datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4683 
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for a review of the 
characterization or terms of discharge from the Armed Forces of individ-
uals with mental health disorders alleged to affect terms of discharge. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2016 
Mr. COFFMAN (for himself, Mr. WALZ, Mr. ZELDIN, Miss RICE of New York, 
Mr. KING of New York, Mr. JONES, Mr. RUSSELL, Mr. ZINKE, Mr. 
MOULTON, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. MURPHY
of Florida, and Mr. 
GALLEGO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for a 
review of the characterization or terms of discharge from 
the Armed Forces of individuals with mental health dis-
orders alleged to affect terms of discharge. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Fairness for Veterans 
Act of 2016’’. 
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SEC. 2. REVIEW OF CHARACTERIZATION OR TERMS OF DIS-
CHARGE FROM THE ARMED FORCES OF INDI-
VIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS 
ALLEGED TO AFFECT TERMS OF DISCHARGE. 
Section 1553(d) of title 10, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(3)(A) In addition to the requirements of para-
graphs (1) and (2), in the case of a former member de-
scribed in subparagraph (B), the board shall— 
‘‘(i) review medical evidence of the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs or a civilian health care provider 
that is presented by the former member; and 
‘‘(ii) review the case with a rebuttable presump-
tion in favor of the former member that post-trau-
matic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury ma-
terially contributed to the circumstances resulting in 
the discharge of a lesser characterization. 
‘‘(B) A former member described in this subpara-
graph is a former member described in paragraph (1) or 
a former member whose application for relief is based in 
whole or in part on matters relating to post-traumatic 
stress disorder or traumatic brain injury as supporting ra-
tionale or as justification for priority consideration whose 
post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury 
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is related to combat or military sexual trauma, as deter-
mined by the Secretary concerned.’’. 
Æ 
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ecosystem restoration project from a willing 
owner through conveyance of—
(i) fee title to the land; or 
(ii) a flood plain conservation ease-
ment. 
(3) SPECIFIC PROJECTS AUTHORIZATION.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the ecosystem restoration projects 
described in paragraph (2) shall be carried out 
at a total construction cost of $1,460,000,000. 
(B) LIMITATION ON AVAILABLE FUNDS.—
Of the amounts made available under subpara-
graph (A), not more than $35,000,000 for each 
fiscal year shall be available for land acquisition 
under paragraph (2)(D). 
(4) IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than June 
30, 2005, and every 4 years thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Envi-
ronment and Public Works of the Senate and 
the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives an 
implementation report that—
(2) PENDING CASES NOT AFFECTED.—This sec-
tion and the amendments made by this section shall
not affect any action commenced before the effective
date of this section and pending on such date in the
United States District Court for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania.
(3) JURIES NOT AFFECTED.—This section and
the amendments made by this section shall not affect
the composition, or preclude the service, of any grand
or petit jury summoned, impaneled, or actually serv-
ing on the effective date of this section.
SEC. 311. CREATION OF TWO DIVISIONS IN EASTERN DIS-
TRICT OF LOUISIANA.
(a) CREATION OF TWO DIVISIONS.—Section 98(a) of
title 28, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) The Eastern District comprises two divisions.
‘‘(1) The New Orleans Division comprises the par-
ishes of Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, Saint
Bernard, Saint Charles, Saint John the Baptist,
Saint Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.
‘‘Court for the New Orleans Division shall be held at
New Orleans.
‘‘(2) The Houma Division comprises the parishes of
Assumption, 
Lafourche, 
Saint 
James, 
and
Terrebonne.
I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2293
To eliminate attorney fee awards and limit relief available in suits against
certain public entities.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 30, 1997
Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
A BILL
To eliminate attorney fee awards and limit relief available
in suits against certain public entities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Environmental Litiga-
tion Abuse Prevention Act of 1997’’.
SEC. 2. LIMITATION ON AWARD.
Section 505(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Pre-
vention and Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1365(d)) is amend-
ed—
(1) by adding ‘‘(1)’’ before ‘‘The court, in’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
‘‘(2)(A) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in issuing
any final order in any action brought pursuant to this sec-
tion, the court shall not award costs of litigation (includ-
ing any attorney fees or expert witness fees) against any
municipality.
‘‘(B) For the purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘municipality’ includes the District of Columbia.’’.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to any
proceeding in which a final decree has not been entered.
Æ
(C) by striking the last sentence.
(b) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 28.—Section 636(a) of
title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking para-
graphs (4) and (5) and inserting in the following:
‘‘(4) the power to enter a sentence for a petty
offense; and
‘‘(5) the power to enter a sentence for a class
A misdemeanor in a case in which the parties have
consented.’’.
SEC. 204. SAVINGS AND LOAN DATA REPORTING REQUIRE-
MENTS.
Section 604 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended in subsection (a) by striking the second para-
graph designated (24).
SEC. 205. PLACE OF HOLDING COURT IN THE EASTERN DIS-
TRICT OF TEXAS.
(a) 
TEXAS.—The 
second 
sentence 
of 
section
124(c)(3) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ‘‘and Plano’’ after ‘‘held at Sherman’’.
(b) TEXARKANA.—Sections 83(b)(1) and 124(c)(6)
of title 28, United States Code, are each amended by add-
ing before the period at the end of the last sentence the
following: ‘‘, and may be held anywhere within the Federal
courthouse in Texarkana that is located astride the State
line between Texas and Arkansas’’.
(B) the person claiming the valid, existing 
rights has 60 days to submit an application to 
the Secretary requesting that the valid, existing 
rights be converted to a long-term easement or 
other right-of-way. 
(3) DETERMINATION.—The Secretary of the In-
terior shall grant or deny an application submitted 
under paragraph (2)(B) not later than 180 days 
after the application is submitted. Such a determina-
tion shall be considered a final action. If the Sec-
retary does not make a determination within 180 
days after the application is submitted, the applica-
tion shall be deemed to be granted. 
(e) RESTRICTION ON GAMING.—Lands taken into 
trust pursuant to subsection (a) shall not be considered 
to have been taken into trust for, and shall not be eligible 
for, 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)). 
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Union Calendar No. 501 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4685 
[Report No. 114–649] 
A BILL 
To take certain Federal lands located in Tulare 
County, California, into trust for the benefit of 
the Tule River Indian Tribe, and for other pur-
poses. 
JULY 1, 2016 
Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
State of the Union and ordered to be printed 
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(iii) in subparagraph (F), by striking 
‘‘Department of Wildlife of the State of 
Washington, and’’ and inserting ‘‘Depart-
ment of Fish and Wildlife of the State of 
Washington.’’; and 
(iv) by striking subparagraph (G); 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) in each of subparagraphs (A) 
through (C), by striking the comma at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
‘‘, and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(iii) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(iv) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(F) provide recommendations to advance 
the purposes and programs of the Yakima En-
hancement Project, including the Integrated 
Plan.’’; and 
(C) by striking paragraph (4) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(4) AUTHORITY OF DESIGNATED FEDERAL OF-
FICIAL.—The designated Federal official may— 
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(C) The extent of demonstrated experience
and capacity of the entity in multifamily hous-
ing restructuring and in multifamily housing
asset management.
(D) The extent of demonstrated expertise
of the entity in financing and managing afford-
able housing for low-income families.
(E) The extent to which the entity has a
history of stable, financially sound, and respon-
sible administrative performance.
(F) The extent of demonstrated financial
strength of the entity, with respect to asset
quality, capital adequacy, and liquidity.
(G) The extent of demonstrated capacity of
the entity to work with residents of low-income
housing and communities.
(H) The extent to which the entity is oth-
erwise qualified, as determined by the Director,
to carry out the requirements of this subtitle,
including capability to perform the necessary
underwriting and restructuring activities under
this subtitle.
(4) ALTERNATIVE
ADMINISTRATORS.—In the
case of any eligible multifamily housing project for
which the Director determines that no entity has
HR 2294 IH
‘‘Attained age:
Years of Service:
60 .......................................................................................................
61 .......................................................................................................
62 .......................................................................................................
63 .......................................................................................................
64 .......................................................................................................
65 .......................................................................................................
66 .......................................................................................................
67 .......................................................................................................
68 .......................................................................................................
69 .......................................................................................................
70 .......................................................................................................
10’’.
SEC. 402. DISABILITY RETIREMENT AND COST-OF-LIVING
ADJUSTMENTS OF ANNUITIES FOR TERRI-
TORIAL JUDGES.
Section 373 of title 28, is amended—
(1) by amending subparagraph (c)(4) to read—
‘‘(4) Any senior judge performing judicial du-
ties pursuant to recall under paragraph (2) of this
subsection shall be paid, while performing such du-
ties, the same compensation (in lieu of the annuity
payable under this section) and the same allowances
for travel and other expenses as a judge on active
duty with the court being served.’’;
(2) by amending subsection (e) to read—
‘‘(e)(1) Any judge of the District Court of Guam, the
District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the
District Court of the Virgin Islands who is not reappointed
(as judge of such court) shall be entitled, upon attaining
the age of sixty-five years or upon relinquishing office if
the judge is then beyond the age of sixty-five years, (i)
if the judicial service of such judge, continuous or other-
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Yakama 
Nation may agree; and 
‘‘(ii) nothing in this subparagraph af-
fects (as in existence on the date of enact-
ment of this section) any contract, law (in-
cluding regulations) relating to repayment 
costs, water right, or Yakama Nation trea-
ty right. 
‘‘(d) STATE AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS.—The Sec-
retary may accept as part of the non-Federal cost-share 
of a project carried out under this section, and expend 
as if appropriated, any contribution (including in-kind 
services) by the State of Washington or any other indi-
vidual or entity that the Secretary determines will enhance 
the conduct and completion of the project. 
‘‘(e) SAVINGS AND CONTINGENCIES.—Nothing in this 
section shall— 
‘‘(1) be a new or supplemental benefit for pur-
poses of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (43 
U.S.C. 390aa et seq.); 
‘‘(2) affect any contract in existence on the date 
of enactment of the Yakima River Basin Water En-
hancement Project Phase III Act that was executed 
pursuant to the reclamation laws; 
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‘‘(3) affect any contract or agreement between 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of 
Reclamation; 
‘‘(4) affect, waive, abrogate, diminish, define, or 
interpret the treaty between the Yakama Nation and 
the United States; or 
‘‘(5) constrain the continued authority of the 
Secretary to provide fish passage in the Yakima 
Basin in accordance with the Hoover Power Plant 
Act of 1984 (43 U.S.C 619 et seq.). 
‘‘SEC. 1214. OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF WATER SUPPLIES. 
‘‘The Secretary shall retain authority and discretion 
over the management of project supplies to optimize oper-
ational use and flexibility to ensure compliance with all 
applicable Federal and State laws, treaty rights of the 
Yakama Nation, and legal obligations, including those 
contained in this Act. That authority and discretion in-
cludes the ability of the United States to store, deliver, 
conserve, and reuse water supplies deriving from projects 
authorized under this title.’’. 
Æ 
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I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4687 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that temporary employees 
of the Department of Defense may compete for vacant permanent posi-
tions under internal merit promotion procedures, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2016 
Mr. MULLIN (for himself and Mr. RUSSELL) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
A BILL 
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that tem-
porary employees of the Department of Defense may 
compete for vacant permanent positions under internal 
merit promotion procedures, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘DOD Workforce Flexi-
bility Act of 2016’’. 
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SEC. 2. PERSONNEL FLEXIBILITIES RELATING TO THE DE-
PARTMENT OF DEFENSE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 96 of title 5, United 
States Code, is amended as follows: 
(1) In section 9601(1)— 
(A) in the matter before subparagraph (A), 
by striking ‘‘land management agency’’ and in-
serting ‘‘covered agency’’; 
(B) at the end of subparagraph (E), by 
striking ‘‘and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(G) the Department of Defense; and’’. 
(2) In section 9602, by striking ‘‘land manage-
ment agency’’ in each instance it appears and insert-
ing ‘‘covered agency’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The heading of 
chapter 96 of title 5, United States Code, is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following: ‘‘AND THE 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for 
part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended 
by striking the item relating to chapter 96 and in-
serting the following: 
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‘‘96. Personnel flexibilities relating to land management agencies and the De-
partment of Defense.’’. 
Æ 
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I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4689 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs to enter into contracts with administrative contractors for the 
processing of claims for hospital care and medical services furnished 
in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2016 
Mr. BOUSTANY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 
A BILL 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into contracts 
with administrative contractors for the processing of 
claims for hospital care and medical services furnished 
in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Timely Payment for Veterans’ Emergency Care Act’’. 
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds as follows: 
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Code, or any other provision of law requiring competition, 
if the administrative contractor has met or exceeded the 
performance requirements applicable with respect to the 
contract and contractor, except that the Secretary shall 
provide for the application of competitive procedures 
under such a contract not less frequently than once every 
5 years. 
‘‘(C) The Secretary may transfer functions among 
administrative contractors consistent with the provisions 
of this paragraph. The Secretary shall ensure that per-
formance quality is considered in such transfers. The Sec-
retary shall provide public notice (whether in the Federal 
Register or otherwise) of any such transfer (including a 
description of the functions so transferred, a description 
of the non-Department facilities affected by such transfer, 
and contact information for the contractors involved). 
‘‘(D) The Secretary shall provide incentives for ad-
ministrative contractors to provide quality service and to 
promote efficiency. 
‘‘(2) No contract under this section shall be entered 
into with any administrative contractor unless the Sec-
retary finds that such administrative contractor will per-
form its obligations under the contract efficiently and ef-
fectively and will meet such requirements as to financial 
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1267 
(8), is amended by striking the item relating to sec-
tion 834 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘834. 34. Advice to convening authority before referral for trial.’’. 
(10) The table of sections at the beginning of sub-
chapter VI, as amended by paragraphs (6), (7), (8), 
and (9), is amended by striking the item relating to 
section 835 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘835. 35. Service of charges; commencement of trial.’’. 
(11) The table of sections at the beginning of sub-
chapter VII is amended by striking the item relating 
to section 847 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘8470. 47. Refusal of person not subject to chapter to appear, testify, or produce 
evidence.’’. 
(12) The table of sections at the beginning of sub-
chapter VII, as amended by paragraph (11), is 
amended by striking the item relating to section 848 
and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘848. 48. Contempt.’’. 
(13) The table of sections at the beginning of sub-
chapter VII, as amended by paragraphs (11) and 
(12), is amended by striking the item relating to sec-
tion 850 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘850. 50. Admissibility of sworn testimony from records of courts of inquiry.’’. 
(14) The table of sections at the beginning of sub-
chapter VII, as amended by paragraphs (11), (12), 
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(i) includes baselines, benchmarks, 
goals, and priorities for ecosystem restora-
tion projects; and 
(ii) measures the progress in meeting 
the goals. 
(B) ADVISORY PANEL.—
(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
appoint and convene an advisory panel to 
provide independent guidance in the devel-
opment of each implementation report 
under subparagraph (A). 
(ii) PANELISTS.—Panelists shall in-
clude—
(I) 1 representative of each of 
the State resource agencies (or a des-
ignee of the Governor of the State) 
from each of the States of Illinois, 
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wis-
consin; 
(II) 1 representative of the De-
partment of Agriculture; 
(III) 1 representative of the De-
partment of Transportation; 
(IV) 1 representative of the 
United States Geological Survey;
(V) 
representative 
of 
the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice; 
(VI) 1 representative of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency; 
(VII) 1 representative of affected 
landowners; 
(VIII) 2 representatives of con-
servation and environmental advocacy 
groups; and 
(IX) 2 representatives of agri-
culture and industry advocacy groups. 
(iii) 
CO-CHAIRPERSONS.—The 
Sec-
retary and the Secretary of the Interior 
shall serve as co-chairpersons of the advi-
sory panel. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out subsection (c) for fiscal years 2006 
through 2020. 
(2) SPECIAL RULES.—After fiscal year 2020—
(A) funds that have been made available 
under this subsection, but have not been ex-
pended, may be expended; and
(B) funds that have been authorized to be 
appropriated by this subsection, but have not 
been made available, may be made available.
Æ