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

Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Educational Empowerment Act''.

SEC. 2. DESIGNATION OF EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

    (a) In General.--Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subchapter:

             ``Subchapter X--Educational Empowerment Zones

        ``Sec. 1400E. Designation of educational empowerment zones.

``SEC. 1400E. DESIGNATION OF EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

    ``(a) Designation.--
            ``(1) Educational empowerment zone.--For purposes of this 
        title, the term `educational empowerment zone' means any area--
                    ``(A) which is nominated by one or more local 
                governments and the State or States in which it is 
                located for designation as an educational empowerment 
                zone (hereinafter in this section referred to as a 
                `nominated area'), and
                    ``(B) which the Secretary of Health and Human 
                Services and the Secretary of Education (hereinafter in 
                this section referred to as the `Secretaries 
                concerned') jointly designate as an educational 
                empowerment zone.
            ``(2) Number of designations.--The Secretaries concerned 
        may designate not more than 30 nominated areas as educational 
        empowerment zones.
            ``(3) Areas designated based on degree of poverty, etc.--
        Except as otherwise provided in this section, the nominated 
        areas designated as educational empowerment zones under this 
        subsection shall be those nominated areas with the highest 
        average ranking with respect to the criteria described in 
        subsection (c)(3). For purposes of the preceding sentence, an 
        area shall be ranked within each such criterion on the basis of 
        the amount by which the area exceeds such criterion, with the 
        area which exceeds such criterion by the greatest amount given 
        the highest ranking.
            ``(4) Limitation on designations.--
                    ``(A) Publication of regulations.--The Secretaries 
                concerned shall prescribe by regulation no later than 4 
                months after the date of the enactment of this 
                section--
                            ``(i) the procedures for nominating an area 
                        under paragraph (1)(A).
                            ``(ii) the parameters relating to the size 
                        and population characteristics of an 
                        educational empowerment zone, and
                            ``(iii) the manner in which nominated areas 
                        will be evaluated based on the criteria 
                        specified in subsection (c).
                    ``(B) Time limitations.--The Secretaries concerned 
                may designate nominated areas as educational 
                empowerment zones only during the 24-month period 
                beginning on the first day of the first month following 
                the month in which the regulations described in 
                subparagraph (A) are prescribed.
                    ``(C) Procedural rules.--The Secretaries concerned 
                shall not make any designation of a nominated area as 
                an educational empowerment zone under paragraph (2) 
                unless--
                            ``(i) a nomination regarding such area is 
                        submitted in such a manner and in such form, 
                        and contains such information, as the 
                        Secretaries concerned shall by regulation 
                        prescribe, and
                            ``(ii) the Secretaries concerned determine 
                        that any information furnished is reasonably 
                        accurate.
            ``(5) Nomination process for indian reservations.--For 
        purposes of this subchapter, in the case of a nominated area on 
        an Indian reservation, the reservation governing body (as 
        determined by the Secretary of the Interior) shall be treated 
        as being both the State and local governments with respect to 
        such area.
    ``(b) Period for Which Designation is in Effect.--Any designation 
of an area as an educational empowerment zone shall remain in effect 
during the period beginning on the date of the designation and ending 
on the earliest of--
            ``(1) December 31, 2007,
            ``(2) the termination date designated by the State and 
        local governments in their nomination, or
            ``(3) the date the Secretaries concerned revoke such 
        designation.
    ``(c) Area and Eligibility Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Commerce may designate 
        a nominated area as an educational empowerment zone under 
        subsection (a) only if the area meets the requirements of 
        paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection.
            ``(2) Area requirements.--For purposes of paragraph (1), a 
        nominated area meets the requirements of this paragraph if--
                    ``(A) the area is within the jurisdiction of one or 
                more local governments,
                    ``(B) the boundary of the area is continuous, and
                    ``(C) the area does not include an empowerment zone 
                (as defined in section 1393(b)) other than such a zone 
                designated under section 1391(g).
            ``(3) Eligibility requirements.--For purposes of paragraph 
        (1), a nominated area meets the requirements of this paragraph 
        if the State and the local governments in which it is located 
        certify that the nominated area satisfies such conditions as 
        the Secretary of Education deems appropriate.
            ``(4) Consideration of dropout rate, etc.--The Secretary of 
        Education, in setting forth the conditions for eligibility 
        pursuant to paragraph (3), shall take into account the extent 
        to which an area has low-income families, a high dropout rate, 
        a high rate of teen pregnancy, and large school class size.
    ``(d) Coordination With Treatment of Enterprise Communities.--For 
purposes of this title, if there are in effect with respect to the same 
area both--
            ``(1) a designation as an educational empowerment zone, and
            ``(2) a designation as an enterprise community,
both of such designations shall be given full effect with respect to 
such area.
    ``(e) Definitions and Special Rules.--For purposes of this 
subchapter, rules similar to the rules of paragraphs (2), (3), (5), and 
(7) of section 1393 shall apply.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of subchapters for chapter 1 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new item:

                              ``Subchapter X. Educational Empowerment 
                                        Zones.''.

SEC. 3. CREDIT FOR DONATIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EDUCATIONAL 
              EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

    (a) In General.--Subpart B of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after 
section 30A the following new section

``SEC. 30B. CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EDUCATIONAL 
              EMPOWERMENT ZONES.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--There shall be allowed as a credit 
against the tax imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount 
equal to the amount of qualified educational empowerment zone 
contributions made by the taxpayer during such year.
    ``(b) Maximum Credit.--The amount of the credit allowed by 
subsection (a)--
            ``(1) in the case of an individual, shall not exceed 
        $2,000, and
            ``(2) in the case of any other taxpayer, shall not exceed 
        $10,000.
    ``(c) Definition of Qualified Educational Empowerment Zone 
Contributions.--For purposes of this section, the term `qualified 
educational empowerment zone contributions' means cash contributions 
made to any school district located in an educational empowerment zone 
(as designated under section 1400E) if such contributions--
            ``(1) but for subsection (d), would be allowable as a 
        deduction under section 170, and
            ``(2) are used for any of the following purposes by the 
        school district:
                    ``(A) Hiring new teachers.
                    ``(B) Increasing teacher salaries.
                    ``(C) Training teachers.
    ``(d) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed 
under this chapter for any contribution taken into account in computing 
the credit under this section.
    ``(e) Election.--This section shall apply to any taxpayer for any 
taxable year only if such taxpayer elects (at such time and in such 
manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe) to have this 
section apply for such taxable year.
    ``(f) Application With Other Credits; Carryover of Excess Credit.--
The credit allowed by subsection (a) for any taxable year shall not 
exceed the excess (if any) of--
            ``(1) the regular tax for the taxable year reduced by the 
        sum of the credits allowable under subpart A and the preceding 
        sections of this subpart, over
            ``(2) the tentative minimum tax for the taxable year.
If the credit under subsection (a) exceeds the limitation of the 
preceding sentence, such excess shall be added to the credit allowable 
under subsection (a) for the succeeding taxable year.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for subpart B of 
part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 30A the following new 
item:

        ``Sec. 30B. Contributions to school districts in educational 
                            empowerment zones.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.

SEC. 4. TEACHER LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

    Part B of title IV of 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 MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to encourage more 
individuals to enter and stay in the field of teaching mathematics, 
science, and related fields.
    ``(b) Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        of assuming the obligation to repay, pursuant to subsection 
        (c), a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under this part or 
        part D (excluding loans made under sections 428B and 428C or 
        comparable loans made under Part D) for any new borrower after 
October 12, 1998, who--
                    ``(A) has been employed as a full-time teacher for 
                3 consecutive complete school years in a school that is 
                located in an educational empowerment zone, as such 
                term is defined in section 1400E of the Internal 
                Revenue Code of 1986;
                    ``(B) is a fully qualified teacher; and
                    ``C) is not in default on a loan for which the 
                borrower seeks forgiveness.
            ``(2) Award basis; priority.--
                    ``(A) Award basis.--Subject to subparagraph (B), 
                loan repayment under this section shall be on a first-
                come, first-served basis and subject to the 
                availability of appropriations.
                    ``(B) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority 
                in providing loan repayment under this section for a 
                fiscal year to student borrowers who received loan 
                repayment under this section for the preceding fiscal 
                year.
            ``(3) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to 
        prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the 
        provisions of this section.
    ``(c) Loan Repayment.--
            ``(1) Eligible amount.--The amount the Secretary may repay 
        on behalf of any individual under this section shall not 
        exceed--
                    ``(A) 80 percent of the sum of the principal 
                amounts outstanding of the individual's qualifying 
                loans at the end of 3 consecutive complete school years 
                of service described in subsection (b)(1)(A);
                    ``(B) an additional 10 percent of such sum at the 
                end of each of the next 2 consecutive complete school 
                years of such service; and
                    ``(C) a total of more than $10,000.
            ``(2) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
        construed to authorize the refunding of any repayment of a loan 
        made under this part or part D.
            ``(3) Interest.--If a portion of a loan is repaid by the 
        Secretary under this section for any year, the proportionate 
        amount of interest on such loan which accrues for such year 
        shall be repaid by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Double benefits prohibited.--No borrower may, for the 
        same service, receive a benefit under both this section and 
        subtitle D of title I of the National and Community Service Act 
        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.). No borrower may receive a 
        reduction of loan obligations under both this section and 
        section 428J or 460.
    ``(d) Repayment to Eligible Lenders.--The Secretary shall pay to 
each eligible lender or holder for each fiscal year an amount equal to 
the aggregate amount of loans which are subject to repayment pursuant 
to this section for such year.
    ``(e) Application for Repayment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible individual desiring loan 
        repayment 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.
            ``(2) Conditions.--An eligible individual may apply for 
        loan repayment under this section after completing the required 
        number of years of qualifying employment.
            ``(3) Fully qualified teachers.--An application for loan 
        repayment under this section shall include such information as 
        is necessary to demonstrate that the applicant--
                    ``(A) if teaching in a public elementary or 
                secondary school (other than as a teacher in a public 
                charter school), has obtained State certification as a 
                teacher (including certification obtained through 
                alternative routes to certification) or passed the 
                State teacher licensing exam and holds a license to 
                teach in such State; and
                    ``(B) if teaching in--
                            ``(i) an elementary school, holds a 
                        bachelor's degree and demonstrates knowledge 
                        and teaching skills in reading, writing, 
                        mathematics, science, and other areas of the 
                        elementary school curriculum; or
                            ``(ii) a middle or secondary school, holds 
                        a bachelor's degree and demonstrates a high 
                        level of competency in all subject areas in 
                        which he or she teaches through--
                                    ``(I) a high level of performance 
                                on a rigorous State or local academic 
                                subject areas test; or
                                    ``(II) completion of an academic 
                                major in each of the subject areas in 
                                which he or she provides instruction.
    ``(f) Evaluation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct, by grant or 
        contract, an independent national evaluation of the impact of 
        the program assisted under this section.
            ``(2) Competitive basis.--The grant or contract described 
        in subsection (b) shall be awarded on a competitive basis.
            ``(3) Contents.--The evaluation described in this 
        subsection shall--
                    ``(A) determine the number of individuals who were 
                encouraged by the program assisted under this section 
                to pursue teaching careers;
                    ``(B) determine the number of individuals who 
                remain employed in teaching mathematics, science, or 
                related fields as a result of participation in the 
                program;
                    ``(C) identify the barriers to the effectiveness of 
                the program;
                    ``(D) assess the cost-effectiveness of the program; 
                and
                    ``(E) identify the number of years each individual 
                participates in the program.
            ``(4) Interim and final evaluation reports.--The Secretary 
        shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress such 
        interim reports regarding the evaluation described in this 
        subsection as the Secretary deems appropriate, and shall 
        prepare and so submit a final report regarding the evaluation 
        by January 1, 2006''.

Output: Educational Empowerment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for qualified educational empowerment zone contributions. Allows the designation of up to 30 such zones. Bases designations on the degree of poverty.Establishes a teacher loan forgiveness program for mathematics and science teachers.


Input: Consider Input: OF CONFLICTS.

    To the extent permitted by law, disagreements or conflicts between 
or among agency heads or between OMB and any agency that cannot be 
resolved by the Administrator of OIRA shall be resolved by the 
President or a designee of the President.

SEC. 8. PUBLICATION.

    Except to the extent required by law, an agency shall not publish 
in the Federal Register or otherwise issue to the public any regulatory 
action that is subject to review under section 6 until--
            (1) the Administrator of OIRA notifies the agency that OIRA 
        has waived its review of the action or has completed its review 
        without any requests for further consideration, or
            (2) the applicable time period in section 6(b)(2) expires 
        without OIRA having notified the agency that it is returning 
        the regulatory action for further consideration under section 
        6(b)(3),
whichever occurs first. If the terms of the preceding sentence have not 
been satisfied and an agency wants to publish or otherwise issue a 
regulatory action, the head of that agency may request Presidential 
consideration through the Administrator of OIRA, as provided under 
section 8. Upon receipt of this request, the Administrator of OIRA 
shall notify the Advisers. The guidelines and time period set forth in 
section 8 shall apply to the publication of regulatory actions for 
which Presidential consideration has been sought.

SEC. 9. AGENCY AUTHORITY.

    Nothing in this Act shall be construed as displacing the agencies' 
authority or responsibilities, as authorized by law.

SEC. 10. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

    Nothing in this Act shall affect any otherwise available judicial 
review of agency action. This Act is intended only to improve the 
internal management of the Federal Government and does not create any 
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or 
equity by a party against the United States, its agencies or 
instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.

SEC. 11. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act:
            (1) The term ``Advisers'' refers to such regulatory policy 
        advisers to the President as the President and the 
        Administrator of OIRA may from time to time consult, including, 
        among others--
                    (A) the Director of OMB;
                    (B) the Chair (or another member) of the Council of 
                Economic Advisers;
                    (C) the Assistant to the President for Economic 
                Policy;
                    (D) the Assistant to the President for Domestic 
                Policy;
                    (E) the Assistant to the President for National 
                Security Affairs;
                    (F) the Assistant to the President for Science and 
                Technology;
                    (G) the Assistant to the President for 
                Intergovernmental Affairs;
                    (H) the Assistant to the President and Staff 
                Secretary;
                    (I) the Assistant to the President and Chief of 
                Staff to the Administrator of OIRA;
                    (J) the Assistant to the President and Counsel to 
                the President; and
                    (K) the Deputy Assistant to the President and 
                Director of the White House Office on Environmental 
                Policy.
            (2) Except as provided in section 4(f), the term ``agency'' 
        means any authority of the United States that is an ``agency'' 
        under section 3502(1) of title 44, United States Code, other 
        than those considered to be independent regulatory agencies, as 
        defined in section 3502(10) of title 44, United States Code.
            (3) The term ``Director'' means the Director of OMB.
            (4) The term ``regulation'' or ``rule'' means an agency 
        statement of general applicability and future effect, which the 
        agency intends to have the force and effect of law, that is 
        designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or 
        to describe the procedure or practice requirements of an 
        agency. It does not, however, include--
                    (A) regulations or rules issued in accordance with 
                the formal rulemaking provisions of sections 556 and 
                557 of title 5, United States Code;
                    (B) regulations or rules that pertain to a military 
                or foreign affairs function of the United States, other 
                than procurement regulations and regulations involving 
                the import or export of non-defense articles and 
                services;
                    (C) regulations or rules that are limited to agency 
                organization, management, or personnel matters; or
                    (D) any other category of regulations exempted by 
                the Administrator of OIRA.
            (5) The term ``regulatory action'' means any substantive 
        action by an agency (normally published in the Federal 
        Register) that promulgates or is expected to lead to the 
        promulgation of a final rule or regulation, including notices 
        of inquiry, advance notices of proposed rulemaking, and notices 
        of proposed rulemaking.
            (6) The term ``significant regulatory action'' means any 
        regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may--
                    (A) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
                million or more or adversely affect in a material way 
                the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, 
                competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
                safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or 
                communities;
                    (B) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise 
                interfere with an action taken or planned by another 
                agency;
                    (C) materially alter the budgetary impact of 
                entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or 
                the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or
                    (D) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out 
                of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the 
                principles set forth in this Act.

Output: Government Regulatory Improvement and Performance Act of 1998 - Declares that:  (1) Federal agencies should promulgate only such regulations as are required by law, necessary to interpret the law, or necessary to protect and promote or improve the health and safety of the public, the environment, or the well-being of the American people; and (2) in deciding whether and how to regulate, agencies should assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives, including the alternative of not regulating. 
Sets forth principles of regulation to ensure that the agencies' regulatory programs are consistent with such philosophy, including that each agency:  (1) identify the problem that it intends to address by regulation, assess its significance, and if possible conduct a risk analysis; (2) identify and assess available alternatives to direct regulation; (3) wherever feasible, seek views of appropriate State, local, and tribal officials before imposing requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect those governmental entities. 
(Sec. 3) Directs the Office of Management and Budget to carry out coordinated review of agency rulemaking.  Designates its Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) as the repository of expertise concerning regulatory issues. 
(Sec. 4) Directs the OIRA Administrator, early in each year's planning cycle, to convene a meeting of the regulatory policy advisers to the President and agency heads to seek a common understanding of priorities and to coordinate regulatory efforts for the upcoming year. 
Requires each agency to prepare:  (1) a unified regulatory agenda of all regulations under development or review; and (2) a regulatory plan of the most important significant regulatory actions that the agency reasonably expects to issue in that fiscal year or thereafter. 
Directs the Administrator to:  (1) convene and chair a regulatory working group, which shall meet at least quarterly, to assist agencies in identifying and analyzing important regulatory issues; (2) meet quarterly, along with agency heads, with representatives of State, local, and tribal governments to identify exiting and proposed regulations that may uniquely or significantly affect those governmental entities; and (3) convene periodic conferences with representatives of businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and the public to discuss regulatory issues. 
(Sec. 5) Requires that:  (1) each agency submit to OIRA a program under which the agency will periodically review its existing significant regulations; and (2) any significant regulations selected for review be included in the agency's annual plan, and the agency identify any legislative mandates that require the agency to promulgate or continue to impose unnecessary or outdated regulations. 
(Sec. 5) Requires each agency to:  (1) submit to the OIRA a program under which the agency will periodically review its existing significant regulations for possible modification or elimination; (2) provide the public with meaningful participation in the regulatory process and a meaningful opportunity to comment on any proposed regulation, generally including a comment period of not less than 60 days; and (2) explore and, where appropriate, use consensual mechanisms for developing regulations, including negotiated rulemaking. 
Directs:  (1) each agency head to designate a Regulatory Policy Office; (2) each agency to develop its regulatory actions in a timely fashion and adhere to specified procedures; (3) each agency to provide the OIRA with a list of its planned regulatory actions, including significant regulatory actions; and (4)  the Administrator to provide meaningful guidance and oversight. 
(Sec. 8) Prohibits an agency from publishing a regulation until the Administrator has waived review of the action, completed such review, or the review period has passed, whichever occurs first.


Input: Consider Input: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Gallatin Land Consolidation Act of 
1998''.

 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the land north of Yellowstone National Park possesses 
        outstanding natural characteristics and wildlife habitats that 
        make the land a valuable addition to the National Forest 
        System;
            (2) it is in the interest of the United States to establish 
        a logical and effective ownership pattern for the Gallatin 
        National Forest, reducing long-term costs for taxpayers and 
        increasing and improving public access to the forest;
            (3) it is in the interest of the United States for the 
        Secretary of Agriculture to enter into an Option Agreement for 
        the acquisition of land owned by Big Sky Lumber Co. to 
        accomplish the purposes of this Act; and
            (4) other private property owners are willing to enter into 
        exchanges that further improve the ownership pattern of the 
        Gallatin National Forest.

 SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) BLM land.--The term ``BLM land'' means approximately 
        2,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land (including all 
        appurtenances to the land) that is proposed to be acquired by 
        BSL, as depicted in Exhibit B to the Option Agreement.
            (2) BSL.--The term ``BSL'' means Big Sky Lumber Co., an 
        Oregon joint venture, and its successors and assigns, and any 
        other entities having a property interest in the BSL land.
            (3) BSL land.--The term ``BSL land'' means approximately 
        54,000 acres of land (including all appurtenances to the land 
        except as provided in section 4(e)(1)(D)(i)) owned by BSL that 
        is proposed to be acquired by the Secretary of Agriculture, as 
        depicted in Exhibit A to the Option Agreement.
            (4) Eastside national forests.--The term ``Eastside 
        National Forests'' means national forests east of the 
        Continental Divide in the State of Montana, including the 
        Beaverhead National Forest, Deerlodge National Forest, Helena 
        National Forest, Custer National Forest, and Lewis and Clark 
        National Forest.
            (5) National forest system land.--The term ``National 
        Forest System land'' means approximately 29,000 acres of land 
        (including all appurtenances to the land) owned by the United 
        States in the Gallatin National Forest, Flathead National 
        Forest, Deerlodge National Forest, Helena National Forest, Lolo 
        National Forest, and Lewis and Clark National Forest that is 
        proposed to be acquired by BSL, as depicted in Exhibit B to the 
        Option Agreement.
            (6) Option agreement.--The term ``Option Agreement'' 
        means--
                    (A) the document signed by BSL, dated July 29, 1998 
                and entitled ``Option Agreement for the Acquisition of 
                Big Sky Lumber Co. Lands Pursuant to the Gallatin Range 
                Consolidation and Protection Act of 1993'';
                    (B) the exhibits and maps attached to the document 
                described in subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) an exchange agreement to be entered into 
                between the Secretary and BSL and made part of the 
                document described in subparagraph (A).
            (7) Secretary.--The ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        Agriculture.

 SEC. 4. GALLATIN LAND CONSOLIDATION COMPLETION.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and 
subject to the terms and conditions of the Option Agreement--
            (1) if BSL offers title acceptable to the Secretary to the 
        BSL land--
                    (A) the Secretary shall accept a warranty deed to 
                the BSL land and a quit claim deed to agreed to mineral 
                interests in the BSL land;
                    (B) the Secretary shall convey to BSL, subject to 
                valid existing rights and to other terms, conditions, 
                reservations, and exceptions as may be agreed to by the 
                Secretary and BSL, fee title to the National Forest 
                System land; and
                    (C) the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to 
                BSL, by patent or otherwise, subject to valid existing 
                rights and other terms, conditions, reservations, and 
                exceptions as may be agreed to by the Secretary of the 
                Interior and BSL, fee title to the BLM land;
            (2) if BSL places title in escrow acceptable to the 
        Secretary to 11\1/2\ sections of the BSL land in the Taylor 
        Fork area as set forth in the Option Agreement--
                    (A) the Secretary shall place Federal land in the 
                Bangtail and Doe Creek areas of the Gallatin National 
                Forest, as identified in the Option Agreement, in 
                escrow pending conveyance to the Secretary of the 
                Taylor Fork land, as identified in the Option Agreement 
                in escrow;
                    (B) the Secretary, subject to the availability of 
                funds, shall purchase 7\1/2\ sections of BSL land in 
                the Taylor Fork area held in escrow and identified in 
                the Option Agreement at a purchase price of $4,150,000; 
                and
                    (C) the Secretary shall acquire the 4 Taylor Fork 
                sections identified in the Option Agreement remaining 
                in escrow, and any of the 6 sections referred to in 
                subparagraph (B) for which funds are not available, by 
                providing BSL with timber sale receipts from timber 
                sales on the Gallatin National Forest and other 
                eastside national forests in the State of Montana in 
                accordance with subsection (c); and
            (3)(A) as funds or timber sale receipts are received by 
        BSL--
                    (i) the deeds to an equivalent value of BSL Taylor 
                Fork land held in escrow shall be released and conveyed 
                to the Secretary; and
                    (ii) the escrow of deeds to an equivalent value of 
                Federal land shall be released to the Secretary in 
                accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement; or
            (B) if funds or timber sale receipts are not provided to 
        BSL as provided in the Option Agreement, BSL shall be entitled 
        to receive patents and deeds to an equivalent value of the 
        Federal land held in escrow.
    (b) Valuation.--
            (1) In general.--The property and other assets exchanged or 
        conveyed by BSL and the United States under subsection (a) 
        shall be approximately equal in value, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            (2) Difference in value.--To the extent that the property 
        and other assets exchanged or conveyed by BSL or the United 
        States under subsection (a) are not approximately equal in 
        value, as determined by the Secretary, the values shall be 
        equalized in accordance with methods identified in the Option 
        Agreement.
    (c) Timber Sale Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall implement a timber 
        sale program, according to the terms and conditions identified 
        in the Option Agreement and subject to compliance with 
        applicable environmental laws (including regulations), judicial 
        decisions, memoranda of understanding, small business set-aside 
        rules, and acts beyond the control of the Secretary, to 
        generate sufficient timber receipts to purchase the portions of 
        the BSL land in Taylor Fork identified in the Option Agreement.
            (2) Implementation.--In implementing the timber sale 
        program--
                    (A) the Secretary shall provide BSL with a proposed 
                annual schedule of timber sales;
                    (B) as set forth in the Option Agreement, receipts 
                generated from the timber sale program shall be 
                deposited by the Secretary in a special account 
                established by the Secretary and paid by the Secretary 
                to BSL;
                    (C) receipts from the Gallatin National Forest 
                shall not be subject to the Act of May 23, 1908 (16 
                U.S.C. 500); and
                    (D) the Secretary shall fund the timber sale 
                program at levels determined by the Secretary to be 
                commensurate with the preparation and administration of 
                the identified timber sale program.
    (d) Rights-of-Way.--As specified in the Option Agreement--
            (1) the Secretary, under the authority of the Federal Land 
        Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), 
        shall convey to BSL such easements in or other rights-of-way 
        over National Forest System land for access to the land 
        acquired by BSL under this Act for all lawful purposes; and
            (2) BSL shall convey to the United States such easements in 
        or other rights-of-way over land owned by BSL for all lawful 
        purposes, as may be agreed to by the Secretary and BSL.
    (e) Quality of Title.--
            (1) Determination.--The Secretary shall review the title 
        for the BSL land described in subsection (a) and, within 45 
        days after receipt of all applicable title documents from BSL, 
        determine whether--
                    (A) the applicable title standards for Federal land 
                acquisition have been satisfied and the quality of the 
                title is otherwise acceptable to the Secretary of 
                Agriculture;
                    (B) all draft conveyances and closing documents 
                have been received and approved;
                    (C) a current title commitment verifying compliance 
                with applicable title standards has been issued to the 
                Secretary; and
                    (D) the title includes both the surface and 
                subsurface estates without reservation or exception 
                (except as specifically provided in this Act), 
                including--
                            (i) minerals, mineral rights, and mineral 
                        interests (including severed oil and gas 
                        surface rights), subject to and excepting other 
                        outstanding or reserved oil and gas rights;
                            (ii) timber, timber rights, and timber 
                        interests (except those reserved subject to 
                        section 251.14 of title 36, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations, by BSL and agreed to by the 
                        Secretary);
                            (iii) water, water rights, ditch, and ditch 
                        rights;
                            (iv) geothermal rights; and
                            (v) any other interest in the property.
            (2) Conveyance of title.--
                    (A) In general.--If the quality of title does not 
                meet Federal standards or is otherwise determined to be 
                unacceptable to the Secretary of Agriculture, the 
                Secretary shall advise BSL regarding corrective actions 
                necessary to make an affirmative determination under 
                paragraph (1).
                    (B) Title to subsurface estate.--Title to the 
                subsurface estate shall be conveyed by BSL to the 
                Secretary in the same form and content as that estate 
                is received by BSL from Burlington Resources Oil & Gas 
                Company Inc. and Glacier Park Company.
    (f) Timing of Implementation.--
            (1) Land-for-land exchange.--The Secretary shall accept the 
        conveyance of land described in subsection (a) not later than 
        45 days after the Secretary has made an affirmative 
        determination of quality of title.
            (2) Land-for-timber sale receipt exchange.--As provided in 
        subsection (c) and the Option Agreement, the Secretary shall 
        make timber receipts described in subsection (a)(3) available 
        not later than December 31 of the fifth full calendar year that 
        begins after the date of enactment of this Act.
            (3) Purchase.--The Secretary shall complete the purchase of 
        BSL land under subsection (a)(3)(B) not later than 30 days 
        after the date on which appropriated funds are made available 
        and an affirmative determination of quality of title is made 
        with respect to the BSL land.

SEC. 5. OTHER FACILITATED EXCHANGES.

    (a) Authorized Exchanges.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall enter into the 
        following land exchanges if the landowners are willing:
                    (A) Wapiti land exchange, as outlined in the 
                documents entitled ``Non-Federal Lands in Facilitated 
                Exchanges'' and ``Federal Lands in Facilitated 
                Exchanges'' and dated July 1998.
                    (B) Eightmile/West Pine land exchange as outlined 
                in the documents entitled ``Non-Federal Lands in 
                Facilitated Exchanges'' and ``Federal Lands in 
                Facilitated Exchanges'' and dated July 1998.
            (2) Equal Value.--Before entering into an exchange under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall determine that the parcels 
        of land to be exchanged are of approximately equal value, based 
        on an appraisal.
    (b) Section 1 of the Taylor Fork Land.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary is encouraged to pursue a 
        land exchange with the owner of section 1 of the Taylor Fork 
        land after completing a full public process and an appraisal.
            (2) Report.--The Secretary shall report to Congress on the 
        implementation of paragraph (1) not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 6. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    (a) Minor Corrections.--
            (1) In general.--The Option Agreement shall be subject to 
        such minor corrections and supplemental provisions as may be 
        agreed to by the Secretary and BSL.
            (2) Notification.--The Secretary shall notify the Committee 
        on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on 
        Resources of the House of Representatives, and each member of 
        the Montana congressional delegation of any changes made under 
        this subsection.
            (3) Boundary adjustment.--
                    (A) In general.--The boundary of the Gallatin 
                National Forest is adjusted in the Wineglass and North 
                Bridger area, as described on maps dated July 1998, 
                upon completion of the conveyances.
                    (B) No limitation.--Nothing in this subsection 
                limits the authority of the Secretary to adjust the 
                boundary pursuant to section 11 of the Act of March 1, 
                1911 (commonly known as the ``Weeks Act'') (16 U.S.C. 
                521).
                    (C) Allocation of land and water conservation fund 
                moneys.--For the purposes of section 7 of the Land and 
                Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-9), 
                boundaries of the Gallatin National Forest shall be 
                considered to be the boundaries of the National Forest 
                as of January 1, 1965.
    (b) Public Availability.--The Option Agreement--
            (1) shall be on file and available for public inspection in 
        the office of the Supervisor of the Gallatin National Forest; 
        and
            (2) shall be filed with the county clerk of each of 
        Gallatin County, Park County, Madison County, Granite County, 
        Broadwater County, Meagher County, Flathead County, and 
        Missoula County, Montana.
    (c) Compliance With Option Agreement.--The Secretary, the Secretary 
of the Interior, and BSL shall comply with the terms and conditions of 
the Option Agreement except to the extent that any provision of the 
Option Agreement conflicts with this Act.
    (d) Status of Land.--All land conveyed to the United States under 
this Act shall be added to and administered as part of the Gallatin 
National Forest and Deerlodge National Forest, as appropriate, in 
accordance with the Act of March 1, 1911 (5 U.S.C. 515 et seq.), and 
other laws (including regulations) pertaining to the National Forest 
System.
    (e) Management.--
            (1) Public process.--Not later than 30 days after the date 
        of completion of the land-for-land exchange under section 
        4(f)(1), the Secretary shall initiate a public process to amend 
        the Gallatin National Forest Plan and the Deerlodge National 
        Forest Plan to integrate the acquired land into the plans.
            (2) Process time.--The amendment process under paragraph 
        (1) shall be completed as soon as practicable, and in no event 
        later than 540 days after the date on which the amendment 
        process is initiated.
            (3) Limitation.--An amended management plan shall not 
        permit surface occupancy on the acquired land for access to 
        reserved or outstanding oil and gas rights or for exploration 
        or development of oil and gas.
            (4) Interim management.--Pending completion of the forest 
        plan amendment process under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
        shall--
                    (A) manage the acquired land under the standards 
                and guidelines in the applicable land and resource 
                management plans for adjacent land managed by the 
                Forest Service; and
                    (B) maintain all existing public access to the 
                acquired land.
    (f) Restoration.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall implement a 
        restoration program including reforestation and watershed 
        enhancements to bring the acquired land and surrounding 
        national forest land into compliance with Forest Service 
        standards and guidelines.
            (2) State and local conservation corps.--In implementing 
        the restoration program, the Secretary shall, when practicable, 
        use partnerships with State and local conservation corps, 
        including the Montana Conservation Corps, under the Public 
        Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.).
    (g) Implementation.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure that 
sufficient funds are made available to the Gallatin National Forest to 
carry out this Act.
    (i) Revocations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 
public orders withdrawing lands identified in the Option Agreement from 
all forms of appropriation under the public land laws are revoked upon 
conveyance of the lands by the Secretary.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act.

            Passed the Senate October 2, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.


Output: Gallatin Land Consolidation Act of 1998 - Provides for the exchange of land and other assets including certain timber harvest rights by the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior with the Big Sky Lumber Co. (BSL) for inclusion in the Gallatin National Forest and Deerlodge National Forest, Montana. 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to:  (1) implement a timber sale program to fund the purchase of specified (Taylor Fork) BSL land; (2) enter into specified land exchanges (Wapiti and Eightmile-West Pine); and (3) implement a restoration program for lands acquired under this Act.  Encourages the Secretary to pursue a specified land exchange (section 1 of the Taylor Fork land). 
Authorizes appropriations.