I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2129 
To establish the Climate Change Advisory Commission to develop rec-
ommendations, frameworks, and guidelines for projects to respond to 
the impacts of climate change, to issue Federal obligations, the proceeds 
of which shall be used to fund projects that aid in adaptation to climate 
change, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 25, 2017 
Mr. DEUTCH introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, and Ways and Means, for a period to 
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To establish the Climate Change Advisory Commission to 
develop recommendations, frameworks, and guidelines for 
projects to respond to the impacts of climate change, 
to issue Federal obligations, the proceeds of which shall 
be used to fund projects that aid in adaptation to climate 
change, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Climate Change Adapt America Fund Act of 2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COMMISSION 
Sec. 101. Establishment of Climate Change Advisory Commission. 
Sec. 102. Duties. 
Sec. 103. Commission personnel matters. 
Sec. 104. Funding. 
Sec. 105. Termination. 
TITLE II—ADAPT AMERICA FUND 
Sec. 201. Adapt America Fund. 
Sec. 202. Compliance with Davis-Bacon Act. 
Sec. 203. Funding. 
TITLE III—REVENUE 
Sec. 301. Climate change obligations. 
Sec. 302. Promotion. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
Except as otherwise provided, in this Act: 
(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘‘Commission’’ 
means the Climate Change Advisory Commission es-
tablished by section 101(a). 
(2) FUND.—The term ‘‘Fund’’ means the 
Adapt 
America 
Fund 
established 
by 
section 
201(a)(1). 
(3) QUALIFIED CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION 
PURPOSE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘qualified cli-
mate change adaptation purpose’’ means an ob-
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jective with a demonstrated intent to reduce the 
economic, social, and environmental impact of 
the adverse effects of climate change. 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘qualified cli-
mate change adaptation purpose’’ includes— 
(i) infrastructure resiliency and miti-
gation; 
(ii) improved disaster response; and 
(iii) ecosystem protection. 
(4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
TITLE I—CLIMATE CHANGE 
ADVISORY COMMISSION 
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY 
COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established a commission 
to be known as the ‘‘Climate Change Advisory Commis-
sion’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Commission shall be com-
posed of 11 members— 
(1) who shall be selected from the public and 
private sectors and institutions of higher education; 
and 
(2) of whom— 
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(A) 3 shall be appointed by the President, 
in consultation with the Interagency Climate 
Change Adaptation Task Force; 
(B) 2 shall be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House of Representatives; 
(C) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the House of Representatives; 
(D) 2 shall be appointed by the majority 
leader of the Senate; and 
(E) 2 shall be appointed by the minority 
leader of the Senate. 
(c) TERMS.—Each member of the Commission shall 
be appointed for the life of the Commission. 
(d) INITIAL APPOINTMENTS.—Each member of the 
Commission shall be appointed not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(e) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Commission— 
(1) shall not affect the powers of the Commis-
sion; and 
(2) shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made. 
(f) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Commission have 
been appointed, the Commission shall hold the initial 
meeting of the Commission. 
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(g) MEETINGS.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson. 
(h) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser num-
ber of members may hold hearings. 
(i) CHAIRPERSON
AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.—The 
Commission shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chair-
person from among the members of the Commission. 
SEC. 102. DUTIES. 
The Commission shall— 
(1) establish recommendations, frameworks, 
and guidelines for a Federal investment program 
funded by revenue from climate change obligations 
issued under section 301 for States, municipalities, 
and other public entities, including utility districts, 
transit authorities, and multistate regulatory bodies 
that— 
(A) improves and adapts energy, transpor-
tation, water, and general infrastructure im-
pacted or expected to be impacted due to cli-
mate variability; and 
(B) integrates best available science, data, 
standards, models, and trends that improve the 
resiliency of infrastructure systems described in 
subparagraph (A); and 
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(2) identify categories of the most cost-effective 
investments and projects that emphasize multiple 
benefits to commerce, human health, and eco-
systems. 
SEC. 103. COMMISSION PERSONNEL MATTERS. 
(a) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.— 
(1) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of 
the Commission who is not an officer or employee of 
the Federal Government shall be compensated at a 
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate 
of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive 
Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United 
States Code, for each day (including travel time) 
during which the member is engaged in the perform-
ance of the duties of the Commission. 
(2) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the 
Commission who is an officer or employee of the 
Federal Government shall serve without compensa-
tion in addition to the compensation received for the 
services of the member as an officer or employee of 
the Federal Government. 
(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—A member of the Commis-
sion 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 
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5, United States Code, while away from the home or reg-
ular place of business of the member in the performance 
of the duties of the Commission. 
(c) STAFF.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Chairperson of the 
Commission may, without regard to the civil service 
laws (including regulations), appoint and terminate 
such personnel as are necessary to enable the Com-
mission to perform the duties of the Commission. 
(2) COMPENSATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the Chairperson of the Com-
mission may fix the compensation of 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 personnel shall not exceed the rate pay-
able for level V of the Executive Schedule under 
section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. 
SEC. 104. FUNDING. 
The Commission shall use amounts in the Fund to 
pay for all administrative expenses of the Commission. 
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SEC. 105. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate on such date as the 
Commission determines after the Commission carries out 
the duties of the Commission under section 102. 
TITLE II—ADAPT AMERICA FUND 
SEC. 201. ADAPT AMERICA FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established within 
the Department of Commerce the ‘‘Adapt America 
Fund’’. 
(2) RESPONSIBILITY OF SECRETARY.—The Sec-
retary shall take such action as the Secretary deter-
mines to be necessary to assist in implementing the 
establishment of the Fund in accordance with this 
Act. 
(b) CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PROJECTS.— 
The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission, shall 
carry out a program to provide funds to eligible applicants 
to carry out projects for a qualified climate change adapta-
tion purpose. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity eligible to par-
ticipate in the program under subsection (b) shall in-
clude— 
(1) a Federal agency; 
(2) a State or a group of States; 
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(3) a unit of local government or a group of 
local governments; 
(4) a utility district; 
(5) a tribal government or a consortium of trib-
al governments; 
(6) a State or regional transit agency or a 
group of State or regional transit agencies; 
(7) a nonprofit organization; 
(8) a special purpose district or public author-
ity, including a port authority; and 
(9) any other entity, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(d) APPLICATION.—An eligible entity shall submit to 
the Secretary an application for a project for a qualified 
climate change adaptation purpose at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, including data relating to any benefits, such 
as economic impact or improvements to public health, that 
the project is expected to provide. 
(e) SELECTION.—The Secretary shall select projects 
from eligible entities to receive funds under this section 
based on criteria and guidelines determined and published 
by the Commission. 
(f) NON-FEDERAL
FUNDING
REQUIREMENT.—In 
order to receive funds under this section, an eligible entity 
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shall provide funds for the project in an amount that is 
equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of funds 
provided under this section. 
(g) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.—All amounts depos-
ited in the Fund in accordance with section 301(a) shall 
be used only to fund new projects in accordance with this 
Act. 
(h) APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL LAW.—Nothing in 
this Act waives the requirements of any Federal law (in-
cluding regulations) that would otherwise apply to a quali-
fied climate change project that receives funds under this 
section. 
SEC. 202. COMPLIANCE WITH DAVIS-BACON ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—All laborers and mechanics em-
ployed by contractors and subcontractors on projects fund-
ed directly by or assisted in whole or in part by and 
through the Fund pursuant to this title shall be paid 
wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects 
of a character similar in the locality as determined by the 
Secretary of Labor in accordance with subchapter IV of 
chapter 31 of part A of title 40, United States Code. 
(b) LABOR STANDARDS.—With respect to the labor 
standards specified in this section, the Secretary of Labor 
shall have the authority and functions set forth in Reorga-
nization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (64 Stat. 1267; 5 
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U.S.C. App.) and section 3145 of title 40, United States 
Code. 
SEC. 203. FUNDING. 
The Secretary shall use funds made available to the 
Secretary and not otherwise obligated to carry out the pro-
gram under section 201(b). 
TITLE III—REVENUE 
SEC. 301. CLIMATE CHANGE OBLIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate (referred to in this 
title as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall issue obligations under 
chapter 31 of title 31, United States Code (referred to 
in this title as ‘‘climate change obligations’’), the proceeds 
from which shall be deposited in the Fund. 
(b) FULL FAITH AND CREDIT.—Payment of interest 
and principal with respect to any climate change obliga-
tion issued under this section shall be made from the gen-
eral fund of the Treasury of the United States and shall 
be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. 
(c) EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL TAXATION.—All cli-
mate change obligations issued by the Secretary, and the 
interest on or credits with respect to such obligations, 
shall not be subject to taxation by any State, county, mu-
nicipality, or local taxing authority. 
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(d) AMOUNT OF CLIMATE CHANGE OBLIGATIONS.— 
The aggregate face amount of the climate change obliga-
tions issued annually under this section shall be 
$200,000,000. 
(e) FUNDING.—The Secretary shall use funds made 
available to the Secretary and not otherwise obligated to 
carry out the purposes of this section. 
SEC. 302. PROMOTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall promote the 
purchase of climate change obligations through such 
means as are determined appropriate by the Secretary, 
with the amount expended for such promotion not to ex-
ceed $10,000,000 for any fiscal year during the period of 
fiscal years 2018 through 2022. 
(b) DONATED ADVERTISING.—In addition to any ad-
vertising paid for with funds made available under sub-
section (c), the Secretary shall solicit and may accept the 
donation of advertising relating to the sale of climate 
change obligations. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each 
fiscal year during the period of fiscal years 2018 through 
2022, there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 
to carry out the purposes of this section. 
Æ 
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