In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage 
Hydropower Act''.

SEC. 2. CLOSED-LOOP PUMPED STORAGE PROJECTS.

    Part I of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 792 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 34. CLOSED-LOOP PUMPED STORAGE PROJECTS.

    ``(a) Expedited Licensing Process for Closed-Loop Pumped Storage 
Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--As provided in this section, the 
        Commission may issue and amend licenses and preliminary 
        permits, as appropriate, for closed-loop pumped storage 
        projects.
            ``(2) Rule.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Commission shall issue a rule 
        establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending 
        licenses and preliminary permits for closed-loop pumped storage 
        projects under this section.
            ``(3) Interagency task force.--In establishing the 
        expedited process under this section, the Commission shall 
        convene an interagency task force, with appropriate Federal and 
        State agencies and Indian tribes represented, to coordinate the 
        regulatory processes associated with the authorizations 
        required to construct and operate closed-loop pumped storage 
        projects.
            ``(4) Length of process.--The Commission shall ensure that 
        the expedited process under this section will result in final 
        decision on an application for a license by not later than 2 
        years after receipt of a completed application for such 
        license.
    ``(b) Dam Safety.--Before issuing any license for a closed-loop 
pumped storage project, the Commission shall assess the safety of 
existing dams and other structures related to the project (including 
possible consequences associated with failure of such structures).
    ``(c) Exemptions From Other Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--In issuing or amending a license or 
        preliminary permit pursuant to the expedited process 
        established under this section, the Commission may grant an 
        exemption from any other requirement of this part with respect 
        to any part of the closed-loop pumped storage project (not 
        including any dam or other impoundment).
            ``(2) Consultation.--In granting an exemption under 
        paragraph (1), the Commission shall consult with the United 
        States Fish and Wildlife Service and the State agency 
        exercising administration over the fish and wildlife resources 
        of the State in which the closed-loop pumped storage project is 
        or will be located, in the manner provided by the Fish and 
        Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
            ``(3) Terms and conditions.--In granting an exemption under 
        paragraph (1), the Commission shall include in any such 
        exemption--
                    ``(A) such terms and conditions as the Fish and 
                Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
                and the State agency described in paragraph (2) each 
                determine are appropriate to prevent loss of, or damage 
                to, fish and wildlife resources and to otherwise carry 
                out the purposes of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination 
                Act; and
                    ``(B) such terms and conditions as the Commission 
                deems appropriate to ensure that such closed-loop 
                pumped storage project continues to comply with the 
                provisions of this section and terms and conditions 
                included in any such exemption.
            ``(4) Fees.--The Commission, in addition to the 
        requirements of section 10(e), shall establish fees which shall 
        be paid by an applicant for a license for a closed-loop pumped 
        storage project that is required to meet terms and conditions 
        set by fish and wildlife agencies under paragraph (3). Such 
        fees shall be adequate to reimburse the fish and wildlife 
        agencies referred to in paragraph (3) for any reasonable costs 
        incurred in connection with any studies or other reviews 
        carried out by such agencies for purposes of compliance with 
        this section. The fees shall, subject to annual appropriations 
        Acts, be transferred to such agencies by the Commission for use 
        solely for purposes of carrying out such studies and shall 
        remain available until expended.
    ``(d) Transfers.--Notwithstanding section 5, and regardless of 
whether the holder of a preliminary permit for a closed-loop pumped 
storage project claimed municipal preference under section 7(a) when 
obtaining the permit, the Commission may, to facilitate development of 
a closed-loop pumped storage project--
            ``(1) add entities as joint permittees following issuance 
        of a preliminary permit; and
            ``(2) transfer a license in part to one or more 
        nonmunicipal entities as co-licensees with a municipality, if 
        the municipality retains majority ownership of the project for 
        which the license was issued.
    ``(e) Interagency Communications.--Interagency cooperation in the 
preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an 
application for a license for a closed-loop pumped storage project 
submitted pursuant to this section, and interagency communications 
relating to licensing process coordination pursuant to this section, 
shall not--
            ``(1) be considered to be ex parte communications under 
        Commission rules; or
            ``(2) preclude an agency from participating in a licensing 
        proceeding under this part.
    ``(f) Developing Abandoned Mines for Pumped Storage.--
            ``(1) Workshop.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Commission shall hold a workshop 
        to explore potential opportunities for development of closed-
        loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.
            ``(2) Guidance.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Commission shall issue guidance 
        to assist applicants for licenses or preliminary permits for 
        closed-loop pumped storage projects at abandoned mine sites.
    ``(g) Qualifying Criteria for Closed-Loop Pumped Storage 
Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall establish criteria 
        that a pumped storage project shall meet in order to qualify as 
        a closed-loop pumped storage project eligible for the expedited 
        process established under this section.
            ``(2) Inclusions.--In establishing the criteria under 
        paragraph (1), the Commission shall include criteria requiring 
        that the pumped storage project--
                    ``(A) cause little to no change to existing surface 
                and groundwater flows and uses; and
                    ``(B) is unlikely to adversely affect species 
                listed as a threatened species or endangered species 
                under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.''.

SEC. 3. OBLIGATION FOR PAYMENT OF ANNUAL CHARGES.

    Section 10(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(e)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(5) Any obligation of a licensee for payment of annual charges 
under this subsection shall commence when the construction of the 
applicable facility commences.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 12, 2017.

            Attest:

                                                 KAREN L. HAAS,

                                                                 Clerk.

Ex Output:
Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act (Sec.2)This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish an expedited licensing process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for closed-loop pumped storage projects (in which the upper and lower reservoirs do not impound or directly withdraw water from navigable waters, or that are not continuously connected to a naturally flowing water feature). In establishing the expedited process, FERC shall convene an interagency task force with appropriate federal and state agencies and Indian tribes to coordinate the regulatory process associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate closed-loop pumped storage projects. FERC must assess the safety of existing dams and other structures related to the project before issuing any license for a closed-loop storage project. FERC must hold a workshop to explore potential opportunities for development of storage projects at abandoned mine sites. FERC must also establish criteria that a project shall meet to qualify as a closed-loop pumped storage under this bill, including requiring that the project cause little to no change to existing surface and groundwater flows and uses and that the project is unlikely to adversely affect species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. (Sec.3)Licensees are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.


Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act''.

SEC. 2. LIMITATION OF CUSTOMS AND TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THE TORT CLAIMS 
              PROCEDURES.

    Section 2680(c) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
striking ``law-enforcement officer'' and inserting ``law enforcement 
officer, except that this chapter and section 1346(b) shall apply to a 
claim based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods or 
merchandise (including real property) while in the possession of an 
officer of customs or excise or any other law enforcement officer''.

SEC. 3. LONGER PERIOD FOR FILING CLAIMS IN CERTAIN IN REM PROCEEDINGS.

    Rule C(6) of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and 
Maritime Claims to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures (28 U.S.C. 
App.) is amended by striking ``10 days'' and inserting ``60 days''.

SEC. 4. CLAIM AFTER SEIZURE.

    Section 608 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1608) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 608. SEIZURE; CLAIMS; REPRESENTATION.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Filing of claim.--At any time within 60 days after 
        the date on which a notice of seizure is first published, a 
        person who claims a vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or 
        baggage seized under a law described in section 605 may file 
        with the appropriate customs officer a claim stating the 
        person's interest in the property.
            ``(2) Condemnation.--On filing of a claim under paragraph 
        (1), the customs officer shall transmit the claim, with a 
        duplicate list and description of the articles seized, to the 
        United States attorney for the district in which the seizure 
        was made, who shall proceed to a condemnation of the 
        merchandise or other property in the manner prescribed by law.
    ``(b) Court-Appointed Counsel.--
            ``(1) In general.--If a person filing a claim under 
        subsection (a), or a claim regarding property seized under 
        another law that incorporates by reference the seizure, 
        forfeiture, and condemnation procedures of the customs laws, is 
        financially unable to obtain representation of counsel, the 
        court may appoint appropriate counsel to represent the person 
        with respect to the claim.
            ``(2) Compensation.--(A) The court shall set the 
        compensation for counsel appointed under paragraph (1) in an 
        amount that is equivalent to that provided for counsel 
        appointed under section 3006A of title 18, United States Code.
            ``(B) Compensation of counsel appointed under paragraph (1) 
        shall be paid from the Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund 
        established under section 524 of title 28, United States 
        Code.''.

SEC. 5. BURDEN OF PROOF IN FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS.

    Section 615 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1615) is amended 
to read as follows:

``SEC. 615. BURDEN OF PROOF IN FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS.

    ``(a) In General.--In a suit or action described in subsection (b), 
the burden of proof is on the Government to establish by clear and 
convincing evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture.
    ``(b) Suits and Actions Described.--A suit or action is described 
in this subsection if it is--
            ``(1) a suit or action (other than a suit or action arising 
        under section 592) brought for the forfeiture of a vessel, 
        vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under any law 
        relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage; or
            ``(2) a suit or action brought for the recovery of the 
        value of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or 
        baggage, because of a violation of that law.''.

SEC. 6. RELEASE OF SEIZED PROPERTY FOR SUBSTANTIAL HARDSHIP.

    Section 614 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1614) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(a) Release Upon Payment.--'' before 
        ``If''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Release of Seized Property for Substantial Hardship.--
            ``(1) Request for release.--(A) A claimant is entitled to 
        immediate release of seized property if continued possession by 
        the Government would cause the claimant substantial hardship.
            ``(B) A claimant seeking release of property under this 
        subsection shall--
                    ``(i) request possession of the property from the 
                appropriate customs officer; and
                    ``(ii) state in the request the basis for such 
                release.
            ``(2) Civil action.--(A) If, within 10 days after the date 
        on which a request is made under paragraph (1), the subject 
        property has not been released, the claimant may file a 
        complaint in any district court that would have jurisdiction 
        over forfeiture proceedings relating to the property.
            ``(B) A complaint under subparagraph (B) shall state--
                    ``(i) the nature of the claim to the seized 
                property;
                    ``(ii) the reason why the continued possession by 
                the United States Government pending the final 
                disposition of forfeiture proceedings will cause 
                substantial hardship to the claimant; and
                    ``(iii) the steps that the claimant has taken to 
                secure release of the property from the appropriate 
                customs officer.
            ``(3) Return of property.--If a complaint is filed under 
        paragraph (2), the district court shall order that the property 
        be returned to the claimant, pending completion of proceedings 
        by the United States Government to obtain forfeiture of the 
        property, if the claimant shows that--
                    ``(A) the claimant is likely to demonstrate a 
                possessory interest in the seized property; and
                    ``(B) continued possession by the United States 
                Government of the seized property is likely to cause 
                substantial hardship to the claimant.
            ``(4) Conditions.--The court may place such conditions on 
        release of the property as the court finds are appropriate to 
        preserve the availability of the property or its equivalent for 
        forfeiture.
            ``(5) Time for decision.--The district court shall render a 
        decision on a complaint filed under paragraph (2) no later than 
        30 days after the date of the filing, unless such 30-day 
        limitation is extended by consent of the parties or by the 
        court for good cause shown.''.

SEC. 7. JUSTICE ASSETS FORFEITURE FUND.

    Section 524(c) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) by 
                striking ``law enforcement'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as 
                subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; and
                    (C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the 
                following new subparagraph:
            ``(H) payment of court-awarded compensation for 
        representation of claimants pursuant to section 608(b) of the 
        Tariff Act of 1930;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking ``(H)'' and inserting 
        ``(I)''.

SEC. 8. CLARIFICATION REGARDING FORFEITURES UNDER THE CONTROLLED 
              SUBSTANCES ACT.

    Section 511(a)(7) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 
881(a)(7)) is amended by striking ``without the knowledge or consent of 
that owner'' and inserting ``either without the knowledge of that owner 
or without the consent of that owner''.

SEC. 9. APPLICABILITY.

    The amendments made by this Act apply with respect to claims filed 
under section 608 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and suits and actions filed 
under section 615 of that Act on or after the date of enactment of this 
Act.

Ex Output:
Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act - Amends the Federal judicial code to exclude from the customs and tax exemption under tort claims procedures a claim based on the negligent destruction, injury, or loss of goods or merchandise (including real property) while in the possession of a customs or other law enforcement officer. 
Extends the period for filing claims in certain in rem proceedings. 
Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to provide that:  (1) in all suits or actions brought for the forfeiture of any vessel, vehicle, aircraft, merchandise, or baggage seized under the provisions of any law relating to the collection of duties on imports or tonnage, with exceptions, and for the recovery of the value of any forfeited property because of violation of any such law, the burden of proof is on the Government to establish by clear and convincing evidence that the property was subject to forfeiture; (2) any person claiming such property may at any time within 60 days from the date of the first publication of the notice of seizure file a claim with the appropriate customs officer, who shall transmit such claim to the U.S. attorney for the district in which seizure was made; and (3) if the person filing such claim (or a claim regarding seized property under any other provision of law that incorporates by reference the seizure, forfeiture, and condemnation procedures of the customs laws) is financially unable to obtain representation, the court may appoint counsel, subject to specified requirements. 
Specifies that a claimant is entitled to immediate release of seized property if continued possession by the Government would cause the claimant substantial hardship.  Sets forth procedures regarding the request for release, return of property, and time for decision by the court on a complaint for such return. 
Makes sums in the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund available for the payment of court-awarded compensation for representation of claimants under the Tariff Act, with respect to seizure claims by individuals financially unable to obtain representation of counsel.


Ex Input:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Continuity in Representation Act of 
2005''.

SEC. 2. REQUIRING SPECIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD TO FILL VACANCIES IN THE 
              HOUSE IN EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.

    Section 26 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (2 U.S.C. 
8) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The time'' and inserting ``(a) In 
        General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the time''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(b) Special Rules in Extraordinary Circumstances.--
            ``(1) In general.--In extraordinary circumstances, the 
        executive authority of any State in which a vacancy exists in 
        its representation in the House of Representatives shall issue 
        a writ of election to fill such vacancy by special election.
            ``(2) Timing of special election.--A special election held 
        under this subsection to fill a vacancy shall take place not 
        later than 49 days after the Speaker of the House of 
        Representatives announces that the vacancy exists, unless, 
        during the 75-day period which begins on the date of the 
        announcement of the vacancy--
                    ``(A) a regularly scheduled general election for 
                the office involved is to be held; or
                    ``(B) another special election for the office 
                involved is to be held, pursuant to a writ for a 
                special election issued by the chief executive of the 
                State prior to the date of the announcement of the 
                vacancy.
            ``(3) Nominations by parties.--If a special election is to 
        be held under this subsection, the determination of the 
        candidates who will run in such election shall be made--
                    ``(A) by nominations made not later than 10 days 
                after the Speaker announces that the vacancy exists by 
                the political parties of the State that are authorized 
                by State law to nominate candidates for the election; 
                or
                    ``(B) by any other method the State considers 
                appropriate, including holding primary elections, that 
                will ensure that the State will hold the special 
                election within the deadline required under paragraph 
                (2).
            ``(4) Extraordinary circumstances.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, 
                `extraordinary circumstances' occur when the Speaker of 
                the House of Representatives announces that vacancies 
                in the representation from the States in the House 
                exceed 100.
                    ``(B) Judicial review.--If any action is brought 
                for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge an 
                announcement made under subparagraph (A), the following 
                rules shall apply:
                            ``(i) Not later than 2 days after the 
                        announcement, the action shall be filed in the 
                        United States District Court having 
                        jurisdiction in the district of the Member of 
                        the House of Representatives whose seat has 
                        been announced to be vacant and shall be heard 
                        by a 3-judge court convened pursuant to section 
                        2284 of title 28, United States Code.
                            ``(ii) A copy of the complaint shall be 
                        delivered promptly to the Clerk of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                            ``(iii) A final decision in the action 
                        shall be made within 3 days of the filing of 
                        such action and shall not be reviewable.
                            ``(iv) The executive authority of the State 
                        that contains the district of the Member of the 
                        House of Representatives whose seat has been 
                        announced to be vacant shall have the right to 
                        intervene either in support of or opposition to 
                        the position of a party to the case regarding 
                        the announcement of such vacancy.
            ``(5) Protecting ability of absent military and overseas 
        voters to participate in special elections.--
                    ``(A) Deadline for transmittal of absentee 
                ballots.--In conducting a special election held under 
                this subsection to fill a vacancy in its 
                representation, the State shall ensure to the greatest 
                extent practicable (including through the use of 
                electronic means) that absentee ballots for the 
                election are transmitted to absent uniformed services 
                voters and overseas voters (as such terms are defined 
                in the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting 
                Act) not later than 15 days after the Speaker of the 
                House of Representatives announces that the vacancy 
                exists.
                    ``(B) Period for ballot transit time.--
                Notwithstanding the deadlines referred to in paragraphs 
                (2) and (3), in the case of an individual who is an 
                absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter 
                (as such terms are defined in the Uniformed and 
                Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act), a State shall 
                accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other 
                election material from the voter so long as the ballot 
                or other material is received by the appropriate State 
                election official not later than 45 days after the 
                State transmits the ballot or other material to the 
                voter.
            ``(6) Application to district of columbia and 
        territories.--This subsection shall apply--
                    ``(A) to a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the 
                Congress in the same manner as it applies to a Member 
                of the House of Representatives; and
                    ``(B) to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 
                of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the United 
                States Virgin Islands in the same manner as it applies 
                to a State, except that a vacancy in the representation 
                from any such jurisdiction in the House shall not be 
                taken into account by the Speaker in determining 
                whether vacancies in the representation from the States 
                in the House exceed 100 for purposes of paragraph 
                (4)(A).
            ``(7) Rule of construction regarding federal election 
        laws.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to affect 
        the application to special elections under this subsection of 
        any Federal law governing the administration of elections for 
        Federal office (including any law providing for the enforcement 
        of any such law), including, but not limited to, the following:
                    ``(A) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 1973 
                et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(B) The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and 
                Handicapped Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ee et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(C) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee 
                Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(D) The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
                (42 U.S.C. 1973gg et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(E) The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 
                (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(F) The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 
                et seq.), as amended.
                    ``(G) The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 
                15301 et seq.), as amended.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives March 3, 2005.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.

Ex Output:

Continuity in Representation Act of 2005 - (Sec. 2) Amends Federal law concerning the election of Senators and Representatives to require States to hold special elections for the House of Representatives within 49 days after a vacancy is announced by the Speaker of the House in the extraordinary circumstance that vacancies in representation from the States exceed 100. Waives the 49-day requirement if, during the 75-day period beginning on the date of the vacancy announcement, a regularly scheduled general election or another special election for the office involved is to be held.

Requires determination of the candidates who will run in the special election: (1) not later than ten days after the vacancy announcement by the political parties authorized by State law to nominate candidates; or (2) by any other method the State considers appropriate.

Sets forth requirements for judicial review of any action brought for declaratory or injunctive relief to challenge such a vacancy announcement. Requires a final decision within three days of the filing of such an action. Makes a final decision non-reviewable.

Requires a State, in conducting a special election under this Act, to ensure to the greatest extent practicable (including through the use of electronic means) that absentee ballots are transmitted to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters not later than 15 days after the Speaker of the House announces that the vacancy exists. Requires a State to accept and process any otherwise valid ballot or other election material from an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter, as long as the ballot or other material is received by the appropriate State election official not later than 45 days after the State transmits it to the voter.

Applies this Act to the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.