Title: Today's American Dream Act
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance

Summary:
Today's American Dream Act
This bill establishes new programs or amends existing programs related to workforce and community development. It directs: (1) the Department of Labor to award grants for job skills training for older individuals (older than age 45) and for workers in highly-skilled industries; and (2) the Department of Education to award scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and teaching certifications.
The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand and extend the work opportunity tax credit, (2) allow tax credits for wages paid to interns by small business owners, and (3) extend and increase the new markets tax credit.
With respect to community development, the bill limits the first-time homebuyer tax credit to residences purchased in economically distressed communities. It requires the Small Business Administration to make grants for commercial investment in economically underserved communities and direct loans to small business concerns.
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts to expand access to broadband service.
The bill establishes a Commission on Innovation in the Office of Management and Budget to study new and developing technologies.
The Department of Health and Human Services must: (1) study characteristics of populations that do not have health insurance coverage, and (2) award grants for free dental health services in underserved communities.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3839 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3839

To address slow economic growth and spur investment and development in 
                underserved communities across America.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 26, 2017

Ms. Kelly of Illinois (for herself, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Evans, Ms. Lee, Ms. 
 Slaughter, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Butterfield, 
Mr. Cartwright, Ms. Norton, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Moore, Mr. Richmond, Mr. 
Khanna, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. 
Meeks, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Veasey, Ms. Sewell of Alabama, 
Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Ms. Kuster 
 of New Hampshire, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Adams, Ms. Plaskett, 
Mr. Welch, and Ms. Esty of Connecticut) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition 
    to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Agriculture, 
Financial Services, Small Business, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, 
 and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To address slow economic growth and spur investment and development in 
                underserved communities across America.

    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 ``Today's American 
Dream Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                     TITLE I--WORKFORCE INVESTMENT

Sec. 101. Job skills training for older individuals.
Sec. 102. Extension of work opportunity tax credit for certain targeted 
                            groups.
Sec. 103. Youth and summer jobs.
Sec. 104. YouthBuild program.
Sec. 105. Tax credit for providing programs for students that promote 
                            economic and financial literacy.
Sec. 106. Teacher recruiting.
Sec. 107. Recidivism reduction working group.
Sec. 108. Commendable release program.
Sec. 109. Increase in Work Opportunity Tax Credit for hiring qualified 
                            ex-felons.
Sec. 110. Extension of work opportunity tax credit for certain targeted 
                            groups.
Sec. 111. Entrepreneurship apprenticeships.
Sec. 112. Expansion of eligible programs.
                     TITLE II--COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

                          Subtitle A--Housing

Sec. 201. Housing and commercial development.
             Subtitle B--Retail Redlining and Food Deserts

Sec. 221. Economic growth, retention, and recruitment of commercial 
                            investment in economically underserved 
                            communities.
Sec. 222. Producer discretion to plant additional fruits and vegetables 
                            on base acres to alleviate food deserts 
                            without a resulting reduction in payment 
                            acres.
                   Subtitle C--Digital Infrastructure

Sec. 231. GAO report on Federal efforts to expand broadband service.
                       Subtitle D--Direct Lending

Sec. 241. Direct loans to small business concerns.
            TITLE III--NEW ECONOMY AND INNOVATION INVESTMENT

Sec. 301. Commission on Innovation.
Sec. 302. Pilot program to fund local incubators.
Sec. 303. Extension and improvement of new markets tax credit.
Sec. 304. Race to the Shop.
                   TITLE IV--EXPANDED ACCESS TO CARE

Sec. 401. Study on the uninsured.
Sec. 402. Volunteer dental projects and action for dental health 
                            program.
Sec. 403. Critical access hospital improvements.
Sec. 404. Community health center collaborative access expansion.

                     TITLE I--WORKFORCE INVESTMENT

SEC. 101. JOB SKILLS TRAINING FOR OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

    (a) Targeted Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Labor shall establish 
a pilot program pursuant to section 169(b) of the Workforce Investment 
and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3224(b)) to provide grants to entities 
eligible under such section to provide job skills training to and 
specific for older individuals, particularly in the areas of computer 
literacy, advanced computer operations, and resume writing.
    (b) Definition.--For purposes of the program established under 
subsection (a), the term ``older individual'' means an individual who 
is older than 45 years of age.

SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN TARGETED 
              GROUPS.

    (a) In General.--Subparagraph (B) of section 51(c)(4) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting ``(December 31, 
2024, in the case of any member of a targeted group described in 
subparagraph (B), (C), (E), (F), or (G))'' before the period at the 
end.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2019.

SEC. 103. YOUTH AND SUMMER JOBS.

    (a) Intern Wage Credit.--
            (1) In general.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of 
        chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by 
        adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 45S. INTERN WAGE CREDIT.

    ``(a) In General.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of an 
eligible small business employer, the intern wage credit for any 
taxable year is an amount equal to 10 percent of the wages paid by the 
taxpayer during such taxable year to qualified interns for whom an 
election is in effect under this section.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Credit.--The credit allowed under subsection (a) with 
        respect to any taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed 
        an amount equal to the excess (if any) of--
                    ``(A) $3,000, over
                    ``(B) the credit allowed under subsection (a) with 
                respect to such taxpayer for all preceding taxable 
                years.
            ``(2) Interns.--An election may not be made under this 
        section with respect to more than 5 qualified interns for any 
        taxable year.
    ``(c) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this 
section--
            ``(1) Eligible small employer.--The term `eligible small 
        employer' means any person which employed not more than 500 
        employees during the preceding taxable year. Rules similar to 
        the rules of section 448(c)(3) shall apply.
            ``(2) Eligible wages.--The term `eligible wages' means any 
        remuneration paid by the taxpayer to an individual for services 
        rendered as an employee.
            ``(3) Qualified intern.--The term `qualified intern' means 
        any individual who, during the period for which wages are taken 
        into account under subsection (a), is--
                    ``(A) enrolled at an eligible educational 
                institution (as defined in section 25A(f)(2)),
                    ``(B) seeking a degree at such institution in a 
                field of study closely related to the work performed 
                for the taxpayer, and
                    ``(C) supervised and evaluated by the taxpayer.
            ``(4) Controlled group.--All persons treated as a single 
        employer under subsection (a) or (b) of section 52 shall be 
        treated as a single employer for purposes of this section.
            ``(5) Related individuals ineligible.--Rules similar to the 
        rules of section 51(i)(1) shall apply for purposes of this 
        section.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) Section 38(b) of such Code is amended by 
                striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (35), by 
                striking the period at the end of paragraph (36) and 
                inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end the 
                following new paragraph:
            ``(37) the intern wage credit under section 45S(a).''.
                    (B) The table of sections for subpart D of part IV 
                of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by 
                adding at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45S. Intern wage credit.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act.

SEC. 104. YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM.

    Section 171 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 
U.S.C. 3226) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Carry-Over Authority.--Any amounts granted to an entity under 
this section for a fiscal year may, at the discretion of the entity, 
remain available for expenditure during the succeeding fiscal year to 
carry out programs under this section.''.

SEC. 105. TAX CREDIT FOR PROVIDING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS THAT PROMOTE 
              ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL LITERACY.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business-related 
credits), as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

``SEC. 45T. EXCELLENCE IN ECONOMIC EDUCATION.

    ``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an eligible for profit 
organization, for purposes of section 38, the excellence in economic 
education credit determined under this section for a taxable year is 50 
percent of the amount paid or incurred during the taxable year to carry 
out the purposes specified in section 5533(b) of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7267b(b)) (as such section 
was in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Every 
Student Succeeds Act) pursuant to a qualified program.
    ``(b) Limitation on Number of Credit Recipients.--
            ``(1) In general.--The excellence in economic education 
        credit determined under this section for a taxable year may be 
        allowed to not more than 20 for profit organizations in 
        accordance with paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Credit award by secretary.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary (in consultation 
                with the Secretary of Education) shall determine which 
                for profit organizations are allowed the credit under 
                this section for a taxable year in such manner as the 
                Secretary determines appropriate.
                    ``(B) Majority of recipients must be mwosbs, owned 
                by veterans, or meet asset test.--In carrying out 
                subparagraph (A), the majority of the taxpayers allowed 
                a credit under paragraph (1) for a taxable year shall 
                be entities that are--
                            ``(i) either--
                                    ``(I) a socially and economically 
                                disadvantaged small business concern 
                                (as defined in section 8(a)(4)(A) of 
                                the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                                637(a)(4)(A))),
                                    ``(II) a small business concern 
                                owned and controlled by women (as 
                                defined under section 3(n) of such Act 
                                (15 U.S.C. 632(n))), or
                                    ``(III) a small business concern 
                                (as used in section 3 of such Act (15 
                                U.S.C. 632)) that is at least 51 
                                percent owned by veterans (as defined 
                                in section 101(2) of title 38, United 
                                States Code), or
                            ``(ii) on the first day of the taxable year 
                        do not have more than $60,000,000,000 in 
                        assets.
                    ``(C) Priority.--In making determinations under 
                this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to 
                taxpayers that have qualified programs which serve 
                either urban or rural underserved areas (determined on 
                the basis of the most recent United States census data 
                available).
    ``(c) Limitations Relating to Expenditures.--
            ``(1) Direct activity.--Twenty-five percent of the amount 
        allowed as a credit under subsection (a) shall be for amounts 
        paid or incurred for direct activities as defined in section 
        5533(b)(1) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7267b(b)(1))(as in effect on the day before the 
        date of enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act).
            ``(2) Subgrants.--Seventy-five percent of the amount 
        allowed as a credit under subsection (a) shall be for amounts 
        paid or incurred for subgrants (as defined in section 
        5533(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7267b(b)(1)), as in effect on the day before 
        the date of enactment of the Every Student Succeeds Act), 
        determined by treating amounts so paid or incurred as funds 
        made available through a grant.
    ``(d) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this 
section--
            ``(1) Qualified program.--The term `qualified program' 
        means a program in writing under which an eligible for profit 
        organization awards one or more grants for the purpose of 
        carrying out the objectives of promoting economic and financial 
        literacy, as specified in section 5532 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7267a), that meet 
        the requirements of section 5533 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7267b), as such 
        sections are in effect on the day before the date of enactment 
        of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
            ``(2) Eligible for profit organization.--The term `eligible 
        for profit organization' means with respect to a taxable year, 
        an organization that--
                    ``(A) has a qualified program in effect for the 
                taxable year, and
                    ``(B) has been determined by the Secretary under 
                subsection (b)(2) to be an organization to whom the 
                credit is allowed for the taxable year.
            ``(3) Determination of assets.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (2)(B), in determining assets, the Secretary shall use the same 
        method used by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve 
        System to determine a bank holding company's consolidated 
        assets under section 165 of the Financial Stability Act of 2010 
        (12 U.S.C. 5365).
            ``(4) Election not to claim credit.--This section shall not 
        apply to a taxpayer for any taxable year if such taxpayer 
        elects to have this section not apply for such taxable year.
            ``(5) Coordination with other deductions or credits.--The 
        amount of any deduction or credit otherwise allowable under 
        this chapter for any amount taken into account for purposes of 
        subsection (a) shall be reduced by the credit allowed by this 
        section.
    ``(e) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue such regulations or 
other guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out this 
section.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of 
section 38 of such Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by striking 
``plus'' at the end of paragraph (36), by striking the period at the 
end of paragraph (37) and inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the 
end the following new paragraph:
            ``(38) the excellence in economic education credit 
        determined under section 45T(a).''.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

``Sec. 45T. Excellence in economic education.''.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury (or the 
        Secretary's delegate) shall submit a report on--
                    (A) whether the credit for excellence in economic 
                education (as enacted by subsection (a) of this 
                section) has resulted in increased investment in 
                financial literacy programs; and
                    (B) recommendations (if any) for improving such 
                credit to make it more effective.
            (2) Submission to congress.--Not later than 5 years after 
        the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the 
        Treasury (or the Secretary's delegate) shall submit the report 
        required by paragraph (1) to the Secretary of Education, the 
        Committee on Education and Workforce, the Committee on 
        Financial Services, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, 
        Education, Labor, and Pensions, the Committee on Banking, 
        Housing, and Urban Affairs, and the Committee on Finance of the 
        Senate.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.

SEC. 106. TEACHER RECRUITING.

    (a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to encourage 
individuals educated in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics to enter and continue in the teaching profession, with the 
goal of attracting 10,000 of America's brightest students to the 
teaching profession over the next 5 years.
    (b) Scholarships.--Title II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1021 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating part C as part E;
            (2) by redesignating section 261 as section 281; and
            (3) by inserting after part B the following new part:

                  ``PART C--STEM TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS

``SEC. 261. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.

    ``The Secretary shall award scholarships, on a competitive basis 
and in accordance with this part, to students who are enrolled in 
studies leading to bachelor's degrees, with concurrent certification as 
kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school teachers, in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics, and who have agreed to 
perform qualified service.

``SEC. 262. SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS.

    ``(a) Selection Criteria.--The Secretary shall develop selection 
criteria that the Secretary will use to award scholarships, and to 
renew those awards, based on established measurements of merit 
available to secondary students who wish to pursue degrees in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
    ``(b) Applications.--Any student desiring to receive a scholarship 
under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
    ``(c) Duration of Scholarships; Renewal.--Scholarships shall be 
awarded for only one academic year of study at a time, and shall be 
renewable on an annual basis for the established length of the 
recipient's academic program, not to exceed 6 academic years. The 
Secretary shall condition the renewal of scholarships on measures of 
academic progress and achievement.

``SEC. 263. QUALIFIED SERVICE REQUIREMENT.

    ``(a) Qualified Service Agreement.--Any student who receives a 
scholarship under this part shall enter into an agreement with the 
Secretary to complete no less than 5 academic years of qualified 
service during a 7-year period, to begin no later than 12 months 
following the completion of a bachelor's degree in science, technology, 
engineering, or mathematics.
    ``(b) Requirement Enforced.--The Secretary shall establish such 
requirements as the Secretary finds necessary to ensure that recipients 
of scholarships under this subsection who complete bachelor's degrees 
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with teacher 
certification, subsequently perform 5 academic years of qualified 
service during a 7-year period, or repay the portion of the scholarship 
received for which the recipient did not perform the required qualified 
service, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall use any 
such repayments to carry out additional activities under this part.
    ``(c) Definition.--For the purpose of this section, the term 
`qualified service' means full-time employment at a public or private 
kindergarten, elementary school, or secondary school as a teacher of a 
course in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field.

``SEC. 264. AWARDS.

    ``(a) Scholarship Award.--The Secretary shall provide each 
recipient with a scholarship in the amount of up to $20,000 to pay for 
the cost of attendance of the student for each academic year the 
student is eligible to receive the scholarship. The Secretary shall 
transfer such funds to the institution of higher education at which the 
recipient is enrolled.
    ``(b) Bonus Award.--
            ``(1) Option for bonus award.--Any student who receives a 
        scholarship under this part may elect to enter into a bonus 
        agreement with the Secretary, in accordance with this 
        subsection, for any academic year during which the student 
        receives a scholarship under this part.
            ``(2) Bonus agreement.--A bonus agreement under paragraph 
        (1) shall provide that--
                    ``(A) the student shall perform one academic year 
                of the qualified service agreed to under section 263(a) 
                in a high-need local educational agency, as defined in 
                section 200; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall provide $10,000, in 
                addition to the amount the student receives under 
                subsection (a), for each academic year in which the 
                student enters into such bonus agreement.
            ``(3) Service requirement enforced.--The Secretary shall 
        establish such requirements as the Secretary finds necessary to 
        ensure that recipients of bonuses under this subsection fulfill 
        the qualified service requirement in a high-need local 
        educational agency, as defined in section 200, for a period of 
        time equivalent to the period for which the recipient receives 
        the bonus, or repays the portion of the bonus received for 
        which the recipient did not perform the required qualified 
        service in a high-need local educational agency, as determined 
        by the Secretary. The Secretary shall use any such repayments 
        to carry out additional activities under this subsection.
    ``(c) Maximum Award.--The maximum award any student may receive 
under this section for an academic year shall be the student's cost of 
attendance minus any grant aid such student receives from sources other 
than this section.

``SEC. 265. REGULATIONS.

    ``The Secretary is authorized to issue such regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this part.''.
    (c) Institutional Grants for Integrated Degree Programs.--Title II 
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021 et seq.) is further 
amended by inserting after part C, as added by subsection (b) of this 
section, the following new part:

                  ``PART D--INTEGRATED DEGREE PROGRAMS

``SEC. 271. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants to 
institutions of higher education, on a competitive basis, in order to 
pay for the Federal share of the cost of projects to establish, 
strengthen, and operate 4-year undergraduate degree programs through 
which students may concurrently--
            ``(1) earn a bachelor's degree in science, technology, 
        engineering, or mathematics; and
            ``(2) be certified to teach kindergarten, elementary, or 
        secondary school.
    ``(b) Grant Amount; Award Period.--The Secretary may award grants 
to no more than 50 institutions of higher education each fiscal year, 
and a grant to an institution for a fiscal year shall not exceed 
$1,000,000. Grants shall be awarded for only one fiscal year at a time, 
and shall be renewable on an annual basis for up to 5 years.

``SEC. 272. SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.

    ``(a) Criteria.--The Secretary shall set criteria to evaluate the 
applications for grants under this part and the projects proposed to 
establish, strengthen, and operate 4-year integrated undergraduate 
degree programs.
    ``(b) Equitable Distribution of Grants.--To the extent practicable 
and consistent with the criteria under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall make grants under this part in such manner as to achieve an 
equitable distribution of the grant funds throughout the United States, 
considering geographic distribution, rural and urban areas, and range 
and type of institutions.

``SEC. 273. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.

    ``In order to receive a grant under this part, an institution of 
higher education shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require. Such application shall include the following:
            ``(1) A description of the proposed project.
            ``(2) A demonstration of--
                    ``(A) the commitment, including the financial 
                commitment, of the institution for the proposed 
                project; and
                    ``(B) the active support of the leadership of the 
                institution for the proposed project.
            ``(3) A description of how the proposed project will be 
        continued after Federal funds are no longer awarded under this 
        part for the project.
            ``(4) A plan for the evaluation of the project, which shall 
        include benchmarks to monitor progress toward specific project 
        objectives.

``SEC. 274. MATCHING REQUIREMENT.

    ``Each institution of higher education receiving a grant under this 
part shall provide, from non-Federal sources, an amount equal to the 
amount of the grant (in cash or in-kind) to carry out the project 
supported by the grant.

``SEC. 275. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part 
$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2023.''.

SEC. 107. RECIDIVISM REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established a working group, which 
shall consist of representatives of the heads of the Department of 
Justice, the Department of Labor, the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, and the Department of Education. The working group shall 
identify and analyze practices to reduce recidivism. The Attorney 
General shall chair the group, which shall meet once each month for the 
first 3 months after the date of its establishment, and once every 3 
months thereafter.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and 5 years thereafter, the working group established 
under subsection (a) shall submit to Congress and to the President a 
report which describes the recommendations of the working group for 
reducing recidivism.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $1,000,000 to the working group for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2022 to carry out this subsection.

SEC. 108. COMMENDABLE RELEASE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, in consultation with the 
heads of the appropriate agencies, shall establish a program under 
which an individual who was convicted of a Federal offense which is 
classified as a felony, and who has successfully completed his or her 
sentence, may apply to receive benefits under the programs described in 
subsection (b). Any individual who has been convicted of a felony for 
which the maximum sentence is ten or more years of imprisonment, any 
crime of violence (as such term is defined in section 16 of title 18, 
United States Code), or any crime of reckless driving or of driving 
while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or of prohibited 
substances if such crime involves personal injury to another.
    (b) Programs Described.--The programs described in this subsection 
are the following:
            (1) TANF.--Assistance under a State program funded under 
        part A of title IV of the Social Security Act.
            (2) SNAP.--The supplemental nutrition assistance program 
        under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et 
        seq.).
            (3) Housing.--Any program of the Department of Housing and 
        Urban Development or the Department of Agriculture providing 
        housing or assistance for housing, including any program for 
        dwelling units, rental assistance, grants, loans, subsidies, 
        mortgage insurance, guarantees, or other financial assistance.

SEC. 109. INCREASE IN WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT FOR HIRING QUALIFIED 
              EX-FELONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 51(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by inserting ``or any individual who is a qualified ex-
felon'' after ``subsection (d)(3)(A)(ii)(I)''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to individuals who begin work for the employer after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, in taxable years ending after such date.

SEC. 110. EXTENSION OF WORK OPPORTUNITY TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN TARGETED 
              GROUPS.

    (a) In General.--Section 51(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by inserting ``(December 31, 2024, in the case of any 
member of a targeted group described in subparagraph (C), (E), (F), or 
(G) of subsection (d)(1))'' before the period at the end.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to individuals who begin work for the employer after December 31, 2019.

SEC. 111. ENTREPRENEURSHIP APPRENTICESHIPS.

    The Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National 
Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), 
is amended by adding the end the following:

``SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated $90,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.''.

SEC. 112. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS.

    The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) is 
amended--
            (1) in section 481(b), by adding at the end the following:
    ``(5)(A) For purposes of parts D and E, the term `eligible program' 
includes a program of not less than 250 clock hours of instruction, 
offered during a minimum of 5 weeks of instruction that leads an 
industry-recognized credential.
    ``(B) In this paragraph, the term `industry-recognized credential' 
means an industry-recognized credential that--
            ``(i) is demonstrated to be of high quality by the 
        institution offering the program in the program participation 
        agreement under section 487;
            ``(ii) meets the current, as of the date of the 
        determination, or projected needs of a local or regional 
        workforce for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or 
        advancement purposes--
                    ``(I) as determined by the State in which the 
                program is located, in consultation with business 
                entities; or
                    ``(II) as demonstrated by the institution offering 
                the program leading to the credential; and
            ``(iii) is, where applicable, endorsed by a nationally 
        recognized trade association or organization representing a 
        significant part of the industry or sector.''; and
            (2) in section 487(a), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(30) In the case of an institution that offers a program 
        of not less than 250 clock hours of instruction, offered during 
        a minimum of 5 weeks of instruction that leads an industry-
        recognized credential, as provided under section 481(b)(5), the 
        institution will demonstrate to the Secretary that the 
        industry-recognized credential is of high quality.''.

                     TITLE II--COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

                          Subtitle A--Housing

SEC. 201. HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit for Economically Distressed 
Communities.--
            (1) In general.--Section 36 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
        1986 is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 36. FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT FOR ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED 
              COMMUNITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual who is a first-time 
homebuyer of a principal residence in an economically distressed 
community during a taxable year, there shall be allowed as a credit 
against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such taxable year an 
amount equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of the residence.
    ``(b) Limitations.--
            ``(1) Dollar limitation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in 
                this paragraph, the credit allowed under subsection (a) 
                shall not exceed $8,000.
                    ``(B) Married individuals filing separately.--In 
                the case of a married individual filing a separate 
                return, subparagraph (A) shall be applied by 
                substituting `$4,000' for `$8,000'.
                    ``(C) Other individuals.--If two or more 
                individuals who are not married purchase a principal 
                residence, the amount of the credit allowed under 
                subsection (a) shall be allocated among such 
                individuals in such manner as the Secretary may 
                prescribe, except that the total amount of the credits 
                allowed to all such individuals shall not exceed 
                $8,000.
                    ``(D) Special rule for long-time residents of same 
                principal residence.--In the case of a taxpayer to whom 
                a credit under subsection (a) is allowed by reason of 
                subsection (c)(7), subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) 
                shall be applied by substituting `$6,500' for `$8,000' 
                and `$3,250' for `$4,000'.
            ``(2) Limitation based on modified adjusted gross income.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The amount allowable as a credit 
                under subsection (a) (determined without regard to this 
                paragraph) for the taxable year shall be reduced (but 
                not below zero) by the amount which bears the same 
                ratio to the amount which is so allowable as--
                            ``(i) the excess (if any) of--
                                    ``(I) the taxpayer's modified 
                                adjusted gross income for such taxable 
                                year, over
                                    ``(II) $125,000 ($225,000 in the 
                                case of a joint return), bears to
                            ``(ii) $20,000.
                    ``(B) Modified adjusted gross income.--For purposes 
                of subparagraph (A), the term `modified adjusted gross 
                income' means the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer 
                for the taxable year increased by any amount excluded 
                from gross income under section 911, 931, or 933.
            ``(3) Limitation based on purchase price.--No credit shall 
        be allowed under subsection (a) for the purchase of any 
        residence if the purchase price of such residence exceeds 
        $800,000.
            ``(4) Age limitation.--No credit shall be allowed under 
        subsection (a) with respect to the purchase of any residence 
        unless the taxpayer has attained age 18 as of the date of such 
        purchase. In the case of any taxpayer who is married (within 
        the meaning of section 7703), the taxpayer shall be treated as 
        meeting the age requirement of the preceding sentence if the 
        taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse meets such age requirement.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) First-time homebuyer.--The term `first-time 
        homebuyer' means any individual if such individual (and if 
        married, such individual's spouse) had no present ownership 
        interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period 
        ending on the date of the purchase of the principal residence 
        to which this section applies.
            ``(2) Principal residence.--The term `principal residence' 
        has the same meaning as when used in section 121.
            ``(3) Economically distressed community.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `economically 
                distressed community' means any area identified as an 
                economically distressed community for purposes of this 
                section by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
                Development.
                    ``(B) Factors to be taken into account.--For 
                purposes of identifying areas as economically 
                distressed communities for purposes of this section, 
                the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
                take into account the following:
                            ``(i) Percent of the population in such 
                        area which has attained age 25 and is without a 
                        high school degree.
                            ``(ii) Percent of habitable housing in such 
                        area that is unoccupied, excluding properties 
                        that are for seasonal, recreational, or 
                        occasional use.
                            ``(iii) Percent of the population in such 
                        area which has attained age 16 and is not 
                        currently employed.
                            ``(iv) Percent of population in such area 
                        which is living under the poverty line.
                            ``(v) Ratio of such area's median income to 
                        the median income of the State in which such 
                        area is located.
                            ``(vi) Percent change in the number of 
                        employed individuals in such area in 2013 
                        compared to 2010.
                            ``(vii) Percent change in the number of 
                        business establishments in such areas in 2013 
                        compared to 2010.
                            ``(viii) Such other factors as such 
                        Secretary determines appropriate.
            ``(4) Purchase.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `purchase' means any 
                acquisition, but only if--
                            ``(i) the property is not acquired from a 
                        person related to the person acquiring such 
                        property (or, if married, such individual's 
                        spouse), and
                            ``(ii) the basis of the property in the 
                        hands of the person acquiring such property is 
                        not determined--
                                    ``(I) in whole or in part by 
                                reference to the adjusted basis of such 
                                property in the hands of the person 
                                from whom acquired, or
                                    ``(II) under section 1014(a) 
                                (relating to property acquired from a 
                                decedent).
                    ``(B) Construction.--A residence which is 
                constructed by the taxpayer shall be treated as 
                purchased by the taxpayer on the date the taxpayer 
                first occupies such residence.
            ``(5) Purchase price.--The term `purchase price' means the 
        adjusted basis of the principal residence on the date such 
        residence is purchased.
            ``(6) Related persons.--A person shall be treated as 
        related to another person if the relationship between such 
        persons would result in the disallowance of losses under 
        section 267 or 707(b) (but, in applying section 267(b) and (c) 
        for purposes of this section, paragraph (4) of section 267(c) 
        shall be treated as providing that the family of an individual 
        shall include only his spouse, ancestors, and lineal 
        descendants).
            ``(7) Exception for long-time residents of same principal 
        residence.--In the case of an individual (and, if married, such 
        individual's spouse) who has owned and used the same residence 
        as such individual's principal residence for any 5-consecutive-
        year period during the 8-year period ending on the date of the 
        purchase of a subsequent principal residence, such individual 
        shall be treated as a first-time homebuyer for purposes of this 
        section with respect to the purchase of such subsequent 
        residence.
    ``(d) Exceptions.--No credit under subsection (a) shall be allowed 
to any taxpayer for any taxable year with respect to the purchase of a 
residence if--
            ``(1) the taxpayer is a nonresident alien,
            ``(2) the taxpayer disposes of such residence (or such 
        residence ceases to be the principal residence of the taxpayer 
        (and, if married, the taxpayer's spouse)) before the close of 
        such taxable year,
            ``(3) a deduction under section 151 with respect to such 
        taxpayer is allowable to another taxpayer for such taxable 
        year, or
            ``(4) the taxpayer fails to attach to the return of tax for 
        such taxable year a properly executed copy of the settlement 
        statement used to complete such purchase.
    ``(e) Reporting.--If the Secretary requires information reporting 
under section 6045 by a person described in subsection (e)(2) thereof 
to verify the eligibility of taxpayers for the credit allowable by this 
section, the exception provided by section 6045(e) shall not apply.
    ``(f) Recapture of Credit.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a taxpayer disposes of the principal 
        residence with respect to which a credit was allowed under 
        subsection (a) (or such residence ceases to be the principal 
        residence of the taxpayer (and, if married, the taxpayer's 
        spouse)) before the end of the 5-year period beginning on the 
        date of the purchase of such residence by the taxpayer, the tax 
        imposed by this chapter for the taxable year of such 
        disposition or cessation shall be increased by the amount of 
        the credit so allowed.
            ``(2) Limitation based on gain.--In the case of the sale of 
        the principal residence to a person who is not related to the 
        taxpayer, the increase in tax determined under paragraph (1) 
        shall not exceed the amount of gain (if any) on such sale. 
        Solely for purposes of the preceding sentence, the adjusted 
        basis of such residence shall be reduced by the amount of the 
        credit allowed under subsection (a).
            ``(3) Exceptions.--
                    ``(A) Death of taxpayer.--Paragraph (1) shall not 
                apply to any taxable year ending after the date of the 
                taxpayer's death.
                    ``(B) Involuntary conversion.--Paragraph (a) shall 
                not apply in the case of a residence which is 
                compulsorily or involuntarily converted (within the 
                meaning of section 1033(a)) if the taxpayer acquires a 
                new principal residence during the 2-year period 
                beginning on the date of the disposition or cessation 
                referred to in paragraph (1). Paragraph (1) shall apply 
                to such new principal residence during the 5-year 
                period referred to therein in the same manner as if 
                such new principal residence were the converted 
                residence.
                    ``(C) Transfers between spouses or incident to 
                divorce.--In the case of a transfer of a residence to 
                which section 1041(a) applies--
                            ``(i) paragraph (1) shall not apply to such 
                        transfer, and
                            ``(ii) in the case of taxable years ending 
                        after such transfer, paragraph (1) shall apply 
                        to the transferee in the same manner as if such 
                        transferee were the transferor (and shall not 
                        apply to the transferor).
            ``(4) Joint returns.--In the case of a credit allowed under 
        subsection (a) with respect to a joint return, half of such 
        credit shall be treated as having been allowed to each 
        individual filing such return for purposes of this subsection.
            ``(5) Return requirement.--If the tax imposed by this 
        chapter for the taxable year is increased under this 
        subsection, the taxpayer shall, notwithstanding section 6012, 
        be required to file a return with respect to the taxes imposed 
        under this subtitle.
    ``(g) Application of Section.--This section shall only apply to a 
principal residence purchased by the taxpayer after December 31, 2017, 
and before January 1, 2020.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for subpart 
        C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is 
        amended by striking the item relating to section 36 and 
        inserting the following new item:

``Sec. 36. First-time homebuyer tax credit for economically distressed 
                            communities.''.
            (3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this section 
        shall apply to principal residences purchased after December 
        31, 2017.
    (b) Use of Hardest Hit Fund Amounts for Commercial Demolition.--
            (1) Authority.--Notwithstanding any provision of title I of 
        the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (12 U.S.C. 
        5211 et seq.), any regulation, guidance, order, or other 
        directive of the Secretary of the Treasury, or any agreement 
        (or amendment thereto) entered into under the Hardest Hit Fund 
        program of the Secretary under such title I, to the extent that 
        any amounts of assistance that have been, or are, allocated for 
        or provided to a State or State agency through the Hardest Hit 
        Fund program may be used for demolishing and greening vacant 
        and abandoned blighted residential properties and related 
        expenses, such amounts may also be used for demolishing and 
        greening vacant and abandoned blighted commercial properties 
        and related expenses.
            (2) Report.--Not later than the expiration of the 2-year 
        period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary of the Treasury shall submit a report to the Congress 
        regarding the impacts of using assistance provided under the 
        Hardest Hit Fund program pursuant to the authority provided 
        under paragraph (1) and the effectiveness of such use.

             Subtitle B--Retail Redlining and Food Deserts

SEC. 221. ECONOMIC GROWTH, RETENTION, AND RECRUITMENT OF COMMERCIAL 
              INVESTMENT IN ECONOMICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

    The Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new title:

``TITLE VIII--ECONOMIC GROWTH, RETENTION, AND RECRUITMENT OF COMMERCIAL 
           INVESTMENT IN ECONOMICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

``SEC. 811. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this title is to assist with the economic growth 
of economically underserved communities that have potential for strong 
Class 1 commercial investment, but that continue to have a difficult 
time recruiting Class 1 commercial investment.

``SEC. 812. GRANT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Authorization.--From amounts appropriated under section 814, 
the Administrator shall make grants on a competitive basis to an 
eligible community for--
            ``(1) the creation of a grant program or revolving loan 
        fund program (or both) that helps develop financing packages 
        for Class 1 commercial investment in the community;
            ``(2) lowering real estate property tax rates in the 
        community;
            ``(3) conducting community-wide market analysis to help 
        recruit and retain Class 1 commercial investment;
            ``(4) creating employment training programs for Class 1 
        business customer service, sales, and managerial positions in 
        the community;
            ``(5) retail marketing strategies to solicit new Class 1 
        commercial investment starts in the community;
            ``(6) program allowances for activities to promote Class 1 
        commercial investment in the community, such as the publication 
        of marketing materials, development of economic development web 
        pages, and educational outreach activities with retail trade 
        associations; and
            ``(7) hiring business recruitment specialists to operate in 
        the community.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--The Administrator may only make a grant under 
subsection (a) to a community whose demographics include--
            ``(1) a median per capita income no higher than $35,000; 
        and
            ``(2) an identified lack of Class 1 commercial investment.
    ``(c) Application.--A community seeking a grant under subsection 
(a) shall submit an application at such time, in such form, and 
containing such information and assurances as the Administrator may 
require, except that the application shall include--
            ``(1) a description of how the community, through the 
        activities the community proposes to carry out with the grant 
        funds will recruit, retain and grow its economy through Class 1 
        commercial investment; and
            ``(2) a description of the difficulty the community has 
        faced recruiting, retaining and growing its economy through 
        Class 1 commercial investment.
    ``(d) Matching Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may not make a grant 
        to a community under subsection (a) unless the community agrees 
        that, with respect to the costs to be incurred by the community 
        in carrying out the activities for which the grant is awarded, 
        the community will make available non-Federal contributions in 
        an amount equal to not less than 10 percent of the Federal 
        funds provided under the grant.
            ``(2) Satisfying matching requirements.--The non-Federal 
        contributions required under paragraph (1) may be--
                    ``(A) in cash or in-kind, including services, 
                fairly evaluated; and
                    ``(B) from--
                            ``(i) any private source;
                            ``(ii) State or local governmental entity; 
                        or
                            ``(iii) nonprofit source.
            ``(3) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive or reduce the 
        non-Federal contribution required by paragraph (1) if the 
        community involved demonstrates that the community cannot meet 
        the contribution requirement due to financial hardship.
    ``(e) Limitations.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization of appropriations in section 814 for a fiscal year shall 
be allocated as follows:
            ``(1) No more than 5 percent of such funds shall go to 
        administrative costs;
            ``(2) 70 percent of such funds shall go toward activities 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a), 
        after taking into account administrative costs under 
        subparagraph (A); and
            ``(3) 30 percent of such funds shall go toward activities 
        described in paragraphs (5) through (7) of subsection (a), 
        after taking into account administrative costs under 
        subparagraph (A).

``SEC. 813. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title:
            ``(1) Community.--The term `community' means a governance 
        structure that includes county, parish, city, village, 
        township, district or borough.
            ``(2) Class 1 commercial investment.--The term `Class 1 
        commercial investment' means retail grocery chains, food 
        service retailers, restaurants and franchises, retail stores, 
        cafes, shopping malls, and other shops.
            ``(3) Economically underserved community.--The term 
        `economically underserved community' means an area suffering 
        from low income and resultant low purchasing power, limiting 
        its ability to generate sufficient goods and services to be 
        used in exchange with other areas to meet current consumption 
        needs.

``SEC. 814. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to 
make grants under section 812(a) $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2018 through 2024.''.

SEC. 222. PRODUCER DISCRETION TO PLANT ADDITIONAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 
              ON BASE ACRES TO ALLEVIATE FOOD DESERTS WITHOUT A 
              RESULTING REDUCTION IN PAYMENT ACRES.

    Section 1114(e) of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9014(e)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Producer discretion to plant additional fruits and 
        vegetables to alleviate food deserts.--
                    ``(A) Additional planting authority; purpose.--The 
                percentages specified in paragraphs (2) and (3) are 
                increased by an additional five percent of base acres, 
                to 20 percent and 40 percent respectively, if the crops 
                referred to in paragraph (1) grown on the additional 
                base acres are grown solely for sale or donation, 
                directly or indirectly by the producer and with or 
                without processing, in a food desert.
                    ``(B) Food desert defined.--In this paragraph, the 
                term `food desert' means a census tract that, as 
                determined by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) has a poverty rate of 20 percent or 
                        greater; and
                            ``(ii) provides difficult access to a 
                        retail outlet that provides a wide-variety of 
                        fruits and vegetables.''.

                   Subtitle C--Digital Infrastructure

SEC. 231. GAO REPORT ON FEDERAL EFFORTS TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report on the efficiency and effectiveness 
of efforts by Federal agencies to expand access to broadband service, 
including through the programs described in subsection (c).
    (b) Included Matters.--The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include--
            (1) for each program covered by the report and over a 
        period of time for such program considered appropriate by the 
        Comptroller General, an analysis of the number of subscribers 
        that have gained access, through or as a result of such 
        program, to broadband service that has the capacity to transmit 
        data to enable subscribers to originate and receive high-
        quality voice, data, graphics, and video; and
            (2) an analysis of implementation by Federal agencies of 
        the recommendations of the Broadband Opportunity Council, 
        established by the Presidential Memorandum entitled ``Expanding 
        Broadband Deployment and Adoption by Addressing Regulatory 
        Barriers and Encouraging Investment and Training'' and dated 
        March 23, 2015.
    (c) Included Programs.--The programs described in this subsection 
are the following:
            (1) Federal universal service support mechanisms 
        established under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 
        (47 U.S.C. 254).
            (2) The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program 
        established under section 6001 of the American Recovery and 
        Reinvestment Act of 2009 (47 U.S.C. 1305).
            (3) Rural broadband loans under section 601 of the Rural 
        Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 950bb).
            (4) Telecommunications infrastructure loans under section 
        201 of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 922).
            (5) Community Connect grants under the last proviso under 
        the heading ``Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband 
        Program'' in title III of the Agriculture, Rural Development, 
        Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
        Appropriations Act, 2004.
            (6) Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants under chapter 
        1 of subtitle D of title XXIII of the Food, Agriculture, 
        Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.
    (d) Federal Agency Defined.--In this section, the term ``Federal 
agency'' has the meaning given the term ``agency'' in section 551 of 
title 5, United States Code.

                       Subtitle D--Direct Lending

SEC. 241. DIRECT LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

    (a) In General.--From amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection 
(e), the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall 
establish a program to make direct loans to small business concerns (as 
defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)).
    (b) Amount.--Loans made under this section shall be in an amount 
not greater than the lesser of--
            (1) 5 percent of the annual revenue of the small business 
        concern requesting the loan; or
            (2) $250,000.
    (c) Interest Rate.--The interest rate on a loan made under this 
section shall be equal to the discount window primary credit interest 
rate most recently published on the Federal Reserve Statistical Release 
on selected interest rates (daily or weekly), commonly referred to as 
the H.15 release.
    (d) Report.--The Administrator of the Small Business Administration 
shall submit a report to Congress on the implementation and results of 
the program established under this section.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 to 2022.

            TITLE III--NEW ECONOMY AND INNOVATION INVESTMENT

SEC. 301. COMMISSION ON INNOVATION.

    (a) Composition of Commission.--There is established in the Office 
of Management and Budget, a commission, to be known as the Commission 
on Innovation (hereinafter in this section referred to as the 
commission), which shall be composed of the following members:
            (1) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or 
        his or her designee, who shall serve as the chair of the 
        Commission.
            (2) Five individuals from the private sector, to be 
        appointed by the Director of the Office of Management and 
        Budget.
            (3) A representative appointed by the head of each of the 
        following:
                    (A) The National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology.
                    (B) The National Science Foundation.
                    (C) The Federal Communications Commission.
                    (D) The Department of Commerce.
                    (E) The Department of the Treasury.
                    (F) The General Service Administration.
    (b) Duties of Commission.--The commission shall study new and 
developing technologies, and shall make recommendations to each Federal 
agency on how the agency should take into consideration the existence, 
possible uses, development, and potential effect that such technologies 
may have on the agency's carrying out of its statutory duties. The 
commission shall submit a report to Congress not later than 1 year 
after the effective date of enactment of this Act and annually 
thereafter on the activities of the commission during the 12 months 
immediately preceding the date of the report, including summaries of 
all recommendations made to agencies.
    (c) Application of Federal Advisory Commission Act.--The provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall apply to the commission.

SEC. 302. PILOT PROGRAM TO FUND LOCAL INCUBATORS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a 
competitive program to make grants to States and political subdivisions 
of States to partner with local incubators in order to provide start-
ups with workspace and other resources for use in developing their 
businesses.
    (b) Eligibility.--The Secretary may only award a grant under this 
section to a State or political subdivision of a State that submits an 
application at such time, in such form, and with such information and 
assurances as the Secretary may require, including an identification of 
one or more incubators with which the State or political subdivision 
will partner in implementing the grant.
    (c) Limitations.--
            (1) One grant per state or political subdivision.--A State 
        or political subdivision of a State may not receive more than 
        one grant under this section. For purposes of the preceding 
        sentence, a grant received by a State shall not be considered 
        to be received by a political subdivision of the State, and a 
        grant received by a political subdivision of a State shall not 
        be considered to be received by the State.
            (2) Amount of grant.--A grant awarded under this section 
        may not exceed $500,000.
    (d) Use of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--A State or political subdivision of a 
        State that receives a grant under this section shall use grant 
        funds to partner with one or more incubators located within the 
        territory of such State or political subdivision in order to 
        provide start-ups with workspace and other resources for use in 
        developing their businesses. The partnership may take such form 
        as the Secretary considers appropriate, including one or more 
        subgrants from the State or political subdivision to the 
        incubator or incubators.
            (2) Specific expenses included.--Grant funds may be used 
        for any expense incurred in order to provide start-ups with 
        workspace and other resources for use in developing their 
        businesses, including--
                    (A) purchase or rental of land;
                    (B) modification of buildings;
                    (C) charges for utility services or broadband 
                service;
                    (D) fees of consultants for the provision of 
                technical or professional assistance;
                    (E) costs of promoting the incubator or incubators; 
                and
                    (F) any other such expense that the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
    (e) Matching Requirement.--A State or political subdivision of a 
State may not partner with an incubator (or group of incubators) in 
implementing a grant under this section unless the incubator (or group 
of incubators) agrees that, with respect to the expenses to be incurred 
in carrying out activities within the scope of the partnership, the 
incubator (or group of incubators) will make available from private 
funds contributions in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of 
the amount made available by the State or political subdivision from 
grant funds under this section.
    (f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 180 days after the end of 
fiscal year 2021, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the results achieved by the grant program established under this 
section. Such report shall include recommendations of the Secretary 
with respect to extending, expanding, or improving the program.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Incubator.--The term ``incubator'' means a private-
        sector entity that--
                    (A) provides start-ups with workspace and other 
                resources (such as utilities, broadband service, and 
                technical or professional assistance) for use in 
                developing their businesses; and
                    (B) may charge start-ups a reasonable fee for such 
                resources.
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            (3) Start-up.--The term ``start-up'' means any business 
        entity (including an individual operating an unincorporated 
        business) that, as of the time the entity receives resources 
        from an incubator--
                    (A) has been in operation for not more than 5 
                years;
                    (B) has not more than 5 employees; and
                    (C) for the most recently completed fiscal year of 
                the entity (if any) and any preceding fiscal year, has 
                annual gross revenues of less than $150,000.
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States, the District of Columbia, each commonwealth, territory, 
        or possession of the United States, and each federally 
        recognized Indian tribe.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $5,000,000, of 
which not more than 5 percent shall be available for the costs of 
administering the grant program established under this section, for 
each of the fiscal years 2018 through 2022.

SEC. 303. EXTENSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT.

    (a) Extension.--Section 45D(f)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 is amended by adding ``, and'' at the end of subparagraph (F), by 
striking the period at the end of subparagraph (G) and inserting ``, 
and'', and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(H) $10,000,000,000 for each of calendar years 
                2020 through 2029.''.
    (b) Degree of Distress of Targeted Community Taken Into Account in 
Making Allocations.--
            (1) In general.--Section 45D(f)(2) of such Code is amended 
        by inserting the following after the first sentence: ``In 
        making allocations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
        take into account the entity's business strategy, community 
        impact, management capacity, and capitalization strategy, and 
        the degree of distress of the communities served by the 
        entity.''.
            (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 45D(f)(2) of such Code 
        is amended by striking ``under the preceding sentence'' and 
        inserting ``under this paragraph''.
    (c) Increased Credit for Investments in Community Development 
Entities Serving Distressed Communities.--Section 45D of such Code is 
amended by redesignating subsections (h) and (i) as subsections (i) and 
(j), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (g) the following 
new subsection:
    ``(h) Increased Credit for Investments in Community Development 
Entities Serving Distressed Communities.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of a qualified equity 
        investment in a qualified distressed community development 
        entity, subsection (a)(2) shall be applied--
                    ``(A) by substituting `6 percent' for `5 percent' 
                in subparagraph (A), and
                    ``(B) by substituting `7 percent' for `6 percent' 
                in subparagraph (B).
            ``(2) Qualified distressed community development entity.--
        For purposes of this subsection--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified distressed 
                community development entity' means any qualified 
                community development entity if--
                            ``(i) a substantial portion of the services 
                        and investment capital provided by such entity 
                        is provided with respect to distressed 
                        communities, and
                            ``(ii) such entity is certified by the 
                        Secretary for purposes of this section as being 
                        a qualified distressed community development 
                        entity.
                    ``(B) Distressed community.--The term `distressed 
                community' means any population census tract (or 
                equivalent county division within the meaning of 
                subsection (e)(3)) which would be a low-income 
                community if--
                            ``(i) subsection (e)(1)(A) were applied by 
                        substituting `30 percent' for `20 percent', and
                            ``(ii) subsection (e)(1)(B) were applied by 
                        substituting `60 percent' for `80 percent' each 
                        place it appears.''.
    (d) Effective Dates.--
            (1) Extension.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall 
        apply to calendar years after 2019.
            (2) Degree of distress of targeted community taken into 
        account in making allocations.--The amendments made by 
        subsection (b) shall apply to allocations made by the Secretary 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) Increased credit for investments in community 
        development entities serving distressed communities.--The 
        amendments made by subsection (c) shall apply to qualified 
        equity investments acquired at original issue after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 304. RACE TO THE SHOP.

    (a) Program Authorized.--From the amounts appropriated under 
subsection (e), the Secretary of Labor shall award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to eligible entities to increase and improve skills 
training for current and prospective workers in highly-skilled 
industries.
    (b) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, an 
eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, which shall include the following:
            (1) A bold economic plan for the eligible entity that 
        builds on the special assets and strengths of the entity in 
        highly-skilled industries, as such assets and strengths are 
        determined by the entity.
            (2) An identification and prioritization of key weaknesses 
        or barriers (such as lack of strong vocational education or 
        skills training system, or absence of customized training for 
        industrial firms and sectors), as determined by the eligible 
        entity, to successfully implementing such plan.
            (3) A description of strategies that will carry out the 
        plan through projects and investments, with deep and 
        sustainable involvement of highly-skilled industries.
            (4) A description of how other Federal and non-Federal 
        funds will be leverage in support of such strategies.
            (5) A description of how the eligible entity will reform 
        the entity's policies or governance in support of such 
        strategies.
    (c) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall use such grant to carry out the entity's bold 
economic plan described in subsection (b)(1).
    (d) Limitation.--An eligible entity may not receive assistance from 
more than 1 grant awarded under this section for a fiscal year.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.
    (f) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
        State or unit of general local government.
            (2) Highly-skilled industry.--The term ``highly-skilled 
        industry'' includes the manufacturing industry.
            (3) WIOA terms.--The terms ``State'' and ``unit of general 
        local government'' have the meanings given the terms in section 
        3 of the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
        3102).

                   TITLE IV--EXPANDED ACCESS TO CARE

SEC. 401. STUDY ON THE UNINSURED.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall--
            (1) conduct a study, in accordance with the standards under 
        section 3101 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
        300kk), on the demographic characteristics of the population of 
        individuals who do not have health insurance coverage;
            (2) include in such study an analysis of the usage by such 
        population of emergency room and urgent care facilities; and
            (3) predict, based on such study, the demographic 
        characteristics of the population of individuals who would 
        remain without health insurance coverage after the end of open 
        enrollment or any special enrollment period.
    (b) Reporting Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 12 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Congress the results of the study under subsection (a) and the 
        prediction made under subsection (a)(3).
            (2) Reporting of demographic characteristics.--The 
        Secretary shall report the demographic characteristics under 
        paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a) on the basis of 
        racial and ethnic group, and shall stratify the reporting on 
        each racial and ethnic group by other demographic 
        characteristics that can impact access to health insurance 
        coverage, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, primary 
        language, disability status, sex, socioeconomic status, age 
        group, and citizenship and immigration status, in a manner 
        consistent with title I of this Act.

SEC. 402. VOLUNTEER DENTAL PROJECTS AND ACTION FOR DENTAL HEALTH 
              PROGRAM.

    Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act is revised by 
amending section 317M (42 U.S.C. 247b-14) as follows:
            (1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as (g) and 
        (h), respectively;
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d), the following:
    ``(e) Grants To Support Volunteer Dental Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may 
        award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities 
        to obtain portable or mobile dental equipment, and pay for 
        appropriate operational costs, for the provision of free dental 
        services to underserved populations that are delivered in a 
        manner consistent with State licensing laws.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--In this subsection, the term 
        `eligible entity' includes a State or local dental association, 
        a State oral health program, a dental education, dental hygiene 
        education, or postdoctoral dental education program accredited 
        by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and a community-
        based organization that partners with an academic institution, 
        that--
                    ``(A) is exempt from tax under section 501(c) of 
                the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
                    ``(B) offers a free dental services program for 
                underserved populations.
    ``(f) Action for Dental Health Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may 
        award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities 
        to collaborate with State, county, or local public officials 
        and other stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives to 
        accomplish any of the following goals:
                    ``(A) To improve oral health education and dental 
                disease prevention, including community-wide prevention 
                programs, use of dental sealants and fluoride varnish, 
                and increasing oral health literacy.
                    ``(B) To make the health care delivery system 
                providing dental services more accessible and efficient 
                through the development and expansion of outreach 
                programs that will facilitate the establishment of 
                dental homes for children and adults, including the 
                aged, blind, and disabled populations.
                    ``(C) To reduce geographic, language, cultural, and 
                similar barriers in the provision of dental services.
                    ``(D) To help reduce the use of emergency 
                departments by those who seek dental services more 
                appropriately delivered in a dental primary care 
                setting.
                    ``(E) To facilitate the provision of dental care to 
                nursing home residents who are disproportionately 
                affected by lack of care.
            ``(2) Eligible entity.--In this subsection, the term 
        `eligible entity' includes a State or local dental association, 
        a State oral health program, or a dental education, dental 
        hygiene, or postdoctoral dental education program accredited by 
        the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and a community-based 
        organization that partners with an academic institution, that--
                    ``(A) is exempt from tax under section 501(c) of 
                the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
                    ``(B) partners with public and private stakeholders 
                to facilitate the provision of dental services for 
                underserved populations.''; and
            (3) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1), by 
        striking ``fiscal years 2001 through 2005'' and inserting 
        ``fiscal years 2016 through 2020''.

SEC. 403. CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) Elimination of Isolation Test for Cost-Based Ambulance 
Reimbursement.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1834(l)(8) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(8)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``owned and''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``(including when such 
                        services are provided by the entity under an 
                        arrangement with the hospital)'' after 
                        ``hospital''; and
                    (B) by striking the comma at the end of 
                subparagraph (B) and all that follows and inserting a 
                period.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
        shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2018.
    (b) Provision of a More Flexible Alternative to the CAH Designation 
25 Inpatient Bed Limit Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1820(c)(2) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i-4(c)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B)(iii), by striking 
                ``provides not more than'' and inserting ``subject to 
                subparagraph (F), provides not more than''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
                    ``(F) Alternative to 25 inpatient bed limit 
                requirement.--
                            ``(i) In general.--A State may elect to 
                        treat a facility, with respect to the 
                        designation of the facility for a cost-
                        reporting period, as satisfying the requirement 
                        of subparagraph (B)(iii) relating to a maximum 
                        number of acute care inpatient beds if the 
                        facility elects, in accordance with a method 
                        specified by the Secretary and before the 
                        beginning of the cost reporting period, to meet 
                        the requirement under clause (ii).
                            ``(ii) Alternate requirement.--The 
                        requirement under this clause, with respect to 
                        a facility and a cost-reporting period, is that 
                        the total number of inpatient bed days 
                        described in subparagraph (B)(iii) during such 
                        period will not exceed 7,300. For purposes of 
                        this subparagraph, an individual who is an 
                        inpatient in a bed in the facility for a single 
                        day shall be counted as one inpatient bed day.
                            ``(iii) Withdrawal of election.--The option 
                        described in clause (i) shall not apply to a 
                        facility for a cost-reporting period if the 
                        facility (for any two consecutive cost-
                        reporting periods during the previous 5 cost-
                        reporting periods) was treated under such 
                        option and had a total number of inpatient bed 
                        days for each of such two cost-reporting 
                        periods that exceeded the number specified in 
                        such clause.''.
            (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
        shall apply to cost-reporting periods beginning on or after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 404. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER COLLABORATIVE ACCESS EXPANSION.

    Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(t) Miscellaneous Provisions.--
            ``(1) Rule of construction with respect to rural health 
        clinics.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent 
        a community health center from contracting with a federally 
        certified rural health clinic (as defined by section 
        1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act) for the delivery of 
        primary health care and other mental, dental, and physical 
        health services that are available at the rural health clinic 
        to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for free or 
        reduced cost care if that individual were able to obtain that 
        care at the community health center. Such services may be 
        limited in scope to those primary health care and other mental, 
        dental, and physical health services available in that rural 
        health clinic.
            ``(2) Enabling services.--To the extent possible, enabling 
        services such as transportation and translation assistance 
        shall be provided by rural health clinics described in 
        paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Assurances.--In order for a rural health clinic to 
        receive funds under this section through a contract with a 
        community health center for the delivery of primary health care 
        and other services described in paragraph (1), such rural 
        health clinic shall establish policies to ensure--
                    ``(A) nondiscrimination based upon the ability of a 
                patient to pay;
                    ``(B) the establishment of a sliding fee scale for 
                low-income patients; and
                    ``(C) any such services should be subject to full 
                reimbursement according to the Prospective Payment 
                System scale.''.
                                 <all>