instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Office of Strategic Services 
Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was America's 
        first effort to implement a system of strategic intelligence 
        during World War II and provided the basis for the modern-day 
        American intelligence and special operations communities. The 
        U.S. Special Operations Command and the National Clandestine 
        Service chose the OSS spearhead as their insignias.
            (2) OSS founder General William J. Donovan is the only 
        person in American history to receive our Nation's four highest 
        decorations, including the Medal of Honor. Upon learning of his 
        death in 1959, President Eisenhower called General Donovan the 
        ``last hero''. In addition to founding and leading the OSS, 
        General Donovan was also selected by President Roosevelt, who 
        called him his ``secret legs'', as an emissary to Great Britain 
        and continental Europe before the United States entered World 
        War II.
            (3) All the military branches during World War II 
        contributed personnel to the OSS. The present-day Special 
        Operations Forces trace their lineage to the OSS. Its Maritime 
        Unit was a precursor to the U.S. Navy SEALs. The OSS 
        Operational Groups and Jedburghs were forerunners to U.S. Army 
        Special Forces. The 801st/492nd Bombardment Group 
        (``Carpetbaggers'') were progenitors to the Air Force Special 
        Operations Command. The Marines who served in the OSS, 
        including the actor Sterling Hayden (a Silver Star recipient), 
        Col. William Eddy (a Distinguished Service Cross recipient who 
        was described as the ``nearest thing the United States has had 
        to a Lawrence of Arabia''), and Col. Peter Ortiz (a two-time 
        Navy Cross recipient), were predecessors to the Marine Special 
        Operations Command. U.S. Coast Guard personnel were recruited 
        for the Maritime Unit and its Operational Swimmer Group.
            (4) The OSS organized, trained, supplied, and fought with 
        resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia that played 
        an important role in America's victory during World War II. 
        General Eisenhower credited the OSS's covert contribution in 
        France to the equivalent to having an extra military division. 
        General Eisenhower told General Donovan that if it did nothing 
        else, the photographic reconnaissance conducted by the OSS 
        prior to the D-Day Invasion justified its creation.
            (5) Four future directors of central intelligence served as 
        OSS officers: William Casey, William Colby, Allen Dulles, and 
        Richard Helms.
            (6) Women comprised more than one-third of OSS personnel 
        and played a critical role in the organization. They included 
        Virginia Hall, the only civilian female to receive a 
        Distinguished Service Cross in World War II, and Julia Child.
            (7) OSS recruited Fritz Kolbe, a German diplomat who became 
        America's most important spy against the Nazis in World War II.
            (8) America's leading scientists and scholars served in the 
        OSS Research and Analysis Branch, including Ralph Bunche, the 
        first African-American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize; 
        Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.; 
        Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg; Sherman Kent; John King 
        Fairbank; and Walt Rostow. Its ranks included seven future 
        presidents of the American Historical Association, five of the 
        American Economic Association, and two Nobel laureates.
            (9) The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence 
        and Research traces its creation to the OSS Research and 
        Analysis Branch.
            (10) James Donovan, who was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 
        Steven Spielberg movie ``Bridge of Spies'' and negotiated the 
        release of U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, served as General 
        Counsel of the OSS.
            (11) The OSS invented and employed new technology through 
        its Research and Development Branch, inventing new weapons and 
        revolutionary communications equipment. Dr. Christian 
        Lambertsen invented the first underwater rebreathing apparatus 
        that was first utilized by the OSS and is known today as SCUBA.
            (12) OSS Detachment 101 operated in Burma and pioneered the 
        art of unconventional warfare. It was the first United States 
        unit to deploy a large guerrilla army deep in enemy territory. 
        It has been credited with the highest kill/loss ratio for any 
        infantry-type unit in American military history and was awarded 
        a Presidential Unit Citation.
            (13) Its X-2 branch pioneered counterintelligence with the 
        British and established the modern counterintelligence 
        community. The network of contacts built by the OSS with 
        foreign intelligence services led to enduring Cold War 
        alliances.
            (14) Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North 
        Africa in November 1942, was aided by the networks established 
        and information acquired by the OSS to guide Allied landings.
            (15) OSS Operation Halyard rescued more than 500 downed 
        airmen trapped behind enemy lines in Yugoslavia, one of the 
        most daring and successful rescue operations of World War II.
            (16) OSS ``Mercy Missions'' at the end of World War II 
        saved the lives of thousands of Allied prisoners of war whom it 
        was feared would be murdered by the Japanese.
            (17) The handful of surviving men and women of the OSS whom 
        General Donovan said performed ``some of the bravest acts of 
        the war'' are members of the ``Greatest Generation''. They have 
        never been collectively recognized for their heroic and 
        pioneering service in World War II.

SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

    (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make 
appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the 
Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration to the 
members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), in recognition of 
their superior service and major contributions during World War II.
    (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation referred 
to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred to in 
this Act as the ``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable 
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.
    (c) Smithsonian Institution.--
            (1) In general.--Following the award of the gold medal in 
        commemoration to the members of the Office of Strategic 
        Services under subsection (a), the gold medal shall be given to 
        the Smithsonian Institution, where it will be displayed as 
        appropriate and made available for research.
            (2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the Smithsonian Institution should make the gold medal received 
        under paragraph (1) available for display elsewhere, 
        particularly at other appropriate locations associated with the 
        Office of Strategic Services.

SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

    The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold 
medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such regulations as the 
Secretary may prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost 
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and 
overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold medal.

SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

    (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this Act are 
national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States 
Code.
    (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of title 31, 
United States Code, all medals struck under this Act shall be 
considered to be numismatic items.
answer:
Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal Act  This bill requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Office of Strategic Services in recognition of their service and contributions during World War II.


question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Amtrak Investment Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) intercity rail passenger service is an essential 
        component of the integrated national transportation system; 
        however, to achieve its full potential the National Railroad 
        Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) must provide a quality 
        transportation product in the form of clean, comfortable, and 
        on-time service;
            (2) Amtrak's management and employees are dedicated to 
        providing the high quality service that Amtrak's customers 
        deserve; however, additional capital investment is needed to 
        acquire the modern equipment and efficient facilities that are 
        essential to satisfy the demand for superior intercity rail 
        passenger service;
            (3) significant levels of Federal capital investment will 
        enable Amtrak to provide the world class service American rail 
        passengers deserve, and will reduce operating costs in the long 
        term;
            (4) Amtrak's management should be held accountable to 
        ensure that all capital investment by the Federal Government is 
        effectively used to improve the quality of service and the 
        long-term financial health of Amtrak;
            (5) the Secretary of Transportation, as an ex officio 
        member of Amtrak's board of directors, should use this position 
        to evaluate Amtrak's costs and revenue elements to ensure that 
        Amtrak provides excellent service to its customers and that 
        Amtrak uses its Federal investment wisely and efficiently;
            (6) States can play a significant role in providing cost-
        efficient intercity rail passenger transportation and in 
        addressing local transportation needs and air quality control; 
        and
            (7) the freight railroads represent a critical part of the 
        Nation's transportation infrastructure, which should help to 
        provide expeditious and cost-effective delivery of passenger 
        trains.

SEC. 3. WORLD CLASS SERVICE.

    Section 24101(c) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (10);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (11) and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(12) manage capital investment in such a way as to 
        provide its customers with world class service.''.

SEC. 4. RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

    Section 24315(b)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (A);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (B) 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) shall include projections of the anticipated benefits 
        of the projects proposed for funding under this part and a 
        report on the benefits actually realized from all projects 
        previously funded under this part, or legislation on which this 
        part is based, beginning with funds provided in fiscal year 
        1994.
Such report shall include an identification of improvements in the 
quality of service offered by Amtrak, facility improvements that 
demonstrate a productivity gain, equipment improvements that lower 
operating costs, environmental benefits (including air quality and land 
use), enhancements to local transportation needs, enhancements to 
mobility of physically and economically disadvantaged persons, an 
improvement to the revenue-to-cost ratio, reduced dependence on Federal 
operating support, and reductions in the need for alternative 
transportation investments. To the extent practicable, the benefits 
addressed in each report shall also be expressed as return on invested 
capital.''.

SEC. 5. STATE REQUESTED RAIL PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) State/Federal Formula.--(1) Section 24704 of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (A) in subsection (a)(1)(C)--
                    (i) by striking ``short term'' both places it 
                appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``long-term''; 
                and
                    (ii) by striking ``65 percent'' and inserting in 
                lieu thereof ``55 percent'';
            (B) in subsection (b)--
                    (i) by adding at the end of paragraph (2) the 
                following new sentence: ``Any such renewal shall 
                require the State, agency, or person to provide a 
                statement that such State, agency, or person agrees to 
                pay in each year of operation, beginning with the first 
                year of operation of service under such renewed 
                agreement, at least 55 percent of the long-term 
                avoidable losses of operating such service and at least 
                50 percent of the associated capital costs.''; and
                    (ii) by inserting at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(3) Amtrak is authorized to contribute in each year of operation 
of any service instituted or retained pursuant to this section no more 
than--
            ``(A) 55 percent in the first year of such operation; and
            ``(B) 45 percent in each year of operation thereafter,
of the long-term avoidable losses of operating such service and no more 
than 50 percent of the associated capital costs.''.
    (2) The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall only apply with 
respect to fiscal year 1996 and subsequent fiscal years.
    (b) Review of Program.--Within 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
comprehensive review of the program of State-assisted rail passenger 
services operated by Amtrak under section 24704 of title 49, United 
States Code, and shall submit a report to the Congress detailing the 
Secretary's findings and conclusions, including any recommendations the 
Secretary may have for revising such section 24704. The Secretary's 
report shall address, among other things, whether and at what point 
services originated under section 24704 should become a part of the 
basic system of intercity rail passenger transportation and shall 
identify any other avenues for initiating and implementing new rail 
passenger transportation.

SEC. 6. NORTHEAST CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Capital Improvements.--(1) Section 24902(h) of title 49, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``If practicable''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Amtrak shall make capital improvements for the Northeast 
Corridor improvement program under this chapter as necessary to operate 
reliable, high-speed rail passenger service, to enhance capacity for 
intercity and commuter passenger transportation, and as otherwise may 
be necessary to ensure continued reliable high-speed service. Amtrak 
shall also acquire train equipment to be used on the Northeast 
Corridor, mitigate environmental impacts related to the Northeast 
Corridor improvement program, and provide adequate parking at and 
improve Northeast Corridor rail stations.''.
    (2) Section 24909 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (A) by striking subsection (e); and
            (B) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
        (e) and (f), respectively.
    (b) Boston-New Haven Electrification Project.--(1) Section 24902(f) 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``Improvements under''; and
            (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(2) Amtrak shall design and construct the electrification system 
between Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, to 
accommodate the installation of a third mainline track between 
Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode Island, to be used for double-stack 
freight service to and from the Port of Davisville. Wherever 
practicable, Amtrak shall use portal structures and realign existing 
tracks on undergrade and overgrade bridges to minimize the width of the 
right-of-way required to add the third track. Amtrak shall take such 
other steps as may be required to coordinate and facilitate design and 
construction work.''.
    (2) Amtrak shall, not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, transmit to the Congress a report detailing its 
electrification design between Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode 
Island, and describing efforts to comply with section 24902(f)(2) of 
title 49, United States Code.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 24104 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``and not more than 
        $332,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $335,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 1996 may be appropriated to the Secretary,'' after 
        ``September 30, 1994,'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(2), by adding at the end the 
        following new subparagraphs:
            ``(C) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.
            ``(D) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.'';
            (3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``Not more than 
        $373,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $373,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 1996 may be appropriated to the Secretary for the benefit 
        of Amtrak for operating expenses.'' after ``for operating 
        expenses.'';
            (4) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by adding at the end the 
        following new clauses:
            ``(iii) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1995.
            ``(iv) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.'';
            (5) in subsection (c)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``September 30, 
                1993,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``$156,000,000 for fiscal year 
                1995, and $165,000,000 for fiscal year 1996,'' after 
                ``September 30, 1994,''; and
            (6) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
    ``(d) Administration of Appropriations.--Notwithstanding section 
6304 of title 31, United States Code, funds appropriated pursuant to 
this section shall be provided to Amtrak upon appropriation when 
requested by Amtrak.''.

SEC. 8. CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION ACCOUNT.

    (a) Amendment.--Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 24316. CAPITAL AND EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION ACCOUNT.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Amtrak shall establish a Capital and 
Equipment Acquisition Account. Amounts in this account shall be used by 
Amtrak to--
            ``(1) acquire passenger equipment and locomotives;
            ``(2) encourage State and local investment in facilities 
        and equipment used to provide intercity rail passenger 
        transportation; and
            ``(3) address other critical capital priorities.
    ``(b) Deposits.--Amtrak may deposit into the Capital and Equipment 
Acquisition Account--
            ``(1) payments received for the use of its equipment or 
        facilities;
            ``(2) claims recovered by Amtrak; and
            ``(3) amounts from any other source to the extent 
        authorized by Federal law.''.
    (b) Table of Sections Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 
243 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following new item:

``24316. Capital and equipment acquisition account.''.

SEC. 9. ON-TIME PERFORMANCE.

    (a) Comparison.--The Secretary of Transportation shall conduct a 
direct comparison of the on-time performance of Amtrak compared to 
other modes of commercial passenger transportation, using consistent 
methodologies.
    (b) Report to Congress.--The Secretary of Transportation shall, not 
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, transmit to 
the Congress a report on the results of the comparison required by 
subsection (a), along with an explanation of the differences found in 
on-time performance between modes of transportation, including 
consideration of the age and condition of equipment and any other 
differences among the modes that affect the ability to achieve on-time 
service.

SEC. 10. COOPERATION WITH STUDY.

    Amtrak shall cooperate with the efforts of the Virginia State 
Department of Transportation in designing and carrying out a study on 
the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Washington, 
D.C., and Bristol, Virginia.

SEC. 11. BURBANK-GLENDALE-PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, STATION FACILITIES.

    Amtrak shall develop a plan for new station facilities at the 
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport to accommodate the intercity rail 
passenger requirements of Amtrak, along with the needs of the commuter 
rail services serving the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena metropolitan area. 
In developing the plan, Amtrak shall consider use of a facility at the 
airport as a primary facility for handling intercity and commuter 
passengers, shall evaluate sources of State, local, and private funding 
for the new station facilities, and shall propose the allocation of 
space and costs in the new facilities among all transportation services 
using the facilities. The plan shall be predicated upon completing the 
project with State, local, and private funding, and without Federal 
funds appropriated for Amtrak. Amtrak shall submit a report to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
containing such plan no later than April 1, 1995.

SEC. 12. CITY OF ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, STATION FACILITIES.

    Amtrak shall develop a plan for new or redeveloped station 
facilities in the City of Ontario, California, to accommodate the 
intercity rail passenger requirements of Amtrak, along with the needs 
of the commuter rail services servicing the City of Ontario. In 
developing the plan, Amtrak shall consider use of a facility at the 
Ontario International Airport as the primary facility for handling 
intercity passengers, shall evaluate sources of State, local, and 
private funding for the new or redeveloped station facilities, and 
shall propose the allocation of space and costs in the new facilities 
among all transportation services using the facilities. The plan shall 
be predicated upon completing the project with State, local, and 
private funding, and without Federal funds appropriated for Amtrak. 
Amtrak shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate containing such plan no later than 
April 1, 1995.

SEC. 13. LAND CONVEYANCE.

    (a) Validation and Confirmation.--The conveyance described in 
subsection (b)(1) involving certain real property in Tulare County, 
California, forming a part of the right-of-way granted by the United 
States to the Southern Pacific Railroad under the Act entitled ``An Act 
granting Lands to aid in the Construction of a Railroad and Telegraph 
Line from the States of Missouri and Arkansas to the Pacific Coast'', 
approved July 27, 1866 (14 Stat. 292), is legalized, validated, and 
confirmed in the Redevelopment Agency of the city of Tulare, the 
grantee in such conveyance, and their successors in interest, with 
respect to all interests of the United States in the rights to the real 
property described in subsection (b)(2).
    (b) Conveyance and Real Property Described.--
            (1) Conveyance.--The conveyance referred to in subsection 
        (a) was made by a Judgment in Condemnation and Final Order of 
        Condemnation of the Superior Court in and for the county of 
        Tulare, State of California in Action No. 150298 entitled 
        ``Redevelopment Agency of the City of Tulare v. Southern 
        Pacific Transportation Company'' filed and entered March 10, 
        1992, by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company to the 
        Redevelopment Agency of the city of Tulare.
            (2) Real property described.--The real property referred to 
        in subsection (a) is a parcel of land in the northwest quarter 
        of section 11, township 20 south, range 24 east, Mount Diablo 
        Base and meridian in the city of Tulare, county of Tulare, 
        State of California, more particularly described as follows:
            Commencing at the intersection of the centerlines of Tulare 
        Avenue and ``J'' Street;
            Thence north 10 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds west 208.54 
        feet along the centerline of ``J'' Street;
            Thence south 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds west 40.00 
        feet to the westerly right-of-way line of ``J'' Street and the 
        True Point of Beginning;
            Thence south 10 degrees 20 minutes 00 seconds east 148.54 
        feet along said westerly right-of-way line to the beginning of 
        a tangent curve concave to the northwest having a radius of 
        20.00 feet, a radial line through which bears north 79 degrees 
        40 minutes 00 seconds east;
            Thence south, southwesterly and westerly along said curve 
        and right-of-way line through a central angle of 89 degrees 59 
        minutes 36 seconds to the northerly right-of-way line of Tulare 
        Avenue;
            Thence south 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds west 159.89 
        feet along last said right-of-way line;
            Thence leaving said right-of-way line north 10 degrees 20 
        minutes 00 seconds west 168.54 feet parallel with the 
        centerline of ``J'' Street;
            Thence north 79 degrees 39 minutes 36 seconds east 179.88 
        feet to the Point of Beginning.
            Containing 0.69 acres.

SEC. 14. RESIDENCE OF EMPLOYEES.

    The amendments made by section 7 of the Amtrak Reauthorization and 
Improvement Act of 1990 shall apply to all periods before and after the 
date of their enactment.
answer:
Amtrak Investment Act of 1994 - Amends Federal transportation law to make it a goal of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) to manage its capital investment in such a way as to provide its customers with world class service. 
(Sec. 4) Requires AMTRAK to include in its annual report on its operations to the President and the Congress projections of anticipated and realized benefits of proposed and previously funded projects. 
(Sec. 5) Requires applications by a State, agency, or person requesting AMTRAK to provide rail passenger transportation, or to keep a train, route, or service that AMTRAK intends to discontinue, to commit it to provide at least 65 percent of the long-term loss (currently, short-term loss) of providing such transportation in the first year, and at least 55 percent of such loss in each succeeding year.  Requires a State, agency, or person, with respect to the renewal of such service, to state that it agrees to pay at least 55 percent of the long-term avoidable losses of operating such service and at least 50 percent of the associated capital costs.  Authorizes AMTRAK for each year of operation to contribute no more than 55 percent of the long-term avoidable losses in the first year of operation, and no more than 45 percent in each succeeding year. 
Directs the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) to review AMTRAK's State-assisted rail passenger services program and report the results, including recommendations for revising such program, to the Congress. 
(Sec. 6)  Directs AMTRAK to make capital improvements for the Northeast Corridor improvement project necessary for reliable, high- speed rail passenger service and enhancement of capacity for intercity and commuter passenger service. 
Requires AMTRAK to construct an electrification system between Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, to accommodate the installation of a third mainline track between Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode Island, to be used for double-stack freight service to and from the Port of Davisville.  Requires AMTRAK to report to the Congress on its electrification design between Davisville and Central Falls, Rhode Island. 
(Sec. 7)  Authorizes appropriations for:  (1) capital acquisition and corridor development; (2) AMTRAK operating expenses; (3) AMTRAK operating losses; and (4) certain mandatory payments. 
(Sec. 8) Directs AMTRAK to establish a Capital and Equipment Acquisition Account. 
(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the on-time performance of AMTRAK as compared to other modes of commercial transportation. 
(Sec. 10) Requires AMTRAK to cooperate with the Virginia State Department of Transportation on a study of the feasibility of reestablishing rail service between Washington, D.C., and Bristol, Virginia. 
(Sec. 11) Requires AMTRAK to develop plans for new station facilities at the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport and in Ontario, California. 
(Sec. 13) Confirms the conveyance of U.S. interests in certain real property to Tulare County, California.


question:
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF EXPIRING AUTHORITIES OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) Hospital Care and Medical Services for Persian Gulf Veterans 
Exposed to Toxic Substances.--(1) Section 1710(e) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting ``becoming manifest 
        before January 1, 1997,'' after ``for any disability''; and
            (B) in paragraph (3), by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1998''.
    (2) Section 1712(a)(1)(D) of such title is amended--
            (A) by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in 
        lieu thereof ``December 31, 1998''; and
            (B) by inserting ``becoming manifest before January 1, 
        1997,'' after ``for any disability''.
    (b) Contract Authority for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Care.--Subsection 
(e) of section 1720A of such title is amended by striking out 
``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu thereof ``December 31, 
1997''.
    (c) Nursing Home Care Alternatives.--(1) Section 1720C(a) of such 
title is amended by striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting 
in lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not 
later than March 31, 1997, a report on the medical efficacy and cost 
effectiveness, and disadvantages and advantages, associated with the 
use by the Secretary of noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home 
care.
    (d) Health Scholarships Program.--(1) Section 7618 of such title is 
amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (2)(A) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, 
not later than March 31, 1997, a report setting forth the results of a 
study evaluating the operation of the health professional scholarship 
program under subchapter II of chapter 76 of title 38, United States 
Code. The study shall evaluate the efficacy of the program with respect 
to recruitment and retention of health care personnel for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and shall compare the costs and benefits 
of the program with the costs and benefits of alternative methods of 
ensuring adequate recruitment and retention of such personnel.
    (B) The Secretary shall carry out the study under this paragraph 
through a private contractor. The report under subparagraph (A) shall 
include the report of the contractor and the comments, if any, of the 
Secretary on that report.
    (e) Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property.--(1) Section 8169 of such 
title is amended by striking out ``December 31, 1995'' and inserting in 
lieu thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not 
later than March 31, 1997, a report evaluating the operation of the 
program under subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States 
Code.
    (f) Community-Based Residential Care for Homeless Chronically 
Mentally Ill Veterans.--Section 115(d) of the Veterans' Benefits and 
Services Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-322; 38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is 
amended by striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
    (g) Demonstration Program of Compensated Work Therapy and 
Therapeutic Transitional Housing.--Section 7 of Public Law 102-54 (38 
U.S.C. 1718 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking out ``During fiscal 
        years 1991 through 1995, the Secretary'' and inserting in lieu 
        thereof ``The Secretary''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Sunset.--The authority for the demonstration program under 
this section expires on December 31, 1997.''.
    (h) Homeless Veterans Pilot Program.--The Homeless Veterans 
Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-590) is 
amended as follows:
            (1) Section 2(a) (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by 
        striking out ``September 30, 1995'' and inserting in lieu 
        thereof ``December 31, 1997''.
            (2) Section 3(a) (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by 
        striking out ``, during fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995,''.
            (3) Section 12 (38 U.S.C. 7721 note) is amended by striking 
        out ``each of the fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``each fiscal year through 1997''.
SEC. 2. REPORT ON CONSOLIDATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS.

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress, not 
later than March 1, 1997, a report on the advantages and disadvantages 
of consolidating into one program the following three programs:
            (1) The alcohol and drug abuse contract care program under 
        section 1720A of title 38, United States Code.
            (2) The program to provide community-based residential care 
        to homeless chronically mentally ill veterans under section 115 
        of the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (38 U.S.C. 
        1712 note).
            (3) The demonstration program under section 7 of Public Law 
        102-54 (38 U.S.C. 1718 note).

SEC. 3. REPEAL OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS MEMORIAL MEDICAL 
              CENTER IN THE PHILIPPINES.

    (a) Repeal.--Section 1732 of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended--
            (1) by striking out subsection (b);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b) and 
        striking out ``or grant'' both places it appears in that 
        subsection; and
            (3) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c) and 
        striking out ``and to make grants'' in that subsection.
    (b) Clerical Amendments.--(1) The heading of such section is 
amended by striking out ``and grants''.
    (2) The item relating to such section in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by striking out 
``and grants''.
answer:

Extends through December 31, 1998, the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide hospital care and medical services to Persian Gulf veterans exposed to toxic substances or environmental hazards during such service, as long as symptoms become manifest before January 1, 1997.  Extends through December 31, 1997:  (1) the authority to contract with community-based treatment facilities for the care of eligible veterans suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities; (2) the authority of a pilot program for furnishing veterans with noninstitutional alternatives to nursing home care (requires a report); (3) the Department's health professionals scholarship program (requires a report); (4) the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into enhanced-use leases of Department real property (requires a report); (5) the authority under the Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 for a pilot program providing community-based residential care for homeless chronically mentally ill veterans; (6) the Department's compensated work therapy and therapeutic transitional housing program; and (7) the authority under the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Service Programs Act of 1992 for a pilot program to expand and improve Department benefits and services to homeless veterans.  Extends through FY 1997 the authorization of appropriations for such pilot program. 
Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating specified veterans' programs. 
Repeals the authority of the Secretary to make contracts and grants for providing care and treatment for veterans at the Department's Veterans Memorial Medical Center in the Philippines.