Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-3630
Sponsor: Rep. Camp, Dave [R-MI-4]
Introduced: 2011-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Air quality
Alcoholic beverages
Appropriations
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Budget deficits and national debt
Building construction
Business investment and capital
Canada
Census and government statistics
Child care and development
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Customs enforcement
Department of Commerce
Department of Homeland Security
Disaster relief and insurance
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Emergency communications systems
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Employment taxes
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Environmental technology
Family services
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
First responders and emergency personnel
Floods and storm protection
Food assistance and relief
Gambling
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing industry and standards
Hydrology and hydrography
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Income tax rates
Indian social and development programs
Industrial facilities
Insurance industry and regulation
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Land use and conservation
Legislative rules and procedure
Licensing and registrations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Marriage and family status
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Members of Congress
Mental health
Nebraska
Nursing
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Railroads
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes
Science, Technology, Communications
Self-employed
Senate
Social security and elderly assistance
Solid waste and recycling
Sports and recreation facilities
State and local government operations
State and local taxation
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax treatment of families
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation employees
Unemployment
User charges and fees
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 - 
Title I: Job Creation Incentives
 - North American Energy Security Act - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of State, to grant a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project application filed on September 19, 2008.
 
Waives such requirement if the President determines that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest. Requires the President, in that case, to report to certain congressional committees and officials a justification for his determination, including consideration of economic, employment, energy security, foreign policy, trade, and environmental factors.
 
 Declares that a permit for such pipeline shall take effect by operation of law if after 60 days following enactment of this Act the President fails to: (1) determine that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest, or (2) grant the permit.
 
EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Provides that the following rules shall have no force or effect and shall be treated as though they had never taken effect: (1) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters; (2) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers; (3) the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; and (4) Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That are Solid Waste. 
 
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in place of such rules, to promulgate and finalize on the date that is 15 months after enactment of this Act regulations for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters and commercial and industrial solid waste incinerator units subject to such rules, that: (1) establish maximum achievable control technology standards, performance standards, and other requirements for hazardous air pollutants or solid waste combustion under the Clean Air Act; and (2) identify non-hazardous secondary materials that, when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units of such boilers, heaters, or incinerator units, are solid waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act for purposes of determining the extent to which such combustion units are required to meet emission standards for such pollutants under such Act. Requires the Administrator to establish a date for compliance with standards and requirements under such regulations, which shall be no earlier than five years after such a regulation's effective date, after considering compliance costs, non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements, the feasibility of implementation, the availability of equipment, suppliers, and labor, and potential net employment impacts. 
 
Treats the date on which the Administrator proposes such a regulation establishing an emission standard as the proposal date for purposes of applying the definition of a "new source" to hazardous air pollutants requirements or of a "new solid waste incineration unit" to solid waste combustion requirements under the Clean Air Act. 
 
Requires the Administrator, in promulgating such regulations, to: (1) adopt the definitions of "commercial and industrial solid waste incineration unit," "commercial and industrial waste," and "contained gaseous material" in the rule entitled "Standards for Performance of New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units"; (2) identify non-hazardous secondary material to be solid waste only if the material meets such a definition; (3) ensure that emissions standards for existing and new sources can be met under actual operating conditions consistently and concurrently with emission standards for all other air pollutants regulated by the rule for the source category, taking into account variability in actual source performance, source design, fuels, inputs, controls, ability to measure the pollutant emissions, and operating conditions; and (4) impose the least burdensome regulatory alternative.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2012 the increased (100%) bonus depreciation allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) expand the election to accelerate alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits in lieu of bonus depreciation by allowing corporate taxpayers to claim 20% of depreciation not claimed as bonus depreciation, limited to the lesser of unused AMT credit amounts from taxable years ending before January 1, 2012, or 50% of the AMT credit for the first taxable year ending after December 31, 2011. 
 

Title II: Extension of Certain Expiring Provisions and Related Measures
 - Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to extend through 2012 the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employees and the self-employed.
 
Extended Benefits, Reemployment, and Program Integrity Improvement Act - Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state unemployment compensation laws to require, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, that an unemployment compensation claimant be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
Requires a claimant to meet minimum educational requirements, that is, to: (1) have earned a high school diploma, (2) have earned the General Educational Development (GED) credential or other state-recognized equivalent (including by meeting recognized alternative standards for individuals with disabilities), or (3) be enrolled and making satisfactory progress in classes leading to satisfaction of one of the latter requirements.
 
Authorizes waiver of such requirements for an individual by a state agency if they would be unduly burdensome.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with up to 10 states to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for unemployment compensation under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting self-employment assistance programs; (2) provide technical assistance to states in establishing, improving, and administering them; and (3) establish reporting requirements for states in regards to such programs.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the SSA title III to require states (which, currently, are merely authorized) to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior unemployment benefit overpayments.
 
Amends the SSA to authorize a state to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior federal additional compensation overpayments and prior unemployment benefit overpayments of another state. 
 
Amends the SSA title IX (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security) to require the Secretary to designate standard data elements for any category of information required for data matching in the federal-state unemployment insurance system.
 
Amends the SSA title III to declare that nothing in any federal law shall be considered to prevent a state from: (1) testing an applicant for unemployment compensation for the unlawful use of controlled substances as a condition for receiving such compensation, or (2) denying the compensation on the basis of test results.
 
Unemployment Benefits Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SSA, 2008) with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through January 31, 2013. Repeals current transitional requirements for an individual's remaining EUCA payments.
 
Revises the formula for crediting Tier-1 and Tier-2 amounts to an applicant's EUCA. Eliminates Tier-3 and Tier-4 augmentation to an individual's EUCA.
 
Repeals requirements authorizing a state governor in an extended benefit period, if state law permits, to provide for the payment of EUC before extended compensation to individuals who otherwise meet EUC requirements.
 
Denies the application of a federal-state agreement to a state upon a determination by the Secretary that, under the state law or its applicable rule, the payment of extended compensation for which an individual is otherwise eligible may or must be deferred until after the payment of any EUC under the SSA, 2008, as amended by this Act, for which the individual is concurrently eligible.
 
Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until January 31, 2013, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.
 
Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and January 31, 2013, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
 
Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2011, to January 31, 2013, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.
 
Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, to extend through January 31, 2012, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service as well as for those with less than 10.
 
Amends the SSA, 2008 to allow a state agency to make EUC payments to individuals who are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
Includes in a federal-state agreement a requirement that a state provide reemployment services and reemployment eligibility assessment activities to certain recipients of EUC.
 
Conditions an individual's continuing eligibility for EUC for any week on whether such individual: (1) meets the minimum SSA title III educational requirements; (2) participates in referred reemployment services; (3) is actively seeking work; and (4) has been referred to such services or activities and participated, or has completed such participation, unless there is justifiable cause for failure to do so. 
 
Authorizes a state to withhold up to $5 from an individual's weekly EUC payment for optional funding for such services and activities. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a state to allow it to divert, in any month, up to 20% of EUC beneficiaries, attributable to such state and receiving EUC for the first week of such month, to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for unemployment compensation under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment. 
 
Requires a state agency (which, currently, is merely authorized) to recover an EUC overpayment to an individual by deductions from such individual's EUC payment during the three-year period after such individual received the EUC payment to which he or she was not entitled. Requires each deduction to be at least (currently, at most) 50% of the weekly benefit amount from which it is made, unless the amount to be repaid is less than 50% of that amount. 
 
Repeals the requirement (nonreduction rule) that makes a federal-state agreement inapplicable for a state upon a determination by the Secretary that the method governing the computation of regular compensation under state law has been modified in a certain manner. 
 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish at 1.0% for 2012 and 2013 only the Medicare physician payment update to the single conversion factor in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to examine options for bundled or episode-based payments to cover physicians' services, currently paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule, for one or more prevalent chronic conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, and congestive heart failure) or episodes of care for one or more major procedures (such as medical device implantation). 
 
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to examine initiatives of private entities offering or administering health insurance coverage, group health plans, or other private health benefit plans to base or adjust physician payment rates under such coverage or plans for performance on quality and efficiency as well as demonstration of care delivery improvement activities. 
 
Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to examine the feasibility of aligning private payer quality and efficiency programs with those in the Medicare program.
 
Directs specified congressional committees each to study value-based measures and practice arrangements which may improve health outcomes and efficiency in the Medicare program to the end of replacing the Medicare sustainable growth rate in a fiscally responsible manner and establishing a sustainable payment system.
 
Extends through 2012 the temporary increase for ground ambulance services.
 
Extends through 2012 the increase in the assistance for rural providers furnishing (super rural ambulance) services in low population density areas. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General to update the GAO report GAO-07-383 (relating to Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly) to reflect current costs for ambulance providers.
 
Directs MEDPAC to study the add-on payments for ambulance providers.
 
Applies additional requirements with respect to Medicare payment for outpatient therapy services.
 
Directs MEDPAC to make recommendations on how to improve the outpatient therapy benefit under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
 
Extends through 2012 the floor at 1.0 on the work geographic index in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services for the Medicare physician payment.
 
Directs MEDPAC to assess whether any geographic adjustment is needed under Medicare to distinguish the difference in work effort by geographic area, and if so, what that level should be and were it should be applied.
 
Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the qualifying individual (QI) program through 2012, and (2) the total amount available for allocation under such program.
 
Extends transitional medical assistance (TMA) through 2012.
 
Modifies requirements for qualifying for exception to the Medicare prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limitation on recapture of excess advance payments of the tax credit for health insurance premiums.
 
Reduces the funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund for FY2013, and eliminates it for FY2014-FY2015 and subsequent fiscal years.
 
Revises the formula for determining the Medicare hospital outpatient department (OPD) payment amount for specified evaluation and management services.
 
Amends SSA title XVIII to reduce the amount of bad debt treated as an allowable cost in the determination for FY2013-FY2014 and subsequent fiscal years of reasonable costs for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) under Medicare.
 
Amends SSA title XIX to authorize rebasing (reduction) of state disproportionate share hospital (DHS) allotments for FY2021.
 
Welfare Integrity and Data Improvement Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to extend the TANF program through FY2012.
 
Directs the Secretary of HHS to designate standard data elements for any category of information required to be reported under TANF.
 
Requires states to maintain policies and practices necessary to prevent the use of state TANF assistance in any transaction in any: (1) liquor store; (2) casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or (3) retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.
 

Title III: Flood Insurance Reform
 - Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend the National Flood Insurance Program through FY2016. 
 
Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to suspend temporarily the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for areas with special flood hazards, if they meet certain eligibility requirements. 
 
Requires a lender or servicer who receives confirmation of a borrower's existing flood insurance coverage to terminate force-placed insurance and refund to the borrower all force-placed insurance premiums. 
 
Requires each federal entity for lending regulation to direct regulated lending institutions to accept private flood insurance if it meets federal flood insurance requirements. Requires each federal agency lender, as well as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), to accept private flood insurance as satisfaction of the flood insurance purchase requirement if it meets such requirements.
 
Amends NFIA to prescribe minimum annual flood insurance deductibles for subsidized rate and for actuarial rate properties.
 
Revises the requirement that additional flood insurance in excess of specified limits be made available to any residential building for which the risk premium is determined in accordance with certain requirements so as to enable the insured or insurance applicant to receive coverage up to an aggregate liability of $250,000. Specifies that such additional flood insurance be made available only to a residential building designed for the occupancy of from one to four families. Applies the $250,000 aggregate flood insurance liability to any single building of that description.
 
Makes technical revisions to analogous requirements for additional flood insurance in the case of any nonresidential building, including a church.
 
Prescribes optional coverage for loss of use of personal residence and business interruption.
 
Requires flood insurance regulations to allow installment payments of flood insurance premiums.
 
Specifies the coverage of a new flood insurance policy on properties affected by floods in progress during the 30-day waiting period before the policy's effective date.
 
Raises the annual limitation on premium increases from 10% to 20% of the average of the risk premium rates.
 
Schedules a five-year phase-in of chargeable risk premium rates for flood insurance coverage for a newly mapped risk premium rate area. 
 
Prohibits extension of subsidized rates for policies lapsed as a result of policy holder's choice.
 
Declares communities making adequate progress at reconstruction or improvement to 100-year frequency flood protection systems eligible for premium flood insurance rates that would apply if the reconstruction or improvement were completed.
 
Revises requirements for special flood hazard rates for a community in the process of restoring flood protection afforded by a system previously accredited as providing 100-year frequency flood protection. Allows nonfederal, including private, entities that own, operate, maintain, or repair flood protection systems to determine whether a flood protection system is restorable.
 
Establishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council to develop new mapping standards for 100-year flood insurance rate maps.
 
Prohibits the Administrator, until the Council submits proposed new mapping standards, from making effective any new or updated rate maps for flood insurance coverage under the Program that were not in effect as of enactment of this Act, or otherwise revising, updating, or changing the flood insurance rate maps in effect as of such date.
 
Exempts from mandatory flood insurance purchase and compliance requirements property located in a special flood hazard area if the property owner submits an elevation certificate showing that the lowest level of the primary residence on such property is at least 3 feet higher than the elevation of the 100-year floodplain.
 
Prohibits the Administrator from: (1) charging a fee for reviewing the flood hazard data, or (2) issuing flood insurance maps or making effective updated flood insurance maps that either omit or disregard the actual protection afforded by certain existing flood protection features.
 
Requires the Administrator and the Comptroller General each to study strategies for privatizing the Program.
 
Authorizes the Administrator to secure reinsurance of flood insurance program coverage from private market insurance, reinsurance, and capital market sources.
 
Requires the Administrator to assess annually the Program's claims-paying ability, including its utilization of private sector reinsurance and reinsurance equivalents, with and without reliance on FEMA borrowing authority. 
 
Instructs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the financial status of the Program and of the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFI Fund).
 
Modifies the mitigation assistance grant program.
 
Repeals the authority for planning assistance grants.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) give priority to funding activities that will result in the greatest savings to the NFI Fund, including repetitive and severe repetitive loss structures; and (2) consider as an activity eligible for mitigation assistance the demolition and rebuilding of properties to at least base flood levels or higher, if required by either the Administrator or any governmental ordinance.
 
Limits to $40 million per fiscal year the amount of funding for severe repetitive loss structures. 
 
Eliminates: (1) the grants program for repetitive insurance claims properties, and (2) the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Increases the amounts available from the NFI Fund to the National Flood Mitigation Fund (NFM Fund) for specified activities. States that amounts made available in the NFM Fund shall not be subject to offsetting collections through premium rates for flood insurance coverage.
 
Revises requirements for additional flood insurance coverage for the costs of compliance with community land use and control measures to eliminate coverage for properties for which an offer of mitigation assistance is made under the repetitive loss priority program and the individual priority property program.
 
Amends the FDPA to direct the Administrator to notify residents of special flood hazard areas annually of the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement and the rate phase-ins for such properties.
 
Amends the NFIA to require the Administrator to notify: (1) Members of Congress whose districts or states would be affected of any significant action relating to any revision or update of any floodplain area or flood-risk zone, (2) tenants of the availability of contents insurance for property located in a special flood hazard area, and (3) policy holders annually regarding direct management by FEMA of their flood insurance policy and of the option to purchase flood insurance directly administered by an insurance company.
 
Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) to require a lender's good faith estimate for loan applicants to disclose: (1) the availability of flood insurance for residential real estate both in and out of a special flood hazard area, and (2) that the escrowing of flood insurance payments is required for many loans.
 
Directs the Administrator, when updating flood insurance maps, to communicate with communities located in areas where flood insurance rate maps have not been updated in 20 years or more and state emergency agencies to resolve outstanding issues, provide technical assistance, and disseminate all necessary information to reduce the prevalence of outdated maps in flood-prone areas.
 
Authorizes the Administrator to refuse to accept the transfer of the administration of flood insurance policies that are written and administered by any insurance company, other insurer, or any insurance agent or broker.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) notify local public media when establishing projected flood elevations with respect to certain communities; and (2) grant an additional 90-day extension of the initial 90-day period for appeals if an affected community certifies that there are property owners or lessees who are unaware of the statutory period to appeal proposed flood elevation determinations, and the community will use the time extension to notify those affected.
 
Directs the Administrator to establish a separate National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund to meet expected future obligations of the Program.
 
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize community development block grants to supplement existing municipal funding for local administration of building code enforcement.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) report to Congress on procedures to limit the percentage of flood insurance policies directly managed by FEMA to a maximum of 10% of the aggregate number of all flood insurance policies in force under the Program, and (2) reduce to a 10% maximum the number of flood insurance policies directly managed by either FEMA or its non-insurer direct servicing contractor.
 
Directs the Administrator and Comptroller General each to study strategies for offering and incorporating voluntary community-based flood insurance policy options into the Program.
 
Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility of amending the NFIA to include widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of the floodplain management criteria.
 
Directs the National Academy of Sciences to study methods for understanding graduated risk behind levees and the associated land development, insurance, and risk communication dimensions.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) review the processes and procedures for determining that a flood event has commenced or is in progress for flood insurance purposes, and for providing public notification that such an event has commenced or is in progress; and (2) plan how to repay within 10 years all amounts owed pursuant to NFIA on notes and obligations approved by the President, including any previously borrowed but not yet repaid. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, upon request of a governmental entity, to evaluate a levee system that was designed or constructed by the Secretary for the purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program.
 

Title IV: Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act of 2011
 - Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act of 2011 or the JOBS Act of 2011 - Requires, within specified deadlines and subject to exceptions, that: (1) the President withdraw or modify the assignment of specified ranges of electromagnetic spectrum now assigned to federal government stations, and (2) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocate certain spectrum and paired frequencies and reallocate the 700 MHz public safety narrowband and guard band spectrums for commercial use through competitive bidding auctions.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the FCC to encourage spectrum licensees to voluntarily relinquish usage rights to permit the assignment of new initial licenses subject to flexible-use service rules by sharing with such licensees a portion of the proceeds from competitive bidding auctions. Requires the FCC, as a condition to such auctions, to first conduct a reverse auction with at least two competing licensees to determine the amount of compensation licensees would accept in return for such voluntary relinquishment.
 
Sets forth restrictions particular to broadcast television spectrum auctions and the valuation of voluntarily relinquished broadcast television spectrum. 
 
Authorizes the FCC, subject to specified conditions, to reassign and reallocate broadcast television spectrum for such auctions. Requires that certain relocation cost reimbursements be made to reassigned broadcast television licensees and related multichannel video programming distributors. Authorizes waivers from FCC flexible use service rules in lieu of such reimbursements.
 
Prohibits the FCC from involuntarily reassigning a broadcast television licensee from: (1) an ultra high to a very high frequency television channel, and (2) a television channel between 174-216 megahertz to a channel between the 54-88 megahertz frequencies.
 
Extends the FCC's auction authority until September 30, 2021.
 
Prohibits the FCC, in assigning licenses through competitive bidding, from: (1) limiting a licensee's ability to manage the applications, services, and priority of traffic on its network; and (2) requiring the licensee to sell network access on a wholesale basis.
 
Requires the FCC to assess allowing unlicensed U-NII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) devices in the 5 GHz band.
 
Directs: (1) the FCC to establish a Public Safety Communications Planning Board to develop proposals for a National Public Safety Communications Plan, and (2) the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce to select an Administrator of the Plan. 
 
Requires the FCC to assign the Administrator a renewable 10-year license for exclusive use of the public safety broadband and 700 MHz D block spectrums to authorize the operation of state public safety broadband communications networks in accordance with the Plan.
 
Directs each state desiring such a network to establish or designate a State Public Safety Broadband Office (SPSBO). Authorizes grants to SPSBOs for eligible activity costs and contracts with private-sector entities for the construction, management, maintenance, and operation of such networks. 
 
Authorizes borrowing from the Treasury's general fund: (1) by the FCC for the relocation of television broadcasters, and (2) by the Assistant Secretary to enter a contract with a Plan Administrator and make SPSBO grants.
 
Establishes the Public Safety Trust Fund. Requires that various auction proceeds be deposited in such Fund and used, through FY2021, according to a specified order of priority, to: (1) carry out programs and activities under this Act, (2) repay amounts borrowed from the Treasury's general fund, and (3) dedicate specified amounts toward deficit reduction. 
 
Directs amounts remaining in the Fund after FY2021 to be deposited in the general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
 
Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2011 - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to reestablish and extend matching grants, through October 1, 2021, to eligible state or local governments or tribal organizations for the implementation, operation, and migration of various 9-1-1, E9-1-1 (wireless telephone location), Next Generation 9-1-1 (voice, text, video), and IP-enabled emergency services and public safety personnel training.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish a 9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office.
 
Provides immunity and liability protection, to the extent consistent with specified provisions of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, to various users and providers of Next Generation 9-1-1 and related services, including for the release of subscriber information.
 
Directs the FCC to: (1) initiate a proceeding to create a specialized Do-Not-Call registry for public safety answering points, and (2) establish penalties and fines for autodialing (robocalls) and related violations.
 
Requires that federal entities operating federal government stations within certain frequencies be paid for specified relocation or sharing costs incurred in planning for an auction or relocating from federal to exclusive nonfederal or shared use. (Current law requires payments only for certain relocations to exclusive nonfederal use.) Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to give priority to exclusive nonfederal use. Conditions any sharing on feasibility and cost constraints. 
 
Revises the composition of the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF) (provides capital to small businesses in the telecommunications industry) board of directors to establish an independent board. (Current law requires that the board include representatives from the FCC, the Small Business Administration [SBA], and the Department of the Treasury.) Requires that interest from an auction escrow account be dedicated to deficit reduction, thereby eliminating the deposit of such interest in the TDF. 
 

Title V: Offsets
 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to require the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to require each government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) (the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) to charge a guarantee fee in connection with any guarantee of the timely payment of principal and interests on securities, notes, and other obligations based on or backed by mortgages on residential real properties designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families.
 
Requires the FHFA Director to prohibit a GSE from consummating any offer for a guarantee to a lender for mortgage-backed securities if: (1) the guarantee is inconsistent with the requirements of this Act; or (2) the risk of loss is allowed to increase, through the lowering of the underwriting standards or other means, for the primary purpose of meeting the requirements of this Act.
 
Requires direct deposit into the Treasury of any amounts received from fee increases imposed by this Act that are necessary to comply with the minimum increase required by this Act.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, in the case of any employer deferred compensation plan of a state or local government or of any of their agencies or instrumentalities, to require identification of any designated distribution paid to any plan participant or beneficiary based in whole or in part upon an individual's earnings for service in the employ of that governmental entity. Requires disclosure of any such designated distribution to the Social Security Administration for purposes of its administration of the Social Security Act.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require taxpayers to provide their social security number on their tax return in order to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit; and (2) impose a 100% tax on excess unemployment compensation, as defined by this Act, received by certain high-income taxpayers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011.
 
Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to render ineligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) any household in which a member receives income or assets with a fair market value of at least $1 million.
 
Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act of 2011 - Increases the employee contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Establishes new annuity computation rules for federal employees hired after December 31, 2012, with less than five years of civilian service creditable under CSRS or any other federal employee retirement system. Eliminates the FERS annuity supplement for federal employees whose entitlement to an annuity is based on separation from service after December 31, 2012.
 
Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 to extend through 2013 the cost of living freeze on the pay of federal employees, including Members of Congress and legislative branch employees.
 
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to reduce limits of discretionary spending, and revised limits, for FY2013-FY2021.
 
Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to revise requirements for the reduction in premium subsidy, and consequent increase in premium, based on income, for Medicare parts B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) and part D (Prescription Drugs) premiums for high-income Medicare beneficiaries. Increases on a graduated basis the applicable percentage used to calculate such premiums.
 
Modifies the temporary adjustment in income thresholds for the calculation of such premiums which currently extends the 2010 thresholds through December 31, 2019. Terminates such adjustment, instead, on December 31 of the first year after the year in which at least 25% of part B and part D enrollees are subject to a premium subsidy reduction. Makes a conforming amendment to the inflation adjustment to such premiums.
 

Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions
 - Repeals certain provisions requiring an acceleration in installments of corporate estimated tax. 
 
Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal a requirement for prepayment of merchandise processing fees. 
 
Provides that it shall not be in order in the Senate to: (1) consider any measure extending the payroll tax holiday period in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; and (2) allow an emergency designation in any bill, resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report. Allows such restrictions to be waived by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate. 
 
Provides that the budgetary effects of this Act shall not be included on the scorecards maintained by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 if such budgetary effects do not increase the deficit during FY2012-FY2021. 

action_date: 2011-12-13
text: 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2011 - 
Title I: Job Creation Incentives
 - North American Energy Security Act - Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of State, to grant a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project application filed on September 19, 2008.
 
Waives such requirement if the President determines that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest. Requires the President, in that case, to report to certain congressional committees and officials a justification for his determination, including consideration of economic, employment, energy security, foreign policy, trade, and environmental factors.
 
 Declares that a permit for such pipeline shall take effect by operation of law if after 60 days following enactment of this Act the President fails to: (1) determine that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest, or (2) grant the permit.
 
EPA Regulatory Relief Act of 2011 - Provides that the following rules shall have no force or effect and shall be treated as though they had never taken effect: (1) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Major Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers and Process Heaters; (2) the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Area Sources: Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Boilers; (3) the Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units; and (4) Identification of Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials That are Solid Waste. 
 
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in place of such rules, to promulgate and finalize on the date that is 15 months after enactment of this Act regulations for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters and commercial and industrial solid waste incinerator units subject to such rules, that: (1) establish maximum achievable control technology standards, performance standards, and other requirements for hazardous air pollutants or solid waste combustion under the Clean Air Act; and (2) identify non-hazardous secondary materials that, when used as fuels or ingredients in combustion units of such boilers, heaters, or incinerator units, are solid waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act for purposes of determining the extent to which such combustion units are required to meet emission standards for such pollutants under such Act. Requires the Administrator to establish a date for compliance with standards and requirements under such regulations, which shall be no earlier than five years after such a regulation's effective date, after considering compliance costs, non-air quality health and environmental impacts and energy requirements, the feasibility of implementation, the availability of equipment, suppliers, and labor, and potential net employment impacts. 
 
Treats the date on which the Administrator proposes such a regulation establishing an emission standard as the proposal date for purposes of applying the definition of a "new source" to hazardous air pollutants requirements or of a "new solid waste incineration unit" to solid waste combustion requirements under the Clean Air Act. 
 
Requires the Administrator, in promulgating such regulations, to: (1) adopt the definitions of "commercial and industrial solid waste incineration unit," "commercial and industrial waste," and "contained gaseous material" in the rule entitled "Standards for Performance of New Stationary Sources and Emission Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units"; (2) identify non-hazardous secondary material to be solid waste only if the material meets such a definition; (3) ensure that emissions standards for existing and new sources can be met under actual operating conditions consistently and concurrently with emission standards for all other air pollutants regulated by the rule for the source category, taking into account variability in actual source performance, source design, fuels, inputs, controls, ability to measure the pollutant emissions, and operating conditions; and (4) impose the least burdensome regulatory alternative.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2012 the increased (100%) bonus depreciation allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) expand the election to accelerate alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits in lieu of bonus depreciation by allowing corporate taxpayers to claim 20% of depreciation not claimed as bonus depreciation, limited to the lesser of unused AMT credit amounts from taxable years ending before January 1, 2012, or 50% of the AMT credit for the first taxable year ending after December 31, 2011. 
 

Title II: Extension of Certain Expiring Provisions and Related Measures
 - Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to extend through 2012 the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employees and the self-employed.
 
Extended Benefits, Reemployment, and Program Integrity Improvement Act - Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state unemployment compensation laws to require, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, that an unemployment compensation claimant be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
Requires a claimant to meet minimum educational requirements, that is, to: (1) have earned a high school diploma, (2) have earned the General Educational Development (GED) credential or other state-recognized equivalent (including by meeting recognized alternative standards for individuals with disabilities), or (3) be enrolled and making satisfactory progress in classes leading to satisfaction of one of the latter requirements.
 
Authorizes waiver of such requirements for an individual by a state agency if they would be unduly burdensome.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with up to 10 states to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for unemployment compensation under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment.
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting self-employment assistance programs; (2) provide technical assistance to states in establishing, improving, and administering them; and (3) establish reporting requirements for states in regards to such programs.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the SSA title III to require states (which, currently, are merely authorized) to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior unemployment benefit overpayments.
 
Amends the SSA to authorize a state to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior federal additional compensation overpayments and prior unemployment benefit overpayments of another state. 
 
Amends the SSA title IX (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security) to require the Secretary to designate standard data elements for any category of information required for data matching in the federal-state unemployment insurance system.
 
Amends the SSA title III to declare that nothing in any federal law shall be considered to prevent a state from: (1) testing an applicant for unemployment compensation for the unlawful use of controlled substances as a condition for receiving such compensation, or (2) denying the compensation on the basis of test results.
 
Unemployment Benefits Extension Act of 2011 - Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SSA, 2008) with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through January 31, 2013. Repeals current transitional requirements for an individual's remaining EUCA payments.
 
Revises the formula for crediting Tier-1 and Tier-2 amounts to an applicant's EUCA. Eliminates Tier-3 and Tier-4 augmentation to an individual's EUCA.
 
Repeals requirements authorizing a state governor in an extended benefit period, if state law permits, to provide for the payment of EUC before extended compensation to individuals who otherwise meet EUC requirements.
 
Denies the application of a federal-state agreement to a state upon a determination by the Secretary that, under the state law or its applicable rule, the payment of extended compensation for which an individual is otherwise eligible may or must be deferred until after the payment of any EUC under the SSA, 2008, as amended by this Act, for which the individual is concurrently eligible.
 
Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until January 31, 2013, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.
 
Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and January 31, 2013, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
 
Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2011, to January 31, 2013, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.
 
Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, to extend through January 31, 2013, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service as well as for those with less than 10.
 
Amends the SSA, 2008 to allow a state agency to make EUC payments to individuals who are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
Includes in a federal-state agreement a requirement that a state provide reemployment services and reemployment eligibility assessment activities to certain recipients of EUC.
 
Conditions an individual's continuing eligibility for EUC for any week on whether such individual: (1) meets the minimum SSA title III educational requirements; (2) participates in referred reemployment services; (3) is actively seeking work; and (4) has been referred to such services or activities and participated, or has completed such participation, unless there is justifiable cause for failure to do so. 
 
Authorizes a state to withhold up to $5 from an individual's weekly EUC payment for optional funding for such services and activities. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an agreement with a state to allow it to divert, in any month, up to 20% of EUC beneficiaries, attributable to such state and receiving EUC for the first week of such month, to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for unemployment compensation under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment. 
 
Requires a state agency (which, currently, is merely authorized) to recover an EUC overpayment to an individual by deductions from such individual's EUC payment during the three-year period after such individual received the EUC payment to which he or she was not entitled. Requires each deduction to be at least (currently, at most) 50% of the weekly benefit amount from which it is made, unless the amount to be repaid is less than 50% of that amount. 
 
Repeals the requirement (nonreduction rule) that makes a federal-state agreement inapplicable for a state upon a determination by the Secretary that the method governing the computation of regular compensation under state law has been modified in a certain manner. 
 
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to establish at 1.0% for 2012 and 2013 only the Medicare physician payment update to the single conversion factor in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to examine options for bundled or episode-based payments to cover physicians' services, currently paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule, for one or more prevalent chronic conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, and congestive heart failure) or episodes of care for one or more major procedures (such as medical device implantation). 
 
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to examine initiatives of private entities offering or administering health insurance coverage, group health plans, or other private health benefit plans to base or adjust physician payment rates under such coverage or plans for performance on quality and efficiency as well as demonstration of care delivery improvement activities. 
 
Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to examine the feasibility of aligning private payer quality and efficiency programs with those in the Medicare program.
 
Directs specified congressional committees each to study value-based measures and practice arrangements which may improve health outcomes and efficiency in the Medicare program to the end of replacing the Medicare sustainable growth rate in a fiscally responsible manner and establishing a sustainable payment system.
 
Extends through 2012 the temporary increase for ground ambulance services.
 
Extends through 2012 the increase in the assistance for rural providers furnishing (super rural ambulance) services in low population density areas. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General to update the GAO report GAO-07-383 (relating to Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly) to reflect current costs for ambulance providers.
 
Directs MEDPAC to study the add-on payments for ambulance providers.
 
Applies additional requirements with respect to Medicare payment for outpatient therapy services.
 
Directs MEDPAC to make recommendations on how to improve the outpatient therapy benefit under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
 
Extends through 2012 the floor at 1.0 on the work geographic index in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services for the Medicare physician payment.
 
Directs MEDPAC to assess whether any geographic adjustment is needed under Medicare to distinguish the difference in work effort by geographic area, and if so, what that level should be and were it should be applied.
 
Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the qualifying individual (QI) program through 2012, and (2) the total amount available for allocation under such program.
 
Extends transitional medical assistance (TMA) through 2012.
 
Modifies requirements for qualifying for exception to the Medicare prohibition on certain physician referrals for hospitals.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the limitation on recapture of excess advance payments of the tax credit for health insurance premiums.
 
Reduces the funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund for FY2013, and eliminates it for FY2014-FY2015 and subsequent fiscal years.
 
Revises the formula for determining the Medicare hospital outpatient department (OPD) payment amount for specified evaluation and management services.
 
Amends SSA title XVIII to reduce the amount of bad debt treated as an allowable cost in the determination for FY2013-FY2014 and subsequent fiscal years of reasonable costs for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) under Medicare.
 
Amends SSA title XIX to authorize rebasing (reduction) of state disproportionate share hospital (DHS) allotments for FY2021.
 
Welfare Integrity and Data Improvement Act - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to extend the TANF program through FY2012.
 
Directs the Secretary of HHS to designate standard data elements for any category of information required to be reported under TANF.
 
Requires states to maintain policies and practices necessary to prevent the use of state TANF assistance in any transaction in any: (1) liquor store; (2) casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or (3) retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.
 

Title III: Flood Insurance Reform
 - Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend the National Flood Insurance Program through FY2016. 
 
Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to suspend temporarily the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for areas with special flood hazards, if they meet certain eligibility requirements. 
 
Requires a lender or servicer who receives confirmation of a borrower's existing flood insurance coverage to terminate force-placed insurance and refund to the borrower all force-placed insurance premiums. 
 
Requires each federal entity for lending regulation to direct regulated lending institutions to accept private flood insurance if it meets federal flood insurance requirements. Requires each federal agency lender, as well as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), to accept private flood insurance as satisfaction of the flood insurance purchase requirement if it meets such requirements.
 
Amends NFIA to prescribe minimum annual flood insurance deductibles for subsidized rate and for actuarial rate properties.
 
Revises the requirement that additional flood insurance in excess of specified limits be made available to any residential building for which the risk premium is determined in accordance with certain requirements so as to enable the insured or insurance applicant to receive coverage up to an aggregate liability of $250,000. Specifies that such additional flood insurance be made available only to a residential building designed for the occupancy of from one to four families. Applies the $250,000 aggregate flood insurance liability to any single building of that description.
 
Makes technical revisions to analogous requirements for additional flood insurance in the case of any nonresidential building, including a church.
 
Prescribes optional coverage for loss of use of personal residence and business interruption.
 
Requires flood insurance regulations to allow installment payments of flood insurance premiums.
 
Specifies the coverage of a new flood insurance policy on properties affected by floods in progress during the 30-day waiting period before the policy's effective date.
 
Raises the annual limitation on premium increases from 10% to 20% of the average of the risk premium rates.
 
Schedules a five-year phase-in of chargeable risk premium rates for flood insurance coverage for a newly mapped risk premium rate area. 
 
Prohibits extension of subsidized rates for policies lapsed as a result of policy holder's choice.
 
Declares communities making adequate progress at reconstruction or improvement to 100-year frequency flood protection systems eligible for premium flood insurance rates that would apply if the reconstruction or improvement were completed.
 
Revises requirements for special flood hazard rates for a community in the process of restoring flood protection afforded by a system previously accredited as providing 100-year frequency flood protection. Allows nonfederal, including private, entities that own, operate, maintain, or repair flood protection systems to determine whether a flood protection system is restorable.
 
Establishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council to develop new mapping standards for 100-year flood insurance rate maps.
 
Prohibits the Administrator, until the Council submits proposed new mapping standards, from making effective any new or updated rate maps for flood insurance coverage under the Program that were not in effect as of enactment of this Act, or otherwise revising, updating, or changing the flood insurance rate maps in effect as of such date.
 
Exempts from mandatory flood insurance purchase and compliance requirements property located in a special flood hazard area if the property owner submits an elevation certificate showing that the lowest level of the primary residence on such property is at least 3 feet higher than the elevation of the 100-year floodplain.
 
Prohibits the Administrator from: (1) charging a fee for reviewing the flood hazard data, or (2) issuing flood insurance maps or making effective updated flood insurance maps that either omit or disregard the actual protection afforded by certain existing flood protection features.
 
Requires the Administrator and the Comptroller General each to study strategies for privatizing the Program.
 
Authorizes the Administrator to secure reinsurance of flood insurance program coverage from private market insurance, reinsurance, and capital market sources.
 
Requires the Administrator to assess annually the Program's claims-paying ability, including its utilization of private sector reinsurance and reinsurance equivalents, with and without reliance on FEMA borrowing authority. 
 
Instructs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the financial status of the Program and of the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFI Fund).
 
Modifies the mitigation assistance grant program.
 
Repeals the authority for planning assistance grants.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) give priority to funding activities that will result in the greatest savings to the NFI Fund, including repetitive and severe repetitive loss structures; and (2) consider as an activity eligible for mitigation assistance the demolition and rebuilding of properties to at least base flood levels or higher, if required by either the Administrator or any governmental ordinance.
 
Limits to $40 million per fiscal year the amount of funding for severe repetitive loss structures. 
 
Eliminates: (1) the grants program for repetitive insurance claims properties, and (2) the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Increases the amounts available from the NFI Fund to the National Flood Mitigation Fund (NFM Fund) for specified activities. States that amounts made available in the NFM Fund shall not be subject to offsetting collections through premium rates for flood insurance coverage.
 
Revises requirements for additional flood insurance coverage for the costs of compliance with community land use and control measures to eliminate coverage for properties for which an offer of mitigation assistance is made under the repetitive loss priority program and the individual priority property program.
 
Amends the FDPA to direct the Administrator to notify residents of special flood hazard areas annually of the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement and the rate phase-ins for such properties.
 
Amends the NFIA to require the Administrator to notify: (1) Members of Congress whose districts or states would be affected of any significant action relating to any revision or update of any floodplain area or flood-risk zone, (2) tenants of the availability of contents insurance for property located in a special flood hazard area, and (3) policy holders annually regarding direct management by FEMA of their flood insurance policy and of the option to purchase flood insurance directly administered by an insurance company.
 
Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) to require a lender's good faith estimate for loan applicants to disclose: (1) the availability of flood insurance for residential real estate both in and out of a special flood hazard area, and (2) that the escrowing of flood insurance payments is required for many loans.
 
Directs the Administrator, when updating flood insurance maps, to communicate with communities located in areas where flood insurance rate maps have not been updated in 20 years or more and state emergency agencies to resolve outstanding issues, provide technical assistance, and disseminate all necessary information to reduce the prevalence of outdated maps in flood-prone areas.
 
Authorizes the Administrator to refuse to accept the transfer of the administration of flood insurance policies that are written and administered by any insurance company, other insurer, or any insurance agent or broker.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) notify local public media when establishing projected flood elevations with respect to certain communities; and (2) grant an additional 90-day extension of the initial 90-day period for appeals if an affected community certifies that there are property owners or lessees who are unaware of the statutory period to appeal proposed flood elevation determinations, and the community will use the time extension to notify those affected.
 
Directs the Administrator to establish a separate National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund to meet expected future obligations of the Program.
 
Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize community development block grants to supplement existing municipal funding for local administration of building code enforcement.
 
Directs the Administrator to: (1) report to Congress on procedures to limit the percentage of flood insurance policies directly managed by FEMA to a maximum of 10% of the aggregate number of all flood insurance policies in force under the Program, and (2) reduce to a 10% maximum the number of flood insurance policies directly managed by either FEMA or its non-insurer direct servicing contractor.
 
Directs the Administrator and Comptroller General each to study strategies for offering and incorporating voluntary community-based flood insurance policy options into the Program.
 
Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility of amending the NFIA to include widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of the floodplain management criteria.
 
Directs the National Academy of Sciences to study methods for understanding graduated risk behind levees and the associated land development, insurance, and risk communication dimensions.
 
Requires the Administrator to: (1) review the processes and procedures for determining that a flood event has commenced or is in progress for flood insurance purposes, and for providing public notification that such an event has commenced or is in progress; and (2) plan how to repay within 10 years all amounts owed pursuant to NFIA on notes and obligations approved by the President, including any previously borrowed but not yet repaid. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, upon request of a governmental entity, to evaluate a levee system that was designed or constructed by the Secretary for the purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program.
 

Title IV: Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act of 2011
 - Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum Act of 2011 or the JOBS Act of 2011 - Requires, within specified deadlines and subject to exceptions, that: (1) the President withdraw or modify the assignment of specified ranges of electromagnetic spectrum now assigned to federal government stations, and (2) the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocate certain spectrum and paired frequencies and reallocate the 700 MHz public safety narrowband and guard band spectrums for commercial use through competitive bidding auctions.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the FCC to encourage spectrum licensees to voluntarily relinquish usage rights to permit the assignment of new initial licenses subject to flexible-use service rules by sharing with such licensees a portion of the proceeds from competitive bidding auctions. Requires the FCC, as a condition to such auctions, to first conduct a reverse auction with at least two competing licensees to determine the amount of compensation licensees would accept in return for such voluntary relinquishment.
 
Sets forth restrictions particular to broadcast television spectrum auctions and the valuation of voluntarily relinquished broadcast television spectrum. 
 
Authorizes the FCC, subject to specified conditions, to reassign and reallocate broadcast television spectrum for such auctions. Requires that certain relocation cost reimbursements be made to reassigned broadcast television licensees and related multichannel video programming distributors. Authorizes waivers from FCC flexible use service rules in lieu of such reimbursements.
 
Prohibits the FCC from involuntarily reassigning a broadcast television licensee from: (1) an ultra high to a very high frequency television channel, and (2) a television channel between 174-216 megahertz to a channel between the 54-88 megahertz frequencies.
 
Extends the FCC's auction authority until September 30, 2021.
 
Prohibits the FCC, in assigning licenses through competitive bidding, from: (1) limiting a licensee's ability to manage the applications, services, and priority of traffic on its network; and (2) requiring the licensee to sell network access on a wholesale basis.
 
Requires the FCC to assess allowing unlicensed U-NII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) devices in the 5 GHz band.
 
Directs: (1) the FCC to establish a Public Safety Communications Planning Board to develop proposals for a National Public Safety Communications Plan, and (2) the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce to select an Administrator of the Plan. 
 
Requires the FCC to assign the Administrator a renewable 10-year license for exclusive use of the public safety broadband and 700 MHz D block spectrums to authorize the operation of state public safety broadband communications networks in accordance with the Plan.
 
Directs each state desiring such a network to establish or designate a State Public Safety Broadband Office (SPSBO). Authorizes grants to SPSBOs for eligible activity costs and contracts with private-sector entities for the construction, management, maintenance, and operation of such networks. 
 
Authorizes borrowing from the Treasury's general fund: (1) by the FCC for the relocation of television broadcasters, and (2) by the Assistant Secretary to enter a contract with a Plan Administrator and make SPSBO grants.
 
Establishes the Public Safety Trust Fund. Requires that various auction proceeds be deposited in such Fund and used, through FY2021, according to a specified order of priority, to: (1) carry out programs and activities under this Act, (2) repay amounts borrowed from the Treasury's general fund, and (3) dedicate specified amounts toward deficit reduction. 
 
Directs amounts remaining in the Fund after FY2021 to be deposited in the general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
 
Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2011 - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to reestablish and extend matching grants, through October 1, 2021, to eligible state or local governments or tribal organizations for the implementation, operation, and migration of various 9-1-1, E9-1-1 (wireless telephone location), Next Generation 9-1-1 (voice, text, video), and IP-enabled emergency services and public safety personnel training.
 
Directs the Assistant Secretary and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish a 9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office.
 
Provides immunity and liability protection, to the extent consistent with specified provisions of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, to various users and providers of Next Generation 9-1-1 and related services, including for the release of subscriber information.
 
Directs the FCC to: (1) initiate a proceeding to create a specialized Do-Not-Call registry for public safety answering points, and (2) establish penalties and fines for autodialing (robocalls) and related violations.
 
Requires that federal entities operating federal government stations within certain frequencies be paid for specified relocation or sharing costs incurred in planning for an auction or relocating from federal to exclusive nonfederal or shared use. (Current law requires payments only for certain relocations to exclusive nonfederal use.) Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to give priority to exclusive nonfederal use. Conditions any sharing on feasibility and cost constraints. 
 
Revises the composition of the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF) (provides capital to small businesses in the telecommunications industry) board of directors to establish an independent board. (Current law requires that the board include representatives from the FCC, the Small Business Administration [SBA], and the Department of the Treasury.) Requires that interest from an auction escrow account be dedicated to deficit reduction, thereby eliminating the deposit of such interest in the TDF. 
 

Title V: Offsets
 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to require the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to require each government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) (the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) to charge a guarantee fee in connection with any guarantee of the timely payment of principal and interests on securities, notes, and other obligations based on or backed by mortgages on residential real properties designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families.
 
Requires the FHFA Director to prohibit a GSE from consummating any offer for a guarantee to a lender for mortgage-backed securities if: (1) the guarantee is inconsistent with the requirements of this Act; or (2) the risk of loss is allowed to increase, through the lowering of the underwriting standards or other means, for the primary purpose of meeting the requirements of this Act.
 
Requires direct deposit into the Treasury of any amounts received from fee increases imposed by this Act that are necessary to comply with the minimum increase required by this Act.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, in the case of any employer deferred compensation plan of a state or local government or of any of their agencies or instrumentalities, to require identification of any designated distribution paid to any plan participant or beneficiary based in whole or in part upon an individual's earnings for service in the employ of that governmental entity. Requires disclosure of any such designated distribution to the Social Security Administration for purposes of its administration of the Social Security Act.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) require taxpayers to provide their social security number on their tax return in order to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit; and (2) impose a 100% tax on excess unemployment compensation, as defined by this Act, received by certain high-income taxpayers in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2011.
 
Amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to render ineligible for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) any household in which a member receives income or assets with a fair market value of at least $1 million.
 
Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act of 2011 - Increases the employee contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) for calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Establishes new annuity computation rules for federal employees hired after December 31, 2012, with less than five years of civilian service creditable under CSRS or any other federal employee retirement system. Eliminates the FERS annuity supplement for federal employees whose entitlement to an annuity is based on separation from service after December 31, 2012.
 
Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 to extend through 2013 the cost of living freeze on the pay of federal employees, including Members of Congress and legislative branch employees.
 
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to reduce limits of discretionary spending, and revised limits, for FY2013-FY2021.
 
Amends SSA title XVIII (Medicare) to revise requirements for the reduction in premium subsidy, and consequent increase in premium, based on income, for Medicare parts B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) and part D (Prescription Drugs) premiums for high-income Medicare beneficiaries. Increases on a graduated basis the applicable percentage used to calculate such premiums.
 
Modifies the temporary adjustment in income thresholds for the calculation of such premiums which currently extends the 2010 thresholds through December 31, 2019. Terminates such adjustment, instead, on December 31 of the first year after the year in which at least 25% of part B and part D enrollees are subject to a premium subsidy reduction. Makes a conforming amendment to the inflation adjustment to such premiums.
 

Title VI: Miscellaneous Provisions
 - Repeals certain provisions requiring an acceleration in installments of corporate estimated tax. 
 
Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal a requirement for prepayment of merchandise processing fees. 
 
Provides that it shall not be in order in the Senate to: (1) consider any measure extending the payroll tax holiday period in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010; and (2) allow an emergency designation in any bill, resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report. Allows such restrictions to be waived by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate. 
 
Provides that the budgetary effects of this Act shall not be included on the scorecards maintained by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 if such budgetary effects do not increase the deficit during FY2012-FY2021.

action_date: 2011-12-17
text: 
Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011
 - Title I: Temporary Payroll Tax Relief 
- (Sec. 101) Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 to: (1) extend through 2012, the 2% reduction in the self-employment tax rate for self-employment income not exceeding the excess of $18,350 over any wages and compensation paid to a self-employed taxpayer; and (2) extend through February 29, 2012, the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employee wages and compensation not exceeding $18,350.
 

Title II: Temporary Extension of Unemployment Compensation Provisions 
- (Sec. 201) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through March 6, 2012. Postpones the termination of the program until August 15, 2012.
 
Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until March 7, 2012, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.
 
Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and August 15, 2012, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
 
Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from December 31, 2011, to February 29, 2012, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.
 
(Sec. 202) Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, to extend through February 29, 2012, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service as well as for those with less than 10.
 

Title III: Temporary Extension of Health Provisions
 - (Sec. 301) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to set the update to the single conversion factor in the formula for the physicians' fee schedule for the first two months of 2012 at zero (thus freezing the physician payment update for the first two months of 2012). Requires the conversion factor for the remaining portion of 2012 and subsequent years to be computed as if the zero update for the first two months of 2012 had never applied. 
 
(Sec. 302) Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as modified by other federal law, to extend section 508 hospital reclassifications for two months through November 30, 2011. ("Section 508" refers to Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 [MMA], which allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index, for reimbursement purposes, to a nearby location with a higher Medicare area wage index, so that the "Section 508 hospital" will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.)
 
(Sec. 303) Extends through February 29, 2012, the 1.0 floor on geographic indexing adjustments to the work portion of the physician fee schedule.
 
(Sec. 304) Extends through February 29, 2012, the process allowing exceptions to limitations on medically necessary therapy caps. 
 
 (Sec. 305) Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to extend until February 29, 2012, an exception to a payment rule that permits laboratories to receive direct Medicare reimbursement when providing the technical component of certain physician pathology services that had been outsourced by certain (rural) hospitals.
 
 (Sec. 306) Amends SSA title XVIII to extend the bonus and increased payments for ground ambulance services until March 1, 2012. 
 
Amends the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) to extend the payment of certain urban air ambulance services until February 29, 2012.
 
Extends increased payments for super rural ambulance services until March 1, 2012.
 
(Sec. 307) Amends MIPPA to extend the physician fee schedule mental health add-on payment provision through February 29, 2012.
 
 (Sec. 308) Extends through February 29, 2012, hold harmless provisions under the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services.
 
(Sec. 309) Extends the minimum payment for bone mass measurement through the first two months of 2012.
 
 (Sec. 310) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend the Qualifying Individual (QI) Program through February 29, 2012, at specified allocations. 
 
(Sec. 311) Extends the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) Program through February 29, 2012. 
 
(Sec. 312) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to extend the TANF program through February 29, 2012.
 

Title IV: Mortgage Fees and Premiums - 
(Sec. 401) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to require the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to require each government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) (the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) to charge a guarantee fee in connection with any guarantee of the timely payment of principal and interest on securities, notes, and other obligations based on or backed by mortgages on residential real properties designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families.
 
Requires the FHFA Director to prohibit a GSE from consummating any offer for a guarantee to a lender for mortgage-backed securities if: (1) the guarantee is inconsistent with the requirements of this Act; or (2) the risk of loss is allowed to increase, through the lowering of the underwriting standards or other means, for the primary purpose of meeting the requirements of this Act.
 
Requires direct deposit into the Treasury of any amounts received from fee increases imposed by this Act that are necessary to comply with the minimum increase required by this Act.
 
Requires the Director to require each GSE, as part of its annual report, to: (1) describe changes made to up-front fees and annual fees as part of the guarantee fees negotiated with lenders, changes to the riskiness of the new borrowers compared to previous origination years or book years, and any adjustments required to improve for future origination years or book years, in order to be in complete compliance with guarantee fee requirements; and (2) assess how the changes in such guarantee fees met the requirements of this title.
 
(Sec. 402) Amends the National Housing Act with respect to requirements for each mortgage secured by a 1- to 4-family dwelling that is an obligation of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in addition to other required or authorized premiums, to establish and collect through FY2021 annual premium payments of up to 10 basis points of the remaining insured principal balance for any mortgage for which the Secretary collects an annual premium on the remaining insured principal balance.
 

Title V: Other Provisions - Subtitle A: Keystone XL Pipeline
 - (Sec. 501) Directs the President, acting through the Secretary of State, to grant a permit for the Keystone XL pipeline project application filed on September 19, 2008.
 
Waives such requirement if the President determines that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest. Requires the President, in that case, to report to certain congressional committees and officials a justification for his determination, including consideration of economic, employment, energy security, foreign policy, trade, and environmental factors.
 
Declares that a permit for such pipeline shall take effect by operation of law if after 60 days following enactment of this Act the President fails to: (1) determine that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest, or (2) grant the permit.
 

Subtitle B: Budgetary Provisions 
 - (Sec. 511) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the Senate to consider a bill, resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that includes an emergency designation. 
 
Permits waiver or suspension of such prohibition, or successful appeals from a ruling of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Senate.
 
(Sec. 512) Prohibits the budgetary effects of this Act from being entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

action_date: 2012-02-16
text: 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 - 
Title I: Extension of Payroll Tax Reduction
 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to extend through the remainder of 2012 the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employees and self-employed individuals. Eliminates the special rule for 2012 limiting the amount of wages eligible for such tax rate reduction.
 

Title II: Unemployment Benefit Continuation and Program Improvement
 - Extended Benefits, Reemployment, and Program Integrity Improvement Act - 
Subtitle A: Reforms of Unemployment Compensation to Promote Work and Job Creation - 
(Sec. 2101) Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state unemployment compensation (UC) laws to require, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, that an UC claimant be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
(Sec. 2102) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with up to 10 states to allow them to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for UC under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment.
 
(Sec. 2103) Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the SSA title III to require states (which, currently, are merely authorized) to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior unemployment benefit overpayments.
 
Amends the SSA to authorize a state to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior federal additional compensation overpayments and prior unemployment benefit overpayments of another state.
 
(Sec. 2104) Amends the SSA title IX (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security) to require the Secretary to designate a data exchange standard for any category of information required for data matching in the federal-state unemployment insurance system.
 
(Sec. 2105) Amends the SSA title III to declare that nothing in such Act or any other federal law shall be considered to prevent a state from enacting legislation to provide for: (1) testing an UC applicant for the unlawful use of controlled substances as a condition for receiving UC, if such applicant was terminated from employment most recently because of such use or is an individual for whom suitable work is only available in an occupation that regularly conducts drug testing; or (2) denying UC to the applicant on the basis of such test result.
 

Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Extended Benefits
 - Unemployment Benefits Extension Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2122) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SSA, 2008) with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through January 2, 2013. Repeals current transitional requirements for an individual's remaining EUCA payments.
 
Revises the triggers for Tier-2, Tier-3, and Tier-4 augmentation payments to an individual's EUCA .
 
Modifies the duration of the state availability of Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-3, and Tier-4 of the EUC program during: (1) March-May 2012, (2) June-August 2012, and (3) September-December 2012. 
 
(Sec. 2123) Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until December 31, 2012, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.
 
Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and June 30, 2013, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
 
Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from February 29, 2012, to December 31, 2012, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.
 
(Sec. 2124) Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2012, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service as well as for those with less than 10.
 

Subtitle C: Improving Reemployment Strategies Under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program
 - (Sec. 2141) Amends the SSA, 2008 to allow a state agency to make EUC payments to individuals who are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
(Sec. 2142) Includes in a federal-state agreement a requirement that a state provide reemployment services and reemployment eligibility assessment activities to certain recipients of EUC.
 
Conditions an individual's continuing eligibility for EUC for any week on whether such individual has been referred to such services or activities and participated, or has completed such participation, unless there is justifiable cause for failure to do so.
 
Makes FY2012-FY2013 appropriations for such services and activities.
 
(Sec. 2143) Requires a state agency (which, currently, is merely authorized) to recover an EUC overpayment to an individual by deductions from such individual's EUC payment during the three-year period after such individual received the EUC payment to which he or she was not entitled.
 
(Sec. 2144) Makes the nonreduction rule inapplicable for a state that has enacted a law before March 1, 2012, that, upon taking effect, would violate such rule.
 
(Thus allows a particular federal-state EUC agreement to be effective for a state even though it passes a law that would modify the method for computing regular compensation so that the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation payable during the period of the agreement on or after June 2, 2010, will be less than the average weekly benefit amount that otherwise would be payable during that period under state law as in effect on June 2, 2010. The "nonreduction rule" declares that a federal-state EUC agreement shall not apply, or shall cease to apply, to such a state.)
 

Subtitle D: Short-Time Compensation Program
 - Layoff Prevention Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2160) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements relating to short-time compensation programs to allow employers to reduce the workweek of their employees in lieu of layoffs. Provides for federal financing of state short-time compensation programs. 
 
(Sec. 2164) Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award grants to states that enact such programs; (2) develop model legislative language for use by states in developing, enacting, and implementing such programs; and (3) report to Congress and the President on their implementation.
 

Subtitle E: Self-Employment Assistance
 - (Sec. 2181) - Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to authorize states to establish a self-employment assistance program (a program to provide unemployed individuals with an allowance in lieu of EUC to establish a business and become self-employed). Allows a participant in a self-employment assistance program to opt to discontinue such participation.
 
Amends the SSA, 2008 to authorize the federal-state agreement to require that a state agency administering EUC establish a self-employment assistance program to provide for the payment of EUC for up to 26 weeks as self-employment assistance allowances to individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Allows a participant in a self-employment assistance program to opt to discontinue such participation. 
 
(Sec. 2182) Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award grants to states for self-employment assistance programs; (2) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting such programs and provide technical assistance to states in establishing, improving, and administering such programs; (3) establish reporting requirement for states that have established such programs; and (4) report to Congress on the effectiveness of such programs.
 
Makes appropriations for such grants for FY2012-FY2013.
 
(Sec. 2183) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting such programs; and (2) provide technical assistance and guidance in establishing, improving, and administering the programs.
 
Requires the Secretary to use resources available through the Department of Labor and coordinate with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that adequate funding is reserved and made available for entrepreneurial training to individuals participating in self-employment assistance programs.
 

Title III: Temporary Extension of Health Provisions - Subtitle A: Medicare Extensions
 - (Sec. 3001) Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to extend section 508 hospital reclassifications for four months through March 31, 2012. ("Section 508" refers to Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 [MMA], which allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index, for reimbursement purposes, to a nearby location with a higher Medicare area wage index, so that the "Section 508 hospital" will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.)
 
(Sec. 3002) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, to extend through December 31, 2012, hold harmless provisions under the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services.
 
(Sec. 3003) Extends through all of 2012 the freeze in the physician payment update made for the first two months of 2012. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to examine options for bundled or episode-based payments to cover physicians' services, currently paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule, for one or more prevalent chronic conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, and congestive heart failure) or episodes of care for one or more major procedures (such as medical device implantation). 
 
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to examine initiatives of private entities offering or administering health insurance coverage, group health plans, or other private health benefit plans to base or adjust physician payment rates for performance on quality and efficiency as well as demonstration of care delivery improvement activities.
 
(Sec. 3004) Extends through 2012 the floor at 1.0 on the work geographic index in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services for the Medicare physician payment.
 
(Sec. 3005) Extends through December 31, 2012, the period of incurred expenses for which an enrollee may request an exception to the ceiling on such expenses with respect to Medicare payment for outpatient therapy services. Specifies additional requirements for claims for such services
 
Extends through December 31, 2012, the temporary application of therapy cap to therapy furnished as part of OPD services.
 
Requires inclusion on claims of the national provider identifier (NPI) of the physician who reviews the therapy plan.
 
Directs MEDPAC to make recommendations on how to improve the outpatient therapy benefit under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
 
Directs the Secretary to implement a claims-based data collection strategy designed to assist in reforming the Medicare payment system for outpatient therapy services.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to report on the implementation of a specified manual medical review process.
 
(Sec. 3006) Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to extend until June 30, 2012, an exception to a payment rule that permits laboratories to receive direct Medicare reimbursement when providing the technical component of certain physician pathology services that had been outsourced by certain (rural) hospitals.
 
(Sec. 3007) Extends through 2012: (1) the temporary increase in payment for ground ambulance services, (2) the increase in payment for certain urban air ambulance services, and (3) the increase in the assistance for rural providers furnishing (super rural ambulance) services in low population density areas. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General to update the GAO report GAO-07-383 (relating to Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly) to reflect current costs for ambulance providers.
 
Directs MEDPAC to study the appropriateness and effect of the add-on payments for ambulance providers, and if reform, and what kind of reform, of the pay schedule may be needed.
 

Subtitle B: Other Health Provisions
 - (Sec. 3101) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the qualifying individual (QI) program through December 31, 2012; and (2) the total amount available for allocation under such program.
 
(Sec. 3102) Extends the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) Program through December 31, 2012. 
 

Subtitle C: Health Offsets
 - (Sec. 3201) Amends SSA title XVIII to reduce by specified percentages the amount of bad debt treated as an allowable cost in the determination for FY2013 and subsequent fiscal years of reasonable costs for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) under Medicare.
 
(Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary of HHS to rebase (reduce) by 2% the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule rates otherwise determined for 2013, which shall serve as the base for 2014 and subsequent years.
 
(Sec. 3203) Amends SSA title XIX to authorize rebasing (reduction) of state disproportionate share hospital (DHS) allotments for FY2021.
 
(Sec. 3204) Revises federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) disaster recovery requirements.
 
(Sec. 3205) Modifies the authorization of appropriations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund for FY2013, extending it from FY2015 through FY2022 and each ensuing fiscal year. 
 

Title IV: TANF Extension
 - Welfare Integrity and Data Improvement Act - (Sec. 4002) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to extend the TANF program through FY2012.
 
(Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary of HHS to designate a data exchange standard for any category of information required to be reported under TANF.
 
(Sec. 4004) Requires states to maintain policies and practices necessary to prevent the use of state TANF assistance in any transaction in any: (1) liquor store; (2) casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or (3) retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment. Prescribes an administrative penalty for states which failure to enforce such requirement.
 
Requires a state family assistance plan to include how the state intends to: (1) implement policies and procedures to prevent access to assistance through any electronic fund transaction in an automated teller machine (ATM) or point-of-sale device located in such places, and (2) ensure that TANF recipients have access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal (or no) fees or charges.
 

Title V: Federal Employees Retirement - 
(Sec. 5001) Increases by 2.3% the employee pension contribution for federal employees entering service after December 31, 2012, who have less than five years of creditable civilian service (revised annuity employees). Makes Members of Congress and other congressional employees entering service after December 31, 2012, who have less than five years of creditable civilian service, subject to the same pension contribution rate and annuity calculations as other federal employees. 
 
(Sec. 5002) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act to make similar changes in the pension contribution rate and annuity calculations for new employees entering the Foreign Service Pension System and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Retirement and Disability System after December 31, 2012 (revised annuity participants).
 

Title VI: Public Safety Communications and Electromagnetic Spectrum Auctions - 
(Sec. 6003) Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement and enforce this title as if it were part of the Communications Act of 1934.
 
(Sec. 6004) Prohibits a person from participating in certain electromagnetic spectrum auctions or receiving public safety funds made available by this Act if the federal government, for national security reasons, has barred such person from bidding on contracts, participating in auctions, or receiving grants.
 

Subtitle A: Reallocation of Public Safety Spectrum
 - (Sec. 6101) Directs the FCC to reallocate the 700 MHz D block spectrum for use by public safety entities in accordance with this Act.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase public safety services allocation and reduce commercial use allocation by 10 megahertz within a specified range.
 
(Sec. 6102) Authorizes the FCC to allow flexible use of the narrowband spectrum, including for public safety broadband communications.
 
(Sec. 6103) Requires the FCC, within nine years after enactment of this title, to reallocate the T-Band spectrum (470-512 MHz) currently used by public safety eligibles and begin using competitive bidding auctions to grant new licenses for such spectrum.
 
Makes the proceeds from such auctions available to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (referred to as the Assistant Secretary and is the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration [NTIA]) to make grants for the relocation of public safety entities from the T-Band spectrum. Requires that such relocation be completed within two years after the competitive bidding is completed.
 

Subtitle B: Governance of Public Safety Spectrum
 - (Sec. 6201) Directs the FCC to reallocate and grant a license to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) for use of the 700 MHz D block and existing public safety broadband spectrum for an initial 10-year term (subject to renewal, upon application, for additional terms of up to 10 years each). 
 
(Sec. 6202) Directs FirstNet to ensure the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network.
 
Requires that the network be based on a single, national network architecture that evolves with technological advancements and consists initially of: (1) a core network of national and regional data centers based on commercial standards providing connectivity between the radio access network and the public Internet or switched network; and (2) a radio access network of cell site equipment based on commercial standards enabling wireless communications with devices using the public safety broadband spectrum while taking into account the plans developed in the state, local, and tribal planning and implementation grant program established in this title.
 
(Sec. 6203) Establishes within the FCC the Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board). Requires the FCC Chairman to appoint 14 voting members including specified representatives from national, regional, and rural wireless providers; equipment manufacturers; public safety entities; and state and local governments. Permits the Assistant Secretary to appoint one nonvoting member.
 
Directs the Interoperability Board to develop recommended minimum technical requirements to ensure a nationwide level of interoperability for the network based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) commercial standards. Requires the FCC to approve the recommendations, with any necessary revisions, and transmit the recommendations to FirstNet.
 
Terminates the Interoperability Board 15 days after the FCC transmits such recommendations to FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6204) Establishes FirstNet within NTIA.
 
Requires that FirstNet be headed by a FirstNet Board consisting of: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) the Attorney General (DOJ); (3) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and (4) 12 individuals appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, including public safety professionals and representatives for the collective interests of states, localities, tribes, and territories. Requires that all FirstNet Board members be U.S. citizens.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to select the Chair of the FirstNet Board. Requires the FirstNet Board to meet at least once each quarter.
 
(Sec. 6205) Directs FirstNet to establish a standing public safety advisory committee. Permits FirstNet to select a program manager to carry out the duties and responsibilities of deploying and operating the network.
 
(Sec. 6206) Requires that FirstNet hold the single public safety wireless license and take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the network, including by: (1) ensuring nationwide standards for network use and access; (2) issuing open, transparent, and competitive requests for proposals to private sector entities for building, operating, and maintaining the network; (3) encouraging that such requests leverage existing commercial wireless infrastructure; and (4) managing and overseeing implementation and execution of contracts with nonfederal entities.
 
Directs FirstNet to: (1) ensure the safety, security, and resiliency of the network, including requirements for protecting and monitoring the network to protect against cyberattack; (2) require that network equipment be built to open, non-proprietary, commercially available standards, as well as be capable of being used by any public safety entity and by multiple vendors across all 700 MHz band public safety broadband networks, and, in addition, be backward-compatible with existing commercial networks; (3) promote integration with public safety answering points; and (4) address special considerations for regional areas with unique homeland security or national security needs.
 
Requires FirstNet to enter roaming agreements with commercial network providers to allow the network to roam onto commercial networks and receive priority access for public safety communications during emergencies.
 
Prohibits FirstNet from negotiating or entering agreements with foreign governments on behalf of the United States.
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Network Construction Fund for FirstNet to carry out its functions and the NTIA to make grants to states.
 
Terminates FirstNet 15 years after enactment of this title.
 
Requires a Comptroller General report on the action Congress should take regarding the termination of FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6207) Authorizes the NTIA to borrow up to a specified amount from the Treasury (prior to the deposit of proceeds into the Public Safety Trust Fund established by this Act from incentive and federal spectrum reallocation auctions) to implement this subtitle. Requires the NTIA to reimburse the Treasury from the Public Safety Trust Fund.
 
(Sec. 6208) Authorizes FirstNet to assess and collect network user fees, including from any public safety entity seeking access to or use of the network. Authorizes FirstNet to also collect leasing fees from public-private arrangements to construct, manage, and operate the network with entities seeking: (1) access to network capacity for non-public safety services or use of spectrum for certain commercial transmissions, or (2) access to or use of any equipment or infrastructure.
 
Requires that the total fees assessed each fiscal year be sufficient, and not exceed the amount necessary, to recoup the total expenses of FirstNet each year in carrying out this subtitle.
 
Requires that such fees be approved annually by the NTIA.
 
(Sec. 6209) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to contract for an annual, independent audit of FirstNet. Requires the auditor to submit each audit report to Congress, the President, and FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6210) Directs FirstNet to report annually to Congress.
 
(Sec. 6211) Authorizes the FCC to adopt rules to improve the ability of public safety networks to roam onto commercial networks and to gain priority access to commercial networks in an emergency if the public safety entity equipment is technically compatible, the commercial network in reasonably compensated, and the access does not preempt, terminate, or degrade all existing voice conversations and data sessions.
 
(Sec. 6212) Prohibits FirstNet from offering, providing, or marketing commercial telecommunications or information services directly to consumers.
 
(Sec. 6213) Permits the FCC to provide technical assistance to FirstNet.
 

Subtitle C: Public Safety Commitments
 - (Sec. 6301) Establishes the State and Local Implementation Fund to implement a state, regional, tribal, and local planning and implementation grant program.
 
(Sec. 6302) Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a grant program to make matching grants (with the federal share up to 80% of costs, subject to waiver) to states to assist state, regional, tribal, and local jurisdictions to identify, plan, and implement the most efficient and effective way to utilize and integrate the infrastructure, equipment, and other architecture associated with the network to satisfy the wireless communications and data services needs of each jurisdiction.
 
Requires the Assistant Secretary to prioritize grants for activities that ensure coverage in rural as well as urban areas.
 
Directs FirstNet to provide the governor of each state: (1) notice regarding completion of the request for proposal process for the network, (2) details of the proposed plan for buildout of the nationwide, interoperable broadband network in such state, and (3) the funding level for the state as determined by the NTIA. Requires each governor, within a specified period, to choose whether to participate in the deployment of FirstNet-proposed network or conduct its own deployment of a radio access network in such state.
 
Directs states that opt-out of FirstNet proposal to submit an alternative plan to the FCC for the radio access network within the state. Requires the FCC to: (1) approve the alternative plan, in which case the state is authorized to apply for a grant and is required to apply to the NTIA to lease spectrum capacity; or (2) disapprove the alternative plan, in which case FirstNet-proposed plan will proceed. 
 
Provides the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with exclusive jurisdiction to review such an FCC disapproval. 
 
(Sec. 6303) Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to research and assist with the development of standards, technologies, and applications to advance wireless public safety communications.
 

Subtitle D: Spectrum Auction Authority 
- (Sec. 6401) Requires, within three years after enactment of this Act, that: (1) the President begin withdrawing or modifying the assignment of 15 megahertz of spectrum identified by the Secretary of Commerce between 1675 and 1710 megahertz for reallocation from federal to non-federal use; and (2) the FCC, subject to exceptions, allocate specified spectrum ranges for commercial use and grant new initial licenses for such spectrum, subject to flexible-use service rules, through a system of competitive bidding. 
 
 Requires that certain auction proceeds be deposited in the Spectrum Relocation Fund to cover the relocation or sharing costs of relocated federal entities. Directs the remainder of such amounts to the Public Safety Trust Fund established by this Act. 
 
(Sec. 6402) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the FCC to encourage spectrum licensees to voluntarily relinquish usage rights to permit the assignment of new initial licenses subject to flexible-use service rules by sharing with such licensees a portion of the proceeds from competitive bidding auctions. Requires the FCC, as a condition to such auctions, to first conduct a reverse auction with at least two competing licensees to determine the amount of compensation licensees would accept in return for such voluntary relinquishment.
 
Requires, through FY2022, that specified proceeds from incentive auctions that are not shared with the licensee be deposited in the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund established by this Act and the Public Safety Trust Fund. Directs such proceeds to be deposited in the Treasury's general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction after FY2022.
 
Directs the FCC, at least three months before any such incentive auction, to notify Congress of the methodology for calculating the amounts to be shared with licensees.
 
(Sec. 6403) Sets forth restrictions particular to the auction of broadcast television spectrum and the valuation of voluntarily relinquished broadcast television spectrum. Requires that the incentive amount determined by a broadcast television reverse auction include the relinquishment of all usage rights with respect to: (1) a particular television channel without receiving in return any usage rights with respect to another television channel, (2) an ultra high frequency television channel in return for receiving usage rights with respect to a very high frequency television channel, and (3) the relinquishment of usage rights in order to share a television channel with another licensee.
 
Requires a broadcast television station that voluntarily relinquishes spectrum usage rights in order to share a television channel and that possessed carriage rights under specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 on November 30, 2010, to have the carriage rights at its shared location that would apply to the station at such location if it were not sharing a channel.
 
Authorizes the FCC, for the purpose of making spectrum available to carry out the auction, to reassign television channels and reallocate portions of spectrum available for reallocation. Requires that all reasonable efforts be made to preserve the coverage area and population served of each broadcast television licensee. 
 
Prohibits the FCC from involuntarily reassigning a broadcast television licensee from: (1) an ultra high to a very high frequency television channel, and (2) a television channel between 174-216 megahertz to a channel between the 54-88 megahertz frequencies.
 
Requires that certain relocation cost reimbursements be made to reassigned broadcast television licensees, related multichannel video programming distributors, and incumbent users of channel 37 (a band of spectrum currently reserved for radio astronomy and wireless medical telemetry service) under specified conditions. Authorizes waivers from FCC flexible use service rules in lieu of such reimbursements. Prohibits reimbursements for lost revenue. 
 
Directs the FCC to conduct a broadcast television spectrum auction in which it assigns licenses for the reallocated spectrum. Requires that the proceeds shared with each licensee whose bid the FCC accepts in the reverse auction be at least the amount of such bid. Prohibits reassignments or reallocations from becoming effective, and bars the FCC from assigning such licenses and revoking spectrum usage rights, if the proceeds from the auction are below the reverse auction bid amount.
 
Establishes the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund. Authorizes the FCC to borrow up to a specified amount from the Treasury to deposit into the Fund for the payment of relocation costs. Requires the FCC to reimburse the Treasury as funds are deposited in the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, if amounts remain in the Fund three years after the auction, to transfer such amounts to: (1) the Public Safety Trust Fund through FY2022, and (2) the Treasury's general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction after FY2022.
 
Prohibits the FCC from completing more than one reverse auction or reorganization of broadcast television spectrum.
 
Makes a licensee's right to protest a proposed order of modification inapplicable to modifications under this section.
 
(Sec. 6404) Prohibits the FCC from preventing persons from participating in spectrum auctions if they comply with FCC procedures and meet technical, financial, character, and citizenship qualifications or would meet such qualifications prior to the grant of the license.
 
(Sec. 6405) Extends the FCC's auction authority until September 30, 2022.
 
(Sec. 6406) Requires the FCC to assess allowing unlicensed U-NII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) devices in the 5 GHz band. Requires the Assistant Secretary to report to Congress on known and proposed spectrum-sharing technologies and the risk to federal users if such devices were allowed to operate in specified bands.
 
(Sec. 6407) Authorizes the use of guard bands for unlicensed use.
 
(Sec. 6408) Requires a Comptroller General report on the design and operation of each transmission system (any telecommunications, broadcast, satellite, commercial mobile service, or other communications system employing radio spectrum) so that reasonable use of adjacent spectrum does not excessively impair such system.
 
(Sec. 6409) Prohibits a state or local government from denying, and requires approval of, any request for collocation, removal, or replacement of an existing wireless tower or base station that does not substantially change its physical dimensions. Establishes a uniform application for federal easements and rights-of-way and a master contract process for siting wireless facilities on federal property and buildings.
 
(Sec. 6410) Assigns to the Assistant Secretary the responsibility to promote the best possible and most efficient use of electromagnetic spectrum resources across the federal government, subject to and consistent with the needs and missions of federal agencies.
 
(Sec. 6411) Requires the OMB to update OMB Circular A-11 to reflect recommendations in the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Incentive Subcommittee report, adopted January 11, 2011.
 
(Sec. 6412) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on the number and percent of applications for common carrier use of spectrum (from 10,700 to 11,700 megahertz, from 17,700 to 19,700 megahertz, and from 21,200 to 23,600 megahertz) that were not granted because of a lack of availability or interference concerns of existing licensees. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the FCC and Congress on whether such spectrum is being deployed in such a manner that, in areas with high demand for common carrier licenses, market forces provide adequate incentive for efficient spectrum use and ensure that the federal government receives maximum revenue for such spectrum through competitive bidding.
 
(Sec. 6413) Establishes the Public Safety Trust Fund. Requires that various auction proceeds be deposited in such Fund and used, through FY2022, according to a specified order of priority, to: (1) repay amounts borrowed from the general fund for FirstNet, (2) deposit specified amounts in the State and Local Implementation Fund and the Network Construction Fund, (3) fund NIST public safety research, (4) reduce the deficit, and (5) carry out the grant program established by subtitle E under the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012. 
 
Directs amounts that remain in the Fund after FY2022 to be deposited in the general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
 
(Sec. 6414) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on the use of amateur radio service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.
 

Subtitle E: Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012
 - Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012 - (Sec. 6502) Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIA Organization Act) to reestablish and extend matching grants to eligible state or local governments or tribal organizations for the implementation, operation, and migration of various 9-1-1, E9-1-1 (wireless telephone location), Next Generation 9-1-1 (voice, text, video), and IP-enabled emergency services and public safety personnel training.
 
(Sec. 6503) Directs the Assistant Secretary and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to: (1) establish a 9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office, and (2) submit to Congress a management plan and annual reports.
 
Prohibits the federal share of a grant project from exceeding 60%.
 
Terminates the grant program on October 1, 2022.
 
(Sec. 6504) Directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify the 9-1-1 capabilities of the multi-line telephone system (MLTS) in use by all Federal agencies in all Federal buildings and properties.
 
Requires the FCC to issue a public notice seeking comment on whether it is feasible for MLTS manufacturers to include mechanisms within all such systems to indicate a 9-1-1 caller's location, while avoiding unduly burdening MLTS manufacturers, providers, and operators.
 
(Sec. 6505) Directs the Comptroller General to report on the taxes, fees, or other charges imposed by states or political subdivisions to improve emergency communications services and the use of revenues from such charges.
 
(Sec. 6506) Provides immunity and liability protection, to the extent consistent with specified provisions of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, to various users and providers of Next Generation 9-1-1 and related services, including for the release of subscriber information.
 
(Sec. 6507) Directs the FCC to: (1) initiate a proceeding to create a specialized Do-Not-Call registry for public safety answering points, and (2) establish penalties and fines for autodialing (robocalls) and related violations.
 
(Sec. 6508) Directs the Coordination Office to report to Congress on the costs for specific Next Generation 9-1-1 services to assist the consideration of a long-term funding mechanism.
 
(Sec. 6509) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on recommendations for the legal and statutory framework for Next Generation 9-1-1 services, consistent with the recommendations in the National Broadband Plan developed by the FCC pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
 

Subtitle F: Telecommunications Development Fund
 - (Sec. 6602) Requires that interest from an auction escrow account be dedicated to deficit reduction, thereby eliminating the deposit of such interest in the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF) which provides capital to small businesses in the telecommunications industry. 
 
Revises the composition of the TDF board of directors to establish an independent board. (Current law requires that the board include representatives from the FCC, the Small Business Administration [SBA], and the Department of the Treasury.)
 

Subtitle G: Federal Spectrum Relocation 
- (Sec. 6701) Amends the NTIA Organization Act to require that federal entities operating federal government stations within certain frequencies be paid for specified relocation or sharing costs incurred in planning for an auction or relocating from federal to exclusive nonfederal or shared use. (Current law pertains only to payment for certain relocations to exclusive nonfederal use.) 
 
Permits the use of relocation funds to: (1) relocate federal government stations in order to permit spectrum sharing, and (2) acquire state-of-the-art replacement systems with increased functionality to achieve comparable capability of systems.
 
Establishes within the NTIA a technical panel composed of: (1) one member appointed by the OMB, (2) one member appointed by the Assistant Secretary, and (3) one member appointed by the FCC Chairman.
 
Requires, within a specified period prior to an auction of frequencies eligible for relocation or sharing, that federal entities authorized to use such frequencies submit to the NTIA and the technical panel a transition plan for the implementation of a relocation or sharing arrangement. Directs: (1) the panel to review the sufficiency of the plan, and (2) the NTIA to make the plan publicly available on its website.
 
Permits a federal entity or non-federal user to request that the NTIA establish a dispute resolution board to resolve a dispute over the execution, timing, or cost of a transition plan.
 
Allows appeals from dispute resolution board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 
 
Requires the NTIA to give priority to exclusive nonfederal use. Conditions any sharing on feasibility and cost constraints. 
 
(Sec. 6702) Authorizes the use of the Spectrum Relocation Fund to pay relocation and sharing costs of federal entities. Allows the OMB to transfer available funds to pay for certain pre-auction estimates or research.
 
(Sec. 6703) Requires executive agencies that submit certain reports or notifications to Congress under the NTIA Organization Act to place any national security or other sensitive information in a separate annex. Prohibits such annexed information from being disclosed to the public or provided to any unauthorized person. 
 

Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions 
- (Sec. 7001) Repeals certain provisions requiring an acceleration in installments of corporate estimated tax. 
 
(Sec. 7002) Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal a requirement for prepayment of merchandise processing fees.
 
(Sec. 7003) Prohibits the budgetary effects of this Act from being entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

action_date: 2012-02-22
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on February 16, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 - 
Title I: Extension of Payroll Tax Reduction
 - (Sec. 101) Amends the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 to extend through the remainder of 2012 the 2% reduction in employment tax rates for employees and self-employed individuals. Eliminates the special rule for 2012 limiting the amount of wages eligible for such tax rate reduction.
 

Title II: Unemployment Benefit Continuation and Program Improvement
 - Extended Benefits, Reemployment, and Program Integrity Improvement Act - 
Subtitle A: Reforms of Unemployment Compensation to Promote Work and Job Creation - 
(Sec. 2101) Amends title III (Grants to States for Unemployment Compensation Administration) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to require state unemployment compensation (UC) laws to require, as a condition of eligibility for regular compensation for any week, that an UC claimant be able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
(Sec. 2102) Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into agreements with up to 10 states to allow them to conduct demonstration projects to test and evaluate measures designed to: (1) expedite the reemployment of individuals who establish initial eligibility for UC under state law, or (2) improve the effectiveness of a state in carrying out its state law with respect to reemployment.
 
(Sec. 2103) Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the SSA title III to require states (which, currently, are merely authorized) to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior unemployment benefit overpayments.
 
Amends the SSA to authorize a state to reduce current unemployment benefits to recover prior federal additional compensation overpayments and prior unemployment benefit overpayments of another state.
 
(Sec. 2104) Amends the SSA title IX (Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Employment Security) to require the Secretary to designate a data exchange standard for any category of information required for data matching in the federal-state unemployment insurance system.
 
(Sec. 2105) Amends the SSA title III to declare that nothing in such Act or any other federal law shall be considered to prevent a state from enacting legislation to provide for: (1) testing an UC applicant for the unlawful use of controlled substances as a condition for receiving UC, if such applicant was terminated from employment most recently because of such use or is an individual for whom suitable work is only available in an occupation that regularly conducts drug testing; or (2) denying UC to the applicant on the basis of such test result.
 

Subtitle B: Provisions Relating to Extended Benefits
 - Unemployment Benefits Extension Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2122) Amends the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (SSA, 2008) with respect to the state-established individual emergency unemployment compensation account (EUCA). Extends the final date for entering a federal-state agreement under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through January 2, 2013. Repeals current transitional requirements for an individual's remaining EUCA payments.
 
Revises the triggers for Tier-2, Tier-3, and Tier-4 augmentation payments to an individual's EUCA .
 
Modifies the duration of the state availability of Tier-1, Tier-2, Tier-3, and Tier-4 of the EUC program during: (1) March-May 2012, (2) June-August 2012, and (3) September-December 2012. 
 
(Sec. 2123) Amends the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act to extend until December 31, 2012, requirements that federal payments to states cover 100% of EUC.
 
Amends the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 to exempt weeks of unemployment between enactment of this Act and June 30, 2013, from the prohibition in the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970 (FSEUCA of 1970) against federal matching payments to a state for the first week in an individual's eligibility period for which extended compensation or sharable regular compensation is paid if the state law provides for payment of regular compensation to an individual for his or her first week of otherwise compensable unemployment. (Thus allows temporary federal matching for the first week of extended benefits for states with no waiting period.)
 
Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to postpone similarly from February 29, 2012, to December 31, 2012, termination of the period during which a state may determine its "on" and "off" indicators according to specified temporary substitutions in its formula.
 
(Sec. 2124) Amends the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act to extend through December 31, 2012, the temporary increase in extended unemployment benefits for employees with 10 or more years of service as well as for those with less than 10.
 

Subtitle C: Improving Reemployment Strategies Under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program
 - (Sec. 2141) Amends the SSA, 2008 to allow a state agency to make EUC payments to individuals who are able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work.
 
(Sec. 2142) Includes in a federal-state agreement a requirement that a state provide reemployment services and reemployment eligibility assessment activities to certain recipients of EUC.
 
Conditions an individual's continuing eligibility for EUC for any week on whether such individual has been referred to such services or activities and participated, or has completed such participation, unless there is justifiable cause for failure to do so.
 
Makes FY2012-FY2013 appropriations for such services and activities.
 
(Sec. 2143) Requires a state agency (which, currently, is merely authorized) to recover an EUC overpayment to an individual by deductions from such individual's EUC payment during the three-year period after such individual received the EUC payment to which he or she was not entitled.
 
(Sec. 2144) Makes the nonreduction rule inapplicable for a state that has enacted a law before March 1, 2012, that, upon taking effect, would violate such rule.
 
(Thus allows a particular federal-state EUC agreement to be effective for a state even though it passes a law that would modify the method for computing regular compensation so that the average weekly benefit amount of regular compensation payable during the period of the agreement on or after June 2, 2010, will be less than the average weekly benefit amount that otherwise would be payable during that period under state law as in effect on June 2, 2010. The "nonreduction rule" declares that a federal-state EUC agreement shall not apply, or shall cease to apply, to such a state.)
 

Subtitle D: Short-Time Compensation Program
 - Layoff Prevention Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2160) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements relating to short-time compensation programs to allow employers to reduce the workweek of their employees in lieu of layoffs. Provides for federal financing of state short-time compensation programs. 
 
(Sec. 2164) Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award grants to states that enact such programs; (2) develop model legislative language for use by states in developing, enacting, and implementing such programs; and (3) report to Congress and the President on their implementation.
 

Subtitle E: Self-Employment Assistance
 - (Sec. 2181) - Amends the FSEUCA of 1970 to authorize states to establish a self-employment assistance program (a program to provide unemployed individuals with an allowance in lieu of EUC to establish a business and become self-employed). Allows a participant in a self-employment assistance program to opt to discontinue such participation.
 
Amends the SSA, 2008 to authorize the federal-state agreement to require that a state agency administering EUC establish a self-employment assistance program to provide for the payment of EUC for up to 26 weeks as self-employment assistance allowances to individuals who meet specified eligibility criteria. Allows a participant in a self-employment assistance program to opt to discontinue such participation. 
 
(Sec. 2182) Directs the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award grants to states for self-employment assistance programs; (2) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting such programs and provide technical assistance to states in establishing, improving, and administering such programs; (3) establish reporting requirement for states that have established such programs; and (4) report to Congress on the effectiveness of such programs.
 
Makes appropriations for such grants for FY2012-FY2013.
 
(Sec. 2183) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop model language that may be used by states in enacting such programs; and (2) provide technical assistance and guidance in establishing, improving, and administering the programs.
 
Requires the Secretary to use resources available through the Department of Labor and coordinate with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that adequate funding is reserved and made available for entrepreneurial training to individuals participating in self-employment assistance programs.
 

Title III: Temporary Extension of Health Provisions - Subtitle A: Medicare Extensions
 - (Sec. 3001) Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 to extend section 508 hospital reclassifications for four months through March 31, 2012. ("Section 508" refers to Section 508 of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 [MMA], which allows the temporary reclassification of a hospital with a low Medicare area wage index, for reimbursement purposes, to a nearby location with a higher Medicare area wage index, so that the "Section 508 hospital" will receive the higher Medicare reimbursement rate.)
 
(Sec. 3002) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), as amended by the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, to extend through December 31, 2012, hold harmless provisions under the prospective payment system (PPS) for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services.
 
(Sec. 3003) Extends through all of 2012 the freeze in the physician payment update made for the first two months of 2012. 
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to examine options for bundled or episode-based payments to cover physicians' services, currently paid under the Medicare physician fee schedule, for one or more prevalent chronic conditions (such as cancer, diabetes, and congestive heart failure) or episodes of care for one or more major procedures (such as medical device implantation). 
 
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to examine initiatives of private entities offering or administering health insurance coverage, group health plans, or other private health benefit plans to base or adjust physician payment rates for performance on quality and efficiency as well as demonstration of care delivery improvement activities.
 
(Sec. 3004) Extends through 2012 the floor at 1.0 on the work geographic index in the formula for determining relative values for physicians' services for the Medicare physician payment.
 
(Sec. 3005) Extends through December 31, 2012, the period of incurred expenses for which an enrollee may request an exception to the ceiling on such expenses with respect to Medicare payment for outpatient therapy services. Specifies additional requirements for claims for such services
 
Extends through December 31, 2012, the temporary application of therapy cap to therapy furnished as part of OPD services.
 
Requires inclusion on claims of the national provider identifier (NPI) of the physician who reviews the therapy plan.
 
Directs MEDPAC to make recommendations on how to improve the outpatient therapy benefit under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).
 
Directs the Secretary to implement a claims-based data collection strategy designed to assist in reforming the Medicare payment system for outpatient therapy services.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to report on the implementation of a specified manual medical review process.
 
(Sec. 3006) Amends the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 to extend until June 30, 2012, an exception to a payment rule that permits laboratories to receive direct Medicare reimbursement when providing the technical component of certain physician pathology services that had been outsourced by certain (rural) hospitals.
 
(Sec. 3007) Extends through 2012: (1) the temporary increase in payment for ground ambulance services, (2) the increase in payment for certain urban air ambulance services, and (3) the increase in the assistance for rural providers furnishing (super rural ambulance) services in low population density areas. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General to update the GAO report GAO-07-383 (relating to Ambulance Providers: Costs and Expected Medicare Margins Vary Greatly) to reflect current costs for ambulance providers.
 
Directs MEDPAC to study the appropriateness and effect of the add-on payments for ambulance providers, and if reform, and what kind of reform, of the pay schedule may be needed.
 

Subtitle B: Other Health Provisions
 - (Sec. 3101) Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to extend: (1) the qualifying individual (QI) program through December 31, 2012; and (2) the total amount available for allocation under such program.
 
(Sec. 3102) Extends the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) Program through December 31, 2012. 
 

Subtitle C: Health Offsets
 - (Sec. 3201) Amends SSA title XVIII to reduce by specified percentages the amount of bad debt treated as an allowable cost in the determination for FY2013 and subsequent fiscal years of reasonable costs for hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) under Medicare.
 
(Sec. 3202) Directs the Secretary of HHS to rebase (reduce) by 2% the Medicare clinical laboratory fee schedule rates otherwise determined for 2013, which shall serve as the base for 2014 and subsequent years.
 
(Sec. 3203) Amends SSA title XIX to authorize rebasing (reduction) of state disproportionate share hospital (DHS) allotments for FY2021.
 
(Sec. 3204) Revises federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) disaster recovery requirements.
 
(Sec. 3205) Modifies the authorization of appropriations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund for FY2013, extending it from FY2015 through FY2022 and each ensuing fiscal year. 
 

Title IV: TANF Extension
 - Welfare Integrity and Data Improvement Act - (Sec. 4002) Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) (TANF) of SSA title IV to extend the TANF program through FY2012.
 
(Sec. 4003) Directs the Secretary of HHS to designate a data exchange standard for any category of information required to be reported under TANF.
 
(Sec. 4004) Requires states to maintain policies and practices necessary to prevent the use of state TANF assistance in any transaction in any: (1) liquor store; (2) casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; or (3) retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment. Prescribes an administrative penalty for states which failure to enforce such requirement.
 
Requires a state family assistance plan to include how the state intends to: (1) implement policies and procedures to prevent access to assistance through any electronic fund transaction in an automated teller machine (ATM) or point-of-sale device located in such places, and (2) ensure that TANF recipients have access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal (or no) fees or charges.
 

Title V: Federal Employees Retirement - 
(Sec. 5001) Increases by 2.3% the employee pension contribution for federal employees entering service after December 31, 2012, who have less than five years of creditable civilian service (revised annuity employees). Makes Members of Congress and other congressional employees entering service after December 31, 2012, who have less than five years of creditable civilian service, subject to the same pension contribution rate and annuity calculations as other federal employees. 
 
(Sec. 5002) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act to make similar changes in the pension contribution rate and annuity calculations for new employees entering the Foreign Service Pension System and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Retirement and Disability System after December 31, 2012 (revised annuity participants).
 

Title VI: Public Safety Communications and Electromagnetic Spectrum Auctions - 
(Sec. 6003) Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to implement and enforce this title as if it were part of the Communications Act of 1934.
 
(Sec. 6004) Prohibits a person from participating in certain electromagnetic spectrum auctions or receiving public safety funds made available by this Act if the federal government, for national security reasons, has barred such person from bidding on contracts, participating in auctions, or receiving grants.
 

Subtitle A: Reallocation of Public Safety Spectrum
 - (Sec. 6101) Directs the FCC to reallocate the 700 MHz D block spectrum for use by public safety entities in accordance with this Act.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase public safety services allocation and reduce commercial use allocation by 10 megahertz within a specified range.
 
(Sec. 6102) Authorizes the FCC to allow flexible use of the narrowband spectrum, including for public safety broadband communications.
 
(Sec. 6103) Requires the FCC, within nine years after enactment of this title, to reallocate the T-Band spectrum (470-512 MHz) currently used by public safety eligibles and begin using competitive bidding auctions to grant new licenses for such spectrum.
 
Makes the proceeds from such auctions available to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information (referred to as the Assistant Secretary and is the head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration [NTIA]) to make grants for the relocation of public safety entities from the T-Band spectrum. Requires that such relocation be completed within two years after the competitive bidding is completed.
 

Subtitle B: Governance of Public Safety Spectrum
 - (Sec. 6201) Directs the FCC to reallocate and grant a license to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) for use of the 700 MHz D block and existing public safety broadband spectrum for an initial 10-year term (subject to renewal, upon application, for additional terms of up to 10 years each). 
 
(Sec. 6202) Directs FirstNet to ensure the establishment of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network.
 
Requires that the network be based on a single, national network architecture that evolves with technological advancements and consists initially of: (1) a core network of national and regional data centers based on commercial standards providing connectivity between the radio access network and the public Internet or switched network; and (2) a radio access network of cell site equipment based on commercial standards enabling wireless communications with devices using the public safety broadband spectrum while taking into account the plans developed in the state, local, and tribal planning and implementation grant program established in this title.
 
(Sec. 6203) Establishes within the FCC the Technical Advisory Board for First Responder Interoperability (Interoperability Board). Requires the FCC Chairman to appoint 14 voting members including specified representatives from national, regional, and rural wireless providers; equipment manufacturers; public safety entities; and state and local governments. Permits the Assistant Secretary to appoint one nonvoting member.
 
Directs the Interoperability Board to develop recommended minimum technical requirements to ensure a nationwide level of interoperability for the network based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) commercial standards. Requires the FCC to approve the recommendations, with any necessary revisions, and transmit the recommendations to FirstNet.
 
Terminates the Interoperability Board 15 days after the FCC transmits such recommendations to FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6204) Establishes FirstNet within NTIA.
 
Requires that FirstNet be headed by a FirstNet Board consisting of: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS); (2) the Attorney General (DOJ); (3) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and (4) 12 individuals appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, including public safety professionals and representatives for the collective interests of states, localities, tribes, and territories. Requires that all FirstNet Board members be U.S. citizens.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce to select the Chair of the FirstNet Board. Requires the FirstNet Board to meet at least once each quarter.
 
(Sec. 6205) Directs FirstNet to establish a standing public safety advisory committee. Permits FirstNet to select a program manager to carry out the duties and responsibilities of deploying and operating the network.
 
(Sec. 6206) Requires that FirstNet hold the single public safety wireless license and take all actions necessary to ensure the building, deployment, and operation of the network, including by: (1) ensuring nationwide standards for network use and access; (2) issuing open, transparent, and competitive requests for proposals to private sector entities for building, operating, and maintaining the network; (3) encouraging that such requests leverage existing commercial wireless infrastructure; and (4) managing and overseeing implementation and execution of contracts with nonfederal entities.
 
Directs FirstNet to: (1) ensure the safety, security, and resiliency of the network, including requirements for protecting and monitoring the network to protect against cyberattack; (2) require that network equipment be built to open, non-proprietary, commercially available standards, as well as be capable of being used by any public safety entity and by multiple vendors across all 700 MHz band public safety broadband networks, and, in addition, be backward-compatible with existing commercial networks; (3) promote integration with public safety answering points; and (4) address special considerations for regional areas with unique homeland security or national security needs.
 
Requires FirstNet to enter roaming agreements with commercial network providers to allow the network to roam onto commercial networks and receive priority access for public safety communications during emergencies.
 
Prohibits FirstNet from negotiating or entering agreements with foreign governments on behalf of the United States.
 
Establishes in the Treasury the Network Construction Fund for FirstNet to carry out its functions and the NTIA to make grants to states.
 
Terminates FirstNet 15 years after enactment of this title.
 
Requires a Comptroller General report on the action Congress should take regarding the termination of FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6207) Authorizes the NTIA to borrow up to a specified amount from the Treasury (prior to the deposit of proceeds into the Public Safety Trust Fund established by this Act from incentive and federal spectrum reallocation auctions) to implement this subtitle. Requires the NTIA to reimburse the Treasury from the Public Safety Trust Fund.
 
(Sec. 6208) Authorizes FirstNet to assess and collect network user fees, including from any public safety entity seeking access to or use of the network. Authorizes FirstNet to also collect leasing fees from public-private arrangements to construct, manage, and operate the network with entities seeking: (1) access to network capacity for non-public safety services or use of spectrum for certain commercial transmissions, or (2) access to or use of any equipment or infrastructure.
 
Requires that the total fees assessed each fiscal year be sufficient, and not exceed the amount necessary, to recoup the total expenses of FirstNet each year in carrying out this subtitle.
 
Requires that such fees be approved annually by the NTIA.
 
(Sec. 6209) Directs the Secretary of Commerce to contract for an annual, independent audit of FirstNet. Requires the auditor to submit each audit report to Congress, the President, and FirstNet.
 
(Sec. 6210) Directs FirstNet to report annually to Congress.
 
(Sec. 6211) Authorizes the FCC to adopt rules to improve the ability of public safety networks to roam onto commercial networks and to gain priority access to commercial networks in an emergency if the public safety entity equipment is technically compatible, the commercial network in reasonably compensated, and the access does not preempt, terminate, or degrade all existing voice conversations and data sessions.
 
(Sec. 6212) Prohibits FirstNet from offering, providing, or marketing commercial telecommunications or information services directly to consumers.
 
(Sec. 6213) Permits the FCC to provide technical assistance to FirstNet.
 

Subtitle C: Public Safety Commitments
 - (Sec. 6301) Establishes the State and Local Implementation Fund to implement a state, regional, tribal, and local planning and implementation grant program.
 
(Sec. 6302) Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a grant program to make matching grants (with the federal share up to 80% of costs, subject to waiver) to states to assist state, regional, tribal, and local jurisdictions to identify, plan, and implement the most efficient and effective way to utilize and integrate the infrastructure, equipment, and other architecture associated with the network to satisfy the wireless communications and data services needs of each jurisdiction.
 
Requires the Assistant Secretary to prioritize grants for activities that ensure coverage in rural as well as urban areas.
 
Directs FirstNet to provide the governor of each state: (1) notice regarding completion of the request for proposal process for the network, (2) details of the proposed plan for buildout of the nationwide, interoperable broadband network in such state, and (3) the funding level for the state as determined by the NTIA. Requires each governor, within a specified period, to choose whether to participate in the deployment of FirstNet-proposed network or conduct its own deployment of a radio access network in such state.
 
Directs states that opt-out of FirstNet proposal to submit an alternative plan to the FCC for the radio access network within the state. Requires the FCC to: (1) approve the alternative plan, in which case the state is authorized to apply for a grant and is required to apply to the NTIA to lease spectrum capacity; or (2) disapprove the alternative plan, in which case FirstNet-proposed plan will proceed. 
 
Provides the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with exclusive jurisdiction to review such an FCC disapproval. 
 
(Sec. 6303) Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to research and assist with the development of standards, technologies, and applications to advance wireless public safety communications.
 

Subtitle D: Spectrum Auction Authority 
- (Sec. 6401) Requires, within three years after enactment of this Act, that: (1) the President begin withdrawing or modifying the assignment of 15 megahertz of spectrum identified by the Secretary of Commerce between 1675 and 1710 megahertz for reallocation from federal to non-federal use; and (2) the FCC, subject to exceptions, allocate specified spectrum ranges for commercial use and grant new initial licenses for such spectrum, subject to flexible-use service rules, through a system of competitive bidding. 
 
 Requires that certain auction proceeds be deposited in the Spectrum Relocation Fund to cover the relocation or sharing costs of relocated federal entities. Directs the remainder of such amounts to the Public Safety Trust Fund established by this Act. 
 
(Sec. 6402) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the FCC to encourage spectrum licensees to voluntarily relinquish usage rights to permit the assignment of new initial licenses subject to flexible-use service rules by sharing with such licensees a portion of the proceeds from competitive bidding auctions. Requires the FCC, as a condition to such auctions, to first conduct a reverse auction with at least two competing licensees to determine the amount of compensation licensees would accept in return for such voluntary relinquishment.
 
Requires, through FY2022, that specified proceeds from incentive auctions that are not shared with the licensee be deposited in the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund established by this Act and the Public Safety Trust Fund. Directs such proceeds to be deposited in the Treasury's general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction after FY2022.
 
Directs the FCC, at least three months before any such incentive auction, to notify Congress of the methodology for calculating the amounts to be shared with licensees.
 
(Sec. 6403) Sets forth restrictions particular to the auction of broadcast television spectrum and the valuation of voluntarily relinquished broadcast television spectrum. Requires that the incentive amount determined by a broadcast television reverse auction include the relinquishment of all usage rights with respect to: (1) a particular television channel without receiving in return any usage rights with respect to another television channel, (2) an ultra high frequency television channel in return for receiving usage rights with respect to a very high frequency television channel, and (3) the relinquishment of usage rights in order to share a television channel with another licensee.
 
Requires a broadcast television station that voluntarily relinquishes spectrum usage rights in order to share a television channel and that possessed carriage rights under specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 on November 30, 2010, to have the carriage rights at its shared location that would apply to the station at such location if it were not sharing a channel.
 
Authorizes the FCC, for the purpose of making spectrum available to carry out the auction, to reassign television channels and reallocate portions of spectrum available for reallocation. Requires that all reasonable efforts be made to preserve the coverage area and population served of each broadcast television licensee. 
 
Prohibits the FCC from involuntarily reassigning a broadcast television licensee from: (1) an ultra high to a very high frequency television channel, and (2) a television channel between 174-216 megahertz to a channel between the 54-88 megahertz frequencies.
 
Requires that certain relocation cost reimbursements be made to reassigned broadcast television licensees, related multichannel video programming distributors, and incumbent users of channel 37 (a band of spectrum currently reserved for radio astronomy and wireless medical telemetry service) under specified conditions. Authorizes waivers from FCC flexible use service rules in lieu of such reimbursements. Prohibits reimbursements for lost revenue. 
 
Directs the FCC to conduct a broadcast television spectrum auction in which it assigns licenses for the reallocated spectrum. Requires that the proceeds shared with each licensee whose bid the FCC accepts in the reverse auction be at least the amount of such bid. Prohibits reassignments or reallocations from becoming effective, and bars the FCC from assigning such licenses and revoking spectrum usage rights, if the proceeds from the auction are below the reverse auction bid amount.
 
Establishes the TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund. Authorizes the FCC to borrow up to a specified amount from the Treasury to deposit into the Fund for the payment of relocation costs. Requires the FCC to reimburse the Treasury as funds are deposited in the Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, if amounts remain in the Fund three years after the auction, to transfer such amounts to: (1) the Public Safety Trust Fund through FY2022, and (2) the Treasury's general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction after FY2022.
 
Prohibits the FCC from completing more than one reverse auction or reorganization of broadcast television spectrum.
 
Makes a licensee's right to protest a proposed order of modification inapplicable to modifications under this section.
 
(Sec. 6404) Prohibits the FCC from preventing persons from participating in spectrum auctions if they comply with FCC procedures and meet technical, financial, character, and citizenship qualifications or would meet such qualifications prior to the grant of the license.
 
(Sec. 6405) Extends the FCC's auction authority until September 30, 2022.
 
(Sec. 6406) Requires the FCC to assess allowing unlicensed U-NII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) devices in the 5 GHz band. Requires the Assistant Secretary to report to Congress on known and proposed spectrum-sharing technologies and the risk to federal users if such devices were allowed to operate in specified bands.
 
(Sec. 6407) Authorizes the use of guard bands for unlicensed use.
 
(Sec. 6408) Requires a Comptroller General report on the design and operation of each transmission system (any telecommunications, broadcast, satellite, commercial mobile service, or other communications system employing radio spectrum) so that reasonable use of adjacent spectrum does not excessively impair such system.
 
(Sec. 6409) Prohibits a state or local government from denying, and requires approval of, any request for collocation, removal, or replacement of an existing wireless tower or base station that does not substantially change its physical dimensions. Establishes a uniform application for federal easements and rights-of-way and a master contract process for siting wireless facilities on federal property and buildings.
 
(Sec. 6410) Assigns to the Assistant Secretary the responsibility to promote the best possible and most efficient use of electromagnetic spectrum resources across the federal government, subject to and consistent with the needs and missions of federal agencies.
 
(Sec. 6411) Requires the OMB to update OMB Circular A-11 to reflect recommendations in the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee Incentive Subcommittee report, adopted January 11, 2011.
 
(Sec. 6412) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on the number and percent of applications for common carrier use of spectrum (from 10,700 to 11,700 megahertz, from 17,700 to 19,700 megahertz, and from 21,200 to 23,600 megahertz) that were not granted because of a lack of availability or interference concerns of existing licensees. Directs the Comptroller General to report to the FCC and Congress on whether such spectrum is being deployed in such a manner that, in areas with high demand for common carrier licenses, market forces provide adequate incentive for efficient spectrum use and ensure that the federal government receives maximum revenue for such spectrum through competitive bidding.
 
(Sec. 6413) Establishes the Public Safety Trust Fund. Requires that various auction proceeds be deposited in such Fund and used, through FY2022, according to a specified order of priority, to: (1) repay amounts borrowed from the general fund for FirstNet, (2) deposit specified amounts in the State and Local Implementation Fund and the Network Construction Fund, (3) fund NIST public safety research, (4) reduce the deficit, and (5) carry out the grant program established by subtitle E under the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012. 
 
Directs amounts that remain in the Fund after FY2022 to be deposited in the general fund for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
 
(Sec. 6414) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on the use of amateur radio service communications in emergencies and disaster relief.
 

Subtitle E: Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012
 - Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012 - (Sec. 6502) Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (NTIA Organization Act) to reestablish and extend matching grants to eligible state or local governments or tribal organizations for the implementation, operation, and migration of various 9-1-1, E9-1-1 (wireless telephone location), Next Generation 9-1-1 (voice, text, video), and IP-enabled emergency services and public safety personnel training.
 
(Sec. 6503) Directs the Assistant Secretary and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to: (1) establish a 9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office, and (2) submit to Congress a management plan and annual reports.
 
Prohibits the federal share of a grant project from exceeding 60%.
 
Terminates the grant program on October 1, 2022.
 
(Sec. 6504) Directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to identify the 9-1-1 capabilities of the multi-line telephone system (MLTS) in use by all Federal agencies in all Federal buildings and properties.
 
Requires the FCC to issue a public notice seeking comment on whether it is feasible for MLTS manufacturers to include mechanisms within all such systems to indicate a 9-1-1 caller's location, while avoiding unduly burdening MLTS manufacturers, providers, and operators.
 
(Sec. 6505) Directs the Comptroller General to report on the taxes, fees, or other charges imposed by states or political subdivisions to improve emergency communications services and the use of revenues from such charges.
 
(Sec. 6506) Provides immunity and liability protection, to the extent consistent with specified provisions of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, to various users and providers of Next Generation 9-1-1 and related services, including for the release of subscriber information.
 
(Sec. 6507) Directs the FCC to: (1) initiate a proceeding to create a specialized Do-Not-Call registry for public safety answering points, and (2) establish penalties and fines for autodialing (robocalls) and related violations.
 
(Sec. 6508) Directs the Coordination Office to report to Congress on the costs for specific Next Generation 9-1-1 services to assist the consideration of a long-term funding mechanism.
 
(Sec. 6509) Directs the FCC to report to Congress on recommendations for the legal and statutory framework for Next Generation 9-1-1 services, consistent with the recommendations in the National Broadband Plan developed by the FCC pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
 

Subtitle F: Telecommunications Development Fund
 - (Sec. 6602) Requires that interest from an auction escrow account be dedicated to deficit reduction, thereby eliminating the deposit of such interest in the Telecommunications Development Fund (TDF) which provides capital to small businesses in the telecommunications industry. 
 
Revises the composition of the TDF board of directors to establish an independent board. (Current law requires that the board include representatives from the FCC, the Small Business Administration [SBA], and the Department of the Treasury.)
 

Subtitle G: Federal Spectrum Relocation 
- (Sec. 6701) Amends the NTIA Organization Act to require that federal entities operating federal government stations within certain frequencies be paid for specified relocation or sharing costs incurred in planning for an auction or relocating from federal to exclusive nonfederal or shared use. (Current law pertains only to payment for certain relocations to exclusive nonfederal use.) 
 
Permits the use of relocation funds to: (1) relocate federal government stations in order to permit spectrum sharing, and (2) acquire state-of-the-art replacement systems with increased functionality to achieve comparable capability of systems.
 
Establishes within the NTIA a technical panel composed of: (1) one member appointed by the OMB, (2) one member appointed by the Assistant Secretary, and (3) one member appointed by the FCC Chairman.
 
Requires, within a specified period prior to an auction of frequencies eligible for relocation or sharing, that federal entities authorized to use such frequencies submit to the NTIA and the technical panel a transition plan for the implementation of a relocation or sharing arrangement. Directs: (1) the panel to review the sufficiency of the plan, and (2) the NTIA to make the plan publicly available on its website.
 
Permits a federal entity or non-federal user to request that the NTIA establish a dispute resolution board to resolve a dispute over the execution, timing, or cost of a transition plan.
 
Allows appeals from dispute resolution board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. 
 
Requires the NTIA to give priority to exclusive nonfederal use. Conditions any sharing on feasibility and cost constraints. 
 
(Sec. 6702) Authorizes the use of the Spectrum Relocation Fund to pay relocation and sharing costs of federal entities. Allows the OMB to transfer available funds to pay for certain pre-auction estimates or research.
 
(Sec. 6703) Requires executive agencies that submit certain reports or notifications to Congress under the NTIA Organization Act to place any national security or other sensitive information in a separate annex. Prohibits such annexed information from being disclosed to the public or provided to any unauthorized person. 
 

Title VII: Miscellaneous Provisions 
- (Sec. 7001) Repeals certain provisions requiring an acceleration in installments of corporate estimated tax. 
 
(Sec. 7002) Amends the Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 to repeal a requirement for prepayment of merchandise processing fees.
 
(Sec. 7003) Prohibits the budgetary effects of this Act from being entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Became Public Law No: 112-96.
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Became Public Law No: 112-96.
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2012-02-22
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 36. Record Vote Number: 22.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 60 - 36. Record Vote Number: 22.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement and message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Conference report considered in Senate, notwithstanding the receipt of the official papers, by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S888-892)
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 293 - 132 (Roll no. 72).
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 293 - 132 (Roll no. 72).
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 3630.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Mr. Camp brought up conference report H. Rept. 112-399 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 554. (consideration: CR H911-927)
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Rule H. Res. 554 passed House.
action_date: 2012-02-16
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 554 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 3630. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived. The conference report shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the conference report to its adoption without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate; and (2) one motion to recommit, if applicable.
action_date: 2012-02-16
text: Conference report H. Rept. 112-399 filed. (text of conference report: CR H834-880)
action_date: 2012-02-16
text: Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 112-399 filed.(text of conference report: CR H834-880)
action_date: 2012-02-16
text: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
action_date: 2012-02-16
text: Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-02-09
text: On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 405 - 15 (Roll no. 48). (consideration: CR H657-658)
action_date: 2012-02-08
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Bishop (NY) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bishop (NY) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2012-02-08
text: The previous question was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H623)
action_date: 2012-02-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Bishop (NY) motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to direct the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 to be instructed to file a conference report not later than February 17, 2012.
action_date: 2012-02-08
text: Mr. Bishop (NY) moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H615-623; text: CR H615)
action_date: 2012-02-07
text: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-02-07
text: Conference committee actions: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Conference committee actions: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-02-02
text: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 184 - 236 (Roll no. 23). (consideration: CR H395-396)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Michaud motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Michaud demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: The previous question was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H361)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Michaud motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to direct the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 to recede from section 2123 of the House bill, relating to allowing a waiver of requirements under section 3304(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including a requirement that all money withdrawn from the unemployment fund of the State shall be used solely in the payment of unemployment compensation.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Mr. Michaud moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H356-361; text: CR H356)
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-02-01
text: Conference committee actions: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-01-31
text: NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER MOTION - Mr. Michaud notified the House of his intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The Chair announced that the text of the proposed motion would be printed in the Congressional Record of today.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 397 - 16 (Roll no. 9).
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: Conference committee actions: Conference held.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Capps demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour debate on the Capps motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the Senate amendment to the bill H.R. 3630 be instructed to file a conference report not later than February, 17, 2012.
action_date: 2012-01-24
text: Mrs. Capps moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H137-143, H150-151; text: CR H137)
action_date: 2012-01-23
text: NOTICE OF INTENT TO OFFER MOTION - Mrs. Capps notified the House of her intent to offer a motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630.
action_date: 2012-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
action_date: 2012-01-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insurance, Housing and Community Opportunity.
action_date: 2012-01-03
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2012-01-03
text: Pursuant to the order of 12/23/2011, Senate appointed conferees. Baucus; Reed; Cardin; Casey; Kyl; Crapo; Barrasso.
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: The Speaker appointed additional conferees: Levin, Becerra, Van Hollen, Schwartz, and Waxman.
action_date: 2011-12-23
text: Ordered that the Senate insists on its amendments and agrees to the request for a conference.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: The Speaker appointed conferees: Camp, Upton, Brady (TX), Walden, Price (GA), Reed, Ellmers, and Hayworth.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: On motion that the House instruct conferees Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 183 - 238 (Roll no. 948).
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630, the Chair put the question on adoption of the motion to instruct conferees and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Crowley demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question on adoption of the motion to instruct conferees on H.R. 3630 until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H9986)
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to H.Res. 502, the House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the Hoyer motion to instruct conferees. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the managers on the part of the House to recede from disagreement to the Senate amendments.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Mr. Hoyer moved that the House instruct conferees. (consideration: CR H9978-9986; text: CR H9978)
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 229 - 193 (Roll no. 946).
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H9977)
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to H.Res. 502, the House proceeded with 1 hour of debate on the motion offered by Mr. Camp to disagree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3630 and request a conference.
action_date: 2011-12-20
text: Mr. Camp moved that the House disagree to the Senate amendments, and request a conference. (consideration: CR H9960-9978, H9978-9982, H9985-9986, H9996-9997, H9998-9999; text of Senate amendment: CR H9960-9963)
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S8749-8752)
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S8749-8752)
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8748-8753)
action_date: 2011-12-17
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8748)
action_date: 2011-12-16
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the bill withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.
action_date: 2011-12-15
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the bill presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S8673; text: CR S8673)
action_date: 2011-12-15
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S8673)
action_date: 2011-12-14
text: Received in the Senate. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 257.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Read the first time. Ordered Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 234 - 193 (Roll no. 923). (text: CR H8763-8799)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 234 - 193 (Roll no. 923).(text: CR H8763-8799)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 183 - 244 (Roll no. 922).
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H8823)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Van Hollen motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new title, Additional Provisions, at the end of the bill.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Mr. Van Hollen moved to recommit with instructions to Ways and Means. (consideration: CR H8820-8824; text: CR H8820-8822)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H8820)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 90 minutes of debate on H.R. 3630.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3630 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted.
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 491. (consideration: CR H8762-8824)
action_date: 2011-12-13
text: Rule H. Res. 491 passed House.
action_date: 2011-12-12
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 491 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3630 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. All points of order against consideration of the bill are waived. The amendment printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying the resolution shall be considered as adopted.
action_date: 2011-12-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2011-12-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2011-12-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration, the Budget, Natural Resources, Rules, and Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-12-09
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 112-96