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 ``Fostering Our Future Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO COURTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 13712(b) of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 629b) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(b) Eligibility.--In order to be eligible for a grant under this 
section:
            ``(1) Application.--A highest State court shall submit to 
        the Secretary an application at such time, in such form, and 
        including such information and assurances as the Secretary 
        shall require.
            ``(2) Measures of court performance.--There shall be in 
        effect in the State such laws and procedures as are necessary 
        to ensure that the courts of the State measure the following 
        with respect to children under the jurisdiction of the courts:
                    ``(A) The percentage of children who do not have a 
                subsequent petition of maltreatment filed in court 
                after the initial such petition is filed.
                    ``(B) The percentage of children who are the 
                subject of additional allegations of maltreatment 
                within 12 months after the original petition was 
                closed.
                    ``(C) The percentages of children who reach legal 
                permanency within 6 months after removal, within 12 
                months thereafter, within 18 months thereafter, and 
                within 24 months thereafter.
                    ``(D) The percentage of children who do not reach 
                permanency in the foster care system.
                    ``(E) The percentages of children who re-enter 
                foster care pursuant to court order within 12 months 
                after being returned to their families, and within 24 
                months thereafter.
                    ``(F) The percentages of children who return to 
                foster care pursuant to court order within 12 months 
                after being adopted or placed with an individual or 
                couple who are permanent guardians, and within 24 
                months thereafter.
                    ``(G) The percentages of children who are 
                transferred among 1, 2, 3, or more placements while 
                under court jurisdiction, distinguishing, where 
                possible, between placements in and out of a child's 
                own home from multiple placements in a variety of 
                environments.
                    ``(H) The percentage of cases in which both parents 
                receive written service of process within the required 
                time standards or where notice of hearing has been 
                waived by parties.
                    ``(I) The percentage of cases in which there is 
                documentation that timely and proper notice is given to 
                parties in advance of the next hearing.
                    ``(J) The percentage of cases in which children who 
                have attained 10 years of age receive notice of the 
                legal proceedings in their dependency case; the 
                percentage of cases in which children who have attained 
                10 years of age are present in court and afforded an 
                opportunity to be heard in their own cases; and the 
                percentage of cases in which children have legal 
                representation.
                    ``(K) The percentage of cases in which the court 
                reviews case plans within established time guidelines.
                    ``(L) The percentage of children receiving legal 
                counsel, guardians ad litem, or court-appointed special 
                advocates before the preliminary protective hearing or 
                equivalent, with separate measures of the percentages 
                of each type of representation and of whether the 
                representation was received within established time 
                guidelines, within 5 days after the adoption petition 
                is filed, within 6 through 10 days after the filing, 
                and within more than 10 days after the filing.
                    ``(M) The percentage of cases in which counsel for 
                parents are appointed before the preliminary protective 
                hearing or equivalent, with separate measures of the 
                percentages in which such appointments are made within 
                established time guidelines, within 5 days after the 
                adoption petition is filed, within 6 through 10 days 
                after the filing, and within more than 10 days after 
                the filing.
                    ``(N) The percentage of cases in which legal 
                counsel for children is appointed on or before the 
                first court appearance, and the percentage of cases in 
                which legal counsel for children changes, and the 
                number of changes involved.
                    ``(O) The percentage of cases in which legal 
                counsel for parents changes, and the number of changes 
                involved.
                    ``(P) The percentage of cases in which legal 
                counsel for parents, children, and agencies are present 
                at each hearing.
                    ``(Q) The percentages of children for whom all 
                hearings are heard by 1 or more judicial officers, and 
                the number of judicial officers hearing the case.
                    ``(R) The average and median times from filing the 
                original petition to adjudication.
                    ``(S) The average and median times from filing the 
                original petition to disposition.
                    ``(T) The percentages of cases that are adjudicated 
                within 30 days after the filing of the dependency 
                petition, within 60 days thereafter, and within 90 days 
                thereafter.
                    ``(U) The percentages of cases that receive a 
                disposition within 10 days after the dependency 
                adjudication, within 30 days thereafter, and within 90 
                days thereafter.
                    ``(V) The percentage of cases where children are 
                successfully served in the home and not detained; the 
                average and median times to reunification; and the 
                percentage of cases where children are not successfully 
                reunified.
                    ``(W) The average and median times from the filing 
                of the original petition to permanent placement.
                    ``(X) The average and median times from the filing 
                of the original petition to finalized termination of 
                parental rights.
                    ``(Y) The percentages of cases for which the 
                termination petition is filed within 3 months after the 
                dependency disposition, within 6 months thereafter, 
                within 12 months thereafter, and within 18 months 
                thereafter.
                    ``(Z) The percentage of cases that receive a 
                termination order within 30 days after the filing of 
                the termination petition, within 90 days thereafter, 
                within 120 days thereafter, and within 180 days 
                thereafter.
                    ``(AA) The percentages of cases for which an 
                adoption petition is filed within 1 month after the 
                termination order, within 3 months thereafter, and 
                within 6 months thereafter.
                    ``(BB) The percentages of cases for which the 
                adoption is finalized within 1 month after the adoption 
                petition is filed, within 3 months thereafter, within 6 
                months thereafter, and within 12 months thereafter.
                    ``(CC) The percentage of hearings (by hearing type) 
                not completed within timeframes set forth in statute or 
                court rules, including, where possible, the reason for 
                noncompletion.''.
    (b) Student Loan Repayment for Family Law, Dependency, and Domestic 
Relations Attorneys.--
            (1) In general.--The Higher Education Act of 1965 is 
        amended by inserting after section 428K (20 U.S.C. 1078-11) the 
        following new section:

``SEC. 428L. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR FAMILY LAW, DEPENDENCY, AND DOMESTIC 
              RELATIONS ATTORNEYS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to encourage 
qualified individuals to enter and continue employment as family law, 
dependency, and domestic relations attorneys.
    ``(b) Loan Forgiveness.--
            ``(1) Loan forgiveness authorized.--The Secretary is 
        authorized to forgive, in accordance with this section and the 
        agreement described in subsection (e), the student loan debt of 
        an eligible borrower in the amount specified in subsection (d) 
        and for the period specified in such agreement.
            ``(2) Method of loan forgiveness.--To provide the loan 
        forgiveness authorized in paragraph (1), the Secretary is 
        authorized to carry out a program--
                    ``(A) through the holder of the loan, to assume the 
                obligation to repay a qualified loan amount for a loan 
                made under part B of this title; and
                    ``(B) to cancel a qualified loan amount for a loan 
                made under part D of this title.
    ``(c) Eligible Borrower.--The Secretary is authorized to provided 
loan forgiveness under this section to any individual who--
            ``(1) is employed full-time as a family law, dependency, or 
        domestic relations attorney; and
            ``(2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower 
        seeks forgiveness.
    ``(d) Loan Forgiveness Amount.--The Secretary may, from funds 
appropriated under subsection (l), forgive the loan obligation of an 
eligible borrower in accordance with such terms, limitations, and 
conditions as may be mutually agreed upon by such borrower and the 
Secretary in the agreement described in subsection (e), except that the 
amount paid by the Secretary under this section shall not exceed--
            ``(1) $6,000 in any calendar year for any borrower; or
            ``(2) $50,000 in the aggregate for any borrower.
    ``(e) Loan Forgiveness Agreement.--
            ``(1) Terms of agreement.--The Secretary shall not provide 
        loan forgiveness to an eligible borrower unless the borrower 
        enters into a written agreement with the Secretary which 
        provides that--
                    ``(A) the borrower shall remain employed full-time 
                as a family law, dependency, or domestic relations 
                attorney for a period of service specified in the 
                agreement (but not less than 3 years), unless 
                involuntarily separated from that employment;
                    ``(B) if the borrower is involuntarily separated 
                from the employment described in subparagraph (A) on 
                account of misconduct, or voluntarily separates from 
                that employment, before the end of the period specified 
                in the agreement, the borrower shall repay the 
                Secretary the amount of any benefits received by such 
                borrower under this section;
                    ``(C) if the borrower is required to repay an 
                amount to the Secretary under subparagraph (B) and 
                fails to repay such amount, a sum equal to such amount 
                shall be recoverable by the Government from the 
                borrower (or such borrower's estate, if applicable) by 
                such method as is provided by law for the recovery of 
                amounts owing to the Government;
                    ``(D) the Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, 
                a right of recovery under this subsection if it is 
                shown that recovery would be against equity and good 
                conscience or against the public interest; and
                    ``(E) the Secretary shall provide loan forgiveness 
                under this section for the period of the agreement, 
                subject to the availability of appropriations.
            ``(2) Agreement renewal.--Upon completion by an eligible 
        borrower of the period of service required under the agreement 
        described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may renew such 
        agreement with the eligible borrower for a successive period of 
        service to be specified in the renewed agreement (which may be 
        less than 3 years).
    ``(f) Repayments by Borrowers.--Any amount repaid by, or recovered 
from, a borrower (or a borrower's estate) under subsection (e)(1)(B) 
shall be credited to the appropriation account from which the loan 
forgiveness amount involved was originally paid. Any amount so credited 
shall be merged with other sums in such account and shall be available 
for the same purposes and period, and subject to the same limitations 
(if any), as the sums with which the amount was merged.
    ``(g) Application for Loan Forgiveness.--An eligible borrower 
desiring loan forgiveness under this section shall submit a complete 
and accurate application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(h) Priority.--The Secretary shall provide loan forgiveness under 
this section on a first-come, first-served basis, and subject to the 
availability of appropriations.
    ``(i) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
section.
    ``(j) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
authorize the refunding of any repayment of any loan made by a borrower 
prior to the date on which the Secretary entered into an agreement with 
the borrower under subsection (e).
    ``(k) Definition.--In this section the term `family law, 
dependency, or domestic relations attorney' means an attorney who works 
in the field of family law, dependency, or domestic relations, 
including juvenile justice, truancy, child abuse or neglect, adoption, 
domestic relations, child support, paternity, and other areas which 
fall under the field of family law, dependency, or domestic relations 
law as determined by State law.
    ``(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 5 succeeding fiscal 
years.''.
            (2) Cancellation of loans.--
                    (A) Amendment.--Section 465(a)(2)(F) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ee(a)(2)(F)) is 
                amended by inserting ``, or as a full-time family law, 
                dependency, or domestic relations attorney (as defined 
                in section 428L)'' after ``agencies''.
                    (B) Effective date.--The amendment made by this 
                paragraph shall apply to--
                            (i) eligible loans made before, on, or 
                        after the date of enactment of this Act; and
                            (ii) service as a family law, dependency, 
                        or domestic relations attorney that is provided 
                        on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
                    (C) Construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall 
                be construed to authorize the refunding of any 
                repayment of a loan made by a borrower prior to the 
                date on which the borrower became eligible for 
                cancellation under section 465(a) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ee(a)).
    (c) GAO Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall conduct a study that compares States with respect 
        to each of the following:
                    (A) The legal representation provided for children.
                    (B) Children's participation in their own cases.
                    (C) Preparation of dependency court judges.
                    (D) Case tracking and performance measurement.
                    (E) Statewide collaborative foster care councils.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to 
        the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives 
        a written report that contains the results of the study 
        required by paragraph (1).
    (d) Sense of the Congress With Respect to Court Accountability for 
Improved Child Outcomes.--It is the sense of the Congress that State 
judicial leadership should use the measures of court performance 
described in section 13712(b)(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 
Act of 1993 (as amended by subsection (a) of this section) to ensure 
accountability by every court for improved outcomes for children, and 
to inform decisions about allocating resources across the court system.
    (e) Sense of the Congress With Respect to the Organization of State 
Dependency Courts.--It is the sense of the Congress that State courts 
should be organized to enable children and parents to have legal 
representation and participate in a meaningful way in their own court 
proceedings.
    (f) Sense of the Congress With Respect to Building the Pool of 
Attorneys Qualified to Handle Cases in Dependency Courts.--It is the 
sense of the Congress that law schools, bar associations, and law firms 
should help build the pool of qualified attorneys available to children 
and parents in dependency courts.
    (g) Sense of the Congress With Respect to Training, Caseloads, and 
Compensation of Attorneys for Children.--It is the sense of the 
Congress that attorneys for children should have adequate training, 
reasonable caseloads, and receive reasonable and adequate compensation.

SOLUTION: Fostering Our Future Act of 2006 - Amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 to require, for grants to the highest state courts for foster care proceedings, that the state in which the courts are located has laws and procedures in effect that will ensure that the courts measure their performance with respect to children under the court's jurisdiction.

 Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Education to forgive the student loan debt of a borrower who: (1) enters a written agreement with the Secretary to remain employed full-time as a family law, dependency, or domestic relations attorney for at least three years; and (2) is not in default on a loan for which the borrower seeks forgiveness. Limits the amount that the Secretary may pay to no more than $6,000 in any year for any borrower or $50,000 in the aggregate for any borrower. Authorizes the Secretary to renew such agreements.

 Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comparative study of state dependency courts and foster care systems.

 Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) court accountability for improved child outcomes; (2) the organization of state dependency courts; (3) building the pool of attorneys qualified to handle cases in dependency courts; and (4) training, caseloads, and compensation of attorneys for children.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 
2001''.

SEC. 2. CREDIT FOR EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN 
              HIGHLY SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

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

``SEC. 45E. EXPENSES FOR LONG-TERM TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES IN HIGHLY 
              SKILLED SMALL BUSINESS TRADES.

    ``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, in the case of a 
small business employer, the highly skilled trades training credit 
determined under this section for the taxable year is $15,000 for each 
employee having a qualified training year ending with or within such 
taxable year (whether or not such employee is an employee of the 
taxpayer as of the close of such taxable year).
    ``(b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Small business employer.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `small business 
                employer' means, with respect to any taxable year, any 
                employer who employed an average of 250 or fewer 
                employees on business days during such taxable year.
                    ``(B) Controlled groups.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), all persons treated as a single 
                employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of 
                section 414 shall be treated as a single employer.
            ``(2) Qualified training year.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified training 
                year' means each year during the training period in 
                which the employee received at least 1,500 hours of 
                training (including on-the-job training and training at 
                multi-employer training facilities) from the taxpayer 
                (or any predecessor) under a qualified training program 
                as an apprentice in any highly skilled trade.
                    ``(B) Highly skilled trades.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `highly skilled trades' 
                means--
                            ``(i) precision machinists,
                            ``(ii) die makers,
                            ``(iii) mold makers,
                            ``(iv) tool and die designers,
                            ``(v) heating, ventilating, air 
                        conditioning, refrigeration, and roofing 
                        contractors,
                            ``(vi) the trade of masonry,
                            ``(vii) plumbers,
                            ``(viii) pipefitters,
                            ``(ix) patternmakers,
                            ``(x) foundry technicians,
                            ``(xi) electricians,
                            ``(xii) recreational marine production and 
                        design workers,
                            ``(xiii) 2-way radio technicians,
                            ``(xiv) welders,
                            ``(xv) shipfitters,
                            ``(xvi) propellor machinists,
                            ``(xvii) electronic instrumentation 
                        specialists, and
                            ``(xviii) other highly skilled trades 
                        specified in regulations prescribed by the 
                        Secretary.
                Such term shall not include any trade if the customary 
                apprenticeship period for such trade is less than 2 
                years.
                    ``(C) Qualified training program.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The term `qualified 
                        training program' means a written plan of study 
                        and training for individuals in, or entering 
                        into, highly skilled trades.
                            ``(ii) Description of programs.--A plan 
                        under clause (i) must be a program described in 
                        one of the following subclauses:
                                    ``(I) An apprenticeship program 
                                registered and certified with the 
                                Secretary of Labor under section 1 of 
                                the National Apprenticeship Act (29 
                                U.S.C. 50).
                                    ``(II) A program licensed, 
                                registered, or certified by the 
                                workforce investment board or 
                                apprenticeship agency or council of a 
                                State or administered in compliance 
                                with apprenticeship laws of a State.
                                    ``(III) A program conducted by a 
                                vocational or technical education 
                                school, community college, or 
                                industrial or trade training 
                                organization.
                                    ``(IV) A program which conforms to 
                                apprentice training programs developed 
                                or administered by an employer trade 
                                group or committee.
                                    ``(V) An industry sponsored or 
                                administered program which is clearly 
                                identified and commonly 
recognized within an industry and which meets the requirements of 
clause (iii).
                            ``(iii) Requirements.--A program meets the 
                        requirements of this clause if such program--
                                    ``(I) is accessible to individuals 
                                without discrimination on the basis of 
                                race, sex, color, religion, or national 
                                origin,
                                    ``(II) provides an overview of the 
                                trade, including the history and modern 
                                developments in such trade,
                                    ``(III) provides related 
                                instruction of the fundamental, 
                                intermediate, and advanced skills, 
                                techniques, and materials of the trade,
                                    ``(IV) provides training in math, 
                                measurement, and blueprint reading 
                                skills, if such skills are required in 
                                the trade,
                                    ``(V) provides training on trade 
                                specific tools and equipment,
                                    ``(VI) provides on-the-job training 
                                which allows performance of work under 
                                close supervision of an instructor or 
                                skilled worker, and
                                    ``(VII) provides periodic review 
                                and evaluation of participants to 
                                demonstrate proficiency in skills, 
                                including the use of tests and 
                                assessment of individual and group 
                                projects.
            ``(3) Training period.--The term `training period' means, 
        with respect to an employee, the period--
                    ``(A) beginning on the date that the employee 
                begins employment with the taxpayer as an apprentice in 
                the highly skilled trade, and
                    ``(B) ending on the earlier of--
                            ``(i) the date that such apprenticeship 
                        with the employer ends, or
                            ``(ii) the date which is 4 years after the 
                        date referred to in subparagraph (A).
    ``(c) Coordination With Other Credits.--The amount of credit 
otherwise allowable under sections 51(a) and 1396(a) with respect to 
any employee shall be reduced by the credit allowed by this section 
with respect to such employee.''.
    (b) Credit Made Part of General Business Credit.--Subsection (b) of 
section 38 of such Code is amended by striking ``plus'' at the end of 
paragraph (12), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (13) and 
inserting ``, plus'', and by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph:
            ``(14) in the case of a small business employer (as defined 
        in section 45E(b)), the highly skilled trades training credit 
        determined under section 45E(a).''.
    (c) Denial of Double Benefit.--Section 280C of such Code is amended 
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(d) Credit for Training Expenses for Employees in Highly Skilled 
Small Business Trades.--No deduction shall be allowed for that portion 
of the expenses otherwise allowable as a deduction for the taxable year 
which is equal to the amount of the credit determined for the taxable 
year under section 45E(a).''.
    (d) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart D of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 45E. Expenses for long-term 
                                        training of employees in highly 
                                        skilled small business 
                                        trades.''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to expenses paid or incurred in the taxable years ending after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.

SOLUTION: Skilled Workforce Enhancement Act of 2001 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide small employers with a highly skilled trades training credit.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Oceans Act of 1998''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Commission on Ocean Policy established under section 4.
            (2) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal State'' means a 
        State in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic 
        Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of 
        the Great Lakes.
            (3) Marine environment.--The term ``marine environment'' 
        includes--
                    (A) the oceans, including coastal and offshore 
                waters and nearshore saltwater estuaries;
                    (B) the continental shelf; and
                    (C) the Great Lakes.
            (4) Ocean and coastal activities.--The term ``ocean and 
        coastal activities'' includes activities consisting of, 
        affecting, or otherwise related to oceanography, fisheries, or 
        the management or use of any ocean and coastal resource. The 
        term does not include military operations and training.
            (5) Ocean and coastal resource.--The term ``ocean and 
        coastal resource'' means any living or nonliving natural, 
        historic, or cultural resource or mineral found in the marine 
        environment.
            (6) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of the 
        United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
        Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
        Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
        territory or possession of the United States.

SEC. 3. EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    (a) National Ocean and Coastal Policy.--The Congress and the 
President, after receiving and considering the report of the Commission 
under section 4, shall develop and propose a coordinated, 
comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the responsible use 
and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the 
United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and 
assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and 
coastal programs.
    (b) Biennial Report.--Beginning in January 1999, the President 
shall transmit to the Congress biennially a report that shall include a 
detailed listing of all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and 
coastal activities, including a description of each program, the 
current funding for the program, and a projection of the funding level 
for the program for each of the following 5 fiscal years.
    (c) Budget Coordination.--Each agency or department involved in 
ocean and coastal activities shall include with its annual request for 
appropriations a report that identifies significant elements of the 
proposed agency or department budget relating to ocean and coastal 
activities.
    (d) Cooperation and Consultation.--In carrying out responsibilities 
under this Act, the President--
            (1) may use such staff, interagency, and advisory 
        arrangements as the President finds necessary and appropriate; 
        and
            (2) shall consult with State and local governments and non-
        Federal organizations and individuals involved in ocean and 
        coastal activities.

SEC. 4. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is hereby established the Commission 
        on Ocean Policy.
            (2) Membership.--(A) The Commission shall be composed of 16 
        members appointed by the President from among individuals who 
        are knowledgeable in ocean and coastal activities, including 
        individuals representing State and local governments, ocean-
        related industries, academic and technical institutions, and 
        public interest organizations involved with scientific, 
        regulatory, economic, and environmental ocean and coastal 
        activities. The membership of the Commission shall be balanced 
        geographically to the extent consistent with maintaining the 
        highest level of expertise on the Commission.
            (B) Of the members of the Commission appointed under this 
        paragraph--
                    (i) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the majority 
                leader of the Senate in consultation with the Chairman 
                of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation;
                    (ii) 4 shall be appointed from a list of 8 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the Speaker of 
                the House of Representatives in consultation with the 
                Chairmen of the Committee on Resources, Transportation 
                and Infrastructure, and Science;
                    (iii) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the minority 
                leader of the Senate in consultation with the ranking 
                member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
                and Transportation; and
                    (iv) 2 shall be appointed from a list of 4 
                individuals who shall be recommended by the by the 
                minority leader of the House of Representatives in 
                consultation with the ranking members of the Committees 
                on Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
                Science.
            (C) The members of the Commission shall be appointed for 
        the life of the Commission by not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act.
            (3) First meeting.--The Commission shall hold its first 
        meeting within 30 days after it is established.
            (4) Chairman.--The Commission shall elect one of its 
        members as Chair.
    (b) Report.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall submit to the 
        Congress and the President, by not later than 18 months after 
        the date of the establishment of the Commission, a final report 
        of its findings and recommendations regarding United States 
        ocean policy.
            (2) Public and state review.--Before submitting the final 
        report to the Congress, the Commission shall--
                    (A) publish in the Federal Register a notice that 
                the draft report is available for public review; and
                    (B) provide a copy of the draft report to the 
                Governor of each coastal State, the Committees on 
                Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and 
                Science of the House of Representatives, and the 
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
                the Senate.
            (3) Final report contents, generally.--Subject to paragraph 
        (4), the final report of the Commission shall include 
        recommendations for the responsible use and stewardship of 
        ocean and coastal resources, including the following:
                    (A) Recommendations for any modifications to United 
                States laws and regulations, and the administrative 
                structure of the Executive agencies, that are necessary 
                to improve the understanding, management, and 
                conservation and use of, and access to, ocean and 
                coastal resources.
                    (B) An assessment of the condition and adequacy of 
                existing and planned facilities associated with ocean 
                and coastal activities, including human resources, 
                vessels, computers, satellites, and other appropriate 
                platforms and technologies, and recommendations for 
                investments and improvements in those facilities.
                    (C) A review of existing and planned ocean and 
                coastal activities of Federal entities, and 
                recommendations for changes in such activities 
                necessary to reduce duplication of Federal efforts.
                    (D) A review of the cumulative effect of Federal 
                laws and regulations on United States ocean policy, an 
                examination of those laws and regulations for 
                inconsistencies and contradictions that might adversely 
                affect the conduct of ocean and coastal activities, and 
                recommendations for resolving any such inconsistencies. 
                In particular, this portion of the report shall include 
                an examination of the relationship between the 
                fisheries development and fisheries conservation 
                responsibilities of the National Marine Fisheries 
                Service.
                    (E) A review of the known and anticipated supply of 
                and demand for ocean and coastal resources of the 
                United States.
                    (F) A review of the relationship between Federal, 
                State, and local governments and the private sector in 
                planning and carrying out ocean and coastal activities, 
                and recommendations for enhancing the role of State and 
                local governments.
                    (G) A review of opportunities for the development 
                of or investment in new products, technologies, or 
                markets related to ocean and coastal activities.
                    (H) A review of previous and ongoing State efforts 
                and Federal efforts to enhance the effectiveness and 
                integration of ocean activities, including those 
                occurring offshore and in nearshore saltwater 
                estuaries.
            (4) State comments.--The Commission shall include in the 
        final report comments received from the Governor of any coastal 
        State regarding recommendations in the draft report that apply 
        to areas within the boundaries of that coastal State.
            (5) Consideration of factors.--In making its assessments 
        and reviews and developing its recommendations, the Commission 
        shall give full and balanced consideration to environmental, 
        technical, economic, and other relevant factors, with an equal 
        opportunity for all parties to present a fair and reasonable 
        case for unbiased consideration by the Commission. All 
        recommendations should consider effects on private property. To 
        the greatest extent possible, no recommendations shall have a 
        negative impact on local economies that are dependent on ocean 
        and coastal resources. Any data used by the Commission in 
        making its recommendations for regulations shall be peer 
        reviewed.
            (6) Limitation on recommendations.--The Commission shall 
        not make any specific recommendations with respect to lands and 
        waters within the boundary of any State located north of 51 
        degrees North latitude, or with respect to lands and waters 
        within the State of Idaho.
    (c) Duties of the Chair.--In carrying out the provisions of this 
section, the Chair of the Commission shall be responsible for--
            (1) the assignment of duties and responsibilities among 
        staff personnel and their continuing supervision; and
            (2) the use and expenditures of funds available to the 
        Commission.
    (d) Compensation.--Members of the Commission shall, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, when engaged in the actual performance 
of duties of the Commission, receive reimbursement of travel expenses, 
including per diem in lieu of subsistence as authorized for persons 
employed intermittently in the Government service under section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code.
    (e) Staff.--
            (1) Executive director.--The Chair of the Commission may, 
        with the consent of the Commission and without regard to the 
        civil service laws and regulations, appoint and terminate an 
        executive director who is knowledgeable in administrative 
        management and ocean and coastal policy and such other 
        additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the 
        Commission to perform its duties.
            (2) Compensation.--The executive director shall, subject to 
        the availability of appropriations, be compensated at a rate 
        not to exceed the rate payable for Level V of the Executive 
        Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code. The 
        Chairman may fix the compensation of other personnel without 
        regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of 
        chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, relating to 
        classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, 
        except that the rate of pay for such personnel may not exceed 
        the rate payable for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule 
        under section 5332 of such title.
            (3) Detailees.--Upon a request of the Chair of the 
        Commission made after consulting with the head of any Federal 
        agencies responsible for managing ocean and coastal resources, 
        the head of any such Federal agency may detail appropriate 
        personnel of the agency to the Commission to assist the 
        Commission in carrying out its functions under this Act. 
        Federal Government employees detailed to the Commission shall 
        serve without reimbursement from the Commission, and shall 
        retain the rights, status, and privileges of his or her regular 
        employment without interruption.
            (4) Experts and consultants.--To the extent that funds are 
        available, and subject to such rules as may be prescribed by 
        the Commission, the executive director of the Commission may 
        procure the temporary and intermittent services of experts and 
        consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United 
        States Code, but at rates not to exceed the daily rate payable 
        for GS-15, step 7, of the General Schedule under section 5332 
        of title 5, United States Code.
    (f) Administration.--
            (1) Meetings.--All meetings of the Commission shall be open 
        to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may 
        be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information 
        described in section 552b(c) of title 5, United States Code. 
        Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open 
        meetings and present written statements or oral statements at 
        the discretion of the Commission on the subject matter of the 
        meeting. The Commission may administer oaths or affirmations to 
        any person appearing before it.
            (2) Notice of meetings.--All open meetings of the 
        Commission shall be preceded by timely public notice, including 
        notice in the Federal Register, of the time, place, and subject 
        of the meeting.
            (3) Minutes and other records.--(A) Minutes of each meeting 
        shall be kept and shall contain a record of the people present, 
        a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of 
        all statements filed. Subject to restrictions set forth in 
        section 552 of title 5, United States Code, the minutes and 
        records of all meetings and other documents that were made 
        available to or prepared for the Commission shall be available 
        for public inspection and copying at a single location in the 
        offices of the Commission.
            (B) The Commission shall have at least one meeting in each 
        of the following 6 geographic regions of the United States:
                    (i) The Northeast.
                    (ii) The Southeast.
                    (iii) The Southwest.
                    (iv) The Northwest.
                    (v) The Great Lakes States.
                    (vi) The Gulf of Mexico States.
    (g) Cooperation With Other Federal Entities.--
            (1) Other federal agencies and departments.--The Commission 
        may secure directly from any Federal agency or department any 
        information it considers necessary to carry out its functions 
        under this Act. Each such agency or department may cooperate 
        with the Commission and, to the extent permitted by law, 
        furnish such information to the Commission, upon the request of 
        the Chair of the Commission.
            (2) Mails.--The Commission may use the United States mails 
        in the same manner and under the same conditions as departments 
        and agencies of the United States.
            (3) Acquisitions.--The Commission may enter into contracts 
        with Federal and State agencies, private firms, institutions, 
        and individuals to assist the Commission in carrying out its 
        duties. The Commission may purchase and contract without regard 
        to section 18 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act 
        (41 U.S.C. 416) and section 8 of the Small Business Act (15 
        U.S.C. 637), pertaining to competition and publication 
        requirements, and may arrange for printing without regard to 
        the provisions of title 44, United States Code. The contracting 
        authority of the Commission under this Act is effective only to 
        the extent that appropriations are available for contracting 
        purposes.
    (h) Termination.--The Commission shall cease to exist 30 days after 
the date on which it submits its final report.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to support the activities of the Commission $2,000,000 for 
fiscal year 1999 and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2000. Any sums 
appropriated may remain available without fiscal year limitation until 
the Commission ceases to exist.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 15, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.

SOLUTION:
Oceans Act of 1998 - Requires that the Congress and the President, after considering the Commission report under this Act, develop a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy for the use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of the United States, including a plan to meet the resource monitoring and assessment facilities and equipment requirements of Federal ocean and coastal programs.  Mandates a biennial report by the President to the Congress listing all existing Federal programs relating to ocean and coastal activities.  Requires each agency or department involved in ocean and coastal activities to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying elements of its budget relating to ocean and coastal activities. 
Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy and requires it to report to the Congress and the President regarding U.S. ocean policy. Requires opening the draft report for public comment before submitting the final report.  Prohibits Commission recommendations regarding lands and waters within:  (1) the boundary of any State north of 51 degrees North latitude; or (2) the State of Idaho.  Terminates the Commission after submission of its final report.  Authorizes appropriations.