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 ``Intermodal Safe Container 
Transportation Act Amendments of 1996''.

SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 49.

    Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal 
of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to 
be made to a section or other provision of title 49, United States 
Code.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 5901 is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the 
        definitions in sections 10102 and 13102 of this title apply.'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as paragraphs 
        (7) and (8), respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) `gross cargo weight' means the weight of the cargo, 
        packaging materials (including ice), pallets, and dunnage.''.

SEC. 4. NOTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS.

    Section 5902 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5902. Notifications and certifications
    ``(a) Prior Notification.--
            ``(1) In general.--If the first carrier to which any loaded 
        container or trailer having a projected gross cargo weight of 
        more than 29,000 pounds is tendered for intermodal 
        transportation is a motor carrier, the person tendering the 
        container or trailer shall give the motor carrier a 
        notification of the projected gross cargo weight and a 
        reasonable description of the contents of the container or 
        trailer before the tendering of the container or trailer. The 
        notification may be transmitted electronically or by telephone.
            ``(2) Applicability.--This subsection applies to any person 
        within the United States who tenders a container or trailer 
        subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation if the 
        first carrier is a motor carrier.
    ``(b) Certification.--
            ``(1) In general.--A person who tenders a loaded container 
        or trailer with an actual gross cargo weight of more than 
        29,000 pounds, to a first carrier for intermodal transportation 
        shall provide a certification of the contents of the container 
        or trailer in writing, or electronically, before or when the 
        container or trailer is so tendered.
            ``(2) Contents of certification.--The certification 
        required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) The actual gross cargo weight.
                    ``(B) A reasonable description of the contents of 
                the container or trailer.
                    ``(C) The identity of the certifying party.
                    ``(D) The container or trailer number.
                    ``(E) The date of certification or transfer of data 
                to another document, as provided for in paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Transfer of certification data.--A carrier who 
        receives a certification may transfer the information contained 
        in the certification to another document or to electronic 
        format for forwarding to a subsequent carrier. The person 
        transferring the information shall state on the forwarded 
        document the date on which the data was transferred and the 
        identity of the party who performed the transfer.
            ``(4) Shipping documents.--For purposes of this chapter, a 
        shipping document, prepared by the person tendering a container 
        or trailer to a first carrier, that contains the information 
        required by paragraph (2) meets the requirements of paragraph 
        (1).
            ``(5) Use of `freight all kinds' term.--The term `Freight 
        All Kinds' or `FAK' may not be used for the purpose of 
        certification under this subsection after December 31, 2000, as 
        a description required under paragraph (2)(B) for a trailer or 
        container if the weight of any commodity in the trailer or 
        container equals or exceeds 20 percent of the total weight of 
the contents of the trailer or container. This subsection does not 
prohibit the use of such term after December 31, 2000, for rating 
purposes.
            ``(6) Separate document marking.--If a separate document is 
        used to meet the requirements of paragraph (1), it shall be 
        conspicuously marked `INTERMODAL CERTIFICATION'.
            ``(7) Applicability.--This subsection applies to any 
        person, domestic or foreign, who first tenders a container or 
        trailer subject to this chapter for intermodal transportation 
        within the United States.
    ``(c) Forwarding Certifications to Subsequent Carriers.--
            ``(1) General rule.--A carrier, agent of a carrier, broker, 
        customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, or terminal 
        operator shall forward the certification provided under 
        subsection (b) to a subsequent carrier transporting the 
        container or trailer in intermodal transportation before or 
        when the container or trailer is tendered to the subsequent 
        carrier.
            ``(2) Presumption of no certification required.--If no 
        certification is received by the subsequent carrier before or 
        when the container or trailer is being tendered to it, the 
        subsequent carrier may presume that no certification is 
        required.
            ``(3) Limitation on construction of forwarding.--The act of 
        forwarding the certification may not be construed as a 
        verification or affirmation of the accuracy or completeness of 
        the information in the certification.
            ``(4) Liability.--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a person inaccurately 
                transfers the information on the certification or fails 
                to forward the certification to a subsequent carrier, 
                then that person is liable to any person who incurs any 
                bond, fine, penalty, cost (including storage), or 
                interest charge incurred as a result of the inaccurate 
                transfer of information or failure to forward the 
                certification.
                    ``(B) Lien.--A subsequent carrier incurring a bond, 
                fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or interest 
                charge as a result of the inaccurate transfer of the 
                information or the failure to forward the certification 
                shall have a lien against the contents of the container 
                or trailer under section 5905 in the amount of the 
                bond, fine, penalty, or cost (including storage), or 
                interest charge and all court costs and legal fees 
                incurred by the carrier as a result of such inaccurate 
                transfer or failure.
            ``(5) Notice to leased operators.--If a motor carrier knows 
        that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or 
        trailer subject to the certification requirements of subsection 
        (b) would result in a violation of applicable State gross 
        vehicle weight laws--
                    ``(A) a motor carrier must inform the operator of a 
                vehicle which is leased by the vehicle operator to a 
                motor carrier which transports an intermodal container 
                or trailer of the gross cargo weight of the container 
                or trailer as certified to the motor carrier pursuant 
                to subsection (b);
                    ``(B) the notice must be provided to the operator 
                prior to the operator being tendered the container or 
                trailer;
                    ``(C) the notice required by this subsection must 
                be in writing, but may be transmitted electronically;
                    ``(D) the motor carrier shall bear the burden of 
                proof to establish that it tendered the required notice 
                to the operator; and
                    ``(E) if the operator of a leased vehicle 
                transporting a container or trailer subject to this 
                chapter should receive a fine because of a violation of 
                a State's gross vehicle weight laws or regulations and 
                lessee motor carrier cannot establish that it tendered 
                to the operator the notice required by this section, 
                the operator shall be entitled to reimbursement from 
                the motor carrier of the amount of any fine and court 
                costs resulting from the failure of the motor carrier 
                to tender the notice to the operator.
    ``(d) Liability to Owner or Beneficial Owner.--If--
            ``(1) a person inaccurately transfers information on a 
        certification required by subsection (b)(1) or fails to forward 
        a certification to the subsequent carrier;
            ``(2) as a result of the inaccurate transfer of such 
        information or a failure to forward a certification, the 
        subsequent carrier incurs a bond, fine, penalty, or cost 
        (including storage), or interest charge; and
            ``(3) a subsequent carrier exercises its rights to a lien 
        under section 5905,
then that person is liable to the owner or beneficial owner or to any 
other person paying the amount of the lien to the subsequent carrier 
for the amount of the lien and all costs related to the imposition of 
the lien, including court costs and legal fees incurred in connection 
with imposition of the lien.
    ``(e) Nonapplicability.--
            ``(1) Consolidated shipments.--The notification and 
        certification requirements of subsections (a) and (b) do not 
        apply to any intermodal container or trailer containing 
        consolidated shipments loaded by a motor carrier if that motor 
        carrier--
                    ``(A) performs the highway portion of the 
                intermodal movement; or
                    ``(B) assumes the responsibility for any weight-
                related fine or penalty incurred by any other motor 
                carrier that performs a part of the highway 
                transportation.
            ``(2) Intermodal transportation of loaded containers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subsections (a) and (b) and 
                section 5903(c) do not apply to a carrier when the 
                carrier is transferring a loaded container or trailer 
                to another carrier during intermodal transportation, 
                unless the carrier is also the person tendering the 
                loaded container or trailer to the first carrier.
                    ``(B) Special rule.--A carrier, agent of a carrier, 
                broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, 
                or terminal operator is deemed not to be a person 
                tendering a loaded container or trailer to a first 
                carrier under this section, unless the carrier, agent, 
                broker, customs broker, freight forwarder, warehouser, 
                or terminal operator assumes legal responsibility for 
                loading property into the container or trailer.''.

SEC. 5. PROHIBITIONS.

    (a) Providing Erroneous Information.--Section 5903(a) is amended by 
inserting ``, to whom section 5902(b) applies,'' after ``A person''.
    (b) Transporting Prior To Receiving Certification.--Section 5903(b) 
is amended to read as follows:
    ``(b) Transporting Prior To Receiving Certification.--
            ``(1) Presumption.--If no certification is received by a 
        motor carrier before or when a loaded intermodal container or 
        trailer is tendered to it, the motor carrier may presume that 
        the gross cargo weight of the container or trailer is less than 
        29,001 pounds.
            ``(2) Copy of certification not required to accompany 
        container or trailer.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this chapter, if a certification is required by section 
        5902(b), a copy of the certification is not required to 
        accompany the intermodal container or trailer.''.
    (c) Unlawful Coercion.--Section 5903(c)(1) is amended by striking 
``10,000 pounds (including packing materials and pallets)'' and 
inserting ``29,000 pounds''.

SEC. 6. LIENS.

    (a) General Rule.--Section 5905(a) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(a) General Rule.--If a person involved in the intermodal 
transportation of a loaded container or trailer for which a 
certification is required by section 5902(b) of this title is required, 
because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws or 
regulations, to post a bond or pay a fine, penalty, cost (including 
storage), or interest charge resulting from--
            ``(1) erroneous information provided by the certifying 
        party in the certification to the first carrier in violation of 
        section 5903(a),
            ``(2) the failure of the party required to provide the 
        certification to the first carrier to provide it,
            ``(3) the failure of a person required under section 
        5902(c) to forward the certification to forward it, or
            ``(4) an error occurring in the transfer of information on 
        the certification to another document under section 5902(b)(3) 
        or 5902(c),
then the person posting the bond, or paying any fine, penalty, cost 
(including storage), or interest charge has a lien against the contents 
equal to the amount of the bond, fine, penalty, cost (including 
storage), or interest charge incurred, until the person receives a 
payment of that amount from the owner or beneficial owner of the 
contents or from the person responsible for making or forwarding the 
certification or transferring the information from the certification to 
another document.''.
    (b) Limitations.--Section 5905(b)(1) is amended--
            (1) by inserting after ``the first carrier'' the following: 
        ``or the owner or beneficial owner of the contents''; and
            (2) by striking ``cost, or interest.'' and inserting ``cost 
        (including storage), or interest charge. The lien shall remain 
        in effect until the lien holder has received payment for all 
        costs and expenses as described in subsection (a).''.

SEC. 7. PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.

    Section 5906 is amended by striking ``Sections 5904(a)(2) and 5905 
of this title do'' and insert ``Section 5905 does''.

SEC. 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    Section 5907 is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 5907. Effective date
    ``This chapter, as amended by the Intermodal Safe Container 
Transportation Act Amendments of 1996, is effective on the date of the 
enactment of such Act. The provisions of this chapter shall be 
implemented 180 days after such date of enactment.''.

SEC. 9. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 59 is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:
``Sec. 5908. Relationship to other laws
    ``Nothing in this chapter affects--
            ``(1) chapter 51 (relating to transportation of hazardous 
        material) or the regulations issued under that chapter; or
            ``(2) any State highway weight or size law or regulation 
        applicable to tractor-trailer combinations.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The analysis for such chapter is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 5907 and inserting the 
following:

``5907. Effective date.
``5908. Relationship to other laws.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives September 18, 1996.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.

SOLUTION: Intermodal Safe Container Transportation Act Amendments of 1996 - Amends Federal transportation law to revise the prior notification requirements for intermodal freight transportation. 
Requires a person who tenders to a first carrier that is a motor carrier (currently, any carrier) a container or trailer with a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing material and pallets) for intermodal transportation to give prior notification of the cargo weight and a reasonable description of its contents to the motor carrier. 
Allows such notification to be made by telephone, and allows the required certification of the container or trailer contents to be electronic.  Sets forth administrative and civil penalties for persons who inaccurately transfer certification information.  Makes such a person liable to the owner or beneficial owner for any lien filed by a subsequent carrier that incurred a bond, fine, or other penalty as a result of an inaccurate information transfer or a failure to forward a certification. 
Requires a motor carrier that knows that the gross cargo weight of an intermodal container or trailer violates State vehicle weight laws to give notice to the operator of a leased vehicle that transports such items.  Requires the motor carrier to reimburse the operator of the leased vehicle that are fined because of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws. 
Allows a motor carrier to presume that the gross cargo weight of a container or trailer is under 29,001 pounds if it receives no certification before or when a loaded intermodal container or trailer is tendered to it.  Declares that a copy of a certification is not required to accompany the intermodal container or trailer. 
Prohibits a person from coercing a person transporting a loaded container or trailer having a gross cargo weight of more than 29,000 pounds (currently, 10,000 pounds, including packing materials and pallets) before the required certification is provided. 
Adds to the circumstances giving certain persons a lien against the contents of the container or trailer as a result of a violation of a State's gross vehicle weight laws.  Includes among such circumstances:  (1) failure of the party required to provide certification off gross cargo weight to the first carrier to provide it; (2) failure of the party required to forward such certification to forward it; or (3) error in the transfer of information on the certification to another document.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``California Forest 
Ecosystems Health Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Ecosystem management plans for National Forest System lands in 
                            California.
Sec. 5. Process for full implementation of ecosystem management plans.
Sec. 6. Research and monitoring program.
Sec. 7. Miscellaneous requirements.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds the following:
            (1) Although people have had an active part in the 
        development and maintenance of forest structure and the 
        condition of the National Forest System lands in the State of 
        California for many years, recent forest management policies 
        have often resulted in a degeneration of the forest structure 
        and a loss of forest health and vigor.
            (2) The Forest Service, through the judicious use of 
        ecosystem management, has an opportunity to reverse these 
        forest management policies and restore the health and vigor of 
        National Forest System lands in California.
            (3) Ecosystems are dynamic and in a state of constant 
        change, and it is not possible to preserve a given ecosystem 
        condition in a static state over a period of time.
            (4) The many and varied resources and uses of National 
        Forest System lands provide both tangible and intangible 
        benefits to the people of the United States.
            (5) Although management of National Forest System lands in 
        California has traditionally placed first priority on the need 
        to produce maximum volumes of timber, the other multiple forest 
        resources and services are equally important to the people of 
        California and the United States.
            (6) Ecosystem management must balance the needs of outdoor 
        recreation, range, timber, watershed, fish, and wildlife, as 
        required by the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 
        U.S.C. 528 et seq.), as well as protect soil and air quality 
        and provide for forest research.
            (7) National Forest System lands in California include some 
        of the most unique forest ecosystems in the world, including 
        giant sequoias, coastal redwoods, and bristlecone pines.
            (8) Destructive forest fires classified by the Forest 
        Service as ``intense'' have occurred in unprecedented numbers 
        and size on the National Forest System lands in California in 
        recent years, and these fires pose a threat to the very health 
        of the forests and present a danger to human life and property.
            (9) The Forest Service, through the judicious use of 
        ecosystem management, has an opportunity to reduce the 
        likelihood that fires classified as ``intense'' will occur with 
        such frequency and, at the same time, to improve forest vigor 
        and visitor safety.
            (10) Ecosystem management that considers the needs of all 
        species and their ability to interact with the presence of 
        humans can integrate both the conservation needs of the many 
        species of the ecosystems and the multiple use activities of 
        humans.
            (11) Identification of sound management options is both a 
        biological issue and a social issue, and the resulting 
        management policies must be socially acceptable, ecologically 
        sustainable, scientifically sound, legally responsible, and 
        economically viable.
            (12) The results of management practices in local 
        ecosystems can have a profound effect on the levels of demand 
        for commodity outputs from other ecosystems around the world.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Adaptive management.--The term ``adaptive management'' 
        means the experimental and monitored application of 
        scientifically derived management decisions to gain knowledge 
        that is then used to improve subsequent management decisions.
            (2) Ecosystem.--The term ``ecosystem'' means a community of 
        organisms and its environment that functions as a unit.
            (3) Ecosystem management.--The term ``ecosystem 
        management'' means the integration of ecological, economic, and 
        social factors to meet the biological needs of all associated 
        organisms and human needs through diverse, healthy, and 
        productive ecosystems, addressing resource supply, 
        conservation, and demand as opposed to a strategy for managing 
        individual species.
            (4) Ecosystem management plans.--The terms ``ecosystem 
        management plans'' and ``plans'' mean the ecosystem management 
        plans for National Forest System lands in the State of 
        California required to be developed by section 4(a).
            (5) National forest system.--The term ``National Forest 
        System'' has the meaning given that term in section 11(a) of 
        the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 
        1974 (16 U.S.C. 1609(a)).
            (6) Seral stages.--The term ``seral stages'' means the 
        various age or life stages of a vegetative community as it 
        progresses from initial establishment toward a climax stage or 
        equilibrium.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Agriculture.
            (8) Stand.--The term ``stand'' means an area within a 
        forest where the trees have similar characteristics with 
        respect to species composition, size, condition, and age.
            (9) Vigor.--The term ``vigor'', with respect to forest 
        ecosystems, means the relative health of stands of trees and 
        related vegetation, including their actual growth rates as 
        compared with potential growth rates and their ability to 
        protect themselves naturally from forest pests, diseases, and 
        the effects of natural disaster.

SEC. 4. ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS IN 
              CALIFORNIA.

    (a) Plans Required.--Notwithstanding the planning provisions of 
section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1604), the Secretary of Agriculture shall develop 
and implement ecosystem management plans pursuant to this Act to 
develop and demonstrate ecosystem management, including adaptive 
management techniques, for National Forest System lands described in 
subsection (b).
    (b) Federal Lands Covered by Plans.--The ecosystem management plans 
required by subsection (a) shall apply to all management units of the 
National Forest System located in the State of California. In the case 
of National Forest System lands in California that have been designated 
by law for special management before the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall incorporate into the ecosystem management 
plans applicable to those lands any statutory provisions that are in 
effect on such date and applicable to those lands.
    (c) Principles of Plans.--Ecosystem management plans shall embody 
the following principles:
            (1) Application of management techniques that will enhance 
        the health and vigor of the renewable natural resources on the 
        National Forest System lands covered by the plans and provide 
        for the continued protection of the soil, air, and water 
        resources of these lands.
            (2) Improvement of the forest ecosystems on these lands 
        toward desired forest conditions that--
                    (A) provide a mosaic of forest seral stages--
                            (i) representing a range of wildlife 
                        habitats necessary to meet the needs of the 
                        species indigenous to the ecosystem being 
                        managed; and
                            (ii) designed in such a way as to obviate 
                        the need for corridors or special management 
                        areas to meet the needs of given species or 
                        situations;
                    (B) minimize the danger of stand-destroying 
                uncontrolled wildfire;
                    (C) increase or maintain the health and vigor of 
                stands at a level that will permit the stands to resist 
                naturally, to the greatest degree practicable, insect 
                and disease attacks and the effects of other natural 
                disasters while incorporating the concern that some 
                level of dead-wood, both standing and down, is 
                desirable in healthy ecosystems;
                    (D) maintain the sustainable economic well-being 
                and stability of communities in areas dependent upon 
                national forest resources; and
                    (E) are developed, to the extent possible, with 
                consideration of the conditions that are known to have 
                existed on these lands or on similar lands before the 
                impacts of European settlement.
            (3) Concentration of management activities on the condition 
        of the renewable resources of an ecosystem rather than on 
        producing targeted outputs, with projected outputs based upon 
        attainment of specific stand conditions.
            (4) Emphasis on tangible management results rather than on 
        procedural standards and guidelines, but with development of 
        scientifically credible monitoring standards and guidelines to 
        assess both short- and long-term management results.
            (5) Except for any statutory provisions incorporated under 
        subsection (b) with respect to specific lands, prohibition on 
        requiring the allocation or categorization of tracts of land 
        for specific preselected ecosystem management emphases.
            (6) Consideration of the habitat needs of all species 
        across a broad landscape using management indicator species 
        whose presence will reflect a suitable amount and distribution 
        of particular habitat elements, rather than concentrating on 
        the needs of single species in a limited area.
            (7) Application across the entire unreserved land base in 
        such a manner as to harmonize the various multiple uses.
            (8) Incorporation of maximum flexibility in resource 
        decisionmaking through the use of adaptive management.
    (d) Management to Promote Desired Forest Conditions.--
            (1) In general.--Ecosystem management under the ecosystem 
        management plans shall be planned and practiced in a manner 
        that--
                    (A) considers the entire landscape in a management 
                unit of the National Forest System covered by a plan; 
                and
                    (B) benefits, to the extent practicable, all 
                renewable resources and the human resource in or 
                dependent upon the management unit.
            (2) Individual projects.--Individual management projects in 
        a management unit of the National Forest System covered by the 
        ecosystem management plans shall be designed to provide 
        multiresource benefits, promote the desired forest conditions 
        described in subsection (c)(2), and achieve maximum project 
        operating efficiency.
    (e) Selection of Acres for Ecosystem Management Activities.--
            (1) Minimum acres.--Ecosystem management plans shall 
        specify the minimum number of acres on which ecosystem 
        management activities will be applied annually in any 
        management unit of the National Forest System covered by the 
        plans. Such acreage shall be determined on the basis of the 
        total number of acres in the management unit, the work to be 
        performed across the unit as a whole during the plan period, 
        and the pro rata annual acreage on which ecosystem management 
        activities must be applied in order to establish and maintain 
        the desired forest condition during the specified plan period.
            (2) Effect of natural disasters.--In case of natural 
        disasters, such as wildfire, flood, windthrow, insect or 
        disease attack, a revision of the schedule of acres to be 
        treated may be granted by the Secretary in order to conduct 
        restoration and rehabilitation activities on the acres affected 
        by the natural disaster.
    (f) Participation in Development.--To ensure that the ecosystem 
management plans are economically, scientifically, and socially 
acceptable, the Secretary shall develop the plans through the use of 
public involvement programs that emphasize input from residents of 
local communities to be affected by the plans. The Secretary shall 
continue to consult with all interested persons in evaluating or 
modifying the plans.

SEC. 5. PROCESS FOR FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLANS.

    (a) Implementation.--Beginning not later than January 1, 1995, the 
Secretary shall begin to implement the ecosystem management plans. The 
Secretary shall develop and implement the plans progressively over a 
five-year period to ensure full application of all plans not later than 
January 1, 2000, to all National Forest System lands described in 
section 4(b). Upon implementation of an ecosystem management plan for 
any portion of the lands described in such section, the plan shall 
replace and supersede any land and resource management plan (or portion 
of such a plan) then in effect for such lands.
    (b) Yearly Expansion.--During each year of the period specified in 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall expand application of the ecosystem 
management plans to contiguous areas required to be covered by such 
plans, as described in section 4(b). To the extent the Secretary 
considers it to be necessary, the Secretary may modify the ecosystem 
management plans for each new addition in order to incorporate the 
lessons gained from experience. Adaptive management shall be used to 
evaluate management decisions and to develop new information to be used 
to keep the plans and subsequent management decisions up-to-date.
    (c) Modification of Ecosystem Management Plans.--The Secretary 
shall modify the ecosystem management plans to incorporate findings 
from research, adaptive management projects, or monitoring to the 
extent such findings indicate changes in the plans are necessary or 
appropriate to achieve the principles described in section 4(c). Before 
the end of the first two years of the period specified in subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall issue regulations that set forth the process 
to be used for any modification of the ecosystem management plans.
    (d) Consistency.--Resource plans and permits and other instruments 
for the use and occupancy of National Forest System lands covered by an 
ecosystem management plan that are executed subsequent to the 
implementation date of the plan with respect to such lands shall be 
consistent with the plan. If the ecosystem management plan is modified, 
resource plans and permits and other instruments that are executed 
subsequent to the date of the modification shall be consistent with the 
modified plan. Appropriate supplemental documents under the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall be 
prepared for those resource plans and permits, contracts, and other 
instruments in existence upon adoption of the ecosystem management plan 
or any modification of the plan. Any revisions in existing resource 
plans and permits, contracts, and other instruments shall be consistent 
with the supplemental document findings and subject to the agreement of 
all contractual parties. Any revision in present or future permits, 
contracts, and other instruments made pursuant to this subsection shall 
be subject to valid existing rights.

SEC. 6. RESEARCH AND MONITORING PROGRAM.

    The Secretary shall describe in detail in the ecosystem management 
plans and implement as part of the plans a targeted program of research 
and monitoring aimed at measuring the effects of the management regimes 
adopted under the plans. The Secretary shall ensure that monitoring is 
sufficient to measure the responses of the various resources to 
management practices and to provide a basis for adjustments of 
subsequent management decisions.

SEC. 7. MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Increased Use of Certified Professional Practitioners.--With 
respect to National Forest System lands covered by the ecosystem 
management plans, the Secretary shall endeavor to increase the amount 
of field work to be done by professional practitioners certified by the 
Forest Service.
    (b) Accountability Procedures.--The Secretary shall develop 
accountability procedures to annually measure and inform the Congress 
concerning the work (as described in section 4(e)) achieved through the 
use of funds appropriated each year for National Forest System lands 
covered by the ecosystem management plans. The selection of acres upon 
which such work will be performed shall be controlled through the 
planning process. The accountability procedures required by this 
subsection shall be established and in operation before the end of the 
first two years of the period specified in section 5(a) and shall be 
designed to ensure the accomplishment of the work in accordance with 
plan direction.
    (c) Budgetary Considerations.--The Secretary shall develop budgets 
for each management unit of the National Forest System covered by 
ecosystem management plans on the basis of estimated benefits to the 
various resources affected by the ecosystem management activities, and 
such budgets will be justified on such basis. The Secretary shall 
provide the managers of these units the flexibility to accomplish over-
all objectives within over-all budgets in lieu of requiring and 
preparing detailed line-item budgets for each unit of work, except that 
accountability procedures developed under subsection (b) shall include 
requirements for detailed explanations of expenditures and estimates of 
benefits for each resource.

SOLUTION: California Forest Ecosystems Health Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop and implement ecosystem management plans for National Forest System lands in California.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Armed Forces Behavioral Health 
Awareness Act''.

SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES WHO SERVE IN 
              OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OR OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM FOR 
              READJUSTMENT COUNSELING AND SERVICES THROUGH VET CENTERS.

    (a) In General.--A member of the Armed Forces, including the 
Reserve components, who is deployed in support of Operation Enduring 
Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom shall be eligible for readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services under section 1712A of 
title 38, United States Code, through the centers for readjustment 
counseling and related mental health services (commonly known as ``Vet 
Centers'') operated by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under that 
section.
    (b) Eligibility.--
            (1) Regulations.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        eligibility of a member of the Armed Forces, including the 
        Reserve components, for counseling and services under 
        subsection (a) shall be subject to such regulations as the 
        Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall jointly prescribe for purposes of this section.
            (2) Duty status.--The duty status of a member may not have 
        an effect on the eligibility of the member to receive 
        counseling and services under subsection (a).

SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROVISION OF 
              EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILY MEMBERS OF MEMBERS 
              OF THE ARMED FORCES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program 
to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional 
support services for family members of members of the Armed Forces, 
including the Reserve components.
    (b) Award of Grants.--
            (1) Eligibility.--To be eligible for a grant under the 
        program under this section, a nonprofit organization shall meet 
        such criteria as the Secretary shall establish for purposes of 
        the program.
            (2) Application.--A nonprofit organization seeking a grant 
        under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        for the grant in such form and manner as the Secretary shall 
        specify for purposes of the program.
    (c) Grants.--
            (1) Amount.--The amount of each grant awarded to a 
        nonprofit organization under the program under this section 
        shall be such amount as the Secretary determines appropriate 
        for purposes of the program.
            (2) Duration.--The duration of each grant awarded to a 
        nonprofit organization shall be such period as the Secretary 
        determines appropriate for purposes of the program.
    (d) Use of Grant Funds.--Each nonprofit organization awarded a 
grant under the program under this section shall use amounts under the 
grant to provide emotional support services for family members of 
members of the Armed Forces, including the Reserve components, through 
certain programs as the Secretary shall specify in the grant.
    (e) Funding.--Amounts for grants under the program under this 
section shall be derived from amounts authorized to be appropriated to 
the Department of Defense for military personnel.

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM TO ENHANCE AWARENESS OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS 
              DISORDER.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--The Secretary of the Army shall carry 
out a pilot program to enhance awareness of post-traumatic stress 
disorder among members of the Army. The Secretary shall carry out the 
pilot program in the following locations:
            (1) Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
            (2) Fort Carson, Colorado.
            (3) Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
    (b) Activities.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
        Secretary shall implement activities that--
                    (A) for a member of the Army who will be deployed 
                in support of a contingency operation, increase the 
                understanding of--
                            (i) the neurophysiological effects of 
                        stress and trauma associated with combat, 
                        including post-traumatic stress disorder; and
                            (ii) the means of eliminating or mitigating 
                        such effects after returning from combat;
                    (B) for a member of the Army deployed in support of 
                a contingency operation, reinforce the information 
                provided under subparagraph (A);
                    (C) for a member of the Army who returns from being 
                deployed in support of a contingency operation, assist 
                the member in reintegrating into noncombat life; and
                    (D) for the family of a member of the Army covered 
                under this subsection, include training and assistance 
                (including Internet-based training and assistance) at 
                each stage of deployment in order to assist the family 
                and member in recognizing and addressing post-traumatic 
                stress disorder.
            (2) Development of activities.--In developing activities 
        under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider methods to 
        address stress and trauma used by other appropriate 
        populations, including special operations forces and elite 
        athlete communities.
    (c) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program for 
a period of three years.
    (d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
assessing the pilot program, including the effectiveness of the 
activities under subsection (b).

SOLUTION:
Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act - Makes any member of the Armed Forces who is deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers (centers for such counseling and services for veterans), regardless of the member's duty status.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for family members of members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserves.

Requires the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program to enhance awareness of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) among members of the Army.