, excluding the Port of
Los Angeles north of Crescent Avenue.
(5) Protecting wildlife populations in the designated area
by preserving and restoring the Ballona Creek and Wetlands.
(6) Establishing connections along the trail systems in the
designated areas with the aim of creating or maintaining single
contiguous trails along the Santa Monica Bay coastline and
through Ballona Creek into the Baldwin Hills and encompassing
major feeder trails connecting adjoining communities and
regional transit to the trail system.
(7) Preserving recreational opportunities and facilitating
access to open space for a variety of recreational users.
(8) Protecting rare, threatened, or endangered plant and
animal species, and rare or unusual plant communities and
habitats.
(c) Private Property.--The study shall include an analysis of--
(1) the impact that establishment of all or a portion of
the Ballona Creek and Wetlands, Baldwin Hills, and the San
Pedro coastline as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area is likely to have on--
(A) land within or bordering the area that is
privately owned at the time the study is conducted; and
(B) leaseholders of publicly owned, developed
lands; and
(2) the concerns of private landowners within the existing
boundaries of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation
Area.
(d) Consultation.--The Secretary shall conduct the study in
consultation with the appropriate Federal, State, county and local
government departments and entities, elected officials, community
groups and nonprofits, including those that serve the following areas:
(1) North Santa Monica Bay Coastline: City of Santa Monica,
County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles communities of
Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, and Venice.
(2) Ballona Creek, Wetlands, and central Santa Monica Bay:
City of Culver City, County of Los Angeles Marina Del Rey
community, City of Los Angeles communities of Palms, Playa
Vista, Del Rey, Palms, and Westchester.
(3) Baldwin Hills and Ballona Creek headwaters: County of
Los Angeles communities of Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills and
Ladera Heights, and City of Los Angeles communities of View
Park, and Faircrest Heights.
(4) Santa Monica Bay Coastline South: City of El Segundo,
City of Manhattan Beach, City of Hermosa Beach, City of Redondo
Beach, and City of Torrance.
(5) Port of Los Angeles: City of Los Angeles, community of
City of Los Angeles, community of San Pedro.
(e) Study Criteria.--In addition to the special considerations
specified in this section, the Secretary shall conduct the study in
accordance with section 100507 of title 54, United States Code.
(f) Transmission of Study.--Not later than 3 years after funds are
first made available for the study, the Secretary shall transmit a
report containing the results of the study to the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources of the Senate.
(g) Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act:
(1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(2) Study.--The term ``study'' means the study required by
subsection (a)
(3) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means the
coastline and adjacent areas to the Santa Monica Bay from the
City of Santa Monica from Will Rodgers Beach to Rat Beach,
including the areas in and around Ballona Creek and the Baldwin
Hills and the San Pedro section of the City of Los Angeles,
excluding the Port of Los Angeles north of Crescent Avenue. | Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the lands, waters, and interests of the coastline and specified areas adjacent to the Santa Monica Bay in California to evaluate a range of alternatives for protecting the study area's resources, including: expanding and redesignating the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area as the "Santa Monica Mountains and Coastal Recreation Area," or creating a new coastal recreation area designated as the "Los Angeles Coastal Recreation Area." | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act"} | 1,155 | 128 | 0.586518 | 1.572093 | 0.688871 | 4.637255 | 10.558824 | 0.872549 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Traumatic Brain Injury Act
Amendments of 2000''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Traumatic brain injury is among the nation's most
significant public health concerns. It is the leading cause of
death and disability in young Americans.
(2) 1,500,000 traumatic brain injuries occur each year.
1,000,000 of those injuries are serious enough to require
treatment in hospital emergency departments. An estimated
5,300,000 Americans live with a disability as a result of brain
injury. The annual cost to society is estimated conservatively
at $38,700,000,000.
(3) Traumatic brain injury often results in significant
impairment of an individual's physical, cognitive, and
psychosocial functioning requiring access to an array of health
care, education, social services and long-term supports from
acute care to rehabilitation to community re-entry and
participation.
(b) Purposes.--In is the purpose of this Act to--
(1) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
working in cooperation with other Federal agencies, to study
and monitor the incidence and prevalence of traumatic brain
injury and conduct national education activities to increase
awareness of the causes and consequences of traumatic brain
injury;
(2) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
cause to be identified best practices in diagnosis, emergent
care, special education, and rehabilitation with the ultimate
goal of independent functioning within the community;
(3) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
encourage States to build capacity and enhance community based
service delivery systems to provide adequate, appropriate, and
accessible services to individuals with traumatic brain injury
and their families; and
(4) require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to
conduct basic and applied research regarding traumatic brain
injury, including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
SEC. 3. PROGRAMS OF CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION.
Section 393A(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280b-
1b(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) the implementation of a national education and
awareness campaign in conjunction with Healthy People 2010,
including--
``(A) national dissemination and distribution of
incidence and prevalence findings;
``(B) national dissemination of information
relating to traumatic brain injury and the sequelae of
secondary conditions arising from traumatic brain
injury upon discharge from hospitals and trauma
centers; and
``(C) the provision of information in primary care
settings, including emergency rooms and trauma centers,
concerning the availability of State level services and
resources.''.
SEC. 4. STUDY AND MONITOR INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE.
Section 4 of Public Law 104-166 (42 U.S.C. 300d-61 note) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the
following:
``(i) determine--
``(I) the incidence and prevalence
of traumatic brain injury in all age
groups in the general population of the
United States, including institutional setting; and
``(II) appropriate methodological
strategies to obtain data on the
incidence and prevalence of mild
traumatic brain injury and report to
Congress on such strategies within 18
months of the date of enactment of the
Traumatic Brain Injury Act Amendments
of 2000; and''; and
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``, if the
Secretary determines that such a system is
appropriate'';
(2) in subsection (a)(1)(B)(i), by inserting ``, including
return to work or school and optimal community participation,''
after ``functioning''; and
(3) in subsection (d), to read as follows:
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.''.
SEC. 5. PROGRAMS OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
(a) Interagency Program.--Section 1261(d)(4) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-61(d)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``degree of injury''
and inserting ``degree of brain injury'';
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``acute injury'' and
inserting ``acute brain injury''; and
(3) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``injury treatment''
and inserting ``brain injury treatment''.
(b) Research on Cognitive Disorders Arising From Traumatic Brain
Injury.--Section 1261(d)(4) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300d-61(d)(4)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) carrying out subparagraphs (A) through (D)
with respect to cognitive disorders and the
neurobehavioral consequences arising from traumatic
brain injury, including the development, modification,
and evaluation of therapies and programs of
rehabilitation toward restoring normal capabilities to
read, comprehend, speak, reason, and deduce.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 1261 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-61) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.''.
SEC. 6. PROGRAMS OF HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.
Section 1252 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300d-52)
is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``demonstration'';
(2) in subsection (a), by striking ``demonstration'';
(3) in subsection (b)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iv), by striking
``representing traumatic brain injury survivors'' and
inserting ``representing individuals with traumatic
brain injury''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``who are
survivors of'' and inserting ``with'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``in cash'' and
inserting ``in cash (or with respect to the second and
each subsequent year for which matching funds are
required, in-kind)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Effective date.--The requirements of this subsection
shall apply with respect to a State for grant years beginning
after the first year in which the State receives a grant under
this section.'';
(5) by redesignating subsections (e) through (h) as
subsections (g) through (j), respectively;
(6) by inserting after subsection (d), the following:
``(e) Continuation of Previously Awarded Demonstration Projects.--A
State that received a grant under this section prior to the date of
enactment of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act Amendments of 2000 may
compete for new project grants under this section after such date of
enactment.
``(f) Use of State Grants.--
``(1) Community services and supports.--A State shall use
amounts received under a grant under this section to, directly
or through grants or contracts with nonprofit entities--
``(A) develop, change, or enhance community based
service delivery systems that include timely access to
an array of comprehensive services and supports that
promote full community participation by individuals
with brain injury and their families;
``(B) reflect local consumer or family driven
values;
``(C) address the needs of individuals of all ages;
``(D) provide outreach and services to underserved
and inappropriately served individuals, such as
individuals in institutional settings, individuals with
low socioeconomic resources, individuals in rural
communities, and individuals in culturally and
linguistically diverse communities;
``(E) provide grants to nonprofit entities for
consumer or family service access training, consumer
support, peer mentoring, and parent to parent programs;
``(F) provide individual and family service
coordination or case management systems; and
``(G) support other needs identified by a State
plan that is supported by its advisory council and that
reflects local consumer or family driven values.
``(2) Best practices.--
``(A) In general.--State services and supports
provided under a grant under this section shall reflect
the best practices in the field of traumatic brain
injury, and shall be supported by quality assurance
measures as well as the appropriate standard of health
care and integrated community supports.
``(B) Demonstration by state agency.--The State
agency responsible for administering amounts receive
under a grant under this section shall demonstrate or
obtain expertise and knowledge of traumatic brain
injury and the unique needs associated with traumatic
brain injury.
``(3) State capacity building.--A State may use amounts
received under a grant under this section to leverage State
resources to--
``(A) educate consumers and families;
``(B) train professionals in public and private
sector financing (such as third party payers, State
agencies, community-based providers, schools, and
educators);
``(C) develop or improve case management or service
coordination systems;
``(D) develop best practices in areas such as
family or consumer support, return to work, housing or
supportive living, personal assistance services,
assistive technology, substance abuse, behavioral
health services, and traumatic brain injury treatment
and rehabilitation;
``(E) tailor existing State systems to provide
accommodation to the needs of individuals with brain
injury (including systems administered by the State
departments responsible for health, mental health,
labor, education, mental retardation or developmental
disabilities, transportation, housing, and correctional
systems); and
``(F) improve data sets coordinated across systems
and other needs identified by a State plan supported by
its advisory council.'';
(7) in subsection (g) (as so redesignated), by striking
``agencies of the Public Health Service'' and inserting
``Federal agencies'';
(8) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated), to read as
follows:
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated--
``(1) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(3) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(4) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(5) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.''; and
(9) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) State.--In this section, the term `State' includes
territories of the United States.''. | Requires certain programs of the National Institutes of Health to include research on brain injury, its treatment, and nuerobehavioral consequences of such injury.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to carry out projects (currently, demonstration projects) to improve access to health and other services regarding traumatic brain injury. Allows such grant funds to be used: (1) for community services and support for those with such injuries and their families; and (2) to build a State's capacity to address and treat such injuries. Requires such services and support to reflect best practices in the field of traumatic brain injury and to be supported by quality assurance measures. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Traumatic Brain Injury Act Amendments of 2000"} | 2,527 | 141 | 0.529248 | 1.514074 | 0.576019 | 2.488 | 18.912 | 0.904 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Environmental Professionals Training
and Certification Act of 1993''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds:
(1) Concern about the environment is growing and
environmental issues now affect all aspects of American
business and life. Americans now spend close to $70,000,000,000
annually on environmental-related expenditures.
(2) Business and industry spend approximately
$9,000,000,000 annually on various environmental consulting
services, including $1,200,000,000 for Phase I Environmental
Site Assessments.
(3) There are currently a large number of environmental
professionals performing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
who are not properly trained and who do not perform the
assessments in a manner consistent with proper environmental
standards and guidelines. Such assessments, therefore, pose a
significant danger to the public health, safety, and welfare.
(4) Many organizations issue environmental certifications
without properly training or testing the candidates applying
for certification.
(5) The Federal Government does not presently have
authority to regulate the quality of training and certification
programs for environmental professionals and, with very few
exceptions, the certification of environmental professionals.
(6) Several organizations provide high quality training in
the environmental sciences, and the Federal Government should
support these efforts.
(7) Federal oversight is needed to ensure that training and
certification of environmental professionals meets certain
minimum quality standards which ultimately will serve to
protect the public interest.
SEC. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of
the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) The terms ``Phase I Environmental Site Assessment'' and
``ESA'' mean the process by which a person or entity seeks to
determine whether a particular parcel of real property is
subject to Recognized Environmental Conditions. These
conditions indicate the presence or likely presence of a
Hazardous Substance or Petroleum Product on a property under
conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release,
or a material threat of a release into structures on the
property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of
the property.
(3) The term ``Board'' means the Environmental
Certification Board'' established under subsection (b).
(4) The term ``Certified Environmental Site Assessor''
means any person receiving certification to perform Phase I
ESAs from an Approved Environmental Training and Certification
Organization in accordance with this Act.
(5) The term ``Approved Environmental Training and
Certification Organization'' means any training and
certification organization, public or private, whose
curriculum, program, facilities, training, and testing methods
have been approved by the Administrator as complying with
standards established in accordance with this Act.
(6) The term ``State'' means the 50 States plus the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and
the United States Virgin Islands.
(b) Establishment of a Program To Regulate Training and
Certification of Environmental Site Assessors.--(1) Not later than 60
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall establish a certification advisory board to be known as the
``Environmental Certification Board''.
(2) The Board shall consist of a minimum of 6 members, appointed by
the Administrator, with a demonstrated knowledge in the environmental
field. The Board shall include representatives from the Environmental
Protection Agency, environmental interest organizations, the chemical/
manufacturing industry, the environmental consulting service industry,
the insurance industry, and the banking/investment industry.
(3) All members of the Board shall serve on a voluntary basis,
except those members from the Environmental Protection Agency.
(4) The Board shall appoint one member to serve as Chairman who
shall exercise the executive and administrative functions of the Board.
(5) Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Board shall issue recommendations to the Administrator
which shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations regarding
the minimum standards to be established under subsection (c).
(c) Minimum Standards.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue regulations,
based on the recommendations of the Environmental Certification Board,
establishing minimum standards regulating environmental training and
certification organizations for environmental professionals performing
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. The regulations shall include,
but not be limited to, minimum standards relating to--
(1) formal environmental training;
(2) continuing environmental education;
(3) environmental certification and testing procedures;
(4) revocation and disciplinary procedures;
(5) establishment of a code of ethics;
(6) consumer education;
(7) certification renewal procedures; and
(8) annual reporting of program activities.
(d) Approval and Review of Environmental Training and Certification
Organizations.--(1) The Administrator shall review the curriculum,
program, facilities, training, and certification methods of each
organization desiring to train and certify Phase I Environmental Site
Assessors to determine if the curriculum, program, facilities,
training, and certification methods are in compliance with the
standards set forth in subsection (c).
(2) If an organization's curriculum, program, facilities, training,
and certification methods are in compliance with the minimum standards
established under subsection (c), the Administrator shall issue a
notice that such organization is an Approved Environmental Training and
Certification Organization. This approval shall be valid for a term to
be set by the Administrator, but no longer than 5 years.
(e) Enforcement.--(1) No organization may issue a diploma,
certification, or any other form of degree signifying that the
recipient is a Certified Environmental Site Assessor, or qualified to
perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment unless that
organization has received approval from the Administrator under
subsection (d).
(2) The Administrator shall have the power to enjoin any
organization found to be in violation of paragraph (1). Any
organization found to be in violation of paragraph (1) shall be liable
for civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation. Any person,
corporation, or partnership found to be in violation of paragraph (1)
shall be liable for civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
(3) The Administrator may periodically, or upon expiration of
approval, review the program, curriculum, facilities, and training
methods of any Approved Environmental Training and Certification
Organization. If at any time the Administrator finds such organization
is no longer in compliance with the standards under subsection (c), the
Administrator shall place the organization on probation for a period of
1 year. If, after the 1-year probationary period, the organization is
still not conforming with the standards, the Administrator shall revoke
its approval of certification.
(4) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt any State
from issuing additional or more stringent guidelines and regulations
regarding the training of environmental professionals.
SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such
sums as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. | Environmental Professionals Training and Certification Act of 1993 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) establish an Environmental Certification Board; and (2) issue regulations, based on the Board's recommendations, that establish minimum standards regulating environmental training and certification organizations for environmental professionals performing Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
Defines a "Phase I Environmental Site Assessment" as a process by which a person determines whether a parcel of real property is subject to recognized environmental conditions which indicate the likely presence of a hazardous substance or petroleum product and the likely release into the ground, groundwater, or surface water.
Provides for approval of an organization if it meets minimum standards for curriculum, program, facilities, training, and certification methods. Makes such approval valid for up to five years. Bars unapproved organizations from issuing degrees signifying that a recipient is a certified environmental site assessor or qualified to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. Prescribes civil penalties for such violation.
Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Environmental Professionals Training and Certification Act of 1993"} | 1,464 | 220 | 0.608986 | 1.89608 | 0.82354 | 3.417526 | 7.551546 | 0.902062 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Southern High Plains Groundwater
Resource Conservation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) A reliable source of groundwater is an essential
element of the economy of the communities on the High Plains.
(2) The High Plains Aquifer and the Ogallala Aquifer are
closely related hydrogeographic structures. The High Plains
Aquifer consists largely of the Ogallala Aquifer with small
components of other geologic units.
(3) The High Plains Aquifer experienced a dramatic decline
in water table levels in the latter half of the twentieth
century. The average weighted decline in the aquifer from 1950
to 1997 was 12.6 feet (USGS Fact Sheet 124-99, Dec. 1999).
(4) The decline in water table levels is especially
pronounced in the Southern Ogallala Aquifer, reporting that
large areas in the States of Kansas, New Mexico, and Texas
experienced declines of over 100 feet in that period (USGS Fact
Sheet 124-99, Dec. 1999).
(5) The saturated thickness of the High Plains Aquifer has
declined by over 50 percent in some areas (1186 USGS Circular
27, 1999). Furthermore, the survey has reported that the
percentage of the High Plains Aquifer which has a saturated
thickness of 100 feet or more declined from 54 percent to 51
percent in the period from 1980 to 1997 (USGS Fact Sheet 124-
99, Dec. 1999).
(6) The decreased water levels in the High Plains Aquifer
coupled with higher pumping lift costs raise concerns about the
long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the High
Plains. (``External Effects of Irrigators' Pumping Decisions,
High Plains Aquifer'' Alley and Schefter, American Geophysical
Union paper #7W0326; Water Resources Research, Vol. 23, No. 7
1123-1130, July 1987).
(7) Hydrological modeling by the United States Geological
Survey indicates that in the context of sustained high
groundwater use in the surrounding region, reductions in
groundwater pumping at the single farm level or at a very local
level of up to 100 square miles, have a very time limited
impact on conserving the level of the local water table, thus
creating a disincentive for individual water users to invest in
water conservation measures. (``External Effects of Irrigators'
Pumping Decisions, High Plains Aquifer'', Alley and Schefter,
American Geophysical Union, paper #7W0326; Water Resources
Research, Vol. 23, No. 7 1123-1130, July 1987).
(8) Incentives must be created for conservation of
groundwater on a regional scale, in order to achieve an
agricultural economy on the Southern High Plains that is
sustainable.
(9) For water conservation incentives to function, Federal,
State, tribal, and local water policymakers, and individual
groundwater users must have access to reliable information
concerning aquifer recharge rates, extraction rates, and water
table levels at the local and regional levels on an ongoing
basis.
(b) Purposes.--To promote groundwater conservation on the Southern
High Plains in order to extend the usable life of the Southern Ogallala
Aquifer.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
(1) High plains aquifer.--The term ``High Plains Aquifer''
means the groundwater reserve depicted as Figure 1 in the
United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 1400-B,
titled ``Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer in Parts of
Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota,
Texas, and Wyoming''.
(2) High plains.--The term ``High Plains'' means the
approximately 174,000 square miles of land surface overlying
the High Plains Aquifer in the States of New Mexico, Colorado,
Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
(3) Southern ogallala aquifer.--The term ``Southern
Ogallala Aquifer'' means that part of the High Plains Aquifer
lying below 39 degrees north latitude which underlies the
States of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, Colorado, and
Kansas.
(4) Southern high plains.--The term ``Southern High
Plains'' means the portions of the States of New Mexico, Texas,
and Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas which overlie the Southern
Ogallala Aquifer.
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means either the
Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture, as
appropriate.
(6) Water conservation measure.--The term ``water
conservation measures'' means measures which enhance the
groundwater recharge rate of a given piece of land, or which
increase water use efficiencies.
SEC. 4. HYDROLOGIC MAPPING, MODELING, AND MONITORING PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, working though the
United States Geological Survey, shall develop a comprehensive
hydrologic mapping, modeling, and monitoring program for the Southern
Ogallala Aquifer. The program shall include on a county-by-county
basis--
(1) a map of the hydrological configuration of the Aquifer;
and
(2) an analysis of--
(A) the current and past rate at which groundwater
is being withdrawn and recharged, and the net rate of
decrease or increase in aquifer storage;
(B) the factors controlling the rate of horizontal
migration of water within the Aquifer;
(C) the degree to which aquifer compaction caused
by pumping and recharge methods in impacting the
storage and recharge capacity of the groundwater body;
and
(D) the current and past rate of loss of saturated
thickness within the Aquifer.
(b) Annual Report.--Not later than one year after the enactment of
this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report
on the status of the Southern Ogallala Aquifer to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Resources
of the House of Representatives, and the Governors of the States of New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, and Kansas.
SEC. 5. GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) Federal Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture, working
through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, shall establish a
groundwater conservation assistance program for Southern Ogallala
Aquifer.
(b) Design and Planning.--The Secretary shall provide financial and
technical assistance, including modeling and engineering design to
States, tribes, and counties, conservation districts, or other
political subdivisions recognized under State law, for the development
of comprehensive groundwater conservation plans within the Southern
High Plains. This assistance shall be provided on a cost-share basis
ensuring that--
(1) the Federal funding for the development of any given
plan shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost; and
(2) the Federal funding for groundwater water conservation
planning for any one county, conservation district, or similar
political subdivision recognized under State law shall not
exceed $50,000.
(c) Certification.--The Secretary shall create a certification
process for comprehensive groundwater conservation plans developed
under this program, or developed independently by States, tribes,
counties, or other political subdivisions recognized under State law.
To be certified, a plan must--
(1) cover a sufficient geographic area to provide a benefit
to the groundwater resource over at least a 20 year period;
(2) include a set of goals for water conservation; and
(3) include a process for an annual evaluation of the
plan's implementation to allow for modifications if goals are
not being met.
SEC. 6. IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Farming operations within jurisdictions which have
a certified conservation plan in accordance with section 5(c) shall be
eligible assistance for projects described in subsection (b).
(b) Eligible Projects.--Projects eligible for assistance under
subsection (a) are as follows:
(1) Water conservation cost-share assistance.--The
Secretary, working through the Natural Resources Conservation
Service, may provide grants to individual farming operations of
up to $50,000 for implementing on farm water conservation
measures including the improvement of irrigation systems and
the purchase of new equipment. The Federal share of the water
conservation investment in any one operation be no greater than
50 percent.
(2) Irrigated land reserve.--Through the 2020 calendar
year, the Secretary shall formulate and carry out the
enrollment of lands in a groundwater conservation reserve
program through the use of multiple year contracts for
irrigated lands which would result in significant per acre
savings of groundwater resources if converted to dryland
agriculture.
(3) Conservation reserve program enhancement.--Lands
eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program established under
section 1231 of the Food Security Act of 1985 which would
result in significant per acre savings of groundwater resources
if removed from agricultural production shall be awarded 20
Conservation Reserve Program bid points, to be designated as
groundwater conservation points, in addition to any other
ratings the lands may receive.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated--
(1) $5,000,000 annually through fiscal year 2020 for
hydrologic mapping, modeling, and monitoring under this Act;
(2) $5,000,000 annually through fiscal year 2020 for
groundwater conservation planning, design, and plan
certification under this Act;
(3) $30,000,000 annually through fiscal year 2020 for cost-
share assistance for on farm water conservation measures; and
(4) $30,000,000 annually through fiscal year 2020 for
enrollment of lands in an Irrigated Lands Reserve. | Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to establish a groundwater conservation assistance program for such Aquifer. Directs the Secretary to create a groundwater conservation plan certification process. States that farms in jurisdictions with a certified plan shall be eligible for specified implementation assistance.
Authorizes appropriations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Southern High Plains Groundwater Resource Conservation Act"} | 2,145 | 75 | 0.379713 | 0.990276 | 0.128084 | 2.677966 | 32.423729 | 0.881356 |
SECTION 1. ELIGIBILITY OF PUERTO RICO, THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN
ISLANDS, AND GUAM FOR THE TANF SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT FOR
POPULATION INCREASES.
(a) In General.--Section 403(a)(3)(D)(iii) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 603(a)(3)(D)(iii)) is amended by striking ``and the
District of Columbia.'' and inserting ``, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam. For fiscal
years beginning after the effective date of this sentence, this
paragraph shall be applied and administered as if the term `State'
included the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin
Islands, and Guam for fiscal year 1998 and thereafter.''.
(b) Grant Payment Disregarded for Purposes of Section 1108
Limitation.--Section 1108(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(a)(2)) is
amended by inserting ``, or any payment made to the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or Guam under section
403(a)(3)'' before the period.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2003, and shall apply to expenditures for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2004.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF PUERTO RICO, THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS,
AND GUAM FOR THE TANF CONTINGENCY FUND.
(a) In General.--Section 403(b)(7) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 603(b)(7)) is amended by striking ``and the District of
Columbia'' and inserting ``, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam.''.
(b) Grant Payment Disregarded for Purposes of Section 1108
Limitation.--Section 1108(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(a)(2)), as
amended by section 1(b) of this Act, is amended by inserting ``or
403(b)'' after ``403(a)(3)'' before the period.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2003, and shall apply to expenditures for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2004.
SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY OF PUERTO RICO, THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS,
AND GUAM FOR CHILD CARE ENTITLEMENT FUNDS.
(a) In General.--Section 418(d) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 618(d)) is amended by striking ``and the District of Columbia''
and inserting ``, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam''.
(b) Amount of Payment.--
(1) General entitlement.--Section 418(a)(1) of such Act (42
U.S.C. 618(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``the greater of--''
and all that follows and inserting the following:
``(A) in the case of the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam, 60
percent of the amount required to be paid to the State
for fiscal year 2001 under the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990; or
``(B) in the case of any other State, the greater
of--
``(i) the total amount required to be paid
to the State under section 403 for fiscal year
1994 or 1995 (whichever is greater) with
respect to expenditures for child care under
subsections (g) and (i) of section 402 (as in
effect before October 1, 1995); or
``(ii) the average of the total amounts
required to be paid to the State for fiscal
years 1992 through 1994 under the subsections
referred to in clause (i).'';
(2) Allotment of remainder.--Section 418(a)(2)(B) of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 618(a)(2)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) Allotments to states.--Of the total amount
available for payments to States under this paragraph,
as determined under subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph--
``(i) an amount equal to 65 percent of the
amount required to be paid to each of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States
Virgin Islands, and Guam for fiscal year 2001
under the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990, shall be allotted to the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States
Virgin Islands, and Guam, respectively; and
``(ii) the remainder shall be allotted
among the other States based on the formula
used for determining the amount of Federal
payments to each State under section 403(n) of
this Act (as in effect before October 1,
1995).''.
(c) Grant Payment Disregarded for Purposes of Section 1108
Limitation.--Section 1108(a)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308(a)(2)), as
amended by sections 1(b) and 2(b) of this Act, is amended by striking
``or 403(b)'' and inserting ``, 403(b), or 418''.
(d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2003, and shall apply to expenditures for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2004.
SEC. 4. FOSTER CARE PAYMENTS TO PUERTO RICO, THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN
ISLANDS, AND GUAM DISREGARDED FOR PURPOSES OF THE
LIMITATION OF PAYMENTS TO TERRITORIES.
(a) In General.--Section 1108(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1308(a)(2)), as amended by sections 1(b), 2(b), and 3(c) of this
Act, is amended by inserting ``, or any payment made to the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or Guam
under part E of title IV with respect to foster care'' before the
period.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2003, and shall apply to expenditures for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2004.
SEC. 5. EXEMPT MEDICAID TRANSITIONAL MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN PUERTO RICO,
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, AND GUAM FROM THE CURRENT MEDICAID
CAP ON SPENDING.
(a) In General.--Section 1108 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1308) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f), by striking ``subsection (g)'' and
inserting ``subsections (g) and (h)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(h) Special Rule for Transitional Medical Assistance in Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.--Expenditures for transitional
medical assistance under section 1925 in Puerto Rico, the Virgin
Islands, and Guam shall not be subject to the payment limitations of
subsection (f).''.
(b) Permitting Application of Section 1925 in Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, and Guam.--Section 1925(c)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1396r-6(c)(2)) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, except that such provisions may apply in Puerto Rico,
the Virgin Islands, and Guam if elected by the Government of the
respective commonwealth or territory''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2003, and shall apply to expenditures for fiscal
years beginning with fiscal year 2004. | Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to make Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam eligible for: (1) the TANF supplemental grant for population increases; (2) the TANF contingency fund; and (3) child care entitlement funds.Amends SSA title XI to: (1) disregard foster care payments to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Guam for purposes of the limitation of total payments to each territory; and (2) exempt Medicaid (SSA title XIX) transitional medical assistance in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam from the current Medicaid cap on spending. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To provide access to welfare tools to help Americans get back to work."} | 1,866 | 152 | 0.573896 | 1.431761 | 0.491886 | 4.813433 | 10.835821 | 0.902985 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Stephen Michael Gleason
Congressional Gold Medal Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Stephen ``Steve'' Gleason was born March 19, 1977, in
Spokane, Washington to Mike and Gail Gleason.
(2) Steve attended Gonzaga Preparatory School for high
school where he excelled as both a football and baseball
player.
(3) In 1995, Steve enrolled at Washington State University
where he was a 2-sport athlete for the baseball and football
teams and helped the Cougars football team advance to the 1997
Rose Bowl.
(4) In 2000, Steve signed a professional football contract
with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League as
an undrafted free agent but later joined the New Orleans Saints
in November of that same season.
(5) Steve would go on to play 7 more seasons as a member of
the New Orleans Saints.
(6) Steve will always be remembered for his blocked punt on
September 25, 2006, against the Atlanta Falcons, the night the
Louisiana Superdome reopened for the first time after Hurricane
Katrina in a game the Saints would win 23 to 3.
(7) In January, 2011 Steve was diagnosed with amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis or ALS, considered a terminal neuro-muscular
disease.
(8) Following his diagnosis, Steve, with the loving support
of his wife, Michel, began a mission to show that patients can
not only live but thrive after a diagnosis of ALS and
established The Gleason Initiative Foundation also known simply
as ``Team Gleason''.
(9) At the time of his diagnosis, however, Steve said there
will be ``No White Flags'', which has become the mantra of Team
Gleason.
(10) The Gleason Initiative Foundation helps provide
individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with
leading edge technology, equipment and services, raises global
awareness about ALS to find solutions and an end to the
disease, and has helped hundreds of people with ALS experience
life adventures they never thought possible after their
diagnosis.
(11) Steve's story and mission have been told by the NFL
Network, ESPN, HBO, ABC, CBS, CNN, and many local media
outlets, as well as in a 2016 documentary titled ``Gleason'',
which was heralded at the Sundance Film Festival and premiered
across the country with Variety calling the production ``an
emotional powerhouse''. The documentary won several awards,
including the 2016 Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics
Association Award for Best Documentary.
(12) Steve was named 1 of 2 Sports Illustrated's
Inspirations of the Year in 2014, has been a keynote speaker
for Microsoft and at 2 United Nations sponsored Social
Innovation Summits, and received the 2015 George S. Halas
Courage Award, given to a NFL player, coach or staff member who
overcomes the most adversity to succeed.
(13) Steve helped advocate for the Steve Gleason Act of
2015 (Public Law 114-40; 129 Stat. 441), and the Steve Gleason
Enduring Voices Act of 2017, H.R. 2465, 115th Congress (2017),
which permanently ensures people living with diseases such as
ALS have access to speech generating devices regardless of
their setting, whether at home or a healthcare institution.
(14) In 2014, Steve and Team Gleason hosted a global summit
to bring together researchers, patients, caregivers, and all
ALS stakeholders to create a plan to ultimately end ALS. That
summit resulted in the single largest coordinated and
collaborative ALS research project in the world, Answer ALS,
which brings together nearly two dozen research institutions,
1,000 patients and 20,000,000,000,000 data points that are
important to the project and that will define the unknown
pathways that will lead to treatments or finally a cure.
(15) In 2015, Steve and Microsoft worked together to create
a method for people who are completely paralyzed to navigate
their power wheelchairs with their eyes. Today, Steve,
Microsoft and all wheelchair manufacturers are working
collaboratively to make it widely available to all who need
this technology. Microsoft has also made eye tracking
technology part of all Windows 10 products across the globe.
(16) In 2011, 10 months after his diagnosis, Steve and
Michel made their most significant accomplishment, becoming
parents to their son Rivers.
(17) In addition to serving as advocates for all who are
suffering from other debilitating neurological diseases, Steve
and Michel Gleason continue to fight to find a solution for ALS
so they can share many years together and as parents to Rivers.
SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Award Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of Representatives
and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate
arrangements for the award, on behalf of the Congress, of a single gold
medal of appropriate design to Stephen Michael Gleason.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purposes of the award referred to
in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act
referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall strike the gold medal with
suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the
Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal
struck under section 3, at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the
medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and
overhead expenses.
SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.
Medals struck pursuant to this Act are national medals for purposes
of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code. | Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Stephen Michael Gleason. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act"} | 1,268 | 54 | 0.361649 | 1.060293 | -0.017149 | 4.375 | 29.35 | 0.925 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``School Lunch Protection Act of
1993''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) in recent years, there has been an alarming number of
instances of price-fixing and bid-rigging regarding foods
purchased for--
(A) the school lunch program established under the
National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.); and
(B) the school breakfast program established under
the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et
seq.);
(2) during the past several years, the Antitrust Division
of the Department of Justice has filed over 95 criminal cases
against persons accused of bid-rigging conspiracies, false
statements, mail fraud, price-fixing, and similar activities
involving dairy products sold to schools or the Department of
Defense;
(3) over 30 grand juries in States are investigating
similar activities, especially in connection with activities
involving the dairy industry;
(4) 45 corporations and 48 individuals have been convicted
by Federal courts of similar activities, and total fines and
civil damages of approximately $100,000,000 have been assessed
in Federal and State actions for similar activities;
(5) a report of the Comptroller General of the United
States noted that, as of March 1992, the Secretary of
Agriculture had neither suspended nor debarred any of the 13
dairy companies or 28 individuals convicted, as of March 1992,
of milk contract bid-rigging from participating in the school
lunch and breakfast programs;
(6) effective educational and monitoring programs can
greatly reduce the incidence of price-fixing and bid-rigging by
companies that sell products to schools;
(7) reducing the incidence of price-fixing and bid-rigging
in connection with the school lunch and breakfast programs
could save school districts, parents, and taxpayers millions of
dollars per year;
(8) the Comptroller General of the United States has noted
that bid-rigging awareness training is an effective means of
deterring improper collusion and bid-rigging; and
(9) the Comptroller General of the United States in a
General Accounting Office report addressed many of the concerns
described in this section with respect to bid rigging in the
school lunch program.
SEC. 3. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY RELATING TO ANTICOMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES.
The National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 25. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY RELATING TO ANTICOMPETITIVE
ACTIVITIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
``(1) provide advice, training, technical assistance, and
guidance to representatives of States, contracting entities,
and school food service authorities regarding means of
identifying and preventing anticompetitive activities relating
to the acquisition of commodities for--
``(A) the school lunch program established under
this Act;
``(B) the school breakfast program established
under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771
et seq.);
``(C) the special milk program established under
section 3 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C.
1772); and
``(D) the summer food service program for children
established under section 13 of this Act;
``(2) provide information to, and fully cooperate with, the
Attorney General and State attorneys general regarding
investigations of anticompetitive activities relating to the
acquisition of commodities for the programs referred to in
paragraph (1);
``(3) provide awareness training, training films, technical
advice, troubleshooting advice, and other guidance related to
avoiding or detecting bid-rigging, price-fixing, or other
anticompetitive activities concerning the acquisition of
commodities for the programs; and
``(4) debar or suspend a person under section 12A,
applicable regulations issued by the Secretary (such as part
3017 of chapter XXX of subtitle B of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations), and other applicable Federal laws (including
regulations).
``(b) Food Service Management Institute.--The Secretary may request
assistance from the food service management institute authorized under
section 21 in carrying out this section. The Secretary may contract
with the institute to carry out all or part of the duties described in
paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (a).
``(c) Funding.--The Secretary shall make available to carry out
this section not less than \1/2\ of 1 percent of the funds made
available for the salaries and expenses of the Food and Nutrition
Service for each fiscal year.
``(d) Termination.--The authority provided by this section shall
terminate on September 30, 1999.''.
SEC. 4. NONPROCUREMENT DEBARMENT.
(a) In General.--The National School Lunch Act is amended by
inserting after section 12 (42 U.S.C. 1760) the following new section:
``SEC. 12A. NONPROCUREMENT DEBARMENT.
``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c),
the Secretary shall debar a person, and each principal and affiliate of
the person, for at least 1 year from supplying, providing, or selling a
product or commodity to a school, school district, school food service
authority, or school district consortium participating in the school
lunch program established under this Act, the school breakfast program
established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et
seq.), the special milk program established under section 3 of the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772), or the summer food
service program for children established under section 13 of this Act
if the person, or a principal or affiliate of the person, is convicted,
in connection with supplying, providing, or selling a product or
commodity to any school, school district, school food service
authority, or school district consortium participating in any of the
programs, or to any Federal agency, of--
``(1) an anticompetitive activity, including bid-rigging,
price-fixing, the allocation of customers between competitors,
or other violation of Federal or State law related to
protecting competition;
``(2) mail fraud, bribery, theft, or embezzlement;
``(3) making a false statement or claim;
``(4) making a false declaration before a grand jury; or
``(5) other obstruction of justice.
``(b) Subsequent Convictions.--Except as provided in subsection
(c), if a person, or a principal or affiliate of the person, is
convicted of an activity described in subsection (a) after having been
previously debarred under this section, the person, and each principal
and affiliate of the person, shall be debarred for at least 3 years
from supplying, providing, or selling a product or commodity to any
school, school district, school food service authority, or school
district consortium participating in a program described in subsection
(a) or to any Federal agency.
``(c) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive a debarment imposed under
subsection (a) or (b) if the Secretary determines that debarment
would--
``(1) likely have a significant adverse effect on
competition or prices in the relevant market or nationally;
``(2) seriously interfere with the ability of a school,
school district, school food service authority, or school
district consortium to procure a needed product or commodity
for a program described in subsection (a);
``(3) be unfair to a person, subsidiary corporation,
affiliate, parent company, or local division of a corporation
that is not involved in the improper activity that would
otherwise result in the debarment; or
``(4) not be in the public interest.
``(d) Relationship to Other Authority.--A debarment imposed under
this section shall not reduce or diminish the authority of a Federal,
State, or local government agency or court to--
``(1) penalize, fine, suspend, debar, or otherwise punish,
in a civil or criminal action, a person or a principal or
affiliate of the person; or
``(2) imprison, debar, suspend, fine, or otherwise punish a
person or a principal or affiliate of the person.
``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue such regulations as
are necessary to carry out this section.''.
(b) Implementation.--
(1) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall not apply to a conviction that is based on an activity
that took place prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Regulations.--Not later than July 1, 1994, the
Secretary of Agriculture shall amend the nonprocurement
regulations established under part 3017 of chapter XXX of
subtitle B of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to conform
with section 12A of the National School Lunch Act (as added by
subsection (a)).
(3) Consistent debarment policy.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Agriculture, in consultation with the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget, the Secretary of Defense, and such other
officials as the Secretary of Agriculture determines are
appropriate, shall advise the appropriate committees of
Congress and the Comptroller General of the United States as to
the appropriateness and usefulness of a consistent debarment
policy under--
(A) the Federal acquisition regulations issued
under title 48, Code of Federal Regulations; and
(B) Federal nonprocurement regulations.
(4) No reduction in authority.--
(A) In general.--The authority of the Secretary of
Agriculture that exists on the date of enactment of
this Act to debar or suspend a person, or a principal
or affiliate of the person, from Federal financial and
nonfinancial assistance and benefits under Federal
programs and activities, on a government-wide basis,
shall not be diminished or reduced by this section or
the amendment made by this section.
(B) Debarment or suspension.--The Secretary may
continue, after the date of enactment of this Act, to
debar or suspend a person (or a principal or affiliate
of the person), on a government-wide basis, from
Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and
benefits for any cause for debarment or suspension that
is specified in part 3017 of chapter XXX of subtitle B
of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, or as
otherwise permitted by law (including regulations).
SEC. 5. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ANTICOMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES.
The National School Lunch Act (as amended by section 3) is further
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 26. PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF ANTICOMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES.
``(a) Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide financial assistance
and other support to States, State attorneys general, law enforcement
organizations, school food contracting agents, and school food service
authorities to assist in the prevention and control of anticompetitive
activities relating to--
``(1) the school lunch program established under this Act;
``(2) the school breakfast program established under the
Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.);
``(3) the special milk program established under section 3
of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1772); and
``(4) the summer food service program for children
established under section 13 of this Act.
``(b) Information.--On request, the Secretary shall present to the
appropriate committees of Congress information regarding the
administration of sections 12A and 25 and this section, any waiver
granted under section 12A(c), and efforts to reduce the incidence of
anticompetitive activity (such as price-fixing and bid-rigging), in
connection with the programs referred to in subsection (a).
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out subsection (a) $4,000,000 for each fiscal
year.''. | School Lunch Protection Act of 1993 - Amends the National School Lunch Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to provide training and other assistance to State representatives, contracting entities, and school food service authorities to identify and prevent anti-competitive activities in the school lunch, school breakfast, special milk, and summer food service programs.
Directs the Secretary to bar a company for at least one year (three years for a repeat conviction) from program participation upon conviction of anti-competitive or specified related activities.
Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to States, law enforcement organizations, and school food contracting agents and food service authorities for prevention and control of food program anti-competitive activities. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "School Lunch Protection Act of 1993"} | 2,678 | 153 | 0.45927 | 1.298281 | 0.662884 | 2.058824 | 18.132353 | 0.867647 |
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds as follows:
(1) The term ``classified school employee'' refers to
employees working in pre-kindergarten through higher education,
in the following nine job families:
(A) Paraprofessionals.
(B) Clerical services.
(C) Custodial and maintenance services.
(D) Transportation services.
(E) Food services.
(F) Skilled trades.
(G) Health and student services.
(H) Security services.
(I) Technical services.
(2) Classified school employees provide valuable service to
public schools in the United States.
(3) Classified school employees provide essential services,
such as transportation, facilities maintenance and operations,
food service, safety, and health care.
(4) Classified school employees play a vital role in
providing for the welfare and safety of students.
(5) Classified school employees strive for excellence in
all areas of service to the education community.
(6) Exemplary classified school employees should be
recognized for their outstanding contributions to quality
education in the United States.
SEC. 2. RECOGNITION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Education shall establish and
administer a national recognition program to be known as the ``National
Classified School Employees of the Year Awards''. The purpose of the
program shall be to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence
exhibited by employees within certain occupational specialties in
public schools who provide exemplary service to students in pre-
kindergarten through higher education.
(b) Occupational Specialties.--
(1) In general.--The occupational specialties referred to
in subsection (a) are the following:
(A) Paraprofessionals.
(B) Clerical and administrative services.
(C) Transportation services.
(D) Food and nutrition services.
(E) Custodial and maintenance services.
(F) Security services.
(G) Health and student services.
(H) Technical services.
(I) Skilled trades.
(2) Number of awards.--Prior to March 31 of each year
(beginning with the second calendar year that begins after the
date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall select
an employee from each occupational specialty described in
paragraph (1) to receive an award under the recognition
program.
(c) Selection Process.--
(1) Nomination process.--Not later than November 1 of each
year (beginning with the first calendar year that begins after
the date of the enactment of this Act), the Secretary shall
solicit nominations from each occupational specialty described
in subsection (b)(1) from the chief State school officer of
each State. The chief State school officer of each State shall
consider nominations submitted by the following:
(A) Local educational agencies.
(B) School administrators.
(C) Professional associations.
(D) Labor unions.
(E) Any other group determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
(2) Demonstration.--Each nomination shall be submitted to
the Secretary by a chief State school officer in such manner as
the Secretary may require and shall contain, at a minimum,
demonstrations of excellence in the following areas:
(A) Work performance.
(B) School and community involvement.
(C) Leadership and commitment.
(D) Local support.
(E) Enhancement of classified school employees'
image in the community and schools.
(F) Any other area of superior performance, such as
health and safety promotion or efficient use of energy
or other resources.
(3) Selection.--The Secretary shall develop uniform
national guidelines for evaluating nominations submitted under
paragraph (2) in order to select the most deserving nominees
based on the demonstrations made in the areas described in such
paragraph.
(d) Definitions.--The terms used in this Act shall have the meaning
given such terms in section 9101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
Passed the House of Representatives March 15, 2010.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk. | Directs the Secretary of Education to award National Classified School Employees of the Year Awards to public school employees within certain occupational specialties who provide exemplary service to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education.
Requires the Secretary to choose an awardee each year, out of nominations received from the chief State school officer of each state, from each of the following occupational specialties: (1) paraprofessionals; (2) clerical and administrative services; (3) transportation services; (4) food and nutrition services; (5) custodial and maintenance services; (6) security services; (7) health and student services; (8) technical services; and (9) skilled trades.
Requires each nomination to contain, at a minimum, demonstrations of excellence in: (1) work performance; (2) school and community involvement; (3) leadership and commitment; (4) local support; (5) the enhancement of classified school employees' image in the community and schools; and (6) any other area of superior performance, such as health and safety promotion or the efficient use of energy or other resources.
Directs the Secretary to develop uniform national guidelines for evaluating nominations. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To direct the Secretary of Education to establish and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education."} | 850 | 239 | 0.680157 | 1.942664 | 0.812347 | 3.484848 | 3.588745 | 0.896104 |
SECTION 1. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PROPOSED RESCISSIONS AND
TARGETED TAX BENEFITS.
(a) In General.--Section 1012 of the Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 683) is amended to read as
follows:
``expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions
``Sec. 1012. (a) Proposed Rescission of Budget Authority or Repeal
of Targeted Tax Benefits.--The President may propose, at the time and
in the manner provided in subsection (b), the rescission of any budget
authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted
tax benefit provided in any revenue Act. Funds made available for
obligation under this procedure may not be proposed for rescission
again under this section.
``(b) Transmittal of Special Message.--
``(1) The President may transmit to Congress a special
message proposing to rescind amounts of budget authority or to
repeal any targeted tax benefit and include with with that
special message a draft bill that, if enacted, would only
rescind that budget authority or repeal that targeted tax
benefit. That bill shall clearly identify the amount of budget
authority that is proposed to be rescinded for each program,
project, or activity to which that budget authority relates or
the targeted tax benefit proposed to be repealed, as the case
may be. It shall include a Deficit Reduction Account. The
President may place in the Deficit Reduction Account an amount
not to exceed the total rescissions in that bill. A targeted
tax benefit may only be proposed to be repealed under this
section during the 20-calendar-day period (excluding Saturdays,
Sundays, and legal holidays) commencing on the day after the
date of enactment of the provision proposed to be repealed.
``(2) In the case of an appropriation Act that includes
accounts within the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee
of the Committee on Appropriations, the President in proposing
to rescind budget authority under this section shall send a
separate special message and accompanying draft bill for
accounts within the jurisdiction of each such subcommittee.
``(3) Each special message shall specify, with respect to
the budget authority proposed to be rescinded, the following--
``(A) the amount of budget authority which he
proposes to be rescinded;
``(B) any account, department, or establishment of
the Government to which such budget authority is
available for obligation, and the specific project or
governmental functions involved;
``(C) the reasons why the budget authority should
be rescinded;
``(D) to the maximum extent practicable, the
estimated fiscal, economic, and budgetary effect
(including the effect on outlays and receipts in each
fiscal year) of the proposed rescission; and
``(E) all facts, circumstances, and considerations
relating to or bearing upon the proposed rescission and
the decision to effect the proposed rescission, and to
the maximum extent practicable, the estimated effect of
the proposed rescission upon the objects, purposes, and
programs for which the budget authority is provided.
Each special message shall specify, with respect to the
proposed repeal of targeted tax benefits, the information
required by subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E), as it relates to
the proposed repeal.
``(c) Procedures for Expedited Consideration.--
``(1)(A) Before the close of the second legislative day of
the House of Representatives after the date of receipt of a
special message transmitted to Congress under subsection (b),
the majority leader or minority leader of the House of
Representatives shall introduce (by request) the draft bill
accompanying that special message. If the bill is not introduced as
provided in the preceding sentence, then, on the third legislative day
of the House of Representatives after the date of receipt of that
special message, any Member of that House may introduce the bill.
``(B) The bill shall be referred to the Committee on
Appropriations or the Committee on Ways and Means of the House
of Representatives, as applicable. The committee shall report
the bill without substantive revision and with or without
recommendation. The bill shall be reported not later than the
seventh legislative day of that House after the date of receipt
of that special message. If that committee fails to report the
bill within that period, that committee shall be automatically
discharged from consideration of the bill, and the bill shall
be placed on the appropriate calendar.
``(C)(i) During consideration under this paragraph, any
Member of the House of Representatives may move to strike any
proposed rescission or rescissions of budget authority or any
proposed repeal of a target tax benefit, as applicable, if
supported by 49 other Members.
``(ii) It shall not be in order for a Member of the House
of Representatives to move to strike any proposed rescission
under clause (i) unless the amendment reduces the appropriate
Deficit Reduction Account if the program, project, or account
to which the proposed rescission applies was identified in the
Deficit Reduction Account in the special message under
subsection (b).
``(D) A vote on final passage of the bill shall be taken in
the House of Representatives on or before the close of the 10th
legislative day of that House after the date of the
introduction of the bill in that House. If the bill is passed,
the Clerk of the House of Representatives shall cause the bill
to be engrossed, certified, and transmitted to the Senate
within one calendar day of the day on which the bill is passed.
``(2)(A) A motion in the House of Representatives to
proceed to the consideration of a bill under this section shall
be highly privileged and not debatable. An amendment to the
motion shall not be in order, nor shall it be in order to move to
reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to.
``(B) Debate in the House of Representatives on a bill
under this section shall not exceed 4 hours, which shall be
divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the
bill. A motion further to limit debate shall not be debatable.
It shall not be in order to move to recommit a bill under this
section or to move to reconsider the vote by which the bill is
agreed to or disagreed to.
``(C) Appeals from decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of the Rules of the House of Representatives to the
procedure relating to a bill under this section shall be
decided without debate.
``(D) Except to the extent specifically provided in the
preceding provisions of this subsection, consideration of a
bill under this section shall be governed by the Rules of the
House of Representatives. It shall not be in order in the House
of Representatives to consider any rescission bill introduced
pursuant to the provisions of this section under a suspension
of the rules or under a special rule.
``(3)(A) A bill transmitted to the Senate pursuant to
paragraph (1)(D) shall be referred to its Committee on
Appropriations or Committee on Finance, as applicable. That
committee shall report the bill without substantive revision
and with or without recommendation. The bill shall be reported
not later than the seventh legislative day of the Senate after
it receives the bill. A committee failing to report the bill
within such period shall be automatically discharged from
consideration of the bill, and the bill shall be placed upon
the appropriate calendar.
``(B)(i) During consideration under this paragraph, any
Member of the Senate may move to strike any proposed rescission
or rescissions of budget authority or any proposed repeal of a
targeted tax benefit, as applicable, if supported by 14 other
Members.
``(ii) It shall not be in order for a Member of the House
or Senate to move to strike any proposed rescission under
clause (i) unless the amendment reduces the appropriate Deficit
Reduction Account (pursuant to section 314) if the program,
project, or account to which the proposed rescission applies
was identified in the Deficit Reduction Account in the special
message under subsection (b).
``(4)(A) A motion in the Senate to proceed to the
consideration of a bill under this section shall be privileged
and not debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in
order, nor shall it be in order to move to reconsider the vote
by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to.
``(B) Debate in the Senate on a bill under this section,
and all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith,
(including debate pursuant to subparagraph (C)), shall not
exceed 10 hours. The time shall be equally divided between, and
controlled by, the majority leader and the minority leader or
their designees.
``(C) Debate in the Senate on any debatable motion or
appeal in connection with a bill under this section shall be
limited to not more than 1 hour, to be equally divided between,
and controlled by, the mover and the manager of the bill,
except that in the event the manager of the bill is in favor of
any such motion or appeal, the time in opposition thereto,
shall be controlled by the minority leader or his designee.
Such leaders, or either of them, may, from time under their
control on the passage of a bill, allot additional time to any
Senator during the consideration of any debatable motion or
appeal.
``(D) A motion in the Senate to further limit debate on a
bill under this section is not debatable. A motion to recommit
a bill under this section is not in order.
``(d) Amendments and Divisions Prohibited.--Except as otherwise
provided by this section, no amendment to a bill considered under this
section shall be in order in either the House of Representatives or the
Senate. It shall not be in order to demand a division of the question
in the House of Representatives (or in a Committee of the Whole) or in
the Senate. No motion to suspend the application of this subsection
shall be in order in either House, nor shall it be in order in either
House to suspend the application of this subsection by unanimous
consent.
``(e) Requirement To Make Available for Obligation.--(1) Any amount
of budget authority proposed to be rescinded in a special message
transmitted to Congress under subsection (b) shall be made available
for obligation on the day after the date on which either House rejects
the bill transmitted with that special message.
``(2) Any targeted tax benefit proposed to be repealed under this
section as set forth in a special message transmitted to Congress under
subsection (b) shall be deemed repealed unless, during the period
described in that subsection, either House rejects the bill transmitted
with that special message.
``(f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `appropriation Act' means any general or
special appropriation Act, and any Act or joint resolution
making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing appropriations;
``(2) the term `legislative day' means, with respect to
either House of Congress, any day of session; and
``(3) The term `targeted tax benefit' means any provision
which has the practical effect of providing a benefit in the
form of a different treatment to a particular taxpayer or a
limited class of taxpayers, whether or not such provision is
limited by its terms to a particular taxpayer or a class of
taxpayers. Such term does not include any benefit provided to a
class of taxpayers distinguished on the basis of general
demographic conditions such as income, number of dependents, or
marital status.''.
(b) Exercise of Rulemaking Powers.--Section 904 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 note) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and 1017'' and
inserting ``1012, and 1017''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by striking ``section 1017'' and
inserting ``sections 1012 and 1017''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 1011 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2
U.S.C. 682(5)) is amended by repealing paragraphs (3) and (5)
and by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3).
(2) Section 1014 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 685) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``or the
reservation''; and
(B) in subsection (e)(1), by striking ``or a
reservation'' and by striking ``or each such
reservation''.
(3) Section 1015(a) of such Act (2 U.S.C. 686) is amended
by striking ``is to establish a reserve or'', by striking ``the
establishment of such a reserve or'', and by striking ``reserve
or'' each other place it appears.
(4) Section 1017 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 687) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ``rescission
bill introduced with respect to a special message or'';
(B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``rescission
bill or'', by striking ``bill or'' the second place it
appears, by striking ``rescission bill with respect to
the same special message or'', and by striking ``, and
the case may be,'';
(C) in subsection (b)(2), by striking ``bill or''
each place it appears;
(D) in subsection (c), by striking ``rescission''
each place it appears and by striking ``bill or'' each
place it appears;
(E) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ``rescission
bill or'' and by striking ``, and all amendments
thereto (in the case of a rescission bill)'';
(F) in subsection (d)(2)--
(i) by striking the first sentence;
(ii) by amending the second sentence to
read as follows: ``Debate on any debatable
motion or appeal in connection with an
impoundment resolution shall be limited to 1
hour, to be equally divided between, and
controlled by, the mover and the manager of the
resolution, except that in the event that the
manager of the resolution is in favor of any
such motion or appeal, the time in opposition
thereto shall be controlled by the minority
leader or his designee.'';
(iii) by striking the third sentence; and
(iv) in the fourth sentence, by striking
``rescission bill or'' and by striking
``amendment, debatable motion,'' and by
inserting ``debatable motion'';
(G) in paragraph (d)(3), by striking the second and
third sentences; and
(H) by striking paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7)
of paragraph (d).
(d) Clerical Amendments.--The item relating to section 1012 in the
table of sections for subpart B of title X of the Congressional Budget
and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 1012. Expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions
and targeted tax benefits.''. | Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to replace provisions regarding the rescission of budget authority with those authorizing the President to propose the rescission of any budget authority provided in an appropriation Act or repeal of any targeted tax benefit provided in any revenue Act.
Authorizes the President to transmit a draft bill to the Congress with such a proposal that clearly identifies the budget authority proposed to be rescinded or the targeted tax benefit to be repealed. Includes within such bill a Deficit Reduction Account. Permits the President to place in the Account an amount not to exceed total rescissions in the bill.
Establishes expedited procedures in the Senate and the House of Representatives for consideration of such bill.
Makes any amount of budget authority proposed to be rescinded available for obligation on the day after the date either House rejects such bill. Deems any targeted tax benefit proposed for repeal to be repealed unless either House rejects such bill during a prescribed time frame. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide for the expedited consideration of certain proposed rescissions of budget authority."} | 3,485 | 237 | 0.701271 | 1.905216 | 0.8252 | 3.631868 | 17.39011 | 0.917582 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Safe Roads for America Act of
2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) An individual who is 65 years of age needs 4 times the
amount of light to see at night as compared to an individual
who is 25 years of age.
(2) The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety projects that by
2030 1 in every 4 drivers will be 65 years of age or older.
(3) Increasing the retroreflectivity and size of traffic
signs provides added decision time for older drivers.
(4) Increasing the retroreflectivity and size of traffic
signs also provides for faster response time by emergency
medical technicians and police and fire personnel by increasing
their ability to read and understand signs and reduce travel
time to a site.
(5) More than 50 percent of traffic accidents resulting in
fatalities occur at night, and increased retroreflectivity of
traffic signs addresses this issue.
(6) In 2007, the following deadlines were established in
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices in response to a
statutory requirement from Congress:
(A) By January 22, 2012, roadway owners must adopt
a plan to ensure that their signs meet minimum levels
of retroreflectivity.
(B) By January 22, 2015, regulatory and warning
signs and post-mounted signs must meet minimum levels
of retroreflectivity.
(C) By January 22, 2018, overhead and street name
signs must meet minimum levels of retroreflectivity.
(7) The Federal Highway Administration has estimated that
the cost for making these retroreflectivity improvements for
signage throughout the United States is $37,000,000 over a 10-
year period.
(8) At no point must a roadway owner replace a sign that
meets the minimum levels of retroreflectivity.
(9) The United States is currently experiencing the worst
economic conditions since the Great Depression.
(10) As a result, local governments across the United
States are experiencing one of the most economically
challenging times in history, with available revenues unable to
match the costs of services demanded by the public.
(11) To compensate for depressed revenue collections during
the economic downturn, counties and cities are adopting severe
cost-cutting measures, such as laying off and furloughing
employees (including public safety personnel), cancelling or
postponing planned capital improvements, deferring necessary
maintenance, cutting equipment inventories, and in some cases
declaring bankruptcy.
(12) The costs of employee benefits continue to rise and
local governments have to devote more resources to keep up with
inflation.
(13) States are passing along the costs of services to
local governments as a method to balance their budgets.
(14) The outlook for recovery appears to be at least 5
years away given that, even when the economy recovers, local
governments experience a delay in increased tax collections due
to the nature of property tax collections.
SEC. 3. RETROREFLECTIVITY LEVEL STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO TRAFFIC SIGNS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall modify the
target compliance dates for minimum retroreflectivity level standards
set forth in section 2A.08 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices for Streets and Highways, 2009 Edition (incorporated by
reference in subpart F of part 655 of title 23, Code of Federal
Regulations) so that the following target compliance dates apply:
(1) A target compliance date of January 22, 2012, for
implementation and continued use of an assessment or management
method that is designed to maintain traffic sign
retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels.
(2) A target compliance date of January 22, 2018, for
replacement of regulatory, warning, and post-mounted guide
(except street name) signs that are identified using the
assessment or management method as failing to meet the
established minimum levels.
(3) A target compliance date of January 22, 2021, for
replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs that
are identified using the assessment or management method as
failing to meet the established minimum levels.
(b) Effect on Proposed Regulations.--The Secretary shall revise the
notice of proposed amendments published in the Federal Register on
August 31, 2011 (76 Fed. Reg. 54156), to incorporate the target
compliance dates specified in subsection (a).
(c) Funding.--The Secretary may use funds available to the
Secretary to carry out this section notwithstanding any funding
limitation enacted before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) Highway Signs and Pavement Markings.--Section 148(a)(3)(B)(xi)
of title 23, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(xi) Installation, replacement, and
upgrade of highway signs and pavement markings,
including any upgrade of materials and the
implementation of any assessment or management
method designed to meet a State-established
performance standard, Federal regulation, or
requirement contained in the Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices relating to minimum
levels of retroreflectivity.''.
(b) Maintaining Minimum Levels of Retroreflectivity.--
(1) Definition.--Section 148(a) of such title is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(7) Project to maintain minimum levels of
retroreflectivity.--The term `project to maintain minimum
levels of retroreflectivity' means a project undertaken
pursuant to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
requiring public agencies to use an assessment or management
method that is designed to maintain highway sign or pavement
marking retroreflectivity at or above prescribed minimum
levels.''.
(2) Eligible projects.--Section 148(d)(1) of such title is
amended--
(A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
(A);
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as
subparagraph (C); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following:
``(B) any project to maintain minimum levels of
retroreflectivity on a public road, whether or not such
project is included in the State strategic highway
safety plan; or''.
(3) Increased federal share.--The first sentence of section
120(c)(1) of such title is amended by inserting ``maintaining
minimum levels of retroreflectivity of highway signs or
pavement markings,'' after ``signalization,''.
(c) Standards for Projects To Upgrade Highway Signs and Pavement
Markings.--Section 148 of such title is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(i) Standards for Projects To Upgrade Highway Signs and Pavement
Markings.--The Secretary shall issue standards for the use of funds
apportioned to a State under section 104(b)(5) for highway safety
improvement projects to upgrade highway signs and pavement markings in
order to meet or exceed minimum maintained levels of retroreflectivity.
Such standards shall ensure that the projects are carried out so as to
meet defined criteria, consistent with other safety upgrades, using a
systematic approach. Such standards shall permit the use of the funds
for an initial upgrade of highway signs and pavement markings in the
State, but shall prohibit the funds from being used for maintenance
activities.''. | Safe Roads for America Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to modify the target compliance dates for the following minimum retroreflectivity level standards: (1) implementation and continued use of an assessment or management method that is designed to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above the established minimum levels; (2) replacement of regulatory, warning, and post-mounted guide (except street name) signs identified using the assessment or management method as failing to meet the established minimum levels; and (3) replacement of street name signs and overhead guide signs that are identified using the assessment or management method as failing to meet the established minimum levels.
Requires the Secretary to revise the notice of proposed amendments published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2011, to incorporate the new target compliance dates.
Includes measures designed to meet a state-established performance standard, federal regulation, or requirement contained in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices relating to minimum levels of retroreflectivity as projects for purposes of the highway safety improvement program.
Allows a maximum 100% federal share of the costs of construction related to maintaining minimum levels of retroreflectivity of highway signs or pavement markings.
Directs the Secretary to issue standards for the use of funds apportioned to a state for highway safety improvement projects to upgrade highway signs and pavement markings in order to meet or exceed minimum maintained levels of retroreflectivity. Requires such standards to prohibit fund use for maintenance activities. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To direct the Secretary of Transportation to delay certain target compliance dates for minimum retroreflectivity level standards applicable to traffic signs, and for other purposes."} | 1,560 | 306 | 0.558811 | 1.75202 | 0.725674 | 5.821818 | 5.254545 | 0.941818 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Drug Impaired Driving Research and
Prevention Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) driving under the influence of, or after having used,
illegal drugs has become a significant problem worldwide;
(2) in 2002, over 35,000,000 persons in the United States
aged 12 or older had used illegal drugs in the past year and
almost 11,000,000 of these persons (5 percent of the total
population of the United States aged 12 or older and 31 percent
of past year illicit drug users) had driven under the influence
of, or after having used, illegal drugs in the past year;
(3) research has established that abuse of a number of
drugs can impair driving performance;
(4) according to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, illegal drugs (often in combination with
alcohol) are used by approximately 10 to 22 percent of drivers
involved in all motor vehicles crashes;
(5) drug impaired drivers are less frequently detected,
prosecuted, or referred to treatment than drunk drivers;
(6) there is a lack of uniformity or consistency in the way
the 50 States approach drug impaired drivers;
(7) too few police officers have been trained to detect
drug impaired drivers, and too few prosecutors have been
trained to prove drug impaired driving cases beyond a
reasonable doubt;
(8) per se drug impaired driving laws, like those used for
driving under the influence of alcohol, are feasible and
represent a sound strategy for dealing with drug impaired
drivers and can assist in the prosecution of drug impaired
driving offenders; and
(9) while it is illegal in all States to drive a motor
vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs other than
alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and other drugs, there is
no consistent method across States for identifying drug
impairment and the presence of drugs in the body.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to provide a model for States to implement and enforce
a drug impaired driving statute;
(2) to ensure drivers in need of drug education or
treatment are identified and provided with the appropriate
assistance;
(3) to advance research and development of testing
mechanisms and knowledge about drugged driving and its impact
on traffic safety; and
(4) to enhance the training of traffic safety officers and
prosecutors to detect, enforce, and prosecute drug impaired
driving laws.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Controlled substance.--The term ``controlled
substance'' includes substances listed in schedules I through V
of section 112(e) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
812(e)).
(2) Inhalant.--The term ``inhalant'' means a household or
commercial product that can be used by inhaling for
intoxicating effect.
(3) Drug recognition expert.--The term ``drug recognition
expert'' means an individual trained in a specific evaluation
procedure that enables the person to determine whether an
individual is under the influence of drugs and then to
determine the type of drug causing the observable impairment.
SEC. 5. MODEL STATUTE.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and provide to the
States a model statute relating to drug impaired driving which
incorporates the provisions described in this Act.
(b) Mandatory Provisions.--Provisions of the model statute
developed by the Secretary for recommendation to the States under this
section shall include, at a minimum, a provision that the crime of drug
impaired driving is committed when a person operates a motor vehicle--
(1) while any detectable amount of a controlled substance
is present in the person's body, as measured in the person's
blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily substance; or
(2) due to the presence of a controlled substance or a
controlled substance in combination with alcohol or an
inhalant, or both, in the person's body, the person's mental or
physical faculties are affected to a noticeable or perceptible
degree.
(c) Discretionary Provisions.--Provisions of the model statute
developed by the Secretary for recommendation to the States under this
section may include the following:
(1) Sanctions for refusing to submit to a test for the
presence of a controlled substance in a person's body which are
equivalent to sanctions for a positive test result.
(2) Lawful use of any controlled substance listed in
schedule II, III, IV, or V of section 112(c) of the Controlled
Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) that was lawfully prescribed
by a physician licensed under State law is an affirmative
defense to a charge of drug impaired driving; except that the
affirmative defense shall not be available if it is shown that
the person's mental or physical faculties were impaired by such
use to a noticeable or perceptible degree.
(3) A graduated system of penalties for repeat offenses of
drug impaired driving, including, at a minimum, that a third or
subsequent offense within a 10-year period shall be a felony
punishable by imprisonment for more than a year.
(4) Authorization for States to suspend or revoke the
license of any driver upon receiving a record of the driver's
conviction of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence
of a controlled substance.
(5) Provisions that require a sentence of imprisonment
imposed for any drug impaired driving offense be served
consecutively, not concurrently, from a sentence imposed for
any other criminal act; except that a sentence imposed for the
same act of impaired driving may be imposed concurrently if the
additional conviction was based on an alternate theory of
culpability for the same act.
(6) An appropriate system of evaluation, counseling,
treatment (if required), and supervision for persons convicted
of drug impaired driving.
SEC. 6. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
Section 403(b) of title 23, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(5) New technology to detect drug use.
``(6) Research and development to improve testing
technology, including toxicology lab resources and field test
mechanisms to enable States to process toxicology evidence in a
more timely manner.
``(7) Determining per se impairment levels for controlled
substances and the compound effects of alcohol and controlled
substances on impairment to facilitate enforcement of per se
drug impaired driving laws. Research under this paragraph shall
be carried out in collaboration with the National Institute on
Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.''.
SEC. 7. GOALS FOR TRAINING.
Section 403 of title 23, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Training Goals.--For the purpose of enhancing the States'
ability to detect, enforce, and prosecute drug impaired driving laws,
the Secretary shall--
``(1) establish and carry out programs to enhance police
and prosecutor training efforts for enforcement of laws
relating to drug impaired driving and for development of
programs to improve enforcement of such laws; and
``(2) ensure that drug impaired driving enforcement
training or drug recognition expert programs, or both, exist in
all 50 States and the District of Columbia by December 31,
2006.''.
SEC. 8. DUTIES.
The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration shall--
(1) advise and coordinate with other Federal agencies on
how to address the problem of driving under the influence of an
illegal drug; and
(2) conduct research on the prevention, detection, and
prosecution of driving under the influence of an illegal drug.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall
transmit to Congress a report on the progress being made in carrying
out this Act, including the amendments made by this Act.
(b) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in the report an
assessment of the status of drug impaired driving laws in the United
States--
(1) new research and technologies in the area of drug
impaired driving enforcement;
(2) a description of the extent of the problem of driving
under the influence of an illegal drug in each State and any
available information relating thereto, including a description
of any laws relating to the problem of driving under the
influence of an illegal drug; and
(3) recommendations for addressing the problem of driving
under the influence of an illegal drug.
SEC. 10. FUNDING.
Out of amounts appropriated to carry out section 403 of title 23,
United States Code, for fiscal years 2004 through 2009, the Secretary
shall use, at a minimum, $1,200,000 per fiscal year to carry out drug
impaired driving traffic safety programs, including the provisions of
this section and the amendments made by this section. | Drug Impaired Driving Research and Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to develop and provide to the States a model statute relating to drug impaired driving which incorporates certain mandatory and discretionary provisions, including, at a minimum, a provision that the crime of drug impaired driving is committed when a person operates a motor vehicle: (1) while any detectable amount of a controlled substance is present in the person's body; or (2) due to the presence of a controlled substance or a controlled substance in combination with alcohol or an inhalant, or both, the person's mental or physical faculties are affected to a noticeable degree.
Specifies discretionary provisions, including: (1) sanctions for refusing to submit to a drug test which are equivalent to sanctions for a positive test result; (2) a graduated system of penalties for repeat offenses; (3) authorization for States to suspend or revoke the license of a driver convicted of driving while under the influence of a controlled substance; and (4) a system of evaluation, counseling, treatment, and supervision for persons convicted of drug impaired driving.
Authorizes the Secretary to use certain funds for research and development in drug detection and testing technology.
Specifies certain training goals to enhance the State's ability to detect, enforce, and prosecute drug impaired driving laws.
Requires the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to advise and coordinate with other Federal agencies on how to address the problem of driving under the influence of an illegal drug, and to conduct research on the prevention, detection, and prosecution of driving under the influence of an illegal drug. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To amend title 23, United States Code, to research and prevent drug impaired driving."} | 1,889 | 343 | 0.61767 | 1.832052 | 0.665151 | 6.519231 | 5.913462 | 0.967949 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Insurance Claims
Privacy Protection Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purposes.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Sec. 5. Limitations on disclosure of claims information to law
enforcement agencies.
Sec. 6. Separation of the functions of a crime bureau from the
functions of an insurance data support
organization.
Sec. 7. Coordination with State law.
Sec. 8. Enforcement.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) property and casualty insurers annually collect
information pertaining to the claims filed by millions of
policyholders and other individuals;
(2) this information is generally provided to industry
organizations for the purpose of assisting insurers to quickly
pay a claim or, alternatively, to determine whether a pattern
of claim filings exists that warrants further investigation;
(3) there is a legitimate need for insurers to pool claims
information among themselves and to work with law enforcement
agencies in order to assure the integrity of the claims
decisionmaking process;
(4) while the insurance industry has historically taken
strong and effective measures to prevent the improper
disclosure of personal claims information to law enforcement
agencies, it is now preparing to eliminate those protections
and provide individual claims information on innocent
individuals, as well as their doctors and lawyers, to law
enforcement agencies;
(5) although insurance is generally regulated by the
individual States pursuant to the Act of March 9, 1945
(referred to as the ``McCarran-Ferguson Act''), and despite the
fact that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
has proposed model privacy legislation which has been adopted
in certain States and addresses the provision of individual
information to law enforcement agencies, the Association's
model legislation has not been enacted in most of the States
and has not prevented the insurance industry from proceeding
with its current plans;
(6) the unfettered disclosure of personal claims
information by insurers to law enforcement agencies on innocent
individuals violates fundamental principles of individual
privacy and may result in intimidating individuals in
exercising their rights to file claims; and
(7) in the absence of effective State regulation, a uniform
rule, established through congressional enactment, is the only
method for assuring the protection of personal privacy rights.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are--
(1) to protect the personal privacy rights of insurance
customers and claimants by making certain that property and
casualty insurers do not improperly provide personal
information about innocent insurance claimants to law
enforcement agencies;
(2) to establish clear rules for separating the operation
of an insurance crime bureau from the operation of an insurance
data support organization in order to prevent the inappropriate
use of insurance claims information; and
(3) to establish strong and effective remedies for
violations of this Act.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) All claims database.--The term ``all claims database''
means any data collection system, electronic or manual, which
obtains information about property and casualty insurance
claims without regard to whether there is a reasonable belief
that any specific claimant has engaged in any illegal or
fraudulent act.
(2) Crime bureau.--The term ``crime bureau'' means any
nongovernmental organization which, in whole or in part, (A)
investigates potentially illegal or fraudulent acts with regard
to property and casualty insurance claims, or (B) shares information
about such claims with any law enforcement agency, absent a subpoena or
court order; except that the term does not include the activities of a
property and casualty insurer.
(3) Insurance claims data support organization.--The term
``insurance claims data support organization'' means any
nongovernmental organization which regularly engages, in whole
or in part, in the practice of assembling or collecting claims
information about persons for the primary purpose of providing
information to property and casualty insurers, self-insurers,
or the administrators of an insurance program; except that the
term does not include the activities of a property and casualty
insurer.
(4) Property and casualty insurance.--The term ``property
and casualty insurance'' means every line of insurance, except
life insurance and health insurance, and includes, but is not
limited to, automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, and
workers' compensation insurance.
(5) Property and casualty insurer.--The term ``property and
casualty insurer'' means any person engaged in the business of
insurance who provides property and casualty insurance, either
directly or through agents or brokers.
SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS ON DISCLOSURE OF CLAIMS INFORMATION TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
(a) Disclosure by Property and Casualty Insurer and Crime Bureau.--
No property and casualty insurer or crime bureau may disclose to a law
enforcement agency any information pertaining to a claim unless it is
doing so--
(1) to protect the interests of the insurer or crime bureau
in preventing or prosecuting the perpetuation of fraud upon it;
or
(2) if the insurer or crime bureau reasonably believes that
illegal activities have been conducted by the individual.
(b) Disclosure by Data Support Organization.--No insurance data
support organization may disclose to a law enforcement agency any
information pertaining to a claim unless it is doing so--
(1) to protect the interests of the organization in
preventing or prosecuting the perpetuation of fraud upon it; or
(2) to respond to a subpoena or court order.
SEC. 6. SEPARATION OF THE FUNCTIONS OF A CRIME BUREAU FROM THE
FUNCTIONS OF AN INSURANCE DATA SUPPORT ORGANIZATION.
(a) In General.--An insurance data support organization may
establish and operate an all claims data base and may establish a
system for providing claims information to a crime bureau for the
purpose of detecting fraudulent or other illegal activities pertaining
to specific claims or to specific categories of claims where fraudulent
or other illegal activities are reasonably believed to have occurred;
but an insurance data support organization may not engage in the
activities of a crime bureau.
(b) Crime Bureau.--A crime bureau may engage in activities designed
to prevent, suppress, and prosecute fraud, including, when otherwise
authorized by law, the conduct of appropriate investigations of
claimants and collaborative activities with law enforcement agencies;
but a crime bureau may not operate an all claims data base or collect
claims information, either directly or indirectly, that may result in
the establishment or operation of such a data base.
SEC. 7. COORDINATION WITH STATE LAW.
(a) In General.--Nothing in this Act shall be read as prohibiting
any State from enacting legislation establishing more stringent
protections than are provided in this Act for the privacy of
information contained in property and casualty insurance claims.
(b) State Certification.--Without regard to the provisions of
section 8, any State may certify to the Attorney General of the United
States that it has established, through law or regulation, the same
protections and enforcement procedures that are incorporated in this
Act. Upon approval of that certification by the Attorney General, and
publication of that certification in the Federal Register, enforcement
of this Act shall be solely pursuant to that certification. The
Attorney General may revoke a certification for any material breach of
its provisions.
SEC. 8. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Injunction.--Any violation of this Act may be enjoined in any
Federal district court without regard to any jurisdictional amount
otherwise required. Such an injunctive action may be brought by the
Attorney General or by any private party.
(b) Civil Penalty.--Any violation of this Act may also be subject
to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000. | Insurance Claims Privacy Protection Act - Specifies the circumstances in which disclosure of insurance claims information is allowed to law enforcement agencies by insurers and by nongovernmental crime bureaus (CBs) and insurance data support organizations (IDSOs). Regulates the activities in which CBs and IDSOs may engage. Provides for enforcement. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Insurance Claims Privacy Protection Act"} | 1,715 | 74 | 0.504326 | 1.317267 | 1.152309 | 1.561404 | 28.052632 | 0.824561 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT TO 1986 CODE; COORDINATION WITH
TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT OF 1997.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Affordable
Education Act''.
(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) Coordination With Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.--Any reference
in this Act to any section of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 amended
or added by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 shall be a reference to
such section as so amended or added.
SEC. 2. EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME OF EDUCATION DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS; COVERAGE OF PRIVATE PROGRAMS.
(a) Exclusion.--
(1) In general.--Subparagraph (B) of section 529(c)(3)
(relating to distributions) is amended to read as follows:
``(B) Distributions for qualified higher education
expenses.--If a distributee elects the application of
this subparagraph for any taxable year--
``(i) no amount shall be includible in
gross income 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, and
``(ii) the amount which (but for the
election) would be includible in gross income
by reason of any other distribution shall not
be so includible in an amount which bears the
same ratio to the amount which would be so
includible as the amount of the qualified
higher education expenses of the distributee
bears to the amount of the distribution.''.
(2) Additional tax on amounts not used for higher education
expenses.--Section 529 is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(f) Additional Tax for Distributions Not Used for Educational
Expenses.--
``(1) In general.--The tax imposed by section 530(d)(4)
shall apply to payments and distributions from qualified
tuition programs in the same manner as such tax applies to
education individual retirement accounts except that section
529(f) shall be applied by reference to qualified higher
education expenses.
``(2) Excess contributions returned before due date of
return.--Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to the distribution
to a contributor of any contribution paid during a taxable year
to a qualified tuition program to the extent that such
contribution exceeds the limitation in section 4973(e) if such
distribution (and the net income with respect to such excess
contribution) meet requirements comparable to the requirements
of section 530(d)(4)(C).''
(3) Coordination with education credits.--Section 25A(e)(2)
is amended by inserting ``529(c)(3)(B) or'' before
``530(d)(2)''.
(4) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply to distributions after December 31, 1997, for
education furnished in academic periods beginning after such
date.
(b) Eligible Educational Institutions Permitted To Maintain
Qualified Tuition Programs.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (1) of section 529(b) (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) Limitation on contributions to qualified tuition
programs not maintained by a state.--Subsection (b) of section
529 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(9) Limitation on contributions to qualified tuition
programs not maintained by a state.--In the case of a program
not maintained by a State or agency or instrumentality thereof,
such program shall not be treated as a qualified tuition
program unless it limits the annual contribution to the program
on behalf of a designated beneficiary to $2,000.''.
(3) Tax on excess contributions.--
(A) In general.--Subsection (a) of section 4973 is
amended by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (3),
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5), and by
inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraph:
``(4) a qualified tuition program (as defined in section
529) not maintained by a State or any agency or instrumentality
thereof, or''.
(B) Excess contributions defined.--Section 4973(e)
is amended to read as follows:
``(e) Excess Contributions to Private Qualified Tuition Program and
Education Individual Retirement Accounts.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) In general.--In the case of private education
investment accounts maintained for the benefit of any 1
beneficiary, the term `excess contributions' means the amount
by which the amount contributed for the taxable year to such
accounts exceeds $2,000.
``(2) Private education investment account.--For purposes
of paragraph (1), the term `private education investment
account' means--
``(A) a qualified tuition program (as defined in
section 529) not maintained by a State or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, and
``(B) an education individual retirement account
(as defined in section 530).
``(3) Special rules.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
following contributions shall not be taken into account:
``(A) Any contribution which is distributed out of
the education individual retirement account in a
distribution to which section 530(d)(4)(C) applies.
``(B) Any contribution to a qualified tuition
program (as so defined) described in section
530(b)(2)(B) from any such account.
``(C) Any rollover contribution.''.
(4) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Paragraph (2) of section 26(b) is amended by
redesignating subparagraphs (E) through (Q) as
subparagraphs (F) through (R), respectively, and by
inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new
subparagraph:
``(E) section 529(f) (relating to additional tax on
certain distributions from qualified tuition
programs),''.
(B) The text and headings of sections 529 and 530
are amended by striking ``qualified State tuition
program'' each place it appears and inserting
``qualified tuition program''.
(C)(i) The section heading of section 529 is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 529. QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS.''.
(ii) The item relating to section 529 in the table
of sections for part VIII of subchapter F of chapter 1
is amended by striking ``State''.
(5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall take effect on January 1, 1998.
SEC. 3. EXTENSION OF EXCLUSION FOR EMPLOYER-PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 127 (relating to educational assistance
programs) is amended by striking subsection (d) and by redesignating
subsection (e) as subsection (d).
(b) Repeal of Limitation on Graduate Education.--The last sentence
of section 127(c)(1) is amended by striking ``, and such term also does
not include any payment for, or the provision of any benefits with
respect to, any graduate level course of a kind normally taken by an
individual pursuing a program leading to a law, business, medical, or
other advanced academic or professional degree''.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) Extension.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1996.
(2) Graduate education.--The amendment made by subsection
(b) shall apply with respect to expenses relating to courses
beginning after December 31, 1996.
SEC. 4. INCREASE IN CONTRIBUTION LIMIT TO EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS; APPLICATION TO ELEMENTARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION.
(a) Increase in Maximum Annual Contributions.--
(1) In general.--Section 530(b)(1)(A)(iii) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking ``$500'' and
inserting ``$2,000''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 530(d)(4)(C) of such Code is amended by
striking ``$500'' and inserting ``$2,000''.
(B) Section 4973(e)(1)(A) of such Code is amended
by striking ``$500'' and inserting ``$2,000''.
(b) Tax-Free Expenditures for Elementary and Secondary School
Expenses.--
(1) In general.--Section 530(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Qualified education expenses.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified education
expenses' means--
``(i) qualified higher education expenses
(as defined in section 529(e)(3)), and
``(ii) in the case of taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2000, qualified
elementary and secondary education expenses (as
defined in paragraph (4)).
Such expenses shall be reduced as provided in section
25A(g)(2).
``(B) Qualified tuition programs.--Such term shall
include amounts paid or incurred to purchase tuition
credits or certificates, or to make contributions to an
account, under a qualified tuition program (as defined
in section 529(b)) for the benefit of the beneficiary
of the account.''
(2) Qualified elementary and secondary education
expenses.--Section 530(b) of such Code is amended by adding at
the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Qualified elementary and secondary education
expenses.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified elementary
and secondary education expenses' means tuition, fees,
tutoring, special needs services, books, supplies,
equipment, transportation, and supplementary expenses
required for the enrollment or attendance of the
designated beneficiary of the trust at a public,
private, or sectarian school.
``(B) Special rule for homeschooling.--Such term
shall include expenses described in subparagraph (A)
required for education provided for homeschooling if
the requirements of any applicable State or local law
are met with respect to such education.
``(C) School.--The term `school' means any school
which provides elementary education or secondary
education (through grade 12), as determined under State
law.''
(3) Conforming amendments.--Subsections (b)(1) and (d)(2)
of section 530 of such Code are each amended by striking
``higher'' each place it appears in the text and heading
thereof.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1997. | Affordable Education Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (as revised by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997) to exclude from income distributions from qualified tuition programs used for qualifying higher education expenses. Includes within the definition of "qualified State tuition program" programs maintained by eligible educational institutions. Requires such non-State programs to limit annual contributions on behalf of a designated beneficiary to $2,000.
Sets forth related excess contribution provisions.
(Sec. 3) Makes the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided educational assistance permanent. Includes graduate education assistance within such exclusion.
(Sec. 4) Increases the maximum annual contribution limit for education individual retirement accounts to $2,000. Includes specified elementary and secondary school expenses (including home schooling) within the definition of "qualified education expenses." | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Affordable Education Act"} | 2,536 | 171 | 0.529467 | 1.290999 | 0.717161 | 2.535032 | 13.770701 | 0.789809 |
Section 1. Certain Piston Engines.--Subchapter II of chapter 99 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by
inserting in numerical sequence the following new subheading:
``[] Internal Free No Change No Change On or before 12/
combustio 31/98 .'
n piston- '
type
engines
of a
cylinder
capacity
exceeding
50 cc but
not
exceeding
1000 cc
(provided
) for in
subheadin
g
8407.32.2
0,
8407.33.2
0,
8407.32.9
0 or
8407.33.9
0) to be
installed
in
vehicles
specially
designed
for
traveling
on snow,
golf
carts,
non-
amphibiou
s all
terrain
vehicles,
and
burden
carriers
(provided
for in
subheadin
g
8703.10.0
0.
8703.21.0
0 or
8704.31.0
0; or
heading
8709) \1\..............................................
Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the amendment
made by the first section of this Act shall apply 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.
(b) Notwithstanding section 514 of the Tariff Act of 1930 or any
other provision of law, upon a request filed with the appropriate
customs officer before the 90th day after the date of the enactment of
this Act, any entry of goods described in subheading [ ] of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (as amended by this
Act) that was made--
(1) after December 31, 1992; and
(2) on or before the 15th day after the date of enactment
of this Act;
shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though such entry occurred on
the day after such 15th day. | Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 1998, the duty on certain piston engines. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To temporarily suspend the duty on certain piston engines entered on or before December 31, 1998."} | 403 | 29 | 0.449584 | 1.200439 | -0.20532 | 3.44 | 15.44 | 0.8 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Regional Comprehensive Emergency
Preparedness, Response, and Coordination Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Responders to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade
Center, the Pentagon, and the tragedy in Pennsylvania on
September 11, 2001, from numerous jurisdictions assisted the
fire and rescue, law enforcement, and health workers
responsible for responding within their jurisdictions.
(2) Even in the largest municipalities, first responders
need the support of officials and personnel from their own and
neighboring jurisdictions, as well as support from numerous
regional, State, Federal, and private sector entities.
(3) The sheer number of agencies taking part in any
emergency response demands coordination, mutual support, and
effective communication. Regional planning and coordination of
response efforts are essential to ensure threat-based, multi-
jurisdictional, and interoperable assessments and plans.
(4) There does not exist a consistent national standard for
allocation of homeland security grant money. Threat based
vulnerability assessments and plans will provide a consistent
national standard based on need.
(5) Regional councils of governments, regional planning
commissions, regional planning organizations, and development
districts have the accountability and experience necessary to
develop and coordinate comprehensive regional plans that
encompass the needs of the Federal, State, and local
governments, the private sector, and all other parties with a
stake in providing for the security of their communities.
Regional councils of government can ensure the development of a
coordinated emergency recovery plan involving Federal, State,
and local governments and the private sector.
(6) Coordinated, area-wide training, equipment acquisition,
and recovery planning is essential for effective regional
preparedness and mitigation.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to encourage and
facilitate the development and implementation of regional emergency and
disaster preparedness, response, and recovery coordination plans among
Federal, State, and local governments and the private sector within the
region and to facilitate preparedness and mitigation efforts.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Region.--The term ``region'' means a designated
multijurisdictional planning area or a sub-State district with
boundaries established by interstate compact, State law, or
through mutual agreement of local governments.
(2) Regional council.--The term ``regional council'' means
a multipurpose association of local governments in a planning
region, including councils of governments, regional planning
commissions, regional planning organizations, and area
development districts.
(3) Local government.--The term ``local government'' means
any county, city, town, or other municipality within the United
States.
(4) State.--The term ``State'' means any of the 50 States,
the District of Columbia, or any territory of the United
States.
(5) Stakeholder.--The term ``stakeholder'' means
representatives of Federal, State, local, private, and
nonprofit entities, including--
(A) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
(B) State and local elected officials;
(C) representatives of Federal, State, and local
emergency management agencies;
(D) local fire and rescue personnel;
(E) Federal, State, and local law enforcement
personnel;
(F) public and private health professionals,
including representatives of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of
Health;
(G) public and private school representatives;
(H) college and university representatives;
(I) representatives of the business community;
(J) port and airport officials;
(K) utilities officials;
(L) representatives of State departments of
transportation;
(M) representatives of local chapters of the
American Red Cross;
(N) representatives of volunteer organizations
concerned with emergency response or disaster recovery;
and
(O) representatives of other entities identified by
the stakeholders.
(6) Regional plan.--The term ``regional plan'' means a
regional emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and
recovery coordination plan developed under this Act.
SEC. 4. DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL PLANS.
(a) Coordination of Development.--
(1) In general.--Each regional council shall convene all
local governments and Federal, State, and private sector
stakeholders within its region to coordinate the development of
a regional plan in accordance with this section.
(2) States without regional councils.--In States that do
not have regional councils, the Governor should work with local
officials to organize a regional approach involving local
elected officials and establish a homeland defense regional
planning advisory committee that consists of stakeholders,
including representatives of Federal, State, local, private,
and nonprofit entities, as defined in section 3.
(3) States with areas not covered by a regional council.--
In States with areas that are not covered by a regional
council, the Governor may assign such areas to a regional
council.
(b) Elements of the Regional Plan.--Each regional plan shall
include, at a minimum, the following:
(1) Disaster assessment.--An assessment of natural
disasters, human-induced disasters, and potential terrorist
activities or targets that could disrupt essential services or
mobility, adversely affect public health or safety, or
adversely affect infrastructure within the region.
(2) Response equipment and personnel assessment.--An
assessment of available equipment and personnel to respond to a
disaster.
(3) Equipment needs assessment.--An assessment of equipment
needs based on disaster potential, both natural and manmade.
(4) Communications system.--A plan for the development of a
regional communication system among stakeholders.
(5) Secure information repository.--A plan for the
development of a secure information repository that includes
information needed to coordinate stakeholder responsibilities
within the region.
(6) Emergency coordination information.--Information on the
following:
(A) Response resources.--
(i) Locations, contacts, capabilities, and
capacities of emergency medical facilities.
(ii) Locations, contacts, and equipment
listings for fire, police, and emergency
medical technician services.
(iii) Locations of, and 24-hour contacts
for, appropriate medical facilities and
personnel and other potential first responders.
(iv) Locations and contacts for area
stakeholders involved in the operation and
maintenance of essential services within the
region.
(v) Locations and contacts for area key
military personnel and facilities.
(vi) Locations and contacts for other
response resources as identified by regional
stakeholders.
(B) Support facilities.--
(i) Locations, capabilities, and capacities
of existing shelters.
(ii) Locations of, and available facilities
at, schools, colleges, universities, churches,
and other public buildings.
(iii) Locations of major water and food
supplies.
(iv) Other support facilities as identified
by regional stakeholders.
(C) Infrastructure.--
(i) Locations of water treatment and
storage facilities and distribution mains.
(ii) Locations of utilities lines,
pipelines, and generating facilities.
(iii) Locations of sewer mains and
treatment plants.
(iv) Locations of voice, data, video,
microwave, and satellite uplink communication
facilities.
(v) Locations of radio and television
studios and transmission sites.
(vi) Locations and capacities of shortwave
radio facilities and volunteers.
(vii) Locations of major bridges and dams.
(viii) Locations of major educational
facilities.
(ix) Other infrastructure facilities as
identified by regional stakeholders.
(D) Transportation facilities.--
(i) Locations and capacities of major
transportation facilities, lines, and
terminals, including ports and airports.
(ii) Locations and capacities of local and
regional transportation routes.
(iii) Other transportation facilities as
identified by regional stakeholders.
(E) At-risk populations.--
(i) Locations of large population
concentrations and the times of those
concentrations.
(ii) Schedules of major public events and
capacities of venues.
(iii) Population statistics, including
block level population data.
(iv) School enrollment numbers.
(v) Locations of elderly, infirm, and
disabled persons who need special assistance.
(vi) Other at-risk populations as
identified by regional stakeholders.
(F) Potential targets.--
(i) Locations of major concentrations of
hazardous and biohazard chemicals.
(ii) Locations of fuel depots and
dispensing facilities that meet certain
Environmental Protection Agency thresholds.
(iii) Locations of major concentrations of
munitions and explosives.
(iv) Locations of other potential targets,
such as nuclear power plants, in the region.
(v) Other potential targets as identified
by regional stakeholders.
(G) Debris disposal.--
(i) Identification of locations for debris
disposal.
(ii) Identification of potential health
hazards to personnel involved in debris
disposal.
(iii) Other debris disposal as identified
by regional stakeholders.
(c) Planning Activities.--Planning activities pursuant to this
section shall include--
(1) analyzing and documenting the possibility of a disaster
and the potential consequences or impacts of a disaster upon
life, property, and the environment; and
(2) planning for utilization of geographic information
systems to assess hazards and evaluate the consequences of
potential emergencies or disasters.
(d) Approval of Regional Plan.--The initial phase of a regional
plan, including planning components and an assessment of potential
hazards and equipment needs, shall be approved by the region council's
governing body, and the appropriate Governor or Governors, not later
than the date that is 18 months after the regional council has received
an initial apportionment under this Act.
(e) Update of Regional Plan.--A regional council shall review and
update its regional plan at least annually based on revised threat
assessments, trainings, and drills.
(f) Security of Mapping and Infrastructure Information Contained
Within Regional Plan.--
(1) In general.--For security purposes, the information
contained in the regional plan required under subsection (b)(5)
shall be available only to those public and private officials
and agencies that have responsibility under the plan.
(2) Security technology.--A regional council shall utilize
appropriate computer and software technology for securing the
key resources and critical infrastructure that may be outlined
within the regional plan.
(3) Protection of key resources and critical
infrastructure.--A regional plan shall outline the appropriate
measures to protect the key resources and critical
infrastructure within its region in coordination with other
agencies and representatives from within the region, including
Federal, State, and local government personnel, agencies,
authorities, and the private sector.
(4) Continued review and analysis.--A regional council
shall continue to review and analyze and make recommendations
for improvements in the policies and procedures governing the
security of information contained in its regional plan and
sharing the information with law enforcement, intelligence,
emergency management, and other entities related to homeland
security within the Federal Government and between such
representatives within the region, including Federal, State,
and local government personnel agencies, authorities, and the
private sector.
SEC. 5. FUNDING.
(a) Apportionments to States.--
(1) In general.--To assist States in overseeing and
coordinating the development of regional plans under this Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall apportion to each
State for each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 $0.05 for
each person residing in the State and shall apportion to each
State for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009 such sums as may
be necessary.
(2) Maximum and minimum amount.--Notwithstanding paragraph
(1), a State shall not receive more than $1,000,000 nor less
than $50,000 of the amounts apportioned under this subsection
in a fiscal year.
(b) Apportionments to Regional Councils.--
(1) In general.--To assist regional councils in meeting the
requirements of this Act, the Secretary shall apportion to each
regional council identified by the Secretary for each of fiscal
years 2005, 2006, and 2007 $1.00 for each person residing in
the area represented by the regional council and shall
apportion to each regional council for each of fiscal years
2008 and 2009 such sums as may be necessary to update regional
plans and maintain and update necessary data.
(2) Enhanced funding.--The Secretary may provide an
additional apportionment to a regional council of not more than
$0.25 for each person residing in the area represented by the
regional council based on critical infrastructure and
facilities located in that area, including nuclear power
plants, military and other large Federal installations, dams,
ports, and areas prone to natural disasters (including coastal
areas).
(3) Maximum and minimum amount.--Notwithstanding paragraphs
(1) and (2), a regional council shall not receive more than
$1,000,000 nor less than $50,000 of the amounts apportioned
under this subsection in a fiscal year.
(4) States without regional councils.--Before apportioning
amounts under this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may
set aside a portion of the amounts for providing assistance to
States described in section 4(a)(2).
(c) Noncompliance.--
(1) Effect on funding.--The Secretary may withhold, reduce,
or deny an apportionment under this section to a State or
region council if the Secretary determines, in writing, that
the State or regional council has not complied, or provided
adequate assurances that it will comply, with the requirements
of this Act.
(2) Noncompliance by regional councils.--In the case of
noncompliance by a regional council in a State, the Governor of
the State, after providing the regional council with an
opportunity to take necessary actions to comply with the
requirements of this Act and determining, in writing, that the
regional council has not taken such actions, may assume the
responsibility for organizing a regional approach for the area
represented by the regional council in accordance with section
4(a)(2).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 such sums as may be
necessary to carry out this section.
(2) Limitation.--Apportionments required by this section
shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. If
amounts appropriated to carry out this section in a fiscal year
are insufficient to make the apportionments required by this
section, the Secretary shall proportionally reduce the amounts
to be so apportioned. | Regional Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Coordination Act of 2003 - Requires each regional council to convene all local governments and Federal, State, and private sector stakeholders within its region to coordinate the development of a regional emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery coordination plan. Directs the Governor, in States that do not have regional councils, to work with local officials to organize a regional approach involving local elected officials and establish a homeland defense regional planning advisory committee.
Sets forth minimum elements of regional plans, including: (1) disaster, response equipment and personnel, and equipment needs assessments; (2) development of a regional communication system and a secure information repository; (3) emergency coordination information; and (4) specified elements regarding support facilities, infrastructure, transportation facilities, at-risk populations, potential targets, and debris disposal.
Directs that planning activities include: (1) analyzing and documenting the possibility of a disaster and the potential consequences or impacts upon life, property, and the environment; and (2) planning for utilization of geographic information systems to assess hazards and evaluate the consequences of potential emergencies or disasters.
Sets forth provisions regarding approval and updating of regional plans, the security of mapping and infrastructure information, and funding apportionment. Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to withhold, reduce, or deny an apportionment if the Secretary determines that the State or regional council has not complied, or provided adequate assurances that it will comply, with this Act's requirements. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To enhance homeland security by encouraging the development of regional coordination plans for emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery."} | 3,086 | 322 | 0.661625 | 1.988417 | 0.854396 | 5.013652 | 10.075085 | 0.952218 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare and Medicaid Health Plan
Beneficiary Orientation and Medical Profile Act of 1996''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON PAYMENTS UNDER MEDICARE UNTIL COMPLETION OF
ORIENTATION AND MEDICAL PROFILE.
(a) In General.--Section 1876(c)(3) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395mm(c)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G)(i) The Secretary may not make a payment to an eligible
organization under a risk-sharing contract under this section with
respect to an enrollee until the eligible organization certifies to the
Secretary that the organization--
``(I) has provided the enrollee an orientation as described
in clause (ii), and
``(II) has a medical profile described in clause (iii) with
respect to the enrollee.
``(ii) The orientation required under this subparagraph includes an
explanation of the following features of the health plan offered by
such organization:
``(I) Access to care, including choice of physician,
physician location, and hospital coverage.
``(II) Utilization review procedures and referral
practices.
``(III) Payment structures (including any deductible),
additional health care services available with or without a fee
(and the amount of any such fee), applicable coverage packages,
and copayment rates.
``(IV) Any physician incentive plan that such organization
operates under the health plan.
``(V) Any other procedures required under the plan that
affect access to care.
``(iii) The medical profile described in this clause is such
profile of the medical condition of the enrollee as the Secretary shall
specify by regulation.''.
(b) Promulgation of Requirements for Orientation and Medical
Profile.--Not later that 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, by rule,
first specify the elements of the orientation and of the medical
profile described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 1876(c)(3)(G) of
the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)). Chapter 8 of
title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to such rule. Such rule
shall apply on a final basis, pending notice and opportunity for public
comment.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) applies
with respect to enrollees as of the first day of the first month that
begins more than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary first
publishes the rule under subsection (b) in the Federal Register.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON PAYMENTS UNDER MEDICAID UNTIL COMPLETION OF
ORIENTATION, MEDICAL PROFILE, AND IMMUNIZATION.
(a) Requirement for Orientation and Medical Profile.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no payment shall be made to a State under title XIX of the
Social Security Act with respect to expenditures incurred by it
for payment (determined under a prepaid capitation basis or
under any other risk basis) for services provided by any entity
(including a health insuring organization) for an individual
enrolled with the entity until the entity certifies to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services that--
(A) the entity has provided the enrollee with such
orientation as the Secretary of Health and Human
Services specifies, which orientation shall include the
explanation of rights described in paragraph (2) and
the explanation of access to care described in
paragraph (3);
(B) the entity has a medical profile described in
section 1876(c)(3)(G)(iii) of the Social Security Act
(as added by section 2(a)) with respect to the
enrollee; and
(C) if the entity is responsible for the provision
(directly or through arrangements with providers of
services) of immunizations for an enrollee who is a
child--
(i) the entity has obtained the
immunization status of such child, and
(ii) the entity has begun to provide (or is
providing) for immunizations of such child in
accordance with the standards established for
early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and
treatment services under such title.
(2) Explanation of rights.--The explanation of rights
described in this paragraph shall include an explanation of an
enrollee's rights under such title in relation to enrollment
with the entity, including an explanation of--
(A) the enrollee's rights to benefits from the entity,
(B) the restrictions on payments under such title for
services furnished other than by or through the entity,
(C) out-of-area coverage provided by the entity,
(D) the entity's coverage of emergency services and
urgently needed care, and
(E) appeal rights of enrollees.
(3) Explanation of access to care.--The explanation of
access to care described in this paragraph includes an
explanation of the following features of the benefits offered
by the entity under such title:
(A) Access to care, including choice of physician,
physician location, and hospital coverage.
(B) Utilization review procedures and referral
practices.
(C) Payment structures and benefits.
(D) Any physician incentive plan that such entity
operates in relation to the enrollee.
(E) Any other procedures required by the entity
that affect access of the enrollee to care.
(b) Promulgation of Requirements for Orientation and Medical
Profile.--Not later that 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, by rule,
first specify the elements of the orientation and of the medical
profile described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a). Chapter
8 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to such rule. Such
rule shall apply on a final basis, pending notice and opportunity for
public comment.
(c) Effective Dates.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), subsection (a)
applies with respect to enrollees as of the date that is 60
days after the date on which the Secretary first publishes the
rule under subsection (b) in the Federal Register.
(2) Immunization requirements.--Subsection (a)(1)(C)
applies with respect to enrollees as of the first day of the
first month that begins more than 60 days after the date on
which the Secretary first publishes the rule under subsection
(b) in the Federal Register. | Medicare and Medicaid Health Plan Beneficiary Orientation and Medical Profile Act of 1996 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prohibit any payments except to those entities which certify to the Secretary of Health and Human Services that they provide for orientation and medical profiles for enrollees.
Applies the same requirement to payments under SSA title XIX (Medicaid), plus a requirement for appropriate immunizations of child enrollees.
Directs the Secretary to promulgate requirements for orientation and medical profiles. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Medicare and Medicaid Health Plan Beneficiary Orientation and Medical Profile Act of 1996"} | 1,458 | 124 | 0.566986 | 1.44281 | 0.601981 | 2.905263 | 13.789474 | 0.821053 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Review Every Dollar Act of 2015''.
TITLE I--FEDERAL PROGRAM SUNSET
SEC. 101. LIMITATION ON REAUTHORIZATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
(a) Enforcement.--(1) It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution,
or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, that reauthorizes
any Federal program for a period of more than seven fiscal years.
(2) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the
Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution, or any amendment
thereto or conference report thereon, that establishes any new Federal
program with an authorization of appropriations for a period of more
than seven fiscal years.
(b) Committee Review of Direct Spending Programs.--Not later than
July 31 during the second session of each Congress, each standing
committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate with
legislative jurisdiction over any direct spending program shall apply
the criteria set forth in section 102 to determine whether any such
program should be modified, terminated, or reauthorized.
SEC. 102. CRITERIA FOR REVIEW.
Any committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate with
jurisdiction over any program being reauthorized shall consider the
following criteria in determining whether such program should be
modified, terminated, or reauthorized:
(1) The effectiveness and efficiency of the operation of
the program.
(2) Whether the program is cost effective.
(3) Whether the original objectives of the program have
been achieved.
(4) Whether alternative methods exist to carry out the
objectives of the program in a more cost effective manner.
(5) The extent to which the program is duplicative or
conflicts with other programs.
(6) The potential benefits of consolidating this program
with similar or duplicative programs.
(7) The growth in cost per beneficiary or persons served by
the program.
(8) The extent to which any trends, developments, and
emerging conditions may affect the problems or needs that the
program is intended to address.
(9) The extent it imposes mandates on State and local
governments.
(10) The extent it impedes sustainable economic growth.
(11) The extent to which the program is a constitutionally
authorized activity of the Government.
TITLE II--DEFICIT REDUCTION ACCOUNTS
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF DISCRETIONARY DEFICIT REDUCTION ACCOUNT.
(a) Discretionary Deficit Reduction Account.--Title III of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``discretionary deficit reduction account
``Sec. 316. (a) Establishment of Account.--The chairman of the
Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate shall each
maintain an account to be known as the `deficit reduction discretionary
account'. The Account shall be divided into entries corresponding to
the subcommittees of the Committee on Appropriations of that House and
each entry shall consist of the `deficit reduction balance'.
``(b) Components.--Each entry shall consist only of amounts
credited to it under subsection (c).
``(c) Crediting of Amounts to Account.--
``(1) Whenever a Member of Congress offers an amendment to
an appropriation bill to reduce new budget authority in any
account or has the effect of reducing direct spending, that
Member may state the portion of such reduction that shall be
credited to--
``(A) the deficit reduction balance;
``(B) used to offset an increase in new budget
authority in any other account; or
``(C) allowed to remain within the applicable
section 302(b) suballocation.
``(2) If no such statement is made, the amount of reduction
in new budget authority resulting from the amendment shall be
credited to the deficit reduction balance, as applicable, if
the amendment is agreed to.
``(3) Except as provided by paragraph (4), the chairman of
the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or
Senate, as applicable, shall, upon the engrossment of any
appropriation bill by the House of Representatives or Senate,
as applicable, credit to the applicable entry balances amounts
of new budget authority and outlays equal to the net amounts of
reductions in budget authority and in outlays resulting from
amendments agreed to by that House to that bill.
``(4) When indicating the net amounts of reductions in new
budget authority and outlays resulting from amendments agreed
to by the House of Representatives or Senate, as applicable, to
an appropriation bill, the chairman of the Committee on the
Budget of that House shall only count those portions of such
amendments agreed to that were so designated by the Members
offering such amendments as amounts to be credited to the
deficit reduction balance.
``(5) The chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the
House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on
the Budget of the Senate shall each maintain a running tally of
the amendments adopted reflecting increases and decreases of
budget authority in the bill as reported to its House. This
tally shall be available to Members or Senators during
consideration of any bill by that House.
``(d) Calculation of Savings in Deficit Reduction Accounts in the
House of Representatives and Senate.--
``(1) For the purposes of enforcing section 302(a), upon the
engrossment of any appropriation bill by the House of Representatives
or Senate, as applicable, the amount of budget authority and outlays
calculated pursuant to subsection (c)(3) shall be counted against the
302(a) allocation provided to the Committee on Appropriations as if the
amount calculated pursuant to subsection (c)(3) was included in the
bill just engrossed.
``(2) For purposes of enforcing section 302(b), upon the
engrossment of any appropriation bill by the House of Representatives
or Senate, as applicable, the 302(b) allocation provided to the
subcommittee for the bill just engrossed shall be deemed to have been
reduced by the amount of budget authority and outlays calculated,
pursuant to subsection (c)(3).
``(e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term `appropriation
bill' means any general or special appropriation bill, and any bill or
joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing
appropriations.''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT.
Title III of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (as amended by
section 201) is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``direct spending deficit reduction account
``Sec. 317. (a) Establishment of Account.--The chairman of the
Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and of the
Senate shall each maintain an account to be known as the `deficit
reduction direct spending account'. The account shall be divided into
entries corresponding to the House of Representatives or Senate
committees, as applicable, that received allocations under section
302(a) in the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on the
budget, except that it shall not include the Committee on
Appropriations of that House and each entry shall consist of the
`first-year deficit reduction account' and the `five-year deficit
reduction account' or the period covered by the resolution on the
budget for that fiscal year, as applicable.
``(b) Components.--Each entry shall consist only of amounts
credited to it under subsection (c). No entry of a negative amount
shall be made.
``(c) Calculation of Account Savings in House and Senate.--For the
purposes of enforcing section 302(a), upon the engrossment of any bill,
other than an appropriation bill, by the House of Representatives or
Senate, as applicable, the amount of budget authority and outlays
calculated pursuant to subsection (d)(3) shall be counted against the
302(a) allocation provided to the applicable committee or committees of
that House which reported the bill as if the amount calculated pursuant
to subsection (d)(3) was included in the bill just engrossed.
``(d) Crediting of Amounts to Account.--(1) Whenever a Member or
Senator, as the case may be, offers an amendment to a bill that reduces
the amount of budget authority for direct spending provided either
under current law or proposed to be provided by the bill under
consideration, that Member or Senator may state the portion of such
reduction achieved in the first year covered by the most recently
adopted concurrent resolution on the budget and in addition the portion
of such reduction achieved in the first ten years covered by the most
recently adopted concurrent resolution on the budget that shall be
credited to the first-year deficit reduction balance and the five-year
deficit reduction balance, as applicable, if the amendment is agreed
to.
``(2) Except as provided by paragraph (3), the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives or Senate, as
applicable, shall, upon the engrossment of any bill, other than an
appropriation bill, by the House of Representatives or Senate, as
applicable, credit to the applicable entry balances amounts of new
budget authority and outlays equal to the net amounts of reductions in
budget authority and in outlays resulting from amendments agreed to by
that House to that bill.
``(3) When computing the net amounts of reductions in budget
authority and in outlays resulting from amendments agreed to by the
House of Representatives or Senate, as applicable, to a bill, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget of that House shall only count
those portions of such amendments agreed to that were so designated by
the Members or Senators offering such amendments as amounts to be
credited to the first year deficit reduction balance and the five-year
deficit reduction balance.
``(4) The chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives and of the Senate shall each maintain a running tally
of the amendments adopted reflecting increases and decreases of budget
authority in the bill as reported to its House. This tally shall be
available to Members or Senators during consideration of any bill by
that House.
``(e) Definition.--As used in this section, the term `appropriation
bill' means any general or special appropriation bill, and any bill or
joint resolution making supplemental, deficiency, or continuing
appropriations.''.
SEC. 203. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.
The table of contents set forth in section 1(b) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 315 the following new
items:
``Sec. 316. Discretionary deficit reduction account.
``Sec. 317. Direct spending deficit reduction account.''.
TITLE III--GENERAL FUND TRANSFERS
SEC. 301. BUDGET RULE RELATING TO TRANSFERS FROM THE GENERAL FUND OF
THE TREASURY TO THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND THAT INCREASE
PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS.
For purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Rules of the
House of Representatives, or the Standing Rules of the Senate, a bill
or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto or conference report
thereon, or any Act that transfers funds from the general fund of the
Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund shall be counted as new budget
authority and outlays equal to the amount of the transfer in the fiscal
year the transfer occurs.
TITLE IV--BUDGETING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS
SEC. 501. REVIEW OF RULES REQUIRING NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 559 the following:
``Sec. 559a. Review of rules requiring new budget authority
``(a) In General.--A rule made to carry out a direct spending
program that would require new budget authority of not less than
$100,000,000 for the fiscal year the rule takes effect or for any of
the 9 fiscal years immediately succeeding that fiscal year may not take
effect, except as provided in subsection (d).
``(b) Review by Office of Management and Budget of Proposed
Rules.--Before the effective date of any rule, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget shall review the rule to determine if
the rule is a rule described in subsection (a). If the Director
determines that the rule is such a rule--
``(1) the Director shall notify the agency making the
rule--
``(A) of that determination; and
``(B) the amount of the estimated new budget
authority that the rule would require for the fiscal
year in which the rule would take effect and the 9
fiscal years immediately succeeding that fiscal year;
and
``(2) the agency may not undertake any further action
pertaining to such rulemaking.
``(c) Periodic Review of Rules.--Beginning on the date that is one
year after the date on which any rule takes effect, and annually
thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget may
make a determination as to whether the rule is a rule described in
subsection (a). For purposes of this determination, the fiscal year the
rule takes effect shall be deemed to be the fiscal year in which the
Director makes the determination. If the Director determines that the
rule is such a rule, the agency that issued the rule shall provide for
a transition period of such length as the Director, in consultation
with the agency, determines appropriate. At the end of that transition
period, the rule shall cease to have effect.
``(d) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, a rule described in subsection (a) shall take effect or
continue in effect--
``(1) if the President submits written notice to the
Congress that the President has determined that the rule should
take effect or continue in effect because such rule is--
``(A) necessary because of an imminent threat to
health or safety or other emergency;
``(B) necessary for the enforcement of criminal
laws;
``(C) necessary for national security; or
``(D) issued pursuant to any statute implementing
an international trade agreement; or
``(2) when the new budget authority to carry out the rule
is provided by law.
``(e) Treatment of Substantially Similar Rules.--A rule that does
not take effect (or does not continue in effect) under this section may
not be reissued in substantially the same form, and a new rule that is
substantially the same as such a rule may not be issued, unless the
reissued or new rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after
the date that the rule fails to take effect or fails to continue in
effect.
``(f) Judicial Review.--Any determination under this section shall
be subject to review under chapter 7 of this title.
``(g) Definitions.--The terms `new budget authority' and `direct
spending' have the meanings given such terms under section 250 of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C.
900).
``(h) Applicability.--This section shall apply only to rules for
which the rulemakings are commenced after the date of enactment of the
Review Every Dollar Act of 2015.''.
(b) Cost of Projected Administrative Regulations.--Section 1105(a)
of title 31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second paragraph (37) as paragraph
(39); and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(40) a separate statement of the cost of administrative
rules that are projected to take effect during the fiscal year
for which the budget is submitted.''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 5, United States Code is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 559 the following new item:
``559a. Review of rules requiring new budget authority.''. | Review Every Dollar Act of 2015 This bill prohibits Congress from considering legislation authorizing or reauthorizing a federal program for more than seven years. Congressional committees are required to consider specified criteria to determine whether direct spending programs should be modified, terminated, or reauthorized. The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to create deficit reduction accounts for savings from legislation intended for deficit reduction. The Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are required to adjust spending allocations to reflect balances in the accounts. This creates procedural obstacles for considering legislation that spends savings intended for deficit reduction. The bill requires transfers of funds from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to be counted as new budget authority and outlays. The bill prohibits certain rules requiring at least $100 million in new budget authority from taking effect unless: (1) the President notifies Congress that the rule is necessary for an emergency, the enforcement of criminal laws, national security, or the implementation of an international trade agreement; or (2) budget authority to carry out the rule is provided by law. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Review Every Dollar Act of 2015"} | 3,658 | 230 | 0.533093 | 1.375489 | 0.766619 | 2.871429 | 15.633333 | 0.861905 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``State Witness Protection Act of
2010''.
SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF STATE AND LOCAL WITNESSES.
(a) In General.--Chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1522. State and local witness tampering and retaliation
``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
``(1) the term `State official proceeding' means a
proceeding before a judge or court of a State or political
subdivision thereof; and
``(2) the term `physical force' has the meaning given the
term in section 1515.
``(b) Tampering and Retaliation.--It shall be unlawful, in a
circumstance described in subsection (c), for a person to kill, attempt
to kill, use physical force or the threat of physical force against,
harass, intimidate or attempt to intimidate, or offer anything of value
to, another individual, with the intent to--
``(1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony or
attendance of any person in a State official proceeding;
``(2) prevent the production of a record, document, or
other object, in a State official proceeding;
``(3) cause or induce any person to--
``(A) withhold testimony, or withhold a record,
document, or other object from a State official
proceeding;
``(B) alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal an
object with intent to impair the integrity or
availability of the object for use in a State official
proceeding;
``(C) evade legal process summoning that person to
appear as a witness, or to produce a record, document
or other object in a State official proceeding; or
``(D) be absent from a State official proceeding to
which that person has been summoned by legal process;
``(4) hinder, delay, or prevent the communication by any
person to a law enforcement officer or judge of a State, or
political subdivision thereof, of information relating to the
violation or possible violation of a law of a State or
political subdivision thereof, or a violation of conditions of
probation, parole, or release pending judicial proceedings; or
``(5) retaliate against any person for--
``(A) the attendance of a witness or party at a
State official proceeding, or any testimony given or
any record, document, or other object produced by a
witness in a State official proceeding; or
``(B) providing to a law enforcement officer any
information relating to the violation or possible
violation of a law of a State or political subdivision
thereof, or a violation of conditions of probation,
supervised release, parole, or release pending judicial
proceedings.
``(c) Circumstances.--A circumstance described in this subsection
is that--
``(1) any communication involved in or made in furtherance
of the offense is communicated or transported by the mail, or
in interstate or foreign commerce by any means, including by
computer, or any means or instrumentality of interstate or
foreign commerce is otherwise used in committing or in
furtherance of the commission of the offense;
``(2) any person travels or is transported in interstate or
foreign commerce in the course of the commission of or in
furtherance of the commission of the offense; or
``(3) any weapon, including a firearm, shipped or
transported across State lines or in interstate or foreign
commerce is used in committing or in furtherance of the
commission of the offense.
``(d) Penalties.--
``(1) In general.--Any person that violates this section--
``(A) in the case of a killing, shall be punished
as provided under sections 1111 and 1112;
``(B) in the case of an attempt to murder, or the
use or attempted use of physical force against any
person, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned
for not more than 30 years, or both; and
``(C) in the case of any other violation of this
section, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned
for not more than 20 years, or both.
``(2) Exception.--If the offense under this section occurs
in connection with a trial of a criminal case, the maximum term
of imprisonment that may be imposed for the offense shall be
the higher of--
``(A) the penalty described in paragraph (1); or
``(B) the maximum term that could have been imposed
for any offense charged in the criminal case.
``(3) Attempt and conspiracy.--Any person who attempts or
conspires to commit any offense under this section shall be
subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the
offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt
or conspiracy.
``(e) Affirmative Defense.--It is an affirmative defense to a
prosecution under this section, which the defendant shall prove by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the conduct committed by the
defendant--
``(1) consisted solely of lawful conduct; and
``(2) that the sole intention of the defendant was to
encourage, induce, or cause the other person to testify
truthfully.
``(f) Pending Proceeding; Evidentiary Value.--For the purposes of
this section--
``(1) a State official proceeding need not be pending or
about to be instituted at the time of the offense; and
``(2) the testimony, or the record, document, or other
object obstructed, tampered, or retaliated against by the
defendant need not be admissible in evidence or free of a claim
of privilege.
``(g) Intent.--In a prosecution for an offense under this section,
the state of mind need not be proved with respect to--
``(1) a State official proceeding before a judge, court,
magistrate judge, or grand jury being before a judge or court
of a State or political subdivision thereof;
``(2) a judge being a judge of a State or political
subdivision thereof; or
``(3) a law enforcement officer being an officer or
employee of the State or political subdivision thereof.
``(h) Venue.--A prosecution brought under this section may be
brought--
``(1) in the district in which the State official
proceeding (whether or not pending or about to be instituted)
was intended to be affected; or
``(2) in the district which the conduct constituting the
alleged offense occurred.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for
chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``1522. State and local witness tampering and retaliation.''.
SEC. 3. SENTENCING GUIDELINES ENHANCEMENT.
Pursuant to its authority under section 994 of title 28, United
States Code, and in accordance with this section, the United States
Sentencing Commission shall amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to
increase the guideline range for Obstruction of Justice, Sec. 2J1.2, as
follows--
(1) by 2 levels if the defendant threatened or harmed 1 or
more individuals on more than 1 occasion;
(2) by 2 levels if the defendant accepted or paid a bribe
or payoff as part of a scheme to obstruct justice;
(3) by 2 levels if the defendant destroyed or caused the
destruction of documents on a computer; and
(4) by 6 levels if the offense resulted in substantial
interference with the administration of justice. | State Witness Protection Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties on any person who kills, or attempts to kill, a witness in a state or local judicial proceeding, who uses physical force or the threat of force against such a witness, or who offers such witness anything of value with the intent to: (1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony or attendance of such witness at a state or local judicial proceeding; (2) prevent the production of a record or document in a state or local judicial proceeding, (3) cause or induce any person to withhold testimony or evidence, destroy evidence, evade legal process, or be absent from a state or local judicial proceeding; (4) hinder, delay, or prevent any person from providing information to a state or local law enforcement officer or judge; or (5) retaliate against any person for attending a state or local judicial proceeding or providing information to a law enforcement officer.
Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines to increase the sentencing range for obstruction of justice if such crime involved threatening, harming, or bribing a witness or the destruction of evidence. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to protect State and local witnesses from tampering and retaliation, and for other purposes."} | 1,699 | 257 | 0.651741 | 1.911826 | 0.8673 | 3.681416 | 7.013274 | 0.929204 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Student Loan Fairness Act of 2003''.
SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF PROHIBITION ON REFINANCING CONSOLIDATION LOANS.
Section 428C(a)(3) the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1078-3(a)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (B);
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``subparagraphs (A)
and (B)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A)''; and
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (B).
SEC. 3. STUDENT LOAN BORROWER CHOICE OF LOAN CONSOLIDATOR.
(a) Selection of Lender.--Section 428C(b)(1)(A) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3(b)(1)(A)) is amended by
striking ``and (i) the lender holds'' and all that follows through
``selected for consolidation)''.
(b) Information About Consolidation Loans.--
(1) Information from lenders.--Section 428C(b)(1) of such
Act is further amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph
(E);
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (F) as
subparagraph (G); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the
following new subparagraph:
``(F) that the lender will provide to each
applicant for a consolidation loan a clear and
conspicuous notice, in such form as the Secretary shall
prescribe, describing, in relation to the borrower's
reported current loan balance and the likely interest
rate estimated by the lender for the consolidation
loan--
``(i) the effects of a consolidation loan
and its available repayment plans on the
borrower's interest rate, the amount of his or
her monthly and total payments, total interest
accrued, the length of the repayment term;
``(ii) the ability of the student borrower
to pre-pay loans; and
``(iii) the differences between variable
and fixed interest rates; and''.
(2) Information from institutions.--Section 485(b)(1)(A) of
such Act (20 U.S.C. 1092(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (i);
(B) by striking the period at the end of clause
(ii) and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) providing to the borrower of a loan made under part
B, D, or E, a clear and conspicuous notice, in such form as the
Secretary shall prescribe, describing the effect of using a
consolidation loan to discharge the borrower's student loans,
and including, with respect to a series of loan amounts
ranges--
``(I) the differences between fixed and variable
interest rates;
``(II) the effects of consolidation loan and its
available repayment plans on the borrower's interest
rate, the amount of his or her monthly and total
payments, total interest accrued, and the length of
repayment term; and
``(III) the ability of the student borrower to
prepay loans.''.
SEC. 4. INTEREST RATES ON CONSOLIDATED AND RECONSOLIDATED LOANS.
(a) Interest Rate Changes.--Section 427A of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1077a) is amended by striking subsections (k)
and (l) and inserting the following:
``(k) Interest Rates for New Loans on or After October 1, 1998, and
Before January 1, 2004.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (h) and
subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, with respect to
any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part (other
than a loan made pursuant to section 428B or 428C) for which
the first disbursement is made on or after October 1, 1998, and
before January 1, 2004, the applicable rate of interest shall,
during any 12-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on
June 30, be determined on the preceding June 1 and be equal
to--
``(A) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury
bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such
June 1; plus
``(B) 2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 8.25 percent.
``(2) In school and grace period rules.--Notwithstanding
subsection (h), with respect to any loan under this part (other
than a loan made pursuant to section 428B or 428C) for which
the first disbursement is made on or after October 1, 1998, and
before January 1, 2004, the applicable rate of interest for
interest which accrues--
``(A) prior to the beginning of the repayment
period of the loan; or
``(B) during the period in which principal need not
be paid (whether or not such principal is in fact paid)
by reason of a provision described in section
427(a)(2)(C) or 428(b)(1)(M),
shall be determined under paragraph (1) by substituting `1.7
percent' for `2.3 percent'.
``(3) PLUS loans.--Notwithstanding subsection (h), with
respect to any loan under section 428B for which the first
disbursement is made on or after October 1, 1998, and before
January 1, 2004, the applicable rate of interest shall be
determined under paragraph (1)--
``(A) by substituting `3.1 percent' for `2.3
percent'; and
``(B) by substituting `9.0 percent' for `8.25
percent'.
``(4) Consolidation loans.--With respect to any
consolidation loan under section 428C for which the application
is received by an eligible lender on or after October 1, 1998,
and before January 1, 2004, the applicable rate of interest
shall be at an annual rate on the unpaid principal balance of
the loan that is equal to the lesser of--
``(A) the weighted average of the interest rates on
the loans consolidated, rounded to the nearest higher
one-eighth of 1 percent; or
``(B) 8.25 percent.
``(5) Consultation.--The Secretary shall determine the
applicable rate of interest under this subsection after
consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and shall
publish such rate in the Federal Register as soon as
practicable after the date of determination.
``(l) Interest Rates for New Loans on or After January 1, 2004.--
``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding subsection (h), with
respect to any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this
part (other than a loan made pursuant to section 428B or 428C)
for which the first disbursement is made on or after January 1,
2004, the applicable rate of interest shall, during any 12-
month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be
determined on the preceding June 1 and be equal to--
``(A) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury
bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such
June 1; plus
``(B) 2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 6.8 percent.
``(2) PLUS loans.--Notwithstanding subsection (h), with
respect to any loan under section 428B for which the first
disbursement is made on or after January 1, 2004, the
applicable rate of interest shall be determined under paragraph
(1)--
``(A) by substituting `3.1 percent' for `2.3
percent'; and
``(B) by substituting `7.5 percent' for `6.8
percent'.
``(3) Consolidation loans.--With respect to any
consolidation loan under section 428C for which the application
is received by an eligible lender on or after January 1, 2004,
the applicable rate of interest shall, during any 12-month
period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30, be determined
on the preceding June 1 and be equal to--
``(A) the bond equivalent rate of 91-day Treasury
bills auctioned at the final auction held prior to such
June 1; plus
``(B) 2.3 percent,
except that such rate shall not exceed 6.8 percent.''.
(b) Offsetting Origination Fees.--Section 438(c) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or paragraph (7)''
after ``paragraph (2)'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``paragraph (8)'' and
inserting ``paragraph (9)'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) as paragraphs
(8) and (9), respectively; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following new
paragraph:
``(7) Consolidation loans.--With respect to any loans made
under section 428C on or after January 1, 2004, each eligible
lender under this part is authorized to charge the borrower an
origination fee of not to exceed 0.5 percent of the principal
amount of the loan. Except as provided in paragraph (9), a
lender that charges an origination fee under this paragraph
shall assess the same fee to all borrowers.''.
(c) Special Allowance Conforming Changes.--Section 438(b)(2) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-1(b)(2)) is amended by
striking ``July 1, 2006'' each place it appears in clauses (ii), (v),
and (vii) of subparagraph (I), including in the headings of such
clauses, and inserting ``January 1, 2004''.
(d) Additional Conforming Amendments.--Section 428C(c)(1) of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-3(c)(1)) is amended by
striking ``July 1, 2006'' each place it appears and inserting ``January
1, 2004''. | Student Loan Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise student aid requirements for consolidation loans.
Repeals a prohibition against refinancing consolidation loans.
Allows borrowers to select lenders of consolidation loans. Requires lenders and institutions to provide certain information on consolidation loans to applicants.
Revises interest rates on consolidated and reconsolidated loans. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "To permit refinancing of Federal student consolidation loans, and to permit students freedom to select a student loan consolidator."} | 2,281 | 86 | 0.533699 | 1.298595 | 1.108243 | 2.893939 | 31.075758 | 0.772727 |
SECTION 1. REGULATORY REVIEW BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Agricultural entity.--The term ``agricultural entity''
means an entity that is involved in or relates to agricultural
enterprise, including an enterprise that is engaged in the
business of--
(A) producing food and fiber;
(B) ranching and raising of livestock;
(C) aquaculture; and
(D) any other farming- and agriculture-related
activities.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(b) Review of Regulatory Agenda.--The Secretary shall review each
notice issued by the Administrator and published in the Federal
Register relating to the preparation of any guidance, policy,
memorandum, regulation, or statement of general applicability and
future effect that may have a significant impact on a substantial
number of agricultural entities, including--
(1) any regulatory agenda published by the Administrator
under section 602 of title 5, United States Code;
(2) any regulation plan or agenda published by the
Administrator or the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget pursuant to an Executive order, including Executive
Order 12866 (5 U.S.C. 601 note; relating to regulatory planning
and review); and
(3) any other publication issued by the Administrator or
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget that may
reasonably be foreseen to contain a notice of a plan by the
Administrator to prepare any guidance, policy, memorandum,
regulation, or statement of general applicability and future
effect that may have a significant impact on a substantial
number of agricultural entities.
(c) Information Gathering.--For a publication item reviewed under
subsection (b) that the Secretary determines may have a significant
impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities, the Secretary
shall--
(1) solicit from the Administrator any information the
Administrator may provide to facilitate a review of the
publication item;
(2) acting through the Chief Economist of the Department of
Agriculture, produce an economic impact statement for the
publication item that contains a detailed estimate of potential
costs to agricultural entities;
(3) identify individuals representative of potentially
affected agricultural entities for the purpose of obtaining
advice and recommendations from those individuals about the
potential impacts of the publication item; and
(4) convene a review panel for analysis of the publication
item that includes the Secretary, any full-time Federal
employee of the Department of Agriculture appointed to the
panel by the Secretary, and any employee of the Environmental
Protection Agency or the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget that accepts an
invitation from the Secretary to participate in the panel.
(d) Duties of the Review Panel.--A review panel convened for a
publication item under subsection (c)(4) shall--
(1) review any information or material obtained by the
Secretary and prepared in connection with the publication item,
including any draft proposed guidance, policy, memorandum,
regulation, or statement of general applicability and future
effect;
(2) collect advice and recommendations from agricultural
entity representatives identified by the Administrator after
consultation with the Secretary;
(3) compile and analyze the advice and recommendations; and
(4) make recommendations to the Secretary based on the
information gathered by the review panel or provided by
agricultural entity representatives.
(e) Comments.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on
which the Secretary convenes a review panel under subsection
(c)(4), the Secretary shall submit to the Administrator
comments on the planned or proposed guidance, policy,
memorandum, regulation, or statement of general applicability
and future effect for consideration and inclusion in any
related administrative record, including--
(A) a report by the Secretary on the concerns of
agricultural entities;
(B) the findings of the review panel;
(C) the findings of the Secretary, including any
adopted findings of the review panel; and
(D) recommendations of the Secretary.
(2) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish the comments
under paragraph (1) in the Federal Register and make the
comments available to the public on the public Internet site of
the Department of Agriculture.
(f) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive initiation of the review
panel under subsection (c)(4) as the Secretary determines appropriate. | Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to review each notice issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and published in the Federal Register relating to the preparation of any guidance, policy, memorandum, regulation, or statement of general applicability and future effect that may have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities. Requires the Secretary, for each publication item determined to have a possible significant impact, to: (1) solicit from the EPA Administrator information to facilitate a review of the item, (2) produce an economic impact statement, (3) identify representatives of potentially affected agricultural entities to obtain advice and recommendations about the potential impacts of the item, and (4) convene a review panel that includes the Secretary to analyze the publication item. Provides procedures for submission by the Secretary of comments to the Administrator for inclusion in the administrative record and for waiver of a panel's initiation. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to establish a regulatory review process for rules that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency plans to propose, and for other purposes."} | 937 | 194 | 0.708718 | 2.149183 | 0.833429 | 4.455056 | 5.073034 | 0.926966 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National
Historical Park Establishment Amendments Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. BOUNDARY EXPANSION.
Section 3 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical
Park Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 410vv-1) is amended by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Boundaries; Map.--
``(1) In general.--The park shall consist of the following:
``(A) A historic zone, including the Marsh-
Billings-Rockefeller Mansion, surrounding buildings,
and a portion of the area known as `Mt. Tom',
comprising approximately 555 acres, as depicted on the
map entitled `Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National
Historical Park Boundary Map' and dated November 19,
1991.
``(B) A protection zone, including the areas
occupied by the Billings Farm and Museum, comprising
approximately 88 acres, as depicted on the map entitled
`Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
Boundary Map' and dated November 19, 1991.
``(C) The King Farm, located in Woodstock, Vermont,
comprising approximately 159 acres.
``(2) Revised map.--As soon as practicable after the date
of enactment of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National
Historical Park Establishment Amendments Act of 2010, the
Secretary shall prepare a revised map of the park that reflects
the inclusion of the land described in paragraph (1)(C).
``(3) Availability of maps.--The maps described in
paragraph (1) and prepared under paragraph (2) shall be on file
and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices
of the National Park Service.''.
SEC. 3. ACQUISITION OF LAND.
Section 4 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical
Park Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 410vv-2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary may acquire land or an interest in land within the
boundary of the park by donation, purchase with donated or
appropriated funds, condemnation, transfer from any Federal
agency, or exchange.
``(2) Exception.--Any land or interest in land owned by the
State of Vermont or a political subdivision of the State may be
acquired only by donation.''; and
(B) in the first sentence of paragraph (3), by
striking ``(3) The Secretary may'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Commercial operations.--The Secretary may''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) King Farm.--On acquisition by the Secretary of the land
described in section 3(b)(1)(C)--
``(1) the acquired land shall be added to and administered
as part of the park;
``(2) the acquired land shall be used for--
``(A) agricultural and forestry purposes, including
the growing and harvesting of crops and trees, animal
husbandry, and other agricultural operations customary
in the State of Vermont;
``(B) conservation purposes in a manner that
preserves the acquired land in the condition in which
the acquired land is in on the date of enactment of
this subsection, with an emphasis on preserving
existing open fields; and
``(C) educational purposes relating to agriculture,
forestry, and conservation activities, including the
study of natural history;
``(3) the Secretary may--
``(A) enter into leases for the use of the acquired
land and any buildings on the acquired land if the
Secretary determines that the use--
``(i) is consistent with the purposes of
this Act; and
``(ii) would contribute to the management
and programs of the park, including
accommodating public use and education
programs;
``(B) repair, replace, or improve any buildings and
structures on the acquired land; and
``(C) construct new buildings or structures on the
acquired land if the Secretary determines that the
construction--
``(i) is necessary for the purposes
described in paragraph (2); and
``(ii) would be consistent with
agricultural buildings in existence on the date
of enactment of this subsection.''.
SEC. 4. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
Section 6 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical
Park Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 410vv-4) is amended by striking
subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with any person or
entity that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the public
benefit and purpose of the park and Institute programs and activities,
including facility and landscape rehabilitation and preservation,
recreation, planning, research, evaluation, interpretation, education,
and management.''.
SEC. 5. ENDOWMENT; DONATIONS; CONSERVATION STUDY INSTITUTE.
Section 7 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical
Park Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 410vv-5) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 7. ENDOWMENT; DONATIONS; CONSERVATION STUDY INSTITUTE.
``(a) Endowment.--
``(1) In general.--In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary may receive and expend funds from--
``(A) an endowment to be established with the
Woodstock Foundation (including successors and assigns
of the Foundation) (referred to in this Act as the
`Foundation'); and
``(B) an endowment to be established for the King
Farm with the Vermont Land Trust (including successors
and assigns of the Trust) (referred to in this Act as
the `Trust').
``(2) Conditions.--
``(A) Authorized uses.--Amounts from the endowments
referred to in paragraph (1) shall be expended
exclusively as the Foundation or Trust, as applicable,
in consultation with the Secretary, may designate for--
``(i) with respect to the Foundation, the
preservation and maintenance of the Marsh-
Billings-Rockefeller Mansion and any property
adjacent to the Mansion; and
``(ii) with respect to the Trust, the
preservation and maintenance of King Farm and
associated agriculture, forestry, and
conservation education programs.
``(B) Limitation on use of funds.--No expenditure
shall be made under this subsection unless the
Secretary determines that the expenditure is consistent
with the purposes of this Act.
``(b) Donations.--The Secretary may accept donations of funds,
property, or services to carry out this Act.
``(c) Conservation Study Institute.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
University of Vermont, may establish at the park a National
Park Service Conservation Study Institute (referred to in this
Act as the `Institute').
``(2) Purpose.--The purposes of the Institute are--
``(A) to create opportunities within the National
Park Service to identify and share innovation through
research, evaluation, and dialogue; and
``(B) to identify and exchange best practices and
enhance leadership capacity in the field of
conservation.''.
SEC. 6. MANAGEMENT PLAN.
Section 9 of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical
Park Establishment Act (16 U.S.C. 410vv-7) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Not later than'' and inserting the
following:
``(a) In General.--Not later than''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Revisions.--Not later than 3 complete fiscal years after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a
revised general management plan for the park.''. | Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Amendments Act of 2010 - Amends the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act to expand the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont to include the King Farm in Woodstock, Vermont.
Requires King Farm to be added to, and administered as part of, the Park and to be used for agricultural, forestry, conservation, and educational purposes. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to amend the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act to expand the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in the State of Vermont, and for other purposes."} | 1,845 | 113 | 0.61973 | 1.637219 | 0.692121 | 3.928571 | 19.630952 | 0.952381 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mine Communications Technology
Innovation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The failure of miner tracking and communications
devices or lack thereof in mines severely hampers rescue
efforts in the event of emergencies.
(2) Mines, particularly underground mines, have properties
that present unique technical challenges for the integration of
currently available tracking and communications systems. These
properties include the lack of a clear path or open air which
is required for radio signals and WiFi. Additionally, because
coal is an absorptive material, less than 10 percent of the
radio spectrum that is used above ground can be used
underground. A fraction of that (only about 1 percent) radio
spectrum is actually allocated for commercial communications
purposes. As a consequence, the availability of miner
communication equipment is severely limited.
(3) Research and experience have shown that communications
and tracking systems may not work equally well in every mine or
in every emergency situation, and therefore several different
systems may be necessary for development and integration.
(4) Because of the serious challenges of the mine
environment and the limited market provided by the mining
industry, much needed technology has not yet been developed by
the private sector or is not commercially available in the
United States.
(5) Furthermore, due to the regulatory structure of the
industry and the lengthy approval process for mine tracking and
communications systems, research must be accelerated so that
next generation technology can be quickly and efficiently
integrated into mines to protect the safety of miners.
(6) The National Institute of Standards and Technology is
well positioned to help accelerate the development of mining
tracking and communications technology. The National Institute
of Standards and Technology has a long history of working in
conjunction with industry to invest in longer-term, high-risk
research which yields national benefits far beyond private
payoff. Further, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology builds partnerships with industry to leverage
existing research and development to drive next generation
technology.
(7) The National Institute of Standards and Technology is
well-positioned to accelerate development of consensus mining
communications standards given the extensive work that the
organization has done in the field of emergency communications
to develop standards and technologies for interoperable
wireless telecommunications and information systems.
(8) In developing such standards, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology should work in cooperation with the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the
Mine Safety and Health Administration, and other relevant
public and private stakeholders, to build on existing
technology and knowledge regarding mine communications systems.
SEC. 3. MINE COMMUNICATIONS AND TRACKING RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall provide for the establishment of a
program of research, development, and demonstration that includes the
establishment of best practices, adaptation of existing technology, and
efforts to accelerate the development of next generation technology and
tracking systems for mine communications.
(b) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall
coordinate with relevant Federal agencies and industry to evaluate
areas of research and development and best practices that will be most
promising in protecting miner safety.
(c) Optional Focus.--In establishing this program, the Director may
focus on the following communications and tracking system
characteristics:
(1) Systems that are likely to work in emergency
situations.
(2) Systems that work in coal mines, with special attention
paid to deep underground coal mines.
(3) Systems that provide coverage throughout all areas of
the mine.
(4) Hybrid systems that use both wireless and
infrastructure based systems.
(5) Functionality for 2-way and voice communications.
(6) Systems that serve emergency and routine communications
needs.
(7) The ability to work with existing legacy systems and to
be quickly integrated.
(8) Propagation environment characterization, performance
metrics, and independently derived validation tests to verify
performance for standards development.
SEC. 4. STANDARDS REGARDING UNDERGROUND COMMUNICATIONS.
Consistent with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119, the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall
work with industry and relevant Federal agencies to develop consensus
industry standards for communications in underground mines. The
Director shall also develop and provide any needed measurement services
to support implementation of these standards. In their efforts to help
develop these standards and related measurement services, the following
issues should be addressed:
(1) The appropriate use of frequency bands and power
levels.
(2) Matters related to interoperability of systems,
applications, and devices.
(3) Technology to prevent interference.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology such sums as are
necessary for carrying out this Act for fiscal years 2009 and 2010, to
be derived from amounts authorized under section 3001 of the America
COMPETES Act. | Mine Communications Technology Innovation Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a program of research, development, and demonstration that includes the establishment of best practices, adaptation of existing technology, and efforts to accelerate the development of next generation technology and tracking systems for mine communications.
Requires the Director to coordinate with federal agencies and industry to evaluate areas of research and development and best practices that will be most promising in protecting miner safety.
Authorizes the Director, in establishing the program, to focus on the following communications and tracking system characteristics: (1) systems that are likely to work in emergency situations; (2) systems that work in coal mines, with special attention paid to deep underground coal mines; (3) systems that provide coverage throughout all areas of the mine; (4) hybrid systems that use both wireless and infrastructure-based systems; (5) functionality for two-way and voice communications; (6) systems that serve emergency and routine communications needs; (7) the ability to work with existing legacy systems and to be quickly integrated; and (8) propagation environment characterization, performance metrics, and independently derived validation tests to verify performance for standards development.
Requires the Director to: (1) work with industry and federal agencies to develop consensus industry standards for communications in underground mines; and (2) develop and provide measurement services needed to support implementation of such standards, which should address the appropriate use of frequency bands and power levels, matters related to interoperability, and technology to prevent interference. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "A bill to require the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish an initiative to promote the research, development, and demonstration of miner tracking and communications systems and to promote the establishment of standards and other measurement services regarding underground communications to protect miners in the United States."} | 1,028 | 310 | 0.618073 | 2.209223 | 0.713381 | 6.870861 | 3.42053 | 0.950331 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Unemployment Compensation Amendments
of 1993''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
(a) General Rule.--Sections 102(f)(1) and 106(a)(2) of the Emergency
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164, as amended)
are each amended by striking ``October 2, 1993'' and inserting
``February 5, 1994''.
(b) Weeks of Benefits Available During Extension.--
(1) Subparagraph (A) of section 102(b)(2) of such Act is
amended--
(A) by redesignating clause (vi) as clause (vii),
(B) by inserting after clause (v) the following new clause:
``(vi) Reduction of weeks after october 2, 1993.--In the
case of weeks beginning after October 2, 1993--
``(I) clause (i) of this subparagraph shall be
applied by substituting `13' for `33' and by
substituting `7' for `26',
``(II) clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) of this
subparagraph shall not apply, and
``(III) subparagraph A of paragraph (1) shall be
applied by substituting `50 percent' for `130
percent'.'', and
(C) by striking ``or (iv)'' in clause (vii) (as redesignated
by subparagraph (A)) and inserting ``(iv), or (vi)''.
(2) Subparagraph (B) of section 102(b)(2) of such Act is amended
by striking ``and (iv)'' and inserting ``(iv) and (vi)''.
(c) Modification of Final Phase-Out.--Paragraph (2) of section
102(f) of such Act is amended--
(1) by striking ``October 2, 1993'' and inserting ``February 5,
1994'', and
(2) by striking ``January 15, 1994'' and inserting ``April 30,
1994''.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--Section 101(e) of such Act is amended--
(1) by striking ``October 2, 1993'' each place it appears in
paragraph (1) and inserting ``February 5, 1994'', and
(2) by striking ``(and is not triggered off under paragraph
(1))'' in paragraph (2) and inserting ``after February 5, 1994,''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to weeks of unemployment beginning after October 2, 1993.
SEC. 3. MODIFICATION TO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EMERGENCY
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION.
(a) Repeal of Disregard of Rights to Regular Compensation.--
Subsection (f) of section 101 of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164, as amended) is hereby repealed.
(b) Effective Date.--The repeal made by subsection (a) shall apply
to weeks of unemployment beginning after the date of the enactment of
this Act; except that such repeal shall not apply in determining
eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation from an account
established before October 2, 1993.
SEC. 4. WORKER PROFILING.
(a) In General.--
(1) Establishment of profiling system.--Section 303 of the
Social Security Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new subsection:
``(j)(1) The State agency charged with the administration of the
State law shall establish and utilize a system of profiling all new
claimants for regular compensation that--
``(A) identifies which claimants will be likely to exhaust
regular compensation and will need job search assistance services to
make a successful transition to new employment;
``(B) refers claimants identified pursuant to subparagraph (A)
to reemployment services, such as job search assistance services,
available under any State or Federal law;
``(C) collects follow-up information relating to the services
received by such claimants and the employment outcomes for such
claimants subsequent to receiving such services and utilizes such
information in making identifications pursuant to subparagraph (A);
and
``(D) meets such other requirements as the Secretary of Labor
determines are appropriate.
``(2) Whenever the Secretary of Labor, after reasonable notice and
opportunity for hearing to the State agency charged with the
administration of the State law, finds that there is a failure to comply
substantially with the requirements of paragraph (1), the Secretary of
Labor shall notify such State agency that further payments will not be
made to the State until he is satisfied that there is no longer any such
failure. Until the Secretary of Labor is so satisfied, he shall make no
further certification to the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to
such State.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 304(a)(2) of the Social
Security Act is amended by striking ``or (i)'' and inserting ``(i),
or (j)''.
(b) Participation Requirement.--Section 303(a) of the Social
Security Act is amended--
(1) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) and
inserting ``; and'', and
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:
``(10) A requirement that, as a condition of eligibility for
regular compensation for any week, any claimant who has been
referred to reemployment services pursuant to the profiling system
under subsection (j)(1)(B) participate in such services or in
similar services unless the State agency charged with the
administration of the State law determines--
``(A) such claimant has completed such services; or
``(B) there is justifiable cause for such claimant's failure
to participate in such services.''.
(c) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Labor shall provide
technical assistance and advice to assist the States in implementing the
profiling system required under the amendments made by subsection (a).
Such assistance shall include the development and identification of
model profiling systems.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than the date 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall report to
the Congress on the operation and effectiveness of the profiling system
required under the amendments made by subsection (a) and the
participation requirement provided by the amendments made under
subsection (b). Such report shall include such recommendations as the
Secretary of Labor determines are appropriate.
(e) Conforming Amendment.--Section 4 of the Emergency Unemployment
Compensation Amendments of 1993 (Public Law 103-6) is hereby repealed.
(f) Effective Dates.--
(1) The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall take
effect on the date one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act.
(2) The provisions of subsections (c), (d), and (e) shall take
effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND.
Paragraph (1) of section 905(b) of the Social Security Act is
amended to read as follows:
``(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary of the
Treasury shall transfer (as of the close of each month) from the
employment security administration account to the extended unemployment
compensation account established by subsection (a), an amount
(determined by such Secretary) equal to 20 percent of the amount by
which--
``(A) the transfers to the employment security administration
account pursuant to section 901(b)(2) during such month, exceed
``(B) the payments during such month from the employment
security administration account pursuant to section 901 (b)(3) and
(d).
If for any such month the payments referred to in subparagraph (B)
exceed the transfers referred to in subparagraph (A), proper adjustments
shall be made in the amounts subsequently transferred.''
SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF REPORTING DATE FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL.
Section 908(f) of the Social Security Act is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2d year'' and inserting
``third year''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``February 1, 1994'' and
inserting ``February 1, 1995''.
SEC. 7. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN SPONSORSHIP PERIOD FOR ALIENS UNDER THE
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM.
(a) Increase in Sponsorship Period.--
(1) In general.--Section 1621 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1382j) is amended by striking ``three years'' each place such
term appears and inserting ``5 years''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall
take effect on January 1, 1994.
(b) Reinstatement of Prior Law.--
(1) In general.--Section 1621 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1382j), as amended by subsection (a)(1) of this section, is
amended by striking ``5 years'' each place such term appears and
inserting ``3 years''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall
take effect on October 1, 1996.
SEC. 8. TREATMENT OF RAILROAD WORKERS.
(a) Extension of Program.--
(1) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 501(b) of the
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164,
as amended) are each amended by striking ``October 2, 1993'' and
inserting ``January 1, 1994''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 501(a) of such Act is amended
by striking ``October 1993'' and inserting ``January 1994''.
(b) Length of Benefits During Period of Extension.--Section
501(d)(2)(B)(ii) of such Act is amended by striking ``on and after the
date on which a reduction in benefits is imposed under section
102(b)(2)(A)(iv)'' and inserting ``after October 2, 1993''.
(c) Termination of Benefits.--Section 501(e) of such Act is
amended--
(1) by striking ``October 2, 1993'' and inserting ``January 1,
1994'', and
(2) by striking ``January 15, 1994'' and inserting ``March 26,
1994''.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATES.
(a) Repeal of Disregard of Rights to Regular Compensation.--
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3(b) of this Act, the repeal
made by section 3(a) of this Act shall apply to weeks of unemployment
beginning after October 2, 1993, except that such repeal shall not apply
in determining eligibility for emergency unemployment compensation from
an account established before October 3, 1993.
(b) Railroad Workers.--
(1) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 501(b) of the
Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-164,
as amended), as amended by section 8(a)(1) of this Act, are each
amended by striking ``January 1, 1994'' and inserting ``February 5,
1994''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 501(a) of such Emergency
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991, as amended by section 8(a)(2)
of this Act, is amended by striking ``January 1994'' and inserting
``February 1994''.
(3) Termination of benefits.--Section 501(e) of such Emergency
Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991, as amended by section 8(c) of
this Act, is amended--
(A) by striking ``January 1, 1994'' and inserting ``February
5, 1994'', and
(B) by striking ``March 26, 1994'' and inserting ``April 30,
1994''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate. | Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1993 - Amends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 1991 to extend to February 5, 1994, the authorization for new claims for benefits under the emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) program. Reduces the number of benefit weeks available during such extended period after October 2, 1993, to seven or 13, as applicable. Modifies the final phase-out period for continuation of claims. Repeals provisions which allow certain claimants who have exhausted benefits to choose EUC benefits in lieu of regular State benefits at the beginning of a new benefit year. Amends the Social Security Act to require the State agency administering the State unemployment law to establish and use a system of worker profiling of all new claimants for regular compensation to: (1) identify which claimants will be likely to exhaust regular compensation and will need job search assistance services; (2) refer identified claimants to reemployment services available under State or Federal law; and (3) collect follow-up information on such services and employment outcomes. Directs the Secretary of Labor to report to the Congress on such profiling system. Makes a technical amendment to Unemployment Trust Fund provisions. Extends a reporting date for an advisory council on unemployment compensation. Provides for a temporary increase in the sponsorship period for aliens under the supplemental security income program. Provides for an extension of the program of emergency unemployment compensation benefits for railroad workers. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1993"} | 2,755 | 292 | 0.566781 | 1.536894 | 0.786616 | 2.597744 | 9.150376 | 0.853383 |
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Global Magnitsky Human Rights
Accountability Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means a
person that is not a United States person.
(2) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or
entity.
(3) United states person.--The term ``United States
person'' means--
(A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully
admitted for permanent residence to the United States;
or
(B) an entity organized under the laws of the
United States or of any jurisdiction within the United
States, including a foreign branch of such an entity.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) In General.--The President may impose the sanctions described
in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign person the President
determines, based on credible evidence--
(1) is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or
other gross violations of internationally recognized human
rights committed against individuals in any foreign country who
seek--
(A) to expose illegal activity carried out by
government officials; or
(B) to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote
internationally recognized human rights and freedoms,
such as the freedoms of religion, expression,
association, and assembly, and the rights to a fair
trial and democratic elections;
(2) acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person
in a matter relating to an activity described in paragraph (1);
(3) is a government official, or a senior associate of such
an official, that is responsible for, or complicit in,
ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, acts of
significant corruption, including the expropriation of private
or public assets for personal gain, corruption related to
government contracts or the extraction of natural resources,
bribery, or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of
corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or
(4) has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided
financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or
services in support of, an activity described in paragraph (3).
(b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this
subsection are the following:
(1) Inadmissibility to united states.--In the case of a
foreign person who is an individual--
(A) ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the
United States or to be admitted to the United States;
or
(B) if the individual has been issued a visa or
other documentation, revocation, in accordance with
section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of the visa or other documentation.
(2) Blocking of property.--
(A) In general.--The blocking, in accordance with
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), of all transactions in all
property and interests in property of a foreign person
if such property and interests in property are in the
United States, come within the United States, or are or
come within the possession or control of a United
States person.
(B) Inapplicability of national emergency
requirement.--The requirements of section 202 of the
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C.
1701) shall not apply for purposes of this section.
(C) Exception relating to importation of goods.--
(i) In general.--The authority to block and
prohibit all transactions in all property and
interests in property under subparagraph (A)
shall not include the authority to impose
sanctions on the importation of goods.
(ii) Good.--In this subparagraph, the term
``good'' has the meaning given that term in
section 16 of the Export Administration Act of
1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2415) (as continued in
effect pursuant to the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)).
(c) Consideration of Certain Information in Imposing Sanctions.--In
determining whether to impose sanctions under subsection (a), the
President shall consider--
(1) information provided by the chairperson and ranking
member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; and
(2) credible information obtained by other countries and
nongovernmental organizations that monitor violations of human
rights.
(d) Requests by Chairperson and Ranking Member of Appropriate
Congressional Committees.--Not later than 120 days after receiving a
written request from the chairperson and ranking member of one of the
appropriate congressional committees with respect to whether a foreign
person has engaged in an activity described in subsection (a), the
President shall--
(1) determine if that person has engaged in such an
activity; and
(2) submit a report to the chairperson and ranking member
of that committee with respect to that determination that
includes--
(A) a statement of whether or not the President
imposed or intends to impose sanctions with respect to
the person; and
(B) if the President imposed or intends to impose
sanctions, a description of those sanctions.
(e) Exception To Comply With United Nations Headquarters Agreement
and Law Enforcement Objectives.--Sanctions under subsection (b)(1)
shall not apply to an individual if admitting the individual into the
United States would further important law enforcement objectives or is
necessary to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement
regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at Lake
Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 21, 1947,
between the United Nations and the United States, or other applicable
international obligations of the United States.
(f) Enforcement of Blocking of Property.--A person that violates,
attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of
subsection (b)(2) or any regulation, license, or order issued to carry
out subsection (b)(2) shall be subject to the penalties set forth in
subsections (b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person
that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of that
section.
(g) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate the
application of sanctions under this section with respect to a person if
the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional
committees not later than 15 days before the termination of the
sanctions that--
(1) credible information exists that the person did not
engage in the activity for which sanctions were imposed;
(2) the person has been prosecuted appropriately for the
activity for which sanctions were imposed;
(3) the person has credibly demonstrated a significant
change in behavior, has paid an appropriate consequence for the
activity for which sanctions were imposed, and has credibly
committed to not engage in an activity described in subsection
(a) in the future; or
(4) the termination of the sanctions is in the vital
national security interests of the United States.
(h) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall issue such
regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry out this
section.
(i) Identification of Sanctionable Foreign Persons.--The Assistant
Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs
and other bureaus of the Department of State, as appropriate, is
authorized to submit to the Secretary of State, for review and
consideration, the names of foreign persons who may meet the criteria
described in subsection (a).
(j) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--The President shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees, in accordance with subsection (b), a report
that includes--
(1) a list of each foreign person with respect to which the
President imposed sanctions pursuant to section 3 during the
year preceding the submission of the report;
(2) a description of the type of sanctions imposed with
respect to each such person;
(3) the number of foreign persons with respect to which the
President--
(A) imposed sanctions under section 3(a) during
that year; and
(B) terminated sanctions under section 3(g) during
that year;
(4) the dates on which such sanctions were imposed or
terminated, as the case may be;
(5) the reasons for imposing or terminating such sanctions;
and
(6) a description of the efforts of the President to
encourage the governments of other countries to impose
sanctions that are similar to the sanctions authorized by
section 3.
(b) Dates for Submission.--
(1) Initial report.--The President shall submit the initial
report under subsection (a) not later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) Subsequent reports.--
(A) In general.--The President shall submit a
subsequent report under subsection (a) on December 10,
or the first day thereafter on which both Houses of
Congress are in session, of--
(i) the calendar year in which the initial
report is submitted if the initial report is
submitted before December 10 of that calendar
year; and
(ii) each calendar year thereafter.
(B) Congressional statement.--Congress notes that
December 10 of each calendar year has been recognized
in the United States and internationally since 1950 as
``Human Rights Day''.
(c) Form of Report.--
(1) In general.--Each report required by subsection (a)
shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a
classified annex.
(2) Exception.--The name of a foreign person to be included
in the list required by subsection (a)(1) may be submitted in
the classified annex authorized by paragraph (1) only if the
President--
(A) determines that it is vital for the national
security interests of the United States to do so;
(B) uses the annex in a manner consistent with
congressional intent and the purposes of this Act; and
(C) not later than 15 days before submitting the
name in a classified annex, provides to the appropriate
congressional committees notice of, and a justification
for, including the name in the classified annex despite
any publicly available credible information indicating
that the person engaged in an activity described in
section 3(a).
(d) Public Availability.--
(1) In general.--The unclassified portion of the report
required by subsection (a) shall be made available to the
public, including through publication in the Federal Register.
(2) Nonapplicability of confidentiality requirement with
respect to visa records.--The President shall publish the list
required by subsection (a)(1) without regard to the
requirements of section 222(f) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202(f)) with respect to
confidentiality of records pertaining to the issuance or
refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States.
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this section,
the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Foreign
Relations, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
and
(2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on
Financial Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the
Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
Passed the Senate December 17, 2015.
Attest:
JULIE E. ADAMS,
Secretary. | Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (Sec. 3) This bill authorizes the President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against any foreign person (or entity) who: is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in any foreign country seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by government officials, or to obtain, exercise, or promote human rights and freedoms; acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in such activities; is a government official or senior associate of such official responsible for, or complicit in, ordering or otherwise directing acts of significant corruption, including the expropriation of private or public assets for personal gain, corruption related to government contracts or the extraction of natural resources, bribery, or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such activities. The authority to block and prohibit transactions in property and property interests shall not include the authority to impose sanctions on the importation of goods (any article, natural or man made substance, material, supply or manufactured product, including inspection and test equipment, excluding technical data). The President shall, after receiving a request from the chairperson and ranking member of one of the appropriate congressional committees with respect to whether a foreign person has engaged in a prohibited activity: determine if the person has engaged in such an activity; and report to the chairperson and ranking member whether or not the President imposed or intends to impose specified sanctions against the person. Sanctions shall not apply to an individual as necessary for law enforcement purposes, or to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters or other applicable international obligations of the United States. The President may terminate sanctions under specified conditions. The Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor may submit to the Department of State the names of foreign persons who may meet the sanctions criteria. (Sec. 4) The President shall report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition. | {"src": "billsum_train", "title": "Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act"} | 2,581 | 483 | 0.759431 | 2.669246 | 0.805614 | 4.859091 | 5.420455 | 0.909091 |
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