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

    This Act may be cited as the ``Fairness for Homeowners Act of 
2007''.

SEC. 2. ORIGINATIONS OF CONSUMER CREDIT TRANSACTIONS SECURED BY THE 
              CONSUMER'S PRINCIPAL DWELLING.

    (a) In General.--The Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) 
is amended by inserting after section 129 the following new section:
``Sec. 129A. Originations of consumer credit transactions secured by 
              the consumer's principal dwelling
    ``(a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions shall apply:
            ``(1) Fully indexed rate.--The term `fully indexed rate' 
        equals the index rate prevailing at the time a consumer credit 
        transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling is 
        originated, plus the margin that will apply after the 
        expiration of an introductory interest rate.
            ``(2) Mortgage broker.--The term `mortgage broker' means 
        any person who is defined as a mortgage broker under applicable 
        State law.
    ``(b) Requirements for Originators.--
            ``(1) Ability to pay.--
                    ``(A) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker 
                may make, provide, or arrange for any consumer credit 
                transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling 
                without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to 
                pay the scheduled payments of the following, as 
                applicable: principal; interest; real estate taxes; 
                homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage 
                insurance premiums.
                    ``(B) Variable interest rate.--In the case of any 
                consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's 
                principal dwelling for which the applicable annual 
                percentage rate may vary over the life of the credit, 
                the reasonable ability to pay shall be determined, for 
                purposes of this paragraph, on the basis of a fully 
                indexed rate plus 200 basis points and a repayment 
                schedule which achieves full amortization over the life 
                of the extension of credit.
                    ``(C) Verification of consumer income and financial 
                resources.--In the case of any consumer credit 
                transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling, 
                the income and financial resources of the consumer 
                shall be verified for purposes of this paragraph by tax 
                returns, payroll receipts, bank records, or other 
                similarly reliable documents.
                    ``(D) Other criteria.--No provision of this 
                paragraph shall be construed as prohibiting reliance on 
                criteria other than a consumer's income and financial 
                resources to establish the reasonable ability of the 
                consumer to repay any consumer credit transaction 
                secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, to the 
                extent such other criteria are also verified through 
                reasonably reliable methods and documentation.
                    ``(E) Consumer statement is insufficient proof.--A 
                statement by a consumer of the consumer's income or 
                financial resources shall not be sufficient to 
                establish the existence of any income or financial 
                resources when verifying the reasonable ability of the 
                consumer to repay any consumer credit transaction 
                secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, for 
                purposes of this paragraph.
            ``(2) Prohibition on steering.--No creditor or mortgage 
        broker may make, provide, or arrange for any consumer credit 
        transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling that is 
        of a lower investment grade if--
                    ``(A) the consumer's credit score; or
                    ``(B) comparable underwriting data, in any case in 
                which the creditor or mortgage broker does not utilize 
                credit scoring or a credit score for the consumer is 
                unavailable,
        indicates that the borrower may qualify for a consumer credit 
        transaction, available from or through the creditor or mortgage 
        broker, that is of a higher investment grade.
            ``(3) Prohibition on prepayment penalties for arms.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In the case of any consumer 
                credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal 
                dwelling that provides for variable rates of interest 
                on the credit extended under the transaction, the 
                transaction may not contain terms under which a 
                consumer must pay a prepayment penalty for paying all 
                or part of the principal before the date on which the 
                principal is due.
                    ``(B) Exclusion for jumbo mortgages.--Subparagraph 
                (A) shall not apply to any consumer credit transaction 
                secured by a consumer's principal dwelling the 
                principal amount (as defined in subsection (c)(2)) of 
                which exceeds the maximum dollar amount limitation (for 
                a residence of the applicable size) on the amount of 
                the principal obligation of a mortgage for a 1- to 4-
                family residence that may be purchased by the Federal 
                Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as then in effect 
                pursuant to section 305(a)(2) of the Federal Home Loan 
                Mortgage Corporation Act.
    ``(c) Limitation on Financed Points, Charges, and Fees.--
            ``(1) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker may, in 
        connection with any consumer credit transaction secured by the 
        consumer's principal dwelling, include in the principal amount 
        of such transaction any portion of any qualified finance charge 
        in excess of the amount which is equal to 5 percent of the 
        principal amount of the transaction.
            ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        following definitions shall apply:
                    ``(A) Qualified finance charge.--The term 
                `qualified finance charge' means the sum of--
                            ``(i) the finance charge as determined 
                        under section 106, minus any interest and time 
                        price differential; and
                            ``(ii) all compensation paid to a mortgage 
                        broker from any source in connection with this 
                        transaction.
                    ``(B) Principal amount.--The term `principal 
                amount' means--
                            ``(i) in the case of any consumer credit 
                        transaction under an open end credit plan 
                        secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, 
                        the maximum amount of credit that may be 
                        extended under the terms of such plan as 
                        determined without taking into account any 
                        amount included in determining the finance 
                        charge under section 106; and
                            ``(ii) in the case of any other consumer 
                        credit transaction secured by a consumer's 
                        principal dwelling, the amount financed (as 
                        defined in section 138(a)(2)).
            ``(3) Prohibition on excessive finance charges.--No 
        creditor or mortgage broker may, in connection with any 
        consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal 
        dwelling, impose or receive any amount included in determining 
        the qualified finance charge for such transaction that exceeds 
        the amount which is equal to 5 percent of the principal amount 
        of the transaction.
            ``(4) Exception.--This subsection shall not apply to any 
        consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal 
        dwelling that is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of 
        Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans 
        Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration.
    ``(d) Mortgage Broker Duties of Agency.--
            ``(1) In general.--Any mortgage broker acting to obtain or 
        arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the 
        consumer's principal dwelling shall be considered to have an 
        agency relationship with the consumer in all cases by operation 
        of law and shall comply with the following duties:
                    ``(A) Mortgage brokers shall act in the consumer's 
                best interest and in the utmost good faith toward each 
                consumer and shall not compromise a consumer's right or 
                interest in favor of another's right or interest, 
                including a right or interest of the mortgage broker.
                    ``(B) A mortgage broker shall not accept, give, or 
                charge any undisclosed compensation or realize any 
                undisclosed remuneration, either through direct or 
                indirect means, that inures to the benefit of the 
                mortgage broker on an expenditure made for the 
                consumer.
                    ``(C) Mortgage brokers shall carry out all lawful 
                instructions given by the consumer.
                    ``(D) Mortgage brokers shall disclose to consumers 
                all material facts of which the mortgage broker has 
                knowledge which might reasonably affect the consumer's 
                rights, interests, or ability to receive the consumer's 
                intended benefit from the consumer credit transaction, 
                but not facts which are reasonably susceptible to the 
                knowledge of the consumer.
                    ``(E) Mortgage brokers shall use reasonable care in 
                performing duties.
                    ``(F) Mortgage brokers shall account to a consumer 
                for all the consumer's money and property received as 
                agent.
            ``(2) Scope.--The duty of agency between mortgage broker 
        and consumer applies when the mortgage broker is acting in the 
        capacity of mortgage broker providing mortgage brokerage 
        services with respect to any consumer credit transaction 
        secured by the consumer's principal dwelling for which the 
        broker is not the creditor.
            ``(3) Rules of construction.--
                    ``(A) Fees for services rendered.--No provision of 
                this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting a 
                mortgage broker from contracting for or collecting a 
                fee for services rendered which had been disclosed to 
                the consumer in advance of the provision of such 
                services.
                    ``(B) Duty of broker.--No provision of this 
                subsection shall be construed as requiring a mortgage 
                broker--
                            ``(i) to obtain or arrange for any consumer 
                        credit transaction secured by the consumer's 
                        principal dwelling on behalf of a consumer that 
                        contains terms or conditions not available to 
                        the mortgage broker in the mortgage broker's 
                        usual course of business; or
                            ``(ii) to obtain or arrange for any 
                        consumer credit transaction secured by the 
                        consumer's principal dwelling from a creditor 
                        with whom the mortgage broker does not have a 
                        business relationship.
    ``(e) Independent Verification of Consumer Counseling Before 
Refinancing Special Mortgages.--
            ``(1) In general.--No creditor or mortgage broker may make, 
        provide, or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured 
        by the consumer's principal dwelling all or a portion of the 
        proceeds of which are used to fully or partially pay off a 
        special mortgage unless the borrower has obtained a written 
        certification from an authorized independent loan counselor 
        that the borrower has received counseling on the advisability 
        of the transaction.
            ``(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the 
        following definitions shall apply:
                    ``(A) Special mortgage.--The term `special 
                mortgage' means any consumer credit transaction secured 
                by the consumer's principal dwelling that was 
                originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or 
                through a State, tribal, or local government, or 
                nonprofit organization, that bears 1 or more of the 
                following nonstandard payment terms which substantially 
                benefit the consumer:
                            ``(i) Payments vary with income.
                            ``(ii) Payments of principal or interest 
                        are not required or can be deferred under 
                        specified conditions.
                            ``(iii) Principal or interest is forgivable 
                        under specified conditions.
                            ``(iv) Either no interest or an annual 
                        interest rate of 2 percent or less is charged 
                        in connection with the loan.
                    ``(B) Authorized loan counselor.--The term 
                `authorized independent loan counselor' means any 
                nonprofit, third-party individual or organization 
                providing homebuyer education programs, foreclosure 
                prevention services, mortgage loan counseling, or 
                credit counseling that is certified by the Secretary of 
                Housing and Urban Development, or certified by any 
                State housing agency or nonprofit organization 
                designated by such Secretary, for such purposes.
    ``(f) Minimum Financial Requirements for Mortgage Brokers.--No 
mortgage broker may obtain or arrange for any consumer credit 
transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling unless at all 
times the mortgage broker--
            ``(1) maintains a minimum net worth, net of intangibles, of 
        at least $500,000, as determined in accordance with generally 
        accepted accounting principles; or
            ``(2) maintains a surety bond or irrevocable letter of 
        credit in the amount of $50,000.
    ``(g) Enforcement.--For purposes of providing a cause of action for 
any failure by a mortgage broker to comply with any requirement imposed 
under this section, section 130(a) shall be applied with respect to any 
such failure--
            ``(1) by substituting `mortgage broker' for `creditor' each 
        place such term appears in such section; and
            ``(2) by treating all qualified finance charges (as defined 
        in subsection (c)(2)(A)) incurred in the origination of any 
        consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal 
        dwelling as actual damages sustained by the consumer as a 
        result of the failure.
    ``(h) Exclusion of Reverse Mortgages.--This section shall not apply 
with respect to any consumer mortgage transaction that constitutes a 
reverse mortgage.''.
    (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Truth in Lending Act 
is amended--
            (1) in section 103 (u) (15 U.S.C. 1602(u)), by striking 
        ``and the disclosures required by section 129(a)'' and 
        inserting ``and the provisions of section 129 and 129A''; and
            (2) in section 130 (15 U.S.C. 1640), by inserting ``or 
        129A'' after section 129 each place such term appears.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 2 of the 
Truth in Lending Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 129 the following new item:

``129A. Originations of consumer credit transactions secured by the 
                            consumer's principal dwelling.''.

SOLUTION: Fairness for Homeowners Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit any creditor or mortgage broker from making, providing, or arranging for any consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling without verifying the consumer's reasonable ability to make the scheduled payments of principal, interest (including variable interest), real estate taxes, homeowner's insurance, assessments, and mortgage insurance premiums.

Prescribes criteria for determining the reasonable ability to make such payments.

Prohibits steering (arranging for a lower investment grade credit transaction if the consumer qualifies for a higher investment grade transaction) and prepayment penalties for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) that are not jumbo mortgages.

Limits financed points, finance charges, and fees to 5% of a transaction's principal, unless the transaction is ensured or guaranteed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the Farmers Home Administration.

Specifies duties of agency for mortgage brokers acting to obtain or arrange for any consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling.

Requires creditors and mortgage brokers to obtain independent verification that a borrower seeking to refinance a special mortgage has received counseling on the transaction's advisability. Defines "special mortgage" as one that: (1) was originated, subsidized, funded, or guaranteed by or through a state, tribal, or local government, or nonprofit organization; and (2) bears one or more specified nonstandard payment terms which substantially benefit the consumer.

Prescribes minimum financial requirements for mortgage brokers.

Excludes reverse mortgages from coverage by this Act.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Park Centennial Act of 
2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds:
            (1) The National Park Service was established to conserve 
        the national parks, their scenery, natural and historic 
        objects, and wildlife for the enjoyment, in such manner and by 
        such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of 
        future generations.
            (2) The central purpose of the establishment of our 
        national parks is being challenged by chronic funding 
        shortfalls, which have created annual shortfalls in operational 
        funding that exceed $600,000,000, and have amassed a 
        maintenance backlog estimated by the General Accounting Office 
        at between $4,080,000,000 and $6,800,000,000.
            (3) Without providing the Park Service the resources 
        necessary to operate and maintain our national parks, future 
        generations will receive diminished visitor services, will 
        experience a continually weakening system that is less and less 
        able to fulfill its mission, and will inherit a national park 
        system than has been left to them in worse condition that it 
        was left to their ancestors.
            (4) The annual appropriations process has proved incapable 
        of fully addressing the debilitating funding shortfalls of the 
        national parks, making it necessary to supplement what the 
        appropriations process is able to accomplish.
            (5) It is necessary to ensure that fiscal resources devoted 
        to the national parks are spent wisely and effectively, making 
        strong congressional oversight over annual appropriations 
        extremely important.
            (6) Congress can enhance the resources available for 
        national park operations and ensure adequate oversight over 
        Park Service spending by removing from the appropriations 
        process a series of funding responsibilities that are outside 
        the core operating budgets for the national parks.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to eliminate the annual 
operating deficit and the maintenance backlog in the national parks by 
the centennial anniversary of the National Park System by enabling 
Congress to focus on overseeing and fully funding the core operations 
of the national parks in the annual appropriations process.

                        TITLE I--CENTENNIAL FUND

SEC. 101. CENTENNIAL FUND FOR PRESERVING AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the 
United States a fund which shall be known as the ``National Park 
Centennial Fund'', hereinafter in this Act referred to as the 
``Centennial Fund''. In each fiscal year beginning in fiscal year 2005, 
the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit in the Centennial Fund 
amounts set forth in subsection (b) sufficient to fund the programs 
identified in titles II, III, and IV.
    (b) Appropriations.--There are hereby appropriated to the 
Centennial Fund in each fiscal year, the following amounts:
            (1) Amounts equivalent to the amounts designated in the 
        fiscal year concerned under section 6097 of the Internal 
        Revenue Code of 1986.
            (2) Any additional amounts necessary to make the total 
        amounts deposited to the Centennial Fund each fiscal year equal 
        to the total amount listed in section 103.

SEC. 102. DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT 
              OF UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter A of chapter 61 of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new part:

   ``PART IX--DESIGNATION OF OVERPAYMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE 
              BENEFIT OF UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

``Sec. 6097. Designation.

``SEC. 6097. DESIGNATION.

    ``(a) In General.--In the case of an individual, with respect to 
each taxpayer's return for the taxable year of the tax imposed by 
chapter 1, such taxpayer may designate that--
            ``(1) a specified portion (but not less than $1) of any 
        overpayment of tax for such taxable year, and
            ``(2) any cash contribution which the taxpayer includes 
        with such return, shall be used for the benefit of units of the 
        National Park System.
    ``(b) Manner and Time of Designation.--A designation under 
subsection (a) may be made with respect to any taxable year only at the 
time of filing the return of the tax imposed by chapter 1 for such 
taxable year. Such designation shall be made in such manner as the 
Secretary prescribes by regulations except that such designation shall 
be made either on the first page of the return or on the page bearing 
the taxpayer's signature.
    ``(c) Overpayments Treated as Refunded.--For purposes of this 
title, any portion of any overpayment of tax designated under 
subsection (a) shall be treated as being refunded to the taxpayer as of 
the last date prescribed for filing the return of tax imposed by 
chapter 1 (determined without regard to extensions) or, if later, the 
date the return is filed.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of parts for subchapter A of 
chapter 61 of such Code is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following new item:

   ``Part IX. Designation of overpayments and contributions for the 
            benefit of units of the National Park System''.

    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2004.

SEC. 103. PROGRAM ALLOCATION.

    The following amounts shall be deposited in the Centennial Fund 
from amounts designated under section 102 (and from the General Fund of 
the Treasury to the extent the amounts so designated are less than the 
total amounts specified in this section for the fiscal year concerned). 
Such amounts shall, without further appropriation, be available to the 
Secretary of the Interior until expended:
            (1) Fiscal year 2005: $100,000,000.
            (2) Fiscal year 2006: $125,000,000.
            (3) Fiscal year 2007: $150,000,000.
            (4) Fiscal year 2008: $175,000,000.
            (5) Such sums as may be necessary through fiscal year 2016.

SEC. 104. DISTRIBUTION OF FUND.

    There are hereby created within the Centennial Fund 3 accounts, 
designated for the following purposes:
            (1) National Park Backlog Elimination Fund (60 percent).
            (2) Natural Resource Challenge Fund (20 percent).
            (3) Cultural Resource Challenge Fund (20 percent).

SEC. 105. PATRIOTS FOR PARKS PROMOTION.

    There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
the Interior such sums as necessary for a public awareness campaign 
about the existence of the National Park Centennial Fund created in 
section 101 and the ability of taxpayers to contribute to it through 
the tax checkoff created in section 6097 of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986.

      TITLE II--ELIMINATING THE NATIONAL PARK MAINTENANCE BACKLOG

SEC. 201. BACKLOG ELIMINATION.

    (a) In General.--Sixty percent of the funds deposited into the 
Centennial Fund shall be used to eliminate the backlog of unmet needs 
in the National Parks, as identified in the Facility Condition Index 
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as the ``FCI'') of the National 
Park Service.
    (b) Priorities.--(1) The Secretary of the Interior shall prepare, 
as part of the annual budget proposal, a priority list for projects to 
be funded under this section. Moneys shall be made available from the 
fund, without further appropriation, effective October 15 of each 
calendar year, for the projects identified on the priority list, unless 
prior to such date, legislation is enacted establishing a different 
priority list.
    (2) In preparing the list of projects to be funded under this 
section, the Secretary of the Interior shall give priority to projects 
that--
            (A) are identified in the park unit's general management 
        plan;
            (B) are listed in the FCI;
            (C) are identified by the Secretary of the Interior as 
        necessary to prevent immediate damage to the park unit's 
        natural, cultural, or historic resources, with priority given 
        to projects with the most significant benefit to conservation 
        of resources or visitor education; and
            (D) are identified as necessary to promote public health 
        and safety.
    (c) Overhead.--National Parks undertaking projects under this 
section may allocate up to 8 percent of the funds for such projects for 
oversight of such projects and other associated overhead 
responsibilities.

                 TITLE III--PROTECTING NATURAL WONDERS

SEC. 301. NATURAL RESOURCE CHALLENGE.

    (a) Natural Resource Protection.--Twenty percent of the funds 
deposited into the Centennial Fund shall be used to protect natural 
resources within the parks.
    (b) Project Description.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
prepare, as part of the annual budget proposal, a description of 
projects to be funded under this section. Moneys shall be made 
available from the Centennial Fund, without further appropriation, 
effective October 15 of each calendar year for activities that include 
each of the following:
            (1) Natural resource inventories.
            (2) Monitoring efforts including air and water quality 
        monitoring.
            (3) Protection of native and endangered species and their 
        habitats.
            (4) Control of nonnative species.
            (5) Resource planning.
            (6) Increase collaboration with scientists.
            (7) Authorized environmental restoration projects.
            (8) Use of parks for learning.
            (9) Establishment of partnerships with nonpark entities for 
        the purpose of leveraging Federal funds allocated to natural 
        resource protection.

                TITLE IV--PROTECTING NATIONAL TREASURES

SEC. 401. CULTURAL RESOURCE CHALLENGE.

    (a) Cultural Resources.--Twenty percent of the funds deposited into 
the Centennial Fund shall be used to protect cultural resources within 
the national parks.
    (b) Project Description.--The Secretary of the Interior shall 
prepare, as part of the annual budget proposal, a description of 
projects to be funded under this section. Moneys shall be made 
available from the fund, without further appropriation, effective 
October 15 of each calendar year for activities that include each of 
the following:
            (1) Cultural or historic resources not listed on the FCI.
            (2) Documenting and preserving archaeological sites.
            (3) Preserving collections and archives.
            (4) Ethnographic activities.
            (5) Evaluating and protecting cultural landscapes.
            (6) Establishment of partnerships with non-park entities 
        for the purpose of leveraging Federal funds allocated to 
        cultural resource protection.

                TITLE V--MEETING ANNUAL OPERATING NEEDS

SEC. 501. PROGRESS ON ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) GAO Report.--The General Accounting Office annually shall 
submit to the Committee on Appropriations, Committee on Government 
Reform, and Committee on Resources of the United States House of 
Representatives and to the Committee on Appropriations, Committee on 
Government Affairs, and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the United States Senate a report that describes each of the following:
            (1) The progress of Congress in eliminating the annual 
        operating fund deficit in the National Park System, defined as 
        in excess of $600,000,000 based on a fiscal year 2002 estimate 
        of then-complete national park business plans, and projection 
        of when such deficit will be eliminated, based on funding 
        levels and trends.
            (2) A comparison of business plan estimates of national 
        park needs versus actual funds appropriated to such parks.
            (3) Any differences in the Park Service's business plan 
        methodology for the estimate in paragraph (2) of this 
        subsection compared to that used in fiscal year 2003.
            (4) Management improvement measures undertaken by 
        individual park units and by the National Park Service as a 
        whole, including actual realized savings and actual impact on 
        visitor services and resource protection.
            (5) Adjustments in, and the total number of, full-time 
        equivalent and actual positions dedicated to resource 
        protection, visitor services, interpretation, and other 
        employment categories.
            (6) Any adjustments made in service to the public, 
        including but not limited to adjustments to visitor center 
        hours and the number or quality of ranger-led tours.
            (7) Any changes in the Park Service's level of effort due 
        to partnership or other leveraged activities.
            (8) Any new requirements and assessments placed on the 
        parks for unbudgeted expenses, including, but not limited to, 
        homeland security, natural disasters, and employee cost-of-
        living adjustments.
            (9) An assessment of the accuracy and completeness of the 
        Facility Condition Index described in Title I of this Act, 
        including adjustments made to such Index on an annual basis.
    (b) Business Plan Implementation Pilot (Demonstration) Program.--In 
consultation with the Director of the National Park Service, at least 
60 percent of the amounts provided under Titles II, III, and IV shall 
be distributed to national parks that have completed comprehensive 
business plans under the Business Plan Initiative of the National Park 
Service.
    (c) Education and the National Parks.--The Secretary of Education 
is hereby authorized to provide grants to elementary and secondary 
schools to enter into cooperative agreements with the National Park 
Service for the purpose of distance learning and onsite education 
programs for the following purposes:
            (1) Connecting students to the history of our Nation 
        through the national parks.
            (2) Using the parks to facilitate scientific instruction.
    (d) Intent of Congress to Supplement Annual Appropriations for 
National Park Service.--Amounts made available by this Act are intended 
by the Congress to supplement, and not detract from, annual 
appropriations for the National Park Service.

SOLUTION: National Park Centennial Act of 2004 - Establishes the National Park Centennial Fund (Fund) in the Treasury.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate overpayments and contributions for the benefit of the National Park System. Allocates such amounts to the Fund (along with necessary amounts from the General Fund to the extent that such amounts are inadequate in any fiscal year) for expenditure by the Secretary of the Interior.

Creates within the Fund the National Park Backlog Elimination Fund, the Natural Resource Challenge Fund, and the Cultural Resource Challenge Fund.

Authorizes appropriations for a public awareness campaign about the Fund and the ability of taxpayers to make tax-related contributions.

Requires a specified percentage of Fund deposits to be used: (1) for the elimination of the backlog of unmet needs in the national parks as identified in the Facility Condition Index of the National Park Service (NPS); (2) to protect natural resources within the parks; and (3) to protect cultural resources within the parks. Requires a majority of such percentages to be distributed to those national parks that have completed comprehensive business plans under the Business Plan Initiative of the NPS.

Directs the Government Accountability Office annually to submit a report on the National Park System to specified congressional committees.

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to provide grants to elementary and secondary schools for cooperative agreements with the NPS providing distance learning and onsite education programs.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native Voting Rights Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. TRIBAL IDENTIFICATION; ACTIONS FOR A DISPARITY IN AVAILABILITY 
              OF POLLING PLACES.

    Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 1973) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) If a State or political subdivision requires an individual to 
present a valid form of identification for the purposes of voting, 
including registering to vote, an individual's unexpired tribal 
identification document issued by an Indian tribe (including a tribal 
identification document issued by a Native Corporation, as defined in 
section 3 of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602)) 
shall be treated as a valid form of identification for such purposes.
    ``(d)(1)(A) The Attorney General may institute in the name of the 
United States actions, including actions against States or political 
subdivisions, for declaratory judgment or injunctive relief if the 
Attorney General finds, at the discretion of the Attorney General, a 
disparity between in-person voting opportunities for members of an 
Indian tribe as compared to in-person voting opportunities for 
individuals who are not members of an Indian tribe.
    ``(B) Such injunctive relief shall include measures to reduce such 
disparity by increasing the availability of polling places.
    ``(2) The district courts of the United States shall have 
jurisdiction of such actions which shall be heard and determined by a 
court of three judges in accordance with the provisions of section 2284 
of title 28 of the United States Code and any appeal shall lie to the 
Supreme Court. It shall be the duty of the judges designated to hear 
the case to assign the case for hearing at the earliest practicable 
date, to participate in the hearing and determination thereof, and to 
cause the case to be in every way expedited. There shall be a 
presumption that such disparity results in a denial or abridgement of 
the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of 
race or color, or in contravention of the guarantees set forth in 
section 4(f)(2).
    ``(3) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), an aggrieved person 
may bring an action described in paragraph (1)(A). The provisions of 
paragraph (2) shall apply to such action.''.

SEC. 3. PROTECTIONS RELATING TO POLLING PLACES ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

    (a) Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973b) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Protections Relating to Indian Reservations.--
            ``(1) In general.--No State or political subdivision shall 
        carry out any of the following activities unless that State or 
        political subdivision obtains the approval of the court or the 
        nonobjection of the Attorney General under section 5(a):
                    ``(A) Eliminating the only polling place or voter 
                registration site on an Indian reservation.
                    ``(B) Moving or consolidating a polling place or 
                voter registration site 1 mile or further from the 
                existing location of the polling place or voter 
                registration site on an Indian reservation.
                    ``(C) Moving or consolidating a polling place on an 
                Indian reservation across a river, lake, mountain, or 
                other natural boundary such that it makes travel 
                difficult for a voter, regardless of distance.
                    ``(D) Eliminating in-person voting on an Indian 
                reservation by designating an Indian reservation as a 
                permanent absentee voting location, unless the entire 
                State is or becomes a permanent absentee voting State.
                    ``(E) Removing an early voting location or 
                otherwise diminishing early voting opportunities on an 
                Indian reservation.
                    ``(F) Decreasing the number of days or hours that 
                an in-person or early voting location is open on an 
                Indian reservation or changing the dates of in-person 
                or early voting on an Indian reservation.
            ``(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `Indian reservation' shall have the meaning given such 
        term under section 203(b)(3).''.
    (b) Section 5(a) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
1973c(a)) is amended--
            (1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``or whenever a 
        State or political subdivision shall enact or seek to 
        administer any of the activities described in subsection (g) of 
        section 4'' after ``November 1, 1972,''; and
            (2) by striking ``or procedure'' and inserting ``procedure, 
        or activity'' each place the term appears.

SEC. 4. FEDERAL ELECTION OVERSIGHT ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS.

    Section 8 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973f) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) as 
        subsections (c) through (f), respectively;
            (2) in subsection (c), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of 
        this section, by striking ``subsection (c), such observers'' 
        and inserting ``subsection (d), the observers described in this 
        section''; and
            (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
    ``(b) The Attorney General may authorize Federal observers for 
elections that occur on an Indian reservation, as defined under section 
203, if the Attorney General has received from a tribal organization--
            ``(1) a written complaint that efforts to deny or abridge 
        the right to vote under the color of law on account of race or 
        color, or in contravention of the guarantees set forth in 
        section 4(f)(2), may occur on an Indian reservation; and
            ``(2) a request for the authorization of Federal observers 
        for elections that occur on that Indian reservation.''.

SEC. 5. TERMINATION OF ELECTION OBSERVERS.

    Section 13(a) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973k(a)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking ``section 8'' and inserting 
                ``subsection (a) of section 8''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) with respect to observers appointed pursuant to 
        subsection (b) of section 8, after the end of the next general 
        election for the office of President.''.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 14(c) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973l(c)) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(4) The terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization' have the 
meaning given such terms under section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
    ``(5) The term `member of an Indian tribe' means an individual who 
is a member of an Indian tribe, as defined under section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b) 
and includes a member of a Native Corporation, as defined in section 3 
of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).''.

SEC. 7. BILINGUAL ELECTION REQUIREMENTS; DEFINITION OF INDIAN 
              RESERVATION.

    Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973aa-1a) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3)(C), by striking ``1990'' and 
        inserting ``2010''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``or in the case of 
        Alaskan natives and American Indians, if the predominant 
        language is historically unwritten'' and inserting ``(as of the 
        date on which the materials or information is provided)''.

SEC. 8. ELECTION OBSERVER TRANSPARENCY.

    The Attorney General shall make publicly available the reports of 
Federal election observers appointed in accordance with section 8 of 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973f), not later than 6 
months after the date that such reports are submitted to the Attorney 
General.

SEC. 9. TRIBAL VOTING CONSULTATION.

    The Attorney General shall, to the extent practicable, consult 
annually with tribal organizations regarding issues relating to voting 
for members of an Indian tribe.

SOLUTION:
Native Voting Rights Act of 2014 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to make an individual's unexpired tribal identification document issued by an Indian tribe or Native Corporation a valid form of identification in states and political subdivisions that require an individual to present a valid form of identification to vote or register to vote. Authorizes the Attorney General (DOJ) to bring actions against such jurisdictions for declaratory judgement or injunctive relief if the Attorney General finds a disparity between in-person voting opportunities for Indians and in-person voting opportunities for non-Indians. Prohibits states and political subdivisions, without obtaining court approval or the nonobjection of the Attorney General, from:  eliminating an Indian reservation's sole polling place or voter registration site; moving or consolidating a polling place or voter registration site one mile or more from the existing polling place or registration site on an Indian reservation; moving or consolidating a polling place or voter registration site on an Indian reservation across a natural boundary such that travel becomes difficult for a voter, regardless of distance; eliminating in-person voting on an Indian reservation by designating the reservation a permanent absentee voting location, unless the entire state is or becomes such a location; removing an early voting location or otherwise diminishing early voting opportunities on an Indian reservation; and decreasing the number of days or hours that an in-person or early voting location is open on an Indian reservation or changing the dates of in-person or early voting on such reservation.  Authorizes the Attorney General to assign federal observers to elections on an Indian reservation if the applicable tribe: (1) requests such observers, and (2) provides the Attorney General with a written complaint that efforts to deny or abridge the right to vote may occur on such reservation. Terminates the assignment of such observers after the end of the next presidential election. Provides that if the applicable language of a minority group is not oral or unwritten when voting materials or information become available, states and political subdivisions must provide that material or information in the language of the minority group and in English. Requires federal election observer's reports to be made available to the public within six months after they are submitted to the Attorney General. Directs the Attorney General, to the extent practicable, to consult annually with tribal organization regarding Indian voting issues.