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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 566 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 566

  To reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through 
               fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 25, 2015

  Mr. Portman (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Whitehouse, and Mr. Udall) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
                     Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To reauthorize the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998 through 
               fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Tropical Forest 
Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Amendment to short title of Act to encompass modified scope.
Sec. 3. Protection of forests and coral reefs.
Sec. 4. Change to name of facility.
Sec. 5. Eligibility for benefits.
Sec. 6. United States Government representation on oversight bodies for 
                            grants from debt-for-nature swaps and debt 
                            buybacks.
Sec. 7. Conservation agreements.
Sec. 8. Conservation Fund.
Sec. 9. Repeal of authority of the Enterprise for the Americas Board to 
                            carry out activities under the Tropical 
                            Forest Conservation Authorization Act of 
                            1998.
Sec. 10. Changes to due dates of annual reports to Congress.
Sec. 11. Changes to International Monetary Fund criterion for country 
                            eligibility.
Sec. 12. New authorization of appropriations for the reduction of debt 
                            and authorization for audit, evaluation, 
                            monitoring, and administration expenses.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO SHORT TITLE OF ACT TO ENCOMPASS MODIFIED SCOPE.

    (a) In General.--Section 801 of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Act of 1998 (Public Law 87-195; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) is amended by 
striking ``Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998'' and inserting 
``Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2015''.
    (b) References.--Any reference in any other provision of law, 
regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to 
the ``Tropical Forest Conservation Act of 1998'' shall be deemed to be 
a reference to the ``Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act 
of 2015''.

SEC. 3. PROTECTION OF FORESTS AND CORAL REEFS.

    (a) In General.--Section 802 of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431), as renamed by section 
2(a), is amended--
            (1) in subsections (a)(1), (a)(6), (b)(1), (b)(3), and 
        (b)(4), by striking ``tropical forests'' each place it appears 
        and inserting ``tropical forests, non-tropical forests, and 
        coral reef ecosystems'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(2)(C), by striking ``far-flung'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(7), by striking ``tropical forests is 
        critical to the protection of tropical forests'' and inserting 
        ``tropical forests, non-tropical forests, and coral reef 
        ecosystems is critical to the protection of such areas''; and
            (4) in subsection (b)(2)--
                    (A) by striking ``tropical forests'' the first 
                place it appears and inserting ``tropical forests, non-
                tropical forests, and coral ecosystems'';
                    (B) by striking ``tropical forests'' the second 
                place it appears and inserting ``areas''; and
                    (C) by striking ``tropical forests'' the third 
                place it appears and inserting ``tropical forests, non-
                tropical forests, and coral reef ecosystems''.
    (b) Amendments Related to Definitions.--Section 803 of such Act (22 
U.S.C. 2431a) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``tropical forest'' 
                and inserting ``tropical forest, non-tropical forest, 
                or coral reef'';
                    (B) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``tropical forest'' and inserting ``tropical 
                forest, non-tropical forest, or coral reef''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``tropical forest'' and 
                        inserting ``tropical forest, non-tropical 
                        forest, or coral reef''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``tropical forests'' and 
                        inserting ``tropical forests, non-tropical 
                        forests, or coral reefs'' and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(10) Coral.--The term `coral' means species of the phylum 
        Cnidaria, including--
                    ``(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black 
                corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Alcyonacea (soft 
                corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera 
                (organpipe corals and others), and Coenothecalia (blue 
                coral), of the class Anthoza; and
                    ``(B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire 
                corals and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
            ``(11) Coral reef.--The term `coral reef' means any reef or 
        shoal composed primarily of coral.
            ``(12) Coral reef ecosystem.--The term `coral reef 
        ecosystem' means any coral reef and any coastal marine 
        ecosystem surrounding, or directly related to, a coral reef and 
        important to maintaining the ecological integrity of that coral 
        reef, such as seagrasses, mangroves, sandy seabed communities, 
        and immediately adjacent coastal areas.''.

SEC. 4. CHANGE TO NAME OF FACILITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 804 of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431b), as renamed by section 
2(a), is amended by striking ``Tropical Forest Facility'' and inserting 
``Conservation Facility''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments to Definitions.--Section 803(8) of such 
Act (22 U.S.C. 2431a(8)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``Tropical forest 
        facility'' and inserting ``Conservation facility''; and
            (2) by striking ``Tropical Forest Facility'' both places it 
        appears and inserting ``Conservation Facility''.
    (c) References.--Any reference in any other provision of law, 
regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to 
the ``Tropical Forest Facility'' shall be deemed to be a reference to 
the ``Conservation Facility''.

SEC. 5. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS.

    Section 805(a) of the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization 
Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431c(a)), as renamed by section 2(a), is 
amended by striking ``tropical forest'' and inserting ``tropical 
forest, non-tropical forest, or coral reef''.

SEC. 6. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION ON OVERSIGHT BODIES FOR 
              GRANTS FROM DEBT-FOR-NATURE SWAPS AND DEBT BUYBACKS.

    Section 808(a)(5) of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431f(a)(5)), as renamed by 
section 2(a), is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(C) United states government representation on 
                the administering body.--One or more individuals 
                appointed by the United States Government may serve in 
                an official capacity on the administering body that 
                oversees the implementation of grants arising from a 
                debt-for-nature swap or debt buyback regardless of 
                whether the United States is a party to any agreement 
                between the eligible purchaser and the government of 
                the beneficiary country.''.

SEC. 7. CONSERVATION AGREEMENTS.

    (a) Renaming of Agreements.--Section 809 of the Tropical Forest 
Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431g), as renamed 
by section 2(a), is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``tropical forest 
        agreement'' and inserting ``conservation agreement''; and
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Authority'' and all that follows 
                through ``(1) In general.--The Secretary'' and 
                inserting ``Authority.--The Secretary''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Tropical Forest Agreement'' and 
                inserting ``Conservation Agreement''.
    (b) Elimination of Requirement To Consult With the Enterprise for 
the Americas Board.--Such subsection is further amended by striking 
paragraph (2).
    (c) Role of Beneficiary Countries.--Such section is further 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (e)(1)(C), by striking ``in exceptional 
        circumstances, the government of the beneficiary country'' and 
        inserting ``in limited circumstances, the government of the 
        beneficiary country when needed to improve governance and 
        enhance management of tropical forests, non-tropical forests, 
        or coral reef ecosystems, without replacing existing levels of 
        financial efforts by the government of the beneficiary country 
        and with priority given to projects that complement grants made 
        under subparagraphs (A) and (B)''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Review of Larger Grants.--Any grant of more than $250,000 
from a Fund must be approved by the Government of the United States and 
the government of the beneficiary country.''.
    (d) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Such section is further 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(i), by inserting ``to serve in 
        an official capacity'' after ``Government'';
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``tropical forests'' and inserting ``tropical 
                forests, non-tropical forests, and coral reef 
                ecosystems'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``tropical 
                forest''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (6), by striking ``living in or 
                near a tropical forest in a manner consistent with 
                protecting such tropical forest'' and inserting 
                ``dependent on a tropical forest, non-tropical forest, 
                or coral reef ecosystem and related resources in a 
                manner consistent with conserving such resources''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments to Definitions.--Section 803(7) of such 
Act (22 U.S.C. 2431a(7)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by striking ``Tropical forest 
        agreement'' and inserting ``Conservation agreement''; and
            (2) by striking ``Tropical Forest Agreement'' both places 
        it appears and inserting ``Conservation Agreement''.

SEC. 8. CONSERVATION FUND.

    (a) In General.--Section 810 of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431h), as renamed by section 
2(a), is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``tropical forest 
        fund'' and inserting ``conservation fund''; and
            (2) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Tropical Forest Agreement'' and 
                inserting ``Conservation Agreement''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Tropical Forest Fund'' and 
                inserting ``Conservation Fund''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments to Definitions.--Such Act is further 
amended--
            (1) in section 803(9) (22 U.S.C. 2431a(9))--
                    (A) in the heading, by striking ``Tropical forest 
                fund'' and inserting ``Conservation fund''; and
                    (B) by striking ``Tropical Forest Fund'' both 
                places it appears and inserting ``Conservation Fund'';
            (2) in section 806(c)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2431d(c)(2)), by 
        striking ``Tropical Forest Fund'' and inserting ``Conservation 
        Fund''; and
            (3) in section 807(c)(2) (22 U.S.C. 2431e(c)(2)), by 
        striking ``Tropical Forest Fund'' and inserting ``Conservation 
        Fund''.

SEC. 9. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY OF THE ENTERPRISE FOR THE AMERICAS BOARD TO 
              CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES UNDER THE TROPICAL FOREST 
              CONSERVATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1998.

    (a) In General.--Section 811 of the Tropical Forest Conservation 
Reauthorization Act of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431i), as renamed by section 
2(a), is repealed.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--Section 803 of such Act (22 U.S.C. 
2431a) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4); and
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) 
        as paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8), respectively.

SEC. 10. CHANGES TO DUE DATES OF ANNUAL REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    Section 813 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act 
of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431k), as renamed by section 2(a), is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``(a) In General.--Not later than 
                December 31'' and inserting ``Not later than April 
                15''; and
                    (B) by striking ``fiscal year'' both places it 
                appears and inserting ``calendar year''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).

SEC. 11. CHANGES TO INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND CRITERION FOR COUNTRY 
              ELIGIBILITY.

    Section 703(a)(5) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2430b(a)(5)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or, as appropriate in exceptional 
        circumstances,'' and inserting ``or'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by striking ``or in exceptional circumstances, 
                a Fund monitored program or its equivalent,'' and 
                inserting ``or a Fund monitored program, or is 
                implementing sound macroeconomic policies,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``(after consultation with the 
                Enterprise for the Americas Board)''; and
            (3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``(after consultation 
        with the Enterprise for Americas Board)''.

SEC. 12. NEW AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE REDUCTION OF DEBT 
              AND AUTHORIZATION FOR AUDIT, EVALUATION, MONITORING, AND 
              ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES.

    Section 806 of the Tropical Forest Conservation Reauthorization Act 
of 2015 (22 U.S.C. 2431d), as renamed by section 2(a), is amended--
            (1) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following 
        new paragraphs:
            ``(7) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.
            ``(8) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.
            ``(9) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2017.
            ``(10) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.''; and
            (2) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows:
    ``(e) Use of Funds To Conduct Program Audits, Evaluations, 
Monitoring, and Administration.--Of the amounts made available to carry 
out this part for a fiscal year, $300,000 is authorized to be made 
available to carry out audits, evaluations, monitoring, and 
administration of programs under this part, including personnel costs 
associated with such audits, evaluations, monitoring and 
administration.''.
                                 <all>
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