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 ``Congressional Pay for Performance 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purpose of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Federal deficit'' or ``deficit'' means, with 
        respect to any fiscal year, the amount by which total budget 
        outlays of the Government for such fiscal year exceed total 
        revenues of the Government for such fiscal year;
            (2) the term ``Member of Congress'' means an individual 
        serving in a position referred to in section 601(a)(1) of the 
        Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31(1)); and
            (3) the term ``year'' means a calendar year.

SEC. 3. TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF USUAL PAY ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES.

    Subject to section 5, rates of basic pay for Members of Congress 
shall not be adjusted except in accordance with section 4.

SEC. 4. TEMPORARY ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES.

    (a) In General.--Effective as of the first day of the first 
applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1st of each year, 
the rate of basic pay for each Member of Congress shall be reduced by 
the percentage derived by multiplying the applicable factor under 
subsection (b) for such year by the applicable factor under subsection 
(c) for such year.
    (b) Factor Reflecting Magnitude of the Deficit.--The applicable 
factor under this subsection for any year is the number of hundreds of 
billions of dollars to which the Federal deficit is equal, as 
determined under subsection (d) with respect to such year.
    (c) Factor Reflecting Degree of Success in Reducing or Eliminating 
the Deficit.--The applicable factor under this subsection for any year 
shall be determined in accordance with the following:
            (1) For the first year beginning on or after the effective 
        date of this Act, the applicable factor under this subsection 
        is 2 percent.
            (2) For each year thereafter, the applicable factor under 
        this subsection is--
                    (A) the same percentage as was applicable under 
                this subsection in the previous year, if the deficit 
                for the year in question is at least $100,000,000,000 
                less than--
                            (i) the size of the deficit for the year 
                        referred to in paragraph (1), or
                            (ii) the lowest level attained in the 
                        deficit for any year after the year referred to 
                        in paragraph (1),
                whichever is less; or
                    (B) 2 times the percentage which was applicable 
                under this subsection in the previous year, if 
                subparagraph (A) does not apply.
    (d) Determining the Size of the Deficit.--For the purpose of any 
determination under this Act, the size or level of the Federal deficit 
for any year--
            (1) shall be equal to the size or level of the deficit for 
        the fiscal year ending on the September 30th immediately 
        preceding the start of such year; and
            (2) shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of 
        $100,000,000,000 (or, if midway between multiples of 
        $100,000,000,000, to the next higher multiple of 
        $100,000,000,000).
    (e) Limitation.--Nothing in this Act shall have the effect of 
reducing any rate of basic pay below $1.
    (f) Suspension in Time of War.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), upon the 
        enactment of a declaration of war--
                    (A) subsections (a) through (d) shall be suspended; 
                and
                    (B) any subsequent reduction in rates of basic pay 
                for Members of Congress under such subsections shall be 
                precluded.
            (2) Restoration.--In the event of a suspension of 
        subsections (a) through (d) due to a declaration of war, then, 
        effective with the first year that begins in the session after 
        the state of war is concluded by Senate ratification of the 
        necessary treaties--
                    (A) the provisions of subsections (a) through (d) 
                shall be restored to full force and effect, and any 
                adjustment scheduled to take effect on or after the 
                first day of such year shall be implemented in 
                accordance with such provisions; and
                    (B) the initial rate of basic pay for a Member of 
                Congress (before the implementation of any adjustment 
                referred to in subparagraph (A)) shall be equal to the 
                rate of basic pay in effect for such a Member as of the 
                day before the effective date of this Act.

SEC. 5. EFFECT OF ELIMINATING THE DEFICIT.

    (a) In General.--Effective as of the first day of the first 
applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1st of the first 
year with respect to which the deficit is determined to have been 
eliminated--
            (1) the provisions of law suspended by section 2 
        (disregarding subsection (f) thereof) shall be restored to full 
        force and effect, and any adjustment scheduled to take effect 
        on or after such first day under such provisions shall be 
        implemented in accordance with such provisions;
            (2) the initial rate of basic pay for a Member of Congress 
        (before the implementation of any adjustment referred to in 
        paragraph (1)) shall be equal to 2 times the rate of basic pay 
        in effect for such a Member as of the effective date of this 
        Act.
            (3) the provisions of section 4 shall cease to be 
        effective.
    (b) Rule Relating to Determining When the Deficit Has Been 
Eliminated.--
            (1) In general.--For the purpose of this Act, the deficit 
        shall be considered to have been eliminated as of the start of 
        the first year for which the applicable factor under section 
        4(b) would be less than 1.
            (2) No tax increase.--The condition under paragraph (1) 
        shall be considered unmet if there is enacted, after the 
        effective date of this Act, any legislation that reduces the 
        Federal deficit by changing the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 6. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    (a) In General.--This Act shall take effect on January 1st of the 
first year beginning after the first election of Representatives 
following the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (b) Definition.--For the purpose of subsection (a), the term 
``election of Representatives'' has the meaning given such term by 
225(i)(4)(B) of the Federal Salary Act of 1967 (2 U.S.C. 359(4)(B)).

SOLUTION: Congressional Pay for Performance Act - Suspends basic pay adjustments for Members of Congress, and requires pay reductions, until the deficit is reduced to below $50,000,000,000 without the enactment of any change in the Internal Revenue Code. 
Requires an annual reduction in pay by a percentage equal to:  (1) two percent times the number of hundreds of billions of dollars of the deficit in the first year after enactment; or (2) twice that percentage for any year following a year for which the deficit is not at least $100,000,000,000 less than the lowest level attained after enactment of this Act. 
Suspends pay reductions upon enactment of a declaration of war and reinstates them when the state of war is concluded. 
Restores pay adjustment procedures suspended by this Act, and provides for a rate of basic pay of twice the rate in effect as of the effective date of this Act, for the first year with respect to which the deficit is less than $50,000,000,000.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. DENIAL OF CASH BENEFITS TO DRUG ADDICTS AND ALCOHOLICS.

    (a) Amendments Relating to Title II Disability Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Section 225(c) of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 425(c)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``(c)(1)(A)'' and inserting 
                ``(2)(A)'';
                    (B) by striking paragraph (7) and by redesignating 
                paragraphs (2) through (6) as paragraphs (3) through 
                (7), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting before paragraph (2) as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (A) the following new 
                paragraph:
    ``(c)(1) No cash benefits shall be payable under this title to any 
individual who is otherwise entitled to benefits under this title based 
on disability, if such individual's alcoholism or drug addiction is a 
contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination that 
such individual is disabled.''.
            (2) Treatment Requirements.--
                    (A) Section 225(c)(2)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(2)(A)), as redesignated by paragraph (1), is 
                amended to read as follows:
    ``(2)(A)(i) Any individual who would be entitled to cash benefits 
under this title but for the application of paragraph (1) may elect to 
comply with the provisions of this subsection.
            ``(ii) Any individual who is entitled to cash benefits 
        under this title by reason of disability (or whose entitlement 
        to such benefits is suspended), and who was entitled to such 
        benefits by reason of disability, for which such individual's 
        alcoholism or drug addiction was a contributing factor material 
        to the Commissioner's determination that such individual was 
        disabled, for the month preceding the month in which this 
        paragraph takes effect, shall be required to comply with the 
        provisions of this subsection.
                    (B) Section 225(c)(2)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(2)(B)), as so redesignated, is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``who is required under 
                        subparagraph (A)'' and inserting ``described in 
                        clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) who is 
                        required''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``paragraph (3)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (4)''.
                    (C) Section 225(c)(3)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(3)(A)), as so redesignated, is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (2)(A)''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``paragraph (5)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (6)''.
                    (D) Section 225(c)(3)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(3)(B)), as so redesignated, is amended by 
                striking ``paragraph (1)'' and inserting ``paragraph 
                (2)(A)''.
                    (E) Section 225(c)(5) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(5)), as so redesignated, is amended by striking 
                ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
                    (F) Section 225(c)(6)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(6)(A), as so redesignated, is amended--
                            (i) by striking ``who are receiving 
                        benefits under this title and who as a 
                        condition of payment of such benefits'' and 
                        inserting ``described in paragraph (2)(A)(i) 
                        who elect to undergo treatment; and the 
                        monitoring and testing of all individuals 
                        described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii) who'';
                            (ii) by striking ``under paragraph (1)''; 
                        and
                            (iii) by striking ``paragraph (2)(A)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (3)(A)''.
                    (G) Section 225(c)(6)(C)(ii)(I) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 425(c)(6)(C)(ii)(I)), as so redesignated, is 
                amended--
                            (i) by striking ``residing in the State'' 
                        and all that follows through ``they are 
                        disabled'' and inserting ``described in 
                        paragraph (2)(A) residing in the State''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``paragraph (2)(A)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (3)(A)''.
                    (H) Section 225(c)(6)(C)(ii)(III) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 425(c)(6)(C)(ii)(III)), as so redesignated, is 
                amended by striking ``paragraph (2)(A)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (3)(A)''.
                    (I) Section 225(c)(6)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(6)(C)), as so redesignated, is amended by adding 
                at the end the following:
    ``(iii) The monitoring requirements of clause (ii) shall not apply 
in the case of any individual described in paragraph (2)(A)(i) who 
fails to comply with the requirements of paragraph (2).''.
                    (J) Section 225(c)(7) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(7)), as so redesignated, is amended--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``who 
                        is entitled'' and all that follows through ``is 
                        under a disability'' and inserting ``described 
                        in paragraph (2)(A)''; and
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``(4) 
                        or (7)'' and inserting ``(5)''.
                    (K) Section 225(c)(8) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                425(c)(8)) is amended by striking ``(1), (4) or (7)'' 
                and inserting ``(2) or (5)''.
                    (L) Section 225(c) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 425(c)) 
                is amended by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraphs:
    ``(10) The Commissioner shall provide appropriate notification to 
each individual subject to the limitation on cash benefits contained in 
paragraph (1) and the treatment provisions contained in paragraph (2).
    ``(11) The requirements of paragraph (2) shall cease to apply to 
any individual if the Commissioner determines that such individual no 
longer needs treatment.''.
            (3) Representative payee requirements.--
                    (A) Section 205(j)(1)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                405(j)(1)(B)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(B) In the case of an individual entitled to benefits based on 
disability, the payment of such benefits shall be made to a 
representative payee if the Commissioner of Social Security determines 
that such payment would serve the interest of the individual because 
the individual also has an alcoholism or drug addiction condition (as 
determined by the Commissioner) and the individual is incapable of 
managing such benefits.''.
                    (B) Section 205(j)(2)(C)(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                405(j)(2)(C)(v)) is amended by striking ``entitled to 
                benefits'' and all that follows through ``under a 
                disability'' and inserting ``described in paragraph 
                (1)(B)''.
                    (C) Section 205(j)(2)(D)(ii)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 405(j)(2)(D)(ii)(II)) is amended by striking all 
                that follows ``15 years, or'' and inserting ``described 
                in paragraph (1)(B).''.
                    (D) Section 205(j)(4)(A)(i)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 405(j)(4)(A)(ii)(II)) is amended by striking 
                ``entitled to benefits'' and all that follows through 
                ``under a disability'' and inserting ``described in 
                paragraph (1)(B)''.
    (b) Amendments Relating to SSI Benefits.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1611(e)(3) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``(B)'' and inserting ``(C)'';
                    (B) by striking ``(3)(A)'' and inserting ``(B)''; 
                and
                    (C) by inserting before subparagraph (B) as 
                redesignated by paragraph (2) the following new 
                subparagraph:
    ``(3)(A) No cash benefits shall be payable under this title to any 
individual who is otherwise eligible for benefits under this title by 
reason of disability, if such individual's alcoholism or drug addiction 
is a contributing factor material to the Commissioner's determination 
that such individual is disabled.''.
            (2) Treatment requirements.--
                    (A) Section 1611(e)(3)(B)(i)(I) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)(B)(i)(I)), as redesignated by 
                paragraph (1), is amended to read as follows:
    ``(B)(i)(I)(aa) Any individual who would be eligible for cash 
benefits under this title but for the application of subparagraph (A) 
may elect to comply with the provisions of this subparagraph.
            ``(bb) Any individual who is eligible for cash benefits 
        under this title by reason of disability (or whose eligibility 
        for such benefits is suspended) or is eligible for benefits 
        pursuant to section 1619(b), and who was eligible for such 
        benefits by reason of disability, for which such individual's 
        alcoholism or drug addiction was a contributing factor material 
        to the Commissioner's determination that such individual was 
        disabled, for the month preceding the month in which this 
        subparagraph takes effect, shall be required to comply with the 
        provisions of this subparagraph.''.
                    (B) Section 1611(e)(3)(B)(i)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)(B)(i)(II)), as so redesignated, is 
                amended by striking ``who is required under subclause 
                (I)'' and inserting ``described in division (bb) of 
                subclause (I) who is required''.
                    (C) Subclauses (I) and (II) of section 
                1611(e)(3)(B)(ii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1382(e)(3)(B)(ii)), as so redesignated, are each 
                amended by striking ``clause (i)'' and inserting 
                ``clause (i)(I)''.
                    (D) Section 1611(e)(3)(B) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1382(e)(3)(B)), as so redesignated, is amended by 
                striking clause (v) and by redesignating clause (vi) as 
                clause (v).
                    (E) Section 1611(e)(3)(B)(v) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1382(e)(3)(B)(v)), as redesignated by subparagraph (D), 
                is amended--
                            (i) in subclause (I), by striking ``who is 
                        eligible'' and all that follows through ``is 
                        disabled'' and inserting ``described in clause 
                        (i)(I)''; and
                            (ii) in subclause (V), by striking ``or 
                        (v)''.
                    (F) Section 1611(e)(3)(C)(i) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1382(e)(3)(C)(i)), as redesignated by paragraph (1), is 
                amended by striking ``who are receiving benefits under 
                this title and who as a condition of such benefits'' 
                and inserting ``described in subparagraph (B)(i)(I)(aa) 
                who elect to undergo treatment; and the monitoring and 
                testing of all individuals described in subparagraph 
                (B)(i)(I)(bb) who''.
                    (G) Section 1611(e)(3)(C)(iii)(II)(aa) of such Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)(C)(iii)(II)(aa)), as so 
                redesignated, is amended by striking ``residing in the 
                State'' and all that follows through ``they are 
                disabled'' and inserting ``described in subparagraph 
                (B)(i)(I) residing in the State''.
                    (H) Section 1611(e)(3)(C)(iii) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1382(e)(3)(C)(iii)), as so redesignated, is 
                amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(III) The monitoring requirements of subclause (II) shall not 
apply in the case of any individual described in subparagraph 
(B)(i)(I)(aa) who fails to comply with the requirements of subparagraph 
(B).''.
                    (I) Section 1611(e)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1382(e)(3)), as amended by paragraph (1), is amended by 
                adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
    ``(D) The Commissioner shall provide appropriate notification to 
each individual subject to the limitation on cash benefits contained in 
subparagraph (A) and the treatment provisions contained in subparagraph 
(B).
    ``(E) The requirements of subparagraph (B) shall cease to apply to 
any individual if the Commissioner determines that such individual no 
longer needs treatment.''.
            (3) Representative payee requirements.--
                    (A) Section 1631(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(A)(ii)(II)) is amended to read as 
                follows:
    ``(II) In the case of an individual eligible for benefits under 
this title by reason of disability, the payment of such benefits shall 
be made to a representative payee if the Commissioner of Social 
Security determines that such payment would serve the interest of the 
individual because the individual also has an alcoholism or drug 
addiction condition (as determined by the Commissioner) and the 
individual is incapable of managing such benefits.''.
                    (B) Section 1631(a)(2)(B)(vii) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(B)(vii)) is amended by striking 
                ``eligible for benefits'' and all that follows through 
                ``is disabled'' and inserting ``described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii)(II)''.
                    (C) Section 1631(a)(2)(B)(ix)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(B)(ix)(II)) is amended by striking 
                all that follows ``15 years, or'' and inserting 
                ``described in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II).''.
                    (D) Section 1631(a)(2)(D)(i)(II) of such Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1383(a)(2)(D)(i)(II)) is amended by striking 
                ``eligible for benefits'' and all that follows through 
                ``is disabled'' and inserting ``described in 
                subparagraph (A)(ii)(II)''.
            (4) Preservation of medicaid eligibility.--Section 1634(e) 
        of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(e)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``clause (i) or (v) of section 
                1611(e)(3)(A)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A) or 
                subparagraph (B)(i)(II) of section 1611(e)(3)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following: ``This 
                subsection shall cease to apply to any such person if 
                the Commissioner determines that such person no longer 
                needs treatment.''.
            (5) Conforming amendment.--Section 201(c) of the Social 
        Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994 (42 
        U.S.C. 425 note) is repealed.
    (c) Effective Dates.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        amendments made by this section shall apply to applicants for 
        benefits under title II or title XVI of the Social Security Act 
        for months beginning on or after the date of the enactment of 
        this Act, without regard to whether regulations have been 
        issued to implement such amendments.
            (2) Application to current recipients.--Notwithstanding any 
        other provision of law, in the case of an individual who is 
        receiving benefits under title II of the Social Security Act or 
        supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of such 
        Act as of the date of the enactment of this Act and whose 
        entitlement or eligibility for such benefits would terminate by 
        reason of the amendments made by this section, such amendments 
        shall apply with respect to the benefits of such individual for 
        months beginning on or after January 1, 1997, and the 
        Commissioner of Social Security shall so notify the individual 
        not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.
            (3) Benefits under title xvi.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term ``benefits under title XVI of the Social 
        Security Act'' includes supplementary payments pursuant to an 
        agreement for Federal administration under section 1616(a) of 
        the Social Security Act, and payments pursuant to an agreement 
        entered into under section 212(b) of Public Law 93-66.

SOLUTION: Denies monthly cash disability benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI), respectively, of the Social Security Act for drug addicts and alcoholics whose substance abuse is a contributing factor material to their disability.  Allows such individuals, instead, to elect to undergo treatment for their substance abuse. (Currently, such recipients are required to undergo treatment only at approved facilities or institutions.) 
Revises OASDI and SSI program representative payee requirements to require the payment of program benefits through a representative payee if it is in the interest of an otherwise disabled individual with an alcohol or drug addiction condition who is incapable of managing such benefits. 
Preserves the Medicaid eligibility of SSI recipients denied cash disability benefits because of the connection between their drug addiction or alcoholism and their disability.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coal Royalty Fairness Act of 2015''.

SEC. 2. VALUATION OF COAL ROYALTIES.

    Section 7 of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 207) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking the fourth sentence; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Royalties.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    ``(A) Assessment value.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `assessment 
                        value', with respect to Federal coal, means--
                                    ``(I) the price of Federal coal 
                                paid by the purchaser at final sale; or
                                    ``(II) a price imputed by the 
                                Secretary based on the coal price 
                                index.
                            ``(ii) Exclusions.--The term `assessment 
                        value' does not include, as determined and to 
                        the extent determined to be appropriate by the 
                        Secretary--
                                    ``(I) transportation costs, as 
                                determined in accordance with the 
                                transportation cost index; or
                                    ``(II) the cost of coal washing.
                    ``(B) Broker.--The term `broker' means a person 
                that resells Federal coal.
                    ``(C) Coal price index.--The term `coal price 
                index' means the schedule of average market prices of 
                Federal coal (in United States dollars) paid by the 
                purchaser at final sale, based on the quality and type 
                of the Federal coal, as determined by the Secretary, in 
                consultation with the Administrator of the Energy 
                Information Administration.
                    ``(D) Purchaser.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `purchaser' 
                        means a person that--
                                    ``(I) purchases or contracts to 
                                purchase Federal coal--
                                            ``(aa) directly from a coal 
                                        mine operator; or
                                            ``(bb) indirectly from a 
                                        broker; and
                                    ``(II) uses that Federal coal in 
                                any industrial or energy conversion 
                                process.
                            ``(ii) Exclusion.--The term `purchaser' 
                        does not include--
                                    ``(I) a coal broker; or
                                    ``(II) any other third-party 
                                intermediary.
                    ``(E) Quality.--The term `quality', with respect to 
                Federal coal, means the quality of Federal coal 
                measured in British thermal units, sulfur, moisture, 
                and other criteria determined to be appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
                    ``(F) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the 
                Secretary of the Interior.
                    ``(G) Transportation cost index.--The term 
                `transportation cost index' means the transportation 
                cost index established under paragraph (7).
                    ``(H) Type.--The term `type', with respect to 
                Federal coal, means a general category of coal, such as 
                metallurgical coal or steam coal, as determined by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(2) Payment rate.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), a lease shall require payment of a 
                royalty in such amount as the Secretary shall determine 
                of not less than 12.5 percent of the assessment value 
                of Federal coal, as determined under paragraph (3).
                    ``(B) Exception.--In lieu of the royalty payment 
                rate described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary may 
                establish such lower royalty payment rate as the 
                Secretary determines to be appropriate in the case of 
                Federal coal recovered by an underground mining 
                operation.
            ``(3) Valuation for royalties.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        establish, as the valuation for Federal coal royalties, the 
        assessment value of Federal coal.
            ``(4) Administration.--
                    ``(A) Reporting.--The purchaser of Federal coal 
                shall annually submit to the Secretary a report 
                containing such information as the Secretary determines 
                to be necessary to carry out this subsection.
                    ``(B) Audits.--To carry out this subsection, the 
                Secretary may examine the records of any person engaged 
                in the purchase, sale, transportation, or marketing of 
                Federal coal.
            ``(5) Coal price index.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall compile the 
                assessment values of coal by type and quality of coal 
                in a coal price index.
                    ``(B) Publication.--Not less frequently than 
                quarterly, the Secretary shall publish the coal price 
                index, along with a methodological description, 
                including--
                            ``(i) the method of calculation;
                            ``(ii) the data used to calculate the coal 
                        price index in an aggregate manner that does 
                        not reveal proprietary information; and
                            ``(iii) any other information the Secretary 
                        considers appropriate to ensure transparency.
                    ``(C) Other information.--If a person believes that 
                the coal price index significantly deviates from the 
                assessment value of the coal produced by the person, 
                the person may petition the Secretary to use 
                information supplied by the person in lieu of the coal 
                price index, including all information the Secretary 
                requires to accurately determine the assessment value 
                and audit the records of the person.
            ``(6) Exports.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In assessing royalties for the 
                export of Federal coal under this subsection, the 
                Secretary may obtain from the exporter of the Federal 
                coal such information as the Secretary determines to be 
                necessary to carry out this subsection.
                    ``(B) Assessment value of exported coal.--Subject 
                to subparagraph (C), in determining the assessment 
                value of Federal coal that is exported, the Secretary 
                shall--
                            ``(i) use the price of coal free on board 
                        the marine vessel used to transport the coal 
                        overseas at the port of origin; and
                            ``(ii) limit any deductions that apply to 
                        the assessment value of the Federal coal to 
                        costs incurred prior to being free onboard the 
                        vessel.
                    ``(C) Uncertain export price.--If the Secretary 
                cannot determine the value of exported coal in 
                accordance with subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) assess royalties under this 
                        subsection based on the coal price index for 
                        coal of a similar quantity and type; and
                            ``(ii) limit any deductions that apply to 
                        the assessment value of the Federal coal to 
                        costs incurred within the contiguous United 
                        States.
            ``(7) Transportation cost index.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to the other provisions 
                of this paragraph, the Secretary, in consultation with 
                the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of 
                Transportation (in consultation with the Surface 
                Transportation Board and others), shall--
                            ``(i) compile in a transportation cost 
                        index the average costs of transporting coal; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) determine the amount of any 
                        transportation cost deduction under this 
                        subsection, on the basis of the transportation 
                        cost index.
                    ``(B) Unit of measurement.--The transportation cost 
                index shall be based on the average transportation 
                costs per ton of coal or another unit of measurement 
                determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Differences in transportation costs.--The 
                transportation cost index shall take into consideration 
                differences in the costs of transportation, as 
                determined by the Secretary, based on--
                            ``(i) the mode of transportation;
                            ``(ii) the geographic region, and
                            ``(iii) other characteristics of the 
                        transportation industry that the Secretary 
                        considers to be necessary to calculate a fair, 
                        transparent, and accurate transportation cost 
                        index.
                    ``(D) Exclusions.--The transportation cost index 
                shall not include costs associated with, as determined 
                by the Secretary--
                            ``(i) take-or-pay contract penalties;
                            ``(ii) liquidated damages;
                            ``(iii) the speculative aspects of 
                        transportation transactions; or
                            ``(iv) any other costs that are not 
                        directly associated with moving Federal coal 
                        from 1 location to another location.
                    ``(E) Publication.--Not less than twice annually, 
                the Secretary shall publish the transportation cost 
                index, along with a methodological description, 
                including--
                            ``(i) the method of calculation;
                            ``(ii) the data used to calculate the 
                        transportation cost index, in an aggregate 
                        manner that does not reveal proprietary 
                        information; and
                            ``(iii) any other information the Secretary 
                        considers to be appropriate to ensure 
                        transparency.
                    ``(F) Other information.--If a person believes that 
                the transportation cost index significantly deviates 
                from the transportation costs of the person, the person 
                may petition the Secretary to use information supplied 
                by the person (other than costs descried in 
                subparagraph (D)) in lieu of the transportation cost 
                index, including all information the Secretary requires 
                to accurately determine cost and audit the records of 
                the person.
            ``(8) Reviews.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To ensure a transparent, fair, 
                and efficient administration of the Federal coal 
                program, and to ensure that citizens of the United 
                States receive a fair return on Federal coal, not later 
                than 3 years after the date of enactment of this 
                subsection and every 3 years thereafter during the 15-
                year period beginning on that date of enactment, the 
                Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
                to Congress a report that describes a review of the 
                Federal coal program, including the administration of 
                this subsection.
                    ``(B) Consultation.--In conducting a review under 
                this paragraph, the Comptroller General shall consult 
                with--
                            ``(i) the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) the Director of the Bureau of Land 
                        Management;
                            ``(iii) the Secretary of Transportation; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) the Secretary of Energy.
                    ``(C) Inclusions.--A review under this paragraph 
                shall include a review of--
                            ``(i) the total volume of coal production 
                        from Federal land;
                            ``(ii) the total volume of remaining coal 
                        reserves on Federal land;
                            ``(iii) the total revenues generated from 
                        the Federal coal program, itemized by type of 
                        revenue, including lease bonus payments and 
                        royalties;
                            ``(iv) market prices for coal;
                            ``(v) market prices for transportation 
                        costs and any other deductible costs; and
                            ``(vi) the appropriateness of royalty 
                        rates.
                    ``(D) Format.--The Comptroller General shall report 
                information in a review under this paragraph--
                            ``(i) in the aggregate for the United 
                        States; and
                            ``(ii) categorized by State for at least 
                        the top 10 Federal coal-producing States, as 
                        determined by the Comptroller General.
            ``(9) Application.--This subsection--
                    ``(A) applies to coal mined from Federal land; and
                    ``(B) does not apply to coal mined from tribal 
                land.''.

SOLUTION:
Coal Royalty Fairness Act of 2015 Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require the coal lease royalty to be at least 12.5% of the assessment value of federal coal (currently, 12.5% of the value of coal as defined by regulation), which value shall be established by the Secretary of the Interior within one year after enactment of this Act.  Defines "assessment value" as: (1) the price of federal coal paid by the purchaser at final sale, or (2) a price imputed by the Secretary based on the coal price index. Defines "coal price index" as the schedule of average market prices of federal coal paid by the purchaser at final sale, based on the quality and type of the federal coal, as determined by the Secretary. Directs the purchaser of federal coal to annually submit a report containing such information as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to examine the records of any person engaged in the purchase, sale, transportation, or marketing of federal coal. Directs the Secretary to: (1) compile the assessment values of coal by type and quality of coal in the coal price index, and (2) publish such index at least quarterly.  Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) determining and assessing royalties for the export of federal coal, (2) compiling in a transportation cost index the average costs of transporting coal, and (3) determining the amount of any applicable transportation cost deduction on the basis of such index. Requires the Secretary to publish such index at least twice annually. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress every 3 years over a 15-year period on a review of the federal coal program.