Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015

To extend the trade adjustment assistance program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015 2. Application of provisions relating to trade adjustment assistance (a) Repeal of snapback Section 233 of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 ( Public Law 112–40 (b) Applicability of certain provisions Except as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of chapters 2 through 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on December 31, 2013, and as amended by this Act, shall— (1) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) apply to petitions for certification filed under chapter 2, 3, or 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 on or after such date of enactment. (c) References Except as otherwise provided in this Act, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a provision of chapters 2 through 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, the reference shall be considered to be made to a provision of any such chapter, as in effect on December 31, 2013. 3. Extension of trade adjustment assistance program (a) Extension of termination provisions Section 285 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2271 December 31, 2013 June 30, 2021 (b) Training funds Section 236(a)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2296(a)(2)(A) shall not exceed shall not exceed $450,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2021. (c) Reemployment trade adjustment assistance Section 246(b)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2318(b)(1) December 31, 2013 June 30, 2021 (d) Authorizations of appropriations (1) Trade adjustment assistance for workers Section 245(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2317(a) December 31, 2013 June 30, 2021 (2) Trade adjustment assistance for firms Section 255(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2345(a) fiscal years 2012 and 2013 December 31, 2013 fiscal years 2015 through 2021 (3) Trade adjustment assistance for farmers Section 298(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2401g(a) fiscal years 2012 and 2013 December 31, 2013 fiscal years 2015 through 2021 4. Performance measurement and reporting (a) Performance measures Section 239(j) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2311(j) (1) in the subsection heading, by striking Data reporting Performance measures (2) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking a quarterly an annual (ii) by striking data measures (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking core primary (C) in subparagraph (C), by inserting that promote efficiency and effectiveness assistance program (3) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking Core indicators described Indicators of performance (B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following: (A) Primary indicators of performance described (i) In general The primary indicators of performance referred to in paragraph (1)(A) shall consist of— (I) the percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who are in unsubsidized employment during the second calendar quarter after exit from the program; (II) the percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program and who are in unsubsidized employment during the fourth calendar quarter after exit from the program; (III) the median earnings of workers described in subclause (I); (IV) the percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who, subject to clause (ii), obtain a recognized postsecondary credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, during participation in the program or within one year after exit from the program; and (V) the percentage and number of workers who received benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who, during a year while receiving such benefits, are in an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential or employment and who are achieving measurable gains in skills toward such a credential or employment. (ii) Indicator relating to credential For purposes of clause (i)(IV), a worker who received benefits under the trade adjustment assistance program who obtained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be included in the percentage counted for purposes of that clause only if the worker, in addition to obtaining such a diploma or its recognized equivalent, has obtained or retained employment or is in an education or training program leading to a recognized postsecondary credential within one year after exit from the program. ; (4) in paragraph (3)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking data measures (B) by striking quarterly annual (C) by striking data measures (5) by adding at the end the following: (4) Accessibility of State performance reports The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, make available (including by electronic means), in an easily understandable format, the reports of cooperating States or cooperating State agencies required by paragraph (1) and the information contained in those reports. . (b) Collection and publication of data Section 249B of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2323 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking enrolled in who received (ii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by striking complete exited (II) by striking who were enrolled in , including who received (iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking complete exited (iv) in subparagraph (F), by striking complete exit (v) by adding at the end the following: (G) The average cost per worker of receiving training approved under section 236. (H) The percentage of workers who received training approved under section 236 and obtained unsubsidized employment in a field related to that training. ; and (B) in paragraph (4)— (i) in subparagraphs (A) and (B), by striking quarterly annual (ii) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following: (C) The median earnings of workers described in section 239(j)(2)(A)(i)(III) during the second calendar quarter after exit from the program, expressed as a percentage of the median earnings of such workers before the calendar quarter in which such workers began receiving benefits under this chapter. ; and (2) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and (ii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) the reports required under section 239(j); ; and (B) in paragraph (2), by striking a quarterly an annual (c) Recognized postsecondary credential defined Section 247 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2319 (19) The term recognized postsecondary credential . 5. Applicability of trade adjustment assistance provisions (a) Trade adjustment assistance for workers (1) Petitions filed on or after January 1, 2014, and before date of enactment (A) Certifications of workers not certified before date of enactment (i) Criteria if a determination has not been made If, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor has not made a determination with respect to whether to certify a group of workers as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in clause (iii), the Secretary shall make that determination based on the requirements of section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment. (ii) Reconsideration of denials of certifications If, before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary made a determination not to certify a group of workers as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in clause (iii), the Secretary shall— (I) reconsider that determination; and (II) if the group of workers meets the requirements of section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment, certify the group of workers as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance. (iii) Petition described A petition described in this clause is a petition for a certification of eligibility for a group of workers filed under section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974 on or after January 1, 2014, and before the date of the enactment of this Act. (B) Eligibility for benefits (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), a worker certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 222 of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be eligible, on and after the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to receive benefits only under the provisions of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment. (ii) Computation of maximum benefits Benefits received by a worker described in clause (i) under chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 before the date of the enactment of this Act shall be included in any determination of the maximum benefits for which the worker is eligible under the provisions of chapter 2 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Petitions filed before January 1, 2014 A worker certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance pursuant to a petition filed under section 221 of the Trade Act of 1974 on or before December 31, 2013, shall continue to be eligible to apply for and receive benefits under the provisions of chapter 2 of title II of such Act, as in effect on December 31, 2013. (3) Qualifying separations with respect to petitions filed within 90 days of date of enactment Section 223(b) of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, shall be applied and administered by substituting before January 1, 2014 more than one year before the date of the petition on which such certification was granted (b) Trade adjustment assistance for firms (1) Certification of firms not certified before date of enactment (A) Criteria if a determination has not been made If, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce has not made a determination with respect to whether to certify a firm as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall make that determination based on the requirements of section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment. (B) Reconsideration of denial of certain petitions If, before the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary made a determination not to certify a firm as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974 pursuant to a petition described in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall— (i) reconsider that determination; and (ii) if the firm meets the requirements of section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment, certify the firm as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance. (C) Petition described A petition described in this subparagraph is a petition for a certification of eligibility filed by a firm or its representative under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974 on or after January 1, 2014, and before the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Certification of firms that did not submit petitions between January 1, 2014, and date of enactment (A) In general The Secretary of Commerce shall certify a firm described in subparagraph (B) as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, if the firm or its representative files a petition for a certification of eligibility under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974 not later than 90 days after such date of enactment. (B) Firm described A firm described in this subparagraph is a firm that the Secretary determines would have been certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance if— (i) the firm or its representative had filed a petition for a certification of eligibility under section 251 of the Trade Act of 1974 on a date during the period beginning on January 1, 2014, and ending on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act; and (ii) the provisions of chapter 3 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on such date of enactment, had been in effect on that date during the period described in clause (i). 6. Sunset provisions (a) Application of prior law Subject to subsection (b), beginning on July 1, 2021, the provisions of chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2271 et seq. (1) paragraph (1) of section 231(c) of that Act shall be applied and administered as if subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of that paragraph were not in effect; (2) section 233 of that Act shall be applied and administered— (A) in subsection (a)— (i) in paragraph (2), by substituting 104-week period 104-week period 130-week period) (ii) in paragraph (3)— (I) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by substituting 65 52 (II) by substituting 78-week period 52-week period (B) by applying and administering subsection (g) as if it read as follows: (g) Payment of trade readjustment allowances To complete training Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, in order to assist an adversely affected worker to complete training approved for the worker under section 236 that leads to the completion of a degree or industry-recognized credential, payments may be made as trade readjustment allowances for not more than 13 weeks within such period of eligibility as the Secretary may prescribe to account for a break in training or for justifiable cause that follows the last week for which the worker is otherwise entitled to a trade readjustment allowance under this chapter if— (1) payment of the trade readjustment allowance for not more than 13 weeks is necessary for the worker to complete the training; (2) the worker participates in training in each such week; and (3) the worker— (A) has substantially met the performance benchmarks established as part of the training approved for the worker; (B) is expected to continue to make progress toward the completion of the training; and (C) will complete the training during that period of eligibility. ; (3) section 245(a) of that Act shall be applied and administered by substituting June 30, 2022 December 31, 2007 (4) section 246(b)(1) of that Act shall be applied and administered by substituting June 30, 2022 the date that is 5 years State (5) section 256(b) of that Act shall be applied and administered by substituting the 1-year period beginning on July 1, 2021 each of fiscal years 2003 through 2007, and $4,000,000 for the 3-month period beginning on October 1, 2007 (6) section 298(a) of that Act shall be applied and administered by substituting the 1-year period beginning on July 1, 2021 each of the fiscal years October 1, 2007 (7) section 285 of that Act shall be applied and administered— (A) in subsection (a), by substituting June 30, 2022 December 31, 2007 (B) by applying and administering subsection (b) as if it read as follows: (b) Other assistance (1) Assistance for firms (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), assistance may not be provided under chapter 3 after June 30, 2022. (B) Exception Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any assistance approved under chapter 3 pursuant to a petition filed under section 251 on or before June 30, 2022, may be provided— (i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such chapter for such purpose; and (ii) to the extent the recipient of the assistance is otherwise eligible to receive such assistance. (2) Farmers (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), assistance may not be provided under chapter 6 after June 30, 2022. (B) Exception Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), any assistance approved under chapter 6 on or before June 30, 2022, may be provided— (i) to the extent funds are available pursuant to such chapter for such purpose; and (ii) to the extent the recipient of the assistance is otherwise eligible to receive such assistance. . (b) Exceptions The provisions of chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, shall continue to apply on and after July 1, 2021, with respect to— (1) workers certified as eligible for trade adjustment assistance benefits under chapter 2 of title II of that Act pursuant to petitions filed under section 221 of that Act before July 1, 2021; (2) firms certified as eligible for technical assistance or grants under chapter 3 of title II of that Act pursuant to petitions filed under section 251 of that Act before July 1, 2021; and (3) agricultural commodity producers certified as eligible for technical or financial assistance under chapter 6 of title II of that Act pursuant to petitions filed under section 292 of that Act before July 1, 2021.

Summary: Trade Adjustment Assistance Enhancement Act of 2015 Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal the declaration that trade adjustment assistance (TAA) program requirements in effect as of February 13, 2011, under the Trade Act of 1974 shall apply to petitions for certification to apply for TAA for workers, firms, and farmers that are filed before January 1, 2014. Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to extend through June 30, 2021: the TAA program, and the reemployment trade adjustment assistance (RTAA) program. Makes funds available for FY2015-FY2021 for training of adversely affected workers as well as (through June 30, 2021) reemployment and case management services. Reauthorizes appropriations: through June 30, 2021, for the TAA program for workers; and for FY2015-FY2021 for the TAA program for firms and farmers. Revises and replaces core indicators of performance with primary indicators of performance. Adds among other factors the percentage and number of workers receiving TAA benefits who are in: unsubsidized employment, and an education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary schooling credential or employment and who are achieving measurable gains in skills toward that credential or employment. Specifies criteria the Department of Labor must use to determine the eligibility of workers to apply for TAA if no determination has been made, upon enactment of this Act, as to whether to certify a group of workers or firms as eligible pursuant to a petition filed between January 1, 2014, and enactment of this Act. Requires the Department to reconsider any determination made before enactment of this Act not to certify such workers or firms, and to certify them as eligible if they meet the specified requirements. Increases from 52 to 65 additional weeks of TAA payments in a 78-week period the length of additional time permissible to complete training.