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 ``Columbia River Habitat Protection 
and Recreational Access Act of 1997''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The 51-mile stretch of the Columbia River, known as the 
        ``Hanford Reach'', provides 80 percent of the fall Chinook 
        salmon in the river system, critical habitat for wildlife, a 
        high-quality waterfowl sanctuary, as well as numerous scenic, 
        historic, and recreational opportunities for the public.
            (2) In 1996 Congress, through Public Law 104-333, 
        prohibited damming, dredging, channeling, or other such 
        activities along the Hanford Reach in order to help preserve 
        and protect the unique environmental benefits of the region.
            (3) The lands surrounding the Hanford Reach area of the 
        Columbia River, Washington, should be properly managed in order 
        to protect plant, fish, wildlife, cultural, recreational, and 
        scenic resources, while preserving access to these lands.
            (4) Recognizing the unique and pristine values of the area, 
        local citizens in cooperation with Federal and State 
        authorities have developed a comprehensive protection plan 
        which has enhanced salmon habitat along the Hanford Reach. This 
        plan, known as the Vernita Bar Agreement, has preserved the 
        free flowing, riparian character of the Hanford Reach, and 
        serves as a blueprint for further successful management along 
        the Columbia River.
            (5) Although dozens of local, State, and Federal 
        environmental protection and management laws and regulations 
        exist for the Hanford Reach, management efforts can be better 
        integrated and can lead to more efficient use of public 
        resources and improved habitat and recreation management.
            (6) Several of the areas adjacent to the Hanford Reach of 
        the Columbia River, including lands known as the Wahluke Slope, 
        currently owned by the United States, have been extensively 
        studied and reviewed through environmental impact statements 
        and have been declared environmentally sound and certified 
        suitable for conveyance.
            (7) Inasmuch as Federal financial resources are 
        constrained, joint partnerships among Federal, State, and local 
        entities can provide long-term habitat and wildlife management, 
        maintain recreational opportunities, and develop a responsible 
        and environmentally sound local land use plan for the region.
            (8) The people and the governments of Benton, Franklin, 
        Grant, and Adams Counties desire to enter into such a 
        partnership with the State of Washington and the United States 
        to ensure the continued protection of plant, fish, wildlife, 
        cultural, recreational, and scenic resources on the lands 
        surrounding the Hanford Reach.
            (9) Such a cooperative partnership will provide a forum for 
        public input from the entire region and ensure the long-term 
        protection of the river as wild, scenic, and accessible.
            (10) Congress recommends the formation of a commission, of 
        which a majority of the members of such a commission represent 
        the local entities, to ensure that the above goals are achieved 
        and to maintain maximum involvement by the citizens of Benton, 
        Franklin, Grant, and Adams Counties.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act--
            (1) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Energy;
            (2) the term ``Hanford Works'' means the property 
        represented as ``Department of Energy'' under the Land Status 
        Legend on the Bureau of Land Management topographic map of 
        Priest Rapids, Washington, Edition-1991; and
            (3) the term ``Commission'' means the Hanford Reach 
        Protection and Management Commission.

SEC. 4. GENERAL AUTHORITY; PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS.

    (a) Authority.--As soon as practicable after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary for no consideration shall convey 
to the governmental entities referred to in subsection (b) all right, 
title, and interest of the United States in and to the properties 
described in subsection (b).
    (b) Conveyances.--
            (1) State of washington.--The Secretary shall convey to the 
        State of Washington the property that consists of the portion 
        of the Hanford Works that runs along both banks of the Columbia 
        River and lies within the one quarter mile to the north of the 
        mean high water mark on the north bank of the Columbia River, 
        and that lies within the one quarter mile to the south of the 
        mean high water mark on the south bank of the Columbia River.
            (2) Adams county, washington.--The Secretary shall convey 
        to Adams County, Washington, the property that consists of the 
        portion of the Hanford Works that lies within Adams County, 
        Washington.
            (3) Grant county, washington.--The Secretary shall convey 
        to Grant County, Washington, the property that consists of the 
        portion of the Hanford Works that lies within Grant County, 
        Washington, to the north of the Columbia River and that is not 
        part of the conveyance made pursuant to paragraph (1) of this 
        subsection.
            (4) Franklin county, washington.--The Secretary shall 
        convey to Franklin County, Washington, the property that 
        consists of the portion of Hanford Works that lies within 
        Franklin County, Washington, to the north of the Columbia River 
        and that is not part of the conveyance made pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) of this subsection.
            (5) Additional properties.--In addition to properties 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4), the Secretary may 
        convey to a State or local government referred to in paragraphs 
        (1) through (4) such property within the Hanford Works as the 
        Secretary and the State or local government agree is 
        appropriate to carry out this Act.

SEC. 5. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

    (a) Special Rules for State of Washington.--
            (1) Environmental safety.--The conveyance made under 
        section 4(b)(1) shall be made only after the Administrator of 
        the Environmental Protection Agency certifies to the Secretary 
        that--
                    (A) the properties described in section 4(b)(1) are 
                clean of hazardous, toxic, or radioactive materials or 
                substances;
                    (B) all corrective, remedial, or response actions 
                have been completed; and
                    (C) all obligations of the Secretary at the Hanford 
                Nuclear Reservation under the Comprehensive 
                Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
                of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and other applicable 
                laws have been fulfilled.
            (2) Federal leaseholds.--Any leasehold interest by any 
        agency of the United States on lands described under section 
        4(b) shall terminate upon enactment of this Act, and such 
        interest shall be transferred pursuant to section 4.
            (3) Water rights and utility easements.--The conveyances 
        under section 4 shall be made subject to all existing water 
        rights and all easements and rights of any public and private 
        utility districts which operate and maintain transmission and 
        generation facilities along the lands described under section 
        4.
    (b) Establishment of Hanford Reach Protection and Management 
Commission.--Not later than 6 months after the conveyances under 
section 4(b)(1) are made, the State of Washington shall enter into a 
written joint agreement with the governments of Benton, Franklin, and 
Grant Counties to establish the Hanford Reach Protection and Management 
Commission as follows:
            (1) Membership appointment.--The Commission shall be 
        composed of 7 members. As soon as practicable, but not more 
        than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        members shall be appointed as follows:
                    (A) One member who shall be a resident of Benton 
                County, appointed by the government of such county.
                    (B) One member who shall be a resident of Franklin 
                County, appointed by the government of such county.
                    (C) One member who shall be a resident of Grant 
                County, appointed by the government of such county.
                    (D) One member who shall be a resident of the State 
                of Washington, appointed by the Governor of the State 
                of Washington.
                    (E) One member who shall be a resident of the State 
                of Washington, appointed by the Secretary of Energy.
                    (F) One member who shall be a resident of the State 
                of Washington, appointed by the Secretary of the 
                Interior.
                    (G) One member who shall be a resident of any 
                county in the State of Washington through or along 
                which the Columbia River runs, appointed by a majority 
                vote of the other members of the Commission.
            (2) Terms of office.--The length of the terms of office of 
        the members appointed under (1) shall be fixed by each 
        appointing governmental entity at the time of appointment, but 
        no term shall exceed 4 years.
            (3) Vacancy.--Any vacancy that may occur prior to the 
        expiration of a member's term shall be filled for the balance 
        of such term by appointment made by the entity which appointed 
        the vacating member.
            (4) Restriction.--Except as provided herein, no person 
        shall be appointed to the Commission who is an employee, agent, 
        or independent contractor of the United States or any agency 
        thereof.
            (5) Failure to appoint.--In the event a member has not been 
        appointed within 6 months of the establishment of the 
        Commission, any such vacancy shall be filled by joint 
        appointment by the governments of Benton, Franklin, and Grant 
        Counties.
            (6) Establishment of commission authority.--As soon as 
        practicable after the appointment of a majority of the members 
        of the Commission, such members shall be authorized to convene 
        meetings of the Commission and to adopt rules and provisions 
        governing the administration, voting, meeting, terms of 
        service, and finances of the Commission. The first meeting 
        shall be held no later than 1 year from the date of the 
        establishment of the Commission.
            (7) Development of hanford reach protection and management 
        plan.--
                    (A) The primary duty of the Commission shall be to 
                develop and implement a plan to manage the lands 
                conveyed pursuant to section 4(b)(1) to protect and 
                enhance plant resources, fish and wildlife resources, 
                cultural resources, recreational access, and other uses 
                or resources prescribed by the Commission.
                    (B) From the date the conveyances under section 
                4(b)(1) are made until such time as a permanent 
                protection and management plan is approved by the 
                Commission, the lands conveyed pursuant to such section 
                shall be managed under an interim management plan 
                approved by the governments of Benton, Franklin, and 
                Grant Counties, which shall be consistent with the 
                purposes of this Act.
    (c) Nonperformance of State of Washington, Transfer to and 
Management by Counties Authorized.--If the State of Washington does not 
fulfill its obligations under subsection (b), all right, title, and 
interest to the property conveyed pursuant to section 4(b)(1) shall be 
transferred to the counties, with the consent of such counties, in 
which the lands are situated in order to carry out the purposes of this 
Act, and the governments of such counties shall jointly establish the 
Commission pursuant to subsection (b) and to provide for the management 
of the lands conveyed pursuant to section 4(b)(1).
    (d) Reversion and Right To Reenter.--If the State of Washington 
does not fulfill its obligations under subsection (b), and if the 
governments of Benton, Franklin, and Grant Counties do not fulfill 
their obligations under subsection (c), all right, title, and interest 
to the property conveyed pursuant to section 4(b)(1) shall revert to 
the United States and the United States shall have the right of 
immediate entry thereon.
    (e) Use of Federal Resources Authorized.--The Secretary of the 
Interior may enter into agreements with the State of Washington and the 
governmental entities referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) of 
section 4(b) to allow the utilization of personnel, and the provision 
of technical and financial assistance from the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service to assist the county governments in the administration 
and management of the lands transferred under this Act.
    (f) Special Rule for Adams County, Grant County, and Franklin 
County.--The properties described under paragraphs (2) through (4) of 
section 4(b) shall be conveyed only after Adams County, Grant County, 
and Franklin County, Washington, have submitted a written report to the 
Secretary of the Interior which shall include--
            (1) a risk analysis of debris slides in the White Bluffs 
        Wasteway;
            (2) any recommendations necessary to address the risk of 
        such slides; and
            (3) a comprehensive land use plan of the Wahluke Slope.

SOLUTION: Columbia River Habitat Protection and Recreational Access Act of 1997 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to convey to the State of Washington and to Adams, Grant, and Franklin counties in Washington specified portions of the Hanford Works, an area of property along the Columbia River in Washington.  Allows such conveyances only after the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency has made specified certifications to the Secretary with respect to the appropriate environmental cleanup of such area. 
Directs the State of Washington to enter into a joint agreement with Benton, Franklin, and Grant Counties to establish the Hanford Reach Protection and Management Commission, which shall develop and implement a plan to manage the lands conveyed by the Secretary in order to protect and enhance plant, fish and wildlife, and cultural resources, as well as recreational access to, and other uses of, Hanford Reach (a 51-mile stretch of land along the Columbia River containing fish, wildlife, and other resources). 
Requires Adams, Grant, and Franklin Counties to submit to the Secretary:  (1) a risk analysis of debris slides in the White Bluffs Wasteway; and (2) a comprehensive land use plan of the Wahluke Slope.

PROBLEM: 16, 110th Congress, agreed 
    to in the Senate March 1, 2007, and House Concurrent Resolution 80, 
    110th Congress, agreed to in the House of Representatives June 18, 
    2007.
SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT OF A STRATEGY TO SUPPORT THE DISARMAMENT OF THE 
LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY.
    (a) Requirement for Strategy.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall develop and 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a strategy to guide 
future United States support across the region for viable multilateral 
efforts to mitigate and eliminate the threat to civilians and regional 
stability posed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
    (b) Content of Strategy.--The strategy shall include the following:
        (1) A plan to help strengthen efforts by the United Nations and 
    regional governments to protect civilians from attacks by the 
    Lord's Resistance Army while supporting the development of 
    institutions in affected areas that can help to maintain the rule 
    of law and prevent conflict in the long term.
        (2) An assessment of viable options through which the United 
    States, working with regional governments, could help develop and 
    support multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat posed by the 
    Lord's Resistance Army.
        (3) An interagency framework to plan, coordinate, and review 
    diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military elements of United 
    States policy across the region regarding the Lord's Resistance 
    Army.
        (4) A description of the type and form of diplomatic engagement 
    across the region undertaken to coordinate and implement United 
    States policy regarding the Lord's Resistance Army and to work 
    multilaterally with regional mechanisms, including the Tripartite 
    Plus Commission and the Great Lakes Pact.
        (5) A description of how this engagement will fit within the 
    context of broader efforts and policy objectives in the Great Lakes 
    Region.
    (c) Form.--The strategy under this section shall be submitted in 
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
SEC. 5. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR AREAS OUTSIDE UGANDA AFFECTED BY 
THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY.
    In accordance with section 491 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292) and section 2 of the Migration and Refugee 
Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2601), the President is authorized to 
provide additional assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, 
southern Sudan, and Central African Republic to respond to the 
humanitarian needs of populations directly affected by the activity of 
the Lord's Resistance Army.
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION IN NORTHERN UGANDA.
    (a) Authority.--It is the sense of Congress that the President 
should support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the 
Government of Uganda--
        (1) to assist internally displaced people in transition and 
    returnees to secure durable solutions by spurring economic 
    revitalization, supporting livelihoods, helping to alleviate 
    poverty, and advancing access to basic services at return sites, 
    specifically clean water, health care, and schools;
        (2) to enhance the accountability and administrative competency 
    of local governance institutions and public agencies in northern 
    Uganda with regard to budget management, provision of public goods 
    and services, and related oversight functions;
        (3) to strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian 
    police in northern Uganda to enhance public safety, prevent crime, 
    and deal sensitively with gender-based violence, while 
    strengthening accountability measures to prevent corruption and 
    abuses;
        (4) to rebuild and improve the capacity of the justice system 
    in northern Uganda, including the courts and penal systems, with 
    particular sensitivity to the needs and rights of women and 
    children;
        (5) to establish mechanisms for the disarmament, 
    demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants and those 
    abducted by the LRA, including vocational education and employment 
    opportunities, with attention given to the roles and needs of men, 
    women and children; and
        (6) to promote programs to address psychosocial trauma, 
    particularly post-traumatic stress disorder.
    (b) Future Year Funding.--It is the sense of Congress that the 
Secretary of State and Administrator of the United States Agency for 
International Development should work with the appropriate committees 
of Congress to increase assistance in future fiscal years to support 
activities described in this section if the Government of Uganda 
demonstrates a commitment to transparent and accountable reconstruction 
in war-affected areas of northern Uganda, specifically by--
        (1) finalizing the establishment of mechanisms within the 
    Office of the Prime Minister to sufficiently manage and coordinate 
    the programs under the framework of the Peace Recovery and 
    Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP);
        (2) increasing oversight activities and reporting, at the local 
    and national level in Uganda, to ensure funds under the Peace 
    Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda framework are 
    used efficiently and with minimal waste; and
        (3) committing substantial funds of its own, above and beyond 
    standard budget allocations to local governments, to the task of 
    implementing the Peace Recovery and Development Plan for Northern 
    Uganda such that communities affected by the war can recover.
    (c) Coordination With Other Donor Nations.--The United States 
should work with other donor nations to increase contributions for 
recovery efforts in northern Uganda and better leverage those 
contributions to enhance the capacity and encourage the leadership of 
the Government of Uganda in promoting transparent and accountable 
reconstruction in northern Uganda.
    (d) Termination of Assistance.--It is the sense of Congress that 
the Secretary of State should withhold non-humanitarian bilateral 
assistance to the Republic of Uganda if the Secretary determines that 
the Government of Uganda is not committed to reconstruction and 
reconciliation in the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and is not 
taking proactive steps to ensure this process moves forward in a 
transparent and accountable manner.
SEC. 7. ASSISTANCE FOR RECONCILIATION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN 
NORTHERN UGANDA.
    (a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, despite 
reconstruction and development efforts, a continued failure to take 
meaningful steps toward national reconciliation and accountability 
risks perpetuating longstanding political grievances and fueling new 
conflicts.
    (b) Authority.--In accordance with section 531 of the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346), the President is authorized to 
support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the Government of 
Uganda to advance efforts to promote transitional justice and 
reconciliation on both local and national levels, including to 
encourage implementation of the mechanisms outlined in the Annexure to 
the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation between the 
Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army/Movement, signed at 
Juba February 19, 2008, namely--
        (1) a body to investigate the history of the conflict, inquire 
    into human rights violations committed during the conflict by all 
    sides, promote truth-telling in communities, and encourage the 
    preservation of the memory of events and victims of the conflict 
    through memorials, archives, commemorations, and other forms of 
    preservation;
        (2) a special division of the High Court of Uganda to try 
    individuals alleged to have committed serious crimes during the 
    conflict, and a special unit to carry out investigations and 
    prosecutions in support of trials;
        (3) a system for making reparations to victims of the conflict; 
    and
        (4) a review and strategy for supporting transitional justice 
    mechanisms in affected areas to promote reconciliation and 
    encourage individuals to take personal responsibility for their 
    conduct during the war.
SEC. 8. REPORT.
    (a) Report Required.--Not later than 1 year after the submission of 
the strategy required under section 4, the Secretary of State shall 
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the progress made toward the implementation of the strategy required 
under section 4 and a description and evaluation of the assistance 
provided under this Act toward the policy objectives described in 
section 3.
    (b) Contents.--The report required under section (a) shall 
include--
        (1) a description and evaluation of actions taken toward the 
    implementation of the strategy required under section 4;
        (2) a description of assistance provided under sections 5, 6, 
    and 7;
        (3) an evaluation of bilateral assistance provided to the 
    Republic of Uganda and associated programs in light of stated 
    policy objectives;
        (4) a description of the status of the Peace Recovery and 
    Development Plan for Northern Uganda and the progress of the 
    Government of Uganda in fulfilling the steps outlined in section 
    6(b); and
        (5) a description of amounts of assistance committed, and 
    amounts provided, to northern Uganda during the reporting period by 
    the Government of Uganda and each donor country.
    (c) Form.--The report under this section shall be submitted in 
unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
SEC. 9. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FUNDING.
    It is the sense of Congress that--
        (1) of the total amounts to be appropriated for fiscal year 
    2011 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to 
    $10,000,000 should be used to carry out activities under section 5; 
    and
        (2) of the total amounts to be appropriated for fiscal year 
    2011 through 2013 for the Department of State and foreign 
    operations, up to $10,000,000 in each such fiscal year should be 
    used to carry out activities under section 7.
  SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
    In this Act:
        (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate 
    committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Appropriations and 
    the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee 
    on Appropriations and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
    of Representatives.
        (2) Great lakes region.--The term ``Great Lakes Region'' means 
    the region comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, 
    Rwanda, southern Sudan, and Uganda.
        (3) LRA-affected areas.--The term ``LRA-affected areas'' means 
    those portions of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, northeastern 
    Democratic Republic of Congo, and southeastern Central African 
    Republic determined by the Secretary of State to be affected by the 
    Lord's Resistance Army as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.

SOLUTION: Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Directs the President to submit to Congress a regional strategy to guide U.S. support for multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat to civilians and regional stability posed by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). Requires the strategy to include: (1) a plan to help strengthen efforts by the United Nations (U.N.) and regional governments to protect civilians from attacks by the LRA; (2) an assessment of viable options through which the United States could help develop and support multilateral efforts to eliminate the threat posed by the LRA; (3) an interagency framework to plan, coordinate, and review diplomatic, economic, intelligence, and military elements of U.S. policy across the region regarding the LRA; (4) a description of the type and form of diplomatic engagement across the region undertaken to coordinate and implement U.S. policy regarding the LRA and to work multilaterally with regional mechanisms, including the Tripartite Plus Commission and the Great Lakes Pact; and (5) a description of how this engagement will fit within the context of broader efforts and policy objectives in the Great Lakes Region.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes the President to provide additional assistance to respond to the humanitarian needs of populations the Democratic Republic of Congo, southern Sudan, and Central African Republic affected by LRA activity.

(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the government of Uganda to: (1) assist internally displaced people in transition and returnees by spurring economic revitalization and advancing access to basic services at return sites; (2) enhance the accountability and administrative competency of local governance institutions and public agencies in northern Uganda; (3) strengthen the operational capacity of the civilian police and the justice system in northern Uganda; (4) establish mechanisms for the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants and those abducted by the LRA; and (5) promote programs to address psychosocial trauma.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) should work with Congress to increase future assistance to Uganda if the government of Uganda demonstrates a commitment to reconstruction in war-affected areas of northern Uganda; and (2) the Secretary should withhold non-humanitarian assistance to Uganda if the government of Uganda is not committed to reconstruction and reconciliation in the war-affected areas of northern Uganda and is not taking steps to ensure this process moves forward in a transparent and accountable manner.

(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that a continued failure to take meaningful steps toward national reconciliation and accountability risks perpetuating political grievances and fueling new conflicts.

Authorizes the President to support efforts by the people of northern Uganda and the government of Uganda to promote transitional justice and reconciliation on both local and national levels, including to encourage implementation of the mechanisms in the Annexure to the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation between the government of Uganda and the LRA.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on implementation of the strategy and evaluation of the assistance under this Act.

(Sec. 9) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) of the total amounts to be appropriated for FY2011 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to $10 million should be used to carry out activities under section 5; and (2) of the total amounts to be appropriated for FY2011-FY2013 for the Department of State and foreign operations, up to $10 million in each such fiscal year should be used to carry out activities under section 7.

(Sec. 10) Defines: (1) "Great Lakes Region" as the region comprising Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, southern Sudan, and Uganda; and (2) "LRA-affected areas" as those portions of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and southeastern Central African Republic affected by the LRA.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Hospital Emergency Repair 
Act''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS FOR PATIENT 
              CARE IMPROVEMENTS.

    (a) In General.--(1) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is 
authorized to carry out major medical facility projects in accordance 
with this section, using funds appropriated for fiscal year 2002 or 
fiscal year 2003 pursuant to section 3. The cost of any such project 
may not exceed $25,000,000.
    (2) Projects carried out under this section are not subject to 
section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code.
    (b) Purpose of Projects.--A project carried out pursuant to 
subsection (a) may be carried out only at a Department of Veterans 
Affairs medical center and only for the purpose of improving, 
renovating, and updating to contemporary standards patient care 
facilities. In selecting medical centers for projects under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall select projects to improve, renovate, or 
update facilities to achieve one or more of the following:
            (1) Seismic protection improvements related to patient 
        safety.
            (2) Fire safety improvements.
            (3) Improvements to utility systems and ancillary patient 
        care facilities.
            (4) Improved accommodation for persons with disabilities, 
        including barrier-free access.
            (5) Improvements to facilities carrying out specialized 
        programs of the Department, including the following:
                    (A) Blind rehabilitation centers.
                    (B) Facilities carrying out inpatient and 
                residential programs for seriously mentally ill 
                veterans, including mental illness research, education, 
                and clinical centers.
                    (C) Facilities carrying out residential and 
                rehabilitation programs for veterans with substance-use 
                disorders.
                    (D) Facilities carrying out physical medicine and 
                rehabilitation activities.
                    (E) Facilities providing long-term care, including 
                geriatric research, education, and clinical centers, 
                adult day care centers, and nursing home care 
                facilities.
                    (F) Facilities providing amputation care, including 
                facilities for prosthetics, orthotics programs, and 
                sensory aids.
                    (G) Spinal cord injury centers.
                    (H) Facilities carrying out traumatic brain injury 
                programs.
                    (I) Facilities carrying out women veterans' health 
                programs (including particularly programs involving 
                privacy and accommodation for female patients).
                    (J) Facilities for hospice and palliative care 
                programs.
    (c) Review Process.--(1) Before a project is submitted to the 
Secretary with a recommendation that it be approved as a project to be 
carried out under the authority of this section, the project shall be 
reviewed by an independent board within the Department of Veterans 
Affairs constituted by the Secretary to evaluate capital investment 
projects. The board shall review each such project to determine the 
project's relevance to the medical care mission of the Department and 
whether the project improves, renovates, and updates patient care 
facilities of the Department in accordance with this section.
    (2) In selecting projects to be carried out under the authority of 
this section, the Secretary shall consider the recommendations of the 
board under paragraph (1). In any case in which the Secretary selects a 
project to be carried out under this section that was not recommended 
for approval by the board under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
include in the report of the Secretary under section 4(b) notice of 
such selection and the Secretary's reasons for not following the 
recommendation of the board with respect to the project.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Construction, Major Projects, 
account for projects under section 2--
            (1) $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
            (2) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
    (b) Limitation.--Projects may be carried out under section 2 only 
using funds appropriated pursuant to the authorization of 
appropriations in subsection (a).

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

    (a) GAO Report.--Not later than April 1, 2003, the Comptroller 
General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and on 
Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives a report 
evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of congressional 
authorization for projects of the type described in section 2(b) 
through general authorization as provided by section 2(a), rather than 
through specific authorization as would otherwise be applicable under 
section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States Code. Such report shall 
include a description of the actions of the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs during fiscal year 2002 to select and carry out projects under 
section 2.
    (b) Secretary Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date on 
which the site for the final project under section 2 is selected, the 
Secretary shall submit to the committees referred to in subsection (a) 
a report on the authorization process under section 2. The Secretary 
shall include in the report the following:
            (1) A listing by project of each project selected by the 
        Secretary under that section, together with a prospectus 
        description of the purposes of the project, the estimated cost 
        of the project, and a statement attesting to the review of the 
        project under section 2(c), and, if that project was not 
        recommended by the board, the Secretary's justification under 
        section 2(d) for not following the recommendation of the board.
            (2) An assessment of the utility to the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs of the authorization process.
            (3) Such recommendations as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate for future congressional policy for authorizations 
        of major and minor medical facility construction projects for 
        the Department.
            (4) Any other matter that the Secretary considers to be 
        appropriate with respect to oversight by Congress of capital 
        facilities projects of the Department.

SOLUTION:
Veterans' Hospital Emergency Repair Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers for improving, renovating, and updating patient care facilities. Requires the Secretary to use FY 2002 or 2003 appropriated funds for such purpose. Limits to $25 million the cost of any single project. Requires an independent board within the Department to review projects before their selection.