(2) FISCAL
YEARS
SPECIFIED.—The fiscal 
years specified in this paragraph are the 9th and 
10th fiscal years that begin on or after the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
(f) COVERED PERIOD DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘‘covered period’’ means the period that begins on 
the date of the enactment of this Act and ends on the 
last day of the 11th fiscal year that begins on or after 
such date of enactment. 
SEC. 17. STUDY AND REPORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AC-
COUNTABILITY OFFICE. 
Not later than 5 years and 8 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall prepare a study and submit to Con-
gress and the Secretary a report examining— 
(1) how the Board spends assessments col-
lected; 
(2) the extent to which the Board’s reported ac-
tivities help achieve its annual objectives; 
(3) any changes in demand for concrete ma-
sonry products relative to other building materials; 
(4) any impact of the Board’s activities on the 
market share of competing products; 
(5) any impact of the Board’s activities on the 
overall size of the market for building products;
(6) any impact of the Board’s activities on the 
total number of concrete masonry related jobs, in-
cluding manufacturing, sales, and installation; 
(7) any significant effects of the Board’s activi-
ties on downstream purchasers of concrete masonry 
products and real property into which concrete ma-
sonry products are incorporated; 
(8) effects on prices of concrete masonry prod-
ucts as a result of the Board’s activities; 
(9) the cost to the federal government of an in-
crease in concrete masonry product prices, if any, as 
a result of the program established by this Act; 
(10) the extent to which key statutory require-
ments are met; 
(11) the extent and strength of federal over-
sight of the program established by this Act; 
(12) the appropriateness of administering the 
program from within the Office of the Secretary of 
Commerce and the appropriateness of administering 
the program from within any division of the Depart-
ment of Commerce, including whether the Depart-
ment has the expertise, knowledge, or other capabili-
ties necessary to adequately administer the program; 
and
(13) any other topic that the Comptroller Gen-
eral considers appropriate. 
SEC. 18. STUDY AND REPORT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF 
COMMERCE. 
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare a study and submit 
to Congress a report examining the appropriateness and 
effectiveness of applying the commodity check-off program 
model (such as those programs established under sub-
chapter II of chapter 101 of title 7, United States Code) 
to a nonagricultural industry, taking into account the pro-
gram established by this Act and any other check-off pro-
gram involving a nonagricultural industry. 
Passed the House of Representatives November 14, 
2016. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 985 
AN ACT 
To enable concrete masonry products manufactur-
ers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordi-
nated program of research, education, and pro-
motion to improve, maintain, and develop mar-
kets for concrete masonry products.